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To absolutely nobody’s surprise, the Apollo Cabin was in shambles. Bits of fabric and props were tossed half-hazardly across the room, mirrors were propped against walls in precarious ways, windows were decorated with wilted delios flowers that were hit by some anxious beam of sunlight or fungi. Will expected this when the Cabin had successfully wooed Chiron into letting them have a Halloween in July party, filled with trick-or-treating and costume contests, but that didn’t mean he had to be pleased about it.
Due to the simplistic nature of his own costume: the Aphrodite Cabin had come in a clutch providing him with leggings, a pink skirt, and a striped sweater he could wear underneath his own lab coat he kept in the back of the infirmary for moments he felt like looking professional, he was the first done. And as the first done, and the oldest, Will had the delightful task of helping all of his siblings finish their costumes. He loved his siblings, he really did, but the lot of them were filled to the brim with anxiety and hyperactivity that he could barely keep his head attached when he was helping them.
Gracie’s robotic dragon, courtesy of the Hephaestus Cabin, was running through the legs of everyone, nearly knocking several of them off their feet. Penelope, unlike her cinematic counterpart, was unable to complete even the simplest of tasks that involved cleaning. Her only talents being causing havoc and looking adorable. Will hated that little purple demon’s guts. Luckily, no one else had any form of electronic pieces, because if Penelope had a little demon counterpart, Will might’ve lost his mind. More than he already had.
Maybe Nico was onto something when he called Digit a demon.
Using all of his self-restraint to not punt Penelope across the cabin when he passed, Will somehow managed to make it to the center of the room where Gracie was testing her ballgown’s spinning ability. Her dress had been hand-sewn by herself and her girlfriend, Lacy, and had come out exquisite. Somehow, the two girls had managed to capture every single detail that had been in the original film. Will had to give them props. “Need help with anything?” he asked his youngest sister.
Gracie stopped spinning, Her tiara slightly lopsided on her half-up half-down caramel hair. She hadn’t had time to buy a wig, but naturally her hair fell to her waist, even in its loose curls, so it worked out. Will had helped her tie it this morning, sleeking down the baby hairs with more mousse than strictly necessary. It looked really good, if he said so himself.
“All good, I think.” Gracie said. She grinned brightly, exposing her lavender braces that matched her dress perfectly. “How do I look?”
“Stunning,” Will said. He held out his hand for Gracie to grab, and when she did, he spun her, allowing the tulle of her dress to billow around her. “And it spins well too.”
Gracie giggled, curtsying. “Why, thank you. Does your skirt spin well too?”
Will spun himself, his knee length skirt billowing slightly, but not to the magnitude Gracie’s ball gown had. “Decent.” He declared, flattening down the sequined fabric.
Gracie nodded, a grunt of approval before beginning her twirling adventures again.
“Don’t fall,” Will said sternly.
“I won’t!”
Content that Gracie was alright, Will turned in search of another sibling. He found Yan sitting on her bed, her fluffy blue onesie unzipped down to her waist, revealing a plain white undershirt Will was certain was not hers. On her nose was a blue pig nose, the elastic band peaking out from under her shoulder length black hair. “All set?” Will asked.
Yan looked up, shrugged slightly, before looking down at her lap.
Will sat beside her, placing his hand on top of hers. “Want to talk about it?” Will’s voice was quiet, so it would not spread throughout the rest of the cabin, but loud enough to be heard over the hullabaloo.
Yan pulled her hand back, so she could pull her knees to her chest. “I’m fine, it’s just.” Her voice tapered off for a moment, before she found it again. “I’m sort of jealous, I guess.”
“Of what?” Will had an idea of what, but he didn’t want to assume. Assuming made an ass out of you and me, his mother always quoted.
“Everyone, I guess.” Yan admitted. “My mum wasn’t big on dubs, and I rarely watched English TV as a kid, since I didn’t speak it until I went to a British International School at six. So, I feel like I don’t know anyone’s costumes, and no one’s going to know mine.”
“I know yours,” Will said.
Yan chuckled and smacked his arm lightly. “That’s because I’ve told you a lot about Hu Hu Zhu.”
“Then you can tell everyone else about him too,” Will said firmly. “And in turn they can tell you about their costumes.” Yan was quiet as she contemplated the statement, and Will let his words sink in before continuing. “And remember, everyone had different childhoods. I’ve never watched Fresh Beat Band growing up, so if Austin hadn’t told me, I probably wouldn’t have been able to identify it. So, don’t feel bad if you don’t know someone’s costume. Take it as a time to learn about other cultures.”
“Okay.”
Will elbowed her lightly, “Now, stop moping around and finish getting ready, we have a party to attend.”
“I will.”
Will left her to finish getting ready, crossing the room to find Austin, Jerry, and Kayla huddled around a keyboard. Austin, much to Will’s delight, had asked Woodrow, the satyr in charge of music lessons, to borrow a keyboard, but seemed to forget the key detail that was having to carry it around. The three were muttering to themselves, so Will took a moment to appreciate their costumes. Austin’s orange sweater was neatly pressed, as were his brown shorts (that were actually Will’s). His hair was in cornrows, unlike Shout’s, but he had pulled them back into a ponytail so as not to highlight them. Kayla’s Maurecia costume was similar to Will's, in the fact they both had skirts and sweaters, though hers was not striped and her skirt was more lavender. She already donned her helmet, and her skates were in her hands, striking together like windchimes. Jerry’s slightly ragged skirt was haphazardly tucked into his breeches, and his vest was unbuttoned. His cap was covering one eye, though he seemed not to notice.
“William!” Jerry called, his voice taking a fake cockney accent. Will marveled at how similar, yet how different, it was to Jerry’s normal accent. How two people from the same city could sound so different is beyond Will. “Come here.”
“At least button your vest, Jerry,” said Will, but he marched over.
“This is a waistcoat,” Jerry immediately corrected as he did the buttons. “I don’t care what you Americans say. It’s not a vest.”
“I already had to stop a fight over whether Austin is wearing a sweater or a jumper,” Kayla said, though her fond smile made it seem like she didn’t really care much about her younger brothers’ bickering. Will could relate.
“It’s a sweater,” said Austin.
“It’s a jumper!” refuted Jerry.
“It’s both,” Will said calmly. “Alright, what’s the plan for the keyboard?”
“Kayla and I carried it here,” Austin said, “But I doubt you’ll let Kayla carry it with roller skates on.”
“You’re right, I won’t.”
“So, Jerry and I were planning on carrying it.” Austin clicked the heels of his brown vans. “We were just having a little disagreement.”
“A kerfuffle, if you will,” Jerry added.
Austin turned, his face scrunched. “You made that word up.”
“I did not!”
Before the two could continue their ongoing linguistic debate, Will lifted his fingers to his lips and whistled. The whole cabin fell into shocked silence.
“Alright!” Will shouted, though there was no legitimate need for the volume. “I hope everyone is ready, because even if you aren’t I am leaving. Gracie, do not forget, Penelope. You’ll be on dust pan for a week if I come back and find this place torn apart. Kayla, be careful on your roller skates, please. For the love of all things holy, don’t break a bone. Today’s my day off, and I’d like to keep it that way. Jerry, grab the bucket of candy from your mom and bring it with us for the Trick or Treating event. Got it?”
“Got it!” yelled the Apollo kids in unison.
“Let’s move out!” Will called. It took a few minutes to get out the door; Kayla had to lace up her skates, and Will had to yell at Jerry for trying to sneak a Percy Pig gummy into his mouth. Even with the hurdles, the Apollo Cabin managed to be the first ones at the Dining Pavilion.
The nymphs and satyrs had outdone themselves with decorations. The tables had been discarded, and were replaced with themed blankets: pumpkins, skulls, skeletons, and cauldrons. Around the perimeter were little tables, decorated with jack-o-lanterns, that would hold the candy for the Trick or Treating. Sitting at random spots were skeletons, which at first glance Will thought were fake, until he noticed one stretch out their legs in a lazy fashion. Though, one thing Will had enough brains to know was not fake was Jules-Albert. The chauffeur was sitting at one of the tables, a little checkered racing flag in his hand.
“Pretty good, right?”
Will would like to say that he anticipated his boyfriend’s approach, that he didn’t yelp and jump a few inches into the air, but as the son of the god of truth, he’d never been good at lying. He turned around to scold Nico, but stopped when he saw him.
He’d known Nico was going to go as a pirate. Yet, nothing could have prepared him for the actual thing. He could’ve given Jack Sparrow a run for his money, if Will had any vote. His costume was entirely black and white, like he was in an old timey film. His black breeches tucked into his black knee high boots, his black vest unfastened to show his white tunic. The tunic’s ribbons were loose, the stitching creating loops, and on his head was a white bandana, though only bits of it were visible underneath his black hat with the white skull and bones.
“Earth to Will!” Nico snapped, and Will jolted back into reality. Rude, he hadn’t finished admiring Nico.
“Oh, right,” Will mumbled. “It looks great, Death Boy. I hadn’t realized you were helping out with decor.”
Nico shrugged. “Might as well put my powers to good use.”
“As long as you don’t overdo it.”
“Whatever you say, Doctor Solace.” Nico paused for a moment after his eye roll to examine Will’s costume. Which was mean, Will thought, as he was criticized for examining Nico’s. “You really have the skirt.”
“I told you, I’m Doc McStuffins.”
“What kind of name is that?” Nico asked.
“A memorable one,” Will laughed. “Now, come on. Let’s make sure Penelope hasn’t destroyed the party yet.”
“Who’s Penelope?”
“That purple demon Leo made for Gracie.” Will grabbed Nico’s wrist and spun him around before starting towards where the five other Apollo kids were setting up one of the tables with the British sweets from Jerry’s mother. “You might’ve been onto something.”
“I told you!” Nico exclaimed as he let Will lead the way.
Will had to admit, the Halloween Party was a fantastic idea. Everyone was so genuinely happy as they showed off their costumes, ranting about a long gone hyperfixation that still held a special place in their hearts. Animatronics riddled the floor, showing off their talents. Leo had programmed Digit to do math that was well beyond what was actually taught on Cyberchase.
Some of the younger kids, like Harley, were still head deep in their first major hyperfixation, and would ramble to anyone willing to talk to them. Will was just glad Harley’s costume wasn’t some rigged explosive. The eight year old was dressed as Pac Man, and kept marching around saying “Um num num” while moving his arms like an alligator. It was cute.
Ever the extrovert, Will was dragged from conversation to conversation, allowing kids of all ages to rant about their costumes. In turn, he got to rant more than his fair share about Doc McStuffins. Nico, true to his character, followed Will around like a lost puppy, eyes widening every time someone spoke directly to him. Will wasn’t too worried about him, though, because after some time, a little eight year old who was also dressed like a pirate got Nico to start ranting about his own costume.
He also kept an eye out for Yan. His sibling was conversing, though not as much as him, but seemed to be enjoying herself. He was glad. He knew she probably still had reservations about the party, and if she showed any signs of discomfort, he’d be there in a minute to help. But, she seemed to be doing well, if the thumbs up she shot him was any indication.
Gracie was doing well as well. She and Lacy were taking turns spinning each other, their respective dresses billowing as they did so, their giggles of joy so contagious Will found himself chuckling too. The two were in their own world, one where only they mattered, and looked at each other with such fondness that Will couldn’t keep the grin off his face. Sure they were young; Gracie being newly thirteen and Lacy fourteen, but demigods did everything young. To see his sister have such joy in his life was something Will would forever treasure.
He glanced back at Nico, who had removed himself from Will’s shadow but was still adamantly talking with the little kid, and felt the same fondness. Before he could melt from his boyfriend’s adorableness (though Nico would deny any), he turned away to locate the rest of his siblings.
Austin was doing a showcase with his keyboard, playing a wide array of Fresh Beat Band classics such as Just Like a Rockstar, Bananas, Get Up and Go Go, and Great Day. From where he was standing, it was more background music. While he’d never seen the show himself, Austin had blasted the soundtrack a few days prior, turning the Cabin’s curfew into a dance party. Will had let his siblings break the rules. Just that one time.
Kayla was decent on skates, much to Will’s relief. She wasn’t the best, and was a bit wobbly, but she was able to navigate the cracks in the floor and the people standing like statues as they chatted. Though, Will probably should put a stop to Billie and Valentina dragging her across the Pavilion, but he decided to let it slide. It’s his day off. If she gets hurt, it’s someone else's problem.
It took a minute for Will to locate Jerry amongst the crowd, as his costume was dull in colors. He was with Olivera, no surprise there, at the corner of the Pavilion. Olivera’s winter hat for her Peg costume was snug over her ears, probably hiding a pair of ear plugs, but she didn’t seem overwhelmed at the noise or the amount of people. What surprised Will the most, however, was the fact that she had her arms around his chest and was gently swaying to Austin’s music, though it was very upbeat. Jerry seemed to be saying something as he played with her hair.
Seeing Will looking at them, Jerry sent him a sly wink, never once breaking in his words.
“I sort of miss making fun of Jerry for being single.” Kayla rolled by, Valentina and Billie no longer dragging her.
“You jealous?” Will asked teasingly.
“Of a straight guy?” Kayla said, sounding appalled at the very thought, but her glances towards Jerry and Olivera said otherwise. “Never.”
“You could easily get a partner,” Will agreed, sensing Kayla didn’t want to talk about her blatant lie.
“Sure could.”
“People have to pick a number like at the deli just to make out with you.”
“See, you get it.” Kayla did a spin, though it was awkward on wheels. “Where’s your boy, anyway?”
Will waved his hand in the general direction of Nico. The little kid was following Nico, as were a few others, and he was making the skeletons dance to Loco Legs , Will thought it was called. Nico had the barest form of a smile on his lips as the skeletons danced, children moving between their legs as they did so.
“That’s a good party trick,” Kayla commented.
Will, while glad Nico was on his own and able to enjoy himself in a crowd, something he always struggled to do, did feel a bit of sadness that his boyfriend wasn’t attached to him like usual at these events. Sue him for liking to spend time with his boyfriend.
“Yeah.”
Will had no idea how Kayla managed to pinpoint his exact emotions, but soon she held his wrist and was skating towards Nico and Will honestly had no idea how that happened.
Gracefully (read: pushed and nearly knocked four children over), the two managed to get to Nico just as the skeletons had begun their kick line. Kids were laughing as they did so, and Cecil and Lou Ellen—the former dressed as Cookie Monster and the latter Sabrina the Teenage Witch—had managed to join the line. Will expected nothing less from his two friends. Kayla left Will to join the little posse that had formed over yonder.
“Hey,” Nico said when they walked over, suppressing a grin.
“Hey.” Will looked around. “Seems like you’ve become popular.”
“Just for Halloween.”
“I doubt that.” He kept quiet as Nico flicked his wrist and the skeletons went back to their original post and the gaggle of children dispersed. “Having fun?” Will asked once they were alone.
Nico shrugged. “Tons of socializing,” he said, “But it’s alright.”
“Socializing is good for you.”
“In moderation.”
“In moderation,” agreed Will. “Has your social battery run out yet? Should we make a run for it?”
Nico chuckled slightly as he shook his head. “I’m alright. I can wait for the candy.”
“I knew there were ulterior motives,” Will exclaimed.
“Shut up,” laughed Nico. Will has that sound committed to memory.
“Well, lucky for you, I also have ulterior motives.”
“Oh, yeah?” Nico stepped forward, arms crossed. “Like what.”
Will pressed a whisper of a kiss on Nico’s lips before dipping him. " Will! " Nico grabbed his hat before it fell off. “ Vaffanculo ,” cussed Nico, though his cheeks were bright red and there was no real fire to his words.
“Dance with me,” Will said.
“This isn’t music to dance with a partner to.”
“Well, lucky for you, I happen to be the head of the most musically inclined cabin, and one criteria is the ability to dance to any music.” Will curtsied, the fabric of his skirt crinking in his hands. “So, would you?”
“Fine.” said Nico, like he was giving up, but Will knew better. “I guess we can dance.”
The costume contest wasn't exactly a contest, as pitting hyperfixations against hyperfixations was a recipe for disaster. Instead, people had the option of showcasing their costumes. Will hadn't planned to go up front, but Gracie had begged him, claiming she wanted him to twirl her, and who was he to deny his little sister?
There was also an animatronic section, run by the Hephaestus Cabin. Leo had sent a rather large wink to the audience beforehand, walking up to the microphone he definitely didn't need to announce each robotic prop. Penelope got a large round of applause that was definitely not warranted. Will booed under his breath much to Nico's amusement.
After the costume showcase, dinner was served in the style of a picnic, reminding Will fondly of the last camp-wide picnic; the one where Nico asked him to be his boyfriend. The memory was one Will would cherish always, but that didn't mean he wouldn't tease Nico about it.
"No declarations of love this time?" Will asked after they did their sacrifices and sat on the edge of a skull blanket.
"There won't be another one if you're annoying," Nico told him.
"Does that mean I have to propose?"
Nico spluttered, luckily having not started eating. "We're fifteen!"
"I turn sixteen next month," Will replied nonchalantly. Inside, however, he was anything but nonchalant. "And we're demigods, we do everything young."
Nico's cheeks were steadily darkening. However, he was saved from having to come up with an adequate response by Leo Valdez, who plopped himself on the other side of the blanket. Digit followed him, turning off when the robot sat beside Leo. Will thought it was pretty cool, at least not as demonic as Penelope.
Will gave Leo a warm grin in greeting. "How's the party going for you?"
"Pretty good." Leo said. "Most of my friends aren't here though, so I've just been tagging around as Harley pretended to be Pac Man."
"Valid."
Leo glanced between them, and Will noticed Nico's face was still slightly red. "I hope you didn't stop your flirting on my behalf. I'm a bonafide third wheel, you know."
Nico scrunched his nose, removing his hat and placing it on his lap. Will wanted to reach over and play with the strands of hair poking out from the bandana, but he didn't. He had self-control.
"Don't you have a girlfriend? How are you a third wheel?"
Leo's face sombered for a moment, but he didn't answer. Will wondered if there was something going on between him and Calypso, some behind the scene stuff he wasn't privy to. She was at some music camp, Leo had said when he arrived, yet he didn't elaborate beyond that.
"Look, di Angelo, if you aren't gonna flirt with your boyfriend, I'll be happy to do it for you." Leo sent an exaggerated wink in Will's direction.
Will rolled his eyes and elbowed Nico, who looked ready to pounce like a kitten. "I'm changing the topic." Will stated bluntly, before doing just that. Soon, the thoughts of flirting and supposed girlfriends are long gone, replaced with childhood nostalgia.
Nico kept complaining about not understanding half the references Will and Leo made, some specific to Texas memories the two shared that Nico would never be able to fully grasp, which Will found hilarious. It’s not his fault Nico looked very pretty while complaining. Especially when he put his far too large pirate hat back on his head.
After the food had finished, it was time for Trick or Treating. Much to Will’s delight, the satyrs and nymphs were in charge, allowing the counselors to be children for once in their lives. Leo immediately dove in, leaving the two alone, his brown paper bag nearly ripping with candy after only one or two stations around the perimeter.
Will could tell that while Nico wanted candy, he also didn’t want to be crowded, so he stayed back for a moment. Nico sent him a grateful glance, and all was right in the world. It didn’t take too long for the tables to clear enough that Nico took the initiative to walk forward towards one of the tables—the one where Jules-Albert was handing out little skeleton shaped pretzels. Will just followed, not needing to talk.
The rest of the camp provided enough background music. Austin must’ve found a speaker, because Witch Doctor was playing, and children were excitedly chattering about their sweets. The candy provided by Cabin 7 was a big topic of debate, as many of the Americans had never seen half of the sweets. Will just hoped the Hermes Cabin wasn’t planning an illegal heist to get more Kinder Eggs.
After the candy was distributed, the whole camp started to make their way to the amphitheater for a Halloween themed campfire. Nico had gone back to see Jules-Albert, staying away from the large crowds.
Will, however, stayed in the center until he could pull Kayla aside just before she passed. “Cover for me.” He whispered.
Kayla gave him a small wink before skating off, yelling something at Austin about Kinder Eggs.
Will walked over to Nico and held out his hand, a formal gesture that did not pair well with his childlike clothing. Nico glanced at him, eyes widened in confusion, but took it anyway. “Yes, Will?
Will just started walking, knowing Nico would follow, no matter how confused he was. Nico didn’t say a word as they walked, even though it was clear they were not going in the direction of the amphitheater. It wasn’t until the steps of the Hades Cabin that one of them spoke, and even then Will’s voice was soft. “After you.”
“Why are we here?”
“Just to get away for a bit,” Will admitted. They could hear the music of the campfire starting, the sound of children single muffled by the dark obsidian walls. “Happy Halloween, Death Boy.”
Nico stood on his tiptoes and plucked Will’s sparkly headband off of his blonde curls, and replaced it with his own hat. “Happy Halloween, Will.”