#I plan on giving both Nico and Percy food issues

[moa-broke-me]

Most people's first drag show was at a bar. Percy's was a dinner theatre performance of Swan Lake.

He figured he'd go to support his old university's arts program, after all, he couldn't afford to donate as much as his colleagues did every year, and he figured this'd make up for that. Plus, it was his custody weekend, and he always wanted to do something special for his daughter to make these measly two days a month count.

So, he decided he'd kill two birds with one stone, his daughter swinging her feet on the stool she was sat in, eating her macaroni and cheese. "You like it?" He asked.

She nodded. "It's a lot better than the box stuff you make, daddy. Mama Piper makes hers with adacvo, and I'on like adacvo."

He laughed a bit. "Yeah, it's fun eating away from home, isn't it?" He asked, before taking a bite of his ravioli. It was miles ahead of the canned stuff, no offense to Chef Boyardee.

"Mhm! Uncle Jason, can we go get dessert after?"

Ok, so really it was three birds with one stone. Spend time with his daughter, support the art program, and catch up with Jason.

Jason laughed lightly, jostling the baby carrier he had on his chest and causing Leo's baby to stir. "Zora, they're serving dessert here. I'm sure it'll be much better than anything you could get at a fast food place."

"Really? Even subway cookies?"

"Yes, even subway cookies." He turned back to the baby he was sitting, checking that he was ok. The cherubic little boy was almost two, and could walk, so he didn't really need the carrier, but he liked being strapped in tight. "Raph, you good buddy?"

Raphael cooed up at Jason, reaching up to squish his face. "Coo-kie."

Jason laughed. "Aww, man. This kid is adorable." He reached around the carrier to eat his steak. "Thanks for taking us out here. I know it was like, 50 bucks a person. I can wire you back if you want."

"No, no, it's fine. Just enjoy the ballet." Percy looked over, and Odette had just been captured by the wizard, and the transformation sequence was about to begin. He'd watched both the barbie version and the one from 1994 with Zora before, so he knew the plot, but it was so different seeing it on stage. She had been in a simple loose-fitting blue dress, period-appropriately modest but still short enough to move around in. Now though, once the swirling ribbons fell and the colored smoke and glitter dissipated into the air, Odette was in nothing but a white leotard and black ballet shoes, the leotard strapless and embroidered with pearls and feathers and lace and thin black boning. They were all seated in the front, so he could see every detail, every individual feather draped on the underside of her arm, the otherworldly white lashes and pearl in the middle of the forehead, the thin black swirls of eyeliner on her face and sad, swoopy brows and bold black lipstick forming a pout, like an infinitely more attractive version of an old french mime. The white-dyed tips in ink black hair and rich, dark brown eyes and the gentle outward curve of her nose. The freckles on her shoulders and cheeks, dotting her hauntingly beautiful olive-creme skin. the flat chest and narrow, boyish hips...

He looked at the playbill again, to find the name of this incredible being.

There were two names on the bill, one for uncursed Odette, and one for cursed Odette. He skimmed past the first to get to the second.

Nico diAngelo.

He smiled. "Hey, Jason, you took intro to dance right?" I asked, pointing at the name on the bill. "Do you know her?"

"Him. And yeah, we've been friends for years."

"Wait... Him?" He looked back at the stage. "... So that's a guy up there?"

"Yeah."

"... Wow... He's very pretty."

Zora giggled. "Silly daddy, you're s'posed to say handsome for boys! You only say pretty about girls!"

"He's not, though." I told her, lost in thought. "He's... Pretty. The way girls are pretty."

"Huh... So boys can be pretty too?"

"Yes, dear. They absolutely can."

"So... Does that mean girls can be handsome?"

"Oh yeah." Jason answered. "If you want an example, I can pull up a picture of my sister."

"Jason!" Percy scolded.

Jason snorted. "She'd take that as a compliment and you know it."

[omnicycleuwu]

So I keep coming across Percy Jackson fanfics where someone from our world has been reincarnated as Percy and their reader inserts.

Bestie, if I was reincarnated as Percy you best be ready. You though Perseus Jackson was a simp before? Well I’m about to make it his middle name.

I would be simping for Annabeth from day one and if she didn’t kiss me when I’m about to blow the fuck outta a volcano I will just jump into the lava to quietly cry myself to the Underworld.

I would hands down beef Luke for what he’s done to my baby girl, he should be wishing that he did die when Thalia booted his ass off the cliff cause not even the curse of Achilles would save him when I jump him on site. (I’d also be high key/low key jealous cause yeah he’s hot but how can one simp for this pasty man-child? He ain’t no hero he a villain, that I plan to drown in his own bodily fluids)

The Hunters of Artemis would keep getting mail from me on which men they should just shoot off the face of this Earth. All of a sudden all these famous politicians and celebrities have mysteriously vanished off the face with only a statue of them left behind. (I’m totally not talking about Prince Andrew or Donald Trump, hah hah hah….unless)

Hestia would be the only god/goddess I pray to, she the only one that hasn’t fucked up his life so gets all the respect given.

If I haven’t asked Annabeth to step on me multiple times in a day am I really okay? If I haven’t waxed out poetics and novels by the time the sun sets am I perhaps having a mental breakdown? If expensive architecture books don’t appear on her bunk at the end of every week that I totally didn’t beg Rachel to buy for me am I possibly being mind controlled?

Percy already heavily hinted that he would be happy being a househusband and I would defo go to town with that. Imagine Annabeth coming home after a long day at work and I’ve cooked dinner and then she like fucks me against the counter or smth while wearing a suit. Like bitch, please peg me. The idea of Annabeth pegging Percy actually makes me cry with happiness. They’re both switches or Percy is a bottom. I don’t care, he’s such a fucking simp (well so is Annabeth but she’s more of a low-key simp but she shows it sometimes, like she put him on house arrest to pass a test to be able to go New Rome with her. If that isn’t simp behaviour then I don’t know what is)

Athena could try all she wants but after she tells me to leave her daughter tf alone I’d sweep Annabeth into a dance and respectfully kiss the hell outta her right in front of her mother. Ain’t nobody keep me from giving the best girl all the love and respect she deserves.

The dates I would take this girl on, everyone would hate me cause they’d constantly compare their partners to me. You thought you were romantic with your boo before? then you clearly haven’t met me yet.

Don’t even get me started on Sally Jackson. Every Saturday I will wake up and make her breakfast in bed. The house will be clean. Dinner cooked for the weekend. The shopping done. I will do a whole at home spa for her.

The gods thought that Percy was an issue from before, hah, I would be starting problems from day one. Hurry up and pay your fucking child support. You traumatised too many single parents by dumping them with a danger magnet without a warning. Who needs society when you can have distant, inhuman parents that only use you as their pawn and constantly sending you on life endangering quests in order for them to remain in power while all you get in return is mental health and not being voted to be killed by the ‘good guys’ for saving their asses😍😍

I would have adopted half the camp tbh, like ‘Nico wtf u already looking like you are with the dead? Get your ass to my apartment so I can cook food for you, if you don’t I’ll track you down and spoon feed you. I don’t give a shit.’

Anyone wanna disrespect Annabeth, Sally or women will have to deal with me. I will throw hands without a warning, there’s no homophobia in my household Karen. And if I hear your racist comments coming anywhere near my children Hazel, Piper, Leo or Frank then we will have problems, which will be seen on your pale ass mayonnaise skin.

Ngl I would have learnt how to control blood, poisons and have decent control of my powers by the third/fourth book for scientific reasons and not because I totally wanna look like a hot anti-hero as I completely annihilate my enemies . My death glare would be perfected to the point that people would just faint on sight when I give them the look. (On the assumption that Percy could have gained the ability to manipulate events outside his godly parents domain without having to journey through Tartarus)

Mate if I was Percy Jackson I would not stop looking in every reflective surface I pass for at least ten seconds cause damn do I look good. I look fine, refined, divine, sexy. I am a mother fucking SNACC. But I would grow Percy’s hair out cause Percy with long hair resides in my dreams at night.

I don’t see why I would need to ask Athena or Frederick to marry their daughter. She is her own independent woman who raised herself without their help so she can decide whether she would accept a matrimonial union with a measly peasant. (And if Annabeth doesn’t propose I would be severely upset cause who doesn’t want Annabeth Chase to propose to them) Our wedding would take out all the stupid traditions because Annabeth Chase is not an object that is being passed from father to husband but is a being so divine that I can’t help but melt in a puddle every time I look at her. (If we were to do any of the traditions I would be the object being handed to her cause damn do I wanna be fucking owned by her, Perseus Chase….. Perseus Chase-Jackson….. Perseus Jackson-Chase….)

And I’m gonna stop myself before I go on another rant that instead, being Annabeth Chase and getting the privilege of being in a relationship with Percy Jackson. Cause these two aren’t just dating their are in a committed, loving relationship that teaches me what a healthy relationship should be like and how to get better at communicating with one another and respecting each other.

[luckycharming]

Helpless

Sometimes it repulsed him how he was not immune Percy’s charm. And the sad thing was, Percy wasn’t even trying to be charming. Clearly, Nico was so knee deep in his feelings and so far gone for the son of Poseidon, that just the thought of him even sparing a glance his way was enough for him to do anything for him.

He went above and beyond for Percy because he loved him. And yeah, he claimed it was a crush, but crushes don’t last this long, and he knows it. Technically, Jason is aware of said love for Percy because fucking Cupid outed him and made him profess his feelings just so they could get Diocletian’s scepter. That still got angry and sad whenever he remembered that whole ordeal.

But he was an adult now, nineteen years old, doing adult things, and he had no time to entertain a childish, unrequited love, right? Wrong! And it’s not like he didn’t make a conscious effort to be over his feelings for Percy. He did try dating Will Solace, and while they had chemistry, they didn’t have the burning passion he felt for Percy, so they ended things with no hard feelings and were actually pretty good friends.

Will, like Jason, knew and supported his sexuality and feelings for Percy, much to his chagrin. Well, them supporting his sexuality wasn’t the issue because even though this time period was better and safer for people like him, he spent so long being disgusted by who he was and what he felt, the toxic feelings lingered, although he was getting help for it and working on loving who he was completely. He just didn’t need their pity concerning Percy.

“You know he’s single now, right?” Will pointed out to him. They were sitting at the Hades table eating lunch together. He didn’t feel like eating, but Will kept pestering him and wouldn’t relent until he agreed to eat something.

“You know he’s straight, right?” Nico snapped, taking an angry bite out of his sandwich as he glared at the annoying chipper blond. Between him and Jason, he couldn’t decided who’s optimism got under his skin more.

“Just because he and Annabeth dated doesn’t mean he can’t be attracted to guys either,” was Will’s gentle rebuttal. It did nothing but cause the scowl on Nico’s face to deepen. “And,” he continued, not allowing Nico the chance to argue, “him crushing on Rachel and Calypso doesn’t prove anything either. Maybe he kept his focus on girls is because no guy has done anything to warrant that kind of attention from him.”

As much as Nico was tempted to argue him down, he couldn’t deny the logic in his words. After all, girls couldn’t hold his attention beyond the platonic sense because although he could find them attractive aesthetically, his feelings never went beyond platonic. They just didn’t do it for him, and that was okay. And no one could hold a candle to what Percy made him feel.

“Even so, I’m pretty positive that I’m not Percy’s type of guy if he was to try and date one.”

“You are heroic, kindhearted, romantic- don’t look at me like that! You are! Not to mention how you’ve gone out of your way to protect him and risk your life to save his. And you’re certainly easy on the eyes too.” And he wiggled his eyebrows suggestively, and Nico snorted, though his lips were curled in a faint smile. “You’re a catch, and anyone would be lucky to date you. I know I was.”

“Makes me wonder why we didn’t work out,” Nico grinned, chuckling at Will’s pout.

“Because I’m not your type. Your type is tall, tan, black hair and sea green eyes, not blond and blue eyes. Who will fill the gaping hole in my heart?” Nico rolled his eyes; Will could be so fucking dramatic sometimes.

“You’re a son of Apollo, handsome and approachable. There are people lined up waiting for a chance to date you. You’ll be fine. At least people actually want to date you. No one wants to date the son of Hades.” Will opened his mouth to say something, but closed it just as quickly. His blue eyes were staring at something over Nico’s shoulder. Suddenly, he smiled brightly, and Nico had to squint his eyes in order not to be blinded. It was like staring straight at the sun; literally.

“Well, the love of your life seems to disagree with that statement.” He almost choked on his drink, eyes wide with shock. He turned around so quickly, it was a miracle his neck didn’t snap. Dark eyes widened with a mixture of hope and dread as he realized that Percy was indeed heading to his table. He thought about shadow-travelling to his cabin, or, better yet, the Underworld, but Will grabbed his arm tightly, giving him a look. He sighed, hanging his head in defeat. So much for that plan.

“Hey guys!” And even the sound of his voice made his heartbeat race. It was pathetic the effect that man had on him, even after all this time. Since Nico refused to speak, stubbornly ignoring the glares Will gave him, Will had to speak for them.

“Hey, Percy! What brings you here?” Will asked, his grip on him tightening when he felt him trying to move, no doubt to jump into the nearest shadow and go gods know where.

“I was running some errands for Chiron, nothing major or dangerous. And it’s lunch time so,” he answered, a tray of food held in his hands. “Do you mind if I sit here?” And while he was technically asking Will, his gaze was on Nico, who didn’t notice because he was trying so hard not to be noticed.

“Of course you can! I was actually about to head to the infirmary to check on some patients! Nico, if you try to shadow travel away from this opportunity, I will literally fight you.” The last part of that sentence was whispered in Nico’s ear, and the son of Hades begrudgingly nodded his head, giving him his silent word that he wouldn’t run away from this. Even though ever fiber of his being was screaming at him to do so.

Smiling, the son of Apollo said his goodbyes before taking his leave, and Nico was silently cursing him to Tartarus and back.

“Nico! How have you been? I feel like it’s been forever since I really saw you,” Percy smiled.

That’s because I’ve been busy and high-key trying to avoid you, he thought, but wisely didn’t say.

“I’m okay, and that’s probably because we’ve both been busy with our newfound responsibilities. I’ve been helping my dad out in the Underworld, training and honing my powers, and other mundane things,” was Nico’s curt reply. Percy only laughed, sea green eyes bright and full of warmth and gods, he was so in love with him.

“Only you would consider hanging in the Underworld mundane. And yeah, I have been busy with classes and juggling more adult responsibilities, like working and figuring out what I wanna do with my life. But, it’s summer break, so I get to take a load off and spend my summer at camp.”

“How wonderful,” Nico smiled, though it was more of grimace. He knew he should have spent his summer in the Underworld, but no, he had to come to camp instead. It was just his luck to be surrounded with the one person he wanted but couldn’t have.

“I know. Are you and Will still dating?” At that, he looked up, finally staring at him properly. He couldn’t quite read the look he had on his face, but it made his heart flutter regardless. Finishing up the remainder of his food and drink, Nico willed himself to answer.

“No? We broke up and decided to stay friends.”

“So, you’re single?” And fuck, hope was blooming in his heart despite how much he didn’t want it to. Surely, he couldn’t be implying what he thought he was, right?

“Yeah? Why are you asking me this?” And it was Percy’s turn to avert his gaze and look flustered. And was he blushing?! Because of him? He must be dreaming.

“Well, I’ve liked you for a while, a good while now, and wanted to ask you out, but I was under the impression that you and Will were still together, so I didn’t bother trying.”

“I mean, I would go out with you,” and Percy looked so happy, “but, I can’t.” At that, he deflated and looked more like a kicked puppy than the hero of Olympus.

“Oh. I’m too late, huh?” He made a move to leave, feeling ridiculous and hurt, but cool hand grabbed his arm, halting his movement.

“Look at me, Percy.” Against his better judgment, he did. Dark eyes peered up him, equally dark curls framing his handsome face, and he felt his breath catch in his throat. Nico was so handsome, so enchanting, and he hated himself for coming to such an obvious conclusion so late. Clearly, he missed his chance.

“I can’t go out with you because technically, you didn’t ask me.” And he was smirking at him, and Percy couldn’t help but laugh, a deep sense of relief washing over him like the waves of the ocean.

“You little shit.” And he was kissing him before he had chance to respond. He really was helpless in regards to his feelings, but that was fine because apparently so was Percy.

[hermeschildren]

Bad Ideas

Connor sat on his bed looking at the paper in front of him. After a particular bed argument between him and Alina about something he had already forgotten, a prank civil war was issued. 

Connor already had Travis, Alice, Julia, Demeter, and Aphrodite cabins on his side Alina had The rest of Cabin 11 and Ares, Hades and Apollo cabins on her side. Both were trying to persuade Posiden and Athena cabins. Both seemed annoyed with the whole thing but Connor was sure he could get Percy to agree to an alliance if he pulled off this next prank perfectly. 

It was a simple prank nothing too serious. It was definitely not his style of prank but it was Alina’s. At breakfast, Percy's special blue pancakes would be filled with glitter. Percy would, of course, think it was Alina who did it and join his side.

It was petty but could very easily turn this thing around. Besides Alina had already had Nico make a marching band of skeletons to follow him around, covered his entire bed with glitter glue and many more annoying pranks.

All he had managed to do was get her trapped in a hole for a day and convince her current girlfriend Lucy to Ignore her tell she admitted defeat. He had tried other things but she always managed to avoid them.

The sounds of distant yells told him that Percy had found the glitter in his food. Smiling he got out of bed as he retched the door it flew open. Having expected Percy he was shocked to see Lucy. She was a small girl like Alina only around five feet in height with long blond hair and pale skin she was extremely kind and it had been hard to convince her to ignore his sister. What really consigned him was the tears streaming down her face. 

“What’s wrong?” he asked the girl as he led her to one of the many chairs in the cabin. 

“Alina she, she, she dumped me,” she whispered as if she couldn’t believe it herself. Connor felt like his whole body shut down. His sister dumped the love of her life, was it because he had Lucy ignore her?

Shaking his head he turned to the girl “ Did she say why she dumped you.”

“She said that if I was going to ignore her because of a prank war she didn’t what to be with me.” It was his fault. Standing he quickly left to find Alina. She was at the Hades cabin talking with Nico, most likely planning her next prank. walking up to the porch he called to his sister. 

“Alina! what were you thinking!” retch the cabin he didn’t give her the chance to talk. “why would you every brack up with Lucy! she loves you more than anything. I get not liking the fact she was ignoring you I would be mad if Michel ignored me. You know what the prank wars off now go make up with lucy.” He expected her to look shooked by what he said but she looked smug. 

“We didn’t brack up. I told her to tell you that so you would call off the prank war.” shock, pride and a whole bunch of other emotions swelled inside him.

“You played me.” standing up Alina looked her older brother in the eyes.

“Never use my Girlfriend against me. Now if you’ll excuse me I promised her I’d help her with her new invention. Bye Nico.” walking in the direction of the Hephaestus cabin Connor could only stare at her. 

“she played me.”                           

[dabblesindrabbles]

Pjo/Hoo Disney Parks AU

Inspired by @son-of-rome and his work A Kiss From A Prince which was originally inspired by this ask.

Okay, so, the Disney College Program is about as close to a Camp Half-Blood or Camp Jupiter sort of experience as I’ve ever had? So I’m placing the Seven + Nico/ Reyna primarily in College Program (CP) or Internship roles. 

The Greeks = Walt Disney World. The Romans = Disneyland. East Coast vs. West Coast. The Most Magical Place on Earth vs. The Happiest Place on Earth. Similar, related, but absolutely not the same thing. Yes I know Disneyland predates Walt Disney World but let’s not talk about that.

Annabeth. Magic Kingdom - Main Street West Merchandise. Sorry East side, no hate, but I felt like it was a good nod to Annabeth’s ties to the West Coast. The OG Disney park in Florida, The Magic Kingdom is one of the most visited theme parks in the world. Cast members brave large crowds, crazy late hours, and traverse the Utilidors on the daily - a Labyrinth if I’ve ever seen one. Annabeth obviously has a perfect attendance record, at least three “4 Keys Cards” and has extended for a full year in the hopes of later returning for an Imagineering Professional Internship in Architecture. 

Percy. Typhoon Lagoon - Lifeguard/ Magic Kingdom - Quick Service Food and Beverage. A lot of people don’t know that the waterparks close for refurbishment in shifts during the winter months, meaning that CPs are often moved to Quick Service when their respective waterpark is closed for refurbishment.  Percy’s cool with it. I put him in Typhoon Lagoon because that wave pool is sick. Percy started during Annabeth’s extension, has a point or two on his record for sleeping in or running late, but definitely has a few Cast Compliments on social media. No plans for a future with the Company, just there for a break from school and a good time. Sends his sister all kinds of fun stuff from the parks and can’t wait for his family to visit. 

Piper. Magic Kingdom - Main Street West Merchandise. Piper thought about the program in California, but living expenses were so much more and she didn’t want to ask her dad for help with the bills. Lowkey prefers the more regular phone calls she gets being so far from home. Randomly matched with Annabeth in CP housing during Annabeth’s extension, though their assignments usually send them to different sections at work. Always able to talk her fellow cast members into trading shifts and is a wonder with upset guests. Annabeth is trying to convince her to apply for a Guest Relations Professional Internship, but Piper thinks the points on her record would be an issue. She’s considering going back to California anyway and is rethinking the program in Disneyland in order to be closer to her dad. Couldn’t stand the character performers at first, but is starting to realize that they really aren’t so different from any other cast members. 

Jason. Previous: California Adventure - Park Greeter/ Trainer and Coordinator. Current: Epcot - Guest Relations Professional Intern. Jason isn’t quite sure how he ended up in Florida persay, as he was on track for a leadership role in California, but curiosity, a desire for change, and perhaps a strange twist of fate sent him across country and pulled him out of his comfort zone. He’s always felt bound by procedure in his previous role, but now gets to bend the rules for the right reasons, solve problems, and help guests in a number of ways. Though he can pick up shifts at any park and often does, he feels most comfortable in his home location, as the park promotes ideas of unity, understanding, and exploration. Jason’s attendance record is flawless, and he has received a number of recognitions from fellow cast and guests for his eagerness to help and his compassion.

Leo. Hollywood Studios - Attractions, The Great Movie Ride before it closed forever rip. With Leo’s energy, his quick wit, and knack for corny jokes a spieling role seemed fitting. He has no problem improvising in front of guests though his leaders have scheduled meetings with him repeatedly to discuss when it is appropriate. Of course operating the ride vehicles, animatronics, and cueing the pyrotechnics are his favorite parts of the job and he hopes to return to the company for an Imagineering Professional Internship in the future. There are surprisingly no points on his record of attendance, but then again, there’s no place he’d rather be.

Frank. Disneyland - Character attendant. Frank’s compassion and gentle nature makes him a natural fit for the role, and his fierce protectiveness of his fellow cast members and friends keeps them safe on stage with guests. Frank enjoys his role, but is dreaming of a Professional Internship with Animal Programs where he can share his passion for and knowledge of animals with guests looking to become wilderness explorers. He has one single point on his record for stopping to give directions to a guest, which resulted in him clocking in late.

Hazel. The Grand Californian - Conceirge. Surrounded by luxury but also silence, Hazel doesn’t see much guest interaction working third shift - or the graveyard shift as some might call it. She doesn’t mind. Hazel enjoys the quiet and occasional call down to the desk where she is happy to assist any guests with their needs. She holds her few Applause-o-grams near to her heart and loves that her role allows her to build relationships with guests over the course of their stay, even if goodbyes are difficult. She has no plans to continue with the Company as of yet, instead ready to see where fate takes her next.

Reyna. California Adventure - Park Greeter/ Trainer and Coordinator on a Temporary Assignment in Operations Management. Reyna was a shining star from her first day on the job, executing her role in compliance with the 4 Keys while also doing well to assist her fellow cast members. She’s worked hard to grow in her role with the Company and has done well to find herself in a management role so young, though it speaks to her capabilities, passion, and drive. Her flawless attendance record is a credit to her goal of continuing to rise in the ranks of the Company, and while she has no recognitions to her name, she knows she has done her job well.

Nico. Disneyland - Custodial / Magic Kingdom - Custodial. Somehow a seasonal cast member on both coasts, no one is quite sure if it has ever been done before, though Nico hardly boasts of his travel from coast to coast. He doesn’t particularly like cleaning up after guests but he enjoys the independent work, the freedom to roam around the parks at his own pace, and the ability to pick up shifts wherever he pleases. Cast members are often unnerved by how quickly he is able to cross the parks at a moment’s notice when he is called over the radio, and they sometimes miss the way he smirks when he overheares them whispering about it. No points on his record, no recognitions to his name, and no plans for a future with the Company, he’s happy to come and go with the seasons.

[blahblahblippyblah]

Nico's Quest (happens after events of THO)

Chapter 1: Nico gets a prophecy

full story: http://archiveofourown.org/works/11403567/chapters/25542171

Summary:

Nico must go on a quest to stop Orpheus bringing back souls from the dead. there only one person who can help him out. Will

Nico was relieved when Apollo finally left, scratch that he was overjoyed. He wasn't the biggest fan of the former god. It didn't help that he managed to destroy half the camp before parting. But now that Apollo was gone they could all take a breath until the next terrible incident happened.

The night after Apollo left Nico's nightmares started again. Not that he wasn't surprised. He always had nightmares. But this nightmare was different this time. He was in his father's castle in the underworld. His psychopathic step mother Persephone sat on her throne looking bored while his father stormed around the room shouting and breaking things. Yep just a regular old day Nico thought. Eventually his father calmed down and turned. When he saw Nico standing there he straightened up.

"Good you here. Well here enough. I need you to do something" his father said.

Yep world best dad. No ‘Hi son’, no ‘How you doing son’, just ‘Hey I have more chores for you’.

"What do you need father" I spat.

"Maybe we should get a more handsome and older hero husband. Not that your children aren't capable, but it would be nice to shake thing up" Persephone interjected while filling her nails.

Hades turned towards her. "My children will do fine dearest. Plus I would rather keep this a secret, and Nico is more suited for keeping underworld problems from Zeus"

"What problem? And why can't Zeus know about it?" Nico said.

“I’ll spare you the detail but we have an escaped soul. Many souls escaped during the waking of Gea but this one in particular needs to be sent back." Hades went on walking over to his throne.

"Who is it?" Nico asked.

Hades mouth twitched as if saying the name was going to cause him to burst in flames. Persephone however interjected.

"Orpheus. The handsome lad managed to get out and is now charging wealthy families to bring back there loved one. A clever business plan if you ask me" Hades eyes flared but he ignored his wife.

"You son can see why that is an issue. If Zeus found out I had someone s telling sold back from the underworld ... Well it wouldn't be pleasant."

"So why can't you look for him yourself? I'm kind of busy at camp" Nico said.

Persephone let out a snort which Hades also ignored. Nico bunched his fist. His understood where the stereotype evil step mother came from.

"You don't think I would have him in my current possession if I could find him. Orpheus is clever. He's hiding from me. I looked all over the earth and couldn't find him anywhere. That's why I need you to look for him. Go on one of your little quest and bring him back."

Nico frowned. He was kind of fed up with going on dangerous quest for his dad. Plus he was finally enjoying camp. He really didn't want to go out on his father's errands.

"But..." Nico tried to interrupt but his father waved him silent.

"I hear you have an oracle back online. She'll give you more detail. Now I have to get back to work.” Hades said getting up.

"Wait a minute” Nico started saying but he was immediately awoken by his alarm clock.

*

Nico put his food tray down on the Apollo table a little too hard when he went for breakfast. Orange juice sloshed out of his cup and onto his pancakes. He fell down beside Will who looked up at him confused.

"Wake up on the wrong side of the coffin this morning?" Kayla joked.

Nico just frowned at his pancakes and began stabbing them with his fork. Will put a hand on his for arm.

"Everything ok Nico?" he asked.

Nico felt bad. He didn't want to upset Will. Why did he have to be so caring?

"Nothing. I just had the pleasure of taking to my father last night" Nico said. He knew he wasn't being 100% honest but he didn't think this was the time or place to talk about his inevitable quest.

Will pouted at him but didn't press him any further.

After breakfast Chiron announced that tonight they would be having a small game of captured the flag with the few year round campers to celebrate the defeat of the Colossus. Also Apollo finally leaving many campers thought.

This cheered Nico up slightly. Even thought there was only around 20 campers he still loved playing capture the flag. It was something he was actually good at. It also helped that he enjoyed showing off in front of Will. Something he would never admit to.

So at 3 o'clock they all gathered outside the forest. Nico had put on his bronze beast plate a thick wool sweater and a more ripped pair of jeans so his good ones didn't get ruined. By the forest other campers had outfitted themselves and we're helping each other strap on armour. Nico scanned the group looking for the familiar mop of blonde hair. He quickly spotter it and headed over to Will.

He grinned as Nico approached

"You’re playing today?" Nico asked skeptically with an eyebrow raised. Will didn't usually participate in capture the flag. His archery skills were mediocre at best. His hand to hand combat was a joke. And he was always needed to reattach Paolo’s limbs.

Will gave a malicious smile.

"Since Percy, Jason and the other aren’t here I thought I'd finally have the chance to wipe the floor with you." Will taunted. Nico raised both eyebrows mockingly

"Ok we will see how well that works out. I hope you brought enough ambrosia for yourself once I'm done with you." Will just smiled at blew him a kiss mockingly.

Chiron called for everyone's attention and separated them into teams. Nico was stuck with the Demeter cabin and a bunch of other not so super cabins. At least the one Ares kid was on his side.

The Demeter cabin came up with the brilliant idea of growing a giant beanstalk and putting the flag on top. Nico was unsure at first when Miranda put a tiny seed in the frozen ground and draped the flag over it. But as she knot her face in concentration the plant grew taller than the tress taking the flag with it.

Sherman came up with an attack plan and Nico made some mental notes in his head about where Sherman thought they might be able to find the flag. When the whistle went off from somewhere in the forest Nico ran a wide flank. He knew that Malkolm and the Hectate kids would make sure he couldn't shadow down travel to the flag so that left Nico with having to actually find it.

He ran thought the tress listening intently for any sounds of movement. Keeping an eye out for any signs of the enemy’s flag. He heard 2 people someone running towards him so Nico jumped up into a tree and did his best to blend in with the shadows the branches were casting. The two people stopped under the tree and looked around.

'I swear I just saw him around here' one of the people said.

Nico craned his neck to see who it was being careful not to move too much so that he stayed camouflaged in the dark. He saw a familiar mop of blonde hair that blended in with his jacket and the snow on the ground. The second person was Connor Stool. Nico gave a grin. Of course it would be will he would run into.

Nico shifted his weight and gripped his sword at a better angle. He then jumped down out of the tree and on top of Connor. Knocking him out cold. Will quickly spun around pulling out his bow and stinging it. Pointting it right at Nico. They circled slightly. Nico knew Will wasn't confident with close combat but Nico didn't like the look of the tranquilizer arrow will had sting on his bow.

"Ready to have you butt handed to you by a healer?" Will taunted with a smile

"If I were you I would watch your footing" Nico laughed.

Before Will pieced together what Nico had said Nico spun down swinging out his leg to catch Will’s causing him to trip. Will's arrow went flying but landed far away. His hand kept tight on the bow. Nico used the hilt of his blade to hit Will’s writs causing him to drop the bow while Will continued to fall back.

This was way too easy Nico thought. He stood of Will who had a disgruntled look of annoyance on his face. This now made it 15 Nico 0 will for capture the flag games. Nico smiled down at Will then offered out his hand to help him up. Will to it but grunted as he stood.

"If you tell me where the flag is I won't knock you out like Connor" Nico promised.

Will's mouth went up at one side disbelieving.

"And why would I do that Di Angelo?: Will taunted.

"Because you realize how superior I am. Also you like me" Nico mocked.

Will gave out a genuine laugh.

"Ya I guess I do really like you." Will admitted. Nico saw Wills eyes twinkle. The twinkle Will got when he was up to something. Before Nico could figure out what it was Will had rushed forward and brought Nico up into a kiss. His arms wrapped around Nico like vipers.

Nico stood shocked for a second but then returned the kiss. He sheathed his sword so he could put both hands on Wills hips. Suddenly Will deepened the kiss. Will pushed into Nico harder an opened his mouth slightly. His tongue came out and began finding it's way into Nico's.

This was very new to Nico and his head spun. If Will hadn't been holding him up he would have fallen over. Everything became fuzzy. Then as quickly as it started it stopped. Nico noticed the sudden absence of warm against him and opened his eyes. Blinking a few times for his brain to come to from the kiss Nico saw Will holding out Nico's sword pointing it at him grinning.

"You sneaking little siren" Nico said half amused that will had the nerve to take his sword.

"Never let the enemy distract you" Will said in his mocking Chiron voice.

From in the forest they heard a shout from Sherman Yang.

"It's on Zeus’s fist!"

Nico smirked. He knew where to go now.

Before Will could reach road to stop him Nico took a step back into the shadows to get closer to the fist.

>>>

Nico stepped out of the shadows and immediately fell over. As soon as his feet touched the ground a log gong like sound reverberated around his head. It sent his head swimming in circles. His eyes unfocused and his legs tuned to jelly. He tried to stand but heard another loud gong like song which sent him back down. Blinking through the disorientation Nico realised he wasn't at Zeus’s fist. He was in the middle of a grove. Surrounded by giant tress so thickly entwined he could see the sky above.

Another gong. But this time Nico relieved it wasn't a gong. It was a voice that reverberated so loudly it shook his bones.

'Stolen soul shall find a pass If shadows fails to break the glass The musician hidden in plain sight Only the sun can find the light. Else the shadows fall to night'

The voice echoed through Nico's head. He could feel his eyes rattling inside his skull. Only two thoughts went through Nico's brain.

'Get Out'

He managed to get on his hands and knees and crawl towards the nearest tree. He used all his willpower and threw himself into shadows one more time. He didn't have a destination in mind. He only concentrated on one thing. Will. I need to find Will.

[itsomgitsgreenblogging]

Between: A PJO Fanfiction

This is a fic that’s mostly made of vignettes, some personal headcanons and some canon extension about those referenced Nico moments that were never explicitly addressed leading into those Solangelo moments we all wanted to get. 

I hope you all enjoy!

Also read on AO3

Trigger Warning: suicide attempt

Preview:

Nico drifted in a margin between a starless sky and a sea.

Somewhere between, only breaching surface enough to breathe and take another seed between his lips and hope it grew into something better.

There was only darkness, only shadow. He was trapped somewhere in the land between life and death with no way to navigate through.

Would anyone come? Would there ever be any light?  Or would he be trapped there for the rest of time? Even if he escaped this fate, would it matter if what he wanted most he could never have? How much more would he have to sacrifice to make it all matter if he had already sacrificed everything?

Nico would do it. One last time.

He sank.

Nico struggled.

“You can’t even summon one ghost. Absolutely pathetic,” his father had sneered, in his eyes an ancient cruelty, and yet his words slid off Nico’s numbed skin like rain and did not reach within. Inside of him something continued to wither. “This is why your sister should have lived. You have amounted to nothing, be gone from my sight.”

And so Nico had expelled himself from Hades, wandered amongst the dark sands and caverns until he found himself surface-bound. How far and how long he had walked was anyone’s guess, but exhaustion clung to him as he desperately tried to inch his way through a darkened forest. Where he was, Nico didn’t particularly care to know or find out.  

“Why won’t she answer me?” Nico asked Hades, somebody, no one in particular. His vision was swimming, his tongue felt swollen and yet his mouth was so dry. “Did she...did she hate me so much—that much? And I didn’t…how didn’t I know?”

He knew he had spoken the words but were so far away that he couldn’t hear them or know if anyone had answered. There was an emptiness inside him, something insidious. Was it hunger? Nico thought oddly distant. Nico couldn’t remember the last thing he had eaten, he had burned everything he had stolen in offering. But it was dull and insignificant in comparison to the insidious emptiness inside of him, the void that ached, the sickening continual pain.

Nico wandered, moving only because there was nothing else he could do. He stumbled when he couldn’t walk, crawled when his legs folded beneath him, lay down when he could no longer move. He curled up in that oppressive darkness, with barely enough strength to lift his limbs.

               Nico wondered if he would disappear if he waited. Would he disappear into the underworld without a trace? Certainly he would be sent to the Asphodel Fields and become a nameless shade, as Lord Hades had repeatedly told him because Nico would never amount to anything. It was his sister who should have lived. She had been the promised one, never Nico.

               Would he even make it there or would he instead be bound for the Fields of Punishment? Nico thought suddenly seized with panic. Was this not punishment enough, to be so lonely that every moment felt as if it were a new death? If he wouldn’t even be reunited with his sister in death, if she did not want him even then, what could he do? He didn’t have anyone left, his mother, his sister, gone—

               “Papa…” Nico croaked and reached, even though he didn’t exist and wouldn’t be there to take his hand. That gentle but stern, that firm but loving Papa who had lived in his memory must have just been that, a beautiful golden memory, a dream-figment. A beautiful story that Nico had cultivated to protect his heart from the truth that his world was only two people who were gone forever. But oh, his golden memory. A hand that didn’t hurt and took nothing from him reaching down to grasp his own, squeezing gently and keeping Nico close and safe. A curve of lip that may have been a smile. Dark eyes that were fond and warm. Nico didn’t need much, only that small flicker of happiness, that dim and seemingly inconsequential reason, and he would have been content for the rest of his life. What wouldn’t he give to sink into that dream and live there in that moment for the rest of time? What wouldn’t he have given to have the chance to go home?

               Nico, freezing, starving, and half-mad with a grief just wanted to go home.

He wanted it so bad that he could feel it in the root of his teeth. He could see it in his mind’s eye, feel it against his flesh, reach for it in the dark. Home, Nico thought desperately as he plunged his hand into shadow as his heart’s cry intensified. Papa, please, take me back home. I want to go home, home—

And then suddenly the ground opened up, and Nico fell into shadow.

Nico would never forget that first unwitting leap, how he screamed but no sound came out as he tumbled through the darkness. The shadows reached for him, pulling him further and further, called to him with in a choir of the damned—our prince, our prince, our prince—

Nico fought and surfaced, expelled from the shadows violently about a mile away. He hit the ground hard, slid down a ravine and into the mouth of a cave, and lay there stunned, in so much pain that he couldn’t move, and absolutely exhausted.  

When Nico finally managed to raise his head, Minos was looking down at him shimmering and iridescent.

“There may be hope for you after all.”

Nico was ten.

Nico’s breath swirled and caught the light, his puffs of air an iridescent white in the winter night. There was a distant stinging against his face and neck, where the collar of his jacket didn’t quite cover, but it didn’t bother him much anymore.

               Christmas-time in Dresden was a beautiful blaze of light in the night, the Christmas market was full of venders and people bustled around the stands in search of hot mulled wine and a litany of traditional sweets and foods.  A Ferris wheel and carousel churned in a dizzying rhythm, bursts of music and laughter filled the air. Nico didn’t know how to speak German (the fact that he could parcel out vague meanings was odd and he couldn’t really explain it), which was an issue because after accidentally shadow-traveling there from rural Idaho he was in desperate need of both sleep and food but couldn’t figure out a way to ask for either nor did he have any euros on him. So he had taken to slipping through alleyways and between stalls in search of something to fill his stomach that he could easily nick.

               Maybe it was Nico’s vaguely panicked and hungry look that drew attention, but suddenly a man was standing in front of him. Tall and stocky, with a beard full of curls, he looked down on Nico with blue eyes and crinkled laugh lines.

               “Fröhliche Weihnachten!” he greeted with a booming voice that made Nico jump and his hands twitch for his Stygian sword. The man—the baker, who obviously could not see beyond the thin veil of Mist, nor perceive the threat of Nico’s entire existence, because he began to rattle off fast paced German and Nico only vaguely caught a mention of him asking Nico if he was hungry.

               “I’m sorry, I don’t speak German,” Nico croaked, his voice sounding raspy and strange in his own ears.

               “Ah! Sorry, sorry,” the baker said in very heavily accented English before reaching over to scoop a small plate of cookies that looked vaguely like gingerbread and place it in Nico’s hands. “Lebkuchen for you! Have a happy Christmas!”

               “I didn’t pay—“ Nico tried to say, before suddenly a tide of tourists nearly swept him away as he still clutched his cookies.

               Nico was then standing alone in a sea of people with his newly acquired cookies, feeling stranded. However the cookies looked so good, dusted with powered sugar, wafting the scent of ginger and molasses and candied citron. He had just lifted one up to his mouth, and into an alleyway, and before he could even put together a new thought suddenly he was face to face with the faint shimmering image of Minos, his eyes glinting coldly from behind the pale.

               “I believe you thought to change your father’s opinion of you,” Minos scoffed and Nico felt his teeth clench. Suddenly nothing was okay again.  “How do you believe you could possibly gain enough power to do that and save your sister, if you can’t even manage to shadow travel to Boise from Cadwell without ending up in Germany!”

               “Shut up!” Nico growled back at him, storming into shadow and dropping into it, all his thoughts trained on Boise and focused by his rage.

It was only when he fell out of cleaning supply in Bismark to the surprise and concern of a couple of employees that he realized he hadn’t taken his bite and promptly fainted. He spent that Christmas trying to escape from a holding cell in Montana.

Nico jumped.

For a moment everything was still, no pain, no hunger, no exhaustion. Nico became impressions: a sword, a golden memory, his sister’s smile, his mother’s laughter so clear it was as if his mind had been waiting until the end to give him one final blessing—

—the air whistled and hummed as if alive the grey water came up to embrace him—

Who knew there was

an entrance to

the underworld

beneath

the

Golden Gate Bridge?

Nico stuffed himself full of cake and ice cream, as much as he could get his hands on, unable to give up the opportunity. He avoided Percy Jackson’s mother’s concern, keeping his eyes cast down on his fingers.

“That plan is crazy,” Percy said quietly, tapping a frantic rhythm out with his finger on the table. Nico dared a look through his hair and saw Percy’s unwavering green stare on him. Nico immediately looked away, picking at the dirt beneath his fingernails, twisting his ring on his finger again and again.

“It would work,” Nico said, his throat feel scratchy. Percy was still looking at him, and Nico could almost feel it dig into his skin, raising his blood pressure, making his face feel hot. Nico hoped beyond all hope that Percy didn’t notice the way that Nico desperately wanted to disappear.

“How do you even know that?”

“If it’s good enough for Achilles, it would be good enough for you,” Nico scoffed. Percy frowned, lips pulling down, and Nico forced his gaze back to his hands and his empty plate.

“Annabeth would kill me for trying something so stupid,” Percy noted, and Nico swallowed desperately, bracing himself against the unnamed emotion that was rising within him.

“Just think about it,” Nico said as he forced himself to stand up. His stomach lurched with the movement, and he braced against the table.

“Where are you sleeping tonight?” Percy suddenly asked, reaching out to him. “I could ask my mom—“

“I’m fine, Jackson,” Nico said, nearly spitting out the words and flinching away from the touch. “I’ll see you later. Let me know what you think.”  

Nico left as quickly, rushing down the fire escape. He ran three blocks before he was forced to stop to throw up the contents of his stomach.

Nico sat across from Annabeth at the table.

On a day to day basis Nico actually liked Annabeth when he wasn’t hating her for things that were completely and utterly out of her control. That didn’t mean that being in the same room with her was easy. It couldn’t be when Annabeth could so easily attain the things that Nico could never have with a semblance of grace. She was what he couldn’t be, she had run away and yet she had found a home. She was harsh and yet people could look beyond that to love her. Annabeth was…she was…

Annabeth looked fondly at Percy’s retreating figure and Nico wanted to find somewhere in the ground that he could be buried. Her eyes trained on him, and Nico felt himself bristle.

“I didn’t mean to hurt her,” Nico said because he honestly hadn’t.

“You almost beheaded her,” Annabeth said with a raised eye brow.

“Well at least then she wouldn’t stick her nose where she doesn’t belong,” Nico said as he sunk down in his chair. Annabeth was not amused, and Nico wished somehow he could sink lower.

“Listen, I understand, after the Battle of Manhattan we’ve all been highly strung. But you can’t be making enemies here if you want to stay.”

“She snuck up behind me and—“ Nico felt his throat close around the word “scared”. Instead he sealed his mouth shut.  

“Just…don’t do what you’ve been doing,” Annabeth said as she tugged at one of her perfect princess curls, her grey eyes almost powdery blue in the midday sun.  

“And what have I been doing?” Nico snapped, feeling that ugly unnamed feeling rise up once more.

“I’m not in the mood to deal with your bad attitude right now,” Annabeth said as she leveled annoyed glare. “Just apologize to Ares Cabin before someone puts a hit in for Capture the Flag or something.”

“Fine,” Nico said as he stood up and burst from the pavilion. He stomped out, watching as the other campers gave him a wide breadth. Had they always done that? Nico suddenly thought and was seized by panic. When had they started doing that? Why had Annabeth said that? Why did it have to be Annabeth--?

Nico smacked into a girl from Aphrodite Cabin. Her eyes blew out and her face drained of color, as she cringed and stuttered out an apology. Suddenly Nico was swimming in a rising sea of whispers, of fears. What had been his strength was suddenly his undoing. How had he not noticed? How?

“Nico, you alright?” Percy Jackson called from the training fields, his hair slick with sweat, his shirt riding up.

Nico ran back to his cabin and slammed the door close. By nightfall Nico had left Camp Half-Blood for good trying to outrun the jealousy that was threatening to drown him, and the unadulterated anger for the one who caused it.  At least, Nico thought, someone was waiting for him this time.

Between was different, not bad, but different.

Persephone was Persephone. She had her days where she viewed Nico as one would a wall ornament or try to throw fruit at him as if he could get exercise by playing fetch. But on somedays it almost seemed like she didn’t mind when Nico sat with her in the garden and let her ramble about nitrogen and tree roots.

Sometimes Hades would almost smile when he looked at Nico. And sometimes, Hades looked like he wanted Nico to call him father and was always disappointed when Nico didn’t. But they were working on it. Slowly but steadily they were working on something. And that seemed to be enough for the both of them.  

And Nico had Hazel now, a sister that Nico hadn’t known before but would never let go. He relearned how to laugh at himself. Remembered how nice it was to sit next to somebody and not have to speak, of the inherent understanding that came between siblings. Understood that though he could never replace what he lost and would always feel the ache within him, maybe, just maybe, he could move forward inch by inch with Hazel by his side. Nico remembered thinking he might like that, and thought that liking things was almost an intoxicating sensation. Percy Jackson disappearing and appearing with a forecast of severe memory loss had been stressful, but he was with Hazel and Nico could do things to keep himself from thinking of him for longer than a cursory acknowledgement.

Nico thought could do something about all of it. So he tried.

Anguish.

Something wet was seeping out of his side which hurt, it hurt so badly. He wanted it to stop, he had to get whatever was digging itself in his head out before it ate him whole—!

“Nico, you have to stop! You need to keep moving. Please, don’t hurt yourself anymore.”

Nico pulled his hand away, and realized they were painted with his blood. His arms were gouged, blood trailing down his knuckles and over the hilt of his sword, but he felt no pain besides a dull ache. Suddenly his mouth twisted and laughter odd and broken and exhausted scraped his throat as he stumbled forward. The wasted plains of Tartarus in all their horror lay out before him, and he had nothing to protect himself from it.

“I can’t…keep going,” Nico gasped out of a laugh, his steps swaying, his vision swimming. He felt ancient and frail as he swam amongst the curses in the belly of the deepest pit with fire in his blood and sickness in his heart.  

“You have to. You can’t give up, Nico. You can’t ever give up. If you do they will capture you, and everything could be over,” her voice was calm and urgent in his ears. He had long since stopped wondering why, why then, why now? Maybe he had been saving Bianca for the moment when he needed her most. Or maybe that was the form his scantly remaining powers took to guard him from complete and utter madness. Maybe it was his conscience, or his heart. If he still had a heart left, maybe its beat would be Bianca’s voice. Nico didn’t know, nor did he care.

“I know…I know,” Nico said, trying desperately to breathe through the contractions that were choking him and the stinging in his throat. “If I die here…do you think my soul will still make it to…”

“You can’t think like that, please don’t think like that Nico. You have to get there, and you can’t let them catch you.”

“Why not?” Nico asked, as he had to force his sword into the ground to steady himself for a moment. It hurt, everything hurt. Why did he have to keep on going? He knew he had to, but all he wanted to do was lay down and sleep forever.  

“Nico!”

“I’m sorry,” Nico gasped as he snapped back to attention, forcing his legs up from where his knees had given out. “I’m sorry, I don’t know why I said that. I’m sorry—“

Suddenly he could feel it, a rumbling in the abyss. The monsters, Nico thought panicked, they were coming back—

“Nico!”

The darkness in Nico boiled and frothed out from the inside. He could feel the shadows writhing beneath his skull, welling from his bones and spilling through his veins. Everything shifted, he was sinking as the corruption took a hold of him, and despite everything in him that was fighting back there was barely anything left of him to hold onto. The shadows ripped into him, bidding him to melt away into the darkness, and Nico didn’t want to go.

He stumbled and fell, still fighting against the claws. He screeched as he met twin cruel grins.  

Nico drifted in a margin between a starless sky and a sea.

Somewhere between, only breaching surface enough to breathe and take another seed between his lips and hope it grew into something better.

There was only darkness, only shadow. He was trapped somewhere in the land between life and death with no way to navigate through.

Would anyone come? Would there ever be any light?  Or would he be trapped there for the rest of time? Even if he escaped this fate, would it matter if what he wanted most he could never have? How much more would he have to sacrifice to make it all matter if he had already sacrificed everything?

Nico would do it. One last time.

He sank.

“Why do you keep trying to talk to me?” Nico asked Will Solace bluntly.

Nico was sitting on a bed in the infirmary, having stripped off his shirt so Will could take a look at his gashes. Nico hadn’t particularly wanted to come to the infirmary, as he didn’t know how those in danger of dying would feel with his presence. At the same time, Will Solace had impressed him with his guts. And Nico always honored those who he believed deserved it with his respect, so he had come to the infirmary with those thoughts in mind.

               “Well…I don’t know. I just like talking to you is all,” Will answered, the question’s premise seemingly amusing to him. Nico wasn’t amused.

               “Why?” Nico continued to press.

               “You’re easy to like, Nico,” Will chuckled fondly.

               Nico scowled, mostly out of bafflement. He was definitely not easy to like. In his whole life the only people he had managed enough fondness to be considered genuine affection from were his mom and sisters…and his dad.  But they were also biologically inclined to like him at least a little bit. Or at the very least not to immediately hate him or anything. Not that he didn’t have the skills to make them regret that. It was an unfortunate side effect of being a child of the underworld. Reyna was a different, special case. She had shared her strength with him, they were more like comrades in arms than anything (though a part of Nico knew he was just kidding himself).

               Though thankfully both Bianca and Hazel had avoided that curse where Nico and most other children of Hades/Pluto before them hadn’t. People had loved Bianca, loved how thoughtful, mature, and polite she was, how interesting she could be with that bit of rebellion in her and the pretty curl of her hair. And people utterly adored Hazel, it was almost impossible not to with her bright welcoming smile and her inclination to fierceness and determination and a startling flash of beauty to boot. If Nico had done anything in his life that he could be proud of, it was saving Hazel. Hazel, who deserved to be loved and would be loved by anyone who met her. She made it seem easy even though Nico knew it wasn’t. Dark and rangy Nico di Angelo was unlikable enough already without the blood of the king of the dead compounding the issue.

               And that suited Nico just fine. He knew he wasn’t a pleasant person to be around on most days. Nico certainly didn’t blame anyone for getting annoyed with him, or frustrated, or creeped out. Even Nico felt that way about himself pretty regularly. When people were nice to him, it was more of a reflection on their character than anything Nico did to give them a high opinion. (People like dumb Percy Jackson who was so inherently good that he would again and again try to save his greatest enemy rather than kill them at first opportunity like Nico would have and would never get mad at Nico and took all the blame on even though it was Nico’s fault because even though Percy didn’t like to be the hero, he was the greatest hero Nico would ever know. And Nico would never really hate Percy for being so kind to him in all of his times of need, even when he had wanted to with all his heart. And even if Nico didn’t like like Percy anymore, Nico would always like Percy Jackson and consider him one of his greatest friends and allies. Though Percy never needed to know that.)  

               But hearing that from Will Solace made him feel…well, he was flattered honestly. Confused, sure. Wary, yes. Nico had no clue where Will had gotten the idea in his head, but he was flattered because it had been, well, a nice thing to say. An unwarranted and undeserved compliment, but Will Solace was a nice person. And Nico knew from just knowing Will for a couple hours that Will was one of those people who could find a glimmer of goodness in anybody, and that was an admirable trait. So if Will thought he was likable, though it was misguided, Nico had to believe he said it out of kindness.

               “Thank you,” Nico admitted awkwardly, twisting his ring around his finger. Mostly because he really didn’t know what to say, and denying the compliment would have been rude to a person who had only been nice to him.

               “Don’t worry about it,” Will said with a fond look, giving Nico’s hand a pat. Nico resisted the urge to jump back and nurse his hand as if he had been burned. “Alright, I’m going to start cleaning the wounds. It’ll probably sting a bit—oh wait, before that, I’ll give you some nectar and ambrosia.”

               “That stuff doesn’t really work on me,” Nico told him.

               “Unicorn draught?” Will offered and Nico shrugged. “Coach Hedge’s medicinal gum?”

               Nico winced, and Will chuckled.

               “Alright, gum it is,” Will said as he reached to grab a box.

               “That stuff tastes like peppermint and graveyard dirt,” Nico groaned as Will offered him a stick.

               “Funny how you know that exact flavor. You sound like quite the connoisseur,” Will said, as Nico took the stick of gum.

               “What can I say, it’s always bone-dry,” Nico added as he snapped the gum between his teeth, baring them to Will so he could see he was chewing.  

               “Was that a pun?” Will asked with a laugh that was bright and sudden. “Nico, son of Hades, likes to make puns.”

               “Hey, I have to have some way to torture my unwilling victims,” Nico scoffed.

               Both Will and Nico shared a something akin to a smile, something tentative and yet warm and natural. It was maybe an alliance? Something too fresh to be called a friendship or anything that extreme. But Nico got the sense that maybe Will Solace was someone he wouldn’t mind spending three days with.

               “Hey,” Percy said as he sat down next to Nico. Nico was taking a sip from a water bottle, and regarded Percy curiously albeit slightly nervous.

               “Hey,” Nico replied, fiddling with his water bottle.

               For a few moments they just sat next to each other, side by side. Percy leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, and seemingly took a deep breath before peeking over at him. There was nothing angry in his gaze, nothing hurt. Instead, there was something kind there.  

               “I wanted to talk about things, but, I don’t know. Do you want to talk?” Percy asked him honestly, running a hand through his dark hair.

               “I’m not good at talking.”

               “I’ve had better conversationalists, sure. But there’s only one Nico,” Percy noted before looking ahead somewhere. Nico followed his gaze to the younger children playing Harpies and Hopscotch on the green. “You were like that, when we first met. A lot of energy.”

               “I was not,” Nico protested weakly, Percy gave him a look and Nico groaned. “I was embarrassing. If this is you trying to make amends, bringing back my dark past is not the way to do it. You may know I wasn’t always a badass, but they don’t know that and I will kill you to shut you up.”

               “Alright, alright,” Percy said as he help up his hands in surrender, his laughter bright and Nico found himself almost smiling. “You going to stay?”

               “Yeah, I think so,” Nico said as he twisted his ring. “I want to try living up here again. Give it a second chance.”

               “Good. I’m glad,” Percy said. “Nico…I’m sorry. You went through a lot and…I didn’t make it easier for you.”

               “You couldn’t control the fact I had a crush on you.”

               “But still. I’m sorry.”

               “…I forgive you,” Nico said, the words hard to sound out, but the moment they were out it felt as if the weight of the world was off his shoulders. Percy clapped his hand on Nico’s shoulder and squeezed. Nico rolled his eyes and elbowed him.

               “…Will Solace though, huh?” Percy commented.

               Percy yelped as Nico dumped the Gatorade in his water bottle over his head.  

Nico pressed up on the balls of his feet.

He wasn’t tall, this he would grudgingly admit. But Nico stretched and reached, curling his fingers in the sleeve of Will’s sweatshirt.

Nico kissed Will Solace, and he felt his eyes flutter shut. Their lips were pressed together, and Nico could almost feel his heart pounding in his head and he felt completely and utterly alive. It was delicious and it was a breathing magical thing between them and it was so good—impossibly good that Nico couldn’t believe that it was true. And Nico knew he wanted to do it again and again, wanted to drown Will Solace and his beautiful golden curls and warm grins that dimpled and the freckles on his golden skin and his hands that were gentle and kind with a thousands kisses.

In that moment Nico was made radiant, he was made daring, he was made foolish, he was made new by love (though he couldn’t admit it yet, not yet, but maybe soon, maybe again).

Will Solace cupped Nico’s cheek, tracing his thumb over Nico’s skin, and shivered into the kiss. When they parted, Nico’s breath was ragged and his mouth felt hot and Will’s eyes were the color of morning glories darkened and intense.

“I…wow,” Will Solace said with an appreciative whistle, and Nico couldn’t help but feel his mouth quirk. “That was…that was perfect.”

“Stop that,” Nico said, unable to help the fact he was suddenly embarrassed by the intensity of his thoughts. Nico felt his entire face explode into heat from his neck to the tips of his ears.

“It totally was,” Will said with a dreamy smile that looked love-struck, and Nico could tell he was being completely serious and yet, somehow, that was even worse.

“I was awful,” Nico argued weakly, kicking a rock with the toe of his boot.

“You definitely weren’t, here, feel my heart beat,” Will said as he suddenly grabbed Nico’s hand and pressed it to his chest. And suddenly Nico could feel it, the way Will’s heart fluttered against his ribs, and his fingers twitched. “See? You’ve made my heart race!”

“You…I see,” Nico admitted as he swallowed nervously.

“So this means I like you, and you like me.”

“It does,” Nico conceded. Trying not to let it show how happy he was when Will said the words out loud, that Will Solace liked Nico di Angelo and Nico di Angelo liked Will Solace. It was right, in a terrifying way.

“That makes me ridiculously happy,” Will said as he curled his hand around Nico’s and pulled it from his chest, he held their hands intertwined together between them. “You make me ridiculously happy.”

“You make me happy too,” Nico told him, as he squeezed Will’s hand back.

Nico was. He really was.