#yes those are mythomagic cards in his hands

[madilynrose]

anatomically incorrect skeletons

[wild-flowerhoney]

i'm neutral about solangelo on my best days and this is not one of them so... new wip??

nico, turning fifteen years old in a camp that still does not accept him, ugly whispers and pointed stares following him around. and will solace.

nico, turning fifteen with red welts on his skin where too warm hands grab and hold. keep in place. sitting at the edge of the lake with the same hero he'd once worshipped – and percy's eyes are worried, trailing over his skin, over those red imprints. he knows this, has seen this before. – and still nico stays and justifies. not because he's weak or dumb or doesn't know or anything like that, no, it always goes deeper than that with these kind of things – all the awful things we call love. all the awful things we accept because they're the closest thing to love we have.

fifteen is a peculiar age, one of hurt.

sixteen is much the same.

seventeen is a caught breath – let me help. let me make sure it will stick this time. i can't do it if you don't let me. seventeen is the yes stuck in his throat. sticky and blood red.

eighteen is a coughing fit – eighteen is the leaving. eighteen is sally jackson's kitchen at 3am with the too bright light and a cup of cocoa cooling between his hands. eighteen is oh, darling, you don't have to tell me. it's different except it's not. it's all the same kind of violence at its core.

nineteen and twenty are for falling – find his footing and mess it up the very next moment because what is nico, if not an unfinished thing? barely able to stand without curving under the weight of anger and regret and hunger, inevitably breaking?

twenty-one is the first full breath, rattling in his ribcage – the first job that makes him want to curl up under the sheets and never emerge, the tiredness in his bones at the end of the day. the sharp inhale of the cool morning air, i am tired and i never thought i'd be breathing but i do it anyway. forcing air into his lungs because what is nico, if not stubborn?

twenty-two. twenty-three.

breathe.

twenty-four is for firsts – a room that belongs to him, just barely big enough to fit what little he has left. percy shows up with lamps and curtains and a whole new set of mythomagic cards from a store near his own place, sally dusts every surface and bakes cookies in the tiny kitchen area. there's a hades figurine on the windowsill, worn books on a shelf by the entrance, an array of pillows and soft sheets on an almost too big bed. it's home, completely and undeniably his. it's a first.

twenty-five is an achievement – twenty-five is ten full years since he first sat beside that lake, beside the same man that is at his side now, and acknowledged that something was happening. twenty-five is bittersweet. it's been ten years, the lake looks just as it did back then. the two of them really don't. hands holding onto one another, breathing in the warm night air. a soft kiss on his knuckles.

twenty-five is the beginning.

[depressedacadamia]

Fight Me Part 2

Summary: Nico prepares for his date but it seems someone has forgotten.

Warnings?: Nothing much. A bit of kissing. Some fluff.

A/N: FJLKJLHGK, I completely forgot that i wrote this and that i was gonna write a part 2. Anyway, my exams are next week and i haven't revised so wish me luck. Little tribute for @thebigqueer and their old blog description of ‘people make fun of me because I’m short but I can reach their knees’ because lateron, Nico embodies that. Anyway, I hope you all enjoy! <3 from me!

Read Part 1 on tumblr       Read parts 1 and 2 on A03

It was 7:30

Will was late.

“Hello?” Nico turned around. “Anybody here?”

The sun was going to set in around an hour and half and somehow, the sky was already getting darker. Nico could feel the sun's rays getting weaker and the warmth slowly draining away.

He had a small bag clutched in his hand with a collection of his favourite mythomagic cards and a couple of sandwiches and some bottles of juice. It certainly wasn’t a banquet but at least it was something and Nico had assumed that Will would have had a tiring day after working in the infirmary during a day of capture the flag ( The Ares kids were always involved).

He lifted his wristwatch to his line of view to glance at the time, noticing that the time was moving annoyingly fast. If it continued like this, it would be sunset and Nico would have officially been stood up. He could feel his chest prickling in anxiety from the idea- that all along it was a sick joke, made only so everyone could make fun of him.

“Hello? Anybody?” It was almost eight and Nico was getting agitated. Sure it was normal to be a bit late, even if it was a date that Will had asked him on but 45 minutes? 45 minutes late to a date? Nico was finally so sick of pacing behind his cabin like a loser, he worked up the nerve to march over to the infirmary to give Will a piece of his mind.

As Nico entered what he believed to be the infirmary, he questioned if he was in the right place. Then it hit him. The infirmary was so crowded, Nico couldn’t even recognise it. It was full of campers, from many different cabins, all covered in injuries and blood. This room, to surgeons, was like candy but with blood, which as Christina Yang had said- was way better,

That was only, of course, if you weren’t meant to be on a date with your cute ex-patient.

To Will, the sudden influx of patients infuriated him. He was meant to be having the best date of his life with Nico but instead, he ws here treating all these stupid injured buffalos who were too incompetent to prevent themselves from being injured.

“Next time, if an Ares kid threatens to break your leg, you should take them more seriously,” Will sighed as he finished the cast on the Athena camper’s leg. Weren’t these ones meant to be smart, Will thought.

His eyes searched across the infirmary, for the next most urgent patient; as head of the Apollo cabin, he was in charge of the infirmary which at first had sounded great. Now, he realised, it was not.

He was about to assist on setting a broken arm but he saw another healer get there first and simultaneously, he saw a very recognisable set of onyx eyes that came with a stunning appearance.

Nico was wearing black skinny ripped jeans with a chain hanging by the waist of it. His stygian iron sword that never left his side was being held to his waist with a skull strap and Nico’s eyeliner was absolutely perfect. Winged and angelic, his eyes were standing out like never before. Nico had been a bit nervous about wearing eyeliner outside of his cabin, but after much persuasion from Hazel, Jason and Percy, he had agreed to wear it.

Will thought he felt his mouth drop. But then, he felt his heart drop. Why was Nico in the infirmary? Was he involved in the fight? Was he hurt? Will rushed over to Nico, pushing through the injured masses, ignoring their shouts and snaps of discomfort. He waded through them like thick oceans of blood until he managed to spot Nico’s hand, decorated with expensive looking rings.

“Nico,” Will gasped, his eyes running up and down, scanning his body for injuries. “What are you doing here? Are you okay?”

Nico’s winged eyes squinted. “ What am I doing here? Did you forget?”

Will’s mouth opened and then closed again, his brain clearly racking for what he had forgotten.

“Our date. You were meant to meet me an hour ago,” He mumbled, raising his wrist to his face, checking the time once again.

Will’s face dropped, his expression ghostly. “ No! No, no, I can’t have forgotten- it wasn’t today. I could have sworn it wasn’t today.” He turned to Nico. “ It wasn’t today, right?”

“It was today.”

“Fuck.”

“That’s a good response, at least,” Nico murmured, kicking his boots at the bloodied tile floor.

“I'm so sorry. I got hoarded with patients, like hoarded. The Ares kids had some new weapons made today and the Hephaestus kids thought it would be fun to mess with them. Somehow the Athena kids got involved and I think there are some Dionysus kids who got involved just for the drama.” Will grabbed Nico's hands, squeezing them with such intensity, Nico feared they might break.

When Nico looked at Will’s face at that moment, he knew he was going to say ‘yes’ to whatever was about to be asked of him. Whether Will just wanted some gum or if he wanted to burn the entire world; there was something alluring in those eyes that Nico could simply never deny. “Nico, fuck, please give me another chance. I know I shouldn't have stood you up like that and I really wasn't planning to. It’s just, we got so many patients all at once that it completely slipped from my mind and-”

“-I’m not mad. A bit annoyed, yes, but I get it. You have people to fix. Go do your job.” Nico paused for a moment. “But one thing. Next time you almost stand me up, a note or a messenger would have been nice.”

Will frowned. “I thought I sent a note?”

Nico paused again. Did he send a note? Nico’s memory racked- did anybody come to give him a note? He couldn’t distinctly remember it.

The only thing he remembered was someone running to his cabin, panting and him slipping himself into the shadows, avoiding whichever body had come wandering into his domain- he had not been in the mood to interact with anybody other than Will (Or maybe Hazel or Annabeth because they always knew what to say and when to say it).

Woops.

“Oh, That note you mean. I might have hidden from the messenger in the shadows…” Nico trailed off, looking everywhere but Will. Expecting a loud scoff or perhaps a jeer, Nico could feel his hands clenching up, ready to get him out of this situation. But when he heard a little giggle and saw Will giving him a genuine little smile and holding out his hand, he couldn’t help but be surprised.

“I know that I’m currently meant to be working but I guess taking a little break couldn’t hurt. Besides, I haven't eaten a proper meal all day and those sandwiches look delicious.”

Nico happily let Will lead him to the room reserved for the staff who were in this case, just the Apollo kids. But then he stopped.

“You haven't eaten all day? Will, what the hell? You were nagging me the entire of my stay here to eat and you don't even do it yourself?”

“I do eat, it’s just sometimes, I forget to because everybody is being stupid and trying to fight their healers,” Will huffed as he grabbed a sandwhich and stuffed a bite into his mouth.

“What idiot tries to fight their healers?” Nico asked as he took a sip of juice. They were sitting in the corner of the ‘staff room’ which in reality was just the back room. It just had 2 bare beds for quick resting and back up medical supplies. There was a bare sink and a couple of cupboards which were most likely empty. The freezer however, had several pints of ice cream.

“Oh who tries to fight their healer? Must I remind you of your behaviour every time you're in this infirmary?”

Will opened a pack of chips that he had managed to snag from one of the other healers; he doubted they’d notice. Well, he hoped they wouldn't notice.

“I can’t be that bad.” Nico batted his hand in the air, his hand reaching over to Will’s pack of chips and stealing one. Will smacked his hand and gasped, showing his mock offence.

“Oi! Those are mine!”

“Says who?” Nico argued. “ I happen to know you stole them!”

“Yeah but finders keepers!”

“I will fight you for those chips,” Nico snarled. Will, smiling wickedly, held his front; not in the least intimidated by Nico's violent demeanor.

“Perfect, now we finally fight. After all, I did tell you that I’d fight you later when you were recovering.”

“I’ll turn you into ashes.”

“Nu uh, I don’t think so. Remember I have regeneration,” Will boasted. They were both now standing, their food abandoned on the table.

“If I remember correctly.” Nico moved forward for the attack, “You told me you wouldn’t fight me because you knew I would win.”

Will gave a smirk. “You were ill. I couldn't tell you the truth.”

Nico squinted his eyes and waited for Will’s punch. He didn’t expect for Will to be waiting for his; Oh right, Will always fights defensive

But then he realised that this could be used to his own advantage. He went in for an attack, his leg going round to kick the back of Will’s knees, making him buckle to the floor. Nico was aiming to disable him from moving, not hurt him.

I may be short, but that just means I can reach your knees.

Will let out a rueful laugh, the game was on. Just as when Nico went to grab Will's arm, Will used his other arm to grab Nico and used all his strength and Nico’s momentum to flip Nico onto his back so that when Nico looked up, He saw Will's smiling face.

Nico rolled away, quickly forcing his way up. They both stood facing each other, none of them throwing a punch or a kick. They were dancing around each other, around their feelings. Nico ran into Will and used every force in his favour to force Will to fall onto the bare bed behind him. They landed safely with an oomph and immediately Nico got to work in immobilising him.

Nico quickly straddled Will, trying to grab his arms but Will, while not the fastest, was relatively strong. He managed to grab Nico’s arm, stopping him from being trapped. He then used all the strength he could summon from his abdominal muscles and managed to flip Nico so that it was him holding both of Nico’s arms above his head, effectively pinning him to the bed.

Nico struggled but Will was too strong. He had tried to flip Will back onto his back but it was too hard so he settled for trying to wrestle his wrists out of the blond boy's grasp. They were panting and their faces were close enough that they could feel each other's warm breath on each other's face.

Nico felt his eyes being drawn to Will’s lips and then his ocean blue, like eyes. It was a magnet being drawn across Will's face and Nico had no choice but to follow it everywhere. From the perfect slant of his cupid’s bow at his lips and the fullness of his lips to the half lidded eyelids that covered his deep eyes. The eyes that we're currently analysing Nico’s face, in the same way he was doing to Will’s, right this moment.

Will felt Nico’s wrists stop resisting as much in his grasp as his eyes slowly drifted to his own. Their eyes locked. Ocean Blue met Onyx. The sea had met the depths of the earth and it was only the roaring sound of their own blood being pumped ferociously by their hearts that acted as the soundscape of the ocean as Will lowered his lips to meet Nico’s in the most tentative of kisses.

Their lips brushed gently, as a taster and then, Nico slipped one of his supposedly trapped wrists out of Will’s hands and slid it around Will’s neck, pulling him to deepen the kiss. Will’s face felt heated as he moved his hands from above Nico’s head to cup his face; he could feel the heat radiating from it.

They broke apart- only for a second- but alas, even that felt like too much. Their lips found each other again, even in the darkness of the room, due to sunset and yet they were only in the dark for a matter of seconds. Nico, despite having his eyes closed, could feel the soft glow of Will’s skin.

“Hey Will, Where did ya g-” The startled young healer was stunned before cringing immediately at their older brother.

“-Oh god, Will, My eyes! My eyes have been scarred, dear, good gracious Gods, Help me!”

Nico’s hands flew to Will’s chest, pushing him off while Will himself made an attempt to scramble off Nico. They keyword there being attempt, because the next thing he knew, Will had stumbled and managed to trip Nico into falling face first into Will’s chest, straddling him and thus making their situation so much worse.

“What do you want?” Will groaned at his younger sibling, as Nico climbed off him, slowly burying his face in his hands out of embarrassment.

“You have another patient to fix.” The kid was now holding his hands over his eyes- something that deeply irritated Nico.

“Oh calm down, it’s not like we were doing anythi-”

“-Nico!” Will cried. “ Go out and find someone to cover for me. Tell Kayla she’s in charge; I’m off for the night,” Will declared as he grabbed Nico’s hand, kicked open the back door and fled into the early night with Nico, hand in hand.

[mka1098]

I’m Gay Panicking But It’s Fine - A Solangelo One-Shot Fanfiction

Thank you to @windbyfire for letting me use your fanart !

Might be a bit of OOC it's my first Solangelo piece; they are just too cute for me not to try and write them. Also, I'm straight (feel free to make fun of me like my friends, I take all the hits) so my attempt at gay panic is just not great. I just tried to think of my friend when they gay panic. Haha, hope you guys like this piece, and here's the link to the podfic/audio version

Audio listen along: https://youtu.be/xRLTIr6ZqwE

I'm Gay Panicking But It's Fine by Mka1098

Nico is a generally petulant, cold-faced, and stoic person. He smiles only during the darkest and latest of nights and barely grunts a word at people. His expressions are perceived as less than friendly and perhaps the only people who weren’t afraid of him and his ghost powers could be counted on one hand. (Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Hazel, and Renya). So it was a total shock to him when the golden-haired Will Solace bounced next to him right as he was leaving his cabin at 2 PM in the afternoon.

“Uh… hi?” He says in the quietest voice. Will smiles brightly at him.

“Hi, Nico.” The blonde says. Nico frowns. He feels as if he’s being smirked at. And oh, it is not a welcomed feeling, not for him. Enough people believe they can mess with him and those said people were sent right to Will’s own wing.

“What do you want?” He asks with a bit of bite in his tone. Will shrugs.

“Just wanted to say hi.” He says evenly. Nico scowls at him.

“That’s it?” His tone is harsh. “You just wanna pop over here and say hi? For no reason?” Nico says snarkily. Surprisingly, Will doesn’t run and scream in terror; he doesn’t start to shake either. Instead, his smile seems to grow infinitesimally bigger and he shoves his hands into his pockets.

“Yep.” He pops the P of the word before turning sharply left and away from Nico. The blonde doesn’t even look back at the confounded boy he had left standing. Instead, he smiles at some of the other campers and heads into cabin 6.

Nico stares back at him dumbly, even as he disappears into the cabin. “What the Hades?” He mutters quizzingly to himself. Nico crosses his arms tightly on his chest. There are some other campers, gossips for sure, who are staring at him. They are murmuring hush whispers while clearly pointing at him. He sends them a murderous glare; the point gets across and they scramble away quickly. Nico sighs. Sure being dark and broody is helpful when one wants to be alone but there are times when he doesn’t want to be alone. Alas, how on this earth is one supposed to make friends when they have the appearance of a walking skeleton. Nico keeps walking towards the mess hall. He needs food; he needs it now. His stomach shouts at him to hurry up. Hm, if only Jason was here then maybe he’d believe him that yes, the Nico Di Angelo does still run on sustenance-- well, something other than happy meals.

Few campers are still in the mess hall when he arrives. They stick to their own tables, their only sibling. Nico has no sibling, not any that are here at least. Sitting down, he summons plain salted noodles, slightly butter and light garlic; diet coke rather than water. He sighs as he smashes a forkful into his mouth. Pasta’s great and all but he eats it because they are simple carbs. Plain pasta isn’t overpowering, it isn’t too earthy or meaty or lettuce. It’s just enough to keep him upright. Nico sighs again as he finishes half the bowl, quickly getting sick of the dish. As he scrapes the rest of the pasta into the fire, he wishes he had a friend next to him.

-

“Welcome back.” Nico groans as the harsh light attacks his eyes. He attempts to get up but is shoved, gently at least, back down. “You just woke up; it’d be awful if you fainted again.” The voice chuckled. Nico’s eyes register just enough to see curly blonde hair next to him. The figure is wearing a white coat and holding a clipboard; it’s Will.

“What happened?” Nico says in a slight snarl.

“Shadow travel,” Will responds dryly. “Did you know you have a limit on distance and time?” He asks with an innocent voice but his eyes are letting on more than he’s saying. “It seems to me that your body uses a lot of energy to travel around that way and it lowers our blood sugar significantly.”

Nico scowls at him and blinks at the feeling of a hollow ache within him. “Yes, I did know that.” He says. Will makes a half-smile, half-smirk.

“Great, then I’m going to need you to manage your shadow traveling a bit better,” Will says. “I will come up with exact rules soon but know it’s going to be more limited now.”

Nico feels fury well up inside of him. “Not over my dead body.” He growls. Wills chuckles at his threat, annoying Nico even more.

“One-” Will puts a finger up. “-if you were a dead body then I did my job wrong. Two, as if you’d go so quickly. And three, doctor’s orders.” He says firmly, leaning in. Nico crosses his arms indignantly.

“And what if I don’t listen?” He snaps.

“You will.” Will sounds so sure of himself. Nico’s eyes darken.

“And how do you know that?”

Will leans in; he leans in very much. Nico gulps subconsciously and for a moment is shell-shocked by the smug look on Will’s face. His eyes are full of bright lights and mirth. His mouth is pink and completely sure. Nico never really talked to Will before… well yesterday when he had randomly said hi when Nico woke up. He had always known the blonde, how could one not and vise versa. He knew Will was smart and capable and a wicked good doctor; Nico just didn’t know how commanding and snarky he was either.

“Oh, I have a feeling.” With that, Will leans back and rips off a piece of paper, and hands it to Nico. The boy stares at it; it has times and measurements. “Your rules,” Will says easily. “Doctor’s orders.” He leaves with a flourish of his coat and Nico is left still on the bed with shouted orders to rest.

Nico is surprised-- pleasantly surprised. Everyone at camp is afraid of him and his ‘scary’ powers. But Will is not. It’s a nice change. A hint of a smile appears on Nico’s face. He actually listens for once (because he is not Percy Jackson)

-

“What is that?” Nico stares at the cards in Will’s hands. He shrugs. Nico scowls at him deeper. “What is that?” He repeats.

“Mythomagic cards.” Will smiles brightly; Nico wants to put on sunglasses. “I was playing with a couple of my patients when I remembered that you used to be a huge fan of the game. That was how you identified Dionysus right?” Will teases. Nico feels his face warm up, something that never happened before. Indignantly, he turns away with a huff. “Huh? Don’t like it? Mm… could’ve sworn you still liked the game; oh well, see you later then.”

Will only takes about 3 steps before Nico caves. “Wait,” Nico calls out quiet but Will hears and spins around as if he had shouted at the top of his lungs. “I- I still like the game, okay?” Nico says, trying to act hardened but it wasn’t working as well as he was hoping it would.

“Perfect!” Will says with a grin on his face. “Come join me.” He puts a hand out between them. Nico stares at it. What? Noticing that Nico didn’t move a muscle, Will quirks an eyebrow up. “Huh? Too much for you to handle?” He teases. “Sorry, just say it.” He brings his hands back to the pocket of his sweatshirt but smiles welcomingly for Nico to follow him. Nico frowns before giving in and following the blonde. He still catches the smirk residing on Will’s face.

“You don’t need to look so smug; I still like the game,” Nico growls. Will tilts his head to the side.

“I hoped so.”

They enter the hospital healing wing and there is a group of kids in clean white robes that seem to light up when their eyes catch on Will. They are young-- ages 9...10...11...12 perhaps. “Dr.Solace!” They chorus before even noticing that Nico stands next to him. Will smiles brightly; he looks almost like an angel of medicine with the sun shining through the window. “You’re back!” The kids continue. Will laughs and leaps onto one of the empty gurneys. Nico walks and stands awkwardly next to it. The kids don’t spare him much of a glance-- he wants to melt into the shadows to escape but finds that the wing is so lit up with light the nearest shadow could barely cover his entire hand.

“I am!” Will says, eyes Twinkling. “And… I brought a friend.” He presents his arms out like a magician showing his newest trick. The kids stare at Nico. Nico stares back awkwardly. Uh… what is he supposed to do now? He waves; a tight forced smile is on his face. The kids look at him intently and then back at Will. They smile, a move Nico did not expect, and nearly giggle out. What on… what? “Guys…” Will says with a head shake. Nico looks at him with a head shake. Is there a blush on his face or has Nico forgotten breakfast again? “-don’t laugh. This is Nico.”

A kid falls over, chortling. “Oh… we know.” He says mischievously. Will sends him a hard look. The kid turns back to Nico and thrusts a stack of cards in his hands. “You’ve ever played?” Nico looks at the cards… amateur set.

“Yeah.” Nico grunts. The kids here are all too young to know his past-- they don’t know what these cards mean to him. “Course I do… I’ve got seven of these.” He continues. The kid’s eyes widen like saucers; the other kids gasp dramatically.

“No way!” The kid lights up like a firework. “That’s so many! I only have that one of everything. But I do have two Apollos!” The kid explains.

“No, you don’t! You don’t have Athena.”

“It didn’t come with!”

“That’s no excuse.”

Nico is confused and stares at the bickering kids, unsure of what to do next. WIll seems to have noticed his discomfort because he leans over slightly. “Tanner, he’s one of Ares’s kids. Lara’s mom is Athena. They like to fight a lot but they’re friends.” He explains. Nico quietly nods, observing as Lara and Tanner begin to shove each other's shoulders. Will allows them to fight for a minute longer before cleaning his throat and stenly glaring at them. Lara sheepishly takes her hands off of Tanner’s shoulders. “That’s enough; do you want to start the game now or what?” Will smiles, holding his cards up. Nico copies the motions, inspecting each player carefully.

“I’m ready to win.” Lara brags. Without meaning to, a rare smirk raises to Nico’s face; it feels equally foreign and nice.

“That’s funny because I’m sure I’m going to win,” Tanner shouts at her. Lara stickers her tongue out at her.

Nico lowly huckles, hiding it behind his stack of cards. Will seems to be the only one who notices it. The blonde looks at him with a smile and eyebrow quirk. Nico scowls. “What?” He snaps.

Will shakes his head. “Nothing. Just nice to see that look on your face.”

Nico stares at him, unsure of what he means. So instead of worrying about it, he resorts to slamming these kids at Mythomagic. No one knows it better than he does.

“Woah! How’d you do that?” Lara shouts at him when Nico unsurprisingly wins. He shrugs.

“Easy move.” He says lazily. Lara glares at him but it’s nothing like her older sister’s stare so he’s not fazed at all. “You’ll learn it in time.” He all but teases. She snarls at him; he slightly grins back.

Will laughs and forces Lara to put her cards back in the pile. “He’s a big fan of the game, don’t take it personally.” He tells her. Tanner looks back at Nico with wide and impressed eyes.

“Really?”

Nico feels awkward-- never once has anyone looked at him in awe. Why was this kid doing these? What did he want from him? “Uh- yeah. I have most of the extra packs. You know, it’s fun.” HE babbles out, wanting to melt into the ground. Tanner leaps up onto his gurney.

“That’s awesome!” He cries. “Can you play with us more?” He asks. His eyes go big and wide and Nico finds it in himself to not shut him down with a harsh no. tanner looks excited, Lara looks interested and Will looks smug. Nico snarls at him.

“What’s got you all happy and sunshiny?” He asks. Will just keeps smiling, still looking like a medicine angel or whatever.

“It’s nice seeing you have fun. I’m so used to you groaning in pain on one of these.” He motions to the gurneys. “You should play with us more. Lots of the kids love the game.” Will asks. His smile seems welcoming. Nico is still unsure if he should or shouldn’t agree. “Besides… how else will those extra card packs come into use?” Will teases.

Nico decides that he’ll agree to play with him more often. “Touche.” He mumbles and Will knows he’s won. The kids are a bit loud for his taste but the game is fun. It’s nice playing with people who love Mythomagic almost as much as he does. And Will… he’s nice… a little too nice but not awful. He’s a nice friend. Maybe…

When Nico leaves the hospital wing to retreat into his own cabin to nap the day away, he leaves with a new ten-year-old fan, a planned gaming session next Tuesday, and Will’s touch lingering on his shoulder. He buries himself in his four blankets and knocks out for twenty hours.

-

He admits… it’s weird having a friend-- at the same time, it’s so nice. Will is friendly and bright; slightly annoying but sometimes it makes him smile in a way that makes him also want to bury himself into the ground. How could a person look so sweet yet not disgusting? It didn’t make sense! The last time a person had smiled like an angel and been cute without being awful was Percy and Nico didn’t need another round of that.

“Hey… Will, can you- do you think you can help me with something?” Nico says, very nervously. The feeling’s very odd for him; he’s more brooding than awkward on a day-to-day basis. The young patients behind Will seem to giggle slightly. The blonde smiles back at him, looking as golden as his father in a tiny way.

“Yeah… with what?” He asks, leaning forward on the gurney.

Nico opens his mouth to respond but is distracted for a second. Who on Gaea’s earth gave Will arms like that? They’re strong, that’s clear but not overly muscled and big. Lean but firm and oh dear Zeus, why can’t Nico stop gaping at them. Why are they so gorgeous? Why are they so distracting? Oh gods. Nico swallows and forces his eyes away from the view. If Will had noticed him staring, he certainly doesn’t show it. His smile is as serene and pleasant as ever. Nico swears his face isn’t bright red but it may be.

“Um- Per- my dad wants me over for dinner and… I don’t know, I wanna make a good impression on my step-mom; she’s not trying to smite me so I think it’d be nice.” Nico admits, fighting the urge to shadow travel away. God, he’s so awkward. Nico blames Will’s newfound arms for the feeling-- technically though, Nico had been awkward since he called out Will’s name while walking slowly into the room.

“Yeah, of course!” Will smiles brightly.

“Really?”

“Definitely. My shift’s wrapping up anyway so I have the time.”

“Oh.” A smile sneaks its way up on Nico’s face. He hates it. “Thanks.” He says meekly. Will shrugs, calling that it’s no problem and that he’ll meet him at his cabin in about ten minutes.

When Nico closes his cabin door, he questions his own sanity.

He further questions it as Will explains which fork is which and which spoon goes where. Oh if he thought his arms were a distraction before then it was the entire center star of a solar system now. With his doctor coat, most of Will’s arm had been covered and only the forearm showed and a sliver of upper arms-- now his entire arm is on display and Nico’s mouth is basically probably drooling. It’s all lean muscle and beautifully tanned skin.

“Nico? Hello~?” Will waves his hand in front of his face and Nico jumps about a foot in the air. Will snickers; Nico does not.

“I hear ya, salad, soup, all that,” Nico growls in an attempt to hide his gaping. Will chuckles and folds his arms over his chest. Huh, wow… biceps-- very nice. Nico feels dizzy.

“Great, then I will be on my way then,” Will says easily, walking towards the door.

Everything in Nico’s mind and body screams at him to not let the boy leave. He steps up and puts a hand on Will’s shoulder and wow, it’s an equally terrible and glorious idea. He jerks back like he’s been burned; Will takes notice and looks at him like he’s gone insane. He probably is a third way there.

“I- I need help picking something nice to wear.” Nico blabbers out, a very unlikely thing for him to do. “Pure emo black probably isn't the best impression.” He continues like an idiot. He secretly asks for the earth to open up and swallow him whole. Then again, he could probably have that arranged if he really wanted it to happen. “I don’t know what to do, you know…?” Cue awkward grin. Cue facepalm. Cue Will’s weirdly cute head tilt.

“Well your father is Hades so I don’t think she’d really mind this-” Will looks him up and down; Nico’s face becomes red. “-ensemble. But I do get where you’re coming from. I’m thinking… nice but still My Chemical Romance?” Will teases him. Nico scowls at him. “I kid-- actually no I don’t.” Will makes a quick turn and thrust open Nico’s closet. It’s a total mess and explosion of black clothing. He’s unsure if he should be embarrassed or not. Either way, he is. “This… not bad...this one is actually better-- okay, I got one.” Will throws his newfound sartorial choice. Nico catches it in his hands and looks quizzingly at them. “Nice non-ripped jeans, striped black and white button-up… just wear black sneakers and comb your hair out of your face a bit,” Will instructs him.

Nico nods. “Not a bad choice.” He laments. WIlls rolls his eyes and scoffs.

“I’m gay-- course I have some style. What’s your excuse?” He says snarkily.

Nico can only blink back at him. Gay, gay, he’s gay. Oh of course he’s gay! His inner monologue is stupid. I’m gay, he’s gay. Oh my gods, we’re both gay. I could date him! I wanna date him? Do I? No! I don’t! Maybe? Yes? No? He has great arms… it wouldn’t be bad. And a pretty cute smile-- plus he’s gay. Wait… why is he staring at me with that look? Nico opens his mouth but no words come out. Wills starts to full-on laugh. He’s laughing, oh my gods, I’m dead. It’s cute… AH, I’M EVEN MORE SCREWED! Wow, his arms… I should watch him do his blood tests one day. Nope...that’s weird. But would it be hot? Probably…AUGH!

“Are you okay?” Will gasps in between his chuckles. Whatever is happening in Nico’s mind is the mental equivalent to a keyboard smash.

“Yep,” Nico says, preparing to shadow travel. He steps backwards into the shadow and begins to melt away.

But much to his shock, Will’s eyes widen and his hands shoots out, grabbing Nico by his hoodie sleeve. Will drags him back into the light and aggressively points a finger in his face. His expression is a mix between worry and lots of anger. He’s never been like this before. Nico is shocked and weirdly intrigued.

“You’re not getting away with that-- not from me at least.” Will scolds him. Nico stares at him blankly. He’s mad… it’s lowkey hot. Uh- should I be breathing right now because I don’t think I am. I mean, he’s a doctor he could fix me. NO! BAD IDEA! I’ve never seen him so mad. Or mad at all. Huh. Huh... I don’t think my brain is functioning. “-as your doctor… it is an order.” Will finish but Nico caught only 10% of what he said. Nico gulps, not out of fear but out of… well he doesn't even know.

“Noted,” Nico says dryly. Will huffs and nods, looking at him with a fierce glare. It’s now he understands why Percy gets that stupid dazed look on his face when Annabeth is yelling at him. He’s really hot right now and I don’t think that's okay. Nico wants to shadow travel again but it would probably be risky. Not that he doesn't want to see angry Will again, it’s more so… he’s already pushed it.

“Good,” Will says haughtily before leaving the cabin.

Nico stares out his window till Will’s curly blonde hair is no longer visible. He then falls into his bed, face-first into a pillow. He blinks into the pillow-- and does so for a very long time. His brain is fried and it is because of Will.

I’m panicking

-

“I need your help.”

“Really?”

“Yes! Please help me now!”

“Okay, okay, what for?”

Nico looks around him and then back at the IM. “I think I’m panicking.” She raises a brow at him and drily says, no duh. He glares at her; Renya isn’t phased in the slightest. “But really-- I feel like my heart is about to explode.”

“Is your heartbeat really going that fast?” Renya questions. Nico throws his arms up in the air.

“Maybe? Probably not?” Nico sighs and drags a hand down his face. “...I saw Will.” He admits.

Renya’s face turns into an interested smile. “Go on.”She says. Nico feels his face heating up and the following urge to jump into an ice bath. Gods, he hated blushing like a ten-year-old girl.

“Everyone was going swimming…” He continues. The smirk on Renya’s face grows. “-and I decided that maybe I should go too, you know, for fun.” He mumbles.

“Nice to hear you’re not hermit-shelling yourself.” Renya teases. Nico glares at her. SHe only shrugs.

“But-” Nico points up a finger. “Will and his sibling decided to go swimming in the lake too. Which I guess makes sense or whatever, everyone in camp is burning up today but I still wasn’t expecting it.”Nico ignores Renya’s snickers.

“You didn’t realize that he: as a part of the camp, was going swimming in the lake?”

“Shut up!”

“You literally called me to freak out over this.”

Nico just nearly swipes at the message. “I discovered his arms a couple weeks ago and I couldn’t look at him the same; now I’ve seen him without a shirt and I can’t look at him, full stop. He’s hot-- like really hot. Literally looks like his dad; what do I do?” Nico walks around in a circle in his cabin, tugging at his hair in a frenzy. “I stared at him for a complete minute. I don’t think I breathed or blinked or moved at all. Just- I stood there.” He continues.

“Nico,” Renya says seriously. “You’re panicking.” She deadpans. He turns to scowl at her. She raises a brow in defiance.

“I know that!” He cries out. His eyes catch to the uncovered window where there is a perfect view of bare-torso Will ran by. He is silently laughing, hair flying back and eyes nearly closed. Nico gulps and his brain pauses for a minute or two. How are the campers around him even functioning!? It’s like watching a piece of art but not in an objectifying way. “I’m gay panicking but it’s fine.” Nico sputters out. The words are a total mess that falls in front of him. Renya cackles like a witch.

“Will walked by?”

“Yes!”

Nico grabs a blanket from his bed and huddles it around his body. He groans loudly and falls to the ground. Renya’s eyes trail down with him, quietly witnessing his breakdown. She doesn’t even make a sound as he mutters deliriously about how Will is affecting him and that his brain is now melted.

“You know, it may just help to tell him you like him. Might stop the panicking.” Renya offers. Nico glares at her from the ground and forces an arm out to wave around madly.

“What part of-” His arms are now a helicopter rotor. “-this makes you think I could confess.”

Renya rolls her eyes. “You’re an emo-depressed boy, not an emo anxious boy.” She says drily.

“I could be both!”

“But you’re not.” Reyna chuckles. “It’s fine to tell him you like him. He’s not as blind as Percy; he’s as gay as you are so that means he knows what he’s doing. You’ve said it before, he’s very clearly smirked while you blushed. Why not tell him? Will’s not the type to lead a person on. He probably is just waiting his time and having fun with it. It’s more torturous for you than him.” Nico makes a sound of pure gay panic for an impressibly long time. Renya allows him to do so. “I gotta go soon.” She looks off the IM for a second and nods. “However, you still need to at least consider it.” She points at him threateningly.

Nico nods meekly from the floor and watches wordlessly as the IM disappears.

If anyone is able to die from gay panicking, Nico’s unwilling trying to accomplish it.

-

Nico wants to die but he can’t seem to turn off his mouth. The words he was spilling weren’t the ones he had practiced with Renya but Will is smiling at them nonetheless. He’s sure the red on his face has taken over and he’s become a tomato head. Nico feels miserable and thanks all deities for making sure no one else is walking onto the scene.

“-so yeah that's kinda what I wanted to say...yeah.” Nico prays for his father’s realm.

Will lets out a laugh and if it wasn’t so horribly sweet and cute, Nico would have shadow traveled away. “That’s very nice and brave of you to say,” Will says. He leans out and presses a kiss to Nico’s cheek. Nico nearly falls over. “And I like you too. But I’ve been waiting for you to make a move since you started staring at my arms like a lifeline.” Nico gasps and points at Will accusingly.

“You noticed?”

“How could I not.”

Nico glares at him harshly. “I don’t like you no more.” He mutters. Wills sighs but with a smile on his face. He opens his arms and closes them around Nico’s form. Nico is shocked by the fact that he is still standing. His inner mind is frozen still. “Oh.” He says dumbly.

Will chuckles, the sound resonates lowly and vibrates from his chest to Nico. “Does this make up for it?”

Nico scowls but doesn’t deny anything. His heart is beating much faster than it should but it’s kinda okay with him. He decides that, yes the hug makes up for the torture Will put him through: freaking arm tease. It’s warm and comforting and he really likes how Will smells.

“Yeah. It does.”

Awe... aren't they just so cute? I wrote this pretty late at night so my own speech patterns ended up slipping in. By the way, the emo-depressed/anxious boy thing is literally a thing I put in from my own personal conversations. I have a very wonderful NB emo anxious depressed boi in my life. I hoped you guys liked this story and found it either funny, cute, or slightly relatable...maybe. - Mka1098

[toffrox]

Nightmares

Read on Ao3

Will

"I still can't believe Lou Ellen told you that" Will shook his head at his boyfriend in disbelief.

"Why?" Nico folded his arms, indignant. "We are friends."

Will's head whipped around at that.

"Nico di Angelo, did you seriously just openly admit to having a friend?" He asked. He sounded stunned, though he was grinning.

Nico rolled his eyes and attempted to shrug away, but Will's arm was wrapped firmly around his shoulders. They were wedged in against one another on the floor of Cabin Thirteen, both leaning against the side of Nico's bunk.

The floor around them was littered with Mythomagic cards, junk food and extra blankets. When Nico failed to duck out of Will's grasp he let out a muttered "humph" and leant back against the pile of pillows between them and his bedpost.

"You're impossible" he grumbled.

"What! I am not!" Will laughed, "I'm just proud of you. Such a social butterfly." He pressed his nose against Nico's head and nuzzled teasingly, earning another eye roll from Nico.

"Gross" he muttered.

Will wasn't phased. He could see the way Nico's lips were twitching ever so slightly, giving away his true feelings. Will kept his nose in Nico's hair and brought his hand up to cup Nico's cheek. Nico adjusted slightly so that their eyes met, their foreheads pressed together. Will smiled.

Nico tilted his chin so that they could kiss and Will hummed with pleasure when their lips touched.

The mess of blankets, the flickering light in the cabin and the frantic beating of Will's heart all seemed to melt away as Nico's fingers threaded through Will's hair.

"Nico" Will whispered against Nico's lips. Nico made a soft whimpering sound in the back of his throat that sent shivers down Will's spine.

It was a soft kiss. Comforting and teasing at the same time. Will held Nico close, marvelling for the millionth time at how good it felt to be wrapped up in him. And yeah, maybe also feeling a little smug about how dating someone with a whole cabin to themselves was the best.

"You should stay the night." Nico whispered. Will felt his stomach jolt.

"Really?" He asked, breathless. Nico nodded shyly. "What about… my siblings will notice…" Will said nervously.

"So" Nico shrugged. "It's not like we're doing anything. Just sleeping."

And making out. Will felt his cheeks warm. They were still wrapped up in each other's arms.

"Yeah, Austin's really gonna believe that." Will muttered.

"So what?" Nico said easily. His arms tightened around Will's neck. "I like having you here."

Will gazed down at his boyfriend, marvelling at how comfortable he looked, how open and relaxed.

Will was aware that they hadn't really been friends for that long; just a couple of months. And they'd been dating for even less time. Nico had been through so much, and Will knew there was still a lot Nico hadn't opened up to him about. He always tried to give Nico space; he didn't want to become a crutch for Nico… and yet here he was, telling Will he didn't care what the other campers thought of him, being open about what he wanted… maybe Will didn't need to be quite so cautious all the time…

"You don't have to stay" Nico said softly, worry creeping into his dark eyes. "If you don't want to…"

Will shook his head then, letting himself smile and snuggle down into Nico's arms some more.

"I want to stay" He whispered.

They kissed again, eventually moving from the floor to Nico's bunk. Nico pulled them both under the covers and curled into Will. Their legs tangled together. Nico settled down with his head on Will's chest, both of them smiling.

Nico's eyes had fluttered shut and his breathing had slowed. Will felt himself begin to drift into sleep too, his nose full of the scent of Nico and his chest full of a bubbly kind of happiness that made him giddy.  

—

Will dreamed.

He was standing up on half blood hill, looking down at the camp, bathed in sunlight. There was a gentle breeze washing in from the sea. He could hear shouts of excitement drifting up from the volleyball courts. The sweet scent of the strawberry fields filled Will's nostrils and made him feel calm. He began to walk down the hill and noticed he was barefoot.

He wasn't sure exactly when the dream began to change.

As he approached the bottom of the hill, nearing the forest, he noticed the grass was no longer cool and smooth beneath his feet, but hot and prickly.

The shouts from the volleyball field seemed louder.

Will looked up and noticed that the sky was darkening. The sun had smoldered down into a deep red that stained the horizon.

Will frowned. He looked at his feet and yelped to see the ground was no longer grassy but jagged. He was walking on some kind of riverbed. Except instead of stones or sand his feet were falling onto broken, black glass.

With a horrible sinking feeling in his stomach Will started to realise that the shouts he was hearing weren't from the volleyball court. In fact, it was a single voice. Someone was screaming. Crying. Someone Will knew.

Nico.

—

Will woke up with a lurch.

For a second the dread that had formed in the pit of his stomach remained as Will blinked into the darkness, his brain struggling to locate his surroundings.

Then his senses caught up with him and Will registered the cool moonlight streaming in through high windows, the extinguished torches bracketed against the wall and, eventually, the weight of a familiar form curled up next to him. A form that was twisting and jerking against Will's arms in panic.

Will sat up and pulled back. Nico was still asleep, his face contorted in some kind of pain. As Will's focus shifted to him he had to fight not to reel back at the waves of darkness and fear that were rolling off him.

Will felt his chest tighten in panic. He hadn't witnessed Nico having a nightmare this bad since those first few days in the infirmary. As he fought against the dark aura that seemed to be emanating from Nico he realised that what Will had seen and heard in his own dream must have been a glimpse into Nico's nightmare.

"Nico" Will coaxed, nudging his boyfriend's shoulder as gently as possible. "Nico, you're dreaming."

Nico strained against the hand on his shoulder and Will let go instantly. Nico's face scrunched up and he twisted, moving so his face was lit by the silvery light from outside. Will realised with a painful jolt that there were tears on his cheeks.

"Nico" Will whispered desperately, attempting to swallow his own fear. "Please, wake up."

And then all of a sudden he did. Glassy, dark eyes snapped open and stared at Will for a few confused seconds. Then Nico sucked in a breath and pulled away, curling up in the corner of the bunk and burying his face in his hands.

"No," Nico moaned, his shoulders shuddering. He seemed to be talking to himself, not Will. Will hesitantly touched his fingers to Nico's knee but Nico wrenched himself away, curling in on himself even tighter.

"No, no, no." he mumbled, a bit quieter now, trying hopelessly to keep the tremble out of his voice.

Will stayed where he was, perched on the edge of Nico's bed, his breathing shallow but his heart racing. It took every drop of self-restraint not to reach out for Nico again, but he managed it. He knew Nico needed space.

Nico's shoulders were shaking unevenly. Like he was crying but attempting to hold it back.

"Nico?" Will said. He kept his voice as quiet as he possibly could. "Do you need me to go?" He asked, knowing that his presence was adding to Nico's panic but praying to all the gods that Nico wouldn't say yes. Will knew there was no way he'd be able to walk away from him like this.

Nico jerked his head oddly and Will couldn't be sure if it was a nod or a shake of the head.

"Um," Will began to hesitantly disentangle himself from the twisted blankets. Then Nico's arm shot out suddenly to grab his wrist. Will looked up.

Nico was staring at him, wide eyed. Terrified. Tears still on his cheeks.

"Please stay." He whispered.

Relief flooded into Will with such force that for a second he thought he might cry as well. Instead he finally let himself reach out and pulled Nico to him. Nico curled into his chest. His fingers clutched at Will's collar. Will heard him let out a single sob.

"I'm sorry" Nico said quietly. His voice was muffled from Will's shirt.

"Nico, baby, you have nothing to be sorry for." murmured Will. He wound his arms around Nico's back as tightly as he could, one hand reaching up to stroke his hair.

They stayed like that for several minutes, Nico taking long, shaky breaths until eventually his heartbeat slowed and the tension in his shoulders eased off.

Even then Will's chest ached. What on earth had happened to Nico to make him feel like this? To give him nightmares this terrifying?

Nico still hadn't properly talked to Will about his past, other than to talk about Octavian's death and the almost-loss of Leo.

Will knew bits and pieces of the story from Annabeth and Percy. He knew some parts too from Gleeson Hedge. And he knew that Nico would have to talk about it with him eventually, but he didn't want to push it. It was important to Will that Nico had space to share these things on his own terms. That he had time to look after himself without relying on Will to fix things.

Will hoped he'd made it clear to Nico that he was there to listen whenever Nico was ready. He always made an effort to remind Nico that he wasn't going anywhere; that he would still be here, no matter what Nico had to say.

But they had been dating almost a month now and Nico had never brought it up. And now Nico's past had crept up on them both and put Nico in a position out of his control. Will felt stupid for not having thought about this. Felt ashamed for letting his resolve slip and sleeping in Nico's cabin (so much for giving him space).

Mostly, he just felt worried. And scared at how frightened Nico had been in his dream. How desperately sad he had been when he woke up.

How often did this happen?

What did Nico do when he was sleeping alone?

What if Nico never opened up to him? What would Will do then?

What if he never opened up to anyone…?

—

Nico

Nico took a deep breath with his forehead against Will's chest and then drew back a little, peering up to meet Will's worried gaze.

"I'm ok now." He said quietly. His voice was finally steady.

"Are you sure?" Will frowned.

"Mmm." Nico nodded and released Will's t-shirt from his grasp, moving his hands instead to rest around Will's waist, his fingertips grazing the small of Will's back.

"Do you wanna talk about it?" asked Will. His voice was still soft, careful.

"Not really…" Nico said. He closed his eyes to avoid the way Will's eyes were searching his face. His stomach was still uneasy; he could feel leftover queasiness from the dream about Tartarus.

He knew that it wasn't fair of him to keep avoiding telling Will about this stuff; this wasn't what Will had signed up for when Nico asked him to stay the night… But he just couldn't face thinking about the dream again.

Will sighed."You do talk to someone about this stuff… right?" He prompted gently.

Nico opened his eyes to see Will chewing his lip nervously.

"Of course." Nico said. "I've been talking to that doctor in New Rome over iris message."

Will blinked in surprise.

"You have?" He said.

"Yeah, every week."

At the end of Nico's three day stay in the infirmary, Will had spoken to Nico about the doctor in New Rome (it seemed like years ago now, back when he and Will had barely spent any time together and Nico was still uncertain about whether or not he'd made the right decision to stay at camp). Will had told him that the healers from Camp Jupiter had recommended the doctor for campers who had been on difficult quests. 'It might help,' Will had told him.

"How has that been?" Will asked him now.

"It's good I guess…" Nico shrugged, his voice still quiet. "I don't want to leave camp anymore."

"But you're still having nightmares…" said Will.

"Yeah"

"How often?"

"Will" Nico pulled away slightly, frowning.

"Ok, I'm sorry. We don't have to talk about it." Will said hurriedly, tightening his grip around Nico and attempting (poorly) to cover the worry in his eyes. They stared at each other in silence for a moment.

"I'm just scared, Nico." Will whispered eventually.

Nico flinched. Of course he was scared…

"I'm sorry." Nico hung his head as he spoke, but Will was already shaking his head.

"No, not like that." Will brought one hand up to cup Nico's cheek. "I'm scared for you, Death Boy. I'm scared because you're hurting. And I'm scared that you think that you deserve it. That's all I'm scared of."

His voice was so gentle. Nico's chest ached. He closed his eyes again.

"You wouldn't say that if you knew all the worst things I've done." He said.

Will tightened his hold on Nico and pushed their foreheads together.

"There's nothing you could tell me that would scare me more than the thought that you might never tell me those things" he said.

"Why?" Nico frowned.

"Because I worry that you're hurting yourself by not telling anybody."

Will sounded almost as pained as Nico felt. Nico scrambled for something he could say to comfort him.

"Reyna knows." he said quietly.

"That's good." said Will, sounding equal parts relieved and concerned.

Nico opened his eyes and studied Will's expression carefully. Soon, he knew, he was going to have to share his past with Will. As much as he hated the idea of reliving it… and as much as he worried what Will would think of him afterwards… he knew that he couldn't hide this part of himself forever. He didn't want to.

"I'll tell you one day…" he assured.

"I'd like that." Will smiled.

And Nico thought of Ahklys and of Cupid. He thought of Bryce Lawrence and the looks of horror on Coach Hedge and Reyna's faces when they recounted what Nico had done to him…

He thought of those things as Will smiled.

No you won't.

[solangelofangirl123]

Solangelo The Italian Angel and The Solace of Apollo

chapter one (This story is my work the characters being used is By the author Rick Riordan you can share this on another web as long as you credit me and make sure to credit Rick Riordan too thank you!)

The infirmary

"C'mon Death boy Time to go to the Infirmary".  Will said cheerfully dragging the grumpy looking Nico. "Do not Drag me, I'm not a dog!" Nico Protested. Will shook his head, slightly skipping.

  When they arrived to the infirmary, Will ordered to Nico to lay down on a bed. "Right, there is no way I am letting you go in just three days since you think your werewolf wound is "Nothing". Will said briskly. Nico rolled his eyes.  

   The wound was purple and the stitches were wearing off. Will fumed. "Who even did that horrible stitches on your chest?" Will asked critically. "My friend....." Nico paused for a moment. "I mean....Reyna did it she's the Praetor of rome. Please don't insult her work." Interesting. Will Thought. Why hadn't he called her "friend" Instead of just "Reyna." Was it possible that he thought that People didn't consider him as a Friend? Did Nico even know that people considered him as a friend? Did he know that Will was concerned for him?  

"Nico". Will said sternly. "Tell me about your past".  Will saw Nico Wince. The past was a painful subject for Nico. "Doctors orders." Will added smirking. Nico  glared then took a breath. Nico told Will from the part where he and his older sister Bianca were frozen in a place called "Lotus Casino". A hotel that makes time goes faster. Nico explained about how his older sister joined the hunt and Bianca died and when he spoke to the dead for a long time and other stuff. Suddenly when Nico finished he blinked. "Wait why did I agree to tell you about my...." Nico scowled at Will.  

  Will put his hand on Nico's shoulders. "Don't worry I'll keep it a secret" Nico nodded then Will noticed that a tear trace from Nico's cheeks, followed by another and another. Nico was crying.  "For a time, I blamed Percy for Bianca's death but now....what if....I caused her death?" Will put his arms around Nico. "Nico you know that's not true". Will said gently. But Nico shook his head . "If I was never born, Bianca wouldn't have to had join the Hunt and maybe she wouldn't have died maybe if I was never so...so...." Nico's  voice trailed away. Will assured him that it wasn't his fault and that Bianca had made her own choice.

"That's what everyone says!" Nico cried. "But now that I think about it, I always have a feeling that it was my fault!"

"You know it wasn't!"

"Your just saying that to comfort me!"

"I am Not!"

"Yes you are!"

"Oh c'mon Death Dove!"

"Wait what did you just call me?"

"Oh..uh...erm..."

"Wait where were we?"  

"Bianca.. "

"Don't say her name!"

"You were asking-"

"EVERYBODY SAYS SHE'S MADE HER OWN DECISION TO ME BUT I CAN TELL BY THEIR FACE'S THAT THEY WEREN'T CERTAIN!!! DON'T THINK I DON'T KNOW WHAT-" Nico held his hand up his face red. "I'm sorry I wasn't thinking." Nico muttered as he fumbled with his fingers. 

Chapter two

Nightmare

   Will was bored as the Son Hades who was reading what seemed like a thick book. "What are you reading?" Will demanded. Nico looked up as if he snapped out of some sort of trance. "I'm reading about Hades". Nico said calmly. "Also why do you always wear black." Nico glared at Will as if saying "Buddy are you judging my style?"  Nico looked at his shirt. "I wear black because its"-"Depressing?" Will answered innocently. Nico snapped the book shut. "Nice". Will blinked. "Wait so you think Black is Nice." Nico nodded. "I also like to wear dark colors with skulls." Will Blinked again. "You know that's depressing right?" Nico Grinned without Humor, he looked scary when he did that.   "So I've been told, I'm used to it though." ALthough his voice sounded calm his expression was clear: Say that again and you'll never see light ever again

Will looked at Nico, his face was terribly pale. His figure was undesirably skinny. Will made a note to feed Nico lots of food. "Nico". Will asked gently, Nico went back to reading and answered, "Yeah?" Will drummed his fingers on his knees. "Do you have..friends?" Nico winced at that question. Will knew he had hit his nerves but Will wanted to know. Nico closed his book again and looked at the white blankets. "Friends huh." Will heard Nico murmur, His voice was soft and barely audible. Nico sighed.  "To be honest I don't know." Nico opened up his book again and began to read.

**Nico**

Nico had no idea what to answer when Will had asked him if he had friends or not. Do Reyna, Percy, Annabeth, Hedge, Jason, Frank, Hazel and Piper consider him as a friend? Nico never asked, partly because he was afraid of their answer and partly because his voice wouldn't work when he tried.

Nico felt subconscious when Will kept staring at him with his calm blue eyes. Nico was tempted to say to stop staring at him but Nico for some reason felt guilty when he imagined of himself saying that to Will, Will only cared about him.

Nico started Thinking about why he pushed people away. Several people asked him and Nico just ignored them, Truth to be told: Even Nico didn't completely understand why he did that. Okay sure one reason was that Nico was afraid of those who Nico befriends Leaves him like his Sister did. Going to tartarus be himself and surviving it all alone didn't help his sadness and pain from the past, Tartarus swirled with darkness and Giving Nico Painful memories endlessly. Nico's heart was shattered he had scarred himself. Nico was afraid of people rejected him well, they always did so what was the point of making more friends? Nico had heard all the insulting comments made by other campers. Insane, Stupid, Creep, Evil, Traitor, Useless ect ect.

"NIIIIIICOOOOOOOOOO!" Will said loudly. Nico looked around and saw other wounded people look at their direction. Nico had been lost in his thoughts completely! "What?!" Nico said annoyed. Will rolled his eyes. "Wow I waved at you for one minute straight and you didn't answer and I even shouted at you too!" Will added making Nico scowl. "Okay......what do you want anyway Solace?" Nico snapped. "If you think my bruise on my elbow is a problem then just say so and I'll do any treatments you required." Will slapped him gently on his shoulder. "No Stupid although if I had a way I would insist on doing treatments." Will admitted nodding slightly. Nico sighed. Why was Will so over protecting to him? What did the Son of Apollo see in Nico who was the son of Hades, gloomy, broody, moody, spooky, scary and other things. He was the complete opposite of what a Child of Apollo would be. "So what do you wanna say?" Nico asked scowling. Will casually shrugged. He looked so energetic,  light and so full of life. "Well I wanted to ask you what you wanted to eat!" Will said this like, "Well I wanted to ask you if your alive!" Nico frowned. "I'm not hungry." Will grinned. "Good choice Nico I'll bring you a sandwich and glass of Milk just like you asked!" Will ignored Nico who was looking daggers at him.

As Will left Nico flopped down on his bed, he pulled out a figure, a wooden statue of Hades his last gift from Bianca who died joining the Hunters of Artemis. The statue was part a game of a stupid  board game Nico used play called Mythomagic. He burned most of the figures and cards he had, But Nico kept the wooden statue of Hades. Nico couldn't quite remember the reason why he kept it, It wasn't like hades was the best dad in the world and Nico couldn't quite recall a good time with Hades and he'd barely knew his Mother who had died in Hotel explosion. But Hades does have rare occasions of son bonding time.

Will had returned with a sandwich and milk on a silver tray and plopped it onto Nico's knees. "Eat" He commanded like he was commanding  an entire army of demigods and mortals. Nico resisted the urge to argue back, Nico hated  when others were telling him what to do. But Nico didn't want Will to say "Doctors orders".  That annoyed him even more. Nico quietly ate up and decided to at least get some rest so Will wouldn't force him to do something.  

Nico dreamed that he was back at tartarus he saw Will tortured then he was there in the bronze jar curled up but he couldn't breath, he heard campers hurling insults at him, laughing at him, he saw Percy calling him a traitor, he saw Bianca speaking to him, when Nico couldn't hold his breathe anymore he woke upon the infirmary bed gasping.

Will looked alarmed and asked him what had happened. Nico rubbed his Temple. "N-nothing I had just a dream". Will knitted his eyebrows. "You sure?" 

Chapter three 

Stubborn Will 

"Yes I'm fine!" Nico said for the fifth time . Will looked at him like he didn't believe Nico, Will was right of course but he barely knew Will and Nico was against telling a camper who he barely knew with a chance of leaving him and destroying his heart, about nightmares he'd been having. Not a chance.  

Will crossed his arms indignantly. "C'mon Nico I can't help you if you don't tell me!" Nico clenched his fists, by now he would've yelled at him but he just couldn't bring himself to do it. "I Barely know you Solace how do I know I can trust you?" Nico Growled. Seriously what WAS his problem? Doesn't Will know ANYTHING about personal Business?

"Doc-"

"Don't you dare finish that Solace!"

"Ters-"

"SOLACE!!!"

"Ord"-

"Send me to Tartarus"

"DERS!" Will said with triumph, A smirk flickered across his face.

Even Nico couldn't avoid "Doctors orders".  

    **Will** POV  Nico sighed in defeat."Fine I had a nightmare about Tartarus". Nico said scowling at him. Will's smirk faded and was replaced with a concerned expression. "Tartarus?" Will asked his eyes widening. "Like where Annabeth and Percy went through?" Will didn't know that Nico had gone through Tartarus. NIco nodded. "Percy and Annabeth got lucky they only saw the watery version of Tartarus." Nico admitted. "And you?" Will wished he hadn't said that because Nico's expression hardened like Amber. "I took a different route." Nico mumbled twisting his silver skull ring. Then Will understood. "You saw the real Tartarus didn't you." Will guessed like he was telling a forecast. "And you did it all by yourself and"- Will was cut off by The angry looking Nico. The memory must've been too painful for him, all his pain and misery he had in the past was enough to drive his sanity insane yet he plunged into Tartarus The real Tartarus by himself with all his pain and misery, Will guessed that he was reminded of his past by Tartarus like a swirling mass of pain.  

"Will, I don't want to talk about it!"

"But-"

"NO"

"Nico tell me!"-

"YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO BE ALL ALONE AND..AND"

Nico seemed to be sobbing now but Will wanted to find out more to help him, if Nico didn't open up then how can Will help him?

"Nico tell me please!"

"NO"

"I can't help you if you don't-"

"NO I don't want to talk about it!"

"You have to"

"Who said that?"

"Me"

"You don't count!"

"I do"

"Where's the proof?"

"I-"

"Exactly"

They glared at each other for a moment. Nico's eyes were warm chocolate brown and seem to pierce through him but in a warm way.... No focus Will he told himself. Will sighed and said, “fine I’ll drop it for now but I’ll bring it up again.” Will said as he stood up and strode off to inspect other patients. 

**Nico** POV  Nico crossed his arms, There was NO way he was going to say that he dreamed about Will not a chance, Will will probably think that he was some sort of creepy boy who dreamt about boys or something. Then again Will was a doctor will a healer in camp halfblood, would a healer make fun of someone? If only his sister Bianca was here she’d give him advice. Besides Nico didn’t know how to interact with someone, it just wasn’t his style. 

Nico decided to sleep. Again. 

Chapter four, Bianca

Nico half expected to dream about Tartarus or something and he Half expected to see horrifying dreams what he did NOT expect to see was Bianca. “Bianca?” Nico said uncertainty, Bianca his older sister died join the Hunters of Artemis an eternal Maiden Girls club. Bianca wore a silver suit a uniform of a huntress, frickles were splashed across her face as always and her warm brown eyes, Her black hair was in a neat braid and she smiled at Nico her old smile Nico was tempted to break down and sob he hadn’t seen Bianca for a while not since the Titan war. “Hello Little brother it's good to see you.” Bianca said gently. Nico wanted to ask so many questions but now all he wanted to do was talk with Bianca. 

Bianca approached Nico and hugged him well sorta, her touch wasn’t visible probably because Nico was alive and Bianca was well, dead. Then Bianca leaned away. “Nico how have you been?” her gentle voice was soothing, Nico was briefly reminded of all the good times he had together with Bianca, her voice was like a soft gentle tone of a song. Like charmspeak but this was more natural. Nico twisted his silver skull ring. “I got in a fight well argument with Will.” Nico muttered. Bianca laughed. “I thought you’d say something more like ‘Its been great!’. Nico hung his head. Then for the first time he realized that he was surrounded with comfortable images of his past, The one With Bianca tickling him, the one with the two of them watching the beautiful night stars on the school roof and the one with... Oh gods Nico felt his face burn. The one with Nico cheerful talking with Will Solace, The young Nico before he found out that his sister was dead, and ran away version Nico was grinning happily and smiling. 

“You like Will don;t you.” Bianca said suddenly to Nico smirking

“Yes no I don't know!” Nico said his face flushing. Bianca smiled with happiness. “Nico the reason why I came to talk to you was because well, I wanted you to be happy and maybe return to your old self just a little.” Bianca said shifting her position a little. Nico sighed. “Bianca its hard for me to.” Bianca’s hand almost touched Nico’s cheeks as if she was trying to lift his chin up. “I know its hard for you but please understand I want you to be accepted.” Bianca said her voice fading, and the surroundings we’re starting to fade too. “ I have to go Nico.” Bianca’s voice was now softer than ever. The last thing Nico heard was, “There are plenty of people who’d want to be your friend, I love you”......

“No wait!” Nico yelled but it was too late he woke up in the Infirmary as usual. He saw clear sky blue eyes, ‘Will’ Nico thought immediately. And he was correct. Will was looking smug but Nico didn’t care. “What?” Nico asked crossly. Will’s smirk grew even wider that Nico was tempted to slap his face. “You owe me one week starting now!” He said brightly. Nico groaned. “Fine”. Nico grumbled, it wasn’t like he had a choice anyway. Will would force him to agree by doing his annoying thing “Ah ah ah.” He would say. “Doctors orders” Well that's what Nico thought how Will would say this time. The tray and plates were gone maybe Will had cleaned them while Nico was asleep? 

“Will can I go to the campfire?” Nico blurted out. Nico didn’t know why he asked, it wasn’t like his friends would notice him plus Nico would just be standing in the shadows, Perhaps he was just curious. He was ADHD like the others after all. Will seemed to be in thought as he was tilting his chin slightly. he looked cute. WAIT CUTE?! He did not think of that wait why was he even thinking of this in the first place anyway?  (My Wattpad User is Pixel1014

[solangelover]

I Won’t Leave

Solangelo Week 2k19: Day 5 – “Age Regression / Kid Fic” @solangeloweek

A/N: This is my first and probably last kid fic cuz I don’t get children. Also I can’t remember this time well soooo it mostly aligns with canon probably.

 Read on AO3 or FF.Net or Wattpad

Will had lived at camp for some years now. He went home sometimes, but he loved it here at camp. He got to be with his friends! And all his siblings! They taught him all kinds of things, stuff that his old schools never taught. After Apollo claimed him, Will was swept up into the whirlwind that was Cabin 7. People already thought he looked like a mini Apollo, so no one was too surprised. Except Will, of course, who never stopped smiling since the moment the sun symbol appeared over his head. His brothers and sisters whooped and hollered, picking his tiny body up and tossing him in the air as they marched towards their cabin.

Will had never felt so loved and accepted, except by his own mother.

Not long after he settled into the Apollo kid life, Will’s knack for healing became apparent. His innate care for others coupled with his budding powers had his older brother Michael smiling wide with pride. Older campers began calling Will “doctor” just to see him practically glow with joy as he carefully placed band-aids on their cuts.

In Will’s little kid mind, camp was the happiest place on earth. His life outside of camp wasn’t horrible, but the abundance of people, of friends and family, all in one place made his heart swell. Helping in the infirmary and going to classes, Will made sure to get to know everyone at camp.

This included all new, unclaimed demigods that found their way there.

The day that Nico and Bianca di Angelo crash-landed at camp, Will was in the middle of archery class. At this point, he knew he wasn’t going to be the marksmen that some of his siblings were, so really, Will was just enjoying his time in the sun. He blamed his next miss on the commotion coming from the new arrivals.

When everyone rushed over to see what was going on, Will, bless his 11-year old soul, went with one of his siblings to grab a medical kit in case anyone was injured. By the time they reached the crowd, he could hear whispers of two new half-bloods that felt powerful. Will didn’t really know what to make of that, but he did hear that one of them was around his age. He couldn’t wait to meet them!

The crowd dissipated and Will finally got a glimpse of the new kids – the girl was older and talking with a bunch of other girls with bows and arrows, and the boy was the one about his age, talking with Percy Jackson. The boy seemed really excitable and talkative, which made Will even more eager to meet him. But, it would have to wait because Chiron was shooing everyone away to get things sorted out.

It wasn’t until a little later that Will got to talk to the kid.

“Hi!” Will bounded right up to him, bright smile and all. “I’m Will! What’s your name?”

The dark-haired boy turned to him, eyes lighting up on sight. “Hi! My name is Nico. I’m 10.”

“Oh! I’m 11,” Will smiled wide. Then, he noticed the boy, Nico, holding something in his hands. “What’s that?”

Nico gasped with excitement, like he momentarily forgot what he was doing before. “These are my Mythomagic cards!” He shoved them in Will’s face so he could see. “It’s a game! All the characters and monsters are from Greek mythology. Which is real here? Or everywhere, I guess? That’s so cool!”

Will was ecstatic, even if he had never heard of the game before. He nodded enthusiastically anyway. “Yep! It’s all real stuff. My dad is Apollo,” he said with pride.

Nico nodded sagely. “Ah, yeah, that makes sense. I think you kind of look like him. All golden and pretty. I was with him earlier.”

Will deflated a little. “You… you met him?”

“Mhm,” Nico nodded. “I drove his chariot!”

“Oh,” Will looked down and kicked at the grass. “I’ve never met him.”

Nico’s eyes widened in panic that he’d made Will sad. He rushed out, “Well, at least you know who your dad is.” His eyebrows furrowed, as if he wasn’t sure where that came from or if he helped the situation at all.

Will looked back up and met Nico’s eyes. He saw the same sadness and worry he saw in all unclaimed campers’ eyes reflected back at him, the same look he had before he was claimed. He was quick to recover the conversation. “It’s okay! You’re new, and the gods usually don’t claim right away. They’re busy,” he shrugged.

Nico nodded again, but didn’t otherwise respond, a faraway look in his eyes. Will wanted to make everything better, so he blurted out, “Can you teach me?” Nico blinked at Will, clearly confused. “The game. Mythomagic.” Will gestured shyly towards the deck in Nico’s hands.

Will breathed a sigh of relief when he got the reaction he wanted – Nico lit up like he’d discovered buried treasure. “Oh! Yes! Let’s play!” They plopped down right there in the grass, and Nico began chatting up a storm. “Hm, let’s find your dad first! His card looks pretty cool, he’s basically a human sun…” And on their afternoon went.

Will loved his new friend, and his new friend loved camp and the new world he was discovering.

Then, his sister left him.

“It’s not fair!” Nico stomped as he ranted to Will about what was going on. “She just, just left me! Like she doesn’t even care! She joined those hunters that hate boys. They’re gonna make her hate me!” Tears were pooling in his dark brown eyes, but Will wasn’t really sure what to say to make it better.

“You’re her brother – she won’t hate you, Nico.”

“Then why did she leave?” There was desperation in his voice that he tried to cover with anger, but Will heard it loud and clear.

“I… I don’t know.” This was something that he would go to his older brothers for. He had asked the same question about his father, but even then, the only positive response was that he was busy. So many of his siblings resented their father for never visiting them. Will wanted to love his dad, as a kid should, but it was hard to do when he never met the guy.

Nico’s situation was much different from a god. And Will didn’t have an answer. So, he did the next thing he knew to do. Will lunged forward and engulfed Nico in the warmest hug he could muster. Nico was startled for a moment, but he immediately brought his arms up and squeezed tight. It was desperate and fierce, and so very needed. For as long as Nico could remember, which wasn’t much thanks to the Lethe, only his sister ever hugged him like this. Only Bianca knew when Nico needed comfort most. Whether Will was pushing some healing powers out right now or not, Nico felt safe wrapped up in his arms.

“I’m sorry, Nico. But I’m here for you – I won’t leave you.”

Nico smiled a watery smile into Will’s neck, gripping his back a little tighter. “Thanks, Will.”

After a beat, he added, “I won’t leave you either.”

[magic713m]

Between the Sky and a Hard Place Ch. 6

{Nico POV}

It was a rough trip for Nico and the others. The first thing Nico did when he had the chance was burn all his Mythomagic cards at the nearest flame he could find, in the debris of the destroyed Talos. Bianca tried to stop and talk to him as he began, but he was not listening, as he continued tossing more cards into the flames. He didn't care. In a flash, that part of his life was over.

After acquiring a vehicle, they made their way west, with a somber mood filling the air. but the group continued onward until they reached an imposing structure, the Hoover Dam. Grover begged to visit it, saying that it was one of Annabeth's favorite structures and he wanted something to tell her about the quest that might put a smile on her face.

Nico agreed with Grover. While he didn't personally know Annabeth, he saw how depressed Grover had been since the junkyard. Nico could even say that Grover was in worst shape than he was, being long time friends with Thalia and all. So, Nico was willing for a side trip for sightseeing, if it would help Grover. The quest didn't need two miserable campers.

While everyone else went to the snack bar, he decided to take a walk outside. He had this unsettling feeling of something getting closer, so he took the time to keep watch. He looked down at the lake and felt a breeze.

"Mommy, horsey," a kid said, pointing upwards. While the kid's mom told him that he was imagining it, Nico looked up to where the kid was pointing and, indeed, there was a flying horse. A flying horse with a rider. Nico watched as the rider jumped off and plunged into the lake. Nico looked down to see if whoever jumped into the lake was alright. Suddenly, as Nico was moving closer, something burst out of the water and landed on the path in front of him. The dam-water splashed the floor, but there, standing bone-dry in the middle of it, was none other than Percy Jackson.

{Percy POV}

Percy and Blackjack flew far and fast, from California to Nevada. Thanks to his protections from either Kronos or one of his allies, Percy was not able to be seen in Zeus's domain.

Percy looked down to see a huge body of water, and the dam structure beneath him.

"This is good," Percy said to Blackjack, as he hovered over the water. Percy threw his legs around, "Remember, keep an eye out for my word, like we planned."

Good luck, boss.

Percy looked down and slid off the pegasus, as he began to shoot down into the water. As he got closer, he summoned the water beneath him to rise up to him and it slowed his fall, preventing him from hitting rocks at the bottom as he speared beneath the surface. He looked up and gathering his strength, he shot upward, with the water pushing him and he landed on the dam.

It seemed Blackjack was following the plan as he flew onto the other side of the dam, drawing the attention of some mortal kid, who drew attention away from the pool of water. Percy wondered which way to go and worked his way into the dam. But as he was turning a corner, he felt a force shove him forward. Percy turned around but saw no one there, but quickly felt the unseen foe as he was pushed down to the ground, with his assailant on top.

Percy could not reach Riptide, so he tried hitting in the air, randomly. He felt someone strike him on the side of his head as he continued to block.

"You'll pay," he heard a voice shout.

Percy had an idea where his attacker could be. In one swift motion, he was able to push the attacker off him and he was able to get on top, pinning the invisible assailant down.

Holding him down with his knee, Percy reached down and pull off the Yankee's cap and Nico appeared.

"What do you think you're doing?"

"Get off me and I'll show you," he said, in almost a feral manner.

"Look, I don't have time for this. I'm not here to fight."

"Yeah, right."

"I'm serious. I don't want to hurt you."

"Tell it to Thalia."

"Thalia? What do you mean?"

"You sent those skeletons and demigods after us. I saw you, and I know you're working with them. If you didn't send them, Thalia…."

"Nico, listen, I did not send the skeletons. And I don't want you dead. Any of you."

"Why should I believe you?"

"If I wanted to kill you, why would I care what you think?"

Percy looked up at the entrance, and his eyes widened. He saw armed skeletons moving towards them, getting ready to attack.

"We got to go," Percy said, pulling Nico up. Nico turned around and saw his foes and followed Percy's lead.

Once they were out of eye sight, Percy turned to Nico, looking at his eyes.

"Do you know where your friends are?"

"Get off me," Nico said, shaking Percy's hands off his shoulders.

"This is important. Do you know where they are?"

"Yeah, so?"

"Okay, you need to get them and get out of here. I need your jacket."

"What?"

"They're following your scent and are looking for a demigod. I could distract them so you can find the others, but I need your jacket."

"I don't trust you."

"In general, I'm fine with that. But right now there are skeletons ready to kill you if you don't, and I still need your jacket."

Nico grumbled and took off his jacket, handing it to Percy. Percy waved Nico away and he ran to the snack bar, while Percy pulled out Riptide.

He pressed the button to the elevator, and waited as the skeletons came around the corner. Percy wrapped Nico's jacket around his waist, since it wouldn't fit him, and hoped that with Nico's scent, and a little antagonizing, he could draw them away.

The skeleton charged and Percy attacked. He dodged their bullets and got up close, hacking off their limbs. He heard a ding and turned to see the elevator doors open. He ran into the elevator, and as the doors closed, he saw the skeletons begin to reassemble.

He leaned against the elevator, as it traveled down, and hoped the others would be able to escape.

Another ding and the elevator doors opened. Percy saw a long corridor, and people from a tour group with a ranger. He heard another ding from the second elevator, and knew he had to run again.

He moved through the tunnel and tried to subtly pass the people. When he had a second to breathe, he dropped Nico's jacket, hoping he bought enough time for Nico to get away. In his escape, he was all flustered and he suddenly heard a noise behind him that resemble a skeleton voice. Without thinking, he swung Riptide at the figure.

All to no effect, as it passed straight through the red-haired girl, leaving her unharmed.

"Woah," she yelped, "What do you have against people blowing their nose?"

"Sorry," he said, "I thought you were someone else."

"Who did you want to cut in half?"

"It's not-" Percy began, before realizing something, "Wait a minute. You can see the sword?"

"Of course I can see it."

"You're mortal?"

"Yeah, what else would I be?"

The girl began asking Percy all these questions. Questions he had no time to answer, and she would not have been safe if he had answered. But he did have an idea. He only hoped she was still ignorant enough to be unnoticed.

"Look, I'm sorry. I really need to go. I don't know who you are-"

"My name is Rachel Elizabeth Dare, thank you for asking," she said sarcastically.

"Look, I don't have time. I really have to go, so-"

Percy stopped, when he saw her eyes widen, looking behind him.

"Bathroom!" she said.

"What?"

"Behind me, now!" she said and moved over as she pushed him into the boys bathroom behind her and closed it.

Percy was confused, but he heard the noise of the skeletons outside. He heard her berating the skeletons, disguised as security, saying that she was attacked and that Percy that he ran off somewhere. Percy heard the noise die down and took the opportunity to step out.

"Thanks," Percy said, "I owe you, Rachel Elizabeth Dare."

"What are those things?" she demanded.

"The only thing I can tell you is that you should forget everything you saw today."

"How can you say that? Do you really think I could forget everything I just saw?"

"For your own safety, yes. Knowing these things is very dangerous, especially for mortals."

"You called me a mortal again. What about you? Aren't you a mortal?"

He exhaled in annoyance, "Trust me, on this. Just forget it."

"Who are you?"

He was just going to tell her to stop asking.

"Sir," someone called out. Percy turned around and saw Samson run up to him.

"Sorry, I've gotta go," He said, and ran over to Samson, not looking back. Even so, he was surprised to run into a mortal who could see through the Mist. Most mortals, even ones who could see through Mist, were susceptible to the manipulation of Mist if a god or demigod forced it to blind the mortal to the weird happenings, yet she was completely immune to it. But he had to worry about that later.

"Samson," Percy shouted, seeing the demigod, "Thank goodness you're safe."

"Of course, sir. I've been keeping my distance. But what about you? Why are those monsters attacking you?" Samson asked.

Percy explained the situation to Samson, and the young demigod looked down, "It's my fault. If I just stood up to James, none of this would have happened."

"Samson," Percy said, "I was the one who put James in charge. It was me who should've seen that he was more faithful to the titans than me. You were following orders and you tried to talk him down. This is not on you."

"So what now?"

"Now…" Percy paused, thinking about the decision he was about to take. He realised that, having helped Nico and hindered the skeletons, he would no longer be welcome on Othrys. He had effectively declared war against the titans. And if he was no longer welcome there, then the protection he had been able to give Annabeth and the other demigods he'd been training would no longer apply either. He made his choice. "We have to go. They can come back any minute and they are not happy. And I have an important mission for you."

Percy pulled out a slip of paper with something written on it and handed it to Samson, "I told Blackjack to comeback for you. You need to have him take you to this address. I need you to meet with someone. I wrote some cliff notes that should catch his attention."

"But, what about the campers?"

"I will deal with them."

They heard the skeletons coming back.

"We need to go."

{Annabeth POV}

"You have some nerve to ask this of me. Why do you constantly risk their wrath?"

"I know it is much to ask you, dear, but it needs to be done."

"Then do it yourself, husband."

"You know I can't. I can't get directly involved."

"So why not send one of your Kindly Ones."

"They would never arrive before the solstice."

"And you want me to risk punishment? Haven't I've sacrificed enough for you?"

"Please, I ask you, as your husband, do this for me? I promise that I will owe you any favor you ask?"

"This isn't some minor trifle, you are asking much of me."

"You are the only one I trust."

"Fine. I will do it. But you better remember this."

"When the solstice is over and this whole mess is past, I will owe you. I swear on the River Styx."

Annabeth opened her eyes, wiping away any lingering tears from earlier. She thought about her dream. She recognized it as the Underworld, as well as the god Hades, and his wife, Persephone, whom she had seen during one of her previous trips to Olympus during the winter solstice.

Hades wanted Persephone to do something for him, but she couldn't figure out what it was. But for now, that did not matter. Annabeth knew she had very little time left before the first day of winter, and needed to get out.

'No better time than the present,' she thought.

Annabeth waited until the guard was close to the door. She placed a large piece of broken brick she pried from the wall, wedging it beneath the door and she threw a glass against the wall, before hiding behind the door. The guard looked in, to see where she was and began to open the door, carefully, with his weapon prepped. Then he unlocked the door and slowly pushed it open. But it was suddenly jammed by the block as it was ajar and Annabeth quickly ran at the door and hit it with her strength and the surprised guard was struck between the door and the doorway. He collapsed and tried to get up, shaking his head from the injury, but Annabeth quickly pulled the door open and banged his helmed head hard against the stone floor until he was lost consciousness.

She pulled the key out of the lock, but saw it was just one key, probably only for the dungeon. She went in the direction where she saw light from the outside and opened the door. Sadly, while the door did lead outside, it was a walkway to another section of the fortress, with at least a hundred-foot drop. She looked and saw, from the distance, a way out from the building across. She didn't really have a choice and crossed the walkway.

She quietly snuck through corridor after corridor, trying to map out the place in her mind to find her way out. She heard whispers from some rooms, but nothing important.

She heard noises and hid behind a corridor. Annabeth really missed her baseball cap. Luckily, they were moving down a different corridor and Annabeth turned to get a better look.

But as she turned, she felt someone grab her from behind.

{Percy POV}

After Percy left Samson and walked to the other side of the dam, keeping an eye out for his pursuers.

"Wait don't-"

Percy heard someone yell in just milliseconds before an arrow nicked his shoulder. He turned around and saw Zoe grabbing her next arrow prepping her weapon, with Bianca having her bow armed, ready and steady. Nico and Grover were behind them, with Nico looking at Percy, sternly, while Grover appeared worried.

"The next one won't be a warning shot," Zoe told him.

"So, Nico, I see you found your friends," Percy said to the demigod.

"Silence traitor," Zoe said, "You aren't escaping, this time."

"I guess I'm not. Though I suggest we move, since we have with skeletons on our heel. They aren't very happy with me."

"Do you think we'd let you come with us?" Bianca asked.

"If you want to reach Mt. Othrys before the solstice, you will need me," he said with confidence, before hearing Zoe's bow tighten, "Look, you don't have much time left. The solstice is in a few days, and I know the fastest way to get to the base. Ways that would usually be hidden from you. I know all the shortcuts monsters use to travel quickly. We'd save ourselves a whole day of walking."

"And why would you help us?" Nico asked.

"We all have people we care for that are in trouble," Percy answered grimly.

"Annabeth's in danger?" Grover chimed in.

"Her, Luke, other demigods. They are in trouble. I know it."

"We don't have much time left before the solstice. If they think I'm a traitor, they could change the routes before we can use them."

Bianca lowered her bow but Zoe kept her arrow in place, clearly measuring her options.

"Zoe, please, he is telling you the truth. He wouldn't intentionally try to get us killed. I just know it," Grover begged.

"And if he can get us to the goddess sooner, the better. Saving her is our mission," Bianca said reluctantly.

Percy looked at Nico, who did not seem thrilled, and raised his shoulders up, "He helped me twice. I should say just kill him, but then I would be ungrateful. Just let him help us. If he tries anything, then we can kill him."

Zoe still held her bow but soon lowered it. She pulled out some rope, and handed it to Grover.

"Satyr, bind his hands and take away his weapon."

"Won't work," Percy said, "It always comes back."

"Just tie his arms," Zoe said, plainly, glaring at him, or specifically his sword, as he clicked it back into a pen.

Grover took the rope and tied Percy's hands in front of him, placing the pen in Percy's back pocket.

"Grover, can we talk later?" he said in a lowered voice.

Grover looked at his friend in the eyes and nodded, finishing the knot.

"Traitor, you lead," Zoe called, before addressing the group "Let's go."

AN: I hoped you liked this chapter. Took a while, but we got it. Now Percy is part of the group now. Let's see where he'll lead.

Thanks for reading, and feel free to review :)

[dumbledearme]

chapter seventeen—weakness of affection

read Child of Land and Sea here

Act III — Deep Blue Sea

Part II — No man is worth the aggravation. That's ancient history. Been there. Done that.

Somehow the Hunters defeated the men in the helicopter. Andy didn't see what happened, nor did she care. He was gone. She wouldn't see him again. Anthony was gone. Forever. But he couldn't be... dead. He couldn't. She hadn't had the chance to tell him, maybe show him, how she felt. Could it be too late? She had to let him know!

The one called Zoë eyed Thalia. "You," she spat.

"Zoë Nightshade," Thalia's voice trembled with anger. "Perfect timing, as usual."

Zoë scanned the rest of them. "Four half-bloods and a satyr, my lady."

"Yes," the youngest girl said. "Some of Chiron's campers, no doubt."

Experiencing a wave of panic, Andy got up and tried to run for the cliff again. Once more Thalia held her back. "Let me go! Thalia! We need to save him!"

The young Huntress turned toward Andy, her eyes filled with pity. "I'm sorry, Andy Jackson, but the son of Athena is beyond our help." Andy's throat made a terrible sound she didn't recognize. "And you are in no condition to be hurling yourself off cliffs."

Andy struggled to push Thalia away. "Who do you think you are to tell me-"

"I am Artemis," she said. "Goddess of the Hunt."

Grover gasped and hurriedly knelt in the snow, stammering: "Lady Artemis, thank you, thank you... You are so... wow!"

"Get up, goat boy," Thalia snapped. "We have other things to worry about."

Andy knelt in the snow beside Grover and put her hands together in prayer. She silently asked her father to save Anthony, if Poseidon was there could he please, please, save Anthony, that was all she was asking for, that he'd be safe and alive and-

Thalia smacked her across the face. "Put yourself together, Jackson. You can't afford to lose it right now." Her voice softened. "We're going to find him, alright?"

Andy tried to swallow but her throat was too dry. Her face burned where Thalia had hit her. But she wasn't angry at her. She wasn't feeling a damn thing but that strange aching in her chest.Was that how a panic attack felt like?

Then Bianca spoke, "Who... who are you people?"

Artemis answered, "It might be a better question to ask who you are. Who are your parents?"

Bianca glanced nervously at Nico. "Our parents are dead," she said. "We're orphans. There's a bank trust that pays for our school, but..." she faltered. "What? I'm telling the truth."

"You are a half-blood," Zoë Nightshade told her. "One of thy parents was mortal. The other was an Olympian."

"Does that mean...?"

"One of the gods," Artemis confirmed.

"Cool!" said Nico.

"No!" Bianca's voice quavered. "This is not cool."

Nico danced around like he needed to use the restroom. "Does Zeus really have lightning bolts that do six hundred damage? Does he get extra movement points for-"

"Nico, shut up!" Bianca put her hands to her face. "This is not your stupid Mythomagic game, okay? There are no gods!"

"Bianca, I know it's hard to believe. But the gods are still around. Trust me. They're immortal. And whenever they have kids with regular humans, kids like us, well... Our lives are dangerous," Thalia explained.

"Dangerous," Bianca repeated. "Like the boy who fell."

Andy held her breath trying not to cry in front of all those people. "Do no despair for the boy," Artemis said as if reading Andy's mind. "I will find the son of Athena."

"Is he alive?" Andy glanced at the goddess.

"He is just gone, child of land and sea. If he had hit the water you would have felt it. Some magic is at work. I do not know exactly how or why, but your friend has vanished."

"What about the manticore?" asked Nico. "It was awesome how you shot him! Is he dead?"

"Hopefully," said Artemis, "he is destroyed. But monsters do not die, young one. They re-form over and over again, and they must be hunted whenever they reappear."

"Or they'll hunt us," Thalia finished.

Bianca shivered. "That explains... Nico, you remember last summer, those guys who tried to attack us in the alley in D.C.?"

"And that bus driver," Nico said. "The one with the ram's horn. I told you that was real!"

"That's why Grover's been watching you," Thalia said. "To keep you safe."

"Grover?" Bianca said. "You're a demigod?"

"Well, a satyr, actually," and he showed her his true feet. Bianca almost fainted.

"You're freaking her out," Thalia said. "Bianca, we came here to help you. You and Nico need training to survive. You need to come to Camp Half-Blood. It's where the half-bloods learn to survive."

"Sweet, let's go!" said Nico.

"Wait," Bianca shook her head. "I don't-"

"There is another option," Zoë said.

"No, there isn't!" Thalia argued.

The two girls glared at each other.

"We've burdened the children enough," announced Artemis. "We will rest here. Raise the tents. Treat the wounded. Bianca, come with me. I'd like to talk to you."

"What about me?" asked Nico.

"Perhaps you can show Grover how to play that card game you enjoy. I'm sure Grover would be happy to entertain you for me."

"You bet!" shouted Grover and he took the boy away.

Everyone went about their business leaving Thalia and Andy alone. "The nerve of those Hunters!" Thalia complained.

Andy nodded. "I'm with you," she sniffed. "I don't trust-"

"Oh, you're with me?" Thalia roared. "This is all your fault! If you had done what I said... What were you thinking going after Thorn by yourself? If we'd stuck together, we could've taken him without these Hunters. Anthony could still be here!"

Andy clenched her fists and stood up. "What did you say to me?" she marched toward Thalia. "You're lecturing me? You've been back for a few days and you think you can boss everyone around because you're what? The daughter of Zeus?"

"I have more experience-"

"In being dead!"

"Listen to me, fishy," Thalia growled. "Whatever happens to Tony, that's on you." She pick Anthony's cap from the snow and threw it at Andy's face. Then she stormed off.

Andy wasn't sure for how long she sat on the snow clutching the Yankees cap against her heart. Eventually, Grover and Nico returned from their walk and Grover fixed Andy's shoulder.

Nico rummaged his pockets for his trading cards. "I've got almost all of them," he told Andy, who ignored him.

"Have you been playing a long time?" Grover made conversation.

"Just this year," the boy said. "Before that..." He knit his eyebrows.

"What?"

"I forgot. That's weird." He looked unsettled, but it didn't last. "Can I see that sword of yours?" Andy handed it to him. "Grover said you're the daughter of Poseidon. And the boy who fell..." he hesitated. "Was he your boyfriend?""

Andy shook her head wishing Nico di Angelo would shut up. Then Zoë Nightshade came get her.

The tent of Artemis was warm and comfortable. Bianca was still there, but she looked better, less scared. Finally it hit Andy how weird it was that the hunters were a bunch of young girls.

"Are you surprised by my age?" the goddess asked, again as if reading her mind.

Her throat was still very dry, so Andy just shrugged.

"I could appear as anything I want, but this is what I prefer. I am patron of young maidens. That is, until they get like you."

"Like me?" Andy asked hoarsely.

"Yes. Smitten, silly, preoccupied, insecure. Before they forget themselves, like you did in that cliff."

Andy tried to ignore the word smitten. "I didn't forget myself. Not for a moment. And that's why-"

"You are so angry because of the boy? It is understandable. My Hunters do not welcome boys. They are usually forbidden to have any contacts with the Hunters. That is why Zoë did not hesitate before shooting."

"Well, she could've asked."

Zoë gave Andy a death stare.

"Things are stirring that I have not hunted in millennia," Artemis murmured. "Prey so old I have nearly forgotten. We came here tonight sensing the manticore, but he was not the one I seek. Bianca tells me he mentioned someone called the General?"

Zoë's face paled at the name.

"Yes," Andy agreed. "And he said soon he'd have the most important monster of all – the one that shall bring the downfall of Olympus."

Artemis shook her head. "I've been too slow to see the signs. I must hunt this monster."

"We'll leave right away," said Zoë.

"No, Zoë. I must do this alone."

"My lady-"

"This task is too dangerous even for the Hunters. You know where I must start my search. You cannot go there with me."

Zoë bowed. "As... as you wish, my lady."

"I will find this creature," Artemis vowed. "And I shall bring it back to Olympus by winter solstice. It will be all the proof I need to convince the Council of the Gods of how much danger we are in."

"You know what the monster is?" Andy asked.

"Let us pray I'm wrong," the young girl said. "Now, I called you here, Andy Jackson, to ask you a favor. I want you to escort my Hunters back to Camp Half-Blood. They can stay there in safety until I return."

"What?" Zoë blurted out. "My lady, we hate that place. The last time we stayed there-"

"I know, Zoë. But I am sure Dionysus will not hold a grudge just because of a little, ah, misunderstanding. It's your right to use Cabin Eight whenever you are in need. Besides, I hear they rebuilt the cabins you burned down," Artemis said. "And now, there is one last decision to be made," she turned to Bianca. "Have you made up your mind, dear?"

Bianca hesitated. "I'm still thinking about it."

"About what?" asked Andy.

"They... they've invited me to join the Hunt."

"What? But you can't! You have to come to camp so Chiron can train you. It's the only way you can-"

"It is not the only way for a girl," Zoë said.

"Bianca..." Andy paused. "What do you get by joining the Hunt?"

"Immortality," Zoë answered for her.

"Are you serious?"

"Zoë's always very serious," Artemis guaranteed. "My Hunters follow me on my adventures. They are my maidservants, my companions, my sisters-in-arms. Once they swear loyalty to me, they are indeed immortal... unless they fall in battle, which is unlikely. Or break their oath."

"What oath?"

"To forswear romantic love forever," Artemis said. "To never grow up, never get married. To be a maiden eternally."

"This is not Neverland, lady!" Andy snarled. "You can't go around offering half-bloods immortality-"

"Not just half-bloods," Zoë interrupted. "Lady Artemis does not discriminate by birth. All who honor the goddess may join. Half-bloods, nymphs, mortals-"

"Which one are you?"

Anger flashed in Zoë's eyes. "That is not thy concern. You wouldn't understand. Your heart has already succumb to the weaknesses of affection. The The point is Bianca may join if she wishes. It is her choice."

"Bianca, this is crazy," Andy turned to her. "What about your brother? He can't be a Hunter."

"Certainly not," Artemis said. "He'll go to camp. That is the best boys can hope to do. But you can see him from time to time. You'll be free, however, of the responsibility. Camp counselors will take care of him. You shall have a new family. Us."

"A new family," Bianca repeated, dreamily. "Free of responsibility."

"You can't do this," Andy pleaded.

Bianca turned to Zoë. "Is it worth it?"

"Yes."

"What do I have to do?"

"Repeat after me," Zoë said. "I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis."

"I... I pledge myself to the goddess Artemis."

"Don't do it, Bianca!"

"I turn my back on the company of men, accept eternal maidenhood, and join the Hunt." Bianca repeated the lines. "Do you accept the pledge, lady Artemis?"

"I accept," Artemis said. Bianca looked no different but assured Andy she felt stronger. "Remember your pledge," Artemis warned her. "It is now your life." Then she turned back to Andy. "I know you don't understand, Andy Jackson. You don't have to. You will still get to show Nico di Angelo your camp. And if he chooses, he may stay there."

Andy gave up. "Fine. How are we getting there?"

Artemis closed her eyes. "Dawn is approaching. I'll summon a ride from my brother."

The Hunters started breaking camp. Bianca took Andy's hand and said, "I'm sorry you don't understand. But I really, truly want this."

It was colder and darker and snowier than ever and Andy stood shivering in the snow, still clutching the Yankees cap. The Hunters didn't seem to feel the cold. Thalia and Grover joined her and she told them about her audience with the goddess.

"The last time the Hunters visited camp, it didn't go well," Grover said.

"And Bianca joined them," Thalia said, disgusted. "It's all Zoë's fault. That suck-up, no good-"

"Who can blame her?" Grover argued. "Eternity with Artemis?" he heaved a big sigh.

Thalia rolled her eyes. Finally the sky began to lighten.

"About time," Artemis muttered. "He's so lazy in the winter." There was a sudden burst of light on the horizon. A blast of warmth. Apollo parked his red convertible and got out smiling. He was handsome – so very handsome –, tall and blonde and good humored.

"Wow," Thalia said, giving life to Andy's thoughts. "Apollo is hot!"

"He's the sun god," Nico said, clueless.

"That's not what she meant," Andy whispered, biting her lip.

"Little sister!" Apollo called. "What is up? You never call. You never write. I was getting worried."

Artemis sighed. "I'm fine, Apollo. And I am not your little sister."

"Hey, I was born first."

"We're twins! How many times do I have to-"

"What is up?" he interrupted. "Got the girls with you, I see," and he blinked at the Hunters who seemed unaffected by his godly good looks.

"I need a favor," Artemis said. "I have some hunting to do, alone. I need you to take my companions to Camp Half-Blood."

Apollo raised his hands in a 'stop everything' gesture. "I feel a haiku coming in." The Hunters groaned. "Green grass breaks through the snow. Artemis pleads for my help. I am so cool." And he grinned waiting for applause.

"That last line was only four syllables," Artemis said.

"Was it?" he frowned. "Hmm, what about... I am so awesome. That's five syllables." Andy realized she was smiling like a fool and tried to snap out of it. "Alright, let's see." Apollo said, watching them. "Thalia, Zeus's girl, right?" Thalia blushed. "Used to be a tree, didn't you? You smell like Christmas! And... Andy Jackson. You smell like fish."

Thalia laughed. Andy punched her in the arm, deciding she wasn't that into Apollo after all.

"Brother," Artemis said. "You should get going."

Apollo nodded. He took out his car keys and beeped the security alarm button. The convertible turned into a school bus. "Everybody in!"

"A warning," Artemis told him. "You do not help my Hunters. You do not look at, talk to, or flirt with my Hunters."

Apollo spread his hands. "I know, I know. Hey, where are you off to anyway?"

"Just drop them off, Apollo. Zoë, you are in charge of the Hunters. Do well. Do as I would do."

Zoë straightened. "I will."

Artemis disappeared into the woods and the Hunters pilled into the bus. "Who wants to drive?" Asked Apollo.

"Me!" Nico offered.

"Nah. Too young."

"Oo! Oo!" Grover raised his hand.

"Hmm, no. Too furry." He glanced at Andy. "Too fishy," and laughed at his own joke. "But you, daughter of Zeus. You are perfect for this."

"Oh, no," Thalia shook her head. "No, thanks."

"Oh, yes," Apollo nodded. "You'll be eighteen soon," he informed her. "It's about time you learn how to drive." Thalia seemed unsure. "I know you might think you don't deserve an honor like driving the sun chariot. But it'll be fine."

Thalia tried to protest but Apollo wasn't going to take no for an answer. Thalia gripped the wheel so tight her knuckles turned white. She seemed about to puke.

"What's wrong?" Andy asked.

"Nothing," she lied. She pulled the wheel and drove like a mad person. Andy had a feeling she had her eyes closed. Apollo asked her to go slower, but she shouted she had everything under control. She did not lose speed though.

"Hang a left," Apollo suggested. She jerked the wheel throwing everyone aside. "The other left," he said trying to sound calm. "And a little lower."

Thalia tilted the wheel, her face was chalk white, her forehead dripping with sweat. The bus pitched down and somebody screamed. Maybe Andy. She wasn't sure of anything anymore.

"Take the wheel," Grover begged Apollo.

"No worries," the god assured him, but he looked plenty worried. "She just has to learn to- WHOA!"

There was a wild light in Thalia's eyes. Camp Half-Blood was right beneath them.

"BRAKE!" Apollo yelled.

Thalia slammed her foot on the brake, and the sun bus pitched forward at a forty-five-degree angle, slamming into the camp's canoe lake.

"Well," Apollo said. "You did have everything under control. I'm sorry I ever doubted you."

[loisinherlane]

Title: Types of Love

Summary: Nico lowered his eyes to his bedspread, suddenly acutely aware that he hadn’t replaced his Mythomagic comforter when he’d moved out of his dad’s house. He’d been too lazy to buy another, especially since his was still perfectly good. His soulmates usually thought it was kind of funny. His romantic partners, if they ever made it inside of Nico’s bedroom, knew Nico was a nerd and expected no less. At this moment, Nico wished he had something a little nicer. His cheeks grew red, stomach fluttering in that pleasant way only Will could give him, and for a moment, he considered the idea that Will might return his feelings. But he should have known better. They were soulmates. Will just got up and left.//In a world where romance means less than friendships, Nico falls in love with his platonic soulmate Will Solace and complicates his whole life.

Notes: This is an incredibly self-indulgent, complicated universe that probably has a ton of plot holes. Don’t think about it too hard. If you really have a question, feel free to ask, but I’ll probably be pulling the answer out of my ass. Anyway, to summarize the universe: Everyone has four platonic soulmates. Soulmate marks appear on the first place where soulmates touch. Because of platonic soulmates, in this universe, platonic love is valued over romantic love, meaning that “more than lovers” is probably a more likely phrase than “more than friends.” Romantic love isn’t uncommon. People go through two or three long-term relationships or marriages in their life, usually. Some people marry a soulmate and raise children together, thus creating a romanceless marriage. The nuclear family unit is very uncommon. The End.

Another minor note is that to clean up family ties, I made Persephone Hazel’s biological mother.Sorry about any grammatical or spelling errors. I've done as much editing as I can stand alone, but both of my normal betas were busy with NaNoWriMo (as was I), so it's not been looked as extensively as most of my work. Expect updates on December 14th, January 1st, and January 24th.

Saturday, November 11th, 2017

Nico would be the first to admit he’d never had much control of his mouth. His soulmates would be the second, third, fourth, and fifth, and they’d fight over who said it first, as it was kind of obvious. He was a bit of an asshole sometimes, mainly because he didn’t think before he spoke. It had always gotten him into trouble. Usually of the “has no respect for authority” kind.

“I’m in love with you.”

Nico may have been the first in the world to ever get into trouble for telling his soulmate he loved him.

Okay, sure, in love is different than love. In love was romantic, a relationship of one’s own creation and not the predestined, pure love between soulmates. And, sure, there were a ton of people in the world who thought romantic relationships were inherently lesser than platonic relationships. So maybe Nico definitely should have known better than to confess his non-platonic feelings, but to be fair, Nico hadn’t intended it. Will had just beaten him at Mario Kart, and his stupid face was stupidly attractive--summer always lingered in his skin, leaving him bright, freckles all across his face and down his neck, and his hair had some lighter streaks, and he was smiling . It was disgusting, and frankly, who could blame Nico for being in love with someone like that?

“What?”

Maybe Nico should have prefaced that with something. Maybe he could have added that it didn’t change the fact that Will was his soulmate , and Nico never, ever wanted to give that up. Will was and would always be as important as Hazel, Reyna, and Jason, and just because he was in love with Will didn’t mean he didn’t lovehim.

Nico wasn’t exactly good with people. His soulmates had always come naturally to him. Romantic relationships . . . well, Will had always helped him traverse those, and Will couldn’t tell him what to say right then. Either shocked that he’d had the courage to say anything, or maybe just reeling from the way Will’s face crumpled, how devastated he looked, Nico said nothing. He stared blankly as Will dropped the Gamecube controller on Nico’s bed. Will looked at Nico, waiting for some sign that he was joking or something. Nico lowered his eyes to his bedspread, suddenly acutely aware that he hadn’t replaced his Mythomagic comforter when he’d moved out of his dad’s house. He’d been too lazy to buy another, especially since his was still perfectly good. His soulmates usually thought it was kind of funny. His romantic partners, if they ever made it inside of Nico’s bedroom, knew Nico was a nerd and expected no less. At this moment, Nico wished he had something a little nicer. His cheeks grew red, stomach fluttering in that pleasant way only Will could give him, and for a moment, he considered the idea that Will might return his feelings.

But he should have known better. They were soulmates. Will just got up and left.

That in and of itself wasn’t unusual for Nico’s experience with romance. But for a soulmate? It really sucked. And it sucked even more than this time Nico couldn’t turn to Will.

-

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Of his four soulmates, Nico had taken the longest to click with Will.

Hazel was Nico’s baby sister. Growing up side by side, their soulmateship was easy to develop, from the time Nico allowed her to do his hair to the time Hazel punched the boy who stole Nico’s Mythomagic cards on the playground. Though they had sibling spats, they were impossibly close, and Nico knew he wouldn’t trade their relationship for a thing in the world. Reyna was the next Nico met, at fourteen in the hallway on his first day of high school. Reyna was the sophomore student president, and being busy with the duties that entailed, she was late to class. Nico just overslept. They bumped into each other when Nico decided he could totally walk down the halls with his eyes closed, since it was just a square, and for some reason, they’d stuck together since. Jason and Nico joined up as long-suffering partners in their junior biology class. Nico had steady relationships with three out of four soulmates by eighteen, and he knew he was lucky in that respect. He’d seen how it took time for his soulmates’ soulmateships to settle in.

When he met Will at nineteen, he’d kind of expected it to go the same way. Well, not kind of. He had. Where his other soulmates accepted Nico’s idiosyncrasies and unsociability, Will didn’t. Will had always been special like that.

They met on campus, late afternoon as Nico was walking to his car after class and Will was playing Ultimate Frisbee on one of the fields. Nico had just enough time to look over and think, “Damn, that guy is hot,” before the frisbee smacked into the side of his head.

This, of course, meant that Will, as the only nursing student of the bunch, though he'd hardly taken any medically inclined classes yet, was elected to check out the innocent bystander and make sure their game hadn't ended in manslaughter.

“Shit, shit, shit, sorry, shit,” was all Nico heard as he sat up. When had he landed on the ground? He reached for his head where a lump was already forming, and, ow, that was tender. Nico exhaled slowly and opened his eyes. Oh. The hot guy was right there.

“Do you know your name?” the guy asked. Nico eyed the freckles trailing over his bare arms, brown skin glowing in the afternoon sun. Suddenly, those arms shifted, a hand grabbing onto the back of his neck. “Oh, no, oh, shit, okay. What’s today’s date? Can you speak? Are you alive?”

“Uh, I’m breathing,” said Nico.

The guy exhaled. “Oh, thank god. Okay. I think I need to talk you to the campus clinic. You got smacked pretty darn hard. Left a goose egg. And I’m doing so hot on the concussion check myself.” He reached to touch the bump on Nico’s head lightly. Nico groaned.

“I have to get home,” he said.

Hot-Freckles stared. “You are not driving home without a concussion check.”

“My sister’s waiting,” Nico protested.

“And she’ll be waiting in a hospital if you have a concussion and get behind the wheel,” Hot-Freckles said. “I like to think I’m pretty easy-going, but I’m not letting up on this one. You’re coming with me.” He grabbed Nico by the shoulder and yanked him without concern for if that would injure him further. The motion shook Nico’s head, and he groaned again, stumbling into Hot-Freckles’ side.

Some of the other players came running down the hill. “What’s going on, Will?”

Hot-Freckles--Will--said, “I think he has a concussion. I’m going to take him to the clinic. Y’all can keep playing, but try not to hit anyone else.”

“I need to go home,” Nico said. The players exchanged a look.

“Yeah. I think you need to take him. See you.”

It seemed like no time at all until they arrived at the campus clinic. If Nico filled out any paperwork, he didn’t remember it. Mainly, he was leaning up against the hot freckled guy, grabbing onto his arms and chest to brace himself. Yes, to brace himself. Not to feel him up or anything.

“So what happened to Mr. di Angelo today?” the nurse asked. She addressed Will, probably because Nico was wavering even as he sat on the bed in the exam room. Will reached to steady him.

“I was playing Ultimate Frisbee with my friends, and we kind of-- Well, the frisbee smacked him upside the head,” he said. He had a Southern twang to his voice, kind of like Hazel did, but different. Nico really liked it.

The nurse raised her perfect brows. “Mm. Likely a concussion, then. Let’s see.” She moved to Nico’s side and paused. “That’s an interesting spot for a soulmate mark.”

Nico stopped. “Wuh?”

“The soulmate mark. On your neck,” she said. Nico paused. He had Hazel’s mark on his finger, where she’d grabbed it in the hospital as a baby. Reyna’s was on his chest. Jason’s was on his back. He didn’t have one on his neck.

Will leaned over, and his blue eyes grew wide. “Oh. Well, allbedamned.” He lifted his hand and admired the Niccolò Lorenzo di Angelo across the side of his palm. He kindly held it out for Nico to see. Nico kindly leaned over and puked across his shirt.

The rest was kind of a blur. Will was given a shirt to change into, from one of the other nurses. Nico vaguely remembered Will asking a lot of questions, as he was studying to be a nurse and this was right up his alley. After some tests, the nurse agreed it was probably a concussion, and with some instructions for rest, Nico was sent home.

“Do you need a ride? I live on campus, but I have a car,” Will said as they walked out of the clinic.

“You’re being pretty nice to a guy who just puked on you,” Nico said, still holding his head.

Will gave a crooked grin. “Well, we are soulmates, apparently. Though I got to say, I hope you don’t puke on your soulmates all that often.”

“Only Hazel. And she’s my sister,” Nico joked. Will smiled and helped Nico call her for a ride home, adding his number in there as well.

Maybe it meant something that Nico was checking Will out before he’d learned they were soulmates. As soon as he knew, he packed up any attraction and tucked it away in a box never to be opened. Nico moved on to other guys, and Will became a normal part of his life as his soulmate, completely platonic.

-

Thursday, November 23rd, 2017

In spite of Nico’s failure to get in touch with Will over the course of the week, he wasn't planning to miss out on Thanksgiving. Their little bunch (consisting of Hazel, Reyna, Jason, Piper, Leo, Will, Lou Ellen, and Cecil) always had their Thanksgiving meal in the bowling alley Cecil’s family owned, a tradition started in college when none of them could afford to fly home for Thanksgiving break, and Nico and Hazel’s parents decided Thanksgiving was the best time for their anniversary cruise. It had a strange vibe, being empty save for them, and having an entire meal spread between all of the tables at the lanes made it even stranger. They were exactly the right people to enjoy this sort of thing.

The issue was that this was Cecil’s family’s bowling alley, and Cecil was Will’s soulmate. Nico was sure if Will didn't want him there, Cecil would uninvite him. But then again, most of the others going we're only known through Nico--Hazel and Lou were soulmates as well, but--

No one had said anything. Nico had to assume he was still welcome.

“Did you remember the sweet potatoes?” Hazel asked from the kitchen of their townhouse. She had a pile of dishes in her arms, and her golden hair bounced every time she turned her hair, landing lightly on her red scarf.

“Uh, you're carrying them,” Nico said, gathering up his own stack.

Hazel peered down. “Oh. Shouldn't you put on a coat?” she asked, glancing over her brother, dressed only in a black sweatshirt and jeans.

“We're just loading the car,” he said.

“But you complain if it's less than 60 degrees. Last year, you tried to make Will carry you around to keep you warm.”

Nico tended at the mention of Will but tried to play it off as adjusting his pile. “Will’s from Texas. He's always cold. Sharing body heat is kindness,” he replied.

Hazel snorted. “You're from Italy. And we grew up in New Orleans. Besides, Will’s not as whiny as you are when it comes to the cold.”

Nico stuck out his tongue and raced to the door, turning the handle with his knee. Hazel was right. The cool air of New England in November was more than he wanted to handle, not that he would admit it. Still, she seemed to know, staring at him as they placed the dishes on the back floorboard.

“Go get your coat and grab the keys,” she ordered, leaning up against Nico’s car.

Nico was suddenly aware of how he'd crossed his arms over his chest, and he clamped them to his side. “I'm only getting it in case Will gets cold and wants to borrow it,” he lied.

“Sure,” Hazel said.

Will would have no need to borrow his coat. Inside the bowling alley, it was a toasty 75, a much needed change from last year.

“Is this warm enough for you, Nico?” Cecil called from behind the counter when he walked.

“Is this warm enough for Will?” he asked automatically. Will, standing next to Cecil, was suddenly very interested in examining the bowling shoes, which was weird, because most years he complained about how unsanitary sharing shoes with so many was until Lou or Cecil told him to shut up and buy his own. Cecil, thankfully, didn't notice, and returned to flipping on all the lights.

“Ah! It burns!” Lou Ellen cried as she ducked underneath a table, abandoning her Addams family-style tablecloth half-rolled.

Hazel giggled and pushed a curl out of her face. “Are Jason and them not here yet?” she asked.

“Nah,” Cecil said. “Go ahead and spread the food on the concessions stand. We installed a heated counter, so I'm hoping it will be useful.”

“Leo was tinkering again,” Lou Ellen explained.

Nico nodded, eyes still locked on Will, still determined not to look at him. He sighed and helped Hazel set up the food.

Lou Ellen slid out from under the table and pulled Hazel into a hug. “Mm. Smells delicious. That's why you two are always on cooking duty,” she said brightly.

“Nico just hates to clean,” Hazel said. Those two seemed prepared to dive into conversation, which was the perfect opportunity for Nico to make his way back towards Will. If he could just--

“What's up, buttercups, I brought blacklights!”

Valdez .

Jason, Leo, and Piper walked into the alley cheerfully, carrying some boxes full of god-knows-what, with Valdez running the show.

“Hey, Nico!” Piper said brightly, plopping her vegan cake down. Sloppy frosting letters spelled, “Fuck the Pilgrims, Native American Appreciation Day.” She paused and placed her hand flat on the counter. “Is this--?”

“Leo.”

“Ah.” Piper moved the cake to an aisle table instead. “So Jason told me you got a promotion.”

“Um--”

“Congratulations,” she said brightly, and curse Jason for getting an incredibly nice girlfriend that Nico actually respected so he couldn't run off in the middle of a conversation. Where was Will now? Cecil was still by the counter, but he-- “--though I don't get your desire to spend more time around dead bodies.”

“Ha. Yeah,” Nico said.

Piper furrowed her brow. “Hey--”

“Pipes! Can you help me with this?”

Piper turned to her boyfriend. “Oh. Yeah, just a sec.”

Then she was gone. Great. Nico was free. Now to find Will.

“Nico.”

Ugh .

“Hi, Reyna,” Nico said, very careful to ensure his tone was even. Reyna could pick up on the slightest issue, and he could not risk acting any out of the ordinary around. She was dressed nicely, hair pulled back into a bun, a button-up, lipstick, the whole nines. She still looked like she could murder ten men in fifteen seconds. “You look nice. What did you bring?”

“The knife,” she said coolly, reaching into her purse. “Cecil texted me and said they broke their turkey-carving knife, so--”

“How?”

“No clue.” Reyna tucked it back into a hidden pocket, probably with her other secret weapons. “Oh, and I made coconut pudding.”

“Yum,” Nico said.

Reyna nodded. Then, a pause, and she turned to look at him, the green flecks in her eyes suddenly piercing. “Are you--?”

“Hey, everyone’s here? Let’s eat!” Cecil yelled, tossing the piles of bowling shoes to the side.

“Please, wash your hands,” came Will’s voice from somewhere in the chaos. Nico craned his head frantically. It was no use. Everyone crowded around the table, filling their plates, and suddenly they were down at the lanes, same as ever. Reyna, Hazel, and Nico sat at one table, next to them, Jason, Leo, and Piper, and then at the other end, Cecil, Lou Ellen, and Will. Damn it. Why did they always set up like this?

“We’re not going to bowl while we eat again, are we?” Jason asked. Nico heard Will say something, but he couldn’t decipher what it was. Jason turned around from his table to face him. Why could Jason talk to Will when Nico couldn’t?

“So how’s work, Reyna?” Hazel asked brightly from her seat beside Nico. On the other side of the table, Reyna perked up.

“I’m teaching a new class. You should come. It’s great for the core, and--”

There was Will, up to get dessert. Perfect. Nico slid out of his seat.

“Hey, mister, you eat your meal before dessert!” Hazel scolded, a grin spreading across her lips. Nico looked to her, then his plate.

“I dropped my fork,” he said as he grabbed his fork from his plate and threw it to the ground. Hazel and Reyna looked in disbelief. He took that opportunity to sidle over to the counter.

“Will.”

Will glanced up from the plate of panna cotta he’d just grabbed. Nico couldn’t help but smile. Will loved panna cotta. That was why Nico made it every year.

“It has berries on top. It’s healthy,” he defended, as if that’s what Nico had come over to discuss.

“I’m not the one who gives the health lectures,” he said.

Will looked him over. “No kidding. Have you been sleeping?”

Not well, Nico thought. He was sure the bags under his eyes from college had returned full-force. It was a wonder no one else had commented on it, but Nico did go through spells of insomnia. Will was the one who noticed when it got really bad. “If by sleep, you mean laying in bed, uh, no.”

The words hung between them, half-natural banter and half-pure discomfort.

Will pressed his lips together and lowered his eyes, blond lashes gleaming against his brown skin.

“Will,” Nico said, breathy, loving, in love.

“Oh, no. I dropped my fork,” Will said and dropped his fork. He walked off to get another.

-

Thursday, November 25, 2012

“Nico! We’re Skyping Mom and Dad! Get in here!” Hazel yelled. She was curled up in the computer chair, knees in fuzzy pajama pants up to her chest, socks sliding across the leather seat. At only 8:30, it was pretty early for bed, but Thanksgiving was a tiring affair, especially when it dissolved into a bowling tournament halfway through.

Nico made a gurgling sound that roughly translated to, “I’m coming!”

“He’s brushing his teeth,” Hazel told their parents.

“Of course he is. He knew we were going to call,” Persephone di Angelo-Levesque sighed. Her hair was adorned with a variety of small flowers woven into her braid, and she was picking them out and tossing them at her husband, waiting for some sort of reaction. Hades made no move.

Hazel smiled. “He said he has to get the taste of Will’s cookies out of his mouth. Will said it was his grandma’s recipe, but . . . . Well, as Nico said, they tasted like he dug them out of the garbage.”

Nico stuck his head out of the bathroom and made another unintelligible sound, probably defending his soulmate (even though the cookies were truly disgusting), toothbrush sticking out of his mouth.

“Go away. You’re foaming at the mouth,” Hazel said.

Nico rolled his eyes. On the screen, Persephone smiled at her daughter. “Are you sure you’re the little sister?”

A few moments later, Nico came out of the bathroom and pulled up another chair, leaning close to Hazel to see. “What couldn’t wait until morning?” he asked.

Hades stared. “Since when are you awake in the morning?”

Hazel laughed.

“Shut up,” said Nico, ears burning red.

“Settle down,” Persephone said, staring down at her stepson. “We didn’t call you to argue.”

“Darn. That’s what I put in my planner,” Hazel sighed, snapping her fingers.

Persephone frowned. “You’re spending too much time with your brother.”

“Soulmates. She gets me,” Nico said, pulling Hazel underneath his arm and ruffling her hair.

She snorted and got him back, though his dark hair was already messy. “Ha--I really don’t. You’re a weird one, brother.”

Nico stuck his tongue and licked her cheek, and she screeched until their parents cleared their throats.

“I would have thought you’d be a little less energetic after spending all day with your friends,” Persephone remarked.

Hazel perked up. “Oh, it was great! We went to Cecil--that’s Will and Lou’s roommate. They’re all soulmates--anyway, we went to his family’s bowling alley, because they don’t really celebrate Thanksgiving, but business is slow so they still the close the place. We bowled the whole time. Jason showed up later, but Piper and Leo couldn’t make it. Reyna had to work. But we’re thinking maybe we’ll make it a tradition. Most of them said they’ve never been able to go home for Thanksgiving”--“Unlike us,” Nico interrupted, staring at their parents pointedly--“so this was a nice change.”

“I’m glad you had a good time,” Hades said.

“So did we. You’ve never lived until you’ve had Puerto Rican food on Thanksgiving,” Persephone said.

“Then we’ll have to ask Reyna next year,” Nico said.

Hades pursed his lips. “So you’re really not coming home for Thanksgiving next year?”

Nico crossed his arms. “Don’t put this on us. You’re the ones who decided to go on a trip and leave us to starve.”

“You can cook, Nico,” Persephone said.

“Well, I don’t like to.”

“What matters is,” Hazel interjected, “we had a good time. And we’ll be home for Christmas, like always.”

“Like always,” Hades echoed, giving his son a look.

The di Angelo-Levesque family talk continued until about ten, when Hazel started yawning, head falling onto Nico’s shoulders.

“I think that means it’s time to say goodbye. Happy Thanksgiving,” Persephone said, hair now free of all flowers.

“Happy Thanksgiving,” Hazel and Nico replied. The call dropped, and for a moment, they just leaned against each other.

“Those cookies Will made were so bad,” Hazel said.

Nico laughed. “Yeah. He can’t cook.”

“He’s lucky he’s cute,” she said. “Honestly, thank you for bringing him into my life, because cute boys are always welcome.”

“Hazel!” Nico stared at her.

She shrugged. “Just saying. Most of the cute boys you introduce me to are your dates. This one’s at least bi and single.”

“You are not dating Will,” he said.

“You can’t stop me.”

“You’re both my soulmates. You can’t date each other,” he argued, crossing his arms over his chest.

Hazel, taking that as a challenge, sat up. “Jason and Piper are dating, and Leo’s their soulmate.”

“That’s different.”

“It’s not though,” Hazel said, rolling her eyes and leaning back up against his arm. “Don’t worry, though. Will’s not his type.”

Nico snickered. “No. His mom is.”

She jerked away. “That is totally unfair! Naomi Solace is an inspirational black woman breaking barriers in country music--”

“--and apparently really hot according to you, Lou, and Reyna,” Nico replied.

She huffed. “Well. I really couldn’t date him then. It’d be too weird.”

“To be hot for his mom?”

“Nico!”

She glared, then snatched the skull ring off of his finger and ran down the hall. Nico sighed and leaned back in the chair, too tired to chase her. It didn’t really matter. She’d return it in the morning. After a moment, he rose from his seat and moved towards his bedroom.

Hazel wasn’t interested in Will, he reminded himself.

Why did the thought even bother him?

-

Thursday, November 30, 2017

“Why are you here?”

The question was directed at Reyna and Jason, who were gathered at the kitchen table with Hazel, the only one who actually lived there. Nico tossed his coat onto the rack as he leveled his soulmates with a cool stare, hoping that would get them to confess their scheme. It didn’t work. Reyna was the master of the cool stare, and Jason wasn’t wearing his glasses. He couldn’t see shit without his glasses.

“This is an intervention,” Reyna said.

Nico’s face was blank.

“Maybe it should be about all his wine bottles. I mean, damn, Nico, you’ve only been drinking for four years. How many do you need?” Jason asked, staring at the shelf to the side.

Nico rolled his eyes. “I inherited that from my mom, dumbass. And I’ve been drinking since I was sixteen.”

“That’s not legal in America.”

“I’m Italian.”

“You’re still in America.”

“This is not the point,” Reyna interrupted, voice sharp. Hazel nodded her support. Jason held his hands up in surrender, but Nico didn’t budge. “We’re here to talk about Will.”

Nico stiffened. “What about Will?” He kept his voice as level as he could.

“What the hell was going on at Thanksgiving?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Nico wondered if it would seem too coincidental if he said he forgot something at work. Of course it would. They weren’t going to let him get away.

“Nico, you and Will are normally joined at the hip when you get together. I know your hours don’t line up well. I’ve never seen you avoid each other like that,” Hazel said, as soft and gentle as ever, and dammit Nico hated that. It was hard not to talk to her when she used that tone.

Jason bit his lip, stretching the scar across it a little wider. “You weren’t avoiding him, though,” he said. “You tried to talk to him, didn’t you?”

Damn it. He really wasn’t getting out of this one.

Nico sighed and took a seat in the remaining chair. His soulmates perked up.

“I’m in love with Will,” he said.

Hazel and Reyna’s faces contorted, a curled lip, scrunched nose, wide eyes. Jason remained impassive.

“Look, I know it’s--” He stopped, not really having a defense. “I’m going to get over him. I couldn’t help it. But it’s not like-- He’s still my soulmate, and I thought-- Fuck.” Nico sighed and buried his head in his hands. Hazel reached to pat his shoulder.

“You know, not what I expected,” Reyna said, as awkward and clunky as she ever was when it came to emotions. Jason and Hazel gave her a look for interrupting. Nico adored her. He didn’t do this emotional shit either.

“It’s the first I’ve heard of it,” Hazel admitted. “You never said a thing to me. Have you been struggling with this for a while? Oh, Nico.” She threw her arms around her brother’s shoulders, leaning against him.

“It’s nothing. Will’s just hurt, okay? He’ll get over it, I guess,” Nico said, tugging himself from Hazel’s hold. He wasn’t convinced. Will hadn’t even spoken to him since. But he couldn’t hold out forever. They were soulmates.

Reyna raised her brows and made a disbelieving noise. “I don’t know. If you told me you were in love with me, I’d--”

“We’re both gay,” Nico said, narrowing his eyes at her.

“Okay. If Hazel told me she was in love with me, I’d be pretty uncomfortable. I mean, we’re beyond that,” she said, clasping her hands on the table. She lowered her eyes. “My point is that it would be rather . . . insulting.”

“I didn’t mean to insult him,” Nico said.

“No one said you did.” Hazel tried to defuse the situation.

Nico huffed. “It’s not my fault he was just being so cute, and, god, I was quiet about it for a year, so it’s not like I just-- I didn’t mean to--” He stopped, the weight of what was happening settling over him. He couldn’t really lose his soulmate over this. Could he? He needed Will, as much as he needed Hazel, Reyna, and Jason. They were his soulmates, his life partners. Without Will--

He blinked, tears gripping at his eyelashes. Reyna and Hazel stared, both looking ready to gather him up in their arms.

“You’re not the first.”

The other three turned to Jason, who’d been silent this entire time. His face was solemn, brows drawn together as he looked at the table.

“Look, I don’t go spreading this around because it’s not my business, and they like to keep it quiet,” Jason said, sitting up and hitting his hands on his knees, “but my soulmate Percy--he’s married to one of his soulmates. Annabeth. They’ve had a romantic relationship since they were . . . sixteen, I think.”

“Oh. Wow,” Hazel said, looking honestly astonished. She leaned back in her chair, shoulders slumping up.

Jason shrugged. “I was kind of shocked when I met them. But they’re happy together. So I think it’s fine. If they want it, then what’s it matter?”

Reyna and Hazel didn’t disagree. They looked to Nico.

“Lucky them,” he said, slamming his head into the table.

Jason smiled, the scar scrunching up. “I know it’s not what you want to hear. But I don’t think there’s much advice we can give you about this. They may have ended up together, but I think they’ll get what you’re going through. You should talk to them.”

Nico grunted.

“Well, since we’re all here,” Hazel said, brightening the room with a smile, “why don’t we watch a movie? What do you say, Nico? I’ll let you pick first.”

“Mythomagic: The Movie,” he said, slowly sitting up.

Jason and Reyna mock-groaned. He cracked a grin. So did they.

[theroyalsavage]

four down

Summary: In which Nico gets his wisdom teeth removed (as well as a couple inhibitions) and Will’s just trying to get them both home without crashing the car.

By the time Will walks into the operating room, Nico’s already upright, sitting straight-backed in the dentist’s chair and tapping his hands on his knees in a sharply quick rhythm. Will suppresses a smile at the way Nico’s looking at the nurse as she gently opens his mouth to put gauze in, like he’s not sure whether all this is fight-or-flight worthy or absolutely hilarious.

Will taps the doorframe as he walks in, and the nurse looks up and nods at him. “The receptionist sent me in,” he says, nearing the chair and giving Nico a gentle nudge on the shoulder. “How’d you do, Nico? Anything hurting?”

Nico’s just blinking at him, eyes wide, eyebrows furrowed, mouth hanging open a little, so Will laughs and looks to the nurse. She walks him through recovery details, hands him a pamphlet of instructions and a prescription for painkillers, and then helps him guide Nico up and out of the chair.

Nico giggles, swaying a little on his feet, so Will snags him around the waist. Nico immediately goes quiet, shooting Will a startled little look out of the side of his eyes, and Will just winks at him and squeezes once before they take off towards the parking lot.

They’re in Will’s car, waving the nurse off as she retreats back into the building, when Nico whips around and points a finger in Will’s face. His face is already a little swollen, his forehead wrinkled in confusion.

“Who are you?” he demands, voice thick through the gauze in his mouth, and Will snorts.

“Ouch,” he says, clutching his chest as if wounded. “Don’t remember me?”

“Do I know you?” Nico asks, in that same tone of astonished disbelief.

Will smiles at Nico and brushes his bangs out of his eyes. Nico’s eyes go even rounder at his touch. “You do. I’m Will. And you’re Nico. Those names ringing any bells?”

“I’m not an idiot. I know my own name, obviously,” Nico says, attempting to push out his lower lip with little to no success. The nurse said he’d be numb along his jaw for at least the rest of the day.

“Not mine?” Will teases, as he turns the car on and begins to pull out of the parking lot.

“I don’t know you. If I knew you, I’d remember,” Nico says confidently. “You’re fucking gorgeous.”

Will has to stop himself from slamming on the breaks. He can feel the tips of his ears go hot, wishes desperately modern medicine had developed a cure for the common blush.

They’ve come a long way since Nico stumbled out of the Camp Half-Blood shadows with a Roman praetor and a mythic statue in tow, but Nico’s always been reserved with his affection: careful, hesitant, even-keeled. Will’s used to Nico allowing their hands to twine together, used to Nico instigating the occasional kiss or, if he’s feeling bold, tracing his hands up beneath the hem of Will’s shirt to drag along his skin.

He’s not used to this, though, to the way Nico’s looking at him warm and amazed and incautious, like he’s never seen anything more radiant than Will in his life and he can’t bring himself to look away.

You’re fucking gorgeous.

“Am I?” Will finally manages, in a tone of forced neutrality, and Nico makes a sound like, duh.

“You’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen,” Nico says, confident, like when he’s talking to Hazel or helping Will with his swordfighting technique or telling someone the best way to give a treat to Mrs. O’Leary. “Did you ever play Mythomagic? You look like the Apollo card. Wait, I think I don’t usually talk about that. Do I usually talk about that?”

Will gives a surprised laugh - the Apollo card, seriously, his dad would have a field day with this - and says, “Yikes,” but Nico’s still going.

“I don’t know. Fuck. You look like a... like a sunrise, or something. Your hair looks like sunlight. You’re gorgeous. Did I already say that?”

“Yes, you did mention it.”

“Are you single?” Nico asks, leaning back in his seat, and Will has to fight the urge to stop the car and kiss him on the mouth right then, swollen cheeks and all.

“No,” he says, instead, “I am not.”

Nico shakes his head. “Dude, whoever’s dating you should try the lottery or something. God. Look at you.”

“Sounds like you’re a pretty lucky man, then, Nico di Angelo,” Will laughs, and he laughs even harder at the dumbfounded expression on Nico’s face.

“I’m dating you?” he gasps. “Me?”

“You,” Will confirms, and Nico bursts out into giggles again.

“Oh, man,” he says, “holy shit. What the fuck did I do to deserve you?”

“I mean, you did save the world a couple times,” Will says, and he reaches over and grabs Nico’s hand, brushes a kiss to the knuckles. “And you’re not too bad-looking yourself, you know.”

Nico gives him another dazed, slow blink, the twists of gold in his eyes catching the sun, eyelashes fanning black-black-black against the warm brown of his cheeks.

“I’m dating you,” he repeats, in a tone of extreme wonder. And then he darts over, faster than Will’s eyes can track - Chiron’s combat training paying off, thank you, Chiron - and presses a clumsy kiss to the place where Will’s neck meets his shoulder. Will goes still, feels Nico’s breathing on his skin, tries to keep his eyes trained on the road.

“That hurt my mouth,” Nico whimpers when he pulls back, and Will snorts.

“Let’s get you home, then,” he says, and Nico beams at him, unreserved, the way he had when they were kids and he’d just arrived at camp, all big-eyes and inky curls and unreserved wonder.

“Will,” he says, and Will lifts an eyebrow at him. “I think I might love you.”

And if Will speeds the rest of the way home and swings into a parking space at maximum overdrive; if he leans over as soon as they’re in park to pepper petal-light kisses across Nico’s face, his eyelids, his nose, his throat; if he runs his nose slow and steady along Nico’s jaw, careful to avoid the swollen parts of his cheek, well.

That’s between him and Nico, he thinks.

[demiboypercyjackson]

Can you write some autistic/trans will? :)

always, my pal B) so here’s your local autistic trans man, givin you that Good Shit (TM)

-

“All I’m saying is, Gorillaz is amazing.”

Nico laughed, shuffling through the Mythomagic cards in his hands. He came across a general satyr card and sighed, throwing it down. He had like, ten of those already and they didn’t even have good defense. “I don’t deny that. I think so too. The new stuff is great, I just prefer... Mika or Sia or...”

It was Will’s turn to laugh. “Or Lady Gaga.”

Nico tossed a card at Will’s chest the way a skilled performer throws a dagger, but it bounced harmlessly off his binder (which was printed to look like golden sequins, Nico hadn’t failed to notice, as if it were possible to look past it. “So extra,” he’d said, making Will laugh the response “In proper homage to my father.”) and landed on his boxer-clad thigh. “A fact you will be taking to your grave, Sunshine.”

Smiling crookedly, Will put down his tangle to toss the card back, pinching Nico’s tummy through his shirt using only his toes. The way they were sitting, facing each other between the bunks of Cabin 13, legs tangled contentedly like they’d been lovers for years instead of the two or three months that they’d really been together, made this much easier.

“Ow!” Nico squeaked, laughing. “No fair! You have mean toes and body armor.” He jabbed a finger at Will’s chest, stopping just short of hitting it to give it a small, gentle tap. “Shouldn’t you be taking this off soon, anyways? You’ve been wearing it all day.”

Nico himself had already had his binder off for the entire time they’d been in the cabin, had taken it off as soon as they’d changed into sleepwear. Will wasn’t changed entirely yet, had simply stripped down until he was more comfortable.

Will sighed. “Yeah, I guess. Dysphoria has been kicking my pretty-boy behind today... It’s weird how some days, I can go out without binding, maybe even while wearing a dress, and be so secure in my masculinity, and then there’s days like these...”

“Days where you can hardly stand to look at yourself.” Nico understood. Oh, how he understood.

Another sigh. “Yeah, exactly.”

To try and give some kind of comfort, Nico pressed his sock-clad foot gently against Will’s leg. He opened his mouth, struggled a bit before closing it again and looking down at his cards, deep in thought. He cleared his throat, then asked, “Would you like me to shadow-travel and get your Star Trek onesie? It’s big and cozy and it makes you look pretty flat.”

Will smiled, looking down bashfully at the gesture, peering up at Nico through his eyelashes. “You know I don’t like it when you shadow-travel.”

In Nico’s ears, that sounded very much like a yes. “I know you don’t. But I don’t like when my extremely handsome boyfriend is sad, so... I win!” He stood, then stooped down to give Will a wet kiss on the cheek, which made him snort and giggle in the back of his throat. “Be right back, babe.”

Will picked his tangle toy back up, sighing. It was black and halfway curled into a neat coil from where he’d set it down a moment ago and Nico could tell he was happy to have it back in his hands. “Be careful not to wake Austin and Kayla, okay? And don’t over-exert yourself, wait a few minutes in my cabin if you have to.” His head shot up so his eyes could meet Nico’s, intensity there in those vividly blue eyes. “And-”

“And, and, and,” Nico said teasingly, “I know, Will. I’ll be careful. I love you.”

Will sighed the sigh of a very weary man, but it was all for show. “I love you too, Angel.”

And with that, Nico moved into the darkness, disappearing into shadow.

“Dork,” Will mumbled to himself, smiling. He already missed him.

-

i may have been listening to gorillaz the entire time writing this and yes, i added trans nico. because im gay.... also, i used to think tangle toys looked frustrating, but now that im actually Looking, i super want one?? so im living vicariously through this fic (as well as projecting my dysphoria asklaf)

thank you for sending an ask! and sorry for getting to it so late aaa, but ask/requests are always open!! i love getting requests like these *dances awkwardly to stylo* - mod will

[redroseworks]

I want to kiss you

The first time Kayla saw Hazel, the latter was being praised for being one of the seven. She was gorgeous Kayla thought. Kayla, at the time, was helping Will out with the infirmary. Hazel looked like a princess in a t-shirt  and jeans. She had gotten yelled at for staring while other campers needed help. ❤❤❤❤ The first time Hazel saw Kayla it was during a game of capture the flag between the Romans and Greeks. Kayla was arguing with Annabeth's brother. Hazel snuck past them to get the Greek’s flag. She stopped and stared at the ginger girl after she had it and unfortunately Nico catch her. The Romans ended up losing the game. ❤❤❤❤ Kayla talked to Hazel for the first time in front of the camp fire. “Is this pretty different from Camp Jupiter?” Kayla asked. “Very much. It's more… fun.” Hazel smiled. A bit of marshmallow was on her lips. “Are Romans no fun?” Kayla raised her eyebrows. Gods was she flirting or was she sounding like an idiot. Probably both. “A lot of them have a stick up their ass.” Hazel chuckled. “And here I thought they were carefree and party animals.” “Some are, like Dakota. He's the guy who seems like he's drunk. He's not though. But other than Reyna and those in the fourth and fifth cohort, are a little uptight and full of themselves.” Kayla laughed. “Sounds like lovely people. How did you end up with them?” “Nico took me there after- uh some events. It's a long story.” Hazel looked over to where her brother was with Jason Grace. “I enjoy long stories and it isn't even time for the sing-a-long. I'm Kayla by the way.” Kayla said. “Hazel though you probably knew that already and my story is not really long, just strange and uh complicated.” Hazel frowned. “Oh. Alright, well then tell me what you like to do for fun?” “I like to draw and ride horses.” Hazel said. “You guys have horses?” “No. There's this really fast gold eating immortal horse named Arion that I can summon. Hylla, the queen of the Amazons and Reyna’s sister, says only the bravest female warrior can tame him. According to Percy he curses a lot.” Hazel smiled. “That's badass. Think you can give me a ride someday?” Kayla asked. Damn. That was impressive. “Sure.” Hazel said. “I can't wait.” Kayla smiled. “What things do you enjoy doing?” Hazel asked. “Archery mostly, my dad, my mortal dad took me to an archery range since I was a kid. I also like poetry and painting.” “Your mortal dad?” Hazel asked. “Apollo is my godly parent and well he decided to have a biology kid with a cisgender man. There's not a lot of demigods like me.” Kayla looked down at her hands. Before the Second Titian War she and the Dionysus twins, Pollux and Castor, were the only demigods of her kind that she knew of. Chiron told her that there were others before but it wasn't until more demigods started getting claimed did she finally believe him. Now there was seventeen demigods with same sex parents. “Oh. Okay. I never heard of a god or goddess having a child with a mortal of the same sex before.” Hazel said. “Well now you have.” Kayla said. “Kayla! We're about to start the sing-a-long, get your butt over here.” Her brother, Austin, yelled from where her siblings were sitting. “See ya around.” Kayla said as she left. “Yeah, I’ll see you around too.” Hazel said. ❤❤❤❤ Hazel petted Arion’s mane as he eating the gold she gave him. Kayla was standing nearby, starting in awe of Arion who had seemed to come out of nowhere. “Just a quick ride for my new friend, okay buddy?” Hazel whispered to him. Arion neighed and Hazel hoped that was a 'Sure Hazel.’ To be honest, it was probably a 'Why the fuck not?’ knowing Arion. “Alright, Kayla, you ready?” Hazel asked. “Definitely.” Kayla said. Hazel climbed onto Arion and held out her hand to help Kayla. ❤❤❤❤ Kayla had never before went so fast as she did while riding Arion. It was incredible. She flinched as they reached the edge of a lake but instead of falling into the water, Arion ran across it. Amazing. ❤❤❤❤ Hazel looked at Kayla. She was heading back to Camp Jupiter. “I'll Iris message you when I can. I'm glad we've become friends in these last few weeks.” Hazel said. “I'm glad too. I've never really had a girl for a friend before unless you count Drew, through she's more like an older cousin to me. And you better Iris message me or else I will do it and chances are I will do it when you are in those amazing Roman baths like you did to Reyna.” Kayla hugged her. Hazel hugged her back. “I should get going. But I mean it about calling you. I really want to stay in touch until I visit Camp Half-Blood.” Hazel said. ❤❤❤❤ Another war. Another battle. More deaths. Kayla stood in the infirmary once again, helping her healer siblings and her dad take care of wounded demigods. This was worst than the Second Titan War and Second Giant War combined. So many dead. So many injured. Kayla walked over to a bed. She was surprised to see a familiar Roman with brown hair laying there with her arm wrapped in bandages. “Hazel?” Kayla said. “Hey Kayla. Looks like I didn't keep my promise to Iris message you. It's good to see you.” Hazel said. “Yeah but oh well. I'm as okay as I can be. My dad is a god again which is good. What happened to your arm?” “Just a big cut. Apollo said I should be fine.” Hazel smiled. Gods Kayla loved that smile. It was so sweet and joyful. And real. “Good. When things settle down we should hang out. Maybe sneak out of camp to go see a musical. There's one I really want to see called Dear Evan Hansen.” Kayla said. “Yeah. Sounds like fun.” Hazel said. “Okay, well I got to get back to helping the injured. I'll come by and change your bandages later and we can make more solid plans.” Kayla said as she walked away. “Flirting with patients is inappropriate.” Austin said as he walked passed her. She rolled her eyes. She hadn't been flirting. Okay she was but it's not inappropriate, Austin is just annoying. ❤❤❤❤ Hazel smiled when Kayla came by to change her bandages. “Hi again.” She said. “Hi. Tell me if I hurt you by accidentally, I'm not a healer so I'm not that good at this stuff.” Kayla said as she started taking off Hazel's old bandage. “I will. So you were saying something about Dear Ivan handsome?” Hazel asked. “Dear Evan Hansen. It's a musical about a guy with social anxiety and fake emails. Damn this is a big cut.” Kayla said. The old bandage was halfway off now. “Sounds cool and swords normally leave big cuts.” Hazel said. Kayla's hand brushed against Hazel's. “Well it's good you don't have any worst injuries.” “I'm tough.” Hazel flexed her free arm. “You are totally tough.” Kayla said. “I am. This cut is nothing.” Hazel said. “What's the worst injury you have ever gotten? The worst I have had was a broken arm and I got stabbed in the stomach.” Kayla finished taking off the old bandage. “Well I've died.” Hazel said before she could stop herself. It wasn't like it was a big secret. But yet Hazel didn't think it was something she should tell people. Kayla was staring at her. “In 1942 Gaea tried to raise Alcyoneus. She made me help her but I stopped it all, killing me and my mother in the process. Nico found me in the Fields of Asphodel and my father gave me another chance at life.” Hazel said. Kayla still stared at her, her hands still on Hazel's arm. “I know it's weird but- “Saving the world before Percy Jackson was even a fertilized egg in his mother's womb. And yet people are all like 'Percy is the greatest hero of our time’ course sometimes it's Percy and Annabeth are the greatest heroes. It's weird but amazing, admirable. You gave up your life for the world. You are the greatest hero of our time.” Kayla said as she started to put on the clean bandage. “Thanks.” Hazel blushed. ❤❤❤❤ Kayla laid in her bed. Her thoughts were full of Hazel. Hazel's arm. Hazel's smile. Hazel's eyes. Hazel's hair. Hazel's everything. She sighed. She was developing more than a little crush on Hazel. Fuck her life. ❤❤❤❤ Hazel stood at Thalia’s tree, waiting for Kayla. The sound of footsteps behind her made her jump. “Don't worry, it's just me.” Kayla said. “Oh good.” Hazel said. She noticed how lovely Kayla looked in the moonlight. “Alright, we have to walk for awhile but I can probably call an Uber.” Kayla said. “Or I can shadowtravel.” Hazel said. “You can do that?” “Yup. Not as well as Nico but I bet I can get us to the city.” Hazel said. “Great! Let's go!” ❤❤❤❤ Kayla laid on the grass next to Hazel. Hazel was playing with an emerald that had popped out of the ground. “It matches how your hair was during the war with Nero last year.” Hazel said. “It does.” “Have it.” Hazel handed it to her. “What? No. I can't.” Kayla handed it back. “Sure you can.” Hazel said. She put the emerald back in Kayla's hand. This time Kayla kept it. ❤❤❤❤ Hazel flopped down on her bed in Cabin 13. “What's up?” Nico asked from his bed. He was playing with a deck of Mythomagic cards. “I want to kiss Kayla.” Hazel said. “Really?” “Yes, really.” “Than tell her that.” “But what if she’s straight? Or if she doesn't like me that way?” “Hazel, I'm dating Leo Valdez who acted like that straightest person in the world, I thought the same about him. Also come on, no girl who wears that much flannel is straight. And she makes heart eyes at you all the time.” Nico said. “Heart eyes? Also the flannel thing isn't true. And heart eyes?” Hazel sat up. “A, Kayla looks at you like Clovis looks at a bed. B, I know it isn't. And c, see a.” Nico said. “If I tell her and everything goes wrong, I'm partial blaming you.” Hazel said. “That's fair.” Nico shrugged. ❤❤❤❤ Kayla sat on top of Zeus’s fist. Hazel had told her to meet her there. Soon she saw the Roman girl walking towards her. “Yo! Hazel! What's up!” Kayla yelled before she jumped down and landed on her bum, “I am okay!” “That's good.” Hazel giggled. “So again, what's up?” Kayla asked. “I… I like you. Like like you. Like want to kiss you like you.” Hazel said. “Really?” Kayla asked. “Yes.” “Well I want to kiss you too but I'm on the ground and you're standing up.” Kayla said. Hazel smiled and laughed before jumping on top of Kayla. “Ow!” Kayla said. “Sorry. I was just happy. Can I kiss you now?” Hazel asked. “No shit.” Kayla said before kissing Hazel. They parted after a short while, “You kissed me but I didn't kiss you.” Hazel said as she kissed Kayla back. ❤❤❤❤ Hazel laid in the grass with her girlfriend. Kayla's hair was purple like Hazel's shirt. Hazel could still see hair dye on Kayla's ears. Hazel thought Kayla was the most beautiful person in the world.

[panddora]

Ma anche per te, c'e una luce (but even for you, there is a light)

  Read it also in ao3 : http://archiveofourown.org/works/9494294

  It's Nico 's birthday and he doesn't really feels like celebrating it. Lucky for him,he has friends that make sure to remember him the importance of this date. 

 Hope you like it :3

“Happy Birthday Nico! I have something special for you!” Bianca said as she handled him a gift. Her voice was soft, maternal-like, a consequence of taking care of him since they lost their parents, and she had a warming smile on her face, something that seemed to turn the space around them into light, something nico could never get tired of.

  He took the gift, an old-fashioned decorated box, with different patterns of different colors on each side. It was heavy, but nothing the boy couldn’t deal with, that made him wonder if it had been expensive, he didn’t want to cause problems to his sister, but he really wanted to posses whatever was in the box, in the most childish way to want something.

 “C’mon, open it already” It was almost like she could read his mind. He stared with amazement to the gift. Has he ever earned something as impressive as this? He didn’t remember, but touching it gave goosebumps on his skin. He opened the box, excited and expecting.

  There were nothing inside the box.

  There were emptiness.

  There were shadows.

  There were darkness. And the darkness took hold of everything. It came out of the box just like evilness came out of Pandora’s jar, quick and without control. Before Nico could suit himself, he was in nowhere and nowhere he could see his sister.

  He screamed for her, putting everything he had out of his lungs, but he couldn’t find her, he could never find her. Nico di Angelo was utterly alone.

  Or that was what he thought.

   It soon started, from nowhere to anywhere. First as a humming, then as puzzling whispers and then as clear voices. “Look at yourself children of Death, how miserable you are…So full of despair. Who would ever care about you. Why would anyone love you?”

  The voices were turning higher and higher,it felt like his eardrums were about to bleed. He pressed his palms against his ears and started buzzing ,trying to ignore the sounds. He couldn’t,they were inside his head

  "Why would she come back for you? Why would anyone come back for you?”

  Nico felt like he was slipping away,like he was going to dissapair,like he was turning into nothing.

  He woke with a start.

  He was panting hard. His body covered in sweet,every breathe seemed to stole all the oxygen of the place. He swallowed a lump in his throat and slowly realized where he was. It was dark and the corners of the ceiling and ground had bones and skulls drawn on it. He himself were in bed that resembled a coffin, with mahogany frames, brass railings, and bloodred blanket and pillow.

   It’s archaic appearance made it resemble a haunted house that would probably make a normal person felt terrified by sleeping on it one night

   But not a children of Hades

   At least not that children of Hades

   Yes,that was where he was, cabin 13 at the camp half-blood. It was just a nightmare, he told himself, even thought the images of his dream still alive in his head  and he still could picture his sister’s face,just like he could still hear the voices. He needed to stop thinking about it.

   He bend forward the bed and grabbed his sword, unsheathed it, letting it’s glow purple light surrounding the room. He put his hand against the blade, not enough to cut himself, but enough to let the cold sensations of the Stygian iron flood into his skin. He was fine. He was alive.

   After his lovely vacation into Tartarus,he started having all kind of nightmares, although they were becoming less and less frequent since he decided to stay at the camp.

   Of course, he would have a nightmare in his own birthday.

   Most part of mortals would be celebrating it, throwing parties, hanging out or enjoying the day with family and friend. But not Nico. He didn’t actually understood why would them be so happy with getting more age “You are getting closer to your own death, Congratulation! Have a cake!”.

   Though,he could understand why would a demigod celebrate it. Each anniversary meant a whole new year without been killed by any monster, what is a good reason to celebrate itself. At least,while they still have time.

   But he didn’t liked that idea anyways, it’s not like he ever had a birthday party,but the thought of being around a lot of loud people made him feel uncomfortable. He liked to enjoy quiet and peaceful days by his own.

   Besides, he didn’t expect any of his friends, the few ones he had, to acknowledge his birthday, and he thought it was better this way. Maybe Hazel would send him a iris messenger from Camp Jupiter, but It’s not like he was waiting for it anyway.

   He get out of the cabin wearing all black, despite the fact every other demigod in the camp used the casual orange clothes. He felt more in black than in any other color, maybe it was the whole son of the god of death thing.

   After the breakfeast ,he tried to talk to Will, not about the day, just to give a single “good afternoon”.  They had been dating for a while now, so interaction was an important in their relationship, but he was pretty hard to find. Knowing Will, he probably was at the infirmary, since the previous day they had the capture the flag game.

   Nico had thing to do too, he had work with strawberries He was starting to enjoy that activity. The first time he hated the fact that the fruits seemed to wither a bit by his touch. Now they seemed normal to him, besides he really liked their smell, and the fresh air gave him a good mood.

   Suddenly,he remember the day Solace joined him. Will started to sing just to annoy the boy,so they ended up very dirty after throwing fruits against each other , and smelling  like strawberries for the rest of the week. Nico couldn’t help but smile at that memory. Maybe working there wasn’t that bad at all.

   At the time of lunch he sat in the apollo’s table, thanks to Will insistence, but this time the places surrounding him were full, so they didn’t get side by side.He could still see sunny boy, eating his food and talking with his brothers and sisters. He caught Nico’s eyes looking at him which made he felt a bit embarrassed, but Will simply smilled and waved to him. Nico ignored him and get him atention back to his food, like it was the most intresting thing in north-America.

   Before doing so,he saw colored pieces around Solace’s fingers. Bandages. He wondered what kind of weird treatment they were offering that would give him those wounds hidden by band-aids. Or maybe he was just trying to improve his abilities with arrows, what was an even more dreadful thought.

   Whatever it was, Nico didn’t keep that in his mind for much longer. He had the day off, and from what he knew by Lou Ellen, Will were spending the rest of his day in him job, that consisted in basically having to deal with broken bones and people throwing up. Di Angelo decided to take a break into the forest.

   He liked to go to one of the farest places, where there was no camper or creature, just Nico and the birds around. He was slowly getting used to have people around him, but sometimes he just wanted to have a peaceful time alone ,so he sat against one of the largest trees and let himself drown into the nature. Not the enough to fall sleep ,of course, he was afraid of having another nightmare.

   It was good to stay there, but it felt like something was lacking. He then thought of Hazel and wondered about an Iris message. She wasn’t and expert in this subject, not used with the Greek way of communication, and probably was busy with New Roman problems. Yet, Nico wouldn’t mind listen to his sister’s voice. It has been a while.

   Sister. Bianca. Why would anyone care about you?

   He slapped his own cheeks. There was no use in thinking about stupid dreams. He tried to change the subject of his mind, and started to think about Will. It was funny how easily his mind could drift into him.

   Their relationship were still unusual to Nico. He never dated anyone before and were still coming in terms with his own sexuality, but he knew he liked sunny boy way too much. He liked talking to him and standing close to him. He enjoyed the way he smiled and kissing him was still strange but very pleasant.

   He kinda wanted to kiss him again.

   And he kinda of missed him a bit.

   Of course they saw each other often, but Will had been so busy that they didn’t had time to interact with each other, what was as bad as not seeing each other at all. He realized that Solace not being there gave him the sensation of something lacking,just his presence there would make that moment better. Just the two of them, not talking, just standing together.

   He remembered what he heard once in a movie, that you know you’ve found someone really special when you can comfortably share silence. He wondered that now he had found this person, he could keep it forever.

   Then he remembered the “special person” from the movie died by fire shots and decided it was time to go back to the cabin.

   In his way back, he couldn’t stop himself from observing how the place earned life as he walked by, almost as if a dead forest was borning into a new one. He could then see magical creatures, nymphs in their own trees, playing and ignoring time and problems or satyrs talking, probably about the great Pan or the nature, or maybe just about tin cans for dinner.

   Many of the creatures there Nico learnt the name from his mythomagic cards, now resumed in the state of ashes, what was a result of his rage and hurt against the world for taking his sister away. He thought that maybe if he had it, now that he was older and wiser, he would keep it as recodation of the good times with bianca. There are things one cannot bring back, at least he still had his memories with her,and the last gift she ever gave him, a Hades miniature figurine.

   Nico greeted all the creatures that passed through, making his best to became what Will called ''social and polite''. Most of them were still afraid of him, but he was surely making progress. The truth was, even if he liked to blame Will for having to interact with so many, he actually liked the idea  of people not judging him and being nice to him.

   The eyes of disapprobation were becoming smiles of kindness. He couldn’t really complain.

   In his way back, he could hear a familiar voice calling for him. “Look if isn’t a cupcake becoming older today”. Nico turned to face Hedge, the middle aged satyr with a terrible temperament an talent of being a terrible Hollywood stunt double. He was carrying his son little Chuck in on of his arms arms and holding a pot with a strange plant in the other.

   Nico smiled. He didn’t had many satyr friends, he didn’t had many friends at all, so alongside with Grover, those two his favorite ones. “Hello Hedge” He stretched his army in the baby’s direction. “Hello Chuck”.

   Babies, young children and animals usually didn’t had much fondness for him, It had probably something to do with the smell of death impregnated in his soul, and the feeling was mutual .However, he couldn’t help himself about liking that child, that seemed to feel the same, grabbing his finger and laughing to him.

   Nico knew satyrs grew up slower than humans usually did, he wondered if that boy would still like him after understanding what was actually happening around him. He hoped so. He turned his head to the fake coach“Why do you think today is my birthday?”

  “Well, ya know, we mystical and old creatures have the guts to use very distinct ways to gain acknowledgement” He had a tone that tried to show wisdom.

   Nico gave him a skeptical look “oh really?”

  “Yeah! Also the events of our deadly mission last year gave me a life-changing acknowledgment about you. Here take this as a gift” And handed him the pot

   Nico smiled thinly and accepted it. He remembered how last time he let rage take hold of himself and his powers coming out in a horrifying display. He also remembered  how Hedge took care of him and did not judged him.

   He really liked the guy.

  “Thanks for the plant, I guess” It was really unexpected and unusual, but kinda made that a happy moment.

  “Not any plant” ;he pointed cheerfully. “And special plant”

  “Special?”

  “It’s a carnivorous plant!” It was true,now Nico recognized the shape of it “Most part of plants chose to live a calm with only photosynthesis, but not this one. This one is a hunter, it fights for food and has my deepest respect. Pretty cool isn’t it?” Now that was expected from the guy who named his kid after Chuck Norris.

  “Thanks, I really appreciate it” And with that, Hedge gave him a satisfied face. “ Then my job here is done, time to feed this brat here” He lifted up his on in his arms,now able to hold him with both of them. “Give goodbye to Nico, young man”.

   The boy made a couple of small noises and started to laughing  about them. Nico decided it was a noble way of saying goodbye “Far thee well, Chuck” He tried to pat his head, but the boy quickly tried to eat the sleeve of his jacket, what made him stand back “Wow, someone is starving”

   Hedge had proud in his voice “Warriors need food to fight” And turned away. Nico watched them disappearing into the woods, and so he put himself again in his own way .

  He reached his cabin and stared at the plant wondering where he was going to put it at all. He never thought about taking care of a living things and really didn’t want it to die. He should ask a child of Demeter what to do. He heard once them talking and giving name to the plants,and wondered if it helped somehow.

  He put his finger inside what looked like the mouth of the plant, he expected it to close around his member, it didn’t.

  “I think I’m gonna call you Jackie from Jackie Chan, I guess it lives up to the person that gave me you. And I hope talking to you will make you live, cause I feel pretty stupid” . .He stepped into the cabin and heard a scream.

  “HAPPY BIRTHDAY NICO”

   He almost let Jackie fall.

   Before he could realize what was going on, he felt warm arms wrapped him and curly hair against his skin. He could smell a perfume he had given to his sister until he realize the person hugging him was actually his sister.

  “Hazel…?” He embraced her back, what was no easy with a pot in his hand, and then looked over her shoulder to find out who else was in the room. There were Jason and Piper using stupid hats and sappy smiles; Reyna holding an strange and utterly black cake; Frank ,looking very uncomfortable occupying space in the cabin, like he didn’t fit in the place.

   Finally, he laid his eyes on Will, which cheerful expression made the sleeping skeletal butterflies in his stomach fly once again. He wasn’t sure he was ever gonna get used to that.

   He let go of Hazel, put the pot on the ground and stared at the scene to make sure it wasn’t a kind of dream. A very pleasant and strange kind of dream.

  “Y-you guys…I mean how are- just... What?”   He was having problems in keep his thoughts straight, he had a problem with straight  things in general.

  “We are here to celebrate you birthday of course!” Jason answered the question almost as if he had waited the whole day for it.

  “Well I got that part, I just don’t get how you even-I mean, most of you were not even supposed to be here and I’m not sure this is allowed by Chiron or Mr. D…”

   Reyna, which hands were now free from the cake, that now lying in one of the coffin-like beds, got closer and put her hands in his hair, turning his messy hair messier. ”Don’t do it, you thinking too much. We are here because we want to, and that’s all”

  “Oh,really?” He look was once again skeptical. Those thing did not happened with him often.

  “Really” She replied “We used a lame excuse about having to deal with the greek-roman to come here. Those two” he pointed to Jason and Piper “ Just have a lot of free time, and Solace had the idea so he had the minimal moral obligation to stay here with us”

   Nico blinked twice in surprise. Now the butterflies were dancing. Great. “Wait,this was your idea?”

  “Well” Will smirked, Nico almost screamed to the butterflies to shut up “You said you never had a party, so I thought why not? Now you can’t complain about me being a bad boyfriend”

  “I will still complaint”

  “Well,I tried”

   Jason cleaned his throat, “ You know,if you want  we can kill two birds with one stone and turn this birthday party in an engagement party” He blinked and Nico felt the red in his face  “If you keep saying things like this, you won’t survive to your ownt engagement “

  “Hey!” Piper made and Indignant sound “Excuse me, I need him. And if you wanna know I was the one to that convinced Chiron to let us here. I may have used my charm and may have said that if we didn’t make this event you could bring an army of zombies to the camp or turn demigods into ghosts…but I’m pretty sure he let us because I said please”

  “And we brought some stuff for fun” Frank finally introduced himself in the conversation “Like some movies Reyna chose that we can use in the projector we get from Hermes kids, or monopoly”  

   Nico giggled “You brought Monopoly? Wasn’t the blood from the last war enough? I may be a children of death but even I have my own limits…” He turned to Reyna “What’s the movie about?”

  “Pirates of Caribean” She seemed amused

  “Really?”

  “You can be a true fan of pirates without watching it”

  “I don’t like pirates that much”

  “Right. And I have talent with relationships” She replied and blinked to Nico. Jason coughed.  

   Hazel appeared in front of him again with stuff on her arms.

  “Okay, first things first” She tossed a book to him “ Your gifts! Percy and Annabeth couldn’t make it here, but Percy gave me that cake. He said you liked his mom’s food, so she made this one,but black to match you. And Annabeth send this book”

   Nico felt touched by the couple’s actions as he read the name of the book , a Italian version of The Divine Comedy. “Ha, a book about hell to the son of hell’s boss, very original” He complained, but was also smiled.

  “I’m glad you liked, this one is mine” She handed him a photo album and a camera “I thought it was I good ideia to…you know, keep vivid good memories”

   He stared at the machine, it was one those that gave you the picture instantly. He remembered how he wanted one of those when he was infant, but at some point he lost the interest. He stopped believing there were anything worth to capture in those lens.

   Maybe there was now.

   And it hit him, in that moment, that he was in his surprise party. That he somehow had people who liked him enough to make this for him.

 “Who would ever care about you?”

  Them. This small group of people, they care.

“ So….What about we take the first picture of your album and start the party?” Piper proposed.

  Nico couldn’t think in any better idea. “ok,but I’m not using that dumb hat”.

   They took the photo, not only one but dozen of them. They talked about silly things and ate the food from Mrs. Jakson. They played Monopoly (And that moment their friendship almost died) ,and of course Reyna won. They ended the night watching the movies. Jason,Piper and Frank on the ground, backs against the bed where Reyna, Hazel,Nico and Will were respectively sitting.

   Hazel’s head in his shoulder, Solace hand against his own and happiness was inside of him.  He thought about how things can change in one year. In his last birthday, he was alone at some dark place,and now he had these guys standing close to him.

  He couldn’t stop the feeling that all the changes felt like healing. As if there were something gnawing through him since he found out he was a demigod and now it was finally stopping. Of course the scars that were deep inside of him were never leaving.

  But at least they could stop hurting.

He was now siting in front of the cabin’s door. He wake up before everyone,he didn’t remembered falling sleep, but doubt any of them did, specially considering their positions against each other.

   He went out just to catch some breath when heard the familiar voice “ You shouldn’t sneak out of the cabin a night or the harpies are gonna eat you”. Will was leaning against the door.

 “Really? I do it often and they never tried, maybe they are afraid of me, but don’t worry” He patted the ground at his side “I won’t hurt you”

  "Wow, I feel so safer now that I know that the great Lord of Darkness and Shadows, King of Ghosts won’t hurt me”

   Nico smirked “Just shut up and sit” And Will did so, reaching for Nico’s hand and squeezing before quickly letting it go. “Happy Birthday death boy, I have something to you” And for his hand went into his pocket, where he took two things. The first thing was a necklace and the second one looked like a miniature figure.

  “I Know you are not one for following the rules of the camp” He turned him eyes from Nico’s face to his shirt and then back to his face “But I got this camp necklace for you,I hope you will use it, I made the first bead” He put it in his hand.

  Nico observed it. It was featuring a wine bead with a silver skull and something that that looked like Hade’s Helm. Nico loved it.

 “Don’t worry, I won’t let the time you wasted doing this be totally wasted” And he put around his neck, and it felt right being there, like it was a part of him now. “And the other gift”

 “U-uh that….” He face turned slightly red. He was cute blushing, Nico noticed “The second one is pretty much a lame” And he handled him the object.

  It was a miniature figurine, like those that came with mythomagic cards. He tried to figure out which God was that, just to realize it was no God he knew. But the features were familiar, the messy hair and face…And then he realized it was no God he knew. I didn’t had a very clear shape, but he knew who was that.

  It was himself.

  It was Nico

  Oh Gods

  He turned to Solace, that was now looking away with clear embarrassment. “This…?”

 “Yeah” He replied quickly “It’s you, or something that was supposed to be you. I thought you would like it, since you used to have a collection. But I’m not as talented in carving as I am in opening bodies so…it took a while” And he showed his hands full of bandages, so that was why he was so busy theses day.

  Nico put the toy at his own pocket and took will’s hands, it gave him a thrilling sensation. “I don’t even know what to say, but thank you, really”

  Will smiled, and leaned forward to kiss Nico softly on his lips.

  And they stayed there, sharing their comfortably silence.

  And Nico changed his mind, he liked commemorating his birthday after all.

[magic713m]

Between the Sky and a Hard Place Ch. 4

Percy searched around the halls for Luke, carrying a few photos. Ever since Chris had vanished, searching for the labyrinth, Luke had sent others to find out his fate, while he and Percy were setting up and preparing for war at Othrys. When Percy received the photos from Luke's spies, he went to look for Luke in his room, but it was empty, along with the training room, the library, and other rooms Luke had frequented, lately.

Percy finally found Luke, staring outside a window in some random guest room. Luke made no indication whatsoever that he was aware of Percy.

"Luke?"

The young man turned his head to his friend, "Sorry, Perc. Just thinking."

"What'cha looking at?" Percy asked, stepping into the chamber.

Luke moved out of the way and Percy looked out the window. He had a good view of the San Francisco layout, but Percy knew what he held Luke's attention the moment he saw the tree bearing golden fruit, and guarded by the multi-headed dragon, Ladon.

"It's so bizarre," Luke said, "After my quest, I swore never to lay eyes on that accursed thing again. And now it's my next door neighbor."

"Right. Your first quest," Percy recalled.

"First and only. And a total failure. I almost died, trying to get that stupid apple."

"What was even the point?"

"My father said it was to prove myself a hero. But I knew. It was just some twisted game to see if his son could pull off a feat, like the great Hercules."

Percy heard the bitterness in his voice, as Luke subconsciously touched the scar on his eye briefly. He knew it was a touchy subject for Luke, and he really understood his frustration.

"I'm not even sure you'd even consider it a real quest," Luke continued, "It was such a trivial task. My father had to issue it, instead of the oracle."

"Didn't you have any companions to go with you?"

"No one that I'd trust to help. The only people I'd have trusted enough was a girl I thought too young for me to see perish. The other was a friend who was too busy being a tree, herself," Luke answered.

"You think they could've helped?"

"Honestly, in hindsight, I am glad I was alone. I barely escaped from the quest alive, and if they had been there, I…I don't want to think about the possibility that they died just for an insignificant apple."

Percy nodded, looking back at the tree. It was just another reminder of why they still fight. So no one would have to go through what Luke did at a god's whim.

"So, what was it you wanted to show me?" Luke said, snapping Percy out of his thoughts, seeing Luke looking at the photos in Percy's hand.

"Right, well, these photos were taken by one of the lookouts in San Francisco. I think you should see this."

Percy placed the photos down on the desk and Luke looked at them. They were a picture of a man, who seemed unimpressive. But then Luke looked at one of the man from his left side, catching a glimpse of a tattoo on his neck.

"This is incredible," Luke said, "We wanted a way to control the labyrinth, and now we found our navigator."

"So what are we going to do once we find and navigate the labyrinth? Are we going to attack Olympus?"

"Unfortunately, Olympus has always been disconnected to it. But it can go other places, such as camp. Right pass the barrier. We could get information from our spies much more easily."

"And that's it, right?" Percy asked, sounding concerned.

Luke paused and looked up, seeing the worried Percy.

"Look, I'm not going to lie to you. Some people do think that this discovery could help us create a front line for a battle."

"No," Percy firmly stated.

"Percy, just listen-"

"No Luke. I am not even going to entertain the idea that we are attacking camp."

"The titans might disagree on that. Demigods are the strongest weapons of the gods and if we-"

"Are you kidding me!" Percy said, "I joined you because we're being used by the gods. All of us. And I stayed because we are trying to save the others. And now you want to attack them. Kill them!"

"It's not so simple-"

"Then how's this for simple?" Percy said, "If you decide to attack camp, I'm gone. I won't help you murder them for these monsters. Most are just kids, needing a safe place to be home. It was our home at one point, and I won't be a part of destroying it."

Luke rubbed the bridge of his nose, inhaling. He stayed like that for a few moments, before looking at Percy.

"Yes. You're right. I just want this war to be over. Thanks for keeping my head on straight."

"Anytime," Percy softly said, before looking back at the photos, "Now, what about him?"

"We should keep our distance, for now. If he does know the maze, he could easily slip into it when we aren't looking and we might never hear from him again."

"Sure. So approach with caution."

"Exactly."

After arriving in the freezing ski town, the questers needed to find a way to get further west. They were fortunate enough to have Apollo's help getting them so far, but now they needed a new ride.

However, none of this was on Nico's mind, as he was trying to block a blow from Thalia's spear. She swung it again and Nico once more tried to block it, but Thalia quickly pushed him down onto the ground and kept him down at spear-point.

"Dead," she said, pulling away her weapon.

"C'mon Thalia, aren't you being a little hard on him?" Grover asked.

"He needs to be ready," Thalia answered, "I need him to be prepared for anything."

"Hey, I was a big help with the lion," Nico pointed out.

"Yeah, you just needed to pretend to be lunch until your lucky powers kicked in," she said sarcastically, "Blind chance is not the best skill to have in a fight. Now, if you could summon that weapon, like you did before, then I'd feel safer."

Nico had tried to summon the weapon again on their trip a few times, with no luck.

"I think I've got the picture-"

"No, you don't," Thalia said, in aggravation, "This isn't your card game. This is your life now. One mistake, one screw up, and you and your companions are dead. Those demigods you saw, they are the enemy. We will most likely have to fight them, even kill them, or they will kill us. Do you understand?"

"What about the other kid, Percy?" Nico asked, "He saved my life. He-"

"He's a traitor," Thalia said, causing Grover to flinch, "He is no better than the monsters he works for."

"Um, Thalia, I wouldn't go that far," Grover said, meekly, "He saved me, and he did help Nico and Bianca. Maybe we can talk to him."

"He had plenty of chances to surrender. Next time I see him, he won't get away," she said, firmly.

Grover lowered his head, and walked off.

"Will he be alright?"

Thalia's expression softened.

"Grover told me he and Percy have or had an empathetic connection over the summer. He's too close to him," Thalia explained, "I think we've trained enough for now. Why don't you try and help Grover find a way out of this town."

Nico talked with Grover and began helping him collect acorns to prepare a tracking spell, when he saw someone step up in front of him. He looked up and saw his big sister looking down at him.

"Can I talk to you?" she asked.

"You can do whatever you want. You made that perfectly clear," Nico said turning back from her as he continued his search.

"Nico, you need to understand, I needed to do this. I couldn't constantly watch over you."

"You saw an opportunity to ditch me and you took it. I get it," he said, his voice displaying annoyance.

"Look, we just found out we were demigods. I had enough responsibility when it was just us without the monsters. Then we were attacked and I was offered the chance to be free of it."

"Free of me, you mean. That's what family is, something you just abandon the first chance you get."

"It wasn't like I left you on the side of the road and drove off. You were going to camp, where you would be with kids just like you. You'd be living the life like you always wished in Mythomagic. You were taking this whole news so well, and I was just terrified."

"Well, you got your freedom. You no longer have to be my big sister so I hope you're happy. I don't care how you try to rationalize it, you just-"

Suddenly, Nico and Bianca felt a warm spring breeze pass by them. The sudden shift of winter to warm air startled them and they saw Grover stand before collapsing. The group gathered around Grover as Bianca tried to wake him. Nico saw Thalia arm her spear.

"Be ready," she commanded Nico, "We have to go."

The questers moved to the edge of town, supporting Grover, before two skeletons appeared. Thalia activated her bracelet, producing a shield to block the bullets from the skeletons' handguns. Bianca and Zoe armed their bows as Bianca commanded them to back away. But Nico felt something was wrong. Just then, two more skeletons appeared behind them, surrounding the group.

Grover was sprouting words, like a crazy satyr. Something about the Wild.

"We're going to have to fight them. One for each of us," Thalia said to the group, before looking at Nico, "I guess we'll see if you're ready."

The group charged at their individual opponents. Nico charged, using his natural agility to prevent the skeleton from shooting him, as Thalia advised during training. He struck the skeleton with his dagger and cut off his arm and it dissolved in the ground. Nico went for another strike, but something slammed into him from behind, knocking him off his feet.

He looked up to see one of the demigods from the museum standing over him, his bruised face glaring down at Nico. Behind him were three more demigods and he knew their chances went from slim to abysmal.

"Go, take care of the others. We only need Thalia," he commanded.

"James," the blond demigod said, "Jackson said he wanted them all alive and unharmed."

"And the General said their lives didn't matter. I think I'll take my chances with Jackson."

"But-"

"Do as you're ordered, Samson," James said in a dark tone.

One of the other demigods placed their hand on Samson's shoulder and guided him away to the other fighters.

The others went to fight their opponents, and soon Thalia and Zoe were fighting off three demigods and one skeleton, while Bianca was fighting two skeletons, leaving Nico fighting against James and a one-armed skeleton.

"It was you at the meeting," James said, "You left a little beauty mark. Let me return the favor."

Nico quickly got up and prepared to fight. He easily pushed back the skeleton, but James was no push over. I one swift motion, James was able to slash Nico's back. Nico knew he was done for…if not for the Nemean Lion jacket. He felt the impact of the sword, but he was completely unharmed.

Despite his advantage, Nico began to back up to the group as he began to feel the ground shake beneath. He heard movement in the trees and knew something was coming. One skeleton was on the ground in pieces, but was quickly pulling itself back together. Nico tried to warn the others, but could only watch in shock as one skeleton lunged at Bianca. But she pulled out a hunting knife and plunged it into the skeleton's chest, causing him to burst into flames and turn to dust, similar to the arm Nico cut off from the other skeleton.

"How did you do that?" Zoe asked.

"I don't know," Bianca answered, "Lucky stab?"

"Well keep at it."

The other skeletons began to back off as Bianca prepared for another attack, but the other demigods were not as scared.

"Give it up," James said, "You're finished."

He looked like he was about to say something else, or maybe just attack, but he was interrupted by a loud roar as the trees behind him shook and a huge pig appeared from the trees.

"A Gift," Grover said.

The questers scattered as the boar charged, sending some of the foes flying through the air, behind the tree line. James shouted in anger and tried to attack the giant swine, but he was quickly tossed away as well.

The boar continued to squeal and rampage as the questers tried to stay out of its way.

"If this is a gift, can we return it?" Nico asked.

"How it this a blessing?" Bianca added.

The wild boar was rampaging all over the field, trying to run any of the questers down. Thalia brought up Aegis, hoping to scare it and it seemed to work, since now the boar's fear and rage was focused on her and Nico, who was unfortunate to be next to her.

The two ran from the boar and the boar began to gain ground on them. Nico berated himself for not training harder. Maybe if he had tried, he could do more with his powers. He had a very sudden, and pretty risky idea. He abruptly stopped and Thalia soon slowed down to look back to him.

"Nico, what in Hades are you doing?"

Nico turned to the boar and he remembered the feeling he had when he fought the lion. It's jaws lowering, trying to end him. And suddenly a weapon in his hands. He tried to remember that power that flowed through him. He kneeled and placed his hand on the ground. He tried to focus as the boar got closer.

The ground around the area began to shake, but the boar kept charging right at Nico. Until a fissure began to open in the ground and the boar tripped and fell into it with the snow piling on top. Nico looked to see it still moving around, though it appeared to be stuck in the fissure.

Grover, Zoe, and Bianca joined them as Nico kept his eye on the creature. He knew it would get out soon. The hole wasn't so deep.

"This is a blessing," Zoe said.

"How?" Thalia asked.

"This," Grover said, motioning to the animal, "is our ride west."

[magic713m]

Between the Sky and a Hard Place Chpt. 2

As Nico stayed in the back of the van, he did his best to avoid contact with the others. Not an easy feat in a vehicle. Luckily, Zoe and Thalia were in the front seat, so he only had to avoid Grover and Bianca.

After a few hours of driving, Nico was beginning to get very tired of hearing Zoe and Thalia argue. Every mile, the two found something else to argue about: from who got to drive, to the fastest route to the next destination. He could tell it was starting to bother Bianca and Grover as well.

At their latest stop, the group took this brief break to step out to stretch their legs and resupply. Nico took the opportunity to slip out as well as he snuck into the store. He stayed invisible as he moved through the rest stop and taking some snacks for himself. When he returned to the van, he saw the group gathered, as Grover told them that they needed to head to D.C. Once again, he was able to sneak in while they were discussing the plan.

Following Grover’s advise, the group stopped at a D.C. parking lot. After parking the van, the group got out and Nico waited a minute to follow them. As he trailed them, he did his best to remain hidden, which was quite difficult when he tried no to knock people over as he past them while invisible. He was able to see the group turn into the museum. Nico began to follow after, but he soon discovered he wasn’t the only one tailing them. He looked across the street and had an unsettling feeling, upon seeing the person watching them. Someone he hoped he would never see again.

Dr. Thorn.

-----------------------------------

Percy entered the huge room, and saw in the center, a large patch of soil. Behind him, were two demigods, dressed in Greek armor resembling the armor from back at camp. He turned to them, and told them to guard the entrance. He looked down at the soil but he felt a chill down his spine when he felt eyes on him. Percy looked up past the balcony and saw the General sitting on a chair in the shadows on the floor above.

“Glad to see you can make it, son of Poseidon,” the General said, “Though I wasn’t expecting you to bring some of your fellow demigods with you.”

“Well, as tempting as it was to come here, with all the monsters to protect me, I feel more comfortable with them around,” he said, “I guess I prefer the company of people who think of me more of a friend, and less of a meal.”

“Hm,” the General said, “Well, keep them out of the way. I don’t need trouble from your ‘accessories’.”

Percy nodded and leaned against the pillar, keeping his hands in his pockets…on his pen. He waited until he saw the entrance doors open, as Thorn walked in. Percy knew there was a chance Thorn would not be gone forever, but one could hope. Back at Mt. Othrys, Thorn was very vocal in insisting Percy not attend the meeting but Luke was firm in his decision, and the General had not cared if Percy, a simple demigod, attended the meet.

As Thorn entered, he turned and glared at Percy, who just shrugged it off.

“Well?” the General said in a booming voice, breaking Thorn’s focus on Percy.

“They are here,” Thorn answered nervously.

“Where!” he asked.

“In the…um…rocket museum,” Thorn said. Percy chuckled a little at him.

“Something you want to say, demigod,” Thorn said, annoyed.

“Do you know who’s with them?” Percy asked.

Thorn continued to silently leer at Percy.

“Answer him,” the General commanded.

“That satyr-”

“Grover” Percy said almost quietly.

“Also the daughter of Zeus, in the punk clothes. And two Hunters. One with a circlet.”

“That one I know,” the General said angrily.

“Please General. Let me take them,” Thorn asked.

“No way. After what happened last time, I don’t trust you,” Percy said pushing away from the pillar looking up, “General, me and my men have been training for this. Let us get them.”

Thorn snarled and quickly turned his head to Percy, “You’re one to talk. After that stunt you pulled in the last mission, I think you’re the one who can’t be trusted.”

“If I didn’t stop you, we’d have nothing, instead of two demigods to recruit for later,” Percy retorted.

“Enough!” the General shouted, practically shaking the room, “Both of you failed to get me the demigods. Instead we got a child of Athena.”

“And that just worked out terribly for you” Percy whispered, spitefully, remembering Annabeth’s current situation.

“You had best be careful, Jackson. Your actions are a concern, and you are no longer the holder of the prophecy,” the General said, “Kronos still sees use of you, for now, but that can change very quickly. So, choose your words carefully.”

“We’re ready for this,” Percy said, motioning to the two humans in Greek armor, “Let us go and bring them in.”

“Ha!” the General said, looking over the two other demigods, “They might make good body guards, but they’re nothing compared to the forces I’ve gathered. Behold.”

Two mortal mercenaries planted teeth into the soil. Percy watched nervously as he saw something emerge from the areas where the teeth were planted.

However, Percy struggled to stifle a laugh, when he saw that what emerged were cute kittens. The General berated his guards, loudly, before ordering them to get the correct teeth. The General jumped from the balcony and Percy and everyone else had to hold their balance when her landed on the marble floor. The floor was cracked, but the General was uninjured. Once the General was given the right teeth, he planted them in the ground, and watered them. Percy watched, unsettled, as skeletons began to emerge from the ground and stood ready for their orders.

“Now, once they have the proper scent, these things will not stop until they get those annoying campers,” the General stated. He motioned for something and a dracaena threw down a silver scarf that appeared to resemble the ones the Hunters wore. But before the scarf could land in the General’s hand, it suddenly moved in an unpredictable fashion, before vanishing.

The General’s eyes widened, “What?!”

“Intruder!” Thorn shouted.

Percy’s eyes widened, thinking of the one person he knew who could go invisible. But he quickly gathered his bearings, remember that it couldn’t be her.

The mercenaries searched the room as Percy took out his magic sword and looked at his soldiers, “The guy’s invisible. Be careful. He’ll head for the doors.”

The demigods stood in combat stance and as they moved, one of them turned around quickly, grasping at something. As he was struggling, Percy and the other demigod ran to assist, but the half-blood was thrown down and the doors closed, with the intruder gone.

Looking disappointed, Percy helped the kid up.

“He got away,” Percy stated.

“Not for long,” the General said, walking towards them. He stopped and looked down something that wasn’t there before: a group of Mythomagic cards laying around the room.

“He must’ve dropped them on way out,” Percy said.

"Yes, and now we can get back to work," the General said, crouching down to examine them. "He is probably with the others by now," he continued, as he held out one of the cards for the skeleton warriors to smell, with a smile that Percy didn't like the look of. "We will find him and his friends in no time."