Title: Christmas Spirit
Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
Pairing: Rachel/Nico
Summary: "What do you mean you hate Christmas?"
Notes: Written for the prompt by from livejournal (by purplesmudges) a long, long time ago in the PJO Fic Battle community.


Nico was seated across the Oracle's host, enjoying a cup of hot chocolate when he heard the most offensive thing he could in this season.

"I hate Christmas."

The son of Hades almost spit out his drink, which would've been rather unfortunate, since he would've ruined Rachel's dress.

"What?" he managed to choke out after he recovered.

Rachel Elizabeth Dare seemed unfazed, as if she'd received these reactions numerous times in the past.

"I hate Christmas," she repeated slowly, tracing the intricate design of her mug with her forefinger. She didn't look up and kept her eyes fixed on the table – on anywhere but the demigod.

Honestly, Nico di Angelo didn't expect that Rachel would say such a thing. She was the embodiment of cheerfulness and festivity – which was Christmas for most people. He thought that the redhead would've loved Christmas and anything related to it because it was just like her to be that way.

"What – what do you mean you hate Christmas?" Nico inquired. "It's the best time of the year!"

Now that most of his memories of his childhood with his family had returned, he remembers Christmas as the time where their house was full of lights, decorations that they could hardly afford, laughter and warmth despite the cold weather. Rachel locked her green eyes with Nico's. Although Nico wasn't really good at getting hints, he could see in Rachel's eyes that this was a topic he should steer clear of in the near future.

"Christmas was the time when my parents got divorced."

Rachel hardly talked about her family and this information was vital. It was awkward enough that time Nico had met Rachel's father, but Rachel made sure that her family was not part of their daily discussions. As far as he knew, Rachel's father was an amiable man. He had Rachel's eyes, but not her hair and he had the same smile she had, except Rachel's smile was more guarded.

Nico couldn't formulate a response except an inaudible 'oh.' Rachel's grip on her mug tightened and her knuckles were turning white, as if she were living out the moment again – down to every single detail.

"My parents were having one of their fights again and I was already used to them by the time I was six, but this time they ordered one of our maids to take me outside. But I was still young and I was afraid so I hid inside my parents' bedroom, under their bed because there were monsters – monsters everywhere." She shivered, as though the winter air had caught up with her.

"I can't remember exactly what they were going on about, but I know it was something about money – it's always been about money for them," she said angrily. "It came to a point when my mom was throwing things at my dad and I could hear glass breaking. My mom left and slammed the door behind her and – and my dad told me to get out from where I was hiding. I asked him where mom was going and he told me that she won't come back and Christmas wasn't the same ever since."

Hot tears had rolled down her cheeks and suddenly Nico didn't find the hot chocolate that enjoyable anymore. He reached out for one of Rachel's small hands and held it in both of his own.

Vulnerability was never the red-haired girl's style, but with Nico's hands holding hers, she thinks that maybe Christmas this year won't be so horrible.


End Note: This was written last summer, I think. And I remember shoving it to the recesses of my folder because I didn't really like how it turned out. But I sincerely hope you enjoy this. :)