Author's Note: First- This is a Nico x OC. No Solangelo. Don't like, don't read. I won't be offended if you know you won't like it and leave. I do the same thing when a story is for a pairing I don't care for. However, please, please, PLEASE no flames! Constructive criticism, as in correcting grammar, typos, awkwardly written parts, is welcome. I have already had to deal with one reviewer who only commented on this to call me evil because they did not like that this was not "slash", boy x boy, or whatever gay fics are called. (I seriously think I've seen five different names for it, and I don't know which to use.) My response to said comment is posted as chapter four since they were reviewing as a guest. Second- There will be mention of sexual abuse in this story. Nothing will be explicitly described, but I felt like I sure still you guys aware upfront.
Hope you guys, especially my fellow demigods, enjoy! Leave your thoughts in the review box below. :)
Chapter I
The day after Gaea's defeat, Nico and Reyna were were walking through the Roman camp. They strode with quick, determined strides, Nico only slightly struggling to keep up. (He had shadow-traveled a 40 foot tall statue, a kung-fu obsessed satyr, a Roman praetor, and himself half-way around the world, only to have to take part in a fierce battle, resulting in him almost completely fading. He deserved a little slack after all that.)
They stopped in front of a large tent, more than enough for two people. The praetors' tent. Nico could see Reyna steeling herself to go in. The last person who occupied this tent nearly brought about a war with the Greek and the Roman denigods. Sure, Gaea was pulling strings, as it were to ensure it happened, but everyone knew Octavian would have been baying for Greek blood just as strongly if a certain "Queen Potty Sludge" (Leo's words, not theirs) had not interfered.
"You want me to wait here or...?" Nico intentionally left the question open for her to decide what she wanted him to do. They had grown close during their time running across Europe and the Atlantic to get the Athena Parthanos back to Camp Half-blood.
"Please, stay here," she answered firmly. Her watch my back went unspoken, but Nico nodded in understanding. This was the tent of a crazed auger who had made some...less than exemplary allies. Who knew what they would find in there? Certainly, neither of them had expected to find what the did. Or rather who...
Nico held back one of the flaps for Reyna, and just as she entered a sob was heard from the far corner of the tent.
Reyna rushed to where a large collapsible table stood, covered in papers, maps and a battery-operated lantern. She drew her sword and turned on the laturn simultaneously. Nico, hearing her sword leave its sheath, dashed in, his own sword at the ready.
Reyna picked up the lantern, and its light fell on a girl, around Nico's age, cowering in the corner, her wrist tied to the tentpole. Nico blushed faintly when he realized all she had on was a bedsheet wrapped around her body.
"Please, don't hurt me," she said tremulously in Latin. "You can tell Octavian I've been good and quiet. I swear it!"
"Octav...Nico, please wait outside," Reyna answered. Nico complied. Just when he was beginning to wander about what was going on, Reyna came out, supporting the girl, who was wrapped up firmly in both the sheet and Reyna's cloak, because it seemed to painful for the girl to walk.
"I think we ought to get her to Will," Nico said.
"Will?" Reyna raised an eyebrow.
"He's the best healer I know," Nico shrugged. "Plus, I'm sure at one of his sisters can help him. I know some girls are funny about guy doctors."
The girl, who had been loking rather panicky, relaxed slightly at his mention of female healers. When he tried to help support her other side, she violently flinched away.
"I'm sorry...I...I-I just..."
"It's okay," Reynan soothed. "Nico's not a touchy-feely person either." Nico responded with glare. "Hey, I figuired I had a fifty-fifty shot of you reciprocating or shoving me away when I hugged you last night," she defended. Nico shrugged. She was probably right; there was not too many people he endured hugs from.
It took forever to make it back to Camp Half-Blood. The girl kept looking all around furtively.
"Who are you looking for?" Nico finally asked.
She looked up at him fearfully. "Octavian. He...He made me swear not to leave the tent."
He stopped her in her tracks. "On the Styx?"
"The what?"
"Nevermind; nothing to worry about then."
"But...But Oct-"
"Octavian is dead," Reyna answered succinctly.
Her eyes went wide. "...He...Octavian..."
"-is not coming back," Nico said. "You don't have worry about him hurting you anymore. He is the one who hurt you, isn't he?"
She could not meet his eyes. She bowed her head and nodded.
"Nico! Reyna!" Jason waved at them as the entered the cabins area. "Hey, g- Who's that with you? Is she okay?" He jogged over to meet them, the girl shrinking back as he approached.
"It's alright; this is Jason Grace," Reyna soothed. "We can trust him."
Jason's brow scrunched up in concern as he stopped in front of them. His swiftly took in her bruised face, hunched shoulders, and dull, painfilled eyes. "You okay?"he asked softly. He knew it was a dumb question, but you could gauge a person by their response. She glanced up at him, began to nod, but then closed her eyes and shook her head. Okay, most demigods at least say they are okay. She must be pretty bad off, he thought. "Look, we'll get you over to the Apollo cabin, and they'll do their best to fix you up, alright?" He spoke low and soothingly, hoping to calm her down. She almost looked ready to bolt.
They walked across the green to the white and gold Apollo cabin, and ushered the girl inside.
"Well, well," said a warm voice "Long time, no see, Nico." Will Solace was leaning on the doorway between the main cabin and the infirmary. "Where have you been? Thought I couldn't stand to see a friendly face?"
"What...my face?" Nico looked confused. Most people did not put "friendly face" and his together.
"Yes, yours. Besides, I told you, no more Underworld-y stuff, doctor's orders. And you owe me at least three days of rest in the infirmery. Starting now."
"Um...okay..."
"Sorry to break up whatever bro-thing you guys have going, but we've got another patient for you, Doc," Reyna said, getting Will's attention. He quickly crossed the room to them.
"What seems to be the problem?"
"We're not sure," Nico replied.
"Okay," Will nodded, using his best, soothing doctor's voice. He could sense the girl's discomfort in being there. He motioned toward the open infirmary door. "Why don't you come in, start taking off some of your wraps-"
"She can't," Reyna quickly interjected as the girl tensed. Reyna shot Will a meanful look, which he seemed to understand because his eyes grew round.
"Oh...okay. We'll get you in a private exam room, and I'll have Melody come check you out, Miss..."
"Calliope," she mumbled.
Will smiled encouragingly. "Nice to meet you, Calliope. I'm Will Solace." She smiled a little in return. It was really hard to not like the son of Apollo.
"Do you want me to come with you?" Reyna asked in gentle voice that none of the boys had ever heard her use.
Calliope nodded. "Yes, please."
"Okay," Reyna replied. "Jason, why don't you ask Piper for some clothes for Calliope?"
"Doesn't she-"
Nico shook his head. "Man, when it comes to girls, just do what they say. Trust me; I grew up in a house of only girls."
Jason shrugged. "Okay. See you guys later," nodded to Will and Nico and left.
In the infirmery, Will point at an empty bed. "Nico. There. Now."
Nico rolled his eyes. "Okay, okay! Sheesh! Bossy much?"
Will just grinned. "Doctor's orders, buddy."
"I hate you, Solace," the son of Hades grumbled, half-heartedly glaring as he began shedding his aviator jacket, boots and sword.
"Back at ya, di Angelo."
"Is...Is he your best friend?" Calliope hesitantly asked.
"I've only really known him a couple of days, but, yeah, we're on our way," Will nodded. "If only he'd stop being so dense as to think nobody wants to be around him."
"He seems...nice enough," Calliope answered softly "but then, Octavian kinda seemed nice at first too..."
Will froze. "Wait...this..." He motioned at Calliope's bruises. "This has to do with Octavian?" Reyna nodded solemnly. Will clenched his jaw for moment, then quickly opened the examination room door. "Make yourselves comfortable, ladies. I'll be right back with Melody."
