(I cannot speak Italian and I am not going to pretend I do. But for the sake of the fantasy of this story, while I'm going to be writing in English I see Nico and his mother speaking in Italian during their exchange).
Mamma.
A short ethereally beautiful woman formed in front of me. My large brown eyes and raven hair were mirroring back at me, that was the only similarity. In fact she looked more like Bianca. I didn't question what was happening, I just ran into her arms. Hysterical tears pouring out of me, snot and drool uncontrollably spilling out all over her shoulder in the most unattractive way possible. 15 years since my mamma has seen me and the first picture of her son was a mess. Holding on to her as if I would break apart, inhaling her scent for memorization. She smelled like Neroli and Cloves. So familiar yet like a clouded memory.
My tears mixed with the emotion of losing Will and seeing her. Small olive hands combed through my hair gently soothing me with the voice I had forgotten, how could I have forgotten her voice... am I going to forget his voice? The thought only undid me all over again. I tried my best to calm down only because I wanted to talk to her, needed to talk to her. Just the feeling of my mother holding me was soothing the burn, a feeling that I never thought I would feel again.
"Niccolo I'm here, I have you little one." Pressing her forehead to mind she wiped at my face. So gentle, so maternal.
"Mamma, mamma I'm sorry."
"No! No no no Niccolo don't be sorry."
"W-what did Dad tell you?"
"Henry told me that you lost someone you loved and needed me."
"Henry?"
"Sorry, Hades. Your father told me his name was Henry when we met, I haven't been able to break the habit."
"Wow, Dad as a Henry. Interesting."
"When did you lose your wife?"
My heart dropped. My father never told her, not that it would be his place but something inside me had wished he did. My sadness now drowning in the waves of anxiety, I had to come out to my dead catholic 1900's mother. I could do this. I had to do this.
"Mamma I lost my husband."
"Husba... oh! Oh Niccolo! Oh. " she paused as if not knowing what to say. Then suddenly she said "How long were you married?"
"Well, I didn't ask him yet. I was going to, but he died before I could." I forced out.
"You lived in sin! Shame on you Niccolo. I expected more of you."
Part of me wanted to point out her hypocrisy for having children out of wedlock with my father, part of me wanted to laugh that what shocked her the most was that Will and I lived together without being married.
"I'm sorry mamma. We weren't allowed to for a long time but... but gay people can marry now." I whispered with exhaustion on my face, it hurt to move it.
Kissing my cheek she rubbed circles into my back.
"Your uncle was like you Niccolo. His name name was Lorenzo, he loved another man. Ran away with him when he was fifteen. I never saw him again. My parents were mortified but I saw how much he loved him, love is never wrong. I don't understand it but know that I love you and who you love is important to me too." Silent tears fell in place of my hysteric ones. My mother loved me and accepted me. A gift that I never knew I wanted, but was so happy to receive. Feeling overwhelming sadness and pure elation at the same time was weird. Like having a broken bone but feeling the morphine begin to hit.
"Mamma, thank you."
"No need to thank me love. Tell me about him."
"About Will?"
"Yes."
"Like what?"
"Since we don't have much time give me the long story in a short version."
I rubbed at my eyes hoping I wouldn't break again. I wanted my mother to know this, I can do this. I sighed and took a deep breath.
" I've always known I like men. Will was my first love. A healer, son of Apollo. When we moved here away from camp he went to medical school and was going to be a doctor. Will has everything to me. Will loved me Mamma. The first person to love me since you and Bianca." I said in one breath.
"Niccolo, your father loves you too. Never doubt that or I wouldn't be here" she patted my leg like she used to when I said something silly as a child.
"I know, well now I know for sure. I miss you mamma. I feel like I didn't know you very well" my voice sounded raw and broken as I spoke to her.
"Well, I was an opera singer. Your father found me in a play house rehearsing for a very morbid opera that a local man made. It was Love at first sight. We had Bianca and then a year later we had you. Henry broke the rules a lot with us. Visited often, every other month or so. Then we came to America when he told us we were in danger. Provided for us like a good man should. Then the accident happened. When I got to judgment your stepmother was waiting for me, brought me to the palace. We spoke in her garden for a long time. I was surprised to find out she forgave Henry and I for our affair. Nice lady. Told me that Henry was taking care of the both of you and arranging things for you. " laying my head in her lap I listened to her story while she ran her fingers in my hair.
Telling me how hades had made sure Bianca and I would never want for money. I knew that due to the small fortune in my name that was given to me once I became of age. I was able to pay for Wills medical school in full and it never left a dent. Told me how she was shocked to see Bianca so young but proud that she died a hero. Encouraged her to be reborn. Said Bianca was now a little girl named Estelle... I smiled, I knew I loved Percy's sister for a reason. I just never knew why. Now I do. Mamma told me about our family and how much she wants me to be happy. That his pain will pass eventually. That it doesn't get better just different. That I shouldn't mourn for to long. That Will would want me to move on and when I get to the afterlife that I would see him again.
She told me how when you find another great love but have one waiting for you that it all works out in the end. That the person waiting for you loves them too even if they never met. That was a comfort, knowing that if for some reason I found someone to spend my life with that Will would love them too and we could all be together in paradise. It's weird how things work after we die, of course i couldn't even imagine loving anyone after this. The logical side of me agreed with her though, that it's a maybe and not a never. I don't remember falling asleep. I woke up curled up at the end of my bed still with an arm around me. Peeking up I saw my father.
"I couldn't let you wake up alone. I let you have almost a whole day with her instead of an hour. Zeus would have my head if he ever found out, but he will never find out... right?" The question in my fathers voice was almost comical. I chuckled with my sore throat.
"No papa, he won't."
"Papa, I haven't heard that in so long. Since you were a child. Did seeing your mother help?" I sat up at his word so that I could look into his black eyes.
"Yes papa. Or should I say Henry?"
"Oh yes, I figured she would tell you that."
"I came out to her."
"Did that go well?
"It did. "
"Good, she was always open minded. "
"She looks like Bianca."
"That she does."
"Thank you, thank you for breaking the rules for me. "
"You are worth it. Every moment you breathe you are worth it Nico."
Arms wrapped around me, more tears. I was so tired of crying.
"I love you son. It will get easier. Take your time. I will have Alecto take care of anything you may need. I have a few conditions though."
"Of course you do. What's the condition?"
"The condition is three things, first you must see doctors to help you through this. I know how you are and where this may lead so Alecto will be setting up appointments and making you go to them. The second condition is that you must move out of here. I have an apartment waiting for you, you can bring his things with you but you cannot stay here. I don't think it would be good for you. Do these things and everything will be taken care of and you will have time to heal at your own pace without worry."
I took in his words. Looking around the room, our room... my room.
"Deal, but nothing gets thrown away!"
"Nothing, not until you are ready. But staying here would only hurt you more. You need a change of scenery. When you go to sleep tonight and wake up everything will be done. You will be in your new apartment and everything will be transferred over. You have a habit of dwelling and letting things consume you. If you stayed here it might destroy you. I want to see you happy one day. I meant it all those years ago and I still mean it now."
Nodding I hugged him again. I felt a wave of exhaustion consume me again and I felt him carry me to the couch in the living room. My father knew me to well, knew I wouldn't be able to spend the first night without him in our bed... my bed.
When I awoke the next morning I was on a different couch. A large L-unit couch in a penthouse suite. Looking around with bleary eyes of sleep I saw all our... my things were there along with updated appliances and electronics. Also a few things I had never seen before but looked to personal to be just random decor. Hearing a wheeze I looked over and saw a note clinging to a body that was covered with a blanket on the other end of the couch. Peeling up the blanket I saw blonde hair and imperial gold rimmed glasses, Jason. I picked up the note without waking him.
"The third condition, you have a roommate that can help you, Someone who knows your pain. Help each other move on, help each other learn to live again. He agreed to the conditions as well.
Love, papa"