21 February 2016
AN: Yeah, I do my best to depict Hades as a caring father. He does what he thinks is best for Nico, yet his and Nico's idea of 'best' aren't always the same. Enjoy reading, and please let me know what you think!
Disclaimer: Percy Jackson and Heroes of Olympus are the property of Rick Riordan.
Hades
Two hours later, Hades knocked at Nico's door. "Come in!" Nico called from inside.
Hesitantly, he stepped into the room. His son lay on his bed and played random chords on his guitar. He cleared his throat. "I came to apologize. Maybe I've overdone it a bit and worried too much about you. But please understand that I always do what I think is best for you." He sat down next to Nico.
"I know. But you're right, father, you are overdoing it. I know that you want to protect me from the world, but you can't protect me forever. I need to get outside, meet people. Yes, it's not easy, but you have to trust me to choose the right people. I know the difference between a friend and a fan. And Percy definitely falls in the first category." The words hurt, because Hades knew that his son was right. He couldn't keep him inside this well-protected world forever.
"How was your day with this Percy?" he asked. Nico smiled at the memory, and Hades couldn't remember to see him that happy recently. "You should have seen him. He's the kindest person I've met during the last three years, yet so shy. He was even too sheepish to ask for an autograph. But at the same time, at least by the looks of it, he's brave, and strong. And good-looking. And on top of that, he has good manners. A perfect gentleman." Hades smirked. "Well, by the looks of it, I'd say your feelings are a bit beyond friendship, am I right?" Nico's eyes widened. "What? No!" Silence. "Well, maybe a little bit" he mumbled.
"Well, if you meet again, why don't you invite him for dinner?" Nico looked at him suspiciously. "Why?" "Well, I'd like to meet the guy who makes my son smile like that." Nico obviously wasn't convinced, but he nodded. "Maybe. But don't expect too much."
Hades smiled as he closed the door of Nico's room. He hadn't seen his son so happy for four years, since his sister Bianca had died. He had hoped to fulfill Nico's dream when he set the course for a career as a musician, but, as much as it hurt, he was right. Nobody could survive without other people around. And if this Percy guy could make his son happy, who would he be to object?
Percy
Percy was sure that today, there was no happier person on Earth than him. Nico had given him an autograph, and his phone number, along with the promise that there would be a next time. This day was just perfect. He fought the urge to call his friends and tell them. Leo would make stupid jokes, and Jason would look at him in this irritating, serious way and ask him if he was sure that a friendship between him and Nico would work.
Carefully, he pinned the autograph on the wall, right next to the headboard of his bed, so that he could always look at it when he was about to fall asleep. He stored the note with Nico's phone number in his desk drawer. He didn't need it, he already knew the number by heart, but he would keep it like a precious treasure.
He was already in his bed when his phone buzzed. He grabbed it and looked at the screen.
Nico: today was wonderful. Thx again
Percy: thx to you, best day ever
Percy: how r u?
Nico: never felt better
Percy: what u said at the door, was that italian?
Nico: maybe
Percy: looked it up on the net, says it means my hero in italian
Nico: right
Percy: am no hero
Percy: didn't do anything special
Nico: saving lives is nothing special?
Percy: Everybody would do that
Nico: no. also, u saved my day
Percy: rly?
Nico: yeah
Percy felt like his bed was floating. Wow. If somebody would have told him this morning that he'd lie in his bed and chat with Nico di Angelo, he would have laughed (or rather, sighed depressed). But it was true, he had spent the day with Nico. And according to Nico, it had been wonderful.
Nico: good night percy
Percy; good n8 Nico
Percy stayed awake and kept thinking about Nico. Without all the blood and the pale face, he looked way more cute. Percy would have never thought that his idol would hide so much insecurity behind the mask of the Ghost King. On stage, Nico was as self-assured as anything, but in person, he was almost fragile, like a precious work of porcelain.
Nico
Nico lay in his bed and couldn't sleep. For other people, spending the day with a friend would be nothing special, bot to him, it was a totally new experience. The only person he had ever spent his days with had been his sister, but she was dead. He had never been a people person.
He thought about the conversation with his father. Though he didn't like to admit it, Percy had left quite an impression. Nico couldn't deny that he was pretty. He looked exactly like one would imagine a brave hero, strong and fearless. Well, fearless unless when he was talking to Nico. Watching him stutter and blush had been the most adorable Nico had ever seen. And he might, might have a very, very minor crush on him.
And they would meet again. Not necessarily tomorrow, but he had the firm resolution that it would be soon. After all, Percy seemed willing to accept him as Nico, accept him for himself, not for the person he was on stage. It would be very strange if Percy drove the famous star Nico di Angelo home, but it was totally okay if Percy drove his friend Nico home. Even if said friend lived in a mansion and had a butler and a chauffeur. As far as Nico was concerned, money didn't matter, it was merely an obstacle in getting to know people. He wanted to be seen without all the money around. And he hoped that Percy liked him for him. Then again, Percy wasn't the type to be after someone's money. He trusted Percy. Unconditional. Since he barely knew Percy, that should probably worry him, yet he was sure that he was right. They had gotten along just great, and he had the distinct feeling that Percy would like him even if he was a beggar born in the gutter.