Apologies for missing an update – I was unable to get to a computer. This chapter is for last week, and a chapter will also go up next week. Updates will then even out as usual.

I am not Rick Riordan, thus I own none of his properties (nor talent).

The Final Curse of Hades

Cecil

~Nico's P.O.V.~

Just as everyone suspected, Jason's breakdown was my fault.

From what you know now, that shouldn't surprise you terribly.

Jason was last seen sane claiming to come check on me. When he came back, he was silent, mad, and desperate to get to his own cabin.

No matter how many times I said otherwise, Camp Jupiter was convinced I consciously did something to him. But I was somehow able to plead that he was fine at my house, and that with all of the stress he was under, it was bound to happen.

And eventually, they went for it.

Sometimes I wish I was just persecuted instead.

Every now and again, someone would update me on Jason's condition. But he never really changed.

"He's eating again." Piper offers. "Just a broth-soaked dinner roll, but its progress."

"The doctor told me that he keeps screaming for you at night." Leo inquires. "I'm not tryin' to say anything by that, but I was just curious - er, I just wanted you to know."

"They had to cut all of his hair away." Reyna says mournfully. "He kept pulling it out and making his scalp bleed. It freaked the nurses out to see him in hysterics with blood surrounding his face."

"I hope he gets better soon." Frank is anxiously recounting. "The camp can barely function with him. It's like we're all in that room."

"You must feel so horrible, Nico." Hazel coaxes. "I know it isn't your fault, but no one dropping the subject while you are suffering as much as any of us; I wish I could take that burden from you."

"He'll get better." They all say desperately. "He's making progress. We might be able to visit him soon. He will be out in no time."

"Jason Grace will never leave that hospital." Father says, face grave. "Hope is mortals' way of coping with difficult things. But this Curse only gets worse as time goes on."

"Can I go see him?" I asked once.

"If you do, it'll only speed up the process. The choice is yours: neither is right nor wrong."

Just before I lose my mind about my choices, I get a special piece of mail. It is an invite, for a party hosted by Cecil.

I don't want to go.

But just as I decide not to show up, I read the bottom line.

Because I know everyone could use some time to forget about this crap, just for a night.

And suddenly, I know I'm attending.

When the day comes, I shadow travel to the party, scaring a couple heading to the dark corner I suddenly step out of.

"Gods, Nico!" The girl, who is vaguely familiar, says as she turns away.

I move around some until I spot Annabeth Chase. I quickly retreat, scared I might find Percy with her. But she comes after me alone.

"Hey, Nico! Glad you made it!" She says, smiling.

"That makes one of you." I mutter. A man passes, offering people drinks, and I quickly reach for one.

"Nico, don't drink underage." Annabeth scolds.

I sneer. "I just turned twenty one."

"Really?" She deadpans.

"What, you want my ID?" I knock back the chute, glaring at her with one eye.

She rolls her eyes and makes up an excuse to leave.

It is not long after that Cecil spots me, and enthusiastically wraps an arm around my neck.

"Hey! I was so sure you weren't gonna show up." He says joyfully.

"Yeah, um, me either." Cecil and I weren't terribly close, but I was glad that he still thought me to be his friend.

"Well, I'm happy to see ya." He grinned. "Will is around here somewhere. He was askin' if anyone had seen you yet. You should say hi." He waved as he walked away, going to greet the next guest too show up.

I decide to avoid Will for now, knowing he will just have a bunch of questions. I also wasn't in the mood for his touchiness.

So for the next hour or so, I drink. And I just a new sensation, different from the previous times I've ingested alcohol.

Drunk.

It's so strange. I feel a thousand times happier, though I struggle to hide that. Everything also spins. A lot.

I make the fabulous decision to go find trouble.

And it's Cecil who will get sucked into it.

I catch his eye from across the room, and he seems surprised for a moment before a small grin forms on his face. I grin back, and nearly collapse in a pile of giggles at the weird satisfaction I get.

We spend another hour slinking around each other, seeing who can find the other quicker.

And eventually, I lose him entirely. But as I turn around, he's right there in front of me.

"Oh, hi." I gasp.

"Nico." Is all he says, taking my hand and pulling me into a room behind him.

I don't have time to question what is happening before his lips are on mine. He is greedy and fast about it, and my drunk mind can't keep up.

It takes several minutes before I register his erection pressing into my pants, and he mutters something against my lips.

"What?" I reply.

He lets out one short chuckle. "I asked if you would suck me."

My brain supplied the fact that I really didn't want to do that with him. I was content having him as a friend.

"Cecil..." I began, looking at him desperately.

He seemed to get a whole different message from that, and pushed me semi-roughly against the wall, a hand shoving me down at the shoulder until I was on my knees. His other hand fumbled with the zipper needily.

"Cecil, wait -"

"No." He said gruffly, drawing out his length. My head hit the wall as I tried to scramble away from it. "I'm done waiting for you. And now that I know you want me too, I can't possibly hold back."

He grabbed my chin and pulled my face forward, and I screamed loudly.

"Nico!" He said, alarmed. He took several steps backward, letting me stand up and dart for the door. "Nico, hold up!"

I tried to get to the door quickly, but too many people had heard me scream. Everyone was battle-ready, looking for the demigod devouring monster. They all tried to stop me from leaving, asking what was wrong and what they needed to do. I pushed past all of them.

Just as I reached the door, Will grabbed my arm and turned me. "Nico, are you alright?"

I panted and struggled against him, but I wasn't going to get away without an answer.

"Cecil... he's acting just like Jason did when he came to see me." I explained quickly. "Keep an eye on him. Please."

I freed my arm and turned again.

"Then where are you going?" He called after me.

Anywhere. My brain whimpered, tears filling up my eyes as I slipped into a shadow.

Drunken shadow traveling is not accurate at all. Because I don't know where the hell I end up.

But my gut tells me I'm far enough away, and so I hail a taxi. I ask if he was able to take me to my address, and he became confused.

"You do know that is on other side of country?" He asks. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." I reply, and walk away.

Not having money on me, I can't afford a hotel room. I end up sleeping on the streets, my phone turned off to keep the questions from the party-goers away.