Chapter 21 - Start Again

Jack stood outside the Pluto cabin. He shuffled on his feet while a tiny voice in his head told him to run. It was different now, different to how he felt the first time he met Nico. All rage and panic, waking up somewhere he didn't recognise, alone and facing a stranger. It took time, but Camp Jupiter had become his home and although he lost Luke, he gained a family.

After the dust settled, Jack tried to ignore the way his heart torched lighter at the sight of the son of Hades, or how his mind kept telling him that he could trust Nico with his life. For an emotionally undeveloped thirteen-year-old, those feelings had scared him more than the Cyclops' he crossed paths with that fateful day.

Jack watched his sisters and brothers fall in and out of love on a weekly basis. He first reaction was to think it's just a part of who he is, that being a child of Love meant crashing into ill-advised love without any breaks.

Yet, Nico has never failed to make him feel that way. Hot and unsure. Nervous and safe.

The son of Venus told himself that he had the rest of his life, but what if he didn't? What if the son of Hades woke up tomorrow and found someone else? He had heard Jason talk to Nico about 'making friends' with a Greek named Will Solace, a son of Apollo. Just the idea that Nico loved another, broke Jack's heart at the same time. He's a son of Hades, not a son of Pluto. A Greek, not a Roman. Is he worrying over nothing? Jason and Piper seemed to get on fine. Maybe it can be the same for Nico and him?

Jack groaned into his hands. He should not be worrying anyway. It was not like they're even dating.

After a few shaky steps, the son of Venus reached the cabin door. He hesitated twice before knocking and not a second after he did, the door swung open to reveal Hazel. She smiled warmly, knowingly at him and stepped aside to welcome him in.

"Nico owes me fifty drachmas, I told him you'd come." The daughter of Pluto lent in closer and whispered. "He didn't mean it. I know he said some stuff that hurts but you mean a lot to him and if he lost you as a friend. . ."

Jack swallowed thickly and let the hope seep from his chest because 'as a friend' was quite a damning choice of words, very specific as well. So, he nodded and shuffled further into the cabin as Hazel yelled her brother's name.

The sound of hinges squeaking and footsteps of creaking floorboards followed, then from the shadows Nico appeared. His shocked eyes meet Jack's.

"I'll give you two some room." Hazel squeezed the son of Venus' shoulder before sending to pointed look Nico's way and slipping out the front door.

Jack searched the empty space of the cabin's hallway, avoiding the words he could not find on his tongue.

"Hey."

Nico's voice brought Jack's attention back to the now.

"Hey." He smiled.

There was the briefest moment of silence and the son of Venus swore it may have been an eternity.

"I'M- I'M SORRY!"

Jack flinched at the outburst, more in surprise than anything else. He watched as Nico's posture scrunched up, shoulder rising up and fists clenched at his sides. The son of Hades had his eyes closed and to be honest, it was adorable. Jack cannot help the laugh that escaped his lips.

Nico frowned. "What? What is it?"

"Nico, it's just-" The son of Venus struggled to catch his breath, waited and sighed. "I'm sorry too."

Another moment and they were both laughing.

"I think we're idiots." Jack wheezed, wanting to reach out for the older boy and embrace him. Something ugly and slimy crawled its way into his stomach. Probably for the best he did not, everyone knew Nico hated being touched.

The son of Death stepped closer. "I think you're onto something. . . I wanted, want to ask you. . . if you'd like-"

Jack's heart skipped a beat.

"-to go out." Nico finished tensely.

And Jack-

Jack smiled.

xXx

Mordred stood in the darkness. Trees crowd around, closing in from above. A cool evening breeze hurried through his silver hair and sent a chill down his spine. The leaves rustled and the son of the Artemis smirked at the appearance of a familiar presence.

"Mistress." He whispered through clenched teeth. "Finally had enough of Adonis?"

A dark chuckle responded to his question first and then a rich, velvet-like voice followed. "The boy has his uses." She contemplated. "And his hate for Aphrodite and Persephone has been valuable. I know you've grown restless, but I wouldn't come here myself if I didn't have good news."

Mordred turned to face the Goddess disbelief colouring his silver eyes. The flecks of colour caught glints of madness.

"My dear little Moon son, it's time."

xXx

Slipping past the guards of the first cohort and then the second, Mordred spotted Jack walking down to the lake. He shouted out and jogged down the dirt track to reach the son of Venus.

"Hey, stranger. Long-time no see"

Jack looked surprised at his sudden appearance, but that quickly turned into that awfully gentle smile. Guilt wriggled its way into the son of Artemis' chest as he glanced away. Why did Jack always have to be so kind to him?

"So, what you up to?" He begun casually, watching in astonishment as Jack blushed and glanced down to his shoes.

"Well, I kinda, kinda have a date with Nico."

Mordred stopped in shock and Jack followed suite in worry.

"Wait, right now?" The son of Artemis whispered.

The son of Venus nodded slowly.

"Finally."

Jack eyes widened. "What?"

"I said 'finally', I've been waiting for you two to get your shit together." Mordred smile through his teeth. How easy the lie left his mouth.

"Mor."

The son of the Moon laughed at the younger boy's use of the nick-name, but his lips thinned. "So. . . you heading to meet him?"

"Uh, huh. Nico mentioned something about going to the cinema, I'm-so-nervous, do-I-look-okay?" Jack blurted, almost certain it sounded like one long word.

Mordred hummed. "You look fine. But you think I can have a minute of your time? There's something I wanted to show you."

Jack was not given the luxury of the chance answer. The son of the Hunt grabbed his wrist and everything went dark.

xXx