Author's Note: You would all think that working from home means more time to type. But nope, work is just that... invasive even at home. This chapter took a while because of that, and also because I was struggling with certain parts. What are words, you know what I mean? I hope this chapter goes well.
Chapter 20: Children of War
"At every step, the child should be allowed to meet the real experience of life; the thorns should never be plucked from his roses."
- Ellen Key
"There was once a time when humans were originally created with four arms, four legs, and a head with two faces."
Autumn had long passed, orange-red leaves merely memories of a time gone by as they paved way for winter. Bits of snow landed against their skin as they lay underneath the weeping maple tree, but neither could be bothered to care. Not of the snow; not of the cold. There was something surreal about lying on a bed of snow and watching them fall from the starless night sky, with nothing but the sound of their breathing cutting through the silence.
"They were very powerful creatures. Fearless. Strong. But humans had hubris; they were ambitious and full of greed, so much so that they threatened to overpower the gods. The gods feared the thought of being overpowered by their creations, but they also couldn't bear to lose them as - without humans - they would lose their tributes."
He could remember the context of this story, from beginning to end. It was - amongst many others, and despite its sad closure - his favorite.
"It was then that Jupiter decided to split them into two separate parts as punishment, but also with the belief that the increase in population would increase the tributes to the gods. But the new creatures lived in pain, sorrow, and misery; they could not function, and they could care less if they died."
"The god, Sol, could not bear to see them in this state. And so to ease their pain, he sewed them up; reconstituted their body forms and just left the navel as the sole reminder of what they once were."
"From creatures of double face and sex, humans became single-faced ones of a single-sex with two arms and two legs. And eternally, they are condemned to long for their other soul and physical half. Their soulmate. But when these two halves find each other, there will be a silent understanding of each other... a coexistence in unison… and they will know no greater joy than that…"
For him, the story was a connotation that humans were made in pairs and that each person has that certain someone who would complete them. It was an assurance in some way that he was not completely alone in this vast world, and perhaps it was with that belief that everything started.
"Do you think we're each other's soulmate then?" Percy blurted out thoughtlessly as he turned his head to face the other. "If you ask me, I think we are. No one understands me better than you, and I know I can just be myself when I'm with you."
That was something that he had come to understand when he was fifteen; when Nico had been in his life for almost two years. At that time, he took those words at face value - they had a silent understanding and mutual respect of each other, and he believed that he was happiest when he was in the presence of the son of Hades. Surely, that meant that Nico is his soulmate, right?
"In the presence of others - even my family - I have a role to play. But I know that with you, you don't expect me to be anyone else but me." He continued when the son of Hades said nothing. "Is it wrong for me to think that? That you're my soulmate."
"... No. No, it isn't," Nico offered with a small smile, glancing at the son of Poseidon in his peripheral vision. Even with the specks of snow that clung to that pale skin, Percy could not help but think that Nico looked beautiful at that moment.
Falling in love with Nico was like watching the weeping maple through the seasons. It blossomed with time and is ever-changing. But regardless of the season, regardless of what it had weathered, like the weeping maple, it was worth nurturing again and again.
In his adolescence, he failed to acknowledge that Nico never gave him an answer to his first question. In his adolescence, he failed to acknowledge how strained that small smile looked.
He still dreams about it. He wonders when the dreams will stop. They were bittersweet memories, but these constant reminders have him wondering if some part of him was still clinging onto the past. Some part of him wondered if it was residual guilt. Or perhaps, his body subconsciously conjured them as he slipped into sleep with the lingering taste of Nico on his lips.
Percy raised one of his hands to his slightly bruised lips, thumb brushing fondly against the delicate flesh. Things were different between him and Nico. He knew that it had been for months, but there was a sudden… shift the night before that he could not come to properly explain. Before, there was the necessity to keep things in secrecy between them. Every kiss was chaste, every touch was measured. When that need for secrecy was taken away, it was as if he was released from societal shackles and there was this… overwhelming urge in him to show to the world - everyone's opinion be damned - that Nico was his. That he was Nico's. There was a raw desire to brand the son of Hades' skin with marks indented by his teeth; to follow with the pads of his fingers the flush of his skin as heat consumed their bodies. Every inch of him was desperate to breathe every air that Nico took.
It was primal. It was right. It was-...
It was right because he never had his eyes on anyone but Nico. Everything he could get to experience with Nico was just right. But as much as he wished to turn a blind eye on things, there was an ugly part of him that would do anything to make Nico happy. There was an ugly part of him that wanted to be consumed in their shared heat. Even at the price of the world burning down to ashes. In that sense, it was-...
No, Percy thought as he pushed the covers off of his body, sitting up with his hands covering his face. It was not wrong.
It could not be wrong for something that should be right.
He takes a walk.
He lets his feet lead him to nowhere in particular, and it helped to clear his head. The servants greeted him as he passed them by, albeit warily, and it did not take much for him to know why. With the sun barely creeping past the horizon, to the servants, it was an ungodly time for him to be awake.
He did not know what led him to the training hall. It was often vacant; only used by their family, and rarely guests. Hacking dummies were normally spaced out well within the room, but at that moment, they were lined up on the sides as two lone figures dueled in the middle. Whatever possessed him, he hid behind one of the columns, silently observing the spar between the sons of Hades.
It was not the first time that Percy saw the brothers train, per se. Back in the days, as soon as Nico was capable of wielding a sword, the half brothers trained tirelessly for hours under the supervision of their father, Lord Hades, and the district's commanding officers. The son of Poseidon had been an audience to those grueling training in his visits, and as grueling as they had been, the sight now gave him a sense of nostalgia for a time gone by.
It was a captivating display; a deceivingly beautiful dance of death. It was primal, in how they had their torsos bare, in how it was easy to cut through an unprotected skin. The rage that was present in Nico's face when he dueled - rather one-sidedly - with Frank was absent, replaced with an eerie calm that was almost impassive. It was an expression that was mirrored onto the second suzerain's features, though once in a while, the subtle curl of their lips or the frowns on their heads would allow for their amusement or frustration to peek respectively. They were on even grounds, neither yielding.
Perhaps it was their statuses that fueled them. Perhaps it was pride. Through all these years, that had not changed in them. Both have something unspoken to prove, and to some extent, it was to themselves and to each other.
It was never a perfect relationship from the start, Percy concluded, looking back on it. It was flawed, but Nico had the better end of the stick in comparison to him and Jason. At the very least, Thanatos trained the younger son of Hades to be on foot with him, taught him how to survive, and in areas beyond that, never did the suzerain restrict Nico from growing.
But their relationship would always remain a mystery. At times, Thanatos was the brother Percy had hoped Triton could have been for him. But at times, Percy was uncertain whether the man sees his half-brother as kin or as a tool of war. He could not come to ask Nico as well. A part of him knew that the son of Hades did not know any better...
He only had a second to react before he shifted his head instinctively to the side as he briefly caught a glimmer in his peripheral vision. A knife whizzed past his head - the quiet sound almost deafening - before stabbing onto a wooden column behind him with ease. He slowly let out a breath he had been holding, his eyes wide with alarm as he struggled to process what just happened. It dawned on him that Nico was gone from the room now. He was alone with his half-brother.
His attention was fixed on Thanatos' face where an odd mixture of satisfaction and disappointment was painted across his features.
"I must say, I expected better from a son of Poseidon." Thanatos drawled as he sheathed his sword, moving opposite of where the other stood as he wiped traces of blood and sweat on his skin. At the same time, his eyes moved in a calculative manner over his own body, assessing if the cuts were deep enough to warrant stitches before he slid his tunic on. "The ignorance of your surroundings would cost you your life and, in turn, the life of those who have to protect you."
Percy tried not to wince at the implicative statement but failed to do so. That small action did not fail to escape the suzerain's acknowledgment as he turned to face the young heir, an impassive expression on his face. His gaze was unwavering as he crossed from one side of the room to the other, the reducing distance between them making the son of Poseidon uneasy. Under Thanatos' scrutiny, Percy had this overwhelming urge to curl into a ball.
"Do not look at me as if you are an animal and I threatened to skin you." Thanatos drawled as he stepped past the other, plucking the knife that was embedded in the column with ease. "I have no need to threaten you; our father can handle that splendidly on his own. After that stunt you pulled the night before, you already have one foot inside the Fields of Punishment."
"I'm well aware," Percy murmured as the older male placed his dagger back in its sheath. "Your father doesn't like me."
"My father likes only a certain handful of people. He neither likes nor dislikes you, as you so casually put it. He tolerates you. That is rather acceptable since you did publicly announce your desire to take one of his sons as your consort," the suzerain stated matter-of-factly. "As oblivious as you seem to be on occasions, I'm certain that no one here has to tell you the consequences of hurting him. Not only will our father destroy you, but the others who cherish him will also tear through your scrap."
"I'm well aware," Percy repeated, his tone hinting annoyance.
How can he not be aware? From Lord Apollo's advice to care for the son of Hades, to Reyna's actual threats… not to mention Will's fair share of warnings, and so many more. Though Luke has not said anything, Percy was certain that the older male would promise him a world of pain as well. For someone who tried to disconnect himself with the world, Nico surely garnered a lot of individuals to care for his well-being. And while Percy was actually pleased that the younger male has many people looking out for him, it did make Percy more… susceptible to threats.
"I care for him a lot. I wouldn't do anything to hurt him," he continued in a firm tone, arching one of his brows as he dared to challenge Thanatos to say otherwise.
But the suzerain was not even sparing him a glance, no. Casually, Thanatos leaned back against the column, looking down at the son of Poseidon while he crossed his arms over his chest. The look he had in his eyes was almost disdainful. There was a lack of belief in the son of Poseidon's bold declaration. And perhaps, Percy thought belatedly, it was justified.
"He matured faster than any children of the lords and ladies of the Houses. He is strong - both in mind and body," Thanatos declared, making it seem as if his brother had no need for such promises. For someone whom Percy thought of as a caring brother - for once - to their illegitimate kin, such cold words were not making any sense. "I say this with no intention to goad you or anyone, but he is stronger than you; stronger than most. But that makes him all the more fragile when his limits have been pushed."
"You care for him immensely, but I wonder what is the worth of that in the face of war? What is the value of your love in the face of your obligations to your district; to your family?"
What bothered the son of Poseidon the most of this exchange was that the suzerain's tone was matter-of-factly. Thanatos spoke as if, figuratively, he had been at the other end of the stick. It was absurd.
He did not know what Thanatos aimed to achieve upon telling him such things. He did not know what Thanatos wanted from him. So he asked.
"I don't know," was the blunt response. "To be honest, I am uncertain if I should have any. Especially from a child…"
Percy had to bite his tongue as the suzerain trailed off. It was beyond wise to snap on someone who had more power and authority than him, more so someone who is family to his consort.
"I want to fix him. I see something in him that I have to fix. He is a valuable asset to our district; nothing can compare with his worth. I would lose a thousand men in exchange for his survival. He was close to perfect when I entrusted him to this district. Yet now, I see a chink in his armor. A very noticeable chink." Thanatos eyed the young heir objectively.
"You make it sound as if I am a liability you need to dispose of." There was no other way of interpreting that. Thanatos could not deny that, but by the look in his eyes, denying it was the last thing he had in mind.
"Yes, and I'm deliberating the most efficient method," Thanatos offered with a smile, amusement evident in his features. "In truth, I have not reached that conclusion yet. I also wonder… if you are an asset we can depend on or - as you say - his liability that I have to exterminate before you become a permanent chink in his armor. I have yet to determine that. You're more than welcomed to change my mind. But when the time comes that I determine that you are more of a liability, I will not hesitate to take action."
Taking amusement in the other's discomfort, Thanatos suppressed a smile as he stepped forward - to which Percy instinctively stepped back - placing a hand on the son of Poseidon's shoulder, preventing him from establishing more distance.
"But that is a decision for another day. For now, I have something I need to discuss with you."
If he were to be honest, he had expectations that today would be… uneventful. Aside from the dreadful engagement at the banquet hall that he would be obliged to attend to, he had found stability in the routine he settled into upon coming back. Changes were not completely unwelcomed, but there was a reason why they instigated unease. Said current "change" in his routine was the presence of a certain someone he may or may not have dreaded interacting with.
Walk with me. It was a declaration. Not a question but an order. The woman stood outside the training halls with one sole purpose. Her brazen demeanor was amazing and terrifying at the same time.
It was… difficult to be with the daughter of Athena, for the lack of a better word. It was opening wounds he thought he had stitched up properly, only to find that there were areas still bleeding from the gaping wound. And he was certain that he should be completely done with this, but apparently, there was still something that he subconsciously defined that still needed closure.
Servants, nobles, and heirs bowed and nodded their heads respectively in passing, their curiosity of the unlikely pair evident yet unspoken. From underneath his lashes, the son of Hades silently observed her as she led them both into the garth. Nico is not blind to beauty, and Annabeth is certainly a beauty. Her long, curly honey blonde hair was of a shimmering platinum shade under the glare of the sun. As if that was not prominent enough to make her presence stand out, there were also those stormy grey eyes…
She was a goddess. She was perfect in every sense. She was beautiful, and she carried herself with equal pride and grace. She was insightful and full of wisdom. How she and Percy did not end up being together was just incomprehensible.
"You wonder why we were not 'compatible'."
It was a statement, not a question. It was not unexpected. To be fair, the son of Hades expected such attentiveness from a child of Lady Athena. And… to be fair, he was - shamefully - observing her far too critically to be considered as subtle.
"You're not the first one to wonder, and likely not the last. But, out of everyone, I think you would understand best where I am coming from," Annabeth stated, suddenly coming to a halt. It was only then that Nico realized that they had stopped under the weeping maple tree.
"Percy is kind," she stated matter-of-factly, a nostalgic look on her face. "His heart has always been in the right place. He's selfless when it comes to the people he holds dearly, and he doesn't see himself as some superior… entity to the common people. He sees himself as an extension of them, perhaps because he actually is without all his titles weighing him down. It's easy to establish a connection with him because he understands how it is like being just part of the general crowd, just as much as he understands how it is like being an heir. I have a connection with him through that; you have a connection with him through that."
"And I think that alone would make him a good suzerain - much better than most. You could say he is very ideal for any maiden to be betrothed to…"
The daughter of Athena trailed off, plucking the dried leaves she could reach of the weeping maple. Her lips pursed, seemingly in consideration of the words that would soon leave her mouth. Conflict was evident in her features, but her stormy grey eyes - those windows to her soul - were as clear as daylight.
"But, he's not Luke."
Ah.
"Percy can have all of Luke's traits, and maybe I would come to cherish him more. But, if it's not his face that I see… if it's not his voice that I hear… or if it's not his warmth that I feel…"
And Nico could understand exactly what she meant. In a time gone by, he considered if perhaps he could channel his affections to Jason. But whenever he closed his eyes to contemplate on that what-if, there was only one face he could see; there was only one voice he could hear. And regardless of his efforts, there was only one warmth he could remember.
There were only ever those ocean eyes.
"You understand that, don't you? I can see that you understand that much," Annabeth continued when she did not receive a response. "It's highly illogical; these feelings. We can't make sense of why we feel what we feel, but we know when it is wrong and when it is right. That was how it was with Percy. Being with Percy was beneficial, but in the long run, we know that we would come to regret it. I saw no future for us."
"I see no future with Percy. But I see everything with Luke," she clarified before the son of Hades could question her.
She did not ask if Nico knew what she meant. Or perhaps, she already knew that he understood her better than anyone else at that moment.
"Do you think... if you had met Percy before Luke, that there was that possibility of him and you…?" Nico trailed off.
Yes, she wanted to say, but that would be a lie. Fondly, she could recall the many times that the son of Poseidon brought her to this place. Some of it was intentional; most, subconsciously. Even then, she never had his full attention. Even then, she could see the unspoken longing in his eyes - a longing she knew was reflected in hers. She knew Percy was never for her from the start… and she was never for Percy.
"I'm glad we made that mutual decision to cut off our betrothal. He is more himself with you; you keep him grounded," Annabeth casually remarked, an honest smile on her lips as she chose to indirectly answer his question.
"For what it is worth, you and Luke make a great couple," the son of Hades spoke, not minding that she did not offer a proper answer. His response did not seem appropriate as a cloud passed over those stormy-grey eyes.
"Is that so? To be honest, I envy you," she admitted. "You have all of Percy."
"And you don't?" Nico questioned, knowing that the lady would understand what he meant without him having to explain himself.
"I will never have all of Luke because if I had, I believe he would have made more effort in making us public. But perhaps, after seeing Percy's grand gesture the night before, I expected too much," she replied with a small sigh. "It's not… directly his fault. It's his subconsciousness and mine, I suppose."
"A part of him will always love another person," Annabeth murmured, a sad yet fond expression crossing her face. "A part of him will always consider her as his biggest what-if. I can't compete with someone who has long had his heart in her hands before I could. There will always be parts of him that I can't come to comprehend as fully as she would."
The son of Hades frowned at the information but did not press for details. Luke's… private affairs were none of his concerns. It was often better to not know more than what was necessary.
"You don't seem convinced though; of everything that has happened and what has led to them happening," Annabeth observed.
"I just…" the son of Hades let out an exasperated sigh, running a hand through his hair. "You and Percy… you two were supposed to be perfect."
The daughter of Athena smiled at that statement out of amusement, and Nico could not understand what was so amusing of what he said. Was he being ridiculed? Was what he said ridiculous?
"If you don't mind me saying, I think the reason why you're still holding back from being with Percy… is because you can't accept the society accepting what it is between you. It is not necessarily me that you're afraid you will lose Percy to. You're afraid you will lose Percy… because of you."
That stung.
Not because it was harsh, not because it was uncalled for, but because it was the truth. What is his worth? What is the value of his worth as a consort to Percy in comparison to any woman out there? That was his unspoken fear of this all-too-convenient setting: having Percy, only to lose him eventually when the man comes to terms that Nico could give him nothing.
As if she could understand his thoughts, Annabeth hummed to herself as she turned around, walking back the way they came from.
"You should have more faith in Percy," she murmured, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder in her passing. "You should know, he was the one who cut off our betrothal. But for the sake of the pride of our district, he let me be the one to call it off officially."
"He chose you."
Nico did not know if that knowledge was supposed to make him happy or not. On the other side of that "chivalrous" story was a child who, for selfish reasons, ultimately decided to cut off any form of relationship with the son of Poseidon in fear of abandonment.
"Those are just my opinions. Your actions, your decisions… they are still for you to decide," Annabeth offered with a small smile. "For now, why don't we go to the banquet hall? We have a show to partake in."
Nico hated banquets.
It is, by all means, a show of power with the families of the three main districts gathered at the head table - Hades' on the left and Zeus' at the right. Whether it was strategic that Triton was seated between Lord Poseidon and the suzerain of Ouranós, Nico did not bother to consider. Everything was about politics, he reasoned with himself. He had to know that by now, as an heir and as a soldier of his home district. He also sees the necessity to associate, but…
He abhorred all of it - the "formalities", from the pompous and constricting clothes to the facade of new and renewed camaraderie. He had no care for the almost perfect facade of pleasantries that Zeus and his children - Jason inclusive - were putting on. With the most respect he could muster, he had no care for the scripted words of gratitude that left Lord Poseidon's lips for their attendance in his now absent son's turning-of-age ceremony. He had no care for the fake, plastered smiles on the faces of the nobles. For it was all fake. In Annabeth's words, it was a show they had no choice but to partake in. Not having to sit at the head table and the presence of familiar faces were small blessings, but having too many suzerains gathered in one room was suffocating; a lesser extent to the blissfully unaware nobles who were just leeching, to feed their gluttonous- No. He did not need such a dark train of thought so early in the morning. He usually has Percy to distract him, but for some reason...
Nico glanced at the empty chair beside Lady Amphitrite. He had come to Percy's room after talking with Annabeth, only to find one of the servants fixing the covers, equally clueless with the son of Poseidon's whereabouts. Servants in passing provided little to no information; only that Percy had gotten up at around sunrise and was wandering about the halls. He should not worry, he knows. If he had to name someone capable with a sword, it was the son of Poseidon. And Percy was just not capable, he could easily be on par with Nico - he was trained and raised to wield a sword and lead his people respectively. Nonetheless, he was fidgety, to say the least. Not having Percy in the same room as he left him in a constant state of increased discomfort.
"With how you're clutching that fork, you're going to break it," Hazel's voice snapped him out of his reverie. He glanced down at his plate, food untouched. How long had he been daydreaming?
He spared a cursory glance around.
"How long was I out of it?" Nico asked. He did not dwell on the knowledge that his eyes lingered a second or two longer on Jason's face. He did not dwell on the exhaustion in those dull eyes that were barely masked.
"I did not notice until a handmaiden asked you if you would care for more wine and you just sat there, staring off into nowhere," Hazel explained, dabbing an embroidered handkerchief to the corners of her mouth. "Are you all right, Nico? Did your sparring with Thanatos tire you out?"
Visibly, he winced at that. The reminder of his earlier activities had pinpricks of pain blooming from small nicks across his body, and he fought the urge to look down at his clothing to see if the shallow wounds had reopened. Nico was not tired. Far from it, he was frustrated. With himself. Though Thanatos barely said a word, the younger male knew that his half-brother noticed that he had changed. Months he spent away was counterproductive to all the training he had endured in Skotádi. He was not malleable anymore, in Thanatos' words. There are cracks in his armor. There was a weakness in him that was not there before.
That unnerved him, for Thanatos was surprisingly less lenient than their father. If there was a problem, Hades would severe the head of the issue, and leave it at that. Thanatos, however, was much thorough. And that was what Nico feared; that Thanatos would take care of his issue by all means, whatever means he would deem necessary.
"Or maybe, you and Percy sealed the deal last night, and he tired you out," Will playfully suggested before Nico had the mind to reply, earning him a scandalous look from Hades' daughter.
That remark earned him an elbow to the gut, but it was so worth it for the son of Apollo as it earned him an extremely rare sight of a blushing Niccolò di Angelo. The sight was more than just endearing, but he held himself back for saying it out loud, knowing he would receive something worse than another elbow to the gut.
"We sealed nothing!" Nico hissed, praying no one heard what Will just blurted out, but with that loud voice coupled with his luck, he doubted. As much as he wanted a distraction, he did not need the one the son of Apollo was providing. "We slept in separate chambers, as we always have since coming back. Why would you even think that?"
"Well, he's not here so I assumed he had it worse. You probably tired him out; you probably have more stamina than him- I give, I give!" Will gasped in pain when the shorter male grabbed at his arm, prying it off of his shoulder and twisting it behind his back.
Nico twisted the arm harder for a few more seconds for good measure before releasing the other male. He did not have to look at Hazel to know that she was sporting a bright blush as well. Perhaps it was for the best that Will made that comment and Nico was able to clear it before anyone could assume otherwise. And by that intense look he caught in his peripheral vision from his father from the head table at the son of Apollo's insinuation, him clearing it up was his wisest decision as of yet.
"You have that funny look on your face. Like your considering what I said, but with some negativity added to it," Will whispered close to one of his ears, jolting Nico from his thoughts.
"What look did I have?" the son of Hades asked, dreading the answer.
"You look like you want to hurl all the contents of your stomach," the son of Apollo answered in a hushed voice. "I only said that to get a reaction from you, but clearly, you're more bothered than you let on."
"It's not really something to talk about," Nico answered, pertaining to the other's earlier claim. "That kind of stuff during these times is just…."
"It's just as inappropriate as my celebration and Percy's turning-of-age ceremony, wouldn't you agree?" Will countered in a low voice. "In fact, ours is more inappropriate than a simple talk. Or act. Wherever that talk leads to."
Nico had half a mind to ask why he was discussing such private things with the son of Apollo, but with his half-sister seating beside him, obviously listening on despite her lack of comments, he could not bring himself to retort.
"I'm not telling you what you should and shouldn't do. That's not how our friendship - yes, friendship- works," Will continued, emphasizing himself when his declaration earned him a raised brow. "But don't you think both of you deserve that clarity on how you want things to move forward from here on? You two did just publicly declare that you are together. That's a difficult pill to swallow, by the way: two heirs from the main districts becoming each other's consort. Not for us, no, but for the… ah, more sensitive ones." Will pointedly glanced at Lord Zeus' and his family before looking away.
"We knew that, coming out. Percy knew that. It was safer for it to come from us, rather than word-of-mouth," the son of Hades reasoned.
"That, or arrogance."
Gritting his teeth, he turned to face the suzerain of Ílios. Nico did not know why Lord Apollo was so invested in him, and he was uncertain if his… interventions were welcomed or not.
"Nothing anyone does translates to goodness in the mind of Lord Zeus. Everything is political. To you, it may seem like a good step. Most of us do. But to him, I would not put it past him to think that he finds it an act of arrogance. Traditionally, the point of having consorts is to unify two families together. The only reason why he dared not to cause a scene yet is that fortunately, both of you are not the main successors," Apollo provided while casually sipping on his wine. He winked at the son of Hades over the rim of his cup, causing the younger male to wince visibly.
"Are you suggesting that we made the wrong move?"
The suzerain rolled his eyes at the inquiry, tipping back his cup to finish his wine. A handmaiden was by his side within seconds, pouring him a new one. By the sound of giggling behind them, it was obvious that the suzerain and his infamous reputation gained him attention once more. Will simply sighed at that, ignoring the number of women flocking behind his father not so discreetly.
"No. Either one would have been bad. I'm just giving my two cents," the suzerain said with a smile. "But, to my son's point, I have watched over you and Percy since you were at my district. I think I'm allowed to say at least something since I am most supportive of the two of you ever since."
Nico had to bite his tongue before a reply - one that he might regret - could leave his mouth. Did he want to hear Apollo's opinion? No, not at all. Was it wise to refuse a suzerain's offer? Unfortunately, no. Not at all.
"There is nothing wrong with having… multiple commitments," Apollo started when the son of Hades neither rejected nor approved to hear his perspective. "But, once you've taken in these commitments, it is your responsibility to see them all through. There's no point in making a commitment if you will just do things half-heartedly. Whether that's a commitment to your home district…-" Apollo glanced at the head table; at Hades, specifically. "-... or to your district now…-" he shifted his gaze to Poseidon. "-... or to Perseus."
"You may think that you have a lot of time. That you can prioritize things in a specific order so that you are able to give your full attention to each one. But, son of Hades, war is looming beyond the horizon. You cannot delude yourself that the future - in certainty - exists," Apollo stated with a certain coldness in his voice. "Don't make the same mistake as most of us had."
Don't make the same mistake as I did, was unspoken, yet Nico understood where the suzerain's words were coming from. Up until now, Nico thought to himself as he watched those eyes of molten gold tremble by a fraction. Up until now, it had always been Hyacinthus.
"We're men of war, yet also children," Will added softly. "You should embrace that side of you too. At least, before time and war take it away."
But what does it take to be a child? Does it not mean obedience to his parents, or parent, rather? Does it not mean having no voice until you have reached a certain age, by which you would be accountable for all your life's decisions? Discipline, he reasoned with himself. That was what being a child was. And yet, where then is the boundary between being a child and a man?
Is it not children in the shoes of Clarisse and Chrysostom, both bound by their obedience to their family; that obedience which kept them separated at that moment, with one looking with longing, and the other fraying on the edges? Is it not children in the shoes of Silena and Charles, both bound by faith in their families; that faith which now bound them to stand by their families and chained to their seats?
Are they not men and women? his mind challenged. Is it not a man and a woman, in the shoes of Hazel and Fai Zhang, separated by the duties they were bound to?
What does it take to be a child? What does it take to be a man?
Was spilling blood the price of becoming a man? Or was it a child that killed hundreds of men and bathed the soil with their blood?
Is it not a man and a woman, in the shoes of Piper and Jason?
"Nico?"
A pair of arms wrapped around him from behind, startling him and causing him to drop the fork and knife on his hands onto the plate with a loud CLANG! Many turned to look at him, and if it were not for the comforting scent of the sea breeze that engulfed him, he might have slipped into a panic.
"Nico, are you all right?" Percy asked from behind him, his hands moving to rest against his hands which he did not realize were trembling. Hastily, he dropped them to his lap, curling his hands into tight fists. His eyes followed as well, hiding from the scrutiny he could feel from the head table.
"P… Percy," he breathed, his voice coming out too shaky for his liking. "Percy… where have you been?"
"... I lost track of time while talking with your brother," the son of Poseidon slowly answered, releasing the son of Hades' hands as he moved to kneel at his side. "Is something wrong? You look as if you're going to faint."
"I'm fine," Nico hastily replied, a certain bite to his tone. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to calm down, to regain his bearings, before slowly turning to face those concerned sea-green eyes. "I'm fine," he repeated, voice a little softer. Whether he was convincing Percy or himself, he did not know.
Percy did not look convinced, but he looked as if he was not about to press him further.
"I actually wanted to talk to you privately. Do you mind?" Percy asked as he took one of his hands again.
"Yes." "No."
The son of Poseidon blinked as he shifted his attention to the suzerain of Ílios who was looking at the son of Hades pointedly. The younger male narrowed his eyes in return.
"Was I interrupting an important discussion?" Percy quietly asked Will who was then trying his best to ignore what was going on on both of his sides.
"Well… opinions differ on that. If it's important or not." Will clarified with an amused smile before loudly clearing his throat, enough to garner the attention of the silently bickering duo. "Father, Percy says he wants to talk to Nico. I think it's in your best interest to postpone this… discussion."
Lord Apollo narrowed his eyes at that, holding the son of Hades' gaze for a few more seconds before he scoffed and looked away.
"Children," Apollo mumbled before drinking from his cup, his free hand waving dismissively at the two heirs.
The other sons of Apollo looked on with a playful look of sympathy as the two excused themselves from the table, raising their glasses to Nico as if in a sign of resignation to their father's antics. Hazel offered him an apologetic smile as well. For whatever reason, Nico did not know. Percy remained as oblivious, and despite the question lying on the tip of his tongue, a pointed look from the younger male hushed him.
He was pulled past nobles, most opting to look on with curiosity whereas a daring few would try to stop them to converse with the son of Poseidon. Some were easy to deter, others more persistent. But Percy easily brushed them aside as quickly as he could, him being the host as the only reason for him to spare pleasantries, Nico assumed.
Yet, there were a certain few he could not brush aside. Or perhaps, would rather not.
"Annabeth! My Nico."
"Percy! My Luke."
"I feel like a dog being paraded to be introduced to its master's friend," the son of Hades mumbled to himself, glaring at Percy from the corner of his eyes.
"That's funny. So do I," the son of Hermes murmured under his breath before offering a handshake to the younger male. "Been a while, di Angelo. I see you're still taking care of him," Luke added, gesturing to Percy with a tilt of his head.
"Don't be rude, Lucas," the daughter of Athena chastised, pinching the son of Hermes on the arm. Percy looked mildly offended at the comment, but there was clear amusement in the twitch of his lips and in the warmth of his eyes.
"I've met Percy before, Annabeth," Luke grumbled in a low voice, rubbing at his arm. "And you know Nico and I are acquainted. What surprises me more is that it took so long for you to meet di Angelo."
Annabeth's lips curled in amusement at that, a knowing look in her eyes that put the son of Hades further into unease. He was well aware of his personal reasons why it took so long for them to meet, and he was certain that the lady knew just as much.
"I feel as if I've met him before though," she stated. "Through stories from Percy, and then stories from you. I feel as if I've met him for ages. Besides…"
She turned to face the sons of Hermes and Poseidon.
"You don't need to make my introductions for me," the daughter of Athena said in a matter-of-factly tone. "I make my own."
Percy simply smiled in return, no argument at the tip of his tongue. Luke raised his hands in a defensive manner before crossing them behind his back. In a way, Nico could see what Luke saw in the daughter of Athena. He could appreciate her knowledge, and by instinct alone, he knew that she was capable of defending herself in any matter. He could appreciate her kindness and humility. He could appreciate her beauty, and he could appreciate her boundless confidence and grace.
Why would Percy or you let each other go? He had to ask in his mind once more, though he already knew of the answer.
He chose you, Annabeth's words were ringing in his mind.
It was assuring in a way that Percy's words never could. For even if Annabeth's words were possibly a lie, it would sting a little less, coming from someone whom Nico was a stranger to.
The son of Poseidon coughed after a moment or two when Annabeth's words were simply met with silence.
"I hope you don't mind if we catch up later. We're busy at the moment," Percy offered with a sheepish smile, gesturing to himself and Nico.
"But of course," was the simple reply from the daughter of Athena. One of her eyebrows was delicately arched, curiosity bleeding through her eyes as she gazed after them.
"What is it that you need, Percy? You said you wanted to talk to me in private, then you said differently to Annabeth," Nico said with a frown.
Curiously, the son of Poseidon brought them towards a corner of the room, the furthest from the tables. Whereas some did not seem to pay attention to them, a few of the people they knew cast scandalous or suggestive glances their way. It took everything for the son of Hades not to visibly react.
"That was an excuse. With Annabeth. I needed to talk to you in private, without having her prying eyes on us," Percy admitted, his eyes cautiously surveying the area as he brought the son of Hades closer.
The warmth of the other's chest pressed so firmly against him brought a flush to his cheeks; a flush that he so discreetly hid. It was utterly ridiculous how a simple thing could reduce him to a metaphorical mess.
"Nico, why is Thanatos suddenly extending an invitation for me to visit your home district?"
The son of Hades stiffened at the inquiry, as if a bucket of cold water had been mercilessly dumped above his head. He followed Percy's line of sight, to where the current suzerains of the House of Poseidon and the House of Hades conversed. Both men's eyes were trained on the younger heirs, their eyes guarded and face perfectly masked to neutrality as they spoke in hushed tones.
Perhaps, Will was right to a certain extent. They were men of war, yet children at the same time. Time was hanging over their heads like guillotines, waiting for a precise moment to slice down their necks. Life is short. For them, it was much shorter.
The thought that his days with Percy was numbered has yet to cross his mind. But it was slowly dawning on him now.
Perhaps, Will was right to a certain extent. But the world - now - needs no child. It needs men.
Author's Note:
I put an analysis of the previous chapter on my Tumblr. It's a recent post, so you can check it out. It's not too in-depth though because I did not want the story to come off being just my point of view. I want the readers to have their own perspectives as well. As always, thank you for those still reading this! See you on the next chapter!