Summary: Nico and Will settle into a "normal" life in Camp Half-Blood. However, normal does not last forever as a mysterious god appears and takes something away from Nico. From his past. (Post-Trials of Apollo, Complete, Adopted, Reuploaded.)

Chapter 17, Letting It Go (No, Not Like Elsa)

Written by: Mia (abnormalcookies)

Edited by: Mia (abnormalcookies)

Disclaimer: I do not own anything related to the Percy Jackson franchise(s). I do not gain anything other than entertainment and practice in writing.

A/N: Enjoy reading :)

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MY VISION BEWILDERed as my ears rang with a soft voice. I stared at the woman before me with short breaths. My memories with her had turned blurry yet she was there before me. I couldn't process anything.

Tears flowed like rivers passed my eyes.

She noticed and reached her black-silk-gloved hand to my face cupping it. Just as she would reach the peppermint. She smiled gently on her pink lips.

"Mammina," I said breathlessly.

She nodded and as she did a string of dark brown hair came undone out of her 1920s bun. She tucked it back in, "Nico." She embraced. Hugging her, my body was shaped perfectly into hers.

Mom fixed her black satin dress, "figlio mio, mi dispiace tanto."

I smiled at her, "I missed you." She kissed my forehead sweetly. "As did I, my beautiful son."

Mom pulled me at arm's length examining me. She frowned her olivey skin shadowing, "what happened to you? You are skinny have you eaten? And pale!"

She scorned distastefully, "and your eyes, tired. Cosa ti è successo!" She yelled concernedly. "Gods Mom, you sound like Will." I groaned.

Mom raised an eyebrow, "who is this Will?" she asked. I cleared my throat. "He is my friend. Friend-slash-doctor." My voice beamed with discomfort.

She sighed, "tesoro, Cupid told me of your erm liking in boys."

I averted my eyes immediately. She grasped my chin making me meet her dark creamy brown pupils that were wide like pools of water, "I love you, Tesoro. And if you like boys," she grinned, "that's fine by me. Love is love doesn't matter who it comes from."

I- surprised grinned along with her, "Thank you Mammina!" I jumped to her arms, meeting a faint peppermint scent. My eyes watered to the memory.

"Mammina, Bianca. S-she left." I stammered. She hushed me, "I know. She made her choice. And she's happier."

I gazed into her creamy dark doe eyes, "will you leave too?"

She glared at me, not with hatred but with intensity. The same kind Will gave me. I squirmed under her glare.

"That's your choice, mio figlio." She answered. I know what she means, but the choice struck me hard. I was tired and very hungry.

Her gentle eyes dropped to my bandaged arms. She stared in pain, which made me realize how my cutting caused her more suffering than any amount of blood spilled from me. I grimaced and pulled away ashamed.

Mom gently uncovered her gloves, letting her warm hands stroke my hair. I smiled, softly. Recalling someone else's fingers tangle into my hair. As soon as the giddy memory reached my mind, my chest felt heavy.

Perhaps because my broken heart was hanging just above my stomach. "Nico, I love you," She whispered into my ear as she cradled me to sleep. My eyes drooped as I heard the lullaby, dormi dormi.

I let sleep claim me.

My eyes flutter open as I see Mom reading in a corner. Instead of her old dress, she wore a pale green gown. "Mammina?" I asked.

She smiled and kissed my forehead. "Tomorrow is Erotidia. You have to decide today." She informed me.

I nodded grimly. "I know," I grumbled. Mom stared at me, "little over an hour ago, a boy was looking for you."

I blinked.

"Will was his name, I think." She shrugged. "Not quite sure, he seemed bothered or uneasy."

"What did you tell him?" I ask staring out of Cupid's pink stained windows.

Olympus's highlighted sunlight and clouded appearance added to the raw beauty of this place. But something appeared different. In Olympus's beauty, some parts of it reminded me of being artificial. Fantasy-based.

I couldn't imagine living here, in a perfect paradise. It seemed too synthetic.

"The truth. That you were asleep, he left without a word." She looked at me expectantly.

I shrugged, "we are on shaky terms." I explained. Mom raised an eyebrow but left the subject alone.

"Do you like Olympus?" I asked, looking for a topic. She smiled, "it's beautiful. You know, your father promised me many things, taking me to Olympus was one of them."

"But father hates being with other gods…" I was surprised. Mom smirked, "he was willing to do that for me. But the war, and the pact. He begged me to go to the Underworld." She grimaced.

I gave her a reassuring squeeze to her hand. "I didn't want that life for you and Bianca." I flinched at her name.

"I understand. Underworld isn't that great- gets boring after some time, especially with Persephone." I offered.

"Yes, Persephone-" She said dazedly. "Mom?" I shook her gently. She snapped out of her trance, "sorry, it's just- erm wrong to think that I had a family with a married man. After he told me of his godly status- I didn't care, I loved him. But Persephone did send me threats during my pregnancies."

Her dark eyes flashed dangerously, with pieces of worry implanted sternly. "Flowery threats?" I asked jokingly, to lighten the tension. Mom nodded, not smiling, "`she swore to choke me with vines."

She sighed, "if Hades weren't there I would have died, on multiple occasions. I hated avoiding plants." She ended glumly.

Mom untied her bun, letting big brown curls down, she glanced outside. "It's the afternoon, did you make your decision?"

I twisted my ring nervously, "no."

Mom grabbed my shoulders tightly, "you'll have to soon, Tesoro. I know you'll make the best choice."

I met her eyes. "Hopefully."

"I believe in you, Tesoro."

"Go change into a new pair of clothing. Dobbiamo sbrigarsci." She scolded me and handed me a pile of clothes.

"Lo so." I smiled. Mom left the quartz tiled room, her grey dress train following close behind.

After I changed into the clothes, my bones relaxed. Sure, I wouldn't prefer to wear a white and forest green flannel shirt. The faded jeans weren't exactly my style, especially the hiking boots. All in all, I looked like I should have been in a trail group hiking the Appalachians or something.

Definitely not my type. Okay, okay. I should've seen that coming, ahead, look up and laugh it all up. Just don't come back digging to read this part.

Nevermind, you'll probably do so anyway. Or did.

This is why I don't try.

Anyways, as I walked out slightly nervous in my new attire. Feigning confidence, I prepared to glare and snarl at anyone who ever stared at me. Cupid chuckled, "so, you do listen to some authority."

Preparing my snarl, I stopped to smile at my mother's smile. "Why wouldn't he? My Nico is an obedient perfect angel."

I cringed and hang my head as Cupid barked out laughter. "I'm teasing you, ti conosco." She assured me.

I looked at her skeptically, "davvero?" I muttered, unconvinced. She frowned, her lips tugging at the sides.

"Your decision, Nico?" Cupid raised his groomed eyebrow, nonchalant. "I, er made it." I admitted, "but, I need Will here to reveal it."

Cupid smirked and snapped his fingers. Will appeared, confused. The poor son of Apollo had bloodshot eyes, yet a fresh pair of gold and blue fabric clothes.

He stared at me with confusion and... hatred? That surprised me. But it was clear, his blue-sky eyes were a swirl of darker dangerous hues of hostility.

"Will I'm sorry-"

"Whatever, Nico." He shrugged annoyed.

I widened my eyes at his sudden bitterness.

Shaking away the confusion, I looked at my mother. Her innocent dark eyes gleamed in the light.

She was the one in the middle, a pawn over the conflict between Cupid and I.

Her life was shaken up, twisted, and spun around. Miraculously, she is okay, or is she?

Mom and I have a harder time adjusting since our timeline difference, for a lady in my time, coming out of the dead, being offered immortality, and meeting your son again is bound to give at least one mental breakdown.

Back in our time, women had to bide into whatever choices were made for them. My friends made it clear to me, this is a new century. Mom should get to decide her own fate for once.

I met her eyes, "what would you like to do?"

My question caught her off guard as she jumped back, eyes to the size of saucers.

Will smiled very small, and even Cupid raised an eyebrow.

"Me? But-" She began to worry.

"Mom, it's your life. Not mine. I need to let you make your own decisions." My voice broke, "I need to let you go. Whatever you choose, I'll support it."

Glossy drops of tears glistened into her eyes, yet Mom unleashed a bright grin of a smile.

I let out a breath of the tense air we were all breathing.

She opened her mouth for her answer.

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A/N: There you go, we met Maria!

Next chapter we see her decision.