Nico shows his lack of caring. The underworld family remains superior.

|Chapter 14| Stop Trying to Run Away From Every Problem, Nico

The next morning, Hazel managed to stumble, half-awake, into the dining room.

She sat in a chair, in between her mom and dad. The seat across from her, Nicos chair, was empty.

Food appeared on her plate as soon as she sat down, and she quietly ate. Her parents were discussing something, and judging from her parents' tones, it was fairly important.

"Hades," Persephone said, sighing slightly, "You need to take more breaks. You barely let yourself take a breath."

"The underworld doesn't rest. It moves on, and you take a break for even a moment, the kingdom will fall." Hades argued back.

Hazel watched her parents, a small grin on her face. Persephone had been nagging her husband to take a break for weeks and was no closer to her goal than she was when he started.

Before Persephone could reply, the shadows in the room rushed to a corner, and out popped Nico di Angelo. Who fell face first onto the black marble.

Hazel walked over, trying not to laugh. "Where were you?" she asked, reaching a hand out to him.

"Narnia," Nico said, taking it.

"Narnia's not real, Nico."

"Just like my sanity."

"Nico…" Persephone said from where she sat, listening into the conversation.

"What?" Nico said innocently, taking a bite of the food that appeared as he sat down.

Persephone sighed and rubbed her temples. "You and your father are impossible sometimes."

Hades huffed.

They ate quietly for a few minutes, until Hazel broke the silence, "Y'know, Dad, Moms not wrong. A break is always good for your health." she grinned at him.

Hades pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "The answer is no."

"See Hades! Even Hazel thinks you should take a break! What do you think Nico?"

Nico, who had been midway through biting into his food, looked up, food sticking out of his mouth. He chewed and swallowed, and said: "I have no idea what you are talking about."

Hades sighed, yet again. "Do you ever pay attention?"

"Erm...yes!"

"He falls asleep during every Cabin Councillor meeting."

"Do not!"

"Do too."

"Do not!"

"Do too!"

"DO NOT"

"DO-"

"Will you two please shut up."

Nico slouched in his chair. Hazel rolled her eyes.

They sat in silence again for a few moments, but Hazel eventually broke it by grinning at Nico and learning across the table. "How's Will?" She bats her eyelashes at him, grinning innocently.

Nico turned crimson. "He's-He's fine!" Nico said, voice cracking at the end.

Hazel giggled. Persephone gave her a look. "Hazel be nice." she chided, glancing at Nico, who was hiding his face in his hands.

"What did I do?" she says. "I'm just asking him how his boyfriend is, that's all."

Nico made a muffled sound from behind his hands, sounding half like a squeak and half like a groan. Hazel laughs again.

"Hazel…" Hades says, raising an eyebrow at her.

"Okay, okay," she said, "I'm sorry."

"No, you're not!" Nico said, his words still muffled.

"Yes, I am!"

"No, you aren't!"

"I-"

"If you two do not shut your mouths, I will make you go ghost hunting." Hades threatened.

The two shut up. Ghost hunting was boring, long, and half the time ended up with you chasing runaway ghosts through the mud. Most of the time, Thanatos, or one of his minions, would deal with them. But whenever Hazel or Nico got in trouble, they would get the day off, and the Underworld kids would be put in charge of it for the day.

"Finally…" Persephone sighed.

The doors burst open, and in walked Demeter.

Hades and Persophone practically leapt out of their chairs. Persephone called out to her mom, while Hades asked why she was here.

"I'm here to visit your children of course!" Demeter said, walking over.

"Mother."

"Oh, would you look at the time!" Nico said, checking his watch. "I have to go and help Will!"

"Nico sit down."

"No, I actually have to go somewhere, right Hazel? Will needs me to help him in the infirmary, right?." Nico said, looking at Hazel.

"What?" Hazel said.

Demeter looked at Nico and looked almost horrified when she saw him. "Oh your so skinny Nico, you must eat more-"

"MOTHER!"

"Sister, please leave the boy alone."

"Grains!"

The entire underworld family groaned.

Nico, sensing his opportunity, bolted away, down the hallway.

"Thanatos," Hades said, rubbing his temples.

"Yessir?" Thanatos said, appearing out of the shadows.

"Please bring my son back."

"Yessir."

The four of them engaged in awkward small talk while they waited.

Eventually, yelling could be heard, and in came Thanatos, dragging a yelling Nico. He dumped him on the floor, and power walked out.

Nico stood, dusted himself off, and sat dejectedly in his chair. Demeter continued her lecture to him, and eventually Hazel as well, about the importance of grains. The entire Underworld Family looked ready to bash their heads against the table.

It was going to be a long day.