Disclaimer: All rights to Rick Riordan. I own nothing, but the plot.
Themes of self-harm, anxiety, and depression are expressed within this story. TRIGGER WARNING! Please do NOT read if these themes upset you. TRIGGER WARNING!
Criticism is appreciated, but please no hate. Please review and leave me suggestions! Enjoy!
Will's POV:
Will hurried down Mount Olympus, scanning for the palace that Aphrodite had mentioned. He spotted it. Its white columns were dirty and crumbling. He stepped inside the main hall. All the furniture was covered with white sheets. He walked into what looked like an old sitting room and found Nico pacing a hole into the carpet.
"Nico?" The son of Hades whirled around at the sound of Will's voice. He had tears in his eyes, and he was breathing really heavily. Will held his hands up. "It's okay."
"Okay? It's not okay. Nothing is okay, okay?!" Nico was visibly trembling. He was panicking. Will slowly moved toward him.
"Okay, tell me how to help you." Will used a soothing voice, one he usually used to calm down anxious patients.
"Help me? No one can help me; I'm beyond help." Nico sounded broken. He was higher strung and panicky than Will had expected him to be.
"Tell me what's going on in your head," Will requested. He was very close to Nico.
"That's my business, not yours," Nico's voice was tense.
He was on the verge of a panic attack. Will wanted to prevent that. He lightly touched Nico's arm. Nico flinched but didn't protest. Will slowly encircled Nico with his arms. Nico started to melt into his arms, releasing some of his pent-up stress, when all of a sudden, he pushed Will away.
"Don't touch me!" He yelled.
Will held his hands up, defensively, showing that he wasn't going anywhere near Nico. Nico slowly sank to the ground. He started murmuring.
Will sat beside him, without touching. "We don't have to do anything you are uncomfortable with. Let's just sit here for a bit."
They sat like that for twenty minutes as Nico calmed down. He unwrapped his arms, studying Will as if seeing him for the first time.
Will spoke. "I just want to talk, that's all."
"Everyone seems to want to do that today. I'm not really in the mood for sharing. Especially not with you."
The words sent pain through Will's heart. "You don't mean that. I know you don't."
"Don't tell me what I do or don't mean Solace!" He said angrily. "You have no idea how I'm feeling."
"I would if you opened up." Nico scowled at Will's words. "I'm not going to force you to do that, but I want you to know that I'm here for you and will support you no matter what."
"I'm sure. Your support means locking me up for my own good." Nico said, referring to their fight from the previous day.
"I misspoke, Nico." Will tried to emphasize. "I made a mistake, and now I plan to correct it. I know you hate how overprotective I am, and I'm going to change that. Obviously, if you're hurt, I'm going to heal you, but I'm not going to fight your own battles for you. I'm not going to interfere unless you ask for my help, which maybe one day, you'll actually want. But, for now, I'm not going to try to be overprotective anymore. I know you are strong enough to protect yourself and, for that matter, me as well. You just need time to grow into your power and regain strength and I understand that."
"Strong enough, that's debatable." Nico ridiculed himself.
"Are you kidding me? Nico, you are strong enough! You are extremely powerful."
"Is that why Jason beat me so easily? And why I almost pass out whenever I train? Why I turn into a puddle every time I shadow-jump?"
"You've had a setback, so what? Everyone has them. And you'll recover and get your strength and power back."
"What power?" Nico joked.
"The power you used to defeat the Titans in the Second Titan War with your father. The first moment when I started to get a crush on you. Before that, when you were traveling on your own. When you survived Hell, on your own! When you helped fulfill the Prophecy of Seven and shadow jumped a huge statue across the globe. You're powerful, Nico." Will assured him.
"I can't always control my powers." He said feebly. "People still get hurt."
"Not everyone can control their powers. It takes time and patience. And you save a lot more people that are hurt."
"But I still hurt people. And people still hurt me. I just don't belong anywhere. I get rejected everywhere I go."
It hurt Will's heart that Nico thought of himself this way. "That is not true. People at camp like you!"
"Then why did I get beat up, Will? If everyone likes me?" Nico questioned. Will did not have an answer, so Nico continued. "People at camp are intimidated by me because I'm associated with death. The rest think I'm weak or a freak. I'm an outsider so I don't belong. They all reject me." Nico put his head in his hands.
Will moved closer to him. "I would never reject you." He pulled Nico's hands away from his face and held them. Nico looked into his eyes. "I love everything about you."
Nico pulled his hands away. "If you are telling the truth, then that's one person. One person on Team Nico."
"Then why did your friends start badgering me about why we were fighting? Why did Reyna look like she was about to kill me when she thought something was up?"
Nico shook his head. "I don't know."
"Yes, you do," Will asserted. "We all love you. Your anxiety is just telling you otherwise."
"How can you still love me?" Nico whispered. "After all the things I said… after I tried to break up with you."
"Because I will never stop fighting for you. I love you, Nico di Angelo. I always will. No matter what. No matter how hard you try to keep me away, I will always love you. I will always be here for you." Nico was quiet.
"I just don't want you to get hurt," Nico said. "And I don't know if I am strong enough to protect you."
"Then, I will help you get stronger. No more holding you back. If you want to be powerful again, we will work up to that point. I want to support you and I want what you want."
Suddenly, Nico wrapped himself around Will. He was squeezing his chest so Will wrapped his arms around him.
"I don't want to lose you," Nico said into his chest. Will's heart swelled. Nico's face reappeared. "That's why I was going to break up with you; I didn't want to lose you. I was scared that you would leave me or that you would- you would die, and I wouldn't be able to help you. That's why I wanted to be more powerful."
"I'm not going anywhere, Nico," Will assured. "You can't get rid of me that easily."
Nico's lips were on his. His eyes widened in shock and then they slowly shut. He put his hands onto Nico's waist and pulled him closer. He savored the moment. Nico broke off the kiss, breathing heavily.
"I guess you return my feelings." Will joked, repeating what he had said the first time they had kissed.
Nico grinned. "Shut up, Solace." They were quiet for a moment. "No one has ever said something like that to me."
"I'll make sure to keep saying stuff like that then." He kissed Nico's forehead.
They held eye contact. Will couldn't keep the grin off his face. He and Nico were going to be okay. He grinned again and squeezed Nico. He had his love back.
Nico tensed in his grip so Will loosened it. "What's wrong?"
Nico shrugged, not quite meeting his eyes. "I feel terrible for what I said to you-"
"-I said it's okay. It's water under the-" Will interrupted but was interrupted by Nico again.
"And I know it's not really okay what I said to you. It's just a trend for me. I push away people that I love."
Will titled Nico's chin so he would look at him. "Then let's break the trend."
"But you were overprotective. My point is, even though we are okay again, we should take things slowly and work through the problems that we have. I want to make things right before we dive right back where we left off." Nico said, looking determined.
Will nodded. "Okay, I understand that. And we can take things at whatever speed you want us to, okay?"
Nico nodded as well. "Thank you for respecting that." He took a deep breath.
"Are you okay? A lot just happened."
Nico sighed. "Yeah, I guess I'm okay. I realize that Zeus is always going to be like that, and I shouldn't let it get to me. And the offer that my dad made me, I really have to think about it before I make a decision. But I will consider all my options." He laced his fingers with Will's. Will smiled.
Together they walked out of the house and back into the Solstice.
Jason's POV:
Jason looked anxiously around. It had been a while since he had last seen Will going to find Nico and it concerned him. Where were they? Reyna kept telling him to relax and that they would be fine, but Jason wasn't buying it. He had seen how shaken up Nico was. And he was worried. What made his father think that he could say that to Nico?
He scanned the crowd. Percy and Annabeth were dancing in the center of the courtyard, Percy spinning her around crazily. Aphrodite was staring at them, love in her eyes. They were a cute couple; Jason gave them that. Leo and Calypso were by the food table. Leo took the moment, as Calypso turned, to smear chocolate from the fountain, all over her face. Jason heard her gasp in surprise as she turned and smear chocolate on him as well. Hazel was off to the side with her father, the two speaking in low tones. What they had been discussing for the past half an hour, Jason was unsure of. Frank and Piper were standing next to him, quietly talking. Mars had come over and shaken Frank's hand before going back over to Clarisse, turning back to Ares. He heard footsteps and whirled around to see both Nico and Will rejoining the group. Jason breathed a sigh of relief.
"Hey, where have you two been?" He asked, looking concernedly at Nico.
"Just talking some things out. How about I get us some drinks?" Will asked. Nico nodded.
Jason and Nico watched as Will walked away. Jason adjusted his glasses and looked back at Nico. "Are you two-?" He trailed off, waiting for an answer.
"We talked about some things and we are okay now."
"Thank the gods. I was worried about you."
"You don't need to do that, Jason." Nico said shortly.
"Of course I do-"
"No, you really don't. I'm not a little kid. I can take care of myself."
"I didn't say you couldn't. I worry because I care about you. You are one of my closest friends." Jason said.
"Yeah, okay." Nico effectively ended the conversation before speaking up again. "I wanted to thank you. For being there for me."
"No problem, man. That's what I'm here for. Are- are we-?" Jason gestured between him and Nico.
Nico sighed. "I don't know. I'm still pretty upset with you."
Jason hung his head. "I know, and I understand why. I didn't mean to break your trust at all. Percy mentioned it when we were talking to Hazel and I didn't stop him in time."
"Wait, it was Percy?" Nico asked. "Percy was the one who said something?"
"I didn't want it to seem like I was blaming him."
Nico considered his words. "I can forgive you, Jason. It wasn't your fault."
"I don't want you to be mad at Percy."
Nico shrugged. "I'm not. I never told him not to say anything. It was truly an accident."
"Are you feeling alright?" Jason asked, feinting concern. "I don't think I've ever seen you so…" he looked for the word "…forgiving."
Nico scowled. "Knock it off. It's just- after hearing everyone defend me- I can see that you all do care and have my best interests at heart. I know you would never purposefully try to hurt me."
Jason nodded. "It's true. We all love you. We all care about you."
"Yeah," Nico trailed off.
"So, how was camp while everyone was away?" Jason asked, trying to make conversation.
"Fine. You know, the usual stuff." Nico shrugged, not meeting his eyes.
"No... episodes?"
Nico scoffed. "That doesn't make me feel better when you call them that Jason. Just call them what they are." Jason stayed silent, waiting for an answer. "Oh, c'mon, I saw you talking to Will earlier today. You know perfectly well what's been 'going on' with me in the four months that you guys have been gone. So much for patient-doctor confidentially."
Jason sighed. "Actually, Kayla told us, but that doesn't matter."
"I'm okay, Jason," Nico said.
"Is that why you have cuts lining your wrists?" Jason pointed out.
"I just forgave you, Jason," Nico said. "Don't push your luck by interrogating me."
"Point taken," Jason conceded.
As Jason looked around again, he saw Leo and Calypso. That sent a stab of guilt through him. Leo and Percy had defended Calypso. And Percy had had problems with Calypso. What kind of person was he to not defend Nico?
"I'm sorry for not standing up to my father for you. I just didn't want to get anyone in trouble," Jason rushed to say.
"I agreed with what you did; it was smart. Will shouldn't have defied your father just to defend me. That was risky of him. Besides, even though he was an idiot to bring this in front of the Council, Will was right. You, friends with me, in lieu of what your father did, even if you didn't know that your father had done-" Nico cut himself off. "I'm rambling. I'm not used to-" he waved his hand, not sure of what to say.
"Thanking people? Letting people help?" Jason supplied.
Nico shrugged. "At any rate, you stood up to your father by being friends with me. And I appreciate it. I get that it's difficult to please your father. Believe me, I understand that."
"I want to personally apologize for my father. I had no idea that he would target you like that. That was not right." Jason warily looked around as he spoke, to make sure that his father wasn't standing there, ready to vaporize him. Apparently, he was distracted by other matters because Jason didn't even feel a little shock. Or he was just ignoring him. He looked back to Nico. "He had no right to call you out in front of everyone."
"Fairness is not really a thing that I expect in my life too often. Sometimes, I get lucky." He glanced over at Hazel and Will.
Jason jokingly put his hand against Nico's forehead again. "Are sure you are alright? Do I need to get Will? Nico di Angelo, the brooding son of Hades, being optimistic?"
Nico scowled, pushing Jason's hand away. "Oh, shut up."
"What did Will say to you? You are optimistic. And forgiving. And being open. Do you need to lie down?" Jason asked.
Nico made a noise somewhere between a laugh and a cough. Jason grinned. It had been ages since he had heard the son of Hades laugh.
"Did you actually get him to laugh?" Will Solace appeared with two cups. "Is he okay?"
"I don't have to be open or forgiving. I can go back to keeping everything to myself." Nico crossed his arms over his chest.
"Okay, Lord of Darkness," Nico punched Will in the shoulder at his insult.
"Nico, my son." The three demigods looked up to see Hades and Hazel joining the group. Nico inclined his head at the God of the Underworld.
"Father."
"Have you considered my offer?"
"I need to consider all my options first. And would need to know what the job calls for." Nico logically said.
"Well, you would serve as my second-in-command, my own personal lieutenant. You would help me run the Underworld. You would assist me in managing spirits, reinforcing defenses, expansion, and be there to pass judgment during trials. And you would also continue fulfilling your duties as Ghost King. Like hunting down wayward spirits, etc." Hades took a breath as if regretting what he was going to say next. "But this job would be full time. You would be required to live with me in the Underworld. Continuing your time at Camp Half-Blood or Jupiter would hinder your ability to do the job. I would need you at a moment's notice. Your communication with the camps and the mortal world would be limited."
There was the catch. The downside of Nico taking the job, if he chose to accept.
Nico looked around at Jason, Will, and Hazel. The people he cared most about. At least who Jason thought he cared about the most. Will's face showed fear, as if he feared losing Nico when he had just gotten him back. Hazel's face was proud, but hesitant, as if worried about her brother's isolation. Jason was happy that Nico was offered this amazing opportunity but would also be concerned about Nico becoming alone again.
Nico paused before answering. "I'm very honored by your offer, father, but I think I will have to decline for now. I will still continue my duties as Ghost King, but Zeus was right. I am not ready to handle this kind of responsibility. I... I think I want to stay at Camp Half-Blood for now."
Hades nodded, eyes lighting up as his son had found his place. "I respect and understand your decision. But the offer still stands. Maybe you will accept. One day."
His eyes lingered on Will. Will's face brightened with red again. Hades beckoned Nico closer, away from the others and whispered something that no one else heard. Nico nodded, showing his understanding of what his father had said.
"Now, I have some matters to attend to. Son of Apollo, I'm sure we will meet again, very soon." He looked towards his daughter. "Hazel, my darling." He kissed her hand. "Nico, my son. Please consider what I had to say."
Nico nodded. "I will. Thank you, father." He lightly bowed.
The others followed his lead. Hades smirked and walked away. A figure appeared from nowhere and began to follow him.
"Should have known that Alecto would come to the meeting. She follows him everywhere, does whatever he needs. He sends her out to continually keeps tabs on me." He turned back to the group. "And he thinks I don't know."
Jason felt like he had heard that name somewhere. Alecto. He remembered Percy telling him a story about how his math teacher, Mrs. Dobbs, was actually called Alecto. He racked his brain. Of course. Alecto was one of the Furies. Why did one of the Furies follow Nico around?
He and Will were brought back to the rest of the group as Hazel badgered Nico with questions. "What did he whisper to you? What did he want you to consider?"
Jason tuned back in because he wanted to know himself.
Nico was flustered. "I- just some more specifics about the job." They all looked at him as if they knew he was lying. "What? I don't want to get into the specifics about it, but I promise that's what he was talking about."
Will rolled his eyes, smirking. "Alright, Death Boy. You can tell us later. But right now, may I have this dance?"
Nico turned bright red. "What- well- I don't know-" But his protests faded as Will dragged him into the courtyard. Jason and Hazel laughed as Will swung Nico around, who looked massively uncomfortable. Jason looked around to see Frank and Piper approaching.
"Hey, we didn't want to disturb the Hades-child bonding session, so we waited to come over," Frank said, kissing Hazel on the cheek. Hazel blushed. She continued to laugh at her brother.
"I don't want him to feel awkward." She looked up to Frank, putting out her hand. "May I have this dance?"
Frank smiled sweetly. "Why of course you can." He whisked her off to the courtyard. Jason looked back to Piper. She smiled. Jason leaned down and kissed her. She sighed softly and put her hands on his face. They broke apart after a minute or so.
"I'm happy to see you so happy," she whispered.
"Yeah, it feels good. Nico finally seems to be happy. That's good for him. And everyone. Everyone finally found where they belonged." He looked around at all his friends and family.
Will and Nico were laughing as they danced around the floor. Hazel giggled as Frank lifted and spun her around. Annabeth, Calypso, Thalia, and Reyna were sharing a laugh as Percy and Leo were doing the Macarena. Clarisse was sitting and overlooking the city of Olympus with awe in her eyes. Connor and Travis were conversing, using huge hand gestures, with their father who laughed at his boy's antics. Let's just hope it will stay this way, Jason thought.
"You should be happy. You are now, officially, the Pontifex Maximus! Congratulations!" He smiled.
"Thanks, Pipes." They stayed quiet for a moment, just relishing the moment.
Jason whispered. "C'mon. Let's go join the party." They walked into the throng of their friends, all of whom were dancing at this point. The Heroes and Olympians partied the night away.