DeLaynie's POV

I was taking my bath. Dad was now dealing with Will, Hazel, and someone called Reyna's attempt to see Nico. Fortunately, when I was getting ready for my bath, I did have my pants partially off, so Will didn't see much. Nico was bathing as well. He seemed kinda tense right now.

"Nico?" I asked, "Are you okay?"

"Not at all. I was hoping I could avoid seeing them. I can't even think of Will without fearing if I see him again, I'll kill him unintentionally. And Hazel, Hazel is doomed if she gets close. I-I'll j-j-just l-lose control and hurt her-"

"Nico! Pull yourself together! Your PTSD attacks are now mostly under control, and the last time someone got hurt, it was a light wound, now chill!" I hollered Viking style, recalling the day it had happened.

"Light wound? I punched you in the face!" He shouted, scaring me a bit and getting me to cry.

"Oh no, it's okay, it's okay." Nico said grabbing his bathrobe and getting out. He pulled me out and put me in my bathrobe, saying he was sorry.

"Nico, just put your pajamas on, and talk to your boyfriend." I said, crying still.

He obeyed. He hated making me cry, and he knew not to make things worse. Like last time I cried in front of him and he accidentally escalated it.


It was a warm September night. I had just nodded off to dreamlike unconsciousness when I heard a scream. Coming from Nico's bedroom. I jumped out of bed, grabbing my sword\staff, as well as my fan blades. The sword\staff switched depending on what I needed, so I kept it in staff. The fan blades were weapons that looked like regular gold Japanese fans, but were actually made of real gold, and gave my powers a boost.

I ran in, to Nico shouting and slashing at imaginary figures. I realized what was going on. It was yet another PTSD attack. He'd had more than a few this week. I knew what to do.

"Nico, it's not real, it's just your brain trying to process the trauma better!" I managed to shout as I ran to hug him.

Nico screamed and punched me as soon as I was closer. It took me a few minutes to get my bearings before Nico snapped out of it, with help from Dad's waking up spell. I began to cry due to the pain. It hurt a lot.

"What happened?" Nico asked, before seeing me.

"Your PTSD attack happened, that's what." Dad said, watching us for a minute.

Nico fell to his knees when he saw me. I guess I was really banged up. Dad went to comfort him.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry!" Nico practically shouted.

Dad sat on the floor, holding Nico's head against his chest. Poor Nico was crying, and clung to Dad for a while. I cried worse due to the yelling.

"It's okay. It's not your fault. It's okay." Dad said into his ear, and nodding at me to go to bed. Pudgie the cat let me cuddle with her until midnight, when I finally fell asleep.


I had just pulled myself to bed. Nico was going downstairs to see his friends again, now that I had talked some common sense into him. As I fell asleep, I focused on Nico's sad energy so I could watch what was going to go down.

Nico was entering the living room when I caught up to him. He hesitated. I just gently waited. He could take all the time in the world. Finally, he mustered the courage, and went to see his boyfriend.

Will was sitting on the couch, with Dad explaining that they could stay the night, and made them promise never to enter my room without asking again.

"Hey Will." Nico said.

"Nico, what are you doing?" Dad asked.

"Can I talk to Will, Hazel, and Reyna for a few minutes?" Nico asked.

"Okay. But your going straight to bed afterwards okay?"

"Fair enough."

Dad left the room. Nico watched his blonde surfer boyfriend for a minute.

"Hey guys, listen. I know it was stupid of me to leave camp like that. And I know what happened with Will wasn't my fault. I was just in a bad place." Nico said.

"Why did you come here then? And how did you end up getting fostered by that guy?" Reyna asked.

"More importantly, what in Hades made you decide not to talk to us? And why are your wrists bandaged up?" Will asked.

"I thought it would be a good place to drown myself. I was thinking of ending it all. I wasn't able to handle how badly I regretted losing control, and hurting someone I loved. DeLaynie, my foster dad's adopted daughter, dragged me out of the sea. She stopped me from dying and made sure I got the help I needed. Amos, my foster dad, he decided to foster me considering that Hades had no one that would be able to care for me while making sure I didn't try anything else like that again. And while I was here, they both kept an eye on me. Heck, I couldn't even take my meds without supervision. Just know that I was scared of hurting you guys again. DeLaynie, however, talked some sense into me, and I finally came down here."

Will, Hazel, and Reyna all froze at the mentioning of Nico's attempts on his life. Reyna gave him a gentle hug, whispering reassurance. Hazel came over and did the same. Will however, once the girls got off of Nico, kissed Nico right on the lips. If I were not dreaming, I would have turned around, hugging myself and making kissy sounds.

Nico leaned into it, and that was when I figured Nico had forgiven himself. And my dream faded.


Nico's POV

After I finally kissed my boyfriend for the first time since I ran away, Amos insisted I go to bed. Will then proceeded to carry me. Amos said he'd allow my the gals and my boyfriend stay the night, as long as we promised to be quiet for DeLaynie, as she was asleep.

I climbed in bed when Will set me down. He and I had a night of just enjoying each other's company. I fell asleep in his lap.

The next morning, my foster sister woke me up for breakfast. I wanted to sleep longer, but DeLaynie was being insisting. Me and Will got up and put some clothes on, and dashed downstairs to Apollo at the table. I thought he was going to call me an abandoner, but Apollo hugged me.

"I'm just glad you're alive." He said.

Hazel and Reyna came in. DeLaynie smiled and proceeded to mock me some more. I threw some bacon at her, which she dodged.

Apollo interrogated Amos the entire meal. He asked how I was doing, if I was treated well, and about how DeLaynie wound up in his care. DeLaynie told the girls about how I was a stubborn idiot, and asked if I was like that a lot at Camp Half-blood. When the girls agreed, and Will did too, I just stuck out my tongue. DeLaynie's behavior rubbed off on me.

"Oh good. Nico is now immature." Reyna said.

"Oh hush." DeLaynie said before licking the former Praetor.

"Oh, I oughta!" Reyna hollered as she chased DeLaynie around the table.

DeLaynie created some ice so Reyna would fall. And she did. Amos burst out laughing uncontrollably. I did too. It was then I made a decision.

Once we finished, Amos made me and my boyfriend do the dishes. DeLaynie and the girls went to go outside and practice some archery with Apollo.

"Hey, Nico. When do you wanna go home?" Will asked. "Everybody at camp was worried sick when you left. Leo, Piper, Percy, and Annabeth all looked in New Orleans, San Francisco, and Indianapolis for you."

"Actually, I think I want to stay here for good." I said.

Will dropped the plate he was putting in the washer.

"What now!?"

"Will, I feel more at home here than at Camp. At Camp Half-blood, I was always alone in my cabin, and I didn't get real help for my PTSD. Here, I have a foster father and sister, and professional help. And plus, I'm going to start school next week. I can get a better job now than if I stayed at camp."

"Oh Nico, if you want to stay here, I'm going to stay too. I'll do whatever I can to get a job, and a apartment."

"For real?"

"For real."

Will and I kissed. I was going to have a life here now. And I was not going to regret it.


DeLaynie's POV

It had been two weeks since Nico and Will got back together. I was getting ready to go with Dad someplace. Dad had found an apartment for Will, and scored him an internship over at Aunt Amanda's hospital. Nico was going to the child services office with Hades to officially get adoption paperwork so Dad could adopt him. They both decided it would be better if Nico was living with Dad full time. Something about how he was a good person, and they both figured Dad had earned himself the title of the adoptive father of a son of Hades. The fact Dad was able to get Nico laughing was probably a bonus.

As soon as I was in a yellow jacket, t shirt, and yellow pants I was ready. I dashed downstairs. Dad and I were going someplace now that life was more settled. Little did I know, things were going to unsettle real soon. Dad had on his brown suit, with matching glasses and fedora. His tie was golden. We soon got in the car. Dad used an animated coat for going places. Came in handy for going to gigs.

We soon arrived at the train station. I was ultra confused. Why the Heck were we here? Dad and I headed for a platform, where Aunt Amanda was arriving. She held a small child, who was almost a six year old version of Dad. Wait a second. I looked at Dad. He smiled.

"I never did tell you about my old girlfriend, Ellorice Ayanna Caldwell, did I?"

I stood in shock. Dad had a kid, and I never met him. I glared at him until we got to a mini cafe and sat down.

"DeLaynie, pipe down with the stare, your dad never knew about your baby brother until I called him a week ago. The kid was found being spun in a washing machine by his first ever foster parents, who fortunately, were his last. His mother drowned herself a few months ago after she realized he had high functioning autism, and apparently, she knew Amos would find out one day, and didn't want him ever knowing about how he had a son who needed special needs, thinking he would consider him a burden, so she decided to make it impossible for him to find him. Good riddance I say, she was a crossed blood daughter of Aphrodite, who was more attuned to her fathers water elementist roots. And thankfully the entitlement was what made Amos and her break up." Aunt Aanda explained.

Oh that made sense. On both counts. I swear children of Aphrodite have a bonus power of being ultra entitled to everything, including their beliefs. They are practically the first Karen's.

I smiled, and we soon went home. Dad was taking custody of him, and was planning to surprise Nico with a new baby brother, who I learned was named Adrian Jones Kane-Caldwell. I smiled, and played with my new baby brother on the way home. He was mentally a three year old toddler, even though he was six. The kid was nonverbal as well. At least he would be understandable with a talking tablet.


As soon as we got home, Nico hollered that he and his dad were in the kitchen. Dad carried Adrian inside. As soon as Dad entered the room, I heard Nico freaking out.

"What!? Are you kidding me?" He shout asked loud enough to startle me and Adrian.

Adrian cried, and started to panic. Dad had to calm him down while I explained what was up to Nico. Dad peeked over to the table, and saw the paperwork. He looked over at Hades, then at Nico.

"Your kidding me!" He yelled, holding up the paperwork for all to see. Nico nodded, a stupid grin on his face.

"Amos, I would be utmost delighted if you became the adoptive father of my son. He deserves to call someplace his permanent home. As for the boy in your lap, can I hold him?" Hades said.

"Only if Adrian wants to, and I'd be honored to be the adoptive father of your son. And Nico, come over here." Dad said, gently passing Adrian to Hades.

Adrian played with the hair of Hades. Hades smiled. Oh my gosh, Adrian was so cute.

"Does my brother have a name?" Nico asked.

"Adrian Jones Kane-Caldwell." I said.

Nico looked at his new little brother. Will walked in at that moment. His blonde hair was freshly cut, and his blue eyes filled with shock upon seeing Adrian. Will was currently rocking the blue hospital scrubs. He smiled, and I gave him the full explanation.

Nico saw him about then, and gave him a full on dip kiss. I proceeded to turn around, hug myself, and make kissy sounds. Dad cracked up. Adrian reached for him right about then. Dad held him and spilled the news about Nico going to be adopted. Will freaked.

"So, I'm going to have three last names, aren't I? Assuming your soon to be dad lets you keep your last name?"

"You could just use your last name as your middle name." I suggested.

He liked the sound of that, and picked Nico up, carrying him to his room. I knew it was about to be cuddle time. Dad and I showed Adrian to his room, and Nico and I played with him until dinner time.


Nico's POV

I cuddled with my boyfriend in bed. He was super warm. I heard my soon to be adopted dad showing my new brother to his room. Me and Will decided to go see. Adrian was curled up in DeLaynie's lap. I decided to join. I sat across from Adrian. He was so cute. Me and Will took turns messing with him. DeLaynie put him on his back and stuck her tongue out.

I picked him up and we played with some toys Amanda had brought. He loved the Duplo Legos. DeLaynie showed him how it's done. Then I heard Amos calling. He asked me if I wouldn't mind getting Arby's. So I did. I grabbed plenty of curly fries. Amos set them up and called us all down for dinner.


DeLaynie's POV

Dad sat me next to his spot at the head of the table. I smiled,as I was now right across from Adrian. Nico and will sat across from each other as well. Will was next to me, and Nico was with Adrian. We all dug into our food. It was take out night, so we got Arby's with help from Nico. I watched the whole table. Nico was flirting with Will, Dad was trying to get the new guy to eat, and was also making me laugh in the failed attempts.

I thought about my old life, and how my ex family abused me upon learning I was a demigod. I looked around. I now had two brothers, a dad who loved me, and Will always made me feel included. I watched Nico for a minute. Nico was having fun, and had never looked happier.

Me and Nico had a new family now. And there was no turning back.