Hi again! Sorry that the other chapter took so long... I was crazy busy. Any way, some of y'all have some awesome questions and concerns so I'm gonna do my best to quell the storms. Love the questions though. Here goes:
KekuleSalvador- Thanks for your awesome input! Really, it's great. I agree. The mobile phone rule was a great touch. I will definitely take what you said about Nico's love life into consideration. I agree that Nico's personality isn't exactly the most trusting, and that makes relationships hard. I'll try to keep that in mind. Keep being awesome! (Oh, and where are you from, if you don't mind my asking. I noticed your use of mobile instead of cell when I said cell phone. If I'm not mistaken, that's a European thing, right?)
SakuraBlossom23- Oh, I fully realize that Nico's not up for a relationship NOW. But for future reference, ('Cause believe me this is a long time coming) let's play a little game of Would You Rather, shall we? (I felt positively evil typing that) So, what would you rather have out of those options, and should it be failed or forever? Everyone else can answer the last part, too.
coralie14- I'm glad you liked that bit with Sally crying. Now tell me, love- did you see that coming as the reason she was crying? I agree that both apartments might have been a small stretch in reality, but it does make a better story, you're completely right, darling. And I figure Perce won't really want to leave his room, ya know? He seems happy enough there. And I thought that the touch about the 'go to Annabeth' thing would add a little humor to the story. I mean, sarcasm's gotta be somewhere, right? And she probably won't, she just gives off that vibe, ya know? The same way Percy gives off the 'Trust me implicitly' vibe. I'm glad you liked my rare words of wisdom, though. Makes me feel wise. I'm thinking about making a little one shot about wisdom for the PJO characters. What'd ya think?
ColorfulandBlack- I'm glad you liked it so. (Love your pen name, btdubs.) And don't worry. There will be more. Your Nico love life reply has been taken into consideration. Thank you for your time. And I am sssssooooo anti-Thalico. And anti-Nachel. So, if there is romance, it's not those two. And can I, can I just virtually hug you? Please? You like, literally read my mind. I so plan on working Tartarus in, for one or both of them, and there will be many a school shot, with some random ones.
Onto the story! Oh! And I lied a bit. This one, regrettably, has no fight scene. I felt inspired to do something else first. A little tangent. Enjoy!
The first people to witness a true change in Nico were the Romans. Nico went to go see his sister Hazel every week. He usually only stayed a day, whereas he used to stay for months at a time.
Yet this was not the only change.
Nico seemed happier, and he smiled more often. The natural tan his Italian heritage gave him had never completely disappeared, but was now more prominent. A souvenir from time spent tin the sunlight.
The second people to witness a change in Nico were his cousins, Jason and Thalia, and the rest of the Seven.
Thalia's plea to Artemis for more time with her brother had been granted to her. Apparently, it had appalled the goddess to even consider going one year without her brother, let alone fourteen. ("They may not show it, but the twins are really fond of each other" Thalia had explained. "Percy, you remember how stressed Lord Apollo was when Lady Artemis was taken captive by Atlas. I don't think she could imagine not knowing if he was okay or not for a few weeks, so forget about a few years." Thalia smiled. "They still fight like cats and dogs, though. But hey, that's what little brothers are for, right?" She had then reached over and ruffled Jason's hair, causing everyone to laugh.) So Thalia's dream of Coffee Saturdays had come to pass.
As the cousins and the Seven grew closer, the gods watched from afar as life and color slowly returned to Nico.
On one such of these Saturdays, when it was just the cousins, in their favorite local coffee shop, two boys jumped out of a blue Mustang, laughing as they joined three others at a table, coffees waiting. One African-American girl smiled as she kissed each boy on the cheek, while another boy with blond hair bro-hugged the two and a girl with the same black hair as the two but same electric blue eyes as the blond boy gave them each a playful punch in the arm.
Three men watched from a restaurant across the street, all with the same raven black hair. Yet while the physical make-up was the same, their eyes told different stories.
One, possible the eldest of the three, had obsidian black eyes and pale skin. Unease and tension showed in every jagged line of his posture, as if the company he had made him weary.
Another, looking the youngest of the three, was strong and proud and it showed in his crackling and stormy electric blue eyes. His stance showed that he felt both in charge and threatened. He was sure to be quick to bristle and take offense.
The last of the three appeared to be right int he middle of the two, age wise. He was the only one who seemed completely relaxed. His rolling sea-green eyes were calm and bright, showing only affection and amusement for both his companions and the children across the street.
They never once spoke, not to each other, but they each felt the other's contentment and even grudging amusement as they watched the cousins across the street. For a long while they sat, content in each others presence for the first time (probably ever). Not one of them showed any inclination to speak, nor to move until the smiling children across the street finally stood to swish each other good-bye and good luck.
The blue-eyed girl was the first to leave. She gave each of the others a long, fierce hug, which was reciprocated with just as much force. Then she turned and ran off down the street, disappearing out of view. The blond boy, the African-American girl, and the two black haired boys exchanged more good-bye hugs, the two black haired boys even giving each other mock good-byes causing another bout of laughter. Finally, the girl whistled and a beautiful golden horse appeared out of no where. She greeted it lovingly, and so failed to notice the grimace on the blond boys face and the looks of sympathy that the other two gave him. They both mounted, and with a final wave, disappeared.
The taller of the two boys who were left turned to the other, smiling and dangling his keys overhead teasingly. The other boy tried for a scowl but failed, instead smiling and retorting smartly, inspiring another laugh from the first boy. The other joined and the two got in the car, sharing in some private joke. The three men watched as the last of the cousins drove away.
"He really is good for him, you know," said the eldest of the men. The other two jumped at the sound of his voice, soft as it was. At their confused looks, he elaborated.
"Percy," he repeated. "He really is good for him. For Nico. And for Hazel." His shining obsidian gaze turned back to the window.
"And for Thalia and Jason," agreed the youngest, not looking at the others. His electric blue eyes remained fixed on the now empty table in the coffee shop.
The last of the men also trained his eyes on the little shop. "They are all good for each other."
They sat in silence for awhile longer before they said good-bye and went their separate ways. The last of the men sat in the restaurant alone, still gazing at the coffee shop. He had meant what he said to the others. They really were good for each other. They could heal each other on spiritual level, not just physically.
And maybe, thought Poseidon, lord of the seas, Just maybe, they can heal us, my brothers.
R&R!
And pleasePleasePLEASE send me some ideas for a Percy/Nico conflict argument thing. I need one! Writer's Block SUCKS!
Yours~
Silva