Please read:
Alright, sorry for the late update, but with school ugh... I just couldn't. And I had to think about how to continue this story after I found out that SPOILER! Nico has a crush on Percy.
I want to make a few things clear. When I started writing this story I pictured Percy and Nico as a friend-brother-relationship and that's how I wrote this, you know? When my sister spoiled the book I wasn't sure if I should stop and re-write everything bit I decided to continue with the story the way I imagined it to be. I hope don't mind.
This is a short chapter and I don't like it very much, but the other one will be longer. And MAYBE another character will show up... ;-)
I won't update until after Christmas. Merry Christmas and a happy new year!
Chapter 10
Nico poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down beside her. This was not what he had expected. He hadn't expected her to come by.
They sat in uncomfortable silence. The sun was bright outside, but the light told Nico that it was close to dawn. He was hungry and wished Hestia would leave so that he could make a fire outside and have a meal with Percy.
Nico was not a fool. He knew that she came for a selfish reason. The nicest goddess of all turned to him, her warm eyes sparkling as she smiled.
"Would you like to go outside and prepare the fire?"
Nico forced himself to stay suspicious. Just because he liked her, didn't mean that he would trust her.
"I know you distrust me and I'm not offended. But I know you are hungry and so will Percy, once he's awake. Let's go outside and prepare everything."
The son of Hades couldn't argue with her logic so he nodded and made his way towards the fridge.
"You won't need that. I have everything you want"
"Of course, Lady Hestia"
"You know why I'm here", she said as they sat down around the fire.
Nico glanced at her and took a sip from the coke. "I'm not sure yet, but I have my suspicions."
Hestia smiled and stirred the fire with a stick. She looked up and Nico was sure.
"You need him again.". He sighed and shook his head. "My god I just can't-"
"I would not ask if it wasn't urgent"
He scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Of course", he said. "That's why I'm so surprised… I thought you had learned from the past."
"You know us. We do not embrace change the way you mortals do-"
"Exactly! And that's what worries me!". He hadn't meant to speak to her so harshly, but it was too late now. "It's always the same with you gods. You call yourselves godly and yet you're unable to solve your own problems! Fuck! Dammit!".
Hestia didn't react to his anger and frustration. She stayed still and waited. When Nico calmed down he looked at the river.
"I'm not going to help you convince him.", he finally said. "If he says no I will say no. And maybe, maybe you'll finally get what you deserve.". Their eyes met, his were challenging her, and her eyes were warm but impossible to read.
"Alright."
An hour passed until Percy joined them. The son of Hades avoided his eyes when he noticed Hestia, but everything went well. Percy sat down with them and put some food on his plate. He and the goddess had a nice conversation, casually talking about everything but Annabeth and the curse.
"It's so nice of them to send you to keep us company.", Percy said pretending to sound casual. "I was beginning to think you were avoiding me"
And there goes the nice atmosphere. Nico looked at the house. He really wanted to be there now.
"We are not avoiding you… we… are worried about you".
Nico face palmed. That was not the right thing to say.
"I thought you said they didn't send you"
"I didn't say anything about that. We are onl-"
"Then why did I just hear a 'we' in your sentence?", he asked in a trembling voice. He was fighting for control, but the sea could never hold back its feelings. So why would it be different with him?
"Because it's true". She shook her head. "We are worried about you because…"
Percy tilted his head to the side. "Well?"
Hestia looked at Nico. She wasn't sure how to tell him since it was obvious he wouldn't like it. Percy laughed. It was not a happy laugh.
"Oh gods!", he laughed. "You need my help again!"
The goddess sighed and nodded. He laughed again. "And- and what makes you think I'd help you?". He took a deep breath and then groaned. "Gods, you're really fucked up"
Hestia frowned at the bad language. "Now wait-" Camp Half-Blood is under attack. They are losing, Percy! "
"And can't you use another hero to help you?"
"We asked everyone available, but we're-"
"They are! They are! Don't you dare include yourself! It's your fault that they're in trouble!"
"They have been fighting for a few days… all quests have been cancelled and they called the Romans yesterday."
"So? The Romans are powerful and strong. They don't need me"
"Yes, they do!", Hestia insisted, moving closer to him. "It will get worse. Tartarus has let all hell loose as a final revenge for Gaia's defeat! All monsters have left Tartarus!"
"So what? Why don't you just kill them like you do in other occasions?"
"You know there are rules"
"Oh. So it's okay to curse demigods and mortals but it's 'against the rules' to kill monsters?! Are you listening to what you're saying?"
"Percy-"
"You did this to me!", he spat and pointed at himself. At his grey hair and beard, at his wrinkled face and aged body. He looked like a 50 year old man. "Look at what you've done to me!"
"I know, Percy-"
He swirled around and suddenly Hestia had the stick she had used before, grazing her nose. She leaned back and put a finger on the tip. "Don't make me regret it, Perseus." .
Regret and shock flashed in Percy's eyes. He threw the stick away from him. "Now, you say this to your family: that they're the biggest cowards for sending you - the nicest goddess - to convince me to help them.". He spat on the ground. "Tell them, they can try and talk to me personally, but there is no way –no way!- I'm going to help you.". He shook his head. "I'm done. I'm done with all of you. " He turned to leave as Hestia made a step forward. She reached out to him.
"Percy-"
"Leave me!", he growled and walked into the house.