Nico's eyes fluttered open. He sat up and rubbed his eyes. How long has he been unconscious? Nico took the opportunity to look around. The place was dark, as usual. Does he even have to describe how the Underworld looks like? It almost slipped his mind that he was just pulled back to the Underworld for no reason. He let out sigh of relief upon remembering the thought. Nico was delighted by the idea that he was finally gone from that speed dating the love god and goddess put him in.
"Thank gods I'm back in the Underworld! Maybe father really cares about me after all" Nico grinned to himself as he stood on his feet. He brushed off the dirt on his black pants and picked up his hat that was lying on the floor.
"I believe you had a nice nap?" Nico quickly turned his head to where that familiar voice came from. It was no other than Hades himself, walking towards Nico.
"Well, I could've hoped that you would just put me down on my bed rather than making me sleep on the cold floor" Nico blurted out as he kept his gaze at the willowy god. Hades gave a humourless chuckle
"You are 16 for Zeus' sake Nico. I can just simply leave you to sleep beside Cerberus if I wished to. And while you're at it, perhaps you would like me to hold your hand? By the way, pink actually suits you, my son"
"No thanks, and here I was planning to thank you for getting me out of Aphrodite's shit. But then you just bombarded me with insults yet again"
"It's like you never got used to it"
"I can somehow tolerate some of it. Now, why did you bring me here?" Nico asked suspiciously. It was very unlikely of his father to bring him back to the Underworld hurriedly, not to mention, he even asked Alecto to bring him back whereas Nico can go to Underworld be himself.
"Charming. I brought you here so that I can have an important matter to discuss to with you"
"That's what I was told..."
"This matter is about your, what do you call this? Oh, dating" Hades crossed his arms over his chest as he leans on the wall. Nico must've heard it wrong. Even in the Underworld, that dating is still being talked about?
"Oh no, not this again" Nico groaned in dismay
"Yes, this is important, Nico. Try hearing me out"
"Fine, but if this turns out to be nonsense, I will really go back to my room"
"Whatever you say, Nico. And stop acting like a child. It was just a few months ago when Aphrodite approached me and talked about you. She said, as a love goddess, she cannot tolerate you being 'loveless'. According to the love goddess, it is such a shame for someone with defined looks as you are to have a cold love life. Aphrodite made various ways on how to make you like someone and it was frustrating for her when her attempts fail. And according to her, me, being your father must be concerned and must cooperate with her plans. I was hesitant because I was never really intending to be involved in any of Aphrodite's shits and all, but then Persephone agreed with her. As much as I hated to say this, I was forced to comply with the ladies' demands."
Nico felt his legs weaken at Hades' words. Why does his father always have to try and impress Lady Persephone? It can get really frustrating for Nico sometimes.
"By the gods, what mess have I gotten myself into? Let me rephrase that. What mess have you gotten me into?" Nico grumbled while Hades rolled his eyes at his despairing son.
"Blame Aphrodite, Nico. She made me do it."
"Well, you have the authority over me because you are my only parent. You have the power to say no"
"Persephone was persistent"
"Oh, right. Lady Persephone, I always knew you can't say no to my stepmother"
"Look Nico, things are a lot complicated than you think. You won't just simply go around and have a girlfriend"
Nico raised his brow at this. How can they say he simply can't find a girlfriend? Isn't that what they want him to have since they pushed them into speed dating?
"What do you mean by that? Isn't that the sole purpose of me going in speed dating?"
"Aphrodite was contented with you having a girlfriend, but Persephone kind of made things a lot more difficult. It's rather too fast, especially for a teen like you"
"Just get to the point father!" Nico said impatiently
"Part of the deal is that the girl who will be your girlfriend must be your lifelong partner. Most likely, she's your soulmate, your future wife, you get the picture"
Nico was dumbfounded. Curse the Fates for bringing him into this pile of shit. He stared at his father blankly; it's as if Hades words were hardly registering in his brain. He dated several girls already and none of them seemed to like him. Even Nico himself can't see anything he would appreciate in those girls. Come to think of it, he never really set his eyes on anyone. Well, except for Annabeth. Sure, he had a small crush on the daughter of Athena but that was when he was in his younger years. His adoration of Annabeth was merely because he finds her cool in many aspects. As of this moment, no one seemed to get his attention.
"Nico?" Hades called and Nico went out of his trance, "Are you alright?"
"I just... Can't imagine how these shits happens so fast"
"Watch your language young man" Hades gave his son a warning stare
"Fine, I get it. I mean, how can I find that girl if I can't even get to impress a single lady in a date?"
"Don't ask me about those stuff kid. Even I had my own difficulties"
"Oh right, you were able to get a wife because you kidnapped her. Seems legit"
"You know what? Forget about what I said about that. I will bring you back to your dating game, Nico. Aphrodite wouldn't like it when you are not around"
"Father, please! Don't bring me back there! I promise, I won't play with Lady Persephone's flowers and I will never ever let Cerberus escape the Underworld! Just please don't let me go!" Nico wailed as he clutched his father's black robes. Hades rolled his eyes at his son. Nico can be such a kid sometimes.
"Nico, let go of my robes"
"NO!"
"NICO!"
"I WILL NOT FUCKING LEAVE!"
"Okay, fine" Nico loosened his hold at Hades' robes. A sparkle of hope was evident in his eyes and Hades raised a sceptical brow at his son.
"Of course not"
"WHAT?" A shadow loomed over to Nico's body and slowly swallows Nico into the darkness. Nico stared at his father unbelievingly. Soon enough, he was slowly covered in darkness.
xXxXxXxXx
Nico opened his eyes. He can hear a soft strumming of the guitar somewhere near him. Nico looked around the room. It seems like an auditorium of some sort. Who knew that the building has this kind of area? Or he might actually be in a different place?
A soft singing of a girl rang to his ears. He swore that he thought one of the Muses was singing. He tore himself from the wooden floor. He silently crept through the boxes, and peeked at the wall. No one seemed to be there. Then the music stopped. Nico froze. She must've sensed his presence somewhere in the room. Nico tried to get out of the corner and he accidentally tripped over a wire on the floor. He fell clumsily on the wooden pavement.
"Oww..." he groaned in pain. At the same time he heard a soft giggle and turned his head as to where it came from. Then he didn't realize that his eyes are already glued to the girl in front of him. The girl was already kneeling in front of him; her guitar was still hanging over her shoulder. She has those soft purple eyes, long raven black hair cascading on her shoulders and that sly smile, which he found beautiful by the way, beaming at him. She was almost at the same age as him; wait, that didn't turn out right.
"Mind closing your mouth, sailor?" she said, her grin widened. Nico closed his mouth instantly, but his eyes never left hers.
"Umm..."
"Are you alright? You seemed to be fazed. Is it because you tripped, hm?" Nico was still speechless, and the girl sighed amusingly.
"My name is Erika Fowler, nice to meet you" she smiled
