Chapter 34: Nico Shows Me A Good Time?[1]
(Andi)
When I finally stopped crying, Nico patted me on the back and murmured, "Do you want to see something cool?"
I nodded.
Nico created a stone bridge for us to leave the island and cross the river.[2]
I clapped, but Nico just chuckled, "That's not what I meant."
"It's not?" I asked, feeling like a foolish fool.
"No," he said gently, "follow me."
Me, Nico, and Cerberus left behind what Nico called the Fields of Mourning and the River Cocytus.[3] Once we were back on the mainland, Nico gave me back Cerberus's leash and said, "You have to hold it to get credit, but," he glared at Cerberus.
Cerberus whined.
"I expect you to behave," he threatened.
The three heads nodded.
Nico turned and smiled at me. "He'll be good. He only ran off before because he was looking for me. I usually give him walks, though Mom doesn't approve."[4]
I smiled back shyly. "Yeah, she's looking for a dog walker," I said trying to sound bigger and like less of a failure. I wasn't sure it worked, so I decided to change the subject by gesturing at Nico's new look and even better, his smile, and saying, "So…um…you seem to be doing well."
Nico actually grinned. I hadn't seen him do that in months.
"Yeah," he said, "it's been kind of great down here for me. I'm super powerful and both my parents are around. Even though Dad has been pretty busy with Olympian stuff recently, he always makes it to dinner and the rest of the time, I get to help Mom out with running things. I didn't realize how much I missed her until I saw her again. It's…nice."
"It's swell to hear you're enjoying your family time," I said, trying not to sound jealous.
Nico nodded, but then his smile dimmed and he asked, "How's Bianca?"
I sighed. Right, his sister. "I tried to get her to come. I asked her and everything, but she said no."
Now, Nico was scowling.
Oh no!
"She and I have been playing pretty nice though," I hurried to add. "She managed to call me Andi once and during the last quest stop, we worked together to give Peter a maiden makeover."
"You what?" Nico said, his eyebrows raised.
I started to tell Nico exactly what.
Nico listened and it reminded me of telling him about me and Luke last summer. Nico had always been a great listener and I think he was extra interested in the story of the makeover because he got to hear about me and his sister getting along.
I was just getting to the part where the hinds showed up to lay on Peter's lap when Nico told me, "We're here."
He gestured at a land of green fields, partially green trees, flowers, and happy souls. "This," he announced, "is Elysium. Come on." He held out his hand.
I took it and Nico pulled me into paradise.
The instant my feet connected with the grass, I felt better, like I had just finished a very long week and finally got to kick off a bad set of too-small shoes, take off a too-unsupportive bra, and undo a too-tight ponytail all at once. I stood up straighter with my head tilted up as I closed my eyes and breathed in actual air.
Oh yeah. That was the GOOD stuff.
"So, do you like it?" Nico asked.
I opened my eyes. "I love it!" I exclaimed, clapping my hands together and beaming bright.
Nico's eyes went wide and he turned to point out. "That's Rhadamanthus's palace over there."[5]
An elegant peach-colored palace sat on a far-off hill. "Very elegant," I said appreciatively.
"Yeah, I prefer home though," he said quietly.
"Camp is great," I agreed.
"Oh…" Nico said awkwardly.
I leaned forward to look at him. He was blushing. "What is it?" I asked.
"I was talking about my dad's place," he admitted.
My mouth fell open. He liked Hades' palace?
Nico laughed nervously. "Yeah, I know. It's kind of…dreary looking, but like I said it's home."
Home.
With both of his parents there, I guess it would be. I wish I had a home like that. Daddy was in Olympus and I'd never even met my mother. Until I found out I was a demi-god, I'd been sure that I was just a sad forgotten orphan.
I shook my head. That and my opinions about Hades' Palace's décor didn't matter. I said generously, "If you like it, then I'm sure it has good points." Even poor Bianca wasn't all bad.
"It does," he promised, "someday, I'll invite you over and show you around properly, but I wanted you to see this place first. It seemed more like your style."
"It definitely is!" I agreed, praisingly. There were lots of smiling people and flowers and bright light and pink and peaches and Nico. If I didn't look up, it was exactly my style.
"There's actually a couple of spots I want us to hit before I escort you out," he said with another adorable smile.
Yay!
He was smiling!
"Lead the way," I replied, smilingly.
Nico offered me his hand again and again I took it. Then away we went.
Nico showed me a butterfly patch where the insects were so used to humans that they would land on your nose and make you laugh. Then he showed me a pool with rainbow waterfalls that flowed backward. The water was soul nectar which smelled delicious![6]
All along the way, he and I talked more about my quest, his time in the underworld, and all the other things I'd been wanting to tell him since he left. We also waved and said hello to all sorts of heroes and cool people. Everyone seemed to know Nico. We received lots of winks and thumbs up as we passed people.
After the fun was done, Nico explained, "To complete Cerberus's walk, we need to go topside for a bit. This way."
Nico led me away from Elysium. The instant we left the fields, I felt the underworld's presence again like I was waking up on a bad Monday morning where even though I had overslept, I was still tired, not ready for the week to begin, and late to breakfast which was going to be almost as cold and soggy and sad as I was.
After Nico brought me to the River Styx, he got us a ride on Charon's boat. The titan glared at me from underneath his cowl until Nico said in that dangerous whisper of his, "You should have known better than to deny my friend. It is your own fault you were bested, Charon. Let it go or consider me an enemy as well."
There was a tense exchange of death glares until Charon said gruffly, "You are lucky I like you, kid."
Nico nodded. "Likewise."
"So, you say," Charon grumbled, "So, you say."
The rest of the journey was super easy. We made it to shore and then, Nico took me and Cerberus up some stairs.
When the three of us exited the stairway, we were in a cloudy mountain pass in the open air![7]
While I breathed in the sweet-sweet air, Nico instructed Cerberus, "Andi is going to let go of your leash. I expect you to do your business and come right back. Have I made myself clear?"
The three dog heads nodded and Nico nodded at me.
I let go of the leash and the giant dog loped off.
"So," Nico turned to me, "You still haven't told me why you're here."
I blushed. "Yeah…"
We were still holding hands so I pulled Nico towards me so that he was a bit further away from the entrance of the underworld. Then I summoned up some privacy and said quickly, "I took my eyes off of Grover for too long and he left all our things behind at YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK."
"Of course, goat boy did," Nico said, understandingly. "So, you're here to get my sister's and everyone else's stuff back?"
"Well…not exactly. Bianca and Zoë have their stuff," I said, clarifyingly.
Nico frowned. "But you can't have come down here just for Grover's sake and you always pack light. Besides the clothes on your back, that credit card, your mini master bolt necklace, and your…" He was looking at my wrist, "Why aren't you wearing your bracelet?"
"Oh, I let Peter borrow it," I said, simply.
Nico's eyes narrowed. "So, wait. Are you telling me that you came down to the underworld without your full set of weapons, knowing how incredibly dangerous it can be, just to get Kelp boy's stuff back?"
"Yup."
Nico let go of my hand and put his own on his forehead. "Andi…"
"Yes, Nico?" I asked concernedly.
"Peter doesn't even like you. You know that, yes? He's a jerk full of rage and a twisted idea of his own self-importance. And he made you cry! Yet you're still risking your life for him? Why?" Nico said in a soft yet demanding voice.
"I told you: when I wasn't looking, Grover forgot Peter's things, even Peter's majestic sword," I said patiently.
"So?" Nico asked.
"So…" I said very patiently, "since Grover forgetting Peter's stuff is my fault and putting Peter in a coma is my fault and Peter wasn't impressed by the hinds or makeover, I thought that fetching Peter's clothes would be a good way to earn his esteem."
"Earn his esteem," Nico repeated softly. He removed his hand from his face and said in a now flat face and voice, "Andi, are you in love with Peter?"
"What! No! I'm in love with Luke. You know that," I said accurately.
"Yeah, I do," Nico agreed in a sensible whisper.
"I'm just trying to be a good friend," I explained. "I owe him an apology and—"
"Andi," Nico cut in unexpectantly, "may I have your hands again."
"Sure," I said, letting Nico take my hands, "but…"
I was interrupted again by a POP!
My pressure-sealed air bubble had burst thanks to Nico guiding us back towards the darkness. He was now in the shadows of the underworld while I remained in the light of the overworld.
Then Nico summoned up a new bubble made of darkness to surround us both.[8] Next, he said reassuringly, "I'm going to place my hands on your shoulders one after the other, alright?"
"Alright," I repeated, totally wowed. I'd never been in pure darkness before. It was cool and scary and weird. I was glad Nico was holding me because otherwise, I'd feel very lonely in here.
With his comforting hands on my shoulders, Nico asked, "Andi, we're friends, yes?"[9]
"Absolutely!" I agreed. "You're one of my best friends." Then I understood. "Oh, Nico, don't feel left out. I'm sorry you couldn't come on our quest, but I would have done the exact same thing for you if you had come. That's what friends are for."
Nico's mouth twitched into a small smile. "I know Andi, but it's like you said: I'm not part of your quest, so you didn't travel to the underworld for me."
"Well, not exactly," I said thinkingly, "but I did want to see you. I was planning to visit after the quest. Really. While I was in YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK dressing Peter in drag, I was totally thinking about how nice it would be to see you. I've missed you so much."
Nico's smile grew a bit. "I've missed you too," he admitted, "but," he grew serious again, "this really isn't about us. This is about you. I need you to understand something."
"What?" I asked questioningly.
"You are an amazing, kind, generous, cheerful, strong, clever, compassionate, determined, loving, inspiring, bright, beautiful gem. Your light is a true blessing to all who feel it. If Peter Johnson hasn't figured out what an absolute godsend you are by now, he doesn't deserve to know," Nico claimed.
"But the coma," I argued.
"You mentioned you slew the Nemean Lion before stunning the Stymphalian birds, yes?" Nico asked.
"Yeah," I said, confusedly.
"Well, it sounds like Kelp boy was wearing the Nemean lion's pelt when you attacked the birds," Nico explained sagely.
"Oh!" My eyes went wide. "That's why." I relaxed. "I thought I had messed up somehow…"
Nico squeezed my shoulders. "You didn't, so you're not responsible for Peter's coma. It's his fault for wearing metal when he knew your weapon was electric."
I opened my mouth.
"And," Nico continued, "you shouldn't blame yourself for Peter's lack of awareness, Grover's incompetence or," Nico took a deep breath, "Luke's disappearance."
My lower lip trembled and I felt the darkness pressing in on us.
"We're still just kids Andi. Accidents, they happen, but you shouldn't blame yourself for stuff that isn't your fault. And you shouldn't waste your time chasing after people who don't like or respect you," Nico advised.
"Nico," I began. No one had talked to me like this since Luke. "You've really grown."
He smirked. "Yeah. Someday soon, I'm going to be taller than you."
That made me giggle. It was true. We were nearly the same height now, but that wasn't what I meant and he knew it.
"So, Andi," Nico said seriously.
"Yeah," I replied after I stopped giggling.
"I didn't have the words before, but I do now. Please stop beating yourself up. I hate seeing you hurting," he said, gently.
"I'm sorry," I said, hating how small the words were. "I didn't mean to make you worry."
Nico snorted. "I worry all the time even before…before I met you and I was in that hotel. Bianca, she'd tell you that she took care of us and kept me safe or whatever, but I took care of her too. Staying youthful, innocent, and positive for multiple decades takes more work than most people think.[10] I honestly can't do it anymore and I don't expect you to either, alright? It's okay to be sad or vulnerable sometimes. You're allowed to change and make mistakes. You don't have to be perfect, Andi. You just have to be you."
"Nico…"
Now he was saying some crazy stuff and I didn't know what to say in return. Before I could figure out how to respond, Cerberus barked.
I jumped and Nico dissipated the darkness.
Cerberus was right in front of us. There was a wet leather bag in his mouth. The dog plopped the bag down before me and wagged his tail.
Nico let go of me and I turned to face Cerberus fully. Then I cooed, "Good boy, C-pups." I used my wind powers to dry the bag and pet all his heads at once.
Cerberus closed all six of his eyes and made happy dog sounds. I turned back to Nico. He had stepped further into the shadows of the underworld and there was a sad look on his face.
"What's wrong?" I asked.
Nico just said, "It's nothing. Come on, let's take Cerberus back to his post."
I strapped the bag onto my back. Then I took Cerberus's leash in one hand and placed my other hand in Nico's.
When he looked surprised, I realized what I did.
"Sorry," I said smally. I had taken Nico's hand out of habit. Holding hands with Nico was nice since his hands were only a bit bigger than mine and his skin was cool and smooth, but Nico had been so good about asking, I should have done the same. I made to retract my hand.
"No," Nico said, giving my hand a friendly squeeze.
I relaxed as he looked down at our hands and whispered, "It's fine. Let's go."
Nico moved on ahead and I followed him quietly back into the underworld where Cerberus's guard spot was. We didn't talk on our way down, but I didn't mind the silence. Nico and I were comfortable like that and I needed to chew on Nico's words.
Nico, Luke, Daddy, all of the brothers I liked, my countless admirers, and so many other people adored my wonderfully awesome beautifully peachy-perfect self. I got results and looked fabulous while doing it. That's why they all loved me, so I really wasn't sure what Nico was trying to say.
Didn't he and everyone else want me to be perfect all the time?
How was I supposed to always save the day if I wasn't constantly being flawless with an acceptable daily tear-count goal of below 20?
Who in their right mind would choose a sad, vulnerable, orphaned girl named Annie what's-her-name who was a victim of circumstances and poor parenting over the flawless and invulnerable Andromeda, Andi, sometimes Lady Andi, Sunshine who made her own destiny?
No one.
Even I didn't prefer that other dull weak version of myself. I hoped I would never have to see that waif in the mirror again.[11]
This was my young-adult coming-of-age story and I was determined to be a better me than that. No, not just better.
I was determined to be the best.
And I was the BEST!
That's why all the boys loved me and all the girls secretly wanted to be me.
The underworld had taken advantage of my tender undying love for Luke and there was a piece of me that wouldn't return until I found my future husband and made him mine forever, but I was too dry, floral, and consistently compact to let my cracked heart break me because when I remembered how to act whole and like my most me, I had people eating out of my hands or wishing they could.[12] I was cherished, well-treated, and practically worshipped.
It was that perfected version of me that had come to camp, befriended Luke, saved Nico, and succeeded at my first quest and it was that version of me who was going to break Aphrodite's curse, upstage all the haters, save all the days, and make all the men including Luke, and Peter too, fall head over heels in love with me because that was the story I wanted to tell.
That was the story that was TRUE!
By the time we reached Cerberus's guard spot, I was !Convinced! of it.
Beside me, Nico ordered Cerberus to stay at his guard spot. Then Nico took me to the nearest wall and asked, "Where to?"
Oh!
I dug my hand into the leather bag and pulled out the folded note on top like Hermes had told me to do. The front of the note said meanly:
This is for Nico.
Do not open it, Andi.
It contains spoilers.[13]
I reluctantly handed the note to Nico. He opened it and read it over with a furrowed brow.
"Is everything okay?" I asked. I hoped Hermes hadn't lied to me, but you could never know with him.
"Yeah, it's…" Nico began distractedly. "Well I suppose I'm also surprised you forgave—" Nico closed his mouth abruptly because I had held up the quiet coyote sign in front of his face.
"Right, sorry," he said guiltily, "You can explain it later."
"I will," I promised, "but after this is all over."
Nico nodded at me and then turned back to the wall in front of us. With a wave of his hand, the stone formed a bedazzled archway with a throney chair underneath it.[14]
I clapped because it was so pretty!
"It's nothing," Nico said, sounding modestly pleased, "Go ahead and sit down, Andi."
"Okay!" I went and sat in the chair. "What now?" I asked looking up at him because he was still standing.
Nico gazed down at me with a smile I couldn't quite read. It was both happy and sad and something else. "You know," he said at last, "I really will be taller than you by next summer."
I smiled at the callback. "We'll see," I said cheerfully.
"Maybe once I'm towering over you like this all the time, you'll…" he trailed off. His next words descended into a wispy mumble. His cheeks started to go pink.
I frowned. Normally I could pick up when Nico quietly whispered and mumbled stuff, but my hearing like everything else wasn't so good down here.
I was about to ask Nico to repeat himself when he said quietly, "I need you to give something to my sister."
"Okay, what is it?" I asked. All Nico had in his hands was the note.
"Close your eyes," he whispered. "I'm going to touch your face, alright?"
Because it was Nico, I closed them and said trustingly, "Alright."
Nico came up to my ear and murmured, "I love you and want you to come stay with me." Then he touched my cheek. He was gentler than an Elysian butterfly but it was still a kiss.
My eyes flew open.
Nico broke contact and asked, "Was that okay?"
"Um, yeah, but," I started to blush.[15]
"Good," Nico said softly as he stood up straight. He took a big step back. "I'll see you next summer, Andi."
The ground underneath me began to move.
"Wait," I said, staring at him with huge eyes and flushed cheeks.
"Bye!" he said, waving. There was a huge grin on his face now.
"Wait, Nico," I said again as a tunnel opened up above the archway.
I was heading into it, so I had to bend forward to see him.
"Wait!" I said one last time because Nico didn't wait. I caught one last glimpse of him and then I was inside the tunnel moving fast. Glowing jewels of every shade surrounded me as I rocketed upward. It was a beautiful sight, almost as beautiful as the way Nico's soulful eyes gleamed when he grinned, but I couldn't quite appreciate it right now. I was too frazzled by Nico. My whole face and other parts of my body were burning like hot hot hot lava and I was sure my cheeks must be redder than a cherry pie on Monday.[16]
Fiddlesticks in a handbasket![17]
Why did Hermes make me deliver that stupid mystery letter! It was the kindling for this embarrassment fire. I just knew it. Nico would never do something like this otherwise![18]
"Nico!" I wailed into the technicolored gem tunnel, hoping from the bottom of my rapidly accelerating heart that he could somehow hear me and call this off. "I love you!" I proclaimed loudly, "but wanting me to kiss your sister is asking a lot!"
Footnotes
[1] My Delta reader informed me that "showing someone a good time" is often a euphemism for sex. Luckily, that's not what this chapter is about. In fact, we don't even need trigger warnings this time.
[2] I've talked about it before, but Nico and Bianca have had more time to practice their powers in this fic series. And in this fic's underworld, Nico's powers seem to be stronger than usual.
[3] So now that we have the names. Let's talk about Chapter 32's nightmare fuel. River Cocytus or Kokytos can be translated to the river of wailing or lamentation. Lamentation is defined as the passionate expression of grief or sorrow. In some alternative versions of the underworld, lost souls who could not pay the fee of Charon were said to be found along the banks of the River Cocytus, rather than the Acheron. Also, in other tales, the Cocytus is a swamp or a marsh which is probably why the island here is so muddy.
Next is the Fields of Mourning (talked about in the Aeneid). This place is for the souls of those "whom ruthless love did waste away" so that they can "wander in paths unseen, or in the gloom of dark myrtle grove" wallowing in their grief. Traditionally the fields' inhabitants are mostly women.
I believe Alpha R (or more likely Beta R) combined the Fields of Mourning with the River Cocytus to create the island Andi finds herself in where you can drink from the River Cocytus to see your true love, but when the water wears off…you find yourself embracing a stranger.
Such a creepy and hellish concept.
*Shiver*
[4] More on this Cerberus mess later because this setup is a little sus.
[5] Rhadamanthus is a son of Zeus and Europa and is considered a demigod. His name means "showing stern and inflexible judgment". He is one of the people who is said to rule Elysium, a land of eternal sunlight and rosy meadows. He's also sometimes a judge of the dead in the Underworld. Also, according to some myths, he was a tutor to Heracles.
[6] I have to assume this is more artistic license because I couldn't find any information on soul nectar or the butterfly patch.
[7] I assume that they are at Tenarus or the American equivalent. Tenarus is a real cavern of Mount Taenarum/Cape Taenarum and is said to be the place where Heracles dragged Cerberus out of the underworld. It is also the exit Orpheus tried (and failed) to use to bring Eurydice back to the world of the living.
[8] Although it's never been used to ensure private conversation in the PJO series (to my knowledge at least), this is an example of Nico using his power of Umbrakinesis, or Sciakinesis which is the ability to mentally generate and manipulate darkness. Normally, Nico just uses it to Shadow Travel.
[9] I think a bit of Persephone's speaking pattern has leaked into Nico's.
[10] I find it interesting that in this fic, both Nico and Bianca were aware that too much time was passing in the Lotus Hotel. I suspect this comes from them being children of Hades. My guess is that they could sense that they were cheating death.
[11] You can tell Andi is going through a time because this is the first word she has used that I've felt the need to define all chapter. Anyway, a waif is a homeless, neglected, or abandoned person, especially a child.
[12] I assume Andi is saying she's too great to let heartbreak over Luke affect her because:
_._1. She's too dry to need a mop as in moping.
_._2. She's too floral to be a pine as in pining.
_._3. She's too consistently compact to elongate as in longing.
[13] I'll give you one guess as to who wrote this.
[14] I assume the chair looks like a throne.
[15] I love the vibes of this chapter, but even if Andi is okay with this, I'm not. Normally, a peck like this would be sweet but considering what happened to Andi last time, Nico, my boy, this is too soon, way too soon!
[16] Cherry pies are red (that one is easy enough). As for Mondays…well…I'm not sure, but here's my best guess: There's a book called 'Mondays are Red'. It came out in 2002 and is a young-adult novel by English writer Nicola Morgan. The novel details the experiences of a fourteen-year-old boy named Luke who has just survived a severe case of meningitis and wakes up from a coma to find his whole world transformed. A bit convoluted, but if I'm right, this is a rather ominous reference.
[17] Yeah, there we go Andi! You talk that nonsense! Literally, since fiddlestick means a violin bow, something of little value, or nonsense.
[18] Even though lots of these Greek gods are real questionable in this fic, I consider Nico's actions to be his own. I'm disappointed only because I love and respect you Nico!
A/N: Well...this took longer to get out than expected...holidays, this site's new year freeze, and other life stuff, but we're here at last. I hope you had a good time this shipping chapter. I don't have much else to say today.
See ya!