Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Nico Di Angelo had always known that there was something… off, about him.

Once, Frank had told him about the Uncanny Valley, a piece of the path on the way to realism that makes people uneasy, cautious. A survival instinct, apparently, something to warn people off the less beaten track, to get people to avoid the things that might not be completely human. Nico had mostly stayed silent when he was talking, letting Hazel but in with questions and gasps. He had been content just listening, a morbid curiosity arising when Frank had said that nobody really knows why humans have the Uncanny Valley in their instincts. All it really says, is that at some point in time, it was a survival need to avoid the things that look human, but aren’t.

Nico had lain awake in bed thinking about it that night, looking at his ceiling as he tried to focus on getting some sleep. He did try to close his eyes, really, he did, but whenever his eyes slipped shut he could see Leo’s and Bianca’s faces and that would jolt him awake, the adrenaline never truly crashing. It was better to just lay there, even if his eye bags got deeper by the day and the glances thrown by Hazel always made him feel bad.

Nico thought that maybe the Uncanny Valley was what made people avoid him. Maybe the other campers could tell that death followed him, that he wasn’t completely of the living like they were. Or maybe he was just that unlikable, that weird death kid that was only wanted around out of obligation or blood ties. Nico knew Percy still felt guilty about Bianca’s death, so by default, Percy felt guilty about him. Just, his whole deal makes people feel guilty.

That’s okay. Nico feels guilty too.

Nico likes to be alone sometimes, but whenever he gets asked to join a table, he goes. He has to, after all. Even if he doesn’t say anything. He doesn’t know what he would say.

Once, when pondering the Uncanny Valley, Mr.D had been talking to Chiron. Nico had wondered offhandedly if maybe that instinct was to avoid Gods dressed up in mortal skin and clothes. If so, Nico wondered why Mr.D didn’t try to freak people out more. It would be on par with him, and his whole personality. Then again, Nico didn’t try to freak people out on purpose. Kinda. Jason doesn’t count. That bitch had it coming when he stole his pancake.

Currently, the wood underneath Nico is cold, and he suppresses a shiver as he tries to pay attention to what Chiron is saying. There had been a reflux of new campers coming in, small kids that Nico personally thought were just babies.

Bianca was their age, when she died.

But Nico doesn’t think about that.

Chiron was talking about the natural order of things, as in the Gods and such. Nico doesn’t recall him ever getting that talk, but then again it was likely a new development, one of many that had been implemented recently. Percy and Annabeth had been the spearhead of new programs and developments recently, in Camp Half-Blood and Camp Jupiter. This must have been some kind of basic education on the Gods; Demigoding 101, if you will. Nico was bored, and it seemed interesting enough, even if he sat at the very back and had to strain to hear. Chiron’s voice had a melachoy quality as he talked about the main Gods, the balance between them. Zeus’ kingship dwarfing them all, Posiden’s court, Hades lack of sympathy. Nico didn’t really like that interpretation, but he supposed it could be accurate. One did not have to like something for the truth to smack you in the face.

“Zeus is the King of the Gods, and in charge of everything that presides on Olympus. He can command Posiden and Hades, but only to a certain extent, and Zeus doesn’t like testing the boundary. If any of you ever get to go on your own quests, then you may have to ask Zeus for things, or favours. Zeus helps keep balance, along with the other, more ancient primordials. There are rules to this universe, children. And you are the heroes of it. If you want to succeed, you must know the whims of there Gods and the things you cannot, or will not, ask or do. Never break these, as I’m sure you know, there are multiple myths shown that effort is futile.” Chiron looked downcast for a moment, no doubt remembering the countless hero’s he had to bury with blood and the remaints of their hopes on his hands. But the children, the babies, don’t know that. They lean forward with wide eyes, questions coming from all over the crowd. They don’t see the blood just yet. Nico does. Chiron does.

Nobody mentions the blood. It’s in the walls but they constantly paint over it, quietly hoping that one day someone will demolish the wall entirely. Nico is not that person. There is one person in this camp that’s good enough to break his own personal wall, but Nico can’t. He won’t. He doesn’t even know he exists. He might destroy that little flame, that bit of hope. Nico is not evil, despite the whispers. He will not. He knows what his attention can do.

Chiron raises his head, as if he had never blinked away tears, and for a minute Nico got whiplash at how calm he looked. Was Nico the only one that noticed another layer of paint had been added to the wall? Was he the only one?

He looked around. Yes, the happy faces told him. Yes, he was.

“There are four rules, or guidelines, if you like.” Chiron said, but he seemed to avoid Nico’s gaze as the boy stared at him. Or maybe he just didn’t see him, Nico once again half-fading into the shadows without realizing it. It had happened before, after all. “Rule one. Don’t ask for a favour without giving anything in return. God’s are important, and they can’t lust hand out favours. If so, it would throw the world off-balance. And an unbalanced world is not something anyone wants.” He paused, letting the whispers settle, before continuing. “Two. Never ask for Godhood. Only if Zeus literally says whatever you want, and even then be polite. A request for Godhood may mark you has prideful and vain, and it will not end well for you.” Again, Chiron paused, then started again. “Three. Never reject a quest, though I’m sure none of you will. But the Gods do not take kindly to rejection of all forms, and a quest is a great honor.” Nico had heard that one before actually. But he was more preoccupied with the fourth rule. One he knew all too well.

“And the fourth rule. You can never, ever, bring someone back from the dead. It just isn’t possible. Zeus would never allow it. I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors of trades being made, but it was likely a trick. The dead stay dead, and though that is sad, they likely have happy lives in Elysium. So there’s no need to worry about that. Now, it’s time for lunch!”

Nico got up and walked off, not looking back. His hands were sweaty, and he wondered if he ran, would anyone stop him? Find it weird?

He didn’t, just in case.

I’m sure you’ve heard the rumors of trades being made-

Chiron doesn’t know about the deal. He couldn’t.

The Hades cabin’s door slammed shut, and Nico ran to the bathroom and locked the door, staring at the mirror. The shadows in the corners of the, quite frankly, quite overdone bathroom whispered to him like normal, but this time their voices overlap, alight with a teasing melody that made him not meet his reflections eyes. He didn’t know.

Nobody knows.

What did you trade for Hazel, Nico?

Chapter Text

Nico Di Angelo was in the worst situation known to man.

A social situation.

With a man.

A man his age.

Like, okay. He had told Jason about the... thing, but that was involuntary and though Jason didn’t really seem to care, Nico had. It had sent him into a couple of panic attacks, and he had avoided Jason for a while before the man had ambushed him (he called it kidnapping. Jason called it an intervention. Nico may be from a different time, but he was fairly sure interventions don’t involve ropes and a bunch of books with rainbows on the cover being shoved in his face) and after that he just. Couldn’t get rid of him. Like a really annoying cat.

Anyway.

Jason was the only one who knew, and Nico tended to keep it that way. Hazel he would consider telling, maybe. In like, twenty years. If he still had a relationship with her. He hoped so, but somehow he was really bad at the whole ‘older brother’ thing. But Nico tended to avoid men, because he didn’t know how his… feelings would act up.

Percy was bad enough. He saw him face-plant the other day and both him and Annabeth looked so ashamed of themselves for falling for that. Poor girl. She’s stuck with him now. Nico ain’t taking that. But for the most part, he avoided people. He avoided men. Because he did not need another Percy. And he definitely didn’t need Will Solace standing on the steps of the Hades Cabin, wearing a small smile, jeans, a camp T-shirt and a gaze that could stop the minotaur in their tracks, just so they could stare in his unfairly blue eyes.

The small smile grew wider as Nico met his eyes, and suddenly Nico couldn’t slam the door in his face like he planned because oh.

Percy was nothing like this.

That little crush had just been the starter round, preparing him for this. Whatever this was. But Nico had a pretty good idea what ‘this’ is.

“Hey Neeks! Glad I caught you here. How’re you holding up?”

Nico was screwed. Totally, stupidly, unbelievably screwed. He should have read those books Jason gave him.

Jason was going to love this.

Somehow the only thing he could get out was

“Neeks?” Will laughed lightly, and Nico was so sure his cheeks were red. Red as a freaking tomato. Jason was probably wondering why he suddenly found something incredibly amusing. Nico was working on a theory that he could sense his suffering. It would explain a lot.

“Yeah, Neeks! Everyone needs a nickname. Would you prefer sunshine?” Nico’s noise scrunched up as he glared at him, trying desperately to disguise the blush that would probably stay there for weeks. Maybe he needed to ask Hazel for tips on how to hide things with concealer. Or maybe he should run away. Take Jason with him. He can video call Piper. It’ll be fine. But no. He can’t leave the camp.

The thought makes him come back to himself, and Nico struggled to regain composure. “Absolutely not. You call me that, you’ll be saying that to my father. And I’m doing fine.”

Nico glared, trying to put heat behind it. He had seen Will before, in truth. Once when they were fighting Gaea, and sometimes around camp.

Nico saw him a lot actually, the blonde often having one-on-one conversations with the younger campers, making them laugh and smile. Nico had seen him up at all hours, though he had never gotten close enough to talk, apart from the whole Gaea thing. And even then, he was more preoccupied with. You know. Staying alive.

If you died, your friends would be free.

Nico ignored that.

He then decided to close the door.

He knew it was rude. He knew Solace probably hated him. But he did not need the human embodiment of a golden retriever following him around and making him blush. Just, no. Not now.

Not when he’s still figuring out what to do now that the war had ended. This was not going to be another Percy. He refuses.

Aphrodite can take her shit and shove it up her ass. Nico Di Angelo is not falling for another boy that probably is only talking to him out of pity, is straight, and way out of his league.

Nico would have loved to say this was the end of it. That Will went away, glared at him sometimes, and that was that. All done. Nothing for Jason to laugh at. Everything went back to normal qnd it was fine. 

Jason, as it turned out, would be getting plenty to laugh at. Because Solace knocked on his door. Again. And Nico got the feeling that this time, he wouldn’t let him slam the door in his face.

“Nico? I’m sorry, but I really do want to talk. Can you open the door?”

Nico did not want to open the door.

He stood there in the half-darkness, because of course the Hades Cabin wasn’t properly lit, wondering what to do. On one hand, eventually Will would learn what he was really like the sharp edges and the pain and all the things Nico would have to tell, and run a mile like any sane person.

Though it hurt, Nico was fine with that, if it meant Will never found out he liked him. How embarrassing would that be?! Nico would have to leave camp for good then, or at least convince some of the seven to leave with him so he didn’t get in trouble. On the other hand, Nico would have to spend a LOT of time with a boy that made it really hard to think of anything other than kissing him. And Nico didn’t want to have to hide that, it was bad enough the first time. He always felt really jittery and acted stupid, every time.

Heck, what if Will thought he was gross?! What if the entire camp found out about it and then they all hate him? What if Hazel hates him?? She was from a different time as well, any she probably has the same opinions, and Hazel was sweet but what if she tried to fix him?! Could he be fixed?! At least Jason would stay with him. Hopefully.

Jason had reacted… okay. Better than okay actually. But if Piper and the others want him to leave him, obviously he’s going to go with them, it was a no brainer. So he might have no one. And then his deal is gone, and Hazel might die again. Maybe he could pray to Aphrodite to make it go away really quickly, but that might not work and holy shit he’s taking too long he should jump out the window or something-

“Neeks? Are you alright?”

Jason. Nico needed Jason, but he couldn’t leave to find him because Will was outside and it was getting hard to breathe.

"Nico?! Oh shit, do you need me to get someone?”

Nico couldn’t ask for help. He couldn’t.

So he got up from where he was kneeling on the ground (when had he started kneeling?) and opened the door on unsteady legs, trying to keep his face blank. Will looked at him with poorly-concealed horror, hands fretting around him.

Nico knew he was going his dumb (pretty) mouth and do something like apologise, so he beat him to it.

“Sorry Will. I, uh. Had something to do. Um. Yeah. Sorry. What do you need?”

Nico mentally slapped himself, the colour in his cheeks coming back full force as Will looked at him skeptically. He should have thought up an excuse before practically knocking Will over with the force he had opened the door. Will didn’t believe his poor excuse, he could tell. This man couldn’t keep a secret to save his life, Nico decided, his expressions were too open, gave too much away. Simple, open kindness that Nico decided right then and there would be preserved, protected, because there was no way someone so capable, that had seen so much pain, was so kind.

"I. Uh. Just wanted to check in, after Gaea, you know. I don’t really see you around much, just mostly at night. How much do you sleep? Sorry, I’m blabbing. Kayla always says I do that, always asking about people’s habits. You know, the doctor in me.” He gave a little laugh, and Nico’s heart skipped a beat, though Will looked a little flushed.

“Anyway, uh, yeah. Sorry, I just noticed you alone and… well, I wanted to see how you were doing.” His voice had gotten soft, and his smile was so genuine it made Nico’s chest hurt. “And, well, if you ever want to hang out, please come to the infirmary! I feel like I’ve never really gotten to know you.” A nervous laugh. “Yeah, yeah. Sorry. So, come over soon, okay? Uh, bye! Please get enough sleep!”

Nico’s eyes were wide as Will stumbled over his words, before finishing with a too-cheerful goodbye and walking quickly away, staring straight ahead. He seemed a little tense, but Nico was just glad he didn’t have to talk and trip over his words or something. That would suck. A lot.

Nico just stood there, standing in the pale light of the doorway, as it was dark enough now that the inside of the Hades Cabin was brighter than the outside world, just staring at Will Solace as he left. His words played over and over in his head, not making sense the more he thought about them. Nobody except the seven ever invited him to things. Nobody. And here Will was, proposing it at his door like it was the most simple thing in the world. He stood there for a long while, just thinking about it. The ache in his bones began to try to get his attention, but he pushed past it. It was probably nothing.

Nico stood there long after Will had left, just staring. Thinking. He didn't know what to do; it was like he was drowning in a sea of doubt, crawling up his insides and making him panic. He needed help. 

He couldn’t.

He really couldn’t.

Could he?

Nico sighed and leaned against the side of the door. He knew what he had to do. But it would be hard, and tiring. He might not survive this, he knew. But it was the only option.

He didn’t know if he had the strength.

He was going to ask Jason Grace for help.

Chapter Text

It was currently 1:30 AM, Nico was soaked, and Jason wasn’t opening his gods dammed door.

“Jason!!” He yelled, pounding on the door.

“Let me in, you bitch! I know your sleep schedules fucked, and you probably don’t want to see-“

"Nico?”

Nico paused, looking at Jason as the guilt hit him like a truck.

He knew Jasons sleep schedule, much like his own, was a little messed up. And he knew that Jason was normally awake at midnight, and often longer, but he didn’t know the specifics. But clearly, he had judged it incorrectly, as Jason was in his boxers and a shirt large enough to be a dress. His hair was a mess, eyes squinting even in the faint light of the moon, and it was clear that Nico had woken him up.

Selfish. Nico was so, so selfish.

“H-Hey Jason. I’m so sorry, I thought you would be awake, I’ll go, I’m sorry, really, I-“

“Nico! Hey! Come on in!”

Jason…. looked happy to see him.

Glad even, a smile on his face as he gestured for him to come inside. It was a strange expression to be directed at him, but Nico went with it, because he really did need advice, and he hadn’t seen Jason in a week. (And if anyone asks, he did not miss him. Not one bit. Nope.)

“Hey Jason. I’m really sorry, I genuinley thought you would be up. I’m sorry.”

Jason merely laughed, though it was interrupted by a yawn that made Nico wince. He had been in the Zeus cabin before, not that Jason or Thalia knew that. Once, when he was on the run, he had come back to the Zeus cabin in the winter, knowing it would be empty, and hung out there for a couple of days. He had to move after a while, getting restless, but it had been nice, to sleep in a bed for a while. It really hadn’t changed much. Just a couple of books and clothes scattered everywhere, something most demi-gods could relate to, having ADHD and multiple activities and obligations. The paint on the walls was a calm, light blue, and a weird statue of Zeus that made him feel uncomfortable. He already knew that gaze. He didn’t need it watching his best friend sleep.

Jason jumped on the ruffled bed, patting the covers as a gesture to get Nico to sit down. Nico just stared at him. There was no way he was serious.

“I have just woken you put at half one-actually no, quarter to two-in the morning. You are tired, probably have better things to do, and I’m panicking and am soaking wet. And you want me to sit on your bed?!”

Unfortunately, Jason Grace, the man, the myth, the legend, only actually took one of those lines in.

“You’re panicking? Why?” Jason paused, looking all the world like the windows loading screen was currently playing in his head right now. “And yes. Sit. I mean it.”

Nico was speechless.

Absolutely speechless. Well. You know what they say, don’t look a gift horse in the mouth. He sat, the warm air of the Zeus Cabin already warming him up and drying him off, making his hair go limp and fall in his face. He brushed it to the side, numb fingers starting to sting with that after-cold feel, as he stared at the ground. All of a sudden, this doesn’t seem like such a good idea to the son of Hades, spilling everything to Jason. Sure, he had made sure that this was, acceptable, in some cases. And he had sorta held him captive as he talked about he was perfect just the way he was, and being gay was fine. Like he didn’t have to tie him up, but. Still. He did do that. And who else was he going to tell? He didn’t want anyone else to know, Jason was bad enough as it was. And if it got out…. But Jason hadn’t told anyone about the liking guys part of Nico. If he could trust him with that, surely he could trust him with this? And Nico already knew he couldn’t do this alone. He would rather stab himself with his sword. So he kinda had to do it. But. Nerves.

“Nico? Why were you panicking? Are you still panicking? Did you murder someone? Did they deserve it?”

That finally snapped Nico out of it, and he met Jasons eyes, narrowing his own.                    “Alright, first of all, yes, I am definitely still panicking. Actually, I might be dying. I want My Chemical Romance at my funeral, please. Or maybe I’ll just die because people will find out and think it’s weird. Or something. Oh Gods Jason, what if everyone hates me?? Hazel will abandon me, I know it, and I don’t blame her, I would too, oh gods, oh gods, oh gods-"

“Nico! Breathe, please!”

Oh, his breathing had picked up again, but Jason was looking really concerned and yeah, now was probably a good time to calm down. Nico tried to take deep breaths as he leaned against the wall, staring at the ceiling. Eventually, he managed to calm down, chest not feeling too tight and mind not racing as much.

Nico took a deep breath, the exhaled, trying to calm the storm.

“Jason?”

“Yeah?”

“How come your first question when you thought I murdered someone was if they deserved it?”

“…”

“Jason.”

“Well if they deserved it, I feel like I could convince Annabeth with logic to help us hide the body.”

“And if they didn’t deserve it?”

“Piper. Definitely Piper.”

Nico let out a small laugh, then froze. It had been too long since he had laughed at all, never mind with people. It was nice.

He missed this.

“So, uh, you wanna tell me why you were banging my door down?”

Nico flinched again, all traces of amusement gone.

“I’m sorry Jason, really. I thought you would be awake.”

Jason shrugged, not seeming to care all that much. “It’s fine, I don’t care about that. What I do care about is why you nearly had a panic attack-” “I dunno what that is and I certainly did not nearly have one-” “and seem to be freaking out for no reason. You can tell me, I promise. Nobody will know.”

Nobody will know.

See, the problem with being around Nico Di Angelo is that someone will always know.

Nico took another breath, steeling himself as he prepared the words.

“I… Will Solace came to visit my cabin.”

There. That was something, right? Jason’s eyebrows shot up, and Nico swore he saw a small smile before his face once again molded into a neutral look. Now that he had said that, Nico didn’t know how to tell him the rest. It seemed stupid, now that he looked back on it.

"Okay. What happened?” Another breath. In and out. He can do that.

“Well. Uh. He asked me if I was doing good after Gaea. Then asked me if I got enough sleep. But not in a mean way, I don’t think? Like in an offhand way. Oh, and he said to hang out with him. That sounds mean. But he wasn’t mean. Actually, I don’t know what he was. Uh. Like, his eyebrows were kinda pulled together? I don’t know why I noticed that. Sorry. But He offered to talk? I think? I don’t know?”

Jason nodded, face still blank. Nico was a little grateful for it, knowing he wouldn’t be able to handle it if Jason showed the slightest judgement. Deep breaths.

Here we go.

"AndIthinkIhaveacrushonhimbutit’sbadandIdon’tknowwhattodoJasonhelp.”

Nico didn’t look at the older boy, sure he would be met with disgust. Or something worse. He knew, logically, Jason wouldn’t. But it was terrifying all the same, his dignity dangling off the edge of a cliff and Jason held the power to either push it off or bring it back on land. Or just keep it hanging there precariously, laughing at Nico. That would be a very Jason thing to do.

“You…. You have a crush on Solace?” There was definitely a smile in his voice. Nico looked to the ground.

“Yes, Jason. I have a crush on Will. I can tell you’re enjoying this.”

“It’s just.” A pause. “Okay. Okay, first of all, thank you for telling me. I’m honored, and I will try to help in any way I can. This is completely normal and fine. Do I need to get out the books and flags again? Because-no, no, okay you look like you’re about to bolt. No flags. No books. Got it. So. You have a crush on Will. And he came to check in on you? Dam, kid. I think you got a chance.”

That was the wrong thing to say. Nico’s mouth dropped open like a fish. “I----NO. He does NOT like me back. AND THAT IS NOT WHAT YOU SHOULD BE FOCUSED ON. JASON. I need your help to get rid of it!!”

Jason paused.

“Get rid of a crush??” Nico sighed. He honestly thought Jason was smarter than this. “Yes you moron! Get rid of it! But we have to be careful. Nobody can know. Nobody at all. Piper and you are dating, right? Can she get rid of a crush? I don’t think Aphrodite likes me very much. The whole, pushing away affection thing. But Piper could! Or if you have a way to do it, that would be great. Actually, we could break into the Aphrodite Cabin! It’s okay, I’ve broken into Cabins before.”

"You’ve WHAT.”

Nico had the grace to look slightly guilty.

“Nothing. Anyway, is there a way to get rid of it??”

“Nico.” Jason sighed, shifting closer and making sure to keep eye-contact with Nico, something that was actually in incredibly impressive feat, considering the circumstances. “I’ve never heard of anyone getting rid of a crush. If I’m honest, I don’t think trying too is healthy. But I know that if I refuse to help, you’re going to do something risky and stupid. So, I will help you. But we do have to tell Piper.”

Nico shook his head so hard it hurt, but a small part of him was still relieved that Jason wasn’t laughing at him. Well, he was, a little bit. But Nico could give him that. He did wake him up at 1:30am.

“No absolutely not. Can’t you lie to Piper?”

“She’ll know! And besides, you might not have to tell her who! But we do have to go to her if you want to get rid of it.”

“No.”

"Yes! You can’t just mess around with godly magic that isn’t someone who favours you or your parent!”

“I’m not telling Piper.”

“Do you want to get the crush to go away?”

“Yes.”

"Then you have to tell Piper.”

“I will never, in a million years, tell Piper. And that’s final.”

Chapter Text

Jason really didn’t know what to do.

Nico had reached out to him, even though he insisted it wasn’t like that, and Jason had tried his best, but Nico couldn’t just wish away a crush. Nico still struggled with his feelings, Jason knew that, so telling him was a huge step for the kid. But really, Jason had no idea how to do this. Will was an Apollo kid, so he was likely at least bi (yes, he knew that sexuality wasn't passed down genetically, but if anyone was the exception to the rule, it was Apollo) , so he could like Nico back. But he just wasn’t sure!

But Piper would know what to do. So that’s where they were going, the Aphrodite Cabin.

At four in the morning.

Nico was, unsurprisingly, unaffected by the late-or rather early-hour. Jason, on the other hand, had to concentrate to not trip over his own feet.

The Son of Hades led the way, somehow knowing the layout of the camp after dark, something few campers knew. Not many people went out after dark, especially around the back of the cabins, which weren’t that well lit.

Somehow, though, Nico didn’t even need to look down to know where they were going. Jason decided not to ask.

They paused round the back of the Aphrodite Cabin, Nico sighing an sitting on the damp grass, not caring that it was probably freezing.

“I really, really don’t want to do this.”

Jason sat down beside him, suppressing a wince at the water leaking through his hastly-thrown on trousers. Nico was telling the truth, but Jason was not a romance person and Piper was a freaking genius and also very accepting so really, she was their only option.

“I know, Nico. I’m sorry. But she knows better than I do. And we don’t even have to tell her it’s a guy if you don’t want to.”

Nico looked slightly calmer at that, though Jason left out the fact that Piper had sniffed him out the moment she got on the Argo II, despite Jason telling her nothing. She honestly terrified him sometimes.

In a sweet way.

Kind of. They fell into a peaceful silence, Nico gathering his thoughts and Jason closing his eyes for a moment, breathing in the crisp air. They stayed like that for about a minute before a thought occurred to Jason. “Uh, Nico?” “Yes?” “How…. are we getting in?” Nico paused. “You’re not going to like it.” Jason gave him a look. Nico raised his hands in defence, though there was a glint in his eye that hadn’t been there before. “Technically, theres nothing against it.” Jason raised an eyebrow. “If we do this, is there about to be something against it?” Nico looked to the window. “Only if Piper’s a snitch.” Jason let out a sigh that spoke of three divorces, a mortgage and lots of debt despite only being sixteen. “Piper ain’t a snitch. So, what are we doing?” I’m going to pick the lock on the door, then open the window to let you in.” “Can’t you just shadow travel??” “It’s less fun that way.” “THAT’S what you’re worried about??” “Jason, I hate to break it to you, but I am a dramatic bitch. Plus, it stops me from spiraling.” Jason huffed. “It’s unneccesarilly complicated! I’m not doing it!”

Nico pulled out the ace in his hand.

“Percy would have done it.”

Now that made Jason pause.

In truth, Jason knew Nico knew about his and Percy’s joking-kinda-we’re-not-quite-sure-actually rivalry. Jason couldn’t say no, not after that sentence. Percy would never shut up about it, and then Annabeth would be mad at him because Percy wouldn’t be quiet and a pissed off Annabeth is something nobody wants to go up against. Sure, any normal person wouldn’t go telling people that they tried to break into a cabin at four in the morning and then shame the person who didn’t go along with it for being a chicken to most of the Cabin Leaders, but Jason knew in his very bones Nico would just to spite him.

He was a bit of a dramatic bitch. So. He had to do this.

In your fucking face, Percy Jackson.

“Fine.”

Nico grinned, and Jason got the feeling that was what Hades smiled like when he observed the dead. But Nico was already moving away, occupied with the foliage and not making it rustle rather than see Jason shudder.

He moved like a ghost, never making a sound, half-blending into the shadows at one point. He turned and suddenly Nico was out of sight, like he had never been there in the first place. Around the front, to the door probably. Huh. When did Nico learn to pick locks?

With the silence telling Jasons subconscious that he was alone, quickly he felt the hairs of his neck stand up. He was alone, he was tired, he had forgotten to bring a weapon, and was probably about to make Piper very angry.

The shadows of the branches soon started to feel like they were feeling closer, the cawing of birds sounding louder every moment Jason was alone. He could imagine the forest swallowing him whole, the branches slowly coming up to drag him down into the depths, dirt clogging his mouth and making it so that Nico wouldn’t hear him if he screamed.

Jason shuddered.

And then… he felt it.

When he had trained with the Wolves, they had often knew instinctually when someone, or something, was nearby. Well, it was instinctual to Jason. To them, it was probably the extreme sense of smell and hearing, along with some godly ability.

But over time, Jason also developed a sense, if you will. And in the dark, it was amplified tenfold, all survival instincts going on alert.

Now, someone might thing that hey, it’s dark out. Maybe it’s just his imagination. But Jason knew.

He just knew he wasn’t wrong. When you’re a demi-god, instincts can save your life. Listen to them.

Jason was being watched.

His eyes strained even more, though Jason didn’t think that was possible. Scanning the treeline with a hunters gaze, stopping on shadows that would move occasionally. See, the trick to see what moved only applied when you were being chased, or stalked for a long time. If this person was just observing, Jason would need to look for what didn’t move.

There were a couple. One, by the Hades cabin, far enough away Jason thought it was unlikely. Another by the tree line, though he thought it was a bush. Another a couple of meters away from him, though that may have been a tree. None of the other shadows, though they were many, looked like a person. Maybe a monster? Heck, a God or Titan?

They could change shapes, right?

“Psst, Jason!!! Get in here! I can’t keep the window or door open too long, or the more sensitive demigods will realise the air pressure is out of wack!!”

Jason jumped, letting out a curse that was probably a bit too loud as Nico came into view.

The feeling subsided, leaving Jason feeling shaky and unsure. There had been something there.

Right?

“Jason? Are you coming?”

Jason shook himself out of it. Not now. Piper and Nico came first. “Yeah.

He breathed through his nose, in and out. “Coming, sorry. Got a little freaked there for a minute.”

Nico merely nodded and his head disappeared.

Alright Jason.

Time to break into your girlfriends Cabin.

This is fine.

Jason got up quickly, the adrenaline that had him looking at the tree line helping him to shake of the tiredness and climb through the window. He nearly fell in the small stool Nico had probably used to open the window, but luckily managed to stabilize himself and dropped down to the floor, quiet as a wolf. Nico made his way over to Pipers bed, near the back of the Cabin.

She still slept with her dagger. Jason slept with his sword too. Most demi-gods, by the time they were claimed, which now was around twelve, slept with a weapon, on guard all the time. It was exhausting. But also, necessary.

“Piper!! We need your help!”

Jason was in half a mind to point out that technically it was only Nico who needed her help, but that might make Nico get snappy, or leave.

Both would likely wake people up. Looking around, Jason realized why Nico had wanted to break in instead of shadow travel. The whole Cabin was gently lit. Dim enough to sleep, but light enough to not have any shadows. Probably to stop nightmares. Nico must have thought ahead. Something about that nagged at him, though Jason couldn’t tell why.

“Piper? Please?” Jason whispered as he came closer, touching her on the shoulder gently.

Waking her up was risky enough, but waking her up with a shake would lead to her stabbing them.

Jason would react the same, and he knew he didn’t need to tell Nico. The kid knew. He always knew stuff, showed up at the right time.

“Piper?”

Piper groaned, rolling over and glaring at them through half lidded eyes. Any minute now, she would realise this was very weird and Jason had grass on his clothes.

“Hi Piper.”

Pipers eyes widened as she grabbed her dagger, sitting up straight and narrowly avoiding bumping her head off of her fellow siblings bed above her. She stumbled out of bed, eyes wide as Jason caught her.

“What’s going on??”

“SHHHH!!”

Both Nico and Jason said at the same time, glancing around to make sure nobody woke up. Some stirred, but most just turned over. They both let out a breath, looking at Piper.

“We’re sorry to wake you, Pipes.” Jason started, gently taking the dagger from her hands.

"Nobodys hurt. We’re fine. We do need your help though. We have a problem.” A glace at Nico. “A love problem.”

Piper took a deep breath in, untensing slightly. Then she glared at them.

Here we go.

“Are you fucking telling me that you woke me up, at what-half four am? In the bloody morning?? Because you have a crush?? And how did you get in here anyway? PLEASE tell me you didn’t break a window. I’m looking at you, Nico.”

Nico swallowed. “Sorry, Piper. But it’s important. I need you to make the crush go away. No one can know, no one can find out. That’s why we broke in. To be fair, it was Jason’s idea.”

Gee, thanks Nico. Piper paused. Jason saw the wheels turning in her head, a tiny bit of anger and shock cycling through her face. “You want me to… what?” Nico nodded solemly. “I need you to get rid of it. Also, can you please be sworn to secrecy? Cause I don’t want this getting out. At all. Is there a curse you could put on me, maybe? That I never fall in love? Romantic love, of course. I don’t want to become unfeeling. Actually, maybe that would be better. Can you do that?” Piper slowly shook her head in disbelief, looking around.

“I’m not having this conversation here. Let’s go outside-”

“NO!”

Both Nico and Jason said loudly at the same time. Jason paused, looking at the Son of Hades. Jason didn’t want to go outside because of the strange gut feeling he had gotten. But why didn’t Nico want to go outside?

“Um, okay. Not now though. I need to actually sleep, okay? In the morning-and I can see your mouth open Jason, if you say it technically is morning I will grab that dagger back and shove it up your ass-we are going to talk about this. Alright? Now out.”

Nico looked at Jason, looking to him for guidance, again. Jason decided to listen, smiling and nodding that him before saying goodbye to Piper and stepping out. He looked around and tried to find Nico so that he could walk him home, but he saw the whites of Nico’s eyes disappear into the shadows just as he turned around. Back to the Hades Cabin, probably.

Jason swallowed.

He did not want to walk alone in the dark.

Chapter Text

Nico knew why Jason had jumped when he saw him. He wasn’t stupid. There was someone in the trees. He knew it like he knew his own name-a creeping up his spine, a whisper in his ear.

It was a spy. It had to be. But…. No. It must be.

Nico didn’t know any of the others-not that he wanted to, anyway. But he knew they were there. He knew it like he knew that if anyone found out….. Well. That wasn’t something he liked to think about.

He was late, he realized. It was five now, and he should be going. He just… needed to get the whole Solace situation out of his head. It would be fine. Piper can fix it. He took a breath, then turned and walked into the same woods Jason had been avoiding. The person was gone now, their soul retreating. Good. The branches and sounds surrounded him, birds singing and leaves rustling, the throes of the underworld-the natural one, that is, the one made of dirt, science, and a little bit of magic. Even science needs a little bit of belief, if you think about it. Faith makes up everything. 

There was an area beyond these trees, with signs spelling DANGER and BEWARE and WE MEAN IT PERCY, FUCK OFF OR SALLY WILL KILL US.

Nico cracked a smile, a rare sight these days. When Percy was younger, or so the story goes, Nico wasn’t around for that, he had repetedly gone into the area of the woods. No demi-gods were allowed in there-there was something very dangerous in there, something that if it wasn’t left alone, the results would be catastrophic. Percy had only stopped once he got caught up in the war with Kronos. Nico’s smile faded as he stepped across the boundairy. Percy was something, he could give him that.

It was quiet, in this part of the woods. Nico didn’t know he always noticed that. He didn’t know why it always bugged him, a little too much. He came to two trees, trunks intertwined to make a circle in the centre, just big enough for an adult to fit through. Nico looked around, once, twice, three times. Nobody was there. Nobody ever was.

Was it bad, that he wanted to get caught? To get found out? Would that be easier than this?

Bianca, I’m so sorry.

Slowly, knowing he was wasting time but not really caring, he pressed his hand to the left side of the trunk. The tree glowed once, twice, then stabilized. A portal, shimmering in the light. It would disappear the moment Nico stepped through, so it would be left open.

One, two, three-

For Hazel.

Nico Di Angelo stepped through the portal and disappeared.

The forest was quiet.

Chapter Text

Nico waited at the back of the Hades Cabin for Piper and Jason. They had chosen this place as a meeting spot for multiple reasons. One, because nobody liked to hang around the Hades Cabin, and two, because Nico needed a place that was familiar for this. It was grounding, in a way. Less other, less alien.

Piper had thought of that. Thank you Piper. Aphrodite better be proud of her, cause Nico sure would be.

He knew the others were likely just getting out of Cabin meetings now. Nico never went, never saw the need to, never wanted to invade the camps privacy. It didn’t matter though-he always knew.

They always knew.

“Nico!!”

Jason.

The blonde ran up to meet him, a smile on his face again as Nico saw Piper running after him, both in orange t-shirts. Nico considered asking Jason when he was going to go back to New Rome, then decided against it. It might come off as rude, and anyway Nico didn’t want him to leave just yet. Jason knew, well, he was sorta his friend. Sorta. Not too much. Just toeing the edge.

“Hey Jason. Hey Piper. You good?”

He reached him then stopped, skidding slightly in the grass. Piper simply slowed to a walk and looked at Jason in amusement, then turned to Nico with a slightly solem look.

“I’m fine. But Nico, I can’t do it.”

All at once, a pit opened in Nico’s stomach. “What do you mean?”

“I mean I can’t make you fall out of love with someone. I’m sorry.”

No. No no no no no no no.

“Piper, please.”

The daughter of Aphrodite looked sympathetic. “I’m sorry, Nico. Maybe h-they like you back?”

Nico shook his head. “No, not possible. I…. Thank you, Piper, really. Even though you couldn’t do anything.”

She smiled slightly. The kind of smile she gave him after the battle with Gaea.

Piper Maclean had never smiled a genuine smile.

He didn’t know why that bothered him.

~~~

He didn’t know why he was standing outside of the Infirmary.

Well, okay. Yes he did. But it was better to pretend he didn’t. Easier to swallow his pride.

Nico knocked on the wooden door, knuckles stinging slightly, as he internally cursed himself. He had been a fool to that-a fool in a rotting child’s life. Wasn’t he supposed to be smart? He could have sworn he was supposed to be smart. Oh f-

“Hey Neeks! Wanna come in?”

Yes. No. Maybe. Over his dead body. Absolutely.

“Uh, Sure?”

He was pulled in by a sunny smile that could light up rooms by his arm, and Nico could have sworn his temperature had gone up.

Damn it all. He should have asked Piper to stab him. THAT she would do.

“So glad you came! So, hows life treating you, eh? It hasn’t been as busy in here as it was when Gaea fell, though that’s like comparing the grand canyon to the holes some of the eleven-year-olds dig in the ground. Strange how much can change within a couple of days. How are Jason and Piper? You’ve hung out with them, right?”

W-

“Yeah, I have. They’re doing good. Well, good as you can be after everything, you know?”

Will nodded. “I understand. The good news is, most of the campers have had check-ups and seem to be doing fine, you know? So don’t worry. Actually, you’re one of the few who haven’t come in yet. Not that I invited you in here just to check up on you! Well, I did. I mean medically. But if you want to, we could do it now?”

Nico tried not to wince. This was going great. Of course. Of course Solace only wanted him here for a check up. He understood. He really did. It wasn’t Will’s fault he wasn’t defective. Nico needed to be logical here. It’s fine.

“Sure, I won’t keep you waiting. Will we do it here?”

Will seemed to grow lighter, like Nico had taken his metaphorical load off his shoulders. Nico decided, right there and then, that he would sacrifice anything and everything to see him relax like that again. Even if it killed him. Gods, he was so screwed.

“Would the back room be okay? We have better equipment there, plus it’ll make things easier. Privacy, too. Bet you don’t want a lot of people staring at you… ever, really.” Nico had to agree with that. Attention was not something he was used to. Especially not from strangers needed to get their arm fixed because someone dared them to jump off a cabin roof or something. That happened once, actually. Not Percy this time. Actually, he thought it was Annabeth. She was testing something, apparently. Nico wondered if Will remembered it. He might have-but then again, he might not have even been in the infirmary at the time. It was before Kronos, right? If so, then Will wouldn’t have been the Head of the Apollo Cabin. Nico remembered Will’s older brothers. They had been nice. They bled a lot, though. Nico had helped bring the bodies home.

He probably shouldn’t bring that up to Will.

Nico followed the blonde through the back door and into another, very neat room. It reminded him of a hospital, although quite a bit more modern. Maybe they have more advanced tech? Or it could just be him having not been in a hospital since he got shot forward in time. There was a white bed with lots of tubes on the other side of it, with the words ‘Risk Ward’ on the wall next to a wooden box that seemed to have lots of files in them. There were three other beds, much like the one he had first laid eyes upon, all with the same equipment. Will stepped around him, face blank, falling into ‘doctor mode’, something Nico had seen him do many times, albet from a distance. He always thought it helped Will hide his emotions better-less risk of upsetting the patient. The switch was quite unsettling though, at least until Will turned around and gave him a small smile, holding a needle and a file.

“Alright, Nico. So, since your file is kind of lacking, I do have to do a full examination of your powers from scratch. Luckily, we do have info on shadow travel, so you can’t bullshit me, Di Angelo. I will also be conducting an examination of your physical condition, as well as some mental questions about your routine. If you consent to that, sign here.”

He handed him a two page form, and Nico started to read it through, taking in all the medical jargon and trying to understand it. Ten minutes later, he handed it back to Will, signed. The boy just smirked at the black marks covering some of the conditions. “Nice job, Nico. People normally don’t catch that clause.”

Nico merely sighed. “I have trust issues and hate authority. I’m not signing over my right to talk shit about people in the Apollo cabin. How many people can’t talk bad about you, huh?”

Will’s smile only grew wider. “You have no idea, believe me. Secretly, I’m a menace.”

Nico’s smile was that little bit too knowing. “Well, watch your mouth, Solace. Things reach strange ears in this camp.”

Will turned around, chuckling slightly. Nico didn’t know it, but that exact same smile was mirrored on Will’s face, though a little softer. “I’m sure. Jason is already under clause, by the way. Annabeth too, actually. Percy didn’t fall for it, though.”

Nico blinked, surprised. “You got Annabeth?”

“Got her talking about architecture while I gave it to her.” “You have my respect.” They both laughed a little, and Nico too, eased slightly.

He knew, deep down, this couldn’t last.

He knew, deep down, he didn’t care.