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queen-fenestra · 3 years

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okay so, i wrote some solangelo fanfiction and here it is. also, @wundersimp you said you would be interested and also tagging @simping-for-solangelo and @bookingfangirl

“It isn’t the 1900’s anymore, Nico. Nobody except stuck-up, homophobic drew is gonna hate on you. Just please, come outside. Please. Just come to the dining pavilion with me. You have to eat,” Will said, pacing the Hades cabin. Drew Tanaka had seen Nico and Will holding hands. It had been the first time, after Will had spent weeks trying to convince Nico that hardly anyone at camp would at him. As Will had just said, it wasn’t the 1900’s anymore. Drew had been put on kitchen duty for the next month, and had to do all her activities supervised by the Stoll brothers. They could hand out as many even remotely fair punishments, as long as Katie approved. Katie was the only one who could make Travis do something, and, more impressively, make him not do something. Though Drew was getting a very fair punishment, her words didn’t stop hurting Nico. now he wouldn’t leave his cabin, or talk to anyone. Will had iris messaged Jason, Reyna, and Hazel, and they came immediately, but Nico wouldn’t let them into his cabin. Will came to Nico’s door today and knocked. He had heard no sound and went in, seeing Nico pointedly ignoring him.

“Yeah, alright. Sure,” said Nico dryly, “I have sooo much proof of that, considering what happened.” Nico sounded like he was heavily rolling his eyes. His voice was filled with so much sarcasm that it hurt Will to hear it.

“Nico, Drew is an asshole, but others aren’t like her. Just come outside. Doctors orders?” Will finished, sounding uncertain as to whether saying doctors orders would help.

“Why should I come outside. I have KD stocked up, and I don’t want to. And nobody wants to see me.”

“Nico, KD isn’t good for you. And you need water.” Will pleaded. Nico pointed to the tap.

“One good reason, Will.” Nico said.

“Because I love you Nico. That's why.” Will said. He was done with Nico’s shit. He was playing the ace up his sleeve. He looked at Nico. Nico started shaking, and Will rushed over to him. Will carried Nico to the couch.

“Did you not believe that I loved you? That I cared? I came to your cabin every goddamn day, hoping to see you. Your pretty face, your chocolaty brown eyes. I wanted to hear your voice, even if it was just you telling me to scram. I missed you.”

“Nobody likes me, I’m the loner. Everyone thinks I’m creepy. Son of Hades, raiser of the dead, now the weird gay kid. They all wish I would leave. I don’t know why I haven’t yet. No one can like me. It’s not natural,” Nico said, struggling to escape Will’s iron grasp.

“Nico, please,” Will begged, reaching out to brush a tear out of Nico’s eye, “Please. Not everyone will always like you. If you’re holding out for universal popularity, you’re going to be in here a long time.” Nico looked down into Will’s begging face.

“That sounds like it’s from something you made me read or watch,” said Nico, glaring accusingly into Will’s eyes. Will hid a grin.

“Maybe. I’ll tell you if you come outside with me,” cajoled Will, gazing hopefully up at Nico.

“No. You may like me, but everyone else wants me gone. I don’t want to go outside, just to have other people wishing I was gone.” Nico said, looking away from Will.

“Nico, I know eight people other than me who care. Three of whom came earlier this week to get you out of this cabin. Reyna, Jason, Hazel, Frank, Percy, Annabeth, Leo, and Piper would hate a world without you. They were so concerned, Reyna, Hazel, and Jason came and sat outside your cabin for three days. Travis and Connor brought them food because they thought their cause was worthy. Travis and Connor cared. Other campers came and sat with them as you blatantly ignored all the people who cared about you because you didn’t believe people could care about you since Bianca died. But people do care. And you thinking that they don’t hurts them as much as it hurts you, because they think they aren’t being good enough to you. They think they hurt you in some way. But they didn’t and they deserve better than what you’re giving them. I understand that you’re hurting, and that Drew is a little shit and you have full permission to hate her, but we just want you back. Tell me Nico, when you say ‘other people’ hate you, do they have a face. Who are they?” Will asked. He let out all his emotions to try to get through to Nico.

“You wanna know who other peoples faces are?” yelled Nico, “You wanna know? It’s Drew, yes, but also the kids at camp Jupiter sneering at Hazel and I as we walked past. It’s my dad as he told me I wasn’t as good as my sister and never would be, as he took Percy and locked him up, even after I asked my dad for a favour, saying it was for my crush. It’s the aphrodite kids shoving Percy and Annabeth into the lake. It’s Travis and Connor teasing me about HAVING A CRUSH ON ANNABETH when I saved them all from destruction at the battle of manhattan. It’s cupid- it’s cupid outing me in front of Jason in croatia.” Nico’s voice broke as he started sobbing. Will pulled him back onto the couch as he crumpled into tears.

“Nico, people hurt you. I recognize that. But Hazel and Jason and Reyna and I sitting outside your cabin trying to help you aren’t those people. Your dad tried to make it up to you, he gave you a french zombie chauffeur. Travis and Connor tried to help us, bringing us meals in support of you. Cupid doesn’t matter. He’s an ocean away. All these people who mentioned aren’t going to attack you the moment you step outside your door. Come outside.”

“No.”

“Fine then,” said Will, “I’ve tried everything. Bye I guess.” He stood up and left. He wasn’t always calm and cool. He most often felt like an elastic band stretched almost to breaking point. And sometimes he snapped. He wasn’t the carefree, relaxed guy they always saw. He had his fair share of hurt. He had seen his siblings die, sometimes in his hands, as he tried desperately to save them. All the fallen campers, an inch away from death, lying around him at the end of the battle, knowing he couldn’t save them all. All the hours he worked in the infirmary after the warriors of the battle who got all the credit relaxed. All the times he needed a shoulder to cry on and having to be someone else’s shoulder. All that.

____________________________________________________________________________

Nico left his cabin as soon as Will was out of sight. Not to go eat food or be with other people, but to be with Bianca. He shadow traveled to Zeus’s fist, where he had said goodbye to Bianca. Now he was saying goodbye to times with Will. He still shouldn’t have been shadow traveling and was almost incorporeal when he arrived. He sat there, sobbing silently into his knees. He wanted to disintegrate into the earth. He ran his dagger along his arms and legs, drawing trickles of blood. He didn’t want to leave, so he didn’t.

____________________________________________________________________________

“Nico?” Will called tentatively, “Are you here?” the door to the Hades cabin creaked slightly as he opened it. There was not a living thing in it. Nico wasn’t there. Where was Nico. Nico. If Nico was gone… Nico. No. Where was Nico.

Okay Will, Will thought to himself, don’t panic. Where would Nico go? I have no fucken clue. Who knew Nico the longest? Percy. Who knows Nico the best? Jason or Reyna or Hazel. Problem, they are all the way on the west coast. Guess I gotta go see Percy.

____________________________________________________________________________

Percy set his homework down and walked towards the door of his apartment. Why did people come right when he was starting his schoolwork? He got distracted and never got back on track. Percy opened the door and was met by Will. Will looked very anxious, so Percy let him in.

“Please say there isn’t another war and you’re here to recruit me for it,” sighed Percy, already resigned to his fate.

“No,” Will assured him, “It’s not that. It’s Nico. He left. I don’t know where he is. Do you have any idea where he could be hiding?”

“Yeah,” said Percy, “I’ll take you there. Follow me.” They walked down to the street, where Paul’s prius was parked, and drove to camp.

____________________________________________________________________________

Nico felt like an asshole. He had driven Will away from him, just like everybody else he cared about. He had been so annoying his sister had joined the hunt. Percy had mistrusted him so much after his father had tricked Nico, and now he always felt that Percy didn’t fully trust him. The members of the argoⅡ had been glad to get rid of him when he left with Reyna. Why did this always happen to him? He couldn’t have other people in his life. It didn’t work for him. As soon as he got attached to someone they always left. He didn’t deserve them.

____________________________________________________________________________

When Percy and Will got to camp, Percy set off at a fast pace towards the forest. They walked through the woods in a straight line, never varying in their direction. Will soon realized where they headed. They were a couple of meters away from the clearing around zeus’ fist, when Percy stopped.

“This is my best guess,” said Percy, “He said goodbye to Bianca here. This is where he’d go if he lost someone. You might want to go alone. I’ll wait back at the big house. Annabeth told me something I should tell Chiron.” Percy turned around and walked back the way they had come. Will stepped into the clearing.

“Nico?” he called tentatively, “Are you there?” He looked and saw a crumpled from leaning against the rocks. “Nico!” Will rushed to Nico. Nico was sobbing and had blood running over his arms. He had scratched his werewolf cuts open.

“I’m sorry Will,” Nico sobbed into Will’s shirt, “You don’t deserve me. I’m sorry.”

“Shhh,” Will whispered, “Don’t be sorry. I know this is hard for you. We don’t have to go back right now. We can stay here, but we have to go back eventually. We can stay here for a while though.” He comforted Nico, letting Nico sob into his shirt. It was too much for Nico. He had just made up his mind to run away to the yukon, where he wouldn’t bother anyone again. He had no idea how long he sat there, sobbing into Will’s shirt.

“I’m sorry that I’m difficult, Will. I’m sorry I made you snap.”

“Nico, it’s okay. It’s okay.”

“Let’s go back to camp. I’m hungry.” Hearing Nico say he wanted to go back to camp made Will smile. They headed out of the woods to the dining pavilion, where Nico ate healthy food, doctor’s orders. And Nico sat at the Apollo table, doctor's orders.

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tori-castellan · 6 years

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Tori and Luke’s Relationship

Okay, don’t get me wrong, I love Luke and Tori, I love their relationship, but I honestly feel that it is almost insanely unhealthy, not because it’s abusive - it’s not - or because either of the characters are bad - they aren’t, at least in my opinion - but because of how completely and utterly dependent Tori is on Luke.

Really, this is clear from the time they meet. In ITPS, it’s established that Tori and Luke met and formed a friendship soon after she arrived at Camp Half-Blood. This was a very vulnerable time in her life; her mother was dead (and she watched her die and was injured herself), she felt disconnected from her brother, and she had been suddenly thrust into this word of myth with no warning or preparation.

And then she met Luke.

Honestly, I don’t think their relationship started like this, or that Luke preyed on Tori. I fully believe that they were fairly normal friends, even if Tori leaned on him more than usual because of her circumstances.

But the problem lies in one simple fact: Not only does Tori not really have any other strong emotional bonds, she doesn’t want to. She doesn’t put any real effort into making friends or connecting with her half-siblings, Dan, or even the other Cabin 11 campers. She does end up having other friends, especially in INAS, but she always comes back to Luke. At her lowest points, either unconsciously or on purpose, she always looks to Luke and his memory for comfort and guidance. Essentially, she doesn’t think of Luke as a want, but as a need. To her, he is air or water, not cake or a car, or even something also that’s considered necessary to be safe and healthy, but not necessarily alive, like shelter.

Throughout ITPS, INAS, and Colors III., Tori’s goal is always Luke. In INAS, when Luke is dead and Tori thinks he is beyond her reach entirely, she’s . . . almost lifeless, in a way. She has no goals of her own beyond existing. She mostly does things because she has to or is forced to. Even when she decides to join in the fight against the gods, this decision is somewhat inspired by Luke’s own fight against them, and she does it at least partially because it offers the possibility of Luke coming back.

Now, this is by no means Tori’s only character trait, and she definitely has hobbies, thoughts, ideals of her own, but they’re all overshadowed by this. To Tori, the most important thing in her life is Luke, or finding Luke, or mourning Luke. Basically, this is Tori:

Life: Okay, so there are two options. The first one is Luke-

Tori: That one.

Life: Hold on, you haven’t heard the second one-

Tori: I don’t care. I want Luke.

Life: Yeah, but-

Tori: No buts. Give me Luke.

Life: You don’t even know what the second option is.

Tori: I don’t care, I want Luke.

Life: What if the other thing is five Lukes? Hm?

Tori: Is it?

Life: . . . No.

Tori: Is it any number of Lukes?

Life: . . . No.

Tori: Then it’s not what I want.

In contrast to this, Tori’s relationships with others are pretty surface-level. She pretty much doesn’t have any sort of connection with anyone else in ITPS because Luke was still alive, so even when they weren’t actively together, she was looking for him and trying to reunite with him. This changes some in INAS, where she has fairly good relationships with her siblings, but again, it feels shallow. They’re only really starting to connect, and they don’t understand Tori on a deeper level. They care about her, and she cares about them, but to her, they’re more stand-ins for Luke, at least on an emotional level. I honestly think that if Luke just randomly showed up alive, offered absolutely no explanation for this, and asked Tori to leave with him but that it would mean completely abandoning her siblings and everyone else forever, she would do it. She’d probably feel bad about it, but she’d do it. And her ‘feeling bad’ would be more guilt than sadness, because it would be so overshadowed by how happy she was because, hey! Luke!

And I don’t know if all of this was intentional in ITPS and INAS, but it was when I wrote Colors III. Tori honestly cares about Dan, Annabeth, Percy, and others, but still chooses Luke, even when she knows it’s at a possible or even certain detriment to herself or others.

During the final battle in Colors III., Luke needs to kill himself to kill Kronos. Even with the belief that this is absolutely necessary, this is Tori’s reaction:

“No! I don’t care! You can’t do this to me, Luke! Please, baby, I love you, I love you so much.” She started kissing him, his forehead, his cheeks, his nose, his lips. “Please don’t leave me. Please.” (This wasn’t even the first or only time she said this during this part; she continually said “No” from the moment she realized what was going on, and continued even as it became clear to everyone else that this had to happen.)

And finally, part XXVI. of book five: The battle is over; Tori has had time to get clean, her hair is down, and she’s wearing a light blue shirt - partly for Luke’s eyes, but also for clarity and thought. She has sat down and come to a purposeful decision: “I’ve chosen to stay with you . . . Whatever your fate, I’ll share it.”

(Keep in mind that at this point, that could mean literal death and eternal torture (and she absolutely knew that and still meant it) and that it actually did end up with them having their memories wiped and new, fake ones inserted, and thus being completely cut off from everyone they knew.)

Now, I don’t necessarily think this all is a bad thing from a story perspective. Just from a purely relationship perspective, that it is. And the reason for this is actually shown pretty well in INAS, which leads me to believe that it’s at least partially intentional on TheBrightestNight’s part. Without Luke, Tori completely falls apart. She is an emotional wreck with very little to fall back on now that the only person she had any real relationship with is gone. And, as of chapter 43 of INAS, she hasn’t really moved on from Luke and his death. And yeah, she has people she cares about, but I never get the feeling that her and these people really understand each other on a deep, emotional level, except for maybe Percy and Annabeth, but she doesn’t interact with them very much. Tori clearly doesn’t feel for anyone as strongly as she did and still does for Luke. She is, at times, suicidal, not just because he’s gone, but because without him, she has no one left.

While I personally am in favor of Luke coming back at some point in INAS, I think that even if he does, Tori needs friendships with people apart from Luke (not Nick, I don’t care for Nick). But I don’t think that can come purely from her effort, just because she wouldn’t see a need to put any in. After all, she would have Luke. What else does she need?

Credit for Tori’s creation goes to @notesofarichlycolorednight

TheBrightestNight’s AO3 Account .

My AO3 Account

It’s the Perfect Story

I Need Another Story

The Colors AU

#itps #colors #colors au #colors iii.#inas #notesofarichlycolorednight #analysis #fanfiction #pjo fanficition #brief suicide mention #tw: sucide mention #tw: suicideal feelings #luke castellan #luke/tori #tori williams #oc: tori williams #pjo #fanfiction analysis

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percyjacksonfan3 · 7 years

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Finding Home (Part Four)

Part One: http://percyjacksonfan3.tumblr.com/post/164310549382/finding-home

Part Two: http://percyjacksonfan3.tumblr.com/post/164310549382/finding-home-part-two

Part Three: http://percyjacksonfan3.tumblr.com/post/164310549382/finding-home-part-three

Nico was a 15 year old boy and in his first relationship, which meant, the majority of the time, all he wanted to do was make out with Will Solace.

It also meant that, the majority of the time, making out with his boyfriend was the last thing he actually got to do.

The son of Hades was very particular about their make out spots. Where Will was fine with public displays of affection, Nico liked privacy. He felt uncomfortable around people at the best of times, so when he had someone’s tongue down his throat (even if it was a very welcome tongue) it was hard for him to really relax if anyone other than Will was in the immediate vicinity.

But the Hades cabin? Yeah, that was totally fine. In fact, it was their prime make out spot because nobody except Nico and, by extension, Will, ever went in there unless something truly awful had happened.

(If the two of them happen to spend a lot of time in the Hades Cabin it was no one’s business but their own, no matter what Percy might say.)

Nico was still getting used to being in a relationship. He was young, he and Will had started going out right after the end of a war and neither of them was very comfortable at being together with someone else in the beginning. It was new for both of them. They got to know each other a little better every day and now Nico knew everything from Will’s mother’s favourite song to his morning routine.

(Yes, they’d fallen asleep together once or twice. They’d been dating for close to a year, sue them.)

They were taking things slow and Nico was okay with that. He was okay with kissing and a little touching. To him it wasn’t really about the physical side of things- though he enjoyed that too, don’t get him wrong- but the fact that it was Will that he was with. Will was the one he laughed with and teased, the one he bent the rules for and got to smile at from across the training arena.

Of course, when the opportunity presented itself and Will turned to him with that smile and look in his eyes and asked, “Wanna go make out?” Nico immediately said yes, grabbed his hand and they escaped to Nico’s bunk.

One thing about Will? His lips left fire in their wake.

Nico gasped as the trail Will kissed down his neck made it’s way to his collar bone. He burned where Will’s skin touched his, like the result of the sun getting too close, but Nico just arched into it because that’s the thing about the sun; you seek out the warmth, even if you know you could get burnt in the process.

Hands made it’s way under his t-shirt and Nico groaned as Will’s hips dipped momentarily to brush against his, wrenching a mewl out of the demigod above him.

Nico loved this, the way Will’s eyes got so dark the pupil almost entirely swallowed the blue, and he loved the sounds he could get from Will in moments like these ones.

He was just in the process of getting Will’s t-shirt off his body and throwing it to the floor when there was a knock on the door.

“Nico, it’s Annabeth.”

Nico huffed a breath and fell back against the mattress, a frown on his face as Will met his eyes and started chuckling before going back to kissing his chest.

“Go away!” He yelled, and was impressed when his voice only came out slightly hoarse.

“This is important,” Annabeth said, “I’m coming in, Will make sure you both have clothes on.”

Both of their faces flamed and Will rested his head against Nico’s chest and cursed. “Why do the Fates hate us?”

Nico stared up at the bunk above them. “I don’t know, maybe we were politicians in another life.”

Will snorted and rolled off. “Okay, come in Annabeth!”

Nico crossed his arms, glaring at his boyfriend. “This is my cabin you know, I should be the one to invite people in-”

Annabeth walked in and Nico stopped talking at the sight of her. He’d seen that look on Annabeth’s face exactly one time and his stomach twisted.

Both Nico and Will sat up, swinging their legs over the side of the bed and watching her closely.

“I’m sorry,” she said quietly, holding the son of Hades’ gaze steadily. Her eyes had always intimidated him, but now, more than ever, the look in them made Nico uncomfortable and he suddenly didn’t want to hear the words fall from her mouth. “But I need you to check if Percy is dead.”

Will physically recoils while Nico blinks. “What did you just say?”

“Please.” Annabeth continues, voice shaky. She doesn’t repeat herself and Nico doesn’t try and force her to- he suspects she wouldn’t be able to without breaking down. “Something took him and we can’t- nobody knows where he is. Please Nico.”

His eyes search hers, looking for any sign she might be messing with him, but there’s none.

After that there’s nothing left for him to do but close his eyes after she speaks, and slowly calm his breathing. Nico forgets everything, stripping the layers of reality around him away until he probes for Percy’s life.

He can’t find it.

Nico’s nose scrunches as he closes his eyes tighter, searching frantically. The way his power works is simple, really, once he’d become attuned to it. He feels people, he feels the life in them or the life they used to possess, and, sometimes, he can wrap his fingers around that essence and pull it back to the surface for short moments of time. It’s how his skeletons come to life. It’s how he can pull the life out of someone if he wants to.

Thoughts of Reyna and her father flash through his mind but he pushes those away quickly. He concentrates on Percy, and it helps, having all of the memories and history with him that he does, because it gives him a better idea of what to search for, but he still comes up empty.

Last time Percy had gone missing he’d been able to feel he was alive when Annabeth asked. He hadn’t been able to locate him or really give any indication to whether he was hurt or not, but he had known he was alive. (Of course right after he’d done that he’d gone to visit Hazel in New Rome and search a little for Percy himself. Not that anyone else needed to know that.)

This time he just feels… nothing.

When Leo had died, Nico had felt it. He’d been able to feel the absence, sense Leo’s spirit down in the Underworld. When Nico searches for Percy he can’t find anything.

Nico’s eyes open and he finds both of the blondes staring at him, Will with wonder in his eyes (and Nico has to admit, the sight of that never fails to surprise him, and maybe it makes his stomach flutter a little) and Annabeth looking crestfallen before he even speaks.

“I can’t find him.”

She nods, her face crumples, and Nico’s up in an instant, moving towards her, gripping her shoulder and elbow in case she needs the support. Usually he’s not so touchy-feely with a person, but he’s always had a different relationship with Annabeth. Her face makes a tear rip open in his chest and he refuses to think about what this means, the fact that Percy seems to have completely disappeared from the face of the Earth, or at least what Nico can feel of it.

“So he’s dead.” Will says, making Nico look away from Annabeth to his boyfriend.

He shakes his head, ignoring the pang in his chest at Will’s words, delivered in such a flat, disbelieving tone. “I- I don’t know. I just can’t find him. He’s not in the Asphodel Fields, or the Isles of the Blessed, or the Three Judgement Lines. He doesn’t seem to be in the Underworld at all. But I can’t feel him above and I don’t know whether he’s alive either. It’s like he never existed in the first place and there’s nothing to find with no absence left behind.”

Annabeth straightens, moving her arm to make Nico’s hands fall from her. She catches his hand though, and grips it hard.

“Whatever has him has magic.” She says to the two of them, and her voice only wavers slightly on the first two words before growing strong. “We know that. Is it possible that could hide him from you Nico?”

She looks so desperate for a logical explanation and Nico thinks about it. “I’m not sure. Probably. I’m nowhere near as strong as my father, something could be blocking me from feeling him.”

“Would Hades know?” Annabeth asked him and Nico’s eyes flashed to her, watching carefully.

“Probably,” he says again slowly, and she nods.

“Nico, would you Iris-message him?” She asks and his eyes widen. “Please, I wouldn’t ask if- I can’t do six months again, and this time not knowing whether he’s even alive- please. It’s Percy.” She sounds so desperate, her sentences cut short because she refuses to even contemplate the idea.

Nico sighs, not even sparing a second to try and fight with her or himself. It was Annabeth. And they were talking about Percy.

Which meant Nico would do whatever he could to help.

“Of course,” he mutters, and Annabeth drops his hand. He flexes his fingers, feeling the blood rush back to them and can’t help but be grateful at the release. “You know I- of course I will.”

“Thank you, Nico.” She says, so earnestly that he can’t do anything but nod. “I’m leaving soon, hopefully within the hour, but if it takes longer than that maybe you could message me when we land back in Iowa.”

“Annabeth,” Will interrupts them, standing up to walk over. “What happened?”

Annabeth’s eyes turned even stormier than usual. “Percy’s been kidnapped, when we were on our scouting mission. In the middle of the night, when we were all sleeping, something just came and took him. We have no idea what or who it is.”

Nico closed his eyes again, regaining his breath. Misery seemed to follow Percy even more than it trailed Nico, and he felt the worry in his chest spread and curdle into fear.

“I’ll talk to my father,” he tells her, having missed Will’s reply and opening his eyes to see Annabeth turning to leave. “And I’ll let you know what he says.”

Annabeth smiles at him, a small, grateful smile. “Thank you, Nico.”

And then she’s gone.

Nico turns to Will, shifting slightly. “Erm, you don’t have to stay-”

“Oh I’m staying,” Will says, sitting back on Nico’s bed. “Don’t worry, I’ll be quiet. He won’t even know I’m here.” Will’s fiddling with his fingers while he speaks but looks up at Nico suddenly. “Unless you really want me to go, then-”

“No.” Nico says, surprising himself. “Stay. Just... be quiet while you stay.”

Will smiles at him, moving his hand to show a zipper locking his lips shut and him throwing away the key. Nico rolls his eyes and turns to look around, trying to find something to use for an Iris-message.

Then he remembers Percy has a new water fountain in his cabin and turns to Will. “Come on.”

“Hey, we shouldn’t be doing this.” Will says when he realizes what they’re doing, just outside Cabin 3’s door. “Percy’s not here, who knows what his dad might-”

“Don’t be silly.” Nico says, opening the door and stepping through into the cabin. “Hurry.”

Will hesitates but after a pointed look from Nico he scrambles inside.

Percy’s cabin is a mess, but Nico isn’t surprised. The clothes on the floor, the photographs and Minotaur Horn on the wall, the hidden chocolate and Coke cans in the bedside table drawer is all extremely familiar. With a quick glance around he snatches the drachma from his pocket determinedly and throws it in the fountain.

Hades does not notice when the Iris-message connects.

No, he’s too caught up in what he’s doing and the only thing that makes him notice the Iris-message is Nico gagging at the sight of him and his step-mother necking and giggling like kids on a chaise lounge Nico knows is in Persephone’s receiving quarters.

“Ew, Dad, gross!” Nico throws his hands over his eyes and hears Will choke behind him. “Stop!”

Hades visibly jumps and curses while Persephone just freezes before sighing and moving her skirts and dress back in place. Both turn to look at the Iris-message and where Hades looks embarrassed and guilty Persephone just looks irritated, raising an eyebrow in silent question.

“Your son would like to speak with you it seems,” she speaks finally, and the tone is so cool Nico feels the chill from here.

Hades looks at her now, the guilty look transforming into one of regret. “My dear if you could…”

The eyebrow lowers and Persephone sighs again, standing up with more grace than Nico’s ever seen, holding her dress in one hand and stepping carefully away. “Kicked out of my own chambers, how shocking.” She mutters. “Do try not to take too long,” she tells her husband, and then she glares at Nico before walking out of his line of sight. He hears a door click and hopes it’s the one to her private garden and not her bedroom. He doesn’t need to imagine her waiting there for his father.

“It’s summer,” Will hisses in Nico’s ear. “Why is she there?”

“Sometimes she sneaks out to see him,” Nico answers quietly. “Over the years Zeus got a lot more lenient and tired of my dad and her complaining all summer. Demeter turns a blind eye for a couple of hours or just doesn’t notice anymore.”

“I thought the Underworld Queen hated your dad?”

“It’s complicated,” Nico hisses back, not really wanting to explain the love affair of his father and his step-mom. “Now shh.”

“Nico.” Hades turns his eyes on him. “What is it?”

It’s not the warmest welcome, but he wasn’t expecting one.

“I need you to check whether Percy Jackson is dead.” Nico says bluntly, making his father arch an eyebrow in reminiscence of his wife.

“Percy Jackson,” his father sneers.

Nico nods.

“And why would I do that? Surely he’ll pass through here eventually, or one of his adoring fans will miss him. You’ll know soon enough whether the brat’s alive.” Hades says, tone cold. “One way or another.” He lets that sink in. “What possible reason could I have for looking into that demigod?”

“Because I’m asking you to,” Nico replies, and Will inhales sharply behind him.

Hades’ eyes narrow and he looks around his son. “And who would this be? Young Will Solace, I presume? I would hope so, Nico, it would disappoint me greatly to know you were messing around with another boy behind your boyfriend’s back.”

Nico chokes and coughs so hard his eyes water. Will thumps his back and looks like he’s expecting to be smited at any second. “Er, yes, sir. Will Solace.” He bows and, after making sure Nico isn’t going to suffocate, disappears from Hades’ view.

“How do you-” Nico starts.

“Apollo was back on Olympus two days ago,” Hades says disdainfully. “The first thing he did was contact me and inform me that we should be expecting wedding bells soon. Then he led me into a conversation of talking about how proud of our sons we are, and how perfect it was that you both had found one another. A perfect contrast between light and dark he called it.” Nico takes in his father’s expression and finds it thoroughly unimpressed. “Really, for a god of poetry he thoroughly lacks skill or originality in the genre. I told Zeus that Apollo wasn’t serious about it, but did he listen? No, and now we have a god of poetry who hasn’t produced anything except haiku’s for the past century. Really, it’s quite disheartening.” Hades sighs and looks up. “Of course, meaning no disrespect towards your father, Solace.”

Will peeks over Nico’s shoulder. “No offence taken sir.”

Nico can’t believe this is happening.

“You know I have a boyfriend?”

Hades’ eyes roll and Nico feels faint. “Of course I do. I knew even before Apollo graced me with the news, though I must admit, it would have been preferable to hear it from you, Nico.”

He might be sick.

“And you’re not… mad?”

Hades meets his eyes steadily. “No.” He says finally. “I am not. Nor am I disappointed, upset or even disheartened. Honestly son, you could be attracted to empousa and still have much more, ahem, normal interests than many of my siblings and family. Poseidon for example once knew this horse-” He cuts off and shakes his head. “Not important. What I’m saying is, this? This is nothing I would ever be ashamed of. I am mad you chose not to talk to me about it, but I understand it’s something of a tricky subject for mortals, so I suppose even that I can understand.” His eyes softened fractionally, going from onyx stone to at least a somewhat malleable stone. “You’re my son, Nico. I haven’t always proven it in the best of ways, but I do care for you. All I ever want is you to be happy. If Will Solace or any other boy gives that to you then I have no reason to be upset.”

Nico is definitely going to faint.

“Thank you, Dad.”

Hades grumbles, suddenly looking very uncomfortable. “You shouldn’t have to thank me for loving who you are, Nico.”

Nico opens his mouth and snaps it shut, not knowing what to say.

Hades manages to break the tension by increasing it. “As for you, Will Solace, I hope you know to take care of and appreciate my son. Strictly honourable intentions and nothing else. If not…” The god grins evilly. “Well, I’m sure you can think of some horrendous punishments I can concoct for you. Ones that can last an eternity, I’ll remind you-”

“Dad!” Nico interrupts him, feeling Will shake beside him from the force he’s using to nod his head frantically. “I think he’s got it, thanks.”

Hades leans back on the chaise lounge. “As long as he’s aware.”

“He is,” Nico says, suddenly wanting this conversation to be over, even though he knows he’ll replay it in his mind at least ten times later. “Can we get back to finding Percy please?”

Hades’ expressions grows cool once more. “I am not allowed to get involved in mortal affairs, Nico, you know this.”

Nico finds that funny after just hearing Hades finish threatening his boyfriend to treat him right. “Just tell me whether he’s alive.” Nico pleads. “Please.”

“That is well within your own power to find.”

“I can’t.” He says shifting. He doesn’t want to disappoint his father, he doesn’t like failing in front of him. “Whatever has him has magic. We think it might be hiding Percy from us. Iris couldn’t even get through.”

“Hidden from Iris?” Hades sounds interested, despite himself and Nico feels a small flutter of victory. “My, my, whatever has him must be quite powerful. There’s likely a very strong possibility he could die or be dead already.”

“Dad,” Nico says sharply, rebuking the tone of glee in his father’s voice.

“Ah, yes.” Hades grows somber once more. “And how saddening for us all that would be.”

Will muffles what suspiciously sounds like a laugh by bursting out in a fit of coughing and Hades almost smiles, looking pleased with himself. “Can you please just check?” Nico asks tiredly.

“Just because we had a more emotional moment gives you no reason to be impertinent and rude, Nico. What does Chiron teach you at that camp?”

Nico sighs and Will can’t stifle another laugh behind him.

“Please.” Nico says. “Percy’s my friend. One of my best friends. Annabeth is frantic. We just need to know-”

“Yes, yes.” Hades waves a hand, interrupting him. “He’s alive. There, are you happy?”

Nico breathes out in relief. “Thank you.”

Hades nods, but he’s frowning. “Nico, you’re not going along on the quest to release him, are you?”

Nico hesitates. “I don’t know. Why?”

“Don’t.” Hades says. “The one who has him… Best to stay far away, Nico. If you go the mission will fail and all of your friends will be lost. It could be the end of Olympus.”

Nico pales. “What are you talking about?”

“Don’t go to retrieve, Perseus.” Hades says, and he’s urgent. “The Fates can blame me for interfering all they like. Your friends might succeed without you. With you… they will undoubtedly fail.”

Nico swallows. “You’re sure?”

His father nods. “I am.”

He looks down at the floor, catching sight of Percy’s t-shirt lying feet away. When he looks around some more he sees jeans, a pair of sandals, a few candy wrappers. The walls glow blue and on the one beside Percy’s bunk there are roughly ten pictures stuck up. Nico looks and sees that he’s in a couple of them.

“I won’t go.” He says finally, wondering if he’s being a coward. “Can you tell me anything else? Where he is or who it is that has him?”

Hades shakes his head. “I’ve already said more than I should have. The Fates or Persephone will have my head, whichever gets to me first. All you have is what I’ve already told you.”

Nico nods and feels Will slip his hand into Nico’s, intertwining their fingers. “Thanks, Dad.”

“Be careful,” Hades says.

“Nice to meet you, sir.” Will pipes up and Hades nods. “Feel free to come down to the Underworld sometime, Will.” That sly grin is back on his face and Will gulps.

“Goodbye, Dad.” Nico says. He’s tempted to say more, like I love you, or thank you for accepting me for who I am and not being a jerk about it, it’s more than I gave you credit for, but he can’t force the words out. It’s not that they aren’t true, it’s just that Nico has never really had that kind of relationship with his father. Even now he half thinks this whole conversation has been a dream.

“Get out of the Poseidon Cabin, Nico.” Hades says, sounding bored. He stands, probably to go and find Persephone. “My brother’s tastes just don’t suit you. I might even go so far as to say that they’re not your type.”

With that Hades is gone, Will is laughing so hard tears are falling from his eyes and Nico is standing there stunned.

Gods, when they get out of here Will’s probably going to start saying the worst things, about fatherly love and familial support.

Nico pales. He might even start saying Hades has a sense of humour.

The Ghost King shudders, imagining what could happen if that rumour gets out.

oooOOOooo

When Percy comes to he’s unchained. He’s unchained and, what’s more, he’s laying down on something soft. When he turns his head he sees a burgundy pillow beneath him, one that’s suffered a little wear-and-tear but looks to be in pretty good condition.

He’s lying on a futon.

Percy laughs and lifts his hands to rub at his eyes, groaning from the pain that radiates from his torso at the action. When he pulls his hands away he realizes something.

His wrists are bandaged. When he breathes he feels tape on his ribs stretching with his skin. He tries to bend his legs and though his knees hurt when he does he feels a salve of some kind, warm and thick, rubbing against his jeans at the movement. Some kind of ointment.

He turns his head to look around but doesn’t get the chance.

“Your ribs were cracked.” The giant’s voice sounds suddenly from beside him and Percy jumps and turns his had to find Aristaeus sitting across from him against the opposite wall of the cave. “You passed out. I think you’ve been unconscious for about an hour. Maybe two.”

Percy meets his eyes. “Why aren’t I chained?” He croaks.

The giant looks at him sadly. “You can’t escape, demigod, even now. I could stop you with a thought. Having you chained makes you too stationary, it means I can take out my anger on you without giving you a chance to defend yourself or get out of the way. It’s too convenient for me.”

He speaks quietly, every vowel and consonant falling from his tongue, sounding just as tired as Percy feels and Aristaeus looks.

Percy’s confused. He holds out a bandaged wrist. “Why?” Is all he asks.

Aristaeus sighs and his head thumps back against the cave wall. “I wasn’t always a monster.” He says, and his voice is loaded with a history Percy is too tired to be curious about. “I don’t like causing people pain.”

Percy breathes in deeply. He’s sick of having the same conversation. “Then why am I here?”

Green eyes meet his and revulsion works its way through Percy’s body in a shiver. “I want my family back.” Aristaeus says, and for a second he sounds as vulnerable as an innocent child. “I don’t want to be alone anymore. I need revenge and I need to crumble the demigods and Olympus. You help me do that.”

Percy grits his teeth. “You think killing me will weaken anyone?” He bites out, and he shakily pulls himself up to sit, moving so that he’s leaning back against the wall, legs spread out before him. “Like you said earlier, the gods see me as nothing but a pawn. Taking me away does nothing to them.”

The giant shakes his head. “You matter to them. It’s strange. Even the ones who hate you admire you and look to you for assistance when they need it. When Apollo was weakened and cast out to become mortal, you were the first demigod he sought for help. You have been a child of two Great Prophecies and involved in many other quests. You’ve defeated Titans, Giants and fought off my father. You survived the deepest hell of the Underworld and glimpsed it’s true form without going insane. Believe me, losing you would be a very crippling blow to the gods.”

“The gods don’t need me,” Percy insists, growing angry. “You’ve got it wrong.”

“And what of the other demigods?” Aristaeus counters. “Both demigod camps care for you. You lead one camp and the leaders of the other seek out you for counsel. I know of your connections to Frank Zhang and Reyna Avila Ramirez Arellano. I surveyed the disarray your wake left to the Greeks, and I saw how you came in and took charge of the Romans within a week. You lead people and thus far you’ve led Olympus and it’s demigods to victory too many times. The Triumvirate’s plans have been thwarted by you since the beginning, every plot you uncovered, every setback you caused all helped lead to their destruction. I am all that is left and I can’t allow you to defeat me, demigod. If I do, I lose everything. That’s it.”

He sounds defeated already and Percy can’t help but watch and listen. He doesn’t agree with most of what Aristaeus has been saying. He was involved in everything, yes, but nothing Percy ever accomplished has been done alone. He’s always had Annabeth and Grover at his side. His mom has been there every step of the way, encouraging him. Chiron’s guided him, his friends have helped him, the gods have… well, they’ve been there. A few have even given him advice on the odd occassion.

Percy would have been dead a thousand times over if he hadn’t had those people with him. He knows what kind of people his friends and family are. Taking him out of the equation does nothing, they would still be fighting and never give up. They would find a way to win without him. They’re strong and don’t depend on him nearly as much as this giant seems to think.

“They don’t need me to defeat you.” Percy says, and his tone is almost pitying. “Like you said, you’re alone. One giant against all of Olympus’ forces won’t win, Aristaeus.”

The giant’s eyes sharpen at the use of his name.

“Just because your family died doesn’t mean you have to be alone and spend your days trying to get revenge.” Percy continues. “I knew one of your brothers. Damasen. He was my friend.”

Aristaeus’ face darkens. “Speak no more, demigod.”

“He was peaceful,” Percy continues, ignoring the warning he sees in the giant’s expression. “But he knew what was right. He helped Annabeth and I escape Tartarus by fighting his father. Your father. He-”

“I know what he did!” Aristaeus yells, getting up faster than Percy could have anticipated and moved to crowd him, making Percy cower back against the cave wall. “We all knew! And all of us who thought to do the same were quickly beaten, tortured or killed by Porphyrion.” The giant’s hand came up to wrap around Percy’s neck, pressing it against the cool stone behind him and Percy gasped, staring up at the monster in front of him. Spit flew from Aristaeus’ mouth as he hissed, “none who wanted to sit out were allowed to live.”

For the first time Percy spots scars puckering the giant. Vertical lines of raised, pale skin run from elbow to wrist on both arms, a slash across his throat, one running diagonally across his chest beginning to the left of his heart.

Percy looks up and meets the reptilian eyes again. “You were one of them.” He chokes out.

The giant releases him as quickly as he’d grabbed Percy, and Aristaeus moves backwards, stumbling slightly until he sits again in his original position. “I was. Not anymore.”

“They cut you.” Percy says after regaining his breath.

The giant laughs. “They did worse than that, though the scars left by that brand of torture aren’t visible to you.” He raises his arms and looks at them curiously, as if seeing the scars for the first time. “But yes. They did.”

Percy frowns. “They tortured you for wanting to save your own life? Just because you disagreed with them?”

“Did your side not kill demigods who sided against you in the wars?” Aristaeus said. “You’ve never killed one of your own kind before, Perseus?”

Percy flinches. “That was different.”

“That’s what war is.” Aristaeus shoots back. “Damasen betrayed his family so he was no longer a part of that family. It’s no different than what demigods do.”

“It is-”

“Is Luke Castellan considered a hero at Camp Half-Blood?” Aristaeus wonders and Percy’s mouth snaps shut. “Or Silena Beauregard?”

Percy opens his mouth, fails to find any words wot say, and closes it again. “That’s-”

“It’s no different.” The giant says, anticipating his response. “They betrayed you. Perhaps you and a few others forgive their actions and see them as heroes, but the majority of your people do not. All they see is the loved ones they lost because two people stabbed them in the back.”

“That was Kronos.” Percy says. “Kronos caused all of that, and you would fight for him-”

“Kronos didn’t make those choices for them, Perseus.” Aristaeus’ eyes are glittering. “Luke made his choice. Was he manipulated by Kronos using Thalia’s death? Perhaps. But a choice is a choice. Was Silena manipulated by Luke? I would say so. But she continued to spy for him for years, waiting until the very last moment to make the right decision in your eyes. How many did she kill? How many did she hurt?”

“Stop.”

“They made those choices. Every day spent in Kronos’ service by Luke was a choice he made. Every piece of information Silena passed along was a choice. They made that choice day after day, for years. Are they still a part of your family, Percy? Are they worth the lives of people like Michael Yew?”

“Stop!” Percy shouts, fists clenched but too weak and tired to do anything more. “How do you- You don’t know a thing about it, you weren’t there-”

“Damasen is the Luke Castellan and Silena Beauregard of our family.” Aristaeus says calmly, meeting his eyes to make sure Percy hears every word. “Except he didn’t make the right choice in the end, like Luke and Silena did for you. In the end he still betrayed us and allowed the rest of them to die and for our mother to fail. So forgive me if I do not wish to follow in his footsteps.”

Percy looks away. “Sometimes family can be wrong.” He says, thinking of Calypso stuck for years on her island. Of Nico being ostracized by most of camp and Hades being pushed out of Olympus by the gods. Percy remembers Hestia, who opened her hearth to everybody and got only ignorance in return. She sits forgotten by the fire. “And that’s when you have to fight the hardest. To save not only the people in danger, but to save your family too. From themselves. The Titan War wasn’t just against Kronos. It was against Olympus and everything wrong with it. My family and I fought for the pieces of Olympus that deserved to survive. If you don’t think your family was doing the right thing by fighting, Aristaeus, if you wanted to stay out of the war and find a solution for everybody, you should have pledged yourself to that. You should have fought, but not for your siblings or Gaea. You should have fought for what you knew was right.”

Aristaeus scoffs. “What good would that have done?”

“Damasen was one giant, but he and my friend Bob, the Titan Iapetus, made sure Annabeth and I survived to defeat Gaea. Without him we would have died down there, and you’re right, maybe if we had then Olympus wouldn’t have won. But we did. Because of one giant and one Titan.” Percy’s gut twists at the memories of Bob and Damasen but he keeps speaking. “You can change things just as much as Damasen did. You can choose right now to be peaceful and end all of the fighting. Let me go.”

The giant hesitates and Percy feels hope rise in his chest. Maybe he will get out of here. Maybe, by some bizarre change of heart from The Fates, this giant wasn’t as evil as Percy thought.

“I won’t chain you up again.” Aristaeus says. “But I can’t let you go, Perseus. Excuse me, I have something to attend to.”

And Aristaeus walks right of the cave, leaving Percy sitting on a futon alone and unguarded.

#pjohoobigbang2017 #percabeth #pjo fanfiction #yay theres solangelo in this one

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