Nico di Angelo was ten years old when his life went to hell. He never felt so devastated, so ruined. The only person who cared about him, his family, his everything was gone.
Nico hated all of them. He hated sister for leaving him behind, as if he was nothing, just to die afterwards and leave him completely alone. He hated those stupid huntresses of Artemis for taking his sister away from him. He hated Annabeth Chase, whoever it was, for falling off the cliff and making them go on this quest. But most of all he hated him. Percy Jackson. The ultimate hero, so strong and cool. He hated everything about him. He let him down. Percy Jackson let his sister die.
It was already a month since Bianca left this world. A lonely, cold month. Grieve still strangled him. This month has passed in a blur.
Nico passed an empty street, not even bothering to lift up his head. Snow was falling from the white sky and Nico shivered slightly from the cold. He needs to find some warmer clothes.
The city clock struck twelve, sound cutting through the silence. Another day has come. As if Nico cared. Suddenly he stopped, absentmindedly looking at the date on the billboard. 28th January.
Nico titled his head. He didnβt even know his birthday was coming. He always loved his birthday, so excited to modestly celebrate it with Bianca. Biancaβ¦
A lonely tear rolled down his cheek, followed by another. Nico didnβt bother to wipe them, letting them fall.
βHappy Birthday to me.β He said in a shaky voice, sitting in the snow right in the middle of the street. Nico buried his face in his palms, trying to quiet down choked sobs.
Nico di Angelo was eleven years old when he lost himself.
Nico di Angelo was eleven when he started to chase the dream of making his sister come back to life. He was obsessed with the idea, almost going mad in the company of hurt and angry ghosts.
Minos had promised him that heβll see Bianca again. And Nico believed. What else he could do. He was alone. He was hurt.
Why canβt she talk to him? Why she doesnβt want to show up? She doesnβt want to see him. She despises him. She doesnβt want him.
Nico heard rustling sound under his boots. He picked up the newspaper, catching the date with his eyes. 1st February.
Well, another year passed. Nico didnβt care that he missed his birthday. But a little ache didnβt want to leave his heart as he remembered how Bianca smiled at him the day he turned ten.
And then, months later, she showed up, just to say him that he has to let go. Just to make Nico know that this plan wouldnβt work. Minos was a liar. He used Nico. His only hope was trampled.
Misery was what Nico felt. The weird, nasty feeling crawled up to his throat.
Aside from that, one image didnβt want to leave his mind. His face lived in his head, not wanting to leave. His stupid smile, green eyes, tousled hair. Why Nico keeps thinking of him?
Why did she want to talk to him, not Nico? This stupid guy, with his annoying grin made Nico want to- What?
Nico freezed, trying to finish this though. Did Nico want to kill him? Hurt him? No, it was something else. He felt weird every time he heard his name. Percy Jackson.
Nico di Angelo was twelve when he started to realize something about himself.
Nico di Angelo was twelve when he wanted to rip out his own heart. Abnormal, disgusting. He was sick of himself. He felt nauseous at the very thought of it.
It canβt be true, no. Heβs mistaken.
He was lying on his bed at his fatherβs castle, staring at the ceiling. He couldnβt sleep. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw his face. Those gorgeous green eyes, goofy smile, tousled black hair. His mind was ranting: Percy Jackson, Percy Jackson, Percy Jackson.
Nico felt like he was about to cry. Why is he like this? Is he broken?
He looked to the side, at his night table. A bouquet of red roses stood there. An hour ago Persephone strode to his room with these flowers and a weird expression on her face. She silently put them in a vase and went back to the door. She stopped there, turning her head a little to look at him.
βHappy Birthday.β Was what she said. Then she left.
So it was his birthday. Heβs thirteen now.
Nico stared at the flowers, a little bit shocked. She remembered about his birthday. His father didnβt even bother to check up on him.
Hades only cared about their deal. Nico was very hesitant about that. But after all, he agreed.
He just thought that if he does that then maybe Percy wouldβ¦ Like him? But he didnβt.
Percy Jackson hated him. He screwed everything up. It was horrible. He had to fix it.
So he did the best thing he could. He had to prove to Percy, to his father, to everyone that he is worth something. He was just a kid and the battle was scary. He was scared. But he was a hero.
Everyone respected him, some people wanted to be his friends. He even wanted to stay at camp. Nico was happy but only for a moment.
Days after the battle the whole camp started talking about how Percy and Annabeth finally kissed and got together.
Nico left without a warning. Not like he had anyone to warn. Not like anyone cared.
Nico di Angelo was thirteen when his heart was broken.
Nico di Angelo was thirteen when Percy Jackson had gone missing. Annabeth Chase went feral. And Nico promised to help. Of course he did.
He was actually worried. What could happen to him? Nico only knew that Percy was alive. It was somewhat reassuring.
Something bad was about to happen. Nico knew it. New demigods at Camp Half-Blood. One of them is a son of Zeus. That was a bad sign.
And now that Nico knows about romansβ¦
Today was 28th January. His birthday. He already got used to ignore this day. Nico just marked the fact that he was fourteen now.
The door of his room swung open. Nico sat up on his bed, seeing his father in his usual black robes.
He stood there in silence for a minute or so, awkwardly staring at his son.
βUm, did you want something?β Nico said, nervously fumbling with the ring on his finger.
βYes.β Hades came closer to his bed. βWell, not really. Itβs justβ¦β Lord of the Underworld sat on the corner of Nicoβs bed. βItβs your birthday.β
Nico blinked, processing what his father was trying to say.
βYeah, I know. Thank you for reminding me.β He finally said, scowling at his father. Like he ever cared about Nico anyway. βIf thatβs all you wanted to say-β
βNo.β Hades looked strangely awkward. βYou made me proud this year, you know?β
Nicoβs eyes widened. Was his father trying to praise him?
βI wanted to say that Iβmβ¦ Grateful. You made me make right choice. And what I said about you beforeβ¦ Iβm sorry.β
Nico was more than shocked at this point. He felt awkward and Hades didnβt look better.
βAnyway, I vaguely know that mortals usually make gifts for the day one came from motherβs womb. And I thought that maybe you should spend time with yourβ¦ peers?β
βWhat are you trying to say, dad?β
Hades took a deep breath, as if he was nervous.
βI want to give you a present. So that you will be able to go wherever you want, in those places where teenagers usually spend time.β
βYou want to give me a car?β Nico asked, puzzled.
βNo, youβre too young for that. Iβll give you a chauffeur, heβll be helping you go to the mall or something. Because, wellβ¦ Iβm not able to do it for you.β
Nico blinked again, titling his head to the side.
Hades looked embarrassed for a moment. Then he put on a stern expression, standing up.
βObjections are not accepted. You should be grateful.β He strode off to the door. Then he stopped. βHappy Birthday, son.β He closed the door, leaving Nico alone in the dark room.
Nico di Angelo was fourteen when he received his first birthday present.
Nico di Angelo was fourteen when he met him. Will Solace.
It felt like a dawn after long, cold night. Will was his blessing, his salvation. And Nico didn't know what did he do to deserve someone like Will.
They've been dating for a couple of months, wonderful, amazing months. And Nico was genuinely thankful for everything Will had done to him.
Nico woke up at the knock on his door, blinking through the gloom of Hades cabin. He didn't know if it was morning already, because black curtains prevented any gleam of sunshine from crawling into his cabin.
Still, Nico knew exactly that it was early and he knew exactly who was outside, because there was only one person in this world who dared to wake him up.
Nico got out of bed and staggering came to open up the door.
Will Solace stood on the threshold. He was wearing his usual winter jacket and a scarf, a blinding smile on his face. He seemed to be particularly happy today and, judging by the flush on his face, he was running.
"Hey, Neeks." He ruffled his hair and came in, closing the door behind him as Nico shivered from the cold winter air.
"Good morning." Nico mumbled, still half asleep. "What time is it?"
"Why did you need to wake me up so early?"
Will looked him in the eyes, taking Nicoβs cold hand with his warm one, which is weird, considering Will was the one who had a walk on winter air.
"Do you know what day it is?" He looked excited.
"Um, no, to be honest. I don't pay attention to the calendar." Nico sat down on his bed, wrapping himself in a blanket.
"Are you serious?! I mean... It's 28th January!"
Nico's brain needed a moment to process what exactly Will wanted from him.
"So?! It's your birthday!"
"Guess I'm fifteen now. That also explains this." He pointed to his bedside table, where black envelope was perched on the top of black box. "Probably from my father."
Will looked at him, then at the envelope.
"So, like... Happy Birthday."
"Thank you." Nico got up again, reaching for the box. "Now go so I can change."
"Ok." Will strode off to the door, a strange expression on his face. Though Nico didn't pay much attention to it.
Nico opened the envelope. There was a thick wad of money and an invitation for a dinner. Nico will come, of course, but not today. In the box lay watches and a book in Italian.
The day went by as usual. Nico had a walk in the woods with Will before breakfast, then they were busy with their camp activities.
In the evening, right before they were about to go to the campfire, Will took his arm and told him.
"How about we won't go to the campfire today?"
"I don't need to go there everyday. Especially today. Come to your cabin in twenty minutes." And he hastily strode off in the direction of the cabin thirteen.
Nico came in after twenty minutes to be met with dozens of candles around his room. Will was standing in front of him, holding a cake with fifteen lighted candles perched on it.
"Make a wish." He whispered as Nico came closer.
Nico looked him in the eyes and didn't know what to say. So he just did what he was told. Will smiled brighter.
"I baked it myself." He said proudly. "Well, Cecil helped me."
He put the cake on the table, now fumbling in his pockets.
"I have something for you, actually." He said, pulling out a small box from his pocket. "I don't know if you're going to like it but..."
Nico didn't hear what Will was saying as he opened the box with trembling hands. He pulled out a sun pendant on a thin gold chain. The sun looked just like the tattoo on Will's shoulder.
Nico couldn't hold back a tear that rolled down his cheek. Will watched him attentively, stopping his ranting when he saw it.
The next thing Will knew, pale arms was wrapped tightly around him, Nico's face buried in Will's chest.
"Thank you." Nico said in a small, shaky voice before pulling back. He placed the sun pendant on his palm, watching it glisten in the candle light. Tears still rolled down his cheeks.
Will looked at him, his eyes filled with warmth and understanding. He always understood. His sunshine was so alone, for so long. All Will wanted was to make him happy.
Will moved to embrace Nico in a tight hug, kissing the top of his head and then lifted his head with long, gentle fingers on his chin.
"I love you so much." He said. "You're such an amazing person. You're brave, gorgeous, smart, brilliant. Beautiful." He wiped the tear from Nico's cheek. "I will love you with all my might. I promise."
And with that he gently kissed Nico, making him smile while the tears of joy kept rolling down his cheeks.
Nico di Angelo was fifteen when he found his happiness.
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