Meet me halfway

10. Let's get you home

TW: Mention of abuse (Don't read if it triggers you)

"Are you okay?"

I regretted the words as soon as they left my mouth. What kind of question was that at a time like this? What was he supposed to say?

'I just met my abusive ex, but yeah, I'm splendid' And as if his life didn't seem to suck as it was with his dead sibling and mother, and with most of the school fearing him and now  I find out that he has an abusive ex. If there are any gods, I'm gonna have a chat with them one day.

"I'm fine." he mumbled with his head down, though his breathing seemed to become irregular in the form of a panic attack.

"Bullshirt." I said and he grimaced. "Nico?" I asked and he forced himself to look me in the eyes. "Try to match my breathing, okay?" I asked and he nodded slowly. I gave him what I hoped was an encouraging smile as I started taking deep breaths.  He did his best to follow my lead as he remained eye contact with me.

At first, his tries came out a bit shaky and hurried, but he soon matched my breaths perfectly, making me smile in relief.

"Better?" I asked and he nodded.

"Yeah, thanks."

"No problem. Now, let's get you home." I said, gesturing to the door of my car. He nodded softly and I walked around to my side as he entered the passenger's seat. I sat down in my seat and turned on the car.

"Sorry that I freaked out on you." he said after a moment of silent driving and I smiled at him.

"You don't have to apologize, it's alright." I told him honestly and he sighed.

"I'll give you an explanation soon, I promise. I just don't think I can today." he continued and now it was my turn to sigh.

"It's alright, really. You don't owe me an explanation. If you ever want to give it, I'll listen. But I don't expect it of you."

"Thank you." he said after another moment of silence and I smiled.

"No problem." I said, just as I reached the street he lives on. "Here we are... you gonna be okay?" I asked and he smiled.

"Yeah. I'll be okay." he said and I nodded. "Would you be up for trying this some other time? I mean, I get it if not-" he started but I cut him off.

"I'd love to try again, just text me the details whenever." I told him and a small, but genuine smile formed on his lips.

"Great. See you." he said before climbing out of the car.

>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<>-<

"Nico, I thought you would be out for longer." dad called as soon as I entered the house, his voice coming from his office, which was just to the right. He had chosen the placing when Hazel's mom died so that he would easier hear that we come home if we ever were to need him.

I made my way into his office. He was sitting in his chair, signing some documents, but stopped when he noticed that I had entered.

"Did something happen?" he asked and I gave a side-nod.

"Had a run-in with someone and we decided to cut it short." I said and he furrowed his brows.

"Who did you run into?" he said and I chewed on my inner cheek. Since he hadn't been able to guess it, he probably didn't know the Augustus family had even moved back.

"Octavian." I said, hurrying to continue before he could react. "Apparently his dad had a job thing to fix around here, so they moved back." My dad quickly stood from his chair, hurrying over to me and placing his hands on my shoulders.

"Are you alright? What do you want me to do? I could apply for a restraining order. Or I could call his parents. I could also beat that bastard to a pulp, though it would have to remain a secret." he said and I chuckled.

"I'm fine dad, so that won't be necessary. I think I just want to pretend he's not here. I'm not going to let this affect me." I said and he smiled.

"That sounds like a good plan. But if anything happens, if he does or says anything to you that you don't like, I hope you know that you can come to me." he said and I smiled.

"I know."

745 words

Just some good old nice Will and a good dad Hades, AKA what we all need in life. Hope you all enjoy it, peace out!

- A/N