I Was Just A Bystander

Problems- Solved

Two Months Later

-Nico's POV-

Of course I was attacked while Will was at camp. And of course it had to be the day that social services decided to look into a old case file they found.

I stuffed the ambrosia in my mouth, chewing as I poured nectar on the claw wounds down my ribs followed by putting gauze over them and wrapping bandages around my torso. I looked up at the knock on the door.

"One minute!" I called, throwing my ripped and bloody shirt in the garbage before grabbing another and pulling it on. I went to the door and opened it to see a women with brown hair pulled in a bun wearing a grey pencil skirt, white button up shirt and grey blazer. She had a file in her hand. "How can I help you?"

"Are you Nico Di Angelo?" She asked. I blinked.

"Yeah? What's it to you?" I retaliated.

"I'm Maryanne Kim from Social Services. You are fifteen with no legal guardian, meaning that we have to take you into custody until you get one." The brunette told me. Oh gods. Social Services. Leo had told me about foster homes before.

"No thanks." I said, eyes wide. "I'm fine on my own."

"I'm afraid you don't have a choice Mr. Di Angelo." Maryanne said. I sighed.

"Give me two days to talk to some friends." I said. Maryanne opened her mouth to say something, probably disagree, but I cut her off. "If you don't I run, I'm very good at disappearing. I doubt you want to take that risk." She scowled but nodded and I shut the door in her face.

I called Percy first. He told me that Sally's hands were full with Estelle and work but if they had the money they would have helped. Then I contacted Will I told him my situation and he said he'd talk to Chiron for me. This was going to be difficult.

I sat on the couch, icepack to my side to soothe the pain from the monster gashed. I had my eyes closed and my head leaned back. When my phone rang I sighed, forcing myself up with a groan.

"Hello?" I said, wincing slightly from the pain in my side.

"Hey Nico." Came Steve's voice. I blinked.

"What's up Steve?" I asked.

"Nothing much, just want to see how you were doing." He answered.

"Not the best honestly." I said, dropping back onto the couch. "I got attacked by a monster this morning and of course Will's at camp right now. And then social services showed up."

"Social services? What do they want?" Steve asked.

"Apparently I have to be put in custody since I'm technically fifteen with no legal guardian." I ran a hand down my face.

"Jeez Nico. That sucks. Is there anything I can do to help?" Always kind Steve.

"Probably not. I'll just run if I have to." I said.

"But what about Will?" Right. Will.

"I'm not sure yet."

-Steve's POV-

"Social services?" The two words drew the attention of Tony who was fiddling with some hologram. "What do they want?"

"Apparently I have to be put in custody since I'm technically fifteen with no legal guardian." Nico answered.

"Jeez Nico. That sucks." I said, drawing a breath through my teeth. "Is there anything I can do to help?"

"Probably not. I'll just run if I have to." Nico said.

"What about Will?"

"I'm not sure yet." Tony waved his arms around, trying to get my attention.

"One second, Tony wants something." I heard a grunt form the other side of the phone as I pulled it away from my ear. "What?"

"I can adopt him." Tony said. I blinked.

"Seriously?" I asked.

"Yeah! I have the money and stuff." Tony shrugged.

"What about press?"

"Fuck the press."

"Kay then Tony." I put the phone back to my ear. "We have an idea."

-Nico's POV-

It was an interesting idea. I ended up agreeing, Tony saying that he figured out how to monster proof the tower and that Will could stay there with me. So when the social worker came back two days later Tony was sitting in our apartment with me.

"Why don't you come in, I talked to some friends and we figured something out." I said, smiling. Maryanne nodded, following me to the living room. She froze when she saw Tony lounging on the couch. I just sat down beside him.

"Hey. You must be Maryanne. Well, case closed, I'm adopting Nico here." Tony said. "So, what form do I need to sign and what not?"

"Y-you just need to um- come to the- the office." Maryanne stuttered.

"Well then let's get going." Tony said, standing up.

By Friday I was fully moved into the tower. So far no press had been attracted. Will quit his job at the hospital in order to finish high school with me. Tony enrolled us in Midtown Tech.

Hey guys! I'm at my granny's at the moment so I can post this part. Hopefully my wifi is fixed soon so I can continue posting parts for you!

Have a great morning/afternoon/evening!