Sun-kissed Angel (a Solangelo fanfiction)

Chapter 3: A Puddle of Shadow

Nico

Nico had started to be afraid of the shadows. Thanatos' drop-off reminded him that he was a son of Hades.

You are odd for a son of Hades. Thanatos had said.

He twisted the skull ring in his finger, the way Reyna used to when she's in deep thought.

Reyna. He wished Reyna was here. He hadn't known he had relied too much on her than he was supposed to.

Someone rapped at his door. "Dude. It's me. Jason."

Nico exhaled. So they used him now?

"What do you want?"

"Nothing. Just checking if you're alright? Pipes and the others are worried about you."

Alright? He was never alright.

"I'm alive," Nico said.

Jason cleared his throat. "Dude. I understand your need to stay alone. If you're not going out. Can I get in instead?"

Get in? Nico sighed. He remembered their encounter with Cupid at Croatia. Jason should have shunned him upon knowing everything... but he didn't. That made Nico trust him more. If there was someone he wanted to see right now, that would be Jason.

He stood up and leaned for support. His blood sugar was really low. He scrambled for the locks on the door. The door opened. Cold air greeted him. Outside was Jason, Piper, Percy. Annabeth and Will.

Percy dropped the rubics cube he was desperately trying to solve. "Dude. You look...gloomy."

Annabeth elbowed him. Nico motioned for Jason to come in. He made the mistake of looking at Will.

"Goodness... Nico." It was all he said. His concerned gaze sent warmth over his bones.

"I'm fine," Nico said.

Later. He mouthed at Will. Will nodded solemnly.

"Nico... We'll be waiting outside," Annabeth said.

"Everything will be alright," Piper said. The girl had a way with words.

He nodded at them in acknowledgement. As soon as Jason was inside, he shut the door.

Jason was silent. Grief was all over his face. His eyes scanned the room. His gaze fixated on Hades' shrine at the corner of Nico's cabin. 

Jason whistled under his breath. "This is impressive. Hauntingly impressive."

Green flames hovered over the walls. On the shrine was a few skulls and femurs...and a few food Nico had prepared for his prayer. The altar was made of Stygian iron and of precious gems commonly found in the underworld. The green flames made the shrine glow with a faint greenish light.

Jason rubbed his hands on his arms.

"You're itching to get out," Nico noticed.

"No...no. It's just.."

Nico could feel Jason's turmoil of grief for the death of Leo Valdez.

They sat crossed leg on his bunk, facing each other.

"So this is what you've been doing lately?" Jason asked.

"I've been praying to Hades," Nico replied.

"Did he answer?"

"No."

"What a surprise."

Nico's lips quirked up. He can use sarcasm on him now.