Bronze Gold Shadow (Percy Jackson/Teen Wolf Crossover)

Nico's Confirmation

I wasn't expecting the package on my bed. I mean seriously, what do you do when you see an unfamiliar shoebox on your bed?

I walked over, my bow in hand from archery practice. There was a small pouch on top with a note attached to it. I grabbed the note and opened it up. It was written in Ancient Greek.

I needed this out of the office. I also require drachmas for this delivery. -Hermes

I pulled Terrorem out of my belt and cut away the packing tape. I opened the box and smiled. Inside was months worth of cassette tapes. I dumped them onto my bed and pulled out the ones I had made. It nearly filled the box. I retaped it and grabbed a pen, writing return to sender on the side. Of course with my dyslexia it looked more like terrun ot sednre. I put four drachmas in the pouch and tossed it onto the box. The box disappeared with the sound of a cash register.

I smiled and picked up the tape with the earliest date. I popped it into the recorder and pressed play.

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"It's not that big a deal," Nico denied. 

"It's not- It's a big deal Nico!" Will argued. 

"Do I wanna get in the middle of this?" I asked, concerned. 

"There's nothing to get in the middle of," Nico informed. 

Will sighed. "Nico, it's important, okay?" he said. 

"It's just my birthday," Nico shrugged. 

"It's your birthday?" I asked. 

"January," he replied. 

I nodded in understanding. 

"He didn't tell me," Will pouted. 

"So that's what the fight was about," I said. "I'm actually with Nico on this one. Birthdays aren't that big a deal growing up for me. I'd get a milkshake with my brothers, maybe ice cream if we had enough money but that would be it." 

"You're serious?" Will asked. "Okay, this has to be fixed, when's your birthday?" 

"It's the twentieth, right?" I questioned. Nico nodded. "So, yeah, eight days ago." 

Will's jaw dropped. "You've been sixteen for a week and you didn't tell us?" 

I shrugged. "Again, it wasn't that big a deal to me growing up, didn't know it would be a big deal to you guys. Well Will, anyway."  

Will dropped his head into his hands. "Why do I hang out with you guys?" 

"Well you're dating one of us," Nico reminded. 

"You're also my best friend for some reason," I pointed out. 

Will sighed but there was a teasing glint in his eyes. "Unfortunately that's true." 

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You could see how the two were being weighed down. Both by different things but they were still there. Nico had his nightmares, Tartarus flashbacks and his worry over Jason. Will had his usual stress over his siblings and the campers in general but also his dad who had gone radio silent for six months. 

I was trying to help both, trying to talk to both but it was also wearing me down with my nightmares and my shoulder as a reminder. 

It was hard. 

But there were also plenty of distractions. Camp activities, possible cabin designs and Malcolm's project in August. Of course, it wasn't enough. 

It got even worse when Chiron left. The only explanation we got from Mr D was that he was going on a buisness meeting. Neither me or Malcolm liked that.