Don't drown (Nico di Angelo x OC) [discontinued]

XX.

"Aphrodite?!" Percy looked up at the goddess in front of them.

"The goddess of love?" Hellene looked at him waiting for an answer.

Her brother nodded. "Why are you here?"

"Percy," Annabeth nudged him with her shoulder, "She's a goddess. Be more polite!"

"Ah, yes! Sorry!"

"I wish to speak with Hellene." Aphrodite spoke looking right down at the girl.

"Me?!"

"Yes. In fact, I want us to speak in private." The goddess of love nodded.

"Okay, we'll leave." Annabeth nodded dragging Percy with her.

"I'm going to be okay. She's Piper's mother after all." Hellene assured Nico who was hesitating to leave her alone with the woman.

"Fine." Nico followed Percy and Annabeth.

"Now," Aphrodite spoke, getting down from Festus' head, landing gently on the ship, "You must be confused."

Hellene nodded leaving the goddess of love to explain.

"It's about your father."

"Is he okay?"

"He's fine. The thing is, I put a curse on you and--"

"A curse? On me? But we haven't met before."

"Yes. It happened before you were born," Aphrodite looked at the stars up in the sky, "I'm sorry. It wasn't anything personal but see, it was your father's fault. He upset me."

"He upset you?" Hellene stared at the woman as she nodded.

"He insulted me, if you may." The goddess laughed nervously.

"What did he say?"

Aphrodite's face gained an angry expression but she managed to return her calm one.

"He said I was....gaining weight." She said visible hurt in her eyes.

Hellene couldn't find any words. She knew this was an insult.

'But to put a curse on someone for that. Doesn't seem enough of a reason.' Hellene thought.

"I see. And what is that curse?" She said trying to keep calm.

Aphrodite seemed nervous so she played with her curles as her hair was changing shape.

"I cursed you so that you will find love in the face of death," The woman paused just to see the girl's reaction, "Of course, that seems stupid now that I think about it but... People change."

"Find love in the face of death?" Hellene finally spoke, "That's not necessarily bad, is it?"

The girl looked up to the goddess who was now unsure.

"I don't know. You'll have to find that for yourself, child." She told her, "Now, I'll be taking my leave."

"Wait, I still--"

Aphrodite touched her cheek.

"You'll find all answers when the time is right," She assured her, "And you'll grow a fine woman but be careful with love. It can be dangerous. It was nice to meet you. And I'm sorry!"

Hellene's eyes widened as she covered them with her hand. The light shone throughout the ship and the woman dissapeared.

The girl collapsed on the floor and her eyes filled with tears. 'Find love in the face of death' those words were spinning inside her head.

"Are you okay?" She heard Leo ask her from behind but she couldn't answer.

"Where's... N-nico?" She managed to say but she couldn't stop crying.

"I'll bring him here!" Leo said and ran off.

Seconds after, Nico arrived and hugged her.

"You'll find love in the face of death." Hellene whispered in his ear.

"We'll talk later." Nico told her rubbing the back of her head, "You're okay. I'm here."

*

"Leo, what happened?" Percy asked worried as the small boy shrugged.

"I don't know. But I'm worried. A goddess doesn't visit just like that. Especially, Aphrodite."

"That's true. But I think we should focus on Hellene's condition right now." Annabeth joined in.

"That's right," Percy agreed, "I'll go check on her."

"Don't," Leo stopped him, "Nico's with her so she should be okay."

Annabeth and Percy looked at each other approvingly. Then, Percy put his hand on Leo's shoulder.

"Let's hope so."