Always You - Nico di Angelo x Reader (Oneshots)

Hearts. Beats. Fast.

A/N - why are ya'll still reading my old posts omggg

Whenever I get notifications from them, I can't help but cringe at the way I used to write.

Sure, it was all lovey-dovey back then. But do I HAVE to make everything so... direct?

Nevertheless, in all seriousness, I'm glad that those oneshots are still up on my page. I remembered it was great fun writing them and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Alright, let's get right into today's story.

This is going to be a LONGGG one. My treat :D

Happy reading!

- Third Person's POV -

After a long day of fighting against monsters, Nico had taken a terrible blow to the chest and injured the area close to his heart.

Even the Apollo campers struggled to keep him alive, and you knew he only had so much left to live.

Nico never felt more pain or desperation in his life.

He felt pain as his health slowly deteriorated over the next week, but also pure despair.

Desperation, because he could not leave you. He couldn't leave you alone, but it looked like he would have no choice.

He loved you more than he ever loved before. His happiest days had always been with you, even before you got together.

That's why he didn't tell you about the injury.

He didn't want to worry you.

He knew you'd stay up all night trying to make sure he got better. It was troubling.

One night, you happily tucked yourself into Nico's arms, oblivious to what would happen in a few days.

"Hey, love..."

Nico felt his heart ache as he held you that night.

He's already been struggling to breathe, and these would be one of the last few nights that he could hold you again.

"Hey," he murmured, his breath coming out in a labored wheeze.

You frowned slightly at Nico's weak rasp. "Are you alright?"

There were so many ways he could respond to that. He could deny it, and say 'Yes, I'm fine,' to appease you.

He could lie, and say 'I'm just tired.'

Or, he could be honest, and say, 'No, I'm not.'

He opted with the third option.

"No," Nico whispered, his voice barely audible.

You looked down at Nico worriedly. "Why not?"

"I just feel... wrong," he told you, not wanting to explain how he was dying. "It hurts to breathe."

"Can't we call the Apollo kids to make you feel better?" you asked in concern.

Nico chuckled softly as his hand slid up to caress your cheek soothingly. "I'm alright, amor mio. Don't you worry your pretty head off for me."

A flash of understanding glazed over your eyes. In the next moment, you sniffled and buried yourself in the place you felt safest: the crook of Nico's neck.

"Love," Nico choked, "Please, don't cry."

He cradled you tightly in his arms, gently stroking your hair.