My Hope {Rewritten}

First Date

"Mi scusi? Can you repeat what you just said?" Nico asked with a hint of trepidation.

"You are perfectly healthy!" Will exclaimed, his smile beaming with infectious joy. "Considering the injuries, you sustained and the residual effects of frequent shadow traveling, it's remarkable that you're back on your feet in just three days." Will was practically vibrating with excitement. "The claw wound from Lycan ended up not scarring, which is a miracle on its own. Not to mention that you are no longer malnourished. And the wounds your intestine suffered from the pomegranate seeds are all healed up." The blond turned to look at the sun outside the window. "This was a miracle befitting my father's blessing. We should express our gratitude to him."

"He's just trying to get into my pants, so there's no need to thank that God for anything," Nico grumbled under his breath, his mood soured.

"What did you say?" Solace inquired, the smile still lingering on his face. "I didn't hear you."

"Nothing!" the son of Hades replied quickly, a blush creeping onto his cheeks.

Over the past three days, he had come to a decision: he would agree to go on seven dates with Apollo and try to enjoy good times without risking a broken heart or jeopardizing his newfound friendship with Apollo's children. However, he had no intention of engaging in any intimate relations with his friends' father or divulging this information to them. The last thing Nico wanted was to lose the friendships he had built with the children of Apollo merely because he was dating their dad.

"If there's no need for me here, I'll head to my cabin and take a nap." With that statement, the dark demigod left the infirmary and made his way toward Cabin Thirteen.

Upon entering his cabin, Nico swiftly removed his shirt and tossed it haphazardly across the room. Moving toward his bed, he caught sight of a shadowy figure standing next to his wardrobe. Alert and defensive, he pointed his sword toward the unknown presence.

"Who are you?! And what do you want?" Nico demanded, his voice sharp as it cut through the tense air.

"Are you really going to hurt me before we even have our first date?" Apollo asked playfully, stepping out of the shadows. "You need more light; it's good for your health—not that your physique needs improvement. It's delicious just as it is." Apollo shamelessly admired the bare chest of his beloved, licking his lips seductively until the uncomfortable son of Hades cleared his throat.

"Take a shower and get dressed; I'm taking you on our first date," Apollo commanded, a hint of authority in his tone.

"Now?!" exclaimed a surprised Nico.

"Yes, now. Is there a problem?" questioned the God.

"No," Nico muttered angrily. While he found Apollo undeniably attractive and had even enjoyed their make-out session, he refused to be coerced into actions against his will. Fed up with gods meddling in his life and causing havoc, Nico contemplated the consequences of angering Apollo. "What do I have to wear?" he asked instead, realizing he had no idea what was suitable.

Dressing too informally for an upscale place or too formally for a casual setting was a concern. Why do I even care about that? The worse I look, the better; it might make Apollo back off, he thought, feeling conflicted. A traitorous voice in his head chimed in, asserting. Because you like him and want him to like you.

"Wear something nice but comfortable," replied Apollo with a sly smile, sensing the internal struggle within his beloved. "The place I'm taking you to is not formal. I'm sure you'll like it very much."

With a resigned sigh, the half-nude demigod selected an outfit from his wardrobe and headed toward the bathroom. Taking advantage of the moment, Apollo seized the opportunity to explore his beloved's cabin. The ambiance struck him as excessively dark for his taste: minimal windows, thankfully without curtains, black walls, and a black carpet adorned with seven red circles. Even the sheets, embellished with the symbol of Hades in a shade of purple that leaned more toward the gothic spectrum than Roman, contributed to the room's somber aesthetic. The leather sofa, armchairs, chairs, tables, drawers, wardrobes, desk, shelves, and altars dedicated to Hades and Persephone—all meticulously handcrafted from oak—showcased the penchant for opulence.