Heroes Of Olympus Quick Stories

Frank's Death

The battle was supposedly over. The last of the monsters had been turned to dust and the remaining warriors were tending to the fallen.
Hazel and Nico stood waiting for Frank to finish ordering the last legion where to help. Once he was done with that project, he immediately found Hazel.
"Are you okay?" He asked. Hazel smiled. He always asked this after any battle.
"I'm alright," she replied, taking his hand. "A few scrapes, but nothing major."
As if on cue, Frank noticed the long, deep gash on Hazel's forearm. He turned her arm gently to examine the wound.
"Get that bandaged," He said sternly. Then, in a gentler tone, "Better safe than sorry, Hazel."
She smiled again. Frank turned and walked away before turning back.
"I need to go check on the legion. I'll meet you-".
At first, Hazel wasn't sure what was wrong. One moment, Frank was talking normally. The next, he had stopped, catching his breath as his face became pale and contorted in pain.
"Frank?" Hazel asked worriedly. Her voice was little more than a wavering whisper.
Frank opened his mouth, but no sound came out. He sank to his knees in shock.
And Hazel saw the monster hidden behind him.
It was a small scorpion-like creature. It's tail was outstretched where it had very clearly stabbed Frank's back.
"No!" Hazel cried defiantly. She rushed forward and drew her calvary sword, slashing and stabbing until the monster's dust was scattered across the field. Her hair was plastered to her face with sweat and tears.
Desperately, she ran back to Frank, who was now laying on his back staring at Nico, who had knelt beside him.
Hazel slid to her knees on Frank's other side.
"Frank." She said shakily. "Come on, Frank. You're gonna be okay. You'll be fine. You will."
She spoke reassuringly, but Frank just watched her as her tears fell. He reached up to touch her face with his hand. His own blood smeared across her cheek.
"I love you." He choked.
Hazel shook with the sobs.
"Frank, don't leave me!" She cried.
"I'm sorry." He said. She closed her eyes and held his hand to her face. Frank turned his head to Nico. The boy's eyes were misty as well.
"You served well, Frank." Nico managed. Frank just stared at the boy with intense eyes.
"Take care of her for me." He said. Nico nodded firmly.
"Promise." Frank insisted.
"I promise, Frank." The son of Hades confirmed.
Frank sighed and closed his eyes. Some time later, Hazel allowed herself to open her eyes again. Frank was gone, and Nico watched her closely.
"Hazel?" He asked quietly. But she was unreachable.
She stood and turned, walking away. As she passed several people, she was aware of them asking about the blood on her face. She didn't answer.
Back in her dorm room, Nico was surprisingly waiting. Hazel didn't speak, but simply sat on her bed. Nico moved to the sink and brought back a damp cloth.
Gingerly, he moved to wipe her cheek. But she jerked away.
"No." She said. Nico froze.
"Hazel," He said. "You can't stay dirty forever."
Hazel felt the tears welling up.
"I can and I will." She said. "Leave it."
Nico crossed his arms.
"Fine." He said sternly. "But give me your arm."
When Hazel didn't move, he took his hand and turned her head to his.
"You're not going to convince me otherwise," He said. "It will get infected if I don't clean it out. Now give me your arm."
And she did. Nico cleaned and bandaged the wound as Hazel sat unmoving. When he was done, he sat beside her.
For a while, neither of them spoke. Until Hazel broke. She lurched into Nico, sobbing into his chest. She muttered words that made no sense. But Nico understood. And he embraced her.
"Shhhhh," He said, kissing her hair. He let her cry until she cried herself to sleep. Then he laid her down and covered her, kissing her head again.
"I'm so sorry, Hazel." He whispered. "But I know how you feel."
And he did. Because just like Hazel had lost Frank, Nico had lost Bianca.
And if nothing else could comfort Nico, the fact that he could help Hazel was enough.