Nico di Angelo, Flowers of Death

Chapter 36

Ambers P.O.V

The moment, like many others in my life, was simultaneously the stupidest and most amazing thing I did. But we can get to that in a little bit, right now, you'll need some context, so here it is.

Percy had once told me that going on a quest was complete crap and stupid and totally not as fucking cool as it seemed, or something like that. I'm sure his words had been much more age appropriate, but when did that ever matter to me? I mean, with all the heavy shit that I've seen, that I've been through, who cares now.

However, I think I would agree with the modified words of Perseus Jackson, quests were definitely not fun, in any way, shape, or form.  Nico was great though, he always was.

"Amber?" A calming hand was hesitantly placed on my shoulder, his soft eyes trained on me, I smile at him faintly, my mind still a million miles away. "It's time"

I nod my head, eyes still staring at the edge of camp. I know how sentimental it sounds, but i felt like i was leaving this part of me behind, like I was giving up something. Before camp I didn't have the greatest home life, it was like a constant hell. Now I do have a home, and i'm going to do anything in my power to protect it.

"What ever happens"Leo says from beside me. "Come back in one piece okay"? I nodded at him.

"So where is it we are going exactly"? I ask, turning to Artemis.

"Chicago. It is there you will find Antheia"

We were to travel by car, Nico's creepy skeleton driver would take us. It was weird to think that someone who was dead could drive better then I could.

"How will we know where Antheia is"? I asked while walking down half blood hill. I thought about the time Percy had fought the Minotaur here, and then almost died.

"She is a goddess, you will know" Artemis replied. Her eyes wearily watching our driver.

"Helpful" Nico muttered under his breath, if Artemis heard him, she didn't show it. She turned to me instead.

"I wish you safe travels"

(time skip)

The car ride was eerily quite for the first hour of the trip, and considering we had 12 more hours to go, I wasn't standing for it anymore.

"What's up with you"? My voice came out a lot more accusing and sharp then I had intended, making me cringe. Nico turned to look at me, his eyes narrowed.

"What do you mean"

"I don't know, you just seem off, that's all" he stared at me for a little bit before looking away again.

"Yeah well, I'm not that big a fan of Artemis."

"Oh" Deciding that we needed to change the subject, I asked the first thing that came to mind. "Why do you think you weren't affected"

"By your aging spell"?

"Well I wouldn't exactly call it that but, yeah"

"I'm not entirely sure, maybe because are powers are so opposite, maybe because I spent a lot of time in the lotus casino. Really your guess is as good as mine" Was that a challenge?

"So it wasn't because you have been bit my a radioactive spider?"  I ask skeptically.

"What"? He trains his full attention on me, eyebrows crinkled together.

"What? You're not Spider-Man?" I ask in mock confusion.

"Who? Where did you even... never mind." He gives a unamused look before turning away from me.

"Omg! You don't know who that is do you? How much pop culture have you missed man"?

"I wouldn't know" he growls out.

"Clearly" I laugh breezily.

"Well I'm sorry I'm not as smart as Leo" Nico bit out, his gaze seemed to slice into my soul.

"What are you? Oh. You're not jealous of Leo, are you?" I inquire him with a small voice.

"Of Leo, please. I don't know why I would be jealous of someone who blows themselves up every other day" he turns from me, gaze locked on the outside window.

"I don't know Nico, I really don't" I probably could have done a better job at hiding the sadness in my voice.  A few more minutes of silence pass.

"I'm sorry. I did not mean to snap at you" he apologizes, rather reluctantly, yet still an apology.

" I know" because I do know, I know that Nico is easily angered, I know that his anger is just a cover because he is scared to be vulnerable, scared to be hurt by the people he loves again. I know he doesn't actually like pomegranate, but still eats them, that his favorite color is green, because it reminds him of his sister, that he plows through every problem like a bull because he is scared of not knowing how to solve something, scared of letting the people he cares about down.

I know so much about him, because I care so much about him. I just wish he cared about me in the same way.

"Artemis is the reason my sister died"
Nice hands fidget in his lap. I can't hide the shocked look on my face.

"Bianca"?

"Yeah. She, she uh, joined the hunters immediately after finding out about, well, all this" he gestures around him " left me before she really left me. She was sent on a quest, with Percy. She never came back" his voice was so small I have never heard him speak like this to me before, or be so open about anything.

"Oh gods Nico, I'm so sorry"

"So is everyone else" it wasn't bitter, just sad, with an underline of desperation. He turned to fully face me.

"My friend" I have to stop before I continue. He places his hand on mine to encourage me. "he passed away only a few months before I came to camp. I know it's not the same, but please know that telling me that wasn't just talking to deaf ears"

"I'm sorry about your friend" he says slowly, almost methodical, however sincerity was still there.

"And I'm sorry about your sister. That makes us even" I lean in a litter closer to get my point across. He takes a moment to consider this, or maybe something else. He has a distant look in his eyes. I fear he won't say anymore until he whispers,

"I suppose it does"

And then, he kisses me.

(A/n: holy shit it's been almost a year since I updated this . Wtf. No worries I'm back on track with a plan to see it through. COMMENT PLEASE I love seeing them)