Less Like A Brother, More Like A Lover (Solangelo)

A Dream of Love

Nico's sleeping head, as typical for demigods, swam with dreams and thoughts.
He floated aimlessly in the dark ocean of his mind. Looking around him, he saw nothing but darkness, and raced to the only conclusion he could muster. 

Well, he thought, I must be dead.

He was rather calm about the whole ordeal, figuring his Dad would have something for him to do for the rest of eternity. He'd always been prepared for death, anyways, ever since Bianca...
No use digging up old bones, even if that is my specialty, Nico thought.

As he was drifting, wondering when he would be inevitably pulled down into the realm of Hades, a bright light shone in the far reaches of the abyss. Nico squinted at it, tilting his head for a better look at this strange new light. The light was a pulsing blue, and it called his name.

Nico.

Was that Percy's voice? Yes, it seemed so to Nico, whose dying wish would be to hear Percy once more, or to see him.
But, as the voice became clearer, Nico realized that the voice was much too gruff to be Percy's, although it was somewhat familiar.

No, It couldn't be Percy.

Could it be Will?

It was surprising to Nico that he unconsciously wished for Will immediately after the possibility of Percy was gone.

Then again, Nico thought, Will is always there for me when I need him.

Yes, he is, the voice called.

Nico flinched at the response. No, this voice wasn't Will's either. Nico gulped and called out into the darkness, "Hades? Is that you?"

Ah, Nico. I thought you'd recognize your own father right away. Maybe I need to be more involved...

"Dad? Where are you?" Nico searched the darkness, "This is a strange way to die. Is it a child of You thing?"

A low sound that might have been a laugh sounded, "No, my son. You are not dead, thanks to Will Solace."

Nico blinked, "Then why are you in my head?"

His father's deep voice rumbled, "I came to help...I may not know much about love, but I want my children to be happy."

"What are you getting at?" Nico felt as if he was doomed never to be happy. There were too many things that prevented him from living a joy-filled life.

Nico! Wake up,

Nico listened to the new voice, this one more familiar than his father's.

"You need to wake up now," Hades said, "but know that I am behind you every step of the way."

"Dad, you're making no sense. What are you trying to say?" Nico wriggled inside of himself, frustratingly willing Hades to start making sense.

"Trust yourself, Nico..." The voice of Hades faded, and Nico was left in confusion.

Nico! 

He could tell that this was Will calling him, but he didn't want to leave his solitude. He didn't want to face reality anymore.

Leave me alone, I'm dead, Nico thought, Yes, it would be better for me to just die.

He closed his eyes again, trying to drown out the sounds around him.

The voice became exasperated.

Nico, I swear to Gods... Will sighed, "You're not dead! You're so dramatic."

That was finally enough to grab Nico's attention. He hated when people called him dramatic. He snapped his eyes open.

"I am not dramatic!"

"There he is!" Will exclaimed, "I was starting to think you were going to sleep forever!" His bright blue eyes shone with relief.

Nico sat up and pouted, "I thought I was dead, but... I guess not." He placed a hand on his forehead and blinked.

From behind Will, Percy frowned at him, "Uh, Why do you seem disappointed?"

Nico gave a weak and embarrassed smile, "Hey, Percy..."

The atmosphere was extremely awkward, and Nico once again silently wished that he was dead.