Dead in Love (Nico x Reader)

Give Me a Reason

(Minor self-harm)

  There's something about 'dangerous' guys. It's how they're so closed off to the world; they're the opposite of an open book. It makes me want to pick their brain. I want to understand them. They're also the opposite of me. I'm the person that people mess with when they're feeling bad about themselves. I try to ignore it, believe me, but I'm about as threatening as a butterfly on cotton candy. I have too many emotions, so every little jab, one way or another, slips under my skin.

  Today, I told myself, would be different. I ran my fingers through my freshly dyed (H/C) hair.  I moved across the cabin to where my clothes hung. Percy was gone so no one was there to question the change. No one I cared about anyway. I stuffed my legs into my distressed black jeans and pulled my combat boots on. The obvious choice was a black t-shirt and a monochrome flannel tied around my waist. My eyes caught on the reflection in the mirror. I looked exactly how I wanted. Strong 'back the Hades of or else' vibes. I hung my twin knives off my hips to solidify the effect. With one final look, I was off to breakfast.

  As I walked into the dining pavilion, no one bothered me. I slumped onto the bench at the Big 3 table, the only other person there was Nico Di Angelo. Who, by the way, is literally the hottest 'dangerous' guy there ever was. He looked up, probably confused by my new look, and didn't look down like he normally did. There was a moment where we both minded our business, then he slid over to be across from me. I did my best to act cool. He sat there in silence, watching me quietly for a while.

  "Why," He said, examining my hair and clothes.

  I shrugged, "I just felt like it."

  He watched my face closely, "There's always a reason."

  I shrugged again and turned to leave,"Like I said, I was bored."

  "Okay fine, meet me at the lake in 20." 

  I nodded and left.

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  I had nothing better to do, so I went to the lake right away. I considered what just happened. Nico actually talked to me. Why? Because I changed. Why did he finally decide to take an interest in me? Now isn't the greatest time because I really don't want to be alive anymore. Dramatic, yes. A lie, no. I'm just tired of being the little girl who can't protect herself. So if life doesn't change... I don't really know.

  "Glad to see you're here," Nico said from behind me.

  "Gods," I put my hand over my heart, "how long have you been there?"

"Not very long," he said, sitting down a respectable distance from me. Still close enough to touch.

"What do you want," I said.

 "Give me your hand," He held his hand. I compiled slowly. He turned my hand over and examined the inside of my wrist. He knew what he was looking for and found it. Thin white scars ran across my wrist mixed with different shades of red. Some from yesterday, others from last month. I pulled my hand back, folding it to my chest. How did he know? My unspoken question was answered seconds later. Nico pulled his own hoodie sleeve back and turned his wrist upward. In the same place as mine lay a field of scars, more faded than mine, but more numerous.

  "You have to stop," He whispered.

  "I have no reason to," I said mostly to myself.

  "You do have a reason too," he said. The intensity of his words scared me. I didn't reply, but a tear slid down my face. Nico's hand went under my chin, lifting my face to look at his. His eyes were so full of emotion; I'd never seen him this vulnerable. Was this for me?

  "(Y/N), you do," his eyes searched mine.

  "Give me one reason," My voice shook as I spoke. For the second time today, I saw him consider something, apparently, he liked his idea. Seconds later, his lips touched mine. They didn't stay long, just long enough to get his message across. He was the reason.

  "Is that good enough?" He whispered, only inches away with his hand still under my chin. I nodded, it was in my top 10 reasons to stay. (More like top 1)

  "Good," I heard him smile a little, "because I didn't have very many others."