Maidenhood

Date 2: Nico

Even though I was released from the Infirmary the next morning, my date with Nico took a couple of days later.

When Will found out that Nico had asked me out, he almost skews me in anger, but I pointed out that, while I'm still committed to get him a date with Nico, he had to remember that it was Nico's choice to ask me and that, while I don't have a formal title, or 'hold' as the Aphrodite girls would say, on him, he could pursue away, happily. He wasn't happy, but he accepted it.

The night before our date, Nico pulled me aside from dinner and told me that he'd wait for me at the edge of the woods and that I had nothing to fear. I nodded, looking optimistic and going back to dinner. That night, I had decided to eat alone, but soon Leo and, to my surprise, Reyna, joined me.

"Never pegged you for liking emos, RED." Leo joked, but I pursed my lips.

"Nico is a friend, and I'm sure we'll leave as friends if this doesn't work out." I stated, serious. Leo raised his hand in defense, but his goofy smile was still there. "Why? You have a crush on Nico?" I teased him back, earning a blushing Leo, but he played it with confidence.

"Too hot for him, chica!" He argued, lighting his hands. Reyna immediately put them out with water. "Reyna!"

"You gonna burn something, Valdez." She warned him. I saw a flash of sadness on Leo, I'm assuming calling him Valdez was Calypso's thing. Reyna either didn't notice or faked not noticed and continued talking to me. "Are you sure you want to do this with Nico? I mean, it could turn out badly like with Apollo-"

"Unlike Apollo, Nico is a gentleman that would not divert his attention from his date, even when he's not interested." I didn't know why I was defending him, but it just felt right. Nico hadn't done anything yet and people are attacking him with no reason. Stupid Hades' stigma... "Now, if you excuse me, I'll go to bed, since I have a date tomorrow... Engage me when your brain does that too!" I finished, walking to my cave, slightly furious. Maybe I wasn't that into Nico, but the poor kid hasn't done anything!

~oOo~

I woke up the next morning, slightly anxious.

I was getting ready to go down for breakfast, when I noticed a teddy bear that wasn't there before. I looked around, as if I was expecting someone to pop out and say 'Gotcha!' or something. But, no one jumped, so I figured it was safe to grab it. It was a honey-fur bear, with nothing special, except for the note on its hands.

'I really liked the way you looked in your dress the other day... Too bad Apollo didn't appreciate it... I would have.'

Perplexed and blushing, I blinked in surprise at the note. It wasn't signed or anything, just an ambiguous handwriting. Apparently, someone else had seen me wearing that dress... Wait, what if it was one of the ones gathered there? Could it had been Nico? Leo? Maybe Reyna? Not Octavian, unfortunately... the poor kid hates everything related to me. I decided not to give it too much thought and placed the teddy in my bed and go for breakfast.

After that, Will came with me, gritting his teeth in jealousy, poor guy, to help me dress for my date. This time, a pair of khaki shorts and a v-neck T-shirt and sandals, nothing special. Will, trying to get closer to Nico, used the excuse of helping me to know if I had to bring something, but Nico said that everything was taken care of. Will, of course, wasn't happy.

"Will, I promise, I'll talk in your behalf." I promised him. Will sighed and nodded, hugging me. I knew I'd have to talk to him, but I was going to be late, so I headed to the woods and Nico was there, waiting for me. "And here I thought I'd have to wait for you..." He smirked the only way he knew.

"Raised in the forties, taught to be a gentleman..." He explained, taking his hand out. He was wearing his normal, black clothes with his jacket and aviator glasses. I took his hand and followed him inside the woods. For my security, we didn't venture too deep, as Nico had arranged a picnic in a small clare. I smiled and sat over the stretched fabric. "I took the liberty of asking Will what was your favorite drink..." He pulled out a bottle if my favorite soda and I smiled.

"You seemed to be spending awful time with Will..." I pointed out, just pointed out. Nico nodded, sighing.

"I will admit that, while I think you're great, I might look to boys too and Will isn't that bad..." I was shocked by that confession. "I hope I wasn't too direct-"

"Nico." I interrupted him, gently. "If you wanna have dates with other people, I'm OK with it..." I admitted to him, smiling softly. "I'm not sure where this will lead, but I really don't want to repeat what happened with Apollo, so while we're not official, you don't have to explain anything to me..."

"That, I will confess, it's a great relief." He released a deep, held breath and I chuckled. "So, what do we do of this?"

"So, since it's obvious you're still finding yourself, I guess we can take this as a hang out between friends and we'll see what happened." I decided and he agreed. Part of my mind was telling me that he wasn't the one behind the teddy bear, but I wasn't that worried about it now.

I'd lie to say that I had a bad time. Nico is a great listener and, even though I talked a lot, I felt like he listened to me and, little by little, he was getting loose to me. I may not gained someone I could call boyfriend, but sure as Hell I had gained a new friend.

----

Hello and good morning to you all!

I realize is not Sunday, but I haven't had the time to post yesterday. Also, I apologize for not posting the previous weekends and, even though I have no excuse for that, I have an excuse for posting today.

You see, next weekend I'll be leaving on holidays and I won't be posting for two weekends, almost three. So, I decided to post now the chapters I owe you and the ones I will, since practically is the only moment free I have while getting ready!

Here are the chapters!

Sis/Bro, Your Shadow is Hot!: 5 CHAPTERS! (Nope, not insane).

Maidenhood (adopted from TheColorofBoom): 5 CHAPTERS as well!!

Rise of Ouranos (ReWrite) (former collab with LordNitro): 5 CHAPTERS

Quest: Matchmade (former collab with Hugs6): 5 CHAPTERS

Masked Hearts (former collab with Hugs6): 5 CHAPTERS

I wish you all have a great Monday and, obviously, I'll see you the last weekend of March!

xoxo, SilverHuntresses