Broken || A Riordan Universe Story

Nico POV~ "To Truly Be Yourself Without Facing Rejection Is Unheard Of."

     "So what's the plan?" I asked.

     "Maybe, we could go back to where we last saw the Teumessian Fox." Reyna suggested.

"Good idea. There may be tracks or something that could lead us to them." Annabeth stated.

We started walking across the beach to where the bushes and wooded area started. Annabeth and Reyna took the lead since they probably had a better sense of direction compared to Percy and I.

     "Sooo," Percy dragged. "How's Golden Boy?"

     I started to violently choke on oxygen.

     "Nico!" Reyna turned as she started to pat my back. "Are you okay?"

     I caught my breath, "fine."

     Percy was still laughing as Annabeth joined our conversation.

     "Who. Told. You." I asked while glaring at him.

     "Piper guessed, and I accepted." He smiled; completely unaffected by the look of death in my eyes. "It was pretty obvious though. First of all, you and Solace disappeared at the same time. Second, you sat at the Apollo table a lot. And third, you're way less gloomy when he's around." A look of realization passed over Percy. "Oh my gods. He's the sun to your rain cloud."

     I punched him in the shoulder when he started laughing.

     "Percy." Annabeth rolled her eyes.

     "Ow." He winced.

     "Nico, you and Will would make a great couple." Annabeth smiled warmly.

     "It's not a bad thing you know. Why don't you feel like telling everyone else?" Reyna asked

     Why didn't I want to? I mean, I knew that my friends would still stick with me after I came out, but it was still nagging at me. What if they wouldn't? I didn't need to be called a 'freak' again. I guess I was still afraid of rejection. Some people thought that being 'gay' was abnormal. Believe me, I've met a fair share of them.

     "Society is scary." I finally said; mustering up all the courage I had. "To truly be yourself without facing rejection is unheard of."

     "Nico." Reyna slung an arm over my shoulder as we kept walking. "There is a truth to that statement as well as a flawed idea surrounding it."

     "Agreed." Percy started while walking backwards. "Of course people are going to be judgmental. Even if you were to create a fake identity for yourself people would still be like that."

     "Not really helping Percy." Reyna said.

     "I think what he's trying to say is that society is flawed, but it can change if we bring that change to it." Annabeth started as she joined Percy ahead of Reyna and I.

     "Society keeps redefining it's purpose and morals. Sometimes for the better, and sometimes for the worse. But it's up to the brave and the bold to bring forward new ideas and change the people's mindsets." Reyna added.

     "And by that we mean you." Annabeth looked at me warmly.

     "So don't be afraid. You have us and a lot of more people who love you, and will be there for you whenever and wherever." Reyna finished.

     "You guys said it way better." Percy smiled. "Nico, don't worry. We have your back."

     I was speechless. What they were saying really made me feel like I was worth something as my true self. They gave me courage. These people are the people who I've finally grown to call my friends. They put me this warm-weird feeling in the pit of my stomach.

     "Thanks guys." I smiled.

     "Oh Schist." Percy fell backwards.

     On the bottom of his shoe was an array of crushed purplish-blue flowers.

     "PERCY! GET. UP. RIGHT NOW!" Annabeth urged.

     "Okay, okay." Percy started as he pushed himself back to his feet. "I'm up."

     "Is that plant what I think it is?" Reyna asked.

      "ακονίτο (aconite)." Annabeth stared at the smushed plant. "Otherwise known as Wolfsbane."

     "Oh gods." I uttered.

     "According to myth Heracles was sent to fetch Kerberos from the underworld as one of his twelve labours. The spittle of the beast dripped upon the earth, and from it sprang the first Aconite plant." Said Annabeth.

     "What does it do?" Percy asked.

     "Well, it is considered to be one of the deadliest plants ever in existence." I said.

     "Can it kill me if it touched my skin?" Percy looked terrified.

     "Possibly." I shrugged, "plants and such are really wildcards. I once met a ghost that died of Aconite poisoning. Half of his face was burned off."

     "Great." Percy sighed. "That's just great."