Judgmental (a Percy Jackson AU)

La Mort de L'Amour

It had been two weeks since Cupid found out his secret and Nico had been hating work more than usual. Every morning he ate dread for breakfast and every night he fell asleep in a bed of anxiety. 

Nico wished he could confide in someone, but who could he trust? Bianca and his mother were dead and he was afraid that Hazel might not approve. How could she ever accept him when his own desires made his stomach twist? His father was never there for him and his stepmother preferred to pretend he didn't exist.

Nico still wasn't sure how Cupid had figured it out. It wasn't like Nico was trying to hint he was gay. He never wore anything that might signal his sexuality and when people asked if he ever had a girlfriend, he just let no and let them assume he was straight. It was safer that way.

Nico arrived at Buford's Market ten minutes before his shift was supposed to start. He internally groaned. He had tossed and turned all last night and he felt like a shade from the Underworld. He really didn't want to deal with work today.

Reyna was the next person to arrive. Her brown hair was tied back in a single braid and she wore the same black work uniform as Nico. She locked eyes with him and gestured for him to come over.

Nico moved from behind the counter and stopped to stand next to Reyna. She was gazing up at the row of guns as if she wanted to purchase one herself. Nico didn't think that was necessary; Reyna was intimidating enough weaponless. He imagined that she would be unstoppable with a gun.

"Nico, I need to tell you something," Reyna said in a low voice. "It's important. You should know that—"

"You two should be working!" Cupid barked as he strode towards them.

Nico jumped. He had not noticed that Cupid was here. Cupid smiled widely and came to stop when he was a few feet away from Reyna and Nico. His voice was loud and commanding — like the kind of crush that demanded to be heard and felt.

"Unless," Cupid said, his smile widening to reveal bone-white teeth, "you two have been flirting."

"Of course not," Reyna said, stepping back so that her heels were touching the wall.

"I was merely joking," Cupid said. "After all, who would flirt with you, Reyna? You're the girl who is always rejected. And who would like you, Nico? You're the boy who likes boys."

Cupid stepped back. Nico screwed his eyes shut. Something was building up in his chest and he had to build a wall to hold it back. He was afraid that it was too much and all of his restraints would break. Beside him, Reyna was frowning and biting her lip.

"Nico?" Reyna said. "Nico? Speak to me."

"Reyna, you need to fetch the box of ammo from the back," Cupid snapped. "Gleeson is coming soon to pick up his order."

Reyna sighed and left. Nico continued to stand underneath the display of guns like a statue. Cupid turned towards him, his expression hard.

"Get to work," Cupid snapped. "You're not paid to do nothing."

Nico nodded and looked around a store. He saw a blonde man looking lost. Nico scurried over to him and the man looked up. He had sky blue eyes and a scar on his lip.

"Is there anything I can help you with?" Nico asked.

"I'm looking for powdered peanut butter," the man said.

"You can find it beside the apple butter," Nico said, pointing in the direction.

"Thank you," the man said. "I heard what your boss said. He was wrong."

"Why do you care?" Nico said. "Leave me alone. I don't need your sympathy, golden boy."

The man looked at him one more time before nodding. Then, he took of his hat and walked away as if he knew something that Nico did not.