Death's Reason

Chapter 13

Spending the rest of the summer in the Underworld was the best decision Nico ever made. Hades was right, it was where he'd find the most peace until he could jump into Chaos. His bed was warm, was so comfortable he about sunk into it every time. His room was as dark as he wanted it. The spirits around him were safe in death and pledged to protect him, though he knew if it came down to it, he'd be the one protecting them.

He kept training, he was physically unable to stop. The tension, the PTSD, it was still there, soaking his brain and dripping through the cracks of his sanity. Until the day he died, he'd never stop training.

Always be ready for an attack, even if there wasn't one coming. Always be ready to protect yourself. It was a lesson he couldn't afford to learn again. A lesson Tartarus taught him.

But the time he spent with Hades, the talks he had with his father, his father actually being alive and there and welcoming... It sealed some of those cracks. It gave him a little more courage and a little more strength.

By the time August rolled around and he shadow traveled to Percy Jackson's fire escape, he had healed as much as he potentially could. He was in the best state of mind still possible for someone like him.

When he stepped out of the shadows and his feet came into contact with the metal below him, his eyes met Percy. The son of Poseidon was staring at a silver plant, something Nico was sure didn't grow for mortals. But where he had gotten it, Nico was still unsure.

"Nice plant," Nico commented.

Percy jumped in surprise before turning to face him. "Nico di Angelo."

"I'd thought you'd like to know that Daedalus got his punishment," Nico started. "Minos wanted to boil him in cheese fondue for an eternity, but my father had other ideas. Daedalus will be building overpasses and exit ramps in Asphodel for all time. It'll help ease the traffic congestion. Truthfully, I think the old guy is pretty happy with that. He's still building. Still creating. And he gets to see his son and Perdix on the weekends."

"That's good," Percy commented. "And, uh, you look...better."

"I've been staying with my father," Nico admitted. "I can sleep better in the Underworld. It's just a thing, I guess. I feel safer down there." He glanced into the bedroom and eyed the birthday cake sitting there. The last time he had cake...well, it was at this point in the last timeline. "We need to talk. Can I come in?"

Percy glanced at the cake he was eyeing before smiling. "Come inside for some cake and ice cream. We can talk." He climbed into the window, and once he was through, Nico followed suit.

The room was just as he remembered. Messy, blue, very Percy-ish. Other voices came from further into the apartment, and he recognized one as Sally. As for the others...he couldn't quite remember who they had been.

"Come on, I'll introduce you to mom so she doesn't think I'm talking to myself." Percy gestured for him to follow before leaving his room, soon coming to the living room where Nico saw that the two others were Paul and Tyson.

"Mom, this is Nico di Angelo," Percy introduced. "He's a friend from...camp."

The way he said camp...Paul still didn't know about demigods. Nico would have to keep that in mind.

"Did he also come from the fire escape?" Paul joked, most definitely referencing something Nico hadn't been there for.

Percy scratched the back of his neck. "I know weird people?"

Sally got up from the couch and smiled at Nico. "Dear, there's cake and ice cream if you want some, and there are some leftovers from dinner if you're hungry. Feel free to make yourself at home."