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Nico di Angelo. It’s been too long, my friend.
Nico was back in Croatia. In Salona. In Cupid’s home. He whipped his head around, eyes scanning every surface of the ruins he stood in. This place was engraved into his mind.
I have to say, I’m quite disappointed in you. After that lovely chat we had last time about facing me, I thought I wouldn’t have to speak with you again. Yet, here we are.
The disembodied voice of Cupid echoed throughout Nico’s mind. Nico clenched his fists. He had an idea of what this was about, but he hated himself for thinking of flashes of blonde curls and soft blue eyes.
“Are you really appearing to me in a dream? Too cowardly to face me in reality?” Nico snarled, attempting to appear tough. As if he had gotten any braver since his last encounter, any stronger.
Cupid chuckled, and Nico clamped his hands over his ears. The god’s laugh bounced around his skull and rattled his brain. It physically hurt to listen to.
Love involves no cowardice. I must admit, I do prefer speaking face to face, but this was the best I could muster. Now, would you like to tell me why I’m here?
A blindingly white smile with rows of perfectly straight teeth. Messy blonde curls that bounced slightly, almost rhythmically, with every movement. Sky blue eyes that always shone with delight, practically glittering in the light of the mid-day sun. Freckles, as numerous as the stars in the sky, covering shoulders tanned from days spent at the beach.
“I don’t know why.”
LIES. The sky darkened as Cupid’s voice boomed as loud as thunder. Or perhaps Nico just heard actual thunder. The sky was now overcast, and it looked like it might start pouring any second. You know exactly why. We’ve done this dance before, di Angelo. All I’m asking is that you face me once again.
Nico took a step back. This was only one of his dreams, so all he needed to do was wake up. He just needed to wake up.
That won’t work, Cupid said, seemingly reading Nico’s mind. Here, I’m in control. This is no longer your dream. It’s mine. We’re finished when I say we’re finished. I’ll ask again: why am I here?
Nico sucked in a breath. He was not going to let Cupid win again. “I already told you. I don’t know.”
DO NOT LIE TO ME.
“I’m not!” Nico cried. He knew he was digging his own grave, but he didn’t care. He just wanted this dream to be over. He never wanted to experience Cupid’s wrath again.
Fine. Cupid’s voice suddenly became hushed. Do not tell me the truth. Just remember, Nico di Angelo, the only way to conquer me is to face me.
–
“Nico!” Knock, knock, knock. “Wake up! It’s breakfast time!”
Nico awoke with a start. He scanned the interior of the Hades cabin instinctively, still wiping the bleariness out of his eyes.
Knock, knock, knock.
Groaning, Nico dragged himself to his feet and out of bed. Recently, Jason had insisted on accompanying Nico to breakfast every morning. It was infuriating.
“Nico!”
“Give me a minute!” Nico finally responded, wrestling on a black t-shirt. He sheathed his sword at his side, slipped on a pair of boots, and opened the door, revealing Jason, who was much too cheery for eight in the morning.
“Gooood morning,” Jason greeted in a sing-songy voice. Because he hated Nico, probably.
“Mmh,” Nico replied with a glare.
The two began walking to the dining pavilion in a comfortable silence. Nico took this time to reflect on the dream he had last night. Had that truly been Cupid visiting him, or was it just a regular nightmare? Whatever it was, it had really shaken him up. He listened closely to his surroundings for the god’s unmistakable laughter, just in case.
Eventually, his thoughts wandered to other things, like a certain head medic. Since it was a Friday, Will would be working the morning shift in the infirmary. Maybe Nico could pop in after breakfast and see if he needed help with anything.
“What are you thinking about? Your face is all scrunched up,” Jason asked.
Nico opened his mouth to say, Nothing, but instead what came out was: “Will.”
Jason perked up at this actual response. “Oh? You mean Will Solace?”
Nico stopped walking. He hadn’t meant to say that, but it was almost like his response was out of his control…
Nico shook his head. He had just slipped up, and now he needed to fix it. All he had to do was deny it until Jason dropped it. “Mhm. I had a dream about him last night, sort of.”
Jason responded, but Nico didn’t hear it. He was too focused on what he just said. The words felt unnatural, like they were forcefully ripped out of him.
A phrase rang out in his mind: the only way to conquer me is to face me.
No. No. Panicking, Nico instinctively reached for the shadows. He needed to get away–
The last thing the son of Hades saw before the shadows consumed him was a startled Jason reaching out, trying to stop Nico from shadow-traveling.
–
“Is he okay?”
“Seems so. No fading, but we’re not sure how long he’ll be out for.”
Nico blearily blinked his eyes open. The white fluorescent lighting of the infirmary stared back at him.
He groaned.
“Wait! Did you hear that? Is he awake?”
The privacy curtain surrounding his cot was flung aside, and suddenly Nico was met with two concerned blondes.
“Nico!” Jason ran over and engulfed him in a choking bear hug. “You scared me bro! It took us about thirty minutes to find you. Why did you shadow-travel to your closet in the Hades cabin?”
Nico gave him a questioning look as he sat up. “I… I don’t know, I didn’t really have a destination in mind.”
“Why did you shadow-travel in the first place, di Angelo?” Will piped up, crossing his arms. His lips tugged down in a slight frown, and his brow was scrunched. Rather than the usual sparkle, his eyes shone with worry and disappointment. Nico really did not want to answer that question, but he felt his mouth moving without his permission.
“I think I’m cursed.”
Clearly, this was not the answer Will was expecting. “What?”
“I– well, I had this dream about Cupid.” Jason’s face turned to shock and he looked like he wanted to intervene, but Nico kept talking (unwillingly, still). “And in it I kept denying that I didn’t know why he wanted to speak with me, but he kept calling me a liar. So I think he cursed me to only speak the truth, even when I don’t want to speak at all.”
Will looked even more confused now, but still he nodded slowly. “Alright, so you’re cursed to only speak the truth? Do you know how to break the curse?”
Realization dawned on Jason. He slapped a hand over Nico’s mouth. “Will, leave the room right now. ”
Nico appreciated Jason’s attempt to not out him, but he knew it was fruitless. He would remain cursed until he admitted the truth. The only way to conquer me is to face me. Might as well get this rejection over with now.
He removed Jason’s hand. “No, it’s okay. I need to do this. Will…”
Will nodded, a quizzical look still on his face.
“I like you. A lot.”
Nico held his breath. He actually did it. He had spoken the words, out loud, to Will’s face. It felt a little freeing, but it also terrified him to his very core.
Will let out a small chuckle, which turned into a laugh. Nico felt himself shrink. What was he expecting? Of course Will didn’t like him back. This was Percy all over again. There was no way Will could be gay, much less like Nico of all people.
Jason frowned and took a step towards Will. The air around him crackled with electricity. “What’s so funny, Solace?”
Gasping for breath, Will looked up with a wide grin on his face. “No– I– I know what this looks like, I swear I’m not… I just…” Will turned towards Nico. “I like you a lot, too.”
The entire room seemed to be holding its breath.
Will rambled on, “I thought it was obvious, honestly. Kayla and Austin tease me about it all the time, but it’s just… it’s great that you feel the same. Nico, you’re great.”
Jason cleared his throat. “Oh wow I’ll be on my way then catch you two on the flip side haha.” He ran out of the infirmary, the door slamming shut behind him.
Nico stared at Will. Will stared back.
“What now?” Nico’s voice was barely above a whisper.
“Well, now,” Will put on his Doctor Voice, “you need to rest. Shadow-traveling? Really?”
“I’m fine,” Nico mumbled, rolling his eyes.
“Clearly your curse has been broken, because that is the most obvious lie I have ever heard.”
“Hmph,” Nico pouted, but made no attempt to get out of the cot he sat on. As much as he hated to admit it, he was drained both emotionally and physically.
“But maybe later,” Will continued his earlier sentence, “maybe later you could take me out on a date?”
Nico processed this. “Did you just ask yourself on a date for me?”
Will winked. “I’ll be ready at eight, the Apollo cabin. I can get Kayla and Austin to cover for us.”
“I– uhm, alright.”
“Rest up, di Angelo. I’ll see you tonight.” With that, Will took his leave.
Nico sunk down in his cot. He couldn’t believe all of… whatever that was had just happened. Closing his eyes, he let sleep wash over him. He could deal with it later. That night at eight, specifically.