Chapter 17

Nico’s feelings and Hades flashback of Maria

Nico’s POV

What am I doing? I need to get my feelings clear.

I looked at the fire in the middle of the room and suddenly the fired turned blue.

‘Iris message already payed for, do you choose to accept?’ said the mist in the center of the room and I sighed.

‘I accept,’ I said sitting on my chair. Suddenly my father was in the middle of the room.

‘Hello son, it’s been too long.’ He said and I rolled my eyes.

‘You called this morning.’ I said and he looked like he just realized this.

‘No matter! Anyway when are you going to bring that girl to meet me?’ he said looking around for Leah.

‘What business do you have with her?’ I asked monotone.

‘I want to meet the first girl dating my son! Is that such a crime?’ he asked and I muttered yes but he ignored it.

‘Ohhhh, having girl problems already?’ he said and I felt my eyes go black.

‘Father what do you want?’ I asked getting frustrated.

‘I just want to meet her!’ he said defensively. He sighed and gave me a sympathetic look.

‘Listen if you haven’t got her to admit her feelings for you use the tactic I did for your mother.’ He said and I glared.

‘Persephone will never be my mother!’ I sneered at him and he sighed again.

‘I’m not talking about Persephone. I’m talking about Maria.’ He said looking tired and old.

‘I showed her what I could do with fire and she loved it. In the end she ended up admitting her feelings for her but she was beautiful and happy that night.’ He said looking off in the distance with a slight smile on his face. Then his face looked solemn.

‘Bring her to my domain in a few days, and Nico you know how impatient I get.’ He said then leaving me speechless as the fire went back red.

I sighed and walked out of my cabin needing air. I looked up and saw the stars normally looking dull looking slightly brighter almost encouragingly. I gripped the railing tight and thought about Leah.

Should I risk everything about our sort of friendship in order to get closer to her? You know what eff this, I’m tired of living scared.

I jumped down to the ground and walked to the infirmary and saw she wasn’t there.

Of course she’s not there when is she ever when I’m looking for her?

I walked to the forest and I looked around finally spotting her. I stopped and saw silent tears going down her cheek as she looked up at the sky. She looked like an angel but why was she crying?

‘Leah?’ I asked. She looked towards me slightly startled.

‘Why are you crying?’ I asked and she touched her eyes and seemed to realize she was crying. She wiped her eyes and I frowned. She’s been down too much lately and I really miss her laugh.

‘I miss my parents,’ she said looking to the sky again. I couldn’t stand her looking so sad and without even thinking I walked towards her and hugged her tight. I thought about what my dad said and I made up my mind.

‘Hey I want to show you something,’ I said grabbing her hand. I waited for her to start walking and she soon started to follow me. I led her through the trees to a big clearing I found a couple years ago. I watched her look around the clearing in amazement and I smiled.

She lied on the ground and looked at the stars. She sat up remembering I was hear and I just kept smilng at her. Her green eyes always entrapped me. I made a flame in my hand and her eyes got wide. I sat down while she crawled towards me.

‘You’re doing that?’ she asked analyzing the flame in my hand. I made the flame sway and llok like it was dancing. She moved to touch the flame and I held my breath. I wasn’t sure if it would burn her because I was the only one that has ever touched the flame.

She touched the flame and smiled. The flame danced over her hand and I relaxed. I focused on the flame and made it change colors. I smiled looking at her face as she pulled her hand out of the flame. I focused again and made more flames appear around us chaning colors.

‘Leah,’ I whispered and she looked up. She looked at the flame in my hand split and run around the clearing and she noticed the other flames in the air.  I looked up and saw the moon in the perfect place and the moon lilies sprouted. Percy had given me some seeds from the flowers he had in his old apartment before he left to the Roman camp.

She was looking around and she was smiling at everything it made her even look more beautiful. I laughed and she looked at me and blushed lightly making me laugh more.

‘You look so cute. You look like a child on fourth of July.’ I said and she blushed again. Suddenly she had a glint in her eye and she tackled me to the floor and my eyes got big. She laughed and I smiled loving the sound of her laugh.

‘I got you to smile.’ I said smiling and she looked at me confused.

 ‘What?’ she asked.

‘You seemed really down these couple of days and I wanted to see you smile.’ I said slightly blushing after realizing what I just said. She laughed and then stopped.

‘Did you just call me cute?’ she asked and I laughed.

‘You realize this now?’ I asked and she blushed.

I sat up and she started to move to get off my chest but I stopped her and held tight so she couldn’t get away.  She leaned on my chest and looked up at the stars and I looked up as well. I thought about my dad and sighed.

‘Can you come with me to see my father?’ I asked and she turned around to look at me.

‘In the Underworld?’ she asked looking confused.

‘Me and my father aren’t really close and get into heated arguments pretty fast. I want you to come so I can stay calm and you never know you might see your little sister there too.’ I started blabbering and I looked down. She put her hand under my chin and raised it up so our eyes me.

‘I would come even if I can’t see my sister.’ she said and I smiled. My heart was doing freaking handstands. I looked at her and got lost in her eyes. I leaned in slowly and hesitated looking at her debating expression.  

I leaned in and kissed her and I felt like I was being lifted in the air. There were sparks no doubt and they were awesome. I kissed her gently and she kissed me back. I tried to get her to understand my feelings with this kiss and it seemed that she was returning it.

Our hands got tangled in each other’s hair and I smiled through the kiss and kissed her even deeper. We heard the trees rustle and we pulled apart. I pushed her behind me and Percy and Annabeth came into view. I groaned and heard Leah groan with me and I smiled. She seemed pretty upset about the interruption as well. She started blushing and then Percy grinned at me.

I turned my head and scowled at the floor. I heard Leah laugh and I scowled more at the floor.

‘Sorry I didn’t realize we were interrupting something.’ Percy said. I felt my hands heat up in anger and suddenly hurting Percy didn’t seem like a bad ides right now. I felt a cool hand hold mine and I knew it was Leah; I instantly relaxed and suddenly didn’t want to kill Percy.

‘So what are you guys doing here?’ Leah asked Annabeth and I realized they were carrying a lot of bags backpacks.

‘Camping,’ she said shrugging her shoulders.

‘You do realize we are at a camp right?’ I asked them.

‘Technically were off of camp and we wanted to do the whole “camping under the stars” thing’ Percy said and I shook my head side to side.

‘This late and dark at night?’ Leah asked crossing her arms in front of her. She was wearing a black tank and black Capri’s and let me just say she looks hot in black, well any color, but still. I wrapped my arms around her and she leaned into me. Percy looked at me with amusement in his eyes.

‘Yup, would you like to join us? We brought two tents in case one was broken.’ Percy said and Leah looked at me. I wasn’t sure if she wanted to go camping since she tends to always get hurt in the woods. I looked at her and her eyes were screaming: say yes, say yes! I sighed but smiled meaning okay.

‘Sure.’ I said. She smiled a bright smile and hugged me, which caught me off guard but I hugged her back. Someone coughed and she let go of me and blushed making me smile at her I don’t think she noticed I pulled her back to me though.

‘I and Leah will get some firewood and you guys will put up the tent.’ Annabeth said walking towards Leah. It was hard letting her go but I gave her my jacket so she could at least be gone until she comes back. She blushed and I laughed lightly. Leah and Annabeth walked away and Percy got the tent stuff out.

‘Dude you looked whipped.’ Percy said and I froze. Is it that obvious? I shrugged and put up the tent. It was really easy for me since I lived in tent for a year after I the last battle with Chronus. I hated thinking about that time, the way they treated me like I was sh!t. I’ll never forget about the time I helped Percy and the others find Pan and he said nothing to me, but I got over it.

I looked at Percy and he was looking at the instructions like they were gibberish. I walked to his tent and put it up quickly. Percy looked at me like I grew another head.

‘How did you do that so quickly?’ he asked and I shrugged.

‘I lived in a tent for about a year since I didn’t want to live with my dad.’ I said sitting on the floor making a place for the fire.

‘So are you and Leah dating?’ he asked and I nodded my head.

‘I guess. She didn’t run when I kissed her so I take that as a yes.’ I said and he smiled at me pattin my back and sitting across from me.

‘We’re back.’ Annabeth said walking into the clearing and Leah followed behind her looking lost in her thoughts. They put the wood in the pit I made and Leah looked at me and blushed. She looked down and took off my jacket and I put it back on. I saw her disappointed look and I grinned. She sat next to me and I frowned. I pulled her on my lap and she blushed but didn’t argue making everyone chuckle.

I lit the fire and it was different shades of colors. Annabeth and Percy were roasting marshmallows and I and Leah weren’t really hungry. She leaned on me and I wrapped my arms around her and I felt her sigh.

‘She’s falling asleep; you should put her in the tent.’ Annabeth said leaning on Percy.

‘Yeah I’m a put her to bed. Percy do you have extra pajamas?’ I asked and he nodded getting up and Annabeth slightly glared at me and I rolled my eyes picking Leah up effortlessly. I put me in the tent and went to leave but a hand grabbed my arm before I left. She opened her eyes but they didn’t look focused.

‘Don’t leave.’ she whispered and I couldn’t help but smile.

‘I need to change into my pajamas but I’ll be back’ I said kissing her forehead and she looked reluctant to let go. I got out of the tent and Percy gave me black pajama pants and I smiled great fully to him. I went to the other tent and changed. I said goodnight to Percy and Annabeth and went to the tent with Leah.  I pulled her close and she snuggled close to me and sighed making me laugh lightly. I kiss her head smiling.

‘I love you Leah.’ I said without thinking and I heard the words that melted my frozen heart.

‘I love you too Nico.’ she said before falling asleep and I swear my heart was going a hundred miles per hour. She loves me, was my last thought before drifting to sleep.

Hades POV  :D

I watched my son as he changed the color of fire all around them and she smiled at him. He looked at her lovingly and the feelings were obviously returned. I smiled looking at them. I hadn’t seen my son smile since he was a little boy.

The way they acted around her reminded of me and his mother. Though I love Persephone very much, I loved Maria just as much if not a little bit more.

Her reactions made me smiling remembering Maria.

FLASHBACK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It was warm spring and I was in one of my human forms. I was walking down the forest waiting to see Maria. I had met her only a few days ago and she had already captured my heart. I had told her to meet up with me in the forest where we met but she wasn’t here.

I waited till the sun set and she still hadn’t come. My heart felt like it sunk to pit of my stomache and I walked towards her house.

Maybe something happened?

‘Why are you doing this?!’ I heard a woman yell. I heard a slap followed by a cry in pain.

‘Mama, I’m sorry but I think I’m in love with him.’ Said a sweet velvety voice. I knew it was Maria but when I heard she loved another man my heart sank even deeper.

‘He is a bad influence on you Maria! He wears all black and looks like a Satin worshiper!’ she yelled and I smiled lightly. Not exactly on the dot but she was pretty close.

‘Mama I don’t care! He’s the only one I can trust! He’s kind, handsome, funny, and lets me be me around him!’ she sobbed and I felt anger towards her mom and the man she was in love with. She had played me when I thought she loved no one.

‘You disobedient child! I will never allow your marriage; you will be disowned from our family! D you really want that?’ her mother asked looking calm.

‘If it’s to be with James, then yes I will leave this family if you can’t except I’ll never love Timothy or the other men you try to set me with.’ Maria said in a confident voice. Wait, she said James? That’s the name I’m using now. Holy sh!t, she loves me! I couldn’t help but grin like a fool.

Her mom was not happy with that answer judging by her red face and expression. She raised her arm and went to hit her but I was quicker and caught her arm.

‘Don’t touch her!’ I yelled and she stumbled back. She turned red like a tomato and was going to say something and I felt my eyes turn black. Her words got chocked up and she got up a scurried back into the house.

I turned to Maria and saw scratches and bruises on her and I frowned. I wiped the blood dribbling down her forehead and she grabbed my hand bring it to her cheek. Tears fell down and I smiled lightly and hugged her. She clung onto me for dear life and I picked her up.

I walked towards the woods and it was pitch black outside. I walked to a big clearing and set her down.

‘I’m sorry I didn’t get there in time. If I had you wouldn’t have been beaten.’ I said frowning.

‘It’s not your fault, trust me.’ she said sitting on her knees.

‘Listen I have to tell you something.’ I said grabbing my hair that fell past my eyes.

‘What?’ she said sounding slightly scared.

‘I can’t keep this from you any longer.’ I said and she stared at me.

‘I’m Greek God Hades.’ I said collapsing in front of her.

‘That’s it? I thought you were going to leave me!’ she said smiling as tears went down her cheek.

‘You’re not scared?’ I asked in disbelief.

‘No. My brain tells me I should be running,’ she said and I looked down. She raised my chin to look at her eye level.

‘But my heart tells me it’s alright, and I believe in following the heart.’ She said and I couldn’t help but bring her in and kissed her. She didn’t run away when I told her who I was and she believed me! I felt so happy!

‘I want to show you something,’ I said breaking the kiss. She pouted and I smiled kissing her lips again making her smile.

I made a fire ring around us and fire floating in the air in her favorite color, dark purple. She smiled bewildered and stood up looking at the flames dancing around us.

‘This is astounding!’ she said amazed and I couldn’t help to smile.

‘I’m glad you like it.’ I said standing up walking to her.

‘I love it!’ she said smiling as I wrapped my arms around her. We stood there in silence and it felt comfortable.

‘I love you,’ she whispered and I smiled like there was no tomorrow.

‘I love you too Maria.’ I said kissing her again.

END OF FLASHBACK!!!

A tear fell down my cheek as I entered my domain. Maria was perfect. I love Persephone dearly but Maria in my opinion was my true love. Looking at my son and this girl together, I see that they are meant to be and I will forever protect that.

 I smiled. Me and Nico are more similar than we think. I love Maria, Bianca and Nico. Nico is my last living child and I will not ruin my son’s only chance of happiness.

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AHHHHHH!!!!!! So what do you think of this chappie??? More importantly what did you think of Hades POV and flashback???? Next POV is Leah’s!!!! Oh and I was thinking about making a story about Maria and Hades like a prequel sort of speak. Would you guys read that? Of course it would be after this story but it is just a thought. Anyway!!!  COMMENT!!! Cause I LOVE reading your comments! VOTE so I can see that you’re reading and FAN so I see your love of my writing!!!! Ehh you don’t have to do the last one but please do the first two!!!! 22 votes and the next chap shall come out!!!!!

-LeXi  :D