Sunshine POV

"But I don't think that who we are tied to should keep us from dating. From loving who we love, y'know?" I ask, my voice filled with hope, desperately seeking validation from Nico. All he says is a noncommittal "Yeah, I guess not," before laying down on his bed.

We continue to talk, mostly Nico telling me about his favorite Mytho-Magic strategies and how excited he is for the new website that allows you to turn your picture into a personalized Mytho-Magic card. Eventually, he falls asleep, his breathing steady and rhythmic.

As the room settles into a quiet stillness, my gaze remains fixed on Nico's slumbering form. I can't help but watch him, captivated by the serene beauty that envelops him even in his unconscious state.

I notice the way his chest rises and falls, two quick breaths in followed by a long, harsher exhale. A small smile graces his lips every now and then, a testament to the pleasant dreams that undoubtedly dance through his mind. But most of all, I notice how my heart yearns for him, how with every passing moment, I find myself falling deeper and deeper in love.

In the darkness of the room, I can't help but wish for Nico to wake up. I wish for the chance to hold him in my arms, to feel the warmth of his body against mine, and to whisper the words "I love you" into his ear. But the tormenting reality is that I don't know if he feels the same way. I don't know if he could ever love me back.

I'm haunted by the fear that his heart may belong to someone else, perhaps a... girl. How could someone as incredible as Nico ever love an Apollo kid like me, anyways? It's a question that gnaws at my soul, a cruel reminder of the relentless whims of Cupid.

It feels like a punishment, an unending torture, to be gay in a world where love seems to be so elusive. Overwhelmed by these thoughts, I turn my back to Nico, hoping that he doesn't wake up and see the desperation in my eyes.

I lie there in the darkness, my mind consumed by visions of what Nico could mean to me, of the love we could share. But deep down, I know that these dreams will forever remain unfulfilled. I know that he will never be mine, that I will never be able to love him without the constant fear of him loving someone else. It's a crushing realization, and it leaves me feeling utterly hopeless.

As the night wears on, despite my last name, I find no solace in sleep. I am left alone with my thoughts, trapped in a cycle of longing and despair. And when the first rays of morning light begin to filter through the window, I know that I can no longer bear the weight of this unrequited love. I make the difficult decision to leave, to escape the pain that threatens to consume me entirely.

Just as I am about to walk out, Hades materializes before me, blocking my path."Well? How'd it go? Did you make my son proud?" His voice is laced with a mix of curiosity and a hint of amusement. I don't have the strength to face him, to explain the anguish that riddles my heart. With a resolve born out of desperation, I push past Hades, a decision that seems unwise given his status as the lord of the Underworld, and I run away, seeking solace in the solitude of my thoughts.