“So what are you going to do?” Reyna asked after he told her everything.

“You barely know Will and Dad thinks you're genuinely married...” In the end, when Nico tried lying to Hazel and just saying he'd ended up in Jason's room for the night, she called him out on it and refused to leave him alone until he told all three of them the entire truth.

Nico groaned and dropped his face in his hands, “I don't —”

Hazel's phone started ringing, cutting him off. He saw between his fingers as she reached to ignore the call before whoever's name was in the caller ID registered and she answred, “Hello?”

Nico obviously couldn't hear who was on the other line but her face went pale as she listened. “Yes. I— I'll be there as soon as possible. Thank you.”

When she hung up, she took the hotel provided notepad and pen and wrote something quickly then turned to start packing whatever had wandered out of her suitcase in one night. Nico put his head up.

“Hazel?” Frank placed a hand on her back. “What's wrong? What happened?”

“Who was that?” Nico asked her.

“Dad...” she clenched her hands around the shirt she was holding. “He's in the hospital. He just went in emergency. A neighbor saw him collapse in the front yard when he went out for the mail. She called 911 right away.”

Nico's eyes widened, “But I just spoke to him less than an hour ago.”

Hazel finished what she was doing and looked at him with guilt in her eyes. She wouldn't look at him, “Nico... He's been sick for over a year now. A brain tumor, cancer. He asked me not to tell you. He knew he wasn't great with you after Bianca's death but he wanted make it up to you without forcing you to talk about it because of an illness. He thought he'd have more time.”

Nico didn't know what to do. First he gets married. Next thing he knows his dad's dying? He needed to lay down. This was all a nightmare. He never got married to a practical stranger. His father isn't dying. It's just a nightmare. He passed out drunk and he's laying on the cold floor of a fancy casino bathroom. He'll wake up any time now.

“Nico.” His name was being spoken but his brain wouldn't grab onto it. “Nico.” There it was again. “Nico listen to me!”

At last his mind pushed through and reached for those two simple syllables. He looked at his best friend. “Nico. Focus. It'll be okay. Go with Hazel. Go see your dad.”

Hazel finally looked at him and took his hand, “I'm sorry Nico. I should have told you. I understand if you wouldn't want to go see him right now.”

Nico shook his head, “No. It's okay. I'll go.” He stood to grab his suitcase. He wanted to change out of the clothes from the night before. He went into the bathroom and no one said anything. When he was out and done Hazel and Frank were waiting by the door. Reyna was staying of course. Their father didn't even know who she was. She didn't say anything as she came up and gave him a tight hug. When she let go, Nico was the one to open the door. Only to find Will there with an arm poised to knock.

“What the hell?” Nico squeaked. “How did you know where I was?!”

Will instantly blushed, “Um. Percy and Annabeth are friends of mine. I asked them.”

Nico was completely irritated. He was about to snap at him when he remembered what he'd told his father. “You're coming with us.”

“I —what?”

"Turns out my father's dying and I told him I got married. So let's keep this going until he dies. Then we can file in a divorce." Nico didn't wait for his answer and grabbed his arm as he exited the room. He pulled him along. "We're heading to the airport now."

"Seriously?"

"Does it look like I'm kidding?"

"Wow—I didn't know —I'm sorry—I—”

"Yeah, neither did I."

He managed to be quiet until they reached the airport. "Wait, I don't have a ticket or clothes. How am I supposed—"

Nico grinned, sarcastically of course, "We're married, darling, remember? I'll get you clothes and a ticket as thanks for this whole thing."

"I'm sorry Nico's putting you through this, Will." Hazel interjected, "I guess it's partly my fault too though, I'm sorry."

Will sighed, "It's the least I can do for my wonderful husband."

Hazel chuckled, "I guess so."

Will looked at Nico, "Don't you agree, Sunshine?"

Nico looked over his shoulder just to glare at him. But he didn't say anything as he quickly made his way to get in line for a ticket. Miraculously, he managed a ticket on the same flight. Although, the seats couldn't have been further apart.

Walking towards their flight, Will called his friends to let them know what was happening and he wouldn't be returning with them.

"I can't believe you're going to be introduced to the father of your husband." Nico was walking directly beside Will and was able to listen to his converstion.

"Lou! I just told you it was an act!"

"But you're married!" This time Nico heard a guy over the phone. It was no doubt Cecil.

"Oh my god." Will said, "I'm hanging up. You two are ridiculous." And he did just that.

Right before they seperated to find their seats, Nico warned him not to get lost or he would kill him.

Will grinned. He actually grinned. Who grins when they threaten them? "Don't worry, cutie pie, I'll always find you."

"You are unbelievable." Nico glared at him before he left him behind and searched for his seat with Hazel.

Once they were seated, Hazel spoke up. "Y'know...you're 22, Nico."

"I am aware." He nodded.

"You've never dated anyone. Not that I've known of...I know there's been a couple one might stands since your freshman year but there's never been anything serious and-"

Nico already knew where she was heading. "No."

"Will-"

"Hazel, I love you but no."

"I mean, you guys are even already married and you told Dad-"

"Hazel. I understand where you're coming from-" he didn't, he didn't even believe someone could love him "-but Will is not my type."

She sighed, giving up. But Nico knew better. She would bring it up again until he had a decent conversation with her about it. If Hazel was anything, she was determined. And if he knew one thing, Hazel had made it her personal goal a long time ago to help Nico find his happy ending. She'd told him that herself the day he graduated high school.

He was grateful, he was. Nico just didn't believe it was possible for him. He'd already gotten everything he would out of life. His sisters, and his best friends. Life wouldn't do him any more favours.

He hoped Hazel would understand that soon. He didn't want her waiting for something that would never happen.

A/N
I'd just like to let everyone know that I don't know how tumours work or how doctors handle them and usually I do some research but I just for some reason really do not feel like it. Probably because school and I'm tired of research but yeah so just go along with it? I'll do my best with what teeny bit I know.

Also, if its progressing too quickly, sorry. This is after all, a short story and I for that to happen, time needs to go by so I can cover what I want in the story and so it can gt to the point where I want it to end. Sorry if its going too fast though. I tried to make it transition smoothly but I don't know if I did well. I think it's not so well.

But um thanks guys.

And I've changed my mind. Since I have all of it written, I'll be updating Saturday and either Tuesday or Wednesday. I mean, what's the point of dragging it out. Also, I feel like I'm going to get behind on You so I want to make up for it with this.

Yours in demigodishness and all that, Izzy