potential for HoH spoilers in the comments!

[sometimeskinder]

None of what happened to me in that book was your business at all. Or anyone else's. So how about you go back to wasting your time on whatever it was you were doing before this stupid idea popped into your head, and I'll go my own way. By myself.

I've made my decision.

Comments

[teamme]

Yeah, you tell them what to do. It's worked so well in the past.

[sometimeskinder]

Sorry if I'm not taking advice in how to succeed from you, Valdez. [His tone is harsher than usual. There's a pause, before he turns his head away so Leo can't see him wince. He didn't actually mean to be that rude, but no take-backs!!]

[teamme]

[He does get a 'wow where did that even come from' look, but it's Nico and Nico always kinda does his thing. His is apparently snapping right now.]

Yeah, what would the guy who built the Argo II, helped defeat a giant, and faced the magical crazies with your baby sis and survived know about succeeding amirite?

[keeperfromtheflame]

You don't always have to be so alone, Nico.

['You have family here for you. And not just me.']

[sometimeskinder]

[For a second, his expression twists. Only because it's Hazel. But then it's blank again]. I'm fine. You don't always have to worry about me being on my own.

[keeperfromtheflame]

[Because she knows him, she knows 'fine' is true only if they're going by Nico's definition of the word. Which is, to say, definitely not fine at all.]

Yes, I do.

That's what sisters are for.

[toobitter]

They like to think they know what's best for us more often than not.

[sometimeskinder]

They also like to break people down and watch them struggle.

I guess this place isn't so different from home, after all.

[toobitter]

A little too much like home, sometimes.

[intrepidus]

She isn't going to listen to you.

[but givin' u a pointed look rn now bro.] Not too alone, I hope.

[sometimeskinder]

I know. [For Hazel, his tone is softer. Sort of]

I have a Roman, a crazy satyr, and a giant statue to keep me company, if it makes you feel better.

[intrepidus]

Always worth a try?

[Ok she almost laughs.] The statue's not that much company. More looming than anything else.

[knockedout]

You don't have to be by yourself, you know.

[sometimeskinder]

[...Great. This guy. It's really hard to pretend he's okay with things as they are when he's around the one person who knows he's no] And you don't have to keep trying to convince me otherwise.

[knockedout]

[Yeah, this guy. Your best bud. If... Jason ever thought of himself like that, that is. A small frown twitches on his lips, but he holds back the sigh at least.] Someone has to, or you might forget. I know all about what that's like.

[yearrounder]

Nico...you know it doesn't have to be like that. Besides, "alone" is vastly overrated.

[sometimeskinder]

[This day just keeps getting better and better. Nico ducks his head, avoiding her gaze] Out of everyone, I probably know what it has to be like for me the best.

[yearrounder]

[We all love you, Nico.]

Fine, but I can tell you from experience that it isn't as great as you think it's going to be.

[brashy]

You're not exactly alone. [A beat.] I mean, with Reyna you could probably get away with it. But not Hedge.

[sometimeskinder]

[Nico's jaw clenches briefly. Goddamnit Jackson why are you incapable of keeping your face out of business that isn't yours????]

Hedge's girlfriend is pregnant. [Focus on that!!] He's got other concerns.

[brashy]

Wait, what? [Wait, did he say that out loud?

Also it's his job to be in everyone's business!!!!] Okay, but he's still with you guys. [A beat before he grins.] He's going to be a dad, that's great!

[unfairlykind]

No child of Pluto has ever crossed my doors on their own.

[Absentmindedly as he checks something similar to an ipod. He's not trying to cheer him up, he's just stating a fact.]

[sometimeskinder]

[He's never actually met his dad's lieutenant personally, but something in him recognises the guy anyway. His expression is wary, for now] Thanatos. I'm not trying to cross any doors right now. Percy took care of it.

[hallmarkquotes]

[DUN DUNNNNN]

It is mine, though.

[sometimeskinder]

[Nico has been mostly barely contained irritation throughout this post. What overcomes him now is more like a primal mix of anger and fear, with a good dose of hatred]

Get out.