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.

[keeperfromtheflame]

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

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

[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!!]

[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.

[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.

[intrepidus]

She isn't going to listen to you.

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

[toobitter]

A little too much like home, sometimes.

[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.

[sometimeskinder]

More like I didn't have any other options.

[Something like a smile twitches on his lips. Maybe.] Sounds like I'll fit right in.

[intrepidus]

[Small sigh.] When they set their minds to something, there usually isn't much of a choice.

[Ah! She sees that!! It makes her break into a soft smile, even if she looks like she's about to roll her eyes.] You'd need more glow, less shadows.

[sometimeskinder]

Nothing any of us aren't used to.

[Seeing Hazel smile makes one of the many knots in his chest loosen, even if it's only a little bit] Guess that's another one out. [Another place he could fit, that is]

[intrepidus]

It's a little better than the gods, most of the time, at least.

[There's a sort of pff sound, though not one of amusement.] Not what I meant either.

[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.

[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?

[sometimeskinder]

[a pause] That's good. [For her, he means. Hazel deserves good things.]

I don't think I'm a glowy kind of person, Hazel.

[sometimeskinder]

Right.

[Nico is the best conversationalist. Maybe he should make some kind of effort if they're going to be travelling together, but...it's not like he's planning on sticking around afterwards.

People are hard] Sorry? [that's what you say, right?]

[toobitter]

[She's not either. It's going to be a great trip, isn't it? She blinks a little bit at the apology.]

You have nothing to apologize for.

[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.

[sometimeskinder]

Did you have anything to actually say?

[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.

[sometimeskinder]

[He grits his teeth] I can guarantee you that your experience definitely hasn't been mine. You're a Daughter of Athena. Zeus' favourite daughter. I'm pretty sure you've got no idea what it's like being a son of Hades. [Because that's totally the problem here]