Chapter 28: Siblings

Nico wasn't sure if he believed it. Another child of Hades? It just didn't make sense. Which is why he turned away from the crowd, and headed to Half-Blood Hill, not ready to deal with his new sibling yet. He didn't want to get close to them, either, remembering Bianca. Remembering how he felt when she had passed on, how much he hated that feeling. He'd gone into the Underworld to try and find her, but brought back his other sister, Hazel, from the dead. They were close with each other. Like a brother and sister should be. But he didn't know if he could handle another sibling. He was too scared of getting too close. After all, he'd gotten close with his mother, and Zeus had killed her. He'd gotten close with his sister and the Fates had snipped her string. He'd gotten close with Jason and where was he now? Maybe the Gods were sending him another person just to see him get too close. Just to see if he would fall for it again. "Nico? Nico!" But he ignored his boyfriend's calls, and raced to the Hill, wanting to be alone. He needed time to process what he felt. Then he needed to shove it down and bury it in a grave and never dig it up. He didn't want to feel sad, or weak, or anything like that. Before he knew it, he found himself at Half-Blood Hill, and leaned against it, his back to the camp. He looked at the ground, which was withering under him, and tried to control it. Luckily, it faded, and he sighed. The only thing left to deal with was Will, who was approaching him slowly, as if Nico didn't notice him. "Go away, Will. I need to be alone." But the son of Apollo was stubborn. Especially with Nico. Suddenly, a pair of warm and strong arms slipped around his waist, pulling him in for a hug. Usually, this would've worked to calm him down. And it did a little. But it also kinda wasn't helping, so he pulled away, and wondered if he could make it to a certain spot he'd come to like. Will, apparently, knew this. "Niccolo di Angelo, don't you dare! You aren't in a good condition right now." Maybe not. But he knew he had enough strength for himself and one jump. He wouldn't risk dying with Will right there. And, as much as it hurt him to, he slid into the shadow of the tree and pictured the place in his mind. He started to disappear when Will grabbed his wrist at the last second. "Fine. But your not going alone." "Will, I don't have-" But it was too late. They had landed on the bridge that overlooked the stream of water in Italy. And the darkness took him, forcing him into a cold, dreamless sleep.