halfbloodhill | [IM/Action] 04 Souls

Entry tags:

[IM/Action] 04 Souls

[So after this quickly escalated on the 16th of February, Nico has decided that he's in a better frame of mind, and heart, to at least apologize to the camp. He is not going to apologize to Percy, and honestly still doesn't want to see him. The son of Hades is currently in the forest, looking a little uncomfortable.]

Ah...so, about last Sunday...I'm pretty sure that you guys may have noticed a small earthquake happened.

[Why does apologizing have to be so hard?]

That was my and Percy's fault. We had a little...disagreement.

["Disagreement" he says. His eyes betray that he means "heated argument."]

For those who don't know or might not realize this, this kind of thing happens when two children of the Big Three have strong disagreements between each other. You get a natural disaster, and luckily this one was small enough to not cause any damage that I'm aware of. Before you guys even think about it, don't try to get all three sets of children into an argument.

[Nico sighs.]

Anyway...since half of it was my fault, I wanted to...apologize for the incident. And for any fear or damage caused by it.

[He can't promise that it won't happen again, since that's an impossible promise to keep, but...well.]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Percy.

[He barely gets it out and rubs his face tiredly. Nico suspects that he's not going to feel even remotely social for quite a while after all of this. Maybe he'll ask Chiron if he can take a break from camp for a little while, no matter how many hoops he has to jump through.]

Oh, no. A confession and a coming out all at once--oh, Nico.

[More hugs]

There's no way to really handle that, sadly. You just need time and good friends right now. I can run distraction, if you want.

[He means "run interference" but sigh ESL]

[Nico really wants to bury his face in Jehan's shoulder, but he refrains. Instead, he finds himself returning the hug.

He can't help a small smile at "running distraction." Nico knows what he means.]

If you and Derek coordinate on that, I think I'll be okay with it.

[Nico hesitates for a moment. But he needs some place to turn after a talk with one other person. As much as he appreciates Derek, he doesn't think he'll want to see his family if she takes it badly. It'll just remind him too much of the hurt.]

I...have to tell Hazel today about it, too. [His grip tightens, and he somehow keeps himself from killing the bed. Well, he has more incentive to not kill Jehan since they're touching, too, so that might be why he manages.] If...it doesn't work out...would you...mind if I stayed here a little while?

I will have to talk to Chiron, but I'm certain we can work something out. He'll understand.

[Jehan just holds Nico close. This can't be easy on him. It wasn't easy for Jehan, and he had accepting family and modern ideas of sexuality. Nico doesn't]

But I know that Hazel will love you. Who is Hazel?

[Nico just nods. Styx, Chiron has probably seen it before.]

My half-sister. She was raised in Louisiana. A religious part of New Orleans, I think, but I don't think she went to church. Not that it doesn't stop her from hearing things.

Of course it doesn't.

[He sighs]

Religion should not bleed over like that. But yes, I have no doubt that she will love you regardless of what she's heard.

How can you be so sure?

Because there isn't a soul on this earth who could hate you, Nico.

[The notion to Nico's mind is absurd. There's always going to be at least one person who hates him, thinks he's a waste of space, distrusts him for keeping his motives close to him. Someone who will reject him for who he is, whether because of his father or his homosexuality.

But...the way Jehan says it, he wants to believe it. He wants to believe that he won't turn around one day and suddenly everyone is his enemy. He wants to put his trust in people and have a strong foundation to stand on again.

Abruptly, the past week of turmoil just catches up on Nico. He feels himself give up a fight, like his body is saying, "Okay, I've hit the limit, here. Time to break down." The waterworks turn on and it's all he can do to not outright bawl. Nico practically clings to Jehan when it starts. A part of him is embarrassed to be crying all over the son of Demeter, but the other parts don't care. He has reached the cliff and stepped right off it.]

Oh, Nico.

[Jehan holds him all the closer, murmuring soft words to try and soothe the poor boy.]

Oh, Nico, mon cher, it's okay. It's okay. You can cry, petit, I won't mind.

[He doesn't trust his voice at all, so instead he just buries his face in Jehan's shoulder. He listens to the words, and lets his darker thoughts run in furious circles in his mind. It hurts to acknowledge them, but it's infinitely worse when he shoves them aside.

After several minutes, Nico stops crying, and his thoughts are quieter. He feels exhausted, and a part of him strongly wishes to stay where he is. However, Nico pulls back, wiping his eyes on his jacket sleeve. He's imposed on Jehan enough. He isn't going to be selfish about this.]

Sorry about that.

[The son of Hades winces slightly at how rough his voice sounds.]

[Jehan reaches for the box of tissues he keeps handy for times where he's a sobbing mess and hands it to Nico, petting his hair out of his face]

No, no, don't apologize. You needed that, and there's nothing wrong with crying. Nothing at all.

[He takes one shyly, and doesn't object to Jehan messing with his hair. He can't summon the energy to care about it. The gesture is...comforting, which Nico finds a little odd.]

I still dumped a lot on you, though.

Nothing I haven't dealt with on my own before. My father still refuses to believe I'm gay, and he caught me making out with a neighbor boy.

[Nico probably should've used the tissue for its intended purpose, but instead he's fidgeting with it and tearing it a little.]

I...don't know how my mom would have taken this. Or...or Bianca.

[Though, he has been having a sneaking suspicion that she knew, and accepted and loved him anyway.]

I'm sorry about your dad.

They would have loved you regardless.

[Still petting Nico's hair, yep. It's soft]

Eh, my dad is a bastard. Neither of my mothers are sure why they fell for him.

I can only hope for that, honestly.

[At least it's not a hair ruffle. This is infinitely more soothing.]

Maybe so your mortal mother could be blessed with you instead?

[Nico seriously won't put it passed the Fates to come up with something like that.]

[Jehan beams at that and actually starts tearing up because oh. That's so sweet and he loves his Mama so much and. Oh.]

That is the nicest thing--oh Nico.

[And he hugs him again.]

[Nico blushes a light pink. He doesn't know what he did, but he'll tentatively hug back because this has actually surprised him. Internally, he's flailing about, not knowing what to say or if he should say anything.]

Ah...honestly, I'd...like to meet your mom someday.

[Because seriously, she has to be a great person in order to raise Jehan to be who he is now.]

Oh, of course. When we're next able to leave camp safely, I will arrange a trip to France to see Mama and you and Enjolras--he hasn't been home since he moved to America, can you believe it--will go with me and see France and meet Mama and Marianne.

[Still hugging. Nico is so sweet, how could anyone hate him?]

[He can't help smiling at that.]

That would be great. The only other European country I've visited was Croatia, and that was when I was about six.

You'll love France. I'll try to wait until it's springtime, even though it'll be rainy, because the flowers blooming and the fresh air and--oh, Nico, Paris est la plus belle ville du monde et de la France, c'est le plus beau pays.

[He gets that dreamy look on his face that's usually reserved for a particularly lovely flower or nasty poison.]

[Nico is so amused that Jehan lapsed into French that he chuckles.]

I think all I got from that is Paris is beautiful.

[Whoops. Jehan laughs as well]

That's about all I said, honestly. I added that France was lovely, but really, that goes without saying.

France certainly has that reputation. Since you love it so much, I think I'll like it there.

[And if they start conversing in rapid French, he'll just talk to some of the ghosts. Or keep them away if they're angry at an Italian being in the heart of their country.]