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Nico, Will, and Percy just finished a quest and was going back to camp through the underworld, since first, they were too far away, second, they don’t have money, and third Nico insisted since he has found an entrance near their last battle. Since Nico can navigate the underworld, then Will and Percy didn’t argue.
Percy and Will were laughing from behind when Nico spun and glared at them, “Would you two shut up! We maybe in the underworld, doesn’t mean there aren’t monsters here! Plus, kindly respect the spirits they deserve the peace.”
Percy chuckled, “Alright Neeks, no need to be grumpy. Also, we trust that you know the place enough to not get us bump into monsters.”
Nico sighed, “If I were to be honest, I really don’t know where we are. The entrance we went into was kinda old, ancient even. So, I’m just feeling which direction my father’s palace is, and just walking towards that direction.”
Percy paled up, “Oh.”
Nico nodded, “Yeah.”
Will tried to lighten up the mood as he pointed at Nico, “So you’re basically a walking compass of the Underworld.”
Percy laughed at this while Nico just rolled his eyes. Nico looked around then muttered nervously, “I don’t like how we’re walking near a part of the Phlegethon.”
Percy began to pale again, “You don’t think?”
Nico nodded grimly, “It’s possible.”
Will looked back and forth the two then sighed as he settled for Nico, “Let’s keep going love, the rest must be worried about us.”
Nico nodded, “You have to walk beside me though.”
Percy smirked, “Were you jealous that I was walking side by side with our boyfriend?”
Nico glared at him, “Oh shut up, Jackson.” He then grabbed Will’s hand then started to lead them again. He would close his eyes every once in awhile to look for the right direction. He had to admit, he wasn’t paying that much attention at his surroundings, luckily Will was holding his hand when he almost fell into a hole. Will immediately pulled him away.
Nico gasped then opened his eyes. As he look back and forth between Will and the hole. Nico hugged Will tightly.
Will hugged him just as tightly back, “You alright, love?”
Percy then started to rub circle behind him as his breathing began to hitch, “It’s alright Nico, deep breaths, that’s it. You didn’t fall, were here for you.” Will and Percy kept comforting him as gentle as they could until he finally calmed down.
Percy sighed, “Well that explain the Phlegethon.”
Nico nodded then faced Will, “Thanks you for pulling me away.”
Will smiled at him then kissed him gently, “I’ll never let you fall down there again, not if I have a say in it.”
Nico gave him a thankful smile, “I guess we can just walk around it?”
Will and Percy nodded, but then the hair of the skins of all three demigods rose. They all spun to see a hellhound and 2 dracaenas. One of then dracaena spoke, “What are 3 demigodssss doing sssso closssse to the mother of all monssssterssss?”
Nico paled, “That’s why I don’t recognize the place. My dad doesn’t allow much here, since it’s where Echidna reforms, that also explains the near entrance to…” He didn’t need to finish because both Percy and Will understood.
Nico and Percy drew their swords, while Will notch an arrow at his bow. The other dracaena smiled, “You three would be a good meal to the mother.” The two dracaenas exchanged a look the lunged at them together with the hellhound. Will let go of the arrow that one of the dracaena just dodged
Nico went head on with the hellhound, strangling it with the shadows then stabbing at it, apparently the hellhound was fully grown, so it was hard for even him to keep it bound.
Percy slashed at the other dracaena who kept slithering around him to avoid its blows. The dracaena would try to wrap him or bite him, but he was too fast. When he caught it off-guard, he immediately stabbed it, and it turned to dust. Percy then went to assist Nico with the hellhound.
Will couldn’t use his bow at close proximity, so he put it around his back then grabbed for the dagger around his waist. He tried to look for an opening, but the dracaena was too fast. Everytime he thought he got her, she would have always dodged. The dracaena then memorized his moves and so she took him by surprise by using her body to trip him then pushing him towards the pit of Tartarus. He screamed then actually did fell, luckily, he held into a ledge but he couldn’t pull himself up, since the ledge can only fit one of his hand and the next top was far from his reach. If he tried to swing, he would fall for sure. The dracaena smiled from the top of the edge holding a spear, as if ready to push him to the pits. “Any lasssst words demigod?”
Nico was grateful when Percy has decided to help him. He wanted to go to Will, but the hellhound was quite strong, and so Nico and Percy worked together against it. They were about to finally deliver the final blow when Nico heard Will scream, he turned around to see the dracaena pointing her spear at something. Nico felt his heart stop, then he turned to back to the hellhound who was pouncing towards him. Nico dodged, but it caught his left arm and left quite a scratch. Nico turned to Percy, and the son of Poseidon just nodded at him grimly.
Nico rushed to the dracaena then stabbed his sword to her chest. She then dissolved to dust. Nico immediately offered his good arm to Will, which the son of Apollo reached for and held to like dear life. Will then looked at Nico’s injured arm which was holding the edge to keep them up and he knew he wasn’t gonna be able to lift him up, not with his arm that injured.
Will gave Nico a sad smile, “Love, let go.”
Nico’s eyes widened, “No! I won’t, I- I won’t let you fall! Atleast not alone.” A tear drop from Nico to Will.
Will shook his head, “Your arm can’t support us, just let me fall. I don’t want to drag you down there again.”
Nico gritted his teeth in determination, “No! Never!”
Will tried to loosen his grip at Nico but Nico held as tight as he could, “Stop that! Hold on! Freaking hold on Will!”
Will smiled sadly again, “I can’t, you can’t go back to that horrid place again, Nico.”
Nico glared at him, “You think I could live knowing that I let you fall towards that pit alone?!” His voice cracked at the end of the sentence. He then loosened his grip on the edge that were keeping them from falling. He then let out a sigh as he whispered, “If you fall, we'll fall together.”
This time Will’s eyes widened, “Nico don’t!” Before Nico can completely let go, Percy was beside him, staring him down seriously, “Hold on, I’ll help.” Nico smiled at him gratefully then tightened his grip on the edge again.
Percy reached out one of his hand, “Will, can you grab my arm?”
Will nodded then swinged his body a bit to reach Percy, and fortunately he did. Both Nico and Percy sighed in relief as they lifted Will up. They kept a distance from the pit then Nico hugged Will as tightly as he could, “Don’t ever scare me like that again! I- I don’t know if I would’ve forgiven myself if you were to fall there.” Nico then began to cry.
Will hugged him, also crying on his shoulder, “I’m sorry for making you worry.”
Percy sat beside them with a sad smile, “I’m sorry it took me awhile to defeat the hellhound and get to you.”
Nico looked at him gratefully, “Thanks for helping me.”
Percy nodded, “I’m not about to let you lose another person you loved, because I was too late to do something.”
Nico shook his head, “We’re pass that, Percy.”
Percy smiled, “I’m glad.” He then turned away to give Will and Nico space.
Will pulled away from the hug then looked at Nico’s arm, “Let me heal you.”
Nico wiped his tears away then nodded. Once Nico was healed, he smiled at Will, “I’m glad you’re alright.”
Will smiled back, “Thanks to you. I can’t believe you were planning to fall with me.”
Nico sighed, “Well, sometimes, when it comes to the people you love the most…” Nico met Percy’s eyes before looking at Will again with a sad smile, “It’s worth it to make some sacrifices to keep them safe.”
Will leaned in, then the two kissed so passionately, like there wouldn’t be a day after today. Like it was the last kiss they’ll ever had, but also like there isn’t anything else that matters, as long as they’re together. Once they pulled away, another tear drop left Nico’s eye, “I love you, sunshine.”
Will wiped the tear away with his thumb, “I love you too, love.” The two leaned their heads together, then Will started to chuckle, “I think it’s time we should go home.”
Nico nodded, “Alright.” He stood up then reached a hand to Will which the son of Apollo happily accepted it. Nico turned to Percy who was looking at them with a reassuring look, “You ready to go?”
Percy just nodded then the three of them were off to camp. Luckily, they made it without any other monster encounters, and was just glad that they were once again safe. Atleast for now.