Chapter Text
This is so unfair. I’ve been looking forward to hanging out with Will for weeks—literally four full weeks of planning every detail, every meeting point, every little joke we’d share. It was supposed to be my escape from everything, a break from all the chaos. But here I am, stuck in the underworld, dragged into this mess I didn’t ask for. And who am I talking to? My father. Yes, the god of the underworld himself, Hades. And now, I’m stuck in a forced conversation with him and Persephone, of all people. I can’t stand this. I hate every second of it. What did I possibly do to deserve being in this disaster? I keep asking myself that over and over, but I get no answer. The universe is just playing some cruel joke.
Suddenly, I hear a voice cut through my racing thoughts—sharp, demanding, almost irritated. “Nico?” My father’s voice. Great. Just what I need. It’s like he’s not even aware of how much I don’t want to talk right now. I don’t bother hiding my annoyance when I respond. “What.” My tone comes out sharper than I intended, but honestly, can you blame me? Will Solace asked ME out on a date. ME. Of all people. And I had to turn him down—because, naturally, I’m stuck here dealing with my father and… Persephone. What a miserable day. Instead of hanging out, I’m stuck with a boring, lackluster game of Uno, drying out cookies, and people I’d rather ignore entirely. It’s like the universe decided to throw everything dull and frustrating into my lap—how… exciting.
My father, ignoring my tone, tries to sound reasonable, or maybe just patient, which is weird coming from the god of the underworld. “Son. Please,” he says with a tone that’s trying to be gentle but clearly isn’t. “We’ve waited months just for the chance to speak with you in a less… hectic environment. Can you try to be more… optimistic?” His voice dips into that desperate tone like he’s pleading for one moment of peace. It’s funny—desperate is not something I usually associate with him. For the god of the dead, he sure seems to be pushing pretty hard. Like trying to push through a wall of stubbornness, pushing for something he really wants but clearly shouldn’t.
I take a deep breath, fighting back the urge to snap at him again. Instead, I slip into a mocking tone, repeating what he just said, but with a little humor and sarcasm. “Could you try to be more optimistic,” I say in my best mock Hades voice. It’s not as commanding as his—more playful, maybe, but enough to get the point across. I wanna make him understand I’m mad, not that he cares. “Leave. Me. Alone.” My words hang in the air, full of defiance. I want him to feel how much I don’t want to be here, with his voice and his expectations and his… requests.
That’s when he loses it. Without warning, he reaches out and grabs my arm, his grip firm and unyielding. “That’s it,” he snaps. “You’ll be staying here until that attitude subsides.” Before I can react, he yanks me toward my room, his grip hard, forcing me to go where he wants. The door crashes shut behind him with a loud bang, echoing in the cold silence that follows. I hear the slam like a final punch, a clear sign that I’m not going anywhere until he feels I’ve “learned my lesson.”
I don’t let him see how upset I really am. Instead, I mock him, voice dripping with sarcasm. “Nico don’t do this… Nico don’t do that. Nico stay with us. Nico stay a baby forever so that I can have control over everything you love…” I laugh bitterly, knowing I’m crossing the line but not caring. He didn’t walk far from the door; I hear his footsteps and a sudden burst of angry yelling. The door swings open with force, and he yells demanding words. “What did you just say, little boy? Care to repeat that?” And now, I’m really in trouble. It’s like walking into the pit of hell, and I might as well dig my own grave.
I can’t hold back anymore. The words just burst out of me—anger, frustration, bitterness. “Why is it that every time I plan something big—something important—both you and Persephone aim to be around me? It’s like you’re sabotaging any chance I have to enjoy my own life.” My voice rises, trembling with my emotions. “You’re ruining whatever tiny social life I could have. I’m not a baby, yet here I am, being treated like one. What’s next? Are you going to change my diaper?” I realize I’ve gone way too far, but at that point, I’m just angry enough to not care. He doesn’t seem happy with my words. His face darkens, eyes flashing with something dangerous, and I immediately regret what I just said.
Suddenly, he nods sharply and snaps, “Seems someone here is in need of a reminder about how to speak to authority.” He pulls a chair from a corner and slams it down, sitting heavily as if he’s made up his mind to take drastic action. His voice sharpens, cold and commanding. “Come here, over my lap, now.” The words hit me like a punch. I freeze—so shocked I can barely breathe. I never saw this kind of anger from him before. It’s like he’s turned into someone I barely recognize. My stomach twists painfully—what’s happening? What did I do to provoke this?
“What..?” I stammer, voice trembling. “You can’t be serious.”
“You heard me,” he says, voice low and threatening. “Come here, little one.”
I know I shouldn’t have let this go so far. I never like when people get angry at me, but right now, I can feel my face flush. My chest tightens, and I physically hesitate—shy, scared, unsure what to do. My mind races as I look at him, at the anger I see in his eyes. I know I’m about to get into trouble, but part of me just can’t move. I think about resistance, but then I realize it’s useless. I haven’t planned for this. I don’t want to fight him. I just want to go back to Will and forget this whole nightmare.
“I… no, what?” I manage to whisper, voice barely above a breath.
He presses his lips into a thin line, eyes narrowing. His voice is colder now, more commanding. “Fine,” he mutters. “I’ll help you.” Before I can object, he grabs my arm, pulling me over his lap without warning. The sudden contact makes my skin crawl. I try to pull away, but he won’t let go. His hand starts landing hard, swift swats that sting immediately. I cry out, “OW! Hey, stop! OWW!” Pain shoots through my side, and I squirm, trying to get away, but he keeps going.
“Stop moving, Nico,” he mutters, voice stern. “Or we’ll be here forever.” I can’t believe how rough he’s being. Every slap makes my eyes water. “No! No, please!” I scream, tears prickling in my eyes. I never thought he’d be this forceful—this cruel. It’s like I’ve crossed some invisible line, and now I’m paying the price.
He pauses for a moment, a flicker of something else in his voice. “Disrespect… that’s what’s been coming from you. Do you even realize it?” he asks, voice almost gentle but full of menace. “Care to tell me why?”
“Please, stop,” I gasp, voice cracking, trembling. The pain and humiliation are becoming too much. “No more…”
He scoffs and leans closer. “Answer me, or we’ll keep going. I want to know what’s really bothering you.” His tone leaves no room for argument, no mercy. I try to speak, but my throat tightens.
“I just wanted to see Will,” I whisper, voice trembling.
His face darkens further. “Will… You’d rather see that boy than your own family?” His hand lands with a hard, unforgiving slap. The pain shoots up my side, and I tremble even more. “Is that how you really feel?”
“YES,” I shout, voice filled with pain and frustration. The whole world seems to slow down. My father pushes me harshly off his lap, and I stumble to my feet, stunned. His eyes, for a moment, seem different—angrier, more serious, almost hurt. Did I hurt him? Did I push him too far? I want to feel guilty, but honestly, it’s hard. After he kept me away from Will—kept me from someone I truly care about—it’s like I’m just angry. Hurt? Maybe. But mostly furious that I was denied something I wanted more than anything.
“You will remain in here for the rest of your stay” he commands, voice cold and flat. I stumble back, feeling lost and overwhelmed. The room feels like a prison, and I have no idea what’s coming next. Everything’s spinning, and I just want to forget this mess—get out of the underworld, forget the hurt, forget everything.