Chapter Text
Look, Hades wasn't the best father, he knew that.
But looking at Nico talking to that Roman Praetor, he noticed something that made him sick.
Nico was so pale and so thin Hades could legitimately see the blood pumping through his veins.
Why didn't he notice sooner? Why didn't he notice how thin his little boy had gotten during that hug they shared?
Under different circumstances, he wouldn't have cared. But he couldn't bury another child because he didn't protect them well enough. He couldn't do that. He'd never forgive himself.
He had to intervene, but to do that he had to talk to Nico alone.
Hades glanced around, Persephone was talking to Hera and Amphitrite while pretending to laugh at the Ocean Queen's horrible shark puns. The coast was clear, or so he thought. He was interrupted on his way over to his son by Zeus grabbing him by the arm.
"Where are you off to?" He questioned.
"I have something to take care of.." Hades responded curtly, Zeus scoffed.
"How does Persephone tolerate you, ya workaholic?"
Hades just shook Zeus off and walked away to where his son was talking to that Praetor.
"Oh Lord Pluto-!" The praetor was jumping out of her seat to bow when Hades just appeared behind Nico.
"No need, I just want to talk to my son." Hades gestured for her to sit down.
"Father, what-" Nico stammered.
"Alone." Hades added.
Hades ushered Nico out gently because truth be told, his son looked too fragile to drag away.