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Will: Of course I do! I love you with all my heart and soul!
Nico: But why? I'm ugly, and odd. I never fit in, and I'm shy.
Will: But you aren't ugly. You're beautiful, in a way no one else can be. And you aren't odd, you're you. No one else could be a better you. Fitting in can sometimes be the worst thing. But you stand out in a way that makes you wonderful. And being shy isn't an issue. So what if you're shy? It doesn't change the fact that you are the perfect and best you, and nothing about you should change!
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Hazel: Obviously! I love you so much!
Nico: How come? I'm a burden, and no one likes me. All I do is cause more problems for people.
Hazel: Nonsense! You aren't a burden for living. Everyone has to live, and everyone needs help sometimes. Just because you're human doesn't mean you're a huge problem for the rest of us. And so many people like you, and want to be there for you, but you don't let yourself face some hardships and rude people to find the people that really care about you. But you stood up for me when no one else would. When I was an outcast, you made me feel welcome and loved.
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Percy: I, mean, yeah. Platonically, of course. But I care about you.
Nico: Why is that? I made things awkward around you. I used to like you. I hurt you, and made my problems your problems. I even blamed you for something that wasn't your fault.
Percy: Well, you don't like me anymore, apparently, so that's not an issue. And, yes. You did hurt me, and put me in situations that were difficult because of your own needs and wants, but you made up for them. You apologize often, and try to make sure I know you're sorry. And you blamed me for that because you were hurt. Because you were young and hurting, and I was the one that brought you the bad news, and because I made a promise before. But you allowed me to help you realize the truth and cope with the facts. You are an amazing person, that, just like anyone, made mistakes. That doesn't make you any less worthy of love.
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Annabeth: Yes, Nico, I do. I care about you. Why wouldn't I?
Nico: Well, I 'm insensitive and bad with words, and with people. I make conversation awkward and push people away.
Annabeth: That's just how you're made. You can't change the fact that you don't pick up on social cues. You can't change the fact that you come off as odd to some people. That's their problem, and their loss. You can't please everyone, and you don't have to. If you let yourself be yourself, then there would be people who hate you for that. But I think that they are missing out on conversations and relationships with an awesome person like you.
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Jason: Yes! Yes! Without a hesitation, I do!
Nico: How can you? I'm not normal, and I'm different, and I hid so much from you.
Jason: There's no such thing as "normal." That doesn't exist. Everyone is different, and there is no way anyone could be the same as another. Just because you identify as something different than what most people would consider "normal" doesn't mean you aren't still a person that needs and deserves love. And I think —no, I know — that what makes you different is what makes you beautiful. What makes you wonderful, and strong. What makes you you. And you hid from me to try and protect yourself, and that's ok, because you've learned you can open up to me, and trust me.
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Piper: Yeah. What would make you think I don't?
Nico: Maybe I'm not pretty, and I have problems with eating. Maybe that I don't take care of myself, and so you all have to help me.
Piper: Beauty is subjective. Everyone is beautiful in their own way. Just because you don't fit into beauty standards for others doesn't mean that you aren't beautiful. There are plenty of people who do find you beautiful. And eating problems aren't an issue that can be changed in a moment. It takes time, and you've been getting better with it, because you've actually allowed people to help you. Also, what do you mean you "don't take care of yourself?" You do, when you can, and sometimes even when you can't. And when you need help, those who can help you do. We try to help you. It's never a problem for us to help you.
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Leo: Like, platonically? Yeah. I mean, I was skeptical at first, but once I got to know, I learned you're actually pretty fun!
Nico: What makes you say that? I literally forced y'all to have to go out of your way to help me. And made y'all uncomfortable.
Leo: Well, yeah, and I wasn't;t so sure about it at first, but I don't regret it at all. You turned out to be incredibly helpful, and fun, and just an all around great guy! And, sure, you made some of us uncomfortable at first, mainly because we didn't understand you, or know you yet. But once you opened up to us, trusted us, and showed us your true self, I realized that you are not as weird or strange as you once seemed. And I also understand why you were so hidden, and that it was to protect yourself. I don't hate you for that. That'd be dumb.
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Frank: Yeah. I think you're great!
Nico: Why? What did I ever do to deserve your love? I'm just another thing you had to protect, and I'm just another mouth to feed.
Frank: Because you were never just that. Sure, I protected you too, but I chose to, because I care about you. Sure, we had to have enough food to feed you as well, but we wanted to because we wanted you to still be around, and to still be healthy. I wanted you around because you're fun. Because you have a personality that is unique to you, and is wonderful because of that. Because you're you, and so you're different from anyone else I hang out with. I care about you and want you to always know that.
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Reyna: Do I really have to answer that? Who made you think I didn't? I'll beat them up.
Nico: No, no one made me think you didn't. I just don't understand how anyone could love me. I'm selfish and I always draw so much attention to myself and I—
Reyna: Ok, I'm gonna stop you there. You are absolutely not selfish. You are quite the opposite. You will do anything—and I mean anything—for others. You literally almost drained every ounce of yourself out of your body just to help end the war. Even more specifically, to defend me, because that prick was trying to play some sort of mind trick on me. You literally risked everything for people you didn't even think liked you! And the reason you "draw so much attention" to yourself is because either you do something so incredible and amazing, that you're seen as a hero, or you literally put yourself in so much danger for others that we worry about you and try to help or save you. You are absolutely worth every ounce of love we give you and so much more.
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Clarisse: Well... yeah. I do care about you. You were such a help before.
Nico: But, I'm, well, weird, and scary. No one at camp even seemed to care.
Clarisse: I think it's maybe because, to others, you were scary. But, maybe not for the reason you think. I think it was because you were so powerful, and we saw all that you could do, and we didn't want to be on your bad side. I think you are amazing, and even though I pretty much never showed it, I have so much respect for you. You're such your own person, and it's almost enough to make me jealous.
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And Nico was finally satisfied enough. He still felt like he was unworthy of love, but with the constant reassurance from those around him, he learns to love himself as much as they love him.
ִֶָ 𓂃˖˳·˖ ִֶָ ⋆♡⋆ ִֶָ˖·˳˖𓂃 ִֶָ
So, if any of you reading this feels the same way Nico does, then I hope this helped you feel better about yourself. I kept the statements as vague as possible (I got a bit too in character on the last two, sorry) in an attempt to help anyone recognize if they are in a similar situation to Nico. And I want you to know: There is a whole army of people out there, ready to open their arms and love you and hug you and take care of you and give you whatever it is you need from them. Let them. Don't stand there and think they're lying. Allow them to show you a mirror and accept the person you see in it as beautiful, and wonderful, and worthy of love, because that's how we see you. And I want you to know that I'm one of those people. No matter where you are, if you read this, and feel that way, I'm standing with the others around you trying to show you how much love you deserve.
I hope this helped someone!! Love you all!!!!❤️❤️