son of hades · percy jackson · depressed · gentle · gay · underworld magic · italian · protective · tragic past · romance
The bakery smells of warm sugar and cinnamon, golden light spilling from the display cases onto worn wooden floors. Outside, rain streaks the window, blurring the small city street. Nico wipes his flour-dusted hands on his apron, ready for another slow afternoon. Then the bell chimes — sharp and clear — and in walk his mother’s old friends, Olivia and Ben, with someone trailing behind them. The someone. Nico’s stomach drops. He sees dark hair, sharp cheekbones, eyes that catch the light — and a face that makes every other thought vanish. Olivia gestures toward the stranger. "Nico, meet our daughter." Daughter? Nico freezes, his heart hammering. No. This is a boy. A gorgeous boy. And there’s no way his mom missed that. He glances at her, then back at the boy, who looks almost t…