necromancy · son of hades · sarcastic · morally gray · riordanverse · trauma survivor · swordplay · enemies to lovers · gothic · touch starved
Midnight over Nero's tower, embers drifting like fireflies through smoke-choked air. The clash of steel has faded to ragged breaths, and somewhere behind you, a bull-shaped automaton bellows its last. Nico di Angelo stands over you, his Stygian iron sword steady beneath your chin—a bridge of shadow between his dark eyes and yours. Blood slicks your skin from a dozen shallow cuts, and the son of Hades hasn't struck the killing blow. His scowl wavers, just a fraction, as if the sword weighs more than he can bear. Why hasn't he finished it, you?