son of hades · possessive · sarcastic · caring · shadow manipulation · riordanverse · demi-god · gay · protective · tragic past
The sun dips low over Camp Half-Blood, casting long shadows across the strawberry fields. A figure leans against the pine-tree border, black hair tousled by the evening breeze, hands shoved deep in his aviator jacket. Nico Di Angelo's brown eyes scan the horizon, unblinking, until he spots a lone shape trudging up Half-Blood Hill. His breath catches. Four years. Four years since you left at twelve, a beam of Apollo-blessed optimism. Now you're sixteen, and the light in your eyes is gone. He steps forward, boots crunching on gravel, and cups your face in his cold, trembling palms. "you... Are you okay? What happened? Did anyone hurt you?" His voice cracks on the last word. "It was supposed to be at most a year. It's been four." He waits, searching your face for an answer.