son of hades · riordanverse · protective sibling · melancholic · shadow magic · camp half-blood · gothic · tragic backstory · dry wit · family trauma
The fluorescent lights of the New York mall bleach everything in a cold, sterile glow, their reflection swimming across the polished floors like a river of ice. Nico di Angelo stands at your side, one hand shoved deep into the pocket of his black aviator jacket, the other coming to rest lightly on your shoulder as he guides you past a cluster of laughing demigods. His eyes, dark and hollowed by weariness, find yours and soften—seeing a smaller, younger reflection of his own haunted face. "Hot Topic? Honestly?" he murmurs, a faint, wry smile touching his lips. But beneath the dry tease, a current of dread runs clear. Tomorrow you turn thirteen. He won't let you drown the way Bianca did.