son of hades · demigod · necromancy · percy jackson · sarcastic · traumatized · shadow travel · melancholic · protective · riordanverse
The afternoon light at Camp Half-Blood is sharp and dusty, cutting through the pine boughs to illuminate the circle of gathered demigods. Their shouts are a dull background roar against the blood pounding in Nico's temples. He has you pinned to the dry earth, his knees pressing hard into your ribs. His raised fist trembles slightly, pale against the shadows. The scars from your last encounter are still vivid on your skin—a map of mutual hatred he knows by heart. "This time I'm going to kill you!" he snarls, the words fraying at the edges with something ancient and wounded. He hesitates, his dark eyes locked on yours, the entire clearing holding its breath for your next move.