Nico di Angelo x Reader

Choices

[takes place after The Trials of Apollo, which hasn't ended yet, so your guess is as good as mine]

"I won't hold it against you—whatever choice you make," she whispered, tears rolling down her cheeks.

"...just don't regret it."

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You dove to the right just as a poison-tipped arrow whizzed past you. Glancing behind you, you saw the source of the arrow: an Ipotane, a creature with ugly horse ears and tail, was coming at you, notching another arrow. Out of the tip of your eye you saw di Angelo and Solace fighting the Ipotane's companions. You rolled behind a tree that fortunately stood by your side as the Ipotane shot another arrow at you. Unfortunately, the arrow managed to hit your right leg and pierce past your jeans. You winced and pulled behind the tree. Quickly, you pulled the arrow out, ripped a piece of your T-shirt, and tied it around your leg. Getting infected by poison was not going to help anyone.

"Will!" You heard di Angelo shout. You peaked over the tree stump. The Ipotane had stopped pursuing you and had joined its companions against the two boys. Will was holding the side of his stomach; it must have been slashed with the sword that one of the Ipotanes had earlier.

"I'm fine," Will shouted, or attempted to shout, because it came out weakly.

You cursed under your breath as you watched di Angelo desperately try to make his way towards Solace, who was trying to fend off two Ipotanes with one hand and a serious injury. You half-limped, half-ran over to Solace, taking out your (melee weapon) and sliced through the Ipotane that shot your foot, disintegrating it. Its companion turned its attention towards you, which was a mistake. Solace took the opportunity and attacked, turning the Ipotane to dust. Afterward, Solace stumbled and you tried to catch him, to no avail. The both of you fell on the ground and di Angelo rushed over.

"Are you guys okay?" He asked, his dark eyes filled with worry. But you knew the question was mainly directed towards his boyfriend, Will Solace. You just happened to be dragged along as the third wheel on this "important" quest. It so happened that right after the Oracles were restored to power, a new prophecy was issued. And of course, it had to include a certain son of Hades and his boyfriend.

"He needs healing, ASAP," you told di Angelo.

"But he is the healing," di Angelo said, searching through his pockets for any sign of ambrosia. Your group had lost your backpacks and supplies a few hours back, while escaping a horde of hellhounds. Now you were injured with no medical supplies and lost with no food.

Well, you technically weren't lost. The three of you were headed towards a cave where you would supposedly find and free Astrea, goddess of innocence and purity, who was captured during the whole "broken prophecy" fiasco. You were just about to reach the cave when the group of Ipotanes appeared. Now, Solace could possibly bleed to death and you couldn't do anything about it.

"I don't have any ambrosia, nothing," di Angelo said helplessly.

You searched through your pockets. "Nothing," you said. The boy's eyes darkened and his expression fell into completed sorrow. Your heart dropped. "I'm sorry, Nico, there's nothing I can do. Maybe if we can reach Astrea in time and free her, she can help Will." Nico nodded and pulled Will up, supporting him on his shoulder. You helped by supporting his other side on your shoulder, trying your best not to limp from the poison in your leg. The two of you carried Solace into the cave.

▫▫

The cave was pitch black and the walls seemed to curve inward, pulling the three of you towards infinite darkness. Stalactites, jeering down like sharp knives, hung from the top of the cavern and you tried your best not to bump into them. Occasionally, you could hear the drip of a water droplet echo through the cave as it dropped from a stalactite into a pool of water. Between the echoic droplets and Will's sporadic cries of pain, you didn't know which unsettled you more.