The Coming of Nico di Angelo

Tonks Teaches Harry American Politics

CHAPTER SUMMARY

Percy, Annabeth, and Nico prepare to go horcrux hunting. Harry, Hermione, and Ron attempt to uncover more about the Americans.

BEGINNING NOTES

Chapter Rating: Mature
Content Warning: Cursing, Violence (mild), Self-Harm
Word Count: 4539

Sorry it's so late today. It's Sukkot, I got home from shul late, and I'm tired.

And all the characters are owned by J.K. Rowling, or Rick Riordan.

____________________NICO____________________

For the first time since he and Will had fought, Nico slept. He woke in his room at Westover Hall, face down in the bed. "I can't train today, Teddy," Nico mumbled into the pillow, rolling over to fall back asleep. His body had no strength, his eyes stung from exhaustion, and his will had lost resolve from pure misery. He hadn't eaten anything all day, nor slept. The last twenty-four hours consisted of lying in bed, debating the inevitable. He hadn't even the strength to cut.

"I know you're in no condition for combat, Nico," Teddy said, his voice warm and gentle. He laid a caring hand on Nico's shoulder, and Nico relaxed ever so slightly into the touch. "I just thought you needed a friend. What happened?"

What happened? Nico knew the truth at his core, but he could never--would never--admit it. But Teddy... Teddy only existed in his dreams. It wasn't like he could tell anyone, he was an even safer confidant than Blaise. So, after a silent moment of debate, Nico uttered three words he'd never said to another living soul. "I'm in love."

"You are?" Teddy cried, not even attempting to hide the shock from his voice. "With who?"

"This guy back at home, Will Solace. We're kinda--well, we're dating... or, at least, we were. At this point, I don't know anymore." That was hard to admit, but it was still the truth. The fight had been small, but after a full day of silence... Nico was getting worried. It shouldn't have taken Will this long to cool off, he was so easy going.

"Is that the issue?" Teddy asked. "You guys might break up?"

"No! Well, yes, actually... I mean, sort of..."

"What is it then?" Nico didn't answer. He couldn't answer. But Teddy didn't back down, only got more aggressive. "Nico! I know you're not telling me something. Just spit it out, I want to help you!"

"I can't be in love, Teddy!" Nico snapped, angrily rising into a sitting position. "I just... I can't."

"Oh." There was an awkward silence; a long moment passed before Teddy spoke again. "This is because of your cutting, isn't it?"

That got Nico to finally meet his friend's eye. "How... you know about...?"

Teddy gave a small, apologetic smile. "I'm with you always, Nico. I do my best to give you your privacy, but I just... happened to be looking at the wrong moment and... well, I saw it. I didn't know how to bring it up. I mean, it's not like I can tell anyone, right?"

Another stunned silence fell over the room. Teddy knew about his cutting? And he still wanted to help Nico? Why?

He's doing this to save his parents, remember? He doesn't care who you are, just that you'll prevent him becoming an orphan. It doesn't matter that he knows you're a monster, as long as you do what he needs. He's the only one you can trust with anything, because, with him, what you are is more important than who you are.