Work Text:
A gods damned quest. This all started with something so… so simple, so mundane in the grand scheme of things. A simple quest, hell it was a fucking fetch quest , of all things, some arrogant god or vain goddess had lost something and it was once again up to some demigods to find it, you know, the fucking usual. The first surprise however was when Nico was named the quest leader, although seeing as it was an underworld deity asking for help it made sense that the underworld demigod would be chosen to take the lead and although his role was a surprise it wasn't too unusual, he was still a child of the big three after all. As stated before this was meant to be a simple grab and go type of quest…
So why? Why is it that after a god's damned fetch quest of all things… he can't find her ? Another peculiarity really, that Annabeth would be sent on a quest and Percy would stay behind. Actually stay behind not just pretend cough cough * Titans curse * cough cough . So obviously after she came back the first course of action would be for her to find him or him to find her… right? He knows that she’s back, he saw Nico talking to the rest of the seven so she must be back, she wouldn’t have stayed behind after all. They had been planning to go out for lunch and a movie long before this quest had even been issued. Reyna would meet them and they would have a bonding day for all those that were on the Argo… that was the plan anyway, but when he went towards the others he couldn't see her and they all seemed… tense? Upset, maybe? Honestly he should most likely be worried but he can’t bring himself to be more than passively concerned at most, he’ll care after he has Annabeth in his arms while she explains whatever they were all so upset about.
“Where is she?” he asked with a grin, expecting her to come out of the big house any second now and for them to all head out and have fun, it has been far too long since they hung out in a group like this. “Where’s Annabeth?”
The others shifted uncomfortably. Okay, now he’s a little more than just passively concerned . Annabeth was probably in the infirmary if this is how they were acting, great there goes lunch and a movie .
“Percy…” Jason whispers
“Where, Is, She?” The looks on their faces… they weren’t upset, no… they were… grieving? But who- NO! No she can’t be that hurt! She Can’t be… NO!
“She… she thought her plan was flawless. I tried to stop her but… Percy I’m sorry…” Nico mumbled, not even looking him in the eye.
…what? Did he just imply- NO! NO HE- “YOU PROMISED TO KEEP HER SAFE!” He practically shrieked.
While Hazel looked down at her feet, Frank put his arms around her. Piper started to cry softly, and Jason looked at Nico solemnly as he brought her closer. Leo wiped his brow, leaving a big grease smear across his face. None of them had seen Percy, their upbeat friend, so hysterical and fragile. Nico had seen this before, once before when he first got to camp, but it wasn’t Percy the first time…
…
…
No, the first time?
The first time had been Nico himself.
“What about Bianca, Percy?” Nico whispered quietly.
Everything went silent.…
…
…
…
Until it wasn’t.
“You dare.” He whispered
“You DARE compare what happened to Bianca to WHAT HAPPENED TO ANNABETH! I did EVERYTHING I could for Bianca!” He screams.
“And I did everything I could to save Annabeth.” Nico responds just as quietly as before.
“I WAS PREPARED TO DIE , FOR BIANCA. I SEARCHED FOR FUCKING HOURS TRYING TO FIND HER BODY, AND WHEN I COULDN’T DO THAT- w-when I couldn’t do that I did everything I could to protect you , because I- fuck Nico I promised her.” Percy shouts, breaking off into a tired whisper.
“You promised.” Percy finishes in a choked voice, breaking down falling to the floor “You promised” he whispered between broken sobs.
“So did you…” Nico whispers back into the silence broken only by sobs, tears streaming down his face.
“So did you.” he breathes before joining the shadows and going to the underworld hoping beyond hope that he could catch Annabeth in time.
Edited April 30 2025