Italic in " " = Italian
*Two years later*
Today's the day, Nico thought. Today's the day I tell Dad that I'm gay.
It had been two years since Nico realized he was gay. He thought it might have been a phase at first, but every time he saw Percy his feelings for him only grew.
Bianca had asked him about a week ago when he planned on telling their father, so he decided he'd do it soon. What was the worst that could happen?
He'd talked it over with Bianca last night and she thought it was a good idea. Nico practiced telling her as if she were their dad. Though, even after two hours of preparing how to tell his dad, he was still nervous, but that wasn't going to stop him. No, he was going to do it today.
It was Friday. Friday at the Hades castle was family night. Some nights they'd play games, and other nights they'd watch movies. Regardless, Nico figured this was the perfect time to come out. Both Persephone and Hades would be there, and it was a safe and calm environment.
Nico waited till after dinner when they were all in the sitting room. Hazel, who was four at the time, was playing with her dolls on the ground. The king and queen sat on the couch, watching all three of the children play. Bianca and Nico sat across from them playing Nico's favorite game, Mytho Magic.
Hades cracked a joke, which everyone laughed at. Then Nico decided it was time to tell his parents the news.
"Dad, Persephone," Nico said nervously, placing his cards on the table. "I've... I've got something to tell both of you."
"Of course, son," Hades said warmly. "Go ahead. There's no need to be scared."
"That's right," his step mother agreed. "There's no need to be worried."
Nico glanced over at Bianca who gave his hand a gentle squeeze. Nico sighed, looking at the people in front of him. "So, uh, I've been meaning to tell you guys for a while now, but I just didn't know how, so I'm just going to come out and say it. I'm gay."
This isn't how Nico had planned it, but he freaked out at the last moment and forgot everything. It was supposed to go a lot smoother than that, and Bianca knew it too, thought she could tell that he panicked.
Prosphone smile kindly and reached for Nico's hand. "I'm happy for you Nico. If it makes you happy, it's fine by me. Honey?" She looked over at Hades who sat there straight faced.
"Are you sure?" he asked without emotion.
Nico gulped. "Yes."
"You sure it's not just a phase?"
"Completely sure."
Hades sounded dumbfounded. "But... you can't. You're my son."
"I still am. It may be a bit shocking at first, but it's what I am. I thought it might have been a phase at first, but... that was two years ago. I've been gay for two years now."
His father let out a nervous laugh, causing everyone to give him a strange look, including Hazel, who's attention was now on him. "This is a joke, right? Right?"
No one said anything for a minute. Nico shook his head at him. "No. It's true."
"Can you not be?"
"Dad. It doesn't work like that," Nico tried to explain, but was cut off.
"Nico," Hades said in a firm voice, leaning forward a little. "You will not be homosexual, understood? Not under my roof."
"This is who I am though."
"No it's not. I will not have a gay son. Clear?"
Nico clutched his fist and gritted his teeth. When he spoke, anger was clear in his voice. "Actually, no, you're not. Why's it so hard to accept?"
Hades stood up, letting his hatred for the topic out. He started to yell at Nico who just sat there, too petrified to do anything, let alone get up and run away. Bianca and Persephone tried to stop him, but to avail. Nico stared at the ground, now thinking that he had done something wrong and cried silently. Hazel, who was scared of all the loud noises, cried loudly.
Bianca, not wanting either of her siblings in this mess, stood up and scooped Hazel up in her arms. Once Hazel was safely in her arms, she grabbed Nico's hand forcefully pulling him up and out of the room.
"Bianca Maria di Angelo, you let go of your brother right now!" Hades shouted after her. He tried to chase after her, but Prosphone blocked his path, yelling at him.
"How dare you yell at your son like that! And in front of Hazel as well? You should be ashamed of yourself."
The two of them argued like that, giving Bianca a chance she needed to get her brother and sister away from the chaos. She took them straight to her room, and then went to get some other things, such as Hazel's blanket, Nico's old stuffed animal that he used when he had nightmares, and snacks.
When she returned, Hazel had calmed down and was now sitting in Nico's lap, hugging him. Hazel ran to her sister, tugging on her shirt.
"Big brother hasn't said anything since Papa yelled at him. Why did Papa yell at him? Is he mad at Nico for doing something?" Hazel asked in a worried tone. Bianca frown, setting her stuff down and picked up her sister.
"I don't know, Hazel. I don't know," B told her. She looked over at her brother who was sitting on the couch, staring off into space. She looked back at Hazel. "Let's get you to sleep, okay? You can sleep in my bed," Bianca said, putting on a smile though it was hard to, but she needed Hazel to not be sad.
"Okay. Will you tuck me in?"
"Of course."
Bianca tucked Hazel in and waited till she fell asleep before going to see Nico. He had been curled up on the couch, not making a single sound. Bianca walked over to him and hugged him. Nico sobbed into her shirt as she stroked his head and sang their mother's lullaby softly.
"D-do you th-think mom would hate m-me now?" Nico asked in a shaky voice.
"No. Mom could never hate you," Bianca assured, kissing his head. "Now, what can I do to cheer you up?"
Nico sniffled, looking up at him. "Can we watch Doctor Who?"
"Sure thing," Bianca smiled, picking up the TV remote. They watched old Doctor Who episodes late into the night and ate their snacks. Eventually, Nico fell asleep on Bianca who placed a blanket over both of them, falling asleep as well.
☀️❤️

Notes