chapter 43: happy

When Hoa woke up, she realized Nico was cuddling her as if she was a teddy bear. She found his arms around her waist, his head buried in her neck, and his leg wrapped around her body. Smiling, she slowly turned her body toward Nico's.

His sleeping face was ethereal. The moonlight seemed to illuminate his face at just the right angle, and his hair scattered around him cutely. She touched his face, brushing away the hair that blocked his closed eyes.

He let out the tiniest snort, and Hoa had to stop herself from laughing. She really didn't know how people could hate such a cutie like him.

How could they hate someone who made her so happy?

Yawning, she stretched subtly before wiggling her way out of Nico's grasp, leaving a pillow as a replacement. She watched as the boy cuddled the pillow and smiled at the sleepy Death Boy.

She searched for something she could use to leave a note. The daughter of Deimos felt like training before breakfast and maybe meeting some old friends.

Finally, she found a pen and paper. She scribbled some words onto the small slip and left it next to their belongings, tying up her hair and leaving the room.

Not without kissing Nico's cheek.

~•~•~

Nico yawned, waking up to the moonlight on his face. His eyes blinked open as he slowly came back to consciousness. That was probably the best sleep he had gotten, without dreams, and with his favorite person.

He patted around, searching for Hoa, but she was nowhere to be found. Panicking, his hands tried to feel for her body. But she was gone. The son of Hades sat up straight, searching as his heart beat fast.

His hand hit something that wasn't fabric. He paused, and his concern died down as he grabbed the item. The crinkle of paper caught his attention as he read the small note.

hey neeks, just wanna let you know that ill be out training before breakfast. ill see u there <3 - flower :)

He smiled at her thoughtfulness. She knew he would be concerned about her. Somehow, she predicted that he'd go crazy without her. He liked her so much.

Now he needed to find her and show her.

He moved to the bathroom and changed. As he looked at the mirror, he ruffled his hair to make it look presentable before grabbing his scabbard and going to the arena.

~•~•~

Hoa stabbed the training dummy, dragging her dagger downwards and ripping the chest in a perfect half-half ratio. She did a roundhouse kick to the head, knocking the dummy off the post before stomping at its face. She had been training for an hour, but there was no way she was going to back down and take a break.

She breathed out, turning to the next dummy. Swiftly, she changed Fire to a bracelet and pulled out Lightning, impaling the figure's chest and between where the eyes would be. She charged, taking out Wings as she viciously cut a diagonal gash through the dummy.

A chuckle sounded from behind her. "I didn't think you hated training dummies this much."

She turned slowly, her long black hair falling down her tight tank top. "What's up?"

Nico's dark brown eyes bore into her as slowly he walked toward her. "Let me help."

Suddenly, he unsheathed his sword and slashed down on the diagonally cut dummy as he mutilated it further. Turning to her, he grinned like a boy who had just won a teddy bear. "Was that good?"

Hoa stayed silent for a second before laughing loudly. "Yeah, that was perfect. Anyways, you're awake now?"

Nico scratched the back of his head. "Uh... I couldn't sleep without you there."

Hoa laughed at him, walking over and ruffling his hair. He put his Stygian iron sword behind his back so it wouldn't hurt her. He looked like a puppy who wanted to make his companion happy. "I can't stay away from you for too long, can I?"

"Nope," he muttered.

"Anyways, what are you here for, seriously? It's the asscrack of dawn." She looked down, reaching for his hand that still had some scratches on it. "And why are you using your hand? You're injured."

"I'm fine," he whined.

She poked his chest. "Mister, you still have a slightly wounded hand. Put that sword away now, young man."

He groaned. "I don't wanna."

"Put it away, or I'll make you."

The all-powerful son of Hades, who was now several inches taller than her and with more powers than she would ever have, gave the most adorable pout. He obeyed, putting the sword back in his sheath as he sighed.

Out of nowhere, Hoa felt a grip on her wrist, pulling her toward the boy. She shrieked as she fell into his waiting arms, the son of Hades obviously suppressing a smile. Nico picked her up easily and walked into a shadow, away from the eyes of others.

"Hey! You're gonna hurt your wrist even more!"

"It's fine. And I think I owe you something," he said.

And she felt something on her lips.

Her eyes widened as she kissed back, her arms circling around Nico's back as Nico dipped her down. It felt perfect. She was at her home at Camp, her crush was kissing her, and the sun was rising.

It was perfect.

All her fears melted away as the fireworks in her heart ensued. Butterflies flapped everywhere in her stomach, and a hot red blush made its way to her face. But she didn't stop kissing back.

She was so happy.

Finally, the two of them pulled away, panting heavily. She smiled widely as she hugged Nico and buried her face in his chest, trying to hide her blush. He laughed and cupped her face, refusing to let her hide.

"Hoa," he said. "Will you be my girlfriend?"

"Yes!"

And just like that, they were no longer scared.

~•~•~

Deimos smiled to the side as he watched the son of Hades embrace her daughter. He was standing just a few feet away, but the Mist cloaked his figure and made him invisible. His Flower would never forgive him if she saw him witness this.

He saw Hoa's genuine smile that could light up worlds as Nico asked her to be his girlfriend. He could sense the bliss and excitement she possessed when Nico held her body gently. That grin spread across her face as Nico cupped her face gently and pecked her lips again.

He made her happy, and that was all that mattered to the god of terror.

Maybe he was a good fit for her, after all.

~•~•~

"YOU'RE NOT ALLOWED TO DATE!" Percy shouted.

"WAIT, YOU'RE DATING?" Grover shouted with him.

"FINALLY!" Annabeth exclaimed.

The new couple side-eyed each other as they got very mixed reactions.

"Hoa is too young to date-"

"Oh my gods, I've been waiting for this ship to sail-"

"I never would have realized!"

"Their innocence will disappear!"

"This was happening?"

"You don't know how happy I am!"

Percabeth and Grover shouted, the boys and girl saying exact opposite things until Annabeth slapped Percy on the back of the head. Almost immediately, Percy switched sides from 'overprotective dad' to Team 'oh my gosh yay'. "I'm so happy for you guys!"

The five of them laughed. "Okay, but seriously," Percy said, smiling widely. "I'm really happy for you guys."

Grover whispered to Hoa. "I knew you had some attractiveness."

"Hey!" she protested. "I have more attractiveness than you!"

"I agree," Nico said.

"Actually, my lovely girlfriend's name is Juniper, who I got before you. Anyways, congrats on bagging this fine specimen."

"Grover!" she groaned, covering her face. "Stop it!"

"Nope! Never, rice farmer."

"Okay, goat furry."

"HEY!"

"You attacked me first!"

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hi im madi, your loyal author ♥️

THIS WAS THE LAST CHAPTER OF THE BOOK!

NEXT WILL BE THE EPILOGUE

after the last chapter published i like to leave a thoughts chapter too, so ill do that!

check out my story ideas book! thats where the next story is going to be decided, so if you want to have a say in my future book, then go there now bc literally nobody goes there

anyways

how was the chapter?

also, what are some questions of your own?

anyways, tysm for reading this crappy book! 😃