A Nico one-shot, kind of, inspired mostly by something on Facebook- I really couldn't help myself.
It was the after party on the Argo II. Food and drink and glorious decorations littered about, laughter and cheers mingling with the relief in the air.
Nico watched from the side-lines, half concealed in the shadows. He didn't feel up to joining in with the festivities.
He turned to shadow travel away when a warm hand caught him by the shoulder.
"And where do you think you're going?" Percy smiled, arching a brow at him. Nico pulled away, his heart hammering in his chest. Oh gods, oh gods, oh gods…
Percy ruffled Nico's hair, like he was still a child, still wearing that irritatingly adorable smile. He studied Nico for a couple of seconds, before declaring, "You're hiding something from me."
"No… no I'm not."
"You are." Percy argued lightly, biting into blue cake and smearing blue icing across his cheeks. "What's going on, cuz?"
"Nothing."
"Tell me or I'll- ow!" Percy turned, massaging the back of his head. Nico saw a burrito on the floor at Percy's feet. Looking up, Jason shot him a reassuring smile. "Jason Grace… throwing burritos…" Percy shook his head. "Now that's… fishy."
"Oh gods…" Nico mumbled.
"Shocking," Jason agreed, "I know."
"Uh oh, things are… heating up in here." Leo grinned.
"That's not… wise." Annabeth smiled.
"I think it's… charming." Piper smirked.
"Stop it!" Nico protested, covering his ears, but they were on a roll.
"Guys, let me be… frank with you. We might be getting on Nico's nerves." He added in a hiss.
"Well, I think it's just… precious." Hazel smiled sweetly at her brother, who was glaring at them all.
"You're dead to me. You're all dead to me." Apparently, that was funny.
Puns and bullets and pointy things- yes!