Percy Jackson couldn't sleep. His cabin was shrouded in darkness and as the son of Poseidon tossed and turned he couldn't fall back asleep.
"Maybe a Hypnos kid can help." He murmured rubbing his eyes and rolling out of his bunk.
Even though it was supposedly autumn it was warm and peaceful, the lake shone reflecting the moonlight, everything was silent. Suddenly a crash broke the tranquility and caught Percy's attention. Drawing Riptide, the son of Poseidon looked towards the Hades Cabin were the sound had emanated. Fear gripped his stomach, was there a monster at Camp?
It was almost like he was on autopilot, one moment he had heard the crash, then he was at the obsidian door, Riptide casting a yellowish glow across the threshold.
"Nico?" Percy whispered wary. In the middle of the room a mass of darkness huddled, trembling.
"Go away." The blob said its voice breaking at the end.
"You know I won't."
Why couldn't Percy just leave? Nico had been perfectly contented sobbing in peace, why did he have to come in…
The older boy sat down beside him, his bright sea green eyes watching Nico, overwhelming concern scrawled across his face, his dark hair messy from a restless sleep.
"What happened?" Percy questioned his hand rested on Nico's knee, which made answering the question increasingly difficult.
The part of him that he had buried awoke a long time ago, jumped up and down like an excited puppy wanting to please this boy, barking over and over 'Tell him! Tell him!'
Nico shoved the thoughts down and muttered, "Go away, Percy."
I truth it had been the nightmares again; everybody had found out his secret and hated him. The worst of it, he couldn't escape. He hadn't been able to run as the campers pelted him with anything they could find, it wasn't until they had gotten bored with swords and knives that Nico had awoken.
Tears brimmed the son of Hades dark eyes as he huddled into a defensive ball yet again.
Suddenly Percy draped his arm around Nico's shoulders and pulled the younger boy into his chest, and buried his chin in Nico's dark hair. The young boy stiffened and shut his eyes tightly not willing to believe what was happening. Obviously, someone was about to burst into the room and start laughing, or Percy would push Nico off with a look of disgust and hatred on his face. But it didn't happen. Eventually, Nico felt himself relax, his heartbeat slowed and his face melted from the permanent grimace.
Nico opened his eyes lazily, and yawned. Light shone through the window and speckled the dark floor. Then the memory of last night hit him and he realized that a pair of ice blue eyes were staring happily from the doorway. Jason Grace had the widest smile he had ever seen plastered on his face. He looked down at Percy and realized they had sprawled out, Nico's head still resting on Percy's chest.
"Way to go, man." Jason said, barely containing his glee. "You still got some time before breakfast go back to sleep, if you want." He paused, "I'll keep guard." The son of Jupiter winked and closed the door.
When Nico looked back down, Percy's green eyes were gazing up at him. "Last night…" Percy begun, Nico braced himself for the worst, he felt his pale gaunt cheeks flush, "Was it a nightmare?" Nico could only nod. "If they happen again, come to my cabin, it'll be alright." The somberness disappeared, replaced by Percy's signature mischievous grin, "besides, my floors are a lot more comfortable."