Percy held Nico in his arms, cradling the younger demigod to his chest. Offering a small sign of comfort and friendship to the young son of Hades. Percy even neglected to ignore the fact that Nico's hair was making his chin itch terribly.
'T-thanks' sniffed Nico, his voice a quiet murmur amongst the fabric of his jacket and Percy's t-shirt 'It was horrible'.
Percy remained silent, his thoughts wandering to moments in his life when the nightmares had seemed to lurk in the darkness for him, striking when his eyes drifted shut. A continuous loop of awaking drenched in cold sweat through heavy gasps of air whilst his fingers clawed at the air.
'I mean it,' Nico continued, turning his cheek so that his dark eyes found Percy's face. He found himself staring up into Percy's eyes, noticing how the green had appeared to swirl into a darker shade. 'Are you okay, Percy?'
'Huh?' spluttered Percy momentarily lost in a daze of memories. Shaking his head he looked down at his friend with a small smile. 'I'm fine, just thinking'.
'I wouldn't. Annabeth said that you'd get exhausted'.
Percy snorted. Typical Annabeth, taunting Percy.
'I bet she did'.
'She did!' Nico assured, squirming out of Percy's embrace to sit frowning at him, his cheeks growing pink.
'So, are you ready to tell me what the nightmare was about? Or am I going to have to get Clarisse to get it out of you?'
Nico rolled his eyes. 'Clarisse would never do anything for you'.
'You're probably right' sighed Percy, scratching at his jaw. 'Maybe I'll get-'
Nico crossed his arms with a loud exhale, 'fine- I dreamt that people found out. Everyone was angry and upset- and it was horrible. Have you ever had a table thrown at you?'
The young son of Hades voice had been growing louder throughout his quickened reply, he had even started wildly throwing his arms about in frustration and panic until he finally managed to gather himself and take a deep breath. It wasn't everyday that Nico found himself flustered, he was usually so used to being alone that conversations didn't seem to get past a formal greeting and a few words of small talk.
'They won't,' Percy replied with a reassuring smile, 'I can promise you that'. Throwing his arms wide he hooked Nico under the arms and pulled him towards him. The pair sprawled backwards in the grass with a light thud. Percy was quietly certain that any onlooker would have thought that the pair were somehow managing to drown on land, especially due to the flailing of limbs. Somehow Percy even managed to get an elbow to the throat.
'Careful!' Percy croaked. Nico flashed an apologetic smile before pulling Percy's arm around his neck and lying beside him. 'I don't think sleeping outside in the open will do you any good. The Harpies will definitely be chowing down on us'.
'You'll just have to be quiet then' murmured Nico, planting a light kiss on Percy's cheek. 'Cause I need a nap'.