Chapter II~ Those Pajamas of Death

Disclaimer~ I do not own Percy Jackson or the Heroes of Olympus.

((Warning: Lots of fluff.. and angst.))


If Percy was honest, he'd admit he had missed Nico. But lately, he felt somewhat awkwardly weird around him that was utterly unexplainable. First off, he became drawn to Nico's mysteriousness and more aware of his presence. Perhaps, he maybe even thought of him as -dare he say- cute like a lost puppy.

He found Nico's distant behavior more odd than usual. It worried him every once in a while. They had known each other for years and yet it still felt as if they were mere strangers who encountered each other every now and then.

Another observation Jackson had made, was the cryptic and enigmatic cloudiness that roared and hovered around Nico's dark hazel eyes. They say the eyes are the windows to the soul, but he found it hard to penetrate through Nico's non-transparent ones. That and the dark circles that deepened within each passing day. He wondered how he could look so weak when he had been sleeping all week.

On top of all that, rumors began to fly around camp that Nico was suicidal.

The idea shocked Percy so much, that he decided to check up on him. And what better excuse than to just wake him up. He was ecstatic when Chiron assigned him the mission of waking up the Son of Hades since he was one of the few in the entire camp that was dauntless enough to do so.

He knew the perfect way of how to do exactly that as he made his way down to the Stables to call his trusty pal with the duty.

.oOo.

Irritated and sleep deprived, Nico finally got out of the comfort of his bed due to the unnecessary clamor that idiot son of Poseidon was making. He slumped out the door still in his Myth-o-Magic pajamas and reluctantly went outside to glare at the nuisance/blessing upon his roof.

Just like he predicted, Percy was there and ruining his roof on his horse. Nico could've sworn he'd seen the roof's paint chafe away because of Blackjack's hooves scratching the pavement. That damn horse always detested Nico. Basically, did everything possible to get on his nerves.

Now, normally what any sane person would be thinking first is, "What the fuck is Percy doing on my roof?"

But, Nico still couldn't shake away the image of the Percy in his dreams. He had been so sweet, so gentle, had plunged him into a daze of ecstasy and passion. So, he found himself once more staring at the son of Poseidon with an endearing, desperate gaze that caught Percy's attention almost immediately. He hoped, no, wished he could read his mind at the moment. Instead, Percy and BlackJack swifted down to Nico's side to greet him. And that successfully awoke Nico out of his dream-like state of consciousness.

"Morning Nico, nice pajamas! Chiron told me to wake you up today. Aha- sorry about your roof.. and for waking you," He laughed weakly with a hand intertwined in his hair scratching nervously. Nico looked down, trying to push the thoughts of where those hands were in his dream. And then there was an awkwardness that set in as Nico silenced, keeping his dark, intimidating demeanor present.

"Mornin'," He finally mumbled, rubbing his eye, yawning. "Chiron's always trying to get someone to wake me up." Yesterday, Drew tried to and gave up complaining. The day before that Leo tried to. Leo came close by threatening to set his new device off as a bomb but like hell Nico was going to accept and had his skeletons chase him down while he wet his pants. The memory was both humorous and aggravatingly annoying.

Usually, Nico locked the door and didn't answer anyways. He always wondered how he would survive another day with his secret. Jason finding out was just overwhelming enough. Luckily, he promised not to speak of it to Percy. Of course, he tried to get him to talk in vain. What was there to talk about anyways?

When he had first realized his true feelings, he doubt it himself, refused to, wouldn't consider it, couldn't consider it… but then he did.

It was undeniable.

It was agonizing to leave camp because of his feelings, he couldn't keep bottled up. The painful aching in his heart when Percy left him alone was indescribable. Left him in despair. And it was just torturing that he couldn't do a single thing while Annabeth had a plausible excuse to search the ends of the earth for him, while Nico searched the vast Underworld in the hopes of finding him first.

And when he did, he didn't even remember him.

How much time had he wasted?

Now his face haunted his dreams of being with him. Avoiding him was the easiest way to not be reminded of the intimate moments he had with him at night when he was sound asleep. Acting like he didn't love Percy when he is completely straight and in love with Annabeth.

"Yeah, I noticed you don't get out much. Did you stay in your room for the whole week?" Percy asked.

Yes.

"What? Problem?" Nico asked, trying to act as uninterested in conversation and turned his attention to the grass on the floor.

"Yes, if that means you're going to miss my Graduation Party next month. All the seniors are leaving Camp Half-Blood." Percy answered. "You are going to the ceremony at least, right?"

What? Nico gave him a questionable expression, like Percy was crazy. He didn't even know the party had existed. Percy groaned.

"Nico! You have to! And you could at least look at me when I'm talking to you!" Percy complained. Nico was too astonished to say anything. He had completely forgot that Percy was a senior at camp... and leaving. The ceremony meant that Percy's class were going to live a year in the mortal world to finish his last year of highschool to go to college. It was clear on what had to be done.

"No. I'm not going." Nico replied as he speed-walked towards his cabin and locked the door once more. He always felt as if Percy always told him what to do. Even when he didn't even had the right to. He hoped by setting up a barrier, that it meant he'd finally leave him alone.

Oh he was so wrong.

"Nico, you do know if you lock yourself in here all week, rumors will fly around camp."

Nico didn't care therefore, didn't answer. He slipped back under the covers and comfort of his bed and tried to fall back asleep before he woke him up. And that's when Percy started tinkering with the doorknob, Nico's eye twitched.

'He's not gonna…' Nico thought before the door made a cracking sound and a loud, resounding bam as Percy slang the door open. Nico clutched on his blanket for dear life.

"D-did you just..!" He stuttered, wide-eyed at the obviously insane Jackson who held a smug grin of accomplishment.

"Broke down your door? Yes. And I'm not leaving til you promise me-"

"I'm not promising anything!" Nico finished. He saw the despair display on Percy's face. He began to wonder if should've just shut up altogether. He regretted the words as soon as they left his mouth. "I shouldn't have said that. Just leave now." Nico said, looking down and curling up into the warmth of his bed, with his back towards Percy.

Nico closed his eyes, awaiting for peace in solitary. Percy kept silent, staring down at the frail, lonely boy and pondered about the last time he'd seen Nico smile in the last few years. But to Percy it still meant that he was hurt. A real smile, one not marked in the deceit to satisfy others. It was then he decided he would do everything in his power to make him happy once again.

Nico instantly awoke again once he felt his bed dip which meant someone who could only be Percy was on his bed.

Almost like the daydrea-NIGHTMARE. Almost like the nightmare he had. A dark blush crawled upon his cheeks as he remembered and he was alarmed when Percy yanked the sheets off.

"What the hell-!" Nico remarked. Then burst into a laughter fit once Percy hovered over him and started tickling him. "Oh- damn it! Ahahahaa! S-stop it Percy-" Nico threw a pillow his pillow towards him and tried to curl up to avoid any sensitive spots. Soon, Percy's arms intertwined around Nico's torso and every touch gave Nico a bit of laughter and tenderness. Then, he snorted and Percy snickered, literally couldn't believe Nico made such a sound.

His laugh was contagious. Though, was oblivious to just how much this was making Nico's only love him even more.

Nico pushed him away whilst Percy pulled him closer to his chest, eager to finally make him giggle. After they laughed to their limit, Percy ended up hugging Nico tightly from behind unnoticeably. He laid his head on Nico's shoulder, imprisoning him in an embrace. He was slightly astonished on how weak and skinny Nico was. He wondered whether or not if he even ate. The camp offered food, obviously, but considering Nico barely left his cabin..

Then came the big question to Percy. Why didn't he leave his cabin? Why did he barely eat and why did he spend his days sleeping? According to Annabeth, she'd say he had symptoms of depression. Percy didn't want to believe that. Eventually, he tried to come up with a solution. It was a stupid one, but it was fool-proof. Percy loosened his grip and ended the hug altogether.

"Nico." He asked solemn and uncharacteristically serious. "Please come to the ceremony." He pleaded. "Don't you want to say goodbye to everyone?" All laughter or sign of joy ceased, dying out with those words.

Nico didn't speak. He quickly averted his gaze away.

Percy reached out to grasp his shoulder and Nico trembled. The sole reason Nico left camp was because of Percy. But if he left, he'd be forever out of his grasp. He would never be to reach to him. He shut his eyes tight and imagined the worst-case scenario, dreading it.

"Nico?"

Nico bit his lip. He couldn't imagine what camp will be like with Percy gone. All those years with him... he'd most likely try to deny his depart. And though Percy was still with him right now, he couldn't help but feel alone all along. He was a bit hesitant on his decision. All he knew was...

He didn't want to say goodbye.

"Fine. I'll go." He said resenting each and every word. He shook Percy's hand away. How could he say no? Nico had already made the fatal mistake of letting Percy close enough to hurt him. He already felt the distance between them further.

Although Percy got what he wanted, he felt saddened. But was he going to spend the rest of his life lost, drowned in melancholy, and with a cloud of rain encircling around his head? What about when he left?

"Okay. Well, I'm going to leave now. Annabeth's probably looking for me. See you later.." Percy said as he retreated and before the door closed. Nico tensed when he heard Annabeth's name and tried hard not to think too much of it. Percy stood at the doorway and caught a flash of remorse. "Don't forget you promised." Finally he said.

And he shut the door.

And Nico's heart wretched a sob.

He wanted to scream in extreme sorrow. He was sure the feeling would worsen the day of the ceremony. The feeling of loneliness consumed him painfully. The change in the emotion snapped as he doubled over and tears began to spill over the shuddering.

He attempted to stifle those quiet, excruciating torment that tore at his chest by cupping his mouth. But it was all in vain. His stomach twisted in knots in genuine agony knowing the other may never feel the same way. Hopeless, to the point where he had trouble gasping for air.

And he wondered...

Why did it have to be you?

...


((A/N~ There we have it. I hope you didn't feel disappointed or hate me or anything ^.^' Oh Zeus... the title of chapter makes absolutely no sense. Promise you'll like the next chapter. o.o SO sorry it's super descriptive.))

Credit for the cover image goes to lovely Viria.