AN: I have camp from April 8-13 so I'm gonna post this before April 8. My summer is really hectic so I'm sorry if my updates are slow. ;(( Well, thanks for reading and everything! I hope you enjoy!
Oh and the person who reviewed... Right, sorry. Prologue. Got a bit mixed up there. Sorry. Sheepishly grins and scratches head. Oh and thank you for that compliment. I wanna hug you. Mwah.
Disclaimer: I don't own Percy. Annabeth does. ;)
2. Witness
Annabeth liked reading about adventures. Not necessarily living in one. But here she was, following this 'Percy Jackson' home. He walked with his friend- more of the only person he was actually acquainted with- , Nico di Angelo.
He was dressed like Percy, in black and the two would be identical if Percy was not taller and if Nico had green eyes.
She watched as Nico asked Percy about his day while Percy simply nodded or shook his head. They must have trusted each other very much because they walked close to each other, like they were protecting the other.
She suddenly felt sort of jealous that Nico was that close with Percy. While she barely knew the guy. And this only intrigued her more.
As they rounded the corner, she quickened her pace to catch up with them. She turned the corner, while running.
Something felt wrong. Really wrong.
She surged forward, running past everyone. She could see it now.
Percy was being beat up by their school's soccer team. They placed well-aimed punches and kicks on his body as he thrashed wildly on the ground.
A couple of guys were holding back Nico, with his eyes wide and his body desperately trying to break free from their grasp. His eyes were rimmed with tears.
"Let him go! He's never done anything to you! Just. Let. Him. Go." Nico screamed.
One of the guys who was kicking Percy turned to Nico and sneered.
"What do you want, you little fag? To let your boyfriend go? Well..." he paused dramatically and grabbed Percy's face and brought it inches to Nico's. Percy's face was bloody and his eyes were staring wide-eyed at Nico. "Maybe I don't want to. Besides, he's pretty."
Nico growled menacingly and struggled harder. "Don't you dare touch him."
The soccer player threw Percy to the ground and stepped on his back. He smirked at Nico. "Or what?"
Nico growled and lunged at him. He tore free from their grip and barreled into him.
"Or this." he snapped and beat him until he was on the street.
The other members of the soccer team glanced at their fellow teammate and tore down the street, trying to run from the scene. Nico kept on going, punching and kicking and screaming at the top of his lungs.
"Why does everyone have to do that?" he screamed tears running down his face, "Why can't he have a break? Why can't anyone leave him alone? He's gone through so much and you people are just making it worse! What? Do you enjoy seeing him cower and break? Seeing him lost? Don't you people have any hearts?" he exhaled harshly and blinked.
He looked around him at the crowd that had formed and narrowed his eyes at them. He turned and saw Percy on the ground, motionless and probably unconscious. Nico kneeled down and brought Percy into his arms, bridal-style.
He glared at everyone around him. "Well? Move!" he growled and walked away, carrying Percy in his arms.
I let out a breath I hadn't realized I had been holding and I felt my eyes water. What did Percy do to deserve this? To get beaten up and hated by nearly everyone he knew?
I turned away from where Nico beat up the soccer player and closed my eyes tightly, willing silently for the tears to not fall. What had just happened?
I wanted to protect him. From everything. From everyone that would want to hurt him. But how? And that was the start of my adventure into the depths of romance and loss.
AN: okay. I lied. This isn't as long as the other one. I'm sorry. I'm just... Weird right now. Please review and everything! Flames are accepted anPali might not update in a while! And no nico isn't really gay... Just that he's really protective of Percy cause he's like his big brother and he hates seeing him get hurt. ;)
-Luna.
