Please don't hate me. I know I took forever. I know this chapter is insanely short. Please don't hate me... oh! Or if you do, and have an account, please PM me~! ️

When the empousa were gone, Nico breathed a sigh of relief. He looked at Percy briefly, then groaned when he saw Percy was unconscious. Already?! Not now! He tugged Percy onto his back, checking to see... Yes, he was breathing. His pulse felt strong, too, and his temperature was fine... Was it just the air? "Percy..." Nico muttered, unnerved. "You weren't scared stiff, were you?"

As he took his hand off Percy's forehead, Nico noticed the bandages peeking out from his shirt again. He stared for a moment, thinking, I shouldn't. I know we're both boys, and this injury might affect our journey, but... I don't feel like I should just rip his bandages off. Nico stopped suddenly, then shook his head.

"Ni...co..?" Nico glanced back at Percy. He hesitated, then asked, "Uh... Whydo you have bandages on?" Percy sat up suddenly, clutching at his shirt. Nico started as he caught a glimpse of Percy's face. Then Percy grinned, saying, "Eh, just badly bruised. Sorry for fainting like a sissy, let's go!"