"I want to talk about Percy." She said, her eyes locked on his face. Strands of her blonde hair fell in her face, her gray eyes as hard as steel. Her cheeks were flushed a bright pink, her lips turned down in a worried frown. All together she looked slightly sick, but she was determined.
Nico had to admit, and he didn't do so lightly, he was taken aback. He and Annabeth were as far from friends as two demigods could be. In hindsight, they got along as well as the Aphrodite and Ares cabin did. In the past they'd only worked together in dire circumstances, and even then they tended to butt heads the entire time. She'd suggest they go one way, he'd immediately suggest the other. He'd want to launch a counter attack, she'd want to retreat. It was a constant push and pull war between them, neither willing to give an inch. Well, that wasn't entirely true. Whenever Percy intervened or jumped in the middle of one of their disputes Nico gave in, if only to please the other demigod. It was pathetic, he knew, but he couldn't shake the urge to make him happy at any opportunity.
That in mind, Nico felt completely justified in being shocked that the daughter of Athena would come to him to talk about her boyfriend. That wasn't counting the fact that he envied her for having the one thing he wanted most. Nico gave her a polite and confused smile. "If you're looking for him, I haven't seen him since this morning. I've been here alone for a while."
Her lips twitched and amusement flashed in her eyes. "I know where he is; I left him at the pavilion."
Now he really was confused. "Then what about him?"
Annabeth hesitated, her face suddenly confused and unsure. She bit her body lip nervously and ducked her head before meeting his eyes again. "Things are different now…very different. I'm sure you've noticed." Her voice trailed off at the end.
Nico stepped back from Annabeth. "All of us are different. Did you really expect him to be the same after what he's been through?" He shrugged and turned from the girl. "We're lucky he's even able to pretend like everything's normal, when really he's falling apart."
"I know he's not the same, and I would never question that." Her voice wavered slightly, prompting Nico to face her again. Her eyes were wide and glassy; her arms were wrapped around her middle as she visibly shook; and her bottom lip was quivering. He cursed and in two strides he pulled her against his chest. He'd never meant to make her upset, but sometimes he was brutally blunt with people. He couldn't forget that Annabeth knew firsthand how changed the three of them were.
She clung to him, burying her face to against his chest. "Nico… I-I know your secret." she whispered so low he almost missed it.
Nico froze, his muscles tightening. His heart thumped furiously against his ribcage and he could practically feel the flames heating his cheeks. "What secret?" he squeaked.
Annabeth pulled back and met his gaze. "Whenever Percy felt the need to be stupid and reckless I would freeze. I would stand there helpless and watch him almost die time and time again, and each time he came closer to death than the time before. It was unbearable to watch him hurting like that, no matter how brave he fought. I felt like I couldn't breathe anytime a monster got a good swipe in, like a piece of me was ripped away. And when he'd miraculously survive I'd yell at him for being stupid, all the while looking at him as if he's the most precious thing in the world. Nothing else would matter in that moment but those sea green eyes and shy smile. And it seemed that each time I looked at him after I appreciated him more and wanted more than anything for him to just be there." She smiled softly. "I've seen that look from you several times, more recently this morning. I know you like him."
Nico jumped away from her. She let her arms drop, but she refused to drop his gaze. He felt a burning sensation in his shoulder that made him quiver. Anger flashed hot and forcefully through his veins. His vision tainted red and he could feel his own rage bubbling to the surface. Memories of his time facing Cupid danced through his mind. He'd tried damn it, he really had. Jason was never meant to know his secret, no one was. It wasn't normal to feel this way; he couldn't be a freak, an outsider. There were human laws and then there were natural laws, the latter much more powerful and ingrained in him since early childhood. Yet here he was aching to defy those very laws. It was too much, an even greater kick to the gut that Annabeth of all people would figure it out.
He tightened his hands into fists and gritted his teeth. "Stay away from me Annabeth Chase. Stay the Hell away!" His voice cracked and his vision blurred. Nico cursed himself for letting his emotions get the better of him.
Annabeth crossed her arms over her chest, and stood her ground. Her eyes flashed dangerously, and for once she resembled her old self. "Nico you have to stop running from this. I know you're afraid, but-"
Nico cut her off sharply. "What the Hell would you know? You don't know a damn thing about me or my thoughts so don't pretend to."
"I know that you grew up in an era where a child would have been beaten for even considering homosexuality. I know that you kept it a secret from everyone, including Bianca. I know you first realized what he meant to you when he saved you in the Labrynth."
Nico shook his head and stepped back from her. "You don't know anything. You don't know what you're talking about!"
"Do I?" she demanded advancing on him. "Everything that you've ever done has ultimately protected Percy. It didn't matter the costs to you or anyone else as long as he was okay. You disobeyed your own father for him. You told him how to become invincible, a taboo among demigods. The others would have never found the doors of death if you hadn't been locked onto Percy's life force the whole time."
He felt a tear slide down his face and retreated further from the daughter of Athena. He shook his head frantically. "Annabeth stop."
"I won't Nico, not until you admit it. There's no point in hiding from this; it's what drives you and makes you both strong and weak. You love him why can't you accept it?"
His back hit a wall. Nico fumbled in his head, trying to find some way to salvage himself. Annabeth didn't give him that chance. She stepped until they were chest to chest, her eyes softening. "Nico stop running from yourself. Trust me when I say it only breaks you down more."
She wrapped her arms around his middle and embraced him tightly. Nico felt the anger flow out of him, zapping him of his energy. His knees wobbled and his head pounded. His ears started ringing and sweat pooled on his brow. But Annabeth did not let go; she held him even as he started to cry into her shoulder, his tears soaking her shirt and hair. His chest hurt, but he knew it was all in his head. How long could he keep this up? And if Annabeth knew his secret, what did that mean?
The duo eventually sat down, backs pressed against the wall. Annabeth leaned on his shoulder, their hands intertwined. Nico rested his head atop hers and attempted to match her slow breathing. It felt nice and almost peaceful to just sit there with her. Her skin was warm and soft against him, and he felt the tension winding out of him. He sighed and resorted to wrapping his arms tighter around her and drawing her closer. She grinned and snuggled further into him.
Nico felt his eyelids drooping and couldn't bring himself to fight it. It was strange being this close to another person. Besides Bianca-and eventually Hazel- he opted out of things like cuddling and unnecessary hugs. But this was different; he could do this. There wasn't anything awkward about holding the daughter of Athena in his arms. It felt natural and good to do so.
Annabeth started talking, her fingers tracing shapes on the back of his hand. He listened to her talk about her father and step family. He listened respectfully and even squeezed her hand when she started talking about running away from home. Her voice was soft and almost sad, but there was a light edge to it. She had found closure with her past. Nico frowned slightly, knowing that she could not see. Is she could make peace with her past, why couldn't he? After what seemed like an eternity Nico broke the silence.
"Annabeth can I ask you a question?"
She tilted her head up to look at him. "Sure, what is it?" She adjusted herself so that she was propped on her elbow instead of him. Her blonde hair hung over her shoulders, the sun's rays dancing off the golden strands.
"Why do you even care about how I feel about Percy?" he refused to drop his gaze. He wanted to catch her in the lie, to see the cruel hearted person she really was. It was more than his insecurities, because now that she knew his secret she could destroy him. Annabeth seemed to read his mind and offered a wan smile. She stood and made a show of dusting herself off before moving towards the door. She stooped at the entrance and looked back over her shoulder.
"Because he deserves someone that can be honest with himself. If you can't do that, you can't protect him." She was gone without another word.
Steam filled the bathroom until all he could see was a thick cloud of white. Making sure that the door was locked, Nico systematically stripped until he stood clad only in his boxers. He stopped to admire himself in the mirror. He certainly wasn't skinny anymore, but he was still on the leaner side. He traced his fingers lightly over his newly formed six pack and grinned stupidly. Puberty was certainly doing wonders for him. He'd grown a foot taller and his muscles were more defined. He'd trimmed his hair a little so it no longer hung to his shoulders, but it was still long enough to hang in his eyes. His face was showing signs of maturity, even tiny strands of hair sprouting on his chin.
He took a second longer to marvel at his body before stepping underneath the hot spray. The water beat against his body, soothing his muscles. He tilted his head back and released a heavy sigh. His mind clouded over and his legs turned to mush. He let his mouth drop open and let himself relax. The water rinsed away the day's woes. He just needed a moment to breathe, a moment to think. And of course he kept thinking about Percy and what Annabeth had said. That was something he couldn't figure out no matter how desperately he wanted to. It was strange that the girl that should be his romantic rival was basically handing over Percy on a silver platter. He couldn't fathom why she would do this and it was driving him mad.
Nico quickly washed himself and stepped out of the shower. He ran a towel through his hair before wrapping it around his waist. He took his time stretching, waiting patiently for the steam to disperse.
It was almost too easy, like a dream come true. The boy stood defenseless just within her grasp. All she needed was a little more time and the son of Hades would be hers…
Author's Notes: Sorry for the long wait! I just didn't like the way it was turning out so I had to keep rewriting it. I hope you enjoy!