Author's note-

Hi guys! This is a chapter about Nico and Percy bonding AS FRIENDS ONLY. Don't worry, this will still be a Percabeth story.

This chapter was requested by Lightning2003

Enjoy and please review! I love to see reviews!

-SOS

When Nico came back from Dr. Chase, he looked even worse than before.

"What's the matter?" Percy asked, looking at Nico in a concerned way.

Nico grimaced. "They're putting me on more medications. Apparently, the ones I'm on don't really work for me."

Percy's eyes widened. "They put you on medication here?"

"Yeah, and they force you to take it, otherwise they inject it in your arm if you can't swallow the pills." Nico made it clear that he was against that system.

Percy started to say something, but was interrupted by Flora entering the room.

"Percy, Nico, come with me. Now." She spoke in such a strict way that Percy wondered what he had done wrong.

They followed her down a hallway until they came to a room where there was a counter and some cabinets behind it.

"Medication time!" sang Flora.

Nico groaned, and Percy didn't know what to expect. Were they going to inject him with it or not?

In answer, Flora pulled six bottles out of one of the cabinets and shook one pill from each of them into a little plastic cup. She shoved it towards Nico, along with a plastic cup of water.

Nico stared at the medications for a whole minute before Flora started to frown.

"Nico, sweetie, you need to take your medications. Do you want to be injected again?"

Percy gasped silently. Nico had been injected? That explained why he hated his meds so much.

When Nico had swallowed every last pill and had been offered a sunshine sticker but declined, he waited in the corner of the room.

Percy stepped up. "I take a medication?" he asked.

"Yes, honey," Flora replied, pulling out another plastic cup. "Here you go!"

Percy took a deep breath and put the blue pill in his mouth. He swallowed, feeling nauseous.

"Don't leave yet!" Flora called to Nico, who was already walking out the door. "There's one more thing I'd like to talk to you about."

Nico turned around and looked at Percy.

"We're getting a new arrival, and we don't have enough rooms. I know it might be kind of early, but would it be okay if you two were roommates?" Flora wondered.

Percy looked at Nico and smiled.

Nico looked at Percy and didn't glare, which was an improvement.

"I guess so," Nico agreed, pretending not to care.

"Okay, why don't you come move your stuff into the new room," Flora said, pleased that the boys had agreed.

Percy picked up the only thing he owned-the panda bear-from his room. Then he waited until Nico had brought all his clothes and belongings out, and they walked into the new room.

After they had got settled in, it was lunchtime.

They ate in the same room as breakfast had been served. But suddenly, it started to thunder outside.

Angie, the woman who was watching them, pressed a button on the wall.

Right away, the window shutters closed and every electronic device started beeping.

Flora hurried into the room. "Okay, everyone, there's a thunderstorm going on, and since thunderstorms might be triggering to some people, we're all going to go back to our rooms and wait it out. There will be staff patrolling the hallway if you need something."

Every patient in the room picked up their meal tray and carried it back to their room.

Percy sat at the desk in his room and stared at his plate. On it, there was burnt pasta, soggy vegetables, and melted ice cream. He didn't eat any of it.

Meanwhile, Nico was laying on his bed in a ball, his hands over his ears. His body was shaking and tears were streaming down his cheeks.

Percy knew that he should leave him alone, but something about the poor boy made it hard not to do anything.

"Nico," Percy asked gently. "Are you okay?"

"No," was the tearful response.

"Do you want me to get somebody?"

"No!" Nico sat bolt upright. His eyes were wild, like those of a scared horse.

"Then you have to tell me. What's the matter?" Percy asked.

"I saw my sister!" Nico exclaimed, a fresh wave of tears following the outburst.

"Oh. That's not that bad. At least it wasn't a monster," Percy reasoned.

"But...you don't understand! She's dead, Percy. I saw her getting struck by lightning. Again." Nico had stopped crying and was staring at the wall with a blank look on his face.

"Oh." Percy felt horrible. "Do you want me to ask if they can call your mom or something?"

"She's dead! Both my parents are!" Tears were forming in his eyes.

"Me too," Percy said softly.

"What?" said Nico, turning to Percy.

"Both my parents are dead too," Percy replied, his face growing sad.

Despite his tears, Nico managed a small smile. "We can be orphan buddies. Together."

Percy grinned slowly and nodded.

And after that, Percy and Nico were always great friends.