Sorry if this update took too long! Had a terrible writer's block T^T. Ily guys, thanks for reading! :* Votes, follows, and especially comments are appreciated! Lemme know what you wanna happen next, kay?
PERCY'S POV
He scanned the other tables, searching for any sign of the Ghost King. A day had passed since they'd last talked in Cabin 1. Percy was worried he'd shadow-travelled out of camp, but then he remembered Nico swore on the river Styx not to do so. That eased Percy's conscience a bit. He had a perfect view of the setting sun, casting shadows across the Pavilion. His eyes automatically went towards the Athena table, and averted his gaze just as quickly. She's not here anymore,he reminded himself. He remembered how she would sidle up to his side, regardless of the rules. He gave up on picking at his dinner at headed towards the lake, the only place where he could think clearly.
The sun was casting its last rays across the water, creating a beautiful glow. He could hear Tyson calling out for him, Jason and the others reassuring the big guy. Percy felt guilty for ignoring him, but he couldn't let anyone see him like this; broken and helpless. He remembered their first underwater kiss, which had occurred right here in this lake. It was a mistake to come here. This place held too many memories of her. Of their relationship. Tears ran down his face as he choked out sobs that racked his body. "Percy?" a quiet voice asked. Sea green eyes swimming in tears, Percy looked up at Nico di Angelo in surprise.
NICO'S POV
It hurt him to see Percy like this. The side of Percy Jackson nobody had ever seen before was now in front of his eyes. The strong, confident, powerful Percy was gone. His sea green eyes were red rimmed, and full of a pain so deep it wrenched Nico's cold heart. His dark raven hair a rumpled mess. It hurt so bad. Nico started to say something but was cut off as Percy's arms went around him, clutching him close. Nico stiffened involuntarily, but returned the embrace. He could feel Percy's body shaking with suppressed sobs. "Why did she leave me? Why?" Percy whispered hoarsely. Nico understood, even shared, his pain. "I know. That was how I felt when Bianca left me." he said. "I'm so sorry." Percy sobbed. Nico couldn't believe it, Percy was the broken one, and yet still he was apologizing? What a typical hero. "Thank you for not leaving. Thank you, Nico." Percy murmured.
They stayed like that for what seemed like an eternity.
PERCY'S POV
Percy woke up with a start. He rubbed his face tiredly, and was surprised to find a blanket thrown around him. Probably Nico did it. Wait, where was Nico? The moon was high in the sky now, no clouds to cover its gentle luminosity. He was about to call out Nico's name when a blood-curdling scream stopped him. A scream that sounded very much like Nico's. Without a second thought, Percy ran off to find him.
The screams came from Nico's cabin, and Percy came bursting in.
Nico was thrashing on the floor, screaming bloody murder alternatively in what Percy guessed was Italian and English. "NO! NO! BIANCA! MIA SORELLA, MIA CARA! GET AWAY! GET AWAY!" his dark eyes were open, yet wild and unseeing. Percy rushed in and clutched the other boy as he had done awhile ago. He shook Nico back and forth, but he only screamed louder. "GET AWAY! I HAVE NOTHING LEFT FOR YOU TO TAKE!" "Nico! It's me! Percy!" the son of Poseidon tried to shush him. Nico's eyes darted around frantically, still in a trance. "Get away, Percy! They'll take you, too!" Nico begged him. "No, no, Nico, I'm still here. They can't take me away." Percy assured him. "You're right. I can't lose what I don't even have. And I don't have you. I never will." Nico's cracked voice toned down to a whisper. For the second time that night, Percy broke down.
He lifted Nico up on the bed, tucking the black sheets under him. Nico grabbed Percy's hand "Where-where are you going?" he asked in a small voice. "Nowhere." Percy replied. "Stay with me till I fall asleep? Please?" Nico pleaded, his eyes drooping with exhaustion. Percy smiled in reply and sat down on the bed beside him. He looked at Nico, whose face was, for the first time in years, peaceful and relaxed. He was muttering deliriously in his sleep, occasionally calling out Hazel or Bianca's name. Hesitantly, he reached out a hand and stroked the messy raven hair out of Nico's sunken eyes, which were framed with long lashes that fluttered slightly in his dreams. The shadows underneath them were nearly purple. His skin still had that pale, deathly pallor. Percy could still see the child in the Ghost King. He was only a child who'd been forced to grow old quickly, the many deaths he'd witnessed weighing on him. Looking at Nico, Percy felt a strange, tugging sensation in his stomach, and a fierce sense of protectiveness towards this ghostly boy. He still hadn't let go of his hand.
Maybe it was just brotherly feelings, or so Percy hoped. He was still confused. But as his own eyelids started to lower from sleepiness, Nico called out a specific name. His. "Percy..." he whispered. "I love you." Percy couldn't restrain a smile when he heard those words. He squeezed the other boy's hand weakly and tried to say something, but sleep overcame him and he was washed away by the tide.
And that was how Jason found them the next morning in Cabin 13 when he'd gone looking for Percy. Nico was clutching Percy's hand like a lifeline, and Percy's fingers were intertwined with his. The sea god's son was smiling faintly, sitting on the bed, watching over the younger one. Jason smiled knowingly and closed the door softly.
