The next morning Nico felt like absolute shit. Not just crappy or achey or tired. No, he felt completely, and all-consumingly shitty. The extra shadow travel he did before returning to camp drained him more than he thought, and his body was paying for it. On top of all his confusing and chaotic thoughts, he was exhausted and had even accidentally slept past breakfast.
He still wanted to talk to Hazel before the Roman campers left later that afternoon. He would be cutting it close, but he hurriedly dressed and rushed out the door to the hill where he hoped he would find Hazel getting ready to leave with the rest of the camp's guests.
Just as he was nearing the top of the hill, pushing his way through demigods, he heard his name shouted through the din of campers.
He flinched for a moment before his brain recognized the voice let out an internal sigh of relief. He turned to find his sister staring at him with her big brown eyes, walking towards him.
"Nico, where were you last night? I don't think you understand how crazy capture the flag can be with both Greeks and Romans. I thought it would be a death match and there were Romans and Greeks on both sides! How could you miss that?" She began her exclamation before she had even reached him.
He couldn't help but sigh at her enthusiasm. It would be difficult to even make an attempt at keeping up with her.
"I was dealing with some stuff. Ended up taking a quick trip to Italy. You know, the usual."
Hazel immediately frowned, concern touching on her features. Of course she would know exactly what a trip to Italy meant.
"Nico, what's going on? You know you can tell me. I'll try to help however I can."
Nico nodded knowing it was the truth.
"I'm okay. I can handle it. I've been through worse."
Instead of reassuring his sister, he saw the crinkle between her brows deepen and her lips frown.
"Yeah I know you have. But you don't have to be so stoic about it. Everybody hurts. No one will judge you or make fun of you for it. I wish you wouldn't let it bottle up inside you. You have to let it out sometime."
In the distance Frank was calling the Romans to order, preparing to start the journey across the country.
"I guess I gotta go. But if you need anything, anything at all, just tell me. Okay?"
"Okay," Nico confirmed.
She wrapped her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Nico didn't hug back, still awkward around human contact, but allowed the warmth to seep into his body.
Then Hazel kissed his forehead, and with one last goodbye, ran over to join her friends.
...
As Nico trudged back to the camp, veering towards the woods. He figured he could find a tree to climb and look out over the camp, watching everyone go about their activities. He couldn't imagine actually trying to participate in something right now.
He was just passing the cabins when he saw a flash of blond hair in the corner of his eye. Wonderful.
"Hey, Nico," Annabeth called as she fell into step next to him.
"Can I help you?" It came out more harshly than he intended. He bit his tongue to keep from saying anything else.
"Yes actually."
Nico looked at her in surprise.
"I need you to talk to Percy."
Nico groaned, throwing his face into his palms.
"Yeah, I know. I get it. But he's kind of freaking out right now. He thinks he hurt you and he's so angry with himself."
He rolled his eyes. Of course Percy thought it was his fault. Stupid demigod.
"I am glad you told him though, Nico. I'm proud of you." She smiled brightly at him.
Nico bit back a snarl, reminding himself how lucky he was that Annabeth understood. As much as he told himself he would prefer her to be angry with him, he also knew that he would rather go through Tartarus again than be on Annabeth's bad side.
"I'll think about it," He said quietly.
"Hey, I wanted to ask you if there was anything else going on. I know this has been a lot to take, but you seem double-mega-ultra moody lately."
He looked up to see her contemplating him, like he was a puzzle for her to solve. Good luck with that.
"Its okay. I'll be fine. I've dealt with worse." Nico repeated his response he gave to Hazel just a few minutes ago.
Annabeth's look didn't change, but finally she nodded and turned away.
He didn't get far though before he heard, "Nico?"
He turned back to see the blond suddenly serious.
"You have a lot of friends here, Nico. It might be hard for you to believe, but people here actually like you. And those of us who know... none of us judge you. None of us like you less. We all support you. We just wish you would let us."
Before Nico could respond, the blond was gone.
A/N: Alright we are past halfway on this story. Ill post the next chapter by Thursday. Its been freakin crazy. I have four tests this week and ive been studying mi ass off and will continue to do so all week.
Hope you enjoyed, let me know what you think!
