Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians it belongs to Rick Riordan

Percy and Nico stood in front of a small old looking cabin that was painted a baby blue that had glitter and feathers all over it. The windows were splattered with paint and other unknown substances. Nico grimaced him and Percy weren't even inside yet and they could hear the squeals of laughter and the screaming of the children. Nico turned to Percy "how old did Annabeth say they were?". Percy shrugged "four to nine, why don't think you can handle it?"

Nico knew Percy was teasing but he frowned all the same. "well come on we got kids to take care of" Nico breathed In deep and prepared himself. Outside the cabin was nothing compared to the inside there was glitter everywhere along with paint feathers and beads. The kids were running around throwing things and playing with whatever they could get their hands on. The one lone satyr that was supposed to be watching them was tied up and gagged in a corner guarded by a very tough looking eight year old. Percy and Nico looked around at the utter chaos around them "great we get to watch the kids from hell" Nico muttered sarcastically Percy chuckled "then they should listen to you just fine huh?" Nico rolled eyes and did a hand whistle as if he was calling a cab.

The children all looked up from what they were doing with mild interest at the two new guests. Nico looked at Percy expecting him to take the lead now that they had the kids' attention but Percy just shook his head and did a go ahead signal. Nico rolled his eyes at his cousin's smirk. " OK listen here you nose picking jerks were your new camp counselors for arts and craft got it?" the children just stared at Nico as if he was one of the harpies telling them they were going to get eaten.

A little red head girl who looked no more than five raised her hand. Nico crossed his arms "what?" "does that mean you're going to tell us what to do?" the little girl had a mischievous look in her as if daring Nico to say yes. The satyr in corner was shaking his head in a no gesture his eyes were wide with alarm. Nico smirked " that's exactly what it means." all the kids started looking at each other having some sort of silent communication. Percy backed slowly away from Nico. The little girl shook her head "well you see there's a problem with that." the girl sighed dramatically

Nico raised one eyebrow at her "oh yeah and what's that?" Percy silently cursed Nico for so stupid right now Percy looked at the children all of them had a determined look on their faces. The eight year old that was guarding the satyr from escaping had left his post and slowly made his way toward Nico. The red head crossed her arms also "we don't like being told what to do" and all at once they attacked.

Percy's laughter couldn't be stopped the boys had left the cabin 30 minutes ago and yet Percy was still laughing. Nico's hair was glued straight up the black shirt he had on been now splattered with pink and glitter. His face was littered with flower stickers, "I can't believe you let those monsters hold me down like that." Percy rolled his eyes "I think you beautiful Nico." Nico gave Percy a deadpan look that Percy reflected for a good two minutes before he was laughing again. Nico gave an exasperated sigh and walked away from Percy towards Poseidon's cabin.

"Come on Nico it's not a big deal, it was just a little joke." Percy reached out his hand to place it on Nico's shoulder but his hand was smacked away before it could touch the boy. Nico glared at Percy anger swirling in his dark bottomless pit eyes "everything is a joke to you, you never get the real importance or the magnitude of a situation." They weren't talking about the children any more that was a given.

Percy matched Nico's anger with his own concern. "Nico what's going on why are you so upset? Was it something I did?" The Raven haired boy just rolled his eyes and continued his way to Percy's cabin. "I just really don't like this place that's all." He was lying they both new that but Percy didn't call him on it. They continued the walk in silence Nico brooding and Percy thinking about any recent things he's done to upset Nico this bad. Well I did leave him to wait in earth's atmosphere for five hours

Percy eyed Nico from the corner of his eye the boy's face still had some traces of annoyance but mostly held genuine discomfort for the camp. "I'm not mad at you" Nico's voice startled him out of his surveying "I'm not mad it's just sometimes I wanna know what you're thinking Percy, were a team so I hate when you don't include me and Jason in your plans." Percy opened his mouth to reply

"And don't tell me you don't have plans because despite your reputation me and Jason know the truth." Nico stared into Percy's eyes daring him to lie to him, Percy sighed looking down at his feet for a moment a frown lining his face and then it was gone replaced a genuine warm smile. "I'm sorry Neets." Nico scoffed "whatever and don't call me that I'm not a child." Percy laughed throwing his arm over Nico "come on we need to get you cleaned up."

They watched the scene in the mirror staring at the two boys loving friendship. The girl looked towards the boy waiting for an order. "Not yet were not ready." His voice was low but smooth and slippery like oil. His blood red eyes were the only thing visible in the shadows he cloaked himself with.

"They are defenseless, why not capture Perseus now?" her voice was robotic no emotion her fire hair burned gently doll like face gave no thoughts away. "He has not given the order so we will wait." That was enough for the girl she stood and exited the room without another word. The boy placed a cheek in the right palm of his hand studying the frozen image of one Nico diAngelo. The shadow smiled revealing a set of sharp canines "Not yet, but soon."