A/N:
*Ducks thrown objects* EEEK! I am SO SO sorry! It has been like FOREVER. I got sick twice (not COVID don't worry lol!) and my best friend came up for my birthday (happy bday me haha) and I had a literal mountain of school work, and I was super busy, and I had terrible writer's block! *cries* Also, my biggest reason is because I started watching Pirates of the Caribbean this last weekend and got OBSESSED. In other words, I just got kidnapped into yet another fandom by Will Turner and Captain Jack Sparrow. Help! I have too many fandoms! And warning - if you see random references or quotes from Pirates of the Caribbean, you now know why, lol! So I'm super super sorry it has been so long! I won't ever abonden a story (Especially not without telling you guys first) so don't worry! But I will try to be quicker with my updates. I am going to aim to update weekly or every other week on Saturdays...but knowing me...that's probably not going to happen lol. But I must try! Okay, enough of my blabbering and excuses, I have some important updates about this story.
Firstly; I am switching the Third Person Limited instead of First Person, because it was driving me insane to write in first person, and I feel like I write better in Third Person. Sorry if that is annoying or if it confuses you! Secondly, I know I have been saying this for ages, but I really am going to go back and edit the first few chapters, because I cannot read them without dying of cringiness. I will change them to third person as well, write better, fix mistakes, and probably add some flashbacks to the first chapter, because it is deathly boring and a terrible hook and start fr the story. There won't be any super important changes, but I will let you know when I update them so you can re-read them if you like. I am also going to respond to reviews at the end of the chapters, but only if you ask a question, make a request, or something that actually needs a response. If you just say thanks or good job, I will just say thanks back! And lastly, this is literally the shortest chapter ever... but I just had to update you guys and give you something so you didn't think I ditched this story! Okay, I will shut up now and let you read this tiny little chapter.
Nico's POV:
Nico gasped for breath, his hands scrabbling uselessly against his attacker's muscled arms. He managed a solid, if weak, kick to their gut, and immediately the viselike grip loosened. Nico fell to his knees, coughing, and grabbed blindly for his sword. But his attacker had recovered quickly, and before he could draw his weapon, he was pulled to his feet and pushed against the tree again. Nico struggled violently, clawing any inch of skin he could reach, until his hand brushed a familiar item and his eyes widened in shock.
"What the Hades, Percy?!" He shouted, finally succeeding In shoving the older boy off. Percy recovered his footing and glared at Nico, his eyes full of raging fire. Nico took a step back, startled by the intensity of the look. Nico had never seen Percy look that angry since he had battled the Giants at the Parthenon, and he had to admit… it was scary.
Nico was still debating what to say when the older boy's face crumpled, and the rage dissolved into sadness and pain. "I'm sorry, Nico…" Percy said brokenly, looking so much like a lost puppy Nico would have laughed if circumstances were different. "I just… all that stuff with Cat… and more quests and prophecies and danger and she's coming…." His voice broke and he trailed off, shocking Nico. He had always thought of Percy as the older, unbeatable war hero who everyone looked up to. Yet here he was, looking so broken and lost, nothing like the warrior Nico was so used to seeing.
"Yeah." He said, wincing inwardly when it came out harsher than he'd meant. Clearing his throat, he tried again, wishing he was any good with emotions. "I mean, I get that. But why in the name of-" He paused again, taking a deep breath before he continued. "I mean why would that make you attack me? I didn't do anything!" Nico groaned inwardly again, but gave up trying to be empathetic.
Percy looked amused, as if he had heard Nico's thoughts. As he spoke, the slight smile faded and was replaced with a frown. "Because. I know you're hiding something. You had that look the whole time — and none of it surprised or even fazed you. So if you know something about my sister, and don't bother denying it, then you had better tell me, right now. And I swear to all the gods, if you knew, all this time…" His gaze hardened into stone, his tone leaving no room for disagreement.
Nico sighed, knowing there was no way out of this. He wished he could tell Percy, and not just because he was wary of him, but an oath was an oath. So he looked up, his face a mask of icy calm. "You don't need to know anything I could tell you. It's mine and my friend's business, so why don't you just leave me alone?"
Percy's eyes widened with shock and anger, and he snapped back. "She's not your friend! You don't have any real friends! She's my sister and it is my business!"
Hot anger boiled up inside Nico, and all logic and rationale fled his mind. Clenching his fists, he snarled back in an even icier tone. "Sister? She's more of my sister than yours! I've known her longer than you! She's not even your real sister!"
Percy's face transformed into a look of pure rage, and he trembled in anger. Before Nico could react, a stabbing pain shot up his face and he saw stars. Stumbling, he fell backward and slammed his head into the ground. When his vision cleared, he was lying on the forest floor, his head spinning. Percy was walking away from him, fists clenched. Nico reached up to touch his face, but pulled his hand back when he felt blood. He stood up gingerly, but the movement still caused his head to spin. Groggily, he realized Percy's punch and his head hitting the ground had given him a concussion. Groaning, he turned in the direction he thought was camp, but instead found the ground rushing up at him. Well, this went wonderfully, he thought, bracing himself for the fall. But it never came. Instead, there was a shout, and someone's arms caught him. Nico forced his eyes to open and saw Jane's wide, worried blue eyes looking down at him.
"Nico?! What happened? Are you alright?"
He nodded, then winced as the motion hurt his head. "Mm…fine. Jus…a…cussion." He slurred, then realized how ridiculous he sounded.
Jane stifled a giggle and eyed his face. "So… did someone beat you up? You've got a pretty nice black eye and a bloody nose."
Nico blushed a little, embarrassed at her finding him like this. He opened his mouth to speak, then decided better of it and nodded instead. He was immediately rewarded with a stabbing pain in his head, eliciting another wince.
Jane frowned and leaned closer, examining his face. "Well, if you're sure it's just a concussion…" Her shoulder-length brown hair brushed Nico's cheek, causing him to realize how close they were. He scrambled to his feet, ignoring the stabbing pain and nausea that rewarded his attempt to regain his dignity. Jane jumped up, startled.
"Yeah. I'm fine. Thank you for catching me." Nico said, or at least tried to say. Blood had streamed into his mouth, causing him to slur his words even more. All that came out was an unintelligible mumble, and this time Jane couldn't restrain her giggle. Nico frowned and made to walk toward the camp, but Jane sobered up immediately.
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't laugh. Here, I'll help you get back to camp." She said, looping his arm around her neck. Nico stiffened instantly, but Jane didn't seem to notice. He wanted to pull away, but realized he probably wouldn't make it on his own. So he let her support him until they reached his cabin, where he untangled himself as quickly as possible, grabbing the porch railing to support himself.
"Thanks." He said stiffly, then turned and hurried into his cabin.
Jane looked a little miffed, but nodded at him and then went back to her own cabin. Nico stumbled inside to the sink and washed the blood off his face. Pushing thoughts of Percy out of his mind, he walked to his bunk, trying to ignore the nagging guilt he felt for what he had said. As he drifted off to sleep, he realized he hadn't asked Jane what she was doing in the woods.
A/N:
Like I said...TINY...but I tried to make it up to you by not having a huge cliffhanger. I am having severe writer's block, because while I have the whole story planned out, I have hit a big bump figuring out how to get the quest started. I will try to update this Saturday to make up for the tiny chapter and huge delay, or sooner as I should have more free time this week. Reviews make my day and help me to post sooner since I know people want to read this story! (Even though I think it is terrible writing haha.) Last note, I am finally going to start writing some other stories, but this one will still be my top priority! I have too many ideas for stories to let them all waste away. It will probably not be in this fandom though. If you have any requests or ideas for stories or one-shots, just let me know and I would be happy to oblige!
So in conclusion, I am super sorry for the huge wait and tiny chapter, I will try to do better and make it up to you! Please review :)