"Whoo-hoo! Freedom!" Percy pumped his fist into the air. He just escaped the most drier counselor meeting of his entire life. Whoever thought putting a bunch of teenage-demigods in a confined and very boring space should be hanged by the flagpole. Hours and hours of endless talking and listening. Ick! It was disgusting - the worst kind of torture.
"Percy? May I speak to you?" A familiar voice asked from behind.
"Uh, yeah. What's up?"
The head of cabin 7 pulled him aside. He seemed agitated and Percy wasn't sure what was there beneath the surface.
"I am not in trouble am I?" Poseidon's son grinned nervous. "Listen the thing in the stables was an accident and Annabeth can - "
"No, no. Not about that. I mean come on, seriously? But I - Urgh!" Will made a face as if he had a tooth extraction right then and there and Percy, the lucky bastard, got the front row seat.
"I can't," the healer muttered while running a hand through his mop of sunny hair.
Percy raised a confused eyebrow. For a moment he was certain Will had forgotten that he wasn't alone before he continued.
"It's not right," he said and did it anyway.
"What -"
Will raised his chin. "It's about Nico." He sped through his next words, pink cheeks but eyes firmly fixed on the demigod opposite from him.
.
.
.
When later asked Percy would describe his encounter with the son of Apollo as one of the most unique experiences he ever had. Right now though he needed each of his brain cells to even see the shoreline.
"You wanna what?" Percy exclaimed in disbelieve. "Don't get me wrong but have you met Nico di Angelo?"
"He is awesome," Will agreed. "Please, you have to help." And of course, there were puppy dog eyes brighter than the bluest sky involved in his plea.
Percy took a step back. "I," he licked his lips. I can't, he almost said. This was crazy. And frankly, he didn't want to. Yes, Will was a nice guy but something didn't quite click. Nico could do better.
The healer sensed the rising tension between them, waiting for an answer he knows was coming but dreaded to hear.
Percy sighed. "I think of something," he promised and scratched the back of his head.
"Thanks, man."
