Percy and Annabeth spent two full days in the castle of Hades, doing absolutely nothing. They almost starved themselves, not wanting to eat any underworld food, for then they'd never be able to leave. They sat there, the food staring them in the face their stomach growling in anticipation, when Nico entered and told them the food had come from the mortal world and held no curses, bonds or constraints.
That afternoon, after stuffing their faces with French fries, burgers and macaroni cheese, one of Hades' servants entered and spoke to them in the chattering voice of the dead, Percy and Annabeth looked at each other, no clue in their mind what it was saying.
"He says your audience with a deceased will be tomorrow, just before you leave." Nico spoke up from the corner where he had been crouching, unnoticed.
"You can understand them?" Annabeth asked incredulously.
Nico shrugged and sat back down against the wall, "I'm a son of Hades, comes with the trade."
That evening Annabeth went to her room early, almost in a daze, wondering who she would call on to converse with. Percy stood on the balcony looking out at the Garden of Persephone. The goddess was nowhere to be seen now, it was summer and she would be up with her mother, Demeter, on Mount Olympus. He looked at the jewels that made up for the lack of flowers and the dejected black and white poplars that dotted the garden here and there.
"Percy?" some-one said behind him.
Percy turned to see Nico standing in the door way, it was close to midnight according to Percy's watch, but Nico was still fully dressed, where as Percy had just slipped on some sweat pants. Nico noticed Percy's bare chest and some colour flushed to his face. He lowered his eyes and mumbled something before turning to go back inside.
"Wait, Nico!" Percy called after him. The boy stopped just inside, but didn't turn around. Percy stretched out to lay a hand on his shoulder. "Nico. Uhm. I just wanted to say… thanks. For… you know… saving my life."
Nico turned, but Percy still couldn't see hs face properly. It was as if he were embarrassed.
"You've saved mine so many times. I was just returning the favour. You don't need to thank me." Nico said, an almost sharp edge in his voice.
Percy was a bit taken back, and lowered his arm. Nico, free from his constraint, quickly ducked back inside and out of sight. Percy turned, leaning back against the railing. Something major was tugging at the back of his mind, but he could grasp exactly what it was. He knew it was something bad. Something very bad.