A/N: So sorry for the update wait, I've been busy with other things. Anyway, hope ya'll enjoyed the last chapter, and I hope ya'll enjoy this one too! The plots going around, and its moving! I'm happy, 'cause most of my other stories are on standstill. This is going to be my last update for a long time, I'm leaving the country for some time for a nice summer vacation. So I made it pretty long for you to read and gobble up. ANYWAY! Go ahead and read.

Warnings: Violence, stuff. I don't own PJO or Nico or Percy or anyone. No matter how much I wish I did XD

"This has got to stop," -Percy

"Is anyone home?" Percy called into Nico's apartment for what felt like the hundreth (but was only the tenth) time. His arms had long since gotten sore of holding up Nico's homework and the various books he would need, and they lay at his feet as he knocked on the door... Again.

He had given up on anymore contact with Nico via e-mail, and had finally gotten off his butt to deliver homework and school books. He also was hoping to catch a glance of Nico too, so he could at least see if the teen was ok. His life was quickly going from bad to even worse. Annabeth was touchy all the time, like someone had canceled her favorite show from the History Channel. Amiee was acting like someone had murdered her father, just because Nico wasn't at school. His grades were dropping faster then a lead balloon with a ten-ton weight, and, above everything else, Nico had stopped answering any and all e-mails from anyone.

Sighing, Percy hit the door with his fist again, calling into it,

"Yo! Anyone home?" He was debating the pros and cons of trying to kick the door down when it opened a sliver and Percy saw Hades' glare at him through the crack.

"What," he asked, while his glower grew, "do you want?" Percy resited the urge to answer with something that could be considered rude and leaned down to lift up Nico's homework and various books.

"Nico's falling behind on school work," Percy explained, grunting as he lifted the heavy weight, "so the teachers asked me to drop off his stuff." Hades thought for a few seconds but must have believed Percy (it was msotly true) because he let the teen in.

"Nico is resting, you can leave his things on the table."Hades told Percy gruffly, and the teen found he lacked the nerve to reply for a few moments. Hades didn't look like he was going to leave Percy alone either; the man followed him into the dinning room and watched, silently, as Percy lifted the various books and homework papers onto the table.

"Excuse me, but could I use your bathroom?" Percy asked suddenly. Hades' eyes narrowed and Percy briefly wondered if he would be getting himself thrown out of the apartment before the man sighed.

"Fine. You know where it is. You can show yourself out." And then Hades left to go into his office. Percy let out a small sigh and headed towards Nico's room. He had to see if the teen was ok.

Nico was asleep when the door opened, and he muttered something in Greek. Probably along the lines of 'who the hell is waking me up?'. Nico managed to lift his head up high enough to see Percy enter the room swiftly. Nico decided he had finally lost it and had jumped off the deep end and simply burried his head into his pillow.

His head hurt. Hell, his enitre body hurt. He felt like a truck had run him over with spiked wheels. Because of this, Nico didn't realize someone (Percy) was standing over him until they cleared their throught.

"Nico!" A voice hissed. Barely raising his head Nico saw a shadow standing over him. "Are you alright?" The voice asked. Nico wanted to groan and say 'does it look like I'm alright?' but he wasn't able to make his mouth move. He tried to push himself into an upright position ubt he felt like his limbs were lead. Huge, thick pipes of lead.

"Nico! Nico!" Nico's eyes flashed open as his father glowered at him. "You're finally awake boy." Hades said simply, arms crossed. Hades seemed to loom over Nico, and the teen barely surpressed a groan. For once Hades didn't look like he wanted to repremand the teen for something he did.

"That Percy boy came over. He dropped off your homework." Hades told Nico, his voice even but with an undertone of hate as he seemingly spat our Percy's name. "Its on your desk." Hades added, moving out of Nico's room.

Once the door closed Nico groaned and burried his head in his pillow. Great, just great. He thought. Percy... If he saw anything then he could get in trouble... Thinking about Percy getting hurt made Nico's head spin with all kidns of bad ideas, and he forced himself to sit up.

Head spinning (from both a massive headache and his thoughts) Nico forced himself to go over to his desk and see how much he had to do. When he saw it the boy swore. The pile could only be described one way; massive. Yes, Nico thought, it might be good if I stay on sick leave from school for a while.

Sender: Nico di Angelo (darkangel_13)

Recieved: Percy Jackson (seagreen_2)

Date: 4-25-10; 9:35 AM

Subject: Thanks a lot!

Hey Percy, I suppose I should be thanking you from dropping off that massive amount of fucking homework! Now I have three hours of homework to finish everyday (thanks to you) and I'm still sick. And no thanks for checking up and seeing how I was, my dad told me all about how you practiclly ran from our place.

Do you enjoy making my life miserable? No, don't answer that! I already know your fucking answer!

-Nico

Hoping that the e-mail he sent would deter anymore visits from Percy, Nico couldn't help but feel a stab of guilt for what he just did. Oh God Percy, he thought. Please forgive me. Nico sighed and shut off his computer, feeling lousier then he did before.

He has to see that its for his own good, Nico tried to convince himself. Nico wouldn't be able to live with himself if Percy knew what was really going on, and this was in the other teen's best interest. So why did Nico feel like crap that had been run over?

Sighing the teen started to tenderly finger a new bruise on his upper left arm, wincing as he touched it. Most of his other bruises had healed by now, and his father seemed pretty pleased that he managed to get his stupid joints. Nico grit his teeth in both anger and pain.

Anger at his father, Hades, for putting him (and, his mind reminded him, Percy) in this stupid condition, for being such a lousy father, for hitting and hating him. Anger at Percy, his best friend, for being so caring and so nice and everything Nico hated abuot him (and, part of him said, loved). Hate at his sister, Bianca, for going off and dying in her stupid trip and leaving him with their father and not even saying goodbye before she died.

And, above all else, anger at himself. Anger because he was acting so stupidly, like a three year-old. Anger at himself for being angry at everyone else, blamming them for all his problems. Anger at himself because he wasn't strong enough to just tell Percy what was going on, fuck whatever happened. Anger at himself for not being able to do anything about his situation, having to deal with Hades and his stupid life. Anger at himself for wanting everything he couldn't have (needing everything he couldn't have).

Anger at himself for pushing away the one person who wanted to help him. Percy, that bastard (savior).

The creep (helping hand) that wouldn't leave him alone (for better or worse)! That annoying prick (funny friend) that acted like such an idiot (but that was kind of cute) all the time (at least around Nico). The teen just can't leave me alone! Nico thought to himself angrily. Why can't he just fuck off (come and save him)? Why couldn't Percy mind his own life and stay out of Nico's (but where would Nico be if not for Percy)?

Nico was close to screaming in anger and ran out of his room, slamming the door behind him. Hades wasn't home, and Nico grabbed his keys and walked out of the appartment (bloody place, there's no place called home), making sure to slam the door as loudly as he could before locking it tightly (Hades was going to kill him but that didn't matter now).

Percy read the e-mail at least twenty times before even a single letter got through his head and formed an understandable sentence. Why... Why would Nico yell at him like that? Didn't Nico want his help? The questions (and more) ran thruogh Percy's head, making his head spin like he just got off a tilt-a-whirl.

Nico would never sya any of this to him, Percy knew that. He knew Nico better then the teen knew himself (of course Nico didn't exactly think about himself) and knew Nico was not the kind to send that kind of e-mail. So what happened? Percy thought. Did he just snap- after all God knows how long Hades had been hitting on the poor teen. And Bianca's death had shaken everyone... She was always so bright and cheerful, the most likely to succeed in her grade.

Percy just sat at his desk for a few minutes, the ideas swirling through his head before he finally figured out what must have happened.

Stupid Hades, the teen thought. Of course Nico's father would know Nico's password for his e-mail, so the man must have logged (as Nico) and sent the e-mail. It all made perfect sense, it was well known Nico's father disliked everyone (including but not limited to Nico and Percy).

Deciding that he would reply to the e-mail later Percy stood up and stretched, getting the ache out of his bones.

"Mom! I'm going for a walk, I might stop by at Annabeth's!" He called out suddenly, unsure of where that came from. His mother's voice drifed into his ears as he made his way towards the door.

"Ok! Take your keys, I might be out when you get back." Sally replied. Percy grabbed them on his way out (he still wondered what convinced Annabeth to get him a blowfish keychain) and walked out of his appartment, locking the door behind him.

Instead of turning towards Annabeth's house the teen decided to head towards the park. It was always nice to be around the trees, listening to the sound of the birds. It might, Percy thought, help clear my head of all these confusing thoughts.

So, making his way to the nearest park, Percy's mind wandered, thinking about Nico, Hades, and what the hell he should do.

Nico was tired, hungry, thirsty, and in a bad mood when he sat down on a park bench just outside of a small playground. He tried to tune out the laughter and the sounds of the children playing, it hurt his head and distracted him too much. He grit his teeth as he leaned back, dirty black hair flying in the breeze along with his loose black T-shirt and black jeans.

Closing his eyes he thought about recent events. Hades was angry, much more angry then usual. Nico knew why of course, it was nearly the fifth aniversary of Bianca's death. Nico was angry too, but he kept it inside of him. He delt with it. Hades lashed out at the only thing he really could lash out at; Nico.

Gritting his teeth Nico felt anger bubbling up inside him. Why did the world seem to hate him? Why was Hades always hitting him for something that happened in another country? Why was Percy being so over-protective and wanting to know everything? And why was he so angry at everyone? Nico let out a heavy breath as someone sat next to him.

His head snapped up as he saw a familiar (way too familiar) teen sitting next to him, eyes closed, arms spread out. One arm lay over Nico's back but Nico didn't move to push it off. He was still starring at Percy who had seemingly dropped out of nowhere.

"This has to stop." Percy said softly. "I know you would never send an e-mail like the one I recieved, so Hades must have." Percy's eyes flared open, looking at Nico. A worried look tinged them. Nico felt like a total and complete idiot. Of course Percy would think up some stupid excuse to not blame the e-mail on him!

"Percy, I'm fine, see? I'm walking around and I'm good and healthy. Goodbye." Nico made a move to leave and manged to stand up before Percy's hand shot out and grabbed Nico's. Nico grit his teeth as a wave of pain surged up his palm and arm. Percy softly rolled up Nico's long sleeves and revealed the mulitpule bruises and cuts on his arm. Nico felt a wave of emotions roll over him.

"Nico..." Percy trailed off, unable to find words to describe the horror in front of him. Nico would have pulled his hand away but Percy's grip was solid (and soft at the same time, did he use something on his hands?) and it would hurt to pull away. Both emotionally, Nico realized, and phsyically.

"Percy... I... I..." Nico couldn't form full sentences. His feet, no, his entire body, felt like lead. He felt like time had been frozen. The sounds of the playground and the park were gone, only his breathing, Percy's breathing, the only sounds left. The only sounds that mattered.

Percy stood up, a few inches taller then Nico. The older teen looked at Nico and pulled him closer, into a hug. Nico found himself in the first hug, the first real true hug that meant anything to him, for the first time since Bianca died. And he felt some kind of spark, the kind of thing he had never really felt, even with Amiee. And suddenly, like a tidal wave had stripped him to the basic bone and emotions, he realized what had been going wrong with him and Amiee, with him and Percy, with him and life.

"Its ok. Shhhh. You can stay with me tonight." Percy's soft words ran over Nico and suddenly Nico knew it was going to be alright.

Percy looked at Nico's thin body as his chest rose up and down as he breathed. For some reason the younger teen seemed frail and fragile, like if he breathed too hard Nico would crack into a million pieces like a glass vase (Percy would know, he had ruined a few of his mother's).

Sally had, of course, allowed Nico to stay as long as he needed. Nico had also convinced Percy to just tell his mom that Nico's father was remodeling the appartment and Nico needed a place to stay for some time. Percy had agreed as long as the younger stayed until Percy thought he was better.

Looking through the darkness the only light was the moon that shone through the thin curtain Percy had up. The moonlight shone over Nico, highlighting his hair and his frame that lay under the thin sheets. Percy had a sudden urge to go to Nico's house and beat Hades up, just so the man knew what it felt like. He took a deep breath and let it out softly, running a hand through his hair.

Nico had come into his house thin, hungry, thirsty, and tired. He didn't look like he had a good meal in days, and he looked like his house had been void of running water for several weeks (his hair was such a mess it took all of Nico's convincing skills to stop Sally from cutting most of his hair off). Nico had eaten enough food to feed Ms. O'Leary for breakfast and had taken a shower so long Percy has decided to skip his own. Nico had prompty fallen asleep and now Percy was watching the younger as he slept, the moonlight giving him more then enough light to see the boy.

Because that's what Nico looked like, a scared little boy. It reminded Percy (painfully) of Nico when he learned his sister was dead. Someone who looked like the only light in their world had gone out, like the only thing worth fighting for was gone.

Percy had e-mailed Annabeth, told her about Nico staying over and about what was going on at his house. Nico had let him tell Annabeth, but only just. Nico, Percy thought grinning slightly, was making a big thing seem small. It was something about Nico that let him do that. That let him go through anything and everything you threw at him, that let him survive horror and sorrow and depression.

Nico had a tough soul, and a scarred one. And Percy was going to make it his duty to ensure that Nico was never hurt like that (emotionally and physiclly) again.

Percy sighed and shifted in his seat as Nico slept on. The night's silence was unbroken except for the sound of Nico's soft breathing, and Percy was enjoying every second of it.

"Mm..."

"Its time to wake up Nico."

"MmmmM."

"Breakfast is on the table, blue eggs."

"What? Where?" Nico shot up from his comfortable position on the bed, his hair ruffled from a good night's sleep. Now wide awake the hungry teen regarded Percy with a bright gaze. The elder teen didn't seem to have gotten much sleep, Nico having taken his bed, but he seemed alright anyway. Wearing his camp T-shirt and brown cargo pants the teen looked ready to go out already.

Percy laughed, rubbing his head lightly as his sea-green eyes lit up, seeing Nico awake and upbeat (for Nico). It was nice to know the boy was in safe hands, Percy though to himself.

"My mom made blue eggs just for you. Come on!" Percy walked out of his room and Nico yawned and following, stretching his arms. He was still wearing his messy clothes and he hoped Sally wouldn't mind but if the woman did she didn't say anything.

"Good morning Nico, have a nice rest?" She asked cheerfully. Nico found himself unable to reply through a mouthful of eggs and nodded his head figerously. Percy grinned, his eyes sparkling, and shovled a few mouthfuls of egg into his mouth too. "What are you going to do today Percy? I have to leave for work soon." Percy's mom continued, running around the appartment with speed Nico didn't know she possessed.

Percy shrugged, looking at Nico. Swallowing his eggs Percy replied,

"I'm not sure. Want to try to catch a movie?" Percy asked Nico. Nodding some more (the blue tint of the eggs looked odd but they tasted amazing) Nico swallowed and replied.

"Sure. There's a few good ones on." He then promptly gulped down most of his orange juice. Nico kept eatting, looking like he hadn't eatten for days. Percy smiled grimly to himself and was caught by Nico. "Is there something on my face?" Nico asked, rubbing his chin. Percy shook his head and laughed.

"Nah, you're just eatting so fast- Tyson would have problems beating you!" Nico gave Percy a small smile and that made breakfast the best idea so far for Percy.

"Nico!" Percy called out through the door to his bathroom. All the elder teen could hear was the sounds of the water rushing, pouring down out of the faucet. Nico was in there, but Percy didn't hear anything. Then, a small sound another might have discared as something their own mind made up to trick them.

Not Percy, no, the teen tried to open the door again and, like before, it was still locked. Sobbing came from inside the bathroom, and Percy's ears strained to pick up anymore sounds.

"Nico!" Percy called in again. Finally deciding that, seeing as Sally was out of the house, he had nothing to loose Percy backed up from the bathroom door. The then procceded to slam into the door with his shoulder. On the third hit Percy heard a strained voice answer him.

"I-I'll open the door." Nico's voice sounded hoarse from what Percy assumed was crying. Luckily for both the door and Percy it (it being the door) only was slightly dented from Percy ramming into it. The door inched open and as Percy stepped inside the steaming hot room he saw Nico step back into the shower, brusies all over the young teen's body.

"P-Please..." Nico asked, trembling. "Don't look." He told Percy, who decided it wasn't worth upsetting the son of Hades enough to ask to see how bad the bruises were. The steam from the shower was thick enough so that it made both breathing and seeing had on Percy. Percy took a deep breath of the hot and damp atmosphere and wondered if it would be worth asking Nico if he could turn the water down or if the older boy could open the door a little.

Then, with Percy's luck, the teen realized he had to pee. Badly.

"... Uh, Nico, don't stick your head outside of the shower, 'k?" Ignoring a muffled 'Why?' that came from inside the torent that was Nico's shower, Percy quickly pulled his pants off and pulled the seat up, peeing as quickly as he could. Of course Nico, being the curious and unable-to-keep-his-damn/fucking-head-out-of-things teen he is, stuck his head on just to ask Percy what the hell was going on.

And quickly turned several shades of red and ducked back into the shower.

"God Percy, I'm never going to get that out of my head now!" Nico's voice didn't sound very mad though, or very upset or anything. Just shocked, which Percy could understand after seeing his friend's... Erm, parts.

"Hey, I told you not to look!" Percy called out, turning on the sink after he finished. Sticking his hands under the water he promptly swore loudly and jumped back, hitting his back rather painfully on a towel rack. "Fuck Nico, how hot is the water?" Percy asked, turning the water off from the sink and swearing a little more. Nico's voice managed to break through the shower as he replied.

"Um, its pretty hot. I shoulda warned you." There was the underlying message that it was Nico's way of getting back at Percy after being scared for life. Percy nodded even though the other teen wouldn't be able to see and sat down on the floor again, staring at a misted-up mirror.

The two teens were silent and the room was only full of the sounds of water rushing down from pipes and the ocasional curse form Nico- Percy could only guess what made the teen swear.

Nico stood in the shower, feeling the hot water burn his skin. He was red all over, from both the water and the sight he had seen. Great God, the teen thought. Why does Percy have to care so fucking much? Nico was thisclose to just packing up a bit of food and taking off, but he had nowhere to go.

Amiee was nice (enough) but she wasn't very kind when she was mad and Nico did not need to go explaining his actions the past few weeks (and maybe months). He was not returning back to his father's place, he would get punished worse then usual. As in, hospitalized. The park was tempting but overall it lacked a few things Nico liked to have around (like a TV and internet, not to mention plumbing that didn't smell terribly).

So that left Percy's, and Nico was left with no better option.

The hot water wasn't really being used at this point and Nico knew it was wasteful, he should just tell Percy to get the hell out of the bathroom so he could get out and dry off (just because he had the lack-of luck to stick his head out of the shower at the right time did not mean Percy was getting any glances back). But he didn't. So, finally breaking the now painful silence, Nico said,

"Its ok Perc, I know you didn't mean for me to... Ah, y'know." Nico waited for Percy's reply which seemed to be taking an enternity. Percy chose his words carefully, unsure of what he was even trying to say.

"Are... Um..." The older teen seemed at a loss for words. He finally finished by saying, "Yeah. Ok..." He then trailed off, but Nico could tell that he wanted to say more.

"... Yeah?" Nico prompted, telling Percy that he knew the older teen wanted to say something. Percy muttered something udner his breath. It sounded like 'Ah hell...' to Nico and the boy couldn't help but ruefully smile to himself inside the shower. He felt one of his hands reach for the tap and slowly turn the water off.

The room was scarily quiet with the water off, and Nico could hear himself breathe. His breath was soft and quick, almost a pant. It was understandable after the shower that could have boiled pasta. Percy's breaths were different. Deeper, somehow. They had a much more comfiden feel for some reason, and Nico sighed.

"Ah, its nothing Nico. I'll be in my room, 'k?" NOt waiting for Nico to respond, Percy left the bathroom. Nico was still for a few seconds after the door closed with a soft snap, and then he got out of the shower and dried off tenderly, fingering some of the bruises on his body.

Outside the bathroom, a few yards off, Percy was leaning against a wall with his forehead touching the cool plaster.

"Ah hell..." Both teens muttered to themselves.