**Heh, so… You guys didn't like that :P I wonder why…

Short chap, but I figured you all would want it sooner than later, so here you go :3

Triggers: this is the "almost-rape" chapter, sorta-graphic description of non-con and a generous helping of angst, too. Guys, feel free to skip.**

Nico had left Percy's bedside. He wanted nothing to do with him, he wanted nothing to do with Percy anymore ever again if Percy wasn't going to be there.

It was just too painful.

~ O ~

Nico had become surprisingly numb. He was standing with Rachael who'd caught him walking like a zombie from the infirmary, had grabbed his arm and pushed a cup of ambrosia into his hands. Just a few sips had him buzzing with warmth on the inside.

See? He told himself, and anyone who'd tell him otherwise in his head, I feel fine. I can manage just fine.

He didn't know what Rachael was talking about when he interrupted her.

'So how'd you know to meet us in the tunnel again?' He didn't stop even when his voice cracked. Rachael's words died in her throat, and she looked at Nico was an expression the teen refused to acknowledge was pity.

'I was… Well, I was at school then, then I sorta got a vision.' She shifted her feet and looked to people walking by for a moment. She'd dragged Nico to the side of the bricked road and the two were leaning against the side of a building, albeit awkwardly. 'I guess it was just more of a voice, telling me to get to Caldecott Tunnel ASAP because you two would need me.'

Just before Nico could comment, she spoke again.

'Well, actually just you.'

Nico frowned. 'What were the exact words?'

'… Nico, I— we should talk abou—'

'What were you told, Rachael?!' The demand came out a little harsher than Nico intended it to be, and though no one stopped to gape, a few more glances than usual were thrown his way. Nico sighed, but before he could return his focus to a now even-more worried Rachael, one specific gaze caught his eye.

Jason's blonde hair was tucked under a hood, but his eyes still shone out from under, and Nico was quick to return it, but even more heated.

Now, Nico hadn't really planned to kick Jason's podex like there was no tomorrow, but things changed when he saw Jason was headed straight for the infirmary.

Oh, Hades no.

'Nico, Nico!' Rachael called out more frantically once she saw Nico's intention.

'Nico, I—' Jason paled as he saw Nico was definitely not up to talking. He paled even further as Nico came closer and waves of darkness radiated from him directly toward the praetor. The ground dried and cracked, and every plant in the general vicinity of the son of Hades instantly wilted.

'Nico!' Rachael tried again, her voice filled with panic, but it was all part of the dull roar in Nico's ears by then.

I'm fine.

I don't need Percy. I don't want Percy.

I'm fine.

Jason can't have Percy.

I'm fine.

Percy's mine. I don't want Percy.

I'm fine.

These were the thoughts that circulated through Nico's mind as he saw Jason's face harden with the realisation that he was going to have to defend himself or die. Ozone filled the air, giving a distinct sharpness to the static that accompanied it. Lightning cracked.

Nico saw Jason say his name, but he didn't hear anything. Nothing.

There was nothing. Nothing was right, or there, or good.

He needed… He needed…

'Nico.' Jason said again, his face totally different. Nico didn't even see how much of a threat Jason was warming up to be. He was a son of Hades, albeit a hated and unwanted one, but he was still strong. He always had been. Bianca said so. She said he was special. Said he was good. Said he'd be loved and would be able to lo

'Stop it, both of you!'

Nico was just about to swat Rachael out of the way when for a reason he'd never fully figure out, he stopped advancing and took a second to blink the fury from his vision.

Black hair. Wavy… Unruly, that was the word.

Bronze skin, paled from sickness.

Lips that were chapped and bitten, currently pink and plump.

Green eyes, that held the depths of the furthest and most magical oceans in them.

Hands, outstretched, one to Jason and one to Nico. The hand that held him and wiped his tears and blood.

'…Per… Percy?' It was barely a whisper, but Percy suddenly smiled and went to embrace Nico, a stupid grin still plastered to his face.

There was a flash of darkness and all that he took into his arms was air that smelled like death.

~ O ~

Well, this was unexpected to say the least.

Percy's soul wasn't gone.

In fact, it was in his body, right where it'd always been…

This was…

This… Was…

Nico let out a shuddered breath and resumed his rocking with fervour.

If anything, really, it felt like Percy's body was bursting with soul energy. Did one of the gods bring him back?

The Olympians looked at each other, suspicion clear in their eyes. Just then, Aphrodite walked into their entertainment room (which was really a huge amphitheatre floating in the sky but whatever) brushing her hands and looking a little too innocent to believe. Each of the immortals steadily turned to her.

'What did you do?' Ares asked once the love goddess had paused in her step.

'When did he get here?' Hermes whispered to Apollo, who shrugged, while Aphrodite turned her nose in the air.

'I didn't do anything, husband, and frankly I don't appreciate your tone.' She said, morphing slightly into Emilia Clark.

Ares just sneered, but glanced at their viewing glass and saw something developing, quickly turning everyone's attention back to their favourite (for now, at least) mortals.

'Look! He's coming back!'

Nico was still hugging his knees to his chest when the sliding glass door to their cabin opened. It was dark out now, and Nico was convinced it had all just been a hallucination, probably caused by Zeus to freak Nico out and not cause a scene that involved his precious son. Now no doubt, Rachael was here to check on him, or maybe Reyna, that would be nice, or maybe even Jason, Gods forbid, but

'Nico.'

There was no point in even hoping. The burning and funeral rites would be performed soon and that would be that. Nico wondered if as the son of Hades whether he'd have to coordinate it or Octavian would do that. Still, as the one closest to Percy he'd have to do something. Or he could call Sall

'Nico,'

Then it would all go back to how it was. It would. It would. There would be whispers and glances and teasing and black baggy clothes Nico hadn't worn for a long time and blades and darkness and sadness and him being alone and then he'd be alone because no one will want him without Percy and he knew that and he knew that would happen—

'Nico, please.'

Oh Gods, it really was Percy's voice.

Nico didn't even think about holding back or subduing the sob that exploded from deep within his soul. He cried Percy's name over and over, eyes shut tight and body stiff as a board, even while strong arms picked up his huddled form and settled him in a lap on their couch.

His and Percy's couch.

No one held him like Percy did.

What felt like a short eternity later, Nico was down to hiccups and tears.

'Nico,' the voice whispered again. Now that he thought of it, it didn't really sound like Percy. It didn't at all.

'Please open your eyes, Nico.' Percy's voice was smooth, and made him calm, but this voice was scratchy, from ill-use.

'Nico?' This voice made him want to grit his teeth.

'Nico, look at me.' Nico looked.

It was Percy. Instantly all the tension melted from Nico's body and exhaustion set in. It almost came back once he realised just how much he depended on Percy; shit, he was acting like a little kid lost in the shopping centre, but Percy smiled.

It wasn't like when Percy grinned before, it was just a gentle smile that reassured him everything was going to be just fine.

'Hey,' He whispered, and a torrent of tears spilled down Nico's cheeks again.

'Hi,' He said back, voice cracked and broken. Percy's smile grew and a hand came up to brush through Nico's hair, which he leaned into like a touch-starved puppy. Percy leaned forward and placed a small kiss on Nico's forehead.

'I missed you,' He breathed. You have no idea, Nico couldn't help but think. 'I heard you freaked a little while I was out.' Percy chuckled, and Nico felt an unusual sense of shame set in. 'Almost death-ray'd Jason, huh? I'm glad you didn't, I like that guy.'

Nico winced, but Percy didn't see, thankfully.

'Anyway, I'm starved, what've we got?'

Nico's swirling thoughts came to a halt as those words left Percy's mouth.

'What? Percy, I thought you were about to die, I—'

'What, you were here all this time and you didn't make dinner?' Percy made an uncharacteristic noise of disapproval, and Nico paused, trying to figure out what was going on. He managed to wriggle off Percy's lap and shuffled into the bedroom, stripping as he did, figuring it was time for a sleep.

What Percy making fun of him?

'Ah, that's what I like to see,' Percy's voice came from right in Nico's ear, and soon his strong arms were wrapped around Nico's middle that had just been shed of a shirt.

'Percy, I—' Percy shushed him, while nuzzling into his neck. Nico shut up, but protested again when Percy pushed them both on to the bed.

'Perce, I really don't think we…' Nico shivered as Percy made his way down his chest, and promptly stripped him of his pants.

'Percy, stop.' Apparently Percy's hearing had been damaged in the accident, because he just kept on going. Nico tried again, but Percy just silenced him with kisses that had a bit more bite than usual. Percy leaned up after getting in position and flipped Nico's legs up so he had better access, then pinned Nico's wrists to the bed while looking down at him lovingly. Nico was too exhausted to really be bothered anymore. At least this meant Percy still wanted him, right? He could go through one slightly-less-than-enjoyable screw if it meant that Percy wouldn't leave him.

Percy slammed in, gave him no time to adjust and started pumping. Nico may've screamed a little, severely re-thinking his choice.

For the first time, Percy closed his eyes as he finished inside Nico, and then simply rolled over and almost immediately fell asleep. Nico lay awake for the next few hours, trying to pin down what was off about the whole situation.

After a few more hours, Nico was even more exhausted, but couldn't fall asleep due to his racing thoughts.

Early in the morning, Nico fell asleep on the couch.

**I know everyone's probably wondering what the frog happened with Percy, but trust me, I am too. Also why did he take so long to get back? And what did Jason do?!

*scream*

Stay tuned!**