Okay, so I never realized it as I was typing, but I switched from first person to second person about a fourth of the way through the chapter. Why did know one tell me? I hate doing that kind of thing. Oh well. No real harm done. We'll go back to seeing the world from Octavian's eyes.

I am aware that Octavian is a…bit unlike himself. But that's purposeful. He's always so mean in the stories. I want to give him a reason to be mean, but not use it. After all, he could very well turn on Percy. But he won't, because no one else is that nice to him.

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Octavian's POV

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I woke up in a strange house. At least, that was my first thought. I was up at five due to more nightmares, and I wasn't in my room. I bolted upright and looked around, wide-eyed. But I soon remembered where I was. Percy's house. Oh my god, I was sleeping in Percy Jackson's room! Start squealing ladies. Oh, and be jealous while you're at it. I laughed lowly at my own wit and stared across the room at the sleeping form of Percy. He was sprawled out on his stomach on his bed. His hair was still tousled from sleep, and his mouth hung open. I smiled a little at him. Then I drew my knees up to my chest and buried my face in knees, feeling the tears beginning to form. It wasn't the first time this nightmare had come around.

"Octavian?" I turned to find Percy gazing at me from across the room. He'd lifted his head up from the pillow, but upon seeing the tears, he sprang up and flung himself across the room, landing beside me on the bed I was sleeping on. "Are you okay Tavy?" he asked me, taking my hand. "Bad dreams?"

"How'd you know?" I asked him, refusing to even meet his eyes. I was embarrassed. I wish he hadn't woken up. It was better if I cried in peace. Percy wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into his lap, smoothing down my hair. I curled up on his lap and rested my head against his chest. "About my dad," I finally said softly. "I have this one periodically. It's always about him coming back and beating me to death…" I sniffed.

"Oh Tavy," Percy replied. "It's okay. It's just a dream. Do you need anything? I could go get my mom if you think that'll help." I shook my head.

"It's okay," I responded. "Sorry for waking you up. I didn't mean to do that." Percy laughed lowly.

"I'm glad you woke me up, actually," he admitted. "Trying to sooth yourself doesn't work very well." He had a point. But it was weird having someone else up with me at this time of day. My mother wouldn't care one way or another. It was strange having someone actually care about me. I was suddenly a little uncomfortable, and I climbed out of his lap. Percy's face fell, but he didn't say anything. I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes. I felt exhausted, but I doubt I'd sleep again that morning. And we had three hours until school. Jolly. "Are you still tired Tavy?" Percy asked. He patted the pillow. "You lay down and rest. I'll watch over you." I was too tired to complain, so I curled up on my side next to him and closed my eyes. He placed a hand on my side and simply kept it there. He didn't move it. He didn't massage me or tickle me. He just kept his hand there, as if I'd blow away if he didn't.

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Percy's POV

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I did feel bad for Octavian, I really did. I hadn't planned on waking up at five in the morning, but I'd heard Octavian crying. That woke me up quick. What he told me wasn't what I was expecting. Sure, I'd had plenty of nightmares about my dad before, but never one about him beating me to death. Octavian's dad sounded quite rotten. I also hadn't expected the blonde boy to actually fall back asleep. But the steady rise and fall of his chest suggested he was. I wasn't tired anymore, so I just sat with him. Occasionally I looked around the room, but mostly I looked at him, like he'd fall apart if I took my eyes off of him for too long.

"Percy, are you.." my mom began, sticking her head in.

"Shhh," I scolded. "Octavian had a bad dream, and he fell back asleep. I was going to let him sleep a little longer." Mom glanced at him with worry, then looked at me.

"Be sure you're ready in half an hour," she said. "I have to drop you both off before work today." I nodded. I knew that. "You're a good friend Percy," she added as she whisked off down the hall. I frowned. Of course I was a good friend. Why wouldn't I be? I looked down and flushed. My hand was still on Tavy's side. I'd meant to take it off as soon as he'd fallen asleep, but I'd been so distracted by my own thoughts that I just hadn't done it yet. I glanced at my clock. Seven fifteen. I had half an hour to get Tavy up and moving. And get some breakfast in him. God only knew how many times a week he had a decent meal. I was determined to shovel as many calories as I could into him.

"Tavy," I said quietly, gently shaking him. His eyes flew open and he bolted upright. "Whoa!" I exclaimed. "It's okay Octavian. It's just time to get ready for school." Octavian took a couple deep breaths and nodded. He slid passed me and snatched up his bag, moving to the bathroom. I went to my closet and gazed around. I wasn't sure what I wanted to wear today. Not my letterman jacket. I wore that often enough as it was. "Hmmm," I said quietly, tapping my chin.

"What's up?" I whirled around and found Octavian smirking at me. He was in an orange and gray striped polo and tan slacks. Formal without being overly so. I liked it. "Why are you staring at your closet like it's going to choose your outfit for you?" he asked me, crossing his arms.

"I'm just trying to decide what to wear," I retorted. "Not all of us can look good without trying." He arched an eyebrow, and I could've gladly died under a rock. Why the hell did I have to go and say something like that? I reddened and turned toward my closet again. "I mean, it's hard okay? I have a lot of clothes. What do you think?" Octavian circled me, and I followed him with my eyes. I was aware my blue pajama pants and white shirt didn't offer much to look at, but I'd wanted to cover up for his benefit.

"I'd go something kind of classy, but without actually being classy," he said, striding over to my closet and rooting around. He came up with something I had never seen before, which was strange. It was entirely green, except for the chest. Across the chest, and interrupted by three clear buttons, were blue and yellow stripes. It looked a lot like his polo. "You have a lot of stuff in the bottom of your closet," he said with a tiny smile. He handed me the shirt, which I slipped on while his back was turned. I studied myself in the mirror. Huh. Interesting. It made my green eyes really stand out. Especially the blue. Blue always made my eyes seem a little brighter than usual. He thrust something else at me, and I unfurled dark jeans. Hmm.

"Thanks," I mumbled. Octavian turned so I could finish changing, and I did so quickly. "I look good," I said, studying myself in the mirror.

"Your collar is crooked," Octavian responded. He reached out and flipped the collar down, the way it was supposed to be. "There," he whispered. He looked up, and our eyes met. I held his gaze. "What's wrong?" he asked me quietly.

"Nothing," I replied, finally looking away. You can't kiss him, you idiot, I scolded myself. He's scared enough as it is. You don't need to do this. "Nothing," I repeated, fixing the collar myself so he wouldn't touch me again. If he touched me again, I'd lose all self-control. "I was just…thinking." That seemed to be the safest answer.

"Oh," Octavian said. He picked up his bag and slung it over his shoulder. "Well, let's get going."

"Not so fast," I told him as we entered the kitchen. "We're eating breakfast. Hi mom." Mom waved at us from her place at the table. She was dressed in a blue blouse and red skirt. Perfect for working at the office. She sipped on a mug of coffee and read from the paper. Her reading glasses were perched on her nose. "Tavy and I are going to grab a quick breakfast." I glanced at the clock. "We have time. What do you want?" I asked him, opening the fridge.

"Uh," he replied, staring passed me. "I don't know. Nothing too filling. I…get sick…if I eat a lot too fast." I turned to him.

"You mean you're so undernourished that you throw your food back up if you eat enough for a normal meal?" I asked him, shaking my head sadly. "Here. Is yogurt okay to have?" I took out a couple cups of Greek Yogurt with honey in the bottom, and handed him one. "And here." I plucked a banana from out fruit bowl and gave it to him. "That should fill you up without being too much." Octavian looked like he didn't quite know what to say as he sat down at the table. He peeled the banana and took a small bite. I sat opposite of him and peeled the lid off my yogurt. I stirred the honey around and took a bite. I loved Greek yogurt with honey. Octavian continued to eat his banana slowly.

"I hate to rush you boys," mom piped up, folding her paper. "But we have to leave." Octavian stared in dismay at his half-eaten breakfast.

"We can bring it with us," I said quickly. I took a banana from the fruit bowl and ushered Tavy out the door. I snatched up his yogurt and spoon on the way by. I led him to mom's car and opened the door, bowing deeply. "Here you are sir," I said. He giggled and crawled in, and I slid in after him, pulling the door shut. I didn't normally sit in the back with guests, but for Tavy, I could make an exception. I opened his yogurt and swirled the honey around. I then held the spoon out to him. "Open up Tavy," I cooed. He giggled and opened his mouth, and I stuck the spoon in. He licked the yogurt off the spoon and I slid it out.

"That's good," he said. He tore a hunk of banana off and popped it in his mouth. It was good to see him eating. "Uh Percy, I don't feel too good," he mumbled, holding his stomach. "I ate too fast."

"You barely ate," I pointed out. But I ordered mom to pull over all the same. Octavian fell out of the car and threw up on the sidewalk. I got out and knelt beside him, rubbing his back. He sagged against me.

"Sorry," he whispered. "Sometimes it happens if I eat at all." I bundled him back into the car and mom pulled away. I gently lifted his shirt and was shocked to see how skinny he was. I could play a tune on his ribs if I really wanted. And he was deathly pale under his shirt. That explained a lot about Octavian.

"Don't think anything of it," I said. "Just have to try again at lunch." But Octavian was shaking his head.

"I don't eat lunch," he told me. "Too many people giving me stares. And I would definitely get sick eating the school's food."

"Octavian, you can't starve yourself," I pleaded. "I have your lunch period. Come and sit with me. No one will bother you." Octavian chewed on his lower lip as he thought about it. I didn't have much time. Mom was pulling up in front of the school. "Please Tavy," I said, reaching out and touching his arm. He shuddered.

"Okay," he replied quietly as we climbed out the car. "I'll sit with you at lunch and attempt to eat something, if it'll make you happy." I grinned at him.

"It will," I replied. I heard my friends coming, and I thought about telling them to go away. But that would look suspicious. Besides, Jay was with them. Jason wouldn't purposely try to hurt Tavy, right?

"Hey Perce," Travis Stoll said. Of course. Travis Stoll. Why today of all days? "Hello boy I've never seen before," he added to Octavian, who ducked his head and refused to meet his eyes. Connor squinted at Octavian.

"I remember you from the game," he said. "You're the scarecrow kid. The one who's so thin we could make music on you." I wanted to bash Connor's head against Travis' head and shut them both up. Octavian had tears welling before I could try and comfort him, and he ran off.

"What have you done?" I hissed at Connor, who looked a little guilty. "Tavy, come back!"

…

Yep, one of those famous stopping points you love so much. Percy's POV. That won't happen all too often, so don't get used to it.