Chapter Nine

Percy rolled out of bed after another sleepless night, stumbling to the basin. He stared at the water and the small rainbow it splayed across the wall. He picked up a drachma, clutching securely in his hand. Turning it over in his fingers, he saw the figure of Zeus standing soberly upon it. He moved his thumb over it.

Percy considered his chances. They weren't high, but he was desperate. He needed to see his face. He chucked the coin into the rainbow, and prayed that it would work.

An image floated through the rainbow. Percy's throat constricted.

On a bunk bed Nico sat with his back facing Percy, and in front of him was Jason. Jason's eyes flickered to Percy, but back to Nico whose hand was dabbing at his own eyes as if he was crying. That thought send a knife through Percy's chest.

"Think you can forgive him," Jason asked, squinting at the smaller boy, purposefully not giving Percy a glance.

Nico's shoulders heaved, a quiet sob breaking through. The knife twisted. Jason's jaw twitched angrily, but Hazel had come running into the scope, her cinnamon brown hair obstructing Percy's view for a moment as she threw her arms around her brother. Nico allowed it as he only would from Hazel.

"Nico," she whispered, "there's more than one way to be happy. And you were happy with him. It's not forever, it's only a little while, so forgive him. It's your fatal flaw, Nico, you can't let this destroy you."

Nico shook harder than ever. Hazel then turned to Percy, her normally beautiful gold eyes became as hard and cold as the cursed stones she pulled from the ground. She swiped the connection closed, the scene dissolving into mist.

Percy stared at his abalone wall for a long time, confused by what he had witnessed, but he needed more than ever to see Nico.

He excited quickly out of the cabin bumping right into Annabeth. He grabbed her arms to keep themselves from toppling over.

She gave him a broad grin, pushing his hands away from her. "It's been three days," she stated.

He stifled a yawn. He should have felt more excited, but he was nauseated. It may be the day that he saw Nico and there was a good chance that he would leave again, and if he did, Percy wouldn't follow. He made himself that promise in the interest of Nico.

"Have you been waiting," he asked her.

"It coincided nicely. I chose Logan this morning. He's very happy, seems to have plans for the cabin. He's a hard worker so I'm hoping the others can keep up."

"That's nice," he yawned.

"Come, let's get breakfast."

"Together?" He was still unsure of the rules of their new status. Percy had grown accustomed to hugging and kissing Annabeth, to trying to be romantic with her. It really wasn't as hard as he was making it sound, but no longer doing those things felt like something was missing from them. It appeared that Annabeth wasn't in a quandary over it. He wasn't sure if that was a good thing.

She held up a purple backpack. "I took some food from the Mess Hall so we can eat by the lake. I was thinking I could go on Blackjack with you. We can arrive there together. It'll surprise Hazel and Frank."

It may not have been the best decision on Percy's part to travel with her. After all, it was one of the things that Nico yelled at him for, but he didn't want to be alone. Annabeth had been a sort of comfort to him ever since he first came to Camp Half-Blood, allowing him to feel less alone. It helped that her intelligence had kept him alive otherwise he would've never met Nico to begin with.

They ate their breakfast in silence, watching the satyrs flirt with the pretty naiads. For once, the didn't pay Percy any mind. He wondered if he still smelled like Nico - like death.

"Piper told me what happened."

"Piper?"

"Um, Nico to Hazel, Hazel to Piper, and now to me. You know how these sort of things travel."

Percy shook his head. "And you have advice." It wasn't a question.

"I don't mean to lecture you, Percy, but do you know what you have done to Nico?"

"I know exactly what I've done to him."

"Percy... Nico is the only one that is allowed access to his parent's palace. Hazel can't even go. You've only been once to your father's, I've never seen my mother's and you know how much time I spent in Olympus. Nico, it was probably all he felt he had. And that's gone, because the man he trusted most made a bargain for his own life."

"I get it. I'm a terrible person."

"You're not a terrible person, Percy, you're just incredibly myopic."

"Is that another way of saying that I'm a moron?"

"Kind of..."

"I'm not stopping him from returning there, even if it ends my life."

"He would never do that to you, and you know it."

"I don't know what else to do," he responded sharply. It was the exact reason he didn't want to tell Annabeth. For some reason, the moment that Nico saved her changed her perception of him, and she acted as an older sister. Because that was exactly what Nico needed - another sister.

"Do you think this is a good idea," she added. "If you hurt Nico again he will never trust anyone. He'll die alone. It's not like last time when he was being held captive. He's left this time. Maybe it's for the best."

"Nico's used to no one wanting him. This is the best way to show him that I do."

"You're not the only one that cares for him. I do, Jason, and Frank, and Leo in his own way. Most of all Hazel. Nico's not alone."

Percy shook his head, feeling misunderstood. "That's different. They're his friends, his sister."

She studied him in the way that Annabeth did, quiet and distant, familiar to Chiron. "And what are the two of you?"

Percy lost himself in the ripples of the water as a blond naiad vanished underneath. "I love him."

He looked to her. She wasn't quick enough to hide her reaction, the creases of her slate eyes gave when she was hurt. She recovered, and nodded, stuffing the rest of her sandwich in her bag.

"I'm sorry, Annabeth. I didn't mean -"

"You know what, Percy, I don't mind. We should have never mistaken security for love. What hurts is what this is doing to you and Nico."

"It was a mistake."

"A costly mistake, seaweed brain. What are you going to do if he doesn't want you? Keep chasing him?"

"I'll let him go."

Annabeth pursed her lips and leaned on his side. "That's very brave of you. If it means anything, I wouldn't accept your apology."

"Gee, thanks, wise girl. Whatever would I do without your opinion?"

"You wouldn't be facing this problem and I'd still be stuck with you." She winked. "Ready to go?"

He had never been more ready to leave the sanctuary of the camp. He stood and fingers between his lips he blew a high-pitched whistle.

High above their heads against the bright blue sky was what looked to be a Pegasus shaped cloud descending toward them. Percy grabbed Annabeth's arm, tugging her away from Blackjack's landing point.

Blackjack neighed, pawing at the ground, stirring up loose dirt. "Wassup, boss? Long time no - whoa! You smell, boss! What is that? A new cologne or have you been hanging with corpses?"

Percy frowned. "It's somebody else's scent."

"That is a strong stench there, boss, you may wanna take a shower!"

He fished in his pocket, taking out a sugar cube. "One right now and another when you take Annabeth and I to Camp Jupiter."

"To those Romans?" He neighed angrily.

"Okay, three sugar cubes."

"Gotcha, boss. Come on aboard!" Blackjack bowed, Percy swinging his foot over his back. He gave a hand to Annabeth, her climbing behind him, flush against him, her arms constricting around his waist. He tried not to think of it. He patted the Pegasus' neck.

"Hold on," he warned.

Blackjack ran right toward the lake, taking flight before they were emerged. His wings rhythmically beat on their thighs, soaring upward to the sun. Percy howled into the sky, Annabeth laughing joyfully behind him.