Disclaimer:: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus or its characters. They are the property of Rick Riorden, and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Nico stood slightly away from the group; he smiled as he watched his friends talk. He was glad he decided to come. Suddenly he felt a hot breath on the back of his neck and a harsh whisper in his ear.

"Hey there lover boy." Nico jumped and spun around. The boy behind him was tall and muscular. Not as big as Frank, but still almost twice Nico's size. Nico felt his hands get clammy and his breath hitch. His name was Larry Kronos, and he spent Nico's freshman year making his life a living hell. Nico stepped back, ready to bolt. His mind was suddenly reliving every beating and every prank. Kronos laughed and walked towards Nico, backing him against the wall.

Kronos was so close Nico could hear his whisper easily, "How's my favorite little faggot? I've really missed you little one, I've got no one to beat on now."

Nico tensed, he glanced over to where his friends where standing, he couldn't decide if he wanted them to step in or not.

"Niiiicoooo..." He breathed in his ear, sliding his hands up his hips towards his ribs. Nico slapped his hands away and shoved against his chest. Kronos stepped back and laughed, "The little kitten grew some claws." Nico thought he was going to be sick.

Suddenly Kronos was shoved back slamming into the wall opposite Nico.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" Percy sounded furious and he had a vicious fire in his eyes. Nico was frozen in place. Piper and Hazel crowded around him, hugging him and asking if he's okay. Percy was facing off with Kronos, Frank and Jason one step behind him.

"Hey hey now," Kronos held his hands up as if to show they were empty, Percy clenched his fists at his sides, "Nothing to worry about buddy. Just two old friends catching up. Isn't that right little kitten?" Kronos winked at Nico over Percy's shoulder causing Nico to flinch and glance at the ground. Percy looked back to see Nico's reaction, it was obvious what he saw just made him more angry. Percy had never seen Nico so tense, his eyes filled with fear and unshod tears.

"Stay away from him! Don't you ever touch him again!" He growled, turning back to the boy in front of him. Kronos didn't even flinch, in fact he laughed.

"Oh, I don't think he minds all that much. Do you little kitten?"

Suddenly Kronos let out a loud shout. Percy had grabbed him by his shirt and slammed him against the wall. Now Kronos looked scared.

"If you come near him again it will be the last thing you ever did." Percy spat out quietly.

"What are you, his new boyfriend?" Kronos mumbled back. Percy didn't answer, just slammed him again.

"You understand me?"

"Yea, yea fine. I get it." Kronos stumbled as Percy released him then scurried away. Shooting Nico a murderous look before he ran off.

Percy stood where he was for a minute taking deep breaths. His heart was racing and he was seeing red. It had taken everything he had not to pound that guy into the ground. He tried to calm himself; he was no help to Nico this way. Percy jumped at the hand on his shoulder.

"Nico." Jason whispered, gesturing back to the small boy who was still frozen in spot on the ground. His face ashen white.

Percy pushed passed the others and knelled next to him putting his hand on top of his, "Nico? You okay?" the boy didn't answer. Percy saw his hands were gripping his jeans, his knuckles white, and his eyes were filling with tears he obviously wasn't willing to shed in front of the group. Percy pulled Nico to his feet and led him away, gesturing for the others to stay put. He pulled Nico into the change room locking the door behind him and led him to the very back row. Percy sat on the floor, pulling Nico down with him to sit between his legs. He gently pulled Nico into his chest, one arm around his waist the other stroking his hair. Nico was still stiff against him, his breaths shallow and uneven.

"It's okay Nico, let it out. I got you. I won't ever let him touch you again. There's no one here but me, I got you now."

Percy mumbled in his ear, gentle and soothing. Slowly Nico sagged against him, his hands gripping Percy's shirt and the tears spilling out. Percy had no idea how long they sat there, Nico silently crying in his arms, and really he didn't care. He was furious, and sickened at the thought of that boy putting his hands on Nico. After what he saw and what the bully had said to him he knew exactly what Nico was being bullied for. Nico sniffled and wiped his eyes, pulling back slightly.

"What about your fight?"

"Honestly, I couldn't care less. Are you okay?"

"Besides being mortified. Yea, he didn't hurt me."

"Nico..." Percy reached up and brushed Nico's hair away from his face. For once Nico didn't pull away of stiffen at the intimate touch, but he still wouldn't look at Percy.

"I really don't want to talk about it."

"Okay. But if you change your mind, I'm here. I'll always be here." Nico nodded silently. "You ready?"

"Yea, I think so." Percy stood up and led Nico over to the sinks where Nico washed his face. He was still slightly shaky and his eyes were red. He took a deep breath and nodded to Percy. Percy gave him a smile encouraging smile. After unlocking the door Percy took Nico's hand and led him through the door. Their friends rushed towards them down the hall, Nico panicked and pulled his hand out of Percy's. Percy looked at him, slightly shocked and maybe a little hurt.

"I'm sorry." Nico mumbled and stepped away, eyes on the floor. Percy didn't get a chance to respond because their friends swarmed. Nico looked like he was about to bolt again. Percy stepped up behind him, but was careful not to touch him.

"Stop!" Everyone went silent, and looked at Percy. "Just leave him alone alright. Let's go find out what's happening." His friends looked like they wanted to argue, but decided against it. Together they walked back down the hall towards the gym, where Mr. Ares waited. Percy split from the crowd and joined Mr. Ares to talk to the officials.

Piper slipped her hand in Nico's, but didn't say anything. The others tried to maintain a light conversation around them. Soon Percy returned with Mr. Ares.

"Normally, Percy would have to forfeit his fight. But his opponent said he would rather have the fight then win by default, and it was only a 10 minute delay. So we've got five minutes then Percy's in the ring." Mr. Ares spoke calmly and walked away, glancing only briefly at Nico.

His friends cheered, but Percy didn't look so happy.

"What's wrong Perce?" Jason slapped him on the back, "Your still in, this is a good thing."
"My opponent. It's him." Nico's head shot up and he finally met Percy's eyes, "That's why he didn't want me to forfeit."

"Are you worried?" Jason asked him softly.

"I've fought him before, and won. But I have a feeling he's not too worried about rules right now."

Nico started to shake his head, his voice soft, "He's never cared about rules. I know him; he's out for blood Percy."

Percy stepped towards Nico with a small side smile on his face; he was surprised that the younger boy didn't pull away when Percy put his hand on Nico's shoulder. Thou his cheeks turned red and he kept his eyes on the floor.

"Don't you worry about me Nico, don't you dare." He squeezed gently, "If he wants blood, I'll give him blood." Nico peeked up at him, his smirk was a little wicked and his eyes had that vicious gleam to them again. His friends nodded and spoke in agreement. Nico couldn't help but smirk himself; his friends sounded a little blood thirsty themselves. Because they were mad, because they wanted to stand up for him. Nico wondered if they would still want to stand up for him if they knew. Percy looked down and winked at Nico, he felt his face flush again. His friends led the way towards the gym as the officials called Percy's Jackson and Larry Kronos to the floor. Percy still had his hand on Nico's shoulder.

"Don't get yourself in trouble Percy. It's not worth it, trust me. I've tried that, it doesn't work."

Percy sighed, "I know. But I want to hurt him Nico, really hurt him."

"Why?" Nico whispered.

"I thought you'd figure that out by now." He replied; his hand sliding down along Nico's back making him shiver. With a small smile Percy jogged away to get ready for the fight, strapping on his protective gear.