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 sat quietly with his friends as the boys entered the ring. His friends whopped and hollered to Percy, encouragement and wishes for him to kick ass. Kronos pulled Percy close when they shook hands and whispered something in his ear. Percy's face twisted in anger, he pulled his hand away. The crazy look was back in his eyes as he pointed angrily at Kronos.

As fierce as Clarisse had been in her match she had nothing on the way these two boys came at each other, their dulled blades clashing loudly. Nico reached over and took Piper's hand gripping it tightly, he was very glad she silently gripped his back.

Percy glared at Kronos as they shook hands before their match. He was trying to get a hold on his anger, but the thought of this guys hands on his Nico made his blood boil. Kronos pulled him close and whispered harshly in his ear.

"Your boyfriend cries like a little bitch Jackson."

Percy stiffened and pulled away. Now he was seeing red. He was really going to kill this boy. He lifted his dulled blade and spun it once, wishing it was sharp enough to draw blood for real. With his adrenaline pumping he engaged. It wasn't a long fight, but it was fierce. The crowd was loving it but all Percy could think about was the gnawing need to protect Nico. The image of Kronos running his hands up Nico's side while the smaller boy pushed himself against the wall frozen in fear was making Percy sick. He could only imagine the way he had tortured Nico in the past. He pushed hard and swung his blade with all his might. With a clash of metal Kronos tripped over his feet and went down. Percy lunged and put his dulled blade against the boy's throat, wishing he could run him threw.

"You better watch your step, Kronos. If you ever as much as come near him again I'll kill you. I swear to whatever God's are listening. I will kill you." Percy whispered harshly before the officials pulled him back. He dropped his sword and lifted his hands in surrender. Kronos must have believed him because he looked like he was going to piss himself.

"Sorry folks, got a little carried away." Percy smiled his trade mark grin, the picture of innocence. Percy reached out towards Kronos as if to help him up. Shakily Kronos allowed Percy to pull him to his feet, Percy patted him on the back kindly. "Great fight man, really." To anyone who didn't know him Percy looked like the picture of a calm and collected athlete after a great competition, but Nico could see the slow burn still in his eyes.

His friends pulled Nico from their spot on the bleachers to rush to Percy's side as the officials congratulated him on his obvious win. Kronos sulked away with his coach.

The ride back to the hotel was loud, the high schoolers excited about their multiple victories in the competition and their day at the convention tomorrow. Nico sat in the back seat next to Percy, he was slumped against the window watching the lights go by. He jumped slightly as Percy slid down next to him and took his hand gently.

"You okay?"

Nico glanced down at their intertwined hands. He shrugged and gently pulled his hand away, turning back to the window. He couldn't deal with Percy right now. He was confused and emotionally drained. Percy was being so kind to him, and when they stopped to eat he kept touching Nico and asking if he was okay. They were small touches, brushing his arm or bumping his shoulder. Taking his hand gently and squeezing it, Nico stopped looking around to see if anyone noticed, they didn't. Percy was being very careful to keep the looks and touches away from prying eyes. Nico was just so confused, he didn't understand, and he hated how much he wanted to cling to the older boy like he had in the change room. His face flushed as he remembered the embarrassing scene. The way he had clung to him and cried against his chest, Percy's legs wrapped around his waist. He pulled his hood over his head and his legs up to his chest; it was going to be a long night.

When they got back to the hotel Nico headed straight to the room without a word to anyone, Percy followed behind with a quick goodnight to the others, Frank and Jason decided to hang out in the lobby and spend some time with the girls. Percy walked slowly into the room and closed the door gently behind him. Nico was sitting in one of the chairs in front of the window, the lights were off. He had changed into his track pants and had his legs pulled up to his chest and his hood over his head. He didn't even glance over when Percy came up and knelt in front of him.

"Please, talk to me Nico. I'm kind of freaking out here. I'm worried about you." Percy pleaded, his voice was quiet but Nico could hear the panic. He ran his hand along Nico's arms causing him to tense up and pull away again.

"Percy...please, I just... I can't. Not now."

"Okay. It's alright; I don't mean to push you. Why don't you go have a shower and then you can crawl into bed. I'll distract Frank and Jason for a while so you can have some time alone to wind down. If you need anything, anything at all, let me know."

"I don't need you to baby me. I'm a big boy Percy." Nico snapped, for once he didn't care that he sounded harsh.

"I know you don't, trust me, I know. I'm being selfish. I just, need to do something. I'll stop pestering you. Go, relax. I'll distract myself another way." Percy stood and stepped away, giving Nico a small smile. "But hey, it was quite a fight thou, am I right?" Nico laughed softly. "See you later Nikki."

Nico winced and glared, "Nikki?"

"I was trying something out." Percy shrugged, "I can find something else." With a smile and a wave Percy slipped out the door.