Nico slammed his sword into Percy's,creating a loud metallic clang.
Percy's sword was pressed against Nico's so hard that he almost fell backwards.

Sweat dripped into his eye.

Nico pushed back harder on Percy's sword and thrust him back,and swung his own sword again.

He very carefully,but quickly twisted the sword out of Percy's hand. Percy stumbled backwards,and fell over. He scrambled to grab his sword but Nico held him at swordpoint and said, "I beat you,Jackson. Three second rule,remember?" Then he held out his hand for Percy,who gladly took the help,grabbing Riptide from the ground.

Nico felt himself blush as Percy stood fully up,extremely close to him for a second.

Nico sighed. Percy was going back to the Posiden cabin tomorrow. He had to go in the afternoon tomorrow,but he was still hit by a pang of lonliness when he realized. It felt so nice having someone with him,someone like Bianca or Percy. God,Nico missed Bianca. He shook himself,to the confusion of Percy,who was right next to him. "What's wrong?"

He shrugged,trying to act like it was nothing. "I just...miss Bianca."

Percy stayed quiet,though it was strained and painful rather than awkward.

Nico realized. Percy still blamed himself for Bianca's death?

"Hey."

Percy stared into Nico's eyes,seeming as if he was trying to say something without words,without facial expression,but...didn't want to say it.

After a second Percy awkwardly jerked his hand away from Nico's and looked away. Nico,hating that he had to be the one with more courage here,slid his hand over Percy's,holding it tight and never wanting to let go.

Nico felt his heart beat more than just a little faster as he and Percy leaned against each other,the sun setting.

Percy scooted slightly closer to Nico,and was relieved that he didn't comment on it. He wanted to leave and run and stay right there all at the same time. Percy blushed as he noticed Nico glance at him from time to time. Honestly,he was doing the same,but...

Well,he had no real excuse,but he just felt happy looking at Nico. Percy slid his right hand out of Nico's,and put it around his shoulder. Percy felt Nico's hand slide to Percy's left hand. His heart pounded with no hope of explanation,or ever stopping.

Nico leaned his head against Percy's chest.

Percy felt his face heat up quickly. He felt so...nervous. But in a good way. He leaned his head on top of Nico's,and felt himself instinctively relax.

Nico's face was burning red by now,but he ignored it,wanting to stay there.

His heart almost stopped as Percy slowly moved a strand of Nico's hair aside. Nico stared into Percy's sea green eyes and he was sure his heart pounding was so loud that Percy could hear it... Ugh. And there was Percy's shy,damn near perfect smile.

Nico suddenly slapped himself.

"Hey! What the fuck was that?!"

"This thing called nerves."

Percy facepalmed. "Just...please don't."

Nico grinned jokingly. "What's wrong,Jackson? Wish i did that to you instead?"

Percy laughed,then said, "Wait not really right?"

He shook his head. "How did you even pass fourth grade with little to no emotional intelligence...? And yeah,i say that to a 16-year-old."

Percy half collapsed laughing. "Yeah,just...just a minute." he said,tears coming to his eyes from how hard he was laughing,then he took a deep breath and stopped laughing.

"Yeah,my emotional intelligence is really low,but honestly-" Percy burst out laughing again. "You do know i didn't pass any grades,right? I just got kicked out."

Nico stared at him. "Huh. Dyslexia does no favors,does it?"

"Nope...not really."

After the sun had fully set,it seemed Nico had too. He was asleep,leaned against Percy's arm. Percy sighed,trying his best to fend off a blush as he picked Nico up and carried him to the Hades cabin. Nico's eyelids opened softly when Percy shut the cabin door.

Nico felt himself blush. "Uh...you do know i can walk right?" Percy stopped,blushing hard. "I didn't want to wake you up."

"Oh...thanks,i guess..." Nico felt his heart beat so hard that he swore Percy could probably hear it from a mile away.

Percy awkwardly set Nico down on the bed. "Night,Nico."

"Night,you idiot."

After Nico had fallen asleep,Percy just watched him for a minute,then shook himself,took earbuds and his phone out,playing a random song.

Oh. Cinderella snapped...? Damn,this would be embarassing for Nico to catch me listening to.

But...it was his favorite song on here besides Numbers.

Percy yawned,hoping it wasn't too late,but he wouldn't be able to sleep anytime soon.

The music was still blasting in his headphones when Nico tapped his shoulder. "You should sleep soon."

Percy said something really witty like: "Wha-you're awake...?"

Nico sighed. "Damn,would you just show me your playlist already? If it's good enough to keep you up till 3:00 AM it must be pretty good."

"Uh...you probably wouldn't like it that much..."

"Oh,just hand it over so i say that for myself." Nico took the phone and scrolled through the songs. "Damn,whose playlist you using? Mine?"

Percy blushed. "No...i just made it...it's a private one,some people just get weird about my music tastes..."

Nico scrolled a bit more,and said, "Huh. Only one on here i haven't listened to. Can i?"

"Uh,sure." Percy handed Nico an earbud. "Here." Nico blushed at having to lean against Percy so that the earbud didn't straight up fall out.

Percy's hand brushed Nico's lightly as he took the phone and he looked away awkwardly,but smiled. "So,like the song,Di Angelo?"

He blushed. "Yeah...kinda violent for a love song,though,huh?"

"Yeah."

It had been almost an hour,and Percy said, "Okay,Nico. I get that i just introduced a new music artist to you,but you seriously need sleep."

Nico sighed,and took his earbud out. Percy pressed the off button on his phone,and laid next to Nico,falling asleep immediately.

Hey yall!~ I'm listening to numbers by temporex and it's the most relatable song- but right now i'm just here to say i hope you liked the chapter and please leave a review~~~