Death by Sea (Pernico fanfic)

Chapter 12: Good Morning Kiss (Nico's POV)

*I'll get better at this... -_- I'm not messing up the chapter title!*

Chapter 12: Good Morning Kiss (Nico's POV)

I slumped over as Jason looked me up and down.

"You expect me to do... what exactly?" He asked.
"Just... come with us. I'm sorry to ask this of you," I ran a hand through my hair. "Look, I wouldn't ask if I didn't think this was truly dangerous for you, me, Percy, or anyone else."

"I believe you, but I just don't know how well I'll be able to-"
"Look. Just make sure you keep Percy away from the Cabin. He can't go in, we'll get Hazel to board up the windows, I'll be completely locked in with food and a food chute. We'll have preparation and it's going to... be as safe as possible for me," I replied.

"Nico..."
"Please, Jason. I'll let you do anything you want. We'll talk about how gay I am for hours if you'd like."

"Really?"
"Jason! Honestly?"
"I'm just kidding man. You should also talk to Solace. He's a good person to be aware, in case you get injured."

"I will. Thanks Jason. You'll get to see Piper earlier," I smiled. "Won't that be nice?"

"I'm sure it will be. I've missed her," Jason smiled back and clapped a hand on my shoulder which I winced under, but Jason was used to it.

****

Percy came into the fifth cohort and collapsed on our bed. Well, really his bed, but I shared it with him.

"Hey Neeks," Percy sighed. "I'm tired."
"What were you doing?"
"Training. I wanna be ready in case something bad happens with the Shadow," he replied.

"You're... not training to kill me are you?"

"Of course not!" Percy sat up and looked at me. "I'm just... getting ready in case something bad happens, like the Shadow does something where I have to fight it."

"You mean me."

"That's not it!"
"Relax, Percy," I sighed. "I understand what you're doing. I would probably do it too if you were me and I were you."

"That rhymed."
"Can you not be a child for a second," I ran my fingers through my hair and Percy said nothing.
"I'm not exactly one to be serious or anything you know." Percy looked down and clasped his hands together tightly. "I'm someone who hides behind stupid jokes and what little intelligence I have. I'm not going to be able to be the adult you deserve Nico, but I'm going to try okay? And if it means being a kid when I see you too tense, it's what I'm going to do."

"Percy I meant-"
"I'm not finished," Percy interrupted.

"I'm trying to be there for you. I'm going to be there for you. I just need the approval to do what I need to do, if that means tickling you, kissing you, crying for you, dying for you, I'm gonna do it."

"I don't want you to die for me-" I began.
"I understand that you don't want that, but I'm willing to do it for you. I love you, Neeks," Percy finished with tears in his eyes and his hands shaking. I took them in my own hands that were trembling.

"Thank you," I whispered. "I... I've never really had anyone say that to me before. I don't handle these types of things well, I've... never been... never been-"

"I understand." Percy kissed my forehead gently and then pulled his hands away. "I'll go shower now, I'm really sweaty."

"Yeah you stink."

"Thanks, Neeks," Percy rolled his eyes, breaking the spell. I laughed and Percy kissed my cheek chastely. "Your laugh is too cute, Nico."

"Is not!"
"It's like a child's laugh, only better."