Trust Me (a Percico Fanfic; Sequel to Letters to Nico)

Chapter 12

NICO'S POV

Nico's eyes widened in shock and his heart slammed against his chest. He could feel the aura of a past life in this kid. No doubt it was Blake. But why now? Why all these horrible memories coming back now? First the man in the hotel and now his old friend...

"Y-yeah. We'll give you a ride. Right, Nico?" Percy stammered, glancing at Nico nervously. The look in his eyes said, "Are you sure you wanna do this?" Nico nodded.

"Yeah, of course," Nico said with a fond smile at the boy. Bad memories or not, he was still one of the most amazing people he had ever met. And that didn't count for nothing. Percy glanced at Nico in surprise then turned back to Blake.

"Okay, what's your adress?" Percy asked as they walked to the edge of the street to get a cab. Blake told them just as a cab pulled up.

The rest of the ride, the three sat in silence. Blake didn't even say a word. However, Nico felt a flicker of pride in his father. Hades must have seen how much Blake had suffered in his final moments, and in the end, decided to give him another chance. But why in the era Nico was living in? Suddenly, this trip didn't seem like just a coincidence. Perhaps they'd been sent there for a reason. Nico decided to share his idea with Percy later.

When the cab pulled up to Blake's flat, they said goodbye to Blake and he ran out and went to his door. The door opened and a woman appeared and Blake disappeared into the entranceway. Fear washed through Nico as the little boy waved to them. That wave was hauntingly familiar.

----FLASHBACK----

Nico giggled as four year old Blake hobbled along side him. Suddenly, Blake gasped and tripped. His friend wailed in pain and tears streamed down his face.

"OWIEEEEEE!" Blake cried. Little Nico, not knowing what to do, wrapped his arms around his friend. Blake's cries fell into shaky whimpering.

"Awe woo otay?" Nico asked, his brown eyes searching Blake's. Blake sniffled then nodded.

"Wes," Blake giggled. Nico held out his hand and Blake took it. Nico helped his friend up.

"Blake! Honey, it's time to go!" Blake looked at his mother, then back to Nico.

"Buh bye Nico!" Blake said. He started to run away before turning back to Nico and pressing his lips against Nico's cheek. "I wuff you!"

Nico smiled wide and waved to Blake. "I wuff you too!" Blake waved, his freckles glowing in the harsh orange light.

----FLASHBACK END----

Nico collapsed into sobs. Percy gasped and a pair of warm arms were wrapped around him. "What's wrong?" Percy whispered. Nico was crying too hard to respond. Percy rapidly gave the cab driver their hotel adress but Nico could barely hear him. His heart broke hard and he couldn't figure out why.

Then it hit him.

"D-damn it," Nico hiccuped. "I-I forgot to take my meds." Percy gave Nico a sympathetic glance but Nico barely caught it.

"I-I'm sorry," Nico mumbled. He sniffled and used his jacket sleeve to wipe away another tear. Percy held him tighter.

"Hey, it's okay. Hey driver, take us to that shopping center up ahead actually. Please," Percy said. The driver grumbled and quickly turned the car. He parked it alongside the sidewalk and Percy and Nico got out. Tears made Nico's vision blurry. Percy grabbed his hand and Nico blindly stumbled after him. He sniffled once again and wiped away the tears.

Nico sneezed when he realized where they were. They were in a pet shop, and it was adoption day.

"Percy... I'm allergic to cats," Nico said with a sniffle. Percy sighed.

"No you aren't. I snuck some secret healing Apollo thingy your water the other day. It was from your ex, Will. He said it would cure all your allergies and he didn't want you to be allergic to cats anymore because... Well the next part was pretty explicit and if I ever see him again I'll kick his ass for so much as thinking about my boyfriend in that way, but long story short you shouldn't be allergic to cats anymore," Percy explained.

Nico remembered Will's blonde hair ruffling in the breeze, his eyes sparkling as he shot Nico a smile. The memory ended with a broken heart.

"Really?" Nico said enthusiastically. Percy grinned.

"Yeah! So you're gonna get a kitty cat. Right now."

"Percy, don't say that. It sounds wrong." Nico flinched as Percy hit him in the arm.

"Pervert," Percy said, barking a laugh. Nico rolled his eyes and walked over to the gated area where many cats roamed.

Nico felt his breath hitch in his throat. A little tortoishell kitten was wandering around, away from the others. She looked so... Lost. Nico scooped her up in his arms and the kitten mewled in alarm. Percy walked up to his side.

"That one? Oh my gods look at her eyes!" Percy exclaimed. Nico pulled her back and couldn't supress a gasp. The little tortoiseshell's eyes were a crystal blue. He had never seen a tortoishell cat with blue eyes before.

"Can I help you?" A woman asked, walking up to their side. Nico nodded.

"Yes. We'd like to adopt this kitten!" Nico exclaimed, holding up the kitten. The woman gave them a sympathetic glance.

"That one? You know why her eyes are blue, right?" the woman said nervously. The boys shook their heads.

"She's blind. It's unfixable and she will require a lot of care... I'm just saying it will be quite a challenge. But because of her disorder, she is only $50 instead of $100," the woman explained. Nico looked down at the little kitten and his lips softened into a smile as she let out a small meow.

"I think we're up for the challenge," Nico said, determination lighting his heart. Percy coughed and looked at him in surprise but didn't protest. The woman handed them the adoption form.

"Okay, well here you go and-" "Wait. Can we get more than one?" Percy interrupted. The woman nodded and Percy ran off. Nico watched and blinked in surprise when his boyfriend returned with a grey, white, and orange kitten. Nico gasped. It was gorgeous.

"Oh, that's a Norweigian Forest kitten. He's $100," the woman explained. Nico and Percy filled out the forms then took their kittens in their carrying cases and walked out of the building. Nico grinned at Percy.

"What are you going to name yours?" Percy asked Nico. Nico glanced down at his gorgeous blind kitten in her cage. She mewled tiredly.

"I think I'll name her Twilight," Nico said after a moment. Percy nodded in agreement.

"Good name babe."

"What's his name?" Nico asked Percy. Percy acknowledged the kitten before replying, "I think I'll name him Bob..." Percy trailed off, tears in his eyes. Nico leaned into him. Percy shook his head violently before smiling weakly at Nico.

Suddenly, Percy set down Bob's cage and unlatched it. He took out the multicolored male and held him up to the darkening sky.

"Say hello to the stars, Bob," Percy whispered.

--------

THE FEELS I HAD WHILE WRITING THIS WERE REAL OMGs!!!!

Agh I love you all so much thank you for 40k+ reads on LTN <3 It means so much like you guys don't even know.

The concept of the letters isn't over. PATIENCE.

Thank you for sticking with me all this time. You guys are truly amazing and have helped me through so much and I love you guys so much.

Until next time,

-Callie