Tether // percabeth

chapter fifteen: is this love?

NICO'S POV:

  I woke bright and early to find Will already putting out the fire we had built with the rotting wood we found. I rubbed my eye sleepily before standing. I made my way to where Will was finishing up, sitting in front of the smoking wood. I heaved a sigh, dropping my head into my hands. I felt Will's hand fall onto my back, and he started to trace comforting circles. His warm hand rubbing against my spine made me take a deep breath, and I wondered what this thing I was feeling meant. Is this how Annabeth felt whenever she was in Percy's embrace? Or am I reading too much into this? Am I overreacting?

  My thoughts were interrupted by Annabeth and Blackjack walking over to us. 

  "Are we ready to go?" Annabeth questioned as she stretched her arms above her head, and Will nodded. Will and I stood and followed them towards the door that we came in from. We were met by a blow of freezing air as Annabeth swung the door open. We all collectively shivered before Will quickly moved to push against the wind, and closed the door.

  I turned to Annabeth, "You are not going out in that, no way." and she opened her mouth as if to argue, but Will cut her off before she could.

  "No way, Annabeth." He echoed. Her mouth closed into a thin line, her brows furrowing in anger.

  She crossed her arms with determination, " What about food, we don't have enough to last until it warms up." 

  "I'll take Blackjack out and we'll find some." I played back. Blackjack whinnied, shaking his head, I guessed he was complaining about the cold. Annabeth's eyes flashed with a spark of anger. I knew that she didn't like being holed up like this, but it's what's best.

  "It's not safe out there," My eyes dropped to her stomach. "For either of you." 

  She visibly softened at my words, and her hand unconsciously wrapped around her abdomen. She stood like that for a moment before sighing, dropping her head.

  "Okay. Just promise you'll be safe, alright?" 

  I nodded my promise before turning to Will, "Watch out for her, I'll be back as soon as I can." and though he looked worried he nodded once. At that, I turned and opened the door, and Blackjack and I walked out into the sharp cold of the winter.

  Once we cleared the trees I got onto Blackjack's back, and he took off towards the rising sun. We flew until I was able to see a cluster of lights in the corner of my eye. I turned my head to get a better view and saw a small town, but even from here, I could see a market at the center of the group of buildings. 

  "Let's go there." I pointed before I gripped his mane tighter, preparing myself just as he swooped down. Blackjack dropped off on the low roof of the tiny store, and I hopped down.

  "Fat load of help this does me, horse," I say looking over the edge. Blackjack shook his head and I snickered. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he glided down to the alleyway next to the store. 

  "Stay here and wait for me, ok?" I asked, and Blackjack bobbed his head in agreement. I walked through the automatic doors into a store that seemed empty other than a one-direction song playing on the overhead speakers, also an ancient woman behind the counter. The old lady eyed me through her tiny spectacles that fell to the tip of her nose, but since I figured having a customer must be rare here I thought nothing of it. I really should have thought something of it though.

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                                                                                     A/N

( hey guys I am sososososo sorry for the really long wait! it has been a super busy couple of weeks, and I just haven't had much motivation :( but I'll try harder for the next chapter now that things have calmed down a little:) hope you guys enjoy this filler chapter! and have an amazing day!)

                                                                           -Livinginvibes

                                                                          word count: 693