are you mine[?]

.dix-sept.

When the clock struck midnight, everyone remaining at the castle dispersed, heading home. Nico un-crowned himself, carrying it awkwardly in his hands.

"How do you manage this?" Nico asked.

"I don't," Patroclus said dryly. "Half the nights, I cried myself to sleep, knowing the events which led to my wearing of the laurel. But in a less depressing stance, you just learn to flow with it."

"Helpful," Nico said sarcastically. "Exactly what I needed."

Patroclus chuckled. "Sorry."

Nico narrowed his eyes jokingly, but wandered the castle with Patroclus, exploring what he hadn't seen before.

"Whoa," he said when he saw the training rooms. "You never told me you had training rooms in the basement!"

Patroclus laughed. "Half the time you're injured," he reminded. "Jami would kill me if she heard."

He rolled his eyes in response.

"Want to spar?" Patroclus offered.

On the wall was a sword with Nico's name on it. It was a normal blade, made for one of Patroclus's guard that wasn't related to the gods. The son of Hades picked up the silver blade, turning it in his hands. Patroclus unsheathed his own sword, raising it in challenge. Nico grinned and swung at Patroclus, testing his new sword.

He adjusted his grip once, then spun it in midair, lowering his stance immediately thereafter.

Patroclus smiled, imagining Nico older, sparring with him as he was now.

He did his own trick, attacking first. Their swords clashed with a screeching sound of metal on metal.

At first, it was a battle of wills, but when Patroclus slowly gained the upper hand, Nico ducked out of the way and swung with a one handed stroke at his side. Patroclus parried and eventually, Patroclus forfeited, both boys breathing heavily.

"You are a good fighter," Patroclus said. "But you could be better."

"I know," Nico gasped. He held his sides, catching his breath.

"We should go to bed, now," Patroclus said.

The boy nodded and they put their swords away, making their way — albeit slowly — to Patroclus's room. To be completely fair, he was beginning to think of it as their room.

But he didn't say so.

}{}{}{

I just wrote this... sorry.