are you mine[?]

.dix-huit.

"Nico you can't go alone," Patroclus said firmly.

The fourteen-year-old son of Hades gave Patroclus a challenging look. "Do they trust you?"

"Do they trust you?" the king asked, dodging the question.

"Quit it."

"They know me as an honorable king, Nico. They know you as the 'Ambassador of Pluto'. I'm coming."

"No. Go to Camp and help them with the ship if you're so desperate to do something."

"It's June, you idiot. They're probably already done with it."

"Sailing to the rescue?" Nico suggested. "It's fine. Besides, I'm going to search for the Doors of Death after I drop by, anyway. You can't go into the Underworld like I can."

Patroclus hit the wall. "What if you die?"

"I won't," Nico assured him.

"They never let you be famous and happy, Nico. If you choose to search for the Doors, you're going to be famous and dead."

"Oh, yeah, very comforting!" Nico threw his pack on the bed. "You always need to be in control, huh? Miya, Cleo, Henry, and Jami are back, so you need to control something else, is that it?"

"Why would you even think that of me?" Patroclus snapped. "I'm just trying to protect you!"

"I don't need your stupid protection!"

"I did!"

Patroclus's emotional outburst of tears stopped Nico in his tracks.

"I did," he said quieter. "But no one was there for me. I'm just trying to keep you safe, Nico. Why can't you see that?"

The son of Hades hesitantly reached out to hug his crying counterpart. Patroclus accepted the contact, pulling Nico in to his chest gently, like an oversized teddy bear.

"I'm sorry," Nico mumbled.

"Me too," Patroclus whispered. "I hate when we fight."

"Me too. But I have to go. If you go on the Argo II, then you'll see me again when you arrive there."

"Please don't go," Patroclus begged.

"I have to. I don't want to, but I do."

Nico extracted himself from Patroclus's grip, pressing a light kiss to the top of his head. Patroclus reached after him weakly as Nico picked up a charm and headed out the door.

For the first time since Nico tumbled into his throne room, Patroclus was alone. Emotionally distant, he supposed.

Now, he told himself, he would go to join the Argo II's crew.

}{}{}{

... I'm sorry everything is late today. But I was in a pride parade, so...