Death by Sea (Pernico fanfic)

Chapter 27: Permission (Percy's POV)

*Lol I'm not dead, I promise*

Free fall

An anchor

Light

Heavy

Suddenly everything is white and I can't see

Blinded

by the light

By something that isn't real

Am I crazy?

****

Nico gripped my hand tightly and looked at me. I could tell his was worried about something so I squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"Are you okay?" I ask him softly.
"Just... not used to flying," Nico replies quickly with a hard glance at our driver.

"Oh, don't worry about it, Neeks," Apollo grinned from the front of the car and looked in the review mirror. "I'm a great driver." I feel my cheeks heat up with anger and clench my jaw tightly.

"You can't call him Neeks," the words are out of my mouth before I can stop them.
"Oh! I'm sorry, Son of Poseidon! Am I making you jealous? Nico looks faithful, don't worry about him," Apollo replies quickly. He flashes us a wink in the review mirror and Nico glances at me. I must look red with anger because Nico's head gingerly falls on my shoulder. I relax under him and Nico doesn't move.

"How long do you estimate it'll take for us to get back to camp?" I ask.

"Not too long, you remember what it's like to ride in my car, right?" Apollo replies with smoothly. Nico doesn't respond and I just grunt in reply. We fall into an awkward silence and I want to just be already back home with Nico. In bed. Sleeping. Maybe more *wink*.

But in all seriousness I was worried Apollo would catch on. I'm not sure exactly if Hades let Nico go with the approval of Olympus, but at the same time, would Zeus turn a blind eye to this because of the hardship put upon his brothers' children? We couldn't be too careful so I was worried.
Nico started to breathe deeper and slower and I gently placed my head on his and closed my eyes.

"Very cute, Jackson," Apollo smirked in the review mirror.
"Wish I could say the same to you."

"Don't be... what's the word you mortals call it? Spicy? Peppery? No, no is it... salty?" Apollo grips the wheel tighter.

"Nice."

"Sorry, wish we could talk more, but it looks like we're back already and this is about as far as I can and should go. Don't wanna get too close to my children, reminds me too much that my youth is very far behind me," Apollo sighs dramatically. He lands the car (instead of parking) and turns to me with a smile.

"Of course," I roll my eyes. "Hey Neeks, we're here." I gently sit Nico up. He drowsily opens his eyes and rubs them like a child.

"What?" He yawns.

"We're going to have to walk a little bit, if you want I can try to carry you," I offer.

"Hmmm.." Nico sighed and I got out of the car. I unbuckled Nico and gave him some of our stuff. He put it on his back and then I turned around for him to climb on me. He wrapped his arms around my neck and his legs around my waist. He squeezed tightly, but relaxed when he realized I had him.

"Thank you Lord Apollo," I say through my teeth.

"Thank you hero of Olympus," Apollo teased and took off quickly. Nico buried his head in my shoulder and I could feel his warm breath on my neck.