New beginnings (pernico fanfiction)

Chapter Twenty-Two: On Our Own

~Nico's P.O.V.~

Everyone. Not just a few but the entire camp?
How?
When?!

Sure gossip spread in camp but never as quick as a few hours. Even when the Aphrodite girls hear about a new relationship they tend to chat amongst themselves before sharing with anyone else.

Did everyone involve Hazel too?

Oh no.

If Hazel did know then I could only imagine just how betrayed she felt. Since the two of us originally belonged back in the olden times when homosexuality was considered as a monstrosity, both Hazel and myself had been taught to despise anyone who liked someone of the same sex.
It was only when i met Percy that i realised that i too was one of the monsters i had been told to hate.

I couldn't tell Hazel..
How could i? She was the only family i had left, if i lost her because of liking Percy it would've killed me.. Having to choose between the two people i love most felt like i was getting torn in half.

Yet in some ways i already was. With Hazel i was living a lie...while with Percy i was the true me, and someone actually loved me for it.

"Nico!" A sudden voice stopped my train of thought, bringing me back from my haze and after blinking a few times i refocused on Percy who was looking down at me worriedly.

~Percy's P.O.V.~

Of course i knew that this was difficult for Nico. It was the reason why the two of us were trying to make sure as few people as possible knew about our relationship. Within time we would've told but this was still too soon...

A few people in camp would accept them. But being gay was something quiet a lot of people were afraid to confess too.
The rejection.
The hate.
The pain.
All of it was deadly. Such things could kill a person if they were pushed far enough to breaking point.

Seeing Nico's pale face and panicked eyes i knew that he was beginning to break down inside. We had talked about Hazel, about how Nico wanted to wait a while before telling her. But if the entire camp knew that we were together then she was bound to know by know.

"Nico!" I exclaimed, placing both of my hands on his shoulders, giving his body a gentle shake to hopefully get him out of his trance.
Watching as he recollected himself, i bit my bottom lip gently then looked up at Jason. "..could you give us a moment?" I asked quietly, my gaze shifting from Jason to his sister. "We need to figure out what it is were going to do.." I mumbled, glancing down at Nico who had now hung his head. Raising my eyes once again to look at Piper, i offered a hopeful yet desperate smile "please?".

Giving a nod, Piper laced her arms with Jason's, beginning to guide him back to the front door gently.
"We will be right outside.." Thalia said softly.
Giving a small nod, i looked back down to Nico, holding him gently to my chest, making sure he was safe in my arms.

Hearing the front door close, i brought Nico back to bed without a word and sat him down gently, taking a seat besides him.
"Nic-"

"We have to leave" he whispered.

Eyes widening, i lightly hooked my finger underneath his chin, tilting his head up so i would be able to see his face...

Brown eyes glazed over and brimming with tears made my heart stop. He was terrified. Nico could withstand near enough everything..but as soon as it came to loosing Hazel, he completely broke down.

Bringing him back into my arms quickly, i nodded as i hugged him, letting the smaller male bury his head in my chest.

"Alright" i breathed.