The Hidden Hero (Heroes of Olympus/ Percy Jackson fanfiction)

Untitled Part 8

"Hali," Will said in his no nonsense doctory voice that always made me want to giggle, "Do you feel up to going to the dining pavilion with Nico? I would go with, but I'm still needed here." he said, reffering to the Stroll's latest chariot accident.

"Yup," I said as I pushed myself up and out of the little hospital bed. The only problem, was that I hadn't exactly been doing much standing or getting out of bed for that matter over the past three days while I heeled, so as soon my feet hit the ground, I started to fall. Before my brain even had the chance to process what was about to happen, Nico had reached out and grabbed me around the waist.

Will and I exchanged a look of astonishment at just how out of character that gesture was. Over the past few days, Nico and I had become pretty close, but I knew he wasn't a fan of physical contact. I had noticed how people always seemed to shy away from him, as though they feared him. At times it felt a bit like Will was the only reason he stayed. The only problem was, Will always had people to look after, leaving Nico alone a lot. Just like me. I didn't know anyone, and the only people who tried making friends with me just wanted to talk about Percy, and tried sucking up to me so that they could befriend his royal highness when he returned.

I think Nico appreciated having someone who felt comfortable around him, and I enjoyed having someone who didn't care who I was related to. "Thanks," I said as I steadied myself, he knew I meant for more than just catching me. In typical Nico style, he didn't reply verbally, but he gave me a slight smile that made me want to smile, but I kept it toned down, not wanting to make him feel awkward by making too big of a deal about it.

Will on the other hand went for a full blown smile, his face basically read: "My boyfriend has a friend! Yay! Yay! Yay! Yay!Yay!" "Nico, will you please make sure Hali gets to the dining pavilion safely," He said trying to compose himself, "And Hali, can you make sure he eats."

Looking at Nico, I could see just how smitten he was over the blonde boy. I hobbled over to the dining pavilion almost sort of nearly entirely by myself. I followed the strange tradition of throwing some of the meal into a fire. At first I thought it was a strange habit, but then I realized what a brilliant weight loss technique it was. Your eyes get to eat as much as they want, but then you only eat some of it, and give the rest to daddy dearest.

Nico sat down at Poseidon table with me, which naturally raised a few eyebrows, but hey, everyone was so petrified of him that no one dared make a comment. I couldn't help but wonder if their looks were as a result of Nico breaking the rules, or Nico having a friend. I waited for the hype around us to die down before talking.

"Thanks," I said when I was sure that no one could hear us.

"What for?" he mirrored my hushed voice, but not too hushed as too attract attention.

"For not being completely Percy-mad like everyone else in this camp," I said with a sigh, despite the amount I complain about it, this was the first time I had ever voiced my struggle with my older brother (to someone who wasn't in my head at least).

"I used to be," Nico confessed,"But I guess he's not my type," the corners of his lips twitched in that Nico styled almost smile, as that the phrase had a memory attached to it.

"Unlike Will," I'm not entirely sure why I said that, it just seemed to pop out of my mouth.

Nico's eyes bulged, and his mouth hung open. "Did he tell you?"

"How long have you been two been together?" Anyone could tell that they were more than just friends with mutual crushes. I moved around the table to sit right next to him so as to really be sure no one could hear us.

"Three years," His cheeks flared red, a strange sight on someone who looked dead most days.

"Why do you keep it a secret if it's been so long?" I knew that I was pushing my luck, Nico was not the sort to share too much about himself, but I knew it would be a long time before I would get the opportunity to ask again.

A shadow crept over his face and I wondered if I had crossed a line that I knew I shouldn't have. We sat in silence for nearly a minute before he finally spoke. "I grew up in a time where homosexuality was not as accepted as it is today," his words seemed to make the air around us grow heavier.

"When was that?" I asked jokingly, trying to lighten the mood, "the 1960s?"

"30s" he said with a face dead of expression.

I wanted to burst out laughing, but the look in his eyes told me he was not joking. "So what, does Camp Half-Blood have a TARDIS lying around?"

He gave me a look that could have sliced through the confidence of even the greatest heroes.

"It's-um from Doctor Who," I tried to focus on the floor while still burying my face behind a curtain of dark hair.

"Do you by any chance know Leo Valdez?" I dared glance up at him, and saw that his expression had somewhat softened.