How to save a life (Percico/pernico)

Chapter 16: Home

Nico's pov- Tuesday

He knows. Oh gods. He knows I like him. That was the only thing on my mind as I walked back to my cabin yesterday. Actually, more like hobbled with my crutches. I walked without them all day Sunday and boy was I paying for it. Yesterday evening, i had asked Percy to teach me how to swim (A/N: did any of you catch what I meant by the last sentence? If you get it, I'll dedicate the next chapter to you) Why I did that? I don't know. I felt like I had to do something. I can't explain it. So now, I'm stuck doing swim lessons with Percy after my ankle heals up in.... One week? Two? Jake told me it depends. Jake.. Percy asked about the bruises yesterday. I just couldn't bring myself to talk about it. He's not picking on me as much anymore. I deserve everything he does to me. Hopefully Percy doesn't bring up again. He seemed pretty mad at me for letting myself get beat up like the little weakling I am. Wow. I just depressed myself. I'm playing checkers with Annabeth. She's winning but she's not rubbing it in my face like Percy. I like playing checkers with her much better.

"So.." she says. "Did he ask you yet?" I shot her a glare but she only laughed. "What? I'm just asking."
"He's not going to ask me. He doesn't like me" I said. "Of course he does. It's so obvious. Everyone knows it but him. I made a comment about him needing to ask someone to the dance and he thought i was talking about me. As if!" I just let Annabeth rant on and on until finally she snapped me out of my thoughts. "You're not listening to a word i say. But i don't blame you. I'm pretty boring"

"It's not that. I just got lost in thought." i said.
"What are you thinking about?"
"It would be shorter if i told you what i wasn't thinking about" i gave her a small laugh. She smiled at me and laid her head in my lap. Subconsciously I start playing with her hair. "Why is he so oblivious?" i ask her.
"I don't know." she said. "but i know he loves you. I may not be a love expert but i know how to read people. I've spent my whole life getting that down. There's no getting past me." i laughed.
"No wonder Leo was scared of you." she smiles at that. "I'm not scary" i look at her and smile back. "You judo-flipped Percy. You scare the Ares Cabin. You're scary"

"So if I'm scary, what does that make clarisse?" we snickered. The day just went on like that. It was nice. I didn't have to deal with any stress. Any people. I didn't even have to go see Jake today and my ankle is healing nicely. My thoughts eventually ended up drifting to Percy, and the others, but mainly Percy. We were supposed to have a bug sleep over last night but it didn't happen.

Connor and Travis filled Percy's cabin up with feathers. He and I spent the whole night picking them all out of his cabin. Which is why, as Annabeth was talking, I drifted off to sleep.

Nico's dream

I was back in Tartarus, drifting and helplessly lost. I had no idea where I was going but anywhere was better than there. Those things. They were there. I don't even remember what they called themselves but I could never forget their icy eyes. They always seemed to catch me. Every time I thought I was safe, they'd catch up. I'm never safe. Not here.

After a little while, I came across a cave. Exhaustion weighing heavy on my shoulders, I looked around briefly before sitting down and falling sleeping. I awoke to a sharp pain in my shoulder blade as I hit the floor. I looked into her eyes and fought back a scream. I scrambled to get myself up but she grabbed my arm. "Shhhhh," she whispered in my arm. "It's alright now. You're home" those weren't her words. "Nico. You're alright now. You're home. It's okay. Nico. Nico wake up"

I woke with a start, causing me to collide heads with Annabeth. "Oww" we both said in unison. I look around me and start freaking out. Breathing got harder. I felt my heart beat pick up it's pace. I was having a panic attack. I curled myself in a ball and covered my ears. Breathe Nico. I can't breathe. It was just a dream. A dream that actually happened.

"Nico?" Annabeth asked sounding scared. "Oh gods. What do I do. What do I do" she tried talking to me. It didn't work. I just sat there. Completely oblivious to what was going on around me. "Nico" a voice said. Percy. I couldn't move. "Nico, it's Percy. It's okay now. You're home. You're safe"

"I'll never be safe. S-she told me I would never be safe. They'll always f-find me. Always." I get out. And just like that, a pair of arms are around me. I tense up and try to get free. I scream and struggle until he lets me go. "Nico. It's me. It's Percy. Look at me" I don't move. "Nico, look at me" he says a little stronger. But still soft. I look up at him.

"I'm going to hug you now. Just know it's me and know that you're okay." i nodded. He pulled me into his chest and I wrapped my arms around his waist. "Nico, I want you to do something for me. Breath in for four seconds" I do as he says. "Now hold it for seven, and let it go for eight. There. That's it. Keep doing that." Things went on like that for awhile until I eventually calmed down.

Once I was calmed down, he put me on his back, grabbed my crutches and carried me back to his cabin. I was feeling slightly better, but I really didn't feel like talking. When we got there, everyone was there for the sleepover. We watched a few movies and ate popcorn and candy. Eventually everyone was settling in for bed.

By the time everyone went to sleep it was about two in the morning. Percy stayed up with me. We didn't talk. We just laid there. His hand rubbing little circles into mine as if to remind me that he was here. And I was here. I was safe. And I was home. Home. The concept felt foreign but right. I was home.

Hello my fishiez. Two updates in two days from mwah?(yes I know that's not how its spelled) This is new. Things are going great for the characters in this story. Are they not? It won't last long. Bwahahaha *laughs evilly* wanna know what? I guess you'll just have to wait for the next chapter and see.
~Skye