Blooming Love [SLOW UPDATES]

Chapter 9

Nico's POV

They stood awkwardly in front of Chiron's desk while he sits in human form, a worried expression, he'd failed to hide, on his face. Nico goes to hide his shaking hands, embarrassed that he was actually showing this scared and vulnerable side of himself, but a stern look from his cousin and mentor bring his trembling hands into view of everyone in the room. Wringing them nervously in his lap the sun of Hades glances around at the two boys standing protectively either side of him, his ragged breathing slowing when Percy places a soft hand on his arm. 

"Okay will somebody please tell me what's going on?!?" Chiron speaks sternly, yet his voice calming the agitated demigods at the same time. 

Nico looks between the two half-bloods, Jason and Percy, willing for one of them to explain. As if sensing what Nico meant when he'd looked in his direction, Percy begins explaining to Chiron what had happened on their way to the Big House. 

All through the explanation Nico watches his feet only glancing up to look at his sister who Frank still holds, his hand in a death grip around her right arm. Her face was withering in anger, eyes turning into slits as she turns redder and redder, her fury growing with every passing second. Nico looks down at his shaky hands once again after catching his sisters eye, guilt and dread flowing through his veins.  

"So yeah that's pretty much it Chiron up until you asked what happened." Percy finishes running a hand through his jet black locks with a sigh. 

More guilt engulfs Nico as he watches  Percy. His eyes are dull and tired, hands running constantly through his hair, an obvious sign of stress. 'It's my fault'  Nico blames himself, tearing his gaze from the green eyes boy beside him. If he can't see the pain he's inflicting then the son of Hades wouldn't be able to blame himself. Of course this doesn't work, leaving Nico sitting in the middle of the room, his chair facing a centaur and two cousins standing protectively either side, full of guilt and paranoia. 

"Nico," Chiron asks softly, snapping the boy out of his irrational thoughts, "do you have anything else to add?" 

Nico shakes his head quickly, almost frantically. Sure he had stuff to add to Percy's vague explanation, like how he found himself in the woods, unable to breathe and wanting to see the blood which had been flowing from his arm the night before. But that was not information he desired to share with anybody at this current moment. Ever in fact. 

"Very well then. Jason you are excused to go see Mr Valdez," Chiron announces to he blonde demigod who sighs and hurriedly leaves. "Percy would you be so kind as to help Frank take Roxy to the infirmary and tell Mr Solace what is happening. I will meet you both there shortly."

Percy looks to the centaur hesitation flickering through his eyes. "What about Nico sir?"

"Nico will be fine here with me, I just need to have a word with him and then we will meet you in the infirmary." Chiron explains softly in hope to reassure the son of Poseidon. 

Still hesitant Percy takes one of 'Roxy's' arms and helps Frank lead her away. He sends a reassuring smile to Nico, who's hands had begun shaking and scratching at his arms once more.

It was only Chiron and Nico left in the office. Chiron had been staring intently at Nico ever since the others had left, which felt like an eternity for the overly anxious son of Hades.  

Finally the centaur begins to speak,  his brown eyes boring into Nico, attempting to gain eye contact. 

"Nicholas why did you run?" 

Nico glances up from his feet for the first time since Percy had left. What was he supposed to tell his mentor? That he was weak and scared? Demigods can't be weak, and a son of Hades doesn't get scared. He'd be a humiliation. Or maybe he could tell him that he wanted to feel the knife against his skin once more and that he was scared of what would happen if anyone found out? No he couldn't tell him that either.