Collapsing As It Sees The Pain (Percy Jackson)

If You Slip Away

Nico:

He had three broken ribs. One of which went straight through his lung and punctured his heart.

That's why he was coughing up blood and having troubles breathing even after he could've caught his breath. He couldn't, one of his lungs was collapsed.

So I'm sitting there at camp, worried beyond death. Sally still has the kids and no idea as to what happened. Or, she knew. But she didn't know it was Gabe. Chiron never said a name. So she wouldn't know.

He had a team of doctors working on him for a number of hours. But I was sitting outside in the hall, all alone. It was my turn. Even when it isn't, I don't leave. Peter hasn't heard yet. We've managed to keep it quiet. Peter was at home. So if he knows, he's not here.

I ended up falling asleep before Luke showed up, after me being here almost 21 hours straight. I ate. Grover and I ate together.

Luke:

Clarisse and I both went to the infirmary to see if anything has happened. Nico was still there, of course. He wasn't... He refused to leave, I guess. He was worried about Percy more than I'd expect.

I guess that they're friends and all. But it doesn't exactly make sense. It's not like they have a thing. Last I checked, Percy insisted on being single. Grover testified for him. So did Clarisse. And Clarisse knows everything about that.

Which meant that she does know that I sort of like Percy. I mean, I know I do. I just don't want to think that after so long and Percy turns out wasn't bi or gay. He was actually straight. Maybe he had a thing or Annabeth and he's devastated.

I don't know, okay. This is just a pain in the ass, and I was ready to murder that asshole. I don't even know his name. But Percy sure as hell did.

Nico was sleeping when we got there. He still looked worried, though. Which made me feel bad. Gay or not, Nico would be better for Percy than me. Nico has been here the entire time. Waiting. The only reason Grover left was to sleep. I did all the running for them. Now I'm here.

I just don't want it to seem like a competition, you know?

Nico:

I probably slept for an hour before I heard something and woke up.

Luke and Clarisse were passed out next to me. Apollo was talking to Chiron. Chiron told him something about Gabe. I was too tired to figure out what.

Apollo noticed I was awake after Chiron left. It was almost 5, I would say. In the morning, that is. The sun was barely out.

"Hey," Apollo said as he walked over to me, getting my attention. "He's awake now if you want to see him. He asked about you."

Thanking him, I got up and headed to the room I was told to go to.

And, as promised, Percy was awake. When he saw me, he smiled.

We're in these rooms too often.

"When did you get here?" Percy asked me as I sat next to him on his bed. He wasn't sitting up, though. Not yet. That would take some time. Probably a couple days.

"What are you talking about?" I asked, wrapping my arm around him. "I've been here the entire time. Waiting. I wasn't risking leaving and having you wake up while I was gone."

"It's been almost 24 hours." Percy insisted as he leaned into my touch. Also tired. "You looked exhausted? Did you sleep?"

"Yeah, just like not much." I promised. "I was woken up by Chiron and Apollo talking. Apollo told me you were awake so I came back here."