The Quest to save Apollo

Chapter 19 - Festus is his own dragon

Nico's POV
Hazel was right Nico was leaving early but he woke up even earlier it was about 1 am and Nico couldn't fall back asleep. He looked over at Hazel who was sound asleep and figured he might as well pack. He only really needed clothes and a toothbrush and toothpaste but that was about it. Nico gathered his clothes when his hand wondered involuntarily to the Orange Camp Half-Blood t-shirt that was hidden at the back. Nico pulled it out holding the shirt firmly in his hands he brought it up to his nose inhaling the scent of Will that still lingered on it, the shirt smelt like a summers day just like Will always smelt. Nico just stood holding the shirt contemplating what to do with it. After awhile he shoved the shirt into his backpack with his other clothes before going into the bathroom.

Nico hopped in the shower and had a quick rinse since he'd stayed in for nearly an hour the day before. He dried and threw on some clean clothes before brushing his teeth. Nico had only managed to kill an hour and a half so he decided to go for a walk. He slipped out of the cabin closing the door firmly behind him. "Well, well trying to escape?" Nico froze on the spot like a deer caught in headlights when he realised who had said it. He turned slowly to see Percy Jackson standing in pyjama bottoms and a plain grey t-shirt.
"In my defence you're not supposed to be here either." Percy smiled.
"Can't sleep?" He asked and Nico nodded. "Same. In Camp Jupiter I usually have Annabeth with me but here it's against the rules."
"I really didn't need to know that." Nico said a light tone to his voice.
"Hey you want to go on a walk?" Nico didn't see anything better besides he was planning on walking anyway.
"Sure." Nico came down the steps and joined Percy who started walking towards the beach. Nico hung slightly back from Percy and studied him, his black hair blew slightly in the morning breeze, his top showed off his new muscular frame at least on his back and his pyjama bottoms were slightly longer than his legs but sleeping clothes were for comfort. Percy looked behind his green eyes even more vivid in the morning light. "C'mon slow coach."

They finally reached the beach and Percy collapsed in the sand and Nico followed. "Nico are you okay and don't lie to me I know when you're lying."
"I'm okay Perce." For now Nico thought silently.
"Can I ask something?"
"Why not?"
"Answering a question with another question, seems like your style." Percy smirked before continuing. "Did you hate me?" Nico sighed.
"For a long time I did but my sister told me that holding grudges is dangerous for Hades' children and I figured I needed to move on. It wasn't your fault I knew that but I was looking for someone to blame and I guess my feelings for you made me angry too." Percy nodded.
"I hated you too a little." He smirked.
"What? Why?" Nico asked a mock hurt tone to his voice.
"Because you ran away and I thought you'd died do you know how worried I was?" Percy frowned at Nico and Nico could hear the seriousness in his voice.
"I didn't know you cared that much about me." Nico said.
"Are you kidding?" Nico laughed and Percy smiled revealing his laugh lines from smiling and laughing, Nico wondered if eventually he too would have those lines. "When did you grow up?" Percy asked after he stopped laughing.
"I think you know."
"It's unfair, you were forced to grow up way to fast." Percy said sounding regretful. Nico lay back in the sand probably coating his back in sand but he didn't care.
"I think we all grew up too fast." Nico said turning his head to look at Percy who was gazing up at the sky also lying on his back in the sand. Percy chuckled lightly.
"True that."

Nico and Percy lay on the sand talking away for hours until the first camper left their cabin. "You should go get dressed." Nico said realising Percy was still in his pyjamas.
"Oh yeah." Percy said looking down at himself, he sat up in the sand. "If you leave before I can say goodbye I want to say have a good time on Calypso's island and wherever you and Leo go off too."
"Thanks but seriously go get dressed I'll see you at breakfast."
"You're coming to breakfast?"
"If you go and get dressed." Nico said laughing at how fast Percy took off to his cabin. Nico stood up and dusted himself down before the feeling of loneliness overwhelmed him with Percy with him the feeling had disappeared or when he was with Hazel but when Nico was by himself he felt truly alone.