Remember me (pernico)

To infinity and beyond

Nico

I stood in my cabin and let the shadows enclose around me. This is the only place I felt safe. I was home. I slid down with my back against the wall and sat on the floor to let my thoughts invade my mind.

Am I really about to set out with Percy alone?
Don't try anything with him, you know he likes Annabeth.
Don't be stupid.
Keep you head down.
Don't talk too much.
Stay quiet.
Simply go out and get the Demigods then come back to camp and go back to normal.

I rested my chin on my knees and wrapped my arms around my head to try to block out my thoughts. I let out a sigh that turned into a groan. I was nervous, and being a spawn of the underworld...that was saying a lot. I wasn't scared for the quest and who we would encounter, gods I could summon a whole army if I needed to. But I was scared of being alone with Percy.

I heard a familiar voice call from outside my window. I unlocked my door and Leo and Jason barged in.

"Hey champ" Leo said before pulling two small boxes out of his back pocket. He threw one at me and handed the other to Jason. "I got you guys a little parting gift because we all know how much Nico's gonna miss the amazing bad boy supreme and my sidekick mr Grace." He glanced over at Jason and grinned. "Unfortunately I have to spend the next few days with Jason, but I figured these would keep us close together even though we will be miles apart." He smiled, a real smile. The first real smile from Leo that I've seen in a long time.

Jason and I open our boxes and inside lay a small black ring with a silver band down the centre. I glanced at Jason who had the same awe struck look across his face. He pulled out a small black ring, identical to mine except his had a purple stripe down the centre. I flipped my ring over and examined it closer. "Death boy" was engraved on the inside with a small little skull.

"Leo, these are amazing" i whispered still staring at the little black circle I was playing with in my hands.

"Put them on" Leo grinned eagerly. "I have to show you something." I slipped the ring around my ring finger on my right hand and it fit perfectly. Suddenly the small silver line that split the ring lit up. I looked at Leo with a confused look. Jason slid his on after me, and his purple stripe lit up as well. Leo took his hands out of his pockets to show off his own ring that was glowing a bright red. He tapped his ring three times, sending 3 small flashes of light to mine and Jason's rings. Whatever Leo tapped onto his, mine and Jason's rings would mimic. "They're touch rings. You know like those bracelets the mortals have. Except these won't attract monsters." He paused and looked up. "I don't think."

Jason tapped his ring in Morse code which I quickly noticed was the word "idiots". I sent Jason a quick and cold glare and he giggled.

"These are genius Leo, thank you" I said.

Jason began tapping on his ring again and 3 seconds later flashes of grey and red erupted from mine and Leo's hands. 'Thank you' Jason had tapped before grabbing me and Leo by the shoulders and pulling us into a hug. I wiggled to try to get out of his embrace but he kept me held tight to his chest and laid his head on my shoulder. "Jason get off of me, you creep." I screamed. I felt Leo tuck his hand around my waist and whisper "shut up Nico, we won't see you for who knows how many days. Just this once, act like you love us." I accepted defeat and let the boys squeeze the guts out of me.

It was nearing the time we would have to embark on our own ways. The darkness had crept up and swallowed the blue sky. We walked towards the hill that separated the mortal world from our own, and approached 2 figures that stood in the darkness. As we neared Jason released his arm that was hung around my shoulder and turned to me. "Alright man, I'm going to miss you." He said. "First one back with a demigod, gets out of chores for a week" Leo chimed in with a devilish grin. We all laughed. Jason patted my shoulder, flashed his all white smile and headed over to piper. Leo looked at me but the smile on his face faded. "Don't die out there death breath" he said. "I'm being serious". He pulled out a little black MP3 player that looked like he had made it himself, and placed it in my hands, followed by black wired headphones. "Don't worry, it won't attracted any monsters. I just, I know you love music and drowning yourself out and I also know Percy talks a whole dam lot." He smiled. "I pre-programmed a playlist for you with all our favourite songs" he pulled me into a quick hug before releasing. Jason called for Leo, it was time for them to go. "See you later buddy. Come back alive okay? To infinity and beyond." He smiled before walking up the hill to Jason and piper. I laughed at his little toy story remark and looked at the mp3. I flipped it over and ran my hand over a ghost that had been etched into the back.

"Hey" a voice said from behind me. "You ready?"

I turned around and saw a smiling Percy. His eyes reflecting a dark green from the cast of the stars. His hair was messed up and falling out of the sides of a backwards baseball cap. He looked like a typical high school jock. I felt my heart beat a little stronger in my chest. He looked good.

"Yea I guess, let's go" I mumbled not meeting his gaze. He started up the hill and I trailed behind. He had the compass dangling form his pants pocket and a blue backpack strung over his shoulders.

I quickly tapped a "love you guys" to Jason and Leo on our rings. And in response i received a "stay safe". I smiled down at my new ring before running off to catch up to Percy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hi!!

Yes short chapter I know but the bromance was beyond cute 🙃