Don't Fall (PJO FF)

19.) Trouble

C H A P T E R  N I N E T E E N

PERCY

So, I told him I would. He just seemed so happy about it. Like a kid at a candy store...or when my mom bakes some blue cookies. He really needs to try some of those.

"Hey, you're not doing this just because I asked, right?" He was looking away from me and he sounded unsure and guilty.

"Nico." He looked over at me. "If I didn't want to do it, I wouldn't do it. I know everything that's been happening makes it seem like...I can't say no to you but that's not how it works. It's not something that changes the way I think."

"Yeah, but I still did it," he argued. "I don't like thinking that I took your choices away. I always feel bad when they tell me to make you stop doing something because it's unfair."

"It's fine, really. Most of the things are for when I get out of it. Like yesterday you told me not to go chasing into the woods to catch some animal."

"Wait, an animal?"

I nodded sheepishly. "It seems that the wolf in me is hungrier than I am."

"So that's why they said that during this...time you have to eat."

"Not looking forward to that at all. I'd probably be sick for days afterward."

"You'll be fine."

"Yeah, you can tell me that when I'm laying on the floor, dead."

"Shut up."

"Mmk." I grinned widely as he glared at me.

"So, are you going to shift or are we just going to talk in your cabin for the whole day?"

I shrug. "I wouldn't mind either."

"You say that now," he whispers. I frown but then Nico looks back again. "You ready? Hazel's gonna kill us if we're late."

"I don't wanna go!"

"Oh, quit your whining. No one will even know it's you."

"Except maybe Clarisse," I grumble. I'm still convinced that she saw my eyes, and it's very hard to forget wolf eyes when you see them.

"Just shift already."

"Fine, fine. So mean to me."

"Baby," he grumbles.

I growl at him and shift into a slightly smaller version of my wolf, my bright purple eyes are dimmed so they look even darker.

"I will say this every time, but how could you be so fluffy?" He poked my ear, causing it to twitch. "What was that name Will called you? Shadow?"

I nodded. "Well, then you're Shadow today."

He opened the cabin door and walked out. I hesitated. "Come on, before I grab a leash and collar and pull you out."

I growl at him and take slow steps out of the cabin.

"Percy!" I hear Calypso say as she came up to us. "Hazel wants you at the pavilion."