Death by Sea (Pernico fanfic)

Chapter 7: Cuddles (Percy's POV)

Percy's POV

Annabeth and I sat in New Rome, watching some kids. She doesn't speak for a long time, she doesn't even open the thick book she's supposed to finish before school starts in two weeks.
"What is going on with Nico...?" she finally asks. She looks at me and I sigh.
"I don't know."

"I don't know if Nico even knows what's happening to him," Annabeth says slowly.
"What do you mean?"
"Children of Hades have... issues."

"I have issues, but kids of Poseidon don't have such a bad rep," I retort.
"Yes, but... here, let me try to explain," Annabeth takes a deep breath and pushes some hair out of her face.
"Nico has... a 'curse' like Hazel did," Annabeth explains. "His is something he can't control, kind of like Hazel, except it's slightly different in the way that Nico inflicts this pain himself."

"What the frick does that mean?" I snap.
"It means that he can become possesed by something and kill people, Percy! I don't want you to be around him anymore... at least until he can control it or-"

"Nico is fine, Annabeth," I insist. "He is just dealing with shit and doesn't know what to do! He needs people Annabeth!"
"I know, but that doesn't have to be you, Percy! He has hidden hatred towards you, you know that. He may think he doesn't hate you, but you know there is something in him that will always hold Bianca's death against you," Annabeth sighed.

"No! He told me he forgave-" I begin.
"Alright, even if Nico forgave you," Annabeth interrupted angrily, "whatever posseses him will use it to get Nico to hurt you!"

"You don't know that!" I yell.
"He said you weren't his type! He came out to Jason before you! Don't you understand? He doesn't trust you!" Annabeth replies with frustration seeping into her voice.

"Coming out is hard Annabeth! Besides, Jason told me it was practically forced out of him with Cupid!" I snap.
"It doesn't matter," Annabeth dismisses me. "You don't know what you're going to be up against if you stay near him."

"Neither do you!" I accuse her.
"True, but I would take the necessary steps to make sure it won't ever get to that point, unlike you!" Annabeth stands up. "You know what Percy? I'm going to walk to see Reyna, I want to talk to her about some of the buildings here. Do not follow."

"Annabeth..." I begin.
"Don't follow Percy," Annabeth yells and walks away. I slump in the chair and look out at the little kids chasing some birds. I don't know what this will mean for Annabeth's relationship with me, and I don't know how it will affect mine with her, but I do know that we've been through too much together to stop talking to each other for long. It will work out, maybe not in the result of us getting back together if we break up.

****

I walk out of New Rome and knock on the door to the fifth cohort. I don't know what I'll say to Nico, but I do know we have to talk about his... 'curse', if not for his sake, for mine.

"Hey... Nico?" I ask. He's sitting on his bed with his sword next to him, sheathed and he's looking out the window, cross legged. His back is facing me and I come up slowly. I sit next to him, my back facing him.

"Jackson," Nico returned.
"How's it hanging?" I asked.

"I haven't hung anyone. Actually though, there were a couple people who hung themselves today..." Nico says quietly. "I don't wish that kind of death on anybody."
"I... meant how are you?" I tried to repair.

"Oh. I'm fine," Nico also tried to smile. "You? How's it going with you?"
"I... wanted to talk to you," I say, looking down at my hands. Nico snorts.