Don't Fall (PJO FF)

32.) Weird

C H A P T E R   T H I R T Y - T W O

PERCY

"I asked one question," I heard Annabeth whisper.

"One question too many," I pointed out as I gazed at Nico's face. He smiled down at me before flopping over on his side and taking my hand in his.

"Does that mean no more questions?" Nico asked hopefully as he leaned closer to me.

"Yeah, Annie," I muttered before I used my free hand to poke Nico's cheek. "No more questions."

I heard her sigh, but I didn't take my eyes off Nico. "I doubt we'd get anywhere if I tried. You're just staring at each other."

"His eyes are pretty," we both whispered.

"Oh, great. Such weirdos, you two are."

"Shut up, Leo. Your weird."

I ignored Leo as he began sprouting reasons to prove he wasn't weird even though we all knew he was. One could not be called Leo Valdez and not associate the word 'weird' in any sentence.

"Will, does he know already?"

"I think...I broke him."

I forced my eyes away from Nico and looked over at Jake who looked at me in confusion.

"So," Jake started. "All of them are...werewolves?"

"Well, not Annabeth and Nico."

"Though I wouldn't touch Nico right now."

Jake frowned even more as he turned to Calypso. "Why? Not that I would, but..."

"Because Percy's been acting weird lately, especially around Nico and we don't want to find out what would happen." Sometimes, I feel like they treat me like a wild dog. And they always talk about me as if I'm not here, such evil beings they can be.

"We could always test it," Leo grinned.

I frowned before I looked at Nico. "No, thanks," Nico replied. "I don't want me and Percy to be guinea pigs to you guys. I don't really have a good feeling about that."

Leo sighed before he leaned his head on Calypso's shoulder. "You guys take the fun out of everything."

"Maybe because we don't have a death wish, Fire Boy," Hazel smiled.

"It's fun seeing Percy mad though. His eyes get all dark and purple and his fangs and claws grow out, kind of how he's looking at me right now."

I tilted my head in confusion before I looked down at my hands and sure enough, my claws had grown sharply. I went to put my hands in my pockets when something cooled got ahold of one. I frowned and looked at Nico who only smiled back at me as he interlaced our fingers.

"Don't hide them away, Percy," he said softly.

"But—"

"Please? I don't want you to feel like you have to hide them. They're a part of you, Percy. Being a werewolf is part of you and if someone doesn't like that, well, fuck them."