far away in space or time

What had he signed himself up for? He was weak and in terrible condition. First it was Tartarus, then it was getting trapped in the jar, and now this: carrying a forty-feet-tall statue across the Atlantic Ocean? Nico wasn't sure if he was up for the challenge.

But when Nico heard Percy doubting his abilities, he couldn't stop the words that were coming out of his mouth. He was so eager to prove the son of Poseidon wrong that he hadn't realized what danger he was about to put himself in until moments after.

He was feeling resentful and that shocked him. Nico could do it, he had to do it. Not only was Percy counting on him, this stupid statue would play a major role in winning against Gaea.

Besides, this would be a great way to get away from him. Knowing that Percy had survived had left him ecstatic, but he knew that being around him would leave Nico feeling more pain than what he was already experiencing.

At sunset, Nico decided it'd be better if he began preparing the Athena Parthenos for the trip. He was staring absently into the distance while tying ropes around the statue, mind blank.

"Thank you,"

It was the person whom he wanted to get away the most from...

"What for?" Nico cringed internally, his voice was steely and guarded. But truly, he felt like he would break down crying right then and there.

"You promised to lead the others to the House of Hades," Percy's gaze pierced through him. Nico quickly broke eye contact and looked away.

"You got me out of that bronze jar in Rome. Saved my life yet again. It was the least I could do." You do that and so much more.

"Also, you visited Bob..."

When the titan had just lost his memory, Nico felt bad for him. It wasn't like he had many friends in the underworld and Bob was a good guy. He could relate to the feeling of being alone, so he had made sure Bob had a place to go.

"You convinced Bob that I could be trusted, even though I never visited him. I never gave him a second thought. You probably saved our lives by being nice to him."

Well, when you learn to trust someone, you're bound to spill some secrets here and there. In fact, it wasn't Nico who outright told him, Bob had actually connected the dots himself only asking Nico for confirmation.

It also hurt when Percy had said 'our lives' with such ease. Like if his life and Annabeth's life were tied together. Like they would never be separated.

But then again, it wasn't like it was something Nico didn't already know. This just reaffirmed his agony...

"Yeah, well, not giving people a second thought... that can be dangerous." Nico said, referring to his own experiences. Of course, Percy didn't understand.

"Dude, I'm trying to say thank you."

Nico forced out a laugh. "I'm trying to say you don't need to. Now I need to finish this, if you could give me some space?"

Nico didn't want him to go, he deeply wished for Percy to stay and really ask him what was going on. Part of him wished that Percy would know immediately what was wrong and reciprocate his feelings. But Nico never allowed himself to hope. He had learned that false hope would just bring more disappointment in the end.

"Dude, I-okay, I understand." Nico was glad, he wanted to be left alone. But Percy didn't leave. He stayed there watching as Nico's fingers tightly secured the ropes. Under different circumstances, he'd love the fact that Percy was finally paying attention to him, but now, the atmosphere was just awkward, Nico's words left hanging in the air.

"Hello?" Nico asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable.

"I-uh, sorry. I guess, the memories are still fresh." Nico knew what he was talking about and mentally facepalmed himself. Of course, how had he been so inconsiderate when Percy had just survived one of the worst places to exist?

"Okay,"

"Anyways, man, are you sure you can do this? I'm worried for you,"

"Percy," Nico let out an exasperated sigh. "I can do it. Like I said, I've changed. Shadow travel doesn't affect me like it used to, now if you could please give me some space..." Nico refrained from using an irritating tone, but Percy's worry for him was starting to get on his nerves. He could do, sure he had never tried such vast distances, but he had already volunteered for the quest. It was too late to back out now. If he stayed, what use would he be to the seven?

"I'm sorry Nico, I-just. I want to be a better friend. Going into Tartarus made me see how shitty I treated you after the war. I want to correct my mistakes, I'd like to be someone you consider a friend," Percy pleaded. But, oh how Nico wanted that and so much more.

"Percy,"

The truth is, they used to be friends. Even though Nico was hopelessly crushing on Percy, they were actually people who could be there for each other. They never had a massive fight that ended their friendship, Nico had liked to think it was Percy who became distant. And yes, it was true that Percy spent less time with Nico due to his newfound relationship with Annabeth, but he was still willing to spend time with him. It took time to admit that it had been Nico who had pushed himself away. And call him a coward, but Nico had begun fearing that Percy no longer cared for him when he had such a beautiful girlfriend. Nico had to leave. That and Percy's sudden disappearance. There was simply no time or effort on Nico's part to save their friendship in the midst of another war.

"Please Nico, open up. I'm here for you." Percy whispered.

"Percy, I'm doing fine on my own." Nico snapped back coldly.

"I-okay. I'll go," With that, Percy left.