it was so early in the morning, nobody was even awake and the harpies were roaming around, probably searching for some demigods to eat. As we passed by the sleeping Peleus, Nico and I tried to evade the harpies as quietly as possible.

"I thought they were supposed to give us a warm welcome," I grumbled as Nico walked me back to my cabin.

"Shh, can't you keep your voice down?" Nico whispered rashly, bumping his shoulder on mine.

I stumbled a little, "Stop that!" I bump against him too for revenge.

Nico glares at me before bumping into me again. Before I had the chance to bump into him again, we arrived by the cabins and we stood in front of the Hecate cabin.

"Well, good night," Nico smirked, before shadow travelling away.

Huffing, I open the door but as I turned the knob, the door wouldn't open.

I've never heard of locking any campers outside? This is crazy! I started knocking on the door, asking them to open the door for me because I just wanted to sleep, I was absolutely drained.

As I knocked on the door louder, I suddenly hear harpies behind me. I knocked on the door some more, I wanted to try out chanting the magic inscriptions written on the walls, maybe it'll just let me in but I didn't want to risk it.

"Lou!" I whispered, as I continued knocking. But there was no answer.

"Oh for fuck's sake," I muttered as I held onto my backpack before dashing away, just before a harpy grabbed me.

Nico's cabin was on the other side, even if he was the first one who popped into my head, I tried turning the knobs of different other cabins, which were also locked.

Who the hell locks the cabins? Was this Mr. D's idea?

When I got to Nico's cabin, thankfully it wasn't locked of course. I didn't even bother to knock anymore, the harpies were right on my trail.

"What...are you doing?" Nico asked sitting up straight from his coffin bed.

It took me a minute to get a good look at his cabin. I've never been here but wow... absolutely way darker than my cabin for sure. And they had coffin beds, I can already guess that was not Nico's idea.

"The harpies-," I panted "Chasing me— and I.. I had nowhere else to go,"

"You didn't even just try to wake your siblings up?" Nico groaned, his head hitting the pillow again as he laid down.

"I did," I gritted my teeth "They wouldn't wake up. The doors were locked,"

Nico sat up again, "Locked? That's weird they never lock cabins before," I nod at him.

"Anyway please let me stay," I begged, sitting criss crossed on the floor and put my bag on the floor.

Nico sighed, "If we get caught we're getting punished you know,"

"I'll take the burden for you. I don't want to go back outside, I'm too tired," I complained, waving my hands around.

Groaning, Nico nods, "Fine. You take Hazel's bunk. It's that one," He points towards the coffin bed across of his own.

I gleamed and hopped on the bed, "Yes!"

As I laid down, I felt my eyes getting heavier by the second.

"Nico?" I called out softly, sleep slowly lulling me in.

"Hm?" He hummed

"Good night," I murmured

A low chuckle emits from him before he says it back.

"G'night, Treya"

As I slept, I dreamt of my brother. A memory. A fake memory? It was my first day of middle school, and Gavin took me out to eat some ice cream because I felt bad for not making it to the try outs for the soccer team.

It was only the start of me getting interested in sports and during that time I wasn't very athletic. So, it was only natural they didn't pick me. I couldn't even put the shin guard on very well.

Gavin looked younger, but his eyes were kind. They were exactly how I remember them. But honestly, my past was basically scrap now.

Gavin was smiling at me, but before he could say something I was pulled back to reality.

I awoke to soft cries, I thought I was being haunted but I remembered I was back in Camp Half Blood, in Nico's cabin.

I thought I was the one crying. I thought I was the one who woke myself up, because I had the sudden to miss my brother.

But the cries came from Nico. On the other side of the room, where Nico was, he was curled up into a ball and was crying.

Whenever Nico passed out from exhaustion due to using his powers, he would sometimes mutter things, names, just the most random stuff but definitely connected to his past.

Sometimes, I'd feel his fear and his sadness when he slept because he radiated from it. But he's never cried before.

I rub my eyes and walk towards Nico's bed, er, coffin. Again, who thought this was a good idea?

"Nico?" My raspy voice called out, rubbing his arm as he shivered.

I suddenly remember that time when I didn't know what to do because my whole life had been a lie. I wasn't much of a person who dwelled on sadness, but how would you feel when you find out that the people you've been with for your whole life were nothing but illusions?

Anyway, I was sad, okay you get it. The point of the sudden reminiscence was because Nico was there for me. Well, he kissed me. But besides that forgotten incident, he helped me. Why shouldn't I do the same?

Not the kissing part of course, gods I'm such an idiot.

As I gently rubbed his arm, his cries died down, and I thought it finally put him back to a peaceful sleep so I started heading back to Hazel's bed to get more sleep but I was caught off guard when Nico suddenly encloses his arms on my waist.

I hear him breathing erratically as he his arms tightened on my waist. But I also heard my heart rate increase and beat erratically as he did so.

I look around awkwardly, thankfully, Nico was the only person here because it would be awkward to see me blushing around someone who needs comfort.

I turn back, but Nico's grip doesn't loosen. He buries his face on my abdomen, still slightly shaking.

"Hey, you were having a nightmare, I didn't mean to wake you," I softly run my hands through his hair and he presses his face on my tummy even more.

He's like a cat.

"I know, thank you," Nico mumbled against my shirt.

I stood there awkwardly as Nico calmed himself down.

"If you'd like, I can stay here until you fall asleep again," I suggested but I realized how bad that sounded. I gave myself a mental slap and clenched my fists in frustration.

I let out a nervous laugh, "Ha ha, I mean- I don't really mean it. Just a suggestion. I'm stupid like that. It's stupid, please ignore me. Gods, I'm ready to rot in hell," I quickly mumbled

Nico exhales loudly that it sounded like a soft laugh, "I'd like that,"

I stiffened, "W-what?" I didn't want to rot in hell that was just an expression.

Nico unclasped himself from me, and made space on his coffin bed. My eyes widened and my mind was already starting to wander through the dirty gutter.

Di immortales Eretria! Stop that!

"Stay," He gently said, patting on his bed.

I gaped at him, "I was kidding!"

It was dark so I couldn't really see, and maybe my eyes were playing tricks on me, but I could have sworn he pouted. Since when did Nico ever pout? At me of all people? But it disappeared instantly.

"I wasn't," He replied shortly

"Fine," I mumbled, sitting on his bed and gently pushed his shoulders so he could lay back down again. "I'll stay," I added but I sat like I was in an interview, stiff and still.

Nico frowned, "How are you supposed to sleep like that?"

"Er, I'll try?" It was supposed to be a statement but came out like a question

Nico grabbed my wrist and pulled me towards him. Inwardly panicking, I tried to sit back up again but he kept me still.

"Stop struggling," He muttered

"But-"

"Sleep," He cut me off before snaking his hands on my back and pulled me closer. Before I could yell in surprise, Nico faces the other way, and towards the wall.

I was so thankful that Nico turned his back on me. If he saw my face like a tomato he'd probably kick me out of his cabin.

I'm gonna die from a heart attack. Does Nico not know how much of an effect he gave? My gods, he's really gonna be the death of me.

"Nico, maybe I shouldn't-"

"Sleep,"

Huffing, and pretending not to like it, I made myself comfortable next to Nico. I quietly distanced myself away from him because I was afraid he'd hear my ecstatic heart. Slowly, I was brought back to sleep but this time, I had no dreams.

For once, I thank the nightmares. I have achieved the level of Nico giving me a back hug and asking me to stay. That's called development folks. And I should be ready to be kicked out from his cabin when he's completely awake and realized what he's done, but that is totally fine by me.