Chapter 15

~Percy's POV~

"Thanks." Nico's voice was quiet as he looked at the ground, not meeting my gaze. I frowned, before walking over to sit next to him. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

"Nico?" He looked up, shoulders slumped.

"I-is that what you meant by atonement?" He nodded slightly, the expression on his face unreadable.

"They...they come every night. For the sacrifice. If I don't...they punish me."

Putting an arm hesitantly around his shoulder, I felt Nico stiffen for a second before sort of leaning into me.

"It started just after the war. They came every night, at first to greet me and find out who I was. I trusted them, they seemed...friendly. I thought maybe my dad sent them. But then... I confessed one night, and then...well, a week later, this started."

He sighed. "I...You shouldn't have interfered, though." I cocked my head. "Why? No one deserves to go through that." It was true. The horrible things he'd gone through tonight, gone through every night, I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy, let alone my...let alone Nico.

Wait. What had he said...? I turned to him. "What do you mean, confessed?" Nico turned away, dark hair sweeping over his eyes. "I...I'm like you."

My heart lifted and my eyes widened, torso leaning forward slightly.

"I-I'm g-gay." He whispered.

I grinned, leaning forward and hugging him. It was strange, you would've thought Nico smelled like bones and death, but as I hugged his bony shoulders, the scent of vanilla filled the air.

Nico stiffened in surprise, before hesitantly wrapping his arms around me. "T-thanks, Percy." He yawned quietly, and I noticed for the first time the giant purple bags under his eyes.

"Listen, being gay isn't bad. It isn't wrong. Nor unnatural, or anything like that. We're human beings too."

He sighed, not meeting my eyes. "Uh huh." Nico stifled a yawn before shaking his head. "I'm sorry. It's just... I do deserve it."

"Sleep." I knew wasn't going to get anywhere with this just yet, and why push the guy? I lifted him up, marveling at how light he was. His bones were sticking through his skin. Nico shifted a bit as I put him flat on the bed, pulling the comforter over him. "What if they come back...?" He whispered sleepily. I smiled grimly down at him. "Then they'll have me to deal with."

I stood, turning to give him space, when the son of Hades grabbed my hand. "Thanks, Percy. Really."

I turned and looked at him. His raven bangs swept across his pale forehead as he looked at me earnestly with eyes of pure black. "D-do you think you c-could..." Smiling, I nodded slightly. I understand.

The bed sank beneath my weight as I sat beside him, leaning against the pillows as his eyes shone gratefully. Then he shifted again, and after a while, began to snore softly. It didn't last long. About half an hour later, Nico began to toss and turn, whimpering a bit as he scrunched up his face in pain.

Uh, what do I do in times like this? Hesitantly, I slipped an arm around his bony shoulders and cradled him, pulling his warm body to mine. Quieting instantly, Nico snuggled into me, long ivory arms wrapping around my waist as I shifted into a more comfortable position, one arm around his back and another lying on his stomach as I lay back, gently sweeping his fringe away from his face. Nico smiled a bit, pushing his face into my side. Honestly, you'd think I was his personal teddy bear!

Although seeing as it was Nico after all...

I pulled him closer until we were practically on top of each other, breathing in the scent of fresh vanilla.

And tried to pretend the butterflies in my stomach were due to the fear that the spirits were coming back.

~~~~~

"Uhmm." I stirred slightly, wincing at the sunlight pouring through the odd shaped holes in the wall. Windows, supposedly, except it spelled out...

P E R C Y

Well. That was...interesting. I shrugged mentally and hugged my pillow closer.

Except...

Pillows don't usually hug back...

I risked a look above me, eyebrows raising when I noticed the owner of the arms currently wrapped around me. Nico di Angelo was snoring gently above me, a small smile quirking his lips.

Okay, well, this was...awkward. But I was too warm and comfortable to shift, and if Nico was fine with it...

Well, it was definitely fine by me. I grinned before tugging his waist closer and closed my eyes.

A/N:

Hey bros! Imma call you guys bros. :D Like it?

Anyways, Rejection is gonna have another maybe 5-10 chapters? I'll def try, because I love you guys!! Although honestly, it'll drag on, because I'm in Sec 1 now, so I have to take like 10 subjects plus yeah stuff like that.

Ahahahaha I loved writing the end, Percy was like all 'who-even-gives-a-freak' even though he was in an extremely compromising position.

Alright, bai for now, bros!!

~N