THANK YOU ALL FOR BEING SO PATIENT AND SUPPORTIVE OF MY DELETED CHAPTER, IT MEANS THE WORLD <3 I LOVE YOU GUYS WITH ALL MY HEART, TOO!

WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, ENJOY CHAPTER #28 :)

(Dedication to @Dreamatic for the song suggestion! It's perfect!)

<3

Chapter #28 : Break Me Down

~Hey there it's good to see you again,

It never felt right calling this "just friends".

I'm happy, if you're happy, with yourself.

Take off your shirt, your shoes,

those skinny jeans I bought for you.

We're diving in, there's nothing left to lose.

I'm gonna break down these walls, I built around myself.

I wanna fall so in love, with you, and no one else,

Could ever mean half as much, to me as you do now.

Together we'll move on, just don't turn around,

Let the walls break down.

I used to wear you like a ball and chain,

I'd run and hide at the call of my name.

It was obvious you were too much for me.

In retrospect, I wouldn't do it again.

I'm not the same boy you knew back then...

'Cause I can break down these walls, I built around myself.

I wanna fall so in love, with you, and no one else,

Could ever mean half as much, to me as you do now.

Together we'll move on, just don't turn around,

Let the walls break

I can't breathe, my body's shaking

'Cause you break me down,

You know you break me down...

Let the walls break down.~

PERCY POV

Falling into darkness was something I've experienced many times before. Trust me when I say that. But this... This felt (or more or less didn't feel) different. It was like my body was battling itself. A sharp tugging sensation was pulling at my stomach and everything was numb, yet agonisingly painful. The darkness around me was almost tangible, trying to swallow me up. Although, I also felt a pinch of relief when seeing the darkness. Knowing that I'd be able to sleep soon. To dream. To forget. But I also wanted to scream and fight to get back to the light, to escape the dreaded black ink around me.

That just wasn't possible.

I couldn't believe this was my fate. This was how I died. Out of the many insane adventures and life-threatening situations, I was brought down by a hideously retarded reptilian spirit. What a díck. But risking my own life was still worth saving any endangered demigods and Mrs. O'Leary. I didn't regret it one bit. I just hoped that my beautiful hellhound got away safely. While I'm gone, she'll need someone to look after her. Maybe she could somehow get to Nico-

Nico.

Oh, gods, my little Ghost King. A spark of pain erupted in my chest as I thought about the small brown eyed son of Hades. I broke my promise to him. I told him I would come back to him, but I didn't. He was probably back at camp feeling abandoned and let down. Empty and alone... Because of me. We were finally getting closer and he was just beginning to trust me, and I ruined it. That was gone now, whatever we had. And it hurt me knowing that my death would hurt him. Because I left him, alone... And that was just unacceptable.

Gods... My parents would be crushed. My mom, Sally, and my step-dad, Paul... They would be devastated. And my friends back at camp? What would happen to them when they find out about me? They would be destroyed... I not only abandoned Nico, but I have also abandoned my family and friends. It wasn't my plan to get stabbed, but everyone still has to suffer. And it kills me. Literally.

All of a sudden, a bright light shone through the thick darkness and blinded me. A sharp, burning hot pain erupted in my chest and agony ran through my veins. The light was pointed straight at my heart. It felt like my heart was being ripped apart and set on fire. I tried to scream into the darkness, but nothing came out. The torturous pain never stopped as I squeezed my eyes shut, so my soundless screams echoed around in my skull. The tangible darkness seemed to be pressing in despite the sudden light, trying to swallow me up.

So this was it.

All I had to do now was wait for the darkness to claim me and put an end to the pain.

I guess once I'm a soul in the Underworld, I'd be able to see all of my fallen friends, see how they're doing. Hopefully death was treating them right. I wonder how I would be as dead. Percy Jackson, a lost soul in the Underworld. I hadn't thought of hearing that any time soon, but here it is.

The light continued ripping me up from the inside.

Hopefully Nico would visit me, although I wouldn't blame him if he never did.

I screamed once again through the shadows.

I guess this was when I was supposed to say goodbye, although this just felt like the beginning of a new life. I'll be watching over everyone now. Everyone I have wanted to protect... I can do that now, and I'd always be there.

This was Percy Jackson, demigod son of Poseidon and hero of Olympus, son and friend, and I wished I could have peed before being stabbed.

Goodbye for now.

NICO POV

"Ughnnffughh... Wha- ah!" I gurgled out drowsy gibberish, flailing my arms and legs out around me in a panic.

It was just that: Panic. My mind seemed to be buzzing and I couldn't think straight (obviously), all I could feel was fear as I mumbled sleepily and flailed around. Just as I began calming down and let my eyes flutter back shut, I shot up and gasped, freaking out once again. A massive wave of emotions seemed to drown me as I panted for breath and my widened eyes dilated. I didn't know what to feel or why I was feeling. All I could do was grab at my hair and try to blink the blurriness out of my eyes.

What happened? Where was I? How did I get here? And most importantly... Where was Percy?!

Percy... Oh my gods, no.

My heart rate picked up and my limbs flung out again, my foot colliding with something hard.

"Ugh." I grunted in pain.

I tried my best to blink away my cloudy vision. Because my mind was so fuzzy and jumbled up, I couldn't make out where I was for a few moments. Then I realised that what I had kicked had been a black wooden chair that I was currently sitting on. That would explain the crook in my neck. My gaze lifted and my vision focused. I almost choked in shock when I realised that I was back in Long Island Sound, NY. I was at camp in the Hades cabin. My cabin.

It only took approximately one second for my brain to go back to worrying about Percy. My eyes begun to sting with fresh tears. Where the hell was he? He had to be okay... He just had to.

I jumped up from the wooden chair and let my eyes quickly skim over my cabin. Just as I was deciding to sprint out the front door, my eyes landed on my king sized bed. A strangled sob escaped my mouth. A long lump laid underneath the blankets, wrapped up like a burrito. I dropped down to my knees as my legs gave out and let the warm tears cascade down my cold cheeks.

"P-... Percy...?" I managed to croaked out.

Black hair poked out of the top of the blankets and my body yearned to run my fingers through them. My whole body began shaking. It was Percy, but that was not the reason why I was breaking down. The lump under the blankets was... Breathing. The black silk rose and fell to the steady rhythm of Percy's deep breathing.

Suddenly, the body groaned and squirmed on my mattress. "... s'my unicorn pumpkin... but I d'n't eat the tomato yet, mommy... m'don't even like salmon brainses..."

"P-Percy?!" I squeaked, my voice cracking.

Without another second to waste, I scrambled to my feet and flung myself out towards the body, clinging on with a fierce grip.

"Oh, g-gods! I... I thought you-you were d-dead!" I wailed hysterically, whimpering out my next words. "Perc-cy... I can't l-lose you. You a-almost left me! I thought- I just... Y-you were... Oh, g-gods-" I broke off with a pitiful sob.

Percy shifted underneath me. "N-Neeks...?" He muttered, his voice raspy and croaky with sleep.

I whimpered in response, pulling away and dropping to the ground in cries of relief, emotions washing over me in overwhelming amounts.

"I... I thought I was g-gone, too." Percy whispered weakly. "I can't... B-but I'm here now. I'm here, I'm okay, you're safe, and we're both somehow unharmed. Gods, Nico... C'mere." He patted the bed beside him.

Without hesitation, I scrambled up on my bed and flung myself into Percy's opened arms. His arms were so comforting and strong, so welcoming and protective. A whimper escaped my lips as I snuggled into his warm chest. He no longer felt ice cold, and that was all I was ever hoping for.

He hushed me with a gentle voice, as if not to break me. "Shhh... We're okay, Neeks. Everything's going to be alright now. I'm here."

He rubbed my back with gentle hands and my heart fluttered. Slowly, I was calming down, but the tears kept running down my face. I was glad Percy was gripping onto me as tightly as I was gripping onto him.

"Y-you're okay, though... R-right?" I whispered with a sniffle.

His eyes softened and he nuzzled his nose in my hair, sending my body in flames. "I'm okay, my little Shadow Prince. I hope you are, too... You know, I-I never meant to leave you. I care about you, whether you believe it or not. Hurting you was the last thing I wanted. Maybe after all of this insanity, if you'd accept me of course, we could get to know each other as friends better. If you trust me, I would love to be a part of your life, Nico. Only if you'd let me in..." His voice faded out.

My breath hitched and I could feel a lump form in my throat. Fresh warm tears began pooling down my eyes and my heart swelled. He cared about me. He actually, literally, really cared about me. His voice sounded so sincere that it brought goosebumps to my skin. It left me in a state of awe that he had the courage to say that, and mean it.

I cleared my throat with a shy smile and gazed intently into Percy's green eyes. "I think that's all I've ever really wanted... And I won't take it for granted anymore." I sniffled, "I trust you... Perce."

The son of the sea god's face literally lit up like a Christmas tree when he heard his nickname spoken from my mouth. In an instant, Percy's arms reached out and wrapped around me, pulling me into his body. I melted into his touch, feeling the most content I have ever been. And I say that with as much honesty one could muster as I breathed in the familiar salty sea smell of Percy. I missed it.

"You know..." He rumbled into the crook of my neck, sending shivers running up and down my body. "You're quite small, Neeks."

I frowned, pulling away slightly and shook my head, feeling slightly self conscious about my height and size all of a sudden. "No I'm not..."

"Mm, you're tiny."

"Nuh-uh!"

"You're my little Shadow Prince."

"M'not little." I pouted, crossing my arms.

"You're little."

"No."

"Yes."

"Nope."

"Mmhm."

I whined in frustration. "No, I'm not little, or small, or tiny! I'm-I'm strong, and manly, and... Um, and, uh..."

"... Little?"

"Ugh!"

I groaned loudly as Percy began laughing at my misery. I turned away from him and hid my face, trying to hide my blush of embarrassment. That little bugger. Why in Hades did I love him again?

Suddenly, two gentle arms enveloped me from behind, causing my breath to hitch and my heart to beat faster. I could feel the son of Poseidon's warm breath on my neck and wondered if he knew how much he was driving me fucking insane. I mean, slow down. There's only so much my heart can take in short period of time.

"I'm sorry, Neeks." He said softly, clearing his throat. "But I like your height, it makes hugs so much more comfortable and enjoyable. You fit perfectly because your small, much better than awkward muscular Zhang hugs... There are many upsides to being smaller, and it's also, y'know, kinda cute... In a friendly way. Like a puppy. Or a kitten!" He chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his neck.

I blushed, trying to fight a giddy smile. "Whatever..."

He thought I was cute! Ha!

And just to ruin the moment, my stomach decided to make a noise that sounded between a dying whale and a man-eating lion. Percy chuckled behind me.

"Hungry?" He smirked.

I smiled sheepishly. "Yeah... Want anything while I'm up, Perce?"

His eyes lit up at the nickname, but he happily shook his head no. I shrugged and reluctantly jumped up from my bed, striding over towards my black dresser. I bent down to reach for the bottom drawer, hoping to the gods that my arse wasn't in Percy's view, and opened it. An instant grin erupted on my face and I snatched up the cardboard box. With a skip in my step, and crawled back up on my bed and pulled the black silk blankets back over Percy and I.

When I looked over, I saw a curious look on the green eyed man's face.

"... What?" I asked, shifting under his gaze as I opened the lid to the cardboard box in my hands.

He smirked in amusement. "I've been meaning to ask this question for a long time..." He cleared his throat. "Nico... Why do you like Frootloops so much?"

I gasped with a mouth full of colourful cereal. "Because it's like a party in your mouth, duh!" I exclaimed as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

Because it was.

The whole Hades cabin fell silent except for the sounds of my chewing. Then Percy's booming laughter filled the room. His eyes crinkled and his mouth was wide open as he laughed wholeheartedly. His laughter was most definitely the best thing in the world. When he was finally beginning to calm down, he was wiping tears away from his eyes.

"Oh, gods, Neeks." He breathing in total amusement.

I just shrugged and continued eating my rainbow coloured cereal, secretly showing my pride whilst eating. Ha. Bet Jackson didn't know that, now did he? Then I dropped a few crumbs on myself and instantly became sad. I pouted and picked them off, brushing the multicoloured sticky bits to my floor so I could vacuum it up later. Surprisingly, Percy starting up giggling again. But when I looked over with a questioning look, he only blushed with a small sweet smile.

"... What, Jackson?"

He pointed at my chest with a knowing smirk. "Is that my jumper...?"

My eyes widened. Busted...

"Um... No?" I replied nervously, my face becoming beat red.

Percy barked out some more laughter as I wanted to crawl away and dig myself a hole so I could bury myself in it. I groaned, shimmying underneath my blankets as if I would just disappear and embarrassment wouldn't exist. Yeah right.

A melodic giggled erupted from above my blankets, earning a melted heart from me. "You're special, my little Ghost King."

My heart swelled and a small smile was making its way onto my lips.

My little Ghost King.

He didn't know just how much I truly loved that.

~~~

End Of Chapter

HOW WAS IT?!?!

PERCICO?!?!?!

PERCY'S ALIVE, YAYYYY!!!

Lol, I hope you liked it, took forever :) Hey, fun fact... Tomorrow's my birthday (so like in fifteen minutes exactly) and lots of votes and comments to wake up to would be perfect <3

I love you all SOOOO much :3

-Cute Nico And Percy <3