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Chapter #29 : Touch

~Glow is low and it's dimming

And the silence is ringing

And I can almost feel your breath

I can almost feel the rest

And the time is moving slower

I can feel we're getting closer, closer

Standing in the eye of the storm

My eyes start to roam

To the curl of your lips

In the center of eclipse

In total darkness I, I reach out and touch

My mind's gonna racing

On a horse that's escaping

And I'm ready to jump,

Yeah, I'm ready to swim

Life is chances that are taken

But nothing's ever broken

They're just pieces on the ground

New hands need to build them

My mind's gonna running

My hands cut loose

Yeah, but there's no need for answers

Just the things you gotta do

And I need you to trust

That I'm lost and we must

Get past all these rules

We must choose

To reach out and touch

Standing in the eye of the storm

My eyes start to roam

To the curl of your lips

In the center of eclipse

In total darkness I reach, I reach out and touch~

PERCY POV

"... and then he literally got up in my face with a sword and everything, but of course I took it as a challenge, so then I..." Nico spoke animatedly with his arms waving around in the air as we strolled side by side.

I smiled at him fondly, thinking about how adorable he looked when his eyes lit up while telling a story. He was just so incredibly... Cute. So cute. I practically groaned at his adorableness whenever he'd giggle, or blush, or bite his lip, or grin, or hug me (that was the best one lately), or push his glasses up further on the bridge of his nose, or even stutter and get fidgety and awkward... I sighed happily as he glanced up at me with a shy smile. I returned it with a warm one of my own.

For the past week, Nico hasn't really ever left my side. Not that I was at all complaining. I knew he didn't want to lose me ever again since he thought I had practically died eight days ago. It was so sad yet heartwarming at the same time. Nico was practically fuming at everyone else who told him not to go after me or that I was fine on my own. Did I mention that I thought he was exceptionally hot when angry? I'm a shameless person when it comes to di Angelo. At least now, everyone was on good terms and things seemed to go back to normal.

Except mine and Neeks' relationship, that is.

"Hey, Perce!" Nico exclaimed beside me.

I snapped out of my thoughts and gazed down at him, raising an eyebrow at the mischievous glint in his eyes and small smirk. I still had to grin whenever he'd use my nickname, though. I couldn't believe the affect it had on me. Especially from a guy, but y'know, I'm coming to good terms that I'm attracted to guys now and that Nico was definitely the only one I had eyes for.

"Sorry, what's up, Neeks?" I asked while throwing my arm over his shoulders nonchalantly. It just felt so natural to be that close to him whenever I could.

"Guess what...?" He chuckled and I raised an eyebrow questionably. "We're on separate teams for capture the flag, Salmon Head."

"Oh?"

His red lips pulled up into a grin. "Yup! That means that I'm going to win, and of course, we're both gonna be going against each other."

"And what makes you think you're gonna win, Ghost King?" I smirked down at him.

He abruptly stopped walking and I turned to him in confusion. Nico looked up at me through his eyelashes and my heart fluttered as he smiled. Slowly, he began to lean towards me. Once on his tiptoes, he smirked and my heart sped up. His head was so close to mine that I was practically hyperventilating and breathing in his cinnamon vanilla scent at the same time.

"Because I always win." He whispered in ear.

I froze on the spot and couldn't help but feel my face heat up. Nico backed away, smiled challengingly, and then began walking away towards his capture the flag team to put his armour on, his hips swaying noticeably. No, I didn't not glance at his butt while he walked away. Perverts.

I cleared my throat and walked the opposite way to my own team. I groaned silently as I realised Nico was on the red team. Red was definitely my favourite colour on him. It just went so well with his pale skin, red lips, dark eyes and dark hair, and... Whoa. Gay moment. Mother of Poseidon, it was like all I could think of was Nico. I wasn't even going to counter that.

"Hey, dude." Leo grinned, walking towards as we made our way through the trees and into the forest. "Ya ready for another epic battle of capture the flag?!"

I chuckled, shaking my head at his enthusiasm. "Yeah, sure. Whatever, man."

He whooped and sprinted ahead of me, the short conversation clearly over. Why was I friends with a bunch of weirdos?

I sighed as I dragged my feet across the dirt and leaves on the forest floor, following the blue team further into the forest. It kind of sucked that we were nowhere near the river this time around, but I guess it was my time to improvise and actually use my sword fighting skills to use.

Just as I finished tying up my shin plates (with a little difficulty since I didn't have Nico to do it for me), the blue team began calling out positions. Some of them kept sending hesitant looks my way as if asking for approval. I just gave them a supportive little smile and stood by, awaiting my own position. I guess I was a guard today.

Once I was standing close enough to the flag but far enough away from it and the other flag guards, I uncapped Riptide and the horn blew.

Battle cries erupted all around me from my team and I chuckled, never growing old of hearing crazy kids screaming their heads off and running like maniacs with sharp weapons. Nope, I didn't think that could ever get old.

With a quiet whistle, I twirled my sword in my right hand, kicking up dust with my sneakers. It would probably take a couple minutes for the other team to get anywhere near the flag, so I had some time. That is, unless Nico was thinking of paying me a visit as soon as he could. He would definitely do that. I smirked as an idea popped into my head.

Well, I was going to be one step ahead of him and be ready for whatever surprise visit he'd be pulling. Nico would be there any minute! So I backed up against a tree, close to a bush for some shelter, and readied my sword.

I snickered to myself and muttered, "Bring it on, Shadow Prince."

Oh, this would be fun.

~

So, I guess I was wrong... Y'know, maybe just a little. Okay, a lot! Geesh, stop pestering me, you mundane-icorns!

I've been leaning against a tree for a little over ten minutes and yet, no one had come at all. Either my team was much better than the red team and were about to win, or I was just getting bored out of my mind and time seemed to drag on forever. I vow for the second one.

Just as I was about to push off of the tree and trudge back to the blue flag, I heard a faint snapping sound to my left. It sounded like a twig. In an instant, I had my sword at the ready.

"Finally." I breathed to myself.

With a small smirk, I thought about what Nico would say when I caught him. That little bugger wouldn't know what hit him! Literally! He'd be calling me Ninja Fish for weeks after my counter attack. Give me all you've got, Ghosty.

Before he could jump out of the trees at me, I reached out and grabbed at his arm, twisting him around and pointing my sword at his neck. He seemed to freeze in my arms and I held back a smug snicker.

"Gotcha, Death Breath!" I exclaimed proudly.

He wiggled in my hold and huffed out. "Dude, what the hell?! Let me go, man!"

My eyes widened in surprise and I shoved the guy away causing him to stumble a bit. That voice definitely didn't belong to Nico. It was too deep, too gruff, and way too... unflattering? I don't even know. The guy stood up with an irritated scoff and fixed his red helmet. He glared at me with dark green eyes and I smiled sheepishly back at him.

I lifted my hands up awkwardly. "Oops?"

"Yeah, no kidding, man. Geez..." The guy bent down and picked up his sword.

That reminded me that we were still playing a game of capture the flag. I shrugged and approached him.

With the tip of my celestial bronze sword, I scratched the armour on his breast plate. "Well... Hey, now you're eliminated. Will you look at that?"

He shook his head in disbelief and groaned, trudging off back where he came from through the trees. "Whatever, man."

I chuckled to myself and flinched at how painfully awkward that just was. Way to go, Jackson. Totally nailed that. With a sigh of exasperation, I made my way back to the tree I was leaning against earlier. Could this game be any more boring? I rested my head back against the rough trunk of the oak and shut my eyes for a moment. Maybe after the game finished, I could get everyone together and go out into the city for an ice-cream or something.

Another snap was heard far away from me and I groaned, rolling my eyes. It was just going to be another clumsy demigod on the red team.

Those thoughts vanished almost immediately when I had the scare of my life. Something black dropped down right in front of me from the tree I was leaning on, and then disappeared with a whirl as fast as it had come. I held my heart as it raced, blowing out a shaky breath. Jump scares were not my thing. I chuckled quietly as I thought of how funny I must of looked while jumping at the sight of something popping up in front of me.

I was just beginning to relax when I felt a hand suddenly grab at my shoulder, then a quiet voice whispered in my ear, "Hey, Jackson."

I yelped in surprise and jumped away from the hand, scrambling around in the twigs and grass in shock. Then I tripped over a trunk and fell face first into a pile of leaves, making them shoot out around me like a mushroom cloud. Smooth... How was I still alive again?

I heard a round full of hearty laughter and looked up in surprised delight.

"Oh my gosh, Perce, that was just the best thing ever!" Nico giggled in happiness as he clutched at his sides.

My mouth gaped open and I could barely feel the sticks scratching into my skin. I could only feel my heart swell at how adorably happy Nico seemed. Wait... Nico.

"Hey!" I protested and pouted on the ground. "I can't believe you did that! Actually, I can believe it, but that's not the point. How did you do that? I was ready for the surprise!"

He took a step closer to me and smirked. "Obviously you weren't, Tuna Breath."

I grumbled and Nico rolled his eyes, offering me his hand. I gladly took it, then decided against it. In an instant, I yanked him to the ground and he stumbled behind me. I got up in one swift movement and smirked to myself, feeling a bit smug. That's what you get, Neeks.

I grinned and turned around with my hands on my hips. "Karma's a b- Where'd you go?"

Confusion washed over me as I spun a three-sixty turn, not once meeting the eyes of a certain son of Hades. My eyebrows furrowed until a dark figured appeared right next to me, making me jump slightly. Nico stood there with a big grin, looking up at me through a dark mist. He pushed his black framed glasses up the bridge of his nose and spread his arms out.

"Shadow travel." He smirked.

I blinked downed at him, taking in the red Greek helmet Nico was wearing, the black armour, the black sneakers, the dark hair poking out from under his helmet, his cute geeky glasses, that tiny dimple he had beside his lips, and the red war paint on his cheeks. I just shrugged and stood beside him awkwardly, not knowing what to say. A sort of queasiness filled up my stomach and I shuffled on my feet. Nico was my friend. Everything was fine. We're close.

The brown eyed boy's laughter broke my thoughts. "What's up, Perce? Upset that I got you? Twice? Or are you just accepting the fact that I'm going to win this game?"

I raised an eyebrow at him and stepped in front of his face, chests almost touching. "Just because you snuck up on me, doesn't mean you're gonna win, Ghost King. What makes you think you'll get past me, huh?"

He bit his lip as his cheeks took on a light shade of pink and I raised my eyebrows, waiting for a reply.

"Well, I am pretty sneaky. You out of all people should know that."

"Hm, but I can see you now. Being sneaky won't get you very far."

"But I'm also very quick on my feet, y'know."

"But if I do this," In one swift movement, I locked my arms around his waist from behind and tightened my grip, "You can't get away from me."

"That may be true, but I can also shadow travel."

"I guess so, although I kind of knew you never played fair."

"I can play fair. I just like winning." Nico whispered and I had to stop myself from blushing. "I'll get that blue flag, and I'll show you that I always win, Jackson."

I smirked. "Now, now. You seem a bit too confident there, Shadow-"

"... Oh, um... Hey, guys."

Nico and I immediately pushed away from each other as a female voice interrupted our small banter from behind us. Of course, I'd recognise that voice anywhere. I turned around and raised a hand in greeting, awkwardly scratching the back of my neck.

Well... I literally had no words for whatever was going to happen next. I'm no psychic, but I could tell it would extremely awkward if it wasn't already.

NICO POV

"Annabeth." I greeted in a low and unwelcome monotone.

Percy immediately heard the difference in the sound of my voice and frowned at me in concern from the corner of my eye, but I didn't glance back at him. I kept my gaze on the blond haired girl with grey eyes, a red helmet on her head, and a blue flag in her hands. A blue flag. The blue flag. She got the freaking flag before I did. I was internally spazzing in frustration. I was supposed to get it first, not her! It may seem childish, but I was going to impress Percy with it! Okay, that was lame, but come on. It would have at least earned me extra buddy points, right?

"Oh, hey." Percy replied awkwardly. "You got my team's flag? Cool, so I guess you won it for the reds?"

She smiled forcefully and shrugged, raising the flag. "Yeah, I was one of the retrievers. I guess I got to it first."

"I would have gotten it if I wasn't distracted..." I scoffed silently.

"Pardon?"

I crossed my arms and shifted all of my weight to my right leg, shrugging. "Nothing."

Annabeth nodded without conviction and turned to Percy, earning a glare from me. She sighed and set down the flag, pursing her lips as she approached. Was she trying to act modest and shy? Seriously? As if Percy would fall for that, he's not stupid enough. Or... Was he?

"Hey, Percy..." The daughter of Athena muttered. "I've been meaning to say since you got back from your quest... It's nice to have you back. Camp was pretty lifeless without you."

Percy smiled and I shuffled in discomfort, bitting my lip as I tapped my foot in the dirt.

"Thanks, Annabeth. That's nice of you." He said politely with a grin. "It's great to be back and playing capture the flag again! Although you did manage to make my team lose..."

"Even though it would have been me..."

"Sorry, what did you say, Neeks?" Percy asked, turning to me.

I smiled innocently. "I just said that maybe we should find the others now. I bet they're waiting for us."

"Maybe you're right-"

"Before you leave," The blond haired girl cut in with a smile, "I just want to say that I hope nothing is awkward between us anymore..."

"No, of course not!" Percy chuckled nervously and I didn't bother hiding my smirk.

"Good, I'm glad. Um, I hope that maybe we could hang out again sometime, then?"

I coughed, blazing with a strange anger on the inside. "Percy and I are, unfortunately, busy for a while. Like I said before, we should probably go catch up with the oth-"

"Oh, well, maybe some other time." She blinked and smiled sweetly at Percy, completely ignoring me.

I grit my teeth and controlled myself, trying to retain from punching her in the throat. That wouldn't be very appropriate. At the moment.

"Busy, busy, busy." I insisted through gritted teeth. "Now, Percy, we should get going. Nice chat."

Annabeth's face fell slightly and I groaned quietly, fidgeting in impatience and a burning annoyance. She stepped up closer to Percy and I almost growled. What in Hades was going on with me? I felt as if I were a cat, ready to pounce if another threatening animal were to approach something that was mine. Except... Percy wasn't mine.

"It was great talking to you again. I honestly missed it." The daughter of Athena stalled with a small smile.

"Yeah, I totally understand why you'd miss him." I said casual, earning a couple of surprised glances. "I mean, Percy and I have been getting real close lately and have been hanging out all week together... Safe to say we're best friends. Hard to come between best friends, is it not?"

Percy turned his full attention to me and smiled brightly, causing a wave of accomplishment and happiness to wash over me. He chuckled joyfully and threw his arm around me. A light shade of pink covered my cheeks as I subtly/secretly leant into Percy's warm touch.

"Uh, I-I guess." Annabeth slurred with a slight frown.

I smirked in satisfaction. I think I had just won the silent battle between Annabeth and I. I won Percy's attention. I could skip around and squeal with victory, but that might be a little too girly even for me. Internal cringe at my softness. Gross. Anyway, I won! Ha!

The daughter of Athena squirmed slightly, then composed herself. "Well, I'll see you later."

"See you 'round." Percy answered awkwardly and I almost giggled in glee.

"Bye, Perce." She nodded her head and then slowly turned to leave.

A low rumbling noise came from my throat when she said Percy's nickname. I called him that. She can't just show up out of nowhere and start cuddling up to Jackson. Why was I getting so angry with a stupid nickname? First of all, it was not a stupid nickname at all. And secondly, I might, maybe, just a little bit, kinda be... Jealous?

"His name's Percy to you." I growled out after her. "And next time, I suggest you don't pick up my flag."

I seethed a bit huffed under my breath. I felt the son of the sea god tense up beside me at my outburst, so I calmed down in guilt that I might have gone too far and made him uncomfortable. He seemed to be staring at me with wide eyes and I couldn't help but blush. In an instant, I reached out and wrapped my hand around his, sending shocks of heat up my arm, and began walking back into the trees. Percy trailed behind me in silence and I couldn't help but feel the need to make it up to him somehow.

Maybe something nice would make him happy.

PERCY POV

Holy mother of Poseidon.

I couldn't help but allow Nico to drag me through the trees of the camp's forest as I stared after him in awe and admiration. Did he just growl at Annabeth, daughter of the goddess of battle strategy? Yes, he did, and he was pretty dam sassy. He fidgeted the whole time for some reason, and sassy remarks and comebacks just pooled out of his mouth like no tomorrow. He was full on growling at my ex-girlfriend.

And I loved it.

"There you guys are! We've been waiting for you guys!" Hazel exclaimed as she approached me and her brother.

I leant close to Nico's ear and whispered, "You were right. As always."

He seemed to tense up and I took an unknown pride to the way he reacted to me. Our group of friends gathered up and we began chatting as usual. Even though I participated in most conversations with enthusiasm, my mind was on the dark eyed boy standing beside me. He seemed to be deep in thought. Without knowing it, my arm had returned around Nico's shoulders. It seemed as if he didn't know it himself when he leaned into my side, almost automatically. My heart swelled with the action. He was just too... Amazing.

Without warning, he suddenly lit up with bright eyes and a small smile. I raised my eyebrow at him questioningly, but he just gave me a grin and faced the rest of the group. Once the conversation died and we all fell silent, Neeks cleared his throat and leant forward, pushing up his glasses in the process.

"So... Who's up for some ice-cream?"

~~~

End of Chapter

THOUGHTS?!

How was the PERCICO?

Hopefully it's not going to fast :) But don't worry, there are many more moments to come!

#NicoSaysNo

~Sassico