Here is the next chapter :) Hope you enjoy! Super busy because of tests and projects, so I haven't written the couple chapters in a while, so I'm hoping I can get back to that quickly after Easter break :) Have fun!

*drum beats*

Chapter #7: Stay

NICO POV

~I need some time just deliver the things that I need for now

Everything that I feel's like a warm deep calm casting over me

And it's taking me to somewhere new

If you believe that everything's alright

You won't be all alone tonight

And I'd be blessed by the light of your company,

Slowly lifting me to somewhere new

Oh can you tell, I haven't slept very well

Since the last time that we spoke, you said

"Please understand if I see you again don't even say hello."

Please

What a night it is, when you live like this

And you're coming up beneath the clouds,

Don't let me down

You know, I still can't believe we both did some things

I don't even wanna think about

I'll say "I'm sorry,

I don't want anybody else to feel this way"

Oh can you tell, I haven't slept very well

Since the last time that we spoke

Please... stay

Please stay

I'll admit I was wrong about everything

Cause I'm high and I don't wanna come down

I'm not strong enough for the both of us

What was I supposed to do?

Please just stay

Stay~

I want Frootloops. I really want Frootloops. Ugh, my head kills. What happened?

I spread my hands out beside me and gripped a familiar fabric: cotton. Cotton sheets. I'm on a bed. I scrunched up my nose. Light was peeking through my eyelids. Not in my room. And not in the cave, which is great. But I'm not in the Argo II's cabin, either. No. That cabin smelt like sea salt and ocean water... Like the shore of a perfect secluded beach, the waves crashing to the shore... Like a sea breeze that never seized to stopped. This room (I'm guessing it's a room?) just smelt like sickness and medicine and sanitizer and plastic and iron and blood and decease and... Well, I could go on since I'm the son of Hades, but I figure you don't wanna know.

I'm in an infirmary.

I slowly opened my eyes and groaned. Why does it have to be so blindingly light in all medical places? I hate it. I hate hospitals and I hate being anywhere near an infirmary. So my first instinct? Check for exits so I can get my bruised butt out of this place. But then I heard a small snore.

I jumped a bit, being the first noise I heard since I woke up. I peeked to my right and sure enough, someone was fast asleep in one of the guest chairs they have beside the infirmary beds. The person was sprawled out, obviously in need of the sleep they're having. But who would sit in a place like this for me? Who would sleep in a place like this for me? I couldn't tell who it was because the someone's face was hidden, facing the other way.

Well, after a short moment, I found the exit. I'm getting out of here and I don't care about anything else. I hesitantly sat up and winced. Now not only does my head hurt, but my body does, too. Great. That's exactly what I need. I sighed and swung my legs off the side of the bed. I stood up shakily and took a step forward. Eh, I can walk, that counts for something, right? I didn't wake the person in the chair as I shuffled out the door. I made sure to stick with the shadows as I directed myself out of the wooden infirmary, breathing in the fresh air. What? Even the son of Hades needs some air every once in a while.

Nobody gave me a second glance as I creeped into my cabin. I hummed in satisfaction as I closed the door behind me. That's more like it. The first thing I did was swallow some of the ambrosia I snatched on the way out and strip out of the dirty bandages. My pants began to suffocate me, so I took those off, too. My legs were bloody. I wrinkled my nose in disgust and shuffled to my bathroom. While I was taking I shower, I tried to remember what happened that lead to me being in the infirmary back at Camp.

I remember waking up to loud noises and the Argo II rocking me out of my dreams. Percy telling me not to fight. Me, being the irritatingly stubborn guy I am, didn't listen and got up anyway. I took more than enough ambrosia so I could be strong enough to go on deck and join the battle. I saw Percy in trouble and went over to help him out. The enemy kept surrounding him, so I got a bit determined and cut through all the witch spirits. One of the spirits went to attack Percy. I knew I wouldn't get it on time, so I jumped out and shadow traveled me and Percy to the first place that popped into my head. And here I am?

I doubt the first place I thought of was the Camp infirmary, though. Percy must have brought me here. He's... weird that way. As if he cares for me? Ha! No, he cares for everyone, but me. No one cares for me. It's a fact. The end.

I puffed out a small breath of air and shook out my hair before stepping out of my shower. I dried myself off and didn't bother to try and dry my hair. I slipped on some boxers and left it at that. No one else is here, so it doesn't matter. I probably look terrible right now, anyway. I mean, I feel terrible, too. Oh well. I walked over to one of my drawers and pulled out my box of Frootloops. It's probably the weirdest thing for someone like me to eat, huh? But why? It's like, an obsession of mine.

I plopped down on the black silk sheets of my bed and began eating. Finally, I can relax-

"Hey, Nico! You in there?!"

I cursed under my breath.

The door of my cabin flew open and I looked up with big innocent brown eyes, my mouth open in mid-bite, Frootloops dropping out of my hand. Percy stood in the doorway, his expression shocked. Then he burst out laughing, crumpling to his knees and clutching at his sides. I frowned, instantly taking offence. I'm actually a very self-conscious person. But I'm not sensitive. Ew, no. I'm not a girl.

"Oh, gods, Neeks!" He gasped in between laughs. "Your face!"

I narrowed my eyes at him. "Don't call me that."

He stood up and took a few steps into my cabin. "Aw, c'mon, man. It's cute!"

"Cute?" I repeated bluntly.

He grinned innocently. His eyes sparkled with amusement and his lips were pulled up into a big smile, revealing his pearly teeth. He had incredible laugh lines, I've noticed. And he had small little crinkles by his eyes whenever he laughed or smiled. Today, he wore a deep royal blue shirt which made his green eyes pop even more. I could almost smile at the sight in front of me. Almost.

I sighed and stood up, returning my beloved food to its respective drawer.

"Frootloops? Really, Neeks?" Percy commented, his voice light and teasing.

I groaned. "What do you want, Jackson?"

"Oh, yeah. I just woke up in the infirmary and you weren't there, so I figured you hobbled off to your cabin. And I was right, so props to me." He chuckled. "Anyways, I wanted to check on you. You know, you should still be resting. That stunt you pulled on the Argo II... That nearly drained you, with all of your other injuries."

Is he lecturing me again? I sighed and sat back down on my bed, where Percy afterwards joined me. I unconsciously scooted further away from him, and his expression looked hurt. But just a millisecond later, his happy expression returned once more. Maybe I just imagined it.

"So you were the one passed out in the guest chair." I stated more than asked.

He nodded his head. After a moment, he cleared his throat then gestured at my body. "You know you're not wearing any clothes...?"

I looked down and forgot I was only in my small black boxers. A hot blush crept up my neck and onto my ears. I looked back up at Percy and pretended I wasn't embarrassed. I guess I'll just shrug it off. Doesn't matter.

"In my defence, I didn't know someone would crash into cabin while I was underdressed." I defended with narrowed eyes. "Does it really bother you that much?"

His eyes widened. "N-no! I mean, I didn't know you were... Doesn't matter, does it? We're all guys here, nothing we haven't seen before."

Percy scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. I stared at him, my dark brown eyes wide. What in the name of Hades was that?

"Whatever, Salmon Brain." I muttered.

He then looked at me, a hurt expression crossed his face and I squirmed under his puppy dog eyes. "I'm really offended, Nico... I've met a couple salmon before, and they were the rudest fish creatures I've met! What an insult!"

He said it so seriously and hurt that I just couldn't help but feel bad. "I-I didn't know... How am I supposed to know fish? I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that. Sorry again, Jackson, I didn't know-" I stuttered out nervously.

The older boy beside collapsed into a heap of laughter. I swear the guy was crazy! He's a lune! I just don't understand the man. I sat there, staring as the son of the sea god laughed like the joker he was.

"Gods, Neeks, I was kidding!" He giggled.

Yup. I nearly died. Who allowed Perseus Jackson to freaking giggle. Gods, I hate myself for liking it so much! All of my thoughts are so clouded over by him that I didn't even hear what he said to me after that.

He poked my cheek. "You in there, Neeks? Sorry I made you freak."

I batted his hand away from my face and glared at him. "Don't. Call. Me. That."

Even though I constantly say I hate it and that I want him to stop calling me by the nickname he gave me, I secretly adore it. Ever since he called me so, I got this fluttering feeling in the pit of my stomach. It quite literally makes me want to vomit. What? Were you expecting something cute and cheesy? Well, here's something corny for you: I love it when it comes out of his mouth. I can honestly say it stuns me momentarily. And he just touched my face? Gods, I'm going insane!

"You know you love me, Neeks!" He wailed as he jumped up, spreading his arms out like a starfish.

I rolled my eyes. "Gods of Olympus, have you always been this incredibly annoying?"

He scrunched up his face and pouted. Okay, that's enough. I rubbed my face with my hands and ran my fingers through my knotted wet hair. He shuffled over and sat beside me on my bed once more. But this time, noticeably closer. I didn't scoot away this time because I didn't want to see that hurt expression again. He looked over at me sideways and blinked. Can you guess how much that drives me insane? Doubt it, muggle.

"Are you inquiring that I'm annoying? Have you ever considered that maybe you are annoying as well, Ghost King?" He said sweetly.

My eyes widened and I huffed, my expression suddenly blunt. "Get out of my cabin, Jackson."

He giggled again and I groaned out loud this time. Why couldn't he have a really unattractive laugh? Why did he have to have a giggle-laugh? Why? Percy only laughed more at my expression. That only fuelled my anger. I swear-

"Aw, Neeks. You're just adorable when you're angry, you know that? I bet it's the cause of the excessive amount of Frootloops you eat." He poked my cheek once more.

That's it, Jackson! You're gonna regret your little trip to my cabin, Fish Boy!

I growled and leaped on him, tackling him to the floor of my cabin with a dull THUMP. I had his wrists pinned to the ground beside his head with my hands as I hovered over him. His eyes were wide with shock at my sudden moves, but then a mischievous expression flickered across his face. Before I could even brace myself, Percy flipped us over and I was sprawled flat to the ground, the wind knocked out of me. I tried wriggling out of the older boy's grasp, but he was strong. Though cocky. While he was flaunting his moment of glory, I jabbed him in the ribs with my index finger. Instead of the reaction I was expecting, he curled up and began to laugh hysterically.

I was confused at first, but realised what I did. He's ticklish there, eh?

Well, this could be fun.

I jumped back on him and began to poke at his sides. He threw his head back, barking out in laughter. And of course, this guy's laughter had to be contagious. I smirked down at him as he begged me to stop my attack between gasps and giggles. I don't know how this got to be a tickle fight, but am I complaining? Well, not until I'm the victim.

It seemed Jackson didn't want to cooperate, so he switched roles.

"I'm gonna get you, Death Breath!" He smirked, his eye twinkling as he held me down.

Ugh! Why couldn't he just stay down for once?! Stupid cocky heroes...

My eyes widened considerably. I hate being tickled. I hate it with a strong burning passion. And when someone I... like... is the one who's tickling me? Could it be more awkward and unenjoyable?

"No, no, no, Jackson." I warned. "If you touch me, I swear-"

But he didn't tickle me back. Nope. He didn't even tackle me! Can you guess what he did? It shocked me so much, all I could do was freeze. It's like my mind shut down with shock and... and joy? I don't know if I necessarily despise it or enjoy it yet. My muscles tensed up and my eyes widened to the size of saucers. It might not be much to others. But to me... It's a lot more than you think.

"I'm glad you're okay, Nico." Percy mumbled softly, his breath brushing against my ear.

Perseus Jackson is... Hugging me?

~~~

End of Chapter

OOOLALA! Thought I'd add some cute Percico moments in there for you because you're all doing an amazing job at reading and voting and even commenting! Thanks guys, it means a lot :)

What do you think is going to happen after the hug, hm? Or what do you WANT to happen???

~Playful Pico And Frootloop Cravings