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It was thundering in camp half blood BADLY. Chiron had advised most campers to stay indoors—most of them did but was Percy one of them? Apparently not. He had to go to cabin 13 to return something he borrowed from nico, as he walked to cabin 13 completely without an umbrella he stayed dry.. somehow, maybe a perk of being a poseidon child.
As he got closer to cabin 13—he was about to knock on the door till he heard muffled cries, sniffles, and mumbling..? It sounded like nico so percy knocked. “Nico..?” Percy asked through the door, knocking.
“H-huh? Who is it..?!” Nico said inside, his voice sounded raw but he hoped no one noticed, especially Percy. He quickly wiped his tears and got up from the bed, as he walked to the door—he hesitated whether to let Percy in or not—in the end he did anyway.
The door opened and Percy walked inside, he was holding something that belonged to nico. Probably a pen or something but whatever.
“Are you.. crying??” Percy asked, his voice sounded hesitant, like he was thinking in his mind whether to ask the question or not. “W-what?! No..no!” Nico said, his voice was fast. A little too fast—Percy should know by now that whenever Nico’s nervous, his voice starts to get fast, well good thing—he does.
“Nico. I can see dry tears on your face. Don't lie to me.” Percy claimed, moving closer to Nico till their faces were just inches apart.
“Fine. Alright I'm crying, better? Are you happy?” Nico tried to lighten up the mood, but unfortunately it failed as Percy brought up his hand to Nico’s face and wiped the remaining dry tears from Nico’s face.
Thunder roared from outside and Nico flinched slightly, slightly as in flinched hard. That’s when Percy realized that Nico was afraid of the Thunder—remembering what Bianca told him about Nico and her mother.
As thunder roared again and Nico flinched. Once again, Percy pulled Nico closer to him and pulled him into a tight hug. “..look i-i.. you know what just get over here” Percy said, hugging the younger boy tighter.
“I..i’m s-s..” Nico tried to form words but it was impossible. And he just gave up and started crying. His shoulders shook and tears streamed down from his face. “Hey look, you don't need to apologize, I understand..”
Nico just cried harder while Percy pulled him closer. As his tears wet Percy's shirt, Percy absentmindedly ran a hand through Nico’s hair while the other caressed his back, rubbing circles on it. A small gesture Percy knew worked on Nico no matter how much he denied it.
“I'm here Nico don't worry. The thunder isn't Zeus' doing. It's okay.” Percy reassured Nico that it was just the weather and Zeus wasn't out to target anyone.
Nico suddenly remembered him, a little kid, snuggled in Bianca’s arms during thunderstorms while Bianca hummed a stupid lullaby that made him fall asleep. As he returned to the present—he cried harder knowing that she was gone. Bianca was gone. Percy just held him tighter, not letting go.
Nico stopped crying after what felt like 30 minutes. As he lifted his head from Percy’s chest and wiped the remaining tears on his face, Percy looked at him with genuine concern that Nico wished he could just wipe off because he hated when others pitied him.
“Are you.. feeling better..?” Percy asked, reaching to put a hand on Nico’s shoulder. Nico swatted the hand reaching for his shoulder away. “Shut up Jackson.” Nico said, he knew Percy was only concerned for him but what he said came in pure instinct.
“Right. Just checking..” He said, retreating his hand. “Ah.. i-i’m sorry, just instinct..” Nico said to Percy, he hoped Percy would understand what he meant. “No, no it’s okay I understand.” Good. Turns out he does.
It was silent for a while before Nico broke it and hugged percy or more like tackled him to the ground. Percy yelped, surprised by Nico’s actions. “can you.. stay here for a while?.. please.” The please that followed was quiet. Too quiet. “..of course Neeks.” Percy got up then helped Nico up and dragged him to the bunk and pulled him down, landing flat on the mattress as Nico rested on top of him, slowly lowering his head to rest on the crook of Percy’s neck.
Percy held Nico in his arms and placed a small kiss on the top of his forehead and continued rubbing circles on his back, the rain and thunderstorm outside was now background noise to Nico as he finally fell asleep. Safe and sound knowing Percy was there.