We Are Cursed (A Percy Jackson AU) || BOOK 2

Chapter 51 || Nico

Percy's face was something Nico was worried about because it wasn't moving. His sea-green eyes were wide open at this point, glimmering with shock.

"W-What?" he whispered.

"I... I like you. Like... like like you."

He looked confused for a second before realization struck. "Oh... Listen, Nico--"

"I know you're with Annabeth, but I just... I just had to tell you. It's okay if you think I'm a freak--"

"No, I don't!" Percy exclaimed. "It's just... I thought you hated me."

"What?" It was Nico's turn to be shocked.

"Yeah," Percy chuckled. "After... Bianca..."

Nico winced at the memory of his sister. "I wasn't mad at you, Percy. I was mad at Gabe. I was mad at the car. And more importantly, I was mad at myself."

"What? Why would you be mad at yourself? You didn't do anything wrong!"

"I'm mad at myself for being... being gay. For not jumping in front of her to save her. No one would've mourned me like they did her. No one would."

Percy stared at him. "Neeks... while I don't love you in that way, you're still no different to me. You're still my friend, a person I see as a brother, and someone I'll care about past the day I die. You'll always be accepted with me no matter what you do. And I hope you find that special someone someday."

Surprised, Nico stared at the boy before Percy leaned into the pillows, probably exhausted from his rant. "Does... Does Annabeth know?"

"Frank, Piper, Hazel, Jason, Leo, Annabeth, and Thalia know. So... yeah. Everyone."

"Aw, man! I hate being the last one to know something!" Percy whined playfully before giving Nico a meaningful look. "But you know I mean it, right? I love you as a sibling loves a sibling and I'll be here no matter what, okay?"

"Just don't go near Thanatos again, okay?" Nico found a smile on his face.

"Roger that." Percy flashed one of his signature smirks.

And for some reason, Nico didn't see it as seductive or cute anymore. All it was was an attractive feature to go with his best friend's lover.

"I'm gonna get Annabeth," Nico said. "She's been worried sick and I think it's time she gets to punch the hell out of you."

"No!" Percy groaned before grinning as Nico closed the door and raced out into the hall.

As Nico walked to the daughter of Athena's door, he thought of all the times he had returned her warm gestures with cold ones. Guilt crawled into his stomach, but he knocked nonetheless.

"It's open!" a small voice called.

Nico was alarmed at first, but still opened the door. There, he found Annabeth sitting with her knees hugged to her chest, rocking back and forth anxiously. Her hair was a mess and there was large bags under her eyes from not sleeping. Her gray eyes were still wide as she stared at the pictures of her and Percy together on the beach. He then realized what was going on. Annabeth was going crazy without Percy.

"Annabeth, he's awake," he said cautiously.

Annabeth jumped up from her bed and began to run, but Nico stopped her. "Wait. He's pretty tired and pretty weak from all that torture in... Tartarus..."

"Is he okay?" Annabeth frantically asked. "Is his blood pressure okay? Does he need food? Does he need water? What time is it? Should he be sleeping? What medication does he need to take? Do you know if he wants to see me? What if he doesn't want to see me? What if he doesn't want to see anyone? What if he's dying right now and we don't know and he's too far gone and we can't save him--"

"Annabeth!" Nico grabbed his friend's shoulders, silencing her rant. "Calm down. He's fine! I just wanted to talk to you before you go in... if that's okay with you."

Annabeth looked reluctant to postpone her visit to her boyfriend, but she nodded nonetheless.

"So... I told Percy that I liked him."

Silence. That just made Nico even more uncomfortable.

"Look, I'm sorry! I didn't mean to get in between you and Percy and I never will mean to do that, but I think he deserved to know the truth. Everyone knows about it anyways. It's not a secret anymore, and I can't stand the idea of Percy feeling betrayed because I wasn't brave enough to tell him."

Quiet. Annabeth was so quiet, Nico questioned if she was breathing or not.

"And I'm also sorry for being so rude to you. I've never been mad at you, I've been more jealous of what you have with the one person I've never loved... I just... I don't know how to describe it, but I care about you, Annabeth. Sometimes, I look at you and think... wow, that girl is lucky. Because my life is f**ked up."

Silence. Nico couldn't take it anymore.

"Say something!"

Annabeth suddenly crushed him in a large hug, her sobs racking her body as she wept into his shoulder.

"Oh... hugs..." Nico muttered as he awkwardly patted her back.

"I'm..." Annabeth sniffled. "I'm sorry... I just... I just..."

The poor girl couldn't even finish her sentence before she began to cry again.

"It's nothing about you and you liking Percy. I thought that was actually super brave and I am in full support of that decision, but... we've been through so much and I just don't know how to feel about it right now. I feel like something's missing from my life and I just need to get it back..."

"You need to go see Percy," Nico decided.

Annabeth nodded before racing out of the room. Before she disappeared completely, she poked her head back into the doorframe.

"Also, Nico... I forgive you. You did nothing wrong. Your life is hard and if I'm honest, you handle it like a badass."