Charmed

Changing Like The Tides

Percy walked through the camp. Finally, although it wouldn't even be for most of the day, he was free to think himself.

He knew he could only talk to nico, and he would force himself to talk, even though the thought made him want to run.

'No. That's just the charm speaking. You can do this.'

But there was still a small part of him whispering 'can I?' In the background.

He needed to get over this, or else everything would be doomed. The son of Poseidon had given Nico a few hints as to meet him at Zeus fist, although they weren't hard to catch.

It was almost as if he held a sign and was screaming 'Nico! Come meet me in the woods where the big rocks are without anyone knowing!'

Subtlety really was his strong talent.

"Hey perce," he jumped at a voice.

Percy walked himself not to go and run like he wanted to, and instead gave a shaky wave, "he-hey nico,"

"I'm surprised piper even let you out of her sight,"

"Yeah," Percy gave a small fake chuckle, "me too,"

The two say there in an awkward silence, both noticing how the other had changed.

Nico wasn't a little kid anymore, that was for sure.

His features were more full and defined, like his high cheekbones that seemed to glow in the sunlight. The bags under his brown eyes were dark, but his black hair was the color of shadows.

Percy remembered the kid he was when they had met. The guy who carried around cards for a game and fang irked over everything.

That was, until his sister had died.

Nicos mind was completely focused on a different thing.

He remembered how Percy once was. His sea green eyes were always laughing as he said sarcastic comments after sarcastic comments. It was like he was a machine.

Sure, there had been the same dark bags under his eyes and the same strong chin as now, but something about the raven haired demigod seemed different.

His eyes weren't laughing, and his mouth was far from the lopsided troublemaker grin he was used to. It was like piper had changed him, but this time, not with her charm.

There was still the fear evident in his eyes, something that could only go away with the right spell, or if piper released him. But there was also a stormy sea, one too dangerous for nicos liking.

Percy wasn't a normal human. He was a ticking time comb, one nico had to defuse.

"How long has it been?" Percy asked, voicing the question nico had asked in his head. "You know, since we met,"

"I don't know. But the wars made it seem like a lifetime," Nico said, remembering all the horrifying things that had happened since then.

"I'm sorry you had that much pressure on you neeks, I should've been there,"

"No," Nico said instantly, "it wasn't your fault, I shouldn't have been weak,"

"You weren't weak. Your the strongest person I know,"

"I want to say the same thing, because Percy, you could be so much more. Thalia and Leo, they're right. You knew them, we were all close. Family,"

"What they've been saying is...true?"

Nico nodded, "more so than you'd ever believe,"

They sat in silence a bit more, until nico started off with the easiest ice breaker he could think of, "if you were a toaster, what color would you be?"

"Blue, with black and white edges and imprints," Percy replied a moment later, after considering the question for quite a while. "You?"

"I'd be a black toaster with grey edges. But not one of those normal ones, the air fry oven ones. That you can make toast and chicken in,"

"Of course,"

Again, silence filled the air. Percy broke it this time though, "you know, I am sorry,"

This seemed to take nico by surprise, "about what?"

"The things I did. I was under her spell, I guess I'm just not powerful enough o break out,"

"Perce, you are the most powerful person I know. You've been to hell and back, betrayed, and hurt thousands of times yet you still can be good,"

"But that's not me. That's some different memory I know nothing about,"

"Timeline doesn't effect the person, the Percy I'm talking about, he's fighting to get out. You just need to show him the way,"

Nico turned to leave, but as he reached the trees he looked over his shoulder, "and between me and you, your still a good kid. You've just had a bad run,"

Ehhhhhhh. Musical of Percy Jackson reference! Haha hah. Thanks for reading, and listen tot his song.

It's great.