Challenge Accepted

Chapter 22

Nico was a protected child, he had come to realise. He'd never known racism until he found that a boy had been bullying Hazel for her ethnicity. He'd never known homophobe until he officially came out at school. And he'd certainly never known the extent of grief (at least, when three close ones passed on at similar times) and abuse until he saw Percy show up at school on Tuesday, eyes seemingly haunted as he plastered another smile on his face, the facade cracking at the edges the more Nico seemed to know about him.

All through school, Nico kept a tentative gaze on the older boy, ignoring the urge to eye roll from the occasional snickers from Reyna, ignoring the sinking feeling from the lack of reaction from Will.

"Yo, wanna hang today. I heard that swimming thing is cancelled today," Jason said loudly, clapping a hand on Percy's shoulder. Nico watched from afar, nodding slightly at Reyna who passed by with a raised eyebrow.

"Nah, I think old Gabe wants me back at the house," Nico watched as Percy denied the request. Something was wrong, even Nico could tell, and he knew Jason sure as hell can when the blondie gave his friend a look. Then, Jason's eyes somehow fell on Nico, who was hiding in the shadows. A feline grin seemed to grace the cheeky dude's face, and Nico wished more than ever that the school uniforms were as black as his normal clothings.
"Oh okay. I get 'cha. I get you crystal clear." Jason said, even going so far as to wink in Nico's direction. Nico felt his face heat up, and if you ever asked him, he would say it was out of anger. Jason then said something in Percy's ear (Nico could have sworn it was 'go get him tiger'), and then pushed Percy until he was inches away from Nico's face. The young boy cursed out to every god he knew  as Jason skipped away like a five year old high on skittles.

"Uh..." Nico said awkwardly, rubbing the back of his neck and looking at anywhere but the glowing boy in front of him. What he didn't expect was surprisingly strong arms wrapping around his neck, nor the quiet sobbing, nor the wetness on his shoulder. But the thing that surprised him the most was when he felt his own hands move pull Percy into a tight hug.

"Sorry. Sorry," Percy said, shaking his head as he pulled away. Nico sought out the bloodshot eyes hiding behind a swept of raven black hair, the broken boy hiding behind cheery facades.

"Are you okay?" Nico mumbled, daring to cast a glance at the last students rushing to get to the leaving buses. He glared when one glanced in their direction a little too long for her own good.

"Yup! Just ab-absolutely peachy!" Percy said in a way that made Nico flinch.

"What happened?" Nico asked again, eyes never leaving the front doors, finally closing fully after the rush of students had come to a stop.

"Bob. He- he and Small Bob- They-" Percy straightened his back and cleared his throat. "They died this morning. And, uh, I went back to check on my mum." Nico felt a pang in his heart as he stared at the broken figure in front of him, trying so hard to keep itself together. For a person who is often seen as emo, Nico took no joy in dealing with emotions. And that seemed to be especially true when it came to emotions related with Percy. Nico felt like he should say something, yet he couldn't find it in himself to apologise.

"Your friends are here for you. The teachers are here for you." Hell, I'm here for you, Nico didn't say that last sentence, but it was on the tip of his tongue as he patted the boy on the back. Sometimes, simply being there is what matters, and reminding someone that there is always someone there for them is what matters. For a moment, he wonders what Bianca would say to his own hypocrisy.

"Thanks." Percy said, and Nico would be lying if he said he didn't feel something tingling in his chest. But, he wouldn't be lying if he said he hated how it felt.
"Are we good?" Percy said cautiously, almost like he was walking on eggshells. Nico felt himself harden.

"Sure. Why not," Nico bit out. Percy frowned and seemed to be contemplating something. He seemed to have made a decision as he stood tall and stared right into Nico's eyes.

"Because you just did that and your arms are crossed and your glaring daggers at my shoes," Percy said, his own arms crossing halfway through.

"Look-"

"But then you also just hugged me and gave me an emotional boost so I really don't know and I just needed to be sure," Percy cut Nico off before he could say something that Nico might have regretted later. This time, Nico was left speechless.

"I- Uh... Yes. Yes, we're good," Nico said, feeling a rare small smile slip onto his face. If he could have looked into a mirror right then, he would have flipped at how soft he looked right then.

"Promise?" Percy said, a pinky out, just waiting. And Nico found the whole ordeal so stupid and pathetic that he chuckled a little and actually locked pinkies with Percy.

"Promise."