Chapter 12
Thalia POV
After Artemis left I felt much better. I glanced one more time at Percy before brushing his hair out of his eyes again and leaving. I shut the door quietly behind me.
I thought about getting myself some hot chocolate and enjoying the view out here. I went into the kitchen and as quietly as I could made myself some hot chocolate making some extra too just in case anybody decided to join me. Or I wanted more, the second seemed more likely.
I picked up one of Percy's huge jackets before heading out to the balcony even though Percy's hoodie was really warm, it was still cold and I gripped the mug tightly in my hands.
I took a sip. Perfect. Not as good as the one in the Hunters' tents but good enough. I sat on the swing by the porch railing gazing at the neon lights and bright colours of the city that never sleeps.
It was vibrant and chaotic and I loved it although being in forests was peaceful most of the times it couldn't distract me from my thoughts. Here however there were more than enough things to keep me distracted.
Natasha POV
I couldn't sleep. There was too much on my mind and my nap earlier didn't help at all. I went downstairs at about 2 am hoping to get some peace with hot chocolate which I loved. Not that I would admit it to anyone.
I shivered slightly as I entered the kitchen there was a cold gust of air drafting through the entire floor. Angrily I cursed the idiot who had left the balcony door open. I left wrapping my arms around myself to warm up and go close the door but once I saw the scene in front of me I smiled softly.
Thalia, Percy's cousin was wrapped up in a huge hoodie a mug of I'm guessing hot chocolate in her hands. Her eyes were closed and she was snoring softly seems like I wasn't the only one who wasn't able to sleep but right now she was fast asleep. Her skin almost glowing in the moonlight, her hair mussed up on one side.
I gently took out the mug from her hands she whined but didn't wake up. I went back inside and grabbed the warmest blanket I could find and draped it over her. She snuggled into it looking really cute. I quickly snapped a picture, for blackmail purposes plus something told me Percy would enjoy having this picture. I went back inside and slid the door shut leaving only a small opening.
Suddenly I felt tired and decided that I'd finally get some sleep tonight. I headed back to my room collapsing face first on to my bed. I'm just glad nobody is here to see this.
-Page Break-
I'm woken up with a bang! Literally. Clint bursts through my door shaking me. He's unusually chirpy before I can ask him why though he answers the question like he read my mind. A bit freaky if you ask me.
"C'mon 'Tasha Percy's finally up. Let's go." This perks me up and I hastily jump out of bed shooing Clint away trying to make myself look at least semi-decent.
Once that is achieved I head to the med bay grabbing a piece of toast and some coffee on the way. The med bay is already crowded by the time I reach. Percy is inside with his cousins talking to him.
I can tell by their expressions that this is going to take a while. I take a seat and make myself comfortable eating my breakfast. Everyone is already here and from what Clint informed me even Fury dropped by early to check in on Percy. Seems like he cares a little too.
I think he does care but doesn't show it. Plus he comes off as really cold so it's not a surprise really that he isn't a favourite.
I break out of my thoughts as I listen to the chatter around me. Faintly I can hear Thalia shouting at Percy. Nico occasionally pitches in.
Thalia POV
I'm jarred awake by Nico shaking me. I grumpily look at him, "What's the matter, Nico?" I say my words slurring together.
Nico rolls his eyes saying, "C'mon Percy just woke up." At that I jolt out of the swing I fell asleep in yesterday in my haste I almost trip over the heavy blanket somebody had place over me but I don't pay much thought to that.
Nico snickers at me though and I smack him on the arm hard enough to earn a yelp from him. I let a satisfied smile paint on my face as we race to the infirmary. At the doors Steve and Tony are already waiting meanwhile Bruce is checking his vitals.
Percy sees us and gives us a tired grin to which I glare back in response and see him audibly gulp. As soon as Bruce is done Nico shoves him out of the room closing the door behind us.
Meanwhile I advance towards him. I can't decide on whether to punch him or hug him. Though it is unlike me I opt for the latter. Almost crushing him in a hug burying my head in his hair I let a few tears slip. If he is in pain he doesn't show it but after a few more seconds he chokes out, "Thals-can't-breath"
I immediately release him he gulps once and massages his neck before giving me a sheepish smile which is knocked as soon as Nico whacks him in the back of his head.
"Hey!" He protests, "What was that for?"
Nico just raises an eyebrow in response considering that everyone present knows just what that was for.
Percy relents under our glares saying, "'Kay I'm sorry for worrying you guys."
We sit down opposite each other one on each side of his bed. Knowing Nico he won't start so I begin, "Kelpie-"
He cuts me off snorting, "Kelpie?" I huff and reply,
"Well kelp head sometimes gets to long so kelpie it is. Deal with it. Anyways Perce you had us worried out of our mind." He has the decency to look ashamed.
Nico then continues, "Your life aura had almost had faded by the time we'd found you. You had almost bled to death, Percy. Why didn't you tell us it was this bad before Perce?"
Percy stays silent for a moment before speaking in a small voice which is very unlike him, "It didn't seem that important and everyone already had so much on their plates I didn't want to give my burden to them. Its fine guys, it doesn't matter that much."
He keeps his head down the entire time. Nico and I look at each other then at him and then back again at each other and explode at the same time.
"Kelp head! Are you an idiot? You're just as important as anyone else. Don't say that. You're our family Perce and family tells things like these to each other. You can't just joke your way out of everything Percy. Don't bottle everything up. It isn't healthy."
Nico continues in a much calmer voice, "We care about you. Do you know how scared we were when we saw you bleeding out? We thought we'd lost you. Please let us in Perce, let us help. We're all we have you know. Please. You're not a burden. We're all broken." His voice cracks at the last word but Percy doesn't seem to notice. He just keeps shaking his head muttering something under his breath. I strain to make out what he is saying and my heart freezes as I understand his words.
He's repeating, "I'm a monster." Constantly under his breath. I look at him eyes wide. Nico seems to have heard to because he lurches forward and grabs Percy's shoulders and shakes him. Hard. All but shouting, "Percy! Percy! Listen to me! You are not a monster." He emphasizes each word paying attention if Percy is listening or not, "We've all done horrible things sometimes Percy but that does not make us monsters. It makes us human. Your mistakes doesn't define who you are Percy. At the end of the day you're still the same guy who makes everyone laugh, has a major talent for pissing off Gods, and is my annoying, idiot but loving cousin who loves people with all his heart and will do anything to prove it to them and nothing can change that."
He takes a deep breath and continues, "So listen to me Perseus Jackson you'd better get your shit together and spill everything or I swear to all The Gods that I will shove that stupid hero complex so far up your a-"
I decide this is the best moment to interrupt so I yell over him, "Okay Nico Percy gets the point" Turning my head towards him I ask, "don't you?"
He just nods and opens his mouth to say something but nothing comes out so he closes it again. This process is repeated several times making him look like a fish out of water. Oh, the irony. I crack a smile at that.
Nico sits down breathing heavily after his rant.
I sit down ordering, "Now spill."
He looks down thinking over it ultimately deciding something. Out of the corner of my eyes I see the rest of Avengers leaving. Nat gives me a reassuring smile before she leaves though.
Percy takes a deep breath and starts talking. He goes on to tell me all about his time with Annabeth in Tartarus, travelling, taking the curses, torturing Akhyls. He keeps his head down during that part and I can tell his ashamed. To be honest even I'm terrified by this display of power but I know that he'd never do anything like this purposely.
I grabbed his hands which were clenched in a fist and unclenched them. He looked like he was having trouble breathing then he started hyperventilating. I quickly realized that he was having a panic attack I slowly told him to breathe placing his hand on my chest and told him to mimic my breath. In and out. In and out. He slowly calmed down, once he was normal he took a few moments to compose himself then continued with the story. He finished with the war. How he felt it was all his fault, how he had these horrible nightmares which left him screaming in the night and he would end up throwing up whatever he had for dinner.
We did not interrupt throughout the whole story except to comfort him. My heart broke as I listened to everything he said. That time I vowed to myself I will do anything it takes to get him back. He didn't speak about torture and I decided not to bring it up. Right now I was hungry and I knew it wasn't time for a pep talk. That would be coming later.
"C'mon lets go get some breakfast. And Percy you are going to eat." He groans but agrees following us out. He seems a bit shaky on his feet so I put his arm around my shoulder and Nico does the same to his other arm and we walk towards the kitchen slowly both of us supporting him as much as he was supporting us.
When we walked in the kitchen the three of us were met by confused glances but we ignored them, faint smiles on our faces.