Trigger Warning: Intimate Partner Violence/Domestic Violence
Main Ship: Percico

Nico knocked on the Poseidon cabin. Percy opened up, but before Percy could speak, Nico interrupted him already.

"I need help."

After about thirty minutes of sitting silently on Percy's bed, Nico staring at the floor and Percy giving him time to open up, Nico finally decided he would tell Percy what's going on.

"He hit me." Nico tried to say it coldly, nonchalantly, like he didn't care and just knew it was bad. However, there was an edge to his voice that gave way to the fear and sorrow he felt in uttering those words, let alone the memories that flooded when he reminded himself out loud of them.

"Who?" Percy asked, but he had a feeling. He'd seen this with his mom, there was no way he wouldn't recognize it.

Nico shifted, "Will." His boyfriend.

At that moment, Percy carefully eyed Nico up and down. He was slightly leaning over to the left, signaling to Percy that there was an injury somewhere across his abdomen. He also kept his head down and his hair against his face, possibly hiding some bruises along his cheekbones or jaw. Darkly, he wondered if there were injuries he couldn't pick up on.

"I've got you," he said, unable to say anything else. Nothing else was needed, but he felt afraid for Nico. You see, Nico was more than a friend to Percy... he was in love with him. Of course Nico didn't know, but Percy cared.

If he hadn't had been in a similar situation himself as a kid, due to Gabe and his demigod heritage, Percy would've been angry. He would've hunted down Will and finished him for hurting Nico. However, he knew that it wouldn't do anything for Nico but make him feel guilty for whatever decisions Percy would've made to hurt Will. Nico didn't need more guilt than he already felt.

"Thank you for telling me," he said, ignoring how tears brimmed Nico's eyes.

Nico hated to be vulnerable like this, but he knew he could trust Percy. He was so afraid that Percy would let him down... but now he was terrified of losing his compassion.

"Can I sleep here tonight?" he asked quietly, voice faltering throughout the syllables.

"Any time," Percy assured, standing up slowly in case Nico was flinchy right now. "I'll get some extra blankets. Stay here as long as you like."

"Don't tell anyone I'm here," he demanded, "they'll tell Will."

Percy stiffened his posture. No one knew Will was like this, so if Will was running around camp asking for his boyfriend he was 'so worried about', Nico was right. Other demigods would tell Will exactly where Nico was.

"I won't. I promise."

Nico slowly sank into Percy's bed, accepting the response silently. No matter what happens tonight, Nico told himself, don't go back to him. He knew he would eventually, just... please not now. With a heavy feeling of guilt and the slight acknowledgement of hope, he decided that he'd done enough of this "asking others for support" thing and laid down on Percy's bed, doing his best to get comfortable until he came back with blankets and a little stuffed animal.

"Hold onto it," Percy offered, "it'll help." He didn't mention how it was the very same little penguin plushie that he held onto when Gabe would hurt him or his mother.

"Thanks..." Nico mumbled. "Goodnight, Percy."

Percy nodded. He figured Nico would want something more, but rest was best. "Goodnight, Neeks. I'm here if you need anything at all tonight, okay? Or this morning."

Nico nodded gently, "Okay. Thanks."