Nico's POV: Trigger warning. Mention of cutting, suicide and abuse.

Of course, I ended up making the reservation for the dinner that was meant to be Nathan's "treat". But what was I expecting? I need to enjoy this bit of kindness while it lasts. Let's hope he doesn't drink during dinner. I let him pick the restaurant and I called. We're going to Olive Garden. Yaay. I'm soo excited. 

Nathan is out buying us new clothes. At least he knows I don't have anything. I told this time to pace our bedroom and rethink my life so far. Especially tonight. There is no way this night could end well. My mind raced with "What ifs". I took a breath, looking towards the bathroom. I then looked at my arm, rolling up my sleeve. My arm was littered with scars. Some small. Some large. Some overlapped. I was running out of places to cut cleanly. You know, without risking the chance of bleeding out. I know that isn't a problem. I know where to cut in order to make that happen. I've done my homework. I've just.. Never worked up the nerve to do so. I awoke from my trace for no apparent reason. I found myself in the bathroom, staring at my reflection in the mirror. 

"... I know where to cut in order to kill myself. And I'm small enough to find somewhere Nathan can't reach. I could do it.. Right now. He's gone. He won't be back for awhile. He might come too late. I might already be gone," I whispered to my reflection.

I shook my head, gripping the sink with both hands. That's stupid. There's no way. Why would I kill myself over a dinner? I need a better reason. I was about to walk out, when I froze. Do I have a reason? 

I moved myself back in front of the mirror. I then gripped the bottom of my shirt. I've refused to look at myself without a shirt on for months. I was always afraid of what I might see. Always afraid of what I'd let myself become. But I took a deep breath and lifted my shirt from over my head. 

Oh no.

Oh geez.

Oh Dio.

It was worse then I thought. My body was covered in bruises. Some old and fading. Others newer and still forming. My pale skin looked like a blank canvas with blotches of purples, blues and black covering it. Made by an angry artist. Both of my arms were covered in scars that managed to overlap each other, a white and pink maze that seemed to have no end. I hadn't realized how much my body ached. I must have gotten used to it. Was this.. Healthy? Surely not. The scars. The ones on my torso weren't from me. Many white lines that weaved in and out of each other. Some going from my shoulder down to below my waist line. I don't even remember where half of these scars came from. My years with Nathan had been one.. big.. painful blur. 

How did Nathan expect me to go out like this?! How.. How did I manage to survive like this? Why did I let it get this far? I used to be happy. I used to be independent. How did I go from a newly made orphan who was living with a love interest to a pathetic excuse for a person who lets his boyfriend beat him?! I don't even love him anymore. Yes, I'm saying it! I don't love him! He's an abusive prick who does nothing but make my life miserable. But what else am I supposed to do? He's feed me, clothed me, put a roof over my head. That's more then I could ever do by myself. I'm not even old enough to get a job. 

I pulled my shirt off, wiping away tears I've tried to hold back the moment I saw the marks on me. I can't believe I just attempted I don't love Nathan anymore. He can never know this. (Watch it Neeks. The fourth wall is cracking. If it breaks, so help me-) I sighed, rolling my eyes. Why am I acting like I've been talking to someone? (There ya go! Good boy.) Nathan could never find out unless I told him, which is never going to happen. He'd kill me. And I'm not sure if that's an exaggeration or not anymore. I can't risk anything.

~~~~~~~

We arrived at Olive Garden that later that night. Thank god Nathan bought me something with long sleeves. (I've never been to Olive Garden, so I'm just going to guess and say it's like any other restaurant but with a lot of breadsticks.) We weren't wearing anything special. He bought me a grey plaid shirt with blue jeans. I guess he was feeling lazy and bought the same for himself but his shirt was red and his jeans were slightly ripped. 

The waiter sat us in a booth near a window,  gave us our menus, and left. I was already feeling anxious. It's been years since I've been out of the house. I almost forgot how other humans looked like. We sat in silence for a while, staring at our menus. I've never seen so much food. Hey, there's steak here. Maybe they can teach me how to make it properly. I rolled my eyes at the thought, absentmindedly flipping through the pages among pages of food and drinks. 

"Hey babe, I need to use the bathroom. I'll be right back," Nathan said, breaking the silence.

I nodded mutely as he stood up and left. I sighed, placing down my menu and running my hand through my untamable hair. This is such a bad idea. I just want to leave. 

"Nico?" 

I whipped my head towards the voice that called my name. My breath caught in my throat when I saw the owner. A boy around a year or so older then my walked up the my table, a stupid grin on his face. His tan skin, jet black hair and sea green eyes made his identity obvious to me. My old friend. My old crush. No one other then-

"Percy?" I breathed, standing up and sliding out of the booth. 

He grinned, lunging forward and pulling me into a tight hug. Now, this would have been great. An old friend I haven't seen in years finding me again. This hug would have been nice too. It's been awhile since I've felt a genuinely kind gesture. But something ruined this moment for me. His arms pressed against my bruises. 

I inhaled sharply, ramming my hands into his stomach as a reaction to the pain. A burning pain flooded the area he'd put pressure on. I blinked away the tears that threatened to spill. Percy looked at me in confusion, then concern. 

"Are you ok Nico? Did I hurt you?" He said panicking. 

I shook my head, forcing a smile. 

"I'm fine, really. I'm just.. I don't like being touch," I lied.

He nodded for a moment, then grinned at me again. 

"I've missed you, buddy! We lost contact years ago. What happened?"

I forcefully smiled at him again, telling him about Nathaniel and how we live with each other. Of course I left out the parts of his drinking and abuse and replaced them with how much of a nice guy he was. He continued to grin at me, eating up the nonsense I was feeding him like I'd hoped. I completely forgot about the real Nathan. He was still in the bathroom. 

"Well, I'm really happy for you Nico. He sounds great," Percy said after my little rant about how "great of a guy" my "boyfriend" was. 

I nodded, happy to be talking to him after so long. For the first time in years, I felt somewhat happy. Then, of course, it was ruined pretty quickly.

"HEY! WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?!" 

I felt myself being violently grabbed and pulled behind a larger figure. My heart raced, knowing it was Nathan immediately. He glowered at Percy, who was glaring back. I panicked, grabbing Nathan's wrist.

"Babe wait. He's just a friend. I haven't seen him in years. I've just been telling him of how great you've been to me!" I said quickly, tightening my grip on him as if preparing to hold him back.

Percy looked at me suspiciously.

"This is the great guy you've been talking about?"

I gulped as Nathan grabbed my shoulders, turning me around and steering me towards the door.

"Come on Nico. I think we should go. It's getting late," he growled softly, sending chills up my spine. 

I knew that tone. I knew it too well. I was in deep trouble when we got home. I don't think he believed me. He probably thinks I was cheating on him or something. Oh god, this is bad.

But hey. At least I saw a friendly face after all these years.

(Sorry I took so long to update. I've had writer's block and I've been too lazy to fight it. But hey! I got it out right? So don't hate me. Please. And keep reading! ... Please.)