[ it's hard not to notice annabeth when she steps into view. the daughter of athena has always had an aura about her that has made her hard to ignore. not the kind of aura that nico typically seeks, to determine how close to or far away a person might be from dying. sure, annabeth has one of those ( robust and strong, stubborn even, just like percy's; nico has always wondered if it's formed that way due to their shared experience in tartarus ), but the one he senses in this moment is different. it's that of determination blended with something else. intelligence as per her godly traits, wisdom, and a fierceness that nico knows can be dangerous to face. his dark eyes linger on her for a few seconds longer, as if he needs to take in every inch of that part of her.
it's a magnetism. like the one that surrounds percy. tempting him to draw closer but he ignores the urge if only because he still isn't sure how to address this situation. without thinking, his own hands drop and he begins toying with the silver skull ring on his finger. a nervous habit that often crops up in situations he feels he can't control. and control is something he craves constantly. it's not like he's a control freak or anything like that. rather, his life has always been so hectic and outside his control that what little he can is gripped with the kind of hold he tends to keep on his sword. steady, strong, and occasionally desperately.
now is one of the moments when he doesn't feel in control. he feels out of place, out of his depth ( this is one hole he's willing to dig himself deeper into ), and he knows it's partly his fault. this is the price he's paying for letting himself fall back in love with percy. he's not afraid to face annabeth, but he's certainly feeling a bit of trepidation.
eyes like oil slicks dart around the park for a few seconds. not because he's seeking a way out of this ( he's done running ), but for lack of anything else to do while he's feeling antsy. eventually, his gaze shifts back to the daughter of athena, noting the way she's wearing one of percy's sweatshirts ( the one that had been on the floor of percy's room on that night; nico remembers it too well ). idly, he wonders if it was a calculated move on her part or if it was just something she grabbed.
a sliver of something sharp and painful lodges in his chest, in his heart, but he ignores it, swallowing hard and licking his lips. ]
Let's walk.
[ not just because he's antsy, but also because the sound of the trickling water in his ear is a distraction he doesn't need or want right now. it reminds him too much of percy and considering their conversation will eventually turn towards him anyway, he'd rather not have an additional reminder. ]
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it's a magnetism. like the one that surrounds percy. tempting him to draw closer but he ignores the urge if only because he still isn't sure how to address this situation. without thinking, his own hands drop and he begins toying with the silver skull ring on his finger. a nervous habit that often crops up in situations he feels he can't control. and control is something he craves constantly. it's not like he's a control freak or anything like that. rather, his life has always been so hectic and outside his control that what little he can is gripped with the kind of hold he tends to keep on his sword. steady, strong, and occasionally desperately.
now is one of the moments when he doesn't feel in control. he feels out of place, out of his depth ( this is one hole he's willing to dig himself deeper into ), and he knows it's partly his fault. this is the price he's paying for letting himself fall back in love with percy. he's not afraid to face annabeth, but he's certainly feeling a bit of trepidation.
eyes like oil slicks dart around the park for a few seconds. not because he's seeking a way out of this ( he's done running ), but for lack of anything else to do while he's feeling antsy. eventually, his gaze shifts back to the daughter of athena, noting the way she's wearing one of percy's sweatshirts ( the one that had been on the floor of percy's room on that night; nico remembers it too well ). idly, he wonders if it was a calculated move on her part or if it was just something she grabbed.
a sliver of something sharp and painful lodges in his chest, in his heart, but he ignores it, swallowing hard and licking his lips. ]
Let's walk.
[ not just because he's antsy, but also because the sound of the trickling water in his ear is a distraction he doesn't need or want right now. it reminds him too much of percy and considering their conversation will eventually turn towards him anyway, he'd rather not have an additional reminder. ]