Forced to Love

Eliza
Percy left and we sat down on opposite ends of the love-seat (here meaning a short couch, NOT a seat for lovers) Nico sighed and raked his fingers through his long, dark hair. When his hand dropped it, fell behind me on the back of the couch. I tensed at the sudden show of affection. Nico didn’t normally show affection and I wasn’t used to being shown affection except from Leo, whom I had been dating before this whole forced marriage, and Percy, but he was my brother, so that was different. I hadn’t expected Nico to show any signs of affection, despite the fact that we were technically engaged. I tensed. When Nico didn’t seem to notice, I relaxed some. This whole situation was uncomfortable.
"So......" Nico started, but was interrupted by Percy's snores from the sunroom. We looked at each other and laughed. Percy snoring was just so random that it was funny. He sounded like a elephant. We finally started talking. We told each other everything, about our past lives, how misunderstood we are, everything. I never knew Nico this way, some people took him has a goth, moody kid. But Nico had been through so much pain, so much agony. There was more to him than I could of ever thought. He’s like ice, cold and foggy. But if you show warmth and compassion, he melts, and becomes clear and free flowing. At some point, I started to get drowsy. I leaned against Nico for support. He pulled my head onto his chest and started stroking my hair. Sometime later, Nico lied down and we both fell asleep. That must have been how Percy found us the next morning, because he gave me a quizzical look when he woke us up.
"You okay?" he asked
Nico sat up fast, and started to blush, Percy was death staring him. I quickly butt in to save Nico from Percy. "Actually, yes! I said, distracting Percy from shooting daggers at Nico. “And, no, nothing happened last night." Percy raised one eyebrow. For once I wasn't lying when I said I was okay. I actually felt relieved after talking to Nico. He was the first person I had REALLY talked to besides my brother and Annabeth. And they had never felt the same way I had. They had each other. Nico was the first person to actually understand my loneliness. It was relieving to finally have someone understand.
"Okay. I trust you, Eliza. I'm just worried about you. I don't want you to get hurt.“Nico awkwardly shuffled his feet in the corner, twisting and turning his skull ring. “You're my sister. I'm supposed to protect you, but I don't feel like I'm doing a good job at it."
"You're doing fine, Percy. I can't be protected forever, you know."
"I know." he whispered giving me a tight hug. Nico watched silent from the corner. I pulled one hand free from Percy's grip and beckoned for Nico to join the hug. He shook his head. I pulled away from Percy and walked over to Nico. I wrapped my arms gently around him. He tensed under my touch at first, but, after a few seconds he wrapped his arms around me, my head against his chest. I was fully aware of Percy’s gaping, but I didn't care, when Nico touched me, it made me feel special. Nico didn't like physical contact, so him voluntarily giving me that made me feel appreciated, like I was someone he could go to
He stroked my hair a few times, then pulled himself away. I followed him to the door, watching him leave. Just before heading back to his cabin, he turned around and kissed my cheek, then took off. I felt my face growing red. Percy came up behind me slowly and placed a hand on my shoulder steering me back inside.

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