Percy lounged in a tree outside Nico's cabin. He didn't consciously come here, but he somehow always ended up outside Hades building whenever his insomnia kicked in. A few day ago, Nico had invited him to come over anytime, night or day, but Percy wasn't about to interrupt the Ghost King's sleep over his inability to do so.

He sighed and stared up at the stars through the tree branches. Out here, he could see every single twinkling light. He tried to find the constellations, but the big and little dippers were the only ones he remembered.

Percy flinched when the Hades Cabin's door flew open, "I told you to come in."
"I thought you were sleeping." He couldn't help the smile that appeared on his face as he swung out of the tree. He hit the ground with a slight bend of his knees and strode towards Nico.

"I don't care if I was sleeping." Nico's head began to tilt back as Percy neared.

"I care. You need your sleep," Percy stopped when they were inches apart.

The Ghost King frowned, "Not as much as you need yours. You never sleep."

"I sleep…"

"When was the last time you slept, Percy?" Nico inquired.

The son of Poseidon didn't answer. He glanced away from Nico towards the smidge of lake visible in the dark.

"Percy…" Nico persisted.

"Four days." He mumbled.

"Percy!" The younger boy grabbed his hand and pulled him into the cabin. "You have to sleep. What are you gonna do when they call you out on one of those crazy quest you always seem to be wanted for, huh?"

"I'll live."

"Not if you're too tired to fight." Nico stopped and faced Percy, "Please. Just try to sleep."

"You think I haven't tried?!" Percy snapped, "You think I haven't laid in bed for hours, tossing and turning, begging the gods for sleep to come?!"

Nico dropped his gaze, "I'm sorry."

Percy sighed, "No… I'm sorry. I'm just irritable."

He flopped onto the Ghost King's bed and sighed. Nico sat beside and ran his fingers through Percy's hair. The son of the sea god closed his eyes, "I really just want to be able to sleep."

"I know…" Nico laid down and cuddled up next to Percy, resting his head on the other boy's chest. "I wish I could help."

Percy wrapped his arm around Nico and kissed the top of his head, "Remember what you did last time?"

"Hmm?" Nico looked up at him curiously.

"Last time I couldn't sleep. You sang lullabies in Italian."

"Do you want me to do that again?" Nico relaxed against Percy again.

"Please."

Nico began to sing quietly, murmuring in Percy's ear. The son of Poseidon began to drift off, and he happily let sleep overcome him. He began to snore lightly. When Nico finished the song, he whispered two words into Percy's ear.

"Ti amo." I love you.