True Colors

Nico casually strolled away from the speechless couple as if he hadn't just 'come out' to them seconds ago. And honestly, it wasn't really half as bad as he expected it would be. He thought he'd get a few disgusted looks or maybe a mocking laugh, but that wasn't even close to their reactions. Percy's face was priceless. If he had a camera, he would have taken a picture and maybe would have used it for blackmail. That was if they could forget about this and move on.

Annabeth, well she just gave him an encouraging high five and Nico felt relieved. After all, it was Annabeth he was worried about. He was definitely scared of Annabeth. And he wasn't just scared of her, he was jealous. As much as he hated to admit it, he was. What was there not to be jealous of? Annabeth had everything he ever wanted. Even though her family wasn't all that perfect, she still had a family wheras all Nico had was a grumpy father who he could never talk to and some dead people.

She also had what he longed for most, Percy Jackson. Percy was his hero. He literally looked up to him and found his stupid side jokes endearing. His captivating sea-green eyes weren't something of this world. Every time Percy was around him, it was like floating in the air and it hurt like Tartarus when Percy and Annabeth would get affectionate in front of him. He felt he needed Percy, like he was oxygen and and Annabeth was taking that from him. You can't live without air.

But then Will came into the picture. Will noticed him. Will helped him. Will offered to be his friend. And from all of this, Nico was grateful. Not just because of his newfound inclusion, but because there was someone else who could keep his mind off of Percy. When he told Percy and Annabeth his secret, it felt like a heavy burden had been lifted off his shoulders and he felt free. He felt like he belonged for the first time in what felt like an eternity. He didn't have to shy away any longer. No more hiding in the shadows. Instead of the gloomy evil and black façade he put on, he could finally show his true colors.