**Hey guys, welcome to my first Perico! As a heads up…

1) All of the Gods (except Hades, what a douche) are friendlier in this AR.

3) The relationship between Nico and Persephone is a lot closer.

d) This story contains swearing, mature themes and boy on boy intercourse, if ya don't like, don't read.

7) Chapter lengths have upped from 2k to 3k.

#) This is my third story and I'm a kid, please forgive for such crappy writing.

To be honest, I spewed this out in, like, 18 hours, so the plot is terrible, but I figured it was still worth publishing :3

Hope you enjoy :D**

~1~

It had been two weeks since the defeat of Gaia.

The Greeks had combined forces with the Romans in a last-ditch effort in New Rome, and before they could launch a last attack on the Earth Spirit, she brought the fight to them. New Rome was destroyed, and the Greeks had, without hesitation, taken their Roman counterparts in at Camp Half-Blood once the war was over.

Of course, many new cabins had to be built, but the Hephaestus and new Vulcan cabins took care of that. Within a few days, the Camp-Half Blood population had almost tripled and everyone felt at home. The Greeks owed the Romans and the Romans needed a base. Everyone was happy.

Except for those who were in mourning. Hazel and Jason, heroes of the Romans for their assistance in the defeat of Gaia sought comfort in each other over the loss of Piper and Frank.

Leo had disappeared for a few days after the war ended, but returned without Calypso, to everyone's dismay. He was moping about, helping where he could in the expansion of the camp, but he hadn't given up on his girl. Percy wished he had Leo's spirit.

Losing Annabeth had taken a toll on the entire camp, but everybody knew no one was hurting as much as Percy. He was trying to be strong, which only made the other campers feel worse. A lot of the time, if he wasn't trying to lose himself in the ocean, he was in his cabin, confiding to Reyna about the war. Reyna was beyond petty gossip, but no one approached her for tidbits or secrets anyway. Over the next week and a half, Percy drew strength from the praetor to force himself back into everyday demigod life. He didn't go on the follow-up quests with the other demigods to check on the allies who had helped them throughout the war, but he told Chiron he could start running classes again. As soon as Chiron announced these quests, the in-residence population of Camp Half-Blood dropped drastically. The centaur knew the Romans needed time to adjust, and they were happy enough to be distracted by the many quests that would spread them all over the world.

Now, a fortnight later, Percy was making his way to the dining hall, where a huge celebration was taking place. All of the questing demigods had returned for tonight. Percy had convinced himself to at least make an appearance- his dad would be there. Camp Half-Blood was throwing a huge feast for the official defeat of Gaia, and the Olympians (or at least, most of them) were joining in the mortal revels as a thank you. Percy took a deep breath as he dragged a hand through his hair. In. Out. Just half and hour. In. Out. Breath.

Why was he so nervous? Because people get hurt around you.

The Gods are here, nothing can go wrong. That's what you said about Ann-

Percy forced the thought from his mind and steeled himself to enter the party.

Perhaps this is how Nico feels about social events. No, no one knew exactly why the son of Hades hated being around too many people, other than the fact it was a family trait. Chiron had consulted Percy about the layout of the tables, and Percy asked why the centaur had placed Hades and Persephone at almost the side of the room, on a table of their own.

"They don't really like to be the centre of attention. After millennia of being downcast by his brothers," Chiron said almost sadly, "it finally sank in to Hades that Poseidon and Zeus didn't…"

The centaur picked his words, "Want him."

Now, as Percy saw his aunt and uncle sit at a table of their own, chatting quietly between themselves, he couldn't get Nico out of his mind. Throughout the battle, Nico had said this was the last time he'd help them; after this he was gone. When the battle ended, no one really knew what to do. So many dead, hundreds wounded… Nico had wordlessly stayed around. He told everyone he was helping the souls of the fallen demigods get to the Underworld safely, and even though his actions were something none of them thought about too much, Nico helped bring closure to every demigod who had lost someone in the war. Which was everyone.

Percy had watched with proud eyes as Nico consoled the Aphrodite cabin, then almost laughed as the glamorous demigods swarmed on Nico, drowning him in a group hug. Percy did laugh out loud when they finally withdrew and saw Nico had shadow-travelled out of their grip.

For such a gloomy guy, being around Nico made Percy happier than he had been in a long time.

Tonight, though, the son of Hades was staying in his cabin, where he'd been for the last few days, recuperating from the excessive shadow-travelling. Percy could tell he was also exhausted from talking to so many people- dead and alive. Nico needed time to get his energy up again, but Percy couldn't help but feel there was something else going on. Before he could get caught in his thoughts again, Percy felt a hand clap his shoulder. He looked up to see Chiron's smiling face, and smiled back. He could get through one night of talking.

What Percy didn't know was that he was on the centre table with Jason, Hazel, Leo, Reyna, Chiron, and his father and uncle. Percy groaned at the sight of every single camper spread out before him. As for the other gods, the remaining Olympians who could manage dragging themselves down to the human world for one night were sitting with their respective cabins at separate tables.

Before he could sit down, Poseidon stood up and grasped Percy in a tight hug. The teen ignored Zeus's concealed scowl and hugged his father back.

"Our offer still stands, Percy," His father whispered in his ear. After the Seven had defeated Gaia, the Olympians offered, no, insisted, that he become an immortal. Percy was still getting over the loss of Annabeth and knew she'd hate for him to make a hasty decision. He said he had to think about it.

Percy sat down with Jason on his right and his father to his left, just as Zeus stood up and addressed the demigods. A hushed silence fell over the campers as the King of the Gods spoke.

"After many years of…" Percy quickly zoned out, not caring about looking apathetic. He was, as the camp had dubbed the action, "Pulling a Nico".

Zeus finally stopped talking, and everyone began to eat. Percy didn't make a move, his appetite had abandoned him long ago. Jason softly elbowed him.

"Dude, eat something," He quietly implored. Percy chewed some blue grapes absentmindedly. His attention was soon drawn from his fellow heroes to Hades and his wife, sitting far to Percy's left. For what must've been quite a few minutes, he stared at Hades in particular.

God, those two looked uncomfortable. Persephone was wearing a constant scowl and Hades was looking around the room like someone was out to kill him. Where had Percy seen that before?

Right, Nico did it all the time.

It was only a matter of time before the two caught Percy staring. Percy could tell Hades wanted to stare him down in return, but Percy saw Persephone whisper something to the King of the Underworld. As the night progressed, the aura between the demigods had become more and more relaxed, and Percy couldn't hear Persephone's words over the chatter of campers, but he knew what it would be along the lines of.

Darling, Percy just lost his girlfriend. We should pity him.

Hades's gaze softened and he gave Percy a quick nod before returning his attention to the room around him. Percy was angry for a moment but then remembered he was too tired to be angry.

Jason tried to make small-talk with Percy, but to no avail. Soon, Percy's silence caught his father's attention. He felt a hand on his shoulder, a familial, father-like gesture.

"Let's talk, Percy." Poseidon said to him. A few eyes in the room followed the two as they headed out of the dining hall, Poseidon's hand still on his son's shoulder. Reyna breathed a sigh of relief as they left, this would be what Percy needed. Even Zeus didn't protest upon his own son leaning over and explaining that Percy needed it.

Once outside, Poseidon backed off and the two men leaned back on opposite sides of the corridor. Percy didn't have the strength to talk, and so his father started first.

"You forget how old I am."

Percy lifted his now-interested eyes to his father's tragic gaze. He was going to talk to Percy about Annabeth, and even though he instantly started crying, Percy was relieved. Father and son hugged again, no longer awkward since they fought together against Gaia.

"I've lost a lot of friends over the years, Percy, but I know Annabeth was special…"

Neither of them loosened their grip on the other as the sea god launched into stories of the friends and loved ones he'd lost, and Percy listened intently, searching for answers to his own despair.

"What I'm trying to say, Percy," He pulled his son out of the hug and stared into his eyes. They were bloodshot from crying, but Poseidon saw his own green eyes looking back at him.

"Is that it would help to find someone, not someone to love like Annabeth, of course," Poseidon added quickly, "but someone who you can take care of while they take care of you."

Percy didn't know how to respond. He certainly wouldn't find that with Reyna, and Jason and Hazel already had each other. Leo, perhaps? No, he was still on the hunt for Calypso. He had no time for Percy.

Sooner than he wanted, Percy and his father were headed back to the party. Like Percy had expected, nothing had changed between the celebrating demigods, and Percy's attention was once again drawn to Hades and his wife once Percy had returned to his seat. Perhaps it was fate that Percy was watching.

Hades and Persephone were quietly chatting and simply picking at their food, when they suddenly stopped talking and exchanged panicked looks. Percy's heart rate began to increase, then drastically jumped as Persephone was suddenly standing beside him. The entire hall shut up in a second as everyone looked at the Queen of the Underworld.

"Perseus," Her tone was calm but Percy saw muffled panic in her eyes, "be a dear and go check on Nico, would you?" It wasn't a question, everyone knew.

Percy was struck- did she just… call him…?

After an awkward silence, Percy stood up.

"Uh, yeah… Sure." He said and headed for the door, slightly panicked as to the details of Persephone's request but relieved to not have everyone looking at him. As soon as he made it outside, Percy broke into a light jog toward the Cabin Thirteen, still entirely populated by one Nico di Angelo. Why would Persephone have been so concerned? Then it hit Percy. Maybe Nico was being attacked by a monster and the two gods didn't want to cause a fuss on the big night, sending Percy to take care of it. Percy drew Riptide as he approached the door, confused by the sound of running water. He wasn't going to have to disturb his cousin while he was showering, was he?

"Nico?" He called out and pushed the door open with his foot, relaxing at the realisation that Nico was probably in the bath.

Peeking into the tiny cabin, he frowned to see it empty. The sound of the bath running still came from behind the door leading to the bathroom, and Percy approached it.

"Hey, Nico? Your mu- I mean, Persephone wanted me to check if you were… Y'know, OK…" Percy's words drifted off upon receiving no answer. He grasped the doorknob, prepared to scare his cousin little bit, but frowned when it wouldn't budge.

Percy was about to call out again when he felt something on his palm. Looking down, a dark red stain covered his hands, and Percy was hit with the memory of holding Annabeth in his arms as she…

No. Not now. Nico could be hurt.

"Nico! Open the door!" Percy banged in the door hard enough to rattle the entire cabin. Percy's panic grew and grew with every millisecond that he didn't receive an answer. The demigod stepped back and took a run up, slamming into the door which flew open. Percy stumbled into the bathroom to reveal Nico in the bathtub, the water almost overflowing. Percy's panicked breath deserted him when he saw how red the water was. Praying Nico was washing himself off after getting into a little fight with a monster, Percy rushed to his side. Nico looked like he was almost passed out; his skin was incredibly pale and Percy listened to how slow his breathing was. Percy didn't notice the tears streaming down his face as he wrapped his arms around the smaller boy's torso and pulled him out of the bath. Nico put up no fight and Percy misjudged his weight. The two demigods fell to the tiled floor, Nico's head against Percy's chest. Percy's breathing increased as Nico's slowed.

"Nico!" Percy tried to get his cousin to look at him, almost hysterical as memories of him losing Annabeth fought their way into his mind.

Nico's eyes tried to focus on Percy's face and he tried to say his name, but Percy was looking away, at Nico's arms in particular. Before he could fight the older demigod's grasp, Percy grabbed Nico's arms, only to drop them a second later, swearing loudly. Nico didn't feel his head bang on the ground as Percy fought his way from under him, running to the door.

"Hey!" Percy screamed toward the dining hall, "Somebody help!"

The though barely processed in Percy's head that Nico had slit his wrists with the intention of dying. He raced back into the bathroom, grabbing towels and wrapping them around Nico's wrists. Percy's breath caught as the red spread through the white cloth.

"Nico?" Percy said, trying to keep the boy's attention, "Don't close your eyes, Nico, don't fall asleep! Just…" Percy struggled with the bleeding as Nico did exactly as Percy told him not to.

"No… Nico?!" Percy was almost screaming as he held Nico's pale face and tried to wake him up to no avail. Percy's voice deserted him.

"Nico?" He called weakly, then turned back to the door, "Somebody, please!"

Reyna was glad Percy and his father had had their little talk, and gave Percy a small smile as he returned to his seat. Percy returned the smile, and Reyna felt warmer on the inside. She had to keep from laughing as she remembered Poseidon's face when the god had asked her how to talk to Percy. She told him to share some personal experiences, to gain Percy's trust, then asked him to say what she'd been meaning to tell Percy for a long time. When Jason would return wounded from a battle, Reyna would keep from going crazy by taking care of him. Even when they were both hurt, they'd take care of each other. They were praetors, and they had to be strong and take care of the camp. Reyna figured if Percy had ended up becoming praetor, then this tactic could help him too.

Still, Percy didn't engage in the celebrations.

A few minutes later, a different air spread through the room, and before the demigods could pick what it was, Persephone ups and tells Percy to leave. Yes, she asked nicely, but Reyna frowned as Percy left; he may've finally opened up tonight and enjoyed himself.

Soon, a muffled cry brought the entire hall to silence, then it came again.

"Somebody help!"

Jason literally jumped the table and was closely followed by the sea god in tearing out of the dining hall toward Cabin Thirteen. Out of the corner of his eye, Jason saw Hades and Persephone disappear into shadows, but returned his focus to getting to the Hades Cabin.

By the time he did, he saw the door at the back of the room had been forced open and he went barrelling into the bathroom to be greeted by Percy hugging Nico's bloody body. Jason gasped but knew there was no time for hesitation. He lunged down and tried to pull Percy from Nico so he could help the younger demigod but Percy pretty much growled at Jason. The son of Zeus stood up, taken aback by seeing Percy so hysterical. Soon he was pushed out of the way by Poseidon, who didn't hesitate to rip Nico's body from Percy's grip. Percy, sobbing and hyperventilating, pushed himself to the back of the room, hitting the wall and hugging his knees. Jason went over and pulled Percy into his arms while watching the sea god. Nico wasn't wearing a shirt, and his bare torso looked tiny being held by the Percy's dad. It was then that Jason saw how similar they looked; same hair, eyes, posture, even the crease in their brow as they concentrated. Poseidon however, was not looking at Jason. He frowned down at his nephew and grabbed his wrists, blood flowing down Nico's skinny arm. Poseidon held each of Nico's wrists in turn, concentrating for a few seconds, and then picked the boy up to lay him on the spare bed back in the main room of the cabin. Percy fought out of his friend's grip to follow his father, determined to keep Nico in his sights. They all saw the bleeding had totally stopped, but Nico was still close to death.

"Is he," Percy sobbed, "gonna die?"

His father didn't answer him and instead turned to the crowd of people that had gathered at the door.

"Get Apollo and his cabin, now."

A few kids were left standing at the door as all of the others dispersed to do as Poseidon said. The god turned back to his son and nephews, taking Percy into a hug. Percy had wiped at his tears, which left red, warrior-like streaks on his face. Percy didn't feel like a warrior, though, as his legs simply gave up on standing, and cried into his father's arms as he held him. After a minute, Jason gently took his cousin from Poseidon's arms and nodded to his uncle.

I'll take him back to his cabin.

As much as Jason was in shock of what happened, he knew Nico was okay with Poseidon and had to make sure Percy was okay.

Percy collapsed onto his bed, and Jason heard him protest to see Nico, to make sure his cousin was alright. Jason would've laughed at Percy's determination if the situation wasn't so dire.

"Just sleep, Percy," He crooned, and as much as Percy tried not to, he fell quickly into darkness.

**Wow, first chapter posted. Stay tuned for the next one and dropme a review if you think this was okay!**