Nico regretted it. He regretted everything. But most of all he regretted that one day seven years ago when he had told his friend Grover that he could play with shadows. Ever since then there has been nothing in his life but more and more pain. Contemplating every wrong move and action he had ever made, they all came back to one thing. Percy Jackson. Nico lay in the forest that surrounded Camp Half-Blood, in a field he had found one day while taking his usual lonely walks. The late afternoon sunlight illuminated his dark and pale body against the green grass, making it seem like he was glowing. Closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, he reveled in the warm sun on his skin. He knew he wouldn't tan but he still enjoyed the feeling it brought. Once again his mind drifted back to the boy who haunted his every thought and dream. He thought about how stupid it was; being in love for seven years. And he barely even knew the guy! That part was mostly his fault, considering the butterflies in his stomach were usually calmed by lashing out at his secret love. He sighed again. "Why do you have to be straight?" Muttering to himself, he didn't notice how eerily silent the forest had gotten. "Why do you have to be straight, and perfect, and so damn insistent on getting closer to me? I have nothing to offer except for a strange, unrequited love." Of all the things he was, the worst was being a gay teenager who had grown up knowing if he walked outside with another boy in his hand he would be beaten, or even killed. It was different now, but his mindset hadn't changed. Suddenly he noticed the silence, and tensed. Then, through the slight whispering of the trees, he heard footsteps. Not moving a muscle, the steps came closer until they were right behind him and the person they belonged to cast a shadow over him. "Those were some pretty big words, Neeks." The person chuckled nervously, and Nico nearly jumped out of his skin. Opening his eyes, he was met with the perfect face that went along with the perfect voice. "Percy…" Nico breathed, wanting to melt into the shadows. Unfortunately he had chosen the worst spot in the middle of the clearing. He shut his eyes again, more tightly this time. "What are you doing here? No one comes here." Nico groaned. "I…I was just going for a walk." Percy stuttered, obviously surprised that Nico wasn't being hostile with him. It wasn't that Nico wanted to be nice, it was just that he was tired of hiding. Sometimes he thought it would be better if everyone knew and hated him; if Percy hated him. "Thinking about stuff with Annabeth…" Percy continued, sitting down beside Nico now. He cleared his throat awkwardly. "So…you're gay?" He asked like he hadn't just overheard everything Nico had said. "Yeah." Nico spat, almost entirely angry with just himself. "So what, you gonna beat me up now or something? Scream at me and tell me how much of a faggot I am?" His scathing voice held a hint of weariness. Percy just gasped like this thought was obscene. "Nico I'm not going to do any of those things." He assured the younger boy softly. The younger one just scoffed. "Oh really? Because from my experience that's exactly what happens now." Yes, his voice was definitely tired. "Nico I…maybe I should tell you what I was thinking about Annabeth." Nico just thought about how much he didn't want to hear about Percy's stupid girlfriend. "I was thinking about how she and I aren't very compatible anymore." Now Nico's ears perked up at that. "Thinking back to when we first met…how I didn't even notice her until Aphrodite got involved. Back then, I've realized, the only person I ever looked at was Luke." Now Nico was definitely interested, but when he opened his eyes he saw Percy hanging his head in shame. "And now that everything seems to have faded well…I can't help but keep my eyes off of another boy." Groaning, Nico rolled over onto his side and voiced his thoughts before Percy could continue. "It's Jason, isn't it?" As much as Nico hated to admit it, the boy looked like a blonde superman. Not his type, but still attractive enough to appreciate. Also probably definitely not gay. Percy just chuckled at this. "No, not him. But was he who you were talking about?" Percy seemed almost sad to ask this question. Now it was Nico's turn to laugh quietly. "No, gods no. He's my best friend, in the loosest of terms." Now they both chuckled awkwardly, feeling slight tension in the air. "You know, this is the first time you've actually talked to me for…well, years I think." Percy said, suddenly serious. His gaze met Nico's, but Nico turned away quickly to hide his blush. "Yeah well, I guess I just feel better now that someone knows my dirty little secret." Nico admitted, but left out his much dirtier secret. After a moment of silence, Percy spoke up. "Hey Neeks, if I tell you a secret, do you promise not to freak out?" His eyes were full of worry and his voice shook as he spoke. "As long as you stop calling me Neeks, I promise." Nico said, although he didn't really mind the nickname. Then, as an afterthought, he added: "Unless you killed someone. But I know you didn't because I didn't feel anyone get murdered recently." He was joking, but Percy frowned slightly as he was reminded Nico could literally feel people dying. "Okay well…" Percy started nervously, his hand scratching the back of his neck. "First off, I'm pretty sure I'm gay too. It was just Aphrodite messing with us the entire time. And the boy I can't keep my eyes off…well, Nico, it's you." The silence that ensued filled the clearing, sucking all the air out of Nico's lungs. For a minute he couldn't speak. "Nico I'm sorry! I know you probably don't like me like that and I didn't want to make it awkward I just couldn't hide it anymore!" Percy buried his head in his hands, but Nico just sat up in front of him. More silence and then: "I like you too Perce." Percy's head lifted slowly to see Nico staring at him with wide eyes that were full of fear. Instantly, the older boy pulled him close and let him rest his head against his chest. "Shh it's okay Neeks, don't be scared okay?" The younger boy just sat there in shock at finally admitting the secret he's held onto for seven years, and to the person it's about nonetheless. "Percy…boys aren't supposed to love other boys. It's wrong." As much as he wanted to cry, Nico held back the tears. Not now, not here. "It's not wrong Neeks, things are different now." Percy cooed while softly stroking the other boy's hair, not failing to notice it was getting quite long. Nico just sighed and laughed sadly. "Things will never be different." He pulled away from the embrace and after a second thought, gave the older boy a kiss on the cheek. "Talk to Annabeth. Then come see me tomorrow, alright?" he smiled sadly, and then walked away without looking back. After a minute, Percy got up as well and followed suit. Better get this over with, he thought with a grimace as he walked back through the woods.