Chapter 1

He sits on his lonesome, a black bound book sitting next to him, unmoving, yet persuading him to open the book. The young boy slowly stretched out his hand, inch by inch, until his fingers sat on just the bottom of the book, he could feel the velvety cover just under the tips of his fingers, and it felt so warn, but so loved.

…

"No, no, no. If I say 'put the body on the table,' you ask at what angle. You do not send the body to my apartment." I growled into my phone. There was a black body bag sitting in my lounge room. My roommate had found it and had a heart attack. Under any other circumstances, seeing the Swimming Legend of our generation scream at the top of his lungs would have been hilarious. But there was a body in my living room and a traumatized 25 year old on the couch.

"But sir, you specifically sent a message this morning that you were working at home. You told me to send in any work, if necessary," I rolled my eyes as I looked down at the black bag.

"I'm extremely not sorry about this, but you're fired. You just corrupted an extremely large case of murder, and any evidence I can get off this guy could be void in court. Thank you, now goodbye," I hung up and stuck my phone in my pocket.

"Perce, you alright?"

"How can you do that for a living?" He asked, softly. I respectfully stepped around the bag, instead of over it, to where my roommate sat cross legged on the couch, his head in hands. I sat cautiously across from him. Not too close.

"It's not always that bad. He was a part of a serial killers case, he was… particularly sadistic,"

I'm a detective (and I help the forensic anthropology team a lot) for the NYPD, and I usually work these kinds of cases. I'm not really new to the station, being there two years, but all these deaths are sometimes hard to take in. I became roommates with Percy last year, but I've known him since I was 10 and he was 12. He's an Olympic swimmer, and does marine biology on the side. We both graduated from university a couple years ago, and decided to share an apartment. This predicament has never happened before.

"Nico, his face was burnt off,"

"Yeah, I know. Probably with a lighter-" I swallowed when I saw Percy's face, "But that's not what your point was. I'm truly sorry you saw that, I really am. If it's any consolation I bought blue jelly beans this morning and I fired the guy who sent it," Percy cracked a small smile and stood up.

"Okay. Let's just forget that ever happened. I'm going to ignore the bag until it goes away, and I just remembered, you have a message from a… Octavian was his name? He said to call him when you're free," I smiled. Octavian, my boyfriend, lives a downtown, but I see him every week. He's studying to become an author, and I haven't spoken to him a week or two.

"Thanks Percy, don't worry about the bag, I already called my boss, and someone will be coming in to collect the body." He nodded and started ransacking the cupboards, probably looking for something to eat.

I walked into my room and sat heavily on my single bed. My room is small, but not extremely small. It can fit a single bed, bed side table, desk and chair and has a wonderful view of the Manhattan Skyline.

I took out my phone and clicked on 'Tavy'. It rung three times before Tavy answered. "Hey Nico!" He said cheerfully. I grinned and laid back on my bed.

"Hey yourself, what's up? You wanted me to call you back?"

"Oh yeah, just wanted to talk. I miss you,"

"Miss you too," Tavy breathed a heavy sigh and I heard a chair squeak. He probably sat down.

"What are you up to?"

"Well… I've got work in three hours, we can meet up if you want,"

"Awesome. Our regular place, in half an hour?"

"Make it 40, I need to get dressed. See you soon," We hung up and I decided to change out of my pyjamas and into actual attire I can wear outside.

I took a quick shower in Percy and I's bathroom and changed into black jeans, a black button down shirt and a long coat, black, of course. I looked at myself in the mirror for a few minutes, until Percy banged on the door. "Hurry up Nico! I need to pee!" The downside of living in this apartment is that I have to share a bathroom. I don't know why Percy doesn't live in a massive mansion with 637 bathrooms, but apparently he's too down to earth about that. I dragged my hand through my hair and quickly walked out. Percy raised his eyebrows, and I shrugged.

"I'm seeing Tavy soon,"

"No offence Neeks-" I quickly cut him off, sighing.

"First, don't call me Neeks. Second off, whenever someone says 'no offence,' the following sentence will probably cause great offence," Percy rolled his eyes.

"Anyways. I just...don't trust that guy. He seems... shifty,"

"Luckily you're not dating him, then,"

"Nico," He sighed. I patted him on the shoulder before turning around.

"I'll be careful. If it makes you feel better,"

"It does."

I walked into the living room to grab my wallet, keys, badge and gun. And no, that wasn't a typo, I do have a gun.

"I have work. Don't wait up,"

"Tavy!" I called, as I saw him across the road. His head snapped around and he smiled, a small smile, which was weird, but I ignored it.

He jogged across, narrowly missing a taxi. The guy honked and he flipped him off. "Get out of the way!" The taxi man yelled. Octavian sneered and shook his head. He kept jogging and soon he was standing next to me.

"Hey," He grabbed me, bringing me into a long kiss. It took my breath away, figuratively and literally. When we pulled away, he grabbed my arm and tugged me into the coffee shop behind us. We sat at a booth, and I waited for the waiter, who I knew. She grinned at me and ruffled my hair, maybe one of three people I allow to do that.

"Hey Rey," I said. She grinned at me. "Sandwich. Egg and cheese? I dunno. Take away coffee," I said.

"Octavian," Reyna glowered at Octavian and took his order. As you can tell, my friends don't like him very much. And before you ask, that's not because he's a guy. Reyna came back a few seconds later with both our orders.

"So how've you been?" I asked him, as he sipped his... whatever he ordered. Some tea or something.

"Tired. Finally finished that one chapter I couldn't quite get done. Finally,"

"Good job Tavy!" I reached across and pecked his cheek. He smiled and shrugged.

"Nothing much," We spoke about regular things for the next twenty minutes, until I had to leave. I called for a refill and kissed Octavian. He grabbed my wrist, and I looked down at him.

"You look good today, by the way,"

"Thanks. You too," I leant down and kissed him again. "I'll call you"

Turns out I didn't need to call him.

"Come on. Double homicide," My partner said, walking past me. My partners name is Jason Grace, and he's pretty new here. My first partner moved Precincts, which sucks, but Jason is cool, and he's really good friends with Percy. They've known eachother since College. Jason is tall, (too tall. I'm not even 6ft yet and hes probably way past that) and has an army shave, blond hair. He dresses similar to me, but with a tad more colour.

"Alright, coming,"

We drove in the cop car, and when we reached there, I wrinkled my nose. "A strip club? Really?" Jason shrugged, and I checked my gun before I went in.

The whole strip club was a darkish red colour, and the bar was up the back. The two dead were obviously a customer and the bartender.

"Ok Nico. I know how much you hate talking to crazy women, take the customers," I walked over to a group of huddled people, there were maybe 20 of them, or so. "Okay guys. Just want to take a few notes while it's still fresh in yo... u...r... Octavian?" I growled. At the back of the group was my loyal boyfriend. Loyal my ass.

"Oh no," I spun around to see Jason eyeing me, then Octavian.

"What?" I snapped.

"Just uh... here are the names of people," I snatched the paper from Jason and growled. "CCan you take them? I'll take the chicks," He nodded slowly and I stormed off. I was hit on for the next couple of hours, and when I couldn't take it anymore, I went over to the forensic team.

"Di Angelo. Look here. This bullet wound keeps going through the bartenders chest and then out his back. Thats crazy, but you'll have to find the bullet." I nodded at my coworker and walked off. We drove back to the station, and the whole ride, I gkared at Jason whenever he tried to bring up Octavian.

I went home on time that day, with no body bags at my door step. But there was something worse in my house.

"Percy let me in," Octavian said, eyeing Percy who was sitting on an arm chair next to him.

"And I'm not talking to him. He's not even here if I squint really hard," I went and stood in front of the man. He's about 6'1 with pale blond hair and eyes so pale they almost seem grey.

"You have 10 seconds to explain. Go,"

"One of my friends was there and-"

"Nope. Interviewed all of them. None knew you,"

"How about... was walking past?"

"Manager said you paid up front. The whole thing,"

"Wanted a drink?"

"Perfectly good normal bar across the road,"

"Ok look I'm sorry," I glowered at him.

"No you're not. Are you even gay?"

"Bi,"

"Get out. I don't want to see you again. And if I do, I will punch you in the face. Get out," I pointed to the door, and he slowly stood up.

"BBut-"

"Now!" He sighed and walked out, slamming the door shut.

"What happened?"

"Caught him at a strip bar. Also, interviewed a few of the girls there, and he seemed to want all their attention,"

"Jerk. Did I not tell you this?" The door bell rang and I spun around and opened the door. Before my mind could register what was happening, my fist was swining forward and hitting Octavian in the face. I heard a satisfying crunch and I slammed the door shut.

"I have witnesses for that! You can't get away qith that!"

"Did you see that Percy?"

"See what?" Percy played the game. I heard Octavian groan.

"Apparently I punched Octavian?"

"Octavian hasn't been here. Haven't seen him in a while, if I squint real hard I can't see him, still,"

"You can go and-" Octavian screamed at me, but I droned him out. I shook my hand and cracked my knuckles.

"Hard nose,"

"You ass! No, you know what? You aren't even an ass, because sometimes asses are nice," I said that more calmy than I felt. I was standing on Octavians doorstep, with Octavian and a girl.

"You didn't even have the decency to tell me you're bi. I don't care about that anyways!" I growled at Octavian, his pale and watery features now not even slightly good looking to me now.

"Neeks I was going to tell you. Can you come inside? You're causing a scene," I looked behind me to see a few, admittedly, good looking people standing outside their doors. All around my age.

"Oh what? You don't want your neighbours to know that you were banging a girl, when you had a boyfriend?"

"Neeks, I'm sorry, I was going to tell you!"

"Liar!" And I felt my eyes stinging, signaling I was about to cry. I didn't want to give him the satisfaction, even though I've already blown my top.

"Neeks. You're causing a scene,"

"Don't call me that! You're not allowed to call me that! Octavian. We've been dating, what? Three years now? How many? How many?"

"Neek- Nico I swear I wo-"

"How Many,"

"3,"

"Bullshit,"

"Alright. You want to know how many? You met all my fans? Them," I gaped "And those two chicks we spoke to at the bar. Thats just this year and last. I lost count in college when I went into the double digits," I felt my throat close in. The girl standing beside him turned to him and growled.

"That's disgusting. You said I was the only one!" She reached into the apartment and grabbed her jacket. She put it on and looked at me.

"Come on, uh... Nico. He's just a jerk." She smiled warmly at me, and I let her take my hand and pull me away.

"My name's Piper, by the way," Piper is a stunningly attractive woman, with choppy brown hair and eyes that change colour every second. She smiled at me. Again.

"At least I didn't get too far with that asshat." I let out a sigh (it could have been relief but I don't know).

"Lucky."

"So do you need a lift anywhere?" She asked me. I looked at her skeptically, then shrugged. I can defend myself if I had to.

"Just the police station, down town."

"You're not going to report him, are you?"

"What? No. I'm a cop. I start work in an hour," She smiled.

"NNoticed the Gun. Was a bit worried for a second there, but you never went to grab for it,"

"Yep. And I hope you find a guy, thats better than Octavian. There are many,"

"You uh... too?" I nodded

"Don't have a problem with that? Do you?" She shook her head as she slid into the car seat. Her car was red, and was really nice and cold on the inside.

"Nope. Used to be bestfriends with a gay guy,"

She drove in silence, until we reached the station. When we arrived she smiled at me. "If Octavian ever gives you trouble, I work at a jewelry store down the road, its called Aphrodite and Things, kay?"

"My sister works there," I said, slightly surprised. Piper grinned and shrugged.

"I'll ask around. See you, kid,"

"Please Percy. I can't go to a family dinner... alone!" I begged, as I walked out of the station. My partner was behind us, his name is Jason Grace and he is best friends with Percy, even before we became partners. Jason's tall, but unlike my shaggy black hair, he has an army shave blond hair style.

"What about you, Jason?" I begged, but to no avail.

"Sorry bro, remember? Perce and I have to go do that thing... for Annabeth?" Ah, the famous Annabeth. Percy's longtime girlfriend.

I sighed and called a taxi. I guess I'm trekking it alone. At least Hazel will be there.

"Nico, my boy. How are you?" My father let me in, a small (very small) smile on his lips.

"Fine. You?"

"I have something for you. I was going to give it to Hazel, but you're older...aand the first born."

"Okay...?"

"Before she comes. Here, " He passed me a thick, velvet book. It was black, and the pages looked musty.

"Uhh... Thanks?"

"It's a family heirloom. Give it to your kids, if you have any, some day,"

"Dad. You know I wont,"

"There are others ways, these days, You know that, Neeks,"

Happy Star Wars day everybody! May the Fourth be with you!

Side Note- So started a new story, AND on StarWars day who could've guessed? Anyways, love you all, and anybody reading my other story, don't worry, this wont affect the updating even though I'm pretty crappy at updating...

EDIT- Just sweeping away my horribly done mistakes under the rug. Please tell me in a PM or review or something if you see any more... kind of just skimmed over it.