The Big Truth

A Percico Fan Fan fiction

This is a slash/yaoi/boyXboy (whatever you call it) PJO fanfic. If this makes you queasy, then don't read it. Hints of Percy/Luke (based on my theory) and Nico/Jason.

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or PJO/HOO. If I did, well, we'll have Percico in the books. YAY! Well, no. I don't own it. So no. Aw man.

Chapter 1: Rumours

It had been months after the war.

Camp Half-Blood had held a Rebuildathon, along with Camp Jupiter - whom they had formed alliances with - to rebuild and renovate structures and buildings damaged by the war. The gods and demigods were finally able to enjoy some peace.

But even with the alliances made and the oaths sworn, there was still one rumour that was flying around. No one knew who started it, but whenever the demigods worked together, they would always discuss it. And those that heard it would pass it to their friends.

"Hey, did you hear that..."

"... a certain demigod.."

"... who is a guy..."

"... not to be named..."

"... has a big crush on..."

"... Percy Jackson?"

There would always be gasps. Then the discussions would shortly follow, and names would start being said. Nico di Angelo would always hide in the shadows, silently listening to all these conversations, thankful that no one ever suspected him.

It was summer, and most of the flowers were in full bloom. Most of the repair works were finished, and there were only a few minor issues to attend to. Both Roman and Greek demigods would hang out together, even Octavian seemed to make peace with the Greeks. Not really though. But at least he didn't go round yelling "kill the Greeks!" which made everything much better.


Nico enjoyed spending his time sitting around, somewhere under the shades. He watched the demigods run around, doing their errands, joking around, and maybe kissing, on a few occasions. He would also catch some girls staring at him, only to turn away shyly when he looked at them. Seeing them like this only reminded him of Percy.

Yes, Percy did talk to him. But he only treated him as a younger brother. He only loved Annabeth, and Annabeth only. Jason was a good friend, Nico had to admit. But there was just something about him that he was lacking. Nico could never place it. Maybe it was because he didn't like Jason.

He had gone round before, trying to find out if Percy was bi, but by asking questions that would not arouse any suspicions but yet answer his question. After some months of searching, he had come up with an answer. Percy might have been bi. At least there was a little chance that he might have been.

On Percy's first quest, the last line of the prophecy was: "You will fail to save what matters most in the end". On first thought, it could have been his mother. But his mother came back in the end, didn't she? Everything had been saved... except for Luke. He'd betrayed the camp and fought for Kronos. He might have been very important to Percy at first. After all, Luke had been the first to help Percy. Like how Percy was the first to help Nico. Percy might have liked Luke before he liked Annabeth and didn't know about it as Luke may have been the first to help him. Even though some may say that he didn't manage to save his mother, but no. In the end. In the end, his mother was returned to him. Who knows when 'in the end' was? Prophecies weren't always clear. But yet again, there could only be a line for each person or incident. Maybe... it was to state that Percy would never be able to recover what was lost, and that was his feelings for Luke as he was betrayed?

Possible.

Sighing, Nico leaned against the tree. Feranda was staring at him again. How many times had it been? Nico wasn't exactly a people person. He averted his glance, his cheeks slightly red.

Feranda Callas was this girl from the Demeter cabin. She was exceptionally good at gardening - one of the best, with a sweet disposition. If you had never seen her working in the gardens, you would have thought that she was daughter of Aphrodite. With her black hair that cascaded down her back and those brown eyes that sparkled with life. Her skin was slightly tanned, from all the time spent under the sun. She was always together with her other friends that seemed like one of those "I 3 Nico di Angelo" fan clubs. He was surprised at his own popularity, learning interesting things about the fan clubs from the time he spent lurking around in the shadows.

Nico's lips quirked up a little at the thought of it. It was a little... amusing at times. He took his sword that was beside him and went off to wander aimlessly in the camp. Maybe it was time for some sun. And a workout.

Perspiration beaded the young boy's forehead.

Michael hadn't expected Nico to be this good. Being the best in the camp for sword fighting apart from Percy and Luke, he had never heard of Nico. Suddenly, Nico feinted and attacked to Michael's right, and stabbed at his left before slashing in an arc in front of him. Michael blocked the first, expected and dodged the second, and let out a near inaudible yelp of surprise as he stepped back on the third.

Michael attempted to slash Nico consecutively but each of his attacks were deflected effortlessly by Nico. By now, a crowd had already gathered at the arena, watching the two boys fight. Michael sidestepped and jabbed Nico from the side, but Nico turned his body, the blade missing him by a mere centimetre. Then, with his other hand, he grabbed Michael by the wrist and knocked his sword out of his hands with a hit from the hilt of his sword on the knuckles.

Michael's jaw dropped in disbelief. He'd been so intent on attacking the pale, gaunt boy that he had let down his defences and allowed his own weaknesses to be exploited. If Nico was the enemy, he would've been killed.

Nico dropped Michael's arm and bent down to pick up the sword. He handed it over to Michael, who had now shut his gaping mouth and graciously accepted the gesture.

Nico then picked up his sword, leaving the son of Ares in the arena. He did admit, Michael was pretty good with the sword for a camper with only six months of experience. But no where close to where he was, with no real life experiences, Michael will always stay at a level. Hopefully he never needs to use the skills he had learnt.

"Wait! Nico! I was just wondering if we could meet up at the arena one of the days to exchange some tips?" Michael shouted out from behind.

Nico stopped in his tracks for a moment or two. Then he continued walking. Silence meant consent, didn't it? He wasn't one for words anyway. Although he did hope Michael got the message.

Nico wandered around the camp aimlessly. Halfway through the training grounds, Nico saw Percy teaching some new campers. Percy saw him, and his face lit up in a smile as he saw Nico. He wanted to run. Nevertheless, Nico managed to keep a straight face and walk over.

"Hey Nico, could you help me with this demonstration?"

Nico gave a slight nod. He bit his lip nervously, the colour rushing to his pale lips. "So..." his voice cracked a little. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Whatever you did in the arena just now. You know the one where he attempted to jab you?"

"You... watched it?"

"Yeah. You did great."

Nico felt his own face heat up slightly at the compliment. He was pretty sure he was blushing.

"I think we should start now," Percy said before raising his voice to address the rest of the campers that were learning. "Okay, now watch and learn."

Percy sidestepped and attempted to jab Nico in the side, but the son of Hades was quick enough to turn his body slightly before grabbing Percy's wrist and disarming him in one quick move. Riptide clattered noisily onto the floor.

"Does anyone need to see the steps again?"

A few hands shot up.

"Okay then. We'll do the steps again, this time slower."

Percy nodded at Nico and gave him a small smile. Nico looked away, not wanting to look at Percy directly. It was... it was like as if his heart would beat right out of his chest. Nico gripped the sword in his hands tighter. Percy sidestepped once more, and jabbed, but this time much slower. Nico turned and grabbed Percy's hand, and found that Percy was looking at him right in the eye. Nico bit his lip once more and dropped Percy's hand like it was red hot metal. Then he ran away, far from Percy and the others, and deep into the woods.


No one would find him here.

Nico threw his sword down at one side and sat down, hugging his legs close to him.

Something fell from his eyes and rolled down his cheeks. No, he wasn't crying. That... that was...

Why should he cry? It wasn't the first time he realised it, neither was it the first time he cried. But shouldn't he have cried enough?

"Nico? Is that you?" a familiar sweet voice called out.

Nico immediately stopped crying. He picked up his sword that was lying on the floor and stood up, standing defensively.

"Who are you?" he growled. "Show yourself!"

There was a light rustle of leaves as the person revealed herself from behind a thick tree trunk. A crown of leaves sat atop her head and she wore a brown cloak over her Camp Half-Blood T-shirt and denim shorts. Those features of her were unmistakable. Nico's eyes widened in shock.

"Fer... Feran... Feranda, what... what are you doing here?"

Please tell me what you think about this story as it is my first time writing a slash fic!