Back at Camp

- LukasMalachi -

Author's Note: Hey everyone! Welcome back to those who have waited two years for an update (again I'm sorry) and welcome to those who are new here ;). Thank you to everyone who stuck it out. I hope you all like this. Tell me what you think in the comments. I might just be able to incorporate your ideas if it serves the plot. Happy reading!

Nico POV:

I laughed although it wasn't funny. Percy often told the worst jokes, but I had to make it seem like his little jokes about flying burritos were funny. Don't get me wrong; I love the guy – unh… platonically, I mean. He's great. He rescued me from the Lotus Casino, then from the Underworld, then from Gaea… I guess I'm just his damsel in distress… Yes, platonically.

At least, it's platonic for Percy. I can't force anything. Plus, I don't want to ruin a relationship. Sure, I'm gay, but he's not.

It's dinnertime, and as it ends, Jason comes to sit by me and Percy. Recently, he's been hanging out with the old Camp Jupiter members, but I guess he's changing it up today.

"Hey," Jason says, eyes twinkling sky blue as always.

"Hey," Percy and I both casually respond.

"So, I was wondering if you two wanted to come to this party that I'm throwing tonight to celebrate our camps merging. It's in my cabin since I live there alone," which was a feeling both Percy and I shared. Despite the merger of our camps, Greeks and Romans were still separated to keep the gods from having more of an identity crisis.

"Sure!" Percy exclaims before I can even think.

"Great! I guess I'll see you there then."

Shit, I thought to myself. Now, I'm not only going to be with Percy, which is hard enough as it is, but I'm going to be surrounded by all the attractive Camp Jupiter kids.

Shit, I thought again. The Camp Jupiter kids are all super attractive… including the girls. Percy's going to have a field day.

Although I can't force him to like me, it was a lot harder to see him flirt around with Annabeth. Now that that's over, I get to watch every girl hit on him. OH, and at a party? Ha, of course he's going to flirt back… Shit.

Percy POV:

"Wow, dude, your cabin is a whole lot bigger on the inside than I would've thought."

"Yeah, well, when your dad is king of the sky, he has a lot of space to spare." Jason laughed, responding to my comment.

I didn't quite get how that worked, but I'd seen weirder.

"So," I said, "is there anyone you have your eyes on?"

He laughed again. "I don't think I'll move on as fast as you," he said, commenting on my recent "post-Annabeth" conversations.

Still, there was something about how he laughed in response. "But…" I hinted.

"Yes," he sighed in admission. "Yeah, maybe… I don't know. I'm interested, but not… I'm not, like…" he searched for the word.

"Crushing…"

"Yeah! Crushing… I mean, yeah, I'm not crushing on anyone."

"Yet." I suggested. His eyes looked away and his dimples popped although he didn't smile. He just took another sip from his red solo cup.

"Just go for it." I said. He seemed to take his breakup harder than either Annabeth or I did. We both sort of acknowledged that adventuring, in some weird way, kept us together. It wasn't the same after we got back from taking on Gaea. Things were… normal; and while there's nothing wrong with normal, it made our interactions a little more dull. The adrenaline rushes that had been constantly feeding our emotions, panicked and romantic, died out.

Although I can't say for certain, I think Jason and Piper were the same way. That, and she's a daughter of Aphrodite. They move on fast. Love is fickle, and so are they.

Jason POV:

As soon as they entered, I blushed. I hate how easily my face turns red. Even after months of questing in the Mediterranean and tanning well beyond what I thought was possible, my cheeks still flushed pink at the slightest provocation.

He was just so… pretty. I know Cupid revealed his feelings for Percy, but that didn't stop my own. Thank the gods I didn't feel this back then. Cupid would've had no issue dishing my dirt.

"Hey!" I shouted, greeting him and Percy.

"Hey!" Percy responded before Nico could as usual.

"I'll be right back," Nico said, heading over to the drink table.

"Wow, dude, your cabin is a whole lot bigger on the inside than I would've thought." Percy comments. I tried to make small talk, but it became an interrogation.

"Yes," I sighed in admission. "Yeah, maybe… I don't know. I'm interested, but not… I'm not, like…"

"Crushing…" he filled in.

"Yeah! Crushing… I mean, yeah, I'm not crushing on anyone." Dammit, I was not being nearly as subtle as I was trying to be.

Of course Nico returns right then, my cheeks still red from the questions and getting redder from his return. He had a red solo cup with wine. I don't know where he got it, or who brought it, but of course he somehow managed to be the most sophisticated one at the party.

"Where'd you get that?" I asked sincerely, and trying to make small talk.

"I brought it." He replied. One, of course he did. Two, I didn't even notice him carry it in.

"Where's it from," I ask, as if I really cared about the wine.

"Italy," Nico said plainly.

"Oh, duh," I reply with an exaggerated laugh… I'm blushing. Fuck.

Percy POV:

Wait, wait, wait… Jason is gay? It was a thought that had never occurred to me… I mean, I guess he could be bi, but… damn… I missed it. Then again, this isn't the first time.

Jason was very clearly crushing on Nico. Nico didn't seem to notice, but he had a hard enough time dealing with his own feelings to get a read on others'.

"Hey, I think I'm going to get a drink." I interrupted, winking at Jason as I left. He flushed and I laughed. Oh yeah, this was going to be entertaining.

I stepped over to the drink table and this girl, Jeana, comes over at the same time. She starts to make conversation, and I respond to everything she says, but I'm more focused on watching Jason and Nico. After a while, I turn to her, and she's looking at me, clearly displeased.

"I'm sorry, what?"

"Never mind," she responds, clearly frustrated. Shit, I didn't mean to be rude.

As I look back to Jason and Nico, Nico is actually smiling… Whoa, he's laughing, and it's really cute. It's not even sarcastic or ironic or anything. What could Jason have said that would've actually entertained Nico? Why is… Oh wait… hold on. Oh my gods… am I jealous?