I tried this awhile back, but it got erased when my computer crashed. Now, I'm going to attempt it again (amidst everything else). I'm also going to tell you now, if it hasn't been updating in three years, it's not high on my list right now.

…

There were two things that Percy Jackson loved in his life; basketball and his boyfriend Nico di Angelo. The basketball started at an early age. He would often go watch the varsity games with his mom when he was small, and he developed a great love for the game. He practiced and practiced, and before too long, he was an exceptional player. Nico came a little later in life, when they were in fifth grade. Percy had been a little scared of the dark-haired boy at first, but after he rescued him on the playground, they became fast friends. In sixth grade, Percy told Nico he was going to date him some day. And now, as a junior, Percy was doing just that.

Percy was practicing his second love, standing at the free throw line, sweat beading on his forehead as he concentrated. He'd been on the varsity team since freshman year, and already had an impressive collection of scouts following his progress. A few colleges even offered him full-ride scholarships if he played basketball with them. The brunette loved the attention, but he wasn't sure where he wanted to go yet. He had another year to decide.

"Percy." The brunette froze, still posed to shoot. Coach Blofis rounded the corner from his office, staring at the tall brunette. "Wait until the rest of the team shows up, will you?" Percy grinned easily and placed the ball on his hip. He glanced to the balcony, where Nico was just visible, sitting hunched in the corner, reading from his book. Percy smiled and waved, and Nico's gaze flicked up from his book. The brunette blew him a kiss, then turned his attention to the locker room, where the rest of the players began coming out. Malcolm was in the lead, and Percy smiled. Naturally. "Alright boys," Coach Blofis said, and the boys clustered around him eagerly. "Today we'll do six on six scrimmages. First teams are…Mitchell, Pollux, Leo, Castor, Will, and Jake verses Percy, Malcolm, Jason, Frank, Travis and Connor Stoll."

"Rigged!" someone called out, and the assembled boys laughed. It did seem rather unfair, but it was always a random draw. Percy was normally with Pollux and Castor, so this was a nice change of pace. He began to walk off, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

"Go easy on them Percy," Coach Blofis said. "Not everyone is as good as you." Once again, Percy grinned.

"You bet coach," he said, then added softly. "Not a problem dad." Malcolm, overhearing the conversation, puffed out his chest.

"What about me Uncle Paul?" he asked. Percy smirked at his cousin, throwing an arm over his shoulder. He led the blonde boy away. Nico, he noticed, was now posed at the balcony, watching eagerly. Aside from his stepdad and mom, Nico was easily Percy's biggest fan. He glanced up at his boyfriend and waved again. This time, Nico waved back, smiling. Percy felt a little glow of happiness. But it was nothing new. After all, he'd been dating Nico since middle school. They easily had the longest relationship in middle school/high school recorded history.

"Percy!" Jason said, shooting the ball at him. He caught it and placed it against his hip, arching an eyebrow. At some point, everyone tried to do that to him. But his fast reflexes kicked in before he was fully aware from it. Sometimes, it seemed the new varsity members had to do that for initiation. Jason wasn't relatively new (that was a couple of freshman), but he was still very low on the ladder yet.

"You'll have to do better than that Grace," Percy said good-naturedly, lobbing it back. Jason caught it, grinning. Frank slapped him on the back and sent the blonde staggering. But he popped back up and grinned some more. Percy enjoyed basketball, especially days like today, but there was one thing he loved more than his signature sport. He glanced up at the balcony again, at the person who made him happiest, even when he didn't feel like it. Nico grinned at him and made a little shooing movement with his hand. Percy shook his head. Time to focus on the game. Even if it was just practice, he had something to prove.

After practice, everyone was talking about the first scrimmage. Percy's team won, naturally. Percy was seated on a bench in front of his locker, wiping his forehead with a small hand towel. He laughed when Frank sent Jason staggering again. Actually, Frank send most people staggering. He was a very big dude. Another reason the brunette loved this sport so much was moments like this. After the game or after the practice, just sitting around with all of his buddies, joking and hanging out.

"Hey you." Percy smiled. There was definitely one thing, one person, that made it even better. Normally, outsiders didn't have access to the locker room while practice was in session, or just ending, but Nico was a very special case indeed. No one complained. Nico was just as much a part of their close-knit group as they were. A few people called out greetings as Nico slid into his spot beside Percy. He clutched his book to his chest. Percy wrapped an arm around the dark-haired boy and kissed his temple.

"Hey you," the brunette replied. "Did you enjoy yourself up there?"

"Uh huh," Nico answered. "That was a beautiful layup by the way." Percy smiled. He had to admit, that was a very good shot indeed. Not one of his best, but very good nonetheless. "Do you have something special planned for tonight?" Nico asked eagerly. Percy laughed.

"For five years together?" he asked. "You bet I do! Dinner, movie, all the works." He titled Nico's chin and softly kissed him. "Speaking of, I'd better shower up. Can't be smelling like I just hit the gym." Nico giggled as Percy released him. He walked to the showers with a smile on his face. Once upon a time, the brunette had been very timid around everyone else when it came to Nico. Now, nothing phased him. He'd moved passed that socially awkward phase in his life. He ducked inside one of the stalls and stripped down.

Percy was so incredibly happy that he was spending five years together with Nico. Most high school students his age couldn't keep it together for a few weeks, and he and Nico were going on years. He smiled. Yes, he was one lucky guy. He was sure someone else would have the dark-haired boy to themselves by now, if they really wanted. He was that likable. But, he was Percy's. And he loved his boyfriend. A lot. Someday, he would marry Nico. He was sure of it. He was head over heels for the boy, and would continue to be throughout the years.

"Did you fall in cuz?" Percy laughed and shook his head, throwing the curtain aside. He wasn't shy, especially around Malcolm, which might've been strange, but quite frankly, he didn't care. He accepted the change of clothes, changing quickly. It was a nice pair of jeans and a short-sleeved, light blue button up. He also had a little clip on tie attached for some extra style. When Percy said he was treating Nico to a grand night, he meant it. "Looking good," Malcolm added. "Nico's a lucky guy."

"I'm the lucky one," Percy replied, checking his reflection in the mirror. Malcolm handed him a comb, which he accepted gratefully. He ran it through his freshly showered hair. He'd made reservations at their favorite fancy restaurant weeks in advance, and he was hell bent on making the reservation.

"The guys are helping Nico get ready in the track locker room," Malcolm said. Percy smiled again. He felt so happy right now. At the beginning, he was worried that the guys wouldn't accept Nico into their clique, despite him being at Nico's side whenever he wasn't with them. After all, Nico could be a shy little bookworm, and not a hyperactive jock. But a lot of his fears were put to rest when the guys accepted his boyfriend with open arms.

"Thanks a bunch for helping me get this all ready for him," Percy said to Malcolm. "I have to make sure this is a night he'll never forget. Next to our wedding day that is. And you're my best man."

"Wouldn't have it any other way," Malcolm responded, gathering up Percy's old things. A few years ago, if his cousin would've brought it up, the blonde would've laughed it off and told him he was dreaming. But, as the years went on, it was clear that Percy wasn't letting go of Nico any time soon. Now, a wedding seemed as normal as a date. "Who would be considered the bride?"

"Probably Nico, no offense to him," Percy replied. "He's just…slightly more feminine then I am. But I digress. I do have a date to go on after all." The blonde simply smiled. You didn't know Percy at all if you didn't know he had a date tonight, for a very specific reason.

"What time are your reservations?" Malcolm asked. Percy seemed to ponder it for a moment.

"Six thirty," he replied. He packed up his bag, which he then proceeded to hand it Malcolm. His cousin was going to take it home for him tonight. "Say, cuz, you know I don't normally ask to borrow your car…"

"Oh shut up," Malcolm said, fishing his keys out of his pocket. He threw them at the brunette. "Gimme the bike keys so I can take it home at least." Percy grinned and threw his motorcycle keys at his cousin.

"You're the best," Percy said. Malcolm simply sighed. He didn't really remember how to drive Percy's bike, but he knew enough to get himself safely home. "We can't go to the restaurant on my bike you know?" Percy added, because he could sense his cousin's slight annoyance. "I mean, we could, but it isn't really romantic."

"And my old junker is more romantic than your bike?" Malcolm asked in disbelief. "Nico loves your bike cuz. Are you sure you don't want to take it?" Percy bit his lip. Did he? Maybe. But…

"I'm sure," he replied at last. "I only brought one helmet anyway, so even if we did take it, one of us wouldn't be very safe. And while I want this to be a night he'll never forget, I also want him to wake up tomorrow to remember it." He gave his cousin a lopsided grin. He hoped it came off as reassuring, because one of his biggest fears was that he wouldn't be able to keep Nico safe one of these days when they went out on the bike. Not that he was a bad driver and didn't trust himself to keep him safe. No, it was other drivers he didn't trust. "I'll return the car after I drop him off tonight, I do promise you that."

"Yes, I know. And if you forget, I can always drive your bike to school tomorrow and we can trade back after practice." He did have a point. It wasn't like they never saw each other. "Besides, have fun tonight. It's not every day you get to celebrate five years." At that, Percy smiled. Yes, basketball was his love.

But Nico was everything to him.

…

Dinner went off without a hitch. Nico always enjoyed going out with Percy, and the feeling was returned in equal parts, if not more so. Percy thought ahead and brought new shirts for them to switch into, because, while this was cliché as all hell, he was also going to treat Nico to a movie, where they could sit and hold hands and kiss more than actually watch the movie. And, judging by the smile that Nico gave him when he produced the movie tickets, he seemed to really like that idea.

"I can't believe you," he said while they were standing in line waiting to get drinks (because Percy's stomach was a bottomless pit). "Have I ever mentioned that I absolutely love you?" Percy smiled brilliantly, capturing Nico's chin and giving him a kiss.

"I absolutely love you too," Percy replied. He ordered their drinks, leading them to the theatre. And he meant it, no matter how many times he said it. He truly did love Nico. With everything that he was. He made the brunette so happy. They took their seats in the back, watching the flickering big screen. Percy slid his hand over the armrest, taking Nico's hand in his. He sighed contently. Yes, he was quite happy. Great night with a great guy. He glanced over at Nico, smiling softly at his boyfriend. He had a special present for him, but he'd stupidly forgotten it at his house. He'd have to grab it and give it to him tomorrow.

"Percy?" Nico whispered suddenly, almost startling the brunette. He jumped slightly, then glanced over at his boyfriend. Nico was bent almost double. "I suddenly have a huge headache," he whispered. "Can we leave? I know you spent so much money on me already, but…"

"It's fine," Percy replied quietly. He got up, then helped the dark-haired boy to his feet. They navigated their way to the front. Percy wasn't paying Nico much attention right that moment. After all, they went to the movies here all the time. But when he heard something thump behind him, he turned. He found Nico on all fours, staring at the floor. He'd tripped over the little step up into the lobby. "Are you okay?" Percy asked, kneeling beside him.

"Yeah," Nico replied, rolling to sit beside the curtains. "I just banged my shin on the way down." Percy frowned. Nico was a little clumsy, sure, but never this much. He inspected his boyfriend, but he didn't see anything out of the ordinary. He rolled up Nico's pant leg, wincing at the purplish bruise already spreading across his shin. "I didn't think I hit it that hard…" Nico mumbled.

"Let's just get you home," Percy said, still frowning. This sudden turn worried him. Nico had been feeling fine all day. At least he thought so. Maybe he hadn't been, and he wanted to put up a front so he wouldn't ruin their anniversary. Nico rose drunkenly to his feet, swaying unsteady for a moment. Percy slipped an arm around him. "Are you okay?" he asked as he steered Nico out of the theater.

"I'm fine," Nico gritted out. "It just feels like someone's trying to split my skull in half." Percy winced in sympathy. He hoped his baby would feel better soon.

…

"How'd the date go?" Malcolm asked when Percy showed up to trade vehicles. Percy made a face and tossed his cousin his keys. Malcolm caught them, staring at him. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Nico got sick so we had to cut it short," Percy replied, taking his keys for the bike from Malcolm. "He seemed fine though. I hoped he hasn't been feeling under the weather all day and hasn't told me. I'd understand if he wasn't interested in going out tonight."

"He didn't want to ruin your plans though," Malcolm pointed out. Percy sighed. Yeah, he knew. But Nico's feelings were always put before his own. At least, in his mind, that's how it went. Maybe in Nico's it was reversed.

"I'm glad I didn't take the bike tonight," he said instead. "It would've been too loud for him." Malcolm arched an eyebrow. Percy's bike wasn't the loudest in the world. "He had such a headache when we left," Percy explained. "In fact, it was so bad, he passed out as soon as we got to your car. I carried him into his house and laid him in his bed. He didn't even stir." Now it was Malcolm's turn to frown. That didn't sound good.

"I hope he feels better soon," he said. At Percy's look, he reached out. "It's probably nothing, okay Percy. He gets headaches a lot." Percy nodded slowly.

He didn't want to admit that he was actually very worried.

…

"Alright Mrs. di Angelo," Percy said, his mood instantly dropping. "Thanks." He hung up his phone, staring at it blankly. Nico was home sick. Which, didn't sound that strange, but, this was Nico di Angelo. He dragged himself to school with a hundred and three degree fever one day and had to be forced to go home. Nico never stayed home. He took a picture of his locker and sent it to Nico, wishing him well. He slammed the door shut.

"Perce!" He glanced over his shoulder as Jason approached. "Where's Nico?" the blonde asked, glancing around the brunette might be hiding him somewhere. "I had a question for him."

"He's home sick," the brunette replied flatly. Jason followed behind him as he strode to class. He was in a sour mood. He didn't want to be here. He wanted to be at Nico's house with him, fussing over him and making sure he was okay. That bruise from last night looked ugly, and if Nico still had his massive headache, then he wouldn't look after it properly.

"He'll be better soon," Jason said cheerfully. Percy gave him a tight-lipped smile, nodding slowly. He sure hoped so.

…

Alright everyone, chapter one complete! Let me hear your thoughts so far.