Summary: After the war, Percy without Annabeth, returned to Camp Half-blood. On his arrival, Chiron instructed Percy to do something productive, so Chiron gave Percy a choice. Either teach or take a class. He chose to take sword fighting. Who would've guessed that he'd soon have the hots for his sexy Italian instructor? Percy deals with more than his inner emotions as Nico takes him on an adventure he had never expected. (I apologize for my terrible summary) BOO SPOILERS!

Disclaimer: I do not own the Percy Jackson or Hero of Olympus series as they belong to the great all powerful Rick Riordan.

Yes, Nico and Percy are sorta OOC but I'm trying. I think it best that in this story, Nico never confessed his love for Percy but did tell everyone he was gay. This small tweak will help the development of this fanfiction. This story is now rated T but will later change to M as the story develops.

Under the Weather

Percy Jackson was not an over achiever. He usually slacked off in class because of his genetically transmitted ADHD but in this class, he didn't dare let his grade fall below a 100. At least it was a subject that wasn't too hard for Percy. The class was sword fighting. Percy didn't try so hard in this class because he was the savior of Olympus, or because he was naturally good at it, he wanted to impress his teacher. The sweat poured off of Percy's chiseled physique. His sun-kissed skin, glistened with the thin sheet of liquid exhaustion, moved fluidly. Left and right he swung, blocking and dodging his opponent. His current opponent was the only one in the entire camp who could match and eventually beat his skill.

Percy was genuinely surprised when his teacher beat him for the first time. Percy, the normally testosterone driven teen, never backed down from a duel. This ended with him constantly getting his ass handed to him. Sometimes it wasn't his instructor's expertise that ended in Percy losing this duel though. One second Percy will be winning and the next he's on the ground sword pointed at his throat. The seconds between his near wins and his defeat, are what confused Percy the most.

As Percy sat alone in his cabin one night he recalls the earlier duel of the evening. He remembers the constant clang of metal upon metal that rang throughout the training hall when the two fought. Percy then realizes what was the cause of his defeat. It was because of those onyx-brown eyes and that knee wobbling smirk, that Percy could never win. Every time Percy Jackson was relatively close to winning, he would look under his opponent's shaggy black hair, only to get lost in his eyes. This small distraction is what created his new found determination.

Lost in his thoughts, Percy barely heard his instructor's taunting words, "Is the savior upset he lost another game?". His voice was as smooth as silk. It was directly after class when Percy had set down on the side of the arena, after he accepted yet another defeat.

"Pfft please, I let you win." Percy's false bravado kicked up at the thought of another challenge. As Percy said this, his hungry sea green eyes took in the sight before him. A well defined, nearly hairless, naked torso was facing him. Percy licked his lips when his eyes started to drift lower as the sight of his current cynosure's happy trail crept into view. Percy only realized what he was doing when his instructor cleared his throat. The blush was apparent on the sea prince's cheeks but prayed that the olive skinned model didn't notice. His teacher only chuckled, amused.

"Alright. We'll see tomorrow young Perseus.". The way that the Italian said his name did bad things to Percy. He knew that this wasn't a normal reaction to someone who should only be a friend.

"I'm older than you, death breath." Percy joked. This nickname might have been slightly influenced by Thalia.

"Hey! Don't get smart with me or I'll give you detention. Oh and that's Mr. Di Angelo to you." Nico's smirk could be seen as he was backing away from the green eyed Adonis. After Nico was gone, Percy went back to his thoughts. Who would've known that Percy Jackson, would've fallen for a dark angel like Nico di Angelo?

After the war, Percy had returned to the camp to help out with the damage. Annabeth now too busy to make time for Percy, decided it'd be best that they spend time apart. When the blonde had said this Percy was neither surprised nor was he hurt. Percy honestly didn't care anymore. The wise girl had gotten under Percy's skin on more than one occasion when she tried to be romantic. He thought of her to be more of a friend than a partner. With Annabeth gone and him alone at camp, Percy was relaxed.

Chiron made a deal with Percy about his arrangement at camp. Of course Chiron wasn't going to let the demigod roam the camp grounds and live on his ass, so he came up with a compromise. Percy had to either take a class or teach a class, while all other times of the morning is to be spent rebuilding and repairing the camp. Which meant that his afternoons were free. This was an easy choice for Percy. Although he loves children, Percy didn't feel as if he was prepared to teach them. So instead, Percy chose to take sword fighting. He soon learned that he wasn't the only hero who chose to rehabilitate here at the camp.

As the days he spent at camp increased, so did his friends. Some of his friends before the war stayed around making this experience more pleasant. The only camper he hadn't expected to be there, was. Nico di Angelo.

Nico had grown tall over the years, way taller than Percy and his black locks barely hid his eyes. Although Nico and Percy looked like total opposites, they clashed well. Nico was way happier than before the war surprisingly. Every now and then they would hang out but never became really close friends. Percy was okay with giving the boy his space but also wanted to see Nico more. After debating it himself, Percy came to the conclusion to just let fate run its course. Percy has yet to know if that decision was good or bad.

It was an hour after his class, when Percy got a knock on the door. The sun had just started to set and Percy was dead tired. His wooden cabin creaked at he shuffled to the door. Absent mindlessly he swung the door open, not realizing that he was only wearing boxers. Nico's usually emotionless face, changed and he pursed his lips, eyes wide. Percy was suddenly all to aware of his under dressed state.

"Uhm is it a bad time? You look a bit under the weather." Nico's question hung in the air as Percy fumbled for his words. The olive skinned boy had his hands behind his back, hiding something.

"Uh... N-no. It isn't a-a bad time at all. I was just getting changed. I'm just super tired." Percy then held up his hand with one finger up, signaling Nico to wait a second and he closed the door. As the Italian waited outside there was shuffling and a loud thump. A small smile appeared on Nico's face when he heard a faint "Shit.", realizing the the brunette must have hurt himself. In seconds a flustered Percy exited the door.

"I'm back. So whatcha' got there?" Percy asked referring to the object that Nico was hiding behind his back.

"Oh nothing. Just a key.". Nico's nonchalant attitude brought upon suspicion. Percy studied the object as Nico held it out in front of him, as it dangled on a thin cord that looked like a necklace. The key revealed was black and could fit in the palm of his hand.

"What is it for?" Percy asked not taking his eyes off the key.

Clicking his tongue, Nico shook his head, "Not what, but where.". At the whimsical tone in Nico's voice, Percy rolled his eyes and stayed silent waiting for the taller boy to continue. "It is a key to me. If you ever find yourself in need or in help of any kind within reason, then go to the nearest shadow and turn the key. You will find yourself teleported by my side. It works especially well if you're ever late to class." Nico finished off the description of the key's power with a smirk. Nico then proceeded to place the key around Percy's neck.

"Thanks, but why did you feel the need to give it to me?" Percy questioned.

"I've saved your life on more than one occasion and let's face it, I'm way better at sword fighting that you anyway." Once again the sexy smirk appeared on the model's face. Percy rolled his eyes but didn't object the gift.

Nico turned on his heel, whistling, as he left Percy to stare after him.

Hai there guys! :3 I am back from the dead. I honestly have no clue where this story came from, I just wanted to. The whole ordeal at the end of B.O.O. between Percy and Nico when Nico tell Percy of his love for him and blahh blahh, never happened but Nico did tell everyone that he was gay. I felt it was easier to change it this way to continue the story without confusion. I hope you enjoy and don't mind my terrible grammar and spelling. Kisses from Kai. 3