Disclaimer: In no way, shape, form or parallel universe do I own the rights to any aspect of the Percy Jackson characters/stories/names. For all those devout fans out there, you will know that honour goes to Rick Riordan.

Chapter 1

Nico's POV:

It was already mid-day by the time I woke up, but I had shadow traveled back to camp pretty late last night, and it always takes a lot outta me. I went through my usual ritual after visiting the underworld – scrubbing my skin till it was raw, and soaking all the clothes I'd worn – to get rid of the smell of dirt. I was opening my cabin door, pulling on a t-shirt when I saw Chiron leading around a few new campers. Catching sight of me, he called out "Nico, come meet our new arrivals!" As I walked over, I could see that Chiron was explaining who I was by the scared looks they gave me. "Wait until they meet HIM…" I grinned, and saw one of them flinch back a little. "Hey,"

They stuttered out a few hellos – newbies, honestly - before I saw the door of the Poseidon cabin move. 'Oh, no….' "Chiron!" I hissed, trying to draw his attention. The last thing we needed was a riot this early in the day. Chiron turned and saw the action. His eyes widened. "Nico, go distract him now!" Nodding, a half-walked/half-ran to the Poseidon cabin and got there just before he was about to step out. "Good morn…." My mouth stopped working from there, when I saw him.

He was clad in only a pair of soft blue shorts, with his silkily soft black hair adorably ruffled, a dark blue sheen visible in the morning sunlight. His lean, tanned swimmer's body was just mouthwatering; you could see the muscles gently rippling whenever he moved. He towered over me so that I had to look up to gaze into those sea-green eyes of his, framed with soft lashes. They seemed to draw me in so that I felt as though I was drowning, I could stare into the green depths forever…"Erm, Nico? You ok man?"

Percy's voice snapped me out of it and I realized I'd been staring at him, with my mouth open. "Yeah, 'M'fine", I wiped my face a little. Though the sound of Percy's voice, rich and sensual, like something sweet made me go weak at the knees, it was his eyes that were the killing blow. "You coming to breakfast? We've got some new recruits joining us" Percy nodded, whilst trying to stifle a yawn. "Uh-huh, just let me get changed and I'll walk with you" he said, and then they were on their way towards breakfast. Everywhere Percy walked, heads turned. One of the Stoll brothers (I couldn't tell from here) fell out of a tree above the Ares cabin trying to get a good look at Percy. All the giggles ceased from the Aphrodite cabin as they primped and stuck their heads out the door. The flowers around the Demeter cabin bloomed as the Demeter children blushed, and even the few Ares children scattered about stopped fighting to look. As Percy walked, people stopped to stare, and Percy was completely oblivious. I mean, I know he's not exactly the best at noticing things at times (i.e. most of the time), but this was just crazy. We started chatting about some sword practice later on, whilst Chiron was trying to determine the godly parentage of the new arrivals, and I kept stuttering, as he looked straight at me. My heart was thumping so loud I was sure he could hear it. When we arrived at the pavilion, I pretended to point something out to Percy, and stuck my head in the archway, trying to get Chiron's attention. He noticed me after a few seconds, but just then Percy walked in. Immediately all talking ceased as everyone turned to gorm at the son of Poseidon. I swear I saw a few jaws hit tables. Mentally slapping myself in the face, I glanced over at the undetermined table, and winced. They had it bad. One boy was so gobsmacked he didn't even notice the orange juice slowly pouring into his lap.

Percy, as usual, didn't notice a thing, and walked straight to his table. I went to the Hades table, just as a few campers were starting to come out of the daze, shaking their heads like a dog out of water. Chiron was leading the new campers away, pulling the more reluctant ones who were craning their heads to see Percy. From my table, I had an excellent view of the Poseidon table, where nothing blocked my view of Percy. Though I don't exactly know when Percy started to have this effect on people (he's had this effect on me for a few years now), but over the last year, a couple of months since Annabeth left for Greece, he just became so…..irresistible. After the first few incidents, Chiron noticed something was different, but it was so unheard of that no-one had any idea what to do. Chiron had consulted Aphrodite and her cabin but even they were perplexed. 'Didn't stop them chasing after him, did it?' I thought sourly.

I was so wrapped up in my thoughts that I didn't see Percy getting up until he was almost in front of me. "Hey," he said, "You done?"

"Yeah, I'm not that hungry anyway", I pushed my plate away.

"You sure? You haven't been eating much lately?"

"I know, it's just….WAIT, what?" The Percy Jackson noticed that about me? The guy who doesn't even notice people practically drooling whenever he enters a room, and throwing themselves at him on the street?

"Well, you used to eat a lot more, but lately, it's like you just aren't interested in it" he mumbled awkwardly. Oh my gods, he looked so cute, all embarrassed about knowing stuff like that, rubbing the back of his neck with his hand, pulling his t-shirt up to reveal a glimpse of those fabulous abs…

'Whoa! Stop right there brain' I said to myself. 'Not a good time to get distracted!' Standing up, I said "I'm good, it's just that I haven't been sleeping too well lately", which was true. I'd been tossing and turning for weeks now, with the object of my fantasies keeping me awake standing right in front of me. God, if he ever knew what I thought about at night… 'He'd hate me for sure', my depressed self said.

"In that case, why don't we head back to your cabin for a bit?" Percy inclined his head towards the door, "I don't have to teach a class till after lunch"

"Sure" I said. That's another thing I like about Percy. He's not creeped out by my black cabin, or afraid of me because of who my dad is. Guess he felt sort of similar, as he told me when he first arrived how everyone avoided him, and he only had Luck to practice with as everyone was afraid of what he might do to them. Just walking along in the sun with Percy made me feel good about myself….if I ignored all the swooning campers. Percy flashed me his brilliant smile when he saw me looking at him, and I swear that the whole camp just got brighter. He has that effect on things. I opened the door of my cabin, revealing one huge bed with black sheets, and a very messy room. Kicking a few clothes out of the way, I saw Percy looking around. "Nico, how did you manage to get this bed in here? It's bigger than the door?" I laughed at his curious expression; gods, did he have to look so adorable and sexy all the time? "I shadow-traveled it here from outside, but I fell asleep the moment I did it. I just thought it fills out the cabin a bit more, otherwise it feels too empty." Percy nodded understandingly, "maybe I should do the same" he grinned before lying fully spread out on the sheets. I could barely stay where I was, Percy Jackson, was in my cabin. Percy Jackson, who I've been in love with for Zeus knows how long was ON MY BED! Twisting over, Percy grabbed hold of my wrist and pulled me down, nearly lying on top of him. "C'mon, you said you were tired. I'll stay here with you, so you can sleep ok?" No, not ok! How was I meant to sleep when I was practically being hugged on my bed with him? I was about to say so, when I heard him humming something. I didn't know what the song was, but it made me relax, and I could feel the gentle rumbling of his chest and the strength of his sinewy arms around me. Snuggling in against the warmth, I could feel myself drifting off. 'I could get used to this…..' I thought.