A/N: Just realized how to put this in here. This is the first fanfiction I have ever written, so I will always accept advice and crticism. This is chapter two, the story will be pretty slow build and I make no promises about updating (is anyone even reading this?) I hope you enjoy it. I don't have much to say right now, I'm still kinda setting up the scene. Go ahead and leave a review if you want.

The amount of force that was impacting Jason's shield was almost enough to crumple him to the ground, but he braced himself better and managed to keep his defense up. Nico was definitely upset right now.

"Why couldn't you just have told me that he was coming back?" Nico finally broke the verbal silence between them. Nearly dislocating Jason's arm was not as satisfying anymore.

Jason dropped his shield and rubbed his arm while panting, "Would you have ran if I did?" Jason didn't even need to ask, he knew exactly what he was talking about.

"No!" Jason just gave him a look. "Okay, maybe I would have conveniently made a visit to Camp Jupiter yesterday to make Christmas plans with Hazel for next month, but what does that matter? It would have been better than him showing up on my doorstep to try and make small talk, I had no idea what to do! I don't want to see them!"

"You don't have to see them—"

"He said he wants to hang out, there is no way I can avoid seeing them together if I stick around!" Nico finished his rant, and Jason just crossed his arms and waited a few seconds before responding.

"You done?" Jason asked and the younger boy nodded in reply. By then, Jason had learned that sometimes a little patience is all that's needed to deal with Nico. "Have you seen Annabeth around at all?"

That made Nico think for a second, "No I haven't, where is Annabeth?"

"Maybe you should ask him yourself, he's coming over here with Piper."

Nico cursed quietly under his breath and turned to see the pair approach and greet them. He inspected Percy a little closer than he did yesterday while he was talking to Jason. There was something about Percy that Nico didn't notice yesterday, he seemed a lot more melancholy and solemn than he usually was, even after Tartarus. Jason tapped Nico gently with his elbow to get him to join the conversation and Nico shot him a glare before turning to Percy and speaking, "Umm, so, Percy, what brings you back to New York? Where's Annabeth?"

Percy looked away and seemed a little more uncomfortable than before, "She moved back in with her family in San Francisco… We split up…"

Nico paused in surprise before replying, "Oh… I'm sorry. Are you okay?"

Percy gave Nico a small smile, not as bright or happy as it used to be. "I'm fine. I hate having to cut this short, but I gotta go see Chiron. I'll see you guys soon."

Jason started pulling off his armor, "I'll go with you if you give me a minute; I'm done with getting my ass kicked by Nico. We can spar again some other time, sound good?"

Nico was about to insert a snarky reply, but was cut off by Piper, who up to this point had stayed out of the conversation. "If you're not tired Nico, you can give me the sword fighting lesson now instead of later?" The youngest of the group nodded and gave Piper a grin.

"Wait, you're getting sword fighting lessons from Nico?" Percy asked in slight surprise.

"It's 'cause I won't go easy on her—"

"And we're best buddies."

"Yeah of course we're best buddies. I like you way more than I like Jason even."

"Hey!" They all started laughing as Jason handed Piper his shield, "Don't kick his ass too hard, baby, wouldn't want to ruin his pride."

Nico lifted his hand, flapped it to imitate a mouth and mocked Jason's words in a higher pitched childish voice and blue a raspberry at Jason. That made Percy laugh loudly and he looked just as happy as he used to in that moment. Nico looked away to hide the grin and blush that was trying to push itself on his face from Percy's laugh.

Percy was really glad to see that the son of Hades was happy. Percy had almost forgotten what the boy looked like when happy. The over excited little boy was never coming back, and Nico was still really melancholy, but something about him was a little… brighter almost, at least when around Piper and Jason. Percy's smile faded a little as he felt a little like he missed out on something that he should've been there for, because the youngest of the demigods still seemed a little uncomfortable around the oldest of the demigods. Percy sighed inaudibly as he realized that while he was spacing out, Jason and Piper had left to the armory to swap armor leaving him alone with an awkward looking Nico. Percy tried to make small talk, "So, I heard that you guys were going to a school just inside the city," Nico nodded, "That's cool, I actually got my mom to enroll me into that school since I have to repeat my sophomore year anyway, and that school isn't that far from my mom's apartment. Maybe we'll have some classes together."

Nico gave a hesitant smile, "Maybe, I'm enrolled as freshman, so I don't think we will."

"Well I'll still see you around. I'm serious about hanging out. Oh, and my mom wanted to know if you had plans for Christmas dinner. She said if you don't that she wants to invite you."

Nico gave him a quizzical look, "I'll spend it with Hazel, she'll probably come over here and we'll hang out."

"Bring her too; my mom would love to meet her."

"Frank will probably come with her." Nico was now just grasping at straws now for an excuse to not come.

"Then he can come too, my mom won't take no for an answer." Percy grinned.

"I'll talk to them when I call her next," Nico responded weakly.

"Good, I'll be back in a few days, maybe we could spar. See if Jason's right about you kicking ass," Percy replied with a pat on his back before joining Jason who was halfway to the arena door and gesturing for him to come. "See you around."

Nico lifted his hand in farewell. Things just went from bad to worse in Nico's mind. Percy was single now, but the boy wouldn't let himself dwell on it. He turned as Piper jogged up to him. He is most definitely over Percy. He will not slip back into the measly little crush he once had on the gorgeous son of Poseidon. "Let's get started," Nico said with his sword ready.