Author's Note: I finished House of Hades and I managed to re-read The Lightning Thief since I happened to forget many things from that book—such as Nancy Bobofit and Ms. Dodds. I am now currently waiting for Blood of Olympus AHH HURRY RICK RIORDAN I'M GOING TO DIE FROM WAITING SO LONG!
You guys are so lucky I typed so much that I was able to get this update in all so fast. I love you guys way too much.
Anyway, I'm glad you liked what I did with your idea Brettzification, honestly I didn't know how it would turn out. But thanks for your response on it and from everyone else! I really appreciate (I won't be some annoying person who begs for reviews, that's just not me)
Also, I changed the genre: Angst-Hurt/Comfort. I think there will be more hurt/comfort than actual angst…since I write that pretty bad. Oh wait a second, I just forgot one major point in the plot (which is where the title comes from) so I guess this story is NOT ending soon, oh wow.
So, I hope you like the chapter, I can sense this story is ending soon. I didn't want it to be very long, since I have another Percico/Pernico fanfic in my mind (Hehehehe) but, it's like total high school AU. And, I also have another fanfic on Hiatus, which I am really ashamed about.
Sorry for delays by the way, I probably would be able to type more if I didn't have…uh…problems? Hah well at least I get the lucky chance to type.
Also, sorry for a shorter chapter. I couldn't come up with anything to type when I got to the ending of this chapter, so I just had to end it there. I knew how to end it, I just didn't really know how to lead up to the ending to be able to have more than 5,000 words. Oh well, sorry about that. And also, sorry about how there is no Percy POV in this chapter—only Nico and Annabeth.
But, thanks for the reviews and I hope you like the chapter! (Leo is so fun to type I swear.)
Note: OC is included.
Additional Note: Sorry for all the mistakes! (mostly punctuation, but whatever)
Warning: Language, implied sex, [[attempted]] angst, changes in POV, homosexuality, spoilers from HoH
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. I am definitely not Rick Riordan. Aloha!
The Risk in the Choice
Author: Loving Healer/Lynn Servane
Annabeth Chase
"Wh—" Jason's and Annabeth's mouths were slammed by Piper's hand.
"Sh-h! Do you guys not know what eavesdropping is?! Or spying for that matter?!" Piper hissed in a hushed tone, glancing between the two demigods with their mouths covered.
"Sorry," Jason and Annabeth apologized, muffled behind Piper's hand.
Piper released her hand from their mouths. "Good. And, I just…I can't believe it either. And also, I think Nico noticed us."
"You think?" Jason emphasized.
"Yeah. See, I'm pretty sure he can tell if there's an 'unwanted' disturbance or distortion in the shadows. And, of course being a demigod, he'll have his guard up in case some monster decided to be summoned into this area of the camp," Piper explained.
"He doesn't look like he noticed us." Jason peeked over the bushes they were hiding at.
"He's probably doing it so Percy wouldn't catch us as well," Annabeth surmised. "But, we're in for a long talk with Nico afterwards."
"Why wouldn't he want Percy to catch us?" Jason cocked his head to the side and furrowed his brows.
Annabeth heavily sighed. "You ask a lot of questions, Grace."
Jason rolled his eyes. "Well, excuse me for not being as smart as a daughter of Athena, Chase."
"You know, 'Chase' and 'Grace' rhyme."
Everyone jumped back and whipped their heads around to find a grinning Leo Valdez. He seemed to be enjoying the results he got from scaring them.
"Leo?!" Everyone screeched in whispered voices.
"'Sup?" Leo grinned as he sat down with them. "Why are we spying on Percy and Nico?"
"Did they even see you coming down here?!" Annabeth hissed.
"No." Leo raised an eyebrow and shrugged. "At least, I don't think so."
"I don't think so," Annabeth mimicked.
"You guys," Piper tried to calm the situation, "the whole point in eavesdropping and spying is to stay quiet. You all know that, right?"
"So, let's all agree to shut up now and spy, alright?" Jason agreed.
Everyone nodded and peeked their heads over the bush to commence spying on the Sea Prince and the Ghost King.
Nico di Angelo
Nico definitely knew of Annabeth's, Jason's, Piper's, and Leo's presences.
He decided not to say anything; it would ruin his moment with the son of Poseidon anyway. All he knew was that he was going to have a long conversation with a certain demigod with the name of Jason Grace later today. What did they all even want with him? Can't he just go on with his life without four horrible stalkers?
He sighed heavily and decided to push that thought into the back of his mind. It would submerge from the back of his mind sooner or later, but he decided to dwell on it later on. He'd get all his answers from Jason, if he tried hard enough. This day could get very interesting, and to Nico's liking.
He glanced at his secret lover who was currently splashing around in Canoe Lake, which was scaring many of the water nymphs. He didn't care about them though; they were horrible flirts anyway. Well, from what he's heard they're horrible at it. He didn't take much interest in them anyway. They were kind of just…there in nature. He's never paid much attention to it. If he were being honest, he never even concentrated on how a water nymph, or a wood nymph, looked.
He was soon snapped out of his thoughts when he felt water droplets on his face, and a giggling voice which could only be deciphered as Percy Jackson's.
Nico slowly looked at Percy who was trying very hard to hide his laugh, and he was failing very miserably.
Nico sighed heavily. "Jackson," Nico growled, "you are so getting revenge for that."
Percy smirked. "And, how will you do that? A son of Poseidon can't get wet very easily, can they?"
"No," Nico agreed. "Unless it were Mrs. O'Leary's saliva."
Without waiting for a response from the demigod that was currently scaring the water nymphs, Nico raised his fingertips to his lips and whistled.
The ground started to shake a little as Mrs. O'Leary burst through and into the opening where Canoe Lake was from the forest. She bounded forward to them and they each got a share of Mrs. O'Leary's saliva all over them.
"Hey, Mrs. O'Leary," Nico greeted, even though the only greeting he knew he would be getting back was a lick to the face.
"Mrs. O'Leary!" Percy laughed as the enormous hellhound jumped into the lake, which scared the shit out of all the water nymphs, which also made Nico laugh so hard he was afraid someone would point out how loud Nico could laugh all the way from the cabins.
"I'm going to get you back for that!" Percy raised his hands and pushed forward, sending a huge tidal wave hurdling towards Nico—who was currently dying of laughter.
Nico realized there was a huge shadow above him, and he was pretty sure he didn't involuntarily summon the shadows closer to him. He wasn't angry, frustrated, et cetera, so why should he? He was clearly joyful at the moment.
But, that all soon died away when Nico decided to look up and spot the huge tidal wave that was right over his head. He knew if he moved, he'd still get hit, so why bother moving? He didn't want to get wet though, that was for sure. But, no matter what he'd do, he'd still get wet.
Unless he shadow-traveled? The giant tidal wave was casting a very big shadow over him anyway. He called the shadows over to them as fast as he could, and before he was just about to step into them, he heard a voice.
"Not, so fast, Nico!"
His wrist was pulled into the tidal wave, and so was he. He was currently in a moment where he had no idea what was happening; the only thing he was aware of was the water surrounding him. But, when he finally came to, he was soaking wet and in the middle of Canoe Lake, with Percy holding him very close to his body, almost making him blush all the way down to his neck (for the second time of the day). Good thing he caught himself from blushing before he couldn't stop himself. Maybe he could be lucky…sometimes. He probably jinxed that now. He was never going to be lucky in the future now.
There was water surrounding the whole perimeter of Canoe Lake, most likely from Percy splashing around, Mrs. O'Leary jumping into the lake, and the huge tidal wave Percy decided to summon to get back at Nico. It was so unfair Percy was able to do that in his current situation.
He also realized another thing: he couldn't swim. Which was a very major thing to know when in the middle of a lake. He never learned how to swim when he was little back in the 1930s, and he never bothered with learning how to swim in this current time period. He was in major trouble now. He couldn't leave from Percy's grasp, even if he shadow-traveled. Percy would just shadow-travel with him if he tried. But, Nico also wanted to get out of this lake, so he wouldn't have to be having the chance of drowning.
"Thanks," Nico grumbled, pushing away the wet bangs that were clinging to his face out of his eyes.
Percy laughed. "No problem, Neeks."
"What did I say about that nickname?" Nico snapped.
"To keep calling you it because you love it so much?" Percy innocently asked.
Nico rolled his eyes. "I really hate you, Percy."
Percy smirked. "Love you too, Neeks."
Nico's heart almost literally stopped. Well, instead of stopping, it just started beating a whole lot faster. He knew Percy was just joking about the comment, but hearing Percy actually say it, and it directed to him, was just completely unbelievable.
He hid his blushing face in the crook of Percy's neck, involuntarily wrapping his arms around his neck. "I—hate—you—Perseus. So-o much."
"Hey, you know I hate the name 'Perseus'."
"And you know I hate the nickname 'Neeks'."
"And yet I still call you it anyway." Nico could almost hear Percy's smirk at the last comment.
Nico rolled his eyes. "Then maybe I should consider calling you 'Perseus' for the time being, until you stop calling me 'Neeks'."
"Please don't."
"Oh, I will."
"So much for loving you, Neeks."
"Of course, Perseus."
Percy laughed, moving his arms down and around Nico's waist, making Nico blush more. He also became more aroused, but he really didn't want to think about it. Maybe Percy would think it was a rock? Hopefully, he would.
Nico also noticed something he wished he never noticed. Percy was shirtless, making Nico blush even more since they were so close to each other. Nico was in for a bad situation if he stayed here any longer. Why does this have to happen to him? He totally doesn't have luck on his side anymore.
"Can we get to shore now, please?" Nico pleaded.
"And, why is that? Don't like where you are, Neeks?"
"Firstly, no, I don't like where I am. And secondly…" Nico trailed off. What in the world would happen if Nico told a son of Poseidon he couldn't swim?
"And secondly…?" Percy pressed further.
"Well, I, uh, don't want to tell you," Nico awkwardly replied.
"Come on, Neeks. Why not?" Percy asked.
"Because you're a son of Poseidon," Nico answered like it explained everything.
"And, what does that have to do with anything?"
"Because…I…" Nico trailed off again, hesitating on saying the reason.
"I'm going to keep begging you if you don't tell me. I'll find some way to get the answer out of you, you know." Nico could obviously tell Percy was smirking once again from his tone of voice.
"Please don't."
Percy chuckled. "Oh, I will."
"I feel like we've had this conversation a few minutes ago."
"We have." Nico could pretty much tell Percy was still smirking as he was forming up some mischievous and devious plan to get him to give Percy the answer.
Nico rolled his eyes. "So, can you get me back to shore?"
"Not until you tell me the answer," Percy finalized.
"Dude, Perseus, seriously."
"You better stop calling me that, Neeks."
"Then you better stop calling me 'Neeks'."
"No, thanks," Percy denied.
"Then, you'll better get used to be calling you 'Perseus'."
"I feel so much love coming from you," Percy sarcastically remarked.
"Of course, Perseus."
Percy laughed. "Why don't you just shadow-travel back to shore?"
Nico sighed. "Well, because I would still be in this position. And, I would collapse from exhaustion. You probably want me to do that, don't you?"
Percy shook his head. "I'm not that mean, Neeks. Fine, I'll get you back to shore. But, I will still find some way to get you to answer my question."
"And, what was this question again?" Nico innocently asked.
"I'm pretty sure you already know the question."
"Do I?" Nico continued his innocence.
"Yes, I'm positive. Now, come on and swim to shore with me." Percy loosened his grip.
"Damn it now I have to tell you," Nico huffed, tightening his grip around Percy's neck so he wouldn't fall and drown. He wasn't really afraid of drowning and dying (most likely because his father worked with the dead anyway) but he didn't want to drown in front of a son of Poseidon or his secret lover. And, Percy filled both of those positions.
"Tell me the answer?" Percy asked with hope. "Really?"
"Yes, really," Nico confirmed.
"Alright, then. What is it?" Percy asked, eager to know the answer.
Nico sighed heavily into the crook of Percy's neck, his face still hidden there because he was still trying to hide his blush. "I can't swim."
"What?" Percy asked.
"You heard me."
"No, actually, I didn't."
Nico rolled his eyes, which is something he now does a lot. "You better not be kidding, Jackson. I don't want to repeat my answer."
"I swear, I didn't hear you," Percy promised.
"I can't swim." Nico raised his voice.
There was a horrible long pause, which made Nico suffer from all the suspense. What did Percy think of him now? He knew he wouldn't hate Nico for not knowing how to swim, that was obvious. He was pretty sure Percy would make fun of him in some way or something. He was a son of Poseidon; of course he's got something to say to someone that just told him they couldn't swim.
Percy laughed, which was the response Nico was not expecting. "Are you serious, Nico?"
"I'm plain as day serious," Nico answered. "And, did you just call me Nico?"
"Not the point. You seriously can't swim?"
"No, I can't. Can we stop talking about it now?"
Percy chuckled. "Sure, though it must have been very awkward for you to say you can't swim in front of a son of Poseidon."
"And that was the reason why I didn't tell you," Nico shot back.
"Sorry, sorry. Alright, let's go."
Percy swam himself and Nico back to the shore, where Mrs. O'Leary was happily basking in the sunlight, while napping. Her tongue was stuck out of her mouth, and she was snoring ever so peacefully. Her snores were, thankfully, not loud.
Nico managed to finally stop himself from blushing so much, which was when Percy set Nico on the ground by the lake. Percy sat down next to Nico, and stared up at the gorgeous afternoon blue sky. The sky was absolutely clear of clouds, only the Sun was in sight. It was a blinding, yet stunning, sight to look at. A warm breeze blew across the camp, slightly rustling the trees surrounding them, their clothes, and Mrs. O'Leary's fur.
"It's so beautiful today, isn't it?" Percy broke the silence, using his demigod powers to make Nico dry again. It wasn't an awkward silence, it was more comforting.
"Yeah," Nico agreed, staring up at the sky and enjoying the beautiful view with Percy.
A few moments later, when the Sun started to set and the sky turned a brilliancy of various colors—blue, orange, white, purple, and pink—Percy brought up, "We should be heading back now. You coming to the sing-a-long with me?"
Nico shook his head in denial. "No, I'm not into that type of stuff, sorry, Perce. I think I'll just walk around the camp or stay in my cabin." He took the hand Percy offered to him, and the Sea Prince pulled him up.
"You're going to regret denying me." Percy mischievously smirked.
"Really?" Nico raised an eyebrow in a challenging manner. "How so?"
Percy chuckled. "Do you really want to know?"
"I do."
"Then, I shall have the honor in showing you."
"Fine."
Percy slowly approached Nico and stared at him for what seemed to be the longest moment of Nico's life. Nico shifted uncomfortably under Percy's gaze, wondering what he was going to do. Why was Percy staring at him so long like that? It was creeping Nico out.
Percy leaned down until their lips were mere millimeters apart. He rested his hand on Nico's cheek and caressed it. At this point in time, Nico could only guess Percy was teasing him; it was such a Percy thing to do anyway. Does that mean Percy knew of his feelings towards him? Nico mentally shook his head. That was impossible. Or…was it?
Nico's eyes locked with Percy's, the deep, dark brown eyes mixed with sea green eyes that changed color depending on the lighting they were under. The sea was always changing anyway. The sea never liked to be restricted to only one thing, so it was constantly changing. The color of Percy's eyes seemed to do the same—reflecting various moods with various colors, but they all had one similarity. They all matched the colors of the sea. Whenever the Sun radiated its light rays onto the sea, the sea changed color depending on the day. Whereas, Percy's eyes changed color depending on the Sun, and his mood. It was such a gorgeous feature to Percy, one of Nico's most favorite things.
Nico seemed to be lost in such a trance from Percy's stunning eyes, he didn't even notice when Percy leaned in closer, their lips brushing against each other now. Nico's heart was beating so fast, he was afraid he would die from it. Why did he deserve such a punishment from the three Fates currently watching him?
The most unexpected thing happened to Nico. Percy gently placed his hand on Nico's lower back. Nico stared up at Percy (not like he was already) and put on a quizzical expression, trying to hide how anxious and eager he really felt. He arched an eyebrow, but Percy only smirked in response.
Percy spun Nico around in a swift motion and shoved Nico into Canoe Lake, resulting from Nico screaming, "You jerk, Perseus!"
Percy laughed full-heartedly at Nico, only just remembering the fact Nico didn't have the ability to swim. He jumped into the lake, joining Nico, and wrapping his arms around the Ghost King's waist to keep him steady in the water.
"I hate you so fucking much, Perseus."
Percy could only laugh at how soaking wet Nico was. "Love you too, Neeks."
Annabeth Chase
Everyone was gaping at the recent affair between Percy and Nico at Canoe Lake. They were so close when they were in the lake, their arms wrapped around each other like they've been doing it for years now. Their conversations seemed so casual like they've been hanging out with each other every day; Annabeth wondered what both of them were thinking in their heads. Did Nico even know they were eavesdropping on them? Did Percy even think of how good Nico looked in the sunlight or something?
"This is turning into quite the Rated M movie," Leo remarked, still in a hushed voice, breaking their silence.
Piper rolled her eyes. "Disgusting, Leo."
"I'm just saying!"
"Anyway," Jason slowly stated, "that was…"
"Interesting?" Annabeth finished with a question.
"Very," Piper emphasized.
"Guys, I think we should leave," Jason informed.
Everyone peeked over the bush to see Percy helping Nico up from the ground by the Canoe Lake. They both had a short conversation with each other, one Annabeth couldn't hear. The only thing that caught her—and everyone—by surprise was when Percy rested his hand on Nico's cheek and slowly leaned in, their lips barely touching each other's.
Annabeth's heart almost stopped at the sight. Everyone turned wide-eyed (some even had their mouths hanging open) at what Percy was about to accomplish. Even Leo couldn't seem to make a joke about it—much to Annabeth's surprise. Leo seemed to have a joke about everything, no matter the situation they were in. If he couldn't come up with a joke, then their situation was a very bad, weird, or awkward one.
They were in that position for what Annabeth thought felt like a millennia. Annabeth could not stay there any longer and see what would happen. She just couldn't. Just having the thought of Percy with someone else—someone she's actually known for a long time of her life—she couldn't. She knew she was being very pathetic about the whole situation, but that was how sensitive Annabeth could really be. Tartarus did a lot to her. And, she hated it. She hated it so much, yet she could do little to change it.
Then, the most relieving thing happened. Percy ended up pushing Nico into the lake, while she heard a faint, "You jerk, Perseus!" come from the lake.
She heard Percy's laugh—one of the most beautiful sounds she will never get over—before he jumped into the lake and holding Nico around the waist. Percy was so intimate with Nico, she was getting really depressed (and she wouldn't admit it, but jealous) about it. She knew she would have to break it up with Percy, but she hoped she would be able to still be friends with the son of Poseidon. She didn't want to break it off completely with him.
"They're probably going to leave soon," Annabeth informed. "We should get going."
It took awhile for the command to process through the others' minds, but after it did, they were all snapped out of their dumbfounded states. They turned to Annabeth and nodded in agreement, before turning and sneaking away from the way they came. Annabeth didn't dare look back at the lake.
Annabeth was sitting on the stairs of the Zeus Cabin with Piper, Jason, and Leo. They were making small talk with each other, trying to avoid a conversation talking about what they had just seen down by Canoe Lake. Leo was, occasionally, trying to form jokes to lighten up the mood, which Annabeth appreciated greatly. These were one of the main reasons why Annabeth never turned Leo down as a friend. He was also very helpful in building—and burning—things.
"So, what do you guys what to do now?" Piper asked slowly, the events that happened at Canoe Lake most likely running through her mind.
"Do you see those Aphrodite girls over there trying to fight so they can impress the guys from the Ares Cabin over there?" Leo pointed in the direction of the Aphrodite Cabin, not answering Piper's question.
"Leo, seriously?" Jason asked raising an eyebrow, but a smile was on his face.
"Yes, really, look!" Leo gestured towards them more noticeably. "I'm not kidding! They're actually doing really well, though." Leo cringed at something he saw by Cabin Eleven. "Okay, never mind. Forget what I said. They're doing horrible now. Wow, okay, jeez. This is actually really entertaining though, I'm surprised everyone around hasn't formed a circle around them to watch the entertainment like a boxing arena."
"Leo, you are so weird," Piper pointed out while chuckling.
"Am I?" Leo raised an eyebrow with a grin. "I try, Pipes, I try. And, those girls are really trying over there. Wow, they're trying way too hard actually. You know what? I realized I fix you, Pipes, since I fix and build things."
"What are you even blabbering about now?" Annabeth glanced at Leo with an odd look across her face.
"Well, see, because I fix and build inventions and such, such as buildings, bridges, et cetera. And pipes fall into that category. Get it, Pipes?"
"Leo, you are the weirdest thing I have ever laid eyes on." Annabeth rolled her eyes.
"Thanks, like I said, Anna, I try." Leo smirked. "Does that mean you have an older sister named Elsa? Do you like building snowmen? Oh, how much I love the snow."
"I am just about ready to punch you across the face, Leo," Annabeth informed.
"I'll try to take that as a compliment." Leo's smirk never died down, but instead, growing bigger.
Then, all of them found something that caught all of their attention. Coming from the direction of Canoe Lake, they saw Percy and Nico walking up to them. Annabeth gulped. How was she supposed to act after eavesdropping on the two of them? She supposed she should act normal and pretend she wasn't eavesdropping on them. She glanced at everyone, and they seemed to be thinking the same thing.
"Hey, Percy! Hey, Nico!" Piper greeted with a wave, flashing a smile upon her face. "I haven't seen you at all while you were here, Nico! How long have you been here anyway? I hope I didn't miss too much of you."
"Hey, Piper!" Percy returned the greeting, running up to the four demigods perched upon the stairs of Cabin One. Nico eyed them warily, most likely thinking about when they were all spying on him, but soon shrugged and took a seat next to Jason. He whispered something into Jason's left ear, which made Jason sigh and nod reluctantly. She guessed Nico was talking about how they were spying on him, and he was going to get his answers out from Jason sometime soon.
"What have you guys been up to?" Percy inquired, making the rest of them try to come up with a fake answer to hide what they were actually doing before. He sat down next to Annabeth, wrapping his arms around her. He still seemed to make intimate contact with her, so at least Percy didn't forget about their relationship yet. She wouldn't have been very surprised if he did forget because of the events that just happened down by Canoe Lake.
"Watching those girls try to impress some guys from the Ares Cabin." Leo gestured over to the Aphrodite Cabin. "Some people are just try-hards, you know?"
"We've just been sitting here and hanging out, I guess." Piper shrugged nonchalantly, leaning on Jason's legs behind her.
She was so glad her friends came up with very realistic excuses. Even Leo managed to come up with a stupid, but realistic, excuse to Percy's question. Stupid totally fit Leo's style, anyway.
"That's cool," Percy commented, now watching the Aphrodite girls fight where Leo pointed. Annabeth raised an eyebrow and glanced over, only having to cringe back at what she saw: one of the Aphrodite girls punching another in the gut. That must've hurt a ton.
Even Percy and Leo cringed at what they saw as well. "Like I said: try-hards." Leo sighed. Annabeth could only roll her eyes.
She stared at Percy sitting next to her. He looked so good-looking Annabeth couldn't take it anymore. She sighed. She'd have to get it over with sometime today, and that time should be now. She took a deep breath before turning to Percy. "Hey, Percy, can I talk to you?"
All her friends around her at the steps of the Zeus Cabin stared at her. Some with quizzical looks, others with shocked looks. She knew they knew what she was thinking. She wasn't going to tolerate anyone stopping her from doing this. She needed to get it over with—it was now or never.
Percy stared back at her, worry filled his eyes, but his expression looked puzzled. She figured Percy was trying to not worry Annabeth by showing her his true feelings. "Uh, sure, I guess."
Percy stood up, offering Annabeth a hand. She obliged and took the hand, saying a quick thank you to Percy. She took a glance at Nico, and saw he looked a mix of worried, hopeful, and confused. She could understand that, though.
She led Percy back over to Canoe Lake, finding it was the only place that was empty and she could talk to Percy alone. She really didn't want to do this, but she had to, and it was confusing her mind way too much.
They stopped in front of the lake, the water from Nico and Percy splashing around had yet to evaporate. The Sun was now below the horizon, the night sky was now present, looking more elegant than ever. The stars twinkled and shimmered in the sky, relaxing the daughter of Athena just a tad bit. She wondered what the results would be after this conversation. Would Percy and she still be friends? How would Percy handle the situation? Would he mad or relieved they broke up?
Well, Annabeth wouldn't know unless she did this now. Percy was waiting ever so patiently, making Annabeth feel happy Percy didn't rush her.
Annabeth took a few deep breaths, before staring Percy straight into his beautiful sea green eyes and firmly stating, "I'm breaking up with you, Percy."