So interesting story, I managed to score big at a local thrift shop and get 7 books that were on my wish list. All of which were in near perfect condition. Which... kinda explains this late update. Hope you enjoy :-)
Important thing to note... This will be yaoi (boy-boy). Don't like? You do not have to read.
Disclaimer- I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus series. (One can dream though) All rights go to the proper parties.
ΩΩΩ
The son of Hades had a love hate relationship with Valentine's Day. On one hand, Aphrodite was even more annoying than ever. She really believed that everyone needed to have someone. Every February 14th she went even more crazy than usual in trying to force love on people. On the other hand though, she was always able to get Zeus to end the meeting's early which meant more time for Nico to go and visit his favorite demigod.
Nico stepped out of the shadows. He couldn't help but chuckle and shake his head at what he saw. One always knew when it was Valentine's Day at Camp Half-Blood. The Aphrodite cabin went just as crazy as their mother. Nearly every tree had strands of red and pink garland strung in its branches and paper hearts stuck to its trunk, much to the dismay of the dryads. The son of Hades could see the dining pavilion in the distance, its columns wrapped in red ribbon and topped with a bright pink bow.
The young god of the underworld silently made his way through the camp towards cabin three. He knocked on the door. He waited for a few minutes but when there was no response, he tried again.
The son of Hades frowned in disappointment. He was just about to leave when he heard a shout from behind him, "Nico!"
When he turned around, he couldn't stop a small smile from appearing on his face as he watched the son of Poseidon running towards him. "Hello Piccolo."
The young demigod came to a stop right in front of him. He was panting from the sprint across camp but he still had a bright smile on his face. "You came! I didn't know if you were going to be here today or not."
The young god furrowed his eyebrow in confusion, "Were you expecting me to come today?"
The son of Poseidon flushed and looked down. "No, not expecting but I was hoping. It's an important day after all."
The son of Hades raised on eyebrow, "It is?"
Percy nodded, "Yes. This is the day we met for the first time."
Nico was unsure of how to respond to that statement so he simply nodded his agreement, "Indeed we did Piccolo."
The young god of the underworld watched the son of Poseidon bite his lip. He glanced up to meet Nico's eyes, only to look away again a moment later. "Do you want to come inside?"
The young god raised one eyebrow in surprise. It was the first time Percy had ever asked him to come inside without being prompted, "Alright."
The young demigod led the way into the Poseidon cabin and left the son of Hades to close the door.
Nico went over to his usual seat on one of the unused bunks and waited for the son of Poseidon to join him. After a few moments it became clear that young hero wouldn't. The young god had never seen Percy acting like he currently was. The demigod was fidgeting nonstop.
The young god's eyebrows pulled together. "Percy, what's wrong?"
The son of the sea god looked up and shook his head, "Nothing." At the pointed look from the son of Hades, he sighed. "Nothing's wrong, I promise. I just..." Percy took a deep breath and went over to his night stand. He bit his lip before he reached in the drawer and pulled out an envelope. "I... I wanted to give you this."
The son of Poseidon held out envelope but rather than taking it, Nico gently took his wrist. The demigod looked surprised but allowed the young god of the underworld to pull him closer. With the hand that wasn't holding Percy's wrist, Nico took the envelope and placed it on the bed beside him without glancing at it. The son of the underworld turned Percy's hand over so that his knuckles were facing up.
Nico's breath caught in his throat. He had thought that he had seen a flash of silver when Percy held the envelope out to him. At first he wasn't sure but now, he could clearly see it...
The son of the underworld gently ran his thumb over the ring that Percy was wearing on his right ring finger. The ring was made of a heavy silver metal and was fashioned in the shape of a very realistic skull. Nico's heart gave a stutter at the sight of Percy wearing his ring.
"You still have it." The young god could hear the hint of wonder in his voice.
The son of Poseidon had a light blush on his cheeks when he answered, "Of course I do."
Seeing Percy wearing his symbol, the symbol of his father's house, was doing weird things to Nico's stomach. "I wasn't sure... I had never seen you wearing it before."
The son of the sea god fidgeted but didn't pull away. "I couldn't wear it for a while. It was too small for my pointer but it kept falling off my other fingers. I didn't want to lose it so I used to wear it on a necklace beneath my shirt."
Nico brushed his thumb over the ring once more. Before he could really think his actions through, the son of the underworld pressed his lips against the ring adorning the young demigod's hand.
Percy's eyes widened in shock and a dark blush appeared on his cheeks. The young god of the underworld was just as surprised at his own actions. He released Percy's hand and looked away in order to keep himself from flushing. His eyes cast around, looking for a change of topic, when they caught on the envelope beside him. His name was written on the front in Percy's messy scrawl.
The son of Hades picked it up, "What is this Piccolo?"
The red in Percy's cheeks seemed to be a permanent feature. "I... it's a... it's for you."
Nico raised a questioning eyebrow as he opened the envelope. He pulled out the contents and felt his face go blank.
It was a Valentine's Day card. Unlike most cards that Nico had seen though, it wasn't pink, red, or white. It was black with a bright green heart right in the center. The son of the underworld noticed that the green was the precise color of Percy's eyes. It had no writing on the front. The young god opened the card. Inside was not an impersonal message printed on thousands of identical cards but rather, a hand written message...
Dear Nico,
We both know that Valentine's Day is not the best holiday for me. It holds bad memories. Yet it is still one of my favorite holidays as it is the day that I met you. You have always been there for me, even if I didn't always know it. Whenever I need someone, I know that you're the one I can rely on. You are my best friend.
You once told me that I should never hide my feelings in the hopes that they go away. I am going to take your advice and be honest.
I love you Nico. I've been in love with you for a long time. I just never had the courage to tell you. You mean the world to me and I understand if you don't feel the same way. You will always be my best friend, but I don't want to hide my feelings anymore.
I love you Nico.
Love,
Percy.
By the time Nico had finished reading the card, his heart felt as though it would beat out of his chest. He re-read it, but the words remained the same. He felt frozen in time. As though if he moved, he might shatter whatever wonderful dream this was.
He was only brought back to himself when Percy began to fidget again. He looked up at the young demigod but the son of Poseidon refused to meet his gaze.
Nico sucked in a shaky breath. "Percy?" The son of Hades wondered if he could even hear him over how loudly his heart was beating. The son of Poseidon glanced at him and looked away again just as quickly.
The young god gently set the card on the bedside table and stood up. Nico took a hesitant step towards Percy and the son of Poseidon ducked his head to hide his face. The son of Hades swallowed around the lump in his throat as he reached out to the demigod.
"Percy..?" The young god's hand softly brushed against Percy's shoulder causing the younger boy to shiver. Nico stepped closer and used his free hand to lift Percy's chin so that he could see his face. Nervous green eyes met his dark brown ones, "Did you really mean what you wrote?"
The son of Poseidon's face was bright red as he hesitantly nodded.
The son of the underworld was certain that his heart would stop. He watched Percy with a look of wonderment. He was almost too amazed to even believe that this was really happening. Nico breathing started to get faster. His eyes began to dart between the sea-green gaze of the boy he loved and the soft pink lips that he'd only ever dreamed of kissing.
Slowly, almost imperceptibly, he began to lean in. Percy's eyes widened. He too glanced down at the other boy's lips, unconsciously licking his own. Nico's hand slipped from his chin to curl along the back of Percy's neck.
The young god paused right before their lips met. He looked into Percy's eyes once more, wanting to make sure that this was what the other boy wanted as well. Nico's stomach tightened at the unmistakeable look of desire in Percy's eyes.
Before he could change his mind, the son of Hades kissed him.
ΩΩΩ
Kissing Percy was better than he could have ever imagined. Their lips moved in perfect sync. Percy's arms automatically came up to wrap around Nico's neck. The young god's hand slid down the demigod's side until it rested at his waist. The son of Hades pressed the younger boy closer to him.
Percy's lips were even softer than Nico had dreamed. They were warm and had the slightest taste of salt. The son of Hades gently nipped at the younger boys lip causing Percy to gasp at the sensation.
The young god of the underworld reluctantly broke the kiss before it could go any further.
Nico's heart felt too big for his chest as he slowly pulled away, a bright smile on his face. The son of Hades decided that he had never seen Percy look as beautiful as he did at that moment. His lips kiss swollen, his hair messy, and his cheeks flushed pink.
Nico brushed his fingertips along Percy's cheek, "I've wanted to do that for a very, very, long time."
The son of Poseidon shivered at the husky sound of the young god's voice. "You... you have?"
The son of the underworld nodded. "Percy, I have been in love with you for many years."
Percy's breath caught in his throat, his eyes widening in wonderment. He smiled a smile so bright it put the sun to shame. "I love you too Nico."
The son of Hades shivered. He was certain that there was no better sound in the world then hearing Percy say that he loved him. Nico could not recall the last time he had felt even close to as euphoric as he did in that moment.
The young god pressed a chaste kiss to the younger boy's lips. The son of Poseidon looked up from under his lashes at the god standing before him. He shook his head with a soft, teasing, smile on his face. "I am not sure if I should be jealous of the people that taught you how to kiss or thank them."
Nico chuckled and leaned his forehead against Percy's. "You have nothing to be jealous of Percy. All of them have long since passed on. You are the only one who holds my heart, my love." The son of Poseidon flushed at the new nickname. "What about you? Should I be jealous of all of your ex's?"
The young hero shuffled his feet in embarrassment. "There's no need. I... I don't actually have any."
The son of Hades looked at him in confusion, "What do you mean? You're 17. Certainly that wasn't your first kiss."
The son of the sea god blushed and shrugged. "I never really wanted anyone else. I've known that I loved you since I was thirteen."
Percy gave him a shy smile. Nico returned it until he realized what Percy had just said. His smile fell and he looked at the son of Poseidon in surprise. "So then, that was your first kiss?"
The son of Poseidon nodded, causing Nico to growled at the knowledge that he was the only one who had ever tasted Percy's lips. It made him want to be many other firsts too...
The son of the underworld leaned down to steal another kiss to which Percy responded only too eagerly. Nico was certain the he would never get enough of the taste of Percy's lips. Every kiss only made Nico want him even more. The son of Hades ran his tongue along Percy's lower lip, seeking entrance. He could feel the son of the sea god shiver at the sensation and the younger boy gladly opened his mouth. As Nico's tongue began to explore the unknown crevices of Percy's mouth, the son of Poseidon tangled his fingers into his dark locks.
The son of Hades pressed the other boy even tighter against his body as he began to walk backwards towards the bed. Nico sat down and pulled the young demigod into his lap. Percy happily shifted his seat on Nico's legs without ever breaking the kiss.
When Percy had to break away to breathe, Nico begin to press a trail of kisses down the younger boy's throat. The young god of the underworld nipped lightly on Percy's pulse point, causing the son of the sea god to moan. Nico's breath caught in his throat at the sound. He was fairly certain that he had never heard a more seductive noise in his life. His hands unconsciously tightened on the demigod's waist.
The son of Hades reluctantly pulled away from his ministrations and rested his forehead against the young heroes shoulder. As much as he didn't want to stop, he knew he had too. Nico knew that he shouldn't have even let things get as far as they already had, but he was fairly certain no one would be able to resist the beautiful, willing, demigod currently sitting on his lap.
"I'm sorry Percy."
The demigod's pupils were dilated and his answer was very breathless, "For what?"
The son of Hades felt a small stab of pride at being able to make Percy sound like that. "I shouldn't have kissed you like that."
The son of the sea god blushed, "I'm not complaining."
Nico chuckled and placed a chaste kiss against Percy's lips, "Nor am I."
"Then why did you stop?"
The son of the underworld smiled, "Because I don't want to take advantage of you."
The young demigod gave him a shy smile. "I didn't mind. Besides you can't take advantage of your willing boyfriend. I certainly had no problem with what we were doing."
Nico's breath caught in his throat. He had heard everything that the son of Poseidon had said but his brain had caught on a single word. "I'm your boyfriend?"
Percy's eyes widened in shock. He flushed deeply and stuttered, "O... only if you want to be."
The son of the underworld pulled the young demigod into a bruising kiss. He didn't pull away until they were both dizzy and breathless once more. "I would love nothing more than to be your boyfriend Percy."
ΩΩΩ
The sons of the sea and underworld were still curled up together on the bed, holding onto each other. The son of Hades was running his fingers through Percy's black hair while the demigod drew abstract patterns on the young god's chest.
The son of Poseidon finally broke the stillness. "Can I ask you something?"
Nico smiled and tightened his arm around the young demigod. He couldn't imagine a greater feeling then having Percy curled up in his arms. "Of course Piccolo, you are always free to ask me anything."
The son of Poseidon nuzzled closer into the young god's chest. "I... I was just wondering. I've wanted to know for a long time but I could never get up the courage to ask..."
The young god of the underworld turned his head to fix the green eyed boy with a quizzical stare. "What is it?"
Percy bit his lip and took a deep breath. "I've always wondered; why were you there?" At the son of Hades questioning stare, he continued. "At my house that night, why were you there?"
The son of the underworld stiffened. Nico wasn't certain as to what to tell the young demigod. He was concerned about how Percy would react. He didn't want to lose the green eyed boy so soon after finally being able to call him his own but the young hero was waiting for an answer.
The son of Hades sighed. He didn't want to tell him but he refused to lie and risk losing the son of Poseidon forever. "I was told to go."
Percy tilted his head, "By who?"
"Eros."
The son of Poseidon's confusion grew, "The god of love?"
"Yes."
"Why would he tell you to come to our house?"
The son of Hades gave him a sad smile, "For you Piccolo."
The demigod shook his head in bewilderment, "I don't understand."
Nico knew he would have to tell him. The young god unconsciously tightened his hold on the demigod, wondering if this first time would also be the last that he would ever get to hold him like this.
The young god of the underworld sighed. He knew he couldn't put off the conversation any longer. "Percy, I have loved you for a very long time. Longer than you could know."
The son of Poseidon blushed profusely, "I love you too Nico."
Nico's heart jumped in his chest. Every time he heard Percy say those words, it felt like his heart would take flight. He wondered if the young demigod even knew how much that sentence affected him. "Have you heard of Percy Jackson?"
The young demigod looked confused but nodded. "Of course, everyone has. People say he was an even greater hero than Hercules. He even turned down godhood when he was offered it, twice."
"Yes he did. He... he was a friend of mine."
"You knew Percy Jackson?"
"Yes, he was the first hero I ever met. He is the one who found me and my sister and brought us to camp." Nico vaguely wondered as to if there was ever a good way to say what he needed too. "He was also my first love."
"Oh." The son of Poseidon looked shocked. Nico was fairly certain he saw a small flash of jealousy in the young demigod's eyes and had to keep himself from laughing. "So he was gay? I thought he got married to Annabeth and lived happily ever after."
Nico found that he no longer felt the pain of loss that he normally did whenever someone spoke of Percy. He was fairly certain it had to do with the fact that Percy was currently sitting on his lap, with his arms around his shoulders.
"He did. I said that he was my first love, not that he loved me back."
If Percy had looked shocked before, he looked stunned now. "How..." The demigod's eyes widened and he cut himself off from whatever it was that he was going to say.
"What is it my love?"
The son of Poseidon shook his head fiercely. Usually Nico would have backed off but he was curious as to what would make the young demigod challenge a tomato in color. "Please tell me?"
The son of the sea god looked down at his lap and sighed. "I... I was going to ask what was wrong with him." Percy nervously looked up and caught Nico's confused gaze. "How... how could anyone not fall for you?"
It was Nico's turn to blush while his heart continued to do acrobatics. "By the time I met him, he already had a crush on his friend Annabeth. Plus at the time, I was still denying who I was. I wasn't ready to admit to being gay. I didn't tell Percy about my crush on him for years."
The young hero leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on the young god's cheek. "Well, he's still an idiot. He doesn't know what he missed."
The young god of the underworld chuckled, "Actually he does."
"What do you mean?"
Nico took a deep breath. There was really no other way to say this. "I never really got over him. He's one of a kind, no one could ever compare. He ruined me for dating. I've loved a few times since then, but no one ever held my heart as completely as he did. He was the bravest, most selfless, most incredibly beautiful man I've ever known. I always knew that I would never be able to forget him. He had never been mine but as long as he was happy, that was all I needed. After he died, I was heartbroken." The son of the underworld met Percy's gaze. "Do you know that you share a lot more than a name with him?"
He could see the heartbreak in Percy's eyes. The son of Poseidon tried to pull away but Nico just tighten his hold on the boy. "So I'm just a replacement?"
The son of Hades shook his head fiercely. "No, never think that. You are the greatest thing that has ever happened to me. Please, just let me finish and it will all make sense. I promise."
Percy looked reluctant, but he nodded and quit trying to pull away.
"Eros gave me an address. He didn't tell me what I would find but he convinced me to go there anyway. I went... and I found you. The instant you looked at me, I knew. Do you know why your father named you Percy?"
The son of Poseidon shook his head. "I was always told that he just said that was my name."
"It's because it is your name, my love. Poseidon didn't give it to you. You were given that name by Sally Jackson."
"I... I don't understand."
Nico sighed. "You are Percy Jackson. Or more accurately, you are Percy Jackson reborn. You died and went to Elysium. You were there for a while but you chose rebirth."
The son of Poseidon shook his head in disbelief. "I... I can't be him. He was a great hero."
The young god chuckled. "Yes, you are. You have always done what no other demigods have ever been able to achieve."
The young demigod still looked disbelieving. "That's not me though. I'm just Percy, not Percy Jackson. I'm nothing special."
The son of the underworld shook his head and gave him a gentle look. "You are him and he is you. In both lives, you killed the Minotaur when you were twelve. You once again stopped an all out war of the gods when you stopped Khione. You killed the chimera; even in your first life you couldn't do that. You faced it, but you didn't kill it. You're a champion of Camp Half Blood. You have never been mediocre Percy, you've always been extraordinary."
The son of Poseidon looked speechless. He opened and closed his mouth a few times before he finally found his voice. "How do you know?"
"I've always know. I'm a child of the underworld. I can see your spirit and I would know it anywhere. Even if I wasn't the son of Hades though, I still would have recognized you."
"So is that why you protected me all this time? Cause of who I am... or used to be?"
Nico shook his head. "No Piccolo, I didn't help you because I knew you. I helped you because I love you. I've been in love with you since I was ten years old and you saved me from the manticore. Nothing will ever change that, not even death."
Percy was speechless. He froze, completely unmoving. The son of Hades started to get nervous. He had no idea as to how Percy would react to the truth. All of a sudden Percy shook his head and met Nico's gaze. The young god just had time to register a blinding smile before Percy's lips were covering his own.
Nico barely had time to respond to the kiss before the son of Poseidon pulled back with a grin, "I love you."
Nico's eyes widened. "You're... you're not mad?"
Percy smiled and shook his head. "How could I be mad? You're the most amazing, devoted, man in the entire world. How many other people can say that their boyfriend waited 200 years for them? You even found me in my next life. It's kind of hard to top that."
The son of Hades shook his head in disbelief. He chuckled and placed a soft kiss against Percy's cheek, "That is why I love you Percy. You never do what anyone would expect."
The son of the sea god blushed and looked down. He nervously bit his lip before he could meet Nico's gaze once more, "Are... are you sure that you love me though? I don't remember doing any of that. What if... what if you only love me because of who I used to be?"
The son of Hades ran his fingers through Percy's hair once more. He smiled and shook his head. "You are the same person my love, even if you don't remember. If I hadn't known you before, I still would have fallen for you. You are just as brave and selfless as you have always been. I love you for you, not for what you've done."
Percy lay his head back down on Nico's shoulder and smiled blissfully when the son of Hades tightened his embrace. "I love you too Nico."
