Disclaimer: I do not own the PJatO franchise and probably never ever will. The property belongs to Rick Riordan, the best Percy Jackson author of all time (and also, the only one). This piece of - er, work - is purely for the entertainment of others and naturally my own. I am merely borrowing the names of the characters and bending them to my will to create this story.
A/N: So, this is the second to last chapter of this story. (finally... *exhales in relief*) I really appreciated everyone who reviewed, favorited, and followed my story. I hope you don't find this ending to be too abrupt.
Warnings: Characters not being in character, Language (I think?), Misspellings and grammar issues (I was too lazy to use Microsoft Word, I just edited it on my own).
Status: 4 out of 5 chapters.
Cinematic
Chapter 04: A Happy Ending - er, a Happy Beginning
"Hey, Percy. You still awake?" Leo whispered. Percy turned under his covers and yawned.
"Yeah, I am now," he replied, rubbing at his eyes tiredly. "Is there something you need?"
"I just want to ask you something," Leo said. "But, I'm not even sure where to start." He bit his bottom lip nervously, clinching his blanket tightly in his fist.
"You can start by telling me what this is all about," Percy suggested.
Leo swallowed thickly, a lump forming at his throat. "It's about this guy I like, Frank.."
"Wait, Frank. As in Frank Zhang?" Percy asked to make sure. Leo nodded, though it couldn't be seen in the darkness.
"The very same," he confirmed with a sigh. "I have had a crush on the guy, since I met him, but he's always with Hazel and I don't think he likes me."
"If anything, his relationship with Hazel is more familial. They're practically siblings." 'Like how Annabeth and I were before we dated,' he mentally added with a grim smile.
"But, he doesn't like me," Leo pointed out. "You've seen the way he acted around me. I don't have a chance at the guy."
"Okay, Leo, first of all, he does like you, even if just as a friend. And to be perfectly honest, it might be more than just a friend. I've caught him more than once starting at you, mainly your ass," Percy quipped with a slight smirk. Leo blushed.
"Even so, how do I know for certain?" questioned Leo. "What if he really doesn't like me and it's just lust?"
"Frank's not that kind of guy," Percy countered. "If he likes you, he'll like you for you, not your body."
"I don't know, Percy. You make very good points, but... I just don't know, man. Every time I think about him rejecting me, it hurts," he sighed.
"You got it bad, then," Percy said. "I felt the same way for Annabeth, before... you know. To be honest, I don't know how to deal with love. I've only been in love once and I kinda fell out of love again. It's different for everyone, Leo. You have to follow your heart, as cliche as it sounds, and see where it takes you."
"That's the sappiest thing I've ever heard you say, Percy," commented Leo.
The Jackson just shrugged. "I have my moments."
"Thanks, man," Leo said with a laugh. "I feel like you helped me a lot." Percy shook his head.
"No problem, Leo. This is what friends do. We help each other. You help me and I help you."
"You know something?"
"Annabeth was wrong."
Percy blinked in confusion. "About what?"
"About breaking up with you. You're the sweetest, greatest, most amazing person ever," Leo praised. "I can't see why she would break up with you. You may have your faults, but it doesn't matter because you're perfect just the way you are."
Percy blushed. "You can't mean all that."
"I do," Leo affirmed. "I just wish you could see how wonderful you are. Annabeth doesn't know what she's missing. Why date someone else when you can have the delectable, super enticing Percy Jackson?" His voice held a teasing tone that made Percy's blush increase two-fold.
"Leo," Percy chided with a slight pout.
"What?"
"You're embarrassing me."
Leo softened. "You shouldn't be embarrassed if it's the truth, Percy." Percy didn't reply. He just pulled the covers over himself and yanwed.
"Don't go to sleep yet," Leo requested, his voice soft. "I want to make sure about something."
"What?"
"Earlier at the table, were you really jealous of Annabeth?" The question was asked quietly, as if he didn't want to aggravate Percy by mentioning Annabeth with Nico.
"Who else would I be jealous of? Nico?" Percy countered. "Yeah, I was jealous of Annabeth, Leo. She had Nico's attention, while I didn't. I want to desperately talk to him, but I never had the chance to."
"He's more than your best friend, huh?"
Percy sighed. "I don't know. I'm still confused about him. I don't know if I like-like him or is it just a friend."
"Maybe, it's love," Leo suggested. "Maybe, you're in love and you just don't know it yet."
"I just fell out of love, Leo," Percy reminded him with a small smile. "Don't you think it's too early for me to fall in love again?"
"It's never too early to fall in love," Leo replied. "It's never too early, Percy."
"I don't know, Leo. It doesn't fell right to fall in love so quickly after Annabeth broke up with me." Even as he said those words, tears brimmed his eyes, as he thought back to the break up. "I feel like if I don't wait, Nico might just be a rebound." His voice cracked slightly.
"It's never wrong to fall in love. It shouldn't ever feel that way, Percy. And, Nico won't be a rebound. Not unless, you want Annabeth back."
"No," Percy said with a shake of his head. "I don't want Annabeth back. N-not anymore. I don't want to feel pain like that again."
"And, you shouldn't have to, " Leo interjected. "You deserve more than that."
"But, I don't know if I love Nico."
"You'll know in time," Leo replied sagely. "Just give it a try. Maybe, you'll fall in love."
"If you say so, Leo. If you say so."
Leo yawned and settled into his bed. "G'night, Percy."
"Night, Leo."
. . .
Morning came all too quickly for Percy. He felt like he had barely slept for a few hours. Bringing himself to sit up, Percy stretched, feeling his muscles protest, and yawned. He looked to Leo, who was still sleeping soundly and smiled softly, remembering the memories of yesterday.
Running a hand through his hair, Percy walked to the bathroom, closing the door behind him. He relieved himself and stripped down, stepping into the shower. A quick flick of his wrist sent cool water washing over his body. Percy sighed happily, relaxing under the flow of water. He slowly scrubbed himself clean with a bar of soap and toweled himself dry. Percy wrapped the towel around his waist, and began brushing his teeth. Once he was done, he stepped out of the bathroom.
"Leo, are you up yet?"
"Mmph."
Percy shrugged. "Guess not."
"Why are you awake at such an ungodly time?" groaned Frank. He was staying with Nico, instead of the Ares cabin, because he felt uncomfortable with sleeping in a cabin full of people he didn't know well. "It's too early, man."
"I'm going to see Leo," Nico replied, smirking at his Asian friend. "Then, I'm going to find Percy."
Frank raised an eyebrow. "Finally deciding to ask him out?"
"I don't know," Nico admitted with a shrug. "He did break up with Annabeth yesterday, so I don't know if he's ready to be in a relationship again. And, what about you? I know you've been meaning to ask Leo out."
The Asian sighed, running a hand through his hair with a frown. "I have, but it just that every time I want to ask him, I fear that he'll reject me. I wasn't all that nice to him in the past, you know, and I think he thinks I don't like him. I would be heartbroken if he rejected me."
"I don't think he'll reject you, Zhang," Nico said softly. "Leo's not that kind of person. And, I think he likes you, too. He's not the type of guy to hate anyone. It never hurts to try, you know?"
"I guess so," Frank sighed. "When you see him, tell him..." He paused to run a hand through his hair in agitation. "Tell him that I want to talk to him."
"That's what I'm talking about," Nico said with a smile. "Well, I'll be going now. Keep Jason and Hazel in line while I'm gone."
Frank nodded and watched Nico's receding form. He groaned softly and hung his head dejectedly. 'What am I going to do? What have I gotten myself into?'
. . .
"Leo," Nico called, knocking on the boy's cabin. Hearing no reply, he tried the knob to find it was left unlocked. Sighing at his friend's carelessness, Nico opened the door and stepped inside.
"Someone's at the door, Leo. Can you see who it is?" he heard a familiar voice say. Nico turned to face the speaker and found himself to be pleasantly (or, should he say pleasurably) surprised.
Percy was clad in nothing, but a fluffy, white towel that hung enticingly low on his hips. A delectable blush crossed the boy's delicate features, as Nico raised a teasing eyebrow at his state of undress.
"Nico," Percy squeaked, finally finding his voice. "What are you doing here?"
The Italian smirked. "I could ask the same of you, mio bello."
"I asked you first," bantered Percy with a slight pout. "And, what does mio bello mean?"
"It means "my beautiful" in Italian," Nico replied, chuckling at the crimson blush spreading across Percy's cheeks to the back of his neck. He licked his lips, wondering just how far the blush would spread if he kept complimenting the boy. "And, I'm here to talk to Leo. Is he up?"
Percy shook his head, feeling slightly dejected that Nico hadn't come to speak with him. "No, he's still in bed. I couldn't get him to wake up."
"No one can," Nico supplied with a shake of his head. "Trust me, I've tried. So, what are you doing here, Percy?"
"Leo wanted me to stay with him," Percy explained. "I'm sure you've heard of what happened..."
Nico nodded, understanding the situation. He didn't like the sad expression Percy had. It meant that he was still not over the break up yet, but who could blame him? Break ups weren't something that you could just forget and move on in a matter of weeks, let alone a single day.
"How are you feeling, Percy?" Nico asked. "I know you're not okay. I can see it in your eyes."
Percy smiled sadly. "Right now, I guess I still feel a little hurt. Leo helped me a lot better, but it still takes time, you know? It's still hard for me."
"I can understand," he replied. "And, thank you for sharing with me. I know it's hard for you to express how you feel to others."
"I should be the one thanking you, Nico," Percy remarked. "Even if it's just you asking how I feel, I still appreciate it. It's nice to know that you care." Percy smiled softly with a hint of fondness. It was really sweet that Nico was asking how felt and not the usual "Are you okay".
"I always care," Nico stated, causing Percy's heart to make an involuntary leap. "I always have and I always will. I'm here for you, Percy."
"I missed you, Nico," Percy whispered. "It's been a long time since I've seen you." Nico smiled and pulled the smaller boy into a hug.
"I've missed you, too, Percy," Nico replied, sniffing Percy's hair discreetly. He smelled divine, like sea salt and jasmine mixed together in an exotic combination. "I missed you, too."
"Am I interrupting something?" quipped Leo, his disheveled head popping out from his bunk. Nico and Percy jumped apart in surprise. Percy cursed at himself for missing the warm contact, while Nico glared darkly at the Latino.
"Yes, you were," he growled.
"Never mind that," he dismissed with a chuckle. "Why are you here, Nico?"
The boy's anger receded and he smirked, remembering the reason for seeing Leo. "I just needed to talk to you. Frank wanted me to tell you that he wants to talk to you."
"Why?" Leo asked, a little pale.
Nico shrugged, feigning ignorance. "I don't know, but don't worry. It's probably nothing bad."
Leo nodded, but he didn't seem convinced. Beside them, Percy shifted awkwardly in place, feeling a little left out.
"Umm.. if you need me, I'll be over there," he said, pointing to the far bunk. "I' ll just leave you two alone." He quickly padded over to where he was pointing leaving no room for Leo and Nico to speak. The Latino sighed.
"What are you doing, di Angelo?" Leo hissed, keeping his voice low so Percy couldn't hear. "The one you should be talking to is Percy, not me."
"I know, I know," Nico replied, running a hand through his hair. "I just needed to talk to you about Percy. I want to ask him out, but I fear that he's still not over Annabeth. Is it too early?"
"You love him, don't you? It's never too early or too late to love, Nico. You just have to follow your heart. Just be patient with Percy. He's still recovering."
Nico nodded. "I'm going to talk to him now. I suggest you do the same with Frank. He's waiting for you in my cabin."
"I-I don't know, Nico," Leo confessed. "Why does he want to talk to me?"
"You'll have to find out on your own, Leo."
Leo huffed and stood up, frowning, "Fine, I'll go see him, but if he kills me, I'll haunt you for eternity."
Nico laughed. "He won't kill you. I can promise that."
"If you say so, Nico. If you say so," Leo muttered. "You go talk to Percy. I'm going to get ready." He headed for the bathroom with a determined expression. Nico smiled and turned towards the bunks, where Percy lay.
"Hey, Percy. Can we talk?" Nico founded the boy sitting cross-legged on a bunk. He had changed into a pair of jeans, but no shirt. The boy sat, hugging a pillow to his chest, looking a little down.
"Yeah, sure. Is something wrong?" He made some room for Nico and the Italian sat down beside him.
Nico shook his head, smiling. "I just want to talk. I know you just broke up with Annabeth and you're still recovering, but are you considering dating anytime soon?"
"I... I don't know," Percy replied, hugging the pillow tighter. "I feel like it's too early, but I already have someone that I like. Someone I've like for a long time, but I've never realized it."
"Who?" Nico asked, feeling jealous. His fist clenched and his heart ached at the thought of Percy liking someone else.
Percy blushed and mumbled a name into the pillow. Nico growled. "What did you say, Percy? I couldn't hear you."
"You," Percy whispered. "The guy I like is you, okay?" He closed his eyes, bracing himself for Nico's rejection.
"You like me?" Nico sounded surprised, but there was no disgust. Percy opened his eyes just a crack and found Nico smiling at him.
"I like you, too, Percy," Nico replied. Percy felt tears at his eyes and smiled broadly. He wrapped his arms around Nico's neck and gave him a shy peck on the cheek. Nico grinned and hugged him back.
"Now that we know that our feelings are mutual," Nico said. "Can you consider being in a relationship with me?"
Percy nodded. "Yes, yes, yes. I want to be in a relationship with you."
Nico chuckled, hugging him tight. Percy smiled. 'I guess I get my happy ending, after all. Or rather, a happy beginning. This is just the beginning of my happy ending.'
I hope you enjoyed this chapter. There is one more chapter left to go for the Frank/Leo. I always end my stories with another pairing and well, I can't help, but do the same with this one. Maybe, it's a PJaTO thing. I don't know. Oh well. This is FullReverse. Until next time..