Nico could not remember the last time he had woken happy. It was most likely when Bianca was still alive.

Nico finally had something, or more specifically, someone, to look forward to. Someone to make his days no longer dull, to make his cold heart beat with warmth.

Percy.

After they had spoken and given one last longing kiss, Nico had departed, wanting to give the other demigod space and time to think through his feelings. While Nico had harbored these emotions for years, everything was still incredibly new for Percy, and Nico would not risk losing him.

He usually was a patient person, intelligent and cunning enough to know that each step in a plan should not be rushed to ensure the desired result, but he had a hard time maintaining those thoughts when it came to Percy.

He had waited so terribly long, risking his life for the son of the sea god only to have to watch and witness his growing relationship with that girl.

How often had he pictured those strong arms around him, tangling in his thick dark locks rather than the blonde.

How often had he woken with tears in his eyes, knowing he would never be enough, never be looked at by those eyes as something more.

When Nico awoke, he had initially been happy, the remnants of his dream that, as always, contained Percy, still twisting his mind to believe that Percy had finally become his.

Rational thought doused the dream and panic and despair squeezed his throat as he realized it had all been an illusion. The kiss. Those arms. The way they had held Nico to his chest...

As the remnants of sleep left him, however, true thoughts and memories overtook the idea of a fantasy and Nico realized that the past night had been a memory, not a dream, though it seemed far too good to be true.

With this knowledge, hope and excitement bubbling in his empty stomach, he removed the T-shirt and boxers he normally slept in and grabbed his usual dark, depressing clothing.

He examined the clothes in his hands, a black shirt with a large skull on it, cliche, he knew, but it kept people from bothering it.

Today, however, he was in too good a mood to exude such a dark themed shirt and instead grabbed the one he had worn a couple days before.

He inhaled, and even though it had been washed, he still could smell the salty air of the ocean within its fibers.

...

Percy awoke in a similar state, a slow grin spreading across his tan face as his eyes lazily flickered open.

He, unlike Nico, knew what had occurred was no dream; while he had dreamed of Nico before, he had never been able to imagine just how amazing it would feel to have their lips pressed together, and because of that, he had always awoken before any of that could happen.

He released the pillow he had been holding tightly to his chest in slumber, knowing full well he had been thinking about cuddling Nico in a similar fashion. Though he knew the son of Hades would likely punch him if he knew he thought about "cuddling" him.

Percy turned over so he laid on his back, hands behind his head as he smirked up at his ceiling.

...

Percy dressed quickly, anxious to see the son of death for breakfast.

As he tied the laces of his shoes, he grinned once more at the thought of Nico; he felt like a lovesick schoolboy but couldn't find it within himself to care.

As he checked his appearance once more, nerves zinging in his stomach, he left quickly, smirking devilishly as he came up with a plan.

...

Nico had just finished dressing and had his hand hovering over the knob to his cabin's door when he heard a knock.

It was the first time he could think of someone coming to visit him, let alone knocking. Nobody had ever dared disturb the son of Hades. Except...

"Percy," he said, swinging the door open slightly, still remaining within his cabin.

"Nico," Percy responded with a teasing smile playing on his lips. "Good, now that we got introductions out of the way, you hungry?"

Nico rolled his eyes at his brashness and immature humor.

"I am perfectly capable of walking to the dining area." he said, though his heart fluttered slightly at the gesture. Percy was unphased by the usual coldness, he knew what lie beneath the stony exterior.

Percy rolled his eyes and began to loop his arm through Nico's, urging him to come along, when Nico pulled him within to the privacy of the cabin, shutting the door behind them.

Percy gave him an exasperated look, he wanted to eat after all, and raised an eyebrow.

"Before we go, we need to get a few things straight." At this, Percy chuckled and muttered, "Unlike you."

Nico rolled his eyes. "Listen." Percy's face grew somber, and he could tell Nico was serious. Well, more serious than usual.

Percy stayed silent but his expression seemed to say to continue.

"You just got out of a relationship with that girl. Do you really want to go waltzing around with you on my arm?"

Percy sobered even more. The thought had never entered his mind, but he knew Nico was right.

Percy nodded as the realization spread across his features.

"And, are you ready to tell the world you're... that you like men?" Nico asked, blushing furiously.

Percy held up a hand to Nico's lips before he could go on. When he saw the other demigod wasn't going to continue, Percy brushed his fingers from the full lips to cup his cheek.

"First, let me get something straight. I don't like men, I like one man, and while I agree we should attempt to not exacerbate the situation with Annabeth, I am proud to be on your arm, or have you on mine," he added. "I don't care what people think because I know what I want," he said, brushing his fingertips lightly along the chiseled cheekbone.

Nico was at a loss for words, he never would have expected such an adamant response. He nodded slowly and closed his eyes as soft, pink lips met his own.

It was very brief, but it communicated all Percy had said and what he had been feeling. Joy rose within him once more, filling his empty stomach though it growled in response.

Percy merely chuckled and said, "Me too," looping his arm with Nico's once more as they exited the Hades cabin.

...

It was still earlier than most of the demigods' breakfast so the pair did not see anyone on their walk to breakfast. Percy's arm stayed casually linked with Nico's, his warmth spreading to the other's body and giving him a sense of peace and security he couldn't remember feeling before.

It seemed whenever the son of the sea god touched him, Nico was safe.

When they finally reached their destination, Percy removed his arm from Nico's, and Nico had to stop himself from sighing at the loss. When had he gone so soft?

They quickly gathered food onto their plates, saying nothing as they gave some to the gods.

They sat together, alone at a table as only a couple others were occupied by one or two other campers.

They were far enough from other campers that they had privacy, though not enough to indulge in some PDA. However, it was private enough for Percy to have a little fun.

Staring at the food on his place, Nico's body emitting warmth on his left side, he used the hand not occupied by a fork, to casually reach below the table and place his hand on his own knee.

The motion appeared to go unnoticed by Nico who was too preoccupied picking at the pancakes that looked much too happy to him. He viciously stabbed into them, taking a hearty bite, and smirked maliciously to himself.

Percy rolled his eyes outwardly but smiled slightly with endearment for the sulky, dark boy who only smiled for him.

He continued eating his third piece of bacon yet, gnawing on a cheek to avoid grinning.

The hand on his knee crept closer to Nico where their legs brushed softly against one another. They were sitting closer than two normal friends probably would but neither could bring themselves to care.

Percy's pinky brushed against Nico's jeans and he smiled softly to himself as he continued with his plan.

The hand continued its journey until it was entirely on Nico's knee instead of his own. Nico smiled shyly, biting into more pancake to avoid showing it.

The hand stroked gently on Nico's leg, just below his lower thigh as it journeyed from there back to the knee again, continuing in succession.

Percy grinned once more, giving Nico's leg a reassuring squeeze before removing it to grab his glass of water.

Nico felt the loss of warmth immediately, silently praying that he would replace the hand but Percy had both occupied with cutting and shoveling food into his mouth.

"Bitch," Nico muttered quietly and Percy choked on the egg he was eating as he tried to cover up a laugh.

So the son of the sea god liked games.

Nico would play.

...


AN: Hey all, I know it's been a while. I have been having major writers block with all of my stories, I'm very sorry. I hope you all enjoyed the chapter, be sure to drop a review. Ideas, questions, anything. Thanks for reading.

-Hope