You ask why I end it cliffy? It makes you want to read more, does it not? Granted, sitting on the edge of your seat might not feel that great, but it's better than being bored with the story. This is a very complex plot.

…

"Nico tried to?" Jason asked, not quite believing it. That didn't seem like the Nico he knew. The Nico he knew was grounded. And very much alive. Bianca clamped her hand over the blonde boy's mouth, casting glances at the living room. Her parents were there, watching TV and chatting quietly to themselves. They didn't like talking about what Nico did. They didn't pretend it never happened, but they certainly didn't like to discuss it with outsiders. Her hand still clamped over his mouth, she steered him to her room, shutting the door behind her. Hazel was sitting at the desk in their room, working on something. But at their sudden appearance, she looked up.

"Oooh, it's Jason," she said, turning around in the chair and draping her arms over the back. "What brings you to our room Jason? Didn't want to comfort Percy." Bianca finally took her hand away, and Jason gasped for breath. He'd been able to breathe out his nose, but not well. Bianca sank down on the bed, turning to the blonde. Being in a room with two admittedly pretty girls would make most people uncomfortable, but Jason wasn't the least bit phased. It was kind of like when Thalia had friends over. The concept was about the same.

"I was telling him about Nico," Bianca said, and Hazel's brown eyes flew open wide. She had a good startled look, Jason decided in his head. "Yes, he tried to commit suicide," she continued in a hushed tone. It's kind of like talking about homosexuality, Jason thought. Very taboo. "If you look closely at him, and most people don't, you'll see scars on his wrists. They're fading, but they're there."

"He cut?" Jason asked, his hands flying up to his own wrists. He had a couple cuts, but he wasn't an avid cutter. He didn't firmly believe in that kind of thing. Especially when it amounted to ending your own life. Jason tugged his sleeves down until they covered a great portion of his hand as well. Bianca noticed the action, but decided not to say anything about it. Everyone had demons, and everyone dealt with them in different ways. She hoped Percy, with his innocence still mostly intact, wouldn't turn to something as disgusting as cutting to ease the emotional pain. It could destroy you.

"Very much," she replied. Hazel's gaze dropped to her lap. This was a very sensitive subject for both girls. They'd nearly lost their only brother because of his bad habit. "We always thought he was happy enough to get by. He had friends. Granted, not as many as before he outed himself, but he had friends. As far as we knew he wasn't bullied. He had a pretty good life. So it seemed on the outside."

"Demons are nasty," Jason said softly, running his fingers over his own puckered skin. They weren't new cuts by any means, but the raised skin indicated they were made not terribly long ago. "On the outside everything seems fine, but it's the inside you really need to worry about. They eat away at your resolve and sanity, only to push you over the edge when you're most vulnerable." Hazel closed her eyes. She hated talking about the time Nico was "sick" (as they liked to call it amongst themselves). She'd only been ten when it happened. So for a year she didn't really see her brother much. They'd taken him to a place to get better. He'd gotten a little happier, but moving here sealed the deal. He'd found someone who made him genuinely happy.

"Well put," Bianca said at last, cutting the tension that had grown as they sat in silence. "Well put indeed. You're quite smart, aren't you?" Jason nodded, but he still looked troubled. He never liked finding out something awful like that about his friends. "To this day we wonder what drove him to that," Bianca continued.

"It's an internal thing," the blonde replied without thinking. Bianca turned a startled look on him, and he blushed. "I do know a thing or two about demons." He tugged his sleeves up and showed them his cuts. "It could be because of poor self-esteem. Maybe he didn't think highly of himself after he was outed. People react in different ways, both the one outing themselves, and the ones they tell. Maybe Nico didn't feel like he was worth much after that. I can't say what he was thinking, I'm only giving my input."

"What makes you do it," Hazel asked him. Jason smiled. It was a smile that didn't reach his eyes.

"It drives me mad not being able to talk openly about who I am," he said. "There's almost nowhere in this town that's a safe haven for gays, especially when they want to talk. I also sometimes believe maybe I am the abomination they all claim I am." Just talking about his demons was a huge relief. "But normally I can make the pain go away another way. Listening to music always helps. I dabble in poetry; it's a good stress reliever. Or I go and talk to Percy. He may not know it, but he's probably saved my life a handful of times."

"I have?" Three heads turned to surprise to the two figures leaning against the doorframe.

"How long have you been there?" Jason asked when he recovered. Nico looked at his sister and then at Jason. Percy stared at Jason like he was an interesting package he didn't remember ordering but had mysteriously appeared on his doorstep.

"Long enough to know Jason and I have a similar problem," Nico replied. "And now Percy knows too, which doesn't do my anchor position much good." Percy smirked. He didn't think less of Nico because of it. He'd obviously survived because his family deeply cared about him. And look at him now. He'd come from a very, very deep hole he'd dug himself. If he could do that, Percy could get through his transition. It would seem like child's play compared to that. "Jason, whatever you do, whatever happens, don't ever cut again. It can take control of your life, no matter what precautions you take."

"I didn't plan to," Jason replied in a completely even voice. He wasn't sure how he liked his conversation now. Nico smiled a little and clapped him on the back.

"If you ever need someone to talk to, or even just a place to feel safe and secure, our door is always open," Nico said. "Same to you too Perce, when you eventually go home. And Percy?" The brunette looked at the dark-haired boy. "The second you start cutting, if you do at all, I will know about it. And it won't be a pretty ending for you." Percy gulped.

"Alright Nico," he said at last, and Jason smiled at him.

"You too blondie. I'm not letting either of you get to the point I did. It's so awful. And those facilities they take you to are lousy. At least, the one I went to was. It's depressing. And neither of you depressing." Percy and Jason exchanged looks. Since when did Nico get to play mama? "Did you boys hear me?" he asked. Percy and Jason looked at each other, then grinned.

"Yes mama!" they said in perfect unison. They'd perfected talking at the same time over the years. Nico looked a little stunned, but Bianca and Hazel roared with laughter. The heavy mood seemed to have lifted with Percy and Jason's little joke. Finally, Nico laughed too. He wrapped and arm around Percy and ruffled Jason's hair.

"You boys," he said with a shake of his head. But now that Percy was in his embrace, he was curious. Nico was still in his long sleeved dress shirt, and he began to roll the sleeve up. Nico removed his hand. "What are you doing Perce?" he asked. He didn't seem mad, just curious.

"I want to see the scars," he said. Somehow, knowing Nico wasn't completely perfect made him feel a little better. He felt guilty for the fact, but he shook it off. "Please?" he added, batting his eyelashes. Nico sighed.

"Damn you and your puppy dog eyes," he said, rolling his sleeves up. "Alright." He flipped his arms over and Percy studied his wrists. Three faint white lines on each wrist confirmed that Nico really had tried to end his life. Each cut was about four inches across. Percy ran his fingers lightly over the scars, and Nico winced. "Still feels tender," he said with a little laugh.

"Why'd you do it?" Percy asked softly. Nico tugged his sleeves back down and stared thoughtfully at the wall.

"Mmmm, I was feeling worthless," he said at last. "I felt like I couldn't do anything right. I'd messed up some other things we won't go into detail about at this point in time, but being gay took the cake. My only thoughts were, "Why I am this way? Is it a mistake?" Those thoughts swirled around my head constantly, battering at my resolve. I'd been cutting before that, but nothing serious. I guess I just…snapped." Bianca and Hazel stared at him in amazement. They'd asked him repeatedly why he'd done it, but he'd never given them a response. Yet he told the boy her barely knew? "It's something as simple as that, really. That's the kind of thing that drives you over the edge."

"Please don't feel that way again," Percy whispered, running his fingers over the spot where the scars were. Nico wrapped his arms around the brunette's waist and drew him closer. The brunette was painfully aware of three other sets of eyes on him and Nico, but he pushed the thought aside. It was his and Nico's turn.

"I won't," he promised with a tiny smile. "This time I have you. The biggest blessing of my life." Percy blushed and looked down. He loved Nico's sentimental side, but sometimes it got a bit much. Nico laughed and kissed his forehead. "I mean it Perce. You've made this move worthwhile. It gives me purpose, and a reason to stick around. If it wasn't for you, I'd be gone." He looked over Percy's head and locked eyes with Bianca. She dipped her chin in a half-nod, meaning that, yes, she knew that. When they were told they were moving, she half expected Nico to try and make his way back to the city. But that was before they'd met Percy. Percy gave Nico purpose. And he gave him a reason to not sink back into the hole Nico had dug for himself long ago. If he sunk that low again, he'd drag Percy with him. Bianca knew Nico would do everything in his power to keep that from happening. She never wanted him to stoop that low again; he never wanted to see Percy stoop that low ever.

"Well, let's move onto something more cheery," Nico said with a clap, startling Hazel and Jason. Percy and Bianca smirked at each other. Nico would never change.

…

They broke out The Game of Life, but this time every single car was taken, and the board was crowded. Many laughs and jaunts followed. This time when Percy got married, he didn't hesitate. He stuck a little blue guy in his car with him. Nico had already passed it with his little blue guy, and he smiled at Percy. He'd already come a long way. Given more time, he'd be comfortable with himself. Percy laughed as Jason pulled up beside him and grabbed his own groom, sticking him in the orange car, in the back.

"He's been bad," Jason said with a small smile. "Now he must sit in back with our future children." Percy smiled. It was good to see Jason so open about who he was. He'd seen the lengths Jason went to in order to keep who he was hidden. It was painful to watch. But in this town, he'd pretty much be banished if anyone found out outside of the youth group.

"What's his name?" Hazel asked, tapping Jason's husband. Jason blushed and looked down. Percy looked at him with new interest. Jason's reaction indicated something.

"It's okay Jason," he said, reaching out and rubbing his arm. Jason smiled at him, though he didn't look up. "Who is it? Is he real?" Slowly, Jason nodded, looking up.

"Yeah," he said. "He's real. I've been dating him for three months now. I just wasn't sure if I should tell anyone. His name's Luke. He's a grade older than us." He looked at Percy as he spoke. "I met him on a trip to the city and we hit it off." He shrugged. "He's great." Percy smiled and squeezed Jason's arm.

"I'm happy for you Jay," he said. If anyone deserved happiness, it was Jason. And this boy clearly made the blonde happy. As he spoke, his eyes lit up. "We all are," he added, nodding to the three siblings. Three nodding heads confirmed it. Jason looked relieved that he had support for this too. For three months, he debated the best way to tell Percy. He knew his best friend would support him no matter what, but actually having a boyfriend left him feeling scared shitless. It just made the whole situation more real.

"Well," Bianca said at last, and the blonde and the brunette looked at her. She motioned to the board. "It's Percy's turn." Percy took his turn, missing the twins square by one. He was kind of disappointed. He wanted Addison and Avery back. Another ten minutes and Nico won the game, sliding into retirement with a mansion and three children in addition to his husband (he affectionately called Percy is fourth child). Percy followed suit soon after, which left Jason sandwiched between the two girls. Hazel came in third, and Bianca came in fourth at the last minute. That meant Jason finished last. But he shrugged it away, smiling as he picked up his little car. He and Luke had four children; one boy, one girl, and twins (he decided they would both be girls).

"That was fun," the blonde said, leaning back in seat. He hadn't had this much fun since he and Luke went out to eat for their one month anniversary (and what a time it had been). Percy sat back in his seat too, rubbing his eyes. Now that the excitement was wearing down, he was getting tired again. Nico pulled him out of his seat and dropped him onto his lap. Percy curled up and tucked his head neatly under Nico's chin, closing his eyes. Nico kept talking like nothing had happened.

"He's too cute," Bianca said, motioning to the sleeping brunette. Nico smiled, smoothing down Percy's hair in the way he did to keep him asleep. "Maybe you should go tuck him in?" she suggested. But the dark-haired boy shook his head.

"He's fine," he replied. "He likes to know when we're talking about him." On cue (or maybe by sheer chance), Percy mumbled in his sleep. "See," Nico said with a smirk. "He likes being included, what can I say?" The other three laughed, and after some more talking, Jason rose.

"I best be going," he said. "Mom and dad will want me home for dinner. See you Bianca, Hazel, Nico," he said with a nod at each. "Goodnight Percy," he added with a smile, slipping out the backdoor. Nico got up and staggered into his bedroom, collapsing onto the bed with Percy. Then he straightened the brunette out and tucked him in, sticking Hazel's bear in the crook of his arm. His arm instinctively wrapped tighter around the bear, and Nico smiled. He sat down at his desk to begin the homework he'd put off doing until now.

"Hey Nico?" Nico turned around and found Hazel creeping into his room. He sighed. He knew one of his sisters was bound to ask him about his story. And while he didn't want to really talk about it, he couldn't very well not give them an explanation now. "About your story?"

"Yes?" he asked, swiveling around to face her. She perched on the edge of the bed and looked over her shoulder at the sleeping brunette. Her bear was just visible under the covers, and she smiled. "Hazel, it was almost two years ago. I feel a lot better now."

"It's not that," she said with a shake of her head, her cinnamon toast hair flying about in the process. "Why did you tell Percy and not us?" She couldn't keep the accusation out of her voice. Nico sighed again.

"Because you guys knew the story a little better than he did," he replied. "You guys knew I wasn't happy; he didn't. I can pick and choose who I tell you know." From the bed, Percy mumbled and rolled to face the wall. "See? He agrees with me." Hazel's hard look softened as she looked at Percy. No matter how mad one was, they couldn't help but smile when they saw Percy's curled up figure. "It's more than that, Hazel," he said at last. "I was trying to protect you."

"Protect me?" she questioned, tilting her head to the side and studying him. She was trying to detect a lie, but she saw nothing but honesty from her brother.

"Yes, protect you," he replied. "I'm the older brother. That's my job. I just thought…I thought the less you knew, the better off you'd be. I'm supposed to be the role model. Some role model I am. I was so worried I'd let you down Hazel. I didn't want you to know the reason I sunk so low for that reason. I wanted to continue and try to be the good older brother. The role model. The one that wouldn't disappoint you."

"You'll never disappoint me, big brother," she said softly. "Look how much stronger you are now? You've come a long way in two years." Nico absently ran his thumb over his scars. They would never go away, and that was a good thing. It would be a constant reminder to not let it get that bad again. He had something to look forward to. And he had more people counting on him. He looked at Percy, cuddled up to the wall, curled around Hazel's bear like he was shielding it. "I may not like the choices you made Nico, but I still love you. That will never change." Nico rose and walked over to his sister, wrapping her in a hug. Tears streamed down his cheeks. For two years, he'd avoiding talking to her about it.

"Thank you," he said, pulling back. "Thank you for never giving up on me. I know I haven't made things easy for you guys, but I couldn't ask for a better family. I love you too, baby sis." She smiled up at him, and his heart swelled with pride. That was his baby sister. "Now, I have homework to do," he said, tilting his head toward the desk. Hazel giggled.

"Same old Nico," she said, and he grinned. She skipped out of his room. Shaking his head, he sank back down in his chair and hunched over his books, scribbling half-heartedly. He wasn't really in the mood for homework right now.

"That was incredibly sweet." Nico looked back over his shoulder as Percy wrapped his arms around him and rested his chin on the top of his head. "You and your sisters have a good relationship with each other," he continued. "Can I tell you something?" He felt the dark-haired boy nod. "I don't think any less of you because of what you did." Now Nico pulled away and looked at him.

"You don't?" he asked. "Most people would flee if they found that out. No one wants an unstable person for a boyfriend. Or a friend," he added bitterly. He'd lost some good friends after his suicide attempt.

"No, I don't," the brunette replied. "Want to know why? Because it means you have a family that really loves you and the willpower to overcome something as awful as that. If you can get out of a hole that big, I can face my parents. You're an inspiration Nico, whether you want to be or not." Nico smiled faintly. "Hazel's right. You have come a long way." Now Nico's face fell. He got up and closed the door.

"There are days I wish I could do it again," he admitted. "The cutting, not the suicide attempt. But I told myself, actually, I promised myself, that I would never cut again, no matter how bad things got. I've stuck to it for two years, and I don't plan on breaking it now. Like I said, I have you to help me." His smile returned as he wrapped his arms around Percy's waist and pulled him close. He softly kissed him, feeling Percy instantly relax in his embrace. Kissing was instinctive now, and the brunette wasn't hesitate like he'd been when they first started.

"Nico," he said when the dark-haired boy pulled away. Nico looked at him. "I want to confront my parents tomorrow. And I want you to be there. Like it or not, you're part of my life now, and they need to see that." Nico's grip on him tightened.

"Of course I'll come," he said. "Remember, you're not alone."

…

I hope that makes up for the cliffy, angsty ending from the last chapter. Sweet bonding moments between the five, a nice talk with Hazel, and some eye-opening talk about personal demons. Well rounded chapter I'd say.