Note: Posted With Permission

Summary: In a post-apocalyptic world Nico di Angelo is searching for somewhere to call home, tired of the always being on the move. But, he gets so much more when he meets an unexpected travelling companion and he remembers what it's like to be around people. It scares him in a way he has never known! This is the story of youth. This is the story of how Nico stopped trying to live his life as a loner and just started living. This is the story about Nico finding not only himself but that special person he had been unwittingly looking for. This is the story of how Nico discovered love.

Chapter Ten: Elucidation

The inside of our cabin was pretty bare, considering. There was a set of bunk beds and a desk, besides that it was empty. The walls were painted a nice navy blue color and the floors were made of a sandy colored oak that was sealed and varnished to sock-sliding perfection; there were big windows that let in a lot of the morning light and really it was nice, if not empty. That Chiron guy did say they had just constructed it. That night, though, a bed was a bed and I slept just fine.

When I woke up I was surprised to find Percy was already up, he wasn't up and out of bed yet but he was laying there staring up into the ceiling at nothing. He had a look of great consternation, as if the gears in his head were turning obscenely fast and yet he wasn't yielding the resulting ideas all the effort that his thinking should have brought forth. His concentration was so great that I was afraid to distract him; I tried to keep my breathing regular and didn't shift more than was necessary. However, I moved my feet around under the cover unintentionally and he blinked; it was like he was coming back into the world from somewhere distant and unreachable. He looked down at me and smiled serenely all look of concentration falling away as if it had never been there, "Mornin', darlin',"

"Good morning," I said still scrutinizing his face. He kissed my forehead and hugged me to the crook of his right side, between the two of us I wished then and there I could wake up like that every morning. "What were you thinking about so hard?" I asked curiously.

I knew Percy was lying before the words even left his mouth, "Nothing," He said in a placating voice. "Just thinking," He grabbed my ass playfully and I took that as incentive to crawl on top of him and straddle his hips, he was trying to distract me.

"I know you were thinking about something," I felt myself grin. "Tell me," Percy rocked my hips back and forth manually and I could feel him slowly becoming more and more erect underneath me as he did.

"What do I get if I tell you?" He asked, eyebrow raised quizzically. I opened my mouth to tell him exactly what his reward would have been when there came a knock at the door, then, without warning, it opened. Chiron strode in with a small smile on his lips that lighted the dimples of his face in a complimentary manner; but, when he saw our compromising position, however, the smile lessened and he averted his eyes.

"Sorry," He said stopping in front of us; I could feel my face flaring. "I'm interrupting something, aren't I?" I climbed off of Percy and sat beside him on the bed. My cheeks felt like they were on fire as I used the bedding to cover myself as best I could.

"Little more warning next time, dude," Percy said pulling on the boxers that were on the floor. When he shimmied them quickly up his legs he turned and met Chiron's gaze as it was back on us now that we were decent, kind of. "What's up?" He asked walking around the bed and standing in front of me, obscuring my vision of our guest. I was beginning to notice that Percy stood between me and a lot of things. Wolves, lightning, hurricanes, and most recently people. Did I really need such protecting? Before I could answer that question myself our host smiled warmly.

"I didn't mean to intrude on your alone time," Chiron said. "It's just that they're serving breakfast now and I know you two are new and might've missed it." He stood comfortably before us, his left hand held in his right one with his forefingers making a steeple underneath his bearded chin in a very scholarly pose. "Besides, this must all seem…different for you. I want to learn a little more about where you came from and I'm sure you want to know all about the camp,"

Percy nodded, "Are there showers?" He asked.

"Of course, just down the way," Chiron pointed in a direction past the door, "close to the lake, you can't miss them. If there's nothing else, I hope I'll see you two at breakfast?"

"Yeah, we'll be over, I…I want to talk to you about some stuff, just a few questions," I looked at Percy's back but he didn't turn to face me. Questions? Questions like what?

"Till then," The man turned.

"Wait!" I called after him, two pairs of eyes landed on me, this morning Percy's eyes were sea-green and Chiron's were their same warm chocolate they had been before, I felt even more naked under their gazes were it possible considering my current state of nudity. "Um…thanks, for letting us stay here." I figured I'd much rather thank him now than later in front of a large group of people. People made me nervous, was that something I had never mentioned before? I'm sure you'd gleaned it between all of my introspections and revelations on the past. But, even when there were tons of them all over the place I had avoided them like the plague, and then when they got the plague I avoided them even more. Percy had guessed I was antisocial to some extent, not for the reason that I thought I was better than anyone else or anything, I just simply couldn't help it. Still, he had no idea how bad I was. He was also the one exception to that rule of unsociability, then again, circumstances withstanding, I'm pretty sure Percy was an exception to a lot rules somewhere. So just for me to say thanks to this unknown, but seemingly friendly, man was difficult; the thought of people being present whilst I did it was even less appealing.

"Not a problem," He said with a smile. "It's our solemn duty to take people in who need homes," He didn't appear to have anything else to add because he left; Percy sat on the bed. I touched his arm and he looked over at me, behind his eyes I could see pensiveness and maybe irritation. He laid his head in my lap and I petted his hair.

"What's wrong?" I asked, I won't say I was happy something seemed like it was wrong or bothering him but it was nice to be the one to ask that particular question. Made me feel a bit more validated in the relationship; the fact that he needed me again was refreshing, if not selfish. He stared up at me and I tried to look as reassuring as possible, I probably failed miserably but to supplement I leaned down and pecked his lips lightly. "Tell me?"

"This," He started and for a moment I thought he meant what was happening between us, our little exchange. "this is weird." He motioned around the cabin. "Don't you get a strange vibe from this place? From that guy?"

"Chiron?" I asked and I looked to the door, then back down at Percy. "No, not really. But I was never that great at reading people," Percy, however, did not look convinced. "Let's get some food in you, you always feel better when you eat," I said, I had been running my fingers through his now incredibly short hair, scratching my fingernails gently over his scalp. I think he was enjoying it as his eyes had been closed and a general look of comfort had settled over his face. Percy laughed.

"Okay, mom," He sat up. "Breakfast first, then shower? Or shower then breakfast?"

"Shower," I answered, "I'm hungry but I'm sure we reek," Percy waggled his eyebrows and I laughed. He leaned in and kissed me, I felt him pushing us backwards onto the bed.

"Shame we won't get to finish what we started," He said warmly in my ear. I gripped onto him tightly and pressed my lips hard against his, when we pulled back he was chuckling in a low, husky timbre that made my blood run to the lower extremities of my body. "God, I love you Nico."

"Love you too," I said kissing his neck hungrily, biting and nipping him. It was his fault for turning me on, he knew how I was. Percy just laughed and kissed me again, when he pulled away I found the chill of not having his body pressed against mine almost hurt. Sitting up I watched him and he gave me a warm smile.

"Don't look at me like that," He said.

"Like what?" I asked.

"Like I just broke your heart, Neeks, we've got to eat eventually." I hadn't realized I was giving such a look. I tried to rearrange my face into a more presentable visage but he laughed again. "Now you look like you're in pain or something," Then I scowled. "There we go, that's the Nico I know and love,"

"I'm going to get a shower; I suggest you do the same, but don't expect it to be with me," I stood up but quickly remembered that I was completely unclothed, and thusly my erection was that much easier to see. Percy laughed again and I sank into the bed, piling blankets and sheets all over myself; I groaned very unhappily and glared at him, "I hate you,"

He kissed my forehead for the second time that morning, "You're so cute," Grabbing my briefs off the floor he tossed them to me and I quickly pulled them on, then a pair of jeans magically landed on top of my head. I didn't grumble or complain about him throwing articles of clothing my way, instead I just pulled those on too. He turned back towards me and grabbed me by my hips. "Let's go,"

"Wait, what?" The next thing I knew I was being hoisted into the air where I was quickly slung across Percy's shoulder. "What the hell do you think you're doing?" I asked irately as he started walking us towards the door. I realized something: even with pants on I was still half-naked which is more than I can say for Percy who was strutting around in his undershorts. I squirmed but his arm was strong around my waist, successfully locking me onto his shoulder. We stepped out into the warm Summer air and stopped. I could hear the chatter of people all around us and it was weird because it was normal, there were birds singing in the air and the smell of a campfire was almost enough to make me nostalgic. Percy set me down in front of him and together we really looked at the camp for the first time.

There were lots of people, more than I could properly describe to anyone. People of every creed, nationality and background it looked like. Some people stared up at us and waved, others glanced in our direction and just continued on with what they were doing. Kids, ones younger than their teens, were actually using this place like a real Summer camp. There was archery and canoeing, and there was basket-weaving and what looked like arts-and-crafts, they were making lanyards. I supposed that you had to keep the kids entertained. But, they weren't the only ones doing things, there were men chopping logs—firewood, I guessed. There were people flooding in and out of the cabins back and forth, it was all just a bustle of activity.

Something caught my eye, well, something caught both of our eyes just in two completely different ways. This something, however, was about five-foot-five and blonde with even blonder highlights streaking throughout. This something also had big, blue eyes and full pouty, rosy lips. This something was rail thin and yet had, what I'd guess, was a large 'B' cup or a small 'C'. She had legs that went on forever, stalks as silky and smooth as untainted sand—the pretty kind that hasn't ever even been walked on and has been kissed by the sun for so many years that its a permanent golden brown color. She was gorgeous, and she stopped in front of our cabin with a big smile on her face. Her lips were distractingly pink as her white teeth were revealed from behind her mouth; I looked over at Percy.

Surely enough he was staring, it could have been the fact that her shorts were what constituted the phrase "daisy-dukes" or that her shirt was pulled up and tied into a knot revealing her firm and toned stomach, either way I elbowed him and he blinked, then he looked at her, then back to me and he smiled sheepishly. I rolled my eyes.

"Hi!" The girl said. "You must be the new guys, my name's Silena," She walked up the few steps that led to the front door where we were.

"Nico," I told her.

"What a lovely name," She grinned in an amiable, attractive kind of way. "And…who's this?" Suddenly I didn't like the look in her eyes, there was a glint there, a spark of interest. Unconsciously, or completely consciously—whatever, I stepped in front of Percy.

"This is Percy, my boyfriend," I had never called him that before. In fact, when he told Chiron that I was his boyfriend the other day it was the first time we had ever labeled what and who we were to each other. Silena, however, did not seem at all dissuaded by the information as she extended a hand out to him and Percy took it dumbly, nodding and smiling.

"Is he always so eloquent?" She asked, not taking her eyes off of him.

"No, usually he's charming and couth. Come on Percy we've got to get washed up, remember?" I said taking the hand they were shaking. I began to pull him, "It was nice meeting you Silena,"

"Oh! No, don't go yet, I wanted to talk to you two," She followed in step behind us. "See, I'm one of the…well, we've just called ourselves camp counselors up till now." She smiled. "I help keep everything in order with most of the kids and stuff. I've only got one other cabin under my watch," She pointed to one that was painted an off pink, almost beige. It had shrubbery and rose bushes decorating it and ivy growing up the sides in an imitation of lavishness. "But, Chiron said since you guys were the only ones in here I'd be in charge of anything you might need, like schedules for when we have events or just information in general I guess, feel free to ask me,"

"Thanks," Percy said, suddenly guarded again at Chiron's name. He had snapped out of the stupor that blondie had so suddenly put him in. I wanted to know what his deal was about Chiron, we hadn't even been here for a full day and he was acting weird. But, I realized that jealousy had been licking its way through my chest for the brief few seconds we had known and ogled Silena. "When is breakfast over?"

"In about half an hour, I think," She answered looking at the bright, blue morning sky as if it had the answer for her. "But you should hurry, the kitchen will close and they won't be making anymore more food till about noon,"

Percy opened his mouth as if he was going to say something, then he closed it and grabbed me by the hand. "Alright, yeah, thanks," He said with a small smile. "Come on, Nicky, let's go grab a quick shower," I nearly jumped at the opportunity to leave, I don't think I liked the feeling of jealousy, it was constricting and polluting and made me feel like a horrible person.

"Nice to meet you," I said again over my shoulder as Percy pulled me along, trying to sound like I liked her better than I actually did.

"You too," She said nicely and I felt bad suddenly. Maybe she hadn't been checking Percy out; I really didn't know how to read people after all and this was new to me. I had to readjust, no, I had to be better than I had been around people. Soon Silena melted away into the crowd of others who I hadn't had the pleasure to meet yet while Percy walked us to the shower, even though neither one of us knew where it was per se. He had a pretty strong grip around my hand.

"Hey," I said to him, he was in deep thought again. "What's going on with you? Are you feeling okay?" I had enjoyed his brooding this morning, but it was my job to be the broody one, not his. He looked back at me; I could see uncertainty in his eyes.

"Just a bad vibe," He said and his eyelids fluttered closed. We stopped. "I don't know, this place just feels weird to me." Percy shook his head and for a few seconds he was quite. "Sorry," He finally decided. "I'm just being dumb, come on."

"Percy…" I said which is where he flashed a don't-worry-about-me smile my way. "we can talk about it, if you want to?" Now, normally I don't like talking things through. Generally my rule is: if you can't tell there's a problem, then there's probably isn't one. A rule I would come to know better from Percy as: if it ain't broke don't fix it. But, he got such a serious look over his face any time one of the people from the camp came to talk to us. Granted they held us at gunpoint before they let us in, but still.

"There's nothing to talk about, Nicky," He pulled me closer and kissed my cheek. Percy knew that physical contact was a sure fire way to make my mind hazy and he used that to his advantage. I quite quickly put aside my minor discomfort of his darkened mood and followed along obligingly the rest of the way. The ground underfoot was gravel so our footsteps were quite loud, but after a while the path wound behind the cabins—all of which were decorated differently. Some more functionally than others; for instance one cabin was all black with huge Grecian pillars and a stereo-system that was playing Rock-N-Roll loudly as we walked by while, another less elaborate cabin seemed to have a garden of food growing in front of it, tomatoes, potatoes, everything. Hell they even had wheat and corn. Eventually we got close to an overly large lake where we found big bathhouses about twenty feet from the embankment of water and actual signs above the entrances that denoted male and female bathing areas.

Inside it was steamy, but there were lockers for us to put our clothes and a few towels hanging up before you entered into the actual shower part of the whole ordeal. After what I considered a quick shower (ten minutes) and some very heavy petting we stepped out again, dried off, and re-clothed. Percy looked cute with his hair spiked straight up as it was considering he had been rubbing the towel over his head, of course never out loud would I voice how cute I thought he looked, but I think he got the idea from the way I kept staring and smiling. We tossed our towels in a large hamper that stated it was to be used for such things and then he took my hand and we walked back to the greater part of the camp.

When I got my first up close glimpse at everyone I found that most of them were watching me back and suddenly I was afraid that being here, in this place, would make me revert back to my old loner self. I liked that person, I was still that person, but it felt like I was much more out of my shell now and I like this person even better. But, eyes of every color followed us as we closed in on one of the pavilions we'd seen earlier—the smell of food wafting out of it let us know that it had to be the cafeteria—and I grew more and more self-conscious and withdrawn. Percy's hand was like an anchor of strength because it took all I had not to go bolting from there, I didn't know these people and a part of me said I didn't want to. There weren't too many who looked like they wanted to get to know me either, but as we entered the cafeteria (which was filled up with long wooden tables and backless benches, a serving line, and what I'm guessing were complimentary lunch ladies, well, some of them were men) Chiron's smiling face and motioning hand brought us over to him.

"Better late than never," He said about our lack of punctuality, I gave a small, awkward chuckle but Percy didn't so much as volunteer a smirk. "Go, eat, then we can talk." We took our leave of him and went to the serving line. Quickly plates were piled up with scrambled eggs, bacon, homemade toasted rolls, ham, and fruits and suddenly my stomach realized how long it had been since I'd had actual food. I felt my mouth water and greedily thought of seconds before I had even started on my firsts.

"This looks…"

"Really good," Percy finished my sentence. We looked at each other and then amazedly back down at the smorgasbord of delicious items. The eggs even had cheese on them, the ham was huge, and the bread was buttery. My stomach growled so loudly it was audible over the small hum of other people's conversation. Percy took that as initiative to make our way back over to Chiron and we sat in front of him without him asking us, or inviting us, to.

"Hope you guys find everything to your liking?" He asked. We both nodded. "I'm glad."

"How do you guys get this stuff?" I asked pushing a rather hot bite of cheesy, fluffy egg into my mouth hungrily.

"We have some campers here who are rather adept at growing and harvesting crops, and others who aren't half bad at raising animals. There's a field not too far from here we use as a sort of impromptu farmland. Cows, chickens, goats, anything you can think of we've got up that way." Chiron took a sip of something that smelled suspiciously like coffee. "It's quite the little life we've formed for ourselves here," He said proudly, the crinkle lines at the sides his eyes scrunched together when he smiled.

"Is that why you held us up when we first arrived?" Percy asked with a mouthful. "You don't seem like the peaceful sort to me with as many firearms as you have,"

Our host didn't miss a beat, "Those are all things that people have brought with them from their own journeys here," He assured us. "I seem to recall you had a pistol of sorts of your own?"

"That's different its for—"

"Protection?" Chiron asked. "Yes, we all like to stay well protected, Percy. We don't know if the people that come through here will be sane or not, it takes a lot out of someone mentally to go so long without human interaction and then to have it thrust back upon them so wholly," He was looking at me when he finished speaking and I found my own vision staring down at my half finished breakfast. Chiron's eyes were analytical, when he stared at me it felt like he was breaking me down to my most core of elements and that all my secrets came spilling out before him.

"You're a psychologist?" Percy asked.

"I'm a man of science," Chiron answered. "Psychology, sociology are behavioral and the human mind is fascinating but I was more adept at chemistry and other natural sciences. Before the outbreak I was a professor at Cornell, but I toured around the world and taught at some of the most astute universities of our time," He sipped more coffee. "I came here when I was assigned to this place by the Administrator of the EPA, it was my job to help those of us who were well enough to survive do just that. This camp was placed so far in-woods because we couldn't just have anyone walking here. At first we tested people for the illness and the ones who didn't test positive were flown to several locations like this one throughout the United States, there were radio broadcasts sent out telling people that there were camps like this available to those of us who were well," Which explained how Grover had heard about this place, "but the virus became worse as time went on and we became more and more full, every last safe haven till finally…you two know the rest, I'm sure,"

The rest? Yeah, everyone died.

"If you're so smart why weren't you and the other scientists trying to create a cure?" Percy asked.

Chiron's face darkened, his brows drew together and his eyes grew tight as if the question offended him. I watched several responses play through his head before he decided on what to say next, "Were it only so easy," He replied. "It was an advanced string of RNA, different parts influenza, different parts polio, and so many of the things that have plagued us over centuries, even chicken pox culminated into it to a small degree. As it unraveled it only became more violent. The virus was unlike anything we had seen up until this point, a super disease."

Percy didn't look much better than Chiron by this point, he was on the verge of another question when he closed his mouth and thought of a better way to phrase it, "How…" He started. "What made it come about? What caused it, the virus?" I could see so many inquiries in his eyes, so many unanswered questions. His face held only the expression of determination; he wanted to know so much. It wasn't enough that he got to the place he and his friends had set out to.

"It was probably born the same way most others are, somewhere just warm enough for the germs and bacteria to breed till it was strong enough to pull compatible genetic codes from other viruses." He shrugged, but his eyes were still dark. "Either way, its life expectancy only seemed to be a few months, but in that time billions had already died. It spread through saliva, which made it a deadly enough "kissing" virus like mononucleosis, but it also lived for hours outside of the body. So touching door knobs and then rubbing your eye without properly washing your hands was a sure way to have gotten it," He shook his head. "Of course, its dead now. My guess is that the virus can't survive without a living host, as it was not airborne and did not pass from person to person just because someone coughed in the same room as you. I think that through what small amount of exposure most of us had to it we've built up an immunity now either way,"

I sighed. This was some dark stuff to have laid on you so early in the morning, and that meant a lot coming from the guy who loves dark stuff. There was, however, a difference between this real-life type thing and the creatures that had been on the Mythomagic cards I'd collected what seemed like ages ago. Dorky as it was those cards had been helpful for me, even if I couldn't find anyone else who played that ostracizing game. It took a lot of effort and money and time to build up your deck and having a social life just did not mix with getting Ultra Rares and Holographic cards, which was perfect for the already sorry state of my social life. But, now was not the time to be reminiscing on times gone by. As a slightly more mature version of myself I figured Mythomagic was pretty dumb, especially since most of my energies went elsewhere now and I would have rather been making-out with Percy than putting together a SkeleZombie deck.

After a beat of silence Percy looked like he was ready to continue his line of questions, Chiron graciously waited for him to formulate more. He really did seem like the professor type, or at least the type who liked to teach and profess. "Are we free to leave this camp?" He asked.

"Of course," Chiron said. "You would understand if we did not allow you to return, however? You don't trust us and so we can't trust you," He smiled when Percy looked like he was about to protest, "Shakespeare said, 'let every eye negotiate and trust no agent'."

"Are you saying we can't trust you?" I asked.

"No," Chiron laughed heartily. "I only meant that we both mutually have to give it to each other."

" 'The best way to find out if you can trust somebody is to trust them', " Percy quoted.

"Hemingway," Chiron said with a look of amusement. "I'm not his biggest fan, but that also rings true in this situation. You're a bright young man," He looked at me. "Both of you are, I can see the intelligence in your eyes; I believe we'll all get along brilliantly,"

"I have one more question then, if we're all friends now?" I looked over at my boyfriend—then I felt my cheeks grow red with that thought; I still wasn't quite used to it, my boyfriend. Something was more relaxed about his face now, his brow wasn't pulled together in frustration and unknowing anymore considering that some of his queries had been answered.

"Yes?" Chiron asked.

"Who are the people that are supposedly after you? The ones you said you were protecting yourselves from?" Chiron leaned forward conspiratorially, he whispered as if the walls themselves had ears.

"Some very political people, Percy," He undertoned. "Nothing for you all to worry about for now, but like I said yesterday there are those who would prefer even in this time of chaos and disarray for there to be governing powers and to tax the untaxable and destitute people of this place," He sighed heavily and sat back. "I've opposed them for a while now, they get close to the camp every now and then, but never close enough to discover us. I don't know what they would do if they ever found us." Seconds that seemed like eons passed after that, then, as if to break the tension, Chiron spoke again. "Anymore questions?"

I was pretty much done with my breakfast. I'd eaten all of it but about half of my ham, Percy looked as if he wanted another helping though. "Can he have seconds?" I asked and again Chiron laughed, nodding.

"Of course, I held breakfast this long just so you two could eat. Lunch will probably be starting as soon as we're all cleaned up here, take as much as you want." I wasn't very hungry anymore after having wolfed down about a pound and a half of food.

Percy looked torn between getting up and staying, finally he said, "Okay. Last question, I promise," Chiron motioned for him to ask it by rolling his hand forward in front of him as if saying, well out with it. "The curfew, last night you seemed pretty adamant about that." Adamant, creepy, same thing, right?

"Ah, yes. The curfew is necessary because we have the Party Ponies on guard while everyone sleeps, wouldn't want any incidents happening, would we? We wouldn't know the difference between a kid sneaking around to someone else's cabin and an intruder simply because of how dark it is."

"Party Ponies?" I asked.

"A group of ex-military boys we have around here. Really it keeps them busy; most of them miss their families so much considering that the government only pulled their squadrons back because of the state of affairs the world was in. It was better to have our troops on our own soil than anywhere else. Most of these guys were stationed in areas around here, however, and couldn't make it back home when the Mist broke out,"

"Ex-military," Percy blinked, his eyes were far away again.

Chiron smiled, "That's right. You used to be a Marine, right?" Percy nodded. "Maybe after a little while I'll introduce you to them. The ones on duty at night generally sleep in during the day." Chiron looked down at his watch. "Oh, I really have to go. But, boys, if you have any more questions I'm here to answer them. We'll induct you into the camp soon enough, this isn't a place where you can just lounge around. I expect that you'll help with maintaining it? Taking little odd jobs to help keep the community running?" We both nodded. "Excellent. Well, I've got to go, and next time I want to come into your cabin I'll let you answer the door first" There was a small laugh between us as he referenced this morning's faux pas; Chiron stood and with a smile he left.

"Feel better?" I asked Percy as soon as Chiron was gone.

"A little, I think I was just paranoid," He smiled. He grabbed his plate and got up piling it up with more food and I figured whatever he didn't finish we'd give to the animals. When he sat again I leaned against him.

"Good, maybe you'll relax before we actually have to start doing work around here,"

"If by "relax" you mean finish what we started this morning, then I believe I'm up for that," He grinned, a grin which I returned.

"Yee-haw, Cowboy," I laughed.