Love Me Forever Or Love Me Never
Chapter 21: Futures and Frosting

A/N: Hey everyone! Just thought I would tell you that this will be the last chapter of my fan fiction. Hope you all enjoyed this story. I'm actually really sad that this is almost over because I love writing on this fan fiction. Although I did try to make this chapter super long since it is the last chapter. Anyways, thank you all so much for reading and commenting! It means a lot to me! :3

Percy predicted there was going to be many emotions exchanged in the aftermath of his confession; anger, surprise, sadness, shock. Although all those came to mind, Percy never expected the sudden stinging slap that surged from his cheek to his left ear, bring on a bitter ringing in his head as he spun around, stumbling clumsily. Collapsing to the floor, Percy was unable to see anything that was occurring above him, although there were sound of scuffling, cries, and arguing. Rolling over and propping himself on his knees, Percy watched the scene unfold above him- Grover and Thalia clutched each of Bianca's wrist, pulling her back after her assault. The girl swayed angrily, trying her best to break free of the iron tight grip that clung to her, restraining any form of fight that might be lurking in her system. She glowered down at Percy before let out another enraged gasp. Bianca looked like an animal chasing its prey, going in for the kill. Getting his grip on reality and the sudden pain that was fading, Percy wrangled his way to his feet. There was a moment of silence as all four of them glance back between one another, sharing a mixture between concerned and pissed off looks. After a moment or so, Grover and Thalia released Bianca, feeling the girl fall slack in their grips, no longer interested in fighting. Although she wasn't looking to harm him anymore Bianca watched Percy with the piercing gaze of a hawk, accusation swirling in those dark orbs.

"Why the- Why would you do that? I mean….I know Nico likes you, but why the hell would you do something like that. He would be better off if you just left him alone. He can be a bitch at times too, but if he didn't have to deal with you he would truly be a lot happier. He was so hurt by everything you did to him and now you're back. Are you just going to hurt him like last time?!" Bianca cried hostile, willing to defend her brother no matter how much Nico did wrong. Percy would admit it- he was no saint, but Nico wasn't either. No matter what Percy did, Nico would do something just as bad or he would have done something prior to prolonged Percy abuse. It was a continuing cycle and Percy knew everything would have been alright eventually. If only they could reach a common ground. Shaking his head, Percy frowned, knowing Bianca was entirely wrong about the entire situation.

"Trust me Bianca," Percy began, placing his hand over his heart, "I swear to you, from now on I will never do anything to hurt Nico. I truly do care about him and no one will change that. I never meant to hurt him in the first place! You have to understand that! I- I love him. With all my heart." Percy's voice lowered as he repeated what he had said earlier. He did love Nico. No matter what he did, no matter how much everyone denied his feelings, no matter how much Nico denied his feelings- Percy cared for the boy deeply.

"Percy, alright, I know you care about him, but I worry. You know I do. He's my little brother. I try to protect him. I really don't want to see him hurt. Nico is a great person and I know he deserves a lot better than what has happened to him. Our parents, you, getting sent away- Nico goes through a lot of shit. I just don't want anything else on top of that." Bianca sighed as she wrung her hands wildly, head shaking back and forth. The glint in her eyes reflected how she was feeling.

"Bianca, please!" Percy cried aspirated as he closed his eyes for a moment, trying his best to get a grip on his own words, "I know you worry about him. We all know that, but seriously. I love him with all my heart. He was my best friend and now…..well, I care too much about him to let him go. How are you supposed to do that? Just let go of someone who you can't live without. I really don't think I could ever do that."

"Percy…. I really…" Bianca let out an angry sigh before raising her hands in defeat, "Fine. Fine, I hope both know what you're doing. I have a question though? How are you supposed to make this work if Nico is miles away? Please answer that question."

"Actually….I'm going to go see him. I know he's staying with your aunt Hera- he told me that before he left. I know where your aunt lives, so I'm going to go apologize and I just…. Miss him so much." Percy wrapped his arms around torso, looking down at the floor bitterly. He hated the fact that Nico was miles away and he wasn't even allowed to see him. It hurt worse than anything he had ever felt. He wanted to be able to talk to Nico, to hold him, to love him. It was all he ever wanted.

"Are you really going to do this? I mean your just going to drive all the way out there? What if Nico doesn't want to see you? What if he rejects you?" Bianca questioned.

"Then I'll beg. I'll plead. I'll get down on my knees and crawl to him and cry for him to take me back. I would be willing to do it all. I love him. I don't know what it will take to get you to believe that, but it's one hundred percent true. I'll do anything for him!" Percy swore as he gazed at Bianca with anger. He didn't know why she was questioning him so much. She knew him. She had known him since they were small children, but all that trust that they had ever had was out the window. It was as though Percy was a complete stranger to her now.

"Alright, okay. If that's what you want to do then fine. I hope everything works out exactly how you want it to." Bianca shook her head lightly, having nothing left to say about the subject. Turning her back on him, Bianca headed towards the door, "Good luck with that Percy and please, please, please promise me that you won't hurt my brother again. I know how much he cares about you. I know you care about him, but just remember that if you ever hurt him, I swear to god you won't have to worry about what Nico will do to you. Worry about what I'll do to you."

Without another word, Bianca swiveled around and sprinted out the door. Percy looked after her curiously as she struggled down the driveway, shaking her head weakly as she left. Turning back around, Percy looked back and forth between Grover and Thalia, who sat quietly on the couch once more.

"Well," Percy said clapping his hands together, "Yeah..."

Grover nodded with a awkward grin before letting out a laugh, "Why the hell did you bring us over here to tell us this? I mean, it's been obvious for years that Nico likes you and you like Nico."

"Really? You all knew that?" Percy grimaced as he began to think back to all the things Nico had done when they were younger, hoping to find something that would support Grover's argument.

"God, you're a idiot." Grover sighed before putting his head down in his hands.

It was nearly a hour after Bianca, Grover, and Thalia left before Percy was ready to leave. He had exchanged goodbyes (with friends and family alike), gone over what he was going to say when he got there, and gathered up his nerves. Stepping into his car Percy actually felt anxious, not wanting to wait another moment. He wanted to see Nico, he wanted to tell the boy everything and apologize. Without a moment of hesitation, Percy began to shut the car door, only stopping when someone climbed up before him. Percy growled out in anger when he realized it was the very person he hated with all his heart: Leo Valdez. He was surprised to see the boy, considering the last and first time they spoke he had punched Leo in the face.

"Hey." Leo said simply before leaning back, putting his arm behind him and gently rubbing the back of his head. Percy realized at that moment that this situation must have been as awkward for Leo as it was for him.

"Hey...so..." Percy trailed off.

"Okay, this is weird, but I really want to talk to you. I know you probably hate my guts. I know you probably want me to go off somewhere and die, but there is something I want to say to you." Leo clenched his teeth as though this was a painful topic for him to talk about.

"Well, what is it then?" Percy said as his hands fiddled around the car keys.

"I want you to know that...I'll leave Nico alone. I promise you I won't kiss on him or try to get him to leave you. I just want Nico to be alright. He's a really great person and he's something special. I can tell he really cares about you just from the way that he talked about you. I know- well, from what extent you go to, I can tell that you love Nico a lot. I won't try to be his boyfriend, but I do want to be friends with him. If nothing else I just want to be there for him. I hope you understand that. I just want all of this to be over and done with." Leo muttered the last part as though is was a sentence that caused him great guilt.

Percy cleared his throat before looking up at Leo, now feeling sorry for the boy as he saw the pain on his face, the worry in his eyes. Shaking his head, holding his face down, Percy officially felt like the worlds biggest dumbass. "Leo, listen. It's not going to be up to me whether Nico loves you. If he loves you then I'll never bother you two again. So, don't get ahead of yourself just yet." Percy did his best to smile, but it quickly fell.

"Well, I guess I should be going." Percy muttered before ducking back into the car.

"Wait, what are going to say to him when you get there?" Leo asked quickly, also anxiously. Percy looked at him curiously before shrugging his shoulders.

"Well, I'm just going to wing it."

"Best plan ever." Leo commented with a grin on his face.

"Yeah, but I do have something for him. I mean it's not much, but it's something." Percy gave a light-hearted smile before waving at Leo. Leo nodded his way before turning around and heading in the other direction. As Percy pulled out of his driveway he could help, but think "Maybe Leo Valdez isn't so bad after all".

Nico sat beside the front window of Hera's house, looking out at the setting sun just beyond the trees. His heart squeezed in his chest as he realized how late it was becoming. He had spent his whole day dreading this moment and now that it was around seven o'clock he knew he would have to deal with this. He sat there weakly in a pair of swimming trunks and a pale gray t-shirt, knowing that in a few moments Hera would come in, trying to swoop him away to the lake and to his demise.

"You know you can stay home if you want." Hera muttered as she took a deep breath, stepping up behind him and looking at Nico hopefully. She didn't want to make her nephew uncomfortable or force him to do something he didn't want to do.

"Well, I can't just sit at your house for months without going out can I," Nico hissed at her, "I can't just be cut off from the world, or is that what you want?"

"Nico," Hera tried to force herself to stay calm, "I don't know why you treat me like I'm the enemy. I know you're angry that you have to stay with me. I know you probably hate me and blame me, but I just want to help you. If you don't want to go out there, then I am not going to force you to go. Please, you have to understand that I love you. I want you to be alright. I just... want you to be alright."

There was a striking silence that filled the house as they both sat there, not looking at each other. "I don't hate you." Nico muttered finally under his breath.

"You just act like it sometime. I just don't want you to go out there if you don't want to. You seem so hesitant. I just though maybe you didn't want to go anymore. You don't know many people around here yet, so maybe it would be better if you give it some time, "Hera said matter of factually.

"What else am I suppose to fucking do around here?!" Nico exploded suddenly, swiveling around in his seat, glaring at her intensely. The rage that flood his chest so quickly frightened him, but he tried to swallow back his fear as much as possible. Striding forward he looked at Hera with fire in his eyes, "I don't just want to sit here by myself the whole time! It hurts more if I'm alone!"

Hera stumbled back as her nephew roared at her, tears finally showing in his eyes. Nico shook his head harshly before storming away from his aunt, growling under his breath like an angry animal. Hera's eyes followed her nephew with a hint of sympathy, not understanding how to help him or how to make things better. She didn't want to see the boy hurt anymore. She didn't want him to deal with so much pain. It hurt her to watch him like this.

"I'll be back in a minute then we can leave." Nico muttered weakly under his breath, also low enough to the point of where Hera barely heard it.

Storming up the stairs, Nico took a deep breath, not sure what to do anymore. He stormed into his room, or Hera's guest room, before slamming the door, hoping the noise wasn't too loud. After a moment of just leaning on the door, taking deep, harsh breath, Nico stood up straightly as a wave of emotions overwhelmed him once again. This just felt like to much. Holding his head down low, Nico moved towards the bathroom, terrified of the sight that would greet him. He knew he looked awful, kind of ugly. He was afraid of the monster that he would see in the mirror. He was terrified of the dull, dark eyes that would watch him from his reflection. He was afraid of the angry red cuts that stared harshly up at him from his own wrists. Hiding his arms behind his back, Nico entered the bathroom and slammed the door once more. He keep his eyes locked on the floor, swallowing the bile that rose in his throat before raising his face.

He was actual completely surprised with the look that greeted him. He had to admit, he didn't look ugly or like a monster. Instead he looked decent. His hair wasn't as messy as usual, actually staying down pretty well. His face didn't look ghastly pale as he expected. His eye didn't look so glazed over and zombie like. His shirt made him look skinny, but not like a skeleton or as fat as a cow which he was pleased with. The only thing that disturbed him was the thick wristbands that wrapped around either of his wrists.

Shaking his head, Nico hurried over and reached for his bag that was laying beside the bathtub before hurrying out of his room. He headed towards the stairs quickly, not wanting to be late for the lake, yet not wanting to be to quickly. He wished that stupid girl had never invited him to go. Nico hesitated at the stairs, knowing for sure he had heard another voice down stairs besides his aunts. He waited for a moment, listening intently. After a moment the other voice wavered up to the top steps- a boy's voice that Nico was sure he had heard before. Nico stiffened. It couldn't be.

"Yeah, I'm kind of here to see Nico." The voice called.

It took a few seconds for Nico to stumble down the stairs, tripping over his own feet, and bending down in front of the stairs for a peek at the person who was standing at the front door.

"P-Percy?!" Nico strangled out in a mixture of anger and surprise along with a hint happiness. He didn't want to see Percy, but he missed the boy so much.

Percy looked up at him with shinning sea green eyes. It was such a beautiful sight that it took Nico's breath away for moment. He wrangled his way down the rest of the stairs before reaching the living room and striding forward towards Percy. He only stopped inches away from the boy's face, staring him directly in the eyes with confusion and love in his eyes. He watch pain and adornment flicker in Percy face, although he wasn't sure if he believed in it.

"Nico..." Percy breathed out his name breathlessly, not wanting to hold back from Nico for another second. With a wild passion, Percy surged forward, pressing his chest against Nico's own and allowing his lips to hover over the other boy's although he won't let their lips touch, not with the boy's family watching. Nico reeled back quickly before gazing at his aunt, hoping she would get the hint.

"Oh, well I guess I'll give you two some privacy." Hera smiled nervously before turning and surging across the room and into the kitchen.

Nico and Percy stared at each other, allowing the silence to consume them both as they just stared, chests once again pressing together as Nico moved forward. After a moment, Nico finally found his voice.

"What the fuck are you doing here?!" He cried out as he shoved Percy back, now remembering what had happened when he was on the phone with Annabeth. He remembered her talking about what a wild night they had spent with each other.

"Nico, I know what Annabeth told you and I'm so, so, so sorry. We did that and I know it was such a dumbass move. I didn't want to see you hurt. I just thought... I just thought..." Percy began to mumble as his voice faded to nothing.

"Why did you do it then!? Why the hell would you fucking do that if you really cared about me?!" Nico swatted Percy's hand away as he placed it on Nico's shoulder.

"Listen, please, let me explain! You have to know what truly happened! I saw you with that other boy! I thought you didn't want me anymore! I thought you took him over me! I- I was- I was just so hurt and I didn't want to lose you, but my anger got the best of me! I did something that I'm not fucking proud! Not at all! I saw you with him and it just stung to bad! I was going to give you- I was going to give you..." Percy began retching in his pocket, struggling to pull out the ring from his pocket. Finally pulling it from the fabric, Percy cried out, "This!"

He held out the ring to Nico, allowing him to pull it gently from his hands. Nico looked the ring over and over, not understanding why Percy would do something like this if he just intended to hurt him.

"I though a plastic ring wasn't enough for a boy so special to me. I- I truly love you, Nico. With all my heart."

It was at that moment that Percy gasped, watching tears pour down Nico's face suddenly. It was such a swift, quiet action that took Percy by surprise. Nico stiffened a sob as he clenched his hand around the ring holding it his chest tightly. Percy expected Nico to start screaming at him, but instead the boy surged forward grabbing Percy around the neck. There was a instant where Percy thought he was going to be choked, but quickly he realized Nico was hugging him, not hurting him.

"This is probably the nicest, sweetest, and most loving thing that anyone has ever done fore me. I think- I love y-." Nico was cut off as his aunt stumbled back into the room, only to cover her mouth realizing she was intruding on something where she didn't belong.

Nico pulled back from Percy quickly before turning on his aunt, sniffling weakly before giving her a small smile. "Hera, I think I don't want to go to the lake. Instead I would like to just stay here if that alright or go spend time with Percy. If that's alright."

Percy looked down at him happily before holding tightly to Nico by clasping his hands around the boy's waist. "Or we could go and hang out at my hotel for a while. I'm staying not to far from here."

Nico looked up at Percy with a wide grin before turning back to Hera who looked at him with a small smirk curving on her lips, "I guess." She reasoned, "As long as you don't stay out all night."

"Do you want to go right now?" Percy asked softly as he bumped into Nico's side, waiting for an answer. Nico just smiled and nodded without a reply before darting passed Percy and towards the driveway, pulling the boy by his hand.

"Wait!" Percy cried suddenly as he held up a small bag that he had been holding in his other hand. He held it out to Nico, "It's for you."

Nico took it quickly with anxiousness. He drew the paper bag open quickly before reaching inside, gathering up the contents. Taking out the small box, Nico gazed at the treat inside. A since cupcake was in the box lined with pink. Scrawled across the front were a few simple words "I'm sorry" and a pink heart underneath.

"What's this?" Nico asked with a sweet grin.

"Well," Percy said with a sigh, now thinking was a truly stupid idea, "It's a make up cupcake."

Nico looked at him curiously for a moment before opening the box, "Now, whose going to help me eat this?"

"Why don't you and me share it on the way to my hotel?" Percy said softly before placing a hand around Nico's waist and pulling him close into a one sided hug.

"I'm fine with that, as long as we get to your hotel soon!" Nico cried as he held the box tenderly and pulled the other boy by his hand, hoping to get going as quickly as possible. He couldn't wait to spend the rest of the day with the boy he loved.

Nico grinned as Percy led him into the hotel room. Their surroundings were dark as Percy pulled the boy through the doorway and into the small room. Looking around Nico surveyed the area: one bed, a TV, a small couch, two clothing dressers, and a small coffee machine sitting on a table. Nico didn't think it was much, but it was pretty cozy. Nico was surprised as the room became even more cozy as Percy pressed him to the back of the door. Percy wrapped his arms quickly around Nico's waist and pulled him closer, not leaving any room between the two. He looked into those dark eyes before pressing his lips to Nico's ear, muttering something so soft, so short, and so sweet, but with so much meaning that it left Nico reeling, "I love you."

The moment Percy captivated Nico's lips the whole situation became a blur. Percy pulled the boy through the room and to the bed, nudging him down. Nico tossed and pushed stacks of clothes out of the way as Percy lay him down on the bed, pieces of fabric being caught under his body. Tiny moans broke through Nico's lips as Percy's hands groped outwards, touching and cascading every part of his body that the boy could reach. Taking his lips in a heated kiss, Percy flattened Nico against the bed.

Percy, having been with Annabeth for so long, had never thought of sex with someone else, especially not a man. It was something that most guys wouldn't think of, not unless they were just getting a little curious. For Percy, however, he had actually began thinking of this on the way toward Hera's home. It was just something that had wandered in his mind, not really being focused on, but now it was happening. Bodies moved together as one, not allowing each other to break apart for a single moment. Every nerve in Percy's body was a live wire, electrifying with every noise, move, and breath that Nico took. It was all so much. It was all so intense. Percy held onto the other boy tightly the entire time, no matter how much Nico cried out or moan. Lips clashed with each other, bodies moved against each other in sync. Percy mind was swimming the entire time, so much that half the time he was completely blissed out. This also caused the entire thing to be over way to quickly for Percy liking.

By the time Nico was curled up against Percy chest, cooing out lightly in his sleep, Percy wasn't sure what even happened. He didn't have many memories of those blissful moments , but the buzz in his body still lingered, making him feel as though he was high. Wrapping his arms tighter around Nico's small torso, Percy clung to him, burying his face into the boy's soft hair and inhaling the sweet scent of Nico's shampooed hair and the lingering smell of sweat. Heat engulf them both as the comforter across their bodies became too hot. Percy quickly kicked it off, leaving them both under a single sheet. Percy couldn't help himself when he ran his hand briskly down Nico's stomach, down his thighs, and then back up. Just the feeling of Nico made Percy feel amazing. He didn't believe he could ever let the other boy go, no matter who tried to pry them apart. Nudging his face against Nico's own cheek, Percy placed a tender, feathery kiss against the other boy's temple. He didn't expect Nico's eyes to open with such a simple action. Nico gazed up at him with a content, relaxed smile coasting across his lips.

"So, this is what the future is going to be like?" Nico asked softly, rolling around in Percy arms, pressing both their chests together.

Percy shrugged weakly with a nervous smile, unsure if Nico wanted it to be like this, "I guess it will be if you want it to be like that."

"I could live with that." Nico said lazily as he lay his head in the crook of Percy's neck.

Percy looked down at the small boy before him, the one who had been his friend for so many years, and had to wonder how the hell this all happened, but he didn't really care anymore. He just wanted Nico. Percy took a deep breath before looking back down at Nico. "I love you, Nico." Percy muttered as he looked lovingly at the other boy.

"You better." Was the only reply Percy got from Nico as the boy lay his head back down. Percy looked down at him with a small glare, wondering why the boy wouldn't just say it back. A sliver of fear rolled through Percy as he realized Nico might not love him. Nico felt a change in Percy attitude as the boy tightened his grip. Looking up at Percy, Nico realized how upset he was and quickly added, "I guess I love you, too."