Author's Note: No, I did not die if that's what you guys are wondering. Sorry, I got addicted to another video game called "Samurai Warriors 3", so I've been playing that for the past four days. I have not even touched my computer since. So, updates would be getting slower from now on. Ugh, I'm so sorry! I was also going to type earlier, but it took me two hours to find The Demigod Diaries but hey, I finally got it! It was so worth it.

It has taken 20 chapters until they finally got together. TWENTY MOTHERFUCKING CHAPTERS. God I have anger issues today.

Well, anyway, I was wondering where Percy's and Nico's first date should be. Do you guys have any ideas? I was going to make it the beach, but, you know, it's January in this fanfic. So that idea just flew right out the window.

I'm not even halfway done until this fanfic is over. Probably when I get to part two where Percy's POV starts is when I get halfway through. And believe me, in my head that is a LONGGG way off. Though, I should be grateful for that. I'd hate leaving this fanfic. This fanfic means so much to me I love it so much. I think I might re-read the whole entire fanfic once I finish.

And Keri89, your birthday is June 25th?! That's the day I get out of school! I know, I get out of school really late. It sucks! And yeah, Nico is a little sentimental, but this fanfic would go nowhere if he wasn't just a bit sentimental. I try to keep them in character, I really do.

Also, fun fact: The short story called "Percy Jackson and the Sword of Hades" is actually a real short story made by Rick Riordan in the book The Demigod Files. I just finished that book today, and that short story was my favorite!

And also, this chapter once you get to the middle is kind of confusing. But, I hope you guys are able to follow along.

Well, that's all I've got to say. So, please enjoy the chapter! (It seems like such a long time since I last typed, even though it was like 5 days).

Note: Sorry for any kind of mistakes! I do not have an editor/beta reader, so this fanfic isn't perfect in terms of grammar, punctuation, etc. I am all on my own on this fanfic…how sad.

Warning: Homosexuality, language, child abuse, death, bullying, break-ups (I'll add more along the way.)

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. I am definitely not Rick Riordan. Also, I got the "Hades abuses Nico" idea from some fanfic…though which fanfic I got it from I don't remember. Ciao!

The Violin That Started it All

Author: Loving Healer

Part Two: Nico di Angelo

Chapter Twenty

After school when Percy and I walked home together, it was kind of awkward for me. I mean, what would he do now that we were dating? I felt too nervous to make the first move, and I didn't know what Percy would do. I know, it was pathetic how I felt nervous, but I couldn't help it. I've never dated anyone in my life. It was the first time I've ever felt so close to someone that I could trust with all of my heart. Silena was also another person I could fully trust, but as you guys already know, I was gay, so I didn't feel any attraction to her.

When we were in the middle of walking home, my eyes found its way to the house on the opposite side of the street. My eyes unfocused as so many things came rushing back into my head. My lips involuntarily tilted downward at the thoughts. I wasn't even born at that house, yet I had so many memories made there. So many that were horrible and wretched. I'd rather be looking at the house that I was actually born out, but that meant I would be thinking about the good memories I had with my deceased mother and sister.

Someone grabbed me and squeezed my hand, and I already guessed who it was. I glanced at Percy, who gave me a reassuring smile. I didn't even realize it, but I stopped walking just to stare at the house.

Percy followed my gaze towards the house, then he glanced back at me. "Are you okay, Nico?" He squeezed my hand once more in his.

I nodded. "Yeah, sorry for stopping."

Percy shook his head. "You don't have to apologize." Percy flashed me a smile. "Now, come on. Let's go back to your better home."

"Yeah, my third home of my life," I grumbled.

Percy chuckled. "Yeah, let's hope this is your second-to-last one."

I raised an eyebrow at him. "Why second-to-last?"

"Because your last house will be when you and I move out together." Percy winked before turning away and dragging me by my hand to the direction of his house. I could only gape at him, stumbling on my feet when Percy started to drag me, before I regained by balance. I sighed, but I continued to follow Percy behind him, with my fingers intertwined with his.

When we opened the door, Paul's voice from the couch almost made me jump out of my skin.

"So, something happen at school?"

I could feel Percy restraining to jump back as well, but he only stared at Paul and raised an eyebrow. "What are you talking about?"

I glanced at Paul and saw that he was reading The Demigod Files by Rick Riordan. I wondered what that book was about.

Paul chuckled under his breath. "You both are holding hands. Were you afraid that Nico was going to run away, Percy?"

Percy blushed deeply, and I turned away to hide my blush that was threatening to spread across my face. I was expecting Percy to rip his hand away, but he didn't. Why didn't he?

I could see in the corner of my eyes Percy rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand. "Uh, yeah," He smiled, despite the deep red blush across his face, "yeah, we are dating actually. It just happened today."

Paul smirked, setting his hands back into his lap. "So, tell me, boys. Who asked who out?"

I didn't even think Percy's face could get anymore red, but it did. "You—you are just unbelievable, Paul!" Percy attempted to glare at Paul, but it certainly didn't work.

Paul chuckled and held his hands up in defense. One of his hands was still holding onto the book, and the inside of the book had a bunch of words, but the only one I could make out was part of the title at the top: and the Sword of Hades. The other two words I couldn't read, but I swear it said "Perry Jorhson". I feel as if I were hallucinating now. Maybe I blushed so much that I couldn't read right. "Perry Jorhson" just seemed like a ridiculous name. What was Rick Riordan thinking when he thought of the name anyway?

"I was joking, just joking, Percy. Although, from your reaction, I'm guessing that you asked Nico out," Paul surmised.

Percy could only glare at the ground, as if he were to say: Why did you do this to me, Ground? I trusted you.

I took a deep breath, trying to calm myself, and attempted to make my blush disappear (which barely worked). "Yeah, so we're going out. Long story, but yeah, it happened before school started."

Paul nodded. "I see. What happened to—never mind." I could tell he was going to ask about Annabeth, but I could also guess that he knew Percy well enough to know that he wouldn't cheat on her. So, Paul probably made the guess that Percy broke up with Annabeth, and it would be unwise to ask Percy of such a thing as a break-up.

Percy raised an eyebrow, totally oblivious to what Paul was about to ask. His blush finally disappeared—a little. "Well, we'll be upstairs. Do you know where Mom is?"

Paul nodded. "She went to the grocery store to buy a few things. Were you going to tell her about this?" He made a giant circle around us with the hand holding his book to gesture what "this" meant.

Percy nodded and smiled in slight embarrassment. "Well, yeah, I was. Do you think she'd be okay with it?"

Paul sighed. "Do you not know your mother, Percy? She'd agree with anything as long as it was healthy, and as long as you were happy with it. In this case, you seem to be very happy with Nico."

Percy's blush started to come back. "Yeah, well, thanks, Paul."

Paul nodded once again. "Of course, anytime. You boys go have fun." Before we turned around to head up the stairs, Paul gave us a warning when he cocked up an eyebrow. "No too much fun, though. I don't want to hear any loud moaning. You can moan about how much homework you have though, that I can understand."

I tried to keep a straight face (which failed), but Percy's face was priceless. Percy rapidly dragged me towards the direction of his room up the stairs. I could hear Paul laughing to himself from the living room as we made our way up the stairs.

When we made our way up the stairs and into Percy's room, Percy closed the door and pressed his back up against it. Our fingers were still intertwined tightly together, despite Paul's last "warning".

He ran his free hand through his hair. "I can't believe Paul just said that to me."

"I'm not sure whether to feel sympathy or to laugh," I joked.

Percy shot me a weak glare. "Wow, thanks, Nico."

I shrugged. "Whatever you say."

"That was sarcasm."

"I realized."

Percy just rolled his eyes, dragging me to the edge of his bed. I anticipated in sitting next to him on the edge of his bed, but I ended up in Percy's lap instead. He wrapped his arms and around me and set his chin on my shoulder. I decided to avoid all eye contact from his whatsoever.

I could pretty much hear Percy smirking. "You're trying not to blush, aren't you?"

"Shut up, Percy," I huffed.

[[a look at another place in Percy's house]]

Sally unlocked the door and came inside, carrying three bags of items she needed to buy. Her eyes landed on the couch to find Paul reading a book called The Demigod Files.

"Hello, Paul." Sally flashed a smile at Paul as she went to the kitchen to deposit her bags.

Paul—without glancing up from his book—replied, "Oh, welcome back, Sally. How was it out there?"

"Fine, thank you." Sally walked over to Paul, bent down, and planted a kiss on his cheek.

"You know, I have some interesting news for you." Paul glanced at the page number and closed the book. "Percy and Nico are dating now."

Sally's eyes twinkled and she smiled. "Really? When did that happen?"

"They told me that it happened before school started today," Paul answered.

Sally clapped her hands together. "Oh, that is so wonderful!" Her smile faded. "But, what happened to Annabeth?"

Paul shrugged. "I didn't really want to bring down the mood by asking them. I assume that Percy broke up with her."

Sally took the seat on the couch next to Paul. "I feel so sorry for Annabeth. The poor girl."

Paul nodded and wrapped an arm around Sally's waist and pulled her closer. "I know, I know. But, that is how life is, isn't it? Life changes all the time, and so do people."

Sally nodded. "It does, fortunately and unfortunately."

The door was soon knocked upon, drawing the attention of the couple sitting on the couch.

Sally stood up, brushed her clothes off, and proceeded to the door. She opened the door and was greeted by two muscular men in black suits, black earpieces, and black shades.

"We are here to see Nico di Angelo," the African American one on the left said.

Sally glanced at the two men. "What would you like him for, exactly?"

"Ma'am, I'm sorry to say, but this is an urgent and private family matter," The Caucasian man on the right stated.

"Family matter?" Sally questioned.

"Let us see Nico di Angelo." The African American one commanded.

"Well, how do you know he's in here?" Paul inquired from the couch with a challenging gaze.

"That is top secret, sir," The Caucasian one said.

Sally glanced worriedly at Paul. Paul sighed. "Go get Nico."

Sally—without looking back at the two men by the door—hurried up towards Nico's bedroom. She rapidly made her way up the stairs, before turning into the used-to-be guest room. The door was open ajar, and she couldn't see Nico in it. So, the only other place Nico would be in the house would be…

[[back to Percy's room]]

"So, what do you want to do today?" Percy decided to ask.

I shrugged, leaning into his embrace and glancing at him. "I don't know. It's Tuesday. What else is there to do? Homework?"

Percy sighed. "Nico, Nico, Nico. You are such a good-two-shoes."

I rolled my eyes. "Well, sorry for wanting a good grade in school. When do you do your homework, exactly?"

Percy shrugged. "Whenever."

I sighed. "Of course."

There was a pause before Percy exclaimed, "Wait a second, what does that even mean?! Are you trying to say something to me?"

"Maybe," I offhandedly said.

"Maybe?!"

Before I could respond, a sudden knock resounded off of the door.

"Percy?" Sally's voice called.

"Mom?" Percy grinned at the door.

"Is Nico in there?" Sally hesitantly asked. She sounded almost…scared.

"Uh, yeah he is." Apparently Percy could sense Sally's mood from her tone of voice as well. "Is something wrong?"

It was silent for a few moments until Sally sharply inhaled. "Just…get Nico out here, please."

Percy glanced worriedly at me. I only raised an eyebrow at the door.

I stood up and offered Percy my hand. He smiled reassuringly at me before taking the hand and bringing himself up with some of my strength. He walked toward the door and opened it with his other hand. His occupied hand was still together with mine.

Once we made our way downstairs, I surveyed the scene. Paul, who was tensed, was uncomfortably sitting on the couch where he originally was when I walked in. But at the opened door there were two unfamiliar men. They both wore the identical clothing: black suits, black, polished shoes, black shades, and black earpieces.

Both of their eyes landed on me. "Nico di Angelo, correct?"

Percy's hand around mine tightened. It took a few moments for me to respond, like I didn't even have a clue what my name was, but I soon nodded.

The two men glanced at each other, then back at me.

"We wish to speak with you, privately," The man on the right requested.

"It is an urgent matter," The man on the left added.

"You're not talking to Nico without me," Percy growled. I glanced to him and so did everyone else that was present. He had an angry expression written across his face, and his teeth were tightly clenched together.

"Percy, calm down." Sally rushed to Percy's side and rested a hand on Percy's shoulder.

"Whatever those guys want with Nico, I'm not letting him go out there alone." Percy shot glares that could kill in the direction of the two men.

"They just want to talk, Percy. They won't hurt him," Sally reassured.

"I'm not very convinced." Percy eyed them cautiously.

I released my grip from Percy's, and he stared at me in disbelief.

"Sally's right, Percy." Even if I was hesitant, I walked to the direction of the opened door. I glanced over my shoulder at Percy and rolled my eyes, trying to stay calm. "It's just a talk. I'm not getting killed."

Percy's hand that used to hold mine tightened into a grip, but he didn't protest.

I glanced up at the two men, and they stepped away so that I could walk through. I seemingly found interest in the ground as I made my way outside.

The Caucasian man closed the door and turned to me, though he didn't say a word. He seemed to be waiting for the other one to say the first statement.

The African American one deeply inhaled. "Nico di Angelo," He spoke ever so firmly, "your father is dead."