Disclaimer:: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus or its characters. They are the property of Rick Riorden, and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Nico smiled to himself as he stashed his books in his locker. He was at Percy's last night again, and there was no awkward freezing or fumbling. They spent two hours before dinner in his bed kissing and cuddling. Nico didn't even flinch when the older boy brushed his fingers along Nico's olive skin when his shirt had bunched up. He fought a shiver at the memory of Percy's hands griping his hips.

"Good morning Nico." A sickly sweet voice brought him out of his memories.

"Good morning Octavian." Nico didn't even look at the pale eyed boy when he addressed him.

"You look very handsome today."

"Thanks..." Nico finished stuffing his books in his bag and stood up, finally facing the older boy. "What do you want?"

"Just to say hello."

"Well, I have to go meet Percy..."

"Yes, wouldn't want to keep him waiting. His arm must feel pretty empty without his princess hanging off it." Octavian replied off handily, as he glanced down the hallway.

"I'm not a princess." Nico hissed.

"Oh, I know you're not. But does he?"

"Quit causing shit Octavian."

"I would never do such a thing. Just some things I've noticed." Nico had to clench his jaw to keep from asking what he was talking about. "About the way he treats you."

"Percy is good to me. Fuck off."

"Yes, he takes very good care of you. Have a nice afternoon Tesoro." Nico glared at the older boy's back as he sauntered down the hallway. He was so busy trying to shoot daggers out of his eyes he jumped when a hand rested on his shoulder.

"Shit! Percy you scared me."

Percy chuckled and picked Nico's bag off the floor and threw it over his shoulder. "I'm sorry darling." He wrapped an arm around the smaller boy's shoulder and brushed his lips against his temple. Nico pulled away slightly.

"It's okay." He mumbled, the soft kiss suddenly leaving a sour taste in his mouth.

Together they headed to the cafeteria. Percy took his usual position sideways on the bench and glanced up when his boyfriend didn't snuggle in next to him. Nico sighed and took up the seat at Percy's back. If the older boy thought anything weird of it, he didn't say. Percy swung his leg over and faced the table. Nico tried to enjoy the lunch break with his friends, but found his mind wondering back to his conversation with Octavian. I'm not a Princess. Does he know that?

"Nico?" The dark eyed boy snapped out of his head when Percy put a hand on his back

"Sorry. Zoned out a little there."

"You haven't eaten."

"I'm not hungry."

"You should eat. Want me to get you something else?" Percy's voice was thick with concern as he rubbed his boyfriend's back.

"I'm fine Percy!" Nico snapped, a littler harsher than he had meant to. Green eyes looked back at him in shock.

"I'm sorry."

Nico sighed. He knew he was letting Octavian get to him, and felt bad that he snapped at Percy. But he wasn't in the mood to deal with it right now. He just needed some time to clear his head.

"I'll see you later Perce." Nico grabbed his bag and left the cafeteria without waiting for a response.

Percy watched his boyfriend leave. He wasn't sure what had just happened and he was fighting with himself whether or not to go after him.

"Trouble in paradise?" Jason asked, reaching across the table to steal Nico's discarded fries.

"No, we're fine. I think." Percy replied quietly. The bell rang signaling the end of lunch and Percy followed the throng of teenagers into the hall. Shaking his head he tried to brush Nico's grump out of his head.

Percy tried not to be hurt when Nico avoided him in gym class, purposefully maneuvering himself away so they wouldn't end up in the same group. And he tried not to take it personally when the younger boy seemed to rush out of the change room without so much as a goodbye. But when Nico didn't show up at his own locker at the end of the day, where Percy always waited for him, he really started to worry. It wasn't until he realized Nico had left without him that he started to panic. Percy always drove Nico home from school; it was some of the few precious moments they spent alone. Percy sat on the hood of his car, cell in hand as he watched the parking lot empty. He was trying hard to figure out what he had done to upset the younger boy when the Stoll brothers approached him.

"You okay Percy?"

"I'm fine."

"You don't look fine."

"Was Nico in class?"

The boys exchanged a look that made Percy anxious. He felt the muscles in his stomach tighten and his finger twitch around his cell.

"He was there." Connor started.

"Physically." Travis finished.

"What do you mean? Is he okay?" Percy sat up straight.

"Well, we we're going to ask you that. He was really quiet."

"Staring off into space."

"Completely ignoring Leo."

"He even glared at our poor dear Katie when she tried to talk to him."

"Thanks guys. I'm sure it's fine." Percy sighed and waved to his friends as he pushed off the car and got in. Something was wrong with his boyfriend, and he was itching to run to his side and hold him. He took a deep breath as he started the car and pulled away. He needed to believe what he told the Stolls. Everything was fine. If something was seriously wrong Nico would have told him. Everyone gets into moods. He had every right to be grumpy if he felt like it. Percy kept a stream of excuses running in his head the whole drive home. He had to believe it was alright. When he stopped in his driveway he sent off a quick message before heading into the house.

I missed you after school. Hope you got home ok. Call me if you need anything, im trying not to worry. xo Sweetest of Dreams my Nikki

Late that night Nico paced his room. He had stopped himself from responding to Percy's text, even thou it made him feel bad, he just wasn't sure what he wanted to say. He should have told Percy he was getting a ride with Will. He should have told him he didn't need to worry. He should have had the balls to tell him what was bothering him. He was acting like a child. Nico sighed as he sat on the edge of his bed, dropping his head into his hands. Percy was probably freaking out with worry. Grabbing his phone he climbed into bed and reread the text his boyfriend sent him that afternoon for the 100th time. Percy didn't deserve this treatment, he hadn't done anything wrong.

I'm sorry I made you worry.

Its ok Nikki. You want to talk about it?

There's nothing to talk about. Really, I'm sorry. Had a moment. Pick me up tomorrow? I miss you.

Ill b there i miss you too.

Sweetest of Dreams Percy. xo

Sweetest of Dreams Nikki. xoxoxoxo

Nico smiled as he settled into bed. He wasn't going to let Octavian get into his head. Percy was great, their relationship was great. Octavian could bite the big one.