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 should have known things wouldn't be that easy. Percy seemed to be trying extra hard to right whatever wrong he may have done to upset his boyfriend the day before. He showed up the next morning with coffee and a muffin for Nico. He rushed to open the car door for him and when the pulled into the school he jumped to do it again. He was sure to maintain physical contact with the smaller boy whenever they were within reach. Nico knew he was trying, but it just made everything worse. When Percy took his bag from him on the way to the cafeteria and pulled the smaller boy close to his side the dark eyed boy spotted Octavian eyeing them across the hall. The blonde raised his eyebrows at the gesture before pasting a smile on his face as he approached the couple.

"Afternoon Tesorino." He said sweetly. The smaller boy wasn't sure if it was the use of the Italian term of endearment or the sultry look the blonde was giving him, but he felt his face flush.

"Screw off Octavian." Percy's arm gripped Nico tightly as he glared at the other boy.

"Hush now Percy. I'm talking to Nico." The pale eyed boy sent him a wink "Molta bello."

"I mean it Octavian." Percy all but growled, dropping his arm and stepping towards to other boy.

The pale eyes narrowed as they met green ones, "Nico's a big boy, Percy, I think he's capable of deciding who he wants to talk to. And I'm sure he knows how to say screw off all his own. If that's what he even wants to say. He doesn't need you to talk for him."

Percy stood silently, shook evident on his face, Octavian smirked. "I'll see you later Tesorino. " And with a wink the pale eyed blonde sauntered away.

"Come on Percy. Let's go get lunch." Nico gripped his boyfriend's arm and tried to lead him towards to cafeteria. The older boy pulled out of his grasp.

"What the hell was that, tessero shit, whatever he was calling you?"

"Tesorina. It's Italian. It means darling."

"And that other thing? Molten bellow?

"Molta bello. He was just hitting on me." Nico shrugged. He could tell Percy was upset. "It wasn't anything."

"Why was he hitting on you in Italian?" Nico was starting to get frustrated with the tone his boyfriend was using.

"Because, I'm Italian, Percy." Nico explained calmly, turning away to head down the hall.

Percy roughly grabbed a hold of his arm, "You know what I mean."

With wide eyes Nico ripped his arm from his boyfriend's grasp. "Because he's a prick and knew you wouldn't have any idea what he was saying." His anger flared, proving just how Italian he was. "Quit acting like a jealous douche, I didn't do anything."

Percy's eyes went wide as he rushed to take hold of his boyfriend. He put his hands on the smaller boy's hips and gently pulled him close. "Oh my Gods, Nico. I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to grab you like that. I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt you." Nico could hear the panic in his boyfriend's voice as he apologized, but he couldn't bring himself to care. He pushed Percy back, the older boy stumbling slightly.

"You didn't hurt me Percy, I'm not fragile. I'm going to eat lunch with Will, maybe you shouldn't sit with me today." The Italian grabbed his bag from where Percy had dropped it and stalked away, leaving the green eyed boy standing alone in shock. He wasn't sure exactly what just happened, but he knew he fucked up.

The afternoon went much the same as the last. The younger boy paired up with a kid from his own grade in the weight room. Nico glared at Percy when he tried to approach him after class. And he literally stopped mid stride, turned and walked the other way when he saw Percy waiting for him at his locker at the end of the day. This time when Percy sent him a good night txt he didn't get a response.

He didn't realize just how bad things were until he got to Nico's apartment the next morning. Mrs. Di Angelo answered the door, surprised to see Percy, and gently informed the boy Nico had already left.

Percy sat in his car with the engine running. His knuckles were white where he was gripping the steering wheel. On the bench where he used to hang out with his friends every morning, before he spent the extra time picking up Nico, said brown eyed beauty was sitting. Will sat on his left with their knees brushing together and Octavian sat on his right, a coy smile on his face. Percy tried to take deep calming breaths, but he felt like his blood was boiling. He slammed his car door shut hard enough he made himself wince.

"What's your boy doing with those two?" Jason and Leo were suddenly at his side. Percy shrugged, eyes never leaving from the trio.

"Relax Percy, you know Octavian. He's just messing with you." Leo put a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"We got into a fight. It was pretty bad." Percy could hear the fear in his own voice and winced.

"You and Octavian?" Jason asked, obviously confused.

"No, Nico. Yesterday before lunch. He was pretty upset. Been avoiding me since."

"What did you fight about?"

"You know, that's the thing. I'm not even sure."

"Well, whatever you did, go apologize. Because Octavian is trying to make a move on him." Jason nodded to the bench. The pale eyed boy was leaning in close and whispering in Nico's ear.

The only thing that stopped Percy from storming over there and ripping that blonde head off its shoulders was Nico putting his hand on Octavian's chest and pushing him back. Percy was close enough now to hear him say, in what the green eyed boy would be happy to label a harsh warning, "Personal space, watch it."

All three looked up when a shadow fell over them. Octavian scowled, Will looked embarrassed as he played with a crack in the bench and Nico raised his eyebrows expectantly.

"Can we talk, Nikki?" Percy was a little ashamed at the way his quiet voice shook. Nico pursed his lips, as if he was thinking. With a sigh the smaller boy stood up and with his hand against Percy's chest, gently led him away from the others.

"Stop looking at me like I kicked you puppy Percy." Nico started his voice tight, "I'm pissed off, and I have every right to be."

Percy felt bile rise in his throat, "Nikki, please..."

"Stop. If you apologize one more time I swear I'm going to hit you. And in case you forgot, which it seems like you have, I could easily kick your ass Jackson."

"What?"

Nico sighed; he wasn't sure what to feel anymore. It was obvious Percy knew he did something wrong and felt bad about it, but it was just as obvious he had no idea what that was. He wasn't as angry as he had been last night or this morning, but he still didn't feel like giving in.

"Come here sea weed brain." Nico reached over and gripped the front of Percy's shirt, pulling him close. The older boy had a confused smile on his face but didn't hesitate to grip the shorter boy's waist as soon as he was close. "Stop freaking out." Nico whispered stretching up to the older boy's ear. "Yes, I'm mad at you. It's going to happen. A lot. I'll get over it. Just chill, give me space." Percy gripped his boyfriend and pulled him tight against himself as he nodded. Nico pulled back slightly and brushed his lips against his boyfriend's, as if he was giving permission. Percy smiled and closed the distance, bringing their lips together gently. He felt himself melt into the kiss, heat spreading through his body, and for a moment he forgot where he was. He reached out with his tongue, asking his boyfriend to open up and let him in. He was pleasantly surprised when the Italian complied. He quickly swirled his tongue, trying to capture the taste he had been missing so much. It only lasted a moment, a few quickened heartbeats, and then Nico pulled back gently. They were both slightly out of breath. Nico blushed hard when he heard Jason, Leo and Will whooping and whistling.

Percy pressed their foreheads together with a smile, "I really missed you baby."

"I know Percy. Look, I'll see you in gym okay?" He asked softly as he started to pull away.

Percy held tight, "What about lunch?" His voice held a slight edge of panic.

Nico shook his head, "I'm going for lunch with Will. I told you I just need some space."

"Then what the hell was that about?" Percy's voice jumped, and now he was the one pulling back.

This time Nico held tight, his arms snaking around his boyfriend's neck, "That was about reassurance, letting you know that I'm not going anywhere. You're still my boy Percy, and I don't want you to worry. I just need to take a breather."

Percy took a deep breath, "Alright. Let me know when you're done breathing."

"I will." Nico brushed his lips against Percy's, in a soft chaste kiss, "The moment."