Author's Note: Thank you to everyone who reviewed, favourited and followed! I'm sorry for taking too long, I'm trying, I promise!~3

Disclaimer: I do not own the series Percy Jackson and the Olympians nor Heroes of Olympus. Trust me, if I did, the movies wouldn't exist. These series belong to Rick Riordan, although this fanfiction has been written by me

IMPORTANT: Make sure to read the line before each chapter that tells you how long it's been since the war against Gaia, since there are going to a LOT of time jumps.

"speaking out loud"

'thinking/thoughts'

Chapter 13

4 weeks after the war : Beaches and misunderstandings

Percy and Nico lay side by side on the beach, waves flowing past their ankles but withdrawing before reaching their knees. The entire gang (except Annabeth and Reyna, who were at camp Jupiter) had gone swimming and now they were lying in the sand admiring the sky during sunset.

Rays of dark blue and violet streaked across the sky making a beautiful gradient, with stars peeking every here and there. Percy turned to Nico to ask him if he had fun, but when he saw the italian's face, his voice died in his throat.

Nico's wavy hair was splayed across the sand, some wayward strands falling in his face. His skin, which had darkened considerabl now that he wasn't spending all his time in the underworld, seemed to gloq in the setting sun's rays. His eyes were sparkling and there was a carefree smile on his face that Percy hadn't seen in months. He looked…..Gorgeous.

Nico got up and left to talk to Jason, oblivious to the son of Poseidon gawking at him. Percy got lost I his htoughts. " I guess it makes sense that he's hot, after all, he's half Italian and half Greek god. I guess I just never noticed. He's grown up and become totally gorgeous, huh? Well, good for-"

"hey there Perce! Whatcha thinking about?"

A voice snapped him out of his reverie.

He turned to see Piper looking at him inquisitively, having flopped down on the spot previously occupied by Nico.

"Oh, I was thinking about how hot Nico is"

Pipers eyes widened, and she hesistated for a moment before asking "Do you- you know- like him?

Percy's eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Of course, what's not to like?" not noticing Piper's shocked expression, he continued "He's one of my closest friends! He's a nice person, despite what people think, and he's saved my life many times."

He looked at Piper quizzically. "Why would you even ask that? You know he's my friend.."

Piper stared at him for a full minute, while Percy fidgeted, confused and slightly weirded out.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, she burst into laughter, startling Percy.

"Oh dear god, Percy! Sweet, innocent Percy"

"What's that supposed to mean?" Percy asked, getting irritated.

"Nothing," said Piper, smiling as if she knew something he didn't "Nothing at all"

I hope you enjoyed it!