Heeeeey. I actually just got bored and made another Chapter today. So like I said... Percy and Nico stuff mostly. Hinting a bit at Leo. Please read & review!

Disclaimer: I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians/Heroes of Olympus.

Chapter 2: A Confession

About 1-2 weeks since the attack. Nico has fully recovered.

Nico

Nico was on the deck with Percy, Jason, Leo, and Frank—pretty much all the guys. The three girls were all in Piper's room at the moment. Interesting story actually.

Gave all the guys a good laugh—even Nico.

Apparently both Annabeth and Hazel were on night shift last night. Because of that, in the morning, Hazel's hair this morning made her look like she has been electrocuted. Piper quickly made it look decent (well it was subjective). That wasn't the biggest thing. Annabeth was the one that really set Piper off. Annabeth never really got into doing her hair, but for some reason she had attempted a braid (only Athena may know why) and failed miserably. Piper literally went crazy: she started hyperventilating and nearly puked.

And that is why Hazel and Annabeth were now in Piper's cabin, getting an extra long braiding seminar from Piper herself. Nico had to agree with Leo on this one. Protest as she may, Piper's Aphrodite was showing. Showing a lot.

As of now, the five boys were pretty much just chilling on the deck. The Argo II had set down so Leo could take a rest from his work. Really the ship had been almost too boring without the boy's jokes. Everyone had begun to worry about Leo's health; he was either at the wheel or in the engines at least twenty two hours a day. Nico barely knew the guy, but he already admired his determination and ability to keep the mood up—the latter of which he was for some reason not exercising as of now.

Nico could sense that something had happened. If Leo wasn't smiling for longer than an hour, something was seriously off. These thoughts were interrupted by Jason's curiosity.

"Hey Leo?" the blond superman was staring at the scrawny son of Hephaestus who looked up to meet his gaze. Leo quickly managed a smile.

One didn't have to be an expert on human behavior (although Nico was) to tell it was fake.

"Yeah? Wassup?" as soon as these words left the boy's mouth, Percy, Frank, Jason, and even Nico were all staring at him. "... what?"

Nico/Jason (Both of them at once)

This time Jason didn't stop questioning. "You seem kinda..." he struggled to find the word "down lately. Anything wrong?" He looked at Leo with worry and anticipation. Leo shook his head and grinned.

"What could possibly be wrong?" Jason walked over to him and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Leo please. We're your friends. We can tell when you lie." It was obvious that this put Leo on the spot. Nico couldn't help but think that the exact thing would happen between him and Percy soon. Over the... thing he would have an outburst about.

"Drop it Jason. Drop it." Jason tried to respond but his mouth was suddenly dry. He had never seen his friend like this. Leo's eyes seemed angry and he showed all signs of seriousness. The blonde dropped his gaze. Leo stood and walked belowdecks.

As soon as Leo left, Percy and Frank both walked toward Jason, also worried about the fire user. Nico forced himself to his feet and walked over as well.

"He's my best friend... and still he doesn't trust me. I don't know anymore..." Percy put a hand on Jason's shoulder as soon as Sparky said those words.

"Jason." Surprisingly Frank was the one to speak. Nico still hadn't found the time to talk to him about... Hazel. He trusted him and all, but when it comes to being a brother, you can never be too protective. The blonde looked up to meet his friend's gaze. "You can't blame yourself. I won't let you. Leo's just... going through a rough patch probably." Jason reluctantly nodded.

"I... I guess you're right. I'll give him some space."

Percy/Nico

It hurt him to see all his friends in such low spirits. Of course he was also worried about Leo. However, usually Leo was the one who kept the group together. He was like the glue that held them together. And Hazel said there was something about his great-grandfather? Nevermind. Until Leo feels better... the task fell to Percy. He had to say something funny.

"Well duh. You don't want him to think you're gay for him or something." As soon as he uttered those words, he regretted it. Firstly, only a jerk would make comedy from homosexuality. Secondly, Jason sent him a pointed glare which would have terrified Kronos.

But his words had another effect as well. Nico gulped. His thoughts raced. So Percy does hate gays. I thought he would, but until now I wasn't sure... He looked up at Percy with an expression that would have made the titans feel pity. Thankfully, the son of Poseidon didn't see, but unfortunately Mr. Blond Superman did.

Jason locked eyes with Nico. He seemed to be saying: He doesn't mean it. It's just a stupid joke to lift the mood. Nico agreed. It was probably true anyway and managed a smile which satisfied Jason.

"Um... sorry... shouldn't have said that." the son of the sea god looked ashamed. At this point, Nico didn't care if he liked or disliked bisexuals. He didn't deserve to feel guilty. Nico wanted to change the subject and save his friend from the guilt.

"Ya think?" Jason grinned and lightly punched Percy on the shoulder, causing the latter to grin. Looking around, Nico noticed something suspicious.

"Guys?" both boys looked to the son of death. "Where's Frank?" Jason and Percy simultaneously looked around confusedly.

"Where'd the big guy go?!" Percy found it impossible that someone as brawny as Frank could just... disappear. Suddenly, a snake coming from below deck was slithering over toward Percy as if intent on killing him. Nico immediately stepped in front of his friend protectively.

Percy's thoughts flooded around unstopped. Nico would try to protect him... protect him... protect... suddenly the memory of Apollo came back to Percy and he pushed Nico slightly out of the way. Nico turned with an irritated expression.

"Jackson. What are you doing?" Percy returned a worried glance.

"I won't let you do it again." Jason quickly drew his sword and waited in terror for the snake to attack. Instead, the long cobra wrapped itself tightly around the trio with a strangling hold. Nico struggled to breath. They were almost suffocated.

Then suddenly the long tail disappeared. In fact it all disappeared. And were replaced by... Frank. Percy's first expression was pure anger.

"Dude! First you make us worry like hell, then you nearly kill us all! What the—" Jason quickly covered Percy's mouth before he could say any more. He tried to reword the son of Poseidon's message.

"Why did you disappear and then attack us?" At this, Frank smirked and shrugged smugly.

"For fun."

Percy raised his voice. "Why you little!" This time rather than stopping him, jason helped Percy. The two jumped Frank, tackling him to the ground. Frank was dying of laughter at the bottom. Apparently they were... tickling him?

"Waaa! No! No! No! Stop! Please! I'm sorry! Forgive me! HAVE MERCY!" Nico hesitated. He was already smiling. Percy looked at him.

Nico fought the urge to jump into the dog pile over Frank. He was a freak. He only really had one friend, Percy. He waited in place for a few seconds, then the urge was too great. The son of Hades sprinted forward and threw himself on the group. Jason cried out with laughter and Percy yelled something like "Die Frank!"

What happened in the next minute or two was a blur, but in a few minutes, the four were lying exhausted on the deck, laughing and sweating.

"H-Have mercy..." Frank managed this with a chuckle. Nico grinned and sat up.

"Ok I'll spare you this time. But I swear if you ever..." Nico couldn't even finish the sentence without laughing. Frank made a face of mock terror.

"Yes master!"

Percy was the next to sit up. He grinned. Nico was opening up more and more.

"Whew we really tired you out huh Zhang?" the son of ward smiled and nodded in response to Percy's question.

Jason struggled and stood up. "Well that was quite something. I think I'll go look for Leo now." Percy nodded and watched Sparky walk down the stairs. Something else caught his notice in the corner of his eye. Nico's hand. Nico had stood up and was now offering him his hand.

Percy took his hand and got to his feet. Nico was only about two inches shorter than him... the boy really had grown. Frank whined.

"A little help guys?" Nico grinned.

"This is my favorite part." Saying this, the son of Hades acted as if he was walking away, leaving Frank there. Percy went along with the act and followed.

"Hey! Guuys!" Percy chuckled at hearing the manly boy whine this way. Nico sprinted back and offered the brawny guy a hand and picked him up. "Thanks." Nico waved it away. "I think I'll see if Hazel's done learning to braid." Nico frowned as he saw Frank go down the stairs. He still had to give him the talk.

Oh wait. Percy was still here on the deck with him. The taller boy grinned playfully which irked Nico to a huge extent.

"What?" Percy grinned as he saw Nico glare at him.

"Well the thing is that I heard you had a crush on someone." Nico nearly had a heart attack. His thoughts raced. No no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no no please no. Unfortunately, it was happening.

"Perce, I don't know what you're talking about." He tried one last attempt at hiding it.

Percy

He cornered Nico against the wall. "Oh c'mon man. You're not gonna hide it from me are you?" He put an arm out and rested his hand on the wall, next to Nico's head. He leaned toward that direction. Nico looked away and blushed.

"Everyone on the ship knows except me! You're not gonna... leave me out right?" Percy looked hopeful and slightly hurt but not overly. Nico looked down more and shut his eyes tight.

"Huh—Is it that bad? No problem if you really don't wanna tell me..." He actually meant it. He wouldn't push too much. He wouldn't make his friend feel guilty for hiding it either. "... maybe if I knew I could help you with her and be your wingman!" He tried one last time, hopefully. Nico's face looked so painful. He didn't want to be the reason for that. He pulled away, but was stopped when the son of Hades reached out and put a hand on his shoulder.

"Perce you more than anyone deserve to know. I won't hide it from you. I won't leave you out... and I know you will probably hate me after this." Percy looked at Nico's face, preparing himself for whatever shock that would follow. Nico for the first time pulled him into a tight hug and whispered three words. "It was you..." Percy's eyes widened.

So... Nico was gay? Bisexual? Oh gods... that's why he was silent after that joke. He thinks I'll hate him... Nico... that's why he never talked much... he was afraid. It must have been so hard. Especially when he was around me and... oh gods Annabeth. He must be so depressed. It's all my fault.

Percy pulled his friend into a tighter hug for a few seconds, saying nothing. He could tell Nico was shedding a few tears but he stopped shortly after. Percy let go of him and simply stared.

"Goodbye Percy... since you hate homosexuals... I guess I have no right to be your friend anymore." Percy's eyes widened. Nico shadow traveled to a few feet away, out of Percy's reach and sprinted away, down the stairs.

"Nico..."

Thanks for reading and please review!