AN: Here's another chapter! Enjoy reading, and let us know what you think so far! — SilverStreaksOfStardust and HashtagMC

Disclaimer: Percy Jackson and the Olympians and Heroes of Olympus are the intellectual property of Rick Riordan. We own nothing but the plot.

Nico

Jason wasn't in his cabin. I hadn't waited long, maybe ten minutes, but it still felt like I had waited a lifetime when he came and found me crying in front of his cabin door. Memories from times I wanted nothing but to forget arose. My first night inside the Labyrinth, bumping my fist at the exit until it hurt, begging the walls to let me out, crying, sobbing until Minos came… came and flattered me with his faked courtesy and condolence, agreeing whenever I blamed Percy, acting all loyal and submissive, but slightly manipulating me and abusing my powers for his own reasons…

It took Jason at least an hour to calm me down so I wouldn't sob or hyperventilate anymore. And another thirty minutes until I was ready to talk. Until then, I had had time enough to realize how stupid my behavior was, but Jason wouldn't let me go until I told him what was bothering me. Not in a 'you won't get out of here'-way, but in a 'please let me help you'-way. That's Jason Grace for you. And so I told him. About my insecurity, my confusing feelings. How I had always taken it for granted that I'd never notice anyone but Percy, even if I was (mostly) over him now, and how it had only taken Will one hour during the battle to prove me wrong. How he kept catching my eye. And, of course, how I would never have a chance that he'd feel the same way. So, yeah, I told him pretty much everything, and I was surprised that I was so trusting.

Jason kept comforting me, even going as far as hugging me when I was shaking from the terror I had experienced, and I let him do so. Despite the fact that I despised being touched or any form of physical contact, his touch was calming me down. Not like Percy's, who made me uneasy and filled with self-hatred, and not like Will's, who made my heartbeat sped up and let the flush creep into my face. Jason's hug held the silent promise to be there and help.

After I had finished my monologue about the son of Apollo who had managed to catch and hold my attention, Jason shook his head, obviously holding back a smile. I frowned, wondering what was so funny, but my expression only made Jason burst into laughter. "Oh Neeks, and there I thought Percy was King Oblivious" he managed to choke out between to fits of snickering. Slowly, he regained his composure. "I know that I don't know you long enough to say this, but I'm gonna say it anyways." He giggled again, his face all red from his laughter. "I think you have a crush on—"

The sound of the door opening interrupted us. In the doorway stood, for a reason beyond my understanding red in the face and obviously fuming, Will Solace. Gods know why, but he kept glaring daggers at Jason as he spoke, only looking at me once, giving me a betrayed look as if I had just stabbed him from behind. What the freaking Hades was wrong with this guy? Shouldn't he be relieved he found me, since he seemed to care so much for me? Yeah, keep lying to yourself. As if anyone would genuinely care about you whispered the voice inside my head.

"I was going to ask you whether you knew where Nico was, but as it turns out, you know quite well where he is, Jason" Will all but spat at the son of Jupiter. "When were you going to tell your girlfriend?" He spun around on his heels and stomped away, leaving me with my jaw dropped. What the freaking hell was that meaning? He wouldn't seriously think…

"Oh holy crap, now we're in shit's creek up to our chins" Jason sighed. "He so misunderstood that." Okay, maybe Will would think that we and Jason were… a couple? Why for every god's sake would he suspect that?

"Well, it got its bright side as well, I guess" Jason said, confusing me only more. "Wh-why-what?" I stuttered, utterly confused. Jason smirked. "Well, if the idea of you and me being together upsets him like that, it means he's jealous. And that means the situation isn't as hopeless as you pessimist make it out to be."

Humph. Couldn't deny that he did have a point. Jason gently nudged me. "Give him some time to think about it. Go back to the infirmary, and try to talk to him after dinner. Explain to him that he misunderstood the situation, but try not to be cliché."

Fine, he was right. As usual. I would have to talk to Will. Hopefully he wouldn't avoid me now that he thought that Jason and me were together. Because the last thing I wanted was to have Will Solace leave my life, just like that.

Will

"Have you seen Nico?" I asked to a passerby. The demigod shook his head, and I walked farther on. I suppose the son of Hades wouldn't have went outside camp, obviously. Cecil and Lou Ellen had offered help, but I didn't want to disturb their time. There were a few minutes before dinner at the Dining Pavilion, and I knew I had to catch Nico before then.

It's been a while since the Italian went off, and I meandered around camp searching. Some demigods stopped to make conversation, and I tried to make it quick - but the Aphrodite kids were pretty hard to wave off. Austin took my shift, luckily, and I knew I owed him.

"Oh, hi, Will!" someone greeted.

I turned around to see the daughter of Aphrodite, Piper McLean. She seemed to have just exercised, her breaths uneven and a water bottle sported in her hand. "Hey, Piper. Have you seen Nico?"

"You haven't found him?" Piper gave a knowing look. "Aw, someone has a major crush."

"For a few years now," I sighed.

"I think he went to talk to my boyfriend. Um, I mean Jason. I saw him heading to the Zeus cabin, but I could be mistaken. Listen, Will, take it easy, alright?" Piper patted my arm, then walked off.

I made my way to the Zeus cabin in the other direction, not thinking too much on those words. The only thing I wanted to see was Nico right now, and - the faint sound of laughter caught my attention. What was going on in the cabin?

Opening the door, I stopped in the doorway, staring. There were two things I could see: Nico, and another guy's arms around him.

Anger and jealously sparked throughout my body, feelings that startled me afterwards. What was Jason doing with my Nico? And why were they hugging? I knew the son of Hades hated any form of body contact. This ... there must be an explanation.

The idea of them having some sort of love relationship made my blood boil and heart ache. I glared at the blond with cold eyes, then flickered my gaze to Nico for one moment. His eyes were filled with confusion, and I quickly focused on my subject of hate. So this is why Nico shadow-travelled? To visit Jason?

"I was going to ask you whether you knew where Nico was, but as it turns out, you know quite well where he is, Jason!" I shouted venomously at the demigod. The son of Jupiter flinched, but I kept talking. "When were you going to tell your girlfriend?" I walked away, knowing my actions were rather reckless. What I assumed may not have happened ... but it hurt to see the possibility of someone that you love with someone else.

The worst thing is, I don't think I could ever stop caring for the son of Hades.

Death Boy.

Nico di Angelo.

The boy who stole my heart.

It was already dinnertime, and I snuck occasional glances at Nico. His eyes will meet back, and I will quickly strike a conversation with my siblings.

Gods, it's better just to avoid him. If Nico knew I still had feelings, I wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

"Um, Kayla," I whispered. "Can you go check-up with Nico?"

Kayla gave me the Look. "Why don't you head over to him yourself?"

"Because..." I shrugged helplessly. "He needs to have a proper diet. Have you seen him? He's as skinny as a twig."

"But you still love him," Austin teased.

"And this is why you're my only chance," I continued, ignoring Austin. "I'm kind of avoiding Death Boy for a moment, and if I just send Austin over, he'll just make jokes about my crush!"

"Hold the phone ... you still have your crush?" Delight spread across Kayla's face. "Okay, fine, I'll talk to Nico about his health, blah, blah, blah. But you must promise that you eventually talk to him and not ignore. Listen, Will ... I know Nico likes you."

"Yeah, everyone sees the goofy looks you give each other," Austin jumped in.

I raised an eyebrow. "We only officially met today!"

"Sorry, I've been reading too many of the Aphrodite cabin's fanfics."

Kayla shook her head sadly. "I just don't understand boys. Now excuse me, but I have to go fix your problem, Will." She headed over to the Hades table, and I caught Nico's eyes for one moment before looking away.