Percy was outside when Nico went back to the shop, crouched down to water some of the lower flowers so Nico didn't notice him at first. As he took a step nearer, the older teen suddenly stood and span to face him making Nico whimper and back away as he lifted his arms to protect himself.

"Relax. I'm not going to hurt you."

"That's new."

"I didn't know you were the mysterious customer that helped my mum all this time."

"Your mum?"

"Sally, this is her shop."

"Oh. And you wouldn't have beaten me up if you had known?"

"No."

"Wow, lucky me. Look, I just- I came here to collect my flowers, I don't suppose- are they- did she-"

"They're done."

"Can I have them please?"

"Why don't you like me?" Nico laughed humourlessly.

"You made my life worse hell than it already was. School was my respite and instead I had the jocks and the cheerleaders beat me up. Why should I like you?"

"Fair enough. Just, don't take it out on my mum. Please? She has enough to deal with. She couldn't cope losing you as a customer because her son was a jerk."

"Was?" Percy smiled, nodded and held out his hand in offering, ignoring the flinch that the other gave.

"My mum wanted to use that money you gave her to pay off some of our debt. I can't let her lose the business. Friends, for her sake if you don't actually want to like me?" Nico eyed the hand in distrust.

"That depends," he stated before nervously meeting the other's eyes once again, "can I have my flowers please?"

"Sure." Nico seemed to release tension that Percy didn't know he was holding before shaking his hand awkwardly. "So, who do you buy all of the different bouquets for?" Percy asked as he handed over the bundle but Nico only twisted the other's wrist to see the blue watch and swore, eyes looking up the road.

"I've gotta go Jackson."

"That's not going to get you out of answering."

"Really. I'm seriously late. I might not make it."

"Where?"

"The hospital. Visiting hours. I've got 40 minutes and it is a 35 minute walk. Shit. I've never missed it Jackson."

"Where's your bike?"

"Home."

"I thought it would be a good day to walk but I ran into several delays and now-"

"It's not big or grand or fast, but it is quicker than walking Angel so I don't want to hear you complaining." Percy reached into his pocket and fished out his keys, flicking them over to the other. The boy stood there with furrowed brows until he wheeled around a blue scooter from the side of the shop and a could have hugged him.

Nico settled for donning the scooter while the other pushed a helmet onto his head and strapped it on. He placed the stems of the flowers in a holder he found fitted in the foot area before squeezing the teen's hand in gratitude.

"I'll be back in a while Jackson."

"Did you make it di Angelo? No flowers so I'd say yes." Nico jumped up at the other and wrapped his arms and legs around him in a tight hug, hiding his face in Perseus' neck as he nodded enthusiastically. "You don't act like the tattooed and pierced punk that you are, you know that right? How did you even get the tattoos? You have to be 18 to get them."

"I- there's a place that do pieces for certain reasons. After that, if you walk into a tattoo parlour with two full sleeves and your back done, they pretty much assume you are of age and don't check."

"What reason do they have for breaking the law?" Nico dropped down and bit his lip as he backed away from the other and his question. "Cool it dude, just wanted to know if I could get one done."

"No! At least, I hope not." Nico looked over what he could see of Percy's bare skin in a hurry before focusing on some flowers to the side. Percy took his chance to approach and force Nico to look up at him.

"Do you wanna stay the night?"

"What?"

"Well, we're friends now, aren't we? Do you want to stay the night, or at least for dinner, we're having pizza?"

"Okay. Sure. Sounds good. Yes. I'd like that. Thank you. It would be nice. Si."

"I think you've agreed enough."

"Me too. Oh, here, I almost forgot." Nico pulled out his wallet.

"What are you doing?"

"Your scooter. I thought $5 for every minute I borrowed it. It's $265 for you."

"I don't want your money."

"Well, I don't want it."

"What?"

"I don't want it," he growled. "If you would spend a week with me, you would see that I don't need a cent of his money and that I give away what I can but I can't get rid of it fast enough for him giving it to me and the interest it builds. I get enough on my own."

"Alright."

"Alright what?"

"Well, I believe you just invited me to spend the week with you. I'm agreeing."

"No, but, oh crap."

"We don't have to."

"It's fine. Just, when?"

"Might as well start as soon as possible. Tomorrow?"

"No!" Nico shouted in panic, drawing the gaze of a passerby before swallowing deeply. "I- not tomorrow. Please. I can't have you there tomorrow. I'll pick you up in the evening if you want, afterwards, we can start on Monday."

"Nico, if something is going on-"

"I can't have you there Jackson. Per favore, per il bene di entrambi."

"Not that I know what that means but okay di Angelo, tomorrow evening. You got yourself a deal."

"Perfetto."

"Come here, you little Italian speaking, munchkin punk." Nico stepped nearer nervously but relaxed when Percy draw him into a hug and let him calm down. He rested his chin on the shorter's head just as Nico brought his arms up to wrap around Percy's waist in return, making sure he didn't move away.

"Is there something I should know?" called a voice behind Nico making him pull back instantly and straighten his spine as he looked dead ahead like awaiting orders while Percy just laughed and made a move passed the younger teen.

"Yes. You look absolutely amazing mum," Percy stated as he embraced the woman and took the shopping bags from her. He took them inside the shop and up to their rooms above the shop while the woman walked over to the frozen teen who rested a hand on Nico's cheek and drew his gaze.

"There you are. Sorry for scaring you Nico."

"You do look lovely Sally."

"Thank you Nico. It wouldn't have happened without you."

"I just- I thought you deserved to take a day for yourself. You work really hard and you put up with a pathetic, obsessive, teenage customer in your shop several times a week who potentially scares off all your other clientele. I- I can stop coming if you want."

"No. As long as you want your flowers, I'm your florist. Don't let other people's opinions of you change that. I think you are a brilliant, sweet, sensitive and caring boy."