Hi guys! I've currently started working hard on chapter 14 and it's going to take quite some time, so I thought I'd just publish this short story on Hick's run in with Percy a few years later. Just to offer you guys a glimpse of the future. ;)

Hope you enjoy it, and please be patient with me!

It's been more than half a year since they last met. Percy gazed at Hick, drinking in every moment he was having with her, as she walked on right beside him, babbling on and on and on about how she couldn't believe that college life was finally over. That surprised look she had on her face when she saw him right after the graduation ceremony. So endearing. So truly happy.

"So how long have you been in New York?" Hick's voice finally reached his ears, snapping him out of his momentary daydream.

They had stopped to a stand still on the rocky pavements. The waters of the canal just beside Hick reflected the lights of the street lamps and neon shop signs, glistening prettily in contrast with the pitch black darkness the night.

"W-What?" he sputtered, still a little dazed.
"How long have you been here? You said you just happened to be passing by right? Two, three days?"
"A... A couple of day. J-Just a week or so," Percy shrugged, trying to play it cool.
"Oh. So... have you been to that new Korean place?"
"Yeah, just around Chinatown?"
"Yes! You know it? They have amazing jajangmyeon, you know, the black – "
"Black bean paste noodle, yeah. Heh. You always eat that every… time," Percy heard his voice falter as Hick's smile fell.

She wore a confused look, and then a suspicious one.

"Percy… how do you know I've… Have you been – "
"No! What? No! You, uh… you… told me about it…"
"Perseus," said Hick, her voice carrying a warning tone. She knows he's lying.
"Hick," he replied with a nervous smile, pretending the confrontation was a greeting of acknowledgement.

A hint of amusement flickered across her sweet face as she realized his futile attempts to change the topic.

"The restaurant opened only a month ago. We've not talked for seven months since our last fight," she said, her eyes searching his closely. Those lovely, violet eyes. She didn't know it, but it was making his heart hammer hard against his chest as he stood before her, drowning under her gaze.

"Seven months, huh? You counted," he managed to reply, grinning cheekily.

Hick's expression immediately became one of exhausted exasperation.

"Percy, why? Why do you do this? You need to stop doing this to yourself. We need to move on. I choosed to stay in the human world and become human, and this is where I belong – "
"I know! I know! You've – "
"Listen to me! You are the greatest demi-god I've ever known, and you've got a ton of people at Camp Half-Blood who love you. A whole family. You belong there, in that world where you get to be with them and fight for them and keep them all safe. Where you have Annabeth and – Listen, Percy! Look at me! I have people I love to be with here in the human world, and you have love ones to care for in that bizarre Greek god world of yours. We need to walk our own separate paths now. I need to live my own life."
"With Ryan. Is that it?"
"It's not just him. There's my mom, my new dad and siblings and… and José and – "
"You've never told me you didn't love me back."

He could hear the bitterness in his voice, and he bet he looked utterly furious now. He was acting like a child, and he knew it. But he couldn't help it. He wished he could control it, but his emotions were getting the better of him. And Hick was clearly startled by the sudden change of topic.

"Percy – "
"No! Just… Just don't!" he yelled, his breathing slowly becoming more rapid as he felt his rage grow. "You've always evaded me whenever I bring this up! Not once have you given me an answer! I need… I need to know now… that you truly don't feel anything. Or if you even feel the same way I do. Please… Please! Please don't make me ask for it… Please don't make me actually ask you for an answer!"

Oops. That's it. :D