Chapter 4

Nico was aware of Will's watchful gaze. True, Nico had told Percy that the green eyed boy wasn't his type, but…honestly…Percy was. Nico smiled as he envisioned a future with Percy Jackson. All his fantasies, all his desires, all his hopes of getting Percy to hold him and to kiss him and to make love to him instead, were about to come true.

Will walked over to him. "Nico. I need to talk with you."

"Go ahead."

Will sighed with exasperation. "In private."

Nico nodded and started walking with the blond. "What's this about?"

"Why did you lie to Percy about Annabeth's last words?"

Nico's heart thudded. "Lie? I don't-"

"I'm a child of the god of truth. I can tell when a person is lying. I get a sick feeling in my stomach. Never fails."

Nico's voice was slightly cold. "Interesting, why didn't you tell me about this particular talent?"

Will sighed. "I keep it a secret most of the time. People don't want to have a conversation with a lie detector. Now why did you lie?"

Nico sighed. Time to emulate his father's talent. "I didn't want Percy to commit suicide over a girl who's not worth it." Truth, I personally don't believe she's worth it. You can't lie over an opinion.

"Not worth it? How?" Will looked concerned.

Nico looked at the sky. "She loved Luke." Truth, she did love Luke before she met Percy.

Will stopped walking. "I don't believe it."

"Am I lying? Listen to me. Annabeth Chase loved Luke Castallan. She left no last words to Percy. Her thoughts were probably on him." Inflection leads to think of Luke, but the word 'him' is so vague… Nico hid a smirk. Will was shocked.

"Poor Percy…" Nico nodded.

"He deserves someone perfect." Truth.

Will nodded and sighed. "I won't tell him. I'm sorry I bullied you, Nico."

Nico smiled. "It's fine. You only care about your friends."

Will nodded and walked away. Nico gave a sigh of relief. Now, to find that beautiful, green eyed boy.

He looked around and saw Percy sitting on the pier at the lake. He walked quietly over. "Hey."

Percy didn't even jump. "We used to sit here like this. Just like this. Holding hands and looking for pictures and shapes in the clouds. I proposed to her on this pier."

Nico sat down and slipped his hand in Percy's. "Like this?"

Percy shook his head and threaded his fingers through with Nico's. Nico's heart was hammering against his ribs. "Like that."

Nico smiled and looked at the sky. "She would probably think that cloud looked like a book."

Percy smiled. "I would say it's more like a pair of sunglasses."

Nico snickered. "And that one over there?"

"Surf board."

Nico raised an eyebrow. "Everything has to do with the beach with you doesn't it?"

Percy smiled slightly. "Yeah…"

They sat like that all day until dinner. Chiron and the other campers let them be at peace. They were probably thinking, "How nice of Nico to befriend and help Percy get through this!" Nico wanted to laugh at them all in absolute giddiness. It wouldn't be long now until Percy was his completely.

The dinner horn rang. Percy had long since released Nico's hand, but he had been leaning against the Italian boy. He got up and helped Nico up too. "Let's go." Nico smiled at Percy. The son of Poseidon tried to return it.

Nico sat down at his table and thought about his plans. He felt his body fill with warmth at the thought of taking Percy Jackson and claiming the Sea Prince as his. Nico gave a low chuckle and looked at the son of Poseidon sitting across the dining area. He was playing with his food, looking decidedly disinterested.

Nico smiled. In time, Percy will have a very specific appetite. He smiled into his glass.