Disclaimer: Owned by Rick Riordan not me in any-do I really have to freggin say this again-way.

A/N: So as I said, here's another chapter! I'm looking forward to hearing more feedback from the reviewers and all. I love you guys for putting up with me. Uhhnn, this chapter could be…odd because my writers block is sorta fucking with me…apologies. Still rather short though...meh.

TO THOSE OF YOU WHO READ MY OTHER STORIES! (if any of you do) I'm going to try and update them throughout the week, beat with me.

Aphrodite's Garden 4

Missing piece

"Mist."

"It's abso-freaking-loutely everywhere this time!"

"Keep trying, there's gotta be a break somewhere."

Percy and Nico had left the mirror behind and a few turns later found themselves in another predicament, the place they'd come through had sealed itself off and there weren't any openings. The older demigod punched the misty wall closest to him, hoping something would happen, the result was his own hand appearing to punch him.

He withdrew his arm and rubbed his shoulder, "Don't try hitting it." He called, Nico was somewhere to his right, having vanished into the tiny niche there to search for a hole.

He re-appeared a moment later and sat in the grass, "I give up, were trapped, well more trapped."

Percy sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose in frustration, "This must be a test, I mean there's no way Aphrodite would design a maze to test people and then just keep them stuck in one place…right?"

Nico looked at him doubtfully, "Maybe, she doesn't seem to care too much." Percy joined him in the grass, "Gah! I thought that the mirrors would probably be the worst thing for a while."

Nico chuckled at that and leaned back, "There's lots of stuff way worse than those…I've seen it." He shook his head and Percy wondered for a moment what it was like, living with Hades and Persephone.

They were quiet for a moment, both examining their surroundings again, looking for a chink in the armor before accepting that there just wasn't one.

Both males started talking at almost the same time, "I wonder if-" "Maybe we shou-"

Nico blushed a bit, "You first." He said, making Percy laugh slightly.

"I wonder if maybe there's something were missing, like the way out only shows up if we do the right thing?" He pulled up a chunk of grass and looked at it, thinking as Nico nodded.

"Yeah..I was thinking maybe we should just stay here and talk for a while, I mean this is all about figuring out something about ourselves right? So talking about the stuff that worries us and that kind of thing might help…" He shrugged, slightly nervous that Percy would think his idea was stupid.

Percy nodded thoughtfully, "Yeah…I dunno, we can try it and if that doesn't work we know whatever we're missing is something we have to physically find."

Neither boy made any move to speak, feeling awkward suddenly , the moment of silence stretched on until finally Nico blurted, "I feel like my dad doesn't want me around because I remind him of my mom."

He didn't look at Percy, deliberately avoiding his gaze after that one admission, until Percy spoke, "My step-dad always hated me…I hated him right back but still, I know it's hard to live with someone who doesn't want you around. Have you tried to talk to him?"

Percy wanted to smack himself, talk with Hades? Riiiiiiight.

Nico fidgeted and nodded, "I tried, but he brushes me off when I do and Persephone…she doesn't like me being around very much either." He rubbed one arm and Percy gave him a sad smile.

"Go to him while she's gone in the spring and try to get his attention then." He didn't know what Hades did when his wife wasn't there, but he figured Nico would have better luck than.

Nico nodded and things were quiet again before Percy slowly, begrudgingly spoke, "I haven't…told my dad that I'm gay. I mean, I know he's probably really busy anyways, but I don't know how he'd take that sort of thing…"

Nico gave him a look that questioned Percy's sanity, "Are you kidding? Poseidon loves you, my dad gets all huffy sometimes because he swears your all he ever talks about when they meet up…and he asks about me too I guess."

Percy sighed, "I'm probably just being ridiculous." Nico nodded vigorously to that, rolling his eyes, "You're really blind aren't you?" He asked, chuckling.

Percy gave him a light shove, "Only sometimes." He looked around, but nothing had changed. It didn't surprise him, they had barely touched anything and there were a lot of things they could talk about.

Nico's voice was quiet when he spoke again, "I forgive you, for my sister, I forgive you. I know it wasn't your fault and I'm sorry I thought that for so long…I mean even after I realized what all happened I still blamed you…I don't anymore."

Percy gave him a soft look, "Thanks. I'm sorry anyways, I should've protected her better."

He coughed awkwardly, "I guess I'm just not good with any girls am I?" Nico laughed and shook his head, "Nah, but they all seem to love you anyways."

Percy groaned and fell back, "You can have 'em!" Nico muttered something and Percy raised an eyebrow, "What was that?"

Nico blushed furiously, "N-nothin' I just said you could keep the girls! Seems annoying to have them falling all over you." Percy made a sound of agreement.

"You bet it is, It was always weird at camp when Aphrodite's daughters tried to invite me over…I guess I should've figured out I didn't like girls when that creeped me out." He laughed again.

Nico shrugged, "I dunno, I think the hair says it all."

Percy looked offended, "There is nothing wrong with my hair! Just because I like it to look nice!" They looked at each other and burst out laughing.

Percy finally managed to speak, "Okay, so maybe I am kinda obvious." Nico rolled his eyes, "No kidding."

They went back and forth with insults for a few minutes before deciding to get back to the serious stuff. Nico looked at Percy, "I'm scared that something will happen again like what Cronus tried, I mean could you really stop that again?"

Percy shuddered, "I don't even want to think about that, it was hard the first time, I don't know if any of us could handle it again…but if something like that ever happens I promise I'll keep you safe."

Nico started to thank him when Percy jumped to his feet, "Look!" He pointed to where the Niche had been, the mist seemed thinner than before and when he tried it he found he could get past it.

Nico grinned and they burst through it, "Yes! But…what did we say?" Percy frowned, "I dunno, but hey it worked!"

Both Demigod's were relieved that they were no longer trapped, but Nico couldn't shake the feeling that they needed to figure out what part of their talk had done it.

It was dark by the time they'd managed to navigate through very much of the maze and they decided to stop and sleep and try to get a head start in the morning.

Laying down beside Percy in the grass Nico shivered, "It's kinda chilly…" Percy nodded, "I wish Aphrodite's creation conjured blankets…but I guess we'll just have to make do…here."

He wrapped his arm around the younger male, pulling him flush to his chest to share body heat and draped the jacket's they'd had on over them. "G'night Nico."

Nico snuggled against him, glad for the shared warmth, "Good night Percy."

Neither boy noticed the Goddess watching them with an approving expression.

A/N: So this felt kinda filler once I'd finished, but they needed to have a little chat, even if they didn't get very deep, it's all part of the process….I also apologize, I realize that joking about Suicide is not funny, but my rather…morbid…personality allows for me to do it without thinking. You may slap me silly.

Thanks to the reviewers!