A/N: Im not making any excuses for this one. More than a year late, I'm utterly disgusted with myself. Feel free to hate me bitterly.

Music: Kissing in Cars-Pierce the Veil

Always the One

Percy was sick of the maze. Utterly and completely just done with the stupid fog and the nudity.

He and Nico had spent the entire day before and much of the current one, wandering aimlessly wherever the fog opened, completely naked. There had been absolute stillness outside of their own movements, the fog wasn't even swirling like it had been before.

Nico was tight lipped walking beside Percy as they studiously looked away from one another, stealing occasional glances when they thought the other wouldn't notice. The only difference came when the swell of music was heard ahead.

Both demigods braced themselves for some new threat but instead found the lighting had shifted and the space between walls of fog had become narrowed, forcing them closer together whilst a soft sweet melody filled the air.

Percy blushed and hoped Nico wouldn't notice as he realized they would half to go forward with their arms touching to even hope to fit because the fog closed directly behind them, assuring they couldn't walk in a line.

The fog ahead of them cleared completely for a moment to reveal what looked like a never ending corridor with no turns and then it gathered again, even closer meaning neither boy could walk ahead of the other without stepping into it.

Percy looked at Nico, about to comment on it when he realized the younger boys eyes were filling with tears and he was biting his lip.

"What is it?" Percy asked, concerned. Nico shook his head, "This stupid maze, stupid Aphrodite, stupid nakedness. I hate it!" He began to cry and Percy, utterly embarrassed and clueless gave him an awkward side hug, which only seemed to make him cry harder.

"I know it's frustrating, but we'll figure it out, I'm sure the path isn't really as endless as it looks. We'll find out whatever it is we're supposed to and get out in time for the wedding, don't cry Nico." Percy assured.

The son of Hades wiped at his tears hastily, "It's not that….this route is making fun of me I swear it must be."

Percy was confused, "How so? I mean it doesn't seem different from the rest, just a little more…intimate." He looked around the allowed space nervously and gave a small awkward chuckle.

Nico just sighed miserably, "I think it's just using the stuff I was thinking about yesterday as fuel. How it would be if we were…you know..a couple."

Percy blinked in surprise and automatically moved back a bit to look at Nico, careful not to touch the fog, "A couple?"

The younger Demigod looked at his bare feet, "Stupid I know."

Percy just stared, thoughts racing around and around in his head. He liked Nico, it was true and the more time they spent in the garden the more he thought about things like holding the boys hand or curling around him when they slept. After the vanishing clothing he'd thought some pretty lewd things as well but he had been determined not to focus on them, lest they cause a rather….unfortunate issue.

Nico tried to move forward, and Percy kept pace for a few steps and then caught his arm, "Nico, it's not stupid. I mean if you like me and all it's not…" He trailed off left searching for words and Nico nodded with a blush.

Percy smiled nervously, "Well then I mean I guess I kinda like you too and I hope we're not stuck here too much longer, but if we are and it's with you it's not too bad I guess and I mean wow this is weird isn't it? I really hope this song ends soon becau-" Nico was much closer now and Percy promptly shut up.

"You really like me too?" He asked shyly. Percy nodded, "Yeah."

Nico practically beamed and hugged Percy fully, forgetting exactly how naked they both were for the moment.

Percy felt a trickle of heat in his stomach as Nico's soft skin pressed against his and made a surprised sound before he wrapped his arms around the younger male and returned the hug tightly. The fog had thinned but neither boy noticed that what was left was only just obscuring their view.

Nico pulled back a tiny bit and grinned up and Percy who decided they might as well dive in head first and leaned down, pressing his lips gently against Nico's. It was just a chaste kiss, Nico's lips warm against his, leaving traces of salty tears against Percy's soft mouth that he tasted as he pulled back and licked over his lips.

Both children of the Gods were brightly flushed and grinning at each other when the music stopped and the fog completely vanished, like it had never existed. They separated and looked around in surprise.

Percy slid his hand into Nico's, confusion on both of their faces as they realized they were in the same place they'd started, the waterfall pouring down with beautiful flowers everywhere and soft grasses. Their clothes were folded in two neat piles next to a blanket that was spread out with a small basket on it was well.

With a glance at each other they ignored their clothing and settled on the blanket, Nico leaning against Percy slightly as they looked through the basket.

On top was a folded note.

"Dear stupid love-birds,

You figured it out, you like each other and are meant to be together and have matching souls and things. Congrats. I would've rainbow'd you but I've seen enough adolescent junk thanks. Enjoy the basket, when you want to leave just get dressed and say Good-bye Garden.

Later,

Aphrodite"

"Well she's nice as ever." Percy muttered, making Nico laugh.

"Dad said she didn't used to be that way, he said she was once very romantic and mushy but ever since Zeus made her marry and she decided she loved someone else she's been rather bitter…."

Both boys avoided commenting on the fact that their souls allegedly matched and that the entire reason they were in the Garden was because they were meant to be together.

Beneath the note were some sandwiches and two small glasses with a bottle of nectar to share. Nico pulled these out and poured them each a glass gladly, both boys were very hungry.

They finished the sandwiches quickly and were talking quietly about how pretty the Garden was as they sipped their Nectar.

Percy couldn't say he was really paying a lot of attention to Nico's words, focused as he was on the other boys mouth. Nico for his part was glad Percy was so intent on his lips because he could feel a problem developing further south and boy was the Nectar good here.

Percy coughed and blushed as he felt his own erection starting to form, not even entirely sure what had caused it and turned away from Nico "Let me see if there's anything else in the basket."

He looked into it and immediately regretted doing so, there were only a couple things left. A bottle clearly labeled "Aphrodisiac Lubrication" and "Olympian Condoms" Percy wordlessly held the basket over too Nico.

"I think I know why Aphrodite didn't expect us to be clothed."

A/N: But you can't end it there!

I know, relax. I wanted to get this up (haha) and take my time with the Lemon as waaaaay back when LyokoYaoi actually requested this she had something special in mind for it. So the next chapter will be sex and then I will write up an epilogue. I apologize if this felt rushed at all . Please leave a review and let me know how angry you are with me for taking so damn long.