Summary: He didn't want it to happen, it just did. Everything that meant something to him just left. Vanished. Disappeared. He threw everything meaningful aside. He ignored society, the community and his 'so-called-friends'. He ruined his own life, built up a mask to protect himself, to protect others. But he wasn't happy. Not at all.

DISCLAIMER: DO NOT OWN THE PERCY JACKSON AND/OR THE HEROES OF OLYMPUS CHARACTERS. I REPEAT! DO NOT OWN PERCY JACKSON OR THE HEROES OF OLYMPUS CHARACTERS! ALL THE CREDIT GOES TO RICK RIORDAN.

Harsh Words

She Who Cried

The moment that Uncle Hades sat down at the table, the maids and servants rushed in to deliver food. They brought a big feast; the table was filled with rich and somewhat clean food unlike the messily made meals Percy used to have with Paul. Everything on the plate was neat and looked like a master chef made it, which probably was the case since this was a rich place.

Bianca was staring at her father, who had not said a word after sitting down. It seems like he hadn't noticed Percy's appearance but then again, Uncle Hades wasn't one for curiosity or was he the sociable type. With a glance around at the three siblings, Percy saw them picking up their knives and forks, carefully choosing the right ones. Rich people usually had a lot of cutlery and thank god that Bianca was nice enough to show him the knife and fork he would use to eat.

Eating in silence wasn't what Percy liked. Usually Paul would make small talk or Percy would just listen to music. Being a child with ADHD made him a little uneasy at the silence. If he was right, Nico would have noticed since the kid had been slyly trying to glance at him. Bianca was too into eating her broccoli. Literally, she had more of a portion of broccoli than chicken on her plate. Was she a vegetarian? Hazel was taking small sips of her sparkling water – he didn't even know that sparkling water was different to normal water – and taking small bites of her chicken, which she cut up with her cutlery from the bone. It took all of Percy's strength to not grab at his chicken bone and tear the meat off it.

"So, Perseus…" The voice was from Uncle Hades and it made him stiffen.

Bianca had stopped nomming on her broccoli and sweetcorn to stare at her father whilst the other siblings kept on eating until Uncle Hades glanced at them to stop. It seemed that this was somewhat important since everyone, apart from Percy, had looked at him.

"What are you doing at my home?" Uncle Hades' voice was hard and full of wonder.

Percy had to quickly swallow his food since it was rude to talk whilst eating. Bianca looked like she wanted to stop him but it was too late. Soon Percy had started hiccupping.

"Well, I had -hic- crossed paths with your -hic- son and daughter and stu -hic- ff had happened and now I'm -hic- here." Percy tried to explain, biting his lip.

For the first time in years, he felt scared. Uncle Hades was a man who made many fear him. Percy didn't want to be a victim since the man looked capable of killing him and hiding his body from the law to not be criminal.

Uncle Hades raised a brow and from the corner of his eyes, he saw Bianca bite her lip to stifle a laugh. She was going to get it when they leave.

"I see. It's a shame that my daughter did not inform me of such matters." He looked towards Bianca, who looked down at her food. "Please, boy. Have whatever you like today. It's been years since I've seen your face and I do owe your father the hospitality towards you."

After that, silence took over. Uncle Hades went back to eating and so did everyone else. Nico finished first and excused himself in a simple nod. Hazel went after him, finishing her meal and curtseying towards her dad. Percy didn't have an appetite after the talk so Uncle Hades went next, bidding them goodbye. Bianca had already finished but stayed until Percy told her he couldn't eat anymore.

"The food was so-so." Percy muttered as if it was a compliment.

They were in Bianca's room since it was the only place Percy felt that he could fill better in. He sat on her bed with crossed legs, looking at Bianca as she was brushing her hair by the mirror. It was then that Percy noticed how beautifully silky her hair was, shinning dark brown that made his heart flutter for a millisecond.

It was weird, this feeling. It was unfamiliar yet comforting. This made him remember his time with Calypso and how she made him happy. But Calypso was a different case. She was special and Bianca was just a distant relative.

"Considering you probably live in a common home, I doubt it was "so-so", Percy. At least be truthful to me." Bianca said.

She had put her comb down, looking at him in the mirror with her black eyes. The Di Angelos really did resemble each other, but Bianca's were different. Her eyes were full of life and hope, and a tinge of independence. He liked independent girls— no. Not a good way of thinking.

"Being honest to someone I only just met is ridiculous and stupid." Percy muttered.

"But I'm not a stranger, am I? We've known each other since we were young. For Hades' sake, you didn't even think of me as dangerous when I offered you to come here." Bianca replied.

It was weird. Bianca was getting angry at him for not trusting her. In all Percy's years of being alone, people either tried and give up or just leave it alone. She was the first to actually care for his trust and her tone sounded like she was offended. Why?

"…Why? Why are you getting so mad about this? It's been years since we've seen each other. I don't even know you anymore!" Percy shouted, not liking the pain in his chest.

Bianca stood up, turning around to him with burning eyes. Suddenly, Percy felt small and different. He wasn't the Percy he was now, the mean and alone guy with no friends; he was the Percy from when he was a child, the one who loved everyone and everything. He was the Percy that was always terrified at upsetting or getting Bianca angry.

"Uh…B-Bianca?" Percy shuffled back on the bed.

In response, Bianca just walked up to him with clenched fists. As if it was like a distant dream, Percy thought about the time they went to his villa.

"Bianca…I'm sorry. I didn't…I didn't mean to hurt you." Percy muttered, holding his hands together.

Bianca was sniffling, wiping away tears. Percy knew what came next. Bianca was always like it. She would cry then get angry and hit him. His mom told him that she had Uncle Hades' anger issues and Percy always found that it was the only excuse. His father told him too that because he was the boy, it was his duty to stop making her cry and angry.

"I hate you!" Bianca cried out, hitting his shoulder.

For a child girl, she was really strong and it made him wince. Her words did hurt, like always but he knew better. He knew that she was just angry so he always hugged her like he did now.

"I'm sorry, Bianca. You're my best friend. Please don't cry. Please don't get angry." Percy whispered, rubbing her back.

Bianca had eventually stopped hitting him and returned the hug, hiding her face into his now soggy t-shirt.

"I don't want to be your best friend." She replied.

Waking from his daze, he found himself against the headboard with Bianca in front of him, sitting and covering her legs with her duvet. He saw her nose being red and her eyes being glassy. Her fists were still clenched and it pained him. Bianca was still the same Bianca from before. The same, easy-to-cry and innocent girl. Which is why, from his father's wish, he'll be the same Percy who comforted her.

"I want you to trust me, Percy. I know, I know. It's been too long to count for that we've been a part but…nothing's changed." Bianca told him.

Suddenly, he felt time go slow as he leaned over and wrapped his arms around her. Eyes of shock and familiarity as he looked down at her. He felt like crying too but he couldn't. He didn't show weakness, especially if Bianca needed someone who was strong. She was his best friend. He remembered that.

"Bianca…Please give me time—"

"I can't wait anymore, Percy! I waited for a year…I waited for nine more years after that, Percy. You didn't know, did you? You would have thought it was stupid anyways but it's real. It's different." Bianca gripped his shirt as she said this. "I don't want to wait for anything from you anymore."

Why? Why was she making all this his fault? How can she just turn his life into guilt for despairing hers? But if he hadn't met her today, he wouldn't have been better.

"Percy, I like you. I always have. Ever since we were five and I never stopped. Not even once did I consider dating anyone else because I knew you'd come back." Bianca let out a small sob.

Then, it all sank into him. He wanted to get angry, he wanted to tell her "no" but he couldn't shake the feeling. He couldn't dismiss the memories and joy. She didn't give up on him like anyone else, she still thought about him and after his rudeness and change, she still wanted him. He didn't like it at all. Especially after he built everything up to save himself the misery, two amazing girl came into his life.

"Please say something." Bianca said.

Saying things won't stop her from crying, especially if it came from his mouth. He'd probably say something he didn't mean or she'd misunderstand. So, taking on the quote of a famous man, "action speaks louder than words", Percy wiped her tears away and kissed her cheek.

It wasn't anything big but for Bianca and Percy, it meant more than just a kiss on the check. It meant acceptance and trust because it was their sign. It was their little secret code for trust. It was the signal that told her his feelings too. That it was okay, and it was. So Bianca's cried again but Percy didn't stop her. Tears of relief were always good.

~O.O~

It was late by the time Percy had gotten home. Of course he walked. He didn't want to take a ride because he wanted to know the way himself. Plus, it gave him time to think and to rest. He missed a day of school to go apply to help Nico and to finally patch things up with Bianca. But…he still couldn't get the fact that he kissed her cheek out of his mind.

"Goddamn it!" Percy shouted out loud and kicked a bin.

He then took a step back in fear as a cat hissed at him. Percy was scared of cats. It was a trauma he's had for years. He loved dogs but hated cats, mainly because they didn't like him.

Walking fast, Percy made it back in half an hour. His legs didn't ache. He built himself well for a long time. He always went swimming at a local pool and that kept his body fit. He's never stopped swimming, even after the past. It was the only thing that held him close to his parents and he'll never stop.

When he got home, he found Paul sleeping on the couch with two mugs. One was full of hot chocolate and the other was empty. There were sandwiches on the table. Paul must have waited for him to come back, like he always did when Percy wandered off. Sometimes it made him feel like an idiot but it was what he had to do. No regrets and no refunds. But he could be nice every once in a while…only when Paul wasn't conscious. He went up to his room and got a blanket to bring down for Paul. He ate a sandwich and took the mugs to wash.

As long as Paul didn't see him be nice, it was okay. As long as no one apart from Calypso and Bianca saw. It was good.

Yeah…You get where I'm going with this, right? :3

It's Percy x Bianca, only because…well, haven't you ever wondered? I hope I didn't put up a death flag for the poor girl. She needs a happy ending…

NOW. For what you've all been waiting for! The next chapter is finally the interaction between Percy and Annabeth. FINALLY! The Percabeth can again begin…but with interference…maybe?

And yes, people. I am a major fan of Percabeth but also, I like harems and shipping Percy with everyone. xD

I hope you liked this chapter, guys!

R&R

ThinkStupid (~.~)