Okay, I think I'm gonna make this note short since GX already said what this intermission was for.

I'd like to say sorry for the readers who were expecting an update last week.
Things got a little busy at work and
I spent the weekend with GX, he just suddenly decided to drop by and spend the night over at my place.
( We live far apart, so something like this isn't usual and just happens once in a blue moon.)
As payback for leaving you hanging, here's a small flashback.
We decided to use two different songs for Nico and Percy's POV this time.

Thank you for the kudos, comments and the support! You guys are awesome
I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you enjoyed GX's.
Prepare tissues in case of feels.

Peace out!

ZR

P.S.

It's a little long, but there's a reason for it. We haven't really heard about Percy's perspective on things, so this is my take on it.

PERCY

STUTTER

Whoop! I cheered after hearing what Annabeth told me, cutting the air much to my dismay and causing her to laugh and slap my arm.

I gave my ex-girlfriend a grateful look, both of us grinning like crazy at the plan she told me.

It has been a few days since we got back from Tartarus. Now, you might think that all was fine and "dandy" with me and Annabeth after we came back, but it wasn't the same. She felt it and so did I. By the time we got out of the Pit, we had a mutual agreement to silently cut off the relationship. There was no words exchanged, but when we looked at each other while we were trapped in the elevator of doom fighting to keep the doors together we just realized that we were better off as best friends.

It still hurt that we ended our relationship together, but for some reason, we felt relieved. Not the relief that we get by coming out of an unhealthy relationship, but a sort of relief brought by enlightenment. I couldn't explain it properly in words, but I knew that it was there. Like the weight of the whole world lifted on our shoulders.

When Annabeth slept in Tartarus for the first time when we first met Bob and when I got riddled with curses from the arai and fell into a short coma, I felt wretched. If it wasn't for Nico, neither Annabeth nor I would have been alive.

At first I thought it was just the horrors brought by Tartarus, seeing Annabeth and the others dying in this quest got me waking up from my dreams in cold sweat. I didn't know if I could ever get some sleep again because I was afraid I'll dream about those again. I was wrong. Nothing was more terrifying than dreaming of Nico possibly having died in the jar, being alone in Tartarus and being alone without a sister (who died because of me). I'll always wake up crying thinking that it was the Fates' way to remind me how wretched I am. How I've wronged every person who offered their help to me, ditched them after I'm done asking for their help, that they should be the one getting all the credit and not me. The person I've wronged most was no other than Nico di Angelo.

After we got out of the Pit, I noticed that I was more aware of Nico. That I catch myself staring at him a lot longer than usual. I thought it was just guilt eating at me, that I want to set things right with him. That I want to go over and talk to him. To start over. To look at his eyes until I drown in it. To hold his hand... to kiss him.

That's when it hit me.

He meant so much more to me than anyone else. Admittedly, more than Annabeth. The guy was practically the reason why I got out of both wars alive and I'm a complete idiot for not realizing that sooner.

My thoughts were cut off when I saw the son of Hades himself start to make his way towards us like my thoughts were the ones responsible for calling him over. I felt my heart try to jump out of my chest at the sight of him. Holy Poseidon... what will I say? What if he notices? Should I tell him? No... that would be lame. What if he doesn't swing that way? That would be as awkward as Dionysus flashing his podex on us and telling us to kiss it.

Oh gods. He's coming nearer. Think of something, Jackson! I thought frantically, looking around for a way. A topic. Anything to talk about.

As usual, my mouth ran off before my brain could catch up."Hey, man" I said. "Annabeth just told me some good news. Sorry if I got a little loud." I instinctively looked at Annabeth for help. I didn't know how to explain it. It would sound lame and un-cool if I accidentally say "Hey, did you know that I decided to go to college so I could at least be worth it to date you?" How about a no? Even I wouldn't date myself if I say that.

"We're going to spend our senior year together," Annabeth started explaining. We figured I'd have a higher chance entering college if she helps me with my studies and help me become a Marine Biologist (or something else that has something to do with water)."Here in New York. And after graduation -"

"College in New Rome!" I pumped my fist like I was blowing a truck horn. "Four years with no monsters to fight, no battles, no stupid prophecies. Just me and Annabeth, getting our degrees, hanging out at cafes, enjoying California -"

"And after that... " Annabeth kissed me on the cheek - a friendly one like a sibling's-, effectively stopping me from possibly saying something that would reveal my plans. "Well, Reyna and Frank said we could live in New Rome as long as we like." It was a little weird being kissed like that after the break-up, but I was too excited to finally be able to live a good normal teenage life.

Knowing Nico has a sister in Camp Jupiter and he would probably stay there, I could probably focus on building up my relationship with him again, at least try to bring it back to how we were before Bianca died.

"That's great" Nico said, smiling a little. "I'm staying too, here at Camp Half-Blood."

That statement lit up an excited fire in me. More time to spend with him, then. "Awesome!"

I looked at him, studying his face for a while - his deep black eyes, his small but genuine smile, his messy black curls that are in much need of a haircut. Somehow, Nico di Angelo seemed like a regular guy now, not a child of Hades that needs to be feared. Not someone who should be isolated or pushed away.

I felt my heart do skip after skip, finding myself becoming lost in his eyes the more I stare at it. This is bad. He might notice-

"So," Nico started, pulling his gaze away from me, making me feel a little disappointed and embarrassed for being caught staring, "since we're going to be spending at least a year seeing each other at camp, I think I should clear the air."

My smile wavered at the words he said. Oh crap. Did he notice? Oh, great, Jackson! Way to go, numbnuts. "What do you mean?"

"For a long time," Nico said, "I had a crush on you. I just wanted you to know."

I looked at Nico dumbfounded. Holy Poseidon. Did I hear that right? The person I like just confessed to me. I looked at Annabeth, checking if I did hear it right or if my brain is playing tricks on me.

She looked at me with her gray eyes sparkling bright and gave me Nico a smile.

"You-" I started. Oh gods. What do I say? I'm not ready for this! I'm not expecting that Nico would be liking me back like this.

"Yeah," Nico said, "You're a great person. But I'm over that. I'm happy for you guys."

I felt my heart stop for a whole other reason. What...?

"You... so you mean -"

"Right."

I looked at Annabeth again, this time her face turning a little stunned. Okay, this is getting too quick for me to catch up. Is he dumping me?

Too messed up to have my brain function properly, I gave up trying to match Nico's train of thought. Back up, please. "Wait," I said, hoping that desperation wasn't present in my voice that time. "So you mean -"

"Right." He said again. "But it's cool. We're cool." He shrugged. No, we're not. I like you. "I mean, I see now... you're cute, but you're not my type."

Then I heard my heart plummet down the ground with a deafening crack. Felt like my heart was stomped over and over again as the words replayed again and again in my head. "Not you type... wait, so -"

"See you around, Percy" he said, turning to Annabeth to greet her bye. I saw her hold her hand up for a high five - I didn't know why but it was probably for having the guts to tell a person you like them, something I didn't have .

Nico obliged, then he walked back to where Will Solace was waiting for him, smiling and waving at him when he got closer.

I was going to confess to him, tell him I was sorry, tell him thank you. Tell him everything... tell him I like him. But it was too late.

For once, I was at a loss for words.

I couldn't breathe.

"Hey, man. Are you listening to me?" I heard Jason ask me while we walked around camp.

The next two days were a complete mess. I wasn't able to sleep at all the past nights, even going so far as to lie down the cold floor just to get sleep to come to me. It was no use. Every time I close my eyes I just keep seeing Nico's face, I keep hearing the words over and over again.

I looked up to Jason, noticing how his expression turned worried. This isn't good. I'm not being myself. I'm supposed to be helping get things back together right now, get things right. But I just can't focus on anyone else but Nico like my ADHD mind suddenly liked to function properly and filled itself with thoughts of him.

He said he liked me. With a "d". Past tense. What did that mean? Why haven't I realized it? Was it because I was busy trying to hide my own feelings for him? I found myself wanting to laugh at that. Wow. All this time I thought he hated me to the bone.

Now my brain decided to rewind and backtrack every memory I have of Nico, the way he asked if Annabeth was my girlfriend, the way he constantly rattled on an on with Mythomagic, when he had me promise to protect Bianca, when Nico revealed himself as a son of Hades just to get us out of the Labyrinth alive, when he was the one who suggested I try the Curse of Achilles so we could win the war. When he was the one who found me when I was lost. When he promised to lead everyone to the Doors of Death. All of those things... he did because he liked me, and there I was, focused on no one but Annabeth.

I smiled dryly at the feeling of my heart being shattered to pieces again. I'm becoming a masochist.

"Perce, are you sure you're okay?" Jason decided to shake me out of my thoughts, his tone taking in a whole new level of worry from the worry book.

I nodded. "Yeah, man" I tried to act normally. How do I even act normally? It feels all unnatural. "I-I'm fine. Just couldn't sleep properly."

"Nightmares?" he asked.

You could say that. Constantly thinking why Nico said those things and thinking where I went wrong and how I could have stopped it from happening... stopped him from turning towards Will Solace but instead of being with me. It was a living nightmare. "Yeah." I answered honestly. "It's nothing, really."

I tried for another smile, this time a little more genuine than I expected. Jason is a great guy, a full-fledged best friend and a really great listener. I was glad he was there with me while Annabeth and I try to lessen our time together now that we're just friends.

The moment I looked up to the direction of the strawberry fields, I noticed Nico and Will walking around camp, talking animatedly and looking like they're having a great time. I wondered how it would feel like walking beside Nico, talking like that with him over something we're both interested in. Stealing glances and bumping shoulders while we do.

My heart lurched from my chest when I saw Nico look my way, the smile on his face looking like he was teasing me. What a cruel joke... is this his way of torturing me? Knowing that after saying he liked me that I'll just end up thinking more and more about him, making me come crawling towards him.

I grit my teeth in annoyance. No. Nico isn't like that. He never was. This was just my bitterness making me think that he could do that. I tried to look back, let myself get hurt at knowing that all I could ever do was fantasize, but I couldn't do it. I felt... jealous. This is insane. This isn't me. What am I doing?

I turned to walk away, ignoring Jason's calls for me to come back. I stopped when I felt him jog beside me and grab my arm.

"Percy, you've been acting weird whenever-" he started but stopped. He must have noticed how I look like. "Dude, why are you crying?" he asked in a panicked tone.

What?

I reached up and really did feel my fingers return damp. Oh, great. I'm becoming weird. Why am I crying over this?

"It's Nico, isn't it?" he asked.

"Wow." I said, not surprised to see him be quick about it. Am I that obvious? Then why didn't Nico notice it. Shut up. "Is it that surprising?" I asked, wiping my eyes. I noticed Jason give a look that was close to recognition and hurt. "That I like a dude?" I give up. No use hiding it.

"What about Annabeth?" he asked.

I shrugged. Oh, right. They didn't know about us. We never told anyone. "...we broke up. Tartarus." I whispered. "I kept thinking about Nico. Annabeth knew."

I told Jason everything. The more I told him, the more I felt relieved and constricted at the same time.

Contrary to popular belief, realizing that I have feelings for Nico didn't make things easier for me. If anything, it made me more bitter and angry. There's really no one to blame here but me. I should have realized things sooner, maybe if I said it seconds before, things would have changed.

I'd be the one with him right now. I'll be the one walking beside him. Laughing with him. Spending time with him. I laughed again.

This is impossible. I'm living in my own fantasies. I'm getting desperate, even. I'd give everything just to have that sort of attention from him.

"Come on, I need a sparring partner" I said. I need to clear my head.

Turns out the spar was all I needed to clear my head off of Nico. At least just enough to get me functional again.

The next day I found myself becoming a little more focused. I managed to lend a hand in camp renovation from morning until noon, helped in building a few cabins and showing one or two Roman kids around the place.

Despite the personal dilemma I'm going through seeing Nico and Will together most of the time, I was surprised that I didn't notice how rowdy both camps were. I didn't expect it that Romans and Greeks together could live peacefully like this, purple and orange together at one camp. I found myself grinning at remembering how Chiron and Reyna announced the re-opening of the training grounds and the special game of Capture the Flag in honor of the Romans being our guests.

The announcement lifted my spirits a little more. Maybe tonight Nico would like to join in now that he said he'll be staying in as a regular camper. I could help him with a few moves this afternoon. It would probably be a good time to start making things right. If he doesn't like me anymore, then I guess starting out as friends wouldn't hurt.

Afternoon came, campers began ditching off their duties. It's training session, who wouldn't want a bit of normalcy back in their lives?

Being a head councilor and a praetor made me some sort of ambassador for both camps and the others decided not to allow me and Jason to take sides before the games, so it pretty much made us wild cards and all-around trainers for now.

I was teaching a few Roman kids some Greek-style moves when I saw Nico walk into the training grounds with Will. They looked like they were enjoying. I felt my chest do a little jumping jack at seeing him smile genuinely like that. But to someone else. I shake my head at the thought. Nothing's going to change if I just stay here and do nothing.

Maybe now's my chance.

I straightened up and excused myself, picking up Riptide and heading over towards Nico. I felt a little out of place... like a third wheel or an unwanted visitor, but I steeled myself for it. Don't stutter. Don't stutter. I repeated over and over in my head. My heart was pumping against my ribcage, aching like a set of hot pokers were being thrust in it one at a time when I saw how Nico looked like he was ready to run away. Great... now he probably thinks I'm a stalker.

"Nico," I started, trying to keep my voice from cracking. It was the first time I called his name again after the whole incident. It felt familiar and foreign to me at the same time. "It's the first time I've seen you set foot in the training fields..."

Then I saw his eyes turn hard on me like I said something that offended him. "Oh, am I not allowed?"

The words stung me like the air in Tartarus. I might have hurt Nico, but this hurt twice as much to be in the receiving end of it. Face it. He doesn't want you anymore so stop pushing yourself into him. He never did. He never will. Shut up.

I was supposed to back out, give him space, but my stubbornness refused to let me.

I swallowed back my nervousness, trying to act casual. Unfazed. Anything just to hide how I'm practically shivering from the cold stare he's giving me. "Uhm... anyway, since it's your first time joining camp activities and you don't know the rules. I figured we could s-spar?" I looked at him noticing the suspicious stare he was giving me. Is this really how low our relationship got? He won't even trust me anymore. "I'll teach you." I finished, a little hopeful that he'll say yes.

"It's good, man." Will interrupted, stepping a little closer to Nico and holding him close by the shoulder. Thump. No. Don't touch him. "We already agreed to be each other's partner. You can teach the newbies there. Pretty sure Nico knows how to swing his own sword." He shrugged.

I was stunned. I didn't know what else to say. I tried my best, but here I was blocked off not only by Nico, but by Will, too. Someone who shouldn't even be involved in this. I felt a little bit of anger start to swell in my chest for the son of Apollo. No. Not anger. More of jealousy.

How can someone Nico just started to hang out with be allowed to spend so much time with him, moreover stand so close. Like he knew Nico more than I did. Did you even notice he likes you, stupid? I felt my throat dry up. I tried to form a few more words. I didn't know what else to say or do to get out of this situation. Come on! Think! Something. Anything!

"Hey, seaweed brain! Mind giving a hand here?" Annabeth called out from afar.

"Y-yeah. Coming, Annabeth." I whispered as I stepped back. It was sick. I was finding relief from probably sending the wrong idea to Nico. That I'm still in a relationship and- Who are you kidding? The guy doesn't even know you like him. Quit being delusional.

I looked at the two one last time. I want to know what's going on with them. Are they dating? Is it because of Will that he dumped me? I want to know.

Dinner came in a little too fast. I couldn't do much in the training except for finding myself distracted by how Nico would sometimes end up laughing in enjoyment during the sparring matches. I couldn't help but feel guilt eat at me at wishing Nico could find that happiness with me instead of Will.

Throughout the training, I couldn't help but keep my eyes on Nico. The kid was surprisingly good handling a sword. With his hair tied back to show his face, I could see the perfection that was him. He was recovering beautifully, his cheeks are becoming a little more filled, not the sunken look it has since the war. He was having some of his pale skin color back than the ghostly green he had, his scars were starting to fade and his eyes looked more lively. Not the broken ones I saw when I looked at him back in Epirus. He was smiling, too.

I felt a sharp pang hit my heart.

I'd really give everything to always be with him. His attention, his touches, his smile. I'd give everything to live in a reality of being with him than fantasizing from afar.

I shuddered. I'm in too deep with him and I can't do anything to keep me from sinking under.

"Come on, man." Jason called over, tapping me on the shoulder and pulling me away from my thoughts. The hustle and bustle of campers falling in line by the hearth to make their offering to their godly parents rushing back to me.

Throughout the slow walk to the hearth, I could hear Jason begin to tell me about the day like I wasn't there with him to know what happened. I could hear what he was telling me, understand them but I wasn't much of in the mood to talk to him. Or anyone else. I'm torn. Confused... and aching. I know it's overdramatic, it's just been three days and I'm acting like a drama queen. But I need answers.

The hearth was now in front of me and I stared at it hard, almost glaring as if what I'm doing could actually draw out answers from it. I looked up a little and saw Lady Hestia tending to it. She smiled so kindly at me that it hurt, like she could tell what I'm going through right now.

Sorry, dad. But I really need answers.

I raised my plate by the hearth and scraped a good half of my beef brisket and mashed potatoes into the fire. I looked up and followed the sparks of fire fade into the sky.

Aphrodite, you said before that you'd make my love life interesting. Why are you doing this? Why can't I just have a piece of my life normally? If you're listening, help me.

Putting all my desperation into it, I felt a little better. It was as if I imagined that Aphrodite herself was listening. I was about to leave the hearth with a light heart and get ready for the war games tonight when I saw Nico and Will walk inside the mess hall. Laughing and teasing one another. Then the next thing happened, Will held his hand.

Feeling anger and hurt flare up inside me, I forgot everything else. I glared at my food. Suddenly I didn't have much of an appetite anymore. I'm tired of this. I'm tired of everything else around me. Forgetting manners, forgetting everything, I dumped the whole plate in the hearth, surprising everyone around me and earning a deadly look from Hestia. I looked up at the sky in anger, blaming the gods and cursing them for giving me a life of one living hell after another. Smite me if you want. I don't care anymore. If this is your doing then you're really doing a good job at it. Thanks.

"Percy!" Jason called out after me, grabbing me by the arm. "Where are you going?"

"I dunno. Just out of here" I only tugged my arm away and looked at him with a sarcastic smile. I couldn't breathe. I'm seeing red. "Food's not my type."

This is definitely not me. In most days, I would have been really excited in playing Capture the Flag, but instead here I was sitting down the bottom of the lake, staring at nothing but the darkness and the occasional fish that would see who's the lunatic sitting down the seabed. Scram! I said telepathically.

It was cold, but I couldn't care less. I just need a place to cool my head, but yeah, not helping, either. I'm too wrapped up with anger and hurt to care that the campers might be looking for me.

The next thing I know, I saw a couple of nymphs swim towards me, their beautiful blue eyes gleaming in the moonlight. I was about to ignore them but then an idea popped into my head. Something so dark and chilling it was a little amusing. Then I smiled a wicked smile, a little too mischievous for my liking. This isn't me, but I don't care. My brain's chewing at me. I'm not thinking straight. Drown these feelings. I don't know... Drown them. Drown him. I'm getting scared of these thoughts coming to me, like a whole new person was coming out of me. As scary as it might be, I can't help but feel a little sort of relief.

"Hey, you know Will Solace, right?" I asked them and they nodded with a giggle. "You can choose not to do this, but... how about going in for a swim with him? I'm sure he'll like it."

The next few days, probably a week, I didn't know. I let my negativity and bitterness take the better of me. It wanted out, so I just did what it wanted. It started with the innocent urge of wanting to at least disturb the two once in a while, the next thing I know when I saw Nico and Will take their usual walk by the garden while I was out walking Mrs. O'Leary out, I had an idea pop in my head.

"Hey, girl." I called out, rubbing her chin that was resting on top of my head. "How about you greet Nico? I'm sure he missed you." I smiled when I was given a deep and pleased bark. "Good girl." I said and patted her jaw. "Go play with them."

Then I let her loose, smiling a little while I watched her wreak havoc in the gardens and giving one nasty insult of taking a huge dump by the garden. I almost broke out laughing when I saw Will panic. I felt a sick feeling of relief build up in me, but quickly pushed it down when I felt a little guilty for having done it. Ohgods, I feel like a jerk. You are, you douchebag.

The next weeks I went on with the program, some of them small and unnoticeable, some of them a little more intentional. The one I liked most was when Will got sprayed on by the lake waters and ending up a spluttering mess. The one I hated most was when I left a banana peel in the middle of the mess hall, Will slipped but he ended up being caught by Nico in his arms. I did not like that. Not one bit. I ended up groaning and cursing in Greek much more than I imagined I could.

This is just driving me insane. Everything I do, everything I try to pull, the two just kept being together! I'm at my wit's end here.

Jason watched me walk back and forth the poop pile. He was busy cleaning the spear version of his weapon and right now he's looking more like an Amazonian Superman. "Dude, if you can't take it anymore then talk to Nico about it."

I groaned in frustration. I tried doing that. Didn't I tell him I tried everything? "I told you-"

"Nico has been chewing me out because of you. He's my best friend as much as you are and it's taking everything from me to not spill out anything." He said seriously, his hand not stopping in cleaning up the gleaming gold thing.

"Didn't I just tell you what he said? He doesn't like me anymore!" I reasoned out, running a hand on my hair. "If I say what I feel right now, what would that just make him feel like? Rebound?"

As much as I want to tell Nico my feelings for him, I'm still considering the stupid "3 month rule". I wanted to wait, but seeing how Nico and Will are becoming closer each passing day, I'm torn between considering Nico's feelings and mine. Heck, the guy isn't interested in me anymore!

"It's not rebound if you tell him the truth." He said.

"Oh, that "Nico, you've always been in my mind since I fell into the Pit. Romantic, right? Go out with me?' truth?"

"That you and Annabeth are through." He said deadpan.

"Oh, I can say that." I said.

This time, Jason floated down the pile of rocks. Damn him for looking perfect like that. "Percy, man, why don't you just admit it?"

"Admit what?" I shrugged. Here I go again. Denial. Denial in every step of the way. "That I like him? Yeah, sure. Were you listening to what I just said?"

"That you love him." he gave me a stern look. A brotherly and understanding one.

I turned to look away, feeling heat crawl up my cheeks at having someone else label my feelings for the son of Hades. I felt my heart thump loudly at that and my hands clench to a fist. This was just a crush, a simple case of puppy love... I should be able to move on, but why is it difficult?

"What do I have to put against Will anyway? He's good-looking. He's smart. He's cheerful. He's the manly man. The Adonis of the camp. He's Mr. Sunshine personified. He's the crowd favorite. He's a freaking Doctor Who, I'm -I don't know- a dodo bird or something next to him!" I groaned, my voice raising up in frustration and desperation one comparison after another. "He's... he's everything I'm not." I said in defeat.

I give up. There's no winning against him. He's someone who can give Nico what he needs. I should just back down and accept it. My chance with him was long gone.

I looked down, my vision went blurry. Oh man. Am I going to cry again? It sucks to have reality slapped at you by your own realization. I've gone way beyond desperation right now. I've sunk down to hopelessness. This was worse than any war I've been on. Jason rested a hand on my shoulder, shaking me from my thoughts.

"Dude, you have no idea how Nico told so much good things about you. He's the one who showed most faith to you when we didn't."

I smiled at that. It lifted me up. I was about to say something when we heard screaming and shouting all the way to the lake. "What's going on?" I asked Jason in alarm. The lake. Was a monster found there? No... something worse than that.

"Help! Somebody!" I heard a shout from afar.

"Will!" It was Nico's voice. I could recognize it from afar. I felt my blood run cold from the sound.

Drown them. Drown him.

"William!"

Shit!

Jason and I didn't need to look at each other. We sprinted to the lake. Panic rose through me. Memories, vague ones came rushing back to my head. In my time of anger, I said things to the nymphs. Jokes. All of them, but nymphs weren't known for their sense of sarcasm. Being the son of Poseidon, they grew protective of me. They'd do anything I told them even through passing. Oh gods. What did I just do?

"Move!" I said, pushing through the crowd with Jason behind me. Reaching the clearing, my eyes went wide at seeing Will sprawled on the beach coughing out water with Nico rubbing his shoulders and urging him to let it all out. He was okay.

Guilt came gnawing at me in the speed of light. "Oh gods. I didn't think they would actually do it." I muttered in horror, fingers running through my hair in shock. Shit! What was I thinking? Oh gods.

"What did you just say?" The murderous look Nico gave me fed my guilt faster than anything else could. I could feel his anger seeping through me. "You?" he stood up slowly. "You planned this?" It was an accident. I didn't mean it. It was something I said in passing. I was too stunned to move.

Everyone started backing up, most of them going away, but I was rooted on the spot lost in Nico's seething eyes. I've seen these eyes before. The time when I told him I failed to save Bianca. Anyone in their right minds wouldn't want to stick around with an angry son of Hades boring holes through them. "Perseus Jackson, do you even know what you just did?" he whispered, his voice with a deadly edge.

I would have bolted from fear, but anger got the best of me. I admit that it was an accident. I didn't mean for things to happen. I knew I should apologize, get down on my knees and beg, but this was the last straw. To be accused so easily like this. "So what if I did?" I asked, my voice rid of the fear I'm feeling inside.

Slap!

I stepped back, the stinging sensation on my face jolting up my head and down my whole body and my eyes wide with shock when I felt his hand hit my cheek.

"You... are the lowest, most despicable person I laid my eyes on!" Nico shouted. "What did Will ever do to you?!"

I felt something snap inside me. The words rang on my head over and over, like a broken record. I couldn't say anything. I was wrong, I know it. I'm guilty. There. But it hurts to be called that. "...I hate it." I whispered.

"What?"

I felt my resolve build up inside me like a dam. The feeling similar to the one back in Tartarus came, tugging at my gut. It wasn't because I wanted to kill someone. I already know that. It was anger. Anger at the gods. Anger at everyone else. Anger at me. I've had enough being played around by everything around me. If this was some kind of reality TV, count me out. "...I hate it that you're with him all the time. You're not being fair, Nico." I said, straightening up and ignoring the pain on my cheek.

This time it was Nico's turn to be stunned. He opened his mouth to speak, but I beat him to it. "I did the pranks! I admit that, but it's not fair that you accuse me of something so quickly!" I let my emotions get the best of me. I don't know what I'm saying, but Piper said this is what love is. Emotion. Not rationality.

"W-why?" he stuttered, completely shocked to hear me say something not like me.

"Have you ever stopped and think, that maybe I liked you back? That maybe I would have wanted to say something before you left me out there hanging?" I croaked, my voice is cracking now. I can tell I'm near tears. I can't breathe and I don't care if everybody is staring right now. "You told me those things and didn't even wait for what I will say. I was jealous that you were with Will. Since I got back from Tartarus, I wanted to tell you everything. Tell you I'm sorry. Tell you thank you. Tell you that you were always on my mind. I wanted to try, but you keep pushing me away. Acting like you hate being around me, hating me for things I wanted to make up for."

Nico was looking at me with wide eyes and everything around me went silent like the whole world went in mute. "You..." I breathed deeply, my voice already straining and shaky. My vision was blurry now and I'm fighting to keep myself from breaking down. I smiled dryly at the situation. Wow. It's true what Thanatos said... Love and Death are more similar that I imagined. Here I am saying these things, but I feel like dying right now.

"You told me that not giving someone a second thought could be dangerous." Nico was now staring at me with a look mirroring mine. "I realized that and it was the stupidest mistake I made in my entire life not noticing how you feel for me. You... said those things to me, to give everyone a second glance, but how come you can't do the same for me?"

"I wanted to tell you how I feel, but you gave me no chance to talk to you. Did you give up on me that much to not even listen to what I have to say?"

This time, Nico was the one who ran his fingers through his hair, despair and frustration marking his features. Everyone right now was forgotten, Will, Jason, the campers. Everything. "What sort of chance do you want with me, Percy?" he voiced out a little strongly, his accent laid thick with emotion. "What else could you possibly want?! I already gave you a lot and I got nothing in return!"

We're both desperate. I could feel it. I fought the urge to stutter or fail on my words. This was now or never. I stepped forward, my courage building up like never before. "You." I simply said. Nico stepped back. "I want you."

"W-what?" His eyebrows knitted together giving me a look of distrust and wariness, like what I said was just a big joke and an effort to make him hope again. Up until this point he refused to give in. I refuse to, either.

"You said you liked me, but you're over me now." I started. I searched his eyes. I didn't know what I wanted to see. Hesitation? Guilt? Anything. Anything that could tell me that what he said wasn't true. That everything wasn't over yet. All I saw was panic in his eyes. "If it's true that I have no more chance, tell me. Tell me you hate me and I'll back down. I won't bother you anymore."

This is it. My last card. I'm betting everything I have in this. I can't take it anymore. I need to know now. Because if I don't...

"Why?" he asked, eyes full of fearful hope.

I can't let go.

"I'm in love with you, Nico di Angelo."