A/N: Hello all my friends! Brand new chapter here! I feel bad for taking so long to post a new chapter although it use to take me forever to update. Just glad that I am not taking a month to post a new chapter now. Anyways, Thank you Mrs. Hutcherlark for giving me a name for this chapter. I couldn't think of anything. :D

Drowning In You
Chapter 5: Making The Moves On Nico

Nico slinked forward, dragging his feet sluggishly on the hard concrete ground, kicking rocks and watching them skid away as he waited for the girl behind him to hop onto the shiny purple bike she was rolling. He glanced over at her, his eye traveling up and down her body gently. He hoped she wouldn't notice his wandering eyes- He didn't want to give her any wrong ideas about what he thought of her. Nico was just wondering how she wasn't freezing to death. Annabeth was wearing a light pink pair of basketball shorts that were at least two sizes too big for her, a blue tank top with a front that was showing off quite a bit of her chest, and scuffed up old tennis shoes. Her shiny, blond hair was drawn up in a messy bun, secured on the back of her head by an elastic band. Blue eyes shined brightly as she glanced over at him with a quaint smile. He had to wonder how Percy ever left her to be with him. Annabeth was completely beautiful, smart, sweet, and athletic. She was utterly perfect. How was it possible?

"So…," Nico trailed off into nothing as he glanced over at Annabeth. She coasted up behind him casually shooting a bright smile, showing off part of her beautiful, white teeth.

"So…," Annabeth trailed off as well as a reply, laughing quietly to herself over the little joke. She didn't think things between her and Nico would be so completely awkward. It was as though ever single thought she had, every word she could speak, it all seemed to dissipate as she stared at the boy beside her. She had to admit it wasn't easy for her to come to terms with the fact that Nico had stolen her boyfriend. Percy had meant the world to her at the time; she would have done anything for him, but now he wasn't hers anymore.

Although Annabeth still felt a sting of jealously towards Nico she was willing to become friends with him. She wanted to become friends with him. Nico seemed like a great guy and she didn't want to reject him just because he had feelings for Percy. She could understand how Percy fell for Nico. Nico had so many great attributes; already he seemed nice, sweet, and polite. She knew he was smart due to the fact he got the best grade in math. She would never admit it to his face, but Nico was handsome. He had beautiful brown eyes that swirled with mystery and sadness, giving them that special glint that she had never seen in anyone else. His pale skin seemed to glow in the dim sunlight. He was quite tall, skinny, and graceful. It made perfect sense why Percy would chose Nico over her and she wasn't going to hold it against him.

"Nico, what's been going on with you lately? I kind of have that feeling that everything has changed quite a bit since that dance." Annabeth watched Nico's shoulders slightly move up and down. He looked as though someone had just run over his dog. There was obviously something wrong. Annabeth never expected Nico to look so sad at the mention of something that should have made him smile. Whenever she and Percy were together if someone asked about how she was doing she would automatically start talking about Percy, not begin sulking. Annabeth knew she should have stopped comparing herself and Percy to Nico and Percy, but she couldn't. It was like watching a remake of a movie with the same main actor, but different supporting actors. Maybe something had happened at home and that was why Nico was so upset.

"Well, you see me and Percy haven't been on very good terms, I guess you could say. You see my best friend from when I was younger came by and he went wild on me. I…. He thought I was coming onto my best friend or something and ran off. Actually I went to apologize to him right then." Nico shook his head gently, look so lost and heartbroken. At that moment she knew what Nico felt for Percy was true, just by the look on his face. Gazing into his eyes she could see the depth of his pain from the situation. Annabeth stopped for a moment, applying the brakes on her bike. Nico stopped as well, gazing back at her.

"That really doesn't sound like Percy. He never got jealous when I was around other guys and stuff." Nico swallowed harshly as he heard her talk like that. He figured she was going to be angry that Percy wasn't that caring about her.

Instead of yelling at him Annabeth once again smiled and then laughed. She figured if Nico was going to be upset than maybe she should try to cheer him up. "That's great! I would have loved to see Percy's jealous face. If it's anything like his angry face it would be great to see! I mean I imagine his face going completely blood red, his eyes all wide." Annabeth put her head down before snickering loudly at him. Nico once again shrugged, raising his eyebrows in a confused manner.

Annabeth seemed to lose it for a moment, ducking her head down low, and laughing lightly at him. "God, Nico, you have talented eyebrows. That just looks so amazing!"

At that moment Nico remembered something Percy had once said to him and now he knew it was true. Once upon a time Percy had told Nico that Annabeth's smile and laugh were infectious. They could spread like a virus. Now Nico knew that his boyfriend had been telling the utter truth. As the girl laughed Nico once again began laughing even though his eyebrows were the joke. At that moment it didn't matter. Her laugh became his laugh. As the two's laughter began to fade away they once again fell into that awkward silence. There was nothing left to say and nothing left to laugh about. They shot each other strange glances every once in a while, but for the time being that was all they could ever get out of each other. Nico wasn't sure how that silence had once again crept up on them but there it was. After what seemed like an eternity Annabeth stopped, coasting over to the curb and stopping her bike in front of a large white house. There was a long porch stretched out across the yard, wind chimes hanging loosely from the roof, jingling in the light breeze. Nico looked at each one of them, listen as they chimed together in sequence: of all colors, all shapes, all sounds. It was an amazing display to tell the truth. From his place on the side of the street Nico could see the plague on the door. He was quite sure he knew what the Greek letters read: Castellan.

"So, is this Luke's house?" Nico asked lightly. He wasn't sure how he was supposed to react to this situation. He didn't want to show Annabeth that he was still slightly upset with what Luke did, but he didn't want to come out as over joyed to be near someone who he was tormented by. There was nothing else to say. When he had to speak Nico made sure to keep his voice completely neutral.

"Yeah, this is it. Pretty nice place isn't it." Annabeth said brightly, although the sense of insecurity peaked through her façade. She wanted to be friends with Nico and being friends meant that she would be caring and wanting to help, but she didn't know how to treat this discomfort. He was shifting weakly on the sidewalk, maneuvering his weight from side to side. Annabeth reached upwards slightly before laying her hand gently on his shoulder. She didn't know how he would take the gesture: maybe it would be taken in a caring manner or maybe in an awkward manner. Annabeth waited for Nico to show some form of response. Slowly, he smiled back at her, those pale lips turning up in a bright smile.

"Well, I guess I better get goin.." Nico stopped short when the front door opened. His throat automatically constricted. The boy looked down at the two of them with his blue eyes slightly widened. His sandy blonde hair was swept back as he ran his fingers through his own hair. For a moment Luke just stood there when, suddenly, his eyes narrowed, showing that sneaky and devious gaze that Nico remembered so well. This time he didn't get the shivers he remembered so well, despite the fact that it was such an awful look. Nico was at least happy that that was gone.

"Hey, what's going on out here? Don't tell me you've been missing, Nico." Luke laughed loudly from his place on the porch before starting down the steps towards the two. Nico, who tensed the moment he saw Luke, loosened up slightly when he heard the mocking and joking tone in his voice. Luke trotted across the yard quickly, approaching them both before smacking Nico lightly on the shoulder and leaning over and placing a kiss on Annabeth's cheek.

"Well, I just…Um, I was walking around and found Annabeth, so I just decided to give her someone to talk to." Nico shrugged, trying his best to act as causal as possible, although he was sweating bullets and his throat was dry as cotton. Luke moved close to Nico leaning down in front of him with a straight face. He didn't say a single word to the boy and for a moment Nico believed Luke was angry with him for coming along. Suddenly, a full smile broke out across Luke's face and he laughed lightly.

"Since you're here, why not stay awhile? I and Annabeth were just going to hang out around the house. You could join us. It'll be great. Besides I still need to make it up to you after everything that…happened between us." Luke said the word "happened" as though there was something sour in his mouth. Shaking his head once more he backed up slight, eyeing the boy intensely. Nico wasn't sure if Luke really wanted him to stay or if the boy was just waiting for him to leave. Nico was about to decline the offer when Annabeth piped up.

"Nico that would be great! I want to get to know you better and this will be perfect. You and Luke can get to know each other, too." Nico listened to her before grimacing to himself. If only she knew how well they truly did know each other. From the way Annabeth was acting Nico came to the assumption that she had no idea about the times when Luke tormented him.

"Fine. I guess I could stay for a while." Nico said with defeat. In not time Annabeth grabbed Nico's hand and began dragging him up the porch steps, Luke lingering slightly behind them. Annabeth didn't wait for the other boy to give her permission before opening the door and stepping inside his house. The moment they were through the threshold Annabeth dropped Nico's hand. Nico looked around the house wearily. There was a clutter of random items clouding a small coffee table in the middle of the living room. A large brown sofa was placed in front of a TV, which was pressed against the front wall.

"Nice place." Nico muttered quietly before stepping further in the house.

Luke, who had now squeezed around Nico, nodded his head slightly. "Thanks."

"So, what are we doing first?" Nico asked quietly. He hated just standing around staring at the décor of Luke's house, but he wasn't about to start snooping through everything like some people would. Glancing between the two Nico watched Luke shrug his shoulders. Annabeth, on the other hand, had a completely different reaction.

"I know!" She said happily before rolling the backpack off her shoulders and laying it on the couch. Nico backed up slightly as the girl began pulling her shirt upwards, exposing her pale stomach. Luke watched in amusement at Nico's reaction.

"Come on, Annabeth. Nico didn't come her for a strip show. Besides I doubt even you could turn a gay guy on." Luke said as though it was an inside joke. Annabeth made a confused gesture by cocking her head to the side. She glanced over at Nico, automatically noticing his discomfort. Dropping her shirt back over her stomach Annabeth laughed.

"Nico, calm down. I have a bathing suit on under this. There's a hot tub out back." Annabeth snickered lightly to herself as she watched Nico sigh and relax slightly. Luke, who was now doubling over with laughter, looked back at Nico.

"You want to come to?" Nico stared at Luke in surprise. He couldn't believe Luke was actually asking him to join the two. He figured Luke would have already shooed him out of the house.

"Well, umm…. I can't really. I mean I don't really have any swimming trunks and I need to get home soon. Do you all really want me to come with you? You and me- things might be kind of awkward. So.." Nico watched Luke shake his head slowly.

"Nico, are you really still afraid of me? I promise I won't do anything to you. I wouldn't do anything to you. I'm so, so sorry for before. I hurt you and still don't understand why I did that. I want to make it up to you, but I understand if you decide not to stay. I really like you, Nico, a lot. I really do. I want to know you and I hope we can become really good friends. If you decide you want to go I have an extra pair of swimming trunks. They maybe a little big, but it'll work I guess." Luke's gaze landed on the ground, actually looking quite disappointed.

Annabeth looked back and forth between the two of them. To tell the truth she knew Luke had done something to Nico, but she never knew exactly what it was. Appearently he did something awful, but Annabeth liked Luke a lot. They knew eachother when they were younger and they were best friends, but suddenly he changed and become angry and rude. At that point Annabeth left him and met Percy. Now that she was with him once more, Luke had made an utter turn around.

"Well, Nico, I would love it if you stay with us! I mean two is a pair, but three is a group!" Nico looked downwards towards the floor, feeling unsure about what he was going to do. Finally, with a sigh, he gave his answer.

"I guess I'll stay. What could it hurt?" Nico shrugged his shoulders. Luke nodded slightly and stood up before stalking down the hall way and into one of the rooms. He returned moments later, holding two pairs of swimming trunks.

"Here," Luke called as he tossed a pair of black swimming trunks at Nico, "You'll need these. You can change in the bathroom down the hall."

Nico nodded her head slowly, holding the black swimming trunks tightly in clenched hands as he started off down the hallway.

Once changed into his borrowed pair of swimming trunks Nico followed Luke, who had also changed in his bedroom, out onto the back porch. Over on the right side sat a hot tub with Annabeth already splashing around as though she was in heaven. Looking over at the two who were coming out of the house she waved her hand happily. Nico slightly waved back before watching the girl lean back in the water, dunking part of her face and hair into the liquid. When she sat back up she shook her head wildly, blond hair now a brown shade from the wetness. Luke climbed in first before Nico slide into the water as well.

"Wow, didn't think it would be a tight squeeze." Luke murmured as he over lapped his feet on top of Annabeth and Nico's. With all three of them in there was only a small area of room between them. With their legs stretched out everyone lay there feet on top of each other's. Nico thought it was a strange situation, but neither Luke nor Annabeth seemed to mind.

"I still don't understand why you two are letting me hang out with you and being so nice." Nico said after a minute.

Annabeth sighed playfully before rolling her eyes. "Listen to me Nico. I like you and I want to be friends with you. Don't act like it's weird. It's not. I just thought this would be a perfect way to start off a friendship. Luke doesn't seem to mind either."

Luke shook his head. "I don't mind. I actually want to be friends with you as well. Plus, like I said before, I need to make it up to you after what happened. What better way than with a hot tub?"

Nico was about to reply when Annabeth sighed dramatically, "Really you guys," She huffed suddenly, "What are you all talking about when you say what happened?! I want to know!"

Nico and Luke exchanged glance, a understanding passing between them.

"It doesn't matter now. It's over and done with. No reason to spoil everything by bringing up bad memories." Nico said as Luke nodded in agreement with his statement.

"Well, speaking of what happened, I have a question to ask you Nico. Did Percy ever tell you how he beat the crap out of me in gym class for it?" Luke raised his eyebrows at Nico. Nico shook his head no. "Oh, then let me tell you all about it."

Nico shifted next to Luke, gliding slightly through the water and moving to the right side towards the other boy. Nico had to admit he was interested in what Luke had to say. He knew Percy had jumped on Luke after what he did, but he had never known to what extent Luke had been beaten. Leaning over to the side Nico lingered near Luke, moving his head next to the boy's shoulder.

"Percy literally jumped right on top of me and started pounding his fist into my face and I was just like oh fuck!" Luke laughed lightly at his own statement before he leaned over to look at Nico, his face inches from the other boy's, "I believe if he saw me with you I would be in that exact same situation right now."

Nico laughed nervously as Luke moved away again. He didn't know if Luke was just being friendly or if it was something else. If it was just a sense of friendliness then he prayed the boy would soon learn how to be more respectful of other's personal space and how to not cross the boundaries. Nico shifted his shoulders back, letting the warm water roll across his body and release the tension. Suddenly, the water lapped high up against the hot tub's edge before settling once more. Nico, who had momentarily closed his eyes, opened them again to see a soaking wet Annabeth standing on the porch, water trickling down her body and pooling on the old wooden boards.

"Hey, were you going?" Nico asked politely. He still felt awkward about the whole situation and he definitely didn't want to be left alone in the hot tub with only Luke. The only reason he had agreed to come in was because Annabeth had asked him to. Annabeth had a special effect on him. She made him want to follow her orders, but this was just starting to become strange.

"Oh, I'm just going to the bathroom. I'll be back in a second." Annabeth smiled back at the two of them before scrunching up her face in a playful manner and walking away, drying her legs as she hopped along. Nico watched her shimmy through the back door before looking away. There was a silence that settled over the hot tub, leaving him and Luke waiting awkwardly. Nico laid his hands flat on the water, allowing the water to lap over the edges of his hands and his fingers to dance across the clear surfaced. Nico smiled to himself quaintly. He didn't notice the sapphire eyes that watched him intently. A breathless laugh left Luke's lips as he examined the boy.

Nico's eyes tore away from the water and squinted as he stared back at Luke. "What?"

"Nothing, it's just…. You're so… you. There's something about you: the way you move, the way you talk, the way you look when you get interested in something. Whenever you see something that catches your attention your eye shine so bright and you get seemed so engrossed in it, almost as though you're in a trance. I've never seen anyone like you. You're special Nico and don't forget that. Don't anyone tell you that you're not good enough. Don't let anyone take that shine away from you. Even if people treat you like you're worthless just remember you're worth more than gold." Luke smiled brightly before laughing once more and turning away.

Nico sat there silently for a moment before facing the other direction. He didn't know what to say but he hated the way he was blushing so bad from that one little comment. Beside the fact that Luke had just told him how special he was Nico didn't like that look in his eye- like he had found a diamond in the ruff. Nico didn't feel anything for Luke, nothing at all, but that compliment just made him feel good. Turning back around Nico gave a strangled gasp. Luke had moved over quite a bit and was now inches away from Nico. Nico's stomach twisted in a knot as Luke's fingers slightly brush against his outer thigh.