A/N: Hello everyone! I'm sorry that this was late. I was trying to get it posted before the weekend was over, but yesterday before I could post this the electricity went out and I couldn't use me computer. It didn't come back on until about 9:00 pm today. I would have posted it if that hadn't happened. Once again I'm sorry. I also wanted to tell you all that I am going to start revising this fan fiction. So, after things might change through the story, but nothing major. I know you all probably don't care, but I just thought I would tell you all. Anyways, thank you all for reading. Please leave a comment after you read, I really appreciate it. Thank you all for checking out my fan fiction and have a great day!

Drowning In You
Chapter 7: Ti Amo

When Percy woke up on Saturday morning the guilt of missing Valentine's Day was still gnawing at him. He hated to think Nico was left out on this important holiday. After all the entire thing was inspired by love and this would be their first Valentine's Day together. The fact that he was now a few days late with his make-up gift made everything worse. Even though things were not going how he had planned Percy knew Nico would be surprised. Or, at least, Percy prayed that he would be surprised. He wanted to show the boy that he truly did care and want to treat him like a king (or maybe a queen). Slinking down to the couch, laying down and stretching out, Percy smirked to himself. He knew his mother and Paul had no idea that Nico was coming over, which made him feel a glint of guilt, but he wanted to do something special with the boy. He loved that Nico hadn't even mentioned the fact that he had forgotten Valentine's Day- That would make this even more satisfying and loving on Percy's part.

"Percy!" The call came from the kitchen. Dancing her way through the door Percy looked at his mother, a faint smile etching across his face. His mother seemed aged- not broken, just worn. Percy already knew why, one word; Gabe. Gabe was Percy's first step-father, who his mother kicked to the curb not to long before meeting Paul. Percy didn't really know what happened to Gabe- he could have been dead or alive, either way Percy didn't care. It was funny how things went from a living hell with Gabe to a paradise with Paul. At first Percy was weary of Paul, afraid it would develop into a similar situation like the one with Gabe. He was thanking god that that never happened. It was kind of like having two fathers and a mother; Sally, his actual father who barely came around due to him living half way around the country, and Paul.

"Paul and I are getting ready to leave. Are you sure your fine with staying by yourself? I know you stay home all the time, but well be back really late tonight." Sally leaned on the wall as she stared at her son, who was stretched out like a cat on the couch.

"Its fine, mom." Percy grinned as he shifted his shoulders back, knowing that Nico would be over in only a matter of hours, "I hope you two have a good time together."

"Percy, I know that smile," Sally said, her smile growing fainter, "Listen to me; no one is allowed to come over tonight. No one, not even Nico."

Percy tucked his head down as he grinned once more, shaking his head lightly. "Mom, you know me. I'm a good kid. I promise that I will not let anyone into the house. I promise that nothing will happen tonight."

Although Percy's mother believed him, she still had her doubts. All in all, Percy was a good kid, but when something tempted him he didn't think twice about it. Sometimes this scared her, thinking what would happen if someone offered Percy drugs and he wanted to try it. He was a perfect kid, but being naïve was one of his worst attributes. Sally shook her head, trying not to over think it. Walking forward, Sally stepped towards her son, taking hold of his hand and giving it a loving squeeze.

"Percy, pay attention this time, alright? I believe you. I know you'll be good, but if I find out that you disobeyed me, you're going to be in big trouble. I know you probably want to spend time with your boyfriend; however, it's not a wise decision to disobey me. So be good!," Sally ruffled his hair before moving away from him, waving a quick goodbye before ducking back into the kitchen. A moment later Paul stuck his head through the kitchen door.

"See you later, Percy. We'll be home late tonight so don't do anything stupid." Paul flashed him a breezy smile before moving through the kitchen as well, heading out the back door. That was one thing Percy liked about Paul; he was easy to get along with. He didn't force rules down Percy's throat or pressure him into doing this or that. Paul didn't really seem to care unless Percy did something that was worth the punishment.

The moment Percy heard the car engine drift off down the street he took out his cell phone. Percy did feel slight guilty over lying to his mother, but he wouldn't technically call it lying. He wasn't letting just anyone in the house, he was letting Nico in. Instead of nothing happening that night everything would happen. Percy wasn't lying- just stretching the truth. He knew it was wrong, but he would worry about that if his mother found out. Holding out his cell phone, Percy dialed Nico's number. He waited silently for the boy to answer, a smile etching across his face. After a moment the boy answered.

"Hello?" The sweet, angelic, Italian voice called on the other end. Percy's heart melted as he listened to Nico speak. He was definitely looking forward to spending some time with Nico; no distractions, no arguments, no Leo. It was definitely going to be a perfect day.

"Hey, Nico." Percy grinned to himself, anticipation already pooling in his body, "I was just wondering when you were coming over. I can't wait to see you. I can't wait for you to come over. I just want to talk to you, to hold you, to touch you. Maybe we could go back into my bedroom for a while. So, what do you say come over sooner that you said you were?"

"Actually Percy..." Nico paused on the other end. Immediately Percy stiffened as the boy hesitated, "I'm going to be over a little later than I expected."

"What? Why?" Percy whined weakly, irritation coursing through his mind.

"I know. I wanted to come over as quick as possible, but... my dad said that I have to...help Bianca clean up the basement."

"Oh, really?" Percy felt as though Nico wasn't telling him the whole truth, but he wouldn't question it . He didn't want to cause the boy to become upset if the accusation was wrong. "Sorry that you have to work all day. That must suck really bad. Why don't you just say to hell with it and leave the cleaning to your sister. I know Bianca wouldn't mind doing you this favor."

"I can't do that to Bianca. I know she wouldn't mind doing that for me, but I just can't do it. That's too much work for her to do one her own. I'm sorry, but as soon as I am finished I'll come directly over. I have to go right now and get started on cleaning the basement. See you later, Percy. Ti amo."Nico whispered lightly as he held the phone closer to the side of his face.

"I love you, too, Nico. Bye." Percy quickly hung up the phone before laying it beside him on the couch. He sighed to himself; wishing time would just fly by so Nico would be near him sooner. This is going to be a long day, Percy though as he leaned further back into the couch.

Nico slid his phone back into his pocket, sighing lightly to himself. He didn't like telling Percy things that he knew weren't true. His father had never told him and Bianca to clean the basement, but Nico need a good excuse. He didn't want to tell Percy that he was putting him off for Leo, but he wanted to spend time with his best friend. Him and Leo had barely spoken since boy arrived (this being partially Percy's fault) and it hurt him that he was sort of having to choose between his friend and his boyfriend. If Percy was going to go wild over the two hanging out together he would probably go wild over everyone else and Nico didn't think he could deal with that. He loved Percy with all his heart, but if the boy was going to be an asshole than it wasn't going to work out.

Pulling his jacket from the bed, Nico struggled to put it on his shoulders. Hugging the fabric of his aviator jacket to his body the boy sighed once more. He had a bad feeling that everything was going to become fuck up really fast. There was no reason for him to sneak behind Percy back, but he didn't want to piss the boy off. Stalking across the room, Nico headed down to the kitchen, grabbing the car keys from the counter as he walked by. Stepping out into the warm air Nico inhaled deeply before stepping into his car.

It only took him a few moments until he arrived at Leo's house. The boy was already waiting for him as he pulled up to the curb.

"Hello!" Leo cried brightly as he jumped into the car. The curly haired boy leaned further over than necessary, brushing his cheek against Nico's own as he invaded the boy's personal space. "So what have you been up to today?"

"Nothing really. I'm just going over to Percy's later, but I still have hours until I'm going over there so you I'm all yours for the afternoon." Nico smiled grimly, wondering what Percy would do while he wasn't there.

"Oh, you and your lover are going to have a magical night together," Leo said strangely, a hint of playfulness in his voice that was nearly over taken by bitterness. "That's just fucking fantastic!" The last part was whispered between clenched teeth as Leo ducked his head to the right, avoiding Nico's gaze.

"Hm?" Nico made a questioning noise that Leo couldn't help but grin at. The sweetness in that small gesture was nearly overwhelming. To Leo, Nico was the embodiment of adorable.

"Nothing, Nico." Leo said softly, "Let's get going, shall we?"

"Let's go." Nico nodded in agreement before peeling away from the curb.

"I haven't been to this place in forever! I mean look at it! I missed this place!" Leo cried as he bounded to the door of the small café, opening the door for Nico and allowing the boy to step inside first. Nico blushed lightly as he stepped passed the boy. Entering Clarisse's Café with Leo brought back a lot of memories. Nico use to come to the café with Leo and his mother all the time. It was fun when they were children; running through the café as Leo's mother laughed about it, begging for dessert after they ate lunch, sliding down under the tables and pretending to play fort, trading mythomagic cards with each other as they waited for their food. That was also the first time Nico even imagined liking Leo. It wasn't a direct feeling of affection, but it was enough to make his stomach flood with heat and become fuzzy. They were both eight years old at the time. Having just come from school Leo's mother agreed to take them to the café before dropping Nico off at home. The two boys had been enjoying there little game- running around, jumping across the table and swiping at each other, pretending to be ninjas. When Leo's mother asked them if they wanted dessert Leo automatically began screaming, "Mom, we have to get macaroons! Nico will love macaroons! He has to try them!"

Of course, following Leo's command, he decided to try one. When they received their treats Leo automatically came and sit beside Nico. It wasn't like Leo intended for it to cause Nico so many feelings, but in the end it left the boy reeling. Holding the snack before him Leo wrapped one arm around Nico's shoulders, squeezing him tightly before placing the raspberry flavored macaroon in his mouth. Nico swallowed the treated slowly, before looking at Leo's hand, which was now covered in the sweet filling from inside the dessert. Leo held up his hand once more and motioned for Nico to lick the filling off of them. Nico did as the boy wanted him to. Leo's mother, who was watching the boys with a smile, thought the little scene was cute, finding nothing unusual about the action. Once the cream was gone from Leo hands the boy bent over and kissed Nico on the top of the nose.

"You're so sweet." Leo giggled as he hugged Nico close to his chest. Nico still never figured out if the boy did so in an actual loving manner or if he just did it as a show of friendship. In the end, Nico didn't care. His heart was pounding the rest of the evening form that little scene and, to tell the truth, he loved that feeling.

Now, being back at the café with Leo all these years later, Nico felt his heart pounding viciously once more. He didn't know what the results of the day would be, but he had a feel something big was going to happen. Grabbing Leo's wrist, dragging the boy inside, Nico hauled him up to the counter, holding tightly to him due to a sudden urge he couldn't understand. The woman behind the counter looked at them strangely for a moment before brushing it off.

"May I help you young men today?" She asked sweetly, looking back and forth between the two of them.

"Umm…yeah, I'll have-", Nico started before a hands shot out in front of him, pushing over his mouth in a "shhh" motion. Nico looked at Leo curiously wondering why the boy had suddenly stopped him.

"You know what; I'll pay for it, alright. Just tell me what you want and it's yours." A confused look crossed Nico's face as he gazed up at Leo.

"N-no…" Nico mumbled unsurely, "I don't want you to pay for it. It's alright. I got money."

"No, Nico, I insist. I want to pay for it. This is my treat for you. Just tell me what you want Nico." Leo smiled down at the boy warmly before wrapping his arm around his friend's shoulder and squeezing him to his own side.

"Well… I guess you can. I'll just have what I always get; a-", Nico was once again cut of as Leo silenced him.

"Let me guess; a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle. That's what you use to ask for when we were kids so I assumed that's what you always order."

"Yeah, that's what I get. I figured you would have forgotten that by now." Nico muttered under his breath, blush creeping up on his cheeks.

"I remember, Nico. I remember everything about you." Rubbing Nico's shoulder gently, Leo patted him on the back, "Is that all you want?"

"Yeah, that's it." Nico smiled his blush worsening.

"Then how about you go and find us a table." Leo grinned back, eyes shining with adore. "I'll be over in a minute."

"Alright." Nico murmured as Leo's grin remained in place. Turning on his heels Nico made his way towards the first empty table he saw, positioned in the back of the café. He didn't know what to think anymore. Leo was treating him like they were dating, but the two of them were just friends. Nico didn't have feelings like that for Leo. Or did he? Sitting down stiffly, grabbing the table top harshly, Nico swallowed. He didn't know what to do anymore. He could cheat on Percy. He loved Percy, but Leo was so nice to him and treated him like a king. They had a history and that made them that more compatible. Shaking his head, Nico lay his face on the cold table. He didn't bother to see if anyone was staring at him or watching him. He didn't really care either. All he wanted was for the pounding head ach to cease.

A few minutes pasted before Nico's head shot up, surprised by the connection of skin against his own. Jerking up he gawked at Leo, almost as though he expected the boy not to come back. Brushing a string of hair away from his face Nico gave a bitter sigh, forcing himself to form a smile, keeping up the façade that he was desperately wanted Leo to believe.

"Hey, you alright?" Nico's eyed Leo with pain reflected on his face. The other boy stared right back, unsure what to do. Bumping Nico's side, Leo signaled for him to move over before sitting down beside him. "What's the matter?"

"Nothing..." Nico replied softly before glancing at the tray Leo was holding. Instead of one cup sitting on the tray there were two; one which Nico knew was his own and one that he assumed was Leo's. Leo, noticing the boy eyeing the drinks, took Nico's off the tray and handed it to him. The smaller boy stared into his glass, watching the foam swirl around on top of the thick brown liquid, "So, what did you get?"

Leo glanced over at him again, discomfort gleaming in his eyes, before holding out the cup, "It's a orange, mango smoothie. You want a taste?"

Offering the cup out to him, Leo watched as Nico leaned forward, placing his lips gently around the straw before sucking harshly. Through the straw you could see the thick yellowish orange liquid seeping up the tube, pouring into Nico's mouth. Pulling away tenderly Nico smacked his lips, enjoying the flavor that swirled around on his taste buds. "It's good." The boy offered.

"I also got these." Leo responded before holding out a small plate that sat on his tray. Laying on the plate there was a assortment of treats in all colors and shapes; yellow, purple, pink, brown, white, green, blue.

"You got macaroons. I love those."

"I know. You want one? Pick one." Leo said before holding out the tray for Nico. Nico choose one that was blue on one side and white on the other, filled with white cream in the center.

"What kind is this?" Nico wondered out loud.

"White chocolate." Leo said before picking the macaroon up off the tray. "Here, let me."

Nico already knew what Leo was planning and opened his mouth. Placing the treat in his mouth Nico couldn't help but laugh. Half the dessert tumbled from his mouth, dripping down the front of his shirt and falling to the floor. Leo, who now had cream splattered on his hand and shirt, laughed as well.

"That went better when we were kids." Leo giggled.

"Yeah, it sure did." Nico mumbled, whipping the crumbs from his face, "So, you still remember that when we were kids?"

"I sure do." Leo grinned broadly, "I also remember I kissed you."

"Yeah, that did happen I believ-" Before Nico could finish, Leo bent down, pushing him against the far side of the booth. Warm fingertips glided over Nico's soft skin as he held the boy down. Forcing his face upwards Leo pressed his lips harshly against Nico's. kissing him. There was a moment of struggle as Nico tried to get away, lips clapped tight together as Leo ghosted his tongue across their outline. Pulling back suddenly Leo gazed down at the boy who had slide down in the seat, looking frazzled and crumbled.

"Ti amo, Nico. Isn't that how you say I love you in Italian?" Leo looked down at the boy, waiting for a reply. In a hazy, shocked state, Nico nodded. "If that's the case then ti amo, Nico. I love you."