Drowning In You
Chapter 13: The Point of Retreat

A/N: Hey you guys! I know it's been a while since I have updated and I'm sorry about that. Everything is crazy right now with the end of the school year coming up. Can't wait to get away from that place. June 5th and then I am out of there and writing my heart out! Anyways, I hope you all really enjoy this chapter and please leave a comment or a favorite. I'm so, so, so happy with all the positive feedback that I am getting from this story. It really warms my heart to know how much y'all like my fan fiction. I've always wanted to be an author and just seeing how much everyone likes my writing and how positive everyone is really makes me feel like I have a chance to make this my future career. I know y'all probably don't care about all this, but I just can't stress enough how much everyone who reads means to me and how much I appreciate all of you. Thank you so, so, so, so much for reading and I hope you have a beautiful, amazing, awesome day! :D See ya next time!

Nico huffed lightly as he tore a bag of chips from his locker, slamming the door harshly with a gruff curse. From his action earlier, Nico had spent the entire day in detention, copying sentences from the marker board and being screamed at every time he decided to make a paper wad and chuck it at Thalia, who was also placed in detention for cursing out the social studies teacher. Now, all classes being over and the final bell having already rung, he was running late and starving. Jogging down the hallway, turning the corner, Nico dipped the chip bag backwards and allow the BLT flavored chips to slid into his mouth.

"I love that kind." A voice said sheepishly.

Nico jerked to a stop, nearly dropping the bag to the floor. He hadn't expected anyone to still be at school other than the swimming team who practiced from 3:30 to 5:00 (which Nico knew because of all the times he had wait for Percy afterwards). It wasn't like he knew that many people anyways, so the only two he could figure would be talking to him was Thalia or Percy (although that was highly unlikely). Instead, Leo surged up beside him, reaching over to the bag and tearing a chip out before Nico could protest. Looking at the other boy with distaste Nico clutched the bag to his chest, shaking his head at Leo before side stepping him. He didn't want to talk to him, not now or ever.

"Nico, listen to me," Leo called briskly before grabbing the other's arm and swinging him around, nearly knocking the wiry boy into a set of lockers. Nico gasped at the force as he didn't expect it. He stared at Leo with loathing as the boy began to speak again, "I never meant to make you angry and I hope I didn't cause any trouble with you or Percy and I am so, so, so sorry over what happened. It's not like I wanted you to find out how I felt or for you to reject me- I just felt so... I don't know!"

"You don't have to worry about causing trouble anymore, alright!" Nico hissed as he pushed Leo away, who gave a weak yelp. "Me and Percy broke up! He got mad at me over what happened and I went off! I shouldn't have! I'm a fucking idiot for it, but I did it! And now...now I lost the best fucking thing I have ever had!"

"W- What? So Percy broke up with you?" Leo stammered out, watching his friend with close eyes.

"Actually, I broke up with him! You caused him not to trust me! The only person I have ever actually loved has left me and he doesn't want me anymore because of what you did!" Nico cursed wildly. Before he could utter a single word, Leo moved forward, wrapping his arms harshly around Nico's shoulders.

"I'm so, so sorry. I never meant to take things that far." Leo muttered as he pressed his lips against Nico's neck softly before pulling away quickly. "I'll be sure to stop trying so hard from now on."

Nico nodded softly before pulling away. "Anyways, why are you still here? I know you just came back to school and all, but I didn't think you would be in any clubs or after school programs already."

"Actually, I'm going to try out for the swim team." Leo tilted his head to the side as Nico's face dropped, not really understanding.

"So," Nico sighed weakly, "You plan on joining in at the end of the season. Really?"

"Well, back at my old school I was actually on the swim team. It's not really practical to who I am, but, you see, during the summer me and my mom spent so much time at the auto mechanics shop and after a while that was all I wanted to do. I've always loved building stuff and working on machines so it was just a perfect fit, but my mom got kind of worried after a while because I really wouldn't do anything else. Eventually when school started she told me I could either go try out for some other after school activity or I could stay out of the shop for a while. So, I choose swimming. It was actually really fun so I decided to just stay with it. Now, even though it's the end of the season, I still want to try out for the team. " Leo explained as he watched Nico's confusion disappeared.

"Oh, well I hope that goes well for you." Nico mumbled under his breath.

"Actually Nico, I was hoping you would go with me! I don't really know who the coach is anyways so I don't know who to talk to." Nico hesitated as Leo grabbed his hand, already pulling him forward.

"Well...I guess I could go. I mean it won't take to long will it?"

"Not at all. I just need to know who to talk to about joining the team. I hope he's not like one of those guys who freak out over every little thing that the team does wrong," Leo rolled his eyes as they walked on, "Oh! Your foot is in the wrong place! No! Your not suppose to breath like that! You know those kind of people, right?"

"Yeah, I really hate those kinds of guys. It's really stupid and I can't stand it."

"So, the coach isn't like that is he?" Leo asked softly.

"No he is the kind of guy who's favorite motto is survival of the fittest, but to be honest I don't think a 5' male could survive much." Nico whispered harshly to Leo under his breath. The other boy stiffened a laugh as they moved closer and into the gyms double doors. Automatically, Nico spotted the coach across the room.

"Come on ladies! Let move! Faster, faster!" The swimming coach barked as he held up the megaphone which wasn't really need considering all sound echoed in the gym, including the man's gruff commands towards the swimmers. Gleeson Hedge, the swimming and baseball coach as of two years prior, was dressed in his typical baseball cap, orange polo shirt, nylon workout pants, and white Nikes. The whistle that was constantly placed around his throat glimmered in the bright lights that hung above. Shaking his head, the wispy goatee that clung to his bottom chin swaying wildly, Coach Hedge looked ready to burst, which was also typical of the short tempered, eccentric man.

"Hedge, I don't think 'faster, faster' applies when drying off." Jason Grace snickered as he leaned over, allowing water to drain out of his blond hair. Nico couldn't help, but smile slightly. He had known that Jason was Thalia brother, but he had never actually talked to the boy, not until recently anyways. It was about two week ago when he had spoken to Jason Grace, the school's other golden boy (running beside Percy), for the first time. Nico had never expected to meet Jason when he came strolling up Thalia front drive, climbing up the porch, and knocking on the front door weakly. She had been quite sick lately and to be honest Nico was terrified for her. He knew she had a history of getting into trouble and he was really looking for an update on her health. The Grace's front door opened with a creek, revealing not Thalia, but a boy who opposed her. Looking at the boy and Thalia it would have been difficult to define that they were brother and sister. Thalia: Short ebony hair, a splash of freckles along her nose, and pale ivory skin. Jason: A bleach blond mane, tan skin, and completely perfect, although his only defect is the small scar that curves along his lower lip, which Nico found out afterwards was from a stapler he tried to swallow when he was two. Looking at the both of them there were only two things they had in common: They were both strikingly beautiful and they both had the same electric blue eyes that shone like the moon.

"Mouth off again and I'll smack you all the way to next week!" Hedge cried as he swung his megaphone in Jason's was. The blonde laughed lightly, his voice filling the empty gym like a chorus of bells.

"Um….Excuse me, coach Hedge. I just wanted to speak to you about a few things." Leo cried with an edge of dramatic enthusiasm as he bounded towards the shorter man. He spread his arms out in a regal manner, looking as though he was bowing before a king.

Hedge immediately turned back, taking in the boy's appearance and attitude with a second of registration. With a sniffle of distaste Hedge shook his head, "Who are you and what do you want?"

"Leo Lady-Killer Valdez is the name," He said snickering lightly before glancing over at Nico, winking obviously to the boy with a wicked smile, "But you can just call me Leo Valdez if you please and I was wondering if you have a place for me on your swim team..."

At that point, after laughing briskly at Leo's joke, Nico tuned out the rest of the conversation, his mind wandering as he scanned the gym. He glanced over at the bleachers with loathing, remembering all the times Percy and him had sat down on those exact seat, always in the front row at Percy insisting. The other had always wanted to get a good view. Every time, after every swim meet when Percy was done, they would sit down together and watch the rest of the swimmers compete. If Nico was luck enough when one of the other swimmers, ones that Percy was actually close to, Nico would be rewarded with a kiss of celebration, even when he had done nothing to deserve it. It was still a nice gesture, however.

Speaking of Percy, Nico's breath caught in his throat as he saw the boy across the gym, smiling as he smacked Jason in the shoulder, wishing him a loud goodbye before moving over to one of the swimming benches and taking out his tennis shoes from his bag. Nico glance over at him, hoping to catch the other's eye as he shook the water from his hair. With a look of near sadness, Percy stared at Nico, his face dropping to reveal a mask of pain below. After a moment of staring at each other in silence, Percy held up his hand motioning for Nico to move over towards him. Nico's chest clenched at the action, not knowing what to do exactly. He didn't want to even talk to Percy in fear of he might start getting emotional or even cry. He usually keep his emotions inside, but to be honest it was impossible for Nico to hide things from Percy.

Walking slowly towards his ex-boyfriend, Nico swallowed harshly trying to choke down the fear that rose in his throat. It was awful, the feeling of terror that gripped him. Moving around the pool, Nico was in front of Percy way sooner than he wanted to be.

"Hey..." Nico muttered weakly, not meeting the other's eyes.

"Hey, Nico!" Percy grinned cheerfully. Nico stumbled back, not really expecting the boy to be so willing to talk to him after what happened earlier that morning. "I just wanted to talk to you for a minute. It won't take long."

"Oh, a-alright?" Nico didn't mean for his words to sound so much like a question.

"Yeah, I was just wondering if I had left anything else at your house. You know, anything that I might need back or I could use. Since you had my jacket I figured I might have left something else at your house. Since I won't be over anymore, I figured I might as well ask you. I'm sorry if it's a bother, but I know I've brought stuff over to your house before and I probably left something there. Anyways, if you could-"

"No! There is nothing of yours over at my house! And stop talking to me! I don't want to listen to you anymore..." Nico voice wavered as he felt tears stinging his eyes. He hated to feel so weak over something that didn't matter. It was over and done with, but it stung like hell and Nico didn't know if he could deal with all of it at once.

"Nico, come on, it's..."

Before Percy could say anymore, Nico was gone, jogging down away down the pools edge and back towards Leo. His heart was pounding like a kick drum in his chest as he moved, beating so loud he was sure it was echoing through out the gym. Glancing back at the boy, Nico saw something in the other's eyes, flashing briskly before swimming away. It almost looked like pain.

Nico was about to turn back, to say something to Percy, to apologize, but suddenly his world turned up side down. With a moment's notice Nico was gone, his feet no longer on the floor. A stinging pain stabbed through his forehead as he found himself submerged in icy water, sinking below the surface as wave after wave of agony roared through him like a fire. Air bubbled up in his chest, leaving him as he lost his breath, feeling weaker and weaker by the second. Within moments, with the lack of air and engulfing ache that expanded through his mind and body, Nico's world was going black- fading into oblivion so quickly he couldn't even comprehend what had happened.

"Nico….Nico! Wake up, bro! Come on! Don't die on me now, friend!" Nico was stricken by the word "die" as he struggled to open his eyes. Even with thick eyelids holding away the bright lights of the gym and vivid colors of his surroundings Nico could feel them burning, as though someone had poured salt on his face. It was itching on his skin, in his skin, below his skin. Every part of him hurt, especially his head which felt like it had been run over by a freight a flicker of thick, dark lashes Nico peeled his eyes open, staring up at the two face that wavered over him: Leo and Jason. Both boys look fear stricken, eyes obscure by frightfulness and worry. Realizing that Nico was awake, Jason let out a deep breath, drawing a clean hand across his forehead as though to animate his relief.

"Oh, thank god! He's not dead!" Jason sat back on his heels, straightening his back and stretching lightly. He took a step backwards before letting out a deep breath, "I can't deal with this stress. I'm glad you're okay, Nico, but I'm done. I hope to see you later."

With that Jason turned on his heels, walking out of the gym silently, Nico's eyes locked onto his every movement.

"What happened?" Nico croaked as his fingers gently coasted upwards slinking across his forehead only to draw back, a splintering pain exploding through his mind. His groan echoed throughout the crowd.

"You almost drown." The words held an inch of harshness, although the warm, sugary voice overwhelmed any form of distaste. Nico's face jerked upwards, heat rising in his cheeks as the sound now registered in his mind, allowing him to know who that speech belonged to. Percy crouched next to Nico, lingering over the boy as though he was a mother bear protecting her cub. The sense of safety seemed to emanate off him in waves giving Nico enough courage and comfort to meet his eyes. A minute passed between them as no one dared to speak, tension now rising in the air.

"Hmmm…Valdez! You wanted to speak to me. Now get over here! I would actually like to go home at some point." Hedge huffed as he motioned Leo forward. Looking at him with questioning the boy followed, although as they were walking away Nico noted the way the coach turned back to him, giving a slight nod as though he understood what Nico wanted: To be alone.

As the two drifted awry, Nico glanced back at Percy, eyes scanning up the young teen's body, ghosting over every inch of his skin, every inch of perfect flesh that was outlined underneath the waterlogged t-shirt. Already Nico had begun to miss the scent of chlorine that seemed to waver from Percy body as though it was cologne and the faded t-shirts that seemed to leach out color each time Percy went swimming. It hardly been a full day since Percy and Nico were officially over, but he could name at least thirty things that he missed from the other boy. It was awful to have such an ache for someone and to know that they just don't care anymore.

"So…" Nico trailed off as Percy wandered to the right side of the pool, grappling for his swimming bag and tennis shoes. "I almost drown."

"Yeah," The other said nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders as though it was no big deal, "You slid down and hit your head on the pools edge. You took a pretty clear dive after that. Luck you didn't hit the bottom of the pool or broke your neck on the ledge. I thought I told you before to be careful around the pool when the floor is wet. Remember that time you fell after my swim practice not too long ago? I nearly died myself."

"Yeah, I took a really nasty fall that time." Nico muttered weakly with a tone of depression in his voice, " I didn't mean to give you all a scare…"

"It's no problem."

"Yeah, no problem." Nico whispered out with a huff of breath. Picking up on the boy's irritation (like always) Percy whirled around, staring at the small boy. As though it was an instinct, which it kind of was, Percy pulled out his jacket from his swim bag and wrapped it tenderly around Nico's small, trembling shoulders, water automatically seeping through the old seams. Nico immediately responded, tucking his hands deeper inside the fabric and pulling it around him.

"I hope that's better." Percy murmured as though he expected Nico to start complaining.

"It is. So much better," Nico forced the cloth to his nose and face, allowing the tender patch to sooth his aching skin, although the pain was completely in his mind. Nether less, it numbed the hurt. " Percy, who was the one who pulled me out of the water?"

"Who do you think?" The other boy retorted snidely as he flopped down beside Nico on the tile floor, hanging his feet over the edge and into the sparkling water, "I did. My mind automatically went into overdrive when you fell, like always. I have that need, that will to protect you. I mean it's where I'm still in love with you I guess."

Nico perked up instantly, "You still love me? I thought you fucking hated me!"

"I do!" Percy hissed, "But, I still love you. It's going to take me forever to get over you. You're the boy I love and now that I'm losing you- I'm having a hard time letting go."

"Then don't. To be honest I'm pretty obsessed with you. I thought about you all last night. All this morning. If you want to know all of it then I guess I might as well admit that I also slept in your jacket because…well.. …...i wanted to be close to you. I want you back. I know I over reacted and I know that that was so wrong. I'm so, so, so sorry and I just want you to forgive me. That's all I want."

"Nico, I still love you and I've been missing you too, but I don't want you back. If you're going to be like that all the time and not trust me or if… if I can't trust you then I don't want to go through all that again."

Nico clenched his knuckles tightly around the sleeves of the over sized jacket, biting his lower lip as curses slipped out amid his pain, "It's not my fault you don't trust me. I never did anything. I tried to explain this to you before. I'm just friends with Leo. I'm just friends with Luke. I know some strange, fucked up stuff is going on between all of us right now, but you're the only one I truly want to make happy. I would love to keep Luke around, even after all the shit he has done before, and I definitely don't want to lose Leo because he has been my friend for the last...I don't know five years...seven years...hell, I don't know how long it has been. That doesn't matter though. I've known Leo for so long and he's been such a good person to me and a lifetime friend. Even though he means a lot to me, you mean so much more. I just want you, Percy. I just want you to forgive me. If we can't be together than...can we at least be friends?"

"Well," Percy raised his eyebrow, thinking hard over what he was about to say. Fear clenched his chest as he wondered if he could be around Nico and mange to not fall for him again. "I guess we could give it a try. I mean what could it hurt?"

"Perfect!" Nico cried as he grinned wildly. His eyes shone with that spark of admire and desire. Percy's lips parted tenderly as he took in Nico's face: those dark eyes shimmering with enjoyment, thick black locks coasting over his face, the thin grin that formed at the base of his coral pink lips. Ghosting his way downwards, watching him with the eyes of a hawk, Percy glanced at Nico's chest. Even with the jacket covering him Percy could see the tight fitting black t-shirt below. Now, with water weighing it down, the shirt was plastered to the boy's stomach, showing every form of his chest and shoulders while outlining his collarbone and belly button. The shape, the softness, the closeness of Nico was so familiar to Percy, like the other was a part of him.

"I...I just want to do something first...," Percy muttered in a near inaudible voice. Moving closer to the other boy, Percy leaned forward, tasting the tender breath that slurred against his skin and taking in the deep, fantastic scent of Nico's cologne, "Just one...final kiss."

Before Nico could stammer out a reply, Percy covered Nico's lips with his own. The sweetness of that one action spread between the both of them. Percy could taste something salty on Nico's lips, giving the kiss a spice of oddness that was unnecessary, but definitely not frowned upon. Percy gently glide his lips along the other's, causing Nico to part his own. Ever so softly, Percy pushed his tongue between the boy's lips, lapping against every inch of the other's mouth. It was a soft action, bring upon a wave of emotions that Percy wasn't prepared for. He wasn't ready. It hit him like a tidal wave- all his want, all his need, all his pain. Everything came crashing down. Tucking one arm around Nico's waist, Percy pulled him closer, dragging the other boy into his lap.

A heat rose in Percy's stomach, twisting like a tight knot. With tender hands he slowly slide both hands down the back of Nico jean, rubbing against his skin harshly. Nico let out a soft groan, the noise seeping out of his lips tensely. At that moment, Percy came back to his senses. His eyes slowly drifted open as he drew back from Nico. He gently detached his lips from the other boy as his ex-boyfriend stared down at him, eyes squinted as he looked confused.

"Percy?What..."

"Nico, we can't do this. But damn, that was one hell of a last kiss!" Percy laughed lightly as Nico began edging back off of his lap, an edge of disappointment and want shinning in his eyes. Swallowing his own hurt, Percy ran a soft hand through Nico's thick mane of black locks, watching as the boy smiled light to him.

"I guess it was." Nico winced lightly before grinning once more, trying to put on a brave front.

"Here," Percy huffed out as he clambered to his feet, offering Nico his other hand, "How about we get out of this place? I think you need a change of clothes."

Nico sniffled weak, whipping a few water droplets that dripped from his hair and down his cheek. He took Percy's hand softly as he stumbled, almost sliding down again. Percy let out a small cry, wrapping his arms around Nico's waist tightly in a protective manner as he drew the boy back, holding him plastered against his own chest.

"Be careful." Percy hissed out as he tenderly let go of Nico, making sure the boy could stand on his own two feet before actually letting him walk on his own. "You alright?"

"You know I am, but, now I believe would be the perfect time to leave."

"I agree." Percy nodded in his direction before wobbling away, trying not to fall down himself. Nico grinned weakly at the boy as he watched him leave, knowing that no one but Percy Jackson could make falling look so cute.