A/N: Hello there everyone! I hope you all are having a great day! I'm sorry that it took quite awhile to update this fan fiction. I've been really busy lately. Once again sorry! Anyways, thank you all for reading! Please leave a comment or a favorite.

Love Me Forever Or Love Me Never
Chapter 16: The Perfect Storm

Pain- not physical pain, not mental pain, but emotional pain. Every part of him hurt; his heart, his head. It was like someone had taken all of his hopes, his entry heart, and shattered it against the hard concrete street. Percy crossed his arms over his chest and rocked back and forth on his heels. That defenseless feeling over took him. He felt smaller- like an ant tromping in a world where everyone could crush him. There was a dead silence as the car engine faded in the distance just as another started up. Percy stared hazily through glazed, glassy eyes as the boy before him climbed into his car and peeled away from the curb. Nico didn't seem to notice him as he stood there silently. He was right in front of the boy yet he didn't see him. Standing on the sidewalk, weakly leaning against the fence that was lining someone's yard, Percy wondered what the hell had just happened. What happened to him and Nico being in love? How the fuck could he do that? He knew there had to be an explanation, there had to be a reason for Nico to be kissing that…. Whoever the fuck that guy was! He didn't want to accept it. He didn't want to believe that. He loved Nico. He wanted to be the one the boy counted on and trusted, but now….it was like the whole world was crashing down on him, the weight of the earth pounding against him.

The car rolled down the street slowly as Percy eyed the boy through the windshield. He was cute, Percy would admit it; curly black hair, beautiful brown eyes that shined with a childish light, pretty pale lips that formed a devious smile. He was lean, tall, and skinny. Thick black eyelashes casted delicate shadows down his face as he grinned to himself. Bile rose in Percy's throat as the car coasted up next to him. The boy behind the wheel gazed at him like he was a foreign creature from an alien planet. Sulking back against the fence Percy felt like a monster was looming over him, getting ready to devour him. It was as though a hand reached into his chest and squeezed his heart until it was about to burst. Walking briskly, Percy did his best to run away from the car. He wanted the boy to pass as quickly as logically possible.

Looking back Percy noticed the car was already down the street, fading out of sight quickly. Stopping quickly in his tracks, Percy grabbed the side of his head, pulling harshly at his hair until it was painful. The large box that was clasped in his arm fell to the ground, the lid popping off and the contents of the box bounced across the ground. He didn't think twice before reaching into his pocket and throwing the small box onto the ground. In an angry hazy he stomped the box, watching and listening as it crunched under his feet. He wasn't sure what sparked the sudden breakdown, but Percy cried out in anger.

His chest moved up and down erratically as he struggled to breath, coughing and gasping in heated anger. It wasn't until he doubled over, gagging as his throat began to ach that Percy realized he was crying. There was pain coursing through out his entire being. He had saw the whole scene with his own eyes, but he tried his best to find some other solution for why this happened. Nico jumping into another boy's arms, grabbing him and kissing him, hugging him, acting as though the two were together- he knew immediately that Nico must be cheating on him, but he didn't want to believe it. He wanted to just tell himself it wasn't true. It couldn't be true! He loved Nico. He truly loved the boy with all his heart!

Standing up slowly, knees quivering viciously, Percy swallowed the lump that formed in his throat, constricting his breathing. It took a moment for him to find a way to fuel out the rest of his anger. Before thinking about it, Percy slammed his fist into the wooden fence, listening as the wood cracked. He pulled away from it hazily, his heart still aching.

"Fuck! Fuck…" His voice rasping harshly as he covered his mouth, shoulders shaking.

Leaning over slowly Percy picked up the small box that he had crushed under his own boot. Holding it tightly in his hand, moving the dented lid out of the way, Percy gazed down at the small item enclosed inside. There, nuzzled in among the soft cloth that incased the outlining, Percy looked down at the tiny golden ring. He smile a sad bitter grin as he remembered the moment when he handed that skull ring to Nico that finalized the fact that they were both dating. He loved the look on Nico's face; scarlet red cheeks, eyes bright, brimming with tears. In a way Percy felt that that small plastic ring wasn't enough. Nico deserved something more, something that would prove just how much he cared for the boy. His shoulders tensed as he pulled golden, glistening ring out of the box. In the back there was engraved letters showing the extent of what he wanted to tell Nico. He read over the words, holding the ring gently as though it was the most precious item in the world.

"I will love you for all eternity. Nico and Percy."

It was words that he meant, words that left a warm fuzzy feeling in his heart. Percy slipped the tiny ring in his pocket, clutching his hand tightly over the item through his denim jeans, feeling as though the world was against him. Why would Nico do this to him? He didn't do anything wrong did he?

Shaking his head, Percy stepped over the larger box that lay spilled out across the ground. Candy had exploded out of the large red box, bouncing out across the cold concrete. He knew there was no way to savage the remains of his gift. Percy's heart hammered against his own ribs as he wrapped his arms tightly around his chest. He had actually looked forward to hand that small box to Nico, watching his face light up as he saw the ring with the engraved letters in the back. There was no way that was going to happen now.

Percy wasn't sure what to do with himself. He loved Nico, he wanted the boy to be his. He came over specifically to say goodbye to him and give the ring over. Everything was crashing down on top of him now. How could Nico do that to him?! How could he break his heart?! Percy had heard that karma was a bitch and always got you in the end. He knew now that those words were completely true. He was getting what he deserved after shunning Nico for all that time. He now understood why it was all coming down.

Or maybe it was all that boy's fault- the one that had drove by earlier. He bit his tongue harshly as he cursed silently under his breath. He then remember the conversation him and Thalia had had a while earlier. That must have been Leo. Clenching his hands tightly at his side Percy dug his finger nails into his palm, small traces of blood appearing on his hand. t belong to you." Percy called to no one as he once again slammed his fist into the wooden fence. There wasn't any other way for him to cope with the fact that Nico had hurt him in such a way.

Suddenly, there was a scuffling noise from the front door of the neighbor's house. The front door peeled open slowly as a older man stepped out of the house. He rearranged his glasses on his noise as he glanced out at Percy. "What are you doing, boy?! Stay away from my house!"

Percy swallowed harshly as the man began to hobble out of his house and towards him. With wide eyes, the boy tore away from the house, storming down the sidewalk. It wasn't exactly that he was afraid of the man, but he was afraid of the police who could be called by the man. Percy ran until his sweat began to run down his face and his heart was beating out of his chest. There was a moment of silence as he stopped to take a deep breath. He didn't know why he decided to take his anger out on the old man's fence, but now that he did get caught for it he felt as though he was a monster. How could he be so mean? Reaching up Percy wiped the perspiration of his eyebrow. He growled to himself as he once again thought of the angry old man who he had upset. Grabbing his t-shirt, Percy stretched it out, trying his best to get it to stop clinging to his chest. He didn't have time to worry about the old man anymore as he began to trek down the side walk. He had bigger fish to fry. If Nico was going to cheat on him, Percy was going to do the same. Time to fight fire with fire and let the perfect storm begin to brew.

Nico let out a strangled gasp as a cold hand trailed slowly down his pale skin, shaking him slightly. There was a red mark dashing across his snowy skin from where he had had his head placed against the car window. Sitting up straighter Nico looked out his window. The sky beyond the glass was an ashen gray color as the sun began to sink beyond the horizon. He didn't really know what time it was, but he knew it was getting pretty late in the day. He shook his head, desperate to get the hazy sleep out of his mind, as he rolled around in his seat. Bianca stared at her brother awkwardly.

"We're here." She piped up. Nico, who had been staring at the dash board, looked up through the window to find that his sister was telling the truth. There was a large, two story house lying out before them with a long porch and a wide front lawn. Nico rubbed his eyes slowly before pressing his hand against the door handle. Pushing on it harshly the door swung open, only to have Nico slide out of the car and tumble down onto the concrete driveway. There was an immediate scuffling as hand shot out and helped Nico back on his feet. Maria and Hades were both at his side with Bianca bringing up the rear as they pulled the boy from the driveway where he crumpled down. Worried calls and concerned faces flashed through Nico's line of sight as everyone surrounded him, wanting to give him assistance and make sure he wasn't hurt. There was a moment of silence as Nico nodded to his mother and father as they called once again to make sure he was alright.

"Are you all planning to come in or not?" A stern voice called from the porch. Nico wheeled around as he heard the booming voice erupt from the porch. Automatically if anyone heard that voice they would know that the person speaking would be proud and strong, which is exactly what Nico's Aunt Hera was. She was a proud woman who could be motherly when she wanted to, but also became provoked easily. Staring at the woman on the porch Nico noted how regale she looked. Her hair was a chocolate brown color and ran all the way down her back. Golden ribbons entangled in her hair, pulling it up in a ponytail. She looked pure as she was dressed in complete white. Capris ran down her legs, stopping slightly below her knees. A white shirt was draped over her chest, exposing her shoulders as the sleeves were pulled down.

Everyone was silent as Hera began to speak. Maria had always listened to Hera when she spoke, not because she looked up to the woman, but because Aunt Hera would just roar over top of her if she tried to speak up. Nico and Bianca would utterly admit it that they were completely frightened by their aunt. Hades was just… He just didn't want to bother with the woman. He had never liked his brother's wife or his brother to tell the truth. Nico had met his father's brother Zeus on a few occasions and every time they did Hades would always get in an argument with him. It happened every time. The two just couldn't coexist peacefully.

"Hades, Maria, Bianca, would you all like to come in before you drop Nico off here?" Hera waved her hand towards the door gracefully. Hades eyed her bitterly before giving a tense nod. Maria glanced over at her husband before nodding as well. The family began moving towards the porch when, suddenly, Maria turned to her son.

"Nico, why don't you get your bags out of the back before we go in?" Maria suggested as they started up the steps. Nico nodded obediently as he whirled around and headed back to the car. he opened the trunk and pulled his two bags out of the back. He glanced up towards the door to see Hera waiting for him at the front door. He was actually surprised that his aunt was actually trying to at least welcome him to her home. Walking up to the house a small smile appeared on Nico's lips. He started to say something to his aunt, but was quickly closed his mouth as Hera slammed the door closed.

"Listen to me Nico. I don't want you here. Your parents are just dropping you here because they can't deal with you. I swear if you do anything to cross me. Anything to get on my bad side, I throw you immediately out of my house. You understand?!"

Nico was about to reply when suddenly his aunt tore the door to the house open and strides inside. Well this should be fun, Nico thought bitterly as he followed her into the house.