Here's a Christmas present for everyone! Hope you enjoy and please let me know what you think :)

I was going to be okay no matter what was on the other side of the door.

I had Percy by my side and a future stretching out in front of me. It didn't matter what happened tonight, as long as my future with him was secure. All that mattered was taking this step and finally making the choice I'd been dreading: to end a relationship or start one over again.

Hazel was either going to be okay with me, or would hate me. It was that simple, and there was little I could do to change her mind. All I could do now was face what I'd been avoiding for months.

If she was willing to start over, then I would wholeheartedly embrace her. She was my sister, after all, and if she was willing to apologize then I couldn't stay too mad at her. I know now that blood relatives aren't the only option for family, but having her back would be comforting.

And if she couldn't accept me…then, well, her involvement in my life was over. I would have to cope with the fact that Hazel couldn't accept me for who I really was. Surrounding myself with people that loved me would help.

Upon walking into the restaurant, we were ushered up a narrow staircase to a private room by a smiling, middle aged woman. Inside were the Seven, gathered around a dinner table, laughing and eating. Upon seeing us, everyone shouted hellos and raised glasses, obviously happy to see us.

Percy's hand, measuredly squeezing mine, filled me with determination. I looked up at him once again, and was reminded of one simple fact; I could do this. I could do this because he would always be there for me when things were hard.

I nodded hello to everyone in an unusual attempt at politeness before separating from Percy. My eyes lingered on him as he went over and pulled Annabeth into a hug, chatting animatedly about something or other. Instead of joining them, I picked my way over to the other end of the room, where I could see Frank's large, pale form. I assumed Hazel was hiding somewhere behind him.

I found myself standing next to him, arms crossed and face as neutral as I could manage. Hazel's head peeked out from behind him. She seemed to be trying to hide herself behind her boyfriend; her head was hung low and her shoulders shrugging inwards. Frank was trying desperately not to look at me, but I could see the nervousness and indecision clear on his face. I had to imagine Frank was okay with Percy and I, but didn't feel right interfering with our business or disagreeing with his girlfriend. It was so like him to stay silent in awkward situations.

"Can I talk to you…maybe outside?" I asked Hazel, swallowing hard. My fingers gravitated towards my wrists, absentmindedly rubbing the skin there like I always did when I was nervous. I tried my best to look her in the eyes, but she kept trying to avoid my gaze. She nodded in place of saying anything, quickly pushing her chair back. She darted over to the set of doors along the back wall, slipping out to the balcony.

I searched for Percy one more time, and he grinned at me from across the room, holding up a thumbs up. I took a deep breath and followed her outside. I could do this, I could do this.

I was blasted with a wave of warm, muggy air as I opened the door. Hazel stood at the edge of the balcony, arms resting on the stone railing as she stared off into the sunset. I walked up and joined her.

We stood there for a few minutes, not saying anything, just letting the weight of this situation sink in. We stood there, staring out at the sight before us, across the red-tiled rooftops, the garden terraces, the cobblestone streets. I looked down at her (I'd grown much taller than her in the months we'd been apart). She looked sad, and I couldn't help but feel a little hopeful. Perhaps it meant she regretted how she'd treated me, and was ready to apologize.

"Do you have anything to say to me?" I asked.

"I….I don't know, Nico. I-I'm sorry, but I don't know if I can just…accept this b-behavior of yours…" she stuttered, avoiding my gaze.

"W-why not?" I asked, voice trembling despite my efforts to keep it together. But I wasn't going to cry this time. I wasn't going to let that happen. She wasn't worth the tears, I reminded myself.

"Because it's just…not natural! Love…it's supposed to be between a man and a woman. Y-you have to understand that."

"Yeah, I've spent most of my life being told that. Thanks for reminding me," I remarked bitterly. She thought this was hard for her, didn't she? This was just making me angry. I gripped the edge of the stone railing with white knuckles.

"I-I mean, why can't you just try being with a girl? How do you know you don't like them if you've never tried?" she tried to reason. She turned to face me too, biting her lip.

"For fuck's sake…" I mumbled, shaking my head. Was she actively trying to aggravate me? Did she understand how awful she sounded?

"Hazel…I-I'm not going to fight you on this," I said, pinching the bridge of my nose in frustration. "I-I can't, it's just so fucking exhausting and I know nothing I say is going to change your mind. I'm just asking you to do one thing, one simple thing. Just watch us. Watch how happy he makes me. And when these two weeks are up, you stand here and try to tell me that what I have with Percy is anything less than what you have with Frank."

With that, I turned on my heels and walked back into the dining room. I didn't want to make a scene and ruin the night for everyone, so I tried to keep my face neutral. I silently made my way over to Percy, knowing that he would be able to figure out what was going on immediately.

The chair scraped as I sat down, and Percy whirled around to face me, breaking off his conversation with Annabeth mid sentence. The grin slipped off his face when he saw me.

"Didn't go well?" he asked, eyebrows knitting together like they always did when he was concerned. He'd been so convinced that Hazel was going to apologize that the thought of her doing anything else was…not great.

"No, of course it didn't," I huffed, folding my arms across my chest.

Percy eyed Hazel, anger beginning to show in his eyes. He looked like he was about to get up and have a talk with her. I really, really didn't need him to do that.

"Don't," I began wearily. "Just don't even bother."

He opened his mouth as if to protest, but I cut him off, " We can talk about it later, alright? Starting a fight isn't going to get us anywhere."

He nodded, a little skeptically, and took the opportunity to kiss me on the cheek. When my eyes drifted over to Hazel, I noticed that she'd been watching us. Well, she wasn't watching us anymore. Percy's innocent display of affection made her face go red.

Sighing moodily, I eyed the glass of red wine that was sitting in front of me. After seeing that most of the glasses on the table were partially emptied, I grabbed it and threw back a large gulp. Percy raised his eyebrow at that.

The rest of the night was awash with wine and raucous conversation. Now, normally in similar situations I would stay in the corner, eat a little dinner, and wait for Percy to take pity on me and leave with me.

But not tonight. I…I actually participated in conversation. I made jokes and laughed and…and it was good. The Seven didn't treat me any differently. I think they were actually trying hard to make me feel the opposite of different. For once, I was sad to see the night end.

It was pretty late when Percy and I finally managed to stumble back to our apartment. The moon was high in the sky and the streets deserted when we finally decided to end the party and get some sleep. Apparently we had a full day planned for tomorrow.

Percy fumbled with the key for a few seconds before he managed to get it in the lock. We weren't drunk per-say, just a little…tipsy. We were at that good stage when we were lightheaded and giggly.

The second we got back to the apartment we collapsed on the bed, Percy lying next to me. I turned on my side to face him. The way his brow furrowed made it clear that he was a little worried.

"What happened tonight…y'know, with Hazel," he asked, voice small. Just like that, the lighthearted air of the night was sucked away.

"She said exactly what I expected her to say," I replied in a tightly controlled voice. I rolled on my back and stared at the ceiling, trying to steady my breathing. I was fine, I tried to convince myself. Hazel didn't matter. I wasn't upset over this. I wasn't.

"It's all going to be okay," Percy whispered, slowly moving closer. Before I knew it, he was on straddling me. His forehead was pressed against mine; his lips were just inches away. The apartment, and the city outside, were silent. The only sound in the room was our intermingled breathing.

After a few more seconds of tension, I closed the gap and kissed him.

He had a way of making me forget every awful feeling, every hurtful word Hazel had thrown at me. All those thoughts were faded with the taste of Percy's lips and the impossibly amazing tingling feeling that spread through my whole body whenever we were this close.

But these kisses didn't have the same lazy, comfortable feeling they used to. Before this, everything had been…without pressure. The kisses were shared were chaste goodbyes and goodnights, small exchanges before going to sleep. I never felt the need for more, and Percy never asked for more. He was always so good about making sure I was comfortable.

This was different. There was a eagerness that I wasn't used to, a purpose to each and every movement. I was reminded of just how good Percy was at this, how he seemed to know just what to do.

I don't know how long we stayed like that, but I know that when Percy eventually pulled away we were left gasping for air. Percy straightened up, resting on his knees. In one swift motion he pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it somewhere across the room. I was given a few seconds to appreciate the way the moonlight bounced off his body. I would never get sick of that sight no matter how many times I saw it.

Slowly he began working his way away from my lips and down my jaw. I let out a ragged sigh as he pressed his lips to my neck, nipping and sucking at the pale skin there. My hands roamed across his back, bumping against the beginning of a few scars before eventually coming to rest on his hips.

It felt so wonderful that I almost didn't notice when Percy's hands brushed the collar of my shirt, slender fingers fumbling with the small buttons. Key word being almost.

I was immediately shocked back into reality, the fogginess of my mind cleared away.

"Percy," I mumbled, hands moving away from his hips.

One button. He continued moving downward, oblivious to what was going on in my mind.

"Percy…please," I mumbled again. I moved my hands so they were between us, palms flat against his chest.

Two buttons. Three buttons. His lips were pressed against my collarbone. It felt good. I moved my hands, and they once again brushed against a small, raised mass of scar tissue. Maybe…maybe…he wouldn't care. Maybe it would be okay.

No.

"Percy, stop," I spoke more forcefully, finally pushing him away.

This seemed to be enough to get his attention. His lips left my skin and he pulled back, eyes wide with surprise.

"Please get off me," I whispered, voice trembling.

He rose off me and backed away until he was pressed against the headboard. He looked at, maybe more worried than I'd ever seen him. He looked afraid…

I laid there for a few seconds, trying to breathe.

Eventually I rolled over and made my way over to the dresser, fumbling around for pyjamas. Gods, my hands were shaking. I changed in the bathroom and came back to the bed without a word, sitting on the edge and curling my fists in the soft sheets.

"Nico…" Percy started, voice cracking. He came up behind me and went to touch my shoulder, but hesitated right before he made contact.

Instead of talking about it, I laid down and curled up, facing the wall. I pulled the comforter closer, as if I was trying to shield myself.

Eventually I felt Percy slip under the covers. The bed settled with a soft creak.

I didn't sleep much that night.

Bet that was...unexpected. Thought that was going to go in a different direction xD but all shall be explained in the next chapter because OF COURSE I can never let anyone just be happy. But this is hardly permanent. Everything will work out :P

Speaking of unhappiness, if you'd like more you could always check out my new story :P all the unhappiness shall be dumped there for further notice.