Note- Sorry for the late update. I meant to have this chapter done 3 days ago but I got side tracked reading Yu-Gi-Oh fan fictions. So without further adieu, here is chapter 10. :-)

Important thing to note... This will be yaio (boy-boy). Don't like? You do not have to read.

Disclaimer- I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians or the Heroes of Olympus series. (One can dream though) All rights go to the proper parties.

Percy POV

Throughout the whole day I kept having people come up to confirm the rumors about Nico and me. It seemed people would wait until I was free to come and voice their congratulations or disbelief. Most of the campers seemed to be far too intimidated by Nico to call him out on anything. I guess being the son of Hades does have its advantages.

Though I wasn't complaining about it, I was surprised. I had expected at least a few negative comments. Yes I had a dozen or so of our fellow campers come up and express their disbelief at the fact that I was bi, but neither Nico nor I were insulted over our supposed 'relationship'. Apparently Greeks were far more relaxed about such things.

As soon as we had finished our breakfast, we decided to go for a walk together. We figured nothing would have people more convinced than seeing the two of us acting like a couple. I reached out and took his hand. I watched him stiffen for a moment before he forced himself to relax.

Nico seemed tense. I wished I could talk to him to try and help him calm down but there were too many people around. There was no way to have a private conversation. It seemed wherever we went a small group would follow us. The way everyone watched the two of us was a little disconcerting.

By this point in my life I was quite used to rumors about me. However even when the first great prophecy about me got out, the whispers weren't this bad. I had suggested this plan as a way to stop the attention Nico and I were getting but it seemed to be having the opposite effect.

I knew that we would be the center of attention for a while but I couldn't have predicted that it would be this bad. I hoped that it would fade soon. I wasn't the biggest fan of attention and if I felt uncomfortable, I could only imagine what Nico was feeling. He was never one to crave the spotlight.

That was one of the things I respected most about Nico. I had a lot of people at camp who wanted to hang out with me just because I was one of the seven. Nico didn't care about my reputation. He hung out with me because he wanted too. At least when he felt like hanging out that is. He had been my friend since long before the second great prophecy had even been spoken.

I had a great amount of respect for the son of Hades. He was brave, strong, and, although he had once betrayed me, he was always there when I needed him the most. I knew that if I ever needed someone to rely on, Nico would have my back. It had occurred to me when I was in Tarturus that Nico was the one who was always there for me. If it had not been for him I would not have survived the first great prophecy, let alone the second.

If this was the only plan that would keep the figurative wolves from the door, then I was glad it was Nico who was going to be with me.

ΩΩΩ

Nico POV

Today had been a challenge. I had never thought it could be so incredibly difficult to spend a whole day with Percy, but I supposed that I could never have imagined that I would be able to hold him and still have to try to remain aloof. It was all I could do to not to confess everything that I was feeling.

After dinner I intended to go hide in my cabin. I didn't think I could take much more of holding hands with Percy. Part of my mind screamed that it must be a dream, but my dreams of him had never been this realistic. The feeling of his warm hand holding mine was a wonderful torture. I wasn't sure how much more contact I could endure before I broke down and either hit him saying that he was coming way too close or kissed him because I was tired of him being so far away. Either way, I knew it would be better for me if I ignored him for the rest of the night.

I was just turning to head to cabin 13 when a felt a hand on my shoulder. I stiffened and turned around to glare at the owner of the hand. My glare fell when I realized it was Percy.

My heart started to beat incredibly quickly. How is it possible for such a small action to affect someone so much? Stop it Nico. I narrowed my eyes and pulled my shoulder from under his hand.

Percy dropped his hand and took a small step back. "Where are you going Nico? It's time for the campfire."

"I don't really feel like going tonight Percy."

Percy looked around at the surrounding campers and stepped closer to me. I tried to step back but he wrapped his arms around my waist and leaned in to whisper in my ear. I couldn't breathe. "Listen Nico, I know you're unhappy with this." I felt his warm breath brush against my ear as he spoke. It was all I could do to keep from shuddering in pleasure. I felt a dark blush rush to my face. I would not use the word unhappy... "But if we want people to think that we are a couple we will have to convince them that we really are together. And the only way to do that is if we actually spend time with each other." I felt Percy pull back a little and I looked down, trying to hide my blush. "Come to the campfire with me."

I felt myself nodding. Percy stepped back and I struggled to control my heartbeat. It felt like it was about to jump out of my chest. Percy smiled and stretched out his hand for me to take as though it was the most natural thing in the world. I ignored the fluttery feeling in my chest and grabbed his hand.

Gods, how I wished holding hands actually meant something to him.

ΩΩΩ

I discovered that the campfire wasn't so bad when I was holding hands with my crush.

Yes there were still whispers, and a lot of people staring, and a few girls giving me dark glares, and it was still nerve racking... Okay so maybe it was still terrible, but it was hard to be too upset about it when Percy was holding my hand. Every time I would tense up Percy would smile at me and squeeze my hand, reminding me that the two of us were in this together. Or at least that's how I decided to interpret it.

Suddenly the people beside me stopped speaking. Out of the corner of my eye I saw Frank, Hazel, and Percy tense up and look at me with sympathy in their eyes. I looked up and saw Jenn walking towards us.

I winced. Gods, I am not looking forward to this.

"When were you going to tell me Nico?" She glared at Percy.

"I didn't see how it was any of your business."

"Not any of my business?" If she screeches any higher, we're going to have bats. "You are cheating on me! What, did you not think I would notice?"

I rolled my eyes. I really did not understand her brain. How exactly could 'go away' translate into 'you're my girlfriend'? "For the last time Jenn, we were never going out."

She scoffed, "Is that really how little you value our relationship? You're despicable. I have spent the whole day telling people that there had to be a mistake. That there was no way you could be going out with him." She looked down her nose at Percy. "I mean, come on." She looked back at me. "I love you way more than he ever could. He probably doesn't even care about you. Everyone knows that he is in love with Annabeth. You're probably just a rebound guy."

I glared at her. I knew perfectly well that he loved her, no one needed to remind me of that. The worst part was that to Percy, I wasn't even a rebound guy. I was just a fake boyfriend.

I had just opened my mouth to respond when Percy put his arm around my shoulders and pulled me close. "Listen Jenn, I won't let you talk to Nico like that. I care about him more than you ever could. We've been through more together than you could imagine. Do you have any idea how many times he has saved me? I would trust him with my life in an instant. You think you love him? You don't even listen to him. He has never made a secret of the fact that you annoy the crap out of him. If you really loved him like you say you do, you wouldn't be saying cruel things to him just to make him hurt the way that you are. You would smile and pretend to be happy for him, cause that is what you do for the one you love. You support them no matter what path they take. You are just being bitter. So kindly take your attitude and leave my boyfriend the hell alone."

I felt my jaw drop. It is not that I couldn't have defended myself but, dam.

Jenn glared at Percy and the looked at me with tears in her eyes, "Thats it Nico. We're over. When he breaks your heart don't come looking for me." She spun on her heal and walked away.

I decided against reminding her that we were never going out in the first place.

I looked down and tried to ignore what she said. It seems everyone knew that Percy would break my heart.

Now that Jenn had left I expected Percy to pull away. Instead I felt him shift even closer to me. I shivered at the feeling of his arm around my shoulders. "Listen Nico, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cut you off. I know u can fight your own battles but I can't stand hearing people talk about you like that." I looked at him in confusion. Why is he apologizing? He didn't seem to notice my questioning gaze. Percy started to babble. "It's just, you're incredibly loyal. It was pissing me off to hear her talk to you in that manner. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to offend you. I..."

I raised my hand to silence his apologies. He thought I was angry because he defended me? "Percy, I'm not mad at you."

He looked surprised. "You aren't?"

"No. Why would I be mad that you defended me?"

"I don't know. I guess is seems kinda stupid when you say it like that." Percy used his free arm to rub his neck. "I suppose I felt bad because I knew you could have defended yourself and I interrupted you before you had a chance."

I felt a small smile form on my face. Gods he's so chivalrous. "You're right Percy, I could have defended myself, but I appreciate you doing it." I bit my lip and looked away. I desperately wanted to ask him but I was afraid of the answer.

"What's wrong?"

I jumped a little and noticed Percy looking at me intensely. For a moment I was lost in his gorgeous sea green eyes and found myself blurting the truth. "I... I was just wondering if you meant it."

He looked surprised but smiled at me. "Every word. I care about you. I would gladly trust you with my life Nico." Percy smiled at me and removed his arm. I immediately missed the warmth. He turned back to continue his conversation with Frank.

Percy trusted me. I felt a warm feeling in the pit of my stomach at the thought. I couldn't help but smile. I reached out and took his hand.

Campfires really weren't all that bad.