Hey guys! Lettuce here! Heh, so I said one to two weeks. It ended up being what? A year? (actually, almost two) I am sorry. I had taken a break from writing. I had a severe case of writer's block. But I'm cured and BACK! I missed you guys! So, y'all left me some amazing ideas. It's crazy how supportive you guys were. At this point, you must be all gone now. So, I mean, if you're reading this, hi! I'm Lettuce, of AppleandLettuce. The review I chose to use as inspiration was by a guest. Anyway, on with the story!

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(A Year Later) AN: Literally lol

Nico's POV

Everyday, I do the same thing. I wake up, eat, dress, and then off I go to who knows where. At this point I just let the shadows swallow me and drop me off wherever they want. Then I search until I'm about to drop from exhaustion and go home. I pass out on my bed and then repeat the cycle the next day. Everyone else has left. They just about gave up, saying he wasn't going to be found. That he was a lost cause. That maybe he didn't want to be found. But I can't stop. Not when I know the guy I love.. yes love.. is out there. Alone.

Today, the Seven.. minus him.. want to meet me in California, near Camp Jupiter. Probably to negotiate dropping the search and declare him dead. I won't let them. Not after all the emotions I uncovered. I loved him then, but I didn't want to accept it. I still love him, and that's why it hurts so much.

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3rd POV

Nico walked into a coffee shop in Sacramento. The neon lights read "Spencer's Mug". In the back of the shop, sat Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Frank, and Hazel. Everyone had a cup of coffee and an anxious face. Nico took a deep breath and walked up to them.

"I know what you're going to say. And I say no. We aren't giving up. I can't let it happen." He said sternly.

Annabeth sighed and said, "Nico, I know it's hard. I don't want to end it either. But all of our leads were dead ends. What else are we supposed to do?"

Nico looked away. Hazel guided him into a chair and pressed a mug into his hands. Everyone sat in heavy silence. No one wanted to say a word. The bell of the door jingled as someone entered. No one looked up. Footsteps neared.

Someone behind Nico cleared their throat. Everyone looked and gasped.

"Long time no see, demigods." Leo grinned.

There were many gasps of his name. Hazel started sobbing. Jason, Frank, and Percy clapped him on the back. Nico stood to the side frozen. Annabeth glanced at him and nodded subtly.

"Where in the world have you been? We thought you were gone forever!" Piper shouted.

Leo chuckled lowly and opened his mouth to answer, but someone interrupted.

"Yes, Leo. Where HAVE you been? I believe we have a lot to talk about," Annabeth glared, "Nico, now!"

Nico jumped into action. He grabbed Leo's arm and shadow travelled to Camp Jupiter. They landed in the empty Senate building. He then went back and forth, bringing the other members of their group to the same spot.

"Woah! Haven't done that in a while huh?" Leo smirked.

Everyone now realized the severity of the situation and glared at him. Leo's smirk fell and he looked to the floor.

"I just have one question. Why. Why not tell us, or get help." Annabeth said quietly. She crossed her arms and waited.

Leo slumped and sighed, "I felt broken. Hurt. Alone. I felt like I didn't belong. I was… not okay. And I know that now. I had run to Alaska, where I found a stable house with roommates. I got a job. I also went to get help from a therapist. She helped me. And, I'm okay now. I think."

Hazel spoke up, "Then why not come back?"

Leo rubbed the back of his neck, and said softly, "Well, I doubted that any of you were looking for me."

Nico, done with his answers, pushed his way towards the front of the group and stared at Leo in disbelief. He grabbed Leo's wrist and looked him dead in the eyes.

"Leo. I would've looked for you forever. I felt- no, feel the same way you do. Or at the very least do." He said seriously.

And suddenly, it felt as if the world disappeared. They were the only ones in the universe. Leo reached up and cupped Nico's cheek. He gently pressed his lips onto Nico's. Nico eagerly responded to the kiss, moving his lips in sync with Leo's.

As they pulled apart, they were also pulled back into reality. The rest of the Seven gave wolf whistles and excited shrieks.

"Of course I still feel the same." Leo whispered, out of breath.

Nico smirked and pulled the Latino into another kiss.

And of course, there were more cheers and laughs that night. Leo was back and now into Nico's arms. Everyone was happy and felt included. They hadn't felt that way in a long time. Any of them. He was a huge missing piece, and now that he was back, they could relax. It was different than the past year. And that was a good thing.

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DON'T PANIC I'M NOT DONE. I am planning an epilogue. I promise this one won't take two years. I hope you enjoyed! I will go back to doing review answers, so feel free to leave a review, I would appreciate it. To my old readers, if you're still here, thanks for sticking around. Love ya. To my new readers, hello! I hope you stick around and check out other stories, not only by me but also by my co-host Apple, on our profile!

Here's the reader's question:

Would you rather:

Hang out with Percy for a day

OR

Hang out with Nico for a day?

Your (hopefully) friend,

Lettuce