Disclaimer:: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus or its characters. They are the property of Rick Riorden, and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.

Percy stood under the hot water and let it ease his aching muscles. He had been selfish enough to enjoy holding Nico in his arms as they slept. He was hoping he managed to remove himself casually enough as to not embarrass the boy about their sleeping arrangements. Percy laughed softly, he was glad Mr. Ares was clueless enough not to have realized he had put two gay guys in a room together.

Percy's mind drifted to how Nico felt pressed up against him. The smell of his skin and the way his hands had run along Percy's bare chest. He reached down and took a hold of himself, he had to make this quick but he knew he needed the release this before facing the boy again. Images came to him quickly and his breath was harsh and shallow. He tried his best to stay quiet, as he pictured how Nico would look beneath him sweaty and panting. He imagined the feel of Nico's lips on his as his small hands roamed over his muscles. And he thought about those black sheets. It didn't take very long; it never did when it came to Nico di Angelo. Percy finished up his shower and shut the water off. Getting dressed a small part of him hoped Nico wouldn't be finished changing when Percy came out. He felt himself start to get excited again and mentally slapped himself. That would embarrass Nico so much; it was selfish of him to wish that. He had to find a way to show Nico how he felt without making him feel uncomfortable or ambushed. He had to earn his trust slowly, no matter how much he wanted to rush.

When Percy came back into the room Nico was fully dressed and sitting on the bed they had shared. It had been freshly made.

"You know, they pay people to do that for us."

"Oh, right. Habit I guess." Nico shrugged and climbed off the bed slipping past Percy to the bathroom, toothbrush in hand.

By the time Percy and Nico joined the others in the dining hall Nico was tense and uncomfortable, but the easy way the rest of the group had with each other helped Nico relaxed. No one mentioned the incident from yesterday or the way Percy had started hovering around Nico protectively. And no one said anything about them sharing a bed. Even Percy seemed a little more relaxed, he still kept close to Nico and subtly guided him into their usual seat on the bus, but he wasn't touching him or glancing worriedly every five seconds. As they climbed off the bus Mr. Ares handed them each a ticket.

"No one wonders off alone. Check in at the front doors in two hours. If I hear of any trouble you'll be running laps in detention for the next month." And with that the teens surged into the building excitedly.

Percy grabbed Nico's hand and tried to lead him away, "Come on, there's suppose to be an awesome display of weaponry from the great ancient civilizations." He looked excited and happy. Nico braced himself for the pain he was about to see as he pulled his hand roughly out of Percy's. He tried to ignore the surprise and confusion Percy seemed to be drowning in. It was almost like a light had gone off and suddenly Percy just looked guilty.

"I'm sorry Nico, got a little carried away there. Please, come with me." He tried to smile, but Nico could see he still felt like crap. Nico glanced around; their friends had started moving away in all directions without a word, as if they expected Nico and Percy to stay together.

Nico saw Clarisse nearby and turned towards her, "I don't feel like seeing that right now, Clarisse said something about knives, I'm going to go with her."

"Nico, stay with me." Percy pleaded quietly and stepped closer, "Or I'll come with you, I don't mind. I don't like the idea of you going off, all the competitors got tickets. He might be here."

Nico stepped back, angry. "I don't need a babysitter Percy! He caught me off guard yesterday but I'm not worried about him. Just stop treating me like a kicked puppy." His fists were balled at his side so hard it hurt.

"I just... I couldn't stand it if something happened to you. If I wasn't there..." Percy sounded so sad but Nico refused to allow himself to get sucked in.

"Gods, just stop okay? I don't need you to protect me! I don't want you to protect me. Hovering around like a mother hen, it's a little pathetic. And frankly you should be embarrassed." Nico turned away and jogged to catch up with Clarisse, refusing to see the reaction his outburst had elicited from Percy.

Percy stared after him. He felt like his heart had been ripped out of his chest and he couldn't breathe. What had he done? He was just trying to look out for him, to show Nico that he had his back. Okay, so maybe he had been smothering him a little, but he didn't think it was that bad. Jason, Reyna and Piper came up beside him.

"You okay Percy?" Reyna rubbed her hand on his back. Percy shook his head, no he was most defiantly not okay. He roughly wiped the tears out of his eyes and rushed away from his friends. Now he was crying, maybe Nico was right, he was pathetic. He pushed his way into the bathroom and splashed water on his face. Taking deep breaths he tried to steady himself. He spun around when he heard a low chuckle.

"Trouble in paradise? I saw you and my little kitten having a little lovers spat."Kronos stood against the wall behind Percy, their eyes locked on each other in the mirror. Percy gripped the sink.

"Fuck off Kronos. You really don't want to fuck with me right now."

"Your right, you embarrassed me pretty good last night. But maybe I'll go see if I can find a kitten to play with, he's out there somewhere. All alone without his great protector. I wonder who will find him first." And with that Kronos slipped out of the bathroom leaving Percy alone. The black haired teenager kicked the garbage can before rushing out behind him. He had to find Nico.