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 had been wrong about things quieting down, for the rest of the day he could feel eyes and whispers following him. No one said anything directly to him, but the hushed conversations and sly looks were just as bad. Part of him wished he knew what they were saying; part of him prayed he never had to find out. The worst was gym class. He stuck close to Percy in the change room and kept his eyes glued to the floor. He couldn't help but remember the confrontations he had in the past. None of his classmates seemed to have a problem with him, they didn't try to move away or hide from him, but he couldn't help feeling sick. The lack of negative confrontation was almost worse because he felt like he was waiting for it all day.

Percy tried to be supportive, sticking close to Nico as much as he could. He knew the younger boy was still scared about being out and Percy had to force himself to keep the distance they had before. The hardest thing he ever had to do was keep himself from pulling Nico close and wrapping his arms around the boy in attempt to fight the fear. By the end of the day when they climbed into Percy's car Nico was pale and shaking. While he allowed Percy to take his hand he was quiet the whole drive home.

"Who don't you come over for a while? I'll drive you home after dinner." Percy asked gently. Nico nodded without looking away from the window.

Percy flopped onto his bed and flicked his TV on glancing over to Nico who stood awkwardly at the door staring at his feet.

"Nikki?" Nico looked up like he had forgotten Percy was there. "You going to come sick down?"

"Sorry Percy." He mumbled and sat gently down on the edge of the bed.

Percy sighed and crawled onto his knees next to the Italian. Usually his shyness was endearing but right now it was actually hurting Percy to see him look so scared. "What's wrong Nikki? You going back to being afraid of me?"

Nico shook his head but didn't move. Gently Nico pulled the smaller boy onto the bed to sit against the headboard. He allowed himself to be guided but still sat stiffly. Percy settled in next to him and flicked through the channels. He wanted so bad to help Nico relax but had no idea how to do it. He settled on their new favorite show The Deadliest Warrior and tossed the remote to the end of the bed.

"Come here baby." He reached over and pulled Nico close.

"Baby? Really? What am I a girl?" Nico scowled but let Percy pull him against his side.

"Hey now, that's sexist. Boys can be babies too." Percy replied with a frown.

Nico elbowed Percy in the ribs receiving a groan. "So now you are calling me a baby!"

Percy smirked wickedly and turned to face Nico. "I mean you're precious and adorable, like a baby."

Nico just rolled his eyes. Without warning Percy put his fingers on Nico's sides and attacked. Nico let out a high pitched squeal as and laughed as he tried to fight off the bigger boy's tickle attack.

"Oh my dear Nico, are you ticklish?" Percy laughed.

"Stop! Percy!" Nico managed to sputter between laughs, but Percy was relentless. Swinging his leg over Nico's hips he held the smaller boy in place as he straddled him. Nico bucked his hips and tried to swat the hands away but Percy was stronger than him. Soon the two boys were breathing hard and laughing. Nico tried to grab Percy's wrists but the older boy was faster and took hold of Nico's hands and pinned them above his head. The two boys stared at each other, chests heaving. Nico tried to ignore Percy's rapidly growing erection.

"What are you going to do now?" The younger boy said breathlessly. Percy smirked back without replying.

Slowly he leaned down and gently placed his lips on Nico's kissing him gently. Nico couldn't help the small moan that escaped his mouth. Percy smirked against Nico's lips as he released the younger boy's wrists. He slowly slid his hands along the smooth pale skin on his arms and down his sides causing the younger boy to shiver. Gripping his hips he brushed his thumbs along the patch of skin between his shirt and the waist of his jeans. Tilting his head Percy deepened the kiss and was glad when Nico lowered his arms and wrapped them around Percy's neck, holding the older boy close. Percy snaked his tongue out and licked the younger boy's lips demanding entrance. When Nico opened his mouth with a small gasp Percy couldn't help but gently grind his hips against the boy beneath him. The moan he received along with the hardness he felt pressing into him edged the older boy on. While his tongue explored his boyfriend's month his hands slowly ran up his sides under his shirt. The feel off the warm soft skin under his hands made Percy moan. Nico entangled his fingers in the soft black hair and pulled the older boy closer. Percy rolled his hips, pressing himself against Nico. Nipping at his boyfriend's lip and moving to place kisses along his jaw Percy slowly pushed Nico's shirt up exposing the pale olive skin beneath. When Percy pulled back slightly to pull Nico's shirt off the younger boy stiffened and grabbed hold of his wrists.

"Wait."

"Come on, it's not like I haven't seen you topless before." He older boy mumbled into Nico's neck.

"Just, stop, wait."

Percy pulled back and sat up. "What's wrong?"

Nico pulled his shirt down and pulled himself from under the older boy. Without resistance Percy let his boyfriend out from underneath him and sat back. Nico blushed and looked down, pulling his knees to his chest and wrapping his arms around them. Percy watched Nico for a moment in silence; part of him feeling guilty for getting carried away but part of him frustrated by confusion. It's not like he had been reaching for his belt.

"I'm sorry." The younger boy mumbled without looking up.

Suddenly the green eyed boy felt only guilt; Nico obviously wasn't ready for this. Percy reached out and tilted his face to meet his eyes, "Hey now Nikki, don't you dare apologize. There's nothing to be sorry about." He spoke softly with what he hoped was a gently encouraging smile.

Nico nodded but didn't move. Percy crawled up to sit beside his boyfriend, "Come on, let's just watch our show." Nico allowed himself to be pulled against his boyfriend's side. Nico didn't know why he had stopped him, he was right when he pointed out they had seen each other topless before. Nico couldn't pay attention to the TV, he could feel the tension in Percy even thou the older boy tried to hide it. He knew his boyfriend had been with others before him, but it was new territory for the younger boy. It was only last week Percy had given Nico his first real kiss.

"Percy?"

"Yea Nikki?"

"It's just... last week, when you kissed me?"

"What about it?" Percy said, peering down at the younger boy who refused to meet his gaze.

"That was kind of... my first real kiss. I mean, I've been kissed before, but just like a little peck. Nothing like that. You know?"

Percy stiffened and he felt his eyes go wide. He knew Nico wasn't very experienced, but he hadn't realized just how inexperienced. He turned towards his boyfriend and gently turned his shoulders to face him.

"Oh God Nico, and here I am pawing all over you. I'm sorry."

"It's okay." Nico mumbled, still refusing to meet the other boy's eyes.

"No, it's not. Hey, look at me Nikki." Nico slowly looked up into the sea green eyes of his boyfriend "I'll try to restrain myself. We'll go slowly I promise." Nico nodded as Percy gently brushed his lips across his forehead.