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.

"You need to talk to him."

"I will. I just needed to take some time. Calm down. Otherwise it will just be a fight."

"Nico..."

"Look Will, I said I'll talk to him. And I will."

They sat in the coffee shop down the street from the school, sipping their drinks and sharing an assortment of pastries. Nico needed to get away from the school, from the looks and whispers. He hated how his relationship was constantly under scrutiny. It had been bad enough with everyone talking about how they were together, but it's even worse now that there were rumors of their break up. It didn't help that Octavian had been showing up at his side between classes all morning, obviously flirting with him. He had to duck into the washroom and sneak out of the school at the start of lunch to avoid the pale eyed boy. This morning when he got to school he had been waiting for him, sat with him on the bench real close and talking in hushed tones. Sprinkles of Italian and gentle touches. Nico had to keep telling himself that the boy wasn't attractive, that hearing his mother tongue wasn't making his heart race. He found himself both annoyed and flattered by the attention.

"Nico?"

"Sorry, what?"

"You kind of zoned out there on me. Thinking about Percy?"

"Octavian."

"Really? Why?"

Nico sighed; there was no way he could tell Will the truth. "He's just getting on my nerves."

"Yea, Octavian does that. Look, don't get mad, but I'm worried."

"About Octavian?"

"He likes to mess with people Nico, and he's obviously already gotten in your head."

"He's not in my head!" Nico snapped a little too quickly.

Will raised one eyebrow, "He's the one putting these doubts about Percy in your head. And there's a really good chance he's doing it on purpose."

"It doesn't matter his intentions if he's right."

Will sighed, "Talk to your boyfriend. Come on we better get back before your late."

Nico found his mind wondering while he got changed for gym. He seemed to be preoccupied by pale eyes and blonde hair. He was so lost in his thoughts when strong hands gripped his waist he jumped and spun around. Percy stood behind him, hands held up in surrender.

"Sorry Nikki, I didn't mean to startle you. I called your name."

Nico took a deep breath as he bent down to pick his shirt up from where he dropped it, "It's okay. I was just a little lost in my head." Nico looked up at his boy friend and felt his face flush as sea green eyes greedily raked over his bare torso. The younger boy shivered as the tip of a tongue darted out to moisten full pink lips. Percy's eyes short up to meet dark ones when he realized what he had been doing and it was his turn to blush.

"Sorry." The older boy mumbled.

Nico smirked, "Enjoying the view?" his voice low and husky. He saw his boyfriend swallow hard.

"You have no idea." Came the low response. Nico chuckled as he pulled his shirt over his head, turning to close the locker. The heat of another body was suddenly very close to his back, warm breath tickling his ear. "I can't believe your mine." Soft lips gently brushed his temple before the taller boy pulled away as others began to file into the change room. Nico hoped he didn't look as flustered as he felt.

Percy winked at his boyfriend as he quickly changed into his gym uniform, smirking when Nico closed his eyes in embarrassment. And guilt. He was ashamed that he hadn't heard Percy calling his name because he was thinking about another boy. Octavian wasn't anywhere near as gorgeous as Percy; he was thin and gangly. His hair bland like straw and his eyes were pale. But something about the boy seemed to captivate the Italian. He carried himself with arrogance and a twinkle in his eye that seemed to say he knew things no one else did. He was obviously very intelligent and his handle on the Italian language was impressive. Percy made him feel safe and cherished but Octavian made him feel like he was being stripped bare. His entire soul lay out on the table for the blonde to study. And for some reason the idea excited Nico. He hated being vulnerable and yet he had to force himself not to shiver when those all knowing eyes bore into his own, seeming to look right inside him to discover his every insecurity. This pale eyed boy had to power to destroy Nico in ways there was no defense from. He reminded the dark eyed boy of the way Kronos used to control him psychologically and yet it wasn't fear he felt when ever Octavian approached him. It was anticipation. It was like this boy had cast a spell on him and it was drowning out everything but the caster. Nico knocked his forehead on the locker in defeat. He had no idea what was happening to him but there was no way he could face Percy right now. He grabbed his clothes out of the locker and raced out of the change room. Hoping on a bus he sent Percy what he hoped was a reassuring text before turning off his phone. He needed to figure himself out and he needed to clear that warlock out of his head. He couldn't bring himself to look at his boyfriend while his mind was clouded by Octavian.

Percy tried not to panic when Nico failed to come out of the change room. He told Coach Hedge Nico was sick, even thou he didn't believe it. When the end bell rang he raced into the change room to grab his phone. His hand shook as he reached for his it and opened the text waiting for him. He felt his stomach clench and his breath hitch; part of him praying it was from Nico, telling him he really was sick and needed to go home. Part of him hoping the dark eyed boy would be waiting in the hall with an explanation. After reading the text Percy slid to the floor leaning his head against the cool locker. No matter how many times Nico tried to tell him otherwise he couldn't help the sick feeling in his gut that said he was going to lose him. He could feel the younger boy slipping away and it made his chest hurt. He had no idea what to do and it seemed the harder he tried to hold on the more the younger boy pulled away. But he couldn't let him go. Gods he'd never loved anyone as much as he loved that boy, and he was starting to think that love was going to kill him.

I'm sorry Percy. Gods I'm so sorry. I just needed to run. Please, try not to worry. Every things going to be okay. I'll come back to you. Please, Percy, I know I'm always keeping you waiting. Just a little more. You're still my boy.