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.

It was Saturday afternoon and Nico had taken the bus to the mall. He hated malls and crowds, but he had needed to get out of the house. And for once the feeling of being lost in the crowd didn't make him shiver. Will had shown up at his place after school yesterday, pushed his way into the Italian's house even thou Nico asked him to leave. He was forced to sit on the couch next to his best friend as the blond told him all about Percy's break down in the bathroom, and how Grover had walked in on them. His chest was tight with pain knowing he was causing Percy so much worry, but he wasn't sure yet what he wanted to do. Will explained that by the end of the day rumors of Percy's infidelity were everywhere. Percy had been worried Nico would hear and be hurt so Will offered to come talk to him. Nico almost laughed at that; he never would have believed it in a million years. Will and Percy going behind his back? Yeah, that would never happen, neither boy had it in hi to be so dishonest. He wondered the halls with a can of pop held loosely in his hands, his headphones drowning out the noises around him. He was starting to feel a little better, more in control of his thoughts. Last night after Will had left, with a promise that Nico would try to figure things out by Monday, he had a great dream about a romantic day with Percy that ended with the two boys wrapped in each other's arms; it was reassuring to know spending time with the green eyed boy was still his favorite thing to dream about. He was deep in thought, convincing himself that it was okay to be attracted to someone else, it wasn't something he could help and it didn't mean he cared any less for Percy. He was so distracted he didn't notice the bulk of a teen come up behind him; his attention was caught when the can was slapped out of his hand and he was shoved roughly into an empty corridor. He ripped off his headphones and spun to face his attacker, then froze.

Larry Kronos and two of his goons stood between him and the entryway, evil scowls on their faces.

"Look what we have here, a little kitten all alone." Kronos smirked. His friends laughed and cracked their knuckles trying to look menacing. "Where's your knight in shining armor today my sweet little kitten?"

"Fuck off Kronos, don't make me kick your ass in front of your friends." Nico spat. He was proud that his voice sounded strong and sure, even if that wasn't how he was feeling.

"Now now, I just want to talk. Two old friends catching up. Right guys?" His cronies snickered again.

"I'm really not in the mood to deal with your shit today Kronos. Just leave me alone."

The three larger boys stepped closer, dark glints in their eyes. Nico sighed, he was going to have to fight his way out of here. He just hoped he made it out of the mall before security showed up. He took his battle stance, preparing for a fight, when a soft voice drew the attention of all four.

"Nico?" The Italian couldn't help hide his surprise at seeing the pale eyed devil come out of the bathroom behind them.

"Octavian? What the fuck you doing here?"

"Shopping. Uh, what's going on?"

"Nothing. Screw off. I can handle this."

"Friend of yours little kitten?" An evil grin spread across his face. Great, now Kronos was going to target Octavian too.

"No. Octavian, scram."

"I really don't think that's an option now, gattino." [little cat] Octavisn gestured to the two boys guarding the only escape.

"Fuck you, don't call me that." Octavian looked at Nico wide eyed.

"Sorry. But, Nico, you're not going to let them hurt me right?" He whispered stepping close to the smaller boy's back.

Nico sighed, "No, amico mio. I won't." He could hear Octavian's voice quiver a little bit. [my friend]

The three boys advanced menacingly, as soon as he was in reach Nico swung hard and smashed Kronos jaw with his fist. The older boy stumbled back, eyes wide in shock at the force the smaller boy had.

"Hey! What are you kids doing?" All five heads snapped around to the security guard standing at the end of the hall.

"Nothing sir, we were just leaving." Kronos replied, full of propriety and respect. With a nod to his friends and a glare at Nico the three boys took off. With a final glance at the two remaining boys the security guard too took off.

Nico shook out his sore hand. Damn that dick had a hard head.

"Wow. You just punched that guy in the face."

"It wasn't that impressive." Nico grunted.

"Sure it was, you were really going to take those guys on. They were huge. And you weren't even scared. You're really brave Tesorino. Come on." Octavian grabbed his other hand and led him down the hall. Nico was too stunned to pull away.

The two boys sat in silence on a bench. Nico's sore hand rested gently on Octavian's leg, the older boy was holding an ice pack against his hand. To keep the swelling down he said.

"Thanks, for protecting me Nico."

"They were after me in the first place."

"Why?"

"I used to go to school with them. They were bullies."

"Oh." They lapsed back into silence for a few moments. "Well, thanks anyways. I'm not much of a fighter."

"You're welcome." Nico answered stiffly. The fates we're defiantly against him. Of course Octavian had to show up. And the stupid idiot didn't even try to step in a save the day, no, this ass hole had to cower behind Nico and thank the younger boy for protecting him. Nico sighed. Octavian had trusted Nico to not only take care of himself but to protect him as well. He didn't try to coddle him, or treat him like glass. Why couldn't Percy do that?

"Nico...?" Nico looked up, he had been lost in his thoughts and hadn't notice the older boy moving closer. He could feel his warm breath against his lips. Octavian's pale blue eyes drifted closed as he leaned in towards Nico. Is this what Nico wanted?

The Italian put a firm hand against the older boy's chest pushing him away and leaning his own body back simultaneously.

"What?" The older boy's eyes flicked open.

"Octavian, I'm with Percy."

"Oh, I thought... you broke up." Octavian replied softly, leaning away from Nico.

"Why would you think that?"

"Well, after what happened in the bathroom yesterday..." Octavian's eye's flicked up to check Nico's reaction.

"You mean with Will?" Octavian nodded. Nico chuckled, "Yea, that wasn't anything. They were just talking."

"They looked pretty cosy to me." Octavian snapped back.

"You were there?" Nico lifted an eyebrow.

"Well, I mean, I was in the hall. I saw them come out." Octavian stuttered.

"So, you saw two boys, who have been friends for years, talking outside the boys bathroom?"

"Well... I guess. But Grover walked in on them."

"Come on Octavian, I thought you were too smart to believe everything you hear."

"But, you've been fighting."

Nico shrugged, "Yea, but that happens sometimes. I'm Italian, I have a bad temper."

"So, you guys are okay?" Nico didn't hear the disappointment and jealousy in the older boy's voice; he was too busy smiling at himself as he thought about the answer.

"Yea, we're okay." And he really believed it.