Percy sighed. He hadn't been able to sleep all night after what Annabeth had said,and it was only 3:15 in the morning now.

Suddenly,a thought occurred to him.

Nico!

Nico was commonly awake at this hour,and had at least texted Percy before around now.

In a minute,Percy was dressed and walking over to the Hades cabin.

He knocked on the door softly,and a second later Nico opened the door. "Oh,hey Percy."

Percy raised his eyebrows,confused at why Nico had thought Percy was Bianca at first,but ignored it,and said, "Can i come in?"

Nico nodded,seeming to suspect something was wrong.

Percy walked in,and shut the door behind him.

"Okay," said Nico, "You owe me an explanation. If you're over this late,something's wrong. Don't try to deny it,just tell me."

Percy sat down next to Nico on the bed,swallowing tears as he tried to explain. "I-Annabeth she-said she-Annabeth said she liked me last night. I just-I don't know how to react or if i should react or-" Suddenly Nico stopped him. "Hey. From your reaction it's clear you don't feel the same way as she does,like most of us thought you did. You shouldn't have to feel pressured to do anything you don't want to."

Suddenly,Percy felt hot tears stream down his cheeks and he found himself burying his face in Nico's chest. Nico paused for a second,seeming surprised,Percy usually avoided any physical touch,and so did Nico,but Nico wrapped his arms around the sobbing Percy. "Hey,it's going to be okay. ...Happy birthday i guess?"

Percy suddenly hugged Nico tight. "Thank you for just...being...okay with me in general."

Nico stared at him,surprised. "W-what do you mean? Of course i'm okay with you! Why wouldn't i be?"

"I-...I just feel like everybody hates me,no matter what they say,i guess i feel,i don't know...safer? Around you since you've said you feel this way sometimes? It feels like even Grover would just insist i like her,or tell me to suck it up."

Nico just stared at him,and felt like crying. This brave boy,that everyone seemed to love...thought everybody hated him? He felt like that? He was such a good person,it killed Nico that he thought anyone could hate him.

"It's okay,Percy. I still don't genuinely know how someone could really hate you."

Percy felt his face grow hot at the words. "Why? I'm stupid,and dumb,and rude,and i get so angry without any reasons,i've never liked any girls,and i kinda wanna die on a daily basis."

"Hey." Nico held up Percy's face and looked directly into his eyes. "Shut. The. Fuck. Up. You are perfect just the way you are,no matter how many imperfections you have,they always make you better and it kills me that you can't see that,and as for never liking any girls? Me too. And i belong in a mental institute,but not for that."

Percy stared at Nico,who was so silent he could hear his own heartbeat...pounding? In his own ears. They both stayed silent,until Percy asked, "Is it okay if i stay the rest of the night here? I just...don't want to think about anything,but it's okay if you say no."

Nico nodded. "You can sleep in my bed i guess."

Percy woke up with an arm and a leg hanging off the bed,and glanced to the right of him to see Nico curled up in a ball,facing Percy. He smiled,seeing how much Nico resembled a cat when he slept.

After about thirty minutes,Percy decided to wake Nico up. "Hey. Nico. Nico. Happy meals to summon the dead." Percy shook Nico harder,and his eyes snapped open. "wha?" Nico yawned,and Percy found himself smiling. "We'll be late to breakfast. It's cute that you look like a cat when you sleep,but that doesn't fill your stomach." Nico sighed,attacked his hair,took his clothes,and changes into day clothes in another room.

When Nico comes back,Percy says, "Cm'on. Food."

Nico laughed a bit and followed Percy out to the tables. "Oh,uh...i guess you have to sit at the Posiden table."

"...I mean,i can sit at the Hades table,they probably wouldn't notice."

Long story short,they did. They noticed. I had cleaning duty for a week.

Percy sighed as he scrubbed the kitchen counter. Of course this-this mess had to happen on his birthday. Grover was away on another search for Pan,and Annabeth,now he couldn't even sit with Nico so they could talk and Percy wouldn't feel alone for once in his life. Everything felt so wrong lately,and he was revolted at the idea of any sort of romantic feelings or relationship between him and Annabeth,he saw her as a sister!

He rubbed his arm,feeling a chill run down his spine as he remembered when Annabeth had...confessed? To him.

Suddenly,Nico appeared next to Percy. "Agh! Don't do that,Nico! I know you can shadow travel,but that doesn't mean anyone on planet earth likes that fact!"

Nico burst out laughing. "Again? Why always that reaction? But seriously,I saved your ass from being some depressed lump by surprising you."

Percy,in spite of himself,smiled. "Nico! If you shadow travel that much,you'll faint soon!" He shrugged. "I mean,i need more sleep,so..." Percy was surprised when Nico picked up a cloth and started cleaning. He stared at Nico,not quite stunned but his heart beat a little bit faster for some reason. Percy quickly picked up his rag,embarassed to be staring at Nico for a reason he just couldn't quite figure out,and started scrubbing.

After about an hour,they were done! Percy sighed in relief. "Hey Nico,wanna train?"

"Sure." Nico said,giving him a rare smile. Percy stretched after rinsing off his hands,and walked out of the kitchen with Nico,only to be stopped halfway to the training spot by an awkward-looking Annabeth.

"...Hey,Annabeth..."

"Listen,I'm really sorry about last night,you just...ran,and i realized that was so much to say all at once,but...Please think about it."

Before Percy could even think,much less reply,Nico was in front of him with death in his eyes.

"There's nothing for him to even think about,Cagna. He came to the Hades cabin at 3:00 am,sobbing his eyes out,not looking like he had gotten any sleep,and saying he didn't even know how to respond. Do you have any idea how pathetic that could've made him feel?!" Nico looked like he could kill,no,not like he could,but like he wanted to.

Annabeth ran,of course,and i wanted to by now.

"Nico...you didn't need to do that...i don't want her hurting,either. Also,did you just call my- well not really sister but- Did you just call Annabeth a bitch in Italian?" Nico shrugged,his rage disintegrating in a heartbeat. "Yeah,why?" At this,Percy burst out laughing. "Yeah,should've known. But...why do you even care about me so much?" At this,Nico gave him a dark look. "Because." Percy brushed it off,never wanting to see Nico's eyes darken like that again.

The both of them walked the rest of the way in complete silence,and Percy uncapped Riptide while Nico took his own sword in hand.

Percy focused on the tension in Nico's muscles,that would give away his next move. His instincts sharpened at Nico's first move. He lunged with his sword,hard,Percy's blade meeting Nico's. Percy twisted Nico's sword,catching him off-guard.

It went on like this for about two hours,until the both of them gave up and collapsed,panting.

Percy sighed. His birthday had came and went,only Nico and Annabeth had remembered. Of course,it had made him happier than anything that Nico had remembered such an insignificant date on the calender. Well,the celebrations weren't quite over. Next week Percy was sleeping over in the Hades cabin,for a few days this time. However,something was still ebbing away at his heart. Not Annabeth,but something unknown. Percy didn't know what,but,something or someone was making him feel...warm,and happy inside.

He shook himself,and went to sleep.

When he woke up,his body felt slightly stiff,and he remembered: He had kitchen cleaning duties today! Which Nico had offered to help with! Percy didn't know why,but that made his heart beat faster. He got out of his bed slowly,and walked to the kitchen,to be stopped by Chiron,who looked concerned. "Perseus? Are you avalible to talk?"

Percy,not feeling like he was allowed to say no,nodded,his throat dry.

When Chiron had taken him properly aside,he said, "I saw what happened yesterday,but heard nothing. I only saw Di Angelo looking like he was defending you from Annabeth Chase? Were,and are you having issues with bullying?" Percy shook his head. "No,sir. Annabeth and i have...issues,yes,and i'm not sure if our friendship will ever be the same again,but no,there was no bullying...it's just something...private. That she said,i mean. Please don't ask her,that would be exremely awkward for the both of us..." Chiron looked thoughful,and said, "Are you sure it's nothing i can help with? I know Grover is away,and that would be hard on you."

"No,i'm aware of that,Nico is honestly the only person i feel comfortable talking about this to."

Chiron nodded. "Okay. Would you like to be excused from cleaning duties? I am aware that...Mr. D can be harsh."

"No,Nico kind of said he would help,and..."

Percy was surprised to see Chiron smiling,slightly...teasingly?

"Okay,well,best not keep him waiting."

That was weird...

Percy shrugged it off,and opened the door only to find Nico passed out on the floor.

Oh gods! What's wrong? What's wrong? What the fuck is wrong with him?!

He shoved his panic down and picked up Nico,surprised to see that he fit perfectly into Percy's arms. Percy walked slowly to the Apollo cabin,hoping it wouldn't be too obvious that he was shaking,hard.

Percy knocked on the door,swallowing another wave of panic,hating himself for not being calmer now. By the time someone opened the door he was breathing heavily,his eyes closed in an effort to calm down. But he just couldn't! Percy took in a shaky breath as Will Solace opened the door,and his face instantly turned to a look of sickly concern,like Percy's,except mild compared to his terror at the brown-eyed-boy being hurt or in danger in any way.

Percy carried him in,led by Will to a bed for Nico. "He just passed out,but he hit his head too. Not badly,but he'll have to stay here for three days. You can go now." Will said,after Percy set Nico down on the bed. He tried to speak,but his throat had dried up so he just shook his head,tears in his eyes. Will nodded in understanding and started bandaging Nico's head.

Percy had been at Nico's bedside for so long. He'd lost count of the hours or days,he just remembered Nico hadn't moved in the slightest. He felt like crying but it wouldn't help.

Will walked up to Percy. "What?" Will looked at Percy,seeming concerned. "You need to move,and sleep." Suddenly tears were streaming down Percy's face. "No! I can't leave him! He's already done so much for me,just not abandoning me,and he's hurt! I can't leave him!"

Will stared at him with those bright blue eyes that seemed to know everything. "Percy Jackson,i know he's probably your best friend right now,and he's hurt,but do you want to be the one on that bed? That's what'll happen if you carry on like this. He will wake up tomorrow and that's that. He's not dead,or anywhere close so pull yourself together Perseus fucking Jackson." Percy clenched his fists,and muttered, "Yeah,i've wanted to be the one on that bed for so long,he's probably the only one keeping me from doing it to myself right now." Will looked at him,the intensity of his glare seeming to be slowly killing Percy. "Fine,yeah,so what? I know exactly how you feel,and it's a dark place to be,but he will get better." Percy stared back at him,not able to hide the pain in his sea-green eyes. Just then,Nico sat up,and said. "Please be quiet. My head hurts."

Percy started to shake with relief. "Y-you're awake?" Will,however,was examining Nico's head wound quickly,and said, "It's all healed." Percy stared into Nico's deep brown,beautiful eyes. He had never appreciated Nico's presence more than now. Nico looked confused as he seemed to realize where he was.

Nico hadn't cancelled Percy staying over for a whole three and a half days,so...

I guess i'll just show up?

Percy knocked on the Hades cabin door,feeling a little awkward for some reason. Nico opened it,practically falling out of the door. "Uh...hey,Nico."

"Hey."

When Percy came in,he had sat down on the bed and talked to Nico for ages. This was the best time he'd had for so many months. Right now he was laying next to Nico on the bed,who was asleep,trying to figure out what was in the back of his mind bothering him.

Percy shrugged it off. He needed sleep.

Like,a lot of sleep.

Nico yawned,being surprised when he saw Percy on his bed to the left of him,he could've sworn Percy slept on the floor..? He felt his heart rate go up. Oh,stop it already. Sure,he's practically perfect,but still.

Percy's eyes snapped open as he sensed a pair of eyes on him. He relaxed as he realized it was Nico but drowsily looked at him questioningly. "What?"

Nico jumped,realizing that Percy was awake. "N-nothing. Just wondering if you'd wake up soon." Usually at a remark like this,Percy would've been irritated,but Percy just laughed a bit,then checked the clock.

"Oh. It's like four... we could just go back to sleep."

"O..kay?" Nico said,confused. He usually woke up at four,but,then again,that was probably why he was always tired. Percy yawned,stretching,and walking across the room,about to grab a book,but fell flat on his face. "Ow." Nico sighed,getting out of bed,and helping him up.

The awkward thing was,several things happened at once then,and none of them good. As Nico helped him up,their lips touched,and they both awkwardly paused,just then both of them blinked,and Annabeth opened the door. "Percy? Uh..." Percy was confused for a minute,then realized it had looked like he and Nico were kissing. Annabeth backed out of the cabin,seeming confused at what she just saw,but closing the door behind her. Percy moved away from Nico,feeling more awkward than he should right now. Sure,he should feel plenty awkward but this was too much. "Uh...thanks for helping me up i guess?"

When Nico stared at him,clearly silently saying, 'How are you so not awkward with this?'

Percy shrugged. "Trust me,it's awkward,but i'll clear the air with Annabeth later. I'm here to hang out with you,not have a mental breakdown or something like that."

Nico burst out laughing. "Yeah,i can relate to that."

Percy looked at Nico,confused. "Like,my situation with Annabeth...?"

"Yeah. I mean,like a month ago...Will Solace. We don't really know each other,so..." Nico shrugged.

Percy blinked. "Didn't know he was gay but not a shocker. He sure acted like he liked you,he kept on stealing glances at you when you were passed out."

"Huh."

Percy and Nico spent an awkward while looking at each other,when Percy decided to just blurt out his biggest secret at random.

"Hey Nico?"

"Yeah?"

"I'm gay. Or aro/ace."

Nico stared at him. "You WHAT!?"

Percy flinched. "Yeah..." Nico shook himself. "I was just...surprised. I mean i- i think- I'm kinda...also gay. Well bi. I mean probably." Percy grinned. "Well,thank the gods SOMEONE takes me seriously,Grover just laughed when i told him,and my mom,kinda...just brushed it off as a phase." Nico replied, "...oh. Wow. That's...bad..?"

Percy sighed. "Well,i feel better now. How are you doing with that yourself?"

"...I don't know,i just...Well,honestly? Every time i see a guy i just think 'wow,he's really hot' and then i'm just surrounded by people i'm expected to not fall head over heels for,and i just hate everyone but you then i like everyone and if i say anything everyone would hate me,and when i try to just be away from guys and breathe the girls think i'm some creep hitting on them and i just end up with no friends and everything feels wrong-" Percy stopped Nico,hugging him tightly,his own head over Nico's. After Nico's breathing slowed down Percy held his face up. "Hey. From what i've heard,at least in safe spaces,even 10-year-olds feel this way. Nothing is wrong with you,Di Angelo. You're amazing and wonderful and the best person i know."

Percy stared into Nico's beautiful brown eyes,which shone like fire in the light from the camp,still full of tears. He didn't know why Nico had fallen so silent,but he strangely...liked it? Suddenly,he was seized by a sudden,overwhelming desire to kiss Nico,right then and there. Percy bit his own lip,trying to nip that train of thought in the bud.

"Uh,we should get to sleep." Percy said,pushing the sudden longing to the back of his mind.

Percy had gone to sleep quickly,but Nico was wide awake,his heart pounding so,so hard. He couldn't stop it,or deny it anymore.

Nico Di Angelo had a crush on Percy Jackson...

Suddenly,Percy hugged Nico from behind. He was very soft,but Nico could feel his face heat up.

When Percy woke up(it was six am) Nico was using him as a body pillow,hugging him from behind. Percy had...rolled over in the night?

Nico woke up,due to Percy's slight shifting,and said, "Oh! I was just...-"

"Using me as your personal body pillow? How very quiet and reserved of you." Percy teased Nico.

"Says the one who started spooning first." Nico mumbled,and Percy's face burned red. "Oh...I did?"

"I thought you meant to do that?"

"I was asleep."

This time,it was Nico to blush.

They sat in silence for a while,and Percy mumbled, "We should get breakfast..."

When he and Nico went out to breakfast,Percy sat at the Hades table,again. He shot a defying glare at Mr. D. He didn't get in trouble this time,that was the good part. And this was the awkward part. Annabeth was walking over,looking nervous. "Can i sit here?" Percy sighed. "Uh...sure. Just don't sit next to Nico,he'll just call you a bitch in italian again.."

Annabeth took a deep breath,and asked, "So,are you and Nico dating,or..?" Percy took a deep breath,and put a finger over Nico's lips when he was about to speak. "I can handle this myself,Nico."

Percy took a deep breath,hoping him and Annabeth were far enough away from anyone to not be heard. "Okay,i'll answer you now. No,Nico and me are not dating,nor did we ever kiss,even though it looked like it." Annabeth opened her mouth to speak,but Percy said, "Gods,i wish we were,i honestly really like him,but what actually happened? I fell down face flat on the floor,Nico helped me up,and our lips accidentally touched,we both just paused from being awkward."

And with that Percy stalked off,towards the lake,and splashed water on his face. He sighed,and walked back to the tables,sitting next to Nico,who said, "Well,it could not have gone well from that expression."

"I just explained,i didn't even give her time to talk..."

"Oh."

And that's all for now! A total of 3,616 words and three chapters~

Comment if i should make a few more? *fingers crossed*