Hey, so it's been a beat since I was last here. Many things have changed and I honestly don't even know where those years went. But I've got a new one here. With the Percy Jackson show out on Netflix, I've had something of a renaissance with my boys Percy and Nico. A little idea began to form and here we are.

As always, I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. A fact that pains me greatly.

Enjoy!

Ps: I used to write a lot of Malec (Magnus/Alec from the Mortal Instruments) and I may or may not be toying around with finishing those fics I started way back when...

The familiar rolling hills and strawberry fields burst into sight as he reached the boarder tree. The forest beyond and the trickling river that had given him his first taste of power way back when welcomed him. He had tried so hard to keep moving on back at New Rome. With its city centre and its towering columns. But this, this was home.

For the first time in years, Percy Jackson could really breathe.

Slinging his bag back over his shoulder, he began the blissful walk beyond the barrier. It had been a long time since he felt the pull of the place, but it felt the same way it had the first time he passed through the barrier. Well, minus the Minotaur and his mother being abducted.

He had gone to see his mom and Paul when he left New Rome. Staying with them had helped him sort through a few things. Mainly, what he should do next. And how to live without Annabeth.

They had been together for so long. Percy had loved her since he was twelve years old. When they got together, he was the happiest he'd ever been. When they battled through Tartarus, he truly believed they were endgame. They fought two wars, overcame every obstacle. But something began to change when they settled down in New Rome.

They would go out, study, spend time with friends. A normal life, finally.

Annabeth thrived as an architecture student while Percy meandered between majors. He couldn't find anything that kept his focus. Annabeth was all about the work and watching her help rebuild parts of New Rome that had been wrecked in the war was amazing to Percy. But a niggling feeling soon set in.

They both realised it, both felt it. The shift. They both became very aware that they were not engaging in any behaviours that a young, passionate couple would normally jump at any chance to give into. The last time they had sex was the night Annabeth completed her work on New Rome. That was over six months ago.

It was the most heart-breaking conversation Percy ever had. Admitting that his feelings had changed. But when Annabeth had remained silent then agreed that she, too, was feeling differently, a weight lifted off them both. They loved each other, they were soul mates, and nothing could break their bond, but they were not meant for romance. Not anymore.

Percy supposed that was the point of first loves; they were the first. Not the only.

They had agreed to take some time and space. Annabeth moved away from New Rome and back to New York. Percy stayed for a while, spending time with Hazel and Frank and Jason and Piper. Until it became difficult to be around couples and he felt like a fifth wheel every day.

That was when he went home. His mom and Paul were amazing, and he ate so much blue food that he felt like a kid again. And they helped him find direction. New Rome wasn't for him anymore. But there was a place that would always feel like home.

Camp Half-Blood.

"Percy Jackson," came a voice from behind him.

He turned and a grin instantly split his face.

"Mr Brunner," he replied.

The centaur came towards him and clapped him on the shoulder. Percy could have hugged him, but he didn't want the campers to see him hugging the director. That would be weird.

"We're so glad to have you back with us, Percy. Your cabin is as it was, feel free to do as you please and settle back in. I hope you'll join us for dinner tonight."

Percy sighed happily but felt tears sting in his eyes. He cleared his throat.

"Of course, thank you."

Chiron nodded regally and galloped away towards the Big House. Percy wondered if Rachel was in there or if she was chilling in her mysterious Oracle cave. He'd have to drop in and see her some time.

As he walked the familiar trails, through the trees and nodding to the Dryads, along the river, waving to the Naiads. The scent of pine and fresh water revitalised him. He was already feeling lighter.

He wondered who else was still at camp. He grinned when he heard the familiar bark of Clarisse La Rue, who was training campers on the battlefield. He saw Will Solace patching someone up on the archery green. There was smoke coming from the direction of the cabins and Percy had a sneaky suspicion that Leo and Calypso were back from their travels. Percy smiled fondly at thoughts of Calypso, his biggest what if. The one who helped him realise his true feelings for Annabeth all those years ago. He had to admire Leo, the tenacity it took to find Ogygia again and free her. Now that was true love.

Percy couldn't help but wonder if he would find that kind of epic love again. He had always struggled with the ideas of destiny and free-will, after all, the Gods had their plans and played their games. Percy didn't know even now if he and Annabeth were together because of love or fate. Their relationship came from the quests and the wars. Without them, they fell apart. That didn't seem like love to Percy but rather a plan to keep them together so they could be the heroes the Gods needed them to be.

Without the need for Percy to be a hero, he was free. But he didn't exactly know what that meant. Or what he was supposed to do next.

Sighing, he ran a hand through his hair, blinking the sun from his eyes. He rounded one final corner and there it was. Low roof, open-plan floor. Shells adorning the entrance. The water flowing the decking out back. The Poseidon cabin. Home.

All his things were still there. The blue bedsheets. A bow and quiver he only used once. A shield. The Minotaur horn. The fountain he used for Iris messaging. A discarded pair of flying sneakers.

He dropped his bag on the ground upon entering and felt a tingle in his extremities when he crossed the threshold.

Soon, everyone would know that Percy Jackson was back at Camp Half-Blood. He would be bombarded by campers, by questions and requests for retellings of his greatest hits. Grover in the wedding dress was a particular favourite. He smiled, knowing dinner tonight would be a welcome distraction. But he breathed deeply, heading out on his deck under the afternoon sun.

He just wanted to enjoy one last moment of peaceful solitude.

He closed his eyes and breathed, holding out his hands to make the water from the river reach up and dance around his fingers. The sensation made him smile.

Suddenly, the hairs on his arms stood on end and the water grew cold. His spine tingled and Percy realised he was being watched.

He opened his eyes and saw it. A shadow, black as midnight, emerging from the forest opposite Percy's deck. It spread and warped until a shape began to form within it. On instinct, Percy pulled his pen from his pocket and uncapped it. Riptide glowed in his hands as he watched the shadow move.

Then, the shape within took full form and Percy faltered in his grip on Riptide. He recognised it immediately.

The black boots, chains and buckles gleaming. The ripped jeans and bomber jacket with the light ruff. The messy black hair and aura of danger.

It had been a long time since Percy had seen him. But there he was, staring at him across the river.

Nico Di Angelo.