I'm already bored of typing this.

I do not own Percy Jackson and the Olympians.

Enjoy the new chapter!

...

That was the last time Percy had seen Nico.

They had all gone their separate ways the day after the party. Nico had left early, not saying goodbye to anyone but Hazel. Percy tried to shake it off like the others did as Nico being Nico, but he couldn't help but wonder if the boy hated him now. It was Percy's suggestion to follow with the dare in the first place. In hindsight, it wasn't the right, or fair, thing to do.

However, as time wore on and Percy became more aware of the problems in his relationship with Annabeth, he began to struggle with a new feeling. A feeling named Nico.

He was in every thought, every quiet moment, every dream, every nightmare, every boring lecture and every cold shower. Percy hadn't stopped thinking about their kiss since the moment it happened. He had been truthful about his feelings with Annabeth, she had asked if there was anyone else. He hadn't said yes, but he told her he was having feelings and thoughts about other people. Again, she had surprised him when she said she had too. She did ask if he had acted on his feelings, to which he said no. Which was true, he had only caught feelings about Nico after they kissed on a dare. He hadn't kissed him while he had the feelings.

But now, there he was.

Percy lowered Riptide, staring at the swirling shadows. Suddenly, they vanished, and the forest gleamed in green and golden sunlight once again. Had he imagined it?

He really needed to take his mind off things. Off Annabeth, off Nico, off school, off his complete lack of direction.

"So, the prodigal son returns."

Percy froze.

The voice came from behind him, from inside his cabin. He turned to see shadows swirling, tendrils curled across the ground, licking around Percy's ankles, beckoning him inside.

He walked on shaky legs; his breath had quickened, and his heart pounded like a drum.

When he entered the open floor, he sucked in a sharp breath.

There he was again. Nico.

"Hey," Percy said.

He hoped he looked confident and calm, not like the writhing ball of nerves that he actually was. Judging by Nico's smirk, he was failing.

"I couldn't believe it when they said you were coming back. Had to see it for myself."

Percy scratched his neck.

"Oh. Well, yeah. I'm back." Said Percy.

"I see that," Nico said, his lips curled up.

Percy shrugged.

"So um, how have you been?"

Nico rolled his eyes and he leaned against the back of Percy's couch, crossing ankles. He was wearing his bomber jacket; the one Percy had shoved off his shoulders. His hair was messy, but not as messy as it had been after Percy got his hands in it. His skull ring shone in the light; Percy wondered if it would still feel cold against his skin if he took Nico's hand.

Nico flicked his gaze up to Percy's; he was still smirking.

"Good, I guess. You?"

Percy sighed deeply and crossed the room, leaning against the kitchen counter. Nico turned to follow his movements, perching on the arm of the couch.

"I don't even know how to answer that," he said.

Nico nodded.

"I heard about you and Annabeth," Nico said, breaking the ice.

Percy sighed heavily but was grateful he didn't have to relive their breakup again.

"I'm sorry. I hope you're alright," Nico said.

Percy nodded.

"I'm getting there. I'm just kind of lost right now," Percy hoped he didn't sound too wounded.

But Nico nodded slowly, twisting his skull ring around his finger.

"I know how you feel," he said.

Percy looked across the space and held Nico's gaze.

"What do you mean? Are you and Will not...?" He trailed off, afraid his voice was full of hope.

Nico shook his head and broke their gaze. He dropped his head down and sighed.

"No. We were good for a while but we just kind of grew apart. He's a good guy but I guess we just weren't entirely compatible. It's alright, we ended on good terms. We both agreed it was best, but things have been kind of shit lately."

Percy understood that perfectly.

He was at a loss for words as silence fell over them. Nico was watching him, studying. His dark eyes were roving over Percy's bare arms, his chest beneath his loose vest. His hair blew in the breeze. Percy was tingling under that gaze, unable to stop the rushing in his blood. Outside, the water of the river began to flow a little faster.

Nico was single. Percy was single. Neither of them was in a rush to get anywhere in particular.

Heat rose throughout Percy, his fingers twitching with the desire to feel Nico under his touch once again. But he had no idea how to broach the topic without freaking Nico out. He didn't want to lose his friend, even if they hadn't spoken in months.

"What's up, Jackson? You've got the same look on your face that you had the day we went to the river Styx."

Percy bit his lip, urging his breath to steady. But Nico could read him better than anyone, even Annabeth.

"Just say it, Percy. Whatever it is, I can handle it."

Nico grinned and leaned his palms back on the couch, the epitome of chilled-goth-sex-God. Percy's mouth went dry. After their kiss, his dreams had been riddled with Nico-related fantasies. Now he was here, asking Percy to speak his mind.

"It's just..." he sighed, running a hand through his hair.

Nico watched his movements, trying not to drool at the thought of Percy in a post-fucking state. Nico would kill to see it. The bed hair, the just-fucked flush to his cheeks. Those beautiful, swollen lips that had captured him in more ways than one. And the eyes. Oh, those green, green eyes. Nico longed to see them blazing with passion again.

"It's just what?" He asked, cocking an eyebrow.

Percy's eyes darkened. Nico felt a stirring in his stomach. He was there, just under the surface. The deviant who took Nico's breath away.

"Nico," Percy said.

His voice was breathy, and his chest was already rising and falling faster. Nico smiled and straightened up, pushing himself off the edge of the couch. He shrugged off his jacket, dangling it from a finger before letting it fall to the floor. Percy's eyes were locked on Nico's every move.

"Percy," Nico said, mimicking the older demigod's breathy tone.

The water outside began to rage, swelling in waves that crashed onto the cabins deck. Percy's blood was just as energetic, racing through his veins. He wondered if Nico knew what he was thinking. The boy would surely blush that perfect pink tinge he used to turn every time Percy looked at him.

Percy shoved himself off the kitchen counter and walked in a trance, held in the tight allure of Nico's enrapturing eyes. He stopped just shy of the boy, his chest heaving under his vest. Nico's eyes trailed down his body and back up again, slowly, eye-fucking. Percy groaned; he didn't even try to hide it.

"Dammit, Jackson," the younger boy growled.

Nico's pale fingers suddenly clenched in the fabric of Percy's vest, yanking him closer. Percy gasped when their bodies collided. Nico looked up at him, his eyes heavy with lust and Percy knew that if he had no intention of letting things go further, he needed to say so now.

"Nico," he said, low and rough, "are you sure?"

Percy panted between his words, desperately holding himself back until permission was granted. Nico licked his lips slowly, relishing in the way Percy's eyes followed the movement. Electricity coursed through him at the promise behind Percy's words. He was desperate to find out what the boy would do once he gave him permission to act.

His lips curled in a predatory smile that sent shivers down Percy's spine. Then, he nodded.

"Oh, I'm sure," he said.

And that was all it took.

...

A/N: So, thoughts? Thanks for reading guys x

Also, how fucking beautiful was Percy Jackson and the Olympians on Disney+? I loved it so, so much! In dire need of a season 2 renewal right about now though x