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The War was over. The demigods managed to defeat Gaia. But, that doesn’t mean it was an overall good outcome. Leo sacrificed himself and they can’t find his body anywhere. The Camp was in bad condition. But there are good outcomes with everything but those are pretty self explanatory. “Nico!” Percy yelled out while running towards him, the rest of the seven following behind. Nico turned around, trying to stop a blush at Percy calling his name.
“Yes Jackson?” Nico asked, his voice straight. Everyone could tell Nico was one move from passing out but yet he still fought through the whole war, even right after getting back from shadow-traveling the statue.
“Did-d you feel Leo pass?” Percy asked with tears coming to his eyes. Everyone grew fond of the little latino boy. Nico froze a bit, not expecting the question.
“I did but it was different. I-i can’t feel him now.” Nico answered, looking at the ground and cursing himself for stuttering.
“It’s okay Percy. It’s not your fault.” Annabeth said, wrapping her arm around Percy’s waist, giving Nico a small glare which he looked away from.
“Nico, you should go to the infirmary.” Jason said, worried.
“I’m fine Grace.” Nico said, pulling his arm from Jason’s grasp.
“No you’re not. You’re bleeding badly and look like you’re about to fade.”
“Whatever.” Nico said, rolling his eyes before walking away. He debated on heading straight to his cabin but decided against it and went to the infirmary.
“Follow me.” Will said to Nico, immediately after seeing him. Will fixed Nico’s physical injuries fine and told Nico to ‘get some fucking sleep or else you’re getting bitch slapped’. Nico suppressed a growl and rolled over, falling asleep almost immediately.
“Good, you’re finally awake.” Will said, looking at Nico while checking a couple things. “You were out for two days but that was expected.”
“Gods.” Nico mumbled, rubbing his eyes and sitting up. “Can I go?” Will sighed and looked at him.
“Yes, but don’t use your powers at all for at least a week. Make sure you sleep. And eat, get any more thin and you’re anorexic.”
“Whatever, Solace.” Nico said, hopping off of the bed and walking out. One thing to throw Nico over the edge is anyone mentioning his weight or eating habits.
He managed to keep it calm with Will but if any one of the 7 mentioned it, they were dead. And they figured that out pretty quickly on the Argo when Jason mentioned it.
“Nico!” Nico groaned at the voice before turning to Percy. Nico noticed how it looked like he barely slept and ate. Tartarus. Nico raised an eyebrow, signaling for Percy to continue. “I was wondering if you’re leaving camp?”
“Yeah, I’m leaving today.” Nico said, watching Percy frown at his answer.
“Is there any chance you could stay? Please.” Percy begged with puppy eyes which made Nico look at the ground.
“No, I’m leaving today.”
“Where are you going?”
“Probably to the Underworld and stay with my father.” Percy frowned even more.
“Please visit. I’m going to miss you.” Percy said and Nico bit his lip.
“Whatever Jackson. I’ll be in my cabin if you want to say bye later or whatever.” Nico said, walking off before Percy could say anything. Nico started packing his
bags almost immediately, planning on waiting three hours before leaving.
Nico had finished packing a backpack of his most valuable things when there was a knock on the door. “Come in.” He called out, not bothering to look up but raised his eyes to see Percy before looking back at his bag.
“Leaving soon?” Percy asked, scratching the back of his neck. Nico had picked up on his nervous tone.
“What’s wrong Percy?” Nico asked, meeting his eyes before looking down due to a blush.
“I just don’t want you to leave.” Percy said, causing Nico to let out a sigh.
“I’m sorry but I have too. For my own sake.” Nico said, clenching his jaw at how much of a coward he was being.
“I-i hope everything goes well then and I guess you feel better.”
“Thanks, Perce. Now I better get going. See you.” Nico said, throwing his bag over his shoulder and heading towards the door, only to have Percy catch his wrist. “What-” He was cut off with Percy pulling him into a bone crushing hug. Nico tensed at first before reluctantly hugging him back.
“Be safe, okay? I don’t want to lose you.” Percy mumbled into his shoulder, just loud enough for Nico to hear.
“You won’t. I’ll come back, Percy.” Nico pulled away. “Take care of yourself.”
“You too.” Percy said as he watched Nico walk into the shadows for the last time for a while.
Two years without Nico and everyone knew it destroyed Percy. Percy was always worried about Nico that it took a toll on everything he did. Annabeth broke up with him, telling him to get over the ‘emo faggot’ and Percy lost it on her. Annabeth just fired back saying how he was more in love with him then her and it was disgusting. She started dating someone else.
Percy was more caught up in training and determined to be good enough and found relief when he had nightmares of Tartarus. The place that still haunted him day and night, even though the horrendous memories have gotten better.
Leo came back, alive and well, with Calypso. Which completely threw Percy for a loop but they were at least on good terms now.
Jason, Hazel, and Frank were all at Camp Jupiter for a majority of the time, coming over to Camp Half-Blood for visits every once in a while. Hazel would also I.M. Percy about every two or three weeks to ask about any updates on Nico. Percy had found out that he was the only one Nico said goodbye to. He didn’t even tell Hazel and he also wasn’t in the Underworld.
Percy has gotten used to not seeing Nico each day but still has hope that he’s going to show up. His thoughts on Nico became clear after another argument with Annabeth and a talk with Jason. He liked Nico. A hell of a lot. Did anyone besides Jason know this, no. But boy was he glad to have a cabin to himself for when his mind would wander at night. He could only imagine how he looked. Well, he was about to find out.
“Percy!” Jason yelled, knocking on his door quite loudly.
“What?” Percy asked, just waking up. Jason let himself in and had a huge grin on his face. “What the fuck do you want Grace?”
“You’ll never guess who’s back.” Percy’s eyes lit up as he quickly got up.
“Is Nico back?” Percy asked, frantically, all his hope coming back to him. His body almost exploded as Jason nodded. He was about to run outside but Jason blocked him.
“Go take a shower and put on clothes, we’ll be eating lunch at the Big Three Table. I’ll grab you a plate.” Jason said with a grin before leaving Percy to be. Percy was practically bouncing off the walls as he took a shower. He was deciding if he wanted to dress up but decided on his regular jeans and camp shirt. He was still in good shape, and if anything, he bulked up more, so he still looked hot in anything. He somehow managed to calmly walk to the dining pavilion, a large grin on his face. He walked over to the table that was in the back, technically the first table, whichever way you looked at it, and almost fainted.
Nico was basically sex on legs. He grew a lot, possibly taller than Percy but he couldn’t tell with him sitting down. Nico also bulked up. He was slender but had obvious muscle and Percy could only imagine what was under the black tight jeans and gray shirt that fit Nico perfectly. Percy did see something coming out of the top of his shirt meaning one thing, Nico has at least one tattoo. And don’t get Percy started on Nico’s undercut. What threw Percy off the most is that Nico was laughing and talking with Jason, freely.
“Gods Nico.” Percy muttered, getting closer, being able to see more and more. Nico met Percy’s eyes for the first time in two years. They were frozen in place, not seeing how Jason was smirking like crazy.
“It’s good to see you again Percy.” Nico said, standing up and giving Percy a hug. Percy didn’t mind at all because he knew it was going to happen since he would force Nico into one. Percy hugged him with all his might. Nico was taller than Percy by about two or three inches and his voice almost gave Percy a boner. It was a lot deeper and his Italian accent was a lot more prominent.
“That’s enough you two. Why don’t you sit down before you crush each other.” Jason said, smiling at the two before they sat down. Nico across from Percy and Jason.
“Where have you been?” Percy asked in a nice way. “Hazel said you weren’t in the Underworld.” Nico answered after swallowing his bite of food.
“I was in the Underworld with my father for about a week until I went to Italy. Spent a year there before just traveling around.”
“I’m glad you got out. You look fucking fantastic.” Percy said, before almost shitting himself. Jason had choked on his juice while Nico grew a blush.
“Thanks, Perce. You haven’t really changed which is good.” Nico said with a wink, throwing Percy off guard, making him blush like a madman.
“T-thank you.” Percy said and Nico gave him a smirk in response, happy with how flustered he was making Percy.
“Oh goodie. He’s back.” Annabeth said, full of sarcasm while passing the table. Nico just stared at her with a smirk. He could tell from the minute she walked over that they broke up and also by the ways the girls were still muttering about Percy, he was single.
“Yeah, I’ll be back for a while. Just to warn you.” Nico said, the smirk still on his face. “I thought you’d be in college.” He watched as her face turned red with anger. Jason had told him how Annabeth managed to get rejected from New Rome because of homophobic behavior towards students. It was honestly very enjoyable for him.
“Watch your back, Di Angelo.” Annabeth growled before walking away.
“Sorry to announce to you Perce but your ex is a bitch.” Nico said casually while eating. Percy just laughed and smiled.
“Yeah, I found that out pretty soon.” Percy said, still smiling just at the fact that Nico is finally in front of him. “Are you actually staying for a while?”
“I plan on it. At least a year unless things get back to before I left which they shouldn’t.” Percy and Jason shrugged. Jason knew the real reason Nico left in the first place and wasn’t mad at Nico for leaving. Jason was actually relieved that Nico was putting himself in a better place. Percy knew that Nico wasn’t in the right mindset and was glad he left to better himself even though he wished he stayed.
“I need to go catch up with Piper. Have fun you two, but not too much.” Jason said with a wink before leaving the table. The two blushed and looked down at their food.
“But you’ve been good though?” Percy asked, finishing up his plate.
“Yeah. I’ve gotten a lot healthier. Mentally and physically which is what I needed. I guess I got bored and decided to come back to camp.” Nico said with a shrug.
“Wanna spar?”
“You’re on Jackson.” Nico said as they got up and left. “I hope you know that I’m about to kick your ass.” Percy was going to respond with you can do more things with my ass but caught himself at the last second making Nico raise an eyebrow and smirk at Percy’s stutter.
“Let’s go Di Angelo.” They took their positions, starting when they nodded. Campers came to watch already since it’s not everyday someone challenges Percy.
A lot of the campers didn’t even realize or know who Nico was and that he was a son of Hades. “You realize we could possibly blow up the camp?”
“Yeah, let’s not do that Jackson.” Nico grunted out, blocking Percy’s sword at the last second, spinning around and swinging his sword only too have Percy jump back.
“You’ve improved.”
“Gotta keep myself busy and I have a long supply of dead soldiers at my will.” Nico said with a smirk as he knocked Percy off guard, resulting in Percy rolling backwards. Percy was still on the ground, blocking Nico’s sword as it came but it all stopped when Percy’s sword went flying and Nico was straddling Percy. Both of them were gazing at each other, breathing heavily. They were snapped out of their state when campers started to cheer.
“Making me look bad, huh?” Percy asked teasingly as Nico helped him up with a hand.
“Gotta make good first impressions to some campers.” Nico said, smiles on both of their faces.
“Shit I’ve missed you Neeks.” Nico groaned at the nickname.
“That’s the one thing I wish you would forget.”
“Nope! I will never forget Neeks.”
“What’s your name?” A younger girl asked Nico, making both older teens look up. Percy grinned as he threw his arm around Nico’s shoulders.
“This Daisy is Nico Di Angelo, son of Hades. Remember the war with Gaia?” The girl nodded along with the campers who didn’t know who he was. Nico groaned at Percy who was just full on smiling. “He was the one who shadow-traveled the Athena Parthenos across the world. He brought the camps together.”
“I had a lot of help.” Nico said.
“You guys better get back to activities. Don’t want Chiron up your tail.” Percy said jokingly but it got the kids moving. “Speaking of, does he know you’re back?”
“He was the first one I told and then Jason saw me.”
“Look, it’s two faggots.” Annabeth said, standing in the entrance of the arena with her arms crossed above her chest. Percy was in shock along with Nico but Nico’s shock quickly turned to pure anger. One thing that didn’t change about Nico is how terrifying he can be which Percy quickly realized and so did Annabeth as the shadows started reaching out towards the daughter of Athena. Fear quickly rose on Annabeth.
“What did you say?” Nico asked, his voice was low and cold, showing no signs of how much it hurt.
“I-i didn’t say anything.” Annabeth said, jumping as shadows started to reach her ankles and go towards her arms.
“That’s what I thought. If you have a problem with me, I recommend you remember what I can do with a snap of my fingers, now leave.” He growled and she nodded, quickly running off. The shadows immediately retreated and his face went back to his normal bored expression. “Are you okay Percy?” Nico asked him, his voice gentle.
“I’m all good. Are you okay?” Percy asked, confused as to why Nico reacted like that. Percy’s mind was going back in forth between he’s gay and no, he hates homophobes.
“I’m all good. What do you want to do now?” Percy’s eyes lit up as he came up with a pleasing activity for himself and more importantly, his eyes.
“I wanna show you this place.” Percy grabbed Nico’s hand, ignoring how perfectly it fit into his, and ran through the woods, Nico being dragged along.
After ten minutes, they came upon a secluded lake that couldn’t be seen unless going through bushes which you wouldn’t think of. “It’s beautiful.” Nico said, looking around.
“Let’s go swimming.” Percy said, waiting for Nico’s nod before he started removing all his clothes besides his boxers, Nico following in pursuit. “I always swim here when I don’t feel like being swarmed or stared at by a whole cabin. It’s also peaceful.”
“I understand that. One place in my hometown in Italy is where I go when I want to escape. It’s beautiful and I’ll bring you there one day, preferably soon.” Percy nodded and smiled before stepping into the water, feeling calmer. He watched as Nico got in but quickly averted his eyes when he realized he was staring at Nico’s boxers and also his abs, which made Nico let out a laugh that was music to Percy’s ears.
“Tattoos?” Percy asked and Nico looked shocked before realizing.
“Yeah. Only a couple, not sure if I’ll get more.” Nico said with a shrug. Percy stood behind Nico, his fingers gently tracing over the two black crows and the one white one. Percy enjoyed seeing the goosebumps appear at his touch.
“I can’t believe I never noticed that you also had a SPQR tattoo.”
“Had it for a while but was always covered by the avatar jacket.” Percy hummed in response before tracing over a couple more of Nico’s tattoos, mostly the ones on his lower back. He liked seeing how Nico’s body was reacting.
Nico was having a hard time making sure he didn’t get hard with Percy touching him. It was fucking hell knowing that Percy was behind him, in his underwear, both of them dripping wet, Percy teasingly dragging his fingers along his skin. He almost let out a moan as Percy’s hand wrapped around his lower waist. When Percy stood next to Nico, an arm around his waist, he noticed Nico’s blush when he met Percy’s eyes. “I wanna show you something.” Percy said with a smile. They went underneath the water, Percy creating an air bubble, which allowed them to go down farther.
“Gods this is amazing.” Nico said, looking around. Percy enjoyed watching the excitement and joy on Nico’s face but enjoyed the smile even more.
“You’re beautiful.” Percy said before he could stop himself. Nico just looked at him with a smirk.
“You’re not so bad yourself Persus.” Percy groaned at the name.
“I thought we were way past that name.”
“It’s what you get for calling me Neeks. You’ll see what you get for calling me in front of people another time.” Nico said with a wink that sent goosebumps to Percy’s skin and blood down to his cock that was not having the easiest time with everything. Percy let out a groan that made Nico’s breath hitch.
“Are you dating anyone?” Percy asked, shocking Nico.
“No, couple hook ups but nothing ever more than that.”
“Damn, where the hell did my grumpy little Neeks go?” Percy questioned teasingly.
“He grew up.” Nico said with a smile.
“I can see.” Percy said with a smirk. “So no specific reason why you came back to camp? Miss anyone?” Nico smirked.
“Maybe I did miss someone, you’ll never know.” Nico said, avoiding eye contact until Percy grabbed his waist and spun him so they locked eyes. Nico looked down as a blush filled his face. Before Nico could turn away, Percy’s finger was under Nico’s chin, pushing his face up.
“And who was it?” Percy asked, his voice barely a whisper. Percy’s mind was racing as fast as Nico’s as both boys stood there.
“The only person who has ever fought for me.” Nico said as he couldn’t control himself. “The person who was there for me for the start.” Their eyes remained locked together. “The person who will always look beautiful.” Percy was about to talk when Nico spoke, “The only person I will ever love.” Percy crashed his lips into Nico’s before Nico could realize what was happening. Nico snapped back into reality and returned the kiss.
“Please tell me I did not fuck this up.” Percy said, looking at Nico’s bright red face.
“The person is Percy Jackson.” Percy smiled before slowly catching Nico’s lips in his.
“So you love me?” Percy asked and Nico smiled.
“Yes.”
“Good,” Percy said, shocking Nico. “Because I love you too.”
“Really?” Nico asked, a little skeptical.
“Yes.” Percy said, holding Nico’s hands in his. “After you left, I spireled. I was begging to be sent on quests to try and get over you leaving. I searched for two months for you but nothing. Annabeth broke up with me because she quickly figured out about my feelings; even before I knew! You are all that’s been on my mind since you left.”
“Percy.”
“Nico.”
“Will you be my boyfriend?” Percy’s eyes lit up as he smiled.
“Only if it means I get to kiss you a lot more.”
“Deal.”
“Then yes Nico, I will be your boyfriend.”