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Nico walks to the arena, playing nervously with his skull ring.
It’ll be fine. This is fine. You’re just a guy going to ask another guy for swordfighting lessons.
Except, Nico knows, that isn’t the whole story. Yeah, he wants swordfighting lessons from the demigod. Everyone says he’s the best swordsman in centuries, but that’s not the whole reason.
The main reason he wants to get swordfighting lessons from Percy is because he has the world’s biggest crush on the guy.
He gets to the arena and stands nervously near the water cooler. Percy’s there, obviously, and Nico can’t take his eyes off him.
“Nico?”
He jolts slightly at the nearness of Percy’s voice and the older demigod sits on the ground, leaning back against the arena wall. After a moment, Nico joins him.
“So… you want me to teach you swordfighting, right?”
Nico blinks at Percy in shock, and the older boy smiles self-deprecatingly.
“I knew you’d come to ask at some point. But, no, Nico, I won’t teach you.”
The son of Hades frowns.
“Why? You’ve taught everyone else who’s asked you, why am I any different?”
Percy sighs, and leans his head back against the wall.
“I’m sure you’ve noticed that I’ve been avoiding you?”
Nico tilts his head.
“I mean, I was kinda doing the same, but I didn’t really realize that until now honestly.”
Percy runs his hand through his hair.
“When I first got to Camp, I was an outcast. Even before I got claimed. I was the kid who fought the Minotaur, so everyone was watching me. Expecting something of me. The only person who didn’t was one guy.”
Percy twirls Riptide through his fingers.
“He never treated me like he expected something from me. To him, I was just this scared kid who needed help, and he took me under his wing. He taught me swordfighting. I looked up to him, Nico. I thought he was perfect. And…”
Percy sighs.
“When I found out he wasn’t… it broke my heart.”
Nico blinks in shock. The way Percy’s talking…
“You…”
The son of Poseidon puts a hand on Nico’s shoulder gently.
“That’s why I’ve been avoiding you, Nico. That guy… I idolized him. I thought the world of him. And… what he did… I don’t want to do that to you, Nico. I don’t want to become your Luke.”
Nico blinks.
Luke…
He knew who Luke was, of course. Everyone did. But, to find out that he meant that much to Percy?
Nico knew, just with Percy having taken the time to tell him about Luke, that he could never be like Luke. But he also knew telling Percy that wouldn’t change anything.
His ears twitching slightly, Nico turns to Percy.
“Well… I mean, have you been having any conversations with Titan Kings lately?”
Percy blinks for a second and then laughs.
“No, no I haven’t.”
Nico smiles.
“Then I think we’ll be okay.”