Nico and Percy had decided to stay up for the night shift. Quests were difficult, and if one person is sleepy, they could miss a monster or enemy lurking by. While the others slept, they interlocked their fingers together - secretly a couple - and stayed watch.

As they did, Nico could only find the stars to keep his attention. He didn't see those much in New York, or in the Casino.

"Which is your favorite?" he whisper-asked Percy out of the blue.

Percy tilted his head, "Favorite what?"

"Star. Or constellation," Nico clarified, gently pointing up.

He couldn't explain it, but Nico felt a sort of calm and happiness when seeing the stars and holding Percy's hand simultaneously. It was as if this was meant to be. It made his soul smile, and not many things did that these days.

Percy looked up, thinking back to when his mother asked him that same question when he was a child. Look at the stars, Percy! Tell me your favorite one, she'd exclaimed, smiling bright just like one of them. He smiled fondly at the memory.

Nico nudged him, pulling him back from his thoughts.

"Sorry," he smiled sheepishly. "I like the little dipper."

Nico almost laughed, "Really? Not the Aquarius constellation or something?"

Percy snorted, "Nah. I like the little dipper. He's always the little guy, the underdog."

Nico shrugged, "I guess that makes sense."

Percy turned to Nico, his eyes twinkling. He stared at Nico's beautiful face as his lips curled, his eyes dazzled by the night sky. He'd never seen Nico so mesmerized.

"What about you?"

Nico took a moment to respond, loving the slow feeling settling in his chest, even though he knew his answer already.

"The Pleiades," he answered confidently. "The Seven Sisters. It's a cluster of hundreds of stars that make up seven beautiful dots, right there."

He pointed up at it. It took Percy a moment to find it, but once he did, he nodded, "Yeah, it's a bright one."

"It's the best one," Nico said sarcastically.

"Says you," Percy joked.

Nico nodded in agreeance, "Says me."

After a few moments, Nico kept whispering, "I miss the stars."

"Me too," Percy replied. "But I see them every day."

Nico lifted an eyebrow in disbelief, "Where?"

"In your eyes," Percy tried.

Nico did laugh at that, a quiet giggle that he covered with his mouth, "So romantic, Perce."

Percy shrugged, smiling, "Hey, I tried."

Nico leaned in close, carefully resting his head on Percy's shoulder.

"I hope we live to see the stars another night," Nico said, closing his mouth after that.

"Yeah," his boyfriend nodded gently against his hair, "We will. I promise."

A/N: Dedicated to patroclusfan for being cool and liking my previous work :)