Got some good plot in this ;D It's gonna really set the next chapters in motion! (Even if you might not realise it yet)
Hope you enjoy :)

Chapter #16 : My Only Exception

~I'd never sing of love if it does not exist
But darling...
You are the only exception
Well maybe I know somewhere deep in my soul
That love never lasts
And we've got to find other ways to make it alone
Or keep a straight face
And I've always lived like this keeping a comfortable
Distance
And up until now I had sworn to myself that I'm content with loneliness
Because none of it was ever worth the risk
Well...
You are the only exception
I've got a tight grip on reality
But I can't let go of what's part of me here
I know you're leaving in the morning when you wake up
Leave me with some kind of proof it's not a dream
You are the only exception
And I'm on my way to believing
Oh and I'm on my way to believing~

NICO POV

Aw, man... I think this is the most comfortable I've ever been (so yeah, maybe my first time actually ever being comfortable). I groaned and snuggled deeper into what I assumed to be my fluffy pillow and dark silk comforters. This is probably one of the only few things that really brings me joy in December: The cold winter air outside, while you're inside a warm wood cabin feeling cosy under a strangely warm blanket and quilt with a small hearth burning black Greek death fire in the far right corner (again, this would be another first, but I'm liking it much better than some strange dark cave in the Underworld). I sighed contentedly and clung to my pillow a bit tighter, then I froze.

Holy shit, I think my pillow just snored. Actually, let me rephrase that: Holy shit, my pillow just snored rather loudly. I squeezed my eyes shut and frowned, wondering if it was just my imagination. It could have even been me snoring for all I know. But then I felt my arm, which was draped tightly over my so-called pillow, rise up and down in a steady rhythm. What in the name of Hades is going on? I heard a small groan and my bed shifted, almost squirmed, underneath me. Holy Hera, I think my bed might be possessed again. I thought that would stop once I spoke with the trickery spirits in the Underworld last month! I tensed up, but stayed stock still, pretending as if I were still asleep.

When I thought it was all over, I relaxed back into the warmth, only to have something brush across my forehead and the small hairs likely sticking up from my head in sleep. I sprung up from where I was with a small yelp (I'll have you know it was pretty manly- you know what? Just never mention this again or I'll have you rot in the depths of my father's realm, understood?) and shuffled away from whatever touched me, only to fall off the end of my bed, sprawled out on my floor with a mess of silky sheets and dark quilts.

"Ouff!" I groaned as I landed with a thud, trying to rub the lump that was likely to appear on my head, but restrained by the tangled mess of sheets.

As I tried to desperately untangle myself from the stupid mess, I heard a deep raspy chuckle come from where I was previously laying on my bed. My head snapped up and I swear I stopped breathing.

"'Morning, Ghost King." Percy mumbled in amusement from his position on my bed with a tired smirk on his face.

If I was going to faint by the sound of his sexy (yes, I admit it!) morning voice, then I guess I should start my journey down to the Underworld, because the view was even greater. His black hair stood up on his head in a spiky mess, hairs pointing in every direction, his eyes were clouded over in sleep, making it look like a creamy green sea-foam colour, and his lazy smirk played on his lips in amusement as I realised I was still laying on the floor, staring at him with my mouth agape. I snapped my jaw shut and scrambled to my feet, glaring at the attractive son of the sea god as I probably looked disheveled and super unappealing. Then I felt my cheeks flame up as I realised the situation I was in.

So... I was just sleeping on Percy, first of all. He was the one snoring and squirming underneath me instead of my bed. I was using Percy as my pillow all night. Then I yelped and fell off my bed in front of Percy, embarrassing myself further and looking like a complete fool. Then I was staring at him with my mouth open like a buffoon! Why the hell was he in my room, never mind in my bed, anyways?!

Percy cleared his throat as he sat up into a sitting position and I turned my attention back to him, as he gave me a sheepish smile. "Hey, man. Um, you feeling any better this morning, by any chance?"

I frowned in confusion at first, then remembered yesterday's events. Oh. Oh. I gulped and stared down at the wooden floor beneath me as my expression hardened. But then I remembered something else. Percy coming to my cabin when I got back from the Underworld, him comforting me, him staying the night to make sure I was alright... I could feel this strange kind of fluttering feeling in my stomach and my shoulders loosened up as my expression softened. I looked back up at Percy and saw him smiling warmly back at me, encouraging me to speak.

I blushed and cleared my throat, scratching the back of my neck awkwardly. "Um, yeah. I-I guess..."

Percy got up from my bed with a grin on his face. "Great!"

I was about to speak, but forgot everything I was going to say because the green-eyed boy in front of me decided to stretch, resulting in his blue shirt riding up, revealing a small patch of skin on his abdomen. My eyes widened at the exposed smooth tan skin with a visible forming six-pack. All I could do was splutter as his attention turned back to me, a smirk playing on his lips. My eyes flicked away immediately as he looked at me, and I made my way over to my dresser, trying to distract myself as I internally beat myself up for thinking such things. Sometimes I just disgust myself beyond explanation.

As I rummaged through my clothing drawers, looking for something both Percy and I could wear instead of the clothes we slept in like a good host would do (I'm guessing), I finally came up with something to say so I could break the awkward silence I created.

"Um... Thanks, you know, for... Staying here with me while I was, uh..." I struggled to say the right words, frowning at my awful attempt at conversation.

I sighed and hung my head in defeat, but heard the sound of feet approach me from behind. A hand was placed softly on my shoulder. I tensed up at first, but eventually relaxed into the touch, allowing myself to enjoy the comfort it brought me while I could.

"Hey, it's alright, Neeks. I'm always here for you, yeah?" He said softly, his breath brushing against my exposed neck, making me shiver as well as the nickname he gave me brought goosebumps to my skin. "I mean, what are friends for?"

With that, my stomach dropped. Right. Friends. I ripped a shirt that I thought was too big for me out of my dresser drawer and spun around, pushing it into Percy's chest.

"Here's a shirt you can borrow." I said simply, returning to pick out my own clothes, throwing a pair of sweat pants I thought would fit him over my shoulder and into his arms. "The bathroom's to your left."

"U-uh, okay...?" I heard him mumble before the sound of his footsteps disappeared behind a closed door.

I let out a breath I didn't even notice I was holding and glared at my feet. I'm an idiot. An absolute tool. These past couple weeks I've been doing exactly this. Percy and I would be having an okay time, he'd mention something stupid that would set me off, and I'd get angry and take it out on him. I know it upsets him that I do these kinds of things, yet I just can't help it. "That's what friends are for.", "So who do you like?", "Hey, your cheeks are turning red, are you alright?", "C'mon Neeks, I'm your friend! You can tell me anything!", "I know you have a crush on someone, why can't you just tell me? I'm your friend, right?", etc, etc, etc. Ugh, this guy drives me crazy, but I can't help but love everything about him. I mean like. I mean... You know what? Leave me alone, I give up. I can't even.

Once I changed out of my ripped jeans and pulled on some clean sweats over my boxers shorts, I began pulling my shirt up over my messy head of hair, thinking about what I would do when Percy came back out of my washroom. I turned around just as I was about to slip my shirt over my head and froze. Well, I can stop thinking now, it seems. Because Percy stood right in front of me, mouth open as if he were just about to ask something, and his eyes fixed on my bare chest. I cleared my throat and quickly shrugged my black shirt over my head, feeling extremely self-conscious. His gaze was making me uncomfortable and yeah, I knew I wasn't the best looking guy, or the fittest, so I was far more than embarrassed having my unimpressive torso exposed to my- I guess you could say -'crush'.

"I-I'm done, uh, changing, hahah..." He said, making this a lot more awkward than it should be, but I couldn't help but think it was adorable.

I groaned mentally and made my way to the other side of my room, pulling a beanie over my awful haircut.

"Oh! Can you believe it's almost Christmas already?" Percy said randomly.

I turned around with a small frown. "Huh?"

He rolled his eyes. "It's almost Christmas! Y'know, in a few weeks! It's the seventh today, and Christmas is on the twenty-fifth, so-"

"I know when Christmas is, Jackson." This time I rolled my eyes.

"Well, aren't you excited?" He asked with a smile. "I think this is the first holiday you've ever spent at camp, so..."

I couldn't help but let a small smile fight it's way onto my lips as I watched him play with his hands. "I-I guess..."

He grinned. "I'd have to give you the best Christmas then, it's settled. Don't even try to get out of it, Neeks, because this time you have to let me give you an awesome day since last night didn't go as planned."

I stared down at my feet, fighting away the blush forming on my cheeks, mentally scolding myself. I shrugged my shoulders as my answer and heard Percy jump up with excitement. The next thing I knew, I was being enveloped in a bone crushing bear hug. I tensed up immediately, ready to push him away like any other time he would attempt to get too close (last night an exception), but I felt his fingers rub gentle circles into my back, sending a wave of comfort through my body. I unconsciously relaxed into his arms, leaning into his touch. What am I doing? I should be pushing him away like I always do! I should hate that he makes me feel like this! I should hate that just Percy's simple touch makes me feel safe and calm... Yet I couldn't find myself brave enough to pull away.

"So..." The son of Poseidon broke the silence, not letting go of my slightly smaller body, which I unfortunately didn't mind one bit. "Are you okay enough to tell me what happened last night?"

I grimaced. Why should I tell him, anyways? There's no reason why I should tell him what happened or where I've been every time I disappeared. I mean, why should he care? But his voice sounded so soft and gentle... Yet this piece of information is really personal. It's about Bianca. My sister. The one Percy watched die in action.

But I found myself opening my mouth before I could stop it, rushing out a blunt phrase. "Bianca left me."

I felt the arms around me tighten slightly, then a small coo whispered in my ear as Percy rocked us gently back and forth. For some reason I didn't feel embarrassed. Not one bit. I don't feel like a baby, a vulnerable little creature that he has to take care of. No... I just feel... Safe. But why?

"I'm so sorry, Neeks." He whispered sincerely. "So is that where you've been all this time? In the Underworld?"

I nodded my head with a sigh as my forehead made contact with his shoulder. His hand kept running soothing circles up and down my spine, making me slightly ticklish, but relaxing once again. Then one of his hands left my back. A small whine of protest left my lips at the missing warmth, which I found incredibly embarrassing and mentally slapped myself for being so needy, but then I felt the exact same hand attach itself in my curly hair, massaging my scalp. I sighed in content, feeling like I could just freeze this moment and live in it forever, but I knew that soon enough, something will happen and ruin whatever this is. Everything that brings me joy seems to be destroyed, and I don't want Percy to be one of them.

I let a frustrated growl crawl up my throat. "Everything's unfair, Percy. Everything is so fucking unfair. I just... Why does this always happen?! I-I... I just... I can't... Mmmph-" I tried to muffle the rest of my voice and useless frustration into Percy's shoulder. (That's probably the most I've ever said to him about how I was feeling, too. Huh... Quite sad).

My emotions were resurfacing and I was just about ready to explode. I hate this. I hate this feeling and I hate weakness and vulnerability. One moment I'm enjoying Percy's delicate touch, the next I'm mourning, and then those stupid thoughts return, torturing me on the inside, making me about ready to go on another rampage. I was just beginning to shake with emotions just as I felt two firm hands grip my shoulders. I looked up and was met with a concerned yet determined looking face, bright green eyes staring into my empty ones.

"Nico, it's alright. Life is unfair. That's just how it is. But you're strong, yeah? The strongest I've ever known." He tries telling me. "I know you'll miss her, but you were holding her back before. Now she's out there somewhere, free to live another life. She had that rare chance to start again, and she took it. Be happy she's free, okay? Don't mourn because she's gone; celebrate the fact that she's beginning a new life. It's much easier. Hey, hey- Look at me."

I felt his index finger lift my chin up so I had to look him in the eyes. I tried pulling away, but that only encouraged him to place both of his hands on the sides of my face, holding me there.

"No one leaves you on purpose. Sometimes it's just their time to go. They left for you because they loved you." He continued with his gaze firmly holding mine, as if he were trying to pierce through my soul or read me like a book. "And you're not alone. I'm sticking with you and I'm not planning on leaving any time soon. Jason's here, too. I've heard you've been spending a lot of time with him lately... Ahem. And what about Hazel? She loves you, too. You're not alone, and you never were. You just convinced yourself you were so you couldn't hurt yourself any further with the possibility of losing someone. I get that all the time, but it's natural to be afraid of losing someone you love. Even for a mortal. Now c'mon, let's be happy again, yeah? I'm in the mood for some blue waffles!"

I stared at him in silent awe. He seemed to have noticed my silence and thought there was something wrong with me, giving me a concerned look and brushing his thumbs across my cheeks to try and sooth me. I felt the corners of my mouth twitch as I blinked up at the raven haired guy in front of me. He's such an average looking 18 year old guy, but to me, he was on a whole new scale of beautiful. I'm calling a man beautiful. I'm calling a man beautiful. Oh my gosh, I'm calling Percy beautiful. I must be insane, because I couldn't find any way to deny it.

Percy's words replayed in my head again, rising a slight blush to my cheeks and I felt my lips twitch again. The son of the sea god gasped in front of me, his eyes full of wonder, accomplishment, and a certain kind of joy. I tilted my head slightly to the side in question, still fully aware of his hands cupping my cheeks.

"You're smiling." Percy breathed happily. "I don't think I've really seen you smile like this before..."

His eyes locked with mine again and my cheeks heated up. Something's going to happen. Something bad is going to happen, I can just feel it; like I can feel the shadows or death.

"I like it." He whispered, my attention returning to the grinning boy once more. "A lot."

My lips stretched up a bit more with his statement and he giggled (yes, giggled!), and poked the side of my mouth.

"You have a small dimple there where you smile." He stated with a twinkle in his eyes. "I wish I could keep it there..."

I realised how close we were and suddenly began feeling a small bit of panic rise into my chest.

"You know... Back on the island, when you were unconscious and stuff, I-I could still hear your thoughts." He said gravely, his voice just above a whisper. "You were thinking some pretty horrible things, Nico. I just don't want you putting yourself down, no matter what. I know you probably hate the idea of me being able to hear your personal thoughts, but I did hear them and I can't take that back. I'm so sorry, but I just want you to be happy. You deserve to be happy. I absolutely disagree with every single one of those thoughts haunting your mind back in the cave. You really are strong and-and incredible. So I hope I see that wonderful smile a lot more, okay?"

Our eyes were locked once again and my breath hitched. I couldn't process a thing he was saying. I literally haven't payed any attention to the words coming out of his mouth since he put his hands on my face, to be honest. Speaking of his face... It was so close to mine. Merely a few inches away. If I just leant in, then... It seems like I didn't need to, after all. Percy began to slowly lean forward, his smile still present but seeming in a small daze, and I visibly gulped. It happened quick, but in my mind it was all playing out in slow motion. His small (and incredibly soft) pink lips came down and gently touched the side of my mouth, on my so-called dimple.

That's when I snapped out of it.

My eyes widened, my mouth dropped as did my stomach, my heart beat erratically, and I thrust out my hands, pushing Percy away from me with a small gasp. It wasn't a rough push, but it was enough for me to get him off of me and for me to scramble away from him. I took one small peek at him as he stared at me wide-eyed in realisation, his face turning pink. But it wasn't just the kiss I was freaking out about- Oh no. It was the thoughts. Percy read my thoughts when I was unconscious. He knows the dark things I think about, my secret, what I think about myself, and not to mention the fact that I LIKE HIM. And he disagrees with it? He doesn't like the thought that I like him? Is he against me being gay? What did he mean?!

He doesn't like me. He never will. That kiss was nothing and the comforting was nothing. Who would ever like me? Really, Nico, time to grow up and move on from your little teenage crush. But why does it hurt so freaking much? A deep growl escaped my throat and I exploded.

"Get out!" I screamed. "Get the hell out now!"

He blinked at me, his eyes wide in confusion and possibly even fear.

I pulled at my hair in frustration. "I-I can't fucking believe it! Why do you care, Jackson? Huh? To mess with me? Do you like seeing me in a wreck? Ugh, I can't believe you! What are you trying to do to me?! I hate everything! Just get out! Leave! I fucking hate this! I-I just..."

My whole body felt like it was burning. I couldn't control what was coming out of my mouth at all. I didn't mean any of the things I said to him. Not at all. But I just felt so conflicted over whatever the hell was going on with me that it just poured out of my mouth anyway. What am I feeling? It definitely didn't feel good. I have no clue what to think anymore, but every second I spend more with the son of the sea god puts me on edge. I can't stand to hurt him anymore than I have. And I can't stay to let him hurt me anymore either. Percy stood frozen to the spot with his mouth opening and closing like a fish, unsure of what to say or how to react to my sudden outburst, his eyes showed hurt and confusion and surprise- I couldn't stand it anymore. I made my escape.

I burst out of the door of my cabin and ran out into the cool morning air. It began to slowly take the hot feeling away from my tensed body, but my mind's fuzziness only worsened slightly, replaying what happened over and over and over again in my head. Never mind the mind reading, he just kissed me, I thought while I ran down the line of cabins. It feels like that's all I've been doing lately. Running. Percy Jackson just kissed me. He kissed me on the lips! Okay, not technically on the lips, but it was the corner of my mouth! Holy mother of- Calm down, calm down, calm down... How the hell does someone calm down after a situation like this one?! Even if he didn't like it, it still sparked something for me!

I let my legs take me wherever they wanted me to go, and I ended up at a familiar door that I've seen countless times lately. I sucked in a deep breath and didn't even bother knocking, barging into the room. I don't have the patience to knock in a time like this. I entered the room and turned my head, finding a royal blue bunk bed and a small study right beside it where a grey swivel chair sat facing the other way. I rolled my eyes, turning around on my heel and slamming the door shut behind me, hearing a small jump come from the body in the chair. As soon as the chair turned around to face their intruder, the person's face softened as they ran their fingers through their hair in an almost stressed out manner.

"Jason, I really, really, really need to speak with you." I said in an almost desperate tone, still gasping for air.

He sighed, his electric blue eyes meeting mine as he stood up and walked closer to me. "You know, Nico, it's time you talk to Piper. You know, the real love expert? She already has her suspicions, being the daughter of the goddess of love, so you don't even have to try and hide it; she already knows. It's hard not saying anything when she's constantly squinting her eyes at you two, pointing out that something is going on."

I raised my eyebrows, momentarily caught off guard. Just as I was about to protest and flip some I-can't-deal-with-this-right-now shit on him, he held up a hand and quickly continued. "She can keep this a secret, I swear to you. Plus, Pipes can be really serious when she needs to be. I think she can be really helpful, Nico, I really do. You know I can't keep helping you with these things all the time, even though I'll gladly be here whenever you need me. You know I'm busy with the camps, the activities, the quests, the training, and even my own girlfriend. I'm not always going to be free for a chat. So... Why not give it a try, yeah? But before you do that- rant to me first. You seem pretty pissed and- no offence -but a bit of a wreck, too. I don't want you accidentally killing my girlfriend over boy troubles."

PERCY POV

"Hey, um... C-can I ask you for a huge favour...?" I asked hesitantly, playing with my camp t-shirt outside the pavilion at breakfast.

The one and only Piper McLean looked up at me, smiling warmly. "Of course! What do you need, Perce?"

"... Advice."

~~~

End of Chapter

So I'm finally finished with school now, no more exams. DONE. FINITO. HULLO SUMMER VACAYYY!!! Woot, woot!

Sooooo... Intense chapter? Worth the wait? Hopefulleh.
(IF YOU HADN'T NOTICED YET, I CHANGED IT A WEE BIT!!!)

I love you all! 10K reads!!!! EEEEEK!
I love all of my awesome cupcakes! ;D

XOXOXOXOX

~Curly (+Boobear)

-AWWW PERCICO MOMENTS <3