Long chappie.

Don't forget to comment! It makes me super happy reading them and inspires me to write faster :) You're all incredible, so enjoy! <3 Xx

Chapter #32; Part 2 : Deeper

~What doesn't kill you makes you wish you were dead.
Got a hole in my soul, growing deeper and deeper.
And I can't take one more moment of this silence.
The loneliness is haunting me.
And the weight of the world's getting harder to hold up.
It comes in waves, I close my eyes.
Hold my breath and let it bury me.
I'm not okay, and it's not alright.
Won't you drain the lake and bring me home again?
Who will fix me now? Dive in when I'm down?
Save me from myself, don't let me drown.
Who will make me fight? Drag me out alive.
Save me from myself, don't let me drown.
What doesn't destroy you, leaves you broken instead.
Got a hole in my soul growing deeper and deeper.
And I can't take one more moment of this silence.
The loneliness is haunting me.
And the weight of the world's getting harder to hold up.
'Cause you know that I can't do this on my own. Who will fix me now?
Who will fix me now? Dive in when I'm down?
Save me from myself, don't let me drown.~

"A... piercing?"

I blinked a couple times, surprised and confused as to why Percy wanted a piercing for his birthday. That is, if I heard him right. A piercing. Out of anything he possibly wanted. If he did go along and got a piercing...

"Yeah, why not? They look cool on some people," Percy stated with a shrug. His eyes met mine again and he frowned in concern. "Hey, y'alright, Neeks?"

I closed my mouth. "Huh?"

The green eyed man chuckled and his face softened out. I decided to continue browsing down the near deserted street with Percy.

"Well... Maybe we should get some lunch so you can think through what exactly you want. Does that sound okay?" I asked Percy with a shy smile, glancing up at him sideways like a curious kitten.

He grinned and patted his stomach. "Hell, yeah! I'm starving!"

I chuckled and we continued to make our way down the street full of small buildings with massive shop windows. Halfway to Percy's favourite restaurant The Ivy, I noticed his face begin to twist into an unknown emotion from the corner of my eye. His green eyes narrowed slightly, his eyebrows frowned in a mildly nervous fashion, his lips pressed into a straight line, his bangs fell into his eyes, he began walking weirdly (almost mechanically), and he appeared as if he wanted to say something badly, but was giving it a second thought. Or maybe he just really had to use the restroom. It was a possibility.

Not a minute later, Percy paused right in the middle of the street. I stopped walking as well and turned around to give him a questioning gaze.

"I was just wondering..." He began, tousling his black hair. "You don't have to, but I was just gonna put it out there because, well, you're always welcomed and you're my friend. I just remembered now, so it's not like I've been keeping it from you and I'm not try'na run away or anything-"

"Perce." I frowned with suspicion. "Is something wrong?"

"Would you like to have lunch at my place with my family and I?" He blurted with wide eyes.

Percy seemed hesitant to ask me, as if I was going to turn him down and walk away on him on his own birthday. Like I would do that. But, I was still feeling rather uncomfortable about the idea. I would be around his family, I would have to be social and polite, I would be alone at Percy's place, I would have to be 'introduced' to his parents again (this time properly and not like his last birthday). Which got me wondering... Would it compare to the last time I showed up on his balcony during his birthday? I appeared just to say goodbye, but he invited me in for cake. It was heartwarming (yet totally devastating and angering at the time) and I was a nervous wreck. As I was now.

"I- I don't know..." I stuttered, my face screwing up with indecision, hesitance, and anxiety.

Percy's face fell a bit at my hesitance. "It would be great, my mom loves you, Neeks. It's just for one meal and maybe some cake, knowing her. Paul will be there too, but he would gladly welcome you with open arms. My parents might even steal you away from me! It'll be lovely and you could stay by my side the entire time if you'd like. Please?"

I exhaled a nervous breath and pulled my gaze away from Percy's big hopeful eyes. "Would they really... accept me? People just aren't comfortable around me. I- I'm just not sure... Maybe it should be a family celebration-"

"You are my family, Nico." Percy took a step closer to me, his eyes staring sternly into mine as his expression became pleading. "Please, come? I won't force you to, but I would love it if you came with me."

I had to bite my lip to keep my emotions in check. Did he really think I was part of his family? My chest hurt just thinking about it. In a good way. It was a good kind of hurt, the kind that causes you to lose your breath and make your eyes water. The kind of hurt that makes your heart swell with emotion. I knew I was being beyond cheesy (I mean, I acted like a thirteen year old girl all the time); but in the end, it was all true. Percy made me the happiest I had ever been. Honest.

I guess I could get through one meal at his parents' house for his birthday. So I accepted; happily.

~

The dinner turned out to be - dare I say it - better than I had originally thought. Percy was right. His mother, Sally Jackson (or was it Blofis? I would have to ask Percy sometime), pulled me into a bone crushing embrace as soon as her eyes looked past her son and fell on me. After my awkward attempt to hug her back, she ushered Percy and I into the apartment with a smile as warm as the sun shinning through the opened window. Inside, Percy's stepdad Paul, was awaiting us with a delighted grin. He gave his stepson a tight man-hug and afterwards placed a firm hand on my shoulder with a genuine smile. I went to give him a firm handshake, but he brushed my hand aside and surprised me with an engulfing hug of his own.

"It's great to finally see you again, Nico." Sally beamed. "My, look how much you've grown! You've gotten glasses, too. You're such a handsome young man."

I blushed a deep shade of red and offered to help her set the dinning table for lunch. She seemed pleased with my offer and handed me a four multicoloured cups and porcelain plates.

It felt a tad... strange being in Percy's mom's small kitchen setting up the table for a meal while Percy himself sat out in the homey living room with Paul, talking about whatever sport was on the television. It was oddly domestic. It honestly made my stomach flutter and my cheeks heat up, causing me to almost fumble with the plates in my hands. Luckily I was an expert at gaining my composure and set out to placing cutlery around the cherrywood table. While I did so, Mrs Blofis made small talk with me, asking me how I was and that she was glad I was back at camp, how Hazel was doing and all of the others, how Percy and I's relationship was going.

I shouldn't have choked when she asked me that last question, but of course: I did.

I froze on the spot, sputtering like an idiot and thanked the gods that she had her back to me. "Uh... P-pardon?"

She turned around with a pot of pasta in her hands and a smile on her face, still not looking at me directly. "I'm just happy to see you, Nico. Every time Percy has mentioned you before, he seemed a bit down that you weren't as close as he wanted you to be. And then all of a sudden during his phone calls or at visits he seemed much more excited that you two are friends. As a mother it just... Thank you, Nico. You're welcome here anytime."

I gulped and began fumbling with the sleeves of my black jumper.

"Hey, guys! The food smells great!"

My whole body relaxed as a familiar voice entered the kitchen. A comforting hand wrapped around my right shoulder and I instantly leaned into Percy's touch. I looked up at him through my eyelashes and discovered he already had his eyes on me. He gave me a small nod, as if making sure I was alright, staring into my eyes with an intense emotion I couldn't decipher. I gave him a nod back, causing him to grin widely. I felt my own lips pull up into a small smile. My body heated up when he squeezed my shoulder, flicking his black hair out of his eyes. Could he be any more... perfect?

"Take a seat, boys! Enjoy." Mr Blofis beamed at us, sitting beside his wife on one side of the table.

I looked back up at Percy with a shy smile, all of a sudden feeling a bit more flustered than usual. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye and winked. A small smirk played on his pink lips as he walked away and took a seat in front of his mother, his blue skinny jeans complimenting his legs in all the right places. Before I could collapse on the spot or burn up from the heat I felt, I pulled a chair out beside Percy and sat down, filling my plate with the food Sally had generously made for us. She went all out for a lunch, but it was sweet of her.

After we ate, she sent Percy and Paul out into the living room with a casual dismissal. Paul grabbed Percy in a headlock and they both stumbled out of the kitchen in a fit of laughter and competitive grunts. I smiled at their playfulness, loving how happy Percy was. Before I could take a seat on the evergreen coloured couch they had, Sally had gently grabbed my arm, pulling me back into the kitchen and asking me if I would help her with the cake. I happily accepted, and covered the blue cake in a light blue frosting.

I actually felt... happy. This felt like another home to me. Everyone accepted me so easily and treated me like family without a second thought. No one hesitated, and they all appeared enthusiastic whenever they offered I would do something and I accepted. Like at the moment, I could practically feel Sally's joy as she observed my icing skills while she held candles in her hands. After I finished, she began piping designs on the cake and I left to lean against the door frame leading into the living space.

I simply watched Percy and Paul goofing around until they began a serious conversation. I frowned slightly at the sudden change of air, but thought nothing of it. Was this how they always were? Percy blushed a beet red and scratched the back of his neck. My eyebrows raised and I smiled, loving this flustered and vulnerable side of Percy. Paul smirked at him and I wondered what they were talking about.

I lit the candles on the blue cake and helped Sally carried it out into the living room while she sang Happy Birthday to Percy. He beamed on the sofa and Paul joined in on the singing. I couldn't help the small giggles that escaped me at their singing talents, but placed the cake on the small glass coffee table in front of the birthday boy. He grinned up at me as I bent over him. I decided it was my turn and winked at him. He raised an amused eyebrow. I filled with happiness as he chuckled and blew out the candles.

Percy cut us all a piece of his cake and in minutes I was crumpled up on the sofa laughing at his blue mouth, blue lips, and practically blue face. I didn't think I was any better because I ate the blue dyed icing, but it felt good to laugh at each other. Even his parents joined in and pointed at each others faces. After we finished with the cake, Paul retrieved Percy's gifts. They contained a new sky blue jumper, a new pair of black skinny jeans, a leather necklace to go with the one he got from camp, and a gift card he could spend anywhere he wanted. The green eyed man beamed and embraced his parents, kissing his mother on the cheek.

It seemed like only ten minutes later we were leaving. I actually felt a tad bit unwilling to leave. I stood up and made the first move, hugging Sally. She seemed surprised, but delighted, and hugged me back even tighter. When I felt her gentle motherly hand run up and down my back I literally melted into her embrace, prepared to burst into tears. I didn't even know I needed that until she did it.

Percy waited for me by the door as I approached Paul, who was still smiling his charming smile. I liked Paul already. This time I was ready for the hug, and his big arms wrapped around me like he did for his son just moments ago. I felt even smaller in his arms than I did in Percy's. Paul was almost two heads taller than me. It still felt nice.

"Take care of each other. I'm happy Percy has you and the other way around. Come back anytime." He whispered beside my ear.

I gave him a thankful, bashful smile and finally left with Percy's arm around my shoulders once again. I leaned into him and didn't regret being closer to him for once.

PERCY POV

"Are you sure you want one?"

"Yeah."

"You don't sound sure."

"I am."

"Truly?"

"Maybe."

"Maybe isn't good enough."

"... Mother of Poseidon, there's blood."

"Now do you want one?"

"Nicooooo," I whined.

"I was just making sure you actually wanted one after you see someone else get it." Nico stated, acting surprising protective. I loved it.

I glanced back into the Piercings & Tattoos shop window and grimaced once again as someone was getting a lip pierced, and the other an eyebrow pierced. How was I supposed to know they were actually going to shove a freaking needle in your face? Just because I was a demigod it did not mean I wasn't squeamish around blood. Especially when it was coming out of your face at the hands of a massive burly man covered in tattoos and piercings shoving a needle through your skin.

Nico chuckled beside me, placing his sweater paw hand on my arm. Even though his skin was covered by the fabric, tingles shot up my arm. "If you don't want one, just say so. I'll get you something else for your birthday, Baby Blue."

"No... I want one." I mumbled, pursing my lips. "Just... Maybe not in my face. It looks..." I shivered and wrinkled my nose.

Nico threw his head back and barked out a laugh. "Okay, well, let's go in and see what they can do for ya, yeah?"

I agreed and Nico grabbed my wrist and opened the door to the shop. It jingled and a tough looking guy looked up at us behind a black cash register. Behind him, in another room, I could see a girl covered in tattoos going up her neck and had bright hot pink hair giving a guy around his mid twenties a tattoo on his forearm. On the front desk there were many tattoo books and on the wall beside it had a case full of different piercing studs and rings. I rocked on the balls of my feet and glanced at Nico to see what he thought of the shop. He seemed to be checking out the case of piercings.

"Can I... 'elp ya?" The guy with longish punk black hair asked with a questioning tone and curious eyes, his eyebrow piercing lifting.

"Uh..." I mumbled.

"My friend wants a piercing, but not in his face. What do you suggest?" Nico stated bravely.

The punk dude stepped out from behind his desk, his black combat boots clunking on the black tile flooring, and stood in front of me with his lips pursed.

"Show me yer ears." He demanded in an odd accent.

My eyebrows lifted at his tone but I did what he said, pushing my hair back from my ears. The dude in front of me grunted and stepped away. I glanced at Nico with a raised eyebrow. He looked up at me a millisecond later and tried to hide his smile, shrugging his shoulders.

"Maybe ear studs." The punk guy said with a firm nod. "Sound good, mate?"

"Uh... Yeah, okay." I answered with a small shrug. "Sounds good."

"Awesome. M'name's Oliver. Now, if you'll foller me to da back..."

Nico and I followed in the man's footsteps to a small enough room in the back with a dentist-like chair and a room full of different gadgets. On the walls were pictures of piercings, unlike the other rooms that had pictures of tattoos in picture frames. The man then excused himself as he left the room to prepare for my piercing and sort out our 'appointment'.

Nico turned to me with a smile. "You want studs?"

I shrugged my shoulders and pursed my lips. "Why not?" Nico chuckled and I smiled. "What?"

"Maybe I should get something while I'm here."

My eyebrows shot up. "You want a piercing now? Since when?!"

"Don't freak, I just thought about it when you mentioned that you wanted one for your birthday. Have you thought of what colour you want your studs to be yet?" The son of Hades asked as he rolled up the sleeves of his black jumper, the veins in his forearms prominent.

"Uh..." I shook my head to rid of my thoughts. "Honestly, no... Do you have an idea?"

"Of course I do. Unlike you, I plan some things ahead of time." He stated sassily. "I thought, if you were up for it that is, that we could get a matching pair of piercings. Like, you could get black studs in your ears, and I could get blue piercings. You up for it?"

I raised my eyebrows and sat on the big chair in the middle of the room. "Heck yeah, let's do this poo! Where's the needle thingy, bring it on!"

I felt a tiny playful smack on my arm and noticed Nico giggling at me, repositioning his black glasses on the bridge of his nose. My eyes softened and I smiled up at him just as the punk dude walked back into the room.

"Decided ever'thin' ya wan'ed, man?" The guy asked, placing some type of small gun on the table beside the chair I sat in.

"Yeah." I described what I wanted and he nodded along, plucking some black studs out for me to approve of and I nodded with a smile.

"I would also like to get a piercing too, after you've finished with him." Nico added, his arms crossed as he watched the punk dude work around me and put marker dots on my ears.

The guy nodded as he lifted the gun thing and placed the studs in it. "Sure ting, mate."

The piercing actually didn't hurt at all. Of course there was a tiny pinch as the earring went into my earlobe, but other than that; painless. I stood up from my seat and looked in the mirror, grinning at the black studs in my ears. Heck yeah, I looked awesome! I stood up and showed Nico with an excited hop in my step and he chuckled, telling me it looked great.

"Your turn?" The punk dude asked Nico.

I raised my eyebrow at him. "What are you getting, Neeks?"

The brown eyed boy smirked. "It's a surprise, amore."

My jaw dropped as I was pushed out of the room. I almost forgot Neeks spoke Italian and... Fury farts, it was freaking sexy. I snapped myself out of the embarrassing trance and shuffled over to a waiting chair. I sat down on the leather seat and the hot pink haired woman from before came by with a tiny glass in her hands. She asked if I was the one who got studs, in which I nodded, and she handed me the small cup explaining it was nectar. Apparently it'll help heal my ears right away instead of it taking months. I thanked her and gulped it down, feeling the tiny sting in my ears instantly disappear.

I practically jumped out of my seat when the door beside me opened and out shuffled the punk dude, seeming a bit more nervous than he was with me. I frowned slightly in amusement. Yeah, I guess Nico did that to some people. Or maybe Oliver was just a punk wannabe.

"Nectar?" I heard the hot pink haired woman say.

I spun around and saw the one and only Nico drinking from a tiny plastic cup. I walked up to him and examined his ears, but there was nothing there. I frowned in confusion. Didn't he just get a piercing or what? Before I could think anymore, the brown eyed boy pulled the cup away from his lips and smirked at me, pulling the sleeves of his jumper down past his hands and playing with them nervously. I could only gawk at him. My mind clouded and I seemed to not be able to speak or move. All I could do was stare at him with my mouth open.

"Spider bites?!" I exclaimed, my eyes wide as I gawked at the two dark blue rings in Nico's bottom lip.

The son of Hades only laughed a fun loving laugh and grabbed my wrist, paying for our piercings at the desk, and skipped out of the shop with me stumbling behind him in tow.

"I think I might have scared Oliver." He laughed.

~

Nico was laying on his stomach spread out across my bed with his knees bent and his feet swinging up in the air, his hands holding his chin up. I watched from below a few feet away sitting crossed legged on my wooden cabin floor with a green blanket wrapped around my shoulders. Nico wore black and grey plaid flannel pants with one of my over sized jumpers (he insisted he'd wear it with a pout I couldn't resist), while I sat in a pair of Flounder pyjama pants from The Little Mermaid. So what if I was topless? It was a birthday pyjama party so it was either topless or everyone saw me in my tiny SpongeBob boxers. Judge all you want, but I was living unda da shea!

"Put a shirt on, Perce." Nico said suddenly.

I raised my eyebrows at the sudden comment, glancing up at Nico as he looked anywhere but at me. Did me being shirtless bother him? I could have fun with that.

"Why, Neeky?" I asked innocently, dropping the blanket from my shoulders by 'accident'. "Does it... bother you?"

Nico jumped with an unknown expression appearing across his face. A tiny frown appeared between his eyebrows and he lifted himself up on his hands slightly, almost in a yoga pose.

"W-what?" He breathed, his expression guarded. Then all of a sudden his shoulders sagged and his face softened out into a casual teasing way. "It's just our friends are going to be here shortly and you want them to see you... topless?"

I shrugged with a tiny smirk. "Sure, why not? Do you not want them to see me topless?"

Nico flipped himself over on my bed and placed his arms behind his head, seeming to act careless. I surprised my smile and studied him carefully as I stood up with the green blanket in my hands and placed it at the end of my bed, making sure that I leant over his feet and flexed my muscles a tad more than necessary. He noticeably tensed up. Success.

"I don't know. I just wasn't sure you would be comfortable half naked around a group of people. Just asking, Jackson." Nico stated, a slight edge to his tone.

Jackson? Oh, no he doesn't. He cannot go back to the way he was before.

"Hey, Neeks!" I exclaimed loudly.

He jumped in alarm and his head whipped towards me with wide concerned eyes.

"What?!"

In a heartbeat I had jumped up onto my bed, pounced onto Nico, squished him back down into the duvet, and had his arms pinned to his sides with my head against his chest. I felt his whole body freeze up, not a muscle moved. I was almost frightened that he wasn't breathing until I heard his heartbeat pounding against my eardrum. I must have scared the schist out of him with the way his heart was racing!

"What the- Perseus Jackson!" Nico growled from beneath me, his arms struggling between my own arms.

I placed my chin on his chest to look up at him and blinked innocently. "Dat's meh."

He stared down at me in disbelief and... was that possibly awe? His brown eyes were the size of celestial saucers. "What in the name of Hades are you doing?"

"Hm... Lemme think." I mumbled, pursing my lips in mock thought. "Snuggling...?" I asked myself, raising an eyebrow and then glancing up at Nico with a grin.

With that said, I squeezed his cool body closer to my warmer one and nuzzled my face into my navy blue jumper that he was wearing. He was not so surprisingly cuddly. I hummed in content and closed my eyes, hiding my face in his skinny but toned chest. It worried me slightly how the brown eyed boy was so still, almost statuesque, and wasn't saying much. I never thought that I could be scaring him away. Could he maybe be unsure about a cuddle? This was probably all new to him. The first time I hugged him he practically almost chopped my head off and looked like a caged animal.

I instantly glanced up at him with concern. "Are you alright, Neeks?"

To my surprise he smiled down at me with a giggle. The sound made my insides flutter. "You're kind of suffocating me, amore," He grunted softly.

I gawked at him for the second time in only hours. I didn't care if I was openly giving him heart eyes, he was just... adorable. I just...

"Hey, Tuna Breath?" Nico grunted and I snapped back to reality. His eyebrows lifted but the gold specks in his eyes danced with amusement. "I can't breathe."

"Oh!" I exclaimed and let go of him as he laughed.

I loved this fun loving and playful Nico. He was happy and that alone made me happy.

"So are you putting a shirt on or not?"

I pouted and crossed my arms from the end of my bed. "What? Am I not attractive or fit enough to be shirtless?"

"I'm pretty sure you know that's not the case, Perce." The son of Hades chuckled, a small curl from his undercut falling into his eyes. He pushed it away and fixed his glasses.

"So you're just jealous then." I stated casually, picking at my fingernails.

I heard a tiny cough and looked up to see Nico clearing his throat with pink cheeks. "Jealous of who? Piper or my sister seeing you in the nude? I'm good, thanks."

A surprised bark of laughed escaped my throat. "I'm not in the nude, Neeky, I have pants on!"

He shrugged and turned around to lay on his stomach, facing away from me.

"So you are suggesting I can't pull off being topless." I tsked. "Now that hurts, di Angelo."

I was caught off guard when Nico burst into loud laughter, almost hysterical as he turned around to stare at me in disbelief.

"Are you kidding me?" He said between laughter. "You're fucking fit!"

Once I got over my initial shock and stopped sputtering like an idiot, I cleared my throat and willed the blush on my face to go to the pits of Tartarus. With that, I scooted up closer to the son of Hades and lifted my eyes slowly to meet his with a tiny flattered smirk.

"You think I'm fit?" I grinned.

He sputtered in turn, scratching the back of his head, his fingers twirling in his hair. "W-well, I mean, you do swim a lot, being the son of Posei-Poseidon and all. And we train all the time, so, uh, I guess everyone is considered 'fit' at camp, and..."

"... And?"

"And yeah, you're pretty dam fit, Percy Jackson."

"Oh, really?"

"Don't make me repeat it."

"Well, I think you're not too bad yourself, Death Breath."

Nico grimaced, his face scrunching up in disgust and our playful confidence evaporating. "I am nothing, Percy."

"Now you see, my little shadow prince, you are highly mistaken. I for one think you're quite adorable."

"A-adorable...?" Nico said with his mouth wide open, his head shaking back and forth.

"Mmhm," I hummed and scooted closer. "I don't get why you put yourself down. You're honestly the most beautiful man I've ever had the pleasure to lay eyes on. I swear on the Styx."

Nico sat completely still with his eyes as large as they could go, his jaw hanging almost on the floor, and his face covered in a deep blush. I could only smile softly at how even something you would call a flaw would look so good on him. A tiny glint reflecting off of his lip rings caught my attention and it was my turn to blush. Ever since he got those stinking piercings I couldn't help staring at his lips even more often. One day I'll get caught staring for sure, but I couldn't move. His lips looked fuller somehow, shinning a lovely red and his deep blue spider bites only made his red lips contrast even more. His lips were so inviting...

"You know, Neeks... Your last name does you justice." I mumbled, my voice just above a whisper.

"Is that s-so?" Nico breathed, pulling his bottom lip between his teeth causing my eyes to meet his big brown ones.

"Yeah... You're honestly the definition of an angel, but you put yourself down so much. You put yourself in so much misery and face an incredible amount of pain. You're like a fallen angel that's lost his wings but kept his beauty. You don't have to break anymore, and you certainly have no reason to put yourself down. Anyone could tell you you're a beautiful man, Neeky."

"You're killing me here."

"It's only the truth you can't seem to accept."

"Cheese. I smell cheese." Nico pretended to sniff the air and scrunched his nose.

I burst into laughter and clutched at my sides. I felt a tiny slap on my shoulder and opened my eyes enough to see the son of Hades grinning down at me. I wiggled my eyebrows and he giggled, poking me in the forehead. I melted at the innocent action. I felt another poke to my face and frowned up at the brown eyed boy. Because Nico was just full of lovely surprises today, he jumped up on top of me with a determined and challenging expression.

"Oh, bring it on, pretty boy!" I exclaimed.

Nico giggled once again and blushed at the compliment.

"Oh!"

Nico and I both whipped our heads towards my cabin door with surprise. Of course, standing in the doorway, was Frank Zhang in a pair of baggy camouflage pants and a light grey shirt. He stood frozen with his hand on the doorknob as he stared between Nico and I with raised eyebrows and a deep blush coating his cheeks.

"I, uh, um, uh..." He stuttered awkwardly. "... P-probably should of knocked. Uh, sorry."

He scratched the back of his neck and almost ran out of the cabin in embarrassment, slamming the door behind him as he left. I snorted after he left, feeling Nico slowly pulling himself away from me out of embarrassment. I only laughed louder and tugged him against my chest. He grumbled and glared at me. He was still freaking adorable.

"That was-" I started.

"Embarrassing." Nico pouted.

I shrugged. "And maybe a little awkward considering it was Frank and everything seems awkward around him."

The boy on top of me glared playfully and I chuckled in amusement, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear just as my cabin door swung open once again.

"HOLY SPICY BURRITOS! I JUST INTERRUPTED A MOMENT!" Leo exclaimed in his mismatched pyjamas with Calypso standing behind him giggling into her hand.

"Uh-"

"WHICH MEANS THERE WAS A MOMENT!" Leo continued. "PERCICO FOREVER, MAN! I'M A FREAKING LOVE GURU!"

He turned around and began stepping out if the cabin. "HEY, PIPER, GIMME YOUR JOB! YOU'RE FAILING! I'M A FREAKING PRO AT LOVE- PIPER!"

Nico groaned and his his face in my chest.

"PIPER! DON'T YOU DARE RUN FROM THE LOVE DOCTOR! HEY!"

"PIPER!"

"PIPER!

"PIPERRRRRRR!"

"PI- Hey, oh em gee, THEY'RE FREAKING CUDDLING! PIPER GET A CAMERA!"

"PIPER!"

Best birthday ever, I thought to myself.

~~~

End of Chapter

Too fabulous? Yeah, I know.

I'm so excited for the chapters to come, you've NO idea!!! ;D

Love you all! <3

-Percico Lovin!!!