Enjoy the Percico from this point on ;)

Chapter #34 : Chasing You

~I feel it everyday it's all the same
It brings me down but I'm the one to blame
I've tried everything to get away
So here I go again
Chasing you down again
Why do I do this?
Over and over, over and over
I fall for you
Over and over, over and over
I try not to
Over and over, over and over
You make me fall for you
Over and over, over and over
You don't even try
So many thoughts that I can't get out of my head
I try to live without you, every time I do I feel dead
I know what's best for me
But I want you instead
I'll keep on wasting all my time
Over and over, over and over
I fall for you
Over and over, over and over
I try not to
Over and over, over and over
You make me fall for you
Over and over, over and over
You don't even try to~

PERCY POV

"Percy!"

I sighed, regretting not going somewhere a little more private than the small hill hidden behind a dozen trees in front of the strawberry fields. I just knew I would be interrupted, even though it was nearing curfew and I was well hidden. It was bound to happen as it always did. I stared up at the sky, watching as the sun slowly sunk further below the horizon of Long Island Sound, relishing the fresh night air and the closest thing to silence I've heard in a while. The smell of pine trees and strawberries invaded my nose yet I found it difficult to focus on that now that a frowning child of Hades waltzed up in front of me, blocking my view; my serenity.

Deep like the sea, that's what Percy Jackson was.

I felt slightly guilty that I was disappointed of who stood in front of me. The wrong child of Hades, my mind said. Where was the other kid, my brain asked. I wish he were here, my heart sang. I need to hold him, my hands ached. I want some pancakes, my stomach screamed like a bitchy whale on its period.

"Hey, Hazel," I greeted with a small polite smile. "What's up?"

She pushed her curly hair away from her beautiful dark coffee skin and pursed her lips. "I went to the Hades cabin for a visit and Nico wasn't there. Then I went to go search for him and saw him sprinting around like a madman..." She put her hand on her hip and sighed, "When I finally got ahold of him after I lost him for a half hour or so, he asked me to find you so you could meet up with him. He seemed anxious. I'm just worried about him. Can you please find out what's wrong with him? Or at least comfort him... somehow?"

I immediately nodded my head, almost frantically. I pushed myself up off of the ground and brushed myself off, briefly glancing down at Hazel and studying her as her yellowish eyes danced with tiring concern for her troubled older brother.

"Of course I will," I breathed out and ran my fingers through my black hair. "Where is he?"

"I think I saw him making his way to the Arena," Hazel sighed. "He had something to tell you, I think. Or, y'know, write you."

Something to tell me? I suddenly became very anxious. My stomach churned and my palms grew clammy. I wiped my hands on my jeans and thanked Hazel with a weak smile, hurrying away from the hill and towards camp. Nico had somehow made me even more concerned for him, if that was possible. All I could think about was why he needed me (even though it sent my heart into a frenzy) and why he was so anxious. Hopefully the brown eyed boy was okay.

As I was shuffling around the camp grounds, I noticed lights were going out in the cabins and the last of the campers were making their ways inside for the night. Curfew was just minutes away. Did that mean Nico wanted us to speak, specifically, alone? I frowned and felt my blood boil with anxiety. My feet seemed to have a mind of their own as they sped me towards the big building we called the Arena. The lights seemed to be on, so I assumed Nico was already waiting for me on the inside. I ran my tan fingers through my tousled hair and bit my lip.

"Just walk in, Perce." I whispered to myself, calming my breathing. "You can do this, you're a man. You're a real badass man. Yeah... Let's go."

And with that, I opened the two big wooden double doors and waltzed in.

My eyes almost instantly landed on the figure in the middle of the Arena, standing silently on the safety mats. Once he heard the door open, Nico turned around and grinned when seeing it was me. My heart almost faltered with relief. He smiled. That was a good sign. Right? I approached slowly, as if waiting for a bomb to go off, whether it was because Nico was worried about me or if something had happened to him again. I hoped it was just the first one.

I bit my lip in an almost bashful way once I stood in front of the brown eyed boy. "Hey, Neeks."

My breath hitched in my throat. He was wearing red today, my weakness when it was on him. The deep red shirt clung perfectly to his body, the V-neck revealing most of his chest and those heavenly collarbones of his. The colour just popped against his skin but matched the shade of his lips. His hair seemed darker and his eyes seemed to glow an even brighter gold, the black in his glasses only enhancing the colour. I couldn't even start on those fucking skinny jeans. Gods... I would have hit that any day. I swear I could barely hold back a moan- Aherm. Right, enough of that.

"Percy." He smiled, lip rings pulling up at the side of his mouth.

I was surprised he had his voice back but I couldn't help staring at those dammed piercings. They were like my kryptonite, trying to ruin everything by getting me caught staring at them. At Nico's lips. His beautiful, plump, red, full lips.

I cleared my throat, snapping myself out of the trance I was in. "Um, y-yeah?" I stuttered, "You, um, wanted to sp-speak with me?"

The son of Hades smiled sheepishly, weariness flashing in his eyes as he took a step closer to me, and he gazed up at me through his lashes. I attempted to swallow the lump that was growing in my throat. My heart was already pounding and I prayed to the gods Nico couldn't hear it. Those dam beautiful long eyelashes of his... The boy in front of me nodded his head and pursed his lips, bringing his pale hand up and touching my bicep, sending shocks of electricity up my arm.

"I did want to speak with you, and I'm glad you came, Percy." Nico uttered softly.

I smiled as warmly as I could and tilted his chin up so I could stare into his eyes without looking like a creep.

"I'd do anything for you, Neeks. Never mind just a small meet up after curfew. I'd risk going through Tartarus and back again for you." I admitted shyly, attempting to keep my composure as Nico stared right back up at me.

His long dark eyelashes fluttered and he smiled, sending a tingly and warm feeling spiralling around in my stomach. I was so distracted in my thoughts of the son of the death god that I didn't realise he had lifted his hand up until I felt it rest delicately against my cheek, his long pale fingers brushing softly against my skin. My eyes widened the size of saucers and my eyebrows shot up to my hairline. I could practically feel my cheeks burning and my breathing stop. That warm touch alone sent shivers up my spine.

"Percy... You've done so much for me." He said softly, his voice like silk. "I just... I'm really glad you're in my life. Someone as incredible and sweet and... b-beautiful as you."

My shoulders slumped forward. I was like putty in his hands and all he had to do was call me beautiful. He called me beautiful! My heart stopped beating completely. He was so sincere, I couldn't believe he just said that. He seemed shy and nervous about admitting it, but it literally made me want to jump in the air and fist pump the life out of the oxygenated nothing. Nico di Angelo called me beautiful? Mixed signals, but I didn't care. Maybe he just knew when boys were attractive, or maybe he was attracted to boys; who knew? I never asked him. Right then, all I could do was stare at Nico in awe and try to calm my breathing and force the blush on my face away.

"You-" I squeaked. With a frown, I cleared my throat and continued, "You think I'm... b-beautiful?"

The younger boy avoided my eyes and looked away, nodding with a smile.

I grinned to myself. "In that case, I think you're pretty gorgeous yourself, Ghost King."

"Really?" Nico whipped his head around and asked with a raised eyebrow, almost as if he were surprised.

I grinned. "Really."

A flash of mischief shinned in Nico's eyes and I became slightly nervous as to what he was about to do. But then, all thoughts disappeared when his small hand lowered from my hot cheek and rested on my chest, right above my racing heart.

"Percy Jackson thinks I, Nico di Angelo, am gorgeous?" He murmured with pink cheeks and a look of disbelief, running his hand slowly down my chest.

I bit my lip as I silently watched him.

"You know... I've always thought of you as my hero."

My eyebrows shot up and my heart skipped a beat. I was his hero? I leaned into Nico's touch and felt strong disappointment as he began slowly pulling away, backing up a couple steps. I just wanted him to be as close to me as possible. I wanted him to keep his touch on me, and I wanted my heart to keep beating for him.

The brown eyed boy cleared his throat and sent a small smirk my way. "You were the first person I've ever found beautiful. And I think, just maybe, you're the last person. The only person. My best friend."

"Are- are you joking with me? Is this a prank o-or something?" I stuttered, feeling completely overwhelmed and scratching the back of my neck.

Nico giggled, bitting at his lip rings and glanced up. "Would I really be spilling all of this if I were just playing around with you, Percy?"

I placed my finger on my chin. "Hm, I don't know..."

"Well, don't think any further, bad boy. I mean every word," he smirked. "I wouldn't lie to you."

Now it was my turn to smirk, feeling a strong pull towards the son of Hades. I felt suddenly confident and took a few steps towards Nico, my chest almost touching his.

"You would never lie to me?" I asked with a smirk and Nico shook his head. "No matter what?" Again, he shook his head. "So you wouldn't lie to me if I asked you, perhaps, if you had a slight attraction towards me?"

I smirked, feeling proud of myself but it fell as soon as the brown eyed boy answered confidently: "I wouldn't, and I have a strong attraction to you."

I didn't know how to react, I only realised that Nico's face was suddenly a lot closer to mine than just a moment before. His eyes still twinkled with a little mischief, but they stared intently back up at me. My breath was harboured and only came in tiny puffs, my chest rising and falling rapidly. My mind was reeling just moments before, and now my mind was blank. I just couldn't handle not touching Nico any longer; I needed his lips on mine.

"Just kiss me."

The Italian smirked. "My pleasure."

He had just accepted to kiss me. He just- he accepted- kiss- Nico didn't just- he- I ignored the rest of my thoughts and leaned into Nico as he leaned into me. I could feel his warm breath fanning across my face and it sent a shiver up my spine. My eyes fluttered closed. I pursed my lips and leaned in to finally connect our mouths. He didn't smell like cinnamon or vanilla for once, which confused me, but all thoughts left my mind as Nico's hand pressed softly against my cheek.

"PERCY!"

My eyes shot open at the sound of someone urgently screaming my name, my heart jumping at the scare. I stayed frozen where I was and let my eyes wander to the person standing in the doorway of the Arena. My head swam with confusion and I felt an odd twist in my stomach. What in the world was going on? I glanced back at Nico and frowned. Then back to the panicking figure who screamed my name. I squeezed my eyes shut then exhaled in disbelief, getting nowhere.

"Don't trust them, Percy," The all too familiar person stepped closer into the Arena with a desperate expression, "Whatever you see, it's not what you think it is."

"Wha...?" I backed away from Nico, that stood right in front of me still, and shook my head, staring at the person who just spoke to me. "... Nico?"

Was my mind playing tricks on me, or was I honestly seeing two Nicos? I scratched my head and looked back and forth between the two, growing weary and anxious. What in Hades was happening?! And why was I so turned on by it?!

NICO POV

I panicked, okay? I ran around camp trying to find Percy, knew he was going to show up at the Arena thanks to chatty Hazel, burst through the doors and am met with a disturbing sight. Percy had his lips puckered in front of a slimy beast with long knotted black hair, razor sharp teeth inside a beak the size of my sword, and talons that could shred the Royal Bank to bits. So yeah, I panicked. I might have screamed a little, too (much to my surprise since I hadn't had a voice just seconds before), but that dammed creature was about to snap Percy's head off. I had a great excuse to scream like a five year old girl.

I took a cautious step forward, keeping my eyes on the monster, but trying to gain Percy's trust. Who knew what he was thinking at the moment. His mind could be mush! He seemed so confused when I walked in, it worried me.

"Perce," I said softly, lifting one of my hands in peace, "That thing in front of you, whatever you see, it's a trick. Don't let it pull you in. Don't trust it. Perce, please, step away from it."

"I-I..." The green eyed man sputtered, eyes swirling with confusion.

"Don't listen to him, Percy," The beast uttered smoothly, reaching out for Percy. "He's obviously a fake. A trick of the Mist trying to tear us apart. I bet it's Aphrodite, trying to torture us once again."

The son of Poseidon glanced towards the beast and raised an eyebrow, as he was believing what it was telling him. My stomach churned. I wasn't good at this. I couldn't speak for shit. I couldn't convince anyone I was the real me, I would only make myself look ever more guilty. So how could I convince the son of Poseidon that whatever he was seeing, was not what he wanted to see? That it would actually gladly rip his head off? That I was there to protect him from the danger he was put in? But, as I said, I couldn't speak for shit. I had to get Percy away from the monster, though. That was my first concern.

"No, it's fucking lying, Percy!" I grit my teeth, searching my mind for something, anything, to say.

The beast sighed, staring straight into Percy's eyes, gaining his attention. "He just wants to tear us apart. I want to stay with you, forever, Percy. Please don't let him do this to us. You're my world, my beautiful world."

The raven haired man leaned forward, as if a force was pulling him towards the monster. I watched in panic as his eyes glossed over and his cheeks flushed a light pink. It was as if he totally forgot about me, only focusing on what the beast said. I shuffled on my feet, feeling my heart beat pick up and I was having trouble breathing. No, no, no, this could not be happening!

I had to. I had to do it.

The beast leaned over Percy's body, opening its beak and bearing the razor sharp teeth that inhabited its mouth. No, please no!

I had to tell Percy. Just like Aphrodite said.

Percy closed his eyes as the beast smirked towards me, ready to chew up my best friend, my first crush, and possibly, my star-crossed lover.

I had to confess my feelings. Before it was too late for Percy.

My mouth opened before I could control what was coming out.

"I love you!" I blurted.

The Arena instantly became silent. Not a sound was made. I crushed my eyes closed, curling in on myself and hoping, praying, that a miracle would happen. When I did open my eyes, Percy was frozen in place, eyes wide but without that misty glaze to them. His mouth was hanging open and his eyebrows touched his hairline. All I could do was watch and not make a move or else Percy would instantly become monster chow. The son of Poseidon stared at the beast in confusion, then glanced back at me. I gave him a desperate, pleading look.

In the blink of an eye, Percy uncapped his celestial bronze sword Riptide, and in one swift movement brought it down on the beast. I gasped as the monster screeched and fell away into a pile of disintegrated black dust. Percy stared at it in awe and let out a giant breath of disbelief. My body was overwhelmed with relief and happiness that Percy was still alive and I practically collapsed on the Arena floor, gasping. A small sob escaped my throat and as Percy began approaching me, I tried to swallow back my emotions. I knew the moment of truth had to come sometime.

"Nico..." The son of Poseidon asked wearily, crouching down beside me. "What the Tartarus was that? How did it get into camp?"

I sucked in a deep breath. "It was a Siren, Perce."

The green eyed boy raised his eyebrows. "A Siren? Here at camp? But... That makes no sense!"

"Aphrodite... It was Aphrodite," I breathed, running my shaking fingers through my tousled hair. "She brought it here. I'm so sorry, Percy."

A gentle hand was placed between my shoulder blades. "Don't apologise, Neeks. The gods are messed up, we already knew that. But what I don't understand..." He trailed off and I tensed, knowing where this was going. "What you said, you know, the 'I Love You' thing... Uh, what was that about...? Did you, um, y-you know... Mean it?"

"The only way to snap someone out of the Siren's trance, according to Aphrodite, is to, uh, say that you l-love them in some way."

"So, you... love me?" Percy asked softly.

I could feel his stare, those perfect sea green irises, burning into my soul, but I couldn't meet his eyes. I made up an excuse for saying those three words and worded my explanation perfectly, and then Percy went ahead and asked me that straightforward question. There was no way around that one.

"You... You've helped so many times... Through everything, Perce. Of course I'd protect you, too." I admitted cautiously, sneaking a peek at Percy's reaction. "I do love you. As a friend-"

His face fell and I frowned, but continued anyways.

"As my family-"

Percy's face picked up and he smiled a warm smile.

"I do love you, Salmon Head. It's unfortunate, but I do. A lot." I grinned and shrugged my shoulders.

It was the truth, after all.

Percy threw his head back and barked out a hearty laugh. I giggled because dam, his laughter was contagious. When his eyes met mine again, they were filled with warmth, friendliness, amusement, affection, and maybe even some fondness. I stared back with love.

"You know what, my little Shadow Prince?" The son of Poseidon whispered as he scooted closer to me.

My heart picked up. "W-what?"

"I just so happen to love you."

My eyes prickled with tears (the happy kind, even though it's like I'm a freaking teenage girl) and I chuckled, crawling up onto Percy's lap as he snaked his arms around me, holding me close. I couldn't be happier. But then the tanned fellow had to go ahead and press his soft lips to my forehead. My eyes fluttered and I curled up further into Percy, relishing the feeling of his warmth, his strong arms, his chest, his heartbeat, his everything. I loved it, and I loved him. It was inevitable. Uncontrollable. Irrevocable. But I loved him.

That didn't mean everything was suddenly fine, though. Percy was almost killed. Again. It was way too close a call. No one should have to go through what Percy had been through. So I did have to tell him. Soon. And this time, it would be legitimate.

I closed my eyes and let my heartbeat mend with Percy's.

PERCY POV

Nico was my siren...

Holy shit.

~

End of Chapter

Lol, how was it?!?!?!

What do you think will happen when Nico (or Percy; who knows?) confesses their love FOR REALZ?!

Dat Siren doe.

- Nico's A Sexy Beast