FINALLYYYYYY.
Here is a chapter that is probably rubbish, but I wanted to give you guys a chapter SO bad, so here it is!

... Hopefully it's good enough, because my brain is not working x'D ENJOY!

ILY <3

Chapter #36 : I'm A Creep

~When you were here before
Couldn't look you in the eye
You're just like an angel
Your skin makes me cry
You float like a feather
In a beautiful world
I wish I was special
You're so fucking special
But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
I don't care if it hurts
I wanna have control
I want a perfect body
I want a perfect soul
I want you to notice
When I'm not around
You're so fucking special
I wish I was special
He's running out the door
He's running out
He run run run run...
Run...
Whatever makes you happy
Whatever you want
You're so fucking special
I wish I was special
But I'm a creep
I'm a weirdo
What the hell am I doing here?
I don't belong here
I don't belong here~

PERCY POV

"What's your favourite colour?"

"Is your hair black?"

"Why're you so small if you're old?"

"Are you a zambie?"

"Why are you wearing black?"

"Do you kill lots of monsters?"

"Why are you so white?"

"You're creepy... But I like you."

"Do you talk to ghosties?"

"Why do you walk only in the dark?"

"Do you have a girlfriend?"

"What's your favourite food?"

"Do you sleep ever?"

"Are you my best friend?"

I watched intently from the doorway of a big cabin-like building as dozens of children from the ages of five to eight ran around wildly. A certain pale ghost boy stood right in the middle of the whirlwind of bombarding invasive questions from the curious kids. All of them seemed to have strawberry jam smeared all over their faces. I found it absolutely adorable how Nico ran around the big spacious room full of massive windows, wiping every kid's face clean with a dish rag while being poked at by the little beasties. Nico was on kid duty today, after all. He always complained how it was his least favourite job, but I knew he secretly loved it, he was just too 'tough' to admit it.

"Ben! Snack time's over! Get back here, you little rascal!" The son of Hades called, a small amused smile playing on his lips as he chased the little boy down and wiped jam off of his face.

The boy smiled up at Neeks. "Can we play... uh, piggy back?"

Nico pursed his lips. "Again...?"

The little boy with tousled dirty blond hair nodded eagerly with an excited smile. I grinned at how adorable the kid was. Not once did I think I was being a creep, watching the guy I had feelings for playing with little kids. Nope. I especially was not considering the fact that I had probably seemed obsessive since we had kissed. Yeah, mouth to mouth action. Yesterday afternoon. In our apartment kitchen. After we admitted our legitimate feelings for each other. And I missed the taste of his lips already...

The small sixteen year old sighed. "Maybe another time, buddy." He stood up from his crouched position and began walking back to the other kids.

"Nick-oooo! I wanna play!" The boy, Ben (he couldn't have been more than six years of age), whined and ran after Nico.

"I'm sorry but I've gotta go soon, my friends will be- Whoa!"

The Ghost King stumbled forward and waved his arms around, trying to regain his balance. I chuckled under my breath. The kid had latched onto his leg, crisscross applesauce. I was kind of surprised; I assumed the kid would be pouting, but it seemed Nico was the one doing all of the pouting and grumbling and frowning. That little grump. I knew Nico loved the kids even though he put on that grumpy 'I don't care' facade. He was a real softy on the inside, and the best part? Only I knew about that side of him.

"Dude, stop drooling, you're gonna drown us all."

I gasped, "Oh my-" My hand clutched at my heart and I realised I had my ballpoint pen in my other hand, ready to be uncapped.

"Wow, you were in the Zone, dude. The Love Zone. The Nico Love Zone. The-"

"Shut up, man, I could've killed you!" I whisper-shouted at Leo while I lowered my heart rate. Man, I really was in the Zone, wasn't I?

Leo scoffed and crossed his slender arms with amusement dancing in his eyes. "Well, first of all, you could have killed us by drowning us all with your drool, give a few minutes. And second of all, go freaking talk to the guy you've been gawking at for the past five minutes. C'mon, dude, that's weird!"

I shuffled on my feet and glanced back at Nico, who looked truly gorgeous with the sunlight shinning through the many massive windows and bouncing off the mahogany wood floors, casting light on his small figure from all directions. He appeared, ironically, like an angel. Cheesy, but holy man was it ever true. He would be Heaven's Next Top Model. I was an average guy that girls only went after because I saved the world a handful of times. No big deal. But Nico... He had natural and true beauty to him. He was beautiful. And I wanted to snog his pretty little face off.

"Should I really go talk to him?" I asked, turning my attention back to Leo.

"Look. I may not look like I notice stuff or that I never take anything seriously, but, I can tell something happened between the both of you and that, even after all of my teasing, you two actually do have something going on for each other. Doesn't matter what gender, or race, or size, or height, or... species; it doesn't matter. Just do what you feel is right, bro. So, yeah. Go for it, dude. You can only do worse."

Once again, after Leo's much needed supportive speech (even though the sensible part of my mind, way in the back, was hyperventilating that Leo knew I liked guys), my gaze shifted towards the small building. The Italian was kneeling in front of a tiny sobbing girl with long curly almond hair and bright blue eyes. He was speaking softly and she was hiccuping. I couldn't hear anything, but the actions were more than enough as the girl gazed up in awe at the brown eyed boy, and then Nico brushed back a long strand of her hair, tucking it behind her ear. He swiped the pads of his thumbs under her eyes, collecting the tears, then smiled at the girl. A real smile. A smile in which the girl reciprocated with a tiny giggle. Nico crossed his eyes and made a funny face, causing the girl to squeal with delight and throw herself onto the son of Hades.

My heart melted in my chest as if the acid from a drakon were sizzling against my heart. The image was so endearing. I couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of fondness. Even if he did something like that to anyone or anything else, I still would have been moved all the same. But it just had to be an adorable little girl, right?

"You, my friend, have the biggest heart eyes I've ever seen."

"Shut up, Valdez-"

"I SMELL LOVE!"

Leo yelped and almost flew over the railing of the small building, his hair bouncing in wild curls and his eyes wild. "Piper, you can't just do that! My heart is a rusty old ticker and I really could do without a repair or oil change, thank you very much! Oh gods... Give me a minute, I need to reset the timer..."

"Leo, you're a dork." Piper commented with a sweet cherry lip balm smile.

I stood calmly beside Piper and dismissed Leo entirely. "Is it the apocalypse or something?"

Piper frowned and stared at me in disbelief, her choppy hair falling into her eyes. "No, what the Hades? Why would you think that?"

"Aside from the fact it usually is a pending apocalypse for us demigods, I was just curious about the lip balm you're wearing."

"Percy," she groaned and rolled her eyes in annoyance, "The real question is why aren't you in this building yet and charming up Mister I'm-so-dark-but-secretly-soft?"

"Why would I charm him? I don't get why I have to charm him. What do you mean? I don't get it, Nico's just a friend-"

"Bull fart!" Leo practically screamed.

I took a step back and glanced at the curly haired guy in exasperation. He just raised a thin eyebrow and challenged me to say otherwise. Usually, Leo Valdez wouldn't be an intimidating guy at all. He would be the before picture of Captain America. You know, when he was all scrawny and weak and all talk but no bronze? Yeah, him. But while he was pestering me about lying about my love life... His eyes shone like the sweaty muscles of the green beast called Hulk. It was some scary schist, to be honest.

And there we go again; My eyes wandered back over to the inside of the building. Nico's emotions seemed to change like the speed of light, as I've learned since I've first met him. His face was scrunched up, his eyes narrows, his slender arms crossed against his chest, his jaw clenched... He was being a grump. And the kids loved it. They began pulling at his belt, playing with his hair, hanging off his arms, poking his cheeks, stealing his hat, smudging his glass lenses, etcetera. Two seconds later, thankfully, one of the eldest girls called everyone off and scolded them with her tiny hands on her tiny hips. One blond headed boy seemed to not want to budge though, staying locked around Nico's right leg. I recognised the kid as Ben. Nico through his head back and groaned in frustration. My chest pulled tight as I held myself back, but I also had to suppress a giggle.

I sighed dreamily.

Then I was almost shoved face first into the door by none other than Jason Grace the Incredible.

"Wait, you guys- I don't- Nico and I- It's not- You know-" I stuttered out as everyone pestered me to just walk inside the building and chat with Nico. It wasn't that easy! And how did they all know? They couldn't have known the whole thing, could they?

"Go before you pass out and drown in a pool of your own drool, Jackson." Jason coaxed, amused.

That time, I left without another word. I actually really wanted to see Neeks. And not just from a window like a creepy demigod pedophile.

Just as I was approaching the one and only son of Hades, he bent down and scooped Ben up from around his leg and placed the small boy on his hip with a grunt of effort, even though the boy was roughly more then half Nico's size. I internally cooed as I stood in front of him, relishing the vanilla-cinnamon scent I could already detect.

"Hi," I greeted with a sweet smile then nodded to the kid in Nico's arms, "Need some help?

The sixteen year old's cheeks turned a nice rosy pink and his eyes lifted up to meet mine in an almost pleading way. I smirked at his shy expression.

"Please," he breathed.

I smiled down at him, butterflies raging a war inside my stomach, and bent down in front of the little blond boy.

"Hey, buddy. What's your name?" I asked him, even though I already knew the answer.

"Ben!" He squeaked, lifted his hand, and smudged a big long streak of black soot across Nico's cheek.

A surprised laugh escaped my lips as Nico squeezed his eyes shut with a grimace, his whole body frozen. While the son of Hades was having his 'moment', I discretely slipped the boy out of his arms and into mine, placing him onto my hip. I totally didn't high-five him either. Totally.

Finally, the smaller dark haired boy emitted a long dramatic groan. "Hephaestus kid... Been poking at me all day."

I threw my head back with a hearty laugh, my stomach emptying of the nervous and self-conscious butterflies and drowning with honest joy and amusement. I handed Nico a clean cloth to wipe his face off and began chatting with Ben, the mischievous little rascal from the Hephaestus breed. As I began an animated conversation with him about how fun it was to mess with Nico, I hadn't realised that just in front of me, watching me, was the brown eyed boy himself. He watched me, unconsciously a smile pulled at his lips, and he too was recalling the kiss and declarations of feelings we'd had the day before that we hadn't discussed thoroughly yet.

~

"Percy!" Nico giggled shyly against my shoulder.

Fire engulfed every inch of my body and sparks licked through my veins, in the end speeding up my heart. It felt great, like I was dancing on air. A massive grin that more than likely made me look like a total idiot spread across my face and I held my hand up higher. Small delicate fingers brushed against my bicep, sending shivers running up and down my spine. I was head over heels already.

Nico giggled again and hid his face in my chest. "Percy, give it back! You know I can't reach," he whined in an adorably high voice.

I twirled his black hat on my hand that was stretched out into the air. I shrugged my shoulders and pretended to think.

"Maybe," I started off mischievously, "if you would tell me why you wore it in the middle of summer I'd give it back? Hm?"

Nico grumbled again and stuck his bottom lip out. "It's almost fall. I just like it, okay? Now give it back!"

I tsked and held the hat up higher.

"Fine!" He said in exasperation, flopping down into my lap. "I wear a hat because..." He mumbled.

"Sorry?"

"I said, I wear a hat because I..."

"Nico, seriousl-"

"I wear a hat because I'm self-conscious and I got used to it when I had that awful haircut the Aphrodite girls gave me and I like that the hat covers my face because I'm not confident in my looks like most guys, alright? Now hand me my motherfucking hat."

My hand shot out and Nico gently plucked his black beanie out of my hand, placing it back on his head with sigh. I stared at Nico with a burning stomach. I felt angry and protective and concerned and sympathetic and furious and... Just all in all loving. I had to somehow reassure him, without saying anything meaningless and overused, that he was indeed handsome and beautiful, inside and out.

I casually wrapped my arm around a now awkward and bashful Nico, kicking my feet up onto our coffee table in our apartment living room.

"You know," I said quietly, aware that there were others in the room.

"Oh gods, here we go again," Nico groaned, covering his face with his hands.

I chuckled, gently pulling his hands away from his face so I could gaze into his golden eyes. "I actually wasn't going to say much, honestly. None of those sweet nothings, Neeky."

I could feel some of my friends' gazed wandering around the room as they chatted, so with a quick (and in my mind, brilliant) decision, I leant down towards Nico and whispered, "Just play along, yeah?"

"Wha- Agh!"

In a matter of seconds, I had Nico pinned under me on the sofa. In anyone else's eyes it would seem as if we were wrestling around like most guys do, but in our eyes, I was gently hugging the smaller boy to myself and nuzzling my face in his neck.

"You're a great person, did you know that?" I mumbled into his neck. I felt the smaller boy shiver at my touch and I grinned. "You're a great friend. You're a great best friend. You're a great... whatever the hell more we are now. You notice things all around but don't notice things in yourself. You're bashful and humble of yourself even if you come off as strong and tough. All you need is to take the confidence you have in battle, in your abilities, in your hatred, and share it with your outlook of your own body. Because Nico, if you can't see how gorgeous you are, then how can anyone else?"

Nico grunted and pushed at my shoulder, tearing his captivated gaze away from mine. "Percy, you're such a fucking..." I froze in shock as Nico sighed, his whole face going from tomato red of embarrassment, to a light pink, soft, thankful, and emotionally shy smile. "Thank you. I-I... Thank you. That was... Uh, sweet."

I smiled softly, a feeling of accomplishment washing over me as my stomach was doing loop-de-loops. With a burst of confidence I nuzzled my nose back into Nico's neck and brushed my lips just above his collarbone. The Italian's eyes fluttered as I pulled away with a wink, resuming my seat on the love seat beside Nico with my feet up on the coffee table.

He needed that, I told myself with a smile.

"Hey, Percy?"

I turned to whomever called my name with a raised eyebrow. "M'yeah?"

Jason was the first one to speak, then Leo jumped in to finish for him. "Do you have any tortilla chips or anything? With some dip maybe? I'm kinda hungry, just putting that out there."

I stood up immediately, feeling slightly embarrassed for not feeding my guests. "Yeah, I'm on it!"

"Nico should go with you, just so you don't have your hands full," Piper added with a secret wink.

I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly as I waited for Nico to join me and we made our way into our kitchen. Frank and Hazel shared similar and obliviously confused looks as the others seemed to know something Nico and I didn't.

Not a second after we stepped into the kitchen by ourselves, Nico reached out and gripped my forearm with a gentle but firm hand. Nervousness spread through me just as quickly as the heat to my cheeks. All my attention was on Nico (as if it weren't already). He seemed sheepish and hesitant, so I smiled down at him anyway.

Nico inhaled deeply. "Hey, uh, Perce... W-we haven't really talked about-"

"Yeah," I stuttered, "I kinda, y'know, was wondering a-about it since it happened and stuff-"

"Same, and um, d'you think we should, I dunno, uh-"

"Kiss?" I blurted out hopefully.

Nico's brow eyes widened and his face flushed a deep red. "No!" He sputtered, caught off guard, "I-I mean, yes. I mean, uh, I wouldn't necessarily mind- maybe later. Agh, I meant do you think that..." He gazed down at his feet nervously, "Is it time that I... Came out?"

My eyebrows shot up. "Really? A-are you... ready for that? I mean, honestly, I think it's stupid that gay people have to announce they're gay. Straight people don't announce they're straight, so I mean, why do we? I'm at least bisexual, but, uh, anyways... I was just thinking about you being ready emotionally wise. You really want to, right now?"

The son of Hades was shuffling on his feet and bitting his bottom lip. Adorably anxious. I lifted my hand and placed it on his arm, rubbing up and down gently to soothe the smaller lad. He gazed up with a thankful expression and pink cheeks. I blushed myself.

"Yeah, I have to do it now." He uttered, slightly more confident.

"What about..." I hesitated, "Your, uh, sister? Are you ready to tell her? I think the only ones that don't seem to know something is going on is Hazel and Frank. And Hazel's from around your time, right? Won't she think it's... Wrong?"

Nico sighed. "I don't know how they'll react, Perce. Honestly, I've just got to say it. I need it off my chest. And you're right, I'm sure the others are fine with it or might even know my preferences by now so it's really only my sister and Frank I have to worry about. But if I've finally come to terms with myself being attracted to the same gender, then I think they can, too." The brown eyed boy glanced up at me at the end of his small speech, his shoulders squared off and his eyes shinning. I couldn't help but stare at him in awe. He did it. Nico conquered a part of himself that I thought no one could ever get to.

I pulled the son of Hades into my side and grinned down at him. "Then let's get those chips and blow people's minds, shall we, my little Shadow Prince? And maybe a kiss...?" I mumbled that last part under my breath.

Nico nodded his head full of dark wavy hair. "We shall."

We shuffled to different ends of the kitchen, Nico getting the big bowl for the bag of tortilla chips, while I dug through the fridge to retrieve some dip and refreshments. Just as I closed the fridge door, I noticed small little grunts coming from behind me. Confused (more like thinking 'What in the actually hell?'), I spun around and sniggered under my breath. The smaller boy was practically scaling the counters to reach the cupboard doors in order to retrieve the bowl and chips, but he just couldn't quite reach. Actually, it resembled a child trying to grasp at the jar of sweets on top of the refrigerator. Nico's arms were stretched to the max, on his tip toes, and he made grabby hands at the door handles. With a big huff, he finally surrendered and I decided to step in and be the hero of the day.

I waltzed up behind his small figure, aware of the disclosed space between us, and reached out for the door. I retrieved the bowl and chips easily, placing them on the counter in front of Nico. He glared up at me and crossed his arms, muttering 'Don't say a fucking word, Jackson'. I backed off with a disappointed feeling in my stomach. I was really expecting (more like hoping) that I would get a 'thank you' kiss. Once again, I was shot down, and yeah, I was going to pout about it.

I offered to carry most of the stuff out into the living room, leaving Nico with the small bowl of guacamole. I took a deep breath and went to slump back out into the living room with all of my friends.

"Hey, Perce?" Nico asked.

I hummed and turned my head slightly towards him. "M'yeah-"

A small hand cupped my cheek and pulled me downwards, two plump lips encasing my own. It was short, it was sweet, and it was amazing. The taste, the feeling, the smell of vanilla-cinnamon that I loved so much. The touch of his delicate fingers against my cheek, the touch of his warm, soft, and slightly chapped lips pressed just hard enough to make me breathless. That taste of fruit on his lips... I just about dropped everything I was carrying in my arms. It was all I've been thinking about since the first kiss. But this was somehow even better and more addicting.

The golden eyed boy pulled away much too quickly for my liking and my eyes fluttered open to meet his. Nico smiled sweetly, bashfully, yet there was a hint of mischief and confidence. Man, I adored it. It sent my mind into a frenzy like his lips sent tingles to my mouth.

Nico smirked and turned away, leaving me frozen and breathless. He was set on doing a dramatic exit and leaving me standing in the kitchen by myself like a noodle. I didn't want to be a noodle. Noodles were meant for soup. So as Nico was exiting, swaying his hips to add effect and cause my face to heat up, I became a wee bit cheeky and reached out to pinch at his bum through his black skinny jeans. Nico half yelped, half squealed, half screeched as he jumped into the air, whipping his head around and glaring daggers at me. I clutched the bowl of chips tighter in my arms and surrendered, playing it innocent. My puppy dog eyes killed anyone's pride.

Although Nico's blazing eyes full of death threats promised that he would get me back for that bold and unexpected cheeky move.

NICO POV

"Jason, you're an ass."

"The most massive ass."

"The Master ass."

"The assiest ass in Asstopia, Assland... of asses."

"Sensei Ass, the ass who whips other asses' ass."

"You. Are. A-"

"Pass," Hazel grumbled with an annoyed grimace and slouched posture, "I'd rather not hear that word again in the next several minutes. Thanks, brother dearest." The sarcasm as she mentioned me was almost palpable.

I grumbled under my breath and sunk back further into the black couch I was sitting on, Percy on my right and Jason on my left. Jason seemed to have made it his life goal to humiliate me in front of my friends, and more precisely, Percy. And his fucking gay puns. I was about to shove that bowl of guacamole down his throat and kick him to the curb. To hell with it, I was ready to freaking throttle him as soon as he had opened his mouth. It wasn't as if Piper was any better. Oh, no. She was just searching for a death wish every time she decided to kindly comment on everything I had to say, bringing it to my sexuality, making it quite obvious if you asked me.

"But don't you like ass, Nico?" Piper dared to say.

My eyes turned black. "I will fucking gauge your eyes out and let you burn in the very pits of Tartarus and I'm not fucking afraid to do it slowly so my powers let you rot away at a torturous speed."

"Nico," A low voice warned in my ear, "No need for extracting other people's eyeballs. Calm down, Prince."

The familiar voice and warm breath fanning across my cheek cause my eyelids to flutter. The anger was quickly dissipating and a beautiful calmness washed over me. Percy casually threw his arm around my shoulders, although I knew it was an invitation. I gladly accepted. With one last calming sigh, I shimmied up against Percy's side, closing my eyes while I listened to his heartbeat. His warm, muscular arm encased me and I felt protected and happy. No longer ready to kill a bitch. Well, you know, for now anyway.

"You look like a kitten or puppy cuddling up against its owner for safety. It's too freaking adorable, just stop it, Nico. I'm going to upchuck." Jason rambling on to obviously annoy me. It was working. "I'm going to upchuck all the chips I've had since I got here with this cuteness. Stop being all kitten-like, it's nauseating. Upchuck worthy. I'm gonna upchuck my guac. You want me to upchuck my guac? Leo, you want him to make me upchuck my guac? I don't wanna upchuck my-"

I pushed myself off of Percy and hissed at Jason, seething through my teeth. Gods, I was so freaking irritated by that sparky haired son of Jupiter! He got under my skin so quickly!

Grace gasped. "Did you just... hiss at me?"

"Hells yeah, I did! And I will do a lot more-" Percy grunted in pain and my attention instantly shifted towards him in concern. His face was contorted in pain as he clutched his side and I scrambled up beside him. "Oh my gods, Percy, are you okay? Did I nick you with my elbow? Was that it? Where does it hurt? Do you need some ice? I'm so sorry! Percy, are you sure-"

"Neeky, I'm okay!" The raven haired man exclaimed with a light chuckle, his eyes twinkling as he gazed down at me with amusement. "You just pushed off my bruised ribcage as you got up. I'm all good, calm down, little kitten."

"Oh." Was all I could muster to say with a pink blush.

"Well, I've gotta piss."

Leo pushed himself up from the armrest he was sitting in and casually left the room with a low whistle.

"Uh, okay." Frank scratched the back of his neck.

"Little nasty..." Piper uttered under her breath. I agreed with her. That weirdo.

I felt a tiny little nudge in my side and giggled, squirming away from it. Then I remembered I hated being tickled, or even touched for that matter. I instantly turned to the person that poked me and glared at them. Percy smiled innocently. I loved his smile, but tickling meant war. I mouthed a 'What?!' with an angry pout, feeling betrayed that he had tickled my side. The green eyed man scoffed and gave me a pointed look. I stared at him in utter confusion like the dunce of the classroom. Percy sighed, his eyes softening as he gestured to the group of friends in front of us. Then it dawned on me. I really had to do it. I was finally going to tell them that I was... gay. And it was... okay now. Percy was right beside me, smiling in reassurance, ready to comfort me and support me. I was going to return that favour one day when he came out, too, I promised to myself.

I returned a weak smile of my own and faced my friends with a stomach full of butterflies. I nervously cleared my throat.

"Hey, um, guys?" I said weakly, wincing at the vulnerability.

Four other pairs of eyes landed on me and I sat up straighter, determined to appear confident and strong although I felt so freaking scared of being rejected. Now that I had everyone's attention, how the Hades did I tell them? I just then realised that I had absolutely no words prepared for that moment. A humourless chuckled escaped my lips and I scratched the back of my neck, a nervous habit I must have picked up while being around Percy. Percy... The one I had fallen for. Love? Probably, and that was scary, but it was reality. I liked, loved, a guy. A beautiful raven haired, green eyed, tanned skinned, pink lipped, loveable, funny, cheeky, awkward, strong, boyishly handsome, guy. And-

"I'm gay." I smiled.

Silence.

"Dude," Jason breathed, "way to come out, bro. I'm proud of you."

I smiled at him, feeling happy and actually flattered that Jason felt proud of me.

"I knew you were finally going to admit to us you that you were gay!" Piper squealed happily with a broad grin. "I could literally feel you beginning to accept yourself and gosh... Nico, you're like my little gay baby brother, and I love you. Nothing changes, you're still the same person, just with something else to pick on you for! I mean- love! Another thing to love." She chuckled and looked my directly in the eyes with a sincere smile. "I'm happy for you, Nico."

My stomach flipped and I grinned and her and Jason.

"Wow," Frank breathed with a light blush coating his cheeks, "That's gonna take some sinking in, honestly, but I don't mind. Did, uh... Did anybody else know?"

A weight dropped around my shoulders and Percy leaned over the black sofa, a goofy grin pulling at his lips.

"That would be me." The son of Poseidon sing songed. "He only told me the other day, so I'm not any more special than you guys, sadly."

I slapped him on his broad shoulder playfully and glared at him.

"Hey, you're out of toilet paper... Uh," My attention turned to the confused curly haired Latino that just waltzed into the living room. His bushy eyebrow was raised and he eyed every one of us suspiciously, probably sensing the weird tension. Finally, he spoke up, "The hell d'I miss?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but Piper beat me to it.

"Nico's gay!" She told him with a smirk.

Leo gasped. I winced at the sound. What the hellhound? Was he against it? Was he lying this whole time and the playfulness... was he hiding the fact he was homophobic? Was he just surprised? Did he hate me? Oh my gods, he hated me. They all did, didn't they? They all internally hated me-

"Oh my gosh, I knew it!" Valdez screamed, pointing his finger at me with a victorious chuckle. "YES, MAN! I'M THE LOVE GURU AND I PREDICTED YOUR GAYNESS! Can I just get my award right now? NO MO NARNIA! JUST RAINBOWS, DUDE!"

I blushed a deep shade of red as four other voices laughed along. I was glad everyone approved of me, they were all laughing and enjoying our small jokes and having fun and... They were proud I had had the guts to tell them. Percy was grinning like a fool beside me and was practically crushing my shoulders in his grip. I chuckled along with everyone else.

Well, all except for one...

"Wait... What?" A small voice echoed around my skull.

Hazel sat still on the floor beside Frank, her eyebrows furrowed, her mouth pulled into a confused frown, her eyes glossed over in shock, and her face swimming with so many different emotions that I was about to drown in them.

~

End of Chapter

WHAT DID YOU THINK?

Another Percico kiss? Aws :3

Thank you so much for waiting! It's been too long and I missed these characters so freaking much <\3
Thank you, my blue cupcakes, I love you all so much!

Xoxo

- Chips & Dip & Kiss