... I'm scared. May all the nagging begin!

I'm soooo sorry it took so long! Busy, busy March Break and working on other original story ideas (OOOOOOOH, WHAT'S THAT?!), so I haven't gotten to updating. Boo.

But thanks for being patient once again! You guys brighten my day, honestly, and I love each an every one of you and your crazy/messed up comments about two fictional gay guys and their struggles of being half god and attracted to men- WEEEW!

READ ON!

Chapter #37; Part 2 : Against The World

~We're not gonna be
Just a part of their game
We're not gonna be
Just the victims
They're taking our dreams
And they tear them apart
'til everyone's the same
I've got no place to go
I've got no where to run
They love to watch me fall
They think they know it all
I'm a nightmare, a disaster
That's what they always said
I'm a lost cause, not a hero
But I'll make it on my own
I've gotta prove them wrong
Me against the world
It's me against the world
We won't let them change
How we feel in our hearts
We're not gonna let them control us
We won't let them shove
All their thoughts in our heads
And we'll never be like them
I'm a nightmare, a disaster
That's what they always said
I'm a lost cause, not a hero
But I'll make it on my own
I'm gonna prove them wrong
It's me against the world
Me against the world
Now I'm sick of this waiting
So come on and take your shot
You can spit all your insults
But nothing you say is gonna change us
You can sit there and judge me
Say what you want to
We'll never let you in
They'll never bring us down
We'll never fall in line
I'll make it on my own
Me against the world~

NICO POV

"Can we talk for a moment in private...?" Hazel asked, running her fingers through her curly hair and not meeting my gaze.

I glanced up at Percy after he squeezed my hip. He smiled down at me, his eyes silently convincing me to talk with my sister and see what happens. I nodded my head back at him as my shoulders sagged in anxiety.

"Sure," I croaked, clearing my throat.

Hazel smiled weakly and began walking away. Percy hugged me to his side, sending warm sparks throughout my body. His eyes sparkled green as I stared into them, seeking all the reassurance I could get. His pink lips were pulled into a sweet smile and he leaned down to my height, kissing my forehead softly, his lips lingering. My stomach flopped and my eyelashes fluttered at the sensation it brought me. I sighed in contentment, blushing at the action. The contact calmed me. It made me feel okay.

Percy leaned his forehead against mine. "You'll be fine, trust me."

"I will always trust you." I breathed in reply.

Percy's eye softened. "I know."

With one last peck on the cheek, I jogged off after Hazel.

Once I met up with her, we began our silent journey. We walked in silence for over ten minutes, no one making the first move to speak. I fidgeted and played with my hands, pulling on my sleeves while I kept my head down with my fringe in my face. Out of the corner of my eye, I could Hazel kicking her feet in the dirt with her hands clasped together. I couldn't help but worry about the small frown on her face. It was almost angry, and to be honest, I was scared. Even though she was younger than me by two years, she was - like everyone else I know - taller than me and it made me feel somewhat smaller and more vulnerable in a position as I was in.

We arrived at the strawberry fields that were surprisingly vacant from campers with picking baskets. I sniffed the air and wondered how I had ever wanted to leave this place. Without Percy, this wouldn't have felt like home. But now that he has made me open up and feel, I could finally understand that I belong here just as much as any of the other campers. It only seems fair, right?

"You're such an ass, you know that?" Hazel finally grumbled between gritted teeth.

My eyes widened in surprise at her tone. "W-what?"

"You heard me, Nico," She turned to look me in the eyes and we stopped walking completely. "I can't believe you just came right out and said it the other day."

My heart rate increased and my palms began to sweat. I knew she would freak out. I knew she wouldn't like the fact that I wasn't attracted to girls. I knew she wouldn't accept me. So why was I so surprised? Why was I so scared and desperate? Because she was my sister and I thought she wouldn't care who or what I was... We understood each other. We were both outcasts of the gods. We were brother and sister...

I hung my head in shame. "I'm so, so sorry. If you don't accept me, it's okay, I get it, I just-"

"Nico!"

I jumped, startled.

"I can't believe... Yeah, I'm extremely upset with you! Infuriated!" Hazel threw her hands up in the air.

"I know, I I should have seen it coming. I expected that much because I'm g- ow! The fuck, Hazel?!"

I clutched at my face where she had just smacked me. It wasn't that hard, but it still surprised the hell out of me and left my skin prickling.

"Can you please stop talking for just two seconds? Gods... boys," She groaned in exasperation, flicking her hair out of her face. "As I was saying, I'm upset with you. Not because I hate you and don't accept you, but because you didn't come to me and tell me first. I'm your sister, I want to know what's bothering you. Did you actually think I would turn my back on you because you like guys? Did you honestly think I'd hate you because you're gay? Did you think I would disown you as my brother because of that? Gods... I can't believe you think I'm so shallow! Now that's why I'm angry, Nico! It's been bothering me that you didn't just come out and tell me. I do understand that it may be very stressful and you're in the dark of what's going to happen, but most people can't see the future, okay? There is only one Oracle of Delphi, and we aren't her. Just take chances like you do when you're in battle or on quests. I'm someone you're supposed to be able to trust, so trust me."

I stared at her with wide eyes and gulped. "S-so you accept m-me? You're fine with me being, uh, g-gay?"

"Nico..." Her voice softened as she calmed down and took a deep breath, looking me in the eyes. "I'm going to be totally honest with you. Yes, I will have to get used to the idea that you are attracted to guys. But that's only because I was raised learning that it was a disgrace. I understand that it's not now. I love you anyway because you're my brother. We're the only family we've got. I've loved you before I knew you were gay and admitting you're attracted to whomever doesn't change anything. You're still the same and... it's just another thing to love. Oh, gods, Nico... Don't cry or I'm going to start crying."

"What?" I scoffed and quickly wiped my eyes with my sleeves, "I'm not crying at all. The hell you talkin' 'bout...?"

"Just come over here, Nico." Hazel smiled with her arms open.

I sniffed and wrapped my arms around her neck as she engulfed me with her small arms. I was incredibly happy. More than happy. If Hazel accepted me, and my other friends accepted me, then that was all I needed. Nothing else mattered.

~

"Percy?"

"Mmhm?"

"How do you speak fish? Like, how do you make the noises or whatever underwater?" I asked out of curiosity, laying my head on Percy's chest where we were laying on our couch in our apartment.

Percy played with a lock of my hair. "I don't know... I guess I've just got the lips for it."

"Hell yeah..."

"Nico!"

"Huh? I didn't say anything. You're hearing things."

"You little twink... You're a tease, you know that?"

I pursed my lips, a blush coating my cheeks from being caught. "Hm... Nah, I don't think I do."

"Oh, really?" I felt Percy stir as he pushed himself up on his elbows and I lifted myself to hover above him instead of laying on him.

I shook my head and bit my lip with a light blush. Percy always made me feel extremely flustered. Not that I was uncomfortable around him, he just made my mind go blank, my stomach twist and turn, my heart beat race, and my face burn up. In a good way.

Percy leaned up and nuzzled his nose against mine, giving me an Eskimo kiss. I giggled softly (a manly giggle) at his cheesiness. A beautiful smile spread across his face and his green eyes looked up into mine, sparkling with happiness and fondness. I couldn't believe the happiness he brought me, and even now, Percy seemed incredibly happy to be with me, too. It was the most amazing feeling in the world. I sighed in contentment and Percy chuckled gently, reaching up again to peck my forehead.

"You're adorable, babe." The raven haired man whispered against my skin.

Goosebumps covered my body. I internally freaked out at the pet name he called me. Babe. That sounded... not as bad as I thought it would, only when it came from his mouth and was directed to me. I was his babe. My eyelashes fluttered and I smiled down at him. Percy seemed a bit flustered about the pet name, I could tell from his pink face and tiny smile. A laugh bubbled in my throat and I let my head fall into the crook of his neck. Percy was so warm and comfortable. I pressed my nose just under his ear and pressed a small kiss to his neck.

"I'm so falling for you..." I breathed, picking my head back up to watch his expression after I realise I spoke out loud (which was all in all fucking embarrassing).

Percy's eyes lit up and a huge goofy grin pulled at the corners of his lips. "Gods, I can't believe how much I enjoyed hearing that. All this time I haven't even been attracted to guys and I have only ever had one girlfriend, and... I don't even know if I'm Bi or pansexual, but right now, there is definitely only you, and that I am sure of."

I smiled and sat up straight, Percy doing the same, instantly reaching out for my hand. I clutched at it. I needed him to know that I felt the same need for him and appreciated the touch and gesture.

"Perce...?" I asked hesitantly.

He smiled softly at me and squeezed my hand. "Yes, Prince?"

"Do you want to hang out sometime? Like, just us two? On a..." My voice faded out, "date?"

"Yeah!" He exclaimed excitedly, jumping up from the sofa. "I mean, uh, I'd love to. That would be great! Totally cool... Ahem."

I grinned and shook my head at the flustered nineteen year old. "Is tomorrow okay for you, Baby Blue?"

"Tomorrow is more than okay!"

Percy grinned and nodded his head vigorously with a slight jump. My mouth dropped at his enthusiasm. Yeah, I was more than content and all in all amused at his behaviour. I didn't really get to see that much since the Giant War. Everyone had even robbed of something during that war and while Percy was down in Tartarus... A smidgeon of the light that was behind his eyes was gone. Slowly, it's been coming back and every now and then, I got glimpses of the Percy that was full of life. If I had to be honest, I loved that Percy.

"Now, we shall go cook because I'm starved and your meals are like Delia Smith heaven meets Gordon Ramsay master chef that collided with your Italian deliciousness and my stomach is about to eat itself." Percy grabbed my hands and tugged me to my feet with a cute grin. "In other words, please make me food, Neeky?"

I threw my head back in a wholehearted laugh and followed Percy towards our kitchen, ready to make a meal for two in our cosy abode.

~

"I need help." I admitted between gritted teeth.

Leo grinned from his spinning chair, clasping his hands together. "Well, you've come crawling to just the right person!"

"You were my last option. Lucky for you, I'm desperate, Valdez."

"Potato, patato!" The Latino stood from his chair with his arms spread, a gleam of pride shinning in his eyes, "I am the right and only person to come to for advice in the category of romance. My middle name is Love."

I snorted in annoyance. "I thought your middle name was Alejandro."

Leo waved his hand in the air, dismissing me. "Figure of speech, Dracula. Now, tell me what you so desperately need from the Master Foshizzle Valdez."

I sighed and rubbed a hand over my face in stress. This was going to be the end of me. I could already tell this would only make things worse but yet I knew I would just have to give up and follow along with Valdez' antics if I wanted any type of assistance in return.

"I have a date-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down." Leo held his hand up in front of my face as I sputtered angrily. "If you've already got a date, why in the world do you need my help?"

"If you'd just let me finish..." I spat and fumed, my fists balling up at my sides.

The curly haired boy lifted his hands up in surrender and finally allowed me to speak. But, it seemed as though the gods would never allow me to have a decent day. I've finally gotten a date and instead of it being with one idiot, it's with three.

"Oi, et's yew again! Ya look a bit scarier than I remembah ya bein' before. Fuhck man."

I groaned into my hands as a kid with medium length (on a guy) wavy electric blue hair, a grey hoodie with dinosaur spikes on the hood, and bright pink skinny jeans approached me with a more than irritating toothy grin.

"Ruari! My homeboy!" Leo exclaimed cheerily with his fist out in which Ruari fist bumped him.

The blue haired boy grinned, throwing an arm around the Latino. "Aye, 'lil dwarf king. What's me mate up tah dis lovely day?"

I groaned again.

"Oh, well Nico here needs some dating advice. What do you think he needs to do to start a conversation?"

The two boys in front of me lapsed in a silence of thought. Then all at once, they exploded like an annoying hissing firecracker.

"Chat up lines!" They exclaimed at the same time, although it sounded as though Ruari said something along the lines of: "Cha'up linez!"

"Chat up lines." I grumbled with a blank expression. "Like pick up lines? You've got to be kidding..."

Leo grinned. "Did you ever sit in a pile of sugar? Because you have a sweet ass."

"Do ya have a Band-Aid? 'Coz I seemed t'have scraped me knee fallin' for ya."

"If you were a vegetable, you'd be a cute-cumber."

"Do ya know what dis shirt is made of? Boyfriend material."

"Forget about Superman, Spider-Man, and Batman. I'll be your man."

"Aye, dat was good, mate."

"Thanks, man." Leo grinned.

"Here'z one for me Irish people: Did ya have Lucky Charms for breakfast? 'Coz ya look magically delicious!"

"Did you just fart? Cause you blew me away!"

I was mentally slamming my face into a brick wall. Fucking hell, how did I manage to drag myself into this? My teeth gritted together so I didn't bite anyone's head off. Keep talking lads, you didn't even know I was planning how to murder you without being caught. Yeah... Keep talking...

"If ya were a fruit, ya'd be a fine-apple."

"Are you from Macdonald's? Cause I'm loving it!"

"I've got Skittles in me mouff. Wanna taste da rainbow?

"What...?"

I spun around faster than anyone ever has and just about jumped on my green eyed saviour.

"Percy!" I exclaimed and practically tackled him. His arm snaked around my waist after he regained his balance. "Thank gods," I grumbled and nuzzled my nose in his pleasant smelling shirt happily.

"Are you guys hitting on my Nico?" Percy demanded with a confused yet possessive frown.

I felt giddy. My Nico... I almost purred as I cuddled up to the son of Poseidon's side.

All at once, excuses were being thrown into the air:

"I didn't do it!"

"It waz da curly one!"

"Don't listen to him! He can barely speak English, he doesn't know what he's saying!"

"Oi, I'm speakin' English right now!"

"You're not Irish?"

"Yeh, I'm Irish-"

"He admits to it! Sick him!"

"Latinos are untrustable, mate. I mean, even da eyes are beady and creepeh lookin'..."

"Hey! You wanna go, Smurfette?!"

"Aye, look over dere!"

"Look whe- Hey! Get back here you fluorescent blueberry!"

I face planted into Percy's chest and groaned dramatically loud as the two buffoons ran off. Percy chuckled, sending vibrations through his chest.

"Stop laughing, Perce," I whined, staring up at him with a pout, "I'm suffering here."

A soft smile pulled at his pink lips and he wrapped his arms loosely around my body. "We should probably get going on our date, then. Maybe that will cheer you up. Shall we?" He grinned with a sparkle in his green eyes.

My eyes fluttered and I shyly held his bigger hand in my much smaller one.

"FUCK YEH!" I fist pumped the air and began sprinting out towards the centre of camp with Percy trailing behind me, sputtering and gasping between laughter.

~

End of Chapter

Was going to put the whole date in and stuff in this chapter but it would be a bit longer and I was DYING to update something, so here we have it! CLIFF HANGER FOR THE DATE!!!!

Predictions?

How did Hazel take Nico's sexuality? Were you surprised?

Till next time, my lovely cupcake!!! (Hopefully really soon)

CHECK OUT THE CO-OWNER, BOO'S, NEW ORIGINAL STORY! It's fantastic and she needs some insperation and ideas, so please go help her out :D THANKS! For You, Anything.

Xx

- Adorable Percico Feelz