Hey, guys! So I know I barely update this, and I'm so sorry. It's been like a year?? I apologize, but in honor of us getting the PJO series, I decided I should start updating more. Fear not my NSB readers, I'm working on updates. I'm just slow, and my writing process is weird 🙃 I also have college, and I'm broke 😭. AND HAPPY VALENTINES DAY 🫶🥳 If you have someone to celebrate with then dont forget to tell them how much you love them (platonic love counts too) I have no one to celebrate with except you guys so...be my Valentine 💝?? Please? With rainbow sprinkles on top?? Anyways, hope you enjoy!-Was
XOXO 😘 🤗 🫶🤍

Percy looked down at the roses he had, a nice bouquet of beautiful red roses with a single black rose in the middle. Yes, those actually exist. Percy wondered if they were real when the florist was naming colors of roses, and they definitely are. He smiled at the stone in front of him.

"Hey, man. Just a reminder on this day for love that you're still loved up here by all of us. You're forever in our hearts, and although I know you wished it was Piper giving this to you, whether you were dead or alive, it's me instead. Don't look at me like that, you know it's the truth. Still, she's probably too busy to remember to bring you some flowers, so," Percy patted the roses he had, "I brought you some."

He paused to get the hair out of his eyes. It was probably the reason his eyes were stinging.

He laughed softly, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know. I'm trying not to be salty with Piper. Kinda hard when you're the son of a sea God," Percy let out a chocked laugh, "I know she didn't mean to hurt you, but she did, so you know."

"You know it had to be hard for her to do."

Nico Di Angelo appeared beside him like he just stepped out of the tree's shadow. Which he probably did. For the first time since knowing Nico, he didn't flinch or jump because this time he knew Nico was there, or at least he knew he would come.

"And even harder for Jason to accept."

Percy turned towards Nico, "Just because she was figuring things out doesn't mean that she could just go back to her merry little life and pretend her and Jason never happened."

Nico looked at Percy closely. He looked the same as ever except his beautiful bright sea green eyes weren't as bright, and instead of a playful smile, he was scowling. An expression Nico hated seeing on Percy. It just didn't fit him as well as a mischievous smirk or playful smile. And if Nico was being honest, it kind of scared him.

"I don't think Piper ever intended it to be that way."

"It doesn't matter if that was her intention or not because that's how it's become."

Nico could practically feel Percy's anger rising in each word.

"Hey," Nico hesitantly put a hand on Percy's shoulder, "Jason respected her decision. Maybe you should, too. Don't dishonor him by treating Piper differently."

Percy looked at Nico. They were close enough to where Nico could see the tears in his eyes.

"And you think it's okay? What she did?"

Nico hesitated, "Well, I understand how it feels when you're figuring out yourself out."

Percy glared at Nico, and he took a step back, "And you don't think I respect that? I may not understand exactly, but I get it. But it was her who wanted the relationship badly. Jason was just trying to sort his life together, and yet he gave them a shot. How is it fair that he ended up being the one who fell the hardest? Why fight to keep a relationship you were just going to throw away later?"

Even though Percy didn't raise his voice, the water fountain on the other side of the cemetery exploded.

Percy stared at it in shock, "I didn't mean to."

Nico walked over to it and saw that the water pressure ripped it out the ground completely.

Nico looked back at Percy and smiled a little, "Well, looks like you owe them a water fountain."

Percy blushed, "I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to."

Nico shrugged, "No need to apologize. Sometimes, when I get upset, skeletons rise from the ground. It's a lot harder to hide that."

Nico walked back to Percy, "Maybe we should go now. Before you explode New York's water system."

Percy sighed, "Okay."

Percy turned back to Jason, "Well, here you go."

He placed the roses in the little cement vase, and Nico came to stand beside him.

"Happy Valentine's Day, Jason," Nico said as he patted the grave.

Percy picked up the black rose and silently offered it to Nico.

Nico stared at it, "Um."

Percy smiled, "Can we make it a normal thing to give flowers to guys? Because I know I'd like roses."

Nico smiled slowly, "Of course you would."

But he still didn't take it.

Percy sighed, "And can we make it okay to give as a platonic way of saying I love you and I appreciate you?"

Nico laughed as he took the rose, "Thank you."

"No, "I love you too"?" Percy said with a pout.

Nico shook his head playfully, "You just tried to drown me."

"Hey! I didn't do it intentionally, and no water even got on you."

Nico took a deep breath like he was bracing himself to do something painful and gave Percy a quick kiss on the cheek and muttered, "I love you too."

Percy stood there for a second in shock before grinning and saying, "What was that?"

"It's an Italian thing, no big deal. I know my mom would've wanted me to be respectful."

"I meant what did you say? I couldn't quite hear."

"Too bad, then."

"You seem happier these days."

Nico blushed, "What?"

"You're laughing more and smiling. I'm glad Will can bring back the boy I met all those years ago."

Nico cleared his throat, "Let's get back home."

"I'll get us a taxi."

"No need. Come over here."

"Oh, no, you don't. I don't want Will yelling at me because I let you become a human taxi."

Nico rolled his eyes," It's not that far. And plus it's free. So, no money wasted."

"It's not free. You'll be sleeping for ages."

" It's not too far, so actually, I'll probably only get a mild headache."

Sighing, Percy went with Nico.

***

"Hurry! They're coming!" Frank accidentally knocked down the vase with roses in it.

"Frank!" Hazel scolded.

"Sorry!" He quickly fixed it and cleaned the water.

"Calm down! Percy's got this. We have about 10 more minutes," Annabeth said.

"10? How! They're literally outside!" Will whispered yelled.

Annabeth shook her head with a smile, "You'll see."

Frank looked out the window to see Nico stop in confusion and ask Percy something who nodded and pointed to the left. Nico's eyes widened and he disappeared in a shadow.

Leo, who was in the corner making something, he wouldn't tell them what, for Calypso, said, "Love can make us do the most craziest of things."

Percy came in, grinning, "Am I good, or am I good?"

Annabeth laughed and gave him a kiss on the cheek, "You're great."

"What did you say to him for him to leave that quickly?" Frank asked.

"Oh, I just asked him what he got for Will, and he said he completely forgot."

Will laughed, "Sounds like him."

"You're a genius, Percy," Piper said, smiling.

Percy's smile faded a bit before he said, "Yeah."

"Hey, Wise Girl. I gotta talk to you."

Annabeth was surprised when Percy pulled her outside.

Piper frowned, "Did I upset him?"

Leo shrugged, "Nah. He's probably tired of us ruining their alone time."

Will looked uncomfortable, "Yeah, probably."

Piper looked down, "It's the love day."

"You're mother's favorite day," Will said.

"Yeah, and my least."

When Percy and Annabeth came back, they excused themselves.

"I should go too, Shel is waiting for me."

"Alright. Have fun," Will said.

Frank fixed up the balloons and straightened the napkins, "Well, good luck. Hazel should be coming back anytime now, and I should be there."

"Thanks, Frank."

"No problem."

Frank waved as he left, and Will saluted him.

"Alright, Sunshine boy. I gotta go, too. Festus is waiting for me in an empty field. I'd I leave him alone for too long he'll burn down the nearest building."

"Wait, are you gonna tell me what you're working on?"

"Fine. But only for you, night light. I made a celestial bronze watch that converts to a dagger or a mirror."

"That's awesome."

"Let us hope Calypso thinks it's awesome too."

"Good luck, Leo."

"I don't need luck. I mean, have you seen me?"

Will smiled, "Yes I have. Wish me luck, then."

"Good luck. Though I doubt you need it. If Nico is interested in you, then you definitely are something special. Bye, Will."

Leo left Will a bit speechless.

Will sat down, this is their first Valentine's, and he was nervous. Sure, they've been together for almost a year, but he was still afraid that he'd ruin things with Nico. Will honestly couldn't see himself with anyone who isn't Nico. Not after what they've been through.

Will sighed, "Well, dad. Wish me luck."

Nico appeared out of nowhere on the table holding chocolates and bright yellow roses, "For you, tesoro."

Will stared up at him in surprise, "Nico?"

Nico offered him the gifts with a smile and Will took them.

Will laughed a bit giddily, "It truly is a day for love and miracles."

Nico blushed, "What miracle?"

Will stood up and kissed Nico on the cheek. He had to step on his tiptoes because Nico was still on the table.

"You being taller than me," Will said with a smirk.

Nico grinned, "And now how will you be able to kiss me?"

"I'll just do what you do," Will said as he leaned closer to Nico.

Nico moved slightly higher, "Seems like you can't reach."

Nico was looking down at Will as he tried to get closer but Nico kept moving a few inches back.

Will pouted, "Darling, I made you food and got you chocolate. I deserve a kiss. Please?"

Nico pretended to think about it, "Did you really make lunch?"

"Yes."

"Then I think I'll pass."

Will blinked, "Did you just trash talk my food in front of me?"

"Yes."

"Rude."

"It's the truth."

"Well, even if that was true, that's something you keep to yourself. You gotta pretend to like it but then complain about it later to your friends."

"What?"

"Never mind. And anyways my food came out great this time."

"We'll have to see about that."

"Does that mean I get a kiss?"

Nico put a hand on Will's cheek and slowly bent down, and his lips met Will's. As usual, Nico felt so happy he thought he would combust into shadows.

Will pulled away slightly, "You, my dear Nico, look so handsome. All tall, dark, and beautiful."

"And you all short, blonde and gorgeous."

Will laughed and pulled him in for another kiss.

Nico brushed the hair out of Will's eyes, "Your eyes are so blue."

"Which is the opposite of how I'm feeling."

Nico laughed, "And how are you feeling?"

"Like all the pieces of my life are coming together."

Nico smiled and stood there admiring Will for a minute.

Will held out his hand, "How about we eat now?"

Nico took his hand, "We need a new table cloth."

"Which we'll get later. Happy Valentine's Day, Nico Solace."

Nico's eyes widened, "Um."

Will laughed, "Too soon?"

Nico didn't respond. Instead, he brought Will into his arms and kissed him again. This time, he did have to step on his tiptoes.

Will had his hands around Nico's waist, and he swayed a bit as if they were dancing.

"Maybe sometime in the future, marito. But for now, let's eat."

Will flushed even though he had no idea what that meant he had an idea of what it could mean.

So, I know it's a bit past midnight, but oh well. Anyways, I hope you have a great day/night!-Was