Author's Note: I have never ever ever EVER written a fanfic meant for a pairing, so I hope it's not too bad… I just had this plot in mind, so I decided to actually type it out and stuff.

I was going to make this a one-shot, but it got too long. So I had to split it up. Oops. I type way too much.

This fanfic is Rated M, but there is no smut is involved in this fanfic. It's just that sex is mentioned, which is why it is Rated M. So if you were looking for something with smut, you better click that back button now, unless you want to try to read this fanfic. If you want something like that, read Hitome-chan or something (his Percico/Pernico/whatever ship name it is are AWESOME for the record) so if you want some smut-related fanfic of Percico/Pernico/ whatever, Hitome-chan is the author you are looking for. (Sensory Love is absolutely my fave by him, so go check it out if you'd like…unless you don't like smut of course)

I have not yet read Heroes of Olympus: House of Hades, so sorry for inaccurate information. I am only going with what people have spoiled to me, and what I have read in previous fanfics. So, I am TOTALLY not sure if I spoiled anything in this from the House of Hades. Sorry if I accidently did and I have not realized it. Just a warning, mind you.

This fanfic is NOT chaptered. But I have no idea if I will have a sequel.

Sorry for all the mistakes, and I hope the characters are "in character" enough. (I think I made Nico too Emo)

I hope you like my first pairing fanfic, and gods this pairing will be the death of me…Well, whatever. And, I am so so so so sorry for how badly written the angst is in this fanfic. It's my first time writing angst, so it's a little bad and stuff.

Note: Mentioned OC from my other fanfic The Rise of Two

Additional Note: Sorry for all the mistakes!

Warning: Language, implied sex, [[attempted]] angst, changes in POV, homosexuality

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters. I am definitely not Rick Riordan. Aloha!

~Lynn~

The Risk in the Choice

Author: Loving Healer/Lynn Servane

Percy Jackson

"Who came back?!"

"I told you a million times! Nico came back!"

"Who?!"

"Nico. Di. Angelo!"

It has been almost three years after the prophecy of seven stopped the rise of Gaea. Reyna, Nico, and Coach Hedge brought the Athena Parthenos back to Camp Half-Blood, right before Octavian was just about to launch the two demigod camps into an all-out war. It was his entire fault, Octavian's, that the two camps were quarreling against each other so much. Turns out that Octavian was a spy for Gaea, and he fled the camp before anyone could catch him. Such a coward he was.

After the seven demigods defeated Gaea and returned to Camp Half-Blood by the Argo II, they heard of the story about Octavian and all. Nico mysteriously disappeared after the conflict was resolved, and he was nowhere to be found. Hazel would get letters every now and then, ensuring her that he was fine. Hazel still missed him and always prayed that he would soon visit someday.

Hazel, Frank, and Reyna returned to Camp Jupiter after they celebrated with the Greek demigods. They returned to their Roman camp a few days after the celebrations and feasts that took place at a very jolly Camp Half-Blood. The Roman camp and the Greek camp were now allies, and Greeks and Romans would be able to travel between both camps whenever they pleased. The only thing stopping them from doing so was monster attacks.

Now here Percy was, completely astounded, by what Jason had just told him: Nico came back to Camp Half-Blood. Was this even real? Wouldn't Nico prefer to go to Camp Jupiter to visit Hazel? Why would Nico come here? Percy did seem to realize that Jason and Nico had formed a strong bond between one another, which really hurt Percy. Nico hated Percy, and that really hurt him as well. It was and wasn't Percy's fault that Bianca died, and he thought that Nico forgave him about the whole event. But, Nico still acted a bit cold to him, and Percy never knew why. He also glared at Annabeth involuntarily whenever they made contact. Nico is someone that Percy would never understand.

He stared at Jason, wide-eyed and full with shock. He opened his mouth to blurt something out about Nico, but Jason beat him to it.

"Before you even say anything, I need to tell you the whole story as to why Nico's even here."

"The whole story? What story?" Percy flung his arms into the air. "Do we even have time for this?! I haven't seen or heard Nico in like what, three years?!"

What whole story is Jason even talking about? Nico, disappearing for three years without saying goodbye, is back at Camp Half-Blood. Percy didn't have any time to waste. What if Nico disappeared for another three years without saying goodbye again?

Percy felt like he was stabbed in the heart three years ago. It hurt that someone he cared for just disappeared. He deserved the hostility that Nico gave to him. After all that happened between Nico and him, Percy could understand why Nico was so cold-hearted. But, was he really that hostile to leave without saying goodbye? And to make it worse, he never even came back.

But, he finally has the opportunity to see the Ghost King again. The only "contact" they ever got from Nico was the letters he wrote to Hazel that she let them read. Percy missed Nico, a lot. He considered Nico as one of his friends, even if Nico will never consider Percy as his.

Jason heavily sighed, realizing just how impatient Percy was. "Calm down. You'll see him soon enough. Nico's not going anywhere."

"And how do you know that?" Percy snapped. "How do you know that Nico won't disappear for another three years or so again? Have you realized how unreadable Nico is? I really doubt you haven't realized it by now, Grace."

Jason closed his eyes and sighed once more, clearly annoyed and frustrated about Percy's behavior. "Just listen to me first before you storm off to find Nico, okay? Nico's injured. Chiron's guess is that he was attacked by monsters."

Percy blinked momentarily at the Roman demigod. "What?" After a few moments of realization, Percy suddenly became more alarmed. "What monster attacked him?! Is he okay?! How bad are his injuries?! What happened?! Where?! When?!"

Jason rubbed his temples. "He's asleep right now, but you can see him if you want." Jason replied, answering none of Percy's questions. He soon said, "Chiron surmised that Nico was close to Camp Half-Blood when he was attacked—so he came here to get someone to help heal his injuries. Nico collapsed on the front porch of the Big House, and Chiron found him soon after. You don't have to worry about it too much though, Chiron's got it."

Don't have to worry too much? Oh, Percy was feeling the exact opposite of Jason's last statement. He was worrying, and he was worrying a lot. He felt like one of those overprotective parents when their child hasn't come home and it's passed his or her curfew.

Percy wasted no time. He shoved passed the blonde-haired demigod and set his destination for the Big House. Jason thought about stopping him, but realized that his efforts would be in vain if he ever did try. He just watched Percy sprint his way to Nico's and Chiron's direction, wondering what Percy would do once he actually got there.

As Percy stormed through Camp Half-Blood, some campers gave him confused and puzzled looks, but Percy didn't take the time to explain the situation to them. Most of the campers didn't even know of Nico's existence, since they were new recruits. They didn't think that Hades had any children; they only knew of Pluto's child by the name of Hazel Levesque.

Other campers never knew Nico. They knew of Nico, but they just never talked to the demigod. A few other campers just didn't like Nico, most likely because Nico gave the cold shoulder to almost every living being. Nico also radiated death and hostility, and who would want to know someone that radiated that? But, Percy didn't care. Nico was Nico, and Nico was his friend. A friend that helped him through both the Titans' and the Giants' War. He convinced his dad, Hades, to help the demigods in Manhattan even though Hades strongly despised Percy. Nico was definitely his friend, and the same friend that disappeared three years ago. And, Percy was not going to let this chance of seeing that same friend pass by.

Most of the campers of Camp Half-Blood thought that Nico was just going to the Underworld on one of his little trips to help his dad and Thanatos around with the dead. But soon, after a few months, everyone knew that Nico wasn't going to come back. Hazel even received a letter from Nico after a few months, apologizing to her that he didn't say goodbye and he just disappeared. He refused to tell the reason as to why, but Jason looked like he knew something the rest of them didn't. He never told any of them if he knew or not, so Percy just let it slide by. He didn't want to force his friend into saying something whether Jason knew the reason or not. If Jason wanted to talk about it, then he will. Otherwise, Percy wouldn't pester him about it.

Someone soon fell into step with Percy as he rushed forward to where Nico was resting. Jason said that Chiron was taking care of him, so the only reasonable place for Nico to be where Chiron could take care of him was the Big House. Percy wasn't that much of a seaweed brain.

Speaking of seaweed brain, he craned his neck to his right to find a familiar set of curly blonde hair tied in a ponytail, bouncing on a familiar set of shoulders. Her chilling grey eyes stared back at Percy's sea green ones, boring deep down into Percy's mind and soul. She really did have that kind of effect on people though.

"What's the deal, Perce?" Annabeth asked, clearly aware that something was happening from the way Percy acted.

"Nico's back," Percy breathlessly answered.

"Nico…di Angelo?" Annabeth inquired. Even she never expected Nico to come back and pay a visit. And that's saying something; Annabeth was the daughter of Athena.

"Yeah, even I didn't believe it when Jason told me a few minutes ago," Percy stated, speeding up now that the Big House was in his line of sight. Annabeth sped up as well, keeping up her pace with Percy's. "Long story short, Nico collapsed on the porch of the Big House injured and Chiron suspects that he was attacked," Percy rapidly explained.

"Interesting," Annabeth murmured, taking in the new information. "But, what kind of monster would be able to injure Nico severely that he would collapse from it? Nico's the son of Hades, one of the Big Three. A simple monster wouldn't make him collapse."

Percy shook his head as they both kept up their brisk pace towards the Big House. "That's what I want to know. Maybe he shadow-travelled over here, and since it was just after a battle, he collapsed from exhaustion," Percy surmised.

"That's probably the smartest thing I've ever heard you say, considering it came from a seaweed brain," Annabeth smirked, but it soon faltered. "But, we'll never know unless we get to the Big House soon.

Percy nodded in agreement, and they both briskly made their way over to the Big House.

The front door of the Big House flew open and slammed against the wall, rattling the objects that were hung on the walls nearby, and the hinges of the door.

"Woops," Percy deadpanned.

"Woops," Annabeth mimicked. "You could've made a hole in the wall if you threw the door open and harder," Annabeth criticized.

"Didn't mean to open it that hard." Percy chuckled in amusement. Annabeth huffed in annoyance.

A man that had his lower half of a brown horse trotted over to them. He had short chocolate brown hair and a beard with the same color hue. He wore a soft red coat over a plain white shirt. Gentleness filled his soft brown eyes, despite the fact Percy almost destroyed the wall.

"Chiron." Percy acknowledged his appearance.

"Hello, Percy." Chiron nodded at Percy and Annabeth. "Hello, Annabeth."

"Hi, Chiron," Annabeth greeted back.

"What brings you two to the Big House today?" Chiron politely asked like he didn't know he inhabited a demigod that disappeared for three years.

"Nico," Percy flatly answered like it answered all the world's problems.

Chiron narrowed his eyes on Percy. "So, you have indeed found out about Nico's appearance, hm?" His expression abruptly changed to a soft smile. "He's sleeping now, I hope, but if you insist on seeing Nico then I will allow you to do so."

"Thanks, Chiron." Percy slightly smiled.

"Thank you." Annabeth courteously nodded at Chiron. "I wonder what Nico looks like nowadays after three years have gone by."

Chiron's expression morphed into a sour one. His eyes that reflected gentleness now reflected those that don't have a home and are lonely. "I wish you didn't have to see Nico in his current state of condition. It is very saddening…very heartbreaking indeed."

Percy grew protective as his eyes widened. "What…how bad is he?"

"He is gravely wounded, as you two may have heard." Chiron shook his head. He bounded forward so that he could rest his palm on Percy's and Annabeth's shoulder. "Thankfully, his life is not in danger. He collapsed on the porch of the Big House at around four in the morning."

"Four?!" Percy incredulously exclaimed. "In the morning?!"

Chiron nodded. "I suspect that he was attacked, and he shadow-travelled onto the porch of the Big House to flee. After a battle and shadow-travelling, I would expect he would collapse from all the exertion."

"That most likely happened, if you consider it," Annabeth agreed. "Nico hasn't told you anything?"

"No, he has not," Chiron remorsely replied with a look of forlorn clouding his face. "He has been in a lot of pain so far. Though, this morning he has healed quite a lot, since I told an Apollo camper to heal him. I'll ask him soon enough."

Percy stared from Annabeth to Chiron. He narrowed his eyes. "Are we going to see Nico now?" He impatiently asked.

"Calm down." Annabeth rolled her eyes. "We'll go see him now. Chiron, can you lead the way?"

"Of course." Chiron smiled, but sadness still filled his eyes. "Let's go then."

They walked in silence through the Big House, their footsteps tapping on the wood of the ground each step they took. Chiron's footsteps were faster since he had four legs. They trudged up the stairs, and Percy became more excited and nervous. Chiron led them through various hallways with multiple doorways, until they halted in front of a door at the end of one of the many hallways in the Big House.

"I still hope Nico is resting in bed." Chiron sighed as he swiped a hand down his face. "Last time I checked up on him he was out and about like nothing has happened. I guessed he was attempting to shadow-travel away, but he was too weak to control the shadows to do so. But, I could tell that he could still feel pain. Every action he does triggers more pain into him, I can tell."

Percy's and Annabeth's worried looks made Chrion reassure them instead. Even if Annabeth never liked the son of Hades a lot, she still cared for him, especially since it had been three years since their last meeting. He did take part in both the Titans' and Giants' War with them. And, it wouldn't hurt to be a little curious as to what the Ghost King looks like now after three years, right?

Chiron plastered a smile upon his aged face. "He has taken nectar and ambrosia, so I'm sure he will be fine. Like I said, I asked an Apollo camper to heal him as much as she can. Nico's healing at a rapid rate, I would say. You guys shouldn't fret."

Percy and Annabeth became a little more relieved at Chiron's previous words. But Percy won't feel completely relieved until he sees the son of Hades with his own two eyes.

Chiron slowly opened the door without making the slightest noise. Before Percy or Annabeth could get a peek at the now seventeen year-old teen, Chiron bid his farewells, saying that he had business around camp to tend to.

Percy and Annabeth glanced warily at each other, before nodding. Annabeth pushed the door the rest of the way open with her palm, ending the suspense.

Nico sat upon the bed, knees brought up to his chest, and head held in his palms. His elbows were propped upon his knees, and it looked like he fell asleep while sitting. His shaggy, midnight hair draped down his face, so Percy and Annabeth couldn't get a clear view of his features. He wore a plain black T-shirt, and his Aviator jacket was by the foot of the dark red bed Nico sat upon. The now seventeen year-old teen looked like he grew a few inches, though he was still shorter than Percy by maybe two inches, but taller than Annabeth. He seemed to have developed more muscle, though he was more lean than muscular instead of painfully skinny like before.

And here was the gruesome part. The Aviator jacket was soaked in blood. His black T-shirt was even darker because it was also soaked in blood. There were cuts and gash marks all over his arms, but his legs were covered by the blanket of the bed, so who knows what his legs looked like in comparison to his arms. The cuts and gash marks stopped bleeding, but the bandages by the bed were most likely from his arms. The bandages were all covered with blood stains. The most disgusting part was, the bed was stained with red. In other words, the bed was covered in blood. No wonder Nico didn't want to be in bed.

The older teen looked up at them, his hair covering most of his face. His deep, dark brown eyes were still visible, and there were a few cuts on his face, which may lead to scars.

"Nico?" Annabeth breathed.

"What?" Nico croaked out like he hasn't talked in years. Well, maybe that was true. Nico's voice was also a lot deeper now.

Percy's nervousness and excitement suddenly turned into anger while staring at the Ghost King. "Why did you leave without saying goodbye?" Percy loudly demanded as he stomped over to Nico.

Annabeth reached out for Percy's arm. "Percy, you shouldn't—" Annabeth tried to stop him.

Percy interrupted Annabeth's reasoning. "No, no I should. I should, Annabeth. Nico, why did you just leave without saying goodbye? Do you realize how much we missed you? How much Hazel missed you? How much I missed you? Everyone thought you just went for a visit in the Underworld but no. You were gone for days, for weeks, for months, and soon it was a year. Do you know how much Hazel cried, knowing that she never got a goodbye? Reyna told me after you guys stopped the two camps from clashing you just disappeared. Like, what the hell, Nico? Why did you do it? Do you realize how much you tore Hazel apart just by doing that? You were gone for three fucking years, Nico. Do you know how long that is? Did you think you could just disappear without anyone knowing? Because, as soon as we got back Hazel ran around camp looking for you. Do you know how heartbreaking it was seeing her so lost without you? She couldn't even celebrate without the thought of you not being there with her. We tried Iris-messaging you so many fucking times. Where were you, Nico? What was the damn reason for your disappearance? Was it really that important? Don't just fucking stare at me, Nico, tell me. Why did you fucking disappear? What was the important reason for you to have to break Hazel's heart like that?"

The discourse hung in the air while Percy stared intently at Nico, waiting for an answer. Annabeth glanced from Percy to Nico, with a worried look on her face. She didn't know the reason for Nico's disappearance, but she knew Nico just wasn't going to answer that easily.

Nico hesitated, before responding, "Why do you even care?"

Why did he care? Was that all Nico had to say to him? Oh, Percy was more than angry now. He just wanted to slap Nico across the face, but he knew how much pain Nico was enduring at the moment. How much effort did it take just for Nico to talk? But, Percy was still devastated, Nico broke Hazel's heart into a million shattered pieces and all Percy wanted was the reason. Why was Nico not telling him? Didn't he care for Hazel? Wasn't Hazel his sister? What was the special reason for doing that to his sister? Didn't Nico know the consequences?

Percy gritted his teeth. "Why do I want to know? Because I'm your friend, Nico. We're all your friends. Have you not realized that? Friends worry about each other, that's why I care. I worried about you. We all worried about you. Why can't you just tell me the reason, Nico. Is it really that hard?"

Gods, why was Nico not telling him?! Why was the Ghost King so secretive anyway? Percy didn't mind NIco keeping a few secrets from him, but he just wanted to know why he left. Did the reason even count as a secret?

Now it was Nico's turn to grit his teeth. Percy didn't know why Nico was so mad at him; he just wanted the reason why he left. Was it really such a big deal to him?

"Why can't you just mind your own fucking business, Percy?" Nico spat, wincing in pain from all the effort.

"Nico, you should rest," Annabeth cut in before Percy could retort. "You seem like you're in a lot of pain."

"No shit," Nico grunted, clearly angry. "I…"

"You what?" Annabeth tried a more gentle approach.

Nico hesitated, which is something Nico now does a lot, before responding, "I…can't sleep."

Annabeth cocked up an eyebrow. "Why not?"

Percy's eyes softened on Nico, feeling the same pain as the teen in front of him. "Tartarus," Percy answered for him.

Annabeth's eyes turned sympathetic. "Oh."

The idea of the three of them experiencing the wicked depths of Tartarus hung in the still air. The Sun was beginning to set, which meant that it was around seven or eight. The sky turned a brilliancy of pink, orange, purple, and light blue. It was like a light show, but it was better because nature had caused. Nature can be so pretty; no wonder Grover wanted to save the wild.

Chiron clopped into the room, and three pairs of eyes landed on the centaur. He cleared his throat, before beginning. "Nico, how are you doing?"

"I'm fine, thank you," Nico replied, surprisingly polite.

Chiron warm-heartedly smiled. "I'm glad to hear that Nico. Would you like to tell me this tale of yours that led you to be on the front porch of the Big House? It is absolutely fine if you prefer not to."

Nico exhaled briefly. "I was just exploring—travelling I guess—around the country. I was up in Maine looking around at the military school that I used to attend before…I knew of my heritage. Ironically enough, I was attacked by a large group of minotaurs by the same place I was attacked before when I was ten. I didn't kill them all; there were two left. I couldn't beat them all without collapsing and dying…" Nico trailed off for some strange reason, before continuing again. "And I decided to last minute shadow-travel away to a place where I could get healed, and the only place that would understand my injuries are demigods, like me. Since I was pretty close to Camp Half-Blood, I shadow-travelled here. I never really knew where I shadow-travelled at the camp, but I was just glad to be there before I collapsed."

"You're pretty lucky you collapsed in front of the Big House and Chiron found you." Annabeth nodded.

"That is quite an intriguing tale, Nico," Chiron commented. "I have many questions to offer you, but if that is all you would like to talk about, then I will not press any further."

"Unlike someone," Nico grumbled, glaring at Percy.

"Heard that," shot Percy.

"Woops. Did you now?" Nico sarcastically stated, rolling his eyes.

"I see your dark sarcasm hasn't diminished these passed years." Percy smirked.

"Did Percy just say 'diminished'?" Annabeth dramatically gasped. "For a seaweed brain, that is some very advanced vocabulary to use."

"Shut up." Percy rolled his eyes, shoving Annabeth playfully in the arm. Annabeth giggled at his response. Nico glared at them, but Percy was unsure why. He was pretty sure Nico was doing it involuntarily. His lack of human interaction may have caused his glare to be more venomous than before, which Percy had realized. Wait, why was Percy staring so intently into Nico's beautiful, dark brown eyes anyway? Okay, where did that come from? Clear your head, Percy, you have a girlfriend and she is literally standing right next to you.

"I should be good to shadow-travel away by tomorrow," Nico informed. "I feel pretty well right now anyway. I'm just going to stay for another day in case. Is that alright, Chiron?"

"No," Percy interrupted before Chiron could say anything.

"No?" Nico raised an eyebrow. "And, why is that?"

"Why don't you stay for a bit, Nico?" Percy offered. "We can call Hazel over if you want. We need some catching up to do anyway. It wouldn't hurt right?"

Nico's eyes cast downwards, looking at his knees that were covered with a blood stained blanket. He contemplated whether or not he should. He kept his eyes downwards, avoiding Percy's gaze still. What was Nico so nervous about?

Nico, without looking up, replied in a soft voice, "Sure...I…guess…" He reluctantly answered.

Percy grinned from ear to ear. He was excited to be hanging out with Nico again. They never really did three years ago, and since Nico's disappearance, Percy was starting to regret it. He was finally happy he got to turn that around this time.

Nico di Angelo

Nico bid his farewells to Percy, Annabeth, and Chiron as they left his room in the Big House. Annabeth offered to wash his Aviator jacket for him, so she left with the bloody jacket out of the room with the other two. Chiron softly closed the door behind them, and Nico could hear their footsteps fading away with every step.

Nico just wanted to scream loudly into a pillow nearby, but he certainly didn't want that. The items around him were all stained in blood, which is one reason why Nico didn't want to be in bed. Another reason was just because his ADHD was acting up now that he was near Percy. Gods, why did this have to happen to him? What did Nico ever do to Aphrodite?

Instead of screaming, Nico groaned loudly to himself and slapped a hand onto his forehead.

Stupid, stupid stupid, was all Nico thought to himself. He chronically chanted that in his head for a long while. If Percy didn't offer he would've rejected, and he would've been able to go on with his life. But, no. The Fates just decided to be cruel to him. What did he even do to the world? Was it just because he was the son of Hades that life hated him so much?

He knew that if he rejected Percy, he would just become persistent and continuously beg with those puppy eyes of his until Nico was annoyed out of his mind. Why was Percy always like that? Why did Nico even like a guy like Percy?

Nico shook his head. He's delved deeper into this topic before, and it ended with an image of Percy in his bed. He did not want to have those thoughts ever again. They were all so disturbing, and yet, enticing.

Nico slapped himself, which was something he shouldn't have done. His face began to throb just when it decided to heal itself back up. Like he said: the Fates were cruel to him. He didn't want those stupid dirty thoughts anyway, so maybe the slap was a bit better.

Why did Percy have to be so…Percy? Jason had tried to convince Nico many times to confess his love to Percy, but Nico would never in his life do that. He'd kill himself first before he told Percy. Back in his time, liking another person with same gender was wrong. And here Nico was doing that exact forbidden thing. But, what could Nico do? Percy was practically impressing the world without even realizing it.

That's just how oblivious Percy was. He didn't even know that Annabeth had a crush on him, and when Nico just met Percy, he pretty much asked if Annabeth was his girlfriend. It was that obvious. The whole world could be crushing on Percy (not the carrying-the-sky kind of crushing) and Percy wouldn't even realize it. Why did Nico like Percy so much?

Nico stared at the shadow of a nearby chair casted on the opposing wall. He could just shadow-travel away from this camp now and get his feelings done for. His feelings were pretty much exploding now that he saw Percy in his own eyes. And, after three years, Percy has become so much better-looking Nico could just pounce on him whenever he sees him. It was just so frustrating! Nico wished that he could just hate Percy for what he did to Bianca. But sadly, he can't. Percy had his own charm or something.

Should he shadow-travel away? He would disappoint Percy, but it's not like he would see how Percy would react. Seeing Percy depressed and sad would break Nico's heart just much as Percy's. But then again, he wouldn't see his reaction.

Groaning again into the still air, he turned away from the shadow. Nico would bet anyone anything that he would regret not shadow-travelling away. The Fates were cruel to him, and Nico would've bet anything that he would accidently confess to Percy and then he would get rejected. He was with Annabeth after all.

Was he allowed to leave this blood-stained room and go to take a walk to clear his mind? After the Apollo camper, Amitola, healed him, he felt like he could carry the sky. Not that he would try it. He'll leave that to Atlas.

But, even if he was physically healed, he was definitely not mentally healed. And Percy barging into his room while Nico was mentally praying that he wouldn't see Percy did not help. It was like the Fates were thinking: So, praying that you wouldn't see Percy at all while you're temporarily at Camp Half-Blood? Let's just make Percy barge into your room right now while you mentally pray for it not to happen. Have fun now. Not too much fun, of course. Though, we know you would like that, Nico.

Nico slapped his forehead again with a heavy sigh. His thoughts were just messed up. He really needed that walk to clear his mind.

He threw the blanket off of himself so that the now red blanket collided with the wall to his right. He threw his legs over the bed, slightly wincing as he pressed his feet to the ground. He slowly stood up, muttering curses chronically to his injured self as pain shot throughout his body. It wasn't that bad, he could still walk, he just had a new friend that followed him everywhere: Pain. Yep, his new friend that couldn't leave him wherever he went was named Pain. And, not the Pain from Naruto. The one from Naruto is actually spelled Pein. Or, was it? Well whatever, his friend named Pain was not a shinobi from Akatsuki and his friend Pain did not fight and stab people with kunai knives and used special powers involving chakra. Well, technically Pain did. He did feel like he was being stabbed with a kunai knife at the moment, from all the pain. Guess his friend Pain really was Pein.

Well, Pein, since Nico and him were becoming friends now, Nico would be really obliged if he stopped stabbing him with a kunai knife. And, Nico still felt pain. Conclusion found: Pein will not take Nico's orders. At least the ghosts in the Underworld did. He was the Ghost King for a reason.

Nico shook his head. He was really getting off topic. He just wanted to go out for a walk through the forest where the games of Capture the Flag were held. That was all he wanted, instead of Percy…

Slapping himself once again for the stupid thought, Nico twisted the doorknob of his temporary room and began to walk out of the Big House.

The Sun was now below the horizon. The stars were gorgeous in the night sky Atlas currently carried. The moon wasn't full, but it was still stunning to look at. It shined brightly in the night as it contrasted against the midnight black sky. A breeze didn't whirl by, since it was in the middle of summer. He could see the campfire lighted with golden by the cabins, but it was pretty far away. He was glad most of the campers were by the campfire doing the sing-a-long, so he wouldn't run into anyone. He just wanted to be alone right now. Well, technically, alone with Pein.

He sighed, before starting his "journey" towards the forest. He just felt like laying down on Zeus' fist (not the real fist) and just staring up at the beautiful stars and making out the constellations that he could remember. Those were one of his favorite past times, staring up at the stars. The one thing he hated about it was he was alone with his stupid thoughts, which were mostly about Percy. But now, it was different. He was alone with his thoughts and Pein. Which doesn't really make a difference, since Pein in this case was not even a living being.

He shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and carefully made his way over to the forest. Firstly, new campers would eye him suspiciously and say he was an intruder or something. Secondly, he just wanted to be alone. Thirdly, he didn't want to be disturbed. And fourthly, he didn't want to come into contact with a certain demigod by the name of Percy Jackson.

Nico was very quiet while making his way over to the forest. Nico was like a shadow, which is ironic because he can control them and travel through them.

Of course, why didn't Nico think of this earlier before he took the walk over to the forest? The Fates were being cruel to him, so of course things wouldn't go his way. He just had to go on a walk without thinking.

When Nico was sneaking past the Canoe Lake by the cabins, he spotted Percy dipping his feet into the water. Gods, why did Percy look so amazing under the moonlight? The way his sea-green eyes reflected the silver moonlight, his dark brown, windswept hair glistened like he was from a movie, his arms were so…

Nico slapped himself out of reflex from his thoughts, which was the worst possible idea of the century. The sound that resounded off from Nico's palm making contact with his cheek was the loudest sound made in the surroundings he was in. Which made Percy look up from the lake and glance over in Nico's direction where the sound came from.

Shit, was all that formed in Nico's mind.

"Nico?" Percy's voice called. "Nico? Nico, that's you! Isn't it? The darkness around you is covering your face, I can't see it clearly."

Nico glanced around him and realized that he was involuntarily summoning the shadows around him, most likely because he couldn't get to Zeus' fist and lay there alone with his thoughts and Pein. And, most likely because it was Percy that caught him. Well, that's just great.

"Hey, if you don't mind, but can you answer me so I know who I'm talking to?" Percy huffed.

"Sorry." Nico stepped out of the shadows, making them go back to normal.

"Nico!" Percy exclaimed, his face brightening, not that it was bright enough under the moonlight. "It was you! Wait…why are you out of bed? You should be resting, Nico!" Percy waved his arms in the air.

"My ADHD was acting up," Nico slightly lied. His ADHD was indeed, acting up, and he could not stay in that room any longer. It was like slowly getting suffocated. Nico just wanted a walk alone. Was that too much to ask?!

"Yeah, I get you." Percy nodded, probably thinking back to a time when his ADHD acted up. He patted the spot on the ground next to him. "Come sit with me then, since you're out here."

Nico really wanted to reject, but the soft and friendly smile Percy was giving him was stopping him from rejecting. He didn't want to see such a friendly expression turn sad if he rejected. That would be too much for him. Like he mentioned before, seeing Percy sad was just as saddening for Nico.

Nico sat down next to Percy, and he slung his left arm over Nico's shoulders in a friendly gesture. Great, the Fates really hated him if Percy was doing this. Nico's face started to burn up from being so close to the son of Poseidon, but he attempted to suppress the feeling, which failed.

Percy broke the momentary silence. "We should hang out more. I mean, three years is a long time, you know?" Percy stared at Nico curiously, who kept shifting uncomfortably in his seat. Percy sighed. "Look, I'm sorry for yelling at you earlier when I saw you today. It's just…I was so mad when you left. My feelings took over once I saw you again. It's…you know what? I'm just really really sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you. I'm sorry, Nico." Percy averted his gaze over to the lake, not wanting to have a fight with Nico again.

Nico risked a glance at the now twenty year-old young adult. He looked so sad, guilty, and regretful, which made Nico's heart just break. Nico sighed, suppressing his feelings to over-comfort the hero of Olympus in a loving kind of way. "You don't have to be sorry. I understand."

Percy glanced back at Nico, who was staring with an unreadable expression across his face. He warm-heartedly smiled. "Thanks, Nico. I really appreciate it. I won't force you to tell me the reason why you left, even if it is killing me. I don't want to fight with you ever again, Nico. Never, ever, again."

Nico gave a small smile to sea-green eyed demigod. "Me neither." He shook his head. "I wouldn't want that either."

"Good." Percy grinned. "Guess we're finally on the same page, you and me."

And for one of the first and rare times of his life, Nico was very happy.