3. cake

He was going to kill him.

He was going to kill him, bring him back to life, and kill him again.

Of all the things that Percy Jackson could've forgotten, it had to be his nineteenth birthday. Sure, it wasn't bad enough that his own father forgot it (sure, he was a god, and gods are busy, but at least a card would've been nice). But no, Perseus Shithead Jackson had to go and forget too. It was these thoughts that occupied the mind of a rather pissed-off and somewhat-upset Son of Hades. Huffing, he dragged his feet on his way back to the cabin. Normally, he'd be off toward Percy's cabin, as they'd somehow managed to get approval from Chiron to let Nico stay in the Poseidon cabin. (somehow meaning a lot of begging, and only a little bit of blackmailing.)

But no, Nico was angry with Percy, so this was Percy's punishment. At this thought, Nico stopped, a somewhat confused look coming onto his face.

"Punishment? Really, di Angelo?" Sighing, he shook his head. "It's like you're talking more about a dog than your boyfriend," he muttered, continuing his walk.

Stepping inside the Hades cabin made him wrinkle his nose. Everything was covered in a fine layer of dust, and the whole place reeked of death. No wonder all the other kids avoided the place. Going over to his "bed", he shook out the blankets, coughing as he kicked all the dust up into the air. As he set the blankets back down, however, he happened to glance over and notice something sitting on the desk, farther back in the cabin. Straightening up, he realized it was a blue-frosted cupcake and a small letter. He snorted, muttering something about how it was a shitty way to make it up to him, but still finding himself wandering over to the desk anyway.

When he picked up the note, he huffed. "Sorry about not being able to see you today. I was a bit...tied up, I guess you could say. Anyway, come on over to my cabin as soon as you can, okay?"

He shoved the letter into his pocket, and grabbed the cupcake, biting into it and savoring the taste of the light frosting, before making his way out. The walk to Percy's cabin was quick, but he took his own time with it, knowing full well that Percy was standing in the doorway and tapping his foot impatiently. By the time he actually got over to the cabin, he'd finished his cupcake, and Percy looked about ready to explode. Upon arriving, he gave the Son of Poseidon a cheeky grin, crossing his arms over his chest.

"Alright, so you're expecting an explanation for me not seeing you all day - I get it. Just to let you know, I didn't actually forget. I had to make a lot of trips today to make sure everything was set in place."

Nico's eyes narrowed suspiciously.

"Make sure what was in place?"

Percy leaned in, grinning.

"Oh, just getting permission for everything."

Nico scowled.

"You're beating around the bush. Just get on to what you want me for, Jackson."

Percy chuckled, a heavy blush creeping up his cheeks.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out something small, and silver. The situation didn't fully register to Nico until the words "will you marry me" fell from Percy's lips.

"Oh gods...Yes, you stupid fucking doofus. Now get back up here and kiss me," Nico choked out, not even being able to suppress the dumb smile on his face.

When Percy did pull him into a kiss, it tasted faintly of chocolate cake.