"Rise and shine, Nico."

Nico answered Percy's cheerful comment with a groan. "You had to ruin it, didn't you?"

It had been five months now—well, five months and a day. Five months and a day since they'd bumped into each other on a college campus and ended up tangled on a couch together. Technically they'd officially been dating for only three and a half months, because Nico had stood firmly behind his decision to wait and figure out his own feelings.

Still, when Percy had invited him last night to "celebrate their five month anniversary", Nico hadn't protested. Just because he'd waited to put a label on it doesn't mean he was blind enough to the fact that they had been dating in all but the name.

That date, in the same restaurant Percy had brought him on their very first real date, so long ago—the waitress, Angela, had nearly squealed when she saw them together again. They'd gone back to Percy's apartment afterwards, and finally, Nico's slept over for the first time in those five months.

It was probably ridiculous to give any importance to that, considering they'd lived together, but it still was a big deal to Nico. And now Percy had ruined it by waking him up early.

Well, not quite ruined it. Tarnished the perfection a little bit. Though, as Percy pressed himself against him, Nico couldn't help but wonder what sleepy morning sex would be like with Percy. They'd never tried that, as far as Nico could remember. Maybe that would make the moment even more perfect.

They got a Skype call from Jason a few hours later, an eerily familiar tune to break them out of their afterglow. Luckily, Percy's laptop was within reach from his bed, or they probably wouldn't have bothered to take it.

Nico had expected the call. They'd been talking about it since the start of summer. He'd just never thought it would come on this specific day.

"Pipes found the place," Jason's voice came, cheerful as ever. That he and Piper were on speaking term again was no surprise; that they hadn't gone straight back to dating was more of a surprise, really. "It's literally right next to it."

"Don't you think that might be too close?" Nico noted. "I doubt any of us would want to be bothered by kids sneaking away from camp grounds."

"I doubt it. The grounds are pretty wide, you know. And if Percy and I never found the place in all seven years we were there, who would? Besides, it's kind of too late for second thoughts."

"Really?" Percy's enthusiasm leaked in every syllable—quite the accomplishment considering how exhausted he'd been moments before. "When do you guys get here?"

"Couple of days. Reyna'll be here tomorrow, though."

"We'll be here for her," Percy said. "Now if you don't mind, we still haven't had breakfast." He shut down the call before either Nico or Jason could protest, and turned to Nico with a wicked grin.

"'We haven't had breakfast'? That's your best excuse?"

"Well, we haven't. I'm starving."

Nico rolled his eyes. "You're always starving after sex."

"Because you're not starving right now?"

Nico paused, and chuckled. "All right. Maybe a little."

They slowly got out of bed and headed to Percy's kitchen, not even bothering with clothes, and Nico sat down to watch Percy cook—a habit they'd developed over the past few months. Something new, one among many. And hopefully many more to come.

It was only when Percy sat across from him with two plates of his trademark pancakes (well, his mother's, really) that his bright demeanor faded slightly. "We're going back to Camp Half-Blood. Are you sure you're gonna be okay?"

Nico couldn't help but chuckle. "You do realize I've already gone back on my own?"

Percy looked down. "Right. Sorry. I keep forgetting."

Nico chuckled. "Maybe I should remind you who I met there and make you jealous of our long and passionate romance—"

"You don't have to. But I intend to beat the record of length. As for passion, well, I'd like to think that's already done."

"Would you, now?" Nico teased. He doubted it was possible to really compare, but if it were, he was almost certain Percy would win. "Maybe I should find a way to compare you side by side." Percy nearly choked on his mouthful of pancake at the suggestion, making Nico laugh. Will had offered, but Percy didn't actually know that—yet. Nico was just waiting for the right opportunity. Maybe it would come soon, since Will was joining their group on their vacation. "But seriously, I'll be fine. We can remember the good times we had there. That's why we chose Long Island, isn't it?"

Percy stared at him, thoughtful, and nodded. "Okay. Just checking."

"I know. But you worry too much."

"You say I worry, I say I care."

Nico smiled at him. "That you do. And I love you for it."

Percy had a tiny, adorable smile, and his cheeks flushed. He tended to do that whenever Nico told him he loved him—even after over three months since Nico had said it for the first time since they'd reunited, it was like he couldn't quite believe it yet. "Well, I love you too, you know that."

Nico couldn't help but scoff at him. "You don't have to say it back every t—"

Percy cut him off with a kiss—long, tender, and sweet, both figuratively and literally with the taste of pancakes and syrup lingering in their mouths. "No, but I want to."

Nico remained silent for a moment, contemplating of his boyfriend's eyes. Loving eyes—an expression Nico wasn't sure he could get used to, wasn't sure he wanted to get used to. "You know…" he started, finding it hard to form a full sentence while lost in the sea green.

"Hmm?"

"We'll still be there on the first of July, won't we?"

Percy frowned at him. "Probably?"

"Do you think we should celebrate that anniversary? The first time we met?"

Percy's face lit up with a grin. "Well, I wasn't going to do anything, but if you ask…"

It was an obvious lie, but Nico didn't care. He just laughed along. "Three years later," he said, to himself as much as to Percy.

"Yeah. Almost three years, and it's only the first time you stay over. I'm sure our past selves would be disappointed in us right now."

Nico could have taken offense at his making light of everything. Or he could have tried, and failed when faced with his adorable, stupidly large goody grin. He didn't even bother. "As long as our future selves can look back with pride, I'm fine with this."

"I'm sure we will."

Nico couldn't agree more.