Nico crept to the deck, clearly taking his time because the last thing he wanted to do was bring it up again. Sure everyone heard it, especially Percy, but that was the point. He thought it would have been the last day of Percy's life or his for that matter and didn't want die without Percy having the slightest idea of how important he was to him. Jason attempted to hide a grin as he leaned against the wall a couple of feet behind, knowing Nico would try everything in his power to avoid another confrontation of his feelings. Hazel peered from the control room door, she too hoping he would go through with it this time.

Earlier this morning he tried to get Percy alone after breakfast but wasn't fast enough to beat Annabeth to get to him in time. Then about ten minutes after lunch yesterday afternoon he tried to squeeze a moment with him, only for Leo to barge in seconds before Nico's lips could form words because some barrels of nectar below deck had exploded, and clearly the only person on board to take care of liquids without making a mess or wasting anything would have to be Percy.

Nico balled his hands into fists in aggravation and knew that if he wasn't able to tell Percy now then he was never meant to know, perhaps a sign from the gods that it's time to just move on, something Nico already knew and dreaded even more than being in Tartarus itself. He groaned at the thought. "It's okay, Nico. You got this." Jason reassured. He looked back to see Hazel giving him a thumbs up and a hopeful smile. I can do this... Nico thought. It's just a stupid explanation, right? Then we all can just forget about it. But he knew he couldn't forget about it, and of course Percy wouldn't. Who would forget someone telling them they loved them? He tried to shake the thought.

"Just a little sentence to explain myself..." he muttered to himself softly. He looked around to see if things didn't go as planned he could just shadow travel somewhere to safety. Being pretty much anywhere other than being on board the Argo II, he would even jump overboard if he had too. But then of course Jason, Frank, or even worse Percy would come to his rescue. Nico groaned in mental defeat.

Piper emerged from below deck, a look of pure confusion swept across her face until it clicked and she understood why Nico kept glaring at the back of Percy while he was looking out over the railing, holding hands with Annabeth. Everyone knew, aside from the select few that would instantly share the information. As far as Annabeth, Percy, Leo, and Coach Hedge knew Nico had it bad for Annabeth. Just the idea of everyone thinking that made Piper want to laugh until she could no longer breathe. Not it a mean way, just in an obvious way. She held onto Jason's arm and covered her mouth with her hand before she would have to excuse herself.

Annabeth let go of Percy's hand and kissed his cheek as she went to go help Leo with something. Now's my chance, Nico thought as nervous as ever. The thought of jumping overboard started to sound really good about now. He slowly approached Percy, standing next to him as they both over looked the passing by cities and towns. Percy seemed to be oblivious as he always was. That helped ease the tightness in Nico's chest slightly.

"How's the air?" Nico asked, mentally kicking himself for the stupid way to start a conversation.

"The air?" Percy asked confused, "Ugh, pretty good I guess. Though I would prefer the water for obvious reasons." Percy subsided a laugh and Nico let out a deep but quiet sigh of relief.

"About the other day…" Nico began. Jason, Piper, and Hazel watched from the window in the control room, their eyes peeled. If they had popcorn they would have been eating it without noticing. Thanks guys, Nico thought.

"Hey man, it's okay. We all say crazy stuff when we think we're dying." Nico's heart sank. He knew this was a bad idea.

"But I meant it." Nico said flatly, pain in his words. Percy looked lost, in that cute dumb way he looks when he doesn't have a clue what's going on. Gods! Why does he do this to me?! Nico inhaled, praying for the strength to keep from screwing up even more than he already had.

"Percy, I… I can't imagine living in a world so cruel to rip you away from me. Even though you don't even belong to me… I would do anything for you." He tried to swallow back his fear.

"Well, yeah I can say the same about you, Nico. You've helped us so much…"

"No! Listen to what I'm saying!"

"I am… Nico, is everything okay?"

Nico was tempted to flip over the railing, but he was tired of being a coward. He was tired of how obvious he was being and how it still shot right over Percy's head. Annabeth started to head back to her spot on the deck but stopped about three feet behind Nico. He was standing in front of Percy, his hands in fists and was yelling at him leaving him wide eyed and confused. She was tempted to butt in but kept quiet and listened to Nico's angry words.

"I'm sick of this! Do you know how annoying it is to love someone you know you can't have?! Do you?! Percy Jackson you walk all over me and don't even acknowledge it! Then I'm stuck every time I look at you you're being nauseatingly cute with Annabeth…"

"Look, I know you like Annabeth. Why are you yelling at me about it? I can't help that!"

"Yes you can! If you even paid attention to me you would know that I don't like Annabeth I envy her!" Percy went silent and Annabeth couldn't find words to speak to let them know of her presence. She easily put two and two together, easily realizing what Nico was saying. If only she could have let Nico in on the little tip of how many boys don't particularly think much about certain things.

"I like you Jackson. That's why I've done so much ridiculous shit for you all of these years." Tears were welling up in Nico's swollen eyes, some escaping down his cheek. Percy couldn't find words to apologize. If only Nico really knew how sorry he was for everything and he appreciated all he did for him, if only there was some way he could show him he did care for Nico and was sorry for upsetting his feelings. Without any other idea, he grabbed Nico into a tight hug.

"I'm so sorry, Nico." Percy mumbled through tears he tried to stop. Jason, Piper, and Hazel's jaws dropped. Annabeth then worried whether or not she would end up single by tomorrow.