Hey, okay. I have some ideas, and for whatever reason it's going to start with this story. Why this one, I'm not entirely sure, but this is what the writing gods want, so who am I to argue? So, as I'm sure you're all well aware, it is now a new year. I know, shocker. I could make some sappy speech about how I'm going to update everything this year or finish off stories that I've done, but in truth that probably won't happen. The only thing I'm going to tell you is I'm going to desperately try to make more time out of each day to write.

This is a long intro so bear with me. Actual book update! I'm down to like the last five to ten chapters, then my friend (who is also my editor) and I are going to start revising it. After that I'll probably look for agents and then an actual publisher. I'm hoping to start this process before this summer, and I'll keep you updated as things come along.

…

Percy's POV

…

Another boring day at the dorms. It was a Saturday, and Nico was nowhere to be found. Honestly, he was probably with Will, and it was better that way. I'd gone shopping with mom yesterday, and I'd gotten healthy drinks and munchies. Lots of munchies. Despite my morning sickness, I still found myself ravenous after my classes. Curse my bundle. But, I still loved it.

"Hey." I looked up and blinked. Jason stood in the doorway, gazing around. "Where's Nico?" I just shrugged. I hadn't the faintest. Nor did I particularly care right now. Since I had the place to myself, I'd synced my iPod to the stereo and was listening to my music quietly while I read from my personal library. "Looks peaceful in here," Jason said, sounding a bit wistful. "I love Leo, I really do, but sometimes his house is just a bit too much."

"Don't you have somewhere to be?" I asked curiously. Jason seemed like the kind of guy to have many friends. And many places to meet them. But he seemed pretty lost in thought. I sighed silently to myself. "How about you come in and wait for Nico," I said, marking my page in my book. "I'm kinda lonely anyway."

"Are you sure?" he asked, inching inside. I nodded, and he softly closed the door behind him. "What were you reading anyway?" he asked, motioning to the book on my lap. He sat himself at the computer desk, turning the chair around to face me.

"Simon vs. the Homo-sapiens Agenda," I said, looking at the red cover. "Another LGBT book."

"Oh. Cool," he said, spinning around in the chair. "You like to read, huh? Almost any time I see you, you're reading." I shrugged. Sure, I guessed. I liked to read. It was something to fill my time. "Hey cool jam," he suddenly exclaimed. I looked down at my iPod.

"Starset," I said. "They're pretty cool." He nodded. "So what are you doing today anyway?" I heaved myself to my feet and padded quietly to our little fridge. I grabbed a juice box. Yes, I was forever five. "I thought you'd be with Leo."

"As I've said, I do love him, but there's only so much of the fraternity I can take," he explained. "Sometimes I like to just get away from all the activity." I nodded. I got that. I was not a party person. In fact, I would much rather stay at home and watch videos or movies or read than go out and drink and party. Then again, I was a bit of a special case, so. Unconsciously, I moved my hand over my stomach, wishing the baby was a little more evolved. I mean, I'd be a little rounder, but I would be able to feel it. "Hey, were you doing anything of significance today."

"Didn't plan on it," I replied. "I just planned on staying here. Why?"

"Well, Leo and I were going to the movies tonight. Do you wanna come?" I wrinkled my nose. I mean, I liked Jason and Leo; they seemed really nice. But being a third wheel honestly wasn't how I wanted to spend my Saturday. Luckily, maybe, I was saved from answering by the door opening, and Nico entering.

"Oh, hi Jay," he greeted. "How long have you been here?"

"Not long," the blonde boy replied. I quietly sighed. So much for my quiet Saturday. "Where were you anyway?"

"Out and about," Nico replied. "Go get Leo and get ready. I'll meet up with you guys later." Jason nodded and rose from his place at the desk. He wandered out, and Nico sat on the edge of my bed. Over the last few weeks we'd gotten a little more comfortable around each other, so I plunked my head on his lap and closed my eyes. He gently ran his fingers through my hair. "What's up Perce?" he asked me.

"Nothing," I replied to that. "I'm just tired." Which was the truth. Lately, I just didn't seem to have any energy. That might've been my really tight schedule on the weekdays though. Nico tugged the blanket up and around me, tucking me in gently. He loved wrapping me up when I was drowsy. "Are you going to the movies with Jason and Leo?" I asked sleepily.

"Yeah," he said. "They asked me last week if I wanted to go and I said yes. Do you wanna catch a quick nap and come with? Then at least we'd have each other for company." I yawned, fighting to stay awake. "It's alright Percy," he whispered, drawing lazy patterns on my stomach. "You get some rest. You're sleeping for two." I smiled. That was the last thing I remembered before passing out.

…

Nico's POV

,,,

Thank goodness Percy had so much reading material near his bed. Now I had something to do while he used me as a pillow. I thumbed through a parenting magazine, seeing what advice they had. Though, to be perfectly honest, Percy's situation was such a unique one, I don't think anyone would have advice for him. I glanced down at his sleeping form, a smile tugging at my lips. I loved studying him when he was sleeping. He was so peaceful, all curled up and vulnerable. I ran my fingers gently through his hair, it catching momentarily in the snarls. He grunted, but stayed asleep otherwise. My smile stretched a little wider, only to disappear the next moment when the door banged open.

"Shh," I scolded my friends. "This is a quiet zone." But Percy sat up and rubbed his eyes, blinking at the sudden appearance of two extra people. "Well, you woke him up," I told them. "I hope you're happy."

"Sorry Percy," Jason said sheepishly. 'Hey, I really hate to do this to you Nico, but Annabeth and Luke called last minute. You know…"

"Yeah, I know," I said. "Tell Annie I say hi." He grinned, tugging Leo out of the room behind him. I looked over at Percy, who studied me curiously. "What's up little man?" I asked him.

"What happened to your date?" he asked. I shrugged. Annabeth and Luke had gone to the same high school Jason and Leo had. They met up every so often to do couple-y things. It didn't really bother me in the slightest when they cancelled last minute. I usually ended up sitting awkwardly the whole time anyway. I tweaked Percy's nose, and he scrunched his face up in an adorable way. I chuckled.

"They have other friends in town, so I'm all yours right now." Percy gave me such a tiny smile. A bashful little one. He was such a shy and awkward boy. But seriously, this was why I liked him so much. He was very hard not to like. "Do you wanna do something tonight?" I asked him. Very slowly, he shook his head.

"No," he answered quietly. "I really don't. I'm not much of a date person, nor do I really like parties. I'd rather just stay here." I nodded.

"How about this," I said to him. He cocked his head to the side thoughtfully. "How about I go get us some cheap Chinese food and rent us some movies? Maybe I'll get us those little pints of chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream you like so much." A faint blush painted his cheeks pink, but he was grinning ear to ear. "I'll take that as a yes." I grabbed my keys off my stand. "I'll be back shortly, okay little man?"

"Alright Nico," he said. "And thank you." I felt my heart swell just a little bit. Every little action was me trying to prove just how much I truly did care for him.

"Keep the little one safe while I'm gone," I told him before I left. I made my way down to the student parking lot, looking around. It was your typical autumn evening. Meaning the sun was just beginning to set, and it was just warm enough to not need a coat, but there was still a nip in the air. I breathed deeply. There was an agriculture club here, and last year their contribution was a series of small flower gardens around campus. The last of the flowers were just dying off, but some still clung stubbornly to life. The air also smelled of leaves and of smoke off in the distance.

"Nico!" I glanced up when someone called my name. Will ran up to me. "Hey, there's a party over at my buddy's place tonight." I began the slow, leisurely walk back to my car, and he fell in step beside me. "It would be a great opportunity to hit and run," he told me.

"No can do," I said to him, "I have plans tonight, and I'm not ditching them." A look of pure annoyance flashed across his features.

"Let me fucking guess," he said. "You can't go because that freshie got his feelings hurt and now you're going to go and fix the boo-boo." I stopped short. I felt my hands balling at my sides. I swore I could even feel my blood literally boiling. I opened my mouth for a smart remark, but closed it just as quietly.

"You know what?" Will arched an eyebrow. "I think he'll be okay this one time. Let's take my car. Come on." I let Will drag me away. One night of non-commitment couldn't hurt, right?

…

Percy's POV

…

I looked at the clock for a final time and sighed. It was nine at night. Nico had left two and half hours ago. There was very little chance that he was returning any time in the foreseeable future. He'd probably run into Will. I was too tired to care about it at this point. But rather than wallow in self-pity, I decided to call my mom. I laid down and nestled myself into my pillows.

"Hey sweetie," mom said when she picked up. "How are classes going? How is the baby doing? How is my baby doing?" Despite how I felt, I couldn't help but laugh. Most college students may not admit to having a good relationship with their parent, but I was quite proud of the bond my mom and I had.

"Everything's fine mom," I said. "The baby's doing quite well. My morning sickness has calmed down a little bit as well."

"That's good," she said. "How's Nico." At his name, I frowned. That was the one gray area in my life right now. I wanted stability right now.

"He's fine," I lied. "He ran uptown for some stuff, so he's actually not here right now." I listened for awhile while she filled me in on how the family was doing. Bur after a little bit my mind wandered. I thought Nico cared about me? He kept claiming he did, then he'd disappear without so much as a text. Was I really not worth a second thought?

"Honey?" I blinked. I wondered briefly how long she'd been trying to get my attention. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah mom," I lied again. "Just tired. I think I might let you go, okay? Love you." I hung up before she could say anything. But I also didn't want her to hear the shake in my voice. All I was, apparently, was just a mistake. I wasn't even worth a second thought to some people. Including the people who claimed they were my friends. Especially those people. I flipped to my side, wrapping my arms around my middle. I let the tears fall, my only comfort being my tiny bundle. No matter what, I would always take comfort in the fact that this little person loved me. And I loved it. It wasn't planned, but that didn't mean I loved in any less.

…

Kind of a filler chapter until we start getting into the real stuff. I don't really know why I decided to start with this story, but I did, so… Here it is. Hope you liked it.