I hope you guys aren't sick of updates to the same story. I'm on a bit of a roll, since it's starting to shape up like how I wanted it. Sort of.

This next bit isn't really related to the story. It's about my personal life. So you can skip down to the actual story if you don't want to hear some pretty heavy stuff. You have been warned…

So in the midst of FINALLY getting myself back into a schedule again, my brain decided that it didn't like itself much and I've been fighting the demons in my head while at work (I've only had one day off in a little over a week, so I worked A LOT). I literally had to pull myself together after my break the other day so I could go up and be a functioning adult. And my friend's coworker said something that just spun around in my head for hours after it happened, just swirling into this black mass that seemed to physically weight me down. It was a comment on the volume of my voice (I'm a naturally loud person). And it's not like I haven't heard it before. I have lots of times. I don't know. It really got to me the other day.

…

Percy gently kissed Nico's forehead, smoothing his boyfriend's hair back. Nico didn't feel well again today, and Percy didn't have the energy to go to school without him, so they were both laying in Nico's bed, watching movies off of his laptop. At least Percy was. Halfway through, Nico rolled over and passed out. So Percy made sure his boyfriend was as comfortable as possible. He also made sure to have some water nearby, because he'd figured out that Nico was often thirsty when he woke up from his naps.

Percy's mind refused to settle, despite the quiet. A thousand things ran through his head at once, and his brain couldn't seem to ground a single thought. A lot had to deal with his future with his boyfriend. What future did they have? Maybe not a long one. He gazed at Nico's sleeping form. Even in sleep, he looked in pain, and Percy felt his heart shattering, as with every time he couldn't do anything to help. He just had to make sure he kept Nico bundled, safe, and make sure he felt loved.

"God baby boy," he whispered, burying his face in Nico's hair. "Sometimes it's tough to think about now." Nico mumbled something in his sleep, but otherwise didn't wake up. "One thing's for sure though," Percy said as he split into a huge smile. "I love you. So, so much. And I want to spend the rest of your life with you." Which may or may not be long. They'd just have to take it a day at a time.

"Hey Percy," Maria said, peeking in. "How's he doing?" Percy looked over his shoulder to fully look at her. He was laying with his back to the door.

"He's sleeping, but that's happened most of the day, so," Percy said with a little shrug. "I'll let you know if anything changes Mamá, don't worry," he assured her. Maria smiled softly as she watched her son's boyfriend turn back to him, seeming to study him for the longest time. Percy was such a sweet boy. She'd really grown to love him over the years. Almost like he was a second son. Maria went back to the living room. Nico was in good hands.

Percy gently brushed his hair out of his face, kissing his forehead. He loved his baby boy. So much. He loved Nico with every atom in his body. Despite the emotional rollercoaster the last few days had been, and would continue to be, the brunette still wouldn't trade it for anything.

"Percy?" Nico asked groggily, blinking blearily at him. "What time is it?" he asked, looking around. But his room was fairly dark, as Percy had drawn the curtains when he got there.

"It's close to noon," Percy replied, his grip on the dark-haired boy tightening. "You've been asleep a few hours. How's that headache of yours." Nico blinked again.

"It's gone, for now," he replied. "I'm sure it will be back." He winced. "Percy…" He whispered, and Percy, if at all possible, held him even tighter. He could hear the brokenness returning. God how could he ever make his sweet baby boy better again? "Perce I'm so scared," Nico continued, fisting the brunette's shirt. "So, so, scared. What's going to happen to me?"

"Nothing," Percy said fiercely. "You'll be okay Nico. Don't think like that." But his boyfriend's silence said all he really needed to hear. "Nico, do you honestly think I'm okay with this? But it WILL be okay. It has to be. I can't…I can't lose you." And Percy watched as his boyfriend's face crumbled before him, the waterworks starting again. Percy kissed his forehead. "Just forget I said anything," he mumbled.

"I can't!" Nico cried, causing the brunette to jump. "I can't just forget because the possibility is you will lose me! What if you do? Are you going to date someone else? Marry someone else?" Percy stared at Nico in shocked silence as the tears flowed down the dark-haired boy's cheeks. "Percy I can't ask you to stay just because I'm sick." Slowly, Percy shook his head.

"I'm not staying because you're sick," Percy said. "Why would you ever think that? And to be perfectly honest with you Nico, if the worst does happen, I don't know what I'll do. It's way too early on to tell. Do you know why I'm staying?" Nico shook his head. "It's because I love you. Every part of you. And I don't care what you say, I always will. I want to see you on your worst days and on your best days. I want to be here through your ups and downs. All because I love you. I love you, I love you, I love you so, so much baby boy." Nico remained quiet, but thoughtful.

"If you do love me, can you do me a favor tomorrow?" he asked tentatively.

"Anything," Percy vowed. Of course he'd do whatever his boyfriend asked.

"Go to school tomorrow, no matter how I'm feeling," Nico said quietly.

"But…" Percy started, but Nico pressed a finger to his lips, and his complaint died on his tongue. He looked into his boyfriend's pleading face.

"Please bambino?" Nico asked. "I need you to at least pretend things are normal, at least for a few days. Please just go to school. If people ask, just keep up the lie we've created." Percy bit his lip. How could Nico make him go to school tomorrow when there was a possibility that he wouldn't be? "I see it in your eyes. Please Percy, please. I need you to act like everything is normal, because there's a good chance that it will never be normal again."

"Alright," Percy agreed reluctantly. He hated this idea. He hated being away from his baby right now. All he wanted to do was hold him until the pain miraculously disappeared. "I'll go to school tomorrow. But if you aren't there I'm calling you at least twice, if not more if I can help it." At that, Nico chuckled, and the sound warmed Percy's heart. Nico hadn't been laughing much lately. And he'd managed to make him do that. Nico gently pressed his lips to Percy's, and when he pulled away, he grinned.

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you," he said. "I love you bambino. So much." Now it was Percy's turn to smile.

"I love you too Nico," he replied. "More than you can possibly know."

…

"Hi sweetie," Sally greeted when Percy let himself in. "How was Nico today?" Percy sighed softly, shrugging off his sweater. He shrugged.

"As good as he can be I suppose," he replied at last. "I'm sorry I didn't go to school, by the way. I just couldn't do it today. I needed to be with him." Sally just shook her head. She understood. Her son was far too young to be experiencing everything he currently was. "Hey, I, uh, have a question for you," Percy said nervously. "How much are…engagement rings?"

"Engagement rings?" Sally asked in surprise. "What ever for honey?" Percy wrung his hands nervously in front of himself. Would his mom even understand why he had to do this?

"I know I'm really young yet mom," he began. "But Nico may not have long. I…I'd like to be married to him if…if the worst does happen. I want to experience being with my husband, even if it's for a few months, or a few years." Sally's initial shock melted away, and she smiled softly at her son. This was why she loved this sensitive side of him. "Is it even a good idea?" he asked her.

"If it's something you want to do," Sally told him, and immediately, he nodded. "Then do it. If Nico really doesn't have much longer, then I don't see the harm in you guys getting quickly married at the court house." Percy smiled. When he pictured his wedding someday, he imagined a modest affair. An outdoor wedding, maybe on the beach. He wanted his mom and stepdad there, as well as maybe some of the boys and his cousins. And Nico's family, since he would obviously marry him. The more he thought about his dream wedding, the less excited he got. He and Nico wouldn't have time for a proper one, as Nico would most likely be going through treatment. "What's wrong?" Sally asked, sensing her son's sadness.

"Nothing mom," Percy said quietly. "So how much do you think? I have a lot in my saving's account."

"That's for college," Sally chided without any real venom. "You can find some really nice ones for a couple hundred dollars. You don't need to go all out." Percy nodded. Honestly he wasn't looking to spend a bunch of money. He wanted something simple and to the point.

"Thanks mom," Percy said, turning to leave. "I'm going to go look." But before he could leave, Sally grabbed his elbow. He glanced back.

"Are you really sure this is what you want to do?" she asked him. If he didn't want to go through with it, he could back out now. But Percy looked certain.

"I'm positive mom," he replied. "I have to do this. I have to propose to him. We have to be married. Even if we're young, and even if it doesn't last long. I want to make whatever time we have the best it can possibly be, for both of us." She released his arm, and he walked down to his room. He squared his shoulders. He would not back out now. He had a new mission. And that was to somehow marry Nico di Angelo, before it was too late.

…

"Hi there sleepyhead." Nico blinked at his sister as he padded into the living room, his favorite blanket wrapped tightly around his shoulders. After Percy left, he'd passed back out for a few hours. But the smells of dinner wafting to his room brought him out. He was actually hungry today. "Sit down," Bianca said, patting the spot on the couch beside her. Nico sat, drawing the blanket closer. If he closed his eyes and breathed deeply, it still smelled faintly of Percy. "What's really going on?" Bianca asked. Nico flinched. "Please Nico. I know you better than this. What's going on?"

"I…I don't fully know myself," Nico finally replied. "I know what could possibly be wrong, but that's about it. I don't really want to tell anyone until I know for a fact that what's wrong is really what's wrong."

"But Percy knows," Bianca pointed out, and she watched as her little brother seemed to fold in on himself. "Look Nico, I'm not pressuring you to tell me. I just worry about you, that's all." She patted his shoulder. "I'm always going to worry about you. That's what big sisters are supposed to do." For the longest time, Nico didn't say anything, trying to gather his composure.

"Let's just say it's really bad," he said, studying the small bruise on the back of his hand. He winced. These bruises. He hadn't gotten any other new ones, but they all looked horrid. "Maybe life-threatening," he said quietly, peeking over at his sister. She pursed her lips. She had a feeling it was something bad like that, but she hadn't really wanted to believe it. But now that he'd said it…

"I see why Percy has been sticking around then," she said at last. That was it. She didn't comment on his health any further. "He must really love you. Not that we didn't know that already," she added when he turned to look at her. "But if I'm being honest with you, if I found out the person I was dating was sick, I'm not sure what I'd do."

"Not that I blame you," Nico said. "I don't even know what to do. He keeps saying he's sticking around. I'm glad for that fact, believe me. Having him at my appointment kept me grounded during it."

"I'm glad he's been able to help you feel better," Bianca said. She and Nico sat in silence for a while. Neither quite knew what to say. "Oh hey, are you hungry?" she asked suddenly, and Nico jumped. He nodded. "I'll get you something to eat, alright?" she rose, going into the kitchen to fetch him something to eat. Nico watched her go, feeling a pang in his chest that hadn't been there before. How could he do this to them. Granted, it wasn't like he had much of a choice in the matter.

"Nico!" He was saved from his thoughts, however, by Hazel bursting through the front door. "You're awake!" she continued, crawling onto his lap. "Daddy and I went shopping. We got you ice cream!" Nico chuckled, ruffling her hair.

"Thanks kiddo," he said. "What kind did you get me?"

"Plain chocolate, just like you like it," she said, twisting to look at him. "Daddy said ice cream makes everything better." Nico couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. Even when he was feeling down, Hazel had this amazing power of making him feel well again. "Look it's Bia," Hazel said suddenly, pointing as the elder di Angelo sister entered the living room.

"Don't yell so loud sweetie," Bianca scolded gently, bringing the plate of food to the couch for him to look at. "He may still have a headache."

"Oops," Hazel said, frowning thoughtfully. "Sorry Nico."

"It's alright," Nico assured, inspecting his plate of food. His mom had made grilled chicken, rice, and stuffing. Honestly it all sounded really good right now, and he picked up his fork and started to eat around Hazel. "You'll have to tell mom thanks," he mumbled between bites.

"You're very welcome sweetie," his mom answered from the doorway. "How are you feeling?" Nico swallowed his bite of food before talking. He was not going to get in trouble for trying to start a conversation with his mouth full.

"As good as I can feel with…you know," he replied. He glanced down at Hazel, the message crystal clear in his eyes; not in front of her. Maria nodded, studying her children. Her oldest, so composed and quiet. Her youngest, so full of energy and life. And her middle child, her baby boy, so full of love and compassion. She loved her children, and she loved the fact that, despite the circumstances, they didn't let something as simple as a prognosis break their bond. "Hey guys," Nico said at last, setting his half-eaten dinner aside. "I'm suddenly exhausted. I think I'm going to go lie back down." He sat Hazel down on the couch and rose. "Thanks for dinner mom. Thanks for getting it for me Bianca," he said before he staggered down the hall to his room. Maria, worried, followed behind him.

"Are you okay?" she asked as he collapsed onto the end of his bed, rolling himself into a tub in his blanket. He stared at her blankly. No, honestly, he wasn't fine. He wasn't sure if he'd ever be fine again. Maria sat on his bed, and to her surprise he plunked his head on her lap. She stroked his hair back.

"Mommy," Nico began, glancing up. Maria looked down. Her son rarely called her mommy. Usually it was mom or Mamá. "What's going to happen to me?" he asked quietly, his lower lip trembling. Her heart tore itself in two. In her eyes, nothing was worse than seeing her kids in pain, but not being able to do anything about it.

"I don't know honey," she replied softly, continuing to smooth his hair down. He yawned, his eyes closing before he even knew what was going on. "But we'll figure it out together," she whispered. She looked down at her sleeping son. He looked so young all curled up with his hand tucked under his head, his blanket from Percy pulled up to his chin. She sighed. He was far too young to be going through what he was going through. She really hoped they were wrong. She would obviously never tell them this, as she didn't want to worry the rest of her family, but she was terrified of losing her baby boy.

…

Thanks for sticking through that with me. So Bianca kind of knows now, and Percy's on the pursuit of engagement rings. Even if Nico lives a long time, at least they got a jump start on it.