This was it. Everything was planned down to the smallest of details. The staff were in on it. The location was perfect. The place was perfect. Hell, even the theme was perfect. Now all he had to do was present the black box and the ring within and pray to the Gods (especially Aphrodite) that Nico would say yes.

He had always regarded skylines as meaningful. To him, they represented the prospects on the horizon: the chances – and challenges – that were presented to him in various forms. He believed they helped shape him into a better person, his own version of ideal. Now, as he looked out across at the skyline of the city he belonged to, he couldn't help but question his past actions.

Wincing in pain and clutching his side, Nico lay there in the medical tent in camp in solitude. His hand was suddenly wrenched from his side and held in the shaking grasp of another. He struggled to sit up, his vision clearing and affording him a glimpse at the person: windswept brown hair strewn messily across his face and worried green eyes. Gods, he hated Colchis Bulls.

Nico sat there, fidgeting nervously and glancing at the clock every second. Percy sat still with a cool smile on his face and confidence emanating from him in waves. The interviewer, Helen, looked between the two and noted the blush on Nico's face and Percy's averted eyes. "Is there something you're not telling me?" Percy had the decency to blush. "It's a long story…"

Nico looked around the room, his voice adopting a cunning tone, his eyes sparkling with mischievous intent. "You do know this place is only ten minutes from the nearest pool, right?" Percy massaged his temples, sparing a glance from up behind his hands. "I thought we agreed we'd both be paying for it?" Nico looked over and smiled devilishly.

"You've never been ice skating?" Nico's eyes widened in surprise as Percy shook his head. "It's easy, really. Look – I'll show you!" Percy gingerly took a step on the ice, the bottom of his shoes providing absolutely no grip, and slid along with Nico supporting him. "See? It's easy if you focus!" Percy smiled, his eyes bright. "You look so cute when you're on the ice, you know?"

"Looking forward to your first proper movie, Nico?" Percy asked in a light tone, a smile still grazing his features, his green eyes gleaming with mischievous delight. "Yeah. I'm not sure what to expect though… it's been a long time since I saw a movie. I can't even remember the last one." Nico muttered as he tucked his hands securely into his aviator jacket pockets.

"Nico, can you swim?" he blushed furiously and looked away. I gripped his shoulder and smiled. "Don't worry about it, I'll teach you how!" He panicked as he went out further and threatened to go under, but I grabbed his arm and kept him above water, still smiling. "See? I'm here." I winked and he panicked again, but this time he stayed above water on his own. My smile widened.

Nico had never been skiing - something that became apparent to me when he took his first, cautious step on the slope, slipped and landed face first in a pile of snow. He kicked back up in a flurry of movement, scattering snow everywhere and glowing red in embarrassment and cold. His smile widened and he darted in, grazing his lips delicately on my cheeks.

There are few things in life that are as eventful and as amusing as watching Percy Jackson trying to bake. A son of Poseidon and kitchen utensils do not go well together. It was going well and for a moment I thought the day had been well and truly saved but, of course, that was never going to happen with Percy in the kitchen. And now there was flour everywhere.

The clock is ticking and all too soon the games have begun, and Simon finds himself in the position of having to fight for his life; a position made infinitely more interesting, and more dangerous, as events spiral out of control and he finds himself being recruited into the Career pack. [Hunger Games themed.]