Author's Note:

Hey you guys! Just wanted to apologize for taking so long to post a new chapter. I've been having a really, really, really bad week. My Golden Retriever named Jasper just passed away and I'm kind of heart broken. I hope you all understand. Anyways, thank you for tuning in to a new chapter and I hope you enjoy. See you soon, my friends.

Welcome To Temptation
Percy's POV
Chapter 5: Frigid

When I was younger I managed to visit my uncle almost every month. So, I've been coming to the small town where Hades lives for years now and even I know that the place is completely desolated on the weekends. No one ever goes downtown, because there is nothing there but a few buildings, insurance companies, and a hotel with five floors called The Glass Tower. And that's where my dream started: The Glass Tower.

The room was blue, a deep velvety blue that seemed to waver and change before your eyes, going from blue to a luscious purple to a blurred gray in a matter of seconds. The air was clotted with the thick smell of cigarette smoke and liquor, like you expect one of those old hotels in the movies to smell like. A bar lined the left wall with a glass shelf stacked with beer and wine and cocktails of every flavor, every scent, and every exotic taste that would send your senses through the roof.

Tables plastered every existing space, chairs draped in strings of gold pearls and centerpieces flickering with the unsettled flame of a single candle. Crystal wine glasses and plates adorned the table tops as though it was already set for the nonexistent guests. A chandelier hung from the ceiling, defining gravity as the flecks of gold rained down from the sky and draped the room in beauty.

The full picture windows were opened, crisp white curtains quivering in the wind and fluttering like oil on water. One of the glass doors was cracked, allowing a sliver of the hotels balcony to show through and a clipping of the dark figure slumped on the painted white railing, looking out over the city and the lights and the stars as though he was mystified.

Standing up straighter I felt the choking tight sensation around my neck as the black tie hanging from my throat was clamping down along with my flow of breath. I haven't worn a suit in about four years, but I can tell you I don't like it anymore now that I did then.

"My good sir, would you like a drink?" I hadn't even realized I was walking until the man behind the bar called out to me. He held up on of those sparkling glass with his right hand, his eyes questioning me as though I was an old friend, one he knew.

My eyebrows creased into a scowl at the man, knowing I was too young to drink myself. However, I didn't speak ill to him like my normal jackass self would. Instead my words were simple, sweet, and curt, "No thank you."

And, also with a scowl, I realized that this wasn't The Glass Tower either. The Glass Tower never had a nice bar like this. They never had a clean cut waiter like this. They never had such beautiful curtains or nice tables or fabulous chandeliers. The Glass Tower was nothing like this. However, this cornucopia of jewels and gold did have the vague similarities of the old Glass Tower. In fact it was just a cleaner, less dingy, less old version of the grubby hotel I knew that day when I was six years old and decided to sneak a bagel out of the hotel kitchen without paying. Let's just say my parents got a good talking to by the hotel owner for my little trick.

Despite my questioning, I just said what the hell and continued on with my trek. Heading through the weaving mass of tables and chairs I managed to get to the door of the balcony. Taking the handle within my own hand I swung it open, all breathe leaving my body at once. What I found on the balcony was a phantom. A faded, dark, shadowy form named Nico di Angelo.

His skin was porcelain in the low light of the rising morning sun. His cheek was stringed with ebony hair and his eyes flutter as the boy faced outward towards the wind, looking so young yet so old all at the same time. He was beautiful to say the least. He was fantastic.

I didn't bother to acknowledge my action or the repercussions as I laced my arms deeply around the younger's waist. His warm back, his tender hands grabbing my wrists, his cheek on my own- it was all so much. I met this boy earlier today and here I am, tangled within his body and taking in his warmth. I have it bad. The heart ache. The want. The need. The emotions. I have it terribly, unequivocally, undeniably bad.

"Check it out." He said calmly as my lips engulfed the tip of his ear, biting down lightly and licking the pale flesh. He didn't react- not in the slightest. No shutter, no deep breath, no touch back, nothing. But I was on cloud nine. My head was spinning like I was intoxicated.

"What?" I replied gruffly against his ear as my chin wavered upwards. Nico's arm was extended, pointing out over the city.

"It's beautiful, isn't it? Almost as beautiful as you." He stated blandly once more. His voice was hollowed out like an empty shell. Eyes were dark, completely conveyed in shadows. I couldn't read him.

I shuddered at his words, looking up into the desolated world. Despite the lack of human function cars littered the streets, clogging the sidewalks and parking lots like dirt in pores. The air was smoggy and lacked clarity, still smelling of cigarette smoke and booze. It was just like the inside of the hotel, but everything was magnified by a thousand. From way up here the world looked toxic, dead.

From the balcony I could see all the dirty shop windows, all the crumbling brick walls, all the rickety park monstrosities meant for children to play on, and all the stray animals, slinking through the street like scavengers.

"Whoa…" I trailed off, letting go of Nico and leaning on the railing of the balcony. With a bird's eye view I saw more than I wanted to. I saw the dying trees as winter seemed to come all at once, all the littered trash balled up in front of businesses, and all the slow movers, trudging down the street with eyes hollow and lips gray as they lacked life and luster.

"Just like I said, everything is more beautiful from up here. Just like you. You see the truth and everything becomes ugly once you step back and actually look at it." Nico's eyes titled sideways, one of those traditional smirks lacing his lips, "Just like you."

Turning his back on me, heading back inside the hotel, Nico spoke once more, "No one is perfect, Percy. You're not perfect. And if you keep trying to be, you'll only destroy everything you touch."

Placing his hand on the shinning gold door knob, I watched as the paint peeled off under his fingertips, showing the cheaply made silver tarnish underneath. The destruction only continued from there, getting rid of the white curtains, taking away the fancy waiter, the sparkling chandelier, the fine bar, and the classy tables. Rather, it's replaced with the faded, washed out remains of the original Glass Tower. It was nothing in comparison.

"Everything dies eventually." Nico murmured in a near inaudible tone. As though he was sand slipping through an hourglass, Nico was gone. Lost in the wind.

And everything faded.

I awoke to the sound of clattering pans and the wavering smell of blueberry pancakes. Rolling over in Nico's bed, fingers groping outwards for his warmth, I realized the boy was missing. Immediately my eyes are open and searing throughout the room for any sign of him. He is nowhere to be found.

Immediately I put my head down, burying my face in the pillow with a deep sniff. I wanted to talk to him before we went downstairs this morning. I wanted to ask him things. I wanted to understand things. Instead I am left with a feeling of doubt, chest aching for him more than before. The fact that his scent was plastered in the pillows didn't help. Every inch of the bed I lay sprawled on reminded me of him: the smell, the warmth, the indent of his body beside me. It was all him.

"I'm falling for him…" I whispered into the cool, blue sheets, breath brushing the thick fabric.

It's sick in a way. I've never thought of a boy like I think of him. I've never been so deeply and utterly connected to someone I just met. I've never felt the warmth; I've never felt the butterflies flutter in my chest so viciously. The only thing that keeps me from running into the kitchen, grabbing him around the waist, bending him backwards, and kiss him senseless is the fact that he's now my cousin. Of all the fucking things- he had to have a mother who married Hades. Wasn't Hades happy with marrying Persephone? Didn't that end well enough? Why would he do it again? Why couldn't he leave it alone?!

If I dared touch Nico and someone found out, I would be dead. I can already hear the taunts at school, people saying that I'm in love with my cousin. Doesn't matter if he's blood related or not. He's still my cousin. And imagine what Hades would do to me if he found out? Or Maria, for that matter? Way to make a first impression: Hello. How are you? My name is Percy and I'm cradle robbing your son. That's how she would put it most likely. Cradle robbing. My father was wrong when he said that Nico was fourteen. He's fifteen, just passed the mark a month ago, and Bianca is seventeen- just a little older than me. But it wouldn't matter if Nico was a year younger than me, six months younger than me, or just a single month younger than me. I would still be a cradle robber.

The thoughts just keep rolling through my head: what would Thalia and Jason think? How would the rest of the family react? Apollo's had his fair share of men. Would he be supportive or completely and utter appalled? Would I ever get to see Nico again if anyone found out I had feelings for him?

Does he even like me back?

Suddenly, my thoughts go as dead as Hades' sense of humor. Did he even like me? I mean, he kissed me, but was that just a 'heat of the moment' thing? Or was it for real?

Rolling over on the bed, I felt like a teenage girl. A classic teenage girl that gushes over some boy and cries when he starts dating someone else. Just paint my nails pink, give me a Prada handbag, and stick me in the next Mean Girls movie. I can make my own Burn Book. I could be the kid that's 'too gay to function'!

Aw, hell…. You know you're pathetic when you start quoting Mean Girls.

Sighing deeply inwards, I stand up, knees weak and head spinning as the morning begins. The bad taste in my mouth allows me to conclude that I had a good night's rest. That and the fact that I slept next to Nico di Angelo. I could get use to that.

Walking briskly to the mirror in Nico's room, running my hair back and patting it down, I start towards the door. With his bedroom open and streams of light pouring through the half cracked section, I get a glimpse of Bianca rushing down the hallway, nearly falling on the carpet. Her arms were loaded down with a wad of clothes- what I concluded to be her pajamas and outfit from yesterday. I get a simple glance, nose turn, and 'hum' from her as she continues on her path, not bothering to give me a second glance. She was clear pissed. And she was pissed at me. That couldn't be good.

Stepping in the hallway, feet cradled by the new flooring, I marched my way towards the stairs. Something was going on, something that involved me, and I need answers now. Taking the steps two at a time, walking off the landing, and heading into the kitchen, I catch Maria as I round the corner to the dining room. The scent of breakfast is surrounding her, wavering around her, and my mouth begins to water, however, the appetizing meal does not hold my attention for long.

"Ah, Percy!" She calls as though it was a different way of saying good morning. She was certainly chipper today, "I was just about to wake you. You're mother and father went to the gas station downtown for a moment. You might want to get some breakfast before they come back. They promised they would be back and you all would be on the road by one o'clock. I bet you will be glad to get home."

"More or less." I commented off handedly. The noise that sputtered between Maria's lips was caught between a gargle and laugh. It was obviously forced, uneasy, and nervous.

Trying to break the tense once more, I switch topics as quickly as possible, "So, where's Nico?"

She seemed to choke again, "Nico….Nico is in the kitchen. But I must warn you. He's quite temperamental this morning. I don't know what it is about him, but something is off. I hope you understand."

Maria's pre-apology didn't give me much hope for what was to come from my conversation with Nico. Pushing her way around me, she side stepped into the living room, almost as though she was trying to get out of the blast zone before the bombs began to fly. Who could blame her? If I knew one thing about Nico di Angelo, one thing that I learned from yesterday's adventure, it is that Nico has a very short wick. He's a ticking time bomb and any little touch, any little bump or nudge, could make him explode into a thousand pieces. He could obliterate everything in his path if he wanted to. Nico is ridged, that's for sure.

Stepping into the kitchen I got a plain glimpse of Nico, standing over the sink and washing his dishes from breakfast. The boy looked ruffled this morning, hair frazzled and clothes crumbled. He looked like someone who had been sleeping on the street.

"Good morning!" I called optimistically as I came up behind him, looking over the selection of breakfast that was laid out on the counter. Nico merely stayed silent. The tension was so thick you could cut it with a knife.

"Did you already eat?" I ask stupidly as Nico turns to face me.

"Yeah," He murmured under his breath, rubbing his arm uncomfortably. The indents of pink on his cheeks proved to be a blush, "I think I'm going to go for a walk or something…"

The words were like a knife to my chest. Instead of yelling wait or come back I simply stood there stupidly once more, eyes wide and voice unable to process sound. I felt like I was drowning.

My heart sunk as Nico picked up his boots that lay conveniently beside the patio door and slipped them onto his feet. Taking each lace in his fingers, he bites his lip harshly, hard enough for a blossom of crimson to bloom across his lower chin. A single hand came up to wipe the drops away as he stood once more, opening the patio door with a single swing and exiting briskly.

Leaning on the counter top, watching him navigate around the side of the house and out the back gate, I felt my heart explode. It felt like someone had punched me in the chest.

Picking up a dirty fork out of the sink absently I began twirling it in my hand. Despite the thick liquid syrup that began to coat my fingertips I continued my action, only thinking of Nico. When would he be back? Where was he going? What was he going to do? Was something wrong with him?

Dropping the fork back into the sink with a clatter I wiped the sugary substance on my pants. I didn't bother to put on my shoes as I swung out the patio door, following the path that Nico took moments before. Before I could come up with a coherent thought I was running. And trust me, I'm not the best runner, but at this moment I was going faster than half of my school's track team. Well… that's not something to be proud of really. Half of our track team is just a bunch of chubby, fat ass, pricks.

Nonetheless, I managed to catch up to Nico within seconds. I nearly ran into the boy as I stumbled down the sidewalk.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Nico cried out as he swatted me away, pushing me into the street as he managed to remove himself from the startled daze of my momentary collision.

"I need to talk to you!" I cried madly. It's official. I'm out of my head.

"You couldn't have waited until I got home?!" He sputtered once more, looking more disoriented than ever before.

"No!" My words are loud, booming, engulf as they reverberate throughout the empty street. The few people who are struggling to get to work this morning send me a swift glance before going on about their business. "It can't wait!"

"Shut the fuck up, Jackson!" Nico hisses out as he stands on his toes, clamping a single hand over my mouth. I can taste the sweetness on his skin from this single motion. His face transforms into a scowl as he continues to speak, "Do you want the whole damn neighborhood to hear your frikkin' ranting?!"

"I honestly don't care." I announced vividly, taking Nico's hand off my mouth and holding it within my own. A thick blush plasters against the boy's cheeks as I cup his face with my other hand. I take a deep breath before speaking once more, "I decided something when I woke up this morning. Usually, I don't give a fuck about people, but for you it's different. I am completely and utterly in love with you, Nico. I am in love with you."

There is a deep pause as the boy looks up into my eyes, lips pursed and blush flaring. Finally, the silence transforms into a whisper, "Get the fuck away from me right now, Percy."

"Nico, just listen to me…"

"No! You're in love with me? You're completely and utterly in love with me?! No you're not. You're just completely and utterly warped! You're fucked in the head!" Nico cried spiritedly, a frown conforming to his lips as he moved his hands in agitation, "There is something wrong with you!"

"No there is not! I know I just met you yesterday. I know this is kind of weird, but I've never felt like this!"

"I swear to god! If you say one more word I'm going to bust out your teeth!"

"Nico, just listen!"

Before I could explain anything, there was a surging pain through my nose and lips. A strong hand planted firmly in my face as Nico's own expression twisted into a mask of aggravation. Jerking back from the boy, catching a glimpse of the elderly man across the street's concern, I cursed.

"Damn it, Nico!"

"I told you to shut up!" Nico's words came out in a hiss, breaking through his lips like the sound of a snake.

"I just wanted you to….listen…" My voice broke as a steady stream of blood began to pour from my right nostril. I could feel the cold bucketing down my face. I could taste the metallic liquid between my lips. Sick.

Jumping away from as though I had just transformed into an atrocious monster, Nico's eyes widened to the size of saucers as terror consumed his face, "Percy… shit…"

Before I can stop him Nico forces his sleeved arm against my nose, trying to stop the flow of blood. Once this action proved to be futile the boy simply grabbed me by the arm, dragging me down the sidewalk as my nose was left to its own devices; the deep velvety droplets that plastered to the concrete definitely were not comforting.

"Come on!" The younger boy pulled my authoritatively down the sidewalk, looking slightly worried about the steady stream coming down my face and passed my lips. I couldn't say for sure, but I believe Nico thought my nose was broken. Just from the way he looked and the way he acted, I knew what he was thinking. He thought he had fucking broke my nose.

By the time Nico pulled me into his backyard my nose had stopped bleeding.

That didn't stop him from worrying, however. Immediately when we stepped through the back gate and into the backyard Nico forced me down to one of the picnic tables left over from yesterday. And I have to say that that boy has a strong fucking grip! I mean… damn! He could take down an elephant with one hand if he wanted to!

"Where are going?" I questioned as Nico stalked away from and into the patio door. He didn't answer me. Instead he just continued to the kitchen, coming back moments later with a wet paper towel.

Crouching down in front of me, not having any of my mouth as I tried to muster up a few words, Nico began dabbing at the vague red line that spurred down my face. Making any traces of blood invisible the younger boy sighed deeply as though I was burdening him.

"What?" I called to him as he turned away from me. Before I could say anymore, Nico flopped down in the center of his yard, lying back in the grass carelessly.

"Nico…" I trailed off, standing up and moving over to him. I stared down at him briefly before flopping down as well, sitting with my legs crossed. With a deep sigh of my own I pinched the bridge of my nose. This boy will be the death of me.

"I really frikkin' hate you." He whispered suddenly.

"That's favorite word isn't it?" I tried for a taunting manner although the words fell flat, "I frikkin' hate you. I hope you frikkin' die. You need to frikkin' shut up. I mean seriously. Do you just love that word?"

"Would you rather have me say I fucking hate you then!?" He sputtered angrily for a moment before the revulsion died. His eyes went dark for a moment before his hands clamped over his face, a groan polluting the air.

"Why do you hate me?"

"Why do you love me?"

"I don't love you." I admitted sheepishly, my cheeks flaring up harshly.

A bitter laugh escaped his lips at this new revelation, "You don't love me?! So I punched you in the face for nothing?! That's priceless."

"Well, I'm in the process of falling in love with you. That's what I meant. I know if I stay around you too long then I'll absolutely fall for you. Honestly, I just yelled that I loved you as a heat of the moment sort of thing. I just wanted you to stop walking away from me. I just needed you to listen. I guess I got more than I bargained for." I admitted, becoming embarrassed and flushed.

Nico didn't speak for a moment, looking dazed and uncertain. For a moment his eyes narrowed, cautiously and calculatingly, however his lips held a smirk of humor, "You're a fucking dumbass, aren't you?"

"Why?" I demanded suddenly. I fucking hate it when my blood boils like this, but right now I don't care.

"Do you honestly think I'm going to date you? That I'm going to fall in love with you or something? My parents would kill me if I even mention thinking about you in that way. Anyone would kill me!" Nico justified.

"No they wouldn't." I insisted stubbornly.

"Yes they would." He rebuttals just as viciously.

"No!"

"Yes!"

"No!"

"Yes!"

"N-" I caught myself before I could finish the word. If I didn't put a stop to this then me and him would be at it for hours, just going back and forth like a bunch of idiots. Rubbing my cheek agitatedly, I quickly came up with an actual, compromise response.

"How about this: we can hang out, kiss, hug, love, do whatever as a couple, but we do it in secret. And if we get to close or if our secret is getting dangerously near the exposure zone, then we'll go our separate ways. No strings attached. Nothing what so ever. We can be friends afterwards, but that's it."

"Honestly, do you think that this is going to work?" Nico rolled his eyes, jerked up from the ground. His chest and hair was coated in thick strands of grass and hay. Taking one hand to his hair, jerking fingers through the locks jaggedly, he combed at the weeds. Before he could clean himself up my hands were on his hair, picking out the fine grates of plants. He paused for a moment, slightly leaning his cheek against my palm before becoming conscious of the action. With a sigh he pulled back.

"What makes you think I would want to do that? Maybe I want to go and find someone else who I can actually be seen with!" The sudden sputter of anger was evident in his voice, "Maybe I want a boyfriend….or a girlfriend… that I can be close to and not feel guilty!"

"And maybe I like you enough to take whatever I can get. No matter how short the time is I'll appreciate it. I'll cherish it." I said sweetly, lips turning up into a vivid smile.

"Whoa, such a smooth talker, aren't you?! You're just frikkin' perfect." Nico scoffed at me, flopping back down on the grass.

"I not perfect." I breathed out. The memory of my dream flooded over me. No one is perfect, Percy. You're not perfect.

Glance over at me, Nico gasped. A noise that flooded all my sense. A noise that made my own stomach churn.

"Percy…." I could feel his eyes zoning in on my lips, on the frown and grimace that coated my face.

With a fine sigh, Nico spoke, "Alright. I'll try it will you. I'll be your secret boyfriend. Your lover in the dark. Your puttana." Nico called his face fluently transforming into a cheeky grin. The sudden switch in attitude was surprising at least.

For a moment, I wasn't sure what to say. I wasn't certain, but I knew Nico had just said offensive. From the smirk on his lips I could tell it was something I shouldn't say too often, "I don't know what a….puttana is."

"That makes it even better." Nico announced with a smirk. Before I could say anything else Nico jumped up, pushed me over with another smile. Before he could pull away from me, I kissed him.