Author's Note: Hmmm. I'm thinking of leaving this like this but... I don't know. I originally planned this as a one-shot. We'll see. Also, rated M for CURSING and MAJOR SEXUALITY BASHING. I'm just so tired of homophobes and I can't take them. Keep in mind that I don't mean any of those mean things because I love you gays and lesbians and all others. I'm sorry if this triggered any unwanted feelings or reactions.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters. Nico, Percy, Leo, Jason and the others all belong to Rick Riordan.

Homosexual Tendencies

"Man, that was totally unfair."

Percy chuckled at Leo's boyfriend who was holding up said Latino's ice cream. Jason and Leo had gone from best buds to lovers. It was a surprise to the others but Percy had seen this coming what with Jason's longing looks and Leo's unabashed staring from time to time. They were walking down the streets, no destination in mind.

"You're taller. You get the advantage. Really no fair stealing ice cream from someone shorter." Leo attempted a kick at his shins but failed seeing as Jason was laughing. Percy smirked at the two. "You two can be so cute." Hazel piped up. The arm around her shoulder belonged to Frank Zhang, her boyfriend. They met first before coming to befriend Leo and Jason. Percy's happy with his group of friends albeit he couldn't get rid of the feeling of being a fifth wheel.

It felt like he was intruding on their personal time, regardless that the five of them spend most of their time together. Or maybe he was just lonely.

Jason caught that look on his face again and frowned. Lowering his arm, the Latino snatched the treat and lapped up the dripping ice cream. "Percy," Jason started. "Don't worry. You'll find that girl someday." He reassured him although the green-eyed male didn't feel so reassured. Thanks Jason... He thought.

"Or guy." Leo whispered. That gained him attention. The shorter male looked at them. "What? I'm just saying since he's never really looked at em' dicks." Leo snickered.

"Leo!" Frank said. Hazel was blushing, not used to hearing such words. Percy's face gained color and Jason was shaking his head, a smile on his face. "He's right, y'know. You'll never really know until—"

A crowd of people filled their line of sight. Heads turned and saw they were all shouting at each other. Percy sensed trouble and had an urge to get away. Unknown to him, so did the others. They made their way around the mob of people, catching audible words such as "fag" and "gays". That most definitely caught their attention.

"The LGBT community isn't meant to be used as an insult!" One girl shouted.

"God didn't make gays!" Another man in the opposing group yelled.

Hearing this, Leo tensed. Hazel and Frank ushered the couple away but Percy had a strong urge to punch the guy. "Percy," Jason hissed. Percy unconsciously tightened his fist at seeing the two arguing groups. He sighed and followed his friends. Leo's mood deflated at hearing the offensive insults and so did Jason but he didn't show it.

"How about we go get lunch?" Hazel suggested. "Maybe at that restaurant where they sell the best spaghetti?" Hazel knew this one was Leo's favorite. Leo lightened a bit and nodded. The group of friends headed towards the restaurant, saying nothing more about what they've heard.

Percy followed but trailed behind a bit. What Jason suggested and what the rally of anti-gays said swirled in his head. He shouldn't think about it but he finds himself wanting to retort, to fight back because these people were insulting his friends. Hurting them was the last thing on Percy's list. If anything, he'll show them they're wrong.

...

Nico doesn't know what in the hell he's doing with his life.

Here he was, carrying a huge sign with bold black letters saying "Gays will be the end of us". He was spreading hate along with these other people who discriminated gays and lesbians. He must be a total masochist doing this to his self. He never got to accept himself. Reyna was the only friend that tried to accept him; to tell him that being gay was okay.

But no. Other kids bullied him. They threw disgusted glances at him. They made sure his life wasn't worthy at all. Nico didn't let them overcome him and fought back. But inside, he knew he was going to break someday. It was on that particular day, he lied to himself. No more, he said. I'm not gay. I'm just confused. Yeah... Ever since then, he started to date girls. He put on a façade and acted like he enjoyed it. He was killing himself internally.

Reyna saw this and confronted him about it. They fought and neither faced each other. A few days later, Nico finds himself here, in a crowd of people, arguing about gay rights and how homosexuality is a sin. He didn't think he could speak. If he did, he'd stutter an incoherent sentence and look away.

More people started to fight back.

"Being gay is okay!" Other people brought signs with them.

"The LGBT community has rights too!" A girl shouted.

"We are created in the image of God. If you discriminate us, then you discriminate God and yourself!" One girl shouted.

"God did not make homosexuals. You're all a mistake!" A man shouted few feet from where Nico stood. Thus, a fight was born between the two groups.

He shamelessly raised his sign along with the other anti-gays. No, he could never be out of the closet. His hate for himself went over his hate for anti-gays. And that was saying something. He was so far in the closet, he could see Narnia. He envied those people who said were proud of being gay. Girls wore rainbow colored shirts and guys fought back. Octavian, the leader whom started this brawl shouted into a megaphone.

"God has made man for woman. They are created to reproduce, to give life. What do you think will you get when a man marries another man? Nothing! Same with lesbians. You will end our population!" His voice screeched over the area. The anti-gays cheered. The bystanders looked uncomfortable watching the two adversaries quarrel. Nico got pushed to the front what with the noisy motion of the rally.

Some were getting physical, throwing themselves at each other. Nico wonders where the hell the police were. Another voice boomed over them. "We didn't choose to be who we are now. We were born this way. You're the ones who denigrate us!" A blonde guy with striking blue eyes shouted. The people around him cheered. His arm locked around a smaller boy's shoulder. The smaller boy hid his face in his chest. The anti-gays started scowling at the display of affection. Nico was forced a look of disgust.

"You can't be born gay!" One girl shouted. "Yeah! Stop lying and just kill yourselves! Choosing to be gay means disobeying God's law!" Another shouted. Nico resisted the urge to roll his eyes and make them shut up. No, he had to do this. I'm not gay. I'm not gay! What am I thinking, defending these fags. Look at them. Nico looked at the couple once more. This isn't natural!

Nico opened his mouth to say something of his own when someone beat him to it. An older guy with black messy hair and sea green eyes approached the gay couple. He clapped the blonde on the shoulder and smiled at them. Then he faced Octavian. "Even if we chose to be gay, so what? You chose to be assholes. Can't a guy live with a guy? Can't a girl love a girl? We mind our own business so mind your own!" He shouted. The blonde and the Latino looked surprised.

Octavian sneered at him. Nico thought he should say something soon before the people around him start getting suspicious so he yelled back, albeit reluctantly. "We would mind our business if there weren't so many homos touching each other in public!" He eyed blondie and the Latino again. This earned him a hard glare from said blonde. He gained the attention of the older boy and shivered when his sea green eyes steeled. Nico wanted nothing but to back away, to lose himself in the crowd, but his glare froze him on the spot. His pulse quickened when the male started to walk towards him.

"Percy!" A girl who had curly hair and dark skin tone called out to him.

"What, guys and girls can't touch the same gender now? Even a friendly hug looks perverse to you?" He said, voice low and dangerous. Nico's sure he's seconds away from beating him to a pulp. He gulped inaudibly and hardened his expression. "Depends on what intentions they have," He leaned closer to get into his space, "Faggot." He hissed. His chest tightened at hearing the words that came flowing out of his mouth. Yeah, I'm a masochist alright. He forced down the grimace that made its way on his face.

His beautiful sea green eyes zeroed on him dangerously. "Say that word again." He said. Nico felt his blood run cold. His voice scared him, told him not to mess with him. Did he regret ever talking out loud? Yes. Reyna is going to kill him if she found out what he has done. That's assuming if the lean male won't kill him first.

Nico stared into his eyes, mouth open and ready to repeat his insult. But his throat constricted and no words came out.

"Faggot." Someone else answered. The male—Percy—and him looked at Octavian who sported a wicked grin on his face. "So, faggot, what're you going to do? Threaten us with your rainbows and glitter?" He jeered. Nico was half relieved that Octavian caught their attention for the meanwhile.

A girl with choppy chocolate brown hair whose hand held a blonde girl's hand interrupted. They were at the other side so Nico assumed they supported gay rights. He eyed their interlocked hands enviously. How can they be so open like that? Nico had to suffer alone in the closet. No! There is no closet. He reminded himself gravely. Unknown to him, the male with green eyes saw the way he looked at them.

"God created the rainbow so we could catwalk to heaven!" The brunette yelled. She smirked at Octavian and pecked the blonde girl on the cheek. Some anti-gays scoffed and glowered at them. The lankier blonde boy rolled his eyes at them. "Not to be a killjoy, but the rainbow isn't meant to be used as a catwalk. Its purpose is to show your way down to hell." He said. The homophobes yelled in agreement.

Nico beat himself up about ever joining this group. Why did he have to get involved? Oh, that's right. He wanted to get rid of his "homosexuality". Nico doubted himself after seeing the green eyed teen. Also, how could they display affection without as much as caring what other people would think? Nico had been a wreck after they had teased him for being gay when he once hugged his best friend at grade school. Was there a difference now?

"Besides, you can never reproduce. S'means you'll never have a family of your own!" One homophobic girl yelled. Nico cringed at her high-pitched voice. The brunette scowled and locked eyes with the girl. "I rather adopt a child than get something repeatedly stuck in my hole. Unlike you." She said. Nico's eyes widened.

The homophobic girl gasped and yelled irrelevant profanities. Nico clutched his head in frustration. "Shut up!" Octavian's voice boomed. The girl quieted.

"As we were saying, the devil chooses its victims to lure them down to hell. I pity you, those who he've chosen." Octavian frowned mockingly. Percy's lip curled. "Someone as hateful as you deserves to be sent down there instead." He said. Octavian ignored his comment and looked him over. Nico moved a foot away when Octavian strode to them. There's bound to be another fight here; the physical kind. So Nico tried to move away but Percy forced him to stay just by looking at him. His eyes passed a message that went along the lines of "I'm not finished with you". So Nico had to watch the fight right before him.

Nico was focused on the two that he barely noticed the two rivaling groups started yelling at each other again. Over the noise, he could only hear what Percy and Octavian said.

"You have to be joking, right?" The lankier one said. Percy raised an eyebrow. "Excuse me?" He growled.

"Why are you defending them? Those queers? Those freaks?" He spat out. The taller male narrowed his eyes at him. "Is there a point to why I shouldn't defend these people? They're people too and you're just being the monster." He said.

Octavian was silent as he looked the male over. Nico started thinking that Octavian was checking him out. "Someone like you should have a girlfriend. Judging by your looks, you're not the gay type. You're just here to defend your friends. Am I right?" Octavian asked. Nico saw Percy's shoulders tense. Sensing it as true, Octavian threw him a shit-eating grin.

"Am I right?" He repeated.

"..."

Nico felt bad immediately. Octavian is being a jerk. Even if he wasn't gay, he didn't have to be so conniving. But Nico kept silent despite his urges to help the dark haired teen.

"You're wrong." Percy said. Octavian furrowed his eyebrows.

"I may be defending my friends but it isn't just for them. It's for me too. The last days I've spent with my girlfriend has got me thinking why we weren't working out. Turns out that I've been curious for far too long and didn't even realize I've been attracted to guys as well as girls." He shrugged. Isn't this a little too personal? Nico thought. Frowning a little, he knew he shouldn't be listening to this.

"You're bisexual, then?" Octavian snorted in disgust. "All the more reason to go to hell. We're suited for one gender, and that's the opposite gender. But liking two? Hah! Don't be so scandalous! You might as well get a threesome." He looked at him in the eyes. Nico felt like he was being assaulted. His resolve broke and he lashed out. "Being bisexual doesn't mean sleeping with a girl and a guy at the same time! It means he's open to the idea of dating both genders! Unlike you, you narrow-minded stereotypical brat!" Nico shouted.

Percy blinked at him, stunned at his outburst. Octavian glared daggers at his direction. What have I done? All color drained from Nico's face. Octavian opened his mouth to say something hurtful but Percy stopped him. "Hey, don't aim at him. He's just stating facts. Truthfully, you homophobes really have no idea what you're doing. Hating on us for that same reason, thinking so stereotypical of us." He said.

Octavian turned away from Nico and faced Percy. "Well then, Mr. I'm-Bi-And-Don't-Lie, prove to me you two-horned devils don't two-time with both genders. You might as well grab a girl and a boy right now." Octavian rolled his eyes. Percy's muscles tensed at hearing this. Without thinking, the teen grabbed the next nearest person to him, which was Nico, and pulled him in for a kiss.

Nico's eyes widened in alarm as his lips collided with hot ones. He didn't kiss back and his hand tightened on the sign he was raising. He was about to smack said brunette with the sign if he didn't feel so dizzy from the kiss. When they separated, the dark haired boy realized the crowd stopped jeering at each other to watch in outrage and surprise.

Nico blinked once, then twice. He stared at the male holding his hips. Then at Octavian who stared at them in shock. "Well then, I might just be a teensy bit gay." Percy muttered. "D-did you just..." Nico stared at him in horror. His blood ran up to his face as sea green eyes glinted.

This time, he yelped when the older male brought him in for another kiss. This one was longer and caused him to drop the sign he was holding. It was probably his imagination but he heard soft coos and 'awws' from the LGBT supporters.

He squeezed his eyes shut and blushed when he felt him nip his lips gently. This was a complete stranger kissing him, mind you. He swallowed down the moan that went to rise in his throat. This is his first kiss.

When they retracted, there were tears pooling his vision. Screw this. Nico threw caution to the wind and buried his face in Percy's shoulder. The dam broke and all his emotions were out. Percy's eyes widened when Nico started crying. Their audience was shocked speechless. This was the first time they've seen someone kiss a homophobe. Or at least they thought was a homophobe.

"Hey. Shhh, it's okay." Percy circled him with his arms and stroked his hair. Nico shook his head violently. He was breathing heavy and he was immensely embarrassed for bawling his eyes like that. So he hid his face further. "I-I've been trying so hard to hide myself. I've been in the closet for far too long and it's h-hurting me." Nico whimpered. Percy continued his petting, mindless of the thousands of eyes watching them.

"I-I never got to out myself because of all the beatings they gave me. I was so scared." Nico sniffled. Percy glanced at Octavian menacingly as if he's at fault. He started trembling so Percy held onto him tighter. "But you," Nico started. Percy felt guilty all of a sudden, choosing the small vulnerable male as his victim. He wasn't going to lie and say he didn't choose him because he looked cute. Because he kind of sorta did.

"You made me want to free myself. I don't want to hide anymore but I'm just—I can't take any more emotional abuse." Nico hiccupped. Percy shushed him and reluctantly pecked his forehead. Nico buried his face more, blushing tenfold. "S'okay. I won't let them hurt you. It'll all be okay." Percy's heart warmed at holding the boy. He was just another broken soul reaching out to others. And Percy gladly took his hand. Nico slowly raised his hands and wrapped them around Percy's torso.

The LGBT supporters cheered and some whistled. In the background, Jason and Leo were clapping. Others clapped along. The homophobes stayed silent at their display. After hearing what the boy has went through, they left them alone and dispersed. Octavian sent a withering look before turning on his heels with his chin held haughtily high.

Nico leaned away and rubbed his eyes. "S-sorry." He mumbled, staring at the wet blotch on Percy's shirt. The older male laughed and shook his head. "No need to be sorry." He smiled brightly at him. Nico's chest hurt from the thumping his heart made. He sniffled and smiled wearily back. In a flurry of colors, they were enveloped in what could be described as the largest group hug ever. Nico laughed joyfully at seeing the clump of bodies accepting him.

What have I been missing? He smiled. Percy tightened his hold on him, making him look at the green eyed male. "Thanks." Nico told him. "You're not alone. Remember that." Percy smiled. Nico's face fell when he realized he might never see Percy again. But he held the smile. He nodded and the crowd of people started to back off. Some congratulated them, some gave him hugs, others smiled at him. Nico felt loved and he immediately smiled back.

Someone tapped Percy's shoulder. It was the blonde with the Latino. Percy turned to them and asked what they wanted. Nico stood there, not knowing what to do after being kissed by this random stranger.

"You better take care of him, dude. I was like him before I came out too." Leo warned. Percy stared at them, stunned. Leo went round him and plucked Nico off his feet, startling the other boy. "I'm so proud of you! Oh, we'll be here for you. Aren't you just the cutest thing?" He cuddled him. Nico gaped at him.

Jason chuckled and patted Percy's shoulder. "He's a keeper." Jason winked before dragging his boyfriend off of Nico. The dark haired boy fixed his disheveled shirt and blushed from the unfamiliar contact. Frank and Hazel also gave Nico hugs and the boy was utterly confused. Why were they treating him like their friend? He barely knew them!

He glanced up when someone coughed. It was him, the male with the green eyes. "Hey there." He looked nervous. Nico had to stifle a laugh. "Hello." He answered. Sea green eyes refused to meet him so he bent down to follow his line of sight. When he caught his eyes, Percy uncharacteristically blushed. Nico had to smirk at that.

"So, my name's Percy Jackson." He coughed awkwardly. "You?"

"Nico. Nico di Angelo." Nico replied.

"Nico." Percy repeated. The male blushed lightly at hearing him say his name. "Percy." He countered. The taller male finally looked at him and smiled.

"W-would you do the honors... of— uhh..." He stuttered. Nico saw the blonde and the Latino in the background biting their fists to keep from laughing. The girl with curly hair and the bulk male beside her smiled fondly at them. The girl more so.

"Yes?" He smiled cheekily.

"Go out with me?" Percy asked straight to the point. Nico couldn't help but nod. "Well then stranger. Trade phone numbers with me?" Percy smirked. Nico laughed as they indeed exchanged numbers. Percy sighed after pocketing his phone. "I'll call you. Maybe dinner by that pancake house 'round the corner tonight?" He jerked a shoulder at the direction of the restaurant.

In the background, the blonde's face seemed likely to break from smiling. Nico's eyebrow rose. "Tonight? Like tonight-tonight?" He asked. Percy's face exploded. "Uhhh... I mean, if it's too early, we could go on Thursday or next week. Any day is fine with me." He rubbed the nape of his neck nervously. He never was good with these sort of things. Especially since Nico looked cute enough to be distracting.

"No, tonight is great. But the pancake house?" Nico asked. Percy grinned. "What? They have pasta and other decent food too."

Nico chuckled. "I'll see you then, Percy." Nico pocketed his phone. Before he could turn and leave, Percy landed a kiss on his cheek, making his face take on a cherry-like color.

"I'll see you too, Nico."