All that Percy saw was black. 'Oh no' he thought, 'I'm dead. I died.' Wait no, he was breathing. He moved to check his pulse and was glad to feel the gentle thump thump in his neck. He reached up to feel his face. Everything was intact. His eyes felt heavy, though, and he was really sore.

"Here Percy, drink this." he heard Chiron say somewhere to his left and then felt a straw pressed to his lips. He did as he was told and started to feel better, but he was very tired, very heavy. He would just let himself sleep, but he had a nagging feeling. Where was Nico? He sipped some more, willing his body to feel good enough to get up. He could finally open his eyes, but when he did he thought he'd nearly blinded himself again until his eyes adjusted, though they still hurt.

"Where's Nico?" he asked, looking at Chiron, who gave him a grave face.

"You really should rest, boy."

Percy started to get up and felt his stiff joints crack, "I have to know what happened!" He hobbled out of the medical cabin, starting to feel even better as his adrenaline started up. He stopped for a second when he got outside. Grover was standing in the middle of what looked like news footage about a flood... only it wasn't on TV. Sloshy steps were coming toward him as he looked around. The sky was overcast, so it didn't hurt his eyes so much.

"Seriously Percy?" Grover said when he got to him, "I'll be washing mud out of my fur for days."

"The Hades cabin is completely demolished. Luckily most of the flood went downhill behind it, but some of the cabins will need repair..." Chiron said behind him.

Percy barely even heard them. He barely even noticed his nudity. Where was Nico? The centaur wrapped a blanket around him, "We need to get you to the showers to warm up."

"Nico..."

"Percy," Chiron said in that quiet voice of calm authority, "It's important that you try to rest right now."

He ran out before Chiron could stop him, losing the blanket on his way. He dove into the mud pit that was formerly the Hades cabin, digging for any sign of Nico. He found the steps of the marble pit and scrambled down to find the bottom, hoping, but afraid to feel Nico's body. He pulled up a skull printed sneaker and frantically used it as a trowel in the mud. Three noses started sniffing at the shoe.

"Doris, find Nico." Percy said to the puppy, who sniffed at the mud more before disappearing.

He felt someone pull him backward, but he shrugged them off and kept digging, "I have to find him." He heard a large squishing noise and then felt two arms circle his shoulders, successfully stopping his progress. "Even if he's dead I have to get him out!" Percy sobbed frantically. He felt a kiss on his shoulder.

"Shut the fuck up, Percy."

Turning, green eyes met black. Nico smiled a half smile and then kissed Percy before pulling him into a hug. "You're such a drama queen." Nico whispered.

Percy hugged the small frame back, "Well, stop getting into dramatic situations."

"I think this one was mutual." Nico stated, picking Doris up and making one of her heads lick Percy's nose.

"You two are nauseating."

Both turned to see Grover standing above them and suddenly Percy remembered that he was naked in a pit of mud caused by his and Nico's sexual activities. He had the urge to just re-bury himself and not face any of it, but Grover grabbed his arm to help him up and Nico grabbed the other, not leaving him with much choice. They walked out of the mud pit and Nico grabbed the abandoned blanket, wrapping it around Percy. Chiron met them on their way to the showers.

"Do you realize how much danger you two put yourselves in?"

Both boys' ears turned red as they nodded. Percy looked up, "It was important."

Chiron gave him a stern look, "I'm sure you thought it was. You will be cleaning this mess as soon as you return from your mother's. Now go get cleaned up. I need to speak with Nico alone."

Percy didn't want to leave, sensing trouble, but was afraid to anger Chiron further. As he left he noted that Nico had managed to don some muddy pants, and wondered what he had left for clean clothing since what he had packed had been in the Hades cabin.

He always took his time in the shower. It was where he got his best thinking done. This time he also had to scrub layers of mud off of himself. At the first glimpse of clean skin his mind began to wander back to him and Nico. He felt funny being so sentimental and cliche about it, but it really had been beautiful. He remembered every expression, every sound Nico had made and loved the fact that he had been the one responsible. He started to wash his back and felt the sting of scratches. He wasn't a huge fan of Nico's pain-inflicting habits, but he liked the fact that the marks meant the younger man liked what he did.

"Boo."

Percy didn't need to turn around. Nico got in front of him, making the shower hit his back. As the mud washed off of Nico's pale skin the other man searched his body for evidence of what they'd done as well as any injury from the aftermath. He noted that ash was mixed with the mud as he personally removed it from Nico's skin. Underneath it he found bruises and hickies, and was curious at how the marks inflicted by the spirit had disappeared. Percy wanted to ask, but it seemed that Nico had reverted back to his usual quiet self. Percy didn't mind it right now, he knew Nico was safe with him. They finished showering in silence and Nico dried them off with a towel he had brought in. He wrapped Percy in it and started to dress.

"How come you have clean clothes?" Percy pouted.

"Because I can travel faster than you." Nico said simply.

"Well what about me?"

Nico smirked, "Come here."

Percy obeyed and walked between the pale outstretched arms. Nico held him and the next thing he knew they were in his room. "I was going to be mean and drop us right in front of your mom and what's his face, but I had a feeling that nobody would appreciate it." Nico said as Percy quickly went over to his drawers.

"Yeah, I have enough to tell them without bringing up the fact that I flooded part of camp as I lost my virginity to another guy."

Nico sat on Percy's bed, "So you haven't told them?" he asked, referring to Percy being into guys.

"I haven't been home since before then."

"Are you going to?"

"Of course. I'm lucky that they're very understanding that way. My mom will of course worry about how society is going to treat me, but that's just mom being mom."

Nico looked away from Percy and seemed to become fascinated with the stitching of Percy's blue comforter. Percy finished dressing and sat next to him.

"Lots on your mind?" he guessed.

Nico sighed, "Yeah." he looked at Percy again, "Do you think they'll care that you're with me?" he asked, afraid to so obviously assume that he and Percy were in a relationship.

Percy smiled at the younger man's admittance, but then he got serious, "I honestly don't know how they'll feel about it. I mean, being the son of Hades sounds scary. But then they know you're a nice guy... when you're not raising the dead and stuff."

"So I'm probably not returning to camp." Nico suddenly blurted out. He didn't want to hear anymore about how awesome Percy's parents were.

Percy was silent for a moment while he thought, then he looked at Nico "That's bass-ackwards. The whole fucking war was about making sure every demigod is welcome at camp; that every god gets his proper recognition. Why would Chrion say you're not welcome?"

"Percy, I was the one to suggest it. I don't belong there. Nobody wants Hades or his children around."

"So you're just going to be in the Underworld all the time?"

Nico smirked at the need and affection in Percy's voice, "Nah. I'm going to do my own thing. I'm not sure what that is yet, but you can be included." he pulled the other man close and kissed him, "We should go see your mom now. Chiron told her we were coming."

"Thanks for being here with me." Percy said quietly. He actually was kind of afraid of telling his family everything.

Nico shrugged, "I wanted to."

x.x.x

Percy watched Nico in the darkness later that night. He felt a little bit creepy, but for some reason the other boy just fascinated him. The younger one was looking outside, watching the snow fall. That day at dinner Percy had told his parents about his newfound sexual preference as well as who his affections were specifically for. They hadn't seemed that surprised to learn that he was interested in guys, but they had shown concern about Nico. Of course the younger one understood. He himself told Percy that death and destruction followed him. Percy's parents just wanted to know that he'd be safe, though they understood that that was pretty dificult for a demigod in general. Percy knew that Nico would have to earn his parents' trust, and knew he was willing to try for Percy, but at the same time he had seemed very reserved about it.

"You make me self conscious when you stare like that." Nico whispered, continuing to watch the sky.

"Sorry." Percy whispered, sitting up in the twin bed they were sharing tonight. There was a sleeping bag on the floor that Percy's mother had set out for Nico, but the two decided that what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her.

"Did I wake you up?" Nico asked.

"No. I can't really sleep."

The younger one retreated from the window and crawled into the bed, his back facing the other young man. Percy traced a pattern on Nico's back with his finger, making goosebumps rise on the other's pale skin. He wondered if there would be a picture if he connected the freckles.

"It's supposedly a lynx... kinda." Nico said, assuming Percy's thoughts.

"Kinda?"

"You have to be really imaginative. Bianca pointed it out when we were younger." There was a tangible change in atmosphere when Nico mentioned his sister's name.

Not wanting Nico to brood too much (and possibly remember why he used to hate Percy), Percy traced the pattern again and then ran his hand up to Nico's shoulder and then down his side. Nico turned around and looked at him before closing his eyes permissively for the other to carry on. Percy pet Nico's other side and then came up to touch his face. Nico smiled against Percy's hand.

"Having fun?"

"Mhm."

Nico shifted again to lay on his stomach. Percy moved closer and pet Nico's back with both hands. The other young man seemed so relaxed, Percy hoped he wouldn't ruin it. He walked his fingers down Nico's spine and back up, hearing him snicker a little. He wrote his name on Nico's back and the muscles beneath his fingers jerked when his last name reached Nico's neck.

"That felt weird." Nico said quietly and then put his arm out, "Come back down here."

Percy obeyed, laying down on his side to look at his friend. Nico moved back to his side and stared at Percy, who grabbed one of his hands.

"Your hands are cold." he stated.

"I can't feel it." Nico said truthfully, "But I can tell you're really warm." His fingers moved to hold Percy's wrist, where he felt the older boy's pulse. Before Percy could think he was weird he pulled the wrist and moved forward until he was pressed against the taller body. Percy shivered and Nico shuddered, "So warm." Percy held the smaller body against himself and pulled the covers over more of Nico's body, tucking him in as best he could.

"Did you know that if you switch the letters in your name around they spell 'coin'?" The older boy asked, hoping Nico wouldn't notice that he was getting aroused.

"Did you know that my full name is Nicolas?" the younger one asked, sitting up. He hadn't said his full name in years, and it felt strange coming out of his mouth.

"Guess I never thought about it." Percy said, laying on his back, "I like it... Nicolas di Angelo. Sounds like some kind of artist or something." He looked at the younger one, who was taking something out of his clothing bag on the floor. He wanted Nico again, but was afraid of the younger one thinking that he was some kind of sex fiend now. He could at least kiss him, right? He leaned over and pecked Nico on the cheek. Nico's mouth formed a smile, which was illuminated further when he turned on his little blue lantern. It was then that something occured to Percy.

"Um Nico?"

"Yes?" Nico placed the lamp on one of the bedposts.

"Since when could I see in the dark?"

Nico smiled at him, "It's just temporary. I told you we share a bit of ourselves the first time, didn't I?"

Percy looked around the room. It just looked like it was a near sunset inside, now with a blue tint, which sharpened things without blinding him. "I thought it was more figurative or something. What can you do?"

"Probably something useless like talk to horses or something. Now I believe you were starting something with that kiss..." Nico said, laying on top of half of the older boy's body and kissing him.

Percy blushed, "Maybe."

Nico just continued kissing him while one hand snuck down inside Percy's boxers. The older one made a surprised noise and moved one of his hands down. Nico thought he was going to stop him, but instead Percy's hand moved his, silently letting Nico know how he liked it. Then the hand moved away to touch Nico in the same way. Nico let out a loud gasp and heard Percy snicker a little. To tease him back Nico removed his hand from Percy's boxers.

He laughed when he saw the look on Percy's face, "Are you pouting now?" Before the other could answer he kissed the pout away and straddled Percy's waist, grinding a little against him. He slid down and gripped the waistband of the taller one's boxers, looking up at him. Percy looked ready despite the tinge of nerves he was having. Nico put his head back down and nipped at Percy's hip as it was exposed.

"What is it with you and biting?" the older one asked as Nico tossed his boxers over his shoulder.

Nico licked the inside of Percy's right thigh, "What is it with you liking when I bite you?"

"I don- oh FUCK!" Percy cut off his lie by moaning in confused pain and pleasure when Nico bit the spot he'd just licked. Nico just smiled up at him in a way that said, 'I win.' and wrapped his hand around Percy's erection, guiding it to his mouth. He had no idea how to do what he was about to do, but it didn't seem very difficult. Percy watched Nico licking at him experimentally, amused at how obviously inexperienced he was. As much as he was enjoying what Nico was doing for him, he didn't like being so far away from the rest of the boy. He reached down and tugged at the younger one's dark hair, "C'mere."

Nico quickly moved up to kiss him. The older one moaned in appreciation and pulled Nico's body closer. "I want you so badly." Percy accidentally thought out loud as Nico attacked his collar bone.

"I want you too." the younger one whispered back and put something in Percy's hand. Choosing not to bother wondering where Nico had gotten it from, Percy popped the bottle open. The younger one slipped his boxers off and laid back down on top of Percy. While Percy carefully got him ready, Nico kept his face buried in the crook of Percy's neck, a little embarassed about what was going on, and the fact that he liked it. When Percy felt like the other was ready, he kissed Nico's ear and pushed him to sit up. He opened the bottle again and coated his erection while black eyes stared down at him. The stare was almost to the point of unnerving when Nico finally closed his eyes, lifting his hips and positioning himself. It was Percy's turn to stare as Nico bit his kiss-swollen lip and lowered himself onto the older boy. He bent forward and Percy could hear his shaky breath as he adjusted.

Nico moved his head and captured Percy's lips. Gradually the embarassed awkward feelings were melting away and hormones were back in control. Percy moved his hips and the younger one moaned into their kiss, pushing his hips down. They each continued moving until a rhythm was found. Nico continually made little keening noises and Percy suspected that he was holding back, so he thrust a little harder. Nico moaned louder and the grip on Percy's waist became tighter. This felt so much better than the first time. Percy thrust hard again and Nico closed his eyes.

"Ohhh yesss."

Percy smirked at Nico's reaction and did it again. Nico bit his lip to keep from moaning too loud, but he gripped the older boy tighter as he moved himself up and down. As his sensitivity increased Nico found it more and more difficult to keep quiet. He slowed his hips down and his body screamed in protest. It didn't have to worry long, though. Percy pushed Nico's hips down, his nails digging into the pale skin for extra effect. That was just too much for the young inexperienced body to handle and he let out a throaty moan.

"I win." Percy whispered breathlessly. Nico just rolled his eyes and turned them over so that Percy was on top. He grabbed on to the taller man's ass and pushed up. He needed more and he needed it now. Percy obliged him, pushing into him hard to hear those wonderful moans of pleasure.

"You don't -ah- you don't care?" Nico asked between kisses and whines.

Percy was steadily forgetting about anything but Nico, "Care about what?"

"Your parents hearing us?"

The older one slowed for a second, then shrugged, "Nope." It wasn't like they always kept quiet, either.

Nico just giggled, "Carry on then."

x.x.x

In the morning Percy woke to Nico staring at the ceiling.

"I don't want to go home." Nico confessed, sensing Percy's waking and moving his eyes to look at the older one.

Green eyes met his, "Stay with me."

Nico sat up, "I wish I could."

Percy sat up too, "Can I ask you something? It's been bugging me."

"Sure."

"What happened after, you know, the big finish yesterday? You just disappeared."

Nico looked at him, "We got trapped in the mud. I was being taken away, but had to make sure you were okay, so I pushed you up as much as I could before falling down."

"Then what happened?"

"I was taken away," Nico said, digging his thumb nail into his finger. He hated to tell Percy his secrets, but he also wanted him to know, "I didn't know that it would happen, I promise."

"What happened?" Percy took the younger man's cold hand in his.

"When I went down I was in Erebus. Hades took... him out of the Asphodel Meadows and sent him to Tartarus. It's all my fault, Percy. I just wanted him to leave me alone. I didn't mean to damn him. I didn't know that us getting together would get him judged again." Nico spoke rapidly, trying to remain unemotional.

"You're talking like you were closer to the spirit attacking you than you had me believe." Percy said, starting to feel sick with dread.

"I didn't really know him, just about him." Nico said, crushing Percy's hand with tension, but neither noticed, "Percy, please don't tell Annabeth that I sent Luke to the bad place."

Percy dropped Nico's hand, "What?"

"I want her to be happy that he was in the middle ground. That meant he was still a good person. She doesn't need to know that he kept making bad decisions after death."

"Luke was the one doing that to you? Why didn't you tell me that part?"

Nico covered his face with his hands, "I wanted to protect you I guess. I mean, I know the good and bad about a lot of people. There are some things that people don't need to know. But then when he got judged again I just had to confess to someone."

"It wasn't your fault, Nico." Percy said, even though his heart was breaking over all of the new information.

"I feel like it is. He attached himself to me, even though it was for bad reasons. I never thought that replacing the attachment with you meant that he would be sent further away."

"I hate thinking that you keep so much from me."

"I don't mean to. I just think I'm protecting you. I'm really not that great of a person."

Percy kissed the younger one, "You thrive on guilt, don't you?"

"Holding grudges is my fatal flaw. It's not exclusive to just other people. I can hold a grudge against myself."

"Well, lucky for you, unconditional love for those close to me is my fatal flaw."

Nico wrapped himself in the blanket again, "I hate that you're so good at bringing out the vulnerable side of me."

"I like it." Percy said, grabbing Nico close.

"So um, I'm still going to be gone a lot. You might get lonely and forget about me."

Percy smiled. Nico was just so cute when his guards were down, "Nope. Only Nico. Nemo but Nico."

It was Nico's turn to smile. He knew that in Latin nemo meant 'no man', or 'no one'. That was good enough for him.

"And you're not going to pull an Orpheus on me, are you?" Percy asked, legitimately concerned.

"No. I don't think I'll be falling in love with any dead people and bringing them back here, thanks. Unless of course you die, in which case I will be taking Lyre lessons."

"Your dad is such a pushover. I bet you wouldn't even have to do that, being his son and all."

Nico shrugged, "He has his wrathful moments."

Percy laid down, "I wish you didn't have to go."

"Wellll... I don't have to go yet."

Green eyes rolled, "You're insatiable."

"What? I'm just sitting here, pervert."

Percy blushed and Nico laughed while moving off of the bed to stand up. He put some boxers on and grabbed his clothing bag before starting to head out the door. Percy flew out of the bed and tripped over the neglected sleeping bag as he said, "Wait, where are you going?"

"Um... the shower?"

"Oh." Percy blushed and looked around his room, "Um, can I come with you?"

"O-Okay." Nico said, suddenly feeling shy for some reason. He continued down the hall, "Are your parents still home?"

"They went to work earlier." Percy answered after looking at the clock.

They got to the bathroom and Percy turned the shower on while Nico arranged his clothes and took his boxers off. He joined the older one in the shower, picking up the various containers until he found the one marked shampoo.

"That's my mom's. Now you're gonna smell pretty like apples." Percy said as Nico washed his hair. He picked up a different bottle and put some in his hand, "I'm gonna smell all manly now. Guess you're just destined to be the girl in this relationship, huh?"

Nico just smiled, embarassed to admit that he had no idea that there was girl shampoo and boy shampoo. He also didn't know what half of the bottles were. When he was growing up there was just shampoo and soap and maybe some bubble bath. He made a note to be more careful when reading labels. As he was washing the shampoo out he felt Percy touch his body with a washcloth. He'd enjoyed sharing a shower with Percy yesterday, but this time was even better. With no mud to wash off it was more about touching each other than being clean.

Later Nico was putting the finishing touches on his hair while Percy got dressed. Percy came back in and circled his arms around the smaller body, "This is just like playing house."

Nico rolled his eyes and then his stomach growled in a most embarassing fashion.

"Ooh, I know just where to take you." Percy said.

Nico left the bathroom, putting on his newsboy hat, "Where's that?"

"I'm gonna get you a Happy Meal."

"Haha, very funny."

"Yeah, I thought it was. Actually I think you need some pasta."

"That'd be the cat's pajamas!" Nico said excitedly.

Percy stared at Nico, who blushed. He kissed the smaller one's forehead, "You are seriously adorable sometimes."

"Aww, don't make fun of me. I learned it from my mother, okay?"

"I'm not making fun. I'm appreciating the speech progression gap."

"Wow, you broke out the big vocabulary for that one, huh?"

"Now who's making fun?"

Nico kissed Percy again, "It's fun."

Percy grabbed his coat and found another one for Nico. Nico said he wasn't cold, but even the Ghost King would probably freeze in a New York winter.

When they got to the parking lot Nico stopped, "Um, do we have to take your car?"

"What's wrong?"

Nico grabbed Percy's hand. "I just feel like walking. I feel like I've been cooped up for a long time."

"Sure you won't be cold?"

"Yes."

"Ok. Only because it's not very far."

They started walking and Nico started to sing.

"Mm mm mm, would you like to take a walk? Mm mm mm, do you think it's gonna rain? Mm mm mm, aren't you tired of the talkies? I prefer the walkies. Somethin' good'll come from that."

Percy laughed, "You wanted to walk just so you could sing that, huh?"

"Maybe. It was in my head all morning."

"You should sing more. I like it."

"Nope. That was a one-time performance." Nico teased, kissing Percy's cheek. They were about a block away from the restaurant when they stopped. Something was coming for them.

"Seriously? Can't we ever have a peaceful date?" Percy complained, though already taking his pen from his pocket. He looked over and saw Nico also poised for battle.

The End

www

Ta-Da! Sorry that it took a while to finish. I hope you liked it. 3 I'd like to write more with Nico. In this one I had him depicted as though he were born around the 1930's or so, but I'm not sure if that's accurate. I'm going to read the books again to hopefully gleen a few more details.
Would You Like To Take A Walk copyright lyrics Wb Music Corp.; Olde Clover Leaf Music