Percy had noticed that look. Lately he had been noticing them all, and more. He saw the way Tyler's hand lingered on Nico's back after a "good game" pat. He saw the way they stood closely, watching the bonfire. This time he'd noticed the knowing look they'd exchanged after Nico had called his nosebleed sexy. Percy now followed Nico into the camp's bathroom where he was splashing his bloody face with water.
"I'm okay. It looked worse than it was. Look, I'm already healing." Nico said to the reflection of Percy standing behind him as he dabbed at his nose with a paper towel.
"Yeah... that's good." Percy said, distracted with the contrast of the red blood and the white paper towel.
"What's wrong, fish boy?" Nico asked, turning around after noting Percy's melancholy tone. He'd been doing that a lot lately.
"Hmm? Oh nothing." Percy was still distracted, but this time it was because of the depth of the smaller man's gaze.
Nico walked closer to his friend and put a hand on his shoulder, "Come on, you can tell me."
"What's going on with you and Tyler?" Percy blurted out, panicking at Nico's icy touch.
Nico drew his hand away as though burned, "What?"
Percy looked at his feet, "Look, it doesn't matter to me either way. I just feel like you guys have secrets and I don't like feeling left out." He looked back up at Nico, who looked like he might laugh at Percy.
"Percy, I'm sorry you feel left out, but I promise it's nothing you need to know about. It's a private thing between Tyler and I. You and me have secrets that I don't talk about with Tyler, so please let me keep these from you."
Percy bit his lip, the need to know burning in him, but he sensed something coming from Nico. It wasn't exactly shame, more like embarassment, so he reluctantly nodded, "Fine."
Nico let out a sigh of relief, "Thank you, Percy. This means a lot."
Percy just nodded and then said he needed to go back to his cabin and shower, leaving Nico alone in the bathroom. As far as he knew, anyway.
"I thought he was never going to leave." Said a taller young man as he walked out of a stall.
"Yeah." Nico said in that distracted melancholy tone Percy had earlier used.
"Aww sweety," Tyler pulled Nico close and kissed his forehead, "Percy will be okay. He'll get over it."
"I know." Nico said, turning to his lover and kissing him, "I just hate keeping secrets from him."
Tyler hugged Nico's small form even closer, "One day, Nico. I promise. I'm just not ready yet. Now, let's go get some lunch. I bet you're hungry after swordfighting me all day."
Nico smirked, "But I want to do some more... swordfighting."
Tyler also smirked, "You're adorable. I'll come to your cabin tonight after the rest of mine settles down, okay?"
Nico hated being called adorable by everyone except Tyler. Still, he blushed as he said, "Okay."
"Dude, they're butt buddies!" Grover said a little too loudly during lunch. This caught Annabeth's attention, but she stayed silent as she listened to the conversation between the two boys.
Percy didn't really comment. He just picked at his blue grilled cheese sandwich and mumbled, "Maybe." He ate a few bites. "I don't like that phrase."
"What phrase?" Annabeth finally decided to interject, looking up from her book.
"I'm telling him that Nico and that Tyler kid are butt buddies."
"Well yeah. They're obviously sleeping together." Annabeth said casually before sipping some of her juice.
"I don't like it." Percy said, sounding like a pouty child in front of peas on his dinner plate.
"He's just mad because Nico's spending all his time with Tyler." Grover clarified.
Percy took a last bite of sandwich, "He was my friend first."
"That's true, but look," Annabeth put her hand on Percy's, "You have your friends, meaning Grover and I. I mean, we don't hang out with Nico much. Only when he comes to hang out with you. So you should be happy that he's found his own friend too."
"More than a friend." Grover laughed and Annabeth shot him a glare.
"I know. I guess I'm just being selfish." Percy admitted. He noticed the look his friends shared, but didn't mention it.
Percy wandered around camp by himself later that evening. He honestly didn't understand why Nico and Tyler's friendship bothered him so much. He didn't care that they were probably gay together. He'd always noticed a little swish about his smaller friend. He just didn't get why Nico bothered with a loser like Tyler. He was younger, and never really won any battles, which was weird for a son of Ares. He had stupid black hair with red bangs and a bunch of piercings on his face. Percy spit on the ground. Every good warrior knew that piercings just got ripped out during battle. Why did Tyler even bother coming to camp if he wasn't going to learn how to be a warrior?
Eventually Percy had made his way to the Hades cabin. It was mostly underground, save for the door and a few windows to let some light in. Percy saw that Nico's common room light was on and decided to go and visit his friend. He went to the door and tried to walk in like he always did, but the door was locked. Strange. Percy's stomach dropped a little because he knew why it was locked. He got the crazy idea to play spy. He needed to know what Nico saw in the guy. He carefully crept over to a grimy window that looked into the common room. He couldn't hear anything, but he could see well enough.
Tyler was laying behind Nico on one of the longer couches and they were talking while Tyler ran his hand up and down Nico's arm. Nico got up and disappeared for a moment, returning with two glasses of what was most likely water. They talked some more, facing each other on the couch and sipping their water. Percy then watched as Nico took both empty glasses and set them on the floor on the side of the couch before beckoning Tyler toward him with a hand gesture. It was both strange and normal as Percy watched them kissing. He'd never really watched two guys make out before, but the smile on Nico's face between kisses made him feel okay about it. It was... cute, really. Slowly the kisses started to change, and Percy watched Tyler's hands moving all over Nico's body. Nico took his shirt off and then pulled at Tyler's. Tyler had to take it off the rest of the way and tossed it aside before going back to kissing Nico. Though he couldn't really hear it, Percy could just imagine the way Nico had gasped when one of Tyler's hands moved between his legs. Tyler pulled away and seemed to ask Nico a question. Nico smiled and nodded, his cheeks flushed with color. Tyler stood up and then picked Nico up, carrying him out of the room.
Percy knew it was wrong, but it was like a movie that he had to see the ending of. He quietly crept over to a window looking into Nico's room. He was a little disappointed when he saw how dark it was inside, but then Tyler turned on a lamp with a dim orangish light.
"Sorry. I can't see in the dark like you can." Tyler said and Percy's heart stopped. How had he heard that? His eyes searched and he saw that the other window looking into Nico's room was slightly open. He was glad he hadn't picked that one to look into; the grime on the shut window camoflauged his peeping face.
Nico was sitting on the bed, which was faced away from Percy, so he could only see the back of Nico's head. Tyler had come up and swiftly removed Nico's pants and then his own, laying on top of Nico and pushing their underwear covered groins together. Nico's hands moved across Tyler's skin, moving down and pushing the younger man's underpants off. Tyler reluctantly stopped kissing Nico to remove both of their underwear. This time when he laid his hips against Nico's the smaller man let out a deliciously pleasured moan.
"You're so warm." he said, bending his knees and spreading them wider before pulling Tyler closer into himself.
Tyler chuckled, "Cute." he said before grabbing a bottle of lotion from somewhere Percy couldn't see. When he moved away from Nico's body Percy noticed that *everything* on Tyler was pierced up. Was Nico really into that? Who in their right mind pierced their dick? Percy's thoughts came back to the present when he heard Nico moan. He looked back in the window and saw Tyler moving two fingers inside of Nico. Nico's head was back and he was clutching his pillow as he tried to keep his hips still.
"I want more." The smaller man whined.
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
Tyler moved his hand and put some lotion onto another part of his anatomy before positioning himself and bending down to kiss Nico. Nico pulled Tyler's hips forward and moaned.
"Don't hurt yourself." Tyler said, grabbing Nico's hands and pinning them to the bed. He rose up to look down at his lover as he slowly moved in and out of the body beneath him. "Fuck Nico! You feel so good!"
"Mnnn Tyler..."
Percy's mouth was dry as he watched the two men making love. He knew watching was wrong. This was a beautiful private moment. He couldn't look away though. He heard a slap and turned his attention back to the two. Nico's thigh had an angry red mark on it and he was pulling Tyler down for a hot kiss. Percy watched as Nico raked his nails down Tyler's pale back, creating marks that were already healing. Tyler panted against Nico's mouth as the smaller man did it again. Nico also moved his head and bit down on the taller man's shoulder, earning a shout of, "Fuck!" before he grabbed Nico's leg and pushed it over so that he was on his side. Nico adjusted so that he was on all fours with Tyler behind him and Percy panicked that the smaller man would see him in the window. Tyler grabbed Nico's hips and pulled him backward, making the other man hiss in pleasure. Percy saw bruises forming on Nico's hips and fought the urge to rescue his friend from such treatment.
"Tyler..." Nico pushed backward, "Come on."
Tyler just smirked and clawed his fingers down Nico's back before grabbing his hips again and pushing hard and fast. His red bangs swung against his face as he fucked Nico's brains out. Nico buried his face in the pillows as he panted Tyler's name and their bodies slapped together.
"Are you okay?" Tyler suddenly asked, slowing down.
"Mnn... yessss..." Nico murmered into the pillows.
"Ok." Tyler continued moving, though at less of an intense speed. He turned Nico back over onto his back, "You ready?"
Nico shook his head and pushed his hips up, "Not yet. Just... right there." he said, holding Tyler's hips at a specific angle. The younger man understood and continued driving into the smaller body at that angle, watching Nico's face as he writhed in the pleasure. "Yes Tyler! Ah fuck, don't stop!" Nico panted with his eyes closed, completely in surrender to the pleasure. Suddenly he gripped Tyler's hips to stop him and his body shuddered. Percy watched as several spurts of cum landed on Nico's chest and stomach.
"Holy shit." Tyler said as he pulled out and stroked himself to completion on Nico's stomach as well. "Holy shit." he said again as they laid there, catching their breath. Nico pulled him down for a sweet kiss before melting into the sheets. "I'll be right back." Tyler said before he got up from the bed. He came back with a washcloth and cleaned himself and Nico up before tossing it aside and laying on the bed next to the smaller body. Nico moved to rest his head on the other man's chest. Tyler kissed the top of Nico's head and held him against his body. Slowly Nico moved to sit on top of the other man, who looked up at him, "What?"
"Nothing. I just want to look at you."
"My hair's all messed up."
"I like it. I should be a hair dresser."
Tyler laughed, "You're adorable." he sat up and held Nico on his lap. They both just stayed like that for a moment, touching each other and holding each other. Tyler kissed Nico's shoulder, "You're amazing." he whispered. Nico just hugged him tighter and then kissed him. After another couple of minutes Nico moved off of Tyler's lap and started putting his underwear back on and Tyler followed suit.
"I wish you could spend the night." Nico said sadly.
Tyler buckled his belt and kissed the smaller man, "I know. I just don't want people asking questions."
"I understand." Nico said, looking away.
"Hey, come here." Tyler hugged Nico to himself, "I'm not ashamed of you. I'm just scared."
"What if I told someone? You know, just to see how they'll act?"
"But what if they hate you, or beat me up or something?"
Nico shrugged, "I'll stab them and then we'll run away to Sweden."
Tyler smiled, "I'll think about it."
"Ok, but just know that one day I might accidentally hold your hand in public and I can't be held responsible for what happens after that."
"Oh I know you would." Tyler kissed Nico again, "I need to get back to the cabin now. I'll put you in bed."
Nico crawled into the bed and Tyler covered him with the blanket, kissing him again. Nico grabbed him, "Stay with me, just for a second?"
Tyler laid down on top of the sheets and put his arm around Nico, kissing the back of his shoulder. They stayed that way until Nico drifted into sleep. Tyler pet his lover's head and then finished dressing before leaving the cabin. Percy was afraid Tyler would catch him, but he was quickly walking the other way. As soon as he was out of sight Percy stood up and started walking back to his cabin. He wasn't sure how he felt. He had a guilty hard-on that he'd take care of as soon as he got to his cabin, but he was also incredibly sad. He couldn't decide if he was sad for Nico or himself. He wanted Tyler to go away so that he could spend all his time with the boy, but he also saw how much Nico loved Tyler, and making him disappear would make Nico sad.
Percy was very glad he had a private shower in his cabin as he stepped in and turned the water on. The water calmed him and made him feel secure. It was something he knew and could even control. He let the warm water just cascade down his body for a while, then his erection took his attention. It made him feel guilty for a number of reasons; how he had gotten it, the fact that it was guys, the fact that it was his friend. As he stroked himself a pain in his chest began to grow. Images of the son of Hades were moving through his mind; Nico's smile, his fierce stare, that face he made when Tyler was on top of him. Percy fixated on that face. Eyes closed and mouth open, no wonder the French called orgasm the "little death". Over and over in his mind Percy watched Nico as he shuddered until he felt that feeling below his stomach. Percy furiously stroked himself to the image and nearly fell in the shower when his own "petite morte" took hold. He collapsed onto his hands and knees and let out a sob he didn't even know he had been holding. What had he just done? He was pathetic and disgusting. Percy continued crying in the shower until the water turned cold. He toweled off and got into his bed, welcoming the comfort of the heavy sheets as he drifted into emotionally exhausted sleep.
The next evening Percy found Nico angrily stabbing at a dummy in the swordfighting arena. He watched the younger man for a moment and when Nico paused for breath he spoke.
"Hey Nico. Are you okay?"
Black eyes gave a fierce stare before softening at the sight of his friend. He nodded, "Yeah, just getting some practice in before this place fills up after dinner."
"That's cool." He kicked the ground and Nico sheathed his blade, knowing Percy wanted to continue, which he did, "Hey, sorry about yesterday. I didn't mean to pry."
Nico shrugged, "It's fine. I understand."
"Where is Tyler anyway?" Percy asked, noting that the boy was not at his typical place by Nico's side.
Nico shrugged again, "I don't know. I haven't seen him all day."
The way his friend's voice caught at the end told Percy that something was wrong, but Nico wasn't going to talk about it. "Well... want to go a few rounds with Riptide?" Percy asked, trying to change the subject and taking his pen out.
"You know you're better than me." Nico smirked, knowing his friend was trying to cheer him up.
"Come on, I'll be easy on you." he clicked the pen into sword form.
Nico took his blade out, "If you say so."
They began to spar, and Percy had been planning to go easy on Nico and let him win, but he quickly realized that he didn't have to. Even though Nico's Stygian blade was shorter, he was tricky with it. Percy nearly received a pierced lung before he'd managed to block it.
"Niiiico!"
Percy nearly took the other man's head off as he turned it in the direction of Tyler's voice. He was slightly disappointed as Nico sheathed his blade and walked over to the taller man as if Percy wasn't even there. Percy noticed as Nico's arms raised in a hug shape before he clenched his fists and just nodded at Tyler.
"Sorry I've been gone all day. I had stuff to take care of." Tyler said with a guilty shrug.
"It's fine. You're okay, though?" Nico asked, eyes flitting over Tyler's form for any signs of damage. Percy heart kind of hurt at the obvious concern his friend had and the obvious apathy of the other.
"Yep. Have you eaten tonight?"
"Yeah, but I could eat again."
"Nah. I'll catch up with you after I've had a bite, okay?"
Nico nodded, "Okay. See ya." he clenched his fists again as he forced himself to turn away from the other man. His eyes quickly darted down when they met Percy's. Tyler left and Percy stood there stupidly, unsure of what to do. He heard Nico take his blade out of its holder, "Ready to finish?" he asked.
Percy looked up and saw anger covering up hurt in Nico's eyes. Unsure of how else to help his friend who wouldn't talk about what was bothering him, he clicked his pen back into Riptide, "I'm always ready."
They continued to fight, and Percy was almost frightened at the force of Nico's blows. He was fairly certain that he was going to lose a limb. Eventually Nico began to tire and finally Percy managed to back him up against the shed with his blade too far for defense.
"You win." Nico said.
Percy almost didn't hear it because he was preoccupied with looking at the tip of his blade at the base of Nico's neck. Nico had a beautiful long pale neck, and Percy fought the urge to run his blade up the smaller man's throat.
"Yay me." he said after comprehending what had been said. He put Riptide back into pen mode, "I need a shower now. I'm all muddy and sweaty."
"You're such a girl sometimes." Nico said, playfully shoving Percy.
"I just like to be fresh and clean."
"Dork. Come on, let's hit the showers."
Percy hesitated, "I have my own in my cabin."
"Lucky you." was all that Nico replied. They usually showered in the camp's shower hall no problem with one showerhead between them for space. The younger man could tell that something was up, but wasn't in the mood to push it, "Well, have fun in your cabin. I'll see you tomorrow I guess."
"Yeah... see you tomorrow." Percy was relieved that Nico didn't ask why he suddenly wasn't comfortable being in the showers with the smaller man. Percy just felt weird about it after the previous night. What if Nico had marks from Tyler's love bites and spanks? What if Percy got another erection? What if Nico hit on him? Percy wasn't gay. He was turned on by the act of sex; nothing more. In any case, it was easiest to just ignore it all and shower in peace.
...
He knew he shouldn't have been doing it, but he couldn't help himself. Percy was watching through the window as Nico checked his reflection in a mirror on the common room wall. He knew darkness was hiding him from any chance of Tyler seeing him. He thought the boy would already be at Nico's cabin, but he had yet to make an appearance. Percy continued his voyeur and watched as Nico sat on one of the couches and wiped his hands on his pants in a nervous gesture. He sat for a moment and then got up and looked out the window. Apparently not seeing anyone he walked around the room and then looked again. He sat down in a different chair and bit his nails a little, then he stood back up and looked at a clock on the wall. He messed with his hair in front of the mirror again and then went over to the front door and opened it as if checking to see if it was locked. Nico closed the door and glanced in the direction of the clock again. Percy watched this for over an hour, and Nico slowly began to slow down. He lingered longer in his seat, and he stared out of the window for a longer length of time, his eyes piercing the darkness for any sign of Tyler. Percy's heart ached at the look on Nico's face as he finally locked the door of the cabin and turned the lights out in the common room.
Percy waited a good while to move. He waited until he assumed Nico had gone to bed and fallen asleep before he dared to head back to his own cabin. Poor Nico. He liked Tyler so much more than Tyler liked Nico. Obviously Tyler had some form of affection toward the smaller man, but he was also hurting him. Emotional hurt was worse than physical sometimes, and Percy hated the thought of Nico hurting.
"Can I ask you guys a question?" Percy asked at the breakfast table a few weeks later.
"You just did." Grover said between bites.
"Shuttup Grover! Go ahead, Percy. What's up?"
"Does Nico seem happy to you?"
"Umm... do we care?" Annabeth asked, earning a kick from the satyr, "Er I mean, I guess so. Why?"
Percy shrugged, "Just wondering."
"Ask him yourself at the bonfire tonight if it's so important to you."
"He's my friend. Of course his happiness is important to me."
"Are you bringing s'mores supplies tonight?" Grover asked Annabeth, already bored with the course of the conversation. Percy understood this and didn't push the matter.
Later that night Percy searched the crowd for his friend. He finally saw him on the other side of the bonfire. He only caught little glimpses through the flames, but he knew it was Nico, clad in a black over-sized hoodie and shoving his blade into the flames. Percy was about to go over and say 'hi' when Tyler joined Nico at his side. The smaller man smiled and said something and Tyler smiled back. Percy turned to grab some more chocolate, but stopped when Grover was staring across the bonfire.
"Holy shit, are you seeing this?!" he was asking Annabeth.
"Do you think they don't think anyone can see them?"
Percy looked over and nearly dropped his sticky treat. Nico and Tyler were kissing in public. Nico had his arm hooked around Tyler's neck as the taller man kissed him from behind. Then suddenly Tyler pulled away, looking around, and seeming to chastise Nico. Nico looked down and withdrew his glowing blade from the fire. While he was distracted Tyler disappeared into the crowd, leaving a perplexed and upset Nico pouting at the fire.
"That was the most depressing thing that I've ever witnessed." Annabeth said after a moment, "I take back what I said about Nico being happy."
Percy walked over to the boy, who was shoving an entire s'more into his face. He saw Percy approaching and turned away to finish the treat in peace. Once he had swallowed, Percy watched Nico grab a marshmallow from a nearby bag and shove it into his face. When he went for another one Percy grabbed his wrist to stop him.
"Never pegged you as someone who eats their feelings."
Nico swallowed, "I don't. I'm just really hungry."
"Whatever. Why don't you come and sit with us?"
Nico bit his lip as he decided, "Hmm, okay, but I'm going to bed soon."
Percy rolled his eyes and grabbed Nico's hoodie, "Come on."
Not very long later, Percy was walking a drowsy Nico back to his cabin. His sugar high had run out, and now the boy was crashing.
"Just be sure to drink some water before you go to bed."
"Yes mama." Nico teased.
"Nico!" Tyler shouted, approaching the two men. He took the smaller man into an embrace, "Are you okay?"
Nico tiredly pushed at Tyler, "Go away, Tyler. I've just overdosed on marshmallows, okay?"
"I need to talk to you."
"No. I'm done talking. I'm going to bed." he started walking away, but Tyler grabbed his hand.
"Nico-"
Nico wrenched out of the taller, yet younger man's hold, "What?"
Percy watched all of this, feeling awkward and out of place. He was glad to see Nico defending himself, but could see the man's resolution faltering. Why? Sure, Tyler's green eyes were bright with tears, but Nico was stronger than that.
"I'm sorry. I just panicked."
"*You* were the one who kissed *me*!"
"I know. I got carried away and freaked when I realized what I'd done."
Nico rolled his eyes, "Then why do I feel like the one in trouble?"
Tyler bit his lip, "I'm sorry, okay? Just give me a chance."
"You've had a lot of chances."
"Look, I'll tell everyone tomorrow."
Nico stopped and looked straight at Tyler, "Really?"
Tyler swallowed, "I'm terrified about it, but I'm more afraid of losing you over something stupid." he leaned forward and caught Nico's mouth in a kiss before he could say anything. He released the dazed man, "See? I'm practicing right now."
"Hmm?" Nico followed Tyler's gaze over to Percy. He blushed. Nico had forgotten his friend was there.
"Hey Percy, Nico's my - my boyfriend." Tyler stumbled out, pulling Nico closer.
"Yeah, I kind of figured that out for myself." Percy said, feeling extremely awkward.
"Oh..."
"Want to come in?" Nico asked Tyler.
"Of course." Tyler kissed the smaller man.
"Um... I'm going to go. Talk to you both tomorrow." Percy said, glad the darkness hid his blushing skin.
"See ya." Both men said, not looking away from each other. Tyler had Nico pinned against the door before Percy could even turn to leave. He was happy for them, he supposed, but he didn't believe a word that Tyler had said. Sure, he had told Percy that Nico was his boyfriend, but he didn't say that he was Nico's in return. Besides, Percy already knew so it didn't really count in his opinion. He toyed with the idea of watching them again, but thought better of it. He didn't want to make a habit of it. That, and he figured he'd get caught.
The next day Percy found Nico at the breakfast table, bundled up in his oversized hoodie; his outfit of choice when he was upset. Stomach turning at what might have happened, Percy sat across from the other man.
"What's up?"
Nico looked up, "I'm an idiot, that's what's up."
"Why?"
"Because for a moment I really thought that he was going to do it. I can't find Tyler anywhere this morning."
"Hey, it's still early. He might turn up."
Nico shook his head, "I know him too well. He'll come back in a few days and be all, 'Oh, I had to go do something' and I'll just accept it and move on until the next time it happens."
Percy gave an unconvincing smile, not sure of what else to do, "Well, want to go practice some stuff? Pretend the dummy is Tyler?"
"Tyler is the dummy..." Nico muttered, "Yeah, sure. Whatever."
Tyler was gone for two weeks. Nobody in the Ares cabin knew where he had gone to. Nico was worried. What if something had happened to him? He could be lying dead somewhere and Nico would never know. When Tyler did return, the first thing Nico did was punch him square in the face. He wasn't sure why he had done it, but it had happened. Then he proceeded to kiss Tyler's reddened visage in front of everyone at camp. He wasn't sure if Tyler didn't protest because of the punch, or because he genuinely didn't care. Finally he pulled away from the taller man.
"Where have you been?!" Nico shouted, his cheeks red from anger.
Despite the situation Tyler felt a twinge in his chest at how adorable Nico looked when angry. He sucked his lip ring into his mouth before he spoke, "I was at home."
Nico looked at him expectantly, "And? Why?"
"I just needed some time for myself."
Noticing a crowd gathering, Nico grabbed Tyler by the shirt and took him to a more private place to talk. He seemed ready to say something, but then he stopped himself and instead said, "You know what? I'm done."
"What?"
"I'm not even going to bother asking you what the fuck. I don't have the time or patience for someone to be scared. I refuse to let someone treat me like I'm not important."
"What do you mean?"
Nico let out a controlled breath, "You left without a word and I had to worry for two weeks that you might be dead or missing or whatever, and when you come back you just shrug and say you needed some time for yourself. Do you even realize how that makes me feel? Even if I was just your friend, I deserved to know where you were."
Tyler was quiet as he watched Nico scold him. He was most beautiful in a terrible rage. His eyes seemed to sear into Tyler's soul and Tyler feared that Nico could and would literally rip his heart out at any moment. It was a power he found fascinating.
"Yeah, just fuck it. I'm done with this." Nico said before turning to leave. Tyler reached out, "No."
"Why not?"
"Because I want you to stay."
"Well... likewise."
Nico stared Tyler down again. Tyler pulled the smaller man close and before he could protest he kissed him, "No. You're not leaving me."
"Then give me a reason to stay." Nico was proud of himself for not crying like a pansy yet. His voice had come across as cold and demanding; like his father's.
"Because we're good together." Tyler started, knowing how lame it had sounded, "I mean, we have so much in common and I really like you and I just don't want to be without you."
"So you don't want to be alone? Is that it?"
Tyler's face reddened, "No no that's not what I meant. I just mean that I don't want to lose you. You're different from anyone else I've ever met. A good different."
"Well then make me feel special. Right now I'm being hidden and denied and treated like I don't even exist to you."
"I know. I'm sorry. I'm just trying to figure things out."
"Well, talk to me when you figure things out. Until then I'm done." Nico said, leaving. He hated to leave, but he had to hold his ground and make Tyler be accountable for his behavior. If he really wanted to be with Nico he would figure out a way to keep him. Nico walked out of the equipment shed to find a crowd still trying to see what the two were fighting about. He simply glared at them and then he felt Tyler grab his hand. As he turned to the younger man he found his lips meeting the other's. It wasn't just any kiss; Tyler meant it. He pulled Nico's face closer and circled his other arm around the smaller man's waist to keep him close. Nico wasn't sure what was going on, but he permitted Tyler's tongue to enter his mouth. It must have been the shock, because even Nico wasn't normally into straight up PDA.
"No way! Dude, does Tyler have a split tongue?" Grover asked Percy, unable to take his eyes from the place where Tyler and Nico's mouths joined.
"Eh... I don't know?" Percy said, also unable to stop staring. Finally the two parted and a few members of the crowd clapped and cheered.
"Will you let me be your boyfriend?" Tyler asked a breathless Nico.
"I guess." Nico said, still somewhat confused about what was going on.
"Works for me." Tyler pecked Nico once more and put an arm around his shoulders before leading him to his friends.
"Are you okay?" Percy asked Nico, who still looked a little bit dazed.
Nico nodded, "Yeah. Just a lot on my brain right now."
Grover laughed, "I like how Tyler's the one who came out, but Nico's the one acting scared now."
"Well, technically he outed me too."
Tyler blushed, but luckily Annabeth saved him, "Sorry Nico, but we all pretty much already knew."
"What?" Nico looked genuinely surprised.
All three shrugged and Grover spoke, "You just have your moments that gave you away."
"What about me? Do you think anyone knew about me?" Tyler asked, still holding Nico around the waist.
"Probably. You just took away any doubt they might have had."
"So yeah, congrats or something." Annabeth said, "Now, I'm ready to go to the bonfire."
"There's another bonfire tonight?"
Nico nodded, "You'd know if you had been around." he said with no subtle hint of guilt.
Tyler's cheeks reddened again, "I promise I won't do that again."
"We'll see." Nico kissed Tyler again, "So uh, how's your face?"
Tyler smirked, "It'll take a lot of kisses to make it feel better. You punch really hard."
Nico's mouth tugged in a smile and he pulled Tyler down closer and pecked him multiple times, "Like this?"
"Hmm... Missed the spot."
Nico continued kissing across Tyler's face as Percy watched with strange feelings blooming in his chest. He was angry mostly. He was angry that Nico so quickly forgot about the shit Tyler had just put him through over two weeks. He was angry that Tyler seemed to know that Nico could be so easily won. He watched as Tyler took Nico's hand and led him away from the stragglers who had stayed to watch what else might happen, including himself. Once the remaining people had gone Percy found himself alone with his thoughts. He was just too protective of his friend. He hated being powerless to stop Nico from getting hurt, and it was obvious to him that it would happen again. He kicked at the ground. He needed a distraction.
~*~*~ Hiii. I re-uploaded this with a disclaimer and a fix on Percy's eating habits, as this Seaweed Brain forgot that Percy no eats tuna. As a surprise I also have uploaded chapter two. As with most stories, this was supposed to be short, but then all this plot wormed its way in so I have to spread it out into a few extra chapters. Hope you like 'em.