PERCY'S POV

"Why?" was all Percy could manage to say. "I thought you were my friend!"

Destiny scoffed, her amber eyes glittering menacingly. "Friend? Percy, you've got it all wrong. This whole time, I've been using you to get to him." Destiny pointed a finger at Nico, scowling.

"What did Nico ever do to you?!" Percy roared.

"He's your boyfriend and I simply cannot allow that. I sent out Ambrogio to kill him, but it seems that he failed... Oh well! Guess that means I get to kill you myself."

"Never!" Percy yelled, getting Riptide. He slashed at the bubble, but it simply deflected the sword. Destiny feigned a sigh of relief.

"You should know that I'm a demigod; a daughter of Athena to be exact. This whole cavern is enchanted. There is no way you will be able to use your powers, weapons, charmspeak, whatever. Oh, and what's more, there is no way for anyone outside of this cave to hear you! Don't even try communicating with the underwater creatures, or your little friend Grover, Perseus. It'll be blocked, of course."

Percy growled in frustration as the connection faltered and disappeared all together.

"Percy, now you have a decision. Either you cooperate and Nico lives, completely unharmed, or you retaliate and Nico is killed. Your choice," Destiny hissed, chuckling slightly.

Just then, a loud shout was heard from across the room. "Destiny, leave them alone! Kill me instead! It's my fault they're here anyways."

"Oh, did I forget to mention the best part?" Destiny clapped once and more light filled the cavern.

In a bubble identical to Percy and Nico's was Caleb, his hands tied behind his back and tears streaming down his cheeks.

"Caleb?" Nico whispered, his voice cracking.

"Sh-she was going to kill my girlfriend, Bailey. I didn't want her to die," Caleb whispered. He opened his mouth to say something else, but broke into more sobs and hung his head.

Destiny cackled. "No, please continue."

Caleb took a shaky breath. "All I h-had to do was watch you two. I-It wasn't that hard. I'm the one who convinced you to take Nico swimming today, remember?"

**FLASHBACK**

Percy had been sitting on his bed, texting Nico. Since it was Saturday, he really wanted to do something with his boyfriend, but what?

His phone chimed, indicating that he had a text. It was from Caleb (he'd gotten the boys number from Nico awhile ago)

Hey, what's up? -C

Nothing much. Just deciding what I should do with Nico today. -P

Why don't you two go to the beach? I know a great place that's always empty called Crystal Caverns. It's right by the abandoned library and nobody goes to it. -C

Great idea! Thanks Caleb! -P

**FLASHBACK ENDS**

"I just had to find a way to get you and Nico to go swimming at this beach so you could get captured and Bailey wouldn't be in danger anymore. I've a-always been able to breath underwater for a long time, so I hid under and watched you guys. Then suddenly, I was down here."

Percy shot a menacing glare at Destiny. "You don't have to do this. Please, we don't have to all fight. There are plenty of guys out there, better than me."

Destiny laughed again. "Percy, you're one of a kind. There is no way in Hades I'm giving you up."

"Percy, just go with her." Percy spun around to see Nico looking at him sadly.

"B-but Nico-"

"Just do it. Nobody gets hurt and you'll be happy."

Percy shook his head vigorously. "No, I can only be happy with you. Nico I love you and nobody else!"

Nico laughed dryly. "You'll get over me and we'll both be safe. Please Perce."

As Percy looked into his dark brown eyes, he felt the memories wash over him.

Nico couldn't take it anymore. He leaned in and he pressed his lips to Percy's.

To his shock, Percy was kissing back

It was warm and welcome and light, not lustful or hungry. It was the moment he knew he would remember forever.

Nico leaned back and smiled. "That's why."

Then the realization hit him. He'd kissed Percy.

"No... No no NO!!!! I-I'm sorry... I shouldn't have... I mean..." Nico looked up at him pitifully. "Do you hate me?" Nico whispered.

Percy grinned and wrapped his arms around Nico. "Actually... I think I love you Neeks."

------

"Nico, why did you cut?" Percy asked, his voice dangerously calm.

"I-I-I love you so much Percy and when I found out that this whole thing was just a trick I couldn't take it anymore. I needed to get rid of the pain! The heartbreak I feel when I look into your gorgeous green eyes is completely and utterly unbearable because I know you won't want to be with a broken mess like me. That's what I am: broken, unlovable, and cold right down to the bone. I know I'll never be good enough for you because you're straight! I'm gay and I just can't do it anymore!!!" Nico said, sobbing into his hands.

Percy felt his heart shatter into a million pieces then get thrown into a blender. How could he not have known?

Percy lifted Nico's chin so he'd have to look at him. His gorgeous chocolatey eyes were bloodshot from crying, and tear tracks ran down his cheeks.

"Nico, I'm about as straight as a rainbow slinky. Do you know who I'm gay for?" Percy asked, his voice soft. Nico shook his head, sniffling.

"You," Percy whispered, leaning in closer to Nico. "This isn't a joke, it's not a game. I truly love you. In my eyes, you're not broken. Even if you were, I'm hear to fix you, okay?"

"Okay," Nico sniffled. "Perce stop flirting with me. Okay is just bursting with sensuality."

----

Nico stared in awe at the letter, too dumbstruck to react.

"Percy. Come here," Nico said quietly.

Percy walked over, terror in his eyes.

"Nico? Did I do something-"

Nico desperately crashed his lips against Percy's. Percy reacted immediately, kissing back hungrily.

Nico thrust his hand into Percy's dark hair and pulled him closer.

Percy moaned against Nico's mouth but pulled back.

"Hang on," he panted. Percy got up and grabbed something and hung it on the door.

"Perce, what's that?"

"A do not disturb sign. Wouldn't want to get interrupted."

"Percy sei così caldo," Nico breathed. (Translation: Percy you're so hot)

"Whatever you just said, it had better have been 'do me now Percy' because I wasn't planning on just kissing you," Percy said seductively with a wink.

"You have no idea how bad I want you to," Nico said.

Percy crashed against Nico hungrily. Percy licked Nico's bottom lip, begging for entrance but Nico denied.

"Patience il mio amore," Nico said hoarsely. (Translation: my love)

Percy laughed. "Okay. Not until you're ready. Now get some rest. I'll be here when you wake up."

-----

Percy turned to Destiny and whispered something in her ear and handed her a dollar. She smiled brightly and left the room.

"Uhhhh, where's she going?" Nico asked.

Percy smirked. "You'll see."

Five minutes later, Destiny reentered, holding something behind her back.

Percy grabbed the thing from Destiny's hands and opened it behind his back.

Then, Percy got down on one knee.

"Nico di Angelo, will you be my official boyfriend," Percy asked, dramatically holding out the Ring Pop.

Nico got teary-eyed and slapped a hand over his mouth.

"Yes Percy. A million trillion times yes."

----

Tears formed in Percy's eyes, and he took a deep, rattling breath.

"Okay, I'll go with you."

Destiny grinned like a madman. She snapped her fingers and the bubbles disappeared.

Percy walked over to Destiny.

"Can I at least say goodbye?" Percy begged. Destiny stared at him for a second, then nodded tightly.

Nico walked over to Percy, tears also glistening in his shattered eyes.

"What will I do without you," Nico whispered.

"Sh Sh shhh it's okay," Percy whispered, running a hand through Nico's hair.

"Nico, I love you. I always will."

"Percy, I lo-" Nico screamed and fell to the floor, convulsing in pain.

"NICO!! NICO WHATS WRONG?!?!?

"Destiny... L... Lied..." Nico rasped.

"No Nico! D-don't go!"

Nico coughed, blood dripping out of his mouth. "P-Percy... I... I l-love... Y-you..." his boyfriend whispered.

Then his eyes shut and his breathing became shallow.

"N-no... Nico!"

But his boyfriend had already fallen still.

-•-•-•-•-

Please don't kill me.

I admit I cried.

This isn't the last chapter.

I love you all.

Until next time,

-Callie