Imagine walking through high school everyday, your life upside down, hiding from society and it's people in the shadows for as long as you can remember, keeping your own soul and thoughts tucked away.

That was Percy's life, that was the only thing he knew. He knew not of love, at least, not anymore. He would stand by, his hair covering and hiding his face from everything, and as far as he was concerned, if your face was sealed, so was the rest of your body. The boy had more cuts on him than tears he had shed, so to say, millions.

Bandages and gauze wrapped all the way around his arms, up his legs, around his forehead, and on his hands. But still... to him the pain was nothing, and nothing really mattered much.

His body tensed and he looked back at the ground, trying to avoid their gazes. Valdez, Grace, and Angelo. The pretty boys, the popular ones, and the one's who bullied him the most.

Percy clutched the books in his arms even tighter, letting his overgrown hair cover his face. He was ungroomed, unclean, and filthy. His hair went down to the crook of his neck, and his bangs were long enough to cover every last piece of his eyes, and it went even longer due to the fact he always had his head down. His reputation was quiet and submissive, never saying a word, never leading.

"Hey, let's pick on the dweeb, we haven't gotten to him yet." someone from their little crew said. No doubt, Jason Grace. Percy shut his eyes even tighter, waiting for the blow.

He didn't have to wait for long, and soon the boy was sent flying to the ground, his books falling and hitting the floor besides him. But he made no attempt to get up, no attempt to move, he only laid there. It was pointless, no, foolish to get up when everything was... as it was.

"Give the poor kid a break." Nico's voice broke through all the laughing and whooping. Percy dared to hope, was someone, after all of this time, going to actually take his side?

"Sorry Neeks." Jason said, "But you know we gotta teach these punks a lesson, otherwise they might take control one day."

Instead of yelling or scolding him, Nico merely let out an annoyed sigh, and Percy's hope dropped. "Make it quick, and don't call me Neeks, you idiot."

Percy opened one of his eyes slightly, Nico's foot steps seeming to be the only sound in the school. He was one of those kids with almost everything, he was so easy-going and laid back, then when you compared him to Percy's attitude... what he wouldn't give to live a life in Nico's shoes, just for a few minutes.

A foot embedded itself in Percy's gut, sending him flying back into the wall. His body fell limply to the floor again, but he did not cry out, and he did not yell.

"Hey Jason, 'ave you ever found out what this punk's eye color is?" someone asked. Immediately Percy recognized the voice as Leo Valdez, with that goofy, devilish smile of his, and that sassy attitude.

"What, you tryin' to hit on him Valdez?" Jason asked, kicking Percy again.

"Naw, just curious." Leo said. "No one ev'r sees 'em, and that's a fact."

The back of Percy's hair was pulled, and before he knew it Percy was on his feet, looking at the two from behind his black hair. He could see them, they couldn't see him, he had the advantage.

Jason reached his hand up to swipe away Percy's bangs, but that was one thing the boy would not allow.

His hand flew up before Jason could respond. The pain in his skull was nothing anymore, he would not allow anyone to look him in the eye, no one.

Percy punched Jason in the face, causing the boy to drop him. Fast as his body would allow he grabbed his books off of the ground and ran. 

————————-

Nico didn't take his eyes off the boy as he passed. He didn't really leave, only gone from sight. He had watched the entire scene unfold, waiting to hear Percy's voice, but it had never come.

Yes, he knew the young boy's name. Nico had watched the quiet lad since they had both arrived at the school, that is to say, kindergarden.

Percy Jackson, the quiet one. He hadn't always been so quiet, he used to laugh and smile, he had been the most social person around. But when he came back in the first grade everything was different. He never played, he never laughed, never smiled and never talked, no one knows what his eyes look like, and those who were with him when they weren't covered... just could't remember.

Nico pitied the boy, the silent one, the one who was known never to speak his mind, or speak at all.

"Hey Nico." Jason's voice cut through his thoughts, "Come on." he swung his arm around Nico, leaning in.

Nico gently put his hand up, preventing Jason's kiss. "I think we should take a break." he muttered, taking Jason's arm off of him.

"Are you breaking up with me?" Jason asked quietly. He put his hand on his heart and pretended to fall against the wall. "Oh, woe is me."

"Shut up Grace, you only get together with me so you can be with someone who won't kick you where it hurts every time you try to make out with them."

"Don't act like you didn't enjoy that." Jason huffed.

"Oh really?" Nico raised an eyebrow. "Because I didn't, you perv." he began to walk off, hearing Jason gasp.

"I only wanted to be close to the one I loved!" he fake-sobbed.

"Shut the f*ck up Grace and act your age!"Nico yelled, turning around and kicking Jason in the stomach.

He scowled, turning his head to Leo, who, had been recording the entire thing.

Nico didn't even bother threatening him, he was already done with the two. He walked to the cafeteria, spotting Percy almost right away. He was sitting alone, his black hair covering his face as always. He wasn't eating or reading, he wasn't really doing anything.

Nico went over to Percy, sitting down across from him. The boy lifted his head, tilting it slightly.

"I didn't come to beat you up." Nico assured him, feeling everyone's eyes move towards them.

The boy said nothing in response.

"Hey Nico, why don't you come over and sit with us?" someone asked. Nico knew that voice by heart, Reyna. An invitation to go sit with the popular, pretty, stunning girls, or stay with the so-called broken-down boy. Obviously Reyna was expecting him to choose them.

"I'm fine where I am, but thanks." Nico said, waving her off.

Reyna seemed surprised at this answer, but did not ask again. Percy seemed curious as well.

Nico had tried similar approaches before, but the boy seemed shyer around him than anyone else.

"Hey, wanna go out for lunch?" Nico asked. "Somewhere that's not here?"

Percy shook his head, staying quiet.

"Okay, um... what's under your bandages?" Nico questioned, he had always been curious. They showed up in the first grade and had stayed there throughout his life.

The boy picked up the corning of a bandage, pulling it back to reveal a small cut. He placed the bandage back in it's place, his mood impossible to read.

"Wait... you... you actually..." Nico stammered. He pulled up the sleeve to his leather jacket, revealing a long cut along his arm. "I do, too." he said quietly.

Percy took in a deep breath. "W..." he said, his voice slurred like someone who couldn't even hear it. To be fair, the kid probably hadn't spoken in awhile.

Nico's eyes widened, waiting for the quiet boy to finally speak.

"W... w... I?" he tried, sputtering. He looked embarrassed, looking away from Nico.

"Y-you trying to ask why?" Nico asked and Percy nodded. "I don't know... everything just seems wrong. It's not right, and I can't find anything that'll keep me happier for longer than a week."

Percy opened his mouth, turning to Nico. He looked down, a small sigh escaping his lips. He pointed to himself, apparently deciding to play charades with the boy.

"You." Nico guessed and Percy nodded. Percy put up two fingers.

"Peace?" Nico raised an eyebrow, "You peace?" Nico thought some more, "Oh! You're... in a gang?"

Percy simply facepalmed, but he was smiling, slightly, but it was still a smile. He put up the two fingers again, this time pointing right towards the ceiling.

"Two?" Nico suggested and Percy touched his nose. "Oh, you too!"

Only problem was he had said it a little too loudly.

"Hey!" Jason and Leo ran up to Nico. "We finally found you, dude."

Leo frowned, peering at Percy. "What are you doing hanging out with this dweeb?"

Percy's slight smile dropped completely and he went back to looking down at the table.

"Come on, you gotta pay the price for sittin' with the popular guy." Grace joked, "How about all those bandages 'n' stuff, then we can see what you have hidden. Let's just hope it ain't a gun!"

"Jason stop!" Nico reached out his hand to stop him, but it was too late.

Jason grabbed Percy's arm, yanking him onto the table. His nails dug into Percy's skin and he ripped the bandage off with such force, the cuts came open.

"Whoa, dude!" Leo yelled.

Percy got off the table, shaking uncontrollably. Blood dripped down onto the floor and onto the table, staining it. He gripped his arm, running out of the cafeteria.

Though Jason was only laughing. "Damn, what kind of screwed up life does that kid have?"

Nico got up, grabbing the gauze and torn bandages from Jason's hands. They were useless now, but he still had a change in his locker. "That—was the definition, of uncool." he snapped, walking off.

He threw the torn bandages into the garbage can as he walked, worrying that he would lose the boy. But Nico soon found there was no chance of that, he just had to follow the path of blood and tears.

———-

Percy wrapped his hand around the biggest cut. He leaned against the wall of an old alley-way, banging his head against it. He let his body fall to the ground, like a limp ragdoll. Blood was running everywhere, staining the streets and walls. It all hurt so much. Though, the only thing he kept thinking was, 'I've felt worse, I've felt worse, I've felt much worse.'

He heard heavy breathing and footsteps. He lifted his head up, expecting to see Grace or Valdez, maybe even worse, Lord Master Zeus (he was really just principal, but the old bloke wanted everyone to call him 'Lord Master Zeus').

Who he didn't expect to see was Nico Di Angelo. Covered in blood, sweat, and carrying medical supplies.

A raindrop dropped down onto Percy's head as Nico bent down next to him.

"Sorry about that." he wheezed. "But I brought repairs!"

Percy stayed quiet as Nico brought out a washcloth and water bottle from the plastic bag. Percy could hear the steady fall of the water splashing onto the cloth, his thoughts beginning to consume him.

Nico gently placed his hand on Percy's arm, pulling up the sleeve to his shirt. He dabbed at the wounds, caring for the wounds with such caution that Percy couldn't believe that it was really Nico Di Angelo in front of him. Nico, the cool dude, the short-tempered, handsome, outspoken person who always did things his way and stuck with his 'gang.'

"Come on, you don't think I'm so cold-hearted as to leave you to tend to these alone?" Nico asked, brushing away the last of the raw blood. He put bandages on the worst of the cuts, careful not to get the stickier part on any other ones.

Percy looked at the ground, suddenly feeling very ashamed of himself. He had judged the boy by his reputation, and he should know better than anyone that someone's reputation isn't always what they are.

"You did!" Nico gasped, acting offended, "Why how dare you! I am-" he let out a sigh, cutting himself off. "Gosh what happened to me, I've turned into Jason."

'Least you're not as crazy as him.' Percy thought, thinking back on all the times he and Jason had met. Which usually ended in some horrific accident that caused Percy to go deeper into depression.

Percy flinched, looking over at Nico. "Whoops, sorry." Nico said, loosening the gauze a bit. "I may hang out with those two, but that doesn't mean that I agree on everything they do." he finished up wrapping Percy's arm and hand. He grabbed some clear, easy-to-rip medical tape and wrapped a thin layer of it over the gauze and bandages. "There, that should hold." he said, satisfied by his work. He put everything back and leaned against the wall next to Percy, a few more raindrops beginning to fall.

"You think my life is easy... don't you." Nico said quietly after awhile. He chuckled a bit, "The opposite of that, actually. The places where I hurt myself... I always have to make sure they're where no one could find them..." he lifted up his shirt, revealing dozens of scratches along his stomach and up his chest.

Percy gently placed his hand on Nico's hand, putting it down along with his shirt. "I..." he tried, struggling to form the word. "I... it..." he finally gave up and showed the thumbs up sign.

"It's okay." Nico translated quietly.

Percy gulped, trying to speak again. "If... co... mon... sc.. scene... s... d-dead." he had less trouble with the last word. He had spent countless nights mouthing word, though rarely had he put it to sound.

"If we had common sense, we'd be dead by now." Nico agreed, "Hey, am I the only one who can usually understand it when you speak like this?"

Percy frowned, waiting for Nico to realize.

"Oh, right. You never talk." Nico said after awhile, snapping his fingers. "I'm honored to be one you chose to talk to, you have a pretty nice voice from what I can tell through all the slurs, though."

Percy could feel blush crawling up his cheeks, "T... ham.. k... you."

"You're welcome." Nico said, more rain beginning to pour down. "I don't really wanna go back... you?"

Percy shook his head. "S... stay?"

"Yes. Stay." Nico whispered, leaning his head against the brick wall.

Nico Di Angelo, Percy's secret crush and full-time supporter. They were more alike than Percy had expected.

"Hey Percy?" Nico asked quietly. "Can... can I see your eyes?" Percy raised an eyebrow even though he knew Nico couldn't see it. "I saw them back in Kindergarden, but I can't remember what color they are."

Percy shook his head. That was one advantage he always held, and he would not lose that. No one knew his eye color, not his foster parents, not his foster family, and definitely no one from school. Even he barely knew his eye color, but he remembered being ashamed for some reason.

"Oh, that's fine." Nico shrugged, "Won't force you." he leaned back against the wall.

Percy looked up at the sky, feeling a stone at the bottom of his stomach. The reason he hadn't given up the fight was because his mother and father, Sally and Poseidon, wouldn't have wanted it that way.

He closed his eyes as the rain began to fall from the sky faster with each second, and soon his entire wardrobe was drenched. But the two boys did not move, lost in thought.

Percy remembers the night so clearly... the night his parents and dear Annabeth had died, he wanted to know why he had survived, and why his little sister hadn't. Why was she taken away? She had more to live for, and she would've handled the situation better. She would not have cut, she would not have gone silent, mute, on her own accord.

It happened right before he entered first grade, but he remembers it so clearly... Percy knew so many things, but most importantly, he knew that he was dead inside.

What he didn't know, was why Nico had chosen to help him. Why he was different than everyone else in society... and why didn't he laugh at him?

Before they knew it hours had passed through the rain, and when the two finally decide to get up they were beyond drenched.

"Maybe I'm selfish to say this." Nico said, putting his hands in his pockets, his head down. Percy noticed this was how he usually looked, looking submissive, with his hair covering his face. "But I sometimes wish I had your life... I wish I could stay quiet and sink into the shadows like I was invisible." he kicked away a can from the alleyway. "That's impossible, and we both know it."

A feeling crawled up into Percy's throat, and at first he didn't know what he was feeling... but it was pity. Pity and sadness for someone other than himself, someone who probably had it just as rough as him, but who handled it better.

Percy gently reached out his finger, moving the other boy's head so he looked up at him. He pointed out both his pointer fingers, putting them horizontal, one further away from him than the other. He then switched their places.

"S.. switch?" Nico asked and Percy nodded. "You... want us to switch?"

Percy nodded again.

Nico suppressed a smile. "We can try that." he took a piece of paper out of his jacket, handing it to Percy. Percy looked at the paper, confused. "It's my address, come over this morning with a pair of clothes that I could wear, and we can switch for the school day."

"Then you're gonna have to learn how to keep that big mouth of yours shut." Percy thought, feeling the corners of his mouth puling upwards by a hair. He couldn't believe it. Here he was, with Nico Di Angelo, whom he had really just gotten to know, and they were switching places. It was almost too fast, and almost like a fairy tale. Two boys who related in so many things. But their lifestyles the complete opposite.

The two parted ways, and that night Percy lay in his bed, examining the knife that had cut him so many times.

"Just cut the correct vein, and it'll all be over." Percy recalls Luke's words so well, the person who always had a scar showing. He could still recall the night Luke had taken his own life, the night that Luke had shown him the exact vein to cut for it to be over. He had shown Percy, but with great delight. He had ended his life, and therefore his suffering died with him. He was in heaven or hell, but Percy knew that whatever source there was out there, that no one who owned a paradise would rather suffer themselves than send someone like that to hell. If only to give them a chance at happiness.

Just hit the right vein...

The right vein...

It was unbelievable, how fragile life really was. How easily it would be to take your own life... overdose, cutting, jumping off a tall building... it was like the Greek Myths. Everyone's lives were as fragile as strings, and all it needs is a small snip... and it's over.

Luke was right, Percy was tired of this world, but still... no matter what he did he couldn't kill himself, not yet.

Percy gently placed his finger on the initials written on the blade of the knife. L.C.

He closed his eyes, letting the knife rest on his chest as if it were a gentle flower, ready to snap. He placed his hand on top of it, taking in a breath. It may be a weapon, it may be something used to kill, but the knife meant more to him than his own life, and he would make sure that no one else laid a hand on it, not one.

—-

Nico woke up early that morning. He jumped out of bed to set out the clothes for Percy. He grabbed some pieces of paper, scribbling some words on them. What was a good excuse for why he couldn't talk... punched in the throat? No, smoke? No, that would mean he'd be a mute for a longer time than just a day.

That weird throat disease thing! Yes! What was it? Laryngitis!

When he was done writing everything his eyes fell upon a set of drawers near his bed. "One wouldn't mean anything..." he said, his mind clicking and whirring. His hands flew across the drawers, unlocking and undoing the security system he had set on them so no one would find the blade.

Before he could do much the doorbell rang. Nico's eyes snapped upward and he shut the drawer, "I got it!"

Nico ran down the stairs and over to the door, only to find it open, and his step-sister standing next to Percy.

"Hazel! I said 'I got it.'" Nico pouted like a little kid, crossing his arms.

Hazel only smirked, "It's a good thing I answered it. Who is this? Some other guy you reeled in to date you?"

Percy looked down even more, his hair hiding his eyes and his reaction.

"We go to the same school as him, and you still don't know him?" Nico sighed in exasperation. "This is Percy, Percy meet my step-sister Hazel."

"Hello Percy." Hazel said, reaching out her hand. Percy turned his head away from her, staying quiet as usual. "Aren't you gonna say hi?"

"Hazel." I interrupted. "This is Percy Jackson, the quiet one. He doesn't talk, remember?"

"Oh! I'm sorry." Hazel exclaimed, looking kind of embarrassed. "I'll leave you to it."

When she left Percy looked in Nico's direction. "R-reel in?" he questioned.

"Hush." Nico said, "Come on." the two ran back up the stairs and into Nico's room.

Percy pointed to all the weapons all the wall and Nico sighed. "Yeah, usually I have to hide those but I mean... you were coming over, so I figured." he scratched the back of his head, "Uh, anyway." he ran over to the bed and handed Percy his clothes. "The bathroom's over there." he pointed his finger to the bathroom near his room.

The boy nodded, handing Nico his own clothes before walking to the bathroom and closing the door.

Nico inhaled deeply. This was a childish attempt they were making, and there were so many flaws. But it might, might, just be fun. He pulled his shirt off of his head, putting Percy's on. Soon he was fully changed and went over to knock on the bathroom door.

Percy opened the door, and the two examined each other. It was so bizarre. They both had pale skin that matched each others (though Nico suspected Percy had been born more tan), and they were around the same height, so it was like looking at themselves. Excpect with different hair styles.

Nico pointed to a bunch of hair stuff he had stolen from his step mom and sister."I came prepared."

The two shut the bathroom door, allowing the other to do their hair. Though Percy smacked Nico every time his eyes nearly came into view.

"There." Nico said, satisfied with their looks. "We won't go the whole school day like this. We'll go half again."

Percy nodded, then pointed at Nico's arms, then to his.

"Oh, right. You have the gauze up your arm." Nico said. "Mind if I wear a hoodie?" Percy shook his head and Nico grabbed one, pulling it on. He moved his hair so it was similar to Percy's old hair style, then zipped up the jacket and flicked the hood on.

Percy then pointed to his eyes.

"Argh, so picky about details." Nico groaned, handing him a handkerchief. "Put that over your eyes, you can see through it, but it'll keep people from noticing your eyes too much. I made some notecards so you can talk to my pals without really having to... well, talk. Apparently you have this weird throat disease, which I still can't pronounce."

The two walked out of the bathroom, and Nico had to lightly smack Percy everytime he put his head down. "You're the popular dude. You have confidence, your awesome, and you-"

Percy put a hand up and grabbed a pen and paper, writing down something. He showed the writing to Nico.

"And you have a big ego." Nico read. "Hey, shut up!"

Percy wrote down something else.

"I'm not actually talking, genius." Nico said, peering at the paper. He grabbed the pen and paper from Percy's hand, throwing it on the ground. "Shush. I mean, don't write-I mean, argh. There's no good way to say 'shut up' to someone who's writing."

Percy shrugged, going over to the notecards.

Nico showed him some of the main ones. Whenever someone asked why he wasn't talking, Percy would show them the paper that named the disease, and in case it was Jason on the back it stated, 'It's a disease that kills your voice, stupid.' or for Leo, whichever one.

There were a few ones like, 'Shut up' or, 'I'll kick you where it hurts if you try that again,' and, 'Just go cuddle with McSnuffles, Grace.' and some others.

"We're ready." Nico said.

Percy picked up the pen and paper from the floor, scribbling a few words on it before showing Nico.

"Just remember to keep your big mouth shut." Nico read slowly. He frowned, "Fine."

The pair walked out of the house, picking up speed and jumping into the bus.

"Hands in pockets, stand up straight, and relax." Nico whispered in Percy's ear. The boy did as he instructed, walking down the bus with confidence, and five-star ability.

Nico covered up his smile, putting on his poker face. He looked down, his hair falling down and covering his face. He placed his hands in his pockets, silently walking after Percy, sitting down in the seat in front of him. He leaned against the window, secretly watching what was happening.

"What's up Neeks?" Jason asked, throwing his arm around Percy.

Percy held up a sign that read, 'Off.'

Jason blinked, removing his arm. Seeming to be having fun Percy held up the next sign, 'Just go cuddle with McSnuffles, Grace.'

"One, I don't need to anymore." Jason said hotly, "And two, why are you doing that?"

Percy held up the paper showing the name of the disease, ad when Jason looked confused he flipped it over.

"I'm not stupid!" Jason cried out. "I'm just..."

Percy covered up the entire sentence on the paper except the word, 'stupid.'

Jason huffed, leaning against his seat. He had barely taken notice that this new Nico had his hair over his eyes, and not to mention the fact that they were covered by a handkerchief.

Percy gave Nico a small thumbs up, and Nico returned the gesture. It was actually working! It helped that his friends weren't very observant. They could have a gigantic monster in front of them and not even notice.

The rest of the bus ride went well. Leo soon joined them, and he went through the same process Jason had, though he layed it on thick with the whole 'offended' thing. Drama queen...

Finally he managed to annoy Percy so much the boy ended up slapping Valdez so he went flying to the ground. Though, secretly Nico could tell Percy enjoyed the pay back.

When they got off the bus it was a lot harder. Nico kept on catching himself doing his normal, superstar walk he always used to cover up, and he always caught Percy trying to go back to his normal pose. Which was basically slouching.

Early in the morning, before homeroom, Percy looked over at Nico, jerking his head towards the lockers. At first Nico didn't get it, was there like, some sort of unicorn on the lockers or something? Then he realized.

Quickly he ran over to the lockers, leaning against them in the way Percy had the other day. He clutches the books in his arms, putting his head down.

He didn't get why Percy didn't hide his pain like he did. Why he didn't pass on a fake smile and reputation to get along as 'just fine.' Maybe it was because Percy had enough guts to face his problem, and Nico was just a scared little kid... He didn't want to face his problems, only dwell in his own misery.

"Ahh, the dweeb." Jason's voice filled the hallway, "Time to get in his normal beating."

"Isn't it a little early for that, Grace?" Nico thought sourly. With a little added "B*tch." at the end.

He braced himself, allowing his muscles to tighten up. He clenched his teeth, waiting for the blow. If Percy could handle it, surely he could, Right? Right? RIGHT? So far Nico was getting no answer from his head, which in levels of sanity was probably a good thing...

"Sorry about your bandages yesterday, not!" Nico fell to the ground, a blow to the cheek stinging. "F*ck that actually hurt!" Nico thought, going flying back into the wall. He refused to move, he refused to cry out in pain. Something was covering his shirt, and with a sudden jolt of horror he realized it was one of his cuts! Jason had opened it with his kick. It really really really really really REALLY hurt.

Nico looked through his hair, spotting Percy. But the boy only looked away, taking a few steps from the scene. Nico was alone, which was... exactly how he had left Percy.

The next sound he made, he couldn't help it. It had hurt so much, especially considering the blow had landed on his neck.

"Hey, did you say somethin'?" Jason grumbled, picking Nico up by the hair. "You never make a sound, never." he peered at Nico with curious eyes. "Is your hair shorter?"

Something sent the two flying back into the wall. When Nico finally got Jason's big fat ass out of his face he could see Percy, still in the pose he had used for kicking Jason. He had kicked Grace right in the gut with the very bottom of his shoe. Percy allowed his hands to slip into his pockets before walking off.

Though, that left Jason sputtering like the bumbling fool he is. Honestly, Grace wasn't that bad, he just got really annoying sometimes. A lot of times. If he was being honest Nico liked the Jason Grace from a few years back better, the Jason before popularity.

He could feel the blood dripping out of his injury, the hot, sticky substance making it's way down his leg. Nico would just have to deal with it, after all, he really has suffered worse.

With a sudden realization Nico frowned. He felt ashamed, sad, and... pity. Because he had realized, so had Percy.

——-----

For Percy, the plan was going absolutely horrible. He thought that he'd give anything, anything to be Nico. But now he just wanted to hide in the shadows. So many girls and boys had come up to him, asking for a picture or some other stupid thing. If that was his life he was sure that it would drive him further into depression (or into insanity, just see which happens first). He wanted the laid-back mind, the relaxed life...

Not this crazy-ass world!

By the time lunch came he was about ready to grab the knife and cut that vein despite what his parents would've wanted. Luckily Nico caught him in time and dragged him into the boys bathroom. The boys re-did their hair back to normal and took out the hair-dye. They switched shirts, though Percy was a bit puzzled to find some dried blood on the inside. He shrugged slightly, suspecting it was from either Grace or Valdez.

The boys looked at each other.

"I don't think we need to change pants." Nico said, handing Percy his hood.

Percy nodded, agreeing full heartedly. Maybe he had also agreed because he could see evidence of some blood near the bottom of Nico's pants.

He handed Nico his leather jacket. Before Nico could put it on Percy put his hand up, stopping the other boy. Something was up. The dried blood, that hadn't been on his shirt earlier. He knew that much.

"What?" Nico asked, looking at him.

Percy gently laid a hand on Nico's side, picking up his shirt slightly, revealing the injury that had opened earlier.

"Oh... yeah, that happened when Jason hit me. He hits hard, you know?" Nico said, shrugging it off. "Er, I mean, you should know-- I mean-- er-- I'll shut up now."

Percy let go of his shirt, letting it fall back down again. He handed the other boy the papers and cards, but Nico shook his head, "Won't need 'em." he said, "I can just punch Jason now as a response." Percy gave him the thumbs up and pulled on the hoodie, flipping the hood over onto his head. Before he forgot he took off the handkerchief Nico had given him and handed it back to the boy.

"You know, I can't believe Leo and Jason didn't notice the bandages on your-- I mean, my hands." Nico said. "Even if you had them in your pockets, they should've noticed."

"They'd make very bad detectives." Percy thought, nodding to Nico.

Laughter filled the air, the sound bouncing around the boy's bathroom walls. Someone was coming in.

"Hey, Neeks, what're you doin' here?" Jason asked, "Skippin' out on lunch, unlike you."

Nico looked over to where Percy had been standing a few seconds before, but the boy was already gone. He wasn't actually gone, just hiding behind the door.

"Uhm, nothing." Nico said, then seemed to realize his mistake. Percy just simply facepalmed.

"Hey... didn't you have that weird throat disease?" Jason asked.

"Uhhh erm... egh... what... throat disease?" Nico tried.

"This guy doesn't even have to act dumb." Percy thought, shaking his head. "Playing dumb=bad idea in this situation."

"WAIT!" Leo yelled, "Do you mean to say that we've been hanging out with a FAKE Nico all day!?"

"This might fail... but I gotta bail him out of there." Percy put his head down, opening the door and pretending to walk in. He looked up slightly to the others, moving his head so he looked down at his shoulder.

"Get outta here, dweeb, we're in a conversation!" Jason said.

Percy moved his hand up, catching Jason's foot in his hand. He shoved Jason back into the wall. Valdez charged at him, catching him in the eye. Percy lashed back, punching Leo right into Jason. With that he took his lead.

Nico let out a small sigh of relief. He left the boys bathroom and pulled on his jacket.

Later that day...

"Thanks for bailing me out earlier, even though it cost you your face." Nico said to Percy after walking in silence.

Percy shook his head, giving the thumbs up sign. Though, he had to admit, the black eye Valdez had given him with his fist hurt, a lot.

"Those two weren't always like that." Nico told Percy, "Hard to believe, I know-- don't look at me like that. They actually used to be really nice, and Leo was the classic class clown. Then they got popular and everyone started expecting stuff from them... and then, I dunno, they changed."

Percy let out a sigh. In fact he did remember the old Leo and Jason. Leo Valdez, the class clown. He would always be spouting the cheesiest jokes, but it still made everyone laugh. Jason Grace, the hero, the big guy, the one who always stood up for people who were bullied... their personalities were what made them popular, who they were before. But now instead of yelling at the bullies and bringing smiles to people's faces, they were the bullies, the cloud bringers.

"Hey guys!" someone yelled, "Wait up!"

The two boys turned their heads to someone running towards them. Hazel, Nico's step-sister, Percy remembered.

"Why aren't you taking the bus back?" she asked when she caught up to them.

"To avoid some unnecessary fights." Nico explained.

"Ah." Hazel nodded, "Understandable. Hi, Percy."

Percy nodded, putting his hand up as a small 'hi.'

"Ooh! We better get home, mom's making my favorite dish tonight!" Hazel said, "Wanna stay for dinner, Perc?"

Percy looked from Hazel to Nico, then nodded slightly.

Hazel broke out into a smile, "Great, come on!" she grabbed hold of Percy and Nico's arm, practically dragging them back to the house.

Percy smiled for the third time that week, it was small, it was miniature, but it was still a smile. Maybe everything would be okay. Though, he had to admit, his new friends-- wait, was that how far they had come? That he actually considered them friends...? Apparently. Crazy friends, that is.

Little did they know that the plot was set, and the only thing they were waiting for was the perfect time to shoot.

Weeks passed, and soon months. Before the trio knew it they were the best of friends, and Nico was closer to his step-sister than ever before. They would always hang out after school, and soon Percy got comfortable talking around Hazel, well, not really talking, just failed mumbling. The two offered to help teach him, but he had denied.

"Octavian is such a jerk." Hazel was saying one day, her arms crossed.

The three were settled under a tree near the school, talking among themselves.

Percy waved it off.

"Not the first time it's happened." Nico translated, wrapping Percy's arm in gauze. "Few months back Jason ripped off the bandages and stuff from the same arm, though at least this time I'm not repairing them from an alley-way."

"So, Percy." Hazel said, "If you don't mind me asking, why did your arm bleed so much when he took off the bandages?"

"Just some scratches he got at home." Nico answered and Percy nodded, "He's very clumsy." Percy nodded again, only to frown a few seconds later.

"Oh, okay." Hazel was a bit confused, but decided not to pry.

"Hey Perc, you got some dirt, right here." Nico pointed to near his nose.

Percy raised an eyebrow, brushing the tip of his nose.

"No no, here." Nico leaned forwards, gently scraping away the dirt. "Alright, there."

Percy couldn't help but notice their faces had only been three inches away from each other.

"Come on guys, we better get back to class." Hazel said, getting up to her feet. "If I get another detention mom'll have my head."

The two boys nodded, getting up off the ground and walking with Hazel back to the school, where Hazel and Percy were pushed to the ground by Nico's fangirls and boys (which neither were none to happy about).

After school that day Hazel had to stay back for after-school activity, like, drama or something. Percy didn't really listen, was that a bad decision?

"Hey... Perc?" Nico asked, kicking a rock as they walked. "Would you call me crazy..."

Percy stopped, turning to Nico.

"If... I told you..." Nico mumbled the last few words and Percy tilted his head. "If I told you...

"That I might be falling in love with you?"

Percy stared at him for a count of twenty seconds, and Nico played with his jacket nervously.

"Y... yes." Percy said. "Very... c.. razy." his words were better formed, stronger, and more... his voice when he spoke. Nico's expression dropped. "Crazy because... someone like you... f... falling f-for someone like me."

Nico looked back at Percy. "Why wouldn't I like someone like you?" he whispered.

"Can't s-speak." Percy said, "Stupid... broken, sew... sew... ice I dal.."

Nico couldn't believe what he was hearing. He moved forwards, cupping Percy's face in his hands. "You're forgetting sweet, handsome, and amazing." he said quietly. He leaned forwards, kissing Percy on the lips.

For a second Percy seemed unable to figure out what what emotions he was feeling. Love? Surprise? Was it... happiness? It was, for the first time in forever he was feeling joy, real joy.

Nico's lips were soft and perfect, just like him...

Percy wrapped his arms around Nico's waist, pulling him closer. He didn't want to let go, not then, not ever.

Finally the two pulled away from each other, silent for a second, and both smiling like fools. That was literally a first kiss for Percy, his first kiss, he didn't expect it to be so... that.

"I've never seen you smile like that..." Nico whispered. "It's a wonderful smile, you know."

Percy pressed their forehead together."Thank you... and... Nico?"

"Hmm?" Nico asked, moving his hands up to Percy's neck.

The words were on the edge of Percy's tongue, but he couldn't get them out. He wanted to let Nico he cared, but he couldn't... the words seemed so difficult to get out, they hadn't been spoken in so long...

"I..." Percy said, a small noise coming from his mouth that he couldn't exactly explain. "L... lo... love you too." he let out a small sigh of satisfaction, his smile returning.

"Does that mean..." Nico whispered.

"Yes... I am..." Percy cut himself off. "I'm like you."

Nico wrapped his arms around Percy, kissing him once again. "Thank goodness... I was so worried."

"I-I'm not one o-of those people who

"Y-you're speech, it's almost perfected!" Nico exclaimed.

"Thanks to you."

"I guess seeing your eyes are still out of the question?"

"Yeup." Percy threw his arm around Nico, finally feeling comfortable around him. The two boys walked off, smiles plastered onto their faces. "So what does this mean... a-about us?"

"Boyfriend and boyfriend?" Nico suggested.

"Oh yes," Percy said, "I like the sound of that, me, the silent Jackson, the quiet one, scored the hottest guy in school."

"So now your talkative?" Nico asked, "Your more like an annoying fly now..."

"Hey!" Percy protested, "You're more annoying than me."

"Alright, I'll give you that."

The two walked back to Nico's house that night, where Percy asked what he had been wanting to for awhile.

"Could I... maybe, stay at your house?" Percy asked nervously.

"Why?" Nico raised an eyebrow.

"My... my foster parents kicked me out."

Nico's jaw dropped, then he got to yelling. "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME EARLIER!? I WOULD'VE SAID YES IN A HEARTBEAT!"

Percy moved away from Nico by a few steps, looking down again. "S-sorry... I just thought I would be invading your space."

"Of course you wouldn't be!" Nico declared, "Come on, we'll ask my step-mom."

Maria Levesque welcomed Percy with open arms, saying that he could stay with her, she just had to check with the authorities.

"Welcome to your new orphanage!" Nico said, grinning like a fool. "The authorities said it's fine if you stay here, at least until you find a suitable foster parent."

Percy smiled, sitting down on a couch. "You know... hanging out with you and your family... it reminded me of the times when I knew who I was... what my purpose on earth is... and why I'm alive... the happy me, before everything happened."

"If you don't mind me asking... what happened?" Nico asked quietly, sitting down next to Percy.

Percy closed his eyes, his head going back down. "When I was 6, just about to start 1st grade, you should know that." he says, "Me and my sister, Annabeth, who was 3 at the time, were playing in the basement to our house. We heard a scream.. then soon realized it was our own mother's. Annabeth ran out of the house first, and when I reached her she was sobbing, hugging a body that looked vaguely like our mom's. I ran over to her and flipped the body..." a shiver ran through his body, and he was about ready to curl into a ball and just hide in a corner, but he had to tell it, maybe it would help. Though, his voice got incredibly soft. "Sally... my mother... her eyes had been gauged out and stuffed into her mouth, her face was covered in blood, and I realized at that moment... she wasn't our mother anymore, just a dead corpse.

"Then our father, Poseidon, came home. He hugged us, comforted us... then a gunshot went off... and his body fell to the ground, twitching for a few seconds before... before it... stopped. I yelled at Annabeth to go inside."

He clenched his teeth, throwing his head down, tears beginning to form in his eyes. "But she wouldn't listen!" he could hear the cracking in his own voice, but he couldn't break down now.

"She vowed she would stay by our parents bodies, but I grabbed her and ran into the house... t-the next thing I know..." his voice was shaking, and his entire body was trembling uncontrollably. "The next thing I know I'm on laying on the porch, Annabeth's face next to me, frozen in a forever horror! Like a nightmare had pulled itself out of my own sister!

"She was only three! She didn't deserve to die, it should've been me! But I was selfish, I-I didn't bother to save her, I crawled inside, slamming the door shut... the people who had shot them all came out, and they abused their corpses in so many ways... they sliced my father to pieces, splattering guts and organs all around the yard."

That was when he couldn't take it anymore. He was crying, he was sobbing hysterically, and he couldn't stop it. His body was taken over by sob after sob, and his shaking had reached a point where he couldn't support himself. He put his head in his lap, suddenly feeling like that useless 6-year old boy again, the boy who watched everything.

He drew in quick, sharp gasps, fighting for breath. "I-I wanted... w-wanted the c...criminals to kill me r-right then and there... I wanted to raise m-m-my own knife..."

He cut himself off, then felt himself being lifted up and pulled into a hug.

"You can cry all you want." Nico whispered, placing a hand on his back. The boy let out more sobs, his body quivering and spasming from the sobs and hiccups escaping his throat. "I understand."

Percy let out a loud yell, one that Nico had heard come from his own mouth before... now he understood, why Percy was so quiet all the time, why he never talked, why his condition was worse than his. It was because he was scarred in every way possible, and he had to walk the path alone for so long...

"I-I woke up in the hospital." Percy said, his voice strained, "Looked in the m-mirror... my left eye... i-it wasn't it's normal color, some of i-it had turned white... it's gotten whiter over t-time.. like i-its counting down the days to how long I live, or how long my sanity lasts!"

His body jerked upwards, but Nico kept it close and tight.

After a long time Percy finally went silent, his tears still streaming down his face in silent misery.

"Maria Di Angelo." Nico said quietly after awhile. "I watched her body burn in a fire, every scream of pain and horror escaping from her mouth and mine. I watched her body spasm and twitch as I burned away... forever screaming, forever yelling. I woke up in a hospital next to my sister... Bianca. We had amnesia for a long time, but were soon released...

"About a month later after we were let go from the hospital I came home and saw Bianca on the floor, a knife and a pair of scissors on the floor near her. She had sliced open both of her wrists to a point of where" he shook his head.

"She died in my arms, choking up blood... her eyes... they were my sister's only in the last few seconds of death... she made me promise not to take the fate of her... that's why I am still alive. I want to keep my promise to her, at least until I'm pushed over the edge. I used to be the little guy, bullied and pushed around, thrown into dumpsters, called trash, I was called a creep, and one time I just... couldn't. I took some pills in the school bathroom, in hopes of..." Nico closed his eyes, trailing off.

"They caught me in time and were able to save my life... but for awhile I was considered legally insane and a danger to others."

"O... our lives are pretty screwed up... huh?" Percy asked quietly, his body still shaking violently.

Nico hummed slightly. "Very." he whispered, keeping Percy in his embrace. He refused to let go, not until everything was mended. "I'll stay with you until the end... until I'm dead, I promise."

"Love... you." Percy said, pulling away a bit and kissing Nico on the lips.

---

"I'm not sleeping on the floor!" Nico declared.

"I'm the guest, I get the bed." Percy stated. The two were fighting about who got Nico's bed for the night. Mrs. Levesque didn't have an extra, and Hades (Nico's father) refused to help.

A few minutes later they were both on separate places of the bed with a pillow in between them.

"Hey Percy?" Nico asked, "Why the pillow?"

"Something called privacy." Percy mumbled from the other side.

Nico tossed the pillow away and Percy turned to him, his hair still protecting his eyes.

"Next time I'm make a cement wall." he said, plopping his head back down on the pillows. He closed his eyes, "We can stay like this, but no funny business."

"But I'm cold." Nico drawled, frowning.

"I knew this was a bad idea." Percy huffed and Nico whined some more. "Fine! You can hold me."

Percy felt Nico's arms wrap around him, and his annoyance with the other boy immediately melted. His arms were warm, comforting, like a home base in a game of 'tag.'

Their foreheads rested against each other's, and before he knew it, Percy was asleep.

||At first, all he saw was blood, all he heard were screams. People shouting his name, Nico's dying face, blood trickling out of the corner of his mouth. Nico moved his lips, but no audible sound came out. The sound of a swift CHOP! being performed, everything was coming so fast, images, fears, everything.

When he opened his eyes he was not in Nico's room, but instead floating... floating above the clouds with the wind pushing against his face.

Images floated around him like TV's, and Percy looked at each and everyone of them, some happy, and some as murderous and insane as his own mind.

A bright light covered his vision, and down dropped a knife.

Percy reached out his hand, grabbing hold of the hilt. Immediately the knife transformed, revealing a large, shimmering sword. Percy brought the sword close to him, and instinctively knew what kind of metal it was. Celestial Bronze, a rare, barely known metal. He knew it because it was the same material as the knife he had received from Luke.

Then he was running, running through a forest. On his chest was an orange shirt that read, 'Camp Half Blood.'

He jumped over a log, only to find that log turn into a dark pit. Percy grabbed hold of a ledge, gripping it. Something was weighing him down, and when he looked he found Annabeth, but an older version of her, a version that looked about as old as him.

Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail, her storm-grey eyes filled with terror. Her hair was covered in dirt, and her face had sweat, dirt, and dried blood all over it.

"Percy." she said, even her voice had matured. "Let me go. You have to let me go."

Percy looked up, a hand reached down towards him. Nico. People swarmed around him, old faces he recognized.

Piper Mclean, Jason Grace, Frank Zhang, Leo Valdez, Hazel Levesque, so many, rushing around. It was pure chaos.

"The other side!" Percy called up to Nico, "I'll see you there!"

He looked down at Annabeth, "We go down together, we aren't getting separated, not again." then he let go of the ledge.

Screaming, yelling, telling Percy to come back, but he didn't care. He wrapped his arms around his sister, refusing to let go, even as they plummeted through the darkness.

"I've lost so much along the way." Percy whispered, "I'm not giving you up again."

Their fall seemed to slow down, and when Percy looked around he wasn't in anymore darkness, he was back above the clouds, and Annabeth was no longer covered in dirt and grime, she was a beautiful girl, the body of someone who hadn't died or suffered at all.

"The sword, Percy." she said quietly, looking at him and pulling away from his arms. "In another world, things might've been different. You could've been a strong hero saving the world time after time." she smiled sadly, "But instead you hold this burden, one that you need to let go."

"I won't." Percy said stubbornly. "I won't lose you again, I'll stay with you until the very end."

"You can't cut your losses..." Annabeth whispered. "That is why you cannot move on, why you are so miserable. You don't know when it's time to let go of your old friends and family, to find new ones around the next corner."

"I can have old and new friends." Percy pointed out, "I can keep them all."

"Not if it makes you miserable inside."

"I..."

Annabeth smiled, "There's two other people for you to meet."

A bright light filled the area, and when it cleared Percy found two people standing behind Annabeth, two very familiar people.

"It's... it's you guys." Percy's voice went incredibly soft. "I..."

"No need to say anything, Perseus." Poseidon said, smiling.

"Perseus..." the name felt weird on the boy's tongue. He had not spoken his real name in so long he had actually forgotten it.

His parents hand's slipped into each others, and they put a supporting hand on Annabeth's shoulders.

"You'll get through this, Percy." his mother said. "You'll live."||

Percy jerked awake, taking in deep breaths. It had gone from a nightmare to a perfect, heavenly dream. Did he see what Annabeth would've been like if she hadn't died? Was that really just a dream? What about the sword? The name clicked in his head, but he didn't know why. Anaklusmos, or, Riptide.

"Percy?" Nico asked, poking him in the cheek, "You alright?"

"Huh?" Percy shook his head, sighing. "Yeah, I'm alright."

'The other side, I'll see you there.' what had dream-Percy meant by that? Yes he was now referring to that person as dream-Percy. 'Cut my losses.'

"Alright, what did you dream about?" Nico asked.

"Nothing." Percy mumbled, getting out of the bed.

He turned his head, looking at Nico. "You starin'?" he asked.

"N-no." Nico said, turning away. He wiped away the blood from his nose.

"Shut up, you so were." Percy grabbed one of his shirts, pulling it over his head.

"Maybe." Nico got out of the bed, stretching. He slipped on his shirt, yawning. "Guess what? It's a Saturday."

"Joy, that means we can study for our exams." Percy said half-heartedly.

"Or-" Nico didn't get to finish his suggestion.

Percy looked around wildly. "Where did that come from?" he asked, cutting Nico off.

"What?" Nico asked.

"I grew up listening to gunshot, and I know I heard one." Percy snapped, moving towards the door.

"Maybe it was just a firework?" Nico suggested, but he started to look worried as well.

Percy shook his head. "Quiet as it may be, that was a gunshot."

He swung the door open, multiple gunshots filling the air.

"HAZEL!" Nico yelled, running past Percy and jumping down the stairs as fast as he could.

Percy stayed at the top of the staircase, his body frozen. He couldn't move, his limbs wouldn't let him. No, he had to move, he couldn't be that scared little boy, not again.

He ran down the stairs after Nico, slamming into the ground and rushing towards the kitchen.

"...pay dearly for your foolishness." someone was saying.

Without really thinking Percy launched into a ninja-kick, smashing the man to the ground.

"F*ck." he panted, "It's Ares."

Class A bad boy, the wanted criminal, probably mentally insane. Percy pummeled Ares, kicking him in the shin, in the head. He got smacked into a wall, fortunately there was a little flower vase next to him. Percy took the flowers out of the vase, handed them to Ares, then smashed the lass vase over his head.

Bleeding and panting Percy turned over to Nico to say something, but nothing came out.

Nico looked up from Hazel, his eyes meeting where Percy's were. "She's gone." he said quietly.

Percy went silent, walking over towards him. He crouched down, examining the girl. No doubt, Hazel had died in his arms. Her eyes were frozen in a forever wonder, eyes that would never see again. Percy gulped down his sob, placing a hand on Nico's shoulder. "We have to run." he whispered, "We have to get out of here."

Nico sniffed, laying Hazel's body down on the ground. "I-I know." he said, "I just... not again."

Percy put his arm around the other boy, bringing him into a hug. "You don't have to explain." he whispered. "Come on."

He slipped his hand into Nico's, and with one final look back at Hazel the two stepped over her body and ran up the stairs, grabbing some weapons before jumping out of the window, and running off into the streets.

Percy examined the weapons he had grabbed. A sword and a knife, both Celestial Bronze. Riptide. He had grabbed Riptide, the sword from his dream. In the other hand was Luke's knife, and Percy vowed that if he were to die, he were to die by Luke's knife, nothing else.

Without warning Nico grabbed onto the other boy's shirt, gripping it weakly. Percy nearly fell over, and he turned his head to yell at him, but stopped himself, his eyes falling down on the blood rapidly spreading across Nico's shirt. He had been shot.

So Percy did the only reasonable thing (at least, reasonable to him). He grabbed Nico by the leg and dragged him to the nearest ally-way.

The other boy's mouth was open, seeming unaffected by the sudden movement. He turned over his head to Percy, no audible sound escaping his mouth.

"Nico?" Percy asked quietly, placing his hand on the boy's shoulder. "Nico come on, it's me, Percy."

The boy's mouth let out a small choking sound, his eyes moving over towards Percy's. "Worth... the wait."

"What was?"

"Your... eyes." Nico coughed, a shiver running down his spine. "Worth... dying for."

"Nothing is worth dying for!" Percy snapped, "Not me, not... not your family members, death is inevitable!"

"For the... quiet boy. You seem to... talk a lot." Nico sputtered.

"Save you're breath, please." Percy said, "I'll get help, I'll-"

"You'll... save me?" Nico attempted to shake his head. "Save yourself... and not me." he reached his hand up, touching Percy's face. "We've been together.... short amount of time... but."

Percy gently wrapped his hand around Nico's, trying for a smile. "I know." he said, feeling his own tears drip down his face.

"You don't need me..." Nico's voice was growing weaker and weaker with each word. "You can get through this." he took in a shaky breath, and Percy realized at that moment. Nico had been there the entire time, he had been willing to take a beating for him, he was willing to protect Percy in everything he did... lay down his life, just to save a stupid little boy. "I vow... even when I'm a dead corpse, to stay by your side, no matter... what."

"You're more than your reputation." Percy said quietly. "You're the hero, more than a bully."

Nico smiled faintly. "One last kiss?" he asked, his eyes filling up with tears, "I don't want to forget it."

Percy leaned forward, lightly kissing Nico on the lips. He refused to let go, he wanted to hold Nico forever in his arms, but he pulled away anyway.

Nico's hand slackened on Percy's face and it hit against the cold-stone alleyway besides him.

Silence.

Percy didn't dare to breath, he didn't dare to talk or move. He couldn't his body wouldn't respond.

"N... Nico?" he asked after awhile, his voice quivering. He looked into his eyes, moving away the hair. They were staring off into the sky in forever wonder, but they were eyes that would not move or see again.

"Nico wake up." Percy put his arms around Nico's shoulders. "Nico come on, come on wake up!"

But no matter how much he shook the boy, no matter how many times he would scream or cry out his name, he would stay motionless, unbreathing.

Percy fell against his body, sobs ripling through his body like spasms.

"I tried Nico." he said, "I really, really tried..."

-------------

Days. Weeks. Months. Years.

That's how long Percy stayed in his mind. His grades dropped, his mind was numb, and he was unfocused. But it wasn't so bad.

He wrote down his story. His old dreams were gone, they didn't mean anything. He wanted everyone to know about Nico, he wanted everyone to know about the boy, the boy who's life wasn't as it seemed.

He wrote and wrote, jotting down every single day he had spent with Nico Di Angelo.

Percy was alone, but he was more alive than ever. He was... happy? Sad? Both?

When he finally published his book he got immediate responses, and before he knew it his goal was accomplished.

Ever since Nico had died he felt like he had been floating, like no strings attached him to the real world anymore. But... he wasn't as miserable.

------

One more time he hauled himself out of bed. He didn't bother to fix his hair, he didn't bother to put on his shirt, why? Percy didn't know. Instinct, maybe

The door to his room burst open and something smacked into Percy, sending him flying to the ground.

"Popular for writing pain." A voice snarled. "Disgusting." a gunshot went off, and a feeling like fire ran up Percy's arm.

But Percy only pushed the person away, grabbing the knife that Luke had handed him all those days ago.

He stared at his reflection in the knife. He looked so calm, blood trickling down the side of his mouth. Percy's breath caught, something impaling him in the stomach.

"Very... generous." he whispered. "Thank you..." he slowly raised his knife at the criminal backed off for a heartbeat, afraid that Percy might skewer him.

But Percy did not strike the criminal, he made no attempt to save himself.

He moved the knife towards his throat, smiling.

Then he sliced his own throat, and his arm fell down next to him, limp. The knife clattered against the floor, but did not leave the boy's grasp.

"FREAK!" the criminal shouted, running out of the building via window.

Percy did not hear him, he did not care for the pain, the only thing he was focusing on was Nico. His face, the face he had mourned for for awhile.

"Hello, Percy." he said quietly. Nico smiled, "You finally decided to join me."

"Only when my time was up." Percy responded. He was a young teenager again, the same age he had been when Nico had died.

"I still love you." Nico said, putting his arm around Percy.

"And I you."

With one last glance at his bloodybody, and no regrets, the two walked through a path. A path of light, a path of glory, a path of eternal happiness.

Luke greeted them, his scars and sorrow gone.

Annabeth said hello, the fear gone from her eyes.

Sally smiled, her body restored.

Poseidon gave a hearty chuckle, the worry gone from his face.

Nico and Percy hugged them all, their misery over.

They couldn't tell time anymore, but all of them watched Percy's funeral. Under Percy's request (from his will) they buried him with two weapons. A large, celestial bronze sword, Riptide. And a small bronze knife, Luke's knife.

"Glad you took care of it, buddy."

Misery is an overused word. But how much misery can one really handle?

Luke, Annabeth, Poseidon, Nico, Sally, and Percy. In their eyes misery was an earthly thing. One that can not just simply go away. It can come from the heart, but kids who show sadness are better off than those who hide it.

Better off than those who smile the day away, because that can only spread it.

Like walking down a dark passage way, not knowing where you're going. Like floating in space with no ties to reality.

But whether you have someone die in your arms, whether or not your beaten to a pulp by words or fists, there's always going to be someone next to you, even if it feels invisible. Even if they're a ghost.

Those who smile the day away can meet fate, more or less. They may take the path of Nico Di Angelo, the boy who died with a broken soul. They make take upon the path of little Annabeth Chase, who died next to her parent's side, by her loved ones. Or they may take Perseus Jackson's fate, dying with love and acception in his heart. Ready to look fate in the eyes and say, 'Screw you, I've lived, and I'm ready.'

The question is, which will you be?