NICO'S POV

As Percy and Nico walked, Nico could feel the gnawing fear in his stomach biting harder and harder with each step. He was so afraid for what was going to come that it was literally making his stomach churn. He may as well be called Nico the Butterfly Garden because of the amount of fluttering creatures in his chest. He didn't even have anything to technically be guilty of, but he was still afraid that Percy would leave him. They had established a wonderful relationship and Nico really didn't want it torn down because of something that happened in the past.

Percy led Nico through a series of streets and sidewalks until they came to a little bistro, named Hazel Heaven. When he saw the name of the bistro, he smiled to himself as he thought of Hazel. He wondered how she was doing, and if Frank was treating her well. If he so much as heard that Frank were hurting his sister, he would stick his head in a toilet.

Percy and Nico walked into the bistro, causing the door to chime. Nico jumped in surprise, and Percy laughed.

"You didn't know that when you enter certain places, chimes go off?" Percy said, looking at him. His gorgeous sea green eyes were bright with amusement and surprise.

Nico would miss that look.

He simply shook his head and blushed with embarrassment. How was he supposed to know that when he was stuck in the 1940's for years?

Percy's smile suddenly faded as he led his boyfriend to the table. No doubt he was thinking about the upcoming conversation. Nico winced with guilt. He couldn't believe... He just couldn't believe that in a mere 30 minutes Percy would probably be so done with Nico.

See, this is what Nico was afraid of. There was a reason Nico never told Percy about his crush on him. He knew that there would be something that would break their relationship, whether it was his mistake or something else. But he knew from day one that they would get hurt, and Nico would be back to his gloomy cloud of depression and the scars would be reopened. Nico looked down at his wrist where his scars were barely visible thanks to the ambrosia. After today, new ones would take their place, he knew. He was almost excited to get home and feel the familiar drip drop of blood down his arm...

"Nico?" Nico looked up at Percy.

"Yeah? Sorry, I was just thinking," Nico mumbled, fumbling with his hands.

"Okay, well, you owe me an explanation," Percy said. His voice wasn't angry, but it wasn't calm either. It was a cold curiosity, almost like he just wanted to learn what Nico had to say. Almost as if he were getting something annoying over with.

"Okay well-" Nico was cut off as a waitress came over to the couple.

"Hi, sorry to interrupt, but my name is Denise and I'll be taking care of you today. Can I start you off with any drinks?" The waitress asked. Nico eyed her curiously. She was plump, but a straight guy would definitely consider her cute.

"Yeah, I'll have water. What about you Nico?" Percy asked, shooting a sideways glance at Nico. Nico felt his heart leap in his chest at the simple sight of Percy looking at him. Even if his gaze wasn't filled with the same warmth, it was still a glance. He had learned that every glance counts.

"Yeah, I'll just have water," Nico replied, looking up at Denise. Denise smiled and winked at him.

"Two waters. Okay, I'll be back in a jiffy!" she said, hurrying away. Percy looked at Nico with an odd expression. All Nico could do was look down at the table again.

"I don't like the way she was looking at you." Nico looked up at Percy in surprise and had to stare at him for a few moments to process what he'd said.

"What..." Nico said blankly. Percy shook his head, as though dismissing annoying thoughts from his head.

"Okay, now explain," Percy said calmly. His eyes burned with that cold curiosity once more, all the warm emotions snuffed out by a cold winter storm that raged inside. Nico felt guilt claw at his heart. He'd caused that blizzard, and now it was too late to reverse it. He wish there were some way to turn back time, but inwardly he knew there wasn't. Nico took a deep breath and determined to explain.

Just as he was about to open his mouth to tell the very long and heartbreaking story, Denise returned with their waters.

"Here are your waters," Denise said, setting down the glasses. "Are you ready to order or do you need some more time?"

Percy shook his head. "No. I'd like sourdough toast with no jam, and he'll have an English muffin with light butter." Nico blinked at his boyfriend in shock. How had he known exactly what he liked for breakfast? Percy simply gave him a knowing look and Denise scribbled down their order. Then she walked away and disappeared into the kitchen area.

"Okay, well, it's a really long story, but I promise that this was before we were together. It was three months ago, and it's the only thing I can remember. I don't know why our memory was wiped, but I dare you to try to think three months back. Where were you?" Nico said quietly. Percy looked up as though thinking, then looked back at Nico with sheer horror.

"I can't remember," Percy whispered. "Normally my memory is okay, but I can't remember. What happened?" Nico shook his head.

"I have no idea. I can't remember. It's what I've been trying to figure out for the last two days. It all came back to me in a dream, though, my night with Destiny. I was heartbroken, so heartbroken. I don't know why, but I was. I was also super drugged and a bit horny. Destiny found me by Fireworks Beach and we went to my cabin. She made out with me, pinning me against a wall, kissing me intensely. It got deep and soon she was grinding against me on my bunk. We both still had clothes on and everything but I remember a small voice in my head, screeching that this was wrong and a very bad idea. I ignored it though, and went all the way with Destiny. We did it for hours, and it felt good and all, but it didn't do anything for my heartbreak at all. Actually, it just made it worse. It was like a knife digging into my heart, scooping out every last feeling I possessed. The next day, I got up, threw up, and grabbed Destiny's hand while she was sleeping. I used my last ounce of strength to shadow travel to her cabin. I left her there, then stumbled back to my cabin and collapsed on the floor and fell asleep. When I woke up, I remember fire, and that's where the memory ends." Nico told the story, every word paining him beyond belief. Having to choke out that confession to his boyfriend was like choking on bleach. It burned his throat with an intense fire and made his stomach squishy and sick. When he finished, he looked down at the table glumly.

Silence elapsed over the couple for about five minutes before Denise appeared with their food.

"Here you go. One piece of sourdough toast, plain, and an English muffin with light butter," Denise set down their food and walked away. Neither of them touched the breakfast in front of them.

"So, that's..." Percy trailed off. Nico nodded.

"You answered my phone. What did she say?" Nico asked.

"She's pregnant," Percy said quietly, sadness making his voice crack. Despair crashed through Nico liked a wave.

"W-what!?! No, it can't be!! This is a nightmare!" Nico wailed, tugging at his hair. Eyes wide, fear crashing through his chest, he fought back the tears and screams of horror. Percy was by his side in an instant.

"Hey, it's okay," Percy murmured softly. He ran his hands through Nico's hair, and that's when he broke.

Nico broke down crying, sniffling roughly. Percy wrapped his arms around his boyfriend and held him close.

"Hey, it's okay. We can make it through this," Percy whispered, pulling back. Nico was forced to look into Percy's eyes and was shocked by the gentle love and care in his green gaze.

"We'll make it through. I'll find a way. This isn't your fault, it's not. It can be fixed. Destiny can give her baby to Chiron and it can grow up to be a healthy demigod. But you must promise that you won't do this again, okay? I know you wouldn't dream about it after this, but I still want your word," Percy said gently. Nico hiccuped.

"I promise Percy. I promise."

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So now you all understand. Good, good. Yes, I realize this is kinda not super important stuff right now, but it may or may not be later so don't get impatient. Another update hopefully tomorrow, and the prequel will be updated tonight sometime. If you haven't read it yet, go read! It's pretty important to the plot line and all that. Also, as far as Letters to Nico goes, some of you are complaining that there should've been more letters due to the title. Don't worry, that whole aspect is far from over! There will be more letters in this book for sure, they just haven't come up yet, so be sure to look for those!

Until next time,

-Callie