Everyone Deserves to be Happy (Solangelo)

Some Sort of Happiness (Percy)

Percy could tell that Nico was avoiding him, and a determined child of Hades is hard to find. He didn't seem to be anywhere. "That's probably because he isn't," Percy muttered to himself.

"Who?" Annabeth's curious voice floated out from behind him.

"N-nico."

Annabeth shot him a look like 'since when do you stutter', but Percy didn't notice because of her next comment. "Nico leaves to transport the Athena Parthenos today," she reminded him. "He's on deck."

"Oh, right!" Percy tried to run up the stairs, but Annabeth caught his shoulder. Man, she has a death grip.

"Percy, what are you doing?"

"Just-" Percy's voice broke off. "...just something I have to say."

=+=

Percy found Nico standing awkwardly in the shadow of the Athena Parthenos, looking at the preparations with apprehension. Everyone else was busy, paying no mind to the child of Hades.

Percy walked up behind Nico, and tapped his shoulder, only to immediately jump back as Nico whirled around, his Stygian Iron blade drawn.

"Wow there Nico. It would be a shame if you stabbed me." Percy said, his voice light.

"Percy." Nico's voice was icy. "I didn't expect to see you here."

"Didn't expect to see me here? Nico, in case you hadn't noticed," Percy enunciated his next words carefully. "I. Live. Here."

"Right." Nico looked up at Percy, his face a mask. "Did you have something to say? Or.."

"Do I have something to say?" Percy nearly shouted. And the lowered his voice to a hiss "Nico, you kissed me."

"I am aware of that fact," Nico replied sullenly.

Di immortales! I hate teenagers. "Nico, I wanted to talk to you before you left because-" Percy drew in a rattling breath. "Because we may never see each other again."

Nico's calm broke, and he started to sob uncontrollably. "Don't you think I know that?!" Nico looked up at Percy, his eyes red and puffy. Percy moved to try to comfort him but Nico drew his blade again and stepped back. "By the gods I know that!" Nico's words came out in a torrent. "There is an aura of death around this godforsaken ship and for once-" Nico's voice cracked. "and for once it's not me! You know the prophecy? Yeah? 'An oath to keep with a final breath?' Well once I made a vow to hate you, Percy Jackson, and so far it's not working!"

Nico knelt down, dropping his blade to the floor with a clash. His voice was barely there, a whisper from the grave. "I-I loved you."

"Gods, Nico." Percy, who had been standing back, cowering from Nico's fury, now stepped forward. "You've been holding all this in how long? You need to let me go. I'm- I'm not the one for you." Percy's voice was soft but clear, like a sea breeze. He offered Nico his hand, and Nico took it, shaking as he stood up. The poor kid seemed utterly drained. Percy grabbed Nico's blade and offered it to him gingerly.

Nico turned to go, but Percy's voice stopped him. "And, Nico?"

"Yeah?" Nico looked back into those level, sea green eyes.

"Everyone deserves to be happy."