At sunset, Percy found Nico tying ropes around the pedestal of Athena Parthenos.
"Thank you," Percy said.
Nico frowned. "What for?"
"You promised to lead the others to the House of Hades," Percy said. "You did it."
"You got me out of that bronze jar in Rome. Saved my life yet again. It was the least I could do."
His voice was steely, guarded. Percy wished he could figure out what made this guy tick, but he'd never been able to. Nico was no longer the geeky kid from Westover Hall with the Mythomagical cards. Nor was he the angry loner who'd followed the ghost of Minos through the Labyrinth. But who was he?
"Also," Percy said, "you visited Bob..."
He told Nico about their trip through Tartarus. He figured if anyone could understand, Nico could. "You convinced Bob that I could be trusted, even though I never visited him. I never gave him a second thought. You probably saved our lives by being nice to him."
"Yeah, well," Nico said, "not giving people a second thought... that can be dangerous."
"Dude, I'm trying to say thank you."
Nico laughed without humor. "I'm trying to say you don't need to. Now I need to finish this, if you could give me some space?"
"Dude!" Percy exclaimed with anger as he pinned Nico against the Athena Parthenos, "What's your problem with me?"
"Errr... I...I just can't okay Percy, I can't,"
"You can't what?" Asked Percy confused as he loss ends his grip on Nico's shirt.
"I don't know what to do Percy," Nico said softly as if he was lowering his guard.
"Look, if this is about Bianca, I've already said th-"
"No," Nico cut Percy off, "Its about me, Listen Percy I left Camp half-blood. It wasn't because I didn't belong at camp, it's because I just didn't belong in this year, this world but most of all i didnt even belong to myself. I left because of you,"
Percy's face scrunched up in confusion, "What do you mean because of me. We used to be tight Nico. What happened?"
"Annabeth is right, You are a seaweed brain," Nico muttered just loud enough for Percy to hear.
"Hey! " Growled Percy in protest.
"Percy! I'm trying to tell you that I'm gay okay. I'm gay I have a crush on you. That is why I left. Another reason, yes. My father is Hades and I'm gay. How much more can I not fit in."
Suddenly Nico crumpled and fell to the floor.
