Will and Nico

Part 5

NICO

Leaving the infirmary, I run into Percy. I haven't spoken to him one on one since telling him I was gay. And that I'd liked him. I freeze.
'Hey.' He says.
'Hi.' I reply.
'Where you just in the infirmary?' He asks.
'No. Yeah. Just a check up.'
'Everything okay?'
'I'm fine.' I say, 'well-'
'Nico.' He says. I look up at him. I feel my cheeks go red. I don't want to have to talk about it. Don't want to remember, 'I'm sorry.'
'What?'
'I should have...I don't know. I should have said something sooner. I didn't know you were...' He trails off, 'I'm glad you told me. Seriously.'
'Sure.' I say, carefully.
'I mean...' he says, 'I'm kind of offended I'm not your type, but...'
I laugh briefly. It's a relief. I was scared he'd be weirded out or uncomfortable. But he's still just himself.
'So are you out now? Who knows?' He asks.
'Just a couple people. You, Annabeth, Jason. I'm pretty sure Piper knows. And I told Reyna and Hazel before they left.' I say, 'it's still...I don't know. It's still new.'
'Right.' He says, 'I'll keep it to myself.'
'Thanks.' I say.
'But just in case I want to set you up, what is your type?' He asks, joking again. I roll my eyes and continue walking.
'Let it go.' I say.
'I'm just curious.' He says, 'blonde? Ginger?' I turn to him, and he stops. But he smiles, clearly still finding it amusing.
'If you even try and set me up with someone,' I start, 'I will break bones.'
'Noted.' He says, still smiling.