Meeting Of Swords and Wands

Chapter 20: I Kiss Death

I made my way into the Outpost and turned on the old showers. I willed the water to form a mist and moved the mist towards the fire until I got a good, strong rainbow. Keeping it steady, I grabbed the Drachma that I keep in my pocket at all times and tossed it into the rainbow.

"O Fleecy," I prayed, "please so me a solid and show me Piper McLean." The rainbow shimmered as the image of Piper came into focus. She was outside in what looked like mid-afternoon Camp Half-Blood. She looked to be leading Aphrodite Cabin in Arts and Crafts, not paying one ounce of attention to her surroundings. I could just say hello......but where would be the fun in that?

"HEY PIPER!" I yelled.

"Oh Schist!" Piper screamed as she jumped in surprise. I laughed hard as she whirled around to face me."Percy Jackson, you evil little bastard!" She exclaimed, first in fury, but then a smile crept onto her face, "You seaweed brained son of a barnacle! Where in the name of Hades have you been!?!"

"I've been on a mission with Nico." I explained, rubbing the back of my head, "I can't tell you much right now."

"Is it because it's too secretive or is it because you're too you to properly explain it?" Piper asked, crossing her arms.

"A little but of both." I laughed, "But, Pipes, I need your help." Her smile sropped and her arms unfolded.

"Is it about Annabeth?" She cautiously asked, "I heard what happened."

At the mention of her name, the memory of that event resurfaced and I felt my anger boil over a little. Taking a calming breath, I replied to Piper, not looking at her.

"No, I don't want to talk about my relationship with Annabeth because there is none." I said with finality.

"Percy, I'm so sorry about what happened." Piper said.

"And I'm sorry about Jason." I replied, "I should've been there."

"Perce, you being there probably wouldn't have even changed anything." She replied darkly. I knew she really didn't mean it. She held me responsible for not helping Jason and Lester/Apollo and thus Jason met his fate. Not that I blamed her. If I was there, I could've easily saved Jason.

We didn't say anything for a while, just awkwardly standing there.

"Anyway Percy, if it's not Annabeth you need help with, what do you need help with?" Piper asked. I looked at her.

"Piper, I'm Bi, I think, I don't know. All I know is that that I've fallen for a boy and he's awesome and cute and he makes my body go haywire whenever I touch him. But, I don't know how to talk to him about I feel and I don't even know if he'll like me back." I blurted out, "Help me please." Piper looked at me for a moment, then a happy smile crossed her face.

"Well, well, well, a boy finally stole Percy Jackson's heart." She said with a note of victory. I looked at her, tilting my head.

"Wait, what?" I asked.

"Percy, have you ever noticed that you had strong feelings for a boy?" Piper asked. I put my chin in my hand and thought on it. I thought about when I was 10 and having a something for a kid named Eric. But, I then remembered Luke. His smile, the slightly sharp chin, the mischief in his beautiful blue eyes, the way the sweat beaded down his tanned and well-developed muscles. Unknowingly, I began to blush. I looked to see Piper had a victory smirk on her face.

"Y-yeah, a few." I admitted as I blushed and I rubbed the back of my head again.

"Yup. You be Bi." Piper stated. "So, who's the boy?"

"Do you promise to not freak?" I asked. Piper gave me a look. I took a deep breath. "It's Nico."

"Wait, you fell for Nico di Angelo? Like Ghost King of the Underworld, 2-time Saviour of Olympus, boyfriend of Will Solace Nico di Angelo?" Piper asked incredulously.