Oh, every day
You feel a little bit further away
And I don't know what to say

- Close As Strangers, 5 Seconds of Summer

c h a p t e r 3: n i c o

After wasted moments of convincing, Jason managed to jerk the son of Hades from his thick slumber into a game of Truth or Dare. In which Jason also earned a threat for his early funeral and which casket would match his hair color the best. Nico had heard mentions of Truth or Dare ,yet being almost 90 years old he didn't make much time for the game. Jason explained the requirements and rules for the game as they roamed over to the Poseidon cabin. Crap.

Nico hadn't bother to schedule a time to converse with Percy after the whole incident of poring his heart out. Sure, Nico had moved on... yet that didn't seem to ease the binding tension in his throat. Nico's mind had cherished the first time he sprouted feelings for Percy Jackson...

*Flashback*

Percy had just witnessed Annabeth Chase plummet to her death. Artemis was mentioned she may still be alive ,yet she possibly forced captive. Nico's eyes were locked on the young ,Percy Jackson. He had to know whether Annabeth and Percy were together. Nico had been broken too many times. He wasn't about to travel down that road again. Slowly he approached the son of Poseidon.

Nico was still bewildered about the gods ,he'd been preached about from past teachers, actually living on Mount Olympus. Hades- Hades was his father. The demigods he recently greeted informed him it may take days to know his father is. It only made since. Ever since the time with Xavier... no. He wasn't going to think of it.

He brought it up with Bianca alone ,but she quickly tossed away the comment. She practically bribed Nico to keep it hidden and contained. Bianca didn't want any of this. Nico could read his sister by now, after all, while they were at the Casino... it felt like years...

Percy came sauntering Nico's way with a curious face, Nico could get used to that. "Nico right?"

"Yep." he smiled uneasily then outstretching his hand in which Percy shook. Nico started by asking Percy various questions until his investigation ended with, "Is Annabeth your girlfriend?" Nico winced when it slipped through his lips. Instead of responding Percy seemed like all he was going to offer the boy was a nuckle sandwhich. Nico deciphered the reaction as a somewhat good sign.

*End Flashback*

Nico was aware that Percy and Annabeth were assigned to leave for New Rome currently ,but Nico had assumed they would have escaped by now. "Has Percy and Annabeth left yet?" Nico wondered shuffling slowly behind the son of Jupiter.

"Nope. They're leaving tomorrow, that's why we're hanging out now. We've decided it'd be cool to shove in a quick party before they to prancing down the beaches together hand in hand." Jason chuckled a bit, attempting to untangle the tension. Instead of diminishing it, he was simply increasing it.

Nico couldn't help but dash through scenarios that may possibly happen with Percy and Annabeth. What if they act like it never happened? What if they approach him about it? What if they're mad at him? What if Percy and Annabeth won't talk to him? Before he could conjure up any other incidents that may be achieved Jason was banging on the Poseidon cabin door.

"J-Jason I-" Nico started but was soon demolished when Piper jerked open the door with a cheeky grin slathered against her lips. Jason linked fingers with her leaving Nico to scramble behind awkwardly as they entered. Many demi gods were stretched across the beds, including: Annabeth, Percy, Clarrisse, Chris, Jason, Piper, Stolls, and... Will Solace.

The sudden temperature sparked up in Nico's veins. His cold drifted away with the releasing smell of vanilla. Will's eyes locked with Nico's and the song of Apollo delivered a simple smile. Even the simple smile could brighten the dark boy's day. Nico concentrated on nothing but that smile formed across those pinkish tinted lips. Jason snapped Nico from his gaze and invited him to sit between him and Will. Nico plopped down uneasily while scratching at his nails.

Nico's eyes were directed up for a single moment only to find the sea green eyes blazing back at him. Nico zipped his had back to his tattered palms. The aroma of nervousness was practically their oxygen they were breathing. Nothing came from Percy or Nico. Silence scattered the room for minutes until the Stolls, being Hermes kids, interrupted, "Piper! Truth or Dare?"

Piper's face seemed relieved that someone shattered the silence and replied, "Truth."

Travis grimaced, "What God parent would you want if Aphrodite wasn't your mom?"

Piper tapped her chin ,pondering. She was most likely testing which powers she may receive when becoming a daughter of the gods. "Probably ,Zeus."

"And be my sister?!" Jason gagged causing laughter to erupt from every demigod- excluding Nico. Although he finally gained the courage to lift his eyes from his hands. The demigods settled to a clam then twisting towards Piper's direction.

She scanned the demigods, "Annabeth, Truth or Dare?"

"Hmm..." she debated the consequences finally deciding, "Dare." 'Whoops' crashed through the demigods.

"I dare you to act like a dumb blonde for an hour." Piper's mischievous grin edged at the corners of her lips. Annabeth sighed only nodding, avoiding speaking a word.

"Hey ,Stupid Girl." Percy taunted. Oh no, here it comes... Thought Nico. "What's the square root of 16?" Annabeth's expression boiled with rage.

Instead of hollering at her boyfriend she clenched her fists and muttered, "Idk, like 36?" Percy's laugh bellowed through the room while everyone else was chuckling between their gritted teeth, barley containing their laughter. Even Nico was smirking.

"Hey ,Will. Like Truth or like Dare?" Annabeth questioned adding in her best white chick voice.

"Truth." he responded then delivering a devilish smirk. Nico's heart melted with anxiety. He noticed the inches of space separating their bodies. The heat radiating from Will was practically toxic to the cold dark boy.

"Is like your crush like in this room?" the question buzzed through Nico's mind. What if he said yes? What if he said no? What if it was him? Or it wasn't?

"Yep." Will said popping the 'p'. Nico's heart soared like Jason. At least now he could narrow it down. "Alright... Connor, Truth or-"

"Dare!!!!!" Connor obliterated Will's chance of the further question.

"I dare you to pick Truth." Will smirked with accomplishment while Connor reluctantly obliged. "What's your sexuality?"

Nico never questioned any of other people's sexuality, he just assumed they were straight. Yet, Connor seemed to blush like blood. Was Connor gay? Or straight? "I... erm... I-I'm bisexual..." he admitted. Everyone gasped a bit, including Nico. Usually Will could since stuff like this ,but he looked suprised. Instead of whispers echoing throughout the room the demigods chanted. Travis patted him on the back while everyone continued to cheer. Connor's face altered into a bright smile, possibly as bright as Will.

"Nico, Truth or Dare?" Connor's reaction changed calm, he wasn't yelling every answer of acting in any hyper way.

Normally, Nico would respond with "Truth". Something kept jerking him towards Dare. Without contemplating the thought be burst out, "Dare."

"I dare you to kiss your crush. It doesn't have to be on the lips though." Connor offered nervously. Most likely because he was fearing his abnormally young death. To be honest, Nico was already preparing to summon skeletons till Will's hand rested upon his shoulder. Nico hastily recalled the rules about no death voodoo.

"I swear ,Connor Stoll. I shall have your life within my grasp in the next month!" Nico threatened with rage gleaming in his eyes.

Nico couldn't do this. Sure, everyone accepted Connor... but it was different for the son of Hades. Nico couldn't even accept himself. Many expressions of sympathy were replacing the grins that once lit up the whole room. Especially the expressions from Jason, Percy, and Annabeth. They weren't sure of his new crush yet they were fully aware of the subject at hand.

Nico's eyes gazed toward the son of Apollo, who was completely oblivious to the whole game. Will seemed bothered by something else, presenting the perfect time for Nico to act. Nico pecked Will's cheek who stiffened with the action. Suddenly, Will's freckles started to glow, literally. His freckles were as bright as the sun above. Demigods held their breaths realizing what happened. Even Nico needed to snap himself back into reality.

Finally, Will shifted to face the son of Hades. Despite what happened, Will only could rasp, "N-Nico......" That was the signal for Nico to bolt from the cabin to his own... And he did.

A/N

This book has hit 200 views in just 2 chapters. I can't believe the popularity I'm gaining in such a short amount of time. I'm really enjoying writing this book, but I couldn't have accomplished it without the support of my fans. Hopefully my work can gain even more publicity. I'm progressing slowly, but I'm anticipating about 30 chapters for this book. All I can guarantee is there will be a sequel- though I'm not sure if I have enough steam to write a whole trilogy ;)

I'm hoping to be able to add some cute Percabeth, Jiper, and Caleo (when they arrive at Camp Half-Blood: should be soon) moments. I'm looking forward to be able to write more and more for you guys!

Follow/Vote/Comment for more chapters!!

~Ally