"Why the hell are you dragging us here again, Thalia?"

Nico, a tall, easily annoyed graduate, was being dragged down town by one of his senior friends, the short punk Thalia Grace. It was barely 24 hours since their graduation ceremony from High School and Thalia, Annabeth and Hazel thought it would be good for Calypso, Nico and Piper to go out to a graduation party. Not taking 'no' for an answer, the older females dolled up the three younger graduates and were dragging them all a bar that was holding the graduation party.

"I told you Nico, we're going to support my brother's new band, they are playing at your graduation party. I heard it got thrown together by Will, Leo, Frank, Jason and Percy. Common, I know you have a crush on at least one of them besides Will, given Annabeth was sucking his face the other day," Thalia exclaims, keeping a vice like grip on the taller male's wrist.

Nico's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Percy but kept his face neutral, having not seen his long time crush since he graduated last year. Percy Jackson seemed like a casual, generally excitable cool kid, always dragging the introverted dark teen into his circle of friends for activities. But then there was an accident a few months after his graduation that took the older teens mother from him and he disappeared from Nico's sight. Everyone was looking for him, but they found no trace of the happy-go-lucky teen. And now he's back, having formed a band? Something must have flipped in his head.

"Wait, Leo's going to be there? Do I look ok?" Calypso asked nervously, looking down at her outfit.

Nico internally cursed himself for not wearing something more appropriate for a party but his outfits all held a similar pattern; black, ripped skinny jeans, black converse, a dark grey t-shirt with guns and roses band on it with his leather jacket to top it off. His hair was it's usually unkempt, long mess. Damn, he wished he spent more time on it if he knew that he'd see Percy there.

"Don't worry Piper, you looking ravishing," Annabeth reassured the younger girl, grinning wide.

Thalia snorts at the group of worried teens and guides everyone into the crowded bar, keeping Nico close even though he started to follow willingly now that he knew Percy was gonna be there. They made their way through the crowd, grabbing some drinks as they approached the empty stage to wait for the live entertainment.

It wasn't long before the members of said band started to appear on stage one by one, earning cheers from the crowd as they emerged. First to come out was Will Solace, wearing black slacks, a white button up with the sleeves rolled up and blue vest, a fedora resting on his golden locks. He sends Annabeth a kiss before waving at the crowd as he heads to an electric piano and dj set up, checking the system.

Next out was Leo Valdez, grinning wide with his wild curls bounced with each step, high fiving people he knew as he walked across the stage. He wore faded skinny jeans and an orange t-shirt with the sleeves rolled up to make him look buff, the words 'HOT STUFF' written with fire as his mischevious eyes hid behind sunglasses casually. He bounces around for a bit longer before jogging over to the drumset, twirling the drumsticks casually.

Frank Zhang was the next to step out from the back, shyly waving at the crowd as they wave at him, wearing some straight cut jeans, and a white tank top that accentuated all his foot ball built muscles, giving Hazel a sweet smile. He stopped by her and kissed the back of her hand. He then casually picked up the bass guitar, throwing the stap over his shoulders before testing the strings for any tuning.

Jason Grace was the next to come out, encouraging hype to fill the audience as he bounced out excitedly, wearing dark blue jeans and a light blue polo shirt, his blonde hair spiked up a bit. He sends Piper a wink before jogging to his place with a lead guitar, mimicking Franks movements in testing the sound and tuning his guitar as needed.

Finally, the one Nico was most anxious to see, Perseus Jackson finally appeared from the back and his look threw everyone off. His usually bright smile was exchanged for a mature and cocky smirk that had a lip ring!! as he strode up on stage. He was wearing ripped baggy jeans that barely hung onto his hips, showing off the top of his boxers underneath, a chain hanging loosely from his belt loop and led into his pocket. His shirt wasn't even a shirt in Nico's opinion, even though it was clearly a muscle shirt but it was ripped down to the seams, showing off the tanned sculpted body Nico knew was underneath as he walked and the fabric moved with him and was that a tattoo?!?? It was barely noticeable, but Nico caught a glimpse of a tattoo corner that was wrapped around the ribs of the older teen, making the taller teen even more curious what's changed about Percy.

The things that seemed the same was his messy jet black hair, maybe a little shaggier and his beautiful swimming pool green eyes, but they weren't friendly, but fierce and cocky as his lips. Percy strode right up to the lead mic and Nico finally noticed that all five had mics at each station and Jason was looking at another guitar off to the side, maybe Percy's.

"Good evening, graduates!!" Percy calls out excitedly to the crowd before him, smirking more as the howling and cat calling that follows.

"Glad to see so many of you here tonight. Hope you're ready to start you lives as adults like we were, so we'll start your lives off with a bang tonight with our performance. We're looking to do 8 songs tonight, a Half-Blood Survivors original and 7 covers. We'd like to thank the wonderful Ms. Hestia for allowing us to perform tonight, despite the many objections from the owner of the bar, Mr. D, so give her a round of applause, ladies and gentlemen," Percy accentuates the need for applause by starting it, everyone eagerly following his lead as they turn to Hestia, who waved happily from the bar.

"Now, I said we're gonna start this off with a bang, but the first song is a little bit of a downer. But that's just us recognizing that, as teenagers that we're leaving behind, we're ready to stand and move forward as young adults, so don't let it get you too down. For now, enjoy!!" Percy shouts, earning whistles and more excited cheers before taking a drink of water, glancing at Will to start. Immediately music filled the bar and Percy starts to sing, filling Nico with exhilaration and anticipation.

"Wicked grin, evil eyes

This ain't a place of compromise

I surrender every time

Or you'll strike me harder otherwise

Blood dripping down my lips

Skin hanging off your fingertips

Brand new day but the same old shit

So let's just get this over with

Used to hurt at first but the constant repetition

Dulled all of my senses, I'm the perfect victim

Call me crazy but for you I empathize

With each and every blow I sigh, saying

I'm so sorry

For how you feel inside

Even though you haunt me

I'll make it out alive

You must live a fucking nightmare

Awake and in your dreams

Looking for someone to hold your misery

I'm so sorry

For how you feel inside

I'll pray for you tonight"

Just like Percy warned, the song left a slightly sick feeling in Nico's gut as he thinks back at all the years he was bullied for the fact Nico was gay but he couldn't help but relate to the words that Percy sung, Will and Jason joing in as back up singers.

"Go ahead knock me out

Beat me down till I'm on the ground

Make me scream and cry for help

It'll be a good way to relieve yourself

Pain, I take in stride

You will never ever take away my pride

I get back up with my head held high

And it drives you nuts but at least you try

Used to hurt at first, Maybe I've just been conditioned

All the while you win, I pity your position

Call me crazy but for you I empathize

With each and every blow I sigh, saying

I'm so sorry

For how you feel inside

Even though you haunt me

I'll make it out alive

You must live a fucking nightmare

Awake and in your dreams

Looking for someone to hold your misery

I'm so sorry

For how you feel inside

I'll pray for you tonight"

Percy took a breath and started to look calm and peaceful as he closed his eyes to sing the next verse.

"Used to hurt at first, maybe I've just been conditioned,

I've just been conditioned, I've just been conditioned

Call me crazy but for you I empathize

If I were in your skin I'd choose suicide"

Whispers and conversations about the song started to swarm but the crowd danced to the song all the same to the music.

"I'm so sorry

For how you feel inside

Even though you haunt me

I'll make it out alive

You must live a fucking nightmare

Awake and in your dreams

Looking for someone to hold your misery

I'm so sorry

For how you feel inside

I'll pray for you tonight

I'll pray for you tonight.

I'll pray for you tonight

For how you feel inside

I'll pray for you tonight"

With a bow, Percy's first song ends and there was a roar of applause that followed it, a knowing smirk still on his face. "Like I said, the songs will get better, thank you for listening to our debut song!! Now, onto the next!!"

Percy takes off the mic from the stand, setting the mic stand to the side. Leo and Will the first ones to say anything as they started the cover song of 'Victorious' by Panic at the Disco. Percy was the lead singer all the same, dancing across the stage to regain the hype from before. Percy seemed so free as he danced and sang along side Will and Leo, grinning wide. At some point, he felt the urge to take off his shirt and toss it towards the audience, Nico being the lucky guy to catch it.

It smelt so much like the Percy he knew, of sunshine and the ocean breeze but there was also a rugged smell of cigarettes attached to the clothing as well. Nico's heart fluttered as he watch Percy continue to dance and sing, finally showing his back to the crowd. There was a great white shark tribal tattoo that draped across his back and on his lower back was a trident wrapped in rushing water in a way similar style a tramp stamp would be placed. He finished the song with a jump and shout, grinning wide. Percy rushes back to the side to grab the stand and replaces the mic in the center.

Frank approaches the front with his mic and Jason joins him upfront while Percy goes where Jason was standing, picking up the spare guitar. Frank was the one that started the song with his bass and voice, Jason joining in as a lead vocalist as Percy and Leo join as the back up singers for the next cover song 'Teeth' by 5SoS. Man, watching Percy's fingers slide against the guitar expertly just drew Nico in to watch the older teen excitedly, blushing hard. Nico wasn't sure if it was his thoughts, the crowd of people or the fact he was dancing with his friends the whole time, but he felt hotter by the second.

Once the song was over, Jason took the lead mic with him to join Percy to the side and Frank returned to his spot from before, sharing a smirk with each other. They turned to Leo with the same look, who's sunglasses finally came off as that mischevious Latino finally sits up straighter, glancing at Will to get the tune going. This time, Leo was the lead vocalist for the song, 'Play with Fire' by Sam Tinnesz. Percy had pulled out some matches and started to strike them at the appropriate moment, singing with Jason happily in the background of Leo's song. This brought the mood of the crowd down, giving everyone a chance to take a breath with the slow song.

After the song ends, Percy sets his guitar down and picks up his mic, jogging back toward the front of the stage, nodding to Jason to get the song going before calling out with an excited 'whoo!' and a flirty chuckle before starting to dance again across the stage. He then found a spot in front of his friends, squatting down and grining wide as he made eye contact with Nico, singing with Will and Frank the cover of 'Feels' by Clavin Harris.

"Do you mind if I steal a kiss, tho? (Chop, chop)

A little souvenir, can I steal it from you?

To memorize the way you shock me

The way you move it here (hey)

Just wanna feel it from you (hey)" Percy seems to ask in a flirty way before winking at Nico. He then hopped to his feet to return to his dance across the stage, popping around happily. Nico's heart started to hammer in his chest at what felt like obvious flirting from the older teen and was left flabbergasted. Did Percy like him? Nico wasn't sure and wasn't paying attention to the rest of the song until more shouting and whistles snapped him out of the trance while they prepared for the next song for the evening.

Percy didn't seem to change what he was doing this time, the only thing he did seem to change was he was singing only the chorus this time while the rest of the band sang the main versus. It gave him a chance to take a drink of water between his dancing and sing the chorus to 'C'est La Vie' by Yung Gravy. Percy's dancing seemed to calm down to something of a strole, but when he sang out the words 'dick ain't free, baby pay my fee', it sent shivers down Nicos spine at how easily he seemed to say those words. The crowd as well as the band seem to be in high spirits whole they dance and sang the song together.

Nico supposed the next song was supposed to be a show of talents for each of the individual members because Percy was the only one that sang the cover of. 'I wanna Be Your Slave' by Måneskin. And because of how much he had been singing, his voice was gravely and almost sexual, but only Nico seemed to noticed because everyone else was dancing excitedly to the beat. It wasn't until Percy whispered into the mic in the dead silence did cat calling and whistles find everyone, an ever wide smirk spread across the tanned face of Nico's crush.

But the mood suddenly changed as everyone in the band gave Percy a nervous look when he drank more water before retrieving his guitar once more after setting his mic on his stand. He gave each of his members a stubborn look before almost glaring holes at Will, who waved his hand dismissively and nodded. Than an eary melody, confusing many of the graduates but then Leo started to beat his drums to life, that sudden familiar song of 'Du hast' by Rammstein flooding everyone's mind and shouts of excitement filled the room. Jason, Frank and Percy seem to come to life simultaneously bouncing together at the rough song. And it was Percy's unnaturally low deep growl that reverberates everyone's soul as he started to sing the foreign song. Percy was clearly the lead in this song with his growls and shouts while Jason and Frank backed him up with deep clear words while Will and Leo vocalized behind them. Percy doesn't hesitate in the slightest as he growls deeper and shouts the words out, before silence fills the room.

Applause and shouts erupts in the bar excitedly as the exhausted band, especially Percy, finally take a bow. Jason and Leo thanked the crowd the loudest but Will was looking at Percy worriedly as he seemed to cough in his arm. But with smiles and waves, the band finally file off the stage into the back.

"They were so good!!" Piper cries out in excitement over the loud crowd.

"I told you it was worth it!!" Thalia agrees, grinning wide.

"Let's go congratulate them!!" Hazel suggested, wanting to hug her sweet boyfriend.

The group worked their way together to congratulate the band for their best debut performance.