THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME - PERCY/NICO AU HIGH SCHOOL - CHAPTER XXVI

yes, percy rose through the ranks of new rome disturbingly fast. no, jason did not do the same at camp half blood. yes, percy's rise to leadership at both camps took about two weeks and was completely unplanned. no, the same cannot be said for jason. his rise was carefully planned and took over a decade. they're both children of the big three, but where percy thrums with raw power, jason is a sword honed by zeus and hera. where percy is a survivor, jason is a weapon. where percy is a cycle breaker, jason can't get out. jason's fatal flaw was temptation to deliberate because he never managed to make his own choices. he was every classic definition of a hero rolled into one, and he never questioned it because his happiness came after the responsibility. jason was never going to ascend as fast as percy because jason was raised on hard work and discipline while percy, an abuse survivor and child of poverty, knew when to fight dirty. where jason was a transplant, percy was an invasive species. jason was always going to die because he was never more than a tool for the gods to throw away when he outlived his usefulness, or when he started to question his place. if someone as locked down as jason can question the system, anyone can. now that luke has put thoughts of overthrow in everyone's heads, zeus has to be very careful because while jason was expendable as his weapon, percy was unexpected in every way. zeus has no plan for him. when percy dies, he will become a martyr, so he can't die, except now everyone knows that percy doesn't want to be a god either. jason had to die, and now percy has to live.

favorite marvel scenes (1/?) guardians of the galaxy vol. 2 (2017)

What kind of a pair are we? The kind that's about to go fight a planet, I reckon.

Source

Coming into a fandom late

NÃO HÁ LUGAR COMO O LAR - PERCY/NICO AU COLEGIAL - CAPÍTULO XXIX

Oii, como vai? Mais um capítulo!

Eu já disse por aqui que o Percy não é uma pessoa tão boa assim? Pois é, o Nico também não. Mantenham isso em mente para os capítulos futuros.

Sem nenhuma revisão.

Boa leitura!

Capítulos anteriores: CAPÍTULO I / CAPÍTULO II / CAPÍTULO III / CAPÍTULO IV / CAPÍTULO V / CAPÍTULO VI / CAPÍTULO VII / CAPÍTULO VIII / CAPÍTULO IX / CAPÍTULO X / CAPÍTULO XI / CAPÍTULO XII / CAPÍTULO XIII / CAPÍTULO XIV / CAPÍTULO XV / CAPÍTULO XVI / CAPÍTULO XVII / CAPÍTULO XVIII / CAPÍTULO XIX / CAPÍTULO XX / CAPÍTULO XXI / CAPÍTULO XXII / CAPÍTULO XXIII / CAPÍTULO XXIV / CAPÍTULO XXV / CAPÍTULO XXVI / CAPÍTULO XXVII /CAPÍTULO XXVIII

— Depois. Eu prometo. — Percy disse, se afastando a lentos passos em direção a porta. — Não se divirta muito sem mim.

Nico não pretendia. Desde que tinha voltado da Itália raramente se divertia se Percy não estivesse por perto. Os amigos que ainda tinha por ali insistiam em dizer como Percy era o pior dos vilões e os que não diziam nada, se mantinham distantes, hesitantes e medrosos apenas com o pensamento do que Percy poderia fazer com eles.

Não era ridículo? Nico tão pouco estava interessado neles. Ele admitia sentia falta de seus amigos em Veneza, sua família, o sol escaldante, as construções centenárias e o ar limpo. Mas ele sentiria muito mais a falta de Percy, e se ficar longe de cidade natal fosse necessário, era o que faria.

A porta finalmente se fechou as suas costas, permitindo que ele voltasse a olhar para seu reflexo no espelho. Isso era outra coisa que admitia, gostava de ver aquela coleira em volta de seu pescoço; Nico podia se ver no futuro a usando sem pudor. Via ele e Percy numa grande casa no campo, o sol batendo em sua pele enquanto ele se ajoelhava, descansando a cabeça no colo de Percy, os dedos longos o acariciando como se ele fosse um animalzinho de colo. Ser um submisso não era o que ele tinha imaginado, a dor era passageira, mal se registrando em seu cérebro, e o prazer durava horas, dias se ele se permitisse. Era estranho, e as vezes, parecia errado se colocar nessas situações, deixar ser usado como Percy bem entendesse. Os olhares de pena era o que realmente o incomodava, como se a qualquer instante seus “amigos” se ofereceriam para ajudá-lo. Belos amigos esses que quando ele mais precisou, pouco ofereceram um mínimo de conforto.

Esse era o único motivo dele ter voltado, além dos ciúmes que o corroeu ao ver Annabeth e Percy tão juntos nas redes sociais. Nico não precisava passar por toda essa tortura mais uma vez, ver Annabeth pelos corredores ou as mesmas pessoas que tentaram abusar dele mais de seis anos atras. O que restava a Nico era respirar fundo e superar seu trauma, ou melhor, ignorá-los até que eles não tivessem importância. Porque, isso aqui, a coleira em volta de seu pescoço era a prova que no fim tudo valeria a pena. De alguma forma, o peso que alguns dias atras o sufocava, agora o mantinha preso na realidade; era uma promessa, um juramento que no fim tudo daria certo se ele aguentasse mais um pouco, só mais um pouco, e, então, ele poderia se libertar de tudo o que o puxava para baixo.

Bem, no fim, Percy tinha razão. Era melhor ele descansar um pouco, sair no estado em que estava apenas geraria mais preocupação e conselhos que ele não havia pedido. Se sentindo exausto, Nico ignorou o telefone que apitava, indicando que uma nova mensagem havia chegado, e se deixou cair na cama. Se arrastou até seu travesseiro, se cobriu com o edredom e fechou os olhos. Dez minutos bastariam. Talvez trinta.

***

Quando Percy voltou para casa foi direito para seu quarto, onde sabia que Nico estaria. Ele podia incentivar Nico a sair com os amigos, se divertir e ser independente, mas no fundo, gostava das coisas do jeito que elas eram; Nico sempre em casa, sempre esperando por ele feito um garoto bem-corportado deveria. E mesmo sabendo que Nico estaria na cama, ignorando mais uma vez os amigos, Percy subiu as escadas de dois em dois degraus e empurrou a porta lentamente. Como ele imaginava, lá estava seu bebê, coberto com o edredom até a cintura, dormindo pacificamente, feito um anjinho, o seu anjinho, sempre muito obediente.

Ao invés de entrar e trocar de roupa, Percy voltou a encostar a porta, deixando que Nico dormisse por mais alguns minutos. Desceu as escadas e entrou na cozinha, encontrando mãe por lá, a ajudando a guardar a cesta de legumes que haviam ganhado do fornecedor.

— Onde está Nico? Estou louca para testar aquele guisado.

— Ele está dormindo.

Esse era o momento em que Percy esperava que as reclamações chegassem, mas elas nunca chegaram.

Sally se virou para ele, andou em sua direção, e segurou em seus ombros, sorrindo docemente.

— Estou tão orgulhosa. Nico tem estado bem menos cansado e feliz. — Então, Sally endireitou a coluna e colocou as mãos na própria cintura. — Ainda não gosto de ver vocês fazendo essas coisas por trás das minhas costas, mas até funcionando.

— Por isso que você não pega mais no meu pé?

— Você está fazendo um bom trabalho. Continue fazendo isso, hm? Assim eu não vou precisar.

— Ei! Quem é seu filho aqui?

— Querido, eu te conheço. — Sally sorriu mais uma vez e deu as costas para ele, terminando de guardar os legumes, pegando outras coisas como começar o guisado.

Percy apenas sorri, dando de ombros. A verdade é que ele não estava fazendo nada demais. Era Nico quem ela deveria elogiar. De fato, Percy sentia que não estava fazendo nada de especial e que talvez eles fizessem bem um para o outro. Bem, Percy planejava fazer isso mesmo que Nico nunca mais quisesse ter sexo com ele. 

***

Quando Nico acorda o céu ainda está claro, o sol brilhando mais forte com o calor do meio-dia. Porém, o sentimento de desespero havia sumido e em seu lugar, o contentamento surgiu. Ele não abriu os olhos imediatamente, sentindo o calor aquecer seu rosto e dedos gentis percorrerem seu coro cabeludo, o fazendo suspirar.

Era Percy que o acordava. Nico reconheceria aquele perfume em qualquer lugar, a forma que Percy o tocava, a voz aveludada chamando por seu nome, o fazendo sentir ainda estar dormindo, sonhando com a casa de sua nona, onde ele e Percy estavam nas plantações de morangos, andando calmamente pelas longas fileiras de frutos, o sol batendo em seu rosto.

— Está se sentindo melhor?

Nico mal podia lembrar porque tinha estado tão triste. Então, apenas acenou. Saiu debaixo das cobertas e se engatinhou até alcançar Percy que estava sentado na cama. Sentou no colo de Percy e o envolveu com as pernas para logo em seguida abraça-lo pele pescoço, o beijando devagar, selando seus lábios juntos suavemente.

— Hmm... meu bebê quer brincar?

— Não sei.

— Você ainda está usando a coleira.

— Oh.

Era verdade, Nico não tinha percebido. No final das contas, ela nem era tão pesada assim. Embora não parecesse certo estar a usando nesse momento.

— Tira pra mim?

Ali estava, a decepção no rosto de Percy. Ele tentou esconder, é claro, por trás de um sorriso inocente. Como de costume, ignorar certas coisas até que o momento certo chegasse, sempre era o melhor a se fazer.

Sem pressa, Percy segurou em seu pescoço, e desafivelou o fecho, percorrendo os dedos por sua pele, parecendo se despedir do couro e dando boas-vindas a pele agora descoberta, colocando um beijinho entre a gargantilha que estava por debaixo da coleira e o vão entre sua clavícula.

— Tão lindo. Mal posso esperar para te ver num terno branco. Você vai usar a coleira pra mim? Vai colocar algo bonito por debaixo, hm?

Nico sentiu seu rosto esquentar imediatamente, sabendo que Percy o encarava bem de perto. Ele não tinha pensado sobre isso. Esse seria o momento onde eles verdadeiramente se tornariam submisso e dominador? Onde ele se ajoelharia aos pés de Percy e permaneceria dessa forma pelo resto de suas vidas? Nico sabia que tecnicamente nada mudaria, mas, então, por que parecia que eles estavam prestes a dar um grande passo na relação deles?

Ele teve que levantar a cabeça e encarar Percy como raramente fazia, vendo os olhos verdes brilhando com algo que Nico preferia não examinar profundamente, o sorriso ainda encaixado nos lábios bonitos, mostrando dentes brancos e perfeitos. O que fez Nico se perguntar, será que ele sabia no que estava se metendo?

— É isso o que vai acontecer quando a gente se casar? Eu pensei que era apenas uma fantasia.

— Pode ser o que a gente quiser.

Mas tudo o que Nico podia ouvir era “Vai ser o que eu quiser que seja”. E, estranhamente, esse pensamento não o assustou; não era como ele fosse se tornar um escravo sexual e ser jogado numa masmorra escura onde o sol nunca pudesse alcançá-lo.

— E se eu não quiser? — Nico enfim perguntou, tirando aquilo do peito.

Nico observou Percy continuar a olhar para ele, como se Percy não tivesse nenhuma dúvida no mundo, vendo um sorriso muito mais sincero aparecer.

— Então, a gente não faz.

— Certo.

— Mas... você não tem curiosidade para saber como seria?

— Não tenho certeza.

Nico desviou o olhar, fingindo pensar sobre o assunto. Era claro que ele tinha curiosidade. Quando ele pensava que Percy não podia o surpreender mais, uma nova avalanche de emoções o pegava desprevenido. Sentia que passaria o resto da vida sendo surpreendido, se afogando em um mar de prazer ao lado de Percy.

— Hm. — Foi tudo o que Percy disse antes de se levantar e levar a coleira com ele. Percy anda até o guarda roupa, leva a caixa preta junto e a guarda lá dentro, fechando o armário com um movimento final. — Parece que a brincadeira vai ter que ficar para outro momento.

De qualquer forma, assim era melhor. Desse jeito ninguém cairia na tentação de fazer algo além do que ambos estavam dispostos a enfrentar.

***

Percy se sentia estranhamente leve e despreocupado naquela manhã. Como era de costume, estavam todos sentados á mesa para tomar o café da manhã. Ele e Nico entraram na cozinha de mãos dadas e se sentaram em silêncio, um do lado do outro, se movendo e sincronia, ouvindo Grover e Tyson discutirem sobre algo sem importância, enquanto Sally tentava fazê-los se comportarem. O bom de viver no meio do caos era que seus pratos já estavam na mesa com um copo de suco e outro de café para cada um deles.

Ele admitia que não estava prestando atenção no que eles falavam, pois, agora, entendia porque Nico gostava tanto de ficar perdido no próprio mundinho. Não o entendam errado, Percy amava sua família, faria qualquer coisa por eles num estalar de dedos, mas, as vezes, tudo o que ele queria era um momento paz e silencio; mal podia esperar para se casar com Nico e ter um lugar só para eles.

— Per? Você não vai comer?

— Hoje não. — Respondeu sem prestar atenção, voltando a segurar na mão de Nico. Isso o fez olhar para seu bebê que o encarava com curiosidade, um sorriso discreto nos lábios, seus olhos brilhando com diversão. — Tudo bem.

Percy se espreguiçou, tomou um gole de seu café e pegou um croissant: — Satisfeito?

Ele não esperou pela resposta de Nico. Ajudou Nico a descer da cadeira, o puxou para fora da cozinha, e foi atras de suas bolças as encontrando onde Percy as havia deixado; na entrada da porta da frente, junto com a bolsa de sua mãe e as chaves dos carros. A viagem de carro até o colégio foi mais silenciosa e calma ainda, o fazendo sentir que hoje nada poderia perturbá-lo. O que mais Percy poderia querer naquele mundo além da companhia de Nico? Um beijo de bom dia? A mão de Nico sob a sua? A certeza de um futuro juntos? Percy já tinha tudo isso. Então, por mais que houvesse obstáculos, não havia motivo para preocupações.

Foi assim que Percy saiu do carro e abriu a porta para Nico, envolvendo sua cintura. Eles entraram no colégio e ignoraram os olhares, Percy se concentrando em Nico, vendo o rosto de seu bebê esquentar quanto mais ele olhava.

— O que deu em você hoje? — Nico enfim disse, permitindo a Percy ouvir sua voz pela primeira vez naquele dia. Uma voz baixa e rouca ainda do sono, acariciando seus sentidos.

Percy não diz nada, apenas leva sua mão ao rosto de Nico e fez um carinho ali, vendo os olhos de Nico se fecharem em prazer, vendo o sorriso de Nico voltar com tudo, quase o cegando, contente. Então, Nico inclina a cabeça em direção a Percy e seus lábios se encontram, mas é apenas isso, um selinho, um gesto de afeto. Os olhos de Nico voltam a se abrir e assim eles ficam, parados no meio do corredor, abraçados, como se somente eles existissem.

Percy sentia como se estivessem conversando através desses olhares e sorrisos. O melhor era que ele entendia cada palavra. 

— Você é um bobo. — Nico diz. Percy concorda.

Mas, então, eles ouvem o sinal tocar. Era hora de voltar a realidade. Percy e Nico são obrigados a voltar a andar, seguindo em direção a seus armários, na verdade, em direção ao armário de Percy por seu o maior entre ambos; Nico tinha deixado de usar o seu há anos atras, mesmo antes de ir para a Itália. A maioria de suas aulas eram as mesmas, então, eles dividiam os livros, os professores há tempo tinham desistido de separá-los. De fato, suas notas estavam tão boas que os professores não tinham motivos para separá-los; e Percy tinha certeza, nunca esteve tão pronto em sua vida. Era a influência de Nico, o fazendo estudar sem nem perceber. 

Infelizmente, chegando lá, sua bolha de contentamento foi quebrada.

— Ora, ora. Vejam quem temos aqui? O casal de ouro?

Percy bufou, prestes a dar meia volta e aparecer na aula sem seus livros, quando Nico segurou em seu braço. Com apenas um olha de Nico ele entendeu tudo. Certo. Eles iriam pegar seus livros e cadernos, e iria para aula, como o esperado. Percy tomou a frente. Andou o resto da distância até o armário quatorze, pegou o que tinha que pegar e o fechou, batendo a porta com força que o necessário.

— Hmm... parece que alguém está tenso. Eu conheço uma forma de te relaxar. Porque a gente não se encontra mais tarde?

Isso era demais para Percy. Ele levantou a cabeça e encarou aqueles olhos cinzas e frios, respirou fundo e abriu a boca quando sentiu mãos gentis segurarem em seu braço. Nico o encarava de bem perto, seus olhos negros furiosos o dizendo mais do que suas palavras poderiam. Annabeth não merecia nem mesmo seu nojo e desprezo. Ótimo, Percy faria o que Nico estava pedindo.

Percy não voltou a olhar para ela, decidindo por beijar o rosto de Nico, tentando acalmá-lo, e o abraçou pelos ombros o levando para longe. Logo Annabeth seria apenas a lembrança de uma garota invejosa e inconveniente.

Eles entraram em sua primeira aula do dia, colocaram seus cadernos e livros sob a mesa e se sentaram. Logo as provas começariam.

Ahhh finalmente estamos chegando no fim! Espero que vocês estejam gostando. Comentários são sempre bem-vindos. Até a próxima. Provavelmente ainda essa semana.

It’s Just a Movie. It’s Just a Show.

Back to the Future helped me get through the hardest month of my life ten years ago.

Love, Simon made me feel more comfortable with aspects of my identity…

Which I now embrace through a love for chick flicks.

“Veronica Mars” helped me get through high school…

And “Doctor Who” helped get me through my first year of college.

I was able to bond with my dad over our mutual appreciation of Coen Brothers movies…

Deadpool gave us a way to properly express how much we hated his cancer…

And “Brooklyn Nine Nine” is helping me deal with his passing.

Zombieland taught me how to laugh again…

And The Imitation Game taught me how to cry.

“Avatar: The Last Airbender” provided storytelling which challenged me as a child…

While shows like “Static Shock” opened my eyes to cultures & experiences other than my own.

Bandslam was a movie so close to my life as a 13 year old it felt like I’d written it…

While How to Train Your Dragon showed me that just because I was a weirdo didn’t mean I was alone.

The Book of Life helps me feel more comfortable about death…

And “The Good Place” encourages me to life a full life.

“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” makes me feel more comfortable about talking about my mental health issues.

Chicago got me through pneumonia.

Planes, Trains & Automobiles is a Thanksgiving tradition in our home.

I feel closer to my mom because of Harry Potter…

To my brother because of Lord of the Rings…

And to the rest of my family because of Disney films.

People say, “It’s just a movie,” or, “It’s just a show,” like that’s minimizes it, but it doesn’t.

“Just a movie,” means it is a storytelling device that resonates with people.

“Just a show,” means it is something people can come back to when they need it.

Entertainment, storytelling, and art have the power to inspire people…

To change them, to help them deal with their life…

To connect with others…

And to see themselves represented in ways they never thought they would.

So if something is just that, then I think that’s pretty great.

I sit with my grief. I mother it. I hold its small, hot hand. I don’t say, shhh. I don’t say, it’s okay. I wait until it is done having feelings. Then we stand and we go wash the dishes.

– Callista Buchen, from Taking Care

thinking about Nico starting to grow a beard before Jason and not caring about having to shave until Jason offers to do it for him, and then ofc Jason buys a whole kit with many razor blades, shaving foam, aftershave and more things like that that Jason doesn't even know what they're for. Anyway, the image of Nico sitting on the closed toilet and paralyzed while Jason fills his face with the foam and shaves him very serious and focused, and nico can't stop staring at him... this is doing something to me ok??

Tom Holland does Rihanna’s “Umbrella” on Lip Sync Battle

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter VIII e Chapter IX

Hi, how are you? Yes, I'm back. I know you're getting tired of me, but as I had a few chapters ready I decided to share them with you in advance. We'll probably have new chapters on Wednesday, because I'm trying to finish the new chapter of “There's nothing like home” (although it's going to take me a while to post it here, I still need to finish writing and revising it), but it'll come.

Anyway, I hope you will enjoy today's chapter. And if you can give feedback on the story, I'd love to hear from you, really, without judgment. This story isn't complete yet, so any suggestions or notes would be very beneficial.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII

Chapter VIII

Nico opened his eyes and sat up on the blankets, realizing that he wasn't in his single bed. There were no windows facing a huge tree, his computer wasn't in the corner of the room, and there weren't any loud voices reverberating through the house early in the morning. No, no way, that wasn't his room. Well, this one, painted in soft shades of gray and with a double-sized bed, wasn't his, and much less this calm that made him feel so peaceful and calm.

He… what had he done…? It was so confusing…

Oh! Now he remembered. Percy and his soft voice. A bowl of soup and another question that finally made sense. Yes, last night he had waited for Percy and fallen asleep without wanting to, even though Nico had sworn he would wait for the children to fall asleep so he could leave. Instead, he had a serious conversation with the man who didn't seem to take anything seriously, but who in fact hid his seriousness behind very well-disguised smiles.

Like, he knew that now. However, that hadn't been the case the day before when he'd followed Percy up the stairs and into the empty guest room. He barely remembered getting into the shower, that had been another thing he hadn't expected of himself. He felt like he should have done more than nod and obey. 

In the end, Nico couldn't help it, Percy had spoken to him so gently and affectionately that Nico found himself nodding. Vaguely, he remembered taking off his clothes once inside the suite Percy had shown him to, stepping into the bathroom and a while later hearing two soft knocks on the door. After that, Nico didn't know how the rest of the night had gone. He knew that at some point Percy had... gods! Was that right? He'd shown up naked and wet in front of his boss? While the man was handing him clean clothes? Nico couldn't even remember their reactions. It was all so hazy it was like Nico had been drinking himself into a stupor.

Thinking about it, it was better that he didn't remember any of it. Nico wasn't sure if it had really happened or if it had been a dream, especially the part where Percy looked at him from head to toe like he was going to attack at any moment, but since he didn't feel anything unusual, no pain or marks, then... then if he ignored what might or might not have happened, it was as if nothing had happened, right? So, wearing the same clothes he had slept in, he walked down the hallway and down the stairs, going straight to the kitchen where he found something strange and sweetly domestic; Percy Jackson wore a red apron and dark colored sweatpants as he walked barefoot across the cold kitchen floor,  plating four dishes. Bacon, eggs, and sausages. There was coffee and juice on the table. Jam, bread, croissants, and cake. A small improvised feast.

"I thought you didn't know how to cook.”

Nico didn't know why he had said that. Maybe it was because it all seemed like a dream, where he had a happy family that welcomed him on a nice, sunny Saturday morning and a... husband...? Wow... Nico was starting to think his fantasies were a little rushed. Or maybe his brain wasn't ready to wake up so early on a Saturday, much less was it prepared for this happy scene. Usually his family didn't eat together; his father was the first to wake up, getting up early, and his mother prepared the food. As people woke up, each one served themselves and went about their day without talking to anyone else. So, this... this wasn't at all what he expected.

"That's nothing! Everyone knows how to make an egg." Percy said excitedly, almost humming as he finished putting the sausages on everyone's plates. "Come on, sit with us.”

“I shouldn’t,” he muttered. Nico really shouldn’t. Percy made him feel like he was part of the family, and that was dangerous. Most of the time, Nico barely felt like he was part of his own family.

"Come on, I insist." Percy looked at him with that bright smile and he felt uncomfortable, for some reason it made a lump appear in his throat.

Nico lowered his head and thought about running upstairs, still remembering the night before, when he heard a chair scrape across the kitchen floor and a small hand touch his. To his surprise, he found Alice smiling as much or more than Percy himself, gently pulling him by the hand, guiding him to the chair next to where Percy sat. She didn't say anything else, just went back to her own place and continued eating calmly, the two children and the adult man acting like this was something normal to them.

"Did I miss something?" Nico muttered once more. He picked up the cup of coffee that was in front of his plate and almost groaned, now ready to wake up. It was the best coffee he had ever tasted.

"Dad's postdoc was accepted! And Mom is coming home today. We have to celebrate!”

"Yes, yes! Mom promised we would go out today! Everyone together!" Logan finished for his sister, almost jumping in the high chair.

Nico smiled at them, still with the cup against his lips, and looked at Percy, tempted to ask what had happened last night, noticing how his smile had diminished a fraction. The children might not have noticed, but he had seen several of his smiles and could see it clearly. Which was pretty crazy, he had known him for less than forty hours and already knew what those smiles meant? Nico must have been very tired, delirious, due to this mountain of emotions that this strangely affectionate and at the same time, fragmented family, made him feel. Yeah, it must have all been his imagination.

“That's very good." He said after a while, when he realized they were waiting for an answer. "I'll finally be able to meet her.”

"That you will." It was Percy's turn to mutter darkly.

“Should I worry?" He said it unintentionally, just as a joke, and of course, even the children understood it because they let out little giggles between bites of scrambled eggs.

"You're damn right." Nico heard that and turned to Percy trying to figure out if he was serious. And when he found out that was the case, well… Percy distracted him as always. His clear eyes, his mouth curved in a smile and his handsome face made him forget what he had asked.

The good thing about all this is that Percy had shrugged, as if he didn't have any problems in the world, and said:

"Don't worry, dear. I'll protect you." Right after he winked at him.

And as always, even though he felt himself blushing, Nico pretended that nothing had happened. He drank the rest of the coffee in his cup while the children laughed happily. Now, whether they laughed with him or at him was another question.

Chapter IX

“No, seriously now,” Percy told him, his tone changing to something more neutral. “Annabeth can be a little demanding. Don’t take anything she says seriously, and don’t do anything she asks.”

"Um… okay? I guess?" He said, shrugging.

Nico had already realized how things worked around here. The children were happy with every bit of attention, Annabeth Chase was the absent wife and Percy was the provider of the house, something quite simple in his opinion. So, he didn't see any reason for so much drama.

He looked at the plate seeing that two pieces of toast had magically appeared on it and looked back at Percy.

"I guess I'll go then.”

“You usually eat more in the morning,” Percy said, ignoring him, and pushed the plate closer to Nico.

"Me? No, I don't.”

"But you could. And what are you running from? She doesn't bite. At most Annabeth might say a few not-so-kind words.”

“Really, I've been away from home for too long. I need to--”

“Nonsense.”

Percy didn't understand. He felt something strange... something that was going up his back and stopping halfway down his throat, something that hadn't happened in months. Nico needed to get up and move, needed to bring back any sense of normalcy he could find, because staying here, in that friendly and calm environment, was far from what Nico was used to. He had to--

Nico dragged his chair back, unable to hold it any longer, and Percy stood up with him, holding him loosely by the arm, nothing that really held him in place, but for some reason that gentle gesture made him gasp, made him even more anxious, impatient, as though his skin wanted to escape from his body along with his lungs. He tried to do what his psychiatrist suggested and stopped in the middle of the next movement, in the exact place where Percy was holding him, less than a step away from the chair where he had previously sat; did he want to escape? Yes, but curiosity won, keeping him trapped in that kitchen to find out what Percy's next motive would be.

Percy handed him the container with the food from the day before and Nico held it in his hands, feeling a little confused. That is, until he saw that on top of it there was a note and a hundred dollar bill. He turned the jar in his hand and read the message that said: “Thanks for the food” only to turn to Percy and for the first time look him straight in the eye, without hesitation. Percy made him feel guilty. Vulnerable. Important. It was like Nico was cheating on the boyfriend who should have been waiting for him all night. And he didn't even have the guts to tell him; he hadn't even remembered during all this time that Will could have been worried. His mother too. And his sisters?

"What is this?" Nico asked even though he didn't care, feeling a little out of it. Airy. Light.

"What do you think it is?”

"I can't accept it.”

“You will. I don’t accept refunds.” Percy smiled at him. Percy… Percy was actually smiling again. A smile so beautiful that this time Nico knew he was being teased or mocked. No, Percy Jackson was flirting with him.

"W-what?”

"You bought us food and then made more food. It's the least I can do to repay you.”

"Sir, I can't--”

Nico shook his head. It was all wrong. Everything!

“Actually, where did you buy that food? It must have been expensive.”

That was when Nico closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He counted to five very slowly and opened them again, just like the doctor had taught him. Maybe he shouldn't have stopped taking his medication. And as discreetly as he could, he moved his hands that were starting to shake and crossed them behind his back so they wouldn't notice. If he could just leave, maybe everything would be okay. Nico hated this. Why was he so nervous if Percy was just asking about the restaurant? It was no big deal. So what if the man wanted to give him money? These situations shouldn't do this to Nico. If he remembered that he was in control, everything would be okay. That's it. He was in control. He--

"Nico? Are you okay?" He felt Percy's hands on his shoulders and let out a breath, not even realizing he had stopped breathing.

"I'm sorry. I have to go.”

"You're not even going to tell me where you bought the food?”

"I… went… went to a restaurant… that sells homemade lunch boxes… in the city center.”

"Do you need a ride?”

He waved, accepting the ride, but didn't move; Nico wasn't even breathing, trying to act normal. He felt paralyzed, as if someone had chained him up and thrown him into the depths of the sea. He felt himself getting heavy and his vision was starting to get blurry, preventing him from seeing anything in front of him. He... he...

"Nico, pay attention to me. Can you hear me? Breathe with me.”

He took a deep breath and let it out, this time feeling the weight in his chest ease.

“Again.”

Nico took another deep breath and then his head fell forward, so light and empty that he found himself collapsing, feeling so good that the world finally made sense again. However, he didn't end up on the floor or face down on the table as he expected, no, now that things were back to normal he noticed that something firm and stable was holding him upright, giving him exactly what he needed. It was... it was Percy's chest breathing next to his, guiding his breathing, it was his head resting on the man's shoulder and it was the large hands that caressed his back over his shirt. Nico couldn't deny it, he felt warm once again, like a breath of air that brought heat, allowing his blood to warm up again and circulate through his body.

“Daddy, is he going to be okay?” Nico heard Logan ask, his childish voice sounding scared.

"Shhh… don’t worry.”

Now, who Percy was saying this to, he didn't know. The good news was that Nico didn't feel uncomfortable around them and that, in fact, their voices full of affection and care were like a balm to his lonely soul.

***

“Do you feel better?” Percy asked in a low, hoarse whisper.

They were still standing. Percy's arms were wrapped around his waist and Nico felt the world slowly spin as he leaned against his boss's broad shoulders, his head resting against his neck, and even from this awkward angle Nico could feel Percy's worry radiating around them.

Nico couldn't help but notice, Percy was looking at him very closely and touching his face so carefully, his features so worried, that Nico just let himself be carried away by the feeling that warmed his chest and allowed him to breathe a little easier. He watched as Percy kept trying to make him react, calling his name and touching his neck, keeping him safe in his arms. It was then that Percy finally made a decision, and only when Percy was sure that Nico wouldn't faint, he picked him up and didn't wait any longer; the man held his legs, lifting them off the floor and then supported his back so that he wouldn't slip away from his arms. 

In this way, they moved through the house, Nico seeing the white marble floor and the stairs behind him, and Percy going with him through a long hallway. They passed the windows that let the midday sun enter the hallway and then into the room that Percy was carrying him into.

The world spun for a moment, the sun softening as they entered the room, allowing Nico to close his eyes and the sway of Percy's footsteps to lull him gently. Then Percy lowered himself and sat with him on the bed, making him lean against a soft surface and sigh, feeling Percy support him against his broad chest.

“Hm,” Nico remembered muttering back. He always felt a little spacey and high the moment the seizures went away, but in the best way possible. He owed him an explanation, right? Yeah, he did.

"Do you need anything? Water? Pain medicine?”

Nico could barely hear Percy's voice, the low, whispered timbre always distracted him. Percy used such a soft, gentle tone that it seemed to caress his soul, so husky and velvety, so softly at the foot of his ear that if they weren't so close to each other, Nico wouldn't hear anything. And his eyes, they were so beautiful, all intense and fixed on him. Hmm... yes, Percy was still holding him and he had his arms around the man's neck. Should Nico do that? Hmm... he didn't know, he just understood that his chest was resting against his shoulder and that Percy's hands were holding his head, keeping him comfortable.

He blinked slowly and stared into Percy's now serious eyes. So steady. They gave him so much confidence that Nico knew he was safe. Ah, maybe he shouldn't be so comfortable, at times like these his body kind of... acted without his consent.

"I… I'm fine. I'm sorry. I… I have--

“You don’t need to explain yourself,” Percy told him, as serious as ever, looking uninterested. Or maybe Percy was just shocked. It was understandable.

“I do.” When Percy just nodded, he continued, “When I was eight, I had a panic attack and was diagnosed with GAD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I’m always anxious, but I can usually control it without it interfering with my work. It’s been years since that happened. I… I’m so sorry. Routine and feeling stable helps. I’m really sorry. I know I should have told you.”

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault.”

"No, it’s not that. I recently came off the meds. The doctor told me I would be able to control it. It’s just that…”

"What is it?" Percy told him softly.

“I've been more nervous than usual. It's just... well... the change in routine…”

He said it was a change of routine, but they both knew it was more than that.

“I see,” Percy said again. “I’m sorry if I caused this. It won’t happen again.”

It probably meant he wouldn't lose his job, right? Because Percy paid really well.

It was Nico's turn to nod. He looked down at Percy's hand that was now on his shoulder and the other one that was resting on his knee. For some reason, at that moment he didn't feel nervous. In fact, it was the complete opposite. Nico was numb, feeling so good that any guilt or discomfort about being in this situation had dissipated. Or maybe he trusted him, because Percy was showing him that this trust could be placed in him.

Nico continued to stare at Percy's hand and then a blond head entered his field of vision. It was Logan, he was crying, his big green eyes puffy while Alice just watched attentively and quietly, both trying to smile at him. Nico smiled back and then everything seemed to get lighter, almost making him close his eyes.

"Okay, you can rest now. Do you have your cell phone? I'll let your family know.”

“Oh,” he muttered. It was true. Nico hadn’t told them. Looking up and finding himself smiling at Percy, Nico thanked him. “It’s in my bag.”

Before Percy could say anything, Nico finally let his eyes close. He felt Percy tucking him back into the pillows and heard footsteps leaving the room, but it was okay; in less than a few seconds everything went black and sleep took him away.

Until next time!