SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXII And Chapter XXIII
SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXII and Chapter XXIII
Hi! New chapter for you. Hope you like it!
Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII / Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX / Chapter XX and Chapter XXI
Chapter XXII
"You really don't want me to take you home?”
Nico denied it and hugged Percy tightly. They were outside the condominium, Percy insisting on taking him home.
"The children can't stay alone, Annabeth just left and--”
“Nico, let me decide about that, will you?”
He looked at Percy suspiciously and took a step back. Normally Nico would trust the man's judgment, but he was beginning to see that Percy wasn't as responsible or perfect as he thought, especially when it came to something Percy wanted, and in this case, that was Nico himself.
"I don't like it when you do that to them. Alice and Logan may be grown up, but they still need their family's attention.”
"I liked it better when you said yes to everything. It was much easier." Percy gave a small smile, apologizing with his eyes and raised his hands, in surrender, and said: "Don't be like that, Roberta is still at home.”
Roberta was the housekeeper, the one who kept the house in order, helped prepare food and had control over the children's routine. And honestly? She was more efficient at raising the children than he could ever be. So this was Nico making the most of the rest of the time he had around.
"Come on, don't be mad at me. Let me take you home. It's already past nine o'clock.”
"No, I'm not going to make you drive across town.”
"I want to, so I can see where you're living.”
"I knew there was a reason behind it." Nico couldn't help but feel like a bratty little kid. He crossed his arms and glared at him.
"Nico, please. I feel responsible for what happened. I just want to make sure you're safe.”
That's when Percy touched Nico's shoulder and with his other hand, gently held his chin, making him look at Percy more closely.
Ahg, Nico groaned and shifted restlessly, refusing to look away. He hated when Percy did that; those stormy green eyes and worried frown always had the same effect on him. In the end, Nico just sighed, knowing he would never win.
Percy opened the car door for him, satisfaction oozing from every pore as Nico jumped into the gigantic jeep.
"Satisfied, now?”
"I'll be when you tell me the address.”
Why did Percy have to be so childish? Or was it just him? Did it matter? Nico gave in and relaxed against the passenger seat, feeling that little bit more anxious, a good kind of anxious; the kind that makes you act and gives you an unknown but welcome pleasure. Thinking about it, the butterflies in the middle of his stomach only fluttered more when Percy smiled at him, starting the car, one of his hands coming to rest on his knee, not helping him in the least.
The worst part was that the gesture sounded almost respectful, with a certain degree of affection. He had only seen that kind of thing with couples, likeHades and Maria. Nico remembered when they still lived in Italy, Maria used to smile a lot more andHades still acted like his father;Hades often sought some contact with Maria, so on car trips it was common forHades to smile at Maria and place one of his hands on her knee, just like Percy did now. Nico wanted to question him, he wanted to ask what that gesture meant, he wanted to know what it meant to them. But even if he had an answer, it wouldn't be the right one. Percy already had a family and a career, while he had barely started his. What would happen when Nico spent more time working than at home? What if he had to travel far away? Nico couldn't let that happen to them, such a common story, but one that could define their future completely. It’s like, if he was already attached to the point of thinking about these things, what would become of the future?
"…ico … Nico.”
"Hm?”
"Are you okay? Where was that little head of yours?”
"I… it’s nothing. I just…”
He shrugged and looked down at Percy's hand that was still on his knee, as if that was exactly where it belonged.
"I…" For some strange reason, Nico felt his throat tighten, the words he wanted to say so badly trapped in uncertainty. He might not be sure of the future, but he also didn’t want to lose these moments with Percy. Each one was special, memories Nico would treasure for when things got tough.
"It's nothing. Really. I'm just tired.”
"Do you need a break?”
Nico shook his head, he had barely come back. He kept looking forward and placed his hands on the one in his knee, trying not to think about anything, just fingering the knuckles and veins in the strong arm that was three times bigger than his.
"Turn right. I live in the city center, near those historic buildings.”
It didn't take long and soon they were in front of the apartment, forcing Nico to take his cell phone out of his pocket and call Jason, letting him know he had arrived. In less than five minutes Jason appeared, only in shorts and flip-flops, his blond hair sticking out in every direction and with a not-so-friendly expression.
"Where were you? Thalia and I were waiting for you until late.”
"It's not what it looks like.”
“What did you expect? Do you know what time it is?” Jason scowled at Nico until he looked at Percy, finally seeming to wake up from his stupor. “And why is Percy Jackson with you?”
"Do you know him?" Nico had to ask, confused.
"Who doesn't? He's known for a lot of things around here.”
"Among the businessmen and upper class." This time, it was Percy who answered, grimacing. "It's a pleasure to meet you. You're Zeus's son, right? My father speaks highly of you.”
“That’s news to me,” Jason said in greeting, shaking the hand Percy offered.
"Hey, I want to know what these things are!”
Were they, by any chance, ignoring him?
"I wish you wouldn't talk about it." Again, Percy referred to Jason, as if they were best friends.
"I can't promise anything. It wouldn't be fair for you to know everything about Nico while Nico knows nothing about you.”
“How do you know that?” Percy asked, lifting his head, mocking Jason in a friendly way.
"No Jackson would let himself be so vulnerable. And if there's one thing I know, it's that you're the kind of people who like to be in control of everything.”
Nico didn’t know why, but he found himself smiling, a slow kind of smile that slowly spread until there was nothing left in its path. Because, it was a fact, Percy seemed to be that kind of person. Controlling and domineering, but not in a negative way? It was very confusing. Or maybe, he was already too invested to see the real danger.
"You're overreacting," Percy said.
"No, he's not." Nico replied.
He couldn't help himself. He grabbed Percy's arm and kissed him on the cheek, holding himself close until Percy turned to him, giving him all the attention Nico could possibly want.
"Are you scared? Too late for that, don't you think?" Nico murmured to Percy.
"Nico! I was a different person. What teenager doesn't do stupid things?”
"Me. I never did!”
"Exactly. You're an exception. You would never do that.”
"That, what, exactly?" Nico smiled even wider and leaned towards him, Percy looking uncomfortable, but seeming to be equally amused.
"Mm-rh." Jason cleared his throat and Nico turned to see what it was.
Jason watched him with a raised eyebrow, judging him as only he could. Oh, Nico could already see it; no one would sleep today, as this would be the length of his questioning.
"I think we better go in, it's very late.”
"That's right, sorry for keeping you guys. Jason, why don't you stop by the company and talk to Max? I'm sure he can help you.”
"Is that a bribe?”
"Only if it's working.”
Jason wasn't usually so friendly with strangers, but all he did was smile and pull Nico inside.
"I'll think about your case.”
Just like that, the gate slammed shut and he turned to see Percy still smiling as he was led down the stairs and then up the elevator.
***
"Gods! What took you so long! I have to wake up early tomorrow." Thalia greeted them at the apartment door, even less pleased than Jason had been.
"You won't believe it. Guess who came to bring Nico home?”
"The president?”
"Even better. Percy Jackson. Co-CEO, financial analyst, and one of the most handsome men and heir to one of the largest fortunes in the country.”
"I know who Percy Jackson is, Jason! Don't be ridiculous.”
"You know, but the question is: does Nico knows it?”
The two turned to Nico and he blushed. Okay, he admitted it. Nico wasn’t into these kind of things…
"Well, I… of course--”
"Nico! I'm so proud of you. You've grown so much!" Thalia ran up to Nico and pulled his cheeks until they looked like they were going to fall off.
"It’s not like that…”
"You have to tell me everything." Jason said, completing his torture. In the end, the two brothers dragged him to the couch and each of them sat next to him. All that was missing was the popcorn.
"It's nothing. It was supposed to be a temporary job through the agency. And he's not all that, just a father taking care of his children.”
"You liar! I saw how he looked at you and I've never seen you act like that with anyone!”
"Oh. My. God! I love weddings. When is it due?" Thalia said again.
"Can you guys stop?" Nico cringed at their stares and snorted. "I swear. I take care of his children and that's it.”
"I'll pretend to believe you." Thalia held his hand, pretending to be understanding. "But tell me, is he everything everyone says he is?”
"What… does everyone say?" He was even afraid to know.
"You know… hot in bed? Is he as dominant as everyone says? Bossy? Generous… monetarily?
"I…" He felt horrible thinking about these things, let alone talking about them, especially when Percy wasn’t there to defend himself. But they were his friends, weren’t they? Maybe if he talked to someone, things would become clearer.
"So?" Jason insisted, as curious as Thalia.
"He's… he's a very reserved person. At least in the beginning. Disciplined. Loyal.”
"And…?”
"And… we never… never got there, but… there are times when…" Nico put his feet up on the couch and buried his face between his legs. "…there are times when he hugs me in a way that… that makes me… oh! I don’t want to talk about it. I have a boyfriend! And he… he’s so…”
"Older?" Thalia finished for him.
"No! I mean, yes! He drives me crazy, in every possible way, and I love kids, they're so sweet. I feel like I'm going to explode!”
"That can't be true. How long have you known them? Two, three weeks?”
"That's enough for me! From the start I knew things would go wrong. How could it not be? After a month of dating, I knew I would never marry Will, so why can't it be true with Percy? And like, why? I feel this attraction, this magnetic thing that forces me to be around him and--”
"Shhh, it's okay. You don't have to decide anything right now. It's okay." Thalia said, trying to comfort him. "And Will? Have you talked to him? I know he's an idiot, but even he doesn't deserve to be betrayed.”
"That's the point!" Nico practically shouted. "We didn't even kiss, nothing at all! How can this be happening to me? Me, the most boring and proper person in the world? I've never even run over a red light!”
"Oh." Both brothers muttered, surprised.
"From what I saw, it seemed much more, intimate, you know?" Jason said quietly into the silence of the room.
"I don't understand. I've just started living without my parents. It's too early! I can't… I can't let anyone hold me back again!”
"Nico, you have to calm down. Come on, I'll get you a glass of water."
"No! I don't want water!" Nico got up from the couch and started pacing around the room, no longer anxious, now irritated. "It's so unfair! Because... because I want it, I feel that this time... this time it's the right person…”
When he realized this, Nico stopped walking around the room and looked at the brothers who were looking at him in surprise. He didn't even know what he was saying anymore. He sat on the floor, right there in the middle of the room, and took a deep breath. Yes, he felt lighter, but on the other hand, he felt even more conflicted.
In theory, Nico knew what he should do, but his desire was different; it was that little voice that always got him into trouble. It screamed louder than his rationality, telling him that "what if this time it wouldn't be so bad to let himself live, just a little bit?"
In the end, it didn't matter how much they wanted to help him. This was a decision he needed to make on his own.
Chapter XXIII
Nico opened his eyes and for a moment he didn't know where he was. The alarm clock was ringing, it was six o'clock in the morning. He looked around and found it strange, peering through the crack in the window where the weak morning light was coming in. There was no view of trees and the countryside he loved so much, no, all he could see were the tall buildings and the noise of cars passing by on the avenue outside. He turned off that annoying noise, rubbed his eyes and only then could he remember.
It was true, Nico told himself. He wasn’t home. It had been a few weeks since he had packed his bags and snuck out without anyone seeing him, in the dead of night. He still hadn’t gotten used to it. It was the silence of voices and, at the same time, the endless noise of cars, the cozy nights and the support of friends, the understanding he hadn’t known he deserved before this. It was liberating to decide what he was going to do without having to look around for fear of disappointing someone. So, all that was left for Nico to do was get out of bed and face another day; he took a shower, brushed his teeth and put on the first clothes he found, barely looking where he was going, letting his feet carry him.
He stopped for a moment in front of the table and walked into the kitchen, staring at the glass in his hands, the water inside it moving as he stirred it slowly. Nico felt strangely empty; not sad, not angry and not happy at all. It was an absence of emotions that only made him feel relieved.
It must have been the new medication, or maybe it had been the explosion last night. Nico felt calm, calmer than he had ever felt before. He couldn’t be thankful enough for having Thalia and Jason in his life. They had stayed with him a little longer last night, had sat beside him on the living room floor, holding him tightly until his breathing had returned to normal and he had calmed down, though he had spent a long time staring at his hands.
He didn't know what was so important that made him look at them so much or why Jason and Thalia hadn't gone to their own rooms. Nico remembered asking them, feeling light and comfortable, even though he was sitting on that hard, cold wooden floor. The brothers looked at each other and out of the corner of his eye, Nico saw Thalia shrugging. They didn't answer him, they just got up, taking him with them and walked with him to his room, making him sit on the bed and lie down soon after, Jason covering him from chin to feet with the duvet. He had then sighed and closed his eyes, with them still looking at him and observing him with concern.
That was how Nico fell asleep, with their presence and the sound of the door closing as he finally lost consciousness. But now… now--
"Nico, how do you feel?”
Ah, it was Jason. His friend usually went out later than Nico. At that time, Jason would still be asleep, taking advantage of every extra second of sleep he could get. But not today. Today Jason was already up, wearing the same pants as the night before and a rock band t-shirt. He was offering Nico an extra large mug of black, unsweetened coffee, just the way he liked it first thing in the morning.
"Hm?" He asked, accepting the steaming mug. Nico placed the glass of water on the counter and inhaled the aroma of the freshly ground and filtered coffee, taking a big sip and not even realizing when he had burned his tongue.
"Did you sleep well?" Jason repeated.
Nico just smiled, almost feeling himself wake up, warmed by his concern. This was Jason, a full-time psychiatrist, but still in training. If he knew him well, he would have thought Jason would be a great professional. Jason cared more than he should have.
"Yes, thank you. And yes, I'm fine. I've already taken my medicine. And no, I don't feel any symptoms of a panic attack or shortness of breath." Nico said and took another sip of coffee, this time being careful not to burn his tongue. As for Jason, he grimaced and stopped in front of Nico, crossing his arms.
"I worry. I don't want to--”
"Jason, you know I love you. But you don't have to worry." Nico smiled at Jason again and drank the rest of his coffee, watching him blush. It had been a short while since they had reconnected, but he didn't remember Jason being so charming and handsome, a little clumsy, too. He thought he was spending too much time with Percy, but that kind of approach had its advantages. Jason stuttered and blushed more, raising his hands and pointing at Nico, his words trailing off and going nowhere.
"Really. I guess I needed to get it off my chest, you know? It's okay.”
"Nico, the way you acted before… so aggressive… it didn’t seem normal.”
"You know what? I think it was great! I've never felt so free, like nothing could stop me.”
"I know that, I know how difficult it is for you to express yourself. I want you to know that whenever you want, you can talk to me.”
"Jason, you're my best friend. I'm living in your house! Of course I know that. There are things I need to do on my own.”
“I understand that.” Jason repeated, coming around the table and looking at him closely, his bright blue eyes looking at him seriously. “It’s just… you look so small, so vulnerable that you feel like you’ll break with the slightest blow.”
"Jason--”
“I know you're not helpless, you showed that yesterday. You show me that every day that passes by. I want you to know that we're here, Thalia and I, we're here if you need us. How long are you going to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone?”
Nico snorted and pushed him lightly by the shoulders.
"Don't be so dramatic. I asked for help, didn't I? So why all the drama?”
"It’s Percy… I’ve never seen you react like this because of someone. With so much… passion.”
"Passion? So you think I'm in love? That I'm going to do crazy things?" He rolled his eyes and turned his back on Jason, going after his backpack. "I already left the house. What else could I do?”
"Something that will get you and Percy into trouble.”
Ah, and they say he's the innocent one, right? It was too late to think about that and it was Jason who didn't see reality.
Nico nodded at Jason, watching his friend’s disgruntled grimace, and picked up his bag. It was best if Jason didn’t know about this. The fewer people who noticed, the better.
***
"Bia, I'm fine. We'll see each other soon.”
"Nico Di Ângelo! Hazel had to go after you to find out what happened with you! What would it take for you to show up? Someone having an accident?" Bianca practically screamed on the other end of the line. "You even changed your cell phone number!”
"Okay, okay! I admit it, I needed some time, okay? I promise I'll visit.”
"You promise?”
“I Do.”
“When?”
"Errr… soon?”
"Nico!”
"I think… on the weekend? We can meet somewhere.”
"Oh." She told him, and on the other end of the line, he could hear her voice fading. "I thought… right. Will you ring me up? Papa is calling me.”
"I'll call you.”
"Remember, you promised.”
The line went dead and he looked at his cell phone, bringing a smile to his face. He confessed, he was being childish, the most selfish of all, petty, even. Seeing Hazel and now Bianca looking for him was all he needed; it was everything he never thought they would do. Nico could hardly believe that he mattered to the point that they would stop what they were doing to talk to him. The only thing missing wasHades showing up at his door.
Feeling his chest warm, Nico took the magnetic card out of his bag and when he was about to unlock the lock, someone grabbed his arm, pulling him under a nearby tree.
"Nico." Someone whispered, finally allowing him to see who this rude person was who had pulled him so hard.
"Not again!" He grumbled in anguish. Of course it was Will showing up uninvited, even taller and more muscular than before, his bright eyes making Nico’s stomach churn with revulsion. Maybe it was anger or anxiety, or maybe it was all of those things mixed together.
"I missed you, shorty." Nico felt hands wrap around him, making him take a step back, avoiding his embrace.
"Will, I was very clear with you.”
"Avoiding me and running away? I don't think so.”
"Will Solace!”
"What?" Will looked at him, finally seeming to pay attention.
"There is nothing between us anymore!”
"What is this? Are you going to throw away all those years because of sex? Because of a fantasy? I don't care. Now that you've had your fun, we can get down to business.”
"Will, I--”
"Look, I know how it is. Every man has the need to try new things, I don't blame you. But what do we have? It's forever.”
Nico was shocked, open-mouthed, astonished, dumbfounded. Will was confessing that he had cheated on him, right to his face?
"Will, I'm going to say it one more time: We're breaking up. We're already broken up. This between us is no longer possible. Do you understand?”
"Oh, come on! Is that what you're mad about? Because of a fuck? They're not important.”
"They? They? Do you realize what you're saying?" Nico paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "Will, you cheated on me. Do you understand? Look, I'm very tired. I hope to never see you again.”
He turned to leave, but again Will grabbed him by the arm, this time pinning him against a tree.
"Is this how you repay me for all these years? Everything I've done for you and your family?”
"I didn't ask you to do it." He replied. But Will was right, Nico didn't say or do anything to deny all the money the Solace family invested inHades's business, even so... he refused... he refused to feel bad about it! He was a child who would do whatever his father told him to do.
"You b--”
It was Will's turn to take a deep breath and calm down. When he spoke again, Will had a smile plastered on his face.
"Look, I know you're confused. There have been so many changes, right? I can wait, give you the time you need.”
"Will, I know about you and Lou. I know you were together before you even met me. How can you do this to me? To him? Don't you care at all?”
"He's just my friend, shorty. You're the only one for me.”
"You-- you're hopeless! If I go to your house now, will he be in your bed? Still sleeping? Or maybe on the couch, the place you both like so much, hm?”
"Did you… did you see?”
"Of course I saw it! I would have to be blind not to see it! Now, if you'll excuse me…”
"Nico, please. I love you. I promise that--”
"I've given you every chance and you keep doing the same things!”
"If you knew, why only now… oh! Is it because of that Percy? Do you think you have more options now? That he’ll stay with you? Someone useless who’s good for anything?" It was then that Will’s smile came back in full force, dimples and white teeth, making Nico's stomach churn even more. "Don’t be ridiculous. Someone like him would never stay with you. I bet he fucks you the way you never let me, doesn’t he? Does he satisfy you? Does he tell you what you want to hear? Have you no shame? A man his age playing house with you?”
Will shook his head and stepped closer.
"It would be horrible if the police got involved. What would happen if people found out that the famous Percy Jackson fucks underage boys?”
"You… you have no way of proving it.”
"That's true, but imagine people's reactions when they found out about the accusations?”
"I… I need some time to think.”
"Oh, of course you do, dear. As long as you want. While you're thinking, how about we go to the movies? This Friday?”
"I leave work late.”
"I know you can make an effort. I'll pick you up here at seven, okay?”
Will smiled once more at Nico and bent down until he was at his height, getting closer and closer and he… he couldn't do it; he turned his face just as Will's lips would touch his, kissing his face.
"It's okay, shorty. I can wait.”
Will touched Nico's hair, stroking it lovingly and stepped back, allowing him to see something that made his stomach turn even more. Percy was there, watching everything, much closer than Nico felt comfortable.
Thanks for reading!
More Posts from Auroraescritora and Others
UPDATE e microfic
Oii, como vão todos? Estou passando para avisar que não morri, mas parte da "Não há lugar como o lar" morreu.
Eu admito! Fiz merda. Acabei me deixando levar e a história foi para um caminho que eu não tinha previsto. Então, resolvi começar uma revisão mais cedo, até porque eu queria colocar algumas cenas extras e estou arrumando algumas partes do texto. Basicamente ignorem tudo depois do Nico contar sobre o Hades e que quer ser emancipado. Já tenho umas 10 mil palavras revisadas, devo respostar os capítulos na primeira semana de janeiro no meu blog. Já tenho um capítulo pronto por lá, nele nenhum acontecimento mudou, apenas algumas palavras modificadas.
Bem, esse é o planejamento para os próximos meses, revisar o que eu tenho e voltar aos trilhos. E para não ficarmos sem história, trago um minitexto de 100 palavras. Fiz para um desafio que eu acabei não colocando no ar, no tempo que eu tinha tempo para escrever textos curtos; eles eram ótimos para desenvolver a criatividade. De fato, sinto falta da época que eu tinha tempo para participar de qualquer desafio. De qualquer forma, aqui está, curto, mas que poderia muito bem ter se tornado uma boa história.
O começo do fim
Prompt: Apocalipse
Premissa: Eles estavam procurando por sobreviventes, mas eu escolhi ficar quieto. Eu gostava daqui.
Eles estavam procurando por sobreviventes, mas Nico escolheu ficar quieto. Ele gostava dali, era tranquilo, não havia problemas e nem monstros a serem destruídos. Ele nunca pensou que fosse gostar tanto de um mundo onde noventa e cinco por cento da população tinha perecido por culpa de uma nova vacina contra o câncer e, ao invés de prevenir tumores, a vacina acabou por mudar o DNA das pessoas, as transformando em um tipo de zumbi que não representava qualquer tipo de perigo; eles andavam por aí durante dias e dias e quando a energia deles acabavam ou eles se definhavam devido à desnutrição, as pessoas infectadas apenas caiam no chão e não se levantavam novamente.
Mas é claro que Nico tinha que ouvir a voz “dele”.
Nico se abaixou atrás de um arbusto, fechando sua bolsa cheia de frutas e ouviu novamente a voz chamando.
— Tem alguém aí?
Nico se virou, se preparando para rastejar para longe dali quando uma voz falou novamente, bem as suas costas:
— Eu sabia que era você. Eu pensei que era minha imaginação, porque faz tempo que eu não sinto a energia de um semideus, então quando eu--
— Cala a boca! Eles vão te escutar!
Nico pegou Percy pelo braço e o puxou para longe, subindo por um caminho íngreme e entrando em uma caverna escondida pelas árvores. Era a única opção se ele quisesse continuar escondido.
Growing up with your starters
Artist: esasi8794 / Twitter
THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME - PERCY/NICO AU HIGH SCHOOL - CHAPTER I
Hi, how are you? This is the English version of "NÃO HÁ LUGAR COMO O LAR - PERCY/NICO AU COLEGIAL ". I usually write in Portuguese, but as I saw a lot of people who read in other languages, I decided to write this one in English too. Admittedly, I used Google and corrected what I could. I hope this is an acceptable translation, even if my writing is a bit rusty in English.
Now, for those who don't know what the story is about, here's an improvised summary: Nico is returning from Italy after spending two years there and meets Percy, the best friend he left behind, but who kept in touch in that time away. The rest develops from this reunion, and very quickly! In this story I will try to be more direct.
Thanks for the support! And good reading.
"Look who's back! The Italian boy.” Nico just had time to turn around before he was pressed against broad shoulders and strong arms that hugged him so tightly they lifted him into the air, knocking him out of breath and sending his books and bag tumbling to the floor, the door of his school locker being slammed with a loud bang.
“Perseus Jackson!”
"Only my mother calls me that."
But Percy was laughing, twirling him around in the air as people around him stared at them. Well, there was a good reason. They were right in the middle of the hallway where there were several lockers, leading to the entrance of the classrooms. Nico couldn't resist, he wrapped his arms around Percy's neck and hugged him as tight as Percy had did, burying his face against Percy's neck.
"I missed you.”
"I missed you too." Nico muttered back and pulled away, finally getting to see Percy's face.
Eyes as green as he remembered, nose straight and upturned, thin lips and wide in a pretty smile. What had changed was Percy’s height, nearly seven feet tall, and all those muscles. Where he remembered a shy and a little sad boy had turned into this... this happy and full of life man. Confident. Although he could still see the kindness and friendship that they used to have, this thing between them… having to deal with those feelings so openly still was something new. He couldn't help but compare himself to the past, where he was too young and Percy was... Percy was Percy, opening the door to his home to a sad, lonely little boy.
"Two years, huh? I thought you were never coming back."
“Hm.”
"Let me see you better." It wasn't like Percy had never seen him up close or every day for those two years on video calls. Nico had forgotten how intense Percy could be, full of touches and smiles.
Percy brought one of his hands to his face and brushed his hair back, exposing his face completely. And him? Well, Nico just stared back at Percy, as focused on the boy as Percy was on him. The truth is that all the calls and video calls didn't compare to what reality showed him, making him question what had happened to make him run away from Percy, from those gestures that felt so… so affectionate and so attentive. How dare he do this to them? Leaving the person he loved most behind? He was the most cowardly person in the whole world.
"Um... Percy? Put me down, yeah?” Nico did his best to stay serious.
"Why?”
"Don’t you have shame?”
"Have I?
Then, Percy smiled even more and finally put him on the ground to then loosen his grip on his face and waist, not pulling away completely, but leaning a little over him, as if there was something in his face that Percy needed to see more closely.
"How have you been? Why didn't you tell me you were coming back this week?”
"Why? Would you pick me up at the airport?”
“Of course, my friends deserve the best.”
“And what would that be?”
“Me, of course.”
Nico swore he was trying to be serious. The way things were going, Percy wanted something more and at the moment he wasn't ready. But it was no use, Nico grabbed Percy's shoulders and laughed; he thought it was one of the worst lines he had ever heard.
"Hey, don't laugh in my face. I'm a nice guy.”
“And very humble, too.”
"Very.” Percy said and finally released him, leaning against his side in front of the lockers, making Nico sigh in relief and picking up his things from the floor, putting them in the locker.
Sometimes Percy was a little too much for him; that was what Nico had discovered over the years in the thousands of conversations they'd had in that time. He didn't know when Percy had changed from the introverted boy to this bubbly person, but he liked it. And hated it at the same time, making his stomach flutter with anxiousness.
"Now really, how have things been?"
“You know, the same." Nico shrugged and closed the closet, taking out the books he would use that day, putting them in his bag. “Bianca came with me.”
"College?” Percy asked. “And you?”
Nico shrugged once more and leaned back against Percy's side, facing him closely again, looking at him through his lashes, trying not to show how he really felt. He didn't think he'd ever would get used to his friend's good looks, now doubled as the smooth features of adolescence gave way to defined muscles and an angular, strong face, the crooked smile, the intense gaze, the confident attitude... and... well, all of that. And much more.
"What about it?"
"What brings you back?"
“I missed home.” Nico nodded to himself. “For a while I thought it was Verona, but… I kept wondering what’s going on around here.”
"So, you decided to come back?”
“Why not? I'm turning eighteen in a few months. I wanted to use this last year and see the guys again.
Well… he wanted to see a few people again and one of them was right in front of him, looking at him as if he wanted to… as if Percy wanted to see what was inside his mind. And as it used to happen, he was the first to lose in this little game to see who looked away first.
“So… did you miss it and came to stay or…”
“I'm here to stay. Hades will come later.”
"I’m glad.” Percy said, still smiling, something more sincere and cute, like he got tired of flirting. "Maybe we can see each other later. Wanna eat something?”
"Later when?”
"Today. After basketball practice. Want to see me play?”
"Oh no! That's what I was afraid of! The high school cliché!” But he was laughing, and Percy was laughing along with him, reminding him of old times.
“You know, you can't talk about me. You were all cute and shy and you came back looking like you stepped out of an eighty’s movie. Leather jacket, ripped pants and that… is it eyeliner?” Percy approached him once more and gently cupped his chin, just another excuse to touch him, of that Nico was sure; not that he was complaining. Percy could do that and much more. “You're the perfect good boy gone bad.”
“I'm still a good boy.”
That made Percy stop for a moment, still with his hands on Nico's face, and stare at him for a long time only for a crooked smile to appear along with dimples.
"Is that so? How much of a good boy are you?”
"I don't think you'll ever find out."
One more silence and one more look that in the past would send him running for cover faster than a rocket. However, that Nico had been left behind along with his innocence.
“Hm.” Was all Percy said for a few moments, and Nico swore he was moving closer towards his face when the bell rang, interrupting them.
"Right.” Nico cleared his throat, straightening his spine and looking around. “I think I have to go.
“What's your first class?”
" English class. I need to stop by the secretary first.”
" I'll go with you.
Nico didn't even try to deny it, he had missed Percy so much that stretching things a little further wouldn't hurt. He pushed himself away from the locker and, again, something he didn't expect happened. Percy took the backpack from his shoulder, carrying it for him and with the other hand, intertwined their fingers together, pulling him smoothly through the almost empty corridor towards the administration of the school.
***
It was strange to be there after so long. The cream-colored walls were still the same, there were the same blue benches and black tables, the same wide hallways and the same cafeteria, painted the same pastel color. He even managed to recognize some familiar faces among the younger ones. It was a dejavu, except that now he saw things from above, in a distant, almost displaced perspective, where before his days were permeated by anxiety and uncertainty, now everything seemed easier and colorless, even if a little painful, but unimportant and maybe even comfortable. Maybe it was because Percy was still holding his hand, talking to the same secretary as two years ago, a woman in her fifties, always smiling and helpful.
In the end, it didn't take long for him to get his admissions papers that he would need to show his professors.
“So, English class? Double? I also have it. Let me see your schedule.”
Nico shrugged and took his class schedule out of his bag. He watched Percy take the paper from his hands, frown in concentration and hand the paper back to him, "We have most of our classes together. “Are you in the arts and music clubs? I'm into the music too. Guitar classes.”
“Seemed to be the easiest.”
"I bet.”
"Shut up.” Nico shoved Percy by the shoulders and walked out of the office. Few people knew that he had a knack for creative things and maybe he played something for Percy over the years. Well, that was none of other people's business.
“Nico, the classes have changed! We are using the auditoriums.”
"Of course.” Nico rolled his eyes and this time he wasn't even surprised when Percy reached out and touched his shoulder, his big hands sliding down his back to his waist, gently guiding him in the right direction. In fact, he didn't remember this school having an auditorium, so he let himself be guided by Percy, a warm and comfortable presence at his side.
***
When they arrived at the auditorium, the class had already started. Professor Johnson wasn't the type to mind being late if the class wasn't disrupted, that’s why Percy stood at the main entrance to the room, away from the teacher's gaze, preferring to watch Nico go down to the podium where the teacher was and deliver the paper for her to sign.
What could Percy say? Nico was a much more interesting sight at that moment, long legs covered by tight jeans, perky ass, small waist, broad shoulders, deep-set black eyes and a small mouth that always seemed to be bitten and reddened, skin tanned, looking so soft that he couldn't resist the urge to touch him as soon as he could, just to test the theory. He admitted it, he was going too fast, but two years was enough time to know if you liked someone, wasn't it? Not counting the seven years before that. Perhaps he should have gone to Italy with Nico when Hades offered, always generous even if absent most of the time.
He was snapped out of his reverie when Nico finished talking to the teacher and walked towards him, carefree and slow, as if he had all the time in the world, parading around in his punk clothes and unpretentious attitude. Why avoid something he knew would happen sooner or later? If Percy could, he would kiss Nico then and there, to end this torture that had gone on for so many years. But he could control himself, if he had waited two years, he could wait a few more days.
"All went well?”
Nico just nodded and took his hand, leading him towards the middle of the auditorium where they could get a good view of the teacher and hear what she was talking about. Percy didn't even have time to appreciate Nico taking the initiative and touching him of his own free will, although he felt he should be more concerned with the reaction of the people around them, the indiscreet stares and murmurs buzzing in his ear; he didn't exactly date boys in public, especially since Annabeth was always around to make everyone think he was with her. It was what it was, he just hoped he didn't have to punch some faces. Because he would, and gladly.
“Per?” He heard someone call him and there was only one person who still called him that. "What chapter are we in?"
"Seven.”
"Thanks.” Nico muttered more quietly than before and began to read, completely focused on the book and what the teacher was saying. Percy was left to wonder how anyone could be so cute. So lovely. Watching a small crease appear between Nico's brows, his lips set into a frustrated pout until he seemed to find what he was looking for in the book, relaxing against the seat and settling down to jot down quick notes as the teacher discussed the matter.
Then a noise came from the row of chairs above his, someone tapping him on the shoulder. He turned around and there was Grover, his oldest childhood friend.
"Who's the new kid?"
“Nico.”
“That quiet, sad boy Sally had practically adopted?' Your Italian boy? Now I understand the obsession.”
"Dude!” Percy whispered furiously. He wasn't that obsessed…was he? Percy looked to the side, just to make sure Nico hadn't heard, seeing that the boy was still focused on the class and turned back to Grover: “We'll talk later.”
"As you wish, don Juan."
"Whatever.”
Percy faced forward, leaned over Nico, seeing where they were in the book, and ignored everything else. When Nico pushed the book toward him so the two of them could read, Percy didn't hesitate. He put his arm around Nico's shoulder, put their heads together and began to read. Maybe be if he could concentrate, the little voice in the back of his mind would stop reminding him that this would lead to more trouble than he was willing to deal with.
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I hope you liked it. Updates always in Fridays or early if a have the time.
Thanks again!
Send me a character and a number and I’ll tell you my headcanons for:
1) Something this character is truly proud of.
2) Who they want to please the most.
3) Who depends on them.
4) What they would do if they had one month to live.
5) A cherished personal belonging.
6) Something they lost, but would love to have back
7) This character’s favorite character
8) What kind of car they would drive.
9) What calms them when they are upset.
10) How they deal with pain.
11) This character’s favorite piece or pieces of clothing.
12) How they sleep.
13) What kind of parent they would be.
14) How they did in school
15) What cologne or perfume they would use
16) Their sexuality
17) What they’d sing at karaoke
18) Special talents they have
19) When they feel safest
20) Household chore they hate the most
21) Their fondest childhood memory
22) How they spend their money.
23) What kind of alcohol they drink
24) What they wish they could change about themselves
25) What other people wish they could change about them
Tagged by @haiseiscute333
Thanks for tagging me! It's my first time doing this, but lets go!
3 ships:
+ Pernico (Percy/Nico) - Percy Jackson Series, my favorite ship to write!
+ Lan Zhan/Wei Ying - Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation
+ Harry Potter/Draco Malfoy - Harry Potter
(Like, I have at least 10 favorites, but I won't spam anyone🤣)
First ship: Naruto/Sasuke - Naruto (I have to say, it was a long time ago, in the 2000's, so forgive me! But I Still like it, the one's well written)
Last song: Stone Cold - Demi Lovato
Last movie: Barbie (Best Thing Ever!)
Reading: Can be a fanfiction? 4018 - by sweetlolixo (Something quick and fun and smutty)
Currently watching: XO, Kitty (My cousin made me watch it and I loved it)
Consuming: Water
Craving: Sleep and money. A lot of this two!
No pressure tags: @yonemurishiroku and @lukecastellanshandholder
Tagged by @prettyblubox! Thank you!
3 ships: Loid/Yor (SPY x FAMILY), Suletta/Miorine (Mobile Suit Gundam: the Witch from Mercury), Sawako/Kazehaya (Kimi ni Todoke)
First ship: Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase (Percy Jackson and the Olympians series)
Last song: Shukufuku - Yoasobi
Last movie: Barbie
Reading: will be rereading SPY x FAMILY to prepare for S2 and I’m also going to start All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Currently watching: Revolutionary Girl Utena and other seasonal anime
Consuming: honey toast
Craving: some free time to enjoy all my fandoms
Tagging @whateversawesome @nightofnyx8 @rlbbackup @tare-anime @yellowcrazycricket
Nico: I've been seeing someone recently but I think who it is will upset you, so I don't know if I should tell you.
Hazel: Nico, we could never be upset with someone you choose to love. If they make you happy, that's all that matters.
Jason: Yeah, all we care for is your joy.
Nico: Okay, that's great, because it's Poseidon.
Hazel: Percy's dad? Neptune? The ocean? That guy?
Nico: Yeah.
Jason: You're dating the ocean? The thing that doesn't listen to anyone and also loves drowning people?
Nico: He doesn't love drowning people. He just doesn't like people thinking it's easy to sail across him.
Jason: Well, it's not. Because he likes to drown people.
Nico: I think you are putting too much of a Roman spin on this.
Hazel: We are not mermaids, Nico! We are land-dwellers. Except Jason, but, you know, even a bird needs to come down from the clouds sometime and what's he gonna rest on? The water? No! I got a boat one time to save the world and it sucked. Do not stay on this boat, Nico! Get back on dry land!
Nico: Once again, I think you're putting too much of a Roman emphasis on this. I am dating Poseidon. Not Neptune.
Hazel: It's the same person!
Nico: Not really. Neptune is way meaner.
Jason: How do you know that for sure?
Nico:
Jason: Oh my gods.
Hazel: Nico!
Nico: Look, let's forget that and focus on the part where I'm happy!
I believe in free education, one that’s available to everyone; no matter their race, gender, age, wealth, etc… This masterpost was created for every knowledge hungry individual out there. I hope it will serve you well. Enjoy!
FREE ONLINE COURSES (here are listed websites that provide huge variety of courses)
Alison
Coursera
FutureLearn
open2study
Khan Academy
edX
P2P U
Academic Earth
iversity
Stanford Online
MIT Open Courseware
Open Yale Courses
BBC Learning
OpenLearn
Carnegie Mellon University OLI
University of Reddit
Saylor
IDEAS, INSPIRATION & NEWS (websites which deliver educational content meant to entertain you and stimulate your brain)
TED
FORA
Big Think
99u
BBC Future
Seriously Amazing
How Stuff Works
Discovery News
National Geographic
Science News
Popular Science
IFLScience
YouTube Edu
NewScientist
DIY & HOW-TO’S (Don’t know how to do that? Want to learn how to do it yourself? Here are some great websites.)
wikiHow
Wonder How To
instructables
eHow
Howcast
MAKE
Do it yourself
FREE TEXTBOOKS & E-BOOKS
OpenStax CNX
Open Textbooks
Bookboon
Textbook Revolution
E-books Directory
FullBooks
Books Should Be Free
Classic Reader
Read Print
Project Gutenberg
AudioBooks For Free
LibriVox
Poem Hunter
Bartleby
MIT Classics
Many Books
Open Textbooks BCcampus
Open Textbook Library
WikiBooks
SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES & JOURNALS
Directory of Open Access Journals
Scitable
PLOS
Wiley Open Access
Springer Open
Oxford Open
Elsevier Open Access
ArXiv
Open Access Library
LEARN:
1. LANGUAGES
Duolingo
BBC Languages
Learn A Language
101languages
Memrise
Livemocha
Foreign Services Institute
My Languages
Surface Languages
Lingualia
OmniGlot
OpenCulture’s Language links
2. COMPUTER SCIENCE & PROGRAMMING
Codecademy
Programmr
GA Dash
CodeHS
w3schools
Code Avengers
Codelearn
The Code Player
Code School
Code.org
Programming Motherf*?$%#
Bento
Bucky’s room
WiBit
Learn Code the Hard Way
Mozilla Developer Network
Microsoft Virtual Academy
3. YOGA & MEDITATION
Learning Yoga
Learn Meditation
Yome
Free Meditation
Online Meditation
Do Yoga With Me
Yoga Learning Center
4. PHOTOGRAPHY & FILMMAKING
Exposure Guide
The Bastards Book of Photography
Cambridge in Color
Best Photo Lessons
Photography Course
Production Now
nyvs
Learn About Film
Film School Online
5. DRAWING & PAINTING
Enliighten
Ctrl+Paint
ArtGraphica
Google Cultural Institute
Drawspace
DragoArt
WetCanvas
6. INSTRUMENTS & MUSIC THEORY
Music Theory
Teoria
Music Theory Videos
Furmanczyk Academy of Music
Dave Conservatoire
Petrucci Music Library
Justin Guitar
Guitar Lessons
Piano Lessons
Zebra Keys
Play Bass Now
7. OTHER UNCATEGORIZED SKILLS
Investopedia
The Chess Website
Chesscademy
Chess.com
Spreeder
ReadSpeeder
First Aid for Free
First Aid Web
NHS Choices
Wolfram Demonstrations Project
Please feel free to add more learning focused websites.
*There are a lot more learning websites out there, but I picked the ones that are, as far as I’m aware, completely free and in my opinion the best/ most useful.
why you should reblog and support content creators
i’ve been on tumblr since 2012 and became a content creator in 2014/5, so i’ve been here for years and I can confirm that: people barely reblog posts now and it’s becoming an issue. yes content creators make stuff mostly for them, but if we post them it’s so people can see and enjoy it. and this happens when you hit “reblog”
the likes/reblogs ratios is a big disaster. when I first started, the reblogs were like 70% of a post with 30% of likes. now it’s 10% reblogs and 90% likes. likes are good, don’t get me wrong, but they don’t give us visibility.
reblogging = sharing posts to your followers. it’s easy and quick
WHY YOU SHOULD REBLOG
reblogs are important because it motivates people to create stuff and create more
it’s a great way to introduce your followers to a show/an artist/sports. i don’t wanna throw myself flowers but a few of my followers got into motorsport because I was reblogging posts about it (and also creating gifs and edits)
reblogs are a great way to make new friends because your followers/mutuals will see you have stuff in common and it will help to engage a conversation and start a friendship.
content creators spend a lot of time editing and a reblog shows that these hours weren’t lost
reblogging helps us making our work be seen as tumblr’s tags are sometimes broken and they don’t appear in tags
it encourages people to create more and. i’m posting graphics and reblogs are encouraging me to keep posting them and creating more
top bonus is when you leave nice stuff in the tags. we see them and we love it and we love you
reblog because it’s free and the button exists for a reason
there is many more reasons but i won’t spam you
WHY YOU SHOULD SUPPORT CONTENT CREATORS
we are nice
we provide stuff for free
we take requests and make stuff you ask for
we share our resources: colorings, writing tips, where to get pictures, where to get fonts, tutorials, links for softwares
because we struggle a lot with tumblr’s tags
because people are sometimes rude to us and send rude asks (ex: writers - to publish their writings sooner)
because our work is being stolen by people claiming it’s theirs
because our work is being reposted on other social medias without asking us and crediting
i’m not pointing a gun to your face screaming “REBLOG”, i’m just telling you that if you like a post, you should think about reblogging it so your followers can see it and you’ll make one person happy <3
Wow. Don't get me started or I may write something about it. It's perfect!
Time Travel AU (again, I know. get over it) in which the Future Nico looked after his younger self in his homeless days and is the one who sent the dreams to the present Percy Jackson, informing him of what danger the present Nico's in.
I'm loving how I can almost wedge this Time Travel AU into the canon so effortlessly.
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auroraescritora reblogged this · 3 months ago
Sejam bem-vindos! Olá, esse é meu blog pessoal. Escrevo fanfics Pernico/Nicercy e orginais, e reblogo alguns posts de vez em quando. História Atual Não há lugar como o Lar - versão em Portugues There's no Place like home - English version Resumo: Nico está voltando da Itália depois de passar dois anos por lá e encontra Percy, o melhor amigo que ele deixou para trás, mas que manteve contato nesse tempo afastado. O resto se desenvolve a partir desse reencontro. Se você quiser saber o que eu escrevo, siga a tag #my writing
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