Although I wish I did, I do not own PJatO or HoO. Plot is mine, though!
Thump. Thump. Thump. Percy checked the backroom for the fifth time, but again, nothing was there. Thump. Thump. Thump. There it was again. Percy looked out the window of his workplace, only to find some hitchhiker out on the road. It couldn't be him, he was too far away.
Percy was working the night shift alone. He couldn't go home because McDonald's opened 24 hours and Annabeth had the day off.
BAM!
Percy whirled around and figured the sound came from the freezer. It was dark, but he could hear footsteps shuffling around. He turned on the lights.
"GAH!" screamed a shivering Nico.
"WHAT!?" Percy screamed back before realizing anything. "Nico? Why are you in the meat freezer?"
Nico rubbed his eyes to adjust to the light and scowled at Percy.
"I just wanted some food, but I traveled into the wrong shadow."
Percy couldn't help but laugh.
"C'mon kid, I'll get you a Happy Meal. It's on me."
"Happy Meals are for kids and I don't need you chari-' Nico was cut off by Percy pulling him out to the front.
Nico leaned on a nearby shelf and watched as Percy made the "childish" meal.
"Why do they call them 'Happy Meals'? It's not like you can bag happiness," Nico spat.
Percy sighed and thought a bit before saying,
"Well, to the kids at least, it makes them happy because it's supposed to remind them of fun, happy times with family," Percy said to the bubbling oil. He started to sound like Piper, his manager. "But it's probably just to get the kids' attention. The name makes them happy, I guess."
Nico scoffed at him. All the memories Happy Meals brought him were ones of pain. Inside of them were junk food and memories of Bianca. Dead and gone Bianca. Gone and lost Bianca. Bianca that Percy, Olympus' savior, could not save. Percy. Percy who was the Mythomagic card hero in real life. Percy who was his role model. Percy who he...
"Nico? You alright, man?" Percy interrupted Nico's thoughts just in time. Tears were already running down Nico's cheeks.
"Huh? Oh, yeah. I'm fine," Nico replied.
Percy placed the food on the counter and handed Nico a napkin, wiping away his tears when Nico stubbornly refused it.
"I'm not a child," he said.
Without another word, Percy hugged Nico. Sometimes, a guy needs a hug and if anyone needed one, it was this kid. Nico didn't accept it, but he didn't reject it either. He just stood there, crying into the older boy's chest.
Eventually, Nico backed away. Percy handed him the miraculously-still-hot-food.
"Thanks," Nico finally said.
"Sure, anytime," smiled Percy. Nico returned it for a short second before,
"Speak of this to anyone and I will murder you with the fryer."
Percy chuckled, "Of course, Gloom Child."
"I'm not-"
"Take your Happy Meal, kid."
Nico snatched the food and shadow traveled back home...a faint smile on his face.
Okay, maybe Happy Meals weren't so bad after all.