Author's Note: Hey y'all! I hope you like the new fanfic I made! I'm actually really impressed with myself. This is a fanfic and not a one-shot. There will indeed be other chapters :)
Hey so also, about this story, there is some real dark stuff in here. It addresses things like rape. I don't wanna go into too much detail because it might ruin the story for you, but if you are uncomfortable with reading heavy material please DO NOT READ Please, people. I don't want to trigger anything from anyone and I'd rather not feel bad about someone's experience.
That being said, I personally really love the story, but it's my baby so what can I say?
Don't own the Percy Jackson Universe. All rights reserved to the king Rick Riordan
Main Pairing: Percico
Love you guys and don't forget to fav and review! Love feedback! ~Cryellow
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Change of Plans
Percy's entire day was horrible.
Okay, admittedly he'd had some pretty good days in the past. There had been dates with Annabeth that he had particularly liked. There had also been blissful days after he had fought some nasty battles, days were he would just bask in the glow of the sun.
Those things had nothing on the day Percy had.
As opposed to those wonderful days, this one was particularly rotten. He had just been told that he had failed one special test or another. Honestly, with as many as he had taken, it was pretty hard to pin point. His mom had given him the news over Iris- message, as he had just arrived at Camp Half Blood for possibly the last summer before wanting to move to New Rome. Wanting, is key here, because now that he had failed this test he had to take it again in three months. That's at least what the woman had said on the phone when his mom had called for him.
"She said there was a long waiting list, Percy. The retake is different from the original." Sally had told him, her eyes full of pity.
This meant that any plans that Percy had about moving to New Rome after summer were destroyed. It wasn't like the test was easy! His dyslexia made it almost impossible to answer the questions, and even the math ones had been all word based. If it had been in Greek, Percy probably would have passed it. As it was, he didn't.
This didn't exactly bode well, since Annabeth had passed every one of her tests with flying colors, and was going to New Rome right after camp. He found her after the call with his mom over at the rock climbing wall, trying to keep her stamina up. She jumped down when she saw him and seemed like she was prepared, since he obviously looked like he had bad news.
Her face grew grim as he told her what happened. He suggested that maybe they could both postpone going to college until next year. She shook her head at him in determination.
"I'm committed now, Percy. I passed all my tests. I have to go! You'll just have to wait."
"Wait an entire year, while you're over at New Rome?! That's so unfair! It's not like I wanted to fail the test!"
She shook her head at him, disappointed. "Honestly I'm not surprised."
"You didn't think I could do it?!" Percy asked her shocked.
"Well yes, and look, you didn't. You failed."
"Thanks for reminding me! A real confidence booster for sure!"
"I am not going out of my way to wait a whole year so that I can wait for you! I've actually been excited about this since I applied. Their architecture program is going to be awesome!"
Percy stood facing her, his mouth open in shock. "I can't believe you! I get to stand by and watch while you go through college, having the time of your life!"
"I'm sure you'll find a job. Besides, I can take care of myself." She crossed her arms, her eyebrows sunk low on her forehead.
"I'm sure you can, Miss I-know-everything! Wisdom's daughter more like Book Nerd's daughter!" He snapped at her. Her face grew angry as he threw the insults. Okay, sure, he was being really mean, but he just found out he failed a test and was going to leave his girlfriend to the other side of the country for the whole year, possibly more. Plus, Annabeth was taking this almost as if it was good news. She looked thrilled that she could spend the time to herself. It made Percy pretty bitter, since all he had wanted to do was move in with her and start a life. She glared at him and Percy could almost see the smoke rising from her ears.
"Percy you have no right to call me those things, and you know it! You are so childish! Grow up and face the music! I am going to New Rome at the end of camp and you are not! That is it. I will not give up a year of my education so that you can fail that test again!"
"Fail it again?! There you go, calling me stupid! Well, I'm not! I'm smart enough to have seen how you felt for Luke even before we went into the Sea of Monsters! I'm also smart enough to have seen you looking at that guy Joshua from New Rome! That tour we went on? Don't think I forgot how you were ogling that son of Vulcan! I've even heard you Iris-message him while I'm not around! Now tell me, if I'm so stupid, how could I possibly see that?!"
"I never called you stupid!" Both of them were really heated at this point. A son of Hermes had walked by, probably going on the rock climbing course, but quickly ran away at seeing both of the demigods in such a heated battle of wills. "And how dare you bring up Luke! Josh is a friend! He likes architecture as much as I do! We were comparing notes!"
"I bet that's why you want to go so bad," Percy said, his eyes hardening. "He's going into the architecture program with you, isn't he? He is, I can see it on your face. You're even blushing, how cute. You know what? I bet you can't wait to tell him I failed so that you can room with him. You're thrilled! Don't deny it! Well now you can compare notes all alone, huh? I'll be here in New York and Bob the Builder will be at New Rome with you!"
For a minute Annabeth looked like she wanted to snort, but instead went with her fury.
"You know what? You're right! I'm totally in love with Josh! Wow! Just like how you're in love with Nico!"
Percy blushed crimson, shocked at the implication. "I am not in love with Nico!"
"Uh, huh, sure. Well this know-it-all knows a thing or two about sexuality! You've been bisexual since I met you, Perce! If I'm looking at Josh then you sure as hell are looking at Nico! Every time he walks in the room you go into another world! When he turns around you stare at his ass!" Annabeth scoffed at him, her hands now on her hips.
"I do not!" Percy's hands were in fists, not that he was going to hurt Annabeth, but more out of frustration. Admittedly, he had looked at the boy once in a while. He couldn't help it. After Nico had confessed that he had had a crush on Percy, Percy started thinking about it. He started mulling over the idea. But it wasn't only Nico either. He remembered getting a boner after first meeting the sun god and watching Luke get all sweaty when he would train with him at sword fighting.
Despite all that, he never acted on any of those things. Annabeth meant too much to him. The idea that he was bisexual was something he always brushed over or shook off with a head shake. He had been too busy saving the world or working at school. He tried to do that here, but in the heat of the argument he took it almost like an insult rather than an observation.
"You do too! You keep acting like the victim and about how you'll be 'all alone' while I'm at New Rome! You'll have your pretty emo boy to stare at!" Annabeth said outraged.
"He is not my pretty emo boy." Percy said his voice low with anger. "You know what? Maybe this is a good thing! Then I can get the hell away from you!"
"The feeling is mutual, I assure you! I'm tired of having to play happy girlfriend while I watch you stare at someone else!"
"I am not staring at him!" Percy said. "And what about Tartarus? Doesn't that mean anything to you at all? We stayed together through that entire thing! Or are you going to say that I was staring at Bob's ass?!"
"Tartarus was horrible and I will always love you for what happened in there, but I just can't anymore, Percy! I'm done with trying to reason with someone who refuses to listen."
"Fine, then. I get it. Have fun with Joshua in New Rome. Tell him I said hi before you start comparing notes." Percy stormed away, not quite realizing what just happened.
That night it really hit him and he didn't go to the dining hall. He was too busy balling his eyes out in his cabin. Annabeth had been his first real love, but just like she had, apparently, he had been feeling the love between them dim while there was no war going on. Because of no war they had talked quite a lot. A lot about other things, like if they liked amusement parks or if they liked a certain band. It was kinda sad how little they had in common.
It turned out that maybe they were better apart, after all.
Percy wasn't curled up like some dame about it. He was knocking the beds over and punching the wall. His tears streamed down his face as he knocked the Minotaur horn from it's hanging on the wall and fell on his butt on his bed. His head hanging low and dropping tears everywhere on the floor, he grabbed fistfuls of his hair. He was about to maybe go for a late night swim to clear his head or make him feel better, when he heard a knock at the door. He hastily rubbed his eyes, knowing that his eyes were puffy and his cheeks swollen anyway, and walked to the door.
He looked down into the face of Nico di Angelo.
The last thing Percy wanted was to see the boy that had been a factor in the break up, but here he was anyway. Percy felt the unmistakable feel of tiny butterflies as he looked at Nico in front of him.
"Percy?" Nico asked, his eyebrows high on his head in concern. "What happened? You weren't at dinner and-"
"What do you want, Nico?" He snapped at the boy, upset that he couldn't go back to his crying. He sounded like he had a head cold but letting it out seemed to help him somewhat.
"I just wanted to check on you, man." Nico held up his hands in a placating manner. "You usually never miss dinner. Why are you crying? Is your mom okay?"
Ever since Percy's 15th birthday and a slice of blue cake, Nico had loved Sally Jackson. Every once in a while Nico would ask to tag along to Percy's house just to talk to the woman. She liked him just as much.
"My mom's fine and so am I. I was just about to go to bed, so if you don't mind..."
Nico peered behind Percy into the cabin and saw the only thing in tact was Percy's own bed. Nico's eyebrows switched places and instead went downward in confusion. "I know you're a messy person, Percy, but the cabin like that? Why won't you just tell me what's wrong?"
"It's none of your business," Percy hissed, wanting to retreat into his room. He got a little angry at himself. The sight of Nico di Angelo had made him feel better than any crying that he could do, but he didn't want to prove Annabeth right by hanging out with him, right after their breakup.
The boy was in ripped black jeans and a gray t-shirt. The shirt itself cut low on his form and it went on his hips well. Percy realized he was trying his best not to get a boner. Definitely bisexual, he sighed to himself. Why it took the younger boy in tight clothes to confirm that, Percy wasn't sure, but regardless he didn't want to talk to anyone right now. He moved to close the door but was blocked instead by Nico's foot.
"I know it's not my business. It's your's. It's obviously eating at you so why don't you just let it out? Staying in here alone isn't going to help you." Nico shook his head at Percy.
"It's better than going out," Percy replied looking pointedly at Nico's foot.
"Than at least let me in, too." Nico said sternly, crossing his arms.
"Mr. Trademark Scowl wants to lecture me on brooding and being moody? How cute."
"Yes, Mr. Trademark Scowl does. He knows what it feels like and obviously you are having issues that need to be discussed. So if you'd please remove the door from my foot, I'd like for it not to turn into a pancake."
Percy removed the door and scowled at the other boy. "Just leave me alone, Nico. Seriously. I'd rather be alone. You can't help me."
"I think I can," replied Nico defiantly. Percy sighed at him and knew he might start to regret his words, but he didn't care. Brooding is exactly what he wanted to do about the whole thing. Not only did the past few hours reveal to him that he had a major crush on the boy in front of him, but it also revealed that no matter how much he fought with Annabeth, some part of him will love her forever. Even if that wasn't a romantic way, not anymore at least, it was still there. His emotions were stripped to pieces and he still couldn't make sense of anything.
"Nico, go away. I'm not going to tell you again."
"Fine, if you won't listen to me, I'll go and get your girlfriend. Annabeth will clear this up." Nico started marching away, obviously upset that his plan hadn't worked, but determined to solve the problem regardless. Percy felt himself get deathly pale and he grabbed Nico's arm with a painful force and shoved the boy into his cabin.
"You are not going to talk to Annabeth about this."
Nico, who had gave a surprised sound at being grabbed with such a strong grip, looked at Percy with even more confusion. "Why don't you want to talk to your girlfri-"
"Sh-she's..." He struggled to find the right words that wouldn't rip his own heart out. He certainly didn't want to talk about it. He didn't want to even think about it. He decided he couldn't stand it anymore. He didn't want to tell Nico and there was only one other way he'd shut up. One way that he could get the thoughts out of his head and Nico silent.
He kissed Nico di Angelo full on the lips, his hand still on the boy's upper arm in a painful grip.
Nico gave a surprised gasp, but if he wanted to pull away, he didn't. He just looked a Percy, shocked. For a moment, Percy just kissed the younger boy. He had been right when he thought that kissing him would make him forget about Annabeth- the only thing on Percy's mind were the soft lips that were touching his own. Percy reveled in the fact that Nico was making tiny yelping sounds. He almost sounded like- oh no. Like he didn't like it. Percy let go of the other boy instantly, breathing heavy and taking a few steps back, his hands off of Nico and up in the air.
"I-I'm sorry," Percy gasped, unsure what came over him. Nico was blushing a very dark red, his eyes full of surprise. "Y-You need to leave...and don't-don't tell Annabeth about any of this."
Nico blinked at him in utter shock, his mouth open from the kiss. "I don't..."
"Go!" Percy thrust his hand, and Nico flew backward out of his cabin. Nico became even more surprised then before when he ended up outside of the cabin on his butt. Percy ran and shut the door, putting a chair under it to block it.
"Percy?" Nico called outside. Percy couldn't see the boy but knew he was probably starting to get angry at him. "What...? What did you do?"
Percy was unsure what Nico was referring to. Either he was asking about how emotional the other boy was, or he was asking about how the other demigod was able to force him out of the cabin without touching him. Percy retreated into his cabin instead of facing the son of Hades. He wasn't about to share any of those answers- even if he had them all. He sure as hell wasn't going to face the other boy after what he just did.
He heard Nico banging on the door, trying his hardest to get Percy to come out. Percy walked over to the fountain in the back of the room and sat down, his head between his knees and his hands on his head. For a moment he blushed. He actually had the courage to kiss him. He had done it. Then the reality hit him like a truck. Not only did he just force push Nico out of the cabin, but he also had kissed the other boy when he obviously hadn't wanted it.
Memories of Gabe washed over him as he started crying once more. Memories of years of abuse hit him in the head as he remembered horrible word after horrible word of what Gabe had told him. What Gabe had done. He tried his best not to remember the horrible way that drunk Gabe would grab at him- would touch him, but to no avail. Percy remembered one day in particular, one day that Percy could never forget.
Many many years ago. Long before Percy Jackson rescued Zeus' master bolt.
He had just came home from his dorm in first grade on winter break. He was excited because Sally Jackson had promised a wonderful Christmas- filled with blue candy and presents in her letters to him. The little boy walked home, ready to see his mom and ready to stay as far away as possible from Smelly Gabe. When Percy walked into the house the first thing he noticed was that his mom wasn't home. The first thing Percy should have done was to run as far away as possible, but he instead went inside.
"Where's mom?" Percy had asked. His hair was in it's usual disarray and he wore a big blue sweater to fight off the New York cold. Gabe turned to him from in front of the television, one beer of many in his hands. Gabe sneered at the boy, obviously not giving a shit that he had just came home for break.
"She's out. Said she'll be gone for a few hours. Something about buying your presents. You don't still believe in Santa, do ya'? Load of horseshit," Smelly Gabe said. Percy stood defiant looking at Gabe. He hadn't known that Santa wasn't real, but he was determined not to give Gabe the satisfaction of telling him that. Percy scowled at Gabe. For a young kid he really did have a lot of angry expressions. None of his classmates usually did, but then again all of them could read the black board easy. He would have loved for any one of them to take a step in his place for a day. Percy's mom always told him that he was strong and he guessed that counted with Gabe too.
"Get over here," Gabe said, motioning with his hand. Percy reluctantly walked over to him, unfortunately standing close enough for Gabe to touch him. "You got any cash on you? I know you do. Sally's always sending you money for school trips. Hand it over."
"I don't have anything," Percy said honestly. The seven year old had spent it on candy he'd seen in a store. He was sure that anyone his age and in his position would have done the same- since most of his class had followed in his footsteps and spent any money they had on a little candy store that was right next to the school.
"You do!" Gabe said furiously. He sat up a bit and starting patting the boy down, reaching in his pockets. Percy yelped in surprise and tried to move away, but Gabe grabbed him around the waist to stop him from moving.
"Let me go!" Percy said angrily, trying to get away with all his might.
"I bet you have it here," mumbled Gabe. He grabbed Percy right on his private parts. The little boy struggled against Gabe, trying to push and punch to no avail. "Or maybe here."
He grabbed Percy's pants and shoved them down a little with his boxers, sticking one of his dirty fingers into the little boy's butt.
It was then that Percy broke down crying, the kid not liking the feeling at all. Gabe's other hand went from Percy's stomach, to his mouth, blocking his sobs or screams from escaping.
"Well it looks like you have no money, kid. Looks like I'm going to get payment some other way."
Gabe promptly raped young Percy for the first time. Percy tried his hardest not to cry but failed miserably. At one point, Gabe got tired of the crying and smacked him hard on the face.
"Shut the fuck up, you worthless piece of shit."
Percy silently prayed to God, thinking that maybe he would come and stop it. No one did.
When Gabe had his drunken fun, he got off of Percy. The boy laid there miserable, some part knowing what had happened, some innocent part of him not knowing at all. He was too young.
"You go and clean yourself up," Gabe grumbled, taking his seat in front of the TV once more. "If you tell your mother about any of this I will kill her in her sleep. Do you hear me? I will kill her."
Percy had followed his orders, tears still streaming down his face. He couldn't let his mother get killed, and he held Gabe to that promise. It surely wasn't the last time this happened. Percy had to deal with the abuse for five more years after that before he learned about the Greek gods.
Back to the glorious present.
Percy rocked a bit as his sobs filled the cabin. He was afraid, in that moment. Afraid that he would become just like Smelly Gabe. Afraid he would force his feelings onto Nico. Afraid because he remembered it all so well.
Nico di Angelo shadowtraveled into his cabin, on the other side of the chair. Percy looked up at him with wide eyes. He forgot the boy could pass through shadows. It was long past dark in Percy's cabin.
A scared Percy lifted Nico from the ground and pushed him away again, trying to keep as much distance from the other boy as possible.
Nico gave a surprised cry as he was thrown against the wall while Percy remained on the ground, his hand held high. With a jolt Percy realized Nico probably had no control over his own limbs. That's because Percy did.
He had realized this power by accident when he was sword fighting a son of Demeter. The boy was getting good and had reached to fly at Percy. At first Percy was just going to bat him away with his blade, but he felt his fingers tingle and suddenly the other boy was on the ground a foot a way. Percy had blinked his eyes shocked, and knew that the water in people's blood was something he could control.
He had hastily helped the boy up and begged him not to tell. The boy swore on the Styx, but not before being completely terrified of the son of Poseidon.
Nico looked at Percy just about as terrified from his perch on the wall. "You-You can control people?!"
"I told you to leave me alone, Nico."
"I heard you sobbing...I..." He looked a little uncertain. Percy stayed on the floor, his knees still to his chest as he held Nico to the wall. "I wanted to help."
"You can't help me! No one can help me! Just leave me the fuck alone!" He was shouting at Nico, his eyes still spilling tears. He swore he felt the ghost of Gabe graze him and he almost puked on the spot. He let go of Nico and put his hands on his head.
"Please leave..." Percy begged him, barely louder than a whisper. He was supposed to be going to college soon, and yet here he was, a complete mess.
Nico left the cabin, obviously hesitating, but left nonetheless.
That night Percy had cried himself to sleep right next to the fountain and the following day he talked to no one but instead sat in a numb state all day.
It was only about a week after their breakup when Annabeth approached him on the beach.
"Hey," She said softly, sitting a little bit away from him.
"Hey," He replied. It was the first time he talked all week. He hadn't seen Nico, either. No one seemed to be afraid of Percy, so he doubted that Nico had told anyone the events of that night. It still filled him with a little guilt and shame when he thought about kissing Nico. Annabeth turned to face him, her hair in a ponytail.
"Look, I know I said some hurtful things to you Percy. I am so sorry for that. I-I don't want to get back together, but I still want to be friends. You know more about me than anyone and I can't cut you out of my life. After all we've been through it wouldn't be fair."
"I can't cut you out either," Percy had whispered back at her, his hands gripping the sand under his legs.
"I'm going to go to New Rome," she told him solemnly. "And just so you know, I don't feel that way about Josh. He's a friend. When I went on the tour I thought about it, but it didn't feel right. It didn't feel right to me. I just wanted to clear the air."
"I wish I could say the same for Nico," Percy said quietly. He almost hoped she didn't hear, but of course, she did. She smiled a little sad and looped her fingers together.
"I don't know what to say about that, Perce. But I know he's been trying to ween what happened to you out of every camper. He's pretty stubborn when he wants to be. I'm just surprised he hasn't came to me, yet. He's worried about you."
With a lump in his throat Percy realized Nico had done what he asked- not to go to Annabeth about it. It sounds as if he had gone to every camper except the one that was involved.
"I-I don't know what to feel about him," Percy said, his eyes wide with a little fear. "I...I thought that I was just, ya know, thinking about it. Nothing too serious. Just thinking about how he had a crush on me...I pondered the idea longer than I thought I would. Eventually it started to bother me that he had said I wasn't his type. And I..." He looked at her extremely guiltily and bit his lip.
"It's okay," Annabeth said nodding. "Really."
"No it's not," Percy said miserable. He decided he didn't want to be dishonest with her. He let (almost) everything he'd been thinking, out. He'd never told anyone about what Gabe had done to him, and he wasn't about to now.
"I felt so guilty when I started liking him. I used to get so mad at myself for what I was doing to you. It wasn't fair at all. I still wanted to go to New Rome- to live with you and to spend time with you. I just wasn't sure if I wanted it the same way anymore. Every time I thought about him I kept hearing 'you're not my type'. I just couldn't help myself. I even started to feel guilty because he's my cousin! It just kept eating at me. I-I-I knew it was unfair to think those things and still want to keep you close, but I did anyway. I've done some shitty things, Annabeth. I am so sorry that you had to be affected by those things."
"Oh Percy," Annabeth said softly. She did something unexpected- she laid her head on his shoulder. Now it felt different to Percy. It didn't feel romantic, per say, more like friendly. Sisterly.
"The night we broke up?" Percy said slowly, trying to keep his calm.
"Yeah?" Annabeth asked.
"I cried myself to sleep," he admitted. "I thought that I'd lost you forever. I thought that we- that I had messed up everything that I tried to build. It tore me apart, thinking that I had hurt you so bad."
Annabeth made no comment, but Percy knew she probably hadn't fared any better than he had.
"I tore my cabin apart. I was so angry. At myself, at the situation. I never wanted to hurt you that way. Eventually...Nico came."
"Nico went to check on you?" Annabeth turned her head a little but didn't move too drastically.
"He saw I hadn't come to dinner. He shadowtraveled into my cabin when I tried to kick him out."
"How did you make him leave? Sounds like he was determined."
Percy hesitated, not sure if he really wanted to let slip the whole night. It was right after their breakup, after all. It's not like it was too far after he had denied that he liked the boy. To say that he had kissed him and used his creepy body control powers...? Not exactly something good.
Percy gulped a little, trying to hide his anxiety. "He was. I ended up reminding him that it wasn't his business and he left."
"Oh," Annabeth said. She sounded like she could tell he was lying but decided not to fight. "You should probably talk to him."
"And say what? Oh yeah, you know how you said I wasn't your type? Well I think the exact opposite! I think we'd make a really great pair, if you're still in love with me! But you aren't so what's the point? Oh, I know! Just to make myself look more dumb and extremely embarrassed!"
"You could at least tell him what happened. Explain that you were upset."
"I...I'd rather not face him right now." Percy said, uncertain and nervous.
"You'll have to do it eventually," Annabeth replied. She got up and left him to his thoughts.
Don't forget to fav and review! ~Cryellow