So I was thinking of this while I attempted to go back to bed this morning. Don't ask me why. We're going to switch it up and start from Percy's point of view.
I've been on vacation with my friend the last few days, and it has done wonders for my creative slump. I won't promise you that after this things will be updated regularly, but damn it I'm going to try. I can't let these slip just because my outside life gets busy. This is as close to my dream career as it gets.
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Percy's POV
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"Mmmm, good job baby," Will purred, gently stroking my cheek. I gazed up at him in a daze, wondering, not for the first time, how I'd ended up back at his house rather than at mine. Not that it really mattered either way. Will would be paying me for everything he'd just been doing. I yawned, then curled up under the covers, intending to get some sleep before I walked home, but a quick slap to the cheek woke me up.
"What was that for?" I asked, rubbing my now sore cheek. "We've gone at it three times Will. It's already been a long day, and I'm exhausted."
"Wrong answer Percy," he said, sitting up and yanking the blanket off of me. The cool air hit my naked body, and I grimaced. "I don't care if you're tired. I'm paying you for every moment of this, and I'm not letting you sleep and racking up the dollars."
"That wasn't my intention," I explained, getting a little irritated. All I really wanted right now was a hot bath and some sleep. I was sore, sticky, and tired. It'd been a draining day, and Will had insisted that tonight was his night with me, despite just getting over being with another client. "I'm using your bathroom," I announced, rising. I stalked to the bathroom Will had attached to his room, slamming the door. I sank against it for a moment, tears pricking my eyes. I blinked them away. I knew all of this would happen. I knew when I started I'd be treated this way. But it still felt wrong and off to be treated no better than a blow up doll.
I knew Will had bath bombs under his sink, so I dug one out and started the water in the tub. He'd let me bathe here before. I watched the water slowly rise, hoping the action would calm my rapid thoughts. No such luck. I sighed. It took a lot more than running water to calm me down these days. At school, you'd swear I was calm and collected, and for the most part, you'd be right. But I was still only human, and my emotions did get the best of me at times. I dropped the bath bomb in, watching it fizz.
"Mind if I join you?" Will asked as his arms suddenly snaked around my neck. I gasped, caught off guard by his sudden appearance. "Looks nice Perce," he continued, ignoring my tiny outburst. "Care for some company?"
"I guess," I said warily. The last time this happened, we'd ended up having bath sex. I just couldn't deal with that tonight. I let out a little yelp when Will scooped me off my feet, cradling me bridal-style. He stepped into the tub and slowly eased us both down. As soon as the hot water hit my sore muscles, I began to relax. Will gently stroked my hair back.
"I'm sorry for how I've been acting," he apologized quietly. "I forgot how much of a day you've had." I sighed happily. This was nice. I liked cuddles. He continued stroking back my hair, something he knew I loved. "You're so adorable," he said at last, and the stroking ceased. I made a noise of protest, looking back at him. "Calm down baby boy," he chided gently, showing me the shampoo bottle he'd grabbed. I reached to take it, but he pulled it back. "Not so fast little one," he said.
"I'm more than capable of washing myself," I retorted with no real force. Will smirked. He then dumped some shampoo on my hair, causing me to jump. Hey, shampoo was cold. I felt his hands working though my hair, and I slowly settled back against him.
"There, that's better," he whispered. "See what happens when you let yourself be pampered for a bit?" I didn't say anything to that. I wasn't sure what I could say to that. "You never allow yourself one moment, do you?" he asked. I felt the soap leaving my head. He must've been pouring cups of water on my head now. "You know you can relax now, right?"
"Sorry," I mumbled. "Force of habit." I felt him sigh. I squirmed when he tried running a washcloth over my stomach. Too scratchy.
"Come on baby boy," he coaxed. I sighed, allowing him to clean me up. He was paying for this anyway, so I wouldn't complain if he wanted to do this. "There's a good boy," he said. "Now you're clean. Feel better?" I nodded, stifling a yawn. "Tell you what," he said, suddenly lifting me out of the water. I glared at him. I'd been enjoying that. He wrapped a nice, fluffy towel around me. "I'll pencil down the time we stopped so I can pay you accordingly, and why don't you get some rest?"
"Really?" I asked, glancing up at him. "Won't your dad wonder why I'm here?"
"Nah, dad thinks your friend anyway, so he shouldn't be suspicious," he set, gently laying me on his bed. I yawned, struggling to stay focused. He draped the blanket over me, leaned down, and kissed my forehead. "I'll wake you up in a few hours, alright?" I nodded, barely able to stay awake. "Goodnight Perce," he whispered before wrapping a towel around his waist and walking out. I briefly wondered if that was a good idea before I lost my fight to stay awake.
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Nico's POV
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I collapsed onto my bed, thoroughly spent from the night. We'd stayed at Annabeth's way longer than necessary, dancing and eating and talking and just generally having a good time. I smiled. Friday nights with my friends. There was nothing better in my eyes.
I rolled onto my side and closed my eyes, intending to get some sleep. But my mind decided it had other ideas. It wandered back to school this morning. I wrinkled my nose, rolling to the other side. But still, my mind refused to settle. I groaned, rolling to my back and gazing at my ceiling. I scrubbed my face with my palms. All I wanted was some sleep. But I couldn't help thinking of one thing.
Percy.
It was a miracle he crossed my thoughts at all. In fact, I'd never given him that much thought before today. Sure, Jason talked about him all the time, but that didn't mean I spent my free time daydreaming about him. Finally, I sat up, sighing in defeat. There was no way I was going to bed now. I padded quietly to the living room, glancing around. Mom and dad still weren't back yet. And Bianca had left early, so I doubt she was home either. I sat down on the couch, sitting in silence for a few moments. It was rare I just got to sit with my thoughts. But sitting didn't really do me any good, and since we lived in a relatively quiet neighborhood, I decided to shrug on a jacket and take a walk. I closed the door softly behind me, glancing up. It moon was half-hidden behind clouds, turning everything a sort of milky white. I breathed in the crisp early-autumn air. I sighed. This was better. Night time walking often did wonders for me.
I walked quietly around, looking at the dark houses. It was after midnight, and most of my neighbors had children, so it was any wonder everyone was asleep. But it wasn't causing a problem, and besides, we had friends of the force. I chuckled. Sometimes my own wit amused me. I looked around some more, noticing another figure walking my way. I gulped. I'd heard horror stories of people meeting dark figures after midnight. I was not going to be another story.
"Nico?" I froze when the figure said my name, and when I really concentrated, I realized who it was. Now I scowled. Out of all the nights to run into him, why tonight. "What are you doing out this late?" he asked.
"I could ask you the same thing," I retorted. He gave me a crooked grin, and I noticed that he was only in a t-shirt. Not only that, but it looked like it was wrinkled as hell. "What the hell have you been doing anyway?" I asked, and for a moment, something flashed in his eyes. Hurt? But Percy never looked hurt.
"It's, uh, been a long night," he said. "I needed to clear my head." I shrugged. To each there own. "Do you, uh, mind if I walk with you? It's safer to go in pairs." I glanced sideways at him. The Great Percy Jackson, asking if he could walk with me because it was safer? And looking nervous about it?
"Um, sure," I said at last, thinking about the earful Jason would give me if he knew. Maybe I'd have to tell him about this. I'm not sure if he would even believe me. We both started off, not really saying a whole lot. I don't think he was quite sure what to say. "You never did tell me why you're out wandering around by yourself. You don't even live in this part of town."
"Will Solace does though," he replied distractedly, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "I was at his house." He shuffled along, studying his feet.
"As if you don't get enough," I muttered. He looked over at me, and I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. "Have fun with your sugar daddy?" I asked, since I'd witnessed Will giving him money before. The reaction from Percy was pretty much nothing I expected. He stopped dead in his tracks, and it took me a moment to realize. I looked back, staring at the form of a broken boy. "Percy?" I asked uncertainly.
"Don't…Don't tell anyone, alright?" he asked. "Yes, Will pays me for my…deeds. I desperately need the money." I opened and closed my mouth several times. "What you must think of me huh?" he asked bitterly. "Forget it." He finally walked off, his shoulders shaking. I watched him go, wondering what really went on in his life.
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Percy's POV
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I can't believe someone figured it out. Nico fucking di Angelo of all people. He was one of the ones who wouldn't give me the time of day. How did he see through my façade so easily? I'd carefully put up my walls so this wouldn't happen. But it fucking did.
"Oh Percy." I jumped when I let myself into my apartment. I whirled around to face mom, who was sitting in a chair in the kitchen. "I'm so glad you're home sweetie. Where have you been?"
"Uh, with Will," I said. "We went to the movies and then went back to his place for a bit." I winced, something twisting painfully inside me, just like every time I lied to her. "Oh, before I forget." I laid the ninety dollars on the table in front of her. Her eyes widened. "I, uh, ran into some extra cash. It's not much, but it'll get us food for a few days."
"Oh Percy," mom said, pulling me into a bone crushing hug. I closed my eyes before the tears could well and expose exactly how I felt. "Thank you so much honey. This helps a lot."
"I know mom, I know," I said. "Hey I'm getting tired, I'm going to head to bed." I kissed her cheek. "Love you mom."
"Love you too honey," she said, still marveling at the money in front of her. "Hey Perce." I turned back to her. "You're such a good boy. What would I do without you?" I felt a lump in my throat, and I rushed away before the tears could fall. No, I wasn't. Not by a long shot. Sometimes, I wondered just how better off she'd be if I didn't exist. She'd be a lot better off without me.
I barely closed my door before the tears began to fall. God, I hated it when my emotions got the best of me. Why couldn't I be cold and unfeeling? It would make my life so much simpler. I leaned against my door, trying desperately to smother the sobs building in my chest. My legs refused to work for the longest time, but when they finally did, I stumbled blindly to my bed, collapsing on top of the covers.
"I don't know who you're talking about mom, but I'm not a good boy," I whispered, curling up at the foot of my bed. "I'm an awful, awful boy. You can't ever know how I get that money, or you'd probably never forgive me." My sobs finally stilled, and I slowly felt my body begin to relax. The hot bath with Will felt like a lifetime ago. I wished there was a better way for me to relax here.
I finally sat up, dashing a hand under my eyes. I swung my legs over the side of the bed and stumbled out into the hall, glancing into mom's room. She was in her bed, fast asleep. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I'd been holding. Good. I really didn't want to face her right now. I tip-toed down the hall to the bathroom. I prayed that some of the money she'd gotten last paycheck went towards the one thing I wanted.
"Sweet," I whispered, finding the lavender bubble bath under the sink. I grabbed the bottle and began filling the bath. Maybe this time I'd finally wash away my sins.
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Nico's kinda starting to get it. Next chapter will probably be more Percy/Nico bonding time.