A/N: hey there again HAPPY NEW YEAR heres another chapter! jfc i am the Biggest Trash Baby Loser ugh i turned a cool series about demigods yeah into a shit pile of depressing toxic debauchery wth
(also pssst again im a loser and i made this via youtube: /playlist?list=PLT_pGxuwhZnd_d3j4DRDC4QPVVzFsmn_R)

smh hope you enjoy the chappie in any case i for some reason love writing this !? theres a new char in this chaaapterrrr heh.. . drop a review i always love them and are also rare in the rarest pairing on the planet :)!


It wasn't a real relationship- but then again they weren't at odds anymore either. They weren't sure what to call it, or what they even were in the first place... It was too complicated, too headache-inducing to think on for very long. Better just to focus on how good it was than care about labeling themselves, whatever the hell they even meant to each other. Which wasn't much; more of a distraction for the other than anything else. You couldn't call it a one night stand, because the occurrence happened too often. And it wasn't friends with benefits either, because they certainly weren't friends, barely out of the zone of enemy as it was. And they weren't together. Distraction. That was the basis of their frayed relationship as it stood, too vexed yet too attached to one another to be considered anything else.

Luke would turn up one day, maybe it was every other day or maybe as long as a couple weeks apart in time- he would take Percy somewhere, whether a hotel or a run down apartment, and they'd screw around. They'd kiss until their lips were visibly bruised, biting at each other, leaving hickies to re-mark later... bright ones, patterns of them on Luke's shoulders as much as on Percy's collarbone.

It had happened over and over again, too. Percy sure as hell needed it, almost looked forward to the unexpected meetings even, mind spacing out to racy thoughts every so often. Gods they both craved it, needed it, even so much as loved the feeling of being together- as much as just being present with someone else as the physical desires were.

The incidents would usually play out in an archetype way; Percy would leave his job, looking down at gray concrete, light footsteps carrying him back to his housing- and Luke would grab his arm or shoulder seemingly out of nowhere. The younger demigod would flinch almost in practice then relax on finding out who it was, then grow tense again as they practically fell backwards into the portal Luke would slash open. And the blond would snap something at him, ranging from genuinely concerned to a snarled lewd comment or two- then push him against the nearest flat surface, horizontal or vertical, there was no preference when they were already so heated for contact.

That was always hot. Sometimes... sometimes they just kissed, sometimes that was enough. They'd kiss until they practically passed out on the floor from lack of air, really that desperate- and other times, gods it wasn't even close to being enough. Whether there was a bed or not, the boys would end up grinding with clothes unfortunately on, wanting so badly to tear them off and bite harder into Percy's neck, make him moan louder yell hoarser- well, at least Luke did.

The simple problem of scaring Percy off kept his lust at bay, and would rudely stop him short of any real satisfaction. But he couldn't push it too far; couldn't afford to lose him. The most that would happen was to frott against the younger demigod through boxers, until the boy excused himself to the bathroom in a blush of red to his cheeks and muffling his moans with his own hands. And Luke would jack off shamelessly where he had been left, wishing that the half blood would walk back out naked and consent to more. That's what was in his minds eye; a pleading, wanting Percy Jackson who only yearned for him.

Bur instead he would wait in an unsatisfied manner, and would open a quick portal to where he wanted and grunt a short goodbye. Knowing full well he'd be coming back for more.

It was toxic, a codependent scheme now, relying on each other to keep them both sane...

And they both were pathetically reliant on it, which meant they'd give into anything.

But this time Luke had kept his distance in an almost taunting manner, only letting the other catch a glimpse of him outside a window or two. Maybe brushing past him in a crowded street, a breath of warm air or something that Percy couldn't be sure was him. Was it actually Luke, or just his own urgency for the demigod that was spurring the occasional sureness that he'd been right next to him for a second? But usually he wasn't so certain, just desperate.

He'd never actually gone out looking for him though. That's not how "this" was supposed to work.

But that pathetic desperation was starting to get the better of Percy, especially after two weeks had passed with no spoken word between them. No sudden meetings, no face to face contact at all, not even a note. Anything could have happened. Luke could be in some sort of fight, something could have happened that Percy didn't know anything about he was so out of the loop of course he wouldn't know anything going on- he was so worried, but on top of that starving to see him again.

Percy was losing it, really, and was now past the point of honoring their system of Luke taking action first. He had to find him, needed to at least see the only person who he still held contact with, and gods it was killing him.

Laying in a cheap hotel room, on the bed but of course it wasn't clean by anyones standards... he hated this place. It was a shit hole. How was it still even open? Just by business from lightweights like him, scraping by... probably.

In any case the boy was trying to sleep, or at least close his eyes for more than a minute or two without succumbing to the lights outside and turning to look. Laying there on coarse sheets with his clothes still on, ignoring the chill that was seeping from underneath the sill from the small window that looked out upon nothing but brick. It was impossible to get comfortable there. He couldn't stand it. He wanted better than this; godsPercy couldn't stand to live like this for much longer.

Gritting his teeth. Inhaling sharply through his nose, turning over onto his side and shit he hated it hated it hated it. What would it take for him to just get a break in this hell hole of a city, just to get some sleep and feel safe and comfortable in some kind of home anything better than this- what timewas it? Probably past midnight, slinking into the hours of the next day that he wouldn't be able to get back. Percy felt so alone. Fuck he was alone and he couldn't help but loathe Castellan as he lay there, utterly alone, after learning to depend on Luke and now being left like this...

Percy hated him for it.

Now he cringed at his own thoughts, holding his stomach with both arms as he lay on his side on that shit excuse for a bed-

And felt a weight at the end of the mattress shift his body slightly on the covers.

No way, it can't be- he sat up quickly, scrambling back against the bedframe and trying to see who was there, eyes slowly adjusting to the black.

"L-"

"Hey, Percy. It's me." Was a timid whisper through the dark, cautious but hopeful.

The son of Poseidon knew that voice, even if it had been such a long time since he'd last heard it; for a moment, the relief to hear that voice drowned out all hope that it had been Luke.

"Oh, Nico thank the gods-"

Percy scrambled forward, making out the dark form of his friend sitting on the end of his bed, reaching out to grasp for anything. Finding shoulders, pulling them towards him into his chest and wrapping his arms around the boy's form in solace... more reassuring himself than he meant to comfort Nico.

"Nico Nico I missed you holy sh-" he held back a curse, still hesitant on the idea of doing so in front of him. From stepping back to censor his words he became more aware of the situation at hand, and blanched, holding Nico a little away from him so he could tell faintly where the other's dark eyes were. "Where have you been this whole time? Have you been okay- are you okay?!"

"Shh, calm down..." the other still kept his volume at a whisper, and Percy could faintly tell Nico had raised a finger to his mouth in a gesture for quiet. "I'm perfectly okay, don't worry. I'm fine."

"Where have you-"

"Uh, Montana."

"What?! How did-"

Nico hushed him again, grabbing for Percy's arms.

"I got here by shadow travel, remember what that is, airhead?" the son of Hades laughed softly, Percy feeling his heart swell at the sound- the warmth from another person being so close to him was exhilarating. He really was estranged to the feeling of such closeness after so long. "And Montana's big, open... no one would think to look for me there." Percy felt the smaller fingers on his arms tighten slightly. "So? How've you been... ah... Doing?"

"Wait, is someone looking for you?"

"I ah, no but just in case, right? Really I'm fine." Nico di Angelo bit his lip, more pressing matters on his mind. He hadn't come here to answer questions. "Are you okay? I was worried about you."

"Why were you worried about me?" Percy almost laughed, the humorous tone coming across as he spoke.

"No one's heard from you in forever, I mean... I was worried." The demigod's head dropped slightly, a serious fog dropping down to smother his demeanor. "Please, don't treat me like a child- you're alone, in a city by yourself- what about monsters? I heard the Furies are roaming a lot closer to where Olympus used to be."

"That building's a ruin, there's safety tape covering the whole wreckage from top to bottom. No ones gotten in or out, I'm sure of it."

"There's nothing at all?"

"Yes- why are they trying to get to Olympus, anyways? There's no way the portal through it's still open." Percy thought aloud, finally letting go of Nico's shoulders to relax a little, sitting back on his heels. "The Empire State Building's sealed up. Done for. I was there when it collapsed and barely made it out, I mean..."

Nico was listening intently, eyes wide.

"You were there when it..?"

"Yeah-"

"You could've died..."

"But I made it out, okay? I've been trying to forget..." Percy shuddered. There had been demigods with him when it happened. And Hestia. "Olympus is gone, okay? It's gone. There's nothing left."

A short silence between the two, pregnant with unspoken remorse. Maybe guilt.

"So this place is... nice." Percy nearly smiled, almost hearing the gross look Nico was wearing as he obviously was thinking the opposite.

"I'm only here for a night, it's awful, I know but better than nothing..." he yawned, blinking sleep away.

"Yeah. I guess."

Percy smiled. Blissful. He'd missed Nico so much... Missed everyone, honestly, but the extreme he did came to light now that one of his friends was actually here with him. So happy.

However, he'd been trying to keep his thoughts hidden away behind a curtain in sleep swamped mind- because all of his senses told him this was too good to be true. Such plaguing doubts he was trying to force back, but couldn't help succumbing to them.

"Nico..." he started, swallowing thickly as the atmosphere changed. "How did you find me?"

"Hm?"

"How did you know where to find me? I... all of a sudden you just show up?"

"Why?"

"I just want to know." He tried to pinpoint the others face, still blurry and bathed in black as they hadn't bothered to turn on lights. Worried, now. Not knowing what the demigod would answer with, but wishing it was something better than what was running through his mind.

"Uh... Alright." Percy still couldn't tell Nico's expression through the dark, but he answered freely despite the accusatory question. "Trust me, it took a while- Way too long... But I had a feeling you would stay in the New York area. So I just kept an eye out for you, for... a long time... And saw you working at the deli, I- I kind of followed you here? I had to though, I didn't want to draw attention..."

"Okay." Whispering a reply, relieved but still not quite believing him. It was too convenient to be the truth, but... just ignore it, just forget about it. "Okay, I... I really did miss you." Percy reached out again, pulling Nico into another close hug. Closer than before.

The younger demigod inhaled sharply, Percy's warmth enveloping him seemingly out of nowhere; due to the inconvenience of darkness, he couldn't see him that well and now he was all too close for comfort. No... those weren't the right words for it, too close, as in too comfortable, in fact he didn't want to move at all. He felt Percy's chest against his, broader and stronger in him but not in an intimidating way. That especially came across when the elder went limper against him, dropping his head onto the son of Hades' shoulder and sighed hot breath against his neck. Vulnerable. Going against his better judgement, Nico wrapped his arms around Percy's torso and hugged him back...

"Me too."

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Nico had waited for Percy to fall asleep. Practically on his shoulder, he'd realized the son of Poseidon had actually drifted off when he turned and kissed the other on the cheek. And when he didn't get any response, positive or negative, he'd realized the soft breathing was too slow and calm to be Percy Jackson awake. He laid the older demigod down with little effort so that he would be comfortable, wrapping a blanket or two over him to make sure the cold didn't wake him. Watched him sleep for a couple minutes or so, maybe it was longer than that... he lost track of the time honestly.

And again kissed him, on the forehead this time, cautious as not to make the mattress springs creak as he shuffled off and away from the bed. Taking another second to gingerly brush the stray dark fringe across Percy's forehead, fingers resting maybe a little too long on soft skin. Barely illuminated by the city lights from the cheap window. He looked peaceful when he slept, which he no doubt deserved... the demigod deserved so much better than this, but at least he could sleep well.

"Sorry."

He couldn't stay.

Not even for Percy Jackson.

He wanted to, so badly it hurt...

Nico stepped gingerly across the carpeting, slowly to the door to leave without saying goodbye. He wanted to. Percy wouldn't understand, he couldn't stay to explain... even if he could watch the other breathe slowly through the night, so untroubled, so...

He opened the door, walked out, and closed it with a soft click- and as if a barrier had opened in between him and Percy now, breathed a loud sigh and pressed his weight into the door through his forehead. The demigod wouldn't see him again for a while, he was sure. Sadly.

"Nico."

He knew who it was, expected him almost, turning to his right to see Luke leaning against the hallway wall. Sword sheathed in his belt, but still tense in readiment for action, looking tired but genuinely worried.

"Is he-"

"Percy's fine." A quick answer, sullen but to the point. "He misses you. He thought I was you at first, and... he missed me too."

Luke sighed, reaching up a hand to punch the bridge of his nose. An air of exhaustion seeped from him, so that Nico doubted even though his sword was on it the half blood would be able to lift it against someone. Or something. The Furies had really been a problem lately...

"What about Olympus?"

"He said it's gone. The gods are either trapped in there, or... somewhere else. Shit, we're getting nowhere with this..."

"If those monsters weren't such a fucking problem this wouldn't be so difficult... smooth sailing, I bet." Luke grit his teeth in annoyance, scratching at a scar on his arm from one of the nagas that hadn't quite healed properly yet.

They'd been on a rampage lately, attacking groups of demigods at a time and even innocents who had no relation to the magical world. Thinking it had been something to do with the gods being missing- chaos, loss of order, and all that- groups of half bloods had been looking for a solution. One popular idea was re-opening the Olympus portal, shoving monsters in there groups at a time and then shutting it back up again. That portal could be of definite use if it was still working, but if Percy said it was gone for good... that was three steps back. Monsters were out of control now that the gods didn't proclaim overall reign, and especially with groups of demigods forming to maintain order, attacks were getting more and more frequent.

So Luke had been dealing with that, neglecting Percy- but for good reason. On one hand, he could attempt to persuade Percy to his side again, but now there was the negative of all the chaos with the monsters attacking their order. And how the rest of the demigods would react. On the other hand, he could avoid the boy while he dealt with all this bullshit, hoping to get it over with quickly and keep Percy in the dark to keep him safe. Alone but safe. He'd chosen the second option, painful but necessary.

At least Nico was on his side; shadow travel was such an easier process, though it tired out the boy, gave Luke an advantage. Someone who knew Percy as well as he did, and wouldn't form some sort of following to get rid of him if seen as a threat.

Lying to Percy's face had been difficult though.

Nico had never even been to Montana.

And on top of that, someone had been looking for him- and he had joined his ranks in a heartbeat.

The two half bloods leaned heavily against the walls of the hallway outside a sleeping Percy Jackson's door, wishing but resisting the urge to barge in and comfort him. In their own ways, affectionate and caring to lewd and needful.

They both needed him. And keeping tabs on Percy was the only way they could fulfill that right now, much to everyone's displeasure.


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