Chapter 6: Baby It's Cold Outside

PJO:

I really can't stay - Baby it's cold outside

I've got to go away - Baby it's cold outside

This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in

So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice

My mother will start to worry - Beautiful, what's your hurry?

Father will be pacing the floor - Listen to the fireplace roar

So really I'd better scurry - Beautiful, please don't hurry

Maybe just a half a drink more - Put some records on while I pour

Nico was already late when he woke up that morning, he didn't have any times to check the news. He didn't know there was a blizzard happening and that it would close his office building down.

So Nico rushed to work, praying his boss wasn't in a bad mood and wouldn't be mad that he was late by a significant amount of time. When he got to the building he hurried in, thanking the gods that there wasn't any traffic. He walked in and quickly ran to his desk, only slightly noticing how empty it was.

He got to work on his never-ending pile of work. Suddenly he heard a noise coming from down the hallway. He quickly got up, armed himself with a stapler, and started walking quickly yet silently towards where it came from. When he turned the corner he relaxed, recognising the back of Percy's head.

"Hey, Perce," he greeted, causing the older man to spin around. When he discovered that it was just Nico, his heart race hardly slowed, which was strange.

"What are you doing here?" Percy asked. Nico shot him a strange look.

"I'm doing my job. Why?" Now Percy gave him a look.

Nico, there's a blizzard going on outside. School and work were canceled throughout the whole city," he explained, "Didn't you hear?"

Nico cursed.

"The one day I don't watch the news..." he grumbled. Percy brightened, but Nico couldn't figure out why.

Both of them were silent for a while.

"Do you want to come with me to my mom's house? I mean, since we don't have work and I'm assuming you don't have any plans...?" Percy asked, the question lingering in the air.

Nico sighed, he knew he would have to tag along. He didn't have any plans and if he tried to schedule things with his friends, they'd find out about Percy inviting him somehow and then they'd force him in attempt to set Nico up with his crush.

"Sure."

The neighbors might think - Baby, it's bad out there

Say, what's in this drink? - No cabs to be had out there

I wish I knew how - Your eyes are like starlight now

To break this spell - I'll take your hat, your hair looks swell

I ought to say no, no, no - Mind if I move in closer?

At least I'm gonna say that I tried - What's the sense in hurting my pride?

I really can't stay - Baby don't hold out

Ah, but it's cold outside

Nico pulled up in front of an apartment building that looked like it had seen better days. Percy got out and lead Nico to the entrance where he buzzed for his mom to let him in. When the door unlocked Nico stepped inside wearily.

They walked up a few flights of stairs, seeing very few people. At one point a little blond girl with blue-grey eyes almost ran into them. Percy chuckled and greeted her, asking where her sister was. They talked for a little making Nico wondering if everyone in this building was close. They dropped a few names and it was a small building so it seemed likely.

Eventually they got to a door on the fourth floor. It had letters on it so faded that Nico couldn't make them out. Percy knocked.

The door was opened by a woman with grey streaked brown hair that was up in a messy bun and very visible smile lines as she hugged her son. Nico couldn't help but marvel at how similar their smiles were. Other than that they looked like they had no relation whatsoever.

She then noticed Nico standing there and pursed her lips, turning to her son. Nico thought he was about to be dismissed but quite the opposite happened.

"Percy, you should've told me you were bringing company! I would've changed into something a little nicer! I thought it would just be you and Annabeth," she exclaimed quickly," No matter, we have enough food for an extra person prepared thankfully. I hope you don't mind my appearance. It's not too great of a first impression. I'm Sally Blowfis."

Nico took the offered hand and introduced himself.

"I'm Nico di Angelo, pleased to meet you." She smiled at him and it seemed so genuine and happy looking that Nico returned it. Percy gasped.

"Mom, you just made him smile! I always knew you were magical!" Percy exclaimed. Nico wasn't sure if he was being sarcastic or if he was actually surprised. His mother, Sally, rolled her eyes.

"Come on in, you two," she said, moving so that they could enter the apartment. It was very cozy feeling with a combination of its size and the stuff scattered everywhere. Sally pursed her lips at this, but continued walking forward.

She stopped when they reached a room with a small square table in the center of the floor. There were various food items all over the table, most of which were Greek.

"Are you guys Greek?" Nico asked. Sally shook her head no.

"Percy's father was Greek and Annabeth was supposed to be coming home from Athens. Speaking of that, where is she?" Sally asked. All was silent for about a minute before Percy broke down. He fell to the ground with tears streaming down his face. Nico and Sally both looked at him, horrified at how absolutely miserable and broken he looked.

Sally quickly dove down beside him and shushed him. She looked like such a supportive mother that Nico missed his own. The younger bot had no clue what to do so he just stood there awkwardly.

Percy seemed to have no shame. It fascinated Nico because he could never imagine doing this in front of anyone except maybe Bianca, but she was dead. He had been reduced to almost this once in front of his cousin, Jason, when someone forced Nico to come out. But other than that Nico hadn't so much as shed a tear since he was 10.

When Nico realised that Sally's efforts weren't doing anything he decided to do something. He plopped down next to Percy on the floor and patted his back.

"If she broke your heart like that then she doesn't deserve you. Anyone lucky enough to gain your love should treasure it," Nico said, his face devoid of emotion, but everything in him was silently screaming on the inside.

Percy sniffled and looked at Nico with wide, shiny eyes that made Nico want to whisk Percy away to a land where he would never be hurt by anyone ever again.

"You think so?" he asked like a toddler. Nico looked him dead in the eyes, all his emotions being put on his sleeve for the first time in nine years.

"I know so."

I've got to get home - Oh, baby, you'll freeze out there

Say, lend me your coat - It's up to your knees out there

You've really been grand - Thrill when you touch my hand

Why don't you see - How can you do this thing to me?

There's bound to be talk tomorrow - Think of my life long sorrow

At least there will be plenty implied - If you caught pneumonia and died

I really can't stay - Get over that hold out

Percy brightened considerably after that and Paul, his stepfather, joined them for dinner. They ate and Nico told them how he knew most of the foods because his father was Greek. Percy protested saying that he though Nico was Italian, and Nico explained how he was half Greek and half Italian and spoke both languages fluently.

Nico liked Sally and Paul but felt rude intruding on their family time. Every time Nico tried to leave though they stopped him and said that it was too cold to leave. They also said it was pleasant to have someone new but Nico still felt guilty.

After dinner was finished it was still snowing heavily so the Blowfis' invited Nico to watch a movie with them. Percy chose The Nightmare Before Christmas which was apparently both his and Nico's favourite Christmas movie.

Halfway through the movie Sally got up to make popcorn and called Nico with her. Nico followed her to the kitchen, eager to help and pay them back some for their hospitality. But when they got to the kitchen Sally shut the door and backed Nico up against a wall. Nico started panicking but kept a cool demeanour up.

Sally took a deep breath in.

"Now, Nico, I like you. The thing you said about Annabeth not deserving him was very nice of you. It also exposed your feelings towards my son. Yes, I picked up on those." Nico visibly started panicking now. Crap, she was going to tell Percy and they were going to hate him and they would never speak to him again-

"I don't mind, calm down. Percy made me promise not tell anyone but he's pansexual, he likes both boys and girls. And quite frankly, I think he may be starting to develop feelings for you." Nico gasped, but Sally continued.

"I always liked Annabeth, but she broke my boy's heart. And you don't seem like the type to break hearts, or at least not Percy's. So, though I was formally on team Annabeth, I now ship Percico very much. I just wanted you to know that," she said

Nico blushed brightly but nodded and joined the other two back in the living room. They finished, both raven haired boys oblivious to the other's stares.

Ah, but it's cold outside

Oh, baby, it's cold outside

Oh, baby, it's cold outside

Hi. Happy sixth of December. It's my mom's birthday so I can't really say much. Goodbye for now!