PJatO || Nicercy || PJatO || The Prince of Atlantis High || PJatO || Nicercy || PJatO

Title: The Prince of Atlantis High – Of Teen Love, Friendship and Secrets

Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus; all-human High School AU

Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Rick Riordan for he created the awesomeness that is Nico di Angelo. And everything else related to Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus. Aside from the Gods, they belong to the old Greeks. This fanfiction and its OCs on the other hand are entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.

Warnings: shounen-ai, explicit intercourse, anal, masturbation, toys, fluff, h/c, self-esteem issues, domestic violence, child abuse, alcohol abuse, threesome, shoujo-ai, hetero

Main Pairing: Nico/Percy

Side Pairings: Percy/Annabeth (beard), Nico/Drew (one-sided), Piper/Annabeth, Frank/Hazel/Leo, Ethan/Alabaster, Jake/Will, Luke/Octavian, Thalia/Luke, Charles/Silena, Chris/Clarisse, Jason/Reyna, Malcolm/Katie, Grover/Juniper, Shane/Lacy, Gleeson/Mellie, Chiron/Lupa, Hades/Persephone, Paul/Sally

Football Team: Luke Castellan, Jason Grace, Frank Zhang, Travis Stoll, Connor Stoll, Chris Rodriguez, Charles Beckendorf, Jake Mason, Shane McNabb, Leo Valdez, Grover Underwood

Swim Team: Perseus Jackson, Will Solace, Katie Gardner, Mitchell Logan, Austin Barton

Misfits: Nico di Angelo, Lou Ellen Torrington, Alabaster C. Torrington, Ethan Nakamura, Cecil Rogers

Student Council: Annabeth Chase, Malcolm Cage, Octavian Simmons, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Ella Dare, Hazel Levesque, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Clarisse la Rue

Cheerleaders: Silena Beauregard, Drew Tanaka, Piper McLean, Lacy Hunnigan, Zoe Nightshade, Phoebe Burge, Thalia Grace, Bianca di Angelo, Hylla Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Kinzie Cohen, Nyssa Black, Kayla Hein, Miranda Gardner, Juniper Hedge

Staff at Atlantis High: Principal Chiron Brunner, Vice Principal Lupa Brunner, Counselor Paul Blofis, Howard Claymore, Mellie Hedge, Gleeson Hedge, Janitor Bob, Small Bob

Percy's Family: Gabe Ugliano, Sally Jackson, Tyson Jackson, Mrs. O'Leary

Nico's Family: Hades di Angelo, Persephone di Angelo, Thanatos di Angelo, Zerberus

Summary: Percy Jackson is the Prince of Atlantis High – he's new at school and the captain of the football team and king of school, Luke Castellan, had taken him under his wings. Luke is one half of the Golden Couple, together with the cheerleader Thalia Grace. Finally, after all the schools he has been to, he finds a place where he seems to fit. He finds friends and feels at ease.

But nothing is perfect. Thalia is part of a purity club and since she won't put out, Luke is screwing one of the nerds behind her back. The friendly cheerleaders are not all that friendly, at least not all of them. There are the outsiders, who call themselves the Misfits, and wow, their leader is smoking. So while dealing with his own very dark secret, as well as the other secrets this school seems to harbor, Percy also has to deal with his attraction to the rebel Nico.

In a school where being gay translates to being bullied, Percy finds himself in a cover-relationship with the Princess of Atlantis High. Annabeth Chase. Now that Luke and Thalia are close to graduation, there is a lot on pressure on the future Golden Couple. But of course his bad grades give his teachers the amazing idea to make antisocial Nico his tutor, so Percy learns and Nico may make more friends. How is Percy supposed to deal with his attraction to Nico and how is Nico supposed to deal with the things he notices about Percy? Like the bruises he tries to hide from everyone.

The Prince of Atlantis High

Of Teen Love, Friendship and Secrets

Chapter 11: Love was the Most Savage Monster of All

"Have you asked Nico to prom already?" - "Or has he asked you? I'm sure he asked you!"

Percy blinked slowly at looked up at Mitchell and Austin, who were both grinning broadly at him. They were in the locker rooms, getting changed after swim training. Both younger boys stared eagerly at him, like he held all the secrets of the world. This was officially weird.

"Malcolm already asked me out", chimed Katie as they walked out of the building together.

Percy frowned curiously. They were heading to this week's PFLAG meeting. It was the fifth already. Five weeks of exchanging experiences, making new friends and most importantly dating Nico di Angelo. Which brought him to how Mitchell and Austin confused him. Prom was coming up and the seniors basically insisted that Percy and Annabeth had to come along. It had been planned that Percy and Annabeth should dance together and semi-officially be handed the crowns from Thalia and Luke. Now with how things were – Annabeth being single and Percy dating a boy – the rumor mill was going crazy. Would they still go together, but as friends? Which one of them would take over? Would Annabeth go with a new boyfriend and take the crown? Was Percy going with Nico?

"Someone looks deep in thought", whispered a teasing voice into his ear.

Percy jumped a few feet as Nico kissed his cheek. Nico frowned confused at that reaction. Seemed like he really had been deep in thought. Reaching out, Nico started caressing Percy's neck. He knew it soothed the swimmer, especially after training, because he tensed up then. Percy instantly relaxed.

"Would you two want us to leave the room, or are we having this meeting?", asked Will teasingly.

Percy had melted against Nico's side, making a nearly purring sound while Nico caressed him. They bolted apart and Percy's cheeks turned dark red as everyone gathered started laughing. It was a friendly laugh though and Percy knew it. Over the past weeks, this really had become a safe place and by now not just gays, closet cases and friends of those attended. Even others who had problems with getting bullied found comfort and help with them. It was good. It felt good helping.

"If you have to disturb my Percy cuddling, then at least start and say something important", grunted Nico irritated, glaring at the blonde and angrily eating a muffin. "Go on, start the meeting, blondie."

Percy grinned to himself. He liked how well Will and Nico got along, in their own way. Nico hated how overly fussing and nosy Will was, but he somehow accepted it and still enjoyed hanging out with the blonde. Percy guessed it was for his sake since Will was a very good friend of Percy's.

"Okay, everybody. Settle down", ordered Will with a small grin as he stood and looked around cautiously. "So... Let's get this meeting into session. I'm Will and... and I'm gay."

Nico's eyes widened surprised. Apparently this was a really effective comfort zone. Nico, Percy, Ethan, Alabaster, Piper and Will. Six openly gay people at their school. Honestly, Nico wouldn't have thought he'd be around to see that day. Much less to date an out and proud jock himself. While Will got a well-deserved round of applause, Nico couldn't help but stare at his own jock. Something was off with Percy, he looked troubled. Nico didn't like that, but he also knew that he shouldn't pry. He should give Percy the time he needed to figure out whatever it was he was thinking about.

"I'm very proud of you, my boy. Have a cookie", praised Sally, hugging Will.

Will, already embarrassed, blushed brightly, but didn't object. After all, he knew Missus Jackson too and it was hard not to preen at the praise of the woman. Sally smiled, as proud as though Will was her own, and sat back down between Persephone and Paul. This little group, she knew it was for her son, but it also helped her. For too long, she had felt helpless and trapped in her own home – much like those children had felt in their own bodies. And being able to help them coming to terms with themselves, it also made her feel better about herself. She smiled as the meeting continued and Piper talked about her 'out of this world' experience of going to a gay bar with Ethan, Alabaster and Lou last weekend. Will elaborated about how it had been to hide it and he even admitted to having had a crush on Percy when the boy had first transferred to this school (making Percy blush and Nico glare in the most vicious way possible). It was endearing to watch the teenagers interact.

After the meeting, the kids dispersed to get to either their afternoon classes or their extracurricular activities, leaving the adults on their own. Persephone was having a hearty laugh with Mellie the nurse and Professor Claymore who doubled as the librarian. Mellie had taken an interest in the group when certain someones who liked to fake being sick during PE to avoid the locker rooms stopped coming to her office and instead started visiting the PFLAG meetings. And Howard Claymore was a uncle-like figure to the Torringtons, so he had come to support Alabaster. Now that left Sally and Paul alone on the other end of the room.

"Has Nico asked Percy to prom yet?", inquired Paul after a while.

"Not that either boy had mentioned", frowned Sally confused. "Why? Did he say something?"

"Ah, no. This was a very clumsy intro to asking you if you'd like to chaperone prom. We could... go together. That is, I want to ask you to chaperone with me, as my... date?", stammered Paul with a frown. "I'm sorry. I'm normally more eloquent, but the two of us have been going on lunch dates and coffee dates for five weeks now and we didn't have a proper date yet, or kissed. To be honest, I am completely lost where we stand. Are we friends, or is there a potential for more?"

He looked so adorably frustrated that Sally couldn't help but laugh a little. "Oh, I'm sorry, I don't mean to laugh, it's just... I've been wondering the same thing. Yes, I'd love to... haha, to go to prom with you. Oh dear, I feel like a school girl again. You make me feel like a school girl again."

And for the first time, it was Sally who managed to make Paul blush as they exchanged a smile.

/break\

After another successful study-session, Nico rewarded his boyfriend with dinner. Granted, that meant they were sitting in McDonald's because Percy insisted that living with Nico's family was already enough and he didn't want Nico to pay for expensive dates. Nico didn't mind, seeing as his father often took them to official dinners in fancy restaurants with food that he couldn't pronounce. He was a teenage boy, so he appreciated a burger far more at times. Taking a large bite from his Big Mac, he watched his beautiful boyfriend. He was still spacing out. It still concerned Nico.

"Hey, I start feeling neglected. You keep spacing out", teased Nico and grasped Percy's wrist, pulling it close to bite off the fry in Percy's hand. "Don't tell me you've had enough of fast food?"

"Mh?", grunted Percy doe-eyed, blinking a couple of times.

"You have been distracted during the PFLAG meeting and during our study-session, but if you keep spacing out on our date, I'll start taking it personal", elaborated Nico with a small, tender smile. "Now, do you want to tell me what's on your mind? Because I've been having a monologue about my conflicted feelings for one Will Solace for the past ten minutes and I'd like to have your input, preferably in the form of 'Yes, I'm proud of Will too and your feelings of deeply seated animosity for Will's past crush on me are completely justified, oh love of my life'."

"Oh love of my life?", echoed Percy, raising one eyebrow and staring at Nico. "First of all; In what century do we live in your mind? Because I don't think anyone would say that."

"Ah, so you are listening to what I say. That's good", chuckled Nico. "Well? What's going on inside that beautiful head of yours, Percy? What got you all troubled and thoughtful?"

"It's... dumb, I guess", sighed Percy and ducked his head. "I just... Mitchell and Austin asked me if you asked me to prom yet, or if I asked you and that reminded me that I have no idea how this is gonna work. I mean, the guy asks the girl, right? But we're both boys. So, if I ask you, would you be like offended because it'd make you feel like a girl? But then I wouldn't ask and what if you won't ask me either because you think the same thing and don't want to make me feel like a girl..."

Nico frowned as he watched all those words spilling from his boyfriend's pink, bow-shaped lips. "I haven't... Right. You want to go to prom. I should have known that. I'm sorry. I just... I never wanted to go to prom, or any other school dance because, well, they're old-fashioned relics."

"Oh...", whispered Percy and his face fell. "So... you don't want to go to prom."

Before they could delve deeper into that, they got ambushed by Frank, Leo and Hazel who then basically took the spotlight and started chatting away about the 'surprising' coming out of Will, completely hijacking both the conversation and the date. Not that Nico minded, really. It gave him enough time to think about what Percy had said and what Percy apparently wanted.

/break\

Percy was talking to Bianca when they arrived in school together. The daughter of Hades didn't care much about prom and its traditions, but Persephone insisted that Bianca should 'go and feel like a princess'. There wasn't much arguing allowed in those matters. They met up with Luke and Thalia half way up the stairs, the two who were expected to be prom king and queen weren't too keen on prom either though. It was all just a front for the peasants, as Luke so teasingly claimed.

"Why... is everyone gathered like that?", asked Thalia confused. "And... isn't that your locker?"

Percy frowned as they pushed past the crowd to Percy's locker. Percy's locker that was decorated with two dozen blue-dyed roses and two dozen white roses. Between the roses were a lot of hearts, each heart containing one letter. After concentrating for a few moments, Percy was able to put them together in an order that actually made sense – Will you go to prom with me?

"Biongiorno, mio gattino", whispered a dark voice behind Percy, making him shudder. "I know you were talking about girls, but when a boy makes a big show out of asking a girl out, it's not because she is a girl, it's because he is a boy in love. So this isn't supposed to make you feel like a girl, it's supposed to show that I'm a boy in love. Now, Percy Jackson, will you go to prom with me?"

Percy's face was beet red as he turned around to face Nico and it turned another ten shades of red when he saw Nico wearing a tux and a top-head. On most other boys from their class, this would look ridiculous, but on Nico it somehow truly looked as though he was a gentleman from the nineteenth century. Nico could pull off that look, right down to the top-head.

"Why hasn't he said yes yet?" - "Oh, I wish someone would ask me like that!" - "If he doesn't say 'yes' in the next ten seconds, I will abduct his boyfriend!" - "Percy is so lucky!" - "They're so cute!"

Percy was hyper-aware of the whispering crowd around them and oh, he could only agree to them all. Aside from the one who wanted to steal Nico, because that piece of perfection was Percy's. Mouth hanging open a little, Percy nodded – first slow, then so fast, his head nearly fell off. A shining, large grin split his face as he threw himself at Nico and kissed the other enthusiastically.

"That was so cheesy, it nearly made me puke", muttered Annabeth affectionately.

"I told my brother that this would be too much, but apparently I underestimated Percy's inner romantic", chuckled Bianca fondly, smiling to herself. "What about you, Annie? Got a date yet?"

"I... uh... I don't know if I should go", sighed Annabeth, shaking her head.

"Bull!", grunted Thalia with a glare. "If I am forced to wear a dress, so are you."

"It's just... up until now, I figured Percy and I would go together – not as a couple, but as friends, you know?", sighed Annabeth and frowned. "And I thought then being single would be fine, but prom as a single, while all my friends are nicely paired up? That's just depressing. No offense, Bia."

"None taken", chuckled the oldest di Angelo. "I don't mind being single."

"Well, I kinda... do", huffed Annabeth and pouted, watching Percy and Nico. "I mean, I'm not like... lost without a partner, but a couple-event like this? It would be nice to have a date for this..."

/break\

Percy and Annabeth were sitting together under a tree, with Percy's head in Annabeth's lab. Since Nico had asked Percy to prom two days ago, Percy hadn't shut up about it once. Not that Annabeth held it against him, if she was being honest. What Nico had done had been incredibly cute.

"Gosh, yes it was so sweet!", agreed Silena with a heavenly sigh and dreamy eyes.

So Percy and Annabeth had started out alone, but they had been joined by some of the cheerleaders. Annabeth's eyes kept darting over to Piper throughout their conversation. Beckendorf came and picked Silena up, Luke came to get Thalia, Shane got Lacy and Grover picked Juniper up. Basically, it made Annabeth feel lonely. In the end, Nico came and even stole her Percy. When Bianca, Zoe and Phoebe conveniently left for their archery club, Annabeth found herself alone with Piper.

"What... What Nico did was sweet", started Piper, trying to sound casual and failing.

"Why does everyone have to repeat that?", sighed Annabeth annoyed. "I mean, yeah, it was sweet, but come on. Half the cheerleaders got as sweet gestures from their jocks too."

"But Nico isn't a jock and that's what makes it so sweet", countered Piper with a grin. "He's a badass goth guy who doesn't do society and such, but for Percy, be got as cheesy as possible and wore a tux. Those jocks? They've been whipped for months, they do as their cheerleaders order."

"I... guess you're right", sighed Annabeth with a frown, looking sideways at Piper.

"And furthermore, we have so many jock-cheerleader relationships, but Percy and Nico? They're like gay crusaders. Like a beacon of hope. Not just for us other gays, but also for other underdogs and victims of bullying. A sign that... things can change, that those who had been made fun of can as well succeed, you know? It's about more than just Nico and Percy", continued Piper softly.

"You're right", smiled Annabeth, liking this new view on things. "Yes. It really is sweet."

"I... may not have a tux and two dozen roses, but...", drawled Piper reluctantly, cheeks dark as she picked a white daisy and offered it to Annabeth. "Would you... go to prom with me?"

Annabeth stared wide-eyed from the flower to the blushing cheerleader. "W—What? Why me?!"

"Annabeth, I'm not dumb", chuckled Piper with a small grin. "I notice the looks you keep giving me. My gay-dar is not that off. And I just... well... I mean, I figured now or never, right? If I don't try asking you, I'll never get you. I don't know if you're ready to come out yet, but I figured you could still say no and things would remain the same. Or maybe I'd get lucky. And if... you don't want to go as my date-date, then maybe we could at least go as... friends? Because I really like you and I like spending time with you. Things are more fun when you're around."

All Annabeth could do was keep staring at the pretty cheerleader. She wasn't sure what to say. She really wanted to say yes, because she really wanted Piper and that Piper would ask her to prom! But she was also nervous. Sure, over the past weeks she had seen that in a group and with the support of others, maybe being openly gay wouldn't have to be a bad thing. She was still nervous though.

"I—I... c—can I think about it?", asked Annabeth with a pleading look.

"Of course", grinned Piper and leaned over to kiss Annabeth's cheek in a friendly manner.

Annabeth blushed a crimson red as she stared after the cheerleader she had been crushing on for months. Was happiness worth risking getting hurt? When she looked at how incredibly happy Nico made Percy, it made her hopeful that maybe, she could gain the same kind of happiness.

/break\

Lunch at the di Angelos was a fun thing, because Persephone was at her flower-shop and Hades was at work too (and so was Sally, now that they had three adults in the house), which meant the teens were raiding the kitchen. Leo was sitting on the kitchen-counter, together with Percy. The two were debating their expectations of Captain America: Civil War, seeing as Percy was clearly pro-Cap and Leo was all-Tony. Needless to say, Hazel and Nico enjoyed watching their boyfriends be nerds. The two di Angelos were sitting at the table together with Frank and Annabeth while Bianca was making sandwiches for them all. Annabeth had asked Percy today if he had time and if Annabeth could come over, so this was her first time eating with the bunch of them. It was cozy, but a bit strange.

"So, what's on your mind, Annabeth? You wanted to talk about something", prompted Percy.

He jumped off the kitchen-counter to join the others at the table, looking inquisitively at Annabeth. "Well, I... uh... P—Piper asked me out, on a... date. For prom. She asked me out to prom."

"Oh my gosh, did you say yes?!", gasped Leo, practically sitting on her lap eagerly. "Please say you said yes! Pipes had been so nervous about asking you! She hadn't even told me she asked you yet!"

"I... uh... I didn't know what to say...", admitted Annabeth, staring at her lap.

"You should say what your heart tells you", advised Bianca with a soft smile, laying one hand on Annabeth's shoulder. "That's the only thing that matters. I know you're beating yourself up about what the others may think and if they'll judge, but... that's no way to live your life."

Annabeth stared up at the older girl thoughtful. Deep down, she knew that Bianca was right.

/break\

Percy was straightening his tie when someone knocked on his door. Biting his lip in an attempt not to grin like a maniac, he opened the door for his boyfriend. Living together put a bit of a damper on the whole being-picked-up thing, but seeing Nico in his suit totally made up for it.

"You look stunning", said both of them at the same moment, followed by laughter.

Nico grinned and took Percy's hand to kiss it. "Well, at least we agree, mh? Let's get going. Bianca and your mother are already eagerly awaiting us. Your mother has a date, by the way."

Percy giggled and took Nico's arm as they waltzed down the stairs. Of course they didn't get out easily. Persephone took roughly two dozen pictures of them, forcing them to pose ridiculously before she allowed them to go. Bianca and Sally both looked beautiful in their dresses. Percy grinned as he sat down next to his mom. Some of his friends had complained about their parents playing chaperone, but Percy really didn't mind. He was excited for his mom. He knew she had missed her own prom because she had been pregnant with him.

"Say, did Annabeth agree to go with Piper or not in the end?", asked Bianca curiously. "She never said and neither did Piper. I didn't feel like prying either, so... Tell me."

"After a lot of stuttering around, she agreed", grinned Percy mischievously. "Now she's dying of nervousness. It's kind of cute. So, mom, who is your date? Is it Mister Blofis?"

The teasing in his voice made it obvious that he already knew the answer. Sally blushed and averted her eyes, brushing off the knits in her azure-blue summer-dress. Oh, it was so silly to feel so girly, but Sally enjoyed every second of it. She turned to look at Percy as Percy kissed her cheek.

"I'm glad you're happy", whispered Percy, smiling at his mother.

Sally returned the smile and looked past Percy at Nico. "And I'm glad you're happy."

/break\

Chris was dancing with Clarisse, Beckendorf was whirling Silena around, Luke and Thalia took most of the spotlight though, while Octavian was dancing with his best friend and companion for the night Rachel. Hylla, Zoe and Bianca were sitting that one out, rather talking than dancing. Katie and her boyfriend Malcolm the sophomore were sitting together with Nico, Percy, Annabeth and Piper. They were talking about light and unimportant stuff, laughing with each other.

"Okay, give me one good reason why you're not dancing."

Percy looked up to see that Silena had interrupted her dance to glare at them fiercely. "Because we're drinking bowl and talking? Why do I feel like I greatly offended you...?"

The head-cheerleader groaned and grabbed Percy and Nico by the hands, pulling them up. Percy tried to protest, blushing brightly as he noticed that a very slow song was playing. The others at the table didn't have much time to laugh because Silena ushered them all onto the dance-floor.

"Everyone is staring", mumbled Percy as he tried to hide his face in Nico's shoulder.

"Not so happy with being out and proud anymore?", teased Nico amused, kissing Percy's ear.

"That's not it", huffed Percy, tilting his head up to nose Nico's jaw. "I'm just... I've always hidden who I was and I never dared to even think of doing such a thing... dancing with a handsome boy on a party... With... with my boyfriend, who I love deeply... And I'm... happy... Very happy."

"L—Love?", stammered Nico wide-eyed, cheeks dark red. "We haven't said that y–yet."

"Well, you have", pointed Percy out, smiling coyly, leaning in for a kiss. "When you asked me out for prom. You said it didn't mean I'm a girl who needs courting, but that you're a boy in love."

"Good lord, do you listen to yourselves? Stop being so cheesy!", interrupted Clarisse irritated.

"Leave them be", chided Silena as she and Beckendorf danced past them. "Young love is beautiful."

"Young love is annoying", grunted Clarisse and rolled her eyes. "Look at those two over there!"

Annabeth averted her eyes as the others turned to look at her and Piper at that comment. Piper grasped her chin to tilt it up again, smiling softly at the blonde. The native American was wearing a blue dress, rather simple and a pale color that complimented her darker skin, decorated with feathers, just as she had feathers braided into her hair. She had a wild yet simple beauty to herself.

"I know I already said it, but you look beautiful", whispered Piper with a small smile.

Annabeth's hair was framing her body in broad curls, a silvery-gray dress complimenting her nice curves in ways that had made Piper nearly drop when she had first seen her today. Annabeth looked up at her with a faint blush at the compliment, a nearly shy smile on her lips. Piper couldn't keep from kissing the blonde then and there. At first Annabeth froze up, but a few moments, she relaxed into the kiss and moved her lips against Piper's. The two stopped dancing in the middle of the dance floor and kissed, not noticing the small audience they had gained.

"They're kinda cute together", whispered Percy with a broad grin, leaning against Nico.

"Yeah. The well-behaved golden girl and the rebellious one. It seems to work like a charm."

Nico grinned and stole a kiss of his own, making Percy blush as he guided his golden boy back to dancing. Sally watched them from the sidelines, a fond smile on her lips. This was her son, being truly happy, having found someone who was willing to stand up for him and with him.

"You look... lovely, Sally", complimented Paul as he approached her, offering her a hand. "Would you like to dance? It seems all children are well-behaved, so I finally have some time to spare."

Sally looked him up and down, marveling at how sophisticated he looked in his suit. Smiling up at the teacher, she took his hand and stood to dance. Paul returned her smile as he laid his free arm around her waist. She was like a painting of a summer day, so serene and beautiful in a natural way.

"Are we... ah, this sound so silly in my head", sighed Sally softly. "Are we boyfriend and girlfriend? You said... this is our first official date. That would mean we're dating. Right?"

"If that is what you'd want", confirmed Paul with a small nod and the faintest blush of his own. "You're a wonderful woman, Sally. One of a kind. And I couldn't help but be... intrigued by what Percy told me about you in our sessions. He paints the picture of a saint, really. And angel. And... he's not exactly off-target there. I love spending time with you and I'd like to spend more time with you. Why should the kids be the only ones to have it simple? They like each other so they date."

Sally paused, unsure what she was supposed to reply. Sure, she would like that and she would like happiness. And yes, Percy had said he was glad that she was happy, but what if in the end Paul and Percy wouldn't like each other, or if Tyson wouldn't like Paul? Or what if they really liked Paul and then things would fall apart and Percy and Tyson would be heartbroken and—and suddenly she got pushed forward so their lips met in a chaste kiss. Blushing, she backed off a bit and turned to look at her smirking son. Percy winked at his mother and whirled his own boyfriend farther away again.

"Well, I guess... I'd like that", said Sally with a brighter smile this time.

Paul glanced over Sally's shoulder to offer Percy a grateful look, but the boy was too busy dancing.


Author's note: Next chapter will have Percy and Nico taking their relationship to the next step. If you know what I mean. *wiggles eyebrows suggestively* And Tyson will officially meet Paul~