Time for the real drama to begin. Strap yourselves in everyone. It's about to get bumpy.
For those of you that live in warm weather places, I hate you. It's so cold here. We're breaking out winter things already.
…
Jason's mom did say they could use the living room, but on the way to his house, Jason changed his mind. He knew Percy would feel more comfortable in his room, away from prying eyes. He led the duo into the back of the small house, where his room was situated. He swung the door open and Nico stepped into it first. He looked around, frowning thoughtfully. Percy plopped down on one of the two beds in the room, and Jason smiled. They'd dragged Thalia's old mattress in there five years ago, and they'd carved Percy's name into the headboard. After that, it became Percy's unofficial resting spot when he was over there.
"Ah, it feels good to be back," Percy sighed, stretching out on the bed that was unofficially assigned to him. Jason smiled at him and stripped down to his underwear, crawling into his own bed. Nico blushed at the sight of the mostly naked blonde, but Percy seemed unfazed by it all. "He always does that," Percy said with an eye roll. Nico finally let his gaze travel over Jason's body. He certainly was toned. Finally, he shook his head and sat down next to his boyfriend, wrapping an arm around his waist and bringing the brunette closer to himself. "What are you worried about?" Percy joked.
"From you? Nothing. From him?" He glanced at Jason, who grinned wickedly at him. "Nothing as well. But you're worried about me hooking up with him when he parades around in his underwear around you?" Percy grinned up at him. "Silly boy." He leaned down and his lips met Percy's. The brunette wrapped his arms around his head, deepening the kiss.
"Ahem, third party present and feeling the singles blues," Jason interrupted. Nico pulled away from Percy, reddening. He'd forgot about Jason for a moment as he kissed Percy. That was the beauty of kissing his boyfriend. Everything else melted away until it was just him and Percy, in their own little world. "Say boys, what shall we do now? And if anyone says sex, I will strangle them." Percy choked trying to smother his laughter.
"No sex," Percy agreed. "And no board games. Hey, let's go play Wii Sports Resort. I like hundred pin bowling." Jason turned to Nico, who chuckled.
"As you wish," Jason said, sitting up and bowing. "Let's go." He got up and marched into the living room. Nico turned to Percy, who shrugged. They followed behind the blonde, who was busy setting up the Wii. Nico opened his mouth, then closed it again. It seemed pointless to point out that Jason was prancing around in his underwear still. The blonde seemed to know the fact. And he also didn't seem to care. Percy wasn't even paying Jason a lick of attention. At least, not the more naked parts of him. He accepted the controller from the blonde gratefully, rising. Nico continued to sit on the couch, watching his boyfriend and his friend try to best each other in hundred pin bowling. "Oh, I win!" Jason exclaimed suddenly, throwing his hands up in the air.
"Isn't that cute," a new voice said. Three heads jerked toward the new voice, and an older looking version of Jason greeted them. Albeit his eyes were a little more gray than blue. "Hello, this is a nice surprise," he said, covering the distance between himself and Jason. He wrapped his arms around the blonde's waist and kissed him. "If I'd known I'd come visit you to find this, I'd would've come over a long time ago."
"Luke!" Jason exclaimed with delight. "You're here from the city? Why?" Luke shrugged and grinned.
"I just wanted to be with you," he murmured. "I missed you so much." Jason smiled up at him. Percy set his controller aside, sitting down beside Nico. The dark-haired boy wrapped his arm around him, drawing him close. They let Jason have a little privacy with Luke. After all, they didn't get to see each other much.
"They're pretty cute," Nico whispered. Percy nodded. He hadn't seen Jason that happy in quite some time. Just having Luke near was doing wonders for him. "Say Percy, I know you were excited to spend the night here, but I think we should let them be." Again, Percy nodded.
"Jay," he said gently. Jason turned to him, blinking in surprise. "I think Nico and I are going to head back to my house. We'll have to try this again, huh?" Jason nodded absent-mindedly. He was busy kissing Luke. "Come on Nico," Percy said, leading the dark haired boy outside. He glanced up when they stepped off the porch. It was a beautiful night. Clear and cool, with many stars winking on overhead. "Ah, what a night," Percy said, closing his eyes.
"I agree," Nico replied. He twined his fingers with Percy's, smiling when Percy made no move to pull his hand away. It was late, and it was dark. No one was going to see them. They walked hand in hand to Percy's house, and they paused on the front porch. Nico pushed Percy against the wall and kissed him.
…
Percy rose early that Sunday morning, stretching and starting when Nico shifted beside him. Then he smiled softly when he remembered what happened when he came home. He'd led Nico into his room, closed the door, and changed. Nico didn't have any clothes with him, so he pulled a Jason and stripped down to his boxers. Then they'd kissed for awhile, and when Percy had enough, they cuddled together until they both fell asleep. All in all, it had been a good night.
"Hey Nico," Percy whispered, rolling to face the dark-haired boy. "Time to wake up." Nico mumbled something but stayed firmly asleep. Smiling, Percy scooted closer until they were face to face. Then, he brushed his lips against Nico's. Nico blinked his dark eyes open, wrapping his arms around the brunette's waist.
"Mmmm, now that's the way to wake up," he whispered. "Good morning beautiful." Percy blushed, and Nico smiled. "Beautiful. Yeah, I like that. I like that a lot. Good morning, my beautiful boyfriend." Percy's blush deepened.
"I wish I could think of something cute to say back, but I can't," he replied, almost disappointed. "You're the one with the silver tongue." Nico laughed quietly and squeezed the brunette's middle. He had noticed that. He'd say something cute or corny, and Percy would get a little tongue-tied. But the way his boyfriend blushed made it all the cuter. "What are you staring at?" Percy asked, wrinkling his nose in amusement.
"You," Nico replied automatically, showing once again he was the smooth talker in their relationship. "Just you. I can never get enough. You're my baby." He smiled softly as Percy opened his mouth, then closed it again. He repeated the action several times, reminded Nico of a landed fish. He laughed again. "And how adorable my baby is," he said. His lips sought Percy's, and soon they were tangled in each other's arms, kissing.
"Boys." Nico and Percy sprang apart, looking at the door guilty. Well, that was Percy's case. Nico was busy smirking at him. "It's time to get ready for church," Sally reminded them. Sighing, Percy rose and began the mechanical actions that came with getting himself ready for church. He changed into black slacks and a short-sleeved white button-down. Then he loped a black tie around his neck, adjusting it. Then he picked his comb up off the dresser and ran it through his hair. While he did that, Nico got himself dressed in the clothes he wore last night. He slipped out silently and went back to his own house. When Percy turned around, he found Nico gone. He frowned. His boyfriend hadn't even said goodbye. He slowly made his way into the kitchen to have coffee with his mom. "Morning sweetie," Sally greeted. "How was the movie date with Jason?"
"Good," Percy replied absently, looking at the back door. But it didn't swing back open to reveal Nico on the other side. So he retrieved his mug and sat at the bar, fingering the rim.
"Do you…want some coffee?" Sally asked gently, holding up the pot. She'd seen Nico slip silently out the back door, but she'd assumed he'd told Percy he was leaving. Obviously not. Percy stared blankly at the coffee pot for a moment before wordlessly holding his mug out. Sally gave him some, then shoved the creamer and sugar at him. He added enough of each, then stirred it with his spoon. But then he just sat there and stared at his mug. "Is everything alright?" Sally finally asked, sitting beside her son. Percy turned to look at her.
"Nico didn't even say goodbye," he said. "I mean, I know I'll see him soon enough, but he didn't even say goodbye. He just slipped away before I finished combing my hair." Percy took a distracted sip of his coffee. Somehow, it didn't taste as sweet with Nico gone. Sally rubbed her son's shoulder, smiling sympathetically. "I'm going over to his house," Percy decided, rising. "Is it okay if I go to church with the di Angelo's again?" At his mother's nod, Percy briskly walked out the door and across the lawns. He rapped gently on Nico's back door. Bianca answered.
"Hello Percy," she said. "Come on in. Nico's just stepped out of the shower." Then, she gave him a mischievous smile. "Nico, come here please!" she called. Percy looked at her questioningly, but she held up a finger. Nico emerged at the top of the stairs, grumbling something. He had a thin blue towel wrapped around his waist, and that appeared to be the only thing he had on. Percy's sea-green eyes widening considerably.
"What do you want Bi…" He trailed off when he caught sight of Percy. "Oh, Percy, hi!" He glanced down at his towel, blushed, and raced back upstairs. Bianca roared with laughter, sitting down at their kitchen table in the process. "Oh that was gold," she said, pretending to wipe away a tear. Hazel materialized next to her, causing the brunette to jump.
"Was there a specific reason that our dear brother ran upstairs in a towel?" Hazel asked. Then she seemed to notice Percy for the first time. "Ah, that'd be why," she answered herself. "Hello Percy. It's good to see you."
"Good to see you too," Percy replied, his voice breaking with embarrassment. Now Hazel laughed along with Bianca. "And it was definitely good to see that," he added, motioning to the stairs.
"See, you can be a smooth talker too," Nico said, emerging once more at the top of the stairs. But this time, he was fully dressed. He had on an outfit very similar to Percy's, but his sleeves went down to the middle of his palm. He didn't need the church people to see the bandages he still had to have on his wrists. "Hello baby. Didn't expect you here." He went over to the brunette and wrapped his arms around him from behind, resting his chin on his shoulder. Percy peered back at him, and he smiled. "Are you coming to church with us today?" he asked.
"Yeah," Percy replied. "That is, if you'll let me." But Nico was nodding before he'd even finished talking. Of course they'd let him come with them. After all, that extended to their "door was always open" policy. Percy beamed at him, just glad to be with him once again. Hazel and Bianca looked at each other, smiling. Percy didn't even flinch away from their brother anymore. He was slowly getting more comfortable with who he was.
"Come on kids," Mr. di Angelo called, peeking into the kitchen. "And Percy. Let's go."
…
The car ride there was quiet and uneventful. Hazel sat between her mom and dad again, which meant Bianca, Nico, and Percy had the back seat. This time, Percy sat in the middle, because Bianca wanted to sit by him too. Almost as soon as they were in place, Nico snatched his hand and twined their fingers together. Percy simply smiled. He'd gotten used to that whenever they travelled together. Besides, he liked it.
They pulled into the parking lot, and Percy's stomach went to his knees. Pastor Philip was standing outside the church, greeting people. That wouldn't be weird, expect that he normally stood at the bottom of the stairs inside. He pressed closer to Nico, pointing. The dark-haired boy squinted at the pastor, but then he shrugged. But Percy's reaction bothered him. This obviously wasn't normal. He let go of Percy's hand as he climbed out. Percy climbed out behind him, still staring at the pastor. Bianca rested her hand on his elbow and steered him toward the church. Pastor Philip noticed them then, and his lip curled up.
"Ah Perseus," he said, and the hair on the back of Percy's neck stood up. "Hello there. What do we have here? Bianca, Hazel…and Nico." As he swung his gaze to Nico, the dark-haired boy took a step back. Then he seemed to realize what he did and shook his head angrily. He shoved passed his sister and his boyfriend and tried to enter the church, but Pastor Philip's arm shot out and blocked the door. "Oh, I don't think so," he said.
"Pastor Philip," Percy tried, and the pastor's gaze swung back to him. "Can you let us in please. We have to prepare for the play…"
"You prepare for nothing!" Pastor Philip interrupted, and Percy snapped his jaw shut, staring wide-eyed at him. "You both…" He pointed first at Nico, then at Percy. "Are no longer welcome in this church." Percy made gagging sounds. He wasn't welcome in his church? "You're abominations," Pastor Philip continued, on a roll now. "You have fallen for Satan's temptation."
"Now just one moment," Mr. di Angelo finally interrupted. He noticed the way Percy slipped behind Nico, like he knew where this conversation was headed. Nico looked over his shoulder at him, but he didn't try anything to comfort the brunette. Anything now could very well be their undoing. "What are you talking about? They aren't abominations. They're both good Christian boys." Percy and Nico nodded dutifully. Pastor Philip chuckled.
"No gay is ever a good Christian," he replied, marching inside and shutting the door firmly behind him. Them he locked the di Angelo's and Percy out. Percy's eyes watered.
"How did he find out?" he asked softly. Nico tuned to him and began muttering in his ear. He didn't even say actual words. He wasn't sure what to say. But Nico's tone certainly helped Percy calm down. "How did he find out?" he asked again. Ellis, the pastor's wife, stuck her head out the door.
"If you don't leave now, I'm calling the cops," she warned. That was the final straw. Percy tore away from Nico and sprinted away.
"Percy!" Nico cried. "Percy, come back!" But Percy pretended not to hear him. Dammit, why did Nico have to come into his life in the first place? Nico hung back, unsure of what to do. Jason told him that Percy hated being chased after… A hand on his shoulder caused him to jump. He twisted around and found himself facing his dad.
"We'll follow him," his dad promised. "Then we'll take him back home with us. It'll all be okay." But Nico stared at the spot where Percy disappeared. Whatever happened, it would be far from okay.
…
Percy ran until his sides ached and he couldn't see straight. Then he sank to his knees on the sideway and took ragged gasps of breath. Why? Why did they have to find out? And why did he have to be this way in the first place? Things were so much simpler when Nico wasn't around.
"Percy, thank God you're okay!" Through the tears, Percy saw Nico jump out of his car and run over to him. "We've been following you for twenty minutes. Please, just get in the car. Everything's going to be okay." The promise sounded false even to his ears, but he had to believe that it would eventually be okay. God didn't give you trials to not have some triumph at the end. "Atta boy, up you come," Nico cooed, gently helping Percy to his feet. The brunette swayed uncertainly. Nico led him to the car and shoved him in. He fell against Bianca, who propped him up. "He's alright guys, just winded and emotionally hurt."
"Why?" Percy finally asked weakly. Nico turned to him, blinking in confusion. He wasn't sure what Percy meant. "Why do I have to be this way?" Percy asked miserably, running his sleeve under his eyes. The sleeve came back soaked with tears. "And it's all your fault!" Nico flinched like Percy had slapped him. "It's all you fault! Why did you have to make me this way?" Percy struggled against his seatbelt, finally slipping free. Mr. di Angelo slammed on the brakes just as Percy opened Bianca's door. He tumbled out. "I never want to see you again!" He sprinted down the street once again. Nico turned to his family, his eyes shiny with tears.
"Did I do something wrong?" he asked them in a strangely subdued voice. "I didn't actually turn him gay, right?" He hung his head in defeat. Percy, the one person he cared about outside of his family, hated him now. He never wanted to see him again. "God, I fucked up," he swore softly, screwing his eyes shut. "I fucked up so bad."
"It's fine sweetie," his mom said quietly. "Just give him some time to cool down. He'll miss you before long, and he'll want your company. Right now, he's in shock. Just let him be." Nico nodded along, hoping it was true. But somehow, he didn't think it would be any time soon. The accusation in Percy's voice was all too obvious. He hated Nico. He never wanted to see him again. Nico felt like his heart was breaking all over again. But this time, there would be nothing to stitch it back together. He was alone.
…
Aww poor babies. You had to know the church was going to figure out sometime.