No, I will not stop writing PJO fanfics. I just have to work on my own novel every now and then. Writing that and a fanfic at the same time is stressful, but I'll make it work. I bet you're all anxious for an update, aren't you?
…
"Percy, wake up." Percy groaned and flipped over onto his stomach. Normally, waking up to Nico whispering in his ear would make him really happy, but he knew what was coming. School. It was the Monday after he'd been kicked out of church. He really hoped word had gotten out yet. He'd rather avoid everything at school. "Percy, I know you don't want to go, but we have to face this," Nico whispered to him. The brunette finally sat up, rubbing his eyes. "That's the spirit," Nico said with a tiny smile. He was already dressed for the day.
"I don't want to go Nico," he whispered. "I don't think I'd be able to take it if anyone…" Nico cut the brunette off with a kiss. Percy promptly shut up, melting into his kiss.
"That's better," the dark-haired boy said when he pulled away. "Percy, whatever happens, God isn't mad at you. Remember that please." Percy looked down at his hands. He wasn't so sure, but he needed something to believe in. And Nico provided that. Even if Percy couldn't fully believe his faith anymore, he could believe Nico. "Are you going to get dressed?" Nico asked. Percy started.
"Yeah," he said, rising. He got dressed quickly, slipping on long sleeves at the last minute. He wasn't sure why, but they made him feel safe and secure. Like he wouldn't be hurt as much if he had them on. He slung his backpack over his shoulders and ran a comb through his hair. "Nico, I really don't want to go to school today. Do we have to?"
"Percy, we can't run from our problems," the dark-haired boy replied, coming over to him. "If we run, they'll just follow us. And possibly get bigger in the process. It'll be okay, you'll see." Nico went down the stairs to the kitchen, leaving Percy in his room. The brunette swallowed hard. He didn't want to face his problems today, even if he knew the dark-haired boy was right. He just…he had a really bad feeling about today. Something bad was going to happen. He just knew it. He followed Nico down the stairs at last, emerging into the kitchen. Nico was sitting on the counter, sipping on a glass of orange juice. Hazel and Bianca were sitting at the table eating cereal and Nico's mother was hovering near the sink, doing dishes. Nico's father had already left for work. It seemed so casual, so normal. It was a great mask for the terrible beast lurking underneath.
"Percy sweetie," Maria said when she saw him. "It's good to see you sweetie. Did you sleep well?" More normalness to this day. Percy was going to have a complex by the end of this. He went over to stand by Nico, who wrapped one arm around his shoulders and squeezed. The brunette was happy for the extra support. Today was going to be a tough day indeed.
"I'm good Mamá di Angelo," he replied, remembering a conversation he'd had with her the other night. That's what she wanted him to call her from now on. Probably because he was going to be around for a long time, if Nico had any say in it. "I guess I did. Your son held me the whole night, so I really can't complain." Nico turned a nice, healthy shade of pink.
"Now Percy," he chided. "I don't think mamá needs to hear any of that. But I'm glad you enjoyed it," he added in an undertone. "Maybe tonight at your place?" Percy nodded. If they made it through today, he wanted lots of cuddles to help him forget about it. "Don't worry," Nico whispered, giving him another squeeze. He seemed to know exactly what the brunette was thinking. "Today will be a piece of cake compared to yesterday. I'll be there for you Percy, I promise."
"Thank you Nico," he responded, feeling a lump in his throat. He hoped today would go a lot better than yesterday. But he couldn't shake the feeling something major was about to happen. He'd had that feeling before, but today felt like the day. "Can we go please?" he asked, looking up at his boyfriend (good friend?). "I want to get to school before everyone else." Nico dumped the rest of his orange juice down the sink and slid off the counter.
"Of course," he answered. He already had his backpack on his shoulders, because he figured Percy would be antsy to get going. He took the brunette's hand in his. "Bye mamá, have a nice day," Nico called over his shoulder as he led the brunette outside. Percy tried to take his hand back, but Nico shook his head. "What's it really going to hurt if we walk hand in hand to school?" he asked.
"It won't," Percy said, a little irritated. "But I would rather put this off as long as possible." Nico sighed and let Percy have his hand back. As long as they lived in this town, Percy would never be comfortable with himself. He'd always feel like he'd have to be the good Christian boy everyone expected him to be. It was towns like this that made Nico sick. How could humans turn on one of their own? How could they care so little for someone's feelings that they would physically, emotionally, and mentally destroy the people they'd worked so hard to build up. What Nico never understood was why the Christian's thought the way they did. God made his children in his image, and he loved his children no matter what they did. "You have that thoughtful look again Nico," Percy said, startling the dark-haired boy. "What's up?"
"Oh, nothing," Nico replied with a shake of his head. "I just was thinking of Bible verses and such." Percy turned to look at him. "What? I do read the Bible you know. We've always been church-goers. I even attended morning Sunday school in the facility. I know my Bible verses. Perhaps not off the top of my head, but I know them." Percy cracked a tiny smile.
"I don't know how I feel about that," he answered honestly. "But I'm glad to know you know a thing or two about the Bible. That does make me feel a little better." And it did.
"Are you ready?" Nico asked after an extended pause. They'd reached the school, and with some unspoken agreement, they both paused. A few people lingered outside the school, and when they saw the duo, they turned to each other and began whispering. Jason was leaned against the school wall. Nico led Percy that way. "What's up Jay?" he asked. The blonde looked around nervously.
"Look, I love you both, and I do want to talk to you, but I can't. Word has already gotten out. Principal Solace plans to speak with both of you as soon as you step foot in that school. Will's tried to talk him out of it, but…" Jason shrugged. "Now I have to go. Good luck." He sprinted off, leaving a dumbfounded Nico and a disheartened Percy.
"Do you hear that Nico?" Percy asked in a small voice. "We're too late. Word has already spread. I can't believe it…" He trailed off, and tears welled in his eyes. "Nico…" The dark-haired boy wrapped his arms around the brunette.
"It's okay Perce, it's okay," Nico murmured. "One thing at a time. Let's go see what the damn principal wants." Percy swiped a hand under his eyes and nodded. Talking to Principal Solace couldn't be that bad. After all, he went to Youth Group with Will every Wednesday. He liked Principal Solace. He was just and fair. "Come on," Nico whispered, leading him passed the prying eyes of the few lingering students.
Percy gulped when he saw the front office, because Principal Solace was standing at the door, waiting for them. When he saw them, his eyes narrowed. He ushered them into the office. Percy felt Nico's hand on his elbow as he steered him into the office. Once they were inside, Mrs. Tomilson closed the door. Mrs. Tomilson and Principal Solace waiting for them? This couldn't be a good omen. Far from it.
"So, I suppose you boys already know why I've called you both here," Principal Solace began. "Have a seat please." Neither boy moved. "Please Percy, just sit," he pleaded. "This will be so much easier if you boys cooperate. I promise nothing too bad will happen." Percy turned to Nico, who nodded. Percy sat down in a seat across from Principal Solace while Nico stood behind the brunette, his hands on the boy's shoulders. Principal Solace sighed. He liked Percy and Nico, he really did. His son adored them and he'd been friends with Percy since they were in kindergarten.
"Principal Solace, if I may," Nico interrupted. "What will happen to us? I know you have a precious reputation to uphold, and dear me, we've seemed to upset that, haven't we." Percy glanced down guiltily. He hated it when he messed something us. Nico leaned down and kissed the top of his head. "It's alright Percy, it's not your fault," he said. "I was only joking."
"Boys, I really don't know what to do," Principal Solace admitted. "I don't want to expel you. That seems too harsh. I'm an open man, and frankly don't agree with the church." Percy looked a little stunned. "How about in-school suspension for two weeks, and I'll let you continue to do your studies. And on Wednesday mornings I'll let you guys have a little Bible session if you want."
"Principal Solace I…I don't know what to say," Percy stammered. "Thank you, I guess?" Nico squeezed Percy's shoulders. This was a blessing more than it was anything else. With in-school suspension, they could continue doing school work away from all the stares they'd now doubt get. "Thank you," Percy said with a little more relief. "Thank you so much." Principal Solace smiled.
"No problem," he said, rising. "Now, I fear, I'll have to make an announcement. This may be hard for you boys to hear."
"Thanks for the warning," Nico said quickly. "Perce, cover your ears." Percy nodded and placed his hands over his ears. Principal Solace picked up his mic and glanced at the dark-haired boy. Nico made a "go on" gesture.
"Students, I have dealt with our latest problems," Principal Solace began. "Don't worry, they won't be around to disrupt classes or turn people gay. Just go about your daily activities." He turned to Nico, setting the mic down. "I hate saying things like that because they're vicious stereotypes and I know they're not true. But I have to say them."
"I understand," Nico said, tapping the brunette's shoulder. Percy uncovered his ears and looked up at the dark-haired boy. "Come on Percy, let's go study," Nico said, leading the brunette into the inner office to the in-school suspension room. Principal Solace watched them go. His heart went out to those boys. He hoped they would find peace in the weeks to come.
…
"How was school Percy?" his mother asked when he walked into the house. He'd already taken Nico home, and they'd made plans to get together after dinner. But for now, they were going to have some time apart to work on schoolwork and learning Bible verses for Wednesday morning. Principal Solace, and avid Christian, would join them for half an hour for the next two weeks for prayers and lessons. Since Percy wouldn't be allowed back to church, it was welcome.
"Better than I would've thought," he replied. "Principal Solace gave Nico and I in-school suspension because he didn't know what else to do." The brunette's mother looked at him sharply. "He had to discipline us somehow mom, or there would've been a lot of parents in an uproar. 'Oh, those boys are going to turn my son gay! How dare they go to the same school?" He rolled his eyes. "He's letting us continue studying. He's even set up Wednesday Bible lessons for us. He's thinking of inviting our old Youth Group buddies so we don't feel so alone."
"That's great Perce," his mom said, coming over and ruffling his hair. "I'm glad things are better than we thought they'd be. I didn't want to go to the school and be the scary mama I can be." Percy laughed and shook his head, getting some crackers out of the cabinet. His mother was the least scary person he knew. Then again, he'd never had to deal with any of this before. "Where's Nico? He's been so attached to your hip lately, I was wondering where he'd dashed off to."
"He's at home studying for a test tomorrow," Percy replied, sitting down at the table with his crackers. "Which I should be studying for too. I'll see you mom." Sally took the hint. She gathered her things and left. Percy smiled. This day just got so much better. A knock at the door caused him to look up, though. Who could that be? He rose and moved to open the door. He was a little shocked when he saw Hazel. And she looked like she was crying.
"Hazel, what's wrong?" he asked, alarmed. She wiped her eyes and hiccupped. "Hazel?" he asked.
"Percy, it's Nico," she said, and a cold hand clutched Percy's heart. Nico? His Nico? "Percy…mom had to rush him to the hospital in the city."
…
Nico didn't remember much of what happened after he got home, but he remembered taking something to help his headache. Then he sat down at the kitchen table to do his homework. And then…nothing. Good God, Percy was going to kill him for this. He hurt all over for some reason, and his eyelids felt like they were filled with lead. He could barely keep them open.
"Well hi there sleepyhead," a kind voice said. Everything was a little fuzzy, but Nico could make out a dark shape. "You gave your family quite a scare there. Thought you were trying to commit suicide again."
"No…" Nico managed to get out. "Can't…Have someone…who needs me…" Talking was taking quite the effort. And he still felt tired. "What did I take?" he finally asked.
"Some simple medication to treat a headache," the doctor replied, peeling his eyelids open. "Tylenol I think." Nico groaned.
"I'm allergic to Tylenol," he said. "I must have grabbed that bottle without thinking about it. But I'm allergic to acetaminophen, which is in Tylenol. So that's all. I'm having an allergic reaction. That's all." He sighed. He was alright after all. He was worried that he'd have some serious explaining to do.
"I think we'll keep you overnight for tests, see how things are going," the doctor said, jotting something down on his clipboard. "Tomorrow, you should be good." Nico nodded, and when the doctor left, he sat up. He must have not been paying attention to what he was grabbing in the bathroom. He couldn't have acetaminophen, or he'd pass out and possibly die.
"Nico honey, are you okay?" The dark-haired boy turned to face Maria, who was sitting in the corner watching him. "So you just had some Tylenol? That's all? Thank goodness." She put a hand over her heart. "You really scared us. We thought…"
"I know what you thought mamá," he cut in. "But that's all. Just a little accident. Don't worry, I'm not going to try it again. I have a boyfriend who needs me in his life. I can't leave Percy yet." He smiled a little. "And I can't leave my family of course. You guys need to me too." He settled back against his pillows, looking around. "St. Marx in the city huh? What? Worried I'd tried to off myself again?" It was a good sign when he could joke about it. "So that must have been Vincent who was checking me out?" he asked, looking at Maria. She nodded. Vincent had been the doctor that checked in on Nico the first time he'd come to St, Marx.
"We couldn't be too sure Nico," she said nervously. "You've had a long, tough day. We thought maybe…"
"Mamá, I'm fine," he insisted. "It was just a simple mix up. Vincent says I'll be good as new tomorrow." He grinned. He couldn't wait to get back to his Percy.
…
"You sure you're alright?" Percy asked, cradling the phone to his ear. He was seated at his desk, trying to do his homework. But when Nico called him, he abandoned the idea. Nico's well-being was more important than some silly paper. "It was just an allergic reaction?"
"Yep," Nico replied with a little laugh. "I promise you Percy, I did not try to off myself. I took some Tylenol to help my headache by accident. I can't have Tylenol. It causes a severe reaction." Percy breathed a little sigh of relief. He'd been worried about Nico ever since Hazel went home. She and Bianca stayed to tell the dark-haired boy's dad about everything. "Vincent, he's my doctor here at St. Marx, says I'll be as good as new tomorrow. I'll be back in time for our test, so don't you dare start without me." He laughed again, and Percy couldn't help but smile.
"Wouldn't dream of it," he replied. "Speaking of that test, I need to study. I was just checking to see if you were okay. Love you lots."
"Love you lots too," Nico replied, and Percy could hear the smile in his voice. "I'll see you tomorrow. Take care." He hung up, and Percy put the phone back on the desk. He swiveled around in his chair and stared at his blank walls once more. Nothing was as it should be anymore, but maybe that was a good thing. Change was almost always nice.
…
"Goodnight Nico, sweet dreams," Vincent said, turning out the light. Nico smiled. Vincent was always the one who would not treat him like a fragile being. And he was sweet. Vincent was the doctor everyone liked. Nico pulled his thin blanket up to his chin and settled down for the night. He already felt a lot better. He hoped to be back to Percy as soon as possible. He didn't want to be away from him for much longer. He loved Percy, and he wanted to be there for him, no matter what.
…
There ya go. It's a little shorter than the last chapter, but it'll do. Ha, you all thought Nico would do something drastic. Nope. Just an allergic reaction. Didn't see that coming.