PJatO || Nicercy || PJatO || Percy and the Ghost King of Summers High || PJatO || Nicercy || PJatO

Title: Percy and the Ghost King of Summers High – The Little Merboy and the Vampire Lord

Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus; supernatural 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, supernatural, magic, wolves/vampires, mates/bonding, heat, D/s, spanking, explicit intercourse, anal, oral, sex toys, domestic abuse, self-harm, shoujo-ai, hetero, threesomes

Main Pairing: Nico/Percy

Side Pairings: Thanatos/Triton, Octavian/Luke, Ethan/Alabaster, Jake/Will, Frank/Hazel/Leo, Chris/Clarisse/Piper, Thalia/Bianca, Reyna/Annabeth, Lou/Miranda, Charles/Silena, Jason/Calypso, Malcolm/Katie, Grover/Juniper, Dakota/Leila, Nathan/Gwen, Shane/Lacy, Bryce/Drew, Howard/Hecate, Chiron/Lupa, Hades/Persephone, Poseidon/Amphitrite, Paul/Sally, Gabe/Sally (to be past), Poseidon/Sally (past), Briareos/Kymopoleia, Enalos/Benthesikyme, Proteus/Psamatheia, Nereus/Doris, Oceanus/Thethys, Phorkys/Keto, Aegeon/Percy, Tiberinus/Percy, Asopos/Percy

Percy Jackson Characters:

Water Nymphs/Sirens/Merpeople: Perseus Jackson, Tyson, Silena Beauregard, Gwendolyn Ryder, Drew Tanaka, Michael Kahale, Piper McLean, Mitchell Logan, Lacy Hunnigan

Vampires: Bianca di Angelo, Nico di Angelo, Hazel Levesque, Ethan Nakamura

Valkyries: Annabeth Chase, Malcolm Cage

Witches: Alabaster C. Torrington, Lou Ellen, Clovis Daver, Butch Walker, Bryce Lawrence

Seers: Octavian Simmons, Ella, Rachel Elizabeth Dare

Storm Spirits: Thalia Grace, Jason Grace

Nature Spirits/Nymphs: Katie Gardner, Miranda Gardner, Leila Fischer, Juniper, Grover Underwood, Dakota Elle, Castor Liber, Pollux Liber

Werewolves/Shapeshifters: Luke Castellan, Nathan McIntosh, Travis Stoll, Connor Stoll, Chris Rodriguez, Cecil Rogers, Frank Zhang (also a hunter)

Dragons: Charles Beckendorf, Jake Mason, Nyssa Black, Leo Valdez, Shane McNabb

Light Elves: Lee Fletcher, Michael Yew, Will Solace, Austin Barton, Kayla Hein

Dark Elves: Zoe Nightshade, Phoebe Burge, Naomi Walters, Celyn Richards, Kinzie Cohen

Hunters: Howard Claymore, Hylla Ramírez-Arellano, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Frank Zhang (also a shifter), Clarisse la Rue, Sherman Potter, Mark Meyer

Humans: Sally Jackson, Paul Blofis, Tristan McLean, Beryl Grace, Gabe Ugliano, Nancy Bobofit

Animals: Small Bob, Mrs. O'Leary, Argentum, Aurum, Blackjack, Arion, Tempest, Scipio, Festus

Godly Characters: Poseidon, Amphitrite, Proteus, Kymopoleia, Benthesikyme, Rhode, Triton, Thanatos, Olethros, Makaria, Melinoe, Hades, Persephone, Demeter, Hecate, Chiron, Lupa, Calypso, Briareos, Enalos, Aegeon, Hydrus, Pontus, Thalassa, Phorkys, Keto, Tiberinus, Asopos, Oceanus, Thethys, Psamatheia, Nereus, Doris

Summary: Percy is just a normal boy, living with his hard-working mother and abusive stepfather, keeping his head low at school. Normally, Percy only spend the obligatory one weekend a month with his dad. But that had been because of Poseidon's secret. Poseidon is a merman and he tried to shield his son from the supernatural world – until it becomes apparent that Percy shares his heritage.

Poseidon fights for custody, with the help of his vampire lord lawyer friend Hades, so Percy would move to them and join their supernatural community. Now Percy has to deal with only seeing his mom on weekends, adjusting to his stepmother and half-siblings and being a submissive merboy.

Percy and the Ghost King of Summers High

The Little Merboy and the Vampire Lord

Chapter 27: The Spring Queen and the Ghost King

Percy smiled as he stood on a ladder, being held by Jason and Frank. He was hanging up a banner together with Annabeth. It was large, glittery and very artistic. Rachel had painted it.

"Annual Summers High Spring Ball", read Percy for about the hundredth time.

"It's a silly tradition. Since the school is named Summers High, it's a bit of a word-play to have a spring ball. Even though our school is not named after the season", sighed Annabeth frustrated.

"Oh", grunted Percy, blinking slowly. "It... isn't?"

"It's named after the greatest hunter in history", grunted Frank slightly amused, looking up at Percy. "Anne Summers. The first hunter to distinct between good and bad, instead of supernatural and human. She stood up for the rights of the supernatural and helped unite us all."

"That's cool", grinned Percy pleased. "So what's the deal with the ball, exactly?"

"Nothing much", shrugged Grover, holding Annabeth's ladder. "Just your regular vote for king and queen, lots of dancing, someone – mostly Pollux and Castor – spiking the punch. The usual."

"And I will be this year's queen."

Percy froze on his ladder for a second before he turned to look at Drew, her normal smug self. A sneer was aimed up at Percy, but she didn't speak. She knew she was on thin ice. Huffing, she whirled around and left. Something inside of Percy was bucking up.

"So, who's qualified to run for Spring Queen?", asked Percy, eyes still on Drew.

"Boy, you are way too much into trouble", snorted Piper delighted.

"Any girl and any submissive. Just like any boy and any dominant can run for king", replied Jason.

"You're going to run for Spring Queen?", asked Frank doubtfully. "Wouldn't you rather... run for Spring King? I mean, you're a dude and you're still new to the whole supernatural-stuff."

"Eh, not that new anymore", shrugged Percy thoughtfully. "Besides, I wouldn't be able to directly beat Drew if I ran for king. Not to mention, I already have the perfect king in mind."

"Oh, Nico's gonna love this", snorted Jason amused. "He hates those dances."

"He may hate school dances, but he loves me", hummed Percy pleased.

/break\

Percy was curled together against Mrs. O'Leary's side. They had been playing around for two hours and Percy was extremely exhausted. Leo and Festus were curled together next to them – the hell-hound loved playing with the dragon. Their respective partners were with them, considering they were at the estate of Hades di Angelo. This was the largest 'park' that was exclusively accessible for the supernatural, after all. Frank looked pleased as he had Leo sat on his lap, Hazel leaned against Frank's side and playing with Leo's curls while the little dragon was napping, Festus a constant presence around them, guarding the little dragon and his mates.

"Ni—ico", drawled Percy softly, tilting his head up.

The softness of his voice was betrayed by the mischief in his eyes. Nico frowned as he looked at his boyfriend. Percy was playing with the necklace he had gotten from Nico on Valentine's Day – the first official courting gift and Percy's most priced possession.

/flashback\

Nico was unnecessarily nervous. He had worked hard but also fast on finishing the first piece of courting jewelry. After all, a little over two weeks after his birthday was Valentine's Day coming up and that seemed like the perfect day to give Percy the first courting jewelry. That didn't make him any less nervous though. The hunt with Percy had been one thing – and oh it had been glorious and thrilling and just mesmerizing – but this was a far more tangible step of courting. Truly official.

"You look like you're on the way to the guillotine", teased Percy amused. "Is dating me truly that awful, Mister di Angelo? Because I will have you know that I could go and have my pick."

He was clearly teasing, but Nico still sighed as he sat down opposite Percy at the restaurant. "I'm sorry. But you are right, Percy. You could have your pick. I'm a... burdened, old vampire."

"Oh, shut up", grunted Percy and threw his napkin at his boyfriend. "Have I not proven enough in the past three months that I love you. I love you, with all your burdens, and I'm more than willing to do everything I can to help you with any such burdens. Stupid vampire."

"God, I love you so much", whispered Nico softly, making Percy blush. "That's why I... I got you something special for Valentine's Day. Happy Valentine's Day, gattino."

He pushed the little box over toward Percy. The merboy frowned curiously and took it. Inside was a pendant, a round disk but engraved with a cat and a bat chasing each other in a circle. It was white, bone? No. Oh. Percy blinked surprised when he realized it was made out of antler.

"You made this yourself", accused Percy softly, cracking a grin. "You made it out of the spoils from our courting hunt. You... You utter sap, this is absolutely gorgeous."

"You... like it?", asked Nico nearly shyly. "I'm not the best at carving, though I used to do it a lot."

"It's beautiful, Nick", whispered Percy gently, eyes sparkling. "Now I feel super cheap for just making your a giant chocolate heart. Shesh. Way to make me look bad, di Angelo."

Nico laughed as his boyfriend leaned in to kiss him. As they parted, Nico put the necklace over Percy's head. It was about an inch in diameter, with the cat and the bat standing out. Percy smiled gently before leaning in again to kiss Nico once more, just a gentle peck but filled with love.

/flashback|end\

Percy always played with the pendant when he was deep in thought and it was an endearing habit that made Nico's chest swell with pride. His chosen mate loved the first courting gift. Nico had done good pleasing his beloved mer-kitten. Percy batted his long lashes temptingly.

The kitten wanted something from him. Nico wasn't an idiot, he knew when he was being manipulated by his precious kitten. He just couldn't really do anything about it, because he was way too weak to the kitten-eyes. Percy started purring, nudging his head against the underside of Nico's chin in a very manipulative way. Nico chuckled and leaned in to kiss Percy.

"What do you want from me, gattino?", inquired Nico amused.

"There's this... dance coming up", hummed Percy casually. "Spring Dance. And apparently, Drew is running as queen. And I kind of don't really want that. I want that crown. I want that official first dance to open the dance. I want... to be Spring Queen. Will you run with me, Ghost King?"

Nico heaved a long-suffering sigh. Apparently, the others had already warned Percy about what Nico thought of those silly dances. Otherwise the kitten wouldn't be so manipulative about the matter. Leaning down, Nico stole another kiss from his boyfriend.

"Okay. Fine", grunted Nico, easily grumbling under the look of kitten-eyes.

"...That was utterly anticlimatic. I came here to see my brother squirm and try to argue his way out of this", pouted Hazel, staring at the couple opposite them.

"There is no squirming out of any situation with the kitten-eyes aimed at me", grunted Nico with a deadpan. "There is absolutely no escape for me. I am doomed to obey those eyes."

Percy huffed and slapped Nico's chest. "Stupid vampire. Annie and Piper agreed to help plan our campaign. As stupid as Annabeth thinks those things to be, she is excited about the strategy behind planning a campaign. Piper promised to keep her in line."

"This is a disaster", muttered Nico fondly, shaking his head.

/break\

There were a couple close calls where Drew nearly got physical, but constantly being in public kept her in line. The campaign went pretty much without a hitch thanks to the help of everyone. Rachel eagerly painted and designed all signs and posters. Annabeth organized the best strategy, Piper knew how to present Percy and Nico as future king and queen. It was utterly ridiculous, but it was also so much fun, if Percy was being honest. What had started out as slightly petty attempt to better Drew had actually turned into a fun little project that Percy really enjoyed.

"No, Benthy, you're doing it all wrong!", complained Rhode frustrated.

"Why? Perce needs a special hair-style", argued Benthesykime confused.

"No. You're both doing it wrong. He needs to look badass because he's gonna be a badass Spring Queen", grunted Kymopoleia agitated, elbowing both her sisters to get to Percy.

Percy was just obediently sitting there and waiting for his sisters to do whatever they wanted to. Silena, Piper and Mike had jumped at the chance of prettying him up for the dance, but when Percy had told his family about the Spring Dance and about him running, his sisters had practically jumped him. Apparently, they were really invested in this. They really wanted their little brother to win this crown and they had asked to help him get ready for the dance. He had even allowed them to pick an outfit – though he wasn't quite sure whether he was regretting that right now.

He was wearing a soft-blue silken dress that was very form-fitting and very low cut in the back, held up around his neck and falling loose enough around his torso to elude the fact that he lacked the breasts to fill out the dress. It even sparkled, in the right light, and reached the floor. It was absolutely beautiful and Percy kind of liked the feeling of the silk on his skin. All three of his sisters had gone through their jewelry boxes to find the right accessories to go with the dress.

"The pendant really doesn't go well with the outfit", pointed Kym out.

Percy actually hissed at her for the suggestion. "Mine. No taking it off."

"Wow. You are really in love with Nico", grinned Benthy teasingly, nudging him.

Percy blushed and ducked his head, holding tightly onto his pendant. Rhode smiled and gently brushed Percy's hair out of his face. He ducked his head just a little more at that.

"No need to be embarrassed, Perce", chuckled Kym. "We might be immortal but there's no timer on when we find the one. If you find them, even early on, then... Well. Good for you."

"I don't know. I mean, I absolutely love him, but I don't know much yet", sighed Percy softly. "It's all still kind of overwhelming, even after over half a year. This whole... world and its rules. I just... For now, I'm just happy dating my boyfriend and still learning. I'm not gonna jump the gun. At the very least, I want to graduate high school, learn everything I can about how this society works, before I do anything rash. Nico and I, we're immortal. We have all the time in the world."

"That's a very mature look at things", praised Rhode with a smile. "You're right. You do have all the time in the world and if you don't feel ready for it yet, you should take all the time you need to get used to your... self. But you know that if you have questions or feel overwhelmed with anything, you can come to us anytime. We'll help you as best as we can, okay?"

"Word", agreed Kym, nudging Percy. "You're our precious little brother. We're here to guide and protect and all that stuff. Also to be bridesmaids when you actually do get mated."

Percy laughed softly, looking at his sisters. A year ago, he would have never even dreamed of a day like today. Of a conversation with his sisters like this. Benthy hummed as she finished up.

"Okay. All done. You're ready to take court now", declared Benthesikyme pleased.

"Just in time. Because your prince arrived in his chariot to pick you up for the ball."

Percy rolled his eyes as he turned toward Triton, sticking his tongue out. "First of all, it's a dance, not a ball. And secondly, Nico is my king and not my prince."

Triton rolled his eyes right back at his little brother. "Come on. Mom and dad want to take at least two dozen photos of you two before you're allowed to go, because mom promised Sally a detailed report on how tonight went down and how pretty her only son looked."

Blushing softly, Percy followed Triton out of the bedroom and downstairs to where Poseidon, Amphitrite and Nico were waiting. Nico's dress-shirt was in a matching color to Percy's dress. The vampire's jaw was essentially on the floor as he gaped at Percy.

"Padre mio", whispered Nico in awe. "Belissimo. Meraviglioso. Amato gattino."

"You broke Nico", noted Amphitrite in praising. "Well done, sweetie. Now come and pose next to your broken boyfriend so we can take pictures for your mother."

Laughing, Percy went to stand next to Nico, wrapping an arm around Nico's waist. Nico automatically wrapped his own arm around Percy's shoulders, staring down at him still in awe. The flashes nearly blinded Percy as both Poseidon and Amphitrite started taking pictures of them.

"Okay, okay, that is enough, parental units", grunted Triton amused. "The kids have to get going if they want to be on time for their coronation."

Percy mouthed a 'thank you' at Triton before leading Nico out of the house. The limousine was filled with impatiently waiting friends of theirs. Of course, Bianca and Thalia, as well as Hazel, Frank and Leo, also Jason and Calypso. Percy grinned as the two climbed in with them.

"...You're wearing a dress", noted Calypso surprised, eyebrows raised. "And you look good in it."

"Thanks, Cal", grinned Percy pleased, smoothing his dress down. "What can I say, I kind of expected Silena to put me in a dress for the Christmas ball already, so I figured, why not try it for this? To look like a proper queen. My sisters did some quality recon to find out what this year's crown looks like so my jewelry and dress fit perfectly with the crown."

"There is absolutely no way you could lose this", offered Bianca with an encouraging smile. "After all, Silena didn't run this year. She is usually the one running against Drew. But when she heard your determination, she figured she'd sit this one out."

"Nico? Brother? Are you alright? You look...", drawled Hazel concerned.

"Look at my pretty boyfriend", murmured Nico in awe, still staring at Percy.

"You're pathetic, di Angelo", grunted Thalia and rolled her eyes. "Seriously."

"Shut up. Percy looks incredibly pretty", growled Nico irritated. "I'm allowed to fawn over my pretty boyfriend when he looks ridiculously gorgeous like that."

Percy smiled broadly, leaning into his boyfriend. God, he was so in love with Nico and with how much Nico basically worshiped him. He felt so cherished and valued by the vampire. This was what he had always imagined true love to be; being invested in making each other feel valued and worthy, cherishing and making each other better.

"Ready to dance with me, my king?", asked Percy with a teasing grin as they reached the school.

Nico took Percy's hand and together they headed toward the gym, where their other friends were already waiting. Silena squealed and jumped Percy the moment she laid eyes on him.

"You are beautiful. If I had known you were up to wearing a dress, I would have put you into one for the winter gala already!", exclaimed Silena, looking him up and down. "We are going shopping after spring break. You, me and my mother's credit card."

"Sounds like a plan", grinned Percy and ducked his head.

Tomorrow was the start of spring break. Today was the last day of school – and if Percy was being honest, running for queen had totally distracted him from the jitters. This would be the first spring break that Percy was going to spend with his father and half-siblings. He was going to the underwater palace. With them. He was super nervous but also excited about it. They were going to leave early tomorrow morning and Percy already knew he was going to be extremely exhausted from the night of dancing and partying, but he really didn't care too much.

"Jackson. In a dress. Why am I not surprised?", sneered Drew with distaste.

"Tanaka. In a cheap and tasteless dress. Why am I not surprised?", countered Percy unimpressed.

Drew huffed and turned red, just as Percy left her in his dust. He laughed softly with Piper and Leo as their group claimed two tables. Nico kept looking at him like the most smitten teen ever, which was flattering but also a bit embarrassing considering how old Nico was.

"Nico, this is getting weird, stop staring at me", muttered Percy red-cheeked.

"...I apologize. I didn't know I had a thing for pretty boys in dresses", muttered Nico embarrassed.

"...Ah", nodded Percy, spotting the smallest smile as he leaned in to kiss Nico.

"Well then, before the dance truly begins, I think it's time to announce our king and queen", called Principal Chiron as he stepped onto the stage and toward the microphone.

"Oh. Come!", exclaimed Percy excitedly, tugging Nico along.

Drew and Bryce already stood there, proud and tall and with a matching set of sneers. Mitchell and Kayla, as well as Nathan and Gwen, had already joined Drew and Bryce. Percy smiling gently as he and Nico fell into line with the others. The gentle smile turned smug as Nathan whistled at him.

"Looking good, Jackson", hummed Nathan.

"Your girlfriend isn't looking shabby either", pointed Percy out, winking at Gwen.

She grinned as she returned his wink. Chiron cleared his throat, gaining their attention. Everything went quiet as they watched how Lupa walked up to the principal with a golden envelope.

"The royal couple of this spring a—are...", started Chiron as he very slowly opened the envelope, taking the card out in slow-motion. "Please bow to your king – Nico di Angelo." Cheers and clapping as Nico stepped up to accept his crown and scepter. "And now the one you're truly waiting for. Your queen. And with the crown and the title comes the honor of deciding and officiating prom night too. The one to get bestowed this great honor this year is – Percy Jackson."

Drew took five steps forward before she paused, a horrified look on her face. Percy smiled at her as he paused next to her for a moment, before joining Nico in front of Chiron and accepting his tiara with the white and aquamarine gems; going along perfectly with his dress. Smiling gently, he turned toward Nico, who stared at him with gentle, loving eyes.

"My gorgeous queen", whispered Nico softly. "Would you like to dance with me?"

"Of course I will, my handsome king", grinned Percy, accepting his boyfriend's hand.

A soft song started playing as Percy and Nico took the first dance. Slowly, other couples started to join them on the dance-floor. Not Drew and Bryce though. They stood aside, glaring heatedly at Percy, but being clever enough not to speak up.

"May I take this dance with the queen?", asked Luke teasingly after a while.

Nico glowered a little but he stepped aside to let the fox-shifter dance with Percy. He couldn't hog Percy all night, even though he really really wanted to. Instead, Nico went to sit at the table with Ethan and Alabaster, who were heavily drinking the by now spiked drinks.

"So. Tonight's the night?", asked Alabaster playfully, earning a confused look from Nico. "Come on, you're lusting after him so ridiculously obvious that you could as well be literally drooling over him. You two still haven't had sex. So, is tonight the night, before Percy leaves for two weeks?"

Nico blinked slowly, unable to form words. Sex? Oh. That was actually... he would like that. But he didn't think they were there just yet. Though he could maybe give Percy a blowjob? So far, it had only been Percy going down on Nico. It was ridiculous, every time Nico tried to go down on Percy, the merboy somehow managed to twist them over and take Nico apart instead. Tonight. Tonight, Nico was going to give his queen the pleasure he had been getting for two months now.

/break\

Percy gasped softly as he was being pushed against the wall. They had gotten into Percy's bedroom through the window, thanks to Nico's wings and Percy's quick paws. Nico growled lowly as he kissed Percy's neck. A shudder wrecked Percy at the scratch of Nico's fangs on his throat. Gladly, Percy bared more of his throat to his lover, though he gasped once more as Nico untied the dress, behind Percy's neck. It unfolded and slipped down Percy's body. The heat of the moment, the excitement of the day, left Percy blissfully distracted. The crown on his head and the boxers were the only pieces of clothing on his body. Then, Nico started kissing down Percy's torso, licking and biting along the way, leaving bite-marks and saliva in his wake. He dipped his tongue into Percy's naval as he hooked his fingers into the boxers and pulled them down. Percy's erection sprang free and Nico's eyes darkened at that. It was his first time seeing Percy's cock. Licking his lips in pure hunger, Nico licked along it, using his hands to slowly push Percy toward the bed until the merboy was actually sitting on it. Slipping his hands between Percy's legs, he gently pried them apart.

Nico froze, resting a hand on Percy's inner thigh. His eyes were glued to the faint scars running up Percy's thighs, inside and front. His eyes darkened even more as a growl ripped from his throat.

"Who did this to you?", asked Nico, voice angry.

"...Mh?", grumbled Percy confused, opening his eyes. "Why did you sto..."

Percy swallowed hard as he realized he was naked in front of Nico. And Nico was very decidedly staring at Percy's scars. Dread overcame Percy and he scrambled to sit up and cover himself.

"Who did this?", asked Nico again. "Tell me. I'll rip their throat out. Who hurt you?"

"No one hurt me, Nico", sighed Percy and glared defiantly. "I... I did this."

"...What?", asked Nico shocked, backing off some. "W—What do you... mean?"

Biting his lower lip hard, Percy sat up. "It's... I've been doing this for years. It's my coping mechanism. When I..." Percy paused and blinked slowly. "When I have a panic-attack. It anchors me. Helps me focus when I'm overwhelmed with just... everything..."

He startled when Nico gathered him up in a tight hug. "Percy..." His voice was so broken and filled with so much pain that Percy just wanted to take it all away and fix this. "Please don't. Please don't hurt yourself, please don't hurt yourself, you're so... you're my... please don't..."

"Nico...", whispered Percy stunned, running soothing fingers through Nico's hair. "I..."

When Nico looked up at him, there were tears in his eyes. "You are the most precious thing in my life right you. You did... so much for me. Please. Please don't hurt yourself. Not for me, but for yourself. You are so amazing and you deserve better. You worked so hard to find ways to help me with my problems, please... please give me a chance to help you? Because you deserve to get better. I... I know your past has been... lonely... and you didn't have anyone to turn to. But you do now. You have your siblings and friends and me. If things become too overwhelming for you, please... please try to talk to someone. The thought that you hurt yourself because you don't feel like you can trust anyone enough to open up, it breaks my heart, Percy."

"I... I've been doing it for years. It's quick. Effective", mumbled Percy slightly defiantly.

"I know I can't expect you to drop an unhealthy coping mechanism overnight", sighed Nico, voice rough. "I... there was a decade where I self-medicated against the PTSD with alcohol. And I didn't see why I should stop either. Not at the time. So I'm not... going to set you an ultimatum, because I know it won't work. But... But I need you to promise that you'll try. Try to fight against the easy path and seek out someone else to help you. Me. Anyone. Please... Please try..."

They stared at each other for a long moment and it felt like all the things they had been through together now caught up with them – being alone in the cave, fighting against the bullies at school, defeating Bryce when he attacked Nico, dealing with Nico's PTSD. Both of them had learned how to approach the other about something he didn't want to deal with. They were both stubborn.

"...If you tell anyone. If you tell my parents. I never want to see you again", stated Percy very firmly, holding Nico's gaze to show how serious he was. "I'll... try to... talk to you instead. But I can't promise. I'll... give you a chance to... find a different solution for me, if that's important to you, but... but if you go behind my back on this, we are really through."


Author's note: Riiight. This chapter totally ran away from me, because Nico and Percy were supposed to break up at the end. You know. Percy panicking that Nico would be overbearing or tell his parents and thus breaking up and Nico having to work to get him back, but then this odd thing called character development happened where Nico and Percy both learned from what happened in the past and thus managed to deal with each other like grown ups? Totally weird? :O

Aaanyway. Next chapter is gonna focus all on the family, because Percy is spending his first spring break under the sea! Getting to know the other royals and bonding with his siblings ;D