Ethabastercy || PJatO || Ethabastercy || Tattoos and Magic || Ethabastercy || PJatO || Ethabastercy
Title: Tattoos and Magic – And a Nice Piece of Pie
Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus
Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Rick Riordan. 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.
Tags: polyamory (m/m/m), shop AU, mutual pining, fluff
Main Pairing: Ethan/Alabaster/Percy
Percy Jackson Characters: Perseus Jackson, Ethan Nakamura, Alabaster C. Torrington, Lou Ellen Blackstone, Hazel Levesque, Grover Underwood, Thalia Grace, Luke Castellan
Summary: Percy opened up a bakery right between Hecate's Haze, a magic shop, and Eye of Nemesis, a tattoo parlor. The shops' owners are a very cute, married couple.
Tattoos and Magic
And a Nice Piece of Pie
"I bring coffee and cupcakes to bribe a good neighborly relationship out of you!"
Ethan looked up at the chipper voice, furrowing his brows. Bribing? Cupcakes? Breathing deeply, he sighed, because that coffee did smell good. He found the source of the smell and raised his eyebrows pleased. A pretty boy with messy, black hair and sparkling, bright eyes.
"Whoever you are, you are now my favorite neighbor", declared Luke. "Thanks for the treat."
"Right. I should have led with that. Hello, I'm Percy Jackson, I bought the empty store right on the other side of the street and turned it into a bakery. So, here, have bribery."
"Percy Jackson. Welcome to the Eye of Nemesis, Ethan over there and me – I'm Luke – own the place. Thals! There is coffee and cupcakes from the new neighbor!"
"Coffee? Hello, new favorite person", declared Thalia as she entered the main room.
Percy perked up as everyone gladly accepted the offering. This one could be fun. Ethan definitely thought the guy could fit into their neighborhood pretty well. Smiling to himself, Ethan bit into the cupcake. Oh, that tasted very good. Percy might become the neighborhood's favorite quickly.
"For the magic shop, bring brownies", advised Ethan.
"Brownies?", echoed Percy confused. "No cupcakes?"
"Nope. Al – Ethan's husband – the magic shop's owner – loves overly sweet and chocolatey treats, not a big fan of cupcakes though", provided Luke with a mouthful.
"Husband? Tattoos and magic go hand in hand?", asked Percy curiously.
"They absolutely do", confirmed Ethan with a small smile. "Feel free to come back with more goods. Your cupcakes are a delight."
There was a faint, pleased blush on Percy's cheeks at that. "Will do. And thanks for the advise, about the brownies. I did make a batch of brownies yesterday."
"Feel free to bring the rest over here", called Thalia out.
/break\
Percy wanted to leave good first impressions on the neighborhood, so he had put even more hours in last night, making many extras to bring to his new neighbors. In a shopping street, good relations with the other shop-owners meant a lot, he knew that. So he set out to make a good first impression. So far, that was going well, he thought. The tattoo parlor had left a particularly good impression on him. He loved the interior, all the designs and drawings on the walls, all the tattoos on the employees. And the boss was hot. Which he allowed himself to think until he heard of the boss' husband. Of course were the handsome ones taken.
"Hello, I'm-"
"Percy Jackson. And you have come here... to bring us... coffee and brownies."
Percy froze, stunned, staring at the brunette in the purple hoodie, sitting in front of a crystal ball. "Holy shit, magic is real. Can you fly on a broom too?"
"...Wow, you're adorable", snorted the brunette. "No. I'm Alabaster, E's husband. He texted me that you were making rounds and were going to drop yummy things here."
"Oh. That... is oddly disappointing", muttered Percy, deflating a little.
"You are adorable", laughed someone else. "Hi, Lou Ellen. That's Hazel. Thanks for the brownies."
In came two women, maybe a bit younger than Percy, stealing brownies off the plate in his hands. He grinned as they sat down and bit into them. And after, he let his eyes wander. The shop was amazing, all these little trinkets and gems and old, fancy looking books.
"Nice shop you got there", hummed Percy in awe.
"If you ever need a charm or a spell, come here", offered Alabaster amused.
"If you want more of these brownies, come over to my place", countered Percy.
"I might need to, I am pretty sure these are laced with some addictive drug", stated Hazel.
"Sugar. That's the addictive drug in it", laughed Percy. "Glad you like them. I'll... see you around."
/break\
Percy Jackson came around a lot. Not just to the magic shop, but also to the tattoo parlor. Sometimes with treats, but they all understood that the guy couldn't give away all his products for free, so... they came around his place. Getting their coffee and breakfast there, sometimes a quick lunch – he offered sandwiches and smaller things too, which was good for when they didn't have much time to eat. Alabaster went to the Blue Cookies for a lot of his lunch-dates with Ethan, it was good to have a place to sit down with him, talk, eat. And interact with Percy too. The guy was easy to talk to, he was sassy and snarky and funny. And a good baker.
"Where's Percy?", asked Alabaster, looking around curiously.
"Percy has today off", replied Grover bemused.
Grover was Percy's best friend, he worked behind the counter and kitchen, making the vegan side of baked goods. Usually, he was in the kitchen more often than the counter, unless it was one of the days that Percy was off. Alabaster didn't like the days Percy was off. The view was definitely better when there was a Percy behind the counter.
"...Here's the usual, sorry for not being Percy." Grover gave him a look as he handed over the food.
"You will be forgiven for that." Alabaster took the food and returned to his table with Ethan, leaning in to kiss his husband on the forehead before sitting down.
There was amusement sparkling in Ethan's eye.
"You always pout when Percy isn't here", chuckled Ethan.
"Percy's fun. And pretty to look at", shrugged Alabaster unapologetically.
"That he is", agreed Ethan thoughtfully, stirring his coffee.
"Loulou pointed out that it's weird that I hand around him so much", noted Alabaster. "What with me having 'a whole damn husband' and all. So. My whole damn husband..."
"I don't think it's weird. Lou Ellen goes into that with the assumption that I'd be jealous. But I've never been the jealous type. And I... enjoy the view a lot too", replied Ethan gently. "He got an appointment, you know. For a tattoo. Turns out our pastel baker boy has an edge too."
"Aw... can't imagine it, wanna see it though. When?", asked Alabaster teasingly.
"Next Tuesday. You may loiter, but if you make him uncomfortable, you have to leave."
Alabaster pouted just a little at that. Not that he was planning on making Percy uncomfortable. Though he did like looking at him and so far, Percy had never really objected to it. He seemed to like the attention. Sometimes, he'd even flirt back before catching himself.
"He tends to be so flustered whenever he realizes he's flirting with us", stated Alabaster.
"He's cute when he gets flustered", agreed Ethan, smiling to himself.
"I mean, yes, of course, that was not the question", chuckled Alabaster, stealing a piece of Ethan's brownie. "The question was if we should stop flustering him."
"Why would we do that?", asked Ethan, looking genuinely confused.
Alabaster huffed and leaned over the table to kiss his husband. "Because it's mean. I have been told. Personally, I would disagree, but Hazel says it's mean to fluster him."
"So you think we shouldn't indulge in flirting with him?", wondered Ethan with furrowed brows.
"I think we should... either do that, or be more clear?", suggested Alabaster with his head tilted. "Maybe. Let's wait and see for now. But... I wouldn't mind him. He's cute and he bakes."
"Strong arguments, love", agreed Ethan with a smile.
/break\
It was Tuesday that Ethan had Percy beneath him, shirtless, and he had to agree with his husband even more. Percy had a very well-defined body, the smooth six-pack, those pecks, his shoulders and arms – and the tattoos. Slowly, Ethan reached out to trace the tattoos.
"Those are...", started Ethan.
"Ye—ep. Traditionally made too. So I expect yours to hurt less than these, you know."
Percy grinned lopsided at him. Sure, Ethan had noticed that Percy wasn't white, but he was personally not overly good at determining people's ethnicity and he had just left it at that. These Hawaiian tattoos gave him a pretty good hint as to where Percy came from.
"Where did you get them?", asked Alabaster, chin on Ethan's shoulder.
"Uhm, do you always give tattoos with your husband clinging onto you? Because I think that's gonna make me nervous. If he sneezes, you shake", noted Percy doubtfully. "And I got them on Kaua'i. It's where my dad is from, I spent all my summers there as a kid and teen and the summer before my graduation, I... decided to get it. It hurt like hell, but that figured considering someone's hand-tapping needles into your skin, but it's totally worth it. So, I figured, now that I know a local tattoo artist, it's time to expand the canvas some."
He motioned down from his chest toward his hip-hones. The tattoo was on his left shoulder, down over his left chest and his arm. It was beautiful. Percy was beautiful, even before he had taken off his shirt. Though now, without his shirt? Ethan had to admit, he wanted Percy, even more so than before. Licking his lips, he took a step back.
"Okay. You picked a design, now show me where you want it."
"He picked? What did he pick?", asked Alabaster eagerly.
Ethan motioned over toward the design. A black pegasus with spread wings.
"Ri—ight here", declared Percy, pointing between his hip-bones.
"Nice choice", nodded Alabaster, eyes on Percy's chest and not the design.
Percy grinned, folding his arms behind his head and getting comfortable, presenting himself like some kind of offering. "Have your ways with me, Nakamura."
Ethan turned to exchanged a look with Alabaster. Oh, they definitely wanted.
/break\
"Why are you shirtless? Can you not put on a shirt", grunted Thalia pointedly.
Percy just grinned and leaned back, showing off his tattoo even more. "E did such a great job, it would be a shame to hide it away. I just love looking at it. We could strip-poker if that helps."
"Yes", chorused Luke and Alabaster immediately.
"A miracle that the two cheaters agree", drawled Thalia dryly.
"Ally cheats?", asked Percy surprised, raising his eyebrows. "I am so deeply disappointed."
"I own a magic shop. I know magic tricks. Card tricks. Yeah, I know how best to cheat."
"I feel like I should be offended that you are not disappointed in me", noted Luke.
"Eh. I'm not surprised", shrugged Percy unimpressed. "Been around here long enough now."
"I will get you naked, Percy Jackson", declared Alabaster with a smirk.
"Can't tell if that's a promise or a threat", sighed Percy. "But I'll take it either way."
Ethan heaved his sigh as he watched them and Percy couldn't tell if it was exasperation because he didn't like the flirting, or if it was fond exasperation. It was awkward to read for him. They flirted with him, he loved flirting with them, he just couldn't tell if it was serious flirting or fun flirting that meant absolutely nothing. Percy was fine either way, he loved the friends he had made and he was good being friends with flirting – he flirted a lot with many of his friends, in a playful manner. However, he would also be very happy have more than just flirting with them. A thought that became even firmer in his mind about an hour later when Percy was still wearing everything aside from his shirt, while Ethan and Alabaster were entirely naked.
"How did you win against me? I was cheating!", exclaimed Luke.
He was still wearing his boxers, but nothing else. Percy smirked at him, tilting his head.
"Guess I am... a better cheater than you, Castellan", chuckled Percy.
"Oh, I want to adopt you, kiddo", huffed Luke.
"I'm only like a decade younger than you", argued Percy with a pout.
"Aw. You brat. You're seven years younger than me."
"Sure thing, old man. You want me to get you a cane?"
Luke huffed, amusement on his face. Grinning to himself, Percy let his eyes wander, drinking in the sight of Alabaster, very naked and very shamelessly lounging there and showing off, his husband next to him, equally naked but with a bit more modesty.
/break\
Alabaster was biting his lips thoughtfully, piling gems on. He was bored, that was what he usually did when he was bored. Redecorating the shelves, these kind of things. Kept him busy and it also helped entertain the customers. They loved rediscovering where everything was.
"Aw. What a shame, you're dressed. Wanna play a game of poker to change that?"
"Not with you, you dirty cheat. I've never seen anyone cheat better than Luke!"
Alabaster looked up to glare at Percy. How dare this gorgeous man make him fall in love because he cheated at poker real well? Was that stupid? That was stupid, right? But he couldn't change it. He was hopefully falling in love with Percy Jackson.
"I... tried something new. Figured you want to try it?", offered Percy.
He wiggled his nose in a cute manner and held out a plate with something that looked very good and like it was roughly 90% chocolate. So, exactly Alabaster's kind of thing. How was it possible not to fall in love with Percy? Taking one, he took a big bite of it, sighing pleased.
"This is so good, how has no one snatched you yet? Like, how's there not a ring on your finger?"
"Are you proposing?", asked Percy, a quirk of his lips.
"I was... making actual conversation here", huffed Alabaster. "Seriously, how are you single?"
"Eh. Never really works out for me", shrugged Percy. "I mean, I opened my own shop, that took a lot of my time and concentration so... no real time to focus on dating."
"Your business is running now though", noted Hazel from behind the counter. "I mean, you've been around here for like half a year now. It... is going well, isn't it? Why not date?"
"Well, no one has asked me lately", shrugged Percy with his head tilted.
He looked so pretty. Alabaster grabbed another one of those chocolate things, stuffing his face to keep from actively asking Percy out, because he couldn't do that without talking to Ethan.
"Percy Jackson, will you go out with my big brother and his husband?", asked Lou Ellen exhausted.
"...What?", asked Percy surprised, nearly dropping his baked goods.
"Well. They can't figure it out. You can't figure it out. I'm tired. So. Go out with them."
She waved at them and then retreated to the backroom. After a quick look, Hazel decided to follow her, leaving a surprised and flustered Percy alone with Alabaster. Heaving a frustrated sigh, Alabaster grabbed Percy by the arm and pulled him along out of the magic shop.
/break\
Ethan had just finished up a customer – just a simple piercing and in the aftermath, he was glad for that because being in the middle of a tattoo might have caused his husband to implode on the spot. After parting with the customer, he turned his full attention onto his husband, who was bounding on the balls of his feet, a crystal in his hand and Percy Jackson in his other hand. Percy, on the other hand, was carrying a tray of something that looked and smelt very good. Approaching them, Ethan kissed the side of Alabaster's face and took one of the chocolate-things from Percy's plate.
"Why does Percy look like this? Did you break our Percy? Do we need to get a new one?"
"Shut up, Luke. I'm here to talk to my husband, go away", hissed Alabaster.
Luke lifted his hands and went to the back of the shop, while Ethan turned toward Alabaster with a more pointed look. "...Does Luke have a point? Did you break our Percy?"
"What. No. I did nothing! My sister! She asked him out!", exclaimed Alabaster.
"She... Your sister is a lesbian", grunted Ethan confused.
"She asked him out for us", clarified Alabaster. "She asked him to go out with you and me. On a date. Together. You, me and him. On a date. He's been blushing since then. She broke our Percy."
"No one broke the Percy. The Percy is just waiting for someone to explain what exactly just happened and what it means", interrupted Percy pointedly. "So. Explain. Was your sister joking? Why did you just... tug me along here without a single word. Talk to me."
Ethan turned to give his husband a very chastising look. "Al, did you just..."
"I mean, I figured you should be there and have a say too in whatever we say", defended Alabaster.
"So. Say whatever you say", urged Percy on, his eyebrows raised.
Ethan pulled Alabaster aside for a moment to quietly talk about it without words. They had been talking about this in their bed at night, or over dinner at home, or when watching a movie on their couch. They had talked about this a whole lot. Both agreed that they wanted Percy, but they didn't know how to approach Percy, they just... hung around at his shop a lot and enjoyed having him hang around their shops. Actually asking him out however, that hadn't crossed their minds. It seemed far too forward, didn't it? Sometimes, the simple solutions were the best.
"Would you like to go on a date with us?", asked Ethan, a charming smile on his face.
Percy grinned, that broad, nearly cheeky grin of his, the one that always made Ethan smile because it felt nearly contagious. And then he leaned up, onto his toe-tips, and just pecked Ethan on the lips, before turning around toward Alabaster and also pecking him on the lips.
"Why yes. Yes, I would like that", replied Percy. "We could play for who pays for the date?"
Both Ethan and Alabaster laughed at that, knowing their little cheater would win.
~*~ The End ~*~
Author's note: Still have my goal of writing more of my favorite rarepairs this year. And I do so love those three. Also, if a scene seems familiar, that's because I posted a sneak peek on tumblr (come visit me at takaraphoenix)!