PJatO || Nicercy || PJatO || Nicercy || The Prince of Pluto || Nicercy || PJatO || Nicercy || PJatO
Title: The Prince of Pluto – A Journey to the Stars
Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus
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: m/m, scifi AU, aliens, alpha/beta/omega dynamics, hurt/comfort, fluff, pining, explicit intercourse, oral, anal, knotting, f/f, m/f, polyamory (m/m/f)
Main Pairing: Nico/Percy
Side Pairings: Reyna/Annabeth, Nyssa/Piper, Octavian/Luke, Ethan/Alabaster, Jake/Will, Frank/Hazel/Leo, Jason/Calypso, Grover/Juniper, Charles/Silena, Chris/Clarisse, Malcolm/Katie, Bryce/Drew, Paul/Sally, Tristan/Beryl, Maria/Marie, Hades/Persephone, Poseidon/Amphitrite, Thanatos/Triton
Percy Jackson Characters: (by planet/asteroid of origin)
Sun: Will Solace, Octavian Simmons, Austin Lake, Kayla Knowles
Mercury: Luke Castellan, Chris Rodriguez, Travis Stoll, Connor Stoll, Cecil Markowitz
Venus: Piper McLean, Silena Beauregard, Michael Kahale, Drew Tanaka, Mitchell, Lacy
Earth: Perseus Jackson, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Ella, Ethan Nakamura, Tyson, Sally Jackson, Paul Blofis, Tristan McLean, Beryl Grace, Maria di Angelo, Marie Levesque
Moon: Calypso Nightshade, Zoe Nightshade, Phoebe
Mars: Clarisse la Rue, Frank Zhang
Vesta: Charles Beckendorf, Leo Valdez, Jake Mason, Nyssa Barrera
Pallas: Annabeth Chase, Malcolm Pace
Bellona: Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Hylla Ramírez-Arellano
Ceres: Katie Gardner, Miranda Gardner, Juniper
Jupiter: Jason Grace, Thalia Grace
Saturn: Kronos (King)
Chiron: Chiron, Grover Underwood, Gleeson Hedge
Uranus: Gaia (Queen), the Giants
Neptune: Poseidon (King), Amphitrite (Queen), Triton, Proteus, Kymopoleia, Benthesikyme, Rhode
Orcus: Bryce Lawrence
Pluto: Nico di Angelo, Bianca di Angelo, Hazel Levesque, Mrs. O'Leary, Small Bob, Hades (King), Persephone (Queen), Thanatos, Olethros, Makaria, Melinoe
Eris: Alabaster C. Torrington, Lou Ellen Blackstone
Summary: The moon-landing had changed the course of history when human made first contact. It opened Earth up to space-travel, exploring the solar system and their now allied planets. Chiron Academy is the leading high school training future space explorers.
Percy Jackson grew up dreaming of one day traveling the stars. When he gets into the academy, he makes a lot of new friends, among them his new crush the half-Plutonian Nico.
Things change when Nico confides in his friends that he is actually the prince of Pluto – and that Pluto is in the middle of a horrible war. Together, the group of their close friends, they decide to ditch school, steal a space-ship and go out into space alone and unsupervised to help.
The Prince of Pluto
A Journey to the Stars
Chapter 7: The Burden of Friendship
Their second semester was going well so far. It was still new, only two weeks into it so that was maybe not saying too much, but Percy was having a good time. He was glad his friends had decided to sign up for Neptunian History 101 with him, because it made him feel better that he had their support. They had his back, they wanted to know about him and his history too.
Percy still wished he could have learned these things from his family – like all his friends had gotten to learn their planet and race's history and culture from their family – but Percy was grateful that he could learn about it at all. He was grateful to Nico's moms for realizing where his roots may lay, otherwise he would still be clueless. This way, he could at least... brace himself.
"There you go. Blueberry tea", stated Miss Rhode as she handed Percy a cup.
Tentatively, Percy had knocked at her office door. He just... He had too many questions, he'd be hijacking the entire class. And she had offered that he could seek her out with any questions he had. So he was now curled together on the couch in her office, drinking soothing tea with his teacher sitting opposite him, smiling at him encouragingly and patiently waiting for him to speak.
"Does... Does it hurt?", asked Percy softly. "I mean, you grow a tail and all the... fur?"
"It... may hurt, the first time around for you, yes", admitted Rhode. "But our bodies are very much designed for this. After the first time, it adjusts to it. It... tickles at best. And you'll get quicker at it too, the more often you do it."
"What... I mean, will I be a tiger too?", asked Percy curiously. "I just, I've never really seen Neptunians before. Only as... background characters in movies and stuff and they never really shift. So... I'm just... I'm wondering what I may look like. Can you... tell, beforehand?"
"No, you can't", replied Rhode and shook her head. "Think of us like... your Terran wild cats. Tigers, lions, panthers, cheetahs, there are so many different species with different patterns. What your fur will look like depends on what region your family originates from. And, aside from pattern, there is also colors. We're... Well, think of us as fishes there. All those bright, colorful fishes Terra has. We're, basically, a combination of both of those and it's hard to tell what you will look like without a track-record of your family's heritage."
"Yeah... that... that's the problem", sighed Percy frustrated and tilted his head.
"May I ask... why?" Rhode's voice was tentative and gentle as she looked at Percy.
"Mom... had no means of contacting my biological father after she found out she was pregnant."
"Oh... Oh, that's...", nodded Rhode in understanding, eyebrows furrowed. "Well, then you will be in for a big surprise once you officially present. But yes, your appearance will then... give you clues about your family. If you'd like, I can then help you maybe... find them."
"What?", asked Percy surprised, looking up.
"Like I said, fur-patterns and colors are giveaways to your cultural heritage, it could narrow down the region where to look for your father and I have what I assume you didn't; contacts to Neptune."
"I... I don't know", whispered Percy after a moment, pulling his legs up.
"That's okay. It's just an offer that you can take me up on or decline. I'm just putting it out there."
"It's just...", started Percy, biting his lips. "Mom says that he's married. Not... Not like that. She says they were on a break back then, but mom always hoped he rekindled with his wife. And... I don't know, if I... What if you find him and I would actually get to meet my biological father, just to... stir up long-forgotten problems? Or worse, I meet him and he doesn't want anything to do with me, because he already has a family – a family he actually wanted. I... I don't know how I would be able to deal with that... Look. I never needed a biological father in my life before. All of this, it's messing with my head. I don't need to get my hopes up about some hopeful potential what ifs when the more realistic outcome is that it won't be a happy ending for me. I have my mom and I have a dad and he's all the dad I need. So... I don't... I don't think I want to know."
"That's fair", agreed Rhode, nodding slowly. "I understand your concerns. Sometimes, it's better to not wake sleeping giants, as they like to say. Very well, for now, let's just... focus on you, mh? You still have the option to change your mind at any time."
"Thank you, Miss Rhode", smiled Percy, sipping his tea slowly.
"Of course. I still remember how nervous I was when I was about to present", laughed Rhode. "But I had my whole family, knowing what it was like and being able to support me. While I am sure your parents are doing their best to support you, they don't know what to expect and there are things they won't be able to help you with either."
"What... was it like for you, if you don't mind me asking?"
"I'm the second youngest. I have three older siblings and while Kym had a lot of fun teasing me with horror visions, Triton did his best to reassure me. He's an omega too, just like me. Proteus and Kym are both alphas, you see. So I had my mom and my older brother, who knew exactly what it was like to be an omega and to present and even when I did, I didn't feel embarrassed – urgh, it happened in the middle of summer-camp. But Tri, he had my back, he helped me back to the cabin and informed the leaders and our parents and I was all fine in the end."
"What... What's presenting like, exactly?", asked Percy, blushing softly.
"You catch a fever and feel itchy and irritated. Oh, the irritation. Short temper, because your body is so very focused on all the changes happening in your body. If... you are attracted to anyone, then you may also feel...", Miss Rhode paused and cleared her throat. "Aroused and experience a higher sex-drive around them. Heat, that is. It's not... like they portray it in porn, I assure you-"
"Yeah, no, I know. They, uh, covered that part in biology class in the first semester", interrupted Percy flustered, ruffling his own hair slowly. "I mean, on a broader, more applicable to most races level, but... I guess I know what a heat is. Though heat's only omegas, right? What if I'm an alpha?"
"You aren't", assured Rhode with a smile.
"...You... sound very sure of that", observed Percy tentatively. "I mean, I know that you can always tell alphas and omegas even before they present – that's how the rooming arrangements worked out, after all. Putting alphas together, omegas together and betas together. But... prior to last semester, no one's ever even questioned that I'm anything but a beta Terran. So... why can you tell?"
"Ah, yes", nodded Rhode with furrowed brows. "The thing is, with some races, you can tell clearly even before presenting, others... you can only tell if you are a part of the same race. I can tell, by the shape of your ears and the wave in your eyes, you know."
"...Oh", whispered Percy and gulped hard. "So I'm an omega then. Okay. G... Good to know."
"It's a lot, I know", chuckled Rhode, voice gentle. "Take it slow. Anything you want to know, come to me and I'm happy to help you as far as I can, okay?"
"Thank you, Miss Rhode", nodded Percy, genuinely relieved.
/break\
Percy yawned and stretched out, feet tucked under Nico's thighs. They were watching a movie together, in Annabeth and Piper's room. Percy, Nico and Jason were sitting with Piper on her bed, while Annabeth, Reyna, Grover and Juniper were sitting on Annabeth's bed. Percy watched the way Annabeth and Reyna, as well as Grover and Juniper, were cuddled together. Annabeth and Reyna were so close, but unlike Grover and Juniper they weren't dating (at least not yet; Percy knew for a fact this was going to happen sooner or later – the two were made for each other! Two badass warrior strategists like them!). Smiling lazily, Percy rested his chin on Nico's shoulder.
"You smell nice, Nico", hummed Percy contently, yawning widely.
"Someone is in dire need of a nap", pointed Nico out amused. "Why so sleepy today?"
"Lo—ong and bo—oring and exha—austing day", sighed Percy, stretching a little.
"It's because you shoulder too much, Jackson", called Reyna out pointedly.
"You are?", asked Nico, sounding concerned as he nudged Percy.
"Well, the swim-team, classes, all the extra training he's putting in, the additional hours he's clocking in at the library – getting a head-start on Neptunian History – then still scouting for our perfect team-lineup. He's been trying to woo Jake and Nyssa into our team too", stated Grover.
Percy heaved a sigh and rolled his eyes. "I just... have a lot to look out for. I mean, our team, there are certain positions we need to fill if we want it to work. We definitely need a medic, a pilot, a navigator and a mechanic. We now got the medic thanks to Nico and we have a good navigator in Rachel, but we have no mechanics and we have no pilot."
"Perce, you're going to drive yourself into the ground if you continue like that", sighed Nico softly.
"I mean, we all agree with you that this is important", assured Annabeth gently. "And we all appreciate how much thought you put into it, but... you need to take a breath. And that's coming from me, Percy. You know how seriously I am taking the studies."
Percy ducked his head and turned away a little. Will Solace was going to be their medic. Grover and Juniper had signed up as their nutritionists, who knew their plants and how to cook them. Rachel was a navigator – she had a keen sense of prediction. Reyna and Annabeth were their badass warriors. Chris was a pilot, but he was still insistent that he didn't want to be the main pilot (usually, a ship required more than one pilot). And yes, Percy knew he was obsessing too much over this, but the second semester was halfway over and by the second year, they would have to announce their teams. The thing was, they were only allowed to be around twelve people in a crew. Percy, Will, Grover, Juniper, Rachel, Reyna, Annabeth, Piper, Jason, Nico – that were already ten people. Only two more allowed. Admittedly, a crew for an actual ship was larger – far larger if one got assigned a bigger ship. But for the sake of the school-setting, they were supposed to work in teams of twelve. Percy, he just wasn't doing very good with that, because he wanted all his friends to be happy.
"You worry too much about others", whispered Nico fondly. "It's why we think you'd make a great captain, Perce. Because worrying about your team is what makes you a good captain."
Percy was still doubtful about that though. He wasn't leadership material, not in his own eyes.
/break\
Nico was trying to breath deeply. He knew his presentation was coming closer and closer. Scents became sharper and sharper and he was reacting more strongly to Percy in particular – the other day, they had a movie night and he got to cuddle close to Percy and Percy started to smell so good.
"Are you done in the bathroom soon because I want to take a shower?"
"...Go to your own bedroom then", grunted Nico darkly. "You know you're not supposed to stay over, right? We're all students, no sleepovers allowed, Calypso."
"Oh, cheer up. It's not like Jay and I had sex", hissed Calypso offended. "We just... studied until late at night and fell asleep curled together. It could happen to you too, if you had a someone."
"...You know what, I suddenly feel like taking a nice, long bath in here", barked Nico out.
He couldn't have a someone. It wasn't like he didn't want someone – Percy, to be very precise – and he knew that Percy liked him too. Well, to some extend, at least. They were friends and they were very close and maybe, if Nico would tell Percy how he felt and if he'd ask Percy out, perhaps Percy would give him a chance. However, that was... not going to happen.
Percy Jackson was pure and good and sweet and kind. Nico could not possibly start a relationship with a lie. He could also not tell Percy that he was a prince though because this was... Nico's burden to carry. Telling Percy the truth would only endanger Percy. Being with Percy would endanger Percy. It was safer if no one knew the truth and if Nico didn't start dating. Friends were already more than he had wanted to make here, after all.
"Nico, don't piss off my girlfriend, please", called Jason out, knocking on the door. "C'mon."
Rolling his eyes, Nico unlocked the door and left the bathroom, passing an irritated looking Calypso. Heaving a sigh, Nico collapsed onto his own bed, spreading his arms wide.
"What's wrong with you?", asked Jason, slowly sitting down next to him.
"I'm close to presenting. It has me a little bit... irritated", muttered Nico.
"Yeah, I can tell that much", confirmed Jason amused. "Okay. But that's good though. I mean, if you present soon then you won't do so during exam phase. That'd be a bitch."
"...Yeah it really would be", agreed Nico, huffing out a laugh at that.
"See, I already helped improve your mood", offered Jason with a smile.
"You... did, thanks", smiled Nico with a small sigh. "Help me with another thing?"
"Anything that's on your mind, bro", confirmed Jason.
"How did you handle your sister joining the academy? Not Thalia. I know, older sisters... do whatever they want. But Piper, she's slightly younger than you. You... I mean... don't you... feel protective over her? It's just. Hazel is determined to join the school with the new school year", muttered Nico and rubbed his face. "She's my baby sister and I don't want her to get a dangerous job like this. The academy, it's... leading to space-travel and not the safe kind for tourists."
"Yeah, no, I totally get you", assured Jason with a soft smile, leaning back against the wall. "I felt the same when Piper announced she also wants to join the academy. But if your sister is anything like mine... meaning, headstrong and a badass, then there is nothing you can do about it, aside from support her decision and... try to be there for her when she needs you? But don't be overbearing."
"That's way easier said than done", complained Nico irritated. "I just... I..."
"What is it?", asked Jason, voice gentle as he looked at Nico in concern.
"I already lost two older siblings to the war and I loathe that Bianca joined the academy, but it's for the same reasons I did. But the thought of... of Hazel doing that...", whispered Nico.
"I thought so", sighed Jason, voice dark and sad.
"Mh?", grunted Nico confused, looking up.
"You didn't sign up for the academy to become an explorer in the name of Terra. You did it to get the basic training to become a soldier and... fight in the war on your home planet", whispered Jason. "I've been suspecting that for months, but I kinda hoped I was wrong."
"W... Why...", started Nico, voice breaking.
"You... isolate yourself, Nico. You try to avoid friendships and stuff. You have us, but you only let us in to a certain degree. You avoid talking about yourself and your feelings, you cleverly deflect all the time. I know Percy is the only one you actually talk to about the war and stuff. And even Percy, you're keeping at arm's length. I mean, come on – I asked Cally out, Alabastard managed to ask Ethan out, even Reyna and Annabeth are orbiting ever a little closer. But you are always... taking a step back whenever it looks as though Percy is... taking a step toward you. I was wondering why, I mean I figured it may be like a side-effect of your PTSD or something, but... You're... After your flashback in class, I started thinking that just maybe, you may be planning on going back. The feeling has been growing over the course of the class."
Nico gritted his teeth and turned away from Jason. He honestly hadn't expected the blonde to read him this easily. Or for anyone to figure him out to any capacity. But that was why he hadn't wanted to make friends to begin with, so no one would find him out.
"Yeah", admitted Nico after a moment. "Yeah, I do. It's my war. I have to..."
"You don't have to and it's not your war. You're sixteen, Nico", pointed Jason out. "And your moms did their everything to bring you to safety and away from the war."
Nico huffed, a sad smile on his lips. "I... You wouldn't understand, Jason."
"You're right", agreed Jason. "I wouldn't, I can't possibly understand what it's been like for you, what you may feel like about all of this, what may motivate you. I grew up sheltered and cozy – unlike Thals, I never even experienced the aftereffects of mom's alcoholism. All I remember are my mom being sober and her and dad being loving and doting. I know I grew up sheltered. But... I... I worry about you, man. You're my friend. I don't want anything to happen to you."
Nico stared at him, mouth hanging open just a little bit. Damn it, this was exactly why he wasn't supposed to make friends. He was going to worry people. Get them dragged into his mess of a life. Maybe even endanger them. He heaved a sigh and reluctantly pulled Jason into a hug.
"Holy shit, a di Angelo hug. Did I break you?", gasped Jason surprised.
"Don't ruin it, Grace. This may just be your only one", warned Nico.
"Okay, shutting up and enjoying this unique experience", declared Jason lightly, hugging back.
/break\
"Okay, okay, okay. I admit, you were right, this was a great idea, yeah."
"To—old ya", declared Piper with a broad smirk on her lips.
They were at the lake, to just spend some time together. They had taken all members of the swim-team from their grade – Calypso, Piper, Percy, Ethan, Mike, Drew – and some who had heard 'lake' and immediately decided to tag along, because it was a pretty hot spring day today.
"I may be fire-bound, but I admit, I do enjoy a good soak every now and again", sighed Nyssa.
She was wearing a shirt and shorts, laying down on the blanket right next to Piper and Percy, still dripping from the swim she had taken. Percy smiled as he sat up a little. A day of just relaxing, with absolutely no studying or classes or anything, it was nice. Calypso, Ethan, Mike and Drew were playing water-ball with each other. Admittedly, Percy didn't really like Drew, because she was very arrogant and thought herself to be the fairest of them all, but in the end, she was all bark and no bite and Percy had noticed that pretty quickly, so he stopped worrying about her.
"So, how's it going with Annabeth?", asked Nyssa curiously, looking at Piper.
"...Huh?", asked Piper slowly, trying to pry her eyes away from Nyssa's toned stomach.
She failed. Admittedly, Nyssa was very well-trained, with quite the six-pack and her arms bulged nicely as she pulled her hair back into a ponytail. Percy grinned amused and rolled his eyes.
"Small-talk, McLean", offered Nyssa with a shrug. "Asking about the girlfriend."
"The what?", asked Piper again.
"Girl-friend", repeated Nyssa slowly. "I mean, you two are basically inseparable."
"Yeah, no. No, I she no. Lesbians and bi girls can be friends without dating!", exclaimed Piper. "We're just friends, nothing else, at all. We're... just... close."
"Mh...", nodded Nyssa, eyes sparkling as she looked at Piper closely. "Interesting."
Percy smirked at that and laid down again, spreading out. He had played some water-ball, ate watermelon and ice-cream, now he got to nap in the sun. Relaxing with his friends was definitely the best. Closing his eyes, he tried to nap for a little while.
"Pipes, can you do a French braid for me?", requested Calypso as she sat down in front of Piper. "You have these magic fingers that do amazing things to hair."
"Of course I can, come right here", declared Piper eagerly, reaching out for the long caramel curls. "You know, I keep pestering Percy about growing his hair out so I can braid that too."
"Never gonna happen, McLean", declared Percy with a shake of his head.
"I don't know, I think it'd look good on you", argued Calypso. "Besides, traditionally, Neptunians are famous for long hair and warrior braids. When a Neptunian warrior finishes their first big mission, they usually stop cutting their hair short. Long hair for warriors, short for academics."
Percy blinked slowly at that. Admittedly, he had noticed that Rhode had very short hair, but he hadn't thought of a cultural element there. Maybe he could reconsider, think about it.
Author's note: Poor Nico, making something as troublesome as... friends. If that ain't gonna get in the way of his supposed solo gig...? ùû Though! Next chapter, it's time for sooomeone to present! ;D
