A/N: Hey guys! Back with this week's update! Hope you like it!
"So what do you watch on Youtube?" he asks, face bathed in orange light as the clouds from the day thin out to reveal the sun.
No matter how many times she hung out up here, she would never get used to just how amazing the sights were. The sun, the skyline, Percy...who she had yet to answer.
She hopes the light hides her blush and that she didn't stare too much. Shrugging, she responds, "All sorts of things, it's a diverse group...of things…"
She's doing a horrible job of responding, but it's a hard thing to explain, and is it even worth it to get into it?
Apparently so, because Percy pushes. "Well, you said you watch specific people."
"Yeah, that's why it's a lot of different things I guess, I'm in it for the people?"
"What do you mean?" His head is tilted a little and his tone seems earnest enough, and maybe he does want her to get into it.
"Like, I've been watching some of these people for years and years now, and I'm part of the communities they've cultivated. It's not about the content, because as long as I care about the person behind the camera, it's meaningful and entertaining." She pauses, surprised at her own ability to articulate.
It's never really been something she's thought about all too much, but when he had asked, it made her think and wonder why it was such a big part of her life.
"Watching some of these people, who do genuinely care about their communities and put a lot into them, it's gotten me through some tough times. It's that connection with other people, I guess."
When she says it like that, she almost feels justified in spending an inordinate amount of time on the site. Or maybe she's craving the connection because she doesn't have it in her life.
That's a downward spiral for another day, so instead she turns to Percy and asks, "So what do you write?"
He chuckles. "First off, that's really cool, I'd like to see some of these people and videos someday. Second off, touché. Third off, a lot of different things...it's a diverse group of things really."
His eyes are alight and dancing with mirth as his lips quirk upward and she can't help but laugh. It feels good to break up the serious tone. She hadn't meant to get that deep.
She makes a face at his teasing and he holds up his hands.
"Okay, I'm sorry, but it's an apt response. I don't really know how to explain it, I just write about...stuff…"
"Are you really a writer? You seem to be struggling with words," she teases, smiling.
He groans, leaning back. "Tell me about it, writing is all about struggling with words. But you're right, I'm barely a writer, not officially published and can barely conjure a decent sentence most days."
She frowns, the self-deprecating humor was new and she wasn't not a fan.
"Of course you're a writer!" She rushes to defend him, "You used the word apt, who else says that?"
He cracks a smile at that. "A lot of people."
"Writer people," she corrects. He sits up and tilts his head at her.
"You sure got a lot of faith in my writing you've never read."
"Do you have any published works I can read?" Genuinely curious, she leans forward a little.
Percy rubs the back of his neck. "Um, kinda, but it's like short stories and stuff online, I'm not actually published with a book or anything."
Trying to ease some of his discomfort she doesn't pursue that line. "Do you want to write a book?"
He relaxes a little and nods. "Yeah, I'm trying to write one. I've always wanted to write a whole book, it's a dream. Even if I don't publish it officially, I just want to create something, you know?" He gets a faraway look in his eyes. "Something bigger than me, and have it live on. It's why I like writing, and stories. People are like stories, and everyone has one. And I want to create mine."
"I mean, don't get me wrong," he continues. "It's hard as fuck, writing, but it's worth it in the end when you look down and see that you've created something from nothing. And so that's the dream, write a whole book one day."
He stops talking, as if returning to reality, looking like he's afraid he's said too much.
But just as he opens his mouth to probably apologize for ranting, she speaks up.
"That's...really amazing." And it truly is. The passion in his voice, the spark in his eyes as he talked about writing was honestly amazing.
And if she's being even more honest, she's jealous. Percy has a dream, one he's working towards and a clear passion and dedication to guide him along.
She wishes she could hear the same tone in her voice when she talked about something. To have a love for something that could make some sort of guide, create a path among all the fog and confusion of life...to know she's working towards something...it's all she wants.
He shrugs, looking down at his jeans, either shy or embarrassed, she can't tell.
"No seriously, Percy," she says earnestly, causing him to look up. "You have a dream, a goal, something you really love. You will write an amazing book one day."
He gives a half smile. "Yeah, hopefully." And before she can say anything else he continues, "Also it's getting dark and cold, we should head in."
The late August night breeze is a bit chilly and, even though they have the light from the open door, they should be getting inside. She nods and hopes that she hasn't pushed him too far with the questions.
"I'm sorry if I pushed you with my questions," she voices her concerns as they walk down the stairs, breaking the silence.
"No, you're good; It just feels weird talking about it, I don't do that often…"
"Well I have complete faith that you'll write your book someday," she tells him. He shoots her a smile and walks towards the stairs to the third floor with her.
"I need to check my mail, thought I'd drop you off at your door," he explains in response to her questioning look.
She nods and they make their way to the second floor where her apartment is. They don't say anything and even though it's not awkward it's...something.
"Well, this is me," she says, stopping in front of her door, glad she has something to say.
"Same time tomorrow?" he asks. She nods, relieved that he still wants to see her and she hasn't messed everything up. Seeing Percy in proper light is always a pleasure, but she notices his eyes seem darker than normal.
"See you then," she says, a little unsure. It feels weird to leave things off on this note...whatever it is.
He nods and starts to walk away. She curbs the urge to call out and stop him, when he stops and turns around.
"Why do you have so much faith in my ability to write a book?" he asks.
She shrugs. "Because I can see your passion for it. And that's a really rare thing to find."
At the words, a slow smile overtakes his face. "Thank you Annabeth," he says softly, in a tone that makes her heart flutter a little.
She smiles back. "I'm sure one day you'll create something as great as what you've always wanted."
-.-
Nico corners Percy in the kitchen as he pulls out the last of the Oreos.
"Okay, so, we need to talk," he begins, stopping Percy mid-chew.
"So, um, there's this guy, that um," he trails off again and Percy finishes chewing, relieved he isn't in any trouble.
"The guitar one from the store?" he asks, recalling the conversation from when Nico came out.
Nico's eyes widen at the words. "Um...yeah actually...I can't believe you remembered…"
Smirking, he puts another Oreo in his mouth. "See, I listen."
"So..well...we're kinda...a thing…" Nico's struggling to get the words out and Percy tries to be a good friend and not rush him but he needs to know. Nico, little Nico, who was a small bean to be protected, had a boyfriend?
"Like you're dating?" Percy asks. "He's your boyfriend?"
"Um, yeah, kinda, I guess. Anyway, the point is," he says, rushing past the boyfriend part, "I'd like to introduce you." He pauses as if waiting for a confirmation.
Percy tries to play it cool and not simultaneously cheer and cry for the growth Nico's gone through in all the years he's known him. So he just plops another Oreo in his mouth and nods.
"And I kinda invited him to dinner…" Nico continues, wringing his hands. "Tonight."
The Oreo was a bad move. He all but chokes on the damn thing at the words, looking at the clock on the microwave as he coughs. It's 5:30.
"Nico! What time did you say?" he manages to choke out.
"Um..like...6:30? 7-ish? I don't know!"
"Dude, we have no food in the house, there's a reason I'm eating Oreos!"
Nico throws his hands out helplessly. "I'm sorry, I forgot, I don't know." He looks like he might throw up and he wasn't the one coughing up an Oreo.
It's a big step for him, he's bound to get nervous and make some mistakes. Percy sighs.
"It's okay, but we need to haul ass to clean this place up and figure out the food situation."
Nico nods and follows him out into the living room where they both begin clearing up the general clutter that's somehow accumulated. Percy isn't the messiest person, but he can hear his mom in his head telling him to make the place spotless for guests.
(Also, it's Nico's first boyfriend, that requires extra attention).
At six Nico's Febreezing the hell out of...well everything...that Percy actually coughs.
"Okay that's enough, help me order from this place. What does your boyfriend like?"
Nio mutters something about not being his boyfriend but taps at the menu pulled up on his phone and picks some things out.
Will (Nico's "not" boyfriend) arrives exactly five mintues after the food does, with a bottle of wine and a bright smile. He likes the guy already.
"Nice to meet you," Percy says, shaking his hand like a proper adult who had not just coughed up his Oreo dinner forty-five mintues ago.
Will shakes his hand. "You too, it's nice to finally meet you. Nico's talked about you."
Percy side eyes Nico. "Can't say the same, you'll have to fill me in."
Will laughs, bright and airy and promises to do exactly that as they move towards the food. He's the exact opposite of Nico, tall, blonde and a ray of sunshine. But more importantly, it's clear that he's enamoured with little goth boi ™.
Percy can't help but smile, overcome with a sense of pride. Yeah, that's his best friend and he deserves to be swooned over.
"Did you guys order this?" Will asks when they move toward the kitchen. It's a small, cramped table so they've laid the food out on the counter instead. (And if he's being honest, they ordered way too much for three people)
"Um…why do you ask?" Nico asks, looking very unconvincing.
"Because I ran into a guy that had a Pompeii shirt on, isn't that an Italian place?"
Nico frowns but Percy laughs. "He caught us."
Will chuckles. "Also, you forgot to throw out one of the bags," he adds pointing by the microwave.
"Well shit, you were supposed to be impressed by all the food Nico made." Percy jokes, ever the hype man.
"You cook?" Will asks, eyebrows raised with a small smile. Something in his eyes reminds him of Annabeth, how she looks at him when she learns something new. The look that makes his heart flutter, just a little.
"Um...yeah, sometimes," Nico mumbles, clearly embarrassed by the situation.
"He's actually really good," Percy pipes in, shooting Nico a wide smile as he turns red.
"You're gonna have to show me some time." Will smiles brightly (as usual) and Nico's blush deepens.
"You would have seen it today," Percy says taking a forkful of spaghetti to point it towards Nico. "Had someone been more prepared and told me about guests arriving sooner."
Nico looks like he would murder him if they didn't have company, but Will bursts out laughing.
"Aww, you're cute when you pout," Will says kindly, nudging Nico. Nico just mumbles something and looks away, but not before Percy catches a small smile on his face.
Yeah, he likes this guy.
Just as they're wrapping up dinner, Percy's phone rings.
"Who's calling you?" Nico asks, as Percy goes on a hunt to find the source of vibration.
"Shut up, people call me!" he yells from the couch.
"Tell your mom I say hi!" Nico yells back just as Percy finally picks up his phone.
Any snarky remark at Nico dies down when he sees the contact that's lighting up.
It's Annabeth.
She's never called him before and the name paralyzes him just long enough to miss her call. In a moment of panic, he quickly redials without even thinking.
It's the first time she's ever called him and he was dumb enough to not pick up quickly enough. He curses under his breath as it rings.
"Hello?"
"Hey Annabeth! Sorry I missed your call, what's up?" He's nervous, that much is obvious, and he doesn't quite know why this feels like such a big step when they chat in person for hours.
"Um, sorry to bother you. Are you busy?" There's something in her tone that he just can't figure out, an edge that's never been there before.
"Um, kinda, but why do you ask?"
"Oh, um, it's okay, don't worry about it." But there's an agitation there.
"Wait, no, Annabeth, what's up," he rushes to get the words out in case she's about to hang up. "Please tell me."
She sighs and he hopes that she'll explain, because he's really starting to get worried.
"So it's kind of dumb…" she starts, "but I kinda need your help."
A/N: So what did you think? A bit of deep conversation, Solangelo cuteness and a minor cliffhanger all in one! (Also when I wrote this ages ago I wanted Oreos and honestly, that hasn't changed) But yeah, just wanted to develop some more of Percy and Annabeth's hobbies and of course introduce some Will/Nico cuteness!
Please Review! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this!
And as always, thanks for reading!
See ya! :)