CHAPTER 3: A COUSIN VISIT (and banter)

PREVIOUSLY:

She dragged his ear to her lips and whispered, "Call me", she pulled back and gave him a wink before sauntering away.

The waitress arrived with his ice tea and followed his line of vision to the retreating form of the red head (which she glared murderously at, "Your order sir" she said tensely before dropping the tea and walking off.

Percy looked at the number written on his fore arm with bright red lipstick, if there was one thing he had learnt on all his time alive on Earth, it was that girls that wrote their numbers on your fore arm of handkerchief with lipstick meant trouble….which made him smile lightly (he never did 'easy').

He looked at the name written below the number

Natasha Romanoff

Her name practically screamed trouble.

He was suddenly very glad that he had chewed those Orbit breath fresheners earlier on.

NOW:

Thump

Thump

Thud

Percy was in a gym, it was a Monday morning so no one was visiting the gym as it was a busy day (and he did not have a conventional 'job' so to speak) leaving him to punch his sand bag in peace.

Compared to his usual work out session, him punching the sand bag was more or less a way for him to relax (while keeping his ADHD at bay of course). On the fifteenth punch, the sand bag flew off the hooks causing the young mercenary to sigh.

"That's the twelfth one in the last hour" he grumbled to himself, despite the fact that his super human strength was a useful advantage in combat situations it was a constant pain to deal with in his everyday life.

He grumpily picked up another sand bag and hung it on the hook while idly wondering if he there was a way he could get his hands on more durable sand bags.

Suddenly the shadows in the room began to get thicker as they rushed to a single corner of the room, Percy tilted his head to the side and raised a sweaty brow at the phenomenon before rolling his eyes and going back to 'punishing' the unfortunate sand bag.

A pale looking black haired male dressed in an expensive looking Italian suit (he was seeing a lot of these lately), without missing a beat he delivered a fierce haymaker to the sand bag causing it to become unhinged from the hooks.

Before the bag could fly off, he grabbed it with his left hand and flung it at the pale skinned man. The new arrival yelped as he ducked the incoming projectile.

Percy snorted in laughter at the expense of the man, "For the first time in a ages, the son of Hades yelps and my humble self am the cause of such a reaction, I believe a reward is in order" he stated in a cheerful tone.

The man scowled at him, "Most people welcome their cousins with warm seats and a drink or two" he grumbled, Percy smirked at the son of the underworld, "Aww don't feel so bad Nicky boy, on the bright side your reflexes are at their peak"

The Ghost king glowered at the hero turned mercenary before sighing in resignation, "This doesn't seem like your kind of place he said dryly".

Percy rolled his eyes at his emo cousin, "I'll have you know that this is my kind of 'place' as you put it, but enough about my preferred habitats, what've you been up to dead boy?" he asked while setting up another sand bag.

The son of Hades shrugged, "Nothing much really, went to Italy, saw some sights again, met some hot girls, hooked up with said hot girls, got slapped multiple times for two timing before finally arriving in America and getting myself a girlfriend.

Percy paused from his barrage of punches on the sand bag and turned to his cousin, "…..Did you seriously hook up with a bunch of Italian chics?' he asked with a raised eyebrow, and in response got a nod from the son of Hades.

Percy sniffed "…and you got yourself a girlfriend when you got back from the states?" he asked again and got a nod once more in response.

He set his lips in a thin line "Don't you have a boyfriend already?" Percy asked him calmly, "I did….but that didn't work out" came the reply from Nico.

Percy gave his cousin a look, "I thought Will was your type" he said while adjusting his training gloves, Nico shrugged once more, "I thought he was my type, don't judge me, I was still a kid then" he said while fiddling with his Rolex wrist watch.

"…" without saying a word, Percy turned around and continued punching the sand bag causing an awkward silence to befall them.

After a few more minutes (and punches) of awkwardness Percy spoke again, "So who's the girl that took an interest in doom(y) and gloomy cousin?" he asked with a hint of amusement in his voice.

A bright red blush adorned the face of the son of Hades causing Percy to smile faintly as he was duly assured that whoever this girl was that had the ability to make his brooding cousin to blush by just thinking about her was good enough for him.

"…" Nico said nothing.

"Well?" Percy asked impatiently but was still answered with the same silence, sighing in irritation he spoke again but this time with an edge to his voice, "What are you waiting for? You want me to beat it out of you?" he asked dangerously.

The son of Hades paled an unhealthy shade of white making him appear as white as a sheet of pristine white paper, "Uhm, er, i…its er…" he stammered causing the mercenary to sigh in an irritated manner before narrowing his eyes in concentration.

Nico shivered slightly as he felt the (familiar) feeling of his mind being probed for answers, after some seconds, Percy's mouth dropped open in shock.

"YOU'RE DATING CLARRISSE?!" he yelled in shock causing the Ghost king to go from paper white in complexion to a bright red as he blushed furiously.

"…You know I still find it unfair that you can read peoples mind" the son of Hades trying (and failing) to change the subject.

Percy rolled his eyes "You are very horrible at changing topics dead boy" he deadpanned causing the Ghost King to frown,

"And if you want to be able to get my ability to read minds, then I recommend going through what I went through in the pit" he said with a dark expression on his face causing Nico's frown to deepen.

"You still have nightmares?" he asked quietly causing Percy to snort, "Oh please, do you expect me to be a wreck from just one unfortunate incident in my life? Hell no! I have a life to live and I won't spend it turning into an emo bitch" he asked/said proudly.

Nico nodded in approval before scowling, "Did you just imply that I'm a bitch?" he growled causing Percy to smirk, "So you admit that you're an emo?" he challenged, "Don't try to change the topic, did you just call me a bitch?" he asked in a biting tone.

Percy's smirk deepened, "Well you're not an emo bitch cuz, but you're Clarisse's bitch because there is no way in the whole wide universe that she is going to let you wear the pants in the relationship" he said smugly.

"…..I can't argue with that" Nico finally said in a defeated tone causing Percy to grin like a Shark (once again pun intended).

"Speaking of relationships isn't Clarisse a little too old for you?" Percy asked with the same annoying grin on his face, Nico opened his mouthy to speak but was cut off, "Or have you suddenly developed an interest in sugar mummies?" Percy asked as his grin turned back into a smirk.

"For goodness sake would you shut up Percy! She's not that old and besides we are both immortal so HA!" Nico said exasperatedly.

Percy bobbed his head up and down in approval before speaking once more, "I'm guessing the reason you're dressed in the tux is to take her out on a date" he said matter of factly as he went back to punching the (now wailing) sand bag.

"How did you…? Oh yeah mind reading power" Nico said, Percy nodded, "Well If I were you, I'll get to it. That suit looks nice and I would hate to see it smeared with your blood when she runs you through with her electric spear for keeping her waiting." He said.

"Shit" Nico cursed as he ran into a shadow and shadow travelled away causing his green eyed cousin to chuckle.

"Well I better give Mando that answer before he pops an artery in anxiety" he said as he left the bag and picked up a towel while heading for the showers.

'I really need to find myself a girlfriend' he thought to himself as he stepped in the shower, 'Meh, work first, relationship pursuit later' he thought once more as he turned the shower knob.

AN: Another update? Yes, yes it is. Las time I checked, Natasha was tied with Wanda on the poll, but if by the time the poll is over the results are still tied, I will look to the reviews for a final result. For those of you who read my other stories, er well I'll see to that (in due time). Don't be afraid to ask questions if you're confused and I'll try to answer without revealing too much.

PS: In response to a previous review, I agree with you Phazooo, Natasha is like a more important Rachel Dare.