PJatO || Nicercy || PJatO || Nicercy || A God Among Men || Nicercy || PJatO || Nicercy || PJatO

Title: A God Among Men – Life in the Kingdom of Demetria

Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus; ancient Greece 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, gods, magic, fluff, kink for powers, worship, explicit intercourse, anal, oral, bondage, shoujo-ai, hetero, threesome

Main Pairing: Nico/Percy

Side Pairings: Reyna/Annabeth, Octavian/Luke, Ethan/Alabaster, Jake/Will, Frank/Hazel/Leo, Grover/Juniper, Malcolm/Katie, Chris/Clarisse, Charles/Silena, Jason/Calypso, Poseidon/Amphitrite | Poseidon/Sally, Zeus/Hera, Hades/Persephone, Ares/Aphrodite, Hephaestus/Aglaia, Nico/Drew (one-sided)

Percy Jackson Characters:

Thieves: Perseus Jackson, Luke Castellan, Cecil Rogers, Chris Rodriguez, Travis Stoll, Connor Stoll

Royals: Nico di Angelo, Bianca di Angelo, Hazel Levesque, Maria di Angelo, Drew Tanaka

Royal Advisers & Palace Servants: Jason Grace, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Annabeth Chase, Malcolm Cage, Ethan Nakamura, Will Solace, Katie Gardner, Grover Underwood, Juniper

Palace Guards: Frank Zhang, Clarisse la Rue, Thalia Grace, Hylla Ramírez-Arellano, Kinzie Cohen, Zoe Nightshade, Phoebe Burge

Priests: Alabaster C. Torrington, Lou Ellen, Piper McLean, Silena Beauregard, Ella, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Octavian Simmons

Blacksmiths: Charles Beckendorf, Leo Valdez, Jake Mason, Nyssa Black, Tyson

Godly Characters: Poseidon, Amphitrite, Triton, Demeter, Persephone, Hades, Hestia, Hera, Zeus, Hermes, Apollo, Artemis, Dionysus, Athena, Enyo, Ares, Aphrodite, Hephaestus, Aglaia, Feronia, Furrina, Laverna, Calypso

Summary: Perseus is a minor Sea God, son of Neptune and prince of the sea. And utterly bored. Gods, is he bored. Instead of staying bored under the sea, he decides to pose as a mortal and walk the Earth. Throughout ancient Greece, one small island kingdom in particular took to worshiping him, the Demetria Isles. So that's where Percy goes, to see what kind of people worship him.

He runs into interesting people. Lives with thieves, learns from priests and falls for the prince...

A God Among Men

Life in the Kingdom of Demetria

Chapter 3: The Priest of Apollo

The prince was really very pretty. Percy had never seen someone so pretty before. With his olive-skin wrapped around taunt muscles, the adorable fluffy curls and that honestly lost expression on his face as he was kneeling before that semi-accurate statue of Percy, praying to Percy. Leo kept chiding him, but how was Percy supposed to not answer when a pretty prince was asking him for advise, really? And oh, then the prince had opened his eyes. They were so warm and deep and beautiful and Earthy-brown, nearly black. He was a real looker! Oh, he was.

"So, I hear you met our prince", drawled Luke amused.

"Oh, he is magnificent", whispered Percy in awe as he looked up at Luke. "He has those—those eyes! And he looks quite strong. And he has a nice voice too!"

"Hey there, slow down, kiddo", laughed Luke and ruffled Percy's hair. "Is someone having a crush? After only meeting him once? Well, he left quite the impression, huh?"

Percy blushed brightly and ducked his head. He knew he was being ridiculous. He had only just met the prince once, after all. But, well, he was the youngest god out there. He had grown up with everyone he knew and they were his cousins and used to change his diapers. His parents kept him very-very sheltered from everyone who wasn't a council member of either Olympus, the underwater palace, or the underworld. It was so boring. At home, he really only had his siblings. And on Olympus, he was friends with the muses and with his cousins – Persephone, Artemis, Apollo, Hermes, kind of with Athena, Ares and Enyo too whenever they played war-games, maybe Dionysus depending on the day of the week, also Hebe and Eleithyia but they kind of still treated him like a little child. So yes, technically, he didn't really have friends, only family that thought he was adorable enough to be allowed to follow them around. And he sure as Hades didn't have any potential love-interests! Everyone he knew was family and family he had grown up with, at that. He knew that kind of everyone was family when it came to the gods and marrying your cousin could already be considered 'distant' family. Still though, Percy didn't see himself ever falling in love with one of his cousins because, as previously mentioned, they all used to change his diapers.

"I've just never met anyone like him", admitted Percy flustered and ducked his head.

Technically, he had never met anyone like Luke or Leo or the others either. But Nicodemos was so... different. Not just because he was pretty to look at. Percy had felt him inside. The prayer, it had touched Percy's heart, because it had been aimed at him. He had connected with the prince's heart and mind and seen how pure and good and troubled (and naughty and flirtatious) the prince was.

"No one's ever met anyone like Nico", laughed Luke amused.

"Nico", echoed Percy, blinking owlishly. "You know the prince well?"

"A little", shrugged Luke, grabbing an apple and cutting it into slices before pushing one slice into Percy's mouth. "Eat. You've barely eaten all day. Don't get so distracted by Leo's sense of adventure. And then I'll tell you more about Nico, mh?" Percy took three slices of apple at once and stuffed his cheeks, lips spread wide around them as he grinned up at Luke, prompting Luke to snort. "Well. You certainly have some talents that Nico's going to appreciate." Percy blinked confused at him, making Luke laugh. "No, forget I said that. You're too sweet to be tainted. Nico is a... very promiscuous kind of guy. I suppose he's trying to enjoy it while he can, you know?"

"I... don't", admitted Percy with a confused frown. "I know promiscuous. It's what mom always calls my uncle because he can never keep it in his toga. But what do you mean 'while he can'?"

"He's the crown-prince. His older sister joined the army and he will be the next king", explained Luke gently, looking a little sad. "As the king, he needs a queen to give him an heir."

Percy opened his mouth to protest, but then he shut it hastily. Human males couldn't give birth. It had been on that biology embarrassment class Aphrodite had given him when he became a teenager. How he needed to 'use protection' – some overly sweet herbal mix he had to drink with hot water that would stop him from falling pregnant. Because Percy was a born merboy and with merpeople, both males and females could impregnate or fall pregnant, depending on their secondary nature. But for humans, there was only female pregnancy. How bothersome.

"But the prince wants a prince consort at his side and not a queen?", inquired Percy thoughtful.

"Yeah. He... tried. Being with women. It just... it goes against his nature, which is sad considering that it will be overlooked if he has a male lover as long as it's not serious", sighed Luke, kicking back some and grabbing a second apple to cut for Percy. "You seem confused by the concept."

"My... home country is... different. It doesn't matter who you're with", admitted Percy with a shrug.

"Lucky you", chuckled Luke playfully. "Then again, lucky me too. I'm a no one, I can be with whoever I want to be. Guess that's part of why I prefer being a street rat."

He winked at Percy while handing him another apple slice. "Leo said your friends are working at the palace, right? Do you think you could get me into the palace? I wanna talk to the prince."

"...What part of our conversation gave you the impression that that would be a good idea?"

Percy shrugged and looked up at Luke mischievously. "I just wanna meet him."

"I like you, kiddo", stated Luke with a shake of his head. "Okay, you're lucky. I have a date with my own personal boy toy tonight and he's living at the palace. I can get you in, but you'd have to find your way around on your own without attracting the guards."

"Guards bad, yeah I got that", nodded Percy obediently, smiling brightly.

"Atta boy. Well, I guess Tav should meet my newest stray", grinned Luke. "Okay. Be good and go eat something else aside from an apple. I got another job with Chris and Cecil, you wait here. No wandering around the city alone, I think that's still a bit too dangerous for you. And when I get back, I'll take you to the palace. Does that sound like a deal?"

"Sure", grinned Percy a bit amused. "You know, you fuss as much as my big brother."

/break\

Percy was kind of impressed and totally not impressed at the same time when he met Luke's lover. Octavian was a self-centered, arrogant asshole – and as someone who grew up with uncle Zeus and aunt Hera at every Sunday's family dinner, he was not impressed by arrogance like that. What was however very impressive about the tall, lanky blonde with the blue eyes was his aura. He was surrounded by a beautiful golden-yellow glow. Percy bit his lips hard as he stared at it.

Percy had learned to read an aura from his uncle Hades. Considering that Persephone adored him, Percy had spent some weekends in the underworld and since uncle Hades would do everything for his wife, he decided to bond with his nephew the only way he could. Through the underworld. He taught Percy how to train hellhounds and how to read auras. He said this would be helpful for a 'hopelessly naive brat' like Percy, to allow him to see whether someone was a good person or not.

What Percy saw around Octavian, he knew. He knew that aura, it was not the aura of a human. It was the blessing of a god; the same yellow-golden aura that his cousin Apollo had. This wasn't just a priest, this priest had the blessing of Apollo himself.

"...Another one, Lukos", sighed Octavian agitated.

"I think he's adorable. Like one of those stray kittens, with the wide eyes", noted Thalia.

"I think I saw him naked in the fountain yesterday", drawled Annabeth dubiously.

"Oh yes, the fountain was very nice!", nodded Percy with a bright smile. "It's nice to meet you."

Annabeth was gorgeous, with all the right curves and with long, golden-blonde hair falling around her frame in curls. She eyed Percy critically. Thalia next to her was taller and more muscular, with wild black hair and intense electric-blue eyes. There was a teasing, cocky grin on her lips.

"So you're the reason Grover and Juniper called for my guards?", chuckled Thalia. "What were you doing in the fountain? No one knew where you came from."

"I took a bath", replied Percy with a smile. "Fell asleep on a wagon and woke up in the stables. Then I wanted a bath, so why shouldn't I have used the fountain? It's great for baths!"

"You're ridiculous", muttered Annabeth and shook her head.

"I know! I've been told that before", grinned Percy broadly.

"Look, I have a meeting with my guards. You, try not meeting my guards", ordered Thalia, ruffling Percy's hair in passing. "And don't cause too much trouble for Luke, you hear me?"

"Yeah, I was actually on my way to finding Malcolm and Ethan", sighed Annabeth, regarding Percy with a last doubtful look. "Please try not running around the palace naked."

Percy frowned at that. "You people are no fun at all. 'Don't bathe in the fountain', 'Don't cause trouble', 'Don't run around naked'... Seriously. What do you do for fun around here?"

"Oh, things are definitely going to be fun with you around, kiddo", laughed Luke and shook his head. "Now, why don't you run along and explore the palace? There was someone you wanted to meet, wasn't there? I'll meet you back here in an hour. Don't be late, Percy."

"Meet? Oh no. No, Lukos, no", growled Octavian with a glare.

But Luke was faster and he was sly. He grinned mischievously at his lover as he hooked one leg around Octavian's waist, one hand resting on the other blonde's chest as he looked at him.

"You could go after Percy and stop him. Or you could forget about it and spend your energy better and more productive... here. With me", purred the blonde in a voice that put Aphrodite to shame.

Percy's ears were dark-red as he fled the room. Oh, this was going to be so exciting! He already knew three kinds of palaces – Olympus, the underworld and of course the underwater palace. Now he was going to see what a human palace looked like. He did as Luke had asked though and kept to the shadows, avoiding people whenever he heard steps. Now all he had to do was find the prince's room. His eyes narrowed as he contemplated his options. Be good and listen to Luke, or get to the prince's room nice and fast and without causing problems...?

"Hello there. Are you lost?"

Percy blinked extra doe-eyed as he looked up innocently. A pretty blonde guy approached him. He was wearing a blue robe, held together by a pin that depicted Apollo's staff with Martha and George wrapped around it. Another priest of Apollo? Didn't matter right now though.

"Ye—es", drawled Percy with a childish giggle, batting his eyelashes.

"And... where is it you were heading to?", inquired the blonde dubiously.

"I was waiting in the prince's room because he had to go somewhere and then I got bored and I wanted to look around because I got hungry but now I seem unable to find my way back?"

He briefly contemplated what Aphrodite would do in this situation, so he giggled a little more and allowed his robes to slip a little off his shoulder to make him seem more believable. The blonde groaned and cussed beneath his breath as he gently grasped Percy's arm.

"Damn it, Nico", grunted the blonde, barely audible. "I'm Will. Come along, pretty boy, I will escort you back to the prince's chambers and then you will stay there, you understand?"

Percy just smiled charmingly at Will and allowed the blonde to bring him exactly where he wanted to be. Ah, humans could be so helpful if given the right motivation. After all, Luke had said that Percy would be the prince's type, right? Will looked at him rather sternly as he left Percy alone in a giant bedroom. With wide, curious eyes did Percy look around. Oh, it was beautiful. A gigantic bed surrounded by black nearly see-through curtains, large shelves filled with vases and scrolls and jewelry and funny looking objects. Wooden and made of metal, some looking like animals, others like fantastic monsters. They reminded him of the toys his little brother had. Really endearing.

/break\

Nico was tired and his muscles ached by the time he finally got to return to his chambers for the day. Or rather, for the night. He absolutely detested whenever his mother and father left for business trips and Nico got to pose as the acting crown-prince. All the boring meetings and activities, not to mention his regular training too. Which was where the aching muscles rooted from. Frank and Jason were his personal trainers and sparring partners – it was why Frank had the privilege of being considered a royal guard regardless of his gender. After all, the elite of Demetria was all female, so he wasn't an official member. All Nico wanted right now was collapse on his bed and be alone. Okay, so that was a lie. He wanted to do what Jason had done after training. The blonde got to return to his room where the love of his life was awaiting him. Someone who adored him, worshiped the very ground Jason was walking upon, someone Jason was oh-so willing to carry on his arms and cherish for the rest of his life. Share love and laughter and his very life with. Someone to welcome him with warmth and make the lonely, cold nights feel, well, less cold and lonely.

"Ah, finally! And here I started thinking I'd have to leave without talking to you!"

Nico startled so much, he nearly knocked his nightstand over. He blinked slowly and stared at the gorgeous creature on his bed. The soft-looking, unblemished skin, the ridiculously bright bluish-green eyes, his long, silky-looking black hair that contrasted so beautifully with his pale skin. All Nico could think just how perfect this beautiful boy looked right there on Nico's bed. Like it was the place where he belonged to. Nico kept staring at him, standing there unmoving. The boy was offering Nico the brightest, most dazzling smile Nico had ever seen, making him feel warm all over.

"...Are you... a... servant of Lady Aphrodite?", asked Nico very slowly.

"Am I a what now?", asked the beauty confused, blinking his sparkling eyes at Nico.

Percy. The beauty's name was Percy, he had said so at the temple, hadn't he? Nico stared at him.

"A servant of Lady Aphrodite. You are... far too beautiful to be of this world", whispered Nico in awe. "And you seem to be... everywhere. This morning in the fountain, at noon in the market place, in the afternoon at the Temple of Lord Perseus... and now, in my bed."

"Coincidences, I assure you", stated Percy with a pleasant smile. "Well, aside from the bed. I didn't accidentally end up here. Uh. Not that your bed was the destination. It's just the most comfortable spot in your room. I was waiting for you. I wanted to talk to you. What you said at the temple..."

"Was supposed to be a private prayer, aimed to my lord alone", grunted Nico irritated.

And okay. Maybe he was a bit possessive of Lord Perseus – but Lord Perseus had saved his life and the life of his big sister, so there must be something special about them for the god, which meant the god was also very special to Nico. Percy's cheeks dusted a pretty pink at Nico's words.

"Well, I heard it and it sounded like you wanted to talk. So. I decided to visit you and talk", smiled Percy kindly. "In my experience, people who turn to the gods are in dire need of someone they can talk to. So... if you wanna talk, I've been told I'm a pretty decent listener."

Nico must have gone completely mad, because he sat down next to the pretty boy and actually considered talking to the stranger. Something about Percy felt so warm and honest. So unlike anyone he had ever met before. Nico felt as though he could pour his entire heart out to Percy and there would be no judgment, only kindness and warmth. It was a strange feeling.

"I'm the prince. As you might have noticed since you broke into the palace to talk to me", started Nico, fidgeting with his hands. "And as such, I am expected to become king one day. A king is nothing without his queen. But... I'm not sure if I could... love a queen, not the way she would deserve it. And that just... seems so unfair. I don't care if that sounds childish."

"It doesn't", interrupted Percy gently, grasping Nico's hand to squeeze it. "That you want love is... not something childish. Not ever. Have you ever told your parents about how you feel? Maybe they will understand. Maybe you mustn't marry a princess then?"

"I can't disappoint them like that", sighed Nico and shook his head slowly. "I am the heir. I have to produce an heir. I can not be a failure. My father is the greatest king there is. I have to live up to his expectations. I can not disappoint my parents, or my kingdom."

"I understand...", started Percy, voice soft and filled with sorrow, giving Nico's hand a gentle squeeze. "I understand not wanting to disappoint your parents, but... Do you truly believe they would be proud and happy to see their beloved child miserable?"

Nico paused and stared at Percy in awe. Somehow, the way he said all of that, it sounded as though Percy was speaking from experience, as though he knew exactly what Nico was going through. And what he said made sense. Nico knew his mother loved him so very dearly, she would probably feel bad if Nico lead a life of misery and loneliness. It might just break her heart.

"Thank you, Percy, you were... very helpful", whispered Nico with a small smile.

"I'm glad then", smiled Percy, tilting his head, just before his eyes widened as he looked out of the window and suddenly jumped up. "Oh dear! I'm late! I—I'm sorry, Nico, I have to go!"

"No, wait-", tried Nico, but the fascinating boy simply ran up to the balcony and jumped out the window. "...I don't even know where to find you. Or when I can see you again..."

/break\

Octavian glared pointedly out of the window, one arm leisurely wrapped around his sweaty, naked lover, fingers gently carding through sandy-blonde, messy hair. He loved and hated his position as the high priest of Apollo to equal parts. For one, it put him into the high council of King Plutonius and Queen Maria, he was living in the palace, everyone feared and respected him. Otherwise, it was rather annoying. He had to deal with the other priests of Apollo – like irritatingly nosy Rachel. He also had to deal with the royals and their other advisers, of course. But literally all of that paled compared to the fact that living at the palace had introduced him to this beautiful, irritating creature in his arms. Lukos was what Octavian had never thought possible; perfect.

"Lukos, your pet returned", grunted Octavian irritated.

Percy, sitting on the windowsill like a crazy cat or something, just grinned broadly and waved at Octavian. This one was going to be a problem, Octavian just knew it. The priest wondered briefly whether or not the troublemaker had just been thoroughly fucked by the prince and that was the reason for his seemingly chipper mood. Octavian wouldn't put it past Nico. But the priest didn't think it quite that good an idea if the prince got involved with one of Luke's pet-projects.

"You're not a nice person", stated Percy, blinking his wide eyes at Octavian like it was something completely okay to say. "But Luke is a nice person and he seems to care about you, so I am curious to see what you are hiding behind your mean attitude, priest of Apollo."

Octavian paused, staring slowly at the street rat. The way he said it – priest of Apollo – it held authority, it wasn't just a job-description, it wasn't even like those worshipers who saw him as their leader. It sounded the way the king and queen would address him. Something about this boy was off. And Octavian didn't like it. He didn't like not controlling something. What made it worse was that Luke was going to take this odd little creature home with him. Octavian didn't like the idea of Luke being alone with this weird boy. As innocent and small and harmless as this boy looked – he had an aura of danger and destruction and devastation. Like that cooling, peaceful breeze that would pick up into a horrifying storm that would have the citizens scramble for safety. It was unsettling.

"Wha...?", yawned Luke and looked up, smiling when he saw Percy. "Ah. You weren't captured and thrown into the dungeon. I'm proud of you, Percy. Good boy. Did it go how you pictured?"

"Thanks", grinned Percy proudly. "Yes! I like the prince. I decided to keep him." Both Octavian and Luke stared at him a little dumbly at that and only then did the boy seem to notice that what he had just said was not normal. "I mean, to keep visiting him. He's interesting to talk to."

Octavian squinted at the boy. That was not what he meant, most certainly not. Something was very, very not normal about this boy and Octavian was set to find out what it was.

Author's note: Next chapter is going to focus on the gods. To check up on what Olympus is doing! Sooo you will get to see what gods care about Percy in this story and they intend to do to find him ;)