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 5: The Magical Priests of Hecate

Two weeks into his stay with Luke's crew and Percy felt utterly and absolutely at home with them. Travis and Connor had already adopted him as their new little brother who needed to be taught how to maneuver the city and how to manipulate Luke into getting whatever he wanted (which really wasn't hard because Luke adored Percy already). Chris and Cecil were cool too and Leo was practically attached to Percy's hip and Percy adored Ella. Ella was the youngest of the bunch, only a little girl. Percy only got to meet her on his third day in the Trickster Tribe. Apparently, she had been staying with her tutor Rachel, a priestess of Apollo who had taken her to a retreat.

"Oh, you got cake. Ella loves cake", gasped Ella softly, eyes large.

Smiling gently, Percy knelt down in front of her and handed her a piece of the cake him and Leo had stolen from the baker. Percy kind of loved living here, with the group of thieves. For the first time in his life, Percy didn't feel like he had to live up to some kind of great expectations. He knew his parents loved him dearly, but he was the son of Neptune. Everyone expected certain things from him. Here? He was just Percy, he was just one of them. It was liberating.

"So, what's the plan for today, kids?", asked Luke as he walked into the room.

"Ella wants to go to the library. Will dad go with Ella?", asked Ella hopefully.

And Percy could see Luke's heart melt at that. He hid a small smile as he watched how Luke lifted Ella up into his arms, rocking her a little and smiling gently at the little girl. Luke was such a good dad and Percy was amazed that there were humans like Luke, who took care of others even though those others weren't even related to him – unlike the gods, where they often didn't even take care of their very own children. Sighing softly, Percy curled together some.

"Of course, sweetie", smiled Luke gently, kissing her cheek. "What about you, boys?"

"Leo will go to the Perseus temple with me again", chimed Percy happily.

"Leo will only do that if Percy stops answering when people are praying!", exclaimed Leo.

Percy frowned confused at that. "Why? They keep asking questions. Why shouldn't I answer?"

Leo groaned in that exhausted way he kept doing when Percy asked particular questions. Somehow, Percy was still trying to understand this whole being human thing. Apparently, when you are being asked a question, you shouldn't answer because that was impolite...? How did that make sense?

"Percy, questions asked at the temple aren't meant to be answered by humans", replied Luke patiently. "I think most people just use it to... mull things over. Putting them into words like that, to give them time to think it over again and come to a solution."

"That's weird", frowned Percy confused, tilting his head a little.

"Technically", drawled Cecil out, throwing a nut at Luke. "People pray because they want the gods to answer. Our cynical den dad over there just has a hard time believing the gods are real."

"Wait, what? Seriously?!", asked Percy scandalized, staring wide-eyed and in utter betrayal at Luke.

"Wow, stop looking at me like I killed your puppy", grunted Luke stunned. "I just... I don't understand how we can believe in those all powerful beings that do nothing for us. Look at them, worshiping war. War should not be worshiped. Whenever something doesn't go their way, people blame the gods, when something good happens, oh the gods must be on their sides. Personally, I think that people should own up to their own actions, whether they're failure or success."

Percy continued staring at Luke like a kicked kitten, because Luke didn't believe in him. That kind of hurt. Which was an odd feeling. With his lower lip quivering, Percy cuddled up to Leo, who very firmly believed in the gods and kept praying to Lord Hephaestus.

/break\

"You're such a sweetheart, Percy", smiled Silena as she patted his hair.

Percy smiled and looked up at her while munching chocolate. Whoever had invented that should totally be tracked down in the underworld and then be pronounced a god, because this stuff was definitely godly! He was really happy that Leo had requested to stop by his kind of secondary caretakers on their way to the temple. Silena was such a sweet and gentle woman and she made this magical stuff. He turned back to watching Leo and Charles. Charles was a broad, intimidating looking man, who was just as gentle as his wife. The two looked at Leo the same way Neptune and Sally looked at Percy. Like parents adoring their child. Percy felt a pang at that, longing for his own parents and feeling guilty about leaving them and worrying them.

"What's wrong, honey?", asked Silena concerned as she noticed his look.

"I just... I...", started Percy and sighed. "You and your husband love Leo like parents, right?"

"Yes", nodded Silena without missing a beat. "Him and Piper are like children to us. Piper is a young sorceress and priestess I took under my wing when she came here, you see. Around the same time as we met Leo. They're still so young and impressionable and innocent."

"I miss my parents", admitted Percy softly at that. "I... I ran away. And now I wonder if they'll... ever forgive me for it, if they hate me now for running away..."

"Oh, honey, they're your parents, they will always love you", chided Silena gently, pulling Percy into a tight hug. "You plan on returning to them? You do regret leaving them? Then they'll forgive you, I'm sure. They'll just be glad to have you back. But... why did you run away?"

Percy offered a half-shrug and averted his eyes awkwardly. "I... wanted to see the world. They keep me so sheltered, I never get to do anything without them or someone assigned by them hovering about. I just want to feel free, make my own decisions for once in my life."

Silena hummed in understanding and patted his hair. "They'll understand, Percy. I'm sure."

"Perce! Come here, you need to meet the others!", called Leo suddenly, interrupting them.

Blinking slowly, Percy got up and walked over to Leo and Charles where two others were standing. A woman and a gruff looking guy. Percy tilted his head curiously as he looked at the mortals.

"Those are Jake and Nyssa, my other apprentices", introduced Charles. "This is Leo's friend Percy."

"Pleasure to meet you", grunted Jake with a nod. "Listen, Charles, I just came by because Will asked me to pick something up and deliver it to the palace for him?"

"Will really has you wrapped around his little finger", snorted Nyssa, making Jake blush.

Percy perked up some. Will at the palace? Was it the helpful blonde who had led him to Nico's room? That had been very kind of him! Percy needed to remember to bring the nice blonde some chocolate the next time he went to the palace. Oh, Nico was probably going to love the chocolate too. He was going to have to get a lot of chocolate there...

/break\

Nico felt far more at ease ever since his parents had returned from their emergency. Yes, he worried for the safety of their friend's son and prayed he would be returned safely, but Demetria definitely was better off with Plutonius and Maria there, with their people. It also helped that Nico didn't have to feel so much like the stand-in-king while his dad was there.

"I think it's very nice of you to accompany me to the temple", stated Hazel with a bright smile.

Nico grunted and nodded shortly. She frequented the temple of Lady Hecate, because she bore the gift of magic. A blessing, was what they called it. Nico knew their mother was a bit freaked out about it. She worried for it, though why, Nico didn't know. Thankfully, there was a small gathering of sorceresses led by the high priest of Hecate and they were eager to teach Hazel control.

"Ni—ico. Why didn't you bring your pretty adviser with you?", whined the high priest.

Nico raised both of his eyebrows in a very unimpressed way. He was fond of Priest Alabaster (he had lain with Priest Alabaster, not that either wanted to make that public). Alabaster had little qualms being public about his desires for men and his affliction with Nico's adviser Ethan. Then again, Alabaster was already feared and avoided for his magical abilities, so why should he bother to pretend to be something he wasn't to appease people who didn't like him?

"Ethan is busy. He actually has work to do. Not that you'd know what that means", snorted Nico.

"Princess, you're here!", exclaimed two excited female voices.

Lou and Piper came running up to greet her eagerly before they turned toward Nico and bowed respectfully to the young prince. Nico watched them fondly and returned the greeting. He was glad his younger sister had friends she could trust, friends who shared her abilities and burdens.

"You're... unusually excited", noted Nico curiously.

"Silena brought my brother and chocolate", declared Piper happily.

Nico snorted and rolled his eyes a bit amused. Though if Silena brought chocolate then Nico was maybe sticking around a little longer. He followed the sorcerers into Lady Hecate's temple and to the backroom where they usually meditated and trained. Nico froze in stunned silence as they entered that room and Silena was not the only one in there. With her were two young men.

"Guys, this is my little brother Leo!", exclaimed Piper as she wrapped her arm around one.

"...Persephonus", whispered Nico in awe, staring at the other young man.

Percy smiled brightly up at him, seemingly very pleased. "You remembered. That's nice. Hello, Nico! I didn't expect to see you here. That's also very nice."

"Prince Nicodemos. Percy, you'll be the death of me", hissed Leo scandalized.

"Who is your friend?", asked Piper intrigued, tilting her head.

"This is Percy. Percy is Luke's newest stray", sighed Leo, rubbing his face. "He's also my newest headache. I dunno what kingdom he's from, but he has the worst manners possible. It's like... human society is something new to him. Very stressful for poor, little me."

"You still adore me", hummed Percy knowingly smiling and taking some of the chocolate Silena had brought. "You are all magic-users then, yes? And you serve Hecate?"

"Lady Hecate", corrected Leo, elbowing him.

Percy giggled at that in amusement. His eyes however were still trained on the group of five, aside from Leo and Nico. It was amazing. They were wrapped around this glowing, magenta aura. The aura of magic, of Lady Hecate. It was exciting for Percy. He knew there were sorcerers out there – like Medea and Circe, Percy had heard their stories, had been in awe of them.

"What do you use your magic for?", asked Percy intrigued.

"Well... we... We mainly just try ourselves on smaller spells", admitted Piper after a moment.

"We try to help the people of our kingdom", added Hazel with a charming smile.

"T—That's... Y—You're...", stammered Leo, cheeks beet-red as he stared wide-eyed.

"Princess Hazelina", nodded Hazel, eyes sparkling with warm amusement as she looked at the boy. "And you're Piper's brother? She talks a lot about you. I was looking forward to meeting you."

"I—I'm not that special. She's exaggerating", smiled Leo shyly.

"I'm not. You're amazing", chided Piper seriously, nudging him.

"Yes, he is", agreed Percy with a genuine smile.

Leo flushed brightly and ducked his head at all the praise and with the way the princess was looking at him. The princess! First he ran into the prince because of Percy and now into the princess. Really, what was it with Percy? That boy was going to be the death of him. Percy had been eager to meet Leo's 'sister' and when Silena had said she was meeting with the other sorcerers, Percy had asked to join and meet them. And Piper had been begging Leo to come and meet her friends for a while now, but Leo wasn't really good with social stuff and he was also a street urchin, really. He wasn't like Piper, living with Silena and Charles as a respectable member of society. He was still a street rat, because he just couldn't decide between Charles and Silena and Luke and the others.

"Leo's working at Charlie's forges. He's Charlie's most talented apprentice", smiled Silena, looking to all the world like a proud mother. "He makes the most beautiful jewelry, you know."

"Really? I do have to visit and see for myself then", stated Hazel, still looking at Leo.

"It's not that special", tried Leo modestly, earning him chiding glares from both Piper and Silena.

"It's beautiful, princess, and you should totally come! Leo's creations would really improve your wardrobe", declared Piper with a cheeky grin. "They're so beautiful!"

"I—I should go back to the forges. I have work to do", muttered Leo, far too embarrassed to stay any longer. "Your highnesses, it was an honor. Percy, are you coming?"

"Oh, if you have to go to the forges, then you can go ahead. I wanted to visit the temples", hummed Percy with a frown. "I mean, I heard that Charles asked you to help him some more, but I really wanna visit the temples. Don't worry, I'll be fine. I swear."

"I don't know if I should leave you alone, Percy...", sighed Leo with a concerned frown.

Percy smiled gently, touched by his human's concerns. He adored Leo for that. But Percy was still an all powerful god, deep down, so if things really got dangerous, Percy would still be able to defend himself and he would be able to handle it. Alas, he couldn't say that aloud...

"I will accompany you, Persephonus", offered Nico chivalrously.

Everyone turned to stare at Nico in surprise at that, while Percy looked utterly pleased. "That'll do. See, Leo? I will be fine. No one would arrest me or hurt me if I'm with the prince, right?"

"Of course not. I will guarantee your safety", promised Nico with a smile.

Before Leo or anyone else could protest much more, Percy grabbed Nico by the arm and pulled him along, breaking into a sprint and giggling happily at it. Nico stared at the energetic boy with wide, amazed eyes. Percy was so different from anyone Nico had ever met.

"What temples did you wish to visit, Persephonus?", inquired Nico when they finally paused.

Percy wiggled his nose. "Percy, please. I really prefer to go by Percy, if you'd please."

"Percy", nodded Nico slowly. "Percy, then. What god did you wish to address?"

"None!", exclaimed Percy hastily, eyes large, before he caught himself. "I mean... I just... I wish to admire the beauty of the temples. Your kingdom is beautiful and its temples are amazing."

Nico nodded slowly, a small smile on his lips. Percy was amusing and he was beautiful. Properly offering Percy his arm, Nico led the way over to the nearest temple, which happened to be Poseidon's. As a kingdom on an island, they majorly worshiped the god of the sea. It was strategically placed right next to the temple of Perseus, of course.

"Would you mind telling me more about the kingdom you're from?", inquired Nico curiously. "Leo made it sound quite... different from the Demetria Kingdom."

Percy paused tentatively. He couldn't keep avoiding the question forever. The others kept asking him that too, he needed to come up with a story to tell them. Something believable, so it perhaps was better to stay as close to the truth as possible, to avoid major slip-ups in the lie.

"We're... our kingdom is surrounded by the ocean too, I guess it's why I feel so much at home here", hummed Percy with a blinding smile as he looked around. "It's beautiful and very... free. We have a fair king and a gentle queen. I guess we just have... different traditions. You all take... hierarchy rather seriously. Leo always nearly has a heart-attack whenever I forget some kind of fancy title."

"I'm more than okay with you calling me Nico", offered Nico with a smile of his own.

Percy looked very pleased at that. "Nico. That's good. So, tell me what does a prince do for fun around here? Aside from sneaking out from the palace that is."

"I do like to visit the temples", admitted Nico thoughtfully. "And the... tavern, even though my parents do not approve of that. I like to spar with my advisers and friends. To go out and hunt with my sister Bianca. And sometimes, just roam the streets of my kingdom, I guess."

"And to sleep around with men", added Percy shamelessly, causing the other prince to stumble and stare at him wide-eyed. "...Right. That is not a thing that this kingdom likes too much. Still not really sure about the policy about love around here."

"Y—You're being too nonchalant about this", grunted Nico, voice breaking a little.

"Because it's not really an issue in my kingdom?", supplied Percy with a frown. "I mean... it is why you were at my—at Lord Perseus' temple, asking for advise, right? Because you want to be with men, but as the prince, you can't be with men. Have you... come to any... decision there?"

Nico stared at the other in slight mortification and utter awe. Percy was definitely different and odd but he was also kind of fascinating. Nico wished he could be so blunt about things, wished he wouldn't have to adapt a strong front and pretend to be something he wasn't.

"Lovers of the same gender aren't... hunted down in this kingdom like in some other kingdoms, but... they do try to... not make a big fuss about it. Two men or two women can't get married, them walking together would be perceived as two good friends walking together and no one would correct them. It's a policy of... not showing and not looking", explained Nico and heaved a sigh. "In the end, as the prince, I will have to take a princess as my bride. Whether I want to or not."

"I still believe you should talk to your parents about that", stated Percy firmly. "If they love you, they will understand, was something someone told me today – and it's true. Parents do, don't they? When they love their children, they'll do everything they can to make their children happy."

Nico smiled faintly at him, admiring Percy's conviction and the way the other was practically glowing with optimism as he said this. If only life would be as simple as Percy painted it.

/break\

Frank sighed exhausted as he walked down the hall with Clarisse and Reyna after a long day of training. The two women chuckled amused by his exhaustion and he tried to ignore him. He had been no more than just a mere guard when he had fallen in love with the princess and it was his duty to protect the princess – his princess – so he trained as hard as possible.

"You look like Lieutenant Zoe tortured you again."

Frank smiled faintly as he closed the door behind himself and walked over to the bed where Hazel was sitting. He face-planted on the bed, yawning widely. She cooed at him and started gently caressing his hair. Humming contently, Frank snuggled up to her.

"Yeah, she was murderous. Like always. Did you have a good day, Haze?", asked Frank softly.

"It was very... interesting", hummed Hazel with a mischievous smile. "I think that my brother has picked a new interest. He's rather... quirky, I guess. I just hope it won't get Nico into trouble."

"Oh, but your brother is cunning, he'll be alright", assured Frank gently. "Anything else?"

"Mh", nodded Hazel, eyes sparkling. "I saw something interesting too."

"And that would be?", inquired Frank with a confused frown.

"A pretty little jewel", offered Hazel, playing with Frank's hair. "It's a... diamond in the rough, I think. But very cute. I want to have it, Frank. Can I have it?"

"Well, why didn't you buy it?", asked Frank, confusion growing.

"...The pretty little jewel works at the forges?", supplied Hazel sheepishly.

"The... oh. Oh, Hazel. Hazel", sighed Frank and shook his head. "No, you can't... I... With your brother's escapades, with your sister's unwillingness to settle down, you and I, we have the duty to be the golden couple of the kingdom. We can't get pretty little accessories for our relationship."

"But Fra—ank, he's really cute", whined Hazel with a pout.

"No. Hazel. No", grunted Frank firmly. "...He is?"

Hazel grinned mischievously, knowing she was slowly softening her fiance's resistance. "Can't we at least go and meet him? Just you and I, we could go and... pick out jewelry together?"

Frank heaved a very deep sigh, though there was no denying Hazel's pleading, golden eyes. "Very well. I was planning on getting you something nice tomorrow for our anniversary anyway."

Author's note: Hazel will drag Frank to the forges in the next chapter and Percy will run unto someone from his past - someone who knows who and what he is! :O