A/N: MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!
Day 25: Christmas
When Nico woke up in the morning, he was alone in his room.
He blinked, staring at the empty mattresses on the floor next to his bed, then looked around at the time.
It was 9am.
Oops. He must have overslept.
Nico stretched and sat up sleepily, noticing the red envelope next to him on the pillow.
He was completely awake in an instant.
It was Christmas!
His admirer would come out to him today!
He grabbed the letter, turning it around in his hands.
Everything inside him itched to read it. But at the same time, panic surged through him.
Would it say who it was?
How was his admirer going to tell him?
Now he would have preferred if he had simply woken up in his arms...
He slowly opened the envelope, taking out a folded piece of cream-colored paper.
This was like the first letter he had received.
How weird it was to think it had already been 24/25 days since he found that first letter on the floor at his door…
Gently unfolding it, he began reading.
[Dear Nico,
Merry Christmas! And thank you for everything.
I'm glad you never asked me straight out whether it was me or not, because I could have never lied to you like that. You would have known in an instant, I ensure you.
It was already way too difficult to act oblivious to everything as it was, though I did sometimes almost give myself away.
But I guess you never really thought it was me, so you didn't notice.
Or you did notice but didn't think too much into it.
Nico, I love you so much.
But because I love you, I want you to be happy. Even if it's not with me.
I need you to think about those questions from last night once more and answer them truthfully.
Who do you expect?
Who do you want?
Who makes you happiest?
Please, Nico. I know you won't like it. I know that, in fact, you'll hate it.
But I need to know how you truly feel.
I don't want you to take me out of pity.
Don't take me because I made you gifts.
Take me because you like me, Nico.
Take me because you want me.
Take me because you believe I can make you happy.
Because I want to make you happy.
But if somebody else could make you happier, then I'd want you to take him instead.
Because you deserve it, Nico. You deserve all the love in the world.
And you deserve to get the person YOU want to have.
Don't date me because I like you. Date me because you want to be with me.
I won't hold it against you, Nico. Never that.
I'll accept your answer, no matter what it is, and we will still be friends, no matter what.
I started this to make you happy, not to win you over.
I also needed this to show you I'm really serious about you.
I know you would have never truly believed me otherwise – in fact, you still might not believe me at all.
I have to admit, I didn't expect us to get quite so close at night and I hope you won't hold it against me, though you have every right to.
All I can say is that I loved every second of it and that it made me happier than you could ever imagine.
Nico, I gave a lot of promises in my life.
Most of them I gave away easily and forgot about them shortly afterwards.
Others I simply couldn't manage to keep.
When I dropped that first letter off at your cabin, I swore on the River Styx that I'd go through with this.
Because I don't want to ever break a promise I make to you, Nico.
That's also the main reason why I haven't come out to you before, even though I would have loved to so many times.
No matter your decision, know that I'll always be there for you, whenever you need me and whatever you need me for – really, anything.
I love you, Nico.
I placed a small note inside your other envelope – I think it's very endearing of you to have kept the small 'I love you'-note as well, by the way – on which you'll find a meeting place and time.
Don't show the others, that way you'll know it really is me and not some sort of mistake.
I would prefer to just have you wake up in my arms, but I don't think that's a good idea.
Plus, I'd never be able to let you go, then.
I hope you had a good sleep, my angel.
I wish I could be there to watch you wake up.
I love you,
Your secret Admirer]
Nico stared at the letter.
Mixed feelings welled up inside him.
He wasn't exactly surprised that his admirer hadn't just written down who he was, but he had hoped it would be a bit clearer.
And those questions...
Nico knew the answers of course.
But he was worried they were the wrong answers.
He looked over to his other envelope, overflowing with notes.
He took it carefully, looking for the note his admirer had mentioned, worried he might not be able to find it.
Instead, he found it instantly.
[There are no wrong answers. Just be honest.
Time: 11am
Place: Small park next to the bridge, third bench to the right.
Please come.]
Of course he'd come. And how the hell had his admirer known about his fear with the answers?!
He turned the note around and found those three questions staring back at him.
Who do you expect?
Who do you want?
Who makes you the happiest?
Nico scowled. Then he sighed defeated and looked at the time.
Pocketing the note and the letter, he went to the bathroom with his Christmas pullover and other clean clothes.
Time for a nice, long shower before he met his admirer.
Also, he had three questions to answer truthfully.
.
When he was done with his shower and completely dressed, his ponytail perfect and his scarf wrapped around his neck securely, he returned to his room to look for a pen.
It was still empty.
He had to admit he was a bit surprised that his friends weren't around at all.
But maybe his admirer kept them busy to give him enough time to answer those questions.
He found a pen and flopped down on his bed, staring at the questions once more.
He knew the answers.
But knowing them inside one's head and actually writing them down were two different things.
Thinking them meant he could later on say something different.
Writing them meant it was absolute.
He put the pen to the paper, noticing how he was holding his breath.
Maybe he should overthink his answers once more.
Who was it most likely going to be? If he could just figure it out, then...
Then what? Then he could answer in a way to make the person happy
But wasn't the whole point of this to be honest?
Would he be honest if he cheated?
No.
He groaned and bit his lip.
Honest.
He had to be honest.
Had to write what he had refused to admit all this time.
He closed his eyes, taking another deep breath.
Then he answered.
Who do you expect? - Will
Who do you want? - Percy
Who makes you the happiest? - Jason
Nico stared down at his answers.
He had done it.
Relief and dread surged through him.
He had actually done it.
He closed his eyes, clutching the note tightly against his chest.
He had really done it.
Nico took a deep breath. He could only hope he wouldn't regret his choices.
.
Of course, out of the three, Will was the one he kind of expected. Not that he really thought it was him, but Will was the only one who was officially bisexual and the only one of the three who openly said 'I want to kiss you' and things like that.
He wanted Percy, because he had always wanted Percy. He'd die to have it be Percy, even though he knew it wasn't going to happen. But that was ok. He had accepted that fact a long time ago already, even though it didn't change the fact that he still wanted him.
And Jason would make him the happiest because that's simply how Jason was. In this case, it wasn't the happiness of finding out he was his admirer, but the happiness in the relationship. He would be the most considerate of the lot and the one most devoted, making him feel comfortable and happy in that special way of his that only he mastered.
.
Nico sighed. It didn't matter who it was going to be. He would be happy about any of them.
Looking at the time, he put on his aviator's jacket and left the room.
As he walked out of the apartment building, he took in his surroundings.
The streets were busy, but not as busy as the day before.
Then again, it was Christmas.
Most of the people probably were at the big Christmas tree in the center of New Rome or even at home right now, preparing meals or opening gifts or waiting to open gifts.
And Nico was going to meet his admirer.
His heart leaped in his chest and he couldn't suppress a slight grin, feeling suddenly giddy.
He was just so freaking nervous!
He knew where the park was, of course.
He also knew he'd be at least half an hour early.
But he just couldn't wait.
His admirer would most likely not even be there yet, but that was completely ok.
Nico would rather be there first and wait for him than go there and have somebody wait for him – no matter who it was.
Nico walked past the bridge and entered the small park.
It was mostly empty, next to a few couples strolling around somewhere to the left.
Nico walked on, looking for the third bench.
Luckily, it was empty.
For a moment, he just stood there, sighing and staring at it.
So, this was going to be it.
He would sit down here and wait and then his admirer would come out to him and...and he'd know.
Everything inside him seemed to practically explode with excitement, euphoria, anticipation, fear.
How would things go?
How should he react?
Gods, he had no clue. He'd be shocked by whoever it would be.
He had no clue what to do.
What would the person expect him to do?
They'd probably talk and his admirer would explain why, what, how, etc.
And then what?
Would he take Nico's hand?
Would he ask him to date him?
Or would that be obvious?
Would they kiss?
Would he demand the answers to those questions?
Would he be disappointed?
Would he be happy?
Nico fidgeted with his hands, uncertain.
For a moment, he was thinking of running away.
Just hiding somewhere, probably his room, and acting as if he hadn't found the note.
But that would be mean.
Nico sighed defeated and sat down on the bench, leaning over and putting his forehead to his hands.
Gods, what was he doing here?
How was he going to make it?
He was scared.
What if he fucked up?
What if the person thought he didn't want him?
What if the person changed his mind and didn't come?
Nico shook his head. This was stupid.
He felt something hard in his pocket and pulled out the Athena Parthenos.
Only yesterday he had thought of all the things he had accomplished, deciding he could be proud of himself.
Was he really going to be scared of meeting the person that liked him?
Wasn't it much worse for the person, than for him?
If he was this nervous already, how nervous must the person be?
He gazed at the figurine and turned it in his hand.
Maybe he should have taken his flower with him.
He could certainly do with some hope right now.
He sighed, pocketing the Athena Parthenos again and rubbing his face worriedly with both hands.
How were things going to go?
What was he going to do?
What was his admirer going to do?
Would he just walk up to him and say...
"Uh...hi, Nico...", came a voice and Nico looked up, surprised.
Percy stood there, hands in his pockets and face flushed slightly.
"Percy? What are you doing here?", Nico asked, frowning.
Percy pursed his lips. "I...erm...came here to meet you, actually."
Nico stared at him. How had he known where he was?
He hadn't even met any of the three, so he hadn't shown anybody the note.
Nico frowned. "What...? How did you know I was here?"
Percy sighed. "Nico, I'd have to be very dense to not know my own meeting place."
Nico stared. "Meeting...place...?", he repeated, dazed.
What?
Percy shifted, kicking at some snow, lips pursed again. "Yep. I wrote it to you, didn't I?", he said rather curtly, as if trying to not let any emotion show.
"You...you...", Nico stammered, his mind still busy progressing what was going on.
This couldn't be.
This was impossible.
This couldn't possibly mean...
Percy looked at him, his gaze full of pain and sadness. "Nico, I'm sorry. I know I'm not who you expected...or wanted, for that matter. But yeah, I'm the one that wrote you those notes. I'm the admirer."
Nico's world was turned upside down.
.
He jumped up. "You?!", he asked, shocked.
Percy looked down at the snow, looking guilty. "Yeah...I..."
"But it CAN'T be you!", Nico exclaimed, staring at him in disbelief.
Percy bit his lip. "It's me..." His voice was barely audible.
"No! You...you...you're straight..."
"Gods, Nico, not that again! How dense do YOU have to be to not realize I've had a thing for you these past months?! I'm as straight as a freaking circle.", Percy exclaimed, throwing his arms up exasperated.
Nico stared at him. "W-What? But...why..."
"Because I'm an idiot. When you came out to me, telling me you had liked me and were over me now, I was shocked. Not shocked that you liked me, but that I hadn't realized. I knew I must have hurt you countless times and I just wanted to make up for it. I just wanted to be there for you because I hadn't been there for you before. But, of course, instead of being friends with you, I suddenly found myself head over heels in love with you!"
"But...but Annabeth..."
"We didn't work out, did we now? Mostly because she would keep talking about Piper and I'd keep talking about you."
"A-About me?"
Percy chuckled pained. "Of course. I wouldn't talk about anything else. Nico here, Nico there. 'Nico talked to me again today.', 'Do you think we'll be able to get over the awkwardness?', 'Hey, did you see Nico with Will earlier?', 'Do you think he likes Will?', 'Hey, was that Nico just passing the cabin with Jason?', 'Why are they so close and I'm not?', 'Gods, have you seen how Nico looks when he's fighting?', 'Hey, you can't deny Nico looks hot'. Gods, I'd drive her mad until she'd storm out the cabin red-faced. I didn't realize in the beginning, of course. But the more time I spent with you, the more I realized I really...really liked you. More than a friend. A lot more than a friend. I wanted to do all sorts of things with you. Hold your hand, hug you, kiss you, make out with you. Gods, you don't want to know how many times I've wanted to just...I definitely shouldn't be talking about this.", he interrupted himself.
Nico stared at him, speechless. "But...it can't be you..."
Percy groaned exasperated and took a step towards him, cupping his face and pressing his lips onto Nico's.
Nico's eyes widened in shock, but he found himself unable to move away.
And that's when he recognized the feeling of the kiss.
The way Percy's lips pressed against his, softly yet determined.
He knew that feeling.
Nico found himself closing his eyes, remembering all those nights with his admirer where he had turned his face, hoping for a kiss, just to feel those warm, soft lips on his own.
These were the same lips.
His insides turned.
Realization washed over him.
As Percy pulled back, Nico followed, now wrapping his arms around Percy, pulling him back down, sealing their lips once more.
This was impossible.
Nico could feel Percy tremble slightly into the kiss longingly and wrap his arms around his midriff, pulling him closer.
Nico wrapped his arms tightly around his neck.
"It...it's you...", he huffed into the kiss, still unbelieving.
"Yes...", Percy breathed back against his lips and let his tongue slip into Nico's mouth.
Nico gasped and remembered the way they had tongued in the car.
How had he not realized it sooner?
Because he had never thought it would be Percy.
He had imagined it, of course. But he had never actually thought there was even a remote chance.
They slowly ended their kiss, looking at each other breathlessly.
"You believe me now?", Percy asked quietly.
"But...you hate writing...", Nico muttered and Percy chuckled, shaking his head.
"For you I made an exception.", he whispered and pulled back slowly, letting Nico out of the embrace.
"Any more buts?", he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Nico licked over his lips, still confused. "Oh, plenty. But...but I can't believe it...I mean...you...I would have never..."
Percy looked sideways again. "Yeah...I know...I told you, didn't I? I'd be the one you least expect...least want..."
He stepped back now, giving Nico more space and looking at him with that sad expression again. "But as I said, it's ok. I came out to you as I promised. Now you know. I...I guess I'll just wish you a Merry Christmas, give you your last gift and you'll be free of me again."
Nico's eyes widened. "No! No...wait...I...I..."
But Percy only smiled pained. "It's ok, Nico. I know..."
"No! I want you!", Nico exclaimed and searched through his jeans pockets in a hurry.
Percy chuckled quietly. "Nico, it's really ok. Please, I knew you were over me already, so I expected this to happen, anyways. I just...wanted to try to make you happy..."
"No! I'm serious! I...I got the paper somewhere...wait...", he muttered, accidentally dropping the Athena Parthenos in the snow.
Percy picked it up quietly as Nico still rummaged through his pockets. Had the paper fallen out?
Why now? He had had it all this time! He had made sure he'd have it!
Percy held out the figurine to him, but he was too panicked to react, turning his pockets inside out. Where was it?!
"Nico..."
"No, you don't understand! I...I've never actually...I was never over you...I thought I might be, or at least that I could get over you over time, but I couldn't! And I...I wanted it to be you so badly...but I thought there was no way because you...because you hate writing, because you're straight, because I thought you'd never sit down and really think about things like this...I thought you'd never know all this stuff about me and there was no way ever that you could possibly like me whatsoever...", he admitted, his eyes tearing up.
Great. Why the hell was he crying now?!
Percy stared at him, stunned.
"Wait...you...", Percy muttered, still stunned.
Nico pressed his lips together and shrugged helplessly. "I love you...", he whispered, tears running down his face.
Percy seemed utterly speechless for a moment.
"Really?"
Nico nodded quietly, putting his hands into the pockets of his aviator's jacket helplessly.
That's when he felt the paper.
Of course.
He had put it in his jacket pocket so he wouldn't lose it by accident.
He pulled it out, holding it out to Percy wordlessly.
Percy looked down at his hand surprised, taking it from him and reading his answers.
He looked back up at Nico in disbelief, his mouth slightly open.
Then he was with Nico again, cupping his face once more and sealing their lips.
Nico helplessly sobbed into the kiss and leaned against him, his hands clutching Percy's jacket.
"Gods, Nico...don't cry...I love you...", Percy whispered, pulling back for a few seconds to look him deeply into his eyes before sealing their lips again.
Nico felt himself smiling and crying at the same time, a warm feeling spreading through him like Greek Fire.
He wasn't even sure why he was crying.
Maybe because it had taken him so long to really admit his feelings out loud.
Maybe because it was so shocking that Percy actually liked him.
Maybe because he was so freaking happy that Percy liked him.
He had no idea.
But he knew he wasn't really sad.
He was rather happy.
His insides were busily going through one rollercoaster ride after another, his heart leaping in his chest.
"I love you too...", he muttered, sighing happily into the kiss.
Percy put his hand to the back of Nico's neck, pulling him into the kiss further.
"Nico...", he breathed, entwining their tongues.
Nico huffed breathlessly and shivered, his hands still clutching Percy's front.
This felt so good.
His whole world was still spinning.
He could hardly believe all this.
Percy!
Of all the people...Percy!
It was Percy!
His admirer...the person who loved him...the person who wanted to date him...
Nico pulled back.
"D-Does that mean you'll...you'll be my...my boyfriend...?"
Percy blinked down at him for a moment, confused.
Then his lips split into a broad grin.
"I'd love nothing more than that!", he said, leaning over and giving him another peck on the lips.
Nico couldn't suppress a grin himself.
Everything inside him was all warm and fuzzy and confused and weird now – but in a really, really great way.
Then his stomach growled loudly.
Percy looked down on him surprised, then laughed, while Nico blushed a dark shade of red.
"Want to pick up something to eat?", Percy asked, tentatively taking Nico's hand in his own with a sheepish smile on his face.
Nico pursed his lips, inwardly squealing with giddiness at their now entwined hands.
A boyfriend!
His boyfriend!
Percy!
Percy was his boyfriend!
Percy smiled at him fondly and they started strolling out the park hand in hand.
Nico noticed how Percy was grinning like a Cheshire cat, as if he was the happiest person alive.
His heart leaped at the thought and he found himself smiling like an idiot, as if he wanted them to match.
Their eyes met and they both chuckled, with Percy leaning over and giving him a peck on the lips once more.
"I love you.", he said and placed another kiss on Nico's forehead.
Nico chuckled and closed his eyes at the sensation, then looked up into those sea-green eyes.
He still couldn't believe it.
Percy.
It had been Percy.
Then he blinked. "Wait...how could it be you if you held me that night when everybody slept over?", he asked, confused.
Percy looked at him questioningly for a moment, then laughed. "Oh, that. Have you never wondered why Jason and Will suddenly laid the other way around? While you were sleeping, I moved Jason so he would hold you. That way I knew you wouldn't immediately wake up and went to get the gift and the blank note from my cabin. It wasn't easy, mind you. By the time I got back, Will had turned as well and was hogging your legs, so I pushed him sideways and tried to claim you for myself again, but Jason didn't want to give you up. It was quite a fight but in the end I found out that if I pinched his nose, he'd scram. How'd you think I knew that?"
Nico looked up at him awed. "But...why haven't you just told me you liked me?"
"Would you have believed me?", Percy asked as they started walking again, throwing him a bemused glance.
Nico sighed. "Probably not...I still can't believe it..."
Percy chuckled. "Well, we have time."
Nico's heart leaped at the 'we'.
He felt as if he was going to explode from all this happiness inside him.
His grip on Percy's hand tightened for a moment and he noticed Percy looking down at him smiling, squeezing his hand slightly as well.
They stopped at a bakery and Percy insisted on paying for Nico, much to Nico's dismay, for money truly was his last worry.
But Percy was hardheaded as ever, paying for his breakfast and taking him for a stroll through New Rome again, their hands still entwined, while Nico began eating his croissant.
.
"Are you ready to see the others?", Percy asked him after a while.
Nico shrugged. "Sure. I'm surprised we haven't met them yet, to be honest."
Percy chuckled. "That's because they are with Reyna."
"Oh..." That made sense, of course.
Wait...Reyna...
"How did she take it? When you told her it was you...?"
Percy grinned sheepishly, scratching the back of his head with his free hand.
"Let's just say she was slightly surprised. I think she really thought it was Will. But she kind of only questioned my intentions and whether I was serious about you. She also said if I hurt you she'd kill me, but I suppose I can live with that. Because I never want to hurt you again."
He smiled at Nico fondly and Nico found himself smiling back, squeezing his hand slightly.
Then he chuckled to himself. "I feel so happy it makes me feel sick. Is that normal?"
Percy laughed. "I have no idea, but I'm feeling the same way."
They smiled at each other and then started towards where Reyna and the others would be.
"Do they know? Jason and Will, I mean?"
Percy chuckled. "I told them when I dropped them off at Reyna's. Their faces. It seems that Will had expected it to be Jason, while Jason was certain it'd be Will. It was quite funny. Though Jason collected himself first and said it made sense. He also said he preferred it being me. Will however...well, I bet he's still wailing he won't get a chance at you whatsoever ever again. Seems he was betting on Jason being gone most of the time so he could still be so close to you and maybe sneak a kiss or two – Jason didn't like that whatsoever."
Nico blinked. "Will...what?"
Percy chuckled. "You're so clueless, aren't you?"
Nico pouted, sticking out his bottom lip. That topic again?
Percy caught his expression and laughed. "Oh gods, don't give me that face, Neeks. I swore to myself I'd take it slow, but you just make me want to ravage you right now."
Nico blushed and looked around hastily, noticing relieved that there was nobody close by to really overhear them.
Percy grinned broadly.
"I...why...you...whatever. Why is everybody calling me clueless?"
For a moment, Percy didn't reply, seemingly thinking about what he should and shouldn't say. Then he sighed.
"Nah, it's nothing, Nico. I simply think you're adorable. And you know what?"
"What?"
"I love you."
Nico blushed and smiled like an idiot again.
.
Shortly before they got to the big house where Reyna and the others were, Nico realized he hadn't brought his gifts.
So Percy and he had to backtrack and get them from his room, resulting in Nico rushing into the room and falling over the mattresses, instantly followed by Percy, who had still been holding his hand.
They laughed and played around and kissed and Nico had marveled at the fact that they weren't awkward around each other at all.
Quite the contrary, it was great. They were great.
He grinned like an idiot and grabbed the bag with the gifts, noticing Percy eyeing it wistfully.
Nico hid it behind his back. "Don't even think about it.", he said warningly.
Percy pushed out his bottom lip, putting on his baby-seal-face again.
Nico chuckled and couldn't resist the temptation right there.
Just once.
He had always dreamed of doing it.
He took a step towards Percy, taking him by the collar of his shirt and pulling him down, sealing their lips.
Percy seemed initially surprised, but then he smiled into the kiss happily and wrapped his arms around Nico.
As they parted again, Nico looked up at Percy slightly nervous, just to notice him gazing at him dreamily, a broad smile on his face.
"I love it when you kiss me, Nico."
Nico chuckled. "Really? Want me to do it again?"
"Yes."
Nico did.
Then Percy tried to take the bag with the gifts and Nico shoved him away playfully, laughing and scolding him before they both left the building again to really go and meet the others.
.
As they walked in the door, Reyna, Frank, Hazel, Will and Jason looked around at them.
Percy grinned broadly and raised their entwined hands victoriously.
Nico blushed but smiled nevertheless, unable to contain his happiness anyways.
Hazel squealed, jumping up and throwing herself at Nico, hugging him tight.
"Isn't this wonderful?", she asked without expecting an answer, moving over to Percy, holding him tight and whispering something in his ear that made him blush.
Frank only grinned and clapped them on the shoulder, while Reyna and Nico shared a mute conversation through stares.
'Is this ok with you?'
'Yes.'
'You'll be happy?'
'Yes.'
'Good. But if there's any problem...'
'Don't worry. I know I got you as backup.'
She smiled at him and he hugged her, happy to have such a great sister by heart.
Percy grinned sheepishly and looked between them as if trying to discern what had just happened.
Then there was Will and Jason.
Will instantly started wailing, pressing Nico tightly against him with the great excuse that he wouldn't be able to do anything like this anymore from now on – which seemed to be true, because Percy interfered no minute later, shoving Will away and wrapping his arms around Nico from behind, glaring at the blonde and daring him to get closer again.
Nico could only chuckle at that.
Jason on the other hand seemed rather quiet, collected. It was hard to tell how he was truly feeling about all this.
He congratulated them and was going to settle for just a normal hug, but Percy suddenly stormed past them after Will because he had said something Nico couldn't catch – Reyna did, however, for she followed no second later – and Jason and Nico looked after them blinking.
"Well...who'd have thought it was Percy all along...", Nico muttered, scratching the back of his head awkwardly.
Jason chuckled. "Yeah, I was surprised as well. Honestly, I was so sure it was Will. I wouldn't have minded, of course, but I'm still glad it was Percy in the end."
"Yeah, actually, Percy was the last one I suspected."
Jason raised an eyebrow. "So you thought it could have been me?"
Nico fidgeted, feeling guilty. "Well...sorry..."
"No need to be sorry. I'm flattered."
"Oh...you are?"
"Absolutely. I wish I could have pulled off something like this. But I couldn't make myself urge you to decide between the Camp and me."
Nico blinked. "What?"
Jason chuckled. "Nothing. I'm wishing you two the best, though. Percy better take good care of you."
"Oh, I'm sure he will.", Nico said grinning.
They both looked around to Reyna and Percy, chasing after Will, who was running around the big Christmas Tree.
"Should we go and help him?", Nico asked quietly.
"Nah, let's have him run some more."
"What did he say?"
"I have no clue. I couldn't quite catch it. Want your Christmas gift?"
Nico whipped around, all ears.
Jason chuckled. "I take that as a yes. One moment."
With that, he walked over to the tree swiftly, while Nico took out the box of brownies and the small package with the cleaning liquid for his glasses and the empty photo album.
He just hoped Jason would like the gifts.
As Jason came back, he was holding a nicely wrapped package in blue with snowflakes and different colored ribbons.
"It's...really not that great or anything, but I thought it would be a good idea...", Jason muttered as they exchanged gifts and Nico began to carefully unwrap it.
Jason chuckled as he inspected the brownies. "Oh gods, Nico, did you make these yourself?"
Nico grinned and shrugged. "Hazel and Frank helped. I hope you'll like them..."
Jason beamed at him and took a tentative bite of one.
He made a show of closing his eyes and sighing contently.
"Mmh, best brownies ever.", he praised him and pulled him into a hug.
Nico chuckled and returned it, now pulling out the content of his gift.
It was a card and a beanie hat similar to the one Jason would always lend him, just in a dark grey with white markings in the shape of snowflakes on it and earflaps, as well as a big bobble on top.
Nico laughed. "Gee, thanks. Now there really won't be any cold ever coming my way again.", he grinned and put it on, showing it off and checking out the Christmas card..
Jason grinned and opened his other gift, almost dropping the cleaning spray for his glasses.
"Really?", he chuckled and held it up, taking off his glasses to try it out.
It was so unusual to see him without glasses.
When he put his glasses back on, he made a show of looking overly surprised.
"Oh my gods! I can see!"
Nico laughed and shoved him playfully. "Ha-ha."
Jason held up his new photo album. "We definitely have to take some more pictures, Neeks. I want tons of pictures of us in here."
Nico chuckled and looked at the card once more, taking out a smaller card that had 'Fleecy's special IM-ing Flatrate' written across it.
"Eh?"
Jason chuckled. "Yeah, I admit it's a bit selfish, but I wanted us to be able to call each other lots when I'm gone. So I had quite a talk with Fleecy and she's agreed on that little Flatrate. I've already got it covered, so with this you have a year's worth of IM-ing for free. I hope you'll call me often, Neeks.", he explained, winking.
Nico still blinked surprised.
That was so…sweet.
Then Jason wrapped Nico in a big hug. "But seriously, thank you, Nico. Especially for the brownies."
Nico returned the hug, putting his face at Jason's crook of the neck.
"I'll miss you when you're gone.", he said quietly and Jason chuckled.
"I'll miss you even more.. But don't worry, we can always IM. And I'll make sure to visit you lots. Plus, you got Percy to take care of you now."
Nico grinned and let go of him. "Yeah."
He knew he looked like an idiot right now with his I-just-won-the-lottery-grin and his giddiness, but he didn't care.
Jason knew him, so there was no point in pretending, anyways.
Jason smiled back at him, patting his shoulder and looking around to Percy who was walking towards them now, eyes fixed on Nico, a broad smile on his face, a gleam in his eyes.
"Hey...", Nico said meekly, not knowing what else to say, even though he knew he didn't have to say anything.
"Hey. Nice hat.", Percy replied, grin broadening even more and taking his hand gently, looking down at him fondly.
"Jason gave it to me." Percy looked around to the blonde who had his eyes on his box with brownies, wistfully taking another one and looking up at the sound of his name, putting on an innocent face as if he was caught in the act and tried to cover it up.
Percy and Nico chuckled.
"That good?", Percy asked, raising an eyebrow.
Jason nodded. "Self-made by Nico. Of course they're awesome."
Nico blushed and Percy gaped at him, playfully shocked. "Lemme try one, too! Nico, you gotta bake me something, too~!", he wailed, trying to get one from Jason, who instinctively wrapped his arms protectively around the box and made a face.
"Never."
Nico chuckled and shook his head at these two, looking over to Reyna and Will, who came over now as well, Reyna still glaring daggers at Will while Will only grinned sheepishly and held out an orange package to Nico.
"Gift time?", he asked and Nico chuckled, pulling out his gifts for Will and they switched.
Reyna watched intently and Nico could only pray that Will didn't give him anything stupid like condoms.
Because then he was almost certain Reyna would behead the blonde.
But luckily, it wasn't condoms. It was massage oil.
Nico chuckled. "Really?"
"Yup. And don't forget your next massage will be from me. I'll make sure to make you-..."
Reyna raised her eyebrows and shot him a warning glance.
He didn't finish the sentence, instead whistling innocently and winking at Nico, opening the little box he had unwrapped.
"Oh gods, this is so sweet!", he exclaimed, holding up the golden pocket watch with an awed expression.
Nico smiled sheepishly. "I thought it would come in handy because you kept asking the time back in the infirmary."
Will grinned at him. "Oh, it'll definitely be put to good use, I guarantee you that. I've been wanting one for ages, but never got around getting one. Thanks, Nico!"
And with that, he wrapped Nico in a tight hug, making Nico chuckle and wrap his arms around him as well.
"And by the way: That massage oil can also be used as lube.", Will whispered in his ear and Nico blushed.
Seriously?!
He stepped back and looked flustered around at Percy, who was now taking a tentative bite from one of Jason's brownies, looking around at him questioningly as he felt Nico's gaze.
Nico snapped his head around again and bit his lip.
Will laughed and patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't worry, you two got time. And he better take good care of you or I'll be taking you out of his care."
"Excuse me. I intend to take more than just good care of him, mind you. And if you dare try anything, Solace, I'll have your head.", Percy said, coming closer again and wrapping his arms around Nico from behind, noticing his flustered state.
Nico looked up at him slightly, his face still hot.
Sex with Percy.
Oh gods.
He really shouldn't think of something like this right now.
Percy looked down at him questioningly, then nodded towards the massage oil.
"We're gonna use that tonight?"
Will started laughing while Nico blushed a dark shade of red and started stammering something, making Percy blink surprised.
Of course he didn't mean it like that! But that didn't mean Nico wasn't picturing things!
Percy frowned and took the bottle out of Nico's hands, inspecting it.
Then his eyes widened and his ears turned dark red. "Oh..."
Will laughed even more.
.
They all exchanged gifts now, sitting down on pillows on the ground in front of the Christmas tree.
Except Nico, who was sitting on Percy's lap, making him all flustered, but in a good way.
He loved it, leaning back against Percy and feeling his arms wrap around him, soft lips against the side of his neck.
Gods, he loved this so much.
Percy.
Of all the people in the world.
Percy.
Nico grinned to himself like a fool and looked around at the others, all busy with unwrapping their gifts.
Frank was utterly surprised to have gotten any gifts in general and then even more surprised to find out he had gotten three Christmas sweaters, though he did seem to like them.
Hazel was delighted at the necklace, asking Frank to help putting it on right away.
It did look stunning. Nico had had the right idea.
She was also surprised to receive gifts from the guys, only having a pack of cookies for them each, though they didn't mind whatsoever.
If Reyna was surprised about getting gifts from Jason, Percy and Will, she didn't show it, instead unwrapping Nico's gift first and grinning at the new dagger, holding it up proudly to show him she liked it.
Though, she did say thanks to the guys for their gifts, wrapping Will's purple scarf around her and putting on the thin bracelet from Percy.
From Jason, she received an IM-ing device, the same that Nico had. Nico looked around at Jason surprised, who only scratched the back of his head awkwardly.
"I knew from the way it looked that it was something Leo had made so I asked him whether he could make a few more of those...", he explained shrugging and Percy chuckled. "Yeah, that was one of my most brilliant ideas, wasn't it? He went nuts when I asked him if something like that was possible. He loved the idea and had to try it out right away. I drove him crazy when he had to explain to me how to build that thing together…"
Nico turned his head to look at him surprised.
He still couldn't believe Percy was his admirer.
That he'd have gone through all that work...for him.
Their eyes met and Percy smiled fondly at him before kissing his nose softly.
"You ok?", he asked quietly and Nico smiled, snuggling back against him slightly. "Better than ok."
Percy put his chin on Nico's shoulder, grinning to himself happily, holding Nico tightly in his arms.
They were the only ones who hadn't exchanged Christmas gifts yet.
Nico was a bit scared. What if Percy didn't like it?
Maybe he should have looked around more stores for something better, instead of getting him that necklace.
Seriously, for all he knew it might be for girls!
He had liked it, yes, but that didn't mean Percy would like it as well.
Percy began unwrapping his gift from Will.
Somehow, the boys had actually given each other Christmas gifts as well, believe it or not.
Nico glanced over to Will and Jason, who had already unwrapped their gifts.
Jason held up a superman shirt (from Will) and a fitting pair of superman boxer shorts (from Percy) and only chuckled, shaking his head in disbelief, while Will put on the ear muffs Percy and he had gotten from Jason and looked rather surprised at the new medic pouch Percy had given him.
Then Nico looked back down to Percy's hands, now holding up boxer shorts with figures from 'The Little Mermaid', chuckling quietly.
Nico chuckled as well. "I bet they'll look stunning on you, Percy.", he remarked grinning and looked sideways at Percy, who had that gleam in his eyes again.
"You'll see tonight.", he promised, making Nico blush.
"You'll sleep with me tonight?", he asked, then put his face in his hands, regretting his choice of words. "I meant...will we sleep together tonight!", he corrected himself weakly while Percy chuckled against his ear, placing a soft kiss at the side of his neck again.
"Unless you don't want me to.", he said quietly, making Nico look around at him once more.
"I do. Please...I'd...love to...", he admitted meekly and found Percy smile at him softly.
"Don't worry, Nico. I'm actually a hundred times more nervous than you right now.", he reassured him quietly when Nico began shifting uneasily, wondering whether he was making a fool of himself right now.
"You...you are? You look pretty composed to me..."
Percy winked. "All just show. Seriously, I'm so nervous and happy at the same time I feel like I'm going to burst any moment now."
Nico turned on his lap slightly, looking at him surprised.
Percy looked completely fine to him.
Though his sea-green eyes were fixed on Nico's face, gazing at him with so much devotion and love Nico wondered how he had never realized it before.
Then Percy sighed and took his hand gently, placing it on his chest where his heart was.
Nico blinked surprised, feeling the rapid beating of his heart.
He looked up at Percy, who shrugged helplessly.
"I just can't believe you really want me, Nico. I thought you'd be so disappointed..."
Nico shushed him with a kiss. "You could never disappoint me, Percy. And I want you. I love you." He wasn't even blushing.
He knew this was the truth.
He could see the others looking at them for a moment, but ignored them.
All that mattered right now was the way Percy looked so relieved and happy, smiling at him and kissing him once more.
"Do you want your Christmas gift now?", he asked Nico quietly and Nico bit his lip. He wished he had gotten something better for Percy after all.
He shifted on his lap and took the package for Percy, passing it to him meekly.
Percy smiled and held out a small red package with green bow.
Nico chuckled. This was pretty much the one true proof that it really, seriously had been Percy all along.
"But, seriously, you can't tell me you wrapped these yourself.", Nico muttered as he took it, inspecting it from all sides.
Percy laughed. "Ok, you got me. I had help there. While Leo took care of all the mechanical stuff, teaching me how to do what, Calypso helped me with the wrapping of these. That's why I was so nervous when she was around. I was worried she might give me away. Luckily, she didn't."
Nico looked around at him surprised. Of course!
And he had thought Percy might still have some left over feelings for her!
That's why she had looked around at him so oddly, too.
And why Leo hadn't asked a single time where he'd gotten the camera from or anything.
He looked at the package again.
Then he blinked. "Wait, he taught you how to do what? You did them yourself?"
Percy chuckled. "Of course I did. What admirer would I be if I let other people do the work for me? Though, I admit, he did do most of the IM-ing device by himself because I simply couldn't manage to get it right – trust me I've tried. The crank is my work, though."
Nico laughed and looked at the device at his wrist.
Seriously?
He turned his head and kissed Percy on the lips. "Thank you. Those gifts...they were really great. I loved them all."
Percy had this affectionate gleam in his eyes again, nodding towards the package in his hands.
"You can't say that until you've opened the last one, Neeks. I really hope you'll like it..."
Nico was certain he would.
He slowly removed the green ribbon, wondering faintly how he had never connected the green with Percy – it was actually a very similar color to his eyes.
Percy was unwrapping his gift as well now, his chin back on Nico's shoulder, watching Nico as well as his own hands.
It was a jewelry box.
Nico blinked, wondering whether Percy had gotten him another pair of earrings.
He wouldn't mind, of course, though he did like the ones he had way too much to ever take them out again in his life.
When he opened it, however, he realized it wasn't earrings.
His eyes widened for a moment, startled.
Stunned.
Speechless.
"That's...", he started, though he had no idea what to say.
It was a thin silver necklace. But what really caught his attention was the pendant.
It was a ring. Thin and silver as well, with an elegant engraving reading 'The Ghost King' on the outside and 'Nico di Angelo' on the inside.
Nico felt Percy's gaze on him, waiting for a reaction.
Nico looked around at him, stunned. "It's beautiful...", he muttered and Percy's lips split into a relieved smile. "You like it?"
"I love it."
"Thank the gods. Want me to help you put it on?"
Nico nodded and passed him the necklace, presenting him his neck.
Percy carefully put it around Nico, kissing the side of his neck as Nico looked down at the ring once more, touching the cool silver, smiling to himself.
It was beautiful.
Percy chuckled at the photo album as he unwrapped it and raised an eyebrow at the small box, opening it curiously.
"Aww, that's so sweet.", he muttered as he took out the small charm with the necklace.
Nico blushed, still fingering with his ring.
Compared to Percy's gift, his seemed a bit lame.
Percy held up the bottle, looking at the note and seashell.
"It's so pretty. How did they make it look like it's underwater?", he asked curiously, turning it in all directions and watching it shimmer in the light from the ceiling and the Christmas tree.
"I have no idea...I just thought it would suit you, because the shell...got the same color as your eyes...you know..."
Percy kissed the side of his face again. "It's beautiful. I love it. Can you help me put it on?"
Nico felt so relieved and turned around on Percy's lap, helping Percy with his necklace. It did look a bit weird, what with his Camp Half-Blood necklace around his neck as well, but other than that, it didn't look half bad.
Percy touched it gently, looking down at it with a happy smile on his face, then looked back up at Nico, grinning and rubbing their noses together.
Nico chuckled and went with it, though he felt his ears getting hot.
But this was ok.
Percy was his boyfriend now.
They were allowed to do things like this.
.
After everybody had unwrapped their gifts, Nico began taking pictures again.
Of pretty much anything and everything.
From the Christmas tree to the Holly all over the room, to the gifts, happily snapping pictures of each and everything he could find.
Including some pictures of Percy's and his entwined hands.
Or them kissing under the mistletoe (Hazel helped taking that picture, giggling to herself).
He took pictures of his friends, alone and in a group, with him and without him.
He also photographed the food, as well as how everyone dug in and Percy feeding him, shaking his head at Nico not being able to put the camera down.
Nico also took some pictures of snowy New Rome from the window.
And even more pictures of Percy and him.
Percy was glad to comply with anything Nico asked him to do, no matter how stupid it was.
And as Nico zapped through the photos on his camera in the early evening, he noticed how he practically beamed on every single one of the pictures.
Percy was next to him, talking to Jason and Will animatedly, looking around to him every now and then.
Nico pocketed his camera happily and tentatively reached out for his hand, touching it gently.
Percy glanced at him smiling and took it instantly, continuing his conversation.
Nico grinned to himself, his insides all warm and fuzzy.
This was the best Christmas ever.
He had his sister and his sister by heart.
He had wonderful friends.
He had not just one, but two homes.
He had a boyfriend, a person he loved and that loved him.
And Nico felt like the happiest person on the planet.
.
As he collected all of the wrapping paper and put it in his bag, he noticed that the envelope for his dad was gone.
Truth be told, he had completely forgotten about it.
He looked around for it on the ground and the Christmas tree. Had he dropped it somewhere?
Percy noticed something was amiss and came over.
"Everything ok?", he asked and Nico looked up helplessly.
"I can't find the card for my dad."
Percy blinked surprised for a moment. "Oh…where did you have it last? Want me to help looking?"
Nico went through his bag again and Percy joined the search.
Where had it gone? Had he forgotten it in his room?
No, he was sure esd put it in his bag with the other gifts, thinking he'd have to try get in touch with Hermes or borrow stamps from somebody.
Might have done that a bit sooner.
Well, no use crying over spilled milk.
They kept searching until Nico finally gave up, sitting next to the Christmas tree and sighing defeated.
"Whatever…it…wasn't that important anyways."
"Don't say that. I know it meant a lot to you."
"It was just a card…"
Percy flopped down next to him, rubbing his back. "I'm sure we'll find it, Nico. Even if not now, latest it will show up again is when somebody has a heart attack at finding a card saying 'Merry Christmas, Dad'."
Nico chuckled at the thought. But then he sobered up again, sighing.
He looked up at the Christmas tree next to them, wondering whether it might not have just been better to not get the card in the first place.
It had been a dumb idea.
Who got their godly parent a card anyways?
Especially for Christmas.
Wasn't really anything they celebrated, was it, now?
That's when he noticed a black envelope between two twigs.
"Eh?", Nico muttered and got up, picking out the envelope.
"Where did that come from?", Percy asked, surprised and looked over his shoulder as Nico turned the envelope in his hands.
It was completely black and had an elegant handwriting in silver on the front.
'Nico'
Nico blinked.
Then he opened the envelope.
Out came a Christmas card.
'Merry Christmas, Son' was printed on it in big letters.
Nico's heart leaped. Seriously?!
He opened the card and two pictures tumbled out that he barely managed to catch.
"What the…", Percy muttered and Nico felt his hands on his sides, gazing down at the card.
Nico could barely tear his eyes away from the pictures.
One showed his father, Persephone and Demeter sitting in the throne room, smiling somewhat.
It seemed they had actually tried to copy Nico's idea of taking a family picture together.
He'd definitely put it in his photo album, especially because his father had tried to smile (though it looked rather creepy…).
The other picture however was the one Nico couldn't look away from.
It was a black and white photo with four people.
His father, his mother, Bianca and himself.
He stared at it, unbelieving.
Percy behind him put his hands on his shoulders now and Nico forced his gaze away, looking at the message in the card.
[Thank you for your card and the pictures, Nico.
We wish you a Merry Christmas as well.
I'm proud of you, son.
And of your sister as well.
You two did well.
Merry Christmas,
Your Father
P.s.: Demeter said you have to eat more cereal, you still look thin and Persephone wants you to visit us in spring. You can bring your boyfriend as well.
P.P.s.: Did it have to be the Jackson kid, though?]
Nico looked around at Percy, who gazed down at him fondly.
Yes, it had had to be that Jackson kid.
He looked back at the card and the two photos, his eyes hushing over the picture with his mother and sister.
He had never had a picture of them.
Somehow, instead of upsetting him, the photo made him happy.
It reminded him not of their loss, but of the time he had had with them.
And he thought to himself that this surely had to be the best Christmas in his entire life.
He had amazing friends.
Three homes.
A wonderful family.
His father was proud of him.
And he had Percy.
He looked around at Percy, beaming at him and wrapping his arms around him, pulling him down slightly to push his lips onto Percy's, who only chuckled and kissed back, his hands on Nico's side.
And Nico had never been happier.
"I love you."
~The End~
-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-
Merry Christmas, everyone!
I hope you enjoyed this little Advent Calendar.
Finally, the mystery is solved.
Who'd have thought it was Percy?
I certainly didn't. But now it kind of makes sense, doesn't it?
And all those little signs he dropped everywhere, completely unnoticed by Nico and me…
(To those wondering when I had found out it was Percy: Yesterday's chapter ;) I can't really describe why but it just randomly hit me while writing, like 'Damn, it's Percy!')
I'm really sorry for the Solangelo/Jasico fans. I was considering writing alternative endings, but the tries broke my heart because Percy simply was the admirer, even if I didn't know myself until the end.
When I reread the story afterwards I was surprised myself how it had been fairly obvious from the beginning, though I seriously didn't notice.
I'm also fairly surprised everything worked out so well.
I hope even those of you who don't support the final pairing still enjoyed the ending and that I didn't ruin your Christmas or something.
So, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and wonderful holidays (and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!)
I love you guys!
Thanks again for all the awesome reviews and the Fav's and the Followers :D
Free cookies for you all ;D
(or Percico kisses for those that already had more than enough cookies)
I might be writing a sequel, not sure yet.
But for now, this is it.
Hope you liked it.
Merry Christmas,
-mel-chan