A/N: Hey there :D Sooo, I've been debatting with my dear husband whether I should upload this as a 'New Year's Special' or the first chapter of the sequel, but we couldn't really decide, so meh, I've decided to put it up as a Special until I get some more on the sequel done, since I'm not even sure if it's gonna turn out well enough for me to dare publish it on here.
Aaaaanyways, I hope you enjoyed the Christmas Calendar, sorry to all who didn't enjoy it because it ended in Percy/Nico.
Thanks for reading the story and for all the Fav/Follows and of course a special thanks to all the awesome Reviews :)
You're the best.
I love you guys and I wish you all a happy New Year, Good Luck and Health and Wealth for 2015, may all your wishes be granted ;D
Also, I hope you had a splendid Christmas. I sure did :D
My family surprised me and got me the box set of Heroes of Olympus in English! (Only had the ebooks before)
I daresay I did not behave like my age at all, hopping around like a little kid and telling everybody about PJO (even though they all already know way too much about it) but meh ;)
So, once more:
Happy New Year to everybody! You're the best!
*passes around blue cookies*
mel-chan
.
Happy New Years
„Good morning, my Ghost king.", a voice whispered at his ear and Nico chuckled.
He really loved the way Percy woke him in the mornings.
He started turning slightly, not even bothering to open his eyes as he searched for the lips of his boyfriend, kissing him gently.
"Morning…", he muttered, lazily opening one eye to glimpse at him, just to close it again, snuggling against Percy's chest with every intention of going back to sleep.
Percy chuckled, holding him tight and kissing the top of his head gently.
"You are so adorable, Nico.", he said quietly and Nico squinted up at him, half-heartedly trying to glare.
"I'm death. Fear me."
Percy only grinned down at him and kissed his nose. "Nah, but you'll certainly be the death of me one day."
Nico chuckled and rolled his eyes. "Yeah, yeah. Do we really have to get up just yet?"
It was so nice and warm and comfortable here in bed…especially with Percy…
Nico smiled contently, wrapping his arms around the taller boy.
They were dating for six days already, but Nico still couldn't believe it.
Percy liked him.
Of all the people in the world, it had been Percy to come out to him.
But not just in any way.
Percy had actually gone through the work of creating a sort of Advent calendar for Nico that had started on the 1st of December with a letter and skull earrings (which he never wanted to miss again) and ended on Christmas with Percy coming out to him as his Secret Admirer, consisting of a love note and a gift every single day from his 'secret admirer'.
Nico had been surprised, to say the least.
Not just about Percy being the admirer (that had been utterly and completely unexpected), but also about the whole idea in general.
He would have never expected anybody to do something like that for him.
He had never even DREAMED of anybody doing something like that for him.
But Percy had done that for him.
He had given Nico really great gifts and even written him notes – with his dyslexia and all.
Nico still had trouble believing this was real.
Even after six days.
Six beautiful days.
Percy chuckled. "We can stay like this for however long you like, Neeks."
Nico smiled to himself. "How about forever?"
Percy nuzzled his face against the side of Nico's neck. "Sounds awesome to me."
Nico felt those soft, warm lips on his skin, instinctively turning his head slightly to expose more of his neck for Percy to ravage.
The dark-haired complied only too willingly, gently nibbling on some spots and kissing and licking over others.
It felt so nice. Nico bit his lip as he shifted closer, entangling their legs.
Percy sucked on the spot between Nico's neck and shoulder, causing him to huff slightly.
Truth be told, they hadn't really done…done 'that' yet.
They had come quite close, but they both wanted to take it slow. Or at least slower.
They had only been together for six days, after all.
So they usually just kissed and touched and cuddled.
Just as Percy's hands started travelling down Nico's back, caressing his skin and intending to go way lower, there were hurried footsteps at the door.
They both sighed and let go of each other, just as the door got ripped open.
"Good morning! What? Still in bed? No way. Percy, hands off him. You've only been dating for six days, I will not have my Nico ravaged by the likes of you in such a short amount of time!", Will's voice sounded loudly through the room and next moment, the blonde jumped onto the bed, getting between Percy and Nico.
Percy rolled his eyes, making a face but winking at Nico nevertheless, getting up.
Nico quietly mourned the loss, throwing a disgruntled glance towards Will as he tried to regain his cool.
He still remembered the first morning with Percy (then again, it was only five days ago, so that wasn't very difficult to remember), waking up in each other's arms, grinning like idiots and whispering 'I love you'-s at each other, when suddenly Will had stormed in, interrupting their quality time.
While Percy had been outright annoyed, Nico had been utterly flustered.
By now, he usually only sighed and got up.
Will was such a dork.
Of course, Nico knew he didn't mean it bad.
He just wanted to make sure they weren't rushing things.
Or maybe he just thought it fun to cockblock them.
Jason knocked on the already open door, making Nico look around.
"Morning?"
"Jason!", he called, his face lighting up.
Right after Christmas, Jason had had to go to all sorts of meetings and conferences, barely able to spend any time with them.
Which made it all the more special when he was actually around.
Especially since he'd have to leave soon again, this time journeying through half of the USA to meet with some minor gods.
Yeah, because gods couldn't just come up to you and talk to you about what they wanted to get changed.
You had to come to them and prove you meant what you said (usually involving a lot of promises and deals on action figures and temples/monuments) to gain their trust and then get their corporation to sign a draft about peace and working together instead of against each other.
It was difficult work. A lot of responsibility.
Way too much for only one person to carry.
Nico wished he could somehow help Jason, but he had no idea how.
Jason grinned broadly at him and came over, wrapping him into a hug.
Ah, yes. Jason still had that tick with the hugging whenever they met.
But Nico didn't mind, returning the hug. Even though he off-handedly noticed he was still only wearing pyjama pants.
"How was the meeting with Reyna and the Senators? I thought you'd only be gone for a few hours, but it ended up being the whole day again, huh?"
Jason sighed deeply, letting go of him again.
Nico grabbed his shirt off the floor and put it on, intending to take a shower in a bit anyways, so it didn't really matter what he wore.
"Yeah, they are so hard-headed. But I think we have finally come to a decision now, so it's ok.", Jason explained and Will chuckled.
"You said that two days ago already. What makes you think they won't change their mind again?", the blonde asked and crawled out of the bed since there was no one in there anymore he could tease.
"Well, I finally convinced them to sign the contract, so I doubt they'll call another meeting like that. The only thing they can do now is to keep holding meetings to discuss my Greek/Roman thing, since I kind of did decide for the Greeks, didn't I?", Jason shrugged and Nico watched as Percy put on his pants.
Pity.
He looked quite endearing with his 'The Little Mermaid' boxer shorts.
Percy looked up for a moment, catching him stare.
He smirked and winked at him, making Nico blush and look back to Jason hurriedly.
Of course he shouldn't have to be embarassed about checking out his boyfriend.
But maybe he shouldn't do it in front of his other friends.
"I just hope everything will work out in the end and you'll get all this business behind you.", Nico muttered and tried a tentative smile, though his cheeks were still burning.
"Yeah, I'll get lonely when you aren't around anymore. Nobody to help cockblocking these two. Nobody to help tease Percy. Nobody to save me from Percy...damn it all.", Will said, shaking his head, pouting.
Nico rolled his eyes.
So Will really was trying to keep them from getting too close.
He wasn't exactly surprised, though at the same time, he was.
It HAD been Will after all to give Nico massage oil that could be used as lube as a christmas gift.
You'd guess he'd want Nico to use it.
"Gee, thanks. I feel so loved. You're missing me for all the right reasons.", Jason said drily and Percy chuckled, coming over and hugging Nico from behind, placing a soft kiss on the top of his head.
Nico leaned back against him slightly, inwardly loving these small signs of affection.
"Don't worry, Jason. He's just trying to make up excuses, but in truth, he's utterly sincere about you.", he reassured him, earning him an outraged glare from Will and a chuckle from Jason.
"What? Nah, my one and only love is Nico. Sorry, Jason, but I wouldn't make a good bottom anyways."
Nico flushed and Percy chuckled, though his grip on him tightened for a moment.
Why was Will always saying dumb stuff like that?
Of course he didn't mean it, but still.
Jason raised an eyebrow. "Erm...good? I wouldn't want to be the top to your bottom, anyways?"
Nico rolled his eyes. "Enough. I'm taking a shower.", he muttered and looked around at Percy, whose face instantly brightened up.
"I'll join-..."
"No, you won't.", Will and Jason interrupted instantly.
Nico blinked, the heat rising in his face again.
The past days, Nico had played with the thought of taking a shower together, but always pushed it out of his mind, telling himself it was still too early for that kind of intimacy.
Though that didn't mean he wouldn't like it.
Then again, he was a tad uncertain as to what they'd do in the shower.
The fact that his two friends interfered again left him surprised, relieved, yet also partly annoyed.
It wasn't as if it really was any of their business.
Percy and Nico were dating now. They were bound to do stuff like this at some point.
And now they might as well use the time they had here to enjoy the rather spacious bathroom and the privacy they most likely wouldn't have back at Camp.
"Why not?", Percy complained and Will and Jason both glared at him shaking their heads.
"Who knows what you'll do to our precious Nico in there!", Will exclaimed.
"Nothing we didn't already do last night, I suppose.", Percy muttered, making Nico stiffen and wind out of his embrace.
The two boys gaped at them.
"Percy! Seriously...you...I...ugh, I'm in the bathroom.", Nico stuttered, red in the face and hurried out of the room with his towel.
Percy chuckled behind him, but let him go.
Seriously, that guy.
They hadn't even done much last night.
Well, they had kissed and touched and maybe Nico's hand had become a tad adventurous, but they hadn't really let things get out of hand.
Literally.
.
When Percy got to the bathroom half an hour later, it was still occupied.
Huh? Was Nico still in there?
He looked around in the hallway and put his ear closer to the door, but all he could hear was water running.
„Nico?", he asked and knocked timidly.
„Oh sh...Give me a minute.", came his boyfriend's voice from the other side.
Percy chuckled.
Someone seemed to have forgotten the time.
Not that he minded.
Nico could take a shower all day long for all he cared.
As long as he was in there with him, that was.
He sighed wistfully, though he knew he shouldn't push it.
They were only dating for six days, after all.
He smiled to himself.
Six beautiful days.
Gods, how much he loved that son of Hades.
And the best of all: Nico loved him back!
He still had a hard time believing it.
Sometimes, when Will and Jason were around, he wondered if Nico and him somehow reverted back to being just friends, but every time he began panicking whether Nico might not like one of the other two more, Nico would somehow always do something like grab his hand or turn around and kiss him, instantly reassuring him.
Because Nico was awesome like that.
He probably didn't even realize Percy had these thoughts.
Then again, Percy did learn how to mask his feelings and the like during the time until Christmas.
Gods, it had been SO difficult not to just stay in bed with Nico or at least tell him it was him whenever Nico had sighed so pained as if he wanted nothing more than find out already and it hurt him not knowing.
Percy didn't want him to be hurt.
And he certainly didn't wish to hurt him.
But those other two.
They were the worst.
Seriously, Jason was alright, but then again, he was Jason. He kind of always was the considerate type of guy and usually stayed in the background, though he did have his possessive moments where he outwardly showed he had not given up on Nico yet.
Somehow, Percy had to admit he felt a bit bad for Jason.
Of course he had known Jason was head over heels for Nico, but since the blonde had never made a move, Percy had enrolled the Advent Calendar.
It wasn't as if Percy had actually expected Nico to date him afterwards.
He had imagined it, of course. Dreamed about it whenever he closed his eyes.
But he had really thought Nico would be disappointed it was him.
Then again, Nico had kind of expected it to be Will, hadn't he?
Will.
Gods, that blonde annoyed the hell out of him.
Whenever he was around, he was the loudest of them all and tended to push himself onto Nico in any way possible.
Of course, Percy knew on the inside he was a nice guy.
He was just extremely jealous, possessive and scared.
Yeah, Percy had realized a long time ago that Will only acted like that around Nico when they all were around for one big reason:
He was son of Apollo, not of the big Three. He was worried Nico would fail to notice him or forget he was there, since he wasn't the all famous hero or anything.
The fact that he was a healer and couldn't exactly train much with them (since they all kind of failed at archery) only enhanced that feeling.
Percy would certainly feel bad for him, but the fact that Will kept outright cockblocking Percy and Nico kind of kept his pity in check.
Seriously, they were dating now.
He wasn't going to rush things, but he didn't need Will to interrupt them whenever they had some time together.
The offspring of Apollo would stay until VERY late at night, when Nico was way too tired to really enjoy any private time with Percy anymore, and show up VERY early in the morning, jumping into the bed and separating them.
And during the day it wasn't much better, either, what with him constantly pulling off Nico to various places, trying to keep him away from Percy.
But at the same time, Will had given Nico lube.
Someone understand that guy.
The water shut off and he could hear someone getting out the shower and some rustling.
Oh my, he only now realized Nico would be...
The door opened and there was his boyfriend, dripping wet, a towel wrapped around his midriff hastily, looking up at him with big eyes.
Percy couldn't suppress a broad smile, though he also couldn't stop himself from letting his eyes wander over Nico's body hungrily for a moment.
Gods, Nico was so...there weren't even any words to describe him.
„Why, hello there, sunshine.", he muttered and watched Nico blush slightly.
Was there anything more adorable in the world?
„Erm...the shower is free now...sorry for taking so long."
Percy noticed that he still had shampoo in his hair and chuckled, reaching out.
„No problem. But, Nico?", he asked as he touched his hair gently, picking at some strands.
„Yes?"
„You still have shampoo in your hair.", Percy informed him smirking and pulled back his hand, showing him the gooey, semi-transparent fluid.
Hm, reminded him a bit of something else.
Nico blushed a dark shade of red.
Seemed like he was thinking of something else, too.
„Oh! Well, then...I...I guess...I'll...erm..."
Percy smiled fondly down at his boyfriend.
He was so adorable, yet also still so uncertain.
Percy wished he could just relax and be himself with Percy, but he knew he couldn't rush those things.
So, instead, Percy leaned down and kissed him quickly on the lips, urging him back into the bathroom slowly.
„Want me to help you?", he asked, hoping his voice wasn't as lusty as he actually was.
But who could resist this bundle of cuteness?
Percy took in Nico's appearance, looking for any signs he was going too far.
But Nico only blushed harder and fidgeted the way he always did when he was nervous and didn't know what to do.
But more in the what-to-do-I-want-this-but-I'm-not-sure-whether-it's-a-good-idea-way.
Percy was SO glad he had picked up on that a month or two after hanging out with Nico.
Sadly, so had Will, who had used every way possible to get closer to Nico that way, while Percy was simply glad if he hadn't pushed Nico away with saying something stupid.
„S-Sure...", Nico muttered and bit his lip anxiously.
Percy's heart did a double take.
Actually, he had not expected Nico to really agree with it.
Gods, this had to be the best thing ever.
He locked the door behind him and wrapped his arms around his wet boyfriend, giving him a kiss on the forehead.
„Don't worry. I won't do anything, ok?", he assured him, even though the mere thought of them in the shower together was filling his insides with want and need.
But he pushed it down.
They had time.
Nico nodded quietly and Percy noticed how he slightly shivered.
Well, he WAS still wet, wasn't he?
„Let's get you in the shower. I'll be right there, ok?", he said grinning, gently pushing him over to the shower before beginning to strip down himself.
He could practically feel Nico's gaze travel over him ever so quickly before hurriedly turning away.
Percy smiled to himself. He didn't mind him checking him out at all.
He loved it.
Sadly, Nico seemed to think it was something bad, for he never dared to let his gaze linger longer than a few seconds.
Nico got in the shower and looked down at his towel, fidgeting nervously and looking around to Percy.
Percy pointedly looked down at his boxer shorts, pulling them off as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Nico emitted a small sound Percy couldn't really decipher (though it sounded pretty cute).
There was more movement out of the corner of his eyes and then he saw the towel dropping next to the shower.
Smiling to himself, he waited until he could hear the water running before looking back up.
Gods, why had he promised he wouldn't do anything?
Percy got in the shower behind him, wrapping his arms around the smaller boy as he usually did.
He felt so nice.
This was so intimate. Percy only hoped Nico didn't think it too intimate.
He really didn't want to push him away or force him to anything.
Then he felt Nico leaning against him slightly and had to stop himself from sighing relieved.
Instead, he put his face at the side of his neck and kissed it gently.
„Mmh, Nico...", he whispered as Nico instantly exposed more of his neck to him.
Gods, how badly he wanted to ravage him right now.
He could feel himself harden, but that wasn't very surprising.
Nico WAS naked, after all.
And, by the gods, he had a ravishing body.
Percy just wished he could openly check him out, both with his eyes as well as his hands.
But that would most likely freak Nico out and make him so self-conscious again.
The boy turned his head sideways and looked at him timidly.
Percy couldn't suppress a fond smile and gave him a peck on the nose, then pulled back to give him a bit more space.
„Let's get that shampoo out of your hair, then.", he said grinning and put his hands in Nico's hair.
It felt so nice and soft and wet.
Percy loved it.
He gently started massaging his scalp, washing out the fluid and noticed how Nico sighed quietly, relaxing against his touch and closing his eyes wistfully.
Yes.
Yes, this was exactly what he wanted.
Percy felt his heart beating loudly in his chest and hoped Nico didn't notice.
Then again, Nico didn't even notice his other two friends were head over heels with him, not to mention them happily cockblocking them.
He tentatively got closer, putting his face close to Nico's neck again and placing kisses on the delicate skin while still massaging his head with one hand, his other hand now slowly moving down Nico's body.
Nico shivered against the touch but didn't stop him, instead huffing wistfully, making Percy's insides burn with desire.
„Nico...", he whispered into Nico's ear as he carefully nibbled on it, luring a small gasp out of Nico.
Gods, he loved the sounds Nico made.
„P-Percy...", Nico muttered and turned his head slightly, as if hoping for a kiss.
Percy complied only too willingly, pressing their lips together and putting both his hands at the back of his head, pulling him closer.
Nico turned around now, wrapping his arms around him.
The water was still rushing down on them, but neither cared.
„Gods, Nico...", Percy moaned dazedly as he let his tongue slide inside Nico's mouth, just to find him eagerly starting a tongue play.
This felt so amazing.
He could feel Nico smirking into the kiss and rub their bodies against each other.
Percy could feel something hard brushing against him and had to suppress a smirk himself, intensifying their kiss.
He was glad Nico was as affected as he was.
He wouldn't have known what to do if this had left Nico completely cool.
As they parted to catch their breath, Percy caught Nico glancing downwards quickly, just to then blush and look away.
Percy looked down as well.
Well, Nico certainly was as affected as he was.
Percy loved it.
He chuckled in a way too low and lusty voice and kissed Nico's forehead, wrapping his arms around him once more.
„I love you, Nico."
Nico visibly relaxed, a soft smile dancing on his lips at those three words.
„I love you, too.", he muttered and Percy felt a content shiver running down his back, his lips splitting into a wide smile.
He loved it when Nico said those three words.
They were like ambrosia to him.
He gave him another peck on the lips. „Seriously, maybe we shouldn't have started making out, though. I promised I wouldn't do anything.", he muttered quietly as he was tempted to simply french kiss Nico again and let his hands travel over that luscious body of his.
Gods, he wanted him so much.
„S-Sorry...", he heard Nico utter quietly and Percy rolled his eyes.
„Nico, it's not your fault I can't resist you.", he chuckled and kissed his forehead once more.
Hopefully, Nico would gain more confidence when they dated for a while.
He felt Nico leaning against him slightly and smiled down at him, noticing how he had closed his eyes at the kiss on the forehead.
Percy gave him another one.
Nico's lips twitched and he opened his eyes, keeping them unusually fixed on Percy's face.
Percy could only guess why, though he decided not to mention it.
„Do you want to get out? Or will you stay with me for a bit longer?", he asked him softly, knowing Nico would never just leave even if he wanted to.
He was fairly certain Nico would get out.
Which was why he was so surprised when Nico hesitated slightly, fidgeting.
„W-Want me to wash your back?", he asked timidly.
Percy blinked. Really? Nico wanted to stay?
He probably just wanted to be nice.
Still, who was Percy to not let him be nice?
He smiled and nodded. „Sure, if you want to."
Nico's shoulders relaxed and he smiled relieved, grabbing for the shower gel.
Percy turned his back to him, feeling a tad self-conscious, but ignored it.
He felt Nico's hands on his back and involuntarily shivered.
He loved it when he touched him.
It always felt so great.
Percy closed his eyes wistfully as Nico began somewhat massaging his back and felt him tracing his scars a couple of times.
He smiled to himself and let him.
Nico always seemed so insecure and uncertain, worried of something Percy didn't figure out yet.
It was as if he was scared to do something wrong.
But there was no right or wrong.
Percy just wanted Nico to really do what he wanted to do.
He felt his hands travel lower on Percy's lower back and then stop abruptly, just to hurriedly move back up to his shoulders.
He inwardly rolled his eyes bemused.
Really?
Nico could touch him wherever he wanted, for all he cared.
Maybe he should tell him that, though.
He began turning slowly, facing Nico again who pursed his lips, red in the face and gazed wistfully at Percy's chest.
Oh, he knew that look.
It was that typical I-want-to-but-I'm-not-sure-whether-I-should-look.
Percy chuckled and took Nico's hands as he pulled them back, placing them back on his skin.
„You can touch me wherever and however you want, Nico.", he said quietly, watching a blush spread on the boy's face.
He was so adorable.
And he was his.
Percy smiled reassuringly at him as Nico bit his lip, tentatively stroking over Percy's chest.
It wasn't as if they never touched each other.
They did that every night.
But as Percy watched Nico's face, he realized Nico must have been wanting to do this for quite a while already.
Maybe not necessarily in the shower, though.
He gazed at Percy, examining him with both his eyes and his hands, tracing his muscles and every scar he could find, as if trying to memorize it all.
Based on the fact that Nico usually didn't even dare to look at him closely for more than a few seconds, Percy could actually imagine him to try that.
Then Nico arrived at Percy's stomach and his gaze lingered on Percy's dick for a moment, before he hurriedly looked away and urged his hands to Percy's sides instead, his face a dark shade of red.
Percy chuckled.
He was about to say something when there was an urgent knocking on the door.
„Nico? Percy? Don't tell me you guys are in there together!", came Will's voice.
Nico looked around in alarm, instantly pulling his hands away.
Percy groaned quietly.
Why now?
Things had been going so well.
Just great.
.
Of course, Nico was more than flustered when his friends looked at the two of them accusingly and Percy had to endure a year's worth of glares before it was even noon.
They hadn't even done anything.
Well, ok, they had kissed and such, but still!
And even if they had done something, it wasn't any of their business, was it?
Percy and Nico were dating after all.
They were bound to do stuff like that at some point.
What did those two intend to do?
Cockblock them forever?
He watched annoyed as Nico sighed exasperated and grabbed for the hand next to him.
Usually, that was his hand.
This time, because Percy had been forced to walk next to Will behind them, it was Jason's.
His mood instantly got ten times worse.
Nico looked down at the hand frowning and then up at Jason in disbelief, as if he couldn't believe he was walking next to him instead of his boyfriend.
He also immediately pulled his hand back.
Percy snorted satisfied and noticed Jason looking around at Nico rather disappointed.
Hey! Hands off my boyfriend!
Percy's nose twitched annoyed.
Jason had decided himself that he wouldn't come out to Nico because he supposedly didn't wish to force Nico to decide between the Camp and him.
Percy understood that, obviously.
He was certain he wouldn't have come out to Nico either under those circumstances.
Jason would be gone most of the time and Nico had only just acknowledged Camp Half-Blood as his home.
It would either mean he'd be at the mercy of Percy and Will, barely seeing his boyfriend; or leaving his only just found home behind to travel around the world with him.
Good thing Percy didn't have such problems.
Then again, he would be utterly unsuitable for the job in the first place.
He could never do what Jason was doing, with trying to get permanent peace and all.
And Percy would also gladly throw everything away just to be with Nico.
Which might not be so good in this case.
Still, Jason had decided not to come out to Nico.
So he better stayed away from him.
Will said something to him but he wasn't listening, his eyes glued to Nico's back.
He was wearing his aviator's jacket and black skinny jeans, his hair in a ponytail again.
He loved seeing Nico in a ponytail.
It made him look older and more mature, yet whenever he blushed he looked a thousand times more adorable.
And gods, did anybody ever look at that butt?
How could people resist that?
How could Percy have resisted it for so long?
„Hey, stop ravaging Nico with your eyes! We're outside. Show some manners.", Will hissed and Percy made a face.
„Excuse me? I'm perfectly allowed to check out my boyfriend, mind you."
Nico looked around surprise, a faint blush on his cheeks. „What?"
„He was SO staring at your butt, Neeks.", Will immediately told him and Percy scowled.
To his surprise, so did Nico.
„So? As long as he likes the view."
Oh gods, did Percy ever mention how much he loved this guy?
He could be the most adorable person in the world, melting one's heart away with cuteness.
And then he had these wonderful moments where he pretty much shocked anyone and everyone with saying things nobody expected poor, innocent Nico to say.
Moments like this.
Jason looked around at him surprised, while Will openly gaped at him.
Nico on the other hand ignored them both and looked over to Percy, who only gave him a suggestive smile. „Oh, you bet I do."
Nico blushed slightly and turned away again, but Percy was more than satisfied.
Even if he couldn't hold Nico's hand, at least he was able to stare at his butt the whole way, letting his phantasy run wild, till they reached Reyna, Hazel and Frank in front of the small restaurant they'd eat lunch in.
.
In the afternoon, they met with Annabeth and Piper, who had arrived shortly before to celebrate New Year's Eve in New Rome.
Nico could only guess it was because they were thinking about moving here to finsih college (and to live together, since they both had full cabins and could barely spend any time alone together).
His grip on Percy's hand tightened for a moment and he cherished the fact that it actually was Percy's hand this time.
He still remembered his fiasco earlier.
Seriously, he was so used to Percy walking next to him that he hadn't thought for a moment, just grabbing for his hand.
The hand he had grabbed had felt slightly different, though.
It hadn't taken his in that usual glad, gentle way, but hesitantly, as if wondering whether this was a good idea.
He remembered frowning and looking around, just to see Jason walking next to him.
One could imagine his shock.
He had immediately pulled his hand back immediately, but he was still feeling guilty about the whole thing.
But why did the boys have to act like that, anyways?
Why did they have to make such a big deal out of everything Percy and Nico did?
And why were they being punished like this just for taking a shower together?
He sighed and felt Percy tugging his hand upwards as Annabeth and Piper came over to them.
Looking around at Percy, he saw a proud and victorious gleam in his eyes.
Annabeth and Piper laughed, shaking their heads and clapping.
„About time, Seaweed Brain. So, he liked your gifts?", Annabeth guessed and Nico realized with a jolt she must have known about Percy being his admirer.
It had never really occurred to him before.
He wondered vaguely how it must feel, though, to have one's ex-boyfriend try so hard for somebody else when he barely even remembered their first anniversary.
Yes, he knew that story.
It also made him wonder vaguely whether Percy was going to remember their own anniversary.
The thought of being with Percy for a whole month made Nico all fuzzy inside.
Of course, that was stupid, but he couldn't help it, ok?
„Yeah, I loved them. Though Percy really didn't have to go through all that trouble..."
„Yes. Yes, I did have to.", Percy instantly interrupted him, wrapping his arms around him from behind and putting his chin on top of Nico's head.
He sighed, rolling his eyes, but a smile tugged on his lips nevertheless.
Piper and Annabeth threw each other meaningful glances and grinned at them.
„Yeah, he did. If he hadn't, I'd have never let him at Neeks.", Will commented sulkily next to them.
Nico turned his head sideways towards him, while Percy only sighed.
„Well, I kind of doubt you'd have had much influence on that, but if you're so unhappy, maybe you should have wooed him first. If I'm not mistaken, you had 25 days to win Nico over for yourself.", Annabeth deadpanned and for a moment, there was silence.
Then Nico chuckled. „Rubbish. Will doesn't think of me like that."
Will gave him an exasperated glance and then looked at Annabeth with a sort of 'See what I mean?'-face, while Jason just sighed quietly and Percy shook his head, hiding his nose in Nico's hair.
Piper raised her eyebrows, but didn't say a word.
Annabeth laughed. „Oh, I see. Well, if you think so, Nico. Let's go grab a bite to eat, I'm starving. How about you, babe?"
Piper threw her a dazzling smile and put an arm around her waist. „Famished. Though I'd much rather eat you."
Nico blushed and turned his face upwards to catch Percy looking down at him with a rather hungry expression on his face, too.
Flustered, he turned away again.
Nico was so wonderfully clueless.
Percy almost felt bad for the other two.
They had both kissed him and both made it painfully obviously they liked him, yet Nico still insisted all they wanted was friendship.
Talk about friendzoning.
Though, of course, he was somewhat glad about it, too.
Percy didn't really want to admit it, but he was a bit scared.
If the other two did decide to come out to Nico, what would happen?
Would Nico stay with him?
He knew Nico had had a crush on him and he knew Nico liked him.
But he also knew Nico was just glad to have somebody to love him.
What if he realized the other two loved him as well?
Would he wonder how it would be to go out with them instead?
He still remembered the answers to those questions he had asked 6 days ago.
Nico had wanted it to be him.
He shouldn't think of things like this now.
Still, he also remembered that Nico had expected it to be Will.
And he'd have said yes.
Jason was the one who was suuposed to be able to make Nico the happiest.
And he'd have said yes.
Percy's insides churned, but he pushed the jealousy down.
It was understandable.
Percy had hurt Nico a great deal with being oblivious to his feelings and all, and not just over a few months, but for years.
Jason on the other hand had taken a liking to Nico fairly fast and had been there for him when he needed him, comforting and reassuring him.
It was to be expected that Nico would feel the most comfortable and happy with the blonde.
But would Nico leave Percy for him?
If he knew Jason loved him, would Nico want him more than Percy?
He shook his head slightly, trying to shake off those thoughts.
Of course, it didn't work.
His grip on Nico's hand tightened for a moment, as if he wanted to make sure Nico was still there with him.
This was stupid.
He really shouldn't think like that.
Nico looked around, instantly noticing something was amiss.
„You ok?", he asked barely audible, shifting closer slightly as they sat in the small café with the others.
Percy nodded quickly and smiled, but Nico seemed unconvinced.
„I was just...thinking...", Percy explained and tried another tentative smile, leaning over to kiss Nico's forehead.
But Nico pushed himself up and their lips met instead.
„Don't worry, I'm sure the other two won't play cockblocks forever."
At that, Percy had to laugh.
He simply couldn't help himself.
It was completely not what he had been thinking about, but it was still so sweet of Nico to think it was.
Trust him to be worried Percy was worried about that.
The others looked around at him, but he completely didn't care.
„It's ok, Nico. As long as I'm able to call you my boyfriend, I don't give a damn how long I have to wait to ravage you. It'll definitely be worth the wait."
At that, Nico had the most adorable blush on his face, making Percy sigh contently and lean over, pressing their lips together again.
He loved Nico's flushed face.
And damn, he loved those kisses even more.
As they parted, he noticed that Jason was staring the table to death again.
Oops, maybe he shouldn't be doing this in front of them.
It was kind of mean.
He looked over to Will, who was glaring daggers at him and then looked rather worriedly towards Jason.
Percy looked back down at Nico, who was just sipping his hot cocoa.
He smiled at him fondly, putting his arm around the smaller boy tentatively.
He'd be a bit more considerate of the guys.
But only by a bit.
Because he loved Nico way too much not to go touchy feely on him every now and then.
It was their own fault for always sticking around.
If they gave the two more privacy, Percy might consider stopping.
Annabeth and Piper both looked at him with raised eyebrows, then pointedly looked towards the guys, as if trying to have a mute conversation with him.
He just shrugged slightly and poked Nico's shoulder with his free hand, looking wistfully at his drink.
Nico only grinned and let him try it.
Wah, so sweet.
He loved it.
Then he took a sip of his own cocoa that was practically the absolute same thing, but to him, it tasted completely different.
Then again, the other one belonged to his Nico and his Nico had drunk from it, so obviously it was a thousand times better.
.
After lunch with the girls, their ways parted. While Annabeth and Piper walked off hand in hand towards the apartment where they'd be staying, the boys made their way through some stores to pick up the last necessities for tonight.
Which was to say snacks, fireworks, more snacks, even more fireworks and some smaller stuff to blow up when the time came.
By the looks of it, Percy was certain they'd make the Greeks proud.
He had no clue how the Romans would celebrate New Year's, but he was fairly sure everything would be well organized with timed fireworks and whatnot.
Well, they would probably ruin the show with causing utter havoc.
He watched as Jason pointed out something to Nico and the two put their heads together, staring at some weird object.
Then they both laughed and Nico shoved Jason away playfully, while Jason only grinned broadly at him and put whatever it had been back down.
It was good to see Nico laugh.
Percy loved his laugh.
He just wished he could make Nico laugh like that, too.
He sighed, looking around at Will who was also watching the two quietly, but glared at him as soon as he noticed his glance.
Percy only rolled his eyes and looked back to Nico, who now came walking towards him, smiling tentatively.
"Hey."
Percy chuckled. Nico really was the cutest.
"Hey.", Percy muttered and they smiled at each other like idiots.
Then Nico pointed at Percy's shopping bag.
"We got quite a few fireworks, don't we? Think we can use them all?"
"Oh, I'll make sure we will. I just hope the boys will allow us to lay down a bit, because else I can see both of us utterly dead tomorrow."
Nico chuckled and looked over to Will and Jason, standing together in front of the drinks.
"I don't doubt they'll want us to lay down. I simply doubt they'll leave us alone."
"Another sleepover?", Percy groaned.
The boys had already succeeded twice in even taking away their quality time at night with staying over and demanding to sleep in Nico's room as well.
Well, once it had been Jason and Will.
The other time, Jason had been busy until late at night and Will had stayed over, saying he'd leave when Jason came back – and then fallen asleep between Nico and Percy.
Percy wasn't sure how Nico felt about that, but it had peeved him quite a bit.
He seriously just wanted to take both of them aside and have a talk with them, but at the same time, he knew how much they meant to Nico and how much Nico meant to them.
So he usually only complained loudly but didn't do anything.
He was only dating Nico for six days now, after all.
If things were still like this in a few months, then he'd probably really say something, though.
"Well, we can always kick them out if it really gets too much...", Nico offered, though he shuffled slightly and Percy had the impression he'd rather not resort to that.
He chuckled. "Nah, it's fine. But this time they sleep on the floor. I'm not sharing you with them."
Because when both of them had slept over, they had kept Nico all to themselves, not allowing Percy to get close.
His main problem was Will.
He was pushy and he wasted no time hitting on Nico.
Jason might be who Nico liked more, but he wasn't as obvious and straight-forward.
Percy could tolerate him.
But Will – absolutely not.
Sadly, it was Will whom he'd have to endure much longer than Jason.
The two guys in question came strolling over, discussing different ways of celebrating New Year's Eve from all over the world and they made their way back to their appartment block together.
.
As expected, the two didn't leave Nico and Percy alone whatsoever.
"Ok, this is it. Jason, switch places with me.", Percy ordered and Nico looked around.
They were on his bed, watching film on the small portable TV Hazel had lent Nico.
And since Will had made such a fuss, Nico had been put on the left, Jason next to him, then Percy and then Will.
Nico was surprised how long Percy had kept quiet about it.
He was surprised that Percy was rather calm about the behavior of the two in general.
Nico knew he was jealous, he could easily tell by the way he kept eyeing them suspiciously whenever they took Nico aside or anything, but he never said a word and only did the usual bit of complaining whenever they interrupted their time alone.
He partly wished he could show Percy he really loved him, though.
Of course he had somewhat developed feelings for Jason and Will as well, but he really loved Percy.
He would never cheat on him or anything.
Then again, it wasn't as if his friends truly thought of him that way in the first place.
OK, they had kissed, but Nico wasn't going to interpret too much into that.
Plus, he was with Percy now.
Even if in some weird otherworldly universe-type of thing one of his other two friends would come out to him, he'd be flattered, of course, but he'd stay with Percy.
Percy had done a hell lot for him, even if he was still trying to make up for the years he hadn't been there for Nico.
But all that really mattered to Nico was that he was here now.
The complaining next to him was loud and rather annoying, though.
Jason didn't even say much, but Will said twice as much therefore, as if to make up for it.
Nico cleared his throat and, for a moment, there was silence.
"I just love how you all bicker about who is allowed to sit next to me and who isn't, but none of you get the idea to ask me whom I want to sit next to."
Will groaned. "Fine."
He didn't look happy whatsoever but let go of Percy's arm nevertheless.
Jason moved to the side, making space for Percy.
Percy however didn't move, still kneeling where he was and looking at Nico.
"So...who do you want to sit next to you?", he asked quietly and the other two looked around at Nico surprised.
Nico smirked. "Hm...can you all get back to how you were before?"
Percy had half expected it, it seemed, pressing his lips together and shifting. He flopped back down between Jason and Will who exchanged confused glances.
Nico chuckled and began moving himself.
Next moment, he crawled over Jason and onto Percy's lap, catching him looking rather surprised.
"Oh, please. Don't tell me you really thought I don't want to be close to my own boyfriend.", Nico said unbelieving and snuggled back against him slightly.
Percy wrapped his arms around him and nuzzled his face against the side of his neck.
Nico could practically feel his smile and that relieved sigh.
Jason and Will still looked at him stunned.
"What? I thought this would be a nicer solution to the problem than upsetting Will or pushing Jason away again. I do enjoy your company, you know.", Nico muttered, grabbing for the popcorn-bowl and placing it on his own lap above the blanket.
He had a slightly bad mood, so he was unusually talk-active.
Then again, he just wanted to snuggle up with Percy and kiss and make out (not that he'd ever tell Percy that, though) which he couldn't because those two would stop them with any means possible.
He felt Jason coming closer from the side and wondered vaguely if Percy would do anything. He didn't. Instead, he even moved his face to the other side of Nico's neck to permit Jason to lean against them slightly and take some popcorn.
Will surprisingly stayed away, just looking at Nico every now and then and taking some popcorn, though making sure they didn't even as much as brush against each other.
Nico frowned.
Weird.
Percy shifted slightly and Nico turned his head to look at him.
But Percy had his eyes on Will, who wasn't even looking at the screen anymore, instead staring at his hands.
Nico's hand found Percy's arm and he squeezed slightly, making Percy look down at him.
They exchanged a long glance.
Then Percy sighed and pulled his arms away from around Nico.
"You are the worst, Solace.", he muttered, grabbing the blonde and pulling him over so he was pressed against Nico's side.
"W-What...", Will stammered, utterly surprised, while Jason only grinned and shifted closer as well from the other side.
Nico chuckled and lifted his blanket slightly to permit them under it as well.
Percy only sighed and nibbled at his neck slightly. "I can't believe I'm letting this happen.", he muttered against Nico's ear and Nico turned his head slightly, giving him a kiss.
"Me neither. This is so weird."
For once, Will didn't pull a comment, instead only looking around at Nico with an indefinable gleam in his eyes.
Jason was busy exchanging some sort of mute conversation with Percy.
Nico didn't even try to understand them, instead focusing back on the TV, though he had no idea what they were watching.
This felt surprisingly nice.
Though he would never say that out loud.
He didn't want Percy to worry or feel bad, after all.
.
Hours later, Jason and Will both half laid on Nico's lap fast asleep, with Nico gently stroking through their hair.
Jason had fallen asleep first, which hadn't surprised anyone.
It was pretty tough on him right now, after all.
Will had soon followed, leaving Percy and Nico the only ones awake.
Percy nuzzled his face against Nico's neck again, gently nibbling.
"You want to go to sleep as well? We still have some hours.", he heard him ask and shrugged.
"We could. But you said you don't want to share the bed with them."
Percy sighed. "Well, they're already asleep, so I might as well make an exception this time."
Nico chuckled and turned his head to capture Percy's lips in a kiss.
He was so freaking tired.
Percy kissed back, his hands cupping Nico's face and pulling him closer, forcing Will and Jason to move off Nico's lap.
Nico began turning around, huffing slightly as Percy's tongue licked against his lips.
"Percy...", he breathed and Percy moaned as they started their tongue play, his hands running up and down Nico's back, settling on his sides and pulling him onto his lap correctly.
Nico's legs wrapped themselves around Percy's waist and he threw his arms around his boyfriends neck.
Gods, this felt so good.
They pulled apart to catch their breath and Nico looked into those dazed lust-filled sea-green eyes, getting lost in them.
"I love you, Nico."
Nico's lips split into a wide smile. "I love you too, Percy."
They kissed again.
Percy's hands started becoming more adventurous, sliding beneath Nico's shirt and over his bare skin, making him shiver slightly.
His own hands were firmly at the back of Percy's head, keeping their faces together and their lips connected, tongues sliding in and out of each other's mouths.
"Gods, Nico...", Percy moaned and his hands slid over Nico's chest to his nipples, teasing him.
Nico gasped at the odd sensation.
Yes.
He felt something hard pushing up against him from Percy's pants and couldn't suppress a small chuckle. "W-We shouldn't be doing this..."
"I know.", Percy huffed as his lips kissed down to Nico's neck, gently nibbling and sucking on his skin.
Nico tilted his head sideways only too willingly.
Percy's hands travelled lower now, over Nico's stomach to his pants.
He hesitated for a moment, then began unbuckling Nico's belt.
Nico wished he could say he froze or that he stopped him in any way.
He didn't.
Instead, he inched closer to Percy even more, rubbing his body against his boyfriend, feeling a need rise within him he had never felt before.
"Nico...", Percy breathed and Nico noticed he must have closed his eyes at some point.
He opened them slowly, gazing at Percy's beautiful face.
Then Percy's hand slipped inside Nico's pants and touched his hard-on.
Nico shivered and had a hard time suppressing the moan that badly wanted to escape his lips.
He let his head drop forward onto Percy's shoulder, where he stayed, his arms helplessly wrapped around Percy.
"P-Percy...ah..."
Percy trembled at the sound of his voice and his hand began freeing Nico's dick from its confinement, while the other hand was firmly wrapped around it, pumping him.
Nico bit his lip. Oh gods, that felt so amazing.
Much better than touching himself.
"W-We really...ah...sh-shouldn't...", he stammered, having to stop every some seconds to take a deep breath as to keep himself from moaning out loud.
Percy halted for a moment. "Do you want me to stop?", he asked barely audible.
He pulled his hand slightly back and Nico instantly whined, thrusting his hips towards Percy a bit. "N-No! Please..."
Gods, what the hell was happening to him?
He couldn't do something like that!
Percy gasped and wrapped his hand around him again, resuming his pumping.
Nico shivered again and tried all he could to keep quiet.
He felt Percy move and lifted his head, searching for his lips blindly as his eyes were closed in absolute bliss.
Percy pressed his lips onto him, making him huff and moan quietly even more with his skilled tongue.
Percy's hand now concentrated on Nico's tip, making him scrunch up his face as he tried not to make a sound.
It was a losing battle.
Percy was at his neck again, sucking on the soft spot between neck and shoulder.
"P-Percy!" He practically pleaded, though he wasn't sure for what.
Percy pulled back, connecting their foreheads and looking him deep in the eyes.
"I love you, Nico."
Nico trembled, a moan escaping his lips as he fell against Percy, arms uselessly holding onto him for dear life as his dick was more than ready to burst.
That voice.
Why was Percy's voice so damn sexy?
Percy urged their lips together, but Nico was too much of a mess to really focus, his whole body shivering and shaking, his hips helplessly thrusting into Percy's hand.
Percy had his eyes intently on Nico's face as he quickened his pumping, ending each stroke with a squeeze at the tip that made Nico see stars and gasp loudly.
Then he simply couldn't take it anymore.
"Cum for me, Nico."
He let his head fall forwards onto Percy's shoulder again with a thump and groaned shamelessly, his orgasm hitting him full-force.
Oh gods.
It was like a tidal wave of pleasure and bliss.
He let himself get swept away, feeling cum squirting out of his dick, coating Percy's hand.
Panting and huffing helplessly, he still clung to Percy, his face against his neck.
This had to have been the best orgasm in his life.
He wanted to move, wanted to grab Percy and kiss him, but he found himself unable to, instead trying to catch his breath futilely as he hung over Percy like a bag of potatoes.
But Percy didn't seem to mind, instead kissing his shoulder gently where his shirt had moved, exposing the pale skin beneath.
"You liked that?", he asked gently, pulling his hand back from Nico's dick and kissing the side of Nico's face he could get to.
Nico nodded weakly. "That...that was...it was..."
He couldn't find any words.
Percy chuckled quietly and Nico could feel him shift slightly grabbing for something on the nightstand.
He noticed faintly how Percy began cleaning up a bit with a couple of tissues and instantly felt bad for having him do that.
But as he tried to move, Percy's other arm firmly held him in place.
"Catch your breath first, Sexy."
Nico blushed at the nickname, but complied nevertheless.
He was still feeling slightly dizzy.
But at least the tingly sensation in his body started to subside slowly, allowing him to lift his head and look at his boyfriend.
Percy had this utterly content gleam in his eyes, smiling at him as if Nico had fulfilled one of his biggest wishes.
Then Nico kissed him softly. "I love you."
Percy's lips split into a grin. "I love you too, Neeks. Bathroom?"
Nico looked down at himself and made a face.
"Bathroom."
.
Somehow, Jason and Will had completely slept through the whole thing, much to Percy's relief.
He didn't want to know what they'd have done if they had woken up to finding Percy giving Nico that handjob.
But luckily, he didn't have to find out either.
He hummed contently as they walked through the streets of New Rome, Nico holding onto his hand while the other two were bickering behind him about how the film had ended.
They had noticed Percy's absolutely splendid mood and Nico's still slightly flustered state, but had seemingly brushed it off as something minor.
If only they knew.
Percy glanced sideways at Nico.
He could still remember that flustered, flushed face of his as he moaned his name and tried to push down all those other sounds.
Gods, just thinking about it made his pants annoyingly tight again.
It had been quite some work to cool himself down back then already.
Though he hadn't let it show.
He didn't want Nico to feel bad or anything.
Percy had loved every moment of it, after all.
Especially Nico's face.
Suddenly, Will jumped up next to him and grinned broadly.
"It's almost 11:30pm! Half an hour to go!", he said excitedly to both of them and Jason popped up as well, chuckling.
Percy once again noted how Will's behavior around him had obviously changed from earlier.
He didn't push himself onto Nico anymore, nor was he glaring at Percy with outright dislike anymore.
Even though they were holding hands.
Could this all be because he had pulled him into their cuddle-session?
He still didn't know what to think of that.
When Nico had said they should stay the way they were, Percy had obviously been hurt.
But at the same time, he hadn't even really been surprised, expecting Nico to wish to stay next to Jason because he kept him the calmest.
It was hurtful, yes, but the most important thing was that Nico was happy.
So when Nico had suddenly flopped down on his lap, Percy had been more than surprised, though in a really good way.
And then the faces of the guys.
He would have expected them to start bickering again or the like.
But Jason had actually gotten closer.
To him.
Not just to Nico.
To HIM as well.
He knew Will had wanted to come closer as well, had caught the wistful glances at Nico.
But Will hadn't.
Percy wasn't sure whether he would have let him, either.
But when he had seen Will so upset, so outright hurt and vulnerable, he couldn't deny he had been tempted to pull him in already.
And then Nico had noticed too and had given him that look.
Gods, Nico could really make him do anything, huh?
So he had let Will close to his Nico, wondering if he was going to regret it.
But he hadn't.
Will had snuggled closer to them, but without pushing himself onto Nico and just seemed happy and content for once.
He sighed, grabbing Nico's hand tighter, making him look around questioning.
"Let's fire at least one whole bag in one go. That's going to be one awesome way to celebrate the New Year.", Percy announced and the three chuckled.
Jason and Will switched places and while Jason clapped Percy on the shoulder grinning, Will wrapped an arm around Nico's neck.
And thus, the four of them made their way through the cold towards the exit, since Terminus didn't allow any fireworks inside New Rome for security reasons.
"Only five minutes left!", Will muttered excitedly next to Nico.
Nico smiled and watched bemused as Percy and Jason hurried around in front of them, sticking fireworks into the snow and talking over some sort of plan they had.
Those two dorks.
Who'd have guessed that Jason could be as much of a kid as Percy?
Nico chuckled as they banged their heads together at the last one.
Surprisingly, both turned towards him, wailing, which only made him laugh out loud.
Will chuckled next to him as well and went to help them, grabbing one of the lighters they had.
Nico fingered for the one Percy had given him.
He looked around to the others.
Piper and Annabeth were standing some few feet away, arms around each other and seemingly talking in hushed voices, while Hazel stood by Frank's side proudly as he and Reyna gave orders to the other Campers.
He looked back down at the time.
Two minutes.
Nico looked back at the guys.
Wait, why did they have his camera?
And why did they all have their heads together, talking in hushed voices?
Wait...why were they looking at him like that?
Nico made a face.
"What are you planning?", he asked and all three of them put on innocent smiles.
Suspicious.
Nico narrowed his eyes, watching them defiantly.
This better not be anything bad.
Then again, he was in a relationship with Percy now.
They weren't going to try anything stupid, right?
"Nico, get over here! We all need to start firing them at the same time!", Percy called and Nico sighed, checking the time once more.
One minute.
He hurried over to the bunch of fireworks he was supposed to fire off.
Percy and the other two grinned at him, Jason still with Nico's camera in his hands.
Well, maybe he was going to try take pictures of the fireworks?
He wondered vaguely if his camera could even do that.
"Ok, ok, get ready, get ready.", Will exclaimed in an excited sing-song voice, nervously fidgeting with his lighter.
Percy looked around at Nico. "Ready?"
Nico nodded and looked over at Jason, who also neared the fireworks.
Then the countdown started.
10...9...8...7...6...
Nico watched out of the corner of his eyes as Percy pressed his lips tightly together, concentration written all over his face, his eyes set on the little flame in his hands.
He looked so adorable.
Nico concentrated on his own hand, turning on the lighter and nearing his fireworks.
5...4...
The four of them took a deep breath at the same time.
3...
2...
1...
"Go!", Reyna's and Frank's voices boomed and they set the fireworks ablaze.
The moment Nico stepped back from his load, the boys came rushing over at him, wrapping him into one big, messy hug.
"HAPPY NEW YEAR!", they all three yelled and Jason held out the camera.
Nico was too stunned to do anything and the next moment, the flash from his camera lit up together with the sky, at least a thousand times and blinding.
Gods, those fireworks were beautiful though.
And they could definitely tell that the whole bunch of fireworks that went off all at once was their work.
Nico found himself laughing as Percy pressed his lips onto his cheeks and they got some more pictures taken with the fireworks in the background.
Then Jason and Will wrapped him into a hug from the sides and rubbed their faces against his, making him chuckle and pull away laughing, but they only caught him once more.
Then Nico fled to Percy, who lifted him up as he rushed into his arms and pressed his lips onto him as they did a little turn.
"Nico, I love you!", he exclaimed laughing as he let Nico down.
Then the other two were there again and it was one big, messy hug again.
Nico loved it.
.
They spend the rest of the night until 5am in the morning with firing more fireworks and admiring the controlled fireworks of the rest of Camp Jupiter.
All the firing times were timed and the colors and explosions calculated and assorted perfectly, whereas their fireworks turned into a big loud BOOM followed by tons of colors and glitters and more booms.
They loved it, drinking different drinks (all non-alcoholic, though they were so drunk with joy that they didn't need any in the first place), eating all sorts of snacks from their own assortment or other people's and just laughing, showering each other in snow or playing tag.
By 5am in the morning, though, Percy looked around to see Nico flop into the snow exhausted and laughed, tottering over to him and falling down next to him.
Nico chuckled.
"I swear, I am so done for.", he muttered and turned sideways to look at Percy.
Percy only grinned broadly.
Then Nico leaned over and half laid down on Percy, moaning and burying his face in Percy's chest.
"I'm so tried..."
Percy laughed and put his hand in Nico's hair.
"Want to go back? We could snuggle up in bed together and..."
"...make out?", Nico muttered and Percy wondered if that was a hint of hopefulness he was hearing.
"I was going to say 'sleep the rest of the day', but..."
"Oh...nevermind then..."
"But making out sounds even better.", Percy finished and Nico lifted his head, looking at him with those beautiful, dark eyes.
Percy moved and kissed his nose. "I love you, my Ghost King."
Nico smiled that beautiful smile of his again.
Gods, how much he loved that smile.
"I love you too, Percy."
Then they kissed.
It was a slow, sensual kiss.
And Percy forgot the world around him.
His mind was absolutely blank, his hands moving on their own, cupping Nico's face.
They were still lying in the snow, but now Percy began pushing himself up slightly while Nico straddled his lap, wrapping his arms around his neck.
Had he ever mentioned how much he loved this boy?
He felt Nico lick over his bottom lip and stiffened for a moment, euphoria rushing through him.
This was the first time Nico actually initiated a tongue kiss himself.
He immediately let him, his hands now on Nico's hips, holding him tightly pressed against him.
Nico was cautious at first, tentatively letting his tongue slide inside and explore.
Percy loved it.
His insides were utterly on fire, all the exhaustion gone, replaced with euphoria and pleasure and bliss.
Nico started to challenge his tongue and Percy moaned into the kiss quietly.
Gods, yes.
Believe it or not, Nico actually managed to beat Percy, dominating his mouth.
And Percy had never been more turned on.
Forget cute Nico. Forget sexy Nico. Dominant Nico all the way.
Nico's whole demeanor seemed to change.
His hands started travelling down Percy's body, not timidly like before, but rather determined, opening Percy's jacket and slipping beneath his sweater.
Percy shivered as his cool hands started stroking over his naked skin, noticing how his own hands had moved up to the back of Nico's head again, keeping them together.
He would have never guessed he'd enjoy being ouched like this so much.
They broke apart, both in desperate need for air.
"Gods, Nico...you're...you're...", Percy started, panting and huffing, cupping Nico's face as Nico looked at him with the most seductive face Percy had ever seen and smiled at him.
"Told you he'd make a hot top.", Will said next to them drily and they shot apart, startled.
Percy had completely forgotten they were still outside, with everybody around him.
Will and Jason stood there, watching them with an expression Percy couldn't really decipher.
He instantly felt guilty, wondering how long he and Nico had been making out and whether they had watched from beginning on.
But they didn't seem particularly upset. It wasn't resigned either, though.
He looked around at Nico, who had his eyes on Percy's lips again.
Percy wished he could kiss him again.
Or even better: Have Nico kiss him again.
"So, are we ready to go then? Or do you want to keep making out in the snow?", Jason asked and raised an eyebrow.
Nico sighed and got up. "Sure, let's go. I am SO tired, you can't imagine.", he muttered and helped Percy up, pulling him in for another kiss before entwining their hands.
Percy fell in love with Nico all over again.
He loved this. All of this.
All of Nico.
And sleepy Nico was going to give Percy sleepless nights.
Will and Jason took them in their middle and Percy was surprised to find Will on his side this time.
They trotted off through the snow towards New Rome, watching other Campers running around still doing some fireworks, but mostly people were already in bed or sitting somewhere half-asleep, gazing at the sky or snuggling against each other.
Nico wrapped an arm around Percy and suddenly Percy found Will and Jason copy him, resulting in his arms around both Nico and Will, who looked around at him bemused, even daring to come a tad closer to Percy.
It was the weirdest thing ever.
But Percy was too tired to really mind.
"We're so crashing at your place, Neeks. There's no way we'll let you two at it just yet.", the blonde announced and Percy made a face.
"That was to be expected.", he said drily.
Nico snorted. "I don't care. I could still make out with him."
Percy blinked. So did Jason and Will. All of them looked around at Nico, who didn't even have his eyes open half-way.
"Dude, what did you drink?", Will asked, surprised.
"I want to know, too. I gotta order that stuff and lots of it.", Percy muttered and felt Will pinch him in the side, making him flinch and chuckle.
"Ha-ha.", Nico sulked, but Percy leaned over and placed a kiss at the side of his face.
"Just joking. You're perfect the way you are. Any way you are."
Nico smiled at that. It was a content, happy smile.
Percy felt quite proud of himself.
.
When they got back to Nico's room, the boy collapsed on the bed and was instantly asleep.
Percy had half expected it.
"Seriously?", Will asked, chuckling.
Percy shrugged, lifting Nico slightly to take his jacket off at least, while Jason came over and helped with his shoes.
"I guess you can both sleep in your rooms after all."
"You wish.", Will retorted snorting.
Percy made a face. "It's not like I'd force myself onto him."
"After earlier, I highly doubt you could.", Will deadpanned.
Percy shrugged. "Well, if he wants it, who am I to say no?"
He began opening Nico's pants, pulling them down while Jason carefully took out the rubber band out of Nico's hair.
They were actually quite a good team.
Nico frowned and shifted, muttering something indistinguishable in his sleep and all three looked at him quietly for a moment.
"He looks so adorable...", Will whispered quietly, making Percy look around surprised.
His voice was so...different.
Soft and gentle.
Percy had only heard it once before like that, and that was when Jason and him had followed them on their date.
It was the voice he used only when he was alone with Nico.
"Yeah, he does.", Jason agreed, gently brushing a strand of hair out of Nico's face.
"He has to be the only person to manage to be adorable and sexy in one. Not to mention when he's dominant..."
"You really took a liking to that, didn't you? Wouldn't have taken you for a possible bottom.", Will commented, pulling back the covers as Jason and Percy moved Nico into bed correctly.
"Trust me, you have him kiss you like that one time and you'll know what I'm raving about."
Jason chuckled. "I'm not surprised. He IS a good kisser, after all."
A collected sigh came from all three of them.
Percy was surprised to find he wasn't even that jealous.
Then again, Nico was his now, while he still friendzoned the other two.
Or maybe he was still reminiscing in the fact that he was the only one of them that Nico ever initiated a kiss with. Not to mention he was the only one that gad given Nico a handjob.
"You are so mean, dating him before I had the chance to at least tongue him once.", Will then complained and Percy chuckled.
"You could have come out to him at any given time. If you wait for me to snatch him away, your own fault."
"I thought it was Jason!"
"And what would that have changed?", Percy asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.
"Jason isn't half as possessive as you are."
Jason chuckled at that. "I'm not? Trust me, if Nico was dating me right now, I wouldn't let you guys anywhere close to him. Percy, maybe, because he'd watch his manners. But Will, you'd be dead the moment you lay hands on him.", he said deadly quiet and pointedly looked at them both.
Percy didn't doubt his words whatsoever.
Silence.
"Dude, he's scary.", Will muttered, actually hiding behind Percy.
He chuckled. "Well, I guess now you're happy it was me, huh?"
"Nah. Jason has to leave soon. I'll have to endure you the whole entire time."
Percy looked up at Jason who looked away rather upset.
He felt bad for Jason.
He really did.
Jason was a nice guy, after all.
"That's why you didn't confess to him, isn't it?", he asked quietly and their eyes met.
"Course it is. I could have never made him choose. I admit I played with the thought of asking him to come along, but I always chickened out, worried he'd say yes because he wanted to be nice or something. He did just find a real home, after all."
They all looked down at the sleeping Nico. Then Percy climbed into bed, wrapping his arms around his boyfriend from behind and looked around at the others expectantly.
"Well, now he's mine. You both better get used to it. Now come on, get in. I don't want him to get cold."
They both blinked surprised, but complied nevertheless.
Percy half expected them to start bickering, but Will let Jason take the spot in front of Nico and looked at Percy uncertainly, biting his lip.
Percy gazed at him questioningly.
"Can I sleep on your side? I don't want to get killed by Jason in my sleep for saying I'd have hit on Nico if it had been him."
Percy stared at him.
Then he shrugged. "Sure. By the way, why aren't you always like this? Much easier to deal with than that loud, annoying git that keeps pushing Nico's borders. And mine, for that matter."
Will chuckled and crawled into bed behind him, close enough for Percy to notice, but without touching him whatsoever.
"Are you seriously asking that? You two are around him the whole freaking time, the center of attention wherever you go, and you're asking me why I'm always trying my hardest to be the one closest to him?"
"It's because you're scared. You think he wouldn't notice you if you were quiet and calm.", Jason answered and Percy blinked, surprised.
"Why?"
"You two are kids of the Big Three. I'm just a son of Apollo. Why would he even as much as look at me if he got two guys like you fighting over him?"
Ah, so Percy had noticed that correctly.
There was something resigned, bitter in that voice.
Percy turned his head, looking around at Will, but he was staring up at the ceiling.
"I don't think so. He's pretty oblivious about any sort of positive feeling towards him, so he wouldn't know about Jason and me 'fighting over him'. I think you should just be the way you are."
"That's cute. I know you don't mean it, but thanks anyways.", the blonde muttered and turned in the other direction.
Percy rolled his eyes, looking back to Jason who tentatively wrapped his arms around Nico, his gaze locked with Percy's.
Percy's eyes narrowed ever so slightly, but he let him.
"Actually, I meant that. When you aren't being an ass, you seem like a pretty cool guy. And I think Nico thinks so as well. What do you say, Jason?"
"I agree. That's also why I would have been ok with you being the admirer. I knew you were just being a dick to be noticed and that you'd be different around Nico alone."
There was silence.
"Yeah, whatever."
Percy groaned and turned his head. "Seriously? What are you, five? Get yourself together and come over here."
Will pushed himself up into a sitting position, staring at Percy.
"What the..."
"Don't argue with Percy when he's tired, Will. Just don't.", Jason warned as Percy shot the offspring of Apollo one of his deadliest glares.
Will blinked and rolled his eyes, moving closer to Percy and throwing his arm over him loosely.
"Like that?"
"Yeah, whatever.", Percy muttered, making Will groan and come closer.
Jason chuckled. "You two are so adorable together."
Silence.
"I hope you're talking about Nico and me or I'll have to run you through with Riptide.", Percy said deadly quiet and Jason chuckled even more.
"Happy New Year.", he muttered instead and seemed to drift off into sleep.
Will shifted behind Percy a bit.
It was odd to have the blonde behind him.
But he didn't mind too much, instead burying his face in Nico's hair.
He smelled so freaking nice.
"I love you, Nico...", he breathed ever so quietly and felt Nico shift, snuggling back against him slightly.
Smiling, he also fell asleep.