Again nobody was there. Still, he sensed that he wasn't alone. He started walking toward the playground, feeling like that was the most likely place for a showdown. He was walking across a soccer field, sweeping his eyes toward any strange shadows. As he got closer to the playground he heard the distinct metal squeak of the swingset. He rounded the large slide and saw a boy around his own age. This boy had fair skin and hair and blue eyes; an almost unworldly look. Nico's senses went on the alert and he squeezed the hilt of his blade tighter.
"Oh no don't do that." the boy said quietly, in a sort of breathy voice. He dug his white sneakers into the sand to stop himself from swinging. The pale blue eyes appraised Nico up and down, "I appreciate your contrast."
Nico loosened the hold on his blade just a little, "My what?"
The other man's mouth curled up in a tiny smile, "White skin, black hair, white shirt, black pants. You're like Melinoe, if she were a man." he sucked in his bottom lip as if he had told a silly joke.
Nico's body buzzed with a strange energy. It was a bit like how he felt when he had to wear that mask in the dentist's office. He put his blade away. "Who are you?"
"Brian, son of Aurae." the man said in that same breathy tone.
"Goddess of breezes." Nico confirmed out loud and Brian nodded. "You're in my English class at school." Nico continued and Brian nodded again.
"I can tell that you're stressed. Sit, come." Brian said, motioning to the other swing. Nico felt no danger just yet, so he obeyed. Brian moved his foot from the sand and began swinging languidly, just letting his body weight make the swing move. Nico kept the toes of his shoes in the sand, not ready to let go. Brian noticed this and playfully kicked a leg out, effectively moving Nico's feet and making him start swinging. They began to swing in silence. Nico was forgetting where he was, and what the situation was. He began to remember how he and Bianca used to go to the park with their mother, and they would both try to swing higher than the other. One time Nico had gone so high he had fallen out of the swing and landed face first in the sand. Bianca had come jumping after him and hurt her ankle, but she ignored the pain and ran over to him and brushed the sand from a wound on his chin. Their mother came over and made sure Nico was alright before turning her attention to Bianca's swollen ankle. It was then that Nico wished he had two parents. One wasn't enough to care for two children. Now, as he was swinging higher and higher he remembered something that he had never noticed before. As he had been laying in the sand as a child, he thought he saw a shadow near the tree. Suddenly he jolted and was brought back to reality.
"Nico, slow down."
It was Brian. He had put his hand on Nico's back to stop him from falling out of the swing. Nico looked over at the other boy. Something about his demeanor and pale eyes just calmed him.
"Come with me." Brian said, stepping off of the swing. Nico obeyed, still feeling like he was breathing nitrous oxide. Brian held his hand out and Nico took it. Brian's hand was cool and dry. Nico felt like he was gliding, and when he looked down at his feet he saw that they were hovering about an inch off of the ground. The feeling was neat, like ice skating, and Nico found himself smiling. Brian smiled back at him and continued pulling him along, across the tennis courts and slowly gaining altitude. Nico's foot hit the top of a fence as they ascended, but he didn't even hear it. He was preoccupied with wondering how Brian's eyes could be so pale; like an old blind man's. They continued floating up for a moment, and then Brian grabbed Nico's other hand, floating backward and dragging Nico forward. "How do you feel, Nico?"
Nico closed his eyes, "I feel... good." he said with a little giggle. He felt light headed in the most wonderful way.
"I know you do." Brian said wistfully, "I know you do." he turned Nico around as if they were dancing and Nico giggled again. Brian made a move and Nico followed, spinning himself out and then spinning back into Brian, forcing him into a fit of giggles. When he calmed down Brian was still holding him. They both listened as Nico's breathing went back to normal, and then things were painfully quiet. Nico looked at Brian for reassurance and saw the other man's face coming closer to him. He moved away slightly and then remembered that Brian was the only reason he was up in the air.
"What are you doing?" he asked quietly.
"Shh, Nico. Just relax, baby." Brian whispered and leaned in again.
"No!" Nico pushed away violently, breaking Brian's hold. Unfortunately he then found himself plummeting down to earth. He was only slightly glad when Brian swooped down and grabbed him.
"I'm sorry, Nico. I didn't mean it." he said, wrapping his arms around the smaller man.
"Yes you did." Nico said angrily, wishing he could reach his blade, but Brian's arms were holding him too tightly.
"Okay, so I did. I'm sorry. You're just so beautiful, Nico. I know I can make you happy. I want to make you feel good."
"But... Percy."
Brian loosened his grip and they started to descend, "I should have known it was too soon to bring you here." he sighed against Nico's neck.
"What now? This is your fault?"
"I control the breeze, Nico. I can make travelers go wherever I want them to. I just wanted to try and... nevermind."
When their feet touched the cement of the tennis courts again oxygen flooded Nico's system and his head began to clear. He looked up at Brian and his pale eyes looked so sad, it broke his heart.
"Hey, don't feel bad Brian. You seem like a cool dude. You'll find someone one day, just not me."
"But I like you." Brian pouted. They stood in an awkward silence for a moment.
"So um, I can go home now, right?"
Brian shrugged sadly, "Yeah. I'll let you go." Nico started to walk away to find a shadowy spot, but then stopped when Brian said pleadingly, "Wait!"
"Yes?" he asked, turning around.
"Make sure that Percy's good to you after this. You deserve it." Brian gave a little sad half smile and then Nico slipped into a shadow underneath the slide and was gone.
Nico emerged from a shadow underneath a tree's branches. He was in a moist forest; decaying leaves formed soft ground underneath him and green moss climbed up the north sides of the trees. The trees looked half alive. They were black and split as if victims of fire, but green leaves bursted from the sooty branches, screaming life. Nico kind of liked the effect, though he was busy worrying about the fact that he still hadn't successfully gotten home. He heard a twig snap and pulled his blade out.
Ahead of him was a young man with darker skin and long brown hair cut in sharp angles, or maybe he'd just forgotten to brush his hair. Nico had seen boys like this at college. Pretty to look at, but most had pretty drab personalities. Given the situation, however, Nico knew the boy wasn't just on a stroll in the woods. He watched, blade at the ready, as the boy continued walking toward him from the depths. Now nearer, Nico heard strange popping and hissing noises and it smelled like after the harvest when people burned off their crops. He also noticed that everything seemed darker as the boy approached. Trees went black, singed at the edges, and leaves were burning into ash.
"Hey. I'm Garrett"
Nico stared at the boy. Flames were starting to lick at the boy's skin. The boy's eyes rolled and he sighed as if he were feeling the utmost pleasure. He looked back to Nico and brought out a bouquet of roses from nowhere.
"These are for you."
The gesture pissed Nico off. Whenever someone seemed interested in him he always felt really invaded, like the blonde girl from class. Especially as it seemed like his and Percy's fight had put blood in the water, and the sharks were coming for him. In the hopes to get to the point of this strange encounter faster, Nico grabbed the bouquet and started tearing it apart. The thorns stabbed into his hands and scratched his skin, but he couldn't feel it. It felt amazing to destroy something so beautiful. The boy merely watched until Nico threw what was left onto the smoldering ground.
"You're bleeding." the boy said, grabbing Nico's hands. This time Nico felt the sting of his cuts as well as the heat of the flames running across the boy's body. He ripped his hands away and started to run. Something was up and it was taking too long to get to the point. He felt both panicked and satisfied when he heard the boy running after him.
"Nico. Come back. Brian said it was my turn to try and... talk to you."
The smaller man didn't listen to him. He just kept running through the endless forest. The warrior darted to the left, heading toward the sound of running water. He really hoped that this guy couldn't swim. The young man was quickly gaining on him, so he started to run in a zigzag pattern. He tripped over something and felt the other man's weight fall on top of him. He was roughly turned to face the young man.
"Calm down. I'm not going to do anything." Garrett said, loosening his grip and letting Nico stand up, then he said, "Nothing you don't want, anyway." before grabbing Nico around the waist and pinning him against a tree.
Nico's anger surged inside him and he shouted, "Get off of me!"
Garrett held the pale slender neck, "Why? You don't have anyone else to get off with now. Why not do it with me?"
Compared to this guy Nico was wishing he was still hanging out with Brian, "I do have someone."
"Who? Percy? He doesn't want you anymore. If he did, maybe you would see him more often."
"We've both been busy."
"That's bullshit!" the flames on Garrett's skin flared and he clamped his hand around Nico's neck, squeezing. Just as quickly, the flames died down and he loosened his hand, instead stroking Nico's neck, "Come on. I'll show you what it's really supposed to feel like." he stuck his thumb against one of the open wounds on Nico's hands and Nico gasped in pain. Garrett smiled and moved the hand on Nico's neck to his shoulder, holding him against the tree as he leaned down to lick Nico's neck. The smaller man's stomach turned as his body unwillingly reacted to the mix of pleasure and pain.
"See? I know what kind of kinky shit you like." Garrett said in a low voice before putting his lips back on Nico's neck. Another surge of anger swept through the smaller body as Garrett's lips crept up his neck and across his cheek. He thought he might vomit when the taller man's tongue licked at his mouth, then he got an idea. He let Garrett's tongue explore his mouth for a while, pretending to be getting into it. Garrett began to push his hips against Nico's as his tongue ravished the smaller man's mouth excitedly. Nico waited a little bit longer, until he heard the rattle of a belt buckle coming unfastened, and then he struck. He bit down hard on Garrett's tongue and pushed forward at the same time, making the taller man lose his balance and fall onto his back. Nico lept on top of him with his blade in his hand.
"Leave me the fuck alone or I swear I'll cut it off!" he screamed, pointing his blade at Garrett's exposed body part.
"Okay okay! Relax!"
Nico just looked at him and thrust his blade. It stuck in the ground just inches from Garrett's ear, "This is not okay! You do not treat people like that!" Nico was freaking out. He didn't know how to feel, or what he was feeling. He just knew that it was intense and that if he didn't channel it, he would definitely stab this guy.
"I know I know I'm sorry!" Garrett said, putting his hands up. Nico took his blade out of the ground and stood up. He was glad that he didn't put his blade away because as soon as Garrett was standing again he lunged at Nico, "Sorry for not knocking you out first."
Without even thinking about it, Nico jabbed his blade into Garrett's right lung. He felt his hand get soaked in blood. Human blood. No, demigod blood. Garrett's eyes went wide and then he stumbled backward. His hand went up to his mouth and he looked at the blood that had started to come out. For a moment he looked very confused, then he clenched his hand and burst into harsh flame. Nico only had a moment to marvel at it before a flaming sword swiped inches from his face. He turned around and lunged with his dagger, suddenly wishing that his weapon of choice were a little longer as the fire's heat blistered his skin.
"You're so pretty, let me fix that for you." Garrett said, aiming the sword at Nico's face again. The smaller man blocked it and sliced Garrett's wrist. The flames passed over the other man's skin and the cut disappeared. Shit, Nico was in trouble. He hesitated and Garrett smiled, "You look even better when you're bleeding."
The younger man considered his options. Die in a painful, bleeding, blistering death, or give this guy what he wanted. The last thought made him lick his teeth in disgust. The thought of anyone but Percy touching him just seemed sick and wrong. His skin felt grimy at the thought of it. He squeezed his blade tighter and resumed his battle stance, ignoring the pain in his hands and arms. If Percy ever found his body, at least he would know that he'd put up a good fight.
In the silence, he heard the running water again. He almost wanted to cry when he realized just how much he missed Percy just then. Forming a new plan he chucked his blade at Garrett, who had let his guard down while he watched Nico decide his fate. The Stygian blade got the other man in the base of his neck and he fell to his knees when he realized he couldn't breathe. Nico didn't stick around, knowing that it hadn't killed him. Instead he ran to a rushing river and ran right into it, not waiting to see if Garrett followed him before starting to swim across it. There were a few moments before he made it to the other side when he thought he would be swept away by the current, but his instincts kept him going. Finally he made it to the other side and he crawled out of the river, gasping for air. He walked away from the river's edge as far as he could before he had to stop for air and figure out his battle plan now that his blade was gone from him.
Before Nico could catch his breath he watched as Garrett came out of the water. His body steamed as the water on him boiled, slowly evaporating and drying his skin and clothes. Nico stood up and searched the ground for a weapon. If nothing else, he was going to bash this fucker's brains in.
x.x.x
Meanwhile, Percy was wandering aimlessly through New York City. Nico hadn't been at school, or camp, or in the Underworld, as a very irritated Hades had told him. He was beginning to feel hopeless, with occasional periods of being pissed at Nico for doing this and worried sick that something terrible had happened to him. He faced a delay when he checked his mother's home. He didn't mind spending time with his mother and her husband, but just then his focus was on something else. He didn't want his parents to know what was bothering him. He didn't want more people thinking badly of Nico. Finally he left with a crazy idea. Where was Nico's mother buried? He really didn't want to bug Hades again, but he was desperate. As he walked down the sidewalk toward Central Park he dug in his pockets for some more drachmas.
"Really?" Hades' annoyed face appeared in the iris message, "Didn't I talk to you 5 minutes ago?"
Percy's face flushed, "Pretty close, but I need to know something to look for Nico. Where was his mom buried?"
Hades' face changed, but only for a moment, "West River Cemetery."
"In... Oregon?"
"Italy, Percy." Hades rolled his eyes, regaining composure, "Sometimes I wonder why such an intelligent son as mine bothers with my brother's fish for brains son."
Percy flushed. He hated when people tried to tell him that he was stupid. It was like school all over again. He calmed himself and just gave Hades a wave, "I love you, too." he said and ended the Iris message. Now to get to Italy. He knew his hippocampus could make the trip, but he definitely needed some food first. Where in New York was he going to find some good fresh seaweed? Luckily he found a Japanese fish market nearby. He got a funny look as he bought several pounds of seaweed and then accidentally tried to pay in drachmas. He carried the packages to the nearest dock and checked to make sure that the coast was clear before shoving them into the water and following after.
Rex, his hippocampus, was waiting impatiently to be let free from his makeshift leash at the bottom of the Atlantic coastline. He perked up a little when he saw that Percy had food for him and rocked in anticipation. Percy calmly talked to him while Rex was being fed and when he was finished Percy patted him on the neck, "Now, can you make it to the coast of Italy?"
Rex's mouth opened in awe and some seaweed escaped, "You serious, bro?"
"Well yeah."
The hippocampus shook his head, "No way. I'd be eaten by a shark or something before we even rounded Africa."
Percy blushed. He'd completely forgotten about certain animals and geography that would hinder his journey. Great. He'd spent all of his American money on seaweed for a no go.
"Don't you have that other thing? A pegasus?"
BlackJack. Hmm. It was worth a shot. Zeus would just have to understand. Percy sent the hippocampus home and then went back to the surface to get his trusty pegasus from camp. He faced another delay when Chiron, Annabeth, and Grover all bombarded him with questions about why he was back so soon. He told them that he was rescuing Nico, which just prompted more questions. None of the, however, offered to help him. Finally he was in the air as the sun set and he briefly wondered if it would have been a better idea to set out in the morning when he was rested. No, he decided, he had to find Nico now.
Both he and BlackJack were nervous; Zeus could knock them out of the sky at any moment and they had a long way to go. They took a break in Morroco, where Percy had to trade a few things for supplies. He was kind of glad that he had ended up pausing long enough to pack a backpack at camp. As he was trading an extra pair of shoes for lunch he saw yellow in the corner of his eye. On the table of a small marketplace store was a dish with sunflowers painted on it. A realization hit him and then a wave of guilt accompanied it.
"I didn't really want them anyway." echoed in his head. Nico was talking about sunflowers. Percy had promised him a garden with giant sunflowers and an orange tree. When had he forgotten? As soon as he had gotten back to camp, he realized. He felt like the worst boyfriend ever. Now he was even more determined to bring Nico back safe. He had to make things right.
"Hey BlackJack." Percy said as he came back to his "horse" with wings hidden in a huge blanket.
"Yeah boss?"
"We need to make one more stop before we head out."
Later they were in the air again and Percy was having a hard time keeping his eyes open. He really hoped that he found Nico soon. What if he never found him? Percy bit his lip. He wasn't going to let that happen. He was scanning the sky for lightning bolts as well as low flying planes when he felt a strange pull. It was like a wave when he was underwater, only he wasn't in the water. Maybe it was just because he was tired. He felt the pull again and images of someone's legs swimming in water came into his mind. He saw the water behind the legs clouding with thousands of bubbles and steam, as if someone had dropped hot metal into cold water. Throught the bubbles and steam he started to see a face. His stomach dropped when he realized that the legs were wearing Nico's skull sneakers, and the other person was chasing after him. Another pull brought him out of his vision and it was so violent that he fell off of BlackJack and began plummeting to his death. He was too scared to even scream. Percy barely noticed that his body was changing. It was as though fine sea mist was being thrown at him, and wherever the mist touched his skin he was... disappearing. Percy opened his mouth to scream, but the rest of him dissolved before he could.
He hit moist ground, luckily. He felt water leaving his body like a wave retreating back into the ocean. Green eyes looked up and he felt his heart beat faster. Nico. Black eyes were staring past him. The smaller man was standing still and his dark curls were dripping with water, making him look like a drowned puppy. He blinked and tilted his head back before composing himself again. Percy realized that his lover was about to pass out.
"Nico!" he pulled himself up and ran to the other man.
Nico gave Percy a dark stare, but it faltered as his eyes started rolling back into his head, "Don't-." he mumbled. Percy paid heed to the hand telling him to stay away. The black eyes started to focus and Percy followed them over to a body about 15 feet away. It was a young man with darker skin and long hair. He was leaning against a tree, holding his neck as his jugular vein spurted thick rivers of blood down his shirt. His body was steaming as if he were burning from the inside out and every so often a small flame would burst from beneath the man's hand. Percy watched as Nico approached the man and kneeled next to him. He reached across the other man and pulled his Stygian blade from the man's torso before standing over him.
"I'm going home now, Garrett. Let me go home." Nico said, leveling his blade between the man's eyes.
"No!" Garrett reached out and caught Nico's ankle, pulling him to the ground, "I need to share your powers." Percy saw that his neck wound had healed and that his body was flickering with tiny flecks of flame. He made to run over and help Nico, but Garrett looked up at him and threw a fireball at his feet, stopping him in his tracks. Garrett then got up and made a circle around himself and Nico with the fire. Percy couldn't go through it without burning up and he frantically ran around it, trying to find a way in.
Nico was fighting off the black spiders in his vision. Percy didn't need to see what was about to happen to him, though he was glad his lover had managed to find him. He felt Garrett flip him into his stomach and his already broken ribs poked at his insides, making him gasp in pain.
"Now your perfect little boyfriend gets to watch and there's nothing he can do to stop it. Who's your hero now, Nico?"
Percy ran into the river. He was smart enough to realize that this Garrett guy wasn't so strong when he was wet. He just hoped that he could do this in time to save Nico. He concentrated on the water rushing around his legs. It would be harder to control than water that was more calm. He tuned into it's power, cutting through the earth and uprooting trees. He concentrated on using that power, that energy, and moving it up over the ground. He felt the water rising over his body and opened his eyes. The river was flooding over the ground and dousing the circle of flames. As soon as he could see Garrett he made the water lunge at him, hitting him with such force that he rolled several feet away. Percy started walking forward, keeping his mind concentrated on the water. It rushed around, taking Garrett with it into a sort of whirlpool. Garrett was lifted high into the air and then Percy let go, letting him fall back to the ground, unconscious. The water retreated back into the river and Percy ran over to Nico, who was struggling to sit up. He got to his knees by the time Percy got to him, and was trying to grab his blade. Percy grabbed it and gave it to him. Nico just looked around and then when he saw Garrett he crawled over to him until he was looming over him with the blade, wobbling a little.
"If I ever see you again, I will kill you." Nico said and then stabbed his blade down between Garret's legs, "I told you to leave me the fuck alone."
Garrett caught his breath for a moment and then weakly flipped Nico off. He put his middle finger to his mouth and licked it before disappearing in a burst of flame.
Percy caught Nico as he finally let the blackness take over him and passed out cold. Percy just held him and concentrated on the water puddled on the ground, drawing it up and using it to heal his lover as best he could. When Nico came to enough he gave Percy an angry look and then pushed him away as he stood up and made his way toward the river in front of him. Percy watched as his lover took stock of his surroundings and then his injuries and wet state. He turned back to Percy and let out a frustrated scream. He gestured to each side, screaming at his surroundings. When the angry screams started to lessen, Nico grabbed a rock from the ground and chucked it toward Percy. It hit a tree that he was standing next to, and Percy was glad to know that if Nico had really intended to hit him, he would have, so he continued watching his lover have a tantrum. Finally Nico collapsed on the ground and caught his breath. Slowly he looked up at Percy. He kept his eyes on the other man as he stood up.
"Percy?" he said.
Percy gave him an innocent look. None of this was his fault and he hoped Nico knew that, "Hmm?"
Nico's heart quivered at the wide eyed innocence, "Do you have any idea what just happened?"
"You re-enacted a scene from Toddlers and Tiaras?"
"I don't know what that is, but no." Nico raised his hands, "I just..." his voice caught, "He almost- I'm sorry for leaving."
Percy just grabbed Nico close to his body and held him. He didn't really care what had happened, His Nico was safe now. Nico chewed his lip and took in the warmth of the other's body. So much to say, but he wasn't sure how to articulate it. He decided to just blurt it all out at once.
"I know I can't just magically not be a demigod, and I know I have responsibilities and shit, but sometimes I just want to be able to come home and feel safe because I have you with me. I know it's my fault for going to school instead of fighting with you, but I just want something that's mine, I guess; An accomplishment that has nothing to do with my father, or camp, or even you. In a perfect world I can have both, but I guess it's just not possible."
Percy just kissed him on the forehead, "You can have both. I have an idea I'll tell you later. I'm just so glad you're safe."
"You do see my surroundings and realize I just stabbed a son of a fire god in the dick, right?"
"Yeah. What are you doing here, anyway?"
"I wasn't concentrating very hard when I shadow traveled I guess. This weird dude named Brian somehow made me travel to a park where he wanted me to be his boyfriend and then when I said I liked you he got all sad and told me to tell you to treat me well because I deserve it and then when I tried to go home I ended up here and fuckin' Garrett was all like 'Oh you're so hot, lemme get at you' and when I ripped up his roses he tried to get it from me anyway and then I stabbed him and he kept coming so I stabbed him some more but his fire made him better so I jumped in the water and wished you were here and then I just kept stabbing and he kept fighting and then you came and yeah. Where the fuck am I?"
After taking in Nico's story and translating it to what his brain could understand, Percy looked around. Across the river from a forest they were standing in grass. Columns and small stone slabs littered the landscape with some larger ones.
"No way." Percy said. They were in a graveyard. Nico seemed to realize this at the same time and he started walking away. Percy followed him to a large stone crypt.
"Who knew that this is where my mind would take me?"
"I knew." Percy said quietly, looking at the large stone slab. Written on it was "Maria di Angelo", and below those letters, in newer looking etching was "Bianca di Angelo". Nico didn't respond. He just traced the letters with his finger and then brushed some leaves off of the tomb. Percy grabbed Nico's hand, which was still wet.
"So tell me what happened. How did you find me?" Nico asked.
Percy told him about how he'd been riding BlackJack and then had felt the pull and had his visions.
"Weird. We don't have an empathy link."
"I know, but I have a weird theory."
"Yeah?'
"You know how all that happend our first time?" Percy blushed, remembering the perfect awkwardness of their first time having sex. It had caused a massive muddy flood at camp.
"Yeah."
"Well, our elements mixed. So maybe when you're in mine I can connect to that kind of."
"What about me? Will I only know you're in danger when you're in a mud pit?"
Percy shrugged, "I don't know."
Nico thought for a moment. "Hide and seek." he said.
"What?"
"Let's play hide and seek."
"Now?"
"Just do it!" Nico said. He hid his face against his family's tomb and started counting. Percy obeyed and ran across the cemetery. He felt really inappropriate to be playing games in a cemetery, but he trusted Nico to know what he was doing. He found a strange ditch and hid himself in it, thinking about wanting Nico to find him.
When Nico finished counting he turned around, but kept his eyes closed. He concentrated on his element; earth. He could sense all of the bodies beneath his feet, which kind of freaked him out. He concentrated further and felt a weird pull. His feet dug into the ground and he got a vision of Percy laying in a ditch. He opened his eyes and felt the pull stronger. He wasn't about to try to travel through the ground, so he let go of his concentration and searched for the ditch.
"Boo." he said when he found Percy and helped him get out.
"It's kind of freaky, really." Percy said.
"Yeah, but I think we'll always be there when we really need each other? I don't know. It's a nice thought. Want to play some more?"
"You need to get warm and into some dry clothes." Percy said as he watched his lover shiver. He grabbed Nico closely. Nico hesitated against him for a second, and then relaxed, putting his arms around the taller man.
"We need a plan. I need my independence, but I need to deal with life, too." Nico said into Percy's shirt.
"We'll come up with something. Just... come home with me and get warm, please. I don't want you to get sick."
Home and warm. Nico wanted those desperately, but first he had to do something.
"I will. Just... let me stay here for a moment. I must have accidentally come here for a reason." he turned back to his mother and sister's shared tomb. Percy nodded.
"I'll be over here." He walked away to give Nico a moment alone.
x.x.x.
They arrived back at Poseidon's underwater palace thanks to both of Percy's half horse friends. Percy made quick work of stripping Nico and shoving him into the warm shower. He didn't make any moves on Nico, knowing that the other man wasn't quite ready just yet. They still had unresolved things to talk about. He got into the shower after Nico and when he came out Nico was holding a small package.
"Sorry, these were sticking out of your pants pocket." Nico said quietly, "So you remembered afterall."
Percy walked over to the smaller man holding the package of sunflower seeds, "I admit that it took me too long to remember. I don't even know why I forgot. I really do want that for you, Nico. It's just going to take some time."
"I really do want them. I'm only willing to wait so long, though, Percy."
"I know." Percy kissed Nico's forehead, "We can do it, I promise. I'll give you a place to come home to, with big sunflowers, and an orange tree and a fucking white picket fence if you want it."
Nico snickered, "I'll be there when you come home, I promise." and then he gave in and kissed Percy hard. Percy kissed back, communicating the intensity of his feelings with his mouth. There was a knock on the door and he reluctantly went to answer it. It was someone with food, courtesy of Poseidon. Nico hadn't realized how hungry he really was until Percy came in with the tray. He didn't even like seafood that much, but right now he could eat the whole tray. Percy brought out a tv and put a movie on while they ate.
"You know, it would be radical if my dad really had flaming blue hair." Nico said, watching the screen and indiscriminately shoving food into his mouth.
Percy smiled. Nico was adorable on so many levels just then. From his use of "radical" to his fascination with the television. He'd never wanted to waste time in front of a TV after coming out of the Lotus Casino, and Percy understood it. It was nice to watch him doing something brainless for once, though. They finished their food and when the movie was over they got ready for bed. Percy turned off the lights to let the dull light of the underwater city seep into the room and then followed Nico to the bed. They laid there in silence for a while. Percy wanted to hold Nico, but wasn't sure if Nico would allow it just yet. He felt the bed vibrate and he realized that it was Nico's body.
"Are you still shaking?" Percy whispered in the darkness. Nico turned around and kissed him and hummed a 'yes' noise. "Why? Still cold?"
"I'm just feeling a lot." Nico whispered back, his voice catching a little. Percy's heart flooded with warmth. Aww, his boyfriend was crying, but it was a good cry. Percy loved it when Nico let his guard down, and this was no exception. He kissed Nico's eyelids and then his nose and then his mouth. Nico kissed back passionately and shoved his hands up Percy's shirt. The cold hands on him made goosebumps spring up on the taller man's skin and he gasped. "Sorry." Nico said between kisses. Percy didn't really care. They were like that for a long time, just kissing and touching and happy to be together, then Percy sat up and removed his shirt and Nico did the same, moving to lay underneath Percy. Once the two were naked Percy put his weight on his arms and looked down at Nico. Nico looked up at him and raised his eyebrow. He always got nervous when Percy looked at him like that. It was still strange to feel important to somebody.
Percy wrapped his finger in one of Nico's loose curls. His hair was still a little damp from the shower. Percy moved the finger to trace the side of Nico's deceptively delicate cheekbone. He knew Nico was probably blushing at being observed, and from memory he imagined the blush bleeding across the younger man's face. He leaned down and kissed Nico's lips. They were warm, confirming his suspicions of the blush. The smaller man moved his head to encourage Percy's lips to go to his neck. He still had faint bruises from Garrett's fingers, but he knew Percy could make them go away. Percy obeyed, kissing the cool skin. Nico's breathing quickened and he hoped Percy didn't notice. He didn't want to ruin this moment by getting aroused. Percy didn't give indication that he had noticed; instead he kissed Nico's mouth again and then put his lips on the other side of the smaller man's neck. He kissed down to Nico's collar bone, continuing downward. Nico watched as his lover's head disappeared underneath the seagreen sheets. Apparently he had noticed Nico's arousal and wanted to help with it.
Nico gasped when he felt Percy's hot mouth on his erection. He reached up and gripped the pillow beneath his head. He never knew what to do with his hands. He watched one of Percy's hands creep up from underneath the sheet and touch his chest. Nico held that hand and Percy made a noise at the cold contact. The vibration made Nico moan and push his hips up. Percy started moving his head faster and Nico gripped his hand harder as pleasure waved over him. He suddenly let go to let both hands slam down at his sides. He would have sat up if Percy hadn't held him down. He wanted to hold Percy, but he challenged himself to keep his hands off of his lover and just feel the pleasure he was receiving. As his end neared he panicked and his arms flailed around the pillows as he searched for something to old on to. Percy heard his lover's whimpers and slowed down just a little. He heard Nico let out a frustrated moan, so he sped up again, flicking his tongue in all the right places and making Nico squirm.
"Per-ah-fuuuyesss..." Nico babbled as his hands grabbed at the sheets and his hips thrust into Percy's face. Sweet, beautiful release.
Percy's head emerged from underneath the sheet and he kissed his boyfriend, "You're adorable even when I can't see you, you know that?" he whispered.
Nico simply nodded, still catching his breath. Percy laid next to him and he curled up into his side. The older young man held Nico for a while. Every so often, especially moments like this, he couldn't believe that Nico had picked him. He wondered what would be different if Nico had never admitted to liking him. Would he have gone on to date other boys? Would he have denied his sexuality and dated girls? Maybe he wouldn't have dated at all and just focused on camp and demigod life. He sighed at the thought. He wanted Nico by his side always, but he had to let Nico do what he thought he needed to do. Said person was now running his hand across Percy's chest, bringing chills to his skin.
"I love you." he mumbled as he sat up and looked at Percy, "And that's really scary to me."
Percy watched his boyfriend chewing his lip nervously. It wasn't the first time Nico had said the "L" word to him, but somehow it felt different... it meant something different. He was scared about it, too, but wanted to seem strong for Nico, so he simply said, "I love you. I don't want us to fight anymore."
"But we're going to." Nico reminded him.
"Yeah, but I hope you don't run away anymore."
"I won't." Nico said and moved to lay on top of Percy as he kissed him, "I promise."
They kissed for a while more and then Percy turned them so that he was laying on top of Nico. He kissed the smaller man's face all over and down his neck before going back to his lips. Nico spread his knees on either side of Percy's body and reached down to play with him. Percy moaned. It had been months since they'd been able to do this and after today's ordeal both men needed it badly. Percy made quick work of finding some lotion under his bed. He repositioned himself and used some before slowly pushing inside of the smaller body. Nico made a pained noise. It had been too long since the last time and they'd skipped the preparation part. "You okay?" Percy asked, watching a tear fall down his lover's face.
"Yeah. It's... good." That was the truth. Even though it hurt, Nico didn't mind it. He didn't want too much pain tonight, though, so he whispered, "Just stay slow for a sec."
Percy obeyed, sliding in and out at a slow pace until he felt Nico's body relax and loosen up. He paused once to add some more lotion and soon after that Nico began pushing back. Cold arms wrapped around Percy and he shivered. He bent down and kissed Nico before sitting up to watch. Nico was so hot and cute at the same time and Percy pushed in a little faster to watch the blush creep back up into Nico's pale face. The taller man felt like he needed to prove to the world that Nico should only be with him. *He* was the only one who could make him feel this way, and he wasn't fucking him just to share his powers like those other guys wanted him for.
"Percy..." Nico breathed and then bit his lip as a wave of pleasure hit him. The other man's stomach clenched; knowing he was making the smaller body feel the same way as his was an amazing knowledge. He pushed in just a little bit faster and Nico's hold on him got tighter. They started moving faster together and Percy felt Nico's fingers in his hair. They were cold, but Nico's mouth was warm and it made Percy moan. He wasn't going to last as long as he had hoped.
"Nico-." He said, intending to tell his lover just that, but Nico silenced him with a kiss. He knew. He wanted it that way. By the end of the kiss Percy had started to thrust mindlessly and he choked a sigh as stars filled his vision. As he came down he felt Nico's hands grip his hips hard as his thighs trembled in that adorable uncontrolled way that they did. Percy gently pulled out and laid next to the smaller body which immediately curled up beside him again. Percy used his free hand to bring the covers up over them and then hold Nico as they fell asleep.
Nico woke up in the middle of the night with a coughing gasp. He had been having a nightmare about drowning. He felt arms around him and crawled away in a panic. He needed space to orient himself. As his brain caught up with his body he looked around. Percy's room. He was laying on the floor. He sat up and looked at the bed to see Percy peering over at him apprehensively.
"Nico?"
"Sorry." Nico said, "I get confused when I wake up in new places."
"It's okay." Percy said quietly, as if he thought he might have done something wrong. He was glad when Nico got back on to the bed.
They sat in silence for a while. The only noise was Nico adjusting and readjusting the sheets around his legs, "I'm embarrassed now." he finally said.
"And that's why I love you, Mr. Tough Ghost King."
Nico laid down with a dramatic sigh. He stared into the glass ceiling. He knew there were a bunch of crazy fish swimming over it. He wasn't weird enough to think that they were looking at him, but he still wasn't comfortable with the knowledge. There was just something very confining about where Percy lived. Sure, he himself lived underground, but somehow it wasn't as confined. Maybe because he knew that most of the huge caverns eventually led to the surface, whereas here he could only walk so far before reaching the edge. Yep, he hated it. Nico wasn't about to tell Percy, though. As if to make up for his hateful thoughts, he curled against Percy, who pulled the covers over them again.
"Can we go back to the cemetery tomorrow?" he whispered into the darkness.
Percy made a half asleep affirmative noise and Nico was satisfied. He closed his eyes and tried to ignore his underwater worries to sleep.
Ok, I've got one or two chapters until this is finished. I hope this one was worth the wait. I love you, yay!