Another short one-shot, inspired by the 4th of July. Light Percy/Nico suggested.
PJO belongs to Rick Riordan, not I.
The booms and awed gasps around me seemed strangely muffled as I watched his eyes, the almost black playing as a nice backboard for the vibrant colors reflecting there. Smoke tickled my nose, grass poked up through our quilt to brush my legs, and I smiled at his mouth parted in awe. A child like wonder emitted from his face and a pain tightened my chest at the rarity of the expression. He was still so young and yet he had seen far more than one his age should. Still, it could also be argued the same for me.
He had his knees pulled up to his chest, crossed at the ankles with his arms wrapped around them, craning his neck so as not to miss a single explosion. An especially bright light lit up the night sky, chasing away the shadows from his face to allow different hues to dance there. His brows were up to his hairline and there was no denying his joy in that moment. Then his eyes flickered over to mine with a strange intensity, and I flushed hotly at being caught staring. That embarrassment was soon forgotten as his smile widened and my breathing hitched, I could hear my blood rushing in my ears and I was trapped in my uncomfortable position of my face tilted and pressed to my knees.
"What are you doing?" he whispered, I barely heard him over the cracks and sizzles of the fireworks. Palms beginning to sweat, I swallowed, mouth suddenly dry, and fought hard to come up with some type of excuse. He trudged on and ignored my deer in the headlights look. "You're missing the show." However we both maintained eye contact even as the volume picked up indicating the looming finale. When I'd found out Nico had never seen fireworks with his family in Italy, even though they'd been around way before he was born and there had been plenty of chances to witness them at camp (thanks to the Hephaestus cabin), I knew I just had to drag him into staying for the first few moments. From there, the lights did their job and captured his attention like a moth to flame. And so that's how it came to be that we sat just off the beach, watching something that would never get old for me and clearly was very new for Nico. Besides, how do you just never see fireworks, they pretty much demand attention.
A sudden breeze from over the sea made goosebumps break out along my arms and Nico visibly shivered, despite his bombers jacket. On instinct my arm snaked around him and I pulled him close. His head naturally nuzzled itself against the crook of my shoulder as our legs entangled. He twisted his neck around to spy at me through his wild fringe and I spotted his cheeks sporting a cherry red blush that I was quite intrigued with. "Thank you, Percy." My name from his lips sounded better than any other time I'd ever remembered hearing it. "For this." He clarified, nodding to the frantic gleaming brilliance even as he continued to snuggle deeper into my warmth. A sound akin to a mewl originated from his throat as he settled somehow between my legs, and leaned so that his back was fully resting against my chest. I placed my chin on top of his head, enjoying his casual affections.
"You're welcome." I said gently. Our eyes returned to the sky after that, as if nothing had been exchanged. But then our hands intertwined and my lips skimmed his ear as I shifted in my spot. When he didn't pull away, I let the side of my face press to his as we enjoyed the finale together. When it met its climax and was so loud that no one had a chance at speaking and being understood, Nico squeezed my hand and pressed closer. I saw the content expression on his face and decided there was nothing I relished in more than seeing him feel that way.