Drowning In You
Chapter 2: This Is War
A/N: Sorry that I haven't updated in a while. :( I've had to go to three basketball games this week and got back around 10:00 pm each night. Then yesterday I got really sick. I lay on my couch for about 7 hours yesterday without getting up because I felt as though I was about to die. I also felt like a potato because I just lay there like a slug! Lol! I still feel really bad today, but I finished this chapter today anyways. Hope you all like it! :D
Nico grasped tightly to Leo, a sudden surge of warmth reverberating throughout his body as two tender hands pressed gently against his sides. Although Nico knew this little exchange was just a way of showing affection between old friends he could feel his cheeks growing hot as Leo's fingers maneuvered their way further down to his waist, giving his side a slight squeeze in the process. Nico wondered if this was just a impulse action-the way Leo was touching him. A strange longing over took Nico as his fingers groped their way up the back of Leo's shirt. He had never felt such a strong urge to not only be touch, but just to feel. Mainly when Nico was with Percy he felt strong feeling towards the boy, such as need, lust, and absolute love, but one thing had always been missing from this brew and now he knew what it was: safety. Even when Percy was right next to him Nico had never felt utterly protected, even if Percy was his knight in shining armor.
"Hmm! Hmmm!" Someone cleared their throat loudly from the doorway. Nico whizzed around, momentarily detaching himself from Leo. A cold sweat broke out on Nico's skin as he gazed at Percy who was positioned against the far wall, eyes boarding into the two who had been hugging only moments ago. At that moment Nico's boyfriend looked livid, a strange anger flashing in those sea green eyes, but that anger was not directed at Nico. Instead Percy stared passed Nico, glaring at Leo, shooting daggers with his eyes. A hiss came from between his lips as Percy let out a long exhale of air, almost as though that was a warning sigh.
"Oh! Leo have you-um, have you meet Percy!?" Nico gagged as he spoke the words, struggling to keep the bile from rising in his throat. He wouldn't have been so keen on Percy anger if not for the way he was presenting himself. He seemed utterly hostile as he stalked forward towards Leo. Leo, now sensing the anger that rolled off the other boy, backed away quietly, moving centimeters at a time trying to be inconspicuous.
This strategy worked pretty well until he backed into a wall. Now cornered by Percy Leo stood up to full height. He straightened his back, standing adjacently before gazing challengingly at Percy. Despite the fact that Leo was now attempting to mimic the form of confidence and the territorial aspect that Percy was presenting he faltered. He didn't quite have the same sway that Percy had. He couldn't fill the part enough to even seem intimidating.
Percy advanced quickly stopping only inches from Leo. His eyes traveled up and down the boy's body, taking in his whole appearance in one glance and deciding whether or not the boy would much trouble. Finally Percy gave a slight sigh and rolled his eyes before holding out his hand to Leo. Nico gazed at his boyfriend curiously, not comprehending what had just happened.
"Hi there! My name is Percy, Percy Jackson." Percy said to Leo, fake kindness seeping from his words. Leo extended his hand as well grasping Percy's fingers tightly. Nico watched them shake hands, taking note of the way Percy put pressure on Leo's fingers. The skin of Leo's hands was red and blotchy by the time Percy let go. Could his boyfriend really be angrily over something like this? After all Leo was just a friend, wasn't he?
Percy could feel the anger bubbling just below his skin as Leo stood before him. Just the feeling of their hands touching made Percy want to vomit on the floor. How could Nico be more attracted to this guy then him? It didn't make any sense. The way they had been hugging when Percy walked in the room made everything else fade away. His curiosity about who the visitor was, worry over why Nico was so excited, the feeling from the hot moment they had had upstairs- everything seemed to fade away and all Percy could see was the two standing before him hugging. The image had been mentally imprinted on his mind for all eternity. He hated this boy with every fiber of his being, no matter how much he and Nico had been through.
"So Leo, how do you know Nico?" Percy gritted his teeth. Just speaking to the boy made him want to go on a rampage. He really felt like breaking a few things by that point, mainly things like Leo's face.
"Oh, I can answer that one." Bianca chirped from the other side of the room. Percy hadn't even realized she was there due to the fact that his main focus was getting Nico away from Leo. "They met in second grade. From that first day they've been best friends."
Percy looked over at Bianca in disgust, the feelings not particular directed towards her, but rather what she had said. Leo had known Nico since second grade. A lot of things could have happened in all those years. Percy made a disgusted sound in the back of his throat.
"Yeah, we're good friends. Really good friends. So, how do you know Nico, Percy?" Leo hissed out his name as though the word was poison in his mouth.
At that moment Percy smiled. It wasn't his normal good nature smile either. It was a wicked smile, full of bitterness and hate. Without hesitation Percy wrapped his arm around Nico waist pulling the boy closer to him.
"Long enough." Percy muttered before bending his head down and placing a tender kiss on the smaller boy's head. Leo's eyes widened to the size of saucers. He stared at the two before him as though they were some kind of extraterrestrials. But as soon as the shock over took him it was gone. Leo straightened up, eyeing Nico and Percy coolly. Although behind his calm façade anger and betray was bubbling up. Leo had feelings for Nico. Even though he wasn't sure how strong they were he knew they were there.
Percy could see through Leo's mask and saw the hurt that flickered within the boy. He almost felt sorry for him. He probably would have had sympathy towards the boy if he was not overjoyed by his victory. He had found Leo's weak spot and he planned to use it to his advantage. Now that Percy had an upper hand over Leo he felt as though he was invincible, but his excitement was quite short lived as he realized the full effect of his actions. Not only did he hurt Leo, but he put his boyfriend in a awkward situation. Now it was Nico's turn to be livid. He glared up at Percy, anger and annoyance swirling in those dark eyes.
Feeling as though he should at least try to get back on Nico's good side Percy gave his boyfriend's side a playful squeeze. Normal Nico would have smiled at the movement, but this time he frowned. In one swift motion Nico pulled from Percy's grasp, giving an annoyed sigh. He surged forward towards Leo doing his best to smile at the boy.
"Leo, want to sit down for a while? I really want to talk to you. Seems like it been an eternity since we talked." Nico reached out tenderly grabbing Leo's wrist.
Leo nodded quickly, "Sure, I would love to talk."
Without another word Leo and Nico stepped around Percy and towards the couch. Percy couldn't help but feel hurt as he watched Nico hold gently to Leo's wrist. He felt as though someone had just driven a knife through his heart.
"Hey you guys. Want something to drink. I'm going in the kitchen for a minute." Bianca chattered as she drifted through the room and towards the kitchen door. Percy watched her move wondering why she didn't notice the things he did. Normally Bianca was quite observant and most of the time she was on Percy side. Instead she decided to ignore the obvious that was unfolding right before her in her own living room. How could she not stop this?
"Sure." Nico said after glancing back at Leo who nodded slightly. Percy watched as his boyfriend slowly tucked his legs up onto the couch, pulling his knees close to his chest. Leo also watched this action, a devious smile spreading on his lips. Percy didn't want to know what kind of sick and twisted fantasies were playing through Leo's head as he stared Nico.
Although Percy didn't want to admit it he knew a lot of people had been watching Nico lately, whether it was for a good or bad reason he couldn't exactly say. But ever since Nico and Percy had gone to that dance together Nico's whole life had been changing, looking up. He seemed to smile more now. Just that alone could have caught tons of people's attention. Nico had one of those smiles that could make the whole world stop and stare for a while. Not to mention the fact that he had started talking more, joking more.
"Percy, Percy." Bianca repeated a couple of times. Percy jerked back, realizing the girl was only inches from his face. Apparently he had zoned out for a moment.
"Y-Yeah, what is it?" Percy mumbled quietly as he stumbled over his words.
"Would you mind helping me in the kitchen? I don't think I can pack everything by myself." She said sternly. Percy was surprised to hear her voice take on such a commanding tone. Usually she would ask kindly and say please. Instead she acted coldly as she gave him that order. It was clear she need a little more than help. She wanted to talk to him. And from the way she was glaring at him intensely she wanted to talk to him now.
"Alright." Percy swallowed harshly as he started towards the kitchen behind Bianca.
As he moved forward Percy caught a slight glimpse of Nico out of the corner of his eye. The boy looked at him solemnly, but there was a small flicker of sympathy among that disapproval and anger. Percy's lips twisted up into a small smile before he stepped into the kitchen.
The second he entered the room Percy was backed up against the wall. Bianca loomed over him, glaring at the boy with accusation.
"What?" Percy asked innocently. He gazed up at Nico's sister with wide eyes, lips parted slightly as though he was curious as to what he had done wrong.
"Don't act stupid Percy, I know what you are doing." She said backing up slightly. Although Bianca was quite a bit shorter then Percy she could be intimidating when she wished to be.
"I know what you are doing." She repeated, "You want Leo to stay away from Nico. I understand."
"No you don't." Percy said defensively as he turned his gaze away from her, eyes now fixated on the floor. "You have no idea."
"You think Leo is trying to take Nico from you. Somehow you've come up with this twisted theory that Leo likes Nico or something, is that right?" Bianca asked.
It took Percy a moment to reply, "It's not a twisted theory. It's the truth!"
"Shhhh! Keep your voice down!" Bianca chided him in a harsh whisper. "Listen, you may think you have this figured out but you don't. I don't want you trying to hurt Leo or push him away from Nico. You have to understand something Percy. If you hurt Leo, Nico is going to be burned, too. You are not just going to affect Leo. Nico cares about him and a lot at that, but he just might care about you more. Imagine what he will feel if he knows his boyfriend is trying to hurt him. Imagine that!"
Percy started to protest but quickly decided against it. He knew Bianca was right. He knew he was probably just being paranoid. But it's better to be safe than sorry, right?
Percy watched as Bianca stepped back away from him, turning slowly and opening the refrigerator. She bent over, nearly losing her balance, before taking a can of soda of the bottom shelf. She stood up once again and placed the cans on the counter. At that moment an idea began to brew in Percy's mind. If only he could get Bianca to turn back around for a moment.
"Hey, Bianca, would you mind getting me one, too?" Percy asked kindly. Bianca looked at him for a moment before giving a sweet smile.
"Sure, Percy." She nodded as she bent down by the refrigerator again.
Percy stalked across the kitchen briskly, heading towards the counter. He stopped for a moment when he reached the cans, turning around for a moment to make sure Bianca was still riffling through the shelves. Percy took on of the cans in both his hands. Shaking it harshly he listened as the contents swished around inside and the fizz bubbled. He figured Leo needed a bath. He didn't want that mangy mutt around his Nico until he was sure the boy was clean.
Just as Bianca turned around Percy dropped the can back to the counter with a clank. Bianca stood up, cautiously eyeing Percy.
"So do you want me to go give these to Nico and Leo?" Percy asked putting on his best smile. He looked down at the cans, memorizing which one he had shaken up.
"Wait, I'll take it to them." Bianca said as she stepped forward. She smacked one can against Percy chest before grabbing the two from the counter. "I don't trust you today Jackson."
She quickly side stepped Percy before making her way through the kitchen door. Percy watched her leave, praying that somehow, someway that one bottle would end up in Leo's hands. Percy knew the moment he heard the scuffle of feet and that familiar voice cry out that his plan had gone up in smoke. Percy took his time making his way out the kitchen door, head hung low. Nico stood in the middle of the living room covered in the sticky liquid. His clothes were soaked through and soda dripped down his skin.
The moment Nico saw Percy walk in the room his eyes were focused on the boy, glaring accusingly at him. Percy could literally hear the words pouring from Nico's mouth, how could you do this? How could you embarrass me like this?!
"Wow Nico, I always knew you looked good, but I never figured you would taste good, too." Leo said with a smile as he ran his fingers up Nico's cheek, gathering the sticky substance on his fingertips. Leo licked his hand slowly, a wicked smile plastered on his lips, eyes narrowed at Percy. Although the boy said nothing Percy understood what the gesture meant. This is war.