Disclaimer:: I don't own Percy Jackson and the Heroes of Olympus or its characters. They are the property of Rick Riorden, and are not my intellectual property. There is no financial gain made from this nor will any be sought. This is for entertainment purposes only.
Nico turned the water as hot as he could stand and stood under the steady stream. Percy thought it was the confrontation with Kronos that had Nico freaking out (and yes Nico was freaking out and yes he knew Percy could tell), but Nico was used to shit like that. It was Percy that was freaking him out. He was embarrassed and ashamed and confused. He wasn't used to people caring, friends that are willing to stand up for him. Back when the bullying started the people he called friends disappeared, afraid of the backlash. Needless to say, freshman year was a little more than a drag. He spent that summer at the gym and when he returned the next year decided to take matters into his own hands. He wasn't going to allow himself to be a victim any longer. That's when the trouble started; the suspensions and meetings with the principal. Expulsions soon followed. But always he stood on his own; he never relied on other people to fight his battles for him. But for some reason when Kronos came up behind him tonight, Nico had just frozen.
Then Percy came out of nowhere, like a knight in shining armor to the rescue. And Nico stood there and let him. But, if he was honest with himself, Percy looked great doing it. Usually Nico avoided that train of thought but today maybe it could be the distraction he needed. He focused on how Percy's muscles rippled under his shirt whenever he moved. He brought the sound of his pleading voice and those begging baby seal eyes. The fierce look in his eyes as he beat up on Kronos. He slid his hand down his body and focused on Percy.
When Nico left the bathroom after his shower the room was still quiet and dark. He crawled into the closest bed and closed his eyes.
When the other boys returned Nico was fast asleep. Percy stood at the end of the bed and looked down on the sleeping boy. He looked peaceful, and much younger. Percy had an urge to snuggle in next to him, pull him close and bury his face in his hair.
"Go on Perce, Frank and I will share the other bed." Jason had come up beside him and gestured towards the bed.
"I don't think that's a very good idea. He won't like it." Percy frowned, Nico would freak if he woke up in bed with Percy. He saw the look on the younger boys face when they came in the room and he realized there were only two beds.
"Someone's got to, and he's more comfortable with you then Frank or I." Percy nodded, Jason was right. With one last pat on his back Jason crawled in next to Frank and rolled over giving them as much privacy as they could sharing a room.
Percy changed quickly in the bathroom and crawled in next to Nico, careful not to jostle the bed or touch the sleeping boy. He couldn't help but lay there to watch him sleep, he had never seen Nico so relaxed. He looked so young and innocent, Percy felt momentarily guilty for the perverted thoughts he had. Nico moaned and mumbled in his sleep, starting to toss. His face twisted and into a grimace. Percy's stomach twisted; Nico looked like he was having a nightmare. He eased onto his side and gently wrapped his arms around him pulling Nico against his chest. He rubbed his back and ran his fingers through his hair trying to comfort him. Nico relaxed against him, even snuggled in. Percy smiled, he wished Nico knew what he was doing, but for now he was selfish enough to enjoy holding his crush in his arms. With Nico cuddled to his chest, seemingly calmed from what ever had been disturbing him, Percy closed his eyes and fell asleep.
Nico woke up and snuggled into the warmth wrapped around him, until he realized it was a hard body. Nico stiffened; he was lying on his side face against Percy's chest. His hands had somehow found their way up his shirt and rested against the older boy's skin. Percy had one arm under Nico's head like a pillow, the other wrapped snugly around his waist. His face in Nico's hair and his lips gently brushing against his forehead. Nico's heart started to race, he didn't want Percy or the other boys to wake up and find them like this but he worried if he moved he would wake him. He heard Frank snoring from across the room and Percy's breathing was deep and even. Nico forced himself to relax and took a few minutes to enjoy the feel of his strong arms around him. Nico felt surprisingly safe. He closed his eyes and slowed his breathing, if he could pretend to still be asleep when Percy woke up the older boy could remove himself without causing a scene.
After a few minutes Percy stirred, Nico continued to feign sleep. Percy started rubbing his back gently and brushed his fingers through Nico's hair. Nico tried to hide the shudder it caused. He felt Percy's lips brush gently across Nico's forehead before he gently rolled himself away.
"Hey, Perce you awake?" Jason's voice came softly.
"Mhmm." Percy mumbled.
"Frank and I are heading down to meet the girls for breakfast."
"Mkay." Was the response. Nico heard the door open and close gently leaving the two boys alone. "Nikki, it's time to wake up." Percy had casually untangled himself from Nico and gently shook his shoulder. Nico blinked up at him, hoping he looked like he had just woken up. Percy rubbed his eyes and climbed out of bed. He reached his arms up and stretched, his shirt rose up to reveal a strip of lightly tanned smooth skin. Nico looked away quickly.
Percy sat down on the edge of the bed. "Did you sleep okay?" Nico nodded, he didn't trust himself to talk. "Liar." Percy said with a small smirk. "You were having a nightmare." Nico didn't respond. "I'm going to have a shower; we can head downstairs together if you don't mind waiting." Nico nodded again and watched as Percy grabbed his clothes and headed into the bathroom.