I Made This Meme Back In 2023

Part 1 of a comic inspired by a story prompt about the monster under the bed actually protecting the child

NÃO HÁ LUGAR COMO O LAR - PERCY/NICO AU COLEGIAL - CAPÍTULO XVIII

Oii, como vai? Então... eu não ia postar hoje, mas me deu uma vontade de escrever tão grande e eu simplesmente não conseguia parar, foi o que saiu. Também aproveitei para escrever um pouco sobre o Hades para não escrever coisa pior no futuro. Me desculpem se a escrita estiver muito apressada, é o que acontece quando escrevo muita coisa de uma vez.

Espero que vocês gostem^^

Capítulos anteriores: CAPÍTULO I / CAPÍTULO II / CAPÍTULO III / CAPÍTULO IV / CAPÍTULO V / CAPÍTULO VI / CAPÍTULO VII / CAPÍTULO VIII / CAPÍTULO IX / CAPÍTULO X / CAPÍTULO XI / CAPÍTULO XII / CAPÍTULO XIII / CAPÍTULO XIV / CAPÍTULO XV / CAPÍTULO XVI / CAPÍTULO XVII

Se Nico soubesse, ele nem teria levantado da cama naquela manhã. De fato, se tivesse o poder, teria voltado no tempo para o exato momento antes de brigar com Annabeth na festa e feito tudo diferente, continuaria a mentir para Percy, fingindo que estava tudo bem, mesmo que no fim do dia, era um problema a menos que ele teria que lidar. Sim, ele era o único culpado por tudo aquilo, por não contar o que acontecia com ele no momento certo e por não falar o suficiente no momento errado. No fim, Percy apenas estava fazendo o que ele tinha pedido, mas de um jeito que Nico não tinha previsto, tomando as rédeas da situação quando ele menos esperava. Um bom exemplo disso foi naquela manhã, uma segunda-feira como qualquer outra. Ou era o que ele pensava.

Nico não sabia como não tinha percebido essas coisas antes, o quanto a solidão tinha desaparecido com a presença de Percy e, em contrapartida, a reação que ele gerava nas pessoas. Nico tinha voltado há uma ou duas semanas, mas parecia que os cinco anos fora do país nunca tinham acontecido. As pessoas ainda olhavam para ele e o tratavam da mesma forma, o preconceito velado e mal escondido para quem quisesse ver. Era a cor de sua pele? A homofobia? Ou era o fato de Percy voltar a ignorar qualquer pessoa quando ele estava por perto? Era um peso que Nico não se lembrava de sentir antes. Não que ele pudesse evitar ou tivesse qualquer inclinação para fazê-lo, pois naquela manhã ele tinha acordado do jeito que sempre imaginou ser impossível, com beijos demorados e caricias que o faziam suspirar. Com abraços apertados que aqueciam sua alma e o fazia se sentir seguro. É claro que tudo isso entrou em pausa quando eles tiveram que sair da cama e ir para a escola e enfrentar o cruel mundo dos adolescentes. 

Ele mal percebeu o silêncio em volta deles até que Nico entrou com Percy na primeira aula do dia. Ele só entendeu o que acontecia quando viu Annabeth no fundo da sala, envolta de um grupo de pessoas. 

— Não liga para ela, sim? — Percy disse e levou a mão de Nico aos lábios. 

Então, tudo fez sentido. Eles estavam de mãos dadas, desfilando pela escola sem nenhuma preocupação. Nico apostava que Annabeth estava fazendo seu melhor para espalhar a nova fofoca; o jogador popular estava transando com o garoto recém-transferido, embora ele tivesse certeza que a maioria se lembrava dele.

Nico não teve muito mais tempo para pensar sobre o que as pessoas falavam dele. Percy o puxou para o outro lado da sala e se sentou com ele em uma das carteiras do canto, perfeitamente longe e protegido dos olhares curiosos. Ele queria poder dizer que não tinha conseguido se concentrar na aula, quando, na verdade, foi o contrário; os sussurros se tornaram som de fundo e quando ele menos viu, mais um dia escolar se encerrava, Nico se vendo na reflexão da janela do carro, observando a avenida cheia de árvores e lojas, o comércio agitado naquela hora do dia.

— Tudo bem? — Percy perguntou a seu lado, colocando uma das mãos sobre sua perna enquanto dirigia em direção à casa deles, quer dizer, em direção à casa dos Jackson.

— Acho que sim. A gente pode passar na minha casa? Eu queria pegar minhas malas.

— O que foi? Minhas roupas não são suficientes? 

Percy estava brincando, é claro. Ele não poderia continuar usando as camisas que ficavam escorregando de seus ombros ou suas antigas roupas, mesmo que elas estivessem muito bem conservadas.

— Per.

— Tudo bem. Eu faço tudo pelo meu bebê. — Percy mostrou a ele um enorme sorriso, como se ele tivesse contado a melhor piada do mundo e Nico decidiu ignorar. 

Cada vez que ele dizia não ser um bebê, alguma coisa acontecia mostrando o tanto que Percy estava certo. Ficando calado, Nico colocou suas mãos por cima da mão de Percy e as segurou, entrelaçando seus dedos.

— Estamos quase lá. Você quer que eu pegue ou você pega?

Era uma boa pergunta. Nico não queria encontrar Hades dentro da casa, porém fazia dias que não conversava com Bianca.

— Você entra comigo?

— É claro. Tudo o que você precisar.

Então, depois de alguns minutos, Percy estacionou o caro em frente a casa e ambos pararam na porta, o porteiro dando passagem para ele assim que o reconheceu. Nico nem tentou cumprimentar o homem, tudo o que ele queria era pegar suas coisas o mais rápido possível e falar com Bianca se ela estivesse em casa. Imagina sua surpresa ao ver o pai na sala de estar, sentando no sofá enquanto lia o jornal e tomava uma xícara de café.

— Nico, que surpresa. Pensei que você tinha esquecido onde é sua casa.

— Engraçado. — Nico rebateu. Ele nem se deu o trabalho de ver a reação do pai, e olhando para a frente, continuou seu caminho escadas acima. — Eu pensei que eu não tinha um pai.

— Garoto! Volte aqui! Nesse instante!

Claro, como se ele fosse obedecer um completo estranho. Nico continuou a andar calmamente, e mesmo ouvindo Percy trocar algumas palavras com Hades, isso não o abalou, era algo comum entre eles. Logo Percy estava a seu lado novamente, lhe oferecendo um sorriso e um ombro amigo. Sinceramente? Nico não se importava. Cada vez se importava menos. Ele já tinha uma família, e não era um homem irresponsável que o faria se sentir culpado por ignorar alguém que devia ser o primeiro a apoiá-lo. 

Sem fazer muita bagunça, Nico pegou suas malas, seus objetos pessoais e algumas caixas que haviam chegado somente agora da Itália, e deu uma volta no quarto, se certificando que tinha pegado tudo.

— É só isso? — Percy perguntou para ele, parecendo triste.

— O resto está em Verona. Eu não sabia quando tempo iria ficar por aqui.

— O que isso quer dizer?

Nico deu de ombros e verificou debaixo da cama.

— Pensei que você estaria namorando alguém. Se preparando casar, sabe? Pensei que eu voltaria para terminar o colégio e me desculpar. E depois… acho que voltar para a Itália para ajudar minha nona.

— Serio? Eu significo tão pouco? — Percy parecia magoado, mas essa não era a questão.

— Eu não esperava tudo isso.

Nico decidiu encarar Percy quando o silêncio se alongou mais do que o normal.

— Sempre esqueço o que eu fiz com você.

Não, Nico se negava a entrar nessa discussão mais uma vez. Ele se negava.

— Quer dizer… — Nico disse, tentando mudar de assunto. — Você sabia onde eu estava.

— Eu sabia. — Percy concordou. — Eu planejava ir atrás de você. Depois de me formar.

— Hm. — Nico murmurou sem saber o que dizer. Isso era algo bom, certo?

— Eu queria dar tempo para você… viver.

— Acho que não entendi.

— Não queria que você vivesse se perguntando o que poderia ter acontecido sem a minha sombra te rondando. Sei que isso é mais forte do que nós dois.

Quando Percy falava desse jeito, parecia que eles não tinham opção, como se fosse algo sem livre arbítrio. Talvez fosse. Porque se Percy tivesse aparecido em sua porta, ele teria largado tudo e teria dito sim para qualquer coisa que Percy sugerisse.

— Desculpa, eu não queria falar sobre isso de novo. Vamos, sim? — Percy disse e beijou seu rosto, tentando sorrir, antes de pegar as malas e uma das caixas, deixando para ele carregar os itens mais leves. 

Eles desceram as escadas e lá estava Hades bloqueando a passagem. Felizmente, Bianca também estava lá, ela pegou algumas coisas de sua mão e tentou sorrir para ele, exatamente como Percy tinha feito, tentando o consolar.

— Nico, precisamos conversar. — Hades disse, ainda bloqueando a porta de saída.

— Agora você quer conversar? O que você teria para me dizer?

— Precisamos conversar sobre o seu futuro.

— Futuro? Desde que seja longe de você, eu aceito.

— Eu sou seu pai. Você me deve respeito!

— Que respeito?

— Nico, por favor. — Bianca se meteu no meio deles e implorando com o olhar, continuou a falar: — Você poderia ouvir o que ele tem a dizer?

— Eu sinto muito. — Ele disse, não se sentindo nenhum pouco culpado. — Eu não quero saber dos planos dele para mim. É sua responsabilidade agora.

 — Sei que a gente errou com você e--

— Errou? — Nico balançou a cabeça, se negando a acreditar. — Eu te amo, Bia. De verdade. Mas não tenho nada a ver com a família Di Angelo. Ele é seu pai muito mais do que meu. Aproveite.

— Niccolas. Me obedeça nesse instante! — A voz de Hades retumbou pelo ambiente, profunda e rouca, feito um trovão. Talvez isso tivesse o aterrorizado alguns anos atrás, agora tudo o que ele sentia era uma profunda raiva.

— O que você vai fazer? Me bater? Esse não é seu jeito preferido de lidar com garotos desobedientes?

A cena a seguir se tornou um belo espetáculo aos olhos de Nico. Bianca ficou pálida feito uma folha em branco, Hades se enfureceu mais ainda, porém a reação mais interessante foi ver Percy congelar como a mais perfeita estatua grega. Seria essa mais uma camada de culpa para Percy “tentar não conversar com ele”?

— Está tudo bem. Vai em frente. — Nico disse quando ninguém mais se atreveu a dar um pio. — Vê se deixa pelo menos uma marca, assim fica mais fácil para entregar como prova para as autoridades. O que você acha disso?

— Você não teria coragem.

— Não? Então, tenta a sorte. — E ainda assim, quando Hades não se moveu para longe da porta, Nico foi forçado a continuar: — Você vai me forçar ou vai sair da frente?

— Seu--

— Nico, deixa comigo. Eu vou cuidar disso. — Percy disse a seu lado, o fazendo lembrar o que namorado ainda estava ali. Era estranho. Geralmente essas coisas aconteciam quando não havia testemunhas.

Era isso!

— Não precisa. Sei que Hades vai tomar a decisão certa, não vai? Principalmente com duas testemunhas presentes?

Nico, então, se virou para Hades e esperou. Hades podia ser irresponsável e violento, mas ele não era burro. 

Ainda fumegando de raiva, Hades saiu de frente da porta, mas não sem antes dizer:

— O que você vai fazer? Viver o resto da vida com o dinheiro dos outros? Mendigando por atenção?

— O que eu faço ou deixo de fazer não é da sua conta. Logo você não terá qualquer poder sobre mim ou sobre o que pertence a minha mãe. Diga adeus a sua fortuna, querido papai.

Assim, Nico deu as costas para Hades e saiu porta afora para nunca mais voltar. Ele faria Hades pagar por tudo o que ele fez e o faria devolver cada centavo que tinha sido tirado de sua mãe.

***

Nico se sentia sortudo. De verdade.

Eles colocaram suas coisas dentro do carro há tempo de Bianca dizer que iria telefonar para ele e Percy arrancar com o carro para longe daquela casa. Agora, por que ele se sentia sortudo? Bem, ele tinha sorte de Percy esperar até que eles chegassem em casa para abraçá-lo e tentar consolá-lo. O engraçado é que ele não precisa ser confortado. Dessa vez, tudo o que ele queria era bater em alguma vez para ver se assim a tensão saia de seus ombros. O que ele fez? Se deixou ser confortado mesmo assim. Deixou que Percy o abraçasse bem forte, que acariciasse seus cabelos daquela forma que fazia seus pelos se arrepiarem e deixou que Percy o beijasse longamente.

— Eu não sabia. Eu nunca-- por que você não me disse?

— Eu sabia que você faria alguma coisa idiota.

— Ele te batia! E eu… eu fiz o mesmo!

— Eu não diria isso. Hades nunca foi tão talentoso para me fez gozar.

— Nico!

— Desculpa! — Ele acabou rindo, sentindo parte da tensão deixar seu corpo. — Eu não queria ser mandado para longe por causa dele.

— Eu sinto muito. Você teve que passar por isso também e eu nunca desconfiei. Tudo faz sentido agora. Você não gostava de ir para a sua casa ou evitava Hades a todo custo.

— Eu não queria te preocupar.

— Não diga isso. Hades nunca mais te ver. Isso é uma promessa.

— O que você vai fazer?

— Você confia em mim?

Como ele não poderia quando Percy olhava para ele tão serio e com aqueles olhos verdes intensos?

— Eu confio. Você sabe disso.

— Vou tomar conta de você. E dessa vez, vou me certificar que essas pessoas paguem pelo o que elas fizeram.

E de novo, Nico pensou em contestar. Mas se Percy queria? Quem era ele para negar? Ele sabia que não devia gostar tanto de ser colocado num pedestal ou de ser protegido como se fosse de cristal. O problema real era que ele gostava, amava ver o senso de posse que emanava de Percy. Se quer era um problema quando ele permitia que acontecesse e até consentia com as ações de Percy? Então, cansado de hesitar, Nico apenas concordou, deixando que Percy continuasse com os beijos e abraços. A melhor parte foi quando Sally chegou do trabalho com Grover e Tyson. Ele se aninhou contra o peito de Percy e se permitiu apreciar o momento, vendo a reação da família Jackson. Bem, vendo a reação da sua família, porque eram eles quem haviam oferecido um lar para ele, os vendo ir de surpresos para furiosos em menos de dois minutos. Era algo que acalentava sua alma e afagava seu senso de vingança. Por que tentar lutar contra sua natureza quando ele podia ter tudo o que queria? No fim, Nico ouviu muitos “sinto muito” e “a gente vai cuidar de tudo”, finalizando com “você está seguro com a gente”.

Nico também sabia que eles não estavam dizendo aquilo apenas para confortá-lo, mas ver o rosto deles cheio de afeto e senso de justiça fazia algo dentro dele se acalmar, uma satisfação enorme borbulhando para fora dele em forma de um sorriso. Isso não devia ser muito comum, certo? Começar a rir quando eles mostravam tanta preocupação? A verdade é que Nico já se sentia vingado apenas pelo fato de alguém saber o tipo de pessoa que Hades Di Angelo realmente era.

— Obrigado. — Ele acabou dizendo quando a família o abraçou em conjunto, Sally quase chorando enquanto Grover e Tyson tinham uma expressão seria e neutra no rosto, o fazendo se lembrar quando Percy estava tentando se controlar para não destruir o que visse pelo caminho; Percy podia ser o integrante da família que mais mostrava suas emoções, mas por trás do rosto inocente e bondoso era Tyson quem agia primeiro.

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E então, o que vocês acharam? Está divertido escrever sobre o Nico e desvendar o se passa na cabeça dele. Eu só queria deixar claro que o Nico está onde está porque ele quer e não ser submisso demais. Eu não sei se essa semana ainda tem mais capítulos e não sei quando a tradução chega. Mas vocês sabem, quantos mais comentarios mais incentivo para eu escrever.

Obrigada pela presença!

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME - PERCY/NICO AU HIGH SCHOOL - CHAPTER V

Hi, we are back (temporarily). I'm still on my resting days, but I managed to bring you one more chapter. Hope you like it.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV

As expected, a new day came. The sun was shining brightly through the blinds, the birds were singing and they were late. Still, what worried Nico was not the fact that it was almost seven o'clock in the morning, but that someone was knocking on the door. And that someone was his sister, Bianca, who would usually be long gone to her first class of the day, but now was standing inside his room, watching them happily.

He was in a nightmare, that had to be the only explanation to justify the scene Nico has found himself in. Percy against his back, hugging him tight with only a sheet hiding their crotch. If Bianca decided to pull back the sheets, she would see it all, the marks on Percy's back and the hickey between Nico’s legs, impossible to miss even from that distance. And contrary to what he thought, Bianca decided to be kind. She waved goodbye with a lopsided smile and closed the door softly, though he could hear the sound of her laughter as she walked away down the hall. And again, he wondered what he was doing. He hadn't even… hadn’t reciprocated Percy the night before. He was the pettiest, most selfish person in the whole world.

Nico would’ve continued his self-flagellation if he hadn't felt the silent laughter against his back.

“Are you laughing at me?” Nico said, turning in Percy's arms. The boy was awake and wearing one of those smiles that infuriated and excited him at the same time.

“You have to admit, it's pretty funny.”

"No, it is not!”

"What's new? It's not the first time someone has caught us sleeping together.”

"Yeah? But it's the first time we're naked!”

“Oh.” Percy says, his smile softening. "It's even better.”

"You--you!"

Nico got up faster than a rocket, he grabbed the first thing he saw and threw it at Percy's head. When he saw it was a pillow, he picked up the object again and smacked Percy over the head with it until his arms began to ache and he was forced to stop, settling where he was, only now realizing to be Percy's lap. What pissed him off the most was the fact that Percy didn't even try to defend himself, laughing, sprawled across the bed like it was the happiest day of his life.

“Percy!”

“Gods! I think I’m dying. Did I go back in time by any chance? I still remember--

"Don’t you dare! How old are you?”

"Ten. Want to play house? I’ll build a fort out of chairs and blankets and we can--

"What got into you today, huh?"

"I'm happy. Don’t you?”

Nico stopped in the middle of another complaint, realizing that he was naked and still sitting on Percy's lap, just like he had a thousand times before, but this time, it meant so much more.

“Of course I am. But you don't have to go back to kindergarten.”

"Why not? It’s more fun than pretending to be a responsible adult.”

"We're not pretending… are we?"

“Nico." That's what Percy said before sitting down and hugging him tightly from the middle of his back. “I can fake many things, what I feel for you is not one of them.”

“I don't understand why now. What has changed?”

"Everything changed. You went away.”

“Per… I didn't know you cared so much, I thought… it was better if you didn't have a shadow following you around the corners.”

“Nico." Now Percy looked like he was in pain. "Who told you that? What made you think like this?”

“Well… it's just… you know… she said those things and I asked myself 'what if it's true?' I thought a little distance would be good.”

"For who? For me or for you?”

It was a good question. He just didn't want to feel so bad every time he saw those people in the school’s hallways, murmuring behind his back, things he didn't even want to know what it was, but deep down already suspected what it could be.

"Answer me.” Then Percy grabbed his face and made him look at him closely. "What were you running from?"

"Does it matter now? What will you do? Go after them and say how horrible they are? What... what's the use of looking back at the past?”

"When did you grow so much?" Percy didn't look happy about it, resigned at best.

“When I had to leave behind the one I loved the most.”

This finally silenced Percy, the boy looking at him so sadly it looked like Percy would burst into tears at any moment.

“I know who did this.” Percy said. “I needed to hear it from you. I didn't want to believe that she would do something like that.”

Nico found himself smiling, though it was a wilted, sad thing. That was the truth, people were mean and some of them would do anything to get what they wanted. The secret was not to be innocent and protect yourself, or try to stay away from their wrath. 

What could you do but try? He hugged Percy tightly and laid his head on Percy's shoulder. Since they were running late, there’s no need to rush things up.

***

When they finally went downstairs with their shower taken and hair combed, breakfast was already on the table; eggs, bacon, coffee, and juice. Something simple, but that they rarely had time to do. Why didn't they? Ah, now he remembered. Having to run from Will or explain to his father why he didn't want to spend time at the company had indeed taken up all his time and Bianca's as well, who ran from Hades as much or more than he himself did. But here? In the stillness without people chasing them was heaven, like a weight had finally lifted off their shoulders. It probably wouldn't last long, unfortunately. That’s why Nico wanted to take it slow, and maybe that way, he’d have more time to organize his mind and decide what to do from this moment on.

"All good?” Percy said in the hallway, as they left the room, heading towards the stairs to reach the first floor. “You've been quiet since we got in the bath.”

“Hm.” Was he that obvious or was Percy just paying attention? "I was thinking…”

"In what?”

“I… I just want to finish high school without the drama, you know? Graduate and try to make something useful out of life.”

"Is this about us?"

“I meant it when I said I didn't want a boyfriend. But I want my bestfriend back.”

"Allright.” Percy waved, all serious, though he had his hands on Nico's shoulders as they walked down the stairs, too close, to be honest. But it was a closeness Nico liked, even if he knew it made things more complicated. "Are you going to stop talking to me or is it about the sex?"

"I…" It was another good question. Did he want to get away from Percy?

“So there's no reason to put labels on what we are. It's just a name. I’ll never ask for something that you are not interested in providing.”

Nico knew all of this. Percy had never done something like that before and it wasn't now that his friend would start forcing him into something. In fact, Percy had been so patient that he'd been mistaking care for disinterest all these years. Now, he understood. Well, he understood because of yesterday. It was revealing. For real.

"Percy, look--”

“I understand more than anyone, but that doesn't change anything between us. I'm not in a hurry and I'm not going anywhere.”

"You promise?”

"I promise. I'm the same old Percy and you are my sweet little Nico. Nothing’s going to change.”

Nico blinked slowly and found himself lost in Percy's eyes, caught in every word and every whisper uttered. He knew all of this and hated how sexual the nickname now sounded, ‘my little Nico’ or ‘my sweet Nico’ spilling from Percy's lips in a tone so possessive and hot he should have run far away while he still could. He knew he should, and that was the problem, the urge and compulsion to get close to Percy was greater than any rationalization he could’ve had. When he realized what was happening, he found himself pressed against the wall at the bottom of the stairs, Percy right next to him, hands on his ass, their hips grinding against each other, and Percy's fingers pulling him by his hair in that kind of kiss meant for privacy of a bedroom walls.

He didn't remember Percy being this intense. Was all of this really because he'd been away for two years? The boy he knew was sweet, kind, and selfless. Now, most of the time, he could barely control himself when Percy decided that talking wasn't what they were supposed to do. Like in that moment, feeling Percy's hips grinding against his, almost making him come in his pants like a teenager, something he'd never was defore.

Gathering strength he didn't even know he had, Nico dragged his lips away from Percy's and took a deep breath and then pushed him away, just enough to disentangle their bodies, holding Percy by the shoulders at a safe distance.

"You can’t do that. You said you wouldn't force me.”

“I'm not forcing you.” Then Percy thought again and added, “I’m sorry. I won't do it again.”

Nico wasn't sure he believed it. Those green eyes on him, so intense they seemed to burn wherever they landed and the quick, gasping breaths told him something else, told him that if it was up to Percy they wouldn't be standing in the middle of the stairs.

"Percy, I don't think this is going to work."

“I said I'm sorry. I had to wait a long time. That's it. I'm not a monster, no matter what people say.”

“Nobody says anything.” Well, not since he went abroad. He remembered how Lou and Alabaster had hinted that Percy was waiting for the right moment to strike. And, all he had thought at the time was, “So what if Percy was? Were they jealous?” In the end, he'd walked away with a broken heart and another trauma for the collection.

“Hm, beautiful.” Percy smiled and this time Nico was paying attention. Percy took a step forward and contrary to what he expected, Percy didn't try to kiss him, I mean, not on the lips. Percy took his hands and brought them to his lips, kissing each finger separately. "I would never do anything that could hurt you. I hope you know that.”

"I do know.” Nico thought he knew, but he had discovered that good people could do bad things and after his last relationship, he wasn't sure of anything. “Just… let's take it slow, shall we?”

"Sure, Nico.”

Percy smiled once more and let both hands fall apart only to hold them in a comforting grip as they both looked down at their clasped hands. It was a scene he had never let himself visualize before, him and Percy, in a quiet place, nature around them, maybe some chairs stretched out in the sun and the two of them together, holding each other's hand as they watched the sun go down. Maybe… maybe if he was lucky enough. In a not too distant future. Maybe if they could--

“Here you are. How long will you whisper in the dark?

It was Bianca. Who else could it be?

***

For some reason, Percy wanted to laugh, even though the experience was turning out to be stranger than he'd anticipated. Instead of finding Hades who had told him he would arrive that morning, it was Bianca who had greeted them last night and opened the door for them; she hadn't asked anything and just said, 'Nico's room is in the same place.'

With a shrug, he had picked Nico up and headed upstairs, not the least bit put off by Bianca's presence. Percy admitted he was moving too fast, too eager, but who could blame him when as soon as they entered the room Nico had moaned softly and kissed him even sweeter, starting to take off his own clothes and lying in the middle of the bed with his legs open? He was only human, and like the weak being that he was, he did what Nico didn't have the courage to ask aloud, but said with his gaze and all that bare skin. Percy had knelt on the bed, kissed from Nico's legs to his neck to finally touch where he wanted most. Maybe he got a little carried away, touched too hard, because when he saw Nico, the boy was coming in his mouth and on his face, moaning as if it hurt and contracting so hard that for a moment he thought Nico was going to have an epileptic seizure; the only reason Percy wasn't worried was the expression of pure ecstasy on the delicate face of his baby, the heaving sigh as Nico relaxed on the bed and closed his eyes, calm and content.

He hadn't even cared about the result, him excited and frustrated, and Nico sleeping peacefully. It was his fault, plus Nico was under no obligation to reciprocate, whether they were dating or not. Taking a deep breath, all Percy did for long minutes was watch Nico sleeping comfortably on the bed, arms stretched over his head, gripping the pillows, legs spread and cock now flaccid, small and collected in the path of thin black hair that went from the lower part of his belly button to his groin, still wet with saliva and semen. Percy wanted to touch him again right then, turn Nico on one more time and see how long it took for him to come again.

In the end, making an effort to get away, Percy got out of bed slowly so as not to wake Nico up, entered the bathroom that was inside the suite and lowered his pants. It would be safer if he took care of things away from Nico, just to make sure he could behave the rest of the night; Percy knew how suspicious Nico was when it came to sexuality and trust, especially when a year ago Nico had broken up with his boyfriend and not told him the reason. And even if he suspected what had happened, that was none of his business either. If Nico didn't want to tell him, Percy should respect his decision. For now.

That way, He took care of things mechanically, found a clean towel, dampened it with warm water and cleaned Nico, then stripped off his clothes and climbed into bed with him. Percy had barely laid his head on the pillow when Nico wrapped his arms around his neck in his sleep, snuggling against him. Legs against legs and chest against chest, practically kissing him, stretched against his body.

"I missed you.” Nico murmured, sighing contentedly and falling back into his deep sleep once more.

Percy thought that had been one of the happiest moments of his life, Nico after so long letting himself be vulnerable around him when Percy thought that these scenes would never happen again.

Feeling a tightness in his heart as if it would explode at any moment and wanting to cry, Percy finally allowed himself to close his eyes and accept his feelings. He loved Nico, not even time or other people would make that same sense of completeness set in; no one made him feel as good and as powerful as Nico did, no one made him laugh or cry as easily, or create this crazy desire in him to be the best just to make sure he was able to give Nico everything he needed.

“I missed you too.” Percy ended up muttering back before falling asleep, pulling Nico closer and finally letting himself go.

Now they were sitting at the kitchen table, Bianca sitting across from him while Nico sat beside him, filling a plate with food and a cup of plain, unsweetened coffee, handing it to him.

“You still remember.” Percy said picked up the cup, taking a sip and inhaling the fragrance of freshly brewed and ground coffee, not as strong as he liked, but of exemplary quality. It was all so familiar that Percy found himself smiling, watching Bianca smirking and Nico pretend he wasn't embarrassed by the compliment. Nico was never very good at receiving them.

"I did nothing.”

“Hm.” He murmured, trying not to provoke Nico any further. But he couldn't help it, he followed Nico with his gaze, seeing him finally sit down and grab a glass of orange juice, taking a long sip before concentrating on his plate, when Bianca looked at him and asked:

"Percy Jackson, what brings you here?"

“Nico.” He said and smiled at Bianca. Between them there was never room for anything but outright sincerity. After all, she had allowed Nico to practically move into his home for those long, magnificent years and he wouldn’t do anything to break the trust between them.

"Are you serious this time?"

"Yes.”

"That’s nice.”

Bianca nodded, satisfied. She turned back to her food and raised a mouthful of eggs to her lips.

"What was this?” Nico asked, putting down his fork. He crossed his arms and glared at them.

"I wanted to know.” Bianca shrugged. “You arrived late yesterday.”

"I can’t believe this!” Nico covered his face and groaned anxiously. "Did you see us?"

"I saw everything.”

There was silence, however, not for long. Nico pushed back his chair and stood up, staggering.

“I need… I need to get my bag.”

Which was just one reason for him to hide for a while or until the blush faded away. Percy watched Nico drag himself out of the kitchen and turned to Bianca.

"So, then?" He asked. He knew Bianca wanted to say something, but he didn't want Nico to hear.

"You look different.”

"As?”

“More…decided. Mature.”

“Some things happened.”

When Bianca didn't say anything else, he shrugged and continued:

“Nico left and I found out a few things.”

"Things?”

"Nothing much.”

Bianca raised her eyebrows and Percy surrendered.

“It seems I was very nice and innocent. So I decided not to be anymore.”

"Do not tell me.”

"Nobody tells me these things! I thought Nico didn't think about…about…”

“Sex?”

“Apparently I was wrong and he thought I wasn't interested.”

"Hm..." Bianca looked at him for a few more moments and was merciful. “It's not your fault, it was that blonde girl who was always after you.”

"Damn it. I don't even like women!"

"And? I would be more careful if I were you.”

Percy knew this wasn't a threat but it was a warning, as Bianca would never do anything to get in the way of Nico's happiness.

"Do you think I should do something more drastic?"

“I think Nico would do something drastic if he thinks he's in the way.”

Percy stopped breathing for a moment and realized the seriousness of the problem, only now did he see that Bianca looked worried. She wouldn't be home when responsibility always came first for the Di Angelos; she wouldn't be wasting that precious time if Bianca didn't think it was extremely important.

“I'll take care of everything. You don’t need to worry.”

"It's what I hope.”

With that, they both lowered their heads and continued to eat until Nico returned, calmer and more composed. Both finished eating the rest of the food, and in a hurry, Nico soon pulled him by the hand and towards the car parked in front of the Di Ângelo's house.

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As always, your feedback is always important. Thanks for reading!

GILMORE GIRLS Season 2 Episode 13: A-Tisket, A-Tasket

Imagine #118

Imagine Percy and Nico being soulmates, but Nico never put in the Lotus with Bianca. Nico grows up knowing something is missing and training to be the one of the prophecy. He eventually finds the Lotus hotel on a quest and ends up trapped, because he’s a loner. Percy goes on his first quest, but this time he has been warned of the Hotel because Chirion knows it attracts children of the big three now. (Due to Nico) When Percy encounters the hotel with Annabeth and Grover they still enter because they’re exhausted. Nico is now Percy’s age and when the two meet. Percy talks to Nico long enough for Nico to remember more of his past and the two escape with Annabeth and Grover. The four complete the quest without a hitch, Nico having the ability to calm his father and convince him to release Sally. The four then confront Ares and Nico gives Percy his pink triangle he received back in his own time when Annabeth gives her camp necklace and Grover gives the tin can. The four fly to return the lightning bolt, Percy and Nico comforting each other due to fear of air travel. They go to Olympus and things play out like in the books, with the exception of Zeus being “ugh. Hades’s brat is alive?!” Percy defends Nico and Poseidon is like, “You should probably go, Percy.” Then, Percy checks on his mom. They then go back to camp and all four are honored. Nico is astounded by the demigods and has a hard time processing everything, especially the slang. Chiron welcomes Nico back and the two share an emotional bonding moment that everyone is like, ‘daww’ at. Luke betrays Percy in the same way he did in the actual books. Then, at the end of the book, Percy asks if Nico can come live with him and Sally and Sally says yes. The two go to school together and its cute.

Second book plays out as normal, with the only exception being Nico sneaks out with Tyson, Annabeth, and Percy. (And Nico has to be comforted by Percy due to fear of water that’s similar to the fear of the air). Thalia is returned to a living state and the children of the big three kind-of clash, but not really because all three are there and Nico becomes a kind-of mediator.

Then, Bianca is released from the Lotus. Thalia, Nico, Percy, and Annabeth are sent when Grover IM’s about her. Nico recognizes her immediately and wants to run to his sister, but is held back by Percy, who tries his best to explain that she wouldn’t remember him. Nico knows this to be true but still hates it. Percy goes to rescue Bianca and Annabeth falls off the cliff. Artemis saves them and Apollo informs everyone of not only Thalia’s age, but Nico’s as well.

Nico, apparently, now has the same birthday as Percy and they are both the same age. The two find this cool and just high-five. Though Apollo is seen glaring at the back of the bus (where Eros sits invisible shooting an arrow in Nico). Nico idolizes Percy for a bit there because of how brave he was in defending his sister. Then, Nico starts to hate himself for feeling his feelings. (Remember the era he grew up in.)

Percy follows the hunters and grover on the quest, and promises Nico a similar promise as in the book, because, “While I can’t keep her safe or make her remember, you can at least keep her safe. Promise me, Percy!” When Percy returns and has to give the news of Bianca, it crushes Nico. And, were it not for the deep friendships he had already formed he would have likely run to Sally. Percy comforts Nico as best he can, and Chirion permits Nico to raise Bianca. Percy then gains the idea of contacting the Hunt and having them say their goodbyes to Zoe. Nico thinks this is a great idea and Chirion contacts Artemis. 

They contact Bianca first, in-case she had anything to say to Zoe. Bianca remembers Nico,albeit faintly and the two share a “What might have been” moment before everyone else says goodbye to her. Then she leaves with a Thank you and telling Percy to not feel guilty (though everyone can tell he totally does)

Then they contact Zoe and a lot of the people cry. After everyone finishes (Annabeth ends up asking about the one-battle-i-can’t-remember-the-name-of for her dad, which Zoe finds sweet and gives percies details) 

After the goodbyes are finished and Zoe is sent off Artemis thanks Nico and actually gives him a hug. (Whispering in his ear, “I know it hurts, but we both must move on.”) Everyone is stunned by this but most see it similar to when Thalia hugged Percy. (Platonic hugs are the best things ever.)

Then, Percy and Nico head back to Sally and finish off the school year.

The fourth Book is changed, simply due to Nico not running. So this gets a bit complicated to imagine. Let’s just say, Percy, Annabeth, Tyson, Grover, and Nico all go on the quest. Nico runs away after admitting his feelings  and being scared of them. They run into him with Minos who is telling him lies. Percy convinces Nico to come with them. Rachel Elizabeth Dare is necessary. Pretty much the rest of the book is the same except Nico stays at camp at the end Percy ends up on Calypso’s Island she helps him figure out his feelings for Nico and during this she falls for him (he still grows a garden in New York to honor her) and Percico becomes a couple during the next school year because they both like eachother and Percy  shows him different cultural things like, “Hey, It’s okay to be Gay.“ 

Sword of Hades happens, and Nico comes back to Sally’s house after dealing with the Bob situation. Now, Nico and Percy have to deal with sharing the prophecy and Nico convinces Percy to bathe in the Styx. Sally gives approval. (And this time Percy isn’t captured by Hades because Nico would have memories of his mom (including Zeus killing her) and Hades understands they will share the prophecy.) Nico is what thethers Percy to the world. 

Then Last Olympian pretty much plays out the same way, but Nico convinces his father, a bit easier, to help fight for Olympus. 

Nico ends up with Percy and helps Luke make the decision. He then travels to the Underworld to garentee Luke to get whichever spot in the Undewrold he wanted. 

At the celbration, Nico and Percy come out as couple to camp (cupcake scene and underwater kiss cannot be stolen from Percy) 

Then Lost Hero happens and Nico reports back to Sally whenever he is not searching. He ends up in the underworld a few times and finds Hazel. He saves her and Hades guides him to be Pluto’s Ambassador. 

During SoN, Percy remembers Nico. When he sees Nico he demands information and Nico tells him honestly and Percy can see the pain and sincerity in Nico’s eys “I wish I could tell you, but I can’t. You need to find out on your own, no matter how much this hurts I’m sorry.” Percy doesn’t like it, but accepts it after Nico begins to have tears stream down his face.

When Percy regains his memories in SoN, he gets frustrated at Nico but understands and cares about him a ton.

Annabeth is still the one of the seven and she was still worried. (Hey, you have that close of a friendship with someone, wouldn’t you judo flip them for being gone that long?) The seven end up sailing and MoA happens. (Only there is a kiss when Nico and Percy are reunited.) Percy still cares about Annabeth and still ends up helping her (because, again their best friends. Come on. Platonic love exists people!) So, then Percy and Annabeth still fall into Tatarus. Nico and Percy shout ‘I love you’s as Percy falls, both sobbing and Annabeth shocked Percy would fall with her. 

Nico leads them to the House of Hades (Cupid sequence is Nico admitting he still feels like he shouldn’t like guys in that way and cupid being a freaking nice character and actually helping Nico with his feelings, and Jason being a good person and accepting Nico and becoming his friend though discussion and shared experience.) 

House of Hades then on happens similar to how it did in the book, but with platonic-still-deeply-care-about-eachother-just-not-romantically-okay-Percabeth instead of romantic-lets-kiss-type Percabeth. When Nico learns about Bob he freaks out and just Nico-sadness. 

Then, Nico volunteers to Shadow Travel with Reyna and Coach to get the Athena Pathenos to camp. Percy doesn’t want him to leave, but Nico promises to see him soon. (Kiss moment) Then the three leave and the seven are off to Athens.

Blood of Olympus happens (but with more actual blood.) Annabeth and Percy get seriously injured (though they don’t die) and when Apollo gets there he can partially heal them, but they cannot fight geia directly due to the sheer amount of injuries. (Plus he’s like “Woah! You two need to talk to me later because I need to physco analyze you. Tatarus did some serious crap to you two. And Nico went there too? Gosh dammit, take him along to. when you meet with me, okay?”) (So, there, reason for no direct fighting) When the giants were fighting frank, the one with control over fire almost burned his stick to a crisp, so he decides to sit out the direct battle, due to the “Storm or FIRE” part of the prophecy. Everyone is pretty much okay with this because, “WE CAN’t LET YOU DIE FRANK” Hazel, however, climbs on Festus and helps destroy Mother Earth. She uses the soil in the airborne body of Gaia to morph the earth goddess and make her more vulnerable. Piper works on Lulling her back to sleep with a lullaby so strong most wear earplugs. (Plus, Leo helped by giving her megaphone) Leo works on his fire part. Nico is still fading from shadow travel, but he, along with Percy, Annabeth, Tyson, Grover, Frank, and Reyna convince the two camps to stop fighting, though there have already been many casualties. (Most well known being Clarisse, having died protecting one of the younger campers (whom she had earlier been teasing) who had snuck up to help fight. Octavian fires himself, though many try to stop him. Jason flies Hazel and Piper to the ground in time and Leo promises to jump and says him “you’ll have to catch me” line from Lost Hero. Leo doesn’t jump and with the combined efforts of Hazel, Jason, Piper, Festus, and the two sacrifices of Octavian and Leo Geia is defeated.

Leo saves Calypso from Oygia and the two return to camp to find his memorial being presented by Nico with the 7 and coach hedge speaking on his behalf. The two wait until Coach finishes to enter the area. Annabeth just cries out, “NOT AGAIN” (Because of Percy and MT. St helens) and Nico chuckles. Piper punches Leo in the face after he makes a joke and the 7 + Nico and Coach hedge give him hugs. Calypso and Percy fist bump and Percy apologizes for not following up with the gods. 

Then, Celebration is had for Leo’s return and Nico and Percy make sure the two get dumped in the lake for their initiation. 

I think some people (myself included) think that 100k is short because we are used to reading fic of more than 250k but you are right. I know that 100k is a lot of work and effort but that does not mean that because of our very twisted way of seeing things, we do not value every word that writers share with us (or at least that is my case)

hmm i’ve seen people say “i won’t read a fic if it’s less than 300k because it’s not worth my time,” and i’ve seen people demand more more more more despite a writer giving them a 80-100k story (a literal book). so i get that reading fic of more than 250k might skew perception, but even 20k, 40, 80k — that’s a lot of work. time. effort. thought. care. not all writers have the time or energy to write 800k epics. it doesn’t make their work any less worth praise and love, which is what i’d really like this fandom to wrap its head around.

Ok! "Sweet Enough to Eat"

It's a title, but was the last thing I read.

Thanks for tagging me!

@gutsnoir @perryjackpott @language-of-blueberries @g0thnico

Tag as many people as the number of words in the last sentence you read in a book

"There's nothing scarier than a gang of bat wielding grannies." ~Jason Grace

@whoslug @serafilms @peapea-0405 @nothankyou543 @yeeteddemigod @allyyxe @starfire21 @beommii @incorrectenhypen @primordial-space-spaghetti and anyone else who wants to join <3

(and sorry for tagging a few of you even when we don't talk)

Ligação

#desafiodascempalavras

Prompt: Fio vermelho, ligados pelo destino, alma gêmeas

Tema: primeiro encontro

Nico se sentou na arquibancada do campo de futebol e olhou ao redor, procurando por alguém, alguém que ele não sabia quem era, mas sabia que o reconheceria se o visse. Sabe, ele geralmente prefere ficar sozinho, com seus livros e músicas e videogames, mas hoje, hoje algo dentro dele o disse para ir até ali, falou para ele se sentar naquelas mesmas arquibancadas e esperar. Só esperar. 

Não demorou muito, mais a frente havia um grupo de amigos, jogadores e líderes de torcida, todos conversando animadamente como se só existissem eles. Nico não se importava, pois seguindo seus instintos que diziam para ele se mover, Nico fez. Ele se levantou, andou em um linha reta, descendo os degraus da arquibancada e parou em frente a um homem alto e de cabelos castanhos claros de sol.

 — Oi. — Ele disse para o homem.

O homem olhou para ele por um momento, parecendo confuso, mas no outro, sorriu para ele e… o abraçou bem apertado no mesmo momento em que alguém perto deles perguntou:

— Percy, quem é esse cara?

— Eu não sei, mas eu vou descobrir. 

— Nico di Ângelo. — Nico diz, ainda nos braços de Percy.

— É um prazer, Nico. Percy Jackson. 

— Annabeth Chase, namorada do Percy.

Mas Nico não se importava, ele só conseguia olhar para Percy e Percy também não desgrudava os olhos dele. Nada mais importava.