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

A quick tip for writers out there, who use Microsoft Words:

Change the background colour of the pages to a mint green shade.

It is said that green is a calming colour, however, the main reason why I like this, is because I can write for a much longer period of time now, as a white background I used before made my eyes dry and exhausted after just a few hours of working.

It is basically much more soft and careful to the eyes. I can’t precisely explain why that is. I think it’s that by making a pinch softer contrast of the text and the background, your eyes does not get exposed to as much light.

Just make sure to not make the background too dark, or else your eyes will get exhausted do to over-fixating the lack of contrast between text and background.

And maybe you find a nice pastel/light background shade that fits you; give it a try.

Different things work out and fits for different people. And I just felt like sharing this.

Here’s the shade numbers I used to get my preferred colour:

Thanks for reading.

Intervalo

TAGS: +18, textos curtos, lugar de trabalho, menor de idade, banheiro

— Você mentiu para mim. — Percy disse baixinho e rouco no ouvido de Nico, para que somente ele pudesse ouvir. Eles estavam no banheiro de deficientes do 12° andar, lugar que geralmente era vazio. Nico não sabia o que tinha dado nele, meses de provocação que não passavam de uma inocente brincadeira tinham enfim resultado na imagem de suas fantasias mais sujas; abrir as pernas e deixar que seu chefe o fodesse gostoso e fundo em um lugar público onde qualquer um poderia escutar do lado de fora.

Percy puxou sua cabeça para trás e agarrou em seus cabelos negros com força, o fazendo abrir as pernas e sentar em seu colo, se afundando contra Percy e ouvindo a privada ranger. Nico pôde sentir o momento que Percy o segurou firme pela cintura e ambos já sem as roupas de baixo, deslizou para dentro dele com dificuldade e com um grunhido de prazer, deixando que a gravidade o puxasse para baixa naquela tortura tão prazerosa.

— Ah! Eu não m—menti... eu n—não... hmmmm... — Nico gemeu, se sentindo amolecer nos braços fortes de Percy. Eles tinham feito um trabalho bem rápido, com apenas um pouco de lubrificante e força bruta, agora a dor se misturava com o prazer, fazendo seu interior se abrir por conta própria.

Percy fincou os dedos em sua pele e forçou os últimos centímetros para dentro, rebolando dentro dele com aqueles pequenos empurrões, para dentro e para fora, controlando Nico como se ele pesasse menos do que uma pluma.

— Por favor! — Nico implorou, perdido nas mãos de Percy em seu corpo e no membro que criava novos caminhos dentro dele.

— Você tem certeza? — Percy abriu mais as pernas de Nico e o penetrou mais a fundo, Nico choramingou, se contorcendo todo. — Aposto que você ainda vai pra escola. Você é daqueles que finge namorar garotas, mas quando ninguém vê deixa homens como eu te fuder, hmm? Você não tem vinte anos. Você não tem graduação em publicidade. Você é um virgem, o virgem mais apertado que eu já tive o prazer de ter. O mais jovem, também.

Percy deslizou os dedos pelas pequenas bolas de Nico e as apertou, os escorregando para baixo, circulando a entrada molhada e enfiando um dedo junto com seu membro, o alargando ainda mais.

— É isso que você queria, não era? Um homem grande com pau enorme te fazendo sentir o que aquelas menininhas não podem?

— C—como...! — Nico guinchou novamente, seu membro se contorcendo todo sem nem ser tocado.

— Como eu sei disso? É tão óbvio, está estampado no seu rosto. E no seu documento de identidade, também. Não sei como não pensei em verificar mais cedo.

— Então, porque...? Por favor, eu preciso... hmmmm...

— Isso. Assim. Bem melhor, você não acha?

Nico não conseguia responder. Ou pensar. Percy havia largado de suas pernas e tocado em seu membro, o segurando levemente, mal o tocando; o havia feito empinar mais a bunda e finalmente encontrado o ponto que fez sua visão escurecer por momento.

Oh.

— Shhhh... eu sei o que você está pensando. É errado e blá blá blá. Você acha que eu não sei? Eu tenho uma família, sabe? Uma linda garotinha de cinco anos e uma mulher estonteante me esperando em casa. — Percy disse com a respiração rápida e corpo curvando ao redor de Nico, o abraçando por trás, mas como se contasse uma história para um amigo. — Tenho um bom emprego e dinheiro suficiente para não trabalhar se eu quisesse. Mas tem esse garoto... um estagiário que é mais competente que o próprio dono, que seria eu, e que vive rebolando aquela bundinha empinada, tão doce e inocente com seu lindo sorriso. Eu tive que fazer alguma coisa sobre isso.

— Oh, meus deuses! Eu n—não quer—ria! — Nico gaguejou, sua visão embaçando e lacrimejando, rebolando no colo de seu chefe sem pudor algum.

— Infelizmente, você não vai poder continuar a ser meu funcionário. — Percy continuou como se Nico não o tivesse interrompido, mantendo sua cadência lenta e profunda, colados um ao outro. — Eu ignorei até agora porque... bem... eu sei que você entende, Nico. Volte daqui há dois anos quando você estiver na faculdade, sua vaga vai estar reservada. Mas enquanto isso... ah, sim... perfeito.

Percy suspirou extasiado e então segurou no membro de Nico com firmeza, moveu a mão com rapidez e com a outra, manteve Nico imóvel enquanto o fodia forte e rápido, finalmente permitindo que Nico gozasse longamente, apertando Percy e o levando junto.

O começo do fim

#desafiodascempalavras

Prompt: Apocalipse

Tema: Eles estavam procurando por sobreviventes, mas eu escolhi ficar quieto. Eu gostava daqui.

Prompt tirado de https://promptuarium.wordpress.com/2020/01/06/survivors-2/

O começo do fim

Eles estavam procurando por sobreviventes, mas Nico escolheu ficar quieto. Ele gostava dali, era tranquilo, não havia problemas e nem monstros a serem destruídos.

Ele nunca pensou que fosse gostar tanto de um mundo onde noventa e cinco por cento da população tinha perecido por culpa de uma nova vacina contra o câncer e, ao invés de prevenir tumores, a vacina acabou por mudar o DNA das pessoas, as transformando em um tipo de zumbi que não representava qualquer tipo de perigo; eles andavam por aí durante dias e dias e quando a energia deles acabavam ou eles se definhavam devido a desnutrição, as pessoas infectadas apenas caiam no chão e não se levantavam novamente.

Mas é claro que Nico tinha que ouvir a voz “dele”.

Nico se abaixou atrás de um arbusto, fechando sua bolsa cheia de frutas e ouviu novamente a voz chamando.

— Tem alguém aí?

Nico se virou, se preparando para rastejar para longe dali quando uma voz falou novamente, bem as suas costas:

— Eu sabia que era você. Eu pensei que era minha imaginação, porque faz tempo que eu não sinto a energia de um semideus, então quando eu--

— Cala a boca! Eles vão te escutar!

Nico pegou Percy pelo braço e o puxou para longe, subindo por um caminho íngreme e entrando em uma caverna escondida pela árvores. Era a única opção se ele quisesse continuar escondido.

I came across this article, and it got me thinking about neurodivergence and platonic relationships.

Bring on the Pigeons

Aromanticism, Aplatonicism, Neurodivergence and Me

Originally, I was going to call this post “Accepting that I was aro was a lot harder than accepting that I was ace, but not for the reasons

Like OP I'd heard of the term aplatonic, but I'd resisted applying the label to myself. It made me kind of uncomfortable, like a flickering light that I'd refused to look at or focus on. I'd think 'that can't be me, I want friends' then move on before I could think about it too much. Because deep down this term struck a chord. One that felt too much like saying 'I'm a bad person who doesn't like their friends'.

But I am bad at maintaining friendships. Not super great at making them either if I'm honest. Most of this can possible be explained by autism, and my struggle with friendships was the primary reason why I'd started suspecting that I might be autistic. (But am I really autistic though?)

I'd heard other autistics explaining how they kind of lack object permanence when it comes to people. Not that they literally don't think that someone doesn't exist when they don't see them, but that they don't think of them. This mirrors my own experience with friends. I don't think of them that often. And if I do and realise that I haven't spoken or seen them in a while, then actually contacting them for catch up takes a lot of energy and mental prep before hand. Phoning people makes me anxious, even for people I talk to all the time and know that I can talk to easily. It's a huge mental effort to go 'I'm going to call Sally today'. Even then I'll probably tidy my bedroom first, do the laundry, vacuum etc., then decide it's too late and put off calling her for another week.

Recently I came across the term 'relationship degradation mechanics' by twitter user Khoshtistic. They described it in terms of their ADHD, but it also describes my own experience perfectly. The term comes about from video games which have a friendship meter for NPCs which either fills up over time, or empties, depending on how often you interact with an NPC. I frequently forget about my friends (that faulty object permanence), I don't message them, call, or organise meet ups. There have been times when I've decided to message someone and then realised that the last time I interacted with them was a year ago. In those instances I often feel so guilty about it that I decide against messaging them completely. Why draw attention to it? When I do happen to catch up with a friend, months or years after I last saw them, I'm often surprised that our friendship bar has degraded. I expect things to be the same as when we last met up, but they aren't.

My partner is always messaging his friends. He is the polar opposite of me in many ways, but especially in this. If he hasn't seen his friends for a while he gets sad and upset about it. When I ask him how long it's been, he'll tell me that it's been ages. But how long is that? A couple weeks, he says. For him those couple of weeks span a millennia, for me that feels like yesterday.

This type of conversation is not uncommon for us:

Him: We haven't seen Sally and John in ages

Me: But we just saw them. Remember? we played board games

Him: That was 2 weeks ago!

Me: Exactly. Only 2 weeks ago.

We both have a very different understanding of time.

His relationship with friendships is informed by his ADHD in a very different way to mine. He worries that if he doesn't stay in contact with people constantly, then they'll think he hates them and subsequently decide that they hate him too. Rejection Sensitivity Disorder (RSD) is a bitch. I'm glad I don't have that, but sometimes I wish I cared a little more than I do.

He cares so much for his friends and what they think of him. Sometimes I feel like I'm not really friends with anyone, and that I'm only preforming friendship. Sometimes I feel like an unfeeling robot, and the ace/aro community often (unintentionally) amplifies that feeling. The uncaring aro or ace person is a common trope that the aspec community rails against, usually by saying that one can still have strong and intimate platonic relationships. However this is something that I don't have either. I'm ace, aro, and at the very least bad at friends. So what does that make me?

I hate to say this, and like, rain on everyone’s parade, but after scrolling past three posts about it on a writing tag …

If you are looking up synonyms to exchange words out in your story with the purpose of sounding smarter, more sophisticated, or complicated to your reader, you are probably abusing the thesaurus.

Now, if you *want* to do this, I mean, you can write whatever or however you want! But I just want you to know that this is frowned upon if you are trying to write at a professional level.

I have an old article on this somewhere …

If you want to look at the original article…

https://www.septembercfawkes.com/2018/08/how-to-use-thesaurus-properly.html

septembercfawkes.com

How to use the Thesaurus Properly

Some authors say to never use a thesaurus. But guess what? I use one all the time. Why do some authors say that? Because a lot of people in

Reading a book: “Ah, yes, brilliant. That totally makes sense. How clever!”

Attempting to write a book: “I am a complete and utter fraud. Who gave me permission to wield words? Someone revoke my keyboard.”

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

O que é isso? O terceiro capítulo da semana? É um milagre! Nessa semana vocês realmente podem me chamar de escritora, porque eu escrevi muitoooooo.

Agora, falando serio. A vontade de escrever já está virando obsessão, então vamos ver até onde ela dura. E claro, peço desculpas pela baixa na qualidade do texto. É isso o que acontecesse quando se escreve muito em pouco tempo, por isso revisão e edição é tão importante. E tipo, sinto muito pelo drama! Eu já disse que escrita é minha terapia? Não é literal, são coisas que eu vejo, vivo e sinto tudo misturado. Acho que é isso o que eles chamam de "estilo de escrita".

O capítulo é pequeno, mas de qualquer forma, espero que você 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 / CAPÍTULO XVIII

— Obrigado. — Ele acabou dizendo quando a família o abraçou em conjunto, Sally quase chorando enquanto Grover e Tyson tinham uma expressão séria e neutra no rosto, o fazendo se lembrar quando Percy estava tentando se controlar para não destruir o que visse pelo caminho.

Ele também gostava disso, sabendo que poderia contar com a família inteira. E já que ele estava sendo sincero, por que não continuar?

— Eu não via Hades há anos, ele não é importante. Será que é necessário tanto trabalho por causa dele? Eu estava pensando em algo mais eficaz.

—  O que você precisar, querido. — Dessa vez, foi Sally quem disse, se já se recompondo; a mãe dando espaço para a mulher de negócios.

— Eu estava pensando em emancipação. — Quando ninguém disse nada, Nico preferiu fechar os olhos e continuar falando. — Hades tem o controle das posses da minha mãe e como filho único, eu só teria acesso a isso com vinte e um anos. Se eu apressar esse processo, posso tentar recuperar o que é meu antes que Hades destrua tudo.

— Não entendo, Hades não pode mexer nesse dinheiro sem a permissão da justiça. — Tyson disse, confuso.

— Esse é o problema. Minha mãe tinha ações e outros ativos que Hades tem acesso. Grande parte do que ele tem vem da minha mãe.

— Você está nos dizendo que quem era rica era sua mãe e não Hades? — Agora era Percy quem parecia inconformado.

— Hades costumava ser um gerente de banco. Ela se apaixonou e eu nasci. Na verdade, Bianca é minha meia irmã. Meu avô é um grande fazendeiro, sabe? Mamãe costumava ajudá-lo antes de Hades aparecer.

— Nossa. — Grover murmurou. — Seu pai é filho da puta.

— Ele é. Eu não me sentia seguro em contar isso para ninguém, mas agora que ele não pode me machucar é o momento de recuperar tudo o que ele tirou de mim.

— Nós vamos ajudar. Tyson vai começar os preparativos.

— Será que a gente pode pegar ele de surpresa? Tentar recuperar a herança da minha mãe e fazer a emancipação juntos? Eu não quero dar tempo para ele revidar.

— É claro. É uma ótima ideia. — Tyson disse com um estranho brilho no olhar. — Ele nem vai perceber quando a gente pegar ele. Eu prometo.

— Tudo bem. Eu confio em você. Se a emancipação não der certo, vocês podem ser meus guardiões? Nunca mais quero voltar para aquela casa.

— Você tem nossa palavra. — Sally tocou em seu ombro, sorrindo para ele com lágrimas nos olhos. — Vamos destruir esse homem, nem que seja à força.  

— Vocês não precisam prometer. Eu só… não quero ficar sob o controle dele. Não sei o que pode acontecer.

— Bianca está bem morando com ele?

— Ele nunca tratou Bianca como me trata.

— Oh, querido. — Sally disse e o abraçou forte, ainda com Percy o segurando pela cintura. 

Ele se negava a chorar, se negava a dar a Hades esse gostinho, se negava a continuar sob o controle daquele homem. Enquanto ele estava em Verona com seus avós, primos e tios, Hades não teve a coragem de se aproximar. Mas agora que nenhum outro adulto era responsável por ele, Hades pensava que poderia mandar nele. Bem, Nico iria provar para aquele homem e devolver um gostinho do que Hades havia feito com ele.

— Eu estou bem. Tudo isso ficou no passado. Eu só quero o que é meu.

— Nós sabemos. — Percy finalmente disse, saindo de seu estupor. — Eu vou cuidar de você.

Nico sabia disso, Percy estava dizendo essas palavras com tanta frequência que ele estava começando a acreditar. Talvez eles realmente tivessem uma chance de se casar no futuro e construir uma família somente deles, longe de toda essa confusão e dor. Talvez se ele se comportasse e fizesse tudo do jeito certo, ele se libertaria desse pesadelo, dessas pessoas que pareciam decididas a torturá-lo.

***

Depois disso as coisas pareceram se acalmar, porém, de uma forma delicada.

Ele disse que deveria ter ficado calado desde o início, não disse? Nico não entendia exatamente o que estava acontecendo, mas suspeitava de algo. Percy estava se distanciando dele, como se estivesse afrouxando a guia de sua coleira para ver até onde ele iria sem supervisão. Ou talvez, fosse apenas o que ele sentia. Talvez Percy estivesse dando um espaço para ele, um tempo para ele entender o que acontecia e dar o próximo passo. Onde Percy estava de seu lado em todos os momentos do dia, agora outra pessoa o substituiria sem ele nem perceber. Era estranho, nas poucas vezes que ele se pegava sozinho e conseguia pensar, o efeito do que Percy queria se tornava o contrário. Esse tempo sozinho o fazia pensar na vida e nas possibilidades que o futuro guardava para ele. Isso o assustava, a incerteza, vendo que teria que tomar as rédeas da própria vida se quisesse viver confortavelmente, quando, na realidade, tudo o que ele desejava era que alguém viesse e lhe dissesse qual era o caminho certo a tomar.

Aquela tarde não seria diferente, o fazendo se perder na sucessão dos dias, dias agradáveis e com pessoas que se importavam, mas sem o prazer que ele tinha se acostumado a receber. Será que alguns dias era o suficiente para Percy se convencer? Ele estava se comportando como era esperado dele? Nico estava tão cansado que apenas se levantou da cama e saiu andando pela casa. Ele encontrou Sally na cozinha, negando o convite para cozinhar com ela. Encontrou Tyson na sala de estudos e ele ofereceu para atualizá-lo sobre o caso de Hades, e mais uma vez negou, passando por Grover que estava na sala de estar e indo direto para a área externa da casa, o único lugar que Percy poderia estar. E lá Nico o encontrou, nadando em velocidade rápida na piscina, para cima e para baixo, e quando Nico finalmente se aproximou o suficiente para ver melhor a figura de Percy, ele permaneceu em silêncio, se perguntando se era uma boa ideia quebrar sua rotina auto-imposta. E se esse fosse o futuro deles e Nico apenas estivesse atrasando e lutando contra o que não tinha jeito? Se vendo em um beco sem saída, Nico se sentou em uma das espreguiçadeiras e continuou observando Percy nadar furiosamente, parecendo que tentava descontar toda sua frustração na água.

Agora, não faltava muito. Se Nico ainda estivesse seguindo o script deles, em poucos minutos Percy sairia da piscina e iria em busca dele. Percy o abraçaria e sorriria para ele, sendo todo carinhoso e eles passariam o resto da tarde e parte da noite fazendo qualquer coisa que não fosse o que eles queriam estar fazendo. Ele estava tão cansado de tudo isso que nem se surpreendeu quando Percy saiu da piscina, como se alguém o estivesse perseguindo, quase passando direto por ele. Nico sentia vontade de rir, isso era tão ridículo; Percy era ridículo e ele também era ridículo. O que eles estavam esperando? O trauma e tristeza desaparecem para que eles pudessem continuar com a vida deles? Que talvez com tempo e paciente Nico seria uma pessoa normal e equilibrada mentalmente? O mais engraçado foi ver Percy voltando de ré e parando ao lado de sua cadeira, sorrindo encabulado para ele. E o que Nico fez? Ele sorriu de volta, era a única coisa racional a se fazer em uma situação que não fazia nenhum sentido.

— Ei, lindo. O que você faz aqui sozinho? — Percy perguntou e se agachou, ficando em sua altura e o encarando bem de perto.

— Senti sua falta. 

— É?

— Eu queria saber onde você estava.

— Eu estou aqui, como sempre.

Nico queria dizer que era uma mentira. Percy podia estar ali, mas não estava do seu lado.

— O que está acontecendo com a gente? — Ele perguntou, se sentindo mais cansado a cada momento que se passava.

— Não está acontecendo nada. — Percy disse e sorriu para ele, o tocando suavemente no rosto. E esse era o problema, nada acontecia e ele precisava que algo acontecesse imediatamente, ou ele iria enlouquecer por completo.

Nico quase se deixou levar pela carícia platônica, quase deixou que o sorriso calmo de Percy o enganasse.

— Eu… eu fiz algo errado?

— Isso nunca seria possível.

— Você não gosta mais de mim?

— Nico. — Percy disse na voz mais calma que ele já tinha ouvido. — Acho que a gente devia desacelerar.

— Mais do que isso?

— Eu… — Então a máscara de tranquilidade no rosto de Percy se quebrou. — Eu abusei de você. Eu nunca perguntei porque você não falava com seu pai. Nunca questionei porque você chorava e tremia quando pensava que ninguém estava vendo. Eu preciso de espaço. Pensei que seria bom para você também.

— Eu não preciso de espaço. Eu preciso de você.

Nico não hesitou, ele se jogou no colo de Percy e o abraçou bem apertado, sentindo um nó na garganta se formar.

— Nico. Eu… eu me sinto culpado. Eu sou apenas mais um que quer abusar de você. — O importante era que Percy o abraçou de volta, bem apertado, o segurando pela nuca e sussurrando em seu ouvido. — Eu quero te ver aos meus pés e quero te ver obedecendo tudo o que eu mandar. Quero que você olhe só para mim e pense só em mim. Você acha que isso é diferente do que Hades estava fazendo com você?

— Eu não me importo. — Pronto, ele tinha dito. — Eu quero fazer tudo isso por você.

— Nico, por favor.

— Eu estou cansado. Por que eu não posso ter o que eu quero? Por que é tão errado estar sob o controle de outra pessoa?

Ele ouviu Percy gemer e antes que pudesse reagir, Percy o puxou pelos cabelos e o fez encará-lo, seus olhos verdes em chamas, como se Percy estivesse prestes a devorá-lo ali mesmo.

— Você vai me matar. Você sabe disso? Eu estou tentando cuidar de você. Estou fazendo o que é melhor para você.

— Eu quero não o melhor, eu só quero não me sentir tão miserável o tempo todo. Você pode fazer a dor passar?

Percy olhou por um longo momento para ele, parecendo que iria desmoronar a qualquer instante, mas finalmente sua vontade foi atendida; Percy encostou os lábios dele contra os seus e ficou assim por alguns momentos, o permitindo sentir o calor e o toque que ele tanto tinha sentido falta. E de repente, era o suficiente para Nico. Não era o sexo que ele sentia falta, era o calor do corpo de Percy sobre o dele, o afeto, toque atencioso, o liberar da tensão, a conexão que ele não havia encontrado em nenhum outro lugar.

Infelizmente, o momento foi quebrado algum tempo depois. As mãos de Percy continuaram sobre sua pele e ele ainda estava sentado no colo de Percy, eles ainda se encaravam como se o outro fosse sumir se eles desviassem a atenção.

— Eu nunca quis que você se sentisse assim. — Percy enfim disse, engolindo em seco. — Eu me sinto um monstro. Eu vou-- eu vou superar isso, eu só preciso de um tempo.

— A gente precisa ficar longe? Eu não quero aprender sobre advocacia com Tyson ou sobre esportes com Grover, eu nem mesmo quero aprender novas receitas com Sally. Prometo que não vou te incomodar.

— Como você pode fazer isso comigo? — Foi tudo o que Percy disse antes de enfiar o rosto em seu pescoço e Nico sentir lágrimas atingirem sua pele, os braços de Percy se apertando ao redor de sua cintura.

— Oh.

Talvez não tenha sido uma boa ideia encurralar Percy no final das contas. Nico se convenceu disso quando ouviu o primeiro soluço. Por que tudo o que ele fazia dava errado? Com o peito apertado, Nico puxou Percy para cima e deitou com ele na espreguiçadeira. Ele obedeceria aos desejos de Percy e daria o espaço que ele precisava.

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Então, está muito ruim? Qualquer feedback é bem-vindo, nem que seja para me cobrar alguma coisa. Vou adorar ver vocês por aqui. E só para avisar, a versão em inglês vai vir assim que minha inspiração esvaziar um pouco e infelizmente a qualidade vai continuar duvidosa até que isso aconteça; quanto mais tempo eu passo revisando ou traduzindo, menos palavras eu escrevo e mais a evolução da história se atrasa. Espero que vocês entendam. E obrigada desde já!

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter VI e Chapter VII

Hi, how are you? Since I'm going to try to write a new chapter tomorrow, I decided to post it today. Two more short chapters for you. I hope you like it! See you on Wednesday!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V

Chapter VI 

"No running, please." Nico murmured, knowing that the children were already too far away to hear.

Fortunately, the day had passed without too many problems. After that warm introduction, he had dropped the children off at school and with nothing left to do, he returned to Mr. Jackson's house. It was only when Nico found himself standing in the large living room that he found a note on the coffee table:

“Nico, I need you to babysit the kids tonight. I pay overtime. I hope you don’t have any problems. Sorry for the late notice. I’ll be home until 5 if you have any questions.”

Percy Jackson.”

Percy Jackson had to be kidding him, right? It was his first day and the guy already thought he was going to enslave him anyway? What a strange family! Apparently, Percy Jackson was the type to stay locked in his room for hours and the mysterious lady Annabeth Chase was even worse, she was never home and on top of that she seemed to practice maternal abandonment. It was even funny, she hired him and wasn't even home to explain things while he had to put up with her bipolar husband? But everything was fine, as always. He would stay, anyway.

The real problem arose when Nico went to the kitchen that afternoon in search of lunch and came across a fridge full of food, yes, but all the food in there was raw. Or spoiled. In fact, it looked like no one had opened that fridge for months. And since he was there, why not?

Taking a deep breath and feeling a little nauseous, Nico stuck his face in the fridge and started taking out everything that smelled or looked suspicious, vegetables, greens, legumes and even a piece of meat that seemed to have a different color. In the end, he ended up with a giant garbage bag, full to the brim and giving off a foul odor, resting to him very little that could be used. He had a few options, of course; either he could spend the afternoon making a soup, or he could buy food. And since Nico was the only one who was going to eat, he thought it best to buy something for now. So, he grabbed the car keys again and left before it got too late. When he came back he brought back some cooked rice, vegetables, roast meat and a large salad that could be shared with three other people. The good thing was that he had arrived just in time for lunch, almost after one o'clock.

That was how Nico spent his first afternoon at the Chase-Jackson house, reading a book about literature, eating slowly and then exploring the rest of the house, he even found a swimming pool in the backyard to the right of the property while he waited patiently until it was time to pick up the kids. And when the time finally came, he grabbed the car keys, remembering the food that was left in the fridge and neatly packed in its containers. So, Nico decided, Mr. Jackson deserved some food too; Like, the man couldn't stay inside his room all day without eating, could he?

He made a nice plate for the boss, knocked on the door and put the plate and tray on the floor. Without looking back, he turned and went down the stairs, heading straight out of the house towards the car, luckily arriving at the children's school before they got out. It wasn't long before a sea of students arrived, all in a hurry to leave.

Before he knew it, Nico was attacked by hands and arms that dug into him in a way that made it impossible for him to break free.

"You came!”

"Shouldn't I?" He asked Logan, confused.

"The nannies are always late." Alice completed her brother's speech. "It's boring to wait here. Is it really that hard to be on time, you know?”

"I understand. You don't have to wait with me.”

Happy, the children held his hand and walked with him to the car. With his help, they sat in the back seat without stopping talking; even Alice, who had seemed quiet that morning, was now gesturing and telling them about her day. Nico did his best to pay attention to what they were saying and wave at the right times, preferring to pay attention to driving through the city, soon entering the condominium once again. And now? Now he was trying to keep up with their pace. The moment they arrived home, Nico helped them out of the car and as soon as they were free, they each gave him a tight hug and both ran through the garden, already climbing the small porch and going through the front door.

And, in a burst of energy, he ran after the children, taking their backpacks and lunchboxes with him, listening to them talking in the kitchen, this scene reminding him that they would have nothing to eat.

"Nico! Nico! I'm hungry!" He heard one of them scream.

"Do you know how to cook?" The other one completed.

Admitting defeat, it seemed like Nico would have to cook after all, right?

He placed their bag and car keys next to the living room table and walked towards the kitchen until he entered it; Nico already regretted not having ordered more food. As much as he wanted to avoid further interrogation, he had no choice. The children were lucky to be so cute. The good thing was that after spending part of the afternoon cleaning out the fridge, Nico knew exactly where to find everything he needed; vegetables, spices and greens, going straight to the cupboard and grabbing a pot. He filled it with water and put it on the stove, trying to pretend to be in front of the stove, pretending to be busy just so he wouldn't have to face this ordeal.

And honestly? He was already getting tired of this.

"Nicooo… where did you learn to do that?”

"Did your daddy teach you?”

Has he said he was tired of it? Nico knew how curious children could be and have a thousand questions. But this went beyond pure curiosity, it was the work of a being made entirely of cruelty. However, something made him stop halfway to the refrigerator. He turned towards Logan and saw how the little boy showed the most innocent expression he had ever seen. His blue-green eyes, like his father's, and blond hair that he must have inherited from his mother, sparkled like rays of sunlight that shone brightly in his direction. Yes, Nico could not ignore him any longer. He stopped what he was doing and raised his head, the last question taking him by surprise.

Nico smiled and then opened the fridge, taking out all the vegetables he would need; potatoes, carrots, garlic, onions and cilantro. Some peppers too and chayote to make everything healthier.

"Why my father?" Nico had to ask. The question was too specific to be a coincidence.

"Daddy teaches us everything!" Logan said. His face expressive, proud to tell him this.

"And your mother?”

“She never stays home.” This time it was Alice who answered, looking away from the phone she was holding. Alice shrugged and went back to her phone, although he knew Alice paid even more attention than Logan.

"Ah." He said. At least that seemed to have stopped the endless string of questions they insisted on firing.

"Do you like your mother?" Alice asked.

Nico looked through the corner of his eyelashes and saw that this time it wasn't the type of question to extract information from him.

"She is one of the best people I know. She taught me how to cook and study. How to take care of the house and my brothers.”

"And your father?" Logan wanted to know.

"He… he did the best he could. He taught me how to take care of the land and to respect all living things. But he can be violent when provoked.”

"Like mom and dad?”

"Logan!" Alice scolded him. She put her hand over his brother's mouth and tried to smile at Nico.

“I see,” Nico said after a while, knowing exactly what Logan meant by that. When the silence became uncomfortable, he added, “This will be our secret.”

Fortunately, after this revelation, the questions stopped completely. Nico went back to the stove and, seeing that the water was almost boiling, quickly peeled the vegetables. He fried the garlic and onion, added the peppers and put everything in the pot, waiting for the mixture to cook properly and the broth to thicken a little. Dealing with children was always strange and despite these children having everything anyone could want, he felt bad for them. They seemed so lonely and resigned to this, as if it was all they could have, reminding him of his own childhood. Now he knew that he could have so much more if he wanted, and he felt the urge to show them that they could have this and much more too.

There was just one detail, he wasn't their father and it wasn't up to him to get involved in what wasn't his business; Nico had to remember that, he knew that Mr. Jackson was responsible for all these questions the children insisted on asking him and he had no right to take it out on them or influence them in that way. So, while the soup wasn't ready, Nico went to the table, smiled at Logan and Alice and approached until he was at their height, kissing each of their hair, trying to convey calm and affection.

"So, what do you guys want to do? Homework?”

"Let's play 10 questions!”

Logan was hopeless, he would always be daddy's boy.

"Nice try." He pinched Logan's nose and Logan laughed, trying to push Nico's hands away. "Come on, this will be quick. Don't you need help? I'll do it with you.”

"Are you really going? Dad doesn't always have time…”

"Okay. Stand up. You too, Alice.”

"I'm not a little kid who needs help.”

"Hey!"Logan complained, crossing his arms.

“No exceptions.” Was all he said before turning down the heat and heading out of the kitchen.

Logan skipped after him, and Alice could only roll her eyes and follow them into the living room, where they spread their notebooks and books out on the coffee table while Nico supervised them. It was oddly pleasant, the kids got all their homework done and still had time to watch a bit of television before heading back to the kitchen.

In the end, the soup had turned out better than Nico remembered; his grandmother's recipe never failed, or so she used to tell him. He went to the stove, turned it off, and inhaled the appetizing and fragrant aroma, took the pot to the center of the table, placed three plates on the table, and served generous portions. He felt like he should wait for the owner of the house, however, since Mr. Jackson must have already left, it would be just him, the children, and the comfortable sofa in the living room. Which he didn't mind; their company would always be better than that of that man who spent all his time staring at him, his inquisitive gaze making something inside Nico stir uneasily. His skin would heat up and the base of his neck would tingle for hours. Then, this anxiety, unlike any other, would take over him in a way that forced him to get up or do something useful with his hands. That's why afternoons like these were good for his heart, his anxiety remained at normal levels and he could relax even in the midst of the millions of questions those little pests insisted on asking.

"Wow! This is so delicious!”

“It really is.” Alice agreed with Logan. She blew slowly and took another spoonful, moaning in pleasure.

Nico smiled in satisfaction at the compliment. It was nice to know that someone still liked what he did.

Chapter VII 

"Nico? Nico? It's time to go to bed." Nico heard someone call him in a whisper next to his ear. In fact, it had been a while since anyone had used that tone of voice with him, something careful and gentle, soft, trying to wake him up without scaring him. Then, someone's hand touched his shoulder, heavy but comforting as it slid and rested on his back, moving him and helping him to get up gently from the couch.

Nico opened his eyes slowly, and this time he didn't react as he had expected. It was Mr. Jackson, of course, in a designer black suit and smelling so good that Nico found himself leaning toward the man, watching his dark hair slicked back and the stubble that was already growing out tickle his fingertips.

How did he know that? Well... maybe he touched Mr. Jackson's face, fingering the skin as he tried to sit up and face whoever was calling him. And maybe he kept his hand there a little longer than necessary, just a small error of course, you know, right? That was all. The good thing about all this was that Mr. Jackson didn't seem to mind; he smiled at Nico and held out his hand so he could stand up, guiding him by the middle of his back as they walked through the house. And Nico, with the biggest blank face he could muster, finally sat up straight on the couch and followed him, doing his best to pretend nothing was happening. Now, why this man kept catching him in this situation, Nico couldn't explain.

“Bed?” Nico finally muttered. He rubbed his eyes and tried to think of what bed that was.

"It's already two in the morning. I'm sorry the meeting lasted longer than I intended. And thank you for the food.”

"Ah… then I… I think I’ll go.”

"No, you can use the guest room. Please.”

Mr. Jackson didn't give any other excuse or try to explain why Nico should sleep there. No, the man just stated like it was obvious that he would obey. And that was it, simple as that, things were resolved. Nico thought about arguing, about saying that they shouldn't do this, but ... but he knew that things would be easier if he just accepted it and since Nico didn't have the right to choose, he shrugged; after all, what could be wrong with sleeping a night away from home? "That's it. No problem", he thought again. Nico would have to wake up early and be there at seven, so... just this once... just once... it was okay. Right?

Feeling his body go limp, he let Mr. Jackson hold him by the shoulders and continue to guide him through the house.

"Are you hungry?" Mr. Jackson asked him.

Nico blinked slowly, trying to think and turned to him, seeing the man's smile returning in full force.

Oh, it was true! He had forgotten.

"I made soup.”

“Did you make soup?” Mr. Jackson repeated, as if to make sure.

"It's in the fridge.”

Okay, this wasn't even that strange of a situation, right? It must be a normal thing to have dinner with your boss…? Nico shook his head and decided not to do anything else inappropriate, he sat down near the kitchen counter, while still smiling Mr. Jackson walked over to the fridge, opening it. And inside, as Nico had said, there was a giant container full of vegetable soup and one with the rest of the food he had bought.

Mr. Jackson, clearly surprised, picked up the container and opened it, inhaling the aroma.

“Are these real vegetables?" Mr. Jackson asks even more surprised, realizing that it wasn't the instant soup type.

"Isn't that how you make soup? Did you know there was no food for the children?" He murmured uncertainty.

"Nah. We have frozen food.”

"Ah." Nico said.

He wanted to tell him that frozen food was horrible and unhealthy. But of course he didn’t say what he thought. Instead, he watched as the man scooped out some of the soup, put it in a deep dish, microwaved it, and then sat down across from him, taking the first spoonful. When Nico said this, he wasn’t joking; Mr. Jackson closed his eyes contentedly and groaned so loudly that he felt like he had reached heaven.

"Mr. Di Ângelo, who would have thought! You are full of surprises. What else can you do?”

And didn't the question sound… strangely dubious? Nico felt the sleep dissipating faster than a rocket as his face caught fire. He couldn't help it, it was something physical, he felt his skin heating up and sweating and his heart racing for some reason. It wasn't his fault that Mr. Jackson looked at him like that, the man's smile looking… slightly different.

"Anything. Food, desserts, and pasta. My mother…" He swallowed and cleared his throat, feeling his throat close up for some reason he couldn't understand. "She learned it from her mother. And since my sisters aren't interested… I like to spend my time helping her.”

He shrugged, it wasn't that unusual. The difference was that he preferred to stay at home while other children ran around the fields playing.

"How old are you again?”

It was the exact moment when Nico realized that the questionnaire was returning with full force.

"I wanted to talk to you about this.”

"Please, call me Percy.”

"Okay, Percy. Could you stop with these interrogations?" Nico spoke as seriously as he could. He straightened his spine, placed his hands on the counter and added, so as not to seem too rude: "Please. If you want to know anything, just tell me. I have nothing to hide.”

Facing him head on, Mr. Jackson, I mean, Percy, placed the spoon over the plate and leaned in close to him, getting a little too close.

"What is it?" Nico had to ask.

"Okay. I'll ask the kids to stop. But you have to be honest with me.”

"Right…?”

He saw Percy take a deep breath and couldn't believe what he heard next:

"How did you find the ad? Do you study? What do you plan to do in the future? How are you so good with children? How old are you? Where does your family come from? And about--”

"W-what? Wait a minute! They didn't give you that information?”

"Give me information? I don't even know who they are!”

"Oh." Now he understood.

"I had no choice! The girl who cleaned the house quit right after the nanny was fired. I really had no choice. You know how hard it is to take care of children…”

Nico put his arm on the counter and rested his head on it, watching Percy huff angrily, trying not to laugh in the man's face, and only when he was sure Percy was finished, he replied:

"So… I’m twenty years old. I’ve been studying law at community college on the weekends and working during the week to pay for college since I was seventeen.”

"Oh." It was Percy's turn to mutter.

"My family is from Italy, we came here when my paternal grandfather died a few years ago and as my father has no brothers, he took responsibility for the family business.”

“Shouldn't he pay for your college?" Percy said.

"We… we don't get along very well. He thinks doing Law School is a waste of time.”

"I see you like children…”

Nico shrugged again.

"I helped my mother at home. Children are… pure and they don’t lie. They are better company than many adults.”

After that… Nico wasn't sure of anything anymore. Mr. Jackson, I mean, Percy, continued eating his soup while Nico just stood there thinking that, after all, Percy had a reason to act that way, waiting for Percy to finish his dinner. He knew he didn't need to wait and he even knew where the room was, Nico just… he just didn't want to move, feeling that drowsiness return. It was more interesting to stay where he was, feeling sleep come back to him minute by minute, the movement Percy made with the spoon seeming almost hypnotic, raising and lowering it, until the plate was empty and Percy had leaned against the seat of the chair.

"You know tomorrow is Saturday, don't you?”

“Is that so?" He had completely forgotten.

"And, in this house, no one wakes up early on the weekend.”

"Hmm.”

"So, if you want to take a shower and sleep until noon…”

"Oh. Right.”

Nico stopped looking at Percy's hands and looked up at his eyes. He was confused... was Percy inviting him as a guest? The man looked so different from before that he seemed like a completely changed person. Nico didn't know if he liked this, this quick change, and he still didn't know if it was right for a person who provided a service to sleep in his employer's house.

"I have no clean clothes.”

"I'll lend you some. Look, I can't let you go out at this time. So be a good boy and obey me, okay?”

So, Percy got up, washed his own plate and on the way out he pulled him by the hand. Nico found himself with no choice but to follow him like a sleepy puppy, like he were being guided by a leash, completely obedient and without saying a single word.

Thanks for your support!

Update!

Oii, como vai? Eu gostaria de avisar que a partir de agora vou estar mais presente por aqui. Vou começar a reblogar algumas coisas, que podem ser polêmicas ou não, e vou começar a fazer alguns textos sobre escrita e formas de escrever. Já que esse é meu blog pessoal, vou usá-lo para isso. Tipo, eu tenho um blog de dicas de escrita, assim vou usar esse espaço para discorrer sobre o que eu aprender e outras coisas. Espero que as coisas não fiquem muito confusas.

Hi, how are you? I'd like to let you know that from now on I'm going to be more present here. I'm going to start reblogging some things, which may or may not be polemic, and I'm going to start writing some texts about writing and ways of writing. Since this is my personal blog, I'm going to use it for that. Like, I have a writing tips blog, so I'm going to use this space to talk about what I learn and other things. I hope things don't get too confusing.