Latest Posts by auroraescritora - Page 2

Fanfiction writers be like:

"here's the immensely time consuming 100K word novel-length passion project I'm working on between my real life job and family! It eats up hundreds of hours of my one and only life, causes me emotional harm, and I gain basically nothing from it! Also I put it on the internet for free so anyone can read if they want. Hope you love it!" :)

some people think writers are so eloquent and good with words, but the reality is that we can sit there with our fingers on the keyboard going, “what’s the word for non-sunlight lighting? Like, fake lighting?” and for ten minutes, all our brain will supply is “unofficial”, and we know that’s not the right word, but it’s the only word we can come up with…until finally it’s like our face got smashed into a brick wall and we remember the word we want is “artificial”.

Maybe you’ve met the right person, but you’re just not ready to fall in love.

Unknown (via perfectfeelings)

do you ever not write for so long that you’re almost afraid to? like what if I’m dumb now

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

No matter how much you dislike your own writing, I promise you it’s better than AI

first time writing fanfiction of a character : uughh i hope this is all canon accurate... it cant be canon innacurate at all or the enitire fandom will throw rocks at me...

10057th time writing the character: heres them working at a mcdonalds

Serviço Mandatório (Mandatory Service) [bi-lingual] #Dom!Nico #Sub!Percy #role reversal - Parte II

Post Biligue! Versão em Português na segunda parte!

Privious Chapters (Capítulos anteriores): [I]

Since three people seem to have liked the story, according to the poll, I'm going to continue! However, I don't know if there will be new chapters every week. Anyway, thanks for being there. This is an unfinished story, I've got about 80,000 words finished, so it should give us plenty of entertainment, shouldn't it? I hope you enjoy this chapter. It's going to be a long one.

Part IV

"Nico! I'm glad you could come." Roberta opened the door, smiling,  brightly. "And you even brought our dear Perseus."

"Shouldn't I?" I went inside, escorting Percy with a hand on his waist, and waved to Roberta, closing the door behind me.

"Not for what we're going to talk about today."

"Then--"

"Don't worry." Roberta waved and we walked away from the door, approaching them, while Carla came practically running and held Percy's hand, taking him to a corner of the room.

"Oh, Percy, dear. How are we today?" Carla grabbed Percy's arm, and Percy made a serious face, trying to keep the smile away from his face. He was trying so hard that even I could tell.

"Good."

"I'm happy for you."

Percy waved excitedly and moved closer to Carla, whispering something to her.

"No way!" Carla exclaimed, holding Percy's shoulders.

"Hmmhmm ." He murmured, all proud. "He…"

That's when Carla and Percy walked further into the room, going to the opposite side of the from him, and sat on a sofa against the wall.

"It looks like things are going well."

"Yes, they are."

"And how was the first night?"

"Normal, I think?"

"Do you think so?"

"Yeah. Percy asked me to put the chastity belt on him, then we went to bed and had breakfast."

Roberta put her hand to her face and sighed, she walked to an oak table near the door and sat down in the chair.

"You have a lot to learn, Di Ângelo."

"Learn? And what would that be?"

"I feel sorry for Percy. When he finally finds someone decent…"

"What do you mean by that?"

"How could I say…?" Roberta picked up one of the folders on the table and began to leaf through them, stopping at a specific page. "Do you see here? This is the questionnaire Percy answered when he arrived here two years ago."

"What? Two years?"

"Calm down. We're not a prison. He stays here for a week at a time, sometimes less, depending on whether he finds a suitable Dom. He usually comes back here every three months, but he's not always interested in trying."

"I don't think I understand."

"Things work differently for submissives here. They receive information and photos of available dominants and choose whether they are willing to submit. None of them are forced to come here or to accept a dominant. This is a completely safe and secure environment, and controlled, if they so wish.”

"Controlled?”

"Yes. There are cameras in every house, even in the bathroom. These images are confidential and will only be used in cases of psychological or physical abuse. Didn't you read the documents we sent you last month?”

Well… maybe I chose to ignore the problem until it knocked on my door. Literally.

"Is there anything else I should know?”

"There's a lot you should already know." She said, rolling her eyes. "First, the house rules. We do not tolerate any type of abuse or non-consensuality.”

"Is that all?”

"What did you expect? That there would be a curfew and homework? I'm not your mother and it's your duty to be a responsible citizen. Speaking of which, where's Percy's leash?”

"In… somewhere.”

"Nico! He can't walk without one. As long as he's with you, Percy must wear it.”

"Why?”

"Why? Because the collar identifies that he is a committed submissive. It may not make a difference here, but in the real world, it does. Not everyone is as correct as we are.”

"I never realized that.”

I rolled my eyes and lied. Yes, I lied to her face. I knew exactly what a collar meant, I just didn't like Percy wearing a collar given to him by another dominant.

"…what planet do you live on? That must be why you reached this age without a sub.”

"What do you mean by that?" This time, I stood up, tired of that ridiculous conversation.

"You can deny it all you want. You are a dominant and only a submissive will satisfy you. So why don't you sit down and listen to what I have to say?”

I sat up and turned my face away, holding myself back from saying exactly what I thought about this. I saw Percy looking at me with a scared expression, asking, without having to say a word, if everything was okay. I smiled at him and waved, watching him turn to Carla and continue their conversation.

"Very well. So, tell me what is sooo important.”

"Could you please read Percy's profile? It will tell you a lot more than I ever could.”

Rolling my eyes, I took the folder from her hands, tempted to throw it all away. I gave up and turned the first page, reading it.

Right at the beginning there was a picture of a smiling Percy along with his full name, address, nationality, and profession . It seemed like we lived close to each other, Percy in the upscale part of the neighborhood, while I was still in a student residence. We worked close by, too. I was at a supermarket bagging groceries and Percy was at a national investment firm.

"Are you sure he and I are compatible?”

"Only you can decide that.”

I shrugged and keept on reading, my eyes widening when I saw Percy's resume. It listed all of Percy's achievements in life; from school and professional swimming trophies, to undergraduate and graduate degrees in economics and physical education. I quickly scanned through the titles until I found… Berkeley. Was this serious? Why would someone as talented as Percy need a place like this?

I read more and got to the point that said about the dominators that Percy had already had within the institution. There were seven in total, now eight, if you counted om me and only names, without any other type of information.

"Seven?" I asked, shocked."What's wrong with these people?”

“They weren’t suitable,” Roberta replied for the first time with a neutral expression. “Not all of them were bad, but none of them were right. We care for our submissives like they are family, and if one of them needs help, it won't be long before it comes.”

Was that a threat? Oh, if only she knew that all it would take was a snap of his fingers and it would all be over. But of course I wouldn't do that, I would never give Hades that pleasure.

“Which one was it?” I said instead, without needing to ask directly. Roberta seemed to understand. One of those people had abused Percy, whether it was physically or psychologically, I would never know.

"Confidential." Was all she said.

I sighed and continued my reading, arriving at Percy's preferences.

Wow ! I was a certified dominator and I didn't know what half of it meant. Or rather, I had made a point of forgetting. Some of it I still remembered, and the other part I could only guess at. As for the others, I hoped I would never find out.

"Shibari? 24/7? I don't even know what Abrasion means! And…" I read further down and mumbled: "Ageplay?”

I raised my head and saw Roberta smiling, convinced.

"Don't you think that's an exaggeration?”

"It doesn't depend on me and no one is forcing you to do anything. They are just... possibilities.”

"Ageplay? Is this serious?”

"Do you need me to draw it for you?”

"What would that consist of, exactly?" I said, just to maintain my cover.

"It depends. The basics are to act and be cared for like a baby. Calling Percy a baby would work. Why don't you try it next time?”

"I don't think I can." Or rather, I don't think I want to.

"Like I said, you have a lot to learn." Roberta tapped her fingers on the table, seeming to come to a conclusion.

She opened a drawer under the table and handed me some pages, along with a thick, heavy book.

"I want you to take this, it's the same questionnaire Percy answered. This book will also help you. Don't forget to read the entire document. We made some notes on Percy's profile, he's made a lot of progress since he got here.”

"What was he like before?”

"Vulnerable, almost scared. At least regarding his sexuality." Roberta said as she stood up."I hope this doesn't happen again.”

That's what I expected too.

"Tomorrow we start our sessions.”

Hadn't we already started?

With a nod from Roberta, Carla brought Percy and we both walked out of the office hand in hand. I just hoped I wasn't making a mistake.

***

I spent the rest of the day thinking about what Roberta had said. Not exactly what she had said, but what she had refrained from saying. Okay, apparently, I was irresponsible and didn't deserve to be called a dom, and that was more than clear, I admitted it. The reason for that was quite simple, first of all, I never wanted to be a dominant, much less a submissive. What was the problem in being nothing, in being different? Was it such a bad crime to still want to be just me? Well, that didn't matter, I had made a commitment to Percy and I would see it through to the end.

And speaking of Percy, he had also spent the afternoon busy. From the looks of it, Percy Jackson really was a successful businessman, CEO of his own company, especially if it was the way Percy spoke on the phone and typed on the latest generation notebook, thinner and lighter than a pen. The change was visible, the shy and insecure submissive gave way to someone who sat on the couch with his spine straight, modern framed glasses perfectly fitted on his square face and such a serious and determined expression on his face that I would have thought he was someone else, that is, if Percy wasn't just in his underwear in the middle of the living room.

"Do you want to eat?" I asked, watching Percy close the computer and take off his glasses, stretching out on the couch, practically sitting on my lap.

"No." he denied.

Percy glanced at me from the corner of his eye and placed his computer on the coffee table. Then, turning toward me, he dropped all pretense of stretching. He lay down on the couch and rested his head on my thighs, watching me as he looked up.

"Enjoying the reading?" He said, relaxing against my lap.

I stared at the book in my hands and grimaced. So far I had read three chapters of this book that seemed to have come out of the dark ages, wondering if I had understood anything, all of it very nostalgic, but in a completely horrible way. The good thing was that they seemed to have updated the ideology of everything, now all that was left was to change how the act itself was done. If I really were a newbie all I would have understood was: handcuffs blah bla blah, chains bla blah...

"Not really. Why don't you help me?”

“What do you want to know?” Percy asked, for once not sounding uncertain. In fact, he sounded like a completely normal person, someone I would see walking down the street and never think would be a submissive, or even a dominant; a completely normal person.

"What does being a submissive mean to you?”

"Being a submissive means submitting--”

"I asked what it means to you. What makes you want to be one?”

“No one has ever asked me that before,” Percy muttered softly, closing his eyes.

I felt a sudden urge to touch him, so that's what I did. I put the book aside and stroked his hair slowly, combing it with my fingers and massaging his scalp, while I heard him sigh and smile, all content.

"It means this. With you. Right here.”

"That, what?”

"This moment.”

"You'll have to be more specific.”

"It's feeling that the responsibility of the world is not in my hands. It's having someone who will support me if necessary. It's knowing that the house won't be empty when I get home from work, that my bed won't be cold.”

"Is that all? Couldn't you have it this being a Dom or with a normal person?”

"No, you don’t understand." Percy opened his intense blue-green eyes and stared at me, anxious."When we’re together, I feel safe. It’s my little paradise. I don’t have to make decisions or worry about the consequences, because I know that if I fall, you’ll catch me, you’ll protect me and take care of me. That’s the duty of a submissive, to trust in your Dom and give yourself to him, giving everything I can, everything I have. And in return, receiving it all back in the form of care and attention.”

"Is that it, then?" I wanted to know, still in doubt. I didn't see how all this could be possible. And how did Percy already trust me if it hadn't even been forty-eight hours since we had met? “And the sexual part?”

"I like it too." Percy smiled at me, a beautiful, open smile, all dimples and white teeth, reaching his eyes.

"Yes?" I pressed again, interested in the development.

"At first, I just wanted to get out of my own head for a bit, you know? Be someone different for a few hours. Then…”

"Then?”

"I started to like it, to try new things. That's why my list of preferences is so long. I just want to... feel something different.”

"Even if it hurts?”

"Especially when it hurts." This time, Percy opened his eyes and didn't look away, trying to say something I refused to understand.

"Why? Why would you want that?”

"The problem is not the pain, it's how you face it.”

"I don’t think I understand…”

"We think of pain as a form of punishment, but what if… what if it’s just a way of experiencing sensations… a way of letting tension out? It only hurts you if you let it.”

Well, if I looked at it that way, it didn't seem so bad, although I still wasn't willing to feel pain for such a... pointless reason.

"I still don't understand why you would let someone use you like that.”

"Nico, I'm not being used. That would be true if I didn't give permission. But I'm not.”

"What if someone traped you and did things you didn't want to do, what would happen?”

"That's happened before. It wasn't completely consensual, but I enjoyed it.”

I blinked for a moment, processing what Percy had just said, pausing my movements in Percy's hair.

Did Percy mean he had been raped?

"Don't look at me like that. The guy ended up getting carried away. He apologized and everything. I broke up with him, of course, and since then I decided to seek help here. Things have been working out much better.”

"But… how can you like this?”

"I like it, period." Percy shrugged, turning his face to the side, his face all tense and serious. "If you can't understand…

"No, I can't understand." I finally said when the silence stretched on. "But I accept it. I'm trying to understand what drives a person to follow this kind of life. It's a lifestyle, isn't it?”

"Yes, it's not just about sex. It's about companionship and giving what the other needs. It's about... hierarchy.”

"Hierarchy?" I asked, feeling strange. Those damned words coming back to me, like an echo from the past.

"Yes. Outside of a scene, we are equals, no one is above anyone else. But there is a certain order. Dominants tend to want to maintain order, submissives like to follow them. It's part of the dominant-submissive dynamic.”

"Dynamic?" I hated that word too.

"It's more of an instinct. It's how we act.”

"And what would that be like?”

"Don't you notice? The way you act around me? How you held my face on the first day? How you looked at me and told me you wanted me, like... like you were in charge, and with just one order I belonged to you?”

"I did it, didn't I?”

"Hmmhmm…" Percy murmured, still serious, but in a sly tone of voice. "Don't you realize that you already do these little things… like… like… worrying if I'm hungry, if I'm comfortable, how I feel after a scene?”

"I know…”

"I like it. I really like it. When you touch me I feel… unique, special. I feel like nothing can go wrong.”

"So far nothing has come of it." I finished, agreeing. "But that still doesn't answer my question. What does all this mean to you?”

Percy sighed and looked me straight in the eye, with nothing to hide.

"It means I'll never be alone, have lots of sex, and be able to feel everything I want to feel without having to feel guilty. Because when I hurt myself alone, it's not healthy and it's all my fault, but when others hurt me…”

"It's never your fault.”

Percy nodded again. “I… I’ve always had a hard time being alone. I used to be that kind of kid who wanted to please everyone, I wanted everyone to be my friend. I’ve done things that most people wouldn’t do, all just to get someone’s approval, and I’ve never felt bad about it. It’s who I am and who I’ve always been. The difference is that I’m tired of feeling bad for wanting something that others consider wrong.”

“That’s the point, isn’t it?” I asked, beginning to understand. “You’re looking for someone who will hurt you, but also help you … heal?”

"I guess we could say that. Although I want much more than that.”

"You want, like what?”

"To kneel at your feet and fulfill your most hidden desires. No matter what they are.”

Hearing this, I smiled and went back to stroking Percy's hair, hearing him almost purr.

"Maybe you regret saying that. There is no one more boring than me.”

"That's what everyone says.”

After that, I couldn't contain myself. I grabbed Percy's hair and pulled it until his mouth was on mine, panting and open, tangling our tongues until all this business of domination and subjugation disappeared from our minds.

Part V

"Maybe you regret saying that. There is no one more boring than me.”

"That's what everyone says.”

After that, I couldn't contain myself. I grabbed Percy's hair and pulled it until his mouth was on mine, panting and open, tangling our tongues until all this business of domination and subjugation disappeared from our minds. I felt Percy holding my neck and I pulled away to see his face bathed in the late afternoon light, all anxious, his eyes escaping from mine.

Hmmm … was this the sexy part? I smiled, amused by my own joke. But when I saw Percy starting to get impatient and frustrated, I turned serious again.

"Are you sure about that? It's not too late to seek a more experienced Dom.”

"No, I want… I want you.”

I took a deep breath and focused on what Percy meant by that. I was starting to think he wasn't saying these things because it was what I wanted to hear, but because he felt it was what I needed to hear; and maybe it was, maybe it was exactly what I needed to know so that everything that had happened before could be in the past. Or at least so that I could try one more time.

"Okay, I'll be your Dom. On one condition.”

"Yeah?" Percy raised his head and stared at me for a moment, looking like the same shy sub I had met the day before.

"You have to tell me if I do something wrong.”

"Have you ever… dominated someone?”

"Not exactly." When I saw that Percy seemed interested, I continued. "There was this boy in high school, we were in the same class.

"Was he a submissive?" Percy asked, all excited.

He got up, sat on the couch facing me, and rested his hands on my knees, forgetting about everything else.

I smiled and continued:

"Yes, raised and educated to be the perfect sub. Everything he did was to please someone or gain favor from whoever mattered. He was small and short and handsome. The perfect sub, honestly.”

"What happened?”

"What always happens when I tell the truth.”

“Oh.” Percy muttered, looking disappointed. I almost felt guilty for lying. I mean, the story was true. It wasn’t the first time I’d said I didn’t know how to dom.

"Yes, at first I even tried, but…”

"But?”

"Well, he found a Dom that wasn't as sensitive as me.”

"So, you're a Dom." He leaned toward me, all pleased.

"What?”

"That's what you said, ‘he found a Dom that wasn't as sensitive as me.’"

Percy had me at that.

"Yes, I think I am.”

"So, what's the problem?”

"There’s no problem." None I want to share, I thought, watching Percy’s face fall.

"I understand.”

"What you understand?”

"You don't trust me. Why would you?”

"Percy, this has nothing to do w--”

"You don't have to lie, Nico. I'm old enough to know when I'm not wanted. I think you --”

"Percy, listen to me." I said calmly, standing up with him. I grabbed him by the shoulder before he could get away from me and pulled him close, now touching the hair on the back of his neck. "I want you. I don't know why, but I do.

"Do you want me?" He bent over and stared at me with wide eyes, asking me in a whisper, like a lost and scared little boy would.

"Yes." I confirmed. "And you're right, I don't trust you. These things take time and if you want to be with me, that's how it's going to be.”

"Whenever you want and whenever you're ready." Percy finished as if it were obvious. I hadn't exactly meant to say it, but now that Percy had said it… it made sense, after all, I was the one in control, wasn't I? That's what dominators do.

"Yes." I confessed. "I want you to take a hot bath and wait for me in bed, okay?”

Percy gave me a wet kiss on the cheek, smiled at me happily and walked through the room, disappearing upstairs that led to the upper floor of the house.

***

Okay, I could do that.

I took a deep breath, walked up the rest of the stairs and entered the room, passing through the half-open door. The blinds were closed and the lights were off, with only the lamp illuminating the suite. I took a few more steps inside, familiarizing myself with the room, trying to convince myself that this was the right place for us. Percy was there, of course he was, lying on the bed, with only the cage covering his body, looking at something on his cell phone and smiling at whatever it was he was reading. His wet hair lay on the pillow and the rest of his body took up most of the mattress, relaxed on his side of the bed.

Come on, I forced myself to move forward again. I could do this, one step at a time. Yes, one more step and I could see the contours of his body clearly. Angular face, broad shoulders, six pack abs and his  tightly locked cock. Everything about Percy screamed comfort, as if he accepted who he was, no less and no more, without any inhibitions when it came to his shape. I took another step forward and he lifted his head, looking at me from under his lashes, smiling. Neither of us moved until I took another deep breath and approached the bed, still not daring to start anything.

Gods! Why was it so hard? When I thought it was all for fun and nothing more than playing house, things were great, but now that I saw that someone's mental and physical health depended on my next steps... all I wanted to do was run away. It wasn't that I was inexperienced, but having all that responsibility... I didn't remember it being so complicated. Maybe I just made a point of forgetting.

Still, without saying anything, I took off my shirt and pants, along with everything else, and lay down next to him, still as a statue. That was what I was supposed to do, right? Lie down next to him? Should I…

"You're thinking too much." Percy said in my ear.

I hadn't even seen him come closer, I just knew that we were very close now, his head close to mine, nose to nose, him lying on his side while I lay on my back, fighting against myself. I just needed to relax.

"What should I do?”

"Whatever you want.”

What do I want? How about doing nothing? Sleep. Yes, sleep was a good idea. But Percy… oh, Percy looked at me in a way that was hard to describe, in a way that made me want to be someone else just to have the courage to move on. Should I? Probably not. But I would do it anyway.

A kiss? It seemed like a good idea.

I leaned over him and pressed our lips together. Slowly. Carefully. Lips against lips, brushing together. That was a good start, right? Then came a gasp, and I found myself nibbling lightly on his bottom lip, opening my mouth, capturing his tongue at that moment and sucking on it like I hadn't done in a long time. I felt hands... hands holding onto my shoulders, just supporting them. Legs... my legs slipping between his, finding something hard and metallic in the middle, reminding me of who I was with.

"Okay?" I asked, just to be sure. His face was blushing softly and his chest was rising as he took a deep breath and I… maybe it wasn't that hard, I already felt ready to give him what he wanted.

I let my gaze fall to the middle of his muscular legs and observed the bulge there. The image still took my breath away, he looked so small and swollen in there… I wanted to bend down and see if Percy would feel as good under my mouth as he did under my hands. But no… not at that moment. I turned my attention back to Percy's face and saw that he was staring at me attentively, with a some fear? Or was it expectation?

“Do you have lube?” I asked, trying to be objective.

"I… I don't need to.”

"Excuse me? "I said without understanding.

Percy looked at me discreetly, but with a soft smile on his lips. He raised his hands that were holding onto the headboard of the bed and touched mine, taking one of them between his legs, towards his entrance.

"You…?”

"I wanted to be prepared.

Then, when I finally let my fingers explore the place better, I saw that Percy… that Percy was already wet, his insides soft and already dilated.

"Is all this for me?”

"Yes, Nico. I want to be a good…”

"Boy? "I finished for him, trying to make a joke. But apparently, it wasn't funny at all.

Percy shifted uncomfortably and closed his eyes tightly, the blush deepening on his face, though he still nodded and tried to hide.

“You’re--” I stammered, swallowing hard. “--you’re a good boy, the best of them.”

I let the words out and realized they were true. In those moments, it was like Percy actually turned into a shy, scared little boy, making me want to protect him and pull away at the same time, afraid of hurting him.

“Is everything okay?" I asked again to make sure my touches were welcome.

Percy nodded, looking at me from behind his long eyelashes and only after that, I started moving again, I sank my fingers a little deeper inside him and added one more until Percy moaned softly, almost afraid to make a noise, a broken sound escaping his lips.

"Here?”

"Again, please.”

That was all it took to insert the fourth one. I pressed them against the walls of Percy's interior and he practically arched off the bed, throwing his head back.

I guess it was now or never.

I held my own cock, only now noticing how much it hurt, and guided myself inside, letting myself relax for the first time since I had arrived in that place.

***

And to think that someone will one day understand the chaos that dances inside me to the sound of my melancholy, I thought as I watched Nico, my Dom, mine alone, trying so hard to be the perfect dominator.

Do you know what that means? A Dom? My Dom? Only mine? One that I didn't have to share with anyone and that pays attention only to me, like no one else did or had the interest to do? Do you know what that was?

I knew I should pay attention to how he tried to please me and how careful he was, as if I would break with the slightest sudden movement. But that, skin on skin and sweat and kisses, all of that took a back seat; I never thought I would say something like that. When would sex take second place? Not in my life, not when the escape from all my problems had always been this. In the end, it felt like I was putting my efforts in the wrong place and maybe on the wrong person too. Just the fact that Nico was there, between my legs, trying to do something he wasn't sure about just to make me happy... it was the best feeling. It wasn't exactly how his hands touched me or how they lifted me a little higher with each touch, it was... it was the purpose behind all of it, all of the effort and care and affection.

"Percy…" I heard his whispered voice and shivered when he brushed his large head against my entrance. It wasn't exactly the biggest thing I'd ever felt, and it wasn't small either, it was just… perfect. He applied a little pressure, holding my waist tightly and pushing himself inside with a broken grunt.

In fact, it had been a long time. Too long if it was the tight fit and the difficulty with which he advanced. I didn't hold back, I held onto the pillows and moaned, arching all over, not caring about anything, probably putting on quite a show.

I don't even know why I liked it so much. I was sure I wouldn't cum until the end of the night, but the feeling of him inside me... was something else... I felt full and complete and warm... so hot and so good... also, it wasn't just about the pleasure, I liked watching Nico and seeing what he would do next.

One thing was certain, Nico wasn't like the other dominants I had met. There was something so natural about him that sometimes it enchanted me, and surprised me too... and Nico didn't even realize it; it was like he was always giving orders or going against other people's will just because he thought it was the right thing to do.

He also lacked that selfish arrogance so characteristic of people who held power, or even the greed that always seemed to be ingrained in other dominators. I couldn't explain it properly, it was an absence of so many things that I thought were part of dominators, that it made my head spin, much more than any sex could. Although... although I couldn't deny it, when Nico touched me like that, I went to heaven and I didn't even need the touch to be sexual, I just needed it to be... real. Like... like now! He held me so tight and went so fast...

"Baby, are you close? I… I can't take it anymore.”

Nico… Nico had called me… baby? My gods. 

I held my breath when Nico… oh! When he grabbed my waist and went that inch deeper. He lifted me up a little and sank inside me in a way that made me close my eyes and moan, just moan, so good and so in that little place that no one bothered to look for, that I arched my spine, feeling my body wanting to reach the climax, always wanting to get there and never being able to, never!

It hurt… oh! It hurt so good… I moaned again and locked my legs around Nico, opening my eyes to see the magical moment when Nico just… stopped, pulsing and gasping and grunting, reaching parts inside me that were rarely reached, pulsing and pulsing until I felt even hotter, a funny sensation inside me, making everything more… slippery, my caged member feeling like it wanted to explode out of the metal, making me ache and gasp harder and faster.

Oh, my Dom was cumming! Did I make him cum? Me ? Percy Jackson? Who's been called worthless and worse? I smiled at my Dom and he swayed, almost falling forward, breathing fast, his frantic gaze analyzing me like a radar and touching me everywhere; my waist with his finger marks, my abdomen, my arms, neck and even my face. Then, he said:

"Did I hurt you? Does something hurt? I… I shouldn’t have… what about you?”

I wanted to laugh, I wanted to cackle with happiness, which probably wouldn't sound good. Nothing hurt, it was exactly the opposite, I would be cumming without even being touched if I wasn't wearing the cage, but then I would miss this magnificent moment, watching Nico kiss my hand and then my arm, moving up my shoulder until he reached my mouth, soft and delicate.

"I'll make it up to you, I promise.”

Should I say I didn't need it? That seeing him pleasure himself was all the reward I needed? But... I wanted to see how far he would go, so I nodded and watched him slide out of me, looking around the room as if searching for something.

"Do you have anything around here?”

"Like what?" I asked, curious.

"A vibrator?”

I smiled at him and pointed to the wardrobe.

"On the right side, at the bottom of it.”

"Ah." He said and walked to the wardrobe, opening it and sticking his head inside.

Nico came back with a battery-operated vibrator and lubricant.

Was he really going to do this? The dominants I knew wouldn't even bother to ask if I was okay, let alone… oh! I moaned, genuinely surprised, when he lubed up the toy and, with it already turned on, slowly inserted it inside me. Ohhh … I had forgotten how it felt.

"Is it good?" He asked me, not expecting an answer. "Maybe I'll try it later.”

Him? Experiment it? That's what he meant…? Ah, I moaned again as I felt Nico take the toy a little deeper, reaching my prostate.

"Here?”

I nodded, wanting to cover myself. Why did he have to be so careful… so… so meticulous. The worst part was seeing him looking at me, analyzing my every action. No one had ever paid so much attention before.

Yes, I know. I was repeating myself, but… oh!... This time, even I heard myself squeal, he kept pressing the vibrator right in that spot, putting more force and moving the toy in such a…

"Well?" He finished for me. But I couldn't speak, I could only look at him and pant like a bitch in heat.

I wanted to cum and I wanted him to finish that torture with the same intensity that I wanted him to continue and not stop until it hurt, until I couldn't anymore, until... Ah! I was feeling it... I was! It was that sensation that came from the bottom of my spine and rose slowly, so slowly and that sailed... sailed... I gasped, as if I was short of breath while both, me and him, saw my entire member trapped, contracting inside my metal cage until... until... hmmm, yes! I was ejaculating, never a complete orgasm, a similar and alien sensation at the same time, until the liquid that came out inside me, decreased in intensity and only a few drops remained that dripped, running down the cage and reaching my thighs.

“That was beautiful,” Nico commented, as if observing a work of art. “So beautiful, baby.”

There I was, I felt the praise go straight to my eternally excited cock and rise to my cheeks as I was once again surrounded by the strong and safe arms of my Dom, still feeling so excited that it hurt, in an eternal torture that I was destined to suffer.

Part VI

"Come on, talk to me." Nico whispered against my lips, licking them slowly and sticking his tongue inside my mouth.

I felt myself shiver and moan, hugging him tightly around the neck and returning the kiss, my breath knocked out of me when his hands ran down my back, touching the place where the vibrator had been moments before.

"So wet and so open. I did some serious damage. Do you want more or do you want me to stop? Hmmm?”

"I… ah!" I gasped as his fingers penetrated me again, fast and deep, curling inside me. It hurt… it hurt so much … but I liked it, I wanted more. However, I felt so weak, like a rag doll, that the only thing I could do was to roll on his fingers, feeling them go a little deeper, reaching where I needed it most.

“Here?” He asked, his lips against my earlobe and his voice low and husky. “Do you want more? Yeah, I think you do.”

That's when I gave up on any words that could form on my lips. He pulled me closer, making me sit on his lap and placed one of his hands between our bodies, while the other made room for the fat head of his member to enter.

I couldn't explain it, he felt bigger than before; wider and longer, brushing against my tight entrance and sliding in with slow back and forth movements until he was completely inside me, finding just the right spot.

“Is this okay?” He said when I said nothing but moan, hunched over him, my nails digging into his back. “Should I stop?”

No, I wished he would never stop. I opened my mouth, trying to say no, that this was one of the best moments of my life. But when only a gasp came out, I decided I had better show him. I tried to lift my hips and move, but I was so limp that all I could do was rock on top of him.

"I think that's a no." He chuckled softly against my neck and held my waist again while grabbing my hair, making me look at him, his dark eyes searching mine for permission. Which was very interesting, almost contradictory if it were because he had all the control. "I need you to touch my neck or ask me to stop if it's too much. Okay?”

I waved. Or so I tried. Honestly, I felt like I was losing track of what was going on around me.

One moment I was on his lap, feeling his cock move inside me, and the next I was lying on my back on the bed. My legs were spread and up on Nico's shoulders as he fucked me so hard that my vision was starting to blur, the world spinning and pleasure shooting back up through my nerves like a smoking rocket.

"Ah, here's my baby." I heard Nico's voice, as breathless as mine, his hands going back to digging into my hair. He stopped inside me for a moment, long enough to kiss me, and then he moved again, fast and hard, spreading my legs a little wider and making me bend over, practically folding me in half.

"N-nico." I murmured uncertainly, trying to understand what was happening, panting and moaning, feeling so free and so safe as I had never felt before.

"What does my baby need?”

I… I didn’t know. I only knew that Nico kept moving inside me without pause and strong, and that I couldn’t take my eyes off him, off his naughty smile and the way he kept fucking me, pulling my head back and digging his fingers into my skin, especially because of the way he never seemed to get tired or lose his rhythm. I didn’t want to, but I started to move, shaking from head to toe. I felt something running up my spine and my fingers curling, I… I contracted all over and Nico sank harder inside me, pressing me against the bed. I couldn’t, I couldn’t anymore. I held him tightly by the neck and screamed, I screamed so hard and so loud that I almost didn’t hear Nico’s grunt or feel those last thrusts that allowed me to relax and finally let the relief surround me, bringing me the most intense orgasm of my life, with or without a cage.

"Shhh … it’s okay. I’m here.”

I hugged Nico tightly and closed my eyes, still shivering, knowing he was cleaning me and trying to comfort me. I just understood that I needed his arms around me and his warmth, not letting him leave me until I couldn't anymore.

"Good boy." I heard Nico say to me, whispering very softly, like a secret that only I deserved to hear.

***

"How do you feel?" Nico asked me.

I did a quick scan and realized I felt pretty good. A little sore and tired, still all open, but very satisfied. I mean, I wouldn't say no if Nico was in the mood for more. Maybe In a few minutes.

"Fine." Was all I said, keeping my face neutral. I didn't want him to know that I had enjoyed it so much, that it was one of the best fucks of my life. I wasn't ready to give him all that power.

Yet.

"So, is that it? Are we going back to this word game? Okay? On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you?”

"Six." I said, holding back a laugh.

"You liar! I made you cum at least twice. That would be at least a seven, maybe an eight.”

"I don't think so.”

I heard a gasp and looked back. Nico was holding me by the waist, lying close to my back, talking against my neck, his other hand on my abdomen, keeping me close to him, both of us still with our heads sharing the same pillow.

"You hurt me like that.”

That's when he grabbed my hair and tilted my head back, making me moan.

"It's sad, but we'll have to figure this out, hmmm?”

"Nico…”

I moaned in surprise and a little too much excitement. I felt his hands going down and digging into my entrance again. It should have hurt, I should have told him to stop, that normal people didn't get this horny, but my complaints were left behind as he just pushed himself inside me, making me whimper, moving against him to feel him better touching all the right parts.

"Hmmm, baby, so delicious… I don't know what it is about you that makes me want you so much. I can't explain it… hmmm … do you want me to stop?”

I moaned and rubbed against him, gasping for air when his hand touched my trapped member. I didn't understand why this excited me so much. I could feel the heat radiating and seeming to transfer behind my cage and I could feel the way he held me tightly, dominating me with a simple gesture.

"Do you like it when I touch you? You looked so tortured that day… the weird thing is that I wanted to torture you even more and see how long you could take it … but that’s not the right behavior for couples who aren’t officially together, you know? I really wanted to…”

Then, Nico held me tighter and touched my testicles, grabbing them tightly while with his other hand he hugged me by the shoulder and for a moment I felt trapped, truly trapped, but so light that I left all pretense aside. I let him lean on me and press me against the bed, I let him open my legs, lifting them up and I let myself moan against the pillow, feeling Nico fuck me once again fast and hard and with such desire that tears came to my eyes and my mind was lost in sensations until I was moaning for a long time and Nico inserted so deep inside me that not even God could separate us.

***

"Now seriously, we need to get up.”

"Ni-cooooo!”

"Come on, baby. Come take a bath.”

"Why? I don't want to.”

"Percy.”

O-ow… I had never heard that tone of voice coming from him, but I knew it wasn't good. I opened my eyes and found Nico sitting on the bed, naked and with his hair messy in every direction. His black eyes stared at me with irritation and hunger and impatience.

"If you don't get out of bed, you'll regret it.”

"Yeah, what are you going to do to me? Beat me up? Will Daddy be mad?”

"If you want, we can come to an agreement. I bet that's what you want, to make me lose control and give you what you deserve.”

"What do I deserve?”

Nico smiled at me and held out his hands, waiting for me.

"If you don't get up in five seconds, you'll find out.”

Okay. I nodded. Was I ready for this? Probably not. It seemed too early for the punishments to begin.

Groaning, I moved slowly and crawled out of bed, Nico holding me as my legs nearly gave out.

"Did I mess you up, hmm? It's your fault, if you weren't so beautiful and smelled so well, and was so delicious..." Nico whispered against my ear and made my legs tremble even more.

"Am I beautiful?”

It was the first time anyone had said that to me. I had been called handsome, hot, tight, very tall, and even a slut, but beautiful… it was something new.

"Don't you look in the mirror? You are one of the most beautiful people I have ever seen.”

"Then you must not know many people. And there is a difference between handsome and beautiful.”

"Yes, you are both and much more. Now, to the bathroom.”

Slowly, I let Nico lead me to the bathroom, finding the bathtub already filled with water and rose salts. I couldn't even remember the last time I had used it.

"Are you going to give me a bath?" I asked, amused. "Are you going to use talcum powder afterwards?”

"If you want, I can. Nothing better than a good treatment after a scene.”

"You know, you fooled me… for someone who said it wasn’t a Dom…”

"Maybe… I may have lied. But if you’re complaining, I must have gone too easy on you. How about a change of tactics? I can do that. Maybe that’s how you’ll behave.”

Nico smiled at me and I paused for a moment, considering what he was saying. Nico seemed serious, but he didn't seem all that committed to following through on his words. Was he... flirting with me? Oh... funny. Maybe I wanted him to be more serious, but I wasn't the one to tell him that. If Nico didn't understand that, Nico didn't deserve to know.

With that in mind, I took a step forward, grabbed the edge of the tub, and climbed in. Nico, of course, was right behind me. He grabbed my waist and lifted me slightly, helping me sit in it and resting my head on the indicated support.

“Now, hmmm … shampoo? Shampoo.”

I relaxed against the seat, almost closing my eyes, and watched Nico, trying not to laugh at his face. It was a funny thing to witness, something you didn't see every day. Nico walked around, he opened cabinets, closed doors and compartments, and gathered the things he thought were necessary. When he came back to me, I couldn't help it; for some reason, I found it so funny that my body shook and I was out of breath from laughing so hard.

"Baby, breathe." Nico told me, holding my neck and I obeyed.

I opened my eyes wide and took a deep breath, letting the air out immediately, unable to stop the laughter that insisted on escaping me.

"Very good. Good boy." He told me and smiled, massaging my hair. He kissed my lips in one of the sweetest touches I had ever received and showed me the shampoo, still holding my head. "Now, slow down. You're in sub-drop .

"It's more like sub-high." I murmured, because I was in ecstasy, truly floating on clouds, so amazed that the world seemed to be more colorful.

"Then stay with me. Don't go too far.”

"Yes, Dom.”

I resisted the temptation to close my eyes once more and saw the exact moment when Nico stopped moving and looked at me seriously, sincerely seriously, for the first time since we had met. I knew he wanted to say something, and that it was probably something important, but I didn't think I was ready, neither of us were. So I closed my eyes, forced myself to take a deep breath and relaxed, knowing that I wasn't in the right place to make such a serious decision. After a few moments, everything seemed to become lighter and less important, shelved for later. I felt Nico's hands touch my hair again, massaging it gently, it being rinsed carefully by the jet of water from the hose that Nico was holding.

“You know you can talk to me about anything, right?” Nico murmured softly, standing behind me outside the bathtub, still massaging my hair. “This thing between us is new, but that doesn’t mean I won’t listen to you. I always will.”

I don't know why it affected me so much, they were just words spoken out of my mouth in an attempt to comfort me. But they affected me. I closed my eyes tightly and held my breath until the urge to cry passed. And it only passed when I felt Nico's hands on my shoulders, massaging me and pulling me closer to him, Nico wrapping me in his embrace and his lips.

"It's okay. I'm here. I'm here.”

I felt the air sucked out of me and I held on to his arms, holding him tight. If he knew that this was exactly the problem… if he knew… I could see a future where he and I had what he offered. A home and company and all the companionship I could ever want in the world. But I knew that wouldn’t last, nothing did. So what if he held me tighter and grabbed my face and kissed me like no one had ever kissed me before? So what if he cared for me like no one had ever cared for me before? None of it mattered, it didn’t matter, because in the end, it wasn’t real. None of it was.

But the fact worth noting was that he kept trying.

He grabbed me by the waist, got behind me and got into the tub with me, hugging me tightly around the middle of my back. He kissed my neck and held me close to him, caressing my skin without any sexual pretense. For some reason, this made me feel better, like I was loved and once again in the safest place in the world.

No one could hurt me there.

***********************************************************************

Como três pessoas parecem ter gostado da histórias, de acordo com a enquete, vou continuar! Porem, não sei se vai ter capítulos novos todas as semanas. De qualquer forma, obrigada pela presença. Essa é uma história que não esta terminada, tenho uns 80 mil palavras prontas, então, deve nos dar bastante intertenimento, não? Espero que vocês gostem desse capítulo. Vai ser bem longo.

Parte IV

— Nico! Que bom que você pode vir. — Roberta abriu a porta, sorrindo radiante. — E ainda trouxe nosso querido Perseu.

— Eu não deveria? — Entrei, guiando Percy pelas costas e acenei para Roberta, fechando a porta atrás de mim.

— Não para o que vamos conversar hoje.

— Então--

— Não se preocupe. — Roberta acenou e nós andamos para longe da porta, nos aproximando delas, enquanto Carla veio praticamente correndo e segurou na mão de Percy, o levando para um canto da sala.

— Oh, Percy, querido. Como estamos hoje? — Carla segurou no braço de Percy, e Percy fez uma cara séria, tentando manter o sorriso longe. Ele fazia tanta força que até eu percebia.

— Bem.

— Estou feliz por você.

Percy acenou todo animado e se aproximou mais de Carla, cochichando algo para ela.

— De jeito nenhum! — Carla exclamou, segurando nos ombros de Percy.

— Hmmhmm. — Ele murmurou, todo orgulhoso. — Ele…

Foi quando Carla e Percy se afastaram mais ao fundo da sala, indo para o lado oposto do cômodo e se sentaram em um sofá encostado à parede. 

— Parece que as coisas estão indo bem.

— Sim, estão.

— E como foi a primeira noite?

— Normal, eu acho?

— Você acha?

— É. Percy pediu pra eu colocar o cinto de castidade, depois a gente foi pra cama e tomamos café da manhã.

Roberta colocou a mão no rosto e suspirou, ela andou até uma mesa de carvalho perto da porta e se sentou na cadeira. 

— Você tem muito a aprender, Di Ângelo.

— Aprender? E o que seria isso?

— Sinto pena do Percy. Quando ele finalmente encontra alguém decente…

— O que você quer dizer com isso?

— Como eu poderia dizer…? — Roberta pegou uma das pastas em cima da mesa e começou a folheá-las, parando em uma página específica. — Você vê aqui? Esse é o questionário que Percy respondeu quando chegou aqui há dois anos.

— O quê? Dois anos?

— Se acalme. Não somos uma prisão. Ele fica aqui uma semana por vez, às vezes menos, depende se ele encontrar um dom adequado. Ele costuma voltar aqui de três em três meses, mas nem sempre se interessa em tentar.

— Acho que não estou entendendo.

— Aqui as coisas funcionam diferente para submissos. Eles recebem as informações e fotos dos dominantes disponíveis e escolhem se estão dispostos a se submeterem. Nenhum deles é obrigado a vir aqui ou aceitar um dominante. Esse é um ambiente completamente seguro e protegido, e controlado, se assim for a vontade deles.

— Controlado?

— Sim. Em todas as casas há câmeras, até no banheiro. Essas imagens são confidenciais e só serão usadas em caso de abuso psicológico ou físico. Será que você não leu os documentos que te enviamos mês passado?

Bem… talvez eu tenha escolhido ignorar o problema até que ele bateu na minha porta. Literalmente.

— Tem mais alguma coisa que eu deva saber?

— Tem muito que você já deveria saber. — Ela disse, revirando os olhos. — Primeiro, as regras da casa. Não admitimos nenhum tipo de abuso ou não-consensualidade.

— É só isso?

— O que você esperava? Que tivesse uma hora de recolher e lição de casa? Eu não sou sua mãe e é seu dever ser um cidadão responsável. Falando nisso, onde está a guia da coleira do Percy?

— Em… algum lugar.

— Nico! Ele não pode andar sem uma. Enquanto ele estiver com você, Percy deve usá-la.

— Por quê?

— Por quê? Porque a coleira identifica que ele é um submisso comprometido. Aqui dentro pode não fazer diferença, mas no mundo real, faz. Nem todos são tão corretos como nós.

— Eu nunca percebi isso. 

Revirei os olhos e menti, menti na cara dela. Eu sabia exatamente o que uma coleira significa, eu só não gostava que Percy usasse uma coleira dada por outro dominador.

— …que planeta você vive? Deve ser por isso que você chegou a essa idade sem um submisso.

— O que você quer dizer com isso? — Dessa vez, me levantei, cansado daquela conversa ridícula.

— Você pode negar o quanto quiser. Você é um dominador e só um submisso irá te satisfazer. Então, porque você não senta e ouve o que eu tenho a dizer?

Eu me sentei e virei a cara, me segurando para não dizer exatamente o que eu pensava sobre isso. Vi que Percy olhava para mim com uma expressão assustada, perguntando, sem precisar dizer uma palavra, se estava tudo bem. Sorri para ele e acenei, o vendo se voltar para Carla e continuar a conversa deles.

— Muito bem. Então, me fale o que é tãooo importante.

— Você poderia fazer o favor de ler o perfil do Percy? Ele vai te dizer muito mais do que eu poderia.

Revirando os olhos, peguei a pasta das mãos dela, tentado a jogar tudo pelos ares. Me dei por vencido e virei a primeira página, a lendo. 

Logo no início havia uma foto de um Percy sorridente junto ao nome completo, endereço, nacionalidade, e profissão. Parecia que morávamos perto um do outro, Percy na parte chique do bairro, enquanto que eu ainda estava em uma república estudantil. Trabalhávamos perto, também. Eu, em um mercado embalando compras e Percy, em uma nacional de investimentos.

— Você tem certeza que eu e ele somos compatíveis?

— Isso só você pode decidir.

Dei de ombros e continuei minha leitura, arregalando os olhos quando vi o currículo de Percy. Ali tinha todas as conquistas que Percy já teve na vida; desde troféus de natação escolares e profissionais, até a graduação e pós em economia e educação física. Passei os olhos rapidamente pelos títulos até que encontrei… Berkeley. Isso era sério? Porque alguém tão gabaritado quanto Percy precisaria de um lugar como esse? 

Continuei a ler e cheguei ao ponto que dizia sobre os dominadores que Percy já tinha tido dentro da instituição. Eram sete no total, agora, oito, se contasse comigo e somente nomes, sem qualquer outro tipo de informação.

— Sete? — Perguntei, chocado. — Qual o problema com essa gente?

— Eles não eram adequados. — Roberta respondeu pela primeira vez com uma expressão neutra. — Nem todos foram ruins, mas nenhum deles foi o certo. Cuidamos de nossos submissos como se fossem da família e se um deles precisa de ajuda, ela não tardará a chegar.

Isso era uma ameaça? Ah, se ela soubesse que bastava apenas um estalo de dedos e tudo estaria acabado. Mas é claro que eu não faria isso, eu nunca daria esse gostinho para Hades.

— Qual deles foi? — Eu disse ao invés, sem precisar perguntar diretamente. Roberta pareceu ter entendido. Uma dessas pessoas tinha abusado de Percy, se foi física ou psicologicamente, eu nunca saberia.

— Confidencial. — Foi tudo o que ela disse.

Suspirei e continuei minha leitura, chegando às preferências de Percy.

Uou! Eu era um dominador certificado e não sabia o que metade daquilo significava. Ou melhor, havia feito questão de esquecer. Uma parte eu ainda lembrava, e a outra parte, eu só podia chutar. Já outras, esperava nunca descobrir.

— Shibari? 24/7? Eu nem sei o que significa Abrasão! E… — Li mais abaixo e murmurei: — Ageplay?

Levantei a cabeça e vi que Roberta sorria, convencida.

— Você não acha que isso é exagero?

— Isso não depende de mim e ninguém está te obrigando a nada. São apenas… possibilidades.

— Ageplay? Isso é sério?

— Você precisa que eu desenhe?

— O que consistiria isso, exatamente? — Eu disse, só para manter meu disfarce.

— Vai depender. O básico é agir e ser cuidado feito um bebê. Chamar Percy de bebê já funcionaria. Porque você não tenta na próxima?

— Eu não acho que eu consiga. — Ou melhor, eu não acho que eu queira.

— Como eu disse, você tem muito a aprender. — Roberta bateu os dedos na mesa, parecendo chegar a uma conclusão. 

Ela abriu uma gaveta de baixo da mesa e me entregou algumas folhas, junto a um livro de capa grossa e bem pesado.

— Quero que você leve isso, é o mesmo questionário que Percy respondeu. Esse livro também te ajudará. Não se esqueça de ler todo o documento. Fizemos algumas anotações no perfil do Percy, ele teve uma grande evolução desde que chegou aqui.

— Como ele era antes?

— Vulnerável, quase assustado. Pelo menos referente a sexualidade dele. — Roberta disse ao se levantar. — Espero que isso não volte a acontecer.

Era o que eu esperava também.

— Amanhã começamos nossas sessões. 

A gente já não tinha começado?

Com um aceno de cabeça de Roberta, Carla trouxe Percy e ambos saímos do escritório de mãos dadas. Eu só esperava que não estivesse cometendo um erro.

***

Passei o resto do dia pensando sobre o que Roberta tinha dito. Não exatamente no que ela tinha falado e, sim, no que ela deixou de dizer. Tudo bem, aparentemente, eu era um irresponsável e não merecia ser chamado de dom, e isso estava mais do que claro, eu assumia. O motivo para isso era bem simples, em primeiro lugar, nunca quis ser um dominador, e muito menos, um submisso. Qual era o problema em não ser nada, em ser diferente? Era um crime tão ruim ainda querer ser apenas eu? Bem, aquilo não importava, eu tinha assumido um compromisso com Percy e levaria isso até o fim.

E falando em Percy, ele também tinha passado a tarde ocupado. Pelo o que parecia, Percy Jackson realmente era um empresário bem-sucedido, CEO da própria empresa, especialmente se fosse pelo modo que Percy falava no telefone e digitava no notebook de última geração, mais fino e leve que uma caneta. A mudança era visível, o submisso tímido e inseguro deu lugar a alguém que se sentava no sofá com a coluna ereta, óculos de armação moderna encaixado perfeitamente em sua face quadrada e uma expressão tão séria e decidida no rosto que eu pensaria que era outra pessoa, isto é, se Percy não estivesse só de cueca no meio da sala de estar.

— Você quer comer? — Perguntei vendo Percy fechar o computador e tirar os óculos, se esticando todo no sofá, praticamente se sentando no meu colo.

— Não. — ele negou. 

Percy olhou de canto de olho para mim e colocou o computador em cima da mesinha de centro. Então, se virando na minha direção, largou toda pretensão de fingir se espreguiçar. Ele se deitou no sofá e colocou a cabeça sobre minhas coxas, me observando ao olhar para cima.

— Gostando da leitura? — Ele completou, relaxado contra meu colo.

Encarei o livro em minhas mãos e fiz uma careta. Até agora tinha lido três capítulos daquele livro que parecia ter saído da idade das trevas, me perguntando se eu tinha entendido alguma coisa, tudo isso muito nostálgico, mas de uma maneira completamente horrível. O lado bom era que eles pareciam ter feito uma atualização na ideologia de tudo, agora só faltava mudar como o ato em si era feito. Se eu realmente fosse um novato tudo o que eu teria entendido seria: algemas bla bla bla, correntes bla bla bla e assim em diante. O que eu ainda não entendia era como um submisso poderia gostar de se submeter a outra pessoa, aceitando ser abusado dessa forma. Nada daquilo fazia sentido e eu não entendia nada.

— Na verdade, não. Porque você não me ajuda?

— O que você quer saber? — Percy perguntou, pela primeira vez não soando incerto. Na verdade, ele soava como uma pessoa completamente normal, alguém que eu veria andando na rua e que nunca pensaria que seria um submisso, ou mesmo um dominador; uma pessoa completamente normal.

— O que significa ser um submisso para você?

— Ser um submisso significa se submete--

— Eu perguntei o que significa para você. O que te faz querer ser um?

— Ninguém nunca me perguntou isso antes. — Percy murmurou baixinho, fechando os olhos. 

Senti uma vontade súbita de tocá-lo, então, foi o que fiz. Coloquei o livro de lado e acariciei seus cabelos devagar, os penteando com os dedos e massageando seu couro cabeludo, enquanto o ouvia suspirar e sorrir, todo contente.

— Significa isso. Com você. Bem aqui.

— Isso, o quê?

— Esse momento.

— Você vai ter que ser mais específico.

— É sentir que a responsabilidade do mundo não está nas minhas mãos. É ter alguém que vai me apoiar se for necessário. É saber que a casa não vai estar vazia quando eu chegar do trabalho, que minha cama não vai estar fria.

— É só isso? Você não poderia ter isso sendo um dom ou com uma pessoa normal?

— Não, você não entende. — Percy abriu seus olhos verdes-azulados intensos e me encarou, ansioso. — Quando estamos juntos me sinto seguro. É meu pequeno paraíso. Não preciso tomar decisões ou me preocupar com as consequências, porque eu sei que se eu cair, você vai me pegar, você vai me proteger e cuidar de mim. Esse é o dever de um submisso, confiar em seu dom e se doar a ele, dando tudo o que eu puder, tudo o que eu tiver. E em troca, receber tudo de volta em forma de cuidado e atenção.

— É isso, então? — Eu quis saber, ainda em dúvida. Eu não via como tudo isso podia ser possível. E como é que Percy já confiava em mim se nem havia passado quarenta e oito horas desde que a gente tinha se conhecido? — E a parte sexual?

— Eu gosto também. — Percy sorriu para mim, um sorriso lindo e aberto, todo cheio de covinhas e dentes brancos, chegando a seus olhos.

— Sim? — Pressionei de novo, interessado no desenvolvimento.

— No começo, eu só queria sair um pouco da minha cabeça, sabe? Ser alguém diferente por algumas horas. Depois…

— Depois?

— Eu comecei a gostar, a experimentar coisas novas. Por isso que minha lista de preferências é tão longa. Eu só quero… sentir algo diferente.

— Mesmo que doa?

— Especialmente quando dói. — Dessa vez, Percy abriu os olhos e não desviou o olhar, tentando dizer algo que eu me negava a entender.

— Porquê? Porque você iria querer isso?

— O problema não é a dor, é como você a encara.

— Acho que não entendi…

— Pensamos na dor como uma forma de punição, mas e se… e se ela for apenas uma forma de experimentar sensações… uma forma de deixar a tensão sair? Aquilo só te machuca se você deixar.

Bem, se eu encarasse as coisas daquela forma, não parecia tão ruim, embora eu ainda não estivesse disposto a sentir dor por um motivo tão… sem propósito.

— Eu ainda não entendo porque você deixaria alguém te usar dessa forma.

— Nico, eu não estou sendo usado. Isso seria verdade se eu não desse permissão. Mas não é.

— E se alguém te prendesse e fizesse coisas que você não quisesse, o que aconteceria?

— Isso já aconteceu. Não foi completamente consensual, mas eu gostei.

Pisquei por um momento, processando o que Percy tinha acabado de dizer, parando com meus movimentos no cabelo de Percy. 

Percy queria dizer que tinha sido est*prado?

— Não me olhe assim. O cara acabou se deixando levar. Ele me pediu desculpas e tudo. Eu terminei com ele, é claro, e desde então decidi procurar ajuda aqui. As coisas têm dado bem mais certo.

— Mas… como você pode gostar disso?

— Eu gosto e ponto. — Percy deu de ombros, virando o rosto para o lado, seu rosto todo tenso e sério. — Se você não pode entender…

— Não, eu não posso entender. — Eu finalmente disse quando o silêncio se estendeu. — Mas eu aceito. Estou tentando entender o que leva uma pessoa a seguir esse tipo de vida. Isso é um estilo de vida, não é?

— Sim, não é só sobre sexo. É sobre companheirismo e dar o que o outro precisa. É sobre… hierarquia.

— Hierarquia? — Perguntei, me sentindo estranho. Aquelas malditas palavras voltando a mim, feito um eco do passado.

— Sim. Fora de uma cena, somos iguais, ninguém está acima de ninguém. Mas tem uma certa ordem. Dominadores tendem a querer manter a ordem, submissos gostam de segui-los. Faz parte da dinâmica dominador-submisso.

— Dinâmica? — Eu odiava essa palavra.

— É mais um instinto. É como agimos.

— E como seria isso?

— Você não percebe? O jeito que você age perto de mim? Como você segurou o meu rosto no primeiro dia? Como você me olhou e disse que me queria, como… como se você mandasse, e só com uma ordem eu pertencesse a você?

— Eu fiz isso, foi?

— Hmmhmm… — Percy murmurou, ainda sério, mas num tom de voz manhoso. — Você não percebe que você já faz essas pequenas coisas… como… como… se preocupar se eu estou com fome, se eu estou confortável, como eu me sinto depois de uma cena?

— Sei…

— Eu gosto. Gosto muito disso. Quando você me toca me sinto… único, especial. Sinto que nada pode dar errado.

— Até agora nada deu. — Completei, concordando. — Mas isso ainda não responde minha pergunta. O que tudo isso significa para você?

Percy suspirou e me encarou de frente, sem nada a esconder.

— Significa que eu nunca vou estar sozinho, ter muito sexo e poder sentir tudo o que eu quero sentir, sem precisar me sentir culpado. Porque, quando eu me machuco sozinho, não é saudável e a culpa é toda minha, mas quando outros me machucam…

— A culpa nunca é sua.

Percy acenou novamente. — Eu… sempre tive dificuldade em ficar sozinho. Costumava ser aquele tipo de criança que queria agradar a todos, eu queria que todos fossem meus amigos. Já cheguei a fazer coisas que muitos não fariam, tudo isso só para ter a aprovação de alguém, nunca me senti mal por isso. É quem eu sou e quem sempre fui. A diferença é que cansei de me sentir mal por querer algo que outros consideram errado.

— Essa é a questão, não é? — Perguntei, começando a entender. — Você procura alguém que vá te machucar, mas que também te ajude a… sarar?

— Acho que poderíamos dizer isso. Embora eu queira muito mais do que isso.

— Você quer, como o quê?

— Ficar de joelhos a seus pés e realizar seus desejos mais escondidos. Não importa qual eles sejam.

Ao ouvir isso sorri e voltei a acariciar os cabelos de Percy, o ouvindo quase ronronar.

— Talvez você se arrependa de dizer isso. Pessoa mais chata do que eu não existe.

— Isso é o que todos dizem.

Depois disso, não pude me conter. Segurei nos cabelos de Percy e os puxei até que sua boca estivesse sobre a minha, arfando e aberta, enlaçando nossas línguas até que toda essa história de dom e sub sumisse de nossas mentes.

Parte V

— Talvez você se arrependa de dizer isso. Pessoa mais chata do que eu não existe.

— Isso é o que todos dizem.

Depois disso, não pude me conter. Segurei nos cabelos de Percy e os puxei até que sua boca estivesse sobre a minha, arfando e aberta, enlaçando nossas línguas até que toda essa história de dom e sub sumisse de nossas mentes. Senti Percy segurando em meu pescoço e me afastei para ver seu rosto banhado pela luz do fim da tarde, todo ansioso, seus olhos fugindo dos meus.

Hmmm… será que era agora que a parte sexy acontecia? Sorri, achando graça da minha própria piada. Mas quando vi que Percy começava a ficar impaciente e frustrado, voltei a ficar sério.

— Você tem certeza disso? Não é tarde para procurar um dom mais experiente.

— Não, eu quero… eu quero você.

Respirei fundo e me concentrei no que Percy queria dizer por trás daquilo. Eu começava a achar que ele não dizia essas coisas porque era o que eu queria ouvir, e sim porque ele sentia ser o que eu precisava escutar; e talvez fosse, talvez fosse exatamente o que eu precisava saber para que tudo o que tinha acontecido antes ficasse no passado. Ou pelo menos para que eu tentasse mais uma vez.

— Tudo bem, serei seu dom. Com uma condição.

— Qual? — Percy levantou a cabeça e me encarou por um momento, parecendo ser aquele mesmo sub tímido que eu havia conhecido. 

— Você tem que me dizer quando eu fizer algo errado.

— Você nunca… dominou alguém?

— Não exatamente. — Quando vi que Percy parecia interessado, continuei. — Tinha esse garoto no ensino médio, a gente estudava na mesma sala.

— Ele era um submisso? — Percy perguntou, todo animado. 

Ele levantou, se sentou no sofá virado de frente para mim, e apoiou suas mãos em meus joelhos, se esquecendo de todo o resto.

Eu sorri e continuei:

— Sim, criado e educado para ser o perfeito sub. Tudo o que ele fazia era para agradar alguém ou ganhar o favor de quem importava. Ele era pequeno e baixinho e bonito. O perfeito sub, sinceramente.

— O que aconteceu?

— O que sempre acontece quando digo a verdade.

— Oh. — Percy murmurou, parecendo decepcionado. Eu quase me sentia culpado por estar mentindo. Quer dizer, a história era verdadeira. Não era a primeira vez que eu dizia não saber dominar.

— Sim, no começo eu até tentei, mas…

— Mas?

— Bem, ele encontrou um dom que não era tão sensível quanto eu.

— Então, você é um dom. — Ele se inclinou em minha direção, todo contente.

— O quê?

— Foi o que você disse “ele encontrou um dom que não era tão sensível quanto eu.”

Percy tinha me pegado nessa.

— Sim, acho que sou.

— Então, qual o problema?

— Não há nenhum problema. — Nenhum que eu queira compartilhar, pensei, vendo o rosto de Percy murchar.

— Entendo.

— Você entende?

— Você não confia em mim. Porque você confiaria?

— Percy, isso não tem nada a v--

— Não precisa mentir, Nico. Sou grande o suficiente para saber quando não me querem. Acho que vo—

— Percy, me escute. — Falei calmamente, me levantando junto com ele. Eu o segurei pelo ombro antes que ele pudesse fugir de mim e o puxei para perto, agora tocando em seus cabelos da nuca. — Eu quero você. Eu não sei porque, mas eu quero.

— Você quer? — Ele se curvou todo e me encarou com olhos bem abertos, me perguntando em um sussurro, como um garotinho perdido e com medo faria.

— Sim. — Confirmei. — E você está certo, não confio em você. Essas coisas levam tempo e se você quiser ficar comigo, é assim que vai ser.

— Quando você quiser e quando você estiver pronto. — Percy completou como se fosse óbvio. Eu não queria dizer isso exatamente, mas agora que Percy tinha dito… fazia sentido, afinal, era eu quem estava no controle, não era? É o que dominadores fazem.

— Sim. — Confessei. — Quero que você tome um banho quente e me espere na cama, sim?

Percy me deu um beijinho molhado no rosto, sorriu para mim todo feliz e caminhou pela sala, desaparecendo pelas escadas que davam para o andar superior da casa.

 ***

Tudo bem, eu podia fazer isso. 

Respirei fundo, subi o resto das escadas e entrei no quarto, passando pela porta entreaberta. As persianas estavam fechadas e as luzes apagadas, somente com o abajur iluminando o quarto. Dei mais alguns passos para dentro, me familiarizando com o cômodo, tentando me convencer de que aquilo era o certo para nós. Percy estava ali, era claro que ele estava, estendido na cama, somente com a gaiola cobrindo seu corpo, vendo algo no celular e sorrindo para o que quer que fosse que ele lia. Seus cabelos molhados repousavam sobre o travesseiro e o resto do corpo ocupava grande parte do colchão, relaxado em seu lado da cama.

Vamos, eu me obriguei novamente a ir em frente. Eu podia fazer isso, um passo de cada vez. Sim, mais um passo e eu já consegui ver os contornos de seu corpo nitidamente. Rosto angular, ombros largos, abdômen de tanquinho e membro bem preso. Tudo em Percy gritava conforto, como se ele aceitasse quem ele é, nem menos e nem mais, sem qualquer inibição quando se tratava de sua forma. Dei mais um passo para a frente e ele levantou a cabeça, me encarando por baixo de seus cílios, sorrindo. Nenhum de nós se moveu até que eu respirei fundo mais uma vez e me aproximei da cama, ainda sem coragem de iniciar nada.

Deuses! Porque era tão difícil? Quando eu achava que tudo era por diversão e que não passava de uma brincadeira de casinha, as coisas estavam ótimas, mas agora que eu via que a saúde mental e física de alguém dependia dos meus próximos passos… tudo o que eu queria era fugir. Não que eu fosse inexperiente, mas ter essa responsabilidade toda… eu não lembrava disso ser tão complicado. Talvez eu tenha feito questão de esquecer.

Ainda assim, sem dizer nada, tirei minha camisa e minhas calças, junto com todo o resto, e me deitei ao lado dele, parado feito uma estátua. Era isso o que eu devia fazer, certo? Me deitar perto dele? Será que eu devia…

— Você está pensando demais. — Percy disse em meu ouvido.

Eu nem tinha visto quando ele tinha se aproximado, apenas sabia que agora estávamos muito perto, sua cabeça perto da minha, nariz contra nariz, ele deitado de lado enquanto eu deitava de barriga para cima, lutando contra mim mesmo. Eu só precisava relaxar.

— O que eu devo fazer?

— O que você quiser.

O que eu quiser? Que tal fazer nada? Dormir. Sim, dormir era uma boa ideia. Mas Percy… ah, Percy me olhava de uma forma que era difícil descrever, de uma maneira que me fazia querer ser outra pessoa só para ter coragem de seguir em frente. Eu deveria? Provavelmente, não. Mas eu faria de qualquer jeito.

Um beijo? Parecia uma boa ideia. 

Me inclinei sobre ele e encostei nossos lábios. Devagar. Cuidadoso. Lábios contra lábios, os roçando juntos. Esse era um bom começo, certo? Depois veio um arfar, me vi mordiscando levemente o lábio inferior dele, abrindo a boca, capturando sua língua nesse momento e chupando como eu não fazia há muito tempo. Senti mãos… mãos que seguravam contra meus ombros, apenas as apoiando. Pernas… minhas pernas se enfiando entre as dele, encontrando algo duro e metálico no meio do caminho, me fazendo lembrar com quem eu estava.

— Tudo bem? — Perguntei, apenas para ter certeza. Seu rosto corava suavemente e seu peito se levantava ao respirar forte e eu… talvez não fosse tão difícil assim, eu já me sentia pronto para dar o que ele queria. 

Deixei que meu olhar caísse para o meio de suas pernas musculosas e observei o volume ali. A imagem ainda tirava meu fôlego, ele parecia tão pequeno e estufado ali dentro… eu queria me abaixar e ver se Percy se sentiria tão bem com minha boca quanto com minhas mãos. Mas não… não naquele momento. Voltei minha atenção para o rosto de Percy e vi que ele me encarava com atenção, com um pouco de temor? Ou era expectativa?

— Você tem lubrificante? — Perguntei, tentando ser objetivo.

— Eu… eu não preciso.

— Me desculpe? — Eu disse sem entender.

Percy me olhou discretamente, mas com um suave sorriso nos lábios. Ele levantou as mãos que se seguravam na cabeceira da cama e tocou nas minhas, levando uma delas para o meio de suas pernas, em direção a sua entrada.

— Você…?

— Eu queria estar preparado.

Então, quando eu finalmente deixei que meus dedos explorassem melhor o local, vi que Percy… que Percy já estava molhado, seu interior macio e já dilatado. 

— Tudo isso é para mim?

— Sim, Nico. Eu quero ser um bom… 

— Garoto? — Terminei por ele, tentando fazer uma piada. Mas, aparentemente, não era nada engraçado.

Percy se remexeu desconfortável e fechou os olhos bem forte, o rubor se intensificando em seu rosto, embora, ainda assim, ele tenha concordado, acenando e tentando se esconder.

— Você é-- — gaguejei, engolindo em seco. — …você é um bom garoto, o melhor deles.

Deixei as palavras saírem e percebi que elas eram verdadeiras. Nesses momentos, era como se Percy realmente se transformasse em um garotinho tímido e assustado, me fazendo querer protegê-lo e me afastar ao mesmo tempo, com medo de machucá-lo. 

— Tudo bem? — Voltei a perguntar para ter certeza de que meus toques eram bem vindos. 

Percy acenou, me encarando por trás de seus longos cílios e só depois disso, voltei a me mover, afundei meus dedos um pouco mais adentro dele e adicionei mais um até que Percy gemeu baixinho, quase com medo de fazer barulho, um ruído entrecortado escapando por seus lábios.

— Aqui? 

— De novo, por favor.

Foi tudo o que precisei para inserir o quarto. Eu os pressionei contra as paredes do interior de Percy e ele praticamente se curvou para fora da cama, jogando a cabeça para trás.

Acho que era agora ou nunca.

Segurei no meu próprio membro, só agora notando como doía e me guiei para dentro, me deixando relaxar pela primeira vez desde que havia chegado àquele lugar.

***

E pensar que alguém algum dia vai entender o caos que dança dentro de mim ao som da minha melancolia, pensei ao observar Nico, meu dom, só meu, tentando tanto ser o dominador perfeito. 

Você sabe o que isso significa? Um dom? Meu dom? Só meu? Um que eu não tinha que dividir com ninguém e que presta atenção só em mim, como nenhum outro fez ou teve o interesse de fazer? Você sabe o que era isso?

Eu sabia que deveria prestar atenção em como ele tentava me dar prazer e a forma que ele era todo cuidadoso, como se eu fosse quebrar com o menor movimento brusco. Mas, isso, pele na pele e suor e beijos, tudo isso ficava em segundo plano; nunca pensei que falaria algo como isso. Quando é que o sexo ficaria em segundo lugar? Não na minha vida, não quando o escape para todos os problemas sempre tinha sido esse. No fim, parecia que eu estava colocando meus esforços no lugar errado e quem sabe, na pessoa errada também. Só o fato de Nico estar ali, entre minhas pernas, tentando fazer algo que ele não tinha certeza só para me fazer feliz… era a melhor das sensações. Não era exatamente como suas mãos me tocavam ou como elas me elevavam um pouquinho mais a cada toque, era… era o propósito por trás de tudo aquilo, do todo o esforço e cuidado e afeto.

— Percy… — Escutei sua voz sussurrada e estremeci quando ele roçou a cabeça grande contra minha entrada. Não era exatamente a maior coisa que eu já tinha sentido e tampouco era pequena, era só… perfeito. Ele fez um pouco de pressão, segurou forte na minha cintura e se empurrou para dentro com um grunhido entrecortado.

De fato, fazia muito tempo. Tempo demais se fosse o encaixe apertado e a dificuldade com que ele avançava. Não me reprimi, me segurei nos travesseiros e gemi, me empinado todo, sem me importar com nada, provavelmente dando um espetáculo e tanto. 

Eu nem sei porque gostava tanto disso. Eu tinha a certeza que não iria gozar até o fim da noite, entretanto a sensação dele dentro de mim… era outra coisa… me sentia preenchido e completo e quente… tão quente e tão gostoso… também, não era apenas sobre o prazer, eu gostava de olhar para Nico e ver o que ele faria em seguida. 

Uma coisa era certa, Nico não era como os outros dominadores que eu havia encontrado. Parecia algo tão natural nele que às vezes me encantava, e me surpreendia também… e Nico nem percebia; era como ele vivia dando ordens ou contrariando a vontade de outras pessoas só porque achava que era o certo a se fazer. 

Também faltava nele aquela arrogância egoísta tão característica de pessoas que detinham o poder, ou até a ganância que sempre pareceu estar impregnada em outros dominadores. Eu não saberia explicar direito, era uma ausência de tantas coisas que eu pensava fazer parte dos dominadores, que fazia minha cabeça girar, muito mais do que qualquer sexo poderia. Embora… embora eu não pudesse negar, quando Nico me tocava assim, eu ia aos céus e nem precisava que o toque fosse sexual, eu só precisava que fosse...  real. Como… como agora! Ele me apertava tão forte e ia tão rápido… 

— Bebê, você está perto? Eu… eu não vou aguentar.

Nico… Nico tinha me chamado de… bebê? Meus deuses. 

Eu prendi o ar quando Nico… ah! Quando ele segurou em minha cintura e foi aquele centímetro mais fundo. Ele me levantou um pouco para cima e se afundou dentro de mim de uma maneira que me fez fechar os olhos e gemer, só gemer, tão gostoso e tão naquele lugarzinho que ninguém se preocupou em procurar, que eu curvei a coluna, sentindo meu corpo querer chegar ao clímax, sempre querendo chegar lá e nunca conseguindo, nunca! 

Doía… ah! Doía tão gostoso… eu gemi novamente e prendi minhas pernas em volta de Nico, abrindo os olhos para ver o momento mágico em que Nico apenas… parou, pulsando e arfando e grunhindo, alcançando partes que raramente eram alcançadas dentro de mim, pulsando e pulsando até eu me sentir mais quente ainda, uma sensação engraçada dentro de mim, fazendo tudo ficar mais… deslizante, meu membro engaiolado parecendo querer explodir para fora do metal, me fazendo doer e arfar mais forte e mais rápido ainda. 

Oh, meu Dom estava gozando! Eu fiz ele gozar? Euzinho? Percy Jackson? Que já fui chamado de imprestável e coisas piores?  Eu sorri para meu Dom e ele bambeou, quase caindo para frente, respirando rápido, seu olhar frenético me analisando feito um radar e me tocando por todos os lados; minha cintura com suas marcas de dedos, meu abdômen, meus braços, pescoço e até rosto. Então, ele disse:

— Eu te machuquei? Algo dói? Eu… eu não devia… e você?

Eu queria rir, eu queria gargalhar de felicidade, o que provavelmente não soaria bem. Nada doía, era exatamente o contrário, eu estaria gozando sem nem ser tocado se não estivesse com a gaiola, mas, então, eu perderia esse momento magnífico, observando Nico beijar minha mão e depois meu braço, subindo por meu ombro até chegar a minha boca, suave e delicado.

— Eu vou te recompensar, prometo.

Será que eu devia dizer que não precisava? Que ver o prazer dele já me dava toda a recompensa que eu precisava? Mas… eu queria ver até onde ele iria, por isso, acenei que sim e vi ele deslizar para fora de mim, olhando pelo quarto como se procurasse algo.

— Você tem alguma coisa por aqui?

— Como o quê? — Perguntei, curioso.

— Um vibrador? 

Abri um sorriso para ele e indiquei o guarda-roupas.

— No lado direito, no fundo dele.

— Ah. — Ele disse e andou até o guarda-roupas, o abrindo e enfiando a cabeça lá dentro. 

Nico voltou com um vibrador à base de pilha e lubrificante.

Ele realmente ia fazer isso? Os dominadores que eu conhecia nem se dariam ao trabalho de perguntar se eu estava bem, quanto mais… ah! Eu gemi, sinceramente surpreso, quando ele lubrificou o brinquedo e já com ele ligado, inseriu devagar dentro de mim. Ohhh… eu tinha me esquecido da sensação.

— É bom? — Ele me perguntou, não esperando uma resposta. — Talvez eu experimente mais tarde.

Ele? Experimentar? Isso que queria dizer…? Ah, eu gemi de novo ao sentir que Nico levava o brinquedo um pouco mais ao fundo, alcançando minha próstata.

— Aqui?

Eu acenei, com vontade de me cobrir. Porque ele tinha que ser tão cuidadoso… tão… tão detalhista. O pior era ver ele me olhando, analisando cada ação minha. Ninguém nunca tinha prestado tanta atenção.

Sim, eu sei. Eu estava me repetindo, mas… ah!... Dessa vez, até eu escutei meu guincho, ele continuava pressionando o vibrador bem naquele lugar, fazendo mais força e movendo o brinquedo de uma forma tão… 

— Bom? — Ele completou por mim. Mas eu não conseguia falar, só conseguia olhar para ele e arfar feito uma cadela no cio.

Eu queria gozar e queria que ele terminasse com aquela tortura na mesma intensidade que eu queria que ele continuasse e não parasse até que doesse, até que eu não conseguisse mais, até que... Ah! Eu estava sentindo… eu estava! Era aquela sensação que vinha da parte de baixo da minha coluna e subia lentamente, tão lentamente e que navegava… navegava… eu arfei, como se estivesse com falta de ar enquanto ambos, eu e ele, vimos meu membro todo preso, se contrair todo dentro da minha gaiola de metal até que… até que… hmmm, sim! Eu estava ejaculando, nunca um orgasmo completo, uma sensação parecida e alienígena ao mesmo tempo, até que o líquido que saia dentro de mim, diminuísse de intensidade e só restassem algumas gotas que pingavam, escorrendo pela gaiola e chegando as minhas coxas.

— Isso foi lindo. — Nico comentou, como se observasse uma obra de arte. — Tão bonito, bebê.

Ali estava, senti o elogio ir direto para meu membro eternamente excitado e subir para minhas bochechas enquanto era novamente rodeado pelos braços fortes e seguros de meu Dom, ainda me sentindo tão excitado que doía, numa tortura eterna que eu estava destinado a sofrer.

Parte VI

— Vamos, fale comigo. — Nico sussurrou contra meus lábios, os lambendo lentamente e enfiando sua língua dentro da minha boca. 

Eu me senti estremecer e gemi, o abraçando apertado pelo pescoço e devolvendo o beijo, meu ar fugindo quando suas mãos desceram pelas minhas costas, tocando no lugar onde o vibrador tinha estado momentos antes. 

— Tão molhado e tão aberto. Eu fiz um belo estrago. Você quer mais ou quer que eu pare? Hmmm?

— Eu… ah! — Arfei quando seus dedos voltaram a me penetrar, rápidos e profundamente, se curvando dentro de mim. Doía… doía tanto… mas eu gostava, eu queria mais. Entretanto, eu me sentia sem forças, feito uma boneca de pano, que a única coisa que eu pude fazer foi rebolar em seus dedos, os sentindo ir um pouco mais fundo, alcançando onde eu mais precisava.

— Aqui? — Ele perguntou, seus lábios contra meu lóbulo e sua voz baixinha e rouca. — Você quer mais? É, eu acho que quer.

Foi quando eu desisti de qualquer palavra que pudesse se formar em meus lábios. Ele me puxou para mais perto, me fazendo sentar em seu colo e colocou uma de suas mãos entre nossos corpos, enquanto a outra dava espaço para a cabeça gorda de seu membro entrar.

Eu não conseguia explicar, ele parecia maior do que antes; mais largo e mais longo, roçando na minha entrada apertada e deslizando para dentro em movimentos lentos de vai e vem até estar completamente dentro de mim, encontrando o ponto certo.

— Tudo bem? — Ele disse quando eu não disse nada além de gemer, curvado sobre ele, minhas unhas fincadas em suas costas. — Devo parar?

Não, eu desejava que ele nunca parasse. Abri a boca, tentando dizer que não, que esse era um dos melhores momentos da minha vida. Mas quando só um arfar saiu, decidi que era melhor mostrar. Tentei levantar meu quadril e me mover, mas eu estava tão mole que só consegui me balançar em cima dele.

— Acho que isso é um não. — Ele riu baixinho contra meu pescoço e voltou a segurar minha cintura enquanto pegava nos meus cabelos, me fazendo encara-lo, seus olhos negros buscando os meus por permissão. O que era muito interessante, quase contraditório se fosse pelo fato dele ter todo o controle. — Eu preciso que você toque no meu pescoço ou me peça para parar se for muito. Tudo bem?

Eu acenei. Ou foi o que eu tentei. Sinceramente, eu me sentia perdendo a noção do que acontecia ao meu redor. 

Em um momento eu estava no colo dele, sentindo seu membro se mover dentro de mim e no outro eu estava deitado de costas na cama. Minhas pernas estavam abertas e para cima, sobre os ombros de Nico enquanto ele me fodia com tanta força que eu começava a ver tudo embaralhado, o mundo girando e o prazer voltando a subir por meus nervos feito um foguete fumegante.

— Ah, aqui está meu bebê. — Ouvi a voz de Nico, tão arfada quanto a minha, suas mãos voltando a se fincar em meus cabelos. Ele parou dentro de mim durante um momento, longo o suficiente para me beijar, e voltou a se mover, rápido e forte, abrindo minhas pernas um pouco mais e fazendo eu me curvar, praticamente me dobrando ao meio.

— N-nico. — Murmurei incerto, tentando entender o que acontecia, arfando e gemendo, me sentindo tão livre e tão seguro como eu nunca tinha me sentido antes.

— O que meu bebê precisa?

Eu… eu não sabia. Eu só sabia que Nico continuava se movendo dentro de mim sem pausa e forte, e que eu não conseguia desviar o olhar dele, do sorriso sacana e do jeito que ele continuava me fudendo, puxando minha cabeça para trás e fincando seus dedos em minha pele, principalmente pelo jeito que ele parecia nunca se cansar ou perder o ritmo. Eu não queria, mas eu comecei a me mexer, tremendo dos pés à cabeça. Sentia algo subindo por minha espinha e meus dedos se curvando, eu… eu me contraí todo e Nico se afundou mais forte dentro de mim, me prensando contra a cama. Eu não conseguia, eu não conseguia mais. Eu o segurei firme pelo pescoço e gritei, gritei tão forte e tão alto que quase não ouvi o grunhido de Nico ou senti aquelas últimas estocadas que me permitiram relaxar e finalmente deixar que o alívio me cercasse, trazendo para mim o orgasmo mais intenso da minha vida, com gaiola ou sem.

— Shhh… tudo bem. Eu estou aqui.

Abracei Nico bem forte e fechei os olhos, ainda estremecendo, sabendo que ele me limpava e tentava me consolar. Eu apenas entendia que precisava de seus braços ao meu redor e seu calor, não o deixando se afastar de mim até quando eu não pudesse mais.

— Bom garoto. — Eu ouvi Nico dizer para mim, sussurrando bem baixinho, como um segredo que somente eu merecesse escutar.

***

— Como você se sente? — Nico perguntou para mim.

Fiz uma análise rápida e percebi que eu me sentia muito bem. Um pouco dolorido e cansado, ainda todo aberto, mas muito satisfeito. Quer dizer, eu não diria não se Nico estivesse no clima para mais. Em alguns minutos.

— Bem. — Foi tudo o que eu disse, mantendo meu rosto neutro. Eu não queria que ele soubesse que eu tinha gostado tanto, que era uma das melhores transas da minha vida. Eu não estava pronto para dar todo esse poder para ele.

 Ainda.

— Então, é assim? Estamos voltando para esse jogo de palavras? Tudo bem? De 1 a 10, qual seu nível de satisfação.

— Seis. — Eu disse prendendo a risada.

— Seu mentiroso! Eu te fiz gozar no mínimo duas vezes. Isso seria no mínimo um sete, talvez um oito.

— Acho que não.

Ouvi um arfar e olhei para trás. Nico me segurava pela cintura, deitado colado às minhas costas, falando contra meu pescoço, sua outra mão no meu abdômen, me mantendo junto a ele, ambos ainda com a cabeça dividindo o mesmo travesseiro.

— Assim você me magoa.

Foi quando ele agarrou meus cabelos e inclinou minha cabeça para trás, me fazendo gemer.

— É triste, mas teremos que dar um jeito nisso, hmmm?

— Nico…

Gemi surpreso e um pouco animado demais. Senti suas mãos indo para baixo e se afundando novamente em minha entrada. Deveria doer, eu deveria dizer para ele parar, que pessoas normais não tinham tanto tesão, mas minhas reclamações ficaram para trás quando ele apenas se empurrou para dentro de mim, me fazendo choramingar, me movendo contra ele para senti-lo melhor tocando todas as partes certas.

— Hmmm, bebê, tão gostoso… eu não sei o que você tem que me faz te querer tanto. Eu não consigo explicar… hmmm… você quer que eu pare?

Eu gemi e me esfreguei nele, perdendo o ar quando sua mão tocou em meu membro preso. Eu não entendia porque isso me excitava tanto. Eu podia sentir o calor irradiando e parecendo se transferir atrás da minha gaiola e podia sentir a forma que ele me segurava forte, me dominando com um gesto simples.

— Você gosta quando eu toco aqui? Você pareceu tão torturado naquele dia… o estranho é que eu queria te torturar mais ainda e ver até onde você aguenta… mas esse não é o comportamento adequado para casais que não estão juntos oficialmente, sabe? Eu realmente queria…

Então, Nico segurou mais forte e tocou em meus testículos, os agarrando com força enquanto que com a outra mão ele me abraçou pelo ombro e por um momento eu me senti preso, verdadeiramente preso, mas tão leve que deixei toda a pretensão de lado. Eu deixei que ele se encostasse sobre mim e me prensasse contra a cama, deixei que ele abrisse minhas pernas, as levantando para cima e me deixei gemer contra o travesseiro, sentindo Nico me foder mais uma vez rápido e forte e com tanta vontade que lágrimas vieram aos meus olhos e minha mente se perdeu em sensações até que eu estava gemendo longamente e Nico inserido tão fundo dentro de mim que nem deus poderia nos separar.

***

— Agora é sério, precisamos levantar.

— Ni-cooooo!

— Vamos, bebê. Venha tomar um banho.

— Porquê? Eu não quero.

— Percy.

O-ou… eu nunca tinha ouvido aquele tom de voz vindo dele, mas sabia que não era nada bom. Abri os olhos e encontrei Nico sentado na cama, pelado e com os cabelos bagunçados para todos os lados. Seus olhos negros me fitando com irritação e fome e impaciência.

— Se você não se levantar dessa cama, vai se arrepender.

— É, o que você vai fazer comigo? Me dar uma surra? Papai vai ficar bravo?

— Se você quiser, a gente pode entrar em um acordo. Aposto que é isso que você quer, me fazer perder o controle e dar o que você merece.

— O que eu mereço?

Nico sorriu para mim e estendeu as mãos, esperando por mim.

— Se você não se levantar em cinco segundos, vai descobrir.

Certo. Acenei. Eu estava pronto para isso? Provavelmente, não. Parecia muito cedo para que as punições começassem.

Gemendo, me movi devagar e engatinhei para fora da cama, Nico me segurou quando minhas pernas quase cederam.

— Fiz um estrago, hmm? É sua culpa, se você não fosse tão lindo e cheiroso e gostoso… — Nico sussurrou contra meu ouvido e fez minhas pernas tremerem mais ainda.

— Eu sou lindo?

Era a primeira vez que alguém dizia isso para mim. Já me chamaram de bonito, gostoso, apertado, muito alto, e até de vadia, mas lindo… era algo novo.

— Você não se olha no espelho? Você é uma das pessoas mais bonitas que eu já vi.

— Então, você não deve conhecer muita gente. E existe uma diferença entre bonito e lindo.

— É, você é os dois e é muito mais. Agora, pro banheiro.

A passos lentos, deixei que Nico me guiasse para o banheiro, encontrando a banheira já cheia de água com sais de rosas. Eu nem podia me lembrar a última vez que a tinha usado.

— Você vai me dar banho? — Perguntei, divertido. — Depois vai passar talquinho?

— Se você quiser, eu posso. Nada melhor que um bom tratamento depois de uma cena.

— Sabe, você me enganou… para quem disse que não era um dom…

— Talvez… eu possa ter mentido. Mas se você está reclamando, eu devo ter pegado muito leve com você. O que você acha de uma mudança de tática? Eu posso fazer isso. Quem sabe assim você se comporta.

Nico sorriu para mim e eu parei um momento, considerando o que ele falava. Nico parecia falar sério, mas não parecia tão empenhado em concretizar suas palavras. Ele estava… flertando comigo? Oh… engraçado. Talvez eu quisesse que ele pegasse mais pesado, entretanto, não seria eu quem diria isso para ele. Se Nico não entendia isso, Nico não merecia saber.

Com isso em mente, dei um passo para frente, me segurei na beirada da banheira e entrei nela. Nico, é claro, estava bem atrás de mim. Ele segurou na minha cintura e me levantou levemente, me ajudando a sentar nela e apoiou minha cabeça no apoio indicado.

— Agora, hmmm… shampoo? Shampoo.

Relaxei contra o assento, quase fechando os olhos, e observei Nico, tentando não rir da cara dele. Era uma coisa engraçada de se presenciar, algo que não se via todo dia. Nico andava de um lado para o outro, ele abria armários, fechava portas e compartimentos, e juntava as coisas que ele julgava serem necessárias. Quando ele voltou para perto de mim, não aguentei; por algum motivo, eu achava aquilo tão engraçado que meu corpo tremia e eu ficava sem ar de tantas gargalhadas.

— Bebê, respire. — Nico me disse, segurando no meu pescoço e eu obedeci.

Abri bem os olhos e dei uma longa inspirada, deixando o ar sair em seguida, sem conseguir evitar as risadas que insistiam em fugir de mim.

— Muito bom. Bom garoto. — Ele me disse e sorriu, massageando meus cabelos. Beijou meus lábios em um dos toques doces que eu já tinha recebido e me mostrou o shampoo, ainda segurando minha cabeça. — Agora, devagar. Você está em sub-drope.

— É mais parecido com sub-high. — Murmurei, porque eu estava em êxtase, verdadeiramente flutuando nas nuvens, tão maravilhado que o mundo parecia estar mais colorido.

— Então, fique comigo. Não vá muito longe.

— Sim, Dom.

Resisti a tentação de fechar os olhos mais uma vez e vi o exato momento em que Nico parou de se mover e me encarou sério, sinceramente sério, pela primeira vez desde que tínhamos nos conhecido. Eu sabia que ele queria dizer alguma coisa, e que provavelmente era algo importante, mas eu não achava que estava preparado, nenhum de nós dois estava. Por isso fechei os olhos, me forcei a respirar fundo e relaxei, sabendo que eu não estava com a cabeça no lugar certo para tomar uma decisão tão séria. Depois de alguns momentos, tudo pareceu ficar mais leve e ter menos importância, engavetado para depois. Senti as mãos de Nico voltarem a tocar nos meus cabelos, os massageando suavemente, eles sendo enxaguados cuidadosamente pelo jato de água da mangueira que Nico segurava.

— Você sabe que pode falar de qualquer coisa comigo, não sabe? — Nico murmurou baixinho, atrás de mim do lado de fora da banheira, ainda massageando meus cabelos. — Essa coisa entre a gente é nova, mas não significa que eu não vá te ouvir. Eu sempre irei.

Não sei porque isso me afetava tanto, eram apenas palavras ditas da boca para fora na tentativa de me consolar. Mas elas me afetavam. Fechei os olhos com força e prendi a respiração até que a vontade de chorar passasse. E ela só passou quando senti as mãos de Nico nos meus ombros, me massageando e me puxando para perto dele, Nico me envolvendo em seu abraço e em seus lábios.

— Está tudo bem. Eu estou aqui. Estou aqui.

Senti o ar ser sugado para longe de mim e me segurei nos braços dele, o segurando bem forte. Se ele soubesse que o problema era exatamente esse… se ele soubesse… eu podia ver um futuro onde eu e ele tínhamos o que ele oferecia. Uma casa, companhia e todo o companheirismo que eu poderia querer no mundo. Mas eu sabia que isso não duraria, nada durava. E daí se ele me segurava ainda mais forte e agarrava no meu rosto e me beijava como ninguém nunca tinha beijado? E daí se ele cuidava de mim do jeito que ninguém tinha cuidado antes? Nada disso importava, não importava, porque, no fim, não era real. Nada daquilo era. 

Mas o fato digno de observar era que ele continuava tentando. 

Ele me segurou pela cintura, se encaixou atrás de mim e entrou comigo na banheira, me abraçando bem forte pelo o meio das minhas costas. Beijou meu pescoço e me manteve junto a ele, acariciando minha pele sem nenhuma pretensão sexual. Por algum motivo, isso me fez sentir melhor, como se eu fosse amado e mais uma vez estivesse no lugar mais seguro do mundo. 

Ali ninguém poderia me ferir.

Obrigada por ler!

Goodnight.

Serviço Mandatório (Mandatory Service) [bi-lingual] #Dom!Nico #Sub!Percy #role reversal

Hi, how are you? Yes, here I am with another story. The problem is that a little accident happened and I deleted about 100 gb of data from my computer, exactly where my stories were. The good news is that I had my most recent stories saved on google drive. Did I lose some things? A lot. I've been through the anger and frustration stage and now I'm at acceptance. And since I wanted to take my mind off it, I decided to review this story. Well… it doesn't have a very elaborate plot and it's super fetishized, but it's fun. I hope you enjoy it. From now on my posts will be bi-lingual, ok? The Portuguese version is in the second part of the text.

I don't have a cover for the English version yet, but I do have a summary!

“In a world where people are divided between submissives and dominants, Nico is forced to fulfill the mandatory service, unless he wants to be arrested and collared like the thousands of submissives he sees around the city.

#Nicercy #Pernico #Percico #Dom!Nico #Sub!Percy #role reversal”

PS: I was able to make the cover. Something very simple

Soooo.... this fanfic will be very smutt, ok? Just to let you know.

Part I

"That's right." One of the girls said to me.

"Like this?" I said and went back to sucking the man's cock, who was lying against the couch. I didn't think I was doing a good job, because all I had done so far was suck the fat head and lick whenever more pre-cum came out. It wasn't as bitter as I thought it would be and even less was a hard sore. But since the guy hadn't stopped moaning until now, I must have been doing it right.

"Now, you have to press your lips more together."

"Hmmm?" I murmured, looking for approval. I did as they asked and sealed my lips around the limb, going down just a little more so I could suck the entire head.

The guy practically threw himself off the couch, groaning as if he was in pain.

"Very good. Don't forget to hold on to the base, okay? Always be in control if you don't want them to take it away from you. Because they will take advantage of the opportunity."

I lifted my head for air and looked at them, staying true to my role as an innocent beginner.

"What's the easiest way to make them cum?"

"The testicles." Both girls said, looking at each other as they laughed." They're very sensitive, you know? A little tug can mean a lot of pain or a lot of pleasure."

"How?" I wanted to know, even though I already knew.

"Like this."

One of them, I think it was Roberta, said. She took one of her well-manicured hands to the large balls of the man in front of us, who was serving as a guinea pig, and touched him gently. She gave a slight tug and the man opened his legs wider and threw his head back, his member twitching all over, more precum slowly running down his length.

"Now, if you do that…" That's when she grabbed his balls with determination, holding them down and pulling them. The man screamed so loudly that it seemed like he was being murdered. Even so, he remained erect and excited, all obedient, panting, as if he was in a marathon.

"See? Now it's your turn."

"I don't think I can." It wasn't what a dominant should be doing, none of it was. After all, I hadn't even talked to this submissive, it wasn't right to touch something that didn't belong to me.

"Yes, you can."

"Why don't you try… kissing them?" One of them suggested.

"Kiss? Can I?" I looked at the submissive, all sprawled out in the chair looking out of breath. He was all rapid breathing and squinting, trying to keep still.

"You can do whatever you want, as long as you make it clear who's in charge."

"I'm not sure." Or maybe, I didn't want to.

"Come on, just this once. We won't make you do it again."

I looked at the man who seemed about to explode, his expression somewhere between extreme pleasure and extreme pain, making me even more uncomfortable. Because, again, this submissive wasn't mine; it was almost disrespectful. And I still didn't know if I wanted to have another sub after so long.

"Can I make him cum, then?" To get it over with? I thought annoyed.

The girls looked at each other and shrugged, Karla speaking this time:

"I think it's okay. He hasn't cum in over three months and we promised we'd let him."

"Three months?" I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. Not because it was hard to believe, but because… it seemed like things hadn’t changed at all.

"Yes, Nico. He's a masochistic submissive. He likes it and agreed to be here. Percy knew perfectly well what would happen."

"Do you think we force them to kneel at our feet? They do it of their own free will." Roberta said.

"Then, make it count. He won't cum for a lot longer than that."

"Are you sure about that? I guess I'm not the most indi--"

"Percy, tell him."

"I… please, ma'am… sir… I… I need it."

"Yes, good boy. I love to see you begging." Roberta stood up and walked towards Percy, massaging his hair like a loving mother would.

Percy, more than six feet tall and with well-build muscles, sighed and rubbed himself against the offered hand, as if it were the best gift in the world.

To me, this sounded like neediness and an abandonment complex.

"See. It's your choice, Nico. After all, you'll be taking care of him for as long as you're here. Percy is very good at following orders and adapts quickly to different people. Whether he comes today or in two months' time is your decision."

"Mine? So soon? You can't--"

"I thought you wanted to do that. And what better way to learn than by doing?"

I looked at Percy and saw that all this time he had kept his hands behind the chair, completely naked and submissive, without making a peep other than to give a moan or a plea, and without looking directly at us unless explicitly ordered. Now, Percy was looking at me with his head lowered, in a position of respect, but he was still looking at me through his eyelashes.

Was I really supposed to be there? Was I good enough to keep anyone satisfied after all this time?

"So, how is it going to be? Will he cum or not?" Was Roberta's last warning.

I took a deep breath and reached out my hands. Slowly, as slowly as I could, I touched Percy's large, swollen testicles, and began rolling them between my fingers.

I gasped in amazement and watched Percy shudder and then relax against the couch, letting out a soft moan. It had been a long time since I had approached another person for this purpose, and not even when I had a sub had I allowed myself to do this. Never. It would not be seen with good eyes if a dominant tried to please a submissive. A dominant's duty was to control and be pleased, while a submissive's was to obey and satisfy his master, without any deviation or anything in between. Now, no one had explained to me why things were like this, I only knew that for a submissive, pain was part of the package, while pleasure rarely was. At least, that was according to what I had been taught.

Just to test it out, I held his balls in one hand and pulled them down slowly, watching the expression on Percy's face change from pleasure to something… empty. I swore, instead of seeing pain there, all I saw was Percy's pure surrender.

Percy stretched out and gasped, curling his toes, but when I massaged him again as gently as before, loosening them, the most extraordinary thing happened. Percy groaned softly and long, arching his spine, his member twitching for the last time, while string after string of thick, yellowish liquid came out of the fat, reddish head, running down his toned thighs and defined abdomen.

It was so sudden that I snatched my hands away from him, jumping back. I watched Percy writhe around, grunting and sniffling, tears welling in his swollen eyes until finally the member in question stilled and fell still, still fully erect, against Percy's abdomen.

"Oh, magnificent!" Roberta exclaimed, satisfied, clapping her hands. "You just ruined an orgasm. How do you feel?"

The strange thing was that Roberta asked me this and not Percy, who was still moaning softly, his member throbbing again, right in front of us.

"How do I feel? Shouldn't it be Percy--"

"Don't worry about it." Roberta said, smiling sweetly.

"But he's still hard!"

"Oh, it's just a small detail." Roberta said and Carla agreed."Now that he's had his orgasm, back to the cage."

"Cage? You mean…" That torture instrument? I meant to say to her.

"Chas-ti-ty." Carla said, spelling it out. "He’s the most obedient when he’s denied. You won’t have any problems with him. Unless you want to have some fun. Just don’t let him cum too often."

I crossed my arms and looked at them. Roberta and Carla were watching Percy with affectionate looks. Then I looked at Percy who had his eyes closed, already calming down, looking tired and… satisfied? No, the best description was content. Yes, frustratingly content.

"Thank you, ladies, sir."

“Good boy,” Roberta said. She walked around the room and stopped next to Percy again, stroking his hair as she turned to me. “You know, he’s a very lonely man. Most of the time, all he needs is some affection and a little attention. When things start to get too frustrating, a spanking or a scene will do the trick. Once or twice a month, a good fuck is essential.”

"How? And why?" I had to ask.

"Percy comes to us to… release this aggression he has. It's cathartic for him. Sometimes you're going to have to be firm and strict. The more he fights, the firmer you're going to have to be. But that's only going to happen if you don't give him what he needs."

"How could I know that? It's ridiculous!"

"He is a vocal person. If he needs something, he will ask you. It can be with gestures or words, it is very difficult not to understand. If you have any questions, you can come to us."

"Are you sure I'm the best person for this?"

"Yes. You are gentle, but firm when necessary. The authority Percy needs."

"And why not one of you two?"

"We already have our toys. We were just teaching him until we found the perfect one."

"Am I that person?"

"We didn't choose you, although we think you're a good match."

"Percy chose." Carla finished Roberta's speech.

"Percy choose?"

I had to look at Percy slouching against the chair after that. He was now flushing all over, looking anywhere but at me.

"Hmm." I murmured, maybe starting to get interested. "I guess that's okay. I just…"

"You…?"

"I don't promise anything. I'll try, but if it doesn't work out… don't blame me."

"No one will do that. Here, we are a family. It may not seem like it, but we are."

"I know. I didn't mean to offend you."

"You don't offend." Carla said.

"Well, then. Welcome to our family. This is the key to your house. Make yourself comfortable and then tell us what you think. Percy is already settled in, so if there are any problems, contact us, okay?"

Tired of arguing, I nodded and accepted the leash that was attached to Percy's leash. It was made of leather, a thin, black strip that connected to the collar Percy wore, an equally heavy black leather collar, that wrapped around Percy's neck just like hands would, keeping him in place like a dog with a muzzle.

So we both stood up, me from the super soft cushion, and Percy from the leather couch. But when I stood up, I wasn't prepared for what happened. Percy, the one who was supposed to be the soft and vulnerable submissive, stood up with me, easily over four inches taller than me. The funny thing is, I didn't feel smaller than him, and if I wasn't seeing myself, Percy could have been the smallest of them all judging by his attitude. Percy was hunched over a little, had his hands behind his back and kept his head down, looking straight ahead like he wanted to hide, even though hunching over the way he was doing, Percy stull was easily the tallest person in the room.

"Thanks, I guess."

I tried to smile and tugged lightly on Percy's leash. He was, of course, always a step behind me, but close enough, almost burying his face in my neck and leaning over me. I didn't know why, but I had the feeling that all this closeness wasn't necessary. I sighed and looked back, catching Percy staring at me.

I stopped in my tracks and continued to stare at him until he realized what he was doing and lowered his head, looking embarrassed.

"I'm sorry, Master."

"Sure.

I looked at him for a few more seconds and turned around, continuing on our way. If I wanted to get out of this without having to serve some sentence or become a submissive myself, I would have to make it work. It was all the fault of those ridiculous laws that said that either I was a dom or I was a sub, and that if by the age of twenty-one I didn't decide for myself, the government would decide for me.

That's what happens when you have no interest in sex. Now I would have to make up for all the lost time. If I completed at least one year of "Mandatory Services", I would be free to live as I pleased. Because I fought until I could no longer, I would have to live monitored and always watched until all this was over.

Part II

I wasn't sure what to do, so I grabbed my things from the administration building and followed the guard who led us to house number 43. The guard saluted and walked away, quickly moving away from us. Strange. I looked at the door, and remembered the key that had been given to me. I took it out of my pocket and inserted it into the electronic lock. It was actually a card. All I had to do was tap the card and give my fingerprint, and voila! A low beep sounded, the door unlocked and opened automatically for us.

I still couldn't believe it, everything was so strange and so tidy… I put my head inside the house and wanted to leave. This wasn't my house, it wasn't my home--

"Sir?"

Me? Was I the Sir?

I looked at Percy and saw that the giant man was still waiting with me outside the house, two steps away from me.

At least he learned quickly.

"Why didn't you come in?" I felt the need to ask.

"Because… you didn’t come in either."

What? Did that mean I had to go in first? It reminded me of Maria and Hades… memories that were better left in the past.

"Come in, Percy." I said instead.

And only when I said that did Percy sigh in relief and come in, carrying my bags with him.

Strange.

I went into the house with him and walked to the living room, making him stop with me. Percy kept looking at me, still holding the bags and waiting for something, and only then did I realize that I was still holding his leash, that in fact I was holding it tightly, forcing him to stay close.

"Could you please put my things in the bedroom?" I let go of his leash and watched it fall from my hand, it seeming to move in slow motion until it hit Percy's bare chest and the tip rested on his abdomen, contrasting beautifully with his tanned skin, without a single mark on his entire sculpted body.

My gaze stayed there for a moment, taking in the perfection that he was when I heard a throat clear.

"Is that an order or a question?" I heard Percy say.

I looked at Percy, feeling a smile trying to appear for the first time since I got here, but Percy didn't look well at all. He had gone pale and was staring at the ground, trying to shrink himself.

"I'm sorry, sir."

"Nothing to be sorry. And don't call me sir."

"What should I call you?"

"Nico or Niccolas. Whatever you want."

"I shouldn't. It's not appropriate."

I thought about it and started walking around the room, forcing myself to get used to the idea of living there and having a submissive again.

"How about you call me Nico when it's just the two of us? And call me whatever's appropriate when we're in public?"

"Yes, sir." When I frowned, Percy finished."Yes, Nico."

Then, Percy turned around, walked out of the room and when he reappeared, he had an object in one hand and a pot in the other.

"Si-- Nico, I… I brought this."

Percy placed the things on the coffee table and I approached, analyzing the objects.

Was that…? No! But it was! A chastity belt, the cage Roberta had told me about. When the girls mentioned it I thought they were joking, it wouldn't be the first time they had done that to me. But there it was, a solid iron object in a light and silver color, looking quite heavy.

I walked over to Percy and touched his shoulder, trying to comfort him.

"You don't have to do this. I won't tell them." I said in the gentlest tone I could.

"I… I want to. Could you…"

I blinked, trying to make sure what I saw was real and, yes, Percy spread his legs wide, offered the object to me and lowered his head, obedient and submissive, practically begging. I still remembered what they had said, Percy would ask for what he needed and it was up to me to grant his wishes.

"Is that what you want?"

Percy nodded, but I still didn't know how to do it. I didn't even know if I wanted to.

"Should I…?"

"Yes."

"How will it fit?"

Because, in fact, the cage was very small, at most two to three centimeters of space. I don't know how that was possible. Or comfortable.

"Do you want to show me?" And when Percy made a face, I added: "Just this time."

You see, things were complicated. Percy was still half-erect and all that stuff certainly wouldn't fit in such a narrow space. Like, it was really big, bigger than mine, I could tell.

I watched Percy sit on the couch, spread his legs wide and fit the first part of the object over his testicles. He fastened them properly, took the second part of the iron, fitted it over the head of his member and pushed it down. I could only suffer in silence watching Percy shift uncomfortably, trying to make something so big fit into something so small.

"Nico, could you get it for me?"

Percy pointed to the pot and when I got closer I saw that it was ice. A lot of ice, some already melted and others quite whole. I took the pot to Percy, already fearing the worst, when I heard:

"Can you pass it on to me?

Yes, he didn't say "pass to me" but rather "pass on me".

Gods, I was going straight to hell. But trying to be a good dom, I crouched down between his spread legs and picked up a piece of ice. I brought it to the base of Percy's cock and began to gently slide the ice around there.

"Like this?"

"Harder… oh!… harder… please?" Percy moaned, begging, panting fast.

I did it, grabbed more ice and pressed harder, going up to where the cage wouldn't reach when I heard a little stinging moan. The cage fit in and went all the way down, Percy's cock softening, now confined within those measly three inches. It was indeed more than a tight fit.

"Are you okay, darling?" I couldn't help myself, stroking his legs, trying to calm him down.

“Yes,” Percy replied quietly, his cheeks flushed. “I need to put the padlock on the lock.”

I looked around and saw that there was indeed a tiny padlock on the table next to a key. I reached over and picked it up, walking back to Percy, fitting the padlock into the lock and securing it.

"Like this?" I asked again.

"Yes. Yes." Percy repeated breathlessly, slumped against the couch, still completely exposed, feeling like not to care that I kept looking at him.

"And the key?"

"I want you to hold it for me."

"What do you need? You know I'm new to this, don't you? You have to tell me, no matter what it is."

But as I said this, my hands went to Percy's cage. I felt like I was in an amusement park, wanting to try out all the toys at once. And I was definitely starting to understand what the girls meant by "having your own toys." I didn't remember having a submissive being this much fun.

I slid my hands down Percy's legs, watching his soft gasp and his muscles tremble, and touched those still swollen balls, looking very needy. I massaged them carefully and heard a high-pitched moan coming from Percy.

"Does it hurt a lot?"

"Hmmhm." Percy shook his head, even though his expression was somewhere in between pain and pleasure, even though he tried to hide his face.

"Percy, do you want me to stop? With words, please."

"No, ah! No, Sir."

The funny thing was that I couldn't understand how someone of that stature and strength could enjoy something like that, so… constricting, or should I say, liberating? Because as I continued my exploration of his balls, playing with them and moving them, Percy spread his legs wider and threw his head back as if he was cumming; I squeezed a little more and a liquid began to come out of the reddish head, through the metal.

Was Percy cumming? And how was that possible? No, that should be the only way to show he was aroused and since there was no way to get an erection, his fluids just… overflowed, right?

I definitely didn't remember doing that with my old submissive.

"Are you okay?" I asked when Percy moved his waist, moaning softly.

"Yes, Sir."

Just to test it out, I got tired of crouching down and knelt between his legs. I looked at Percy's almost closed eyes and opened my mouth, bringing my head between his legs. I held onto his legs and licked the swollen tip along the cage, slowly and deliciously, without worrying about anything other than his moans. I must say it wasn't much skin to touch, but it was enough to taste Percy and make him scream. I decided it was enough when Percy arched his spine and grabbed his hair, gasping. Not that I wasn't having fun, but it was getting late and I was responsible enough to understand when I saw someone reaching their limit. Or maybe it was me who was reaching mine.

I stood up, watching Percy sprawled against the couch, but I only moved when I saw that he was breathing normally. I stroked Percy's hair, since that seemed to calm him down, and picked up the bowl of ice that now only had melted water in it. I left the room and started walking around the house. I saw a bathroom, some empty rooms until at the end of the hallway I found the kitchen. I poured the water in the sink, got a glass of water, and went back the way I had come.

When I entered the room again, Percy was still there. His eyes were closed, his legs on the couch as he gripped them, the anxiety in Percy's movements quite obvious. I saw no other choice, I placed the glass on the coffee table, sat down next to Percy on the couch and touched his shoulders, making Percy jump, startled.

"It's okay. What happened?"

"Nico?"

Of course."

"Oh." Percy said, looking even more surprised, taking his face off his legs and looking at me closely, his face lighting up when he saw me.

"You thought I was gone? Where would I go?"

"To give me back. It wouldn't be the first time."

Wow… something was very wrong here. Who would give Percy back? He was so handsome and strong and hot… prejudiced people, that's what they were.

"It's okay. Let's go to the bedroom. Show me the way?

Percy nodded and stood up.

With his legs still wobbly, Percy leaned on me and we both went upstairs to the our room.

"How do you feel? Does it hurt a lot?" I thought I had asked for the tenth time.

I couldn't help it. I knew Percy was fine, now warmly dressed and covered up to his neck, but still, I couldn't help it. It must have been my guilt for treating him like that, like a… like an object. There, I said it. I just wished Percy would say something more than "yes, sir" and "more", like now, for example.

"Words, please."

Percy settled himself more comfortably in the bed, on the side he was lying on, and turned to me, his eyes almost closed, content. He pulled the covers up higher and continued to look at me without saying a word.

"Percy."

"Yes, Nico."

See? “Yes.” That was all he would say to me.

With his eyes blinking slowly and hands under the blankets, Percy just let himself be lulled into tranquility as he stared at me.

"Aren't you going to talk to me?"

When Percy didn't say anything, I sighed. I gave up trying and turned to take off my shoes and dirty clothes.

"Hearing your voice makes me feel better. Safe."

I felt hands on the middle of my back and turned to see what was happening. It was Percy, of course, hugging me from behind.

"I already said I'm not going anywhere."

"Then…"

"I need to take off my clothes."

Percy let go of me like he was being burned and I missed him immediately.

"I don't care. You can touch me. I just need…"

I got up before another accident happened. I took off all my clothes, got under the covers and opened my arms:

"Do you mind? I like sleeping like this."

Percy shook his head and practically threw himself into my arms, wrapping his long, muscular arms around my waist and resting his head on my shoulder, in the hollow of my neck.

"Thank you, Nico."

"The pleasure is all mine." I said, relaxing against the bed frame.

Part III

That day had been very long indeed. First, I was late for work, and then two officers from the Human Affairs Bureau showed up. They were even prepared with handcuffs and everything, in case I decided to resist. The most shocking thing was when they asked for my address and told me that I needed to pack my bags.

“Take whatever you can,” one of them said.

“Your boss already knows you’ll be away for a week.” The other one added.

That was all they told me until we got to the government facility that managed the younger, more troubled couples. In the past, the excuse they had given was that because of the internet, people had stopped socializing and this was a necessary measure for those who had trouble finding a partner. It was true that the birth rate and lasting marriages had gone up and everything, and the death and aggression rate, both in men and women, had gone down, but deep down, everyone knew that this was just another way to control and make sure everyone did their part to keep the species going.

As soon as I got out of the car, a very large sign in capital letters could be seen: “Institute of Human Affairs”. It looked more like a brothel, a very sterile and fancy one, but that’s what it was.

Right at the door, two women greeted me with smiles and hurried gestures, asking me to follow them. For the first time in my life, I did what they asked, hoping that if I obeyed, everything would end as quickly as possible.

We went through the administration of the place and then they took me through a hall so long I thought it would never end.

They stopped in front of a door and turned to me.

"I'm sorry for the rush. Right now, we have a lot of residents and we have to figure this out really quickly. We'll explain everything later, but for now, we need you to choose someone, the person who catches your attention the most, okay? Don't worry if it doesn't work out, we have time to change if necessary."

"Exchange what?" Was all I could say before one of them dragged me into the room, while the other stayed outside, waiting.

I entered the room and saw that there were five people inside. Three women and two men, all naked, sitting in comfortable chairs while some of them talked among themselves.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a visitor."

As soon as they heard what the woman said, they stood up and stood tall with their spines straight, chests puffed out and hands behind their backs, keeping their feet apart.

"Very well." The woman said, clapping her hands. "What are you waiting for, inspect your submissives."

"Me?" I said, pointing to myself.

“You expect me to choose for you?” She giggled and began to pace the room. “How about Katt, here? She can make your wildest fantasies come true.”

I crossed my arms and turned my head to the wall, refusing to participate in this.

"No? Then one of the boys. Luke is a good choice. You'll never get bored with him."

I turned towards her to tell her that this was ridiculous when I saw who she was referring to, the man was as tall as me and his eyes sparkled, which meant that the woman was right in her predictions.

"I don't want anyone. Why don't you send me home and sort this all out with someone else, okay?"

"Unfortunately, that's not possible. Either you choose one of them and follow our orders, or something worse could happen. You don't want that to happen, do you?"

"Do I really need it?"

"Yes, I'm afraid so."

"Okay. Then…" I turned to the available options and analyzed each one of them. I wouldn't go near a woman even if they paid me, that simply wasn't my thing, and what was left were the two men; one was Luke, who smiled at me, promising nights of intense pleasure. Then, I turned to the other man, who was practically hiding on the far side of the room, looking like he wanted to disappear from there.

I walked down the row of people and stopped in front of him. The man was looking down and had such a sad expression that I felt the urge to hug him. And when I say man, I mean it. While the other people in the room couldn't have been more than twenty or twenty-two years old, this one must have been at least thirty. I felt like I shouldn't be so impulsive, but when I least expected it, I grabbed his chin, trying to make him look at me. There, I discovered the most beautiful and deep blue-green eyes I had ever seen.

"I want him." I said, without thinking. The man just blinked slowly and frowned, not saying a word or struggling against my grip.

"Very good, a great choice. Percy will fit you perfectly." The woman then turned to the room and announced:" You are all free. Sorry, guys."

People murmured in annoyance, but obeyed. They left one by one until only she, Percy and I were left. The rest, you already know, I “learned” the basics about sex, contraceptives and other things. And in fact, I never thought that being responsible for someone could be so… interesting. It wasn’t a burden, as I thought it would be, and it wasn’t tiring and annoying, as I thought it would feel; it was like opening my eyes to a new world, a world that I thought I had forgotten the rules of, but that I was willing to rediscover.

"What do you want to know?" I heard Percy speaking softly, against the skin of my neck, when I thought Percy had already fallen asleep.

"Hmm… I want to know everything.

"That's not a question."

"Okay then, smarty pants. Your favorite color?"

“Favorite color?” Percy asked, his voice taking on a cheerful tone.

"Yes, what's the problem?"

“Blue,” he said, sighing. “All shades of blue.”

"Just blue?"

"Just blue."

"Favorite food?"

"I don't have one."

"Come on, tell me something."

"I… when I was little, on my birthday… my mother used to make everything blue. Sweets, pie, cake. Even the soda was blue."

“So your favorite food is blue?” I wanted to laugh at the absurdity of it. But it was cute and sweet, just like Percy."

"Favorite band?"

"I don't know, I like a lot of them. I just… collect music."

"Who do you admire most?"

“My mother.” This time, Percy didn’t hesitate to admit it. “She was the strongest person in the whole world. When my father disappeared, she did the best she could.”

"Was it difficult?"

"Hmmhm." Percy murmured, snuggling closer to him. "For a while it was, I did what I could to help her."

"What happened?"

"She died before I could give her what she should have had."

"And now?"

"Now? I have my own business, I am the CEO of a company that provides investment services. J&C association and administration."

And I'm still trying to get out of college!

I stroked Percy's hair and kissed his cheek.

"That's very good. She must be proud, no matter where she is."

"I just wish she were here."

“Me too.” I replied when Percy fell silent, reminding me of my mother, who was still very much alive. I would like to say that my story was as traumatic as Percy’s, but that would be a big lie. I decided to keep quiet too and continue playing with Percy’s hair until sleep came to both of us.

"Can you pass me the flour?" I heard Percy say in his low, husky voice.

We were in the kitchen, baking chocolate chip cookies, while the food was spread out on the table. Percy stirred the mixture and I watched his firm, determined movements, occasionally throwing an ingredient into the dough. I was sitting and he was standing, practically ignoring me, and yet, I couldn't tell which was sweeter—the cookies, aromatic and sweet, or him, looking so competent and handsome in his dark blue apron.

“Beautiful,” was what I wanted to say to Percy when I found him in the kitchen that morning.

For a moment when I woke up, I opened my eyes and didn't recognize where I was. I looked around, looking for my bedside clock, only finding my cell phone, which was dead. I investigated the rest of the room and remembered, I wasn't at home, I was in a government institution serving a type of non-punitive sentence. However, what really made me get out of bed was the smell of food. Of coffee and something sweet, something that reminded me of better days, of childhood, of my sisters and our home in Italy.

When I came downstairs, I was treated to the best of sights. Percy was shirtless and barefoot, standing in front of the stove, stirring something in a giant frying pan while humming to himself. Percy tasted the food with a small spoon and turned off the heat, then turned to the counter, already mixing something in a large transparent dish.

"Hmm… what a nice smell." I came up behind him and put my hands on his waist, resting my head under his neck, giving him a little kiss there. Well, maybe more than one.

Percy groaned, tensing, and stopped what he was doing until I released him and I walked around the counter, stopping in front of him.

There it was, that lovely blush on his face, Percy's eyes fixed on the platter.

"Do you want cookies? They shouldn't be long."

"I didn't mean to invade your space."

"You didn't."

"So, why don't you look me in the eyes?"

Percy stopped stirring the dough and lifted his head, looking at me, looking embarrassed.

"I'm not used to this."

"To what?" I wanted to know.

"That, someone's approaching me of their own free will. That… unpretentious affection."

How was I supposed to understand this? That Percy didn't let other people get close, or that other people didn't want to get close to him?

"What does that mean?

“When people look at me,” Percy said, turning his attention back to the cookies. “…they expect me to act a certain way.”

"How?"

Percy shrugs and pours some milk into the mixture.

"How do they expect you to act, Percy?"

"Well… I'm tall and muscular, I know. They expect me to want to have sex with them, when in reality I want them to have sex with me."

Hmmm… that wouldn't be a problem with me. But that's not what I said.

"I am really sorry."

“It’s okay.” Percy shrugged again. “I understand why they think that.”

However, Percy had such a sad look in his eyes… his spine was also hunched, as if he was trying to protect himself, which told me that this had happened more often than Percy let on.

"I think we should talk." I said, changing the subject.

"Talk?"

"Yes."

Percy seemed to deflate even more. Anyway, he nodded, poured the cookie dough onto a baking sheet, put it in the oven, and followed me out of the kitchen.

"Sit down, Percy. I don't bite." I laughed at my own joke, even though Percy trailed behind me, discouraged.

I watched Percy sit on a couch across from me, about ten feet away, and sighed. I didn't understand what all the fuss was about. So I got up, walked around the living room, and sat down next to him, holding his shaking hands.

"Relax, no one is leaving here. I want to talk about limits."

“Limits?” Percy exclaimed in surprise, as if the notion of such a word had never crossed his mind.

"Yes, limits. What is allowed and what is not. Your tastes and how you want to be treated. How you don't want to be treated."

“How do I want to be treated?” I saw Percy cross his arms over his chest and lean back, as if the question offended him.

"Yes." I said. "Do you know the concept of consensuality?"

"Who doesn't know? What does this have to do with us?"

I almost smiled. It was nice to know that Percy could do more than just follow orders. Because, I had to admit, I didn't know if I could live with someone who couldn't have a shred of self-respect or understand the difference between right and wrong.

"I want you to tell me what you like."

“You’re not supposed to know about th-” Percy stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening. “I… I didn’t mean it like that.”

"Yes, you did." I smiled at him, feeling the guilt lift from my shoulders with each word. "How do you like it? Like this?"

I held his hands and stroked them slowly, watching his reaction. A small gasp escaped his lips.

"Or like this?" I approached and grabbed him by the neck, holding onto his collar. I pulled his hair back and kissed him, making him lean all the way towards me.

When I released him, Percy let out such a delicious little moan, panting so sweetly, that I couldn't resist and kissed him again, biting his lower lip and sticking my tongue in his mouth until he melted completely.

"Do you really like pain?"

Percy didn't respond and I pulled his hair again, eliciting a broken moan from him: "Ye-es!"

"Humiliation? Being dominated?"

"Yes!"

This time, I didn't even need to get an answer out of him. Percy was breathing so fast and rubbing his thighs together so impatiently that it was hard not to understand.

"Active or passive?"

"Passive? Active? Both?" Percy said, panting, all confused, holding onto my shoulders, his eyes wide open, looking at me head on for the first time, even though there was no intention of confrontation.

"You'll have to be patient with me."

"Patient?" He tilted his head to the side, trying to understand.

"I'm a virgin."

Well, that was almost it.

It wasn't true, but I wanted to see the reaction on his face. Well… it had been so long since I done it that I felt like one. And Percy didn't disappoint me, the expression of surprise came first, then curiosity. Percy looked down, towards my waist, and bit his lip, looking very interested.

"Will you teach me, Percy? How do you like to be touched? How do you want to touch me?"

Percy just nodded, looking uncertain.

"Let's learn together, okay? I don't want you to feel uncomfortable."

That seemed to reassure Percy. I kissed him once more on the lips and slowly released him.

"Why don't you finish the cookies while we eat? Roberta is waiting for us."

Percy waved excitedly and stood up, but before he walked away, he planted a wet kiss on my cheek and fled to the kitchen. I followed in his shadow, and sat down in the same place as before. He served us and after a few minutes, the cookies were ready. With both of us already dressed and ready for another session with Roberta and Carla, I held Percy's hand and smiled at him. I just needed to remember to ask them for some tips and, if possible, read Percy's profile. I knew they would have all the information we would need if I wanted this to work.

So, what did you think? I was thinking of turning this one into an original too, but… despite the theme, it gives me such a feeling of immaturity! It also seems a bit rushed. Yet, besides the fact that it makes me feel a bit ashamed because of the fetishization, I like it. It's different from what I would write nowadays. It was written in 2020! I feel older and older by the minute. As always, it's incomplete, but it's around 80,000 words long. Maybe I'll finish it at some point. For now, I'll put it up here. It's also on AO3 and SpiritFanfic.

You would like to see more of this story? Please go to page's bottom and a answer quick question, ok?

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Oii, como vai? Sim, aqui estou eu vindo com mais uma história. O problema é que aconteceu um pequeno acidente, sem querer excluí uns 100 giga de informação do meu computador, exatamente onde minhas histórias estavam. A boa noticia é que eu tinha minhas histórias mais atuais salvas no google drive. Eu perdi algumas coisas? Muitasss. Já passei pelo estagio da raiva e frustração e agora estou na aceitação. E como eu queria tirar minha mente disso, decidi rever essa história. Bem… ela não tem um plot bem elaborado e é super fetichizada, mas é divertida. Espero que vocês gostem. A partir de agora meus posts serão bi lingues, ok? A primeira parte desse texto contem a versão em inglês.

Sumário!

"Em um mundo onde pessoas são dividas entre submissos e dominadores, Nico é obrigado a cumprir o serviço mandatório, a não ser que ele queira ser preso e encoleirado feito os milhares de submissos que ele vê pela cidade.

#Nicercy #Pernico #Percico #Dom!Nico #Sub!Percy #reversão de papéis."

Parte I - O início

— Assim mesmo. — Uma das garotas disse para mim.

— Assim? — Eu disse e voltei chupar o membro do homem deitado contra o sofá. Eu não achava que estivesse fazendo um bom trabalho, porque tudo o que fiz até agora foi chupar a cabeça gorda e lamber sempre que mais pré-gozo saia. Não era tão amargo como eu pensava que seria e muito menos tão difícil assim. Mas como o cara não tinha parado de gemer até agora, eu deveria estar fazendo certo.

— Agora, você tem que apertar mais os lábios.

— Hmmm? — Murmurei, procurando por aprovação. Fiz o que elas me pediam e selei meus lábios em volta do membro, descendo só um pouco mais para poder chupar a cabeça inteira.

O cara praticamente se jogou para fora do sofá, gemendo como se doesse.

— Muito bom. Não se esqueça de segurar na base, ok? Sempre esteja no controle se não quiser que eles o tirem de você. Porque eles vão aproveitar a oportunidade.

Levantei minha cabeça para tomar ar e olhei para elas, me mantendo fiel ao meu papel de principiante inocente.

— Qual a forma mais fácil de fazer eles gozarem?

— Os testículos. — Ambas as garotas disseram, se entreolhando enquanto riam. — Eles são muito sensíveis, sabe? Um pequeno puxão pode significar muita dor ou muito prazer.

— Como? — Eu quis saber, mesmo que eu já soubesse.

— Assim.

Uma delas, acho que Roberta, disse. Ela levou uma de suas mãos bem feitas até as grandes bolas do homem à nossa frente servindo de cobaia, e o tocou suavemente. Ela deu uma leve puxadinha e o homem abriu mais as pernas e jogou a cabeça para trás, seu membro se contorcendo todo, mais pregozo escorrendo lentamente pela extensão.

— Agora, se você fizer isso… — Foi quando ela segurou nas bolas com vontade, as prendendo para baixo e as puxou. O homem gritou tão alto que parecia que ele estava sendo assassinado. Mesmo assim, ele continuou ereto e excitado, todo obediente, arfando, como se estivesse em uma maratona.

— Viu? Agora é sua vez.

— Não acho que eu possa. — Não era o que um dominador devia estar fazendo, nada daquilo era. Afinal, eu nem tinha conversado com esse submisso, não era certo tocar em algo que não me pertencia.

— Você pode, sim.

— Porque você não tenta... beijá-las? — Uma delas sugeriu.

— Beijar? Eu posso? — Olhei para o submisso, todo estatelado na cadeira parecendo estar fora do ar. Ele era todo respiração rápida e olhos bem apertados, tentando se manter quieto. 

— Você pode fazer o que quiser, contanto que você deixe claro quem é que manda.

— Eu não tenho certeza. — Ou talvez, eu não quisesse.

— Vamos, só dessa vez. Não vamos te obrigar de novo.

Olhei para o homem que parecia a ponto de explodir, sua expressão entre o extremo prazer e a extrema dor, me deixando ainda mais incomodado. Porque, de novo, esse submisso não era meu; era quase uma falta de respeito. E eu ainda não sabia se queria ter outro submisso depois de tanto tempo.

— Eu posso fazer ele gozar, então? — Para acabar logo com isso? Pensei irritado.

As garotas se entreolharam e deram de ombros, Karla falando dessa vez:

— Acho que tudo bem. Ele não goza há mais de três meses e nós prometemos que deixaríamos.

— Três meses? — Eu não podia acreditar no que ouvia. Não porque fosse difícil acreditar e sim porque… parecia que as coisas não tinham mudado nada.

— Sim, Nico. Ele é um submisso masoquista. Ele gosta e concordou em estar aqui. Percy sabia perfeitamente o que iria acontecer.

— Você acha que obrigamos eles a se ajoelhar a nossos pés? Eles fazem por vontade própria. — Roberta falou.

— Então, capriche. Ele não vai gozar durante um tempo bem mais longo do que isso.

— Você tem certeza disso? Acho que eu não sou o mais indi--

— Percy, diga a ele.

— Eu... por favor, senhora... senhor... eu... eu preciso.

— Sim, bom garoto. Adoro te ver implorando. — Roberta se levantou e foi em direção a Percy, massageando seus cabelos como uma mãe amorosa faria.

Percy, com quase dois metros de altura e músculos bem trabalhados, suspirou e se esfregou na mão oferecida, como se fosse o melhor presente do mundo.

Para mim, isso parecia carência e complexo de abandono. 

— Viu. É sua escolha, Nico. Afinal, você vai cuidar dele pelo tempo em que estiver aqui. Percy lida muito bem em seguir ordens e se adequá rápido a pessoas diferentes. Se ele goza hoje ou daqui a dois meses, é sua decisão.

— Minha? Tão cedo? Você não pode--

— Eu pensei que você quisesse fazer isso. E qual o melhor jeito de aprender do que a prática?

Olho para Percy e vejo que durante todo esse tempo ele manteve as próprias mãos atrás da cadeira, completamente pelado e submisso, sem dar um piu que não fosse para dar um gemido ou uma súplica, e sem olhar diretamente para nós se não fosse explicitamente ordenado. Agora, Percy olhava para mim de cabeça baixa, numa posição de respeito, mas ainda olhava para mim entre os cílios.

Será mesmo que eu devia estar ali? Será que eu era bom o suficiente para manter alguém satisfeito depois de tanto tempo?

— Então, como vai ser? Ele goza ou não? — Foi o último aviso de Roberta.

Respirei fundo e estendi as mãos. Devagar, o mais devagar que pude, toquei nos grandes e inchados testículos de Percy, e comecei a rolá-los entre os dedos.

Arfei, maravilhado, e observei Percy estremecer todo e depois relaxar contra o sofá, soltando um gemidinho manhoso. Fazia muito tempo que eu não me aproximava de outra pessoa com essa finalidade, sendo que nem quando tive um submisso me permitia esse tipo de gesto. Nunca. Não seria visto com bons olhos se um dominador tentasse dar prazer a um submisso. O dever de um dominador era controlar e ser agradado, enquanto o de um submisso era de obedecer e satisfazer seu mestre, sem nenhum desvio ou nada no meio. Agora, porque as coisas eram assim, ninguém tinha me explicado, eu só sabia que para um submisso, a dor fazia parte do pacote, já o prazer, raramente. Pelo menos, era de acordo com o que tinham me ensinado.  

Só para testar, segurei as bolas em uma mão e as puxei para baixo, devagar, vendo a expressão no rosto de Percy mudar de prazer para algo… vazio. Eu jurava, ao invés de ver dor ali, tudo o que vi foi a pura entrega de Percy. 

Percy se esticou todo e arfou, curvando os dedos do pé, entretanto, quando voltei a massageá-lo tão suavemente quanto antes, as afrouxando, a coisa mais extraordinária aconteceu. Percy gemeu baixinho e longamente, curvando a coluna, seu membro estremeceu pela última vez, enquanto que fio atrás de fio de um líquido grosso e amarelado saiu da cabeça gorda e avermelhada, escorrendo pelas coxas torneadas e abdômen definido.

Foi tão repentino que tirei minhas mãos dele, dando um pulo para trás. Observei Percy se remexer todo, grunhindo e fungando, lágrimas saindo de seus olhos inchados até que finalmente o membro em questão se acalmou e caiu ainda completamente ereto contra o abdômen de Percy.

— Oh, magnífico! — Roberta exclamou, satisfeita, batendo palmas. — Você acaba de arruinar um orgasmo. Como você se sente?

O estranho era que Roberta perguntava isso para mim e não para Percy que ainda gemia baixinho, seu membro voltando a pulsar, bem na nossa frente.

— Como eu me sinto? Não deveria ser Percy--

— Não se preocupe com isso. — Roberta disse, sorrindo docemente.

— Mas ele ainda está duro!

— Ah, é só um pequeno detalhe. — Roberta disse e Carla concordou. — Agora que ele teve seu orgasmo, de volta para a gaiola.

— Gaiola? Você quer dizer… — Aquele instrumento de tortura? Eu quis dizer a ela.

— Cas-ti-da-de. — Carla disse, soletrando. — Ele é o mais obediente quando é negado. Você não terá nenhum problema com ele. A não ser que você queira ter alguma diversão. É só não deixar ele gozar com muita frequência.

Cruzei os braços e olhei para elas. Roberta e Carla observavam Percy com olhares afetuosos. Depois olhei para Percy que tinha os olhos fechados, já se acalmando, parecendo cansado e... satisfeito? Não, o que melhor o descrevia era contente. Isso, frustrantemente contente.

— Obrigado, senhoras, senhor.

— Bom garoto. — Roberta disse. Ela deu a volta na sala e parou mais uma vez ao lado de Percy, acariciando os cabelos dele, enquanto se virava para mim. — Sabe, ele é um homem muito solitário. Na maior parte do tempo tudo o que ele precisa é de um carinho e um pouco de atenção. Quando as coisas começarem a ficar muito frustrantes, uma palmatória ou uma cena já dá contra. Uma ou duas vezes por mês, uma boa transada é essencial.

— Como? E porquê? — Tive que perguntar.

— Percy vem até nós para... descarregar essa agressividade que ele tem. É catártico para ele. Às vezes, você vai precisar ser firme e rígido. Quanto mais ele lutar, mais firme você vai ter que ser. Mas isso só vai acontecer se você não der o que ele precisa.

— Como eu poderia saber disso? É ridículo!

— Ele é uma pessoa vocal. Se ele precisar de alguma coisa, ele vai te pedir. Pode ser com gestos ou palavras, é bem difícil não entender. Qualquer dúvida você pode vir até nós.

— Você tem certeza que sou a pessoa mais indicada para isso?

— Sim. Você é suave, mas firme quando necessário. A autoridade que Percy precisa.

— E porquê não uma de vocês duas?

— Nós já temos nossos brinquedinhos. Só estávamos ensinando ele até que achássemos a pessoa perfeita.

— Eu sou essa pessoa?

— Não fomos nós que escolhemos, apesar de acharmos que vocês são um bom par.

— Percy escolheu. — Carla terminou a fala de Roberta.

— Percy escolheu?

Tive que olhar para Percy relaxado contra a poltrona depois disso. Ele agora tinha o rosto todo corado, olhando para qualquer lugar que não fosse para mim.

— Hmm. — Murmurei, talvez começando a me interessar. — Acho que tudo bem. Eu só...

— Você…?

— Não prometo nada. Vou tentar, mas se não der certo… não me culpem.

— Ninguém vai fazer isso. Aqui, nós somos uma família. Pode não parecer, mas nós somos.

— Eu sei. Não quis ofender.

— Você não ofende. — Carla disse.

— Pois, bem. Seja bem-vindo oficialmente a nossa família. A chave da sua casa é essa. Se acomode e depois nos diga o que você achou. Percy já está instalado, então se houver algum problema nos contate, ok?

Cansado de discutir, concordei e aceitei a guia que era ligada à correia de Percy. Ela era feita de couro, uma tira fina e negra que se ligava a coleira que Percy usava, uma igualmente de couro preto e pesada, agarrado ao redor do pescoço de Percy exatamente como mãos fariam, o prendendo feito um cachorro em uma focinheira. 

Assim, ambos nos levantamos, eu da almofada super macia, e Percy, do sofá de couro. Porém, quando eu fiquei em pé, não estava preparado para ver o que aconteceu. Percy, aquele que deveria ser o submisso suave e vulnerável, se levantou junto, tendo facilmente mais de dez centímetros a mais que eu. O engraçado é que eu não me sentia menor do que ele, e se duvidasse, Percy poderia ser o menor de todos se dependesse da atitude dele. Ele se curvava um pouco, tinha as mãos atrás das costas e mantinha a cabeça abaixada, olhando para a frente como se quisesse se esconder, mesmo que até se curvando fosse facilmente a pessoa mais alta na sala.

— Obrigado, eu acho.

Tentei sorrir e puxei levemente a correia de Percy. Ele foi, é claro, sempre um passo atrás de mim, mas perto o suficiente, quase enfiando o rosto no meu pescoço e se curvando sobre mim. Eu não sabia porque, mas tinha a impressão que não era necessária toda essa aproximação. Suspirei e olhei para trás, pegando Percy me olhando fixamente. 

Eu parei no meio do caminho e continuei o encarando até que ele se deu conta do que fazia e abaixou a cabeça, parecendo encabulado.

— Me desculpe, Mestre.

— Sei. 

Olhei mais alguns segundos para ele e me virei, continuando nosso caminho. Se eu quisesse sair dessa sem ter que cumprir alguma pena ou me tornar um submisso, eu teria que fazer isso dar certo. Tudo culpa dessas leis ridículas que diziam que, ou eu era um dom, ou eu era sub, e que se até meus vinte e um anos eu não decidisse por conta própria, o governo decidiria por mim. 

Isso que dá não ter interesse por sexo, agora eu teria que recuperar todo o tempo perdido. Se eu cumprisse no mínimo um ano de “serviços prestados”, estaria livre para viver como bem entendesse, como lutei até não poder mais, teria que viver monitorado e sempre vigiado até que tudo isso acabasse.

Parte II

Eu não sabia muito bem o que fazer, então peguei minhas coisas no prédio da administração e segui o guarda que nos guiou até a casa de número 43. O guarda bateu continência e se afastou, andando apressado para longe da gente. Estranho. Olhei para a porta, e me lembrei da chave que tinha sido entregue a mim. Eu a peguei do bolso e a coloquei na fechadura eletrônica. Na verdade, era um cartão. Tudo o que eu precisava fazer era encostar o cartão e dar minha digital, e voilá! Um apito baixo soou, a porta destrancou e se abriu automaticamente para nós.

Eu ainda não podia acreditar, tudo era tão estranho e tão arrumadinho… coloquei a cabeça para dentro da casa e já quis sair dali. Essa não era minha casa, não era meu lar--

— Senhor?

Eu? Eu era o senhor?

Olhei para Percy e vi que o homem gigante ainda esperava comigo do lado de fora da casa, a dois passos de distância de mim. 

Pelo menos ele aprendia rápido.

— Porque você não entrou? — Tive a necessidade de perguntar.

— Porque… o senhor não entrou também.

O quê? Significava que eu tinha que entrar primeiro? Isso fazia eu me lembrar de Maria e Hades… lembranças que era melhor ficar no passado.

— Entre, Percy. — Eu disse ao invés.

E somente quando eu disse isso foi que Percy suspirou aliviado e entrou, carregando minhas malas com ele.

Estranho.

Entrei na casa junto a ele e caminhei até a sala de estar, o fazendo parar comigo. Percy continuou olhando para mim, ainda segurando as malas e esperando por alguma coisa, e só então percebi que eu ainda segurava a guia dele, que na verdade eu a segurava com força, o forçando a permanecer perto.

— Será que você poderia colocar minhas coisas no quarto? — Soltei sua guia e a vi cair da minha mão, ela parecendo se mover em câmera lenta até bater no peito nu Percy e a ponta repousar em seu abdômen, contrastando lindamente com sua pele bronzeada, sem nem uma marquinha em todo seu corpo esculpido. 

Meu olhar ficou ali por um momento, observando a perfeição que ele era quando ouvi um pigarro.

— Isso é uma ordem ou pergunta? — escutei Percy dizer.

Olhei para Percy, sentindo um sorriso querer aparecer pela primeira vez desde que cheguei aqui, mas Percy não parecia nada bem. Ele tinha empalidecido e olhava para o chão, tentando se encolher.

— Me desculpe, senhor.

— Nada disso. E não me chame de senhor.

— Do que devo chamá-lo?

— Nico ou Niccolas. O que você quiser.

— Eu não devo. Não é apropriado.

Pensei sobre isso e comecei a andar pelo cômodo, me forçando a me acostumar com a ideia de morar ali e de ter um submisso novamente.

— Que tal você me chamar de Nico quando somos só nós dois? E me chamar do apropriado quando estivermos em público?

— Sim, senhor. — Quando fiz uma careta, Percy concluiu. — Sim, Nico.

Então, Percy se virou, andou para fora da sala e quando voltou a aparecer, ele tinha um objeto na mão e um pote na outra.

— Sen-- Nico, eu… eu trouxe isso.

Percy colocou as coisas em cima da mesa de centro e eu me aproximei, analisando os objetos. 

Aquilo era…? Não! Mas era! Um cinto de castidade, a gaiola que Roberta tinha citado. Quando as garotas mencionaram isso pensei que fosse brincadeira, não seria a primeira vez que elas fariam isso comigo. Mas ali estava, um objeto de ferro maciço de cor clara e prata, parecendo bem pesada.

Eu me aproximei de Percy e toquei em seu ombro, tentando confortá-lo.

— Você não precisa fazer isso. Não vou contar a elas. — Eu disse no tom mais manso que pude. 

— Eu… eu quero. O senhor poderia…

Pisquei, tentando ter certeza se o que eu via era real e, sim, Percy abriu bem as pernas, ofereceu o objeto a mim e abaixou a cabeça, obediente e submisso, praticamente implorando. Eu ainda me lembrava o que elas tinham dito, Percy pediria o que ele precisasse e cabia a mim conceder seus desejos.

— É o que você quer?

Percy acenou que sim, mas eu ainda não sabia como fazer isso. Nem sabia se queria.

— Eu devo…?

— Sim.

— Como vai caber?

Porque, de fato, a gaiola era bemmm pequena, no máximo dois a três centímetros de espaço. Eu não sei como isso era possível. Ou confortável.

— Você quer me mostrar? — E quando Percy fez uma careta, eu completei: — Só dessa vez.

Vocês veem, o negócio era complicado. Percy ainda estava meio ereto e tudo aquilo com toda a certeza não caberia em um lugar tão estreito. Tipo, era muito grande, mais do que meu, isso eu podia afirmar. 

Observei Percy sentar no sofá, abrir bem as pernas e encaixar a primeira parte do objeto em seus testículos. Ele as prendeu direitinho, pegou a segunda parte do ferro, encaixou sobre a cabeça do membro e a empurrou para baixo. Eu só podia sofrer em silêncio vendo Percy se remexer desconfortável, tentando fazer algo tão grande caber em algo tão pequeno.

— Nico, você poderia pegar para mim?

Percy indicou o pote e quando me aproximei vi que era gelo. Muito gelo, alguns já derretidos e outros bem inteiros. Levei o pote até Percy, já temendo pelo pior, quando ouvi:

— Você pode passar em mim?

Sim, ele não disse “passar para mim” e sim “passar em mim”. 

Deuses, eu iria direto para o inferno. Mas tentando ser um bom dom, me agachei entre suas pernas abertas e peguei um pedaço de gelo. Eu o levei até a base do membro de Percy e comecei a deslizar o gelo suavemente por ali.

— Assim?

— Mais… ah!... mais forte… por favor? — Percy gemeu, implorando, arfando rápido.

Eu fiz, peguei mais gelo e pressionei com mais força, subindo até onde a gaiola não alcançava quando ouvi um gemidinho ardido. A gaiola entrou e foi até o fim, o membro de Percy amolecendo, agora confinado dentro daqueles míseros três centímetros. Era de fato um encaixe mais do que apertado.

— Você está bem, querido? — eu não pude me conter, acariciando as pernas dele, tentando o acalmar.

— Sim. — Percy respondeu baixinho, suas maçãs do rosto coradas. — Eu preciso colocar o cadeado na tranca.

Olhei em volta e vi que de fato havia um cadeado minúsculo em cima da mesa junto a uma chave. Me estiquei e o peguei, voltando para perto de Percy, encaixando o cadeado na tranca e o prendendo.

— Assim? — Voltei a perguntar.

— Sim. Sim. — Percy repetiu sem ar, jogado contra o sofá, ainda todo exposto, parecendo não se importar que eu continuasse o olhando.

— E a chave?

— Quero que fique com o senhor.

— Do que você precisa? Você sabe que sou novo nisso, não sabe? Você tem que me dizer, não importa o que seja.

Mas enquanto eu dizia isso, minhas mãos foram em direção a cinta de Percy. Eu me sentia em um parque de diversão, querendo experimentar todos os brinquedos de uma só vez. E definitivamente, começava a entender o que as garotas diziam com “ter seus próprios brinquedos”. Eu não lembrava ser tão divertido ter um submisso.

Deslizei minhas mãos pelas pernas de Percy vendo seu suave arfar e seus músculos tremerem, e toquei naquelas bolas ainda inchadas, parecendo muito necessitadas. Eu as massageie cuidadosamente e ouvi um gemidinho agudo vindo de Percy.

— Doí muito?

— Hmmhm. — Percy negou com a cabeça, mesmo que a expressão dele ficasse entre o meio-termo entre prazer e dor, mesmo que ele tentasse esconder o rosto.

— Percy, você quer que eu pare? Com palavras, por favor.

— Não, ah! Não, senhor.

O engraçado era que eu não conseguia entender como alguém daquela estatura e força poderia gostar de algo assim, tão… constritivo, ou eu deveria falar, libertador? Porque enquanto eu continuava minha exploração por suas bolas, brincando com elas e as movendo, Percy abriu mais as pernas e jogou a cabeça para trás como se estivesse gozando; eu apertei mais um pouco e um líquido começou a sair da cabeça avermelhada, através do metal.

Percy estava gozando? E como isso era possível? Não, esse deveria ser o único jeito de demonstrar estar excitado e como não havia como ter uma ereção, seus fluidos apenas… se manifestavam, certo? 

Eu definitivamente não lembrava de ter feito isso com meu antigo submisso.

— Tudo bem? — Perguntei quando Percy moveu a cintura, gemendo baixinho.

— Sim, senhor.

Só para testar, cansei de ficar agachado e me ajoelhei entre suas pernas. Olhei para os olhos quase fechados de Percy e abri a boca, levando minha cabeça para o meio de suas pernas. Segurei nas pernas dele e lambi a pontinha, devagar e gostoso, sem me preocupar com nada além de seus gemidos. Devo dizer que não era muito, porém era o suficiente para sentir o gosto de Percy e fazê-lo gritar. Decidi que era o suficiente quando Percy curvou a coluna e agarrou os próprios cabelos, arfando. Não que eu não estivesse me divertindo, mas estava ficando tarde e eu era responsável o bastante para entender quando eu via alguém chegar ao seu limite. Ou vai ver, era eu quem estava chegando no meu limite.

Eu me levantei, observando Percy todo estatelado contra o sofá, mas só me movi quando vi que ele respirava normalmente. Acariciei os cabelos de Percy, já que isso parecia acalmá-lo e peguei o pote com gelo que agora só tinha água derretida. Saí do cômodo e comecei a andar pela casa. Vi um banheiro, alguns quartos vazios até que no fim do corredor encontrei a cozinha. Despejei a água na pia, peguei um copo de água e voltei por onde tinha vindo.

Quando entrei na sala novamente, Percy ainda estava lá. Ele tinha os olhos fechados, as pernas em cima do sofá, enquanto ele as agarrava, a ansiedade nos movimentos de Percy bem óbvia. Eu não vi outra escolha, coloquei o copo na mesa de centro, me sentei junto a Percy no sofá e toquei em seus ombros, fazendo Percy pular, assustado.

— Está tudo bem. O que aconteceu?

— Nico?

— É claro.

— Oh. — Percy disse, parecendo mais surpreso ainda, tirando o rosto das pernas e me olhando de perto, seu rosto se iluminando ao me ver.

— Você pensou que eu tinha ido embora? Para onde eu iria?

— Me devolver. Não seria a primeira vez.

O-ou… alguma coisa estava muito errada ali. Quem devolveria Percy? Ele era tão bonito e forte e gostoso… pessoas preconceituosas, era isso o que elas eram.

— Está tudo bem. Vamos para o quarto, sim? Me mostra o caminho?

Percy acenou e se levantou. Com as pernas ainda bambas, Percy se apoiou em mim e ambos subimos para o andar superior da casa.  

***

— Como você se sente? Dói muito? — Eu achava que já tinha perguntado pela décima vez.

Eu não conseguia evitar. Sabia que Percy estava bem, agora com uma roupa quente e cobertas até o pescoço, mas ainda sim, eu não pude evitar. Devia ser a culpa de ter o tratado daquela forma, como um… como um objeto. Pronto, falei. Eu só gostaria que Percy falasse algo mais do que “sim, senhor” e “mais”, como agora, por exemplo.

— Palavras, por favor.

Percy se acomodou melhor na cama, no lado em que se deitava, e se virou para mim, seu olhar quase se fechando, contente. Ele puxou as cobertas mais para cima e continuou me olhando sem dizer uma palavra.

— Percy.

— Sim, Nico.

Viu? “Sim”. Era tudo o que ele me falava. 

Com seus olhos piscando devagar e mãos debaixo dos cobertores, Percy apenas se deixou ser ninado na tranquilidade, enquanto me encarava.

— Você não vai falar comigo?

Quando Percy não disse nada, suspirei. Desisti de tentar e me virei para tirar meus sapatos e roupas sujas.

— Ouvir sua voz faz eu me sentir melhor. Seguro. 

Senti mãos no meio das minhas costas e me virei para ver o acontecia. Era Percy, é claro, me abraçando por trás.

— Eu já disse que não vou a lugar nenhum.

— Então…

— Preciso tirar a roupa.

Percy me soltou como se estivesse sendo queimado e eu senti sua falta imediatamente.

— Eu não me importo. Você pode me tocar. Eu só preciso…

Me levantei antes que acontecesse outro acidente. Tirei toda roupa, me enfiei debaixo das cobertas e abri os braços:

— Você se importa? Gosto de dormir assim.

Percy negou com a cabeça e praticamente se jogou em meus braços, rodeando minha cintura com seus longos e musculosos braços e encostou sua cabeça sobre meu ombro, entre o vão do meu pescoço.

— Obrigado, Nico.

— O prazer é todo meu. — Falei, relaxando contra o batente da cama.

Parte III

Aquele dia tinha sido, de fato, muito longo. Primeiro, cheguei atrasado no trabalho, depois, dois oficiais do Gabinete de Assuntos Humanos apareceram. Eles até foram preparados com algemas e tudo, caso eu decidisse resistir. O mais chocante foi quando eles me falaram para eu dizer meu endereço e que eu precisava fazer as malas. 

“Leve tudo o que você puder” — Um deles falou.

“Seu chefe já sabe que você se ausentará por uma semana.” — O outro completou.

Foi tudo o que me disseram até chegarmos às instalações governamentais que gerenciavam os casais mais novos e problemáticos. No passado, a desculpa que tinham dado é que devido à internet as pessoas tinham parado de socializar e essa era uma medida necessária para aqueles que tivessem problemas em achar um par. É verdade que a taxa de natalidade e casamentos duradouros tinha crescido e tudo, e a taxa de mortes e agressividade, tanto em homens quanto em mulheres, baixado, mas, no fundo, todos sabiam que essa era apenas mais uma forma de controlar e ter certeza que todos fariam sua parte para a continuação da propagação da espécie.

Assim que desci do carro, um letreiro bem grande em letras garrafais podia ser visto: “Instituto de Assuntos Humanos”. Estava mais para bordel, um bem esterilizado e chique, mas era o que era.

Logo na porta, duas mulheres me receberam com sorrisos e gestos apressados, pedindo que eu as seguisse. Pela primeira vez na vida, fiz o que me pediam, na esperança que se eu obedecesse tudo aquilo terminaria o mais rápido possível.

Passamos pela administração do lugar e depois elas me levaram por um corretor tão longo que pensei que ele nunca teria fim. 

Elas pararam em frente a uma porta e se viraram para mim.

— Sinto muito pela pressa. No momento, estamos com muitos internos e temos que dar um jeito nisso rapidíssimo. Vamos explicar tudo depois, agora, precisamos que você escolha alguém, a pessoa que mais te chamar atenção, ok? Não se preocupe se não der certo, temos tempo para trocar se for necessário.

— Trocar o quê? — Foi tudo o que consegui dizer antes de uma delas me arrastar para dentro da sala, enquanto que a outra ficou do lado de fora, esperando.

Entrei na sala e vi que lá dentro havia cinco pessoas. Três mulheres e dois homens, todos pelados, sentados em cadeiras confortáveis enquanto alguns falavam entre si.

— Senhoras e senhores, temos um visitante.

Assim que ouviram o que a mulher disse, eles se levantaram e se ergueram com suas colunas eretas, peito estufado e mãos atrás das costas, mantendo os pés afastados.

— Muito bem. — A mulher disse, batendo palmas. — O que você está esperando, inspecione seus submissos.

— Eu? — Eu disse, apontando para minha pessoa.

— Você espera que eu escolha por você? — Ela deu uma risadinha e começou a andar pela sala. — Que tal Katt, aqui? Ela pode realizar suas fantasias mais loucas.

Cruzei os braços e virei a cabeça para a parede, me negando a participar disso.

— Não? Então, um dos rapazes. Luke é uma boa escolha. Você nunca se sentirá entediado com ele.

Eu me virei em direção a ela para dizer que aquilo era ridículo quando vi a quem ela se referia, o homem era tão alto quanto eu e seus olhos faiscavam, o que significava que a mulher estava certa em suas previsões.

— Eu não quero ninguém. Porque você não me manda para casa e resolve tudo isso com outra pessoa, sim?

— Infelizmente, isso não é possível. Ou você escolhe um deles e acata nossas ordens, ou algo pior pode acontecer. Você não quer que isso aconteça, quer?

— Eu preciso mesmo?

— Sim, eu sinto que sim.

— Tá bom. Então… — Eu me virei para as opções disponíveis e analisei cada uma delas. Eu não chegaria perto de uma mulher mesmo que me pagassem, aquilo simplesmente não era minha praia, e o que restou foram os dois homens; um era o tal de Luke, que sorria para mim, prometendo noites de intenso prazer. Então, me virei para o outro homem, que praticamente se escondia no lado mais distante da sala, parecendo querer sumir dali.

Andei pela fileira de pessoas e parei em frente a ele. O homem olhava para baixo e tinha uma expressão tão triste que senti o impulso de abraçá-lo. E quando digo homem, é exatamente isso. Enquanto que as outras pessoas na sala não deviam passar de vinte ou vinte e dois anos, esse deveria ter no mínimo uns trinta. Eu sentia que não deveria ser tão impulsivo, entretanto quando menos vi, segurei no queixo dele, tentando fazê-lo me encarar. Ali, descobri os olhos verde-azulados mais bonitos e profundos que eu já tinha encontrado.

— Eu quero ele. — Eu disse, sem pensar. O homem apenas piscou, lento, e franziu as sobrancelhas, sem dar uma palavra ou lutar contra meu agarre.

— Muito bom, uma ótima escolha. Percy irá se encaixar a você perfeitamente. — A mulher, então, se voltou à sala e anunciou: — Vocês estão liberados. Desculpe, gente.

As pessoas murmuraram chateadas, mas obedeceram. Elas saíram uma a uma até que só restou ela, Percy e eu. O resto, vocês já sabem, “aprendi” o básico sobre sexo, conceptivos e outras coisas a mais. E de fato, nunca pensei que ser responsável por alguém pudesse ser tão… interessante. Não era um fardo, como pensei que seria, e não era cansativo e irritante, como pensei que me sentiria; era como abrir os olhos para um mundo novo, um mundo que eu pensei que tinha esquecido as regras, mas que estava disposto a redescobrir.

— O que você quer saber? — Ouvi Percy falando baixinho, contra a pele de meu pescoço, quando eu pensava que Percy já tinha caído no sono.

— Hmm… quero saber tudo.

— Isso não é uma pergunta.

— Então, tudo bem, espertinho. Sua cor favorita?

— Cor favorita? — Percy questionou, sua voz tomando um tom alegre.

— Sim, qual o problema?

— Azul. — Ele disse, suspirando. — Todos os tons de azul.

— Só azul?

— Só azul.

— Comida favorita?

— Eu não tenho uma.

— Vamos, me diga alguma coisa.

— Eu… quando eu era pequeno, no meu aniversário… minha mãe costumava fazer tudo azul. Docinhos, torta, bolo. Até o refrigerante era azul.

— Então sua comida favorita é azul? — Eu queria rir do absurdo disso. Mas era fofo e doce, igual a Percy.

— Banda favorita?

— Eu não sei, gosto de várias. Eu só… coleciono música.

— Quem você mais admira?

— Minha mãe. — Dessa vez, Percy não hesitou em admitir. — Ela era a pessoa mais forte do mundo. Quando meu pai desapareceu, ela fez o melhor que pôde.

— Foi difícil?

— Hmmhm. — Percy murmurou, se aconchegando melhor a ele. — Durante um tempo foi, fiz o que pude para ajudar ela.

— O que aconteceu?

— Ela morreu antes que eu pudesse dar o que ela devia ter tido.

— E agora?

— Agora? Tenho meu próprio negócio, sou CEO de uma empresa que presta serviços de investimentos. A J&C associação e administração.

E eu ainda tentando sair da faculdade! 

Acariciei os cabelos de Percy e beijei seu rosto.

— Isso é muito bom. Ela deve estar orgulhosa, não importa onde ela esteja.

— Eu só gostaria que ela estivesse aqui.

— Eu também. — Respondi quando Percy se calou, me fazendo lembrar da minha mãe, que ainda estava bem viva. Eu gostaria de dizer que minha história era tão traumática quanto a de Percy, mas isso seria uma grande mentira. Decidi também me calar e continuar brincando com os cabelos de Percy até que o sono chegasse a nós dois.

***

— Você pode me passar a farinha? — Ouvi Percy falar em seu tom de voz baixo e rouco.

Estávamos na cozinha, assando biscoitos de chocolate, enquanto que a comida nos esperava espalhada pela mesa. Percy mexia a mistura e eu observava seus movimentos firmes e decididos, vez ou outra, jogando algum ingrediente na massa. Eu sentado e ele de pé, praticamente me ignorando, e ainda assim, eu não sabia o que era mais doce — os biscoitos, aromáticos e adocicados, ou ele, parecendo tão competente e bonito com seu avental azul-escuro. 

“Lindo”, foi o que eu quis dizer a Percy quando o encontrei na cozinha naquela manhã. 

Por um momento ao acordar, abri os olhos e não reconheci onde estava. Olhei para os lados, em busca do meu relógio de cabeceira, apenas encontrando meu celular, descarregado. Investiguei o resto do quarto e me lembrei, eu não estava em casa, estava em uma instituição do governo cumprindo um tipo de pena não-punitiva. Entretanto, o que realmente me fez sair da cama foi o cheiro de comida. De café e algo doce, algo que me fazia lembrar de dias melhores, da infância, de minhas irmãs e da nossa casa na Itália.

Quando desci as escadas, fui presenteado com a melhor das visões. Percy estava sem camisa e descalço, em frente ao fogão, mexendo algo em uma frigideira gigante, enquanto cantarolava. Percy provou a comida com uma colher pequena e desligou o fogo, logo em seguida se virou para a bancada, já misturando algo em uma grande travessa transparente.

— Hmm… que cheiro bom. — Cheguei por trás dele e coloquei minhas mãos em sua cintura, encostando minha cabeça sob seu pescoço, dando um beijinho ali. Bem, talvez mais de um.

Percy gemeu, ficando tenso, e parou o que fazia até que eu o soltei e dei a volta na bancada, parando em frente a ele.

Ali estava, aquele adorável tom avermelhado em seu rosto, seus olhos fixados na travessa.

— Você quer biscoitos? Eles não devem demorar.

— Não quis invadir seu espaço.

— Você não invadiu.

— Então, porque você não me olha nos olhos?

Percy parou de mexer a massa e levantou a cabeça, me encarando, parecendo encabulado.

— Não estou acostumado com isso.

— Com o quê? — Eu quis saber.

— Isso, alguém se aproximando de mim por vontade própria. Esse… afeto sem pretensões.

Como eu deveria entender isso? Que Percy não deixava outras pessoas se aproximarem ou era as outras pessoas que não se aproximavam?

— O que isso quer dizer? 

— Quando as pessoas olham para mim… — Percy disse, voltando sua atenção para os biscoitos. — … elas esperam que eu aja de certa forma.

— Como?

Percy dá de ombros e derrama um pouco de leite na mistura.

— Como eles esperam que você aja, Percy?

— Bem… sou alto e musculoso, eu sei. Elas esperam que eu vá querer transar com elas, quando, na verdade, quero que elas transem comigo.

Hmmm… isso não seria um problema comigo. Mas não foi o que eu disse.

— Sinto muito.

— Está tudo bem. — Percy deu de ombros mais uma vez. — Entendo porque eles pensam assim.

Porém, Percy tinha um olhar tão triste… sua coluna também estava curvada, como se ele tentasse se proteger, o que me dizia que isso tinha acontecido mais vezes do que Percy deixava transparecer.

— Acho que a gente devia conversar. — falei, mudando de assunto.

— Conversar?

— Sim.

Percy pareceu murchar ainda mais. De qualquer forma, ele acenou, botou a massa dos biscoitos em uma assadeira, a colocou no forno, e me seguiu para fora da cozinha.

***

— Se sente, Percy. Eu não mordo. — Ri da minha própria piadinha, ainda que Percy se arrastasse atrás de mim, desanimado.

Observei Percy se sentar em um sofá à minha frente, há quase dez metros de mim, e suspirei. Eu não entendia o motivo para tanto drama. Por isso, me levantei, dei a volta na sala de estar e me sentei do lado dele, segurando em suas mãos que tremiam.

— Relaxe, ninguém vai embora aqui. Quero falar sobre limites.

— Limites? — Percy exclamou surpreso, como se a noção de tal palavra nunca tivesse passado por sua mente.

— Sim, limites. O que é permitido e o que não é. Seus gostos e como você quer ser tratado. Como você não quer ser tratado.

— Como eu quero ser tratado? — Vi Percy cruzar os braços em frente ao peito e se inclinar para trás, como se a pergunta o ofendesse.

— Sim. — Eu disse. — Você conhece a concepção de consensualidade?

— Quem não conhece? O que isso tem a ver com a gente?

Eu quase sorri. Era bom saber que Percy poderia fazer mais do que somente obedecer ordens. Porque, eu tinha que admitir, não sei se conseguiria viver com alguém que não seria capaz de ter o mínimo de auto-estima ou entender a diferença entre o certo e o errado.

— Quero que você me diga o que você gosta.

— Você não deveria saber dessas c-- Percy parou no meio da frase, arregalando seus olhos. — Eu… eu não quis dizer isso.

— Sim, você quis. — Sorri para ele, sentindo a culpa sair de meus ombros a cada palavra. — Como você gosta? Desse jeito?

Segurei em suas mãos e as acariciei devagar, vendo a reação dele. Um pequeno arfar saiu de seus lábios.

— Ou desse jeito? — Me aproximei e o peguei pelo pescoço, segurando na coleira dele. Puxei seus cabelos para trás e o beijei, o fazendo se curvar todo em minha direção.

Quando o soltei, Percy deixou escapar um gemidinho tão gostoso, arfando tão docemente, que não resisti e o beijei novamente, mordendo seu lábio inferior e enfiando minha língua em sua boca até que ele se derretesse completamente.

— Você gosta mesmo de dor?

Percy não respondeu e eu puxei seus cabelos novamente, arrancando um gemido entrecortado dele: — Si-im!

— Humilhação? Ser dominado?

— Sim! 

Dessa vez, nem precisei arrancar a resposta dele. Percy respirava tão rápido e esfregava as coxas uma na outra tão impaciente, que era difícil não entender.

— Ativo ou passivo?

— Passivo? Ativo? Os dois? — Percy disse, arfando e confuso, se segurando em meus ombros, seus olhos bem abertos, me encarando de frente pela primeira vez, mesmo que não houvesse nenhuma intenção de enfrentamento. 

— Você terá que ser paciente comigo. 

— Paciente? — Ele entortou a cabeça para o lado, tentando entender.

— Sou virgem. 

Bem, era quase isso.

Não era verdade, mas eu queria ver a reação no rosto dele. Bem que… fazia tanto tempo que eu me sentia como se fosse um. E Percy não me decepcionou, a expressão de surpresa veio primeiro, depois a de curiosidade. Percy olhou para baixo, na direção da minha cintura, e mordeu os lábios, parecendo muito interessado.

— Você vai me ensinar, Percy? Como você gosta de ser tocado? Como você quer me tocar?

Percy apenas acenou, parecendo incerto.

— Vamos aprender juntos, tudo bem? Não quero que você se sinta desconfortável.

Isso pareceu tranquilizar Percy. Eu o beijei mais uma vez nos lábios e o soltei devagar.

— Porque você não termina os biscoitos enquanto comemos? Roberta nos espera.

Percy acenou animado e se levantou, mas antes de se afastar, plantou um beijo molhado em meu rosto e fugiu para a cozinha. Fui atrás, seguindo em sua sombra, e me sentei no mesmo lugar de antes. Ele nos serviu e depois de alguns minutos, os biscoitos estavam prontos. Com nós dois, já vestidos, e preparados para mais uma sessão com Roberta e Carla, segurei na mão de Percy e sorri para ele. Eu apenas precisava me lembrar de pedir algumas dicas a elas e se possível, ler o perfil de Percy. Eu sabia que elas teriam todas as informações que iriamos precisar se eu quisesse que isso desse certo.

Então, o que vocês acharam? Eu estava pensando em transformar essa em original também, mas... apesar do tema, ela me passa uma sensação de imaturidade tão grande! E também me parece um pouco apressada. Apesar dessas coisas, e além de me dar um pouco de vergonha por causa da fetichização, eu gosto dela. É diferente do que eu escreveria hoje em dia. Foi escrita em 2020! Cada vez me sinto mais velha. Como sempre, está incompleta, mas tem por volta 80 mil palavras. Talvez eu termine ela em algum ponto. Por enquanto, vou colocá-la. Ela também está no AO3 e no SpiritFanfic.

Agora, eu gostaria de saber quem tem interesse continuar lendo essa história.

Who else gets this kind of surprises? 😅

hey if you're the type of writer that's like me where you tend to write specific scenes first that vaguely weave together into a plot, you might like using obsidian as a writing app.

my frustration with other writing applications is that i will write my scenes out of order and it's hard to move things around and rearrange them on a regular document.

but with obsidian there's this canvas feature where you can just write all your scenes and plot moments on these little cards that you can freely rearrange. you can color code them and connect them too.

here's the canvas i've created for my current multi-chapter fic: (if you zoom in you can see all the text in each card this what it looks like zoomed out)

as you can see, i color code them based off chapters and will group them next to a document card with the working title of the chapter. anything not color-coded are scenes that don't have a proper place quite yet or it's just world building references. this app can also be good for note-taking and collecting research!

best of all, it's FREE!!! the only downside is that if you want your stuff to sync across devices, you do have to pay for that. i constantly hop between my laptop and desktop so i pay for the syncing. but if you write on only one device it's completely free! EDIT: some reblogs have mentioned that you can apparently link your own personal cloud storage (dropbox, gdrive, icloud, etc.) to obsidian for free! that way you can access your obsidian vaults across multiple devices without the extra fee. i don't mind supporting the devs but just something to look into if costs is a concern.

i typically use it for organizing my thoughts for a first draft. once i get all the scenes arranged and mostly written out, i will copy and paste them into ellipsus (also free & highly recommended as a google doc alternative) so that they're all in one document that i can edit.

I make a post about how smut writers shouldn't be discouraged if their smut has a low hits to kudos ratio, because people are just afraid to kudos smut.

I get told in response that AKTUALLY smut has a low kudos to hits ratio because people are re-reading that smut.

I make a post about how if you're re-reading a fic a lot you should tell the author because they won't know that and will think no one likes their fic.

I get told that authors should just ASSUME that it's re-reads without needing to be told.

I post a smut fic that gets 100+ hits in its first 24 hours of posting (therefor no re-reads counted) and this smut fic with 100+ hits gets zero kudos.

I make a post about how if you read a fic on AO3 it creates a 'hit' and if the author gets a lot of hits without kudos or comments or response, the author will assume no one liked their fic.

I get told that authors should just ASSUME that everyone who clicks their fic likes it, without needing to be told that.

I make a post reminding people that fanfiction authors are not mind readers and that there's no way for them to tell a hit from a person who clicked a fic by mistake, or hated the fic, from a hit from a person who liked it, and if you don't tell the author you liked their fic they will assume you didn't.

I get told that authors aren't entitled to comments or kudos, or to a certain ratio of kudos to hits.

NO SHIT.

But if they don't get comments or kudos, they're gonna assume ya'll didn't like the fic!

Jercy Week 2025 Official Prompt List!

Main Prompts:

Day 1: Alternative Meeting Day 2: Co-Praetors or Co-Head Counsellors Day 3: Arranged Marriage Day 4: At the Jackson's Day 5: Wolf House and/or Wolf Tendencies Day 6: Alternate Universe - Gods Day 7: Protectiveness

Extra Prompts:

Extra Prompt 1: Alternate Universe - Royalty Extra Prompt 2: Trials of Apollo Fix-It Extra Prompt 3: Alternate Universe - Hanahaki Disease

(Extra Prompts can be used instead of the main prompts or alongside/combined with the main prompts)

AO3 collection: jercy_week_2025

Event hashtag: #jercy week 2025

Please read the updated FAQ for any important information for the event submissions and as per usual, ask box & DMs are open for any questions

New to Jercy Events? Check out the pinned post for more information

Something I made while dealing with my own stuff and hoping drawing this would pick me up somehow. Maybe it worked.

FT my cat. His name is Mischief

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXXI and Chapter XXXII

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII / Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX / Chapter XX and Chapter XXI / Chapter XXII and Chapter XXIII / Chapter XXIV, Chapter XXV and Chapter XXVI / Chapter XXVII and Chapter XXVIII / Chapter XXIX and Chapter XXX

Chapter XXXI

By the time they got home, the sky was already dark. They climbed the few steps to the porch; Percy opened the car door for Nico, helping him out of the Jeep, and once again, Percy led him from behind, as though he didn't know the way, like he would run away if Percy took his eyes off him. Maybe Nico was tempted to do just that, maybe tonight had been a bit too much for his confused mind. In the end, he let himself go, let Percy open the door to the house, take the blazer from his shoulders and hold his hand, just like Percy would do on any other day. But unlike what was usual for them, Percy kept walking and Nico continued to follow him like a puppy on a leash. He yawned and followed him up the stairs, turning right and then entering a long hallway that led to the same room where he had slept every other time; next to Percy's room and further away from the children's rooms.

That's when Nico wondered what he was doing there, or why Percy came in with him and opened the closet door, showing him the clothes hanging there.

"If you want to change. The clothes you were wearing are here.”

He took out a hanger with a pair of jeans and a dark t-shirt and Nico finally understood, someone had washed his clothes.

"You didn't have to.”

“Yeah, I didn’t have to.” Was all Percy said, his eyes intense on him. Nico hated it when Percy did that. Why was it so hard to look at him in those moments?

Yes, that was exactly why he lowered his head and pretended that there was some dirt on his Italian shoes and pretended he had no idea how much they cost. He bent down and undid the lace, then did the same with the other foot and took off his sock. Okay, he had to change, right? Take a shower first? He decided to start with the buttons on the light-colored shirt and reached his hands down to the soft fabric. He pressed and the first button slid away from the hole, he pressed the second and then the third, before he saw that there were no more buttons and only his pants were left. He unbuttoned the last button and pulled down the zipper and--

"What are you doing?" Percy questioned him, stopping his hands in the air. He didn't have the courage to look him in the face, so Nico kept staring at Percy's broad shoulders.

"What does it look like I'm doing?”

"Asking for sex?”

"I'm changing. Can I take a shower?”

"Nico, I didn't-- this wasn't how I expected the night to end.”

“And what did you expected?” He found himself laughing even though he didn’t find it funny. Percy never knew how to apologize.

"I'm sorry, okay! What do you want me to do? Can you look at me?”

No, he couldn't. If he did that, the moment he looked at Percy he would be tempted to try to comfort him.

"I forgive you." Nico murmured, fixing his gaze on the right side of Percy's neck, watching how his throat bobbed, how Percy looked nervous and frustrated, his hand clenched into a fist at his side. It was strangely amusing to see him so out of control, knowing that Percy felt the same way he did. In the end, Jason was right, he wanted every single person who made him suffer to suffer the same and in the same way.

"Nico, please." Percy begged, his voice almost tearful.

He sighed and stared at him, bracing himself. Nico knew what he was going to find, even when the man looked defeated and vulnerable, Percy still found ways to manipulate the situation. And he fell once more, it was inevitable, irresistible. Nico brought his hands to Percy's face and got closer, a force pulling him towards him and making him hug him by the neck, ending up with his mouth against his neck, close to Percy's ear.

"It wasn't your fault. I know you didn't mean for that to happen. It's okay.”

“You promise?” Percy murmured back, very close. His arms wrapped around Nico’s waist and his lips whispered against his earlobe.

He had fallen right in, hadn't he? Still, knowing all this, Nico sighed once more, shivering as the heat slowly crept up his back, waist, and groin, stopping where Percy's mouth met his skin.

"Will you forgive me? I promise…" Then, Percy held him tight against him and a moan escaped him. "I promise this won't happen again." Percy finished with his face buried against the hair on the back of Nico's neck.

That... that wasn't fair... why... why was it so easy for Percy? Why was it so easy to forget everything and let himself go like that when, even with Will back then when he treated him well, Nico never had that urge that was slowly destroying him?

"Nico…" Then, an almost innocent little kiss was placed against his neck, in that little part behind his ear that made him… ah… "Are you going to visit me?”

"I-I…" He stuttered, still stuck in a trance. "I… I can't… you have to--”

"I don’t have to do anything." Percy said it decisively, but at that moment it sounded like the sweetest love poem. "I can wait for you.”

"Percy, I don't…”

"Don't what? Don't want to deceive me? Hurt me?" Percy pulled away slightly and grabbed Nico's hair, making him look at him. "Do you want to be sure? Do you want to have other experiences? See if someone else can make you feel the way I do? I don't care about any of that.”

"I couldn't.”

"Baby, you're the only one for me. So beautiful and so perfect. I love your smell, and when you moan I want to hold you and never let go. I want you to be happy. But only with me.”

"Percy…" he whimpered, closing his eyes. Why was Percy doing this to him?

"It's quite simple. I want you to live and make all the mistakes a college student could make. When we meet again, don't ignore me. If you've changed your mind by then, I'll do everything I can to win you over, but if you don't want me, I won't bother you.”

"How could I ask for something like that?”

"I also need some time to sort things out." Percy smiled at Nico and stroked his hair, lulling him into that false sense of security. "Things with Annabeth don't seem to be going anywhere and I'm tired of my parents. I promise you this, when we see each other again everything will be better. Do you trust me?”

"I trust you.”

"So I want you to have fun and not regret anything.”

Percy kissed Nico's cheek and he finally relaxed, as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.

***

Percy kissed Nico's cheek and he finally relaxed, as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.

Yes, he felt light because Percy was holding him, keeping him safe. 

“Oh!” Nico couldn't help the moan that escaped his lips; Percy's hands moved up his back, caressing slowly and entered inside his open shirt, eliciting another moan from him. Percy's lips slid to the side and then, they were there, at the corner of his mouth, kissing and nibbling and-- No! He knew exactly what Percy was doing! Percy wanted him to lower his head, to agree with everything while Percy had his fun. Percy wanted him to wait until the man felt the urge to see him again. He refused to let another man manipulate him, even if it was through the best torture tactic.

"No, I can't do that." Nico said, letting go of Percy. He took a step back and a deep breath, and said more forcefully: "I won't! Do you think I'm going to stay quiet while you do whatever you want?”

"Nico, I said you can--”

"You don't own me! I don't need your permission!”

"Nico, of course not. I'm just asking for a chance to work things out.”

"I don't want-- I never wanted… you… you're just like all of them!”

Percy didn't seem to hear him. Percy took a step forward and he took another step back, then another and another until his back hit the wall. The strange thing was that Percy didn't do what Nico imagined, not like Will usually did, cornering him and making him feel suffocated. No, Percy took his hands and tried to smile, but it was such a shaky smile that Nico found himself stopping fighting Percy.

"It's okay, baby. Can you breathe with me?”

"Breathe?" He asked without understanding.

"Please.”

Percy looked on the verge of tears, so he complied. Nico took a deep breath and let it out, slow and easy, and only then did he realize how tense he was, and he calmed down immediately.

"I… I was having a panic attack?" Nico asked. Percy nodded and tried to smile at him again.

The interesting thing was to realize that Nico didn't feel bad like he usually did. No, Nico felt light and calm. That's why he didn't fight this time, he let Percy take him to the bed and help him put on sweatpants, a loose t-shirt came next and socks too. Percy dressed him, item by item, and he found himself lying against the bed frame, his head resting on Percy's shoulder and a movie playing on the television in front of the bed. He knew Percy was saying something, that his head was resting on his, that his big, warm hands were massaging the back of his neck in a pleasant way that made him want to sleep instantly.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I never meant to make you feel this way. I'm the worst of men. I'm so impulsive. Annabeth's right, I'll never... I'll never be able to--”

"Der?" Nico found himself mumbling. His head was too light to understand what was happening. He just wanted Percy to feel what he felt right now.

"Are you okay?" Percy said in the same miserable tone.

"Hmm. Sleep with me." Nico crawled down on the bed and rested his head on Percy's chest, under his heart. His hands found Percy's waist and Nico closed his eyes once more, feeling himself melt. Nico loved the way Percy smelled, the way Percy always seemed to run hotter than him, most of all, he loved those rare moments when Percy showed that vulnerability, that uncertainty, usually so well hidden.

"Nico, I need--”

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow you can say whatever you want. Today, we sleep.”

Nico closed his eyes one last time and sighed, soon he could hear nothing but the sound of Percy's heart slowing down.

Chapter XXXII

That was another morning where everything seemed like a distant and fantastical dream. The light entered weakly between the blinds, birds sang softly and Nico felt himself floating, comfortable, being hugged from behind, very tightly, in the way he would never admit he liked the most; it was Percy who breathed against his neck, while the blanket kept the cold away, giving a greater touch of illusion.

So this was it, right? This was what he could have if he chose to… what?… Stay? Wait for Percy? No, this was the goodbye, sweet and treacherous, giving Nico a taste he knew he couldn’t have.

“Are you awake?” Percy murmured softly against his earlobe, brushing his lips over the sensitive skin.

Nico took a deep breath for a moment, feeling himself go from zero to one hundred, and let it out slowly. It wasn't fair. Maybe he had moaned, or maybe it had been Percy; it was hard to tell when Percy was so close to him, pressed against his back, the thin clothing between them not stopping Nico from feeling all of his desire, so close together, in that almost too intimate way, even their breaths came out synchronized, fast, almost panting, almost...

"Now, I am." He then murmured, trying to control himself.

“Good,” Percy told him, his sleep-husky voice telling him everything he needed to know. Percy was never satisfied. A kiss would never be enough, a touch would do little to quell his restlessness, and the shiver that ran up Nico’s spine even less so, none of it would make him happy until… No, Percy needed to hear it, needed to taste the pleasure against his skin and experience… oh… experience his hands moving down Nico’s shoulder and down to his abdomen and…

"Percy." He warned, panting but holding his ground like Nico rarely did. Even if he felt Percy was as anxious as he was or if he wanted, perhaps more than Percy, for this between them to happen, this damn torture would finally end.

“I wanted to apologize,” Percy said again, as if nothing had happened mere seconds ago. “I never meant to put you in this position.”

"I know." Nico sighed, exhausted and anxious. Excited. He turned, relaxing, and looked into the eyes he loved to watch so much.

But this was the end, the farewell, and for that reason, only for that reason, he allowed himself to have what he wanted; he let his body lean against Percy's, molding them together like a puzzle that was finally complete, once again trying to fool himself, wishing he didn't know that all of this was wrong; only if Percy really insisted, forced him just a little more and they both let the blame fall on Percy, just this once, giving him that false reason and allowing his rationalization to convince himself that all of this was Percy's fault and never his own, so Nico could finally, finally...

"Nico. Matt. Teo. I think I like Teo more." Percy was smiling, that small, genuine smile that somehow always broke his heart and made him want to stay by his side for the rest of his life.

Percy touched his face and then everything self-destructed, a house of cards crumbling, that smile squeezing his heart, making juice out of what was left.

"You're horrible. I hate you." But even that sounded false.

"I love you too." Percy said. A whisper, a confession. Something that seemed true in that intimate stillness translated into the form of a caress, in the touch of Percy's fingers that intertwined in his hair and of his lips, wet and firm, that finally touched his.

It wasn't at all what Nico expected, this attitude didn't seem to come from the one who spent the last two months chasing him until he couldn't think of anything else. No, they were the most gentle and careful that Nico had ever tasted; sweet and soft kisses, pressed against his in a way so light that he didn't know it existed, brushing slowly and nibbling them just to make him sigh, encouraging him to open his mouth so they became even slower, slowing down their cadence and stopping, but keeping their lips glued together.

Percy didn't try to force anything more intense or try to ease the situation, as was his custom. Percy just kept smiling and stroking his hair, looking at him with such affection that Nico had no choice but to stare back. There was no safe place he could hide from this fact; he loved Percy Jackson and he was leaving him before that feeling could even finish blooming.

That was how his last morning at the Jackson-Chase house ended, with a cuddle, a kiss and a tight hug, Percy's hands massaging his hair and lulling him into that false sense of security until the time for lunch with the family approached, taking Percy away from Nico, leaving him frozen in a desert he had never felt before meeting Percy.

But it was all right, he thought, wiping away the tears that were falling, the last ones that would fall because of him. Nico finished putting on his clothes, fixed his hair and washed his face. He picked up his backpack that had been lying on the floor since the day before and left Percy's room, entering the room where he had stayed during those nights to finally pick up his clothes scattered on the floor, returning the ones he had borrowed and going down the stairs where the children and Annabeth were waiting for him.

***

“Can’t you stay a little longer?” Alice said, catching him off guard. She rarely asked for anything, so independent and unaffectionate, but always attentive.

"It's getting late. I need to wake up early. You understand, don't you?" Nico touched her long black hair and looked into her green eyes that were now filled with tears. "You can visit me whenever you want.”

"It won’t be the same. We won’t eat together or watch TV anymore. Dad will be sad and Logan will whine for a whole month.”

"Don't be like that. Everything will be fine. It's part of growing up. Not everything goes the way we want.”

"Grandma keeps saying that. You two look so much alike.”

Nico smiled at Alice and ran his fingers through her hair, very doubtful.

"Don't you trust me? You can visit me as soon as I'm done moving.”

"Do you promise?" She looked at Nico with her eyes wide open and wet, all tearful, in the perfect example of innocence.

Yeah, it seemed like the whole family had manipulation in their blood. Which made him smile even more.

“I promise.”

He reached down and hugged Alice tightly, feeling her squeeze him back with all the strength she had.

"Enough." Annabeth's voice reached them, she was walking in her high, thin heels, strutting elegantly. She was carrying a sullen Logan, while Percy followed them at a safe distance, looking at his own shoes and seemingly oblivious to everything that was happening around him. That was what had happened during lunch; Percy had been by his side and, at the same time, had been somewhere far away from him.

"Come on, say goodbye to Nico. He has to go.”

"I'll miss you. Don't forget your promise." Alice told him, now looking like a clone of her mother.

Alice gave Nico another tight hug and pulled away, forcing Nico to blink his eyes, his throat suddenly tight. No, he said he wouldn't cry anymore. But then Logan reached out and, still in Annabeth's lap, wrapped his small hands around Nico's neck and sobbed.

"Logan, don't do this. I'm going to live even closer, isn't that good?”

"No! You won't be our mother anymore!”

"Er… when was I your mother? Isn't she right here?" Nico looked at Annabeth and she just rolled her eyes impatiently. It seemed like he was the one who was most uncomfortable with this whole conversation. So what came next was what really ripped his heart out of his chest.

"You… you don’t have to go… you can be our second mother and no one has to leave.”

This time even Annabeth gasped, and Nico found himself frozen in front of the exit door.

"Honey, Nico isn’t leaving because of you." The implication of whose fault it was was pretty obvious. But even so, Percy said it all calmly and softly as he moved closer to Logan, trying to comfort him.

"So… so… he’s leaving because of you!" Logan practically shouted.

Nico felt like he was losing his breath, although it was different from other times. Percy was calm, while Annabeth didn't seem to know what to do. Relieved, he saw Percy pick Logan up and simply start rocking him, massaging his back and lulling him slowly. He didn't think he had ever seen Logan, much less Percy, act like this; Percy seemed to be on autopilot and Logan turned into this rebellious teenager right before his eyes.

“Say goodbye, Logan,” Percy murmured in that soft, gentle voice, and finally looked at Nico.

"I’m sorry, Nico. Dad’s right. I…" he gasped as a sob escaped, trying to smile. "… we’ll miss you.”

At that, Logan and Alice waved as Percy tried to smile. Percy turned with Logan in his arms, grabbed Alice's hand, and marched into the house, not turning back until he was gone down the hallway.

Silence, only silence remained and a strange tightness in his chest, an unfamiliar vacuum, a feeling of emptiness like he had never experienced before. And of course, Annabeth. She still watched everything silently, but she didn't mock; Annabeth didn't even seem happy now that the obstacle had been removed. She seemed as shocked as he was.

“I know this won’t fix things.” She held out a small velvet box to him, and Nico accepted it. “It’s a gift from me and Percy to show our gratitude.”

He opened the box and found a silver and gold watch, delicate but still masculine. Nico had no idea how much it cost.

"Thank you. You didn't need to." He said mechanically. There was no room for anything else.

"I hope you can keep in touch with the children.”

"Of course." Nico felt better talking about them. "I was serious.”

He took the bag from his shoulders, unzipped it and took out a piece of paper. With a pen he wrote down his phone number and handed it to her.

"It’s better if you call me? I should be ready in three days. If they want…”

"Of course." Annabeth smiled at Nico and accepted the note. All he could do was nod quickly and turn his back on her. The faster he got out of there, the less he would be tempted to change his mind. The good news was that Ethan was already waiting for him, he would take him to the exit for the last time towards his future.

Bonus

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. I wished I didn't have to do this. Why couldn't I just hop on a bus and go to my interview with the college dean? But no, first I had to be a good boy and say goodbye to my family. But who was making me, hmm? Was there a force pushing me and keeping me in place? What if I--

"Look who showed up.”

Now it was too late. The one who opened the door was Hades. He had his arms crossed and was looking down at me, his almost two meters of height and eyes as black as night judging me as always, disappointed with what they saw.

"Yeah, I'm going to college tomorrow. I thought I'd pay a visit.”

"At least you still have responsibility to your family.”

Hm, interesting. But that was all we both said. I looked at Hades and Hades looked at me. That is, until he stepped away from the door, allowing me to see my brothers who were right there, hidden behind Hades. When they saw me, Bianca and Hazel came running and hugged me tightly at once, knocking the air out of my lungs.

"You came!" Hazel said.

"Finally." Bianca murmured more restrainedly.

"Come in. The food will get cold.”

And so, I was pulled into the house, where Maria and Luke were waiting for me with open arms.

Hello, how are you? We've finally reached the end of the first story arc! I'm going to take a break for two or three weeks, and we'll be back with the second arc soon. While we rest, how about leaving a comment? It could be the chapters you liked best, a specific scene or a comment or suggestion about the characters. Your opinion is always very welcome.

New Crow Time 🐦‍⬛🦊🌟

if you only want to write smutty drabbles, write smutty drabbles. if you don't want to write smut at all, don't write smut. if you want to write tropes that have been written 85838593929 times, write them. if you've already written a specific trope and want to write it again, do it. if you want to write for a character but feel like there's no demand for that character, do it anyway. don't feel pressured to reach a certain word count, don't feel pressured to stick to a posting schedule. you're literally doing this for FREE, in your free time. whatever YOU want your writing/fanfiction experience to be is valid - it doesn't have to be like everyone else's, and you don't have to cater to what you think people want 🫶🏻

Help! Looking for a Beta Reader!

Hi, how are you? Now that we've finished the first arc of “Sitter's Love” I was wondering if anyone was interested in proofreading it for me? Jus the first arc, for now. This will finally be the last version. If it's possible, I'd like someone who's good at grammar and good at catching those little mistakes, you know? And also check any sentences that sounded weird, and a general opinion of the plot? I'd appreciate it if you could leave your opinion on the story and the characters at the end of each chapter, or every couple of chapters. I need betas for the English and Portuguese versions. I was even going to ask the beta I already know, but… there have been so many screw-ups on my part that I'm embarrassed to ask her. So if anyone is willing, I'd be very happy to ask for your help.

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXIX and Chapter XXX

Hi, how are you all? I hope you like today's chapter!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII / Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX / Chapter XX and Chapter XXI / Chapter XXII and Chapter XXIII / Chapter XXIV, Chapter XXV and Chapter XXVI / Chapter XXVII and Chapter XXVIII

Chapter XXIX

Nico had never felt so uncomfortable in his entire life.

Before he knew it, he was climbing the stairs with the children pulling him by the hand, and, guided by them, he entered Percy's room. They placed the suit he would wear on top of the huge double bed and ran out, closing the door as they fled down the stairs.

He had never noticed how wide and spacious Percy's room was. There was a large window that let in plenty of light, the walls were a light cream color, and the sheets were a dark gray. At one end of the room was a floor-to-ceiling mirrored wardrobe, and at the other end, a bookshelf as tall as the wardrobe, filled with books and notebooks. However, what caught his attention the most was the enormous king-size bed that took up most of the room, although there was a table at the back with a laptop on top of it.

Now, Nico was trying to fix his tie, a dark gray, matching the color of his suit, overlaid with a cream-colored, almost white shirt. He looked in the mirror to adjust it and let it go, only to see the piece of cloth fall limp and lifeless around his neck.

"I don't think it should be like this." He muttered, defeated.

"Yeah, you're right.”

Typical. Nico looked at his reflection in the mirror and there was Percy behind him, his hands going around and circling his neck, squeezing and massaging it gently before moving to put the tie in the right place and untying the knot Nico had did, the most cliché scene of all possible clichés.

"That's not how you do it. You tuck the tie in, then cross it and--”

Yeah, Nico didn't hear a single word Percy was saying. He had missed him so much that... he just knew that the sound of Percy's voice lulled him and made something inside him calm down, taking him to a peaceful, beautiful, carefree place.

"There you go. See? It's not that difficult.”

He nodded, pretending to pay attention. But it seemed Nico hadn't fooled anyone.

Percy turned him around to face him and grabbed Nico by the shoulders, making Nico look at him closely.

"What's wrong?" Percy told him.

"Do I really need to go? And this outfit? It's a bit too much.”

“No, it's suitable for a suitable man.”

"I'm a man now?" So why did he feel like a little boy wearing a costume?

“You’re going to college and living alone, aren’t you?” Percy watched him for a moment and then smiled, seeming to approve of the outfit. “Obey and be a good boy, hmm? Now, your hair.”

And when had Percy picked up the comb and hair gel?

"Don't make that face. Just this once.”

Percy ran his fingers through Nico's hair and combed it, took some gel, applied a thin layer and with the comb, he stretched it back, doing the same motion until not a single hair was out of place.

"Now we're talking. Perfect and beautiful. Look at that. So charming.”

Nico had the urge to say “stop it”, but he bit his tongue before the words could come out. He didn’t want another accident to happen. The blush came anyway, how could it not? Percy held him by the chin and studied his features, running his fingers over the apple of his cheek and slowly moving down, brushing against the hairs that were beginning to grow there.

"Did you know your beard is growing?" Percy moved closer and continued to brush his fingers along the top of his neck.

"I forgot to take it off. " Nico replied in a somewhat numb voice. Maybe he should rethink that thing about not asking him to stop.

"Hmm… I like that. It makes you look more mature.”

"I know." Nico murmured.

This was so damn weird! Why did Percy have to do and say these things? No one but Percy acted this way around him.

Percy blinked slowly and seemed to realize what he was doing. He took a step back, looked once more at the clothes Nico was wearing, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Great, everything is in place." Percy spun around, looking around the room and finally found what he was looking for. His keys and wallet were on top of the cabinet next to the bed. “By the way, have you found a place to live yet? If you need one, I have an apartment less than fifteen minutes away from the Arts and History Department building. It's very big.”

"You know I can't accept it." Nico finally felt himself returning to normal. He also looked around and found his own cell phone on the bed.

"Why not? No one has used it for years. You would be doing me a favor, you would only have to pay for water and electricity. See? It wouldn't be free.”

That's what he says now, for Percy to change his mind wouldn't cost much.

"Percy." Nico snorted and walked out of the room.

"Okay! I just offered. Did you find anything?”

"I don't know. There's an apartment on the college campus. It seems nice.”

"Yeah, they're great. It's a good choice. I mean, they're not exactly as spacious as my apartment would be, but they're decent.”

Deciding to ignore the comment, Nico walked down the stairs with Percy right behind him, breathing down his neck.

"Is it a new perfume? I like it.”

Nico gave in. He sighed and walked the rest of the way down the stairs, like Percy wasn't even there. The kids squealed excitedly, telling him how handsome he looked. They both grabbed his hands and pulled him into the car. Percy followed, of course, calm and unhurried, Nico got in the driver's seat while the kids pulled him into the back, the two of them talking breathlessly during the drive to the Jackson senior residence.

***

As soon as they stopped in front of the Jackson mansion, the driver got out of the car and ran to open the door, offering his hand for Nico to get out of the car.

Hm… it was the first time someone had run to come and serve him, making him a little uncomfortable if Nico dared to say so. It was okay, because soon after Percy went around the other side of the vehicle and stood beside him, the children followed them, both holding his hands, distracting him from what was happening. As much as they tried, Nico couldn't help it, he looked around and saw how the people stopped everything they were doing to watch them walk down the red carpet towards the reception door.

It was at this moment that the flashes started, loud voices asking questions and microphones being pointed in his direction.

"It's okay." Nico heard Percy's voice and then, everything felt better. He only had time to look at Percy and see his serious look.

Percy moved forward and the sea of reporters parted, as though Percy's presence alone was warning enough, creating a passage that had previously been blocked.

Nico would say that some of them even looked scared.

"Don’t worry, it always happens. They try to take pictures and Daddy never lets them." Alice told him, all delicate in her light blue dress and hair tied in a high bun.

"It's fun to watch them try." Logan finished, smiling like he was watching a comedy movie. It was unbelievable how every day that passed he looked more like Percy in the way he acted, even though his appearance resembled Annabeth almost completely.

“Logan, behave yourself,” Percy said from beside them. Logan immediately straightened his spine and lost his smile, looking like a little prince in his black suit and red tie. As for Percy, he didn’t even need to comment. Wherever he went, he drew attention, no matter if he was wearing a designer suit or worn jeans.

“Let’s go.” Nico obeyed without thinking. Percy placed one of his hands on the small of his back and guided them forward, following the large oak double doors and the wide marble stairs that led them to the ballroom. He didn’t need to say that he felt strange, right? Out of place in this place? He was being thrown to the lions and Percy hadn’t even had the courage to tell him? What kind of person did that? So, before they entered the part where the party was taking place, he murmured to Percy:

"Is there something I need to know?”

"Like what? Which fork to use?”

"Do I need to know that?”

Percy then looked at him and smiled, transforming into the Percy he knew.

"Don't worry about it. Even if you eat with your hands, they wouldn't have the nerve to say anything.”

"Percy! Why am I here?”

"Why? I told you, they want to see--”

"Don't lie to me!" Nico stopped in the middle of the way and grabbed Percy's arm, the children stopped along with him, pretending they were hearing anything.

"Come on, Nico. It's nothing special.”

"If you don't tell me, I'm leaving now!”

"I already said--”

"Daddy wants Grandpa and Grandma to meet you." Logan whispered softly and then, he knew, Logan wasn't lying. Because Percy crossed his arms and glared at his son, saying "you traitor", but soon smiled again.

"Is this revenge? Was dinner with my parents that bad?”

"What? No. I just wanted to…”

"What? What did you want this time?”

"I wanted you to meet my family and feel welcome. You don't have to stay away from the children because of me.”

"I never-- oh." Nico then realized, Percy was talking about the future.

"Do you want me to see the kids when I go to college?”

"Why not?" Percy shrugged. "It's less than an hour away.”

"Okay." Nico sighed in defeat. "If you’re up to anything else…”

"I promise. And I keep all my promises.”

Sure… Nico decided to believe him this time. He held the children’s hands once more and Percy pushed open the door to the hall, and just like that, they entered, more than a hundred pairs of eyes staring at them with interest.

Chapter XXX

Less than five minutes into the place, Nico's head was already hurting. He had shaken hands with ten people, been introduced to at least twenty, and had three glasses of champagne. At least the canapés and seafood were comforting. And of course, as soon as they stepped into the room, the children had run to the table where they would sit during dinner, but him? Oh, he was forced to walk through the room with Percy hugging him tightly around the waist.

Usually, Nico wouldn't care, not at all, now imagine the entire room judging him as if he were a fly that only served to bother them?

"Percy, I think I should take care of the kids…”

"Why?" Percy said as he waved to some people who passed by them. Percy then leaned down and whispered in his ear: "Don't you like it?”

“People are staring,” Nico muttered, looking down at his shoes.

"Let them look. How could they not? Someone as beautiful as you?" Percy gently touched Nico's face, lifting his head with just one finger. "Never look away, they're the ones who don't deserve your attention.”

Nico hated it when Percy did that, as though he were a... a possession that Percy had every right to show off wherever he decided to go. It had happened at his parents' house and now it was happening again. The worst part was that deep down, he liked it, liked it much more than was acceptable. Much more than he would like to admit. So he took a deep breath and let go of Percy, taking a step back. Which didn't seem to make any difference, Percy insisted and took his hand, this time keeping his grip soft and loose.

"I promise it won’t take long. Do you trust me?" Nico just nodded and let Percy lead him further into the center of the room where an orchestra played and people danced, gliding in their sparkling dresses and well-tailored suits.

They walked a little further and right next to a platform, a man and a woman in their fifties were smiling at the guests who were greeting them. Nico didn't need much to know that they were Percy's parents. The woman's smile was identical to Percy's, easy and light, while the jaw, nose and eyes all came from the man who was as tall as Percy, almost two meters tall. As soon as Percy saw them, he walked faster towards them and opened his arms, welcoming his mother in a warm hug, saying something that made her smile, perhaps a little forced. But that could just be a wrong impression. Nico couldn't be sure.

"Miss Sally Jackson!" Now, speaking louder, Percy said and looked his mother up and down. "He certainly doesn't deserve you.”

"Percy." Delicately, Sally Jackson patted her son on the shoulder and smiled at him, so radiant that for a moment Nico forgot they were in front of so many spectators. But... something felt strange... It was such a perfect scene... "Be a good boy, will you?”

Sally pinched Percy's cheek and everyone around laughed. Nico was no different, and melting inside, he continued to watch that scene.

"Percy Jackson! What are you doing?" A firm voice shouted, plunging the happy atmosphere into shadows.

"What do you think, old man? Do I need to explain?”

"Have more respect, you--”

Then Percy approached his father and pulled him to a far corner. From where Nico was standing he could see Mr. Jackson gesturing angrily while Percy looked at his father with indifference and irritation, as tense as he had ever seen him before.

"Ah, you must be Nico, right?" Sally approached him, her heels making a soft click as she walked.

Sally stood in front of him, her face round and gentle, still smiling, like she was happy to see him. For a moment Nico could see Percy mirrored in her, but soon the mirage was gone; Sally was so delicate and elegant that the comparison quickly fell apart.

"Do you know who I am?”

"Of course. Percy always talks about you.”

"Does he?”

"Yes. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.”

In disbelief, Nico watched in slow motion as Sally Jackson, one of the most influential and wealthy women in the entire country, gently took his hands and squeezed them affectionately.

"We have to thank you for everything you've done for us. The kids are doing so well and Percy finally seems to be taking an interest in the family business.”

"Hmm… I’m happy for you?”

"Yes, it's a reason to celebrate. I'm sorry we couldn't meet earlier.”

"No, you don't need to--”

"Come on, you're very important to us. But look, we must look to the future.”

“I think so…?”

"Don't be shy. You're going to be a lawyer, aren't you? Are you planning on being a judge or maybe a district attorney? If you need help, we can make sure everything goes on the right track.”

“Madam--”

"Call me Sally, will you? Now that you're joining the family, we must do what's appropriate. I hope you understand.”

Nico paused for a moment, too shocked to say another word, and stared at Sally Jackson, wondering if he had heard correctly.

"I-- I'm sorry. I don't know what you're talking about.”

"Oh! I thought you and Percy were dating? He talks about you in such a serious way. It's really sweet.”

"I… I don't know. I mean-- we don't have anything. I'm just the kids' babysitter.”

"Just the babysitter?" She said and finally let go of his hands, bringing her own to her face. "I feel more at ease this way. I hope you can understand, people expect us to have a certain level of education and good taste. But if one day something unplanned happens, I hope you can meet the expectations that our family demands.”

Nico blinked, squinted for a moment, and when he opened them, he realized it wasn't a dream. No, Sally Jackson was still standing in front of him, still smiling and staring at him, as if waiting for an answer.

“I…”

"Do you understand the gravity of the situation, Nico?" Sally told him seriously.

"I understand." He finally murmured.

"I hope we can see each other soon, you have a bright future ahead of you." Sally held his hands once more and then let them go, just as Percy marched towards them.

Nico didn’t think he’d ever seen Percy like this. His shoulders were hunched back, his chest puffed out, and he had such a murderous expression on his face that Nico was afraid someone was going to get hurt. He looked over to where Percy had been standing thirty seconds ago, and maybe that was the case, Poseidon, he… well, Nico wouldn’t feel safe if it was just him and Poseidon Jackson in a room together.

"Der?" He asked, turning to Percy, ignoring everything else. "Is everything okay?”

"Don't worry." Percy said that same sentence for the third time that day.

Percy just grabbed him by the wrist, pulling him gently and Nico sighed in relief, holding on to Percy's arm with both hands. They stopped at the table where the children were, finding Annabeth sitting next to them with a woman of Latin descent and long black hair next to her.

"Can you take care of the kids today?" Percy said to Annabeth without beating around the bush.

"Good evening to you too. How is the family going?”

“Yes or no?”

"Alright. No need to growl.”

Nico just… he felt himself relax, strangely. Something had changed between them; between Percy and Annabeth, between him and Percy and between him and Annabeth.

"I feel sorry for you." Annabeth addressed him. "See what I had to put up with? Sally is much worse than Poseidon and she already attacked, I would be careful.”

"What did she tell you?" Percy asked, he seemed to be shaking with anger.

"Just… some things about the future… and expectations. I think she’s already planning the wedding.”

“That’s very good,” Annabeth said, and the woman next to her agreed. “But once you fall into her clutches, there’s no escape.”

“Did you escape?” Nico found himself asking.

"No. Maybe in the future?”

"Enough of this! I'm going to--” Percy left the sentence half-finished and turned around, already marching towards his mother.

"Der, please." Even Nico was surprised. He found himself holding his wrist like Percy had done to him, staring at him closely, ready to beg if necessary.

Percy stared back at him, studying him for long moments until Percy nodded and let out a breath.

"You didn't deserve this, I didn't think they would act like this. You were right." Percy then smiled and stroked Nico's hair. "I guess I just wish I didn't have to hide things.”

Nico wanted to ask, “Hide what?” but he was tired. He hugged Percy tightly until he was sure Percy wouldn’t run after his parents and held his hand. Looking at the children who were watching everything silently, Nico said to them: "We’ll talk tomorrow. How about a farewell lunch?”

They nodded, looking relieved, and Percy led them out of the room. And if the car ride had turned into one of the most uncomfortable thirty minutes of Nico’s life, no one but him needed to know that.

So, how was today's chapter? We're finally finishing the first narrative arc! There are only two chapters left, which will be posted next week. I'm going to take a break for two or three weeks, but we'll be back soon.

See you soon.

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXVII and Chapter XXVIII

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII / Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX / Chapter XX and Chapter XXI / Chapter XXII and Chapter XXIII / Chapter XXIV, Chapter XXV and Chapter XXVI

Chapter XXVII

Nico rang the doorbell and swore to himself that today was the day. Percy opened the door and smiled at him, and for a moment it was like everything had returned to normal, he could even visualize Percy bending down and hugging him tightly. But then the spell was broken and Percy looked away, closing the door behind them. No “good morning” or “how are the therapy sessions going?” Percy just turned his back on Nico and walked towards the kitchen, forcing him to follow him through the entrance hall, the living room and finally the kitchen and dining room.

It seemed that in the end nothing but Percy's behavior had changed. As most of the time, the children were already at the table, Percy pulled out a chair inviting him to sit, and without looking at him, he sat next to Percy, all while remaining silent. This would be the perfect moment, wouldn't it? Everyone ate calmly, seeming to be more asleep than awake.

Turning to the side, Nico looked at Percy who was already looking back at him.

“Yes?” Percy murmured, as if Nico had asked a question. Was he that obvious? Or was Percy just paying attention? And besides, should he be happy that Percy still cared? Or should he be irritated that he felt watched? Nico shook his head and denied it. The truth was, he didn’t know what to say. Would it be fair for him to accuse Percy of something when Percy was doing exactly what he had asked?

"It's nothing," He said back. "Do you still need me to sleep here on Friday?”

Percy made a confused face and he found himself smiling.

"Your parents' event?”

"Damn! I forgot their anniversary present. They've been married for thirty years.”

"That’s cool. I’m glad you have two days until then." Nico suggested discreetly.

Percy opened his eyes wide and jumped out of his chair, as if he had been shocked. However, it was Nico who was shocked. Percy grabbed him by the back of the neck, kissed his cheek and murmured, “Thank you, baby.”

Distracted, Percy disappeared from the dining room faster than Nico could follow, leaving only the sound of the front door slamming shut along with his heart beating rapidly. For some reason, Nico felt bad, like he had done something wrong. And according to the doctor, if something seemed wrong and he wasn't sure, it was better not to do it. Or at least to analyze whether he could face the consequences. 

So, the solution was to pretend that nothing had happened, avoid the curious gaze of the children and spend the rest of the day thinking about what had happened. Relief soon came when it was time to take them to school. He studied a little during the rest of the morning and helped the cook make lunch. Nico knew it wasn't part of his job as a caregiver, but it calmed him, made him relax while the sound of pots and pans and the voice of Beca, the head chef, kept him company.

It was time to pick up the kids once again and dinner began. It was another day that Percy would arrive late, probably after dinner, and that was okay. Percy always showed up before the kids went to bed, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The problem was all his when, watching a series with them, the three of them fell asleep under the light of the television, the darkness of the early evening and the sound of the actors' voices slowly lulling them. When Nico realized the time, it was another one of those days when he had slept past work, the clock hands showing fifty past nine. He rubbed his eyes to see better and saw that the kids were still sleeping, resting on his shoulders, their arms crossed over his belly, as though he were their teddy bear.

"Comfortable?" Percy asked him. He sat on the couch and watched him from there, his arms crossed and legs apart, sitting in the dark, analyzing him, while his green eyes passed over the scene of him and the children, sleeping together and peacefully.

"Sorry, I ended up falling asleep." Nico cringed and looked at the children in his arms, feeling embarrassed, like a little boy who had done something naughty.

"Why are you still here?" Percy said.

"I know I shouldn't have fallen asleep, but--”

"No, what are you still doing working here. Didn't I give you enough money? Do you need more?”

That's when Nico realized, Percy wasn't accusing him. He was being sincere and asking if Nico needed help. Nico denied it, he wouldn't need money for a long time.

"So, what's the problem? I know that the universities are still accepting applications.”

“I…”

"Isn't that why you're here? To make money?" Percy insisted. The man didn't move or try to comfort Nico like he would have before, Percy just stared at him seriously and intensely, waiting for an answer.

"I don’t need money." With a clear and concise voice, Nico decided to be honest, but he couldn’t look at him while he said it.

"So, what do you need?”

Nico found himself smiling, this was so cliché! Did Percy expect him to say “what I need is you”? He couldn’t do that.

"I don’t need anything. I want…" Nico raised his head and forced himself to say: "I wanted to spend some more time with the children before I leave.”

Percy stood up and gave him one of those crooked smiles. However, this was one of the worst he had ever seen. It was cynical and mean, full of bad intentions.

"I understand. The children will be very sad to see you go.”

"Are you… firing me?" Nico asked in disbelief.

“Nico,” Percy said. He walked around the coffee table, stopped right next to Nico, and bent down until he was at the right height, touching him gently. First in his hair, then sliding his hands down to rest on his neck. “You can’t keep wasting your time here. You deserve better than to be catering to the whims of a rich man.”

Was Percy talking about himself? And admitting that he was playing with him?

"I know I can be stubborn and bossy. I like things my way and I can't stand being rejected. But this isn't about me, it's about your future. When are you going to start thinking more about yourself and less about others? Can you promise me that?”

"Promise what?" Nico said, too distracted by Percy's closeness. It was the result of those hands stroking the back of his neck.

"That you will do what is best for you. That you will follow your heart.”

"Percy." Nico didn't know what to say. Why was this happening?

"I'll be honest, I have contacts at the college. I know classes start next month. Why don't you stop by? I'm sure they'll help you.”

"You are… I can't accept this.”

"Why not? You already have a guaranteed spot. I'll just speed up the process.”

"Do you want to get rid of me that much? I didn't mean to hurt you.”

"Don't be silly, you didn't hurt me, you just hurt my pride. I'll survive.”

Nico found himself smiling again, Percy's sincerity always amused him.

"Are you… sure? I didn’t expect things to get this complicated.”

"Don't worry, I get it. You don't want to be with me. I'm big enough to take a no.”

"No, I didn't mean to--”

"So, it's decided. This will be your last week, they expect you on Monday morning.”

Percy stood up, taking his heat away from him and Nico fell back, sinking into the beanbag.

"So mean." Alice muttered against Nico’s shoulder.

"Bad daddy." Logan agreed from the other side.

Nico could only sigh and help them up, while he put away their notebooks, books and pens. Nico put them to bed and escaped downstairs before Percy had the idea of taking him home.

Chapter XXVIII

"So, it's decided. This will be your last week, they expect you on Monday morning.”

Percy stood up, taking his heat away from him and Nico fell back, sinking into the beanbag.

"So mean." Alice muttered against Nico’s shoulder.

"Bad daddy." Logan agreed from the other side.

He sighed and helped them up. The three of them, in a joint effort, put away their notebooks, gathered their books, and put their pens inside their pencil cases. Then, taking the children's hands, Nico led them to their beds, covered them with the sheets, and escaped the house before Percy had the idea of driving him home. Unfortunately, Nico had the misfortune of findingJason in the living room waiting for him when he arrived at the apartment, exactly as a good, responsible adult would wait for his child who had broken curfew.

"How was your day? Did anything different happen?" He heardJason say as he walked past the living room, heading straight to the kitchen, trying to avoid the questionnaire. AndJason? He went straight to the microwave, pressed a few buttons and then brought out a bowl of pasta with sugo sauce, one of his favorite dishes.

"Hm." Nico murmured, without confirming anything. He accepted the food, almost putting his head inside the plate.

"Nico, what's going on? Why did Percy call me asking me to help you move out?”

“I knew it!” he thought triumphantly, even though Nico didn’t feel victorious at all.

"He fired me.”

“Why?”

"Do you remember about my scholarship?”

"I remember."Jason confirmed.

"It's still available.”

"Didn't you need money for the expenses?”

"Yes." Nico lowered his head, feeling embarrassed to say the rest.

“So?”

"I have the money. It will probably last the entire course. I think there is still some left for a P.H.D.”

He watchedJason's face change from concern to a familiar mocking smile.

"Oh, you mean he gave you all that money?”

"Not exactly. I worked a lot of overtime. Sometimes I slept overnight. I stayed up late…”

"I know, you are a model worker. We should all strive to be like you!”

"Blake! I didn't ask him to give me any money!”

"But you feel bad anyway.”

Nico nodded, defeated. He felt like he was selling himself, this exchange that was supposed to be between employer and employee far more intimate and intense than was advisable.

"What do I do? Give him his money back?”

"I can't tell you what to do.”

“But?”

"You are so close to achieving your dream. Why don't you think of it as a loan from a friend who cares? There's nothing stopping you from paying it back when you can.”

"Maybe. So… why do I still feel so bad? It's like he's paying for something I can't offer.”

“Ah,”Jason murmured, seeming to understand. “The solution might be to walk away from him.”

Nico nodded once more and lowered his head to the table. He had thought about this before, it was what he had been trying to do for the past few days. For some reason, this distance between him and Percy also felt wrong, like something was missing. Why did everything have to be so complicated? Why did he have to leave behind all the people he loved the most?

“What’s wrong, Nico?” This timeJason’s voice was soft, his hand resting on his arm.

"Why does this have to happen? Why do I have to stay away from everyone?”

"Everyone?”

"Percy, my father, my family. Why?”

"Do you miss them? Your family?”

Nico didn't answer, but it was obvious. He just buried his head deeper into his arms and pushed the food away, trying to take a deep breath.

"It's okay. You don't have to avoid them if you don't want to, just a little distance is enough.”

"Just a little?" Nico didn't know if he understood.

"You know, I still visit Zeus. I have dinner with him every week.”

"He… he’s a horrible person.”

"He is, but he's my father and I miss him.”

"Does Thalia know about this?”

"She knows. She respects my decision.”

"I don't feel comfortable with that.”

"Are you uncomfortable or do you want to get revenge on them for everything they did to you?”

He lifted his head and stared atJason.

"You can forgive them or not, that's your choice. Wanting them to suffer as much as you suffered is not healthy.”

"I don't want that. I never wanted it.”

“Not consciously,”Jason told him in a patient tone. “Our subconscious mind likes to play tricks on us. The important thing here is that you feel happy and satisfied with your life. Do you miss them? Go visit them. Do you feel hurt? Walk away. Sometimes we have to choose between what’s right and what’s good for us, even if it hurts other people.”

When he just looked at his friend,Jason smiled at him and gently touched his shoulder.

"I want you to think about this. Right now, what makes you feel good? Is it giving Percy his money back or following your dream?”

There was something there that Nico had never thought about.

***

A few days later, Nico was still thinking about whatJason had suggested. What made him happy? Wasn't it strange that he had never thought about it? He kept wondering what Hades would do if he knew how he lived, if Will would be mad if he did what he wanted, he even remembered wondering if Bianca and Hazel would approve of his decision. Now, asking himself that question, wondering what made him happy, hadn't crossed his mind untilJason pointed it out to his face. He just wanted some peace, whatever came of it was a bonus.

The door opened and Percy smiled at him, hugging him tightly, just like Percy used to do before all this drama happened, and he, putting his worries aside, decided that enjoying that moment, melting against his broad chest, was the best thing he could do in that situation. Did Percy and his big hugs make him happy? Much more than Nico could explain. But then, why did he feel so sad?

"Am I a happy person?" He asked Percy when the man released him and closed the door.

Percy slowly turned towards him and looked at him strangely, still smiling, and ruffled his black hair, shaking his head.

"You don't know if you're happy? I would say yes. But only you can answer that." Percy looked at him once more and finally looked worried. "Are you okay?”

Nico didn't know how to respond. So he looked down, feeling strangely embarrassed.

"It's nothing.Jason told me something last night…”

"Is that so?”

"Whether I do what makes me happy or whether I do what other people expect of me." He looked at him and asked again: "Do you think I do what other people want me to do?”

"Nico, I don't want you to feel bad. It's not exactly a bad thing.”

"Oh." Nico murmured, half numb.

"You rarely say no to anyone and you always help everyone. You are someone who likes to feel useful. There is nothing wrong with that. But, yes, I think it is a good question. What makes you happy? For a long time I did what would make my parents happy. It did not turn out well for me. Even though I am in a privileged position right now.”

“I understand.”

"Doing what other people want for a while doesn't mean you have to do it forever.”

Well, it made sense. That's what was happening, wasn't it? He'd done what his family wanted for a long time, and now he was free to go his own way.

"You're right." Nico said to Percy. Nico hugged him tightly around the neck and kissed the face he loved to look at so much. "You always say the right thing.”

"It's a talent " Percy murmured back, hugging him equally tightly around the waist, almost lifting him off the ground. "Unfortunately, we have a change of plans.”

"Hmm?" Nico questioned, confused by the abrupt change.

"My parents want to see the children.”

"I know." He could already imagine the situation. "I don't have any clothes.”

"Of course! How could I forget?”

Percy pulled him by the hand and right there in the middle of the living room were three-foot-long racks filled with suits, blazers, and full-length coats. All of them appeared to be his size. He had forgotten how manipulative Percy could be; it was so obvious that this had been planned that it made his blood boil.

"Percy Jackson!”

Nico marched the rest of the distance to the clothes and checked them, they still had the store tag on them. A very exclusive and expensive one at that.

"Did you like it? If you want, you can take home what we don't use today.”

You know what was the most ridiculous thing? Percy's posture. He had a straight spine, a puffed-out chest, and a bright smile on his lips. And to top it all off, Nico could hear the children's voices laughing from the kitchen.

"When did you have time to buy all this?”

"It was nothing, just a phone call.”

"You're kidding me, aren't you?”

Percy scratched his head and looked at Nico, pretending to be embarrassed.

"Would you believe me if I told you that the clothes were lost in our wardrobe?”

"No." Nico heard another pair of laughs and couldn't hold it in. "And you guys, what are you doing, hiding there?”

The children came running and hugged him around the waist, happy and content.

"Yesterday when you left early, we stopped by the mall and bought half a store!" Logan said excitedly. "It's our gift to you.”

"Don't be mad at Daddy." Alice finished for Logan.

This was a plot against him.

"That's not fair. How could I be mad at you?”

"So, did you like it?" Percy asked again, calm and smiling. But the way he looked at him was as if… as if Percy had found something very interesting; which made him uncomfortable and, at the same time, happy.

"If you think you can buy me because of what you did… you don't have to. It's okay. It was my decision, you just respected me.”

"Nico, I'm not trying to buy you. It's just a gesture of gratitude. You've done a lot for our family. We want to reward you.”

"I don't need that. Seeing you happy is enough for me.”

"We know." Alice said.

Nico looked at Alice and saw that she was already looking at him. She had changed so much that he was even surprised; it seemed magical the way the little girl who hid behind her long black hair transformed into this confident teenager who faced her problems head on.

"We'll never forget you!" Logan said. "And you have to promise to call.”

Nico smiled at them and waved, trying not to show how much more their words meant, something that those clothes that must have cost an entire year of his pay, could never compare.

“I promise.”

Yet another AO3 bot situation - please spread the word!

Hi, it's me again, the person who wrote that viral post about fanfiction plagiarism! Today I'm here to warn you about abuse perpetrated by bots who have stolen AO3 usernames.

There's currently an epidemic of bots going around leaving (apparently random) horrible, hateful comments on people's fics. This isn't the first time bots have invaded AO3, but the big problem with this wave is that they're using real AO3 usernames to do it.

I learned about this when another writer contacted me after receiving the following comment on their story:

Now, while that is my username, I DEFINITELY did not leave this comment (and anyone who would leave something like that on a fic should be slapped! What an awful thing to post). This fic is in a completely unrelated fandom that I have never participated in, nor has that author participated in any of my fandoms, so the probability of it being some intentional fandom drama thing to make me look bad is also low.

The writer whose fic the comment was left on enlisted the aid of some friends and tracked down other guest comments with unrelated usernames attached, which is pretty strong evidence that they are being left by bots at random.

The TL;DR: If you receive a cruel comment from a (Guest) with an actual AO3 username attached, it's most likely from a bot. Please do not lash out at or dogpile the AO3 user who owns that name, and who in all likelihood has no idea that their name has been hijacked for evil.

If finding this kind of comment on a fic, even left by a bot, is likely to upset you, I would recommend changing your comment settings so that only users who are logged in can leave comments. To do this, edit your story settings, and under "Privacy," select the radio button that says "Only registered users can comment," as shown below.

Please spread the word to other AO3 users! And if you see mean guest comments on other fics, maybe let the author know that it's probably from a bot and not a real person who thinks their writing is bad.

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXIV, Chapter XXV and Chapter XXVI

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII / Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX / Chapter XX and Chapter XXI / Chapter XXII and Chapter XXIII

Chapter XXIV

"Ah, Percy Jackson! I didn't see you there. Have you been waiting long? I came to pick up Nico from work.”

No! Nico wanted to scream, he would never do that. But Will was still there and the threat had been clear enough. He was forced to let Will guide him by the shoulder and place him in front of Percy. He… he swallowed hard. Nico didn't think he had ever seen Percy like that; the man wasn't angry or upset like he imagined, no, it was such a neutral expressionlessness that… that made him fear the worst.

"Nico, you’re late." Percy stressed each word perfectly, his chest puffed out and his breathing deep and slow. Maybe… oh… maybe, in the end, fear wasn’t the right feeling.

Gasping, Nico felt a knot in his throat and walked the rest of the way to Percy, feeling smaller and shyer than he had in a long time.

“Lift your head,” Percy told him, and Nico found himself obeying without hesitation. “Ethan called me. He thought you needed help.”

Nico swallowed hard for the second time that morning. He was wrong, there wasn't an absence but an excess, a controlled excess of everything Percy didn't even try to hide. Percy just looked at him, his hot, stormy eyes fixed on his, making him fidget with anxiety.

Ah, why was this so hard? He felt… he felt that if Percy gave the order, at that moment, he would do whatever was asked of him.

“I…”

"Do you need help, Nico?" Percy insisted again and he couldn't lie. He merely nodded, letting out his breath slowly.

Percy offered him his hand and Nico accepted, Percy’s large hands covering his, guiding him to the car parked inside the large, solid iron gates, completely ignoring Will who continued to watch them.

"Hey, you can't do that! Nico and I--”

But he wasn't listening to what Will was saying, he preferred to focus on Percy's hand on his and the feeling that this innocent touch caused him.

When they got to the car he just… just let Percy grab him by the waist and lift him up, helping him sit in the passenger seat, allowing Percy to put on his seatbelt for him. Percy slammed the door and walked around the car, pulling away as soon as he sat in front of the steering wheel, his large hands gripping the steering wheel with more force than necessary. And the silence. If the sound of Will's voice turned his stomach, Percy's silence made him feel sick, made him want to jump out of the moving car just so he wouldn't have to face disapproval at Percy's every move and breath.

"I…" Nico said, trying to break the silence. "He didn’t do anything. Will just wanted to talk.”

"Hm.”

"He didn't kiss me or anything…”

"Hm.”

"Will, he wanted--”

“Enough,” Percy finally said, his voice low and gravelly, but in the silence of the car it sounded like Percy was shouting. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

“He--”

"That's enough, Nico.”

Nico flinched, shrinking back against the car seat, the feeling going straight to his stomach as if Percy had punched him. Percy had never spoken to him like this, so cold, so rigid, so… domineering. Percy seemed to take up all the space and press him against the car seat with just his voice; it was like the man expected to be obeyed, demanding nothing more or nothing less. He felt like he had made a mistake, like a naughty little boy who deserved to be punished. And worst of all, he felt strange, like maybe he really did deserve the punishment.

And you know what was even stranger? Percy wasn't ignoring him, like Will used to do when they fought or like Hades did when he was angry. No, Percy still glanced at him from time to time in the rearview mirror and other times he even turned his head, staring at him before to get his attention back on the road. Nico just wanted... he just wanted to hide his face and cry like the helpless little boy everyone said he was.

***

The rest of the morning passed like a slow, uncomfortable but painless torture. Nico waited for the kids to finish eating, took them to school and when he came back, Percy was still there, in the living room where Nico usually spent most of his time. Percy sat on the couch right across from where Nico always sat – on the floor in front of the coffee table – where he would spend hours studying until lunch was ready.

Nico paused for a moment at the entrance to the living room and took a deep breath when he saw him there. He forced himself to take the few steps inside and picked up his books, placing them in a neat pile on the table and taking out his notebook and pens next. Percy just stared at him for a few seconds, returning to his reading, looking less… stiff.

"Have you eaten yet? I didn't see you put anything in your mouth.”

Okay, food… Nico lowered his head, pretending to grab something from his backpack and felt himself blushing. It wasn't his fault, when Percy spoke to him like that, all hoarse, deep and so serious it made him wonder… what else he could put in his mouth…

No! What was he thinking? Nico jumped and raised his head, Percy was watching him, his face still serious and not a hint of his usual smile. Percy should just want the answer, right? So why… Ah! He couldn't take it anymore!

Nico put his arms on top of the coffee table and hid his face in them, looking like he would melt in mortification at any moment! How could one look and ten words do this to him? Maybe Will was right and he just wanted to…

"Nico, take a deep breath." Percy touched his arm, his hands going to his hair, stroking it slowly. But this time that innocent touch only served to make him even more nervous, at the limit of what he could bear. He groaned, embarrassed and irritated.

"Then stop looking at me like that!" Nico practically shouted, he thought he was whining too, still with his face hidden.

“Okay,” Percy said, his voice softening. “Look at me, okay?”

Nico obeyed. There was nothing he wouldn't do for Percy. And if with his deep voice Nico couldn't deny him, with that soft voice that caressed his senses, he would do much more.

"I… I’m sorry." Nico murmured weakly. "Don’t be mad at me.”

"Okay, that’s right." Percy kept talking and touching Nico's hair, his hands sliding around the back of Nico's neck, pressing down there, preventing him from doing anything other than paying attention to him. But Percy wasn't smiling, still serious. Percy was kneeling next to Nico, his gaze level with his. However, what Percy said next made his breath stop. "I have to apologize. I have no right to act like this.”

"Act how?”

"I was jealous." Percy said bluntly, that deep tone of voice returning, intense eyes capturing his, making Nico get close to him without even realizing it. "I'm a very jealous man, I don't like other people touching what's mine.”

He blinked and took a deep breath, looking into Percy's green eyes. The man didn't seem to be joking, because in fact, Nico had never seen him so serious. Did he belong to Percy? Did he? Nico didn't know what he was doing or thinking anymore.

"I…" Nico didn't think or hesitate, he threw himself into Percy's lap and hugged him tightly around the neck.

Nico was actually doing it, he was sitting on Percy's lap and he didn't care at all, he needed this, he needed to make sure Percy wouldn't leave without letting him explain himself. 

So Nico wrapped his legs around Percy and quietly so as not to break the mood, he started whispering in his ear: "Will wanted to get back with me. He said you just wanted to play, that you would never... never be with me. That I just... he said he's going to talk to the police... I didn't know what to do. He didn't kiss me, I swear... I never--”

"Shh… it's okay. I believe you. Don't worry about it." Then, finally, Percy's arms wrapped tightly around his waist and hugged him, only then did Nico know he was forgiven, feeling Percy's lips whispering in his ear as softly as he had done, sliding down his face, brushing against his skin, stopping at the top of his head, making him sigh and close his eyes, feeling welcomed and warm inside. Nico wished Will could make him feel that way or evenJason would do, any other boy he had met other than Percy. Things would be so much easier and he would never have to feel guilty for feeling this way, as though he was doing something wrong every time Percy offered what he needed so much.

But it didn't matter. Just this once, Nico would let himself be rocked and touched in this soft, affectionate way, maybe when this was all over it wouldn't seem so damning.

Chapter XXV

Nico took a deep breath and walked into the house with the children. Ever since that incident with Will, things seemed to be… heating up and calming down at the same time, slowly settling down as the days went by. He couldn't explain it, it was like he was inside a pressure cooker and with the slightest touch everything could go up in a smoke. Nico could swear, something in Percy's eyes and attitude had changed, the smiles returned, but the intensity in them only increased, cooking and cooking with each passing day until… well, the food was ready.

And as usual, Percy Jackson proved to be the kindest and most gentlemanly person Nico had ever met in his life. Maybe a little too much. Even though he had the key to the house, Percy was always awake to welcome him. It was their routine, they had breakfast with the children, Percy said goodbye to them with a kiss and always had a caress for Nico, soft and discreet, but that made him melt every time. If it wasn't his hands sliding through Nico's hair when Percy passed by the room or got up from the table, it was that small touch on his shoulders that usually followed to the back of his neck. However, it was the soft and husky voice, all the careful and attentive looks, always paying attention to the smallest details that really drove him insane.

That day was no different. Percy had wiped his mouth, stood up and, smiling at Nico, walked around the table to say goodbye to the children. Then, Nico felt those big hands caress his hair in passing, Percy slowly moving away, climbing the stairs to the second floor, like nothing was happening.

He couldn't help but follow with his eyes the figure that disappeared down the stairs, Percy's scent already impregnated his senses, bringing together everything Nico liked most in the world; strong black coffee, books, a woody perfume and mint, all of this reminded him of his house in Italy where there was a mint and a coffee plantation right next to the window of his old room.

Nico looked at the children, trying to see if they had noticed anything and sighed in relief. They looked back at him, innocent and well-behaved, as if they were waiting for something.

"Okay." He said, confused. Nico looked back once more as though he could see through the walls and let out a breath. That meant nothing. Nothing at all. The affectionate gestures. The money. And much less this domestic and peaceful routine.

In the end, he decided it was best to just stop thinking and get on with his day. So Nico got up from his chair, the kids followed him, and they left the house and headed for the car Percy had bought for the kids. It was already dinnertime, which was ridiculous to think about when the kids were right there, eating and talking happily to Percy, while Percy responded, hanging on every word. In fact, he was the one who hadn't eaten much, playing with his food and fantasizing about the man who should have just been his boss. It was better not to think about things that were beyond his reach.

"Nico, do you want the cook to prepare something else? You haven't touched your plate. This has been happening for some days." Of course it was Percy who spoke, always paying attention to everything and everyone, or rather, his control complex speaking loudly once again.

"I'm not hungry." He said, keeping his gaze on the food, just looking at Percy made him feel guilty. And hot.

Seriously, how could he be so pathetic? How? Even the kids were starting to notice.

"Is it your anxiety?" Alice asked, all worried.

"Hm." Nico stated, which was a complete lie. Anxiety was not what he would call that desire.

Yeah, Nico had finally gone over the top.

"Did you take your medicine?" Percy asked and he finally looked at the man.

It was a mistake. Percy had a smile on his face, but it was that kind of smile. Percy knew exactly what was happening to him. How bad would it be if Nico said that he was his medicine? Nico hated it when Percy looked at him like that, all satisfied and in control. Because, in truth, he didn't hate it at all. So, Nico forced himself to sigh, shoving a forkful of some random food he couldn't even taste into his mouth, resigning himself to his fate.

***

It was one day that his pot finally burst.

Nico was there, minding his own business and studying for a change, when strong arms came around him from behind, wrapping around his waist. Percy's head rested on his shoulder and large hands pressed against his abdomen, making him moan in surprise. But that hadn't been a cry of fright, no, it was a high-pitched, needy moan that would make even Luke, the most perverted person he knew, blush.

"Now, now. Do you need help with that?”

Nico was embarrassed, but he admitted it. He had gasped, arched his spine and froze, shocked by his own reaction when he realized what was happening. He was… hmm… erect? Because of a hug? How old was he? This couldn't go on, Nico wouldn't survive.

"Nico?" Percy asked in that gentle voice of his, still hugging him from behind, his hands caressing his belly through the fabric of his shirt. But not this time, because Nico knew what Percy was trying to do; the humiliating thing was that it was working.

"Percy, I need you to stop.”

"Do you need it?" His voice sounded playful now, but he wouldn't fool him.

"I want you to stop.”

Percy let go of him and Nico turned toward him, feeling his throat tighten. Why did it feel like he was breaking up with someone else in less than a month? Maybe because he was. Nico couldn't jeopardize his own future and Percy's future over something that would eventually end in drama and lots of tears.

So, he took a deep breath, let it out and opened his mouth:

"Per--”

"I know what you're going to say. You don't have to tell me anything.”

"No, you don't understand.”

"Yes, I understand. You want me to stop.”

Nico stared at him and Percy stared back, his green eyes blazing. It was like Percy had expected this, the rejection and betrayal clear on his features. Percy didn't even look sad or disappointed, he just seemed to accept things as they were.

"I love you." There, finally Nico had said it. "I love you." He repeated.

“Do you love me?” Percy repeated in disbelief, a slow smile forming on his lips.

“That's why this has to end. If it were anyone else, I would take advantage of you and threaten you for money. I can't do that. I wouldn't sleep well knowing that I was the reason for your downfall.”

"Nico!" Percy laughed, laughed so happily and held his hands, his eyes shining with happiness. "Don't be so dramatic.”

"No, I can't take it anymore! I'm leaving right now and--”

"Calm down, okay?" Then, Percy moved closer and turned his face towards him, his hot breath against Nico's mouth, his hands pulling him by the back of his neck, his lips so close to his and… Nico couldn't! He placed his hand in the middle of Percy's chest, preventing Percy from moving any closer.

"I can't! This is wrong. This is so wrong! You gave me money and now you expect me to... to do this?”

"Nico!”

"And what about our age? How can things work out?”

"It doesn't matter. If you love me and I love you, it's not wrong, honey. It's just human nature. Hmm?" Percy leaned closer to him once more and the only solution Nico found was to get up and run away from him.

"Percy, no!" He walked around the couch and tried to put some distance between the two of them.

"Percy, yes." Percy whispered, standing up as well.

Nico swore, he felt like he was in a romantic comedy or maybe the beginning of a very cliché porn. That was his mistake, in his one moment of carelessness Percy launched himself towards him and caught him by the waist before Nico could run away once more. Percy grabbed him by the neck, pulling his head back and then his breath was against Nico's face once more, mere millimeters away.

"I want to resign." This time Nico didn't try to run away and just closed his eyes, waiting for the worst.

The kiss never came. What came was a disappointed grunt.

" You're serious.”

“I am.”

"Nico, are you going to let these people tell you how to live your life?”

"This isn't about them, it's about whether I'll be able to sleep with a clear conscience. I've barely started my life, you already have an established career. What if I need to move to another country?”

"I'll go with you.”

"What if I don't have free time?”

“I wait for you.”

“And if--”

"I’ll do everything for you.”

Percy seemed as determined as he was, but… but Nico couldn't do that to Percy or to himself.

"Next semester I'm going to college, but until then I hope you can respect me.”

Chapter XXVI

"I’ll do everything for you.”

Percy seemed as determined as he was, but… but Nico couldn't do that to Percy or to himself.

"Next semester I'm going to college, but until then I hope you can respect me.”

Nico closed his eyes again and when he opened them, Percy was still there, his green eyes staring at him and his hands holding him by the waist, stroking his hair as if nothing was happening. And since when was this something normal? Since when did being around Percy become something so instinctive, something so comfortable?

"Percy! You're not taking me seriously.”

"That's not true. I always listen to you, I choose not to agree.”

Nico hit Percy's shoulder, trying to push him away, which only caused them both to fall to the floor; Percy on top of him, of course, and he against one of the beanbags on the floor. Percy's hands broke his fall and his hoarse voice echoed through the room, the sound of Percy's laughter making that little part of his stomach turn and his heart start beating fast again.

"Come on, baby, don't be so serious. It was just a joke.”

"Is this all a game to you? Is this what I am? A joke?" Nico turned his face away from Percy and focused on keeping his breathing calm. He couldn’t help it, he could still hear Will’s words… “Do you think he’ll stay with you? Some useless guy who’s good for nothing?” Nico couldn’t help but think, to wonder if deep down it was all just fun and games, something Percy use to pass the time.

"Nico, darling. Look at me.”

In the end, it wasn't up to him to decide. Not when it mattered. Because, without waiting for his permission, Percy simply grabbed the back of his neck and made him look at him, so close to Nico and more serious than before, enough to make him tremble, but in a different way, almost encouraging him to act in the way that, deep down, he knew was what they both wanted. But there Percy was, just holding him gently, watching him, without hesitation or masks that could hide what was happening at that moment.

Which was a relief, he didn't know if he could say no to what Percy was going to ask. That is, if Percy stopped playing around and decided to take action.

"You will always be important to me." Percy said, finally being honest. "I will always take into account your words, your opinion. If it were up to me, we would be in bed and I would treat you the way you deserve.”

“I--”

Nico thought he moaned. His face so close to Percy’s, their breaths mingling, bodies pressing closer with each passing moment.

"Don't you realize that when I try not to take you seriously is when I want you the most?”

He understood. It’s like… he was starting to understand, because Percy was between his legs and even through the fabric of his jeans, he could feel the bulge and pressure against his groin.

"You…" Nico swallowed, his hands that were resting against Percy's shoulder slid down without his permission, stopping against his abdomen.

"I respect you, I would never do anything against your will. I can wait. If you wait for me.”

"Hmm.”

This time Nico had moaned, he had really moaned and he had even thrown his head back. He couldn't help it, to the point where he almost wet his pants. Almost two months of this, Percy teasing him and slowly torturing him until he couldn't take it anymore. It wasn't fair, especially when Percy hadn't even done anything; it was Nico who had accidentally rubbed himself against Percy.

"No, no, no! I can't!" He practically screamed. Well, it was more like a desperate whimper. Nico pushed Percy harder and crawled across the room, getting as far as he could only to lean his back against the living room couch and cover his face with his hands, focusing only on breathing deeply.

"Where do you think you're going, kitten?" Nico heard the laughter in Percy's husky, velvety voice, making him squirm, feeling even more miserable.

"Percy!”

"I'm sorry, baby.”

"No, you don't!”

"It's true, I don't.”

Then Percy's voice came closer and he knew the man was sitting next to him, but not touching him.

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable. I never meant for this to happen. It's like those things that catch you by surprise, things you didn't even know you needed.”

"Hm." Nico murmured, his face still covered.

"I'm not proud of it. We... just fit together, you know?”

“I know.”

"It's so natural. It feels like I've known you for years.”

“I know.”

"So, you know that I love you? That I'm in no hurry?”

" I… know. " Nico hesitated, feeling his chest warm.

"Then you should know that I'm not the romantic type or to get attached easily.”

Nico nodded this time, trying to forget everythingJason had told him.

"And you're so good with children. Even Annabeth likes you, even if she denies it.”

"Please, can you stop?" Nico found himself saying, or rather, pleading. He wasn’t ready for this conversation.

"Look, I get it. I want you to know that this is a new feeling for me too and that--”

"Are you here if I need you?”

"Yeah, that too. I'm not going to change my mind. I'm not going to play with you. I'm not that person anymore, I have kids, a career--”

"So why would you stay with me?" Nico raised his head and looked at him, he needed to know if Percy was serious.

The sad look he saw on Percy's face surprised him.

"Because you're worth it. Isn't that enough?”

So Percy stroked his hair one last time and stood up, saying:

"I'll be in my room if you need me.”

Nico watched Percy walk away and almost followed the impulse to follow him upstairs. He didn’t know why, but to Nico it felt as if those words had been a farewell.

***

"Nico? Nicoooo, I can't solve this problem." It was Logan who called him, probably for a while if it were for the hand that the little boy was waving in front of his face, all anxious and frustrated.

"Let's see." It was a mathematics problem. "It's easy. You have to add from right to left, top to bottom. One plus five equals?

"Six!”

"Three plus two?”

"Five!”

"That's right, so we have sixty-five. See?”

"Ah. I had--”

He heard footsteps across the room and there was Percy, tall and charming as ever, his hair slicked back, he was wearing a tailored dark blue suit and carrying a briefcase in his hands.

As soon as Logan saw him, he ran towards his father and hugged him tightly around the waist.

"Where are you going? You promised you would have dinner with us!”

"A promise is a promise in this house. I need to go to work quickly, I'll be back before you know it.”

"Daa-ad." Logan whimpered and Percy just smiled. He stroked Logan's hair and picked him up.

"Behave yourself, okay? I'll be back soon.”

Percy sat Logan down on the couch and said goodbye to Alice, who was watching the dramatic scene, disinterested as always. She received a caress and a kiss on the cheek then Percy turned to him. Nico saw in slow motion Percy's hands come towards his hair and stop before reaching it, frozen in the air.

It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

Percy cleared his throat, the kids looked at each other and Nico looked away, pretending nothing was happening. The worst part wasn't even the aborted touches, it was the silences that followed, they explained much more than Nico could put into words. Because, in fact, Percy hadn't lied, he was respecting what Nico had asked. Even more so if he could be honest. 

Percy didn't touch his hair anymore, didn't hug him, didn't smile as much and didn't spend time with him anymore until the movie sessions disappeared too, happening only when the kids were around. Nico just... missed him. At first, he thought this thing was about the physical contact, like Will had said, but now, Nico saw how much Percy talked to him, how Percy always listened to him and never judged him, it was only at that moment that Nico realized how the sweet and patient words had left a hole in his chest bigger than touches and almost kisses could.

"Okay." Percy said. He looked around the room, avoiding his gaze, put his hands in his pockets and also pretended that nothing had happened. "I shouldn't be back too late. Wait for me.”

This time, Percy was talking to Nico, he knew that. That's why Nico nodded and looked at Logan's notebook that was still in his hands. He flipped through it like there was something very important and only raised his head when he heard Percy's footsteps heading towards the entrance chamber. Sighing in relief, Nico leaned back against the couch behind him, letting his head fall back. When he asked Percy to stop, he thought that would be the most intense part and not... any contact between them.

With Percy it was all or nothing, right? He didn't imagine it could be so literal.

"Nico, are you okay?" Alice asked beside him. "What happened between you and Daddy?”

"What happened? Nothing happened. These are adult things, you don't need to worry.”

"Are you leaving?" Logan asked.

"I…" Nico thought about lying to them and saying he would stay forever. He wouldn’t want them to do that to him, so… "I will, but not now. Next semester. Did you know I’m working to save money for college, right?”

Both children waved, moving closer to Nico, each from one side.

"Now I have enough money, your father--”

"He's very generous. That's what everyone says!" Logan told him.

"Yes, he is.”

"Don't listen to what Daddy says." Surprised, he heard Alice tell him. She held his hand and looked at him deeply with those green eyes as intense as Percy's. "He's not usually so... mean.”

Nico opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say. What could he say? That he really liked this evil side when Percy was focusing it on him?

"He's lonely and he's always put us first. But I think... I think he deserves company too. I don't mind if you and Daddy go out.”

"What? No. Nothing is going on between us. It's serious.”

"Are you going to be our mother?" Logan asked in his innocence, his bright blue eyes watching him with joy. But if even he had noticed, it meant that the innocent one was himself.

"Logan, I could never replace your mother.”

"Why? You're much better than her.”

“I…”

"You don't like Daddy?" Alice said again. "I thought you did.”

"It's not about liking.”

“So, you like him?” She insisted, leaning closer to him, just like Percy would do.

Nico found himself laughing and hugging them both by the shoulders, really tight.

"It was Percy who asked you to say that, I'm sure.”

"Well… he’s been so sad. I swear daddy didn’t say anything.”

"Alice." He scolded her.

"Maybe he said something…”

"What would that be?”

"Like... he's been sleeping a lot. Eating little. Distracted. It's been a while since I've seen daddy like this.”

"What does this have to do with me?”

"You're distracted, too.”

"You even burned the soup the other day!" Logan finished for Alice.

"Children, you are exaggerating.”

"So why don't you guys talk anymore? Why don't you stay in the same room for more than five minutes?”

"I…" Yeah, Nico had no excuse for that. "It doesn’t matter. What matters is your well-being.”

"It's okay if you change your mind one day.”

"Yes! We love you very, very much!" Logan said and hugged him tightly around the waist, Alice followed, hugging him on the other side. Nico was left to return the gesture of affection. But he and Percy would have a good talk, that's for sure.

Today was a big chapter. As always, I appreciate your feedback! If you want, I'd love to hear from you.

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXII and Chapter XXIII

Hi! New chapter for you. Hope you like it!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII / Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX / Chapter XX and Chapter XXI

Chapter XXII

"You really don't want me to take you home?”

Nico denied it and hugged Percy tightly. They were outside the condominium, Percy insisting on taking him home.

"The children can't stay alone, Annabeth just left and--”

“Nico, let me decide about that, will you?”

He looked at Percy suspiciously and took a step back. Normally Nico would trust the man's judgment, but he was beginning to see that Percy wasn't as responsible or perfect as he thought, especially when it came to something Percy wanted, and in this case, that was Nico himself.

"I don't like it when you do that to them. Alice and Logan may be grown up, but they still need their family's attention.”

"I liked it better when you said yes to everything. It was much easier." Percy gave a small smile, apologizing with his eyes and raised his hands, in surrender, and said: "Don't be like that, Roberta is still at home.”

Roberta was the housekeeper, the one who kept the house in order, helped prepare food and had control over the children's routine. And honestly? She was more efficient at raising the children than he could ever be. So this was Nico making the most of the rest of the time he had around.

"Come on, don't be mad at me. Let me take you home. It's already past nine o'clock.”

"No, I'm not going to make you drive across town.”

"I want to, so I can see where you're living.”

"I knew there was a reason behind it." Nico couldn't help but feel like a bratty little kid. He crossed his arms and glared at him.

"Nico, please. I feel responsible for what happened. I just want to make sure you're safe.”

That's when Percy touched Nico's shoulder and with his other hand, gently held his chin, making him look at Percy more closely.

Ahg, Nico groaned and shifted restlessly, refusing to look away. He hated when Percy did that; those stormy green eyes and worried frown always had the same effect on him. In the end, Nico just sighed, knowing he would never win.

Percy opened the car door for him, satisfaction oozing from every pore as Nico jumped into the gigantic jeep.

"Satisfied, now?”

"I'll be when you tell me the address.”

Why did Percy have to be so childish? Or was it just him? Did it matter? Nico gave in and relaxed against the passenger seat, feeling that little bit more anxious, a good kind of anxious; the kind that makes you act and gives you an unknown but welcome pleasure. Thinking about it, the butterflies in the middle of his stomach only fluttered more when Percy smiled at him, starting the car, one of his hands coming to rest on his knee, not helping him in the least.

The worst part was that the gesture sounded almost respectful, with a certain degree of affection. He had only seen that kind of thing with couples, likeHades and Maria. Nico remembered when they still lived in Italy, Maria used to smile a lot more andHades still acted like his father;Hades often sought some contact with Maria, so on car trips it was common forHades to smile at Maria and place one of his hands on her knee, just like Percy did now. Nico wanted to question him, he wanted to ask what that gesture meant, he wanted to know what it meant to them. But even if he had an answer, it wouldn't be the right one. Percy already had a family and a career, while he had barely started his. What would happen when Nico spent more time working than at home? What if he had to travel far away? Nico couldn't let that happen to them, such a common story, but one that could define their future completely. It’s like, if he was already attached to the point of thinking about these things, what would become of the future?

"…ico … Nico.”

"Hm?”

"Are you okay? Where was that little head of yours?”

"I… it’s nothing. I just…”

He shrugged and looked down at Percy's hand that was still on his knee, as if that was exactly where it belonged.

"I…" For some strange reason, Nico felt his throat tighten, the words he wanted to say so badly trapped in uncertainty. He might not be sure of the future, but he also didn’t want to lose these moments with Percy. Each one was special, memories Nico would treasure for when things got tough.

"It's nothing. Really. I'm just tired.”

"Do you need a break?”

Nico shook his head, he had barely come back. He kept looking forward and placed his hands on the one in his knee, trying not to think about anything, just fingering the knuckles and veins in the strong arm that was three times bigger than his.

"Turn right. I live in the city center, near those historic buildings.”

It didn't take long and soon they were in front of the apartment, forcing Nico to take his cell phone out of his pocket and call Jason, letting him know he had arrived. In less than five minutes Jason appeared, only in shorts and flip-flops, his blond hair sticking out in every direction and with a not-so-friendly expression.

"Where were you? Thalia and I were waiting for you until late.”

"It's not what it looks like.”

“What did you expect? Do you know what time it is?” Jason scowled at Nico until he looked at Percy, finally seeming to wake up from his stupor. “And why is Percy Jackson with you?”

"Do you know him?" Nico had to ask, confused.

"Who doesn't? He's known for a lot of things around here.”

"Among the businessmen and upper class." This time, it was Percy who answered, grimacing. "It's a pleasure to meet you. You're Zeus's son, right? My father speaks highly of you.”

“That’s news to me,” Jason said in greeting, shaking the hand Percy offered.

"Hey, I want to know what these things are!”

Were they, by any chance, ignoring him?

"I wish you wouldn't talk about it." Again, Percy referred to Jason, as if they were best friends.

"I can't promise anything. It wouldn't be fair for you to know everything about Nico while Nico knows nothing about you.”

“How do you know that?” Percy asked, lifting his head, mocking Jason in a friendly way.

"No Jackson would let himself be so vulnerable. And if there's one thing I know, it's that you're the kind of people who like to be in control of everything.”

Nico didn’t know why, but he found himself smiling, a slow kind of smile that slowly spread until there was nothing left in its path. Because, it was a fact, Percy seemed to be that kind of person. Controlling and domineering, but not in a negative way? It was very confusing. Or maybe, he was already too invested to see the real danger.

"You're overreacting," Percy said.

"No, he's not." Nico replied.

He couldn't help himself. He grabbed Percy's arm and kissed him on the cheek, holding himself close until Percy turned to him, giving him all the attention Nico could possibly want.

"Are you scared? Too late for that, don't you think?" Nico murmured to Percy.

"Nico! I was a different person. What teenager doesn't do stupid things?”

"Me. I never did!”

"Exactly. You're an exception. You would never do that.”

"That, what, exactly?" Nico smiled even wider and leaned towards him, Percy looking uncomfortable, but seeming to be equally amused.

"Mm-rh." Jason cleared his throat and Nico turned to see what it was.

Jason watched him with a raised eyebrow, judging him as only he could. Oh, Nico could already see it; no one would sleep today, as this would be the length of his questioning.

"I think we better go in, it's very late.”

"That's right, sorry for keeping you guys. Jason, why don't you stop by the company and talk to Max? I'm sure he can help you.”

"Is that a bribe?”

"Only if it's working.”

Jason wasn't usually so friendly with strangers, but all he did was smile and pull Nico inside.

"I'll think about your case.”

Just like that, the gate slammed shut and he turned to see Percy still smiling as he was led down the stairs and then up the elevator.

***

"Gods! What took you so long! I have to wake up early tomorrow." Thalia greeted them at the apartment door, even less pleased than Jason had been.

"You won't believe it. Guess who came to bring Nico home?”

"The president?”

"Even better. Percy Jackson. Co-CEO, financial analyst, and one of the most handsome men and heir to one of the largest fortunes in the country.”

"I know who Percy Jackson is, Jason! Don't be ridiculous.”

"You know, but the question is: does Nico knows it?”

The two turned to Nico and he blushed. Okay, he admitted it. Nico wasn’t into these kind of things…

"Well, I… of course--”

"Nico! I'm so proud of you. You've grown so much!" Thalia ran up to Nico and pulled his cheeks until they looked like they were going to fall off.

"It’s not like that…”

"You have to tell me everything." Jason said, completing his torture. In the end, the two brothers dragged him to the couch and each of them sat next to him. All that was missing was the popcorn.

"It's nothing. It was supposed to be a temporary job through the agency. And he's not all that, just a father taking care of his children.”

"You liar! I saw how he looked at you and I've never seen you act like that with anyone!”

"Oh. My. God! I love weddings. When is it due?" Thalia said again.

"Can you guys stop?" Nico cringed at their stares and snorted. "I swear. I take care of his children and that's it.”

"I'll pretend to believe you." Thalia held his hand, pretending to be understanding. "But tell me, is he everything everyone says he is?”

"What… does everyone say?" He was even afraid to know.

"You know… hot in bed? Is he as dominant as everyone says? Bossy? Generous… monetarily?

"I…" He felt horrible thinking about these things, let alone talking about them, especially when Percy wasn’t there to defend himself. But they were his friends, weren’t they? Maybe if he talked to someone, things would become clearer.

"So?" Jason insisted, as curious as Thalia.

"He's… he's a very reserved person. At least in the beginning. Disciplined. Loyal.”

"And…?”

"And… we never… never got there, but… there are times when…" Nico put his feet up on the couch and buried his face between his legs. "…there are times when he hugs me in a way that… that makes me… oh! I don’t want to talk about it. I have a boyfriend! And he… he’s so…”

"Older?" Thalia finished for him.

"No! I mean, yes! He drives me crazy, in every possible way, and I love kids, they're so sweet. I feel like I'm going to explode!”

"That can't be true. How long have you known them? Two, three weeks?”

"That's enough for me! From the start I knew things would go wrong. How could it not be? After a month of dating, I knew I would never marry Will, so why can't it be true with Percy? And like, why? I feel this attraction, this magnetic thing that forces me to be around him and--”

"Shhh, it's okay. You don't have to decide anything right now. It's okay." Thalia said, trying to comfort him. "And Will? Have you talked to him? I know he's an idiot, but even he doesn't deserve to be betrayed.”

"That's the point!" Nico practically shouted. "We didn't even kiss, nothing at all! How can this be happening to me? Me, the most boring and proper person in the world? I've never even run over a red light!”

"Oh." Both brothers muttered, surprised.

"From what I saw, it seemed much more, intimate, you know?" Jason said quietly into the silence of the room.

"I don't understand. I've just started living without my parents. It's too early! I can't… I can't let anyone hold me back again!”

"Nico, you have to calm down. Come on, I'll get you a glass of water."

"No! I don't want water!" Nico got up from the couch and started pacing around the room, no longer anxious, now irritated. "It's so unfair! Because... because I want it, I feel that this time... this time it's the right person…”

When he realized this, Nico stopped walking around the room and looked at the brothers who were looking at him in surprise. He didn't even know what he was saying anymore. He sat on the floor, right there in the middle of the room, and took a deep breath. Yes, he felt lighter, but on the other hand, he felt even more conflicted. 

In theory, Nico knew what he should do, but his desire was different; it was that little voice that always got him into trouble. It screamed louder than his rationality, telling him that "what if this time it wouldn't be so bad to let himself live, just a little bit?"

In the end, it didn't matter how much they wanted to help him. This was a decision he needed to make on his own.

Chapter XXIII

Nico opened his eyes and for a moment he didn't know where he was. The alarm clock was ringing, it was six o'clock in the morning. He looked around and found it strange, peering through the crack in the window where the weak morning light was coming in. There was no view of trees and the countryside he loved so much, no, all he could see were the tall buildings and the noise of cars passing by on the avenue outside. He turned off that annoying noise, rubbed his eyes and only then could he remember.

It was true, Nico told himself. He wasn’t home. It had been a few weeks since he had packed his bags and snuck out without anyone seeing him, in the dead of night. He still hadn’t gotten used to it. It was the silence of voices and, at the same time, the endless noise of cars, the cozy nights and the support of friends, the understanding he hadn’t known he deserved before this. It was liberating to decide what he was going to do without having to look around for fear of disappointing someone. So, all that was left for Nico to do was get out of bed and face another day; he took a shower, brushed his teeth and put on the first clothes he found, barely looking where he was going, letting his feet carry him.

He stopped for a moment in front of the table and walked into the kitchen, staring at the glass in his hands, the water inside it moving as he stirred it slowly. Nico felt strangely empty; not sad, not angry and not happy at all. It was an absence of emotions that only made him feel relieved.

It must have been the new medication, or maybe it had been the explosion last night. Nico felt calm, calmer than he had ever felt before. He couldn’t be thankful enough for having Thalia and Jason in his life. They had stayed with him a little longer last night, had sat beside him on the living room floor, holding him tightly until his breathing had returned to normal and he had calmed down, though he had spent a long time staring at his hands.

He didn't know what was so important that made him look at them so much or why Jason and Thalia hadn't gone to their own rooms. Nico remembered asking them, feeling light and comfortable, even though he was sitting on that hard, cold wooden floor. The brothers looked at each other and out of the corner of his eye, Nico saw Thalia shrugging. They didn't answer him, they just got up, taking him with them and walked with him to his room, making him sit on the bed and lie down soon after, Jason covering him from chin to feet with the duvet. He had then sighed and closed his eyes, with them still looking at him and observing him with concern.

That was how Nico fell asleep, with their presence and the sound of the door closing as he finally lost consciousness. But now… now--

"Nico, how do you feel?”

Ah, it was Jason. His friend usually went out later than Nico. At that time, Jason would still be asleep, taking advantage of every extra second of sleep he could get. But not today. Today Jason was already up, wearing the same pants as the night before and a rock band t-shirt. He was offering Nico an extra large mug of black, unsweetened coffee, just the way he liked it first thing in the morning.

"Hm?" He asked, accepting the steaming mug. Nico placed the glass of water on the counter and inhaled the aroma of the freshly ground and filtered coffee, taking a big sip and not even realizing when he had burned his tongue.

"Did you sleep well?" Jason repeated.

Nico just smiled, almost feeling himself wake up, warmed by his concern. This was Jason, a full-time psychiatrist, but still in training. If he knew him well, he would have thought Jason would be a great professional. Jason cared more than he should have.

"Yes, thank you. And yes, I'm fine. I've already taken my medicine. And no, I don't feel any symptoms of a panic attack or shortness of breath." Nico said and took another sip of coffee, this time being careful not to burn his tongue. As for Jason, he grimaced and stopped in front of Nico, crossing his arms.

"I worry. I don't want to--”

"Jason, you know I love you. But you don't have to worry." Nico smiled at Jason again and drank the rest of his coffee, watching him blush. It had been a short while since they had reconnected, but he didn't remember Jason being so charming and handsome, a little clumsy, too. He thought he was spending too much time with Percy, but that kind of approach had its advantages. Jason stuttered and blushed more, raising his hands and pointing at Nico, his words trailing off and going nowhere.

"Really. I guess I needed to get it off my chest, you know? It's okay.”

"Nico, the way you acted before… so aggressive… it didn’t seem normal.”

"You know what? I think it was great! I've never felt so free, like nothing could stop me.”

"I know that, I know how difficult it is for you to express yourself. I want you to know that whenever you want, you can talk to me.”

"Jason, you're my best friend. I'm living in your house! Of course I know that. There are things I need to do on my own.”

“I understand that.” Jason repeated, coming around the table and looking at him closely, his bright blue eyes looking at him seriously. “It’s just… you look so small, so vulnerable that you feel like you’ll break with the slightest blow.”

"Jason--”

“I know you're not helpless, you showed that yesterday. You show me that every day that passes by. I want you to know that we're here, Thalia and I, we're here if you need us. How long are you going to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone?”

Nico snorted and pushed him lightly by the shoulders.

"Don't be so dramatic. I asked for help, didn't I? So why all the drama?”

"It’s Percy… I’ve never seen you react like this because of someone. With so much… passion.”

"Passion? So you think I'm in love? That I'm going to do crazy things?" He rolled his eyes and turned his back on Jason, going after his backpack. "I already left the house. What else could I do?”

"Something that will get you and Percy into trouble.”

Ah, and they say he's the innocent one, right? It was too late to think about that and it was Jason who didn't see reality.

Nico nodded at Jason, watching his friend’s disgruntled grimace, and picked up his bag. It was best if Jason didn’t know about this. The fewer people who noticed, the better.

***

"Bia, I'm fine. We'll see each other soon.”

"Nico Di Ângelo! Hazel had to go after you to find out what happened with you! What would it take for you to show up? Someone having an accident?" Bianca practically screamed on the other end of the line. "You even changed your cell phone number!”

"Okay, okay! I admit it, I needed some time, okay? I promise I'll visit.”

"You promise?”

“I Do.”

“When?”

"Errr… soon?”

"Nico!”

"I think… on the weekend? We can meet somewhere.”

"Oh." She told him, and on the other end of the line, he could hear her voice fading. "I thought… right. Will you ring me up? Papa is calling me.”

"I'll call you.”

"Remember, you promised.”

The line went dead and he looked at his cell phone, bringing a smile to his face. He confessed, he was being childish, the most selfish of all, petty, even. Seeing Hazel and now Bianca looking for him was all he needed; it was everything he never thought they would do. Nico could hardly believe that he mattered to the point that they would stop what they were doing to talk to him. The only thing missing wasHades showing up at his door.

Feeling his chest warm, Nico took the magnetic card out of his bag and when he was about to unlock the lock, someone grabbed his arm, pulling him under a nearby tree.

"Nico." Someone whispered, finally allowing him to see who this rude person was who had pulled him so hard.

"Not again!" He grumbled in anguish. Of course it was Will showing up uninvited, even taller and more muscular than before, his bright eyes making Nico’s stomach churn with revulsion. Maybe it was anger or anxiety, or maybe it was all of those things mixed together.

"I missed you, shorty." Nico felt hands wrap around him, making him take a step back, avoiding his embrace.

"Will, I was very clear with you.”

"Avoiding me and running away? I don't think so.”

"Will Solace!”

"What?" Will looked at him, finally seeming to pay attention.

"There is nothing between us anymore!”

"What is this? Are you going to throw away all those years because of sex? Because of a fantasy? I don't care. Now that you've had your fun, we can get down to business.”

"Will, I--”

"Look, I know how it is. Every man has the need to try new things, I don't blame you. But what do we have? It's forever.”

Nico was shocked, open-mouthed, astonished, dumbfounded. Will was confessing that he had cheated on him, right to his face?

"Will, I'm going to say it one more time: We're breaking up. We're already broken up. This between us is no longer possible. Do you understand?”

"Oh, come on! Is that what you're mad about? Because of a fuck? They're not important.”

"They? They? Do you realize what you're saying?" Nico paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "Will, you cheated on me. Do you understand? Look, I'm very tired. I hope to never see you again.”

He turned to leave, but again Will grabbed him by the arm, this time pinning him against a tree.

"Is this how you repay me for all these years? Everything I've done for you and your family?”

"I didn't ask you to do it." He replied. But Will was right, Nico didn't say or do anything to deny all the money the Solace family invested inHades's business, even so... he refused... he refused to feel bad about it! He was a child who would do whatever his father told him to do.

"You b--”

It was Will's turn to take a deep breath and calm down. When he spoke again, Will had a smile plastered on his face.

"Look, I know you're confused. There have been so many changes, right? I can wait, give you the time you need.”

"Will, I know about you and Lou. I know you were together before you even met me. How can you do this to me? To him? Don't you care at all?”

"He's just my friend, shorty. You're the only one for me.”

"You-- you're hopeless! If I go to your house now, will he be in your bed? Still sleeping? Or maybe on the couch, the place you both like so much, hm?”

"Did you… did you see?”

"Of course I saw it! I would have to be blind not to see it! Now, if you'll excuse me…”

"Nico, please. I love you. I promise that--”

"I've given you every chance and you keep doing the same things!”

"If you knew, why only now… oh! Is it because of that Percy? Do you think you have more options now? That he’ll stay with you? Someone useless who’s good for anything?" It was then that Will’s smile came back in full force, dimples and white teeth, making Nico's stomach churn even more. "Don’t be ridiculous. Someone like him would never stay with you. I bet he fucks you the way you never let me, doesn’t he? Does he satisfy you? Does he tell you what you want to hear? Have you no shame? A man his age playing house with you?”

Will shook his head and stepped closer.

"It would be horrible if the police got involved. What would happen if people found out that the famous Percy Jackson fucks underage boys?”

"You… you have no way of proving it.”

"That's true, but imagine people's reactions when they found out about the accusations?”

"I… I need some time to think.”

"Oh, of course you do, dear. As long as you want. While you're thinking, how about we go to the movies? This Friday?”

"I leave work late.”

"I know you can make an effort. I'll pick you up here at seven, okay?”

Will smiled once more at Nico and bent down until he was at his height, getting closer and closer and he… he couldn't do it; he turned his face just as Will's lips would touch his, kissing his face.

"It's okay, shorty. I can wait.”

Will touched Nico's hair, stroking it lovingly and stepped back, allowing him to see something that made his stomach turn even more. Percy was there, watching everything, much closer than Nico felt comfortable.

Thanks for reading!

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XX and Chapter XXI

Hi, we're back! I've had a bit of time and decided to move things along. I hope you like it.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII / Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX

Chapter XX

“I’m leaving,” Nico muttered weakly before leaving the house.

He took one last look at his father's figure sitting on the couch, ignoring him while reading the newspaper, and opened the door. Nico didn't even wait for a greeting in return, knowing he wouldn't get one. Not that he cared, he had come there to get some books and a change of clothes, and if that was the way Hades was going to continue to treat him... it was better that way, because things were only going to get worse. After that lunch with Percy, or rather, after he decided to ignoreWill's calls, the vow of silence had begun. However, it was only when the gifts, money and unwanted appearances started to appear that things became truly uncomfortable. That is, gifts from Percy andWill, both competing to see who was the best.

Yes, it seemed that was how things would be. If he didn’t stay too long inside that house, he wouldn’t have to see them and that way, everything would be fine. And if he didn’t stay at home, Maria wouldn’t have to take sides and Hazel wouldn’t have to fight with Hades, but… but it was all right. Jason and Thalia were helping him, the siblings had a spare room and they didn’t demand anything from Nico. Yes, it was the best thing to do, he kept telling himself; in the end, everything would be fine. The good news was that Nico had left plenty of clothes at their house and he wouldn’t have to go back for a few days.

"Nico!" Nico's soul nearly jumped out of his body at the shrill scream. Hazel came running down the stairs toward him, her face distressed and angry, determined as ever.

"Where have you been all week! We've been so worried.”

She was a true angel. Nico let Hazel's short arms wrap tightly around his waist and returned the gesture, barely realizing how much he missed her.

"I'm not welcome here." Nico confessed.

"That’s not true! Mom and Bianca miss you. EvenThanatos asked about you.”

"It's better this way." He said, "You don't have to fight over me.”

"No, I refuse. You're not leaving!”

"Honey, I have to work.”

Nico looked at her and smiled, even though he was crying a little. He missed Hazel so much that he almost gave in to the temptation to stay. He missed his mother too, and the nights watching movies with his brothers.”

"Why, right now? What changed that made you abandon me?" Hazel pouted cutely and tears fell from her golden eyes. The worst part was that she was right.

For the first time in his life, Nico had accepted someone's help and gone to the psychiatrist that Percy had recommended, as well as the psychologist, both community doctors. The truth is that the doctors he had seen before had not been a good experience, but Nico had talked a lot with them, learning that moving away from what was hurting him was essential, even if it was slow, and having a support network was even more important. He had also decided that he would no longer lie and that he would face his problems head on, and he would never, ever again be ashamed or feel guilty for thinking of himself first.

"I'm going to a psychiatrist. She prescribed me a weaker sedative and advised me to seek a healthier environment.”

“Oh,” she murmured. “I understand. I’m… I’m happy for you.” But now she was crying for real, silent tears streaming down her dark face. “You’ll come back to visit, won’t you?”

"I'm not leaving. I just need some distance. When you need me, just call me and I'll come running.”

"Do you promise?”

"I promise." Nico said to her and hugged her tightly.

"Can I go with you?”

"Where?”

"Work, of course." She said as if it were obvious.

And you know what? He shrugged, Percy probably wouldn't mind.

Nico took Hazel's hand and guided her to the bus stop.

***

Nico rang the bell and held Hazel's hand, counting the seconds. The door opened quickly and, as usual, it was Percy who came to greet him, always with a big smile and an affectionate hug.

Of course, it hadn't always been like this, the important thing was that in the last few days a simple "hello" had turned into something more, something that required physical contact and was as easy as breathing. He just wanted things to stop there. You know when you think it's going to rain a little and instead a flood destroys your house? That was exactly how Nico felt, all the presents, tight hugs and soft smiles weren't good for his heart. Or the money that had mysteriously appeared in his bank account, so many zeros that Nico didn't even know how to count them and that seemed to increase every day he looked at it.

"You know you don't have to rin-- Hazel! What are you doing here?" Percy said, opening the door completely and allowing them access to the entrance chamber. Percy crossed his arms and made a face, but Nico knew it was a joke, because soon after Percy bent down and hugged Hazel, ruffling her hair.

"She came with me today, I hope that's okay.”

"Yeah, no problem." Percy said and turned to him.

Holding his shoulders, Percy looked him straight in the eyes and then moved them from his feet to his head, and only then hugged him tightly, tighter and longer than would be appropriate.

"You look much better. The kids will love to see you." Percy said in the middle of the hug, his voice whispered against his earlobe.

Nico could only nod, the words he was about to say disappearing without being pronounced, like, why he found so much money in his account when he went to get money to buy a book and why so many gifts. He just wanted to understand what was going on between them. Or what could still happen. What really made him understand how screwed he was was finding himself surrounded by Percy's arms, realizing how much he had missed him this past week, the week he had asked for time off. It was the only way to get his life together and try to build something to motivate him to continue.

One of Percy's hands held him by the back of the neck and the other came to rest on the small of his back, making him feel welcome and safe. When Percy finally let go, Hazel and Percy had identical smiles on their faces, which made him deeply uncomfortable, as if they knew something Nico didn't.

"Come on, the kids are already at the table." Percy told him.

Percy touched his hand hesitantly, as if expecting to be rejected, but when Nico did nothing to stop him, Percy gently guided him as he stroked his fingers. However, Nico didn't have time to enjoy the feeling of Percy's touch on his skin, because there was the Jackson family; Alice sitting next to Logan,Annabeth at the farthest point from everyone while Percy sat in the center, with him and Hazel seating them next to him and across from the children. The funny thing was that instead of asking the cook or the housekeeper to get more dishes, Percy himself stood up.

"There's always room for one more in this house." Percy placed the cutlery, plates and glasses as the housekeeper had taught them and straightened his spine. Percy puffed out his chest and cocked his head in a comical gesture, looking really proud of his work.

"So, what brings your sister here?”

"I--” Of course Nico didn't get the chance to finish.

"I had to ambush Nico in the morning!" Hazel practically slammed her hands on the table, exactly like Hades would do, all irritated and offended.

“Oh, really?” Was all Percy said, his easy smile seeming to calm her.

"Nico… Nico hadn’t been home for over a week! I was so worried! No one knew where he had gone, not Mom, Hades, Bianca. Not even Lou and Cecil! It was like he had disappeared off the map!”

"Hmm, and how did that happen?”

But this time, Percy wasn’t asking Hazel that question. No, he was looking at Nico as he lifted the wine glass to his lips. One corner of his mouth lifted and he leaned back against the back of his chair, looking Nico over once more from head to toe.

"Could this have anything to do with some recent changes? I wonder what it could be…" Percy said again, in that mix of joking and mocking that only he could do.

“Okay,” Nico said, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes. “I went to the psychiatrist, okay? She referred me to a psychologist too.”

"I'm glad." Percy said then, contentedly. The smile that reached his eyes said much more. “Did you like it?”

“Like isn’t the word I’d use,” Nico found himself saying, feeling his face heat up, that urge to hide stronger than his sense of pride. “It’s helping. I guess I needed to hear certain things, from a neutral perspective, you know?”

“I know!” What surprised him wasn’t that someone agreed with him, but that it was Logan who had said it. Alice nodded, seeming to flinch when the attention turned to them. “Dad put us in therapy after you had your panic attack. It’s so cool! He listens to me and jokes with me, just like you do, Nico!”

He smiled at Logan and Alice, but for some reason he felt like crying. Nico didn't cry, of course, it would be too much drama for such an early morning, he just looked at Percy suspiciously.

Percy shrugged.

"My parents never worried about that kind of thing. I wanted to make sure that… everything was as it should be." Percy muttered, a strange, self-deprecating smile forming.

Nico was so proud! To show his approval, he held Percy's hand and smiled at him. Percy didn't know how much trouble he was saving himself with this. Percy only did this because the children must have been traumatized, but it showed that Percy cared about their well-being, not just their physical well-being, but their mental well-being as well. The problem was that Percy turned his hand against his and intertwined their fingers, making him feel that warm feeling in his heart, and maybe somewhere else too. When that happened, he tended to forget everything else.

It was at that moment that Nico heard a throat clearing.

Sofia pushed her chair back and stood up, knocking it over as she went. She crossed her arms and approached them, circling behind each one sitting at the table, as if she was about to attack.

"Who gave you permission to do this to my children? Is this how you raise them? And letting just anyone come into my house?”

If he didn't know whoAnnabeth was or what the purpose behind those words was, Nico would be offended. Hazel, who didn't know what was happening, didn't have the same reaction. She stood up and, just as aggressively asAnnabeth, lifted her chin, taking a step towards her.

Fortunately, Nico acted faster. He grabbed her arm and sent her a look, which was enough for Hazel to sit back down, not at all happy with the situation.

"Is this house still yours?" Surprised, Nico heard Logan say once more. "If you don’t live here, is it still yours?”

Percy frowned andAnnabeth paled. If Nico hadn't been paying so much attention he would have missed the momentAnnabeth gasped and took a step back in shock. Percy was too focused on Logan, Alice was looking down in sadness, and Hazel had looked away in a huff. He could only watch asAnnabeth took another step back and another, disappearing up the stairs without a word.

Maybe it wasn't a good idea to bring Hazel there.

Chapter XXI

Even though the morning was full of drama, the rest of the day passed peacefully; after Percy talked to Logan, Nico took the children to school with Hazel and then they returned, Nico showing his sister the house, quickly passing by Percy's room, a gigantic place with a double bed, a suite with a bathroom and, in the corner of the room, a spacious table with chairs, a printer and everything Percy could possibly need. They said "hi" to Percy and soon Nico pulled Hazel by the hand when she started to talk, Percy in the middle of documents spread out on the table, laughing at their attitude.

When they finally returned to the living room, Nico was able to sit down and pick up his books. But Hazel? She wasn't satisfied with that. No, she walked around the room, looked out the window that overlooked the garden and the pool, and went to the bookshelf that took up an entire wall and began to read the titles.

That was already getting on his nerves.

"Hazel, what are you doing? Looking for evidence for Hades?”

"What, no… but… is that all?”

She came towards him and sat on the sofa by his side, still curious.

"What were you thinking?”

"You and Percy seem so close…”

"Hazel!”

"I'm just saying. So, you just study? All afternoon?”

"Sometimes Percy comes over and we watch a movie. Or we get something to eat.”

"Really? Not even a little kiss? Maybe a--”

"You can stop right there. If you came here for that--”

"No! I missed you. You still haven't said where you're living.”

"And I won't. I don't want to take my problems elsewhere. They're already helping me, I can't get them into this mess.”

"Is this part of your therapy too?" She asked, pouting.

"Yes. I have to learn to say no, or the same thing will happen no matter where I go.”

"What? People coming to your new house?”

"No, people abusing me. Even if they don't know what they're doing.”

"Oh." Hazel murmured, looking at her hands. "Do I do that? I never--”

"It's not your fault. If I don't tell you how I feel, how can you know? The responsibility for building healthy relationships must come from both parties.”

"Does it start with “no”?”

"Start by defining what I am willing to accept and what I should never allow.”

"Oh." She said, but this time, Hazel understood. She smiled and hugged him tightly. "I hope I'm one of those healthy relationships.”

"Of course you are, I'll always want you in my life. The question is: do you want to study with me until it's time to pick up the kids or do you want me to take you home?”

"I think I've caused enough trouble. I'll go alone.”

"Are you sure? Do you have the money for the bus?”

"Yes, Hades always gives me money to spare. Don't worry.”

That was when Nico realized how differently they were treated. Hades had never given him a penny that wasn't strictly necessary, but for Hazel... only the best. He took Hazel to the door and waited for Ethan to pick her up, and only then did he let himself fall apart. He walked mechanically to his little corner in the living room and lay down in one of the long armchairs, only realizing that time had passed when someone gently touched him on the shoulder.

“I--”

He jumped and tried to sit up. However, it was Percy. The man always caught him in these situations. Percy just smiled at him and sat down next to him, Percy's hands going to his hair automatically, brushing and massaging, rocking him so gently that he calmed down after a few moments.

"You were so quiet, you didn't come to call me for lunch. Have you eaten yet?”

"No." Nico denied, relieved that he didn't have to explain.

He didn't understand where all this care was coming from or why Percy chose to treat him this way. It was clear that he wasn't the best person for Percy to invest so much time... and money in. In the last few weeks it had seemed like as soon as he breathed, Percy was offering him something or giving him "tips" that felt more like extra pay, even when he was off duty, the money showing up in his account randomly.

It’s just… that was why he was working, wasn’t it? Except it wasn’t work at all, taking care of the kids or occasionally making food when the cook was gone. Really, Percy had done so much for him, more than he could ever do for Percy; he just wished Percy wouldn’t make him feel so guilty.

Ah! Who was he kidding? Percy was all he needed. Someone who would support him, care for him, and understand him, someone Nico could trust, just like Percy had already proven. So why did all of this feel so wrong? So bad? Like he was taking advantage of the man and manipulating him, just like those girls his father criticized so much.

"Nico?" Percy called his name, and that voice that was usually soft and husky, sounded authoritative, like Nico hadn't heard in a long time.

He immediately paid attention and looked at Percy's face, who was staring at him seriously, with his jaw clenched, offering him his hand. He didn't hesitate and took it, Percy's firm grip making him feel safe and a little better.

"I'm not going to make you talk about what happened. You know you can talk to me about anything, right? It doesn't matter what it is.”

“I…”

"Am I being too intrusive? If it's about something that happened in this house, I can--”

"No!" He jumped up, facing Percy. "Nothing happened. Nothing at all!”

"Hm. I'll pretend to believe you. But if something is bothering you, I'd rather hear it from you than from other people.”

"I promise… I promise you’ll be the first to know.”

Still a little sad, Nico sniffed and wiped the tears on the sleeve of his sweater. Percy didn't ask anything else, just took his hand again and guided him once more with his firm touch. He knew that if he wanted to talk, Percy would listen; and that was enough to make the sadness dissolve a little more, enough for Nico to know that if he had lost a father, he had gained so much more in return.

***

When Nico opened his eyes, the living room was already dark, only the television and the clock lit up the room. He rubbed his eyes and checked the time, half past eight, well after working hours. He got up and left the children sleeping, heading towards the kitchen, or that was the goal. Nico had to stop halfway when he came acrossAnnabeth, she was coming down the stairs, pulling a huge and heavy suitcase, and for a moment he felt bad for the children who were being abandoned once again, without so much as a goodbye or any words of comfort.

Fortunately, Nico soon snapped out of his trance and headed towardsAnnabeth, running over to where she was, helping her down the rest of the steps.

“Thank you,” was all she said, her attention completely on the still half-open suitcase, her gaze determined to fit everything into that compact space.

"Sofia-- ma'am... aren't you say goodbye to the children?”

"Say goodbye to them?"Annabeth finally looked at him and analyzed him from head to toe. "They don't need me. They don't even want me here. Why would I say goodbye?”

It was a good question. Still, it wasn't the right thing to do.

"The children miss you.”

“I know they do.” She finally closed her suitcase and turned to him, with the same self-deprecating smile Percy had used before. “They miss something that never existed.”

"That's not true. I bet they'd love to spend a holiday with you. If you'd talk to them... Percy would be open to it, I know he would.”

"So cute, yet so innocent." She finally smiled at Nico, a sincere smile that spread across her entire face. "You're a good boy. That's why I know you'll take good care of my husband and my children. You have a gift for it. They're so happy that I won't need to go back for a long time.”

"What?" Nico asked without understanding.  “So, you…”

"It's the deal I made with Percy, I have to come back a few times a year. That's it.”

"Aren't you afraid?”

"What could I be afraid of?" She looked down at him, mocking Nico. When Percy did that, it gave him a feeling of affection, but whenAnnabeth did it, he could only feel mockery and sadness.

"For them to grow up and reject you for the rest of their lives?”

Sofia pulled on the handle of her suitcase and hesitated for a moment, then looked back at him with those piercing gray eyes.

"I meant it about the kids missing you. They were so happy when they heard you were coming… all they need is a little attention. They just need to know that their mother cares.”

"Hm." Was all she said before tossing her golden hair back and opening the door, walking out.

You know what was funny?Annabeth had spent the past two weeks watching him like a hawk, trying to find any flaws or mistakes he might make, but all she had revealed was how she and Percy could never be more than two strangers, or how the children worshipped her, like a god they could never reach. But now, listening to the sound of the car driving away, all Nico felt was sadness. These were two more children who would grow up feeling rejected and incomplete.

See you next week!

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX

Hi, how are you? I'm still a bit sick, but nothing to stop me from bringing you new chapters. So they'll probably come out towards the middle and end of the week, but I promise I'll be around. I hope can you enjoy it! Any feedback is welcome, because I'm thinking of turning this story into an ebook. For example, a reader told me that Nico's age was confusing. And she was right! For those who have the same doubts, Nico and Percy are around 15 years apart. That's because this story was supposed to be just smutt, but then I decided to do something more serious. That's when I decided to raise Nico's age a little. So Nicois eighteen and Percy is in his early forties.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

"See? It wasn't that hard." That's what Annabeth told him on Monday, the morning after the party. Fortunately, that nightmare was in the past and soon she would leave, sneaky and silent as always.

"You're absolutely right, it was so much fun. In less than two hours the kids were already tired and I had to greet twenty different people who treated me like I was a childhood friend. It was really fun.”

"Don't be dramatic. They know you, you just don't remember them.”

It's true. Percy never had patience for self-interested people with superiority complexes. He had enough of that himself.

"Daddy, can we change clothes? Nico should be here soon." Alice said, her face expressionless and her eyes drooping, dark circles surrounding them in a soft pink tone. Her dark brown hair further highlighting her paleness.

"Of course, dear. Do you have money for lunch?”

She just waved and held out her hand to Logan who slowly stood up and walked over to his sister.

Logan wasn't doing any better either, it seemed like all his joy and will to live had been taken from him, his green eyes were puffy and his back was hunched over. The saddest sight he ever saw. Annabeth had promised them a family night and what they had gotten was a lonely dinner, secluded at a table while their mother paraded Percy around the room, as to demonstrate how her trophy shone brighter and brighter than anyone else's.

In that moment, Annabeth chose to stand up as well, acting like the children and the heavy air didn't exist. She stroked Alice and Logan's hair and walked up the stairs, strutting down a runway that only she could see, never looking back.

"I'm sorry, kids. This will be over soon.”

"She… she doesn't even…!" Logan sobbed and Alice hugged him tightly. "Why doesn't she love me?”

"Don't be like that." It was Percy's turn to stand up and join them, completing the hug. "Of course she loves you, she's your mother. She loves you in her own way.”

"I wish! I wish she wasn't my mother! Anyone is better than her!" Logan shouted with all the strength he had and ran up the stairs.

"It's okay, Dad. I'll take care of it." Alice tried to smile and hugged him as tightly as she had hugged Logan. 

She pulled away and followed her brother, straightening her spine and walking up the stairs, doing her best to show that everything was okay. But it wasn't, they had known for a long time that it never would be. The children were growing up and finally understanding what was happening, what had always happened. The truth was that Annabeth wanted more than to stay home and take care of children, no matter who she left behind or hurt in the process.

After that, Percy didn't even have time to finish his black coffee, the doorbell rang and he had to answer it, knowing full well who it was. He opened the door, coming face to face with Nico's dark and slightly rounded face, his black eyes as puffy as Logan's, looking down, huddled against himself at the foot of the door.

"Nico, you don't need to ring the bell, I gave you the key for a reason." Percy tried to break the bad mood.

"I wasn't sure if I should." Nico looked at him hesitantly, and remained rooted to the spot, looking like he was going to burst into tears right there.

"Nico, what happened?”

"Nothing. Nothing happened.”

"Did you get my message?”

He nodded and wiped his face.

"I wish you hadn't sent it." He then looked at him and practically begged. "You make things even more complicated.”

"More complicated, how?”

"I thought… I thought I could handle it. What should I do? Never talk to them again? Pretend it never happened? What should I do?”

"Nico, dear. It's okay.”

"Nothing is okay. Nothing will ever be! I wish I had never met you, never met Diego and still been in Italy! None of this would have happened and I would never have known--”

"Never know what?" Percy had to ask.

Nico looked at him, fidgeting in place, his lips trembling.

"I would never know what it's like to be treated well. Like I mattered. Like I was worth the effort.”

Percy waited a moment and continued to look at Nico, this boy couldn't be real. His sincerity, his affection. Percy could kiss him right there, right now. He could hold him in his arms and give him all the attention Nico could possibly want, but it wasn't right, it wasn't what Nico needed; this was just a vulnerable moment. The strange thing was that Percy didn't understand why he cared so much, even though he knew it was enough to try to help Nico. What Nico needed right now was a friend and not what Percy really wanted to give.

"Okay." He murmured back, trying to stay on the right path. In the end, he couldn’t resist. Percy touched Nico’s shoulder and slid his hand down the curve of his neck, watching Nico gasp and move closer to him, their heads a hand’s breadth apart. "Do you need help? Medical help? Money?”

"I don't want to take advantage of you." It was Nico's turn to murmur back, looking less fragile, as thought the danger had lessened.

"Our family has a partnership with an NGO. It's great for taxes. I could arrange something for you.”

"I can't." Nico shook his head, moving just a little closer.

"Please? I would feel more at ease. It’s a community-based program. You can continue to receive help even after you stop working here. It’s at the college, downtown. It’s safe, I promise.”

"I don't know, Per.”

"Or you can stay with me for a while. I have other houses.”

Nico grimaced and shook his head.

"Come on, everyone needs help.”

"Are you sure? Is it really communal?”

"I wouldn't lie to you.”

"I… thank you.”

Nico jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly around the neck, and whispered:

"No one has done anything like this for me before. I will never forget it. Never.”

Nico then kissed him on the cheek, a soft, fleeting touch, and pulled away, his face reddening more by the second.

"Uh… the pleasure is mine." Percy said. He tried hard not to step forward and end this torture. But there was no way, playing the good guy was too exhausting.

Percy sighed deeply, waved and turned his back to Nico, being greeted by an audience, because there in the entrance chamber he found the children smiling, all happy with Annabeth who was watching them like she had swallowed a whole lemon. The worst part was seeing her anger displayed for anyone to see when Annabeth had done much more than a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Well, two kisses on the cheek. Who knows, maybe the next one would be in the right place.

But no, that wasn't all. Annabeth uncrossed her arms, pushed herself off the wall and came towards him, strutting and tossing her golden hair back.

"So, you are the famous Nico.”

"Am I?" Nico asked, confused.

"Annabeth Chase, wife of the man you were hugging so tightly.”

"Hmmm… it’s a pleasure to meet you? I can finally… put a face to the name.”

"Did they talk about me? I expect only good things.”

“Of course, ma’am.” Nico looked at Percy uncertainly, and Percy nodded at Nico, patting Nico’s shoulder once more. “Kids? We’re already late.”

This is the moment when Logan and Alice ran to Nico, each of them hugging him tightly only to run out of the house, leaving Percy to grab the keys to the car that had just arrived and hand them to Nico.

"Those keys, they're not--”

"Today you will use another car. It is next to the Jeep.”

Nico shrugs and picks up the children's backpacks, going after them and leaving only the silence and Annabeth's malicious judgment on his back.

Chapter XIX

"You finally showed who you really are.”

Nico and the kids had barely left when Annabeth started. She followed him through the house to the living room and stopped in front of him, refusing to be ignored. Percy felt like rolling his eyes, but he was resigned; nothing he could say would convince her otherwise. So, Percy gave in and just sat on the couch, opening the newspaper to the business section.

"Really? Who am I?”

"A child groomer. You always preferred the younger ones. They’re more innocent, aren’t they? Easier to manipulate? You can tell me.”

He looked at Annabeth, at her bright blue-gray eyes that conveyed compassion and understanding. She had always been a good actress. But, did everyone think the same? Did he enjoy dominating the weak? Was that the impression he gave to others?

"Annabeth, how many times I will need--”

"You're cheating on me. You'll never admit it, but I know it. Is it revenge for what I did?”

"Annabeth." Percy sighed, already tired of this. "If I wanted revenge, I would have done it four years ago.”

“Four years?” She gasped and took a step back. This time, it didn’t seem like an act. “You knew all this time and never said anything?”

"I wasn't sure. Until you brought your lover home, things were great. I saw you two together and it was so obvious. I couldn't keep pretending.”

"Percy, I never meant to hurt you.”

"I know, it would happen sooner or later, right? And all because of our families?”

"Percy, please. Don't complicate things.”

"No, Annabeth. I'm tired of this. Remember your part of the deal. This is my last warning.”

"Percy! Don't you realize what you're doing?" Annabeth approached him and held his hands like she hadn't done in a long time. "Don't you know what people will say?”

"He's just a kid who needs help.”

"No." She refused to accept it, holding him in place with the strength of her intense eyes. "You say that now, but what about later? When you no longer feel guilty? I know what will happen. What will they say about me when you abandon me because of a little boy?”

"You were the one who abandoned me first!”

"Yes! For an adult and independent person. Someone mature and with a career. What do you think will happen? Will you play with him for a while and then dump him?”

"Oh, I hope not. I'll play with him, dress him, feed him, and give him everything he needs." Percy said with a smile wider than the world, catching himself and Annabeth off guard. "Then I'll love him and marry him.”

"You… are you serious? You would throw away our partnership over some random child?”

"This has nothing to do with Nico. That was our agreement, you would visit the children a few days per year until the divorce was official. All that’s left is for you to sign the papers.”

"Percy! Why can't you accept this? I'll even let you play with him. Equal rights, right?" She said hopefully.

"No, thank you very much. You should have thought about that before making your decision.”

"Percy!”

He had lost interest in what Annabeth had to say. Percy sat back down on the couch and opened the newspaper once more, watching from the corner of his eye as Annabeth paced the room, her dress billowing around her as she came up with a thousand reasons to convince him why a divorce after so long would be detrimental to both of them.

The truth was, he didn't care, and he didn't care what might happen to him. Would Percy lose some money? Yes. Would his parents be furious in that passive-aggressive way that said they were going to take away any support or power he had over the family business? Absolutely. As long as Nico and the kids weren't affected, everything else could fall apart and he wouldn't lift a finger to stop it.

"Okay! But don't say I didn't warn you!" Annabeth threw her hands in the air and marched upstairs. Which seemed perfect to him, the less he had to deal with Annabeth, the less problems he would have in the future.

***

“Thank you, Jenny,” Percy said, picking up the cutlery on the table and deciding what he would eat first.

That was a pleasant early afternoon, the sun was shining brightly into the room and the food was being served on the table while Jenny, the new maid/housekeeper , arranged the dishes on the table. And Percy had to admit, he had never eaten so well before, even at his parents' house when the custom was to have a party or charity event every two weeks. It seemed that Nico was excellent at everything he did and even at finding exemplary and efficient service providers.

“Of course, Mr. Jackson. Mrs. Chase.” Jenny nodded at him and Annabeth, and walked away. She was out of the dining room and back to the kitchen faster than a rocket. Had Annabeth managed to scare away more of the staff yet?

“So…” Annabeth began. She uncovered one of the dishes and made a face. “You know I don’t eat pasta.”

"Nico eats. The children too.”

"It's your favorite dish. And I know you, everything has to be about you.”

"No, you're mistaken, I think we're talking about someone else.”

It was Percy's turn to make faces. When he was with Annabeth, he couldn't help but sink to her level. Luckily, he didn't have to wait long, as he soon heard the front door slam and hurried footsteps coming towards him. Small arms grabbed him by the neck and childish giggles followed. Percy smiled at them and kissed their happy faces, Alice and Logan, the only positive thing that would come out of this marriage. Of course, Nico came right after, out of breath, running after the children, probably worried that they might have gotten hurt.

"Oh." Nico mumbled, looking embarrassed for some reason. " I'm sorry.”

Nico took a step back and was already turning around when Percy said:

"Nico, join us.”

"I don't want to bother you.”

"I insist.”

"Yes, Nico. We insist.”

Nico turned and faced him, hesitating, and then disappeared once more with the children's backpacks down the hallway and up the stairs. When he returned, Nico simply extended his hands toward the children and they came to him, each holding one in his arms. They went up the stairs and with that, the silence that was so common when he and Annabeth were together was once again present, louder than if a lion were roaring in the dining room and right in their faces.

"Hm." Annabeth said after a while.

Yeah… maybe he had looked up at the cream-colored ceiling and then at the dishes that, even though covered, were releasing steam from the cooked food. When he looked back at her, Annabeth had her arms crossed and was leaning against the back of the chair, observing him as if she were analyzing an experiment that had an obvious conclusion.

"You are thoughtful.”

"…”

"You are… happy.”

Percy made a point of not answering her again. He wouldn't smile or make any faces. But still, Annabeth said he was happy.

"You've made up your mind.”

"I already told you--”

"Yes. But this time is serious.”

It was better for things to stay that way. He allowed himself to look at the ceiling once more and let his thoughts go wherever they wanted. He allowed himself to think about Nico's dark eyes, his easily embarrassed face, and his shy but sweet gestures. And in the end, Annabeth was right, he was just biding his time, waiting long enough for Nico to reach twenty-one so he would feel less guilty about what he was about to do.

***

Percy heard the footsteps before he saw them. Nico reappeared with the children, already changed, and guided them by the hands, helping Logan to sit in the chair while Alice sat down alone, sitting next to her brother. Silently, Logan and Alice waited for Nico who started by taking the children's plates. First Logan's, filling his plate with vegetables and a small portion of pasta. Nico did the same with Alice and even though they made faces, they both took the first bite, swallowing the vegetables practically without chewing. At least it was a start, he had never managed that feat.

"So, Nico. You're a student, right?" Annabeth said, barely letting Nico sit down.

Nico went around the table and did the same with Percy, filling his plate with vegetables, but with a much larger portion of pasta, doing the same with his own plate.

Nico nodded, sat down next to Percy, and lowered his head, shoving a forkful of pasta into his mouth.

"What are you studying again?”

When Nico continued chewing, showing no signs of responding, Percy spoke for him:

"He's going to be a--”

"I'm not talking to you." Annabeth said and turned to Nico, and asked again: "What do you study, boy?”

He watched things happen in slow motion. Nico wiped his mouth delicately, put his cutlery on the plate, and then stared at Annabeth, his brow furrowed. He placed his hands on his lap, somehow looking shy and yet not at all intimidated.

“You don’t scare me,” Nico said, straightening his back. “You’re not the first to think that just because I’m quiet I’d be afraid of this emotional manipulation. I’m sorry if I’m interrupting your dinner. I can leave.”

A slow smile formed on Percy's face and not even his attempt to hide it with his hands could disguise his amusement. It was funny to see the way Nico acted, the boy didn't even make an effort to move and just continued to stare at Annabeth, calm and composed, as if this was a normal occurrence. The children didn't have the same composure, laughing softly as they tried not to choke on their food, all while Annabeth seemed to take Nico's answer as a challenge.

"Ah, but it seems like you learned a lot from daddy, right? After all, he's old enough to be your father. Maybe an uncle, hmm?”

It was Percy's turn to swallow something sour.

"My father?" Nico shook his head and gave a dry chuckle. "My father would never teach me these things. I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

"You don't have to?”

"No." This time Nico looked Annabeth straight in the eye, completely serious. "You are not part of our lives. How long will it be before you disappear again? If you don’t care about this marriage, you should care about what happens to your children.”

Only silence remained. Annabeth paled and inside, where no one could see, Percy felt vindicated, so fulfilled that he could get down on one knee and ask Nico to marry him right then and there.

"I’m sorry." Nico said once more, softening his voice. "I don’t mean to intrude. But all this has a negative effect on the children. They spent the night crying. It’s not healthy. And no, everything I said here, they’re not my words, they’re theirs. Can you hear that?”

"I…" Annabeth murmured, looking at her own plate.

"Can we start over?" Nico then smiled and stood up. "Nico Di Ângelo, nice to meet you. I'm the kids' new nanny. I've been here for less than a month and I'm studying law at the community college, next semester I'll transfer to the federal college. I'm working to pay for my studies.”

Nico offered Annabeth his hand and the most incredible thing happened: Annabeth stood up and accepted the greeting, shaking Nico's hand. The children sighed in relief and Percy felt disappointed. Nico could have chased Annabeth away, right? But nothing was that simple. Annabeth and Nico sat down at the table, the plates were emptied, dessert arrived and so the children, Annabeth and Nico began to talk, telling her what had happened since Nico had arrived there. Unfortunately, Annabeth was cordial, Nico was sincere and the rest of the day passed peacefully with Annabeth and Nico putting the children to bed and wishing them a good night.

The good news is that when Nico came down the stairs to leave, he was alone. Backpack on his back and a calm expression on his face. That is, until he finished going down them and found Percy waiting for him at the bottom.

"Sorry about today. I didn't expect her to do that.”

“It’s okay.” Nico shrugged, stopping a meter away from him. “You two are alike, actually. I just needed to shock her and show her that I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

"Still, you didn't have to deal with her.”

"Percy--”

"I have something for you." Percy took a card out of his pocket and offered it to Nico. "The clinic I told you about.”

"You said it was an NGO." Nico looked at him suspiciously, but accepted the card.

"It’s a clinic that partners with an NGO. It’s the same thing.”

"No, it's not.”

Nico read the address on the card and frowned.

"Isn’t it that tall building in the city center…?”

"Well… you discovered my evil plan.”

With that, Nico looked away from the card and crossed his arms, staring at him with that grumpy little face, making a cute little grimace.”

"I said my family had a partnership with an NGO, didn't I?”

"I didn't expect it to be in that building. I mean…”

"Yes, we are those Jackson.”

"You mean, I gave a moral lesson to one of the most… famous socialites in the city?" Nico said, looking like he was going to faint, his voice slowly fading away.

"Yes, and that was the best moment of my life! Thank you very much!”

"Percy!" Nico whimpered and came at him, slamming both his fists against Percy's still aching chest. " Couldn't you have warned me?”

"No, I couldn’t." He murmured, satisfied, holding the middle of Nico’s back. He loved it when Nico approached him of his own free will. "Did I mention you were amazing? Fantastic. Magnificent. Perfect.”

"Stop it! And don't try to distract me. I can't accept it." But Nico didn't pull away as he feared, Nico hugged him by the neck and held on tightly.

“None of this.” Percy murmured against Nico’s ear. “A promise is a promise.”

"I didn't promise anything.”

"Come on, it will be good for you. And if you need to--”

"No." Nico denied, letting his arms fall away from Percy’s neck, and took a step back, looking anywhere but at him. "I can’t accept more than this.”

"I know. I understand. But I want you to know, if you ever need me, no matter what it is. I'm here.”

"I know." Nico murmured back. "And that’s the problem.”

Thanks for being here. Comments are always welcome.

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII

As I promised, here are two chapters. If you see any mistakes, like wrong names, let me know! As this was an original story, I may have made some mistakes.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV

Chapter XVI

Percy turned his back on Nico, got into his giant jeep and drove away. Before he knew it, Percy was far away, leaving him with only silence and his own thoughts, watching until the car disappeared into the horizon and only when he had no choice, Nico resigned himself to going back inside the house, walking slowly, questioning the life he led.

He was starting to wonder, was that house even his anymore? Nico didn't feel safe in it, he didn't feel like it was his home, nor was his room a safe place anymore; Nico no longer had the key of his door’s room, not since his father had discovered that he wouldn't be doing agronomy in college like Hades had planned and that, in fact, he was almost ready to leave and go in another direction. However, the high point was when Hades practically sold him in exchange for support and investment in the family business. In the end, Hazel was right and that was his job in that family, to keep Will calm, happy and in control, so that his father would be sure that the mayor would remain happy. Everyone won, right?

Sure. Except him, of course.

With those encouraging thoughts, Nico walked the rest of the way to the front of the house and climbed the set of the porch steps, entering through the front door.

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw that shadows had already formed against the walls. He only needed the door to close for the rest of the room to fall into total darkness, leaving him with only the moonlight for illumination, but that didn't bother him. He kept walking and watched his shoes, walking without looking where he was going, having already memorized every corner of that path. Ten steps forward, three to the left and five ahead to reach the dining room.

"We need to talk." Hades's voice sounded shrill in the silence of the room.

Do you know what scared him the most? That silence is what Nico had always feared. It was Hades with his hard, judgmental looks, was those quiet moments before the storm came, and it was that giant house that always seemed so empty of life; that was what it did to him; it haunted him, made him think Nico would never escape that horror movie of a small town and the claustrophobic places. Because, that was how he would end up, a small boy, in a small place, in a small family and in a small life. He would probably end up like one of those story endings too; he would work for his father until his last days and marry whoever Hades told him to, obeying like the perfect son, right? That was supposed to be his future?

He was so tired…

"I don’t think so. I think our conversation is over." Nico heard himself saying, still looking at his feet. Why was he still trying? Why did he care what that man would think? That wasn’t his responsibility, none of it was. It wasn’t pampering Will Solace, the mayor, or worrying about the family’s business; Nico didn’t need any of that.

Nico nodded to himself, and he was so exhausted that he didn't care about Hades's angry grunt. Or the chair scraping across the floor, or even the heavy footsteps coming towards him. Nico only raised his head when Hades was too close to ignore, feeling empty and hollow.

After all, what could Hades do? Hurt him again?

Nico was already more than injured.

"How dare you to defy me!" Hades raised his fist and punched the table, which shook with the force of the blow.

Nico barely reacted, he looked at his father's hand on the tablecloth and tried to remember why he should care.

It was all so meaningless that he just continued to watch it.

"I'm tired, Hades." Nico said, defeated. It was the first time he had called him that. Hades was no longer his father, his Papa. He had stopped being that a long time ago.

Nico barely heard the people in the room gasp, which didn't stop them from slowly approaching the two. However, his focus was on Hades, the one Nico blamed for all of this. He needed to blame someone, because if Hades wasn't the one to blame, it meant that he was the reason for all of this mess.

"I'm sorry. I can't do what you want anymore. I-- I tried... I... I'm not challenging you, I just... haven't I done enough?”

Silence fell again, it seemed like no one was breathing. He even tried to see Hades's reaction; his vision was blurry and it was hard to breathe, his chest was constricting as if someone was crushing him, but... but he was calm, he was so calm that it seemed like Nico was watching everything like a spectator; for the first time in a long time he felt like nothing could affect him anymore. It was strange, the tears rolled down his face and his hands were shaking, and he didn't know if it was from relief or sadness; the tears simply overflowed from within him.

Nico blinked and a few more tears rolled down his face. He finally allowed himself to cry for the first time in his life.

"Can you forgive me? I need to do this." Nico tried again. He knew it would be in vain, because with Hades there was only one way to do things, either it was the way he wanted it or it wasn't. Nico accepted that, he accepted that it was the end for them.

It was… it was okay, he had done everything he could. A gentle voice was saying in the back of his mind. He nodded once more, to himself and to what he knew was coming next. When nothing happened and Hades just kept looking at him with that neutral expression, Nico… Nico just let himself breathe and started walking. One step at a time; one to avoid Hades’s still figure, another to get past the table, and a few more to climb the stairs. He looked at them and put his right foot up, then his left, and dragged himself up them, one at a time, until he reached the star’s end and walked a few steps into his room.

Nico left the door open. There was no point in him closing it when he couldn’t lock it, and sat down on the bed. He kept staring at his shoes. He needed a new pair. Maybe new jeans too. Maybe a new bed or… or a new Nico. It sounded good. Anything was better than being the same old Nico Di Ângelo.

He wished he could just be… Nico. Nicollas.

"Oh, my baby." He heard someone saying, someone entering the room, someone hugging him tightly and sitting with him on the bed. He recognized that smell, it was Bianca, her long wavy hair falling over his shoulder, covering him like a protective shield. Nico should have heard what she told him, Bianca had warned him so many times. He should have listened.

"Bia." He murmured, unable to hear his own voice. " I didn't want to.”

"I know, dear. With the Solace family, that's all it could have been. You don't have to try anymore.”

"I don't need to?" He didn't know that.

"Of course not. It was your choice from the beginning. We will support you.”

He knew the choice was his, Nico wanted to tell her that. And that was exactly why he had no choice. How could he do anything when he knew what the consequences would be?

"Don't worry. This is his problem. It's high time Hades acted like a man.”

"That's right. We're gonna kick that son of a daddy's ass if he comes back here!”  Hazel said somewhere near them.

Nico knew he could count on them. He closed his eyes and let himself relax like he hadn't done in a long time.

Chapter XVII

"See you on Monday.”

Percy looked at Nico's sad face once more and was tempted to throw him over his shoulders and run away with him.

He wanted to say that everything was going to be okay, that all it took was one word and Nico would never have to deal with those people again. But before the words could come out, he did what anyone in his place would do; he controlled himself and walked to the car that was parked a few feet away. Or rather, he marched, sprinting down the road and doing his best not to look back or go back to Nico.

Percy just stopped walking when he got into the driver's seat and sped away from there.

Shit! What was he thinking! Why did he keep doing this? He shouldn't have let himself get carried away, but he couldn't help himself. Nico reminded him of his teenage years, of those days in college where he was free to do whatever he wanted; Nico made him act like a child again, defying older people who had an image of authority and harassing anyone he felt like. What could he say? After all, Percy was what Nico had accused him of without even having to use words; a billionaire, a womanizer, and with a superiority complex.

He wasn’t like that anymore, that person stayed in the past; now Percy was a centered and responsible individual, he wasn't the type to cheat even if his illustrious wife didn't think the same. But what if Nico needed help? What if Hades tried something against Nico? About Will, he had no doubts. Was it safe to leave Nico among those people? Who would defend him when the next punch came? 

No! Percy couldn't think about that. He didn't even know those people and he barely knew who Nico was. He didn't... Shit! He shouldn't have left Nico alone. Frustrated, he slammed on the brake and let his head fall against the steering wheel, the horn making a loud sound. WHAT. WAS. HE. THINKING! Nico wasn't his at all and if Nico had survived in that place without him for all this time, he could keep going. Right?

Sure.

Really… what if Nico couldn’t? He looked so defeated, so fragile… cases of anxiety could cause worse even more damage, like suicide or depression, couldn’t they? What if Nico… No! He couldn’t think about that, he couldn’t! Percy should have dragged Nico out of there when he had the chance, he knew that if he insisted just a little longer Nico would have accepted, but… he admited, okay! He wanted Nico to come of his own free will and not because some guy he had just met had asked him to. However, Percy could offer help, couldn’t he? Just one more time?

He took his cell phone out of his pocket and looked for Nico's contact, thank goodness he had given it to him in that conversation in the kitchen before the panic attack. Percy pressed the message icon and typed:

“Is everything okay? I hope things haven’t gotten worse. The offer still stands. Whenever you need it.”

Was it too direct? Too blunt? Too sincere? Too intimate? It didn’t matter. He pressed send and put the phone back in his pocket, starting the car once more. He sent a message, and at the moment, it was all he could do. Was the right thing to do. Otherwise, he would just be another one of those people demanding something when it was clear Nico wasn’t willing to give it.

With this depressing thought, Percy drove the rest of the afternoon and early evening, still not knowing what to do, but doing what he could in this situation.

He walked through the entrance of the condominium and finally arrived home, exhaustion overcoming him as soon as he stepped out of the car. It seemed like so much had happened and so much time had passed, even though it couldn't have been more than five or six hours since breakfast. He walked around the house and up the steps to the porch only to be greeted by two pairs of tight hugs.

The children grabbed him by the waist and smiled at him, all happy. Of course, that wasn't enough. Annabeth Chase, his dignified wife, was sitting on the sofa in the living room with a drawing in her hand; on it were them: Logan, Alice, Nico and Percy. A normal, happy family.

"Daddy, Daddy! Mommy got here early." Logan said looking at him, still with his arms around his waist.

“He told her everything about Nico,” Alice warned, perceptive as always.

“It’s okay,” he said to the children. Or maybe he said it to himself, trying to convince himself of it.

So the three of them walked the rest of the way to the living room, sitting on the couch opposite where Annabeth was.

"Oh, Percy. Did you make it back home? I thought you were too busy to care about your kids.”

"I called a babysitter before I left.”

Percy didn't even bother explaining since the kids should have told her what happened.

"You know what's even more amazing? It seems like you replaced the nanny I hired without telling me." Annabeth stood up, smoothing her dress and crossing her arms. Her eyes analyzed him from head to toe, demanding and cold.

Ah, it seems like she was preparing to fight, even her voice changed intonation.

"Children, it's time for bed, yes? Go ahead and go upstairs." He gave each of them a kiss and watched Alice take Logan's hand, leading him upstairs.

Percy waited long enough for the children to disappear down the hallway and turned to her:

"What are you doing here? This is not our agreement.”

"Guess what? I missed you, sweetheart." She smiled and blew a kiss in his direction, sitting back down, her eyes sparkling as she studied him. Annabeth tossed her long platinum hair to one side of her shoulder, exposing part of her chest and neck, showing the swell of her breasts against the tight dress.

There was a time when Percy would do anything for her, but now all that was left were threats and conversations to see who was the strongest one.

"Annabeth!”

"You still haven't answered me.”

"If you must know, he's the person you hired.”

"Is he? From what Logan said, you two seem pretty close.”

He felt the need to roll his eyes like a teenager and ended up resigning himself to his torture. It’s like they say, if you can't beat them, join them. That's exactly what he did, he sat down next to her and closed his eyes for a moment.

"He's a good kid. He just needs help." Percy said finally.

"Don't you tell me?”

"His family is worse than mine and yours combined.”

"Is that all? Do you want to help him?”

"Unlike you, I'm not a traitor." Feeling Annabeth approaching, Percy opened his eyes again, looking at her head on. "Speaking of which, when are you going to sign the divorce papers?”

"Divorce? Things are great as they are. Why ruin something that is going so well?" Then she looked him in the eyes and placed her hands on his shoulders, sliding them down in a caress that only disgusted him.

"Annabeth." Percy said, turning away from her. "What are you doing here?”

"Hmm, I love it when you talk rough. We could--”

"We could nothing. There's only one reason why you came back.”

"Okay!" She told him. Annabeth got up from the couch and went to the suitcases that were still in the entrance hall and came back soon after, handing him an invitation to the Palace Hotel, one of the most exquisite party rooms in the city. "I need your help. I have this party... it's important to me.”

"They always are. Are you trying to use me again?”

"Look, I would go with Heyna, but these people are traditional. If they see you with me, it will make things move much faster. Think about it this way, the sooner you agree, the sooner I'll leave. Doesn't that sound like a good deal?”

"A good deal? You've got to be kidding me.”

Percy brought his hand to his face and rubbed it, he was too tired to deal with her.

"Come on, Percy. Just this once.”

"I won't do anything until you sign the papers.”

"Percy, you know I can't do this.”

"You can't? Are you sure? I have enough evidence to annul the marriage for adultery. Is that what you want?”

"You're lying, you would never do that! What about the children? Are you gonna do that to them?”

"They’re already grown up. They don't need you. I don't need you. And if you don't want to accept it, I'll be forced to use force. Who will lose more? Me, a university professor, or a socialite architect? Can you imagine the gossip magazines? I can.”

He stood up, tired of it, and turned his back on her, not caring if Annabeth would get hurt or not. But of course she wouldn't give up that easily, right?

"I… I’ll sign it. After the party, if you’ll come with me. The kids need to go too.”

Percy turned to her and studied her angelic face. If he hadn't known the venom behind that vulnerable expression, Percy might have believed it. He would have believed it before he found out what Annabeth was doing on these business trips. And with who.

"Okay, but this is the last time. If you don't keep your end of the deal, I can't be held responsible for the consequences.”

With that, he turned his back on Annabeth and walked up the stairs, finding the children at the top of them, their little faces sad and tearful.

"Shhh… it's okay. Who wants to hear a story?" Logan and Alice sniffed, but held their hands and together, they entered the room.

Thanks for reading!

Newsletter Janeiro (January)

Oi, como vai? Faz tempo que a gente não conversa, então, resolvi fazer uma newsletter mensal para manter todo mundo informado do que acontece por aqui, assim, se você perder algum post importante estará aqui.

Bem... essa semana deveria ter episodio novo na "Sitter's love", mas fiquei doente. Até parece uma desculpa esfarrapada, eu sei, mas pelo menos vim dar sinal de vida. O projeto de ajuda para escritores também deveria estar acontecendo, e pelo mesmo motivo, ela está meio parada. Também sinto que eu devia mudar o formato do projeto, quando comecei a escrever sobre escrita criativa o objetivo era para ser aulas curtas e direto ao ponto, algo que eu sei, não funciona muito bem por aqui. Então, acho que vou apagar o post anterior e tentar adequar o conteúdo para algo mais amigável e menos agressivo. Ainda essa semana vou tentar postar um capítulo da "Sitter's love", talvez ainda hoje.

Aqui segue os posts do mês!

Hi, how are you? It's been a while since we last talked, so I decided to do a monthly newsletter to keep everyone informed of what's going on around here, so that if you miss any important posts they'll be here.

Well… this week there was supposed to be a new episode of “Sitter's love”, but I got sick. It sounds like a lame excuse, I know, but at least I'm here to give a sign of life. The writers' aid project in portuguese was also supposed to be happening, and for the same reason, it's at a bit of a standstill. I also feel that I should change the format of the project, when I started writing about creative writing it was meant to be short and to the point lessons, something that I know doesn't work very well around here. So I think I'll delete the previous post and try to adapt the content to something more friendly and less aggressive. Later this week I'll try to post a chapter of “Sitter's love”, maybe even today.

Here are the posts of the month!

Sitter's love

Chapter III, Chapter IV, Chapter V

Chapter VI e Chapter VII

Chapter VIII e Chapter IX

Chapter XIV

Chapter XV

Se você quiser ver os outros capítulos, clique aqui

If you want to see the other chapters, click here

Amor de Babá

Capítulo III, Capítulo IV, Capítulo V, Capítulo VI, Capítulo VII

There's no place like home

Chapter XXVIII, Chapter XXIX, Chapter XXX

ShortStories - Histórias curtas!

ShortStory #2 – Eu sei que você quer (traição+blowjob+babá)

ShortStory #3 – Recém Casados (fingering+orgasm denial+chastity)

ShortStories - #1, #2 and #3 (In English)

Ajuda para escritores - O post que eu provavelmente vou apagar, mas se você quiser ver, está aqui

The post that I'll probably delete, but if you want to see it, is here

Escrevendo História - Prompts Criativos! Aqui