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

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

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

O capítulo é pequeno, mas de qualquer forma, espero que você gostem.^^

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Nós vamos ajudar. Tyson vai começar os preparativos.

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

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

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

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

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

— Bianca está bem morando com ele?

— Ele nunca tratou Bianca como me trata.

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

— Senti sua falta. 

— É?

— Eu queria saber onde você estava.

— Eu estou aqui, como sempre.

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

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

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

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

— Eu… eu fiz algo errado?

— Isso nunca seria possível.

— Você não gosta mais de mim?

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

— Mais do que isso?

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

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

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

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

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

— Nico, por favor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Oh.

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

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

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

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

Espero que vocês gostem^^

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

— O que foi? Minhas roupas não são suficientes? 

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

— Per.

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

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

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

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

— Você entra comigo?

— É claro. Tudo o que você precisar.

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

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

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

— Garoto! Volte aqui! Nesse instante!

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

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

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

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

— O que isso quer dizer?

Nico deu de ombros e verificou debaixo da cama.

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

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

— Eu não esperava tudo isso.

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

— Sempre esqueço o que eu fiz com você.

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

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

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

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

— Eu queria dar tempo para você… viver.

— Acho que não entendi.

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

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

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

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

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

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

— Precisamos conversar sobre o seu futuro.

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

— Eu sou seu pai. Você me deve respeito!

— Que respeito?

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

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

 — Sei que a gente errou com você e--

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

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

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

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

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

— Você não teria coragem.

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

— Seu--

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

Era isso!

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

Nico se sentia sortudo. De verdade.

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

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

— Eu sabia que você faria alguma coisa idiota.

— Ele te batia! E eu… eu fiz o mesmo!

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

— Nico!

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

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

— Eu não queria te preocupar.

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

— O que você vai fazer?

— Você confia em mim?

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

— Eu confio. Você sabe disso.

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

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

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

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

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

Obrigada pela presença!

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

Hi, how are you? Another chapter and so fast? I'm enjoying it while the burnout doesn't come! I hope you like it.

I don't have many warnings in this chapter. Consider this chapter part of the previous one, okay?

CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII / CHAPTER IX / CHAPTER X / CHAPTER XI / CHAPTER XII / CHAPTER XIII / CHAPTER XIV / CHAPTER XV / CHAPTER XVI

Nico admitted that talking to Percy made things easier. Sincerely? He didn't care, he thought it wouldn't change much if he said what he thought or not. Nico was wrong, of course, although he only did all that because he saw how these secrets bothered Percy. They weren't exactly secrets, they were… some small things that made him feel ashamed or that he thought weren't important. In the end, Percy was right. It was the best feeling in the world, knowing that Percy cared so much about what he thought and felt, to the point of insisting so much and forcing him to see that he was important, even if it was for just one person; he was no longer invisible and what he thought was valid.

Nico wasn’t that clueless, He knew what had happened to him. Was fully aware that his father had abandoned him long before his mother died, but leaving a child alone in the care of his older sister who could barely look after herself? He would never blame Bianca, let alone Percy, who had welcomed him with open arms when the boy had no obligation. Nico couldn't imagine where he would be today if it hadn't been for Percy, who, although a little rebellious and controlling, was kind and concerned, much more affectionate than the image Percy gave to the rest of the world, the gruff and somewhat violent boy who hid inside his chest the desire to love and be loved, not for what he had but for what he was. And Nico understood that perfectly well. When the people around him found out that he was rich, the damage was already done; some people began to avoid him and others to flatter him, but not Percy, ‘cause Percy had always been the same protective and affectionate person, always offering him a smile and willing to share everything he had with Nico; his house, his money and even his family.

That's why at that moment, when Percy said that his opinion mattered, he believed him. And when Percy asked him to be honest, Nico did his best. He knew he could have made something up or pretended nothing was happening, seeing that Percy was about to give in. The problem was, they were the same in those kinds of things; it’s better to have something broken than not have it, right? Nico wasn't sure anymore, all he knew was that he was exactly where he was supposed to be, outside the house lying on a sun lounger with a book in his hand, watching the Jackson family having fun. Percy was swimming, Sally was grilling vegetables and meat on the electric grill and Grover and Tyson were sitting on the grass, doing what they do best, organizing the restaurant's upcoming events and deciding on the menu design for the next month. Nico could even breathe easier, feeling the mid-afternoon sun hit his face, making him close his eyes for a moment. A moment that seemed to last longer than he intended, when he was woken up by a soft voice and loving hands touching his hair.

"Nico, the food’s ready. You shouldn't spend so long in the sun." It was Sally, who smiled at him and helped him up from the chair.

Nico blinked slowly and, with his vision still blurred, let Sally guide him to the tables near the barbecue that were under huge umbrellas, serving as makeshift tents since they rarely used the outside of the house. Or so Percy had told him.

"What a good smell! "He heard someone say from afar.

Nico felt like he was in paradise.

Still a little drowsy, he watched Percy take another lap around the pool and go to the edge, propelling himself out of it and coming towards them, strutting around, like he hadn’t a care in the world, throwing his wet hair back and wearing only a swimming trunks, wetting the ground wherever he went. It was almost as if the water had attached itself to his body and didn't want to leave him. Nico didn't even get angry when Percy leaned over and kissed him, getting him wet in the process as he sat down next to him.

"Good reading?”

It was an interesting question; he couldn't remember a word of it, let alone if he'd read any of the pages. And instead of questioning his lack of an answer, Percy merely smiled at him and kissed his cheek. It seemed that their truce was still holding.

"How about we eat and rest later?”

Nico nodded, of course, suddenly feeling exhausted. Percy set out a piece of well-done steak, potatoes, and a salad for him and made another plate for himself. They ate in silence, and Nico hardly noticed as the sun softened and hid on the horizon. He also barely noticed the moment he went up to the room with Percy and got under the blankets, the only light that illuminated the room being the weak rays that passed through the blinds.

"Sleep. I'll be here when you wake up.”

Nico did his best to keep his eyes open. But Percy was still by his side, wearing only a swimming trunks, stroking his hair and cradling him like the baby Percy insisted he was. Maybe he was, and maybe Percy liked that. Things were what they were, and fighting nature was a battle doomed to failure. So he let himself be lulled to sleep and relaxed against the pillows. Maybe when he woke up he wouldn't feel so strange and tired.

***

Percy waited until Nico's breathing became deep and got up, then quietly went downstairs to where his mother was still sitting under an umbrella.

"Is he asleep?”

"Yes. I think I've tired him out.”

"Percy, we've already talked about this.”

"I know that, okay! It's just that... Nico is so disinterested in everything.”

"Darling, I understand. But if you want Nico to stay here, you have to follow our rules.”

"You don't understand! He's starting to get quiet again. Nico hardly eats and doesn't want to talk about anything. What do you want me to do if sex is the only thing that holds his attention?”

"Have you ever thought that Nico is feeling comfortable enough to be himself?”

"But he's so calm! Nothing seems to affect him.”

"Darling." Now Sally was laughing at him, and not even hiding her amusement. "The problem here may be something else.”

"What?”

"Your need for control. If you don't understand, you try to control it.”

"I really don't understand.”

"Think of it this way, Nico was alone, so he had to act in a certain way in order not to remain alone, right? Is he still alone?”

"Are you telling me he's quiet because he wants to be? Because it feels good?”

"Percy! Nico is part of the family, but he's not your responsibility.”

"Of course he is. If his father never cared and his sister cares when it's convenient, someone has to!”

"Percy.”

"I know it's not my responsibility, I don't see it that way. I just worry. What if the next time he runs away, Nico gets hurt? What will happen when no one can help him?”

"It still won't be your fault. Just as it's not his if Nico feels cornered and wants to protect himself. You have to accept that.”

"I hate that you studied psychology.”

"How else could I understand what's going on in my son's head?”

"Mom!”

"I'm serious, Percy. Think about it. Do you act the same everywhere and with everyone? Then don't expect Nico to do the same. Would you rather he pretended to be something just to please you? Wasn't that the problem?”

"I'm just... I'm scared. I screwed up before, you know? What if I do the same thing?”

"It still won't be your fault.”

"So whose is it?”

"Nobody's. It's just life. It's up to us to forgive and move on. In the end, life is about choices.”

"I don't like that.”

"Well, darling, nobody likes it. You have to understand that deep down it's not about you.”

"That's a shame. If it were, I'd have sorted it out by now.”

"Percy! You have to respect what Nico wants.”

"Hm." That was a good place to start. "All right, I'll do what you want. But I can't promise anything.”

"Perseus Jackson!”

Sally slapped his arm and all he could do was laugh. Sally wasn't the kind of person who punished through pain, no, but by taking away what you loved most. So Percy knew his mother didn't mean it, she would never punish him so cruelly. In the end, she hugged him and told him: "Behave yourself and everything will work out in the end. Be patient.”

***

"Behave and everything will work out in the end. Be patient.”

Nico didn't want to be spying, he swore he didn't want to. But Percy had said he'd be by his side when he woke up, and when Percy wasn't there, the only thing on his mind was to go in search of the liar. It was all right, he forgave Percy since Percy needed Sally more than he needed Percy at the moment; and to think that Percy asked him to be honest when Percy didn't do the same. Because, yes, he had heard it all. From his "lack of interest" to "you have to respect what Nico wants".

It was funny in an almost sick way. What did he want? It was hard to decide. In the past, he wanted a real friend, then someone to hold his hand. And when all that had come true, things started to get complicated; he wanted a boyfriend and didn't want Percy to know how he felt; he wanted kisses and didn't want Percy to find out. Now? Well, now that he had all this, he realized that in the end all these desires were concentrated in one person, and as long as he had that, he was satisfied, even if he knew it wasn't very healthy or right from an ethical, moral or mental point of view. However, it was something to think about... what was the point of having what he wanted when the price was seeing Percy so frustrated and anxious?

Before they could notice him, Nico entered the house and climbed the stairs, lying down on the bed where Percy had left him. Maybe he could... show more interest? It wouldn't be that much effort, right? And it might even be fun. So he put his head on the pillow and didn't have to wait long. Soon the bedroom door opened and the bed beside him moved, arms wrapped around his waist and a kiss was placed behind his ear, sending shivers down his spine.

"Did I wake you up?”

"I'm so sorry." Nico said, turning around in Percy's arms, looking at him closely. "I didn't know you cared so much.”

"You heard?" Percy made a serious face and Nico felt his heart clench.

He wrapped his arms around Percy's neck and kissed him for long minutes, closing his eyes tightly, knowing that he would rather not look at Percy when he started talking.

With his eyes still closed, he leaned his forehead against Percy's and spoke:

"Your mother is right. I... you may have a certain influence over my personality, but it's not exactly that. I like it that way, I just want a bit of peace and quiet, you know? A place to belong. I want to have someone to…” 

"To?”

"I want someone to own me. Who is in control. Who won't let me get away and who knows what I need.”

"Own you? How? You're not a property, something for people to buy.”

"Sometimes that's how I feel. I'm just this thing, sometimes I'm valuable, and sometimes, not.”

"Nico.”

"I prefer to be with someone who values me and treats me well. I want you to own me and no one else. Are you mine too?”

That's why Nico didn't want to say anything. As long as Percy thought he had a modicum of normality, things would be fine. Now that Pandora's box had been opened, all he had left was hope. He could feel the frustration exploding out of Percy, the guilt, the tension. The longer they remained still and silent, the worse everything got. Nico forced himself to open his eyes and take a deep breath, trying to be brave.

What he saw next surprised him. Percy didn't look happy or sad, shocked or upset, just... quiet, a stillness so intense that it rivaled his own, only his face remained serious and tense.

"What you're saying is very serious. Since when do you feel this way?”

And if he had to be honest...

"I think it's always been like this. Ever since that time in the bathroom. I know it's not very common. And I know I didn't know much back then. The point is that even with distance, nothing has changed. You can try to be more... correct and fair, but in the end, it makes no difference to me. Just because you realized you were doing wrong things, it still doesn't change what we've been through or what we're going to go through. The only thing that has changed is that distance has shown me that I love you, and that I love every little thing about you, good or bad, kind or mean. I accept you as you accept me. So don't make me change just like I don't want you to change.”

It seems that's what Percy needed to come out of his catatonic state. Percy took his hand and kissed it, then hugged him tightly again.

"I accept you as you are. I didn't want you to see those parts of me. They don't define me and I don't want them to define you either. I thought that if I tried hard enough, they would stay buried and no one would need to notice them.”

"I know. I love you. I love every single one of them. And when I say all of them, I mean all of them.”

Percy chuckled into his ear, making him shiver from head to toe, his voice coming out hoarse as Percy pressed him against the bed and placed himself between his legs.

"All of them? Without exception?”

"None. Well, maybe when you hesitate to touch me. I don't like that.”

Another laugh and a grinding of teeth that ran down the back of his neck and onto his shoulder. Hmmm... that would leave a mark, for sure.

"I'll keep that in mind. Any other suggestions?”

"You're going too slowly. Maybe if you tortured me less?”

"I can't guarantee that.”

"Oh!”

What could Nico do but give in and moan? His pants were pulled down and soon his member was in Percy's mouth. There was nothing better than that.

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So, I don't know if I liked this chapter very much. But it was productive. I don't know. I hope you had fun. But like, should I do a +18 scene in the next chapter? Or not? I'll let you decide.

See you next time!

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

Oii, como vai? Mais um capítulo e tão rapido? Estou aproveitando enquanto o burnout não vem! Espero que vocês gostem.

Nesse capítulo não tenho muitos avisos. Considerem esse capítulo parte do anterior, ok?

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

Nico admitia que ter conversado com Percy tinha tornado as coisas mais fáceis. Sinceramente? Ele não se importava, pensava que não mudaria muito se ele dissesse o que pensava ou não. Nico estava enganado, é claro, embora somente tenha feito tudo aquilo porque via como esses segredos incomodavam Percy. Não eram segredos exatamente, eram… algumas coisas pequenas que o faziam sentir vergonha ou que ele pensava não serem importantes. No fim, Percy estava certo. Era o melhor sentimento do mundo, saber que Percy se importava tanto com o que ele pensava e sentia, a ponto de insistir tanto e o forçar a ver que ele era importante, mesmo que fosse para uma única pessoa; ele não era mais invisível e o que ele pensava era valido.

Quer dizer, Nico sabia o que tinha acontecido com ele. Tinha plena consciência que seu pai tinha o abandonado muito antes de sua mãe morrer, mas deixar uma criança sozinha sob os cuidados da irmã mais velha que mal podia cuidar de si mesma? Ele nunca culparia Bianca e muito menos Percy que tinha o recebido de braços abertos quando o garoto não tinha obrigação nenhuma. Nico nem conseguia imaginar onde estaria hoje se não fosse por Percy que mesmo um pouquinho rebelde e controlador, era gentil e preocupado, muito mais afetuoso do que a imagem que Percy passava para o resto do mundo, o menino marrento e um tanto violento que escondia dentro do peito a vontade de amar e ser amado, não pelo o que ele tinha e sim pelo que ele era. E disso, Nico entendia perfeitamente bem. Quando as pessoas a seu redor descobriram que ele era rico, o estrago já estava feito; algumas pessoas passaram a evitá-lo e outras a bajulá-lo, mas não Percy, Percy sempre o foi mesma pessoa protetora e afetuosa, sempre lhe oferecendo um sorriso e disposto a compartilhar tudo o que tivesse com Nico; sua casa, seu dinheiro e até sua família.

Era por isso que naquele momento, quando Percy disse que sua opinião importava, ele acreditou. E quando Percy pediu para ele ser sincero, Nico fez o máximo que pôde. Sabia que podia ter inventado alguma coisa ou fingido que nada estava acontecendo, vendo que Percy estava quase desistindo e se dando por vencido, por que nisso? Eles eram iguais; era melhor ter algo quebrado do que não ter, certo? Nico não tinha mais certeza, tudo o que sabia era que ele estava exatamente onde deveria estar, no lado de fora da casa deitado numa espreguiçadeira com um livro na mão, vendo a família Jackson se divertir. Percy nadava, Sally grelhava legumes e carnes na churrasqueira elétrica e Grover e Tyson estavam sentados na grama, fazendo o que eles faziam de melhor, organizavam os próximos eventos do restaurante e decidiam o design do cardápio para o próximo mês. Nico até podia respirar mais facilmente, sentindo o sol do meio da tarde atingir seu rosto, o fazendo fechar os olhos por um momento. Momento esse que parecia ter se estendido mais do que ele pensava, sendo acordado por uma voz suave e mãos carinhosas que tocavam em seus cabelos.

— Nico, a comida está pronta. Você não devia ficar tanto tempo no sol. — Era Sally, que sorria para ele e o ajudava a levantar da caideira.

Nico piscou devagar e ainda com a visão embaçada, deixou que Sally o guiasse para as mesas perto da churrasqueira que estavam debaixo de enormes guarda-sois, servindo de tendas improvisadas já que eles raramente usavam a parte externa da casa. Ou era o que Percy tinha lhe contado.

— Que cheiro bom! — Ele ouviu alguém dizer de longe.

Nico se sentia no paraíso. 

Ainda meio sonolento, observou Percy dar mais uma volta na piscina e ir até a borda, se impulsionando para fora dela e vindo em direção a eles, desfilando, como se não tivesse nenhuma preocupação no mundo, jogando os cabelos molhados para trás e vestindo uma sunga, molhando o chão por onde passasse. Era quase como se a água se apegasse a seu corpo e não quisesse abandoná-lo. Nico nem se irritou quando Percy se inclinou sobre ele e o beijou, o molhando no processo, ao se sentar a seu lado.

— Boa leitura?

Era uma pergunta interessante, ele não lembrava de sequer uma palavra, muito menos se tinha lido qualquer página. E ao invés de questionar sua falta de resposta, Percy meramente sorriu para ele e beijou seu rosto. Parece que a trégua deles ainda estava de pé.

— Qual tal a gente comer e descansar depois?

Nico acenou, é claro, de repente se sentindo exausto. Percy colocou um pedaço de filé bem-passado, batatas e uma salada para ele e fez outro prato para si mesmo. Eles comeram em silêncio e Nico mal notou quando sol foi se amenizando e se escondendo no horizonte. Ele também mal notou o momento que tinha subido para o quarto com Percy e entrado debaixo dos cobertores, a única luz que iluminava o ambiente sendo os raios fracos que ultrapassava a persiana.

— Durma. Vou estar aqui quando você acordar.

Nico fez seu máximo para manter os olhos abertos. Mas Percy ainda estava do seu lado, vestindo apenas uma sunga, acariciando seus cabelos e o ninando feito o bebê que Percy insistia que ele era. Talvez ele fosse, e talvez Percy gostasse disso. As coisas eram o que eram, e lutar contra a natureza fosse uma batalha fadada ao fracasso. Assim, ele se deixou ninar e relaxou contra os travesseiros. Talvez quando ele acordasse não se sentiria tão estranho e cansado.

***

Percy esperou até que a respiração de Nico se tornasse profunda e se levantou, e sem fazer barulho, desceu as escadas, indo para onde sua mãe ainda estava sentada debaixo de um guarda-sol.

— Ele está dormindo?

— Sim. Acho que eu o cansei.

— Percy, nós já conversamos sobre isso.

— Eu sei disso, tá bom! É que… Nico está tão desinteressado sobre tudo.

— Querido, eu entendo. Mas se você quer que Nico fique aqui, você tem que seguir nossas regras.

— Você não entende! Ele está começando a ficar quieto de novo. Nico quase não come e não quer falar sobre nada. O que você quer que eu faça se sexo é a única coisa que prende a atenção dele?

— Você já pensou que Nico esteja se sentindo confortável o suficiente para ser ele mesmo?

— Mas ele está tão calmo! Nada parece o afetar.

— Querido. — Agora Sally estava rindo dele, e nem escondia seu divertimento. — O problema aqui talvez seja outro.

— O quê?

— Sua mania de controle? Se você não entende, você tentar controlar.

— Eu não entendo mesmo.

— Pense assim, Nico estava sozinho, então ele tinha que agir de certo modo para não continuar sozinho, certo? Ele ainda está sozinho?

— Você quer me dizer que ele é quieto e calado porque quer? Por que se sente bem assim?

— Percy! Nico faz parte da família, mas ele não é sua responsabilidade.

— É claro que ele é. Se o pai dele nunca se importou e a irmã se importa quando é conveniente, alguém tem que se importar!

— Percy.

— Sei que não é minha responsabilidade, eu não vejo assim. Eu só me preocupo. E se da próxima vez que ele fugir, Nico se machucar? O que vai acontecer quando ninguém puder ajudá-lo?

— Ainda assim não será sua culpa. Como também não é culpa dele se Nico se sentir acuado e querer se proteger. Você tem que aceitar isso.

— Eu odeio que você tenha feito psicologia.

— De que outra forma eu poderia entender o que passar na cabeça do meu filho? 

— Mã-nhe!

— Estou falando serio, Percy. Pense nisso. Você age igual em todos os lugares e com todas as pessoas? Então não espere que Nico faça o mesmo. Você prefere que ele finja ser algo só para te agradar? Não era esse o problema?

— Eu só… eu tenho medo. Eu estraguei tudo antes, sabe? E eu fizer a mesma coisa?

— Ainda não será sua culpa.

— Então, é de quem?

— De ninguém. São coisas da vida. Cabe a nós perdoar e seguir em frente. No fim, a vida são sobre escolhas.

— Eu não gosto disso.

— Bem, querido, ninguém gosta. Você tem que entender que no fundo não é sobre você.

— É uma pena. Se fosse, eu já teria resolvido.

— Percy! Você tem que respeitar o que Nico quer.

— Hm. — Era um bom lugar para começar. — Tudo bem, eu vou fazer o que você quer. Mas eu não posso prometer nada.

— Perseu Jackson!

Sally deu um tapa em seu braço e tudo o que ele fez foi rir. Sally não era do tipo de pessoa que punia através da dor, não, e sim tirando o que você mais gostava. Por isso, Percy sabia que a mãe não falava serio e ela nunca o puniria de forma tão cruel. No fim, ela o abraçou e disse a ele: — Se comporte que no fim tudo vai dar certo. Tenha paciência.

***

— Se comporte que no fim tudo vai dar certo. Tenha paciência.

Nico não queria estar espiando, ele jurava que não queria. Mas Percy tinha dito que estaria do seu lado quando acordasse, e quando Percy não estava lá, a única coisa em sua mente foi ir em busca do mentiroso. Estava tudo bem, ele perdoava Percy já que Percy precisava mais de Sally do que ele precisava de Percy no momento; e pensar que Percy pedia para que ele fosse sincero quando Percy não fazia o mesmo. Porque, sim, ele tinha ouvido tudo. Desde sua “falta de interesse” até “você tem que respeitar o que Nico quer”. 

Era engraçado de uma forma quase doentia. O que ele queria? Era difícil decidir. No passado, ele queria um amigo verdadeiro, depois, alguém para segurar sua mão. E quando tudo isso tinha se tornado em realidade, as coisas começaram a se complicar; ele queria um namorado e não queria que Percy soubesse o que ele sentia; queria beijos e não queria que Percy descobrisse. Agora? Bem, agora que ele tinha tudo isso, percebia que no fim todos esses desejos se concentravam em uma só uma pessoa, e contanto que ele tivesse isso, estava satisfeito, mesmo que soubesse não ser muito saudável ou correto de um ponto de vista ético, moral e mental. Entretanto, era algo a se pensar… o que adiantava ter o que ele queria quando o preço era ver Percy tão frustrado e ansioso?

Antes que eles pudessem notar sua presença, Nico entrou na casa e subiu as escadas, se deitando na cama onde Percy o havia deixado. Talvez ele pudesse… mostrar mais interesse? Não seria tanto esforço assim, certo? E poderia ser até divertido. Então, colocou a cabeça no travesseiro e não precisou esperar muito. Logo a porta do quarto se abriu e a cama a seu lado se mexeu, braços se encaixaram em sua cintura e um beijo foi colocado atrás de sua orelha, o fazendo arrepiar dos pés ao pescoço.

— Eu te acordei?

— Eu sinto muito. — Nico disse, se virando nos braços de Percy, o encarando de perto. — Eu não sabia que você se importava tanto.

— Você ouviu? — Percy fez uma careta seria e Nico sentiu seu coração se apertar. 

Ele envolveu o pescoço de Percy com seus braços e o beijou por longos minutos, fechando os olhos bem forte, sabendo que preferia não olhar para Percy quando começasse a falar. 

Ainda com os olhos fechados, encostou sua testa na de Percy e falou:

— Sua mãe está certa. Eu… você pode ter certa influência sobre minha personalidade, mas não é isso exatamente. Eu gosto de ser assim, só quero um pouco de paz e silencio, sabe? Um lugar para pertencer. Eu quero ter alguém que me…

— Alguém?

— Eu quero ter alguém que me possua. Que tenha o controle. Que não me deixe fugir e que saiba o que eu preciso.

— Te possui? Como? Você não é uma propriedade, uma coisa para pessoas comprarem.

— Às vezes, é como eu me sinto. Sou só uma coisa, às vezes eu tenho valor e outras, não.

— Nico.

— Eu prefiro ficar com quem me dá favor e vai me tratar bem. Quero que você seja meu dono e ninguém mais. Você também é meu?

Era por isso que Nico não queria falar nada. Enquanto Percy pensasse que ele tinha um mínimo de normalidade, as coisas ficariam bem. Agora que a caixa de pandora tinha sido aberta, só lhe restava a esperança. Ele conseguia sentir a frustração explodindo para fora de Percy, a culpa, a tensão. Quanto mais tempo eles permaneciam quietos e calados, pior tudo ficava. Nico se obrigou a abrir os olhos e respirar bem fundo, tentando ser corajoso.

O que ele viu o surpreendeu. Percy não parecia nem feliz, nem triste, chocado ou chateado, só… quieto, uma quietude tão intensa que se rivalizava a sua, apenas seu rosto permanecendo serio e tenso.

— O que você está dizendo é algo muito sério. Desde quando você se sente assim?

E se era para ser sincero…

— Acho que sempre foi assim. Desde aquela vez no banheiro. Sei que não é muito comum. E sei que eu não sabia de muita coisa naquela época. A questão é que mesmo com a distância nada mudou. Você pode tentar ser mais… correto e justo, mas no fim, não faz diferença para mim. Só porque você se deu conta que fazia coisas erradas, ainda assim, nada muda o que passamos ou o que vamos passar. A única coisa que mudou foi a distância me mostrar que eu te amo, e que amo cada coisinha em você, boa ou má, bondosa e maldosa. Eu te aceito como você me aceita. Então, não me faça mudar assim como eu não quero que você mude.

Parece que era isso que Percy precisava para descongelar de seu estado catatônico. Percy pegou em sua mão e a beijou, voltando a abraçá-lo fortemente.

— Eu te aceito como você é. Eu não queria que você visse essas partes de mim. Elas não me definem e eu não quero que elas te definam também. Pensei que se eu me esforçasse bastante elas ficariam enterradas e ninguém precisaria notá-las.

— Eu sei. Eu te amo. Eu amo cada uma delas. E quando eu digo todas, são todas.

Percy deu uma risadinha no pé de seu ouviu que o fez arrepiar dos pés a cabeça, sua voz saindo rouca quando Percy o prensou contra a cama e se colocou entre suas pernas.

— Todas mesmo? Sem exceção?

— Nenhuma. Bem, talvez quando você hesita em me tocar. Essa eu não gosto.

Mais uma risada e um roscar de dentes que desceu por sua nuca e pescoço, chegando em seu ombro. Hmmm… isso deixaria uma marca, com toda certeza.

— Vou manter isso em mente. Mais alguma sugestão?

— Você está indo devagar demais. Talvez se você me torturasse menos?

— Isso eu não posso garantir.

— Oh!

O que Nico poderia fazer além de se entregar e gemer? Suas calças foram puxadas para baixo e logo seu membro tomado pela boca de Percy. Não havia nada melhor do que isso.

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Então, eu não sei se gostei muito desse capítulo. Mas foi produtivo. Sei lá. Espero que você tenham se divertido. Até a proxima.

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

Hi, how are you? I managed to translate the chapter just in time.

The chapter was going to come out earlier, but because of the holiday in Brazil I've allowed myself to rest. I've definitely given up on having a posting schedule, but I'll try to update every week. So, just come by once a week, on Friday, because if I post something it'll be ready on Friday. And, like, consider the texts here as initial drafts, okay? I'm still in my creative phase, and I love putting sub-plots and other things in the middle of the main plot. If I followed my original plan, I would have finished the story by now. So, let's relax and have fun. Thanks for being here!

Not too many warnings apart from mental health, I hope you like it.

CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII / CHAPTER IX / CHAPTER X / CHAPTER XI / CHAPTER XII / CHAPTER XIII / CHAPTER XIV / CHAPTER XV

Nico put the pen down on the last page he had written and rested the diary next to his pillow, stretching his arms and neck. He had written more than he had intended. Well, Percy was in for a bit of a surprise when he read it. But in the end, Percy was right, writing had taken the pressure off his shoulders that Nico hadn't even known was there to begin with. It was a magical moment, as he put his thoughts down on paper, his mind felt light and empty, as if he was telling what was bothering him to someone who wouldn't judge him and wouldn't try to give him 'advice' he hadn't asked for.

Tired of waiting, Nico lay down on the bed and put his head on the pillow. Why was Percy doing taking so long? The next thing he knew, he had closed his eyes, opening them again to feel something soft slide over his body. It was a damp, warm towel that Percy was holding. Nico blinked slowly and then Percy's figure came into view, wet hair and bare chest, wearing only a towel as he gently cleaned his body.

"Would you like a bath?" Percy murmured, moving closer to him, making him sit against the edge of the bed. "I filled the tub for you.”

"I could." He shrugged, it seemed like a good idea. Nico rarely saw any reason to use the bathtub.

So Percy took him by the hand and led him into the bathroom, asking: 

"How do you feel?”

He didn't know. A slight burning that pulsed inside him, maybe? Muscle and mental fatigue? A relaxation he had never felt before? It was all of this together and more. In general? Nico felt good, or as good as possible, similar to when he hadn't run away to Italy yet, maybe even better, now that he didn't need to hide his feelings.

"I'm fine." Nico shrugged again.

"Do you remember our rules?”

Unfortunately, Nico remembered. Percy must have been referring to always being honest.

"I don't know." Nico said, trying to be as honest as he could. "It's all too new for me to have an opinion.”

"Nico.” 

He stopped and faced Percy, who now had his arms crossed.

"You have to stop this. Don't tell me what I want to hear”.

"What do you want me to say?”

"What you're really feeling. Does something hurt? Do you need anything?”

"Why are you always questioning me?”

"Because you're always trying to please me.”

"What's wrong with that?”

He looked at Percy, but Percy looked at him like he was going to explode. None of that happened, though. Percy took a deep breath, closed his eyes for a moment and when he opened them again, an aura of calm was present. It was one of those moments where Nico knew he wasn't going to win, no matter what he did. So he let Percy lead him to the bathtub and lathered him up slowly and leisurely.

"You don't see the problem with that? Do you?" Percy asked distractedly, his hands sliding down between Nico's legs.

"Things have always been like this.”

"That's why I didn't go after you.”

"I don't think I understand.”

"I discovered that I... can't control myself around you. I made you act this way. I put you in this perfect, unbreakable little box. No one should live like that, according to someone else's wishes.”

"That's not true, I've always been like that.”

"Really? It took you five years to say all those things to me. If you didn't feel comfortable telling me how you felt before, what does that mean?”

Nico turned to face Percy, who had a distant look on his face, and realized that this bothered Percy more than he thought.

"I don't like fighting. I prefer things to stay that way.”

"Like what?”

"No conflict and no drama. I don't want to have to think about every step of the way. I just want to be with you and... satisfy you. Isn't that enough?”

"I can't do that." Then Percy grabbed his face and slid his fingers to the back of his neck, massaging it slowly and making him relax even more. "How can I be sure I'm not hurting you or stopping you from doing other things?”

"That's the point, isn't it? You feel guilty about wanting the same things I do.”

"Nico, don't torture me.”

"I'm not." He didn't think he was. "When I don't want... this thing we have, you'll know. 

"How?”

"I'll run away. Not like today. But, like, as if my life depended on it.

"Nico!”

"You know, when people try to get close to me, I usually feel suffocated. But when it's you, I just feel free and safe, even if I'm scared.”

Nico thought he was losing his mind, looking like a lunatic on the edge of a cliff. But it was the pure truth, what he looked for in all those faces, wasn't the beauty or the deep green eyes, no, it was always that feeling of security and stability, the comfort that Percy's arms always gave him. For those things were hard to emulate; if only he could have found this somewhere else, Nico wouldn't have felt so controlled and conditioned to do those things that Percy criticized so much, even though Percy had never asked for them. In the end, he understood what Percy was trying to imply; things would only get worse from now on, and they would probably continue this game of cat and mouse for a long time until he gave in. What could Nico do if Percy was the only one who made him feel this way, so free and trapped at the same time?

"Nico." Now Percy's voice sounded all hoarse and firm.

Opps. He looked down and saw that his hand was in Percy's lap, on top of the towel, but in a very strategic place.

"Why can't you tell me what's bothering you?”

He denied it, not ready to say what he really thought to Percy. Although he knew Percy felt something similar or worse. Nico had seen how much Percy had tried to get over him with other people, before and after he went to Italy. So, deep down, arguing was pointless. They needed a consensus.

"This will lead to nothing. I suggest a truce." Nico said, instead of explaining himself.

"Truce? This is not a war.”

"So why all we do is fight and have sex? I'd much rather just have sex.”

This brought a little smile to the corner of Percy's lips.

"What do you suggest?”

"l will... trust you and do whatever you ask if you stop questioning me.”

Now, Percy just looked sad.

"I don't want you to feel bad and cornered. I just worry. I want you to be the best possible version of yourself.”

"What if I just want to be the Nico who wants to be with Percy and not have to argue?”

"That's fine. We can do it your way. You have to promise me that if it's not working, you'll tell me.”

"I promise.”

All Nico could do was hope for the best and try to keep his end of the bargain.

***

When they woke up again, the sun was high in the sky, the morning already giving way to afternoon at a milder temperature. They were still in bed, his head on Percy's shoulder and Percy's arms around his waist. Finally, the silence was lasting more than five minutes. They didn't need to do anything or be anywhere other than there, where they had chosen to be.

"Hungry?" Nico heard Percy say quietly, his voice hoarse with sleep.

"No.”

"Not at all? Sally will come here soon, to see if we're still alive.”

That would be funny. Nico could even imagine Sally opening the door and catching them in bed like that, naked and hugging. It would be great. 

With this thought haunting him, Nico disentangled himself from Percy and sat down on the bed, feeling slightly dizzy but content, stretching until he fell backwards, closing his eyes. Maybe he needed something to eat. When was the last time? Had he even eaten anything at the party or just drunk?

"Tired?”

Nico sighed and gave in, knowing that his peace was about to end. He lay on his side of the bed and stared at Percy, who didn't look happy at all.

"Not much.”

"You know, I think we should create a system.”

"I think--”

"Every time you lie to me you will be punished.”

"You said you wouldn't doubt me!”

"It's not a doubt when I know the truth, when I see you lying to me.”

"What do you want me to do?”

"Tell the truth or say nothing at all.”

"Oh.”

"Are you going to spend the rest of your life keeping quiet to please me?”

That was a good question. It was hard to go back into the darkness when you could see so much light.

"This isn't funny." He muttered, feeling something inside his chest spread.

"Yeah. Imagine how I feel watching you lower yourself, being less than you could be.”

"I don't do it all the time.”

"No?”

"Only with you.”

Then Nico saw Percy reach out and touch his face in a light caress.

"I hate what I did to you, what your father did.” 

"You didn't do anything." His father, on the other hand, was a different story.

"I molded you into this perfect person who is afraid of offending anyone.” 

"That's not true! I…”

"I want you to scream if you want. I want you to hit me, to curse me if you feel like it. To revolt. Demand it. I never want to see you so hurt again.”

Maybe Percy was right. But did he really have to do these things? Wasn't something he could see himself doing.

"Don't get me wrong. You don't have to. But if you want to, or one day do these things, it's okay and completely normal”.

"Normal? How can doing these things be normal?”

"Gods." Percy hugged him tighter and leaned his head on Nico’s shoulder. "You don't have to be perfect. Do you understand that?”

But if he's not perfect, no one will like him. How could Nico not be what he already was?

"It's all right." Percy said, but Nico had the impression that Percy was saying this to himself.

In the end, Nico chose to keep quiet. What he had to say wouldn't make any difference, and maybe Percy was right. If he had nothing good to say, he'd better keep his mouth shut.

***

"Gods, what has Percy done to you?!”

As soon as they got downstairs, Sally greeted them with a loving smile and tight hugs. That is, that's what happened until Sally saw the bruise on Nico's neck; a bruise that was actually a well-placed hickey. 

"Mom, you're exaggerating.”

Nico, poor thing, looked between them, trying to understand what was going on. And Percy, like a good Samaritan, helped him to understand it. As if on cue, Percy put his hand on Nico's neck and Nico moaned. Whether it was pain, surprise or pleasure, was hard to tell. Whatever it was, it made his heart race and something else wake.

"Oh." Nico then said, bringing his hand up to his neck. "I didn't realize. It’s very ugly?”

"I wouldn't say that.”

He heard laughter behind him, but preferred to concentrate on Nico, who was frowning sweetly and taking his cell phone out of his pocket, looking at himself in the reflection of the screen.

"Percy! What were you trying to do? Tear off a piece?”

"You are not the only one." Percy opened the first two buttons of his shirt and showed his set of marks, small nails and the shape of teeth that went down until they disappeared inside his shirt.

"I... I didn't do this! Did I?”

"And much more.” 

Percy couldn't help himself, he laughed and pulled Nico into a hug, kissing his cheek. But everything seemed to be fine, because as soon as Percy hugged him, Nico melted against his shoulder, hugging him back.

"It's all right. You can bite me all you want, I like it. "And the way things were going, Nico liked it too.

Percy heard a snort and turned to look at Sally, who didn’t seem all that happy about the display of... affection.”

"Percy Jackson! That's not how you treat people.”

"It was something mutual. And if you must know, Nico started it. You can ask Annabeth, she was the first to see. See here? It was the first." And, right at the nape of his neck, where his hair was starting to grow long, there was a mark that was beginning to fade.

Nico hid his face in his shoulder and Sally crossed her arms. And before another wave of complaints arrived, Percy hurried over:

"Permission to maim?" Nico nodded yes, too embarrassed to face the room full of witnesses, which didn't stop the cursing, laughter and protests.

"That's enough." Sally raised one of her hands to her face and turned to Nico, making him raise his face. "Are you all right, darling? How was the party? Better than old times, no?”

Immediately, Percy knew something was wrong. Suddenly, Nico opened his mouth, about to say something and then closed it, cowering against his arms. The worst part was seeing Nico raise his head and look at him, as if waiting for Percy's permission for something, keeping his lips sealed tightly. He heard another gasp and realized that everyone was waiting for Nico to answer. Grover, Tyson and Sally all found Nico's behavior strange.

All that was left for Percy to do was smile and lead Nico into the living room to sit with him on the sofa.

"What's going on, hm?”

But all Nico did was deny it and look down at his lap, refusing to face him. 

"Please.”

This made Nico look between his eyelashes at him and take a deep breath: "I thought about what you said last night.” 

"About not lying?”

"About keeping quiet.”

Something in Percy's chest tightened at that moment, and hoping it wasn't what he thought, he asked: "Why would you keep quiet?”

"You said that if I was going to lie, I should keep quiet, and since I have nothing important to say, I'll do as you say.”

Percy thought he had stopped breathing. 

He wasn't serious! Who would follow such a ridiculous order? He just wanted to make Nico respond in any way other than accepting everything without protest, he wanted to make him react and see what was going on. And instead, Nico decided to go along with it in the worst possible way?

"Baby, please. I was wrong. I just wanted you to react.”

"React how?”

"In any way you want." Percy then smiled, trying to encourage Nico. "Come on, you can shout at me. You can swear at me. I've done something very bad. I deserve punishment.”

"Punishment?" Nico tilted his head like a confused puppy and moved closer. He kissed him on the lips in a sweet, gentle kiss and touched his hair, smiling angelically. "That's it. Your punishment.”

Percy wanted to cry. Why did everything he said seem to come out backwards? Or maybe it was Nico doing the best he could.

"Are you punishing me or  comforting me?”

"If I choose the punishment, you have to accept it.”

Percy let himself go and hugged Nico tightly, hearing him sigh with pleasure.

"I don't deserve you. I just wanted you to feel free to express yourself. You've been kept quiet for so long that I'm afraid the same thing will happen now.”

"I know." Nico murmured softly, looking pleased.

"What you have to say is important, always will be.” 

"I thought that if I kept quiet I wouldn't have to measure my words.” 

"Don't make me cry.”

"You're so silly. "Nico finally said, the only sincere thing in all that. "I made that decision. I had all the freedom in the world, but at the end of the day, I still missed you and the way things were.” 

In the end, life was about decisions and consequences. He continued to hug Percy and understood, Percy was as lost as he was in all this confusion, he understood that it was a period of adaptation and soon everything would return to normal. Now, what that normal was, they both had no idea, since they had never had a common friendship. 

"I'm sorry." Nico said again. "I think it's a period of adjustment. I'll try not to take everything you say so seriously.”

"I'm very happy about that." The truth was that Percy was relieved, thanking all the gods and deities for finding someone so understanding, although he would have liked Nico to be more combative. 

Don't get him wrong, Nico was one of the most independent and responsible people he had ever met, but what Nico had in the way of independence, he also had in the way of emotional dependence. And sometimes that emotional dependence was too heavy for him to carry alone, although he was willing to carry it for the rest of his life if it guaranteed that Nico would stay in his life.

"So, are we okay?" Nico asked, raising his head and peeking at him shyly.

"Of course, baby. As long as you are.”

Nico seemed immediately reassured. And if that’s what Nico wanted, Percy would do his best to sort things out. Obviously, asking hadn't worked it, nor had talking or pressuring. The way would be to do things the traditional way. Not that he knew what he was doing in the past, but if it’d worked before, it would work now.

Smiling, like nothing had happened, he guided Nico back to the kitchen and sat down next to him at the table, discovering too late that everyone had overheard his conversation with Nico. What could he do? Nico's well-being was more important than the disapproving looks. He knew he would soon see the reprimand, and if making a mistake was necessary to put right what he had done, then so be it! Percy would never regret putting Nico first.

"Pancakes or eggs?”

"Pancakes." Nico answered him. So pancakes it was. 

This was nothing new. Nico's favorite foods were sweet, and the savory ones had a nostalgic feeling, from the time when Nico's mother was still alive. So, next to the pancakes and the chocolate topping, Percy placed a cheese croissant in Nico’s plate, along with a glass of juice and a cup of coffee.

It was incredible. It seemed as if nothing bad had happened ten minutes ago. Nico took the first gulp from his coffee cup and smiled like it was the happiest day of his life, diving into his sugary pancakes next. And just like that, as if by magic, the atmosphere was friendly again, Nico chatting animatedly with Sally, while he, Grover and Tyson watched, trembling for the next feast they would be forced to attend.

"Dude, thanks for letting me stay. My mom's back.”

"You can stay as long as you like, it's your house. Why don't you pack a bag and stay until graduation? It won't be long now.

"If a whole year isn't too much..." Both he and Grover shrugged and Grover punched his shoulder amiably, making them both smile. It was a good idea, especially when he and Nico left; his mother would be alone and Grover would always be a great company.

"Really! What are you still doing in that house?”

"Yeah! There'll always be a room for you." Tyson finally deigned to join in the conversation, usually preferring to stay away from the drama. "You already work for us, what does it takes to be part of the family?”

"Do you think working is smiling at customers and taking them to the right table when others can't?”

"Of course it is. You even wear a nice suit and comb your hair with gel." Tyson continued, all too happy to mock Grover, back to their natural routine.

"Shut up! That's not even a uniform. Juniper likes it..." Grover's last words sounded very low, as if he was embarrassed.

And well, who was Percy to interrupt such a sweet and happy moment?

He turned to his food and took the first bite of his eggs, soft and lightly salted, just the way he liked them, and took a sip of his strong coffee without sugar or milk, noticing that Nico had already finished eating and was looking at him with a little smile on his face.

"What is it, hm? Do you want more?”

"No. I like to see you happy and having fun with your friends. You didn't used to do that.”

"It's true. I told you I had problems, didn't I?”

"I didn’t take it seriously. You always seem so determined and confident.”

"That doesn't mean I was right.”

"Hm." Nico murmured, thoughtfully. "I never thought about it from that angle. I think everyone has something to hide. Some people just hide it better.”

"That's just it. The more things we hide, the better actors we are, no?" Percy couldn't help himself, Nico was being so sincere that he deserved a reward. He pulled Nico by the scruff of his neck and kissed him right there in front of everyone, a kiss meant for four walls.

"What was that?" Nico said as soon as he caught his breath.

"A reward for an obedient baby.”

Blushing from head to toe, Nico just looked at him, giving him a cute little peck, but not complaining. What could he do? If that was how Nico understood it, then that was how it would be from now on.

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So? I have the impression that Nico is becoming so dramatic… or is it Percy's view of him? Well, I think Nico thinks Percy is a bit dramatic too 🤣🤣🤣🤣 What's your opinion? Your comments help me to understand the weak points in the story so that I can rewrite it in the best way in the future.

Thanks for reading!

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

Oii, como vai? Estamos tendo alguns dias de produtividade, não? O capítulo ia sair antes, por causa do feriado me permiti descansar. Eu definitivamente desisto de ter um cronograma de postagem, mas vou tentar atualizar toda semana. Então, é só passar aqui uma vez por semana, na sexta, porque se eu postar algo vai estar pronto na sexta até as 12h. E tipo, considerem os textos por aqui como rascunhos iniciais, ok? Ainda estou na minha fase criativa e eu amo colocor sub-plots e outras coisas no meio do enredo principal. Se eu seguisse meu planejamento original eu já teria terminado a história. Então, vamos relaxar e nos divertir. Obrigada pela presença!

Avisos: Aspectos mentais (Aqui teremos algumas conversas sobre esses assuntos)

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

Nico colocou a caneta na última página em que havia escrito e repousou o diário ao lado de seu travesseiro, se espreguiçando. Ele tinha escrito mais do que pretendia. Bem, Percy teria uma pequena surpresa quando lesse. Mas no fim, Percy estava certo, escrever tinha tirado a pressão em seus ombros que Nico nem sabia estar lá. Foi um momento mágico, ao colocar seus pensamentos no papel, sua mente ficou leve e vazia, como se contasse o que o incomodava para alguém que não o julgaria e não tentaria dar ‘conselhos’ que ele não havia pedido.

Cansado de esperar, Nico deitou na cama e colocou a cabeça no travesseiro. O que Percy fazia para demorar tanto? Quando menos viu, tinha fechado os olhos, os abrindo novamente para sentir algo macio deslizar por seu corpo. Era uma toalha úmida e morna que Percy segurava. Nico piscou lentamente e então a figura de Percy se fez presente, cabelos molhados e peito desnudo, vestindo apenas uma tolha enquanto limpava seu corpo com delicadeza.

— Quer tomar um banho? — Percy murmurou, se aproximando mais dele, o fazendo se sentar contra o batente da cama. — Enchi a banheira pra você.

— Pode ser. — Ele deu de ombros, parecia uma boa ideia. Nico raramente via motivos para usar a banheira.

Assim, Percy o segurou pela mão e o guiou para o banheiro, perguntando: 

— Como você se sente?

Ele não sabia. Um leve ardor que pulsava dentro dele, talvez? Um cansaço muscular e mental? Um relaxamento que nunca havia sentindo antes? Era tudo isso junto e mais. No geral? Nico se sentia bem, ou tão bem o quanto seria possível, parecido com quando ele ainda não tinha fugido para a Itália, talvez até melhor, agora que ele não precisava esconder o que sentia.

— Estou bem. — Nico deu de ombro novamente.

— Você se lembra das nossas regras?

Infelizmente, Nico lembrava. Percy devia estar se referindo a sempre ser sincero.

— Eu não sei. — Nico disse, tentando ser o mais sincero que podia. — É tudo muito novo para eu ter uma opinião formada.

— Nico. 

Ele parou e encarou Percy que agora tinha os braços cruzados.

— Você tem que parar com isso. Não me diga o que eu quero ouvir.

— O que você quer que eu fale?

— O que você está sentindo. Algo doí? Você precisa de alguma coisa?

— Por que você está sempre me questionando?

— Porque você sempre está tentando me agradar.

— Qual o problema nisso?

Ele olhou para Percy e Percy olhou para ele parecendo que iria explodir. Mas nada disso aconteceu. Percy respirou fundo, fechou os olhos por um momento e quando voltou a abri-los, uma aura de calmaria se fez presente. Era um daqueles momentos onde Nico sabia que não iria ganhar, não importava o que ele fizesse. Então, deixou que Percy o guiasse até a banheira e o ensaboasse devagar e sem pressa.

— Você não vê o problema nisso? Mesmo? — Percy perguntou distraído, suas mãos deslizando para baixo, entre as pernas de Nico.

— As coisas sempre foram assim.

— É por isso que eu não fui atrás de você.

— Acho que não entendo.

— Descobri que eu… não consigo me controlar perto de você. Eu fiz você agir desse jeito. Te coloquei nessa caixinha perfeita e inquebrável. Ninguém devia viver assim, conforme os desejos de outra pessoa.

— Não é verdade, eu sempre fui assim.

— Será que é mesmo? Precisou que você fosse para longe e de cinco anos para dizer todas essas coisas para mim. Se você não se sentia confortável em me dizer o que você sentia antes, o que isso quer dizer?

Nico voltou a encarar Percy que tinha um olhar distante e percebeu que isso incomodava Percy mais do que ele pensava.

— Eu não gosto de brigar. Prefiro que as coisas fiquem assim.

— Assim, como?

— Sem conflito e sem drama. Não quero ter que pensar em cada passo do caminho. Eu só quero ficar com você e… te satisfazer. Não é o suficiente?

— Eu não posso fazer isso. — Então, Percy segurou em seu rosto e deslizou os dedos para sua nuca, a massageando devagar e o fazendo relaxar ainda mais. — Como posso ter certeza que não estou te machucando ou te impedindo de fazer outras coisas?

— Essa é a questão, não é? Você se sente culpado de quer as mesmas coisas que eu.

— Nico, não me torture.

— Eu não estou. —  Quer dizer, ele achava que não estava. — Quando eu não quiser mais… essa coisa que a gente tem, você vai saber. 

— Como?

— Eu vou querer fugir. Não como aconteceu hoje. Com vontade, como se minha vida dependesse disso.

— Nico!

— Sabe, quando as pessoas tentam se aproximar de mim eu costumo me sentir sufocado. Mas quando é com você eu só me sinto livre e seguro, mesmo que eu sinta medo.

Nico achava que estava enlouquecendo, parecendo um lunático a beira do precipício. Mas era a pura verdade, o que ele buscou em todas aquelas faces, não foi a beleza ou os olhos verdes profundos, não, sempre foi aquele sentimento de segurança e estabilidade, o conforto que os braços de Percy sempre lhe deram. Pois essas coisas eram difíceis de emular; se somente ele pudesse ter encontrado isso em outro lugar, Nico não se sentiria tão controlado e condicionado a fazer aquelas coisas que Percy tanto criticava, mesmo que Percy nunca tivesse pedido por elas. No fim, ele entendia o que Percy estava tentando implicar; as coisas só ficariam piores dali para a frente e eles provavelmente continuariam nesse jogo de gato e rato por um longo tempo até que ele se rendesse. O que Nico podia fazer se Percy era o único que o fazia se sentir assim, tão livre e preso ao mesmo tempo?

— Nico. — Agora a voz de Percy soou toda rouca e firme.

Opps. Ele olhou para baixo e viu que sua mão estava no colo de Percy, em cima da tolha, mas em um lugarzinho bem estratégico.

— Por que você não pode me dizer o que te incomoda?

Ele negou, não estava pronto para dizer o que realmente pensava para Percy. Embora ele soubesse, Percy sentia algo similar ou pior. Nico viu o quanto Percy tentou superá-lo com outras pessoas, antes e depois dele ir para a Itália. Então, no fundo, discutir era inútil. Eles precisavam de um consenso.

— Isso não vai levar a nada. Eu sugiro uma trégua. — Nico disse ao invés de se explicar.

— Trégua? Isso não é uma guerra.

— Então, por que tudo o que a gente faz é brigar e transar? Eu prefiro muito mais só transar.

Isso tirou um sorrisinho no canto dos lábios de Percy.

— O que você sugere?

— Eu vou… confiar em você e fazer tudo o que você me pedir se você parar de me questionar.

Agora, Percy só parecia triste.

— Não quero que você se sinta mal e acuado. Eu só me preocupo. Eu quero que você seja a sua melhor versão possível.

— E se eu só quiser ser o Nico que quer ficar com o Percy e não ter que discutir?

— Tudo bem. A gente pode fazer do seu jeito. Você tem que me prometer que se não estiver funcionando, você vai me contar.

— Eu prometo.

Tudo o que Nico podia fazer era esperar pelo melhor e tentar manter sua parte do acordo.

***

Quando eles acordaram de novo, o sol estava alto no céu, a manhã já dando lugar para a tarde numa temperatura mais amena. Eles ainda estavam na cama, sua cabeça no ombro de Percy e os braços de Percy em volta de sua cintura. Finalmente o silêncio durava mais do que cinco minutos. Eles não precisavam fazer nada ou estar em nenhum outro lugar que não fosse ali, onde eles tinham decido estar.

— Com fome? — Nico escutou Percy dizer bem baixinho, com a voz rouca de sono.

— Não.

— Nenhum pouquinho? Daqui a pouco Sally vai vir aqui, para ver se a gente ainda está vivo.

Isso seria engraçado. Nico até podia imaginar, Sally abrindo a porta e os pegando na cama assim, pelados e abraçados. Seria ótimo mesmo. 

Com esse pensamento o assombrando, Nico se desgrudou de Percy e se sentou na cama, se sentindo levemente zonzo, porém contente, se espreguiçando até cair para trás, fechando os olhos. Talvez ele precisasse comer alguma coisa. Quando tinha sido a última vez? Ele se quer tinha comido algo na festa ou tinha apenas bebido?

— Cansado?

Nico suspirou e se deu por vencido, sabendo que sua paz estava prestes a acabar. Ele ficou de lado na cama e encarou Percy que não parecia nenhum pouco contente.

— Não muito.

— Sabe, acho que a gente devia criar um sistema.

— Eu acho que--

— Cada vez que você mentir para mim você será castigado.

— Você disse que não iria duvidar de mim!

— Não é uma dúvida quando eu sei a verdade, quando eu te vejo mentindo para mim.

— O que você quer que eu faça!

— Diga a verdade ou não diga nada.

— Oh.

— Você vai passar o resto da vida calado para me agradar?

Essa era uma boa pergunta. Era difícil voltar para a escuridão quando se via tanta luz.

— Isso não tem graça. — Ele murmurou, sentindo algo dentro do peito se alastrar.

— Não tem mesmo. Imagina o que eu sinto vendo vejo você se rebaixar, sendo menos do que você poderia ser.

— Eu não faço isso sempre.

— Não?

— Só com você.

Então, Nico observou Percy estender o braço e tocar em seu rosto numa leve carícia.

— Eu odeio o que eu fiz com você, o que seu pai fez. 

— Você não fez nada. — Já seu pai, era outra conversa.

— Eu te moldei nessa pessoa perfeita que tem medo de ofender qualquer um. 

— Isso não é verdade! Eu… 

— Quero que você grite se você quiser. Quero que você me bata, que me xingue se tiver vontade. Que se revolte. Que exija. Eu nunca mais quero te ver tão magoado.

Talvez Percy tenha razão. Mas ele tinha mesmo que fazer essas coisas? Não era algo que ele se via fazendo.

— Não me entenda mal. Você não precisa. Mas se você quiser ou um dia fizer essas coisas, está tudo bem e é completamente normal.

— Normal? Como fazer essas coisas pode ser normal?

— Deuses. — Percy o abraçou com mais força e encostou a cabeça em seu ombro. — Você não tem que ser perfeito. Você entende isso?

Mas se ele não for perfeito, ninguém vai gostar dele. Como Nico não poderia ser o que ele já era?

— Está tudo bem. — Percy disse, mas Nico tinha a impressão que Percy falava isso para si mesmo.

No fim, Nico preferiu ficar calado. O que ele tinha a dizer não faria diferença nenhuma, e talvez Percy tenha razão. Se ele não tinha nada de bom para dizer é melhor ficar calado.

***

— Deuses, o que Percy fez com você?! 

Assim que desceram as escadas, Sally os recebeu com um sorriso amoroso e abraços apertados. Isso é, foi o que aconteceu até Sally ver o hematoma no pescoço de Nico; hematoma esse que era, na verdade, um chupão bem colocado. 

— Mãe, você está exagerando.

Nico, coitadinho, olhou entre eles, tentando entender o que acontecia. E Percy como um bom samaritano, o ajudou a entender. Como quem não quer nada, Percy levou a mão até o pescoço de Nico e Nico gemeu. Agora se era de dor, surpresa ou prazer, era difícil distinguir. Fosse o que fosse, aquilo fez seu coração disparar e outra coisa acordar.

— Oh. — Nico então disse, levando a mão está ao próprio pescoço. — Eu não percebi. Está muito feio?

— Eu não diria feio.

Ele ouviu risadas atrás dele, mas preferiu se concentrar em Nico que fazia um biquinho fofo e pegava o celular do bolso, se olhando no reflexo da tela.

— Percy! O que você estava tentando fazer? Arrancar um pedaço?

— Você não foi o único. — Percy abriu os dois primeiros botões de sua camisa e mostrou seu conjunto de marcas, unhas pequenas e o formato de dentes que desciam até desaparecer dentro de sua camisa.

— Eu… eu não fiz isso! Fiz?

— E muito mais. 

Percy não se aguentou, ele riu e puxou Nico para um abraço, beijando seu rosto. Mas tudo parecia estar bem, porque assim que Percy o abraçou, Nico derreteu contra seu ombro, o abraçando de volta.

— Esta tudo bem. Você pode me morder o quanto quiser, eu gosto. — E pelo jeito que as coisas iam, Nico gostava também.

Percy ouviu um pigarro e se virou para ver Sally, nenhum pouco feliz com a demonstração de… afeto.

— Percy Jackson! Não é assim que se trata as pessoas.

— Foi algo mutuo. E se você quer saber, Nico que começou. Pode perguntar para Annabeth, ele foi a primeira a ver. Ta vendo aqui? Foi o primeiro. — E bem perto de sua nuca, onde o cabelo começava a crescer longo, estava uma marca que começava a sumir.

Nico escondeu o rosto em seu ombro e Sally cruzou os braços. E antes que outra onde de reclamações chegassem, Percy se apressou:

— Permissão para chupões? — Nico acenou que sim, muito encabulado para enfrente a sala cheia de testemunhas, o que não impediu os xingamentos e protestos.

— É o suficiente. — Sally levantou uma de suas mãos, as levando ao rosto, e se virou para Nico, o fazendo levantar o rosto. — Está tudo bem, querido? Como estava a festa? Melhor que nos velhos, tempos, não?

Imediatamente, Percy viu que tinha algo errado. De repente, Nico abriu a boca, prestes a falar alguma coisa e então, a fechou, se encolhendo contra seus braços. O pior foi ver Nico levantando a cabeça e olhando para ele, como se esperasse a permissão de Percy para alguma coisa, mantendo os lábios selados com força. Ele ouviu outro pigarro e percebeu que todos estavam esperando que Nico respondesse. Grover, Tyson e Sally, todos estranhando o comportamento de Nico.

Restou a Percy sorrir e guiar Nico para a sala de estar e sentar com ele no sofá.

— O que está acontecendo, hm?

Mas tudo o que Nico fez foi negar e olhar para o próprio colo, se recusando a encará-lo. 

— Por favor.

Isso fez Nico olhar entre os silhos para ele e respirar fundo: — Eu pensei sobre o que você disse ontem a noite. 

— Sobre não mentir?

— Sobre ficar calado.

Algo no peito de Percy se apertou naquele instante, e torcendo para que não fosse o que ele pensava, perguntou: — Por que você ficaria calado?

— Você disse que se fosse para eu mentir, eu devia ficar calado, E já eu não tenho nada de importante para dizer, vou fazer o que você pediu.

Percy achava que tinha parado de respirar. Ele não estava falando serio! Quem é que iria seguir uma ordem tão ridícula. Ele só queria fazer Nico responder de qualquer forma que não fosse aceitar tudo sem protestar, queria fazê-lo reagir e ver o que estava acontecendo. E ao contrário disso, Nico decide seguir a risca da pior forma possível?

— Bebê, por favor. Eu estava errado. Eu só queira que você reagisse.

— Reagisse, como?

— Como você quiser. — Percy então sorriu, tentando incentivar Nico. — Vamos, pode gritar comigo. Pode me xingar. Eu fiz algo muito ruim. Eu mereço uma punição.

— Punição? — Nico entortou a cabeça, feito um cachorrinho confuso e se aproximou. Ele o beijo nos lábios, num selinho doce e suave e tocou em seus cabelos, sorrindo angelicalmente. — Pronto. Sua punição.

Percy queria chorar. Por que tudo o que ele falava parecia sair ao inverso? Ou talvez fosse Nico fazendo o melhor que podia.

— Você está me punindo ou consolando?

— Se eu escolho a punição, você tem que aceitar.

Percy se deixou levar e abraçou Nico bem apertado, o ouvindo suspirar de prazer.

— Eu não te mereço. Eu só queria que você se sentisse livre para se expressar. Te fizeram ficar calado por tanto tempo que tenho medo que agora aconteça o mesmo.

— Eu sei. — Nico murmurou baixinho, parecendo contente.

— O que você tem a dizer é importante, sempre será. 

— Pensei que se eu ficasse calado não precisaria medir minhas palavras. 

— Não me faça chorar. 

— Você é um bobo. — Nico enfim diz, parecendo a única coisa sincera no meio daquilo tudo. — Eu tomei essa decisão. Eu tive toda a liberdade do mundo, mas no fim do dia, ainda sentia falta de você e de como as coisas eram. 

Por no fim, a vida se tratava de decisões e consequências. Ele continuou abraçado a Percy e entendeu, Percy estava tão perdido quando ele nessa confusão toda, entendeu que era um período de adaptação e logo tudo voltaria ao normal. Agora, o que esse normal era, ambos não faziam ideia, já que eles nunca tiveram uma amizade comum. 

— Eu sinto muito. — Nico diz mais uma vez. — Acho que é um período de adaptação. Vou tentar não levar a sério tudo o que você disser.

— Eu fico muito contente com isso. — A verdade é que Percy estava aliviado, dando graças a todos os deuses e divindades por encontrar alguém tão compreensivo, embora ele gostaria que Nico fosse mais combativo. 

Não o intendam mal, Nico era uma das pessoas mais independentes e responsáveis que ele já tinha conhecido, mas o que Nico tinha de independente, também tinha de dependência emocional. E às vezes essa dependência emocional era pesada demais para que ele pudesse carregar sozinho, embora ele estivesse disposto a carregá-la pelo resto da vida se isso garantisse a permanência de Nico em sua vida.

— Então, a gente tá bem? — Nico perguntou, levantando a cabeça e o espiando timidamente.

— É claro, bebê. Contanto que você esteja.

Nico pareceu imediatamente tranquilizado. E se era isso o que Nico queria, Percy faria seu melhor resolver as coisas. Obviamente pedir não tinha resolvido, tão pouco conversar ou pressionar. O jeito seria fazer as coisas do jeito tradicional. Não que ele soubesse estar fazendo algo no passado, mas se funcionou antes, vai funcionar agora.

Sorrindo, como se nada tivesse acontecido, ele guiou Nico de volta para a cozinha e se sentou ao lado de Nico em frente a mesa, descobrindo tarde demais que todos ouviram sua conversa com Nico. O que ele podia fazer? O bem-estar de Nico era mais importante do que os olhares de reprovação. Ele sabia que logo veria a repreensão, e se errar um pouco fosse necessário para consertar o que ele havia feito, que fosse! Percy nunca se arrependeria de colocar Nico em primeiro lugar.

— Panquecas ou ovos?

— Panquecas. — Nico respondeu para ele. Então, panquecas seriam. Não era uma novidade. As comidas favoritas de Nico eram doces, e as salgadas tinham um sentimento nostálgico, do tempo em que a mãe de Nico ainda estava viva. Então, ao lado das pequenas e da cobertura de chocolate, Percy colocou um croissant de queijo junto um copo de suco e uma xícara de café.

Era incrível mesmo. Até parecia que nada de ruim tinha acontecido a mesmo de dez minutos atrás. Nico deu o primeiro cole em sua xícara de café e sorriu como se fosse o dia mais feliz de sua vida, mergulhando em suas panquecas açucaradas. E assim, como num passe de mágica, o ambiente voltou a ser amigável, Nico conversando com Sally animadamente, enquanto ele, Grover e Tyson observavam, tremendo pelo próximo banquete que eles seriam obrigados a participar.

— Cara, obrigado por me deixar ficar. Minha mãe está de volta.

— Pode ficar o quanto quiser, o quarto é seu. Por que você não faz uma mala e fica até a formatura? Não falta muito.

— Se um ano inteiro não é muito… — Ambos, ele e Grover, deram de ombros e Grover socou seu ombro amigavelmente, fazendo os dois sorriem. Era uma boa ideia, especialmente quando ele e Nico fossem embora; sua mãe ficaria sozinha e Grover sempre seria uma ótima companhia.

— De verdade! O que você ainda faz naquela casa?

— É! Sempre vai ter espaço para você. — Tyson finalmente se dignou a participar da conversa, geralmente preferindo ficar longe do drama. — Você já trabalha pra gente, o que custa ser parte da família?

— Você chama sorrir para os clientes e levá-los para a mesa certa quando outros não podem, trabalhar?

— É claro que é. Você até usa um terno bonitinho e penteia o cabelo com gel. — Tyson continuou, todo feliz em zombar de Grover, de volta a rotina natural deles.

— Cala a boca! Aquilo nem é um uniforme. Juniper gosta disso… — As últimas palavras de Grover soaram bem baixas, parecendo estar encabulado.

E bem, quem era Percy para interromper um momento tão doce e feliz.

Ele se virou para sua comida e deu a primeira garfada em seus ovos, macios e com pouco sal, do jeito que ele mais gostava e deu um cole em seu café forte sem açúcar ou leite, percebendo que Nico já tinha terminado de comer e olhava para ele com um sorrisinho no rosto.

— O que foi, hm? Quer mais?

— Não. Eu gosto de te ver feliz e se divertindo com seus amigos. Você não costumava fazer isso.

— É verdade. Eu disse que tinha problemas, não disse?

— Acho que não levei isso a sério. Você sempre parece tão decidido e confiante.

— Isso não quer dizer que eu estivesse certo.

— Hm. — Nico murmurou, pensativo. — Nunca pensei por esse ângulo. Acho que todos tem algo a esconder. Algumas pessoas só esconder melhor.

— É isso mesmo. Quanto mais coisas as esconder, melhores atores somos, não? — Percy não pode se conter, Nico estava sendo tão sincero que ele merecia uma recompensa. Ele puxou Nico pela nuca e o beijou ali mesmo na frente de todos, um beijo daqueles destinados para quatro paredes.

— O que foi isso? — Nico disse assim que recuperou o folego.

— Uma recompensa para um bebê obediente.

Corando dos pés a cabeça, Nico apenas olhou para ele, fazendo um biquinho lindo, mas sem reclamar. O que ele podia fazer? Se era desse jeito que Nico entendia, então era como seria dali para frente.

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E então? Eu tenho a impressão que o Nico está se tornando tão dramatico... ou será a visão do Percy sobre ele? Bem que eu também acho que o Nico pensa que o Percy é um pouco dramatico também 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Qual sua opnião? Sua comentario me ajuda a entender os pontos fracos da história para que eu possa rescrever da melhor forma no futuro.

Obrigada por ler!

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

Hi, how's everyone? I was happy to see the votes in the poll^^ it's a good way for us to communicate. One person voted for no more +18 scenes! Does that mean you like my plots and characters? (Because you know I only write AU) I feel honored, really, from the bottom of my heart. So I'll always try to say when I have these kinds of scenes.

Without further ado, thank you for following me along this story!

CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII / CHAPTER IX / CHAPTER X / CHAPTER XI / CHAPTER XII / CHAPTER XIII / CHAPTER XIV

Nico didn't know what was happening to him. Or better yet, he did knew. The question was why.

"Baby." Percy said against his ear, digging his fingers into his hair for a brief moment that almost made him come. But too soon, Percy's hands traveled to his shoulders and down to his waist, stopping both their movements. "They will hear us.’’

Nico closed his mouth and tried to stifle the next moan, but he couldn't stop himself, rocking on Percy's lap and bending over him, and that’s what he didn't understand. Nico had never had sex with anyone like this before and suddenly, it was all he could think about. How could this be happening to him? The worst thing was that Percy was being a perfect gentleman. Or that was the case until Nico woke up the next morning. He'd gone to the bathroom and when he came back, Percy was still there, all stretched out on the bed, with nothing covering him... when had Percy gotten so tall or gotten those muscles? And those arms? Nico couldn't help himself, he went back to bed and... well, Nico would like to say that he had just watched Percy sleep.

Even though he felt sensitive from the night before and  had a headache from his hangover, Nico crawled across the bed and sat on Percy's waist, trying to be careful. This was so wrong, the talk of consent coming back with a vengeance. But maybe if he woke him up in an interesting way, Percy wouldn't be so angry with him. So, Nico did what he'd wanted to do for a long time, he put his hands on Percy's abdomen and slid them up, fingering the muscles and coming back down, feeling the hairs stand up against his fingers What would he have to do to get Percy to wake up? Maybe if he... Nico bent over Percy and reached up to sun-tanned face, feeling the beard that was beginning to grow, seeing a smile on Percy's wide lips.

"Per?" When Percy still refused to open his eyes, Nico continued his exploration. He massaged the broad chest and rubbed the erect nipples with his fingertips, watching them get hard.

It looked like he would have to do everything himself in the end, which was fine, it just gave him the courage to carry on. 

With gentle motions, Nico slid his ass down and found a bulge that hadn't been there five minutes ago. Should he? Nico knew it would hurt a bit, but he didn't want to look for the lube. It couldn't hurt that much, right? 

Testing the waters, Nico once again sat on Percy's lap, brought his hand behind him and found Percy's cock fully erect. Maybe he was a masochist, was the only explanation for the groan he let out when he forced himself against the resistance and the head passed through the tight entrance, sliding in much more easily than he had expected. Gods! The tip was so wet that he ended up finding the bottom faster than he expected. Nico thought he had screamed, he thought he had squeezed Percy's member inside him with all the strength he had. How could that translate into pleasure for his nerves, how?!

"You're going to hurt yourself." He heard Percy say in the background and felt hands squeeze his legs tightly. It was hard to concentrate on anything other than the member stretching him and the tremors of pleasure and pain that hit his senses. But... but everything would be all right, because a few moments later Nico felt warm hands caressing his back, the member pulling out of him and then wet fingers were massaging inside him for Percy's member to slide in him again, deep and delicious, reaching that place that until last night Nico hadn't known existed.

"What is it, hm? Why is my baby crying? Where does it hurt?’’

He denied it, shook his head, and let himself loosen. He put his arms around Percy's neck and relaxed, which made everything feel better. But Percy was still motionless there, breathing fast against his neck and holding him tightly around the waist. 

"Per... I need it.’’

"Doesn't it hurt? From last night?’’

Nico denied it once again, settling himself better on Percy's lap, making the member inside him hit the best spots with just that accidental movement.

"Please... I want you... I want you to... ah!’’

"Like that?" Percy asked and demonstrated again. He lifted Nico up by the waist and brought him down once more, meeting him halfway with a sharp thrust.

"They will hear us.’’

"Percy!’’

He thought he was really screaming now. It hurt! It hurt so much, and yet, he couldn't stop, feeling each of his muscles fall apart every time Percy's hips met his.

"You have to take responsibility for your actions, baby." Percy whispered in his ear. That was too much for him.

Whimpering and not knowing what his body wanted, Nico pushed Percy by the shoulder and crawled out of Percy's lap, moaning and sobbing, his legs failing him halfway, causing him to fall face-first into the pillows. Nico didn't understand what was happening to himself, he just... just... was going to explode at any moment if the world didn't make sense again. How could pain be so mixed with pleasure like that to make him delirious? Because the look on Percy's face could only be an illusion his mind was creating. It felt like... like he was the prey and Percy the predator.

"Where are you going?’’

"I... I don't know!’’

"Baby.’’

A shiver ran up his spine and made his legs shake. There was something in Percy's voice that made him freeze where he had fallen. What was happening to them? He couldn't look at Percy, he was afraid to see what he would find there, and he wanted to run away, but... but Nico didn't want to move and maybe find out what was scaring him so much. Either way, he was moving just the same, crawling across the huge bed towards... he didn't know, anywhere was fine. So why did he stop at the edge of the bed, still trembling and... and feeling an anticipation that he didn't know where it came from? The door was right in front of him, either the bathroom or the exit. If he felt so trapped, why wasn't he heading towards them?

Nico moaned in surprise when Percy's hand touched the middle of his back and gently slid up and down in one of the most comforting gestures Nico had ever experienced.

"Do you want to play?" Percy then asked, still not moving closer. "Or do you want to sleep some more? It's still early.’’

"I..  "Nico curled in on himself and hid his face in the pillow.

He didn't understand what was happening to him. Nothing made sense. He didn't want to be feeling these things and he didn't want to be that kind of person. Like, a few days ago he was fine with what was going on. So what was the problem?

"You can tell me.’’

"I want to cum." Nico admitted, his face buried against the pillow.

"Then look at me. Yes?’’

Nico denied it, curling up even more.

The bed around him rocked and then Percy was beside him, warm hands were on his spine along with lips that slid down the length of his back until they reached the curve of his buttocks, nibbling on them.

"Are you ready to talk?" Percy murmured against his skin.

When Nico denied him once again, Percy's lips moved down a little further and found his entrance, kissing the area gently. "Don't ever do that again. I don't want to see you hurt.’’

Nico had no other reaction than to shudder and moan against the pillows, feeling himself melt as Percy's tongue caressed a deeper place.

"Do you want me to touch your cock?’’

Nico denied it. All he did was deny it. What was going on!

"Do you want me to stop?’’

So, he denied it once again, surprising himself.

"Baby." Percy said in the most affable voice he'd ever heard and it made him feel strangely... happy, satisfied even.

"I want you... inside me.’’

"Really?" Now Percy sounded almost condescending, even ironic. Which made sense. They were doing exactly that until Nico had a panic attack.

"Tell me if it's too much.’’

All Nico could do was gasp, breathless from the sudden movement. The mattress sank slightly behind him and Percy tucked himself over his back. Hands encircled his waist, pulling him closer and fingers dug into his hair, strangely forcing him to inhale deeply. The funny thing was that Percy didn't even use much force, his head spinning, trying to come up with explanations for why this moment seemed so different from the others. What made him feel so distressed and so excited at the same time? At the moment, it didn't matter. Nico felt the head of Percy's member against his entrance once again and then everything in his vision blurred, his head clearing of any thoughts for a few moments. It was hard to describe. Nico didn't know if it was Percy's grip getting tighter and tighter on his skin, if it was Percy gasping against his ear or if even it was the decisive and forceful way Percy fucked him, slowly but with purpose with each short, well-placed thrust.

Maybe he just wanted Percy to keep him under control and tell him what to do next. Would he be forced to talk about it too? Before that could happen, Nico would rather run away and never come back. Or he would have, if Nico hadn't felt Percy's hands holding him against his broad chest, preventing him from moving too much.

"Everything's fine. With me, okay?" Percy held him between his arms and slowed down his movements, but it was too late. Something in the way Percy held him finally made Nico let go. Nico allowed Percy to continue holding him and shuddered for the next few minutes, relaxing against Percy's chest, feeling Percy go with him. 

"All right?" Percy said after a few moments when neither of them did anything to move.

"I'm not sure." That was the most sincere thing that had come out of his lips since he woke up.

***

"I'm not sure. "Nico said, still sunk against Percy's chest, finally feeling safe and at peace.

He felt so strange that Nico would never have the words to express it. What had changed in five minutes that made him feel so good now?

"Everything is fine. You were great." Percy still had one hand in his hair and the other on his waist, which was now massaging his belly and lower abdomen, gently rocking him.

"What's going on? I didn't... I didn't want to run.”

"I know you didn't’.’

"I just..’’

"It's okay if you let yourself feel it.’’

"Let me feel what?’’

"I've learned that sometimes our minds go to strange places. As if our body wanted one thing and our minds, another. So it's okay to feel, whatever it is.’’

"Since when do you know so much about feelings?’’

"I...looked for help.’’

"Psychological?’’

Percy nodded against his back and Nico had to turn around to see for himself, but Percy wasn't facing him; he was looking out of the window.

"When you left, I realized that it was bad to suffer so much for someone, that made me want to kill myself.’’

"Percy! I never wanted this to happen! Why didn't you tell me?’’

"You're not responsible for my actions, and I'm not responsible for yours. Or at least, that wasn't the case back then.’’ 

Then Percy gave a mischievous little smile and Nico rolled his eyes. Looks like they had a lot to talk about. 

"The point is that I couldn't ask you to come back and it wasn't fair to let depression sink me down. I did what Sally asked." Percy shrugged. "I went to the doctor. And even with help, I still missed you. I had no choice but to see you having fun and growing up without me.

"I... it wasn’t forever." Nico muttered, feeling like a monster. "It was supposed to be a few months, then a year. I didn't have the courage to face you again.’’

"What made you change your mind?’’

"A photo. Annabeth and you, sitting on your bed.’’

Nico watched as, in slow motion, the look of sadness turned to amusement and happiness, Percy hugging him tighter.

"Oh, if she only knew.’’

"Knew what?’’

"Annabeth did it on purpose, thinking she was going to hurt you. I think she did it, didn't she?’’

"Percy!" Now Percy was laughing for real, throwing himself backwards onto the bed and taking him with him, trapping him in a bear grip.

"Let me go!’’

"No, it's serious now. Do you want to talk about what happened?’’

"I don't think so.’’

"Aren't you even going to give me a clue? A pointer? Nothing at all?’’

Nico could even imagine the nightmare. If Percy knew what Nico really wanted... it would be the end of him.

"All right. I got it.’’

Percy stretched and put Nico against the pillows. Before getting up, he kissed Nico and smiled at him, turning around in bed. He opened a drawer on his side of the bed and took out a diary with a blue cover, similar to the one he had given Nico.

"I think I'll write after I've had a bath. It's relaxing, don't you think?" Percy put the diary on his side of the bed and kissed Nico once more, going to the bathroom inside the suite and closing the door.

Nico heard the sound of water falling on the floor and felt like the dumbest person in the world. His own diary was right next to him on the dresser and the last thing he wanted to do was write about his feelings. He felt forced and manipulated into doing something he didn't want to, but, after all, it was only fair; Percy had told him something deep and personal, which left him in the position of telling something just as personal. In the end, wasn't that what he wanted? For Percy to... tell him what to do? Nico just didn't think it would spill over into life outside of sex. But if Percy wanted to know, he'd make Percy regret it.

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So, how was it? The update came faster, didn't it? It's easier when the chapters are shorter. I hope you enjoyed it. Did Nico overdo it? I don't know. But I think he's a bit touch starved, you know? When you miss someone so much that being close to them overwhelms you. I think the same goes for Percy.

Any way, It was fun. I hope you are enjoying. I would like to know what you think about it. See you all next week!

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

Oii, como vai? Consegui escrever mais um capítulo. Mas devo admitir que o calor está fritando meu cerebro. O importante é que saiu algo, agora se é bom vocês que me digam. Não é meu melhor texto, mas eu tentei. Boa leitura! E claro, as cenas smutt vão permanecer como decidido por votação, entretanto vou avisar sempre que tiver capítulos assim.

Avisos: +18

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

Nico não sabia o que estava acontecendo com ele. Quer dizer, ele sabia, sim. A questão era o porquê.

— Bebê. — Percy murmurou em seu ouvido, fincando os dedos em seus cabelos por um breve momento que quase o fez gozar. Mas logo as mãos de Percy viajaram para seus ombros, descendo até segurar em sua cintura, parando ambos seus movimentos. — Eles vão ouvir.

Ele fechou a boca e tentou sufocar o próximo gemido, mas não conseguiu se parar, rebolando no colo de Percy e se curvando todo, e era isso o que ele não entendia. Nico nunca tinha transado com ninguém dessa forma e de repente, era tudo o que ele conseguia pensar. Como isso podia estar acontecendo com ele? O pior era que Percy estava sendo um perfeito cavalheiro. Ou foi o caso até Nico acordar na manhã seguinte. Ele tinha ido no banheiro e quando tinha voltado, Percy ainda estava ali, todo esticado na cama, sem nada o cobrindo… quando foi que Percy tinha ficado tão alto ou arranjado aqueles músculos? E aqueles braços? Nico não conseguiu evitar, voltou para a cama e… bem, Nico gostaria de dizer que apenas tinha o observado dormir.

Mesmo se sentindo sensível da noite anterior e com dor de cabeça da ressaca, ele engatinhou pela cama e se sentou na cintura de Percy, tentando ser cuidadoso. Isso era tão errado, a conversa sobre consentimento voltando com tudo. Mas, talvez se ele o acordasse de uma forma interessante, Percy não ficaria bravo com ele. Então Nico fez o que queria ter feito há muito tempo, colocou as mãos sobre o abdômen de Percy e as escorregou para cima, dedilhando os gominhos e voltando para baixo, sentindo os pelos se arrepiarem contra seus dedos. O que ele teria que fazer para Percy acordar? Talvez se ele… Nico se curvou sobre Percy e chegou ao rosto bronzeado de sol e quadrado, sentindo a barba que começava a crescer, vendo o sorriso nos largos lábios de Percy.

— Per? — E quando mesmo assim, Percy se negou a abrir os olhos, Nico continuou com sua exploração. Massageou o peito largo e roçou com a ponta dos dedos os mamilos eriçados.

Parece que ele teria que fazer tudo sozinho no fim, o que estava tudo bem, isso apenas lhe dava coragem para continuar. 

Como quem não quer nada, Nico deslizou sua bunda para baixo e encontrou um volume que não estava lá cinco minutos atrás. Será que ele devia? Nico sabia que iria doer um pouco, mas ele não queria procurar o lubrificante. Não poderia doer tanto assim, certo? Testando as águas, Nico se sentou mais uma vez no colo de Percy, levou a mão para trás dele e encontrou o membro de Percy completamente ereto. Talvez ele fosse um masoquista, era a única explicação para o gemido que soltou quando se forçou contra a resistência e a cabeça passou pela entrada apertada, deslizando com muito mais facilidade que ele esperava. Deuses! A pontinha estava tão molhada que ele acabou indo ao final mais rápido do que esperava. Nico achava que tinha gritado, achava que tinha apertado o membro de Percy dentro dele com todas as forças que tinha. Como isso poderia se traduzir como prazer para seus nervos, como?!

— Você vai se machucar. — Ele ouviu ao fundo Percy dizer e sentiu mãos apertarem com força suas pernas. Era difícil se concentrar em qualquer coisa que não fosse o membro o esticando e os tremores de prazer e dor que atingiam seus sentidos. Mas… mas tudo ficaria bem, porque alguns momentos depois Nico sentiu mãos quentes em acariciarem suas costas, o membro sair para fora dele e então dedos molhados estavam massageando dentro dele para o membro de Percy voltar a penetrá-lo, fundo e gostoso, alcançando aquele lugar que até noite passada Nico não sabia existir.

— O que foi, hm? Por que meu bebê está chorando? Onde doí?

Ele negou, balançando a cabeça, e se deixou levar. Colocou os braços ao redor do pescoço de Percy e relaxou, o que deixou tudo melhor. Mas Percy ainda estava parado, respirando rápido contra seu pescoço e o segurando forte pela cintura. 

— Per… eu preciso.

— Não está doendo? Da noite passada?

Nico negou mais uma vez, se acomodando melhor no colo de Percy, fazendo o membro dentro dele acertar os melhores lugares apenas com esse movimento acidental.

— Por favor… eu quero que você… quero que você… ah!

— Assim? — Percy perguntou e demonstrou mais uma vez. Levantou Nico pela cintura e o fez descer mais uma vez, o encontrando no meio do caminho com um movimento certeiro.

— Bebê, eles vão ouvir.

— Percy!

Ele achava que realmente estava gritando agora. Doía! Doía tanto e mesmo assim não conseguia parar, sentindo cada um de seus músculos se desfazerem a cada vez que os quadris de Percy se encontravam com os dele.

— Você tem que se responsabilizar por seus atos, bebê. — Percy sussurrou em seu ouvido. Aquilo era demais para ele.

Choramingando, sem saber o que seu corpo queria, Nico empurrou Percy pelo ombro e rastejou para fora do colo de Percy, gemendo e soluçando, suas pernas falhando no meio do caminho o fazendo cair de cara nos travesseiros. Nico não entendia o que acontecia com si próprio, ele só… só… iria explodir a qualquer momento se o mundo não voltasse a fazer sentido. Como dor poderia se misturar tão ao prazer a ponto de o fazer delirar? Porque o olhar no rosto de Percy só poderia ser uma ilusão que sua mente estava criando. Parecia tão… como se ele fosse a caça e Percy o predador.

— Onde você vai?

— Eu… eu não sei!

— Bebê.

Um calafrio subiu por sua coluna e fez suas pernas tremerem. Tinha algo na voz de Percy que o fez congelar no lugar onde Nico tinha caído. O que estava acontecendo com eles? Ele não conseguia olhar para Percy, como medo ver o que iria encontrar lá, e queria fugir, mas… mas Nico não queria se mover e talvez descobrir o que tanto o assustava. Entretanto, ele estava se movendo da mesma forma, se arrastando pela cama enorme em direção… ele não sabia, qualquer lugar estava bom. Então, porque parou na beirada da cama, ainda tremendo e… e sentindo uma antecipação que ele não sabia de onde vinha? A porta estava bem a sua frente, tanto a do banheiro ou a da saída. Se ele se sentia tão encurralado, por que não estava indo em direção a eles?

Nico gemeu, surpreso, quando a mão de Percy tocou no meio de suas costas, e suavemente deslizou para cima e para baixo num dos gestos mais confortantes que Nico já tinha experimentado.

— Você quer brincar? — Percy perguntou em seguida, ainda sem se aproximar. — Ou quer dormir mais um pouco? Ainda está cedo.

— Eu… — Nico se curvou contra si mesmo e escondeu o rosto no travesseiro. 

Ele não entendia o que acontecia com ele. Nada fazia sentido. Ele não queria estar sentindo essas coisas e não queria ser desse tipo de pessoa. Quer dizer, alguns dias atrás ele estava bem com o que estava acontecendo. Então, qual era o problema?

— Você pode me dizer.

— Eu quero gozar. — Nico admitiu, seu rosto afundado contra o travesseiro.

— Então, olha para mim. Sim?

Nico negou, se encolhendo ainda mais.

A cama ao redor dele balançou e então Percy estava ao lado dele, mãos quentes estavam de volta em sua coluna junto a lábios que deslizaram por toda a extensão, até chegar a curva de suas nádegas, as mordiscando.

— Você está pronto para conversar? — Percy murmurou contra sua pele.

Quando Nico negou mais uma vez, os lábios de Percy desceram mais um pouco e encontraram sua entrada, beijando a área suavemente. — Nunca mais faça isso. Não quero te ver machucado.

Nico não teve outra reação além de estremer e gemer contra os travesseiros, se sentindo derreter quando a língua de Percy acalçou um lugar mais profundo.

— Quer que eu toque seu membro?

Nico negou. Tudo o que ele fazia era negar. O que estava acontecendo!

— Quer que eu pare?

Então, negou mais uma vez, se surpreendendo.

— Bebê. — Percy disse na voz mais afável que ele já tinha ouvido e isso o fez se sentir estranhamente… contente, satisfeito até.

— Eu quero você… dentro de mim.

— É mesmo? — Agora Percy soou quase condescendente, irônico até. O que fazia sentido. Eles estavam fazendo exatamente isso até que Nico teve um ataque de panico.

— Me diga se for muito.

Tudo o que Nico conseguiu fazer foi arfar, ficando sem ar devido ao movimento repentino. O colchão se afundou ligeiramente atrás dele e Percy se encaixou sob suas costas. Mãos rodeiam sua cintura, o puxando para mais perto e dedos se fincaram em seu cabelo, estranhamento o forçando inspirar profundamente. O engraçado é que Percy nem empregava muita força, sua cabeça girando, tentando criar explicações porque esse momento parecia tão diferente dos outros. O que o fazia se sentir tão angustiado e tão excitado ao mesmo tempo? No momento, não importava. Nico sentiu a cabeça do membro de Percy contra sua entrada mais uma vez e então tudo sua visto ficou embaçada, sua cabeça esvaziando por alguns instantes. Era difícil descrever. Nico não sabia se era o agarre de Percy que ficava cada vez mais forte em sua pele, se era Percy arfando contra seu ouvido ou se era a forma decidida e com vigor que Percy o fodia, devagar, mas com proposito em cada estocada certeira, curta e bem colocada.

Talvez ele só quisesse que Percy o mantesse sob controle e lhe dissesse o que fazer em seguida. Será que ele seria obrigado a falar sobre isso também? Antes que isso pudesse acontecer, Nico preferia fugir e nunca mais voltar. Ou ele teria feito isso se Nico não tivesse sentindo as mãos de Percy o prenderem contra seu peito largo, o impedindo se mover muito.

— Está tudo bem. Comigo, certo? — Percy o manteve preso entre seus braços e diminuiu a velocidade de seus movimentos, mas era tarde demais. Algo no modo como Percy o continha finalmente fez Nico se deixar levar. Nico permitiu que Percy continuasse a segurá-lo e estremeceu pelos próximos minutos, relaxando contra o peito de Percy, sentindo Percy ir junto com ele. 

— Tudo bem? — Percy disse depois de alguns momentos quando nenhum dos dois fez nada para se mover.

— Não tenho certeza. — Essa era a coisa mais sincera que tinha saído de seus lábios desde que tinha acordado.

***

— Não tenho certeza. — Nico disse, ainda afundado contra o peito de Percy, finalmente se sentindo seguro e em paz.

Ele se sentia tão estranho que Nico nunca teria palavras para expressar. O que tinha mudado em cinco minutos que o fazia se sentir tão bem agora?

— Tudo está bem. Você foi ótimo. — Percy ainda tinha uma das mãos fincadas em seus cabelos e a outra em sua cintura, que nesse momento massageava sua barriga e baixo ventre, suavemente o ninando.

— O que está acontecendo? Eu não… não queria fugir.

— Sei que não.

— Eu só… 

— Está tudo bem se você se deixar sentir.

— Me deixar sentir?

— Eu aprendi que às vezes nossas mentes vão para lugares estranhos. Como se nosso corpo quisesse uma coisa e nossa mente outra. Então, tudo bem sentir, seja o que for.

— Desde quando você sabe tanto sobre isso?

— Eu… busquei ajuda.

— Psicológica?

Percy acenou que sim contra suas costas e Nico teve que se virar, para ver com os próprios olhos, mas Percy não o encarava; ele olhava para fora da janela.

— Quando você foi embora, percebi que não era comum sofrer tanto por alguém a ponto de querer me matar.

 — Percy! Eu nunca quis que isso acontecesse! Por que você não me disse?

— Você não é responsável por meus atos e eu não sou responsável pelos seus. Ou pelo menos, não era o caso naquela época. 

Então, Percy deu um sorrisinho sacana e Nico revirou os olhos. Parece que eles tinham muito a conversar. 

— A questão é que eu não podia te pedir para voltar e não era justo deixar que a depressão me afundasse. Eu fiz o que Sally pediu. — Percy deu de ombros. — Fui no médico. E mesmo com ajuda, eu ainda sentia sua falta. Não tive escolha senão te ver se divertindo e amadurecendo sem mim.

— Eu… nunca foi algo definitivo. — Nico murmurou, se sentindo um monstro. — Devia ser alguns meses, depois um ano. Eu não tive coragem de te encarar.

— O que te fez mudar de ideia?

— Uma foto. Annabeth e você sentados na sua cama.

Nico observou como em câmera lenta, o olhar de tristeza se transformar em divertimento e felicidade, Percy o abraçando com mais força.

— Ah, se ela soubesse.

— Soubesse o quê?

— Annabeth fez aquilo de proposito, pensando que iria te atingir. Acho que ela conseguiu, não foi?

— Percy! — Agora Percy estava rindo de verdade, se jogando para trás na cama e o levando junto, o prendendo em um agarre de urso.

— Me solta!

— Não, agora é serio. Você quer conversar sobre o que aconteceu?

— Acho que não.

— Não vai nem me dar uma pista? Um ponteiro? Nadinha?

Nico até poderia imaginar o pesadelo. Se Percy soubesse o que Nico realmente queria… seria a seu fim.

— Tudo bem. Já entendi.

Percy se espreguiçou e colocou Nico contra os travesseiros. Antes de levantar, ele beijou Nico e sorriu para ele, dando a volta na cama. Abriu uma gaveta em seu lado da cama e tirou de lá um diário com capa azul, parecido com o que ele tinha dado a Nico.

— Acho que vou escrever depois de tomar um banho. É relaxante, você não acha? — Percy colocou o diário do seu lado da cama e beijou Nico mais uma vez, indo para o banheiro dentro da suíte e fechando a porta.

Nico escutou o barulho de água cair no chão e se sentiu a pessoa mais idiota do mundo. Seu próprio diário estava bem a seu lado na cômoda e tudo o que ele menos queria era escrever sobre seus sentimentos. Ele se sentia forçado e manipulado a fazer algo que não queria, afinal, era o justo; Percy tinha contado a ele algo profundo e pessoal, o que o deixava na posição de contar alto tão pessoal quanto. No fim, não era o que ele queria? Que Percy o… dissesse o que fazer? Nico apenas não pensava que isso escorreria para fora do sexo também. Mas se Percy queria saber, ele faria Percy se arrepender disso.

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E então, ficou muito ruim? Estou pensando em reescrever essa cena em um momento futuro. Comentarios são sempre bem vindos.

Até a proxima.

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

In this chapter we have a super 18+ scene. It's a gift for the delay in updating the story. And while I'm on this subject, I'd like to know what you guys think about something. Like, technically, I should indicate that the blog is for adults, which would hide it behind that annoying warning and consider me a sex bot, you know? If someone reports me, the blog will be deleted. So, should I continue with the +18 scenes here or put them somewhere else? I've already put up a poll in the Portuguese version, but I'd like your opinion too.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII / CHAPTER IX / CHAPTER X / CHAPTER XI / CHAPTER XII / CHAPTER XIII

Percy learned something very interesting these last few days. He had found out the right way to have a happy ending, both between Nico's legs and in the heart of his beautiful baby. The secret to satisfying Nico was doing the right thing, at the right time and at the right pace. If he took things slowly at first, treated him with affection and made Nico relax, the chances of him getting everything he wanted and going much deeper than that were high. Honestly? Percy didn't think someone so innocent in everything he did could have such an uninhibited side behind four walls. The funny thing was seeing the rare moments where Nico remembered that he shouldn't act like that, feeling embarrassed, only to have Nico open his legs the next moment, asking for more.

“You've been a naughty boy today. You deserve a punishment. My boy remember what I said earlier today?’’

“Hmm… that you would let me cum?'' Nico tried, hopeful.

“No. I said, I would make you beg.’’

''Oh.'' That's all Nico said before being thrown onto the bed and his pants being ripped off him.

But Percy did everything with care. He took off Nico's sneakers, pulled his pants down along with his underwear and enjoyed the moment; it wasn't often that Nico let him see all that exposed skin. He stroked Nico's long legs and kissed them slowly, nibbling where he went, tortuously slow in his touches, moving up and up, finally reaching Nico's groin and lingering there, massaging the junction of his legs with his pelvis and touching Nico's member, then, he heard a whimper.

''What's wrong, baby?’’

''You… you‘re torturing me!’’

“Am I?’’

“Hmmm.'' Nico nodded, bringing his hands to his own face, like he was trying to hide it,  and ended up biting his fingers just as Percy looked at him, seeing Nico’s face flushed and his eyes almost closing with sleep, holding back the next moan. Percy had to admit, he was in the mood to do exactly what Nico accused him of doing. So, he ignored Nico's erect member and went a little lower, stroking his entrance, rubbing in soft, delicate circles, until it opened up like a flower for him, pulsing against his fingers.

But Percy didn't  push right all the way like Nico wanted. No, he kept rubbing and rubbing, watching Nico open and close for long moments, hearing the sweet moans that his baby couldn't contain inside himself.

''Percy!’’

“What it that?’’

''I…’’

''Yeah?’’

''I need you! Inside of me!’’

''Oh, no. Don't cry. We haven't even started yet.’’

“T-thank you.'' Nico whispered, all tearful, and leaned towards him, grabbing his shirt, begging sweetly, his big black eyes looking at him so desperately and frustrated that Percy took pity, although only now Percy was recalling their deal. If Nico didn't know what to say and wanted to continue, he would say “Thank you” and when it felt good and still Nico wanted to stop, he would say “Please”.

‘So sweet’ Percy thought. He would make everything better. So, Percy pulled Nico against his chest and comforted him, kissing his hair, mumbling:

''There, there. It's already gone. See? All good.’’

''I… I wanted…’’

''I know what you want.’’

With Nico in his arms, Percy turned to the side and opened the first drawer on the bedside table and took out a tube of lub. He put some on his fingers, warming the gel in his hand, and brought his fingers to Nico's entrance. Exactly as before, Nico moaned sweetly and threw his head back when Percy rubbed around Nico's hole, feeling Nico melt like butter in his arms, surrendering to the sensations he felt.

Percy couldn't help the heat that spread in his chest, both from pleasure and affection, but from lust too, that feeling that made him forget everything and encouraged him to take everything he wanted.

''Is this what you wanted, beautiful? For me to fuck you at my parents' house?’’

Percy tried to be as delicate as possible, as delicate as his pleasure-drunk mind would allow. And He had to admit, it wasn't enough for him, it never would be, because, deep down, he knew this wasn't the way he should treat his baby. If Percy had his head on straight, he would never do this, but something inside him dominated his body, making him act the way he never thought he would.

The truth was, since Nico’s return, he wasn’t acting like himself, he wasn’t behaving like Nico deserved. But, in the end, care and kindness wasn't what he wanted and it wasn't what Nico wanted either. Percy wasn't proud of himself; the next thing he knew, he had three fingers inside Nico, opening him slowly, but eagerly and more deeply than he had done in the past. Percy had to stop for a moment and take a deep breath, he had promised that he wouldn't let his feelings get in the way of his relationship with Nico. What could he do if Nico became even more beautiful, moaning with his back bent, about to come while he just kept playing with Nico's body, discovering the places that made him moan, and what made him cry with pleasure, or even that little place that was making Nico scream, shaking from head to toe?

That's why Percy forced himself to take his fingers out of Nico and take a deep breath. It wasn't right to treat him like a plastic doll, a little toy he could use and then put away in a box.

''Baby? All good?'' Percy forced himself to see through the haze of lust and see his baby and not… a lover where he could satisfy all his desires.

Percy watched in slow motion Nico opening his eyes, unfocused and dilated, breathing as deeply as he had done, looking confused.

''No... ah... don't stop... I... thank you.'' Nico said in the softest and sweetest voice Percy had ever heard, all obedient and happy, smiling dreamy, saying: “I'm so drunk.”

And then, Nico was laughing, looking more stoned than any drink could make him, putting his arms around Percy’s neck and kissing him softly. 

Percy couldn't blame him, he felt as high as Nico seemed to be, but what Percy hadn't noticed until that moment were the tears that were flowing, seeping from Nico's eyes that, in addition to being unfocused, were also teary;his dark skin warm to the touch, marred by invisible lines. Why did Percy know this? He had to raise his hand and wipe Nico's face, sliding them until he held Nico by the back of his head and neck, keeping them there, buried in Nico's hair. And Nico? Well, he just moaned, letting Percy lean him closer to him, and spread his legs wider, offering himself to Percy.

Percy didn't want to think about this, this… show of submission. That made something inside him wake up, something Percy was ashamed to admit he had inside him. But… he looked down and saw that Nico had cum at some point. They should stop, right? So, why was Percy unzipping his own pants and applying lube to his own cock?

Percy grunted when he felt the tip of his member's head come into contact with Nico's entrance. They should use condoms, shouldn't they? But he knew Nico was a virgin before he fucked him, which Percy knew was just another excuse for his endorphin-filled brain not to force him to stop. But, Nico had asked, hadn't he?

He didn't hesitate any longer, Percy grabbed Nico by the waist and pulled him against his member, letting gravity do its work. It was an out-of-body experience seeing Nico's small, tight little hole, accommodate his size, watching him go down slowly, taking him in inch by inch, seeing his member disappear inside Nico with almost no effort at all, now hearing the high-pitched moans and gasps against his ear, chest against chest, feeling Nico hug him tightly around the neck and wrap his legs around his waist, bouncing around in his lap so deliciously that for a moment Percy found himself without reaction, only able to gasp against his baby's black hair, helping him in any way he could.

Then, Nico let out a long, breathy moan against his neck and bit him hard, stopping moving immediately, squeezing him so hard that Percy didn't know how he hadn't come at that very moment. Yet, knowing Nico had just cum, Percy didn't have enough strength to stop, but he didn’t try to move either. So, he waited,  staying in that same position for long moments, sitting motionless on the bed, thinking that maybe Nico had fallen asleep, or that Nico didn't want to continue anymore. That was the moment when Percy heard a sly little moan and felt Nico move, just a little, rotating his hips, as if trying to find a better position. And Percy, like the gentleman that he was, helped him. Still holding Nico's waist, he moved him a little to the right and then forward, finding a more comfortable angle. 

Yes! Percy thought he had found it, feeling Nico squeeze him tightly and whimper like he was dying.

''Is it here? Like this? Feels good?’’

''Ah… ah… thank you!'' Nico squirmed and forced himself against him, hugging Percy tightly again. And since Nico was so determined to kill them with pleasure, it was the best way Percy could die.

Percy held Nico's hips tighter and, almost immobilizing him, pulled him up and then took him down, slowly and deliciously, feeling Nico squeeze him so hard it almost hurt.

''Baby, you gotta relax, hm? Take a deep breath for me.’’

Nico did, because he was the best boy in the world, and let himself fall onto his chest, relaxing with his head resting on his shoulders.

Ah, that was much better, because, suddenly, his member was sliding in and out of Nico without any effort, Nico moaning shamelessly with his head thrown back. Percy watched for a moment as Nico gave himself to him without any fear and forgot about himself, regretting that he had almost lost Nico forever.

''Do you want to cum?'' Percy asked, feeling himself float away.

''Per… I… ah! I don't know!'' And again, in the sweetest voice, but now panting and desperate, Nico opened those black eyes and pleaded with his gaze, something that Nico himself seemed to not know what it was.

Percy didn't really know what he was doing, but if Nico wanted it, he would make it come true.

''Touch yourself.’’

''W-what?'' Nico asked without understanding.

''I want you to touch yourself.’’

Percy then held one of Nico's hands and took it between their bodies where Nico's member was erect once again.

''I want to see.'' Percy repeated and waited to see what Nico would do.

Nico  blinked slowly at him and, still looking uncertain and stoned, wrapped his fingers around himself, beginning to slide his hand up and down, in the most delicate, gentle touch Percy had ever seen. He did nothing but watch Nico touch himself with him still inside Nico, feeling Nico pulse and squeeze him rhythmically for a few short minutes.

It didn't take long, as slowly and gently as Nico had started, Nico came, with long strokes and even sweeter moans. And this time Percy saw Nico ejaculating, the small member twitching and finally releasing the last drops until Nico stopped moving his hand and looked at Percy, blinking slowly and breathing quickly, as if waiting for the next order.

That was a slightly strange and wonderfully extraordinary moment for Percy. He was content to just watch Nico's pleasure and let his erection go away on its own. The fact is that Nico was still looking at him, still looking uncertain and honestly confused.

''Aren't you going to cum?'' Nico asked him, and Percy almost laughed, thinking he was going crazy.

“What do you suggest, hm?’’

“Oh.'' Nico murmured, tilting his head and gently placing his hands on Percy's shoulders. ''Can I decide?’’

“Sure.’’ Percy shrugged, why not?

The surprise came immediately; Nico lifted his hips, moaning softly and let Percy's member slip away from him. Soon after, Nico knelt on the bed, sat between Percy's spread legs and holding the base, kissed the head for long moments. He licked and sucked without rushing to finally suck it whole, starting a light suction, in the most beautiful and erotic sight that Percy had ever had the pleasure of witnessing, thinking that this would be the fastest orgasm of his life.

Nico started to move his hands too and suddenly, his member was sliding into Nico's throat. What finally made him cum was when Nico swallowed around him and gasped, choking slightly. And again, Percy had no reaction other than leaning on the bed and throwing his head back, moaning for a long time. Surprising him again, Percy watched as Nico continued to suck him, now so gently he could barely feel it, only sliding away when Nico was sure Percy had finished, finally softening against his lips. It was as if a new world had opened up right in front of Percy's eyes; he didn't know that someone sucking his cock could rock his world like that. But, of course, Nico wasn't just anyone and no one but Nico could cause these feelings in him.

''Per?'' He heard Nico's small voice call him. Percy opened his eyes and realized that he still had his head thrown back and was staring at the ceiling. It was difficult to even open his mouth.

''Hmm?’’

''I… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to…’’

He didn’t mean what? Percy wanted to laugh in hysteria and pleasure.

Content and truly satisfied, Percy finally gathered the strength to move and sat down on the bed, seeing that Nico was still between his legs. The funny thing is that Nico didn't look happy, looking like he would burst into tears at any moment.

''What's wrong, baby?’’

''I hurt you.’’

''Hurt me?’’

''You looked like you were in pain, but I didn't want to stop. You never let me do that.’’

Percy smiled and pulled Nico onto his lap, hugging him to his chest. He could tell Nico was right; It felt so good it hurt, like his orgasm was being pulled out of him and Percy had no control over it.

''You didn't hurt me. In fact, you only had to ask. You were great.’’

“Was I… great?'' Nico sank against Percy's chest, but he still looked doubtful. ''If you say so, I will believe it.’’

Percy smiled again and kissed Nico's hair. He just hoped that Nico wouldn't fight with him the next morning when they were both completely sober.

***

''If you say so, I will believe it.'' Percy hears Nico say, watching him close his eyes and sigh before relaxing against his chest, now breathing deeply in his sleep.

Percy was almost tempted to do the same and sleep in that exact position, sitting in the middle of the bed with Nico using him as a pillow. But unfortunately, he had to be the responsible person. Feeling his legs still shaking, he placed Nico on the pillows, covered him with a sheet and got up. He entered the suite's bathroom and after cleaning himself and arranging his clothes, he returned to the room with a damp towel and cleaned Nico, saying "I'll be back soon", which Nico didn't seem to hear, and left the room, closing the door softly behind him, leaving Nico under the covers in just socks and a t-shirt. 

He went downstairs and, already regretting it, saw that there were still people at the party. Not that it mattered to him, it was just another day at the Jackson house, so he walked with determined steps towards the kitchen, but when he got there he had an unwanted surprise.

It was Annabeth, of course! Who else? Who else could it be? His relaxation vanished in the blink of an eye, especially when Annabeth turned to him and smiled, holding a crystal glass with red wine against her lips, her favorite drink, Percy unfortunately knew.

Maybe he had hidden some things from Nico and, maybe he had spent more time than he’d wanted with Annabeth in the last few years; Nico was gone and Percy was feeling lonely, imagine his surprise when Annabeth showed him a little sympathy.

Percy had let his guard down, he admitted. In the name of old times and childhood friends, Percy decided that giving another chance to the first friendship he had made in his life could work. The fact is that everything was fine for some time, the gang got together once again and everything was going well, that is, until Annabeth, in a drink-fueled study session, their best friends and books scattered on every surface of his room, she had tried to kiss him. In the end, all Annabeth wanted was to be homecoming queen and take advantage of his family's influence to get a scholarship and a cheerleading position at the best university in the country. If she had asked him for these things, Percy wouldn't have minded helping, but since she decided to take it by force, Percy returned it in kind.

Now, here they were. Annabeth in a long red dress that hid nothing, standing in front of the refrigerator, seeming to observe some photos stuck in it, photos of them and their other friends from when they were children and Percy hadn't met Nico yet. Percy almost believed her longing look, almost got fooled once again, and all because he was trying to get his baby a glass of water with painkillers, hm?

Not this time.

''What are you doing here? I thought I was clear.’’

''I wanted to talk to you.’’

''You'd better go home.’’

''Don't you miss us? How it used to be?’’

Annabeth then turned completely towards him and placed the glass on the counter, moving closer to him, parading herself, trying to seduce him. All it did was make his stomach churn. What would he miss? Of feeling alone, as if he were invisible? Living to fulfill all the selfish desires of a spoiled girl? Of not being able to do something if Annabeth didn't allow it? The worst thing would always know that no matter what he did, Percy would always feel cold and abandoned, even if she was less than five steps away.

''How did you intend to do that? Breaking into my room in the middle of the night?’’

''It's a good idea. I still remember where it is.’’

''Have you gone crazy? That’s it?’’

''It's you who doesn't understand! It should be both of us. This is not natural. What would your father say if he saw you like this?'' Annabeth touched his shoulder and then the urge to vomit really came, almost materializing itself.

''My father has nothing to do with this. You’ve crossed the line.’’

''Percy, darling. It's not too late yet.'' Annabeth touched his face and looked at him with those cold gray eyes, something he had once found beautiful and magnetic, but that now froze his body and soul. If there was one thing he had learned from Annabeth, it was that manipulation came in all sizes and shapes.

He took a step back, out of Annabeth's reach and took a deep breath, feeling free from a ghost that had continued to haunt him since he decided he liked sweet, well-behaved little boys more than manipulative, cruel girls. Maybe Nico was right and the only way for him to really get rid of Annabeth was to run away and disappear, just like Nico had done before.

''You need to leave. Now!’’

''Percy, I know you're confused. He's so cute he almost looks like a girl, doesn't he? He will never give you what I can. A family. A home.’’

“Nico can’t give me…?'' Percy asked himself for a moment, distracted. Then, he felt like laughing. Nico gave him exactly what he wanted and in the exact way he wanted it the most.

''Are you sure about that?’’

Percy knew he shouldn't, knew it wasn't Annabeth's business, and yet, he did it. Percy opened the top buttons of his shirt and showed the mark in the middle of his chest from teeth and nails, close to his neck, but discreet enough to cover with his shirt.

''Do you think Nico doesn't give me what I need? He is so much better than you will ever be.’’

''You will regret it! How do you trade me for that--’’

''In fact, even if I wasn't with him, you'd be the last person on earth who--’’

Plaft!

Percy even didn't felt the pain coming, he just heard the sound of Annabeth's hand against his face, the cold touch of her hand freezing him face. The shock came when his face turned to the side with the impact, it came when her scream of fury reached his ears, completely enraged, like a demon had possessed the body of the beauty with light eyes and blonde hair.

''Do you think you can talk to me like that? That you can treat me like this? Who do you think you are!'' Annabeth shouted, going at him once again. But this time, Percy refused to submit to her wishes, he wasn't afraid of what they would say or what the consequences would be.

This time, Percy held Annabeth's arms and faced her, without fear, before the next slap could arrive.

''We're done here. I don't want to see you, hear your voice or know about you. You are not welcome in my life or Nico's life. And if you try something, you will regret it. This is my last warning.’’

With that, Percy turned his back on her and left the kitchen, still hearing Annabeth's screams. When Percy returned, Annabeth was still in the kitchen pacing back and forth, furious, with the crystal glass in her hand. But if it were up to Percy, Annabeth should keep the glass as a souvenir. He didn't want anything she had touched.

''Make sure she never sets foot in this house again.’’

Standing in the middle of the hallway that led to the kitchen entrance, Percy watched the men nod and go towards the intruder. Each one held Annabeth by an arm and without another word, Annabeth was taken away by the men, screaming and offended, because finally, the person who haunted Percy’s nightmares was banished from his home and life once and for all.

***

Still hearing the blonde's screams, Percy was finally able to get the glass of water and the painkillers that Nico would need. And feeling exhausted and with his face throbbing, he climbed the stairs to the upper floor and entered his room at the end of the corridor, finding Nico awake, leaning against the bedpost,  looking at his own lap covered only by the sheets with the saddest, most gloomy expression Percy had ever seen on his baby.

Everything got worse the moment Percy closed the door and step in the room. Nico raised his head and looked at him with those big black eyes, now all teary.

''Where were you?'' Nico said in a low voice, sounding hoarse and tired.

''I went to get some hangover medicine.’’

''I'm not hungover.’’

But Nico looked like he would fall asleep at any moment, continuing to look at him, as if he didn't believe him, and Percy gave up trying to convince him. Because, in that way, they were similar. Once they set their mind to something, nothing would make them change their mind. It would be worse if they found out that the other was lying. So, resigned, Percy walked quickly to the bedside table, placed the water and medicine on it and sat down next to Nico, pulling him onto his lap.

''What happened, hmm?’’

''It's nothing.'' Nico buried his face in the crook of Percy's neck and hugged him tightly around his waist, relaxing, and only then did he feel comfortable enough to say what he thought. ''I saw Annabeth at the party. After you sent her away. I hate knowing that she's still around, hanging around us and waiting for the right moment to attack.’’

So, that was the problem.

Well, Nico was more right than he thought.

Percy hugged Nico tighter, completely wrapping him in his arms, and sighed, laying his head on top of Nico's hair.

''Is what you think of me? That I would rush to her side after being with you?’’

''No, I don't think so. I just… she has a strange influence on you. I just… I don't like it.’’

''What don't you like?’’

''The way she looks at you. Like she wanted to… dominate you. It kills me to think that… to think that she can get what she wants.’’

‘Exactly what I do with you?’, Percy had the impulse to ask, but stopped before they got into an argument that they both weren't ready to face. Even though he knew their situation was different, and even though Percy wanted to dominate Nico, it was completely consensual between both parties; with Annabeth, he couldn't say the same. Just the thought of it turned his stomach.

''You don't need to worry.'' Percy said finally, trying to relax.

“Sure.’’

''Nico.’’

Percy grabbed Nico's face, pulling his head up and forcing him to face him:

''I love you. Just you and no one else. When will you understand this?’’

''I understand. Believing is more difficult. I remember the times when you smelled different... or had marks in suspicious places… '' Nico took his hands to the place he himself had left a mark, moving the shirt away to touch the skin and making Percy understand everything.

''They meant nothing more than… stress relief.'' Percy said, touching Nico's hand on his chest. ''They never meant anything more than that. You need to believe me.’’

''At the time I couldn't understand. It was so confusing. You slept in my bed and had sex with them.'' But now, Nico seemed to understand better, going to Italy and feeling the need to relieve that same kind of stress.

''You were… a perfect angel, delicate and immaculate. I didn't want to get you dirty.’’

''Get me dirty?'' Nico said, looking confused once again.

''I didn't want to force you like those boys did.’’

Nico raised his head, ready to say that those boys would never compare to Percy, looking back at him. However, when Nico saw a large mark on the right side of Percy's face, confusion was replaced by concern.

''What happened?'' Percy was immediately surprised by the change in Nico. The little boy was making a face, somewhere between confused and irritated.

''Your face. Who hit you?’’

Would it be too corny to say that Nico made him forget the pain? Percy decided yes, it was one of the cheesiest things he had ever thought of saying.

''It was nothing. Just a scratch.’’

''I want to know.'' When Nico realized that demanding wouldn't work, he gently touched Percy's face and kissed him sweetly on the lips, saying very delicately and quietly: ''I'm worried about you. Please, Per. Tell me who did this to you.’’

'It doesn't even hurt anymore.’’

''Please?’’

''Annabeth. It’s Annabeth. I found her in the kitchen.'' Percy sighed and closed his eyes, almost purring at Nico's affectionate touch. ''She didn't take no for an answer.’’

''Per! You should file a complaint!’’

'Maybe tomorrow. When Sally sees my face and makes me go. Or Paul arrives from a trip and drags me there with Tyson's help.’’

''Per.'' Nico murmured weakly, his eyes filling with tears, making Percy's heart clench and fill with affection in equal measures.

''I'm fine. I swear.'' To prove his point, Percy kissed him softly and stroked Nico's hair, combing it back. “See? Everything’s fine.’’

“Only if you take the pills.’’

''But I brought it to you.’’

''Let's share.’’

Percy smiled and shrugged. He broke the medicine in half, gave one part to Nico, swallowed the other part and held it in Nico's hands.

''How about a shower before bed?’’

Nico accepted the offer, of course. Because Nico was the most obedient and well-behaved boy in the world, always wanting to please him and take care of him, even if Percy didn't deserve it.

So, Nico took the medicine with the water and they stripped off the rest of their clothes, taking a quick shower and were soon under the covers. It had been a long day and all they wanted was a moment of peace and quiet.

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Soo... We finally begin to understand a little about Annabeth's relationship with Percy and Nico. Honestly? I didn't want to write about Annabeth, because it's a bit cliché. But here we are, I've been forced to introduce our antagonist properly. This way, Annabeth will be much more present in the story, but not too much, just enough to move the story forward. What did you think of her? And the development of the other characters? I'd love to hear what you think.

Thank you for reading!

If you liked it, leave me a comment, suggestions and constructive criticism. Even an emoji is valid, just so I know the story is pleasing you.

Until next time.

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

Olá, quanto tempo, não? Para quem não está acompanhando a versão em inglês fiz uma capa com inteligencia artifical. Ficou super fofo.

Nesse capítulo temos uma mega cena 18+. Ela é um presente pela demora em atualizar a história. E aproveitando o assunto, gostaria de saber da opnião de vocês sobre algo. Eu deveria continuar com as cenas hot? Tipo, tecnicamente, eu deveria indicar que o blog é para maiores, o que o esconderia por tras daquele aviso chato e me consideraria um bot do sexo, sabe? Se alguém me denunciar, o blog vai ser excluido e aí já viu. Então, eu devo continuar com as cenas +18 por aqui ou coloca-las em outro lugar?

Enfim, ignorem se acharem algum erro, ok? E boa leitura!

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

Percy tinha descoberto algo muito interessante nesses últimos dias. Tinha descoberto o caminho certeiro para ter um final feliz, tanto entre as pernas de Nico quando no coração de seu lindo bebê. O segredo para satisfazer Nico era fazer a coisa certa, no momento certo e no ritmo certo. Se ele fosse devagar no começo, o tratando com carinho e fizesse Nico relaxar, a tendência dele ter tudo o que queria de Nico e ir muito além disso, era grande. Sinceramente? Percy não pensava como alguém tão inocente em tudo o que fazia podia ter um lado tão desinibido entre quatro paredes. O engraçado era ver os raros momentos onde Nico se lembrava que não devia agir assim e se sentir encabulado para no momento seguinte Nico abrir as pernas e pedir por mais. 

— Você foi um garoto muito arteiro hoje. Você merece uma punição. Meu garotinho lembra o que eu disse hoje mais cedo?

— Hmm… que você me deixaria gozar? — Nico tentou, esperançoso.

— Não, que eu te faria implorar.

— Oh. — Foi tudo o que Nico disse antes que ser jogado na cama e de suas calças serem arrancadas.

Mas Percy fez tudo com carinho. Tirou os tênis de Nico, puxou suas calças para baixo junto com sua cueca e apreciou o momento;.não era sempre que Nico lhe deixava ver toda aquela pele exposta. Ele acariciou as longas pernas de Nico e as beijou devagar, mordiscando por onde ia, torturantemente lento em seu toques, subindo e subindo, chegando na virilha de Nico finalmente e se demorando por ali, massageando a junção das pernas com a pélvis e tocando no membro de Nico quando ouviu um choramingo.

— O que foi, bebê?

— Você… você está me torturando!

— Eu estou?

— Hmhmm. — Nico acenou, levando as mãos ao rosto, como se fosse escondê-lo, acabando por morder os dedos bem no momento em que Percy olhou para Nico, vendo a face corada e os olhos quase se fechando de sono, prendendo o próximo gemido. Percy admitia que estava no clima para fazer exatamente o que Nico o acusava de fazer. Por isso, ignorou o membro ereto de Nico e foi um pouco mais abaixo e acariciou sua entrada, roçando em suaves e delicados círculos até que ela se abriu feito uma flor para ele, pulsando contra seus dedos.

Mas Percy não o penetrou como Nico queria. Não, ele continuou roçando e roçando, vendo Nico se abrir e fechar continuamente, ouvindo os doces gemidos que seu bebê não conseguia conter dentro de si.

— Percy!

— O que foi?

— Eu…

— Sim?

— Eu preciso de você! Dentro de mim!

— Oh, não. Não chore, a gente nem começou ainda.

— O-obrigado. — Nico murmurou, todo choroso, e se inclinou em sua direção, agarrando em sua camisa, implorando docemente, seus grandes olhos negros o fitando tão desesperado e frustrado que Percy teve piedade, embora só agora Percy estivesse se lembrando do combinado deles. Se Nico não soubesse o que dizer e quiser continuar, diria “Obrigado” e quando estivesse gostoso e mesmo assim quisesse parar, diria “Por favor”.

“Tão doce”, Percy pensou. Ele faria tudo ficar melhor.

Percy puxou Nico contra seu peito e o consolou, beijando seus cabelos e murmurando:

— Pronto, pronto. Já vai passar. Viu? Tudo bem?

— Eu… eu queria…

— Eu sei o que você quer.

Ainda com Nico nos braços, Percy se virou para o lado e abriu a primeira gaveta na mesa de cabeceira e tirou um tubo de lubrificante de lá. Colocou um pouco nos dedos, esquentando o gel na mão e levou os dedos para a entrada de Nico. Exatamente como antes, Nico gemeu docemente e jogou a cabeça para trás quando Percy massageou ao redor da entrada Nico, sentindo Nico derreter feito manteiga em seus braços, se entregando para as sensações que sentia.

Percy não pode evitar o calor que se espalhou em seu peito, ambos de prazer e de afeto, mas de luxúria também, aquele sentimento que o fazia se esquecer de tudo e que o incentivava a pegar tudo o que queria.

— É isso que você queria, lindo? Que eu te fudesse na casa dos meus pais?

Percy tentou ser o mais delicado possível, o mais deliciado que sua mente inebriada de prazer permitia. E ele admitia, não era o suficiente para ele, nunca seria, sabendo que essa não era a forma que ele traria seu bebê se estivesse com a cabeça no lugar, mas algo dentro dele dominou seu corpo, o fazendo agir jeito que seu corpo pedia. 

No fim, cuidado e gentileza não era o que ele queria e não era o Nico tão pouco queria. Percy não se orgulhava, quando menos viu estava com três dedos dentro de Nico, o abrindo devagar, mas com vontade e com mais profundamente que havia feito nas vezes passadas. Ele teve que parar por um momento e respirar fundo, tinha prometido que não deixaria seus sentimentos interferirem em seu relacionamento com Nico. O que ele podia fazer se Nico ficava ainda mais bonito, gemendo com as costas curvadas, a ponto de gozar enquanto ele apenas continuava brincando com o corpo de Nico, descobrindo os lugares que o fazia gemer e o que o fazia chorar de prazer, ou mesmo aquele lugarzinho que estava fazendo Nico gritar, tremendo dos pés a cabeça?

Foi por isso que Percy se obrigou a tirar os dedos de dentro de Nico e respirar fundo. Não era certo tratá-lo feito um boneco de retalhos, um brinquedinho que ele podia usar e depois guardar em uma caixa.

— Bebê? Tudo bem? — Percy se forçou a enxergar entre a névoa de luxúria e enxergar seu bebê e não… um amante onde ele poderia satisfazer todos os seus desejos.

Percy viu como em câmera lenta, Nico abriu os olhos, desfocados e dilatados, e respirou tão fundo como ele tinha feito, parecendo confuso.

— Não… ah… não pare… eu… obrigado. — Nico disse na voz mais suave e doce que Percy já tinha ouvido, todo obediente e contente, completando: — Estou tão bêbado.

E então, Nico estava rindo, parecendo mais chapado do que qualquer bebida poderia causar, colocando os braços em volta de seu pescoço e o beijando suavemente. Percy não poderia recriminá-lo, se sentia tão alto quanto Nico demonstrava estar, mas o que Percy não havia percebido até aquele momento eram as lágrimas que escorriam, vendo os olhos de Nico que além de estarem desfocados, estavam marejados também; a pele morena quente ao toque, manchada por linhas invisíveis. Por que Percy sabia disso? Ele teve que levantar sua mão e limpar o rosto de Nico, as deslizando até segurar Nico pela nuca e pescoço, as mantendo ali, fincada nos cabelos de Nico. E Nico? Bem, ele apenas gemeu, deixou que Percy o inclinasse para mais perto e abriu mais as pernas, se oferecendo a Percy. 

Percy não queria pensar nisso, nessa… demonstração de submissão. Aquilo fazia algo dentro dele acordar, algo que Percy tinha vergonha de admitir ter dentro de si. Mas… ele olhou para baixo e viu que Nico tinha gozado em algum momento. Eles deviam parar, não? Então, por que Percy estava abrindo as próprias calças e estava aplicando lubrificante no próprio membro?

Percy grunhiu quando sentiu a ponta da cabeça de seu membro entrar em contato com a entrada de Nico. Eles deviam usar camisinha, não deviam? Mas ele sabia que Nico era virgem antes de transar com ele, o que Percy sabia ser mais uma desculpa para seu cérebro cheio de endorfinas não o forçar a parar. Entretanto, Nico tinha pedido, não tinha? 

Ele não hesitou mais, segurou Nico pela cintura e o puxou contra seu membro, deixando que a  gravidade fizesse seu trabalho. Era uma experiência fora do corpo ver a entrada pequena e apertada de Nico acomodar seu tamanho, o observando descer devagar, o recebendo centímetro por centímetro, vendo seu membro desaparecer dentro de Nico quase sem esforço nenhum, ouvindo agora os gemidos agudos e arfados contra seu ouvido, peito contra peito, sentindo Nico o abraçar com força pelo pescoço e enrolar as pernas em volta dele, rebolando em seu colo tão gostoso que por um momento Percy se viu sem reação, apenas sendo capaz de arfar contra os cabeços negros de seu bebê, o ajudando no que pudesse.

Então, Nico soltou um longo e arfado gemido contra seu pescoço e o mordeu, parando de se mover imediatamente, o apertando tão forte que ele não sabia como não tinha gozado naquele mesmo instante. Nem mesmo assim Percy teve forças o suficiente para parar, achando que eles tinham ficado por longos momentos naquela mesma posição, sentados e imoveis na cama e que talvez Nico tivesse pegado no sono, ou até que Nico tivesse gozado de novo e não quisesse mais continuar. Esse foi o momento em que Percy ouviu um gemidinho manhoso e sentiu Nico se mover, só um pouquinho, girando os quadris, como se tentasse encontrar uma posição melhor. E Percy, como o cavaleiro que era, o ajudou. Ainda segurando na cintura de Nico, ele o moveu um pouco para a direita e então para a frente, encontrando um ângulo mais confortável. Sim! Percy achava que tinha encontrado, sentindo Nico o apertar forte e gemer como se estivesse morrendo.

— É aqui? Assim? É gostoso?

— Ah… ah… obrigado! — Nico se contorceu todo e se forçou contra ele, voltando a abraçá-lo com força. E já que Nico estava tão decidido a matá-los de prazer, era a melhor forma que Percy poderia morrer.

Percy segurou com mais força nos quadris de Nico e quase o imobilizando, o puxou para cima e então o levou para baixo, devagar e gostoso, sentindo Nico o apertar tanto que quase chegava a doer.

— Bebê, você tem que relaxar, hm? Respire fundo pra mim.

Nico fez, porque ele era o melhor garoto do mundo, e se deixou cair sobre seu peito, relaxando com a cabeça apoiada em seus ombros.

Ah, assim era bem melhor, porque, de repente, seu membro estava deslizando para dentro e para fora de Nico sem nenhum esforço, Nico gemendo sem nenhum pudor com a cabeça jogada para trás. Percy observou por um momento como Nico se entregava para ele sem nenhum medo e se esqueceu dele mesmo, lamentando que quase perdeu Nico para sempre.

— Você quer gozar? — Percy perguntou, se sentindo flutuar.

— Per… eu… ah! Eu não sei! — E de novo na voz mais doce, porém agora arfada e desesperada, Nico abriu aqueles olhos negros e implorou com o olhar, algo que ele próprio parecia não saber o que era.

Percy não sabia muito o que estava fazendo, mas se Nico queria, ele faria isso ser realidade.

— Se toque.

— O-oquê? — Nico perguntou sem entender.

— Eu quero que você se toque.

Percy, então, segurou em uma das mãos de Nico e a levou entre seus corpos onde o membro de Nico estava ereto.

— Eu quero ver. — Percy repetiu e esperou para ver o que Nico faria.

Nico piscou lentamente para ele e ainda parecendo incerto e chapado, envolveu os dedos em volta de si mesmo e começou a deslizar a mão para cima e para baixo, no toque mais delicado e suave que Percy já tinha visto. Ele não fez nada além de observar Nico se tocar ainda com ele dentro de Nico, sentindo Nico pulsar e o apertar ritmicamente por curtos minutos. 

Não demorou muito, tão devagar e suavemente como Nico tinha começado, Nico gozou, com longos movimentos e gemidos mais doces ainda. E dessa vez Percy viu, Nico ejaculando, o pequeno membro estremendo e enfim soltando as últimas gotas até que Nico parou de mover a mão e olhou para Percy, piscando lentamente e respirando rápido, como se esperasse a próxima ordem.

Esse estava sendo um momento levemente estranho e maravilhosamente extraordinário para Percy. Ele estava contente em apenas observar o prazer de Nico e deixar que sua ereção sumisse sozinha. O fato é que Nico ainda olhava para ele, ainda parecendo incerto e sinceramente confuso.

— Você não vai gozar? — Nico perguntou a ele e Percy quase riu, achava que estava enlouquecendo.

— O que você sugere que eu faça, hm?

— Oh. — Nico murmurou, entortando a cabeça e encostando delicadamente suas mãos sobre os ombros de Percy. — Eu posso decidir?

— Claro. 

Percy deu de ombros, por que não? 

A surpresa veio imediatamente. Nico levantou o quadril, gemendo baixinho e deixou que o membro de Percy escorregasse para longe dele. Logo em seguida, Nico se ajoelhou na cama, se sentou entre as pernas de Percy e segurando na base, beijou a cabecinha por longos momentos. Ele lambeu e chupou sem pressa para enfim sugá-la inteira, começando uma sucção leve, na visão mais bonita e erótica que Percy já tinha tido o prazer de presenciar, achando que aquele seria o orgasmo mais rápido de sua vida. 

Nico começou a mover as mãos também e de repente, seu membro estava deslizando para dentro da garganta de Nico. O que o fez em fim gozar foi quando Nico engoliu em volta dele e arfou, engasgando levemente. E de novo, Percy não teve reação se não se apoiar na cama e jogar a cabeça para trás, gemendo longamente. O surpreendendo novamente, Percy observou Nico continuar a chupa-lo, agora tão suavemente ele mal podia sentir, só deslizando para longe quando Nico teve a certeza que Percy tinha terminado, enfim amolecendo contra seus lábios. Era como se um mundo novo tivesse se aberto bem em frente aos olhos de Percy; ele não sabia que alguém chupar seu membro poderia sacudir seu mundo dessa forma. Mas, claro, Nico não era qualquer pessoa e ninguém além de Nico poderia causar essas sensações nele.

— Per? — Ele ouviu a voz baixinha de Nico o chamar. Percy abriu os olhos e percebeu que ele ainda tinha a cabeça jogada para trás e encarava o teto. Era difícil até de abrir a boca.

— Hm?

— Eu… desculpa… eu não queria…

Ele não queria? Percy queria rir de histeria e prazer.

Contente e verdadeiramente satisfeito, Percy enfim reuniu forças para se mover e se sentou na cama, vendo que Nico ainda estava entre suas pernas. O engraçado é que Nico não parecia feliz, parecendo que iria cair nas lagrimas a qualquer momento.

— O que foi, bebê?

— Eu te machuquei.

— Me machucou?

— Você parecia com dor, mas eu não queria parar. Você nunca me deixa fazer isso.

Percy sorriu e puxou Nico para seu colo, o abraçando contra seu peito. Ele poderia dizer que Nico estava certo; foi tão bom que chegou a doer, como se seu orgasmo estivesse sendo puxado para fora dele e Percy não tivesse nenhum controle sobre isso.

— Você não me machucou. De fato, você só precisava pedir. Você foi ótimo.

— Eu fui… ótimo? — Nico se afundou contra o peito de Percy, mas ainda parecia em dúvida. — Se você diz, vou acreditar.

Percy sorriu novamente e beijou os cabelos de Nico. Ele só esperava que Nico não brigasse com ele na manhã seguinte quando ambos estivessem completamente sóbrios.

***

— Se você diz, vou acreditar. — Percy ouve Nico dizer, o observando fechar os olhos e suspirar antes de relaxar contra seu peito, agora respirando profundamente em seu sono.

Percy quase caiu na tentação de fazer o mesmo e dormir naquela exata posição, sentado no meio da cama com Nico o usando como um travesseiro. Mas infelizmente, ele tinha que ser a pessoa responsável. Sentindo as pernas ainda tremendo, colocou Nico deitado sobre os travesseiros, o cobriu com um lençol e se levantou. Entrou no banheiro da suíte e depois de se limpar e arrumar suas roupas, voltou para o quarto com uma toalha umedecida e limpou Nico, dizendo um “Volto logo”, que Nico pareceu não ouvir e saiu do quarto, fechando a porta suavemente atrás dele, deixando Nico debaixo das cobertas apenas de meias e camiseta. Desceu as escadas e já se arrependendo, viu que ainda tinha pessoas na festa. Não que isso importasse para ele, era apenas mais um dia na casa dos Jackson, por isso andou com passos decididos para a cozinha, mas quando chegou lá teve uma surpresa indesejada. 

Era Annabeth, é claro! Quem mais poderia ser? Seu relaxamento desapareceu em um piscar de olhos, especialmente quando Annabeth se virou para ele e sorriu, segurando uma taça de cristal com vinho tinto contra os lábios, a bebida favorita dela, Percy infelizmente sabia disso. 

Talvez ele tenha escondido algumas coisas de Nico e talvez ele tivesse passado mais tempo do que queria com Annabeth nos últimos anos; Nico tinha ido embora e Percy tinha se sentindo solitário, imagina sua surpresa quando Annabeth lhe mostrou um pouco de solidariedade. 

Percy tinha baixado a guarda, ele admitia. Em nome dos velhos tempo e da infância, Percy decidiu que dar outra chance para a primeira amizade que tinha feito na vida poderia dar certo. O fato é que tudo ficou bem por algum tempo, a turma se reuniu mais uma vez e tudo ia bem, isso é, até que Annabeth em uma sessão de estudo regada a bebida, seus melhores amigos e livros espalhados em todas as superfícies de seu quarto, tinha tentado lhe beijar. No fim, tudo o que Annabeth queria era ser a rainha do baile e se aproveitar da influência de sua família para conseguir uma bolsa de estudos e uma posição de líder de torcida na melhor universidade do país. Se ela tivesse pedido essas coisas para ele, Percy não teria se importado em ajudar, mas como ela decidiu pegar a força, Percy devolveu na mesma moeda.

Agora, aqui estavam eles. Annabeth em um longo vestido vermelho que não escondia nada, parada em frente a geladeira, parecendo observar algumas fotos presas nela, fotos deles e de seus outros amigos de quando eles eram crianças e Percy ainda não havia conhecido Nico. Percy quase acreditou no olhar de saudade dela, quase foi enganado mais uma vez, e tudo isso porque ele estava tentando levar um copo de água com analgésicos para seu bebê, hm?

Não dessa vez.

— O que você está fazendo aqui? Pensei que eu tinha sido claro.

— Eu queria conversa com você.

— É melhor você ir embora.

— Você não sente falta da gente? De como costumava ser?

Annabeth, então, se virou totalmente em sua direção e colocou a taça em cima da bancada, se aproximando mais dele, desfilando, como se tentasse seduzi-lo. Tudo o que aquilo causou foi fazer seu estômago se revirar. Do que ele sentiria falta? De se sentir sozinho, como se ele fosse invisível? De viver para realizar todos os desejos egoístas dessa garota mimada? De não poder fazer algo se Annabeth não permitisse? O pior sempre seria saber que não importa o que ele fizesse, Percy sempre se sentiria com frio e abandonado, mesmo que ela estivesse há menos de cinco passos de distância.

 — Como você pretendia fazer isso? Invadindo meu quarto no meio da noite?

— É uma boa ideia. Eu ainda me lembro onde fica.

— Você enlouqueceu? É isso?

— É você que não entende! Deveria ser nós dois. Isso não é natural. O que seu pai diria se te visse assim? — Annabeth tocou em seu ombro e então a ânsia de vômito realmente veio, quase se materializando.

— Meu pai não tem nada a ver isso. Você passou dos limites.

— Percy, querido. Ainda não é tarde demais. — Annabeth tocou em seu rosto e o encarou com aqueles frios olhos acinzentados, algo que no passado ele achou lindo e magnético, mas que agora congelava seu corpo e alma. Se tinha algo que ele havia aprendido com Annabeth é que a manipulação vinha em todos os tamanhos e formas.

Ele deu um passo para trás, saindo do alcance de Annabeth e respirou fundo, se sentindo libertar de um fantasma que continuava a assombrá-lo desde que ele decidiu que gostava mais doces garotinhos bem comportados do que de garotas manipuladoras e cruéis. Talvez Nico estivesse certo e a única forma dele realmente se livrar de Annabeth seria fugindo e desaparecendo, exatamente como Nico tinha feito.

— Você precisa ir embora. Agora!

— Percy, sei que você está confuso. Ele é tão bonitinho que até parece uma garota, não é? Ele nunca vai te dar o que eu posso. Uma família. Um lar.

“Nico pode me dar…?’’, Percy se perguntou por um momento, distraído. Então, ele sentiu vontade de rir. Nico lhe dava exatamente o que ele queria e do exato jeito que ele mais desejava.

— Você tem certeza?

Percy sabia que não devia, sabia que isso não era da conta de Annabeth, e mesmo assim, ele fez. Percy abriu os primeiros botões de sua camisa e mostrou a marca no meio de seu peito de dentes e unhas, perto do pescoço, porém discretos o suficiente para cobrir com a camisa.

— Você acha que Nico não me dá o que eu preciso? Ele é muito melhor do que você jamais será.

— Você vai se arrepender! Como você me trocar por aquele--

— Na verdade, mesmo que eu não estivesse com ele, você seria a última pessoa na face da terra que--

Plaft! 

Percy não sentiu a dor vir, apenas escutou o barulho da mão de Annabeth contra seu rosto, o toque frio da mão dela o congelando por dentro. O choque veio quando seu rosto virou para o lado com o impacto, veio quando o grito de fúria dela chegou a seus ouvidos, completamente enraivecida, como se um demônio tivesse possuído o corpo da beldade de olhos claros e cabelos loiros.

— Você acha que pode falar comigo desse jeito? Que pode me tratar assim? Quem você pensa que você é! — Annabeth bradou, indo para cima dele mais uma vez. Mas dessa vez, Percy se negava a se submeter as vontades dela, ele não tinha medo do que diriam ou quais seriam as consequências.

Dessa vez, Percy segurou nos braços de Annabeth e a encarou, sem medo, antes que o próximo tapa pudesse chegar.

— Nós terminamos aqui. Não quero te ver, escutar sua voz ou saber de você. Você não é bem-vinda na minha vida ou na vida de Nico. E se você tentar algo, vai se arrepender. Esse é meu último aviso.

Com isso, Percy deu as costas a ela e saiu da cozinha ainda ouvindo os gritos de Annabeth. Quando Percy voltou, Annabeth ainda estava na cozinha andando de um lado para o outro, furiosa, com a taça de cristal na mão. Mas se fosse por Percy, Annabeth que guardasse a taça de recordação. Ele não queria nada em que ela tivesse tocado.

— Se certifiquem que ela nunca mais coloque os pés nessa casa.

Parado, no meio do corredor que dava para a entrada da cozinha, Percy observou os homens acenarem e irem em direção à intrusa. Cada um segurou Annabeth por um braço e sem mais palavras, Annabeth é levada pelos homens, berrando e ofendida, porque, finalmente, a pessoa que assombrava seus pesadelos estava banida de sua casa e de sua vida de uma vez por todas.

***

Ainda escutando os gritos da loira, Percy pôde enfim pegar o copo de água e os analgésicos que Nico iria precisar. E se sentindo exausto e com o rosto latejando, subiu a escada para o andar superior e entrou em seu quarto no fim do corredor, encontrando Nico acordado, encostado contra o batente da cama e olhando para o próprio colo coberto apenas pelos lenções com a expressão mais triste e cabisbaixa que Percy já tinha visto em seu bebê.

Tudo fica pior no momento em que Percy fecha a porta e entra no quarto. Nico levanta a cabeça e olha para ele com aqueles grandes olhos negros, agora marejados.

— Onde você estava? — Nico diz em voz baixa, soando rouca e cansada.

— Eu fui buscar um remédio para ressaca.

— Eu não estou de ressaca.

Mas Nico parecia que iria cair no sono a qualquer momento, continuando a olhar para ele, como se não acreditasse nele, e Percy desiste de tentar convencê-lo. Porque, nisso, eles eram parecidos. Uma vez que eles se decidissem por algo, nada os faria mudar de ideia. Seria pior se eles descobrissem que o outro estava mentindo. Assim, conformado, Percy andou a passos rápidos até a mesa de cabeceira, colocou a água e o remédio em cima dela e se sentou ao lado de Nico, o puxando para seu colo.

— O que foi, hm?

— Não é nada. — Nico enfiou o rosto na curva do pescoço de Percy e o abraçou forte pela cintura, relaxando, e só assim se sentiu confortável o suficiente para dizer o que pensava. — Eu vi Annabeth na festa. Depois que você mandou ela embora. Eu odeio saber que ela ainda está por perto, rondando a gente e esperando o momento certo para atacar.

Então, esse era o problema.

Bem, Nico estava mais certo do que pensava. 

Percy abraçou Nico mais forte, o envolvendo completamente em seus braços e suspirou, encostando sua cabeça no topo dos cabelos de Nico.

— É isso o que você pensa de mim? Que eu iria correr para o lado dela depois de ficar com você?

— Não, acho que não. Eu só… ela tem uma influência estranha sobre você. Eu só… não gosto disso.

— Não gosta do quê?

— Do jeito que ela olha para você. Como se quisesse te… dominar. Me mata pensar que… pensar que ela pode conseguir o que quer.

“Como eu faço com você?”, Percy teve o impulso de perguntar, mas parou antes que eles entrassem em uma discussão que ambos não estavam prontos para enfrentar. Embora ele soubesse que a situação deles fosse diferente, e mesmo que Percy quisesse dominar Nico, era algo completamente consensual entre ambas as partes; já com Annabeth, ele não poderia dizer o mesmo. Apenas o pensamento disso revirava seu estômago.

— Você não precisa se preocupar. — Percy disse por fim, tentando relaxar.

— Sei.

— Nico.

Percy segurou no rosto de Nico, puxando sua cabeça para cima e o forçou a encará-lo:

— Eu te amo. Só você e ninguém mais. Quando você vai entender isso?

— Eu entendo. Acreditar, é mais difícil. Eu lembro das vezes que você vinha cheirando diferente… ou com mordidas em lugares suspeitos… — Nico levou as mãos ao lugar que ele mesmo tinha deixado uma marca, afastando a camisa para tocar na pele e fazendo Percy entender tudo. 

— Eles não significavam mais do que… alivio de estresse. — Percy disse, tocando na mão de Nico sobre seu peito. — Eles nunca significaram nada mais do que isso. Você precisa acreditar em mim.

— Na época eu não conseguia entender. Era tão confuso. Você dormia na minha cama e fazia sexo com eles. — Mas agora, Nico parecia entender melhor, indo para a Itália e sentindo a necessidade de aliviar esse mesmo tipo de estresse.

— Você era… um anjo perfeito, delicado e imaculado. Eu não queria te sujar.

— Me sujar? — Nico disse, parecendo confuso mais uma vez.

— Eu não queria te forçar como aqueles meninos fizeram.

Nico levantou a cabeça, pronto a dizer que aqueles garotos nunca se comparariam a Percy, voltando a encará-lo. Porém, quando Nico viu uma marca grande no lado direito do rosto de Percy a confusão foi substituída por preocupação. 

— O que aconteceu? — Percy estranhou imediatamente a mudança em Nico. O garotinho estava fazendo uma careta, algo entre confuso e irritado.

— Seu rosto. Quem te bateu?

Será que seria muito brega dizer que Nico o fez esquecer da dor? Percy decidiu que sim, era uma das coisas mais bregas que ele já tinha pensado em dizer.

— Não foi nada. Apenas um arranhão.

— Eu quero saber. — Quando Nico percebeu que exigir não funcionaria, ele tocou suavemente no rosto de Percy e o beijou docemente nos lábios, dizendo todo delicado e baixinho: — Estou preocupado com você. Por favor, Per. Me diz quem fez isso com você.

— Nem doí mais.

— Por favor?

— Annabeth. Foi Annabeth. Eu encontrei ela na cozinha. — Percy suspirou e fechou os olhos, quase ronronando com o toque carinhoso de Nico. — Ela não aceitou um não como resposta.

— Per! Você devia fazer uma denúncia!

— Talvez amanhã. Quando Sally ver meu rosto e me obrigar a ir. Ou Paul chegar de viagem e me arrastar até lá com a ajuda de Tyson.

— Per. — Nico murmurou fracamente, seus olhos se enchendo de lagrimas, fazendo o coração de Percy se apertar e se encher de afeto na mesma proporção.

— Estou bem. Eu juro. — Para provar seu ponto, Percy o beijou suavemente e acariciou os cabelos de Nico, os penteando para trás. — Viu? Está tudo bem.

— Então, você tem que tomar o remédio.

— Mas eu trouxe para você.

— Vamos dividir.

Percy sorriu e deu de ombros. Quebrou o remédio no meio, deu uma parte para Nico , engoliu a outra parte e segurou nas mãos de Nico.

— Que tal um banho antes de ir pra cama?

Nico aceitou a oferta, é claro. Porque Nico era o garoto mais obediente e bem-comportado do mundo, sempre querendo o agradar e cuidar dele, mesmo que Percy não merecesse.

Assim, Nico tocou o remedia com a água e eles tiraram o resto das roupas, tomaram uma ducha rápida e logo estavam debaixo das cobertas. Tinha sido um longo dia e tudo o quê eles queriam eram um momento de paz e silencio.

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Obrigada por ler!

Se você gostou me deixe um comentario, sugestões e criticas construtivas. Até um emoji é valido, apenas para eu saber que a história está agradando.

Até a proxima.

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

Look who's back! Since I wasn't going to be able to post over the weekend, I decided to release the chapter today. I hope you like it!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII / CHAPTER IX / CHAPTER X / CHAPTER XI / CHAPTER XII

Previously:

''My baby is jealous, hm?’’

''I don't know what you're talking about. ''But the blush on Nico's face said what Percy needed to know.

''Why don't we talk somewhere quiet?'' But before leading Nico away from the crowd, Percy turned to Annabeth: "You weren't invited. Go away.”

''But, Percy! You promised!’’

''I didn't promise you anything.’’

''Your lying--’’

''I won't repeat it.’’

With that, he took Nico by the hand and led him into the house, leaving behind a curious crowd and a blonde foaming with rage. The worst thing was that instead of getting angry at the display of possessiveness, his chest felt warm again. He couldn't even judge Nico's behavior when he himself had done worse thinfs. In fact, Percy loved seeing Nico so affected and emotional, so different from the little boy who kept everything to himself and never showed his feelings. Percy felt relieved, like he didn't have to carry these feelings alone and that maybe, just maybe, Nico wanted him as much as Percy wanted Nico.

''Stop smiling.'' Nico murmured against his shoulder, still holding him by the waist. It was okay because Percy was holding him back, just as tight as Nico, guiding him back and up the stairs, into his room once again, both of them sitting on his bed.

''You want to talk?'' Percy tried. He loved knowing that Nico had acted that way because of him, the problem was that this wasn't Nico's usual behavior. And if there was something wrong, Percy wanted to fix it before it was too late.

Not that he really expected Nico to hide anything from him, but...

''It's nothing.'' Then, Nico lifted his head from his shoulder and stared at him with those big, black, watery eyes, and grabbed his shirt as if he was going to rip it out of the way. ''It's just... it's just that she keeps stalking me! Saying that you hook up with her and... and that you spent a lot of time together and that's why you were going to the dance with her!

''Nico. Baby.'' Maybe Percy was sounding a bit... authoritarian. Rude. Cold, even. Sometimes it was the only way to get Nico to listen to him, which worked perfectly.

Nico immediately stopped complaining and his face flushed an incredible shade of red. Percy loved these moments when he could see the old Nico resurface, all obedient and well-behaved, so shy that it made Percy want to lock the door and show how insignificant Annabeth truly was. Maybe he should, actions would always speak louder than words.

''What's the problem?'' Percy tried one more time.

''Is it true?”

''I hooked up with some boys. Luke is one of them. She only helped me with a few study sessions and in return I would go to the prom with her.’’

''That's it?'' Nico moved closer to him, kneeling on the bed and crawling to sit on his lap.

''I would never date her. After studying with her twice, I ended our sessions.’’

''Why?’’

''I didn't need it anymore.'' Percy shrugged, but that didn't seem to convince Nico even in his inebriated state.

''She tried to kiss you, didn't she?’’

''How do you know that?’

''She may have implied something like that…’’

So that was the problem.

''Darling, you don't have to worry. I'm going to marry you. Isn't that enough to prove how much I love you?’’

Nico looked at him for a long moment and bit his lips, looking anxious: "Just because you gave me a ring doesn't mean that a wedding is going to happen.’’

Gods! And Percy thinking he was the insecure one in the relationship.

''Do you want to set a date? How about the month after our graduation? The summer before college?’’

''I…'' Nico opened his eyes wide, seeming to wake up, and sat down better on Percy's lap, putting some distance between them. ''We didn't even had an engagement party! How could I arrange… arrange…

Now Nico looked like he was going to throw up. Or maybe run away of anxiety.

''Shhh... it's an idea I want you to think about. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. A party and a document saying we're a couple is just a detail. Do you understand me, Nico?’’

''Per!'' Nico squealed and threw himself at Percy, catching him off guard. Nico knocked them backwards onto the bed and Percy laughed, surprised and pleased, hearing Nico sniffle: "Why do you do this to me? I want to get married somewhere beautiful and outdoors! With lots of music and food. Then I want to travel all summer with you and take you to meet my Nona!

''That's great. But why are you crying?'' Percy smiled at Nico and put his hand to his slightly flushed face, now beginning to swell  because of the tears. ''Don't cry, okay?’’

''Then don't say those things to me! My heart can't take it.'' To show how sincere Nico was, he took Percy's hand and brought it to his chest. 

In fact, Nico's heart was racing, beating wildly against his hands. Maybe Percy should give one more reason for Nico's heart to continue beating so hard because of him. Then, watching Nico's rushed breathing, Percy slid his hand from Nico's chest to his abdomen, slowly and sensuously, down a little further and found Nico's pants. A few gentle touches were all it took and with a slight pressure, a small bulge formed there, Percy deciding that if they hurried no one would notice their delay.

''What-what are you doing?’’

''Showing how special my boy is to me.’’

''Percy!’’

It was already too late for Nico. Percy took Nico off his lap, put him on the bed, knelt on the fluffy carpet and pulled Nico to the edge of the bed. In a few moments, Percy unzipped Nico's jeans and pulled out his cock, all erect and wet at the head, a few fine hairs decorating his crotch. Percy liked that about Nico, he liked everything about him, from the small member to the discreet hairs, he loved that with the gentlest of touches Nico always got aroused, sometimes trying to hide it, sometimes slyly letting himself go. Today, they seemed to be in the middle ground, Nico touching his shoulders, looking like he was going to stop him just to moan and throw his head back when Percy stroked the base, feeling the soft skin, wrapping his hand around Nico's entire cock, massaging slowly until a real mess was done.

''Do you want to cum in my hand or in my mouth?'' Percy asked, intending to let Nico decide, only to have the pleasure of seeing the same e shyness emanate from Nico's features. ''If you don't tell me, I won't let you cum.’’

''Per-cy!’’

''Come on, just a word.’’

''No!’’

''Do you want me to stop?’’

''Percy!’’

''Please?’’

When Percy saw that this time he had lost, he gave up.

''This time, I'll decide. But next time, I'll torture you until you beg me.’’

Percy was a man of his word. Without warning, he grabbed Nico's legs, put them over his shoulders and grabbed Nico's hips, holding him in place. He'd like to say Nico had lasted, the problem was that they didn't have much time. A long lick, a kiss on the head and a few sucks were all it took for Nico to come, Nico's legs wrapped around his shoulder and long, slender fingers dug in, tugging at his hair. It was a wonderful sight for Percy. Under two minutes Nico had come and now the little boy was gasping at the ceiling, melted against the sheets. Percy could safely say, it had been a record even for him. But that was okay, they had the rest of the night and Sunday to enjoy themselfs.

***

After five minutes, Nico and Percy appeared at the party  hand in hand and both much calmer than before. Nico had a flushed face and a relaxed expression, while Percy had his hair slightly out of place and a big smile on his face. It was obvious what had happened to anyone with a lick of common sense, although it was something new for the small crowd at that dinner. Nico used to be an untouched angel, but it seemed that now he had become human like everyone else. 

Well, Percy didn't mind the gossip, which didn't mean he liked the way people looked at Nico. Would it be too bad if he took Nico and went somewhere else? Maybe…

''Percy, my boy!'' Percy heard a voice booming behind them and immediately knew who it was. The infamous Hades. Not for him, but it wasn't Percy who had to live with an absent father. Poseidon may have betrayed his mother, but the man was present at every stage of his life.

''Sir.'' Percy greeted.

''I see you've finally got your act together.’’

Hades approached and, with a big smile full of white teeth and eyes as black as Nico's, shook his hand energetically. When it was Nico's turn to be hugged, the boy took a step back, his previously happy features turning bitter faster than a rotten fruit falling to the ground.

''Hades.'' Nico said, and just to make sure, he took another step back, away from Hades and Percy. ''Who invited you?’’

''Sally. I came with Bianca. She must be here somewhere.’’

''Good.'' Without another word, Nico turned his back on them and walked into the crowd, disappearing from sight.

''I see things are going well?’’

''They are. Thanks.’’

''How is Nico?’’

''Very good. Better than before.’’

''That's good. Keep it up.’’

With that, Hades touched his shoulder, waved and as quickly as Nico, disappeared among the crowd. 

What could Percy say? The Di Angelo's were known for their brevity. They were always direct and said only what they needed to say. It might seem strange, Percy knew that. The fact was that he and Hades had a deal. Percy would tell him what was going on in Nico's life and Hades wouldn't meddle in their relationship. It worked well for everyone. There was a time when Percy thought that Hades would stop him and Nico from being friends, but then the next day Hades paid a visit to his house, spoke to his mother and apologized. They've had this agreement ever since. Nico knows this, of course, which doesn't make it any easier. Percy was always worried when father and son met, so it was his turn to get into the crowd, looking for Nico's black hair.

It didn't take long to find him. Nico was sitting at one of the empty tables; plates, bowls and cutlery were already arranged on the table for the dinner that would take place later. No one needed to be told what was going on. Percy came around the table and hugged Nico from behind, squeezing him tightly between his arms.

''I'm so sorry.'' He whispered so that only Nico could hear.

''Did he ask how I was?’’

''Yes.’’

''Ridiculous.’’

And it really was. Instead of Hades talking to his son, the man preferred to ask him, or anyone other than Nico himself.

''I'm sorry.'' That was all he could say. Then he put his face against Nico's neck and kissed him there, listening to Nico laugh, contracting all over.

''It tickles.’’

''Tickles, sure.’’

''You dork.’’

Nico turned in his arms and finally hugged him back, sighing and leaning his face against Percy’s shoulder.

''I don't know why I still care.’’

''He's your father.’’

''He didn't even had the courage to visit us at Nona's house! And then he shows up like this, like everything’s fine.’’

''I know.’’

''Do you know how long it's been since I've seen him? A whole year! I had to call him to let him know I was coming back. What kind of father does that?’’

''Shhh. He's not worth your worry.’’

''It's so frustrating!’’

''Nico.’’

''What?’’ 

''Would you like to dance with me?’’

''What'' This made Nico stop in the middle of another rant and raise his head, his eyes watering without shedding any tears.

''Let's dance.’’

Percy took Nico's hand and pulled him gently across the lawn until they reached the center of the garden, where a makeshift dance floor had been set up. Percy stopped in the center of the dance floor made of a kind of plastic flooring and approached Nico, putting one of his hands on Nico's waist and the other on his shoulder, while Nico just stood there in the middle of the other people dancing, his frozen reaction drawing even more attention than usual.

''Percy! They're looking at us!'' Nico muttered between his teeth, trying to hide against Percy's chest.

''Let them look. They must be jealous. Look at you, so beautiful and intelligent. How could they not admire something so pretty?’’

''Per-cy!’’

''Okay.'' Percy smiled at Nico and pulled him closer until not a inch remained between them. ''Look at me, okay? Just look at me.’’

The expression on Nico's face softened and only then did Nico relaxed, placing his hands on Percy's shoulders.

''Thank you.'' Nico murmured, looking at him through his eyelashes. ''I don't know what I'd do without you.’’

Percy wanted to crack a joke to see if it would ease the weight on Nico's heart, but when it came to family, there was no way to fix things. So, he decided to do what Percy did best: he grabbed Nico's neck and kissed him in the middle of the dance floor. The world stopped spinning and a silence fell inside his head, because Nico wrapped his arms around his neck and opened his mouth, allowing their lips to touch, without shame or any kind of embarrassment. That was when Percy finally knew that there was nothing to fear or hide. Even with all their problems, he now knew that Nico was finally his.

***

The party had been a great success. The plates had already been cleared away and the half-eaten bowls of desserts were scattered around the tables, although glasses of drinks were still being offered. Champagne, wine, whisky and beer, only the people who liked to drink or who were still dancing were present, with most of the guests saying goodbye to their families on the way out. Well, the fact was that it was getting late and they could finally leave the party without seeming rude.

He waved to Luke, Thalia, Clarisse and Cris who passed them, deciding it was their turn to go too.

''Baby.’’

''Hm?’’

''It's time to go to bed.’’

''Bed?’’

Percy held Nico by the waist so that he wouldn't fall and Nico settled into his lap, resting his head against Percy's shoulder. It was now or never, or it looked like they would spend the rest of the evening sitting around and drinking uncontrollably, which would end up making for a bigger spectacle than Percy was prepared to handle.

He kissed Nico's cheek and stood up, holding Nico's legs, while Nico leaned on his shoulders.

''Hmmm... Per.’’

''Shhh. Hold on tight.’’

That's what Nico did. They walked across the lawn, Percy carrying Nico like a baby and Nico complaining about being woken up. The good thing was that there was no one left to embarrass them. His mother had already left with Tyson since Paul, his mother's new husband, was away on a business trip, Hades and Bianca had stayed at the party for as short as little time as possible, and all their friends were either too drunk to remember anything or had already left. Percy wanted to say that Nico was heavy and that it was hard to see where they were going, but that would be a lie. Nico was so light that he hardly felt the weight, what he felt was Nico glued to him, his legs around his waist, the bulge between them too obvious for him to ignore.

“Per," Nico said again, in that same soft, sweet tone. Only he hadn't expected Nico to be the one to start things off, kissing his neck and breathing against his ear, or rather, moaning and grabbing him tightly.

''We're almost there.’’

They really were, Percy just needed to walk a few more steps and open the door. Or that's what he would have done if Nico hadn't chosen that moment to lift his head and, with his eyes blurred and dilated, and his face flushed, to hold his face and brush his lips against his in a gentle and soft, almost innocent touch.

''Are you going to fuck me today? In your bed, where your family can hear?’’

Percy froze in mid-stride, his legs giving out as the blood in his body rushed to his cock.

''Gods, Nico! How much did you drink?’’

''I'm not drunk!‘’

The way Nico could barely keep his eyes open or his slow speech showed him the other way around. Fortunately, Percy was sober enough to continue the few steps to his room and lock the door, making sure no one interrupted them.

''You've been a very naughty boy today. You deserve a punishment. My little boy, remember what I said earlier today?’’

''Hmm... that you'd let me come? ''Nico tried, hopeful.

''No, I'd make you beg.’’

''Oh'' That's all Nico said before he was thrown onto the bed and his pants were ripped off.

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

Hi, how are you doing? Things are finally calming down. Maybe there'll be another chapter later this week!

In today's chapter we have another scene from the past. I hope you like it^^

And I have some news. I've made a cover for this story! Also made with artificial intelligence. I feel like I should get paid since I'm practically training them already! But it looks cute.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII / CHAPTER IX / CHAPTER X / CHAPTER XI

I hope you enjoy it!

''You're funny.'' Nico told him.

''You are.’’

And like third graders, which they both were, they laughed again as they heard the bell ring. Percy hadn't even realized that half an hour had passed, what was more time than he'd usually spent with his old friends these days. And what that said about him, hm?

''We have to go.'' He heard Nico say.

They really had. In a hurry, he helped Nico collect the lunch boxes and accompanied him to his next class, discovering that Nico was in fact in the same classes as him. Was Percy so distracted by trying to hide that he didn't see what was going on around him? Well, that would change from that moment on.

***

A few more days passed and with them, Percy began to pay attention to his surroundings. 

It was strange. How had Percy not noticed Nico's presence until that moment? Everytime Percy looked around, Nico would be there, at any place or time of day, too. That is, until they both went off to their respective homes, rehearsals or trainings, and even then, Percy would still be thinking about Nico; while waiting for his older brother to pick him up or at home helping his mother cook, trying new dishes.

That's what continued to happen for a long time, days, weeks, months, even, was hard to get a sense of time when the hours passed so quickly and the days were all the same. Percy felt like he was emerging from a paralyzing sleep, finding something that finally held his attention. One day he noticed that Nico sat at the front of the room and was very close to the exit door. On another, Nico was more towards the middle of the room and then the little boy appeared next to him, sharing the double desk with him. Grover was in the desk next to his with Juniper, Luke behind him with Thalia.

Percy looked at Nico once again and saw him writing something around a drawing, a black helmet, the handwriting as beautiful as the features of the figure. Percy wanted to ask since when they had sat together. Since when had Nico been part of his group of friends and since when had he felt so comfortable with Nico's presence, with the quietness that Nico's actions brought. Instead, he said in the lowest voice possible:

''What's that?”

''Hm?' 'Nico muttered and looked at him, as calm as ever. ''A design for a novel. I don't know if I'll finish it.”

The strangest thing was that he knew exactly what Nico was talking about. Percy had seen the draft of the novel in one of the breaks shared with food, and like everything Nico did, it was beautiful and delicate, as if Nico put a part of his soul into everything he touched with his hands, whether it was a piece of paper, art, food or homework.

''You should. It's beautiful.”

Nico didn't say anything, he just lowered his head and continued scribbling, his face hidden behind long, black hair that shone as it reflected the sunlight. Nico then doodled a sword and an armor, leather gloves, a crown of roses. The more Percy watched Nico draw, the less Percy understood what was holding his attention so much. Maybe it was the slim hands, the long, elegant fingers, maybe it was Nico's concentrated attitude, or maybe was the relaxed body next to his, his head next to Nico's, admiring the soft lines that revealed so much beauty.

'''Alright, guys. Get your books.'' The teacher said and out of nowhere, part of the magic was broken.

The drawings were still in Nico's notebook, just as beautiful as before, and they were still stuck together, leaning over the shared desk. The difference was that Nico had tensed and looked up at Percy, as if Nico hadn't paid attention to what was happening around him until he heard the teacher's voice. Percy also realized something, maybe he was very close to Nico, hugging him by the shoulders like a prison with no escape.

''Sorry.'' Even with all this in mind, Percy made no move to pull away or let him go.

Percy thought Nico was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. There was nothing like seeing the blush spreading across Nico's face, the darker skin taking on a warmer hue, to look at and to touch too, because even over his clothes, Percy could feel the heat emanating from Nico at the points where they touched; at his shoulders and hips, almost making Percy touch that delicate, beautiful face.

''...mind.”

''Sorry?”

''I don't mind.' 'Nico repeated in the same low, discreet tone, then turned to his notebook and picked up the books they would need.

Percy got the impression that Nico cared, yes, but in a... positive way. He saw the little boy open the book to the right page, lean against the back of the chair and up his arm, starting to read while the teacher explained the subject, like that scene was something completely normal. This made Percy wonder once again: had he ever done this with Nico? Since when were they so close? Wasn't it Annabeth who should have been by his side? Sure, they'd never been that close or acted the way he and Nico were acting, but... since when did she sit on the other side of the room with Clarisse and Silena? Shouldn't he have cared a little more than just being slightly surprised? She was his friend, wasn't she...? Shouldn't Percy miss her? So why had he only noticed Annabeth's absence now?

''Is everything all right?' 'He heard a soft voice beside him, and then, Nico's hand rested on his arm, Percy noticing in his friend's face a worried look.

Percy took a deep breath, letting his shoulders relax, and found himself smiling, something inside his chest warming and pulsing, as if the spark of an unknown feeling inside him was waking up.

''Everything is great. Wonderful. Incredible.”

''You dork.'' Nico rolled his eyes and leaned back against him, continuing to read the text the teacher had asked them.

Well, after that, Percy quickly understood what was going on; or rather, his psychiatrist had helped him understand. Nico wasn't stalking him, but in fact, Nico was doing the same thing he was; Nico was trying to live a discreet life away from prying eyes. Even he, at the age of eleven, admired the image that Nico made. The little boy stood out so much among the other studentes that Percy could clearly see the difference. Straight, wavy, thick hair, a small, fleshy mouth, intense black eyes, it was such a beautiful set that it gave Nico an androgynous, feminine look, although it was impossible to mistake Nico for a girl.

The point was, Nico had found the best places to hide, the same ones that Percy had found too. The music room, the forest, the bleachers near the sports fields further away from the classrooms.

Percy couldn't help himself, day after day, he found himself doing the same steps.

In addition to spending his time in class close to Nico, always during breaks, whether during the day or in the afternoon, he found himself walking and finding his way to the familiar bleachers with the familiar mop of hair in the far corner trying to hide. They never agreed out loud, it was just something that had become routine.

Nico would leave first, Percy would exchange a few words with his remaining friends and then he would follow Nico; he would practice basketball for a few minutes on the courth floor and then he would sit down next to Nico, accepting a lunchbox filled with the things he loved most, cake and pie, blueberry juice too, and sometimes, Nico would surprise him, baked potatoes or pancakes; if Nico was in the mood, lasagna or something Italian. No matter what it was, Percy would happily eat every grain and every bit of food. If Nico made it for him, the least he could do was repay him by eating it all. But it seemed so little compared to what Nico did for him... Percy wanted to share something with Nico that was important and valuable too. But what could be more valuable than sharing the food you've made yourself with someone?

''Your drawings are very good. Where did you learn?’’

They were once again in the stands, Percy ignoring the ball still in his hands to watch Nico take a forkful of food into his mouth, stopping midway with the fork between his lips.

''Hm?’’

''Where did you learn to draw?’’

''Oh, that?'' Then Nico looked down at his lap, where the notebook was, and put his lunchbox down. ''I had a lot of free time.”

Percy didn't know if he had understood… but Nico smiled at him, seeming to understand his confusion.

''I don't have any friends. I never had. Imagination was all that I had.”

''And what am I? A tree?’’

''No, you're a popular and rich athlete.’’

''You're right. I have many riches, how about you share them with me?”

''What are you saying?'’ Nico smiled again and Percy felt a throbbing in his chest that had nothing to do with the asthma he had as a baby.

''My mother likes to cook.’’

''Isn't that obvious? I mean, she has a restaurant, doesn't she?'' Nico said and tilted his head to the side, like that would make him understand what Percy meant.

''She'd love the company.”

''Don't we... have a paper to finish?’’

''I have plenty of space at home. My mother won't mind.’’

''Are you sure? I've never been to anyone's house.’’

This only made Percy's chest tighten even more.

''There's always a first time, right?’’

Nico looked at him, seemed to analyze him from head to toe and ended up shrugging.

''I will trust you.’’

At the time, Percy didn't know why he was having so many palpitations or why the feeling of relief had seized him so intensely. Later, he would recognize it as the fear of being rejected, and even if he didn't understand it yet, he knew that someone as sweet, beautiful and talented as Nico would never reject him so rudely. Thiat way, they finished eating and went on to their next classes, arranging to meet at the main gate after the last class.

***

Percy admitted, he had wasted more time than intended talking to the literature teacher. Apparently, he needed to try harder if he wanted to have a future at that school. She argued with him, went over every little thing he'd done wrong, and even gave him extra assignments to make sure his mistakes were corrected. Percy left the classroom as quickly as he could, and as soon as he saw the time, Percy ran down the corridors towards the school's main gate. When he arrived at the place he and Nico had marked, he remembered why Nico was always hiding in corners, which made Percy remember why he was hiding too.

They had already experienced this scene. Nico was pressed against the wall outside the gate and two other boys surrounded him, one of them was holding Nico by the neck while the other looked around suspiciously. The difference this time was that a crowd was watching them and no one was doing anything to stop what was about to happen.

Percy approached them, pretending to be another spectator, and listened the murmurs, while one of the boys spoke:

'Who's going to protect you now, huh? Because of you, our friends were expelled. Why don't you put yourself in your place and--’’

''What place would that be?’’

Percy couldn't help himself. This time, he didn't want any explanations. 

He stepped out of the crowd and the next thing he knew, he was face to face with the boys, or rather, his fist was against their faces. The pain came immediately, as he felt his nuckes collide with the nose of one the boys who were older than him, but who were no match for Percy.

''It's easy to mess with people smaller than you, isn't it? Why don't you play with someone your own size?”

''Would that be you?”

''What do you think?”

The silence fell, a silence that had become common no matter where Percy went. The nose of the boy he had punched was now swollen, blood trickling down his face, and the other, who had been too shocked to react, seemed to wake up from his trance. That would be the perfect moment for them to fight back, wouldn't it? Well, that's what people say, cowards soon give up if they find someone to resist them. And that's what they did, the boy who had watched his friend get knocked down with a single punch, pulled the other by the arms, helping him up and they both staggered into the crowd, running away with their tails between their legs.

Percy watched them fleeing in the distance between the cars and turned to Nico who was still leaning against the wall, the corner of his lips reddened and and on his arms and neck, marks of fingers and nails. The worst part was seeing the tears that kept falling or how Nico cowered, expecting other people to come and do the same to him. Percy didn't think, realizing that this was becoming something usual for them, and Percy didn't like it one bit, the fact that Nico had to hide in corners because of people's prejudice. 

He walked over to Nico and stopped in front of him, offering his hand. He had learned the hard way that touching someone when you don't feel safe or when you're in shock is the worst thing to do. So he just stood close without touching Nico, and tried to get his attention:

''Nico.'' Percy said in the softest voice.

''No, I… Percy?'' Percy held on and tried to be strong, Nico seemed to be reacting to everything worse than the previous time.

''I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I was waiting for you... then, these... these boys showed up and…’’

Percy didn't know what to do. He felt his heart break when Nico took a step towards him and opened his eyes wide, his pupils unfocused and wet, as if Nico was waking up from a nightmare, and held onto his hands, trembling and breathing fast, still curled up on himself.

''It's allright. Can I hug you?”

''Hug me? Why... why would you want to touch someone like me?’’

''It looks like you need it.’’

''I... I need?'' Then, Nico looked at Percy with the most desolate and lost look he had ever seen.

''Nico. It's allright.'' Percy said it again, refusing to accept what those people were doing to Nico.

''I have to... I have to talk to Bianca, my... my sister.’’

''We will. After we get to my place. Yes?’’

''You promise?’’

''I promise.’’

Then, as if a key had been turned, Nico grabbed his arm and picked up their bags from the floor, saying: ''You dropped it.'' Just like that, like nothing had happened. But Nico was still shaking, gripping his arm tighter and handing one of the bags to Percy, holding his own against his chest in the hope that the bag and Percy would protect him.

Gods! How could someone do this to such a vulnerable and defenseless being? What had Nico done to be treated like this? Then, Percy looked around, recognizing these people. Some were in the same class as them, others Percy knew in passing, and none of them had the decency to help a classmate being abused. That's why they said he was a "rebel", and if it was up to him, things would continue exactly as they were.

''Are you ready?'' Percy said when he saw that Nico was beginning to calm down.

''Hm. Thank you.’’

Percy took Nico's backpack from his shoulder, put it with his own, and led Nico by the hand between the cars parked near the school, spotting a familiar black pick-up truck.

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Thank you for reading. And if you can, send your appreciation in the comments. Until next time!

Update

Oii, como vai? Eu consegui fazer uma capa para uma das minhas histórias com Inteligencia artificial! Eu só queria compartilhar com vocês. ❤❤

Eu fiz uma capa em Inglês também, mas por enquanto apenas tenho a versão em português. A história está incompleta, mas quem quiser ler >>> SpiritFanfic e AO3. Provavelmente no futuro vou traze-la para cá.

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

Hello, how you doing? Looks like I had some time in the the end. I hope you like it. I had a lot of fun writing this chapter.

Good reading!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII / CHAPTER IX / CHAPTER X

"Beautiful.’’

Nico ignored Percy who was lying on the bed and finished drying his hair with the towel, combing it back. He put on his t-shirt, pulled it down and buttoned his pants, pulled the zipper up and looked at himself in the mirror.

If it were up to him, he would’ve stayed in the kitchen, where he belonged, and finished helping with the preparations for the party later. Unfortunately, right after the wedding proposal, Sally had kicked him out of the kitchen, pushing him away from the stove while Percy had picked him up and carried him up the stairs until they reached Percy's bedroom. And with no choice, still full of flour in his clothes, Nico went into the bathroom without complaining, taking a long bath in the tub and then looking for clothes that still fit him. Apparently, Percy hadn't thrown away the things he’d left behind, like his favorite black jeans or his t-shirts with jokes and superheroes printed on them, or even his leather jacket, which his mother used to wear before the cancer prevented her from getting out of bed.

He admitted that the shirts that were previously baggy and reached his thighs now fit perfectly well, although a little tighter than he would like, contouring his not-so-masculine curves; apart from his broad shoulders and height, the rest was very... very thin in some parts and slender in others, impossible not to notice in those tight clothes. Nico didn't even like to think about it. Maybe that was why Percy loved so much holding his waist.

‘’Since when did you have those muscles, hm?’’ Percy asked again with good humor.

Muscles? He didn't see many. And of course, Percy could be able to fool him if it was a few years ago. Now? Nico could hear the pure jealousy behind the laughter.

"I don't know. I had free time in Italy.”

In fact, life in Verona was much easier and more uncomplicated than this first week back here. It’s like, when Percy was involved, trouble and strong emotions were guaranteed. He didn't even know why he was still complaining, things had always been like that.

‘’Don't make that face. Today is the day to celebrate. Or at least that's according to Sally.’’

"Sure.” Nico rolled his eyes and finally put on his jacket, slipping his feet inside his high-top sneakers that had also been left in Percy's wardrobe. Now, Nico was back in the past and with the complete look. He almost felt nostalgic; If it weren't for the anxiety and constant self-doubt, Nico would miss those times. "Let's go.’’

"Hold on. I bought you something.’’

‘’Another gift? What will it be now? A car?’’

‘’Do you need another one?’’ But Percy was smiling. Nico watched him get up and walk around the bed, opening the dresser drawer next to the bed. ‘’It's nothing expensive.’’

"What is that?’’ This time, the object in Percy's hands aroused his curiosity. He could see what it was, the thing was that Percy had never given him anything like this, which made him come closer and take the diary from Percy's hands, opening the hardf, black leather cover, finding simple, straight lined pages, noting a dedication on the inside of the cover, thar said: “To make sure your thoughts and ideas never get lost”. “Per?’’

“I thought about what you said… about not being able to express yourself.’’

"Express myself?’’

"In bed.’’ Percy said and then held his hands over the diary, making Nico face him. “I know how…how scary things can be from time to time. I want this diary to be a way for us to talk without needing all that… drama.”

Percy used the word “drama”, but for Nico it was more… “humiliation”.

“Are you going to write too?’’

"Yeah.”

"And you'll... read everything? Everything I write?”

"Only if you want.”

Nico stopped for a moment and looked at Percy, his fiancé, the love of his life, the person who always accepted him unconditionally. Percy seemed so calm and confident, so sincere… no one before had ever tried so hard to understand him.

“It doesn't have to be about that.’’ Percy said again. “You can write about anything. Or something you want me to know about.”

"Anything? Really?”

"What's wrong?” Then, Percy smiled again, carefree. “What do you still have to hide from me?”

That was the moment where the mortification took him by surprise. Nico looked away and stared at the diary they both still held, the rings shining on their fingers. If only Percy knew… Nico didn't know if it was the best or the worst idea Percy had ever had.

“Look, you don't need to force yourself. Let's leave the diary by the bed and if you feel like it, it will be here. Is that all right?’’

Percy smiled at him once again, took the diary from his hands and placed it on top of the dresser, less than a foot away from them. But that was the problem, Nico already felt the urge to flip through that notebook and write whatever came to mind, like a free writing exercise, only more stranger and embarrassing. He felt like writing and letting it all come out, like he hadn't done in years.

"No, I want it! Gimme.” And like a little kid, Nico reached out and took the diary, hugging it to his chest, feeling satisfied as he once again held that black leather notebook.

“I'm glad you liked it.’’ And acting like the daddy they both refused to admit, even though they were both the same age, Percy hugged him tightly and kissed his hair, saying: “Good boy.”

And, Of course, this had the expected effect. Nico hid his face in Percy's shoulder and groaned once again, mortified, berating himself for feeling so good and so happy with those words. Or with the care that Percy continued to show him day after day.

***

Before they left for the party, Nico put the diary away with the now empty ring box in his backpack and held Percy's hand, making Percy's chest warm with Nico's absent-minded gesture. It wasn't the most romantic or affectionate gesture he had ever seen, but Nico did everything with so much care that Percy was sure he had made the right choice by waiting until that moment. He knew that these attitudes, as much as his or Nico's, came from a painful place; of loss and abandonment, things that they both felt firsthand and wanted to avoid at all costs. That's why every moment that served to bring them closer together would be a reason to celebrate. Percy still couldn't believe that he had finally proposed to Nico. They were going to get married! There was a time when Percy thought he would never see Nico again, and even less that they would be so happy and content together, even if the little boy hid it behind an angry pout and the usual bad mood and insecurity. And who was he to judge how other people behaved when he was the worst of them? All Percy knew was that he had a plan, and he would do everything he could to make it reality. That’s why he smiled at Nico, took back the hand offered to him and the next thing he knew, one of his mother's helpers was guiding him to the outside of the house where tables were set up in the garden and people were already walking around the improvised dance floor next to a buffet table divided into three rows organized by sweet, cold and hot dishes, and there wasn't even all the food he had seen in the kitchen earlier.

“You guys went overboard this time.”

"It’s nothing out of the ordinary." Nico shrugged.

"Clearly. I wanted to--”

“Nico! I finally found you!”

Percy sighed and gave up, nnow that they were in the middle of all those people, it would be impossible to keep Nico's attention to himself. As if in slow motion, he saw Clarisse approach them in hurried steps and grab Nico in a bear hug, pulling him away from him.

"How long were you going to ignore me?’’

"I wasn't ignoring you!" Nico shouted back, but hugged Clarisse as tightly as she had done, closing his eyes with pleasure.

"Why didn't you tell me you were back? And when did that happen?’’

“It’s been… five days ago? Six?”

“I bet it's his fault.”

“Clare!”

 "Don't give me that. I want to know everything!”

"So you can tell Annabeth later? No, thank you very much.”

"That's not true. I did it once and now--”

It seemed there was no way around it. Percy left Nico with Clarisse, watching the people approach the noisy pair, and went back into the house, finding his mother now in a long black dress and high heels, although she was still pacing the kitchen, giving orders and checking the still-working ovens.

"Mother.”

“Oh, Percy, darling.” His mother came up to him in quick steps and squeezed his cheeks, then kissed them. "You could have told me before. I didn't have time to prepare anything.”

“I didn't have time either.”

That was the moment Percy hugged his mother and let himself relax.

“What is it, darling?”

“I don't think Nico wants to be with me.”

“Percy, that doesn't make any sense. Why would you think that?”  Then his mother touched his face again and looked at him affectionately.

“He changed. We seem to fight every step of the way, and now he has so many friends and things to do…”

“Percy.” Now his mother looked disappointed. “We talked about that. You need help?”

“No.” He denied, walking away. Percy didn't want to go back to endless hours at the psychiatrist or taking medication.

“Honey, Nico is growing up and you should too.”

"I know, I know. It's just... he's telling me so many things... I didn't know he felt that way.”

"That is great. That means he trusts you, right?”

Deep down, Percy knew this. He just wanted someone to tell him everything would be okay. But it wasn't what his mother was doing. As always, she told him what he needed to hear and not what he wanted to hear.

"What should I do?”

“Nothing you don't want to.”

“What if he only marries me out of pressure?”

“Percy!” Sally grabbed his shoulders and laughed in his face. “My little boy is growing up so fast. I remember how you ran away from any responsibility and now here we are, you worrying about someone else's well-being?”

“Mom! I'm serious!”

“Look, from my point of view, I've never seen Nico so happy or calm. He doesn't seem to be forcing himself into anything.”

“He said he didn't want to date me and I insisted! What if he told the truth?”

“Honey, none of this is your responsibility. He accepted of his own free will. Even if you want to protect him, it's Nico's decision. Whether he accepts it or not, even if in the future he decides to leave once again, it won't be your fault.”

"So whose is it?”

"It's nobody's fault. These are things that happen and we have to accept them. And being honest? It's about time, right? If you had talked to Nico, none of this would have happened.”

“You... you ruined the surprise. I should have talked to him alone.”

“Exactly, darling. Don't you see? The less you say, the more Nico will pull away from you.”

"Do you really think so?”

"Believe me. I know all about failed relationships. Don't create distance between you, okay?”

"I would never do that.”

"No? If you don't say what you feel, Nico might think you don't care.”

"I--”

“Have you talked to him in the last few days?”

"Yes, but--”

“How did he react?”

Percy wanted to roll his eyes. His mother was right, as always. Nico had been sincere back when he opened up. The worst thing was thinking that Nico had kept everything inside his chest, thinking that Percy wouldn't accept him or that Percy didn't care. At least the time he'd wasted at the psychiatrist had been useful for something.

"You are right.” Percy admitted, looking around at the people who continued walking back and forth. “I didn't want to admit defeat.”

"Darling.”

“I made Nico leave before and I don't want to be the one to blame again. Is it so bad to be careful to not destroy things again?”

"Of course not. I understand.”

“Do you really understand?” Percy then turned to face his mother again. “If you understand, can you stay out of this?”

“Fine, I won't interfere. But you should pay attention to who your friends are.”

"What does that mean?”

“That blonde friend of yours is at the party. I thought you guys didn't talk anymore?”

"Who? Annabeth?”

"She herself.”

“I didn't invite her.”

So, who invited her?” Sally and Percy stared at each other for long moments, not understanding what was happening, until Percy snapped and turned his back on his mother, going back outside. In the garden, he finds a scene he thought he would never see, Annabeth with her long golden hair, shining in the sun, looking furious and Nico, with torn pants and a black t-shirt, staring at her as if she were an earthworm about to be trampled over.

***

"What's going on here?”

The next thing Percy knew, he was standing in the middle of the crowd, seeing Annabeth and Nico staring back at him.

As if by magic, the atmosphere changed. Nico came to his side and held onto his hand, lowering his head and placing it on Percy’s shoulder like the most obedient and well-behaved little boy, while Annabeth stood there, head held high, looking even more furious with the display of affection.

“It’s nothing, Per. We were talking about old times. Isn't it, Anne?” Nico smiled, hugging him around the waist and suddenly there was silence, even the waiters and kitchen assistants were silent.

“Are you drunk, by any chance?”

"Me? Never!” He looked at Nico and Nico made a cute pout. "I would never do that.”

To prove his theory, Percy leaned over Nico and kissed him right there. This time, Nico didn't seem embarrassed at all. The little boy grabbed him tightly by the back of the neck and let himself be kissed, opening his mouth in the most shameless display of affection.

“My baby is jealous, hm?”

“I don't know what you're talking about.” But the blush on Nico's face said what Percy needed to know.

"Why don't we talk somewhere quiet? But before guiding Nico away from the crowd, Percy turned to Annabeth: “You are not invited. Go away.”

“But, Percy! You promised!”

"I didn’t promise anything.”

“Your lying--”

“I won't repeat it.”

With that, he took Nico by the hand and led him into the house, leaving behind a curious crowd and a blonde foaming with anger.

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So, I'm enjoying their progress. This time I thought it was more interesting to give Percy this insecurity and Nico a bit more of impulsiveness. I imagine that this way the characters seem more real and interesting. I hope you're enjoying it as much as I am. See you next time!

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

Hi, how are you? Just in time, huh? I'm trying not to split up the story too much. So, I hope it's acceptable. Feedback is always good.

Enjoy it!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII / CHAPTER IX

"Are you ready? I didn't tell you we were coming." Percy took his hand and pulled him out of the car.

Nico couldn't believe he was back in the house where his best memories were made. This was the house of his childhood, the place where he had discovered that love and affection were still possible after his mother death. It was the place where Nico had discovered that love could come in many shapes and sizes and be expressed in simple or complicated ways.

"Maybe we should come back later?”

"She'll be happy to see you.”

"Are you sure?”

"Nico, this is your home too. It always will be.”

Nico had to take a deep breath, stopping in front of the front door. He felt so guilty! Percy wasn't the only person he had left behind. Sally had also been one of them. His second mother, the person he could tell everything after Percy, always offering him a tight hug and an open kitchen.

"Percy, I--”

"Shhh." Percy held his hand, smiled at him and finally pushed open the door of the house, leading him inside. "Mom! We're here!”

It didn't take long. Soon they could both hear the sound of heels on the white granite floor, and appearing from one of the doors that Nico knew to be in the kitchen, Sally came almost running and with so much energy that for a moment Nico saw himself in the past, the first time he had come through that same door, seeing the simple but elegant decor. Cream-colored sofas, almost white blue walls, puffs and blankets scattered around the room and a large television. The smell was the same, the same fragrance of freshly made food, sweet and sour, making him smile immediately.

"Nico, my son." That was all he heard before Sally's attack came, thin, strong arms encircled him and long, dark brown hair fell over him, Sally's perfume was still the same.

"Gods, look how much you've grown! And those cheeks, hm? So pretty.”

"Mom!”

"Percy, look at him. Have you sorted yourselves out? I hope so! You've been gone for three days! That's the least I can hope for.”

"Sally." Nico finally said, smiling, and leaned towards her, receiving another hug from Sally with pleasure.

"I can't believe I'm getting my assistant back! Our menu has suffered with you gone. How about we discuss it tomorrow? Are you staying with us today? What a question! Of course you are.”

Sally took his hand, pulling him towards the kitchen and Nico looked back, seeing Percy shrug. He knew it would take time for Sally to grow tired of him now. And as the saying goes, "like mother, like son", or something like that. And since there was no point in fighting with any of the Jacksons, Nico let himself be carried away by Sally, not that he minded; it was always fun to spend a few hours in Sally Jackson's company, delicious food, relaxed conversation and a friendly shoulder to vent on.

***

It had been a long time since Percy had walked the streets of his neighborhood. They weren't what they used to be, from quiet and humble to full of tall buildings and noisy cars due to the subway line located a few blocks from his house. The good thing about all this was that now there was a store or a market, or even a shopping center, on practically every corner. Which was exactly what he was looking for. Walking nonchalantly, Percy went straight to a stationery store and soon found what he was searching for, a dark leather journal with a delicate and beautiful appearance, just like Nico. 

He paid for it, walked around the mall and found himself standing in front of a familiar Jewelry store, remembering going into that place years ago and buying something special, but never going through with his plan. Now, a few hours later, he was on his way home. Imagine his surprise when his mother's helpers came in with bags after bags of food and pots and pans. Percy wasn't even surprised anymore. In fact, it was a familiar sight, but one he hadn't seen since Nico had left, the house full and the scent of sweets and snacks permeating the air.

Well, it looked like his present would have to wait.

Without being seen, he went to his room, left the bag on the bed and opened the first drawer of the dresser, finding the rings he had bought. Could this be the moment he had been waiting for? After all, they had already made it clear that they loved each other, so why not take the next step? He had learned that the best thing to do was never to assume anything, and if he didn't speak up, how would Nico know? Percy couldn't wait to see Nico's reaction.

So, exchanging the rings for the diary, he took the box with the rings and put the diary in the drawer, feeling confident. Percy left the bedroom and headed towards the kitchen, almost running into a girl wearing an apron from his mother's restaurant. She apologized and hurried out of the house, without the usual flattery. He hoped this one would last longer than the others. It wasn't that his mother was a bad boss, the problem was that most people didn't have the same enthusiasm as she or Nico had when it came to cooking.

Percy finally entered the kitchen and was faced with a full feast. He saw roasted, fried and boiled meats, grains and pasta of all kinds, not to mention sweets and salty foods that weren't all that healthy.

“Are we having a gala dinner or what?" He had to ask as soon as he entered the kitchen. It was kind of funny. Sally and Nico were there, along with several helpers, covered in flour and other things Percy couldn't identify, all wearing identical aprons and moving around in such an organized way that they looked like worker ants.

"You're right, darling!" His mother exclaimed. She wiped her hand on a towel, as energetic as he'd seen her in a long time, or at least not at this "child who ate too much sugar" level, and hugged him tightly, before walking back into the kitchen to check the oven and make sure everything was in order. "Call your friends! Call your friends' friends. No, better yet, call your friends' parents too.”

Percy wasn't sure about that. Did he even still has that many friends left? Percy shrugged, about to do what his mother had asked when Nico appeared in front of him, trying to find a place to put some sort of whitish cake on the table.

"I will help you.”

Percy moved some things around and finally found a space, taking the dish from Nico's hands and placing it on the counter.

"Here's my baby. Where have you been?”

"I'm not your baby.”

“ You are not?”

Was now a good time? No matter how Nico was dressed, in his school uniform or in his tight pants, and even now with flour from head to toe, Nico would always be the prettiest and cutest thing Percy would ever see, especially when he tried not to be embarrassed by this public display of affection.

Percy put his hand in his pocket, touched the box and watched for a moment, seeing Nico lower his head, his black hair protected by a hairnet, allowing him to see the blush spreading strongly across his dark face and down his long, elegant neck. Percy didn't hold back, he grabbed the back of Nico's neck and pulled him close, kissed him slowly and longingly, and only stopped when he heard a moan and the sudden silence that followed; the murmurs around them stopped and so did the sound of banging pots and pans.

"Per," Nico whispered in an almost non-existent voice and grabbed his arm, his face now on fire. So shy and so sweet, Percy could feel the sugar on Nico's tongue and the sweetness in his gentle touch. 

But just when he thought Nico would pull away, as he often had in the past, Nico just stood there, clinging to his arm, looking at him without knowing what to do. Maybe this wasn't the right moment, because if Nico had reacted like this to just one kiss, caught off guard and all anxious, what would Nico do if he got down on one knee in the middle of the kitchen? 

Unfortunately, when something like that used to happen, Nico wouldn’t know what to do. He would freeze from head to toe, and as if he had no script for this kind of situation, Nico rather do nothing for fear of making a mistake.

"Beautiful. Give me a hug, hm?”

Nico blinked slowly and bit his lips, looking unsure. In the end, Nico did as Percy asked. He put his arms around Percy's waist and hugged him tightly for a long moment, hiding his face against his neck, Percy hugged him back and stroked Nico's long hair, comforting him.

"Right.” Percy raised his head and, still hugging Nico, looked around at each of his mother's helpers, which had the desired effect.

Everyone began to move as one and the atmosphere returned to normal. He thought about apologizing to Nico, but the thought of Nico understanding that kissing him in front of other people was wrong made his stomach churn. Nico was a very perceptive being, and if he understood that he was doing something wrong, Nico would never do it again, like the time they were talking to some people, Nico laughed too loudly and someone scolded him, after that, it took him months to see Nico smiling in public.

"What you got for me?”

"Have you ever had Japanese cake?" Nico seemed relieved by the change of subject and let go of his waist. He took Percy's hand and led him to a light, spongy cake, unlike anything he had ever eaten.

Nico cut off a piece and put it on a plate for him. As soon as he took a bite, the cake melted on his tongue, something so delicious that Percy couldn't explain it, so he just moaned, closing his eyes in pleasure.

"That good?”

"Everything my baby does is exemplary.”

"Thank you.”

Percy stopped eating and paid attention to Nico. In fact, he stopped and watched him. Nico looked happy and content in his apron and flour-stained clothes. He looked like a little chef, proud of a job well done.

"I saw it in a restaurant in Verona and wanted to try it.”

"Beautiful.”

"You should study cooking." This time it was Sally who spoke, finishing a chocolate tart and watching them discreetly. She approached them and put one of her hands on Nico's shoulders. "Have you thought about it?”

***

"You should study cooking. Have you thought about it?”

Nico blinked slowly, trying to concentrate on anything other than the way Percy was looking at him, who almost missed the moment when Sally approached the corner where they were standing.

"Hm?”

"Have you decided on your graduation course?”

"Ah." Nico glanced at Percy out of the corner of his eye, but focused on Sally. "I don't know. Hades wants me to do administration.”

"Why not something you're talented at? Like music or cooking? Arts?”

"I... I'd like that very much. I don't know if Hades would allow it.”

"You know, the other day this nice, polite man brought his family over for dinner. He said that the place where he works has an excellent cooking course." Nico took a good look at Sally, trying to figure out what that meant. "Why don't you do a double degree? I have his contact if you're interested.”

"It's also close to home." Percy added.

Nico stopped everything and leaned on the edge of the bench, trying not to get his hopes up.

"I couldn't.”

"Darling, you don't have to worry about the details. Have a look, will you? I'll take care of everything.”

"No, Sally. You don't have to... I never--”

"It’s okay, darling. Money is not a problem." Then Sally smiled at him all radiant and caught him off guard once again, hugging him tightly. "No matter what you choose. We'll support you, now and always.”

"Oh." It was all that escaped his throat, a choked, muffled sound against Sally's shoulder. His vision blurred, and his throat tightened, but his heart beat strongly, a delicious warmth heating his chest as Percy's hands touched his shoulders, embracing him and Sally at once.

"Mom is right. We'll support you no matter what, even if I have to go to Italy with you.”

"Did you plan this? To surprise me and not let me think about it?”

"Nico, of course not, silly!" Sally exclaimed energetically and grabbed his shoulders, her big light brown eyes hitting him right in the middle of the chest. "Percy did some vocational and aptitude tests last year and since then we've been looking for the best options. You have to do them too, they're pretty accurate. Does next week sound good? Ah, we have so much to do!”

And so, as if talking about his future was something ordinary, Sally  continued again, mixing something in a large glass pot with a spatula.

"That's right, then. College decided. Will we have a wedding?”

"Wedding?”

"Of course! The sooner we set the date, the better! What about a house? You'll be near us, right? And... Percy didn’t talk to you yet?”

Nico didn't know if he was ready for such a big step, he didn't even know if he could finish high school without self-destructing himself, let alone… marriage.

"Mom!" Percy grumbled. "She's joking. Don't listen to what she says.”

It was Percy who said it, but his gaze was intense on him, thoughtful and analytical. And... maybe... maybe Sally wasn't joking,  if it were for the disappointed expression on Percy's face.

"Since when have you been planning these things? “

"Since…”

"Since when?”

"Ever since I realized that waking up next to you was the best part of my day.”

Nico thought there was something strange in his eyes, they wouldn't stop watering. It must have been sinusitis. Yes, that was it. Maybe an allergy.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Percy insisted, and suddenly the world disappeared and only the two of them mattered; the sound of banging pots and whispers disappeared, even the hurried murmurs around them vanished.

"What was I supposed to say? Are you asking me to marry you?”

This was the best and worst moment of his life. Percy smiled at him and reached into his pocket, pulling out a delicate velvet box. And then, the worst came, Percy knelt down on the floor full of flour and sugar, and opened the box, showing him that inside were two identical gold-plated rings with a small diamond in the center, one large and the other smaller, with delicate engravings around the rings, the rings so delicate that Nico was afraid to touch them.

"You can't be serious!”

"I bought them before you ran away to Italy. I wish I'd told you sooner. I was afraid it would drive you away again.”

And without asking permission, Percy took hia hand and slid the smallest of the rings onto the ring finger of Nico’s right hand.

"This ring is proof of my commitment and fidelity to you. It's my promise to always be by your side and to always give you whatever you need and want. No matter what or where.”

"Percy, stop it! Right now! You don't want this." Nico pulled away from Percy's hands and tried to take the ring off, feeling anxious, but he couldn't get it off. Something inside him stopped Nico.

"Of course I want it. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Percy kept smiling and remained kneeling, as if paying for his sins in a prayer of love.

Percy crawled on his knees until he was close enough to touch again and offered Nico the box, saying: "It's your turn to put it on me. Will you marry me?”

"Gods!" Nico whimpered, that tightness in his heart and warmth in his chest spreading like hellish flames through his veins. "You'll regret this. You'll regret it so much. Then, don't blame me for what happens.”

"I take full responsibility.”

Sniffling, Nico knelt down too and did the same as Percy, placing the ring on the ring finger of Percy's right hand and observing their hands together. Not even in his wildest dreams could Nico have imagined something like this.

"Satisfied now?”

"And my kiss, hm?”

Still feeling anxious and shaky, Nico jumped into Percy's lap and kissed him with everything he had, being greeted by the strong embrace of the person Nico loved most in the whole world.

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME - PERCY/NICO AU HIGH SCHOOL - CHAPTER IX - Parte III

This is the last part, I promise! Sorry for the mistake.

"Nico”

"Hm.”

"It's time to wake up.”

Nico grumbled and snuggled further under the covers. He was so tired that he felt like he would need a whole week to recover. 

He moved again, about to put the blanket over his head when he felt strong arms surround his waist, but what made him open his eyes was the kiss on his neck, on that little spot near the nape of his neck that was now making him react more intensely than he thought he should. It was all Percy's fault,  his fault for the way Percy had touched him the night before and all those words.

Gods! What had he done? Had Nico really said all that things to Percy? Nico couldn't believe it! He sat up and looked around. He was still in his room, and Percy? Well, the idiot was stillnext to him, leaning against the headboard and with such a satisfied smile on his face that it made him wonder: Had he said something he couldn't remember in the night before?

"So, do you like being spanked?”

"Percy!”

"I thought I was the only one you allowed to fu-"

"Don't you dare!" Okay, Nico admitted that he was panicking. 

"I wonder where is the boy who wanted to take things slow, hmm?”

In another leap, Nico threw himself on top of Percy and covered his mouth with his hands.

"I take back everything I said. All of it!”

Percy licked his hand and kept smiling at him until Nico gave up and let Percy speak:

"It's a shame. We could’ve had so much fun…”

"I… I don't know." Nico had to look away, maybe he didn't want to take anything back, no matter how humiliating it was.

"Baby. Come here.”

Nico went, of course. 

Percy grabbed him around the waist and made him lie down on his chest, one of Percy's hands immediately going to his hair. Nico didn't understand why that gesture calmed him down so much, or why this feeling of tenderness made him want to tell Percy everything he hadn't said the night before. It's just that... he felt conditioned to never to lie to Percy, and he had already said so much… Nico wished he had a time machine to make sure none of it had happened, because only then he would be sure that nothing between them would ever change.

"I'm so sorry.”

"Nico.”

"I shouldn't have left. But when you told me to meet other people, I thought... I thought we would never have a chance. So why wait for something that's never going to happen?”

"It's all right. It's my fault.”

"I don't care who's fault it is. I want you to say that you forgive me and that this won't affect things in the future.”

"I forgive you and that won't change anything.”

Nico knew that Percy was only saying this because he had asked, but even so, the knot in his stomach seemed to loosen a little bit.

"Promise?”

"I promise.”

Nico pulled away enough so he could look into Percy's face and touched him there gently, caressing the sides of his neck.

"You know I love you, don't you? For real?" Nico forced himself to say, seeing a small smile appear on Percy's lips.

"Why those words now?

"I realized... I thought I liked you because you were my first friend. But when I was in Italy, it felt like something was missing. I tried to find it in other people, you know?”

"What were you looking for?" That's when Percy touched his shoulder, trying to comfort him.

Ahg, he couldn't look at Percy when Percy acted so kind.

"I don't know!" It was a lie, of course. And Percy knew it. “It's hard to express how much you mean to me. So when I don't tell you things, it's because I can't, not because I don't want to.

"I know that. But I need you to tell me anyway. I need you to give me permission." Then, Percy touched the back of his neck, pulling his head up to face him. And yet, when Nico refused and kept his eyes closed, Percy insisted: "Beautiful. Look at me.”

Nico did it, he did it because it was impossible to resist when Percy spoke to him in that firm, and at the same time, reassuring tone.

"I understand. You don't have to force yourself.” 

"I'm sorry.”

"No, Nico. It's not your fault.”

"I don't want to make you worry.

Because that was the truth. He'd always liked to go through life quietly and unnoticed, except that Percy had taken note of him and hadn't let him go ever since. No matter how much time passed, he would never get used to the attention Percy gave him and even after a decade, it still was strange, it was like  he was in a dream and at any moment Nico would wake up, realizing that Percy had been his imagination playing tricks on him.

"This won't happen again.”

"What are you talking about?" Nico asked, not understanding.

" I won't force you. Just… just tell me if you need to. Anything.

"Anything?”

"Of course.”

"Then, tell me you love me.”

"I love you.”

"Again”.

"I love you.”

"Again.”

"Nico." Percy smiled and kissed Nico, interrupting him. "What's going on? It’s about last night?”

"It's nothing.”

"I promise I won't do that again.”

"That...?”

"I'm not going to be... so intense or... you know.”

Why did Nico felt his face getting hot? And since that was the case...

"Why not?”

This was the moment Nico feared the most. Percy remained silent and stared at him for long seconds, giving him no choice but to stare back. He dreaded these silences so much because this was the moment when he couldn't lie, and if he couldn't speak, then he'd have no way of diverting the attention away from the truth. 

Yes, that was the reality, no matter how much he tried to hide it, Percy would always know everything in the end.

"Is this all because of shame? It’s the humiliation too much for you? Or is it because you like the feeling?

Nico didn't know how Percy managed to say all this in such a serious and composed way. Well, Percy was more right than he thought. However, when Nico got nervous, these feelings only came out in two ways: tears of anxiety or laughter. So imagine the scene where he started laughing out of nowhere while Percy remained serious and stern.

"Do you think I'm a joke?" Percy said and puffed out his chest, pretending to be offended.

"I would never think that.”

"I love you." Percy said, then hugged him tightly and stroked his back. “No matter what this thing is between us, we'll get through it together.”

That's what Nico expected. 

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I hope it's not too confusing. If it is, please warn this poor writer who sometimes can't see certain things. I wanted to end the week by suggesting a blog post from tumblr +18, but in this specific post there's nothing explicit. It's the idea I used for Nico's thoughts. Here, it might be interesting.

See you next week!

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME - PERCY/NICO AU HIGH SCHOOL - CHAPTER IX - Parte II

Hello, how are you? I noticed that there was a part missing from the previous chapter. I've already put it in the full chapter, but it will also be here for those who have read the chapter before. It's a flashback to when Percy and Nico first met.

Happy reading!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII

Extra  - Getting to know each other

Another scene from the past, when Percy and Nico first met.

Percy looked around, making sure no one was following him, and left the empty classroom. Ever since his family's restaurant had become five"star, the stalking had begun. People who had never spoken to him now wanted to be his friend, his best friends started treating him like royalty. No matter where he went, everyone knew his name, trying to get a reservation on behalf of other adults. He had learned very quickly how to avoid these people who were now almost everyone he knew. And you know what was worse? These people weren't interested in his mother's food, they were interested in who frequented the restaurant. It was so unfair! Even to go to the bathroom the crowds followed him without giving him a minute's peace. Tyson was so lucky! He’d already finished high school and was about to graduate from college. Percy had no choice but to deal with the gossip and greedy, self"centered people.

Looking once again at the empty corridor, he put his cell phone back in his pocket and went into the bathroom.

Ah, finally. Silence. Just him and the urinal. He unzipped his pants and...he heard a moan. Right next to him. Percy turned his face and there were three boys in a circle. He saw that one of them was unzipping his pants and the others were already without them.

Well, that was none of his business.

"No, please. I… I…"

"You what? Are you going to tell your little sister? Your Dad?"

"Please!"

Percy sighed and walked towards them. His mother hadn't raised him to watch someone being abused.

He stopped behind them, in front of the mirror, and saw what was happening. A boy with the softest, most feminine features he had ever seen was trying to cover his face and was cowering against the wall, he was so small that reacting against those boys would have been stupid. The problem was that he was so distracted by the boy's beauty that Percy ended up missing when one of the boys grabbed his own member and pointed it towards the boy on the floor.

"What are you doing?" Percy finally said. The boys were startled and jumped away, covering themselves as best as they could.

"We... hey, aren't you that rich kid?"

Just what he needed.

"I said, what are you doing?"

"It's not what it seems."

"Oh, is not? How do you explain that?"

The three boys and Percy looked at the little boy on the ground, who was hiding his face and crying pitifully.

"You know what? I don't want to know. If I catch you doing it again…"

"You have no proof!"

"Are you sure?"

The boys looked at each other and after a few moments, ran off. And Percy Finally could do what he needed to do and leave.

That is, if the little boy hadn't lifted his face and looked at him with those deep black eyes, swollen and shining from crying. Slightly curly black waves of hair and the most beautiful red lips he had ever seen. Percy admitted that he had frozen, enjoying the sight. He, who had never been interested in anyone in his eleven years of life, found himself enchanted. And even when the little boy bit his lips and looked at him, still lying on the bathroom floor, Percy couldn't stop staring.

"You didn't have to." The little boy mumbled, shrinking further against the wall near the sink.

"I... was the right thing to do." That was the truth, it was the right thing to do, but what wasn't right was to admire the beautiful little boy, especially in a situation like that. He felt like a monster. "What's your name?"

"Nico. Niccolas."

Hmm... Italian. They say it's the language of love.

"Percy Jackson."

"Oh." Nico said, looking him up and down, his high cheeks getting hotter. "You're not going to do what those boys wanted to do... are you?”

"What they wanted to do?”

Nico looked down and Percy followed his gaze.

Oh, actually, his zipper was still open, but now there was a certain... volume there.

"I'm nothing like those boys.”

"Aren't you?" Nico still looked doubtful, even though he himself had a bulge in his pants. A much smaller one that Percy seemed to be analyzing more closely than he should.

"I'm not." Percy turned around, trying to convince himself, and walked to the urinal again.

He pulled down his underwear and tried to concentrate. No one had warned him that it would be so difficult to relieve himself with an erection on the way. Percy took a deep breath, relaxing, and finally succeeded. When he returned to the sink, intending to wash his hand, he saw that the little boy was still on the floor, watching him get close.

Nico had been watching him... go to the bathroom? Since the area was wide open, it was impossible not to see.

"Do you need help?" He said as he washed his hands, staring at their reflections in the mirror. Nico looked scared and embarrassed, while he himself was serious and almost absent, showing no emotion.

"No! I mean, I'm fine. Thank you very much.”

"All right, then.”

Percy dried his hand and turned towards the exit. He had offered to help, hadn't he? From then on, it wasn't his responsibility what happened to Nico.

***

Percy had never realized how big that school was. Two indoor and two outdoor courts, fifty classrooms, ten laboratories. Swimming pools, jogging trails and even a forest with a variety of plantations. It was a good place for anyone looking for a well-rounded education, but also for anyone looking for a place to hide. Luckily, Percy had found just the perfect place; deserted and quiet, right in front of one of the open courts. Best of all, the view from the stands was very limited, preventing people from finding him easily.

He walked calmly through the school corridors and arrived at his favorite spot, determined to make a few baskets on the court and eat something quick before the next class. Percy intended to join the team and didn't want it to be out of sheer favoritism. That is, he was just about to enter the court when he saw a black head of hair on the far side of the bleachers. Now, he needed to know who it was, and only then would Percy know if it was still a safe place or not.

Percy hurried over and saw that it was the same little boy as last time. He had a cut in his lip and the right side of his face was purple. Percy had the impulse to ask who had done this to him, but remembered it was none of his business. Especially since Nico seemed to be fine, apart from his bruised face, and seeing that Nico was eating a small feast. Percy could see at least four different kinds of dishes, all arranged in little bowls, the sight warming his heart for some reason. It must have been the way Nico cowered, trying to hide from him, but he still stared at him, smiling.

Percy watched Nico pick up one of the lunchboxes and, as shyly as possible, offer it to him, saying: "Do you want some?”

Percy found himself walking the rest of the distance to Nico, abandoning his backpack and basketball at the foot of the bleachers, and sat down in front of Nico.

"I brought it too. My mother is a cook.”

"Ah." Nico muttered and shrugged, picking up his fork. "I always make a lot. See?”

Nico then opened the other two lunchboxes and showed them to him. Vegetable pie with cheese. Meatballs. Calabrian bread. Cake, too.

"Do you? And your mother?”

"I don't have one. She's dead.”

That's when Percy realized what he was doing. Like a weirdo, he watched Nico eat as if it were the most wonderful thing in the world while the boy ate alone, having to make his own food.

"Your father? You must have one, right?”

Nico denied it and stuffed another piece of pie into his mouth, ignoring all the other dishes. "Dad's always traveling.”

"So...?”

"I learned from Mama before she died. Her food was the best!" But Nico said it so happily that Percy felt better.

"Who looks after you?”

"I have a nanny. My sister, too! She's the best sister in the world." Nico continued eating happily and Percy felt something in his eyes. What was going on? This boy couldn't be so naive, could he? So... happy? How old was he? Nine? Ten? He must be younger than himself.

"You really don't want to? I did it all by myself!”

"Everything? Did you even reach the stove?”

"Yes, I did! The nanny just turned on the stove. I have a ladder near the table and…”

"Yeah?”

"You're very mean. I don't want to talk to you anymore!”

Percy couldn't stand it, he put his hand around his belly and laughed. It had been a long time since he had seen something so cute and funny. Nico's chubby cheeks inflating like a balloon, his arms crossed, his lips in an even cuter pout.

"How old are you, eh?”

"I’m eleven! What's the problem?”

"You're so short and small. Who's feeding you?”

And again, Percy couldn't take it. Laughing at his own joke, he let himself fall backwards onto the bleachers, laughing and laughing until his breath died away and then came back, a happy smile remaining on his lips long after his crisis had passed.

"Are you okay?” Nico asked in a small, soft voice, making his heart melt.

Percy opened his eyes to see that Nico had approached where he was laing, sitting on his knees, all worried, his black eyes wide and cheeks flushed.

"So…" Percy said, trying to stop smiling. "We're in the same year. Why haven't I see you around?

"I saw you.” Nico said and lowered his eyes to his lap. "It's hard not to when people only talk about you.”

"What they say?”

"You get the best grades. You're the best at sports. You have the best girlfriend. That sort of thing.”

"Who is that girlfriend?”

"I think… Annabeth Chase? I'm not sure. I arrived a few weeks ago.”

"That's good to know.”

"Know what?”

"That I have a girlfriend.”

"You… don't know?" Nico tilted his head like a confused puppy and that got another laugh out of him. This time, Nico laughed along. He seemed to be holding back his laughter, but when Percy didn't stop, Nico found himself with no escape, joining in.

"You're funny.” Nico told him.

"No, you are.”

And like third-graders, which they both were, they laughed again as they heard the bell ring. Percy hadn't even realized that half an hour had passed, which was more time than he usually spent with his old friends. And what that said about him, hm?

"We have to go." He heard Nico say.

They really did.

In a hurry, he helped Nico collect the lunch boxes and accompanied him to his next class, discovering that Nico was in fact in the same class as him. Was Percy so distracted by trying to hide that he couldn't see what was going on around him? Well, that would change from that moment on.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for reading!

THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME - PERCY/NICO AU HIGH SCHOOL - CHAPTER IX - Parte II

Hello, how are you? I noticed that there was a part missing from the previous chapter. I've already put it in the full chapter, but it will also be here for those who have read the chapter before. It's a flashback to when Percy and Nico first met.

Happy reading!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII

Extra  - Getting to know each other

Another scene from the past, when Percy and Nico first met.

Percy looked around, making sure no one was following him, and left the empty classroom. Ever since his family's restaurant had become five"star, the stalking had begun. People who had never spoken to him now wanted to be his friend, his best friends started treating him like royalty. No matter where he went, everyone knew his name, trying to get a reservation on behalf of other adults. He had learned very quickly how to avoid these people who were now almost everyone he knew. And you know what was worse? These people weren't interested in his mother's food, they were interested in who frequented the restaurant. It was so unfair! Even to go to the bathroom the crowds followed him without giving him a minute's peace. Tyson was so lucky! He’d already finished high school and was about to graduate from college. Percy had no choice but to deal with the gossip and greedy, self"centered people.

Looking once again at the empty corridor, he put his cell phone back in his pocket and went into the bathroom.

Ah, finally. Silence. Just him and the urinal. He unzipped his pants and...he heard a moan. Right next to him. Percy turned his face and there were three boys in a circle. He saw that one of them was unzipping his pants and the others were already without them.

Well, that was none of his business.

"No, please. I… I…"

"You what? Are you going to tell your little sister? Your Dad?"

"Please!"

Percy sighed and walked towards them. His mother hadn't raised him to watch someone being abused.

He stopped behind them, in front of the mirror, and saw what was happening. A boy with the softest, most feminine features he had ever seen was trying to cover his face and was cowering against the wall, he was so small that reacting against those boys would have been stupid. The problem was that he was so distracted by the boy's beauty that Percy ended up missing when one of the boys grabbed his own member and pointed it towards the boy on the floor.

"What are you doing?" Percy finally said. The boys were startled and jumped away, covering themselves as best as they could.

"We... hey, aren't you that rich kid?"

Just what he needed.

"I said, what are you doing?"

"It's not what it seems."

"Oh, is not? How do you explain that?"

The three boys and Percy looked at the little boy on the ground, who was hiding his face and crying pitifully.

"You know what? I don't want to know. If I catch you doing it again…"

"You have no proof!"

"Are you sure?"

The boys looked at each other and after a few moments, ran off. And Percy Finally could do what he needed to do and leave.

That is, if the little boy hadn't lifted his face and looked at him with those deep black eyes, swollen and shining from crying. Slightly curly black waves of hair and the most beautiful red lips he had ever seen. Percy admitted that he had frozen, enjoying the sight. He, who had never been interested in anyone in his eleven years of life, found himself enchanted. And even when the little boy bit his lips and looked at him, still lying on the bathroom floor, Percy couldn't stop staring.

"You didn't have to." The little boy mumbled, shrinking further against the wall near the sink.

"I... was the right thing to do." That was the truth, it was the right thing to do, but what wasn't right was to admire the beautiful little boy, especially in a situation like that. He felt like a monster. "What's your name?"

"Nico. Niccolas."

Hmm... Italian. They say it's the language of love.

"Percy Jackson."

"Oh." Nico said, looking him up and down, his high cheeks getting hotter. "You're not going to do what those boys wanted to do... are you?”

"What they wanted to do?”

Nico looked down and Percy followed his gaze.

Oh, actually, his zipper was still open, but now there was a certain... volume there.

"I'm nothing like those boys.”

"Aren't you?" Nico still looked doubtful, even though he himself had a bulge in his pants. A much smaller one that Percy seemed to be analyzing more closely than he should.

"I'm not." Percy turned around, trying to convince himself, and walked to the urinal again.

He pulled down his underwear and tried to concentrate. No one had warned him that it would be so difficult to relieve himself with an erection on the way. Percy took a deep breath, relaxing, and finally succeeded. When he returned to the sink, intending to wash his hand, he saw that the little boy was still on the floor, watching him get close.

Nico had been watching him... go to the bathroom? Since the area was wide open, it was impossible not to see.

"Do you need help?" He said as he washed his hands, staring at their reflections in the mirror. Nico looked scared and embarrassed, while he himself was serious and almost absent, showing no emotion.

"No! I mean, I'm fine. Thank you very much.”

"All right, then.”

Percy dried his hand and turned towards the exit. He had offered to help, hadn't he? From then on, it wasn't his responsibility what happened to Nico.

***

Percy had never realized how big that school was. Two indoor and two outdoor courts, fifty classrooms, ten laboratories. Swimming pools, jogging trails and even a forest with a variety of plantations. It was a good place for anyone looking for a well-rounded education, but also for anyone looking for a place to hide. Luckily, Percy had found just the perfect place; deserted and quiet, right in front of one of the open courts. Best of all, the view from the stands was very limited, preventing people from finding him easily.

He walked calmly through the school corridors and arrived at his favorite spot, determined to make a few baskets on the court and eat something quick before the next class. Percy intended to join the team and didn't want it to be out of sheer favoritism. That is, he was just about to enter the court when he saw a black head of hair on the far side of the bleachers. Now, he needed to know who it was, and only then would Percy know if it was still a safe place or not.

Percy hurried over and saw that it was the same little boy as last time. He had a cut in his lip and the right side of his face was purple. Percy had the impulse to ask who had done this to him, but remembered it was none of his business. Especially since Nico seemed to be fine, apart from his bruised face, and seeing that Nico was eating a small feast. Percy could see at least four different kinds of dishes, all arranged in little bowls, the sight warming his heart for some reason. It must have been the way Nico cowered, trying to hide from him, but he still stared at him, smiling.

Percy watched Nico pick up one of the lunchboxes and, as shyly as possible, offer it to him, saying: "Do you want some?”

Percy found himself walking the rest of the distance to Nico, abandoning his backpack and basketball at the foot of the bleachers, and sat down in front of Nico.

"I brought it too. My mother is a cook.”

"Ah." Nico muttered and shrugged, picking up his fork. "I always make a lot. See?”

Nico then opened the other two lunchboxes and showed them to him. Vegetable pie with cheese. Meatballs. Calabrian bread. Cake, too.

"Do you? And your mother?”

"I don't have one. She's dead.”

That's when Percy realized what he was doing. Like a weirdo, he watched Nico eat as if it were the most wonderful thing in the world while the boy ate alone, having to make his own food.

"Your father? You must have one, right?”

Nico denied it and stuffed another piece of pie into his mouth, ignoring all the other dishes. "Dad's always traveling.”

"So...?”

"I learned from Mama before she died. Her food was the best!" But Nico said it so happily that Percy felt better.

"Who looks after you?”

"I have a nanny. My sister, too! She's the best sister in the world." Nico continued eating happily and Percy felt something in his eyes. What was going on? This boy couldn't be so naive, could he? So... happy? How old was he? Nine? Ten? He must be younger than himself.

"You really don't want to? I did it all by myself!”

"Everything? Did you even reach the stove?”

"Yes, I did! The nanny just turned on the stove. I have a ladder near the table and…”

"Yeah?”

"You're very mean. I don't want to talk to you anymore!”

Percy couldn't stand it, he put his hand around his belly and laughed. It had been a long time since he had seen something so cute and funny. Nico's chubby cheeks inflating like a balloon, his arms crossed, his lips in an even cuter pout.

"How old are you, eh?”

"I’m eleven! What's the problem?”

"You're so short and small. Who's feeding you?”

And again, Percy couldn't take it. Laughing at his own joke, he let himself fall backwards onto the bleachers, laughing and laughing until his breath died away and then came back, a happy smile remaining on his lips long after his crisis had passed.

"Are you okay?” Nico asked in a small, soft voice, making his heart melt.

Percy opened his eyes to see that Nico had approached where he was laing, sitting on his knees, all worried, his black eyes wide and cheeks flushed.

"So…" Percy said, trying to stop smiling. "We're in the same year. Why haven't I see you around?

"I saw you.” Nico said and lowered his eyes to his lap. "It's hard not to when people only talk about you.”

"What they say?”

"You get the best grades. You're the best at sports. You have the best girlfriend. That sort of thing.”

"Who is that girlfriend?”

"I think… Annabeth Chase? I'm not sure. I arrived a few weeks ago.”

"That's good to know.”

"Know what?”

"That I have a girlfriend.”

"You… don't know?" Nico tilted his head like a confused puppy and that got another laugh out of him. This time, Nico laughed along. He seemed to be holding back his laughter, but when Percy didn't stop, Nico found himself with no escape, joining in.

"You're funny.” Nico told him.

"No, you are.”

And like third-graders, which they both were, they laughed again as they heard the bell ring. Percy hadn't even realized that half an hour had passed, which was more time than he usually spent with his old friends. And what that said about him, hm?

"We have to go." He heard Nico say.

They really did.

In a hurry, he helped Nico collect the lunch boxes and accompanied him to his next class, discovering that Nico was in fact in the same class as him. Was Percy so distracted by trying to hide that he couldn't see what was going on around him? Well, that would change from that moment on.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thanks for reading!

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

Hi, how's everyone? It's been a while, hasn't it? I'll try to get back to normal, but I can't promise anything. But what I can promise is that this story will be concluded when the time is right. Thank you in advance to those who have been worried. I'm happy to know that I'm making a difference to someone's life, even if it's just through entertainment. Short chapter, but as soon as I can I'll bring you another part. And thank you for your understanding.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII

Percy admitted that he wasn't being fair to Nico. It wasn't planned at all, he wasn't even thinking about having sex with Nico anytime soon. One moment Nico was all aroused and the next, he was pushing him away, like he did thousands of times before everything went to hell. But this time... this time Percy had decided to do exactly what Nico did to him. It was a last minute decision driven by frustration and desperation. If he made Nico feel the way he felt, Nico would stop torturing him, right?

First, Percy tried it slow and unhurried, strolling around town and stopping at Nico's favorite ice cream shop, then he drove Nico home, and kissed him only when they had privacy. Percy swore he didn't intend to do more than kiss Nico and have a peaceful night, the problem came when Nico kissed him back, all needy, and turned onto his back, rubbing that perky little ass against his groin.

There went his self-control down the drain, Nico smelled so good Percy had to kiss that soft skin, nibbling on the back of Nico's neck and nape until he found the bitten, reddened mouth, getting lost in him, undoing the buttons on Nico's shirt and then the his own to find smooth, hairless skin, flat stomach and prickly, pointy nipples, forcing him to play with them at length. He couldn't stop playing with them, hearing little gasped moans, Nico curling up against him until well…you can imagine, Nico tensed up all over and he had to stop, trying to reason through the dense fog of excitement that was coursing through his brain.

He tried to talk and tried to calm down, that irritation creeping up his spine. Percy wouldn't accept being made a fool of again. He didn't think, threw Nico on the bed, pressed him against it and held his hands above his head where Nico couldn't use them to distract him. What felt like a mistake, though the confession and the half truths slipped from Nico's lips like a waterfall.

Now, how did he know Nico was lying? Nico looked away and tried to break free in an attempt to escape. Nico didn't even realize what he was doing, still not wanting to face him. Because that was what happened when Nico felt he couldn't tell the truth, he would lie, try to distract him or run away, as he had did two years ago and as he had since they were children; when the world got too hard for Nico to handle, he hid, and it was always up to Percy to find him and make him face the reality. It was fine when Nico ran away from the rest of the world, but when things were between them? Who would go after Nico to make sure everything was okay?

Sincerely? Percy didn't want to hear any of that. He didn't want to know who had made Nico decide to want sex or who had traumatized him to the point where Nico was so closed off that he was forced to extract the truth from the one person who he never needed to have secrets. Percy was so tired that... he just decided to give Nico space, watching him cry on the bed as if he had offended Nico's dead mother.

It was too much for him when Nico said a "Don't you love me anymore?" How could he not love him? A few boys and sexual escapades wouldn't be enough to destroy an entire decade of dedication and commitment. However, worst of all was hearing “I just… don't like being tied down and…” Another sob, “It was awful when he tried… tried to penetrate me and…”, you know why that was awful to hear? Nico was lying again! His face was so...so...excited! In a mixture of pleasure and embarrassment so great that nothing Nico said at the moment Percy would be able to believe.

Unfortunately, Percy didn't have many options. He took a deep breath and said the only correct, rational thing he could, trying to calm Nico down, which seemed to make things worse. Desperate, Nico crawled to his side of the bed and straddled his lap, right on top of his erection and looked at him with those eyes full of crocodile tears that excited, rather than worried him, despite the anxious and anguished way Nico acted was a more accurate indicator of what was going on in the mind of his sweet and no longer innocent little boy.

Percy was trying to do the right thing, wasn't he? But it looked like Nico didn't want that. With them it was all or nothing, Nico's next line just made it all clearer: “I want you to touch me! I want you to fuck me until I can't walk, but… it hurt so bad! I don't want it to hurt. I want only you to touch me! Only you kiss me! Only you!" and who was he to deny what his dramatic, manipulative baby wanted? Not that Nico was fooling anyone there, but if that was what Nico needed to say to choking out the words, he would make Nico's wish come true; which resulted in something he could never predict: spanking, screaming and confessions that this time came out much more sincere, although he had the impression that Nico still kept things inside his chest.

Well, he wasn't worried. He would rip out every single one of those little secrets that Nico thought he could keep from him. Not because he wanted to know, but because Nico looked so relieved as every single word slipped out of his mouth that he knew their relationship would never be perfect until Nico confessed everything to him, exactly like it always had been.

He admitted that he wasn't ready for what came next, and he admitted that he wanted to make Nico suffer a little, which wasn't even close to what Nico did to him, even if squeezing that perky little ass was effective. Now he understood why Nico had run away from sex for so long, the little boy was so sensitive that in a few touches he was moaning like he was about to die and so tight that he finally believed when Nico claimed to be a virgin. Percy was patient and careful to get him to relax and then…well, do his best not to come as he slid into that tight, hot channel.

From that moment on it was fast. Nico could only moan and barely complete what he wanted to say, panting and whimpering, sprawled on the bed. Not that he had it any better, Percy gripped Nico's hair, holding him in place as he felt Nico shudder from head to toe, nearly throwing him off the bed. In the end, Percy hadn't been able to move much, trying to think of Nico's comfort, but it had been enough. A few moments later it was his turn, coming deep inside the most important person in his life.

***

"Good boy.” Percy had said, still inside Nico. He allowed himself to enjoy the moment, but when the sensitivity kicked in, he was forced to slide away, watching the semen trickle over his tanned skin.

He was still angry, slightly annoyed by the way Nico had made him lose control. But now, seeing Nico sprawled on the mattress as if he had run a marathon and still with tears streaming down his black eyes, Percy had made up his mind, he would never again let his feelings interfere with their relationship; he loved his little liar who preferred to hide what he really wanted if it was to ensure that people liked him.

Percy took a deep breath and let his hands leave Nico's hair, laying down next to him, about to get out of bed in search of something to clean Nico up with. That is, he would have gotten up if Nico hadn't whimpered, clutching at his arm.

"Where are you going? Am I forgiven?” Nico blinked slowly, looking like he was going to burst into tears if he didn't hear what he wanted.

What could he say? In the end, crocodile tears always worked.

He smiled, because he knew that always soothed his sweet baby, and leaned closer, kissing him softly on the lips.

"There is nothing to forgive.”

“Per.”

"Beautiful.” Percy kissed him again and again until Nico went back to relaxing on the bed, still on his stomach.

"Don’t leave me.”

"Not even to go to the bathroom?"

Nico denied, burying his face in the pillow. But he took Percy's hand and brought it to his own hair, in the exact spot where he had held it moments ago.

Percy understood everything and started petting him there, slowly and gently, listening to Nico purring like a sly kitten.

“We're not done talking yet.”

"Sorry.” Nico muttered, his voice coming out muffled.

“What do you hide that makes you hesitate so much?”

“How can you love me after this? How could anyone?" Nico finally lifted his head and faced him all tearful.

“Nico.”

“I feel like a dirty bitch who doesn't need to charge for sex but I do because I like it.”

"What's wrong with liking it?"

"I'm a sham! Everyone thinks I'm this... this pure being... and look at me now!" Nico went back to burying his face in the pillow and complaining, but it looked like his tears were ending. He must have been very relaxed to be able to get angry.

“Nico!” Percy ended up laughing and Nico whimpered back indignantly. He then caressed Nico's bare back and Nico surrendered, melting in his hands.

"That's not fair! You never take me seriously." Nico turned his back to the bed and faced him with an adorable pout, and realizing his state, he tried to pull the covers over himself. He would have made it if Percy hadn't stopped him, grabbed him by the shoulder, sliding his hands until they reached the back of Nico's neck, getting closer to him, putting their foreheads together.

"I do, I swear I do. I actually wanted to apologize. I shouldn't have treated you like that.”

“Treated me how?”

"Don't you see the problem?"

“Hm?”

“Nico, I hit you, threw you on the bed. I did something you didn't want.”

"I…" Nico blinked slowly, and it surprised him when Nico didn’t looked away from him. "I liked. It just… it wasn't a good experience when they tried to tie me down. I don't mind trying that with you. I got scared, you were never violent with me. I liked, though. I really liked.

“Don't do this to me.” Percy pleaded, trying to stop those ideas from forming in his head.

“I want you to hit me again. You can throw me on the bed as many times as you like. Just promise me you'll always love me.” Nico said, his expression all open and vulnerable, and unfortunately Percy knew, Nico wasn't lying this time.

"I love you. Ever. Even when you drive me crazy.”

Nico looked away from him for a moment and when he looked back at him, he was biting his lips, as if he wasn't sure of something.

“I want… want to please you… and if… if making me cry or making me scream is what pleases you… I don't care.”

Percy gasped, trying not to show how his body was reacting to those words, but how could he resist when Nico spoke in that almost innocent way and in the sweetest, most affable voice?

“I don't want to make you cry.”

“Liar.” Nico said, a smile beginning to creep across his smooth features. “I don't want you to hold back on my account.”

“You have to do the same.

Nico bit his lip and seemed to think it over, his small hands coming to rest on Percy's shoulders.

“I don't know if I can. How could I say these things?”

“You seem to have no problems at the moment.”

“It's because I'm… I'm floating on endorphins. I don't know how long it will last.”

"What would make you feel better?"

“I love it when you touch me anywhere.”

"Where?”

"In the neck. In my hand. The wrist. In the… in the waist.”

"Like this?” Percy slid his lips across Nico's face and kissed the side of his neck, applying light pressure there.

“Hmhmm.” Nico sighed, closing his eyes.

"I want you to know. You can tell me anything. I will be jealous, but I will never judge you.”

Nico chuckled all happy and sly and turned towards Percy, resting his head on Percy’s shoulder.

"Only if you tell me too."

"It's a deal, then."

He kissed Nico's cheek, got up and went to the bathroom. When he returned with a warm, damp towel, Nico was finally asleep, curled up on his side of the bed with a sweet smile on his lips.

Another scene from the past, when Percy and Nico first met. - Extra  - Getting to know each other

Percy looked around, making sure no one was following him, and left the empty classroom. Ever since his family's restaurant had become five"star, the stalking had begun. People who had never spoken to him now wanted to be his friend, his best friends started treating him like royalty. No matter where he went, everyone knew his name, trying to get a reservation on behalf of other adults. He had learned very quickly how to avoid these people who were now almost everyone he knew. And you know what was worse? These people weren't interested in his mother's food, they were interested in who frequented the restaurant. It was so unfair! Even to go to the bathroom the crowds followed him without giving him a minute's peace. Tyson was so lucky! He’d already finished high school and was about to graduate from college. Percy had no choice but to deal with the gossip and greedy, self"centered people.

Looking once again at the empty corridor, he put his cell phone back in his pocket and went into the bathroom.

Ah, finally. Silence. Just him and the urinal. He unzipped his pants and...he heard a moan. Right next to him. Percy turned his face and there were three boys in a circle. He saw that one of them was unzipping his pants and the others were already without them.

Well, that was none of his business.

"No, please. I… I…"

"You what? Are you going to tell your little sister? Your Dad?"

"Please!"

Percy sighed and walked towards them. His mother hadn't raised him to watch someone being abused.

He stopped behind them, in front of the mirror, and saw what was happening. A boy with the softest, most feminine features he had ever seen was trying to cover his face and was cowering against the wall, he was so small that reacting against those boys would have been stupid. The problem was that he was so distracted by the boy's beauty that Percy ended up missing when one of the boys grabbed his own member and pointed it towards the boy on the floor.

"What are you doing?" Percy finally said. The boys were startled and jumped away, covering themselves as best as they could.

"We... hey, aren't you that rich kid?"

Just what he needed.

"I said, what are you doing?"

"It's not what it seems."

"Oh, is not? How do you explain that?"

The three boys and Percy looked at the little boy on the ground, who was hiding his face and crying pitifully.

"You know what? I don't want to know. If I catch you doing it again…"

"You have no proof!"

"Are you sure?"

The boys looked at each other and after a few moments, ran off. And Percy Finally could do what he needed to do and leave.

That is, if the little boy hadn't lifted his face and looked at him with those deep black eyes, swollen and shining from crying. Slightly curly black waves of hair and the most beautiful red lips he had ever seen. Percy admitted that he had frozen, enjoying the sight. He, who had never been interested in anyone in his eleven years of life, found himself enchanted. And even when the little boy bit his lips and looked at him, still lying on the bathroom floor, Percy couldn't stop staring.

"You didn't have to." The little boy mumbled, shrinking further against the wall near the sink.

"I... was the right thing to do." That was the truth, it was the right thing to do, but what wasn't right was to admire the beautiful little boy, especially in a situation like that. He felt like a monster. "What's your name?"

"Nico. Niccolas."

Hmm... Italian. They say it's the language of love.

"Percy Jackson."

"Oh." Nico said, looking him up and down, his high cheeks getting hotter. "You're not going to do what those boys wanted to do... are you?”

"What they wanted to do?”

Nico looked down and Percy followed his gaze.

Oh, actually, his zipper was still open, but now there was a certain... volume there.

"I'm nothing like those boys.”

"Aren't you?" Nico still looked doubtful, even though he himself had a bulge in his pants. A much smaller one that Percy seemed to be analyzing more closely than he should.

"I'm not." Percy turned around, trying to convince himself, and walked to the urinal again.

He pulled down his underwear and tried to concentrate. No one had warned him that it would be so difficult to relieve himself with an erection on the way. Percy took a deep breath, relaxing, and finally succeeded. When he returned to the sink, intending to wash his hand, he saw that the little boy was still on the floor, watching him get close.

Nico had been watching him... go to the bathroom? Since the area was wide open, it was impossible not to see.

"Do you need help?" He said as he washed his hands, staring at their reflections in the mirror. Nico looked scared and embarrassed, while he himself was serious and almost absent, showing no emotion.

"No! I mean, I'm fine. Thank you very much.”

"All right, then.”

Percy dried his hand and turned towards the exit. He had offered to help, hadn't he? From then on, it wasn't his responsibility what happened to Nico.

***

Percy had never realized how big that school was. Two indoor and two outdoor courts, fifty classrooms, ten laboratories. Swimming pools, jogging trails and even a forest with a variety of plantations. It was a good place for anyone looking for a well-rounded education, but also for anyone looking for a place to hide. Luckily, Percy had found just the perfect place; deserted and quiet, right in front of one of the open courts. Best of all, the view from the stands was very limited, preventing people from finding him easily.

He walked calmly through the school corridors and arrived at his favorite spot, determined to make a few baskets on the court and eat something quick before the next class. Percy intended to join the team and didn't want it to be out of sheer favoritism. That is, he was just about to enter the court when he saw a black head of hair on the far side of the bleachers. Now, he needed to know who it was, and only then would Percy know if it was still a safe place or not.

Percy hurried over and saw that it was the same little boy as last time. He had a cut in his lip and the right side of his face was purple. Percy had the impulse to ask who had done this to him, but remembered it was none of his business. Especially since Nico seemed to be fine, apart from his bruised face, and seeing that Nico was eating a small feast. Percy could see at least four different kinds of dishes, all arranged in little bowls, the sight warming his heart for some reason. It must have been the way Nico cowered, trying to hide from him, but he still stared at him, smiling.

Percy watched Nico pick up one of the lunchboxes and, as shyly as possible, offer it to him, saying: "Do you want some?”

Percy found himself walking the rest of the distance to Nico, abandoning his backpack and basketball at the foot of the bleachers, and sat down in front of Nico.

"I brought it too. My mother is a cook.”

"Ah." Nico muttered and shrugged, picking up his fork. "I always make a lot. See?”

Nico then opened the other two lunchboxes and showed them to him. Vegetable pie with cheese. Meatballs. Calabrian bread. Cake, too.

"Do you? And your mother?”

"I don't have one. She's dead.”

That's when Percy realized what he was doing. Like a weirdo, he watched Nico eat as if it were the most wonderful thing in the world while the boy ate alone, having to make his own food.

"Your father? You must have one, right?”

Nico denied it and stuffed another piece of pie into his mouth, ignoring all the other dishes. "Dad's always traveling.”

"So...?”

"I learned from Mama before she died. Her food was the best!" But Nico said it so happily that Percy felt better.

"Who looks after you?”

"I have a nanny. My sister, too! She's the best sister in the world." Nico continued eating happily and Percy felt something in his eyes. What was going on? This boy couldn't be so naive, could he? So... happy? How old was he? Nine? Ten? He must be younger than himself.

"You really don't want to? I did it all by myself!”

"Everything? Did you even reach the stove?”

"Yes, I did! The nanny just turned on the stove. I have a ladder near the table and…”

"Yeah?”

"You're very mean. I don't want to talk to you anymore!”

Percy couldn't stand it, he put his hand around his belly and laughed. It had been a long time since he had seen something so cute and funny. Nico's chubby cheeks inflating like a balloon, his arms crossed, his lips in an even cuter pout.

"How old are you, eh?”

"I’m eleven! What's the problem?”

"You're so short and small. Who's feeding you?”

And again, Percy couldn't take it. Laughing at his own joke, he let himself fall backwards onto the bleachers, laughing and laughing until his breath died away and then came back, a happy smile remaining on his lips long after his crisis had passed.

"Are you okay?” Nico asked in a small, soft voice, making his heart melt.

Percy opened his eyes to see that Nico had approached where he was laing, sitting on his knees, all worried, his black eyes wide and cheeks flushed.

"So…" Percy said, trying to stop smiling. "We're in the same year. Why haven't I see you around?

"I saw you.” Nico said and lowered his eyes to his lap. "It's hard not to when people only talk about you.”

"What they say?”

"You get the best grades. You're the best at sports. You have the best girlfriend. That sort of thing.”

"Who is that girlfriend?”

"I think… Annabeth Chase? I'm not sure. I arrived a few weeks ago.”

"That's good to know.”

"Know what?”

"That I have a girlfriend.”

"You… don't know?" Nico tilted his head like a confused puppy and that got another laugh out of him. This time, Nico laughed along. He seemed to be holding back his laughter, but when Percy didn't stop, Nico found himself with no escape, joining in.

"You're funny.” Nico told him.

"No, you are.”

And like third-graders, which they both were, they laughed again as they heard the bell ring. Percy hadn't even realized that half an hour had passed, which was more time than he usually spent with his old friends. And what that said about him, hm?

"We have to go." He heard Nico say.

They really did.

In a hurry, he helped Nico collect the lunch boxes and accompanied him to his next class, discovering that Nico was in fact in the same class as him. Was Percy so distracted by trying to hide that he couldn't see what was going on around him? Well, that would change from that moment on.

***

"Nico”

"Hm.”

"It's time to wake up.”

Nico grumbled and snuggled further under the covers. He was so tired that he felt like he would need a whole week to recover. 

He moved again, about to put the blanket over his head when he felt strong arms surround his waist, but what made him open his eyes was the kiss on his neck, on that little spot near the nape of his neck that was now making him react more intensely than he thought he should. It was all Percy's fault,  his fault for the way Percy had touched him the night before and all those words.

Gods! What had he done? Had Nico really said all that things to Percy? Nico couldn't believe it! He sat up and looked around. He was still in his room, and Percy? Well, the idiot was stillnext to him, leaning against the headboard and with such a satisfied smile on his face that it made him wonder: Had he said something he couldn't remember in the night before?

"So, do you like being spanked?”

"Percy!”

"I thought I was the only one you allowed to fu-"

"Don't you dare!" Okay, Nico admitted that he was panicking. 

"I wonder where is the boy who wanted to take things slow, hmm?”

In another leap, Nico threw himself on top of Percy and covered his mouth with his hands.

"I take back everything I said. All of it!”

Percy licked his hand and kept smiling at him until Nico gave up and let Percy speak:

"It's a shame. We could’ve had so much fun…”

"I… I don't know." Nico had to look away, maybe he didn't want to take anything back, no matter how humiliating it was.

"Baby. Come here.”

Nico went, of course. 

Percy grabbed him around the waist and made him lie down on his chest, one of Percy's hands immediately going to his hair. Nico didn't understand why that gesture calmed him down so much, or why this feeling of tenderness made him want to tell Percy everything he hadn't said the night before. It's just that... he felt conditioned to never to lie to Percy, and he had already said so much… Nico wished he had a time machine to make sure none of it had happened, because only then he would be sure that nothing between them would ever change.

"I'm so sorry.”

"Nico.”

"I shouldn't have left. But when you told me to meet other people, I thought... I thought we would never have a chance. So why wait for something that's never going to happen?”

"It's all right. It's my fault.”

"I don't care who's fault it is. I want you to say that you forgive me and that this won't affect things in the future.”

"I forgive you and that won't change anything.”

Nico knew that Percy was only saying this because he had asked, but even so, the knot in his stomach seemed to loosen a little bit.

"Promise?”

"I promise.”

Nico pulled away enough so he could look into Percy's face and touched him there gently, caressing the sides of his neck.

"You know I love you, don't you? For real?" Nico forced himself to say, seeing a small smile appear on Percy's lips.

"Why those words now?

"I realized... I thought I liked you because you were my first friend. But when I was in Italy, it felt like something was missing. I tried to find it in other people, you know?”

"What were you looking for?" That's when Percy touched his shoulder, trying to comfort him.

Ahg, he couldn't look at Percy when Percy acted so kind.

"I don't know!" It was a lie, of course. And Percy knew it. “It's hard to express how much you mean to me. So when I don't tell you things, it's because I can't, not because I don't want to.

"I know that. But I need you to tell me anyway. I need you to give me permission." Then, Percy touched the back of his neck, pulling his head up to face him. And yet, when Nico refused and kept his eyes closed, Percy insisted: "Beautiful. Look at me.”

Nico did it, he did it because it was impossible to resist when Percy spoke to him in that firm, and at the same time, reassuring tone.

"I understand. You don't have to force yourself.” 

"I'm sorry.”

"No, Nico. It's not your fault.”

"I don't want to make you worry.

Because that was the truth. He'd always liked to go through life quietly and unnoticed, except that Percy had taken note of him and hadn't let him go ever since. No matter how much time passed, he would never get used to the attention Percy gave him and even after a decade, it still was strange, it was like  he was in a dream and at any moment Nico would wake up, realizing that Percy had been his imagination playing tricks on him.

"This won't happen again.”

"What are you talking about?" Nico asked, not understanding.

" I won't force you. Just… just tell me if you need to. Anything.

"Anything?”

"Of course.”

"Then, tell me you love me.”

"I love you.”

"Again”.

"I love you.”

"Again.”

"Nico." Percy smiled and kissed Nico, interrupting him. "What's going on? It’s about last night?”

"It's nothing.”

"I promise I won't do that again.”

"That...?”

"I'm not going to be... so intense or... you know.”

Why did Nico felt his face getting hot? And since that was the case...

"Why not?”

This was the moment Nico feared the most. Percy remained silent and stared at him for long seconds, giving him no choice but to stare back. He dreaded these silences so much because this was the moment when he couldn't lie, and if he couldn't speak, then he'd have no way of diverting the attention away from the truth. 

Yes, that was the reality, no matter how much he tried to hide it, Percy would always know everything in the end.

"Is this all because of shame? It’s the humiliation too much for you? Or is it because you like the feeling?

Nico didn't know how Percy managed to say all this in such a serious and composed way. Well, Percy was more right than he thought. However, when Nico got nervous, these feelings only came out in two ways: tears of anxiety or laughter. So imagine the scene where he started laughing out of nowhere while Percy remained serious and stern.

"Do you think I'm a joke?" Percy said and puffed out his chest, pretending to be offended.

"I would never think that.”

"I love you." Percy said, then hugged him tightly and stroked his back. “No matter what this thing is between us, we'll get through it together.”

That's what Nico expected. 

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So, how was it? I almost deleted the first scene, but since I liked Percy's POV, I left it like that. Thanks for everything so far. Good feedback is always welcome. Until next time.

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

Hi, how are you doing? In this chapter we have some +18 scenes. Hope you liket it!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII

Nico wasn't sure he should be doing this.

He couldn't deny that last night had been good, but the time before that, he'd tried with his exes and…well, it had been so bad that all he'd felt was anxiety, pain, and the urge to throw up. Nico didn’t deny, as soon as he could, Nico had hurried away and avoided speaking or meeting Will for the rest of his time in Italy. Part of it was embarrassment at panicking, discovering in the process that he wasn't ready to do certain things with mere strangers, and the other part was… he didn't want to admit it, but it was hard for him to trust people. So what if he dated other people after Will? It wasn't his fault he couldn't relax around the blonde.

That's why he hesitated, even though he knew it was unfair to compare the two. Or to compare anyone else and Percy. Will had never invited him to eat in places he liked or taken him to see, or rather, rediscover the city as Percy had that night. They ate ice cream, visited a natural park, and walked holding hands through moonlit streets. It had been such a peaceful and pleasant night that Nico forgot about what had happened in Italy or even the whole Annabeth mess that he didn't even like to remember. But there they were, back in his room, backpacks and clothes thrown to the floor.

They hadn't even turned on the lights in their rush to get to the second floor of the house, heading towards his bed as fast as they could. Nico’s jacket and shirt came first, then Percy did the same to himself, faster than Nico could keep up. He had gasped, feeling his legs go weak, because Percy was already there against his back, skin to skin, hugging him from behind, lips against his neck kissing him softly, going back and forth to the nape of his neck and finding his earlobe, nibbling, slowly, the big and warm hands touching his chest, descending, reaching his hips and finally massaging him over his jeans to open the button of his pants.

Nico still wasn't sure, he didn't know what was happening to him; one moment he wanted Percy touching him with all the strength of his being and the next, he wasn't sure of anything. Nico just knew that he wanted Percy to continue to hold him forever, but not to hurt or coerce him like other people had tried.

"What is it?” Percy said against the skin of his shoulder, placing one more kiss there that made him shiver, his body relaxing without his permission.

"I don't know. I…”

“Hm.” Percy murmured, moving slowly with him towards the bed. "Do you want to tell me something?"

Yes, he did. Nico wanted to say how he wasn't drunk enough to ignore his fears and that he had rejected anything sexual for more than one reason. But before they reached the bed, Percy stopped in his tracks and kissed her neck one more time.

“I know you're afraid. I know I lost control in the past. But you can trust me.”

“Per.” It had only been a kiss, a careless mistake in the past, and it seems that moment would haunt them for the rest of their lives. “It's not that. I…”

"So tell me. And I will give it to you. It doesn't matter what it is.”

Why was this so difficult?

“I…”

"Is it about your ex?"

"He… he…”

Percy stopped moving and even the air around them became still.

“What did he do to you?”

"Nothing!” Nico said anxious. "It’s nothing.”

“Nico.”

"I mean! Do you remember Jason, the friend I told you about? He stopped Will…”

That's when Percy turned him around to face him and gripped his shoulders tightly, his eyes wide and fierce looking at him as if Percy wanted to get the truth out of him that way.

"You lied to me. What else has this kid done, hm?”

“Percy!” He didn't want to believe that Percy was one of those people.

Percy grabbed him by the arms and threw him onto the bed, pinning his hands above his head.

"Answer me!”

"He… he tied me up and… and took my clothes off… and when… when he was about to… Jason came, hit Will and untied me! Happy now!?”

As soon as he said that, Percy released him and stopped touching him immediately. This surprised Nico, offended him and hurt him in equal measures. Was Percy disgusted with him knowing another man had touched him? Was that what it means?

Then the bed moved and Percy touched him gently on the shoulder.

“No, baby, don't cry. I'm very sorry.”

"You don’t love me anymore?” Nico asked and buried his face in the pillow, trying to hold back the sobs.

“No, that's impossible. I don’t want that--"

“I just…don't like being tied up and…” Another sob, “It was awful when he tried…tried to penetrate me and…”

“Shhh, it's okay. I promise I won't touch you.”

He couldn't take it anymore! That wasn't what Nico wanted.

Crying like a baby, he crawled over to where Percy was lying all tense and sat on his lap, hugging Percy tight around the neck.

"I want you to touch me! I want you to fuck me until I can't walk, but… it hurt so bad! I don't want it to hurt. I want only you to touch me! Only you to kiss me! Only you… ah!”

Nico whimpered and arched his back as Percy pulled him by his hair, bringing their faces close together.

“I should punish you. I should show you how a good boy should behave.”

“I’m--”

“I haven't finished. No matter who you fucked in Italy, you lied to me. Hid something important because of embarrassment? Just ‘cause some random boy deceived and humiliated you? What happened? I want the truth.”

"I'm telling the truth.” Nico turned his face away and shut up, he refused to talk. It wasn't Percy's business what he had done.

“It’s gonna be like this? Since when did you start lying to me?”

“I… I didn't lie about not liking it.”

"Did you agree to do something and regret it?"

Nico nodded, feeling his face heat up.

"You didn't trust him?"

He nodded again.

“I thought I was ready… and…” Nico shrugged. “Then Jason heard me scream and… strapped to the bed …he hit Will and Will was furious. Will came after me later but I didn't want to explain what had happened so I broke up with him and Will got even angrier.”

"So you played with the kid, dumped him and let people think this Will was the one to blame?"

"I didn't mean to do this, I just…”

“Nico.”

Percy knew him too well.

He hated it when Percy spoke to him like that, serious and rigid, all authoritative. He felt like a scolded and helpless little boy. Which made him see that he would do anything for Percy to forgive him. Then, taking a deep breath, Nico said:

"I’m really sorry. I would never do that to you.”

“You already did.” Percy said and looked at him steadily and hard, still holding him by the hair in a painful way that didn't really hurt. But Percy was right, he had done it, he had run away without an explanation, and he regretted it very day since then. If necessary, he would spend the rest of his life apologizing.

“How can I redeem myself?”

"I don't know.”

"Please. I’ll do anything.”

"Anything?” Then Percy smiled at him and let go of his hair, settling himself against the bedframe. “Take off your pants.”

Nico did as Percy asked. He got up, took off his pants, underwear and socks and went back to bed about to sit on Percy's lap when he was stopped.

Percy grabbed him by the shoulder and with the same smirk, he said, "On your stomach. On my lap.”

"I don't understand.”

“Soon you will.”

Still confused, Nico laid back against Percy's legs and waited.

Moments later, it all made sense.

First, he felt Percy arrange himself against the headboard of the bed, then, with one hand, Percy held his hair and with the other, slid down his back, reaching his ass.

"Are you still willing to go on?"

“Per?”

“I spoiled you a lot. Allowing you to do whatever you want.”

"I did not want to…”

"Will you obey?"

"Wait!”

“Last chance. Yes or no?”

He didn't know, okay!? It was a lot of pressure for him to handle. Is just, Nico always wanted to try that with Percy, but he didn't want it to like this, a punishment instead of fun.

“Nico?”

“I don't know.” Nico finally said, defeated. “I trust you.”

And then, mere seconds later, Percy's heavy hand cracked against his right cheek, drawing a muffled groan from him.

“You are enjoying this. I can’t believe it.” Two more came, one after the other and Nico couldn't help himself, he squirmed, rubbing one leg against the other, trying to hide the effect the spanking was having on him.

He heard Percy gasp and settle him in his lap, his jeans brushing against his exposed cock, and all he could do was to hold on to the bed to keep him from coming from the rough treatment.

“Are you ready to talk?” Percy's voice sounded low in his ears, making him shiver.

"I've already said everything I wanted to."

"Who else did this to you?"

Shit! How did Percy know?

Percy shifted sideways and this time the crack reverberated through the entire room, making him actually shout, arching his spine. When he didn't say anything, Percy continued, his hands hitting his skin and massaging the spot until he almost...almost...

"You told me to live my life! That's what I did!” Nico screamed this time, trying to control himself, squirming all over, feeling the pleasure come faster than he expected. Until Percy stopped suddenly, keeping him at peak ecstasy to end the spanking without warning.

“All I want is the truth, Nico.”

"What good will it do!?" he yelled again, frustrated, trying to obey.

"You think you can lie to me? The more you hide, the more I want to know.”

“Percy! I don’t want to talk about this!”

"Then, I guess you don’t want to come."

"You won't do this to me!"

"Want to bet?"

Percy grabbed him around the waist, turned him over on the bed and then had him sit on his lap, his cock exposed to the cold air of the room, holding him immobile with his ass burning against Percy's jeans.

“Percy!”

“I won't encourage that kind of attitude.”

"What attitude?"

“That's why I'm so jealous, you always do that. Flirting with everyone and ignoring the problem when it gets serious.”

"I don’t do this. Do I…?”

"You’ll drive me crazy!"

"I didn’t mean--"

"You never do! That’s the problem.”

“What do you want me to do?”

“Be sincere. Is it too much to ask?”

“I… I didn't know how to tell you. How could I say, ‘Look, Percy. Don’t get mad. I got needy and let some boys touch me in ways I'm ashamed to admit."

“It doesn't seem so difficult now.” Percy muttered, gripping him tighter around the waist. Nico even feared to know what would happen in the next few days. "Why do you do this to me?”

"I didn't want you to think that I… that I am…”

"A whore who offers herself to anyone who pays attention to you?"

Nico looked out the window and tried to hold whatever was struggling to break free from his chest.

“Nico, I don't care. You can be my sweet Nico and you can be this sensual being who likes to tease people. I'm sad that you felt the need to hide that part from me.”

"I didn’t want hide things from you. It just…”

"I know that you don’t. I never thought you were an angel. All I ask is honesty.”

“I know.”

“I don't want to hurt you, but I also don't want to treat you like a crystal. Don’t run away from me. I love you.”

“I love you too.” Nico said, relaxing against Percy's chest. "I promise I'll be the most honest person in the world."

***

Things seemed to have calmed down. Nico felt that the weight of the world had finally lifted off his back, he felt light and free, with nothing left to hide. That is, he hadn't told Percy everything that had happened, but Percy now knew everything, about his... about his libido that had surged in Percy's absence, and that now seemed to be on fire more than ever.

Nico thought he had made himself clear, didn't he? After all, he had shouted to anyone who would listen. Honestly, he was glad that after hearing all those things Percy was still by his side, right now, under the covers with him, hugging him around the waist and shoulders, keeping them glued to each other. His bottom still hurt and his eyes were puffy from crying. Don't get him wrong, he would be on his knees if it would improve his situation, Percy just wasn't in the mood. Percy had taken off the rest of the clothes he was wearing and had laid next to Nico on the bed, hugging him and then closed his eyes. And Nico, how had it turned out? Still aroused, even with the pain of the spanking and the humiliation of the confessions, trying to stay obediently still in Percy's arms.

For long hours he tried to do just that, obeying Percy's will. But no matter how hard he tried, Nico opened and closed his eyes from time to time, watching the hours pass by slowly and torturously, seen the sky change from dark shades to lighter ones.

He couldn't take it anymore! Touching the hand around his chest, Nico struggled and tried not to wake Percy as the grip around him tightened, Percy's arms pulling him back to his strong chest.

"Where do you think you're going?”

“I need… hum…””

"You need?”

Nico wanted to die, but before that fact came to fruition, he took one of Percy’s hands over his body and brought it to his groin.

“I understand.” Percy murmured, leaning closer.

It was okay, because Nico finally got what he wanted. Percy covered his entire groin, engulfing his cock and massaging it slowly, balls and phallus, squeezing him so good that in less than a minute he was erect, as if the previous conversation and spanking had never happened. It felt so perfect… why was it so good? Was it because Percy was touching him? Was more emotional than physical? Or it was the mid-morning intimacy making him feel light and carefree, but so vulnerable he wanted to hide under Percy's body?

“What do you need?” Percy whispered against his neck, his voice husky with sleep.

“Can you… can you fuck me?” Was he being clear enough this time?

“You only had to ask.

He moaned in frustration and hid his face in the pillow, anxious and feeling the humiliation of having to beg down his neck in the form of the blush that warmed him from head to toe.

The thing is, Nico finally had his request granted. Percy leaned him forward a little, spread his legs and immediately Nico felt wet fingirs rub softly and unhurriedly against his entrance.

Ah… he didn't know that gesture could be so relaxing and pleasurable, feeling Percy massaging it around long enough for the orifice to open and allow Percy's fingers to penetrate it, easily and without difficulty. Percy was opening him so carefully that when Nico less expected, he found himself lying on his belly and moaning with three fingers inside him, barely feeling Percy lay on his body. Because with a slight discomfort that immediately gave way to pleasure, Nico could only spread more his legs letting the head of Percy's cock came into contact with his entrance, penetrating him a with light pressure, feeling himself really open like a flower as Percy forced himself in a little more, his body weight helping him slide right in.

 "Am I hurting you? Am I going too fast?”

Nico stopped breathing for a moment, too many sensations at once frying his brain. He… he didn't know, he was too relaxed to determine if it was pure pleasure, if he had pain in the middle of it or if he even needed a break; Nico could barely lift his head off the pillow as far as understanding anything other than the need to come.

“Baby.” Percy sighed, finally leaning against his back, keeping their hips still, panting. " I need--"

“Hm.” Nico thought he'd moaned, that he was about to come. Was all he could thing about, how that couldn't be normal. It couldn’t.

“Talk to me.”

Then, Percy settled better between his legs and that slight friction inside was enough to make Nico groan, squeezing the cock inside him so good that Percy pulled his hair, a clear warning to behave.

“Per!”

Percy stopped again, trying to catch his breath, and Nico melted once more into the bed, searching for the right words to say what he needed.

“Per, I… I need… I need…”

“Let's do it this way. When you don't know what to say and want to go on, say 'thank you'. When it feels good and you still want to stop, say “Please”.

"What if… what if I don't like it?"

"Say stop and I'll stop."

It seemed easy enough, so why was there so much doubt? This was the moment he tended to wrap everything up. It was so intense that he couldn't go on, even when he used his favorite vibrator. But he didn't want to stop, he wanted to keep going and see where this went. Maybe he would allow Percy to move and pin him against the bed, just like Percy was doing, this way Nico could get to the end.

"So?” Percy murmured against his ear, holding him tight by his hair and waist.

“I… okay… thank you.”

"That's my boy. All polite and obedient.”

Nico… Nico wasn't going to let those words make him feel any further off the cliff than he already was. But when Percy stroked his hair and tugged at it, saying a quick “Good boy,” Nico couldn't ignore the reaction it elicited from him. He hid his face in the pillow at the same time a groan was ripping from him and Percy finally decided to move.

Tonight nothing was going as he expected and instead of Percy fucking him fast and hard, he felt first Percy rotate his hips, rolling inside him and then Percy push back, slow and nice, and going back to penetrate him even slower, making him arch his spine and groan like he had never moaned before, leaving no room for any other thoughts.

“Hmm.” Percy groaned, all hoarse, increasing in speed and depth as Nico's moans grew louder. "I knew you would be perfect. All soft and sweet. The perfect fit.”

“I… I… ah!”

“Hm?”

“Thank you!”

Nico thought he had screamed, that he had writhed so hard that he felt Percy grab him by the back of his neck and force his head into the pillow, telling him to breathe. But Nico couldn't, Percy had hit something inside him that made him black out for a moment; Nico was coming and coming, each time his cock spurt, a jolt of electricity shot through his body, but Percy was still inside him, hard and pulsing, so hot Nico didn't know how he hadn't been burned.

“It's okay, that It. I will take care of you.”

Nico felt fingers against his groin and on his cock, touching it gently. He moaned again, thinking he was going to die, feeling his orgasm stretching until he couldn't take it anymore:

“Please!” Then, he screamed once more, tears forcing out of his eyes, smothered with pleasure, “Please!”

“Good boy.” Percy groaned in his ear, his voice firm and low, feeling Percy's hips go as deep as possible and come inside him like Nico had never allowed anyone before.

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Like always, it's a pleasure seeing you all here. Thanks for reading!

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

Oii, como vai? Demorei, mas cheguei. Como sempre a ansiedade quase me mata, mas aí dá uma vontade de escrever e faço um capítulo em menos de dois dias. Esse capítulo vem com aviso de cena +18, nada muito intenso, eu acho? Estava pensando em colocar as cenas mais intensas em algum lugar fechado porque sinto que um dia a censura vem, sabe? Vou pensar nisso para a próxima história, por enquanto fica aqui disponível para quem gostar de ler.

Espero que você gostem^^

Capítulos anteriores: CAPÍTULO I / CAPÍTULO II / CAPÍTULO III / CAPÍTULO IV / CAPÍTULO V / CAPÍTULO VI / CAPÍTULO VII / CAPÍTULO VIII / CAPÍTULO IX / CAPÍTULO X / CAPÍTULO XI / CAPÍTULO XII

Anteriormente:

— Meu bebê está com ciúmes, hm?

— Não sei do que você está falando. — Mas o rubor no rosto de Nico dizia o que Percy precisava saber.

— Por que a gente não conversa num lugar mais calmo? — Mas antes de guiar Nico para longe da multidão, Percy se voltou para Annabeth: — Você não foi convidada. Vá embora.

— Mas, Percy! Você prometeu!

— Eu não prometi nada.

— Seu mentir--

— Não vou repetir. 

Com isso, ele pegou Nico pela mão e o guiou para dentro da casa, deixando para trás uma multidão curiosa e uma loira espumando de raiva.

O pior era que ao invés de ficar bravo com a demonstração de possessividade, seu peito voltou a se aquecer. Ele nem ao menos poderia julgar o comportamento de Nico quando ele próprio fez coisas piores. Na verdade, Percy amava ver Nico tão afetado e emotivo, tão diferente do garotinho que guardava tudo para si mesmo e que nunca mostrava o que sentia. Percy se sentia aliviado, como se ele não precisasse carregar esses sentimentos sozinho e que talvez, só talvez, Nico o quisesse tanto quando Percy queria Nico.

— Para de sorrir. — Nico murmurou contra seu ombro, ainda o segurando pela cintura. Estava tudo bem porque Percy o segurava de volta, tão forte quanto Nico, o guiando pelas costas e escadas acima, para dentro de seu quarto mais uma vez, ambos se sentando em sua cama.

— Você quer conversar? — Percy tentou. Ele amava saber que Nico tinha agido daquela forma por causa dele, o problema era que esse não era um comportamento que Nico costumava ter. E se tinha alguma coisa errada, Percy queria consertar antes que fosse tarde demais.

Não que ele realmente esperasse que Nico fosse esconder algo dele, mas…

— Não é nada. — Mas, então, Nico levantou a cabeça do seu ombro e o encarou com aqueles grandes olhos negros, lacrimejando, e segurou em sua camisa como se fosse arrancá-la para fora do caminho. — É só que… é só que ela continua me perseguindo! Dizendo que você ficou com ela e… e que vocês passaram muito tempo juntos e que por isso você ia no baile com ela!

— Nico. Bebê. — Talvez ele tenha soado um pouco… autoritário. Rude. Até frio. Às vezes, era o único jeito de fazer Nico escutá-lo, o que funcionou perfeitamente.

Nico parou imediatamente de reclamar e seu rosto corou num tom incrivelmente avermelhado. Percy amava esses momentos onde ele podia ver o velho Nico ressurgindo, todo obediente e comportado, tão tímido que o fazia querer trancar a porta e mostrar o quanto Annabeth era insignificante. Talvez ele devesse, ações sempre falariam mais alto do que palavras.

— Qual o problema? — Percy tentou mais uma vez.

— É verdade?

— Eu fiquei com alguns garotos. Luke é um deles. Ela só me ajudou com algumas sessões de estudo e em troca eu iria no baile com ela.

— É só isso? — Nico se aproximou mais dele, se ajoelhando na cama e engatinhando para sentar em seu colo.

— Eu nunca ficaria com ela. Depois de estudar com ela duas vezes, encerrei nossas sessões.

— Por quê?

— Eu não precisava mais. — Percy deu de ombros, mas isso não pareceu convencer Nico mesmo em seu estado inebriado.

— Ela tentou te beijar, não foi?

— Como você sabe disso?

— Ela pode ter insinuado algo assim… 

Então esse era o problema.

— Lindo, você não precisa se preocupar. Eu vou me casar com você. Não é o suficiente para provar o quanto eu te amo?

Nico o encarou longamente e mordeu os lábios, parecendo ansioso: — Só porque você me deu uma aliança não significa que um casamento vai acontecer.

Deuses! E Percy pensando que ele era o inseguro da relação.

— Você quer marcar a data? Que tal no mês seguinte da nossa graduação? No verão antes da faculdade?

— Eu… — Nico abriu bem os olhos, parecendo acordar, e se sentou melhor no colo de Percy, colocando certa distância entre eles. — A gente nem teve uma festa de noivado! Como eu poderia marcar… marcar… 

Agora Nico parecia que iria vomitar. Ou talvez sair correndo de ansiedade.

— Shhh… é uma ideia que eu quero que você pense com cuidado. Quero ficar com você pelo resto da vida. Uma festa e um documento dizendo que somos um casal é apenas um detalhe. Você está me entendendo, Nico?

— Per! — Nico guinchou e se atirou contra Percy, o pegando desprevenido. Nico os derrubou para trás na cama e Percy gargalhou, surpreso e contente, ouvindo Nico fungar: — Porque você faz isso comigo!? Eu quero casar em um lugar bonito e ao ar livre! Com muita música e comida. Depois quero viajar o verão inteiro com você e te levar para conhecer minha nona!

— Isso é ótimo. Mas, por que você está chorando? — Percy sorriu para Nico e levou a mão ao rosto levemente corado e agora começando a inchar por causa das lágrimas. — Não chore, sim?

— Então, não fale essas coisas pra mim! Meu coração não aguenta. — Para mostrar o quanto Nico estava sendo sincero, ele segurou na mão de Percy e a levou para o próprio peito. 

De fato, o coração de Nico estava disparado, pulsando forte e descompassado sobre suas mãos. Talvez Percy devesse dar mais uma razão para o coração de Nico continuar a bater tão forte por sua causa. Então, observando Nico respirar rápido, Percy deslizou sua mão do peito de Nico para o abdômen dele, devagar e sensual, desceu mais um pouco e encontrou as calças de Nico. Bastaram alguns suaves toques e com uma leve pressão, um pequeno volume se formou ali, Percy decidindo que se eles se apressassem ninguém perceberia a demora deles.

— O que-- o que você está fazendo?

— Mostrando o quanto o meu garoto é especial para mim.

— Percy! 

Já era tarde para Nico. Percy tirou Nico de seu colo, o colocou na cama, se ajoelhou no tapete felpudo e puxou Nico para a beirada da cama. Em poucos instantes, Percy abriu as calças jeans de Nico e puxou o membro para fora, todo ereto e molhado na cabecinha, poucos pelos finos decorando a virilha. Percy gostava disso em Nico, gostava de tudo nele, desde o membro pequeno até o pelos discretos, amava que com o mais suave dos toques Nico sempre ficava excitado, às vezes tentando esconder, outras, manhoso, se deixando levar. Hoje, eles pareciam estar no meio-termo, Nico tocando em seus ombros, parecendo que iria para-lo só para gemer e jogar a cabeça para trás quando Percy acariciou a base, sentindo a pele macia, envolvendo o membro inteiro de Nico com a mão, massageando devagar até que uma verdadeira bagunça se estabelecesse.

— Você quer gozar na minha mão ou na minha boca? — Percy perguntou na intenção de permitir que Nico decidisse, apenas para ter o prazer de ver o constrangimento emanar das feições de Nico. — Se você não me dizer, não vou te deixar gozar.

— Per-cy!

— Vamos, é só uma palavrinha.

— Não!

— Você quer que eu pare?

— Percy!

— Por favor?

Quando Percy viu que dessa vez ele tinha perdido, se deu por vencido.

— Dessa vez, eu decido. Mas na próxima, vou te torturar até você implorar.

Percy era um homem de palavra. Sem avisar, segurou nas pernas de Nico, as colocou sobre seus ombros e agarrou os quadris de Nico, o mantendo no lugar. Ele gostaria de dizer que tinha durado, o problema é que eles não tinham muito tempo. Bastou uma longa lambida, um beijinho na cabecinha e algumas chupadas que Nico estivesse gozando, as pernas de Nico se enrolaram em volta de seu ombro e os dedos longos e finos se fincaram, puxando seu cabelo. Foi uma visão maravilhosa para Percy, em dois minutos Nico tinha gozado e agora o garotinho arfava olhando para teto, derretido contra os lençóis. Percy podia dizer com segurança, tinha sido um recorde até para ele. Mas tudo bem, eles tinham o resto da noite e do domingo para aproveitar.

***

Depois de cinco minutos, Nico e Percy apareceram na festa de mãos dadas e ambos bem mais calmos que antes. Nico tinha o rosto corado e a expressão relaxada, enquanto Percy estava com os cabelos ligeiramente fora do lugar e um grande sorriso no rosto. Era óbvio o que tinha acontecido para qualquer pessoa com um bom senso, embora fosse algo novo para a pequena multidão naquele jantar. Nico costumava ser um anjo intocado, mas parecia que agora ele tinha se tornado humano como todos os outros. Bem, Percy não se importava com as fofocas, o que não significava que ele gostasse da forma que as pessoas olhavam para Nico. Será que seria muito ruim se ele pegasse Nico e fosse para outro lugar? Talvez…

— Percy, meu rapaz! — Percy ouviu uma voz retumbar atrás deles e imediatamente soube quem era. O tão infame Hades. Não para ele, porém não foi Percy quem teve que viver com um pai ausente. Poseidon podia ter traído sua mãe, mas o homem esteve presente em cada etapa de sua vida.

— Senhor. — Percy cumprimentou.

— Vejo que vocês finalmente se acertaram.

Hades se aproximou e com um grande sorriso cheio de dentes brancos e olhos tão negros quanto os de Nico, apertou sua mão de forma energética. Já quando chegou a vez de Nico ganhar um abraço, o garoto deu um passo para trás, suas feições antes contentes se amargurando mais rápido do que uma fruta podre caindo ao chão.

— Hades. — Nico disse, e só para se certificar, deu outro passo para trás, se afastando de Hades e Percy. — Quem te convidou?

— Sally. Vim com Bianca. Ela deve estar em algum lugar por aqui.

— Ótimo. — Sem qualquer outra palavra, Nico deu as costas para eles e se meteu na multidão, desaparecendo de vista.

— Vejo que as coisas estão indo bem?

— Elas estão. Obrigado.

— Como Nico está?

— Muito bem. Melhor do que antes.

— Isso é bom. Continue assim.

Com isso, Hades tocou em seu ombro, acenou e tão rápido quanto Nico, desapareceu entre as pessoas. 

O que Percy podia dizer? Os Di Angelo eram conhecidos pela brevidade. Eles sempre eram diretos e diziam apenas o que precisavam. Podia parecer estranho, Percy sabia disso. O fato era que ele e Hades tinham um trato. Percy contava o que acontecia na vida de Nico e Hades não se meteria no relacionamento deles. Funcionava bem para todo mundo. Houve um tempo em que Percy pensou que Hades iria impedir a amizade entre ele e Nico, mas, então, no dia seguinte Hades fez uma visita a sua casa, falou com sua mãe e pediu desculpas. Desde então eles têm esse acordo. Nico sabe disso, é claro, o que não torna nada mais fácil. Percy sempre ficava preocupado quando pai e filho se encontravam, por isso, foi sua vez de se meter na multidão, buscando pela cabeleira negra de Nico.

Não demorou muito para encontrá-lo, Nico estava sentado em uma das mesas vazias. Pratos, taças e talheres já estavam organizados na mesa para o jantar que aconteceria mais tarde. Ninguém precisava dizer o que estava acontecendo. Percy deu a volta na mesa e abraçou Nico por trás, o apertando forte entre seus braços.

— Sinto muito. — Sussurrou para que somente Nico pudesse escutar.

— Ele perguntou como eu estava?

— Sim.

— Ridículo.

E realmente era. Ao invés de Hades falar com o filho, o homem preferia perguntar para ele, ou para qualquer pessoa que não fosse o próprio Nico.

— Sinto muito. — Era tudo o que ele podia dizer. Então, colocou o rosto contra o pescoço de Nico e o beijou ali, escutando Nico rir, se contraindo todo.

— Faz cócegas.

— Cócegas. Sei.

— Seu bobo.

Nico se virou em seus braços e enfim o abraçou de volta, suspirando, colocando o rosto encostado em seu ombro.

— Não sei porque ainda me importo.

— Ele é seu pai.

— Ele nem teve coragem de visitar a gente na casa da nona! E depois, ele aparece assim, como se tudo estivesse bem.

— Eu sei.

— Sabe quanto tempo eu não via ele? Um ano inteiro! Tive que telefonar para ele avisando que eu estava voltando. Que tipo de pai faz isso?

— Shhh. Ele não vale sua preocupação.

— É tão frustrante!

— Nico.

— O quê foi? 

— Quer dançar comigo?

— O quê? — Isso fez Nico parar no meio de outra reclamação e levantar a cabeça, seus olhos lacrimejando, sem derrubar nenhuma lágrima.

— Vamos dançar.

Percy segurou na mão de Nico e o puxou suavemente pelo gramado até chegar no centro do jardim, onde uma pista de dança improvisada tinha sido colocada. Percy parou no centro da pista feita de uma espécie de piso de plástico e se aproximou de Nico, colocou uma de suas mãos na cintura de Nico e outra em seu ombro, enquanto Nico apenas ficou lá, parado no meio das outras pessoas que dançavam, sua reação congelada chamando mais atenção ainda do que seria o normal.

— Percy! Eles estão olhando pra gente! — Nico murmurou entre os dentes, tentando se esconder contra o peito de Percy.

— Deixe eles olhar. Devem estar com inveja. Olha pra você, tão bonito e inteligente. Como eles poderiam não admirar algo tão lindo?

— Per-cy!

— Tá bom. — Percy sorriu para Nico e o puxou para mais aperto até que nenhum centímetro restasse entre eles. — Olhe para mim, tudo bem? Só pra mim.

A expressão no rosto de Nico se suavizou e só assim Nico relaxou, colocando as mãos nos ombros de Percy.

— Obrigado. — Nico murmurou, o olhando entre os cílios. — Não sei o que eu faria sem você.

Percy queria soltar uma piadinha para ver se aliviava o peso no coração de Nico, mas quando se tratava de família, não havia como consertar as coisas. Então, ele decidiu fazer o que de melhor Percy sabia fazer; segurou no pescoço de Nico e o beijou no meio da pista de dança. O mundo parou de girar e o silêncio se fez dentro de sua cabeça, porque Nico o abraçou pelo pescoço e abriu a boca, permitindo que seus lábios se tocassem, sem vergonha e sem pudor algum. Foi quando Percy finalmente soube que não havia nada a temer ou a esconder. Mesmo com todos os problemas, agora sabia que Nico finalmente era seu.

***

A festa tinha sido um grande sucesso. Os pratos já tinham sido retirados e as taças de sobremesas comidas pela metade estavam espalhadas pelas mesas, embora taças de bebidas ainda estivessem sendo oferecidas. Champanhe, vinho, whisky e cerveja, apenas as pessoas que gostavam de beber ou que ainda dançavam estavam presentes, com a maioria dos convidados se despedindo de sua família no caminho para a saída. Bem, o fato é que estava ficando tarde e eles enfim poderiam abandonar a festa sem parecer mal-educados.

Ele acenou para Luke, Thalia, Clarisse e Cris que passaram por eles, decidindo que era a vez deles irem também.

— Bebê.

— Hm?

— Está na hora de ir pra cama.

— Cama?

Percy segurou Nico pela cintura para que ele não caísse e Nico se ajeitou em seu colo, arrumando a cabeça contra o ombro de Percy. Era agora ou nunca, parecendo que passariam o resto da noite sentados e bebendo sem controle, o que acabaria dando em um espetáculo mais grandioso do que Percy estava preparado para lidar. 

Ele beijou o rosto de Nico e se levantou, segurando nas pernas de Nico, enquanto Nico se apoiava sobre seus ombros.

— Hmmm… Per.

— Shhh. Segura firme.

Foi o que Nico fez. Eles andaram pelo gramado, Percy carregando Nico feito um bebê e Nico reclamando de ser acordado. O bom é que não restava mais ninguém que pudesse envergonhá-los. Sua mãe já tinha se retirado com Tyson já que Paul, o novo marido de sua mãe estava fora em uma viagem de negócios, Hades e Bianca tinham ficado na festa pelo menor tempo possível e todos seus amigos estavam bêbados demais para se lembrar de alguma coisa, ou também já tinham ido embora. Percy queria dizer que Nico estava pesado e que era difícil de ver por onde eles iam, mas isso seria uma mentira. Nico era tão leve que ele mal sentia o peso, o que ele sentia era Nico colado a ele, suas pernas em volta de sua cintura, o volume entre elas óbvio demais para que ele pudesse ignorar.

— Per. — Nico disse novamente, naquele mesmo tom suave e doce. Só que ele não esperava que Nico fosse ser quem iria iniciar as coisas, beijando seu pescoço e respirando contra sua orelha, ou melhor, gemendo e o agarrando com força.

— Estamos quase lá. 

Eles estavam mesmo, Percy apenas precisava andar mais alguns passos e abrir a porta. Ou é o que ele teria feito se Nico não escolhesse aquele momento para levantar a cabeça e com os olhos deslocados e dilatados, e rosto corado, segurar em seu rosto e encostar seus lábios em um suave e quase inocente toque.

 — Você vai me fuder hoje? Na sua cama, onde sua família pode ouvir?

Percy congelou no meio do caminho, suas pernas falhando na mesma velocidade que o sangue em seu corpo descia para seu membro.

— Deuses, Nico! O quanto você bebeu?.

— Eu não estou bêbado! 

A forma que Nico mal conseguia manter os olhos abertos ou sua fala lenta, mostrava o contrário. Felizmente, Percy estava sóbrio o suficiente para continuar os poucos passos até seu quarto e trancar a porta, se certificando que ninguém os interromperia.

— Você foi um garoto muito arteiro hoje. Você merece uma punição. Meu garotinho lembra o que eu disse hoje mais cedo?

— Hmm… que você me deixaria gozar? — Nico tentou, esperançoso.

— Não, que eu te faria implorar.

— Oh. — Foi tudo o que Nico disse antes que ser jogado na cama e de suas calças serem arrancadas.

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Como sempre fico muito contente com a presença de vocês e todos os comentários, likes e reblogs. Faz toda a diferença e se vocês puderem me contar o que estão achando até aqui me ajudará muito para a fase da revisão^^

Obrigada por ler e até a próxima vez que pode ser no fim de semana ou depois!

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

Oii, how are you doing? This was supposed to be a shorter chapter, then I decided to do something special towards the end. I hope you like it! See the end notes for more information.^^

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

"Pay attention!” Percy shouted and passed the ball to Chris Rodriguez, a tall boy with Hispanic traits. A great friend, but who was now getting on his nerves.

Okay, it wasn't Chris's fault. Percy wanted to end that practice soon and meet Nico who was waiting for him in the stands. Was he asking too much for time to go faster? Percy yelled again, this time watching Charles Beckendorf get distracted by his cheerleader girlfriend.

Damn, could anyone do anything right!?

"Dude, take it easy!" Grover came running up to him when Coach ended the practice earlier than usual. "Is your boy not taking care of you?"

Grover was right, Nico had taken good care of him. Percy had even relaxed after the act, but then he felt that anger rise to his head watching those people desire what was his. When Nico was lonely and helpless, nobody did anything, choosing to isolate him, but now that Nico had grown up and stood tall with those broad shoulders and intense black eyes, carrying his guitar around the corners, it was nearly impossible not to be enchanted by when he sang. It drove Percy mad, bringing out his worst side.

Percy admitted, he was going crazy, slow and steady, fighting anyone who tried to get close. That had to be the only reason Percy wanted people to stay away from Nico. It's just, it wasn't that different from before. Not that he tried to hide it, Percy purposely pushed people away and he knew it. Nico knew that too. Even the janitor knew. He wanted to feel bad for acting this way, impulsive and…so wrong. He thought that this Percy had stayed in the past and that he'd died with Nico's going away. God, he here he was, thinking he was such a grown-up now just because he didn't act that like that in such a long time. That is, until Nico came back and showed him that he was still the same insecure, jealous little boy.

“Per-cy! Earth to Percy. Anybody home?” Grover said and waved his hand in front of Percy’s face, seeing that now a group of boys had formed around them.

It was normal, after all he was the captain. This would be the moment when they usually had conversations about possible changes in the game strategy. Today was not one of those days, today he hadn't paid attention to anything, ball passes, the position of the players on the pitch or how many baskets were made.

"Sorry guys. You are dismissed.”

"Jackson, come on! Just tell us.” Luke said, walking up to him carefree and careless.

Percy took a deep breath and tried to focus.

"Tell you what?”

"You're not going to freak out again, are you?" Someone else spoke, though they all sounded the same to him.

"Who agrees with the sub-captain taking care of the team?" “Of course Luke said that since he was the sub-captain.

“Do what you want.”

Nothing mattered more than Nico. Calmly, he took the captain's armband off his arm and tossed it to whoever was closest, turning his back on them.

“I want to see how long you last.”

"Percy, come back here! I was kidding! Since when do you listen to what I say?”

But he didn't come back, he kept marching towards the exit, remembering to get his things near the locker room and only stopped when he found Nico at the bottom of the bleachers, oblivious to what was happening around him. Nico was sitting on the grass, his back against the foot of the bleacher structure, strumming his guitar and muttering something low in the most velvety, sweetest voice he had ever heard. Nico stopped playing and then turned towards the notebook in front of him to jot something down, all the while people’s around him watched in awe.

You know, nobody used to watch practice other than the cheerleaders, but here in the late afternoon sun and with the birds chirping, Nico had never looked so beautiful; head down and posture relaxed, giving him the impression that more and more the audience would multiply if this kept happening. Then… then that rage came rushing back and it was so sudden that he stopped before Nico could even notice him, Percy didn't want Nico to see that part of him.

He took a deep breath for long moments and only when he was sure he could control himself did he walk the rest of the way, stopping in front of Nico.

"Are you ready?” Percy asked Nico.

“Hm.” Nico nodded, lifting his hand from the guitar and stretching back. "Don't you have anything more to do? It's still three pm.”

"No, today I'm all yours."

That's when Nico lifted his head, looked at him through his lashes and smiled at him, all sweet and shy, taking him back to simpler times.

"Let's go, then?” He almost forgot about the people around, muttering farther away from them. It was enough for Nico to nod again while putting his things away and to finally hold Percy’s hands while they disappeared from sight of those insignificant people, who kept mumbling like noisy little insects.

He took Nico's backpack, helping him, while Nico took the guitar in the hand that wasn't occupied by his.

"New music?”

“The band practice will perform at the ball.”

"Are They?” Percy could already imagine how many fans Nico would get that night.

"Why didn't you tell me? I have never been to one.

“I wasn't planning on going.” Not since Nico got back, but now that Nico's mentioned the ball… "Do you want to go with me?"

“Mister Jackson! Are you asking me out? It’s a date?”

"Only if you want to be.”

Percy couldn't contain himself, Nico was laughing and joking with so much joy that it warmed his heart to the point that he had to stop halfway and kiss Nico until they were both breathless; on the lips, cheekbones, jaw and neck. He only stopped when Nico laughed so hard that tears welled up in his beautiful dark eyes.

"Then, it's a deal. Let's date.”

"You Moron.” Nico sighed, staring at him closely, and another impulse took him. Percy wiped the tears of laughter that still fell from Nico’s face and kissed him one more time, just to express how much he loved him.

"I'm serious. I'll even wear a suit. What do you think?”

"I think you're going to look real nice."

"I thought I already was.” Nico smiled again and Percy didn't even try to control himself this time. He hugged Nico around the waist and kissed him like last night, as if no one was watching, and only stopped when Nico moaned, high in the back of his throat, and pushed him away, shoving him without force by the chest.

“Per.” Nico whimpered, blinking slowly, almost moaning in frustration, but so softly Percy wanted to slam him against the wall and solve their problem right then and there. It would show who Nico belonged to.

What? No! He was not that person. He, no…

“Per?” He felt soft fingers against his face and blinked, trying to get those thoughts out of his head. Nico looked worried with a slight crease between his eyebrows. "Everyting’s fine?”

“Sure, it’s fine.”

Nico was right to run away from him. In the end, the danger wasn't in other people but in him, a sick and possessive little boy.

"Do you want something to eat? It's getting late.”

Percy just nodded, being pulled by Nico towards his car. He could feel the concern emanate from Nico, it was the way he spoke all softly and carefully, the affectionate touches on his arm or shoulder as if trying to comfort a little boy who had fallen and hurt his leg. And even knowing all this, Percy still didn't feel guilty. He wanted to. And no metter how many times he told himself exactly that, he understood perfectly well what he was doing; he let Nico comfort him, absorbing the attention Nico gave him like a sponge in the desert and it felt wonderfully good.

In the end, they ended up going back to that same restaurant Nico had loved so much, ordering another bottle of wine and all the pasta Nico could eat. Percy knew he should at least call his mother, knowing that at this point she should be worried about his absence, but Percy soon forgot about that. Content, he watched Nico eat heartily and drink more than half of the bottle of wine as if it were water, much less drunk than the last time. Percy didn't mind, because in reality he was exactly where he wanted to be, with Nico smiling at him and paying attention only to him.

***

Immediately, Nico knew something was wrong. Or rather, that they were falling into the same vices as before. To tell the truth, it was hard to worry about these things. Was a lot, especially when Percy was so close and smelled so good, those strong arms around him and the kisses that made him shiver. But he needed…needed…

"Beautiful.” Percy murmured against his lips, pulling him closer until there was no distance left between their bodies. They were still in the restaurant and that was not a proper attitude to have in a public place.

“Per. Stop it.”

“Hm? I don't-- I'm sorry.”

“We need to talk.”

That finally made Percy stop. Nico saw Percy take a deep breath and look at him very seriously. That made it even worse, the expression on Percy's face made him want to spread his legs and obey whatever Percy told him to do, and he knew exactly what Percy would order if they got carried away.

“We don't need to talk.” Percy said when he didn't say anything.

"We don’t?”

"I know everything. It is my behavior.”

"If you know…”

“I can't control myself.”

Hm… that was an evolution. He nodded and smiled, proud of Percy.

“I know it's not right.”

"And what else?”

“I'll try to do better.”

Nico let the air out and relaxed against the restaurant seat.

“Look, I don't really care.”

"No?” Now Percy looked genuinely confused.

“I know who you are and why you do these things. Maybe I'm to blame...”

"So what's the problem?”

“It affects your relationship with people. You're the captain and you're going to be the valedictorian. I don't want this… our relationship to destroy what you've worked for.”

“Nico." That's when he saw Percy widen his eyes and stare at him with a lost look.

“You know I didn't leave because of you, don't you?”

" I thought…”

“Per, you're not the problem, not even your habit of isolating us from others bothers me.”

"I am horrible person.”

"Me too. I… I encouraged you. When someone showed interest in you, I… I'm not proud of what I've done.”

"What did you do?” And where he thought he would see judgment, Percy showed him pure curiosity.

"Do you remember Rachel and the Stroll brothers? I do not want to talk about this. The problem here is that I… I didn't want sex and I didn't know how to say it to you, so I… I ran away and now… everything is worse!”

"Don’t say that. I promise that--"

“No, you don't understand! I missed you every day. I never want to go through that again. I… I… you will never get rid of me again! Are you listening to me! Never!” To prove his point, he pulled Percy by the jacket and kissed him, practically chattering their teeth.

"Baby.”

“No, that's not it. I mean, now you have no reason to let me screw things up.”

“Nico.” Percy said it so quietly and softly that he had to stop for a moment. “You're the best thing in my life. I love you, it's my fault you think that way.”

"It's not your fault. And I... I love you too.”

There, Nico had said what he needed to say. For some reason there was a tightness in his heart, a pressure in his chest that only Percy's touch could ease. He could barely think rationally, because none of it was rational. Not that possessiveness they both felt or that need to be close to each other. It couldn't be healthy. Or normal. How could other people live without feeling as loved and wanted as he did when he looked at Percy?

"Everything’s fine.” Percy said, beaming at him. “You belong to me and I belong to you. It may not be common, but why resist it?”

"Is it really fine?”

“Yeah, I promise. I'll do everything to make sure things work out this time. Do you trust me?”

"I do." How could he not trust when his body and soul soared with the simple touch of fingers against the back of his neck and wet lips against his?

“You don't have to worry, everything's under control.”

And Nico believed that.

With a relieved sigh, Nico allowed himself to be held and comforted. He would trust Percy to take care of everything, just like he always had.

***

Bonus Scene: I thought this chapter was too short, so I decided to bring a scene from the past. A short gift for you.

"Thank you for coming.” Percy Jackson opened the door and let her in.

Clarisse was immediately taken back, they weren't the best of friends and never would be. She couldn't explain it, Percy usually had an aura of someone who would step on anyone to get what he wanted… or rather, Percy was one of the most intimidating people she had ever met. Clarisse knew Percy used his height and strength to stand out, but it was more than that. Sincerely? She never thought she'd be invited to attend the ‘popular parties”, much less by the skinny, nerdy little boy who sat every class next to the psychopathic basketball captain. What embarrassed her the most was how overnight Percy's attitude had changed, from the bully to the politely respectful.

That’s why at this moment Clarisse was standing in front of Percy Jackson's door, hesitating to take the next step inside. You never knew what might be inside a psychopath's house. But finally, when it looked like none of them would give up, Percy held out his hand. However, he only took the platter of sandwiches and snacks from her hands when she offered it to him first.

“That's a lot.” he said, obviously trying hard to sound friendly.

"It’s nothing.” Actually, It wasn't, they had ordered it the day before. Maybe her mother overreacted.

The truth is, she wasn't sure what to bring. All Nico had said was for her to bring something and show up by noon. Usually she would stay well away from those kinds of people, but Annabeth had asked her to spy, so here she was, trying to be civil to the wildest person she'd ever met.

"Come in.” Was all he said before Percy turned and walked down the long hallway into the house.

She followed, surprised by the size of the living room. There was a large buffet table where Percy had set out the snacks, long comfy sofas, beanbags, a movie screen, and so much food she thought was impossible to eat, not to mention the tasteful furniture, the pastel decor, and a wonderful view of a well-tended garden and an Olympic sized swimming pool.

“Make yourself comfortable.” Without waiting, Percy disappeared up the stairs and into another hallway.

“He's just like that. You get used to it.”

Distracted, Clarisse jumped up scared to death, and looked toward the couch. It was Grover! Finally someone decent in this place.

"What's going on here? Where are the people at this party?”

"Party? It's more like a pajama night.”

"Pajama night?"

“Percy and Nico don't like making a fuss.”

“Hm?” She didn't understand anything.

“We get together to eat something and watch a movie. Sometimes to play something.”

"Is that what you rich people do?"

"No, but Percy and Nico like it that way."

"'Percy and Nico'?"

Are they an entity by any chance? A unique being?

That made Grover laugh. Sitting on the sofa, the boy held his stomach and threw his head back.

"You're more right than you think! I like you, I think you'll fit in very well with us.”

“Us? Who exactly? I'm not seeing anyone.”

"Guys, we've got company!" Grover put a hand over his mouth and yelled, creating an echo through the room. Miraculously, people began to come from all directions, down the stairs, and from every hallway or closed door.

“Clarisse, it's good to see you. How's the fencing going?

Silena was the first to approach. She had been his partner for years before she had to focus on school and cheerleading. Beckendorf was behind her, all serious and quiet. What Clarisse didn't expect to find was Luke and Thalia, Leo too. Not that it was surprising, they were all popular in their own way. She just didn't understand why Annabeth wasn't among them; she looked like someone who would fit right in.

"What brings you to our humble place?" Luke asked charmingly, strutting over to sit beside her. "I never thought I'd see you here."

“Nico invited me, so I came.” She shrugged. Maybe she was just curious to know how these people lived.

"Don't worry, soon you’ll be bored. You will see.”

As if on cue, Percy and Nico walked down the stairs, hand in hand and saying something so low that it would be impossible to hear from that distance. However, as soon as Nico saw her presence, he came to her and hugged her tight, saying, “I'm glad you came. Are you hungry?

"Maybe later.”

"Right." Nico smiled at her, holding her hands quickly and got up going towards Percy who had been watching everything with his arms crossed and with the most threatening expression she had ever seen. That is, all of that happened before Nico turned back to Percy, because in the next instant, Percy smiled, showing white teeth and pretty dimples, with so much love in his eyes and offering only kindness and happiness to Nico, that Clarisse thought Percy was two different people.

She had been there for five minutes and already thought it was social suicide to try to do anything to disrupt what was going on between the boys. And with each passing moment, he was more surprised. He saw in slow motion Percy receive Nico in his arms and squeeze him very hard and then kiss Nico's forehead, while Nico just smiled contentedly, practically swallowed by Percy's body. She had never seen such a brotherly gesture turn so sexual and possessive in mere seconds.

"This is normal? Nico need’s help?” she whispered to Grover and Luke who were beside her.

"Do you think he does?"

It was a good question. Almost disappearing behind Percy, he saw Nico drag Percy into the middle of the room and sit between the puffs, in front of a coffee table. Soon someone brought some plates of food close to them and everyone started to eat, even if the plates were closest to Nico. That is, almost everyone started to eat, Percy just watched the events unfold, seeming to survey what was happening around him with a satisfied look watching Nico eat with enthusiasm.

“Want more?” Percy asked Nico. And without waiting for an answer, he returned with a tray full of mini pizzas. “Your favorite.”

“Thank you, Per.” Nico smiled sweetly and his voice sounded even more loving, oozing honey, sugar and everything good in the world.

"I think I'm going to be sick."

Clarisse agreed with Luke, half mesmerized watching that domestic scene. Thankfully it was broken when Percy looked at them with a cynical smirk, saying:

“The bathroom is in the second door on the right.” However, Percy soon said, remembering to be a host, “Why don’t you get a plate. I don't want to have to throw food away.”

And since he said it so sweetly, why not?

Clarisse was the first to get up and go to the buffet table. She started with a piece of lemon cake and a glass of apple juice. She sat down next to Nico and this time, it didn't look like Percy was going to glare at him. Percy honestly seemed content to sit next to Nico and watch him eat with an enamored look on his face.

By the end of the night, watching the second movie and seeing Nico sleeping on Percy's shoulder in the greatest display of love she had ever seen, Clarisse came to a clear conclusion. She felt sorry for Annabeth and anyone who tried to stand in the way of Percy Jackson and his sweet, kind companion whose only innocent feature was his smile.

***

"Why so much food?" It was the big question of the night.

Clarisse noticed that as soon as one plate was emptied, another took its place, one tastier than the last. All she knew was that she couldn't take it anymore, and that she couldn't stop eating either.

“Percy's family owns a restaurant.”

"I know that. Everyone knows.”

“Consider us a group of testers." Nico told her, eating a candy that Clarisse didn't know what it was. “If we like it, it stays on the menu. If not, go under review.”

"The question is. Who did all this?”

“Me and Sally, Percy’s mom.” Nico shrugged and smiled when he saw Clarisse's reaction.

"You can cook?”

"Since a was little.”

“Aren't you rich?" When Nico looked at her, all confused, Clarisse added: “I mean, you don't have people for this?”

“I cook when I'm nervous or anxious. Or happy, too.”

"Seriously?”

“For us, food is a gesture of love.”

But Nico didn't say that looking at her, no. Nico had his hands in his lap and his face was flushed, watching Percy chat with a group of boys by the porch as they continued to talk by the coffee table.

 "A gesture of love?"

“I know Percy seems rude sometimes. It's just that he has a hard time trusting people.”

"And you?”

"I trust him.

"That’s pretty clear.”

“You know… we take care of our friends…”

"What does that mean?”

Nico smiled at her again, his black eyes twinkling as he took another bite of the candy. Soon Clarisse understood what was happening, Percy was walking towards them, all proud of himself. At first Clarisse didn't understand anything, and only realized the trap when a smaller boy appeared behind Percy. It was Chris, the boy she had seen in the halls and never had the courage to talk to him.

It was even funny. Percy pulled Chris forward and shoved the boy until he was in front of her, his face flushed with embarrassment.

“Clarisse, I want to introduce you to Chris Rodriguez.”

"We've seen each other around."

“That's great, isn't it?” Percy winked at her and guided Nico by the arm so quickly away that when she saw, she and Chris were alone. And since they were there… why not? She smiled at Chris, thinking that deep down Percy Jackson wasn't all that bad alter all.

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So, what did you think? I know the last scenes should be shorter, but I can't control myself. I also didn't want to do flashbacks, however they are so interesting that I will do some more. They will be a bit messy, nothing that will hinder the understanding of the story, but I will definitely have to revise their order within the chapters later.

I hope it was a good read. Suggestions and constructive comments are always welcome! I love to see your reation^^

Oh, I forgot to warn you, I hope that +18 scenes aren't too weird and that maybe the word count will exceed 50 thousand words, I'll try to control myself, but you know me. Wish me luck.

We will continue to post once a week.

Thanks for reading!

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

Oii, como vai? Desculpem a demora. Vou devagar, mas chego lá. A verdade é que esse capítulo é bem agridoce. Ele se passa no passado, mostrando mais um pouco do que aconteceu no início da relação de Nico e Percy. Espero que vocês gostem^^

Capítulos anteriores: CAPÍTULO I / CAPÍTULO II / CAPÍTULO III / CAPÍTULO IV / CAPÍTULO V / CAPÍTULO VI / CAPÍTULO VII / CAPÍTULO VIII / CAPÍTULO IX / CAPÍTULO X / CAPÍTULO XI

Boa leitura!

— Você é engraçado. — Nico lhe disse.

— Você que é.

E feito um garoto da terceira série, coisa que ambos eram, riram novamente enquanto ouviam o sinal tocar. Percy nem tinha percebido que meia hora tinha se passado, o que era mais tempo do que ele costumava passar com seus velhos amigos nos últimos tempos. E o que isso dizia sobre ele, hm?

— A gente tem que ir. — Ele ouviu Nico dizer.

Eles realmente tinham. Com pressa, ajudou Nico a recolher as marmitas e o acompanhou para a próxima aula, descobrindo que Nico de fato estava na mesma sala que ele. Percy estava tão distraído em tentar se esconder que não via o que acontecia à sua volta? Bem, esse fato iria mudar a partir daquele instante.

***

Mais alguns dias tinham passado e com eles, Percy começava a prestar atenção à sua volta. 

Era estranho. 

Como Percy não tinha percebido a presença de Nico até aquele momento? Em qualquer direção que Percy olhasse, Nico estaria ali, em qualquer lugar ou hora do dia, também. Isso é, até que ambos fossem para suas respectivas casas, ensaios ou treinos, e ainda assim, Percy continuaria pensando em Nico; enquanto esperava seu irmão mais velho vir buscá-lo ou em casa ajudando a mãe cozinhar, provando novos pratos. Foi o que continuou acontecendo por um longo tempo, dias, semanas, meses até, era difícil ter uma noção de tempo quando as horas passavam tão rápido e os dias eram todos iguais. Sentia como se emergisse de um sono paralisante, algo que finalmente detinha sua atenção. Um dia ele notou que Nico sentava na frente da sala e bem perto da porta de saída. Em outro, Nico estava mais para o meio do cômodo e, então, o garotinho apareceu do seu lado, dividindo a carteira dupla com ele. Grover estava na carteira ao lado da sua com Júniper, Luke atrás dele com Thalia.

Percy olhou mais uma vez para Nico e o viu escrevendo algo em volta de um desenho, um elmo negro, a caligrafia tão bonita quanto os traços da figura. Percy queria perguntar desde quando eles sentavam juntos. Desde quando Nico fazia parte do grupo de seus amigos e desde quando ele se sentia tão confortável com a presença Nico, com a quietude que os atos de Nico traziam. Ao contrário disso, ele disse na voz mais baixinha possível:

— O que é isso?

— Hm? — Nico murmurou e olhou para ele, tão calmo como sempre. — Um design para uma novel. Não sei se vou terminá-la.

O mais estranho era que ele sabia exatamente sobre o que Nico falava, Percy tinha visto o rascunho da novel em um dos intervalos compartilhados com comida, e como tudo o que Nico fazia, era lindo e delicado, como se Nico colocasse uma parte de sua alma em cada coisa que tocasse com as mãos, fosse um pedaço de papel, arte, comida ou a tarefa de casa.

— Você devia. É lindo.

Nico não disse nada, ele apenas abaixou a cabeça e continuou rabiscando, seu rosto escondido por detrás dos cabelos compridos e negros que brilhavam ao refletir a luz do sol. Nico em seguida rabiscou uma espada e uma armadura, luvas de couro, uma coroa de rosas. Quanto mais ele via Nico desenhar, menos Percy entendia o que tanto prendia sua atenção. Talvez fossem as mãos magras, dedos longos e elegantes, talvez fosse a atitude concentrada de Nico ou ainda, fosse o corpo relaxado ao lado do seu, sua cabeça junto a de Nico, admirando os traçados suaves que revelavam tanta beleza.

— Muito bem, pessoal. Peguem seus livros. — A professora disse e do nada, parte da magia foi quebrada.

Os desenhos ainda estavam no caderno de Nico, tão bonitos quanto antes e eles ainda estavam colados um ao outro, inclinados sobre a carteira compartilhada. A diferença é que Nico tinha tencionado e olhado para cima em direção a Percy, como se Nico não tivesse prestado atenção ao que acontecia em volta dele até ouvir a voz da professora. Percy também percebeu algo, talvez ele estivesse muito perto de Nico, o abraçando pelos ombros feito uma prisão sem escapatória.

— Desculpa. — Mesmo com tudo isso em mente, Percy não faz nada para se afastar ou soltá-lo.

Se Percy achava que Nico era a coisa mais bonita que ele já tinha visto, nada se comprava em ver o rubor se espalhar no rosto de Nico, a pele morena tomando um tom mais quente, ao olhar e ao toque também, porque mesmo sobre as roupas, Percy podia sentir o calor emanar de Nico nos pontos onde eles se tocavam, nos ombros e nos quadris, quase fazendo Percy tocar naquele rosto delicado e bonito.

— … porto.

— O que foi?

— Eu não me importo. — Nico repetiu no mesmo tom baixo e discreto, logo em seguida se voltando para seu caderno, pegando os livros que eles iriam precisar.

Percy teve a impressão que Nico se importava, sim, porém, de um jeito… positivo. Viu o garotinho abrir o livro na página certa, se encostar no apoio da cadeira e contra seu braço e começar a ler enquanto a professora explicava o assunto, como se aquela cena fosse algo completamente comum. Isso fez Percy se perguntar mais uma vez: ele já havia feito isso com Nico? Desde quando eles eram tão próximos? Não era Annabeth que devia estar a seu lado? Quer dizer, eles nunca foram tão próximos ou agiram feito ele e Nico estava agindo, mas… desde quando ela sentava do outro lado da sala com Clarisse e Silena? Ele não devia se importar um pouco mais além de levemente estranhar o acontecimento? Ela era sua amiga, não era…? Percy não devia sentir falta dela? Então, por que só havia percebido a ausência de Annabeth agora?

— Está tudo bem? — Ele ouviu uma voz suave a seu lado, e então, a mão de Nico pousou sobre seu braço, Percy encontrando o semblante fincado em preocupação do amigo.

Percy respirou fundo, deixando seus ombros relaxarem e se viu sorrindo, algo dentro de seu peito se esquentando e pulsando, como se a faísca de um sentimento desconhecido dentro dele estivesse acordando.

— Está tudo ótimo. Maravilhoso. Incrível.

— Seu bobo. — Nico revirou os olhos e voltou a se encostar contra ele, continuando a ler o texto que a professora tinha pedido.

Bem, depois disso, Percy entendeu rápido o que acontecia; ou melhor, sua psiquiatra tinha lhe ajudado a entender. Nico não estava o perseguindo, mas de fato, Nico fazia o mesmo que ele; tentava viver uma vida discreta e longe dos olhares curiosos. Até ele com seus onze anos de vida admirava a imagem que Nico fazia, o garotinho se destacava tanto entre os outros alunos que Percy conseguia notar claramente a diferença. Cabelos lisos e ondulados, grossos, boca pequena e carnuda, intensos olhos negros, era um conjunto tão bonito que chegava a dar a Nico um ar andrógeno e feminino, embora fosse impossível confundir Nico com uma garota.

A questão era que Nico tinha encontrado os melhores lugares para se esconder, os mesmos que Percy tinha encontrado também. A sala de música, a floresta, as arquibancadas que ficavam perto das quadras de esporte mais afastadas das salas de aula.

Percy não podia se conter, dia após dia, se pegava fazendo os mesmos passos.

Além de passar seu tempo em sala de aula perto de Nico, sempre na hora dos intervalos, fosse durante o dia ou à tarde, ele se via andando e encontrando seu caminho para a familiar arquibancada com a familiar cabeleira ao canto mais distante tentando se esconder. Eles nunca combinavam em voz alta, era apenas algo que tinha se tornado rotina. Nico saia primeiro, Percy trocava algumas palavras com os amigos que tinham restado e então ele seguiria Nico; praticaria basquete durante alguns minutos na quarta coberta e em seguida, se sentaria ao lado de Nico, aceitando uma marmita recheada das coisas que ele mais amava, bolo e torta, suco de Mirtilo também, e às vezes, Nico o surpreenderia, batatas assadas ou panquecas; se Nico estivesse de bom humor uma lasanha ou algo italiano. Não importava o que fosse, Percy comeria cada grão e cada pedaço de comida de bom grado. Se Nico fazia para ele, o mínimo que ele podia fazer era retribuir comendo tudo. Mas parecia tão pouco em comparação com o que Nico fazia por ele… Percy queria compartilhar com Nico algo que fosse importante e valioso também. Mas o que poderia ser mais valioso do que compartilhar a comida que você mesmo fez com alguém?

— Os seus desenhos são muito bons. Onde você aprendeu?

Eles estavam mais uma vez nas arquibancadas, Percy ignorava a bola que ainda estava em suas mãos para ver Nico levar uma garfada de comida a boca, parando no meio do caminho com o garfo entre os lábios.

— Hm?

— Onde você aprendeu a desenhar?

— Ah, isso? — Então, Nico olhou para o próprio colo onde o caderno estava, e colocou sua marmita no chão. — Eu tinha muito tempo livre.

Percy não sabia se tinha entendido… mas Nico sorria para ele, parecendo ter entendido sua confusão.

— Eu não tenho amigos. Nunca tive. Imaginação era tudo o que restava.

— E eu sou o quê? Uma árvore?

— Não, você é um atleta popular e rico.

— Você tem razão. Eu tenho muitas riquezas, que tal você dividir comigo?

— O que você está dizendo? — Nico sorriu mais uma vez e Percy sentiu um palpitar no peito que não tinha nada a ver com a asma que ele tinha quando bebê.

— Minha mãe gosta de cozinhar.

— Isso não é óbvio? Quer dizer, ela tem um restaurante, não tem? — Nico disse e inclinou a cabeça para o lado, como se isso fosse fazê-lo entender o que Percy queria dizer com isso.

— Ela ia adorar a companhia.

— A gente… não tem um trabalho para terminar?

— Eu tenho bastante espaço em casa. Minha mãe não vai se importar.

— Você tem certeza? Eu nunca fui na casa de ninguém.

Isso só fez o peito de Percy se apertar mais ainda.

— Sempre tem a primeira vez, certo?

Nico olhou para ele, parecendo analisá-lo dos pés a cabeça e acabou dando de ombros.

— Vou confiar em você.

Naquela época Percy não sabia o porquê de tantas palpitações ou porque a sensação de alívio tinha o tomado de forma tão intensa. Mais tarde, ele reconheceria isso como o medo de ser rejeitado, e mesmo que ele não entendesse ainda, sabia que alguém tão doce, bonito e talentoso como Nico nunca o rejeitaria de forma tão rude. Desse jeito, eles terminaram de comer e seguiram para suas próximas aulas, combinando de se encontrar no portão principal após a última aula.

***

Percy admitia, tinha perdido mais tempo do que pretendia falando com a professora de literatura. Aparentemente, ele precisa se esforçar mais se quisesse ter um futuro naquele colégio. Ela brigou com ele, abordou cada coisinha errada que ele tinha feito, e ainda por cima passou tarefas extras para se certificar que seus erros seriam corrigidos. Percy saiu da sala de aula o mais rápido que pôde assim que viu as horas e correu pelos corredores em direção ao portão principal da escola. Quando chegou no lugar que ele e Nico tinham marcado, se lembrou porque Nico vivia se escondendo pelos cantos, o que fez Percy se lembrar porque ele também se escondia.

Eles já tinham vivido essa cena. Nico estava prensado contra a parede do muro ao lado de fora do portão e dois garotos o rodeavam, um deles segurando Nico pelo pescoço enquanto o outro olhava ao redor de forma suspeita. A diferença dessa vez era que uma multidão os observava e ninguém fazia nada para impedir o que estava prestes a acontecer. Percy se aproximou deles, fingindo ser mais um espectador, ouvindo murmúrios, enquanto um dos garotos falou:

— Quem vai te proteger agora, hein? Por sua culpa nossos amigos foram expulsos. Porque você não se coloca no seu lugar e--

— Que lugar seria esse?

Percy não conseguiu se segurar. Dessa vez, ele não queria explicações. Saiu do meio da multidão e quando viu estava cara a cara com os garotos, ou melhor, seu punho estava contra eles. A dor veio imediatamente, sentindo seus ossos se chocarem com o rosto daqueles garotos que por sinal eram mais velhos do que ele, mas que não eram páreo para Percy.

— É fácil mexer com pessoas menores que você, não é? Por que você não brinca com alguém do seu tamanho?

— Esse alguém seria você?

— O que você acha?

O silêncio se fez, silêncio esse que tinha se tornado comum não importava por onde Percy fosse. O nariz do garoto que ele tinha socado agora escorria rosto abaixo, o outro que tinha observado tudo chocado demais para reagir, pareceu acordar do transe. Esse seria o momento perfeito para eles revidarem, não? Bem, era o que as pessoas diziam, covardes logo desistem se encontram alguém que as combata. E foi o que eles fizeram, o garoto que tinha assistido seu amigo ser derrubado com um soco só, puxou o outro pelos braços, o ajudando a levantar e ambos cambalearam para dentro da multidão, fugindo com o rabo entre as pernas.

Percy os observou fugindo ao longe entre os carros e se virou para Nico que ainda estava encostado contra o muro, o canto de seus lábios avermelhados e em seus braços e pescoço, marcas de dedos e unhas. O pior era ver as lágrimas que não paravam de cair ou como Nico se encolhia, como se esperasse que outras pessoas fossem vir e fazer o mesmo com ele. Percy não pensou, se dando conta de que isso estava se tornando algo comum para eles, e Percy não gostava disso nenhum pouco, o fato de Nico ter que se esconder pelos cantos por causa do preconceito das pessoas. Foi até Nico e parou em frente a ele, oferecendo sua mão. Tinha aprendido da pior forma que tocar em alguém quando não se sente seguro ou quando estamos em choque era a pior coisa a fazer. Então, ele apenas ficou perto sem tocar em Nico, e tentou chamar a atenção dele:

— Nico. — Percy disse na voz mais suave possível.

— Não, eu… Percy? — Percy se segurou e tentou ser forte, Nico parecia estar reagindo a tudo pior do que na vez anterior.

— Desculpa. Eu não queria… eu estava te esperando… aí esses… esses garotos apareceram e…

Percy não sabia o que fazer. Sentiu seu coração quebrar quando Nico deu um passo em sua direção e abriu bem os olhos, suas pupilas desfocadas e molhadas, como se Nico estivesse acordando de um pesadelo, e segurou em suas mãos, tremendo e respirando rápido, ainda encolhido em si mesmo.

— Está tudo bem. Posso te abraçar?

— Me abraçar? Por que… porque você iria querer tocar alguém como eu?

— Parece que você precisa.

— Eu… preciso? — Então, Nico olhou para Percy com o olhar mais desolado e perdido que ele já havia visto.

— Nico. Está tudo bem. — Percy repetiu, se negando a aceitar o que aquelas pessoas estavam fazendo com Nico.

— Eu tenho… tenho que falar com Bianca, minha-- minha irmã.

— Nós vamos, depois que chegarmos na minha casa. Sim?

— Você promete?

— Eu prometo.

Então, como se uma chave tivesse sido virada, Nico segurou em seu braço e pegou suas bolsas do chão, dizendo: — Você deixou cair. — Simples assim, como se nada tivesse acontecido. Mas Nico ainda tremia, segurando mais firme em seu braço e entregando uma das bolsas para Percy, segurando a sua própria contra o peito na esperança de que a bolsa e Percy fossem protegê-lo.

Deuses! Como alguém podia fazer isso com um ser tão vulnerável e indefeso? O que Nico tinha feito para ser tratado dessa forma? Então, Percy olhou ao redor, reconhecendo aquelas pessoas. Alguns estavam na mesma classe que eles, outros Percy conhecia de passagem, e nenhum deles teve a decência de ajudar um colega sendo maltratado. Era por isso que diziam que ele era “rebelde” e se dependesse dele, as coisas continuariam exatamente como estavam.

— Você está pronto? — Percy disse quando viu que Nico começava a se acalmar.

— Hm. Obrigado.

Percy pegou a mochila do ombro de Nico, a colocou junto com a sua, e assim, guiou Nico pela mão entre os carros estacionados perto da escola, avistando uma caminhonete preta e familiar.

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Espero que vocês tenham se emocionado tanto quanto eu! Coitado do Nico. Por que eu sempre escrevo essas coisas? Juro que a próxima história o Nico vai ser a pessoa mais feliz e amada da face da terra.

Até a próxima. Até segunda tem a versão em inglês.

Fixo

SEJAM BEM-VINDOS!

Oii, como vai?

Você pode me chamar de Ana ou Aurora, meu pseudônimo. Escrevo fanfics Pernico/Nicercy e originais.  Aqui colocarei minhas ideias e histórias, trazendo o que eu puder de interessante para esse pequeno cantinho de criatividade.

MEUS SITES DE ESCRITA

> Spirit Fanfiction

> AO3

> Tapas

>Dreame (Uma das minhas histórias completas. Se você puder dê uma olhada^^)

>AO3

>SpiritFanfics

>Dicas de Escrita 

> Tumblr - Meu blog pessoal de escrita e dicas sobre escrita.

MEUS LINKS

Tudo o que eu escrever estará sob o link mywriting

Os posts sobre as dicas de escrita estarão sob o link aurora ajuda para escritores

Todos os posts reblogados não terão tags.

Agora que tiramos isso da frente, podemos começar!

Eu escrevo desde o início dos anos 2000 e já passei por milhares de fandons, porém escrevi para poucos. O primeiro em que escrevi foi o de Naruto, depois Supernatural por uns bons cinco anos e lá pelos anos 2010 Percy Jackson, lugar que não saí desde então.

A verdade é que eu escrevo originais com a imagem que eu tenho dos personagens de Percy Jackson, e como os aspectos dessas histórias não são completamente originais (apenas uns 85%) eu considero minhas histórias fanfiction. Por exemplo, sempre imagino Percy com quase dois metros de alta, cabelos castanhos e levemente clareado do sol, pele bronzeada e olhos verdes, a personalidade tende mais para o lado rebelde e ligeiramente obscura dependendo do enredo. Já o Nico é alguém que tem o exterior vulnerável e doce, mas que por dentro é o mais forte e inteligente, principalmente na parte mental. Imagino ele com cabelos lisos e ondulados, pretos, olhos negros, nariz fino e arrebitado e pele cor oliva-escura, não exatamente chegando a ser uma pele negra. Os enredos, também, são os mais variados. Já escrevi sobre máfia, vampiros, a/b/o e outros que eu nem me lembro mais.

A questão aqui é que encontrei no Percy e no Nico meus modelos perfeitos de personagens para escrever, eu confesso, também os modifiquei bastante durante os anos, suas personalidades e histórias de vidas, para se adequarem ao que eu precisar dependendo da história que eu estiver contando.

O que eu realmente quero dizer é: eu criei uma versão deles, com motivações e objetivos tão diferentes dos livros que eles na maioria das vezes são bem OCC e fora do caráter original, sabe? Embora eu tente manter a essência deles viva. Isso me permite criar mundos e enredos que do contrário eu não me sentiria inclinada a escrever.

Imagine dessa forma, eles são os meus brinquedos favoritos para brincar, mesmo que eu tenha milhares de outros tão bons ou até melhores; eles ainda são os meus favoritos e sou apegada a eles. Dessa forma, não espere que eu vá escrever enredos canon, são bem raros para mim. A razão disso? Bem... me sinto muito limitada e eu não quero lidar com Will Solace.

Sou Anti-solangêlo? Pode se dizer que sim. É simples, não gosto de personagens jogados e que aparecem miraculosamente para ser o par de um personagem só porque ele se tornou popular. Eu, como demisexual, não aceito o fato de não ter desenvolvimento em como um romance acontece. Bons exemplos de casais, Reyna e Percy já que eles têm um bom tempo para se conhecer em cenas, Percy e Rachel já que eles também passam um tempo juntos e não simplesmente começam a namorar, Percy e Annabeth, e até Annabeth e Reyna eu aceitaria já que elas passam um tempo juntas, mesmo que seja desconfiando uma da outra. É tudo o que eu tenho a falar sobre o assunto. Então, vocês não me verão escrever boas coisas sobre eles.

Já sobre o blog de dicas de escrita, é um projeto que tenho há cinco anos. Sou alguém que precisa aprender algo novo de vez em quanto, por isso fiz um blog de escrita criativa. Com o tempo ele foi se tornando algo mais parecido com um trabalho, então decidi movê-lo para um lugar que me permita uma remuneração por isso. Vocês estão convidados a participar dele também; logo teremos posts interessantes sobre como melhorar nossas histórias por lá.

Bem, é isso. Sou uma escritora lenta e por vezes metódica, não sei como lidar muito bem com o fandom, principalmente pela agressividade que eu costumava ver. Também não sei trabalhar com pedidos, sabe? Eu preciso seguir meus pensamentos e não o que as pessoas me pedem, o não me impede de tentar encaixar sugestões nos meus textos. Estou fazendo o meu melhor para me enturmar mais. Então, sugestões são sempre bem-vindas, porém o que me dá vida é receber feedback e comentários. Também quero avisar que ao encerrar das minhas histórias é provável que eu as transforme em originais, elas podendo ou não sair do ar quando chegar essa hora. Então, se divirtam e se vocês se sentirem a vontade, comentários me incentivará a escrever ainda mais.

Obrigada por ler!

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WELCOME!

Hi, how are you?

You can call me Ana or Aurora, my pseudonym. I write Pernico/Nicercy and original fanfics. Here  I will put my ideas and stories, bringing whatever I can of interest to this little corner of creativity.

MY WRITING

> Spirit Fanfiction

> AO3

> Tapas

>Dreame (One of my complete stories. Take a look if you can^^)

>AO3

>SpiritFanfics

>Writing Tips in Portuguese

> Tumblr - My personal writing blog and writing tips.

MY LINKS

Everything I write will be under the link mywriting

Posts about writing tips in portuguese will be under the link aurora ajuda para escritores

All reblogged posts will have no tags.

Now that we got that out of the way, we can get started!

I've been writing since the early 2000s and have been in thousands of fandoms, but I've written for very few. The first one I wrote for was Naruto, then Supernatural for a good five years and back in the 2010s for Percy Jackson, a place I haven't left since.

The truth is that I write originals with the imagery that I have of Percy Jackson's characters, and since aspects of those stories are not completely original (only about 85%) I consider my stories fanfiction. For example, I always imagine Percy as almost six feet tall, brown hair and slightly bleached from the sun, tanned skin and green eyes, the personality tends more towards the rebellious and slightly dark side, depending on the plot. Nico, on the other hand, is someone who has a vulnerable and sweet exterior, but who inside is the strongest and most intelligent, especially in the mental part. I imagine him with straight, wavy black hair, black eyes, a thin, upturned nose and dark olive-colored skin, not quite a black skin. The plots, too, are varied. I've written about mafia, vampires, a/b/o and others I can't even remember anymore.

The point here is that I found in Percy and Nico my perfect models of characters to write about, I confess, I also modified them a lot during the years, their personalities and life stories, to fit whatever I need depending on the story I'm telling.

What I really mean is: I've created a version of them, with motivations and goals so different from the books that they're mostly pretty OCC and out of the original character, you know? Though I try to keep their essence alive. This allows me to create worlds and plots that I otherwise wouldn't feel inclined to write.

Imagine it this way, they are my favorite toys to play with, even if I have thousands of others just as good or even better; they are still my favorites and I am attached to them. In that way, don't expect me to go writing canon plots, they are quite rare for me. The reason for that? Well… I feel very limited and I don't want to deal with Will Solace.

Am I anti-solangêlo? You could say that. It's simple, I don't like characters who miraculously appear and became the love interest of a character, and just because they became popular. I, as a demisexual, do not accept the fact that there is no development in how a romance happens. Good examples of couples, Reyna and Percy since they have a good time getting to know each other in scenes, Percy and Rachel since they also spend time together and don't just start dating, Percy and Annabeth, and even Annabeth and Reyna I would accept since they've spend time together, even if it is in distrusting each other. That's all I have to say on the subject. So you won't see me writhing nice things about them.

About the writing tips blog, it's a project I've had for five years (in Portuguese). I'm someone who needs to learn something new from time to time, so I made a creative writing blog. Eventually, it became more like a job, so I decided to move it to a place that allows me to get paid for it. You're invited to join it too; soon we'll have interesting posts on how to improve our stories there.

Well, that's it. I'm a slow and sometimes methodical writer, I don't know how to deal with fandom very well, mostly because of the aggressiveness I used to see. I also don't know how to work with requests, you know? I need to follow my thoughts and not what people ask me, which doesn't stop me from trying to fit suggestions into my texts. I'm doing my best to get along more with all of you. So, suggestions are always welcome, but what gives me life is receiving feedback and comments. I also want to let you know that when I finish my stories, I'll probably turn them into originals, and they may or may not go off the air when that time comes. So have fun and if you feel like it, comments will encourage me to write even more.

Thanks for reading!

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

Hi, how's everyone? I've had limited time to write, that's why the delay in the chapter. Things will get slower, but I'll do my best to deliver a chapter per week, even if it's on the weekend. So in this chapter things start to get more interesting. Just keep in mind that my characters are never perfect, okay? But I do try to make them likable.

Have a nice read!

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

Nico had a feeling he was doing something very wrong, like he was staining the picture Percy had of him. But they'd already touched like that, slept in the same bed naked, and now they walked down the halls, hand in hand, like the boyfriends he said they weren't, so what if... if he showed Percy how much he meant to him? Especially given the way Percy took care of him last night? Nico just wanted to return the gesture. Then, as one who wants nothing, he said::

"Per, I need to go to the bathroom."

Without waiting, Nico ignored the bell for the second period and took Percy by the hand, leading him towards the bathroom in the sports court area that would be empty at that time of day. Percy just tilted his head, all confused and followed him without question, while Nico tried to act normal so as not to spoil the surprise, thinking it was too innocent even for him, but honestly? He wanted Percy to see how nice it was to be cornered and without any warning.

Nico didn't give Percy much time to think at all. As soon as they entered the bathroom, he guided Percy to one of the cubicles, closed the door and put his hands on Percy's shoulders, pushing him back until Percy hit the wall with his back. Nico couldn't believe how much fun it was to see Percy's eyes widen and his breathing become faster when he hadn't even started yet.

And why waste more time? Looking into Percy's eyes, he let his hands slide down as he knelt between Percy's legs, Nico put his face over Percy's crotch and toched the place over the jeans, letting his mouth come closer, kissing the fabric that already it had a good noticeable bulge.

He looked up and smiled, but Percy didn't smile back. No, he was all tense, shoulders straight, jaw set, breathing fast and hands fisted at his sides. This used to happen in the past too when Nico pretended not to see and not to know what was going on; this was Percy horny and trying to hide it, trying so hard to be the nice, honorable boy everyone thought he was. I mean, Percy was the best, it was the high libido that Nico wasn't willing to deal with back then.

Well, now things had changed, or rather, evolved. What could he say? Nico admitted he was slow to do things that people his age were already experienced. By the time he'd found himself alone and regretting every decision that involved sex, particularly for not dealing well with Percy and…and kissing, it was too late. On the other side of the world and after the shock had worn off, he'd missed Percy so much that he'd wanted to go right back and tell him he was wrong, begging for forgiveness. In the end, his family thought it best for them to stay there for a while.

It didn't matter anymore, he rather focus on the moment, on the way Percy tried to control himself, all tense and anxious, trying not to touch him, but as Percy had promised, his friend wouldn't force him. Deep down, Percy was right; he would say one thing and do the opposite. Maybe he was just kneeling between Percy's legs because Percy said he wouldn't do it again, and Nico wanted to test how committed Percy was. Nico finally took his hands to the button on Percy's pants and unfastened it, about to unzip it down when Percy grabbed his hands.

"What are you doing?” Percy was practically accusing him and he was practically laughing in Percy's face, feeling vindicated for that morning on the stairs and with his sister.

"You don’t want to?”

“You said you wanted to take it slow.”

"Isn't this slow for you?"

“Nico!” Percy ground out through his teeth, keeping his voice low. “I'm trying and you're not helping.”

“I just wanted to make it up to you, you treated me so well last night…”

As he batted his eyelashes as innocently as he could manage, speaking all sweet and nice, Nico saw the moment Percy collapsed against the wall, his expression a mixture of frustration and anguish so intense that Nico couldn't take it, he rested his chin on Percy’s leg and laughed, giggling, letting his chuckles echo through the empty bathroom.

"I knew you would get back at me."

"Just a little.” Nico said between laughs. "But the offer is still on."

"It is?" Percy mumbled, now calmer and more in control, taking one of his hands to Nico's hair, stroking it gently. And Nico liked that a lot, the firm, confident voice and steady touch, how Percy made sure what was going on with him before letting his libido take over. That’s why Percy deserved a reward.

He finally lowered the zipper and slid his fingers inside Percy's underwear, searching until he found warm skin and the erect member, pulling it out, admiring the size and width, the warmth of him. Nico knew this was going to sound cliché, but…but it was big and long and heavy, and full of bulging veins and wet at the tip in a way that made him want to lick it until it was wet again.

"You don’t need to.” Nico heard in a whisper at the same time that Percy's hands came to the back of his neck, touching him slow and nice. Percy's voice was too close, making him see that Percy had leaned over him, and that he was now tugging by the roots os his hair, forcing Nico to face him before kissing his lips all sweet and soft, as if trying to seduce him: " You don't have to. Never. If you don’t want to.”

"I want.” If there’s one thing Nico learned in all this time away from Percy is exactly that, he liked it a lot, was the only thing he'd realy enjoyed before last night. But he wouldn't say that to Percy, too afraid to see Percy’s reaction. It was easier to act and let things happen.

Then, taking courage and still watching Percy's reaction, he held on the base and brought his lips to the head. He licked like an ice cream before sealing his lips around it, sucking, slow and tight, making sure his teeth were out of the way. Then, to test the walters, he made a slight pressure with his lips and slid down a little, bobbing his head even more slowly and finally hearing the first moan come from Percy, shuddering when Percy pulled his hair hard, forcing him to move away from his cock.

"Who taught you that?"

“I had a boyfriend, you know?

“You said you didn't have sex. And this is sex.”

"Yeah?”

“If someone is having pleasure and enjoying it, it's sex.”

“Hmm.” He murmured, licking his lips. Percy was even more attractive when he got all... intense.

Nico shouldn't think about those things, he knew he shouldn't. It wasn't his fault if Percy kept holding him by the hair like he belonged to Percy or if Percy kept staring at him with that fire in his eyes, like a caged animal wanting revenge. He felt like he needed psychological help, but in the meantime Nico could have fun, couldn't he?

"Are you going to fuck my mouth?"

“Wha-what?”

"Maybe you want--"

"Say no more!" Percy roared in frustration, moving closer to Nico’s face. " You want to kill me? What did I do to deserve this?”

“Per.”

“Where did my shy, innocent litlle boy go, hm?”

“He got lonely and decided to get company. But his company wasn’t very kind.”

Percy whimpered in frustration, seeming to grab onto the last threads of control he still had in, and kissed Nico again, this time tongue and all, holding him by the neck tight and strong. But that wasn't enough anymore, he wanted... Nico wanted to suck Percy until he felt cum go down his throat, and that's what he would have. When Percy finally let him breathe, he opened his mouth wide open, wetted his lips and slid them along the length of the Percy's cock, hearing a long groan and a thud somewhere near them; Nico opened his eyes to see what had happened, it was Percy who had punched the wall behind him and had his eyes squeezed shut and lips bitten, holding back his moans. Yes, he could feel Percy throbbing on his tongue, seeming to grow bigger even further. It was at that moment that Nico sighed and relaxed his face, allowing those last inches to reach the back of his throat.

He was willing to confess, he had choked, rushing things a litlle bit. It was all worth it when Percy threw back his head and grabbed hold of his hair again, guiding and moving his head. It was beautiful, was magical, to see the instant Percy grabbed him hard and when he least expected it, his mouth was being moved on that fat cock, over and over again, feeling Percy's balls hit his chin while he just he stood there, hands in his lap, watching the scene unfold and… ah… letting Percy control his body, pinned against the wall beside the toilet. Nico didn't even realize when Percy had come, founding himself swallowing around Percy, slow and leisurely, sniffling and floating, hearing Percy grunt only to be lifted suddenly by his hair and then by his waist; Percy was cleaning his face and holding him in the safety of his arms, touching him everywhere Percy could reach.

“Nico, baby?” Then, he was groaning himself when Percy opened his pants and found wetness there. Everywhere. "Did you come?"

He…he thought he had. It was something that had maybe happened once or twice before… but it didn't matter. Nico was floating and Percy held him back so he wouldn't go too far, as his lips came down against his once more, and again and again, until… Nico didn't know… well, until his feet touched the ground once again.

***

"All good?”

Now they were out of the bathroom, walking towards the cafeteria after splashing water on their faces and getting a peppermint candy. He wasn't proud, but they had lost a lot of time between waking up, talking to Bianca, driving to school and... going to the bathroom. His throat was still dry and heis lips swollen, his knees ached, and a phantom sensation lingered in Nico’s scalp where Percy had pulled. However, he couldn't control that nice feeling at the bottom of his stomach, content and satisfied, by what he saw. Percy, instead of holding his hand, clutched his waist, all possessive, staring down at anyone who looked at him for longer than three seconds. Nico had missed that too. And that made him a terrible person.

“Nico.”

“Hm?” He replied when Percy stopped in the middle of the hall, touching his face and making him look at him.

"I'm very sorry. I didn't want that to happen. It doesn't have to change anything between us.”

So that was it. Percy was really afraid he was going to run off to Italy like he had before.

“Per, I wanted to.”

To prove that everything was fine, he stood on hid tiptoe, wrapped his arms around Percy's neck and brought their lips together, letting his eyes close for a moment. Percy immediately wrapped his arms around his waist and kissed him back, all intense, nibbling his lips and tangling their tongues together, stealing his breath.

He heard a clearing of a throat and a hiss, but he didn't care, it was too late to worry about what people would say. Right now he needed to calm Percy down and let him know that everything was fine. Then, he released his lips and remained in Percy's arms, taking his hands to his friend's hair, trying to comfort him.

"Relax, all right? I was enjoying the moment.”

"Enjoying?” Percy repeated, frowning, perhaps squeezing him tighter still.

"I liked.” He shrugged, trying not to laugh or blush, as the crease in Percy's face deepened. "What's wrong with that?"

“If you like it that much, you didn't have to go that far.”

Nico almost rolled his eyes, he knew how jealous Percy could be and he knew how jealous he  himself could be back. It’d always been like this, the reason that really scared him and forced him to run away, showing him feelings he couldn't handle. He knew exactly what would happen if he came back, and here was the proof, the possessiveness personified. He knew he shouldn't, but he'd missed that too.

“Per.” Was all he’d said for a few moments and Percy ducked his head slightly, seeming to realize what he was doing. "I'm here now, aren't I? I promise it's everything I learned in Italy.”

It was a lie, of course. Even though he was technically still a virgin.

"Really? If that were true, you wouldn't have to promise me anything.” But that was enough for Percy to lose his murderous expression and his face softened into a sweet, if slightly suspicious look.

A little nice kiss followed, a brush of lips soft and wet, hands sliding around the back of his neck in an affectionate caress.

"I promise it won't happen again."

“Don't promise what you can't deliver." Nico said when finally the butterflies in his stomach calmed down and he added: "I don't care if it happens again.”

"Sorry.” Percy said in his usual tone, seeming back to normal.

Percy shrugged and finally took a step back, looking at Nico with a bright smile, only to lift one of his hands and smooth Nico's hair back, Percy's hands sliding to Nico's neck, and only then did Nico realize that Percy was massaging the side of his neck, because the area throbbed slightly.

"Hickey?"

Another thing that didn't surprise him. I mean, how could he not see? It wasn't the first time this had happened.

"Are you a dog?” Nico grumbled not really caring, the rest of his body wasn't much better. And how could he have the right to complain when he could see a hickey high up on Percy's chest where the shirt didn't hide the skin?

" Sorry.” Percy said once more, his smile widening.

Yeah, looks like nothing has changed.

"Do you want to eat something?”

Why not? He let Percy take his waist again and they both walked towards the canteen. Percy ordered for them, a juice, a milkshake and a piece of pie without asking for permission. Bianca would’ve been outraged if she saw how Percy hadn't even let him speak, as if he didn't have the ability to. The truth is, he would hardly have noticed this behavior if his ex hadn't done the same to him months ago. He had been offended at the time, finally starting to understand the problem, seeing what his former friends said. And now, watching Percy take the order and bring it to the table they were at... it was still hard to care when it came to Percy.

Apparently, a blindness came over him when he saw those green eyes and puppy smile.

"Aren't you hungry? Want something else?”

"No, thanks.”

He took the first bite and felt so happy to taste the same flavor, even if his happiness had another reason. Was this happiness so intense just because Percy did this for him?

“Eat slowly.”

"Yes, Dad. I’ll eat properly.”

Percy didn't look the least bit impressed by the joke. He grimaced and took the napkin, wiping the corner of Nico's mouth, saying, “Please.”

And Nico? He just smiled and continued eating contentedly, happy to know that nothing had changed; the care and concern still evident, only now sex had become part of their relationship, finally filling in what was missing.

"Thanks.” Nico said without thinking, watching Percy throw away his napkin. “I never said how grateful I am.”

“I don't want your gratitude.” Percy then glared at him, trying hard not to get all serious and spoil the happy mood. But he couldn't fool Nico.

"I know. I wanted you to know.”

"Then, what?”

“This between us has nothing to do with gratitude. But I’m grateful.”

Nico wanted to say more, wanted to say that he never wanted to hurt Percy and that he would never leave him again. Instead, Nico took Percy's hand and smiled at him. Immediately, the surrounding environment became light again and the world around them stopped spinning, in the midst of all that chaos creating a little place just for the two of them.

***

"Exactly who I was looking for!"

Nico blinked rapidly, looking away from Percy’s gaze, looking surprised by the interruption.

Percy sighed. Who else could it be? Grover and Luke, of course. It made no difference to Percy who got in their way, all he knew was that he regretted having friends like his. But he refused to let Nico walk away; keeping Nico's hand over his, he turned to his friends:

"What do you want?”

Hearing Nico laughing at him, he held Nico’s hand even more firmly, and he just didn't complain more because Nico moments later rested his head on Percy’s shoulder, all sweet, soft and innocent, his black eyes radiating happiness.

"Where were you? You missed a test.” Luke said.

"Are you going to the practice?" Grover added. Both had strange smiles on their faces.

" What?”

"Looks like mosquitoes bit you. Hard night?”

Percy just sighed, he was too tired for their little jokes.

"Percy, man! You disappeared! You don't answer your cell anymore?”

"Whatever.”

“Ohhhh it's one of those days.” Luke said, nodding, pretending to be thinking about something serious.

“No, it's one of those 'baby day'. Don't you remember?”

“No! Danger, danger! We better not get close.”

Luke took Grover's arm, and together they took three steps back, still facing them, as if they didn't want to turn their backs on a wild animal.

“You guys are unbelievable.” Percy muttered, trying not to let the memories remind him why these moments were called "baby days".

"We just wanted to know how you were going!" Grover yelled, already pulling away. “It's good to see you again, Nico.”

Luke nodded, smiling, still dragging Grover away.

"Baby days? What does that mean?” Nico said when they finally disappeared across the cafeteria, staring at him with a curious expression.

"It’s nothing.”

"Nothing?” Nico insisted. “Does this have to do with the days we used to stay at home without seeing anyone?”

"Maybe.”

Part of the time it had to do with the depression Nico was trying to hide, but other times, calm and happy, it had to do with him wanting Nico's attention all to himself. It was something they didn’t know at the time, Percy found out he had it too, a milder version, but regardeless, it still was depression.

"How cute. You even have a name for it.” Nico's voice was playful, so Percy thought it’s safe to put a hand on Nico's shoulder and pull him closer.

“It wasn't my idea.”

"I know. It’s funny.”

"What is funny?”

“Everyone but me saw what was going on.”

"When you say it like that, it sounds like I've played you." Percy said, taking off his chest what he'd been hiding for years.

“It wasn't exactly like that. Deep down, I knew.”

“You weren't ready.”

" I wasn’t.” Nico said in a final tone with his head still resting on Percy’s shoulder, meaning he didn't want to talk about it. Not that they needed to, as it was obvious. He knew Nico only said those things to reassure him. The truth was that Nico had shown himself to be much stronger and more independent than he was, and that if Nico said all those things it was to make him feel better, Percy could even imagine what else Nico had noticed and if those things had been why he needed to cross the ocean to feel safe.

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Thank you for reading! Your presence and your feedback make all the difference. Like, I'm thinking of turning this story into an original as soon as I finish it, so any constructive comments are very welcome.

See you next!

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

Oi, como vai! Enfim consegui escrever mais um pouco. Confesso que não ficou muito bom, mas eu tentei meu melhor. Sabe quando não sai como você quer não importa o quanto você tente? Pelo menos um pouco do plot avançou.

Espero que esteja aceitavel. Se não fosse por vocês confesso que já teria largado essa história, não porque eu não goste dela e sim porque depois de dois meses escrevendo algo a motivação vai embora. Tipo, eu tenho todo o plot e milhares de cenas, mas na hora de colocar na pagina fica chato porque eu já sei o que vai acontecer. Então, eu sou mais uma criadora/imaginadora do que uma escritora. Enfim, eu tento meu melhor e vou continuar tentando por vocês.

Capítulos anteriores: CAPÍTULO I / CAPÍTULO II / CAPÍTULO III / CAPÍTULO IV / CAPÍTULO V / CAPÍTULO VI / CAPÍTULO VII / CAPÍTULO VIII / CAPÍTULO IX / CAPÍTULO X

Boa leitura!

— Lindo. 

Nico ignorou Percy que estava deitado na cama e terminou de secar os cabelos com a toalha, os penteando para trás. Colocou a camiseta, a puxou para baixo e abotoou suas calças, puxou o zíper para cima e se olhou em frente ao espelho. 

Se fosse por ele teria ficado na cozinha, onde pertencia, e teria terminado de ajudar com os preparativos para a festa mais tarde. Infelizmente, logo depois do pedido de casamento, Sally havia o expulsado da cozinha, o empurrando para longe do fogão enquanto Percy tinha lhe pegado no colo e o carregado pelas escadas até que chegaram ao quarto de Percy. E sem escolha, ainda cheio de farinha pelas roupas, entrou no banheiro sem reclamar, tomando um longo banho na banheira para logo depois procurar por roupas que ainda o servisse. Aparentemente, Percy não tinha jogado fora as coisas que ele havia deixado para trás, como sua calça jeans preta favorita ou suas camisetas cheias de piadas e de super-heróis estampadas nelas, ou mesmo sua jaqueta de couro, roupa que sua mãe costumava usar antes do câncer a impedir de levantar da cama. 

Ele admitia que as camisetas que antes eram largas e chegavam a suas coxas, agora serviam perfeitamente bem, embora um pouco mais justas do que ele gostaria, contornando suas curvas não tão masculinas; tirando seus ombros largos e altura, o resto era bem… bem magro em algumas partes e delgadas em outras, impossível de não reparar naquelas roupas justas. Ele nem gostava de pensar sobre isso. Talvez fosse por isso que Percy adorava segurar em sua cintura.

— Desde quando você tem esses músculos, hm? — Percy voltou a perguntar com bom-humor.

Músculos? Ele não via muitos. E claro, Percy até poderia enganá-lo se fosse alguns anos atrás. Agora? Ele conseguia ouvir o puro ciúme por trás do riso.

— Eu não sei. Tive tempo livre na Itália.

De fato, a vida em Verona era bem mais fácil e descomplicada do que essa primeira semana de volta estava sendo. Quer dizer, quando Percy estava envolvido, problemas e emoções fortes eram garantidos. Ele nem sabia porque ainda se lamentava, as coisas sempre tinham sido assim.

— Não faça essa cara. Hoje é dia de comemorar. Ou pelo menos é de acordo com Sally.

— Claro. — Nico revirou os olhos e enfim colocou sua jaqueta, enfiando os pés dentro de seus tênis de cano alto que também tinha ficado dentro do guarda-roupa de Percy. Agora sim, Nico estava de volta no passado e com o look completo. Ele quase se sentia nostálgico; se não fosse a ansiedade e a auto dúvida constante, sentiria saudade daquela época. — Vamos.

— Espera. Comprei uma coisa pra você.

— Mais um presente? O que vai ser agora? Um carro?

— Você precisa de outro? — Mas Percy estava sorrindo. Nico observou ele se levantar e dar a volta na cama, abrindo a gaveta da cômoda ao lado da cama. — Não é nada muito caro.

— O que é isso? — Dessa vez, o objeto nas mãos de Percy despertou sua curiosidade. Ele conseguia ver o que era, a questão era que Percy nunca tinha lhe dado nada desse tipo, foi o que o fez se aproximar mais e pegar o diário das mãos de Percy, abrindo a capa rígida e negra de couro, encontrando páginas simples e pautadas, notando uma dedicatória no lado de dentro da capa: “Para que seus pensamentos e ideias nunca se percam”. — Per?

— Eu pensei sobre o que você disse… sobre não conseguir se expressar.

— Me expressar?

— Na cama. — Percy disse e então segurou em suas mãos sobre o diário, o fazendo encará-lo. — Sei como as coisas podem ser… assustadoras de vez em quando. Quero que esse diário seja uma forma da gente conversar sem precisar de todo aquele… drama.

Percy usou a palavra “drama”, mas para Nico era mais… “humilhação”.

— Você vai escrever também?

— É claro.

— E você vai… vai ler tudo? Tudo o que eu escrever?

— Se você quiser.

Nico parou por um momento e encarou Percy, seu noivo, o amor de sua vida, a pessoa que sempre o aceitou incondicionalmente. Percy parecia tão calmo e confiante, tão sincero… ninguém antes fez tanto esforço para tentar entendê-lo. 

— Não precisa ser sobre isso. — Percy voltou a dizer. — Você pode escrever sobre qualquer coisa. Ou algo que você queira que eu saiba.

— Qualquer coisa? De verdade?

— O que foi? — Então, Percy voltou a sorrir, despreocupado. — O que você ainda tem para esconder de mim?

Esse foi o momento que a mortificação o tomou. Nico desviou o olhar e encarou o diário que ambos ainda seguravam, as alianças brilhando em seus dedos. Se somente Percy soubesse… ele não sabia se era a melhor ou a pior das ideias que Percy já tinha sugerido.

— Olha, você não precisa se forçar. Vamos deixar o diário do lado da cama e se você sentir vontade, ele vai estar aqui. Tudo bem?

Percy sorriu mais uma vez para ele, pegou o diário de suas mãos e o colocou em cima da cômoda, há menos de um metro de distância deles. Mas esse era o problema, Nico já sentia vontade de folhear aquele caderno e escrever o que viesse à mente, como num exercício de escrita livre, só que mais estranho e constrangedor. Sentia vontade de escrever e deixar tudo sair como há anos não fazia.

— Não, eu quero! Me dá. — E feito uma criancinha, Nico esticou a mão e pegou o diário, o abraçando contra o peito, se sentindo satisfeito ao segurar mais uma vez naquele caderno de couro negro.

— Fico feliz de saber que você gostou. — E agindo feito o papai que ambos se negavam a admitir, mesmo que ambos tivessem a mesma idade, Percy o abraçou forte e beijou seus cabelos, dizendo: — Bom garoto.

É claro que isso teve o efeito esperado. Nico escondeu o rosto no ombro de Percy e gemeu mais uma vez, mortificado, se recriminando por se sentir tão bem e contente com aquelas palavras. Ou com o cuidado que Percy continuava demonstrando dia após dia.

***

Antes de irem para a festa, Nico guardou o diário junto com a caixinha das alianças agora vazia dentro da mochila e segurou na mão Percy, fazendo o peito de Percy se aquecer com o gesto distraído de Nico. Não era o gesto mais romântico ou afetivo que ele já tinha visto, mas Nico fazia tudo com tanto cuidado que ele tinha certeza de ter feito a escolha certa ao esperar até aquele momento. Sabia que essas atitudes, tanto quanto as dele ou de Nico, vinha de um lugar doloroso; da perda e do abandono, coisas que ambos sentiram na pele e que queriam evitar a todo custo. Por isso, cada momento que servisse para a próxima-los seria motivo para comemorar. Ainda não acreditava que finalmente tinha proposto para Nico. Eles iriam se casar! Houve uma época em que Percy pensou que nunca mais veria Nico, e quem dera que estariam tão contentes e felizes, mesmo que o garotinho escondesse por detrás de um biquinho zangado e o costumeiro mau-humor e insegurança. E quem era ele para julgar como outras pessoas se comportavam quando ele era o pior deles? Tudo o que Percy sabia é que tinha um plano e que faria tudo para executá-lo com maestria. Ele sorriu para Nico, segurou de volta na mão oferecida a ele e quando menos percebeu, um dos ajudantes de sua mãe o guiavam para a parte externa da casa onde mesas estavam dispostas no jardim e pessoas já andavam pela pista de dança improvisada ao lado de uma mesa de buffet divida em três fileiras organizadas por pratos doces, frios e quentes, e ali nem estava toda a comida que ele tinha visto na cozinha.

— Vocês exageraram dessa vez.

— Nada foi nada além do normal. — Nico deu de ombros.

— Claro. Eu queria--

— Nico! Finalmente consegui te encontrar!

Percy suspirou e se deu por vencido, agora que ele estavam no meio daquelas pessoas seria impossível ter a atenção de Nico só para ele. Como em câmera lenta, viu Clarisse se aproximar deles em passos apressados e pegar Nico em um abraço de urso, o puxando para longe dele.

— Até quando você ia me ignorar!

— Eu não estava te ignorando! — Nico gritou de volta, mas abraçou Clarisse tão forte como ela tinha feito, fechando os olhos com prazer.

— Por que você não me disse que tinha voltado? E quando isso aconteceu?

— Faz… cinco dias? Seis?

— Oposto que é culpa dele.

— Clar!

— Não venha com isso pra cima de mim. Eu quero saber tudo!

— Pra depois você contar para Annabeth? Não, muito obrigado.

— Isso é não verdade. Fiz isso uma vez e--

Parecia que não teria jeito. Percy deixou Nico com Clarisse, vendo as pessoas se aproximar do par barulhento e voltou para dentro da casa, encontrando sua mãe agora com um longo vestido preto e saltos altos, embora ela ainda andasse pela cozinha de um lado para o outro, dando ordens e verificando os fornos ainda em funcionamento.

— Mãe.

— Oh, Percy, querido. — Sua mãe veio em passos rápidos até ele e apertou suas bochechas, as beijando em seguida. — Você podia ter me contado antes. Não tive tempo de preparar nada.

— Também não tive tempo.

Esse foi o momento que Percy abraçou a mãe e se deixou relaxar.

— O que foi, querido?

— Acho que Nico não quer ficar comigo.

— Percy, isso não faz sentido. Por que você pensaria isso? — Então, sua mãe tocou em seu rosto novamente e encarou com afeto.

— Ele mudou. A gente parece brigar a cada passo do caminho, e agora ele tem tantos amigos e coisas para fazer…

— Percy. — Agora sua mãe parecia decepcionada. — Nós conversamos sobre isso. Você precisa de ajuda?

— Não. — Ele negou, se afastando. Não queria voltar para horas eternas no psiquiatra ou se entupir de remédios.

— Querido, Nico está crescendo e você devia também.

— Eu sei. É só que… ele está me dizendo tantas coisas… eu não sabia que ele se sentia assim.

— Isso é ótimo. Quer dizer que ele confia em você.

No fundo Percy sabia disso. Ele só queria que alguém lhe dissesse que tudo ficaria bem. Mas não era o que sua mãe estava fazendo, como sempre ela dizia o que ele precisava ouvir e não o que ele gostaria.

— O que eu devo fazer?

— Nada que você não queira.

— E se ele só se casar comigo por pressão?

— Percy! — Sally segurou em seus ombro e riu em sua cara. — Meu garotinho está crescendo tão rápido. Me lembro como você fugia de qualquer responsabilidade e agora aqui estamos nós, você se preocupando com o bem-estar de outra pessoa?

— Ma-nhe! Estou falando sério!

— Olha, pelo meu ponto de vista, nunca vi Nico tão feliz ou calmo. Ele não parece estar se forçando a nada.

— Ele disse que não queria namorar comigo e eu insisti! E se ele falou a verdade?

— Querido, nada disso é sua responsabilidade. Ele aceitou por vontade própria. Mesmo que você queira protegê-lo, é decisão de Nico. Ele aceitando ou não, ainda que no futuro ele decidir ir embora mais uma vez, não será sua culpa.

— Então, de quem é a culpa?

— Ninguém tem culpa. São coisas que acontecem e nós temos que aceitá-las. E sendo sincera? Já era tempo, não? Se você tivesse conversado com Nico, nada disso teria acontecido. 

— Você… você estragou a surpresa. Eu devia ter falado com ele sozinho.

— Exatamente, querido. Você não vê? Quanto menos você disser, mais Nico se afastará de você.

— Você acha mesmo?

— Acredite em mim. Sei tudo sobre relações fracassadas. Não crie distância entre vocês, sim?

— Eu nunca faria isso.

— Não? Se você não diz o que sente, Nico pode pensar que você não se importa. 

— Eu--

— Você conversou com ele nos últimos dias?

— Sim, mas--

— Como ele reagiu?

Percy queria revirar os olhos. Sua mãe estava certa, como sempre. Nico tinha sido sincero de volta. O pior era pensar que Nico tinha guardado tudo dentro do peito, pensando que Percy não iria aceitá-lo ou que Percy não se importava. Pelo menos o tempo perdido no psiquiatra tinha servido para algo.

— Você tem razão. — Percy admitiu, olhando ao redor para as pessoas que continuavam andando de um lado para outro. — Eu não queria admitir a derrota.

— Querido.

— Eu fiz Nico ir embora antes e não quero ser o culpado de novo. É tão ruim ter cuidado em não destruir as coisas de novo?

— É claro que não. Eu entendo.

— Entende mesmo? — Então, Percy voltou a encarar a mãe. — Se você entende, você pode ficar fora disso?

— Tudo bem, não vou me meter. Mas você devia prestar atenção quem são seus amigos.

— O que isso significa?

— Aquela sua amiga loira está na festa. Pensei que vocês não se falavam mais?

— Quem? Annabeth?

— Ela mesmo.

— Eu não convidei ela.

— Então, quem convidou? — Sally e Percy se encararam durante longos momentos não entendendo o que estava acontecendo até que Percy tem um estalo e dá as costas para a mãe, voltando para o lado de fora. No jardim, ele encontra uma cena que pensou que nunca fosse ver, Annabeth com seus longos cabelos prateados brilhando no sol parecendo furiosa e Nico, com as calça rasgadas e camiseta preta, a encarando como se ela fosse uma minhoca prestes a ser pisoteada.

***

— O que está acontecendo aqui?

Quando Percy menos viu estava parado no meio da multidão, vendo Annabeth e Nico se voltando para ele.

Como em um passe de mágica, o ambiente mudou. Nico veio para seu lado e se segurou em sua mão, abaixando a cabeça e a encostando em seu ombro como o garotinho mais obediente e comportado, enquanto que Annabeth ficou lá, de cabeça erguida, parecendo mais furiosa ainda com a demonstração de afeto.

— Não foi nada, Per. A gente estava conversando sobre os velhos tempos. Não é, Anne? — Nico sorriu, o abraçando pela cintura e de repente o silêncio se fez, até os garçons e ajudantes da cozinha ficando em silêncio.

— Você, por acaso, está bêbado?

— Eu? Nunca! — Ele olhou para Nico e Nico fez um biquinho fofo. — Eu nunca faria isso.

Para provar sua teoria, Percy se inclinou sobre Nico e o beijou ali mesmo. Dessa vez, Nico não pareceu nenhum pouco encabulado. O garotinho o agarrou forte pela nuca e se deixou ser beijado, abrindo a boca na demonstração mais sem vergonha de afeto.

— Meu bebê está com ciúmes, hm?

— Não sei do que você está falando. — Mas o rubor no rosto de Nico dizia o Percy precisava saber.

— Por que a gente não conversa num lugar mais calmo? — Mas antes de guiar Nico para longe da multidão, Percy se voltou para Annabeth: — Você não foi convidada. Vá embora.

— Mas, Percy! Você prometeu!

— Eu não prometi nada.

— Seu mentir--

— Não vou repetir. 

Com isso, ele pegou Nico pela mão e o guiou para dentro da casa, deixando para tras uma multidão curiosa e uma loira espumando de raiva.

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Obrigada por ler! Sua presença e comentario é sempre bem-vindo!^^

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"No, it is not!”

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

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

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

"You--you!"

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

“Percy!”

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

"Don’t you dare! How old are you?”

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

"What got into you today, huh?"

"I'm happy. Don’t you?”

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

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

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

"We're not pretending… are we?"

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

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

"Everything changed. You went away.”

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

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

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

"For who? For me or for you?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

"In what?”

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

"Is this about us?"

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

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

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

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

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

"Percy, look--”

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

"You promise?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Sure, Nico.”

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

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

It was Bianca. Who else could it be?

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I did nothing.”

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

"Percy Jackson, what brings you here?"

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

"Are you serious this time?"

"Yes.”

"That’s nice.”

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

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

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

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

"I saw everything.”

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

“I need… I need to get my bag.”

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

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

"You look different.”

"As?”

“More…decided. Mature.”

“Some things happened.”

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

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

"Things?”

"Nothing much.”

Bianca raised her eyebrows and Percy surrendered.

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

"Do not tell me.”

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

“Sex?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"It's what I hope.”

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

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

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

Ahhhhhh eu disse que não ia voltar até agosto, mas consegui escrever e ficou tão fofinho que eu teve que compartilhar. Me desculpem os erros. Espero que você gostem!^^

Boa leitura!

Capítulos anteriores: CAPÍTULO I / CAPÍTULO II / CAPÍTULO III / CAPÍTULO IV / CAPÍTULO V / CAPÍTULO VI / CAPÍTULO VII / CAPÍTULO VIII / CAPÍTULO IX

PS: Vou voltar a escrever capítulos curtos até 3 mil palavras, assim me sinto menos pressão, mesmo que essa pressão seja eu mesma que coloco em mim. E se vocês acharem que esse capítulo foi apressado ou apareceu do nada, me desculpe! Não sei quando terá novo capítulo, provavelmente na semana que vem.

— Você está pronto? Não contei que a gente vinha. — Percy pegou em sua mão e o puxou para fora do carro.

Nico nem podia acreditar que estava de volta na casa onde suas melhores memórias foram feitas. Essa era a casa de sua infância, o lugar que ele tinha descoberto que o amor e carinho ainda eram possíveis depois que sua mãe morreu. Era o lugar que ele tinha descoberto que o amor podia vir em diversos tamanhos e formas e ser expressado de jeitos simples ou complicados.

— Talvez a gente devesse voltar depois?

— Ela vai adorar te ver. 

— Você tem certeza?

— Nico, essa é sua casa também. Sempre vai ser.

Nico teve que respirar fundo, parando em frente a porta de entrada. Ele se sentia tão culpado! Percy não foi a única pessoa que ele tinha deixado para trás. Sally também tinha sido uma delas. Sua segunda mãe, a pessoa que ele podia contar tudo depois de Percy, sempre oferecendo um abraço apertado e uma cozinha aberta a ele.

— Percy, eu--

— Shhh. — Percy apertou sua mão, sorriu para ele e enfim empurrou a porta da casa, o guiando para dentro. — Mãe! Chegamos!

Não demorou muito e logo ambos puderam ouvir o som de saltos pelo chão de granito branco, e aparecendo de uma das portas que Nico sabia dar na cozinha, Sally veio quase correndo e com tanta energia que por um momento Nico se viu no passado, na primeira vez que ele tinha entrado por aquela mesma porta, vendo a decoração simples, porém, elegante. Sofás cor creme, paredes num azul quase branco, puffs e cobertores espalhados pelo cômodo e uma grande televisão. O cheio era o mesmo, a mesma fragrância de comida recém-feita, açucarada e agridoce, o fazendo sorrir imediatamente.

— Nico, meu filho. — Foi tudo o que ouviu antes do ataque de Sally vir, braços magros e fortes o rodearam e cabelos longos e castanhos escuros caíram sobre ele, o perfume de Sally ainda era o mesmo. 

— Deuses, olha como você cresceu! E essas bochechas, hm? Tão bonito.

— Mãe!

— Percy, olhe para ele? Vocês já se resolveram? Espero que sim! Você sumiu por três dias! É o mínimo.

— Sally. — Nico finalmente disse, sorrindo, e se inclinou em direção a ela, recebendo mais um abraço de Sally com prazer.

— Não acredito que vou ter meu assistente de volta! Nosso cardápio sofreu muito com sua partida. Que tal discutirmos isso amanhã? Você vai ficar hoje conosco? Que pergunta! É claro que você vai ficar.

Sally segurou em sua mão, o puxando em direção a cozinha e Nico olhou para trás, vendo Percy dar de ombros. Ele sabia que agora demoraria para Sally se cansar dele. E como diz o ditado, “tal mãe, tal filho”, ou algo assim. E como não adiantava lutar contra nenhum dos Jackson, Nico se deixou ser levado por Sally, não que ele se importasse; era sempre divertido passar algumas horas na companhia de Sally Jackson, comida gostosa, conversa descontraída e um ombro amigo para desabafar.

***

Fazia tempo que Percy não andava pelas ruas do bairro. Elas não eram o que costumavam ser, pois de quietas e humildes, se tornaram cheias de prédios altos e carros barulhentos devido à linha de metrô localizada há poucos quarteirões de sua casa. O bom nisso tudo é que agora praticamente em cada esquina tinha uma loja ou mercado, ou até um shopping center. Exatamente o que ele estava procurando. Andando despreocupado, foi diretamente a uma loja de papelaria e logo encontrou o que procurava, um diário de couro escuro e de aparência delicada e bonita, exatamente como Nico. Ele pagou, deu uma volta pelo shopping e se viu parando em frente a uma relojoaria familiar, se lembrando de ter entrado naquele lugar anos atrás e comprado algo especial, mas nunca ter prosseguido com seu plano. Agora, algumas horas depois, voltava para casa. Imagina sua surpresa ao ver os ajudantes de sua mãe entrarem com sacolas atrás de sacolas com comida e panelas. Percy nem se surpreendia mais. Na verdade, era uma visão familiar, mas que ele não presenciava desde que Nico tinha ido embora, a casa cheia e o aroma de doces e salgados permeando o ar.

Bem, parecia que seu presente teria que esperar.

Sem ser visto, foi até seu quarto, deixou a sacola em cima da cama e abriu a primeira gaveta da cômoda, entrando os anéis que tinha comprado. Será que esse era o momento que vinha esperando? Afinal, eles já tinham deixado claro que se amavam, então, por que não dar o próximo passo? Tinha aprendido que o melhor a fazer era nunca assumir nada, e se não se expressasse, como Nico poderia saber? Percy mal podia esperar para ver a reação de Nico. Assim, trocando os anéis pelo diário, pegou a caixinha com as alianças e colocou o diário dentro da gaveta, se sentindo confiante. Saiu do quarto e foi em direção a cozinha quase trombando com uma garota que usava um avental do restaurante de sua mãe. Ela pediu desculpa e continuou apressada para fora da casa, sem a bajulação usual. Ele esperava que essa durasse mais do que as outras. O caso não era sua mãe ser uma chefe ruim, o problema é que a maioria das pessoas não tinha o mesmo entusiasmo que ela ou Nico tinham quando se tratava de culinária.

Percy enfim entrou na cozinha e se deparou com um banquete completo. Ele viu carnes assadas, fritas, cozidas, grãos e massas de vários tipos, sem contar os doces e comidas salgadas nem tão saudáveis.

— A gente vai ter um jantar de gala ou o quê? — Ele teve que perguntar assim que entrou na cozinha. Era até engraçado. Sally e Nico, além de vários ajudantes, cobertos de farinha e outras coisas que Percy não conseguia identificar, todos vestindo aventais idênticos e andando de um lado para o outro de uma forma tão organizada que pareciam formigas operárias.

— Você tem razão, querido! — Sua mãe exclamou. Ela limpou a mão em uma toalha, tão energética como ele não via há muito tempo, ou pelo menos não nesse nível de “criança que comeu muito açúcar” e o abraçou apertado para logo em seguida, voltar a andar pela cozinha checando o forno e vendo se tudo estava em ordem. — Chame seus amigos! Chame os amigos dos seus amigos. Não, melhor, também chame os pais dos seus amigos.

Ele não tinha certeza sobre isso. Será que se quer ainda tinha tantos amigos assim? Percy deu de ombros, prestes a fazer o que a mãe tinha pedido quando Nico apareceu em sua frente, tentando encontrar um lugar para colocar uma espécie de bolo esbranquiçado na mesa.

 — Eu te ajudo. 

Percy moveu algumas coisas ao redor e enfim achou um espaço, pegando a travessa das mãos de Nico e a colocando em cima da bancada.

— Aqui está meu bebê. Onde você se meteu?

— Eu não sou seu bebê.

— Não é?

Será que agora era um bom momento? Não importava como Nico estivesse vestido, com o uniforme da escola ou com suas calças justas, e mesmo agora com farinha dos pés a cabeça, Nico sempre seria a coisa mais bonita e fofa que Percy jamais encontraria, principalmente quanto tentava não se constranger pela demonstração de afeto em público. 

Percy colocou a mão no bolso, tocando na caixinha e observou por mais um momento, vendo Nico abaixar a cabeça, seus cabelos negros protegidos por uma redinha de cabelo permitindo que ele visse o rubor se espalhar com força na face de Nico, descendo pelo pescoço longo e elegante. Percy não se reprimiu, segurou na nuca de Nico e o puxou para perto, o beijou devagar e longamente, e só parou quando ouviu um gemido e o repentino silêncio que se seguiu; os murmúrios ao redor deles pararam e o barulho de panelas batendo também.

— Per. — Nico sussurrou numa voz quase inexistente e segurou em seu braço, seu rosto agora pegando fogo. Tão tímido e tão doce, ele pôde sentir o açúcar na língua de Nico e a doçura em seu toque suave. Mas quando ele achava que Nico iria se afastar, como ele comumente faria no passado, Nico apenas ficou ali, agarrado a seu braço e olhando para ele sem saber o que fazer. Talvez esse não fosse o momento indicado, porque, se com somente um beijo Nico tinha reagido assim, pego despreparado e todo ansioso, o que Nico faria se ele se ajoelhasse no meio da cozinha? Infelizmente quando isso acontecia, Nico não sabia o que fazer, o garotinho costumava congelar dos pés á cabeça. Era como se Nico não tivesse um script para tal situação e preferisse não fazer nada com medo de errar.

— Lindo. Me dá um abraço, hm?

Nico piscou lentamente e mordeu os lábios, parecendo indeciso. No fim, Nico fez o que Percy pediu. Colocou os braços ao redor da cintura de Percy e o abraçou forte por longos momentos, Percy o abraçando de volta e acariciando seus cabelos.

— Certo. — Percy levantou a cabeça e ainda abraçando Nico, olhou ao redor e encarou cada um dos ajudantes de sua mãe, o que teve o efeito desejado. 

Todos começaram a se mover como se fossem um e o ambiente voltou ao normal. Ele pensou em se desculpar para Nico, mas só o pensamento de Nico entender que beijá-lo na frente de outras pessoas era errado, embrulhava seu estômago. Nico era um ser bem perceptivo, e se ele entendesse que estava fazendo algo errado, nunca mais faria tal coisa, como na vez que eles estavam conversando com algumas pessoas, Nico riu muito alto e alguém o repreendeu, depois disso demorou meses para ele ver Nico sorrindo em público.

— O que você fez de gostoso?

— Já comeu bolo japonês? — Nico pareceu aliviado com a mudança de assunto e largou de sua cintura. Ele pegou na mão de Percy e o levou até um bolo leve e de textura esponjosa, diferente de tudo o que ele já tinha comido.

Nico cortou um pedaço e colocou em um prato para ele. Assim que levou uma garfada na boca, o bolo se desfez em sua língua, algo tão gostoso que Percy não sabia explicar, então ele apenas gemeu, fechando os olhos de prazer.

— Tão bom assim?

— Tudo o que meu bebê faz é exemplar.

— Obrigado.

Percy parou de comer e prestou atenção em Nico. De verdade, ele parou e o observou. Nico parecia feliz e contente em seu avental e roupa suja de farinha. Ele parecia um pequeno chefe de cozinha, orgulhoso de um trabalho bem feito.

— Eu vi num restaurante em Verona e quis tentar.

— Lindo.

— Você devia estudar culinária. — Dessa vez quem falou tinha sido Sally que estava terminando uma torta de chocolate, os observando discretamente. Ela se aproximou deles e colocou um de suas mãos sobre os ombros de Nico. — Você já pensou sobre isso?

***

— Você devia estudar culinária. Já pensou sobre isso?

Nico piscou lentamente, tentando se concentrar em qualquer coisa que não fosse o jeito que Percy olhava para ele, que quase perdeu o momento onde Sally se aproximou do canto onde eles estavam.

— Hm?

— Já se decidiu sobre a faculdade?

— Ah. — Nico olhou de canto de olho para Percy, mas se focou em Sally. — Eu não sei. Hades quer que eu faça administração.

— Por que não algo que você tenha talento? Como música e culinária? Artes?

— Eu… eu gostaria muito. Não sei se Hades iria permitir.

— Sabe, outro dia desses, esse senhor educado e simpático trouxe a família para jantar. Ele disse que o lugar onde ele trabalha tem um curso excelente de culinária. — Ele olhou bem para Sally, tentando desvendar o que isso significava. — Por que você não faz uma graduação dupla? Tenho o contato dele se você estiver interessado.

— E também fica perto de casa. — Percy completou.

Nico parou tudo e se apoiou na quina da bancada, tentando não criar expectativas.

— Eu não poderia.

— Querido, você não precisa se preocupar com os detalhes. Dê uma olhada, sim? Eu cuido de tudo. 

— Não, Sally. Você não precisa… eu nunca--

— Deixe disso. Dinheiro não é problema. — Então, Sally sorriu para ele toda radiante e o pegou desprevenido mais uma vez, o abraçando forte. — Não importa o que você escolha. Vamos te apoiar, agora e sempre. 

— Oh. — Foi tudo o que escapou de sua garganta, um som engasgado e abafado contra o ombro de Sally. Sua visão ficou embaçada e sua garganta se apertou, mas seu coração batia forte, um calor gostoso aquecendo seu peito, ao mesmo tempo em que as mãos de Percy o tocaram nos ombros, abraçando ele e a Sally de uma vez só.

— Mamãe está certa. Vamos te apoiar não importa o que aconteça, mesmo que eu tenha que ir para a Itália com você.

— Vocês planejaram isso? Me surpreender para não me deixar pensar sobre o assunto?

— Nico, é claro que não! — Sally exclamou toda energética e segurou em seus ombros, seus grandes olhos castanhos claros o acertando em cheio no meio do peito. — Percy fez alguns testes vocacionais e de aptidão ano passado e desde então estamos procurando as melhores opções. Você também tem que fazer, eles são bastante certeiros. Semana que vem parece bom? Ah, nós temos tanto a fazer!

E assim, como se conversar sobre seu futuro fosse algo corriqueiro, Sally continuou, voltando a bater com uma espátula algo em uma grande travessa de vidro.

— Então, está certo. Faculdade decidida. Teremos um casamento?

— Ca-casamento?

— É claro! Quanto mais cedo marcarmos a data, melhor! E uma casa? Vocês vão ficar perto da gente, certo? E… Percy ainda não falou com você?

Nico não sabia se estava pronto para um passo tão grande, ele ainda nem sabia se conseguiria terminar o colégio sem se auto destruir, quem dera um… um casamento.

— Mãe! — Percy resmungou. — Ela está brincando. Não escute o que ela diz.

Era Percy que dizia isso, mas seu olhar era intenso sobre ele, pensativo e analítico. E… talvez… talvez Sally não estivesse brincando, se fosse pela expressão decepcionada no rosto de Percy.

— Desde quando você vem planejando essas coisas?

— Desde que…

— Desde quando?

— Desde que entendi que acordar do seu lado todo dia era a melhor parte do meu dia.

Nico achava que tinha algo estranho em seus olhos, eles não paravam de lacrimejar. Devia ser sinusite, só podia. Sim, era isso. Talvez uma alergia.

— Você não vai dizer nada? — Percy insistiu, e de repente, o mundo sumia e só eles dois importavam; o som de panelas batendo e sussurros sumiram, e até os murmúrios apressados ao redor deles desapareceram.

— O que eu devia dizer? Você está me pedindo em casamento?

Esse era o melhor e o pior momento de sua vida. Percy sorriu para ele e colocou a mão dentro do bolso, tirando de lá uma caixinha em veludo delicada. E então, o pior veio, Percy se ajoelhou no chão cheio de farinha e açúcar, e abriu a tal caixinha, lhe mostrando que dentro havia dois anéis idênticos banhados a ouro e com um pequeno diamante no centro, um grande e o outro menor, com delicadas gravuras ao redor das alianças, os anéis tão delicados que Nico tinha medo de tocá-los.

— Você não pode estar falando sério!

— Eu comprei eles antes de você fugir para a Itália. Queria ter te contado antes. Tinha medo que isso fosse te afastar mais uma vez.

E sem pedir permissão, Percy segurou em sua mão e deslizou a menor das alianças em seu dedo anelar da mão direita.

— Esse anel é a prova do meu comprometimento e fidelidade a você. É a promessa que eu faço de sempre estar a seu lado e sempre dar o que você precisar e desejar. Não importa o que seja ou onde seja.

— Percy, para com isso! Agora mesmo! Você não quer isso. — Nico se afastou das mãos de Percy e tentou tirar o anel, se sentindo ansioso, mas não foi tirá-lo. Algo dentro dele o impediu.

— É claro que eu quero. Eu te amo. Quero passar o resto da minha vida com você. — Percy continuava sorrindo e continuava ajoelhado, como se pagasse por seus pecados em prece enamorada. Percy se arrastou de joelhos até estar novamente perto o suficiente para tocá-lo e ofereceu a caixinha a Nico, dizendo: — É sua vez de colocar em mim. Você aceita se casar comigo?

— Deuses! — Nico choramingou, aquele aperto no coração e quentura no peito se alastrando feito chamas infernais por suas veias. — Você vai se arrepender disso. Vai se arrepender tanto. Depois não me culpa pelo o que acontecer.

— Eu tomo toda a responsabilidade.

Fungando, Nico se ajoelhou também e fez o mesmo que Percy, colocou o anel no dedo anelar da mão direita de Percy e observou suas mãos juntas. Nem em seus sonhos mais selvagens Nico poderia imaginar algo assim.

— Satisfeito agora?

— E o meu beijo, hm?

Ainda se sentindo ansioso e trêmulo, Nico pulou no colo de Percy e o beijou com tudo o que ele tinha, sendo recebido pelos abraços fortes da pessoa que ele mais amava no mundo.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Obrigada por ler! Sua presença é sempre um prazer.

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

Hi, I came earlier than expected. As I had some time free, here's another chapter. There's probably more until Friday, but I'm not sure. Hope you enjoy. And thank you for your support in advance.

In this chapter I need to give some warnings. For those who know me, they know that I always write about sex, whether in the beginning, middle, end or during the whole story, but as this blog is new, I thought it would be good to let you know. Another thing is that, as I am posting as I write, some things may change. So, if there's something new that has changed, I'll let you know in the final notes or here at the beginning. And like, I mean, I don't like very... nice characters, so Percy and Nico's personalities will start to show, okay? Nothing villainous, but it could generate some kind of discussion, and I don't warn you about that things. In fact, I rarely do announcements, although I do enjoy talking about the story. (Warnings are about things I don't usually write about, subjects too taboo, or some kind of non-con). In this way, you are invited to give your opinion on any aspect of the story, whether in Portuguese, English or Spanish. Yes, I'm almost trilingual or would I be polyglot? srsrsr Anyway, I hope it's a good read!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III

"Then, let me decide. I just need your permission.”

"Permission to do what?"

Nico watched in slow motion as the hand that had been around his shoulder traveled to the back of his neck, massaging the spot, and gently pulled him closer, tilting his head until it reached just the right position for Percy's lips to finally come down against his in the sweetest, most innocent kiss he'd ever tasted, as if Percy was determined to regain everything they'd lost, starting with a tender, chaste kiss, a light brush of lips, candlelit dinners, and... and a lot of hugging?

The problem was things didn’t stay chaste for long. Moaning and shuddering, Nico felt one of Percy's hands slide down his back in a slow, willing caress, slipping inside his shirt, pressing him against his chest just as he opened his mouth in a needed gasp to have his tongue captured and sucked, so deliciously that he found himself closing his eyes and moaning again, clutching Percy's shoulders fearing he would fly away.

"That’s good, hm?" Percy murmured sometime later, lips still glued to his, nibbling slowly, hands safe and away from any sensitive parts. For now.

That was so unfair! Nico had waited so long for this moment! And now it was hard to think, let alone return an acceptable answer. He had missed that closeness and mostly had missed kissing Percy, even if Nico had only kissed him once before heading off to Italy, embarrassed and with his tail between his legs.

"Baby.” Percy whispered once more against his lips and licked them, catching him off guard once more, his tongue finding Nico’s, sealing their lips together, Percy's hands digging into his hair, pulling it a little, making him moan, while the other hand on his waist dragged him across the bench, pulling him closer, almost putting him in his lap, that is, when coughing was heard somewhere near them.

"Are you gentlemen ready to order?"

The kiss was broken with a wet sound and a needy whimper that came from Nico himself. The truth was simple, Nico was flying, floating in sensations he didn't even remember ever having, and not even the waiter trying to get their attention could stop him from feeling it. Then, his back was placed against the seat of the bench, and Percy's hands returned to his shoulders, now massaging him slowly as if that would calm him down. He heard a chuckle, and then Percy's voice came through the room, husky and slow, asking for wine and the dish of the day. Just one dish. Anyway, it's not like they're going to eat a lot.

"Thanks.” Percy said after a few minutes, Nico was content to sit still and watch the waiter walk away in embarrassment.

“Bad boy, embarrassing poor servants. What will they say about us?”

"Who's bad here?" he found himself saying, not the least bit sorry, although he was not the one who started it.

“You're right, I am. As long as you're good to me.”

He didn't even bother to answer, just looked at the smug expression on Percy's face, so arrogant he had the urge to show him who was in charge. Then, as if by magic, Percy smiled and held his face and pressed their lips against his for a long time in an affectionate gesture that warmed his skin the way something more intense would.

"Don’t be mad.”

"Do you think you can solve everything with kisses?"

"Not everything. Sex and gifts can also help. Who knows a very relaxing massage?”

Nico felt like hitting Percy until he couldn't anymore. Luckily, their food arrived, and an entire bottle with two glasses was placed on the table.

"Are you trying to get me drunk?"

“It's your favorite.”

It really was his favorite, dry and red, strong. A good vintage too. He wondered if every Italian family was like that, looking like they had wine in their veins instead of blood. It didn't matter, so Percy opened the bottle and filled their glasses to the brim.

“To new beginnings and old friends.”

They toasted, taking a few mouthfuls in between kisses and laughter, and drank some more until the bottle was empty, the sky outside long ago dark, lost in the black of the night along with any inhibitions they might’ve had.

***

And as he'd said before, his life was one big cheap cliché. Nico didn't remember how he got home, who opened the door, or how they got upstairs to his room. Had they locked the door? Where was his backpack? And the guitar? Had they--

"Nico… baby…" He threw his head back and moaned. He was so drunk, his legs on Percy's shoulders and hands gripping anything he could get hold of.

It hadn't been long since Percy had thrown him onto the bed and ripped off his shoes and pants, boxers, jacket, and shirt all at once. He barely had time to climb onto the pillows before Percy was there, between his legs, touching, kissing, marking with his teeth wherever they landed. Everything was going so fast that when he least realized it, Percy was licking his cock quickly, from top to base, to go past his balls and then…then his entrance, nibbling and using his fingers and tongue, both of them fighting the drunkenness and the narrow path, so narrow... it'd been so long since he had tried anything, even if that thing hadn’t been successful.

“Nico, are you sure--”

"I am! I am!”

“Is everything fine? It's so tight… hmm…” But Percy was moaning as if he was the one being touched. "And it smells so good…"

Nico was so glad he'd been prepared! He didn't even have time to finish the thought when he felt... he felt Percy's fingers slip out of him, replaced by Percy's tongue, wet and slightly rough, brushing around the puckered area to force himself in, moving rhythmically… he wasn't going to make it, it had been so long since anyone had tried to touch him there, it felt so much better this time, so good he could… his spine bowed and he groaned, a deep sound coming from his lungs, escaping his lips. And, of course, Percy's mouth was already there, momentarily helping to prolong his orgasm, Percy's fingers penetrating him again, now sliding around more easily, the lube finally doing its job. But it was too late. Percy's lips on his cock were too intense, more than he could handle. He finally felt himself coming and coming as Percy sucked him hard, licking the head, making it ache so good he had to pull Percy by the hair to push it away from his cock, still pulsing with the semen that escaped from Percy's lips, trickling down his neck.

"All good?” Percy asked, but he didn't know. It felt like Percy had ripped his soul through the orgasm. Nico could barely open his eyes or breathe, still feeling himself throb and shudder. "I hurt you?”

Nico could only shake his head, trying to control his body. It’d been so sudden that his nerves were still trying to keep up with the events, and he… Nico couldn't remember anyone ever doing this for him, so… so… thoroughly.

“Nico.”

He was trying. He swore he was. He was just having a hard time getting his head to stop spinning.

“Nico, look at me.” So he did, because it seemed simple enough.

"Here you are. My Nico lied to me?”

"I lied?” Nico didn't understand the question. Why would he lie? He blinked slowly and saw that Percy didn't look angry. He was lying between his legs, still fully dressed. Percy held Nico’s hair and stroked it with a pretty smile on his face.

"When was the last time?”

"I don't know. Never? I never got to… you know, go to the end.” He found himself sighing, his eyes growing heavy from Percy's fingers on his scalp, slowly lulling him to sleep.

“That explains a lot.”

“Hm?”

“Why don't you get some rest?”

"Where are you going?” But it was too late. With another sigh, his eyes closed once more, putting him to sleep faster than any pill ever could.

***

When Nico opened his eyes again, it was still dark, and the clock on the wall marked two in the morning. They were still in Nico’s bed, and as usual, Percy had kept his promise; they were sleeping on their sides, the sheet covering them, Percy behind him, hugging him around the waist, with his other hand under... under his head, curling around his neck, chest against back, face against the back of his neck and, maybe, he was holding on to this one arm around his neck like he was hugging a teddy bear close to his chest. Strangely, he didn't feel suffocated the way he would with anyone else, it was like… like a physical reminder that they were here together, and this time Percy wasn't going to let him get away.

What was he doing? A few hours ago he was saying that he wasn't ready and that he didn't want a relationship, and now… what? Was he comfortable staying in that position, trapped in that more than possessive hold, and still… still enjoying it? Approving Percy's attitude? He had sworn he would never let anyone get that close again, in that affectionate way, but this was Percy, wasn't it? Nico knew he could trust him. Right? And after all, it was just sex. What was wrong with that? Even if he was talking about Percy, the person who knew him the most in this world...

That is, he had come back because he missed Percy, but he didn't expect to be reciprocated and much less so quickly, also because they had so much time together and nothing had happened in the past, so why would it happen like this? Out of the blue? He knew Percy tried to be the best version of himself, though, knowing Percy the way he knew him?... Well, Percy wasn't the kind of person to forgive easily, a trait they both shared. Then, no one could blame him if he was expecting to spend time with his friend to finally come to terms with the fact that things between them weren't going to work out. Now, he found himself at this dead end, actually being reciprocated. The truth is, Nico hadn't prepared for any of this, hadn't planned or thought about what Percy liking him back really meant for his future. He would probably have gone back to Italy after graduating in a few years, staying long enough to take care of what he needed, and then…then he would do what his father had been asking him for years.

What was he supposed to do now? This couldn't be a good idea, he was sure something would happen and destroy everything because that was what happened to him, and he would have to deal with the consequences. So why did he get carried away? Was it because of the wine? What excuse would he use now that he wasn't drunk anymore? Why was he still in the same position, as content as he'd ever been, letting himself be held like that and feeling Percy practically press him against the bed in his sleep? And if he--

“Nico?” Percy said hoarsely, his sleepy voice drawing his attention.

"Did I wake you up?”

"Your heart. Is racing.”

To prove his point, Percy brought his hand to the middle of Nico's chest and massaged the spot, moving his hands up and down, making things worse. Nico wanted to cry and wanted to struggle. He wanted to run back to Italy and hide where no one would ever find him again. In the end, all Nico did was lie still, barely breathing, feeling Percy move against him. Percy tucked one of his legs between Nico’s, making him gasp as Percy brushed his lips against the back of his neck, turning Nico’s head slowly toward him until Percy brought their lips together in a slow, affectionate gesture.

"What happened, hmm? What's the problem?” Percy said, sounding more like he was asleep than awake, grinding against him, slow and calm, in control.

Nico didn't know exactly what was going on, he just knew it was working. Feeling skin on skin and so safe, he let his breath out and opened his mouth, finding Percy right there, ready to welcome him sweetly, going back to hugging him tightly, sliding their tongues together, easy and delicious, as if they had always had done that, as uncomplicated as breathing.

"Aren't you going to tell me?" Percy pulled away for a moment and blinked slowly at him, a little more awake.

Nico just looked at Percy, hair tousled and lips swollen, eyes almost closing with exhaustion. That's when reality hit him like a punch in the stomach. He loves Percy, really loves him. Nico didn't like Percy because no one else wanted to be his friend at his worst or because Percy stood up for him during childhood, it wasn't even because Percy had always been his best friend and always would be. Now, looking into those green eyes, he finally realized the truth. How could he not love someone so generous and caring, someone so kind? So helpful, always willing to solve his problems without Nico even having to ask for help?

"I love you.” Nico said without thinking, distracted by the way Percy leaned towards him once more, about to give him another kiss. That made Percy stop in his tracks, wrinkle his nose in a confused expression, and then smile, moving the rest of the distance closer, touching their lips in a light brush.

"I love you more. Very. A lot more.”

It was strange. He didn't feel any different than he had five minutes ago, but it was good for his heart, allowing him to lift a weight off his back that Nico didn't even know was there. Percy saying he loved him didn't make him feel better or worse, either. It was a pretty obvious fact, especially after seeing everything that had happened these last few years. The only apparent effect was to warm his heart, like the phone calls did, like looking into Percy's face and seeing the warm smile there, always available for him, or how Percy's arms were always open to receive him.

“No need to worry about it." Percy said, going back to caressing the middle of his chest, turning him to face Percy and hugging him again, not an inch of distance between them, Percy's hands sliding down his back, one of them digging into the hair at the back of his neck, Percy's favorite place to touch him now, and in the past when he didn't know what that gesture meant. Or when he chose to ignore the fact.

"Worry about what?"

“I can see it in your face.”

"I did nothing.”

“But you want to. So, before you create these stories and act impulsively, talk to me.”

“Per.”

“You promised you wouldn't run away.”

"When was that?”

"When you said you come back to stay."

Nico didn't promise anything, but it was like he had.

In the end, Percy was right. He should worry less. What was the use of anticipating what might happen if the future had so many possibilities? Or those positive, happy thoughts could be Percy's influence on him. Nico suspected that once Percy stopped touching him, those worries would come back like an anvil thrown at his head. However, at that moment, he would let himself be comforted and hugged, he would let Percy's smile light up the darkness around him, and he would let one more kiss make him sigh and forget that tomorrow was a new day and that with it, more problems would appear to worry him.

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Thanks for reading! Comments are always welcome^^

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

Oii, como vai? Capítulo novo, porém não tão longo como eu esperava. Leiam as notas finais!

Cenas do passado/Flashback em italico

Boa leitura!

Capítulos anteriores: CAPÍTULO I / CAPÍTULO II / CAPÍTULO III / CAPÍTULO IV / CAPÍTULO V / CAPÍTULO VI / CAPÍTULO VII / CAPÍTULO VIII

Percy olhou para os lados, se certificando que ninguém estava o seguindo e saiu da sala vazia. Esse era o preço para não ver sua mãe chorando pelos cantos e se chamando de fracasso.

Desde que o restaurante de sua família tinha se tornado cinco estrelas, a perseguição tinha começado. Não importava onde fosse ou quem estivesse perto dele, a adoração velada por puro interesse começaria, pois, quem nunca tinha falado com ele agora queria ser seu amigo, e seus melhores amigos começaram a tratá-lo como se ele fosse da realeza. Todos sabiam seu nome. Mas no fim o que eles queriam era arranjar um reserva em nome de outros adultos. Percy tinha aprendido bem rápido a se esgueirar dessas pessoas que agora eram quase todos que ele conhecia. E sabe o que era pior? Essas pessoas não estavam interessadas na comida de sua mãe e sim em quem frequentava o restaurante. Isso era tão injusto! Até para ir no banheiro, multidões o seguiam sem lhe dar um minuto de paz. Tyson era tão sortudo! Ele já tinha terminado o colégio e estava a ponto de se formar na faculdade. Restava a Percy lidar com as fofocas e pessoas interesseiras.

Olhando mais uma vez para o corredor vazio, Percy guardou o celular no bolso e entrou no banheiro.

Ah, finalmente silêncio. Somente ele e o mictório. Abriu o dizer de sua calça e… e escutou um gemido. Bem perto dele. Virou o rosto e ali estavam três garotos em uma rodinha. Viu que um deles abria a própria calça. 

Bem, isso não era da sua conta.

— Não, por favor. Eu… eu… 

— Você o quê? Vai contar pra irmãzinha? Pro papai?

— Por favor!

Percy suspirou e caminhou em direção a eles. Sua mãe não tinha lhe educado para ver alguém ser abusado.

Ele parou atrás deles, em frente ao espelho, e viu o que acontecia. Um garoto com as feições mais suaves e femininas que ele já tinha visto tentava tampar o rosto e se encolhia contra a parede, ele era tão pequeno que reagir contra aqueles garotos seria burrice. O problema é que Percy se distraiu tanto com a beleza do garoto que acabou perdendo o momento em que um dos garotos segurou no próprio membro e apontou em direção ao garoto no chão.

— O que vocês estão fazendo? — Ele enfim disse. 

Os garotos se assustaram e se afastaram num pulo, se cobrindo como puderam.

— A gente… ei, você não é aquele garoto rico?

Era só o que faltava.

— Eu disse, o que vocês estão fazendo?

— Não é o que parece.

— Ah, não é? Como você explica isso?

Os três garotos e Percy olharam para o garotinho no chão que escondia o rosto e chorava desoladamente.

— Vocês sabem de uma coisa? Eu não quero saber. Se eu pegar vocês fazendo isso de novo…

— Você não tem provas!

— Quer pagar pra ver?

Os garotos se entreolharam e depois de alguns momentos, saíram correndo. Finalmente ele podia fazer o que precisava e ir embora.

Isso é, se o garotinho não tivesse levantado o rosto e olhado para ele com aqueles profundos olhos negros, inchados e brilhantes. Cabelos levemente encaracolados em ondas negras e os lábios mais bonitos e avermelhados que ele já tinha visto. Admitia que tinha congelado, apreciando a visão. Percy que nunca havia se interessado por ninguém em seus onze anos de vida se via encantado. E mesmo quando o garotinho mordeu os lábios e olhou para ele, ainda estatelado no chão do banheiro, Percy não conseguia parar de olhar.

— Você não precisava.

— Eu… era o certo. — Essa era a verdade, era o certo a se fazer, mas o que não era certo era admirar o lindo garotinho, principalmente numa situação como aquela. Ele se sentia um monstro. — Qual seu nome?

— Nico. Niccolas.

Hmm… italiano. Dizem que é a linguagem do amor.

— Percy Jackson.

— Oh. — Nico disse, o olhando dos pés à cabeça, suas bochechas altas se esquentando. — Você não vai fazer o que aqueles garotos queriam fazer… vai?

— O que eles queriam fazer?

Nico olhou para baixo e Percy acompanhou o olhar. Oh, de fato, seu zíper ainda estava aberto, porém agora havia um certo… volume ali.

— Eu não sou como aqueles garotos.

— Não é? — Nico ainda parecia em dúvida, embora ele mesmo tivesse um volume nas calças. Um bem menor e que Percy parecia estar analisando com mais atenção do que deveria.

— Eu não sou. — Ele se virou, tentando convencer a si próprio e andou até o mictório.

Abaixou a cueca e tentou se concentrar. Ninguém o avisou que seria difícil se aliviar com uma ereção no caminho. Respirou fundo, relaxando, e enfim conseguiu. Quando voltou para a pia, pretendendo lavar a mão viu que o garotinho ainda estava no chão, o observando se aproximar.

Nico tinha lhe observado… ir no banheiro? Já que a área era bem aberta, impossível não ver o que acontecia.

— Você precisa de ajuda? — Percy disse enquanto lavava as mãos, encarando ambas suas reflexões no espelho. Nico parecia assustado e encabulado, enquanto ele próprio estava todo sério e quase ausente, sem mostrar emoções.

— Não! Quer dizer, eu estou bem. Obrigado.

— Tudo bem, então.

Percy secou a mão e se virou em direção à saída. Ele tinha oferecido ajuda, não tinha? A partir dali não era sua responsabilidade o que acontecia com Nico.

***

Percy nunca tinha percebido como aquela escola era grande. Duas quadras cobertas e mais duas ao ar livre, cinquenta salas de aula, dez laboratórios. Piscinas, trilhas de corrida e até uma floresta com uma plantação variada. Era um bom lugar para quem estivesse procurando uma educação abrangente, também era um ótimo para quem estivesse procurando um lugar para se esconder. Felizmente, Percy tinha encontrado o lugar perfeito: deserto e silencioso, bem em frente a uma das quadras descobertas. O melhor de tudo era que a visão da arquibancada era bem limitada, impedindo que as pessoas o achassem facilmente.

Ele caminhou calmamente pelos corredores do colégio e chegou a seu lugar favorito, decidido a fazer algumas cestas na quadra e comer algo rápido antes da próxima aula. Ele pretendia entrar para o time e não queria que fosse por puro favoritismo. Isso é, ele já ia entrar na quadra quando viu uma cabeleira negra no lado mais distante da arquibancada. Agora, Percy não tinha escolha, ele precisava saber quem era, só assim saberia se ainda era um lugar seguro ou não.

Percy andou a passos apressados e viu que era o mesmo garotinho da vez passada. Ele tinha o lábio cortado e o lado direito do rosto arroxeado. Percy teve o impulso de perguntar quem tinha feito aquilo com ele, mas se lembrou, não era de sua conta. Até porque Nico parecia estar bem tirando o rosto machucado, vendo que ele comia um pequeno banquete. Percy podia ver pelo menos quatro tipos de pratos diferentes, todos organizados em pequenas marmitas, a visão esquentando seu coração por algum motivo. Devia ser a forma que Nico se encolheu, tentando se esconder dele, mas mesmo assim o encarou, sorrindo.

Ele observou Nico levantar uma das marmitas e da forma mais tímida possível, oferecer a ele, dizendo: — Você quer?

Percy se viu andando o resto da distância até Nico, abandonando sua mochila e bola de basquete no pé da arquibancada, e se sentando em frente a Nico.

— Eu trouxe também. Minha mãe é cozinheira.

— Ah. — Nico murmurou e deu de ombros, pegando seus talheres. — Eu sempre faço muito. Vê?

Então Nico abriu as outras duas marmitas e mostrou a ele. Torta de legumes com queijo. Bolinho de carne. Pão de calabresa. Bolo também.

— Você faz? E sua mãe?

— Eu não tenho. Ela morreu.

Foi quando Percy se deu conta do que fazia. Feito um esquisito, observava Nico comer como se fosse a coisa mais maravilhosa do mundo enquanto o garoto comia sozinho, tendo que fazer a própria comida.

— Seu pai? Você deve ter um, certo?

Nico negou e enfiou outro pedaço de torta na boca, ignorando todo o resto dos pratos.

— Papai nunca está em casa. Eu aprendi com a mama antes dela morrer. A comida dela era o máximo! A vovó também cozinha muito bem. — Mas Nico falava aquilo com tanta felicidade que Percy se sentiu melhor.

— Quem cuida de você?

— Eu tenho uma babá. Minha irmã, também! Ela é a melhor irmã do mundo. — Nico continuou comendo todo contente e Percy sentiu algo em seus olhos. O que estava acontecendo? Esse garoto não podia ser tão ingênuo, certo? Tão... feliz? Quantos anos ele tinha? Nove? Dez? Devia ser mais novo que ele próprio.

— Você não quer mesmo? Fiz tudo sozinho!

— Tudo? Você sequer alcança o fogão?

— Fiz, sim! A babá só ligou o fogão. Eu tenho uma escada que fica perto da bancada e...

— E?

— Você é muito malvado. Não quero mais falar com você!

Percy não aguentou, ele colocou a mão em volta da barriga e gargalhou. Fazia tempo que ele não via uma coisa tão fofa e engraçada. As bochechas gordinhas de Nico se enchendo feito um balãozinho, os braços cruzados, os lábios num biquinho ainda mais fofo.

— Quantos anos você tem, hein?

— Eu tenho onze! Qual o problema?

— Você é tão baixinho e pequeno? Quem está te alimentando?

E de novo, Percy não aguentou. Rindo da própria piada, se deixou cair de costas na arquibancada, rindo e rindo até que seu ar sumisse e depois voltasse, um sorriso feliz permanecendo em seus lábios muito tempo após sua crise passar.

— Você está bem? — Nico perguntou numa voz pequena e suave, fazendo seu coração derreter.

Percy abriu os olhos para ver que Nico tinha se aproximado de onde ele estava deitado, sentando sobre os próprios joelhos, todo preocupado, seus olhos negros arregalados e bochechas coradas.

— Então... — Percy disse, tentando parar de sorrir. —  Estamos no mesmo ano. Como eu não te vi por aí?

— Eu te vi. — Nico disse e abaixou os olhos para o próprio colo. — É difícil não ver quando as pessoas só falam de você.

— O que eles falam?

— Que você tira as melhores notas. É o melhor nos esportes. Tem a melhor namorada. Essas coisas.

— Que namorada é essa?

—  Acho que... Annabeth Chase? Não sei direito. Cheguei há poucas semanas.

— É bom saber disso.

— Saber do quê?

— Que eu tenho uma namorada.

— Você... não sabe? — Nico entortou a cabeça, feito um cachorrinho confuso e isso arrancou outra gargalhada dele. Dessa vez, Nico riu junto. Ele parecia estar segurando o riso, mas quando Percy não parou, Nico se viu sem escapatória, se juntando a ele.

— Você é engraçado. — Nico lhe disse.

— Você que é.

E feito um garoto da terceira série, coisa que ambos eram, riram novamente, enquanto ouviam o sinal tocar. Percy nem tinha percebido que meia hora tinha se passado, o que era mais tempo do que ele costumava passar com seus velhos amigos nos últimos tempos. E o que isso dizia sobre ele, hm?

— A gente tem que ir. — Ele ouviu Nico dizer.

Eles realmente tinham. Com pressa, ajudou Nico a recolher as marmitas e o acompanhou para a próxima aula, descobrindo que Nico de fato estava na mesma sala que ele. Percy estava tão distraído em tentar se esconder que não via o que acontecia à sua volta? Bem, esse fato iria mudar a partir daquele instante.

***

— Nico.

— Hm.

— É hora de acordar.

Nico resmungou e se aconchegou mais debaixo dos cobertores. Ele estava tão cansado que sentia que precisaria de uma semana inteira para se recuperar. 

Ele se remexeu de novo, prestes a colocar o cobertor sobre a cabeça quando sentiu braços fortes rodearem sua cintura, entretanto, o que o fez abrir os olhos foi o beijo em seu pescoço, naquele lugarzinho perto da nuca que agora o fazia reagir mais intensamente do que ele achava que deveria. Era tudo culpa de Percy, culpa da forma que Percy havia o tocado na noite anterior e de todas aquelas palavras. 

Deuses! O que ele tinha feito? Nico tinha realmente dito tudo aquilo para Percy? Nico não acreditava nisso! Ele se sentou em um pulo e olhou ao redor. Ele ainda estava em seu quarto, e Percy? Bem, o idiota ainda estava a seu lado, encostado contra a cabeceira da cama e com um sorriso tão satisfeito no rosto que isso o fazia se perguntar: Será que ele tinha dito algo que não se lembrava na noite anterior?

— Então, você gosta de apanhar? 

— Percy!

— Pensei que eu fosse o único que você permitisse te fu--

— Não se atreva! — Nico admitia que estava entrando em pânico. 

— Eu me pergunto onde está o garoto que queria ir devagar, hmm?

Em outro pulo, Nico se jogou em cima de Percy e tampou a boca dele com as mãos.

— Retiro tudo o que eu disse. Tudo!

Percy lambeu sua mão e continuou sorrindo para ele até que Nico se deu por vencido, deixando que Percy falasse:

— É uma pena. A gente podia se divertir tanto… 

— Eu… eu não sei. — Nico teve que desviar o olhar, talvez ele não quisesse retirar nada, por mais humilhante que fosse.

— Bebê. Vem aqui.

Nico foi, é claro. 

Percy o segurou pela cintura e o fez se deitar sobre o peito dele, uma das mãos de Percy indo a seus cabelos imediatamente. Nico não entendia porque aquele gesto o acalmava tanto ou porque esse sentimento de ternura o fazia querer contar tudo o que não tinha dito na noite anterior. É que… ele se sentia condicionado a nunca mentir para Percy, e ele já havia dito tanto… Nico queria ter uma máquina do tempo para se certificar que nada daquilo tivesse acontecido, porque só assim teria certeza que nada entre eles mudaria.

— Eu sinto muito.

— Nico.

— Eu não devia ter ido embora. Mas quando você me disse para conhecer outras pessoas, pensei que… pensei que a gente nunca teria uma chance. Então, por que ficar esperando por algo que nunca vai acontecer?

— Está tudo bem. É minha culpa.

— Não quero saber de quem é a culpa. Quero que você diga que me perdoa e que no futuro isso não vai afetar as coisas.

— Eu te perdoo e isso não vai mudar nada.

Nico sabia que Percy falava isso apenas porque ele havia pedido, mas mesmo assim, o nó em seu estômago parecia se afrouxar.

— Promete?

— Eu prometo.

Nico se afastou o suficiente para poder olhar no rosto de Percy e o tocou ali suavemente, acariciando os lados do pescoço dele.

— Você sabe que eu te amo, não sabe? De verdade? — Nico se forçou a dizer, vendo um sorriso pequeno aparecer nos lábios de Percy.

— Por que essas declarações agora?

— Eu percebi… pensei que gostava de você porque você foi o meu primeiro amigo. Mas quando eu estava na Itália, parecia que algo estava faltando. Tentei encontrar isso em outras pessoas, sabe?

— O que você estava procurando? — Foi quando Percy tocou em seus ombros, tentando consolá-lo.

Ahg, ele não conseguia olhar para Percy quando Percy agia de forma tão gentil.

— Eu não sei! — Era uma mentira, é claro. E Percy sabia disso. — É difícil expressar o quanto você significa pra mim. Então, quando eu não te conto as coisas é porque eu não consigo, não porque eu não quero.

— Eu sei disso. Mas eu preciso que você me diga. Preciso que você me dê permissão. — Então, Percy tocou em sua nuca, puxando sua cabeça para cima, o fazendo encará-lo. E ainda assim, quando Nico se negou e manteve os olhos fechados, Percy insistiu: — Lindo. Olhe para mim.

Nico fez, ele fez porque era impossível resistir quando Percy falava com ele naquele tom firme e ao mesmo tempo tranquilizador.

— Eu entendo. Você não precisa se forçar. 

— Eu sinto muito.

— Não, Nico. Não é sua culpa.

— Não quero te preocupar.

Porque essa era a verdade. Ele sempre gostou de passar pela vida quieto e despercebido, só que Percy o anotou e não o largou desde então. Não importava quanto tempo passasse, nunca se acostumaria com a atenção que Percy lhe dava e mesmo depois de uma década, era estranho, era como se ele estivesse em um sonho e a qualquer momento iria acordar, percebendo que Percy tinha sido sua imaginação lhe pregando peças.

— Isso não vai se repetir.

— O quê? — Nico perguntou, sem entender.

— Não vou te obrigar. Apenas… me diga se você precisar. Qualquer coisa.

— Qualquer coisa?

— É claro.

— Então diz que me ama.

— Eu te amo.

— De novo.

— Eu te amo.

— De novo.

— Nico. — Percy sorriu e o beijou, o interrompendo. — O que está acontecendo? É sobre a noite passada?

— Não é nada.

— Prometo que não vou fazer aquilo novamente.

— Aquilo…?

— Eu não vou ser… tão intenso ou… você sabe.

Por que ele sentia que seu rosto estava esquentando? E já que esse era o caso…

— Por que não?

Esse era o momento que Nico mais temia. Percy ficou em silêncio e o encarou por longos segundos, sem lhe dar escolha se não encará-lo de volta. Ele temia tanto esses silêncios porque esse era o momento em que ele não conseguia mentir, e se ele não pudesse falar, não teria como desviar a atenção para longe da verdade. 

Sim, essa era a realidade, não importava o quanto ele tentasse dissimular, Percy sempre saberia de tudo no final.

— Tudo isso é por vergonha? A humilhação é demais para você? Ou é porque você gosta da sensação?

Nico não sabia como Percy conseguia falar tudo isso de forma tão séria e compenetrada. Bem, Percy estava mais certo do que imaginava. Entretanto, quando Nico ficava nervoso esses sentimentos saíam apenas de duas formas, lágrimas de ansiedade ou de risada. Então, imagina a cena onde ele começou a rir do nada enquanto Percy continuava sério e todo austero.

— Você acha que eu sou uma piada? — Percy disse e estufou o peito, fingindo estar ofendido.

— Eu nunca acharia isso.

— Eu te amo. — Então, Percy o abraçou forte e acariciou suas costas. — Não importa o que seja essa coisa entre a gente, vamos superar juntos.

Era o que Nico esperava.

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Então, como foi? Infelizmente vou ter que dar uma pausa para descansar e volto em agosto. Se eu conseguir escrever algo legal, volto antes. Até mais!

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

Hi! We are back. I tried my best, so I hope is acceptable.

Good Reading^^

The bell rang just as Nico yawned, making him bringing a hand to his mouth.

“Do you want to go home?” Percy asked, pausing to write on the physics question sheet momentarily, seeming to think seriously about something to hurriedly get back to writing, without taking his attention away from the task, all while holding it in one of his hands, as if Nico were going to leave any minute now. running in case Percy wasn't there to stop him. It was almost funny, both of them sitting in a circle of six or seven people on the library floor while he watched Percy do all the heavy lifting.

He wanted to tell Percy that he wasn't tired, that it was just jet lag. Even though he arrived two or three days ago, he still hadn't got used to it and he’d barely been able to sleep the previous nights, not to mention the climate which was much milder than in Italy, the cold weather making him sleepy and slow. The problem was, Percy said that it would be ten minutes that turned into thirty and now, an hour and half later, sitting in the middle of his classmates, they were solving the questions that the teacher had given them. He knew he should be helping Percy with the task, just like the others were doing, working in pairs, but as Percy seemed happy to write alone, Nico let Percy enjoy himself, watching the serious and concentrated expression on his friend's face that finally raised his face and looked at him, smiling, as if only at that moment Percy had remembered Nico's presence.

"Sorry. I always end up doing these things by myself. I don't have the patience to wait around.”

Percy was right. The people around were writing, but they were also talking in low voices, discret but obvious.

"I promised. Let's go.”

“You can finish, I don't care.”

"I have finished.”

Percy was right once again, Nico peeked at the sheet in Percy's lap and saw that all the questions were filled with complete answers.

"Do you want to take it home and study?"

“No, thank you.”

So he got to his feet, Percy behind him, and supporting him from behind, Percy put the sheet into his bag. Nobody seemed to see them leave, only the librarian greeted them on the way out and finally they were free; the late afternoon sun was still shining, bringing some of the humidity and warmth that he missed so much. Satisfied, Nico took a few steps out of the halls towards the open courtyard and closed his eyes, letting the sun's rays gently warm his skin. Of course, soon Percy was at his side, holding his hand, as he always had. Percy's presence was always comforting, even if he could feel his friend's gaze on him.

"What?” Nico had to ask, eyes still closed.

"I held you captive, didn't I?"

"Don’t be ridiculous.” Nico nearly rolled his eyes in impatience, wanting to get out of there, but felling content in spending a few more minutes in the sun.

"Don’t get mad at me.”

“I'm not.” He almost didn't care about what Percy said, feeling the teasing tone returning with force. Because, in the end, he knew that what Percy wanted was attention.

“Hmm, no. It can't stay like this.”

Nico opened his eyes and saw that, without realizing it, they were already in the school's parking lot. That had been his biggest mistake, while he was distracted by the clear skies and nice weather, he'd missed the moment when Percy had cornered him against the wall of the parking lot and lifted his own hands and… and shoved them against his belly and abdomen, starting a tickle war. He couldn't remember the last time someone had the nerve to do that to him. In fact, Percy had been the last one, two years ago, before he traveled far away. Back then, when Nico was quiet for too long this was Percy's favorite tactic to get him to talk or react; he had to admit, he didn't miss this humiliating torture, but the touch was welcome. Contradictory, no? It seemed that anything Percy did at that moment would be welcomed.

"Percy Jackson!” He squeaked and uncoiled himself from Percy's grasp, running away from those long restless fingers. Of course he would have no peace! Percy came running after him, laughing like a maniac and with legs twice as long as his. Percy in mere minutes reached him, holding him by the waist.

"Ni-coo…" And okay, now that he analyzed things… they didn't have the most innocent banter, because the way Percy held him tight, back to chest and mouth right next to his ear… that was exactly how things used to happen in the past.

"I forgive you! I forgive you.”

"Realy? You're not saying this to then get back at me in slow and cruel ways?”

"I would never do that!”

“Liar.” Percy said in the same sweet, quiet way against his skin, looking like he wasn't going to let go of him anytime soon.

“Percy! We are not children anymore!”

"That’s very true. I don’t feel like a kid.” Percy murmured again and gave a dry chuckle that made the hairs on the back of Nico’s neck stand up. That is, before Percy turned him around and walked even closer to him, touching his forehead his own. And maybe, this gesture would be something common when they were away from prying eyes, under the covers, in the thousands times he slept at Percy's house, since only the maids and Bianca would be waiting for him at home. When they were little, it seemed kind of affectionate and innocent, but now… well… it still seemed affectionate. "Do you want dinner? The restaurant is still open.”

But how could he think about food when they were so close, breathing each other's air? When Percy's hands were on his waist and in his hair, not allowing him to look away? When Percy hugged him so tight? Their bodies pressed together and even through their clothes he could feel Percy's heat.

"Nico… Niccolas…" Why did Percy have to whisper his name like that? Why did he have to touch him like that? So strong and steady, as if he feared he was going to disappear at any moment. He… he didn't know if he was ready.

So close now... Percy's head came towards his and... and... and he let out a breath, closing his eyes.

"Food. Food is good. Right?” He swallowed hard for a moment, but when Percy did nothing but keep hugging him without moving any closer, Nico opened his eyes, seeing his intense eyes on him, burning like flames.

"You are afraid of me.” It was a statement, the light in Percy's eyes seeming to fade along with his playful smile.

"No… I don't… I'm just… not ready?"

"That's right? Or is it something else? I don't want to be one of those people.”

He understood what Percy meant. Percy would never do something to abuse his trust even if he tried. He trusted Percy, it was himself that Nico didn't trust. If he was already like this in less than twenty four hours around Percy, what would happen if he got carried away? He feared… that the obsession would return even more intense than before.

"Can we take it slow?" Nico finally managed to spit it out, feeling himself shudder.

"Sure. Everything you want.” And Percy seemed to mean it.

Percy watched him for a few more moments, as if deciding something important and took a step back, just enough to grab his waist and guide him to the car that was parked near the exit of the parking lot.

Percy opened the door for him, grabbed both of their backpacks and placed them in the backseat, quickly coming around to sit beside him, looking anxious. It wasn't that anxiety of the kind of person who was angry or irritated, it was more… someone who was full of energy and didn't know what to do with it. All Nico could do was to relax against the car seat and rest his head on the window, maybe by the time they arrived at the restaurant the tension he felt would have run off.

*** 

"What do you think?”

It was a very warm and welcoming place, the decor was done simply and in comfortable red tones, like something he would have seen in his deceased grandmother's house a few years ago. He felt like sitting in one of the armchairs near the reception, making himself a hot chocolate and sitting by the fireplace with a blanket over his shoulders.

"I liked.”

“I have a reservation.” Percy said all proud. It was six o'clock sharp, which meant that Percy had planned this whole thing, killing time at school to get him there on time.

"What do I do with you, huh?"

“How about saying, 'Thanks, Percy. You are so generous.”

"Is this how you hit on people?"

"It's working?”

Nico sighed and accepted the hand Percy offered, guiding him towards the maitre. The place was too specific. Other people their age probably wouldn't like the place as much as Nico had. The worst part was that he didn't hate it at all, Nico appreciated the effort Percy had put into finding something so… so like him, like he'd found a little piece of Italy just to make him feel better.

“You didn't have to.”

“I wanted you to feel welcome.” He didn't need to look at Percy to understand what those words really meant, because what Percy really meant was "I want you to feel at home so you never have to leave me."

He didn't know since when everything was so obvious. Every word and every gesture. It was like they were dancing, as if they knew each step and were just waiting for the music to end before finally… yeah, okay. He then lifted his head and faced Percy who at that moment seemed like the most perfect man in the whole world, the one Nico had always dreamed of having; kind, understanding, handsome, well dressed, so tall and strong he knew he'd never have to worry about defending himself again. But Percy had always been like that, the perfect prince. In the end, it really was obvious, wasn't it? That was the reason for his problem. No matter who he looked for, Nico would always end up in this same place, looking for Percy in every face. Maybe he should just… stop looking elsewhere.

"We can go home if you want." Percy told him, now stopping in front of him. He must have been making a fool of himself again, looking at Percy without saying anything.

“No, we can eat.” When the smile returned to Percy’s face, he knew he had made the right choice.

They followed the maitre down the row of tables until they climbed a pair of stairs and then entered a room that was larger than the floor below but emptier, filled with small round tables and more private ones at the back of the room next to large windows that let in daylight, but as night began to fall, aromatic candles were already lit out in the middle of the table.

"I hope you gentlemen approve the seats?" They waved and were soon offered the menu.

The truth was, Nico wasn't interested in food, that wasn't why they were there. Or was it? So he had decided, he would let Percy tell him.

"What do you want?” Percy asked, hands gripping the menu, but his eyes were on his, eyes that looked greener than ever under the candlelight, the dim night making the atmosphere even more intimate and personal.

"I don't know, a wine? You choose.”

Percy stared at him for a moment, seeming to consider the answer, and moved a little closer, putting an arm around his shoulder and closing the rest of the distance between them.

“I wanted to talk about us.”

“I know that.”

“I just…need to know.”

"I know that.”

“It's been ten years in this. I need to know.”

And Percy was right. They were so little and innocent back then, and then... then they were still little, but not so innocent until... until he freaked out and then Percy freaked out and he left without telling anyone. So, out of nowhere, and just as he did, out of nowhere, Percy had called him, so different from what Nico knew and so familiar at the same time that it left him confused for a long time. He remembered that for long months he only had the energy to fulfill his obligations and cling to these daily calls until he knew what to do. And here they were, practically in the same place, the difference was that now they understood what the consequences would be, no matter what the decision at the end.

"I like you.” Nico dicided for the simpler answer. He admitted that he wasn't the most assertive person or make the best choices.

“That's not what I asked.”

"I don't know. I miss you. That's enough?”

" No.” Percy said it all so seriously that he kind of... wanted to laugh. Or moan. Maybe it was a little bit of both. Nobody could blame him for that.

“So, it's up to you.”

“Nico! You said you weren't ready!”

"I'm not. I will never be. I don't want to destroy what we have. I really don't want a relationship. But…”

"Why do you have to be so confusing!"

“It's not about sex. That's the easy part.”

“Nico, I know. What can I do for you to--"

"Gods, Percy! I am the problem. I'm very unstable. You don't want to walk around with a time bomb in your pocket, do you?”

“Baby, you can explode whenever you want, as long as you explode with me.”

Nico moaned and put his hands to his face, this was ridiculous! They both knew why he was gone and they knew perfectly well why he had come back. Nico was still getting used to the idea that this time he had nowhere to run when his feelings erupted everywhere, forcing Percy to pick up the pieces.

"Can you be serious for five minutes?"

“I know all that, darling. Every little thing you think you can hide from me.”

"It will be worse than before!"

“You said I could decide.”

"Yes, but-- I want to take it slow."

"Then, let me decide. I just need your permission.”

“Permission to do what?”

Nico watched in slow motion as the hand that had been around his shoulder traveled to the back of his neck, massaging the spot, and gently pulling him closer, tilting his head until it reached just the right position for Percy's lips to finally come down against his in the sweetest, most innocent kiss he'd ever tasted.

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What did you think? I already warn you that the surprises will keep coming and that Percy and Nico are not exactly nice. Like, they're rich and that will become clearer later on. I hope it's been fun. Comments are always welcome. See you next week.