Japan Has A Bara Maid Cafe And Im Typing This From The Airport

.....i am Speechless

I've seen that a part of the fandom seems to think Percy treated Nico horribly or something, but I don't remember anything like that at all. I thought Percy was better to Nico than most people. I thought you'd be able to clarify, where did the whole Percy treated Nico badly thing come from? Is there something I'm forgetting? Thoughts?

Probably came from the part of the fandom that’s just whack. Like, from the antis who hate Nico/Percy and scramble for any “reason” to hate it, because they can’t just say “hey, this isn’t my taste! That’s okay! I’ll be over there, with the thing I like instead, you have fun with yours!”, they need ““valid”“ reasons to hate a ship so they’ll overexaggerate things. There are also, weirdly enough, people in this fandom who dislike Percy - and yes, yes, in a fandom that bears said character’s name and tells five whole books from said character’s perspective it is fundamentally weird if you ARE in this fandom and dislike the titular protagonist why are you even here - so, yeah, I’m sure a lot of it is also just bullshit to hate on Percy and, potentially, to prop certain other things; characters or *cough* ships, up. So, I’m sure that about 85% of those complaints root from those three things.

The other 15% are somewhat based in reality.

Like, Percy being kinda dismissive and annoyed by overly excitable kid Nico when they first met. When. Uh. Percy was a whole kid himself back then and yeah you can get annoyed? Some people also think Percy should have done “more” for Nico in PJO and be nicer to him. More than... spend literally over a year searching everywhere for Nico, trying to find him and bring him back to camp?

I’ll give them one thing; Percy’s reaction in Mark of Athena wasn’t stellar, when Nico had just been kidnapped and tortured and nearly died and Percy was like “I wanna wring his neck for lying to me” - but, deadass, that was less Percy and more Riordan; he wrote real shit in that book, because this was also the book that brought us Annabeth judo-flipping Percy to punish Percy for getting kidnapped and memory-wiped. Riordan was on a real victim-blaming streak there and on a “this child has just been traumatized? Better add physical violence For Funsies!”.

For some reason, Riordan really laid heavy on “villainizing” Percy in HoO; the forgotten promises part, making it look like Percy was a shit friend to Bob and to Calypso and to Nico and then making his own fucking girlfriend act like she’s afraid of him in Tartarus because even she isn’t sure what he’s capable of. It was like a bizarre mirror world where Riordan tried to play dark!Percy but uh with our regular Percy and no real base...?

So I can somewhat see where people took that awful canon characterization of Percy and just applied it to that.

But you’d have to ask someone who actually believes that shit for their opinion on why they think Percy treated Nico poorly, because seeing as how I don’t subscribe to that warped perception of reality I am truly not of much help on that matter. xD

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.

My favourite thing about fan fiction is the experience of watching/reading something and being like ‘huh - I can see a potential pairing there, those two characters could be interesting together’. And then you casually look up the pairing on AO3 and someone has written the most beautiful, heart-wrenching love story you’ve ever read, with character analysis that makes you want to scream, and they’ve teased out the threads of the relationship dynamic in such an interesting way that makes so much SENSE, but you never would have thought it would be so fucking ELECTRIC. And then you recover enough from that fic to read another one, and it’s JUST AS FUCKING GOOD, and before you know it, it’s 3am and your eyes are burning and you’re squinting at the 100th scene of them confessing their love for each other and it’s still not enough. You know what I’m saying???

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.

Part of their problem was Percy. He fought like a demon, whirling through the defender’s ranks in a completely unorthodox style, rolling under their feet, slashing with his sword instead of stabbing like a Roman would, whacking campers with the flat of his blade, and generally causing mass panic.

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter VIII e Chapter IX

Hi, how are you? Yes, I'm back. I know you're getting tired of me, but as I had a few chapters ready I decided to share them with you in advance. We'll probably have new chapters on Wednesday, because I'm trying to finish the new chapter of “There's nothing like home” (although it's going to take me a while to post it here, I still need to finish writing and revising it), but it'll come.

Anyway, I hope you will enjoy today's chapter. And if you can give feedback on the story, I'd love to hear from you, really, without judgment. This story isn't complete yet, so any suggestions or notes would be very beneficial.

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

Chapter VIII

Nico opened his eyes and sat up on the blankets, realizing that he wasn't in his single bed. There were no windows facing a huge tree, his computer wasn't in the corner of the room, and there weren't any loud voices reverberating through the house early in the morning. No, no way, that wasn't his room. Well, this one, painted in soft shades of gray and with a double-sized bed, wasn't his, and much less this calm that made him feel so peaceful and calm.

He… what had he done…? It was so confusing…

Oh! Now he remembered. Percy and his soft voice. A bowl of soup and another question that finally made sense. Yes, last night he had waited for Percy and fallen asleep without wanting to, even though Nico had sworn he would wait for the children to fall asleep so he could leave. Instead, he had a serious conversation with the man who didn't seem to take anything seriously, but who in fact hid his seriousness behind very well-disguised smiles.

Like, he knew that now. However, that hadn't been the case the day before when he'd followed Percy up the stairs and into the empty guest room. He barely remembered getting into the shower, that had been another thing he hadn't expected of himself. He felt like he should have done more than nod and obey. 

In the end, Nico couldn't help it, Percy had spoken to him so gently and affectionately that Nico found himself nodding. Vaguely, he remembered taking off his clothes once inside the suite Percy had shown him to, stepping into the bathroom and a while later hearing two soft knocks on the door. After that, Nico didn't know how the rest of the night had gone. He knew that at some point Percy had... gods! Was that right? He'd shown up naked and wet in front of his boss? While the man was handing him clean clothes? Nico couldn't even remember their reactions. It was all so hazy it was like Nico had been drinking himself into a stupor.

Thinking about it, it was better that he didn't remember any of it. Nico wasn't sure if it had really happened or if it had been a dream, especially the part where Percy looked at him from head to toe like he was going to attack at any moment, but since he didn't feel anything unusual, no pain or marks, then... then if he ignored what might or might not have happened, it was as if nothing had happened, right? So, wearing the same clothes he had slept in, he walked down the hallway and down the stairs, going straight to the kitchen where he found something strange and sweetly domestic; Percy Jackson wore a red apron and dark colored sweatpants as he walked barefoot across the cold kitchen floor,  plating four dishes. Bacon, eggs, and sausages. There was coffee and juice on the table. Jam, bread, croissants, and cake. A small improvised feast.

"I thought you didn't know how to cook.”

Nico didn't know why he had said that. Maybe it was because it all seemed like a dream, where he had a happy family that welcomed him on a nice, sunny Saturday morning and a... husband...? Wow... Nico was starting to think his fantasies were a little rushed. Or maybe his brain wasn't ready to wake up so early on a Saturday, much less was it prepared for this happy scene. Usually his family didn't eat together; his father was the first to wake up, getting up early, and his mother prepared the food. As people woke up, each one served themselves and went about their day without talking to anyone else. So, this... this wasn't at all what he expected.

"That's nothing! Everyone knows how to make an egg." Percy said excitedly, almost humming as he finished putting the sausages on everyone's plates. "Come on, sit with us.”

“I shouldn’t,” he muttered. Nico really shouldn’t. Percy made him feel like he was part of the family, and that was dangerous. Most of the time, Nico barely felt like he was part of his own family.

"Come on, I insist." Percy looked at him with that bright smile and he felt uncomfortable, for some reason it made a lump appear in his throat.

Nico lowered his head and thought about running upstairs, still remembering the night before, when he heard a chair scrape across the kitchen floor and a small hand touch his. To his surprise, he found Alice smiling as much or more than Percy himself, gently pulling him by the hand, guiding him to the chair next to where Percy sat. She didn't say anything else, just went back to her own place and continued eating calmly, the two children and the adult man acting like this was something normal to them.

"Did I miss something?" Nico muttered once more. He picked up the cup of coffee that was in front of his plate and almost groaned, now ready to wake up. It was the best coffee he had ever tasted.

"Dad's postdoc was accepted! And Mom is coming home today. We have to celebrate!”

"Yes, yes! Mom promised we would go out today! Everyone together!" Logan finished for his sister, almost jumping in the high chair.

Nico smiled at them, still with the cup against his lips, and looked at Percy, tempted to ask what had happened last night, noticing how his smile had diminished a fraction. The children might not have noticed, but he had seen several of his smiles and could see it clearly. Which was pretty crazy, he had known him for less than forty hours and already knew what those smiles meant? Nico must have been very tired, delirious, due to this mountain of emotions that this strangely affectionate and at the same time, fragmented family, made him feel. Yeah, it must have all been his imagination.

“That's very good." He said after a while, when he realized they were waiting for an answer. "I'll finally be able to meet her.”

"That you will." It was Percy's turn to mutter darkly.

“Should I worry?" He said it unintentionally, just as a joke, and of course, even the children understood it because they let out little giggles between bites of scrambled eggs.

"You're damn right." Nico heard that and turned to Percy trying to figure out if he was serious. And when he found out that was the case, well… Percy distracted him as always. His clear eyes, his mouth curved in a smile and his handsome face made him forget what he had asked.

The good thing about all this is that Percy had shrugged, as if he didn't have any problems in the world, and said:

"Don't worry, dear. I'll protect you." Right after he winked at him.

And as always, even though he felt himself blushing, Nico pretended that nothing had happened. He drank the rest of the coffee in his cup while the children laughed happily. Now, whether they laughed with him or at him was another question.

Chapter IX

“No, seriously now,” Percy told him, his tone changing to something more neutral. “Annabeth can be a little demanding. Don’t take anything she says seriously, and don’t do anything she asks.”

"Um… okay? I guess?" He said, shrugging.

Nico had already realized how things worked around here. The children were happy with every bit of attention, Annabeth Chase was the absent wife and Percy was the provider of the house, something quite simple in his opinion. So, he didn't see any reason for so much drama.

He looked at the plate seeing that two pieces of toast had magically appeared on it and looked back at Percy.

"I guess I'll go then.”

“You usually eat more in the morning,” Percy said, ignoring him, and pushed the plate closer to Nico.

"Me? No, I don't.”

"But you could. And what are you running from? She doesn't bite. At most Annabeth might say a few not-so-kind words.”

“Really, I've been away from home for too long. I need to--”

“Nonsense.”

Percy didn't understand. He felt something strange... something that was going up his back and stopping halfway down his throat, something that hadn't happened in months. Nico needed to get up and move, needed to bring back any sense of normalcy he could find, because staying here, in that friendly and calm environment, was far from what Nico was used to. He had to--

Nico dragged his chair back, unable to hold it any longer, and Percy stood up with him, holding him loosely by the arm, nothing that really held him in place, but for some reason that gentle gesture made him gasp, made him even more anxious, impatient, as though his skin wanted to escape from his body along with his lungs. He tried to do what his psychiatrist suggested and stopped in the middle of the next movement, in the exact place where Percy was holding him, less than a step away from the chair where he had previously sat; did he want to escape? Yes, but curiosity won, keeping him trapped in that kitchen to find out what Percy's next motive would be.

Percy handed him the container with the food from the day before and Nico held it in his hands, feeling a little confused. That is, until he saw that on top of it there was a note and a hundred dollar bill. He turned the jar in his hand and read the message that said: “Thanks for the food” only to turn to Percy and for the first time look him straight in the eye, without hesitation. Percy made him feel guilty. Vulnerable. Important. It was like Nico was cheating on the boyfriend who should have been waiting for him all night. And he didn't even have the guts to tell him; he hadn't even remembered during all this time that Will could have been worried. His mother too. And his sisters?

"What is this?" Nico asked even though he didn't care, feeling a little out of it. Airy. Light.

"What do you think it is?”

"I can't accept it.”

“You will. I don’t accept refunds.” Percy smiled at him. Percy… Percy was actually smiling again. A smile so beautiful that this time Nico knew he was being teased or mocked. No, Percy Jackson was flirting with him.

"W-what?”

"You bought us food and then made more food. It's the least I can do to repay you.”

"Sir, I can't--”

Nico shook his head. It was all wrong. Everything!

“Actually, where did you buy that food? It must have been expensive.”

That was when Nico closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He counted to five very slowly and opened them again, just like the doctor had taught him. Maybe he shouldn't have stopped taking his medication. And as discreetly as he could, he moved his hands that were starting to shake and crossed them behind his back so they wouldn't notice. If he could just leave, maybe everything would be okay. Nico hated this. Why was he so nervous if Percy was just asking about the restaurant? It was no big deal. So what if the man wanted to give him money? These situations shouldn't do this to Nico. If he remembered that he was in control, everything would be okay. That's it. He was in control. He--

"Nico? Are you okay?" He felt Percy's hands on his shoulders and let out a breath, not even realizing he had stopped breathing.

"I'm sorry. I have to go.”

"You're not even going to tell me where you bought the food?”

"I… went… went to a restaurant… that sells homemade lunch boxes… in the city center.”

"Do you need a ride?”

He waved, accepting the ride, but didn't move; Nico wasn't even breathing, trying to act normal. He felt paralyzed, as if someone had chained him up and thrown him into the depths of the sea. He felt himself getting heavy and his vision was starting to get blurry, preventing him from seeing anything in front of him. He... he...

"Nico, pay attention to me. Can you hear me? Breathe with me.”

He took a deep breath and let it out, this time feeling the weight in his chest ease.

“Again.”

Nico took another deep breath and then his head fell forward, so light and empty that he found himself collapsing, feeling so good that the world finally made sense again. However, he didn't end up on the floor or face down on the table as he expected, no, now that things were back to normal he noticed that something firm and stable was holding him upright, giving him exactly what he needed. It was... it was Percy's chest breathing next to his, guiding his breathing, it was his head resting on the man's shoulder and it was the large hands that caressed his back over his shirt. Nico couldn't deny it, he felt warm once again, like a breath of air that brought heat, allowing his blood to warm up again and circulate through his body.

“Daddy, is he going to be okay?” Nico heard Logan ask, his childish voice sounding scared.

"Shhh… don’t worry.”

Now, who Percy was saying this to, he didn't know. The good news was that Nico didn't feel uncomfortable around them and that, in fact, their voices full of affection and care were like a balm to his lonely soul.

***

“Do you feel better?” Percy asked in a low, hoarse whisper.

They were still standing. Percy's arms were wrapped around his waist and Nico felt the world slowly spin as he leaned against his boss's broad shoulders, his head resting against his neck, and even from this awkward angle Nico could feel Percy's worry radiating around them.

Nico couldn't help but notice, Percy was looking at him very closely and touching his face so carefully, his features so worried, that Nico just let himself be carried away by the feeling that warmed his chest and allowed him to breathe a little easier. He watched as Percy kept trying to make him react, calling his name and touching his neck, keeping him safe in his arms. It was then that Percy finally made a decision, and only when Percy was sure that Nico wouldn't faint, he picked him up and didn't wait any longer; the man held his legs, lifting them off the floor and then supported his back so that he wouldn't slip away from his arms. 

In this way, they moved through the house, Nico seeing the white marble floor and the stairs behind him, and Percy going with him through a long hallway. They passed the windows that let the midday sun enter the hallway and then into the room that Percy was carrying him into.

The world spun for a moment, the sun softening as they entered the room, allowing Nico to close his eyes and the sway of Percy's footsteps to lull him gently. Then Percy lowered himself and sat with him on the bed, making him lean against a soft surface and sigh, feeling Percy support him against his broad chest.

“Hm,” Nico remembered muttering back. He always felt a little spacey and high the moment the seizures went away, but in the best way possible. He owed him an explanation, right? Yeah, he did.

"Do you need anything? Water? Pain medicine?”

Nico could barely hear Percy's voice, the low, whispered timbre always distracted him. Percy used such a soft, gentle tone that it seemed to caress his soul, so husky and velvety, so softly at the foot of his ear that if they weren't so close to each other, Nico wouldn't hear anything. And his eyes, they were so beautiful, all intense and fixed on him. Hmm... yes, Percy was still holding him and he had his arms around the man's neck. Should Nico do that? Hmm... he didn't know, he just understood that his chest was resting against his shoulder and that Percy's hands were holding his head, keeping him comfortable.

He blinked slowly and stared into Percy's now serious eyes. So steady. They gave him so much confidence that Nico knew he was safe. Ah, maybe he shouldn't be so comfortable, at times like these his body kind of... acted without his consent.

"I… I'm fine. I'm sorry. I… I have--

“You don’t need to explain yourself,” Percy told him, as serious as ever, looking uninterested. Or maybe Percy was just shocked. It was understandable.

“I do.” When Percy just nodded, he continued, “When I was eight, I had a panic attack and was diagnosed with GAD, Generalized Anxiety Disorder. I’m always anxious, but I can usually control it without it interfering with my work. It’s been years since that happened. I… I’m so sorry. Routine and feeling stable helps. I’m really sorry. I know I should have told you.”

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault.”

"No, it’s not that. I recently came off the meds. The doctor told me I would be able to control it. It’s just that…”

"What is it?" Percy told him softly.

“I've been more nervous than usual. It's just... well... the change in routine…”

He said it was a change of routine, but they both knew it was more than that.

“I see,” Percy said again. “I’m sorry if I caused this. It won’t happen again.”

It probably meant he wouldn't lose his job, right? Because Percy paid really well.

It was Nico's turn to nod. He looked down at Percy's hand that was now on his shoulder and the other one that was resting on his knee. For some reason, at that moment he didn't feel nervous. In fact, it was the complete opposite. Nico was numb, feeling so good that any guilt or discomfort about being in this situation had dissipated. Or maybe he trusted him, because Percy was showing him that this trust could be placed in him.

Nico continued to stare at Percy's hand and then a blond head entered his field of vision. It was Logan, he was crying, his big green eyes puffy while Alice just watched attentively and quietly, both trying to smile at him. Nico smiled back and then everything seemed to get lighter, almost making him close his eyes.

"Okay, you can rest now. Do you have your cell phone? I'll let your family know.”

“Oh,” he muttered. It was true. Nico hadn’t told them. Looking up and finding himself smiling at Percy, Nico thanked him. “It’s in my bag.”

Before Percy could say anything, Nico finally let his eyes close. He felt Percy tucking him back into the pillows and heard footsteps leaving the room, but it was okay; in less than a few seconds everything went black and sleep took him away.

Until next time!

Save a fanfic writer, leave comments on old fics

There is this a peculiar set of reasons and biases when it comes to NOT commenting on AO3.

They are all false, but here they are:

Do not comment on old fics

Do not comment on each chapter of a multichapter

Do not comment if the author left the fandom

Do not comment if the author doesn’t respond to comments

It can be summoned up as DO NOT ACT LIKE YOU ENJOYED THE WORK AND YOU LIKE THE AUTHOR.

It comes from the idea, that if you leave a comment on my old work, or leave too many comments, I will think you are strange, clingy, and gross.

Readers are imagining it as commenting on an old Facebook photo — only your granny and creepy strangers do that.

That is not the case with AO3.

Writers put their works there for long-term storage, and we expect, wish, and hope that you will like our works and tell us about it.

This all very interesting, not, but why should I care?

This has awful consequences.  Fanfic authors feel constant pressure to create more and crippling fear of being forgotten, useless, and being literally kicked away from fandom.

I’m online friends with a few great fandom authors, who wrote storied with thousands of kudos, but ALL of them at some point expressed this fear. Very talented people told me, “I’m not sure if I should have ‘writer’ in my bio. I didn’t post anything new in the last half of a year.”

Some young or entitled readers might say, “Hm, well, they are right. They should create MORE to be relevant. Isn’t that a good thing to push authors to write more?”

For better or worse, life doesn’t work like that. We are talking about real people, who go to real schools, have real jobs, families, and all the other important things outside the fandom. Some of them might push to create more from that fear, but most would only get more frustrated and depressed about the whole fanfic writing.

So, please, if you like the work comment on it.

Even if it’s old, even if it’s a multichapter, even if the author doesn’t have time and energy to interact. Especially in all those cases.

Encourage your authors, and show them your support.