SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter II

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX

Hi, how are you? I'm still a bit sick, but nothing to stop me from bringing you new chapters. So they'll probably come out towards the middle and end of the week, but I promise I'll be around. I hope can you enjoy it! Any feedback is welcome, because I'm thinking of turning this story into an ebook. For example, a reader told me that Nico's age was confusing. And she was right! For those who have the same doubts, Nico and Percy are around 15 years apart. That's because this story was supposed to be just smutt, but then I decided to do something more serious. That's when I decided to raise Nico's age a little. So Nicois eighteen and Percy is in his early forties.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

"See? It wasn't that hard." That's what Annabeth told him on Monday, the morning after the party. Fortunately, that nightmare was in the past and soon she would leave, sneaky and silent as always.

"You're absolutely right, it was so much fun. In less than two hours the kids were already tired and I had to greet twenty different people who treated me like I was a childhood friend. It was really fun.”

"Don't be dramatic. They know you, you just don't remember them.”

It's true. Percy never had patience for self-interested people with superiority complexes. He had enough of that himself.

"Daddy, can we change clothes? Nico should be here soon." Alice said, her face expressionless and her eyes drooping, dark circles surrounding them in a soft pink tone. Her dark brown hair further highlighting her paleness.

"Of course, dear. Do you have money for lunch?”

She just waved and held out her hand to Logan who slowly stood up and walked over to his sister.

Logan wasn't doing any better either, it seemed like all his joy and will to live had been taken from him, his green eyes were puffy and his back was hunched over. The saddest sight he ever saw. Annabeth had promised them a family night and what they had gotten was a lonely dinner, secluded at a table while their mother paraded Percy around the room, as to demonstrate how her trophy shone brighter and brighter than anyone else's.

In that moment, Annabeth chose to stand up as well, acting like the children and the heavy air didn't exist. She stroked Alice and Logan's hair and walked up the stairs, strutting down a runway that only she could see, never looking back.

"I'm sorry, kids. This will be over soon.”

"She… she doesn't even…!" Logan sobbed and Alice hugged him tightly. "Why doesn't she love me?”

"Don't be like that." It was Percy's turn to stand up and join them, completing the hug. "Of course she loves you, she's your mother. She loves you in her own way.”

"I wish! I wish she wasn't my mother! Anyone is better than her!" Logan shouted with all the strength he had and ran up the stairs.

"It's okay, Dad. I'll take care of it." Alice tried to smile and hugged him as tightly as she had hugged Logan. 

She pulled away and followed her brother, straightening her spine and walking up the stairs, doing her best to show that everything was okay. But it wasn't, they had known for a long time that it never would be. The children were growing up and finally understanding what was happening, what had always happened. The truth was that Annabeth wanted more than to stay home and take care of children, no matter who she left behind or hurt in the process.

After that, Percy didn't even have time to finish his black coffee, the doorbell rang and he had to answer it, knowing full well who it was. He opened the door, coming face to face with Nico's dark and slightly rounded face, his black eyes as puffy as Logan's, looking down, huddled against himself at the foot of the door.

"Nico, you don't need to ring the bell, I gave you the key for a reason." Percy tried to break the bad mood.

"I wasn't sure if I should." Nico looked at him hesitantly, and remained rooted to the spot, looking like he was going to burst into tears right there.

"Nico, what happened?”

"Nothing. Nothing happened.”

"Did you get my message?”

He nodded and wiped his face.

"I wish you hadn't sent it." He then looked at him and practically begged. "You make things even more complicated.”

"More complicated, how?”

"I thought… I thought I could handle it. What should I do? Never talk to them again? Pretend it never happened? What should I do?”

"Nico, dear. It's okay.”

"Nothing is okay. Nothing will ever be! I wish I had never met you, never met Diego and still been in Italy! None of this would have happened and I would never have known--”

"Never know what?" Percy had to ask.

Nico looked at him, fidgeting in place, his lips trembling.

"I would never know what it's like to be treated well. Like I mattered. Like I was worth the effort.”

Percy waited a moment and continued to look at Nico, this boy couldn't be real. His sincerity, his affection. Percy could kiss him right there, right now. He could hold him in his arms and give him all the attention Nico could possibly want, but it wasn't right, it wasn't what Nico needed; this was just a vulnerable moment. The strange thing was that Percy didn't understand why he cared so much, even though he knew it was enough to try to help Nico. What Nico needed right now was a friend and not what Percy really wanted to give.

"Okay." He murmured back, trying to stay on the right path. In the end, he couldn’t resist. Percy touched Nico’s shoulder and slid his hand down the curve of his neck, watching Nico gasp and move closer to him, their heads a hand’s breadth apart. "Do you need help? Medical help? Money?”

"I don't want to take advantage of you." It was Nico's turn to murmur back, looking less fragile, as thought the danger had lessened.

"Our family has a partnership with an NGO. It's great for taxes. I could arrange something for you.”

"I can't." Nico shook his head, moving just a little closer.

"Please? I would feel more at ease. It’s a community-based program. You can continue to receive help even after you stop working here. It’s at the college, downtown. It’s safe, I promise.”

"I don't know, Per.”

"Or you can stay with me for a while. I have other houses.”

Nico grimaced and shook his head.

"Come on, everyone needs help.”

"Are you sure? Is it really communal?”

"I wouldn't lie to you.”

"I… thank you.”

Nico jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly around the neck, and whispered:

"No one has done anything like this for me before. I will never forget it. Never.”

Nico then kissed him on the cheek, a soft, fleeting touch, and pulled away, his face reddening more by the second.

"Uh… the pleasure is mine." Percy said. He tried hard not to step forward and end this torture. But there was no way, playing the good guy was too exhausting.

Percy sighed deeply, waved and turned his back to Nico, being greeted by an audience, because there in the entrance chamber he found the children smiling, all happy with Annabeth who was watching them like she had swallowed a whole lemon. The worst part was seeing her anger displayed for anyone to see when Annabeth had done much more than a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Well, two kisses on the cheek. Who knows, maybe the next one would be in the right place.

But no, that wasn't all. Annabeth uncrossed her arms, pushed herself off the wall and came towards him, strutting and tossing her golden hair back.

"So, you are the famous Nico.”

"Am I?" Nico asked, confused.

"Annabeth Chase, wife of the man you were hugging so tightly.”

"Hmmm… it’s a pleasure to meet you? I can finally… put a face to the name.”

"Did they talk about me? I expect only good things.”

“Of course, ma’am.” Nico looked at Percy uncertainly, and Percy nodded at Nico, patting Nico’s shoulder once more. “Kids? We’re already late.”

This is the moment when Logan and Alice ran to Nico, each of them hugging him tightly only to run out of the house, leaving Percy to grab the keys to the car that had just arrived and hand them to Nico.

"Those keys, they're not--”

"Today you will use another car. It is next to the Jeep.”

Nico shrugs and picks up the children's backpacks, going after them and leaving only the silence and Annabeth's malicious judgment on his back.

Chapter XIX

"You finally showed who you really are.”

Nico and the kids had barely left when Annabeth started. She followed him through the house to the living room and stopped in front of him, refusing to be ignored. Percy felt like rolling his eyes, but he was resigned; nothing he could say would convince her otherwise. So, Percy gave in and just sat on the couch, opening the newspaper to the business section.

"Really? Who am I?”

"A child groomer. You always preferred the younger ones. They’re more innocent, aren’t they? Easier to manipulate? You can tell me.”

He looked at Annabeth, at her bright blue-gray eyes that conveyed compassion and understanding. She had always been a good actress. But, did everyone think the same? Did he enjoy dominating the weak? Was that the impression he gave to others?

"Annabeth, how many times I will need--”

"You're cheating on me. You'll never admit it, but I know it. Is it revenge for what I did?”

"Annabeth." Percy sighed, already tired of this. "If I wanted revenge, I would have done it four years ago.”

“Four years?” She gasped and took a step back. This time, it didn’t seem like an act. “You knew all this time and never said anything?”

"I wasn't sure. Until you brought your lover home, things were great. I saw you two together and it was so obvious. I couldn't keep pretending.”

"Percy, I never meant to hurt you.”

"I know, it would happen sooner or later, right? And all because of our families?”

"Percy, please. Don't complicate things.”

"No, Annabeth. I'm tired of this. Remember your part of the deal. This is my last warning.”

"Percy! Don't you realize what you're doing?" Annabeth approached him and held his hands like she hadn't done in a long time. "Don't you know what people will say?”

"He's just a kid who needs help.”

"No." She refused to accept it, holding him in place with the strength of her intense eyes. "You say that now, but what about later? When you no longer feel guilty? I know what will happen. What will they say about me when you abandon me because of a little boy?”

"You were the one who abandoned me first!”

"Yes! For an adult and independent person. Someone mature and with a career. What do you think will happen? Will you play with him for a while and then dump him?”

"Oh, I hope not. I'll play with him, dress him, feed him, and give him everything he needs." Percy said with a smile wider than the world, catching himself and Annabeth off guard. "Then I'll love him and marry him.”

"You… are you serious? You would throw away our partnership over some random child?”

"This has nothing to do with Nico. That was our agreement, you would visit the children a few days per year until the divorce was official. All that’s left is for you to sign the papers.”

"Percy! Why can't you accept this? I'll even let you play with him. Equal rights, right?" She said hopefully.

"No, thank you very much. You should have thought about that before making your decision.”

"Percy!”

He had lost interest in what Annabeth had to say. Percy sat back down on the couch and opened the newspaper once more, watching from the corner of his eye as Annabeth paced the room, her dress billowing around her as she came up with a thousand reasons to convince him why a divorce after so long would be detrimental to both of them.

The truth was, he didn't care, and he didn't care what might happen to him. Would Percy lose some money? Yes. Would his parents be furious in that passive-aggressive way that said they were going to take away any support or power he had over the family business? Absolutely. As long as Nico and the kids weren't affected, everything else could fall apart and he wouldn't lift a finger to stop it.

"Okay! But don't say I didn't warn you!" Annabeth threw her hands in the air and marched upstairs. Which seemed perfect to him, the less he had to deal with Annabeth, the less problems he would have in the future.

***

“Thank you, Jenny,” Percy said, picking up the cutlery on the table and deciding what he would eat first.

That was a pleasant early afternoon, the sun was shining brightly into the room and the food was being served on the table while Jenny, the new maid/housekeeper , arranged the dishes on the table. And Percy had to admit, he had never eaten so well before, even at his parents' house when the custom was to have a party or charity event every two weeks. It seemed that Nico was excellent at everything he did and even at finding exemplary and efficient service providers.

“Of course, Mr. Jackson. Mrs. Chase.” Jenny nodded at him and Annabeth, and walked away. She was out of the dining room and back to the kitchen faster than a rocket. Had Annabeth managed to scare away more of the staff yet?

“So…” Annabeth began. She uncovered one of the dishes and made a face. “You know I don’t eat pasta.”

"Nico eats. The children too.”

"It's your favorite dish. And I know you, everything has to be about you.”

"No, you're mistaken, I think we're talking about someone else.”

It was Percy's turn to make faces. When he was with Annabeth, he couldn't help but sink to her level. Luckily, he didn't have to wait long, as he soon heard the front door slam and hurried footsteps coming towards him. Small arms grabbed him by the neck and childish giggles followed. Percy smiled at them and kissed their happy faces, Alice and Logan, the only positive thing that would come out of this marriage. Of course, Nico came right after, out of breath, running after the children, probably worried that they might have gotten hurt.

"Oh." Nico mumbled, looking embarrassed for some reason. " I'm sorry.”

Nico took a step back and was already turning around when Percy said:

"Nico, join us.”

"I don't want to bother you.”

"I insist.”

"Yes, Nico. We insist.”

Nico turned and faced him, hesitating, and then disappeared once more with the children's backpacks down the hallway and up the stairs. When he returned, Nico simply extended his hands toward the children and they came to him, each holding one in his arms. They went up the stairs and with that, the silence that was so common when he and Annabeth were together was once again present, louder than if a lion were roaring in the dining room and right in their faces.

"Hm." Annabeth said after a while.

Yeah… maybe he had looked up at the cream-colored ceiling and then at the dishes that, even though covered, were releasing steam from the cooked food. When he looked back at her, Annabeth had her arms crossed and was leaning against the back of the chair, observing him as if she were analyzing an experiment that had an obvious conclusion.

"You are thoughtful.”

"…”

"You are… happy.”

Percy made a point of not answering her again. He wouldn't smile or make any faces. But still, Annabeth said he was happy.

"You've made up your mind.”

"I already told you--”

"Yes. But this time is serious.”

It was better for things to stay that way. He allowed himself to look at the ceiling once more and let his thoughts go wherever they wanted. He allowed himself to think about Nico's dark eyes, his easily embarrassed face, and his shy but sweet gestures. And in the end, Annabeth was right, he was just biding his time, waiting long enough for Nico to reach twenty-one so he would feel less guilty about what he was about to do.

***

Percy heard the footsteps before he saw them. Nico reappeared with the children, already changed, and guided them by the hands, helping Logan to sit in the chair while Alice sat down alone, sitting next to her brother. Silently, Logan and Alice waited for Nico who started by taking the children's plates. First Logan's, filling his plate with vegetables and a small portion of pasta. Nico did the same with Alice and even though they made faces, they both took the first bite, swallowing the vegetables practically without chewing. At least it was a start, he had never managed that feat.

"So, Nico. You're a student, right?" Annabeth said, barely letting Nico sit down.

Nico went around the table and did the same with Percy, filling his plate with vegetables, but with a much larger portion of pasta, doing the same with his own plate.

Nico nodded, sat down next to Percy, and lowered his head, shoving a forkful of pasta into his mouth.

"What are you studying again?”

When Nico continued chewing, showing no signs of responding, Percy spoke for him:

"He's going to be a--”

"I'm not talking to you." Annabeth said and turned to Nico, and asked again: "What do you study, boy?”

He watched things happen in slow motion. Nico wiped his mouth delicately, put his cutlery on the plate, and then stared at Annabeth, his brow furrowed. He placed his hands on his lap, somehow looking shy and yet not at all intimidated.

“You don’t scare me,” Nico said, straightening his back. “You’re not the first to think that just because I’m quiet I’d be afraid of this emotional manipulation. I’m sorry if I’m interrupting your dinner. I can leave.”

A slow smile formed on Percy's face and not even his attempt to hide it with his hands could disguise his amusement. It was funny to see the way Nico acted, the boy didn't even make an effort to move and just continued to stare at Annabeth, calm and composed, as if this was a normal occurrence. The children didn't have the same composure, laughing softly as they tried not to choke on their food, all while Annabeth seemed to take Nico's answer as a challenge.

"Ah, but it seems like you learned a lot from daddy, right? After all, he's old enough to be your father. Maybe an uncle, hmm?”

It was Percy's turn to swallow something sour.

"My father?" Nico shook his head and gave a dry chuckle. "My father would never teach me these things. I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

"You don't have to?”

"No." This time Nico looked Annabeth straight in the eye, completely serious. "You are not part of our lives. How long will it be before you disappear again? If you don’t care about this marriage, you should care about what happens to your children.”

Only silence remained. Annabeth paled and inside, where no one could see, Percy felt vindicated, so fulfilled that he could get down on one knee and ask Nico to marry him right then and there.

"I’m sorry." Nico said once more, softening his voice. "I don’t mean to intrude. But all this has a negative effect on the children. They spent the night crying. It’s not healthy. And no, everything I said here, they’re not my words, they’re theirs. Can you hear that?”

"I…" Annabeth murmured, looking at her own plate.

"Can we start over?" Nico then smiled and stood up. "Nico Di Ângelo, nice to meet you. I'm the kids' new nanny. I've been here for less than a month and I'm studying law at the community college, next semester I'll transfer to the federal college. I'm working to pay for my studies.”

Nico offered Annabeth his hand and the most incredible thing happened: Annabeth stood up and accepted the greeting, shaking Nico's hand. The children sighed in relief and Percy felt disappointed. Nico could have chased Annabeth away, right? But nothing was that simple. Annabeth and Nico sat down at the table, the plates were emptied, dessert arrived and so the children, Annabeth and Nico began to talk, telling her what had happened since Nico had arrived there. Unfortunately, Annabeth was cordial, Nico was sincere and the rest of the day passed peacefully with Annabeth and Nico putting the children to bed and wishing them a good night.

The good news is that when Nico came down the stairs to leave, he was alone. Backpack on his back and a calm expression on his face. That is, until he finished going down them and found Percy waiting for him at the bottom.

"Sorry about today. I didn't expect her to do that.”

“It’s okay.” Nico shrugged, stopping a meter away from him. “You two are alike, actually. I just needed to shock her and show her that I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

"Still, you didn't have to deal with her.”

"Percy--”

"I have something for you." Percy took a card out of his pocket and offered it to Nico. "The clinic I told you about.”

"You said it was an NGO." Nico looked at him suspiciously, but accepted the card.

"It’s a clinic that partners with an NGO. It’s the same thing.”

"No, it's not.”

Nico read the address on the card and frowned.

"Isn’t it that tall building in the city center…?”

"Well… you discovered my evil plan.”

With that, Nico looked away from the card and crossed his arms, staring at him with that grumpy little face, making a cute little grimace.”

"I said my family had a partnership with an NGO, didn't I?”

"I didn't expect it to be in that building. I mean…”

"Yes, we are those Jackson.”

"You mean, I gave a moral lesson to one of the most… famous socialites in the city?" Nico said, looking like he was going to faint, his voice slowly fading away.

"Yes, and that was the best moment of my life! Thank you very much!”

"Percy!" Nico whimpered and came at him, slamming both his fists against Percy's still aching chest. " Couldn't you have warned me?”

"No, I couldn’t." He murmured, satisfied, holding the middle of Nico’s back. He loved it when Nico approached him of his own free will. "Did I mention you were amazing? Fantastic. Magnificent. Perfect.”

"Stop it! And don't try to distract me. I can't accept it." But Nico didn't pull away as he feared, Nico hugged him by the neck and held on tightly.

“None of this.” Percy murmured against Nico’s ear. “A promise is a promise.”

"I didn't promise anything.”

"Come on, it will be good for you. And if you need to--”

"No." Nico denied, letting his arms fall away from Percy’s neck, and took a step back, looking anywhere but at him. "I can’t accept more than this.”

"I know. I understand. But I want you to know, if you ever need me, no matter what it is. I'm here.”

"I know." Nico murmured back. "And that’s the problem.”

Thanks for being here. Comments are always welcome.

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

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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.

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SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XX and Chapter XXI

Hi, we're back! I've had a bit of time and decided to move things along. I hope you like it.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII / Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX

Chapter XX

“I’m leaving,” Nico muttered weakly before leaving the house.

He took one last look at his father's figure sitting on the couch, ignoring him while reading the newspaper, and opened the door. Nico didn't even wait for a greeting in return, knowing he wouldn't get one. Not that he cared, he had come there to get some books and a change of clothes, and if that was the way Hades was going to continue to treat him... it was better that way, because things were only going to get worse. After that lunch with Percy, or rather, after he decided to ignoreWill's calls, the vow of silence had begun. However, it was only when the gifts, money and unwanted appearances started to appear that things became truly uncomfortable. That is, gifts from Percy andWill, both competing to see who was the best.

Yes, it seemed that was how things would be. If he didn’t stay too long inside that house, he wouldn’t have to see them and that way, everything would be fine. And if he didn’t stay at home, Maria wouldn’t have to take sides and Hazel wouldn’t have to fight with Hades, but… but it was all right. Jason and Thalia were helping him, the siblings had a spare room and they didn’t demand anything from Nico. Yes, it was the best thing to do, he kept telling himself; in the end, everything would be fine. The good news was that Nico had left plenty of clothes at their house and he wouldn’t have to go back for a few days.

"Nico!" Nico's soul nearly jumped out of his body at the shrill scream. Hazel came running down the stairs toward him, her face distressed and angry, determined as ever.

"Where have you been all week! We've been so worried.”

She was a true angel. Nico let Hazel's short arms wrap tightly around his waist and returned the gesture, barely realizing how much he missed her.

"I'm not welcome here." Nico confessed.

"That’s not true! Mom and Bianca miss you. EvenThanatos asked about you.”

"It's better this way." He said, "You don't have to fight over me.”

"No, I refuse. You're not leaving!”

"Honey, I have to work.”

Nico looked at her and smiled, even though he was crying a little. He missed Hazel so much that he almost gave in to the temptation to stay. He missed his mother too, and the nights watching movies with his brothers.”

"Why, right now? What changed that made you abandon me?" Hazel pouted cutely and tears fell from her golden eyes. The worst part was that she was right.

For the first time in his life, Nico had accepted someone's help and gone to the psychiatrist that Percy had recommended, as well as the psychologist, both community doctors. The truth is that the doctors he had seen before had not been a good experience, but Nico had talked a lot with them, learning that moving away from what was hurting him was essential, even if it was slow, and having a support network was even more important. He had also decided that he would no longer lie and that he would face his problems head on, and he would never, ever again be ashamed or feel guilty for thinking of himself first.

"I'm going to a psychiatrist. She prescribed me a weaker sedative and advised me to seek a healthier environment.”

“Oh,” she murmured. “I understand. I’m… I’m happy for you.” But now she was crying for real, silent tears streaming down her dark face. “You’ll come back to visit, won’t you?”

"I'm not leaving. I just need some distance. When you need me, just call me and I'll come running.”

"Do you promise?”

"I promise." Nico said to her and hugged her tightly.

"Can I go with you?”

"Where?”

"Work, of course." She said as if it were obvious.

And you know what? He shrugged, Percy probably wouldn't mind.

Nico took Hazel's hand and guided her to the bus stop.

***

Nico rang the bell and held Hazel's hand, counting the seconds. The door opened quickly and, as usual, it was Percy who came to greet him, always with a big smile and an affectionate hug.

Of course, it hadn't always been like this, the important thing was that in the last few days a simple "hello" had turned into something more, something that required physical contact and was as easy as breathing. He just wanted things to stop there. You know when you think it's going to rain a little and instead a flood destroys your house? That was exactly how Nico felt, all the presents, tight hugs and soft smiles weren't good for his heart. Or the money that had mysteriously appeared in his bank account, so many zeros that Nico didn't even know how to count them and that seemed to increase every day he looked at it.

"You know you don't have to rin-- Hazel! What are you doing here?" Percy said, opening the door completely and allowing them access to the entrance chamber. Percy crossed his arms and made a face, but Nico knew it was a joke, because soon after Percy bent down and hugged Hazel, ruffling her hair.

"She came with me today, I hope that's okay.”

"Yeah, no problem." Percy said and turned to him.

Holding his shoulders, Percy looked him straight in the eyes and then moved them from his feet to his head, and only then hugged him tightly, tighter and longer than would be appropriate.

"You look much better. The kids will love to see you." Percy said in the middle of the hug, his voice whispered against his earlobe.

Nico could only nod, the words he was about to say disappearing without being pronounced, like, why he found so much money in his account when he went to get money to buy a book and why so many gifts. He just wanted to understand what was going on between them. Or what could still happen. What really made him understand how screwed he was was finding himself surrounded by Percy's arms, realizing how much he had missed him this past week, the week he had asked for time off. It was the only way to get his life together and try to build something to motivate him to continue.

One of Percy's hands held him by the back of the neck and the other came to rest on the small of his back, making him feel welcome and safe. When Percy finally let go, Hazel and Percy had identical smiles on their faces, which made him deeply uncomfortable, as if they knew something Nico didn't.

"Come on, the kids are already at the table." Percy told him.

Percy touched his hand hesitantly, as if expecting to be rejected, but when Nico did nothing to stop him, Percy gently guided him as he stroked his fingers. However, Nico didn't have time to enjoy the feeling of Percy's touch on his skin, because there was the Jackson family; Alice sitting next to Logan,Annabeth at the farthest point from everyone while Percy sat in the center, with him and Hazel seating them next to him and across from the children. The funny thing was that instead of asking the cook or the housekeeper to get more dishes, Percy himself stood up.

"There's always room for one more in this house." Percy placed the cutlery, plates and glasses as the housekeeper had taught them and straightened his spine. Percy puffed out his chest and cocked his head in a comical gesture, looking really proud of his work.

"So, what brings your sister here?”

"I--” Of course Nico didn't get the chance to finish.

"I had to ambush Nico in the morning!" Hazel practically slammed her hands on the table, exactly like Hades would do, all irritated and offended.

“Oh, really?” Was all Percy said, his easy smile seeming to calm her.

"Nico… Nico hadn’t been home for over a week! I was so worried! No one knew where he had gone, not Mom, Hades, Bianca. Not even Lou and Cecil! It was like he had disappeared off the map!”

"Hmm, and how did that happen?”

But this time, Percy wasn’t asking Hazel that question. No, he was looking at Nico as he lifted the wine glass to his lips. One corner of his mouth lifted and he leaned back against the back of his chair, looking Nico over once more from head to toe.

"Could this have anything to do with some recent changes? I wonder what it could be…" Percy said again, in that mix of joking and mocking that only he could do.

“Okay,” Nico said, suppressing the urge to roll his eyes. “I went to the psychiatrist, okay? She referred me to a psychologist too.”

"I'm glad." Percy said then, contentedly. The smile that reached his eyes said much more. “Did you like it?”

“Like isn’t the word I’d use,” Nico found himself saying, feeling his face heat up, that urge to hide stronger than his sense of pride. “It’s helping. I guess I needed to hear certain things, from a neutral perspective, you know?”

“I know!” What surprised him wasn’t that someone agreed with him, but that it was Logan who had said it. Alice nodded, seeming to flinch when the attention turned to them. “Dad put us in therapy after you had your panic attack. It’s so cool! He listens to me and jokes with me, just like you do, Nico!”

He smiled at Logan and Alice, but for some reason he felt like crying. Nico didn't cry, of course, it would be too much drama for such an early morning, he just looked at Percy suspiciously.

Percy shrugged.

"My parents never worried about that kind of thing. I wanted to make sure that… everything was as it should be." Percy muttered, a strange, self-deprecating smile forming.

Nico was so proud! To show his approval, he held Percy's hand and smiled at him. Percy didn't know how much trouble he was saving himself with this. Percy only did this because the children must have been traumatized, but it showed that Percy cared about their well-being, not just their physical well-being, but their mental well-being as well. The problem was that Percy turned his hand against his and intertwined their fingers, making him feel that warm feeling in his heart, and maybe somewhere else too. When that happened, he tended to forget everything else.

It was at that moment that Nico heard a throat clearing.

Sofia pushed her chair back and stood up, knocking it over as she went. She crossed her arms and approached them, circling behind each one sitting at the table, as if she was about to attack.

"Who gave you permission to do this to my children? Is this how you raise them? And letting just anyone come into my house?”

If he didn't know whoAnnabeth was or what the purpose behind those words was, Nico would be offended. Hazel, who didn't know what was happening, didn't have the same reaction. She stood up and, just as aggressively asAnnabeth, lifted her chin, taking a step towards her.

Fortunately, Nico acted faster. He grabbed her arm and sent her a look, which was enough for Hazel to sit back down, not at all happy with the situation.

"Is this house still yours?" Surprised, Nico heard Logan say once more. "If you don’t live here, is it still yours?”

Percy frowned andAnnabeth paled. If Nico hadn't been paying so much attention he would have missed the momentAnnabeth gasped and took a step back in shock. Percy was too focused on Logan, Alice was looking down in sadness, and Hazel had looked away in a huff. He could only watch asAnnabeth took another step back and another, disappearing up the stairs without a word.

Maybe it wasn't a good idea to bring Hazel there.

Chapter XXI

Even though the morning was full of drama, the rest of the day passed peacefully; after Percy talked to Logan, Nico took the children to school with Hazel and then they returned, Nico showing his sister the house, quickly passing by Percy's room, a gigantic place with a double bed, a suite with a bathroom and, in the corner of the room, a spacious table with chairs, a printer and everything Percy could possibly need. They said "hi" to Percy and soon Nico pulled Hazel by the hand when she started to talk, Percy in the middle of documents spread out on the table, laughing at their attitude.

When they finally returned to the living room, Nico was able to sit down and pick up his books. But Hazel? She wasn't satisfied with that. No, she walked around the room, looked out the window that overlooked the garden and the pool, and went to the bookshelf that took up an entire wall and began to read the titles.

That was already getting on his nerves.

"Hazel, what are you doing? Looking for evidence for Hades?”

"What, no… but… is that all?”

She came towards him and sat on the sofa by his side, still curious.

"What were you thinking?”

"You and Percy seem so close…”

"Hazel!”

"I'm just saying. So, you just study? All afternoon?”

"Sometimes Percy comes over and we watch a movie. Or we get something to eat.”

"Really? Not even a little kiss? Maybe a--”

"You can stop right there. If you came here for that--”

"No! I missed you. You still haven't said where you're living.”

"And I won't. I don't want to take my problems elsewhere. They're already helping me, I can't get them into this mess.”

"Is this part of your therapy too?" She asked, pouting.

"Yes. I have to learn to say no, or the same thing will happen no matter where I go.”

"What? People coming to your new house?”

"No, people abusing me. Even if they don't know what they're doing.”

"Oh." Hazel murmured, looking at her hands. "Do I do that? I never--”

"It's not your fault. If I don't tell you how I feel, how can you know? The responsibility for building healthy relationships must come from both parties.”

"Does it start with “no”?”

"Start by defining what I am willing to accept and what I should never allow.”

"Oh." She said, but this time, Hazel understood. She smiled and hugged him tightly. "I hope I'm one of those healthy relationships.”

"Of course you are, I'll always want you in my life. The question is: do you want to study with me until it's time to pick up the kids or do you want me to take you home?”

"I think I've caused enough trouble. I'll go alone.”

"Are you sure? Do you have the money for the bus?”

"Yes, Hades always gives me money to spare. Don't worry.”

That was when Nico realized how differently they were treated. Hades had never given him a penny that wasn't strictly necessary, but for Hazel... only the best. He took Hazel to the door and waited for Ethan to pick her up, and only then did he let himself fall apart. He walked mechanically to his little corner in the living room and lay down in one of the long armchairs, only realizing that time had passed when someone gently touched him on the shoulder.

“I--”

He jumped and tried to sit up. However, it was Percy. The man always caught him in these situations. Percy just smiled at him and sat down next to him, Percy's hands going to his hair automatically, brushing and massaging, rocking him so gently that he calmed down after a few moments.

"You were so quiet, you didn't come to call me for lunch. Have you eaten yet?”

"No." Nico denied, relieved that he didn't have to explain.

He didn't understand where all this care was coming from or why Percy chose to treat him this way. It was clear that he wasn't the best person for Percy to invest so much time... and money in. In the last few weeks it had seemed like as soon as he breathed, Percy was offering him something or giving him "tips" that felt more like extra pay, even when he was off duty, the money showing up in his account randomly.

It’s just… that was why he was working, wasn’t it? Except it wasn’t work at all, taking care of the kids or occasionally making food when the cook was gone. Really, Percy had done so much for him, more than he could ever do for Percy; he just wished Percy wouldn’t make him feel so guilty.

Ah! Who was he kidding? Percy was all he needed. Someone who would support him, care for him, and understand him, someone Nico could trust, just like Percy had already proven. So why did all of this feel so wrong? So bad? Like he was taking advantage of the man and manipulating him, just like those girls his father criticized so much.

"Nico?" Percy called his name, and that voice that was usually soft and husky, sounded authoritative, like Nico hadn't heard in a long time.

He immediately paid attention and looked at Percy's face, who was staring at him seriously, with his jaw clenched, offering him his hand. He didn't hesitate and took it, Percy's firm grip making him feel safe and a little better.

"I'm not going to make you talk about what happened. You know you can talk to me about anything, right? It doesn't matter what it is.”

“I…”

"Am I being too intrusive? If it's about something that happened in this house, I can--”

"No!" He jumped up, facing Percy. "Nothing happened. Nothing at all!”

"Hm. I'll pretend to believe you. But if something is bothering you, I'd rather hear it from you than from other people.”

"I promise… I promise you’ll be the first to know.”

Still a little sad, Nico sniffed and wiped the tears on the sleeve of his sweater. Percy didn't ask anything else, just took his hand again and guided him once more with his firm touch. He knew that if he wanted to talk, Percy would listen; and that was enough to make the sadness dissolve a little more, enough for Nico to know that if he had lost a father, he had gained so much more in return.

***

When Nico opened his eyes, the living room was already dark, only the television and the clock lit up the room. He rubbed his eyes and checked the time, half past eight, well after working hours. He got up and left the children sleeping, heading towards the kitchen, or that was the goal. Nico had to stop halfway when he came acrossAnnabeth, she was coming down the stairs, pulling a huge and heavy suitcase, and for a moment he felt bad for the children who were being abandoned once again, without so much as a goodbye or any words of comfort.

Fortunately, Nico soon snapped out of his trance and headed towardsAnnabeth, running over to where she was, helping her down the rest of the steps.

“Thank you,” was all she said, her attention completely on the still half-open suitcase, her gaze determined to fit everything into that compact space.

"Sofia-- ma'am... aren't you say goodbye to the children?”

"Say goodbye to them?"Annabeth finally looked at him and analyzed him from head to toe. "They don't need me. They don't even want me here. Why would I say goodbye?”

It was a good question. Still, it wasn't the right thing to do.

"The children miss you.”

“I know they do.” She finally closed her suitcase and turned to him, with the same self-deprecating smile Percy had used before. “They miss something that never existed.”

"That's not true. I bet they'd love to spend a holiday with you. If you'd talk to them... Percy would be open to it, I know he would.”

"So cute, yet so innocent." She finally smiled at Nico, a sincere smile that spread across her entire face. "You're a good boy. That's why I know you'll take good care of my husband and my children. You have a gift for it. They're so happy that I won't need to go back for a long time.”

"What?" Nico asked without understanding.  “So, you…”

"It's the deal I made with Percy, I have to come back a few times a year. That's it.”

"Aren't you afraid?”

"What could I be afraid of?" She looked down at him, mocking Nico. When Percy did that, it gave him a feeling of affection, but whenAnnabeth did it, he could only feel mockery and sadness.

"For them to grow up and reject you for the rest of their lives?”

Sofia pulled on the handle of her suitcase and hesitated for a moment, then looked back at him with those piercing gray eyes.

"I meant it about the kids missing you. They were so happy when they heard you were coming… all they need is a little attention. They just need to know that their mother cares.”

"Hm." Was all she said before tossing her golden hair back and opening the door, walking out.

You know what was funny?Annabeth had spent the past two weeks watching him like a hawk, trying to find any flaws or mistakes he might make, but all she had revealed was how she and Percy could never be more than two strangers, or how the children worshipped her, like a god they could never reach. But now, listening to the sound of the car driving away, all Nico felt was sadness. These were two more children who would grow up feeling rejected and incomplete.

See you next week!

There is no such thing as a perfect first draft. There are only great revisions.

Don’t get caught up with trying to make your first draft everything you want it to be. Instead, focus on the fundamentals, and then have fun sculpting it into what you imagine.

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!

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XV

Sim, mais uma capítulo. Para compensar pela semana passada. Espero que vocês gostem.

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

Percy watched that boy and did nothing, he didn't move to give him what he deserved or try to call for help, he just witnessed that beautiful scene; Will at the foot of the stairs, fuming with rage while he hugged Nico tightly.

He rested his head on top of Nico's and in return, he heard Nico sigh softly, relaxing completely against Percy.

Even though he knew he shouldn't provoke people, it was something that was in his blood. He stroked Nico's back and then looked back at Will, smiling victoriously. He understood perfectly well what this would cause, it was obvious. If someone was touching what was his, as he was doing now, he would be furious too. And sure enough, Will came towards them, marching and huffing, Will puffed out his chest, preparing for battle, and stopped right in front of them, close enough for Percy to feel Will's rapid breathing on his face. Not pleasant.

"Let go of Nico, he doesn't belong to you!”

"Ohh!" Percy said, faking the happiness he didn't feel. "If he doesn't belong to me, does that mean he's yours?”

For real, that was a question that didn’t need an answer. Nico wasn’t someone’s thing. Anyway, that didn’t matter. The fact that was worth noting was that Nico gasped and pressed himself closer to him, hiding his face in his shoulder and muttering a “Please, someone kill me,” something Percy probably shouldn’t have heard. So he decided to ignore it.

"Let. Him. Go! Now!”

"What if I don't want to? You're going to scream some more, aren't you?" Percy shook his head, pretending to be disappointed and said: "You can curse me if you want. I promise to cry just for you. What do you think?”

“You fucking--!”

Percy peered over Nico's head at Will and nearly burst out laughing.

You know, it was pretty funny. A spoiled kid thinking that his angry puppy face pretending to be a fighting bull would scare anyone. And he thought he was the little wimp there. Live and learn, right? However, Will kept his promise, he came closer again and before Percy knew it, a punch was coming towards him, but because of the height difference it would hit Nico.

At the last moment, he turned around, putting Nico with his back to the wall and took another punch in his place, in the same spot where Hades had hit him. He barely felt the impact, but he knew that the next day the bruise would be much bigger than necessary.

"Per!" Nico gasped, seeming to come out of his stupor.

"It's okay, kitten." He smiled at Nico and stroked his long black hair. It didn't even hurt, he was sincere. But Nico didn't believe it. He raised his hand and massaged the place gently, making a cute grimace of sorrow.

"The skin is swollen. It even looks like a bump has formed!”

"It’s nothing. You don't need to--”

That was the moment when Hazel decided to appear, shaking the photo album and showing a specific page that they couldn't see from that direction.

"Percy, I found-- You again! What are you doing here?" She pointed at Will and crossed her arms.

Percy knew he liked her for a good reason.

"It's none of your business, Dwarf." Will said without paying attention to her.

Percy turned his head in time to see Will raising his fist once more, another punch coming his way.

"Is that so? Then, I'll call Lalá and Katty.”

Hazel whistled and two dogs appeared. They were two adult, trained German Shepherds.

"Bite." With a sweet smile on her face, was all Hazel said.

After that, everything happened very quickly. The dogs followed their owner's orders and went after Will, who ran away, disappearing faster than he had appeared.

***

"Percy, I found-- You! What are you doing here again?”

When Hazel appeared on the balcony was the moment he knew things were only going to get more complicated. She pointed at Will and crossed her arms, the photo album forgotten in her hands.

You know? That was the reason Will didn't come to their house anymore and that was also the reason they met at Will's work, hidden in some dark alley.

The truth was that things had been a bit strange between Will and his family ever since… well, ever since Will started acting so explosively. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, exactly, Will was too jealous, too bossy, sometimes it seemed like he was going to force him into something Nico didn’t want to do, and without him even realizing it. One moment they were talking and the next… they weren’t. Even though Will knew he wasn’t ready to take that step.

The thing was, Will used to be his friend, his first friend, and Nico didn't want to lose that friendship just because they weren't sexually compatible, even though Will insisted they were. He just... Nico just didn't feel that way about Will, maybe he never had. If it weren't for his father... it was hard to define if he ever loved Will or if it was the pressure from Hades putting everything on his shoulders; the problem was that Will was always there by his side, but maybe... maybe he shouldn't be anymore? Will definitely had other priorities now, like deciding who was the alpha male or marking his territory like a dog in heat.

"It's none of your business, Dwarf." Nico heard Will say, his voice sending shivers down his spine.

Nico didn't even want to see, he didn't want to hear either. Will spoke with so much anger, with so much hate... he didn't know who Will was anymore. The boy Nico knew was sweet and respectful, the best friend in the world. Now this mean, cruel and violent man? He had never heard Will speak like that to anyone, much less seen him raise his hand against anyone.

Shrinking against Percy's chest, Nico closed his eyes, ready to receive all the aggression that Will seemed to direct only at him.

"Is that so? Then I'll call Lalá and Katty.”

Hazel whistled and the two dogs appeared, the guard dogs that looked after their property, trained by Hades and Hazel since she was little.

"Bite." Hazel said and Nico relaxed, it was a relief not to have to deal with Will now.

Will ran away and finally Nico allowed himself to sigh and breathe, feeling safe with Percy around him.

"Nico, are you okay? What did he do?”

He looked to the side and there was the angel with black skin and golden eyes, she was so tall and so kind that most of the time Nico forgot that she was only eleven years old.

"It was nothing. You know, the usual.”

"If it were me, I would have already kicked his ass so hard that Will would never sit down again." She nodded, as though imagining the whole scene, and took Nico's hand, leading them inside the house.

Percy followed closely behind him, his hands guiding his back and making him feel good. That is, until they reached the dining room where everyone was still sitting, no one was drinking or eating like before, all of them looking at their forks or laps, avoiding looking at him, or almost; Hades was the exception. He had one of the most neutral expressions Nico had ever seen in his life.

"Come on, sit down. Finish eating.”

Nico looked at the plate and his stomach turned. The food must have gone cold and the wine made him want to vomit.

"No, thanks. I'll take Perc--”

"It was you? The one who called that boy here?" Hazel said, still standing at the entrance to the dining room. "Only you would do something like that.”

"Hazel, respect your father." Maria finally spoke. She muttered, standing up and walking around the table until she was in front of her daughter. "The important thing is that the problem has been solved.”

"Solved? What was solved? That man came in here again!”

“Hazel,” Hades murmured, scolding her. “You’re right. I talked to him. I thought Will had changed, that he was worried about Nico keeping him waiting last night. I didn’t ask him to come.”

"So, you admit it! You've been talking to him behind our backs!”

"Not exactly. Mr. Solace is the mayor, how could I not talk to them?”

"Is this all because of money? I don't believe it! Is that why Nico forces himself to put up with that daddy's boy son of a b****? Cause you would lose their political support? Ahg!" Hazel looked at her father in disgust and ran out of the room, but before she went, she turned around and said: "If you ever do that to me, I'll report you for mistreatment of minors. How could you do that to your own son?”

With that, Hazel ran up the stairs and from where they were, they could hear the door slam with a loud thud.

***

"Yeah, well…" He turned to Percy and ignored everything else, almost hiding back against the man's chest. Instead, he tried to smile and look apologetic. It probably didn't work. But he was surprised, Percy brought his hands to his face and wiped away the tears he hadn't even noticed were falling.

"No need to cry, it's okay.”

“I--”

"Really. It was my fault. You don't have to be sad about it. Hmm?" Percy smiled at him, showing that small smirk, and touched his hair, stroking it slowly, calming him with just a gentle gesture and sweet words.

Strangely reassured, Nico felt a weird sensation in the pit of his stomach and observed Percy's eyes, clear as the sea, firm and warm in his touch, determined, affectionate. He didn't know what to say, that gesture seemed more than a simple caress, its meaning expanding each time Percy did something like that; the gesture becoming more familiar and intimate than before. But Nico had promised, he wouldn't run away from his feelings. So he continued to look at him and let the moment drag on until the minutes passed and Will's memory slowly faded.

Percy just stood there with Nico, hugging him around the waist, massaging his hair and smiling at him.

“Are you okay?” Percy finally spoke, whispering close to his ear, like a secret.

Nico mumbled something back, something nonsensical. Percy smiled, his voice coming out in a deep cat-like purr, the laughter echoing through his chest and broad shoulders, making Nico feel it in his hands, still resting on Percy's shoulders.

"Do you want to come with me? I don't blame you. I would run away from here too if I could.”

Nico smiled at Percy. Yes, he found himself smiling. Nico smiled because it was the only thing to do at that moment, the only logical thing that would keep him sane; mostly, Nico smiled because that was the effect Percy had on him, even when the man acted like a jerk his reaction was to laugh, whether he was happy, angry or... something else, his reaction would always be that.

“I’ll walk you to the door?” Nico asked. He wouldn’t mind spending some more time with him. However, it was already dark and he didn’t want Percy to get home too late.

So Nico took him by the hand and led him along the path between the vegetations until they reached the wooden gate at the entrance to the property.

"Thanks for bearing with me. It was a fun night.”

"I bet." Nico muttered back.

Super fun.

Percy smiled at him and took a step back, preparing to leave when he stopped in his tracks and turned to Nico, now more sober.

"I was serious about you coming with me. For as long as you need.”

"I-- I can't. It wouldn't be..." The word Nico was looking for was "good" or "healthy," but what came out was something else. "...fair. You've done so much for me. I don't know how to thank you.”

"You don't have to. Never. I wouldn't ask for what you're not willing to give. And I don't expect you to give me anything back.”

Percy's response to his ears sounded ambiguous, with more meaning than he was ready to accept. So Nico just nodded and waited for Percy to walk away, looking down and feeling strangely disappointed, sensing that something was changing again and in such a short time. However, before Percy had completely walked away, Nico saw Percy coming back with hurried steps and… and he hadn't expected that.

Holding his breath, Nico saw Percy stop in front of him and... and hold his shoulder, watched those hands go up to his neck and stop there, firm and warm. It was then that Percy looked at him very closely and... and kissed his face, too close to his mouth and, at the same time, far away.

Percy pressed his mouth there for longer than necessary, massaging his hair, and slowly released him. Only then did Nico realize how possessive Percy's touch seemed, much more intense than the other times. Yes, this time Percy didn't smile, and neither did he do it. Percy looked at Nico as if memorizing his features and finally pulled away, hesitating.

"See you on Monday.”

Percy turned his back on him, got into his giant jeep and sped away. Before he knew it, Percy was long gone, leaving him with nothing but silence and his own thoughts, and maybe a little discomfort between his legs.

See you soon!

ShortStories - #1, #2 and #3

Hi, how are you? We have a new project! ShortStories, short stories starting at 500 words, something to keep me busy while I don't finish my other stories. I wasn't going to post them in English, but… why not? Here are the first few stories. The next story will be in the same text with the portuguese version.

There will be a new chapter on “Sitter's Love” later today.

ShortStory #1 - The payback (Cockhold+cheating)

For what seemed like the millionth time, he wriggled in his chair, trying to find a position that wasn't so uncomfortable. However, after almost two hours sitting in that wooden chair, he no longer had any hope of comfort. Will was in their bedroom, the place he and his husband shared. Well, not that night. And if Will were honest with himself, he could admit that Nico and he hadn't shared the same bed for many months.

Will was trying to be a good partner, trying to make amends for past mistakes, and that was the only reason he was in this situation. His surprise came when Nico, his husband of two years, discovered his betrayal. Or rather, informed him of it. The real surprise was knowing that Nico wanted Will to feel everything he had felt, and without a choice, Will agreed, of course. It was either that, or divorce, losing his best friend of the last twenty years.

Knowing that Nico wanted to pay him back was acceptable, but having to witness it in person was too much for him. Especially having to see a guy almost seven feet tall, holding Nico down and almost disappearing underneath him. Seeing Nico moaning like he had never moaned before was what was really unacceptable.

Will really didn't want to see it, he didn't even want to look in their direction. Although that was the deal. Will couldn't get up from that chair until Nico let him. But he couldn't help it, Nico moaned so loudly that Will had to look. And even from that distance, it was impossible not to notice the large, wet member, sliding in again and again, seeming to open Nico up even more with each movement, the small, delicate entrance now slightly swollen and pink, the legs spread wide and the spine curved, uninterrupted moans, almost grunts as the guy on top of Nico hinted that he wouldn't stop anytime soon, not until Nico begged for mercy.

Somehow, Nico still had time to mock him. For, every now and then, he would turn his head and look at Will, smiling as sweetly as ever, but moaning, as if this was the best day of his life, and say softly, “Now that you've seen how it's done, you can do it too.”

It made Will's heart leap, knowing that this wouldn't be the last time he'd see him having sex with this man in his house. Wiil loved him more than his sense of pride, and now that Nico had the power in their relationship, there was no stopping him.

And so it happened. Every weekend, Perseus came and used Nico as he pleased; he touched him, kissed him, fucked him and on one occasion, Percy put Nico over his lap and spanked him in front of him, the satisfied look on the man's face and Nico's sweet moans infuriating him a little more every minute. But if he had known that this was the beginning of the end, Will would have enjoyed his last moments, would have tried to convince Nico to stop.

From that day on, Perseus started going on dates with Nico, just the two of them, movies, dinners, romantic walks, motels.

How did he know that? The bills came in on his credit card, one bill more expensive than the next, descriptions indicating that they were traveling to neighboring towns or even plane tickets. But the times they were at home? He still heard the moans, Nico's crying, his sighs, and Perseus' laughter and grunts of pleasure. If that wasn't enough, he could hear them talking. Their future plans, what they were going to do for Nico's birthday and what clothes Nico should wear to the party Percy's mother was going to throw for him.

That was how Will had to put a stop to it, finding them on the sofa in the living room, Perseus on top of Nico, kissing him, his hands between Nico's legs, legs that were on Perseus' shoulder, three fingers moving deep inside Nico, only to see those fingers replaced by the member that Will admitted was bigger than his, entering slowly but sliding in smoothly, Nico closing his eyes and letting out another of those moans that would haunt him for the rest of his life.

There was nothing Will could do.

He left the living room and headed for his bedroom, sat at the foot of the bed and stared at the white wall next to his television, still listening to the moans, now the sounds of skin hitting skin intensifying and echoing around the apartment. All that remained was for him to call his lawyer.

Well, things happened faster than he thought they might. The following week, on a Tuesday, part of his furniture was gone along with all of Nico's things. The television that Nico loved so much, the sofa, some kitchen utensils and everything in Nico's room. He felt alone and couldn't blame anyone but himself.

ShortStory #2 - I know you want to (cheating + blowjob + babysitter)

“I know you want to.” Nico said, without even hesitating.

Kneeling at his feet and staring at him with the most innocent eyes Percy had ever seen, the boy who was old enough to be his son, rested his hands on his lap and moistened his lips, he opened his mouth and stuck out his tongue, inviting Percy to come closer to him.

How could Percy resist, faced with this vision that had been recurring in his darkest dreams, and that was now presented to him on a golden platter? How could he look away from that plump, red mouth, the long, elegant neck and the slender body that was finally exactly where Percy wanted it most? And since Nico was already on his knees in front of him, without Percy even having to ask, still looking at him with that deceptive expression of innocence and shyness, Percy wouldn't miss the opportunity he was being given.

Before he did anything stupid, Percy closed his eyes, trying to think through the fog of lust that was overtaking him. Gods! What was he doing? Or rather, what was he about to do? Percy never thought Nico would be capable of doing something like this, he was his sweet young babysitter, the little boy he had seen growing up, running around with the other children, always smiling at him and stopping in front of his house to talk to him. But now, the immaculate image of the little boy with the olive skin and deep black eyes was transformed, and all Percy wanted was to touch Nico, it was all he had wanted since Nico had started working for him and his wife, noticing how the shy little boy had become a man, handsome and tall, always helpful and available, no matter when he and his wife needed his babysitting services.

“Please, sir. I... I want... I know your wife doesn't touch you anymore. Please, I can show you that I'm better than her.”

Percy was beginning to suspect that Nico was right. Annabeth had no interest in sex, and he had no interest in having sex with her. That didn't make what was about to happen any better or right. Although he didn't need to worry about being caught, his wife wouldn't be back from her trip until next week, probably longer than that if he knew her, and his children were upstairs, sound asleep by now. If they acted quickly and were quiet, he was sure no one would know.

“Are you sure about this?” Percy couldn't help himself and reached out, touching Nico's face, soft and velvety, letting his fingers slide over Nico's cheekbones and then touching his lips, fingering the outline of them, which opened once more, Nico's tongue coming out and meeting his fingertips, sucking them leisurely, staring at him, as if challenging him.

Well, Nico hadn't used words, but the gesture was more than enough. Percy couldn't keep a sigh from escaping his mouth when he finally unzipped his pants, pulling his hard member out of his underwear. Percy massaged the length for a few moments before guiding it towards the lips that were still waiting for him, wet and open, Nico gasping slightly.

In the end, letting Nico wrap his member around those soft lips and suck on it for long minutes had been one of the easiest decisions of his life, and when he finally reached Nico's throat after a few moments, feeling him choke slightly, his second easiest decision came too; Percy grabbed Nico's hair and let himself go in and out, watching Nico's dark eyes water, fixed on him, while Nico, now with his lips relaxed around him, swallowed around Percy and touched his own member, small and wet, Percy feeling Nico shudder and moan, enraptured by the scene he was seeing. 

ShortStory #3 - Just married (fingering+orgasm denial+chastity)

Nico woke up that morning, slowly. First there were the soft rays of sunlight coming through the blinds, then, broad shoulders against his back, arms encircling his hips and finally, he felt fingers sliding between his legs, gentle, even if the feel of them left a rough, warm track by his exploration, briefly navigating over his tightly locked member and finally reaching his entrance, rubbing gently, making Nico shudder just at the delicate touch around the slightly wrinkled entrance, his muscles still relaxed from last night.

Nico responded immediately, and in the only way he could, the way Percy had taught him. He groaned against the pillows and remained exactly as he was, the way Percy had positioned him on the bed; lying on his side, facing the bedroom wall, legs slightly apart, relaxed against the sheets. In fact, this was one of the most comfortable positions for them. For Nico, it was the lack of any kind of discomfort or pain, for Percy, free and unimpeded access, no matter what Percy had planned for that moment.

He arched his back and gripped the pillow, trying to breathe slowly, feeling Percy's fingers finally apply a little more pressure, still without penetrating him, rubbing around and sliding in a little just to withdraw again with those circular movements around, although it was the right pressure and the perfect rhythm, driving him a little crazier with each movement.

But it was all right, because this was a special moment, the first day of the rest of their lives, their first day as a married couple. And after going the whole night without having an orgasm, months in fact, Percy had kept him locked up for the entire engagement period, as the proof of fidelity Percy had asked of him.

At first Nico hadn't seen a problem, they'd dated for three years, two months without cumming in the way he was used to didn't seem too difficult. What he soon discovered was that it meant not having an orgasm at all.

Nico admitted that their relationship had changed completely, but if he could be honest, they had just taken it a step further, as if they were testing the likelihood of their marriage actually working out.

It wasn't a surprise exactly, perhaps at most it was the consequence of what would happen sooner or later.

He had always been more... quiet and reserved, while Percy liked to take charge and do things his way, if possible, Percy would take matters into his own hands.

Deep down, it was the main reason that brought them together and kept them connected for so long; three years of dating and two months of engagement.

So, when Percy asked, Nico obeyed, discovering that cumming... wasn't even that important. Of course, that was the gateway to other things happening, things he didn't even hesitate to do, and only because he trusted Percy with all his heart, soul and body.

Still, Percy didn't need to torture him like that, in fact, he didn't need to torture him for two months straight, relentlessly and mercilessly, and no matter how much Nico begged, just once, just one orgasm, the key to the cage remained hidden or around Percy's neck, mocking him, even if Percy made up for it by always being around, asking for his opinion on something that in the end Percy would have the last word on, or by his touch that every day became more intense and permanent, like a mark becoming more visible and vibrant.

Nico swore, he was trying to be a good boy, just like Percy liked, the most obedient and the most patient, he swore, but... he felt something in his chest, something that squeezed his throat and choked him; he wanted to wait a little longer, he tried to hold this feeling inside, but he felt that he was about to cross a line, he would cross a limit that Nico didn't know he had and only realized when he first met Percy one Saturday morning in an expensive, gourmet diner, seeing a tall, smiling man flirting with the waitress.

He couldn't hold back the next moan, a gasping whimper that stole his breath when, finally, feeling himself tense up, Percy massaged around for a few more moments and inserted two fingers inside him. Nico felt his head spin for a moment and spread his legs wider, he loved to come while he was being penetrated, and he felt that feeling of completion come faster than ever.

As Percy's fingers went deeper and became more energetic, the more Nico lost control of his body. But this had never happened before, as if he was going to come even with the cage, a tight, suffocating piece of metal around his member that didn't even allow him to get hard, something that Nico had thought impossible until a few months ago. But then Percy stopped moving his fingers, pulling him even closer, as Nico prepared to finally explode, saying:

“I thought you were too tired to continue.”

“I'm sorry, I...” Nico didn't know what to do. Percy usually didn't ask questions that required him to actually think. The worst thing was that Percy didn't even sound mean or merciless, as he sometimes did; it was an almost curious, exploratory tone, as if Percy knew something he didn't and wanted Nico to find out for himself.

“I...” Nico didn't know what the right answer was. Usually, he would know. Percy wasn't even giving him a clue. Sometimes Nico felt bad about it, guilty for some reason, it was strange to feel that his opinion didn't matter and that his only duty was to fulfill his owner's wishes. He didn't even know why he was thinking about it now, things had always been like this, even though neither of them had expressed it in words, they were both comfortable and their relationship had worked that way from the start. So why, exactly when he was already married, were these thoughts haunting him?

When Nico didn't answer, Percy grabbed his hair and made him face Percy with a tug that brought stars to his eyes, making his mind go blank for a few moments and his thoughts quickly disappear.

“I asked you a question.” Percy whispered in his ear, hoarse and in control.

For a long moment, all Nico could do was close his eyes and whimper, confused.

“It's not that hard. I asked if you deserve it, not if you want it.”

“No, sir. I don't deserve it!”

“Hmm, that's right. You don't deserve it.”

Percy moved his fingers inside him again, and it felt even worse, somehow Nico felt himself becoming even more sensitive to Percy's touches, feeling those fingers opening him up again even more slowly than before, twisting and fingering around, one of his hands holding him around the waist, Percy's calm, contained breathing against his ear.

“I know you want to come, baby. That's better for you. You'll get used to it in a few more days. If you need to, just tell me and I'll make it all better. Isn't that nice, hm?”

Percy was right. He had never felt so much pleasure like he had in the last two months, and in fact, he felt so much pleasure that he thought he was going to explode with the need to come and to allow that pleasure to flow out of him.

Nico could still remember the first time he had come with Percy, it had been perfect, a sensation that seemed to come from deep inside him and emerge through his spine, long and intense, that left him satisfied like nothing else had ever been able to do. But now, it was the opposite, it was something that remained on the surface of his skin and that didn't let him think about anything other than Percy, his touch and his voice, when he would finally be allowed to feel that sensation again.

“Shh, don't cry. I promise it'll get better.”

He wasn't crying!

“Shhh, it's okay. See?”

Nico knew what was coming and yet he moaned, sobbing as if his mother had died a second time. Percy replaced his fingers with his member, rubbing the big head against his entrance, penetrating him on the first try. He... he really loved feeling Percy fill him like this, without warning or permission, making him take every inch until he couldn't go any deeper.

“There. My baby is so obedient. Just a little bit more, okay?”

“Hm?”

He thought he had moaned again, like a purr, something that made Percy laugh right next to his ear, for some reason embarrassing him, making the familiar feeling of humiliation crawl up his spine and lodge in his brain like a worm.

“That's perfect, baby. Just a little longer.”

Percy took hold of one of his legs and slipped one of his between Nico's thighs, changing the position, allowing for a deeper penetration.

“Are you ready?”

Ready for what?, Nico wanted to ask. That is, he would have if Percy had given him time.

At first Nico didn't understand what was happening, nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Percy began to move, hitting that little spot that always made him tremble, but something seemed... seemed different. Percy let go of his legs and his hands slid up his thighs and towards his abdomen, massaging gently, making Nico understand that Percy was touching the very member that was inside Nico, making the bulge there more evident. However, what really surprised him was that Percy's other hand went up and up, past his nipples and stopped at his neck, his fingers holding him firmly there.

For a moment, Percy stopped moving and Nico felt like he had stopped breathing, and when he did nothing more than gasp, still feeling Percy's fingers around his neck, Percy started moving again. It felt good at first, Percy seeming to reach for his prostate with every movement and the hand around his neck comforting him in some twisted way, but then something changed, and he was moaning like he'd never moaned before; he'd swapped places with a rag doll who had only one duty, to moan and be obedient. The hand around his neck tightened, just a little, the member inside seemed to go deeper and hit him harder, drawing gasping sobs from him.

“Just a little bit more, baby.” Percy whispered in his ear, again and again, the sound of their bodies meeting insistently. With each word and each precise movement, Nico felt his mind emptying, felt Percy's fingers taking his air, until all that was left was the sound of Percy's voice against his ear and the sensation of eternal pleasure that transformed him into this rag doll with no life or will of his own.

“Look at that, baby.”

Percy grabbed his hair and turned his head in the right direction. Nico looked down at his own lap, at his member trapped by the cage that was now stuffed, and in the central hole, he could see what Percy could also see. He was cumming, or something close to it, with every movement of Percy's hips, a liquid overflowed from his member in weak jets between long intervals of seconds. Nico felt... felt his soul leaving his body with each of these jets, nothing reminiscent of an orgasm, but similar to the months trapped inside the cage, only now intense and painful, something that made him lose the rest of his sanity.

“Fuck, baby. I'm so proud. Fuck!”

Nico didn't understand exactly what was happening, only that he had to close his eyes to feel himself leaking a little more, while Percy held him tighter in his arms, finally sighing and stopping his movement, still inside Nico.

“I love you, baby.”

“I love you more.” Nico answered, because it was the one thing he had no doubt about.

So, what did you think? I even thought about continuing the third story, but then that would go against the purpose of the project. Maybe I can continue it in the future? Let me know what you think!

drafting is writing. and editing... is righting