Sitter's Love - Blog Posts

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXXI and Chapter XXXII

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII / Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX / Chapter XX and Chapter XXI / Chapter XXII and Chapter XXIII / Chapter XXIV, Chapter XXV and Chapter XXVI / Chapter XXVII and Chapter XXVIII / Chapter XXIX and Chapter XXX

Chapter XXXI

By the time they got home, the sky was already dark. They climbed the few steps to the porch; Percy opened the car door for Nico, helping him out of the Jeep, and once again, Percy led him from behind, as though he didn't know the way, like he would run away if Percy took his eyes off him. Maybe Nico was tempted to do just that, maybe tonight had been a bit too much for his confused mind. In the end, he let himself go, let Percy open the door to the house, take the blazer from his shoulders and hold his hand, just like Percy would do on any other day. But unlike what was usual for them, Percy kept walking and Nico continued to follow him like a puppy on a leash. He yawned and followed him up the stairs, turning right and then entering a long hallway that led to the same room where he had slept every other time; next to Percy's room and further away from the children's rooms.

That's when Nico wondered what he was doing there, or why Percy came in with him and opened the closet door, showing him the clothes hanging there.

"If you want to change. The clothes you were wearing are here.”

He took out a hanger with a pair of jeans and a dark t-shirt and Nico finally understood, someone had washed his clothes.

"You didn't have to.”

“Yeah, I didn’t have to.” Was all Percy said, his eyes intense on him. Nico hated it when Percy did that. Why was it so hard to look at him in those moments?

Yes, that was exactly why he lowered his head and pretended that there was some dirt on his Italian shoes and pretended he had no idea how much they cost. He bent down and undid the lace, then did the same with the other foot and took off his sock. Okay, he had to change, right? Take a shower first? He decided to start with the buttons on the light-colored shirt and reached his hands down to the soft fabric. He pressed and the first button slid away from the hole, he pressed the second and then the third, before he saw that there were no more buttons and only his pants were left. He unbuttoned the last button and pulled down the zipper and--

"What are you doing?" Percy questioned him, stopping his hands in the air. He didn't have the courage to look him in the face, so Nico kept staring at Percy's broad shoulders.

"What does it look like I'm doing?”

"Asking for sex?”

"I'm changing. Can I take a shower?”

"Nico, I didn't-- this wasn't how I expected the night to end.”

“And what did you expected?” He found himself laughing even though he didn’t find it funny. Percy never knew how to apologize.

"I'm sorry, okay! What do you want me to do? Can you look at me?”

No, he couldn't. If he did that, the moment he looked at Percy he would be tempted to try to comfort him.

"I forgive you." Nico murmured, fixing his gaze on the right side of Percy's neck, watching how his throat bobbed, how Percy looked nervous and frustrated, his hand clenched into a fist at his side. It was strangely amusing to see him so out of control, knowing that Percy felt the same way he did. In the end, Jason was right, he wanted every single person who made him suffer to suffer the same and in the same way.

"Nico, please." Percy begged, his voice almost tearful.

He sighed and stared at him, bracing himself. Nico knew what he was going to find, even when the man looked defeated and vulnerable, Percy still found ways to manipulate the situation. And he fell once more, it was inevitable, irresistible. Nico brought his hands to Percy's face and got closer, a force pulling him towards him and making him hug him by the neck, ending up with his mouth against his neck, close to Percy's ear.

"It wasn't your fault. I know you didn't mean for that to happen. It's okay.”

“You promise?” Percy murmured back, very close. His arms wrapped around Nico’s waist and his lips whispered against his earlobe.

He had fallen right in, hadn't he? Still, knowing all this, Nico sighed once more, shivering as the heat slowly crept up his back, waist, and groin, stopping where Percy's mouth met his skin.

"Will you forgive me? I promise…" Then, Percy held him tight against him and a moan escaped him. "I promise this won't happen again." Percy finished with his face buried against the hair on the back of Nico's neck.

That... that wasn't fair... why... why was it so easy for Percy? Why was it so easy to forget everything and let himself go like that when, even with Will back then when he treated him well, Nico never had that urge that was slowly destroying him?

"Nico…" Then, an almost innocent little kiss was placed against his neck, in that little part behind his ear that made him… ah… "Are you going to visit me?”

"I-I…" He stuttered, still stuck in a trance. "I… I can't… you have to--”

"I don’t have to do anything." Percy said it decisively, but at that moment it sounded like the sweetest love poem. "I can wait for you.”

"Percy, I don't…”

"Don't what? Don't want to deceive me? Hurt me?" Percy pulled away slightly and grabbed Nico's hair, making him look at him. "Do you want to be sure? Do you want to have other experiences? See if someone else can make you feel the way I do? I don't care about any of that.”

"I couldn't.”

"Baby, you're the only one for me. So beautiful and so perfect. I love your smell, and when you moan I want to hold you and never let go. I want you to be happy. But only with me.”

"Percy…" he whimpered, closing his eyes. Why was Percy doing this to him?

"It's quite simple. I want you to live and make all the mistakes a college student could make. When we meet again, don't ignore me. If you've changed your mind by then, I'll do everything I can to win you over, but if you don't want me, I won't bother you.”

"How could I ask for something like that?”

"I also need some time to sort things out." Percy smiled at Nico and stroked his hair, lulling him into that false sense of security. "Things with Annabeth don't seem to be going anywhere and I'm tired of my parents. I promise you this, when we see each other again everything will be better. Do you trust me?”

"I trust you.”

"So I want you to have fun and not regret anything.”

Percy kissed Nico's cheek and he finally relaxed, as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.

***

Percy kissed Nico's cheek and he finally relaxed, as if the weight of the world had been lifted off his shoulders.

Yes, he felt light because Percy was holding him, keeping him safe. 

“Oh!” Nico couldn't help the moan that escaped his lips; Percy's hands moved up his back, caressing slowly and entered inside his open shirt, eliciting another moan from him. Percy's lips slid to the side and then, they were there, at the corner of his mouth, kissing and nibbling and-- No! He knew exactly what Percy was doing! Percy wanted him to lower his head, to agree with everything while Percy had his fun. Percy wanted him to wait until the man felt the urge to see him again. He refused to let another man manipulate him, even if it was through the best torture tactic.

"No, I can't do that." Nico said, letting go of Percy. He took a step back and a deep breath, and said more forcefully: "I won't! Do you think I'm going to stay quiet while you do whatever you want?”

"Nico, I said you can--”

"You don't own me! I don't need your permission!”

"Nico, of course not. I'm just asking for a chance to work things out.”

"I don't want-- I never wanted… you… you're just like all of them!”

Percy didn't seem to hear him. Percy took a step forward and he took another step back, then another and another until his back hit the wall. The strange thing was that Percy didn't do what Nico imagined, not like Will usually did, cornering him and making him feel suffocated. No, Percy took his hands and tried to smile, but it was such a shaky smile that Nico found himself stopping fighting Percy.

"It's okay, baby. Can you breathe with me?”

"Breathe?" He asked without understanding.

"Please.”

Percy looked on the verge of tears, so he complied. Nico took a deep breath and let it out, slow and easy, and only then did he realize how tense he was, and he calmed down immediately.

"I… I was having a panic attack?" Nico asked. Percy nodded and tried to smile at him again.

The interesting thing was to realize that Nico didn't feel bad like he usually did. No, Nico felt light and calm. That's why he didn't fight this time, he let Percy take him to the bed and help him put on sweatpants, a loose t-shirt came next and socks too. Percy dressed him, item by item, and he found himself lying against the bed frame, his head resting on Percy's shoulder and a movie playing on the television in front of the bed. He knew Percy was saying something, that his head was resting on his, that his big, warm hands were massaging the back of his neck in a pleasant way that made him want to sleep instantly.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry. I never meant to make you feel this way. I'm the worst of men. I'm so impulsive. Annabeth's right, I'll never... I'll never be able to--”

"Der?" Nico found himself mumbling. His head was too light to understand what was happening. He just wanted Percy to feel what he felt right now.

"Are you okay?" Percy said in the same miserable tone.

"Hmm. Sleep with me." Nico crawled down on the bed and rested his head on Percy's chest, under his heart. His hands found Percy's waist and Nico closed his eyes once more, feeling himself melt. Nico loved the way Percy smelled, the way Percy always seemed to run hotter than him, most of all, he loved those rare moments when Percy showed that vulnerability, that uncertainty, usually so well hidden.

"Nico, I need--”

"Tomorrow. Tomorrow you can say whatever you want. Today, we sleep.”

Nico closed his eyes one last time and sighed, soon he could hear nothing but the sound of Percy's heart slowing down.

Chapter XXXII

That was another morning where everything seemed like a distant and fantastical dream. The light entered weakly between the blinds, birds sang softly and Nico felt himself floating, comfortable, being hugged from behind, very tightly, in the way he would never admit he liked the most; it was Percy who breathed against his neck, while the blanket kept the cold away, giving a greater touch of illusion.

So this was it, right? This was what he could have if he chose to… what?… Stay? Wait for Percy? No, this was the goodbye, sweet and treacherous, giving Nico a taste he knew he couldn’t have.

“Are you awake?” Percy murmured softly against his earlobe, brushing his lips over the sensitive skin.

Nico took a deep breath for a moment, feeling himself go from zero to one hundred, and let it out slowly. It wasn't fair. Maybe he had moaned, or maybe it had been Percy; it was hard to tell when Percy was so close to him, pressed against his back, the thin clothing between them not stopping Nico from feeling all of his desire, so close together, in that almost too intimate way, even their breaths came out synchronized, fast, almost panting, almost...

"Now, I am." He then murmured, trying to control himself.

“Good,” Percy told him, his sleep-husky voice telling him everything he needed to know. Percy was never satisfied. A kiss would never be enough, a touch would do little to quell his restlessness, and the shiver that ran up Nico’s spine even less so, none of it would make him happy until… No, Percy needed to hear it, needed to taste the pleasure against his skin and experience… oh… experience his hands moving down Nico’s shoulder and down to his abdomen and…

"Percy." He warned, panting but holding his ground like Nico rarely did. Even if he felt Percy was as anxious as he was or if he wanted, perhaps more than Percy, for this between them to happen, this damn torture would finally end.

“I wanted to apologize,” Percy said again, as if nothing had happened mere seconds ago. “I never meant to put you in this position.”

"I know." Nico sighed, exhausted and anxious. Excited. He turned, relaxing, and looked into the eyes he loved to watch so much.

But this was the end, the farewell, and for that reason, only for that reason, he allowed himself to have what he wanted; he let his body lean against Percy's, molding them together like a puzzle that was finally complete, once again trying to fool himself, wishing he didn't know that all of this was wrong; only if Percy really insisted, forced him just a little more and they both let the blame fall on Percy, just this once, giving him that false reason and allowing his rationalization to convince himself that all of this was Percy's fault and never his own, so Nico could finally, finally...

"Nico. Matt. Teo. I think I like Teo more." Percy was smiling, that small, genuine smile that somehow always broke his heart and made him want to stay by his side for the rest of his life.

Percy touched his face and then everything self-destructed, a house of cards crumbling, that smile squeezing his heart, making juice out of what was left.

"You're horrible. I hate you." But even that sounded false.

"I love you too." Percy said. A whisper, a confession. Something that seemed true in that intimate stillness translated into the form of a caress, in the touch of Percy's fingers that intertwined in his hair and of his lips, wet and firm, that finally touched his.

It wasn't at all what Nico expected, this attitude didn't seem to come from the one who spent the last two months chasing him until he couldn't think of anything else. No, they were the most gentle and careful that Nico had ever tasted; sweet and soft kisses, pressed against his in a way so light that he didn't know it existed, brushing slowly and nibbling them just to make him sigh, encouraging him to open his mouth so they became even slower, slowing down their cadence and stopping, but keeping their lips glued together.

Percy didn't try to force anything more intense or try to ease the situation, as was his custom. Percy just kept smiling and stroking his hair, looking at him with such affection that Nico had no choice but to stare back. There was no safe place he could hide from this fact; he loved Percy Jackson and he was leaving him before that feeling could even finish blooming.

That was how his last morning at the Jackson-Chase house ended, with a cuddle, a kiss and a tight hug, Percy's hands massaging his hair and lulling him into that false sense of security until the time for lunch with the family approached, taking Percy away from Nico, leaving him frozen in a desert he had never felt before meeting Percy.

But it was all right, he thought, wiping away the tears that were falling, the last ones that would fall because of him. Nico finished putting on his clothes, fixed his hair and washed his face. He picked up his backpack that had been lying on the floor since the day before and left Percy's room, entering the room where he had stayed during those nights to finally pick up his clothes scattered on the floor, returning the ones he had borrowed and going down the stairs where the children and Annabeth were waiting for him.

***

“Can’t you stay a little longer?” Alice said, catching him off guard. She rarely asked for anything, so independent and unaffectionate, but always attentive.

"It's getting late. I need to wake up early. You understand, don't you?" Nico touched her long black hair and looked into her green eyes that were now filled with tears. "You can visit me whenever you want.”

"It won’t be the same. We won’t eat together or watch TV anymore. Dad will be sad and Logan will whine for a whole month.”

"Don't be like that. Everything will be fine. It's part of growing up. Not everything goes the way we want.”

"Grandma keeps saying that. You two look so much alike.”

Nico smiled at Alice and ran his fingers through her hair, very doubtful.

"Don't you trust me? You can visit me as soon as I'm done moving.”

"Do you promise?" She looked at Nico with her eyes wide open and wet, all tearful, in the perfect example of innocence.

Yeah, it seemed like the whole family had manipulation in their blood. Which made him smile even more.

“I promise.”

He reached down and hugged Alice tightly, feeling her squeeze him back with all the strength she had.

"Enough." Annabeth's voice reached them, she was walking in her high, thin heels, strutting elegantly. She was carrying a sullen Logan, while Percy followed them at a safe distance, looking at his own shoes and seemingly oblivious to everything that was happening around him. That was what had happened during lunch; Percy had been by his side and, at the same time, had been somewhere far away from him.

"Come on, say goodbye to Nico. He has to go.”

"I'll miss you. Don't forget your promise." Alice told him, now looking like a clone of her mother.

Alice gave Nico another tight hug and pulled away, forcing Nico to blink his eyes, his throat suddenly tight. No, he said he wouldn't cry anymore. But then Logan reached out and, still in Annabeth's lap, wrapped his small hands around Nico's neck and sobbed.

"Logan, don't do this. I'm going to live even closer, isn't that good?”

"No! You won't be our mother anymore!”

"Er… when was I your mother? Isn't she right here?" Nico looked at Annabeth and she just rolled her eyes impatiently. It seemed like he was the one who was most uncomfortable with this whole conversation. So what came next was what really ripped his heart out of his chest.

"You… you don’t have to go… you can be our second mother and no one has to leave.”

This time even Annabeth gasped, and Nico found himself frozen in front of the exit door.

"Honey, Nico isn’t leaving because of you." The implication of whose fault it was was pretty obvious. But even so, Percy said it all calmly and softly as he moved closer to Logan, trying to comfort him.

"So… so… he’s leaving because of you!" Logan practically shouted.

Nico felt like he was losing his breath, although it was different from other times. Percy was calm, while Annabeth didn't seem to know what to do. Relieved, he saw Percy pick Logan up and simply start rocking him, massaging his back and lulling him slowly. He didn't think he had ever seen Logan, much less Percy, act like this; Percy seemed to be on autopilot and Logan turned into this rebellious teenager right before his eyes.

“Say goodbye, Logan,” Percy murmured in that soft, gentle voice, and finally looked at Nico.

"I’m sorry, Nico. Dad’s right. I…" he gasped as a sob escaped, trying to smile. "… we’ll miss you.”

At that, Logan and Alice waved as Percy tried to smile. Percy turned with Logan in his arms, grabbed Alice's hand, and marched into the house, not turning back until he was gone down the hallway.

Silence, only silence remained and a strange tightness in his chest, an unfamiliar vacuum, a feeling of emptiness like he had never experienced before. And of course, Annabeth. She still watched everything silently, but she didn't mock; Annabeth didn't even seem happy now that the obstacle had been removed. She seemed as shocked as he was.

“I know this won’t fix things.” She held out a small velvet box to him, and Nico accepted it. “It’s a gift from me and Percy to show our gratitude.”

He opened the box and found a silver and gold watch, delicate but still masculine. Nico had no idea how much it cost.

"Thank you. You didn't need to." He said mechanically. There was no room for anything else.

"I hope you can keep in touch with the children.”

"Of course." Nico felt better talking about them. "I was serious.”

He took the bag from his shoulders, unzipped it and took out a piece of paper. With a pen he wrote down his phone number and handed it to her.

"It’s better if you call me? I should be ready in three days. If they want…”

"Of course." Annabeth smiled at Nico and accepted the note. All he could do was nod quickly and turn his back on her. The faster he got out of there, the less he would be tempted to change his mind. The good news was that Ethan was already waiting for him, he would take him to the exit for the last time towards his future.

Bonus

I took a deep breath and knocked on the door. I wished I didn't have to do this. Why couldn't I just hop on a bus and go to my interview with the college dean? But no, first I had to be a good boy and say goodbye to my family. But who was making me, hmm? Was there a force pushing me and keeping me in place? What if I--

"Look who showed up.”

Now it was too late. The one who opened the door was Hades. He had his arms crossed and was looking down at me, his almost two meters of height and eyes as black as night judging me as always, disappointed with what they saw.

"Yeah, I'm going to college tomorrow. I thought I'd pay a visit.”

"At least you still have responsibility to your family.”

Hm, interesting. But that was all we both said. I looked at Hades and Hades looked at me. That is, until he stepped away from the door, allowing me to see my brothers who were right there, hidden behind Hades. When they saw me, Bianca and Hazel came running and hugged me tightly at once, knocking the air out of my lungs.

"You came!" Hazel said.

"Finally." Bianca murmured more restrainedly.

"Come in. The food will get cold.”

And so, I was pulled into the house, where Maria and Luke were waiting for me with open arms.

Hello, how are you? We've finally reached the end of the first story arc! I'm going to take a break for two or three weeks, and we'll be back with the second arc soon. While we rest, how about leaving a comment? It could be the chapters you liked best, a specific scene or a comment or suggestion about the characters. Your opinion is always very welcome.

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXIX and Chapter XXX

Hi, how are you all? I hope you like today's chapter!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII / Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX / Chapter XX and Chapter XXI / Chapter XXII and Chapter XXIII / Chapter XXIV, Chapter XXV and Chapter XXVI / Chapter XXVII and Chapter XXVIII

Chapter XXIX

Nico had never felt so uncomfortable in his entire life.

Before he knew it, he was climbing the stairs with the children pulling him by the hand, and, guided by them, he entered Percy's room. They placed the suit he would wear on top of the huge double bed and ran out, closing the door as they fled down the stairs.

He had never noticed how wide and spacious Percy's room was. There was a large window that let in plenty of light, the walls were a light cream color, and the sheets were a dark gray. At one end of the room was a floor-to-ceiling mirrored wardrobe, and at the other end, a bookshelf as tall as the wardrobe, filled with books and notebooks. However, what caught his attention the most was the enormous king-size bed that took up most of the room, although there was a table at the back with a laptop on top of it.

Now, Nico was trying to fix his tie, a dark gray, matching the color of his suit, overlaid with a cream-colored, almost white shirt. He looked in the mirror to adjust it and let it go, only to see the piece of cloth fall limp and lifeless around his neck.

"I don't think it should be like this." He muttered, defeated.

"Yeah, you're right.”

Typical. Nico looked at his reflection in the mirror and there was Percy behind him, his hands going around and circling his neck, squeezing and massaging it gently before moving to put the tie in the right place and untying the knot Nico had did, the most cliché scene of all possible clichés.

"That's not how you do it. You tuck the tie in, then cross it and--”

Yeah, Nico didn't hear a single word Percy was saying. He had missed him so much that... he just knew that the sound of Percy's voice lulled him and made something inside him calm down, taking him to a peaceful, beautiful, carefree place.

"There you go. See? It's not that difficult.”

He nodded, pretending to pay attention. But it seemed Nico hadn't fooled anyone.

Percy turned him around to face him and grabbed Nico by the shoulders, making Nico look at him closely.

"What's wrong?" Percy told him.

"Do I really need to go? And this outfit? It's a bit too much.”

“No, it's suitable for a suitable man.”

"I'm a man now?" So why did he feel like a little boy wearing a costume?

“You’re going to college and living alone, aren’t you?” Percy watched him for a moment and then smiled, seeming to approve of the outfit. “Obey and be a good boy, hmm? Now, your hair.”

And when had Percy picked up the comb and hair gel?

"Don't make that face. Just this once.”

Percy ran his fingers through Nico's hair and combed it, took some gel, applied a thin layer and with the comb, he stretched it back, doing the same motion until not a single hair was out of place.

"Now we're talking. Perfect and beautiful. Look at that. So charming.”

Nico had the urge to say “stop it”, but he bit his tongue before the words could come out. He didn’t want another accident to happen. The blush came anyway, how could it not? Percy held him by the chin and studied his features, running his fingers over the apple of his cheek and slowly moving down, brushing against the hairs that were beginning to grow there.

"Did you know your beard is growing?" Percy moved closer and continued to brush his fingers along the top of his neck.

"I forgot to take it off. " Nico replied in a somewhat numb voice. Maybe he should rethink that thing about not asking him to stop.

"Hmm… I like that. It makes you look more mature.”

"I know." Nico murmured.

This was so damn weird! Why did Percy have to do and say these things? No one but Percy acted this way around him.

Percy blinked slowly and seemed to realize what he was doing. He took a step back, looked once more at the clothes Nico was wearing, and nodded in satisfaction.

"Great, everything is in place." Percy spun around, looking around the room and finally found what he was looking for. His keys and wallet were on top of the cabinet next to the bed. “By the way, have you found a place to live yet? If you need one, I have an apartment less than fifteen minutes away from the Arts and History Department building. It's very big.”

"You know I can't accept it." Nico finally felt himself returning to normal. He also looked around and found his own cell phone on the bed.

"Why not? No one has used it for years. You would be doing me a favor, you would only have to pay for water and electricity. See? It wouldn't be free.”

That's what he says now, for Percy to change his mind wouldn't cost much.

"Percy." Nico snorted and walked out of the room.

"Okay! I just offered. Did you find anything?”

"I don't know. There's an apartment on the college campus. It seems nice.”

"Yeah, they're great. It's a good choice. I mean, they're not exactly as spacious as my apartment would be, but they're decent.”

Deciding to ignore the comment, Nico walked down the stairs with Percy right behind him, breathing down his neck.

"Is it a new perfume? I like it.”

Nico gave in. He sighed and walked the rest of the way down the stairs, like Percy wasn't even there. The kids squealed excitedly, telling him how handsome he looked. They both grabbed his hands and pulled him into the car. Percy followed, of course, calm and unhurried, Nico got in the driver's seat while the kids pulled him into the back, the two of them talking breathlessly during the drive to the Jackson senior residence.

***

As soon as they stopped in front of the Jackson mansion, the driver got out of the car and ran to open the door, offering his hand for Nico to get out of the car.

Hm… it was the first time someone had run to come and serve him, making him a little uncomfortable if Nico dared to say so. It was okay, because soon after Percy went around the other side of the vehicle and stood beside him, the children followed them, both holding his hands, distracting him from what was happening. As much as they tried, Nico couldn't help it, he looked around and saw how the people stopped everything they were doing to watch them walk down the red carpet towards the reception door.

It was at this moment that the flashes started, loud voices asking questions and microphones being pointed in his direction.

"It's okay." Nico heard Percy's voice and then, everything felt better. He only had time to look at Percy and see his serious look.

Percy moved forward and the sea of reporters parted, as though Percy's presence alone was warning enough, creating a passage that had previously been blocked.

Nico would say that some of them even looked scared.

"Don’t worry, it always happens. They try to take pictures and Daddy never lets them." Alice told him, all delicate in her light blue dress and hair tied in a high bun.

"It's fun to watch them try." Logan finished, smiling like he was watching a comedy movie. It was unbelievable how every day that passed he looked more like Percy in the way he acted, even though his appearance resembled Annabeth almost completely.

“Logan, behave yourself,” Percy said from beside them. Logan immediately straightened his spine and lost his smile, looking like a little prince in his black suit and red tie. As for Percy, he didn’t even need to comment. Wherever he went, he drew attention, no matter if he was wearing a designer suit or worn jeans.

“Let’s go.” Nico obeyed without thinking. Percy placed one of his hands on the small of his back and guided them forward, following the large oak double doors and the wide marble stairs that led them to the ballroom. He didn’t need to say that he felt strange, right? Out of place in this place? He was being thrown to the lions and Percy hadn’t even had the courage to tell him? What kind of person did that? So, before they entered the part where the party was taking place, he murmured to Percy:

"Is there something I need to know?”

"Like what? Which fork to use?”

"Do I need to know that?”

Percy then looked at him and smiled, transforming into the Percy he knew.

"Don't worry about it. Even if you eat with your hands, they wouldn't have the nerve to say anything.”

"Percy! Why am I here?”

"Why? I told you, they want to see--”

"Don't lie to me!" Nico stopped in the middle of the way and grabbed Percy's arm, the children stopped along with him, pretending they were hearing anything.

"Come on, Nico. It's nothing special.”

"If you don't tell me, I'm leaving now!”

"I already said--”

"Daddy wants Grandpa and Grandma to meet you." Logan whispered softly and then, he knew, Logan wasn't lying. Because Percy crossed his arms and glared at his son, saying "you traitor", but soon smiled again.

"Is this revenge? Was dinner with my parents that bad?”

"What? No. I just wanted to…”

"What? What did you want this time?”

"I wanted you to meet my family and feel welcome. You don't have to stay away from the children because of me.”

"I never-- oh." Nico then realized, Percy was talking about the future.

"Do you want me to see the kids when I go to college?”

"Why not?" Percy shrugged. "It's less than an hour away.”

"Okay." Nico sighed in defeat. "If you’re up to anything else…”

"I promise. And I keep all my promises.”

Sure… Nico decided to believe him this time. He held the children’s hands once more and Percy pushed open the door to the hall, and just like that, they entered, more than a hundred pairs of eyes staring at them with interest.

Chapter XXX

Less than five minutes into the place, Nico's head was already hurting. He had shaken hands with ten people, been introduced to at least twenty, and had three glasses of champagne. At least the canapés and seafood were comforting. And of course, as soon as they stepped into the room, the children had run to the table where they would sit during dinner, but him? Oh, he was forced to walk through the room with Percy hugging him tightly around the waist.

Usually, Nico wouldn't care, not at all, now imagine the entire room judging him as if he were a fly that only served to bother them?

"Percy, I think I should take care of the kids…”

"Why?" Percy said as he waved to some people who passed by them. Percy then leaned down and whispered in his ear: "Don't you like it?”

“People are staring,” Nico muttered, looking down at his shoes.

"Let them look. How could they not? Someone as beautiful as you?" Percy gently touched Nico's face, lifting his head with just one finger. "Never look away, they're the ones who don't deserve your attention.”

Nico hated it when Percy did that, as though he were a... a possession that Percy had every right to show off wherever he decided to go. It had happened at his parents' house and now it was happening again. The worst part was that deep down, he liked it, liked it much more than was acceptable. Much more than he would like to admit. So he took a deep breath and let go of Percy, taking a step back. Which didn't seem to make any difference, Percy insisted and took his hand, this time keeping his grip soft and loose.

"I promise it won’t take long. Do you trust me?" Nico just nodded and let Percy lead him further into the center of the room where an orchestra played and people danced, gliding in their sparkling dresses and well-tailored suits.

They walked a little further and right next to a platform, a man and a woman in their fifties were smiling at the guests who were greeting them. Nico didn't need much to know that they were Percy's parents. The woman's smile was identical to Percy's, easy and light, while the jaw, nose and eyes all came from the man who was as tall as Percy, almost two meters tall. As soon as Percy saw them, he walked faster towards them and opened his arms, welcoming his mother in a warm hug, saying something that made her smile, perhaps a little forced. But that could just be a wrong impression. Nico couldn't be sure.

"Miss Sally Jackson!" Now, speaking louder, Percy said and looked his mother up and down. "He certainly doesn't deserve you.”

"Percy." Delicately, Sally Jackson patted her son on the shoulder and smiled at him, so radiant that for a moment Nico forgot they were in front of so many spectators. But... something felt strange... It was such a perfect scene... "Be a good boy, will you?”

Sally pinched Percy's cheek and everyone around laughed. Nico was no different, and melting inside, he continued to watch that scene.

"Percy Jackson! What are you doing?" A firm voice shouted, plunging the happy atmosphere into shadows.

"What do you think, old man? Do I need to explain?”

"Have more respect, you--”

Then Percy approached his father and pulled him to a far corner. From where Nico was standing he could see Mr. Jackson gesturing angrily while Percy looked at his father with indifference and irritation, as tense as he had ever seen him before.

"Ah, you must be Nico, right?" Sally approached him, her heels making a soft click as she walked.

Sally stood in front of him, her face round and gentle, still smiling, like she was happy to see him. For a moment Nico could see Percy mirrored in her, but soon the mirage was gone; Sally was so delicate and elegant that the comparison quickly fell apart.

"Do you know who I am?”

"Of course. Percy always talks about you.”

"Does he?”

"Yes. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.”

In disbelief, Nico watched in slow motion as Sally Jackson, one of the most influential and wealthy women in the entire country, gently took his hands and squeezed them affectionately.

"We have to thank you for everything you've done for us. The kids are doing so well and Percy finally seems to be taking an interest in the family business.”

"Hmm… I’m happy for you?”

"Yes, it's a reason to celebrate. I'm sorry we couldn't meet earlier.”

"No, you don't need to--”

"Come on, you're very important to us. But look, we must look to the future.”

“I think so…?”

"Don't be shy. You're going to be a lawyer, aren't you? Are you planning on being a judge or maybe a district attorney? If you need help, we can make sure everything goes on the right track.”

“Madam--”

"Call me Sally, will you? Now that you're joining the family, we must do what's appropriate. I hope you understand.”

Nico paused for a moment, too shocked to say another word, and stared at Sally Jackson, wondering if he had heard correctly.

"I-- I'm sorry. I don't know what you're talking about.”

"Oh! I thought you and Percy were dating? He talks about you in such a serious way. It's really sweet.”

"I… I don't know. I mean-- we don't have anything. I'm just the kids' babysitter.”

"Just the babysitter?" She said and finally let go of his hands, bringing her own to her face. "I feel more at ease this way. I hope you can understand, people expect us to have a certain level of education and good taste. But if one day something unplanned happens, I hope you can meet the expectations that our family demands.”

Nico blinked, squinted for a moment, and when he opened them, he realized it wasn't a dream. No, Sally Jackson was still standing in front of him, still smiling and staring at him, as if waiting for an answer.

“I…”

"Do you understand the gravity of the situation, Nico?" Sally told him seriously.

"I understand." He finally murmured.

"I hope we can see each other soon, you have a bright future ahead of you." Sally held his hands once more and then let them go, just as Percy marched towards them.

Nico didn’t think he’d ever seen Percy like this. His shoulders were hunched back, his chest puffed out, and he had such a murderous expression on his face that Nico was afraid someone was going to get hurt. He looked over to where Percy had been standing thirty seconds ago, and maybe that was the case, Poseidon, he… well, Nico wouldn’t feel safe if it was just him and Poseidon Jackson in a room together.

"Der?" He asked, turning to Percy, ignoring everything else. "Is everything okay?”

"Don't worry." Percy said that same sentence for the third time that day.

Percy just grabbed him by the wrist, pulling him gently and Nico sighed in relief, holding on to Percy's arm with both hands. They stopped at the table where the children were, finding Annabeth sitting next to them with a woman of Latin descent and long black hair next to her.

"Can you take care of the kids today?" Percy said to Annabeth without beating around the bush.

"Good evening to you too. How is the family going?”

“Yes or no?”

"Alright. No need to growl.”

Nico just… he felt himself relax, strangely. Something had changed between them; between Percy and Annabeth, between him and Percy and between him and Annabeth.

"I feel sorry for you." Annabeth addressed him. "See what I had to put up with? Sally is much worse than Poseidon and she already attacked, I would be careful.”

"What did she tell you?" Percy asked, he seemed to be shaking with anger.

"Just… some things about the future… and expectations. I think she’s already planning the wedding.”

“That’s very good,” Annabeth said, and the woman next to her agreed. “But once you fall into her clutches, there’s no escape.”

“Did you escape?” Nico found himself asking.

"No. Maybe in the future?”

"Enough of this! I'm going to--” Percy left the sentence half-finished and turned around, already marching towards his mother.

"Der, please." Even Nico was surprised. He found himself holding his wrist like Percy had done to him, staring at him closely, ready to beg if necessary.

Percy stared back at him, studying him for long moments until Percy nodded and let out a breath.

"You didn't deserve this, I didn't think they would act like this. You were right." Percy then smiled and stroked Nico's hair. "I guess I just wish I didn't have to hide things.”

Nico wanted to ask, “Hide what?” but he was tired. He hugged Percy tightly until he was sure Percy wouldn’t run after his parents and held his hand. Looking at the children who were watching everything silently, Nico said to them: "We’ll talk tomorrow. How about a farewell lunch?”

They nodded, looking relieved, and Percy led them out of the room. And if the car ride had turned into one of the most uncomfortable thirty minutes of Nico’s life, no one but him needed to know that.

So, how was today's chapter? We're finally finishing the first narrative arc! There are only two chapters left, which will be posted next week. I'm going to take a break for two or three weeks, but we'll be back soon.

See you soon.

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXVII and Chapter XXVIII

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

Chapter XXVII

Nico rang the doorbell and swore to himself that today was the day. Percy opened the door and smiled at him, and for a moment it was like everything had returned to normal, he could even visualize Percy bending down and hugging him tightly. But then the spell was broken and Percy looked away, closing the door behind them. No “good morning” or “how are the therapy sessions going?” Percy just turned his back on Nico and walked towards the kitchen, forcing him to follow him through the entrance hall, the living room and finally the kitchen and dining room.

It seemed that in the end nothing but Percy's behavior had changed. As most of the time, the children were already at the table, Percy pulled out a chair inviting him to sit, and without looking at him, he sat next to Percy, all while remaining silent. This would be the perfect moment, wouldn't it? Everyone ate calmly, seeming to be more asleep than awake.

Turning to the side, Nico looked at Percy who was already looking back at him.

“Yes?” Percy murmured, as if Nico had asked a question. Was he that obvious? Or was Percy just paying attention? And besides, should he be happy that Percy still cared? Or should he be irritated that he felt watched? Nico shook his head and denied it. The truth was, he didn’t know what to say. Would it be fair for him to accuse Percy of something when Percy was doing exactly what he had asked?

"It's nothing," He said back. "Do you still need me to sleep here on Friday?”

Percy made a confused face and he found himself smiling.

"Your parents' event?”

"Damn! I forgot their anniversary present. They've been married for thirty years.”

"That’s cool. I’m glad you have two days until then." Nico suggested discreetly.

Percy opened his eyes wide and jumped out of his chair, as if he had been shocked. However, it was Nico who was shocked. Percy grabbed him by the back of the neck, kissed his cheek and murmured, “Thank you, baby.”

Distracted, Percy disappeared from the dining room faster than Nico could follow, leaving only the sound of the front door slamming shut along with his heart beating rapidly. For some reason, Nico felt bad, like he had done something wrong. And according to the doctor, if something seemed wrong and he wasn't sure, it was better not to do it. Or at least to analyze whether he could face the consequences. 

So, the solution was to pretend that nothing had happened, avoid the curious gaze of the children and spend the rest of the day thinking about what had happened. Relief soon came when it was time to take them to school. He studied a little during the rest of the morning and helped the cook make lunch. Nico knew it wasn't part of his job as a caregiver, but it calmed him, made him relax while the sound of pots and pans and the voice of Beca, the head chef, kept him company.

It was time to pick up the kids once again and dinner began. It was another day that Percy would arrive late, probably after dinner, and that was okay. Percy always showed up before the kids went to bed, and there’s nothing wrong with that. The problem was all his when, watching a series with them, the three of them fell asleep under the light of the television, the darkness of the early evening and the sound of the actors' voices slowly lulling them. When Nico realized the time, it was another one of those days when he had slept past work, the clock hands showing fifty past nine. He rubbed his eyes to see better and saw that the kids were still sleeping, resting on his shoulders, their arms crossed over his belly, as though he were their teddy bear.

"Comfortable?" Percy asked him. He sat on the couch and watched him from there, his arms crossed and legs apart, sitting in the dark, analyzing him, while his green eyes passed over the scene of him and the children, sleeping together and peacefully.

"Sorry, I ended up falling asleep." Nico cringed and looked at the children in his arms, feeling embarrassed, like a little boy who had done something naughty.

"Why are you still here?" Percy said.

"I know I shouldn't have fallen asleep, but--”

"No, what are you still doing working here. Didn't I give you enough money? Do you need more?”

That's when Nico realized, Percy wasn't accusing him. He was being sincere and asking if Nico needed help. Nico denied it, he wouldn't need money for a long time.

"So, what's the problem? I know that the universities are still accepting applications.”

“I…”

"Isn't that why you're here? To make money?" Percy insisted. The man didn't move or try to comfort Nico like he would have before, Percy just stared at him seriously and intensely, waiting for an answer.

"I don’t need money." With a clear and concise voice, Nico decided to be honest, but he couldn’t look at him while he said it.

"So, what do you need?”

Nico found himself smiling, this was so cliché! Did Percy expect him to say “what I need is you”? He couldn’t do that.

"I don’t need anything. I want…" Nico raised his head and forced himself to say: "I wanted to spend some more time with the children before I leave.”

Percy stood up and gave him one of those crooked smiles. However, this was one of the worst he had ever seen. It was cynical and mean, full of bad intentions.

"I understand. The children will be very sad to see you go.”

"Are you… firing me?" Nico asked in disbelief.

“Nico,” Percy said. He walked around the coffee table, stopped right next to Nico, and bent down until he was at the right height, touching him gently. First in his hair, then sliding his hands down to rest on his neck. “You can’t keep wasting your time here. You deserve better than to be catering to the whims of a rich man.”

Was Percy talking about himself? And admitting that he was playing with him?

"I know I can be stubborn and bossy. I like things my way and I can't stand being rejected. But this isn't about me, it's about your future. When are you going to start thinking more about yourself and less about others? Can you promise me that?”

"Promise what?" Nico said, too distracted by Percy's closeness. It was the result of those hands stroking the back of his neck.

"That you will do what is best for you. That you will follow your heart.”

"Percy." Nico didn't know what to say. Why was this happening?

"I'll be honest, I have contacts at the college. I know classes start next month. Why don't you stop by? I'm sure they'll help you.”

"You are… I can't accept this.”

"Why not? You already have a guaranteed spot. I'll just speed up the process.”

"Do you want to get rid of me that much? I didn't mean to hurt you.”

"Don't be silly, you didn't hurt me, you just hurt my pride. I'll survive.”

Nico found himself smiling again, Percy's sincerity always amused him.

"Are you… sure? I didn’t expect things to get this complicated.”

"Don't worry, I get it. You don't want to be with me. I'm big enough to take a no.”

"No, I didn't mean to--”

"So, it's decided. This will be your last week, they expect you on Monday morning.”

Percy stood up, taking his heat away from him and Nico fell back, sinking into the beanbag.

"So mean." Alice muttered against Nico’s shoulder.

"Bad daddy." Logan agreed from the other side.

Nico could only sigh and help them up, while he put away their notebooks, books and pens. Nico put them to bed and escaped downstairs before Percy had the idea of taking him home.

Chapter XXVIII

"So, it's decided. This will be your last week, they expect you on Monday morning.”

Percy stood up, taking his heat away from him and Nico fell back, sinking into the beanbag.

"So mean." Alice muttered against Nico’s shoulder.

"Bad daddy." Logan agreed from the other side.

He sighed and helped them up. The three of them, in a joint effort, put away their notebooks, gathered their books, and put their pens inside their pencil cases. Then, taking the children's hands, Nico led them to their beds, covered them with the sheets, and escaped the house before Percy had the idea of driving him home. Unfortunately, Nico had the misfortune of findingJason in the living room waiting for him when he arrived at the apartment, exactly as a good, responsible adult would wait for his child who had broken curfew.

"How was your day? Did anything different happen?" He heardJason say as he walked past the living room, heading straight to the kitchen, trying to avoid the questionnaire. AndJason? He went straight to the microwave, pressed a few buttons and then brought out a bowl of pasta with sugo sauce, one of his favorite dishes.

"Hm." Nico murmured, without confirming anything. He accepted the food, almost putting his head inside the plate.

"Nico, what's going on? Why did Percy call me asking me to help you move out?”

“I knew it!” he thought triumphantly, even though Nico didn’t feel victorious at all.

"He fired me.”

“Why?”

"Do you remember about my scholarship?”

"I remember."Jason confirmed.

"It's still available.”

"Didn't you need money for the expenses?”

"Yes." Nico lowered his head, feeling embarrassed to say the rest.

“So?”

"I have the money. It will probably last the entire course. I think there is still some left for a P.H.D.”

He watchedJason's face change from concern to a familiar mocking smile.

"Oh, you mean he gave you all that money?”

"Not exactly. I worked a lot of overtime. Sometimes I slept overnight. I stayed up late…”

"I know, you are a model worker. We should all strive to be like you!”

"Blake! I didn't ask him to give me any money!”

"But you feel bad anyway.”

Nico nodded, defeated. He felt like he was selling himself, this exchange that was supposed to be between employer and employee far more intimate and intense than was advisable.

"What do I do? Give him his money back?”

"I can't tell you what to do.”

“But?”

"You are so close to achieving your dream. Why don't you think of it as a loan from a friend who cares? There's nothing stopping you from paying it back when you can.”

"Maybe. So… why do I still feel so bad? It's like he's paying for something I can't offer.”

“Ah,”Jason murmured, seeming to understand. “The solution might be to walk away from him.”

Nico nodded once more and lowered his head to the table. He had thought about this before, it was what he had been trying to do for the past few days. For some reason, this distance between him and Percy also felt wrong, like something was missing. Why did everything have to be so complicated? Why did he have to leave behind all the people he loved the most?

“What’s wrong, Nico?” This timeJason’s voice was soft, his hand resting on his arm.

"Why does this have to happen? Why do I have to stay away from everyone?”

"Everyone?”

"Percy, my father, my family. Why?”

"Do you miss them? Your family?”

Nico didn't answer, but it was obvious. He just buried his head deeper into his arms and pushed the food away, trying to take a deep breath.

"It's okay. You don't have to avoid them if you don't want to, just a little distance is enough.”

"Just a little?" Nico didn't know if he understood.

"You know, I still visit Zeus. I have dinner with him every week.”

"He… he’s a horrible person.”

"He is, but he's my father and I miss him.”

"Does Thalia know about this?”

"She knows. She respects my decision.”

"I don't feel comfortable with that.”

"Are you uncomfortable or do you want to get revenge on them for everything they did to you?”

He lifted his head and stared atJason.

"You can forgive them or not, that's your choice. Wanting them to suffer as much as you suffered is not healthy.”

"I don't want that. I never wanted it.”

“Not consciously,”Jason told him in a patient tone. “Our subconscious mind likes to play tricks on us. The important thing here is that you feel happy and satisfied with your life. Do you miss them? Go visit them. Do you feel hurt? Walk away. Sometimes we have to choose between what’s right and what’s good for us, even if it hurts other people.”

When he just looked at his friend,Jason smiled at him and gently touched his shoulder.

"I want you to think about this. Right now, what makes you feel good? Is it giving Percy his money back or following your dream?”

There was something there that Nico had never thought about.

***

A few days later, Nico was still thinking about whatJason had suggested. What made him happy? Wasn't it strange that he had never thought about it? He kept wondering what Hades would do if he knew how he lived, if Will would be mad if he did what he wanted, he even remembered wondering if Bianca and Hazel would approve of his decision. Now, asking himself that question, wondering what made him happy, hadn't crossed his mind untilJason pointed it out to his face. He just wanted some peace, whatever came of it was a bonus.

The door opened and Percy smiled at him, hugging him tightly, just like Percy used to do before all this drama happened, and he, putting his worries aside, decided that enjoying that moment, melting against his broad chest, was the best thing he could do in that situation. Did Percy and his big hugs make him happy? Much more than Nico could explain. But then, why did he feel so sad?

"Am I a happy person?" He asked Percy when the man released him and closed the door.

Percy slowly turned towards him and looked at him strangely, still smiling, and ruffled his black hair, shaking his head.

"You don't know if you're happy? I would say yes. But only you can answer that." Percy looked at him once more and finally looked worried. "Are you okay?”

Nico didn't know how to respond. So he looked down, feeling strangely embarrassed.

"It's nothing.Jason told me something last night…”

"Is that so?”

"Whether I do what makes me happy or whether I do what other people expect of me." He looked at him and asked again: "Do you think I do what other people want me to do?”

"Nico, I don't want you to feel bad. It's not exactly a bad thing.”

"Oh." Nico murmured, half numb.

"You rarely say no to anyone and you always help everyone. You are someone who likes to feel useful. There is nothing wrong with that. But, yes, I think it is a good question. What makes you happy? For a long time I did what would make my parents happy. It did not turn out well for me. Even though I am in a privileged position right now.”

“I understand.”

"Doing what other people want for a while doesn't mean you have to do it forever.”

Well, it made sense. That's what was happening, wasn't it? He'd done what his family wanted for a long time, and now he was free to go his own way.

"You're right." Nico said to Percy. Nico hugged him tightly around the neck and kissed the face he loved to look at so much. "You always say the right thing.”

"It's a talent " Percy murmured back, hugging him equally tightly around the waist, almost lifting him off the ground. "Unfortunately, we have a change of plans.”

"Hmm?" Nico questioned, confused by the abrupt change.

"My parents want to see the children.”

"I know." He could already imagine the situation. "I don't have any clothes.”

"Of course! How could I forget?”

Percy pulled him by the hand and right there in the middle of the living room were three-foot-long racks filled with suits, blazers, and full-length coats. All of them appeared to be his size. He had forgotten how manipulative Percy could be; it was so obvious that this had been planned that it made his blood boil.

"Percy Jackson!”

Nico marched the rest of the distance to the clothes and checked them, they still had the store tag on them. A very exclusive and expensive one at that.

"Did you like it? If you want, you can take home what we don't use today.”

You know what was the most ridiculous thing? Percy's posture. He had a straight spine, a puffed-out chest, and a bright smile on his lips. And to top it all off, Nico could hear the children's voices laughing from the kitchen.

"When did you have time to buy all this?”

"It was nothing, just a phone call.”

"You're kidding me, aren't you?”

Percy scratched his head and looked at Nico, pretending to be embarrassed.

"Would you believe me if I told you that the clothes were lost in our wardrobe?”

"No." Nico heard another pair of laughs and couldn't hold it in. "And you guys, what are you doing, hiding there?”

The children came running and hugged him around the waist, happy and content.

"Yesterday when you left early, we stopped by the mall and bought half a store!" Logan said excitedly. "It's our gift to you.”

"Don't be mad at Daddy." Alice finished for Logan.

This was a plot against him.

"That's not fair. How could I be mad at you?”

"So, did you like it?" Percy asked again, calm and smiling. But the way he looked at him was as if… as if Percy had found something very interesting; which made him uncomfortable and, at the same time, happy.

"If you think you can buy me because of what you did… you don't have to. It's okay. It was my decision, you just respected me.”

"Nico, I'm not trying to buy you. It's just a gesture of gratitude. You've done a lot for our family. We want to reward you.”

"I don't need that. Seeing you happy is enough for me.”

"We know." Alice said.

Nico looked at Alice and saw that she was already looking at him. She had changed so much that he was even surprised; it seemed magical the way the little girl who hid behind her long black hair transformed into this confident teenager who faced her problems head on.

"We'll never forget you!" Logan said. "And you have to promise to call.”

Nico smiled at them and waved, trying not to show how much more their words meant, something that those clothes that must have cost an entire year of his pay, could never compare.

“I promise.”

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXIV, Chapter XXV and Chapter XXVI

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

Chapter XXIV

"Ah, Percy Jackson! I didn't see you there. Have you been waiting long? I came to pick up Nico from work.”

No! Nico wanted to scream, he would never do that. But Will was still there and the threat had been clear enough. He was forced to let Will guide him by the shoulder and place him in front of Percy. He… he swallowed hard. Nico didn't think he had ever seen Percy like that; the man wasn't angry or upset like he imagined, no, it was such a neutral expressionlessness that… that made him fear the worst.

"Nico, you’re late." Percy stressed each word perfectly, his chest puffed out and his breathing deep and slow. Maybe… oh… maybe, in the end, fear wasn’t the right feeling.

Gasping, Nico felt a knot in his throat and walked the rest of the way to Percy, feeling smaller and shyer than he had in a long time.

“Lift your head,” Percy told him, and Nico found himself obeying without hesitation. “Ethan called me. He thought you needed help.”

Nico swallowed hard for the second time that morning. He was wrong, there wasn't an absence but an excess, a controlled excess of everything Percy didn't even try to hide. Percy just looked at him, his hot, stormy eyes fixed on his, making him fidget with anxiety.

Ah, why was this so hard? He felt… he felt that if Percy gave the order, at that moment, he would do whatever was asked of him.

“I…”

"Do you need help, Nico?" Percy insisted again and he couldn't lie. He merely nodded, letting out his breath slowly.

Percy offered him his hand and Nico accepted, Percy’s large hands covering his, guiding him to the car parked inside the large, solid iron gates, completely ignoring Will who continued to watch them.

"Hey, you can't do that! Nico and I--”

But he wasn't listening to what Will was saying, he preferred to focus on Percy's hand on his and the feeling that this innocent touch caused him.

When they got to the car he just… just let Percy grab him by the waist and lift him up, helping him sit in the passenger seat, allowing Percy to put on his seatbelt for him. Percy slammed the door and walked around the car, pulling away as soon as he sat in front of the steering wheel, his large hands gripping the steering wheel with more force than necessary. And the silence. If the sound of Will's voice turned his stomach, Percy's silence made him feel sick, made him want to jump out of the moving car just so he wouldn't have to face disapproval at Percy's every move and breath.

"I…" Nico said, trying to break the silence. "He didn’t do anything. Will just wanted to talk.”

"Hm.”

"He didn't kiss me or anything…”

"Hm.”

"Will, he wanted--”

“Enough,” Percy finally said, his voice low and gravelly, but in the silence of the car it sounded like Percy was shouting. “You don’t have to explain yourself to me.”

“He--”

"That's enough, Nico.”

Nico flinched, shrinking back against the car seat, the feeling going straight to his stomach as if Percy had punched him. Percy had never spoken to him like this, so cold, so rigid, so… domineering. Percy seemed to take up all the space and press him against the car seat with just his voice; it was like the man expected to be obeyed, demanding nothing more or nothing less. He felt like he had made a mistake, like a naughty little boy who deserved to be punished. And worst of all, he felt strange, like maybe he really did deserve the punishment.

And you know what was even stranger? Percy wasn't ignoring him, like Will used to do when they fought or like Hades did when he was angry. No, Percy still glanced at him from time to time in the rearview mirror and other times he even turned his head, staring at him before to get his attention back on the road. Nico just wanted... he just wanted to hide his face and cry like the helpless little boy everyone said he was.

***

The rest of the morning passed like a slow, uncomfortable but painless torture. Nico waited for the kids to finish eating, took them to school and when he came back, Percy was still there, in the living room where Nico usually spent most of his time. Percy sat on the couch right across from where Nico always sat – on the floor in front of the coffee table – where he would spend hours studying until lunch was ready.

Nico paused for a moment at the entrance to the living room and took a deep breath when he saw him there. He forced himself to take the few steps inside and picked up his books, placing them in a neat pile on the table and taking out his notebook and pens next. Percy just stared at him for a few seconds, returning to his reading, looking less… stiff.

"Have you eaten yet? I didn't see you put anything in your mouth.”

Okay, food… Nico lowered his head, pretending to grab something from his backpack and felt himself blushing. It wasn't his fault, when Percy spoke to him like that, all hoarse, deep and so serious it made him wonder… what else he could put in his mouth…

No! What was he thinking? Nico jumped and raised his head, Percy was watching him, his face still serious and not a hint of his usual smile. Percy should just want the answer, right? So why… Ah! He couldn't take it anymore!

Nico put his arms on top of the coffee table and hid his face in them, looking like he would melt in mortification at any moment! How could one look and ten words do this to him? Maybe Will was right and he just wanted to…

"Nico, take a deep breath." Percy touched his arm, his hands going to his hair, stroking it slowly. But this time that innocent touch only served to make him even more nervous, at the limit of what he could bear. He groaned, embarrassed and irritated.

"Then stop looking at me like that!" Nico practically shouted, he thought he was whining too, still with his face hidden.

“Okay,” Percy said, his voice softening. “Look at me, okay?”

Nico obeyed. There was nothing he wouldn't do for Percy. And if with his deep voice Nico couldn't deny him, with that soft voice that caressed his senses, he would do much more.

"I… I’m sorry." Nico murmured weakly. "Don’t be mad at me.”

"Okay, that’s right." Percy kept talking and touching Nico's hair, his hands sliding around the back of Nico's neck, pressing down there, preventing him from doing anything other than paying attention to him. But Percy wasn't smiling, still serious. Percy was kneeling next to Nico, his gaze level with his. However, what Percy said next made his breath stop. "I have to apologize. I have no right to act like this.”

"Act how?”

"I was jealous." Percy said bluntly, that deep tone of voice returning, intense eyes capturing his, making Nico get close to him without even realizing it. "I'm a very jealous man, I don't like other people touching what's mine.”

He blinked and took a deep breath, looking into Percy's green eyes. The man didn't seem to be joking, because in fact, Nico had never seen him so serious. Did he belong to Percy? Did he? Nico didn't know what he was doing or thinking anymore.

"I…" Nico didn't think or hesitate, he threw himself into Percy's lap and hugged him tightly around the neck.

Nico was actually doing it, he was sitting on Percy's lap and he didn't care at all, he needed this, he needed to make sure Percy wouldn't leave without letting him explain himself. 

So Nico wrapped his legs around Percy and quietly so as not to break the mood, he started whispering in his ear: "Will wanted to get back with me. He said you just wanted to play, that you would never... never be with me. That I just... he said he's going to talk to the police... I didn't know what to do. He didn't kiss me, I swear... I never--”

"Shh… it's okay. I believe you. Don't worry about it." Then, finally, Percy's arms wrapped tightly around his waist and hugged him, only then did Nico know he was forgiven, feeling Percy's lips whispering in his ear as softly as he had done, sliding down his face, brushing against his skin, stopping at the top of his head, making him sigh and close his eyes, feeling welcomed and warm inside. Nico wished Will could make him feel that way or evenJason would do, any other boy he had met other than Percy. Things would be so much easier and he would never have to feel guilty for feeling this way, as though he was doing something wrong every time Percy offered what he needed so much.

But it didn't matter. Just this once, Nico would let himself be rocked and touched in this soft, affectionate way, maybe when this was all over it wouldn't seem so damning.

Chapter XXV

Nico took a deep breath and walked into the house with the children. Ever since that incident with Will, things seemed to be… heating up and calming down at the same time, slowly settling down as the days went by. He couldn't explain it, it was like he was inside a pressure cooker and with the slightest touch everything could go up in a smoke. Nico could swear, something in Percy's eyes and attitude had changed, the smiles returned, but the intensity in them only increased, cooking and cooking with each passing day until… well, the food was ready.

And as usual, Percy Jackson proved to be the kindest and most gentlemanly person Nico had ever met in his life. Maybe a little too much. Even though he had the key to the house, Percy was always awake to welcome him. It was their routine, they had breakfast with the children, Percy said goodbye to them with a kiss and always had a caress for Nico, soft and discreet, but that made him melt every time. If it wasn't his hands sliding through Nico's hair when Percy passed by the room or got up from the table, it was that small touch on his shoulders that usually followed to the back of his neck. However, it was the soft and husky voice, all the careful and attentive looks, always paying attention to the smallest details that really drove him insane.

That day was no different. Percy had wiped his mouth, stood up and, smiling at Nico, walked around the table to say goodbye to the children. Then, Nico felt those big hands caress his hair in passing, Percy slowly moving away, climbing the stairs to the second floor, like nothing was happening.

He couldn't help but follow with his eyes the figure that disappeared down the stairs, Percy's scent already impregnated his senses, bringing together everything Nico liked most in the world; strong black coffee, books, a woody perfume and mint, all of this reminded him of his house in Italy where there was a mint and a coffee plantation right next to the window of his old room.

Nico looked at the children, trying to see if they had noticed anything and sighed in relief. They looked back at him, innocent and well-behaved, as if they were waiting for something.

"Okay." He said, confused. Nico looked back once more as though he could see through the walls and let out a breath. That meant nothing. Nothing at all. The affectionate gestures. The money. And much less this domestic and peaceful routine.

In the end, he decided it was best to just stop thinking and get on with his day. So Nico got up from his chair, the kids followed him, and they left the house and headed for the car Percy had bought for the kids. It was already dinnertime, which was ridiculous to think about when the kids were right there, eating and talking happily to Percy, while Percy responded, hanging on every word. In fact, he was the one who hadn't eaten much, playing with his food and fantasizing about the man who should have just been his boss. It was better not to think about things that were beyond his reach.

"Nico, do you want the cook to prepare something else? You haven't touched your plate. This has been happening for some days." Of course it was Percy who spoke, always paying attention to everything and everyone, or rather, his control complex speaking loudly once again.

"I'm not hungry." He said, keeping his gaze on the food, just looking at Percy made him feel guilty. And hot.

Seriously, how could he be so pathetic? How? Even the kids were starting to notice.

"Is it your anxiety?" Alice asked, all worried.

"Hm." Nico stated, which was a complete lie. Anxiety was not what he would call that desire.

Yeah, Nico had finally gone over the top.

"Did you take your medicine?" Percy asked and he finally looked at the man.

It was a mistake. Percy had a smile on his face, but it was that kind of smile. Percy knew exactly what was happening to him. How bad would it be if Nico said that he was his medicine? Nico hated it when Percy looked at him like that, all satisfied and in control. Because, in truth, he didn't hate it at all. So, Nico forced himself to sigh, shoving a forkful of some random food he couldn't even taste into his mouth, resigning himself to his fate.

***

It was one day that his pot finally burst.

Nico was there, minding his own business and studying for a change, when strong arms came around him from behind, wrapping around his waist. Percy's head rested on his shoulder and large hands pressed against his abdomen, making him moan in surprise. But that hadn't been a cry of fright, no, it was a high-pitched, needy moan that would make even Luke, the most perverted person he knew, blush.

"Now, now. Do you need help with that?”

Nico was embarrassed, but he admitted it. He had gasped, arched his spine and froze, shocked by his own reaction when he realized what was happening. He was… hmm… erect? Because of a hug? How old was he? This couldn't go on, Nico wouldn't survive.

"Nico?" Percy asked in that gentle voice of his, still hugging him from behind, his hands caressing his belly through the fabric of his shirt. But not this time, because Nico knew what Percy was trying to do; the humiliating thing was that it was working.

"Percy, I need you to stop.”

"Do you need it?" His voice sounded playful now, but he wouldn't fool him.

"I want you to stop.”

Percy let go of him and Nico turned toward him, feeling his throat tighten. Why did it feel like he was breaking up with someone else in less than a month? Maybe because he was. Nico couldn't jeopardize his own future and Percy's future over something that would eventually end in drama and lots of tears.

So, he took a deep breath, let it out and opened his mouth:

"Per--”

"I know what you're going to say. You don't have to tell me anything.”

"No, you don't understand.”

"Yes, I understand. You want me to stop.”

Nico stared at him and Percy stared back, his green eyes blazing. It was like Percy had expected this, the rejection and betrayal clear on his features. Percy didn't even look sad or disappointed, he just seemed to accept things as they were.

"I love you." There, finally Nico had said it. "I love you." He repeated.

“Do you love me?” Percy repeated in disbelief, a slow smile forming on his lips.

“That's why this has to end. If it were anyone else, I would take advantage of you and threaten you for money. I can't do that. I wouldn't sleep well knowing that I was the reason for your downfall.”

"Nico!" Percy laughed, laughed so happily and held his hands, his eyes shining with happiness. "Don't be so dramatic.”

"No, I can't take it anymore! I'm leaving right now and--”

"Calm down, okay?" Then, Percy moved closer and turned his face towards him, his hot breath against Nico's mouth, his hands pulling him by the back of his neck, his lips so close to his and… Nico couldn't! He placed his hand in the middle of Percy's chest, preventing Percy from moving any closer.

"I can't! This is wrong. This is so wrong! You gave me money and now you expect me to... to do this?”

"Nico!”

"And what about our age? How can things work out?”

"It doesn't matter. If you love me and I love you, it's not wrong, honey. It's just human nature. Hmm?" Percy leaned closer to him once more and the only solution Nico found was to get up and run away from him.

"Percy, no!" He walked around the couch and tried to put some distance between the two of them.

"Percy, yes." Percy whispered, standing up as well.

Nico swore, he felt like he was in a romantic comedy or maybe the beginning of a very cliché porn. That was his mistake, in his one moment of carelessness Percy launched himself towards him and caught him by the waist before Nico could run away once more. Percy grabbed him by the neck, pulling his head back and then his breath was against Nico's face once more, mere millimeters away.

"I want to resign." This time Nico didn't try to run away and just closed his eyes, waiting for the worst.

The kiss never came. What came was a disappointed grunt.

" You're serious.”

“I am.”

"Nico, are you going to let these people tell you how to live your life?”

"This isn't about them, it's about whether I'll be able to sleep with a clear conscience. I've barely started my life, you already have an established career. What if I need to move to another country?”

"I'll go with you.”

"What if I don't have free time?”

“I wait for you.”

“And if--”

"I’ll do everything for you.”

Percy seemed as determined as he was, but… but Nico couldn't do that to Percy or to himself.

"Next semester I'm going to college, but until then I hope you can respect me.”

Chapter XXVI

"I’ll do everything for you.”

Percy seemed as determined as he was, but… but Nico couldn't do that to Percy or to himself.

"Next semester I'm going to college, but until then I hope you can respect me.”

Nico closed his eyes again and when he opened them, Percy was still there, his green eyes staring at him and his hands holding him by the waist, stroking his hair as if nothing was happening. And since when was this something normal? Since when did being around Percy become something so instinctive, something so comfortable?

"Percy! You're not taking me seriously.”

"That's not true. I always listen to you, I choose not to agree.”

Nico hit Percy's shoulder, trying to push him away, which only caused them both to fall to the floor; Percy on top of him, of course, and he against one of the beanbags on the floor. Percy's hands broke his fall and his hoarse voice echoed through the room, the sound of Percy's laughter making that little part of his stomach turn and his heart start beating fast again.

"Come on, baby, don't be so serious. It was just a joke.”

"Is this all a game to you? Is this what I am? A joke?" Nico turned his face away from Percy and focused on keeping his breathing calm. He couldn’t help it, he could still hear Will’s words… “Do you think he’ll stay with you? Some useless guy who’s good for nothing?” Nico couldn’t help but think, to wonder if deep down it was all just fun and games, something Percy use to pass the time.

"Nico, darling. Look at me.”

In the end, it wasn't up to him to decide. Not when it mattered. Because, without waiting for his permission, Percy simply grabbed the back of his neck and made him look at him, so close to Nico and more serious than before, enough to make him tremble, but in a different way, almost encouraging him to act in the way that, deep down, he knew was what they both wanted. But there Percy was, just holding him gently, watching him, without hesitation or masks that could hide what was happening at that moment.

Which was a relief, he didn't know if he could say no to what Percy was going to ask. That is, if Percy stopped playing around and decided to take action.

"You will always be important to me." Percy said, finally being honest. "I will always take into account your words, your opinion. If it were up to me, we would be in bed and I would treat you the way you deserve.”

“I--”

Nico thought he moaned. His face so close to Percy’s, their breaths mingling, bodies pressing closer with each passing moment.

"Don't you realize that when I try not to take you seriously is when I want you the most?”

He understood. It’s like… he was starting to understand, because Percy was between his legs and even through the fabric of his jeans, he could feel the bulge and pressure against his groin.

"You…" Nico swallowed, his hands that were resting against Percy's shoulder slid down without his permission, stopping against his abdomen.

"I respect you, I would never do anything against your will. I can wait. If you wait for me.”

"Hmm.”

This time Nico had moaned, he had really moaned and he had even thrown his head back. He couldn't help it, to the point where he almost wet his pants. Almost two months of this, Percy teasing him and slowly torturing him until he couldn't take it anymore. It wasn't fair, especially when Percy hadn't even done anything; it was Nico who had accidentally rubbed himself against Percy.

"No, no, no! I can't!" He practically screamed. Well, it was more like a desperate whimper. Nico pushed Percy harder and crawled across the room, getting as far as he could only to lean his back against the living room couch and cover his face with his hands, focusing only on breathing deeply.

"Where do you think you're going, kitten?" Nico heard the laughter in Percy's husky, velvety voice, making him squirm, feeling even more miserable.

"Percy!”

"I'm sorry, baby.”

"No, you don't!”

"It's true, I don't.”

Then Percy's voice came closer and he knew the man was sitting next to him, but not touching him.

"I don't want you to be uncomfortable. I never meant for this to happen. It's like those things that catch you by surprise, things you didn't even know you needed.”

"Hm." Nico murmured, his face still covered.

"I'm not proud of it. We... just fit together, you know?”

“I know.”

"It's so natural. It feels like I've known you for years.”

“I know.”

"So, you know that I love you? That I'm in no hurry?”

" I… know. " Nico hesitated, feeling his chest warm.

"Then you should know that I'm not the romantic type or to get attached easily.”

Nico nodded this time, trying to forget everythingJason had told him.

"And you're so good with children. Even Annabeth likes you, even if she denies it.”

"Please, can you stop?" Nico found himself saying, or rather, pleading. He wasn’t ready for this conversation.

"Look, I get it. I want you to know that this is a new feeling for me too and that--”

"Are you here if I need you?”

"Yeah, that too. I'm not going to change my mind. I'm not going to play with you. I'm not that person anymore, I have kids, a career--”

"So why would you stay with me?" Nico raised his head and looked at him, he needed to know if Percy was serious.

The sad look he saw on Percy's face surprised him.

"Because you're worth it. Isn't that enough?”

So Percy stroked his hair one last time and stood up, saying:

"I'll be in my room if you need me.”

Nico watched Percy walk away and almost followed the impulse to follow him upstairs. He didn’t know why, but to Nico it felt as if those words had been a farewell.

***

"Nico? Nicoooo, I can't solve this problem." It was Logan who called him, probably for a while if it were for the hand that the little boy was waving in front of his face, all anxious and frustrated.

"Let's see." It was a mathematics problem. "It's easy. You have to add from right to left, top to bottom. One plus five equals?

"Six!”

"Three plus two?”

"Five!”

"That's right, so we have sixty-five. See?”

"Ah. I had--”

He heard footsteps across the room and there was Percy, tall and charming as ever, his hair slicked back, he was wearing a tailored dark blue suit and carrying a briefcase in his hands.

As soon as Logan saw him, he ran towards his father and hugged him tightly around the waist.

"Where are you going? You promised you would have dinner with us!”

"A promise is a promise in this house. I need to go to work quickly, I'll be back before you know it.”

"Daa-ad." Logan whimpered and Percy just smiled. He stroked Logan's hair and picked him up.

"Behave yourself, okay? I'll be back soon.”

Percy sat Logan down on the couch and said goodbye to Alice, who was watching the dramatic scene, disinterested as always. She received a caress and a kiss on the cheek then Percy turned to him. Nico saw in slow motion Percy's hands come towards his hair and stop before reaching it, frozen in the air.

It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

Percy cleared his throat, the kids looked at each other and Nico looked away, pretending nothing was happening. The worst part wasn't even the aborted touches, it was the silences that followed, they explained much more than Nico could put into words. Because, in fact, Percy hadn't lied, he was respecting what Nico had asked. Even more so if he could be honest. 

Percy didn't touch his hair anymore, didn't hug him, didn't smile as much and didn't spend time with him anymore until the movie sessions disappeared too, happening only when the kids were around. Nico just... missed him. At first, he thought this thing was about the physical contact, like Will had said, but now, Nico saw how much Percy talked to him, how Percy always listened to him and never judged him, it was only at that moment that Nico realized how the sweet and patient words had left a hole in his chest bigger than touches and almost kisses could.

"Okay." Percy said. He looked around the room, avoiding his gaze, put his hands in his pockets and also pretended that nothing had happened. "I shouldn't be back too late. Wait for me.”

This time, Percy was talking to Nico, he knew that. That's why Nico nodded and looked at Logan's notebook that was still in his hands. He flipped through it like there was something very important and only raised his head when he heard Percy's footsteps heading towards the entrance chamber. Sighing in relief, Nico leaned back against the couch behind him, letting his head fall back. When he asked Percy to stop, he thought that would be the most intense part and not... any contact between them.

With Percy it was all or nothing, right? He didn't imagine it could be so literal.

"Nico, are you okay?" Alice asked beside him. "What happened between you and Daddy?”

"What happened? Nothing happened. These are adult things, you don't need to worry.”

"Are you leaving?" Logan asked.

"I…" Nico thought about lying to them and saying he would stay forever. He wouldn’t want them to do that to him, so… "I will, but not now. Next semester. Did you know I’m working to save money for college, right?”

Both children waved, moving closer to Nico, each from one side.

"Now I have enough money, your father--”

"He's very generous. That's what everyone says!" Logan told him.

"Yes, he is.”

"Don't listen to what Daddy says." Surprised, he heard Alice tell him. She held his hand and looked at him deeply with those green eyes as intense as Percy's. "He's not usually so... mean.”

Nico opened his mouth, but he didn't know what to say. What could he say? That he really liked this evil side when Percy was focusing it on him?

"He's lonely and he's always put us first. But I think... I think he deserves company too. I don't mind if you and Daddy go out.”

"What? No. Nothing is going on between us. It's serious.”

"Are you going to be our mother?" Logan asked in his innocence, his bright blue eyes watching him with joy. But if even he had noticed, it meant that the innocent one was himself.

"Logan, I could never replace your mother.”

"Why? You're much better than her.”

“I…”

"You don't like Daddy?" Alice said again. "I thought you did.”

"It's not about liking.”

“So, you like him?” She insisted, leaning closer to him, just like Percy would do.

Nico found himself laughing and hugging them both by the shoulders, really tight.

"It was Percy who asked you to say that, I'm sure.”

"Well… he’s been so sad. I swear daddy didn’t say anything.”

"Alice." He scolded her.

"Maybe he said something…”

"What would that be?”

"Like... he's been sleeping a lot. Eating little. Distracted. It's been a while since I've seen daddy like this.”

"What does this have to do with me?”

"You're distracted, too.”

"You even burned the soup the other day!" Logan finished for Alice.

"Children, you are exaggerating.”

"So why don't you guys talk anymore? Why don't you stay in the same room for more than five minutes?”

"I…" Yeah, Nico had no excuse for that. "It doesn’t matter. What matters is your well-being.”

"It's okay if you change your mind one day.”

"Yes! We love you very, very much!" Logan said and hugged him tightly around the waist, Alice followed, hugging him on the other side. Nico was left to return the gesture of affection. But he and Percy would have a good talk, that's for sure.

Today was a big chapter. As always, I appreciate your feedback! If you want, I'd love to hear from you.

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XXII and Chapter XXIII

Hi! New chapter for you. Hope you like it!

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

Chapter XXII

"You really don't want me to take you home?”

Nico denied it and hugged Percy tightly. They were outside the condominium, Percy insisting on taking him home.

"The children can't stay alone, Annabeth just left and--”

“Nico, let me decide about that, will you?”

He looked at Percy suspiciously and took a step back. Normally Nico would trust the man's judgment, but he was beginning to see that Percy wasn't as responsible or perfect as he thought, especially when it came to something Percy wanted, and in this case, that was Nico himself.

"I don't like it when you do that to them. Alice and Logan may be grown up, but they still need their family's attention.”

"I liked it better when you said yes to everything. It was much easier." Percy gave a small smile, apologizing with his eyes and raised his hands, in surrender, and said: "Don't be like that, Roberta is still at home.”

Roberta was the housekeeper, the one who kept the house in order, helped prepare food and had control over the children's routine. And honestly? She was more efficient at raising the children than he could ever be. So this was Nico making the most of the rest of the time he had around.

"Come on, don't be mad at me. Let me take you home. It's already past nine o'clock.”

"No, I'm not going to make you drive across town.”

"I want to, so I can see where you're living.”

"I knew there was a reason behind it." Nico couldn't help but feel like a bratty little kid. He crossed his arms and glared at him.

"Nico, please. I feel responsible for what happened. I just want to make sure you're safe.”

That's when Percy touched Nico's shoulder and with his other hand, gently held his chin, making him look at Percy more closely.

Ahg, Nico groaned and shifted restlessly, refusing to look away. He hated when Percy did that; those stormy green eyes and worried frown always had the same effect on him. In the end, Nico just sighed, knowing he would never win.

Percy opened the car door for him, satisfaction oozing from every pore as Nico jumped into the gigantic jeep.

"Satisfied, now?”

"I'll be when you tell me the address.”

Why did Percy have to be so childish? Or was it just him? Did it matter? Nico gave in and relaxed against the passenger seat, feeling that little bit more anxious, a good kind of anxious; the kind that makes you act and gives you an unknown but welcome pleasure. Thinking about it, the butterflies in the middle of his stomach only fluttered more when Percy smiled at him, starting the car, one of his hands coming to rest on his knee, not helping him in the least.

The worst part was that the gesture sounded almost respectful, with a certain degree of affection. He had only seen that kind of thing with couples, likeHades and Maria. Nico remembered when they still lived in Italy, Maria used to smile a lot more andHades still acted like his father;Hades often sought some contact with Maria, so on car trips it was common forHades to smile at Maria and place one of his hands on her knee, just like Percy did now. Nico wanted to question him, he wanted to ask what that gesture meant, he wanted to know what it meant to them. But even if he had an answer, it wouldn't be the right one. Percy already had a family and a career, while he had barely started his. What would happen when Nico spent more time working than at home? What if he had to travel far away? Nico couldn't let that happen to them, such a common story, but one that could define their future completely. It’s like, if he was already attached to the point of thinking about these things, what would become of the future?

"…ico … Nico.”

"Hm?”

"Are you okay? Where was that little head of yours?”

"I… it’s nothing. I just…”

He shrugged and looked down at Percy's hand that was still on his knee, as if that was exactly where it belonged.

"I…" For some strange reason, Nico felt his throat tighten, the words he wanted to say so badly trapped in uncertainty. He might not be sure of the future, but he also didn’t want to lose these moments with Percy. Each one was special, memories Nico would treasure for when things got tough.

"It's nothing. Really. I'm just tired.”

"Do you need a break?”

Nico shook his head, he had barely come back. He kept looking forward and placed his hands on the one in his knee, trying not to think about anything, just fingering the knuckles and veins in the strong arm that was three times bigger than his.

"Turn right. I live in the city center, near those historic buildings.”

It didn't take long and soon they were in front of the apartment, forcing Nico to take his cell phone out of his pocket and call Jason, letting him know he had arrived. In less than five minutes Jason appeared, only in shorts and flip-flops, his blond hair sticking out in every direction and with a not-so-friendly expression.

"Where were you? Thalia and I were waiting for you until late.”

"It's not what it looks like.”

“What did you expect? Do you know what time it is?” Jason scowled at Nico until he looked at Percy, finally seeming to wake up from his stupor. “And why is Percy Jackson with you?”

"Do you know him?" Nico had to ask, confused.

"Who doesn't? He's known for a lot of things around here.”

"Among the businessmen and upper class." This time, it was Percy who answered, grimacing. "It's a pleasure to meet you. You're Zeus's son, right? My father speaks highly of you.”

“That’s news to me,” Jason said in greeting, shaking the hand Percy offered.

"Hey, I want to know what these things are!”

Were they, by any chance, ignoring him?

"I wish you wouldn't talk about it." Again, Percy referred to Jason, as if they were best friends.

"I can't promise anything. It wouldn't be fair for you to know everything about Nico while Nico knows nothing about you.”

“How do you know that?” Percy asked, lifting his head, mocking Jason in a friendly way.

"No Jackson would let himself be so vulnerable. And if there's one thing I know, it's that you're the kind of people who like to be in control of everything.”

Nico didn’t know why, but he found himself smiling, a slow kind of smile that slowly spread until there was nothing left in its path. Because, it was a fact, Percy seemed to be that kind of person. Controlling and domineering, but not in a negative way? It was very confusing. Or maybe, he was already too invested to see the real danger.

"You're overreacting," Percy said.

"No, he's not." Nico replied.

He couldn't help himself. He grabbed Percy's arm and kissed him on the cheek, holding himself close until Percy turned to him, giving him all the attention Nico could possibly want.

"Are you scared? Too late for that, don't you think?" Nico murmured to Percy.

"Nico! I was a different person. What teenager doesn't do stupid things?”

"Me. I never did!”

"Exactly. You're an exception. You would never do that.”

"That, what, exactly?" Nico smiled even wider and leaned towards him, Percy looking uncomfortable, but seeming to be equally amused.

"Mm-rh." Jason cleared his throat and Nico turned to see what it was.

Jason watched him with a raised eyebrow, judging him as only he could. Oh, Nico could already see it; no one would sleep today, as this would be the length of his questioning.

"I think we better go in, it's very late.”

"That's right, sorry for keeping you guys. Jason, why don't you stop by the company and talk to Max? I'm sure he can help you.”

"Is that a bribe?”

"Only if it's working.”

Jason wasn't usually so friendly with strangers, but all he did was smile and pull Nico inside.

"I'll think about your case.”

Just like that, the gate slammed shut and he turned to see Percy still smiling as he was led down the stairs and then up the elevator.

***

"Gods! What took you so long! I have to wake up early tomorrow." Thalia greeted them at the apartment door, even less pleased than Jason had been.

"You won't believe it. Guess who came to bring Nico home?”

"The president?”

"Even better. Percy Jackson. Co-CEO, financial analyst, and one of the most handsome men and heir to one of the largest fortunes in the country.”

"I know who Percy Jackson is, Jason! Don't be ridiculous.”

"You know, but the question is: does Nico knows it?”

The two turned to Nico and he blushed. Okay, he admitted it. Nico wasn’t into these kind of things…

"Well, I… of course--”

"Nico! I'm so proud of you. You've grown so much!" Thalia ran up to Nico and pulled his cheeks until they looked like they were going to fall off.

"It’s not like that…”

"You have to tell me everything." Jason said, completing his torture. In the end, the two brothers dragged him to the couch and each of them sat next to him. All that was missing was the popcorn.

"It's nothing. It was supposed to be a temporary job through the agency. And he's not all that, just a father taking care of his children.”

"You liar! I saw how he looked at you and I've never seen you act like that with anyone!”

"Oh. My. God! I love weddings. When is it due?" Thalia said again.

"Can you guys stop?" Nico cringed at their stares and snorted. "I swear. I take care of his children and that's it.”

"I'll pretend to believe you." Thalia held his hand, pretending to be understanding. "But tell me, is he everything everyone says he is?”

"What… does everyone say?" He was even afraid to know.

"You know… hot in bed? Is he as dominant as everyone says? Bossy? Generous… monetarily?

"I…" He felt horrible thinking about these things, let alone talking about them, especially when Percy wasn’t there to defend himself. But they were his friends, weren’t they? Maybe if he talked to someone, things would become clearer.

"So?" Jason insisted, as curious as Thalia.

"He's… he's a very reserved person. At least in the beginning. Disciplined. Loyal.”

"And…?”

"And… we never… never got there, but… there are times when…" Nico put his feet up on the couch and buried his face between his legs. "…there are times when he hugs me in a way that… that makes me… oh! I don’t want to talk about it. I have a boyfriend! And he… he’s so…”

"Older?" Thalia finished for him.

"No! I mean, yes! He drives me crazy, in every possible way, and I love kids, they're so sweet. I feel like I'm going to explode!”

"That can't be true. How long have you known them? Two, three weeks?”

"That's enough for me! From the start I knew things would go wrong. How could it not be? After a month of dating, I knew I would never marry Will, so why can't it be true with Percy? And like, why? I feel this attraction, this magnetic thing that forces me to be around him and--”

"Shhh, it's okay. You don't have to decide anything right now. It's okay." Thalia said, trying to comfort him. "And Will? Have you talked to him? I know he's an idiot, but even he doesn't deserve to be betrayed.”

"That's the point!" Nico practically shouted. "We didn't even kiss, nothing at all! How can this be happening to me? Me, the most boring and proper person in the world? I've never even run over a red light!”

"Oh." Both brothers muttered, surprised.

"From what I saw, it seemed much more, intimate, you know?" Jason said quietly into the silence of the room.

"I don't understand. I've just started living without my parents. It's too early! I can't… I can't let anyone hold me back again!”

"Nico, you have to calm down. Come on, I'll get you a glass of water."

"No! I don't want water!" Nico got up from the couch and started pacing around the room, no longer anxious, now irritated. "It's so unfair! Because... because I want it, I feel that this time... this time it's the right person…”

When he realized this, Nico stopped walking around the room and looked at the brothers who were looking at him in surprise. He didn't even know what he was saying anymore. He sat on the floor, right there in the middle of the room, and took a deep breath. Yes, he felt lighter, but on the other hand, he felt even more conflicted. 

In theory, Nico knew what he should do, but his desire was different; it was that little voice that always got him into trouble. It screamed louder than his rationality, telling him that "what if this time it wouldn't be so bad to let himself live, just a little bit?"

In the end, it didn't matter how much they wanted to help him. This was a decision he needed to make on his own.

Chapter XXIII

Nico opened his eyes and for a moment he didn't know where he was. The alarm clock was ringing, it was six o'clock in the morning. He looked around and found it strange, peering through the crack in the window where the weak morning light was coming in. There was no view of trees and the countryside he loved so much, no, all he could see were the tall buildings and the noise of cars passing by on the avenue outside. He turned off that annoying noise, rubbed his eyes and only then could he remember.

It was true, Nico told himself. He wasn’t home. It had been a few weeks since he had packed his bags and snuck out without anyone seeing him, in the dead of night. He still hadn’t gotten used to it. It was the silence of voices and, at the same time, the endless noise of cars, the cozy nights and the support of friends, the understanding he hadn’t known he deserved before this. It was liberating to decide what he was going to do without having to look around for fear of disappointing someone. So, all that was left for Nico to do was get out of bed and face another day; he took a shower, brushed his teeth and put on the first clothes he found, barely looking where he was going, letting his feet carry him.

He stopped for a moment in front of the table and walked into the kitchen, staring at the glass in his hands, the water inside it moving as he stirred it slowly. Nico felt strangely empty; not sad, not angry and not happy at all. It was an absence of emotions that only made him feel relieved.

It must have been the new medication, or maybe it had been the explosion last night. Nico felt calm, calmer than he had ever felt before. He couldn’t be thankful enough for having Thalia and Jason in his life. They had stayed with him a little longer last night, had sat beside him on the living room floor, holding him tightly until his breathing had returned to normal and he had calmed down, though he had spent a long time staring at his hands.

He didn't know what was so important that made him look at them so much or why Jason and Thalia hadn't gone to their own rooms. Nico remembered asking them, feeling light and comfortable, even though he was sitting on that hard, cold wooden floor. The brothers looked at each other and out of the corner of his eye, Nico saw Thalia shrugging. They didn't answer him, they just got up, taking him with them and walked with him to his room, making him sit on the bed and lie down soon after, Jason covering him from chin to feet with the duvet. He had then sighed and closed his eyes, with them still looking at him and observing him with concern.

That was how Nico fell asleep, with their presence and the sound of the door closing as he finally lost consciousness. But now… now--

"Nico, how do you feel?”

Ah, it was Jason. His friend usually went out later than Nico. At that time, Jason would still be asleep, taking advantage of every extra second of sleep he could get. But not today. Today Jason was already up, wearing the same pants as the night before and a rock band t-shirt. He was offering Nico an extra large mug of black, unsweetened coffee, just the way he liked it first thing in the morning.

"Hm?" He asked, accepting the steaming mug. Nico placed the glass of water on the counter and inhaled the aroma of the freshly ground and filtered coffee, taking a big sip and not even realizing when he had burned his tongue.

"Did you sleep well?" Jason repeated.

Nico just smiled, almost feeling himself wake up, warmed by his concern. This was Jason, a full-time psychiatrist, but still in training. If he knew him well, he would have thought Jason would be a great professional. Jason cared more than he should have.

"Yes, thank you. And yes, I'm fine. I've already taken my medicine. And no, I don't feel any symptoms of a panic attack or shortness of breath." Nico said and took another sip of coffee, this time being careful not to burn his tongue. As for Jason, he grimaced and stopped in front of Nico, crossing his arms.

"I worry. I don't want to--”

"Jason, you know I love you. But you don't have to worry." Nico smiled at Jason again and drank the rest of his coffee, watching him blush. It had been a short while since they had reconnected, but he didn't remember Jason being so charming and handsome, a little clumsy, too. He thought he was spending too much time with Percy, but that kind of approach had its advantages. Jason stuttered and blushed more, raising his hands and pointing at Nico, his words trailing off and going nowhere.

"Really. I guess I needed to get it off my chest, you know? It's okay.”

"Nico, the way you acted before… so aggressive… it didn’t seem normal.”

"You know what? I think it was great! I've never felt so free, like nothing could stop me.”

"I know that, I know how difficult it is for you to express yourself. I want you to know that whenever you want, you can talk to me.”

"Jason, you're my best friend. I'm living in your house! Of course I know that. There are things I need to do on my own.”

“I understand that.” Jason repeated, coming around the table and looking at him closely, his bright blue eyes looking at him seriously. “It’s just… you look so small, so vulnerable that you feel like you’ll break with the slightest blow.”

"Jason--”

“I know you're not helpless, you showed that yesterday. You show me that every day that passes by. I want you to know that we're here, Thalia and I, we're here if you need us. How long are you going to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders alone?”

Nico snorted and pushed him lightly by the shoulders.

"Don't be so dramatic. I asked for help, didn't I? So why all the drama?”

"It’s Percy… I’ve never seen you react like this because of someone. With so much… passion.”

"Passion? So you think I'm in love? That I'm going to do crazy things?" He rolled his eyes and turned his back on Jason, going after his backpack. "I already left the house. What else could I do?”

"Something that will get you and Percy into trouble.”

Ah, and they say he's the innocent one, right? It was too late to think about that and it was Jason who didn't see reality.

Nico nodded at Jason, watching his friend’s disgruntled grimace, and picked up his bag. It was best if Jason didn’t know about this. The fewer people who noticed, the better.

***

"Bia, I'm fine. We'll see each other soon.”

"Nico Di Ângelo! Hazel had to go after you to find out what happened with you! What would it take for you to show up? Someone having an accident?" Bianca practically screamed on the other end of the line. "You even changed your cell phone number!”

"Okay, okay! I admit it, I needed some time, okay? I promise I'll visit.”

"You promise?”

“I Do.”

“When?”

"Errr… soon?”

"Nico!”

"I think… on the weekend? We can meet somewhere.”

"Oh." She told him, and on the other end of the line, he could hear her voice fading. "I thought… right. Will you ring me up? Papa is calling me.”

"I'll call you.”

"Remember, you promised.”

The line went dead and he looked at his cell phone, bringing a smile to his face. He confessed, he was being childish, the most selfish of all, petty, even. Seeing Hazel and now Bianca looking for him was all he needed; it was everything he never thought they would do. Nico could hardly believe that he mattered to the point that they would stop what they were doing to talk to him. The only thing missing wasHades showing up at his door.

Feeling his chest warm, Nico took the magnetic card out of his bag and when he was about to unlock the lock, someone grabbed his arm, pulling him under a nearby tree.

"Nico." Someone whispered, finally allowing him to see who this rude person was who had pulled him so hard.

"Not again!" He grumbled in anguish. Of course it was Will showing up uninvited, even taller and more muscular than before, his bright eyes making Nico’s stomach churn with revulsion. Maybe it was anger or anxiety, or maybe it was all of those things mixed together.

"I missed you, shorty." Nico felt hands wrap around him, making him take a step back, avoiding his embrace.

"Will, I was very clear with you.”

"Avoiding me and running away? I don't think so.”

"Will Solace!”

"What?" Will looked at him, finally seeming to pay attention.

"There is nothing between us anymore!”

"What is this? Are you going to throw away all those years because of sex? Because of a fantasy? I don't care. Now that you've had your fun, we can get down to business.”

"Will, I--”

"Look, I know how it is. Every man has the need to try new things, I don't blame you. But what do we have? It's forever.”

Nico was shocked, open-mouthed, astonished, dumbfounded. Will was confessing that he had cheated on him, right to his face?

"Will, I'm going to say it one more time: We're breaking up. We're already broken up. This between us is no longer possible. Do you understand?”

"Oh, come on! Is that what you're mad about? Because of a fuck? They're not important.”

"They? They? Do you realize what you're saying?" Nico paused for a moment and took a deep breath. "Will, you cheated on me. Do you understand? Look, I'm very tired. I hope to never see you again.”

He turned to leave, but again Will grabbed him by the arm, this time pinning him against a tree.

"Is this how you repay me for all these years? Everything I've done for you and your family?”

"I didn't ask you to do it." He replied. But Will was right, Nico didn't say or do anything to deny all the money the Solace family invested inHades's business, even so... he refused... he refused to feel bad about it! He was a child who would do whatever his father told him to do.

"You b--”

It was Will's turn to take a deep breath and calm down. When he spoke again, Will had a smile plastered on his face.

"Look, I know you're confused. There have been so many changes, right? I can wait, give you the time you need.”

"Will, I know about you and Lou. I know you were together before you even met me. How can you do this to me? To him? Don't you care at all?”

"He's just my friend, shorty. You're the only one for me.”

"You-- you're hopeless! If I go to your house now, will he be in your bed? Still sleeping? Or maybe on the couch, the place you both like so much, hm?”

"Did you… did you see?”

"Of course I saw it! I would have to be blind not to see it! Now, if you'll excuse me…”

"Nico, please. I love you. I promise that--”

"I've given you every chance and you keep doing the same things!”

"If you knew, why only now… oh! Is it because of that Percy? Do you think you have more options now? That he’ll stay with you? Someone useless who’s good for anything?" It was then that Will’s smile came back in full force, dimples and white teeth, making Nico's stomach churn even more. "Don’t be ridiculous. Someone like him would never stay with you. I bet he fucks you the way you never let me, doesn’t he? Does he satisfy you? Does he tell you what you want to hear? Have you no shame? A man his age playing house with you?”

Will shook his head and stepped closer.

"It would be horrible if the police got involved. What would happen if people found out that the famous Percy Jackson fucks underage boys?”

"You… you have no way of proving it.”

"That's true, but imagine people's reactions when they found out about the accusations?”

"I… I need some time to think.”

"Oh, of course you do, dear. As long as you want. While you're thinking, how about we go to the movies? This Friday?”

"I leave work late.”

"I know you can make an effort. I'll pick you up here at seven, okay?”

Will smiled once more at Nico and bent down until he was at his height, getting closer and closer and he… he couldn't do it; he turned his face just as Will's lips would touch his, kissing his face.

"It's okay, shorty. I can wait.”

Will touched Nico's hair, stroking it lovingly and stepped back, allowing him to see something that made his stomach turn even more. Percy was there, watching everything, much closer than Nico felt comfortable.

Thanks for reading!

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

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

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

Chapter XX

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"No, I refuse. You're not leaving!”

"Honey, I have to work.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Do you promise?”

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

"Can I go with you?”

"Where?”

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"So, what brings your sister here?”

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

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

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

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

"Hmm, and how did that happen?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Percy shrugged.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter XXI

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

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

That was already getting on his nerves.

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

"What, no… but… is that all?”

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

"What were you thinking?”

"You and Percy seem so close…”

"Hazel!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"What? People coming to your new house?”

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

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

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

"Does it start with “no”?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I--”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“I…”

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

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

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

"The children miss you.”

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

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

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

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

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

"Aren't you afraid?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

See you next week!

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

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

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

Chapter XVIII

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Nico, what happened?”

"Nothing. Nothing happened.”

"Did you get my message?”

He nodded and wiped his face.

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

"More complicated, how?”

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

"Nico, dear. It's okay.”

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

"Never know what?" Percy had to ask.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I don't know, Per.”

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

Nico grimaced and shook his head.

"Come on, everyone needs help.”

"Are you sure? Is it really communal?”

"I wouldn't lie to you.”

"I… thank you.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

"So, you are the famous Nico.”

"Am I?" Nico asked, confused.

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

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

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

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

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

"Those keys, they're not--”

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

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

Chapter XIX

"You finally showed who you really are.”

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

"Really? Who am I?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Percy, I never meant to hurt you.”

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

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

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

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

"He's just a kid who needs help.”

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

"You were the one who abandoned me first!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Percy!”

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

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

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

***

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

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

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

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

"Nico eats. The children too.”

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

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

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

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

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

"Nico, join us.”

"I don't want to bother you.”

"I insist.”

"Yes, Nico. We insist.”

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

"Hm." Annabeth said after a while.

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

"You are thoughtful.”

"…”

"You are… happy.”

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

"You've made up your mind.”

"I already told you--”

"Yes. But this time is serious.”

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

***

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

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

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

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

"What are you studying again?”

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

"He's going to be a--”

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

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

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

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

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

It was Percy's turn to swallow something sour.

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

"You don't have to?”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"Percy--”

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

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

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

"No, it's not.”

Nico read the address on the card and frowned.

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

"Well… you discovered my evil plan.”

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

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

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

"Yes, we are those Jackson.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I didn't promise anything.”

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

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

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

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

Thanks for being here. Comments are always welcome.

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII

As I promised, here are two chapters. If you see any mistakes, like wrong names, let me know! As this was an original story, I may have made some mistakes.

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

Chapter XVI

Percy turned his back on Nico, got into his giant jeep and drove away. Before he knew it, Percy was far away, leaving him with only silence and his own thoughts, watching until the car disappeared into the horizon and only when he had no choice, Nico resigned himself to going back inside the house, walking slowly, questioning the life he led.

He was starting to wonder, was that house even his anymore? Nico didn't feel safe in it, he didn't feel like it was his home, nor was his room a safe place anymore; Nico no longer had the key of his door’s room, not since his father had discovered that he wouldn't be doing agronomy in college like Hades had planned and that, in fact, he was almost ready to leave and go in another direction. However, the high point was when Hades practically sold him in exchange for support and investment in the family business. In the end, Hazel was right and that was his job in that family, to keep Will calm, happy and in control, so that his father would be sure that the mayor would remain happy. Everyone won, right?

Sure. Except him, of course.

With those encouraging thoughts, Nico walked the rest of the way to the front of the house and climbed the set of the porch steps, entering through the front door.

As soon as he stepped inside, he saw that shadows had already formed against the walls. He only needed the door to close for the rest of the room to fall into total darkness, leaving him with only the moonlight for illumination, but that didn't bother him. He kept walking and watched his shoes, walking without looking where he was going, having already memorized every corner of that path. Ten steps forward, three to the left and five ahead to reach the dining room.

"We need to talk." Hades's voice sounded shrill in the silence of the room.

Do you know what scared him the most? That silence is what Nico had always feared. It was Hades with his hard, judgmental looks, was those quiet moments before the storm came, and it was that giant house that always seemed so empty of life; that was what it did to him; it haunted him, made him think Nico would never escape that horror movie of a small town and the claustrophobic places. Because, that was how he would end up, a small boy, in a small place, in a small family and in a small life. He would probably end up like one of those story endings too; he would work for his father until his last days and marry whoever Hades told him to, obeying like the perfect son, right? That was supposed to be his future?

He was so tired…

"I don’t think so. I think our conversation is over." Nico heard himself saying, still looking at his feet. Why was he still trying? Why did he care what that man would think? That wasn’t his responsibility, none of it was. It wasn’t pampering Will Solace, the mayor, or worrying about the family’s business; Nico didn’t need any of that.

Nico nodded to himself, and he was so exhausted that he didn't care about Hades's angry grunt. Or the chair scraping across the floor, or even the heavy footsteps coming towards him. Nico only raised his head when Hades was too close to ignore, feeling empty and hollow.

After all, what could Hades do? Hurt him again?

Nico was already more than injured.

"How dare you to defy me!" Hades raised his fist and punched the table, which shook with the force of the blow.

Nico barely reacted, he looked at his father's hand on the tablecloth and tried to remember why he should care.

It was all so meaningless that he just continued to watch it.

"I'm tired, Hades." Nico said, defeated. It was the first time he had called him that. Hades was no longer his father, his Papa. He had stopped being that a long time ago.

Nico barely heard the people in the room gasp, which didn't stop them from slowly approaching the two. However, his focus was on Hades, the one Nico blamed for all of this. He needed to blame someone, because if Hades wasn't the one to blame, it meant that he was the reason for all of this mess.

"I'm sorry. I can't do what you want anymore. I-- I tried... I... I'm not challenging you, I just... haven't I done enough?”

Silence fell again, it seemed like no one was breathing. He even tried to see Hades's reaction; his vision was blurry and it was hard to breathe, his chest was constricting as if someone was crushing him, but... but he was calm, he was so calm that it seemed like Nico was watching everything like a spectator; for the first time in a long time he felt like nothing could affect him anymore. It was strange, the tears rolled down his face and his hands were shaking, and he didn't know if it was from relief or sadness; the tears simply overflowed from within him.

Nico blinked and a few more tears rolled down his face. He finally allowed himself to cry for the first time in his life.

"Can you forgive me? I need to do this." Nico tried again. He knew it would be in vain, because with Hades there was only one way to do things, either it was the way he wanted it or it wasn't. Nico accepted that, he accepted that it was the end for them.

It was… it was okay, he had done everything he could. A gentle voice was saying in the back of his mind. He nodded once more, to himself and to what he knew was coming next. When nothing happened and Hades just kept looking at him with that neutral expression, Nico… Nico just let himself breathe and started walking. One step at a time; one to avoid Hades’s still figure, another to get past the table, and a few more to climb the stairs. He looked at them and put his right foot up, then his left, and dragged himself up them, one at a time, until he reached the star’s end and walked a few steps into his room.

Nico left the door open. There was no point in him closing it when he couldn’t lock it, and sat down on the bed. He kept staring at his shoes. He needed a new pair. Maybe new jeans too. Maybe a new bed or… or a new Nico. It sounded good. Anything was better than being the same old Nico Di Ângelo.

He wished he could just be… Nico. Nicollas.

"Oh, my baby." He heard someone saying, someone entering the room, someone hugging him tightly and sitting with him on the bed. He recognized that smell, it was Bianca, her long wavy hair falling over his shoulder, covering him like a protective shield. Nico should have heard what she told him, Bianca had warned him so many times. He should have listened.

"Bia." He murmured, unable to hear his own voice. " I didn't want to.”

"I know, dear. With the Solace family, that's all it could have been. You don't have to try anymore.”

"I don't need to?" He didn't know that.

"Of course not. It was your choice from the beginning. We will support you.”

He knew the choice was his, Nico wanted to tell her that. And that was exactly why he had no choice. How could he do anything when he knew what the consequences would be?

"Don't worry. This is his problem. It's high time Hades acted like a man.”

"That's right. We're gonna kick that son of a daddy's ass if he comes back here!”  Hazel said somewhere near them.

Nico knew he could count on them. He closed his eyes and let himself relax like he hadn't done in a long time.

Chapter XVII

"See you on Monday.”

Percy looked at Nico's sad face once more and was tempted to throw him over his shoulders and run away with him.

He wanted to say that everything was going to be okay, that all it took was one word and Nico would never have to deal with those people again. But before the words could come out, he did what anyone in his place would do; he controlled himself and walked to the car that was parked a few feet away. Or rather, he marched, sprinting down the road and doing his best not to look back or go back to Nico.

Percy just stopped walking when he got into the driver's seat and sped away from there.

Shit! What was he thinking! Why did he keep doing this? He shouldn't have let himself get carried away, but he couldn't help himself. Nico reminded him of his teenage years, of those days in college where he was free to do whatever he wanted; Nico made him act like a child again, defying older people who had an image of authority and harassing anyone he felt like. What could he say? After all, Percy was what Nico had accused him of without even having to use words; a billionaire, a womanizer, and with a superiority complex.

He wasn’t like that anymore, that person stayed in the past; now Percy was a centered and responsible individual, he wasn't the type to cheat even if his illustrious wife didn't think the same. But what if Nico needed help? What if Hades tried something against Nico? About Will, he had no doubts. Was it safe to leave Nico among those people? Who would defend him when the next punch came? 

No! Percy couldn't think about that. He didn't even know those people and he barely knew who Nico was. He didn't... Shit! He shouldn't have left Nico alone. Frustrated, he slammed on the brake and let his head fall against the steering wheel, the horn making a loud sound. WHAT. WAS. HE. THINKING! Nico wasn't his at all and if Nico had survived in that place without him for all this time, he could keep going. Right?

Sure.

Really… what if Nico couldn’t? He looked so defeated, so fragile… cases of anxiety could cause worse even more damage, like suicide or depression, couldn’t they? What if Nico… No! He couldn’t think about that, he couldn’t! Percy should have dragged Nico out of there when he had the chance, he knew that if he insisted just a little longer Nico would have accepted, but… he admited, okay! He wanted Nico to come of his own free will and not because some guy he had just met had asked him to. However, Percy could offer help, couldn’t he? Just one more time?

He took his cell phone out of his pocket and looked for Nico's contact, thank goodness he had given it to him in that conversation in the kitchen before the panic attack. Percy pressed the message icon and typed:

“Is everything okay? I hope things haven’t gotten worse. The offer still stands. Whenever you need it.”

Was it too direct? Too blunt? Too sincere? Too intimate? It didn’t matter. He pressed send and put the phone back in his pocket, starting the car once more. He sent a message, and at the moment, it was all he could do. Was the right thing to do. Otherwise, he would just be another one of those people demanding something when it was clear Nico wasn’t willing to give it.

With this depressing thought, Percy drove the rest of the afternoon and early evening, still not knowing what to do, but doing what he could in this situation.

He walked through the entrance of the condominium and finally arrived home, exhaustion overcoming him as soon as he stepped out of the car. It seemed like so much had happened and so much time had passed, even though it couldn't have been more than five or six hours since breakfast. He walked around the house and up the steps to the porch only to be greeted by two pairs of tight hugs.

The children grabbed him by the waist and smiled at him, all happy. Of course, that wasn't enough. Annabeth Chase, his dignified wife, was sitting on the sofa in the living room with a drawing in her hand; on it were them: Logan, Alice, Nico and Percy. A normal, happy family.

"Daddy, Daddy! Mommy got here early." Logan said looking at him, still with his arms around his waist.

“He told her everything about Nico,” Alice warned, perceptive as always.

“It’s okay,” he said to the children. Or maybe he said it to himself, trying to convince himself of it.

So the three of them walked the rest of the way to the living room, sitting on the couch opposite where Annabeth was.

"Oh, Percy. Did you make it back home? I thought you were too busy to care about your kids.”

"I called a babysitter before I left.”

Percy didn't even bother explaining since the kids should have told her what happened.

"You know what's even more amazing? It seems like you replaced the nanny I hired without telling me." Annabeth stood up, smoothing her dress and crossing her arms. Her eyes analyzed him from head to toe, demanding and cold.

Ah, it seems like she was preparing to fight, even her voice changed intonation.

"Children, it's time for bed, yes? Go ahead and go upstairs." He gave each of them a kiss and watched Alice take Logan's hand, leading him upstairs.

Percy waited long enough for the children to disappear down the hallway and turned to her:

"What are you doing here? This is not our agreement.”

"Guess what? I missed you, sweetheart." She smiled and blew a kiss in his direction, sitting back down, her eyes sparkling as she studied him. Annabeth tossed her long platinum hair to one side of her shoulder, exposing part of her chest and neck, showing the swell of her breasts against the tight dress.

There was a time when Percy would do anything for her, but now all that was left were threats and conversations to see who was the strongest one.

"Annabeth!”

"You still haven't answered me.”

"If you must know, he's the person you hired.”

"Is he? From what Logan said, you two seem pretty close.”

He felt the need to roll his eyes like a teenager and ended up resigning himself to his torture. It’s like they say, if you can't beat them, join them. That's exactly what he did, he sat down next to her and closed his eyes for a moment.

"He's a good kid. He just needs help." Percy said finally.

"Don't you tell me?”

"His family is worse than mine and yours combined.”

"Is that all? Do you want to help him?”

"Unlike you, I'm not a traitor." Feeling Annabeth approaching, Percy opened his eyes again, looking at her head on. "Speaking of which, when are you going to sign the divorce papers?”

"Divorce? Things are great as they are. Why ruin something that is going so well?" Then she looked him in the eyes and placed her hands on his shoulders, sliding them down in a caress that only disgusted him.

"Annabeth." Percy said, turning away from her. "What are you doing here?”

"Hmm, I love it when you talk rough. We could--”

"We could nothing. There's only one reason why you came back.”

"Okay!" She told him. Annabeth got up from the couch and went to the suitcases that were still in the entrance hall and came back soon after, handing him an invitation to the Palace Hotel, one of the most exquisite party rooms in the city. "I need your help. I have this party... it's important to me.”

"They always are. Are you trying to use me again?”

"Look, I would go with Heyna, but these people are traditional. If they see you with me, it will make things move much faster. Think about it this way, the sooner you agree, the sooner I'll leave. Doesn't that sound like a good deal?”

"A good deal? You've got to be kidding me.”

Percy brought his hand to his face and rubbed it, he was too tired to deal with her.

"Come on, Percy. Just this once.”

"I won't do anything until you sign the papers.”

"Percy, you know I can't do this.”

"You can't? Are you sure? I have enough evidence to annul the marriage for adultery. Is that what you want?”

"You're lying, you would never do that! What about the children? Are you gonna do that to them?”

"They’re already grown up. They don't need you. I don't need you. And if you don't want to accept it, I'll be forced to use force. Who will lose more? Me, a university professor, or a socialite architect? Can you imagine the gossip magazines? I can.”

He stood up, tired of it, and turned his back on her, not caring if Annabeth would get hurt or not. But of course she wouldn't give up that easily, right?

"I… I’ll sign it. After the party, if you’ll come with me. The kids need to go too.”

Percy turned to her and studied her angelic face. If he hadn't known the venom behind that vulnerable expression, Percy might have believed it. He would have believed it before he found out what Annabeth was doing on these business trips. And with who.

"Okay, but this is the last time. If you don't keep your end of the deal, I can't be held responsible for the consequences.”

With that, he turned his back on Annabeth and walked up the stairs, finding the children at the top of them, their little faces sad and tearful.

"Shhh… it's okay. Who wants to hear a story?" Logan and Alice sniffed, but held their hands and together, they entered the room.

Thanks for reading!

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!

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

Hi, how's everyone? Sorry I've been so absent, I had to take a break. Sometimes that happens, but don't worry, I'll be back. 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

Hades relaxed back against his chair just in time for Maria to enter the room and so everyone began to eat. It was as if none of that had happened as the platters of food were passed around the table and some more arrived from the kitchen.

This was a moment Nico hadn't expected to witness. He leaned back in his chair and picked up his glass of wine, closing his eyes as he felt the sweet and slightly bitter liquid go down his throat. He had eaten so much that he thought he would explode, making him sluggish and sleepy. That must be why he felt so good and so free. He knew he shouldn't be so relaxed, so comfortable with Percy in the middle of his family, and most importantly, he shouldn't accept without question the easy way Percy mingled with them. The conversation flowed so naturally that it was like this dinner was a common occurrence between all of them; Percy's arm on his chair, keeping them close, and the fingers that still caressed the back of his neck in that soft and gentle way lulled him without him even realizing it, while Percy's nails massaging him made everything seem even more natural. And so, finally realizing what was happening, Nico found himself wrapped in that tranquility and contentment that he hadn't felt before Percy appeared in his life, like this was another common thing between them. Even Hades, who had been rude before, seemed not to care about the display of affection.

“… thing. I never would have guessed that.” Percy said beside Nico, close to his ear, the husky murmur caressing his nerves. “What a brave little boy.”

Percy squeezed Nico's shoulders and he felt himself grow warm. Nico just wanted them to stop telling stories about his childhood, there was nothing special about it.

“He was the cutest child in the world. So righteous and innocent.” Bianca continued.

“Really? Tell me more.” Percy raised his own glass of wine to his lips and looked at Nico playfully. But there was something in his eyes. Nico never knew when Percy was been serious.

“Please, no.” It was his turn to murmur.

“Ah, but I have to tell him.”

“Bianca, I beg you!”

Bianca just smiled at Nico, all satisfied and leaned towards him and Percy. The truth is that everyone at the table was a little drunk and since Hades made the wine, he liked it very strong.

“No, I insist.” Percy murmured beside him, perhaps a little closer than necessary, a little hoarsely, too. Well, it was to be expected, they had been laughing for over half an hour. At his expense, of course. Apparently he was a very creative child. And brave. And cute. And innocent. The adjectives were endless.

“So, it happened like this. Hazel was still very little, you know? We still lived in Italy.”

“Please.” Nico begged once more.

“She didn't even realize that the other kids were being mean.”

“I promise to do your laundry for a week!”

“Nico saw this and--” She continued, her face red from the wine.

“One month. No, two--”

“Shhh…” That's when he felt Percy approaching him again. He… Percy placed his index finger on Nico's lips and said very quietly: “Your sister is talking. Be a good boy.”

Nico was unable to disobey. The air fled from his lungs, but unlike what had happened before, it was thought they were suddenly very full, so hot that Nico felt like he was being scorched. The strangest thing about this was that no one seemed to find it strange. Not Percy's arm around his shoulders or his rough fingers against his lips, much less the way that their chairs, for some mysterious reason, were much closer than before, seeming that with each passing moment the distance between them was decreasing.

Half-airy and light, still hearing the words “good boy”, Nico watched Bianca continue to tell her little anecdote of a little boy defending his defenseless little sister through punches. And on top of that, winning the fight.

“I remember that!” Hazel said. She pushed her chair back and stood up, beaming with happiness. “We have pictures!”

“No!” Nico said, defeated.

“Yes!” Hazel exclaimed.

With no other choice left, Hazel left the table and ran upstairs without looking back.

“Percy!” But Nico was laughing, hiding his face in Percy's shoulder, feeling like he was going to melt from embarrassment or bury his head in the ground like an ostrich.

“It’s okay,” Percy told him, the smile in his voice making him relax. “I promise not to hold it against you.”

A kiss was placed on the side of his face and Nico melted completely. He couldn't remember the last time someone had kissed him like that, full of affection and without expecting anything in return. Nico had to lift his head and look back at Percy. When Nico had first met him, it hadn't occurred to him that Percy Jackson could be someone so kind and loving, yet somewhat shameless. Raising his hand, Nico placed it on Percy's face and--

— Nico Di Ângelo! — An angry voice echoed through the room.

The front door slammed against the wall and there stood the person Nico least expected to see, someone he had completely forgotten about. Will Solace was there. Yes, Will, his boyfriend, the person he should be smiling with, the person Nico should be touching with so much affection and care, but never had the desire to do so.

Everyone looked at Will and, too late, Nico realized that Percy was still holding him by the shoulders and he still had his hands on Percy's face. He saw in slow motion Will march towards them and stop in front of the table, only then realizing that he shouldn't be touching Percy, much less in front of his boyfriend. He looked back at Percy and let his hands rest on his strong shoulders, still unprepared to let go.

What… what was he doing?

“I'm sorry.” Nico said to Percy. For some reason Nico addressed Percy and not Will. The truth is that he felt bad, he felt strange, all that drama made him feel like he was betraying Percy, which only made him more confused.

“What the hell are you doing! And who is this guy?”

“I-- I… this… this is Percy Jackson.” He mumbled weakly, not knowing what to say. “And this is Will Solace, my… my boyfriend.”

“What the fuck, Nico!” Will got closer to where he was and yelled in his face. “Come with me, now!”

Nico didn't know what to do, so he went. He stood up and looked one last time at Percy and his family who were watching everything in bewilderment, letting Will grab him by the arm and drag him away. He even heard his mother say "Oh my!" That is, until he realized that Percy wasn't going to let go. He looked at Percy and saw that the man was frowning, looking at him with concern. "Is that your boyfriend?"

“What's that got to do with you? Don't you think you're a little old to be hanging around little boys?”

He couldn't believe what he was hearing! Nico gasped and stood in front of them.

“It's okay, we'll talk--”

Percy stood up and straightened his spine, puffing out his chest in a way Nico had never seen him do before. Percy stopped in front of Will and looked down at him, the blond boy looking so small and helpless next to the nearly seven-foot tall man that it almost made Nico laugh.

“I'm sorry, I don't think I understood. Can you repeat that?” Percy said. He smiled at Will and kept Nico behind him. Nico could imagine how threatening Percy was now.

Will swallowed hard, but stared back at Percy, his grip on Nico's arm tightening.

“That's what you heard, old man.”

“You better let Nico go. He doesn't want to talk to you.”

“Who do you think--”

“If I were you, I would be careful with your next words.”

With that the room fell silent, Will and Percy staring at each other and their family frozen where they sat.

Percy was the first to break the tension. He turned to Nico and gently held him on the shoulder, leaned in until he was very close to his ear and whispered:

“Are you sure he’s your boyfriend?” Nico just looked at Percy, feeling like laughing for some reason, watching Percy laugh back at him. “He feels like an older brother. I don’t see any love or attraction, or affection coming from him. And if that’s how he treats you… why are you still with him?”

Nico felt himself burn under Percy's intense gaze and instead of answering him, he pushed Percy's shoulder lightly, not really wanting to move away, looking at him disapprovingly and muttering so that only Percy could hear: “You're doing this on purpose. I'll be right back.”

So, Nico walked away from Percy, ignoring that little smile that was already very familiar to him, and went outside where Will was waiting for him.

***

As soon as Nico turned his back on them, being pulled by his boyfriend and dragged by the arm, Percy turned around and faced that family that five minutes ago seemed to be the best in the world compared to his. Now, he wasn't so sure. Whether it was the way Nico's older brothers went back to eating, just looking at their plates or the sad way Maria Di Ângelo looked through the door where Nico had left, the worst thing was definitely looking at Hades and seeing the resigned expression on his rough and tired face.

Percy sat down at the table and put his hand to his temples, feeling a headache coming on. He filled his glass with more wine and downed it in one go. Why was he so worried? Why did he feel so possessive? In the end, Will Solace was right, this was none of his business, none of it was.

Even so, Percy turned to Hades, giving him a disapproving look. Hades looked at him and it was then that he realized,  the man would do nothing to stop something bad from happening to Nico. 

Percy didn't believe that! He would do anything for Alice and Logan, he would never let other people abuse them, much less offer them up on a golden platter, handing them over to the dogs. Percy took a deep breath and tried to ignore the tension in the air, so strong it could be cut with a knife. However, it didn't take long for a murderous expression to form on the patriarch's face; not even thirty seconds later they heard furious shouts coming from outside the house. The clearest were "You're mine! Acting like a whore won't solve things" and "Is it because of him that you don't want to marry me?"

Everyone remained in a somber silence that was only broken when Hazel entered the room, her shoes making noise against the wooden floor. Hades grimaced in disgust and he couldn't take it anymore, downing the third glass of wine in less than two minutes.

“You know, I may like fancy cars and innocent little boys, but I would never do that to Nico.”

“As if you were different.” Hades tells him.

“I would never call Nico those things and I would never force him to do anything he doesn't want to do. Can you say the same about Will? If I were you, I would be careful about who you let into your home.”

Hades made another face, as if he had eaten something bitter, but Percy didn't care, he got up from the table and went after Nico.

If it had been anyone else in his place, he would have said that the scene he found when he opened the door was something out of a murder movie about to happen, or perhaps the beginning of physical abuse. He couldn't decide, especially if it was the way Will was looking at Nico, with so much anger and disgust, practically pressing him against the wall; Will even had his fist slightly raised, close to his body, his hand clenched and tense. Nico, on the other hand, seemed to have given up on fighting back and was just trying to defend himself with his hands over his face.

Percy couldn't wait any longer, he walked over to Nico and stood in their midst, running when he saw what was about to happen. However, Percy had to stop before he reached him, coming across something he never expected to see; the little boy who had seemed so brave and courageous was now huddled against the wall, trying to make himself smaller, crying so hard that he was sobbing.

He did the only thing he could in a situation like this. He approached slowly and tried to talk to him, without scaring him.

“Nico? It's me, Percy.”

“I'm sorry! I didn't-- I didn't--” Nico screamed with all the strength he could muster and raised his hands, trying to keep the threat away from him, soon after shrinking even further against the wall and crouching on the floor, covering his head with his hands.

“It's okay. Tell me what happened, hmm?”

“Oh.” Nico said softly, almost without strength.

With a broken sob, Nico raised his head and looked at him, his face twisted with pain. Nico didn't say a word, he just stood up quickly and jumped against Percy, hugging him desperately and crying even harder.

“Shhh… what’s wrong? No need to cry, you’re safe.”

“Per…” Another hiccup and the first sniff.

“Come on, it's okay. Don't you trust me?”

Nico nodded, his face all wet and swollen, trying to smile, relaxing a little more. At least Percy now knew Nico wouldn't have a panic attack.

“Do you want to talk?”

Nico denies it and stays exactly where he was, curled up against Percy's chest and with his eyes squeezed shut, trying to control the sobs that were slowly fading away. Only when he was sure that Nico wouldn't lose control again did he look at the boyfriend. Big piece of shit. A selfish and spoiled little boy, from what he could see. And who apparently didn't even care if Nico suffered or not.

Percy didn't do anything other than hug Nico, he didn't move to give that kid what he deserved or try to call for help, Will didn't do anything either, looking at him like he wanted to kill him, ignoring Nico who finally stopped crying. In the end, he was the one who had lost; it was Percy who held Nico in his arms, it was Percy who slowly caressed his back and it was Percy who comforted him. Will should give up while he still had time.

See you next time!

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII

Hi, how are you? Today we have a few more chapters, over six thousand words. I hope you enjoy 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

A few chapters earlier…

“It’s the least I can do,” Percy said, forcing Nico to accept the money. He saw Nico’s face tighten, creating a cute grimace.

He couldn't help himself. Percy swore he tried to stay serious to show that his intentions were honest, but just looking at Nico made him smile. The little boy was so innocent that Percy almost couldn't resist the urge to pinch those cheeks that seemed to have a redder tone than normal.

No, that wasn't what he meant. No, it was about the money; the right thing to do was to replace what Nico had spent.

"Sir, I can't--”

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

Nico didn't answer him, he just took another step back and staggered. The boy closed his eyes and took a deep breath, probably not even realizing what he was doing, because while Nico was walking backwards he accidentally got closer to Percy, almost leaning against his chest. Nico crossed his arms and hesitated, tripping over his own feet.

"Nico? Are you okay?" He worried.

Giving up on respecting Nico's space, Percy grabbed him by the shoulders, keeping him standing, finding his attitude strange.

"I'm sorry. I have to go.”

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

And what was he sorry for?

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

Percy paused for a moment, afraid to let him leave in this state, and asked, "Do you need a ride?"

Nico nodded, but he remained standing where he was. He didn't pull away from Percy for touching him without permission or blush, nor did he say a word. Nico didn't even seem to be breathing. It was when the boy collapsed in front of him that Percy's heart nearly jumped out of his throat. If it weren't for him being so close, Nico would have hit his head on the edge of the table.

“Dad!” Percy heard Alice scream and a whimper came from Logan. They rushed around the table and helped Nico sit in the chair, carefully supporting him against the back.

"Dad. Nico isn't breathing! He's not breathing!”

"Is he going to die?" Logan said and Percy for a moment didn't know what to do.

He tried to touch Nico's face, shook him gently, and even patted his pale cheek twice, but nothing happened. Nico remained motionless, passed out in his arms, growing a little paler than before, looking like he would stay that way. Then, in a flash, Percy remembered that Tyson, his younger brother, had had an asthma attack as a child; one of the few things that had helped was talking to him and encouraging him to breathe, calming him down, if Percy could.

"Stay calm, okay?" Percy told them and, contrary to what he wanted to do, he stood up with Nico and hugged him, keeping their chests together.

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

Percy grabbed the back of Nico's head and kept his back straight as he breathed as slowly as he could, trying to set an example. Nico looked like he was in pain, a grimace fixed on his face, but his mouth was open struggling to breathe. Relieved, Percy held Nico's neck up for better oxygenation and massaged his back, whispering softly so the boy wouldn't be startled. His skin was so cold and sweaty that Percy feared the worst. When Nico finally took a deep breath it was like a weight had been lifted off his back.

“Again." He said.

Nico obeyed like the good boy he was, taking a long breath and then letting it out even more slowly. Of course, it was at that moment when he thought the danger had passed that Nico just… relaxed, relaxed so much that his head rested on Percy's shoulder and his body leaned completely against his. Well, leaning wasn't the best word to describe it. It was more like collapsing, as if someone had cut the strings of a puppet and it had fallen, just like that, lifeless.

Percy held Nico’s face again and only then did he calm down, seeing that Nico was breathing normally and the grimace of pain had disappeared, replaced by one of happiness and contentment.

“Daddy, is he going to be okay?” Logan asked beside him once more, his childish voice sounding scared.

"Shhh… don't worry. Everything is okay now.”

***

“Do you feel better?” Percy sat up in bed with Nico and finally saw him opening his eyes. Nico seemed a little dazed and slow, looking around, but at least Nico was moving, leaning gently on his shoulder, his small hands around Percy’s neck, limp and lifeless.

Percy couldn't resist the temptation and touched Nico's face, turning him towards him. Nico didn't seem to mind the contact, and in fact, he lowered his face and rubbed himself against Percy's hand, like a needy kitten. The important thing was that it had worked, Nico was now looking at him and seemed more attentive, although he hadn't completely returned to normal yet. Percy adjusted him better and held his back, not letting him look away until Nico answered him.

"Hm." He finally said.

Well, it was more like a mutter, almost soundless. Nico looked tired, without the energy to even hold his head up. Percy wanted to ask if this was common, if he often fainted or had panic attacks. But right now, he just wanted Nico to be okay. Nothing else mattered.

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

Nico just blinked at Percy with those big black eyes and continued to stare at him. He licked his lips and settled himself on Percy's lap. Slowly. Distracted. Slow. He would say, even lazy.

Was that… a blush appearing on his face?

"I… I'm fine. I'm sorry. I have--”

"You don't need to explain yourself.”

“I want to.”

He nodded, letting Nico speak.

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

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault.”

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

"What happened?" He asked curiously. Nico was like a box of surprises.

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

Percy understood exactly what he was talking about.

"I understand. I'm sorry if I caused this. It won't happen again.”

But wouldn't he? Percy worried about himself, that maybe he wouldn't be able to control himself, and about Nico, too. What if something happened while he was driving? What if it was when Nico was walking home alone? Did Nico have someone to look after him? Someone who would come to his rescue if he needed it? What if…

Percy snapped out of his thoughts when Logan and Alice entered the room. Logan was crying, his big green eyes puffy while Alice just watched attentively and quietly, both trying to smile at Nico.

Nico smiled back and he could finally breathe a little easier.

"Okay, you can rest now." He murmured when he saw that the children weren't going to say anything and Nico was almost falling asleep. "Do you have your cell phone? I'll let your family know.”

“Oh.” Nico said. He frowned, but soon raised his head.

Nico looked at Percy, stared at him closely, and then gave him the most beautiful, happiest smile Percy had ever seen.

"It's in my bag.”

And so, in the middle of the sentence, Nico closed his eyes and Percy felt as if something inside him was being stirred and rearranged in a way he didn't know was possible, but which seemed like a good change, even if painful.

Chapter XI

Percy placed Nico on the pillows, covered him with the blanket and stayed by his side for a few more moments until he was sure that the little boy was okay. Percy just watched him, his breathing calm and his face content, nestled against the sheets of his bed.

What was he doing? Why had he brought Nico to his room? Why did he keep acting so irresponsibly, like a teenager meeting his first crush? Percy knew it was a bad idea, he had known it from the moment he looked at that small, defenseless boy. Now he was sure, Nico really was defenseless, as vulnerable as a flower in the middle of a battlefield. He should--

"Daddy, is he okay?" It was Logan who asked once again. Apparently, Percy wasn't the only one who was getting attached.

No, really, he wondered: how had they become so attached to Nico in less than a week? How had this happen? Percy shook his head and decided, there was no point in thinking about such things now. It was too late.

He took the children's hands and smiled at them, leading them downstairs.

“Dad, what happened?” Alice said. She was quieter than usual, her voice almost a whisper, clutching her phone between her fingers like it could save her life.

“Nico has a disease,” Percy told her. “A type of intense anxiety. That’s why he’s so calm. If Nico gets too stressed, something like this could happen again.”

"Can anxiety do this to someone?" She asked.

"Yes. There are different levels of anxiety. Everyone has some, it's normal. When this anxiety prevents you from doing something or makes you feel sick, it is considered an illness.”

"Ah." It was Logan's turn to murmur. He had stopped crying and was now sitting on the couch with his legs up and his head resting on his knees, hugging himself.

"Do we have it too? Sometimes… I don’t feel so well." Alice confessed.

"Do you want to talk about it?”

She shrugged. 

“I mean, there’s so much to do, and exams coming up… I’ve got fencing and running, and all these exams piling up. It’s hard sometimes. I didn’t think it was anything unusual, you know? It’s always been like that. I feel like I’m going to explode sometimes.”

Percy looked at his daughter and once again felt useless. How had he never noticed this? And how had the subject only come up because their nanny had been sick? He… he was the worst father.

"It's okay, honey. We'll figure it out. Don't worry.”

He approached Alice and hugged her tightly, feeling a lump in his throat. She gasped slightly and hugged him back with all the strength an eleven-year-old could muster. Percy pulled Logan into the hug and they stayed like that for longer than they could count.

"I want you to know, you can tell me anything. It doesn't matter what it is.”

Percy heard a couple of sniffles and closed his eyes, trying to control himself. He promised himself that he would be a better father from that moment on.

***

"Come on, kids. You stay here. I'll be right back.”

And just to be sure, Percy gave each of them a tight hug before walking away. They had barely moved, watching a movie on television, but they hugged him back now with happy expressions after lunch and all the drama had passed.

He walked up the stairs, heading towards his room, and stopped in front of the door before going inside. These were the types of situations Percy least liked to face, the ones where he would be forced to be the adult one and ask the right questions. Straightening his spine and giving in, Percy couldn't prolong himself any longer than he already had; how much longer would Nico need to sleep? The morning had already passed and the afternoon was coming to an end with the sun setting on the horizon and he was still there, standing in the middle of the hallway like an idiot, avoiding what was of vital importance.

Percy pushed the bedroom door, which was half-open, and stepped inside, in his own room, where he definitely shouldn't have taken Nico to. He walked over to the bed and without making much noise, sat on the edge. Nico was there, of course he was. He was snoring softly on his back and holding the pillow against his chest, the blankets were thrown onto the floor and the lower part of his belly was exposed, making Percy notice the sparse hair that continued in a trail towards his pants... Percy closed his eyes for a moment and concentrated. He didn't understand why this boy affected him so much, to the point of awakening these feelings that he thought were buried, especially for someone so young that could be mistaken for his son.

Even knowing all this, Percy moved a little closer and placed his hand on Nico's head. First on his forehead, making sure he didn't have a fever and then, as a passing thought, he stroked his soft, long, slightly wavy black hair, combing it back so he could see his beautiful, flushed face. But Percy was a man of his word and before he could give in to temptation and do something he would regret, he moved away enough to avoid contact between them and called for Nico, touching him on the shoulder until Nico opened his eyes, heavily, as if he were going to fall asleep once more.

"I spoke to your parents.”

"Hm?" Nico murmured, blinking slowly. He rubbed his eyes and sat up in bed, staring straight ahead as if he saw nothing, and then the boy looked at him, his gaze a little lost. Something happened next, because Nico smiled at Percy, one of the sweetest expressions he had ever seen, Nico stretched out one of his hands until it rested on Percy's, which was resting on the bed.

"Thank you. With all my heart. I don't know how to thank you. You didn't have to.”

Percy swallowed and nodded. Okay. Nico was grateful and seemed to have recovered from his crisis. Was this the time to ask more questions? Try to provide some assistance? Take him to a doctor?

"You don't have to look at me like that. I promise I'm fine. It's the endorphins. My bad mood will come back soon. Don't worry.”

"Are you sure? Your mother sounded worried on the phone.”

"She worries too much. And I'm sorry about my dad.”

The fact was that Percy had not mentioned anything about the honorable Mr. Di Angelo. Let's just say it was better not to comment on him.

Nico shrugged and dragged himself out of bed, stretching and lounging as he went, as if he’d just taken a mid-afternoon nap. This time, he didn’t stagger. He searched for his discarded sneakers in the doorway of the room and turned to Percy, now looking uncertain.

“Everything is fine?”

He wanted to say yes, he wanted to pretend nothing had happened. But... what if the same thing happened again and he was the one causing these crises?

"Nico, sit with me. Please.”

"What? It was nothing.”

"I'm asking you.”

Nico huffed and his shoulders slumped forward. The important thing was that he did what Percy asked. Nico walked slowly over to him and sat on the bed, staring at him and paying attention.

“What happened today was very serious. Do you know that you stopped breathing? That you fainted and almost hit your head?”

"Well…" Nico looked away and stared at his own hands.

“Tell me.”

"It's happened a few times over the years. It was an accident. I forgot to meditate and then I ended up maybe a little bit tense and overwhelmed. Mentally. Psychologically. Sometimes… It's hard.”

It had been exactly what Alice had said, that it was difficult.

"Does meditation help?”

"Most of the time. It’s about self-knowledge and control. Not letting yourself be carried away by any emotions. It’s about accepting that we have limitations and trying to deal with problems instead of… running away from them.”

"So, that's it? You were running away?" Percy asked, curious.

"I'm not running away anymore." That's when Nico raised his head and looked him in the eyes, biting his lip. "I'm not going to do anything about it, but I'm not going to run away from it either.”

Hmm… was that really what he had heard? Nico was saying that…

Without really paying attention to what he was doing, Percy leaned towards Nico while Nico simply continued to stare at him, his dark eyes opening wider and his pupils dilating comically; Percy felt like laughing and teasing him just a little bit more… just…

“That’s not what I meant! I—I have a boyfriend!” Nico practically squeaked, though Percy could see Nico’s lips twitch in a suppressed smile, widening without his consent. “I mean that I’m not going to let these… these feelings control me anymore.”

Percy knew very well what those feelings were.

"If this happens again, what should I do?”

"Just… talk to me? Don’t let me get hurt? It worked well.”

“Just that?”

"You don't need to worry, it won't happen again. I mean... if you want to fire me, I'll understand.”

"It’s not necessary.”

Nico smiled at him and Percy finally let his tiredness get the best of him. He ruffled Nico's hair and stood up.

"Let's eat. Then I'll take you home.”

This way, Nico happily got up and followed him out of the room.

Chapter XII

"So, this is where you live?" Percy parked the car on the road and looked around.

From the driver's seat, he could see what Nico meant by living in the countryside. The property was surrounded by wide fences, full of trees that climbed high above the barbed wire that protected the perimeter of the property, and there was a large wooden gate that allowed a view of the land that stretched for miles.

“It’s no big deal,” Nico finally said, shrugging.

Percy watched him for a while and didn't want to accept it. He wasn't that kind of man, was he...? A man who was attracted to a boy who barely had a beard on his face? Because there he was, a man in the body of a teenager, so handsome that Nico almost seemed delicate, so vulnerable that Percy began to worry for his safety.

But there it was, he couldn't deny it, this was the sign Percy needed to see, the clearest indication that something between them had changed. 

It didn't take long for Percy to realize what was happening. He noticed it just as Nico was finishing his soup and was getting into the car. What was supposed to be a trivial joke, something to see how long Nico would continue to act like this responsible and honorable person, had become something he couldn't have predicted, because, in the end, the one who had lost was him.

Soon they were on the move. Nico had followed him down the stairs, eating while he and the children watched him closely, and just as he was leaving, Nico gave the children a tight hug as if he were saying goodbye. Then he grabbed his bag from the couch and when the children finally let go of him, he walked out of the house, Percy following closely behind, afraid that he would faint at any moment. 

Still, Percy couldn't quite pinpoint what had changed. The air around them had become lighter and, at the same time, static, with a soft electricity that emanated as the minutes passed by, something that made the hairs on his arms stand on end, forcing him to pay more attention to Nico, appreciating him in a way that had a certain... fantasy involved, he admitted, something forbidden that was so close that, if Percy really wanted, he just had to reach out and take what he desired.

Nico didn't act like he used to either, it was like he suddenly felt comfortable and didn't feel the need to fill the silence with idle conversations. The look he gave him when their eyes met the few times during the car ride was an obvious "I want you, but I'm taken." Nico didn't even try to hide it, his eyes said much more than his previous words could; which in turn made him anxious and positively physically uncomfortable. 

Percy refused to accept that. Someone having a crush on you was one thing, knowing that the possibility of it was real was another. It must be cosmic revenge, Nico doing to him what Percy had done first.

"Percy." Nico called his name and in the silence of the car, it sounded hoarse and low, something intimate, just to tease him a little more.

Percy stared at him, now paying all the attention he had to offer. Nico wasn't exactly smiling, it was more the way his eyes sparkled, as though he was hiding something behind them. His lips were also relaxed, almost showing his dimples.

"I think I have a solution for you.”

"Solution?" Did Nico have a cure for… this?

"Yes, a cook." Nico said amused.

"A cook?" He repeated.

This time, Nico actually smiled and shook his head.

"You know the restaurant where I bought the food? They always accept work. Are you interested? I have their phone number.”

"Ah." Percy muttered. He ended up smiling too, feeling ridiculous.

Nico picked up his bag from the floor of the car and took his cell phone out of it.

"I'll share their phone number. Tell them Nicollas recommended you.”

"Nicollas, is it? How charming.”

Nico blushed so beautifully that Percy was happy to know that he was still capable of causing that in him. Satisfied, he got out of the car, walked around it and helped Nico out, holding him by the waist and placing him on the ground, soon after hearing a soft thank you and a deep voice coming from inside the property.

"Nico Di Ângelo! Ah, he finally graces us with his presence.”

Percy looked at the gate and there stood a tall, muscular black man, no older than forty but who looked too young to be anyone's father. Percy only recognized him because of his rough, gruff voice, the same one he had heard on the phone and with the same Italian accent that Nico had. No, Percy was lying. Nico also had the same dark eyes, thin nose and full lips.

Percy immediately put a smile on his face and approached the gate, extending his hands in greeting:

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you.”

"It's a shame I can't say the same." Mr. Di Ângelo replied. He crossed his arms and stared at him without showing any sympathy. "Aren't you ashamed? He's old enough to be your son.”

“I think--”

“Papa! What are you saying!?” Nico practically screeched beside him. He ran forward and unlocked the gate, speaking very close to his father. Unfortunately, Percy could hear every word.

"He's my boss. He was kind enough to come to my rescue. Could you be a little more polite, please?”

"Nico. This is not the behavior I expect from you. I let you date the Solace boy, now, this… straniero? What are you thinking?”

"Papa!”

"You slept at his house!”

"He had an event and I ended up falling asleep! He wasn't even there!”

"Nico.”

"You don't believe me? Okay. But don't interfere in my life.”

"Listen here! As long as you live under my roof--”

"Really? Don't worry. Soon you won't have to worry anymore.”

"Who do you think you are, you brat!”

That's when Percy saw that things were getting out of hand. Mr. Di Ângelo raised his hand and Percy feared the worst. Before he could think straight, Percy moved and placed himself in the middle of them, being hit squarely in the right shoulder. If it weren't for Percy defending himself by raising his arm, he would have been punched right in the jaw.

"Mr. Di Ângelo. Calm down, nothing happened. I never--”

"I know very well what men like you want. Fancy cars and weak little boys. Something easy to manipulate, hm?”

The man then gave a wicked little laugh that not even he could have done better and marched into the property, leaving him and Nico open-mouthed because of his fury.

***

"What just happened?”

"Welcome to my life." Nico murmured absently. He was still staring at his father's back, watching him as the man disappeared down the dirt road and into the vegetation.

"Nico." Percy said, moved. Now Percy understood everything. He understood why Nico at that age was working instead of studying.

"Oh, did you hurt yourself? My father can be heavy-handed.”

Percy stopped and watched, feeling like he was just a spectator. He watched Nico reach out and touch his shoulder and arm, he saw the careful way Nico massaged the place, looking into his eyes, asking for permission, his expression saying how guilty he felt. He couldn't help it, Percy smiled at Nico's reaction and returned the caress, touching the little boy's black hair, thinking that although he was the injured one, Nico was the one who needed help. I mean, it wasn't even hurting. Much. Just a little.

"Ouch." It escaped before he could stop it when Nico's fingers brushed against the spot Mr. Di Ângelo had hit.

“I’m so sorry!” Nico hurried to apologize. He massaged more gently and the pain eased.

"It was nothing.”

"You should fire me! In less than a day I traumatized your children and got you beaten. What kind of professional am I?”

"Nico, really.”

"No, let's put some ice in there, okay? It'll be quick.”

So, leaving the car in the middle of the road, Nico took him by the hand and guided him to the huge house in the center of the property where Percy could hear more voices, sounds of chairs and instruments rumbling only to find a group of people standing outside it.

"Mamma!" Nico ran to where his mother was and knelt on the ground with her, hugging her tightly.

"Figlio mio! Mamma was so worried. Did they take good care of you? Let me see.”

Maria took off the thick gloves she used to work the soil and held him by his face, and only when she was sure that everything was okay did she let him go, smiling slightly, and very satisfied.

"Don't do that again, okay? Now, have you eaten? Have you had a good rest?”

"Mamma, stop it. Percy is the one who needs help.”

"Percy, hmm?" She asked with a smile, winking at Nico.

"My employer " Nico made it clear.

"What an employer, huh!”

"Mamma! Don't let Papa hear you.”

"That silly old man." Maria waved her hands in denial. "He never learns.”

Percy found that interaction funny and decided to approach them. The most incredible thing was that Maria Di Ângelo was not what he would expect from a mother who lived in the countryside. She was no more than thirty years old, with light brown skin tanned by the sun, honey-brown eyes and thin lips that were now stretched into a sweet smile, identical to the way Nico had smiled at him that same afternoon.

"Welcome. I'm glad Nico is making friends." He found those words strange, but accepted the greeting when she offered her hands. "I know it must have been a hassle to come all the way here. Thank you for taking care of him.”

"Mamma! I give up, you're incorrigible." Nico shook his head, denying it to himself, but with all the affection possible.

"And you." Nico said to him "Stay here, I'll get some ice.”

"Ice?" Maria said.

"It was a little accident--”

"Papa hit him. Can you believe it?" Nico said as he walked away, making him feel a little embarrassed, but enjoying himself more than he should in a situation like this. It was funny, it had been over a decade since he felt like he was going to meet the parents of a new girlfriend. Or boyfriend. Percy wasn't the prejudiced type.

Maria put her hand over her mouth and gasped. He had to laugh, it was exactly how Nico would act. Well, it was exactly how Nico had acted, all over the place and dramatic.

"I'm so sorry, Percy. I don't know how to apologize.”

"It's no problem. It was just a graze, nothing a good night's sleep can't cure.”

"You are very polite. Thank you for understanding. We want the best for Nico. I would like you to consider that.”

Consider… oh. Did they really think…?

"Ma'am, there's nothing to consider. I pay Nico to take care of my children.”

"Just that?" She placed her hands in her lap and looked down. "Nico is an impressionable boy. He never had many friends, you know? So when men, especially like you, show up…

“Ma’am.” Percy sighed, wearily. “Nico is too young. I would never… consider that.”

"I'm glad. As long as we can protect him, that's what we'll do. We're afraid that the worst will happen at college.”

“And what would that be?" He wanted to know.

"That I act like a slut." Percy heard Nico's voice coming from behind him and turned around. And indeed, Nico was carrying an ice pack in his hands. "Even though they know I have a boyfriend.”

“Hm.” Percy said, not commenting on it. Because at that moment, Nico didn’t seem like the innocent and shy or even vulnerable person that everyone thought he was. No, Percy could see someone who would be successful in the future, someone capable, someone who wouldn’t let anything get in his way.

He liked that.

"You want me to…" Nico showed him the ice pack and he understood.

Percy shrugged and, right there, in front of those people, took off his shirt and let Nico place the ice against the red spot on his shoulder that was starting to turn purple.

He gasped and Nico stared at him, his eyes wide and full of guilt.

“Sir…”

"I thought that had stayed in the past.”

"Percy. I'm really sorry.”

But Percy didn't feel it. How could Percy when Nico looked at him like that and touched his shoulder so gently? How could he be angry when those sweet eyes looked at him with such concern?

He heard someone clear their throat beside him, making him turn towards them. It was a little girl with curly hair the same shade as Maria and the same honey-colored eyes that lit up even more vividly under the sun's rays.

"Hi, I'm Hazel. And this is Bianca. And that's Thanatos." She smiled at Percy and indicated each person, each ranging from thirteen to thirty years old.

"Nice to meet you. "He said back, still distracted by Nico's hands that were now sliding the ice pack over his reddened skin, only now realizing that maybe they were too close.

Chapter XIII

“Nice to meet you,” Percy said. And him? Nico continued to run the ice over Percy’s broad shoulders, allowing himself to look. Maybe touch a little. What? Weren’t they so sure he was a whore? Nico was just trying to live up to their expectations.

Unfortunately, Nico had to pay attention to Hazel when she started talking and making conversation with Percy. Nico loved his sister, he really did. Hazel was his favorite person in the whole world, but Nico felt like if he didn't butt in, they'd even ask about the tenth generation of Percy's family. Nico knew he rarely brought people home, the only one being Will, so maybe they weren't so wrong after all?

It didn't matter, before the massacre could happen, Nico turned to his brothers, glaring at them.

"Yeah, everything's great. Now it's time for me to walk Percy to the door.”

"Nooo! We never have visitors. And no one is so--”

"Hazel!”

"I was going to say, generous.”

Hazel let out a soft chuckle, her eyes sparkling and he looked at Bianca, asking for help with his eyes. She shrugged, seeming to enjoy the show while Thanatos, his adoptive brother, just watched everything with a smirk on his lips.

"Percy has to stay for dinner! Dad even cooked.”

"I don't want to abuse the hospitality." Percy smiled at Hazel and something inside him turned, seeing them like this, so... comfortable with each other. Hazel practically hanging on to Percy's uninjured arm and Percy smiling, all charming, still holding the shirt in his hand.

He took a deep breath and opened his eyes again, seeing that Hazel was already dragging Percy into the house. His brothers followed them happily, of course, while his mother just laughed as happily as they did, still kneeling in the dirt, going back to making holes in the soil and throwing the seeds to fill the holes again.

In the end, Nico reluctantly followed them into the house. He followed them in, took off his shoes, and walked through the front door, leaving his bag by the foot of the door. The house was a compact but a spacious building, built in ancient times. From where he stood, he could see the entrance to the dining room, an open space that divided the living room, right in front of the exit door and next to the kitchen, with the bedrooms and most of the bathrooms located upstairs.

He didn't think much, he walked barefoot to the table where all his brothers and father sat and stopped in front of Percy. He barely paid attention to the smile on the man's face, he just took the shirt and the ice pack from his hands and went to get rid of them. He hung the shirt on the coat rack that was in a corner of the room and took the ice pack to the kitchen, putting more ice on it and returned to the room. He placed the ice pack on Percy's shoulder once more and then took his plate, putting pasta, meatballs and salad on it.

"Do you like wine?”

"Nico, it's not necessary--”

Nico wasn't really listening; of course Percy liked it, he had seen several types of drinks at Percy's house. He opened the bottle of dry wine that was on the table, poured a shot for Percy and in the other glass, he put some water, finally sitting down and making his own plate.

"Percy, do you need help? Let me…" He didn't even pay attention to what he was doing, he cut the meatballs for Percy and then, he heard a noise. Someone cleared their throat, breaking the silence that Nico didn't even realize was happening.

Nico looked up and put down his cutlery. Why were they looking at him like that? He was just helping, it had become a habit in the few days he had worked for Percy.

"Did I do something wrong?" Nico turned to Percy since it seemed like no one was going to tell him.

"Of course not, dear.”

It was his turn to remain silent, as the one who had answered him and called him “dear” had been Percy.

"I'm not your, dear.”

“That's what it looks like when you do these things.”

"Oh." So that was it?

However, Percy didn't speak to him in that ironic tone, it was more like he was trying to show Nico something without shocking him too much.

“But thank you." Percy finished.

Percy brought his hands to Nico's shoulders and squeezed gently, his smile sincere and small. Nico swallowed, of course, preferring to look at Percy rather than face his family watching them. Maybe inviting Percy in hadn't been such a good idea, maybe if he ran to his room he could escape the humiliation.

In slow motion, Nico watched Percy take the first bite of pasta to his lips and groan before swallowing, feeling something uncomfortable and warm take over his body. Fortunately, that was the moment Hades decided to interrupt the path his thoughts were taking.

"Percy Jackson, hmm? Why haven't I heard anything about you until now?”

So it was going to be like this? Straight to the point?

"I started working for him a week ago.”

Another silence fell and perhaps he was beginning to understand their reason.

"Did you know each other before?”

“No, sir,” Percy replied this time, his smile changing, becoming sharper.

No, gods! Don't say anything. Don't say anything. Don't say anything... was all Nico could think. Though he knew what was about to happen by the way Percy tilted his head, listening in disbelief to what came next:

"It must be our chemistry.”

Nico saw Hades' face turn red with fury while Hazel lowered her head, laughing discreetly. Bianca, unlike her, threw her head back and laughed like she had heard the best joke of all times.

"My little brother is finally learning. He even seems like a normal person. I'm so proud!" Bianca said happily and put her hand over her heart, her eyes tearing up from laughing so much. And Nico? All that was left was to cover his face and not burst into flames instantly.

***

"No, no! He's joking. Right?" Nico said as soon as he was sure he wouldn't die of embarrassment.

"Of course, Nico. We're just playing around.”

Someone help him, please!

"I'm sorry." It was Percy's turn to laugh. He grabbed Nico's shoulder again and didn't seem the least bit sorry, staring at him for a long moment.

Percy came closer and whispered so that no one but them could hear.

"I'm sorry. I promised I wouldn't do that again. Are you okay? I'll behave now, seriously.”

"Whatever." Nico sighed in defeat. "You always do that.”

"I won't do it anymore. It's just that you're so easy to tease. And your father is even easier, he's so hot-headed.”

"Could you please not bring me any more trouble? Could you?”

"I can. I promise. I'm really sorry.”

Percy then pulled away a little and caressed the back of Nico's neck, massaging the hair there and making him gasp softly. Nico didn't know where this gesture had come from, but he knew he shouldn't allow this to happen. Mainly because he knew Percy only did this to annoy Hades even more.

Well, that was the moment he realized his mistake; they were standing too close, whispering in each other's ears. How could Nico say that there was nothing between him and Percy when they were showing the exact opposite to his family? He had even… even taken Percy to meet them! It was like Nico was introducing his new boyfriend!

Trying to hide it, he moved away from Percy as if he had been shocked and looked at Hades. He was looking at him seriously, neither angry nor happy. There was something calculating, almost analytical in his gaze, as if his father was making up his mind, dissecting the information he had received.

"What do you do, again?”

"I am a researcher and have a master's degree from a federal university.”

"What exactly does that mean?”

"I develop theses, I do tests if necessary and I am a teacher.”

"Interesting. In what areas?”

"History, art, finance and administration.”

"Wow, that's so cool!" Hazel commented.

"So, you're a scholar. Does that make money?" Hades asked again.

"Not at first. My parents have a biophysics lab and a pharmacy. So I usually help them with the financial side.”

What was going on? His father was…

“Children?”

"Two. They love Nico.”

"Wife?”

"Technically, yes.”

W-what?

"Alright." Hades finally said.

"Everything okay? What was okay? Are you guys speaking in a language I don't understand? What's okay here?”

"Nico, I think Hades is deciding your future… again." Bianca said beside him.

"Percy Jackson!" He said through gritted teeth.

Percy just smiled at Nico and raised his hands, as if in surrender.

"Come on, don't be like that. You told me about yourself and introduced me to your family, the least I can do is tell you about mine.”

"Are you serious?”

"I am. It's no big deal. It's nice to know who's taking care of my kids. That way everyone knows what we're dealing with.”

Percy stood up, took a card out of his pocket and placed it on the table.

"In case you want to talk to me.”

This was shaping up to be one of the most awkward and embarrassing moments of Nico's life. But at least it seemed to lighten the mood. Hades relaxed back into his chair just in time for Maria to enter the room and everyone to start eating. It was like none of it had happened as the platters of food were passed around the table and more arrived from the kitchen.

Comments are welcome. See you next Monday!

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

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

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

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

Chapter VIII

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Chapter IX

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

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

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

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

"I guess I'll go then.”

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

"Me? No, I don't.”

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

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

“Nonsense.”

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

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

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

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

"What do you think it is?”

"I can't accept it.”

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

"W-what?”

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

"Sir, I can't--”

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

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

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

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

"I'm sorry. I have to go.”

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

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

"Do you need a ride?”

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

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

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

“Again.”

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

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

"Shhh… don’t worry.”

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

***

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I… I'm fine. I'm sorry. I… I have--

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

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

"It's okay. It wasn't your fault.”

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

"What is it?" Percy told him softly.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time!

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

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

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

Chapter VI 

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

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

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

Percy Jackson.”

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

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

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

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

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

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

"You came!”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And honestly? He was already getting tired of this.

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

"Did your daddy teach you?”

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

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

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

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

"And your mother?”

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

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

"Do you like your mother?" Alice asked.

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

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

"And your father?" Logan wanted to know.

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

"Like mom and dad?”

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

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

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

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

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

"Let's play 10 questions!”

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

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

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

"Okay. Stand up. You too, Alice.”

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

"Hey!"Logan complained, crossing his arms.

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

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

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

"Wow! This is so delicious!”

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

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

Chapter VII 

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

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

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

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

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

"Ah… then I… I think I’ll go.”

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

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

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

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

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

Oh, it was true! He had forgotten.

"I made soup.”

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

"It's in the fridge.”

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

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

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

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

"Nah. We have frozen food.”

"Ah." Nico said.

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

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

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

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

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

"How old are you again?”

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

"I wanted to talk to you about this.”

"Please, call me Percy.”

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

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

"What is it?" Nico had to ask.

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

"Right…?”

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

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

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

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

"Oh." Now he understood.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

"I see you like children…”

Nico shrugged again.

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

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

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

“Is that so?" He had completely forgotten.

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

"Hmm.”

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

"Oh. Right.”

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

"I have no clean clothes.”

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

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

Thanks for your support!

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter III, Chapter IV, Chapter V

Hey. Here are the chapters, three in one go! I got too lazy to do them one at a time, I hate these monetization book platforms that force me to chop up the chapters. I think I'll give up on them, they annoy me to no end. Anyway, I think the next chapters are going to be much longer.

I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter III

"It's not your fault. Come in.”

Mr. Jackson made room for Nico to enter and closed the door, then walked into the house, guiding him through the entrance chamber.

Nico tried to move through the room at the man's speed, but he had to stop for a moment. The first thing he saw was white in its purest tone, seeing that as he walked and his eyes roamed the hall, the white mixed with other lighter and more neutral tones. The walls were white too and the furniture was had an equally light color, pale snow, which contrasted with the beautiful paintings in which he would never be able to recognize their real value even if he were paid to do it, decorating those walls interspersed with large windows that went all the way to the floor in strategic points; everything was so immaculate, so clean and bright that he was afraid to take a step forward and get something dirty.

He blinked, looking around and wondering what else he would find in that place. So, with the greatest care possible, Nico stepped on the very white carpet that stretched across the entire entrance and walked as fast as he could trying to reach Mr. Jackson who was already waiting for him at the entrance to the living room.

And like everything else, the floor of that house was also made of a white granite that shone almost blindingly. Had he mentioned the large spiral staircase that led to the upper floor? It was beautiful, something out of a fairy tale. Nico could very well imagine a princess descending those bright, polished steps. He heard a cough and finally looked away from the staircase, seeing that there were two doors on the right and one on the left, and the room that he thought was a small living room opened up wider to the right, well lit by the large windows that were also there, showing the well-kept garden, more white walls, cream sofas, a coffee table and a big tv mounted on the wall.

Like an idiot, he kept walking while looking around and accidentally tripped over the end of the carpet, stopping at the beginning of the living room. Mr. Jackson, on the other hand, had walked confidently down the long hallway, waiting for him, looking more impatient with each passing minute now standing in the middle of the room.

"Come in. Please." Mr. Jackson told him as seriously as before.

For some reason Nico couldn't explain, he felt conflicted, though... though he knew it was a different kind of conflict. It was a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, as if... it might sound ridiculous, but he felt like he'd walked into a trap where if he stepped wrong he'd be devoured. He admitted it, he was attracted to a specific type of man. Tall, strong, and... determined.

Well, he didn't know if "decided" was the right word, but Nico liked to believe that. He didn't know, maybe it was all that skin on show, the way the half-naked man was standing in the middle of the room as if he had nothing to hide, the way Mr. Jackson seemed to use his height to demand... demand something from him. It was also the way those eyes that shone intensely seemed to stalk him, restrained, attentive, trying to communicate something that Nico refused to understand.

It could also be that giant, deserted place that gave him this feeling of being suffocated, as if he were tiny and the white vastness was going to swallow him in that house that seemed to be the perfect prison made of gold. Or even worse, it could be something unprecedented, something that Nico would refuse until the end out of pure moral sense; he hated this feeling that climbed up his spine and made him even more confused, because it wasn't fair, he had been irritated with the man less than ten minutes ago! And now, well... Nico couldn't hide it, it was something that came to him naturally; this sexuality that he tried to bury as much as he could and that was obvious if Nico could compare, was the similarity in the posture of this man who stared at him from head to toe so intensely that it made him uncomfortable and at the same time eager.

But everything was fine, Nico could admit that to himself. The only reason he hesitated so much was the memory of what had happened yesterday, it was exactly because he knew people like this man, authoritative and confident, as if it was obvious that others lived to fulfill his desires, that he had lost his job. Nico didn't want the same thing to happen so soon. Or for something worse to happen.

Ah, why didn't he listen to his intuition and leave when he could? I mean... no one was forcing him to be there, right? Mr. Jackson had just held the door, letting him pass and walked into the house. Maybe with his head held a little high? Maybe standing up straighter than before as if... as if he were puffing out his chest? And just maybe... just maybe he could see a sinister glint in those eyes that for some reason Nico couldn't look away from ... No, it must have been the anxiety that liked to play tricks on him.

Nico took a deep breath and did his best to convince himself, he was only making this sacrifice for the money.

He took another deep breath and let it out, taking the first step into the room. Then he took another step and stopped in front of Mr. Jackson, who stared at him for a few more seconds, his face unreadable, arms crossed in front of his chest, standing in the middle of the room with his legs apart. It was hard to keep his eyes from following the natural direction of things.

"Follow me.”

Without waiting for Nico, Mr. Jackson strode towards the sofas in the living room and sat down heavily against one of the thousands of armchairs that decorated the room, forcing Nico to follow him.

"I won’t beat around the bush. My wife travels most of the time and I take care of the kids. I’m a researcher and I don’t have time to waste. They have a routine. You’re supposed to wake them up at seven sharp, get them changed, help me with breakfast, take them to school, pick them up, help them with their homework, keep them entertained until bedtime, and bathe them at the end of the day. The rest of the time, I don’t care what you do. Whether you stay here or somewhere else is none of my business.”

"Hmm… okay?" Nico said, a little confused, irritation rising again in his nerves. "Will you be present at some point? Or should I do something else?”

"And what would that be?”

The man finally smiled at Nico, but it was so mocking and cynical that he almost got up from his chair to punch him.

"Look, I don't know what you do in other people's houses, but here you're going to do what you were hired to do. Take care of the children and clean up the mess they make. Is two hundred a day enough?”

"Two hundred?" Nico said, surprised. That was double what he expected.

"Two hundred plus transportation and lunch. You are free to eat or do whatever you want.”

Mr. Jackson gave Nico another small smile and slowly stretched as he stood up, Nico watching every movement more closely than necessary, still slightly confused and refusing to blush. The worst part was knowing that he was so obvious, unable to avoid the embarrassment.

"Don't worry. It happens to everyone. "Mr. Jackson winked at Nico and finally walked away, but not before saying: "Up the stairs, I'm in the first room on the right. The children should be woken up in twenty minutes.

Nico waved dazedly and watched the broad-shouldered silhouette of his newest boss disappear up the stairs.

Chapter IV

Nico turned on the couch, leaning back against it and placed his hand over his eyes. He blinked slowly and felt the early morning light blind him, like an arrow hitting its target. When he opened his eyes again, he saw that the sun was already shining brightly throughout the room, bathing the cold, white walls with the warm rays of dawn, illuminating and warming the place that had previously seemed so devoid of life or warmth.

He blinked once more, trying to pry his eyelids apart and rubbed his eyes, his vision clearing as Nico got used to the morning light. He looked around and finally remembered where he was, leaning forward in search of his cell phone. He felt around the coffee table and his pants pockets until an image he hadn't expected to see became clear; all Nico could see were blue-green eyes, as intense as the sea on a rainy day, along with a thin nose and pretty lips, open in an even prettier smile, although he felt that this smile didn't indicate good news.

In a leap that made his heart race, Nico threw himself off the couch just as the alarm clock rang, telling him it was time to wake the children. Determined to regain control of the situation, he took a few steps back and put some distance between himself and the man who was leaning over the couch, insisting on disturbing him and who was now smiling at him, his pretty lips widening and the pleasure on his tanned face making it clear that the fun was far from over.

Still half asleep and with his face burning, feeling as if he were observing his own life through a blurred lens, Nico saw when Mr. Jackson straightened his spine and, still smiling, approached him. The man stopped in front of him, placed one of his hands on Nico's shoulders and looked at him in what seemed to be a friendly way. However, this time, Nico could see that Mr. Jackson had deigned to wear clothes and had even combed his hair, which was now thrown back, allowing him to see how handsome the man really was. With a clean-cut face, white teeth and a smirk, he looked so charming that for a moment Nico forgot where he was.

If Nico said that something had possessed him and controlled his mind, would anyone believe him? Well, that's what happened. In slow motion, he found himself raising his own hand and holding the fingers that rested on his shoulders, staring at them, half-seeing and half-disbelieving. Fingers over fingers, his palm curved over his, observing how both hands, together and of such different tones, fit so well that for a moment Nico just allowed himself to watch. He heard a throat clearing and only then turned his attention to Mr. Jackson; his green eyes, handsome face and friendly smile finally making him realize that the silence had lasted longer than usual.

That was a fact he couldn't deny, Percy Jackson could be strangely annoying and nice at the same time, but he was one of the most beautiful people Nico had ever met, even though his face had a slightly rounded shape and he was now wearing glasses, not forgetting the sweetest smile he had ever seen.

"Rough night?”

"…something like that." Nico said, unsure. With each passing moment, Nico's confusion grew, making him… uncomfortable, making him feel that little sensation crawling out of his stomach, running down his spine, causing a trail of heat and shivers, something beyond what he was willing to admit.

The truth was that Nico couldn't help it, Mr. Jackson's voice sounded so hoarse and so velvety that he couldn't suppress another shiver, Nico couldn't help the way his hands gripped his tighter. In return, Percy Jackson didn't seem to be behind. The grip on his shoulder was so strong and determined that Nico's attention went immediately to what the man was saying, making him pay attention to his mouth, to how his lips moved, to his tongue that came out and wet his slightly dry lips, Nico little by little feeling himself going crazy with every second he spent near that man; one moment, Mr. Jackson seemed like he was going to kick him out of the house and the next, they were the best of friends. Nico didn't feel comfortable with any of this, bothered by the man's sudden change. It made him insecure and uncertain of how to act.

Realizing what was happening, Nico let go of him and took another step back.

"Sir, if you could--”

"No, it's my fault. I didn't express myself properly." Mr. Jackson raised his other hand and when he saw Nico moving away again, he lowered it and continued in a much softer tone of voice, keeping his intense eyes on Nico's. "Can we start over?”

Nico felt a different kind of heat rise up his spine, he opened his mouth to call him a bipolar lunatic when he stopped in the middle of what he was going to say. Yes, Nico shut up. He shut up because Mr. Jackson kept looking at him as if Nico was the only thing worthy of attention, he shut up mainly because Mr. Jackson smiled again, a small and beautiful smile, but so sincere that it had hit him completely and with full force, making him realize that he was in more trouble than he thought.

You know what? Nico didn't know what was happening to himself or to this man, or why this sudden change in behavior. And he didn't even want to know. Should Nico leave or…

"I swear, I'm being sincere. I'm sorry about before. The last nanny she got didn't leave the best impression, you know?”

“She?”

"Annabeth Chase, my wife? The one who hired you? It doesn't matter, she did it on purpose.”

"I understand if you--”

“No, I insist,” Percy Jackson said, sounding more… firm than before. “Let’s see what happens by the end of the day. Think of it as an experiment, okay?”

And so, the matter was concluded. Mr. Jackson nodded to Nico, straightened his spine and turned, indicating the way. He strode in the direction indicated and climbed the flights of stairs, walking down a long hallway that led to the children's room.

Still a little dizzy from so many mood swings, Nico had no choice but to follow him, practically running to catch up with him. He took the stairs two at a time and, already panting, reached Mr. Jackson on the upper floor.

"I thought… that you… wouldn't be involved?”

"I wasn't serious. I'll be there whenever I can. So relax. I'm not that kind of father.”

For some reason, Nico felt that Mr. Jackson was still mocking him even though the mockery wasn't obvious. In the same way, he followed him once more into the room, being greeted by two children who were already awake. They ran to their father, laughing, and each of them held one of the man's legs, their happiness sincere and contagious, soon making him forget what had just happened.

Chapter V

Percy tried to hold back his laughter and turned his back on Nico, going up the stairs, deep down tempted to continue and see how far he could tease Nico. He liked to think he wasn't that sadistic. Most of the time he did his best to be a good father and stayed true to Annabeth's image. Like it or not, on paper, they were still married, even if Annabeth didn't make the same effort as him, and at the moment, Percy was especially trying to be a good host; it was clear that Nico was a good boy, patient and respectful when he didn't treat him the same way, but it was so easy to tease that little boy... before he knew it, they were too close, Percy having even more fun while trying to control himself and hide his amusement behind a frown.

Okay, he was the one to blame in this story, Percy admitted, he was testing the boy. Nico seemed too nice and too young to be working, it was like watching a child taking care of other children, besides the fact that he didn't know anything about the boy. It couldn't be possible, that cute and innocent little face couldn't be more than fifteen, maybe sixteen years old. He was so skinny that Percy was afraid that the children would accidentally break him in half when they went to play. And even though he knew he would regret it, Percy went up the rest of the stairs and opened the door, being greeted by his mischievous little angels who hugged him tightly before returning to their tasks.

"Daddy, Daddy! Where have you been? We 're late!" Little Logan shouted from his bed, putting on his shoes and already dressed. He was sweet, innocent and well-behaved, always trying to do the right thing. This also had to do with the fact that Logan hated being late.

"Kelly didn't come today?" Alice asked in a much calmer, almost distracted way, reading something on her cell phone while sprawled on the bed.

"She had to leave. Nico will stay with us today. What do you think about that?”

"Another one left?" Alice said.

“I didn’t like her at all,” Logan said. He smiled at his shoes, satisfied with a job well done, and shrugged. “She didn’t know how to play and was on the phone all day.”

"I know, dear. Hopefully, Mr. Nico will be different. Do you want to meet him?”

Obediently, the children stopped what they were doing and got up from the bed, each one stopping on either side of Percy and finally seeing the person standing behind their father. With their straight spines and curious looks, they waited patiently when Percy finally moved out of their way, allowing them to see him. And Nico, who had been leaning against the doorframe all this time and watching the interaction between him and the children, let a smile take over his face.

Percy saw Nico take a step into the room, approaching them, and continued watching from afar, as curious as they looked at Nico.

"Kids, what do we say when we meet new people?

"It's a pleasure to meet you! "Logan said excitedly, his eyes shining when they met Nico's.

"I hope you last longer than a month." It was Alice's turn to mutter. Soon after, she looked away at her cell phone and pretended nothing was happening.

Percy understood perfectly, it was Alice's way of protecting herself; she would ignore the problem until it went away or until someone solved it for her. Because, in fact, he had already lost count of how many people he had hired in the last few years.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Nico said, the tone of his voice surprising him.

Percy couldn't deny it, that tone was something much more loving and kind than Nico had used with him. This surprised him even more when, contrary to what he thought, Nico knelt down to the children's height and held their hands, smiling gently as he said: "I hope we can have fun.”

"Are you going to take me to school? The sitters always do that." Logan said.

"Are you going to help us with our homework?"Alice added.

"Yes, we will do that and much more.”

“Shouldn't you be in school? How old are you?" Alice said again, looking suspicious.

"I'm twenty. And you?”

"Eleven. My little brother is seven.”

"It's true! Daddy's twenty-nine. Mommy, thirty-one!" Logan spoke excitedly, as if in a game. Whoever spoke the fastest won.

"That's very good to know." Nico smiled and Percy couldn't help but smile along.

Percy ruffled Logan's hair and sat on the bed as he continued to watch the light and easy way Nico spoke to the children.

"Do you… study?" Alice asked.

"No, I'm saving money to pay for college.”

"Do you live in the city?" It was Logan's turn.

Percy saw Nico smile even wider, a smile so wide and angelic that he tried to hide his interest as Nico continued to answer the children without hesitation. “No, I live further inland, an hour away from the city. Yes, I have four brothers, two girls and two boys. And yes, I have a boyfriend.”

"Why so many questions?" Nico asked after a while.

"We're helping daddy!" Logan told him, sitting next to Nico on the floor with his sister.

"When we ask, people lie less." Alice nodded, confirming.

"Who has lied?”

"The last nanny. A woman of twenty-five.”

Percy felt like slapping himself and sneaking out of there just as Nico turned to him and raised an eyebrow, clearly questioning him about it. He shrugged, pretending he didn't know anything and settled back in bed, pretending with his cell phone in his hand as if he was reading something very important. Nico turned back to the children, once again paying attention to what they were saying, but... yeah... Percy could see a slight blush creeping up Nico's neck, stopping at his high cheekbones, giving Nico a slightly darker hue.

"I think that's enough for today. Who's ready to go to school?”

Surprisingly, it wasn't Percy who had said it. It had been Nico himself, already in full caretaker mode. It all felt so natural that Percy found himself following Nico's order. They both helped the children pick up their bags, books, and water bottles, each of them taking Nico's hands and pulling him toward the front door, down the stairs, and into the entrance hall.

Feeling satisfied, he handed the car keys to Nico and said, “Have fun!”

"Shouldn't you…?”

"You don't know how to drive?”

“It's not that!”

"So, it's settled. It's the black Jeep.”

Being dragged along by the kids, Nico made a funny face at Percy and he found himself following them again as the kids continued to drag Nico around the house. They went around the house, past the garden, and behind it where there was a long garden were the cars, a convertible that Percy had gotten for his eighteenth birthday and a Jeep, a four-door monster with wheels that he loved to drive, almost taller than himself.

Percy pointed out the car to Nico and, paying attention to Nico's face, felt even more satisfied. Nico stopped in place and spent a while admiring the car, his eyes wide open with such a surprised expression that it made him even cuter.

Nico shook his head and looked at him, looking overcome with fatigue.

"Come on, unlock the car." Nico did, of course. Nico pressed the button and as soon as the alarm was deactivated, Percy opened the door for him and then picked up the children, placing them in the backseat and adjusting the seat belts for them.

"Can you climb up?”

Nico waved, pushed himself forward, and fell face first into the driver's seat, all awkward. Percy had the urge to help him, but since Nico hadn't reacted well when he'd touched his shoulder earlier, Percy stopped before Nico could interpret it the wrong way.

Yeah, looks like he'd have to buy them another car. One that was... lower? That was a good idea.

Percy finally slammed the car door, waved to them and only went inside the house when Nico actually showed that he knew how to drive. Percy continued to watch the car drive away until Nico parallel park to complete the return towards the exit. It seemed that things would be more interesting than Percy thought.

I hope it was a good read. Suggestions or comments are always welcome.

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

Hi, how are you? Here's another chapter. I'll try to post every Monday, and more than one chapter if I can, as I'm translating as I post, I can't go any faster than that. But, I can guarantee a lot of fun. In this chapter Percy and Nico will meet. And Nico has been diagnosed with anxiety and that's going to make all the difference throughout the story.

I hope you have a good read!

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I

Nico got off the bus and stopped in front of a group of luxurious houses, already finding the place strange. He held his cell phone tightly and checked the address they had sent him. Yes, it was there, Pine Street… eh … which seemed to be right, there were trees so tall that they seemed to disappear among the clouds. He shrugged and walked along the wide sidewalk, feeling as if he had entered an unknown world when he saw that the bricks on the ground were painted a yellow color with a phosphorescent golden tone, stretching endlessly for long kilometers that seemed to come out of a fairy tale as the rows of houses disappeared into the horizon and beyond.

He couldn't help but be amazed by that place; there were large gates that delimited the properties, separated by even higher walls. Giant trees and smaller flowerbeds with flowers in different shapes and colors that blocked the view of the other houses or what was inside those gates.

He kept walking and then stopped in front of the complex with the number 17, where another large black iron gate rose higher than he could see. Nico couldn't express how strange it was to be in a place like that, the environment was so quiet and the absence of anyone there made his skin crawl. And just to be sure, he checked once more if that was the correct address. Nico scratched his hair, tempted to open the email with the contractor's information once more, because it could only be a mistake; what he was witnessing could not be called a house. Now that he was getting closer to the gates, he could see that it was a group of small, beautiful and well-structured mansions. White fences, large gardens, parks, swimming pools, gyms and everything else imaginable, in addition to security guards protecting the perimeter around the property and in the areas common to all residents.

It felt like he had actually entered a parallel reality, which was strange. Nico felt like he wasn’t someone these people would hire to work there, someone with no college degree, no qualifications, and no proper professional background. But since Nico was here… he shrugged again. What harm was there in trying?

He walked to the front of the gate and pressed the intercom:

"Excuse me, I'm Nico Di Ângelo. I have a meeting with Annabeth Chase at house 4.”

"Yes, good morning. Miss Chase left a message." The helpful and polite doorman told him. "She apologizes for not being able to receive you personally. We will direct you to the location.”

Nico was left to thank him and wait for the gates to open.

He swore he was trying to keep an open mind, but then the weirdest thing happened. As a part of the gate slid aside, two security guards three times his size looked him up and down and stopped in front of him.

"Documents. They're the condominium rules." Nico found it even stranger, but it was okay. Since he had embarked on this madness, he would see it through to the end.

He unzipped his backpack and handed them his driver's license. The taller, red-haired man took the document from his hands and pulled out a clipboard from inside the guardhouse post, stepped closer to him, looked at the information on his ID and then seemed to compare it with the information on the file.

The same bodyguard wrote something on the paper and handed the document and clipboard to him, saying: "Sign here." That was all the redhead said to him before Nico quickly signed and the security guard checked the signature. When the information seemed to match, the other security guard who was standing next to him waved and guided Nico to a car that was waiting for him in front of another smaller gate.

Nico let himself be led to the next gate and felt like laughing; first, was this some kind of luxurious prison? And second, why was there a mini golf cart there? The most interesting thing was that the car even came with a private driver.

Still finding it funny, he got into the car, put on his seatbelt and came across a boy his age, somewhere between twenty and twenty-five, brown hair, black eyes and a beautiful, wide smile.

"First time here?”

He nodded, trying not to show how much it all bothered and amused him at the same time.

"Don't worry, everyone gets a little scared the first time. What's your name?”

"Nico.”

"It's a pleasure, Nico. You can call me Gabe. I'll give you a ride for as long as you're here.”

"Why? Do you think I won't stay long?”

“No one stays. It's nothing personal. You know how these people are.”

"What are they like?”

"I think you'll find out, won't you?”

So, before he knew it, Gabe stopped the car in front of house number 4.

Grinning with dimples and white teeth, Gabe asked, “Can I?” And before Nico could answer, Gabe helped him unbuckle his seatbelt, walked around the car, and held out his hand to him.

"Don't forget, don't take it personally." He winked at Nico, all charming and walked around the car, getting into the driver's seat.

“Okay. Nothing personal. Sure.” Nico thought to himself, watching Gabe quickly walk away through the streets of the condominium, pulling away from there in his little car.

He allowed himself to take a deep breath and stared at the two-story house that was surrounded by a garden so extensive that it was impossible to see anything but nature, a few cars, and more trees that grew tall with voluminous foliage. Nico had no choice but to try to ignore the exuberance of the place, telling himself, it was nothing special; this would be just another job where he would stay for a few months, make some money, and move on to the next job until he had enough money to pay for his studies. Just another one among many others.

He took a few more steps towards the door and climbed the few steps, which were made of white and gray marble, following the rest of the house's design; everything was very pale and in pastel tones, which was clear even from the outside of the house. Then he rang the doorbell before his nerves got the best of him, leaving Nico to take another deep breath, trying to calm himself down.

He straightened his wrinkled clothes and held onto the strap of his backpack, running his hand through his hair, trying to fix it in the reflection of his cell phone screen, which proved to be useless. There was no miracle in this world that would make him feel appropriate or well-dressed, so he forced himself to wait as patiently as someone like him could.

It was no big deal, he told himself, once more. He always got nervous on the first day, and it didn't even have to do with the insufferable or abusive bosses Nico had had the pleasure of dealing with, no, it was all ingrained in his skin no matter where he went. It was part of his psychological condition. Although it didn't last long.

Impatient and overcome by anxiety, he rang the doorbell again, pressing the button harder than he intended at the exact moment the door opened abruptly, revealing a tall man, almost two meters tall, with messy black hair and intense green eyes that stared at him with disinterest. The man seemed to have jumped out of bed, wearing only gray sweatpants and showing... showing a trail of hair that led to a certain large volume in that place.

"Yes?" The man said hoarsely, his eyes barely open and so serious that Nico thought about turning around and escaping that strange situation.

Feeling even worse, as if someone was twisting his insides, Nico kept his eyes above the half-naked man's shoulders and checked his phone, double-checking the email the agency had sent.

House 4. Employer - Annabeth Chase.

"May I speak to Mrs. Annabeth Chase?

"Come back next month. Maybe next year, yeah? I never thought she liked the younger ones…" The man muttered quietly as if Nico shouldn't have heard, especially the last part, distracted, not even seeming to care about his presence.

“Sir…?”

"Jackson, Percy Jackson." He said reluctantly, yawning.

"Mr. Jackson." Nico said. He made a point of ignoring what the man was insinuating. "I was told about the childcare vacancy. The agency sent me here.”

"Ah.”

Percy Jackson didn't act as Nico expected. No, the man just raised his eyebrows and looked at him for the first time, seeming to analyze him, dissecting him with his analytical and intense green eyes, as if trying to decide if Nico was worth his time. Which made Nico feel even weirder, wanting to hide and punch that man in the face at the same time.

“Do you have experience with children?” Percy Jackson told him, even though that wasn’t what the man had intended to say. That much was clear to Nico.

"I've been taking care of my brothers since I was a child. Will that do?" When Nico saw that it seemed too disrespectful, he added: "The ad didn't require any specifications.”

"Let me see.”

It didn't seem like it was a request.

"Sure." He shrugged, pretending not to care about the whole interrogation.

Nico handed the phone to Mr. Jackson and felt victorious when the man found nothing wrong. Mr. Jackson just seemed to read it, turned his head to the side and sighed deeply, saying, “Typical of her.”

"If you want, I can leave." After all, no amount of money was enough to get through that kind of humiliation. Or what was yet to come. Nico was never sure what might happen.

"It's not your fault. Come in.”

Mr. Jackson made room for Nico to enter and then the door closed, starting something he could never have predicted.

Thank you for reading. Your thoughts are always welcome, they help me to improve the story.

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

Hello, welcome to our story.

When I started writing this story, I planned to do something simple that would allow me to explore a fantasy I've always had, the teacher and the apprentice, and I took the opportunity to throw in a few tropes, such as babysitting, found family, abusive boyfriends, even more abusive relatives and a discreet D/s dynamic.

I feel it would be interesting to give a few warnings right at the start. There will be no underage sex in this story, although there will be a certain mental imbalance due to their age, and also a socio-economic imbalance, but that will disappear completely over time. At the moment I have about 100,000 words ready, with the promise of doubling that figure. We'll get to at least 150,000.

If you want to know more details, check out the story's masterpost. I hope you can join me on this journey.

That wasn't exactly one of the best days of Nico's life. In fact, it wasn't the best week, month or year.

"Nico." The place's manager said as soon as he saw Nico approaching the front door.

This was the moment Nico dreaded the most every morning since he started working there.

Andrew McMillan crept towards him with carefree steps and stopped in front of him, greeting Nico all happy and excited. The manager had his hair slicked back, white skin and dark eyes that always turned his stomach. Nico couldn't say the man was ugly, because in fact, he was one of the most handsome men he had ever met. But there was something about him, something behind those dark and calculating eyes, that made him rethink every word that came out of the man's mouth, making him look for the double meaning that always came, sooner or later.

The manager looked him up and down, victorious, staring at him with malice, eyes that sparked more with every second that passed, in which neither of them said anything.

‘Yeah, it was today,’ Nico thought.

His shoulders slumped and he sighed, resigned to his fate. Andrew seemed to grow even happier as he wrote something down on his clipboard.

Smiling even wider at him, Andrew went back to examining Nico as if he were a mysterious specimen, appreciating him in a way that made Nico feel uncomfortable, something that only this manager had managed to do in his few years of life. And even if it was a mask, Nico wouldn't let Andrew know how those looks made him want to vomit, how his anxiety grew as they continued to stand in the middle of the sidewalk, especially knowing that no one would come to his rescue.

This could only mean one thing.

"Sir, I can explain everything. I--”

"Was the bus late? Were you stuck in traffic?" Andrew shook his head, feigning regret and touched his shoulder, making Nico freeze in revulsion, feeling a fear he didn't know where it came from. "This time, there's nothing I can do for you.”

"Please, I need this job!”

"I'm on your side, you know that, Nico. But rules are rules. This is the fifth time this month.”

"Is there nothing you can do?”

Nico regretted asking as soon as the words left his mouth.

"Maybe there is, but I don’t know…"Andrew crossed his arms and moved closer to Nico, as if he was going to tell him a secret. "This requires a sacrifice. Are you willing to do it?”

"Ah." Nico said, taking a step back.

It wasn't the first time Andrew had said something like that. The thing was, Nico had never taken any of those... suggestions seriously, but now that he was here, he didn't know if he wanted to stay in a place like that, even if he could or really needed to.

“I’m sorry, Nico,” Andrew said, his voice sounding compassionate and gentle, before adding, “We can’t forget to stop by HR, okay?”

Nico didn't know what had changed that morning. He had woken up early, showered, grabbed his backpack from the doorknob of his room, and walked through the hallways of his house, silently so as not to wake anyone. He had taken the crowded bus at the same time and faced an hour's journey to get to his current job, a restaurant that claimed to be gourmet, but was actually a hybrid imitation of those fast food restaurants; burgers, sandwiches, milkshakes, and pizzas of all flavors. And like every other day, he had gotten off the bus right on time and rushed to the dignified establishment where he worked.

Of course, his manager was waiting for him at the entrance, like every other day. He had peeked inside the place and saw that they had already opened all the doors, cleared the tables and put the chairs in place, and he could hear the noise of people already working at their posts.

So, a little confused, but accepting his fate, Nico followed Andrew through the restaurant in that strange walk of shame. It wouldn't be the first time something like this would happen, the rotation of workers being quite large there. Still, most people looked at him with smiles as evil as Andrew's, and the others, who looked at him with sincere pity, he would miss. Apart from that, everything else could explode if it were up to him.

Nico lifted his head, held his bag tightly, and headed to the back of the restaurant where the accounting was located. He might be leaving, but Andrew would regret abusing his power.

***

"Man, I can't believe you did that! My little hero." Will said, breaking into a huge smile.

Nico didn't know how long he could hold out like this.

Will looked him up and down and hugged him tightly after squeezing his cheeks until they were so sore, his boyfriend's behavior becoming so energetic that Nico thought they would stretch and fall to the floor, limp. A kiss came next, sweet and soft on his face, another on his chin, slowly going down with those little pecks that only served to make him more irritated.

"Will, stop it! And I'm not small. How can five feet nine inches be small?

Nico closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath, he just needed to breathe.

Usually he wouldn't mind Will being so close, he even liked it when Will touched him in that slightly overly sexual way, but nothing that went beyond what he felt comfortable doing. Today wasn't one of those days; today those soft caresses suffocated him, making him feel trapped inside a box that had no escape, or holes for air to enter. Will was suffocating him, strangling him with that care that his boyfriend insisted on offering when Nico hadn't asked for it.

He took a deep breath and dodged Will's lips, pushing him by the shoulder. He threw his backpack at Will, followed by a punch in his boyfriend's shoulder. Yes, Will, his burly, idiot boyfriend just laughed, his square, kind face annoying him a little more with each passing second. As though it wasn't enough to have spent two hours at the police station and be questioned like he was the one who had committed the crime, he had to spend an extra hour in the HR office denying the "bonuses" and "benefits" in exchange for "confidentiality". Some time later, when he was released from the interrogation, Mr. Jones, the owner of that franchise, did everything he could to prevent him from filing a complaint, especially when he saw that the cameras at the restaurant's door had recorded everything in audio and video, having enough evidence to accuse the manager of abuse of power and sexual harassment.

Honestly? Nico knew that nothing would come of it and that the case would take a long time to go to the court, and at the same time, he knew that he had to do it; all those afternoons having to listen to jokes that, deep down, were too sincere, needed to be reported. Without wasting time and feeling very avenged, Nico did the only thing he could, he took out his cell phone and filed the complaint. Police cars soon blocked the front of the establishment and the employees were dismissed, while Mr. Jones and company were sued for moral damages and abuse of power. Now, whether he would win the case remained to be seen in the future when the court decision was made.

The real problem arose when Nico was released from questioning. With no money for lunch and just enough for a bus ticket, he decided that continuing on with his day as if nothing had happened was the best tactic. Dragging himself through the streets after leaving the police station, Nico walked the few blocks, forcing himself to visit Will at the community center, just as he always did at that time of day; Nico would meet Will at lunch, the only time Will was free to talk, and then he would go home to look for another job until he had enough to pay for college.

Nico turned the corner and continued on his way, distracted and so upset by the last few hours that he barely noticed what was happening. When he saw it, hands grabbed him by his waist and dragged him to a nearby alley while someone pressed him against the wall and a mouth placed itself on his without his permission. And he was so distressed that he only realized it was Will when he punched him in the stomach and kicked him well in the groin.

"Will Solace!" Nico gasped in surprise, anger, fury. Although Nico admitted that he was a little traumatized by the whole experience, this was not the right time or place to do that kind of thing. He also admitted that he was not in his best moment, Nico could kill someone if given the right motivation.

Will didn't seem to care what he was saying. Groaning breathlessly, Will walked in his direction and held Nico by the waist one more, saying: "You don't do that to a man, shorty.”

So this time, feeling guilty and a little afraid of what Will might do, or worse, afraid that Will might say something to his father, Nico let Will continue. Will lifted him a little off the ground and Nico automatically wrapped his arms and legs around Will.

Will… he… Will didn’t like being contradicted, you know? If things didn’t go exactly as Will wanted, something could explode or be thrown into the air. Nico preferred to avoid that kind of argument. Or other kinds of reactions. It wouldn’t be the first time they fought about the lack of sex or Nico’s absence in general. He wasn’t ready and Will was. He didn’t want to get married and Will had already bought the rings. Nico definitely didn’t want to live with him while Will had bought a house with a nursery and everything else they could possibly need in Will’s twisted dreams. Nico didn’t even know if he wanted that kind of responsibility, but still, this was him trying to make an effort for his parents and everyone else who thought the wedding would happen soon. And maybe… just maybe… it wouldn’t be so bad to have a handsome and hot boyfriend who was willing to be with someone as boring and… old-fashioned as him. Despite knowing Will's mistakes, ignoring the people Will kept behind his back, he didn't care as long as everyone remained satisfied.

Nico kept asking himself… who dated for three years and didn’t want to have sex? Or didn’t care about cheating?

He couldn't explain it, there was something about it all... something between them that didn't feel... right. I mean, the problem should be him, right? Will was cheating on him because Nico couldn't take that last step, no matter how many times Will tried; Nico always gave up at the final moment. It just felt... wrong, like Nico was about to make the biggest mistake of his life.

Nico felt a strange and uncomfortable shiver run up his spine when Will held him tighter than usual and pulled him firmly by the hair, whispering in his ear:

"I missed you so much, shorty. Where have you been that you haven't answered your cell phone?

Oh, maybe he wasn't that uncomfortable after all... It’s like, Will was always too gentle, you know? So careful, and all that care made Nico feel weak, like he was going to break into a thousand pieces at any moment, and Nico didn't like that one bit. But when Will lost control? Touching him hard and willingly, without fear of hurting him as if he actually wanted to hurt him, but just a little, just to leave a mark on him, just like Will was doing now...? That was another story. It was at those times that Nico would say yes if Will asked him. The fact was that if Will had to force himself to be nice to treat him well... Nico didn't want to live with someone who deep down pretended to be something he wasn't. It didn't matter the reason.

"Are you listening to me?" Nico heard a soft voice next to his ear again. He felt goosebumps rise up his spine and gave up trying to reason.

Nico wanted to say that he hadn't done it on purpose. He wanted to answer Will's text and calls and even if he wanted to tell him everything that had happened right away, he wouldn't have been able to, he was in the middle of a police interrogation; not that the answer to that seemed important at the moment, not to Will. He went back to kissing Nico as if that was the only goal in his life and all the air or thoughts fled from both of their heads.

That... that was so wrong, right in the middle of the street where anyone passing by could see them... Nico shifted and tried to speak, feeling the air leave his body, uncomfortable for another reason. Well, maybe he groaned softly, Nico couldn't tell, tried to pull away from Will only to be pulled back against his will.

"What's the problem? "Will said between sighs and bites, his tongue returning to Nico's mouth, massaging his lips and moving in the way that Nico liked the most, making him relax a little more, just enough for Will to lower the zipper of his pants.

And again, he had no choice. Will slipped his fingers inside Nico's underwear, making him gasp. However, that was when Nico heard something, a loud sound that made him open his eyes and realize what they were doing. Nico then pulled his mouth away from Will's lips, pushed him by the shoulders and put his legs on the floor while he zipped up his own pants, looking for his ringing cell phone. He definitely should have gone home instead of going all the way two blocks to the community center where children and teenagers came for help.

Well, customs were hard to break.

Nico finally bent down, unzipped his backpack and found the damn cell phone that was at the bottom of a narrow pocket.

"Nico Di Ângelo? We have a job for you." Someone spoke immediately, barely letting him answer the call.

It was Caren from the employment agency, her dry, grumpy voice recognizable anywhere. Impolite and rude, it sounded high-pitched to his ears.

"Sure. What would it be about?”

"Taking care of two children during the day. With overtime pay and labor rights.”

It would definitely be better than his last job. Nico could trust that.

"When?”

"Tomorrow at 7am.”

"Okay. Should I wear a uniform?”

"No, just show up on time.”

So, the phone was hung up on him and Will, who was next to him leaning against the wall, laughing, touching his face and kissing him now softly.

"Looks like our fun is over.”

"You didn't see anything. Do you know what happened today?" Will raised his eyebrows and leaned towards Nico, curious, which made him feel very relieved. He loved Will, but he wasn't in the mood for any kisses.

So, what did you think? Uninteresting? Should I exclude these scenes?

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

Hi, how are you? As I promised, I'm here with a new story. I mean, it's not new, but I've never posted it here. However, I already have some chapters posted elsewhere, on Tapas and Patreon in portuguese, in their original versions. They're going to be short chapters, but I still wanted to share them with you, especially in case plagiarism shows up. (Someone came along with a sad story trying to use my story and my words, you know? So I'll bring other stories here too, for documentation purposes)

We have a portuguese verson too. Right here.

This story started because I wanted to tackle something different, something very cliché, something quick that turned out to be longer and more in-depth than I wanted (I was trying to overcome the blockage of another story). Sometimes the life story of the characters speaks louder, and so the story was born. A father who's trying his best and a boy who's scraping together money to get into a top college.

As always, the characters are very OOC, quite out of character with the canon, although I've tried to keep their essence. So, consider the story more of an original than a fanfic. I decided to focus on character and world building that sounded realistic. I thought about how Percy would act and what his personality would be if he was raised in a strict and demanding way, among incredibly wealthy people and educated to be the CEO of one of the most important companies in one of the most important metropolises in the world. Nico, on the other hand, comes from a humble background, his father being involved with political figures in a small town just a few hours from the big city, raised to conform to whatever his father decided was right, but wanting more of life than to marry whoever his father told him, more than to conform to a small town life.

Basically, that's the premise of this story. Now, how these two people meet is the mystery that will soon turn into something more than pure attraction. So far I have two narrative arcs ready, the story currently at 95,000 words. There is no sex in the first 40,000 words, although there is some innuendo that sounded more interesting to me than the sex itself.

The first chapter is slightly slow, but I promise that from the second onwards things will get more interesting. The chapters are short because the monetization platform requires the chapters to be short, so I strutured the chapters this way. So every three parts would be what I usually put in a chapter. If you could read it and give me some honest feedback, I'd appreciate it. I'm thinking of deleting the entire first chapter, so your opinion might help me decide that.

Now, on to the official information:

I have two covers for this story, although I usually use the second one.

Synopsis: Okay, he told himself. Nothing personal. Sure. No big deal, just another job where Nico would stay for a few months, make some money and move on to the next job until he had enough for college. He took a few steps towards the door and climbed the few steps, these made of white and gray marble. Soon after, he rang the doorbell before his nerves got the better of him. Impatient and overcome by anxiety, Nico rang the doorbell again, pressing the button harder than he intended at the exact moment the door opened, revealing a tall man, almost seven feet tall, with messy black hair and intense green eyes that stared at him with disinterest. Okay, nothing personal.

Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father

This is a story about a student who, in order to have money for college, becomes a babysitter, meets the children's father and develops feelings/lust for him. From then on, fantasies begin to emerge and everything becomes complicated between them.

Summary: Nico, a twenty-year-old boy, works to pay for college when he is fired from his current job. In search of another, he meets Percy Jackson, a businessman and university professor, the father of the children he will be taking care of for the next few months. From then on, Nico becomes more involved with the Jackson family than he expected.

Fandom Percy Jackson and the Olympians & Related Fandoms - All Media Types Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan

Ship Nico di Angelo/Percy Jackson past Will Solace/Nico di Angelo

Personagens Percy Jackson Nico di Angelo Annabeth Chase Jason Grace Hazel Levesque Will Solace Hades Alice Jackson Logan Jackson

Tags Friendship Love Anguish Alternative universe Nico!Babysitter Percy!Teacher Original characters D/s elements Age difference

The first chapter will be out in a few minutes.