Talk #1

What a confusing person you are, Duncan Wedderburn.

POOR THINGS (2023) dir. Yorgos Lanthimos

The best subplot in Order of the Phoenix tbh…

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

Hi, how are you doing? Things are finally calming down. Maybe there'll be another chapter later this week!

In today's chapter we have another scene from the past. I hope you like it^^

And I have some news. I've made a cover for this story! Also made with artificial intelligence. I feel like I should get paid since I'm practically training them already! But it looks cute.

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

I hope you enjoy it!

''You're funny.'' Nico told him.

''You are.’’

And like third graders, which they both were, they laughed again as they heard the bell ring. Percy hadn't even realized that half an hour had passed, what was more time than he'd usually spent with his old friends these days. And what that said about him, hm?

''We have to go.'' He heard Nico say.

They really had. In a hurry, he helped Nico collect the lunch boxes and accompanied him to his next class, discovering that Nico was in fact in the same classes as him. Was Percy so distracted by trying to hide that he didn't see what was going on around him? Well, that would change from that moment on.

***

A few more days passed and with them, Percy began to pay attention to his surroundings. 

It was strange. How had Percy not noticed Nico's presence until that moment? Everytime Percy looked around, Nico would be there, at any place or time of day, too. That is, until they both went off to their respective homes, rehearsals or trainings, and even then, Percy would still be thinking about Nico; while waiting for his older brother to pick him up or at home helping his mother cook, trying new dishes.

That's what continued to happen for a long time, days, weeks, months, even, was hard to get a sense of time when the hours passed so quickly and the days were all the same. Percy felt like he was emerging from a paralyzing sleep, finding something that finally held his attention. One day he noticed that Nico sat at the front of the room and was very close to the exit door. On another, Nico was more towards the middle of the room and then the little boy appeared next to him, sharing the double desk with him. Grover was in the desk next to his with Juniper, Luke behind him with Thalia.

Percy looked at Nico once again and saw him writing something around a drawing, a black helmet, the handwriting as beautiful as the features of the figure. Percy wanted to ask since when they had sat together. Since when had Nico been part of his group of friends and since when had he felt so comfortable with Nico's presence, with the quietness that Nico's actions brought. Instead, he said in the lowest voice possible:

''What's that?”

''Hm?' 'Nico muttered and looked at him, as calm as ever. ''A design for a novel. I don't know if I'll finish it.”

The strangest thing was that he knew exactly what Nico was talking about. Percy had seen the draft of the novel in one of the breaks shared with food, and like everything Nico did, it was beautiful and delicate, as if Nico put a part of his soul into everything he touched with his hands, whether it was a piece of paper, art, food or homework.

''You should. It's beautiful.”

Nico didn't say anything, he just lowered his head and continued scribbling, his face hidden behind long, black hair that shone as it reflected the sunlight. Nico then doodled a sword and an armor, leather gloves, a crown of roses. The more Percy watched Nico draw, the less Percy understood what was holding his attention so much. Maybe it was the slim hands, the long, elegant fingers, maybe it was Nico's concentrated attitude, or maybe was the relaxed body next to his, his head next to Nico's, admiring the soft lines that revealed so much beauty.

'''Alright, guys. Get your books.'' The teacher said and out of nowhere, part of the magic was broken.

The drawings were still in Nico's notebook, just as beautiful as before, and they were still stuck together, leaning over the shared desk. The difference was that Nico had tensed and looked up at Percy, as if Nico hadn't paid attention to what was happening around him until he heard the teacher's voice. Percy also realized something, maybe he was very close to Nico, hugging him by the shoulders like a prison with no escape.

''Sorry.'' Even with all this in mind, Percy made no move to pull away or let him go.

Percy thought Nico was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. There was nothing like seeing the blush spreading across Nico's face, the darker skin taking on a warmer hue, to look at and to touch too, because even over his clothes, Percy could feel the heat emanating from Nico at the points where they touched; at his shoulders and hips, almost making Percy touch that delicate, beautiful face.

''...mind.”

''Sorry?”

''I don't mind.' 'Nico repeated in the same low, discreet tone, then turned to his notebook and picked up the books they would need.

Percy got the impression that Nico cared, yes, but in a... positive way. He saw the little boy open the book to the right page, lean against the back of the chair and up his arm, starting to read while the teacher explained the subject, like that scene was something completely normal. This made Percy wonder once again: had he ever done this with Nico? Since when were they so close? Wasn't it Annabeth who should have been by his side? Sure, they'd never been that close or acted the way he and Nico were acting, but... since when did she sit on the other side of the room with Clarisse and Silena? Shouldn't he have cared a little more than just being slightly surprised? She was his friend, wasn't she...? Shouldn't Percy miss her? So why had he only noticed Annabeth's absence now?

''Is everything all right?' 'He heard a soft voice beside him, and then, Nico's hand rested on his arm, Percy noticing in his friend's face a worried look.

Percy took a deep breath, letting his shoulders relax, and found himself smiling, something inside his chest warming and pulsing, as if the spark of an unknown feeling inside him was waking up.

''Everything is great. Wonderful. Incredible.”

''You dork.'' Nico rolled his eyes and leaned back against him, continuing to read the text the teacher had asked them.

Well, after that, Percy quickly understood what was going on; or rather, his psychiatrist had helped him understand. Nico wasn't stalking him, but in fact, Nico was doing the same thing he was; Nico was trying to live a discreet life away from prying eyes. Even he, at the age of eleven, admired the image that Nico made. The little boy stood out so much among the other studentes that Percy could clearly see the difference. Straight, wavy, thick hair, a small, fleshy mouth, intense black eyes, it was such a beautiful set that it gave Nico an androgynous, feminine look, although it was impossible to mistake Nico for a girl.

The point was, Nico had found the best places to hide, the same ones that Percy had found too. The music room, the forest, the bleachers near the sports fields further away from the classrooms.

Percy couldn't help himself, day after day, he found himself doing the same steps.

In addition to spending his time in class close to Nico, always during breaks, whether during the day or in the afternoon, he found himself walking and finding his way to the familiar bleachers with the familiar mop of hair in the far corner trying to hide. They never agreed out loud, it was just something that had become routine.

Nico would leave first, Percy would exchange a few words with his remaining friends and then he would follow Nico; he would practice basketball for a few minutes on the courth floor and then he would sit down next to Nico, accepting a lunchbox filled with the things he loved most, cake and pie, blueberry juice too, and sometimes, Nico would surprise him, baked potatoes or pancakes; if Nico was in the mood, lasagna or something Italian. No matter what it was, Percy would happily eat every grain and every bit of food. If Nico made it for him, the least he could do was repay him by eating it all. But it seemed so little compared to what Nico did for him... Percy wanted to share something with Nico that was important and valuable too. But what could be more valuable than sharing the food you've made yourself with someone?

''Your drawings are very good. Where did you learn?’’

They were once again in the stands, Percy ignoring the ball still in his hands to watch Nico take a forkful of food into his mouth, stopping midway with the fork between his lips.

''Hm?’’

''Where did you learn to draw?’’

''Oh, that?'' Then Nico looked down at his lap, where the notebook was, and put his lunchbox down. ''I had a lot of free time.”

Percy didn't know if he had understood… but Nico smiled at him, seeming to understand his confusion.

''I don't have any friends. I never had. Imagination was all that I had.”

''And what am I? A tree?’’

''No, you're a popular and rich athlete.’’

''You're right. I have many riches, how about you share them with me?”

''What are you saying?'’ Nico smiled again and Percy felt a throbbing in his chest that had nothing to do with the asthma he had as a baby.

''My mother likes to cook.’’

''Isn't that obvious? I mean, she has a restaurant, doesn't she?'' Nico said and tilted his head to the side, like that would make him understand what Percy meant.

''She'd love the company.”

''Don't we... have a paper to finish?’’

''I have plenty of space at home. My mother won't mind.’’

''Are you sure? I've never been to anyone's house.’’

This only made Percy's chest tighten even more.

''There's always a first time, right?’’

Nico looked at him, seemed to analyze him from head to toe and ended up shrugging.

''I will trust you.’’

At the time, Percy didn't know why he was having so many palpitations or why the feeling of relief had seized him so intensely. Later, he would recognize it as the fear of being rejected, and even if he didn't understand it yet, he knew that someone as sweet, beautiful and talented as Nico would never reject him so rudely. Thiat way, they finished eating and went on to their next classes, arranging to meet at the main gate after the last class.

***

Percy admitted, he had wasted more time than intended talking to the literature teacher. Apparently, he needed to try harder if he wanted to have a future at that school. She argued with him, went over every little thing he'd done wrong, and even gave him extra assignments to make sure his mistakes were corrected. Percy left the classroom as quickly as he could, and as soon as he saw the time, Percy ran down the corridors towards the school's main gate. When he arrived at the place he and Nico had marked, he remembered why Nico was always hiding in corners, which made Percy remember why he was hiding too.

They had already experienced this scene. Nico was pressed against the wall outside the gate and two other boys surrounded him, one of them was holding Nico by the neck while the other looked around suspiciously. The difference this time was that a crowd was watching them and no one was doing anything to stop what was about to happen.

Percy approached them, pretending to be another spectator, and listened the murmurs, while one of the boys spoke:

'Who's going to protect you now, huh? Because of you, our friends were expelled. Why don't you put yourself in your place and--’’

''What place would that be?’’

Percy couldn't help himself. This time, he didn't want any explanations. 

He stepped out of the crowd and the next thing he knew, he was face to face with the boys, or rather, his fist was against their faces. The pain came immediately, as he felt his nuckes collide with the nose of one the boys who were older than him, but who were no match for Percy.

''It's easy to mess with people smaller than you, isn't it? Why don't you play with someone your own size?”

''Would that be you?”

''What do you think?”

The silence fell, a silence that had become common no matter where Percy went. The nose of the boy he had punched was now swollen, blood trickling down his face, and the other, who had been too shocked to react, seemed to wake up from his trance. That would be the perfect moment for them to fight back, wouldn't it? Well, that's what people say, cowards soon give up if they find someone to resist them. And that's what they did, the boy who had watched his friend get knocked down with a single punch, pulled the other by the arms, helping him up and they both staggered into the crowd, running away with their tails between their legs.

Percy watched them fleeing in the distance between the cars and turned to Nico who was still leaning against the wall, the corner of his lips reddened and and on his arms and neck, marks of fingers and nails. The worst part was seeing the tears that kept falling or how Nico cowered, expecting other people to come and do the same to him. Percy didn't think, realizing that this was becoming something usual for them, and Percy didn't like it one bit, the fact that Nico had to hide in corners because of people's prejudice. 

He walked over to Nico and stopped in front of him, offering his hand. He had learned the hard way that touching someone when you don't feel safe or when you're in shock is the worst thing to do. So he just stood close without touching Nico, and tried to get his attention:

''Nico.'' Percy said in the softest voice.

''No, I… Percy?'' Percy held on and tried to be strong, Nico seemed to be reacting to everything worse than the previous time.

''I'm sorry. I didn't mean to... I was waiting for you... then, these... these boys showed up and…’’

Percy didn't know what to do. He felt his heart break when Nico took a step towards him and opened his eyes wide, his pupils unfocused and wet, as if Nico was waking up from a nightmare, and held onto his hands, trembling and breathing fast, still curled up on himself.

''It's allright. Can I hug you?”

''Hug me? Why... why would you want to touch someone like me?’’

''It looks like you need it.’’

''I... I need?'' Then, Nico looked at Percy with the most desolate and lost look he had ever seen.

''Nico. It's allright.'' Percy said it again, refusing to accept what those people were doing to Nico.

''I have to... I have to talk to Bianca, my... my sister.’’

''We will. After we get to my place. Yes?’’

''You promise?’’

''I promise.’’

Then, as if a key had been turned, Nico grabbed his arm and picked up their bags from the floor, saying: ''You dropped it.'' Just like that, like nothing had happened. But Nico was still shaking, gripping his arm tighter and handing one of the bags to Percy, holding his own against his chest in the hope that the bag and Percy would protect him.

Gods! How could someone do this to such a vulnerable and defenseless being? What had Nico done to be treated like this? Then, Percy looked around, recognizing these people. Some were in the same class as them, others Percy knew in passing, and none of them had the decency to help a classmate being abused. That's why they said he was a "rebel", and if it was up to him, things would continue exactly as they were.

''Are you ready?'' Percy said when he saw that Nico was beginning to calm down.

''Hm. Thank you.’’

Percy took Nico's backpack from his shoulder, put it with his own, and led Nico by the hand between the cars parked near the school, spotting a familiar black pick-up truck.

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Thank you for reading. And if you can, send your appreciation in the comments. Until next time!

Seven years after the break-up.

tony stark would do everything in his power to please peter parker, and if i say everything, i meant everything.

Não Há Lugar Como o Lar - Hiatus!

Oii, como vai?

É, aqui estou eu, parando de novo. Entretanto, isso não é algo ruim. Na verdade, é muito bom. Esse ultimo ano me permiti ser livre criativamente. Escrevi o que eu quis e quando eu quis, mesmo que às vezes eu fugisse do meu planejamento inicial. E foi o que aconteceu, eu acabei de me deixando levar além da conta e coloquei algo que mudou muito a premissa da história. A boa notícia é que só faltam aqueles últimos quinze por cento para a história se encerar. O pior é que eu nem tinha percebido que tinha me desviado tanto assim, já que o objetivo dessa história era escrever sobre adolescentes no ambiente colegial, sabe? Aí eu coloquei D/s de forma muito incisiva e outras cenas um pouco estranhas. Se não fosse um leitor me dizer "Que estranho" eu nem teria me tocado do caminho que eu estava tomando. 

Enfim, abaixo explico com mais detalhes o que aconteceu e também dou um resumo geral do que eu estava planejando para os últimos capítulos. Obrigada a todos que acompanharam até aqui!

Sinto que minha escrita está indo em uma direção diferente nos últimos anos, sabe? Sobre as cenas +18? Cada vez sinto menos vontade de escrever sobre elas, e vou repensar se essas cenas são realmente necessárias, principalmente nessa história. Então, provavelmente, vou passar a escrever menos sobre isso. Quer dizer, na "Refulgente", escrevi algo assim, uma história cheia de tensão e quase nenhum smutt. E falando nisso, estou monetizando a "Refulgente" e provavelmente vou monetizar essa também. Mas não se preocupem, vou tentar mantê-las gratuitas, ou pelo maior tempo possível. Sei que não é o que vocês querem escutar, porém, sinto que seu eu não começar a ganhar algum dinheiro com isso, vou acabar desistindo, exatamente como outras pessoas que eu conheci.

Vou colocou o link no meu perfil para as histórias que eu tenho disponíveis em outras plataformas, e se vocês puderem me apoiar vou ficar muito feliz. Quem sabe a gente possa trocar histórias? Estou sempre em busca de novas histórias contanto que elas sejam bem-escritas.

Obrigada por tudo. Qualquer novidade, volto aqui. E falando nisso, alguém é beta por aqui? Daqueles bem críticos? Só para não me deixar escrever mais besteira. Eu já tenho uma, mas eu queria alguém sem medo de me criticar, sabe? Alguém extremamente sincero e tenha senso de crítica, especialmente quando se refere ao enredo e estrutura narrativa. Sempre é bom ter mais do que uma ou duas opiniões. Porque, infelizmente, escrever não é um trabalho tão solitário quanto as pessoas te fazem acreditar.

Ah, esqueci de dizer. Já sei qual vai ser o final dessa história. Também estou planejando alguns extras.

Agora vem o spoiler, então, leia com cuidado!

Basicamente, o Nico vai começar a relaxar mais ao redor dos amigos de Percy. Vou fazer algumas cenas com todos reunidos no pátio da escola, o Nico flertando com o Luke sem nem perceber, Percy ficando puto da vida, Luke tanto amenizar as coisas e Grover rindo da cara deles. A relação do Nico e do Percy se torna mais natural, a relação deles chamando atenção das outras pessoas enquanto para eles tudo parece normal. As provas finais vão começar, e Annabeth vai voltar e pergunta para o Percy quando ele vai comprar os convites deles para o baile na frente do Nico. Nico sai correndo irritado e Percy vai atrás. Nico diz para Percy que não quer que Percy fale ou veja Annabeth. Chega o dia do baile e Grover tem um acidente causado por Luke, assim, Percy e Nico vão para o hospital e perdem o baile, onde Nico iria tocar com a banda.

Agora, seria a parte dramática. Nos últimos dias antes do ano letivo acabar, Nico vê Annabeth beijando Percy. Nico sabe que Annabeth fez aquilo de proposito, mas não consegue evitar o panico e a vontade de fugir. Percy imediatamente vai atrás de Nico e o acalma; se Percy se ajoelha e implora ou o abraça apertado e começa a consolar Nico, ainda não decidi. No final, eles se entendem e Percy fala que Nico não precisa se preocupar, logo eles estariam indo para a Itália se casar e tudo isso ficaria para trás, que Nico precisava apenas esperar uma semana para o final das avaliações e o diploma. A partir daí, Percy ignora todos os amigos na escola e Luke vai na casa de Percy para falar com ele. Percy diz que Luke não fez nada para ajudá-lo quando Percy já havia o salvado várias vezes, batido em pessoas por causa dele tentando defendê-lo. Percy dá um soco em Luke e o manda embora. Mais tarde Nico conversa com Percy e diz que talvez tenha exagerado, que Percy não precisa se isolar por causa dele. Percy diz que vai pensar sobre isso.

As últimas cenas antes do epílogo é com Percy se despedindo dos amigos no colégio e Annabeth encurralando Nico em um dos corredores quando Nico sai de sua última avaliação. Ela empurra Nico que cai de bunda no chão. Ele olha para Annabeth e de repente não entende porque se sentiu tão ameaçado por ela. Para resumir, Nico começar a rir e Annabeth fica ainda mais furiosa quando Nico diz que ela é patética. Annabeth chuta o estomago de Nico, mas antes que algo mais serio possa acontecer, Percy chega, indo buscar Nico como eles tinham combinado. Percy segura Annabeth e a empurra para longe, ajudando Nico. Percy nem mesmo olha para Annabeth e pega a bolsa de Nico do chão, o ajudando a andar para fora daquele colégio de uma vez por todas.

Para o epílogo vou fazer Nico e Percy na Itália, Percy conhecendo a Nona do Nico, Poseidon e Triton indo para o casamento. Os melhores amigos do Percy também vindo para o casamento e talvez mais algumas cenas do passado, quem sabe os amigos do Nico na Itália? Estava pensando em escrever sobre a Sally, como ela está organizando o casamento, ela chega duas semanas e quando vê o fornecedor para o buffet, reprova tudo e pede a cozinha do restaurante emprestada pelas próximas semanas por uma boa quantia de dinheiro. Sally gosta tanto da cidade que acaba comprando o restaurante e comprando uma casa na cidade, mas isso é por que Percy decide ficar pelo próximo ano por lá, vendo como Nico estava feliz. Sally passa os próximos meses viajando entre os Estados Unidos e Veneza, tão energética como sempre, contente de ver Percy finalmente satisfeito. No fim, Luke, Tyson, Grover e Clarise os seguem para a Itália e Percy e Nico, ganham uma casa á beira-mar, finalizando a história com um por do sol e um beijo doce.

Bem, espero não ter decepcionado muito. Obrigada a todos que me acompanharam até aqui. Assim que eu tiver novos capítulos para essa história, aviso aqui.

Até a próxima.

UPDATE! Retrospectiva e planos futuros

Oii, como vai? Faz tempo que a gente não conversa, não?

Bem, eu estive adiando esse momento por alguns meses. Esse ano foi um período bem difícil para mim, praticamente fiquei doente o ano todo com uma infecção no fígado e o diabetes que rouba toda a minha energia. Por isso, acabei não escrevendo tanto e deixando de lado alguns projetos. Então, esse post vai servir para informar o que vai acontecer a partir de janeiro, e se eu tiver energia, talvez eu já comece em agora em dezembro.

Não sei se vocês sabem, eu mantive um blog de dicas de escrita durante mais de cinco anos, com quase dois mil seguidores, ele se chamava @escritoremaprendizado e @desafiodeescritadiario, com mais de quinhentos posts (em português, já que já muito desses blogs em inglês). Sei que não é muito, mas ele me ajudou muito na pandemia, só que depois de um tempo ele acabou virando um trabalho não remunerado, o que acabou perdendo o sentido inicial. Então, como estou com saudade de fazer isso, vou retomar esses posts por aqui. E claro, vamos continuar com os meus amados Percy/Nico, vou trazer outras história para cá, em inglês e português. Espero que vocês possam me acompanhar nesse próximo.

Eu só queria agradecer mais um ano juntos. Sei que as vezes eu passo uma vibe antissocial, mas esse nunca é meu objetivo. A verdade é que eu tenho muita dificuldade em socializar na internet, as vezes eu fico muito ansiosa e até deprimida por motivos que não tem nada a ver com vocês, mesmo que eu quisesse receber mais comentários e engajamento, ai eu acabo me distanciando da internet por motivos de sanidade. Então, se você se sentir a vontade, pode me mandar asks, seja sobre minhas histórias ou se você precisar de ajuda na escrita. Tipo, sei que raramente termino minhas histórias, mas tenho duas ou três terminada que ainda não trouxe para cá.

Enfim, nesse ano vou tentar ficar mais próxima do fandom, embora não seja uma promessa.

Sobre a retrospectiva...? Bemmmm, eu só escrevi um pouquinho e anunciei a "Amor de babá", (o que pretendo postar ainda essa semana). Vamos tentar recuperar o tempo perdido. Me desejem sorte.

Ah, então. Acho que não comento muito essas coisas por aqui, mas estou tentando ganhar dinheiro com a minha escrita, ainda que esteja sendo um processo lento.

Estou testando algumas plataformas. Como o Patreon, e a Tapas. Vou deixar os links abaixo. Se vocês puderem me apoiar, ficarei feliz, embora não seja uma obrigação. Ainda estarei aqui amanhã com um novo capítulo da "There's no place like home" como de costume.

Escritor em Aprendizado | está criando Ajuda e Dicas de Escrita | Patreon

EscritoraAurora | escrita e histórias, fanfics e originais | Patreon (Tem somente um história postada. Mais história em breve!)

Tapas (Vocês podem entrar no meu perfil e ver as minhas histórias por lá.)

Dreame (Uma das minhas histórias completas. Se você puder dê uma olhada^^)

AO3

SpiritFanfics

Até logo.

Nico doodles from my twitter

I kind of suck at tagging, so I made this infographic to help make it easier.