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

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

Hi! We are back. I tried my best, so I hope is acceptable.

Good Reading^^

The bell rang just as Nico yawned, making him bringing a hand to his mouth.

“Do you want to go home?” Percy asked, pausing to write on the physics question sheet momentarily, seeming to think seriously about something to hurriedly get back to writing, without taking his attention away from the task, all while holding it in one of his hands, as if Nico were going to leave any minute now. running in case Percy wasn't there to stop him. It was almost funny, both of them sitting in a circle of six or seven people on the library floor while he watched Percy do all the heavy lifting.

He wanted to tell Percy that he wasn't tired, that it was just jet lag. Even though he arrived two or three days ago, he still hadn't got used to it and he’d barely been able to sleep the previous nights, not to mention the climate which was much milder than in Italy, the cold weather making him sleepy and slow. The problem was, Percy said that it would be ten minutes that turned into thirty and now, an hour and half later, sitting in the middle of his classmates, they were solving the questions that the teacher had given them. He knew he should be helping Percy with the task, just like the others were doing, working in pairs, but as Percy seemed happy to write alone, Nico let Percy enjoy himself, watching the serious and concentrated expression on his friend's face that finally raised his face and looked at him, smiling, as if only at that moment Percy had remembered Nico's presence.

"Sorry. I always end up doing these things by myself. I don't have the patience to wait around.”

Percy was right. The people around were writing, but they were also talking in low voices, discret but obvious.

"I promised. Let's go.”

“You can finish, I don't care.”

"I have finished.”

Percy was right once again, Nico peeked at the sheet in Percy's lap and saw that all the questions were filled with complete answers.

"Do you want to take it home and study?"

“No, thank you.”

So he got to his feet, Percy behind him, and supporting him from behind, Percy put the sheet into his bag. Nobody seemed to see them leave, only the librarian greeted them on the way out and finally they were free; the late afternoon sun was still shining, bringing some of the humidity and warmth that he missed so much. Satisfied, Nico took a few steps out of the halls towards the open courtyard and closed his eyes, letting the sun's rays gently warm his skin. Of course, soon Percy was at his side, holding his hand, as he always had. Percy's presence was always comforting, even if he could feel his friend's gaze on him.

"What?” Nico had to ask, eyes still closed.

"I held you captive, didn't I?"

"Don’t be ridiculous.” Nico nearly rolled his eyes in impatience, wanting to get out of there, but felling content in spending a few more minutes in the sun.

"Don’t get mad at me.”

“I'm not.” He almost didn't care about what Percy said, feeling the teasing tone returning with force. Because, in the end, he knew that what Percy wanted was attention.

“Hmm, no. It can't stay like this.”

Nico opened his eyes and saw that, without realizing it, they were already in the school's parking lot. That had been his biggest mistake, while he was distracted by the clear skies and nice weather, he'd missed the moment when Percy had cornered him against the wall of the parking lot and lifted his own hands and… and shoved them against his belly and abdomen, starting a tickle war. He couldn't remember the last time someone had the nerve to do that to him. In fact, Percy had been the last one, two years ago, before he traveled far away. Back then, when Nico was quiet for too long this was Percy's favorite tactic to get him to talk or react; he had to admit, he didn't miss this humiliating torture, but the touch was welcome. Contradictory, no? It seemed that anything Percy did at that moment would be welcomed.

"Percy Jackson!” He squeaked and uncoiled himself from Percy's grasp, running away from those long restless fingers. Of course he would have no peace! Percy came running after him, laughing like a maniac and with legs twice as long as his. Percy in mere minutes reached him, holding him by the waist.

"Ni-coo…" And okay, now that he analyzed things… they didn't have the most innocent banter, because the way Percy held him tight, back to chest and mouth right next to his ear… that was exactly how things used to happen in the past.

"I forgive you! I forgive you.”

"Realy? You're not saying this to then get back at me in slow and cruel ways?”

"I would never do that!”

“Liar.” Percy said in the same sweet, quiet way against his skin, looking like he wasn't going to let go of him anytime soon.

“Percy! We are not children anymore!”

"That’s very true. I don’t feel like a kid.” Percy murmured again and gave a dry chuckle that made the hairs on the back of Nico’s neck stand up. That is, before Percy turned him around and walked even closer to him, touching his forehead his own. And maybe, this gesture would be something common when they were away from prying eyes, under the covers, in the thousands times he slept at Percy's house, since only the maids and Bianca would be waiting for him at home. When they were little, it seemed kind of affectionate and innocent, but now… well… it still seemed affectionate. "Do you want dinner? The restaurant is still open.”

But how could he think about food when they were so close, breathing each other's air? When Percy's hands were on his waist and in his hair, not allowing him to look away? When Percy hugged him so tight? Their bodies pressed together and even through their clothes he could feel Percy's heat.

"Nico… Niccolas…" Why did Percy have to whisper his name like that? Why did he have to touch him like that? So strong and steady, as if he feared he was going to disappear at any moment. He… he didn't know if he was ready.

So close now... Percy's head came towards his and... and... and he let out a breath, closing his eyes.

"Food. Food is good. Right?” He swallowed hard for a moment, but when Percy did nothing but keep hugging him without moving any closer, Nico opened his eyes, seeing his intense eyes on him, burning like flames.

"You are afraid of me.” It was a statement, the light in Percy's eyes seeming to fade along with his playful smile.

"No… I don't… I'm just… not ready?"

"That's right? Or is it something else? I don't want to be one of those people.”

He understood what Percy meant. Percy would never do something to abuse his trust even if he tried. He trusted Percy, it was himself that Nico didn't trust. If he was already like this in less than twenty four hours around Percy, what would happen if he got carried away? He feared… that the obsession would return even more intense than before.

"Can we take it slow?" Nico finally managed to spit it out, feeling himself shudder.

"Sure. Everything you want.” And Percy seemed to mean it.

Percy watched him for a few more moments, as if deciding something important and took a step back, just enough to grab his waist and guide him to the car that was parked near the exit of the parking lot.

Percy opened the door for him, grabbed both of their backpacks and placed them in the backseat, quickly coming around to sit beside him, looking anxious. It wasn't that anxiety of the kind of person who was angry or irritated, it was more… someone who was full of energy and didn't know what to do with it. All Nico could do was to relax against the car seat and rest his head on the window, maybe by the time they arrived at the restaurant the tension he felt would have run off.

*** 

"What do you think?”

It was a very warm and welcoming place, the decor was done simply and in comfortable red tones, like something he would have seen in his deceased grandmother's house a few years ago. He felt like sitting in one of the armchairs near the reception, making himself a hot chocolate and sitting by the fireplace with a blanket over his shoulders.

"I liked.”

“I have a reservation.” Percy said all proud. It was six o'clock sharp, which meant that Percy had planned this whole thing, killing time at school to get him there on time.

"What do I do with you, huh?"

“How about saying, 'Thanks, Percy. You are so generous.”

"Is this how you hit on people?"

"It's working?”

Nico sighed and accepted the hand Percy offered, guiding him towards the maitre. The place was too specific. Other people their age probably wouldn't like the place as much as Nico had. The worst part was that he didn't hate it at all, Nico appreciated the effort Percy had put into finding something so… so like him, like he'd found a little piece of Italy just to make him feel better.

“You didn't have to.”

“I wanted you to feel welcome.” He didn't need to look at Percy to understand what those words really meant, because what Percy really meant was "I want you to feel at home so you never have to leave me."

He didn't know since when everything was so obvious. Every word and every gesture. It was like they were dancing, as if they knew each step and were just waiting for the music to end before finally… yeah, okay. He then lifted his head and faced Percy who at that moment seemed like the most perfect man in the whole world, the one Nico had always dreamed of having; kind, understanding, handsome, well dressed, so tall and strong he knew he'd never have to worry about defending himself again. But Percy had always been like that, the perfect prince. In the end, it really was obvious, wasn't it? That was the reason for his problem. No matter who he looked for, Nico would always end up in this same place, looking for Percy in every face. Maybe he should just… stop looking elsewhere.

"We can go home if you want." Percy told him, now stopping in front of him. He must have been making a fool of himself again, looking at Percy without saying anything.

“No, we can eat.” When the smile returned to Percy’s face, he knew he had made the right choice.

They followed the maitre down the row of tables until they climbed a pair of stairs and then entered a room that was larger than the floor below but emptier, filled with small round tables and more private ones at the back of the room next to large windows that let in daylight, but as night began to fall, aromatic candles were already lit out in the middle of the table.

"I hope you gentlemen approve the seats?" They waved and were soon offered the menu.

The truth was, Nico wasn't interested in food, that wasn't why they were there. Or was it? So he had decided, he would let Percy tell him.

"What do you want?” Percy asked, hands gripping the menu, but his eyes were on his, eyes that looked greener than ever under the candlelight, the dim night making the atmosphere even more intimate and personal.

"I don't know, a wine? You choose.”

Percy stared at him for a moment, seeming to consider the answer, and moved a little closer, putting an arm around his shoulder and closing the rest of the distance between them.

“I wanted to talk about us.”

“I know that.”

“I just…need to know.”

"I know that.”

“It's been ten years in this. I need to know.”

And Percy was right. They were so little and innocent back then, and then... then they were still little, but not so innocent until... until he freaked out and then Percy freaked out and he left without telling anyone. So, out of nowhere, and just as he did, out of nowhere, Percy had called him, so different from what Nico knew and so familiar at the same time that it left him confused for a long time. He remembered that for long months he only had the energy to fulfill his obligations and cling to these daily calls until he knew what to do. And here they were, practically in the same place, the difference was that now they understood what the consequences would be, no matter what the decision at the end.

"I like you.” Nico dicided for the simpler answer. He admitted that he wasn't the most assertive person or make the best choices.

“That's not what I asked.”

"I don't know. I miss you. That's enough?”

" No.” Percy said it all so seriously that he kind of... wanted to laugh. Or moan. Maybe it was a little bit of both. Nobody could blame him for that.

“So, it's up to you.”

“Nico! You said you weren't ready!”

"I'm not. I will never be. I don't want to destroy what we have. I really don't want a relationship. But…”

"Why do you have to be so confusing!"

“It's not about sex. That's the easy part.”

“Nico, I know. What can I do for you to--"

"Gods, Percy! I am the problem. I'm very unstable. You don't want to walk around with a time bomb in your pocket, do you?”

“Baby, you can explode whenever you want, as long as you explode with me.”

Nico moaned and put his hands to his face, this was ridiculous! They both knew why he was gone and they knew perfectly well why he had come back. Nico was still getting used to the idea that this time he had nowhere to run when his feelings erupted everywhere, forcing Percy to pick up the pieces.

"Can you be serious for five minutes?"

“I know all that, darling. Every little thing you think you can hide from me.”

"It will be worse than before!"

“You said I could decide.”

"Yes, but-- I want to take it slow."

"Then, let me decide. I just need your permission.”

“Permission to do what?”

Nico watched in slow motion as the hand that had been around his shoulder traveled to the back of his neck, massaging the spot, and gently pulling him closer, tilting his head until it reached just the right position for Percy's lips to finally come down against his in the sweetest, most innocent kiss he'd ever tasted.

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What did you think? I already warn you that the surprises will keep coming and that Percy and Nico are not exactly nice. Like, they're rich and that will become clearer later on. I hope it's been fun. Comments are always welcome. See you next week.