I’m An Artist Who Rocks. No, Seriously! I Rock. And Tree. And Water.

It’s a secret recipe 🤫

This is soo nice! I agree with everything in here. Like, I always liked Percy but I love Nico, because i was a emo kid in my teenager years , so is great to see myself in a character like that. It's just perfect.

How did I fall in love with Percico? I must admit that the battle was intense.

When I first joined the world of Percy Jackson in 2015, I had no idea what I was getting into.

Actually, I had no idea of anything ... anything at all.

Only one thing was clear.

Nico di Angelo.

This character was introduced to me in a fanfic about a niece of mine who is older than me. She asked me to read her fanfic, and I just did.

It was a [Percy Jackson x Reader], but contrary to what the fanfic says and the feelings of the protagonist, I ended up getting interested on Nico di Angelo.

He was like a crush. At that point he was introduced to me as the typical bad emo boy (which I really didn't like very much), but that character had something, and when I'm curious, I look for information.

Obviously I read every word of the Nico di Angelo Wikia, and since at that moment the Blood of Olympus had barely come out, the Solangelo didn´t exist, practically.

Was I disappointed? Yes. I must admit that I was disappointed to read this character that had struck me was “gay” and, apart, he was in love with the protagonist.

So I gave myself the task of buying the first book (The Lightning Thief), only by Nico di Angelo.

I was 12 years old at the time, and being the first book I read for my own interest, I began to idolize Rick Riordan for being so hooked on his books. I was so hooked on the narrative, the world, and the characters that he made me hopelessly a reader.

By idolizing Rick Riordan for opening up so many possibilities that reading books gave me, I also began to idolize his beliefs, and consequently, in the first book I fell in love with Percabeth.

Percabeth was my life back then.

Annabeth, the strong, determined girl, who ran away from her family when she was 7 years old, fighting for her freedom (or at least in my 12-year-old mind). And Percy Jackson, that kid hurt by his stepfather, sarcastic and kind of mature boy.

They were THE COUPLE.

I continued to ship them in later books.

The Titan's Curse have arrived. I already knew that Bianca was going to die, I already knew the whole story of Nico. But still, reading every paragraph where he came out was a delight. It was more intense, it penetrated you deeper, you could see things that you could not appreciate by reading the wikia.

I didn't give too much importance to Nico. Yes, he was still my favorite character, but I wanted to see Percabeth develop.

The Titan's Curse happened, The Battle of the Labyrinth too, and I didn't really take into account the scenes where Nico and Percy were together, I just liked to appreciate the scenes where Nico used his powers, became strong or showed that personality that I loved, since I was expecting more than anything the Percy and Annabeth scenes.

I didn't like Rachel very much, I didn't like Luke, I didn't like Calypso ... Simply because they got in the way of my ship (I was wrong, and now I know it). With Nico, I just didn't love that he had a crush on Percy, but I still liked the character. I knew from reading the wikia, that they weren't going to end up together anyway. I knew that in the end the one who would triumph was going to be Percabeth. And I was waiting for it.

The Percico Fire escape scene happened in the last chapter of The Battle of the Labyrinth, I treasured that scene in my heart more than anything for being a scene where you see a Nico who lost his inocence too quickly, but still wants to savor the world around him. But the Percico in that book was totally overshadowed by Percabeth's first kiss. I was totally eclipsed.

And in the end I came to The Last Olympian.

It hurt me that Nico cheated on Percy. At that moment I couldn´t see anything of the background of his intentions.

I was really blind.

Luke died, and what I had been waiting for for five books happened.

The kiss Percabeth under the water. I liked? Yes, at the time I fangirled quite a bit, I was happy and it made my day.

At this point I was 13 years old.

The second saga arrived. The Son of Neptune arrived. Nico di Angelo came out not telling Percy his true identity. I was confused. Percy remembered Annabeth and I calmed down awaiting their reunion.

The reunion came and I felt happy, but not excited. The new characters had overshadowed it a bit.

I was more confused not seeing Nico in most of the chapters. I found out that he passed Tartarus alone, yes, I found out that he was locked in a jar in a half-dead state, yes. But I didn´t take the importance that it deserved.

I was angered to see Percy's indifference towards Nico. And at the time I thought I was angry because Nico was my favorite character.

I was wrong.

Percy and Annabeth fell into Tartarus, and while I liked that the golden couple survived that hell together, with their love, it really didn't feel as good as I thought. I started to lose interest a little. The way they related was no different than when they were friends, just a few cheesy moments here and there. Still, I followed the ship on its journey through Tartarus.

Even Bob.

Bob, the titan Iapetus who told Percy that Nico had sent it to save him. That part where Percy realizes that he must have been a best friend to Nico, in that moment where Percy realizes, dying, that Nico was stronger than he thought.

I was moved by such thought, but still, I continued with Percabeth, simply with the new thought that Percy should take more importance on Nico, because, by the gods, he was NICO DI ANGELO, the son of Hades, the Ghost King. He was my dream character.

The scene that changed everything arrived.

The Cupid scene.

I already knew that that was the moment where Nico confessed that he was in love with Percy. I knew it from the first book, even before.

But it was very different to know it than to read it in great detail.

“I had a crush on Percy. That´s the truth. That´s the big secret.”

In that scene, I felt a lump in my stomach. It was a strange emotion and in a way unpleasant and pleasant at the same time. I was excited to know that I had reached the peak of the character, but really outside of that I didn´t take much importance, since ... Please ... WHAT ABOUT THE PERCABETH?

Still, inside of me I felt a curiosity to know more about Nico's feelings. I felt like something had fallen into place, but I didn't know what.

At that time I was 14 years old.

The end of the second saga came and Will Solace arrived.

I felt even more confused and upset. I, who had already accepted the knowledge that Nico loved Percy, felt betrayed to see how in a couple of pages Nico had a crush for Will.

How was it possible? What was the reason?

It was sudden, it was rude. I felt a knot in my stomach. I didn't have time to process it when the Solangelo was slapped across my face and across a couple of pages.

I kept reading and the most controversial scene arrived.

"I see that you´re cute, but you´re not my type"

I honestly felt like something didn't add up. I felt more confused. And I felt worse when I found out that Annabeth and Percy had a vision to move to New Rome for college after finishing their last year of high school.

I felt as if the characters were slipping through my hands. Growing up too fast and letting things slide when I wasn't ready to face it yet.

The second saga felt confused, and had unpleasant feelings hanging around. Loose ends that my brain couldn´t spin.

Something was wrong, and I was felt, but I didn't know it.

At this point I was nowhere near my 15th birthday.

I tried to hold on a little to the Nico di Angelo that I knew, not that strange boy who fell in love with Will Solace.

So I read some old Nico di Angelo fanfictions, and why deny it, some Percico fanfics too.

I liked? Yes, I must admit that it had something, although I didn´t understand why yet. Still, I continued to ship Percabeth.

The curiosity for the Percico was very big, and little by little I began to like it more. The dynamics seemed interesting to me. Still, I didn't understand many things.

I had my small Percico phase in 2017. And after that, I left the fandom after reading The Hidden Oracle. I found it funny, yes, but it didn't feel the same anymore. That emotion that put Rick in the first saga and part of the second had been extinguished.

Everything was different. It felt drier, strained, broken. I didn´t like it. It was disappointing.

2020 came, and the pandemic arrived.

At this point I was 17 and less than three months away from leaving high school.

In those almost 3 years of taking a break from Rick Riordan, I had become interested in other things. Shingeki no Kyojin, Supernatural, The Maze Runner, Death Note, etc. I had many stages in those three years.

I grew older, I saw more things and I better understand some circumstances.

In my last days of high school, before the online classes, I met a boy very much like Nico. Very similar. I looked at him and I smiled. I remembered my time when Nico di Angelo was my favorite character.

Remembering what Rick Riordan had done for me by publishing the Percy Jackson books.

Rick Riordan, whether he wanted to or not, he changed my life. He made me be a different person, and I liked the direction.

The end of 2020 came and I was already 18. The online classes had already started and I had already started my first semester of college.

The December 2020 holidays arrived, and my favorite series called Supernatural ended in a painful way.

How is it possible that Dean and Castiel didn't end up together? Castiel loved Dean. He was the most important person to him. He sacrificed himself because he Love him. Why did Dean have to die like Castiel?

His background was beautiful, tragic, although it was not explicitly seen it was there, waiting to see who saw how beautiful the feelings they had for each other.

I felt bad and desolate. The pandemic was affecting me more than I had thought.

I was not a sociable person, but being indoors all the time was frustrating.

I remembered the time when I was happiest, the time when I could go out with friends, where I could appreciate my crush from afar knowing that he would never reciprocate, but I was fine with it.

Nico di Angelo.

Again the character appeared in my head. And, with the new vision that I had, after 6 years of having fallen in love with Nico the first time, I was now ready to analyze, to really know what was wrong three years ago. I read The Trials of Apollo. I didn't like it. It was unpleasant. The only character I was there for was Nico, but even so, the Nico they introduced me to was different, it was everything I didn't remember about Nico.

I didn't like where Rick had led things.

I was frustrated.

I was about to give up, but ...

Percico

I remembered the name of the ship and the nice feeling that had hit me years ago, so I started reading percico fics on Wattpad, and although I really liked them, something was missing.

An English fanfic appeared called What Happened in Venice? By MidnightinJapan.

The characters were so canon, they were how I remembered them, and the way Nico and Percy fit together was really beautiful. Their personalities complemented each other in a unique way.

I fell in love, honestly.

I started researching, analyzing, rereading the books. I began to realize many things that I had not noticed, both about the Percico and the Percabeth.

Scenes came to mind where Percy and Nico had been together, and that thing that had been bothering me for years had finally fallen into place.

The fluff and pretty feelings I had felt with the Percabeth had no chance against the strong overwhelming, passionate and tragic feeling of love in the Percico.

It felt so pure, so sincere, so deep, so developed without falling into the cliché.

It's perfect.

My perception had changed in those years, and I realized that I had done wrong to idolize Rick Riordan the way I did, because in my point of view he has made mistakes.

Percico became my OTP right away. And I remembered that three years ago I had liked it. My subconscious had tried to tell me, but I ignored it!

I started looking for fanarts on Pinterest, on Twitter, wherever I could be found. And that's where everything went wrong.

I rejoined the Percy Jackson fandom and realized that the fandom had changed. Everything had changed.

The shippers Solangelo and Percabeth had gone toxic. The Percico had almost disappeared. Hatred was sinking the ship. And I got mad. I got very angry. I tried to contain myself as much as I could, but after almost 6 months of enduring the hatred thrown at my ship, I had to do something about it. I created my Percico accounts. I tried to put a stop to it even though it was impossible. I'm really trying to get out.

In my head there was no room for them to send Percico so much hatred if he was the best ship for me.

I had my Percabeth phase, I understood how eclipsing they could be, but I, who had already been in the fandom for many years, understood things better and now I am determined not to give up.

I'm not going to let the Percico sink.

sexual attraction: wow I wanna fuck that

romantic attraction: wow I wanna date that

sensual attraction: wow I wanna cuddle that

aesthetic attraction: wow that exists

Diário #1

Eu sei... eu só... é tão difícil

Eu entendo. Não é fácil para mim também.

Não é?

Não. Desde cedo tive que aprender qual era meu lugar no mundo. E quando me recusei a obedecer, fui punido.

Como?

Isso agora não importa. Tudo o que você precisa saber é que não importa o que você tenha passado ou feito, sempre vou estar aqui para te escutar.

Alright, I think I like tumblr now.

A pun post crossed my dash, and I reblogged it with an equally bad pun in return. A couple of my followers find it funny, it's a good day for everyone.

That was on July 7th.

Virality on Reddit was entirely algorithmic. You could garner a couple crossposts, but the success of a post was entirely dependent on whether or not it hit r/all--the main page of Reddit. If your post does that, it's immediately exposed to 10x the number of people and immediately gets upvoted.

On my pun post, I get a couple reblogs. And those reblogs get a couple reblogs--nobody really adds any content to the post, it just gets a couple reblogs here and there.

There's a specific chain of reblogs that I'd like to focus on. The most popular post on this chain has about 25 reblogs on it. Half the posts have three reblogs or fewer. Five posts in this chain have just one reblog total.

But the reblog chain keeps going. And going. It breaches containment many times over. And finally, after a chain THIRTY SIX posts long, at 9:30 AM, July 22nd this morning, it hits a popular account.

99% percent of the people who have seen the post--virtually unchanged from how it left my dash--have seen it because it was curated by 36 different people. That's insane to me.

None of those 36 people know that they're part of this chain. They saw a post, reblogged it, and moved on. If any one of these people had not reblogged, the post would have a fraction of the impact it has.

And yet, after two weeks, the post has effectively hit the main page of tumblr. It was picked up, only because people liked it enough to show it to their followers. There were no algorithms necessary.

You really, truly, cannot get this on any other website.

Your harassing neighbor dies. Then a bullying coworker dies in a crash. Within a month, people you’ve had bad blood with start dying. The police are watching you closely—but you haven’t done anything… at least, not that you know of.

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

Hi, how are you? Just in time, huh? I'm trying not to split up the story too much. So, I hope it's acceptable. Feedback is always good.

Enjoy it!

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

"Are you ready? I didn't tell you we were coming." Percy took his hand and pulled him out of the car.

Nico couldn't believe he was back in the house where his best memories were made. This was the house of his childhood, the place where he had discovered that love and affection were still possible after his mother death. It was the place where Nico had discovered that love could come in many shapes and sizes and be expressed in simple or complicated ways.

"Maybe we should come back later?”

"She'll be happy to see you.”

"Are you sure?”

"Nico, this is your home too. It always will be.”

Nico had to take a deep breath, stopping in front of the front door. He felt so guilty! Percy wasn't the only person he had left behind. Sally had also been one of them. His second mother, the person he could tell everything after Percy, always offering him a tight hug and an open kitchen.

"Percy, I--”

"Shhh." Percy held his hand, smiled at him and finally pushed open the door of the house, leading him inside. "Mom! We're here!”

It didn't take long. Soon they could both hear the sound of heels on the white granite floor, and appearing from one of the doors that Nico knew to be in the kitchen, Sally came almost running and with so much energy that for a moment Nico saw himself in the past, the first time he had come through that same door, seeing the simple but elegant decor. Cream-colored sofas, almost white blue walls, puffs and blankets scattered around the room and a large television. The smell was the same, the same fragrance of freshly made food, sweet and sour, making him smile immediately.

"Nico, my son." That was all he heard before Sally's attack came, thin, strong arms encircled him and long, dark brown hair fell over him, Sally's perfume was still the same.

"Gods, look how much you've grown! And those cheeks, hm? So pretty.”

"Mom!”

"Percy, look at him. Have you sorted yourselves out? I hope so! You've been gone for three days! That's the least I can hope for.”

"Sally." Nico finally said, smiling, and leaned towards her, receiving another hug from Sally with pleasure.

"I can't believe I'm getting my assistant back! Our menu has suffered with you gone. How about we discuss it tomorrow? Are you staying with us today? What a question! Of course you are.”

Sally took his hand, pulling him towards the kitchen and Nico looked back, seeing Percy shrug. He knew it would take time for Sally to grow tired of him now. And as the saying goes, "like mother, like son", or something like that. And since there was no point in fighting with any of the Jacksons, Nico let himself be carried away by Sally, not that he minded; it was always fun to spend a few hours in Sally Jackson's company, delicious food, relaxed conversation and a friendly shoulder to vent on.

***

It had been a long time since Percy had walked the streets of his neighborhood. They weren't what they used to be, from quiet and humble to full of tall buildings and noisy cars due to the subway line located a few blocks from his house. The good thing about all this was that now there was a store or a market, or even a shopping center, on practically every corner. Which was exactly what he was looking for. Walking nonchalantly, Percy went straight to a stationery store and soon found what he was searching for, a dark leather journal with a delicate and beautiful appearance, just like Nico. 

He paid for it, walked around the mall and found himself standing in front of a familiar Jewelry store, remembering going into that place years ago and buying something special, but never going through with his plan. Now, a few hours later, he was on his way home. Imagine his surprise when his mother's helpers came in with bags after bags of food and pots and pans. Percy wasn't even surprised anymore. In fact, it was a familiar sight, but one he hadn't seen since Nico had left, the house full and the scent of sweets and snacks permeating the air.

Well, it looked like his present would have to wait.

Without being seen, he went to his room, left the bag on the bed and opened the first drawer of the dresser, finding the rings he had bought. Could this be the moment he had been waiting for? After all, they had already made it clear that they loved each other, so why not take the next step? He had learned that the best thing to do was never to assume anything, and if he didn't speak up, how would Nico know? Percy couldn't wait to see Nico's reaction.

So, exchanging the rings for the diary, he took the box with the rings and put the diary in the drawer, feeling confident. Percy left the bedroom and headed towards the kitchen, almost running into a girl wearing an apron from his mother's restaurant. She apologized and hurried out of the house, without the usual flattery. He hoped this one would last longer than the others. It wasn't that his mother was a bad boss, the problem was that most people didn't have the same enthusiasm as she or Nico had when it came to cooking.

Percy finally entered the kitchen and was faced with a full feast. He saw roasted, fried and boiled meats, grains and pasta of all kinds, not to mention sweets and salty foods that weren't all that healthy.

“Are we having a gala dinner or what?" He had to ask as soon as he entered the kitchen. It was kind of funny. Sally and Nico were there, along with several helpers, covered in flour and other things Percy couldn't identify, all wearing identical aprons and moving around in such an organized way that they looked like worker ants.

"You're right, darling!" His mother exclaimed. She wiped her hand on a towel, as energetic as he'd seen her in a long time, or at least not at this "child who ate too much sugar" level, and hugged him tightly, before walking back into the kitchen to check the oven and make sure everything was in order. "Call your friends! Call your friends' friends. No, better yet, call your friends' parents too.”

Percy wasn't sure about that. Did he even still has that many friends left? Percy shrugged, about to do what his mother had asked when Nico appeared in front of him, trying to find a place to put some sort of whitish cake on the table.

"I will help you.”

Percy moved some things around and finally found a space, taking the dish from Nico's hands and placing it on the counter.

"Here's my baby. Where have you been?”

"I'm not your baby.”

“ You are not?”

Was now a good time? No matter how Nico was dressed, in his school uniform or in his tight pants, and even now with flour from head to toe, Nico would always be the prettiest and cutest thing Percy would ever see, especially when he tried not to be embarrassed by this public display of affection.

Percy put his hand in his pocket, touched the box and watched for a moment, seeing Nico lower his head, his black hair protected by a hairnet, allowing him to see the blush spreading strongly across his dark face and down his long, elegant neck. Percy didn't hold back, he grabbed the back of Nico's neck and pulled him close, kissed him slowly and longingly, and only stopped when he heard a moan and the sudden silence that followed; the murmurs around them stopped and so did the sound of banging pots and pans.

"Per," Nico whispered in an almost non-existent voice and grabbed his arm, his face now on fire. So shy and so sweet, Percy could feel the sugar on Nico's tongue and the sweetness in his gentle touch. 

But just when he thought Nico would pull away, as he often had in the past, Nico just stood there, clinging to his arm, looking at him without knowing what to do. Maybe this wasn't the right moment, because if Nico had reacted like this to just one kiss, caught off guard and all anxious, what would Nico do if he got down on one knee in the middle of the kitchen? 

Unfortunately, when something like that used to happen, Nico wouldn’t know what to do. He would freeze from head to toe, and as if he had no script for this kind of situation, Nico rather do nothing for fear of making a mistake.

"Beautiful. Give me a hug, hm?”

Nico blinked slowly and bit his lips, looking unsure. In the end, Nico did as Percy asked. He put his arms around Percy's waist and hugged him tightly for a long moment, hiding his face against his neck, Percy hugged him back and stroked Nico's long hair, comforting him.

"Right.” Percy raised his head and, still hugging Nico, looked around at each of his mother's helpers, which had the desired effect.

Everyone began to move as one and the atmosphere returned to normal. He thought about apologizing to Nico, but the thought of Nico understanding that kissing him in front of other people was wrong made his stomach churn. Nico was a very perceptive being, and if he understood that he was doing something wrong, Nico would never do it again, like the time they were talking to some people, Nico laughed too loudly and someone scolded him, after that, it took him months to see Nico smiling in public.

"What you got for me?”

"Have you ever had Japanese cake?" Nico seemed relieved by the change of subject and let go of his waist. He took Percy's hand and led him to a light, spongy cake, unlike anything he had ever eaten.

Nico cut off a piece and put it on a plate for him. As soon as he took a bite, the cake melted on his tongue, something so delicious that Percy couldn't explain it, so he just moaned, closing his eyes in pleasure.

"That good?”

"Everything my baby does is exemplary.”

"Thank you.”

Percy stopped eating and paid attention to Nico. In fact, he stopped and watched him. Nico looked happy and content in his apron and flour-stained clothes. He looked like a little chef, proud of a job well done.

"I saw it in a restaurant in Verona and wanted to try it.”

"Beautiful.”

"You should study cooking." This time it was Sally who spoke, finishing a chocolate tart and watching them discreetly. She approached them and put one of her hands on Nico's shoulders. "Have you thought about it?”

***

"You should study cooking. Have you thought about it?”

Nico blinked slowly, trying to concentrate on anything other than the way Percy was looking at him, who almost missed the moment when Sally approached the corner where they were standing.

"Hm?”

"Have you decided on your graduation course?”

"Ah." Nico glanced at Percy out of the corner of his eye, but focused on Sally. "I don't know. Hades wants me to do administration.”

"Why not something you're talented at? Like music or cooking? Arts?”

"I... I'd like that very much. I don't know if Hades would allow it.”

"You know, the other day this nice, polite man brought his family over for dinner. He said that the place where he works has an excellent cooking course." Nico took a good look at Sally, trying to figure out what that meant. "Why don't you do a double degree? I have his contact if you're interested.”

"It's also close to home." Percy added.

Nico stopped everything and leaned on the edge of the bench, trying not to get his hopes up.

"I couldn't.”

"Darling, you don't have to worry about the details. Have a look, will you? I'll take care of everything.”

"No, Sally. You don't have to... I never--”

"It’s okay, darling. Money is not a problem." Then Sally smiled at him all radiant and caught him off guard once again, hugging him tightly. "No matter what you choose. We'll support you, now and always.”

"Oh." It was all that escaped his throat, a choked, muffled sound against Sally's shoulder. His vision blurred, and his throat tightened, but his heart beat strongly, a delicious warmth heating his chest as Percy's hands touched his shoulders, embracing him and Sally at once.

"Mom is right. We'll support you no matter what, even if I have to go to Italy with you.”

"Did you plan this? To surprise me and not let me think about it?”

"Nico, of course not, silly!" Sally exclaimed energetically and grabbed his shoulders, her big light brown eyes hitting him right in the middle of the chest. "Percy did some vocational and aptitude tests last year and since then we've been looking for the best options. You have to do them too, they're pretty accurate. Does next week sound good? Ah, we have so much to do!”

And so, as if talking about his future was something ordinary, Sally  continued again, mixing something in a large glass pot with a spatula.

"That's right, then. College decided. Will we have a wedding?”

"Wedding?”

"Of course! The sooner we set the date, the better! What about a house? You'll be near us, right? And... Percy didn’t talk to you yet?”

Nico didn't know if he was ready for such a big step, he didn't even know if he could finish high school without self-destructing himself, let alone… marriage.

"Mom!" Percy grumbled. "She's joking. Don't listen to what she says.”

It was Percy who said it, but his gaze was intense on him, thoughtful and analytical. And... maybe... maybe Sally wasn't joking,  if it were for the disappointed expression on Percy's face.

"Since when have you been planning these things? “

"Since…”

"Since when?”

"Ever since I realized that waking up next to you was the best part of my day.”

Nico thought there was something strange in his eyes, they wouldn't stop watering. It must have been sinusitis. Yes, that was it. Maybe an allergy.

"Aren't you going to say anything?" Percy insisted, and suddenly the world disappeared and only the two of them mattered; the sound of banging pots and whispers disappeared, even the hurried murmurs around them vanished.

"What was I supposed to say? Are you asking me to marry you?”

This was the best and worst moment of his life. Percy smiled at him and reached into his pocket, pulling out a delicate velvet box. And then, the worst came, Percy knelt down on the floor full of flour and sugar, and opened the box, showing him that inside were two identical gold-plated rings with a small diamond in the center, one large and the other smaller, with delicate engravings around the rings, the rings so delicate that Nico was afraid to touch them.

"You can't be serious!”

"I bought them before you ran away to Italy. I wish I'd told you sooner. I was afraid it would drive you away again.”

And without asking permission, Percy took hia hand and slid the smallest of the rings onto the ring finger of Nico’s right hand.

"This ring is proof of my commitment and fidelity to you. It's my promise to always be by your side and to always give you whatever you need and want. No matter what or where.”

"Percy, stop it! Right now! You don't want this." Nico pulled away from Percy's hands and tried to take the ring off, feeling anxious, but he couldn't get it off. Something inside him stopped Nico.

"Of course I want it. I love you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you." Percy kept smiling and remained kneeling, as if paying for his sins in a prayer of love.

Percy crawled on his knees until he was close enough to touch again and offered Nico the box, saying: "It's your turn to put it on me. Will you marry me?”

"Gods!" Nico whimpered, that tightness in his heart and warmth in his chest spreading like hellish flames through his veins. "You'll regret this. You'll regret it so much. Then, don't blame me for what happens.”

"I take full responsibility.”

Sniffling, Nico knelt down too and did the same as Percy, placing the ring on the ring finger of Percy's right hand and observing their hands together. Not even in his wildest dreams could Nico have imagined something like this.

"Satisfied now?”

"And my kiss, hm?”

Still feeling anxious and shaky, Nico jumped into Percy's lap and kissed him with everything he had, being greeted by the strong embrace of the person Nico loved most in the whole world.

My inner introvert is screaming 😂😂😂