Dark Waters

Nico strode out of the shadow that a lone cabin cast over the shores of Montuak beach, the setting sun making it easy for him to shadow travel. This was his favorite time of day, when there was enough darkness for him to feel comfortable, yet enough light to let him enjoy the beauty of the ocean. However, he heaved a sigh heavy with sadness as he looked out onto the ocean whose waters had been tinged pink in the setting sun, for he knew that the boy who belonged to the ocean would never be his. But at least I can give him a present on his birthday, right? Nico thought, trying to convince himself to go on. With one last glance at the foaming waves, he set off down the beach and into the forest that lay on its edge, carefully cradling the small gift in his hands. Minutes later he emerged into a clearing that led to a sharp cliff dropping into the sea below. Atop the cliff sat a very unusual house, painted in the colours of the ever changing ocean and architecturally designed to resemble the movement of waves. “So, this is what happens when your father actually pays attention to you.” Nico muttered to himself with a hint of resentment. Poseidon had given this house to Percy last August as a gift for his 18th birthday so he could be closer to the ocean and to camp, the clearing fortified with an invisible barrier to keep out monsters…and anyone trying to sell anything. The trek to the front door seemed to take forever, but before he knew it Nico had his fist perched in front of the door ready to knock. With one final deep breath he tapped on the door lightly, then a bit harder when he realized his hand was shaking too much to make a sound. Almost instantaneously the door was flung open and there stood Percy. He was barefoot with navy blue skinny jeans and white shirt that read, “Surf California”. His hair was tousled like he had just gotten up, but in a way that seemed deliberate. Sea green eyes sparkled at Nico above a wide grin. “Nico!” Percy exclaimed, “What are you doing here?”
“Oh…” Nico muttered, suddenly feeling strange dressed all in black with his skull T-shirt. “Well, it’s your birthday, isn’t it?”
“You came here…for my birthday?” Percy asked slowly. “Wow Nico…that’s really nice. However, my birthday is tomorrow. Sorry man.” Percy laughed slightly with an apologetic smile.
“Shit! I must have gotten confused spending all that time in the underworld! I’m so sorry, I’ll just leave now.” Nico awkwardly started quickly walking back the way he had come, when he heard footsteps behind him.
“Nico, wait!” Percy called out. Nico froze has he felt a hand on his shoulder. When he didn’t move, the hand turned him around. He tripped as he turned, stumbling forward and into an object. As Nico looked up, he realized it was Percy’s chest that he had bumped into and when he looked higher he was staring into those mesmerizing green eyes.
“Um…uh…” Was all Nico could manage to get out. Now it was Percy’s turn to be awkward.
“Well…I mean, you could stay…if you’d like.” Percy ran his other hand through his hair.
Gods, he’s so cute when he does that, Nico thought. “I don’t know…I guess I could come in for a bit…” He muttered as he shuffled his way back towards the house, taking notice of the hand still softly placed on his shoulder.
“That’s more like it!” Percy beamed at him, leading him into the house and to a small, cozy sitting area by the kitchen. From the inside the house was even more amazing: floor to ceiling windows lined every wall, giving you a complete view of the ocean. Percy took notice to Nico’s awe at the house and came to stand beside him. “Beautiful, isn’t it? Dad really has an eye for these things. They should have made him the God of interior design and architecture!” Percy laughed playfully. “Over there,” Percy pointed to one end of the windows, “Is where the sun rises. And over here,” He pointed to where the last rays of sun lingered on the horizon, “Is where it sets. Can I get you a drink?” He asked politely.
“Have any coke?” Nico asked shyly.
“Only if you don’t mind it being blue.” Percy replied from the kitchen. The corners of Nico’s mouth turned up as he was reminded of that little quirk. Everything Percy ate he tried to make blue. It had to do with his mom or something. Nico wasn’t sure; he only ever caught bits and pieces of stories when he was hiding in the shadows. He was shaken out of his thoughts as Percy returned, handing him his drink and settling down beside him with his own blue coke. Minutes passed, but the silence made it seem like hours. Finally, when the sun had set and the world was plunged into darkness, did Percy finally break the silence. “So…what’s that you were holding when you came here?” He asked. Nico jumped, realizing he had forgotten the present beside him.
“Oh…it’s nothing. It was just a stupid present for you.” Nico looked away to hide the blush creeping onto his face. “But you’d probably hate it.”
“No, come on! Here, I’ll make you a deal. You give that to me and I’ll share a surprise with you.” Nico was too tempted to resist the offer. He thrust the box into Percy’s hands, and watched him open it out of the corner of his eye. “I love the black and blue wrapping paper, by the way. It’s like both of us together!” Percy smiled at him. As he pulled back the paper the silence grew thicker, and Percy’s eyes widened. He turned to Nico with an open mouth. “Nico…this is beautiful. “ Percy cupped his present in his hands. It was a silver ring with black waves encircling it, small dark blue stones inlaid at every wave interval.
“The stones are underworld sapphires. Everything is darker there, that’s why they’re navy blue.” Nico explained timidly. “It doesn’t do anything special,” He said as Percy slipped it on, “It’s just something stupid.” Percy turned to him with a serious expression.
“I love it, Nico.” Percy said quietly before pulling him into a tight embrace. Nico blushed awkwardly and tried not to hug back like he enjoyed it too much. Percy pulled away after what seemed like eternity. “Well,” he straightened up, “My turn.” He smiled mischievously and disappeared into the kitchen. Moments later he emerged with a box. After setting it down on the table, Nico saw that there were bottles inside. Percy remained standing. “A little gift from the Hermes cabin; they call it nectar 2.0.”
“Nectar? Won’t that kill us?” Nico asked.
“Haha, not this kind. They only call it that because they say it’s better. In truth, it’s just a mixture of…well, I’m not sure. All I know is that it’s alcohol, and it’s strong.” Percy grabbed a bottle out of the 12 inside and cracked it open. As he handed it to Nico he paused and leaned in closely. “How old are you again?”
“17…” Nico answered warily.
“Well, that’s better than 15.” Percy winked at him and gave him the bottle, then cracked one open for himself. “Cheers.”

Notes