Dark Waters

As Percy finished his first sip he noticed that Nico wasn’t participating, just staring at it hesitantly. Percy slid over on the couch and put his hand on Nico’s knee. Softly, he said: “Nico, you don’t have to do this. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.” Looking into those eyes, Nico just couldn’t say no. His hands quivering at the fact Percy was so close to him, he threw back his head and took a long swig of the sweet smelling liquid. However, the taste wasn’t nearly as pleasant and Nico came up coughing and spluttering. Percy laughed and slapped him on the back. “There you go! I knew you had it in you.”
“What the hell is this!?” Nico exclaimed hoarsely. “It feels like I just swallowed water from the river Styx!”
“Yeah, it’s not the most pleasant.” Percy admitted, staring at his bottle. “But just give it a second and you’ll feel it.” As he said that, Nico began to feel lightheaded. The butterflies in his stomach intensified tenfold and he started smiling randomly. “There it is.” Percy took another huge sip. “Now, let’s have some fun!”
An hour later all the bottles lie on the floor empty. Rock music blasted in the background, but it was barely audible to the two boys who sat so close to each other on the floor. “So,” Nico slurred, “Where’s Annabeth? Shouldn’t she be here with you instead of me?”
Percy slammed his last bottle down onto the table. “She fucking left me. Apparently I’m not intellectumally equal or somefin. That fucking bitch thinks she’s better than me. Well she’s not!” Percy yelled the last statement. “Besides,” Percy moved closer, his voice much quieter. As he moved his lips to Nico’s ear he practically whispered, “I’ve got you.” Nico was frozen in place.
“Percy…what? But you and Annabeth were…what?” Nico stammered.
“We fought all the time. I ain’t even mad.” Percy stated with finality. He pulled back so as to press his nose against Nico’s. As he widened his eyes, Percy closed his. “Nico…kiss me.” He said softly, raising his hands to cup Nico’s face. When Nico didn’t reply Percy took the initiative and tentatively touched his lips to the ones that were so near. Noticing no struggle, Percy pushed harder against Nico, then pulled away slowly. “Sorry…I don’t know what came over me…” Percy apologized.
“No…” Nico finally replied quietly. “Thank you.” With those last words he looked up at Percy, and in an instant pushed him back against the couch and straddled his lap. “May I?” Nico asked softly, staring into Percy’s beautiful green eyes that were glazed over with lust. Percy gave a slight nod, inclining his head closer. Nico leaned into his ear, “Now it’s my turn.” He growled. Grabbing Percy’s shoulders tightly, Nico passionately kissed him. I can’t believe this is happening! He thought, but was soon jolted out of his mind as Percy pushed him back and fumbled with the hem of his shirt, trying to lift it off. “Here, let me help.” Nico murmured. Finally he was pressed up against Percy’s toned chest, but then Percy tried to take Nico’s shirt off. “Percy…I don’t know…”
“It’s okay…I don’t care what’s under there.” Percy whispered reassuringly. Finally, Nico gave into temptation…
*****
Ugh, what even… Nico thought as he opened his eyes. Sunlight filled the room giving light to Nico’s surroundings and pounding headache. “Where am I…?” He said groggily, and then turned over. He was so startled by what he saw that he fell out of the bed with a yelp. Peeking back up over the edge of the bed, he was greeted with Percy’s smiling face.
“Morning sleepyhead.” He said with a laugh, and then moved over to the side of the bed where Nico had previously resided. Noticing Percy was shirtless, Nico looked down at his own body and realized he was in the same state. He yanked the covers off the bed and covered his chest and back with them. Percy’s brow furrowed at that. “Are you okay?” He asked with genuine concern.
“I…um…you can’t see this. It’s not good. You wouldn’t…you just can’t.” Nico blubbered, with the hint of a tear in his eyes. Noticing his sadness, Percy came down to sit on the floor beside him. Nico noticed they were both wearing pants and quickly thanked the Gods it seemed like nothing too serious had happened.
“Nico,” Percy looked down at him with kind eyes. “You can show me, I promise I won’t care.” Hesitantly, Nico lowered his head and dropped the sheets. Percy gasped. With his eyes closed he wasn’t sure what was happening, but soon he was tucked in a tight embrace. “Oh Nico, I’m so sorry. I’m so, so sorry. I…I didn’t know.” Nico felt tears drip slowly onto his back, and soon a couple of his own slipped from the prison of his eyes. Percy pulled away slowly. “How…?” he asked.
“When you have nowhere to go…you run into a lot of monsters.” He said, explaining the scars that covered his chest and back. “It’s nothing…” However, Percy noticed Nico wincing when he moved.
“Let me see your back.” Percy ordered. With a sigh Nico turned around to reveal a fresh wound that had been re-opened in the struggle out of bed. “Dammit Nico! I’ll be right back.” Percy quickly left the room and soon returned with a medical kit. In moments, the wound was bandaged and Percy planted a soft kiss on Nico’s still-drooping head. “Now, shall we go get some breakfast?”

Notes