Dark Waters

Percy stood up and stretched before reaching a hand down to Nico, who tentatively looked upwards through his messy black hair that fell in his face. In the morning sunlight Percy looked like a God to Nico, light shining off of him and almost seeming to emanate from him; his warm smile and caring eyes rendering Nico immobile. Percy arched his eyebrows. “Well?” he asked. Slowly, Nico took his hand, and was surprised at how strongly Percy lifted him off the floor. Stumbling with shock Nico fell into Percy, who put his hands on Nico’s waist to hold him steady. The butterflies took off in his stomach immediately, and looking into those eyes it was all Nico could do to stop himself from kissing him. However, before he could pull away, it was Percy that leaned in slowly for a soft kiss. “I will keep you safe.” He mumbled afterwards.
“Promise?” Nico answered without thinking.
“Promise.” Percy said as he buried his face in Nico’s hair. Neither of them moved until the silence was disrupted by Nico’s stomach grumbling, and then Percy’s laughter at it. “Sounds like my little death boy is hungry. Let’s go get you some food, and then I’m going to show you a good day.” Percy said with a sly smile and a wink as he walked out of the room.
“H-hey! I would like my shirt back first!” Nico yelled after him.
“Oh, I threw it in the wash. Just grab one out of my drawer.” Percy replied from what Nico assumed was the kitchen. “Also, do you like pancakes? You know what, I’ll just make pancakes.” Nico slouched with a sigh as he walked over to the dresser in the corner of the room. After a while he finally settled on Percy’s camp half-blood shirt, burying his face in the fabric quickly before putting it on with an embarrassed blush. When he entered the kitchen, the sweet smell of chocolate filled his nose and he couldn’t help but let out a contented sigh. “Well, glad you could finally join me.” He said with a smile, flipping some double chocolate pancakes.
“How did you know I like chocolate so much?” Nico asked, puzzled.
“Because,” Percy said, moving closer and tilting Nico’s chin up with a finger so he could look him in the eyes, “I watch you just as much as I see you watching me.”
“O-oh…” Nico replied, not knowing what to say. “I…I didn’t know you noticed me at all.” He said, turning his head away and shuffling his feet.
“How could I not notice you?” Percy whispered seductively into Nico’s ear. Nico was so overtaken with emotion, he decided to take a leap of faith and kiss Percy. Soon, Nico was sitting on the countertop with his legs wrapped Percy’s waist as they passionately made out in the middle of the kitchen. Nico ran his hands through Percy’s hair, but paused when he started to smell something funny.
“Percy?” Nico said between kisses.
“Mhm?” Was all he replied.
“The pan…” Was all he managed before he was cut off with more kisses. He pulled away slightly and looked into Percy’s eyes. “Percy. The pancakes.”
“Oh shit!” Percy leaped back and put out the fire that had begun in the pan with a dish towel. He looked over at Nico with an apologetic grin, then they both burst out laughing. Nico wiped a tear out of his eye as he held his gut from the pains of so much laughter.
“How…how can you be that stupid? You really are a seaweed brain!” Nico exclaimed between giggles.
“Hey! You were the one that distracted me may I remind you.” Percy stated, still smiling. “You know…that’s the first time I’ve heard you laugh. It’s cute.”
He…he called me cute. Percy Jackson just called me cute. Nico thought, bewildered. He tried to hide his red face by lowering his head.
“Aw, don’t hide your face, it’s cute when you blush. Now come on, I had some pancakes already done.” Percy lifted another towel off of a plate piled high with pancakes in the shape of skulls. “I thought you’d like them…being in the shape of skulls.” He said awkwardly, blushing slightly.
“I love them.” Nico said, amazed that he had gone through so much trouble just for him. They chowed down on the skulls, which turned out to be delicious. They laughed as they told each other how much chocolate they had smeared on their face. Soon, they were both lying in front of the TV, even though it was turned off. Nico lay on his back, staring at the high ceilings. “That,” he stated, “was the best breakfast I’ve ever had.”
“Me too.” Percy agreed. “But only because I got to spend it with you.” Nico blushed. Percy rolled him over to look at him. “I have such a day planned for us. You’re going to love it!” But Nico wasn’t too sure, the mischievous grin on Percy’s face leading him to believe he should be wary of whatever was in store. However, the thought of being mischievous with Percy…well, that set Nico’s chest quivering with excitement.

Notes