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SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XVIII and Chapter XIX

Hi, how are you? I'm still a bit sick, but nothing to stop me from bringing you new chapters. So they'll probably come out towards the middle and end of the week, but I promise I'll be around. I hope can you enjoy it! Any feedback is welcome, because I'm thinking of turning this story into an ebook. For example, a reader told me that Nico's age was confusing. And she was right! For those who have the same doubts, Nico and Percy are around 15 years apart. That's because this story was supposed to be just smutt, but then I decided to do something more serious. That's when I decided to raise Nico's age a little. So Nicois eighteen and Percy is in his early forties.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV / Chapter XV / Chapter XVI e Chapter XVII

Chapter XVIII

"See? It wasn't that hard." That's what Annabeth told him on Monday, the morning after the party. Fortunately, that nightmare was in the past and soon she would leave, sneaky and silent as always.

"You're absolutely right, it was so much fun. In less than two hours the kids were already tired and I had to greet twenty different people who treated me like I was a childhood friend. It was really fun.”

"Don't be dramatic. They know you, you just don't remember them.”

It's true. Percy never had patience for self-interested people with superiority complexes. He had enough of that himself.

"Daddy, can we change clothes? Nico should be here soon." Alice said, her face expressionless and her eyes drooping, dark circles surrounding them in a soft pink tone. Her dark brown hair further highlighting her paleness.

"Of course, dear. Do you have money for lunch?”

She just waved and held out her hand to Logan who slowly stood up and walked over to his sister.

Logan wasn't doing any better either, it seemed like all his joy and will to live had been taken from him, his green eyes were puffy and his back was hunched over. The saddest sight he ever saw. Annabeth had promised them a family night and what they had gotten was a lonely dinner, secluded at a table while their mother paraded Percy around the room, as to demonstrate how her trophy shone brighter and brighter than anyone else's.

In that moment, Annabeth chose to stand up as well, acting like the children and the heavy air didn't exist. She stroked Alice and Logan's hair and walked up the stairs, strutting down a runway that only she could see, never looking back.

"I'm sorry, kids. This will be over soon.”

"She… she doesn't even…!" Logan sobbed and Alice hugged him tightly. "Why doesn't she love me?”

"Don't be like that." It was Percy's turn to stand up and join them, completing the hug. "Of course she loves you, she's your mother. She loves you in her own way.”

"I wish! I wish she wasn't my mother! Anyone is better than her!" Logan shouted with all the strength he had and ran up the stairs.

"It's okay, Dad. I'll take care of it." Alice tried to smile and hugged him as tightly as she had hugged Logan. 

She pulled away and followed her brother, straightening her spine and walking up the stairs, doing her best to show that everything was okay. But it wasn't, they had known for a long time that it never would be. The children were growing up and finally understanding what was happening, what had always happened. The truth was that Annabeth wanted more than to stay home and take care of children, no matter who she left behind or hurt in the process.

After that, Percy didn't even have time to finish his black coffee, the doorbell rang and he had to answer it, knowing full well who it was. He opened the door, coming face to face with Nico's dark and slightly rounded face, his black eyes as puffy as Logan's, looking down, huddled against himself at the foot of the door.

"Nico, you don't need to ring the bell, I gave you the key for a reason." Percy tried to break the bad mood.

"I wasn't sure if I should." Nico looked at him hesitantly, and remained rooted to the spot, looking like he was going to burst into tears right there.

"Nico, what happened?”

"Nothing. Nothing happened.”

"Did you get my message?”

He nodded and wiped his face.

"I wish you hadn't sent it." He then looked at him and practically begged. "You make things even more complicated.”

"More complicated, how?”

"I thought… I thought I could handle it. What should I do? Never talk to them again? Pretend it never happened? What should I do?”

"Nico, dear. It's okay.”

"Nothing is okay. Nothing will ever be! I wish I had never met you, never met Diego and still been in Italy! None of this would have happened and I would never have known--”

"Never know what?" Percy had to ask.

Nico looked at him, fidgeting in place, his lips trembling.

"I would never know what it's like to be treated well. Like I mattered. Like I was worth the effort.”

Percy waited a moment and continued to look at Nico, this boy couldn't be real. His sincerity, his affection. Percy could kiss him right there, right now. He could hold him in his arms and give him all the attention Nico could possibly want, but it wasn't right, it wasn't what Nico needed; this was just a vulnerable moment. The strange thing was that Percy didn't understand why he cared so much, even though he knew it was enough to try to help Nico. What Nico needed right now was a friend and not what Percy really wanted to give.

"Okay." He murmured back, trying to stay on the right path. In the end, he couldn’t resist. Percy touched Nico’s shoulder and slid his hand down the curve of his neck, watching Nico gasp and move closer to him, their heads a hand’s breadth apart. "Do you need help? Medical help? Money?”

"I don't want to take advantage of you." It was Nico's turn to murmur back, looking less fragile, as thought the danger had lessened.

"Our family has a partnership with an NGO. It's great for taxes. I could arrange something for you.”

"I can't." Nico shook his head, moving just a little closer.

"Please? I would feel more at ease. It’s a community-based program. You can continue to receive help even after you stop working here. It’s at the college, downtown. It’s safe, I promise.”

"I don't know, Per.”

"Or you can stay with me for a while. I have other houses.”

Nico grimaced and shook his head.

"Come on, everyone needs help.”

"Are you sure? Is it really communal?”

"I wouldn't lie to you.”

"I… thank you.”

Nico jumped into his arms and hugged him tightly around the neck, and whispered:

"No one has done anything like this for me before. I will never forget it. Never.”

Nico then kissed him on the cheek, a soft, fleeting touch, and pulled away, his face reddening more by the second.

"Uh… the pleasure is mine." Percy said. He tried hard not to step forward and end this torture. But there was no way, playing the good guy was too exhausting.

Percy sighed deeply, waved and turned his back to Nico, being greeted by an audience, because there in the entrance chamber he found the children smiling, all happy with Annabeth who was watching them like she had swallowed a whole lemon. The worst part was seeing her anger displayed for anyone to see when Annabeth had done much more than a hug and a kiss on the cheek. Well, two kisses on the cheek. Who knows, maybe the next one would be in the right place.

But no, that wasn't all. Annabeth uncrossed her arms, pushed herself off the wall and came towards him, strutting and tossing her golden hair back.

"So, you are the famous Nico.”

"Am I?" Nico asked, confused.

"Annabeth Chase, wife of the man you were hugging so tightly.”

"Hmmm… it’s a pleasure to meet you? I can finally… put a face to the name.”

"Did they talk about me? I expect only good things.”

“Of course, ma’am.” Nico looked at Percy uncertainly, and Percy nodded at Nico, patting Nico’s shoulder once more. “Kids? We’re already late.”

This is the moment when Logan and Alice ran to Nico, each of them hugging him tightly only to run out of the house, leaving Percy to grab the keys to the car that had just arrived and hand them to Nico.

"Those keys, they're not--”

"Today you will use another car. It is next to the Jeep.”

Nico shrugs and picks up the children's backpacks, going after them and leaving only the silence and Annabeth's malicious judgment on his back.

Chapter XIX

"You finally showed who you really are.”

Nico and the kids had barely left when Annabeth started. She followed him through the house to the living room and stopped in front of him, refusing to be ignored. Percy felt like rolling his eyes, but he was resigned; nothing he could say would convince her otherwise. So, Percy gave in and just sat on the couch, opening the newspaper to the business section.

"Really? Who am I?”

"A child groomer. You always preferred the younger ones. They’re more innocent, aren’t they? Easier to manipulate? You can tell me.”

He looked at Annabeth, at her bright blue-gray eyes that conveyed compassion and understanding. She had always been a good actress. But, did everyone think the same? Did he enjoy dominating the weak? Was that the impression he gave to others?

"Annabeth, how many times I will need--”

"You're cheating on me. You'll never admit it, but I know it. Is it revenge for what I did?”

"Annabeth." Percy sighed, already tired of this. "If I wanted revenge, I would have done it four years ago.”

“Four years?” She gasped and took a step back. This time, it didn’t seem like an act. “You knew all this time and never said anything?”

"I wasn't sure. Until you brought your lover home, things were great. I saw you two together and it was so obvious. I couldn't keep pretending.”

"Percy, I never meant to hurt you.”

"I know, it would happen sooner or later, right? And all because of our families?”

"Percy, please. Don't complicate things.”

"No, Annabeth. I'm tired of this. Remember your part of the deal. This is my last warning.”

"Percy! Don't you realize what you're doing?" Annabeth approached him and held his hands like she hadn't done in a long time. "Don't you know what people will say?”

"He's just a kid who needs help.”

"No." She refused to accept it, holding him in place with the strength of her intense eyes. "You say that now, but what about later? When you no longer feel guilty? I know what will happen. What will they say about me when you abandon me because of a little boy?”

"You were the one who abandoned me first!”

"Yes! For an adult and independent person. Someone mature and with a career. What do you think will happen? Will you play with him for a while and then dump him?”

"Oh, I hope not. I'll play with him, dress him, feed him, and give him everything he needs." Percy said with a smile wider than the world, catching himself and Annabeth off guard. "Then I'll love him and marry him.”

"You… are you serious? You would throw away our partnership over some random child?”

"This has nothing to do with Nico. That was our agreement, you would visit the children a few days per year until the divorce was official. All that’s left is for you to sign the papers.”

"Percy! Why can't you accept this? I'll even let you play with him. Equal rights, right?" She said hopefully.

"No, thank you very much. You should have thought about that before making your decision.”

"Percy!”

He had lost interest in what Annabeth had to say. Percy sat back down on the couch and opened the newspaper once more, watching from the corner of his eye as Annabeth paced the room, her dress billowing around her as she came up with a thousand reasons to convince him why a divorce after so long would be detrimental to both of them.

The truth was, he didn't care, and he didn't care what might happen to him. Would Percy lose some money? Yes. Would his parents be furious in that passive-aggressive way that said they were going to take away any support or power he had over the family business? Absolutely. As long as Nico and the kids weren't affected, everything else could fall apart and he wouldn't lift a finger to stop it.

"Okay! But don't say I didn't warn you!" Annabeth threw her hands in the air and marched upstairs. Which seemed perfect to him, the less he had to deal with Annabeth, the less problems he would have in the future.

***

“Thank you, Jenny,” Percy said, picking up the cutlery on the table and deciding what he would eat first.

That was a pleasant early afternoon, the sun was shining brightly into the room and the food was being served on the table while Jenny, the new maid/housekeeper , arranged the dishes on the table. And Percy had to admit, he had never eaten so well before, even at his parents' house when the custom was to have a party or charity event every two weeks. It seemed that Nico was excellent at everything he did and even at finding exemplary and efficient service providers.

“Of course, Mr. Jackson. Mrs. Chase.” Jenny nodded at him and Annabeth, and walked away. She was out of the dining room and back to the kitchen faster than a rocket. Had Annabeth managed to scare away more of the staff yet?

“So…” Annabeth began. She uncovered one of the dishes and made a face. “You know I don’t eat pasta.”

"Nico eats. The children too.”

"It's your favorite dish. And I know you, everything has to be about you.”

"No, you're mistaken, I think we're talking about someone else.”

It was Percy's turn to make faces. When he was with Annabeth, he couldn't help but sink to her level. Luckily, he didn't have to wait long, as he soon heard the front door slam and hurried footsteps coming towards him. Small arms grabbed him by the neck and childish giggles followed. Percy smiled at them and kissed their happy faces, Alice and Logan, the only positive thing that would come out of this marriage. Of course, Nico came right after, out of breath, running after the children, probably worried that they might have gotten hurt.

"Oh." Nico mumbled, looking embarrassed for some reason. " I'm sorry.”

Nico took a step back and was already turning around when Percy said:

"Nico, join us.”

"I don't want to bother you.”

"I insist.”

"Yes, Nico. We insist.”

Nico turned and faced him, hesitating, and then disappeared once more with the children's backpacks down the hallway and up the stairs. When he returned, Nico simply extended his hands toward the children and they came to him, each holding one in his arms. They went up the stairs and with that, the silence that was so common when he and Annabeth were together was once again present, louder than if a lion were roaring in the dining room and right in their faces.

"Hm." Annabeth said after a while.

Yeah… maybe he had looked up at the cream-colored ceiling and then at the dishes that, even though covered, were releasing steam from the cooked food. When he looked back at her, Annabeth had her arms crossed and was leaning against the back of the chair, observing him as if she were analyzing an experiment that had an obvious conclusion.

"You are thoughtful.”

"…”

"You are… happy.”

Percy made a point of not answering her again. He wouldn't smile or make any faces. But still, Annabeth said he was happy.

"You've made up your mind.”

"I already told you--”

"Yes. But this time is serious.”

It was better for things to stay that way. He allowed himself to look at the ceiling once more and let his thoughts go wherever they wanted. He allowed himself to think about Nico's dark eyes, his easily embarrassed face, and his shy but sweet gestures. And in the end, Annabeth was right, he was just biding his time, waiting long enough for Nico to reach twenty-one so he would feel less guilty about what he was about to do.

***

Percy heard the footsteps before he saw them. Nico reappeared with the children, already changed, and guided them by the hands, helping Logan to sit in the chair while Alice sat down alone, sitting next to her brother. Silently, Logan and Alice waited for Nico who started by taking the children's plates. First Logan's, filling his plate with vegetables and a small portion of pasta. Nico did the same with Alice and even though they made faces, they both took the first bite, swallowing the vegetables practically without chewing. At least it was a start, he had never managed that feat.

"So, Nico. You're a student, right?" Annabeth said, barely letting Nico sit down.

Nico went around the table and did the same with Percy, filling his plate with vegetables, but with a much larger portion of pasta, doing the same with his own plate.

Nico nodded, sat down next to Percy, and lowered his head, shoving a forkful of pasta into his mouth.

"What are you studying again?”

When Nico continued chewing, showing no signs of responding, Percy spoke for him:

"He's going to be a--”

"I'm not talking to you." Annabeth said and turned to Nico, and asked again: "What do you study, boy?”

He watched things happen in slow motion. Nico wiped his mouth delicately, put his cutlery on the plate, and then stared at Annabeth, his brow furrowed. He placed his hands on his lap, somehow looking shy and yet not at all intimidated.

“You don’t scare me,” Nico said, straightening his back. “You’re not the first to think that just because I’m quiet I’d be afraid of this emotional manipulation. I’m sorry if I’m interrupting your dinner. I can leave.”

A slow smile formed on Percy's face and not even his attempt to hide it with his hands could disguise his amusement. It was funny to see the way Nico acted, the boy didn't even make an effort to move and just continued to stare at Annabeth, calm and composed, as if this was a normal occurrence. The children didn't have the same composure, laughing softly as they tried not to choke on their food, all while Annabeth seemed to take Nico's answer as a challenge.

"Ah, but it seems like you learned a lot from daddy, right? After all, he's old enough to be your father. Maybe an uncle, hmm?”

It was Percy's turn to swallow something sour.

"My father?" Nico shook his head and gave a dry chuckle. "My father would never teach me these things. I don’t have to explain myself to you.”

"You don't have to?”

"No." This time Nico looked Annabeth straight in the eye, completely serious. "You are not part of our lives. How long will it be before you disappear again? If you don’t care about this marriage, you should care about what happens to your children.”

Only silence remained. Annabeth paled and inside, where no one could see, Percy felt vindicated, so fulfilled that he could get down on one knee and ask Nico to marry him right then and there.

"I’m sorry." Nico said once more, softening his voice. "I don’t mean to intrude. But all this has a negative effect on the children. They spent the night crying. It’s not healthy. And no, everything I said here, they’re not my words, they’re theirs. Can you hear that?”

"I…" Annabeth murmured, looking at her own plate.

"Can we start over?" Nico then smiled and stood up. "Nico Di Ângelo, nice to meet you. I'm the kids' new nanny. I've been here for less than a month and I'm studying law at the community college, next semester I'll transfer to the federal college. I'm working to pay for my studies.”

Nico offered Annabeth his hand and the most incredible thing happened: Annabeth stood up and accepted the greeting, shaking Nico's hand. The children sighed in relief and Percy felt disappointed. Nico could have chased Annabeth away, right? But nothing was that simple. Annabeth and Nico sat down at the table, the plates were emptied, dessert arrived and so the children, Annabeth and Nico began to talk, telling her what had happened since Nico had arrived there. Unfortunately, Annabeth was cordial, Nico was sincere and the rest of the day passed peacefully with Annabeth and Nico putting the children to bed and wishing them a good night.

The good news is that when Nico came down the stairs to leave, he was alone. Backpack on his back and a calm expression on his face. That is, until he finished going down them and found Percy waiting for him at the bottom.

"Sorry about today. I didn't expect her to do that.”

“It’s okay.” Nico shrugged, stopping a meter away from him. “You two are alike, actually. I just needed to shock her and show her that I don’t want to hurt anyone.”

"Still, you didn't have to deal with her.”

"Percy--”

"I have something for you." Percy took a card out of his pocket and offered it to Nico. "The clinic I told you about.”

"You said it was an NGO." Nico looked at him suspiciously, but accepted the card.

"It’s a clinic that partners with an NGO. It’s the same thing.”

"No, it's not.”

Nico read the address on the card and frowned.

"Isn’t it that tall building in the city center…?”

"Well… you discovered my evil plan.”

With that, Nico looked away from the card and crossed his arms, staring at him with that grumpy little face, making a cute little grimace.”

"I said my family had a partnership with an NGO, didn't I?”

"I didn't expect it to be in that building. I mean…”

"Yes, we are those Jackson.”

"You mean, I gave a moral lesson to one of the most… famous socialites in the city?" Nico said, looking like he was going to faint, his voice slowly fading away.

"Yes, and that was the best moment of my life! Thank you very much!”

"Percy!" Nico whimpered and came at him, slamming both his fists against Percy's still aching chest. " Couldn't you have warned me?”

"No, I couldn’t." He murmured, satisfied, holding the middle of Nico’s back. He loved it when Nico approached him of his own free will. "Did I mention you were amazing? Fantastic. Magnificent. Perfect.”

"Stop it! And don't try to distract me. I can't accept it." But Nico didn't pull away as he feared, Nico hugged him by the neck and held on tightly.

“None of this.” Percy murmured against Nico’s ear. “A promise is a promise.”

"I didn't promise anything.”

"Come on, it will be good for you. And if you need to--”

"No." Nico denied, letting his arms fall away from Percy’s neck, and took a step back, looking anywhere but at him. "I can’t accept more than this.”

"I know. I understand. But I want you to know, if you ever need me, no matter what it is. I'm here.”

"I know." Nico murmured back. "And that’s the problem.”

Thanks for being here. Comments are always welcome.

NÃO HÁ LUGAR COMO O LAR - PERCY/NICO AU COLEGIAL - CAPÍTULO V

Ei, como vai? As coisas começam ficar mais serias e logo vamos entender o que realmente aconteceu no passado. Enquanto isso a relação dos garotos continua evoluindo. Já aviso que vai ser algo d/s, sabe? Dominador e submisso, mas de uma forma bem natural. Quer dizer, eu sempre escrevo sobre isso, então, não é nenhuma novidade, só que não vai ter nenhuma explicação extensa ou deslocada do enredo. Não vai ser nesse capítulo que isso vai acontecer, mas eu queria dar um aviso bem antecipado: para quem não gosta desses temas, não perca seu tempo. Também queria avisar que a real personalidade deles logo vai aparecer.

A verdade é que vou escrevendo conforme as ideias vão aparecendo, então, se você ver algo que não faz sentido ou ver um furo narrativo, me informe. Até porque depois que terminar essa primeira versão, vou revisar.

Obrigado pelo apoio e sejam bem-vindos quem está chegando agora. Todos me encontraram no tumblr ou vieram do Spirit? Vou adorar conversar com vocês nos comentários ou asks!

Boa leitura!

Capítulos anteriores: CAPÍTULO I / CAPÍTULO II / CAPÍTULO III / CAPÍTULO IV

CAPÍTULO V

Como previsto, era um novo dia. O sol brilhava forte pelas persianas, os pássaros cantavam e eles estavam atrasados. Entretanto, o que lhe preocupava não era o fato de ser quase sete horas da manhã e sim que alguém estava batendo na porta, e esse alguém ser sua irmã, Bianca, que geralmente estaria muito longe dali em sua primeira aula do dia, parada no lado de dentro do cômodo, os observando alegremente.

Aquilo era um pesadelo, essa devia ser a única explicação para justificar a cena em que Nico se encontrava. Percy contra suas costas, o abraçando apertado com apenas um lençol escondendo suas virilhas. Se Bianca decidisse puxar o lençol, veria tudo, as marcas nas costas de Percy e o cupão no meio de suas pernas, impossível de não reparar mesmo daquela distância. E ao contrário do que ele pensava, Bianca decidiu por ser bondosa. Ela deu um tchauzinho com um sorrisinho de canto e fechou a porta suavemente, embora ele conseguisse ouvir o som da risada dela enquanto se afastava pelo corredor. E de novo, ele se perguntava o que estava fazendo. Ele nem… nem tinha retribuído Percy na noite anterior. Ele era a pessoa mais mesquinha e egoísta desse mundo tod-- 

Nico teria continuado seu autoflagelo se não tivesse sentido uma risada silenciosa contra suas costas.

— Você está rindo de mim? — Nico disse, se virando nos braços de Percy. O garoto estava acordado e com um daqueles sorrisos que o enfurecia e excitava ao mesmo tempo.

— Você tem que admitir, é bem engraçado.

— Não é não!

— Qual a novidade? Não é a primeira vez que alguém pega a gente dormindo junto.

— É? Mas é a primeira vez que estamos pelados!

— Oh. — Percy diz, seu sorriso se suavizando. — É melhor ainda.

— Seu-- seu--!

Nico se levantou mais rápido que um foguete, pegou a primeira coisa que viu e jogou na cabeça de Percy. Quando viu que era um travesseiro, pegou o objeto de novo e bateu com ele na cabeça de Percy até que seus braços começaram a doer e ele foi obrigado a parar, se acomodando onde estava, e que ele percebia só agora ser o colo de Percy. O que mais o irritou foi o fato de Percy nem ter tentado se defender, rindo, estatelado na cama como se fosse o dia mais feliz de sua vida.

— Percy!

— Deuses! Acho que vou morrer. Eu voltei no tempo por acaso? Eu ainda me lembro--

— Não se atreva! Quantos anos você tem?

— Dez. Quer brincar de casinha como a gente costumava? Eu vou construir um forte com cadeiras e cobertores e a gente pode--

— O que deu em você hoje, hein?

— Eu estou feliz. Você não está?

Nico parou no meio de outra reclamação, percebendo que estava pelado e ainda sentado no colo de Percy, exatamente como em outras milhares de vezes, mas que dessa vez, significava muito mais.

— É claro que eu estou. Você não precisa voltar para o maternal.

— Por que não? Era mais divertido do que fingir ser um adulto responsável.

— A gente não está fingindo… está?

— Nico. — Foi o que Percy disse antes de se sentar e o abraçar forte pelo meio das costas. — Eu posso fingir muitas coisas, o que eu sinto por você não é uma delas.

— Eu não entendo porque logo agora. O que mudou?

— Tudo mudou. Você foi embora.

— Per… eu não sabia que você se importava tanto, pensei que… era melhor se você não tivesse uma sombra te seguindo pelos cantos.

— Nico. — Agora Percy parecia estar em dor. — Quem te disse isso? O que te faria pensar assim?

— Bem… é que… você sabe… ela disse aquelas coisas e eu me perguntei “e se for verdade?”. Pensei que um pouco de distância ia ser bom.

— Pra quem? Pra mim ou pra você?

Era uma boa pergunta. Ele só não queria se sentir tão mal a cada vez que via aquelas pessoas no corredor do colégio, murmurando em suas costas, coisas que ele nem queria saber o que era, mas que fundo já suspeitava o que poderia ser.

— Me responda. — Então, Percy segurou em seu rosto e o fez encará-lo. — Do que você estava fugindo?

— Faz diferença agora? O que você vai fazer? Ir atrás dessa pessoa e dizer como ela é horrível? Do que… do que adianta ficar olhando para o passado?

— Quando foi que você cresceu tanto? — Percy não parecia feliz com isso, no máximo resignado.

— Quando eu tive que deixar para trás a coisa que eu mais amava.

Isso finalmente fez Percy se calar, olhando para ele de forma tão triste que parecia que Percy cairia no choro a qualquer momento.

— Eu sei quem fez isso, eu precisava ouvir da sua boca. Não queria acreditar que ela faria algo assim.

Nico se pegou sorrindo, embora fosse um sorriso murcho e triste. Essa era a verdade, pessoas eram más e algumas delas fariam o impossível para conseguir o que queriam. O segredo era não ser inocente e se proteger, ou tentar ficar longe da ira delas. O que eles poderiam fazer além de tentar? Ele abraçou Percy bem apertado e colocou a cabeça sobre o ombro dele. Já que eles estavam atrasados, não tinha porque apressar as coisas.

***

Quando eles enfim desceram as escadas de banho tomado e cabelos penteados, o café da manhã já estava na mesa; ovos, bacon, café e suco. Algo simples, mas que eles raramente tinham tempo para fazer. Por que eles não tinham? Ah, agora ele lembrava. Ter que correr de Will ou explicar para o pai porque ele não queria passar tempo na empresa de fato tinha tomado todo o seu tempo e o de Bianca também, que corria de Hades tanto ou mais que ele. Mas, aqui? Na quietude sem pessoas os perseguindo era o paraíso, era um peso que finalmente tinha saído de suas costas. Provavelmente não ia durar muito, infelizmente. Era por isso que Nico queria ir devagar, e talvez assim, ele tivesse um tempo para organizar a mente e decidir o que fazer a partir daquele momento.

— Tudo bem? — Percy disse no corredor, assim que eles saíram do quarto, indo em direção às escadas para chegar no andar térreo. — Você está muito quieto desde que entramos no banho.

— Hm. — Ele era tão óbvio assim ou Percy apenas prestava atenção? — Eu estava pensando…

— No quê?

— Eu… eu só quero terminar o colégio sem drama, sabe? Me formar e tentar fazer algo útil da vida.

— Isso é sobre a gente?

— Falei sério quando disse que não queria um namorado.

— Tudo bem. — Percy acenou, todo sério, embora ele tivesse as mãos sobre os ombros de Nico enquanto eles desciam as escadas, perto demais para falar a verdade. Mas era um perto que Nico gostava, mesmo que soubesse que isso tornava as coisas mais complicadas. — Você vai parar de falar comigo ou é sobre o sexo?

— Eu… — Era outra boa questão. Ele queria se afastar de Percy?

— Então, não há motivo para colocar rótulos no que a gente é. É só um nome. Nunca vou pedir algo que você não está interessado em oferecer.

Nico sabia disso, Percy nunca tinha feito isso antes e não era agora que o amigo começaria a forçá-lo a algo. De fato, Percy tinha sido tão paciente que ele tinha confundido cuidado com desinteresse durante todos esses anos. Agora, ele entendia. Bem, ele entendia por causa do dia anterior. Era revelador. De verdade.

— Percy, olha--

— Eu entendo mais do que ninguém, mas isso não muda nada entre a gente. Não estou com pressa e não vou a lugar algum.

— Você promete?

— Eu prometo. Sou o mesmo velho Percy e você é o meu doce Nico. Nada vai mudar.

Nico piscou lentamente e se viu perdido nos olhos de Percy, preso em cada palavra e em cada sussurro proferido. Ele sabia de tudo isso e odiava como o apelido agora soava sexual, “Meu pequeno Nico” ou “Meu doce Nico”, saindo dos lábios de Percy num tom tão possessivo e quente que ele devia correr para bem longe enquanto ainda podia. Sabia que devia, e esse era o problema, a vontade e a compulsão de se aproximar de Percy eram maiores do que qualquer racionalização que ele pudesse ter. Quando percebeu o que acontecia, se viu prensado contra a parede ao pé das escadas, Percy colado a ele, mãos em sua bunda, quadris se roçando aos seus e os dedos de Percy o puxando pelos cabelos naquele tipo de beijo indicado para a privacidade de quatro paredes.

Ele não se lembrava de Percy ser assim, tão intenso. Tudo isso realmente era porque ele tinha ficado longe por dois anos? O garoto que ele conhecia era doce, gentil e bondoso. Agora, na maioria das vezes, ele mal conseguia se controlar quando Percy decidia que falar não era o que eles deviam fazer. Como nesse momento, sentindo o quadril de Percy se esfregando contra o seu, quase o fazendo gozar nas calças feito um adolescente à flor da pele, algo que ele nunca tinha sido.

Reunindo forças de onde ele nem sabia que tinha, Nico arrastou seus lábios para longe dos de Percy e respirou fundo para em seguida o empurrar para longe, apenas o suficiente para desgrudar seus corpos, segurando Percy pelos ombros numa distância segura.

— Você não pode fazer isso. Eu não consigo. Você disse que não me forçaria.

— Não estou te forçando. — Então, Percy pensou de novo e completou: — Me desculpa. Não vou fazer de novo.

Nico não sabia se acreditava. Aqueles olhos verdes sobre ele, tão intensos que pareciam queimá-lo onde quer que pousassem e o respirar rápido e arfado lhe diziam outra coisa, lhe diziam que se Percy pudesse decidir eles não estariam parados no meio das escadas.

— Percy, acho que isso não vai dar certo.

— Eu disse que sinto muito. Tive que esperar por muito tempo. É só isso. Não sou um monstro, não importa o que as pessoas digam.

— Ninguém disse nada. — Bem, não desde que ele foi para o exterior. Ele se lembrava de como Lou e Alabaster insinuaram que Percy estava esperando o momento certo para atacar. E tudo o que ele tinha pensado na época era “E daí se Percy estivesse? Eles estavam com inveja?” No fim, ele tinha ido embora com o coração partido e outro trauma para a coleção.

— Hm, lindo. — Percy sorriu e dessa vez Nico estava prestando atenção. Percy deu um passo para a frente e ao contrário do que ele esperava, Percy não tentou beijá-lo, quer dizer, não nos lábios. Percy segurou em suas mãos e as levou aos próprios lábios, beijando cada dedo separadamente. — Eu nunca faria qualquer coisa que pudesse te machucar. Espero que você saiba disso.

— Eu sei. — Nico achava que sabia, mas ele tinha descoberto que pessoas boas podiam fazer coisas ruins e depois de seu último relacionamento, ele não tinha certeza de nada. — Só… vamos devagar, sim?

— Claro, Nico.

Percy sorriu mais uma vez e deixou que ambas as mãos se separassem apenas para segurá-las em um aperto reconfortante, enquanto os dois olhavam para suas mãos entrelaçadas. Hm, era uma cena que ele nunca se deixou visualizar antes, ele e Percy, um lugar tranquilo, natureza ao redor deles, talvez algumas cadeiras estiradas ao sol e eles dois juntos, segurando um na mão do outro enquanto observavam o sol se pôr. Talvez… talvez se ele tivesse sorte o suficiente. Num futuro não muito distante. Talvez se eles conseguissem--

— Aqui estão vocês. Quanto tempo vão ficar sussurrando no escuro?

Era Bianca. Quem mais poderia ser?

***

Por algum motivo, Percy queria rir, embora a experiência estivesse sendo mais estranha do que ele tinha previsto. Ao invés de encontrar Hades que tinha dito para ele que chegaria naquela manhã, era Bianca que tinha os recebido noite passada e aberto a porta para eles; ela não havia perguntado nada e apenas dito: — O quarto do Nico está no mesmo lugar.

Dando de ombros, ele tinha pegado Nico no colo e subido as escadas nem um pouco desanimado pela presença de Bianca. Percy admitia que estava indo rápido demais, ansioso demais, porém, quem podia culpá-lo quando assim que entraram no quarto Nico tinha gemido suavemente e o beijado mais doce ainda, começando a tirar as próprias roupas e se deitando no meio da cama com as pernas abertas? Ele era humano, e como o ser fraco que era, fez o que Nico não tinha coragem de pedir, mas que dizia com o olhar e toda aquela pele exposta. Percy tinha se ajoelhado na cama, beijado desde as pernas de Nico até seu pescoço para enfim tocar onde ele mais queria. Talvez ele tenha se deixado levar um pouco, tocado muita força e quando viu Nico estava gozando em sua boca, em seu rosto, gemendo como se doesse e se contraindo tanto que por um momento achou que Nico fosse ter uma crise de epilepsia, o único motivo dele não se preocupar foi a expressão de puro êxtase no rosto moreno e delicado, o suspiro arfado quando Nico relaxou na cama e fechou os olhos, calmo e contente.

Ele nem tinha se importado com o resultado, ele excitado e frustrado, e Nico dormindo tranquilamente. Era sua culpa, além de que Nico não tinha nenhuma obrigação de retribuir, eles sendo namorados ou não. Respirando fundo, tudo o que Percy fez durante longos minutos foi observar Nico dormindo confortável na cama, braços estirados em cima da cabeça, agarrando os travesseiros, pernas abertas e membro agora flácido, pequeno e recolhido no caminho de pelos negros e ralos que iam desde a parte baixa de seu umbigo até sua virilha, ainda molhados por saliva e sêmen. Percy queria voltar a tocá-lo naquele mesmo instante, excitar Nico mais uma vez e ver quanto tempo ele demoraria para gozar de novo.

No fim, fazendo esforço para se afastar, Percy saiu da cama devagar para não acordar Nico, entrou no banheiro que ficava dentro da suíte e abaixou as calças, seria mais seguro se ele cuidasse das coisas longe de Nico, apenas para ter certeza que conseguiria se comportar o resto da noite; sabia como Nico era desconfiado quando se tratava de sexualidade e confiança, principalmente quando um ano atrás Nico tinha terminado com o namorado e não contado a ele qual o motivo. E mesmo que ele suspeitasse o que tinha acontecido, isso também não era de sua conta. Se Nico não queria contar a ele, Percy devia respeitar sua decisão. Por enquanto.

Dessa forma, ele tinha cuidado das coisas mecanicamente, encontrado uma tolha limpa, a umedecido com água morna e tinha limpado Nico para logo em seguida tirar as roupas e se deitar na cama com ele. Percy mal tinha deitado a cabeça no travesseiro quando Nico o abraçou pelo pescoço em seu sono, se acomodando contra ele. Pernas contra pernas e peito contra peito, praticamente o beijando, estirado contra seu corpo.

— Senti sua falta. — Nico tinha murmurado, suspirando contente e voltado a relaxar em seu sono que se aprofundava uma vez mais. 

Percy achava que aquele tinha sido um dos momentos mais felizes de sua vida, Nico depois de tanto tempo se deixava ficar vulnerável perto dele quando Percy pensava que essas cenas nunca mais se repetiriam.

Sentindo um aperto no coração como se ele fosse explodir a qualquer momento e querendo chorar, Percy enfim se permitiu fechar os olhos e aceitou seus sentimentos. Ele amava Nico, nem o tempo ou outras pessoas fariam com que essa mesma sensação de completude se instalasse; ninguém o fazia se sentir tão bem e tão poderoso como Nico fazia, ninguém o fazia rir ou chorar com tanta facilidade, ou gerava essa vontade louca nele de ser o melhor só para ter certeza que seria capaz de dar tudo o que Nico precisasse.

— Eu também senti sua falta. — Percy acabou murmurando de volta antes de cair no sono, puxando Nico para mais perto e enfim se deixando levar.

Agora eles estavam sentados à mesa da cozinha, Bianca sentada em frente a ele enquanto Nico se sentava a seu lado, enchendo um prato com comida e uma xícara com café puro e sem açúcar, entregando a ele.

— Você ainda se lembra. — Ele murmurou e pegou a xícara, tomando um gole e inalando a fragrância de café recém feito e recém-moído, não tão forte como ele gostava, mas era de qualidade exemplar. Era tudo tão familiar que Percy se pegou sorrindo, observando Bianca sorrir e Nico fingir que não estava encabulado pelo elogio. Nico nunca foi muito bom em recebê-los.

— Eu não fiz nada.

— Hm. — Ele murmurou, tentando não provocar Nico ainda mais. Porém ele não podia evitar, seguiu Nico com o olhar, o vendo finalmente se sentar e pegar um copo com suco de laranja, dando um longo gole antes de se concentrar em seu prato, quando Bianca o encarou e perguntou:

— Percy Jackson, o que te traz aqui?

— Nico. — Ele disse e sorriu para Bianca. Entre eles nunca houve espaço para nada além de sinceridade sem rodeios. Afinal, ela tinha permitido que Nico praticamente se mudasse para sua casa naqueles longos e magníficos anos e ele não faria nada que pudesse quebrar a confiança entre eles.

— É sério dessa vez?

— Sim.

— Tudo bem.

Bianca acenou, satisfeita. Ela se voltou para sua comida e levou uma garfada de ovos aos lábios.

— O que foi isso? — Nico perguntou, largando seu garfo. Ele cruzou os braços e os encarou.

— Eu queria saber. — Bianca deu de ombros. — Ontem vocês chegaram tarde.

— Não pode ser! — Nico cobriu o rosto e gemeu, ansioso. — Você viu a gente?

— Eu vi tudo.

O silêncio se fez, porém, não por muito tempo. Nico empurrou sua cadeira para trás e se levantou, cambaleando.

— Eu preciso… preciso pegar minha bolsa. 

O que era apenas um motivo para ele se esconder durante algum tempo ou até que o rubor sumisse. Percy observou Nico se arrastar para fora da cozinha e se virou para Bianca.

— E, então? — Ele perguntou. Sabia que Bianca queria falar algo, mas não queria que Nico escutasse.

— Você parece diferente.

— Como?

— Mais… decidido. 

— Algumas coisas aconteceram.

Quando Bianca não disse mais nada, ele deu de ombros e continuou:

— Nico foi embora e eu descobri algumas coisas.

— Sim?

— Nada demais. 

Bianca levantou as sobrancelhas e Percy se rendeu.

— Parece que eu era muito bonzinho e inocente. Então, decidi não ser mais.

— Não me diga.

— Ninguém me conta essas coisas! Pensei que Nico não pensava em… em…

— Sexo?

— Aparentemente, eu estava errado e ele pensou que eu não estava interessado.

— Hm… — Bianca olhou por mais alguns momentos para ele e teve misericórdia. — Não é sua culpa, era aquela garota loira que vivia atrás de você.

— Porra, eu nem gosto de mulher!

— É? Eu tomaria mais cuidado se fosse você.

Percy sabia que aquilo não era uma ameaça e sim um aviso, pois Bianca nunca faria nada para ficar no caminho da felicidade de Nico.

— Você acha que eu devia fazer algo mais drástico?

— Eu acho que o Nico faria algo drástico se ele pensar que está atrapalhando.

Percy parou de respirar por um momento e percebeu a gravidade do problema, só agora ele via que Bianca parecia preocupada. Ela não estaria em casa quando a responsabilidade sempre veio em primeiro lugar para os Di Angelo; ela não estaria perdendo aquele precioso tempo se Bianca não pensasse que fosse extremamente importante.

— Eu vou cuidar de tudo. Você não precisa se preocupar.

— É o que eu espero.

Com isso, ambos baixaram a cabeça e continuaram a comer até que Nico voltou, mais calmo e composto. Ambos terminam de comer o resto da comida, e apressado, Nico logo o puxou pela mão e em direção ao carro estacionado em frente a casa dos Di Ângelo.

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Obrigada por ler!

#married

I hate to say this, and like, rain on everyone’s parade, but after scrolling past three posts about it on a writing tag …

If you are looking up synonyms to exchange words out in your story with the purpose of sounding smarter, more sophisticated, or complicated to your reader, you are probably abusing the thesaurus.

Now, if you *want* to do this, I mean, you can write whatever or however you want! But I just want you to know that this is frowned upon if you are trying to write at a professional level.

I have an old article on this somewhere …

If you want to look at the original article…

https://www.septembercfawkes.com/2018/08/how-to-use-thesaurus-properly.html

septembercfawkes.com

How to use the Thesaurus Properly

Some authors say to never use a thesaurus. But guess what? I use one all the time. Why do some authors say that? Because a lot of people in

NÃO HÁ LUGAR COMO O LAR - PERCY/NICO AU COLEGIAL - CAPÍTULO X

Ahhhhhh eu disse que não ia voltar até agosto, mas consegui escrever e ficou tão fofinho que eu teve que compartilhar. Me desculpem os erros. Espero que você gostem!^^

Boa leitura!

Capítulos anteriores: CAPÍTULO I / CAPÍTULO II / CAPÍTULO III / CAPÍTULO IV / CAPÍTULO V / CAPÍTULO VI / CAPÍTULO VII / CAPÍTULO VIII / CAPÍTULO IX

PS: Vou voltar a escrever capítulos curtos até 3 mil palavras, assim me sinto menos pressão, mesmo que essa pressão seja eu mesma que coloco em mim. E se vocês acharem que esse capítulo foi apressado ou apareceu do nada, me desculpe! Não sei quando terá novo capítulo, provavelmente na semana que vem.

— Você está pronto? Não contei que a gente vinha. — Percy pegou em sua mão e o puxou para fora do carro.

Nico nem podia acreditar que estava de volta na casa onde suas melhores memórias foram feitas. Essa era a casa de sua infância, o lugar que ele tinha descoberto que o amor e carinho ainda eram possíveis depois que sua mãe morreu. Era o lugar que ele tinha descoberto que o amor podia vir em diversos tamanhos e formas e ser expressado de jeitos simples ou complicados.

— Talvez a gente devesse voltar depois?

— Ela vai adorar te ver. 

— Você tem certeza?

— Nico, essa é sua casa também. Sempre vai ser.

Nico teve que respirar fundo, parando em frente a porta de entrada. Ele se sentia tão culpado! Percy não foi a única pessoa que ele tinha deixado para trás. Sally também tinha sido uma delas. Sua segunda mãe, a pessoa que ele podia contar tudo depois de Percy, sempre oferecendo um abraço apertado e uma cozinha aberta a ele.

— Percy, eu--

— Shhh. — Percy apertou sua mão, sorriu para ele e enfim empurrou a porta da casa, o guiando para dentro. — Mãe! Chegamos!

Não demorou muito e logo ambos puderam ouvir o som de saltos pelo chão de granito branco, e aparecendo de uma das portas que Nico sabia dar na cozinha, Sally veio quase correndo e com tanta energia que por um momento Nico se viu no passado, na primeira vez que ele tinha entrado por aquela mesma porta, vendo a decoração simples, porém, elegante. Sofás cor creme, paredes num azul quase branco, puffs e cobertores espalhados pelo cômodo e uma grande televisão. O cheio era o mesmo, a mesma fragrância de comida recém-feita, açucarada e agridoce, o fazendo sorrir imediatamente.

— Nico, meu filho. — Foi tudo o que ouviu antes do ataque de Sally vir, braços magros e fortes o rodearam e cabelos longos e castanhos escuros caíram sobre ele, o perfume de Sally ainda era o mesmo. 

— Deuses, olha como você cresceu! E essas bochechas, hm? Tão bonito.

— Mãe!

— Percy, olhe para ele? Vocês já se resolveram? Espero que sim! Você sumiu por três dias! É o mínimo.

— Sally. — Nico finalmente disse, sorrindo, e se inclinou em direção a ela, recebendo mais um abraço de Sally com prazer.

— Não acredito que vou ter meu assistente de volta! Nosso cardápio sofreu muito com sua partida. Que tal discutirmos isso amanhã? Você vai ficar hoje conosco? Que pergunta! É claro que você vai ficar.

Sally segurou em sua mão, o puxando em direção a cozinha e Nico olhou para trás, vendo Percy dar de ombros. Ele sabia que agora demoraria para Sally se cansar dele. E como diz o ditado, “tal mãe, tal filho”, ou algo assim. E como não adiantava lutar contra nenhum dos Jackson, Nico se deixou ser levado por Sally, não que ele se importasse; era sempre divertido passar algumas horas na companhia de Sally Jackson, comida gostosa, conversa descontraída e um ombro amigo para desabafar.

***

Fazia tempo que Percy não andava pelas ruas do bairro. Elas não eram o que costumavam ser, pois de quietas e humildes, se tornaram cheias de prédios altos e carros barulhentos devido à linha de metrô localizada há poucos quarteirões de sua casa. O bom nisso tudo é que agora praticamente em cada esquina tinha uma loja ou mercado, ou até um shopping center. Exatamente o que ele estava procurando. Andando despreocupado, foi diretamente a uma loja de papelaria e logo encontrou o que procurava, um diário de couro escuro e de aparência delicada e bonita, exatamente como Nico. Ele pagou, deu uma volta pelo shopping e se viu parando em frente a uma relojoaria familiar, se lembrando de ter entrado naquele lugar anos atrás e comprado algo especial, mas nunca ter prosseguido com seu plano. Agora, algumas horas depois, voltava para casa. Imagina sua surpresa ao ver os ajudantes de sua mãe entrarem com sacolas atrás de sacolas com comida e panelas. Percy nem se surpreendia mais. Na verdade, era uma visão familiar, mas que ele não presenciava desde que Nico tinha ido embora, a casa cheia e o aroma de doces e salgados permeando o ar.

Bem, parecia que seu presente teria que esperar.

Sem ser visto, foi até seu quarto, deixou a sacola em cima da cama e abriu a primeira gaveta da cômoda, entrando os anéis que tinha comprado. Será que esse era o momento que vinha esperando? Afinal, eles já tinham deixado claro que se amavam, então, por que não dar o próximo passo? Tinha aprendido que o melhor a fazer era nunca assumir nada, e se não se expressasse, como Nico poderia saber? Percy mal podia esperar para ver a reação de Nico. Assim, trocando os anéis pelo diário, pegou a caixinha com as alianças e colocou o diário dentro da gaveta, se sentindo confiante. Saiu do quarto e foi em direção a cozinha quase trombando com uma garota que usava um avental do restaurante de sua mãe. Ela pediu desculpa e continuou apressada para fora da casa, sem a bajulação usual. Ele esperava que essa durasse mais do que as outras. O caso não era sua mãe ser uma chefe ruim, o problema é que a maioria das pessoas não tinha o mesmo entusiasmo que ela ou Nico tinham quando se tratava de culinária.

Percy enfim entrou na cozinha e se deparou com um banquete completo. Ele viu carnes assadas, fritas, cozidas, grãos e massas de vários tipos, sem contar os doces e comidas salgadas nem tão saudáveis.

— A gente vai ter um jantar de gala ou o quê? — Ele teve que perguntar assim que entrou na cozinha. Era até engraçado. Sally e Nico, além de vários ajudantes, cobertos de farinha e outras coisas que Percy não conseguia identificar, todos vestindo aventais idênticos e andando de um lado para o outro de uma forma tão organizada que pareciam formigas operárias.

— Você tem razão, querido! — Sua mãe exclamou. Ela limpou a mão em uma toalha, tão energética como ele não via há muito tempo, ou pelo menos não nesse nível de “criança que comeu muito açúcar” e o abraçou apertado para logo em seguida, voltar a andar pela cozinha checando o forno e vendo se tudo estava em ordem. — Chame seus amigos! Chame os amigos dos seus amigos. Não, melhor, também chame os pais dos seus amigos.

Ele não tinha certeza sobre isso. Será que se quer ainda tinha tantos amigos assim? Percy deu de ombros, prestes a fazer o que a mãe tinha pedido quando Nico apareceu em sua frente, tentando encontrar um lugar para colocar uma espécie de bolo esbranquiçado na mesa.

 — Eu te ajudo. 

Percy moveu algumas coisas ao redor e enfim achou um espaço, pegando a travessa das mãos de Nico e a colocando em cima da bancada.

— Aqui está meu bebê. Onde você se meteu?

— Eu não sou seu bebê.

— Não é?

Será que agora era um bom momento? Não importava como Nico estivesse vestido, com o uniforme da escola ou com suas calças justas, e mesmo agora com farinha dos pés a cabeça, Nico sempre seria a coisa mais bonita e fofa que Percy jamais encontraria, principalmente quanto tentava não se constranger pela demonstração de afeto em público. 

Percy colocou a mão no bolso, tocando na caixinha e observou por mais um momento, vendo Nico abaixar a cabeça, seus cabelos negros protegidos por uma redinha de cabelo permitindo que ele visse o rubor se espalhar com força na face de Nico, descendo pelo pescoço longo e elegante. Percy não se reprimiu, segurou na nuca de Nico e o puxou para perto, o beijou devagar e longamente, e só parou quando ouviu um gemido e o repentino silêncio que se seguiu; os murmúrios ao redor deles pararam e o barulho de panelas batendo também.

— Per. — Nico sussurrou numa voz quase inexistente e segurou em seu braço, seu rosto agora pegando fogo. Tão tímido e tão doce, ele pôde sentir o açúcar na língua de Nico e a doçura em seu toque suave. Mas quando ele achava que Nico iria se afastar, como ele comumente faria no passado, Nico apenas ficou ali, agarrado a seu braço e olhando para ele sem saber o que fazer. Talvez esse não fosse o momento indicado, porque, se com somente um beijo Nico tinha reagido assim, pego despreparado e todo ansioso, o que Nico faria se ele se ajoelhasse no meio da cozinha? Infelizmente quando isso acontecia, Nico não sabia o que fazer, o garotinho costumava congelar dos pés á cabeça. Era como se Nico não tivesse um script para tal situação e preferisse não fazer nada com medo de errar.

— Lindo. Me dá um abraço, hm?

Nico piscou lentamente e mordeu os lábios, parecendo indeciso. No fim, Nico fez o que Percy pediu. Colocou os braços ao redor da cintura de Percy e o abraçou forte por longos momentos, Percy o abraçando de volta e acariciando seus cabelos.

— Certo. — Percy levantou a cabeça e ainda abraçando Nico, olhou ao redor e encarou cada um dos ajudantes de sua mãe, o que teve o efeito desejado. 

Todos começaram a se mover como se fossem um e o ambiente voltou ao normal. Ele pensou em se desculpar para Nico, mas só o pensamento de Nico entender que beijá-lo na frente de outras pessoas era errado, embrulhava seu estômago. Nico era um ser bem perceptivo, e se ele entendesse que estava fazendo algo errado, nunca mais faria tal coisa, como na vez que eles estavam conversando com algumas pessoas, Nico riu muito alto e alguém o repreendeu, depois disso demorou meses para ele ver Nico sorrindo em público.

— O que você fez de gostoso?

— Já comeu bolo japonês? — Nico pareceu aliviado com a mudança de assunto e largou de sua cintura. Ele pegou na mão de Percy e o levou até um bolo leve e de textura esponjosa, diferente de tudo o que ele já tinha comido.

Nico cortou um pedaço e colocou em um prato para ele. Assim que levou uma garfada na boca, o bolo se desfez em sua língua, algo tão gostoso que Percy não sabia explicar, então ele apenas gemeu, fechando os olhos de prazer.

— Tão bom assim?

— Tudo o que meu bebê faz é exemplar.

— Obrigado.

Percy parou de comer e prestou atenção em Nico. De verdade, ele parou e o observou. Nico parecia feliz e contente em seu avental e roupa suja de farinha. Ele parecia um pequeno chefe de cozinha, orgulhoso de um trabalho bem feito.

— Eu vi num restaurante em Verona e quis tentar.

— Lindo.

— Você devia estudar culinária. — Dessa vez quem falou tinha sido Sally que estava terminando uma torta de chocolate, os observando discretamente. Ela se aproximou deles e colocou um de suas mãos sobre os ombros de Nico. — Você já pensou sobre isso?

***

— Você devia estudar culinária. Já pensou sobre isso?

Nico piscou lentamente, tentando se concentrar em qualquer coisa que não fosse o jeito que Percy olhava para ele, que quase perdeu o momento onde Sally se aproximou do canto onde eles estavam.

— Hm?

— Já se decidiu sobre a faculdade?

— Ah. — Nico olhou de canto de olho para Percy, mas se focou em Sally. — Eu não sei. Hades quer que eu faça administração.

— Por que não algo que você tenha talento? Como música e culinária? Artes?

— Eu… eu gostaria muito. Não sei se Hades iria permitir.

— Sabe, outro dia desses, esse senhor educado e simpático trouxe a família para jantar. Ele disse que o lugar onde ele trabalha tem um curso excelente de culinária. — Ele olhou bem para Sally, tentando desvendar o que isso significava. — Por que você não faz uma graduação dupla? Tenho o contato dele se você estiver interessado.

— E também fica perto de casa. — Percy completou.

Nico parou tudo e se apoiou na quina da bancada, tentando não criar expectativas.

— Eu não poderia.

— Querido, você não precisa se preocupar com os detalhes. Dê uma olhada, sim? Eu cuido de tudo. 

— Não, Sally. Você não precisa… eu nunca--

— Deixe disso. Dinheiro não é problema. — Então, Sally sorriu para ele toda radiante e o pegou desprevenido mais uma vez, o abraçando forte. — Não importa o que você escolha. Vamos te apoiar, agora e sempre. 

— Oh. — Foi tudo o que escapou de sua garganta, um som engasgado e abafado contra o ombro de Sally. Sua visão ficou embaçada e sua garganta se apertou, mas seu coração batia forte, um calor gostoso aquecendo seu peito, ao mesmo tempo em que as mãos de Percy o tocaram nos ombros, abraçando ele e a Sally de uma vez só.

— Mamãe está certa. Vamos te apoiar não importa o que aconteça, mesmo que eu tenha que ir para a Itália com você.

— Vocês planejaram isso? Me surpreender para não me deixar pensar sobre o assunto?

— Nico, é claro que não! — Sally exclamou toda energética e segurou em seus ombros, seus grandes olhos castanhos claros o acertando em cheio no meio do peito. — Percy fez alguns testes vocacionais e de aptidão ano passado e desde então estamos procurando as melhores opções. Você também tem que fazer, eles são bastante certeiros. Semana que vem parece bom? Ah, nós temos tanto a fazer!

E assim, como se conversar sobre seu futuro fosse algo corriqueiro, Sally continuou, voltando a bater com uma espátula algo em uma grande travessa de vidro.

— Então, está certo. Faculdade decidida. Teremos um casamento?

— Ca-casamento?

— É claro! Quanto mais cedo marcarmos a data, melhor! E uma casa? Vocês vão ficar perto da gente, certo? E… Percy ainda não falou com você?

Nico não sabia se estava pronto para um passo tão grande, ele ainda nem sabia se conseguiria terminar o colégio sem se auto destruir, quem dera um… um casamento.

— Mãe! — Percy resmungou. — Ela está brincando. Não escute o que ela diz.

Era Percy que dizia isso, mas seu olhar era intenso sobre ele, pensativo e analítico. E… talvez… talvez Sally não estivesse brincando, se fosse pela expressão decepcionada no rosto de Percy.

— Desde quando você vem planejando essas coisas?

— Desde que…

— Desde quando?

— Desde que entendi que acordar do seu lado todo dia era a melhor parte do meu dia.

Nico achava que tinha algo estranho em seus olhos, eles não paravam de lacrimejar. Devia ser sinusite, só podia. Sim, era isso. Talvez uma alergia.

— Você não vai dizer nada? — Percy insistiu, e de repente, o mundo sumia e só eles dois importavam; o som de panelas batendo e sussurros sumiram, e até os murmúrios apressados ao redor deles desapareceram.

— O que eu devia dizer? Você está me pedindo em casamento?

Esse era o melhor e o pior momento de sua vida. Percy sorriu para ele e colocou a mão dentro do bolso, tirando de lá uma caixinha em veludo delicada. E então, o pior veio, Percy se ajoelhou no chão cheio de farinha e açúcar, e abriu a tal caixinha, lhe mostrando que dentro havia dois anéis idênticos banhados a ouro e com um pequeno diamante no centro, um grande e o outro menor, com delicadas gravuras ao redor das alianças, os anéis tão delicados que Nico tinha medo de tocá-los.

— Você não pode estar falando sério!

— Eu comprei eles antes de você fugir para a Itália. Queria ter te contado antes. Tinha medo que isso fosse te afastar mais uma vez.

E sem pedir permissão, Percy segurou em sua mão e deslizou a menor das alianças em seu dedo anelar da mão direita.

— Esse anel é a prova do meu comprometimento e fidelidade a você. É a promessa que eu faço de sempre estar a seu lado e sempre dar o que você precisar e desejar. Não importa o que seja ou onde seja.

— Percy, para com isso! Agora mesmo! Você não quer isso. — Nico se afastou das mãos de Percy e tentou tirar o anel, se sentindo ansioso, mas não foi tirá-lo. Algo dentro dele o impediu.

— É claro que eu quero. Eu te amo. Quero passar o resto da minha vida com você. — Percy continuava sorrindo e continuava ajoelhado, como se pagasse por seus pecados em prece enamorada. Percy se arrastou de joelhos até estar novamente perto o suficiente para tocá-lo e ofereceu a caixinha a Nico, dizendo: — É sua vez de colocar em mim. Você aceita se casar comigo?

— Deuses! — Nico choramingou, aquele aperto no coração e quentura no peito se alastrando feito chamas infernais por suas veias. — Você vai se arrepender disso. Vai se arrepender tanto. Depois não me culpa pelo o que acontecer.

— Eu tomo toda a responsabilidade.

Fungando, Nico se ajoelhou também e fez o mesmo que Percy, colocou o anel no dedo anelar da mão direita de Percy e observou suas mãos juntas. Nem em seus sonhos mais selvagens Nico poderia imaginar algo assim.

— Satisfeito agora?

— E o meu beijo, hm?

Ainda se sentindo ansioso e trêmulo, Nico pulou no colo de Percy e o beijou com tudo o que ele tinha, sendo recebido pelos abraços fortes da pessoa que ele mais amava no mundo.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Obrigada por ler! Sua presença é sempre um prazer.

[x]

Reading a book: “Ah, yes, brilliant. That totally makes sense. How clever!”

Attempting to write a book: “I am a complete and utter fraud. Who gave me permission to wield words? Someone revoke my keyboard.”

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter III, Chapter IV, Chapter V

Hey. Here are the chapters, three in one go! I got too lazy to do them one at a time, I hate these monetization book platforms that force me to chop up the chapters. I think I'll give up on them, they annoy me to no end. Anyway, I think the next chapters are going to be much longer.

I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter III

"It's not your fault. Come in.”

Mr. Jackson made room for Nico to enter and closed the door, then walked into the house, guiding him through the entrance chamber.

Nico tried to move through the room at the man's speed, but he had to stop for a moment. The first thing he saw was white in its purest tone, seeing that as he walked and his eyes roamed the hall, the white mixed with other lighter and more neutral tones. The walls were white too and the furniture was had an equally light color, pale snow, which contrasted with the beautiful paintings in which he would never be able to recognize their real value even if he were paid to do it, decorating those walls interspersed with large windows that went all the way to the floor in strategic points; everything was so immaculate, so clean and bright that he was afraid to take a step forward and get something dirty.

He blinked, looking around and wondering what else he would find in that place. So, with the greatest care possible, Nico stepped on the very white carpet that stretched across the entire entrance and walked as fast as he could trying to reach Mr. Jackson who was already waiting for him at the entrance to the living room.

And like everything else, the floor of that house was also made of a white granite that shone almost blindingly. Had he mentioned the large spiral staircase that led to the upper floor? It was beautiful, something out of a fairy tale. Nico could very well imagine a princess descending those bright, polished steps. He heard a cough and finally looked away from the staircase, seeing that there were two doors on the right and one on the left, and the room that he thought was a small living room opened up wider to the right, well lit by the large windows that were also there, showing the well-kept garden, more white walls, cream sofas, a coffee table and a big tv mounted on the wall.

Like an idiot, he kept walking while looking around and accidentally tripped over the end of the carpet, stopping at the beginning of the living room. Mr. Jackson, on the other hand, had walked confidently down the long hallway, waiting for him, looking more impatient with each passing minute now standing in the middle of the room.

"Come in. Please." Mr. Jackson told him as seriously as before.

For some reason Nico couldn't explain, he felt conflicted, though... though he knew it was a different kind of conflict. It was a funny feeling in the pit of his stomach that made the hairs on the back of his neck stand up, as if... it might sound ridiculous, but he felt like he'd walked into a trap where if he stepped wrong he'd be devoured. He admitted it, he was attracted to a specific type of man. Tall, strong, and... determined.

Well, he didn't know if "decided" was the right word, but Nico liked to believe that. He didn't know, maybe it was all that skin on show, the way the half-naked man was standing in the middle of the room as if he had nothing to hide, the way Mr. Jackson seemed to use his height to demand... demand something from him. It was also the way those eyes that shone intensely seemed to stalk him, restrained, attentive, trying to communicate something that Nico refused to understand.

It could also be that giant, deserted place that gave him this feeling of being suffocated, as if he were tiny and the white vastness was going to swallow him in that house that seemed to be the perfect prison made of gold. Or even worse, it could be something unprecedented, something that Nico would refuse until the end out of pure moral sense; he hated this feeling that climbed up his spine and made him even more confused, because it wasn't fair, he had been irritated with the man less than ten minutes ago! And now, well... Nico couldn't hide it, it was something that came to him naturally; this sexuality that he tried to bury as much as he could and that was obvious if Nico could compare, was the similarity in the posture of this man who stared at him from head to toe so intensely that it made him uncomfortable and at the same time eager.

But everything was fine, Nico could admit that to himself. The only reason he hesitated so much was the memory of what had happened yesterday, it was exactly because he knew people like this man, authoritative and confident, as if it was obvious that others lived to fulfill his desires, that he had lost his job. Nico didn't want the same thing to happen so soon. Or for something worse to happen.

Ah, why didn't he listen to his intuition and leave when he could? I mean... no one was forcing him to be there, right? Mr. Jackson had just held the door, letting him pass and walked into the house. Maybe with his head held a little high? Maybe standing up straighter than before as if... as if he were puffing out his chest? And just maybe... just maybe he could see a sinister glint in those eyes that for some reason Nico couldn't look away from ... No, it must have been the anxiety that liked to play tricks on him.

Nico took a deep breath and did his best to convince himself, he was only making this sacrifice for the money.

He took another deep breath and let it out, taking the first step into the room. Then he took another step and stopped in front of Mr. Jackson, who stared at him for a few more seconds, his face unreadable, arms crossed in front of his chest, standing in the middle of the room with his legs apart. It was hard to keep his eyes from following the natural direction of things.

"Follow me.”

Without waiting for Nico, Mr. Jackson strode towards the sofas in the living room and sat down heavily against one of the thousands of armchairs that decorated the room, forcing Nico to follow him.

"I won’t beat around the bush. My wife travels most of the time and I take care of the kids. I’m a researcher and I don’t have time to waste. They have a routine. You’re supposed to wake them up at seven sharp, get them changed, help me with breakfast, take them to school, pick them up, help them with their homework, keep them entertained until bedtime, and bathe them at the end of the day. The rest of the time, I don’t care what you do. Whether you stay here or somewhere else is none of my business.”

"Hmm… okay?" Nico said, a little confused, irritation rising again in his nerves. "Will you be present at some point? Or should I do something else?”

"And what would that be?”

The man finally smiled at Nico, but it was so mocking and cynical that he almost got up from his chair to punch him.

"Look, I don't know what you do in other people's houses, but here you're going to do what you were hired to do. Take care of the children and clean up the mess they make. Is two hundred a day enough?”

"Two hundred?" Nico said, surprised. That was double what he expected.

"Two hundred plus transportation and lunch. You are free to eat or do whatever you want.”

Mr. Jackson gave Nico another small smile and slowly stretched as he stood up, Nico watching every movement more closely than necessary, still slightly confused and refusing to blush. The worst part was knowing that he was so obvious, unable to avoid the embarrassment.

"Don't worry. It happens to everyone. "Mr. Jackson winked at Nico and finally walked away, but not before saying: "Up the stairs, I'm in the first room on the right. The children should be woken up in twenty minutes.

Nico waved dazedly and watched the broad-shouldered silhouette of his newest boss disappear up the stairs.

Chapter IV

Nico turned on the couch, leaning back against it and placed his hand over his eyes. He blinked slowly and felt the early morning light blind him, like an arrow hitting its target. When he opened his eyes again, he saw that the sun was already shining brightly throughout the room, bathing the cold, white walls with the warm rays of dawn, illuminating and warming the place that had previously seemed so devoid of life or warmth.

He blinked once more, trying to pry his eyelids apart and rubbed his eyes, his vision clearing as Nico got used to the morning light. He looked around and finally remembered where he was, leaning forward in search of his cell phone. He felt around the coffee table and his pants pockets until an image he hadn't expected to see became clear; all Nico could see were blue-green eyes, as intense as the sea on a rainy day, along with a thin nose and pretty lips, open in an even prettier smile, although he felt that this smile didn't indicate good news.

In a leap that made his heart race, Nico threw himself off the couch just as the alarm clock rang, telling him it was time to wake the children. Determined to regain control of the situation, he took a few steps back and put some distance between himself and the man who was leaning over the couch, insisting on disturbing him and who was now smiling at him, his pretty lips widening and the pleasure on his tanned face making it clear that the fun was far from over.

Still half asleep and with his face burning, feeling as if he were observing his own life through a blurred lens, Nico saw when Mr. Jackson straightened his spine and, still smiling, approached him. The man stopped in front of him, placed one of his hands on Nico's shoulders and looked at him in what seemed to be a friendly way. However, this time, Nico could see that Mr. Jackson had deigned to wear clothes and had even combed his hair, which was now thrown back, allowing him to see how handsome the man really was. With a clean-cut face, white teeth and a smirk, he looked so charming that for a moment Nico forgot where he was.

If Nico said that something had possessed him and controlled his mind, would anyone believe him? Well, that's what happened. In slow motion, he found himself raising his own hand and holding the fingers that rested on his shoulders, staring at them, half-seeing and half-disbelieving. Fingers over fingers, his palm curved over his, observing how both hands, together and of such different tones, fit so well that for a moment Nico just allowed himself to watch. He heard a throat clearing and only then turned his attention to Mr. Jackson; his green eyes, handsome face and friendly smile finally making him realize that the silence had lasted longer than usual.

That was a fact he couldn't deny, Percy Jackson could be strangely annoying and nice at the same time, but he was one of the most beautiful people Nico had ever met, even though his face had a slightly rounded shape and he was now wearing glasses, not forgetting the sweetest smile he had ever seen.

"Rough night?”

"…something like that." Nico said, unsure. With each passing moment, Nico's confusion grew, making him… uncomfortable, making him feel that little sensation crawling out of his stomach, running down his spine, causing a trail of heat and shivers, something beyond what he was willing to admit.

The truth was that Nico couldn't help it, Mr. Jackson's voice sounded so hoarse and so velvety that he couldn't suppress another shiver, Nico couldn't help the way his hands gripped his tighter. In return, Percy Jackson didn't seem to be behind. The grip on his shoulder was so strong and determined that Nico's attention went immediately to what the man was saying, making him pay attention to his mouth, to how his lips moved, to his tongue that came out and wet his slightly dry lips, Nico little by little feeling himself going crazy with every second he spent near that man; one moment, Mr. Jackson seemed like he was going to kick him out of the house and the next, they were the best of friends. Nico didn't feel comfortable with any of this, bothered by the man's sudden change. It made him insecure and uncertain of how to act.

Realizing what was happening, Nico let go of him and took another step back.

"Sir, if you could--”

"No, it's my fault. I didn't express myself properly." Mr. Jackson raised his other hand and when he saw Nico moving away again, he lowered it and continued in a much softer tone of voice, keeping his intense eyes on Nico's. "Can we start over?”

Nico felt a different kind of heat rise up his spine, he opened his mouth to call him a bipolar lunatic when he stopped in the middle of what he was going to say. Yes, Nico shut up. He shut up because Mr. Jackson kept looking at him as if Nico was the only thing worthy of attention, he shut up mainly because Mr. Jackson smiled again, a small and beautiful smile, but so sincere that it had hit him completely and with full force, making him realize that he was in more trouble than he thought.

You know what? Nico didn't know what was happening to himself or to this man, or why this sudden change in behavior. And he didn't even want to know. Should Nico leave or…

"I swear, I'm being sincere. I'm sorry about before. The last nanny she got didn't leave the best impression, you know?”

“She?”

"Annabeth Chase, my wife? The one who hired you? It doesn't matter, she did it on purpose.”

"I understand if you--”

“No, I insist,” Percy Jackson said, sounding more… firm than before. “Let’s see what happens by the end of the day. Think of it as an experiment, okay?”

And so, the matter was concluded. Mr. Jackson nodded to Nico, straightened his spine and turned, indicating the way. He strode in the direction indicated and climbed the flights of stairs, walking down a long hallway that led to the children's room.

Still a little dizzy from so many mood swings, Nico had no choice but to follow him, practically running to catch up with him. He took the stairs two at a time and, already panting, reached Mr. Jackson on the upper floor.

"I thought… that you… wouldn't be involved?”

"I wasn't serious. I'll be there whenever I can. So relax. I'm not that kind of father.”

For some reason, Nico felt that Mr. Jackson was still mocking him even though the mockery wasn't obvious. In the same way, he followed him once more into the room, being greeted by two children who were already awake. They ran to their father, laughing, and each of them held one of the man's legs, their happiness sincere and contagious, soon making him forget what had just happened.

Chapter V

Percy tried to hold back his laughter and turned his back on Nico, going up the stairs, deep down tempted to continue and see how far he could tease Nico. He liked to think he wasn't that sadistic. Most of the time he did his best to be a good father and stayed true to Annabeth's image. Like it or not, on paper, they were still married, even if Annabeth didn't make the same effort as him, and at the moment, Percy was especially trying to be a good host; it was clear that Nico was a good boy, patient and respectful when he didn't treat him the same way, but it was so easy to tease that little boy... before he knew it, they were too close, Percy having even more fun while trying to control himself and hide his amusement behind a frown.

Okay, he was the one to blame in this story, Percy admitted, he was testing the boy. Nico seemed too nice and too young to be working, it was like watching a child taking care of other children, besides the fact that he didn't know anything about the boy. It couldn't be possible, that cute and innocent little face couldn't be more than fifteen, maybe sixteen years old. He was so skinny that Percy was afraid that the children would accidentally break him in half when they went to play. And even though he knew he would regret it, Percy went up the rest of the stairs and opened the door, being greeted by his mischievous little angels who hugged him tightly before returning to their tasks.

"Daddy, Daddy! Where have you been? We 're late!" Little Logan shouted from his bed, putting on his shoes and already dressed. He was sweet, innocent and well-behaved, always trying to do the right thing. This also had to do with the fact that Logan hated being late.

"Kelly didn't come today?" Alice asked in a much calmer, almost distracted way, reading something on her cell phone while sprawled on the bed.

"She had to leave. Nico will stay with us today. What do you think about that?”

"Another one left?" Alice said.

“I didn’t like her at all,” Logan said. He smiled at his shoes, satisfied with a job well done, and shrugged. “She didn’t know how to play and was on the phone all day.”

"I know, dear. Hopefully, Mr. Nico will be different. Do you want to meet him?”

Obediently, the children stopped what they were doing and got up from the bed, each one stopping on either side of Percy and finally seeing the person standing behind their father. With their straight spines and curious looks, they waited patiently when Percy finally moved out of their way, allowing them to see him. And Nico, who had been leaning against the doorframe all this time and watching the interaction between him and the children, let a smile take over his face.

Percy saw Nico take a step into the room, approaching them, and continued watching from afar, as curious as they looked at Nico.

"Kids, what do we say when we meet new people?

"It's a pleasure to meet you! "Logan said excitedly, his eyes shining when they met Nico's.

"I hope you last longer than a month." It was Alice's turn to mutter. Soon after, she looked away at her cell phone and pretended nothing was happening.

Percy understood perfectly, it was Alice's way of protecting herself; she would ignore the problem until it went away or until someone solved it for her. Because, in fact, he had already lost count of how many people he had hired in the last few years.

“The pleasure is all mine,” Nico said, the tone of his voice surprising him.

Percy couldn't deny it, that tone was something much more loving and kind than Nico had used with him. This surprised him even more when, contrary to what he thought, Nico knelt down to the children's height and held their hands, smiling gently as he said: "I hope we can have fun.”

"Are you going to take me to school? The sitters always do that." Logan said.

"Are you going to help us with our homework?"Alice added.

"Yes, we will do that and much more.”

“Shouldn't you be in school? How old are you?" Alice said again, looking suspicious.

"I'm twenty. And you?”

"Eleven. My little brother is seven.”

"It's true! Daddy's twenty-nine. Mommy, thirty-one!" Logan spoke excitedly, as if in a game. Whoever spoke the fastest won.

"That's very good to know." Nico smiled and Percy couldn't help but smile along.

Percy ruffled Logan's hair and sat on the bed as he continued to watch the light and easy way Nico spoke to the children.

"Do you… study?" Alice asked.

"No, I'm saving money to pay for college.”

"Do you live in the city?" It was Logan's turn.

Percy saw Nico smile even wider, a smile so wide and angelic that he tried to hide his interest as Nico continued to answer the children without hesitation. “No, I live further inland, an hour away from the city. Yes, I have four brothers, two girls and two boys. And yes, I have a boyfriend.”

"Why so many questions?" Nico asked after a while.

"We're helping daddy!" Logan told him, sitting next to Nico on the floor with his sister.

"When we ask, people lie less." Alice nodded, confirming.

"Who has lied?”

"The last nanny. A woman of twenty-five.”

Percy felt like slapping himself and sneaking out of there just as Nico turned to him and raised an eyebrow, clearly questioning him about it. He shrugged, pretending he didn't know anything and settled back in bed, pretending with his cell phone in his hand as if he was reading something very important. Nico turned back to the children, once again paying attention to what they were saying, but... yeah... Percy could see a slight blush creeping up Nico's neck, stopping at his high cheekbones, giving Nico a slightly darker hue.

"I think that's enough for today. Who's ready to go to school?”

Surprisingly, it wasn't Percy who had said it. It had been Nico himself, already in full caretaker mode. It all felt so natural that Percy found himself following Nico's order. They both helped the children pick up their bags, books, and water bottles, each of them taking Nico's hands and pulling him toward the front door, down the stairs, and into the entrance hall.

Feeling satisfied, he handed the car keys to Nico and said, “Have fun!”

"Shouldn't you…?”

"You don't know how to drive?”

“It's not that!”

"So, it's settled. It's the black Jeep.”

Being dragged along by the kids, Nico made a funny face at Percy and he found himself following them again as the kids continued to drag Nico around the house. They went around the house, past the garden, and behind it where there was a long garden were the cars, a convertible that Percy had gotten for his eighteenth birthday and a Jeep, a four-door monster with wheels that he loved to drive, almost taller than himself.

Percy pointed out the car to Nico and, paying attention to Nico's face, felt even more satisfied. Nico stopped in place and spent a while admiring the car, his eyes wide open with such a surprised expression that it made him even cuter.

Nico shook his head and looked at him, looking overcome with fatigue.

"Come on, unlock the car." Nico did, of course. Nico pressed the button and as soon as the alarm was deactivated, Percy opened the door for him and then picked up the children, placing them in the backseat and adjusting the seat belts for them.

"Can you climb up?”

Nico waved, pushed himself forward, and fell face first into the driver's seat, all awkward. Percy had the urge to help him, but since Nico hadn't reacted well when he'd touched his shoulder earlier, Percy stopped before Nico could interpret it the wrong way.

Yeah, looks like he'd have to buy them another car. One that was... lower? That was a good idea.

Percy finally slammed the car door, waved to them and only went inside the house when Nico actually showed that he knew how to drive. Percy continued to watch the car drive away until Nico parallel park to complete the return towards the exit. It seemed that things would be more interesting than Percy thought.

I hope it was a good read. Suggestions or comments are always welcome.

SITTER'S LOVE - Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Chapter XV

Sim, mais uma capítulo. Para compensar pela semana passada. Espero que vocês gostem.

Previous chapters: CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / / CHAPTER III, CHAPTER IV e CHAPTER V / Chapter VI e Chapter VII / Chapter VIII e Chapter IX / Chapter X, Chapter XI, Chapter XII e Chapter XIII / Chapter XIV

Percy watched that boy and did nothing, he didn't move to give him what he deserved or try to call for help, he just witnessed that beautiful scene; Will at the foot of the stairs, fuming with rage while he hugged Nico tightly.

He rested his head on top of Nico's and in return, he heard Nico sigh softly, relaxing completely against Percy.

Even though he knew he shouldn't provoke people, it was something that was in his blood. He stroked Nico's back and then looked back at Will, smiling victoriously. He understood perfectly well what this would cause, it was obvious. If someone was touching what was his, as he was doing now, he would be furious too. And sure enough, Will came towards them, marching and huffing, Will puffed out his chest, preparing for battle, and stopped right in front of them, close enough for Percy to feel Will's rapid breathing on his face. Not pleasant.

"Let go of Nico, he doesn't belong to you!”

"Ohh!" Percy said, faking the happiness he didn't feel. "If he doesn't belong to me, does that mean he's yours?”

For real, that was a question that didn’t need an answer. Nico wasn’t someone’s thing. Anyway, that didn’t matter. The fact that was worth noting was that Nico gasped and pressed himself closer to him, hiding his face in his shoulder and muttering a “Please, someone kill me,” something Percy probably shouldn’t have heard. So he decided to ignore it.

"Let. Him. Go! Now!”

"What if I don't want to? You're going to scream some more, aren't you?" Percy shook his head, pretending to be disappointed and said: "You can curse me if you want. I promise to cry just for you. What do you think?”

“You fucking--!”

Percy peered over Nico's head at Will and nearly burst out laughing.

You know, it was pretty funny. A spoiled kid thinking that his angry puppy face pretending to be a fighting bull would scare anyone. And he thought he was the little wimp there. Live and learn, right? However, Will kept his promise, he came closer again and before Percy knew it, a punch was coming towards him, but because of the height difference it would hit Nico.

At the last moment, he turned around, putting Nico with his back to the wall and took another punch in his place, in the same spot where Hades had hit him. He barely felt the impact, but he knew that the next day the bruise would be much bigger than necessary.

"Per!" Nico gasped, seeming to come out of his stupor.

"It's okay, kitten." He smiled at Nico and stroked his long black hair. It didn't even hurt, he was sincere. But Nico didn't believe it. He raised his hand and massaged the place gently, making a cute grimace of sorrow.

"The skin is swollen. It even looks like a bump has formed!”

"It’s nothing. You don't need to--”

That was the moment when Hazel decided to appear, shaking the photo album and showing a specific page that they couldn't see from that direction.

"Percy, I found-- You again! What are you doing here?" She pointed at Will and crossed her arms.

Percy knew he liked her for a good reason.

"It's none of your business, Dwarf." Will said without paying attention to her.

Percy turned his head in time to see Will raising his fist once more, another punch coming his way.

"Is that so? Then, I'll call Lalá and Katty.”

Hazel whistled and two dogs appeared. They were two adult, trained German Shepherds.

"Bite." With a sweet smile on her face, was all Hazel said.

After that, everything happened very quickly. The dogs followed their owner's orders and went after Will, who ran away, disappearing faster than he had appeared.

***

"Percy, I found-- You! What are you doing here again?”

When Hazel appeared on the balcony was the moment he knew things were only going to get more complicated. She pointed at Will and crossed her arms, the photo album forgotten in her hands.

You know? That was the reason Will didn't come to their house anymore and that was also the reason they met at Will's work, hidden in some dark alley.

The truth was that things had been a bit strange between Will and his family ever since… well, ever since Will started acting so explosively. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, exactly, Will was too jealous, too bossy, sometimes it seemed like he was going to force him into something Nico didn’t want to do, and without him even realizing it. One moment they were talking and the next… they weren’t. Even though Will knew he wasn’t ready to take that step.

The thing was, Will used to be his friend, his first friend, and Nico didn't want to lose that friendship just because they weren't sexually compatible, even though Will insisted they were. He just... Nico just didn't feel that way about Will, maybe he never had. If it weren't for his father... it was hard to define if he ever loved Will or if it was the pressure from Hades putting everything on his shoulders; the problem was that Will was always there by his side, but maybe... maybe he shouldn't be anymore? Will definitely had other priorities now, like deciding who was the alpha male or marking his territory like a dog in heat.

"It's none of your business, Dwarf." Nico heard Will say, his voice sending shivers down his spine.

Nico didn't even want to see, he didn't want to hear either. Will spoke with so much anger, with so much hate... he didn't know who Will was anymore. The boy Nico knew was sweet and respectful, the best friend in the world. Now this mean, cruel and violent man? He had never heard Will speak like that to anyone, much less seen him raise his hand against anyone.

Shrinking against Percy's chest, Nico closed his eyes, ready to receive all the aggression that Will seemed to direct only at him.

"Is that so? Then I'll call Lalá and Katty.”

Hazel whistled and the two dogs appeared, the guard dogs that looked after their property, trained by Hades and Hazel since she was little.

"Bite." Hazel said and Nico relaxed, it was a relief not to have to deal with Will now.

Will ran away and finally Nico allowed himself to sigh and breathe, feeling safe with Percy around him.

"Nico, are you okay? What did he do?”

He looked to the side and there was the angel with black skin and golden eyes, she was so tall and so kind that most of the time Nico forgot that she was only eleven years old.

"It was nothing. You know, the usual.”

"If it were me, I would have already kicked his ass so hard that Will would never sit down again." She nodded, as though imagining the whole scene, and took Nico's hand, leading them inside the house.

Percy followed closely behind him, his hands guiding his back and making him feel good. That is, until they reached the dining room where everyone was still sitting, no one was drinking or eating like before, all of them looking at their forks or laps, avoiding looking at him, or almost; Hades was the exception. He had one of the most neutral expressions Nico had ever seen in his life.

"Come on, sit down. Finish eating.”

Nico looked at the plate and his stomach turned. The food must have gone cold and the wine made him want to vomit.

"No, thanks. I'll take Perc--”

"It was you? The one who called that boy here?" Hazel said, still standing at the entrance to the dining room. "Only you would do something like that.”

"Hazel, respect your father." Maria finally spoke. She muttered, standing up and walking around the table until she was in front of her daughter. "The important thing is that the problem has been solved.”

"Solved? What was solved? That man came in here again!”

“Hazel,” Hades murmured, scolding her. “You’re right. I talked to him. I thought Will had changed, that he was worried about Nico keeping him waiting last night. I didn’t ask him to come.”

"So, you admit it! You've been talking to him behind our backs!”

"Not exactly. Mr. Solace is the mayor, how could I not talk to them?”

"Is this all because of money? I don't believe it! Is that why Nico forces himself to put up with that daddy's boy son of a b****? Cause you would lose their political support? Ahg!" Hazel looked at her father in disgust and ran out of the room, but before she went, she turned around and said: "If you ever do that to me, I'll report you for mistreatment of minors. How could you do that to your own son?”

With that, Hazel ran up the stairs and from where they were, they could hear the door slam with a loud thud.

***

"Yeah, well…" He turned to Percy and ignored everything else, almost hiding back against the man's chest. Instead, he tried to smile and look apologetic. It probably didn't work. But he was surprised, Percy brought his hands to his face and wiped away the tears he hadn't even noticed were falling.

"No need to cry, it's okay.”

“I--”

"Really. It was my fault. You don't have to be sad about it. Hmm?" Percy smiled at him, showing that small smirk, and touched his hair, stroking it slowly, calming him with just a gentle gesture and sweet words.

Strangely reassured, Nico felt a weird sensation in the pit of his stomach and observed Percy's eyes, clear as the sea, firm and warm in his touch, determined, affectionate. He didn't know what to say, that gesture seemed more than a simple caress, its meaning expanding each time Percy did something like that; the gesture becoming more familiar and intimate than before. But Nico had promised, he wouldn't run away from his feelings. So he continued to look at him and let the moment drag on until the minutes passed and Will's memory slowly faded.

Percy just stood there with Nico, hugging him around the waist, massaging his hair and smiling at him.

“Are you okay?” Percy finally spoke, whispering close to his ear, like a secret.

Nico mumbled something back, something nonsensical. Percy smiled, his voice coming out in a deep cat-like purr, the laughter echoing through his chest and broad shoulders, making Nico feel it in his hands, still resting on Percy's shoulders.

"Do you want to come with me? I don't blame you. I would run away from here too if I could.”

Nico smiled at Percy. Yes, he found himself smiling. Nico smiled because it was the only thing to do at that moment, the only logical thing that would keep him sane; mostly, Nico smiled because that was the effect Percy had on him, even when the man acted like a jerk his reaction was to laugh, whether he was happy, angry or... something else, his reaction would always be that.

“I’ll walk you to the door?” Nico asked. He wouldn’t mind spending some more time with him. However, it was already dark and he didn’t want Percy to get home too late.

So Nico took him by the hand and led him along the path between the vegetations until they reached the wooden gate at the entrance to the property.

"Thanks for bearing with me. It was a fun night.”

"I bet." Nico muttered back.

Super fun.

Percy smiled at him and took a step back, preparing to leave when he stopped in his tracks and turned to Nico, now more sober.

"I was serious about you coming with me. For as long as you need.”

"I-- I can't. It wouldn't be..." The word Nico was looking for was "good" or "healthy," but what came out was something else. "...fair. You've done so much for me. I don't know how to thank you.”

"You don't have to. Never. I wouldn't ask for what you're not willing to give. And I don't expect you to give me anything back.”

Percy's response to his ears sounded ambiguous, with more meaning than he was ready to accept. So Nico just nodded and waited for Percy to walk away, looking down and feeling strangely disappointed, sensing that something was changing again and in such a short time. However, before Percy had completely walked away, Nico saw Percy coming back with hurried steps and… and he hadn't expected that.

Holding his breath, Nico saw Percy stop in front of him and... and hold his shoulder, watched those hands go up to his neck and stop there, firm and warm. It was then that Percy looked at him very closely and... and kissed his face, too close to his mouth and, at the same time, far away.

Percy pressed his mouth there for longer than necessary, massaging his hair, and slowly released him. Only then did Nico realize how possessive Percy's touch seemed, much more intense than the other times. Yes, this time Percy didn't smile, and neither did he do it. Percy looked at Nico as if memorizing his features and finally pulled away, hesitating.

"See you on Monday.”

Percy turned his back on him, got into his giant jeep and sped away. Before he knew it, Percy was long gone, leaving him with nothing but silence and his own thoughts, and maybe a little discomfort between his legs.

See you soon!

This is the kind of relationship I like to write about, intense and faithful.

I'll never stop being obsessed with the way Stiles comforts Derek here, or the way he stands up against Argent here.

Because Stiles knows, he knows how it feels to blame yourself for the death of someone you care about, even if it wasn't really in your control. Stiles and Derek both have that same feeling of guilt on their shoulders, and Stiles comforting Derek after he experiences that same pain another time? Stiles being furious on Dereks behalf? It's devastating, and one of my favorite things about their relationship.