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

O que é isso? O terceiro capítulo da semana? É um milagre! Nessa semana vocês realmente podem me chamar de escritora, porque eu escrevi muitoooooo.

Agora, falando serio. A vontade de escrever já está virando obsessão, então vamos ver até onde ela dura. E claro, peço desculpas pela baixa na qualidade do texto. É isso o que acontecesse quando se escreve muito em pouco tempo, por isso revisão e edição é tão importante. E tipo, sinto muito pelo drama! Eu já disse que escrita é minha terapia? Não é literal, são coisas que eu vejo, vivo e sinto tudo misturado. Acho que é isso o que eles chamam de "estilo de escrita".

O capítulo é pequeno, mas de qualquer forma, espero que você gostem.^^

Capítulos anteriores: CAPÍTULO I / CAPÍTULO II / CAPÍTULO III / CAPÍTULO IV / CAPÍTULO V / CAPÍTULO VI / CAPÍTULO VII / CAPÍTULO VIII / CAPÍTULO IX / CAPÍTULO X / CAPÍTULO XI / CAPÍTULO XII / CAPÍTULO XIII / CAPÍTULO XIV / CAPÍTULO XV / CAPÍTULO XVI / CAPÍTULO XVII / CAPÍTULO XVIII

— Obrigado. — Ele acabou dizendo quando a família o abraçou em conjunto, Sally quase chorando enquanto Grover e Tyson tinham uma expressão séria e neutra no rosto, o fazendo se lembrar quando Percy estava tentando se controlar para não destruir o que visse pelo caminho.

Ele também gostava disso, sabendo que poderia contar com a família inteira. E já que ele estava sendo sincero, por que não continuar?

— Eu não via Hades há anos, ele não é importante. Será que é necessário tanto trabalho por causa dele? Eu estava pensando em algo mais eficaz.

—  O que você precisar, querido. — Dessa vez, foi Sally quem disse, se já se recompondo; a mãe dando espaço para a mulher de negócios.

— Eu estava pensando em emancipação. — Quando ninguém disse nada, Nico preferiu fechar os olhos e continuar falando. — Hades tem o controle das posses da minha mãe e como filho único, eu só teria acesso a isso com vinte e um anos. Se eu apressar esse processo, posso tentar recuperar o que é meu antes que Hades destrua tudo.

— Não entendo, Hades não pode mexer nesse dinheiro sem a permissão da justiça. — Tyson disse, confuso.

— Esse é o problema. Minha mãe tinha ações e outros ativos que Hades tem acesso. Grande parte do que ele tem vem da minha mãe.

— Você está nos dizendo que quem era rica era sua mãe e não Hades? — Agora era Percy quem parecia inconformado.

— Hades costumava ser um gerente de banco. Ela se apaixonou e eu nasci. Na verdade, Bianca é minha meia irmã. Meu avô é um grande fazendeiro, sabe? Mamãe costumava ajudá-lo antes de Hades aparecer.

— Nossa. — Grover murmurou. — Seu pai é filho da puta.

— Ele é. Eu não me sentia seguro em contar isso para ninguém, mas agora que ele não pode me machucar é o momento de recuperar tudo o que ele tirou de mim.

— Nós vamos ajudar. Tyson vai começar os preparativos.

— Será que a gente pode pegar ele de surpresa? Tentar recuperar a herança da minha mãe e fazer a emancipação juntos? Eu não quero dar tempo para ele revidar.

— É claro. É uma ótima ideia. — Tyson disse com um estranho brilho no olhar. — Ele nem vai perceber quando a gente pegar ele. Eu prometo.

— Tudo bem. Eu confio em você. Se a emancipação não der certo, vocês podem ser meus guardiões? Nunca mais quero voltar para aquela casa.

— Você tem nossa palavra. — Sally tocou em seu ombro, sorrindo para ele com lágrimas nos olhos. — Vamos destruir esse homem, nem que seja à força.  

— Vocês não precisam prometer. Eu só… não quero ficar sob o controle dele. Não sei o que pode acontecer.

— Bianca está bem morando com ele?

— Ele nunca tratou Bianca como me trata.

— Oh, querido. — Sally disse e o abraçou forte, ainda com Percy o segurando pela cintura. 

Ele se negava a chorar, se negava a dar a Hades esse gostinho, se negava a continuar sob o controle daquele homem. Enquanto ele estava em Verona com seus avós, primos e tios, Hades não teve a coragem de se aproximar. Mas agora que nenhum outro adulto era responsável por ele, Hades pensava que poderia mandar nele. Bem, Nico iria provar para aquele homem e devolver um gostinho do que Hades havia feito com ele.

— Eu estou bem. Tudo isso ficou no passado. Eu só quero o que é meu.

— Nós sabemos. — Percy finalmente disse, saindo de seu estupor. — Eu vou cuidar de você.

Nico sabia disso, Percy estava dizendo essas palavras com tanta frequência que ele estava começando a acreditar. Talvez eles realmente tivessem uma chance de se casar no futuro e construir uma família somente deles, longe de toda essa confusão e dor. Talvez se ele se comportasse e fizesse tudo do jeito certo, ele se libertaria desse pesadelo, dessas pessoas que pareciam decididas a torturá-lo.

***

Depois disso as coisas pareceram se acalmar, porém, de uma forma delicada.

Ele disse que deveria ter ficado calado desde o início, não disse? Nico não entendia exatamente o que estava acontecendo, mas suspeitava de algo. Percy estava se distanciando dele, como se estivesse afrouxando a guia de sua coleira para ver até onde ele iria sem supervisão. Ou talvez, fosse apenas o que ele sentia. Talvez Percy estivesse dando um espaço para ele, um tempo para ele entender o que acontecia e dar o próximo passo. Onde Percy estava de seu lado em todos os momentos do dia, agora outra pessoa o substituiria sem ele nem perceber. Era estranho, nas poucas vezes que ele se pegava sozinho e conseguia pensar, o efeito do que Percy queria se tornava o contrário. Esse tempo sozinho o fazia pensar na vida e nas possibilidades que o futuro guardava para ele. Isso o assustava, a incerteza, vendo que teria que tomar as rédeas da própria vida se quisesse viver confortavelmente, quando, na realidade, tudo o que ele desejava era que alguém viesse e lhe dissesse qual era o caminho certo a tomar.

Aquela tarde não seria diferente, o fazendo se perder na sucessão dos dias, dias agradáveis e com pessoas que se importavam, mas sem o prazer que ele tinha se acostumado a receber. Será que alguns dias era o suficiente para Percy se convencer? Ele estava se comportando como era esperado dele? Nico estava tão cansado que apenas se levantou da cama e saiu andando pela casa. Ele encontrou Sally na cozinha, negando o convite para cozinhar com ela. Encontrou Tyson na sala de estudos e ele ofereceu para atualizá-lo sobre o caso de Hades, e mais uma vez negou, passando por Grover que estava na sala de estar e indo direto para a área externa da casa, o único lugar que Percy poderia estar. E lá Nico o encontrou, nadando em velocidade rápida na piscina, para cima e para baixo, e quando Nico finalmente se aproximou o suficiente para ver melhor a figura de Percy, ele permaneceu em silêncio, se perguntando se era uma boa ideia quebrar sua rotina auto-imposta. E se esse fosse o futuro deles e Nico apenas estivesse atrasando e lutando contra o que não tinha jeito? Se vendo em um beco sem saída, Nico se sentou em uma das espreguiçadeiras e continuou observando Percy nadar furiosamente, parecendo que tentava descontar toda sua frustração na água.

Agora, não faltava muito. Se Nico ainda estivesse seguindo o script deles, em poucos minutos Percy sairia da piscina e iria em busca dele. Percy o abraçaria e sorriria para ele, sendo todo carinhoso e eles passariam o resto da tarde e parte da noite fazendo qualquer coisa que não fosse o que eles queriam estar fazendo. Ele estava tão cansado de tudo isso que nem se surpreendeu quando Percy saiu da piscina, como se alguém o estivesse perseguindo, quase passando direto por ele. Nico sentia vontade de rir, isso era tão ridículo; Percy era ridículo e ele também era ridículo. O que eles estavam esperando? O trauma e tristeza desaparecem para que eles pudessem continuar com a vida deles? Que talvez com tempo e paciente Nico seria uma pessoa normal e equilibrada mentalmente? O mais engraçado foi ver Percy voltando de ré e parando ao lado de sua cadeira, sorrindo encabulado para ele. E o que Nico fez? Ele sorriu de volta, era a única coisa racional a se fazer em uma situação que não fazia nenhum sentido.

— Ei, lindo. O que você faz aqui sozinho? — Percy perguntou e se agachou, ficando em sua altura e o encarando bem de perto.

— Senti sua falta. 

— É?

— Eu queria saber onde você estava.

— Eu estou aqui, como sempre.

Nico queria dizer que era uma mentira. Percy podia estar ali, mas não estava do seu lado.

— O que está acontecendo com a gente? — Ele perguntou, se sentindo mais cansado a cada momento que se passava.

— Não está acontecendo nada. — Percy disse e sorriu para ele, o tocando suavemente no rosto. E esse era o problema, nada acontecia e ele precisava que algo acontecesse imediatamente, ou ele iria enlouquecer por completo.

Nico quase se deixou levar pela carícia platônica, quase deixou que o sorriso calmo de Percy o enganasse.

— Eu… eu fiz algo errado?

— Isso nunca seria possível.

— Você não gosta mais de mim?

— Nico. — Percy disse na voz mais calma que ele já tinha ouvido. — Acho que a gente devia desacelerar.

— Mais do que isso?

— Eu… — Então a máscara de tranquilidade no rosto de Percy se quebrou. — Eu abusei de você. Eu nunca perguntei porque você não falava com seu pai. Nunca questionei porque você chorava e tremia quando pensava que ninguém estava vendo. Eu preciso de espaço. Pensei que seria bom para você também.

— Eu não preciso de espaço. Eu preciso de você.

Nico não hesitou, ele se jogou no colo de Percy e o abraçou bem apertado, sentindo um nó na garganta se formar.

— Nico. Eu… eu me sinto culpado. Eu sou apenas mais um que quer abusar de você. — O importante era que Percy o abraçou de volta, bem apertado, o segurando pela nuca e sussurrando em seu ouvido. — Eu quero te ver aos meus pés e quero te ver obedecendo tudo o que eu mandar. Quero que você olhe só para mim e pense só em mim. Você acha que isso é diferente do que Hades estava fazendo com você?

— Eu não me importo. — Pronto, ele tinha dito. — Eu quero fazer tudo isso por você.

— Nico, por favor.

— Eu estou cansado. Por que eu não posso ter o que eu quero? Por que é tão errado estar sob o controle de outra pessoa?

Ele ouviu Percy gemer e antes que pudesse reagir, Percy o puxou pelos cabelos e o fez encará-lo, seus olhos verdes em chamas, como se Percy estivesse prestes a devorá-lo ali mesmo.

— Você vai me matar. Você sabe disso? Eu estou tentando cuidar de você. Estou fazendo o que é melhor para você.

— Eu quero não o melhor, eu só quero não me sentir tão miserável o tempo todo. Você pode fazer a dor passar?

Percy olhou por um longo momento para ele, parecendo que iria desmoronar a qualquer instante, mas finalmente sua vontade foi atendida; Percy encostou os lábios dele contra os seus e ficou assim por alguns momentos, o permitindo sentir o calor e o toque que ele tanto tinha sentido falta. E de repente, era o suficiente para Nico. Não era o sexo que ele sentia falta, era o calor do corpo de Percy sobre o dele, o afeto, toque atencioso, o liberar da tensão, a conexão que ele não havia encontrado em nenhum outro lugar.

Infelizmente, o momento foi quebrado algum tempo depois. As mãos de Percy continuaram sobre sua pele e ele ainda estava sentado no colo de Percy, eles ainda se encaravam como se o outro fosse sumir se eles desviassem a atenção.

— Eu nunca quis que você se sentisse assim. — Percy enfim disse, engolindo em seco. — Eu me sinto um monstro. Eu vou-- eu vou superar isso, eu só preciso de um tempo.

— A gente precisa ficar longe? Eu não quero aprender sobre advocacia com Tyson ou sobre esportes com Grover, eu nem mesmo quero aprender novas receitas com Sally. Prometo que não vou te incomodar.

— Como você pode fazer isso comigo? — Foi tudo o que Percy disse antes de enfiar o rosto em seu pescoço e Nico sentir lágrimas atingirem sua pele, os braços de Percy se apertando ao redor de sua cintura.

— Oh.

Talvez não tenha sido uma boa ideia encurralar Percy no final das contas. Nico se convenceu disso quando ouviu o primeiro soluço. Por que tudo o que ele fazia dava errado? Com o peito apertado, Nico puxou Percy para cima e deitou com ele na espreguiçadeira. Ele obedeceria aos desejos de Percy e daria o espaço que ele precisava.

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Então, está muito ruim? Qualquer feedback é bem-vindo, nem que seja para me cobrar alguma coisa. Vou adorar ver vocês por aqui. E só para avisar, a versão em inglês vai vir assim que minha inspiração esvaziar um pouco e infelizmente a qualidade vai continuar duvidosa até que isso aconteça; quanto mais tempo eu passo revisando ou traduzindo, menos palavras eu escrevo e mais a evolução da história se atrasa. Espero que vocês entendam. E obrigada desde já!

Always!

If you write romance, do your characters flirt in your head while you’re trying to sleep, or is it just me?

the difference between how different characters perceive nico is so freaking funny

The cast of the argo II during MoA/HoH to nico: Who. Who tf are you. Why are you so terrifying. Are you human. He’s going to kill us in our sleep. Why is his sword emo.

hazel: yes that is my brother 🥰 he is absolutely delightful 🥰 he’s so scrawny lmao lemme get him an apple

jason: in the nicest way possible, have you ever considered going to therapy?

percy: WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING IN A JAR GET OUTTA THERE YOU CRAWL FASTER IM TRYING TO RESCUE YOU YOU LITTLE SHIT IF YOU DIE RIGHT NOW I WILL FUCKING KILL YOU

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

Hi, how are you? I'm late, but I'm here. In this chapter we develop our protagonists' relationship a little more. I hope you enjoy it.

CHAPTER I / CHAPTER II / CHAPTER III / CHAPTER IV / CHAPTER V / CHAPTER VI / CHAPTER VII / CHAPTER VIII / CHAPTER IX / CHAPTER X / CHAPTER XI / CHAPTER XII / CHAPTER XIII / CHAPTER XIV / CHAPTER XV / CHAPTER XVI / CHAPTER XVII / CHAPTER XVIII / CHAPTER XIX / CHAPTER XX / CHAPTER XXI / CHAPTER XXII / CHAPTER XXIII / CHAPTER XXIV / CHAPTER XXV

Nico snuggled deeper into Percy's arms, sighed, and feeling content, picked up the diary next to his pillow. The sun was still hiding in the sky and Nico already felt energized, the excess energy only encouraged that feeling of contentment to intensify. However, something held him in place, making him look out the window, allowing Nico to see the pool and the barbecue area. Never in his wildest dreams did he think that one day he would be so happy, feeling on top of the world.

Things weren't always easy, but Nico wouldn't trade Percy's presence for anything in the world.

He peeked out of the corner of his eye and saw that Percy was still asleep, sprawled out on the bed. Arms spread, belly up, with nothing to cover his body. Nico couldn't help but laugh, his chest growing warmer at the overwhelming thought. If Nico had known the power he had,that with a few words and a little courage, he could have all his  wishes granted, Nico would have done it years ago. Or maybe, he wouldn't. Maybe everything was happening at the right time and at the right moment.

The truth is, it took a long time for Nico to feel like himself, like he was someone worthy of having his own wants and desires, and not merely an object that other people could use.

He remembered very little of his childhood, most of his memories of his mother preserved in photographs, others, cooking or tending the garden with her, everything else lost in the long days before meeting Percy, leaving him with phantom feelings and impressions, hidden in a part of his mind that Nico could not access. However, if there was one thing that Nico still remembered, it was being a shy, lonely and traumatized boy; all he felt was fear and loneliness, alone in his crystal world, made of fictional superheroes and damsels in distress; his mother dead and abandoned by his father, a sister who, when she had time, paid attention to him, saying that his father was busy, but that she loved him. That was why, from an early age, Nico learned not to trust people. They approached him for a reason and they would always take something from him, even his sister, who at that time insisted on convincing him that staying there was better than returning to Italy and, in fact, it was Hades who asked her to keep Nico away from his real family, because, that way, the man would continue to have access to his mother's money as his legal guardian.

In the end, everyone was the same, everyone had the intention of taking advantage of him in one way or another. That is, until Percy showed up. First, Percy offered help. Then, a home, a family, company, affection. And instead of asking something from him, Percy offered and kept offering, leaving him confused for years. Even the money that Nico never had trouble getting, Percy made a point of offering. Or rather, sharing it with him. For many years Nico couldn't understand, how could someone give so much and not want anything in return?

Well, now Nico understood what Percy wanted from him. It just hadn't crossed his mind that Percy might be looking for a friend.

This was so sad and ironic that Nico wanted to cry, he wanted to go back in time and relive everything. Every moment and every laugh, every hug and innocent night shared. He wanted to go back and fix his mistakes before they even happened, he wished he had appreciated it more how things were and changed what happened in these last two years away from Percy, even though they had been essential for both of them.

No, it was better not to torture himself over something he couldn't fix. Nico wiped his face and opened the diary, flipping through the pages, realizing that only now that he had returned to Percy's side, the desire to draw and write had returned with him. It was strange, Nico might have even drawn when he was at his grandmother's house, something to keep himself busy, just to show that everything was okay and to reconnect with his grandfather and cousins. Even the small passages he wrote, those little scribbles, made in the hope that Percy would read them, were something he had lost the will to do during those years away from here.

In some ways, it was liberating. The freedom to do something because he wanted to and to know that Percy accepted him as he was, even if it was his deepest, most humiliating desires, and that Percy still chose to be with him was... it was the best feeling in the world.

Nico brought his hand to his throat, fingering the diamonds in his collar, and looked back at Percy, sleeping peacefully beside him, his chest rising and falling slowly, his long legs stretched out on the bed, a considerable bulge resting between them. Should Nico write something that... would continue to encourage Percy to feel as free as he did? Maybe Nico could reflect on last night?

Nico bit his lip and shrugged. That was why Percy had given him the diary, wasn't it?

“My safe word isn’t ‘no.’ Begging you to stop doesn’t mean I’m telling you to stop.

Tears, crying, and moaning are not a safe word. If I need to use it, I will. Until then, have fun.”

Nico stared at what he had written for a moment. He never imagined that someday he would be writing this kind of thing, but... it felt like something was missing. After all, Percy was giving him exactly what Nico had always wanted, so why not tell him everything he thought? Percy knew all his secrets, what was the harm in telling him all his thoughts too?

“Sometimes I’m not sure about anything. Other times, my whole being wants to be dominated and subjugated by you. Sometimes, I want you to force me, to hold me against the bed and give me no choice. Other times, I want you to just hold me and tell me everything is going to be okay. Can you decide these things for me? Can you give me pleasure and make me feel pain, just enough so that the memories of the past fade away?

I'm confused. Other people have hurt me and none of them have made me feel the way you do. Why is it different with you? Why do fear and uncertainty make me float with you?

So don't ask me what I want, just do it. I'll never blame you, you'll never disappoint me. Because I know that with you, I'm safe.”

Gods! He quickly closed the diary and brought it to his chest, squeezing his eyes shut. This wasn't exactly what Nico had in mind! What would Percy think of him? He hadn't meant to put all this weight on Percy's shoulders! He knew perfectly well that it wasn't right or fair to expect Percy to do... do this for him! Nico didn't even know what he was thinking anymore, he was just sure that he didn't want anything to change. Maybe if he hid the diary, Nico could avoid yet another forced therapy session.

Yes, that was what Nico was going to do it! He grabbed the diary and moved forward, wondering where he would hide it. Nico would have done it if Percy's hand hadn't moved to his waist, holding him tight and pulling him towards him. That made Nico stop, staying where he was, like a statue, now pressed against Percy's chest, the sleepy voice sounding near his ear.

"Where does my baby think he's going? Hmm?”

"Per! I... I..." Nico didn't know what to do. If he stuck his face under the pillow and never came out of there, would that be acceptable?  "I couldn't sleep.”

"Then, let Daddy rock you to sleep.”

Nico found it amazing how Percy could turn a simple sentence into a command. Or how he could sound so sexual without putting in any effort in it. Maybe it was all in his head, his anxiety making him see things that weren't even there.

“Baby,” Percy called in that velvety voice, and all his efforts to pretend nothing had happened went down the drain.

Nico turned in Percy's arms and faced him, feeling his body heat up as Percy got closer, now hugging him from behind and massaging his neck, running his hands through his hair. It was these moments that made him realize that he would do whatever Percy told him to do.

"Where did that little head of yours go, hm?”

When Nico continued to stare at him, Percy continued, a playful smile appearing on his lips.

"How about you let go of the diary?”

"Oh.”

Nico hadn't even realized what he was doing, he was hugging the diary to his chest, keeping Percy away from him.

Slowly, Percy raised his hand and took the diary from Nico's hands, staring at the cover of the notebook for a few seconds.

"What are you up to? If I open this, will I find a surprise?”

"What? No! Of course... no." Nico felt his face heat up and tried to think of a better excuse. If he acted quickly, he could still get out of this situation unharmed.

Unfortunately, Nico was too slow. Still smiling, Percy opened the diary, finding the last written page, marked by the pen.

Nico didn't want to look, he didn't! He buried his face in Percy's neck and hoped for the best.

"Hm. Now, now. Safe words? And.." Then, Percy stopped talking in the next moment, tensing up.

However, it seemed that Percy was willing to keep the truce between them. He merely moved and pulled Nico closer, making him sit on his lap. Percy grabbed Nico by the neck, making Nico face him, and kissed his lips, a soft and unhurried touch.

"I love you too. No matter what happens.”

Nico could only nod in agreement, watching Percy's green eyes shine in the dim light of the room.

"I always forget how strong you are. How much you've lived." Percy slid his fingers down the back of Nico's neck and began to stroke his hair there, looking at him seriously. "I promise I won't ask anymore, I won't doubt your decisions.”

"You don't have to do these things for me. It's very selfish.”

"I want to do it. I like it. I feel guilty for liking it so much." Percy seemed to think for a few moments and then spoke again, his voice softening, but his gaze burning Nico completely. “If I could, I would put you on a leash and not take my eyes off you. I would control all your thoughts and desires, your pleasure and your pain, your orgasms.”

"And why don't you do it?" Nico found himself saying, diving into the fantasy.

Well, maybe it wasn't a fantasy. Maybe Nico would be willing to do that and more if Percy made that decision for them.

"It's not right. I wouldn't be any different from Hades." However, Percy seemed to be really thinking about it, stroking Nico's hair as if he were a docile pet. "We can start slowly.”

Nico thought he had moaned, feeling a tremor run through his body, as if Percy was doing much more than just touch his hair and talk to him.

"What do you think about this? Want to try it?”

Nico nodded again, forgetting about the diary, the old memories, and the thin walls.

"How?”

"Hmmm." Percy stared at him for a few more moments, making his anxiety reach new peaks of adrenaline. Nico didn't need to worry because Percy soon had mercy on him. "Take the box I showed you yesterday. It's on the floor near the wardrobe.”

With shaky legs, Nico obeyed. He got out of bed, his legs feeling weak and almost tripped in the dark room, spotting the box in a corner near the wall. Nico picked it up and brought it close to Percy who opened it, revealing the items inside.

"W... what is this?”

The question was rhetorical, of course.

It wasn’t that Nico didn’t know what those things were. What was important to note was the intention behind the gesture. A muzzle, a blindfold, soft handcuffs, and a large, thickly textured pink collar. Something Nico had seen a few months ago, but never thought he would get to wear it. The collar was so big and looked so heavy…

“What do you think?” Percy asked again, watching him closely.

"I don't know." Nico whispered, distracted by the thought of what it all meant.

"Go ahead, choose one of them.”

Nico couldn't help but grab the pink collar and gasp. Maybe he was in shock, maybe it was the surprise. The leather strap was heavier than he thought, soft to the touch, but simple and beautiful. It almost felt like he was being proposed to for the third time. Like, this time it seemed to be something decisive, didn't it? A physical proof that was impossible not to notice, since the collar was bigger than his head.

“Did you like it?”

Nico finally looked at Percy, immediately regretting it. Percy wasn't doing anything out of the ordinary. He was, in fact, standing still, with his back against the bed frame, Percy was not even touching him. Was it all in his head? Has Percy always looked at him that way? Or was it something new, something hidden? Nico wasn't sure, but if he could bet, it seemed like Percy wanted to do something really bad to him, something that Nico would willingly let him do, and that probably neither of them would feel any remorse for.

“Oh.” Nico gasped, his reaction coming too late, realizing that maybe what Percy had said about… about putting him on a leash wasn’t just to make Nico feel good. 

For a moment Nico felt the need to run away, like last time, feeling like a prey, like he was going to be devoured if he wasn’t careful. This was what he wanted, wasn’t it? For Percy to dominate him completely? For him to not hold back? He just hadn’t expected… this. All of this. He hadn’t expected to feel so desired.

Percy shifted, leaning toward him, and Nico let it happen, realizing what he felt was far from fear. He let Percy take the collar from his hands and place the heavy leather around his neck, above his choker, buckling the bolt tight enough for the collar to stay in place.

Nico gasped and put his hands to his throat, holding onto the collar and Percy's hands, who was still holding him by the neck. Nico couldn't help but notice, Percy had that intense and strange expression on his face, his fingers around his neck, enjoying the texture of the leather against his warm skin, caressing where his neck met the collar. Nico didn't understand, he thought he was going to pass out, no matter how much air he got into his lungs or if the collar wasn't so tight. His hands were shaking, his eyes were watering, his head was spinning. His body was throbbing.

“Baby,” Percy finally said, breaking some of the tension. His voice was playful, laughing at his face, but low and husky, mocking him and comforting him in equal measures. “Breathe.”

Nico didn't like this. He thought it was wrong and that in the end, it was all just a fantasy. Now that he was faced with the reality, he didn't know if he could face it. Maybe... maybe he wasn't so submissive after all and just wanted to... feel protected?

"Shhhh, it's okay. I'm taking it off now. See? It's over.”

Percy raised his hand and showed that, indeed, the collar was now in his hands. So why did Nico still feel so... so ready to run away or have a panic attack, but so excited and anxious, that the feeling made him freeze like a small animal about to be slaughtered?

"It's okay if you're not ready, it's a big responsibility.”

"I hate you!" Nico screamed, frustration leaving his body with the high-pitched sound.

No, that wasn't true. He didn't hate Percy, but sometimes he hated what Percy made him feel. Or the problem was that he liked it more than he should.

"You hate me, do you?" Percy dropped the collar on a random corner of the bed and grabbed his hair, pulling it, making Nico moan. "I'm showing you what it means to be a submissive.”

"I... I didn't ask for this!”

“You think you can just get away with the easy parts and ignore the rest?” Percy didn’t raise his voice or even look angry, though his eyes were still bright and his expression was as serious as before, maybe even more intense. But there was something… something that burned inside him and sent shivers down his spine.

"I didn't mean to--"

"You never do.”

The truth was, Nico hadn't thought about it. Did he just want the easy part? It had to be true. It wasn't the first time he'd tried to run away. Maybe that was the solution.

"Hmmm… I have to consent, right? So, I... allow you... to…”

"What are you trying to say, Nico?”

"I consent to you forcing me when I don't want to... I allow you to stop me from running away, if I try to.”

"Gods, Nico!" Now Percy looked like the same boy he knew, his face contorted between a grimace of pain and a maniacal smile. "What do I do with you?”

"Don't leave me.”

“Gods!” Percy practically growled, catching him off guard in a tight hug, pressing their shoulders and abdomen together. “Let’s forget about this. Neither of us are ready for that step.”

"Liar " Now that Nico saw it, it was so obvious. Percy had always been ready, he was just the one who was still too innocent to realize what was happening before it was too late.

“Okay,” Percy agreed. “How about we save the collar for... special occasions?”

"Like what?”

"When you're excited, there's no one around and... you want something more intense.”

"Like last night?”

“Of course,” Percy said. So why did Nico think that wasn’t the case?

So, what do you think? Comments are always welcome.

See you soon!

My inner introvert is screaming 😂😂😂

nobody warns you that writing makes you obsessed with hands. what are they doing? are they trembling? are they clenched? are they—

i wish you guys could read the amazing fic i haven't written and probably will never write, it's fire

ARTIST MAURICE SAPIRO USA, 1932)moonglow

Part of their problem was Percy. He fought like a demon, whirling through the defender’s ranks in a completely unorthodox style, rolling under their feet, slashing with his sword instead of stabbing like a Roman would, whacking campers with the flat of his blade, and generally causing mass panic.

UNC rape survivor Delaney Robinson comes forward with brave statement

Delaney Robinson, a sophomore at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill alleged Tuesday that a football player at the school raped her in February and that UNC has done nothing about it. In a powerful personal statement she explained how “she did everything a rape victim is supposed to do.”