[ he doesn't expect nico to show up. he hopes, but he tries not to get those too high. #becool. percy's the opposite of cool when he glances up from his device. he's leaning against one of the guard rails, off duty, but it probably looks like he's slacking on the job. his smile is warm, out of place in the cold wash of blue light around them. he pockets his device almost instantly, not quite ready to abandon his spot against the rail.
but he's gazing at nico in the same way people come here to watch the fish. ]
Look at you. Right side of the glass and everything. [ points for not ending up in china this time. ( not that he doubts nico's abilities at this point, but he has to say something. ) ]
[ it does look like he's slacking, but it's more percy's ever present sense of ease around water that makes him seem that way. if anything, nico assumes he's on break or something and that annabeth was busy, so he'd gotten the call. as for him, he's been puttering around town, looking for something to do. since his morning "present" from will, nico's been on his own and he suspects his boyfriend is up to something. so, with nothing much to do until will springs whatever plot he has in mind, nico's come to aquarium, seeking out the son of poseidon.
upon hearing the joke, his immediate response is to roll his eyes. his shadow traveling is easier when it's over shorter distance and his aim is not as bad as it had once been. moving closer, he nudges percy with a shoulder before joining him in leaning against the rail. ]
Yeah, imagine that. I actually know what I'm doing.
[ slowly, almost surrepticiously, and somewhat hesitant, one hand reaches for percy's and if he'll allow it, nico will entwine their fingers. ]
[ believe it or not, in this scenario, he isn't percy's second choice. which isn't to say that he hasn't simultaneously texted annabeth to check in, but it's an entirely separate conversation that has little to do with the picture he sent nico. the two of them will probably never be underwater together and so this is what percy thinks is the closest nico will get to seeing the ocean through his eyes. as if they're on the ocean floor. granted, some of the sea creatures here are even more mystical than the greek and roman ones in their own world. ]
This is crazy stuff, boys and girls. [ he admits, arms spread with his palms out, like he's explaining to an imaginary tour group. somehow in spite of joking at nico's expense, there isn't a hint of weight to it. there's no reluctance ( thinly veiled or otherwise ) in him today and so he takes nico's hand in his without delay. if he's going for stealth, then percy's a billboard with a spotlight. he kicks his foot off the glass, propels himself away from the rail, hands still clasped but he's turning so he can face nico. ] I thought we could hang out.
[ he's backing up, slowly, with tiny steps trying to guide nico along, but if he refuses to budge than percy has no choice but to yank him forward. ( if he crashes into him, he's prepared for that. ) he knows it's nico's birthday but he doesn't want nico to know he knows that. yet. ]
[ nico would be pleased to know that, and if anything, he's pleased now that percy has essentially invited him. they're holding hands and if nico suspects this might almost be a date. on his birthday, no less. the corners of his lips twitch as they threaten to form a smile and when percy tugs on his hand, he stumbles a step or two, but manages to catch himself by placing a hand against percy's chest.
he can't help it. he's drawn to percy like this, with the blue light enveloping. they're so immersed in percy's element that nico feels as though he should be wet, holding his breath. instead, he's almost toe to toe with percy, breathing air, and looking up at him to see those sea-green eyes having become a shade of aquamarine. ]
You dork.
[ it's said with affection and he smirks a bit as his hand at percy's chest slides down and then away. ]
[ there's a moment — nico's palm on his chest, their shoes bumping together, looking into his eyes — when he wants to drag him closer still and kiss him. it has to be visible. his poker face is non-existent when nothing's riding on his ability to bluff. and that's just it, isn't it? nobody's about to die, impending doom isn't mocking them, and best of all? the gods aren't around to spoil everything good that comes their way.
percy has time. he has all the time in the world to think, not just react, but actually work through how he feels.
so, the only roadblock standing in his way now is himself.
nico's calling him names, words are coming out and percy's sure they're Very Important but he isn't listening. sorry, not sorry. he catches nico's hand because this time, he can. this time, percy's going after him. this time, he's not letting go. ]
Yeah, in a minute. [ if he doesn't get pushed away, or asked what it is he thinks he's doing, then he's leaning in and pressing his lips against nico's, not delicately, but like he wants to get it right. ]
[ sometimes, nico remembers the when jason had scooped him up into the air and flown with him on currents of air. he remembers when zephyr had turned him into the wind itself. those times are a lot like shadow traveling. when he feels weightless. buoyant. free of fears and feelings and constraints. free of prophecies and gods and responsibilities. sitting high in the crow's nest of the argo ii had been like that too. where he could lean against the wood and imagine the breeze was lifting him away like a feather, an escape from the horrors of giants and tartarus.
nico also remembers, albeit vaguely, the times spent on the canals of his home city, venice. where traversing between neighborhoods had required boats. the feeling of floating on water, atop the gentle waves, had always been soothing. nico's never been a strong swimmer, water certainly not being his element, but nico's always enjoyed the water anyway.
and sometimes nico regrets that his element is that of earth and stone. the air in the underworld isn't stale and stagnant, not meant to fly in ( if he could even fly in the first place ) and the waters of the rivers in the underworld aren't suitable for swimming ( just ask percy ). it means that experiencing that weightless feeling is almost impossible for him. a rare occurrence.
but being kissed by percy is just like that feeling of floating. not because of the physical thrill he feels racing up his spin ( though, that's always good too ), but because of the knowledge that he doesn't have to hide how he feels anymore. the façade of anger and bitterness has melted away and nico doesn't hesitate in letting the son of poseidon pull him close.
it's nice ( okay, so it's more than nice ), kissing here like it's the most normal and natural thing to do. under swarms of fish that pass overhead. their own version of an underwater kiss. nico doesn't want the moment to end. so he won't be the one to end it. instead, he'll part his lips and slowly settle his free hand against percy's jaw. content to linger under the undulating blue light of the aquarium around them. ]
[ eudio has been both wonderfully freeing and horrifically suffocating for percy.
he's been ecstatic, devastated, furious, numb, just okay, and he's had the rug pulled out from under him one too many times. lucky for him, he's good at making the best of a bad situation. the puzzle of his life is finally back on track. the pieces are coming together almost magnetically, like they're searching for each other, unable to remain scattered. nico and annabeth both fit into it somehow, and right now he can't articulate why. maybe some day that will change and be magnificent, something beautiful, like how the ocean can either be dark and menacing, or bright and calm, and he needs both of them for different reasons. it can't be as black and white as having two arms and needing a person to occupy each one, can it?
percy doesn't think so.
that explanation is thoughtless and nothing about them feels meaningless.
there's at least a hundred species of fish swimming around them in this particular tank and percy is too distracted to care that he can hear some of them, or that he works here and that should probably make this a tiny bit weird. he doesn't know how to show nico that he's taking a chance on him, that he's willing to let him in, except by inviting him into his world and the things that matter to him. he's been to the underworld more times than he has ever wanted to and nico's never been to the bottom of the sea. there are too many unknown factors in the sea here to risk nico's safety, so this is as close as they can get, cheesy as it is.
he sucks at remembering anniversaries ( ask annabeth ) and he says some petty mindless things ( see: every day life ) but he's sort of a romantic. you know, when he remembers it's important.
nico parts his lips and percy inhales through his nose, holding his breath because he's definitely going to kiss him like he means it. he trades nico's hand ( one of them ) for the small of his back, determined to hold on when he deepens their kiss by brushing his tongue against nico's. desperation doesn't drive him now, it's something else. ]
[ the addition of the tongue against his own prompts a small noise from nico. this isn't like the other kisses they've shared, full of desperation and desire or pain and need. this is the kiss like those you'd see being shared by lovers. the kind of kiss between two people who care deeply about each other. and though nico knows percy isn't in love with him ( at least not yet, he tells himself. give it time because it seems like percy's gradually falling ), it's very easy to pretend he is.
with one hand settled against his back, and another still holding his, nico uses his free hand to trail cool fingers along a strong jaw and down to brush against percy's pulse. it's not a touch meant to incite or arouse. it's more a gesture made as if he's telling himself that this is really happening and that they truly are standing underneath thousands of gallons of water ( and fish ), kissing as if they're a couple. as if they're on a date. and realizing that makes the corners of nico's lips lift and a pleased hum to rise up from his chest.
if this is what percy had in mind for a birthday present, nico has to admit it's one he greatly appreciates. in fact, it has to be one of the best presents he's ever gotten and he makes that known as he continues dragging his hand down until it settles over percy's heart. ]
[ nico's fingers are cold on percy's neck, but he doesn't mind because his touch warms him. he's brushing his hand over his face, down his neck, like he's trying to memorize him. nico isn't blind, nor missing any of his senses, and yet percy imagines he's brushing his skin with the intention of burning this moment into the back of his eyelids. which is ridiculous. he's just one guy, this is one kiss of many, and it can't possibly mean that much.
( it is pretty freaking amazing, though. )
he hums into percy's mouth and he grins, sucks in a breath, and picks right back up where they left off. mmnope. he's not done here. when he slides his lips against nico's trading his bottom lip for his top one, it's slow. not lazy, just unhurried. he doesn't have anywhere to be. ( and even if he does, he's obviously not rushing to get there with nico's hand over his heart. ) can he tell it's expanding? is he onto him? can he pick up on how making out like they're just two guys (nico&percy) without a care in the world gets to him?
percy fans his fingers out and runs them up nico's spine, then back down, without any sort of pattern. he likes being connected is all. ]
[ one day, percy will get it. one day, he'll understand how much he means to nico and how much nico sees percy as more than just one guy. and one day, he'll understand how this kiss means so much more than he might ever think. at least, nico hopes he will. he wants percy to see and feel and hear and taste how much he's longed for this and how much he's wanted this and how much every kiss feels like a first for the rest of his life. it's a bond between them that has fully manifested and nico wishes percy could see it like he does.
for now, however, he's okay with percy not realizing. the son of poseidon already knows that nico loves him. has loved him for years. has never once stopped loving him, despite nico trying to tell himself differently. and even if percy's feelings aren't as intense as his own, this is still a kiss between two people who deeply care about each other. and percy kisses him as if nothing exists in the entire world but this.
the slow shift, passing of their lips has got to be one of the best birthday gifts ever. in this moment, as he shivers thanks to the hand trailing up and down his back, nothing else matters. the world could be falling apart around him and he wouldn't notices anything save for the way percy's practically sucking on his top lip. ]
yes, this is 8 billion yrs old but i needed a cute thing
[ one day, maybe, but for right now he’s happy to have nico with him in one of the few places in eudio that’s truly special to him. there’s a whole tour to keep them busy with the awesome likelihood of feeding the penguins, you know, if they ever make it that far. nico shivers ( seriously, he gets the chills?? ) and percy laughs against his mouth. it’s a happy sound, not teasing. he knows there are like a hundred other things they could be doing, probably that they’re even supposed to be doing, but he just wants to kiss him for a couple more minutes.
( or twenty. yeah, twenty’s good. )
he hasn’t been in love with nico for years, and he’s not sure that he’s close enough to give his own feelings a name yet, but he wants this. he tries not to think about the ten thousand reasons why he shouldn’t. ( it’s nico’s birthday, will’s planning it, will’s waiting for him, he loves annabeth, etc. ) right now, right here, he wants to be with nico di angelo and nothing and nobody else will do. ]
[ as much as he loves kissing percy ( and he does love it, the slow exchange of lips, the bit of tongue that curls around his and makes the ball of his tongue stud clack against his teeth ), nico can't keep breathing through his nose like he is forever. he pulls away reluctantly, his hands still on percy as though he doesn't want to let go ( he really doesn't ) and takes a deep breath. it's only then that he looks up into the features of the son of poseidon, and he knows there's a ridiculous grin on his now bruised lips.
it's kind of lame, he thinks, how easy it is for percy to make him happy. an ounce of attention, a small gift, a kiss in the aquarium. it may be his birthday, will might be putting a birthday part together for him, but for the moment, all that matters to nico is this. all that exists in the world for him is this and he's so in love it almost hurts. ]
[ as far as percy’s concerned, nico can keep touching him as long as he wants. his only real defense to stop himself from craving that contact is by keeping his distance but since that day in the park he hasn’t been. it’s like he can’t stop himself and it doesn’t encourage him to practice self-restraint when nico’s gazing up at him like that. it’s a rare sight - seeing him that happy - although, it’s becoming more common in eudio. he takes a breath and leans his forehead against nico’s for a moment, not too concerned with how it might look, or how onto him nico might be from this close.
how it’s getting harder to swallow his own feelings and keep them down.
but it’s just a moment.
then he’s pulling away with his own grin, feigning ignorance. ]
Oh, is that today? [ as if he doesn't know that nico's never had birthday cake of his own, hasn't enjoyed being surrounded by friends and family to celebrate a day solely reserved for him. he's a terrible liar and he knows nico's too smart to believe this is a happy coincidence. ]
[ there's certainly something in percy's eyes, in the way he leans against him, that makes nico wonder. his breath catches at the sight, hitching because he doesn't want to dare believe what his own eyes are telling him. it's not real, he tells himself, and the moment passes.
exchanged for a bit of humor for percy, which prompts an even bigger grin as he gives percy a playful shove. he's not thinking about how he's never really had his own cake or his own birthday party. those are unimportant to him. instead, he's thinking back to blue birthday cake, moonlace, and a fire-escape where he'd felt welcomed for the first time. it hadn't lasted long, but the memory sits inside him like a golden bubble that refuses to pop. the memory prompts him to kiss percy again, but briefly as he pulls back to look up at him. ]
Thank you.
[ it's barely more than a whisper, dampened by the glass walls around them. he remembers being there the day when the other campers threw percy and annabeth in the canoe lake, how they emerged and it was clear they were together. he'd fled then, knowing he had no place. but now he does because percy opened himself up to nico. his heart feels as if it might burst, but it's the best feeling in the world because he's had his own underwater kiss with percy jackson, the boy of his dreams.
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but he's gazing at nico in the same way people come here to watch the fish. ]
Look at you. Right side of the glass and everything. [ points for not ending up in china this time. ( not that he doubts nico's abilities at this point, but he has to say something. ) ]
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upon hearing the joke, his immediate response is to roll his eyes. his shadow traveling is easier when it's over shorter distance and his aim is not as bad as it had once been. moving closer, he nudges percy with a shoulder before joining him in leaning against the rail. ]
Yeah, imagine that. I actually know what I'm doing.
[ slowly, almost surrepticiously, and somewhat hesitant, one hand reaches for percy's and if he'll allow it, nico will entwine their fingers. ]
What's up?
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This is crazy stuff, boys and girls. [ he admits, arms spread with his palms out, like he's explaining to an imaginary tour group. somehow in spite of joking at nico's expense, there isn't a hint of weight to it. there's no reluctance ( thinly veiled or otherwise ) in him today and so he takes nico's hand in his without delay. if he's going for stealth, then percy's a billboard with a spotlight. he kicks his foot off the glass, propels himself away from the rail, hands still clasped but he's turning so he can face nico. ] I thought we could hang out.
[ he's backing up, slowly, with tiny steps trying to guide nico along, but if he refuses to budge than percy has no choice but to yank him forward. ( if he crashes into him, he's prepared for that. ) he knows it's nico's birthday but he doesn't want nico to know he knows that. yet. ]
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he can't help it. he's drawn to percy like this, with the blue light enveloping. they're so immersed in percy's element that nico feels as though he should be wet, holding his breath. instead, he's almost toe to toe with percy, breathing air, and looking up at him to see those sea-green eyes having become a shade of aquamarine. ]
You dork.
[ it's said with affection and he smirks a bit as his hand at percy's chest slides down and then away. ]
Are you going to give me the grand tour, then?
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percy has time. he has all the time in the world to think, not just react, but actually work through how he feels.
so, the only roadblock standing in his way now is himself.
nico's calling him names, words are coming out and percy's sure they're Very Important but he isn't listening. sorry, not sorry. he catches nico's hand because this time, he can. this time, percy's going after him. this time, he's not letting go. ]
Yeah, in a minute. [ if he doesn't get pushed away, or asked what it is he thinks he's doing, then he's leaning in and pressing his lips against nico's, not delicately, but like he wants to get it right. ]
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nico also remembers, albeit vaguely, the times spent on the canals of his home city, venice. where traversing between neighborhoods had required boats. the feeling of floating on water, atop the gentle waves, had always been soothing. nico's never been a strong swimmer, water certainly not being his element, but nico's always enjoyed the water anyway.
and sometimes nico regrets that his element is that of earth and stone. the air in the underworld isn't stale and stagnant, not meant to fly in ( if he could even fly in the first place ) and the waters of the rivers in the underworld aren't suitable for swimming ( just ask percy ). it means that experiencing that weightless feeling is almost impossible for him. a rare occurrence.
but being kissed by percy is just like that feeling of floating. not because of the physical thrill he feels racing up his spin ( though, that's always good too ), but because of the knowledge that he doesn't have to hide how he feels anymore. the façade of anger and bitterness has melted away and nico doesn't hesitate in letting the son of poseidon pull him close.
it's nice ( okay, so it's more than nice ), kissing here like it's the most normal and natural thing to do. under swarms of fish that pass overhead. their own version of an underwater kiss. nico doesn't want the moment to end. so he won't be the one to end it. instead, he'll part his lips and slowly settle his free hand against percy's jaw. content to linger under the undulating blue light of the aquarium around them. ]
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he's been ecstatic, devastated, furious, numb, just okay, and he's had the rug pulled out from under him one too many times. lucky for him, he's good at making the best of a bad situation. the puzzle of his life is finally back on track. the pieces are coming together almost magnetically, like they're searching for each other, unable to remain scattered. nico and annabeth both fit into it somehow, and right now he can't articulate why. maybe some day that will change and be magnificent, something beautiful, like how the ocean can either be dark and menacing, or bright and calm, and he needs both of them for different reasons. it can't be as black and white as having two arms and needing a person to occupy each one, can it?
percy doesn't think so.
that explanation is thoughtless and nothing about them feels meaningless.
there's at least a hundred species of fish swimming around them in this particular tank and percy is too distracted to care that he can hear some of them, or that he works here and that should probably make this a tiny bit weird. he doesn't know how to show nico that he's taking a chance on him, that he's willing to let him in, except by inviting him into his world and the things that matter to him. he's been to the underworld more times than he has ever wanted to and nico's never been to the bottom of the sea. there are too many unknown factors in the sea here to risk nico's safety, so this is as close as they can get, cheesy as it is.
he sucks at remembering anniversaries ( ask annabeth ) and he says some petty mindless things ( see: every day life ) but he's sort of a romantic. you know, when he remembers it's important.
nico parts his lips and percy inhales through his nose, holding his breath because he's definitely going to kiss him like he means it. he trades nico's hand ( one of them ) for the small of his back, determined to hold on when he deepens their kiss by brushing his tongue against nico's. desperation doesn't drive him now, it's something else. ]
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with one hand settled against his back, and another still holding his, nico uses his free hand to trail cool fingers along a strong jaw and down to brush against percy's pulse. it's not a touch meant to incite or arouse. it's more a gesture made as if he's telling himself that this is really happening and that they truly are standing underneath thousands of gallons of water ( and fish ), kissing as if they're a couple. as if they're on a date. and realizing that makes the corners of nico's lips lift and a pleased hum to rise up from his chest.
if this is what percy had in mind for a birthday present, nico has to admit it's one he greatly appreciates. in fact, it has to be one of the best presents he's ever gotten and he makes that known as he continues dragging his hand down until it settles over percy's heart. ]
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( it is pretty freaking amazing, though. )
he hums into percy's mouth and he grins, sucks in a breath, and picks right back up where they left off. mmnope. he's not done here. when he slides his lips against nico's trading his bottom lip for his top one, it's slow. not lazy, just unhurried. he doesn't have anywhere to be. ( and even if he does, he's obviously not rushing to get there with nico's hand over his heart. ) can he tell it's expanding? is he onto him? can he pick up on how making out like they're just two guys (nico&percy) without a care in the world gets to him?
percy fans his fingers out and runs them up nico's spine, then back down, without any sort of pattern. he likes being connected is all. ]
no subject
for now, however, he's okay with percy not realizing. the son of poseidon already knows that nico loves him. has loved him for years. has never once stopped loving him, despite nico trying to tell himself differently. and even if percy's feelings aren't as intense as his own, this is still a kiss between two people who deeply care about each other. and percy kisses him as if nothing exists in the entire world but this.
the slow shift, passing of their lips has got to be one of the best birthday gifts ever. in this moment, as he shivers thanks to the hand trailing up and down his back, nothing else matters. the world could be falling apart around him and he wouldn't notices anything save for the way percy's practically sucking on his top lip. ]
yes, this is 8 billion yrs old but i needed a cute thing
( or twenty. yeah, twenty’s good. )
he hasn’t been in love with nico for years, and he’s not sure that he’s close enough to give his own feelings a name yet, but he wants this. he tries not to think about the ten thousand reasons why he shouldn’t. ( it’s nico’s birthday, will’s planning it, will’s waiting for him, he loves annabeth, etc. ) right now, right here, he wants to be with nico di angelo and nothing and nobody else will do. ]
a cute thing you shall have
it's kind of lame, he thinks, how easy it is for percy to make him happy. an ounce of attention, a small gift, a kiss in the aquarium. it may be his birthday, will might be putting a birthday part together for him, but for the moment, all that matters to nico is this. all that exists in the world for him is this and he's so in love it almost hurts. ]
Wow. Happy birthday to me, I guess.
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how it’s getting harder to swallow his own feelings and keep them down.
but it’s just a moment.
then he’s pulling away with his own grin, feigning ignorance. ]
Oh, is that today? [ as if he doesn't know that nico's never had birthday cake of his own, hasn't enjoyed being surrounded by friends and family to celebrate a day solely reserved for him. he's a terrible liar and he knows nico's too smart to believe this is a happy coincidence. ]
no subject
exchanged for a bit of humor for percy, which prompts an even bigger grin as he gives percy a playful shove. he's not thinking about how he's never really had his own cake or his own birthday party. those are unimportant to him. instead, he's thinking back to blue birthday cake, moonlace, and a fire-escape where he'd felt welcomed for the first time. it hadn't lasted long, but the memory sits inside him like a golden bubble that refuses to pop. the memory prompts him to kiss percy again, but briefly as he pulls back to look up at him. ]
Thank you.
[ it's barely more than a whisper, dampened by the glass walls around them. he remembers being there the day when the other campers threw percy and annabeth in the canoe lake, how they emerged and it was clear they were together. he'd fled then, knowing he had no place. but now he does because percy opened himself up to nico. his heart feels as if it might burst, but it's the best feeling in the world because he's had his own underwater kiss with percy jackson, the boy of his dreams.