Narrator pov: 

By the time Sally made it back with Paul, it was about 8:30; Nico and Percy were already on their second movie, Finding Nemo, in which Nico had reluctantly agreed to watch. 

"Hi, boys," said Sally tiredly. 

"Hi Mom, hey Paul," said the green-eyed boy. 

"Hi Sally," said Nico respectfully. 

Paul gave his wife a questioning gaze as they engaged in a silent conversation. 

"Nico," said Sally, "This is Paul. Percy's stepdad. Paul, this is Nico di Angelo."

 Percy paused the movie as Nico got up and shook Paul's hand. 

"Pleasure meeting you, Nico," said Paul. 

"The pleasure's mine Mr.-" 

"-Blofis. But please, call me Paul." 

"Will do." 

As Nico engaged in a small conversation with the brunette in the room, Paul walked over to Percy and gave him a pat on the back before whispering in his ear. "You got him to watch Finding Nemo with you?" 

He gave a slight nod. 

"He's a keeper," said Paul with a grin. "I expect an RSVP for the future wedding." 

The green-eyed boy's face flushed red as he lightly punched his step-father in the stomach. 

"Paul!" 

The grin only grew bigger. "Denial is the first step." 

 Paul was the second person Percy had ever told about being gay; and thankfully, he took it quite well. 

He gave Percy another pat on the back and walked away just as Nico plopped back down beside the flushed boy. 

"Well," Nico sighed and glanced over. "I'm not even gonna ask what's got you all worked up." 

He grabbed the remote and pressed play. 

~~~~~ 

Percy turned off the movie and glanced down at the DVR's digital clock. It read 9:10. 

Nico frowned at it, almost as if he were willing it to move; but despite his efforts, the clock stayed the same. 

"It's getting kind of late," he said with a sigh. "I think I should get going." 

"You sure? You could probably stay here," offered the other boy. "I'm sure I could ask my Mom." 

"Ask me what?" She emerged from her room, already heading towards the kitchen. 

"Well, I was just telling Nico how you wouldn't mind him staying the night. It's getting kinda late for him to leave right now." 

She contemplated it for a minute as she made herself a cup of coffee. "I suppose," she nodded. 

His face lit up, "Really? Great! let me just ask..." he trailed off. "A-Are you sure it wouldn't be too much to ask?" 

She made a face and shook her head. "Don't worry about it, honey. I'm sure you can stay in Percy's room." 

He nodded and took his phone out of his pocket. "Let me just call her and ask her if it's ok." 

After a few seconds, he was on the line with his stepmom. "Hey, Seph, I was wondering if I could stay over at Percy's for tonight. Y'know, 'cause it's getting kinda late out." 

He paused for a minute, listening to her response. 

"I-uh, yeah. I'll ask." 

He turned towards Sally, "Uh, she wants to make sure it's all good and I'm not just lying." 

She nodded, "She's wise. Pass me the phone." 

He gave her the phone and she engaged in a quick conversation. 

"Yes, Nico is perfectly fine. No, it wouldn't be any bother." 

She listened for a few seconds before hanging up. Giving Nico his phone back, she smiled. 

"Well then, it's settled."

"Thank you, Sally."

"Of course, sweety," she took a sip of her coffee just as Percy motioned for Nico to follow him to his room.

Opening the door, Nico let out a wolf whistle. 

"Your parents went all out on this shit," he said amazed. 

Inside was a queen-sized bed with Navy blue covers, white walls covered with old movie posters, and a desktop with a computer and a black spiny chair. 

Percy shrugged. "It's not that much, to be honest, but you can take the bed if you want. You're the guest anyways." 

He shook his head and sat in the chair, spinning it around a few times. "You take it; it's yours. Besides, I rather listen to music for a while," he took out a pair of earbuds from his pocket and plugged it into his phone. 

(AN// 'CAUSE HE DON'T GOT NO FUCKING AIRPODS) 

"You sure?" 

He nodded. 

"Alright, but is there anything you need?" Percy asked. 

He hesitated before nodding again, "Do you got any sweatpants or something? These jeans are kinda uncomfortable to attempt to sleep in." 

"Gimme a sec," Percy went over to hid drawers and started rummaging through them. "Found it!" He tossed a pair towards the dark-haired. "These don't fit me anymore; I kinda grew out of 'em. You can use them tonight though." 

With a third nod, Nico caught it and walked towards the bathroom outside the room. 

While he was out, Percy changed into his own pair of sweats and a loose jersey he still kept. 

Just as the shirt met his torso, Nico walked back in and sat back down on the chair before facing Percy. "Nice shirt." 

The tanned boy tensed. 

"S-sorry, was it something I said?" 

Percy shook his head. "Sorry. It's just the shirt kinda has a deep meaning to me. Kind of like closure?" 

The mattress beside Percy sunk. 

"I-I know what that feels like," he said quietly. "But it gets kind of better. Maybe not completely, but little by little." 

Looking up, Percy's eyes met dark-brown orbs shining in the moonlight. 

"You sure you're gonna stick with listening to music?" Percy asked quietly. 

He gave a crooked smile, "Yeah. Besides, I may have to update my playlists."

"Well, then G'night." 

He got up and turned off the lights by the door. "Night, Jackson." 

There was shuffling before absolute silence. The only light in the room that night was the one from Nico's phone illuminating his facial features. 

~~~~~~~ 

Percy Pov

1:45 a.m.

How fucking convenient. 

Time went slower when you just couldn't sleep. 

I shited a bit in bed but failed to get comfortable so I gave up. Sitting up, I glanced towards where Nico was and saw his head lowered with soft snores escaping from him. 

I smiled at that and quietly made my way towards him.

"Hey, Nico," I said quietly not wanting to wake him up. "You're going to get a knot in your neck if you wake up that way, so I'm gonna place you on my bed, alright" 

He mumbled something in his sleep as I slowly picked him up bridal style, walked towards my bed, and set him down gently underneath the sheets. 

I turned off the alarm clock on my nightstand and walked out of the room towards the small kitchen which already had the light on. 

"Mom?" I whispered. 

"What's wrong honey?" 

"Nothing. I just couldn't sleep, so I came here." 

She nodded and took a sip from her mug. "Where's Nico?" 

"He's still sleeping. Doubt he would appreciate being woken up at 1 a.m. though." 

"You're a good friend, Perce. You know that?" She remarked after a small pause. 

"Well, I learned from the best," I answered pouring out a cup of coffee for myself. 

"Percy," she said after a brief silence. "You do know Paul and I were kidding when we said all about you and Nico, right? It's just that I haven't seen you that happy lately, and got a little excited. I'm sorry, honey," she said putting a hand on my forearm. 

"It's ok, Mom. I know you're just trying to look after me, and it's ok." 

She gave a small nod before finishing her cup of coffee and placing it in the sink. 

"I'm going to go to bed now. Don't stay out here so late." 

"I won't Mom, G'night." 

"Goodnight, Percy." 

I didn't notice the hours trickle by as I sat there thinking. DIfferent things entered and left my mind as I dissolved into my thoughts. I didn't even notice my growing tiredness until I passed out on the kitchen table.