Sunlight poured through the windows, in between the dusty curtains.

Percy groaned slightly as it hit his face, the warmth seeming to caress his skin.

Nico shuffled in between his arms, murmuring in between breaths, his eyebrows furrowing slightly every now and then. Percy smiled as he pulled him in closer, liking his familiar scent of fresh body wash.

Late in the night, Nico had left his sister's room and snuggled in with him. He had pretended to be asleep, but when the brown-eyed boy had draped his arms around him, he couldn't help but do it back. 

In the end, Nico had went through all that struggle for nothing. Well, not exactly. They had both found out the truth, but in the end it's best to just move on.

Life will bring you down so many times. It's just your choice whether or not you will get back up again.

"Good morning, Neeks." he whispered, running his hand through the younger boy's messy hair.

"'Morning..." Nico grumbled, yawning.

Still feeling a little tired and sore all around, Percy sat up on the plush bed, his injured body making him wince as he moved. "You okay?" the other teenager asked, noticing.

The green-eyed boy chuckled a little, a little drowsy with sleep. "Yeah, I'm fine. We should go check downstairs, shouldn't we? See if your dad's there?"

"Mhmm..." Nico acquiesced. Percy wondered if he got enough sleep. Apparently not, since his words were slurred, and he wasn't conscious enough to feel flustered that they had slept on the same bed that night.

The soft morning breeze made the curtains shuffle. He glanced at the clock, that read 10 in the morning. "It's 10 AM, Nico. We should wake up and eat breakfast." he said softly, stroking his back fondly. For some reason, he reminded him of a sleeping cat.

"...Five more minutes," Nico mumbled. Percy smiled. In the end, he didn't really mind if they got out of bed or not. They didn't need to exchange words to feel happy. Percy felt already at peace with his sole company, and the comfortable silence that only broke with the rustling leaves and chirping birds.

But the truth was that he didn't feel completely serene. He worried, and it was starting to feel like more than he could handle. He knew Nico's father was a rich and wealthy man, and frankly he felt more than a little embarrassed with what he had done with his son, but what if that wasn't enough?

What if they ended up losing in court, even after so much fighting? Victory wasn't always a sweet thing, but loss in this case seemed like the most bitter thing.

If Gabe dragged him back into the pain he had to endure every day, Percy didn't know whether or not he could stay sane this time. The trauma alone hurt more than words could, and he didn't know if he could handle being separated from Nico either.

His mother... Even if he had promised that one day he would get them out of this hellhole, maybe it wouldn't be the case anymore. He had thought maybe once he got to college in two years... but maybe college wouldn't even be a plausible choice for him.

"Are you okay?" Nico asked, interrupting his thoughts. 

Slightly surprised, Percy choked out a small "I'm fine."

"No you're not." Nico said, frowning. "You have than anxious look in your eyes."

Startled, the older boy pointed at himself. "I do?"

"Yeah! You get that look whenever you're thinking deeply about something."

"Huh."

Nico scoffed. "Fine! If you're not going to tell me, then we should just go downstairs and eat."

He was scowling, but Percy could see through his disguise. Nico was worried too. He just didn't want to voice his thoughts.

But neither did Percy, truthfully.

*    *    *

"...I didn't know you could cook." 

"It's literally just waffles, Percy."

The green-eyed boy tilted his head to the side. "Well, I don't know, I just assumed that... you know..." He seemed red.

"What?" Nico asked.

"Well... I thought, since your dad is, um... that you went to restaurants all the time and stuff, y'know? I-I'm sorry! I know I shouldn't assume and—"

Nico broke off with a laugh. "My dad always comes back late! I usually cook my own meals, except for the few days when he comes home earlier."

"Oh... haha, right..." 

It must be nice to have a dad that cares and cooks for you, though.

As Percy was going to bite into the breakfast Nico had prepared, the sound of keys unlocking resonated in the house. With so much empty space, Percy should have been prepared for the echo.

Just as Nico turned off the fire, he turned around, spotting his father entering the kitchen.

Hades had dark circles under his eyes, as if he had barely slept the day before. "Hey, kids. How are you feeling today, Percy?"

The green-eyed boy tried to find for any hint or emotion in his face. The man was simply smiling, his tired eyes still glinting with kindness.

"Yes. I mean— um, I'm okay. What about last night...?" Percy stammered out. He could barely breathe. This man held the news that could change his life forever, for the better or the worst.

Nico's father smiled kindly, dimples appearing on his weary cheeks. "You're free, Percy."

You're free, Percy. 

They were the words he had dreamed of every night, wondering who would say them, and when. Who knew dreams could become reality. He choked out an incredulous laugh, not realising tears were running down his face until Nico leaned in and wiped one with his thumb.

It was a gentle caress that softened the blow. "Oh my gods," he said, his smile getting wider as more tears fell from his eyes. "I can't believe it. We won, we actually did?"

Hades nodded, his eyes holding a warm flicker of flames. "It was hard, but we won. We both haven't slept for the entire night."

The black-haired boy cocked his head. "Both?" he inquired.

A warm, motherly laugh resonated across the hall. "He fought hard for us. For you." 

Percy's eyes grew wide. "Could it be...?"

Sally Jackson appeared from the entrance, entering the kitchen, smiling in a way he hadn't seen her smile in years. "My son."

Without thinking, Percy's legs moved, running towards her. Ignoring the pain igniting through his body, he jumped and hugged her tight in his arms. He weeped softly. "I'm so glad you're okay."

She still smelled of the perfume she wore everyday. Her wavy brown hair was falling down in curls around her face. "They fixed me up at the police station. I'm glad you're okay too. I don't know what I would do if you weren't." she whispered, hugging her son back with the same fierceness.

"How did it go? Was Gabe judged in a court an everything. Was he announced guilty? What happened? Was Mr. di Angelo the defendant?" Percy stuttered, too many questions running circles around his mind.

Sally laughed softly, and in that very moment, she never looked younger. "I fought for myself too, you know. It wouldn't have counted if I didn't. If it's my life, I'll have to live it myself. I can't just make people do everything for me when I have nothing in return."

Percy smiled proudly, but mostly he was just relieved. He unwrapped his arms from around his mother, everyone else seeming to fade away in the background for a fraction of a second.

"Oh my— are you okay though? All the band-aids and bandages... did Mr. di Angelo fix you up. I'm so sorry! This all my fault..." Sally murmured worriedly.

Percy's smiled wavered for a moment, but then he put back on his strong face. But not fast enough for Nico to not notice it. After all, didn't this all happen because his stepfather had found out about his bisexuality...?

Anger stirred up his insides. Nico was going to get revenge. Why did Percy, or anyone in that case, have to get punished for just being himself? But at the same time, he felt a piercing guilt. None of this would have happened if he just hadn't kissed him that night.

"What are you talking about? None of this is your fault. I'm just happy you're fine." Percy insisted. His mother smiled heartwarmingly. Nico could see the similarity between the two.

"So... what's going to happen now?" Nico asked, repeating the same question Percy had asked him the night before. A new sense of hope seemed to light up his insides.

Hades smiled. "We don't know the fate of Mr. Ugliano yet. We still have to check if others knew about... this. But for sure there will be grave consequences, so rest assured. He will also have to pay a great fine, along with the other people who were with him as well. The money will be handed to Mrs. Jackson, right here, when the trial has ended and the sentence declared."

Percy looked shocked, as if he had never been granted this kind of happiness before. Nico couldn't help his heart from beating hard in his chest as he saw the green-eyed boy's real face, the one without makeup to cover who he was inside, his bright gaze, his carefree grin, his flushed cheeks. It wasn't a mask anymore. These were his true feelings. And Nico felt like he staring into paradise.

"I'll leave you guys alone. You probably have to catch up about what is going to be your new life." he said, awkwardly flashing a peace sign. "Percy, I'll be up in my room if you need me."

The boy mentioned nodded, his cerulean eyes seeming to tell a million thanks. "I'll see you in a few, then." he whispered, for only Nico to hear. It felt like a kiss to the cheek.

Nico blushed, and removed himself. He would do the dishes later.

They would arrange the sleeping arrangements later as well.

He turned even redder. Something told him he and Percy were going to get a lot closer during these few days of living together.

*   *   *

"Yeah. Is the connection okay? How are things going over there?"

Persephone laughed on the screen, black waves of hair tumbling over her shoulders. "It's fine. Mother is gradually getting better. I'm glad, I'll be able to return in a week or so. But that isn't the real problem. How is Percy and his mother? Are they okay?"

Nico smiled at Percy over the laptop. "They're doing fine. But we'll have to wait a few days before we know what is going to happen."

The green-eyed boy was blushing and his black hair was tousled. Nico grinned at him. Hades had left to sign some paperwork at the police station and Sally had deemed herself too sleepy so took a shower and went to sleep, insisting on Percy staying with him so they could get some time "alone". So here he was, feeling a little out of place.

"But how— there aren't enough beds—" Persephone said, her brown eyes becoming clouded with worry.

"It's sorted out already." Nico interrupted, but he felt a little bad about how they arranged things. And he knew he was going to become as much of a blushing mess as Percy in a few seconds. "Percy's mom is sleeping in your bed— well, it's technically also Dad's bed but yeah, moving on— and well, I guess, Percy and I will be, uh... yeah..."

He reddened as his stepmother wiggled her eyebrows at him. It was hard to avoid both her gaze and Percy's. "Jeez... I'm only 16..."

Persephone laughed again. This time Percy did too, barely having time to stifle his muffled laughter. Nico shot him a half-hearted glare before it turning into a fond gaze. He couldn't help it, but was he really to blame? He was pretty sure anyone would melt seeing his free, beautiful face laughing with no care for the rest of the world. He suddenly felt lucky.

"What about your father?"

"Oh...him? He's staying in, um, Bianca's room..." Nico said, his voice suddenly turning into a whisper.

"Bian—?" Persephone asked, frowning with worry. Uncomfortable, Nico pretended to scratch his hair. "Well, uh... I opened it last night, I took the keys... because... I slept there so, um, Percy... could have, uh, my bed..."

"Oh... are you okay, Nico?" she asked anxiously. "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine!" Nico stammered, trying to forget where he actually slept last night. Needless to say Percy was as flustered as he was.

Percy was still pretty red, though. Nico quirked his eyebrows at him, as if to say, what's wrong?

The green-eyed boy looked instantly relieved. He ran his finger across his throat like a knife before fanning his face as if he was feeling hot, or embarrassed. Considering the way his eyes flickered all over the place, he judged the latter.

"Hey... I should end this call soon. Dad will probably come back soon, and we should go help him—" Nico said, trying to come up with an excuse to end the call. It wasn't like he wasn't worried about Persephone's mother, but he had a priority now. Plus, Demeter always calls her daughter over, and it turns out fine in a few weeks. This shouldn't be an exception.

"Yeah, yeah, okay! I'll talk to you lovebirds tomorrow, then! Anyways, it gives me more time to check on Mother, so we should end the call now!" Persephone chuckled, her voice sounding like a warm spring day.

"Bye!" Nico grinned, even though he was a little embarrassed. "See ya!"

The line went dead. The brown-eyed boy shut the laptop with a relieved sigh. "Gods..."

Percy exhaled as well, as if he was holding his breath the entire time. "Sorry... I just— people, you know?"

Nico couldn't hide his surprise at Percy's apparent distaste for socialising, but he just nodded in agreement as he got up, leaving the computer on the dinner table.

"So... you'll go pack your stuff in your old apartment tomorrow?" he asked, trying to cover up the disappointment he was feeling.

"Yeah..." Percy said, fidgeting with his hands. "At least, that's the plan..."

Nico laughed. "Then, we should go to sleep earlier. Let's go take our showers." he said, grabbing the other boy's hand as he dragged him upstairs. Percy blushed, but said nothing as he followed him.

Gods, I would follow you anywhere. And one day, that'll probably be the death of me.

✫*ﾟ･ﾟ｡.☆.*｡･ﾟ✫*.･:*

new update!!
sorry if it's a little sucky, it's kind of a filler.

also, can u see that i know nothing of police, justice and all that other stuff?? literally i have no clue and i can't find any relevant information online :(
so bear with this horrible representation... i apologise.

ughhhh btw school started for me and basically it sucks and i suck and it's only the second day but i'm tired of life alreadyyy

welp, see you guys in the next update! i don't know how long it will take because teachers just love giving me tons of homework <3

- deniiial