Sign {A Pernico Story AU} ✔

Percy - (Small) Bob Says Hello

Sigh.

I'll back up a bit.

After I 'accidentally' punch Annabeth and Nico left, everyone started pressuring us for a story behind it all. Annabeth flipped the entire situation on me, saying that she was trying to (and I quote) 'protect herself from Nico's bullying' when I stepped in and wrongfully punched her.

"Excuse you? You do know that's my brother you're talking about." Hazel said, narrowing her eyes and Annabeth. "He would never do something like that. And honestly, I've seen you glaring at him the entire movie! What's your problem?? I'm starting to think Percy had the right idea, punching you." Hazel took a step closer to Annabeth, like she was ready to punch her too, but Frank held her back.

Annabeth gasped. "Are you serious? You can't possibly believe that- freak over me!"

"Watch it." Jason snapped. "Nico's a cool guy. And you have been talking about him the entire time. Maybe you just need to cool down."

Annabeth protested some more, but frankly, I wasn't listening. I don't think anyone else was either. I turned to leave. If Nico was leaving, maybe I could still catch him. I needed to apologize. For everything. I was the one who got him into this mess with Annabeth. Maybe if I hadn't been so insistent on bringing him, this wouldn't have happened. And now, Annabeth (and everyone else) knows for sure that we're going out

I ran out to the parking lot. I caught a glimpse of Nico, right before he got into a car, the same one he arrived in.

"Nico! Wait!" I called.

He didn't answer.

God, Percy. You've got to stop calling out for your deaf boyfriend and expecting a response.

I watched Nico drive off, knowing one thing.

This was all my fault.

...

"So... do you want to explain your side of the story?"

Naturally, someone called my mom.

I was surprised to find it wasn't Annabeth who did it. I thought she'd want to get me in father trouble, but no. It was Jason. He was worried that I had gotten hurt, so he called my mom so she'd check on me. He left out the part about Nico being my boyfriend, though. I did appreciate that.

What I didn't appreciate was the 'I'm Not Mad, Just Disappointed' stare my mom was giving me.

After a moment of silence, she sighed. "Look, Percy. I'm not going to pretend that I understand why you hit Annabeth-"

"I hit her because she insulted Nico. She called him a really bad thing. Something I don't want to repeat." I interrupted.

Mom was quiet for a minute. "Nico. You really do care about him, hm?"

I crossed my arms in front of my chest. "I care about all my... friends."

"I know, I know!" My mom answered. "But Nico just seems... different. Doesn't he?"

I stood, frozen. Now would've been the perfect time to come out to my mom. It was so simple. Just four words: Nico is my boyfriend.

But was Nico my boyfriend? I wasn't even sure after tonight. He wasn't answering his phone, so did that mean he wanted to break up? Or did he just need space? But how much space is too much space?

I shook my head. "I'm tired." I told my mom. "Can I go?"

She nodded silently, and I retreated upstairs.

...

"Boston?"

It was quite early in the morning. I found out very quickly that sleeping would be impossible. There was too much on my mind. Truthfully, most of it was Nico. But there were other things too. Like my friend group, for example. I had no idea how to face them again. Ever since I left last night, they've been flooding the Argo group chat (which Annabeth was removed from) with questions: When did Nico and I start dating? Why didn't I tell them? Are we officially boyfriends?