Sugar glider ( Percy Jackson x Nico Di Angelo )

Chapter three ( dummy heads )

Percy's pov

Percy didn't know why he'd acted so weird about that.

He didn't know why Nico had given him that look.

He didn't know why Annabeth came to his defence and helped him, he didn't know why he felt like this, he didn't know why he couldn't stop smiling like an absolute dork at Nico.

He just didn't know.

About an hour later, he was slashing dummies in the training area to their straw death.

It felt relieving, which was something he should probably talk to a therapist about.

Percy-I-decapitate-things-when-im-upset-or-stressed Jackson.

"You doing okay"? A voice asked gently next to him.

Percy, out of shock, spun around and nearly hit Nico in the face, but Nico ducked and smacked Riptide from his hands.

Nico scowled.

"Everyone's got issues, Percy, but killing people doesn't help. Believe me".

Percy blushed.

"Sorry, man, you scared me" Percy mumbled, rubbing his arm then picking Riptide back up from the ground.

Nico arched an eyebrow at him. "Well"? He asked, slipping an elastic band from his wrist to tie his hair in a short ponytail.

Nico's fluffy black hair was just long enough for a ponytail, but definitely not a good one. Strands of his hair slipped from the elastic and fell back in place on his head.

Gosh he's adorable.

He should wear his hair like that more.

Maybe I should tuck that strand of hair behind his ear for him.

Wait what? No.

"You should wear your hair like that more" Percy blurted.

Shit. Wrong answer.

Nico narrowed his eyes, his face turning slightly red, though Percy was probably imagining it.

"I asked how you were doing, dipshit. You're concerning me" Nico said, strollimg over to the bench at the side of the room and pressing a button on the speaker.

"Awww, Nico's actually concerned about someone? You're such a softy" Percy said mockingly.

Nico looked away.

"Whatever, then. Maybe I'm asking for Jason or Leo".

Percy pouted. "Are you"?

Nico bit his lip.

"...no", he muttered.

"Wow. Wowww. So you care but you're trying to deny it"?

Nico shot him a dirty look.

"Keep this up if you want to get absolutely fucked up when we train" Nico shot, pulling out iPod and connecting it to the speaker.

"Sounds hot" Percy joked, turning to kick a dummy head across the training ground.

Nico didn't reply.

Percy was about to say something when loud rock music started blasting from the speaker and Nico rose to his feet.

"Ready to get your ass kicked"? Nico asked, a smile spreading on his face.

He doesn't smile often. This is new.

I like it.

I should make him smile more

No, I shouldn't.

"Are you"? Percy smirked, then braced riptide against Nico's glowing stygian iron sword.

"You bet".

For the next while there was loud metalic clanging, random jokingly hurtful insults, falling and getting hurt.

And Percy loved every second of it.

At a few points, Nico would actually render Percy defensless and it would make him laugh.

I made him laugh.

Well he's laughing at me...

Still. Being his punchline's better than nothing.

Shut up, Jackson.

"Getting tired"? Nico jeered as the flat of his sword nearly knocked Percy backwards.

"Nope. I could do this all day Neeks" Percy cooed back.

Nico glared at him and tried stabbing him in the arm, but Percy deflected.

"Don't call me that".

Percy was about to think of some sort of witty response, but Nico lunged forwards, swiping his leg under Percy's foot, causing him to tumble and fall backwards flat on his back.

Nico stood above him, smirking, sweat glistening down his forehead and neck.

"How'd the ground taste"?

Percy glared.

"I didn't taste it because I landed on my back, smartass" Percy said, trying to push himself into a sitting position, causing him to nearly fall backwards again and wince in pain.

He looked down at his hand, where a large bruise was already forming.

"Need help"? Nico asked, tilting his head at Percy and holding his hand out.

Percy smiled up at him, reaching for his hand. "Sure, thanks man, I-"

"Sike" Nico said, pulling his hand away. "Maybe if you stopped calling me Neeks, I'd consider".

Percy pouted, giving Nico his best puppy-dog eyes.

Nico scowled. "That doesn't work on me".

Percy sighed.

"Fine. I guess I'll just lay here for the rest of my life, then. Rotting... with nobody... and nothing..." he sighed dramatically. "If only a big, strong ghost king would help me..."

Nico growled. "Drop dead, Jackson".

But he held his hand out and hoisted Percy up.

He didn't really know what happened next.

He lost balance? He tripped?

Whatever it was, Nico hoisted him up but with too much power.

Percy's face was inches away from Nico's.

He felt his heart flutter and his face heat uncontrollably, and he opened his mouth to say something then closed it again.

At least he wasn't alone in it. Nico looked like a deer in headlights.

Gods he's cute.

Would kissing him be bad?

That would be bad.

Very bad.

He leaned in anyway, just a little, scanning Nico's face for a reaction.

Nico squirmed and blushed harder.

"Perce, wh-"

"WOOOAH THERE WHAT"!?