𝙋𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙉𝙞𝙣𝙚 - (𝐂𝐮𝐝𝐝𝐥𝐞𝐬)

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Nico di Angelo wasn't one to seek out affection. After everything he'd been through, it just didn't come naturally. But there were moments-quiet ones, usually with Will-when he found comfort in the closeness, even if he would never say it out loud.

Percy Jackson, on the other hand, needed touch like air. It was how he felt safe, how he knew everything was okay. He was always close to Annabeth, whether it was holding hands, brushing shoulders, or just resting his head against hers. The human connection kept him grounded.

But today, Percy felt a bit lost. Annabeth was busy on Olympus, and Will was stuck in the infirmary, cleaning up after a Hermes prank had gone wrong. Percy found himself alone-and craving company.

He thought of Nico. They'd grown closer after the war, more like family than ever before. Maybe Nico was feeling the same way. Without thinking too much, Percy made his way to the Hades cabin. He knocked once, then pushed the door open and threw himself onto Nico's bed with a dramatic flop.

"I'm lonely," Percy whined, his face buried in the blankets.

Nico, wrapped in one of Will's oversized sweatshirts, looked up from his corner with a raised eyebrow. "You're always lonely," he said, but there was no bite to his words.

Percy pouted and sat up, fidgeting. "Annabeth's busy, and Will's not here. I thought... maybe we could hang out. Or, you know, cuddle?"

Nico blinked, caught off guard. "Cuddle?" It wasn't a word he associated with himself-not with Percy. But the idea wasn't as strange as he thought. Percy had this warmth about him, and maybe, Nico realized, he wouldn't mind a little bit of that comfort.

"Yeah, but only if you want to," Percy said quickly. "I don't want to make you uncomfortable."

There was a beat of silence before Nico gave a small nod. "It's fine. We can cuddle."

Percy's face lit up, and he immediately scooted over, making room on the bed. Nico hesitated for a second, then climbed in next to him. It felt awkward at first, but soon enough, Percy had his arm around Nico's shoulders, pulling him close.

Nico relaxed into the warmth, resting his head on Percy's chest. It felt... nice. Percy smelled like the ocean-salty and fresh-and his heartbeat was steady and calming. Nico, in contrast, was cool to the touch, like the crisp air at the start of autumn.

Neither of them spoke, and they didn't need to. Slowly, the tension melted away, and they just... rested. No nightmares, no worries. Just peace.

At some point, they both drifted off to sleep, curled up together. When they woke, the sun was starting to set, casting a soft golden light through the cabin.

Nico stretched, glancing at Percy, who smiled sleepily at him. "Told you it wasn't so bad," Percy teased gently.

Nico smirked. "Don't get used to it Jackson"

But after that, things were a little different between them. They didn't always cuddle, but there were more casual touches-a hand on the arm, a bump of shoulders-that spoke of the quiet closeness they now shared.

Their friends noticed, too. Will would give Nico a knowing smile, while Annabeth would raise an eyebrow at Percy's soft looks.

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𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐜𝐲 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧 ; 𝙾𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚜 (Requests open)Where stories live. Discover now