Never (A Percico Fanfiction)

Sweet Dreams, Ghost King

Twenty minutes later, the four of them sat around the kitchen table, plates piled with spaghetti (except for Nico's, though his had a good amount, as well). After sacrificing bits into the fireplace, the demigods dug in, savoring Nico's talent for cooking.

"Nico, this is amazing," Frank said, adding a second helping to his plate.

"I'm with Frank," Hazel said, wiping her mouth.

"Of course you are," Percy told her. "Neeks makes the best spaghetti in existence." He leaned over and kissed a bit of spaghetti sauce off of his boyfriend's face, drawing another blush to his cheeks.

When the meal was over, every plate was clean. Dishes were cleaned, pajamas were put on, and everyone returned to the living room.

"What movie are we watching?" Frank asked.

"Oh! How about The Noteb--" Percy started.

"My turn to pick," Nico interrupted, slipping a DVD into the player.

The four of them settled onto the couch, then. Frank sat at one end, Hazel's head on his shoulder, and Percy sat at the other, Nico lying with his head in his lap and his socked feet resting against Hazel's leg.

The movie, which turned out to be The Shinning, one of Nico's favorites, was a good one, though Percy and Nico had both seen it quite a few times. By the time it had ended it was nearly midnight. Hazel peered over at the two boys, and, to her amusement, found that both were fast asleep. She snapped a few quick pictures, then spread the throw blanket from the back of the couch across them, and kissed her brother on the forehead. She and Frank moved quietly around the house, flicking off all of the lights and locking the doors, before they retreated into the guest room for the night.

A couple of hours later, Nico bolted upright in the pitch darkness, sleepy mind not able to process his unfamiliar surroundings after a nightmare.

"P-Percy," he whimpered, trying to stop his trembling.

"Ghost King?" Percy murmured, leaning forward and rubbing his eyes. He flicked on the lamp at his side, illuminating both of their faces. He put a hand on Nico's shoulder, causing him to finch, eyes squeezed tightly shut.

"Neeks," Percy cooed. "It's me. It's okay. Everything's okay."

Nico opened his eyes a bit, turning toward Percy.

"I-I'm sorry," he said, and Percy pulled him close.

"It's okay."

"I love you," Nico mumbled into his chest.

"I love you, too," Percy said, squeezing his shoulders.

"You okay?" the oldest asked, after a few minutes. Nico nodded. "Good," Percy said, and kissed him. "Let's get you to bed."

They stood up, and Percy flicked off the lamp he'd turned on, taking a tight hold of Nico's waist and pulling him close. The pair fumbled up the stairs in the darkness and made their way to the bedroom, climbing under the blankets. Percy pulled Nico so that his head rested on his chest, and Nico wrapped an arm around his waist.

"Sweet dreams, Ghost King," Percy said, kissing his head as he drifted off to sleep. "Tomorrow's gonna be a good day."