Internet Friends (Percico)

Chapter 29

-Nico-

Today marked the start of May. Twenty days until Percy graduates. My stomach flipped at the thought of seeing him in his graduation cap and gown, and I didn't even want to imagine the look on his face the moment he realises who I am. It'll drive me crazy.

Thanatos had settled in well. We had managed to track down his stepdad and he agreed to sign Thanatos over to my dad, so now he was his legal guardian. He'd been living with us ever since.

Now, I don't know what I expected. But it certainly wasn't how it eventually panned out. I told Hazel and of course, she freaked. But then they video chatted and she cried and told him she already loved him, and to my surprise, he cried too. It was a cute family moment.

What I did next surprised me. I offered to take him to New York with me, so he could meet our sister. The response was an almost immediate yes; so now my big brother is joining Will and I on our quest to the Big Apple.

Did that make me feel even more nervous? Having my big brother with me as I meet my boyfriend for the first time? You bet your ass it did.

Honestly, deep down I knew everything would go okay, or if not okay, smoothly at least. But the closer it got the more my nerves built. What if he didn't like me? I mean, he's seen my face, but what if I'm too tall for him? Or too short? Oh, man, see? This! Right here! Is nerves! Pure, undiluted nerves. And it fucking sucks.

"Nico!" I jumped slightly as my dad's voice registered. I hadn't realised how deep I'd been in thought.

"What?" I yelled back and sat up properly.

"Get dressed!" Came my dad's reply.

I huffed. "What for?"

"We're going bowling!"

I didn't even know what to do apart from feel confused.

-

"You can't even bowl in a straight line." Thanatos snickered.

"Shut up, I'm not straight anyway." I scoffed as I watched the ball go sideways and knock over six pins.

Turns out bowling was Dad's way of family bonding time. Thanatos and I had simply looked at each other with a raised eyebrow when Dad had stated that, and we didn't question it. Now I'm wishing I had.

"Which slushie do you guys want? Red or blue?"

"Red." Thanatos and I said in unison.

Dad chuckled. "Okie dokie."

When he had gone to get the drinks, Thanatos turned to me. "He says 'okie dokie'?"

I snorted. "He says a lot of things."

Thanatos rolled his eyes and picked up a ball, "watch and learn, little brother."

I pursed my lips and crossed my arms, giving him an expectant look. He walked to the line and, well, bowled the ball, and it hit nine out of ten pins.

"Jackass!" I scowled as I stood up. "You cheated!"

"Nope." Thanatos grinned. "I'm just that talented."

"I want a re-bowl." I said stubbornly. "You're Dad's son. There's no way you're that good."

"Dude, I had a birthday party in a bowling alley almost every year until I was fifteen. I swear, I'm actually just that good." Thanatos sat down and held his hands up in surrender, still wearing that shiteating grin.