Percico/Nico di Angelo One-Shots

Merry Christmas & I'm Sorry [Percico]

Hnnnnnnn. My 2nd Christmas one-shot for this book, holy shizzle. It's actually been a year since I've started. :'o

Heed the warning below if you so choose, but please go to the end to read my author's note. It's a thank you, and I hope you like it.

*WARNING: IF YOU DO NOT WANT YOUR CHRISTMAS TO BE RUINED WITH ANGST, IT IS NOT A GOOD IDEA TO READ THIS ONE-SHOT.*

Dead leaves made a soft crunching sound as they were crushed under a man's boots, the owner of which was walking with a certain sort of calm solemnity someplace with a bouquet of pure white roses in his gloved hands. His warm breath crystallized in the cold air around him, and yet he seemed in no hurry to escape the frosty chill as so many had done.

No, the man seemed to be too lost in thought, or rather, memories, to even think about the frost that clung to trees or the snowflakes falling down slowly in a false pretense of serenity.

No noise is present in his mind even as people walk merrily with family, friends, or loved ones on Christmas Day. He knows the lights are glowing with festive colors, but he can only see the white of the snow and the black of the darkness. Unconsciously, the man with jet black hair clasps the simple silver ring on a chain that hung around his neck, seeking comfort in the metal, warmed from the inside of his heavy winter coat.

The light snow fall reminds him of a memory that occurred not so long ago, and the mere thought of how much time has passed makes his chest ache.

~*winter is coming*~

1 Year Ago

The lightly falling snow made Percy shiver with cold, but he was instantly warmed by the smile that could easily rival the golden sunshine directed at him by his husband, Nico.

"Yes, yes, yes! A thousand times yes! Oh my gods, Percy! I can't believe you! Buying an apartment for us? You're unbelievable!" Nico exclaimed, jumping and hugging the life out of Percy.

"I'm glad you like it, Neeks. Now, are you ready to get out of the cold? I hear some hot chocolate calling my name!" Percy laughed, hugging Nico back and leading the way inside their new living space as the snow fell softly, almost as if it didn't want to disturb the peace..

~*~

The man almost smiled at the fond memory, remembering the joy and warmth, and feeling that warmth spread through his body.

He could almost feel the warm hot cocoa sliding down his throat, could almost see the apartment in front of his eyes. But then reality hit, and the moment was gone. The warmth was replaced once again by the winter's bite. He shivered a bit and pulled his coat around himself tighter.

His pace began to speed up, but slowed once again when he saw a Christmas tree with its gleaming lights and bright star at the top. He closed his eyes as another memory came to the surface.

~*frost is here*~

Nico failed to hold his laughter as he walked out from behind the Christmas tree to find Percy with garland and tinsel wrapped around his body with the Christmas lights hanging from his immobilized arms.

"Nico!" Percy exclaimed, face burning red as he listened to his husband's amused laughter, "Care to, um, help me out?"

Nico wiped legitimate tears from his eyes and snapped a quick picture on his phone before beginning to unwrap Percy from the confines of the holiday decorations. "You know, I think the garland is supposed to go on the tree, not on you," Nico commented.