The Deep End

Chapter 7: A Man Is Not His Disorder

Percy
"I just realized we still have a whole project due tomorrow," Nico blurted in the middle of watching movie. "Oh my gods you're right, what was the project about again?" Nico rolled his eyes, even with his crush he still hated group work. "It was about kid stories, basically we just have to write a spinoff of any famous books, art and all." "Well, do you know of any?" Percy questioned, "Why don't you know any? You're a straight A student surely you should've been reading since the beginning," "No not really, most of the time Annabeth helps me with work, and adderall," Nico made a face, "Nico I use it responsibly, I have ADHD, and dyslexia I use it whenever I'm studying for a test," the raven haired boy seemed to relax a lot after that explanation, except in Percy's mind Nico only knew Percy as some kid who got drunk with his friends, he didn't realize how much being sober meant to Percy.

"So, I can do it all I'm an artist without dyslexia I better get going if I want to finish." Nico murmed to himself standing up, except after a single step Nico felt something grab his wrist, "i'm not just my disorder," the dark eyed boy was astonished, "I didn't mean to--" "I know you didn't mean to, but I've come far I can read a lot better!" Nico gave a wary eye, yet gave up soon after, "Fine I'll do the artwork, I'm glad I brought my small sketchbook," he mumbled the last part, "What?" "Nothing let me grab my backpack from your room."
Percy was a little deflated after Nico thought he was stupid. Sadly, ADHD and Dyslexia wasn't the only thing Percy was diagnosed with. After past trauma, Percy developed GAD or Generalized Personality Disorder. Over the years it's been a lot better, yet even when Nico says he's stupid, it made him anxious, and with anxiety comes sadness.
"Percy?" he snapped his head up to Nico instead of a reply. "You okay?" Percy nodded.
When Nico pulled out his sketchbook and flipped through a few pages Percy was astonished, "Holy crow! How are you so good?" "Um.. practice? I used to draw a lot when I was little," Nico stuttered, "also 'holy crow?' really?" Nico made a face, "What? I don't like swearing." "Really?" When Percy nodded Nico continued, "C'mon just say fuck." Percy's aqua eyes went wide, "No!" "C'mon we are home alone just say fuck." "F-- I can't do it," "Yes you can it's easy fuck!" "Nooo!" Percy rolled off the couch onto the floor, "Look at what you did you killed me," Percy said clutching his heart. "Percy noooo," Nico mumbled uninterested. "Wow, is this the reaction I'd get if I really died," "yeah," Percy groaned in response trying to get up, but Nico just kept pushing him down. "Oh, it's on!" and Percy jumped on Nico attacking him with tickles. Nico was screaming, giggling, and struggling.
"Percy? What are you doing?" Sally entered through the door. "Killing my friend," he smiled. Nico made a face of wide eyes, "Percy! You can't let her know," he joked. Percy just winked. "Alright, well I'll be in my room working, so try to keep the noise down, "Yes, mom." "Okay, Miss Jackson," "Oh, I haven't been Ms. Jackson in years babe call me Sally," the woman made a smile that could light up a whole room as she proceeded to enter her room.
"So, work?" Percy asked, "Yeah, work." the 2 of them weren't very excited about it, but they got it done, Percy thought of the ideas, basically a genderbent Snow White and the 7 dwarves. The dwarves were neat freaks and snow white was a slob. They kick him out then he's attacked by the wizard, and he dies until the princess kisses him. When he wakes up the princess realizes how much of a slob she is then she lives with the dwarves like the kick ass woman she is, and the prince dies. "These dwarves are gonna be a pain to draw," Nico said, "I can help you if you want." Nico was unimpressed and looked up, "Have you been to 3 summer camps on art alone, take 2 art electives, is in sketching club, and have been drawing since you were 5? I thought not." Percy rolled your eyes, "Maybe I'd surprise you," Nico didn't know this, but Percy helped his mom illustrate pictures for her book covers, he also used to draw a lot in elementary to middle school. He didn't make many friends, so it was just something he did. The deep sea painting he had on his old apartment walls were all originals.
"Alright Jackson I guess I thought wrong of you,'' Nico smirked. "We all have that hidden ability,' "So, you swim, you dance, you play football, you can draw is there literally anything you can't do?" "I'm bad speller, I can't colour inside the lines, I'm a terrible singer, if you gave me charcoal pencils I wouldn't know what to do, I don't draw realistic and I can't really draw unless I have a model, I can't ice skate, the most cooking I can do is a pop tart and instant ramen, I just get bored a lot so I have to keep my mind busy." Nico nodded in understanding., "I guess that means I have to do the colouring," Percy giggled, "Yeah I guess so."
Nico
After finishing most of the project, the colouring was yet to be finished, the boys decided to watch adventure time. When nico looked over the light was pouring through the windows hitting Percy in such an angelic way, gorgeous. "Hey, Perce?" "hm?' "Can I draw you?" "Sure, should I move or-" "No! Stay like that the lighting's good," Nico blurted, "Okay!" Percy chuckled. Nico brought out his sketchpad from his backpack and flipped to an empty page and got to work.
"Do I have to stay in this position forever?" it had been 20 minutes, and Percy being told to sit still was the opposite of what he wanted to do. "Oh, yeah I didn't tell you you can move," "Nico!" The obsidian eyed boy laughed. "Sorry, but not to much I still have to shade, and the lighting is very important," Percy mimicked a face of serious then laughed. "When do you have to be home Nico?" "What time is it?" "Around 5ish," "If you want me to leave before dinner I can, my dad doesn't really care," "Your dad seems chill." "Yeah," Nico mumbled, "I guess you could say that." "Well, your welcome to stay for dinner I'm sure my mom would want to meet you." Nico just nodded his head and kept working on Percy's portrait.