The Deep End

Chapter 11: Nico Buys Happy Meals For The Dead

Percy
Percy pulled up to the McDonald's the line short, "What do you want?" Percy asked as pulled up to the drive in, Nico just shook his head, "I'm fine." Percy rolled his eyes, "C'mon Nico the whole reason we are here is because you need to eat," Nico kept quiet, he hoped Percy wouldn't buy him anything, he knew he had a problem with eating from yesterday with Percy's mom "If you keep acting like a kid I'm gonna buy you a Happy meal," Nico puffed. "You think I'm kidding?". "Well, obviou-"
   Hi can I take your order?
"Yes hi can I get a vanilla iced coffee, a number 6, and a Happy meal please?"
Would you like the cheeseburger or the chicken nuggets for your happy meal?
Percy looked over at the boy who didn't look happy about it. Even though he mumbled chicken nuggets.
"I'll do the chicken nuggets please,"
Would you like the girl toy or the boys toy?
"Gender is a construct Miss, surprise me," Percy looked over at Nico and winked causing the sick boy to turn a different shade of red.
The girl laughed
Okay pull up to the next window to pay.
"Thank you,"
Thank you!
"I can't believe you did that!" Nico protested. Percy just shrugged pulling out his wallet from his pocket. "You don't seem so upset about it," Nico rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "Well, I think anybody likes happy meals." Percy just laughed.
    "Hi," The girl at the window smiled. Percy smiled as well as he handed her his debit card. Nico just kept sulking in the back. "Pull, up to the next window please." the girl smiled while handing Percy his card back. Percy clicked the gear shift into drive as he rolled to the next sliding glass. "Hi sir, number six and a happy meal?" Percy smiled and replied, "That's us," Percy looked over at Nico who just sarcastically smiled back. "Here you go, oh and you and your boyfriend are really cute together," Nico went wide eyed, "Oh we aren-" "Oh you wish!" 'Oh my fucking god," "Hey, who knew kids had such horrible mouths," he said handing him his happy meal Nico stuck his tongue out at Percy. "Well, since he's not your boyfriend maybe you, and I could hang out sometime?" Nico whistled as Percy turned a new shade of pink, "Thank you, but nope." Percy said quickly and drove away.
"Is there any coffee in that cup?" Nico joked as he held up the white cup. "Hey, when mcdonald's says vanilla they mean it," Percy defended, "enjoying your rainbow dash toy?" Nico laughed, "Honestly yeah. Look when I hit this button her wings flap, she's almost more rainbow than I am." Nico realized what happened, but Percy just laughed. He didn't say anything mean, he just smiled. Nico was just startled as he chewed on his fry.
They pulled into a parking spot outside the apartment complex. Nico pulled off the blanket, but kept Percy's jacket on as he stepped out the large truck, and into the building. The cold nipped at Nico's neck causing him to shutter from head to toe. His breath quickened, but he was quick to stay calm and breath deeply. Percy came round with their backpacks, and walked forward pulling his keys out. His hand touched the cold door as he twisted the key opening the door. "C'mon," he said guiding Nico into the brick complex.
The two walked into the small apartment greated with heat. Percy looked over to see Nico flushed and sweaty, "You okay?" "I'm a little hot." Percy walked over to Nico and put his hand on the shorter boy's forehead. "You're burning up, you must've caught a cold from being outside with wet hair, and weakened body," Percy grabbed Nicos hand, "c'mon lets get you changed into some pajamas, and get you in bed."
Percy couldn't help, but feel like it was his fault. He was the one to invite him, and then leave him un-attended when he knew he couldn't swim. Percy really wanted to make it up to Nico, and although Nico didn't like being in vulnerable situations, he did like being taken care of, especially Percy. Percy entered his room, followed closely by Nico, then went to his closet where he tried to find some old clothes. He gave up when he realized Nico would probably needed the extra fabric to keep warm so he could sweat out whatever cold he had.
He grabbed some random sweatpants and a hoodie and turned around to see Nico watching him closely. "Here," Nico slipped off Percy's jacket. Nico deciding that it couldn't get worse, so he just stripped his hoodie and basketball shorts. Percy was feeling the opposite way, he was glad that Nico was openly showing his body to him. Nico slipped on the wooly clothes and felt a lot better. The cotton tickled his pale skin, the warmth soothing his body, and the weight of the hoodie calmed his anxiety.
"Okay, lie down, and get some sleep," Percy whispered, as he tucked the boy in, "if you need anything just yell okay?" Nico nodded, and Percy was about to step out, "Perce?" Nico called out quickly, "Yeah?" Nico was almost embarrassed to ask, but, "Will you lay with me?" Percy just smiled and lied down next to him. Percy lay still next to Nico, but it wasn't enough for him, "Put your arm around me?" Percy nodded and smiled, "Sure." Percy wrapped his arms around Nico. Nico felt safe and cozy, for once he wasn't scared to go to sleep, he was happy. Meanwhile, Percy was thinking that all he wanted to do was protect and keep Nico happy.
******
Sally
"Percy? I got a call from school saying yo-" Sally was quick to stop her words when she saw the two boys wrapped in each others arms. Her first reaction was angry her son skipped school with some boy, but she noticed it was Nico in Percy's arms. Sally was glad to see Percy in such a strong emotional connection with a boy after the shit he went through his ex-stepfather, her ex-husband, she could almost feel the chemistry, and sexual tension from the doorway. She knew their friendship would blossom into a beautiful romance, even if the boys didn't know.
Sally reached into her back pocket and grabbed her phone, she wanted this moment to last. Maybe, one day she'll show the pair the photo, but for now it would be on her facebook, very safe from any teenage eye.
**********
Nico
Nico's dreams were filled with happy memories. He was around 6, a memory he had completely forgotten, he was with his family in Italy, they were all at the beach. His real mom, not Persephone, was there. They were having a picnic, a time were Nico was comfortable eating as he ate watermelon, his favourite fruit, and played in the water puddles, a little far from the actual ocean. "Vedi qualche conchiglia Nico?" 8 year old Bianca questioned the italian rolling off her tongue. "Non ancora!" "Dimmi se trovi qualcosa, lo farai?" "Sì, sì!" instantly Nico dug around a little, and found a sand dollar. "Mamma, Mamma!" Nico ran, "Guarda cosa ho trovato! Bianca vieni a vedere questo," "che cosa, che cosa?" Bianca asked running over, and sitting next to Maria, "Attento al bambino mia figlia," "Sì mamma," Bianca nodded stroking the head of a baby Hazel. "Cosa volevi mostrarmi?" Bianca asked, Nico held out his hand showing the sand dollar, "Oh! Bella!" Bianca insisted, Nico nodded his head. Hades leaned over, "Questi hanno molto valore," "Veramente?" Hades nodded his head. "Mettilo sotto il cuscino stasera per una sorpresa al mattino, ma devi essere addormentato," Hades winked and Nico was thrilled.
So, that night, Nico and Bianca fell asleep together on Nico's bed as they waited for the surprise to come. Hades came, and carried out Bianca to her own bed when he was sure they were asleep. He pulled out the sand dollar replacing it with a dollar from his wallet, and giving a kiss to Nico's forehead, a pleasant, but lost memory of his father. Like most of the good memories.
Full translation:
"See some shells Nico?" "Not yet," "Tell me if you find something," "Yes, yes" Mom, mom Look what I found!" " Bianca come and see this thing," "Careful of the baby my daughter," "What you wanted to show me" "These have a lot of value" "Really?" "Put it under the pillow tonight for a surprise in the morning, but you have to be asleep"