Shattered

Nico

They rode in comfortable silence, with their fingers firmly laced together. At every stop sign, Percy would lean over and kiss him or he would do the same to the son of Poseidon. When they went around corners, Nico would glance at the one he loved and feel the oh-so-foreign giddiness well up inside him once more.

Percy loves me. That thought had been playing on and endless loop since Percy uttered those three simple words only many minutes ago. All the ordeals he had gone through, all the pain he had felt, all the losses he experienced, they all felt worth it now. This was what he wanted with every fiber of his being. This is what he felt like he deserved.

"I love you, Percy," he repeated for what had to be the hundredth time, but the words still felt like the smoothest velvet and tasted like the sweetest honey on his tongue.

Percy looked over to him and with grin said, "I love you too."

He squealed in delight, squeezing Percy's hand even tighter, and if it wasn't for the seatbelt across his chest, he would have jumped into his green-eyed lover's lap. A part of him was saying he needed to settle down, control his emotions, and be dignified; but the rest of him beat that annoying part into the dirt and allowed him to fully feel and express his emotions.

I think, no, I know this has been the best day of my life! I've forgiven Persephone and regained a second mother, Father gave me a hug before we left for the dance, and, well, Percy Loves me!

It had been an amazing night, even if his expectations had been a bit too high. Nico could vaguely remember the grand dances that had been held in the public squares throughout Venice and seeing his mother, father, and Persephone dress up in their finest clothes for a night out. He had pictured violinists playing soothing melodies in the corner, a grand, marble dancefloor where couples slowly danced, servers walking around offering finger foods and beverages. Not a third-rate country club with a DJ and people behaving like animals and calling it dancing.

I really should have asked for some details... But, that's what I get for assuming. Plus, I should have known better after Westover.

Still though, it was an amazing night. The prom committee had decorated the place exceedingly well despite their minuscule budget; the wrought-iron Eifel Tower someone donated was done with amazing craftsmanship. The food, while unorthodox for a formal event, had been really good; he even stole a few tortellini from Percy's plate after he ate his own. He didn't care for the loud, often repetitive music, but one Percy took him by the hand and led him onto the dancefloor, the music disappeared into the background.

And then there was Percy, and if he was honest with himself, any venue would have been amazing as long as Percy was there with him. The son of Poseidon had really tried to make sure everything went as smoothly as possible, and where he failed, it made things more entertaining.

He chuckled as Percy stopped at a traffic light.

Percy had tried to be the perfect date, emphasis on the word tried. Nico never finished a cup of the sickeningly sweet, red punch, as every time it got low Percy would grab it and limp off to get a refill, something he was more than capable of doing himself. When it was time to eat, Percy insisted on getting him his plate, only to run off without asking him what he wanted to eat. It had been funny, and a little sad, to see Percy struggle to fill and carry two plates and then panic and hold up the line over a piece of chicken. He had only wanted a salad, but seeing Percy come back with two heaping plates and his thumbs in hot marinara sauce, he ate every bite and then some. Shortly after their stomachs settled, Percy led him out to the dancefloor. With Percy's leg still injured they couldn't do anything too fancy other than the occasional twirl, and sometimes the son of Poseidon would step on his feet, but just being their wrapped in each other's arms was perhaps the second greatest moment in his life.