Percy Jackson x Nico Di Angelo oneshots(mostly Lemon) [ ON HIATUS UNTIL FURTHER

«My Brave Soldiers»

Mortal AU No Gods

❗WARNING❗POSSIBLE PTSD TRIGGER DO NOT READ IF YOU ARE FAINT OF HEART

Percy gulped down his tears and pulled Nico tighter to himself, breathing in his scent. He wouldn't see Nico for at least a year, which was slowly going to drive him crazy. Their two young children, Maddox Paul and Patrick Marshal, blinked up at their dad with matching sets of sea-green eyes. They were only four, so they didn't understand what was happening. But Percy understood. His wonderful husband was off to Iraq, and not for the first time. Nico shouldered his bag and scooped his twin boys up.

"Daddy leaving?" Patrick asked, tilting his little head to the side. Maddox whimpered and buried his face in the space between Nico's neck and shoulder blade. Percy glanced away. Sending Nico away on duty was always difficult, but this time Nico had two little boys in addition to his husband. Percy couldn't imagine separating his children from their father, but Nico had his last tour of duty before he was to retire from the military. Nico kissed each of children in turn, and then kissed Percy's cheek.

"Yes, daddy's leaving," Nico said, handing the twins to their mother. "But daddy will be back next year. You'll be five when daddy comes back! Won't that be cool, being a whole other year older?" Patrick puffed out his little chest while Maddox gazed at their father sadly. "I'll be back before Halloween next year," Nico promised his sons. "Remember what you're going to be this year?"

"Power rangers!" Patrick squeaked excitedly. "I'm blue. Maddie's red." Even Maddox gave a tiny smile at his twin's enthusiasm. Halloween was next week, and today Patrick proudly announced that he and Maddie wanted to be Power Rangers for Halloween. Percy couldn't refuse the twins, especially since he knew what a sad day this was going to be. "Next year I want to be an army man like daddy," Patrick said solemnly.

"Me too," Maddox said. "Can we mommy? Can we be army men like daddy?" Percy shared a look with Nico over the twins' heads. Nico's dark eyes were shiny with unshed tears. "Mommy? Daddy? Are you okay?" Maddie asked.

"Yes sweetie," Percy said. "Of course you and Patrick can be army men like daddy. We'll have to get a picture when he gets back. My three soldiers." He set the twins down on the ground. "But we need a going away picture." Nico knelt between the twins, who pressed themselves to his side, clutching his camo shirt. Maddie snatched at Nico's dog tag, which the dark-haired boy smiled at.

"Here Maddie," he said, slipping it off. He fished two more out of his pocket. He slipped one over his head and then handed one to each of his sons. "These say daddy's name and information on them. You guys can keep them and use them with your Halloween costumes next year. All real army men have dog tags."

"Cool!" Patrick exclaimed, putting his own. Maddie followed suit at a slower pace. Suddenly, Patrick burst into tears. "Don't go daddy!" he wailed, throwing himself at Nico, who rocked back on his heels from the impact. Maddie buried his face in Nico's shirt. It tore Percy's heart to see his boys so distraught. This would be the first time they'd have to say goodbye to daddy for more than a standard work day. They wouldn't see him in a year. "Please don't go!" Patrick continued.

"Shh baby boy, it's alright," Nico said, stroking Patrick's hair. "Daddy will be back before you know it. You still have mommy you know." Patrick turned to look at Percy, who gave him a smile. "You guys can still talk to daddy once a month. Mommy can Skype me and you can see me."

"Really?" Patrick asked, his sea-green eyes widening. "We can see daddy?" Nico nodded, picking both twins up. Patrick wrapped his arms around his father's neck and rested his head on his shoulder. Maddie gripped Nico's arm with all the strength his little body possessed.