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PJatO || Nicercy || PJatO || Nicercy || The Siren's Sea Shanties || Nicercy || PJatO || Nicercy || PJatO
Title: The Siren's Sea Shanties – Percy and his Biggest Fan
Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus
Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Rick Riordan. Aside from the Gods, they belong to the old Greeks. This fanfiction and its OCs on the other hand are entirely mine. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Tags: m/m, fluff, pining, celebrity crush (kind of), youtube AU, no gods
Main Pairing: Nico/Percy
Percy Jackson Characters: Perseus Jackson, Nico di Angelo, Grover Underwood, Annabeth Chase, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Jason Grace
Summary: Nico got sucked into the sea shanty trend when it started out and he quickly found his favorite by a cute youtuber named PerSea. Percy had only made his cover of Wellerman on a dare at first, but it really took off and he had fun, so he started making more videos.
The Siren's Sea Shanties
Percy and his Biggest Fan
Sea shanties were suddenly everywhere. And Nico kind of loved it. He'd always been a nerd, he loved mythology, legends. D&D and online roleplay games. Including pirate stories and games. Sea shanties were just the perfect soundtrack for that and their rise in popularity was great.
Suddenly, there were so many covers of great songs out on tiktok and youtube and that meant finding his favorite version – or versions; there was nothing wrong with having the same song from three different artists if they all nailed it. And then he found it. The perfect cover of Wellerman.
He'd fallen down the youtube rabbit hole and then he came across PerSea. PerSea's voice was enchanting. This was what Nico had always imagined sirens to actually sound like. Luring him in, capturing him, enchanting him. PerSea was gorgeous too, a really cute jock with abs – the dying whale noise Nico had made the first time he saw PerSea shirtless had been embarrassing – and oh, the most beautiful sea-green eyes possible and messy black hair. Also the cutest smile.
PerSea had made the best, most amazing cover of Wellerman on the entire internet and he also had gorgeous versions of many other songs. Nico quickly got kind of obsessed. At first, it was just the music. Having all the songs on a playlist, listening to them on a loop. Then he watched... more.
PerSea had behind the scenes videos. Because Wellerman had been his very first video on the channel and it had gone viral, gaining him a large number of followers, which prompted him to make more covers and then also BTS videos. The very first featured the story behind the Wellerman cover. How two of his friends had dared him to. He'd done it, for fun, never expecting it to take off.
PerSea's name was Percy. His dad was a fisherman, with his own ship – the Princess Andromeda. That ship was where they always filmed Percy's videos. His best friend Grover was his camera man and also featured in the behind the scene videos.
The more videos Nico watched, the more hopelessly in love he was falling. Percy's voice and smiles and humor and kindness and pretty face. Nico would love to meet him in person, get to actually know him. His big sister Bianca teased him, saying that if Nico ever got to meet the guy, he'd probably make a fool of himself and then would be disappointed. Nico wasn't stupid, he assumed the same, more or less. There was no way Percy in real life was the way he was in his short little staged videos. That was just a persona, like any celebrity had. Still.
"I love that you finally agreed to spend time with me!"
"I'm spending a lot of time with you," Nico grumbled.
"You hang out with me. But a whole week long get-away?"
Okay, that was fair. Nico loved Jason, a lot – as a friend, he didn't have romantic feelings for Jason. But Jason was also a lot at times. Where Nico was more of an introvert, Jason was an extrovert. A jock, star-player of their school, everybody's darling. He tended to talk a lot, awkwardly fill the silence. He was also a sweetheart, who had learned how to play Mythomagic for Nico's sake. And as much as he loved Jason and was grateful for how much Jason had invested into befriending him even when Nico had tried to keep to himself, Nico still had never spent multiple, consecutive days with Jason. Despite how often Jason had invited Nico to tag along to camping trips or to a vacation.
This time, however, Jason had made an interesting proposal. Jason's mom and stepdad were rich actors and they owned a small yacht. And Jason, after seeing just how much Nico obsessed over the sea shanties, had suggested that they could take the ship out together. Travel from Los Angeles to San Francisco and back, roughly around a week, Jason estimated. The third in their little trio also agreed on it, thinking it could be a fun trip. So Jason, Nico and Reyna set sail.
"I can not wait to enjoy the sun and the ocean," Reyna sighed.
She was wearing a purple bikini and claimed a spot on the deck. The yacht had four cabins, that of Jason's parents and the three of the kids. Jason stayed in his room, Reyna claimed that of Jason's older sister and Nico took that of his stepsister. It was nice, Nico quickly got settled in, turned on his PerSea playlist and threw himself onto the bed. He was on a real ship, for the first time.
/break\
"I regret everything," Nico groaned, laying sprawled out on the deck.
It turned out that Nico and the sea were not as compatible as he wished they were. He got sea-sick. He took meds against it, because thankfully Beryl Grace kept those in the bathroom of the yacht, but the stuff always needed to kick in first. Jason and Reyna chuckled and exchanged a look.
"We'll reach our destination soon. You'll get to spend some time on land then," offered Reyna.
"Why are we going to San Francisco anyway?" asked Nico slowly. "Hasn't crossed my mind yet."
"Because of you," replied Jason with a frown.
"...What?" Nico slowly sat up, looking at the blonde.
Reyna was shuffling cards, for them to play poker in the lantern light on the deck. "Your little crush. He's been tweeting about visiting his best friend in San Francisco. We figured we'd... look if you can accidentally run into him. Get to meet him."
Nico stared at them in utter mortification. "I didn't bring the right clothes to meet my crush. Why didn't you guys tell me! I would have packed differently!"
Both Jason and Reyna started laughing. "We can go shopping when we reach San Francisco."
/break\
Percy had actually made some money off his songs. Who would have thought. That money, Percy had put into two plane tickets, so he and Grover could fly to San Francisco and visit Annabeth. They'd gone to high school together and after, college pulled Annabeth back to where her father and stepmother lived. They stayed in contact, but getting to really hug her was so much better.
"We so have to go to the docks though, I mean, come on. New backdrop for a video."
Percy was so excited. He always was when he got to see the sea. Grover was the one who had suggested that they could shoot a video while being in San Francisco. While Annabeth wasn't the biggest fan of that, she still decided to entertain them. And she did enjoy Percy's songs.
"For someone who spends so much time on his dad's fisher boat, you get wa—ay too excited about boats, Percy," Annabeth sighed and shook her head. "If these were at least proper ships! Classic, historical ones. But these are just... boats..."
"Well, that ain't just a boat," Percy came to a sudden halt, gaping.
Both Grover and Annabeth joined him, Grover whistling impressed beneath his breath. This was definitely not just a boat. This was a yacht. The Argo II, it said, in elegant, golden letters. After a bit of gaping did Annabeth grab Percy by the arm and forcibly pulled him along.
"No. Nope. You are not going to get us arrested for breaking and entering just because you saw a shiny ship you want to board," declared Annabeth. "We're going over there for your music video."
Percy pouted softly, reaching grabby hands out for the shiny ship. How very unfair.
/break\
When Nico had compared PerSea to a siren, it had been meant metaphorical. But that morning, when he woke up, he heard Percy's voice singing a song Nico had definitely never heard him sing before, so it couldn't be from his playlist. Sleepy and curious did he walk up to the deck, where he could hear the singing even more clearly. He left the ship and followed the noise, like an enchanted sailor would walk into the cliffs for the sake of their beautiful siren. And there he was, the siren. Percy, standing in front of some ships, singing, while Grover filmed him.
"You're... really here," commented Nico in awe.
"And cut," called an annoyed-looking blonde out. "A fanboy walked onto the set."
Grover stopped filming and turned toward a now flustered Nico. And then there was Percy, also looking at Nico. Percy was looking at him. Nico gaped. Percy was even prettier in real.
"Do... people in San Francisco often just walk around in their pajamas, Annie?" asked Percy.
That was when Nico's eyes widened and he looked down himself, noticing that he was wearing his Batman shirt and the matching boxers. Because he had just blindly walked outside, following Percy's voice without first getting dressed. Cussing beneath his breath, Nico ran back to the yacht. By the time he was chanced and had calmed down his embarrassment a little, Percy and his friends were standing right in front of the yacht, with Percy bouncing on the balls of his feet.
"Uhm... I am sorry for disturbing you. And for being in my... pjs..." offered Nico confused.
"All's forgiven. You looked cute," offered Percy with a grin. "That is not why we stand here. I was admiring this ship earlier. And since you came out to listen to me sing, I figured I'd try and... Can we maybe film on your ship, it is a very, very gorgeous lady?"
"It's not mine, it's my friend's..." Nico drawled unsure.
"Hey, I'm Jason, I'm the friend. Totally platonic friend, by the way, Nico is super single! And sure you can come here! My friend Nico here is a huge fan!" Jason smiled, one arm around Nico.
"You are the worst wingman and friend and I might drown you later," Nico growled beneath his breath, glaring fiercely at Jason. "I'll tell Beryl it was a horrible accident, you were lost at sea."
All Jason did was laugh and pull Nico closer. Thankfully, Percy seemingly had missed the implications and also what Nico had said, because the singer simply looked excited.
"Thanks, man. That is really nice!" Percy smiled brightly. "I'm Percy, that's Grover and Annabeth!"
The three boarded the ship together and checked where to best film. As they sat up, Reyna walked onto deck. She lowered her sunglasses and raised her eyebrows in surprise when she saw their guests. Jason and Nico were sitting aside, watching, Jason's feet dangling in excitement.
"...How did this happen?" asked Reyna when she sat down with them.
"Honestly, no idea. They just walked on board," Jason shrugged.
"Uh, I heard Percy's voice and... followed it... and I... they were filming. And then they followed me back here and it seems Percy likes the yacht so he asked to film here," supplied Nico.
"Amazing. And here I thought the sailor came to the siren, not the other way around."
Reyna grinned as she nudged Nico, though thankfully enough shortly thereafter, they were required to be quiet because the other three started filming. Percy was singing and Nico had a front-row seat. He was even more enchanting live. Nico simply gaped, his eyes glued to Percy, watching every single movement. The way the sun caught in Percy's hair, how beautiful his eyes looked. They truly were the color of the ocean, what with the real ocean right behind him like that.
"Close your mouth," whispered Jason, nudging him.
Flustered, Nico closed his mouth. It was hard, he was staring at Percy, after all. Percy in shorts and a very unfairly tight blue shirt. The blonde called 'cut' again and the magic ended. Nico pouted just a little, because Percy was no longer singing and them being done filming meant they might leave soon and Nico would no longer get to stare at Percy in awe.
"Thanks, for letting us film here," Percy smiled at Jason.
"Man, you're pretty," muttered Jason before he flushed. "I mean, no homo and all – though I am bisexual, so maybe kinda homo, but I got a girlfriend, I'm just observing that... you're pretty."
Percy laughed at that, ruffling his own hair. "Thanks, I'll take the compliment."
"Do you guys have anywhere to be?" asked Reyna. "Because if not, we wanted to order pizza for lunch. You wanna stray and eat with us?"
"Never gonna say no to free pizza," announced Percy. "Though something vegetarian for Grover."
"Mushrooms and onions?" requested Grover eagerly.
"That sounds good, I'm in on that," Reyna nodded and got her phone out.
The six of them agreed on three different pizzas before Reyna ordered. Jason led the way to the upper deck where the small pool was located. Before Jason could say anything, Percy was already jumping in, his shirt hitting the floor as he hit the water. When he emerged, he looked so happy and serene and Nico's heart was racing. Gorgeous. So gorgeous.
"Full disclosure: We do know who you are," noted Reyna as she dangled her feet into the water.
Annabeth sat down next to her. "I figured as much when your friend over there walked onto our previous set and gaped at Percy like a fish. Fanboy behavior one-oh-one."
"Yeah, Nico is a pretty big fan of PerSea's," Reyna grinned a little bit.
"You know, I don't mind, if Percy's fans score me free pizza," Annabeth shrugged.
Nico stood next to them, still staring at Percy. Until Jason, in all his helpful wingman-ness, pushed him into the pool. Nico gasped and coughed as he resurfaced. He glared darkly at Jason, before pulling his shirt off and spreading it out on the ground in the sun to dry.
"So—o... what brings you guys here?" asked Percy as he came to stand next to Nico.
"Va... cation," offered Nico awkwardly.
"That's so cool. I wish I had a ship like this," Percy sighed with a pout.
"It's my stepdad's," offered Jason when he joined them in the pool.
Grover all the while spread a towel out for himself and laid down to sun. "Well done on the stepdad. Your mother has chosen wisely, this is a life I could get used to."
"His stepdad is Tristan McLean," offered Reyna, motioning at Jason.
"That means... your mom... is Beryl Grace," whispered Percy in awe. "I love her movies."
"That's a rare one," Nico grunted surprised. "Most squeal about Tristan, not Beryl."
"Beryl was like the horror-movie star of the 80s. I used to watch her movies with my mom when I was a kid. Scared me shitless, but it was so much fun," Percy laughed. "Don't get me wrong, Tristan McLean is really talented and really hot. Total DILF. But Beryl was a childhood star of mine."
"Don't call my dad a DILF," Jason groaned and covered his face.
Percy laughed as he turned around, resting his arms on the edge of the pool and stretching his body out in the water. Floating and sun-bathing. His eyes closed contently.
"Uh, hello? Pizza?" called someone from somewhere.
"Ah. I'll go and get that," Jason quickly climbed out of the pool.
"So... how long have you been a fan of mine?" asked Percy with a teasing grin, nudging Nico.
"Fell down the sea shanty rabbit hole and discovered you along the journey," Nico flushed a bit. "You have an amazing voice. I love listening to you sing."
"Oh yeah?" Percy grinned pleased. "Any song requests?"
"Uh... it's probably a lame pick because it's been so overdone, but... Wellerman. I just, that was how I found your channel? Your rendition of it knocked me out," admitted Nico flustered.
Percy started singing. He started singing Wellerman. Live, right next to him. Percy looked so beautiful and content when he was singing. The spell was broken when Jason walked up with three boxes of pizza and suddenly, he had all of the attention. But that... wasn't a bad thing. Nico thought listening to Percy sing was the best thing possible, but when they actually all sat together and he got to hear Percy laugh and talk, that was even more amazing. Having normal conversations with him. They talked about Annabeth's studies, the reason she had moved away, what Grover was doing (working at his family's flower-shop), about Percy's life. Also the boring stuff Nico already knew; Reyna and Jason's lives. He'd much rather listen to Percy for longer.
"What about you?" Percy looked at him while taking a bite off his pepperoni pizza. "You've barely shared anything about yourself and considering you watch my channel, it feels like I am at a total disadvantage here. You... actually look kind of uncomfortable."
They'd left the harbor by now, after talking for about an hour, Jason had suggested they could take the boat out some. Annabeth and Reyna were already swimming in the ocean, but Percy was set on eating some left-over pizza... and talk to Nico, apparently.
"That's... That's the sea-sickness", admitted Nico. "I think it's time I take another pill."
"Why are you on a boat, if you get sea-sick? That seems like the worst vacation plan possible."
Nico offered a half-shrug at that. "I didn't know I was sea-sick until we left LA..."
Percy chuckled a little and tilted his head. "What else? What do you... like doing?"
"I like... mythology, archaeology, history," offered Nico awkwardly.
"O—Oh, then you're gonna love Percy even more," declared Grover teasingly.
"No! G-man, no!" Percy yelped, scrambling over to try and pull Grover into the pool.
"Because Percy, against popular suggestion, is not short for Percival," Grover laughed as he dodged Percy. "It is actually short for 'Perseus' because his parents are huge mythology nerds."
Percy finally managed to dunk Grover, glaring and flushing brightly. Nico blinked slowly.
"Perseus, like-" started Nico surprised.
"Like the slayer of Medusa, freer of Andromeda – that's why my dad's ship is named the Princess Andromeda – ye—eah. Other kids got read Dr. Suess, I got told tales of Greek mythology. I never really lost interest in them. They're great and inspiring."
Nico made a small dying noise. And here he thought his crush had been bad, but he might have just fallen a little harder in love with Percy. Blinking owlishly, Nico simply stared at the other.
"Grover! You wanna come help me mix some cocktails? I figured it'd be nice to sit together and have some cool, refreshing drinks and maybe snacks?" called Jason out from below deck.
And here he was, trying to be a wingman again. Grover got up and walked away interested, leaving Nico all alone with Percy, since Annabeth and Reyna were still swimming. Which, Nico was surprised that Percy was up here, instead of in the water, he knew how much Percy loved the sea.
"Why... are you still here? And not swimming with the girls, I mean," asked Nico reluctantly.
"I don't know. I guess I like talking to you," Percy shrugged, though his cheeks turned red.
"I... I have the hugest crush on you," admitted Nico after a moment.
"Ye—eah, I kinda noticed the... heart-eyes," Percy laughed, though then he smiled softly at Nico. "But you're really cute and nice. So... if you're not busy tomorrow... maybe... lunch? Just us two?"
He leaned in and kissed Nico's cheek and with that, Nico's brain stopped working. His crush just asked him out on a date. And kissed his cheek. Nico had been pulled into the deep end by his siren.
~*~ The End ~*~