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Nico was talking to Annabeth and Percy outside his cabin. He hadn’t meant to be talking to them. He meant to be waiting inside for his boyfriend to come and watch a movie marathon with him but, like so many other times in his life, he was ambushed.
“All I’m saying is blue food is obviously superior,” Percy said, his arm resting around Annabeth’s shoulders. She leaned into him even as she rolled her eyes. A while ago, seeing them like this - so domestic and natural - would have sent Nico into a spiral of self hate. Now it was like watching his parents being soppy whenever they kissed. It was gross but the feeling definitely wasn’t jealousy.
“It’s just normal food with food colouring in it,” Nico pointed out.
“My mom’s blue cookies,” Percy countered. Annabeth and Nico reluctantly agreed with him on that one. Anyone who had had Sally’s blue cookies would never be the same again.
“Besides,” Percy continued, “it’s not really about the taste. It’s about the meaning behind it.”
Nico nodded. He understood that. He still refused to eat pomegranate seeds despite how badly he craved them whenever he felt hungry. It was a cruel instinct.
“Hello!” There was a tap on Nico’s shoulder before strong arms wrapped around his waist from behind. “I didn’t realise we had company.”
Will and Nico had come to an agreement not too long ago that before they touched one another they would tap each other on the shoulder. What with their battle instincts and PTSD symptoms, it was better to have a warning so no one got punched or had a flashback.
Nico intertwined his fingers with the ones resting lightly on his torso.
“We were just stopping by.” Percy winked. “We won’t interrupt your date.”
“Good,” Will replied easily, resting his chin on Nico’s shoulder, “but don’t stop talking on my account. I’m happy to just take in the view.”
He turned his head to face Nico with a shit eating grin as he did so.
“Fuck off.” Nico scoffed.
“Got a problem with that, pretty boy?”
“Will!” Nico shoved a hand half heartedly in his boyfriend’s face. “That’s like flirting with me in front of my parents.”
“Aw, Nico!” Percy beamed. “We’re your parents?”
“No,” Nico snapped, quick to defend.
“Eat your vegetables.” Annabeth wagged a finger in Nico’s face. “No staying up past ten. And no having sex with your boyfriend.”
“Annabeth!” Nico gaped at the same time Will said, “No fair!”
“Call me mother, young man,” Annabeth teased.
“Oh my gods, I love you,” Percy said with an awestruck look on his face. He kissed her and Nico made a fake gagging motion.
“I’ll have you know our love is beautiful,” Percy told him. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”
Nico snorted. “Not from where I’m beholding.”
“Shush.” Will kissed his neck chastely. “Don’t insult your parents. You wouldn’t be around without them.”
“More like they wouldn’t be around without me.”
“That’s fair.” Annabeth shrugged. “We’ll leave you to it then.”
“Keep it innocent in there,” Percy added as they walked away.
Will hummed, holding Nico tighter.
“Does that mean I have to get their permission for a proposal?”
Nico spluttered. “A proposal?”