Chapter Text
Percy played ignorant when Hazel and Nico took a seat in his section, not because he disliked either of them, but because he hadn’t seen Nico since he’d told Percy he wasn’t his type.
Well, he had. Sorta. When Leo came back from the dead with Calypso. But that wasn’t any less awkward.
His coworker nudged him as she passed. “Go get your table, Poseidon.”
He rolled his eyes at the nickname. Docked points for lack of creativity and originality; he’d heard it a million times since he got into college in New Rome.
As he approached the table, Nico caught his eye and waved.
Percy smiled. “Hey, guys, long time no see! I’ve missed you both.” He meant it, looking between both of them. Part of him wished he’d been visited sooner, but the other part knew he’d also failed to visit any of his friends.
Nico tilted his head and scrunched his nose with a smile. “You missed me?”
Percy disguised a laugh with a scoff. “Both of you, not either in particular.”
Hazel snickered. “I told him you worked here and he said we should come get lunch from you.”
Percy awwed. “Seriously? I’m glad to hear that, today’s been boring.”
Nico rolled his eyes. “I have thought about visiting while I’m down here, but I know that Annabeth would kill me for interrupting you at college.”
Percy pursed his lips and glanced to the side, then at his shoes. “Yeah, well—” he cocked his head to the other side, “—that’s not really something you have to worry about anymore because… me and Annabeth broke up, actually.”
Hazel glanced away, not making eye contact with either of them.
Nico’s eyes widened and he shut his jaw, covering it with a hand. “Gods, Percy, I am so sorry. I didn’t–I had no idea. How–when? Why did that happen?” He turned to Hazel. “Did you know?”
She bit her lip before nodding.
“I asked her not to tell anyone…” Percy said. “I’m still figuring it out.”
Nico kicked Hazel under the table before turning back to Percy. “I am so, so sorry, Percy. I would’ve never mentioned it. Can I ask what happened?”
Percy inhaled sharply. “I haven’t really talked to anyone about it yet, but I can after work if you’re wanting to wait that long. Otherwise, I can tell Hazel and she can tell you.”
Percy imagined Nico wouldn't be staying long, as whenever Percy ran into Hazel he heard stories of him dropping in for only a few hours before rushing off back to Camp Half Blood. He assumed this time would be no different.
Nico shook his head. “No, no, I’m staying the night. I have time. When do you get off?”
Percy glanced at his watch, attempting to dull his shock. “Uh… Two hours from now.”
Nico shook his head again, glancing at Hazel. “That’s fine. Do you wanna go to the park or something? We can meet there?”
Percy shrugged. “Sure. Two thirty?”
Nico nodded. “Yeah, of course.”
“All right.” Just as he turned to walk away, he turned back. “I forgot to take your order.”
Hazel pressed her lips together to keep from chuckling.
He took their drink order, then later their food order.
Percy loved working in a cafe, because not every customer chose to sit at a table. Sometimes, the most he had to do was take a to-go order at the register, and when he had to play the part of server, it was always simple.
Except for when the guy that had friend-zoned him came in to ask about his break up.