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Title: A Teacher's Life and Love – The Italian Substitute

Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus; high school AU

Disclaimer: All rights reserved to Rick Riordan for he created the awesomeness that is Nico di Angelo. And everything else related to Percy Jackson and the Olympians / Heroes of Olympus. 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.

Warnings: shounen-ai, explicit intercourse, anal, shoujo-ai, hetero, threesome

Main Pairing: Nico/Percy

Side Pairings: Luke/Octavian, Frank/Hazel/Leo, Piper/Annabeth, Chris/Clarisse, Charles/Silena, Jason/Reyna, Grover/Juniper, Octavian/Percy (past)

Percy Jackson Characters: Perseus Jackson, Nico di Angelo, Leo Valdez, Hazel Levesque, Frank Zhang, Annabeth Chase, Piper McLean, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Jason Grace, Juniper, Grover Underwood, Silena Beauregard, Charles Beckendorf, Clarisse la Rue, Chris Rodriguez, Luke Castellan, Octavian Simmons, Rachel Elizabeth Dare, Lupa, Chiron

Own Characters: Sedanur Aykan, Sam Raser, Derek Rhys, Trend Austin

Summary: Nico is the new guy at school and while trying to fit in, he also had to find a place to live at. A good thing the swimming coach's roommate happened to have moved out recently. The down sight? Nico was really starting to crush on his colleague who kept walking around half naked in their apartment. And the rest of his new colleagues are driving the new Italian teacher crazy too.

A Teacher's Life and Love

The Italian Substitute

Chapter 5: Friends. Family. Love

Percy was grinning like a lunatic as he looked around the restaurant. Hazel's and Frank's restaurant, the Happy Dragon. It was a beautiful, little place selling Italian food. He yelped as he was pushed out of the way by Chris, Clarisse's boyfriend and cook at the restaurant.

"Don't just stand there", grunted Chris annoyed. "Get busy like the rest of us!"

Grinning sheepishly, Percy ducked beneath a table that was being carried by Travis and Connor, the two waiters of the restaurant. Percy liked them, they were fun and pulled some crazy pranks on the staff of the school every Halloween. He decided it to be clever to put himself to use.

"Okay, what can I do?", asked Percy as he walked up to Frank and Hazel.

"Keep Leo away from us. He's too distracting", ordered Hazel, waving her hand.

"I didn't do anything!", yelped Leo with a pout. "I just stood there."

"Yeah and that's enough", grunted Frank. "We have to finish the menus in time, get everything ready in the next two hours. We don't have time for you and your distractiveness."

"That's not even a word", mumbled Leo and crossed his arms over his chest.

"Come with me", ordered Percy amused, pulling the pouting Latino with him.

Annabeth was leaning over a table, papers in front of her, scribbling stuff while Silena and Piper leaned over her, giving their opinion (which Annabeth obviously didn't quite enjoy). He watched over his shoulder how Chris, Hazel and Frank disappeared in the kitchen to finish their dinner.

"Torrington!", screeched Hazel suddenly. "Someone remove this madman from my kitchen!"

"Madman removal service on the way!", exclaimed Jason and ran past Percy with Charles.

"Madman?", repeated Percy amused, cocking one eyebrow.

"Yes", grunted Reyna, heaving a table around with the help of Clarisse. "He is set on making fireworks. Himself. The Stolls approve. Everyone else... doesn't."

"Understandably so", huffed Clarisse with a glare. "Bloody little wizard with his magic."

"He's a chemist and chemistry is not magic, Clarisse", chided Silena loudly.

Clarisse rolled her eyes, muttering something beneath her breath. Percy laughed at it, but he didn't get to do much more, because someone grabbed him around the waist and lifted him up some, kissing his cheek. Yelping slightly, Percy turned to glare at his boyfriend of eight months.

"Nico!", hissed Percy. "Put me down. Don't manhandle me like that. You know I don't like it."

"Says the boy who threw me over his shoulder the last time I groped his ass. Revenge, carino", chuckled Nico amused. "Besides, if the two of you are just standing there, you can as well come with me. Luke send me to pick up the flowers, I have no idea where the shop is. Nymph's Garden?"

"That's the shop my old roommate Grover and his wife run", grinned Percy. "Put me down and I'll show you the way. Leo, tag along, that way you're not bothering Frank and Hazel."

"No, leave the tinkering one with me. I want to pretty the arc up", interrupted Rachel, waving around beautiful designs. "It's a bit last minute, but I'm sure Leo can handle it. Right?"

"Of course, ma'am!", saluted Leo with a broad grin.

"Well, then it's only you and me, I guess", grinned Percy and took Nico's hand.

Nico smiled fondly down at their joined hands. Together, they got out to Percy's car. Well, their car. It was mostly Nico driving these days, because Percy was the most horrifying driver Nico had ever encountered and he had made it clear months ago that he would never get into that car if Percy was behind the wheel ever again. Percy got into the passenger seat as Nico started the car.

"I've been living here for nine months now, how come I've never been to Grover's store? I mean, we've been on plenty of double dates with the two of them", frowned Nico confused.

"Because you never asked, stupido", teased Percy with a grin. "You could have saved a lot of money on my Valentine's flowers and my birthday flowers..."

"Well, that's going to change for the future. That's going to save me a fortune on the long run", grunted Nico determined. "Now tell me where to go."

Percy blushed and stared at Nico while giving the Italian directions. They had never really talked about where to take their relationship, but in the past weeks, Percy had gotten a certain vibe from Nico and Nico had known from the start that Percy wanted something serious. A family. So that Nico was talking about the future, that meant Nico was in for the long run too?

"Now who found his way to our palace for the first time there? What did you do to him, Perce? Threaten him?", chuckled Grover amused, heaving around flowers as the couple entered.

Nico waved at him shortly, rather paying attention to the Missus. Juniper still blushed when Nico kissed her hand. She was a sweet woman, Nico liked her. Well, he had to, since Grover was Percy's best friend and Juniper was Grover's wife, so lots of double-dates ensued and if he planned on having a future with Percy, he needed to be in their good grates.

"We're here to pick the flowers up. Or, well, help you deliver them", explained Percy. "So?"

Juniper took the lead, pulling Nico and Percy with her to the flowers that needed to be delivered to the Happy Dragon. There were a lot. Then again, if someone put Silena in charge of such an organization, of course there would be a lot of everything. Once back in their car, on their way back while being trailed by the flower shop's van with Grover and Juniper, Percy got his phone out.

"Silly?", asked Percy once someone picked up on the other end.

"Yeah, Perce? You're on speaker, honey", replied Silena.

"Operaction: Luktavian Wedding is a go. We're on our way with the flowers. Everything at your end still alright?", questioned Percy. "Did anything explode while we were gone?"

"Everything is fine, Percy", laughed Silena. "Clarisse is keeping an eye on the Stolls and Alabaster. But you need to hurry. You guys haven't changed yet and we need to place the flowers in less than an hour. Someone also has to pick Luke and Octavian up for the surprise."

A surprise wedding was probably not the best anniversary present for friends in case they weren't ready to get married, but since Luke and Octavian had been foster parents to a lovely little girl for six months now and the little one asked when they would get married and become her 'proper parents', their friends had decided to help them out some. So Operation: Luktavian Wedding had come to life, being planned in total secret by the staff of the Aken Academy.

/break\

"Daddy, daddy, daddy! Look, I got an A on my essay!", yelped a little, blonde angel eagerly.

Luke looked up from the book he had been reading just in time for his foster child to crash into him. They had agreed on that six months ago. Foster parents before adoption, to see if Octavian could even deal with having a kid around. After all, Octavian had been more than skeptical at first. Luke grunted as he checked it out. She was twelve already, a bright child and gorgeous at that. But too old to have many chances at finding parents anymore, which was why Luke and Octavian had taken her in. Luke grinned proudly as he looked through the paper.

"Good girl, Danny", praised Luke and ruffled her hair.

"I promised her we would go out. She demanded to go to the Happy Dragon", announced Octavian.

He had been against the idea of having children at first, but by now he was the parent who really spoiled her. Bought her all the pretty dresses and toys she wanted, bribed her with sweets. He even read her a story every night, even though that girl was more than capable of reading herself. He was completely smitten with that girl and Luke could see that just there with the way he was glowing in pride, already getting into his jacket, throwing Luke his own one.

/break\

Everyone was hiding in the Happy Dragon, Silena had just gotten a text from Danny that they were on their way. That girl was one clever little child. Sedanur Aykan, a little girl with the brightest mind Silena had ever encountered in a child so young. When Luke, Octavian and Danny entered the restaurant, everyone jumped out of their hiding spots and Luke nearly had a heart-attack. There was a giant, white arc in front of the windows, decorated with wooden doves, feathers and white roses. All tables were shoved to make room for that and for something akin to a dance floor. Flowers were everywhere and basically everyone Luke and Octavian knew was present and dressed up.

"Surprise wedding!", exclaimed everyone at once.

Luke glared at his best friend Ethan. The guidance counselor was a schooled priest and he was even wearing his robes (judging by the looks Alabaster threw him, kinky sex would ensue later on). Danny broke free from Octavian and Luke where she had previously been holding their hands. She ran up to Silena, looking excited. Percy walked up to Octavian to pull him along and Alabaster took Luke. They didn't have a say in it as they followed into the backrooms. Octavian found himself in the office, where a white suit was laid out on the table for him.

"Are you serious about this?", asked Octavian annoyed and started to undress himself.

"You said it yourself, Tavy. You want to keep Danny and for that, you need to adopt her. You have better chances at that if you're actually a thing and not just boyfriends, but both of you already complained that you don't have the nerve and time to plan a wedding, so Silena did."

"You guys are ridiculous", whispered Octavian, sounding nearly fond. "Thank you."

"Ah, shut up and get going", grinned Percy, linking their arms.

Danny led the way, wearing a pretty white dress and throwing flowers. This was surreal, was the only thing running through his mind as Percy led him to the improvised altar. Percy patted his arm and let go to join his boyfriend on the chairs. Nico rested one hand on Percy's thigh.

"You look beautiful", whispered Nico. "Ti amo, mio amore."

Percy smiled and leaned in to kiss Nico softly before returning his attention to the wedding ahead.

/break\

Percy was tipsy and smiling like an idiot while Nico supported him. The wedding had moved after the dinner to the school, the gym also decorated with flowers and all. There was a lot of dancing and there was even more alcohol. The first ones to leave were Silena and Charles, who had agreed to babysit Danny so Luke and Octavian could have their wedding night. Luke and Octavian were heavily intoxicated as they danced and danced and danced. And made out. A lot. It was cute.

"They're married", stated Percy as they walked through the school grounds.

"That's generally the outcome of a wedding, yes", agreed Nico very amused.

Percy huffed, annoyed by his boyfriend's sass. So he shoved him slightly. Or it was supposed to be slightly. Somehow he had missed where they were. At the pool. Nico yelled loudly as he collided with the water with a loud splash. Percy laughed as Nico surfaced and glared at him. Percy obeyed the silent command and jumped after his lover. Both were wet and bathed by the moonlight.

"Tavy asked me if we'd come with them to the orphanage, they want to file for adoption. I think they're nervous", stated Percy with a tender smile, arms around Nico's shoulders.

"That would get us out of cleaning up the messes this wedding made", grinned Nico, kissing Percy.

"Let's get out of the water. We should get home and dried up. I don't want to catch a cold", noted Percy. "It's freezing out there. Come on, be a gentleman and keep me warm."

They climbed out of the pool and Nico obediently wrapped his arms around his lover, pulling him close up against his side. They would be home in ten if they'd take the car, but both had drunken their fair share of wine on the party, so a night stroll it was. In the light of the moon, it was quite romantic. Percy heaved a happy sigh, his cheeks red from the wine and the excitement.

"The... wedding was beautiful, wasn't it?", whispered Percy dreamily.

"It... was, si", agreed Nico slowly, unlocking their door as they reached their home.

"Do you... want to get married?", asked Percy shyly as they made their way upstairs.

"To you", nodded Nico, not looking at Percy, knowing he was surprised. "I only wanted to stay in the US for half a year to clear my head after... everything that happened. I signed up as a substitute. I renegotiated my contract with Luke weeks ago, got my other legal papers done months ago. I came to easy my mind, but I'm staying for you. And for Hazel. And all the friends I made in the past months. This is my life and I love it. And I want to share it with you, amore. I'm not saying we need to get married tomorrow. Or even next year. I'm just saying that I love you and I plan on loving you for a long time to come. For as long as you keep me."

"Forever", whispered Percy, barely audible, also not looking at Nico.

They entered their apartment with smiles on their faces and headed for the bathroom to get towels. Even when drying each other up were they still grinning like two idiots. Neither was speaking, both were too happy that they agreed on what the future would hold for them. Tender smiles were painted onto their lips as they crawled into their bed too. They had moved into Pery's room months ago – it was the bigger room. The other was mainly used as Rachel's atelier these days. Snuggling up to Nico, Percy closed his eyes and drifted into dreams of a shared future.

/break\

Percy and Nico were up and alert when they were waiting in front of the Elysium Orphanage. Luke and Octavian didn't look as good. They had truly celebrated their wedding last night.

"Principal Castellan, you handle your alcohol worse than your students do", teased Percy.

"Oh, shut up", huffed Luke annoyed, shoving the swimming coach off.

"Mister Castellan, Mister Simmons, so nice of you to come. If you'd like to accompany me to my office, then we can clear all legal matters?", greeted an elderly brunette man in a wheelchair.

"Of course, Mister Brunner", nodded Octavian stiffly before going down into his knees. "Danny, dear. You go with uncle Nico and uncle Percy. Show them around a bit while pa and I take care of this, okay, love? You can introduce them to your friends, mh?"

"Okay, daddy", nodded Danny obediently and hugged Octavian tightly. "I love you, daddy."

"We love you too, sweetheart", whispered Octavian, ruffling her hair.

Percy smiled fondly as he watched the other three men leave. Then he took Danny's hand and let the girl guide them inside. Though she had always been more obsessed with Nico – his foreignness was intriguing for the little girl with Turkish roots, surrounded by white people. Percy just wanted to follow them to Danny's old room as someone ran into him. He stumbled a little, but the boy fell onto his butt. Frowning concerned, Percy knelt down to check the kid.

"I'm sorry, sir", mumbled the little child, maybe seven years old. "Didn't mean to hit ya."

"It's alright, little one", smiled Percy, pushing a strand of brown hair out of the boy's face. "You have pretty, green eyes kiddo. Tell me, what's your name? I'm Percy."

"I'm Sam", replied the boy shyly, thrusting his hand out. "It's nice to meet you. You have nice eyes too. They're green like mine! What you doing here? Do you wanna adopt?"

Percy smiled at the excited boy. He was a cute kid, green eyes, peanut-butter brown hair, bronze skin and a brilliant smile. He was adorable. Percy sat down on the floor, crossing his legs.

"My friends are adopting a little girl, me and my boyfriend came here to support them", explained Percy, looking around the living room. "What do you like playing with, Sam?"

"Cars. Cars are fun", declared Sam and rushed off.

Percy blinked a couple of times, unsure if he had lost the boy's interest. But then Sam came back with the largest grin possible, carrying two arms full of cars with him and dumping them in front of Percy. The teacher laughed amused and took a blue car.

"Do you wanna play with me, Percy?", asked Sam with large, hopeful eyes.

"Sammy! Sammy, what are you doing?! Get away from the adult!"

Percy jumped slightly as two other boys crashed into them. A boy, a bit smaller and probably younger than Sam, with darker brown hair and dark, green eyes. The kid glared fiercely at Percy as he sat on top of Sam and hugged the air out of the older boy. Another one was a blonde boy, taller than the two brunettes, standing between Percy and the others. Also glaring.

"You're not taking Sammy away from us!", declared the blonde.

"We know he's cute and he'll be adopted before us, but we don't want anyone to take our Sammy away", added the youngest, pouting as he continued to hug Sam. "You can't have him."

"I'm not taking Sam away from you", said Percy softly, lifting his hands up in surrender. "I just wanted to play with him. He asked me to. Do you two want to play too? What's your names?"

"I'm Trend. He's Derek. You don't take Derek and Sam away", stated the blonde skeptically.

Percy smiled slightly as the other two children settled down and picked cars of their own. What he didn't know was that Nico was watching him fondly from the doorway. Danny had abandoned the Italian in favor of catching up with her old friends and Nico had returned to get his boyfriend.

"He got Derek and Trend to play with him. Impressive." Nico nearly jumped out of his skin and turned to the lady who had talked, she just chuckled. "I'm sorry if I startled you. Lupa Brunner, I'm the owner of this orphanage. Who do I have the pleasure with? Name, age, job."

"Nico di Angelo, twenty-nine, teacher for Italian at the Aken Academy High School", replied Nico, back straight as this woman somehow evoke a fear in him. "And that's my boyfriend, Percy. What did you mean when you said it's impressive that Percy got them to play with him?"

"Derek is only six, but he's been through some... awful foster families", sighed Lupa with an upset frown. "And Sam, he... In the last foster family he was with, the only son there molested him. Trend, the blonde boy, he became their protector. He watched his parents getting killed in a robbery. He's very weary of adults. They all are. And Derek and Trend are very protective of Sam."

"Those boys have been through a lot", whispered Nico, his eyes pained as he watched how happy Percy and the children looked while playing with the cars. "But... they look so happy."

"As long as they're together, they are", explained Lupa patiently. "They became their own little family. Their own little safe haven. It's why Derek and Trend just lashed out at your boyfriend like that. They're afraid to be separated by adoption. Now that your boyfriend included them in the game, they're calmer. As long as they're together everything is fine."

Nico continued to watch silently how happy his lover was as he played with the children. The longer they played, the closer Sam inched to him, until he was cuddled up to Percy. The swim coach had a protective arm around the little child, caressing his arm.

"What does it take for someone to become foster parents?", asked Nico after a while of watching. "And does it make a difference that we're... well, gay and unmarried. How many foster children could a gay couple take in? Three, for... example?"

Lupa laughed richly at that. "You must love your man a lot for such a request."

"He's my life. And he wants a family. So do I, for that matter. If us wanting a family would help three hurt, little children... I don't see the mistake in that", whispered Nico softly.

"Go and get your man. We'll discuss this in my office. But we generally don't differ between gay and straight couples, as long as they can provide space, food and love for the children."

Nico smiled slightly at that and walked up to his lover. Percy was a little startled when Nico knelt down behind him, but he was fast to introduce his little playmates to his boyfriend. His face went hopeful and happy as Nico whispered something into his ear and took his hand.

~*~ The End ~*~

Author's note: So that's the end of it! And they lived happily ever after and tried to raise Sam, Derek and Trend together! ;3

I hope you had fun with this and I'd like to thank you for reading the story and even more so for reviewing it. Ya know, reviews are what keeps me alive. *grins* Hope to see you in any future story of mine again. ;)