Gifts Galore

It had all come to me, Tuesday night after I watched Percy floor the beardless hipster, the few brave souls who barely flirted after being brushed off faster than Usain Bolt could run. Two tributes to myself, permanently etched onto Percy's skin, proudly displayed on his arm. When it came to our relationship, Percy was utterly committed, all but screamed it from the mountain tops. Which made me think of how I could show him I was committed to him as well.

A tattoo wasn't the answer, because as much as I enjoyed Percy's colourful decorations, I had no intention of getting one myself. I didn't want to just buy him something either, what with Percy being raised to value sentiment over financial worth. So I settled on making him something, or, at least, commission someone's help to make him something. Because I had no practical manufacturing skills, and whatever physical object I made would most probably land someone in the hospital. The question still remained, though. What could I make for him?

But then Piper came by on Wednesday with a video she saw on youtube where a guy turned a hex nut into a rugged looking ring. She asked Leo if he could make one on his desktop five-axis mill...well, I didn't ask for the robust design. Percy's fingers were too slender to be marred by a hulking piece of metal. Leo had Calypso help me with the design, and damn she was terrific.

The ring looked like plaited leather wrapping around the finger, with a smooth surface on the inside to ensure machinability. I didn't say anything when she, with a roll of her eyes, mumbled something about Leo lecturing her on impossible designs, again. Said Latino had me pay for sterling silver bullion and machined me the ring that complimented the nautical theme of Percy's tattoos perfectly. I had thought I had the perfect, thoughtful gift—a specially made promise ring.

I even felt good about the flowers I sent to my usual list, Thalia and Hera. This year, I also had the addition of Sally. The attached cards changed slightly. I had the florist include both mine and Percy's names since I wanted my family, especially, to see us as a unit.

And then Percy serenaded me in front of my entire class, once again showing the world we were dating, and something dawned on me.

Percy would be the one wearing the ring.

Fuck! The whole reasoning behind the ring was to show Percy I was committed too, but he would be wearing the ring. To the outside world, it would be just another symbol of him being devoted. It was too late to get something else, though, and with that thought, my heart sank into my shoes. The best I could do was to message Thalia and ask for more wine, so I could maybe forget my failures on the first Valentines day that actually mattered.

I trudged back to the dorms, where the student working the front desk waved me down, only to stuff a tote bag laden with gifts and letters in red envelopes into my hands. "Someone's popular," he drawled listlessly before his eyes landed on someone behind me. "Ah, Jackson. Took you long enough." He pulled out a similar tote bag filled to the brim and held it out for Percy. My heart lifted at the sight of him, my negative thoughts pushed back into the darkest corners of my mind, where Percy's radiant light didn't reach.

"Yeah, sorry," Percy said sheepishly as he took the bag, before winking at me as he explained himself. "Had something in the oven I absolutely couldn't fuck up."

I snorted, but the guy behind the desk looked unamused. "I hate Valentine's day," he groaned, dismissing us with a wave of the hand.

"At least, we now have enough candy to last us till Halloween," Percy snickered, eyeing both the bags in our hands.

"I thought one of the perks of having a doting boyfriend would be no more come-ons from rando's," I shook my head as we started climbing the stairs to our floor. "I might have to reevaluate Percy. You know, pros and cons, make sure this relationship is still worthwhile."

Percy laughed before taking my free hand in his. "I can think of a few pros that will flip the odds in my favour," he smirked.

"Oh?" I asked with a raised brow. "You're not going to humiliate me in front of my class again, are you?"

Percy rolled his eyes as he pulled me to a stop. "You fucking loved that," a flicker of doubt shot over his features as he worried his bottom lip. "Right?" he asked in a tiny, fragile voice that showed just how much he was worried about the spectacle.

"Oh, gods, yes, Percy, I did." I wrapped my arms around his waist to peck him on the lips, the heavy mailbag in my hand bumping the back of his thighs and making his knees buckle slightly.

"Fuck," he huffed. "These things could be weapons."

"I feel like we're back in grade school when we all gave each other Valentine's cards to be nice," I snorted continuing down the hallway.

"You're the star quarterback of a champion team, Babe," Percy challenged. "Of course any and everyone is going to try and win your affections on the day of love. They don't care if you have a boyfriend or not, they're hoping they might be the exception. Not that it matters, because I am fully prepared to fend off sluts with a bat if necessary."

"Well, looking at your mailbag, I'd say too many people have seen you in a speedo," Percy smirked at that.

"I actually picked up some of my mail when I got back earlier," Percy said, holding back laughter. "Apparently I'm the more approachable of the two of us because I got a few requests for threesomes."

"They just sent you letters asking to fuck both of us?" I asked flabbergasted. I've gotten a few raunchy cards in high school, but never something that direct.

"Oh yeah, the more daring included nudes," he shrugged, and my eyes nearly bugged out of my head.

"You're not serious, right?" Percy ignored my question.

"Speaking of Valentine's cards..." I unlocked my apartment, and Percy sauntered in as if he lived there. "My mom called to thank me for our flowers. Said you're obviously a good influence and knew within five seconds I didn't even know about it."

"Fuck, sorry I forgot to let you know." I dropped the bag of mail onto the coffee table. "For future reference, I will send flowers to your mother, Thalia and my stepmother on every special occasion from both of us."

"Damn, so I'm sorted for life?" Percy grinned.

"Yeah," I answered, grinning equally wide. There was a beat of silence before Percy's grin turned almost predatory.

"Anyway," Percy said, slowly closing the distance between us as if he was stalking his prey. "Happy Valentine's day." With a delicate hand on my chest, he pushed me back until my calves hit the couch. I fell into the cushions with a huff, and Percy pounced, bracketing my hips with his muscular thighs.

"Happy Valentine's day," I whispered into his mouth before our lips met, my hands gripping onto his thighs for dear life.

The kiss was nowhere near the heated, passionate kisses we usually shared before we tore off clothes and fell into each other, but held something different altogether. The kiss was slow and soft, yet deliberate. The way Percy rolled his hips into my lap seemed precise. It held all the promises of what was to come, and it left me breathless. Percy didn't bottom often, but when he did, it was like going to war. He didn't take anything without retaliation. I'd rip those wonderfully needy moans from him, and Percy'd scratch angry red lines into my back. I'd make his breath hitch, and he'd bite my lip.

He fought to stay in control of his own body, the control he so desperately needed due to his traumatising past. I had come to realise exactly why he had handcuffed himself the first time he bottomed for me, realised it was much more for my benefit than his. I was a scared, hesitant, newly deflowered idiot who would have panicked and given up on ever topping again if he had flipped us over and challenged my dominance then.

Now, however, I relished the challenge, relished the sting left in the wake of his nails, the sharp tug of my hair, the harsh scrape of teeth across flesh. My heart swelled every single time he relented, his eyes holding nothing but trust as he let me guide him over the ledge.

He wrapped his arms around my neck, hands tangling into my hair. A sharp tug had my head cocked to the side, and my blood rushing south. His teeth scraped over my jugular before he latched onto my neck, surely peppering my skin with angry red marks. My head was swimming, so much so that I didn't hear the door opening, didn't realise someone had interrupted us until Percy pulled back to address Frank.

"Sorry," Frank said, barely glancing our way. "Just grabbing my stuff," he called over his shoulder as he rushed toward his room. Reemerging seconds later, duffel bag in tow, hesitating in the door on his way out, as if what he walked in on finally registered in his head. Frank opened and closed his mouth a couple of times, cheeks tinting crimson, and Percy sighed in frustration.

"Relax, big guy," he huffed. "We're not gonna fuck on the couch or any common area. Now get going. Hazel is waiting in the city." That seemed to ease Frank's mind as he smiled and waved his goodbye, closing the door behind him as he ran off. The little interruption brought me back to my senses, and I gently, begrudgingly, nudged Percy off my lap.

"I still need to make dinner," I sighed, and Percy groaned.

"I'd be happy just eating you tonight," he whined, wrapping his arms around my waist, making me laugh.

"I'll be quick, I promise." I kissed the top of his head. "So why don't you go shower and grab the dessert, and I'll let you know when everything's ready."

He gave me his best puppy dog eyes to date, trying to coax me into kissing him again. Luckily, I had built up my immunity when it came to his immeasurable cuteness. I simply stared at his quivering bottom lip, uninterested.

"Fine, you heartless bastard," he huffed, pulling himself off the couch and making his way toward the door. "Just so you know, I'm gonna be getting ready for you, too," he winked before he slipped out the door, leaving me with a mental picture that tightened my pants considerably.

"He's gonna be the death of me," I groaned to an empty room.