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Capture The Flag | Anything For You

Masterlist

Franchise: Percy Jackson

Pairing: Luke Castellan x Nick Oliver (original character, pronouns are he/him/his)

Word Count: 2k

Warnings: canon violence, angst if you squint, swearing, making out, idk horny demigods, sleepy Luke

Series Summary: Nick Oliver was on track to figure out his life after high school. One day in a bookstore, and suddenly, post-high school plans were the farthest thing from his mind. One day in a bookstore, he met Luke Castellan.

Chapter Summary: Nick's first game of capture the flag, featuring Nick trying to talk Luke out of running away.

A/N: Did not thing it would take me this long to get around to uploading a new chapter, I checked when I put out the last part and dear gods it's been a hot minute. Enjoy! Hopefully I'll be posting a little more often now

It’s been two weeks now since Nick has been claimed. He spends his nights in the Big House, because Hades doesn’t have a cabin at the camp. Luke always visits him, and Mr. D seems to have taken a liking to the son of Hades.

One afternoon, Nick is in the middle of his first game of demigod capture the flag, and he has a plan. Well, part of one. A girl from Athena cabin, Annabeth Chase, had thought of it. When Nick had mentioned to her that he had a tendency to blend in with the shadows, she had immediately started devising a strategy before the game started.

Presently, Nick stands silently in the shadows of the trees surrounding his team’s flag. Right in cue, Luke sneaks into Nick’s line of sight. He’s sweating and he has a cut on his bicep. He looks relieved when he sees the flag, but his expression changes once Nick noiselessly slips out of the shadows and holds his sword to Luke’s neck from behind.

“Surprise, Castellan,” Nick says jokingly.

“Should’ve known,” he murmurs. “Didn’t see you out in battle, and I fought just about everyone on your team but you.”

“Well, that’s almost true.”

A cheer roars from the other side of the woods and Luke takes the opportunity to slip away, pointing his sword at Nick’s throat.

“My team already got your flag, thanks to Beckendorf,” Nick says, grinning. “What’s the point of you coming for ours now?”

“Camp is nothing but training and more training, right?” Luke counters.

Then, they were locked in one of the most intense capture the flag battles in Camp Half-Blood history. The two teens fought from one flag to the other, through almost the entirety of the woods, over the river, past Zeus’s fist, until they reach the sheltered clearing of Luke’s team’s flag. Other campers leap out of the way of them, but neither Nick nor Luke are aware of people in their surroundings.

Nick ducks under Luke’s slash, disappears into a shadow and reappears behind the blond, sweeping his legs out from under him. He plants his foot on Luke’s chest plate and points his sword at Luke’s neck.

“Give up yet?” Nick taunts playfully.

Luke stares up at him for a moment. Finally, he drops his sword and slowly holds his hands up in surrender.

A mix of whispers and congratulations erupt from the crowd. Campers on Nick’s team congratulate him for beating Luke, who’s one of the best swordsmen in the camp, while Luke’s team is mumbling to each other about Luke’s surrender. Even Nick finds the blond’s loss surprising, though he doesn’t show it. Luke never surrenders…

Nick offers his hand and helps Luke to his feet. Luke leans towards Nick’s ear. “Meet me in the dining pavilion after everyone’s gone to bed,” he mutters. He smiles when he pulls away, clapping Nick on the shoulder. Nick watches him walk away until Annabeth and the son of Poseidon, Percy Jackson, drag Nick along to the victory party.

It’s been two weeks now since Nick has been claimed. He spends his nights in the Big House, because Hades doesn’t have a cabin at the camp. Luke always visits him, and Mr. D seems to have taken a liking to the son of Hades.

One afternoon, Nick is in the middle of his first game of demigod capture the flag, and he has a plan. Well, part of one. A girl from Athena cabin, Annabeth Chase, had thought of it. When Nick had mentioned to her that he had a tendency to blend in with the shadows, she had immediately started devising a strategy before the game started.

Presently, Nick stands silently in the shadows of the trees surrounding his team’s flag. Right in cue, Luke sneaks into Nick’s line of sight. He’s sweating and he has a cut on his bicep. He looks relieved when he sees the flag, but his expression changes once Nick noiselessly slips out of the shadows and holds his sword to Luke’s neck from behind.

“Surprise, Castellan,” Nick says jokingly.

“Should’ve known,” he murmurs. “Didn’t see you out in battle, and I fought just about everyone on your team but you.”

“Well, that’s almost true.”

A cheer roars from the other side of the woods and Luke takes the opportunity to slip away, pointing his sword at Nick’s throat.

“My team already got your flag, thanks to Beckendorf,” Nick says, grinning. “What’s the point of you coming for ours now?”

“Camp is nothing but training and more training, right?” Luke counters.

Then, they were locked in one of the most intense capture the flag battles in Camp Half-Blood history. The two teens fought from one flag to the other, through almost the entirety of the woods, over the river, past Zeus’s fist, until they reach the sheltered clearing of Luke’s team’s flag. Other campers leap out of the way of them, but neither Nick nor Luke are aware of people in their surroundings.

Nick ducks under Luke’s slash, disappears into a shadow and reappears behind the blond, sweeping his legs out from under him. He plants his foot on Luke’s chest plate and points his sword at Luke’s neck.

“Give up yet?” Nick taunts playfully.

Luke stares up at him for a moment. Finally, he drops his sword and slowly holds his hands up in surrender.

A mix of whispers and congratulations erupt from the crowd. Campers on Nick’s team congratulate him for beating Luke, who’s one of the best swordsmen in the camp, while Luke’s team is mumbling to each other about Luke’s surrender. Even Nick finds the blond’s loss surprising, though he doesn’t show it. Luke never surrenders…

Nick offers his hand and helps Luke to his feet. Luke leans towards Nick’s ear. “Meet me in the dining pavilion after everyone’s gone to bed,” he mutters. He smiles when he pulls away, clapping Nick on the shoulder. Nick watches him walk away until Annabeth and the son of Poseidon, Percy Jackson, drag Nick along to the victory party.

————————

As Nick leaves the Big House, he pulls on a jacket. It’s surprisingly cold outside for a summer night. He strolls through the damp grass, making his way through the camp. He finds Luke waiting for him at the pavilion, leaning against one of the columns.

“Hey,” Nick says quietly, but loud enough for Luke to hear. Luke jumps a little, looking for the source of the voice. He relaxes when he notices Nick.

“Don’t sneak up on me like that,” Luke jokes.

“Sorry. I can’t always control the whole shadow thing.”

“It’s fine.” Luke shoots him a grin. “Guess I just have to get used to it.”

Nick nods, leaning against the column next to Luke’s. “So… what’s up?”

The son of Hermes stays silent for a moment. “Do you ever feel like… I dunno, running away?” He says finally. Nick frowns at the ground.

“I’ve been running my whole life, Luke. Before I met you, I had no idea where I’d end up next. Hell, I was planning for university, but that feels like it’s out the window after finding out all this. Now, I’ve finally found a safe place, a place that feels like home, here with you. I’m kinda getting tired of running.”

“We’re almost adults, Nick, we could leave if we wanted.”

“Why do you want to?”

Luke sighs, staring up at the stars. “The gods. They don’t care about us.”

“Luke…”

“Do you know why my cabin’s always so crowded?” He asks. Nick shrugs. “It’s not only children of Hermes in there. All of the unclaimed demigods get stuck there, too, because the gods won’t take a moment to acknowledge the existence of their own children. If the cabin wasn’t so full, we’d have you in there as well. The gods don’t help us, they don’t talk to us. Why should we obey them?”

Nick chews on his lip, thinking of how to respond. “I can see your reasoning,” he says after a minute of silence. “The gods give us life, then they leave with no contact whatsoever. I’m not always their biggest fan, at this point.” Nick turns his gaze on the blond. “Luke, I know I probably can’t change your mind on this, but sometimes, I think they left us down here for a reason, for our best chance at a normal life before we get thrown into all…” Nick gestures to the camp, “this. Maybe they left to protect us.”

“Well, you’re right about one thing,” Luke says. Nick raises an eyebrow. “You can’t change my mind.” Luke smirks when Nick chuckles softly. Luke looks back towards the sky.

“Your eyes are really pretty in the moonlight,” Nick says without thinking. His eyes widen and Luke blushes red, visible even in the darkness. “Sorry. Um. That was weird, wasn’t it? I’m sorry, I shouldn’t ha-”

Before Nick can finish his sentence, Luke pushes off his pillar, cradles Nick’s face in his hands and gently presses his lips to those of the son of Hades. It takes Nick almost too long to realize what’s happening. Just before Luke pulls away, Nick wraps his arms around Luke’s neck, keeping Luke where he is. He feels the blond smile into the kiss.

Finally, they both pull away to breathe.

“I’ve been wanting to do that since the bookstore,” Luke confesses shyly.

“Glad I’m not the only one,” Nick murmurs.

Luke slips his hand into Nick’s. “Are you alright?” He asks. “I mean, in general? You… I dunno, you don’t seem like yourself, other than during capture the flag.”

Nick clears his throat. “‘Course I’m fine.”

Luke tilts Nick’s head up to look at him. “Are you sure? You can tell me anything, you know.” Nick sighs, rubbing the back of his neck.

“I dunno,” he says honestly. “I mean, I feel a lot safer here at camp, and a lot more comfortable than I did our there with the normal mortals, but…”

“But?” Luke prompts.

“Campers talk,” Nick states quietly.

“Wanna walk and talk?”

Nick nods and allows Luke to lead him over the grounds as he talks.

“They watch me like I’m some kinda ticking time bomb,” Nick explains. “Like I’ll snap and kill everyone or something. They whisper about me when I pass as though I won’t notice, they leave me out of things on purpose, and they avoid me like the plague if they can help it. There’s like, a handful of people here who treat me like a normal person. Well, as normal as one can be with this life. You, Percy, Annabeth, Will, and Beckendorf.”

“Nick…”

“I’m not an idiot,” Nick says bitterly. “I’ve developed a Hades-kid rep by now, I know that no one thinks I’m good news because of who my dad is, but I was judged enough out in the fucking normal world. I thought it would be different here, you know?”

“Hey, look at me,” Luke says. “You belong here, Nick. Here with me, and all the other campers, regardless of parentage. If anyone tells you otherwise, I will personally kick their fucking kólos on your behalf.”

“That’s incredibly reassuring, Mr. Master Swordsman,” Nick says sarcastically.

“I’m serious,” Luke says. “If they mess with you, they can answer to me.”

Nick blushes red. “That means a lot, coming from you.” Luke grins, slipping his hand into Nick’s. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

Nick shrugs. “Just… everything. I mean, I’ve found myself here. With you. All thanks to a bookstore in Brooklyn Heights.”

Luke laughs, and the sound of it stirs up butterflies in Nick’s stomach.

“Well, I’m eternally grateful that I met you, Nick Oliver,” Luke says in a soft voice. The butterflies in Nick’s stomach are doing acrobatics. Luke squeezes Nick’s hand as he leans down to press a kiss to Nick’s cheek.

Nick stops the blond in his tracks, wrapping his arms around Luke’s neck again for another kiss. Luke’s arms automatically snake around Nick’s waist, pulling the son of Hades flush against him. Their lips move against each other in perfect harmony. Nick’s fingers thread into Luke’s hair, tugging lightly. Luke groans into the kiss and Nick pulls away, catching his breath with a grin.

“You like that?”

“From you, I’ll take anything,” Luke mutters almost hungrily, dipping his head to press kisses to Nick’s neck.

“Luke,” Nick gasps. Luke hums against Nick’s skin, pressing his soft lips to Nick’s jawline. “Fuck…”

Nick’s vision is obscured in black momentarily. Suddenly, the two boys are in the corner of Nick’s temporary bedroom in the Big House.

“Holy shit, what just happened,” Luke says in one amazed breath.

“I… I think I can travel through shadows?” Nick says, though it comes out as more of a question than a statement. “Like teleportation? Shadow travel. Huh.” Nick stares at the wall for a second before remembering what was happening before the shadow travelling.

“So, where were we?”

Luke blinks twice before properly returning to Nick. “I believe I was right about here.” Luke continues where he left off, kissing along Nick’s jaw. Nick hums, tugging at Luke’s hair the way he had done before.

The boys slowly make their way to Nick’s bed, where they lay down and make out for a surprising few hours, not that either of them were paying attention. They were a little preoccupied with each other to notice the passage of time.

Sometime later, the two fall asleep in each other’s arms. Luke’s arm is wrapped tightly around Nick’s waist while they sleep. Little do they know that Chiron had seen them like that in the ungodly hours of the night (no pun intended). He said nothing and didn’t interrupt, since they looked so peaceful and happy with each other. Chiron hadn’t seen Luke so at ease in a long time, so he figured it best not to disturb.

————————

Needless to say, it was quite awkward when Chiron woke them the next morning.

Nick wakes first, tensing in Luke’s arms at the sight of the activities director standing in full centaur form over Nick’s bed.

“M-Morning,” Nick says.

“Good morning, Mr. Oliver.”

“Luke,” Nick whispers. The blond shifts, but doesn’t wake. “Oh my gods. Luke!” Nick gives him a little shove.

Luke groans tiredly. “Don’t wanna get up. Too warm.”

“Luke,” Nick hisses, shoving him again.

“Nicky…”

Luke’s eyes slowly blink open. He finally realizes that Chiron is right there. The blond jumps so high in surprise that he falls off the bed with a yelp.

“Good morning, Luke.”

“Morning, Chiron,” Luke groans from the floor, holding his head. “We can explain.”

“I asked him to stay,” Nick says quickly. “I’ve been having really bad nightmares and having him around makes it better. I’m sorry, I never mentioned it.”

“No need to apologize, child,” Chiron says. “Whatever helps you sleep at night. Though, Luke, I suspect you may wish to return to your cabin before your siblings interrogate you on your whereabouts.”

“Oh, that would be a nightmare.”

Luke drags himself off the floor, rubbing the back of his head. “Training later?” He asks Nick. The son of Hades nods. “Great. See you then, Nick. Chiron.” Luke nods to the centaur before hastily exiting the bedroom.

Chiron regards Nick with a twinkle in his eye. Nick’s face heats up.

“Nothing happened.”

“I didn’t say a word,” Chiron says with a shrug. “Though, if something did… well, that’s the most content I’ve seen Luke Castellan in years.” He sighs. “I’ll see you for archery in a few hours.” He then leaves with no further comment.

Nick lays down again, staring at the ceiling. A smile creeps over his face, and he can’t stop the happy little giggle that escapes him.

A/N: send help I graduate in less than two months

#percy jackson #percy jackson and the olympians #luke castellan #son of hermes #son of hades #nick oliver #anything for you #luke castellan x male oc #luke castellan x male reader #oc #original chracter #male oc #male original character

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