--------------------------Tim's Pov:-----------------------
(Btw this is two days later lol, the day before the big dance)
"So where exactly are we going?" I asked as I walked besides Percy down the street. We'd been walking for a while and all Percy had told me to do was dress fancy casual. Whatever that means.
"We're going to the park" Her voice held a certain hint of joy to it signalling that maybe there was more to this park then she was letting on. Also, fancy casual seemed to a bit too nice for a park.
"Whatever you say" I replied as we continued to walk. We walked past stores of many varities on the way to this park, many of which were opened. The only ones that weren't were bars and some clothing shops. We made it down a couple blocks before a giant park came into view.
"See, a park." She smiled as she started to make her way across the street and into the park. I followed after her, jogging lightly.
"Yeah okay, what are we going to do at this park?" I asked, she merely looked at me, seeming to think on wether or not to tell me. Finally she seemed to come up with a decision.
"We're gonna meet up with a couple of my friends." Her smile implied something much worse but I decided not to ask, instead being much more grateful that I was able to go out with her at all.
We walked past trees, picnics, past people walking their dogs, and by a big lake. We walked until we ended up in a more secluded part of the park. We reached a bench and Percy sat down, patting the spot next to me signaling for me to follow suit. I did so, allowing myself to relax.
We sat there for a while in silence, though something seemed to be off. Ever since this morning she'd been acting weird, it was hard to tell how though. I didn't have long to focus on this as a boy with black hair and an aviator jacket stepped out of the shadows.
"Alright, lets go." Percy smiled before standing up. She looked back to me, ushering me to follow behind.
"Where are we going exactly?" I asked as I stood up. Nico threw Percy a dirty look but she just gave an awkward smile and put her hands up. This got me to be a little more suspicious then I was before. "Percy. Where are we going?" I asked once more, this time more seriously.
"We're going to dinner, it's no big deal." Nico pointed her another glare but she wasn't looking like she was about to give in so I sighed and decided I would just have to find out. Percy smiled as she wrapped her hand in mine before grabbing Nico's shoulder. He pretended to throw up before I suddenly felt myself seem to pull apart and suddenly we weren't in the park anymore, we were standing in front of an apartment. I didn't have time to look the place over before the overwhelming urge to throw up rushed over me. I leaned over barely hearing Percy's voice in my ear and a hand on my back.
I managed to not throw up as Percy's words started to become clear.
"Hey, it's going to be okay, you're alright. If you need to let it out go for it. I'm so sorry" I looked up to see Percy with a worried face. This expression disappeared as relief formed instead. "Are you feeling better?" She asked trying to examine me for anything that might say otherwise. I shook my head as I stood all the way up. I still had some nausea but nothing that wouldn't leave in a minute or so.
"I'm not waiting for this. I'll meet you two inside." Nico said before walking up to the door and entering. In the split second the door was opened I spotted a small baby crawling around with Piper cooing as she chased it.
"Uh... Percy?" She gave me a light hum as she gently rubbed my back in an effort to rid me of my nausea. "Where are we?" She leaned down a bit so she could come into view. She had a nervous smile planted on her face.
"Ta-da!! Welcome to my mothers home" She did little jazz hands to try and cheer me up but nervousness flooding through me, suddenly bringing back my nausea. "But don't worry. You're gonna be fine! If you impressed my dad I'm sure my mom will love you" suddenly I seemed to pause. I impressed a God? more importantly I impressed Percy's father. She gave me a small smile as she grabbed my hand. "Seriously Tim. There's nothing to worry about."
I nodded a little before standing up fully. I let out a big breath that I didn't know I was holding in before squeezing Percy's hand. "I think I'm ready." Her smile widened as she gently pulled me forwards.
We got to the door and she opened it to reveal pop music and many voices. Though the hallway I was looking in was empty. Percy brought me further inside until we stood in a doorway. Inside was a bunch of Percy's friends, consisting of Leo, Jason, Piper, and Annabeth. Piper had Percy's baby sister on her lap as she played with her, reaching her fingers out as Estelle grabbed them with a big smile on her face.
Leo was dancing to the music, Annabeth was curled up on one of the chairs with a steaming cup in her hand and Jason sat beside Piper looking tempted to join Leo.
Annabeth was the first to notice us, she looked at our hands before smiling and looking at us with a small smile. Percy quickly let go of my hand and joined Piper's fawning on the couch. I was going to sit beside her on the couch when I heard a small "Oh" from behind me. I quickly turned to see an older woman from Percy's pictures. Her eyes were even kinder in person, her hair was littered with brown and grey strands and her smile looked naturally stunning.
"You must be Tim" She stepped forwards gently setting a hand on my shoulder. "It's nice to finally meet you. I'm Percy's mother Sally, but feel free to call me anything you like" She gave me another warm smile before entering the room. I looked back inside to see Percy with Estelle in her lap, her eyes lit up as she played with the small baby in front of her. I walked in quickly and sat besides Percy, admiring Estelle as well.
"Oh? Is that Tim I see?" Piper asked, looking over at me with a weird look. I gave her a small glare before smiling.
"It is Piper, I'm glad to see you as well." She gave me a small smile as she reached behind Percy and lightly punched my shoulder.
"So, Percy invited you too? I guess this wasn't just a camp thing" She said quietly though I still managed to hear it.
"Alright! Foods ready!" A man popped his head around the corner and two people walked by and into another room. The people were Hazel and Frank and they each carried a steaming platter of food. His eyes lingered over everyone in the room before landing on me. I straightened my posture subconciously as he approached me. "I don't think we've met before" The man said with a small smile. He was also from Percy's pictures. This must've been Paul, her step father. His salt and pepper hair matched that of the photos. I quickly stood up and put my hand out. He chuckled before shaking my hand.
"Hello Sir! I'm Tim Drake, Percy's friend from Gotham" Percy looked over at the mention of her name. Looking between the two before a gurgle from her sister brought her attention away from us and back to the infant.
"There's no need to be so formal, just call me Paul." I nodded slightly as he shook my hand. "Now join us, I'm sure you'll want to hear the stories of Percy that we have." I felt a small smile come to my lips as I nodded.
"I'd love to, please tell me they're embarrassing" I whispered. He grew a devious smile and nodded. My smile grew as I followed him into a dining room. Even for a small apartment this dinning room was quite large. There was a big dining table where people were already sat.
At the table was a blonde who was admiring Nico, though Nico looked oblivious as he watched everyone entering the room. Hazel and Frank were having a nice conversation as they sat down next to each other, Hazel sat next to Nico. I admit I was a bit confused as to where I should sit, or at least that was until Percy came in. She had Estelle in her arms, the baby in question bounced and giggled as she was brought in. Percy looked over to me with a small grin.
"Come on, we can sit over here." Thankful for the que I followed Percy over to the other side of the table where Annabeth and Piper were sitting. She took a seat and I followed suit. Slowly everyone else started making their way to their seats with Jason taking a seat beside Piper and the blonde. Leo sat on the other side besides Hazel and Frank, with Percy parents taking a seat on the side of Frank. It was a very busy table but it was chaos that seemed to work, everyone melded well together as they each started to take food and start conversations.
It felt comfortable. It felt warm and cheery. It felt like a family.
I smiled as I took food as well, digging into the warm food in front of me.
"So Tim, tell me about yourself?" Sally asked, looking over from her plate of food.
"Oh, uh, well there's really not much to tell" I said, smiling slightly.
"He kid's Mom, Tim's great. He's really sweet, plus he's got a really cool family" Percy said absentmindedly, still focused on keeping Estelle entertained.
Sally nodded, giving me a small warm smile. "Well I'm glad. I heard you're living with Percy, I hope she isn't being to bothersome."
"Mom!" Percy called back, looking behind Estelle which got a chuckle out of Sally.
"I'm sorry Perc hun." She put her hands up, almost as if she were guilty.
"Percy's been great" This got them both looking at me. "Seriously, she's been more helpful then I could've wanted. Honestly I think you should be asking Percy if I've been bothersome." Percy's face went blank, Estelle took this chance to grab at her nose but Percy didn't make a move. Sally's smile just widened, her eyes crinkling at the sides slightly.
I could see Piper on the side lines with an evil smirk on her face but I chose to ignore that.
"that's good to hear, but I can assure you, you've not been bothersome to Percy." Percy seemed to immediately check out of the conversation, hyper focusing on Estelle again. Had Percy been talking about me to her mom? I smiled to myself as I turned back to my food that was getting cold. I heard a small chuckle from the two but I kept my gaze focused on the food.
The rest of the dinner was filled with lots of laughter and chatter, or that was until Percy lifted her glass and lightly tapped a fork against it. Immediately the noise died down and everyone turned to look at her. Percy's face was a lot more serious then it had been before, Estelle was now sitting in her lap instead of being held, though Estelle looked just as content with the situation.
"Percy?" Annabeth asked, her eyebrows knitting together in confusion. I turned to get a better look at Percy and she seemed overall more nervous, like she had something to say.
---------------------Percy's pov:---------------------
I had to tell them. Now was a better time then any. Everyone was together and we could figure everything out together. Yeah, I could stay with them and everything would be fine.
I just had to tell them.
"Everyone, I have an announcement to make." They all looked at me confused. Varying looks on their faces. Annabeth looked worried, I could tell she knew this was serious, whereas Leo just looked lost and semi hungry. Very hungry. I coughed trying to get rid of the nervousness that was growing in my chest.
" I uh... I just want to let you all know that"
---------------------Tim's pov:---------------------
"I uh... I just want to let you all know that I love you guys. I never would have been here at all if it weren't for you guys. Seriously, you guys are the best" Her voice held a sad tint to it but her smile was confident and reassuring. I chalked it up to her gratefulness.
The others seemed to relax as they gave small smile in return. Piper lifted her drink up to the air.
"To family" Piper said confidently. The others smiles grew and they all raised their glasses into the air. Percy followed suit but looked over to me with a questioning glance.
She leaned over slightly. "Raise your glass. As far as I'm concerned you are just as important as everyone else" I felt my cheeks heat up lightly but I smiled and raised my glass anyways.
"To family!" Leo called out.
"To family!" We all called out in return.
I couldn't help but feel happy being around these people. This was a nice dinner.
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