ax_main | Percy and Nolan - Shaun's Birthday Party

Percy is next in line to prove to Nolan that Vox Machina peeps are definitely all right. Even (especially?) the ones Shaun used to make out with.

It was late into the party when Percy finally spotted Nolan off by himself. The sun had set long ago, and had left behind a clear night sky, its bright stars twinkling against an endless expanse of blue-black sky. Torches had been lit to light the space and, presumably, to keep the bugs away, and Nolan sat in a chaise lounge beneath one of them.

Percy kissed Vax on the cheek, excused himself from the story Scanlan was telling to the group who’d gathered around him, and headed over. He and Nolan had been introduced (with much flair and fanfare by Shaun, of course), but hadn’t really spoken outside of that and he had been waiting for the opportunity to talk to him without any of the other party-goers around. As he neared, he called out, “Wonderful party,” so as not to startle him and offered a friendly smile.

Nolan was sitting sideways on the deck chair, rather than reclining in it; he did not feel anywhere near relaxed enough to recline. It wasn't anything terrible, but a combination of hosting a party with a bunch of mostly drunk teenage strangers (and a handful of drunk intimates) and him being the sober one. Having learned to negotiate board meetings and socialite parties, he knew how to mask it, at least, and when Percy walked over with that comment, his smile was its usual a-little-too-tight self, rather than betraying any of his tension.

"I'm glad you think so," he answered, less nervous about the prospect about this conversation, at least, now that he had had one with Vax.

“Judging by how the party is going, I think everyone thinks so.” Percy sat down on the chair across from Nolan, and extended a hand. “I know Shaun already introduced us, but there was a lot going on at the time, so I wanted to take a moment to do it myself. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

"And you," Nolan confirmed, reaching out to shake Percy's hand. This, at least, he was used to doing, and he felt slightly more comfortable for the formality of the gesture. It belonged in board rooms more than it did at teenager pool parties, and so did he.

Percy really hadn’t planned past an introduction. He blamed that on how much he’d been drinking today, even if he was no longer drunk. “Shaun’s talked a lot about you.”

"I think I'm supposed to ask, what has he shared exactly?" Nolan asked, his tone its usual soft-dry self, making it difficult to figure out whether he was serious.

“Only the terrible things, of course,” Percy replied with the same kind of dryness.

"Then it's a wonder you came today," Nolan remarked, playing along.

It was only Percy’s complete commitment to their game that kept him from laughing. “Well, the free alcohol was a great incentivizer. And I had to see this unholy terror for myself. Based on your description, I expected more fangs and at least twice the number of glowing red eyes.”

"That's just what I turn into at night," Nolan answered without missing a beat.

Percy smirked and refrained from commenting on the wild nights Nolan and Shaun must have together. It was a struggle. “I’m relieved to hear it. I’d been disappointed. That alone would be worth the price of admission.”

"Someone made you pay for admission." Nolan tilted his head to the side, lips pursed in a dry line. “Shinobi?"

“Ah, no,” Percy said with a bit of a chuckle. “The price of admission was socializing. I’ve never been a fan. As a child, I took to hiding in the library when my family held parties.”

Shaun was right; Nolan and Percy did have some things in common. "I always hid behind a computer screen, myself." Not that he had had parties to hide from, but people had been enough, parties or not.

Percy’s parents would have garroted him if they’d caught him on a phone at any sort of event. They hadn’t even liked it if he’d stared at one when he was out in public. “If it weren’t for Vox Machina, I’d be a wall decoration. Or I could have snuck out hours ago and gone back to my workshop.”

"Do you want to?" Nolan asked curiously. He was sure Shaun wouldn't mind. Look who he was dating, and he was really quite fond of Percy, to say the least. (Nolan would rather say the least, in this case.)

“No,” Percy replied. “Not as much with the others here. They bring out a side of me I never knew existed.” He looked out to his friends who were chanting and cheering as Grog and Pike went one-on-one in a drinking contest. “I know they’re loud and rambunctious, but, I swear to you, if you give them the opportunity, you’ll never find a better friend.”

That was assuming a lot - namely, that Vox Machina would even like Nolan. But after his interactions with the twins, Nolan could still see what Percy meant. So instead of making this about his many insecurities, he gave the other boy a small smile. "I'm beginning to see that."

If nothing else, he was glad for Shaun, that he had found this family. And he was glad he'd agreed to the party. That was already something.

“For all we joke about being a group of assholes, they’re good people.” The best people. Percy’s gaze returned to Nolan. “You seem the good sort too. Not many people would let juvenile delinquents run wild in their home just because it would make their boyfriend happy.”

It probably helped that Nolan himself was a juvenile delinquent - only he'd never been caught, and his crimes were all electronic. Besides, Shaun deserved this, and much more. "Technically, you only have free range in the guest house," Nolan replied with a bit of a smile.

“Perhaps, but it’s still your home,” Percy replied.

"I have an excellent cleaning crew booked for tomorrow," Nolan assured him dryly. Of course, Percy was right. It was all about making Shaun happy. This was the least Nolan could do, would do, for him.

“That’s just common sense for any party.” Nolan could play apathetic, rich youth as much as he wanted. Percy wasn’t fooled. He knew the type. Hell, he’d been the type. “Though, you may want to warn them to check any toilet tanks.”

Nolan chuckled at that, then nodded appreciatively. "I'll keep that in mind. Thanks.”

“Of course. And now, I think I’ve pestered you enough. I’ll leave you to your wall flowering,” Percy said as he stood. “I just wanted to introduce myself properly, and welcome you to the family.”

Nolan hadn't expected that last bit, and he didn't know what to make of it. Setting his mixed feelings aside, he found himself giving Percy a small smile, if for no other reason than he was clearly a decent person. "You weren't pestering," he told him (and meant it). "And thank you for that."

Nolan could dissect what he didn't like about that phrasing, and/or sentiment, later. For now, he would focus on the positive.

“Have a good night, Nolan,” Percy said, returning the small smile, then left to rejoin his friends.

"Enjoy your evening," he replied politely, and watched Percy walk away.