CryingCircusConductor

(1) Torn roots It wasn't supposed to be like this. Nothing was supposed to be anything like this! Lexi kept turning the broken glasses in her hands. Only one thick green plastic leg still attached. She picked at the other, empty, hinge, staring at the dirty lenses. Without thinking, she unfolded the leg and put the glasses on. They immediately slanted to the side. She held onto the leg to keep the frame in place and stared out the window. The heavy raindrops hitting the side o

I know! I'm sorry, I've just always wanted to end on a cliffhanger I'll make sure her little side story is at the top of the bonus chapter. I'll put that up now, and then the project is all up on here.

After their traditional chaotic early morning routine, they finally settled into their traditional peaceful late morning routine. By far one of Nico’s favourite parts of the week. A rare moment of peace and quiet during the waking hours in their crazy little household, usually only allowed on the weekends. He loved the insanity just as much, but that was exactly why it was such a nice change of pace. The contrast helped him remember exactly how much he loved his usual life before he got to

Yeah! A happy ending, very much like my own IRL Thank you so much for reading this story! I really appreciate your support throughout. It was fun reading your thoughts on it. Sharing my work as much as possible was a recommendation from my therapist, precisely because it's something I find really uncomfortable and scary to do. That wasn't the case here at all. Both of you made it very easy for me. I'll always be grateful for that.

Hahaha! :') Hey, thanks! Seriously! For sticking around till the end It was very reassuring. I appreciate it a ton.

Nico gave the thick metal fence between him and the bank of the Great Salt Lake an impatient kick. For some inexplicable reason, Logan had told him to go here, instead of his apartment. He’d gotten the message he was on his way just a second ago. It was a twenty minute drive. That meant he had about ten minutes till Logan would be here. He leaned onto the fence, staring out over the small inland sea. The deep turquoise water reflected the setting sun like a mirror. Stunning, obviously, but

It sure isn't! And... The housing crisis :') Thanks again!

The sky was cloudy, yet sunny. A perfect day to get punched in the face. Well, almost get punched in the face. Logan’s fist stopped right before impact, freezing Nico in place. Nico blinked as Logan nudged his nose with it. “You’re too predictable…” Logan complained. He backed up, shaking his head, then got right back in position. Nico huffed in frustration, readying himself for his next strike. He hadn’t managed to land a single hit yet. Too predictable… He adjusted his grip on Spect

🐶🦴❤️

Hahaha! Yes! :')

Two weeks had passed. Two days they had left. Two plans was all they had managed to come up with… The first option was to storm Eris’ vacation home and see what would happen next, most likely a painful death. That was Logan’s plan. The second option was to call her bluff and hide, spending the rest of their lives on the run. That was Nico’s plan. They both straight up sucked. Logan nudged Nico’s shoulder, stopping his downward spiral. “Hey, no pressure, but if we’re doing mine, we should p

Yes There was some stuff I felt was important to touch on before moving on. Thanks again for reading! I truly really appreciate it!

By lunchtime, their visit was practically already on its way out. Logan seemed a little worried about that fact, probably on account of the mysterious missing McGuffin. His grandfather watched him rap his fingers on the table. “Are you going to visit your mother's grave on the way back?” he asked. Logan's expression softened a bit. “Yeah, I think so…”. Mr. Venema smiled faintly. “Do you want to bring anything?”. Logan shrugged. “Not like she's going to appreciate it anyway

Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks yet again!

Eris’ promise hung over them like the sword of Damocles. Ready to fall precisely three weeks from now. The worries in the back of Nico’s mind grew bigger and stronger every passing day. Looking over the table, into the growing pensive fires in Logan’s eyes, he could see the exact same happening to him. Logan leaned over the table. Nico joined in. “I need to pick something up at my grandparents’ house” Logan said gravely. “What?! Right no

I'm glad! As you might have been able to tell from the way I wrote about it, I sure don't 🥲 Hahaha. Was still fun to write though, I managed to cram some good memories in there. As for if they get married, I won't spoil anything Thanks for reading and for sharing your thoughts!

That tie is probably still hanging there as we speak 😅 And yes! Some slow character development, I hope

His big day finally came. Nico bravely withstood all the nervous sweat, clattering teeth and anxious sighs. All happening right next to him at the breakfast table. “How are you holding up, Mark?” Nico asked carefully. Mark pursed his lips and nodded casually, two shades paler than usual. Sherman reached over the table and punched him in the shoulder with a loud, reassuring thud. “Just think of Cindy, bro. She’s waiting for you!”. Two mahogany brown flashes lit up at the m

I'm happy you found it interesting! And yes, he was totally not jealous. Not even a little bit. As for poor Yan, you're right, her ex is a complete dick. Easiest name I've ever come up with. Thanks again!

haha glad you enjoyed it! It was fun to write too

The campgrounds were almost unrecognizable. Linen drapery hung across the entire area between the cabins, forming a large, flowy tent. Grecian couches in all colours formed various circles on the sides. Olive branches and other greenery decorated the large poles keeping up the whole facade. Even the mounted boar’s head guarding the Ares cabin was dressed for the occasion, wearing a neat little top hat. The silenus, possibly even the Silenus, manning the DJ booth at the far end was already s

Hahaha! You and mr. Jack Russell might be onto something. They really are more like gremlins. That said though, I do feel the need to assure everyone I don't actually have anything against pugs :') Skateboards on the other hand....

Despite the cramp in his neck, Nico tried to keep it as still as possible, afraid Logan might pull his arm out from under it if he didn’t. He stared at his own fingers tracing a long faded scar on the palm of Logan's hand, light as a feather. It was nearly invisible in the dim early morning light, but he remembered every detail of it since the first time he’d taken the time to notice it. For safekeeping. He kept going when he ran out of scar, tracing all the curves and edges around it, careful n

Ah, what a good question again! That really got me thinking, and I realised I don't think that's going to be dissected explicitly in this story, so I'll try my best to explain what I think I tried to do as well and as briefly as possible So, in the Percy Jackson story, Nico is someone who tends to be looked at by others as dangerous and scary. Creepy, even sometimes. He's also suffered a lot of loss of people who did love and accept him in his early life. So what I think I was trying to do, was write him as someone who's coping styles were built up around "rejection" based trauma. (Some other examples of backgrounds that can have a similar effect are being bullied, or having emotionally abusive/neglectful caregivers). Of course everyone reacts to emotional trauma differently, but I made Nico more avoidan/fatalistict in how he tries to remain in control of situations (Don't get attached so people can't hurt me, leave them before they leave me, expect the worst so you can't be disapointed, block out all negative feelings) to contrast Logan's confrontational coping style. Aside from that I made Nico more internalizing (Turning his feelings inward, shame/self blame) to contrast Logan being externalizing. That's probably their biggest difference, and biggest source of conflict, actually. In that sense they speak completely different languages. Of course when it actually comes down to it, I'm just using the poor guy to deal with my own issues. Like all of this story, it's all just me projecting Even Aphrodite being upset, is just me being upset with that part of me haha. Sorry for the giant essay! And thank you so much for sharing! It really helps me reflect.

Yes, that's understandable Mental illness is always a bit of a tricky subject. It can hit so differently for different people. I really appreciate that you were willing to read it anyway, but please never feel pressure to! I hope I'll manage to make it worth your while Thanks a bunch again!