Disclaimer: I do not own PJO or HoO, those rights go to Rick Riordan.
Author's Note: Lightly edited on 3/27/2014
It's Only A Tee
Jason didn't care if there was black ice. Driving that Nico kid home was still safer than him walking. AU.
You would think that a lone car driving through falling sleet with only one headlight working would just pass a kid on the side of the road that was dressed in black, blending into the night's protective darkness.
Funny thought you got there. Oh, and it is completely wrong.
Jason Grace drove down in a lone car such as the one you have thought of. The right headlight of his car cracked and fell off somewhere on the other end of the road, and he just hoped the police were ignorant enough to assume that nobody would drive at this time. The actual hour was decent, it was the weather that held the rest of the residents hostage in their homes as they anxiously waited for that delayed flight that probably wouldn't come in time for the holidays to be celebrated the next morning. The holiday, Christmas to be exact, was also the reason Jason was out, since he was buying last minute gifts. The storekeepers looked at him like he was mad, though neither of them complained.
When Nico saw the bright red car coming down the road, becausehow could you miss it, he was suddenly glad that as an American, he walked on the right side of the street, unlike those Brits in a book he was reading, which he couldn't help but read the dialogue aloud sometimes. Again, referring to your previous thought, Nico was a 14 year old kid, or teen if you prefer, who was trying to blend into the shadows, which wasn't very hard with his all black attire. Despite the bitter cold that must've been biting him, since he wore no coat; only his jeans, a t-shirt, and skinny arms wrapped around his chest. His aviator jacket was accidently left at home when he went to walk to the library, and he had been too lazy to go back and get it. It wasn't like the jacket reminded Nico of his sister too much around this time of year, or anything irrational like that. No, not at all.
To whose luck, it was hard to tell, Jason spotted the boy on the grass along the road and slowed to a stop. Said boy stared at him in both surprise and horror.
"Need a ride?" Jason asked casually, his blond hair cutting through the landscape. He observed the boy, who had sickly pale skin and a poor choice in clothing. "You're gonna get frostbite."
"No, and I'm not," the boy answered shakily. "Who are you, anyway?"
"Jason, Jason Grace. And I'm giving you a ride home. Who are you?"
"Nico Di Angelo," Nico replied. "And I don't own a car, but I do know that it isn't safe to drive during this type of weather. Could skid over black ice."
"Well," Jason commented, "I know that it isn't safe to walk outside in this type of weather. I feel that my way is probably the safer option." A new wave of sleet emphasized his point.
"You aren't gonna leave until I agree, are you?" Jason shook his head. "Fine," Nico huffed, stepping into the car. Even with his tiny amount of protest and obvious discomfort, you could still find relief in Nico's expression. "Wait, what the hell happened to stranger danger?" His mild curse with such a child-like saying amused Jason.
"We threw it out the window," Jason supplied. "Now, where do I need to take you?" Not where's your home, not where do you live, just where do I need to take you. Nico secretly appreciated his phrasing, wondering what this Jason had gone through. "Know where the nearest library is?" At his questioning look, Nico quickly told Jason "I know this girl Hazel who works there."
Jason still doesn't let down his guard, if it can even be called that, yet still insists on small talk. Nico doesn't know why he feels so at ease with the blond, being able to confide about simple interests like color or music taste, which happen to be completely different. Jason likes the color blue and rap, while Nico sticks with shades and punk rock. Nico also likes the oldies, not that he was going to share that fact.
All too soon, the ride is over, and Nico exits the shotgun, but not before Jason throws his sweatshirt on top of Nico's head. He accepts it, disregarding the blue that was much too bright in his opinion, the way he was given the sweatshirt, and the size which blatantly reminds Nico that he is extremely scrawny and should eat more.
The next morning, Nico finds a crumpled up note in the pocket of the sweatshirt. Written on it is a number and a signature, along with a simple Call me, you can join me and some friends for the holidays.
Nico obliges, and ends up entering the Grace household wearing the same outfit as the day before.