A/N: Thank you all for reading!

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters.


Nico walked back to his cabin to get some things for the trip; and maybe change out of this shirt. He was feeling unnaturally nervous; and maybe even a little giddy with excitement. Will said it would just be the two of them buying the supplies. Before walking into his cabin, he couldn't help but examine the little mark Jason's foot left on his door; maybe he would tell one of the Hephaestus kids to take a look later.

Nico entered and fumbled for the switch on one of the torches at the right side of the wall. Nico had installed what looked like old fashioned torches along the four walls. When clicked, they lit up to look like real fire. Though it seemed like a good idea at the time, he regretted them being so high up now. Maybe he would raise a few undead later and have them re-install them.

As soon as he turned one of the torches on, "Hey, you're back!" a voice startled him from behind.

Nico's heart jumped, "HOLY HADES! JASON GRACE! What the hell are you sitting on my bed for?!" The ground shook a little before he composed himself.

Jason only smirked, "Calm down, Nico, I was waiting for you outside and saw that you left the door open so I just flew in." He said like it was no big deal. "So… how'd it go?"

Nico glared. "Do not come into my cabin without asking! Now get out. I'm leaving in a few minutes."

Jason's eyes glinted, "Sooo it went well? Tell me first!"

"Why do you sound like such a teenage girl right now?"

"Come on, Nico! I'm bored." He sounded like a child with way too much time in his hands.

Nico rolled his eyes, "Don't you have your pontifex maximus duties? Isn't that the whole reason why you're still here?"

Jason made a face; was that a pout? Oh, gods of Olympus, it was a pout. Nico paid it no heed.

"Go Iris message your girlfriend or something." Nico said as he made his way to his dresser, should he wear a black shirt? Or should he go with something lighter? Hmm… did he own something lighter?

"I did… Piper went shopping with Annabeth and Hazel." Jason said. Nico glanced at the boy. Okay, his pout was actually making Nico uneasy.

He turned back to his stash of shirts, "So, go call Percy." Hey, how about brown? Brown was lighter than black, right? He picked up his old, battered brown t-shirt.

"Percy went with them, you know, being all chivalrous by carrying the bags and all." Jason's pout only got worse. That did sound like Percy.

"What about Leo then?"

"He's off with Calypso somewhere doing who knows what."

Nico took a deep breath. "Fine," he gave in. "I'm going on a supply run with Will."

Jason's eyes literally sparked with electricity. "It worked!"

"What worked?"

"Oh...you know... nothing."

Nico narrowed his eyes, "Jason."

"Soo… whatcha gonna wear?"

"Okay, you definitely sound like a teenage girl."

Jason ignored him, "No way you're wearing that," he said eying the tattered shirt in Nico's hand. Jason hopped on his good foot over to where Nico was standing.

"What's wrong with it?"

"That is not first date material."

Nico went completely red, "It's NOT a date!" It wasn't a date. Right? Nico didn't even know if Will liked guys though Sue Ellen did hint at it once…or twice… or multiple times.

"Uh huh," Jason didn't seem to hear him. The older boy shoved Nico aside and started rummaging through his drawers, occasionally holding one of his shirts up in front of him to examine. "What is it with all these black shirts? Do you even own normal clothes?"

Nico chose not to respond. They were wasting time. He told Will he would meet him at the hill in twenty minutes. Nico looked down at the wall clock over his bed; it's already been fifteen.

"Voila!" Jason's enthusiasm was amendable. "How about a black shirt with a brown coat? No refusing." Jason shooed Nico to the bathroom with one of his newer black shirts and his long brown coat with a woolen collar.

"It's not even that chilly outside."

"I thought I said no refusing?"

Nico tried to look irritated. He did appreciate the gesture though. And it was one of his favorite shirts. He guessed it wouldn't hurt. Once he came out of the bathroom, Jason pretended to be teary eyed.

"Oh, look at how grown up you look."

"Shut up, Grace!"

"Now, Nico. Be careful. Will is older so…"

"I was born in the 1930's."

"Would you let me finish?! Now, remember, your virtue is important. Don't feel pressured…"

Nico didn't let him finish, "Oh, shove off, Grace!" Nico left the cabin with his face looking like he splayed red paint all over it. This was not a date.


Nico noticed the son of Apollo already standing atop the Camp-Half Blood hill looking down towards the road. It didn't help that his heart jumped a little at the sight. And it really didn't help that Will smiled at him as soon as he saw Nico making his way up to where he was.

"Ready?" Will asked.