A/N: This chapter is a beast. The longest yet. Which is my excuse for it not being up earlier today or yesterday. That being said, chapter 13 may not go up until Saturday, depending on how my free time this week looks. As always, you can go to my tumblr, nephilimgirlbooks, for any update information. Love you! Also, reminder that I love hearing from you all. Reviews are always appreciated!
CH. 12—Sister, Sister (Never Knew How Much I Missed Ya)
On Saturday morning, Nico woke to find himself in a dream. Yes, he realized that technically speaking, he was awake, but the fact that Jason Grace was lying beside him stark naked and smirking made it feel like a dream.
"Morning," he whispered, placing a brief kiss on Nico's lips. Despite all that they'd done the previous night, this small action made Nico cover his face in embarrassment.
It didn't help that Jason's bare dick was pressed against his side.
Jason's dick, subtly reminding Nico of what he's done last night. That glorious moment of boldness when he'd jacked Jason off.
"Nico," Jason gasped, pressing his hips into the boy who had at some point wound up on top of him. And damn it if Nico wasn't still naked. He probably should have felt uncomfortable. Nico preferred his back against the bed, where his scars could be hidden, and he certainly preferred to be clothed, covered, protected. But somehow, Nico felt strangely at ease in bed with Jason. When… if they ever did go all the way, would Nico feel this secure and comfortable?
Except Jason still wore a single piece of fabric, a garment that could change everything. The maroon boxer-briefs. The underwear that now strained against Jason's latest erection. Last month Nico was sleeping in boxes and behind dumpsters, on the run and terrified. And now… now…
An idea struck him.
With a mischievous grin, Nico stopped bestowing kisses on Jason's lips and scooted down the taller boy's body.
"No, Nico, come back," Jason whined. Nico's heart beat erratically. He could still back down. He didn't have to go through with this little idea of his.
But he wanted to.
And he wasn't sure what to make of that.
Nico let out a shaky breath as his hand came in contact with the last shred of fabric that clothed Jason. "Wh—what are you doing?" Jason breathed.
"I'm pretty sure you don't want to get off in your underwear again," Nico teased, trying to sound confident but probably failing miserably. If his face got any redder, Nico could work part time as a fire truck. His hands shook nervously.
Jason's eyes widened, "You really sure you want to—"
Nico rolled his eyes, steeled his nerves, and tugged the maroon underwear down.
Naked Jason may have been equally the most gorgeous and terrifying thing Nico had ever seen. It certainly scared away any thoughts of giving in and having sex in the near future.
"Nico?" Jason asked after the dark haired boy sat frozen for nearly an entire minute.
The boy in question sputtered back to life. "Uh, proportional," he muttered awkwardly, looking anywhere that wasn't Jason's 'proportional' dick.
Jason chuckled and sat up in the bed, "We don't have to do anything you aren't comfortable with, Nico. You know that."
"I know," Nico replied, leaning in and kissing Jason on the lips while his hand stretched out for the lamp to switch off the light.
The room plunged into darkness.
And his other hand got to work.
"You want pancakes or something?" Jason asked, wrenching Nico from his memory.
"Sure," the younger boy replied, smiling up at his boyfriend. Jason pecked him one more time on the lips and then threw his legs over the side of the bed. The sheets fell from his form as he stood.
And well, now Nico really regretted not closing the curtains last night because the morning light shone right on Jason's spectacularly nude body.
Lamplight had really done the blond no justice. His strong thighs, his muscular, bare arms, the attention grabbing V pointing right down to his—
Oh Jesus Christ, Nico thought, almost like a prayer, which was ironic considering he was a guy appraising the body of another guy and his recent loss of faith in any higher power—at least one that gave a shit about him.
Jason looked down, as if suddenly remembering that he was absolutely naked. "I—I—we should probably get dressed first," he stuttered, scratching his head.
Or you could get back here and kiss me until I forget the feeling of oxygen in my lungs, that crazy, bold side of Nico whispered.
The bold side of Nico clearly forgot the whole "virgin" thing.
"Yeah, clothes. Perhaps that would be a good idea," Nico said instead, averting his eyes and smiling bashfully.
…
"What time are you meeting her?" Nico asked Monday while the boys ate breakfast—in Jason's room, of course; his mother had returned home the previous night.
Nico was referring to none other than Thalia. Today Jason would get to see her for the first time since summer and he couldn't be more excited.
And also, terrified.
Thalia was one of the smartest people Jason knew—perhaps even more insightful than Annabeth—and Jason was keeping the motherload of secrets from her. He chewed nervously on his bagel.
"I'm meeting her for lunch at one, and we'll probably spend most of the day together. She heads back Wednesday afternoon."
Nico nodded, "Where does she stay when she comes here?"
"With an old high school friend, Zoë. Well, she may have been more than a friend. It's complicated, according to Thals."
The younger boy raised an eyebrow, "You never mentioned that your sister was…"
Jason chuckled, wiping a smudge of cream cheese off of Nico's cheek. "She's bisexual. You can imagine how thrilled our parents were. And that was back when they thought I was straight. Sure my dad is just rolling in his grave."
Nico shook his head in a what am I going to do with you gesture and planted a long, lingering kiss on Jason's lips. "Fathers have always seemed a little overrated if you ask me," he mumbled into the blond's mouth.
I love you, Jason nearly told him. I love you more than I'd like to admit. Instead, he pulled Nico against him and continued with the kissing, breakfast momentarily forgotten.
…
"I'll text you later with a better estimate of when I'll be home, okay?" Jason promised.
Nico rolled his eyes, "You don't need my permission to stay out, you know. Thalia is your sister and you barely see her, I get you every day."
Jason grinned at that, "Yes you do," he tugged Nico against him for another kiss, adding in a whisper, "And every night, too."
It seemed like they were always kissing now. Jason could scarcely help himself. After Friday night, he only found himself wanting Nico more and more, and not just sexually. Just being around the brown-eyed boy turned Jason into some cuddly ball of mush. Always wanting to kiss Nico, touch Nico, hold Nico. It was a drug.
They hadn't gotten completely naked again, but that didn't mean Jason hadn't gotten a fair share of time with his hand down the front/back of Nico's pants.
"If you're trying to turn me on right before you leave, it's working and you're evil," Nico muttered, grabbing onto Jason's shirt collar and bestowing one last, passionate kiss. "Okay, get out of here."
Jason reached down and gave Nico's backside a small squeeze, "I'll miss you."
"Tease."
The blond laughed.
…
Demeter's Café in SoHo had always been Jason and Thalia's special place, so naturally it was where the siblings agreed to meet for lunch.
Before Jason had even stepped fully through the door, his sister threw her arms around him, appearing seemingly out of nowhere. "Jason!" She cried. "Look how big you are!"
Thalia pulled back and began to do all sorts of embarrassing sisterly things, straightening his jacket and brushing her fingers through his hair and kissing his cheek. Jason blushed. "Thals, I look exactly how I did last time you saw me."
Thalia and Jason, despite being siblings, actually didn't look all that much alike. Jason had his mother's fair hair, while Thalia's was black, like their father's. But other than the hair, Thalia looked a lot more like their mother, with wide eyes and a light dusting of freckles upon her nose, which was slightly upturned. She also shared their mother's petite frame, although her huge personality made her seem much taller than she actually was. Jason, as much as he hated to resemble either of his parents, favored his father with his strong jaw and broad shoulders. The only commonality between the siblings were their eyes, both a blue so vivid people often assumed they were contacts.
"I guess I'll just always imagine you as the fifteen year old boy you were when I left," Thalia sighed, hugging him again. "Come sit, I got our usual table."
One of the things that Jason loved most about Demeter's was, despite the spectacular quality of the food, the quaint little café was never crowded. It felt intimate and homey and everything on the menu tasted home cooked. Jason wondered what Nico would think of it, if Jason could ever bring him here.
"Okay, so catch me up on your life!" His sister insisted.
Jason twiddled his fingers and half-hid behind his menu as he rattled off the less exciting facts of his life, all of his tests from the previous week, Leo's failing attempts to flirt with Calypso, his hopes that Stanford will send him a letter sometime in the next two weeks.
Thalia snatched his menu away. "Yeah, you told me most of that on the phone, little bro. I mean catch me up on the part of your life you keep leaving out." She inclined a brow at him.
Jason swallowed hard. Damn. Damn it all. Not even five minutes and his sister could already tell that Jason was keeping things from her. Had she gotten smarter or had Jason just become worse at lying? Hopefully not the latter, considering someone's life relied on his ability to keep a secret.
"What, mom?" Jason asked casually. "I'd honestly rather not talk about her. I don't know why she insists on keeping the apartment when she's never even there. It's just me and—my books all day." Wow Jason, real slick.
His older sister pursed her lips. "Gods," she finally said, "You can't move to California soon enough. I hate leaving you with that bitch."
Jason sighed, more out of relief for distracting Thalia than anything. "Tell me about it. But really, it's not so terrible. I mean, Mom could be a lot worse."
"Yeah, at least she's not like, hurting you or anything, right? When she gets drunk?"
"She's not home enough to hit me." Jason's stomach twisted painfully as he thought of how Nico hadn't been so lucky. God, if it was the last thing he did, Jason was going to make Hades pay.
"That's good. So… you spend a lot of time alone, then?" His sister asked casually, brushing back a lock of black hair that had fallen into her eyes.
Jason nodded, eyes on the front windows.
"Well, I guess that leaves a lot of time for your secret boyfriend to come over, huh?"
The blond whipped his head towards his sister, gaping at her in open-mouthed shock. "What? Thals, I don't have a—"
She grinned, "Sure you don't. That's why you're getting all blushy and defensive, right?"
Jason was ready to protest further, when their waitress arrived. "Hi, my name is Mellie and I'll be your server today. What can I get you to start?"
"Coffee," the siblings said in unison. Mellie laughed.
"Well either you two are siblings or the world's most in-sync couple. Cream or sugar?"
"Siblings. I'll take some cream and sugar," Jason said.
"I'll have mine black, thank you."
Mellie skipped away.
"So, you drink your coffee black now?" He inquired.
"Cut the crap, little brother," the older girl interrupted, "You've been tiptoeing since the moment we sat down, not to mention every time I've called you for the last month. Although, why you wouldn't tell me that you're seeing someone is a mystery to me. Gods, he's not like thirty, is he? Jason, tell me you aren't fucking your teacher or something."
Jason reddened. "I'm not fucking anyone! I promise. Jeez, Thals. You know me better than anyone, do you reallythink I'd fool around with a teacher?"
She shrugged, "How should I know when you insist on being so secretive? You'd think I just asked you to take off your clothes and go streaking through Times Square with the way you reacted. Just tell me what's going on."
He wanted to tell her of course. He wanted to tell her more than anything. Thalia had always been the keeper of Jason's deepest secrets, but could he really put such a weight on her shoulders? Not to mention that Thalia was a notorious worrier. Who knew what she would do if she found out about the complete mess Jason had thrown himself into?
"Well, I mean… Mitchell is in town, but I don't think I'm going to—"
"I know you're not this riled up over that silly McLean boy, Sparky. But there is someone. Admit it."
Jason sighed. He could keep lying through his teeth, or he could try and tell a half truth to satisfy her. But even doing something as little as that could be risky
"Come on, Jason," Thalia insisted, "Who do you trust more than anyone in this world?"
You, Jason thought. "I—there is a boy. But it's sort of complicated."
His sister leaned in. "Another closet case? Because you promised me after the Jake Mason thing that you wouldn't do that again."
Hmm, he chewed his lip. That was a good excuse, but then Thalia would still want to hear all the dirty details, and Jason could hardly do that.
"No, that's not the problem."
Thalia rubbed her forehead. "He's not already in a relationship, is he?"
Jason scowled at the mere thought of that one, "No, not that either. Look, I really can't talk about it. I told you there's a guy and that it's complicated, isn't that enough?"
"So complicated you can't even confide in your dear sister? I bet Leo knows about it."
"That's beside the point."
She grinned mischievously, "Well, I guess I could always call Leo and—"
"No!" Jason interrupted quickly. Knowing his best friend, Leo would spill the beans in a heartbeat. Once upon a time he'd had a huge crush on Jason's older sister.
"Wait, you're not dating Leo, right? Tell me it isn't Leo."
Jason made a face. "Of course I'm not dating Leo, don't be ridiculous."
"Ready to order?" Mellie asked, reappearing with the coffees.
"Can you give us a few, Mellie?" Thalia asked politely, smiling up at the server. She nodded and disappeared. Jason wanted to get up and follow after her.
"Thals, I—"
"Name."
"You don't—"
"Name."
"It's really—"
"What's his name, Jason?"
He released an exasperated breath. "N—Nico," he mumbled.
Thalia reached across the table and placed her hand over his. "See, that wasn't so hard. So, tell me, why is this Nico such a secret?"
Jason shook his head, "It's a long story."
"Well then it's good thing we have a whole day together, huh?" She mused.
What to do? What to do?
"Give me a minute," he said, pulling out his cell phone.
Thalia suspects, he typed, I don't know what to tell her. She knows I'm seeing someone and I can't get her off my back.
He waited anxiously for Nico's response.
His phone buzzed within the minute. She's your sister. Do you trust her?
More than anyone. But it's your secret.
It's your secret, too. I trust you and if you trust her, so do I.
Here goes nothing, then.
"Thalia… do you watch the news?"
She leaned back, a startled look on her face at the sudden question. "Uh, not really. All they ever talk about is how fucked up society is, like I don't already know. Why?"
Jason scanned the café quickly. Only two other tables were occupied, and neither within hearing range of Jason and Thalia. Still, he couldn't believe he was going to have this conversation.
"So, I guess you haven't hear anything about the Bianca di Angelo murder, huh? It's more of a New York news story anyway, but—"
"Jason, I swear, if you're trying to distract me again—"
"I'm not," he insisted. "I promise. This is just, a lot to explain and it isn't easy, okay?"
His sister nodded. "Go on, then."
"Well, around the end of January, this girl Bianca was murdered inside their family apartment. Stabbed to death. She was my age, she went to Goode with me. And, so did her younger brother… Nico."
Thalia looked like she wanted to ask a million and one questions, but Mellie was on her way back over to them. The siblings both ordered their lunch, or brunch, really, considering Thalia got blueberry pancakes and Jason got a bagel and cream cheese along with his soup.
"Okay," Thalia said once Mellie was out of earshot, "So, I'm assuming that this is your Nico?"
Jason nodded, his heart picking up at the insinuation that Nico was his.
"I never really talked to him before all of this started. He was just some quiet sophomore kid that only really hung out with his sister."
"How awful, then, that he lost her. Do they know who did it? The murderer, I mean?"
"Well, Thals… that's what makes everything so complicated. Because, uh, everyone thinks it was… Nico."
His sister's eyes widened to blue saucers in her face. "Jason," she gasped.
"But—he didn't do it, Thalia. Nico wouldn't… he cared for Bianca so much. I know he's innocent. Trust me. He wakes up sometimes with these horrible screaming nightmares and—"
"Jason, I'm going to need you to explain the entire story to me, okay? Because right now you sound kind of insane and I have no idea what's going on.
The blond took a long sip of his coffee. "Okay, okay I will." He launched into the full explanation, Nico's abusive father, what lengths Nico went through to protect his mother and sister, Hades' ultimatum the night Bianca died, to pick one or the other. (Thalia started to become visibly upset at this point, so Jason tried to tone down the violence a little.) He reluctantly recounted how it had been Hades that actually killed Bianca, and how he'd manipulated it into looking like it was Nico.
"Oh my gods," she whispered when he told her that.
Jason continued on, explaining how Nico ran away and no one knew what happened to him. How everyone at school had their own dumb theory. How every night the news gave an update on the murder case.
"So then, a month ago I was on my way home from work. It was late but I knew we had no food at home so I was going to run to the market. I took those shortcuts that mom used to show us, back when she was normal, and in one alley I saw Nico. He was beaten up so badly that he could barely walk. Apparently he'd been hiding out in the streets for two weeks in the middle of winter and some thugs had tried to rob him, but when they found no money they just beat the shit out of him."
"Then why didn't you call the police, Jason?"
He shook his head. To this day, Jason could still not fully explain it. "I just… had a gut feeling. Maybe you'll think that's stupid, but I'm glad I trusted myself. I can't bear to think what would have happened if I'd called them. Instead, I took Nico back to the apartment and cleaned him up and gave him some food and a place to rest for the night. He was so cold, and helpless, and yet, very feisty," Jason found himself smiling, "Nico didn't really want my help. He's stubborn."
"You two have that in common," Thalia muttered, shaking her head.
Another pause in conversation when their food arrived. Jason smiled politely at Mellie as she set down their food. It looked delicious, even if Jason wasn't sure he had much of an appetite.
"Look, I know you probably think I'm crazy, but when he told me the story, I believed him. It was impossible not to. He was so genuine and honest and open…"
"You said he wakes up with nightmares."
Jason shrugged, "They've gotten a little better lately, but they aren't gone altogether."
Thalia cut into her pancake. "Jason," she asked calmly, "How do you know what he does while he sleeps?"
Jason shifted uncomfortably. "So, about that… He's kind of been hiding out in our apartment. For like, five weeks."
His sister looked ready to reach over the table and smack him. "Jason Grace! Do you realize how stupid you are?"
Jason could only nod. "But I have to help him, Thals. In the streets he'd either be caught and arrested or he'd die. And I—I can't let either of those things happen."
"Do you understand how much trouble you could get in for this?"
He nodded again. "Of course I do. But I know what I'm doing, okay? You just have to trust me."
"I do trust you, I trust you more than anyone, but…"
"Well, I trust him. Whole-heartedly."
The table fell into a moment of heavy silence. Jason's sister studied his face intently. He awkwardly sipped at his coffee.
"Okay, fine. Fine. I believe you," Thalia sighed. "But I swear, if you get hurt I am going crazy big sister on everyone involved in this. I will kick all of their asses into the next decade." She stewed angrily across the table.
"If it counts for anything, Nico tried to talk me out of helping him at least fifty times. He kind of thinks I'm a huge idiot."
Thalia gave a small smirk. "You are. But I know you, and only someone really special could turn you into this big of a dumbass."
"He is special. Probably the most interesting person I've ever met. Although he likes to tease me a lot. But you'd just love him, Thals."
"And how long have you two been a thing? Please tell me not the entire time."
Jason shook his head quickly. "No, no, only two and a half weeks. But I mean, I definitely had feelings for him for most of the time prior. I can't believe I never paid him more attention at school."
She gave an understanding nod. "So does Nico know you're in love with him?"
Jason choked on his bagel."What?"
Thalia rolled her eyes, "Don't play dumb with me, Jason. I can tell by the way you talk about this guy that you're over the damn moon for him. Does he know?"
Jason reddened. "No, he doesn't know."
"Why the hell not?" Thalia demanded. "If you love him enough to go through the wringer for him, then tell him."
"It's more complicated than that. Way, way more complicated," he lowered his voice, "Did you not listen when I told you that his dad murdered his sister just because Nico cared about her too much? What if I tell him and it scares him off?"
"You don't think he loves you back?" She asked.
"I think he's afraid to love anyone. When I kissed him the first time he nearly walked out. I can't lose him, Thals."
She chewed that over for a moment, along with a big bite of blueberry pancake.
"So are you going to let me meet the guy or what?"
Jason swallowed hard. "I'm not sure if that's—"
She held up a finger to stop him. "My baby brother is crazy in love for the first time in his life. So in love that he's willing to idiotically risk his future—"
"Nico wouldn't let that happen, Thals," Jason interrupted.
"Regardless. Any guy that special I have to meet."
"Mom's home."
"Tonight, then," the older sibling insisted.
Jason scratched his brow, "Well, I guess I could bring it up with him…"
"Perfect!" She squealed.
"But if I let you, you'd better be on your best behavior, Thals. No grilling him. And for the love of God, don't tell him about the love thing."
She smiled sweetly, "Oh come on, Sparky, just a little grilling? He needs to know that you have an intimidating big sister watching out for you, ready to kick his ass…"
Jason glared at her.
"Oh, take a joke, have a little faith in your big sister. I'll be completely appropriate."
Thalia? Completely appropriate? Yeah, maybe the day his mother stopped drinking and Jason developed a liking for lady parts. That is to say, not in a million years.
"I highly doubt that, but I'll bring it up with him anyways."
Perhaps it was high time two of the most important people in Jason's life met.
…
It was late afternoon when Jason returned to the apartment. Normally, Jason's arrival would make Nico unspeakably excited, but not today. All the dark haired boy could think about was how Jason's talk with his sister went. Although the fact that the cops hadn't burst in yet had to be a good sign, right?
The bedroom door opened and Jason slipped inside, shutting and locking it behind him. Nico rose to his feet. "So, how'd it go?" He hesitantly asked.
The tall blond crossed over to Nico and planted a kiss right in the middle of his forehead. "It went well. Shockingly well. I mean, she kind of freaked out at first, but everything is okay now. She can tell you're really important to me, she wouldn't betray me," he shared, wrapping Nico up in his muscular arms.
Really important to me, Nico repeated over and over in his mind. Nico… important to Jason? Even after everything from the last few weeks, it was still difficult to believe. Nico shuddered, balling his fingers up in Jason's shirt. "Well, I'm glad things went well. But let's keep it at three people knowing where I am, okay?"
Jason chuckled, "Definitely," he captured Nico's lips.
Once, when Nico was younger, he'd carelessly left a bowl of jellybeans in the sun on a hot summer day at his grandmother's house. Then, a few hours later he remembered them suddenly and ran outside to check on them. What he found was not a bowl full of small candies, but rather one big clump of jelly beans all mounded together. The sunlight had melted the beans, and as a result they became one.
And that was exactly how Nico felt while kissing Jason. Two separate entities until the moment their lips met. Then the boys were melting into each other, fusing their individual bodies into one unit, with entangled limbs and locked lips until it was nearly impossible to tell where Jason ended and Nico began. And, just like with the jelly beans, Nico wasn't sure they would ever be able to separate again.
They fell into Jason's desk chair, still kissing wildly with no end in sight. One would think that with all the other stuff, the grinding and the touching and the exploration of exposed skin, kissing would start to feel sort of… boring. Except that wasn't the case with Nico and Jason at all. Making out was just as exhilarating as the first time they'd ever done it, and left Nico just as lightheaded afterward.
"Do you maybe want to… the bed?" The younger boy panted.
"Actually, there was something else I needed to talk to you about," Jason admitted,
Nico may have pouted and started removing Jason's shirt himself if the blond hadn't looked so serious. His lips—swollen from kissing—were pursed tightly. He dragged his fingers through his hair once, which only left him looking more disheveled.
"What's up?"
"Thalia wants to meet you," he blurted suddenly. Nico stood, somehow freeing himself from Jason's gravitational pull.
"She what?"
Jason spoke it so rapidly, maybe Nico's ears were lying to him. Thalia wants to eat food was surely what Jason had said. Right?
The older boy grabbed Nico's hand and intertwined their fingers. Patiently, he repeated, "She wants to meet you. In fact, she was adamant about it. I told her I had to run it by you. Nico, I totally understand if you don't want to. I know you're not really big on people right now, or maybe you think it's too soon, and I won't be angry if you choose to say no."
Nico sighed and plopped back down onto his boyfriend's lap. Yes, it was true that Nico would rather limit his human interactions to Jason only. But that wasn't the problem. Sure, maybe meeting Thalia after less than two weeks of dating was a little rushed. That hadn't made Nico pause either, however.
Thalia was more than just Jason's sister though. She was the most important person in his life. Jason's rock. The one person in Jason's family who really understood who Jason was. She was his Bianca.
And if Thalia didn't like Nico (because let's be honest, he wasn't exactly a likable guy) what would Jason do? Obviously his flesh and blood sister held a lot more stock than a two and a half week relationship.
"What if she meets me and hates me?" Nico mumbled into Jason's neck.
The blond curled his arms around Nico's thin torso. "She's going to like you. Trust me."
"Well what if she doesn't?" Nico pressed.
Jason rolled his eyes and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to the younger boy's lips. "You're worrying about all the wrong things, trust me. Thalia will like you, because she knows how much I like you. Done."
"But she hasn't even met me yet…"
"Yet? Does that mean you are okay with her coming over later?"
Nico pondered that. What's the worst that could happen?
Thalia could hate him, think he was actually a murderer, call the cops, and Jason could never see Nico again. But Nico was feeling oddly optimistic today.
The dark haired boy heaved a great sigh, "Sure, why not?"
Jason grinned.
…
While Nico showered, Jason called his sister.
"Well, baby brother, miss me already?" Thalia teased.
Jason, currently lying supine on his bed, stared up at the ceiling. He'd never realized how boring ceilings were, white and plain almost everywhere you went. These were the stupid thoughts that always occupied Jason's mind when he was trying to avoid a particular conversation. Unfortunately, there was no getting around this one. "Nico said yes. To meeting you."
A totally un-Thalia like giddy sound rang through the phone. Jason's lips curled into a frown. He hadn't been lying to Nico earlier. Thalia liking him would be a no-brainer. After all, it wasn't every day your baby brother fell head over heels in love, right?
What really terrified Jason was that Thalia would do what she always did—pry. There weren't enough fingers in all of New York to count how many times Jason's older sister had embarrassed him with her unabashed, blunt way of speaking. Thalia Grace was a spectacle, to say the least. Quite different from Jason, who was usually happy to mind his own business.
"Ground rules. Don't bring up his family. He doesn't need to be interrogated about every last detail, okay? And for the love of God, don't get all cuddly and affectionate with him. Nico has a thing against touching. Growing up with a father like his will do that to you. Don't ask questions that you know will make him uncomfortable. That includes anything sexual. I swear I'll kill you if you bring that up." Okay, maybe the last one was more of a desire to not have his sister prying into his own sex life, but really, there were some things sisters just shouldn't know.
"Relax, Jason, what do you take me for?"
"My nosy big sister," Jason replied.
"Touché. Text me when Mom leaves, okay?"
He sighed. "Yeah, I will. See you then."
"See both of you later," his sister said. Jason could practically hear her smiling.
No matter how things went between Thalia and Nico, Jason was sure in for an interesting night.
…
"Can I turn the page?" Jason asked, resting his chin on Nico's shoulder. In his hands, held out in front of both boys, was Jason's latest read (or reread, technically), The Long Walk. Apparently it wassome lesser known Stephen King novel. However, Nico—who rested in the space between the blond's legs—couldn't have recalled a single thing that had happened in the last ten pages to save his life.
"Yeah, you can turn it."
"That's funny, because I just turned it eighteen seconds ago," Jason said, placing his lips on the younger boy's neck. "What's up?"
Nico released a deep breath. "How can I read a book when your sister is on her way over here right now?"
Nico felt Jason's laughter shake both of their bodies. He tossed the book to the side. "I told you, Nico, you have nothing to worry about. She can't wait to meet you."
Dark brown eyes glared into bright blue ones. "Nothing to worry about? The wanted criminal boyfriend angle doesn't usually play off well with friends and family, you know."
"Leo likes you."
"Sure," Nico scoffed. "Yeah, that encounter went well."
Kisses trailed up the skin of Nico's neck and to his jaw. "Thalia already knows about you, though. So this time is guaranteed to go better."
"Damn it, you jinxed it now, Sparky," Nico teased.
"Oh, I'm gonna get you for that one!" The seventeen year old declared, pushing back a lock of raven hair and nipping at Nico's ear. Suddenly, Nico's back hit the mattress and Jason's lips were pressed to his own.
Instead of pulling Jason down on top of him and deepening the kiss like he wanted to, Nico shoved Jason away after mere seconds.
"Hey!" The older boy protested with a frown.
"Thalia's first impression of me is not going to be of your tongue down my throat, thank you very much."
"Ruin all my fun," Jason smirked, dropping a quick kiss on Nico's cheek, "Fine. Mom's gone, let's get a snack."
Nico sat on the counter swinging his legs gently as Jason removed the popcorn from the microwave.
The blond pouted, "It smells burnt."
"Smells fine to me," Nico shrugged, motioning for Jason to come closer. The blond obliged, suddenly standing in the space between Nico's legs. The sixteen year old looped his legs around Jason's back and lured him in closer. "If you won't eat it…" He shrugged and snatched the bag away.
"Hey, wait!" Jason protested, "Share!"
Nico took a handful of popcorn and shoveled it into his mouth. "I thought it was burnt," he reminded with a full mouth. The blond shook his head and reached out for the bag. Nico held it just out of reach, smiling wickedly.
"Give me some," the blond whined.
"Come and get it," Nico baited, chucking a single piece of popcorn at his boyfriend's head.
A warm, strong hand pressed suddenly to Nico's chest and pushed down until the cool counter was against his back. The hand suddenly became an entire body as Jason hoisted himself onto the center island as well and laid on top of him.
"Wait! Hey! Get off!" Nico said with a laugh, tossing more popcorn at Jason's face. Then the older boy's hand slipped under Nico's shirt, admittedly distracting him enough that Jason was able to reclaim the popcorn bag. However, rather than eat it, Jason began hurling fistfuls of popcorn at Nico's face. The younger boy collected the scattered pieces to retaliate, and naturally, it turned into full-on war, with Jason struggling to keep Nico's arms above his head, Nico using his knees to try and shove Jason off of him, popcorn everywhere, and yeah, maybe a little bit of making out.
Nico tugged Jason down closer and kissed him deeply, enjoying the contrast of Jason's warmth above him and the cool granite beneath. Of course, the fantastic kissing was interrupted when Nico decided to drop popcorn down the back of Jason's shirt.
"Oops," he chuckled.
"You're in for it now, di Angelo!" Jason threatened, which Nico would have taken one hundred percent more seriously if the blond hadn't leaned down and kissed him one last time on the cheek.
Two minutes later Nico found the popcorn bag to be entirely empty, which wasn't a surprise considering half of it was in Jason's pants and the other half had probably started renting apartments in Nico's hair.
"You know, we should probably get cleaned up," Jason noted, tracing a finger down Nico's face.
"Yeah, that's what we should be doing," Nico agreed.
The only thing that ended up moving was Jason to place his lips on Nico's all over again. Without thinking about it, the younger boy immediately deepened the kiss, looping his arms around his boyfriend's neck.
In the living room, Nico heard a door open.
"Jason Grace, do you really keep the house key under the mat after all this time?" Came the voice of who Nico could only assume was Jason's sister, Thalia.
And Nico was still reclined on the countertop with Jason more or less on top of him.
"Shit," Jason hissed, scrambling off of the counter and pulling Nico up after him. The boys barely had time to brush the popcorn off of their clothes and fix their hair before she stepped completely into the apartment.
Yeah, so much for the whole not making out plan…
Jason's hand found Nico's and he led the boy over to his sister, a wide grin lighting his entire face. There was Thalia, looking a lot different than Nico had pictured, a punk rock type girl with a curious look in her eyes—the exact color of Jason's. Honestly, the younger boy couldn't decide if he wanted to squeeze Jason's hand tighter or tear away from him under his sister's watching eyes.
"You know, Thals, it's polite to knock before entering a home," the blond boy teased, casually brushing his thumb across Nico's knuckles for reassurance.
"I'm your sister, polite isn't part of my job description," she laughed.
"Well, Thalia, my ill-mannered sister, I'd like you to meet Nico, my boyfriend . Nico, this is Thalia."
Jason's sister—surprisingly with black hair, rather than blond—held out a hand to Nico. "Hi Nico, it's great to meet you."
Hesitantly, he shook her hand. "Ah, screw it," Thalia decided, going for the full-on hug instead. "I'm a hugger."
Nico stiffened at the initial contact. Jason touching him was one thing, but this girl was not Jason. He stood there awkwardly, trying to reassure himself that touching other people was okay.
"Thals," the younger Grace sibling warned. Thalia released Nico and looked over at her brother.
"What? I don't bite," she flashed Nico a mischievous grin, like the two of them were sharing some private joke, "Usually."
Nico released Jason's hand. Wow, he hadn't talked yet. He really ought to talk. If he didn't say something soon it was going to get uncomfortable.
But what to say?
I promise I'm not really a murderer.
So, social interaction isn't exactly my strong suit, please excuse my inevitable awkwardness.
Speaking of biting, wanna see the hickey Jason left on my shoulder last night?
"Um, hey. I'm Nico."
Yeah, Nico, good one. Real smooth.
Not.
Thalia laughed lightly, "I figured that part out."
"Oh, uh, right. Duh." Damn it, blushing already. Damn pale skin and dark blushes. Damn it all.
"You'll have to excuse Nico. The only person other than me he's talked to lately is Leo," Jason shared.
The black haired girl laughed, "Oh you poor thing! Leo's an acquired taste, trust me. I'd like to think I'm much more…"
"Thalia if you're about to call yourself flavorful I swear I'm walking out the door," Jason said.
"Go ahead, leave me with your cute blushing boyfriend," she smirked. Nico attempted to cover his face.
"Thalia," Jason whined.
"Fine. Fine. I'll stop. Hey, do I smell popcorn?"
Nico glanced sideways at Jason and found the blond boy smirking back at him.
"It's inedible, apparently," Nico explained. "Jason claims he burned it."
The girl leaned forward and plucked something off of the youngest boy's head.
"So he braided it into your hair?" Thalia inquired.
"Something like that," Jason said, sneaking a quick kiss on Nico's cheek.
"Well, I'm going to make myself some popcorn and actually eat it," she declared, starting for the kitchen.
Nico started to follow after her, but Jason grabbed hold of his sleeve. "Hey," he said under his breath once Thalia was out of earshot, "You've got this, okay? Just relax."
"I am the epitome of relaxed," Nico lied. Jason shook his head and brought his lips to Nico's for a single, short kiss.
"Of course you are." The older boy stepped toward the kitchen, only for Nico to grab his shoulders and yank him back for a better kiss. Not as long and passionate as Nico would have liked, but certainly better than nothing.
"Okay, better now."
And he was.
Jason smiled and gave Nico a look that insinuated he really would have liked to keep kissing, but knew they'd have to save it for later.
"What the hell did you do to the kitchen?" Thalia squealed. "There's popcorn everywhere!"
Jason and Nico joined her in the kitchen, where the oldest Grace sibling stared in horror at the popcorn-covered floor and countertop.
"Nico started it," Jason accused.
"Did not. You started it by trying to take the popcorn after saying you didn't want any."
"Boys," Thalia sighed, shaking her head.
…
"So, Nico," Thalia prompted, sitting criss-cross on the countertop with a popcorn bag perched on her legs, "Tell me about yourself."
"I thought Jason already told you everything…" Nico said, shifting uncomfortably. Hadn't he allowed Jason to tell Thalia to avoid having to talk about this himself? Nico was not ready to retell or even listen to the events of his shitty EBJ (existence before Jason). He'd lived it, and that was enough.
"Not that stuff. I mean about you. I know there's more to you than what they say on the news. What do you like? What do you do for fun? Who is the guy that has my little brother wrapped around his finger?"
Nico couldn't tell who looked more embarrassed, him or Jason. Thalia Grace got straight to business, Nico would give her that. "Uh… I'm really sort of boring."
Across the room, his boyfriend snorted. "Yeah right."
"I used to read. Not as much as Jason, but I've had a lot of time to read during the day now. This one keeps shoving books at me," he nodded in Jason's direction.
A small smile played across Thalia's lips. "I used to force Jason to read all kinds of books when we were younger."
"Remember when you spoiled Harry Potter for me?"
She laughed, "You told me you'd already finished Half Blood Prince."
The younger Grace rolled his eyes.
"So what else do you do, when Jason isn't forcing books at you?"
Well, I make out with your brother a lot. And other things. "Uh…"
"You watch that one TV show," Jason recalled. "And you always yell at the characters."
Nico laughed. Ah, yes. "Supernatural. Yeah, I've been following that show for years, at least when I can."
Thalia perked up, "No kidding! My roommate Phoebe loves that show. She always says she's going to marry one of the guys."
"Can't blame her," Nico shrugged.
Jason made a face, "Eh, they're okay, I guess. If you're into that sort of thing."
Nico suppressed a huge smile. "Tell me you aren't jealous of some TV actors, Jay."
"Yeah, Jay," Thalia added.
The blond glared at his sister and crossed to Nico, looping his arm around the boy's waist. "Me? Jealous?" He snuck a kiss on Nico's lips, "Never."
Nico, predictably, felt his face flare up. Jason's affection was quite commonplace, but Thalia smirking in the background made Nico feel awkward as hell. He'd never willingly had an audience while kissing someone before.
And damn it, Jason had to start biting his lip afterward. Didn't he realize how hot that was? Nico shoved Jason away before he completely embarrassed himself by like, groaning or trying to remove Jason's clothes or something equally mortifying. Which of course only made Jason grin and run his eyes once up and down Nico's body.
Nico wondered if Jason's life goal was to turn Nico on at the most inconvenient of times. If so, it was working.
"Do I need to, uh, give you two a minute?" Thalia inquired, wiggling her eyebrows. Nico's face grew redder than the freshly painted roses of Wonderland.
"No!" Nico answered immediately.
Jason laughed and finally freed Nico from the intensity of his eyes. "No, we're fine," he promised.
Nico spent the next fifteen minutes trying not to stare at Jason's mouth. He really, really tried.
Around ten o'clock Jason's phone began to ring.
"It's just Leo," he said, "I'll text him later."
He declined the call and, almost as if unable to help himself, planted a kiss on Nico's cheek. The trio had moved into the living room and were playing an unreasonably intense game of Monopoly. Together, Nico and Thalia had Jason in the poor house.
The phone rang again.
"Just pick it up," Thalia encouraged, "Maybe it's important."
Jason sighed, "What's up?" He said as greeting into the cell phone.
On the other end, Nico could hear Leo talking animatedly about something, but it was too fast for him to make out any of the words.
"Wait, slow down and start over," Jason said, standing up. "I'll be right back," he mouthed to Nico. "Be nice," he told Thalia.
Then the blond boy disappeared into his bedroom, leaving Nico alone with Jason's sister.
She grinned widely, as if she had been waiting for this moment all along, and scooted closer.
"Soooo," Thalia said, "My brother really, really likes you, you know."
Nico sorted through his rainbow money. "He said that?"
"More or less. But he didn't have to. I know Jason better than anyone, and this is the happiest I've seen him in years."
Years? That couldn't be possible. And yet, didn't Nico feel the same way? Despite everything, in that moment he was unimaginably happy. Being around Jason numbed all of Nico's stresses, so was it so unreasonable to think Nico could do the same for him?
"I don't want to hurt him," Nico said quietly, surprising himself.
"I don't want you to hurt him, either," Thalia admitted, "So we're on the same page."
Nico frowned. "For what it's worth, I tried to do what was best for him and stay away. It's just—I just—and he just—it just happened."
"Hey, the way I see it, you can't predict the future any more than you can change the past, Nico. And if you two make each other happy, who knows, maybe you are what's best for him," she suggested.
Even if I get him killed?
"Thanks, Thalia," Nico mumbled, "For, uh, not hating me. And stuff."
She smiled, perhaps a little melancholy, "You didn't choose your life. I hate that you have to go through all of this, but I could never hate you for trying to be happy." Thalia laughed. "Although if you beat me in this game I may reconsider."
Nico laughed with her.
They were still laughing when Jason returned.
"So what did Leo want?" Thalia inquired.
The blond shrugged. "What does Leo ever want?"
Nico destroyed his boyfriend in Monopoly.
…
"Okay, so I'll be sure to stop by again before my flight leaves, okay?" Thalia said, squeezing her younger brother in a hug as she prepared to leave. Nico figured it probably had to be two or three in the morning.
"Sounds great, Thals. I'll text you."
They broke apart and the older Grace sibling fixed her attention on Nico. "It was great meeting you, Nico. Really, it was."
Nico smiled. Despite being a little intimidated by the girl, he had to admit she was just as great as Jason had always described her. He found himself wishing that she didn't live across the country. "Yeah, you too."
"We'll see each other soon." Thalia stepped into her boots. "You two take care of each other, kay?"
Jason reached out and took Nico's hand. "We will," he promised.
Thalia winked at Nico and left.
What had that been about, he wondered. Was Jason's sister trying to tell him something?
He didn't have time to dwell on it.
Jason pulled Nico closer and started to kiss down the side of his face. "I do love Thalia, but I've also been wanting to do this for hours," he admitted.
Nico chuckled and tried not to act like his heart was beating hard enough to burst out of his chest.
"Yeah," he agreed, "Alone time is nice."
"Let's go to bed," Jason whispered.
And they did, but neither of them got much sleep.
