Okay, someone brought up a good point. I could make a college sequel for these guys, and I think I'll do it, mostly because I love these guys and partly because there's not enough Jasico on here. So instead of a wedding epilogue, we'll just skip a year. Woo, our babies are graduating!
…
It was the day Jason had waited for since he was a freshman. It was graduation day. So much had happened in a year. After their talk with Percy's stepdad, things got steadily better for the blonde and his dark-haired boyfriend. Coach Warren, the tennis coach, was fired and replaced with Ms. Hughes, a perky straight-out-of-college coach. She welcomed Nico on the team with open arms, and the dark-haired boy quickly became tennis MVP. Coach Hollindale, the swim coach, apologized and took Jason back under his wing. Jason was happy, but he quit swimming his senior year. Instead, he went out for cross country, and he placed first in every race. Nico joined Student Council and Book Club, no longer ashamed of being different. Will was now a book club regular, and Jake ran cross with Jason.
All in all, everyone was happier now that the blonde and the dark-haired boy were being left alone. Jason and Nico were certainly happier. Will disbanded his group of followers, and Principal Blofis threatened the whole school with detention if something like that ever happened again. Jason and Nico could now freely roam the school and hold hands or kiss in the hallways. Will and Jake also didn't have to hide either. Will outed himself first and was applauded. Jake followed suit shortly after, and was rewarded with the same treatment as Will. They'd even been nominated for cutest couple. That position of course went to Percy and Annabeth, who ended up winning by four votes. Jake and Will weren't hurt. In fact, they were the first to congratulate the couple. Percy and Annabeth would be moving in together this fall and attend New York University.
Graduation also came with a little sadness for the blonde. Nico got accepted into Harvard his freshman year, even being offered a full ride scholarship. He'd be stupid to pass up the opportunity. But that meant he would be moving away from the blonde. Jason was also staying in New York, attending The City College of New York for outdoor track and field, among other things. Will was moving across country with Jake. So the small, close-knit group was being dispersed. Jason wasn't sure how he felt about that. Sure, he'd still have Percy, his best friend, around, but he wanted Nico close as well. How would he fare without his little dark-haired joy?
"Oh, look at my handsome boys!" Jason's mom gushed as Jason and Nico got ready for graduation. Jason was wearing a light pink polo and dress pants under his deep blue robe. Nico was dressed in jean shorts and a white t-shirt. Funny. They seemed to switch wardrobes over the last year. In addition to Nico's robe, the dark-haired boy would have both a silver and a gold cord, gold for academics and silver for community service. When the dark-haired boy wasn't playing tennis, he was helping at the snack shack. He'd gotten over three hundred hours over the year, which still amazed the blonde. "Let me get pictures," Jason's mom continued, shoving a camera in Jason's face. "My boys' last day of school."
"Mother!" Jason exclaimed with a smile, shoving the camera away. "Not yet. We need to wait for Thals." Thalia was overseas in Romania, studying who knew what. But she expressed how happy she was all the time, and that in turn made the rest of the Grace family very happy. Hazel would be flying up from Mexico to watch Nico walk across the stage, which Nico was giddy over. Nothing like graduation to bring the families together. Nico emerged from the blonde's room wearing his robe. He smiled as the blonde's mom snapped pictures of him. Jason went over and wrapped his arms around the dark-haired boy's waist, drawing an extended and passionate kiss from him. "What will I do without you?" he asked when the smaller boy pulled away. "I can't believe you're leaving me," he added with a pout.
"Not forever silly," Nico said, tweaking his nose. "Just four years. You promised me a wedding, and damn it Grace, I'm getting it from you!" Nico laughed, but it sounded sad, like he couldn't believe it either. "Time will fly, you'll see," the dark-haired boy added quietly.
"But I don't want the time to fly if it means I won't see you," the blonde complained softly. "Nico, I miss you already, and you haven't even left yet. What am I going to do next week, when you're well and truly gone?" The blonde felt tears beginning to form. "Please don't leave me." Nico reached up and gently brushed away the traces of tears.
"Harvard is my dream school Jay, you know that," the dark-haired boy said. "It's just four years Jason. You'll see, it won't be so bad. You'll make a ton of new friends and forget about me in no time." Jason squeezed Nico's middle until he couldn't breathe. Then he loosened his grip and watched Nico gasp for air.
"That was for saying the most idiotic thing I've ever heard you say," Jason said, leaning down and brushing his lips against Nico's. "I will never forget you, my little bookworm. My life changed the day I met you, and I couldn't be happier."
"Same here, my blonde superman," Nico replied, leaning his head on Jason's shoulder. The blonde was pretty sure his mom was having a field day with that camera of hers, trying to capture every moment. "If you hadn't stood up for me that day in the locker room, I don't know what would've happened. But I'm so glad you did. I'm glad you pretty much forced yourself into my life. I needed someone to break down my walls a little bit. Thanks for doing that." Jason held Nico tighter to himself. He was surprised that Nico was the one who brought that up, because he believed it was he who'd needed to the push. After all, he'd been ready to throw in the towel when it came to the mysterious Nico di Angelo. Maybe it was Percy or his mother, or maybe his own subconscious told him to do it, but he continued to chase Nico down. Now Nico was his. Strange how love works, isn't it?
…
Jason wished so bad he was sitting by Nico, but the little dark-haired boy was a few seats away. They were separated by a kid with a last name beginning with E, Katie Gardner, and Mitchell Glenn, whom the blonde boy had never seen before this year. Nico stole glances at the blonde from time to time, and once, when Jason looked at him, he crossed his eyes, causing the blonde to giggle. Mr. Hollindale scolded them both for being disruptive, which just caused everyone in the entire line of chairs to giggle, so he threw up his hands and gave up, sitting down crossly in his seat. But Jason saw a gleam of amusement in his eyes. He wasn't really mad. He was just as excited as the class of seventy seniors. They were a really small class for living in NYC. Then again, there were several schools there, some better than others.
"And now, a moment everyone has been waiting for," Principal Blofis said from the podium, smiling at the seniors. "Will all the seniors please stand." Seventy people rose at once, doing last minute adjustments of gowns and caps and tassels. Jason didn't bother with his. He kept fixing them every five minutes. They should be perfect right now. Jason tuned out the first twenty people or so, clapping for Annabeth when her name was called. Percy whistled at her, and she blushed. He whooped when Nico was on stage, shaking Paul's hand. Percy, Will, and Jake joined in, and soon the small boy was more pink than tan as he took his diploma. But he grinned at his group of friends nonetheless. Jason's heart beat a little faster at that, seeing Nico smile. He was smiling at the very people who'd made his life hell.
"Jason Grace," Principal Blofis said. The blonde's feet took him up on stage on their own accord. He was aware of all the clapping, the whistling, even a cowbell, now doubt brought by his sister. But his eyes sought one person as he took his diploma from Paul. Nico was giving him the biggest smile he'd ever seen him give. He gave the blonde a thumbs up, and then pumped his fist in the air. He'd come so far since that shy, scared boy junior year, Jason mused as he joined the line of students going back to their chairs. His little Nico blossomed under Jason's care, but it was more than that. Around Nico, Jason felt the confidence to do whatever he wanted. Asking the dark-haired boy out. Outing himself to his friends. Comforting his enemies. The list went on, but those were some of the things the blonde thought about often. What would happen if he hadn't meant Nico? Certainly he'd still be closeted. But his life wouldn't be the way it was now.
"Congratulations, class of 2015, you are now alumni of New Haven." All seventy seniors broke into wild applause. "And now, as one, move your tassels from the right to the left." Seventy tassels moved in unison as everyone behind them hollered and clapped. Then, as one body, seventy students took off their caps and threw them into the air.
…
"Oh, that was fun," Nico said with a giggle, burying his face in the crook of Jason's neck. The blonde chuckled and gazed down at his little bookworm. He was having a small party in his backyard. He'd invited Nico and his family of course. And then Percy and his mom and stepdad. Then there was Annabeth, Will, Jake, Frank, Leo, Piper, and Travis and Connor Stoll, whom Jason had gotten to know from cross. He and Nico were currently stretched out on the blonde's hammock, swinging lazily in the breeze. Jason watched Frank shoot curious glances at Hazel, who was busy chatting idly with Annabeth and Piper. All three girls were happy to see each other again. Thalia was busy talking with Will and Jake, who looked both petrified and fascinated at the same time. Thalia had a long memory, and of course she remembered the ex-bully and his boyfriend.
"I'm glad to get rid of that school," the blonde finally replied. "Don't get me wrong, I was proud to be a Hurricane, but this is something else. I feel like we really did something Neeks." The dark-haired boy giggled again. He was in a really giddy mood. The blonde was glad for the fact though. Nico had been so quiet and reserved when he'd first met him. Now, he had more confidence.
"I bet you'll miss it by the end of the summer," Nico muttered into his shoulder. Was his head really still there? The blonde hadn't noticed. "Hey, can we get cake now?" the dark-haired boy asked. "My dad is gonna devour the whole thing if we don't get a slice." Jason wrinkled his nose in amusement. The dark-haired boy had a point though. His dad kept eyeing the chocolate cake, even though he'd already had three slices.
"You go get us some baby," the blonde responded, releasing the dark-haired boy. Nico maneuvered his way over to the table and began the task of cutting cake. Jason took the time to glance around his tiny, crowded backyard. Percy was sitting with Annabeth, their combined hands resting on the brunette's knee. Will was slowly caressing Jake's neck, causing the other brunette to shudder. The smaller blonde laughed lowly and kissed his boyfriend's cheek, causing him to blush. Jason smiled. He was glad those two were finally together. They'd been hiding their feelings longer than the blonde himself had been. Jason smiled as he saw Will lean in and softly kiss Jake. No one else seemed to notice the small exchange. Jason decided not to mention it to them. They deserved their privacy, after all.
"Here!" Nico said with a flourish, holding up a single plate of chocolate cake with two forks. He settled down beside the blonde and put it on his chest, giggling and taking one of the forks. He speared a bite and ate it slowly, smiling down at the blonde. "Aren't you hungry?" he asked the blonde, who removed the cake and sat up. That set the hammock swinging again, and Nico swayed as he was caught off balance. Jason wrapped an arm around his waist and steadied him.
"Careful baby," he murmured. "Can't have you falling off the hammock, now can we?" Jason picked up Nico's fork and held it out temptingly to him. Nico bit down, smiling as Jason slid the fork out from between his closed lips. "There's a good little Nico," Jason whispered playfully. His face fell as he gazed at him. "What am I going to do without you baby? I don't want you to leave me…" Nico crawled into Jason's lap and curled himself up, leaning his head on the blonde's chest. Jason wrapped his arms around him and rested his chin on the top of Nico's head. "Please don't leave me Nico."
"I have to Jason," the dark-haired boy said, obviously flustered. "I can't just pass on a full ride scholarship to Harvard. Do you know how many people wish they had that?" Jason glanced away, wiping the tears threatening to fall. He didn't want his little bookworm so far from him. "Aww Jay," Nico said softly, kissing his cheek. "I'm really sorry. If there was a way to bring you with me, I would. Be that as it may, you're mother needs you here. She'd be devastated if you left." The blonde glanced over at his mother, who was busy talking with Sally and Paul. All three were laughing at something Paul had said. The blonde sighed.
"I know Neeks," he replied quietly. "My mother was heartbroken when Thals told her she was leaving the country. She wouldn't want both her babies so far away from her. But I don't want to stay in New York if you aren't here." Nico reached up and gently touched the blonde's cheek.
"I know Jay," he responded. "I know. But we'll see each other again. And hey, if someone catches your fancy at CCNY, don't hesitate, okay? Don't wait up for me." Jason captured Nico's chin in his hands.
"Don't say such things!" he scolded. "Nico, it wouldn't be waiting up for you. It's waiting for the day you return. I don't care if it takes four years or forty years. There's no one else who would have my heart. It will always belong to you. Remember, 'All of me, loves all of you.'" The dark-haired boy gave him a wan smile.
"I'm just saying Jay," he said, closing his eyes. "But it's good to hear you say that. It gives me hope." Jason carefully lay back down on the hammock, pulling the dark-haired boy with him. Nico curled up on top of Jason, staring at the blue sky above them. Jason gently ran his fingers through Nico's dark curls, much like the first night Nico spent the night. The dark-haired boy practically purred with pleasure, and the blonde smiled. He would miss this when Nico left next week. So to make up for it, they would be alternating houses for the next seven days, ending on day seven with a camp out in Jason's backyard. Nico would be at Jason's from Monday until Wednesday, and then Jason would go back with him for Thursday through Saturday. Nico's suitcase was in Jason's room, and the blonde had dismantled his make-shift bed. Chances were, Nico wouldn't even use it. "Whatcha thinking about, superman?" Nico asked softly, pressing his lips to the blonde's ear.
"How much fun the next week is going to be," the blonde replied automatically, leaving out the part about how Nico would leave. "And about how sick my mom will be of us by Wednesday. But that's okay. You're pretty much family as it is. She's going to have to get used to you at some point, right?" The dark-haired boy giggled.
"Of course," he responded. "Someday, I really will be family!" The blonde laughed. That much was true.
…
"Do you have everything?" Jason asked for perhaps the hundredth time in an hour. Nico rolled his eyes and stuffed the last of his suitcases into his little grand prix. He'd gotten the car over the summer last year, so he was the chauffer. He closed the trunk of his car and turned to face the anxious blonde. The week had gone by way to fast. Saturday night, Jason surprised Nico with a home-cooked dinner. He hadn't wanted the night to end, and hours after the dark-haired boy fell asleep, Jason stared at the ceiling of the tent, wishing tomorrow would never come. But it was Sunday. The Sunday Nico was leaving.
"I have everything, my blonde superman, don't worry about me," Nico said, an amused smile playing on his lips. "You don't need to be the hero anymore. Just live your life, okay?"
"My life is leaving me today," Jason said seriously, wrapping his arms around Nico's waist and drawing him close. "My whole world is going to be at Harvard for the next four years. I don't think I can take it." He leaned down and softly brushed his lips against Nico's. "Any chance I can convince you staying here would be better for both of us?" Nico laughed, low and sad.
"Not a chance Grace," he said. "Harvard is where I'm meant to be. You'll be fine. Remember what I said about dating." Jason wrinkled his nose and shook his head.
"It won't be the same," he said miserably. "I want you, Nico. What about that concept is hard to get. I don't want any bratty frat boys. I want my Nico." He hugged the dark-haired boy to himself. "I'm going to miss you."
"I'll miss you too," Nico said, sounding more subdued. "But I have to get going Jason. I need to get settled by four." The blonde released the smaller boy, stepping back as Nico slid behind the wheel. Jason leaned through the open window and kissed him, deep and passionate. Then pulled back. Nico gave him one last smile before pulling away from the curb and merging into traffic. Jason sat down on the curb and stared at the cement. He just watched the boy he was head over heels in love with leave. There went his entire world. The blonde felt hollow, even after a few hours had passed. What was he going to do without his little bookworm? What was he going to do without his precious Nico?
…
And that's the end. I hope everyone liked it as much as I did. And keep watch for the sequel, which may or may not be multi-chap.