Author's note: I've been feeling kind of depressed lately, so I decided to take a break from writing some of my darker fanfiction. So, here's a fluffy, little fic instead. Writing it brought me joy, and I hope that reading it will make you just as happy!

As August progressed, Jason felt more and more confused over the status of his and Nico's friendship. After Gaea's defeat, he felt confident that he and Nico were friends, but now, with summer almost at an end, he wasn't so sure.

Jason thought he was justified in saying that Nico was a pretty mysterious guy, and not because he was born in the 1930s or because he spent more time in the underworld than any other living human being. Nico was just incredibly emotionally guarded. It was almost impossible to tell what he was thinking or feeling.

Jason was fairly positive that Nico liked him, or at least tolerated him better than most people, but he knew that Nico didn't trust him, and can you really be friends with people you don't trust? Jason deeply trusted all of his friends, Nico included, but Nico obviously didn't feel the same way. Although Nico knew he could depend on Jason in the midst of combat, he still didn't have enough faith in him to reveal any of his secrets.

Jason strongly suspected that Nico was ill or had been more seriously injured in the fight against Gaea than he originally let on. It was surprising when he willingly spent three days in the infirmary after Gaia's defeat, but Jason understood how his health had deteriorated after all the shadow traveling he'd recently been doing. After this short stint on bed rest, Nico looked healthier than Jason had ever seen him, at times he even seemed kind of happy. Yet, he continued to make increasingly frequent visits to the infirmary, and Jason didn't buy the excuse that he was just "volunteering."

He was also suspicious that Will Solace, the best medic out of all the Apollo kids, was paying extra attention to Nico. If Nico got so much as a scratch Will would rush over, fussing over him as if he were bleeding out. Shockingly, Nico complained very little during these displays of concern. Meanwhile, if Jason simply asked him how his day was Nico would practically run away in avoidance of the question. He normally hated it when others showed even the slightest interest in his well-being, and if he was actually hurt or sick, he obviously didn't want Jason to know.

While Jason initially decided to respect Nico's wish for privacy, his curiosity at the boy's odd behavior reached its peak during the final week of camp. When he spotted Nico through the infirmary window, sitting up in one of the beds, he decided to see for himself what was wrong.

Predictably, Will was currently on duty. He was administering ambrosia to a camper who had fallen from the top of the rock wall earlier that day when Jason walked into the packed room.

"Hi Jason!" He said with a grin. Will was nearly always in a good mood, no matter what was happening around him. "Are you visiting or are you a patient?"

"I think I might have the flu," he lied, deciding that Nico probably wouldn't be receptive to visitors.

"Oh no," Will replied, though he was still smiling. "Well, there's a lot going on here today, so just go lay down in any bed that's empty and I'll be over to help you as soon as I can.

"Thanks!"

Fortunately, the bed next to Nico's was empty (which made sense considering that he didn't give off a very welcoming energy). He eyed Jason suspiciously as he sat down next to him.

"Why are you here?" Nico asked, blunt as always.

"I have the flu."

"It's August, it's not flu season."

"People can get the flu any time of the year. It doesn't have to be in season."

Nico still didn't seem convinced, so Jason coughed a few times for good measure. Obviously his acting skills needed some work, because now Nico was just looking at him like he was crazy.

"Why are you here?" Jason asked, trying to change the subject.

"I got a splinter during archery lessons. Will removed it," Nico explained, holding up a bandaged finger.

"If Will already removed it, why are you still in here?" Jason felt smug now.

"He wanted me to stay for a little while longer, just to make sure infection didn't set in."

"Oh really?"

"Yes, Will is a really good doctor. He likes to make extra sure that his patients are okay," Nico defended.

Jason couldn't put his finger on it, but somehow Nico's voice sounded different whenever he talked about Will. He somehow managed to simultaneously become lighter and more guarded. Sort of like the way he used to seem whenever he was around Percy.

Will must have heard his name come up in their conversation because he glanced over at them. His expression somehow became even brighter when he looked at Nico and, astonishingly, Nico actually smiled back at him, though it was only for a brief moment. He suddenly appeared more alive than he usually did, less pale. Wait, was Nico actually blushing?

That's when everything clicked for Jason.

"Oh gods, you have a crush on Will!" He whispered excitedly. "And Will has a crush on you! Did you realize that he likes you back? You should totally ask him out!"

"Ummm... uhh," Nico sputtered. It first appeared like he was going to protest, but he eventually conceded to Will's claims. "Yeah, I do, and yes, I know he likes me back."

"You do? This is so great!"

"Yeah," Nico mumbled. He seemed content, although he avoided looking Jason in the eye.

"So?" Jason questioned. "Are you going to ask him out?"

"Well… about that…"

"You don't have to be nervous, Will would definitely say yes if you did."

"I know," Nico said. Then he looked at Jason, clearly wanting him to pick up on some kind of double meaning to his words. Jason just stared confusedly back at him. "I know because Will and I are actually already dating," he finally admitted after a minute of awkward silence.

Jason actually squealed like a prepubescent girl, though he would later deny that this was his reaction.

"You are! Holy shit, this is so great! I can't believe it! Your first boyfriend! Wow!"

"Shut up," Nico grumbled. "It's not a big deal."

"It's a huge deal! I can't believe you didn't tell me! I thought I was your closest friend… Hey, am I going to be your best man when you and Will get married?"

"'Married?!' We've only been dating for a month."

"I was just joking around," Jason reassured his friend. "I'm really happy for you and- wait. Did you say you guys have already been dating for a whole month?!"

"Yep."

"But a month ago we were still dealing with Gaea. Did you guys get together during the battle or something?"

"Of course not, don't be ridiculous. Remember the three days I spent in the infirmary after the battle?"

"Yeah. Did you guys start dating after that?" Jason asked.

"Actually, we started dating about 45 minutes after I got to the infirmary, but that's not really important."

"Gods, you got over your crush on Percy fast."

"Yeah, I realized he just wasn't my type," Nico explained.

"I still don't understand why you felt you had to keep this a secret," Will said. "You know I consider you a friend, right? I care about you and I want you to be happy. It doesn't matter to me that you're dating a guy."

"I know, I know. I'm just still not fully comfortable with my sexuality. I would have never been able to talk about this kind of stuff growing up. It was really dangerous to be gay back then."

"I get it, and you never have to tell me anything you don't want. I'm sorry for spying on you. I just was worried you were sick or something. I was never trying to force you to admit you were in a relationship."

"Wait, you came in here to spy on me? I knew you didn't have the flu!" Nico glared at him.

Just then, Will walked over to the pair of them.

"Sorry I kept you waiting so long," he addressed Jason. "So, you think you have the flu. Can you describe your symptoms to me?"

"Actually, I'm feeling much better now," Jason told him, getting up from the bed. "In fact, I was just about to leave."

With that, Jason all but sprinted out of the infirmary.

"What's the deal with him?" Will asked Nico.

"He's an idiot," Nico explained… "But he's a good friend."