Chapter Eight: The real love triangle (For you, Emma Ells!)
Author's Note: So, thank you for your reviews, guys. And don't worry, Henry Uchiha. Pretty soon, I'll dedicate a chapter to you. I only dedicate chapters to reviewers who have been reviewing since I started this fic, or reviewers who truly understand the plot so far. Perhaps I'll dedicate the chapter with the main plot twists to you (Henry Uchiha that is) or something. I hope you guys enjoyed the first smut scene! That was the first smut scene I've ever written! Well, on to the story!
Disclaimer: I own nothing except the plot and ICDAT!
Warning: Hmm … not sure. Just be on the lookout for strong language. Violence? I don't think so.
After Percy left to take a nap, Piper and Jason remained with Nico and Thanatos, chatting up a storm. Well, you would too if you had a boring day. Nico was currently sitting between Thanatos' legs on his bed and Piper continued babbling on and on about things Nico didn't really pay attention to. However, the brown-eyed boy did pay attention to Jason's cold stares and hateful glares. Not at Nico, but at his brother. However, Thanatos didn't pay attention to them. He was texting some person that Nico really didn't care about. Nico was concerned as to why, but chose not to say anything in his brother's or Piper's presence. Perhaps it had something to do with the … uh … kiss(es) they shared. Yes, they kissed on the day Nico joined Luke, Apollo and Jason for a day out. Well, it had been the same day him and Percy shared a kiss. Nico was just concerned about Piper. Lying straight to the girl's face when she could probably sense the tension between him and Jason.
"Well," Piper said. "We'd better get going."
"Uh, yeah, about that," Jason began. "I need to see … Percy about something when he gets up. It's very urgent. How about I call you when I get home?"
Piper frowned, but then she sighed. She nodded with a small smile and took off to exit the penthouse. Jason stood in the room and looked back and forth between Nico and Thanatos. The blond jerked his head toward the hallway and Nico sighed.
"Thanatos, I'll be right back." Nico said. The brown-haired boy looked up from his smartphone and nodded. Nico followed the blond out of his bedroom to the hallway.
"Is there somewhere we can … talk … away from Thanatos and Percy?" Jason asked. Nico thought for a moment.
"Yeah. Percy's study. He won't be in there because he's asleep." Nico responded. Jason nodded and followed the raven-haired boy through the hallways, down the stairs, past the living rooms and finally into Percy's study. It was a rather nice study. There was a large wooden desk in the center of the room and bookshelves lined the wall. There were large windows, so there was a lot of light filtering into the room. Immediately when Jason got in, he slammed the door shut. Nico made his way to sit on the table, but Jason yanked in his wrist and slammed his body against the door. Jason looked upon Nico with hungry and lustful eyes. He leaned down and placed a kiss on Nico's lips and moved to his jawline. Biting down harshly – harsh enough to leave a mark. Nico tried to push the blond away, but Jason was stronger than he was. The blond pinned Nico's hands above his head and immediately attacked the younger male's lips. Nico fought the urge to kiss Jason back, but Jason had his ways. The blue-eyed blond boy slid his knee between Nico's legs, causing the younger boy to gasp. Jason ceased the opportunity and slipped his tongue into the younger boy's mouth. Nico stopped kissing back and Jason drew back, confused.
"Nico?" the blond called.
"Jason, please stop. It's not fair to Piper." Nico said. Jason rolled his eyes and took hold of Nico's waist and brought their bodies together.
"What my girlfriend doesn't know won't kill her." Jason whispered seductively into Nico's ear. Nico struggled against the blond's grasp.
"Nico, please. I want you so bad. I just want to devour you and ravish you." Jason said as he placed kisses along Nico's neck. Nico shuddered against Jason's lips. Why was his life so difficult?
"Jason, no. I … I can't do this." Nico said.
"But I can." Jason said, biting down on Nico's neck. Nico moaned slightly and Jason smiled against Nico's neck.
"Come on, Nico. You know you want to." Jason taunted. "Please, Nico. Please, I … I need you."
"Jason, you have Piper. Please stop." Nico said, reaching up to touch the blond's face gently. "I can't do this to Piper." Jason threw his head back in a frustrated groan. The blond looked down at Nico, drinking in his appearance.
"Please, Nico. Just … just another kiss." Jason begged. Nico let out a sigh of defeat.
"Fine, but just one – if it'll get you stop." Nico said firmly.
Jason nodded vigorously before he leaned down, and captured Nico's pale pinks lips once again. The kiss was slow at first, but slowly increased into something more passionate. Jason's tongue slipped past Nico's lips and Jason moaned into the kiss, followed by Nico. Jason grasped Nico by the hips and picked the brown-eyed and wrapped Nico's legs around his waist. Nico held onto Jason as he pinned the brown-eyed boy against the wall. Slowly, Nico deepened the kiss and Jason carried Nico over Percy's desk and laid him down. They broke apart, breathless, and Jason pressed himself against the brown-eyed boy while he tried to unbutton Nico's shirt and again kissed him passionately despite Nico's protest. Nico mustered enough of strength to push the blond off of him. Jason gave Nico a confused look as Nico got off of the desk.
"I told you," Nico said. "Only one." Jason growled as he grabbed Nico's arm and pulled the smaller boy towards him.
"Nico, please? Please? I need you so much." Jason said, as he rested his forehead on Nico's. Nico sighed.
"You're only basing your so called 'need' on a kiss." Nico said.
"Three!" Jason whined. Nico finally got Jason to loosen his grasp, but still couldn't escape.
"Jason, no. Just stop! I can't do this to Piper and I don't want to lead you on. You don't need me, so just leave me alone!" Nico said, fighting against Jason now.
"No, Nico! I know you want me, please, let me have you." Jason begged, as he tightened his grip around Nico's waist. The brown-eyed boy slammed his fists against Jason's chest, but the blond wouldn't let go.
"Jason, please. I can't do this! Now let me go!" Nico yelled, as tears rolled down his cheeks. Jason still didn't budge. He didn't want to let go of Nico. But Nico forced his way out of the blond's grasp and walked away, silently crying. Nico opened the doors of the study to find Percy and Thanatos standing there. Nico gasped and quickly wiped his tears away. Nico tried his best to put on a smile, but it failed to convince the two that nothing was wrong.
"Hi, guys." Nico said, trying his best to be cheery. Thanatos was not impressed – not at all. Not even Percy. Thanatos looked very concerned whereas Percy just looked angry.
"Well, Nico," Thanatos said, as Jason came out of the study to be glared at by Thanatos and Percy. "Care to tell your older brother what was going on in there?" Jason gulped as he stared at Nico pleadingly. Nico sighed.
"Nothing, Thanatos." Nico said, trying his best to put on a straight face.
"Really?" Thanatos asked, as he walked toward Nico and grabbed Nico's jaw roughly to examine to bite marks Jason left there and along his neck wand jawline. Unfortunately, his pale skin wasn't helping. "Because your skin begs to differ."
"Yeah," Percy said, his sea-green eyes boring into Jason's blue ones. "Do tell us what happened, Nico."
"Nico." Thanatos said firmly. "Tell. Me. What. Happened!"
Nico flinched slightly and then both Jason and Nico gulped at the same time. Nico's head was swimming with answers, ideas even, but he knew his brother would find out some way or another. In all honesty, Nico didn't want to see Jason get hurt – even if he did try to get him to be his, he didn't want to see Jason beaten to pulp. Whether, it was going to be Thanatos or Percy doing the beating, Nico didn't know. All in all, Nico was afraid of what might happen to Jason if either Percy or Thanatos found out what he actually did, Nico didn't even realize he'd been standing there, in silence staring off into space, wrapped in his thoughts, until Thanatos snapped his fingers in front of his little brother's face with a feral growl. Nico blinked, momentarily confused.
"Jason and I …" Nico said timidly.
"Yes, yes. Get to the point." Thanatos grumbled.
Nico looked at Jason's expression before saying what shocked the daylights out of everyone in the room – except for Nico, of course.
"We broke up." Nico mumbled. Then he ran across the hallways, up the stairs and into is bedroom, where his bed was waiting for him.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nico locked himself in his bedroom all day, keeping even Thanatos out. Sure Nico lied to save Jason, but he didn't need to feel good about. Nico had cried his heart out, not for himself but for what he did to Piper. He didn't feel like he could face the girl or anyone else for that matter – and school was only on Monday! Nico didn't feel like he could face any of Percy and his friends. At all. The brown-eyed boy just wanted to be alone forever and ever. However, a knock at the door stopped him from wallowing in self-pity.
"Nico?" Someone called. It didn't sound like Thanatos or Percy. It was a feminine voice, so Nico assumed it was Bianca. Both his mom and Bianca were out shopping the entire day, so they must have gotten back.
"Who is it?" Nico mumbled.
"It's me, Bianca. Please open up." His sister asked. Nico sighed exasperatedly. He hopped off the bed and went to open the door. As soon as he opened it, Bianca flung the door open and barged in. To Nico's surprise, Thanatos also entered the room and closed the door behind him. Nico huffed in protest and decided to go and lay down on his bed.
"Nico." Bianca said calmly. "What happened earlier?"
Nico sighed. "I told Thanatos already. I broke up with Jason."
"But Thanatos tells me that this … Jason was already dating someone else – Piper, or someone." Bianca retorted. Nico nodded. "What the fuck, Nico?! How could you? I thought you were better than this!"
Nico flinched as Bianca yelled. Thanatos stood off to one side, staying out of the girl's way while she threw her tantrum. She went on and on about how she expected Nico to be better than this and how he needed to learn that he couldn't toy with people. Nico didn't really have the energy to deal with her, so he just sat and listen to his sister ramble and yell on and on.
"Well?" Bianca demanded after about what seemed an hour, or so, of stamping her feet and waving her hands in the air and throwing her voice all over the place like she were standing at the edge of the Victoria waterfall or something.
"Well what?" Nico asked, clearly lost in his thoughts.
"When are you going to tell Piper?" Bianca asked.
"Oh." Nico said, standing up and rubbing his arm. "I … I don't think I can do that to –"
Nico didn't get to finish.
Bianca stormed her way over to Nico, a feral growl escaping from her lips, and slapped her little brother square in the face and Nico fell onto his bed with his hand to his face. Immediately Thanatos stepped in and grabbed Bianca's hands.
"What the hell, B?!" Thanatos demanded. Bianca gasped, the hand that she slapped Nico with trembling with shock. Nico sniffled as he held his face where he got slapped.
"I … I – oh Nico, I'm so sorry!" Bianca exclaimed as she went to go check on him. The brown-eyed boy smacked her hands away.
"Don't touch me!" Nico growled. A cold smile crept across his lips. "And I'm not the bad guy here. Jason wanted a kiss, I agreed and it escalated so much so, that he wanted sex. Naturally, I disagreed."
"What?" Bianca gasped.
"The fucking hell, Nico?!" Thanatos yelled, yanking Nico by his wrist so the brown-eyed boy looked up at him. Nico snatched his hands from Thanatos' grasp and glared at his siblings hatefully.
"Yeah, well I should have agreed. Maybe I would have lived up to your accusations, Bianca dear." Nico spat distastefully. Bianca looked at Nico with absolute shock. Thanatos was trying hard to contain his anger and also trying hard to comfort Nico and tell his little brother to calm down.
"Nico," Thanatos said calmly.
"What?"
"I am sorry about what B said and if I did anything to anger you, I'm sorry." Thanatos said, as he hang his head in shame. Nico just stared at his older brother, looking at his demeanor. Nico really loved his siblings, but he didn't expect them to think so lowly of him.
"No." Nico said. "I – I shouldn't have reacted the way I did and I shouldn't have given Jason what he wanted and –"
Nico was immediately crushed in Thanatos and Bianca's embrace. The force of Thanatos and Bianca running to hug him knocked all three of them over onto Nico's bed. Bianca cried as she mumbled: "Oh, I'm so sorry, Nico. I'm so, so sorry!" and Thanatos held onto his little brother for dear life. Nico chuckled lightly.
"Oh, I just love it when we kiss and make up," Nico mumbled into Bianca's hair. It seemed to smell like she used a pomegranate-scented shampoo. Thanatos chuckled and Bianca let out a laugh.
"Oh, Nico, I will always love you." Bianca said as she placed a loving kiss on Nico's forehead. Nico smiled up at his sister and Thanatos leaned down and did the same. They all sat up Nico drew them into a group hug.
"I really love you guys even though we fight like crazy." Nico mumbled.
"And we love you too, Neeks!" Bianca and Thanatos sang.
Nico chuckled. "Okay, so can we please get of the littler guy? He doesn't wanna die."
Thanatos and Bianca busted out laughing and released the brown-eyed boy from the hug. Nico sighed in content as he rested his head on his brother's shoulder – receiving one of those smiles that girls faint over – and held Bianca's hand. The three di Angelo siblings sat there in comfortable silence for the rest of the evening – until dinner of course.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
"So, we ended up arguing and then finally we kissed and made up. That's actually why we weren't around for the major part of the evening. We were in my room, just talking when necessary." Nico said, as he beamed at his parents and the Jacksons.
Dinner started around twenty minutes ago and they were all laughing as Nico told them the story. Well, all except Percy, that is. If anything, he looked infuriated and Nico had no idea why. Well, he was just too emotionally and mentally worn out to actually care about other people anyway. All he did care about at that specific moment was food. The food was simply divine. And Nico was loving every second of explaining their little falling out earlier Nico was glad they made up and that Jason wasn't around. Well, Nico really couldn't face anyone of Percy's friend – especially Piper for that matter. He was scared but he didn't care. He was tired of Jason's demands and he was happy that he let his siblings know – well, only his siblings and Percy, of course. He would just have to tell his parents about his being gay some other time. They all enjoyed dinner in comfortable silence from there, and Nico was grateful he told someone about his situation.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sometimes, Nico really hated his alarm clock. It began buzzing and then started chiming. Nico finally slammed his hand down on it and got up off of his bed to get ready for school. Nico grabbed a pair of black jeans and a black tee from his closet and set it out on his bed. He went back into his closet, grabbed his boxer-briefs, towel and made his way into the shower.
He turned on the water and began lathering his body with soap, cleaning up every part of his body. He really didn't like agreeing to that 'day out' with Jason. They went swimming and then they ended up kissing in his car – again. Nico really needed to end whatever it was that was going on between them. He – as he said countless times before – didn't want to hurt Piper. He hated hurting the people that were close to him. It sucked in his opinion, really. Piper was such a nice and loving person. He could just see the devastation on her face once she finds out about her boyfriend and his antics with the di Angelo she liked most – next to Thanatos, that is.
Nico sighed as the water ran down his back and he rolled his shoulder blades.
"I really need to sort my life out," he mumbled.
A couple of minutes later, Nico was done and shut the water off. He got out of the shower stall and wrapped a towel around his waist. He pondered more on his day with Jason.
They had went swimming in Jason's family mansion – where Jason could probably molest him. Nah, probably just a stupid thought, really. His mom and dad – Jason's parents – had gone out for the day and Thalia joined them. Jason picked Nico up around eleven a.m. and they drove to their private mansion. Jason smirked at him as Nico stared at the mansion.
Firstly, the property was surrounded by fairly high walls so that you couldn't really see the mansion. There was a large black gate with spiked tips and a golden lightning bolt in the center. Jason fumbled with his remote control and they drove along the gravel path. The path started from the gate – obviously – and continued until it circled a rather large fountain of a fairly large bronze eagle, sprouting water from its opened beak. Its wings were extended as if it were still flying. The rest of the fountain was a seemingly large bowl constructed from white stone that contained the water the eagle sprouted from its beak. The lawn was rather beautiful; rolling flatland of pure green grass surrounded by weeping willows and old oak trees, providing shade.
The mansion, however, was the most impressive. It was constructed of white stone and marble floors, so it looked like an ancient Greek temple – like the pillars that held up the triangular piece of stone; it even looked like a temple in honor of the gods. Jason parked his car in front of the fountain and shut it off. Today, Nico wore a pair black of skinny jeans and a gray tee. However, he did bring a pair of swimming trunks and another tee for swimming. He got out, grabbing his backpack and waited for Jason.
Nico had to give it to the blond, he looked really amazing. Not that Nico was interested, but Jason was rather hot with his muscular arms and chest. His regal facial features, close-cropped short blond hair and his beautiful blue eyes only added to his um … hotness. Okay, okay! Nico liked Jason too. And his kisses were nothing short of the best. Why did Nico sound like a whore? He groaned out aloud catching Jason's attention.
"You okay?" the blond asked, resting a strong hand on the brown-eyed boy's shoulder.
"Yeah. Just … your um, mansion is rather large." Nico lied. Jason chuckled.
"Yeah, but you get used to it." the blond mumbled. "Come on, let's go see about some swimming."
They walked up to a large set of golden double-doors. Jason dug around his pockets until he found his keys. He unlocked the door and motioned for Nico to enter.
When Nico walked in, his breath was taken away as fast as a lightning flash. It was simply beautiful. Two sets of stairs led up to the same balcony and each staircase was flanked by two vases. The ceiling rose very high and a large golden-laid chandelier hung from the center of it. Behind the staircases, a set of oak double-doors stood open, revealing an elegant dining room and behind the elegant furniture, a fireplace stood vacant. Jason chuckled at Nico's expression as he guided the shorter boy up the staircase on the right. They walked up while Jason checked some of his mail on his smartphone.
When they reached the top, Jason led Nico to a room that was rather large. It was decorated with one simple color – azure, like Jason's eyes. There was a large bed in the corner of the room. A vacant fireplace jutted out around the center of the room, and in another corner was a desk complete with a computer and a printer and also a rather comfortable-looking rotatable chair. It was Jason's room.
"So," Jason said, shuffling about. "Would you like something to drink, eat?"
"No, I'm good." Nico answered, looking at the terrace of Jason's bedroom, which was guarded by two glass doors. Nico immediately went to open them and was immediately greeted by a cool breeze and Jason's backyard. It was very large, with a miniature garden and a very large and deep pool. Nico sighed, thinking about his home back in Beverly Hills.
"So, how about some swimming?" came Jason's voice from behind him. Nico turned to meet him and nearly choked. Jason was shirtless, and he was gorgeous. He was really muscular, a set of abs and a slight 'V' formed around his waist and disappeared beneath the material of his swimming trunks. In other words, he was freaking hot. He had on a pair of blue swimming trunks and his legs were also rather muscular. Nico stuttered a bit, feeling his cheeks burn.
"Um … sure. Could you show me somewhere I could change into more comfortable clothing?" Nico asked.
"What's wrong with changing in front of me?" Jason asked as walked toward Nico, closing the space between them so quickly that they could feel each other's breath. Nico felt his cheeks burn hotter.
"I … I prefer privacy." Nico stated nonchalantly as he squirmed from Jason's grasp – well, not before the blond stole a kiss. Nico huffed as he walked into Jason's room, grabbed his backpack and headed to Jason's bathroom.
"Hurry up, Neeks!" Jason called after the raven-haired boy. Nico huffed as he slammed the door shut. He removed his jeans and tee and slipped on both his trunks and other tee. When he got out of the bathroom, he set his clothes on Jason's bed and went to join the blond on the terrace.
"You're still shirtless." Nico commented. Jason smirked.
"Well, I don't see you showing any disdain toward that." The blond retorted. Nico rolled his eyes.
"I really don't know why I agreed to this. After yesterday … things shouldn't have went as far as they did, Jason." Nico said quietly. Jason seemed stunned a bit. Then, he was anguished.
"Nico, why don't you just admit that you're into me?" the blond demanded, while he ducked his head to look at Nico. "Please, I need –"
"Don't say that, Jason." Nico said quietly. "I just … I don't wanna hurt Piper. It's unfair to her."
Jason smiled, a pained smile. "You're too kind and considerate for your own good, Neeks." The blond said as he brushed some hair away from Nico's face. Then he looked away from Nico and ahead, over the walls that hid the mansion.
"Oh, I try." Nico said, as he nudged the taller male. Jason looked at him, finally. His eyes a bit red. Nico's eyes grew wide.
"Jason, are you crying?" Nico asked, shocked. Jason nodded as a tiny tear rolled down the blond's cheek. Nico really felt bad, he really did. Instantly, he reached out and brushed the blond's tear away. Jason smiled, the scar above his lip now resembling a crescent. Nico was feeling really bad for the Jason now. So, he did the only logical thing he could. He pulled the older boy into a warm, tight hug. Jason buried his nose in Nico's hair, taking in his scent. Nico was only tall enough to reach just under Jason's chin and Nico sighed inwardly as he began to release Jason from the hug.
"No." Jason whined. Nico chuckled.
"Don't you want to go swimming?" Nico asked, as he began slipping away from Jason and skipping out of the room. Jason laughed as he ran after Nico. The raven-haired boy broke into a jog as he bounded down the stairs and ran out of the mansion, onto the gravel driveway. Nico ran to the backyard, Jason hot on his heels. Eventually, he reached the pool and came to a stop, doubling over and gasping for breath. And the next thing Nico knew, he was thrown onto Jason's shoulder as the blond jumped straight into the pool, despite Nico screaming in protest.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Nico sat at the edge of the pool, his feet dangling in the water, a towel draped over his shoulder, his hair dripping wet as he watched Jason swim around, a smug smile on his face as Nico glared at him. The thing about water is, well, Nico hated being taken by surprise and then thrown in a pool – even if there was actually someone there to help. Jason blew Nico a kiss and the raven-haired boy scoffed and looked away, a slight blush gracing his cheeks.
While Nico wasn't looking, Jason disappeared under the water and reappeared between Nico's legs after a couple of seconds. It took all of Nico's willpower not to yelp and scramble away as Jason rested his wet, strong and … divine elbows on his legs. Nico bit down his lip lightly.
"So," Jason said, running a hand through his wet hair, "Are you enjoying today?"
Nico rolled his eyes. "I guess so, Jason. Why did I even agree to come today – even after the mayhem you caused yesterday?"
Jason moistened his lips. "Because you can't resist a hot blond such as myself." Nico rolled his eyes and smacked Jason upside the head.
"Ow!" the blond complained, rubbing the spot Nico smacked him, a slight frown marring his features. Nico chuckled slightly. Then his phone went off, and Nico reached over a couple of inches where his phone sat on a dry hand towel. Nico clicked accept and brought the phone to his ear.
"Hello?" Nico said, fully aware of Jason getting out of the water and sitting down behind Nico, drawing the raven-haired boy to sit in between his legs. Nico shot the blond a look that said seriously? But Jason shrugged and set his chin on Nico's head.
"Hi, Nico." Came a familiar voice.
"Oh, hi Percy!" Nico greeted. "What's up?"
"I was wondering where you were. I would like to spend some time with you if you don't mind." Percy said.
Nico sighed. "I would love to, but I'm kind of busy right now. How about later today?"
"Sure! Can't wait." And Percy hung up. Nico could practically feel the smirk on Jason's face.
"I knew you couldn't resist spending some time with me." Jason said. Nico rolled his eyes.
"I just wanted some time away from everyone in the penthouse." Nico said, his gaze falling to the water.
"Oh, before I forget, I'm having a friend over. I hope you don't mind." Jason said.
Nico snorted. "Jason, this is your house and I'm your guest – not your boyfriend – or anything. I'm in no position to actually say no." Jason chuckled lightly.
"Yeah, she'll be here in an hour or so. I need to take a shower." the blond said.
"Oh, could I take one as well?" Nico asked.
"Only if it's with me." Jason said playfully. Nico shot the blond an irritated look. "Okay, okay! You can use one of the guestroom showers."
Nico got up and walked away from a chuckling blond. He pulled the towel off of his shoulders and draped it over his arm, his smartphone in hand. He walked along the grovel path and entered the house. Nico made his way up the stairs to Jason's room to grab his backpack and clothes. Then, instead of waiting for the blond to show up and direct him to a guestroom, he wandered off in search of one. Nico walked down the hallway and found that there were multiple doors on either side of the hallway.
Nico opened a door at random and was instantly greeted by room that was decorated in a black and blue, with posters of rock bands and horror films. Must be Thalia's room, Nico thought. He closed the door and walked a little more until he found a room with no specific theme and dubbed it as a guestroom. The brown-eyed boy laid down his clothes on the bed, grabbed his towel from his bag and went into the shower. Luckily, Nico carried his own shower gel and other toiletries. After a good thirty-minute shower, Nico was in Jason's room, relaxing on the blond's bed while Jason slipped a purple shirt over his head.
"My friend said she'll be here shortly." Jason said, taking a seat next to Nico. They sat in comfortable silence for a while, until he doorbell rang – since when was there a doorbell? – and Jason got up to get the door. Nico joined him and together they walked to the set of double-doors.
When Jason opened the door, a very beautiful – familiar – girl stood there. Her hair was braided into a plat and fell behind her shoulders. Her skin was perfectly tanned and she had dark-brown eyes that had a cold malice to them. She was rather graceful and her posture was rather stiff – as if she were royalty. She had an impressive physique and she was dressed a tight black jumpsuit, her sleeves were rolled up and she wore a pair of black suede boots. The jumpsuit was buttoned down slightly to reveal a bit of cleavage. She was a head taller than Nico – just like she always was.
"Hi Reyna. This is –" Jason began to say but stopped when Reyna rushed forward and crushed poor Nico in a bear hug.
"Hi … Reyna …" Nico wheezed out. "Can't … breathe."
"Oh, Nico! It's been ages! I only recently found out that you're attending our school." Reyna said, finally releasing Nico from her grasp. Nico was a little flustered, but he looked up at Nico with the biggest smile that his facial muscles hurt a bit.
"Yeah! I haven't seen you since our family was on vacation on Circe's Island Hotel!" Nico said happily.
"Hold up," Jason said, making a time-out sign with his hands. "You tow know each other? How?"
"Well, I met Nico when my family was on vacation on Circe's Island Hotel. We weren't really friendly to each other, but when we were alone one night because our parents went to meetings for their respective businesses, we exchanged stories, chatted about our lives and pretty much became great friends." Reyna explained.
"Yeah," Nico piped in. "We had a great time after that. And we swore to keep in contact with each other. It seemed to have slipped my mind that she moved from San Francisco to New York."
"Oh." Jason said. "Well … that's nice."
"Yes," Reyna said as she looped her arm through Nico's.
"You two … didn't date or anything, did you?" Jason asked timidly. Nico busted out laughing and Reyna cracked a smile.
"No, Jason. We're just really close." Nico said happily.
"Like you are with Thanatos?" Jason asked.
"Yeah. Something like that." Nico answered.
"Your older brother, Thanatos?" Reyna asked. Nico nodded enthusiastically.
"My family is here – at the Jacksons' Hotel." Nico said.
"Oh, that's great, Nico. Speaking of parents … did you, um, come out to them?" Reyna said cautiously. Nico suddenly found that his sneakers were very appealing.
"No, Reyna. I don't think it's the right time – with us being separated and stuff." Nico said silently. Reyna nodded in understanding.
"So, Jason. What will we be doing today?" Reyna asked.
"Well, Nico and I were swimming for a bit. I guess we could go … hmm … I don't know what we should do, really." Jason said.
"How about we go get some food or something?" Reyna suggested.
"Yeah, I guess that will do." Nico said.
"Great," Jason said. "Let me go get my car keys."
Jason bounded up the stairs as Nico leaned his head on Reyna's arm and they silently walked out of the mansion and onto the grovel driveway just behind the fountain. It was early in the afternoon – and a warm one too. Nico just relaxed against Reyna as they journeyed to Jason's Ferrari and next to his car was a gleaming silver Porsche. Probably Reyna's, Nico thought.
"So, how have you really been?" Reyna asked Nico as they leaned against the hood of Reyna's car.
"Um … I guess I've been okay. I still miss Beverly Hills, but, New York's been great so far." Nico said.
Reyna studied Nico for a while. "And what's been going on with you and Jason?"
Nico cursed under his breath silently. "Nothing." He said finally.
Reyna raised an eyebrow. "The way that blond oaf looks at you … it's as if you two are in a relationship."
Nico's cheeks flushed slightly. He looked away from Reyna, suddenly finding the fountain very interesting. Nico thought for a while, before he spoke again. Reyna knew him almost as well as Thanatos, Luke and Bianca. Lying to her would be like lying to some pair of highly-trained dogs who could sniff out lies. Nico considered this idea, slightly amused.
"We're not. Things between him and me are just complicated. Especially with Percy thrown in the mix." Nico said. "It's just that, I kinda like Percy; not Jason. Maybe if he was single, but Jason has a girlfriend and I really don't want to hurt Piper."
Reyna was silent for a while. "You're very honest, Nico. I know that you don't want to hurt Piper, so just ask Jason to stop. Trust me, if you do, he will. Just, consider remaining friends with him. He gets really … heartbroken."
Nico chuckled. "Yeah, maybe. Where is the blond devil, anyway? I'm hungry." Just as Nico finished his sentence, the blond came bounding out from the mansion, his wallet and car keys in hand. They piled into Jason's car and Reyna rode shotgun. Nico sighed as he stared out of the window, a grin creeping onto his face as soon as they stopped outside McDonald's.
However, Nico was jolted out of his thoughts of food and McDonald's when his phone went off. Nico looked at his phone. He had gotten a text from Percy.
'I'm at the car. We need to leave for school.' Percy apparently said. Nico rolled his eyes as he grabbed his stuff and bounded through the hallways, down the stairs and into the elevator, already thinking about what he and Percy had done yesterday.
Author's Note: Hey, again, guys! So, I hope you really enjoyed this chapter. Oh, and I hope that those who celebrate Thanksgiving had an awesome day and ate lots of food! Anyway, I hope you finally found out about the actual love triangle and there is going to be way more drama ensuing. Just have a lot of tissues prepared – Kleenex is preferred. I hope you liked Reyna's introduction. Anyway, I have to go now. See you next update! Leaves lots of lovely reviews!