Day 17: Wednesday

"Mmh, Nico…"

Nico smirked in his sleep, turning around to meet the source of heat just entering his bed.

Arms wrapped around him and he sighed contently, snuggling closer.

"You really like this, don't you?", the voice asked him.

Nico nodded against his chest.

The person chuckled.

Nico moved his head up and pushed his lips onto his.

He felt hands on his face, holding him there as he kissed him gently.

Nico sighed into the kiss happily.

This felt so good.

Should he be worried?

He was pretty much kissing a mysterious stranger.

It could be anybody.

But it just felt too good to stop.

"I love you, Nico.", the voice breathed as they parted.

"Hmm.", Nico hummed, snuggling against the person again.

Warm hands stroke over his back slowly, soothingly.

The person placed a kiss on his head.

"Sleep well, my angel."

.

"Can you love a person if you don't even know who it is?", Nico asked as he sat cross-legged on the bed, the card in his hand and wistful eyes on the small gift on the bedside table.

Jason looked around surprised.

He was the first one over today, even though it was already 8am.

But that didn't bother Nico, since he hadn't woken up till Jason had knocked on the door.

"What do you mean?"

He sat down beside him, gazing at him with that caring expression.

Nico could always talk to Jason the best.

At least it felt like that to him.

"Well, it's like…I know this admirer is supposed to be one of you guys, but I just…it feels like it's a completely different person altogether."

Jason chuckled, looking down for a moment.

"Sometimes, people are different when they are with the one they love than how they are around other people, Nico. Just look at Clarisse. Would you have ever thought it possible she could be kind to somebody? But if you watch her with Chris, it seems like she's a completely different person. That's simply what love does to people."

Nico looked down at the card in his hands, still turned over with the blank side up.

He hadn't read it yet, too lost in thoughts.

"Don't worry, Nico. Your admirer knows he can't expect you to love him blindly. All he wants is for you to give him a chance."

"I'd already do that if he had just walked up to me and asked, to be honest.", Nico sulked, falling back onto the mattress.

Jason hesitated for a moment.

"Maybe…but that person has loved you for quite a while already, Nico. He wants you to know he really is serious about you. I know this must be extremely difficult for you to handle, but I'm certain it's as difficult for your admirer. Just think about it: He told you he's one of your close friends, knowing you'll have to think of all three of us as potentials."

Nico snorted. "I try NOT to think of any of you as 'potentials'. That's exactly what I'm trying to avoid."

Jason chuckled. "I admire your determination, Nico. Still, what I mean is that he's running a big risk right there and I'm certain he knows it."

"Risk? What risk?"

He looked around at Jason confused.

Jason's gaze was inscrutable. "That you fall in love with somebody else."

Nico let that hang in the air, his gaze still on Jason, yet far away.

He thought of everything that had happened so far.

He thought of his three friends and how he thought of them.

He thought of how he had already kissed two of them.

He thought of how he kept catching himself at wondering who it could be.

Then he shook his head, a pained smile dancing on his lips.

"That's stupid."

"Not really, unless you're saying you love all three of us."

Nico blushed and looked away.

"W-What the hell?!", he exclaimed, holding up the note and not meeting Jason's gaze.

He started reading to have an excuse not to talk to Jason for a bit.

[Dear Nico,

I swear it's getting harder by the day to tear myself away from you.

I love you so much.

I want to kiss you, to touch you, to hold you and never let go.

I want to take you out on dates, sit at the Camp Fire together holding hands, walk around Camp just talking to you, being with you.

I want to watch films with you on my lap, snuggle up with you in bed when you get cold.

I want to do so many things.

I need you.

Hope you like today's gift.

Have a nice 17th day of December.

8 days left.

I love you,

You secret Admirer

P.s.: Do you enjoy being cruel to me? Don't make me want you so much every morning. You are such a tease!

P.P.s.: You're allowed to make me want you every morning if you accept my confession on the 25th. I'll comply only too willingly in all aspects ;) Oh my gods, I'm such a creep.]

Nico's face flushed.

"Seriously...", he muttered, incredulously, but a smile tugged at his lips.

Jason shifted besides him. "Nico?"

For a moment, Nico had completely forgotten about him.

He cleared his throat and held out the note to Jason, though he did it reluctantly, holding on to the creamy white paper a tiny fraction of a second longer than necessary.

Jason chuckled and turned to read it.

Nico was glad Jason wasn't asking him about what he had said.

Loving all three of them.

In a way, he did have feelings for all three of them.

There was Percy, who was his first love and who he simply couldn't tear himself away from.

There was Will, who was like the sunshine to his darkness, quirky and challenging around others, yet caring and gentle when they were alone.

And then there was Jason, his best friend, the person he could talk about everything with, the person that could make him the most comfortable and happy in that unique way of his.

All three of them were amazing in their very own ways.

But, if he had the choice, who would he really want the admirer to be?

If he just once pushed the facts away and just pictured those three guys liking him.

Which one of them would he want his admirer to be?

His stomach twisted.

His heartbeat quickened.

But right then Jason's chuckle tore him out of his thoughts.

"Well, it certainly does make him sound like a creep. But somehow, I get the impression you like it."

Nico blushed. "W-What makes you say that?"

Jason shrugged. "Don't know. Maybe you simply love that there's actually somebody telling you they want you like that."

Damn it.

Jason had pretty much nailed it.

Nico pressed his lips together and looked away, still red in the face.

"Well...I do suppose it's...nice..."

Jason chuckled. "Gods, Nico, you don't have to be embarrassed about that."

Nico fidgeted with his hands. "It's just...I never had anybody liking me that way before...and it just...it feels..."

He couldn't find the words.

Jason smiled at him reassuringly, putting his hand on his shoulder.

"It's ok, Neeks. You don't have to justify yourself. I think anybody would love to be loved like that. There's nothing wrong with that."

Nico looked at him uncertainly for a moment, then sighed, taking the small gift off the bedside table.

It didn't really have any weight to it, nor was it shaped in a particular way that could indicate anything specific.

Then again, Nico had never been able to guess any of the admirer's gifts (other than the candy, of course).

"What if he's doing all of this and we date and then he realizes I'm not as great as he thinks...?", he asked, more to himself than Jason.

Jason stiffened for a moment. "You should really get some more self-confidence, Nico. Your admirer knows you. If anything, he'll be the happiest person in the world."

"But I know myself too, Jason. What if he simply...what if I disappoint him?"

Jason looked him straight in the eye, quiet for a moment.

"Then he's an idiot and doesn't deserve you.", he then said, patting Nico's head.

"Jason! I was serious!", Nico wailed and pushed his hand away, but Jason only chuckled.

"So was I, Neeks."

Nico made a face.

Ha-ha.

He heard noises outside his cabin and looked around.

That sounded a lot like his other two dorks.

A smile tugged at his lips but he pushed it down, jumping off the bed to let them in hurriedly.

Jason chuckled.

Nico looked around to see him watching him with a fond expression on his face.

What? He wasn't doing anything. He was just letting them in.

Nico opened the door just as Percy wanted to knock.

"Morning.", he greeted them and they ginned at him.

"Morning, Neeks.", both said enthusiastically, making Nico raise an eyebrow as he closed the door behind them.

Then he noticed he was still holding the gift of the day.

Will and Percy automatically rushed towards Nico's bed where Jason was still sitting, nodding at them in greeting.

"So, let's see what your admirer wrote today.", Will said and picked up the card off the bedside table.

Nico made a face.

He did not like it when they took the note without asking him first.

Of course they were allowed to see it and they needn't really ASK, but just taking it seemed almost wrong.

This was something private after all.

Percy caught his gaze, chuckling. "Whoa, Will, watch your manners. You can't just take love letters without asking the receiver first."

"Oops, sorry, Neeks, I didn't mean to. My curiosity got the better of me there."

Nico waved it off. "It's ok. As long as you don't open my gifts."

"What would happen if I did?", Will asked curiously, looking around at the small package in Nico's hands.

"Then I'll have to stab you and send you to the Fields of Punishment for eternal torture."

Will looked around at him stunned.

Jason chuckled. "You don't want to mess with Nico's gifts.", he muttered, winking at Nico.

"Nope, most definitely not.", Percy agreed, trying to suppress his laughter.

Will pushed out his bottom lip.

But then he laughed as well, returning his attention to the note.

Percy looked over Will's shoulder to read it as well.

Nico smiled at them and focused on the small package, opening it carefully.

"'I'll comply only too willingly in all aspects'? Am I misunderstanding this or is this guy unmistakably thinking about more than just 'snuggling up with you in bed'? What the hell are you two doing in the mornings, Neeks? He keeps saying you make him all hot and wanting.", Will asked, frowning at him.

Nico blushed. "I...we...I wouldn't know. Nothing, really."

Will raised an eyebrow, unbelieving.

Nico watched as Percy took the note from Will, reading the last part of it and chuckled, smirking at Nico and wriggling his eyebrows.

That idiot.

"Guys, leave him alone. His sex life is of no concern to you.", Jason said warningly.

Nico was about to thank him when he realized what he had just said.

He scowled, his blush darkening.

Damn it.

"I'm not...we're...uh...", he stammered, searching for the right way to explain the doings between his admirer and him.

He looked down to the items in his hand.

"Erm...want to go to McDonalds today?", he asked, making all three guys look up at him, frowning.

He smirked and held up his coupons.

Percy came hurrying over in an instant, checking them out, closely followed by Will and Jason.

Nico found himself watching their faces intently for some reason.

He wondered vaguely if his admirer ever gave himself away.

It had only just occurred to him that if it really was one of those three, it had to be one of those three.

Of course, that sounded obvious, but what he meant to say: One of these three was acting oblivious to everything.

Which meant that one of these three was practically lying to him and making a show of not knowing.

Nico swore to himself he'd whack whoever it was across the head at least once for this mess.

The thought pleased him inwardly.

"Well, that settles it then! We're going skating and then when we're all out-powered we can go eat out.", Percy suggested.

"Not skating again! If we have to go outside, can't we just go build snowmen or something?", Jason complained.

"We could also play Truth or Dare again and make Nico all flustered and stuff."

"No.", they all instantly replied.

"Aw, man.", Will sulked and Nico rolled his eyes.

He was about to say something, when he realized something.

"Oh my gods!", he yelped, slapping himself against the forehead.

All three looked around.

"What's wrong?", Jason asked, worried.

"I didn't call Reyna yesterday!"

He had completely forgotten.

Of course, he had thought of her and Hazel and he'd thought he'd call them later but for whatever reason he had completely forgotten!

"Well, do it now, then.", Percy suggested, shrugging.

"Percy, it's barely 9:30am."

"So?"

"Plus, you're all here."

Silence.

"Wait, why can't we be here?", asked Will, his pouting face back on.

Then he smirked mischievously. "Got something you don't want us to know about?"

Nico just stared at him.

"Nico, I'm sure she's up already. Just try call her and if she's busy, she'll simply call you back whenever she gets the time.", Jason reassured him quietly.

He bit his lip.

He knew he could always call her.

But he really didn't want to bother her.

He looked at his wrist with the IM-ing device his admirer had gotten him.

He had only tried it once with his friends so far.

A sigh escaped his lips. "Alright, then."

He went over to his bed, gingerly taking the card Percy had dropped off and putting it into the drawer to the rest, which earned him a chuckle from the three but he ignored them, now putting down his coupons.

They held enough value to feed his friends and himself after a very, very tiring day of training or fighting or anything active that turned them into starving animals.

Then he flopped down onto the bed, starting up the little device.

Next moment, all three guys were with him on the bed, watching intently as he started up the rainbow, depositing a drachma into the mist for Iris/Fleecy.

Then he made his call.

For a moment, nothing happened.

Then again, he was trying to get in contact with Romans, and they usually didn't use IM-ing for communication, so he wasn't surprised.

He knew it should connect though, since he had done it a hundred times already in the past.

Suddenly, a picture appeared, so clear it could have been real.

"Nico!", Reyna called, surprised, jumping up from her chair/throne thing.

Nico only hoped he wasn't interrupting anything.

"Good Morning, Reyna.", he greeted politely, unsure whether there was anybody else around on her side, though a broad smile tugged at his lips.

She smiled back.

.

They exchanged some pleasantries, talking about this and that, actually including Nico's friends in the conversation, too, even though she had a kind of bad history with two of them.

Another reason Nico wasn't really sure how to tell her about the whole admirer-thing.

"So, what else is new? We haven't talked in ages.", she said, shaking her head, just smiling at him.

He smiled back, his insides warm and fuzzy but in a family-type of way.

"Well, actually, there's this one thing I have to talk to you about...", Nico started, though he stopped again, looking around at his friends.

Maybe he should do this when he was alone?

They looked at him expectantly.

He rolled his eyes.

Well, apparently not.

"Yes? Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing like that...it's just...erm..." Oh great. Now he couldn't think of the right words.

'Hi Reyna, by the way, I have a secret admirer who writes me love notes every morning and cuddles with me while I'm in some sort of half-sleep. Hope you don't mind. Love ya, bye!'

Uh, no.

"Yes?"

Nico fidgeted.

"There's someone...someone who..."

He looked around at his friends, who all had dumb grins on their faces now.

Really?

"Could you leave me alone with her for a moment, guys?", he asked and their grins got broader as they hopped off the bed.

Will ruffled through his hair as he walked past him.

He half expected them to actually leave his cabin, but instead, they walked over to his bathroom and closed the door.

"Really? You better not make a mess in there!", he called after them, shaking his head, though he was smiling.

Then he turned back to Reyna, who only had her eyebrow raised.

"Is everything ok?", she asked, worry clearly audible in her voice.

He sighed. "I...it's like this..."

And then he told her.

Told her how he had found the letter and how he had then found his earrings (she actually liked them, too, which he took as a good sign).

How he had gotten a gift day after day since the 1st and how he had found out it had to be one of those three dorks in his bathroom.

She listened quietly most of the time, asking a question here and there.

"But are you ok with that? Not knowing who it is?", she asked worriedly when he was done.

"I'll find out, won't I?"

"Hm. I don't like it. If that person truly cares about you, why not come forward and tell you face to face? What makes them think they are worthy of you if they can't even come out to you properly?"

He hesitated for a moment.

"He's doing that to prove his feelings to me, Reyna. He doesn't mean it bad or the like. In the beginning, he was scared I'd refuse him. By now I think he got the hint that I won't..."

There was silence for a moment.

"Well, I will definitely have a talk with your friends about this when they come here."

He had half expected it anyways, so he just nodded and smiled at her.

"Thanks for telling me, Nico. I know that must have been quite a bit of stuff weighing on you, especially since all your friends are in this together."

He chuckled. "Yeah, I actually feel a bit better now, as well. Thanks for listening."

"No problem. So then, how about you show me those amazing gifts you told me about."

He laughed and started showing her the scarf, the blanket, the laptop, the camera.

Everything.

Except the candy, because he had already eaten all of that.

She looked at each intently through the mist, looking satisfied.

Which he took as a good sign.

"I just want you to be happy, Nico. You deserve it."

He sighed happily at her understanding.

Even though he didn't really agree with her about the 'deserving' part.

"Thanks, Reyna. I really...I'm glad we could talk about this."

She beamed at him. "I'll always be there for you, Nico. Never forget that and never doubt it."

He heard laughter coming from the bathroom and a small clicking sound as if somebody turned the light on and off.

Reyna seemed to hear it too. "What are they doing?"

"I have no idea...", he muttered and got up, momentarily confused as to why she was moving with him until he understood it was because of the IM-device on his wrist.

The connection really was great, even Reyna had been impressed.

He walked over to the bathroom, opening the unlocked door.

Jason was at the light switch, switching it on and off every few seconds, while Percy and Will (who had wet hair for some reason?) hopped around, striking different poses whenever the light turned on.

Reyna and Nico stared.

"So one of them is supposed to be your secret admirer...?", she asked, raising an eyebrow and gazing at the mess.

The three looked around sheepishly.

"Seems like it.", Nico confirmed.

"Well, to whomever it may concern: If you hurt Nico, I'll END you. Nico, I loved chatting with you. Call me again some time. I really got to go now. Bye.", Reyna said and blew him a kiss before ending the call.

Nico looked around at the others, grinning.

"She's awesome, isn't she?"

.

They went to pick up breakfast, deciding to do a little shopping later because, all of a sudden, all three guys wanted to get Christmas gifts for Reyna, Hazel and Frank.

Nico chuckled to himself, knowing that they just wanted to get into a better light with Reyna.

But it was fine by him, since they'd connect it with McDonalds as well.

And, well, maybe he was still thinking of an emergency gift for Jason in case his baking skills failed him.

"Nico, you don't want to tell us what you got her, do you?", Percy asked, shifting next to him and giving him that pleading look of his again.

Nico pointedly turned his face towards Will to the right of him, but he looked at him with big eyes as well.

"Well, actually, I got her a necklace. I know it's not difficult for her to get gems and whatnot, but she would never get the idea to actually use that power to get herself something pretty.", he said, knowing he was being mean.

"I meant Reyna!", Percy wailed.

Nico smirked sardonically. "Oh, you were? My mistake, then."

Jason chuckled from the front seat, winking at Nico.

He was the only one who didn't ask for ideas.

Nico wondered whether he already had something in mind.

"Well, for Reyna I got a new dagger. She lost her old one some time ago. This one is out of Imperial Gold as well and the hilt got a special engraving to it in the form of a Pegasus.", he told them, wondering faintly whether she'd really like it.

"That's a really nice idea. Sadly, I can't use that. What else does she like?", Will asked and Percy edged closer too, now seriously giving him puppy eyes.

He rolled his eyes.

"You do know you don't have to get her anything in the first place, right? Just give her a Christmas Card or a bracelet, some candy, just something. If you get her something too fancy, she'll believe you're trying to bribe her. And trust me guys, you don't want her to think that."

They sulked.

.

It was actually fun to watch all three of them strolling through the store, searching for something suitable for Hazel, Reyna and Frank without playing around as they'd done last time.

They avoided each other, searching through rows of shelves, constantly trying to sneak peeks at whatever the other one was looking at in case it was a good idea.

Nico could only shake his head and looked around at the Christmas Cards of the 4th store.

There was this one card that had caught his eye, though he still was unsure whether he should really go for it.

It was colorful, yet still really pretty.

And it read 'Merry Christmas, Dad'.

He sighed, staring it to death.

He wasn't even going to see his father this Christmas.

Of course, he could probably get it delivered by Hermes, but what was the point of that?

Jason appeared behind him, a shopping bag in his hand.

He had already found something for Frank and Hazel in the first two stores they'd been in.

"What are you looking at, Neeks?", he asked, scanning the rows of cards.

His gaze stopped at the one Nico had been looking at.

"Oh."

Nico sighed again. "I was just thinking...well..."

Jason smiled. "Nico, if you want to give him a card, then just do it."

"But I'm not even going to see him for Christmas anyways. Plus, he probably wouldn't care either way."

"I think he'd love it."

Nico hesitated.

Then he made a face.

"Fine, I'll get it. But only because I don't want to be the only one who hasn't bought anything."

"Of course."

Nico looked up at him sulkily, but he only grinned.

Those glasses though!

Nico found himself adjusting them again.

Jason chuckled.

"What are you two doing? Oh, you are getting your dad a card? That's so cute.", Percy came over, looking at the card in Nico's hand.

Nico made a face and turned away, marching off to the counter.

It wasn't as if his dad would really care, anyways.

This was just a waste of money and time.

He still bought it.

.

Way too many stores later, they finally had their Christmas gifts together.

For Frank, all three of them had a sweater each, each one of them with some sort of animal-design on it.

Well, he was sure Frank would like them, so it was ok.

Nico already had his Roman Mythomagic Expansion Card Set for him wrapped up and ready to give for months now.

For Hazel, Will had gotten her some really good makeup, Percy a dress that looked like it fit her time and Jason had gotten her something for her hair Nico didn't really understand.

And for Reyna, Will had settled on a purple scarf, Percy got her a bracelet and Jason didn't want to say what he had.

Nico could only shake his head at that, though he inwardly really wondered what Jason had in mind.

The next stop was obviously McDonalds, which was ironically even the same McDonalds he had gone to with Percy on their...day together.

"Gods, it's been ages since I've last been at McDonalds.", Will muttered as he took a bite of his burger.

Jason next to him only chuckled and devoured his fries.

Nico was about to eat one of his fries, but noticed Percy next to him eyeing them wistfully.

Really?

"Percy, why don't you just get fries yourself if you like them so much?", he asked as he held out one of his fries to him.

Percy chuckled and let Nico feed it to him.

"Then I couldn't have you give me some of yours.", was his great excuse.

Nico rolled his eyes and fed him some more, eating his cheeseburger and taking a sip of his coke.

"You're pathetic.", he commented.

Percy laughed. "Nah, I'm simply lovin' it."

Nico rolled his eyes as the other two laughed.

Then he felt a hand on his thigh.

He blinked, looking around at Percy.

But Percy only eyed him with that suggestive gleam in his eyes.

Nico blushed and looked away, though he didn't remove Percy's hand.

He could feel the warmth radiating from the touch, surging through his body.

Oh, please. It was only a simple touch.

How could he be bothered by that so much?

He shifted uneasily, then jumped up.

"I'll be right back.", he announced, walking towards the bathroom.

"I'm coming, too!", Will called, jumping up.

"Me too.", Jason said, leaving Percy to laugh and watch over their food.

Nico rolled his eyes. "Are we seriously going to the toilet in packs like girls?"

"Seems like it.", Will commented, grinning.

Nico could only shake his head.

.

When they got back from the bathroom, Percy started laughing at Nico's bright red face.

"What happened? Did you guys molest him or something?", he asked gleefully as Nico flopped down next to him, stuffing his mouth with fries and looking anywhere but at the three.

Will chuckled while Jason just sighed, though a smile was tugging at his lips.

"Nah, but it was fun, alright. You really missed something.", Will said teasingly, winking at Nico who only pursed his lips, stealing some more fries from Jason to have something to do.

That. Had. Been. Horrible!

They had put him at the urinal between them as if it was the most casual thing in the world and made conversation, when Will had just leaned over like that!

Seriously, he should have gone for one of the bathroom stalls, damn it.

He hated guy's toilets.

Jason had pushed Will away with his luckily free left hand, but by then Will had already managed to make three suggestive remarks.

Blah.

Nico knew he didn't have to be embarrassed about anything.

But still, it was weird.

Percy shifted next to him, looking at him as if he hoped Nico would tell him what had happened.

Oh, hell no.

He pointedly turned his head away.

"Jason, will you at least tell me what happened?", he asked Jason with puppy eyes.

Jason sighed and looked over at Nico.

Nico didn't look at him, hoping he got the hint not to say a thing.

"Hey, Neeks, want the rest of my fries?", he asked instead and pushed his fries over.

Nico took them with a quick not, grateful to have something to do.

Percy sulked and looked at Will, who only winked and grinned wickedly.

"Let's just say...the admirer is going to have quite a handful of work.", he then said and Jason whacked him across the back of the head, though it only made Will laugh.

Nico blushed a dark shade of red and jumped up.

"You...you are...impossible!", he stammered, much to the amusement of Will.

"Eh? I don't get it.", Percy frowned, looking confused.

Will facepalmed.

Jason rolled his eyes bemused.

Nico couldn't suppress a chuckle.

Bless his seaweed brain.

.

Later that evening, back at Camp Half-Blood, they decided to call it a night after hanging out at Nico's cabin again.

Somehow, it had developed to some sort of headquarters.

Therefore that his friends had barely set foot in here before the 1st of December, they were now practically living here.

If he had known that, he'd have invited them over much sooner.

It was fun to hang out with them.

"We should definitely play Truth or Dare again, guys. I have come up with some really good questions for Nico.", Will said as Nico brought them to the door.

"No way.", Nico instantly replied.

"Aw, come on, I want to know more about you."

"Then why don't you just ask away in the first place?", Jason asked, frowning.

"Nah, no fun. Also, he could lie and I can't give him any penalty for it unless we're playing."

Great.

Sometimes Nico wondered whether Will might not be a bit sadistic.

"I'm still against it.", Nico muttered.

"We could play, but make rules not to ask or dare intimate stuff.", Percy suggested, to Nico's surprise.

"You're just saying that because you're still getting hot at the thought of humping Nico."

Nico and Percy blushed, not meeting each other's gaze.

Nico's confused mind unhelpfully noted how Percy wasn't disagreeing or arguing whatsoever.

"You...you are impossible!", Nico called, slamming the door in their faces.

"Good Night, Nico. Sweet dreams!", Will called cheerily.

He made a face and put his head against the door, sighing.

Those guys.

"Nico...", came a voice from behind him.

Oops.

He turned around to look at Jason, who was still there.

"Are you ok?"

"Yeah..."

Jason put his hand on Nico's head, ruffling through his hair.

"Don't let them get to you that much."

"I'm trying."

He smiled.

Nico noticed his glasses were dirty.

He took them off without thinking, cleaning them with his shirt beneath his aviator's jacket.

"Seriously, can you even see with these anymore?", he asked, shaking his head and checking them out.

Jason chuckled.

"You know, I could have done that myself.", he muttered, though Nico could practically feel the smirk on his face.

"Yeah, but you like it."

"I do.", Jason said quietly.

Nico blinked, but shook his head, clearing his thoughts.

He finished cleaning them somewhat, now fairly certain Jason would like his Christmas gift.

He pushed them back onto Jason's nose.

"Better?"

"Much better.", Jason nodded, grinning down at him.

For a moment, Nico looked at that stapler scar on his upper lip.

Then he sighed and looked away.

"Well, good night, then.", he muttered, opening the door for Jason once more.

Jason chuckled.

"Good Night, Nico. See you tomorrow."

"Yeah, see you tomorrow, Neeks. Thanks for slamming the door in my face.", Percy said sulkily, still standing in front of the door.

Nico blinked, surprised.

"What the hell are you still doing here, Percy?"

Jason didn't seem surprised whatsoever.

He just walked past Percy and grinned around at Nico once more.

"Well, actually, I just wanted to wish you a good night.", Percy pouted, making Nico hesitate.

"Oh…Good Night then, Percy."

Percy grinned at him.

"Good night. And Nico, Will is right. You really are a handful of work. In any and every possible way."

"Percy!", Nico yelled, red in the face as Percy laughed and ran for it.

Jason chuckled.

"Not you too, Jason.", Nico growled in warning but Jason only lifted his hands in mock surrender.

Nico rolled his eyes and slammed the door shut.

Seriously, those guys though.