Nico's Eating Habits (Part 2 to Jason's Smile)
Pairing: Jasico
Rating: SFW
Disclaimer: I don't own House of Hades of the Heroes of Olympus series.
Nico gained weight.
Well, regained is the better term for it. Jason decided that the Ghost King did not look like a walking dead person anymore.
Even as they were stranded somewhere on the northern coast of Africa, Jason kept watching out for any changes in Nico's physique to ensure that the younger boy hasn't reverted to his inadequate diet. Jason couldn't be around enough to keep piling food on Nico's plate because of the tasks at hand.
First and foremost, they had to get out of that place. And in order to do that, they had to repair the ship, but the venti have apparently lost interest in helping them. They (well, Jason) had to convince the venti and their king to help them leave. And even if these problems could be dealt with, they still had to find Leo, meet up with Reyna, and proceed to the Doors of Death to save Percy and Annabeth.
Even with all these in mind, the son of Jupiter felt bad that he wasn't around for Nico the past few days. Sure, they were sometimes in the same general area, but they always had something to do. Literally no time could be spent with the other. Jason promised himself that he'd work on building a more solid relationship with him once he's less busy.
But at least it seems that Nico's eating fine without him around. Jason even noticed the son of Hades' muscles getting more defined recently, thanks to the loss of the aviator jacket due to the blistering heat. He figured the guy finally discovered how to summon dead soldiers with Diocletian's sceptre and sparred with them when he wasn't sticking with Hazel to help out with repair duty.
Jason briefly considered talking to Hazel about doing things for Nico to make him feel more welcome and less alienated, but decided that it could wait when they get the Argo II back on track. He continued to wait at the balcony of the South Wind palace.
Nico's mood had started to sour the moment the Argo II got stranded in Africa.
Jason was always away, trying to persuade the lord of the South Wind to help them leave the area, and when he wasn't at the palace, Jason toiled in the sun with the rest of them at the dock, trying to repair the ship. Verbal exchange had been minimal, as it was of utmost importance to get repairs done and everyone has been too busy to even make small talk.
Nico noticed that Jason rarely smiled anymore. Nico briefly considered that he himself wouldn't be smiling either if he had been stranded in the scorching heat for five days and counting, not that Nico did a lot of smiling in the first place.
But the son of Hades had long come to the conclusion that being stuck where they were now was hard on everyone. Their skin had darkened several shades from much sun exposure (though oddly Nico's skin was still so very pale), and their faces were grim as their eyes were dead (not that Nico's face and eyes weren't like that in the first place, either).
Jason's current state was what Nico noticed and observed the most. And Nico cursed himself for watching the Roman whenever he got a chance.
His golden blond hair turned a sickly pale shade. His brilliant blue eyes lost their sparkle. His lips were chapped and always in a thin line on his tired face. There was even a noticeable slump in Jason's shoulders that wasn't there before the disaster with Khione happened.
Nico grimaced and cursed himself even more for paying that much attention to the son of Jupiter. He felt like his mood that day couldn't get any worse, but it did.
Nico could feel Percy nearing the Doors of Death.
Jason didn't like where this conversation with Nico was heading.
It was bad enough that he had to tell Nico that he had no luck so far with trying to convince the South Wind to help.
Jason was unamused when Nico said that he sensed Percy drawing near the Doors of Death, for two important reasons. One, he didn't mention Annabeth, an act whose implications Jason chose not to comment on. And two, Jason was clearly bothered by how Nico could sense the son of Poseidon. He wondered if Nico could sense people based on how important they were to him, and proceeded to wonder if Nico could sense him that way.
Nico was getting antsy and agitated as the conversation progressed, and Jason figured it was because the guy needed to let out his feelings about what happened at Split. He had intended to wait for Nico to breach the subject himself, but now he thinks it would be a good time for him and Nico to finally talk about it.
But that turned out to be a bad idea because Nico proceeded to speak as if no one would accept him, as opposed to how people consider Jason to be some epitome of perfection as a son of Jupiter. The Nico at that moment wasn't making it easy for Jason to try to be on friendly relations with him. Jason thought it was so much easier when it was just about Nico's eating habits.
Jason tried to salvage the situation by telling Nico to take a risk and stop hiding, but all that earned him was an ultimatum from the Ghost King.
"I'm going to honour my promise," Nico said, his voice not louder than a whisper. "I'll take you to Epirus. I'll help you close the Doors of Death. Then that's it. I'm leaving – forever."
He noticed that Nico had said it as if that promise involved only Jason. It wasn't "I'll take you guys to Epirus," or "I'll help you guys close the Doors of Death." His words felt a lot more personal, but cold as ice.
Jason didn't have time to think about how he might have fucked up his chance to actually be friends with Nico, since the wind god was expecting him now. He wished to say goodbye, but Nico had already left him at the balcony.
It was good to have Leo back.
Despite Nico saying he didn't like to be touched, he sincerely welcomed the son of Hephaestus back with a handshake. Leo's return would mean that the ship can be repaired, and the journey to Epirus will end soon.
He stood a little away from the group as they ate and talked, wishing not to be involved. Nico thought it'd just ruin the atmosphere if he did involve himself, especially now that he saw Jason smiling for the first time since Africa.
It bothered him that he still cared about Jason and his annoyingly endearing smile even after that incident at the balcony.
He thought back on that incident, and figured he was making quite a scary face while remembering it because some of the people who passed by and looked at him all backed off and had scared expressions.
In any case, Jason was right when Nico thought about it. It was hard to admit, but all he really did was hide.
He looked back at the table where the others were seated, but when his eyes scanned for Jason, he, instead, saw Hazel gasp and point to the sky.
What Hazel pointed to was an ominous streak of darkness in the distance. The others didn't seem to see it, but she and, surprisingly, Jason could see it like Nico did.
It was a terrible sign.
"That can't be…" Nico muttered. "Greece is still hundreds of miles away," he said as the darkness flashed again.
"You think it's Epirus?" Jason asked.
Nico nodded. "The House of Hades is open for business."
They got to Greece so fast that Nico almost kicked himself for saying that they would never make it in time. Almost.
It was like he and Hazel were hosting a grim little demigod field trip, indicating and describing areas like the Necromanteion, and the river Acheron.
Once they got off the ship, Nico acted like the main tour guide, leading their group where they were supposed to go, and warning them about the possible risks of the perilous journey underground while he and Hazel stated interesting little facts about Pluto-er, Hades, and the traditions that concerned the god of the underworld.
Jason knew that the barley cakes were necessary in order not to die from poison, but seeing Nico hold a cupful of liquid death even after they all ate a barley cake was still a cause for concern.
Jason had to bite his tongue because he didn't trust himself not to make a strangled noise when Nico had drunk from the chalice. The Ghost King then offered it to Jason. "You asked me about trust, and taking a risk? Well, here you go, son of Jupiter. How much do you trust me?"
Jason didn't hesitate. He took the cup and drank from it. He passed it on to the next person, all the while hoping that his display of trust would let Nico trust him too.
"I have the strangest boner right now," mutters a dumbstruck Jason that, after looking in the Ghost King's direction when he heard a laugh, saw Nico smile in the middle of a chaotic mix of undead legionnaires and monsters fighting against each other.
Nico smiling. That was a first for Jason. He could get used to seeing it a lot more often.
Jason did a half-smile and continued to fight, marvelling at the valiant efforts of his friends to stop the onslaught of enemy monsters. He was proudest of Frank, who commanded the dead legionnaires so effortlessly.
After the monsters had been defeated and the dead legionnaires dismissed by Frank, it was back to the most urgent order of business, which was to get to where Leo and Hazel were.
Nico wanted to curse himself for getting exhausted from using Diocletian's sceptre, mostly because he would have collapsed if Jason hadn't been there to catch him, and partly because what Jason did made his heart do a backflip.
But he was still a little too tired to protest, so he let Jason hold him up a little longer.
They had to get to the Doors immediately.
It felt really strange to see Jason give Percy a bear hug. Nico wondered how it would feel to have been on the receiving end of Jason's embrace, and if Jason would welcome him with open arms if Nico had been the one who had just come from Tartarus.
And that's when it hit him. Nico realized he no longer cared for Percy, but truly cared for Jason.
And the son of Hades did not know how to take that in.
He still stood a little away from the group that had been rejoicing in Percy and Annabeth's return. He must have been making a pained face because Hazel clearly looked worried when she turned to Nico.
Nico felt so guilty for making Hazel worry about him, and kissed her forehead. Hazel had been very brave, and he told her that their father would have been very proud. The warmth of her hand cupping his face was very reassuring.
The first time Jason shadow-traveled with Nico from Split to the Argo II, they had held hands. This time was no different, although he hadn't been the one holding Nico's hand. He noticed that it was Percy on Nico's right, and wondered if Nico was feeling okay with that.
They succeeded in shadow-traveling to an area not far from where the ship was supposed to be, and Jason observed how quickly Nico let Percy's hand go. Percy didn't seem bothered by it as he had turned his sea-green eyes to Annabeth.
Story-telling took place as they walked back to the ship. After Jason had relayed the news about Frank becoming praetor, someone had wanted to know how Percy and Annabeth's trip in Tartarus went. Jason saw Percy hold Annabeth's hand while saying it was a story for another time, and glanced at Nico.
Jason saw Nico looking back at him. As soon as Nico saw Jason's eyes meet his, Nico looked away. If Jason wasn't mistaken, the Ghost King sported a hurt expression on his pale face.
He wanted to take Nico somewhere private because he thought Nico needed to talk to someone about Percy, but Jason had to wait until they were all on the Argo II before he could do that.
After lunch, Jason followed Nico to his room. The son of Hades wouldn't look at him directly and wouldn't say a word. He merely let Jason follow him until they were in front of Nico's bedroom door.
Nico went in, and Jason simply stood outside. The younger boy looked back and said, "Well? You coming in or not?"
The son of Jupiter legitimately looked shocked as if going into Nico's room was anything out of the ordinary. He went in and closed the door behind him. Jason's face now proceeded to have a look of concern.
"So I guess you're leaving at sunset, huh." Nico thought Jason looked almost wistful as the son of Jupiter said this.
Nico sat down on his bed and removed his aviator jacket. "Yeah," he replied as he kicked off his shoes.
"Does it really have to be forever?"
Nico only stared at him because he didn't know how to reply to that. Jason kept talking, presumably because he had plenty to get off his chest.
"Nico, you can always come back," he continued. "You can always visit. You have me. And Hazel. And I'm pretty sure the others would be friends with you if you'd let them. I accept you and who you are, Nico. I'll always be around when you need me, or if you need someone to talk to," Jason stammered.
"And if you do leave… just… eat well…" Jason looked down at the floor.
Nico started laughing.
"Eat well? Grace, you've got to be kidding me. I'm going on a life-threatening mission with Reyna and Coach Hedge, and that's what you say to me?"
Jason could feel his ears turn red at that comment. He looked at the laughing boy on his bed and drank in the rare sight of Nico di Angelo amused over something. If Nico was intent on leaving, Jason had to have this memory of Nico's laughter to hold on to.
"What? I didn't exactly approve of your lunch choice earlier. Half a pomegranate, Nico? What happened to our one-plate system?" the son of Jupiter tried to sound and look hurt.
Nico's laughter subsided, and a melancholic smile lingered on his pale lips. "Well I guess I can take back what I said about leaving forever. I mean, if you really meant what you said about me being allowed to come back."
The son of Hades looked back up at Jason, who was looking at him with happy blue eyes and a sickly sweet smile which might have meant that he made the Roman glad with his words. "I really meant it, Nico. I'll wait for you to come back."
Nico felt like taking another risk. The guy was already in his room, and he was going to leave him in a couple of hours anyway. "Jason, remember what you said to me outside the mess hall?"
Jason's mouth parted a little in shock. He remembered the time he told Nico that he wouldn't mind if the younger boy fell in love with him. "Yeah. I do," Jason nodded slowly.
Nico desperately hoped Jason still meant what he had said that day. He wanted his heart to stop beating so fast, but he made sure to look directly at Jason when he said, "I'm in love with you, son of Jupiter. Are you fine with that?"
Jason's lips formed a pleased smile. "Very fine, Nico." And now the Ghost King had absolutely no luck getting his heart to beat at a normal pace.
Nico couldn't believe Jason's smile could get any warmer, but it did. He almost gagged at the sweetness. Almost.
Nico stood, not exactly sure what he's supposed to do, fully aware that Jason was still in his room.
"Um. Nico? Do you want me to leave so you can rest?" Jason asked.
Nico thought it was cool that he was being considerate given the current situation, but all he managed to say was "Dammit, Grace," before hastily embracing the Roman as tightly as he would dare.
"I guess that means no," Jason said in a slightly amused tone as he took it as a sign that it was fine to touch Nico. Nico could feel Jason hug him back and rest his lips on his forehead. He could feel those soft lips curve into a smile against his head.
"It really isn't fair that I'd be leaving you under these circumstances." Nico's voice was barely louder than a whisper as he buried his face in Jason's chest. Jason wondered if Nico could feel how fast his heart was beating.
"Yeah. Just when I've given you my heart." Jason, once again, tried to sound genuinely hurt. It only made Nico hug him tighter.
Jason Grace didn't need to be struck by Cupid's arrow to know that he fell in love with Nico di Angelo.
Author's note: I've always seen Jason as the type to befriend someone before upgrading the relationship to that of lovers but IDEK.
