Thump.
Nico's lips quirked up when Jason called him. He turned his head and blinked in surprise at the frown of the sleeping boy. Reaching over Nico brushed a stray lock of gold out of the other's face. He bit his lips, letting the touch linger. Jason's breath evened and Nico relaxed. Ever so gentle he removed the former praetor's glasses, placing them cautiously next to them on the picnic blanket before he rested his head once again on the makeshift pillow formed by his arms.
Thump.
Gradually Jason's snores faded into the background as the magic of a lazy afternoon spread over the world. Through half-lidded eyes, he watched the Stoll's newest scheme to reanimate the ground he'd burned. Nico sighed. While the son of Hades appreciated the sentiment those two knuckleheads must realize that it was impossible. Death now claimed the land and there was nothing they could do. Every attempt to cover up the foul traces he'd left was in vain. He had watched them fail, again and again, trying to replace the earth, planting over it. They even went so far and asked the Demeter-Kids for help. It all ended with withering flowers. Pretty little things wilting away… No seed would take to it. Nico almost choked when Connor and Travis started to drag a nymph along - the poor girl seemed terrified to come too close to the cursed spot. Clawing and biting, she struggled violently. For all their troubles they would only get themselves cursed.
Thump.
Before he could decide if he should intervene or not, the head of cabin 7 freed him of the choice. Nico smirked as Will's scolding echoed through the whole camp while treating their wounds carefully. There was always a light when he was around.
Thump.
The soft snores to his right stopped and he felt Jason's gaze on him. His shoulder sunk. "I am going to visit my father," he said into the void.
For a moment Hera's favorite seemed like he wanted to argue, but kept quiet.
"It's been a while," Nico conceded, not meeting his eyes. Him coming and going was nothing new.
Jason raised his chin.
Th-
"Want me to come with?"
Nico's heartbeat stuttered at the earnestness in his voice. His lips curled upward and he was not able to hold his laughter back. Unbelievable. The sheer stupidity. He was giving the son of Poseidon a run for his money.
"Nah," Nico rubbed a tear out of his eyes, finally facing Rome's golden boy. "I'll be fine." Sometimes his friends tended to forget that being in the underworld was the equivalent for him as Percy swimming in the ocean or Jason flying.
The corners of Jason's mouth turned down.
"Don't worry," Nico grinned. "I'll be back in no time."
"You better," Jason replied stubbornly, bumping his head against Nico's shoulder. He was like a bull - he sees a red flag and runs at it.
Thump.