XIII - Nico

                                    

                                          
Ever since him and Jason had started dating Nico had tried to avoid camp as much as possible. It wasn't because he felt hated there or anything, in fact everyone was accepting. It was all the memories attached to the place. Everyone at camp had gotten to know Piper and Jason as couple there. When Jason and Nico came out everyone was obviously shocked but the happy. But behind those happy faces Nico saw the curiosity and disbelief, and his insecurities over that was what kept him away.
                          
So when he needed to get away to a place where Jason wouldn't expect him, he found himself at camp. He wandered in and after a few bewildered looks he was greeted fairly warmly.
                          
He decided to just keep to himself and avoid people that day. He went for a long run and then disappeared into his cabin. He was frustrated with Jason but also with himself for not being able to control the way he acted. With all these thoughts swirling in his he felt into a long uneasy sleep.
                          
The next morning he wasn't quite sure what to with himself so he wandered into the big house to see where he could be of use. There he found Chiron, Malcolm, and Will sitting around the table.
                          
"Nico!" Chiron looked up in surprise, his eyes trailing behind him as if he expected someone else to be following him.
                          
"Jason's not here, we're fighting," Nico shrugged, "We needed a little space."
                          
Will laughed, "Word, I hear you. My ex-boyfriend was a total drama queen who always needed so much space we ended up breaking up."
                          
Nico raised his eyebrows, he had no idea Will was gay. He felt as if he was the only queer person in all of camp (another reason he didn't visit often). Will smirked back at him, "What? You didn't think you were the only gay one did you di Angelo?"
                          
He shrugged again and slipped into a chair, "Anyways, do you guys need any help? I'm free."
                          
Malcolm gathered up his papers and stood, "There's your answer Will, looks like you don't need me anymore. I'm sure Nico will be a better help than I will."
                          
"Malcolm c'mon!" Will groaned, but Malcolm just gave him an affectionate pat and walked away.
                          
"What do you need help with?"
                          
Will stood and gestured for him to follow him, "Well usually Percy and Annabeth lead this once a month but since said golden couple is on a quest it landed on me...and you apparently."
                          
"Well what is it?"
                          
"This is gonna sound ridiculous but you'd be surprised at how popular it is, though I'm sure as soon as word gets out that they're not here it's gonna be less so," He turned off the path and headed towards the field.
                          
"Will...what is it?" Nico asked now a little more dubious as they approached a crowd in battle gear.
                          
"A couple's fighting class," He rolled his eyes and walked over to toss him a helmet, "Annabeth usually creams Percy so I'll be doing her part. You just stand there and look pretty."
                          
Nico was a little stunned but decided to go with it. The group surprisingly didn't seem to all be romantic couples. He supposed it was good class for battle partners and quest groups.
                          
Having been a little busy with domestic life with Jason, Nico was a bit rusty. He hadn't properly fought in ages and it showed. Will had no problem repeatedly pinning him down and knocking his sword out his hand. "C'mon, you're supposed to be Percy!" He laughed, "Give the poor boy some credit, he's not THIS bad."
                          
It was fun though, and for the time being it made Nico forgot of his relationship problems. He realized he missed the adrenaline rush that came from a good fight. And though some of the campers were giggling at his rusty skills, everyone was friendly enough. Will was doing a really good job at demonstrating fighting against and with each other. 'Maybe I should visit more,' Nico thought.
                          
When class finally ended, Will said he would treat him to lunch for doing the class. So the two of them sat by themselves in the Hades table chatting over warm food.
                          
"So, I know you said you and Jace are fighting, but apart from today, how are you guys?" Will asked, slurping on a lemonade.
                          
"Okay...I - we're thinking about moving in together," Nico said, though the thinking had been mostly done by Jason.
                          
Will's eyebrow's shot up, "Really? That's awesome! Congrats!"
                          
"Yeah..."
                          
"I know it's none of my business, but what are you guys fighting about?" Will studied him.
                          
Nico sighed, "Piper. She's visiting for Percy and Annabeth's wedding, and I guess I uh, I'm a little jealous." He wasn't quite sure why he was saying all this, the two of them weren't even friends, but for some reason, he just felt comfortable.
                          
Will nodded, "I get it. I mean I would be too if my boyfriend's ex-girlfriend came into town and I was his first gay relationship...so is Jason like bi?"
                          
"He's not sure." Nico shrugged, they had only had this conversation once and Jason didn't want to talk about it, "He says I'm the only guy he's ever been attracted to."
                          
"That must mean he loves you a lot." Will smiled, "I think that Jason's the kind of guy that gives his all, and clearly you're the one right now. I didn't know them that well, but from what I heard, Piper and Jason didn't even start organically. I don't think you have anything to be jealous of. Jason's just the kind of guy that's kind to all, and I think that's just one of his best qualities."
                          
Will shrugged and started cleaning up, standing up, "But then again what do I know? I've never even been in love."
                          
"Will, wait!" Nico reached out, "...thanks for advice...I hope we can hang out some other time."
                          
"You know where to find me," with one last wink, he turned around and left Nico alone with his thoughts.
                          
Maybe Will did have a point. One of the main reasons he had fallen for Jason was his kindness to everybody. Jason had been nice to Nico when everyone else had ignored him. So why should he get jealous over his boyfriend's favorite quality? He just had to trust that Jason meant it when he said his kindness was only platonic.
                          
And after thinking it over for a bit, Nico realized he did trust Jason, and that meant he had no reason to be jealous.
                          
Taking a deep breath, he pulled out his phone and finally scrolled through all the messages he had. Reading his boyfriend's concern made his heart warm. Gods, he really did love him...
                          
To: Jace
                          
I'm sorry. I'm at camp. I love you. I'm coming home. I'll meet you at Leo's and Calypso's party
                          
Hitting send, he hoped his insecurities hadn't gotten the best of him.