Chapter Text
Nico hated his life. Why was it that God Almighty chose to play with him on a daily basis? Did he perhaps do something to offend Him in a life before this? Or was it that this was a way to repay all the sins he had done in the past? Nico will never know. What he would also not know was as to how he was to tackle the situation before him.
Nico looked at Jason Grace, who looked at the splash of paint on his clothing and then at the former with a look of…. anger? Or that could be ‘horrified’…Either way, Nico was screwed.
“I’m really very sorry,….Jason.” Nico said, slowly looking at the mess he’s created and then back at Jason Grace, who happened to be looking at him, his mouth agape.
Leo whistled from the back. “Wow. I think, that was Jason’s favorite jacket. Look at what you did, di Angelo! Now you’ve ruined it.”
Nico watched as Jason momentarily smacked Leo up the head. Leo glared at Jason for a minute, before walking away, showing a peace sign. “Well. Suit yourself. I was gonna stand up for your jacket, here, and you’ve just given me the sign that your jacket doesn’t need my help! Well, I’m going to miss a class if I stay here and watch all this drama. Leo, out!”
Jason replied a bit later on, when Leo went away. “I-It-It’s not – It’s actually nothing special as Leo put it. I’ll just wash it lat– ”
“No.”
“Huh?”
Nico slowly bent down to pick up his brush and palette, not leaving Jason’s eyes for a moment. “No. You can’t. It’s oil paint. It’s…it’s hard to come off. Even if you do wash it, there will be a faint leave behind after the wash. The color won’t come off.”
Nico watched, as he offered Jason a small handkerchief that he had, as he quietly wiped his purple jacket, both moving in a corner. Nico a bit more of some used cloth and bend down to rub any paint that was splattered across the floor. God, why couldn’t clothing be made of ‘floor material’?! It was million times easier to wash or clean.
He bit his lip. The hallway was empty, giving it an eerie quietness. Only the sounds of their breathing could be heard. He did not want this to happen frankly speaking, because he knew the inevitable, what he had to do. “I’ll buy you.”
As he watched Jason look up, he bit his lip harder, out of worry. He was already short on budget due to all the money he used up for preparing for Hazel’s birthday. He didn’t even have enough to buy himself lunch from the cafeteria today! How was he going to buy a new jacket for someone he barely knew?! Well, it’s not like he didn’t know – you get his point. “I’ll buy you a new one. For ruining your jacket. I’ll buy you a better one instead. But, not now, please! I really need my money to –”
“I don’t want another jacket.” Jason looked at him with a serious expression, lips into a thin line, as he took a deep breath. He closed his eyes before answering, “I want you.”
Nico’s worry dropped and turned into a mixture of horror and confusion. A blush crept up all the way to his ears, as he asked in a whisper, “What?”
Jason shrugged. “You heard me. It probably sounded wrong, but… you’re killing me, Nico! I can’t stand it anymore! Just…. looking at you from afar and not making a move at all. I – I really want to get to know you… I know this sounds creepy, but all I’m asking for is a chance. So,…coffee?”
Nico blinked in confusion. Jason worried. “You know, it took me a huge amount of confidence, just to form this speech and blurt it out to you. You’re not answering.
More like not breathing. “Me?...” He asked, as he pointed at himself. “….Me?”
“Yes, you.” Jason smiled a bit. “Is… there anyone else in the hallways, except you and me?”
“Have you looked at me?! I’m just an average guy! You deserve so much more than me!” Nico asked, shouting a little as he watched Jason’s smile widen.
“Umm…not to sound creepy, but I always do.” Was the reply from the latter, as he frowned a bit and rubbed his neck, blushing.
Nico blushed lightly at that, trying to keep his demeanor straight. “ Ok…….Ummm…I mean, you must have seen me from afar or another angle or…something, that makes you feel that way.”
“You’re right. You look much better up front.” Jason said as he perked up, his face red, but smiling warmly.
Nico only blinked. He was unable to say anything further. He probably looked like a hot mess, with paint all over himself (on parts of his body, he wasn’t sure where all) and his hair a horrible, unmade mess! And here, right in front of him, stood his long time crush, claiming that he was ‘the most beautiful person’ he had ever seen. This is…..probably a dream,….right? But, he’s awake. Wait, he could lucid dream. Maybe this was one of them. He had lucid dreamed many terrible and terrifying nightmares. This….would be the worst….
“ – Nico! Nico!”
Nico looked up, worried, snapping from his trance and looking at the perturbed blonde, shrugging his fingers off from the tight grip on his shoulders.
Jason spoke. “Are…you ok? Maybe you should sit.”
“Please don’t let it be a prank or a joke….” Nico mumbled quietly, looking down and backing up slowly, his back lightly touching the wall. He could feel the coolness of them from his thin black shirt. His mind was completely frozen as well. All this was too much to handle. He needed space.
“No! Wait. Please!” Jason held him by the shoulders and started rambling. “It’s not a prank or a joke. I promise you! Nico, you…..you…You put yourself on a very low pedestal! You have no idea how..how…gorgeous you are! How wonderful you can be. And there are so many people who have a crush on you. So, why can’t it be me?!”
He looked at Nico expectantly. But, Nico was too shocked to think. People…have a crush on me? But I’m just….normal.
Jason sighed, still not letting go of the tight, deathly grip on Nico’s shoulder, his eyebrows furrowed and an expression of deep sadness. “Why can’t I have a crush on you? Why can’t I like you? I know you need the best, everyone must want the best for you. And sure, I can have the best too. But, I want to be that best you can get. Please, all I’m asking for is one cup of coffee. And if you don’t like it, then I’ll give up on you.”
Nico looked up slowly. I don’t want you to give up on me. I’m just scared that you might not see me the way you want to see me as.
“Don’t like what?”
“Huh?” Jason replied.
“Are you talking about the coffee or the date?” Nico asked looking up and giving a small smile. Worth a shot. If he is as nervous as I am, I have no reason to be as afraid as I thought I have to be.
Jason blinked and grinned slowly. “Both. I don’t have bad coffee shop choices, if you ask me.”
Nico looked down, smiling a bit wider now. “Umm…I’m not free tomorrow and next week as well. I’m….willing to go on any other days, than those I’ve mentioned.”
“Oh. Umm…can I ask you why? Just out of curiosity.” Jason asked, his tone depicting his sudden sadness. Nico bit his lip. Jason honestly looked like a lost puppy and Nico couldn’t say no, judging by the way he pouted and his eyes turned sad and his shoulders slumped.
“I have to finish a painting, for my sister’s birthday next week. That’s why, I’m not free. It’s important for our family, because this is the first birthday, in long time, that my family is getting to celebrate together. Usually, we don’t get to, because of my Dad’s job and all.” Nico explained.
“How about the day after tomorrow then? Thursday?” Jason asked, his eyes and tone a little soft and hopeful now. He shrugged. “You could use a coffee break at the end of the week. We have a half day on Thursday. We can go for an hour or so, and you can return home at the same time we usually reach home. That way I won’t mess up your timing or schedule.”
Nico couldn’t help but grin, a bit of heat gathering from the light blush, he couldn’t help but do. “You’re really eager for this, aren’t you?” A little too much if you ask me. I’m still dreaming, aren’t I? No….I’m not, am I?
Jason rubbed his neck, chuckling, going a little pink behind the ears that Nico found really cute. Much more than he goes fully red. “You could say that I am. I can’t believe that you agreed to it. I’ve been trying to gather courage to ask you since your orientation day. I’ve seen a lot of amazing guys, tried dating them even, but…um…no one struck me so badly the way you did. So, I’m surprised that you said yes.”
Nico’s onyx eyes widened a little, from the apparent astonishment, at this surprising confession. But, he regained his posture, looked down (to hide his blushing no doubt) and then up, to shift the soft, silky hair on his eyes away from them, and held out his hand, balancing his palate and brush on the other. “Thursday then?”
Jason looked so happy, he looked like would pass out from all that happiness. Grinning widely, he replied back, as he held out his own to shake, “Thursday then. At two, then?”
Nico held back the urge to giggle at the look of eagerness and nervousness on Jason’s face. “Two sharp. And you look like I might not come on that day. I promise I’ll make it that day. And I never ever break my promises.”
“Ok.”
“Now if you’d let go of me, I’d like to wash my color palate and go home. We’re standing by the washroom, at four in the afternoon and looking all messed up, in case you didn’t notice the apparent.” Nico said smirking.
Jason’s look turned into a more serious, but warmer, expression. He said, “If all of this goes well, I’m never gonna let go of you. I promise.”
“You’re making me doubt my decision already.” Nico said, going bright pink and letting out a sweet, childish laugh, as he tugged at his hand for its release. “Go home, Jason. Bye.” Nico said as pushed the washroom’s door open.
“Wait.”
Nico turned around momentarily. “Si?”
“Your….number. Please.” Jason asked waving his phone slightly in the air.
Nico shook his head, grinning. “Then wait. I’ll give it to you in a minute.”
Nico grinned and chose to ignore Jason’s ‘silent’ shout of victory. He’ll have to remind him that these walls aren’t sound proof.
X-------------------X----------------X
The date was a success. Nico enjoyed every bit of it and he managed to hit off really well with Jason, more than he could have imagined. He realized he was being an idiot before, for no reason at all!
Let’s just say that after the next five dates, Nico was his as Jason promised to himself. And they both couldn’t have been more happier with anyone else later on.
X------------------X--------------------X
Jason laced his fingers around his lover’s waist, putting his head on the latter’s shoulder, as they stood looking at the big, brown frame hung on the wall in the living room.
“Well? What do you think?” Nico asked beaming at the picture.
Jason hummed. “I think that you are the most amazing and sexiest person in the entire universe.” He said before nuzzling Nico’s neck and giving it a light bite. God, he smelled so tempting today. His hair actually, but the smell radiated all the way from his hair to his body. Maybe, Nico shouldn’t have switched his normal shampoo to a one smelling like vanilla and oranges. He smelled sweetly divine!
Nico laughed lightly, and rolled his eyes, but still giving more access to his neck, much to Jason’s delight. “When do you not say that? I was talking about the picture and not me.”
“Nico, you’re always amazing. And no matter what you paint, it’s always beautiful.” Jason said, momentarily shifting his current activity to kissing the side of Nico’s lips. “Just like you.”
Jason watched Nico smirk and hum, before they went back to looking at their family photo that Nico had painted with vibrant and amazing colors. The afternoon sunlight from the window casted a beautiful glow to the picture, giving it an amazing effect. Trust Nico to place the furniture in a proper location (with great lighting)!
Nico, as always, did an amazing job of capturing the scene with utmost perfect details. Nico’s gorgeous onyx eyes were glimmering black, and Jason loved the way his own were a bright blue, and a sight to behold. Jason was grinning widely, as his comical and non-serious personality, to balance the family said so. And Nico’s a soft, warm and charming smile. Despite them being a few years older now, Nico managed to make them look a little younger with softer tones and brighter hues. Their clothing in the picture was that of a birthday party they kept two years ago, Jason wearing a teal-blue hoodie with dark blue jeans and Nico wearing a red, checkered shirt (neatly tucked in!) and a black pant. And in Nico’s arms, in a tiny, baby blue blanket, lay their current pride and joy, sleeping peacefully, on that day.
Jason grinned. Their pride and joy. How many years has it been since then? Three? Or four? Man, he was getting old, wasn’t he?
“Daddy!”
Both the males shifted their gaze to see an adorable little boy, with huge electrifying blue eyes and a soft mop of black hair, in a long, oversized purple jacket with a lot of pink and black paint splattered all across it, rolling around to show it to them.
“Daddy! See, what I wook in your bed. Is it yours?” The little boy asked, as he waddled to his parents.
“Hey! My little angel! Amorous, where did you find this? I’m sure that I kept it hidden.” Jason said, letting one arm go of Nico and hoisting his little, four year old son in his arms.
“I lose my red car, daddy. So, I go to your room to see for it, and then I see tis down aaalll your bed. It was in a funny wooking packet.” Amorous said, as the little boy nuzzled his father’s nose. “Why try to hide it, Daddy?”
“Speaking of which, this jacket looks familiar. And it’s a ‘Th’, amore. It’s said as “This”.” Nico said, one eye raised, as he examined the jacket. After a few try’s, he closed his eyes in frustration and turned. “Why does it look so familiar?”
Jason looked for a moment, watching his husband trying his hardest to remember anything related to it, he bit his lip and pulled a confused Nico to his chest, little Amorous looking deeply worried at his Papa’s confusion. He whispered, “It’s the same jacket that you spilled paint on the day I confessed to you, back in first year of college.”
Nico’s eyes snapped open at the response and with a beet red face, he covered his face as he shouted, “Dio mio, Jason Grace! Why would you do that?! After all these years….”
Jason laughed loudly, his son even more confused than ever. The little boy chirped up, “Papa, what’s wong? Are you cwying? You all red!”
Nico looked at his little son and took him from Jason’s arms, ignoring the way Jason still laughed his embarrassment. “Nothing, bambino. Your daddy’s just crazy, that’s all.” Nico grumbled.
Jason stopped laughing momentarily, taking both his husband and his child into his arms and sitting down on the couch, looking at their family portrait. Amorous’ huge blue eyes looked at his daddy’s, and then at Nico, before saying, “Papa, sei sciocco. If you tink daddy’s cwazy, then you say non mi piace che si. Then you no mawy him! And then if you don’t be wovey-dovey, I no be baby then!”
Nico looked at Jason with a horrified expression. “Jason di Angelo-Grace! What have you been teaching your son?!”
Jason put up his hands in defense, laughing lightly. “I promise you, that I did not teach him or tell him that! I swear to God! Ti amo molto. Perché dovrei?”
“Then who –”
“Papa, daddy didn’t tell me that. Zio Will did, Papa!”
Nico looked at Jason with a murderous glare, as Jason winced at the intensity of it. “When we meet William today, I will kill him for defiling my son’s head! I thought he was a doctor with a mature mind! Guess not! He’s worse than Thalia.”
“Why are you angwy, Papa? Daddy, what did I say?” Little Amorous asked, as he watched Jason laugh and pull both his Papa and him into a warm hug.
Once again, in the many times he’s already thought of this, Jason realized that he was blessed to have a family as happy as his. He kissed Nico’s cheek, hearing him grumble abt ways to kill Will and lokked at his son happily chirping something to his Papa in Italian. He smiled and leaned back on the couch, with both of them in his arms, their activities not once being disturbed. Jason looked at the family portrait again and then at Nico, with deep sky-blue eyes, and he thought, Yeah. I’m lucky to have purchased this work of art in my life, as he kissed Nico on the lips (Much to Nico’s astonishment and to his little son’s disgust!)