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ex_mixer947) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
bakerstreet2014-06-07 08:49 pm
ex_mixer947) wrote in bakerstreet2014-06-07 08:49 pm
picture prompt meme!
the picture prompt meme
I — Comment with your character.
II — Others will leave a picture (or two, or three...)
III — Reply to them with a setting based on the picture.
IV — Link to any pictures that are NSFW, please.
V — Be aware that this meme will likely be image-heavy. That's kind of the point.
Link to an image: | Embed an image in your reply: | You can control width and height of your pictures: |
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instead, he falls quiet for a little while, watches Jason through it. while he realizes he's staring, Nico doesn't actually do anything to correct it, just watches in silence.
he's never really been able to understand Jason, how he trusts Nico so readily, how he keeps his secret for him. he doesn't understand why he has that little smile that he reserves for people like Piper and Leo and offers it to Nico sometimes, too. Nico is what lies beneath the earth and Jason is what exists above it and sometimes he can feel the distance that it breeds.
but then there's this, where Jason smiles and stays with him like it's nothing at all. (but it is, because sometimes it feels like no one ever sticks around.)
his lips purse, thinking. ]
Sitting in a rainstorm is nice? [ Nico hums, more mumbles to himself than anything. ] Hate to know your idea of a bad time.
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After everything that they've gone through, after everything that Nico's trusted with him, they're friends now. For a time he wasn't so sure, but now he's more certain of his place with Nico. And it's a place he doesn't want to compromise in any way, shape, or form, that's how important it's become.
Does he really get Nico or the things he's been through? No, but that's not the only reason why friends become friends, or why they sympathize with one another. Where he doesn't understand, though, he tries to support. Especially since Nico has spent much of his life outside of the Lotus Hotel pushing people away, afraid that he would lose them if they got too close, when he really needed people to remind him that he wasn't alone.
Is Jason invincible? No, hardly. But he's determined to be there for as long as he needs him.
He hums softly in response, closing his eyes and chuckling. ] There's nothing trying to kill us as of this current moment, everyone's together for the summer, it's just a rainstorm and not a tornado or anything with heavy winds, and you're here. It's nice.
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despite knowing he was basically doomed when it came to his feelings, he couldn't help it when he heart beat a little bit louder in his ears when Jason tacked on the and you're here to the end. surprising no one (least of all himself) he continues to skirt the edges of those dangerous feelings.
but it's difficult not to fall into them because Jason is actually sort of endearingly lame sometimes, despite how cool everyone thinks he is. but he's still charming and nice, cares about the people around him (including Nico) and generally makes him feel like maybe making friends is worth while. it's still strange to him, foreign. it's no wonder that his affections turned to him. but just as he had with Percy, Nico will push the feelings down until they can be ignored. (not so easy with Jason saying things like that, though.)
Nico allows himself to enjoy it for another minute or two before pushing himself up, shaking his head a bit to move wet bangs from his eyes. ]
We should get going.
[ it was nice, and Nico probably would have stayed there for the entire time that the storm ran its course over their valley, but. he could only indulge himself in the pretense of this for so long. ]
Can't have the Roman ambassador getting sick.
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Does he care about Nico more than just as a friend? Probably, he thinks. There are moments where his thoughts linger on him a bit more than friendship warrants, though with a friend like Nico maybe it's completely warranted. But his feelings aren't strictly platonic and he knows it without having to ask anyone else. (Who would he even ask? Piper would be the expert on that, but he's not about to ask his ex-girlfriend about a budding crush on another person.) Even with knowing about Nico's secret, which he's kept to himself because it's not his secret to tell, he's still not about to act on anything though.
This friendship is too important to him. Nico's comfort is too important to him.
Smiling up at him fondly where he sits, he shifts forward to push himself up to his feet as well. If Nico wants to get out of the rain, then he's more than happy to oblige, even if he's not sure he's ever had a cold caused by the rain before. It feels like home, the same way New Rome and Camp Halfblood do. And, for a moment, he shared that home with Nico, whether the younger (yet older, he reminds himself) demigod realized it or not. ]
Can't have Pluto's ambassador getting sick, either. [ He pauses, bringing a hand up slow enough that Nico could move away if he felt like his personal space was being invaded. ] You've got a bit of hair sticking up funny.
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[ Nico falls silent as he watches Jason's hand lift and he's pretty sure that his brain runs about fifty miles a minute within the few seconds that pass.
he could stop Jason from invading his space, could take a single step back in order to duck out and away from that outstretched hand, but Nico is pretty sure that if he does, he risks seeing a wounded Jason, even if only for a brief moment. but it's less about that by now.
it's less about not wanting to hurt Jason's feelings, because he's denied offers and requests like this before. because Jason has learned that the best way to have any chance of touching Nico is to ask, which no one else bothers to do. (Nico appreciates that Jason does, allows him to invade his space much more readily than most others.) so it's not so much about risking hurt feelings or making him uncomfortable. it's more about what he's allowing himself to have right now, and that seems like too much.
yet he doesn't move, though his eyes follow Jason's hand; it's about as explicit as consent to generic actions get with him. he stands, waits, because he can give himself this, at least. ]
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[ Jason's tone is maybe a little chastising in response to that, but at the same time sincere as he gauges Nico's reaction to his proximity. It's a wordless question of consent, one that he's made many times in the past, and will continue to ask to ensure that he doesn't cross a boundary that Nico doesn't want crossed.
It wouldn't even be an offense to him if he did duck away-- he's done it before, after all, has told him that he'd rather not have him in his space. And he's nodded his understanding and given him room until the next moment where the question arises.
When Nico makes no move to step away from him, there's one last moment of pause as he scans his face before he reaches to brush his thumb under his bangs. He sweeps them free of his forehead so they don't stick, smoothing his fingertips over the free bits that stick up from the rain. The touch is careful, both because Jason wants to give him the chance to retreat if he needs to while also he just...
He's being a little selfish about it, and he shouldn't be because it's not fair to Nico. But he enjoys the contact until he has to draw away, stuffing his hands into his jeans pockets with a smile. ]
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Nico's tried to get better about physical contact; allows Hazel to take his hand or kiss his cheek whenever she wants, is more open to allowing Jason any request he might have, doesn't mind so much when Percy or Frank will bump their shoulder into his. but it's still rare enough that when he does allow for it, especially with Jason-
the rain wasn't even cold, not really. summer rains rarely were. but the path that Jason's fingers had blazed over his skin left the rest of him cold. and maybe Jason lingered too long, maybe both of them did just by standing there, but Nico couldn't bear to indulge in the thought of it any further than he already had.
he knows that he should move, knows that they should start walking back to the cabins to dry off and change. but Nico doesn't budge, stares up at Jason with dark eyes, resisting the urge to just pull his friend against him for whatever short lived contact he could be provided with. (he knows it would do more damage than good, to himself, to their friendship, but sometimes Nico thinks that it might be worth it.) ]
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Because, as he was given the chance to get to know Nico, he's found out who he is. He's a good person at his core, cares about those that he does consider close to him regardless of the prickly exterior he puts up, is genuinely funny when his humor makes itself known, and is just all around so much more than people stereotype him as.
Nico di Angelo quickly went from a stranger that was an unknown in their quest to one of the most important people in the world to Jason.
Rather than draw away to seek the safety of a roof over their heads, he simply meets Nico's eyes with his own electrified gaze. It's earth and sky, where they meet, and he wonders what that feeling is actually like. Jason's only experienced brief moments of it, and never wanted to risk anything else. ]
C'mon. [ Swaying towards him, he gently bumps his arm into Nico's, a sure, confident movement despite the well built up in him. ] Before we find out if demigods can catch colds.
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and maybe that was it. that Jason cared enough to find out. because Nico has always done his damn best at pushing people as far away as possible; losing his mom, Bianca, his feelings for Percy. it feels like he's been in a game of what absence feels biggest and no one gets to win. but then there's Jason who, sometimes, thinks might try even harder than Hazel.
he'd compare it to breaking down walls, but that isn't accurate; breaking down walls implies that Jason barrels into it. smashes his way through Nico's defenses. but it's not like that, never really has been. it's always quiet understanding and a thought of I'll try again with you tomorrow, but I'm not giving up. it was more like he was building Jason-shaped doors in the walls so that he can duck right through.
(Nico occasionally wonders if Jason feels like Atlas, holding up the sky while making sure the ground beneath him is a solid foundation to stand on.)
he meets Jason's gaze briefly, considers reaching for him to keep Jason there in the rain. just a few more minutes, he thinks. that would be okay, right?
Nico instead turns to begin the trek back toward the cabins without a word. ]
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Percy gets through it pretty unscathed by comparison. Jason, a little less but enough that he's still erring on the side of optimist. Nico? A child of Hades born to tragedy. But that's why he's so determined with him, because no one can or should suffer through tragedy alone. So he gives him what he can, friendship and company when he feels up to it. Distance and someone to return to when he needs time alone. Understanding, all the time.
Nico has walls built out of hard earth and bone, but Jason isn't here to climb over them or burst through them. In the end, his goal is to find the places where he can slip through, tentatively knocking some days to make sure that it's all right he does it.
Hazel has helped give him an idea of how to go about approaching Nico, and he appreciates it. It gives him a better idea of what he's doing, though most days he's making it up as he goes along. It is, after all, a day-by-day sort of thing. Some are better than others. Some leave him writing notes for Nico to come back to. ]
You were right, by the way. The Man in Black is Westley. [ A way to break through the silence, right? Sometimes, they can sit together without saying anything and he's more than happy. Right now, though, he's thinking he should say something, anything, to separate from what just happened. Because it was a Moment, and he knows it.
Even if he doesn't really want to step away from it. ]
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[ Nico cuts himself short after that, ceases in further commentary, because he realizes that he's being a hypocrite. not that it matters; Westley is fictional and he isn't, so the same standards don't apply (or something). more that he reasons with himself that being honest isn't the best idea in this case; he risks ruining a lot, whereas Westley had so much to gain.
still, he's thankful that Jason decided to start up a conversation again. Nico was never very good at recovering after moments like those. the ones where Jason makes his heart beat louder, blood rushing in his ears. they used to be few and far between, but even Nico noticed that they were becoming more frequent -- either that or it was his wishful thinking. (the latter was far more probable.)
as they venture down the hill back toward the camp, he edges a little closer to Jason. an easy excuse would be that the rain seems to be less heavy around Jason, but even Nico can accept how lame the reasoning is. more that he'll take what he can get before they reach the camp again and both of them go their separate ways to empty cabins. ]
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[ Bringing his hands up again, he pushes his hair back from his forehead once more as he thinks about it. While he doesn't want to spoil the movie for Nico, he thinks that's about right, maybe. Certainly he'd never treat someone like that, even goes so far as to strive towards treating everyone fairly and well. Even when he and Piper broke up, things had been fairly amicable-- and just because they broke up didn't mean that they didn't love each other anymore, it had only changed in a way that didn't facilitate a romantic relationship anymore.
And yet here he is in the reverse situation with Nico. What had been a friendship was turning into something more on Jason's end, and he's not sure if it should continue. But he doesn't treat Nico any differently, because he doesn't deserve that when he's had so many people keeping away from him, treating him like he's something to be feared when he's just another lost kid like the rest of them.
Though he notices that Nico walks closer to him, he opts not to say anything and just moves along with him down the hill. His steps are a little slower than they would be even on a sunny day, mostly because he's just enjoying their time together. But he tries not to focus too much on it. ]
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Yeah, but he can't just assume that she doesn't feel like that about him. That's unfair to both of them, for her to think that he's dead and him to think that she doesn't love him anymore. Could have solved a lot if he had said something sooner. [ Nico pauses, briefly, shrugs one shoulder as though to brush off the whole thing. ] All I'm saying is that you never know unless you actually tell the person.
[ which is great advice that he should take himself, and yet-!
if he didn't tell Percy, there was no way he could possibly tell Jason. they have a different dynamic than what he had with Percy, but that didn't change the fact that Nico can't really fathom admitting anything he might feel.
mostly because he's scared. scared that Jason will leave (because accepting Nico is one thing but being on the receiving end of feelings like that is another), scared to ruin their frendship, scared of messing it all up. Nico's shoulders sag; he'd resigned himself to never admitting his feelings for people a long time ago, but entertaining the idea of it-
at least it gives him a distraction to focus on.
like how Jason's hand might feel in his own, fingers threaded together, Jason's arms around him and lingering longer than he should, Jason pressing a kiss high on his cheekbone before saying goodnight.
Nico purses his lips; maybe entertaining the idea purely for distraction purposes wasn't such a good idea after all. ]
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It really would've helped if he'd just taken his mask off when he took her blindfold off, definitely. I guess he kind of makes up for it when they're both down at the bottom of the hill, when she sees that it is actually him, since his mask comes off and everything. She tells him she thought he was dead, and he-- [ Jason pauses, thinking about the exact phrasing of the quote. He thinks he remembers it well enough? ]
"Death can't stop true love. All it does is delay it for a while."
[ There is every opportunity here for him to tell Nico that he could've taken his own advice, but he's not cruel hearted. Nico grew up in a different time, lost two different people that he loved, nearly lost Percy to the Tartarus. Of course he wouldn't want to admit anything, and he can understand that well enough.
And, gods, here Jason is not wanting to admit his feelings because he doesn't want to put any pressure on Nico or ruin the friendship they have. Maybe he should take the advice, himself, because it'd be more fair to Nico for him to actually know. But he doesn't want to risk losing what he already has when he's gotten so close to him. And it's not even about him losing everything that he's worked for.
It's more about Nico maybe losing someone that he trusts and seems to feel comfortable enough with. He can push everything down to make sure that that doesn't change. ]
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the line sounds unfair, now, outside the movie. death can stop all manner of things, death stopped his relationship with his sister after she passed and decided to be reborn. death stopped him from ever seeing his mother again. if it can stop that, why would love ever be any different?
Nico's hands curl into fists at his sides, lips pursed into a tight line. because it's unfair. it's really unfair. Hades children come into the world cursed with who they are and it never gets any easier and that's all he wants. he just wants it to be easier for a while. and it is with Jason sometimes, which is probably another part of why he feels so much for him.
he can't remember how to walk, not for the moment, solidified there in the spot. because Jason's wrong, the movie was wrong. death can stop everything.
the grass at his feet withers despite the fresh summer rain still falling. ]
Yeah? Well what do they know about what death can do.
[ his voice wavers, barely, evens out by the end of the sentence. ]
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Is it better that he hears it now, with only Jason to see him, than it would be to hear it with the others around? Maybe. Nico knows he can leave whenever he wants when it's just the two of them, but there's the eyes of their friends on him any time he tries to leave the group.
It doesn't make it any more fair, in the end, does it?
His expression goes from light and thoughtful to something quiet, a little sad but nothing like pity. Nico does not deserve pity, and anyone who says that they pity him within Jason's earshot will find themselves regretting it instantly. What he deserves is people there for him so that he doesn't have to feel like he's as cursed as he is, as burdened as he is. He deserves people who care about him and will make sure he knows that he's loved.
Jason sees the grass wither, but he doesn't step back from it. ]
Not as much as we do. As you do.
[ And he would never dare try to deny that. ]
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he pushes his hair out of his face again, blinks hard against the burn in his eyes and against the rain that just won't let up. of course a conversation like this had to start when they were in the middle of a downpour, because it couldn't have happened during normal weather, or while they were indoors somewhere. he wonders, briefly, if Aphrodite is having a damn field day with it.
it's surprising, even to Nico, that he hasn't tried to run away yet. whenever they get too close to things like this, he's always teh first to end the conversation by walking away. facing it, facing this, it's always been too hard. but it's Jason, only Jason, and maybe that makes it a little easier.
he doesn't lift his eyes when he speaks again, stays focused on the patch of grass that had yellowed beneath his feet instead. ]
What do you think? [ figures he should clarify. ] About death not being able to stop true love? [ because Nico might have knowledge of death in spades, but at least Jason has had experience in both in some manner. ]
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He is, admittedly, relieved that the son of Hades doesn't retreat from him this time and instead just gives himself a little more space. He's fine with that, stays at one edge of the yellowed grass while Nico stands at the other. Part of him wonders what would happen if he was standing in the epicenter when Nico's emotions got the best of him, but a bigger part trusts that no harm would come to him.
Like he knows that Nico would be safe in the eye of the storm with him.
Something small breaks in his chest, aching for Nico in sympathy. He'd been left behind by his mother for Lupa to discover, and learned from Thalia that she was a drunk that'd fallen far from supposed grace before she died. He's lost so many of his fellow legionnaires, friends that he'd grown up with and who had become his family. They'd nearly lost so many people on the quest to defeat Gaea.
Maybe he's had experience with both love and death, but his brushes with death don't compare to Nico, the ghost king. ]
I don't think death is the end of everything. [ But he adds, immediately after, almost in reassurance. ] I'm not going to go looking for my own, but I'm not afraid for when the time comes. Because I learned that death isn't the terrifying thing that everyone thinks it is, it's just as much a part of life as love is. So... I think love keeps going, even with death.
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he can feel it already, as though it's a slow burn that starts in the tips of his fingers and crawls its way up along his hands. idly, he wonders if this is how it feels for Leo when the fire licks high and bright up his palms, like a fever displaced into a single part of your body. (he'll ask him later, if he can face the camp again afterwards.)
fingers twist together, nerves mostly, needing something to do with them as he stands there in his uncertainty. he focuses on the rain for a while, listens to the far off noises of the camp as people run through it, splashing through larger puddles, no care in the world as they're soaked to the bone. stark difference to how Nico feels, standing on the slope of a hill, like the world might open up to swallow him at any moment.
the mere idea of Jason dying is probably what does it. despite the reassurance that he'd not go looking for it, Nico knows that every demigod is on borrowed time as soon as they know what they are. it's unfair but that's just how the world around them has decided to work; being alive is a gift alongside your heritage and it can be revoked at any time.
Nico steps back again, needs the physical distance before he can find his voice. ]
It would. [ his voice cracks, dies out, softer when he continues. ] For you it would keep going.
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He draws his hands out of his pockets, though he's unsure of what to do with them immediately after that. When normally, he could just reach out and touch Nico on the shoulder, now he's suddenly afraid that he might spook him if he does. And he doesn't want that, not when this is... it's something. Something bigger that he doesn't want to ruin because he made a mistake.
Still, he takes a careful step forward. Not enough to broach his personal space, but enough to let Nico know that Jason's not intending to go anywhere. It puts him in the withered grass, and it's such a strange texture under his shoes, but he hardly pays it much mind.
Despite the topic at hand, there's suddenly no constant reminder that they're one step outside of camp away from their ends, have been since they first came into their heritage. The rest of the world is gone-- the camp that he's grown to love just as much as he does New Rome, the people that he's befriended, the family he's made out of the other Seven-- and it just narrows down to them on the hill. ]
So, I'm not afraid of it. [ Jason says it softly, watching him. He's not afraid of death, though he certainly respects it. Much like how he feels about Nico-- or, well, what he had initially felt for Nico. ] And it would be the same for you.
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he's acutely aware of Jason being closer now, and maybe this was enough. maybe it has to be, because it's as close to a confession as Nico can ever get. he doesn't expect Jason to pick up on it, because it's a true statement regardless of Nico's feelings; their friends love Jason and Nico's sure that alone could carry him to Elysium, no boat required for crossing Styx.
taking a deep breath, he reaches up, pushes his bangs out of his eyes again. his gaze drifts, landing on anything that isn't Jason. ]
You should get back to camp.
[ and I should go. the latter is left unspoken but it's clear in the way he takes another step back away from Jason. he won't take off at a run like he's done before, but he'll turn to leave before he says anything else that furthers his day of bad choices. ]
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But he is not nearly as dense as Percy Jackson. Or maybe it's just wishful thinking on his part, a delicate thing that he wants to be real despite his every attempt to keep it to himself. He's not sure what it is, but it's still something that he should handle with great care. It comes from Nico, after all, and anyone that Nico can say is loved should cherish it.
A wane smile pulls at one corner of his mouth, but stays that way as Nico looks everywhere but at him. Rather than reaching out, he just sticks his hands in his pockets again, shoulders bunching up but not tense.
After everything that he's said so far, he should probably actually think before he opens his mouth. But it's impulse that compels him, because Jason isn't sure when he'll see Nico again after this. Never knows, really, but is always prepared for when he comes back from his period alone. So, the words come out, sincere as anything but regardless at their own bidding: ]
As you wish.
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he stops walking, allows the shadow to sink back into the ground. his chest aches in a way that it hasn't before, in a way it never did with his feelings for Percy. because that was painful, it was so painful that Nico didn't know how to grapple with his feelings for him. just seeing him used to strike upset into his heart. but with Jason it's so different.
this is just a testament to that.
a warmth swells in the place of the ache, the chill from the rain feels like nothing now. Nico still considers leaving, like maybe he shouldn't push his luck. he's still convinced that Hades kids aren't cut out for this sort of thing, worries that by feeling this he might curse Jason by extension. but the guy has to be a total jerk and say that and Nico isn't sure how to stop now.
turning around, he marches straight back over to Jason, keeps a step between them. he opens his mouth to say something; thinks better of it. instead, he tentatively takes the last step to invade Jason's personal space, drops his head forward to rest his forehead against Jason's chest. he can't quite tell if he wants to cry or punch him, so he settles for this. an admission that doesn't require words, a voluntary touch instigated on his own.
above everything: he hasn't left yet. ]
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So he wonders, where he goes. What risks he might be taking by going there. How long he'll be gone. And it hurts a little, in a way, though he knows sometimes it's necessary for Nico. He'll never begrudge him his personal space, and he makes it known constantly, wordless in his proximity unless Nico is the one to close the distance.
Like he does now.
Honestly, surprised doesn't really begin to cover it. But whatever it is, it's as pleasant as it is unexpected. Remaining exactly where he stands, he looks down at Nico in silent askance, until he's suddenly taking that final step forward and has dropped, quiet, so that his forehead is against his chest. His heart stutters a little at the contact, stupidly, and he stands there for one second, two. Nico doesn't move. Nico doesn't speak.
So Jason brings his hands up, first setting them on his small shoulders, before he wraps his arms around them. ]
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at least for now he isn't planning on taking off.
Jason's arms are secure around him, though Nico has the rather startling realization how much taller (and broader) Jason is compared to him, what with their sudden (incredibly) close proximity. Nico doesn't return the hug, but he also doesn't pull away or ask Jason to let go. if anything, he leans into it, finds a solid security in the mere presence of him.
finally, finally, Nico raises his arms to secure them around Jason's back. his fingers twist into the wet fabric of his jacket, gripping tightly. like maybe if he doesn't hold on, either he or Jason will stop existing in this moment. the singular perfect moment that Nico still isn't sure what to do with. mostly-
mostly he's terrified. initially, he'd been scared of the simple things. scared of rejection or of tarnishing their friendship or making Jason wary of him. now it's a different scared. now he's terrified of what this means, of what Jason may or may not feel for him, and what's going to happen when they rain stops and they have to let go. (he tightens his arms a bit instead.) ]
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