Save You As I Save My Life (Jasico)

Chapter 25: Falling Into Place

Nico woke up to warm arms pressed into his sides, and soft, heavy breath on his face. He opened an eye, and then made a face. "Leo...You're breathing on me..." 

The Latino was sound asleep. Which would have been cute if his breath didn't stink. Nico covered his nose and mouth, trying to wiggle away. That's when he noticed the other form in the bed. He squealed when it moved. 

"Nicole....stay still...."

Oh...right. He had a brother. That was briefly mentioned before he fell asleep. But why did he keep calling him Nicole? He wiggled his nose and managed to turn around. The other man resembled him, dark hair, chocolate colored brown eyes. But this man...Thanatos, if Nico remembered his name correctly...Was older than him. His eyes sparkled with a curiosity he'd never seen in anyone over twenty. It reminded him of when he had first seen Percy. 

"You're staring, sister." He chuckled. Nico winced. 

"I'm not a girl anymore." 

Thanatos blinked, and then frowned a little. "What do you mean, not a girl anymore."

Jason shifted and rolled on the other bed. Nico looked over his shoulder and snorted. Percy and Jason were curled up together, which was rather hilarious to see. The blond had Percy pulled flat against his chest, Percy looked so innocent and submissive. 

"You are dating Jason, yes?" Thanatos murmured, glancing warily at the blond. 

Nico sighed and sat up slowly. "I was. Something happened and we broke up. I dunno what we are right now..." 

"Ah. So, back on this topic of you not being a girl?"

"Oh. That." He clenched his fists. "I'm transsexual. I went from female to male. I hated living as Nicole, I felt like I was lying to everyone. When I ca-came out to dad..." He sniffed. "He hit me. It got bad. Bia drove me to Zoe's cabin, we hid there until mom found us a house here. We moved, I had already transitioned....and now here we are." He shot a sad smile at his brother. 

"I'm Thanatos." Was the first thing he said after a long, stretched and awkward silence. "We are full brothers. Our half sister, Hazel, she was only born of our father and another woman."

"How come they never told me I had a brother?"

"Because I ran away from home." 

Nico blinked, and then nodded slowly, biting his lip. 

-+-

They all ate breakfast down in the college cafe. It was pleasant enough., Thanatos and Jason sat together while Leo and Percy sat on either side of Nico. All five boys sipped their coffee, staring blankly at the walls. Tired. They were all too tired to function in actual society. Jason's semester hadn't started yet, and Thanatos had classes at two. It was currently eight. 

"I'm gonna drive us all home." Jason mumbled, wiping his eyes with closed fists. Percy nodded slowly, lethargically, and yawned. "Okay. Can we walk around through? Wanna wake up..." He was dozing off sat the table. Nico and Thanatos had the most energy, having woken up about half an hour earlier than the other three. They were having a more or less pleasant chat, Thanatos would always Tease Nico about his hair or something, and then Leo would slump over and Nico would laugh, pushing him back. 

By the end of breakfast Jason was awake. Percy and Leo were asleep, faces beside plates full of eggs and bacon. 

Nico sighed and stood up, keeping his gaze away from Jason, who watched him with sad, blue eyes. Nico woke up their two friends, both of which who whined and stood slowly, biting Nicos arm. The boy winced and pulled away, frowning. 

"Jerks. We're walking around campus 'til ten." He mumbled, before walking away quickly. 

Jason followed. 

-+-

"Nico, listen to me. I love you, I do. I always have! I didn't mean to break up with you, the fact that I did just proves that I'm a terrible person. But I didn't want to break up. This is all my fault..."

"Shut up Grace. I'm the one that made you jealous of Percy and I when he dated Nciole. I didn't mean for this to happen, neither of us did. Okay?"

Jason nodded frantically. "S-So...do you think..."

"This can be our date."

Jason sighed a heavy sigh of relief and pulled nico up. His eyes flickered down to his mouth, and he kissed him. 

Nico couldn't remember if they'd kissed before, which sort of worried him, but he leaned into hit, hands on Jason's chest, kissing back. He inhaled through his nose and grinned, pulling away. "I love you." 

"I love you too." 

They walked back out hand in hand. 

-+-

Thanatos didn't like that Jason kid. He was too...There was no word for it. He just didn't like him. 

"Why do you keep glaring at them?" Leo mumbled, tugging on Thanato's black coat. The man grunted and glanced back at the  younger man. "I don't like the way he handles Nico. Makes me think that he will hurt my baby brother." 

"He won't." Percy put in. Thanatos looked at the other man, who nearly rivaled him in height. He knew that the sea green eyed man was a few months younger than him. It was a little strange, the thought that nico had dared someone....Gods. Nico was what, seventeen? And dating a twenty year old? what was this? He sighed and shook his head. 

"It''s fine. I hated Jason when we first met. NOw he's a pretty good friend, except when he pisses me off." He chuckled and shook his head, tilting his chin back, eyes drifting closed. He smiled. "It's nice out. "

Thanatos was suddenly struck by why Nicole had fallen in lovewith both Percy and Jason. Jason was like Percy's exact opposite, trying to be kind and generous, helpful while seeming in control and put together. Percy was just a carefree spirit that ad no regard for anything or anyone. 

And oddly enough, the thought of Percy dating the little mechanic walking rapidly on his other side made his stomach clench up with envy. 

"I just hope everything falls into place as it is meant to..."

He said that words with his eyes trained of Percy. 

"So do I." the boy mumbled. "I think we all do."

"Shut up, both of you, enjoy the walk!"