The Nico di Angelo experiment

Obviously

Jason tried not to look that excited. It wasn't like he and Nico would even be doing much of anything. They'd probably go right to sleep.

Still, this was a new level in their friendship, and he couldn't wait to tell the others.

He grabbed some pizza from the fridge, blankets, and pillows, and ran back upstairs.

"Got all the necessary supplies." He said, dumping it all on the floor.

Nico smiled a bit at his enthusiasm, and looked around.

"Can I borrow some pajamas now? And where's your bathroom?"

"Right across the hall." Jason pointed out, grabbing some old sweatpants and a t-shirt and throwing them to Nico.

"The maid should be in before we wake up to go to school. Just drop your clothes down the laundry chute in the bathroom and she'll take care of it."

Nico didn't once cough the word "privileged" into his fist, like Leo would have.

When he emerged from the bathroom, Jason was stunned into silence. He leant his other friends clothes all the time, so why was he finding it so adorable on Nico?

Maybe it's just because he's smaller and shorter than nearly everyone else. Jason's shirt was nearly swallowing him.

Nico scowled. "Remember when I said you had mammoth arms? I stand by that statement. I look ridiculous."

Jason laughed and pointed to the pallet he'd made on the floor.

"You want floor or bed?"

"Floor." Nico said automatically. "I'm not taking your bed."

"Fine." Jason shrugged, the lights flickering out as he flipped the switch.

"Night, Nico."

"Night, Jason."

Jason fell asleep listening to Nico breath.

______

He woke briefly at about 2:00 AM, flipping over and swallowing a scream at the lump on his floor until he realized it was Nico.

Sleeping Nico was much more relaxed than awake Nico.

Swallowed by Jason's clothes, smiling sleepily, clutching the pillow in his arms like a teddy bear Nico was also nearly as adorable as regular Nico.

As hard as Jason tried to deny it, he realized he was hopelessly crushing on Nico di Angelo. However, he realized it on a cold Monday night, so he did the rational thing.

He rolled back over and went to sleep.

_____

"JASON!"

He bolted up, scared out of his mind. "What?"

"We slept late! It's 7:15!"

With those words, he shot up out of bed, calling a "CRAP!" Loudly and grabbing random clothes off the dresser, racing alongside Nico to the bathroom.

They both brushed their teeth furiously, and he marveled at how incredibly domestic the entire scenario seemed. He couldn't revel in it, however, because he was late.

"Gonna get my clothes!" Nico called, racing down the stairs, yanking Jason's sweatpants up as he went.

Suddenly, he screamed.

"What is it?" Jason yelled, running after him, yanking on a new shirt.

He found Nico staring at a small fluffy ball of death, ripping his shirt to shreds.

"NO, Tempest!" Jason exclaimed, grabbing the dog and sighing at the shreds of Nico's clothes attached to its teeth.

"Your dog just ate my clothes!" Nico said in disbelief.

"We can't stop by your house to get new ones, so you're going to have to wear mine today."

"What? No!" Nico yelped, taking a double look at the shredded remains of his clothes, the clock, and Jason.

"Fine. Let's go before we get a detention."

Jason smiled, turning away from Nico to hide it. He just looked really cute in Jason's clothes.

As they ran outside, Jason grabbed some keys off the banister along with a couple granola bars.

"Do you even know how to drive?" Nico asked nervously, and Jason laughed.

"I've had my license for about three months now. It's fine."

He tore out of the driveway, staring at the clock.

"Yeah, we should make it just in time. Here, eat this." He threw the granola bar in Nico's direction, and the boy looked at him in disbelief.

"What? It's the most important meal of the day. Plus you have three tests today, so just eat it, alright?"

They parked, tires screeching, with two minutes to spare.

"I've got study this period, what about you?" Jason questioned.

"Home Ec." Nico grumbled. "But Mrs. Hestia is really nice, so it's easy enough."

They walked into the building together, and Jason saw his friends standing at the end of the hallway.

"See you in history!" He called as they parted ways, and Nico smiled before sprinting down the hall.

"Well." Piper said in his ear,"isn't this quite the development."

"What are you talking about?"

"Nico wearing your clothes to school is a brave way to come out as a couple. Congrats!"

"Aw, man!" Percy whined. "Leo's hypothesis happened early! I thought it would be another week at least."

"So, Jason, wanna spill all the sexy details?" Leo questioned, wiggling his eyebrows. Jason blushed and looked away.

"Actually, Pipes, can I talk to you? It's about something I realized last night...."

_______

Jason had second hour AP math with Hazel, coincidentally as it seemed. She was the only person he knew in the class, since Piper and the other girls were light years ahead, and the other guys were in grade level. Hazel, being a year younger, was still somehow the smartest in this sophomore math class. She helped him with proofs as long as he modeled for her art class. Everybody wins.

"So....Nico spent the night at your house last night."

"Yep." He answered, ignoring her look.

"And he's wearing your clothes."

"Big coincidence that means nothing. Trust me. My dog just-"

"Does he know you like him?"

"WHAT?" Jason yelped, and the sound echoed in the quiet classroom. He mouthed an apology at the teacher and went back to Hazel, whispering a much softer "WHAT?"

She smiled gently at him, and he felt even more transparent than when he'd talked to Piper.

"Jason, it's a little obvious. It has been from the beginning, even though you were obviously determined not to do so."

"Don't tell him." Jason begged, not even pretending anymore.

"I don't think he's even into other guys." Jason said sadly, and looked up sharply when Hazel starting choking.

When she finally swallowed that down, she looked at him in disbelief.

"What?" He asked, and she shook her head.

"Nothing. Just think it's high time you and my brother got a little closer, shared some secrets."

"You got any tips on helping me do that?"

She grinned wickedly, and he shivered.

"Three words: Movie marathon night."