Superman

Reality

DH: Yet again, we don't own Percy Jackson or Heroes of Olympus.

OW: We really wish we did though!

-DDLDHoW-

When Jason woke up the next morning, Nico was still asleep in his arms, his head on Jason's chest.

Jason smiled softly at the child of Hades. His hair was ruffled and there was a tiny, barely-noticeable smile on his face.

I guess he slept well, Jason thought, his smile broadening. He had been worried that Nico would wake again with another nightmare, but he obviously hadn't.

Either that or Jason had slept through it, something he really doubted he did. He was a very light sleeper.

A frown creased Jason's brow. I wonder what he was dreaming about before I came in...It must have been bad for Nico to scream. And cry.

Nico never cried. Or at least as far as Jason could tell.

He was too proud for it.

He hadn't cried when he was in the jar; his eyes hadn't been red and puffy when he came out. He hadn't cried when Eros had yanked him out of the closet in Rome. In fact, he seemed more worried about what Jason would do and how he'd react. 

Actually, he seemed more angry that it was Jason that had been there. Jason and not Percy.

Jason scowled. That Seaweed Brain had hurt Nico so much; broken his heart so many times.  And yet Nico still loved him. It just doesn't make sense! He glared at the quilt covering his lower body and part of his torso. Why would he love him if he knows it's only hurting him?

He was so preocupied with his thoughts that he didn't hear the door open.

"Ahem."

Jason's head shot up and he ended up whacking it against the bed post. He groaned and rubbed the back of his head before looking at the door to see Piper standing there with her arms crossed. She. Looked. Pissed.

Jason frowned in confusion. Why is she mad? I didn't do anything wrong.

Then he realised how this must have looked. He was in bed with someone. That someone wasn't his girlfriend. He, Jason Grace, was in bed with Nico.

Immediately, he shook his head frantically, trying to give Piper a look that said 'This isn't what it looks like'.

Piper just raised an eyebrow and walked out of the room. Jason hastily unwrapped his arms from around Nico and laid the younger boy on the bed before following Piper outside, closing the door behind him.

"What was that about?" Was the first thing she said. She didn't sound angry, or accusing. Just confused.

"I-I don't know what you're talking about," Jason replied a little too quickly. 

"Jason!" Piper gripped his shoulders and looked up into his eyes. "I saw you in there! You were sleeping with Nico; you were hugging him!"

"I heard him scream last night; I had to make sure he was okay!" Jason defended himself. 

Piper raised an eyebrow. "And that led to hugging... How?"

Jason shrugged, his cheeks tinted pink. "I...I just wanted to comfort him..."

Piper shook her head with a small smile. "Jason, you don't need to lie to me. I know."

This time it was Jason's turn to raise an eyebrow. "Uh... What do you know?"

"That you love Nico," Piper replied.

Jason's eyes widened in shock but before he could say anything, Piper held up a hand. "Just let me talk, Jason. I've seen the way you look at him. There's always love in your eyes; love that isn't in them when you look at me."

Jason shook his head, his face pale. "Th-that's because I love him like a brother," he managed to choke out. "That's why there's a different love when I look at you; you're not like my sister. He's like my brother and I love him for it... But I'm not... in love with him!"

"Jason," Piper said, cutting him off. "I think it might be the other way around." Jason just stared at her, flabbergasted. "Jason, I... until you figure this out, I think we should just be friends." She met his gaze once more and he could clearly see the pain in her kaleidoscope-like eyes. It was taking a lot out of her to do this. She stood on her toes and kissed him on the cheek before turning and beginning to walk away. She glanced at him over her shoulder with a sad smile. "Goodbye, Jason. I hope you get him." And just like that, she was gone.

Jason could only watch silently, frozen in shock as Piper left the hallway. He slowly clenched and unclenched his fists as reality hit him.

Piper broke up with him. Because she thought he was gay. She thought he had a crush on Nico.

She broke up with him because of Nico Di Angelo.

-DDLDHoW-

DH: And that's a wrap!

OW: *crying*

DH: She's depressed because of the last line. It influences the next chapter.

OW: *cries harder*

DH: Eheh... *pats her back awkwardly*

OW: *hugs DH and Daughter-OfPoseidon* WHY?

DH: I'm sorry...

OW: *continues crying*

DH: Remember our plan? Jason *static*

Cameraman: Crap! Come on, don't give up on me yet! *whacks camera*

OW: Oh yeah! *grins*

Cameraman: *sweatdrop*

DH: My turn to reply to reviews!

@Daughter-OfPoseidon: That is so true! XD Superman to the rescue!