kaleidoscope gold ● jason grace

you

 Frank stood near the railing of the Argo II. The view looked different with his new build; sadder, like something inside him had died to see the vastness of the ocean.

It was several hours before twilight and Frank had offered to take an extra nightshift. He couldn't sleep without feeling guilty; about Jason, about Daria, but most of all, about Hazel. She was his best friend, the only one who had shown him kindness at Camp Jupiter. And he had thrown it all away for a few disagreements and an inability to think before he spoke.

"Go back to sleep, Hazel," the voice of Nico di Angelo crept up on him, but ever since Venice, Frank didn't jump. "I'll take your shift, I can't sleep anyway."

Hazel mumbled something incoherent, but Frank figured she wouldn't fight her brother. Snuggling with Gale the polecat sounded much more comfortable than protecting a war ship from the humid air of the Adriatic Sea.

For the last few days, the number of attacks had decreased – apparently mountain gods weren't so effective over open water. It would just be Frank and Nico until the sun came up, and even though Nico had made it very clear he didn't like questions, Frank was tempted to ask them.

"Hey," the younger boy met him at the intricate metal. Frank always found Leo's details on the Argo II impressive, like the guy was about to sail to the end of the world and he was hung up on what wood looked the best in the light.

Frank nodded back. His voice had gotten deeper since last week and he was still trying to figure out whether he liked it. "Can't sleep, huh?"

"I guess," Nico shrugged. This was more than Frank usually got out of him though, so he wasn't too discouraged. "Maybe I just thought that it would be too awkward for Hazel to be alone with you." Ouch.

"Hey man, that's..." What was he going to say? Uncalled for? It wasn't and Nico knew that. The familiar fear of Nico di Angelo set back in.

"I know we were acquaintances in Venice, Frank Zhang." Nico drew his Stygian Iron sword and leaned on it. Frank wished he didn't look so effortlessly cool. "But I don't like you."

Frank was bewildered at the direction this conversation was going. "Why-"

"And I'll tell you why," he continued as if Frank hadn't even spoken. "There are two reasons actually. You have probably guessed that the first is Hazel."

"Can I just say that I find your lack of contractions a little frightening?"

"Hazel is the best person you will ever meet," Nico spun his sword for effect, like a baseball player showing off his batting skills. Frank was afraid he was going to cut himself. "And you messed up."

"Gee, thanks."

"What did you do?" Frank had never noticed this, but Nico's eyes were as dark as the pits of Hell. "She won't tell me."

"That's a good question." Frank mumbled.

Nico rolled his eyes sharply. "Do not say you did nothing. I know that can't be true."

Frank went quiet. Was he really prepared to bare his soul to Nico? Of all people?

Then again, who else was there? Hazel was, like Nico said, dancing around him awkwardly, and Frank wasn't about to fret over Hazel, to Hazel. Percy was kind enough, but it was almost like with Annabeth in the picture, he had tossed his other friends aside. Even then, Hazel and Percy were much closer than he and the Son of Poseidon were. Frank knew he thought of her as a little sister.

So that left Leo and Nico. And Frank would rather use his firewood to fuel a hot air balloon than talk about his feelings to Leo Valdez.

"I was rude to her friend," Frank admitted. "And Hazel rightfully demanded I grow up. I know we jumped into it pretty quickly, but I want to make it work."