Chapter Text
Jason is interrupted by the familiar sound of his front door slamming and Italian curses sounding from the kitchen. Reluctantly, he puts down his textbook and heads out to the living room to meet a weary Nico. Running a hand through his frazzled black hair, the boy sets down his black backpack and starts to take off his leather jacket.
“Welcome back, baby.” He meets Nico at the door and lands a sweet kiss on his cheek.
Nico kisses back quickly, but continues to mumble to himself in Italian, clearly in the middle of an important discussion with himself.
“Water?” Jason takes out a glass, preparing himself to listen to the inevitable rant that occurs every time Nico comes back from his dad’s place.
“Wine.” The boy sighs heavily and plops down onto the couch. “I’m so fucking over my family right now.”
“I see that Thanksgiving was a success. How’s DC?” Jason takes a seat next to Nico, and sets the glass of red down on the coffee table. Nico settles in, cuddling under Jason’s arm.
“He is so fucking annoying- All I’m saying is that it’s not a great idea for Hazel to move in with Frank, they’re still so young, you know? And of course, she didn’t like that I said that- I knew she wouldn’t- I thought maybe my dad or Persephone would understand but then they had to go and completely support the idea! Now I’m the one who looks like an asshole for pointing out the elephant in the room!” His hands flail around, desperate to explain the situation to Jason.
“How old is Hazel again?”
“18.” Nico retorts.
“Weren’t you 18 when we moved in together?” He glares at Jason, clearly frustrated.
“We weren’t dating then.” He points out. “And we were roommates because we live in Manhattan, it’s different. And you’re not a 6’5” dumbass who rushed into a relationship with my sister, two years older than her, and is going to college to study zoology. Zoology! Jason! Frank is studying Zoology, what even is that?”
Jason shrugs.
“Ugh! And now Hazel is saying that if Frank won’t be welcome at home then she might as well not come home for Christmas. Can you imagine that? She’s really threatening to ruin Christmas for a guy she met like what, six months ago?” Truthfully, Jason never felt much attachment to Christmas, so he didn’t quite understand what Nico was so upset over.
“Baby, we just started dating like three months ago.” Jason counters.
“That’s not- It’s not the same!” Nico grabs a pillow and hits Jason as hard as he can. “You’re supposed to be on my side here.”
“Hey!” He laughs, “I get it. She is young but I think she’s more capable than she lets on. Just give him a chance.” Jason wasn’t quite sure how to guide family drama like this- he had grown up pretty much on his own. His dad was absent, his mom was a paranoid schizophrenic and his older sister had left home as soon as she could. Typically it was just him and whatever friends he had around at the time, sibling arguments never made much sense to him. But, he did know that Nico and Hazel had a tight bond, and that Frank would grow on Nico.
“Hm.” Nico ponders for a moment, then reaches to take a sip of wine. “No.”
Nico lays down, turning on the TV. His head had found its way to Jason’s lap, settling into the couch comfortably.
“Can’t say I didn’t try.” Jason laughs, and drapes a blanket over the both of them.
“What channel is Hallmark?” Nico mumbles, flipping through the catalog of channels. “I need a sappy Christmas movie.”
“No idea. You know I don’t like that stuff.” Since he was alone most of the time, the holiday was never stressed that much to avoid feeling sorry for himself. Without his family, the day is always just business as usual.
“Speaking of-” Nico peers around the room, then flops back onto Jason’s lap and looks up at him. “The apartment is awfully sad for Christmas starting tomorrow.”
“Well then we’re lucky that Christmas doesn’t start tomorrow.” He winks with a smirk at Nico. Typically, Nico would still be in DC during this time of year, this was the first time Jason was seeing Nico in the month of December. In the past Christmases, Nico would spend his time at his dad’s house, missing nearly all of the holiday season in their shared apartment. Of course, Nico always asked Jason if he would like to come with him as a friend to his dad’s and Jason always refused. Jason was satisfied with the arrangement- he never had to deal with putting up trees, tacky wreaths and ribbons, giving presents, or stupid family bonding. However, since they started dating, Nico had argued that it was ‘just plain sad’ that Jason would be alone.
Nico knew that he wasn’t the cheeriest person around the holidays, and that he was always one to put on a face and try new things, especially with a small push from the younger but this wasn’t one of those times. Jason honestly wanted to vehemently shoot down the idea of visiting Nico’s family, but he maintained his composure as best as he could. At the end of the argument they were able to agree on Nico staying until December 20th, then flying back home to DC.
“Come on, have some holiday spirit! It’s going to be December, the forecast says it’ll snow tomorrow and we have to have some decor up to truly enjoy it!” It had briefly slipped Jason’s mind that Nico was raised Roman Catholic in Italy, of course the boy had loved Christmas dearly. “I just put up some lights in my dad’s palace, and Persephone was decorating with holly and mistletoe. It looks great, you should come see it. Maybe this Christmas we could-” Nico stops, looking back at Jason almost trying to read his mind.
“I don’t do Christmas, Nico.” He responds coldly.
“I know that.” Nico nods. “But we could do Christmas.”
Jason just grunts in response. It didn’t sound all that exciting or different from going on as he usually did in the month of December. He looked back at Nico, who’s eyebrows were furrowed with worry. He gives his best attempt at looking torn and sad.
“Don’t even try the sad orphan eyes.” Nico scolds.
“Is it working?” Jason smiles slightly, dropping the act. Perhaps if he laid on the guilt tripping a little more Nico would forget the topic.
“Maybe a little.” Nico reaches up to give him a quick kiss, wrapping his arms around Jason’s neck. He pulls away, gauging Jason’s expression. “You have to stop doing that.”
“As long as it still works.” Jason dotes, trying to lighten the conversation.
“Tell me what you’re thinking, I know you hate your family- but Christmas can still be fun with just us.” Nico was really not giving up this time.
“I’m thinking…” He regards Nico. He has furrowed brows, black curls sticking every which way, pink cheeks and a matching blushing nose from the biting cold outside, and light freckles that scatter his worried expression. “That’s not true, because we’re family and I don’t hate you- at least not all the time.”
“Sure.” Nico scoffs, and sank back down into the couch. “If we were family then you would come spend Christmas with me in DC, instead of sulking here in the dark.”
“Keep begging, baby. Maybe one day you’ll convince me.” He rolls his eyes, and sees pink flush through Nico's cheeks as he digresses and turns his attention back to the movie. “And I don’t sit in the dark on Christmas.”
“Whatever. I’m putting up a tree and some lights tomorrow.” Nico huffs. “And you’re helping whether you want to or not.”
“Yeah.” Jason says sarcastically. He reaches a hand down to meet Nico’s hair, attempting to brush out his knots. “Good luck with that.”
-
The first thought that occurs to Jason when he wakes up is that his feet and hands might be developing frostbite from the cold of his room. Nico seemed to be long gone, his side of the bed was cold to the touch. Jason clings to the blanket, attempting to reheat his body temperature and checks the time.
8:45am, December 1st
Reluctantly, he rubs the sleep out of his eyes, mentally preparing to face the cold. When his feet touch the floorboards, he winces slightly. Jason reaches out to find his glasses, and finds that they’ve fallen onto the floor from his nightstand.
He doesn’t bother to change out of his shirt or pajama pants, too cold to face the air so he turns on the heater and goes out to make a coffee while his bedroom warms up.
When Jason emerges into the living room, he’s met with Nico in a red and green Christmas sweater. The fact that the Alexa was playing some festive music and the TV was playing a fireplace simulation was already enough to make Jason want to turn around and return to his room. However, even worse, Nico is holding out a matching copy of the same sweater out for Jason to wear.
“Good morning!” Nico cheers.
“You’re joking.” He scoffs.
“Absolutely not.” Nico offers him the sweater, but he just stares back at the boy in disbelief.
“Is there any universe where I can just go back to sleep and pretend that you’re normal?”
“You’re the one who’s not normal, mi caro .” Nico points out. “Just put on the sweater and help me set up the tree because I won't be able to reach the top.” He insists.
“That sounds really unfortunate for you.” Jason went over to the kitchen, swinging open the fridge. He tried to ignore that Nico had trailed along behind him with wide eyes.
“Please, Jace?” Nico begs. Jason was prepared to make his regular morning coffee, only to find that they were out of milk.
“Damn.” Jason mutters as he shuts the fridge. If he was going to get through any day with matching sweaters, faux fireplaces and Mariah Carey on the speaker he was going to at least need his coffee. “I thought you went to the store last night.”
“Sorry- I meant to but I forgot.” Nico sat at their island, staring intently as Jason avoided eye contact with him.
“Are you serious?” He groans, hands running through his hair in frustration.
“Sorry.” Nico mumbles again. He finally looks up to see Nico. He was still holding the matching half of his Christmas sweater, although now he was sulking like a sad puppy. “I got distracted.”
“I can tell.” He gestures to the vanilla scented candle that was lit in the middle of the island. “How much did you even spend?”
“Not sure. I used my Dad’s card.” Nico shrugs, and goes over to unpack more of the paper bags of decor he had picked up.
He knew Nico’s dad was more than ‘well-off’. When they moved in together, Nico had mentioned that rent was pretty much the first thing he had ever used solely his own money on. Jason was shocked to learn that, as Nico wasn’t much of a shopper, he woke up at sunrise on Saturdays to work at his minimum wage barista job. He learned that Nico used that money towards his own essentials, but the brat had no problem swiping his dad’s card for small purchases, and of course to get those first class flights back and forth from NYC to DC.
“‘Course you did.” Jason regrets it as soon as it comes out- he never meant to belittle Nico’s hardships just because he grew up more fortunate than he did.
Nico doesn’t respond to his bitter quip, instead he nods and remains silent. Jason sighs, trying to brush off that Nico is clearly annoyed.
“Sorry, that was mean.” Jason tries. “I didn’t mean it like that.” Nico continues to take out the ornaments and two Santa hats fall onto the countertop. He doesn’t meet Jason’s eyes, absorbed in the decor.
This was exactly what Jason wanted to avoid- he knew that Nico would want to do all of the fun Christmas things that Jason wasn’t comfortable with. Their relationship was still finding footing- especially when it came to boundaries with Jason’s family. At first glance, it may seem that the two were as different as could be- but in reality Nico understood what it meant to lose a parent and a sister. The difference was that Nico had his Dad to pick up the pieces, whereas Jason was left to tough it out alone.
“Okay, you don't have to wear the sweater, or set up the tree, or even be particularly cheery, but I do need you to put the tree topper on and hang up some lights, I’m genuinely not tall enough.” Nico proposes.
“Fine.” Jason responds, it sounded like the least he could do. “But this is all you’re gonna get from me.” He prepares his bowl of cereal and recoups to the study, leaving Nico sitting alone at the counter.
When the door slams slightly too hard, Jason is overrun with guilt. Something about leaving Nico to decorate the tree alone doesn’t seem right to him- he shakes that feeling away. He never had his own tree, what good could he even do with decorating it?
Around lunch time Nico comes back around knocking. He had changed out of his sweater, but had replaced it with a reindeer headband that had antlers poking out of his hair.
“Babe?” His head peers out of the entryway. “I need your help…”
“Yeah, coming.” Jason rises from his desk, making his way to meet Nico at the door. He was sure to put on a kinder exterior this time, feeling bad for this morning’s outburst.
“I brought this one from home.” Nico hands over the angel to Jason. She was pale with rosy cheeks, red hair, and a white tulle dress. Jason pats down her frizzed up hair, not really sure what Nico wanted to hear in response to that- but he wanted to let Nico know he was sorry.
“She's pretty.” Nico must've picked up on the change in Jason’s tone, as he perks up with glistening eyes back at Jason.
“She is.” Nico smiles. Jason turns the corner and is met with a stunning tree in his living room. It’s decorated beautifully, with the type of red ribbon and popcorn and cranberry garlands that he would find straight out of a story book. He peers up the top of the tree, and goes to grab a chair to stand on so he can reach the top. Jason goes ahead and puts the angel on the top of the tree. He looks down to Nico, who’s enamored by the sparkling lights as they reflect off the ornaments.
“It looks great.” Jason tries again.
“When we lived in Italy, it was usually me who would put the tree topper on, since I was the youngest. My dad would carry me up so I could reach it. Even the few years when it was just us-” Jason sees Nico shake his head dismissively as he remembers his mom and Bianca. Jason was always too afraid to really pry about what happened to them, all Jason knew was that Nico talked so fondly of the both of them, as if they were still alive, just living somewhere else now. “Then we adopted Hazel when I was 14- I was old enough to climb a ladder and do it on my own. But then all of a sudden she's the youngest, and my dad picked her up- I threw a fit, I told him that I could’ve climbed a ladder and done it myself but he said that it was cheating. He was always going to find a way to carry us.”
“Do you want me to take it off?” Jason offers. He isn’t sure if it’s expected in typical Christmas tradition that the youngest crown the tree or if that was just Nico's family. Actually, he has no baseline idea of what this holiday entails. Until hearing that story Jason had no idea that putting the angel on the tree was even an important event. “Uh- I’ll put you on my shoulders.”
“No, no.” Nico shakes his head dismissively, slightly blushing. “Just- sometimes I miss being a kid. Christmas was so magical and simple.”
“So how did you guys decorate the tree this year? You’re both pretty big for your dad to carry you now.” Jason goes on to descend from the chair, back to the hardwood floor.
“We push over the couch and my dad stands on it with Hazel on his shoulders.” Nico smiles, happy to peak Jason’s interest.
“That doesn’t sound super safe.” Jason laughs.
“Yeah- I’m not sure how it will work in the future but for now it hasn’t failed us.” They both step back, taking in the sparkling lights from the tree. There are traditional red ribbons, gold baubles, and red wool hearts that adorn the tree as ornaments and the lights flicker, reflecting against Nico’s face.
Jason’s eyes wander down to the red tree skirt, where he sees one card under the tree. The red envelope had white marker on it, with small cursive handwriting.
to: Jason
from: Nico
“I didn’t know I was supposed to get a gift for you.” Jason claims, lamely. He scratches at his head, feeling awkward with how much he didn’t understand about the holiday.
“It’s nothing, just a card.” Nico says plainly. Jason tries to read his thoughts but draws a blank.
“Am I supposed to open it?” He reaches down to grab it, but Nico rushes up to him and snatches it from his hands before Jason can inspect it.
“What are you doing- no!” Nico looks up to meet Jason, and Jason looks down at Nico. He notes that Nico has to crane his neck to face Jason when they stand this close to each other. Jason’s heart flutters at how the antlers Nico is wearing bounce slightly, making him look like the cutest reindeer ever. He swears that Nico blushes slightly. “You’re supposed to open it on Christmas Eve, dummy.”
“Oh. My bad.” Jason says. “This is a new holiday for me.”
“No- It’s nothing, though.” Nico looks down to hide his face. In an attempt to read Nico’s expression, Jason reaches out to gently pick up Nico’s chin. He finds a flustered Nico hiding under the black curls. Jason lands a peck on Nico’s cheek, trying to be as supportive as he can.
“If you say so.” He responds, occupied by the way Nico’s eyes catch the light of the tree beside them. He wondered if Nico was always this cute, or if it was just the reindeer antlers that made his eyes look bigger and his smile more endearing.
A text message sounds abruptly, cutting off the moment. Jason fishes out his phone to see that Leo texted the both of them in their group chat with Piper.
Piper: Leo is forcing me to go to Bryant Park. U guys r coming.
Leo: HAPPY FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS!!! see u guys at 12!
“You and Leo are gonna be the death of me.” Jason sighs.
“A Christmas market will be fun! We could get some ornaments together- and hot chocolate!” Nico jumps.
“Mhm…” The tree was already a lot for him today, and the stupid card was occupying his mind. Jason tries to look away, but he can’t stop staring at the letter. Nico’s beautiful cursive handwriting was perfectly spaced out on the envelope, Jason knew that Nico was careful when writing it. He imagines how beautifully written the letter inside is, as Jason had always been enamored by Nico’s handwriting.
“It’s just a market- you’ll live.” Nico rolls his eyes, and places the ominous letter back under the tree.
-
Jason’s not sure where Piper and Nico have gone off to, but Jason finds Leo nursing a hot chocolate and window shopping at the stalls. Leo rolls his eyes as he sees Jason join him.
“You done sulking around?” Leo turns to make his way to a nearby bench and sits.
“What do you mean? I’m not doing anything.” Jason responds, shoving his hands into his pockets and taking a seat.
“Yeah. That’s why you’re walking around like you’ve seen a ghost and running away from Nico- it’s almost like you’re scared of him.” Leo takes another sip of hot chocolate, watching the skaters slip and slide around the rink.
“Well I’m not.”
Silently, Leo gives a knowing stare back. Jason groans.
“He put up a Christmas tree.”
“Oh. Truly terrifying. How will you live?”
“Shut up dude- It’s a first for me. I never had a tree in the house before, and he even put a card for me under it.”
“Wow. I’m shaking. You could put Stephen King out of a job.” Leo retorts, and Jason rolls his eyes at that.
“Leo! Help me.” He begs.
“Help you with what? It’s just a holiday, Jason. I know that you have some weird vendetta against joy but having Nico around for you this time of year might be nicer than you think.”
“I don’t have a ‘vendetta against joy’, it’s just that I’ve never celebrated this holiday before. I’m out of my element here- I feel like he’s just doing charity for me.”
“Respectfully, grow some balls.” Leo rolls his eyes.
“Shut up.” Jason shoves him playfully, and he laughs in response.
“But seriously, you know that we don’t look at you like a charity case. Especially Nico. He just wants to share his traditions with you. And then together you can make new traditions, you know?”
“Yeah…” Jason trails off slightly, still unsatisfied with that response. Leo sits up and faces him.
“Jason, Nico comes from a big, rich, Roman Catholic family where the latest iPhone is wrapped all pretty under a handpicked, ten-foot tall, perfectly decorated, real evergreen tree, and you-” Leo catches himself. “You just have him.”
“Okay… Ouch.” Jason’s eyebrows furrow, trying to understand Leo’s point.
“Of course he wants to share it with you. It’s not a bad thing or ‘charity’. If you ask me, I think you should think about his offer to go to DC… But only if you promise to not sulk around like you are right now.” Leo points at him, gesturing to Jason’s slouched posture.
“Yeah...” Jason started. “I mean, well. No. I won’t be going to see his family, that sounds terrifying. Just hearing you describe his Christmas right now gave me chills.”
“Think about it. You already know his family so it’s not like the first time meeting the parents- I mean it will be different since you’re dating now, but didn’t he say his sister’s boyfriend is also going? You’ll both be in the same boat.” Leo offers.
“I’ll think about it.” Jason concedes. Maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if he started to at least participate a little more in decorating the apartment and being a bit more cheery.
“Hey guys!” Piper and Nico shout out, both carrying a shopping bag each full of ornaments and sipping hot chocolates.
“Jace, check it out!” Nico rummages through his bag, and then picks out a light blue lightning bolt with golden embroidery around the border.
“Cool.” Jason responds dryly. Leo elbows him subtly, and gives an urging nod gesturing to Nico. “Uh- We can put it on the tree.”
The small response seems to satisfy Nico, as he nods and smiles to himself. Jason grabs the shopping bag from Nico, and takes the empty hand in his.
“I’m done with shopping, we could go home now.” Nico claims, still eyeing the ice rink. However, Jason takes Nico’s words at face value. When he told himself he would be a little more cheery, ice skating was not on the table.
“Okay.” He responds. Jason couldn’t stop imagining a young and sweet Nico opening presents at the foot of the ten-foot tall tree that Leo described. The image makes Jason’s stomach churn a bit- longing slightly for a memory like that of his own, but he shakes the idea away. Christmas was for real families- big, happy families with parents and siblings. Jason couldn’t have that.
-
They return home with the bag full of ornaments and the gallon of milk that started their argument that morning. Nico goes off to turn on the Christmas lights and change out of his winter coat.
“Is there even any more space on the tree, Neeks?” He shouts out to Nico as he goes to put away the rest of their shopping.
“I’ll figure it out. Or I’ll just bring them home, don’t worry.” He shouts back from across the apartment.
“I’m worried about how many Christmas decorations a two-bedroom can take before you open a second dimension to the North Pole.” Jason notes as he sees that Nico had taped a garland to the fridge with red bows draping off of it. He thought it was a bit overkill.
“Very funny.” Nico returns to the kitchen, and takes out the light blue lightning rod from earlier, and eagerly lays it out on the counter. Jason takes it, inspecting the golden embroidery on it.
“I really like this one, actually.”
“It reminded me of you.” Nico smiles, and Jason walks around to meet him on the other side of the counter. Nico’s cold and bitten cheeks flushed as he saw Jason approach him.
“Yeah?” He corners Nico, arms blocking either side of the younger, knowing that it would make Nico blush. “How so?” He taunts.
“I- I don’t know. I just knew you would like it… I guess.” He smiles at Nico’s flushed face, and they meet for a chaste kiss.
“You know me really well… I think I have to catch up.” Jason remarks offhandedly, reminded of how Leo had described Nico’s family earlier.
“What makes you say that?” Nico frowns, slightly worried.
“Nothing.” Jason shrugs, hands at Nico’s waist, pushing the both of them against the counter. He brushes the hair out of Nico’s face, planting a more heated kiss on his lips. The cold of Nico’s cheeks brush against his, causing him to smile.
“Thanks for coming to the market with us. I know it was new for you.” Nico whispers.
“I’m fine, baby.” Jason plants small kisses along Nico’s neck and shoulder. “Don’t worry about me.” Nico smiles and wraps his arms around the older’s neck, deepening their kiss. Jason takes the opportunity to lift Nico slightly so that he’s sat on the island countertop straddled around Jason’s hips. Nico pulls away, and grabs Jason’s chin to look him in the eye.
“But seriously if-” Nico starts.
“Nico!” He snaps. “I don’t want to talk about it anymore, okay? I’m telling you I’m all good, I’m fine. Stop walking on eggshells around me.”
“Oh, I was just thinking that-”
“Trust me, I know what you’ve been thinking.” Jason responds, pulling away.
“Wait- what does that mean?” He stops, tone changing away from fear towards anger. “You’ve been so iffy about everything today, and I can’t read your mind- What else am I supposed to do?”
“This is me telling you that I’m fine, Nico.”
“I find that really hard to believe.” Nico crosses his arms. “All you’ve done today was snap at me and then apologize two seconds later… and I’m not hurt, I just worry about you.”
Jason groans and storms off into their bedroom, starting to get undressed. Nico watches in silence with arms crossed, as he takes off his shirt and sits on the bed with his head in his hands.
A few moments pass in silence, before Nico starts again, “Jason-” He sits on the bed. “If I’m being too much for you, then just tell me.”
“No-” Jason groans, frustrated. “It’s all fine, I just need to get used to it, okay?” He lays back, defeated.
Nico nods, still sitting politely at Jason’s side.
“I’m sorry, baby.” He mumbles from behind his hands. “I’m sorry.”
“We don’t have to do all the Christmas stuff.” Nico concedes. “I only really need you, that’s all.” Nico looks back at Jason hesitantly. He feels guilty for bringing Nico down over and over again today.
“Okay.” Jason pulls Nico in closer and plants a kiss to his temple. “Easy. I can do that.”
-
When Jason wakes, he reaches out to Nico’s side of the bed and is met with cold sheets. He wonders if Nico must’ve snuck away earlier in the morning, still upset about their fight from last night. He sits up, only to find that, strangely, his glasses have fallen to the ground again. A slight breeze makes him shiver, and he could’ve sworn that he went to sleep the night before with the heat on. With a clouded mind, he reaches for his phone.
8:45am, December 1st
He rubs his eyes again, and stretches before looking back at the date. Nothing changes about the display on the phone, the date still stares back at him. This can’t be right…
In a blur, Jason goes out to the living room, to be met with Nico, once again holding out the matching Christmas sweaters.
“Good morning.” Nico smiles.
“You’ve gotta be joking…” Jason pushes past him, beelining to the fridge to make a cup of coffee, desperate to wake up from whatever weird dream he’s having.
“Absolutely not.” Nico retorts proudly, and throws the sweater to Jason to catch.
“Babe? What day is it?” Jason opens the fridge, searching for the milk he bought yesterday.
“The first day of Christmas?”
“The date.”
“December 1st?”
“Where did the tree go?” Jason motions towards the space where the tree had been standing just ten hours prior.
“Uh- I didn’t put it up yet…” Nico's head tilted, and reaches out to grab Jason's hand. He squeezes it slightly.
“Oh.”
“You’re kind of freaking me out, Jace.” Nico prods, eyes following Jason as he jumps around the kitchen looking for milk. “Just put on the sweater and help me set up the tree, because I won't be able to reach the top.”
“Nico. I bought milk yesterday.” Jason stops, looking back to meet a worried Nico.
“Oh good, because I forgot. I got kind of distracted at the store, look!” Nico pulls out the Santa hats and reindeer headbands, and puts the antlers on.
“No. I- I bought it today- this afternoon. But it’s not here. Because I haven't bought it yet.” Jason tries to explain, becoming exhausted with himself.
“You need to stop taking melatonin, I told you it would give you weird dreams.” Nico dismisses him with a wave of a hand.
Jason sighs, “Yeah- you’re right. Sorry.” A dream, that’s all. He wasn’t reliving the same day, that would be insane- and Jason’s not insane. “Um- You need help with the tree?” Nico beams at the offer.
"Yeah. You're going to help?" Nico confirms, practically bouncing out of excitement.