don’t let your dreams, be dreams

ArchiatricalLiterist: "Nico is having bad nightmares and one day he unconsciously uses his powers to get out of his dream, but it lands him in Jason's dream. And Jason still dreaming says and does some things that Nico never thought possible."

i decided to say fuck it and just make it as self-indulgent as possible. i'm very sorry if this is late, but i wasn't sure how to end it

—

There was so much red. It was harsh and burning and it was a wonder than Nico hadn't burned to death yet. There were screams of agony in the distance and monsters all around.

Tartarus.

Even after everything, Nico still can't escape it. It will always linger. It will always remain in the back of his mind. It is a constant that Nico can only pray he can get rid of.

He didn't want to do this again; didn't want to wake up screaming. He needed to leave. He needed to get out.

It was a bit of a struggle. Nico wanting to leave and Tartarus wanting to keep him. After a moment of tug-of-war, Nico won.

He was in a field full of flowers with a clearing in the middle. There was a table, with food and drinks that made Nico's mouth water. There were people standing too, but it wasn't clear who.

Nico started forward but was surprised to hear a voice calling his name. It was fuzzy, and he knew he needed to be closer to hear it.

"Nico! C'mon man, the food's getting cold!"

"Percy?" Nico started running now. Since when does Percy call for him?

The table was closer to him now. There were Hazel and Frank, Percy and Annabeth, Piper and Jason, and Reyna. Percy was motioning him to hurry up.

Percy slung his arm around Nico's shoulder and gave him a noogie. "We were just about to eat without you. What took you so long?"

Nico was about to respond before Hazel stepped in. "Just be glad he's here, okay? At least now we can eat." She took Percy's hold off Nico and sat them both down.

The food was flickering. One second it was burgers and fries, the next it was spaghetti and salad.

It's just a dream, Nico thought. He was so caught up in the euphoria of being "one of the gang" that he forgot he could invade people's dreams. It wasn't a very uplifting thought, but it made more sense than just sporadically being accepted into the group.

Still, Nico ate. He took a moment to glance around, only to see that Jason was nowhere to be found. He could've sworn he'd seen him when he was running up here...

"Nico!" Jason yelled. Nico looked around and saw him running toward him. The scene changed.

They were still in the field, but there was no table and no more people. Just them and the clearing.

Jason finally caught up to him and beamed. "Nico, can I hug you? Please?"

"I've told you before, Jason, you don't have to ask."

Jason picked Nico up and spun him around, stumbling and laughing. Nico clung onto him for dear life. He was fine with heights, but not when he was being thrown around.

Nico was sat down on shaky legs. "Sorry, Neeks. I just never see you that much anymore." He laughed lightly and scratched the back of his neck.

"It's fine. I get it. Just don't be so crazy next time, yeah?"

Jason nodded as the scene changed. Instead of it being bright and sunny, it was now sunset. The sky was painted in vivid shades of purple and blue that reflected wonderfully off of Jason's golden hair. Behind them, the table and chairs changed to a simple bench.

Nico took the hint and sat down. He scooted over to make room for Jason, who secretly put his arm behind Nico.

"It's nice, isn't it?" Jason asked quietly. Nico hummed in agreement, now wondering where this dream was going.

Jason leaned in closer, enough that Nico could feel his body heat.

Nico had to remind himself that this was a dream, and whatever happens, it isn't real.

"Hey, Nico?" Dark eyes turned to meet the colors of the sky. "Is it alright if I hug you again?'

"I'm going to beat your ass, Grace." Jason laughed at Nico's harsh words and scooped him up, nuzzling into the top of his head. Nico had to remind himself this was just a dream, and Jason wouldn't really do this, right?

"Can I tell you something?" Jason murmured.

"Go for it," Nico said just as soft. Jason pulled back and tucked a strand of hair behind Nico's ear. He cupped his cheek.

"I love you." He reached forward and kissed Nico's forehead.

Dreams don't mean anything, Nico kept repeating in his mind. Jason doesn't— couldn't possibly think like that.

"I love you so much, and you don't even know it." Jason continued to kiss Nico's forehead, hair, and when he pulled back he took Nico's hand in his and kissed his knuckles softly. "I wish you could see that."

Oh, gods. It was one thing for Nico to like someone, but a completely different thing for them to recuperate it. It felt nice, don't get him wrong, but for Rome's Golden Boy to be into Nico, of all people, was shocking.

Jason kissed his forehead again and smiled gently, and it dragged Nico in like the stars that covered the night sky.

Nico didn't reject the kisses, nor did he reject the soft hug that Jason gave him, holding him like it was his last.

He wasn't going to say he loved Jason, it was too early for that. He liked knowing Jason could share his feelings, but it left other unsaid problems that Nico didn't have the brainpower to deal with right now.

They would solve it when they woke up.