"Let me go back to sleep." I groaned.

"No." Nico said.

I closed my eyes and rolled over, so my back was facing him.
Only to feel him tugging my shoulder, rolling me back again. Nico then proceeded to sit cross-legged on my stomach, making me groan.
"Gods!" I muttered. "Well, now I really can't get up!"

Nico saw the flaw in his plan, and sat next to me instead. He repeatedly poked my shoulder.
"Fuck off." I muttered quietly, so Clint's kids wouldn't hear.

"Language, young man!" Nico exclaimed.

"Hey. Don't you 'young man' me! You may have been born first, but I'm older! And anyway, I thought you didn't like physical contact." I said.

He stopped poking me. "Aw, who cares?" he said suddenly, and then started poking me again.
I rolled over, amazed that I had ever missed this annoying son of Hades.
Because I love him. I thought sadly. How I wished that I was able to say it to his face without being scared of his reaction. As it was, I was only ever able to tell him in my head. I love you, you fucking idiot. Why can't you see that?

Nico stopped prodding me. "What did you just say?" he asked.

"I didn't..." I said, confused.

"Yes.. You did. You... You said you.. loved me.." He said, tentatively.

"Did I?" Shoot. I always end up saying what I'm thinking aloud, without realising it. "That's because.." I turned so I was laying on my back, watching his face. "..because it's true."

I didn't want to hear his reply. I nervously looked past him, at the really interesting ceiling.
I wished he would leave, that I could leave. Anything that meant that I wouldn't have to know his reaction.

But I also wanted to know. To get it over with.

The silence was too much. Nico hadn't moved at all.
I turned, facing the wall again. Neither of us spoke for what seemed like a year. Neither of us wanted to break the silence, neither of us wanted to be the first to speak.

I wanted to go back, unsay what I had said. I wanted to leave the situation, but without having to get up. I wanted to be able to deny what I had said.

But I couldn't.

I couldn't turn back the clock, I was unable to leave, and I couldn't deny what I had said, because it was true.