[ Jason follows him, hands tucked into his pockets. He doesn't make himself small, but he's not standing tall and blazing the way, head councillor, Pontifex Maximus. Just Jason with his brother. He looks at Nico a few times, trying to figure out how to encourage him to talk, but eventually just leaves it alone. Nico hasn't lied to him. He can't — but he also doesn't. ]

You've kept it close to your chest for a really long time. And besides... Cupid was cruel to you about it.

[ It's hard for him to believe this was the same force that Piper was about, she spread beauty where she went, and Cupid had been... monstrous. Horrifying. He supposes it makes sense of a son of Mars, but still. ]

He could've asked me, but I wasn't conflicted.