"How are you really feeling? Honestly."

Numbly, Nico watched Thea as she pressed her palm against Faust's forehead. Her features drew together, and there was a crease between her eyebrows that appeared whenever she was worried.

Faust was lucky.

"Fever's been gone since this morning so I think I'll make it to school tomorrow. Good to know you've missed me, Thea."

And Faust was also an asshole for lying to her like this—they were both assholes.

When Thea had said at lunch that she'd visit his best friend, Nico didn't know if he'd wanted to contact Faust or not.

He almost didn't.

"Get your ass back to Northvale," Nico had snarled. "Thea's visiting you after school and she's not taking no for an answer."

Faust had cursed. "Okay. I can make it. Thanks for the warning."

Nico had hung up.

Thea retracted her hand. "I wanted to check on you. I met your brother."

Faust's smile faltered as he reached over and tucked a strand of her hair beneath her ear. "And?"

"And he was really nice."

"Did you expect him to be the opposite from Theo's story?"

Thea shook her head. "No. From what my brother told me, Beau was really brave and considerate. I'm sorry he was accused."

Nico took a deep breath. Thea's heart was so incredibly big and warm and kind.

Faust was lucky.

"No need to apologize for things you had no knowledge nor control of. It's me who needs to do the apologizing. Especially about last Friday."

Thea's fingers rubbed her forehead. "Faust, I—"

Faust took her hand. Nico looked away. "Thea, I'm really sorry. I know I shouldn't have given my consent. I was too worried about what people would think of me that it hadn't crossed my mind what they would think of you. The comments were all my fault. You didn't deserve that."

And despite all the other lies, Faust was telling her the truth.

"Thank you," Thea mumbled. "You're forgiven. The talk has died down a bit. Nico and the others were...helpful."

Nico distinctly remembered threatening a lot of people for what they said to and about Thea. The term 'helpful' was funny. "Helpful," Nico said, snorting, as he leaned against the doorway. "Right."

Thea didn't even spare him a glance. "Let's just move on from that. They got what they deserved, anyway."

They really did. Nico made sure of it.

Faust nodded. "About...um, Anya."

Nico scrunched his nose. The name felt unfamiliar.

"Oh," Thea said. "D'you want to talk about that now?"

"You can just let me know whatever Theo told you," Faust offered with a shrug. "I want to know if he's telling the truth. I'll cut in bits from my side."

And so Thea launched into the story slowly.

While they talked, Nico took out his phone. Don't think you're off the hook. You're dead when I see you again :)

JJ's reply was instant. I GAVE YOU A CHANCE TO BE WITH THEA WHY AM I BEING ATTACKED THIS WAY

you were being OBVIOUS, dumbass. she didn't need to know about us going after the assholes who commented shit about her, either. Thea doesn't want anyone getting hurt, alright? Even when it's for her.

you're so whipped :'), JJ said. Nico rolled his eyes. but seriously, dude, if you want thea to start looking in your direction, you better DO something.

Nico clenched his jaw and took a seat on the chair in front of Faust's desk. It's not that easy. She's our friend's girl.

and as much as i love Faust, bro, he's lying to her. :D and stringing her along. faust keeps denying that he doesn't know who he wants, but i'm pretty sure it's not thea.

...you don't know that yet. faust's feelings for anya are gone.

then why is he lying to thea?

...

you know i'm right, nico.

Nico clenched his jaw. whatever. also, stop threatening me about the fucking scarf. Thea doesn't need to know it's mine.

then stop being a meanie as well and we're good :D

you still haven't told me what she did

JJ took a few minutes longer than usual to send back his response. I'll tell you when you get your shit together!!!

BUT IS IT A BAD THING? DID SHE THROW IT OUT?

:D :D :D love you have fun driving her i'm such a great wingman

MY MOM KNITTED IT FOR ME JJ

No reply.

JJ GET BACK HERE

When it was clear his friend wasn't going to reply anymore, Nico pocketed his phone with a scowl on his face as he crossed his arms.

Thea looked uneasy. "What about what you said? About taking away someone from Theo and him not being able to do anything until you destroyed them."

Nico stiffened.

Faust stared at Thea. "Do you believe it?"

"I don't know. It doesn't seem like it."

"Then no, it isn't true," Faust answered. "Let that be the one part of the story you forget."

"Okay," Thea said. "Okay. Thank you for being honest."

Faust leaned forward and kissed her forehead.

Nico's chest felt tight.

"What do you think about some soup? I could make you some." Thea looked over her shoulder to meet Nico's gaze. He was already staring at her. "Nico could help me."

Do something, JJ had said. Nico stood. "Actually, I have to talk to my captain about some things regarding the team. You go ahead. Beau can help you."

She frowned. "Oh. Okay."

Faust smiled. "It's alright, Thea. You don't have to."

"I want to. I'll ask Beau."

Faust let go of her hand. "If you're sure. Thank you."

Nico watched Thea leave the room.

He waited until the sounds of her footsteps bounding down the staircase were gone. Then, he turned to Faust. "How long do you intend on keeping this from her?"

Faust threw away the blanket that covered his body. "I'm going to tell her the truth, Nico."

"And when will that be?"

"That isn't any of your business."

Nico laughed. "Bullshit. I've been covering for you since day one, Faust. This is my business. And as unobservant as Thea can be, I can tell she's already suspicious. You can't even keep track of your own lies anymore."

His best friend put his face in his hands tiredly. "Nico."

"Faust, this is screwed up," Nico snapped. "I swear to God, if you don't tell her the truth, I will."

"I know this is wrong," Faust said exasperatedly, jaw locked in anger. "I know, okay? But let me be the one to tell her the truth, Nico. She deserves to hear it from me."

It was uncalled for—the envy. But Nico breathed out a humorless laugh and said, "Ah. So you do care."

Faust narrowed his eyes. "Of course I care about her, Nico. What kind of person do you take me for?"

And the envy was there—all-consuming. Terrifying. "Forgive me, Faust, but let me refresh your memory. You just lied to Thea. Again. Just before she left. What you said to Theo—that was fucking true. And I don't know if you're just using his sister for your own gain."

Faust swallowed hard. His stare was piercing. "That was before. I'd already hurt them both from of what I did at the pep rally. I don't plan on doing it again."

"What you did was intentional," Nico said icily. "You purposefully gave your consent knowing that the game was going to be aired live."

"I don't plan on doing it again," Faust repeated lowly. "What happened after that—the comments—Thea didn't deserve that shit. It's not my intention to use Thea to get to Theo, Nico."

A pause. Then, "I don't believe you."

"Then what the fuck do you want me to say, Nico?"

"I want you to tell me that your feelings for her—no matter how small of a fraction they are—are true," Nico said quietly. "I want you to tell me that your relationship with Thea isn't about the promise you made. I want you to tell me that you'll tell her the truth about Anya, and I want you to tell me that you're not thinking about choosing between them. I want you to tell me you don't have feelings for Anya. I want you to tell me that you're not going to break Thea's heart, and that you'll take care of it—just as I know I would have."

Faust's lips parted in quiet surprise. He stared at Nico. "What?"

Nico stayed silent.

Faust blinked. "Nico."

"What?"

"How long? Since when?"

"Long enough."

Three beats of silence. "I didn't know."

"Now you do," Nico murmured. "And now you also know, that while I'm pretending to hate her because she's taking you from me, the truth is—I don't mind that she already has. If you're true to your words, Faust, she has your heart. And she has mine, too."

*

JJ: she brought it to the lost and found.

*

nico's confession in the original was much more dramatic because it was the first plot twist ever lmAO people thought he was gay cx if you wanna see the exact paragraphs of what he said and the comments that showed how the readers lost their shit, it's on my twitter at pqmwrites !