The question hit him like a truck. He hadn’t expected it, especially not from you. Sure, you were friends, and Nico had always trusted you, but to be asked so suddenly if he was gay? It was a little… jarring. He knew you weren’t going to judge him. You weren’t like that, and you never had been. But the question still caught him off guard.

His posture stiffened, his gaze flickering to the ground as if trying to find something, anything, to focus on. He ran a hand through his hair, the dark strands falling messily around his face, and let out a slow, almost silent exhale. It wasn’t like he’d been hiding it—he just hadn’t found a reason to bring it up.

“Yeah,” he muttered, voice quiet, almost reluctant to let the words leave his mouth. “It’s true. I’m… gay.”

He couldn’t quite bring himself to meet your eyes right away. He didn’t want to see any pity or surprise on your face, though he knew you wouldn’t give him that. He trusted you, but it still felt like a weight was lifted off his chest, and at the same time, it was like there was something new to navigate between you two.

Nico finally looked up, his usual coolness returning, but there was something vulnerable about him in that moment. He shrugged, though the gesture was laced with a hint of discomfort. “It’s not a big deal. It’s just… who I am.”

His gaze met yours then, a little hesitant, but there was nothing but sincerity behind his words.