My Favorite Mistake
Chapter 6

A/N: Hello everybody! I can't believe I'm actually going to finish this fan fiction *does a little dance*. I feel so terrible about leaving this thing without an ending and I was going through my old writing the other day and saw were I had started chapter six for My Favorite Mistake. The writing was full of mistakes and it made no sense what so ever, but I was compelled to finish it. So I took what I could actually fathom from that little tidbit of storytelling and just ran with it. I hope you all can forgive me for leaving this unfinished. I made this chapter extremely long to make up for that. Plus the writing is a lot better and there are less grammatical errors. Anyways, thank you for reading even though it's been so long since my last update. Please enjoy this chapter and I would love a few reviews. Have a wonderful day, my friends! :D

P.S. My grandmother is no longer sick or in the hospital which I am so happy about. Even though that happened quite a while back I am thankful every day that I still have her. Thank you all for your support and well wishes!

"A-alright." Nico automatically hesitated to agree to the talk with his sister, although he had to follow her wishes considering she would probably force him to talk anyways if he refused. Looking back and forth between her room and brother Hazel quickly added.

"We should probably walk around and talk. My room is kind of stuffy and everything." Despite her tries to make everything seem casual Hazel once again felt a rift growing between her and the other, awkwardness being fueled through fear. Taking one look at her brother's pale worried face the daughter of Pluto tried to break the tension the only way she knew how.

"Come on, Nikki! It won't be that bad." Hazel mutters under her breath as she grabbed the other boy's hand. Immediately the son of Hades feels the muscles in his face relax, becoming more willing to do whatever her hands willed. He hadn't heard that nickname in a long time. Not since before he was trapped in that hell called Tartarus. The name had come about in a funny manner, not being brought on by closeness or love. Rather it was spawned through an odd coincidences. A while after Hazel had been dropped off at Camp Jupiter and her and Nico split way the boy when off on his own. He decided he needed time alone to sort through everything he was feeling, going off on his own little adventure during that time. It was three months later before he returned to his sister and when he did come back to Camp Jupiter he was a different person. Different in the looks department that is. His hair was practically down to his shoulders, lacking a pair of scissors in the wilderness. Even with that Hazel didn't call him Nikki initially. It took a while for that name to come about, only being said when Hazel referred to his hair as feminine. And when it did it stuck like glue. Even after a haircut it still came up every once in a while- mainly as a comforting measure.

Hazel knew that that name would give her some leeway. Within moments they were standing on the deck of the Argo II, leaning over the railing and staring deep into the water below them. They could have easily flown at this point, but Leo decided it would be better to take by water for the night. It would have been a smoother ride. Nico assumed that that was his fault actually. He might have mentioned the fact that he hated flying at night because it was uncomfortable to Leo. It was offhandedly, not to be taken seriously, but the boy might have just looked into his concern.

"Look what I fished out of the ocean." Hazel comment lightly as she quickly took something out of her pocked and tied a string to it behind her back. Nico didn't know where she got the string from or the mysterious item, but he didn't care as he watched her cautiously. Without thinking anything of it the daughter of Pluto flung the item over the railing, letting it hit the water below before bring it up with that thin strip of yarn. Nico gave a heartfelt laugh as his sister produced a chocolate bar covered in a waterlogged golden wrapper and presented it to him. She smiled quaintly at his laugh, realizing how odd of a noise it was to hear. She wished he would have been happier. He deserved it.

"It still has a little fight left in it!" Hazel exclaimed as she shook the tiny chocolate bar in her hands, mimicking the actions of a live fish that squirmed for freedom. Nico once again snickered at his sister's odd sense of humor as she almost tripped on her own feet. With a grin she finally rested the treat in her hand and undid the cover, breaking it in half and handing half to her brother.

"Mm, tastes fresh." Nico continued the joke as he glanced over at Hazel, taking a bit of the bar and chewing lightly. She didn't respond, but smiled in retort.

"Very funny, Nico." Hazel commented as she took a bite out of her own half. She met his eyes with a loving gaze. She liked the fact that she actually could look Nico directly in the eyes, noting that the boy was about the exact same height as she.

"Yeah," Nico drew out the word as he took a heavy breath, "So, let's get to the actual topic of this conversation. I assume you have a problem with Leo so I'm just going to try to give you a rundown of what's going on right now."

"Alright. Shoot."

"Okay. Me and Leo just started dating today, but the emotions have been brewing for a few day now. I know you're worried about what he might do to me or whatever, but it's not a problem. Leo treats me well and I like him a lot. I might even love him. I promise that we aren't having any issues and…if we ever have sex we'll use a condom." Nico added the last comment with a completely straight face causing Hazel to explode into a giggling fit. She thought it was very funny to hear her brother talking like this. She had one thing to say about Leo and Nico having sex: it better not happen. Using a condom would be the least of their worries if they ever did something sexual. She swore she would hunt Leo down and castrate him herself if he ever ruined Nico's innocence.

"Actually, I'm not worried about what Leo will do to you. I mean I'll talk to him and make sure he doesn't do anything to you, but I don't think he will. Leo's a really nice guy, Nico. He has a good heart and, as much as he doesn't use it, he has a lot of knowledge. Useful knowledge at that. Not just those little trivia facts about movies or whatever. He's a good fit for you, too. Opposites attract and I don't think there can be anyone more different from you than Leo."

"Then what's the problem?" Nico questioned uncertainly.

"The problem is that… I don't want you to get too close to him- that's all. Not now at least. Maybe after this entire thing is over. With the threat of Gaea and this damn prophecy a lot could happen in the next few days. A lot of people could be lost. I know that not a good thing to think about, but it has to be said. Getting involved with someone right now is not a wise decision. It would be even worse if you and him got really close and then something happened. I don't want you to be broken again, Nico."

"And I won't." Nico insisted, speaking with a striking passion although there was no anger what so ever, "I won't get hurt. Honestly. And I believe right now is the perfect time to get involved with someone. I need something to keep me going through this whole thing and Leo is perfect for that. I want something to hold onto, Hazel. I would really like a bit of comfort right now."

"I get it. Trust me. I get where you're coming from. If I didn't have Frank I don't know what I would do." Hazel admitted with a small, weary smile, "It takes a lot to live through something like this. I'm glad you have a place to fall if something does happen. Leo is a good person to go to for comfort. I know that from experience. He won't judge whatever problem you're having because he gets it. I just worry about you Nico."

"I know you do! But I have to take care of my own self at some point. And now is the time Hazel. I can't have you looking out for me forever." Nico emphasized.

"I know. I know…" Hazel trailed off, "I guess I should just get use to the fact that there is a chance that when we get older I'll have Leo Valdez celebrating holidays with our family. Or maybe he'll take your name when you two get married."

Nico scoffed at the very thought, "I doubt me and Leo will be getting married anytime soon. Trust me. I can't imagine Leo getting down on one knee with a wedding ring in hand. And even if he did he definitely wouldn't take my last name. But Nico Valdez does have a nice ring to it."

"Yeah it does." Hazel clarified with a grin. Both sibling laughed at the thought, dabbling in the thoughts of sweeter times after the battle. Toying with themselves as they allowed minds to wander on the fact of their futures. It was a pleasant conversation to say the least. Finally, after a few minutes of talking, Hazel relinquished Nico to return below deck. Just before he left, however, she empathized the fact that he needed to go straight to bed, looking tired and overwhelmed from the occurrences of the day.

Taking back below deck the son of Hades completely ignored his sisters warning as he set off to find Leo. He didn't have to search for long as he ran into Piper in the hallway between their bedrooms. She acted just as jumpy as ever around the boy, but didn't show that fear as they spoke.

"Piper, have you seen Leo?"

"Oh yeah," Piper claimed as she placed her hands on her hips. She had to hide her cheeks to cover the smile that attacked those full lips, "He's in the lounge room."

"Thank you very much." Nico assured as he passed the girl by. He could still hear her giggling giddily as he continued on his search for his boyfriend.

(Fan Fiction won't let me put a little line separating thingy here so I just put this. Just thought I would clarify that. Time has passed and stuff since the last paragraph. So...yeah. Back to the story! )

"I really want to punch you right in the face right now." Nico cried spiritedly as Leo once again curled his fingers around the sleeve of his aviator jacket. The boy had been pulling on the cloth for the last ten minutes, trying to get his boyfriend to let him sniff the fabric.

"Just let me smell your sleeve!" Leo shot back with just as much passion and a nod of humor hanging on his lips. He was completely aware of the other's aggravation, but he showed no sign of giving leeway. Even if the other was consensual to the action Leo was determined to sniff the son of Hades' sleeve.

"Why do you want to sniff me?!" Nico egged on as he drew back into the couch arm. The two were sitting there with their legs entangled and knees propped up. Leo was leaned back on the opposite side, spenders hanging on both sides of his body as they were torn off his shoulders. For some odd reason Leo felt better when his spenders were pulled down, allowing him to have more room to move and be more comfortable. His dirty white t-shirt was covered in stains from oil and fingerprints where he was constantly cleaning his hands on the shirt front. He seemed carefree at the moment, completely opposing the boy across from him. Nico looked as nervous as ever, barreled deep within the oppression of his aviator jacket. The long cuffs coupled his hands and his shoulder were forced all the way inwards. The younger boy was hiding in a way, making sure his boyfriend couldn't see how bad he was blushing. With his legs propped up the fabric of his jeans clung tightly to Nico's thighs and backend, giving Leo a great view from where he was sitting.

"You smell good! I like it! You're all spicy!" The odd display of affection made Nico sink deeper into the fabric folds as Leo pressed closer to him, clamping one of his hands on top of the boy's knee.

"How can someone smell 'spicy'?" Nico quoted as he raised his hands for a cease fire. The other boy rolled his eyes with annoyance.

"You just do! Now accept my love before I have to throw it at you!" The son of Hephaestus emphasized, leaving Nico speechless and more confused than ever.

"How can you throw love?!"

"Like this!" Suddenly, without a sense of warning, Leo sat up on his knees and pounced on top of Nico, pushing his body down deep into the couch cushions. He expertly interlaced his arms around Nico's waist and held him close, pressing a kiss to the younger boy's temple. There was a deep 'humph' noise as the son of Hades struggled.

"Why are you bothering me?" Nico whined harshly, biting his tongue as he bared the other's weight.

"Because there is nothing to do one this damn ship!"

"You built this ship!"

"Yeah and it's my baby!" Leo cooed as he flopped back onto the furniture, finally climbing off of his love. He patted the wooden wall affectionately as he grinned at Nico, "But there's nothing to do on here."

"Well, what do you want?" Nico asked with a heavy frown. There was a pause from the other boy as Nico waited for an answer.

"I want TV!" Leo piped up suddenly, leaning back against the couch as though he was upset, "I miss watching The Walking Dead."

"The Walking Dead?" Nico asked incredulously, lips hanging open and eyes formed into slits, "Damn it, Leo! You have the real live Walking Dead right here! You know…I can raise the dead and all, prince of the underworld himself, the ghost king- does any of that ring a bell to you?"

"Well yeah." Leo murmured, "But I don't want you to do all that stuff. Nico, I still feel like you'll break if you try any of your underworld-ly magic. I don't want you to shatter like a sheet of glass if you strain yourself to hard. I would much rather watch a few people on a TV show do all that shit rather than you. At least I know if someone gets their face eaten by a zombie they'll be on that show The Talking Dead afterwards, alive and well."

"You're afraid you're going to lose me, aren't you?" The son of Hades piped as he placed an affectionate hand around Leo's neck .The two sat on the couch for a moment, just gaze into each other's eyes, as the room descended into silence. Nico loved the look of passion and adornment that swirled within those amber orbs, but there was something else there as well. There was something fearful. Something terrified. And Nico's assumption was clarified as Leo spoke up once more.

"Make me a promise Nico di Angelo." Leo brushed his lips against the top of Nico's head, gifting the boy with a butterfly kiss. It was simple and sweet, causing a heat to bubble in the son of Hades' stomach, but the younger boy pulled away all the same. He could hear how serious the other was. He could sense the deep, heated passion that laced with those words. Something was coming. Something big.

"You have to clarify what kind of promise this is." Nico commented as he took Leo's hand affectionately. He didn't want the elder boy to think that there was any doubt in his mind, but he didn't want to insinuate that he would just swear to anything either. There need to be some clarification of what he was getting into before he would agree.

"Promise me that where ever I go you'll follow. I don't want to lose you. No matter if I end up at Camp Jupiter, Camp Half-Blood, or on my own- you'll come with me. Hell, Nico, I might end up in someplace like…Paris! All I want is for you to follow me."

"What if you die?" Nico exploded suddenly, lips set in a tight line, eyes harboring so many hurt emotions. This wasn't one of those childish 'what if' questions. This was a real terror, one that could easily be played out as reality if fate allowed it. There was a chance that Leo could die soon. And then what? Where would Nico go? He had just fallen in love for the first time. Possible for the last time if everything went as he hoped. Who would he turn to if something happened to Leo?

"If I…" Leo's mouth went dry as cotton as he tried to make a coherent thought. Before he could clarify anything Nico shook his head and beat the boy to it.

"Alright, I'll promise to that, but you have to make me a promise." Nico assured as he bit his lower lip. He had just made the biggest promise of his life. He had just swore to be there for someone, through thick and through thin. Till death do they part, "If you die you have to let me sit with you every day in the underworld. Whether you end up in the city of gold or burning in the field of punishment, I'll be by your side the entire time."

"Well, I'm not going to die so don't even think about that. That is never going to happen." He cooed to Nico under his breath, pressing a kiss to his temple with an affectionate 'I love you'.

"So we got a deal?" The son of Hades whispered up to him from his place on the couch.

"Yeah, we do. Now we just got to seal this promise with a kiss." Leo cried quickly as he puckered up those ruby red lips. Nico looked up at him, maintaining that ever present frown even through his affections. The younger smacked Leo's arm with false hatred as he laughed wickedly. Before another word could be spoken their lips met. The kiss was sweet, passionate, and more intimate than expected. Most would have expected that that previously used cheesy line would have taken some of the intimacy out of the embrace, but neither boy noticed.

"Oh gods!" The cry exploded through the room in a deep gruff voice. Both boy's looked up aggravated as their lip lock was interrupted, anger bubbling within Nico's heart and humor hanging upon Leo's lips. They both turned to face Frank as he held up a hand of terror, making sure to cup both of his eyes to block out the intimate scene that played before him. He looked completely and utterly freaked out by what was happening. Well, not really freaked out. More like indifferent.

"Want to join us, Zhang!" Leo's snarky remark cracked through air like lightening, his lips forcing back to Nico's as soon as the words were uttered. The son of Hades quickly choked, forcing Leo's face away from his own by pressing the elder's cheeks harshly. There was nothing pressuring about that action, but the younger boy definitely didn't want to become a pawn in Leo's bickering with Frank. But no, the kiss wasn't harsh. In fact it was kind of sweet- expect for that slight hint of vengeance that lingered. Either way, Nico hissed and smacked Leo on the hand as he grinned crookedly.

"You're sick!" Frank snapped his fingers with a disgusted look in his eyes. Nico blushed heavily at that, "I came down to tell you that Hazel wants to talk to you Valdez, but fine!"

With a clank of the door Frank fled back into the hallways for safety, fearing that another make out session was going to pursue in front of him. He was confident in the idea that the only thing Leo and Nico did was kiss.

"She's going to give you the same lecture that she gave me." Nico murmured to Leo as the repair boy lay a heavy hand on his shoulder. The son of Hades whimpered under his breath as the other smoothed wild, dark locks with his hand. It wasn't as much a comforting action for Nico as it was for Leo.

"Yeah, I'm going to get really chewed out aren't I?" Nico nodded at Leo's assumption as the elder stood up with a deep sigh. A stretch and yawn later and Leo was walking towards the door, giving Nico a reassuring smile. "She worries about you doesn't she? She's afraid I'm going to hurt you. She thinks I might break your heart, lover boy."

Nico gave a deep 'humph' at Leo as he placed a soft peck on his lips before pulling back. Nico gave him a heavy frown before leaning back against the couch, crossing his arms over his chest as the young boy spoke, "Go talk to Hazel dammit. If you don't right now then you never will. You'll just sit here and make out with me for the rest of the night."

"You know me to well." Leo justified with a raise of his hands, as though he was surrendering. Stepping shakily away Nico watched him teeter back and forth, taking a petite hand in his own as he stood unsteadily. He gave the other a smile of encouragement as he stepped back away from Nico and towards the door. Their hands locked for a moment longer than someone usually would, but neither of them minded.

Turning around softly, keeping his eyes locked on Nico's as he walked forward, Leo bumped into the door frame as he moved. Recalibrating his movements, shooting the younger boy a deep smile, Leo finally managed to get through the door and into the hall. Nico waved briskly as he disappeared around the corner.

Through the low light of the Argo II bedroom Nico paced back and forth fretfully. The sheet and comforter had been turned down to his bed with a attentiveness that couldn't not be understated and the lights were alright flickering into the oblivious shade of darkness, but the young Italian made no attempt to fall wearily into bed. He was waiting for something. He was waiting for someone. Even as, one by one, the others in the Argo II allowed their lights to dim into oppression and fell into peaceful (or hateful) dreams, Nico stayed awake.

Leo had never returned from talking with Hazel. Fears of the worst plagued Nico's mind as his stomach continued to churn. He knew that nothing had happened. Maybe an aggravating argument, but nothing more. However, he still dabbled within the melancholy thought of what could have happened. Hazel had probably thrown the other overboard, leaving him to drown at the bottom of the ocean right now- locked in a wooden chest and weighted down with chains like you see in all the old pirate movies. Perhaps she has locked him in a supplies closet somewhere on the ship, leaving him there with nothing but the brooms and dust. Shaking his head Nico willed away all the thoughts that seemed to roll in his head. He knew that Hazel wouldn't touch Leo, not if Nico cared about him. She wouldn't hurt her brother like that.

Pushing his hair back with a huff of indignity Nico began preparing for bed. In one shift motion he stripped down to his boxers. Walking across the floor, listening as the wooden boards groaned underneath him, Nico picked up the pair of shorts that lay on his bed- examining them and assessing their condition. He wasn't too keen on the fact that he had to wear Jason Graces' shorts to bed. The hole in the pant leg and frail hems were not very promising, but with a sigh of registration Nico struggled into the oversized piece of clothing. With a pull of the white string and quick fingers Nico laced up the shorts and stared down at himself. Of course they still didn't fit properly and sagged in the hips, but he had nothing else to adorn in bed besides his boxers. And he made the decision to actually wear clothing to bed tonight.

Sighing heavily the young boy tore off his black tee shirt as well, shedding it in one swift motions, and watching as it fell to the floor in a heap. Goose bumps nipped at the pale skin of his bare chest as Nico tried to shake off the cold. Kicking his recently removed shirt out of the way and moving over to the bed, Nico bent down as he prepared to climb into bed. He froze when a sudden whistle drew out behind him.

The door to Nico's room shut with a slight clatter as Leo sweep into the room, overcoming the smaller like a hurricane. Sweeping the son of Hades up into his arms easily, considering his frail size, Leo pulled the boy up into a subtle kiss. Nico gave a squeak of protest as his feet briefly came off the ground, defying gravity. Tiny, wiry hands came up to cup the back of the son of Hephaestus' neck, running through the sweet short hair that lay there. Once they broke apart, however, all of Nico's passion and love dissipated.

"Can you put me down now?" Nico asked grudged as Leo dropped him back to the hard wood flooring. The son of Hades stumbled heavily as he was dropped back to the earth.

Stepping forward once again, pulling the small Italian back into his chest, Leo briefly bent down and whispered against the shell of Nico's ear, "You look absolutely beautiful."

The son of Hades blushed at those heavy, lustful words. There was nothing beautiful about him. He had decided that a long time ago, even before he had disappeared into the depths of Tartarus. His skin was to pale, looking pastel and washed out. His hair was always tangled and knotted. He was too short- too skinny. He had those deep dark rings around his eyes making the dark orbs seem dull and burned out. He was not beautiful. Not at all.

With a sigh Nico simply mutter a single reply, one that caught Leo off guard. Pulling out of the taller boy's arms, walking towards his bed sullenly, he murmured, "Thanks."

Leo's eyebrows slinked together in unreadable concern, looking at his boyfriend with a sense of worry. That reaction was unexpected to say the least. Either way Leo brushed off the odd occurrence. Instead he slinked forward slyly, wrapping his arms around Nico's waist once more a popping a question that had been boarding into the back of his mind for the last hour or two, "So, you want to have a quick late night make out session?"

Nico snorted with humor at the boy's inquire before rolling Leo off of him, winking in his direction shyly. With a shake of his head the son of Hades justified his rejection, "I need to go to bed. I've had a long day."

"And?" Leo shrugged his shoulders as though the other boy's words had no effect on him.

"And," Nico trailed on as he looped his head to the side, shooting Leo a quaint look, "That means goodnight, Leo. I'm serious when I said I'm tired. Too much has gone on today. I feel like I'm on a rollercoaster."

"Wait, what?" The voice made Nico perk up once again, continuing to stare into Leo's dark amber eyes. The son of Hephaestus once again knitted his brows together in a look of confusion, "I figured you would want me to sleep in here with you. You know…like I did the other night. I thought that was quite clear at this point."

"Oh!" Nico gave a strangled cry of surprise as Leo's words registered in his mind, consuming him with a sudden sense of embarrassment. A spark of red burnished his cheeks as he turned to face the son of Hephaestus. The thought of them sleeping in the same bed for the night hadn't even crossed his mind, "I didn't know that…I figured…Oh."

"So…does that mean you want me to go back to my room?" The rift that was slowly growing between them seemed to spread wider as the moment became even more awkward. As though to fend off the sense of discomfort between them Leo began fiddling with the suspenders that slung over his shoulders. He quietly pulled on the straps before letting them smack back down, not wanting to meet the other's gaze as the son of Hades stood there dumbfounded.

"N-no! Trust me Leo. That's not what I meant. I would love to have you sleep with me." Nico proclaimed loudly. His face paled sudden as he caught of a glimpse of the repair boy smirking over to the side. It hadn't even registered to him how terrible that might have sounded, "Wait, that's not what I meant. Get your head out of the frikkin' gutter!"

"You are unequivocally adorable, Nico di Angelo." Leo planted his hands on his hips before laughing heartily. With a sudden motion the curly haired boy drew his suspenders over his shoulders and allowed them to hang loosely at his sides. His boots were laying in heap on the floor within seconds, socks discarded there as well. Rolling up the pant legs of his jeans Leo walked up to where Nico was standing by the bed. He silently sat down, pulling the petite Italian up onto the mattress with him.

"Unequivocally adorable?" Nico pondered out loud as Leo pulled him down sideways onto the bed, "Unequivocally? That's a big word for you, repair boy."

"I love it when you point out how dull I am. I may not be the sharpest knife, but I am very, very smooth. Not to mention sexy." Leo boasted broadly, taking that shot from his boyfriend without skipping a beat. Nico grinned at that comment.

"Yeah well, if I wanted a boy with brains I wouldn't have gone after you, now would I?"

"No, you defiantly wouldn't be with me." Leo commented offhandedly as he pulled the comforter up around Nico and his own body. He could feel fire kindling between the two of them as Nico pulled himself closer, embracing the other with a striking vendetta. Grabbing Leo's shoulders, securing his arms there, the son of Hades nudged his head into the crook of the other boy's neck. With that Leo slowly, tender, slid his knee in between Nico's legs. As soon as their legs were intertwined Nico cocked a look at him, pursing his lips.

"What are you doing?" He asked incredulously.

"You don't like it?" Leo began to withdrawn his leg swiftly, terrified that he had offended the younger. Rather than getting angry Nico grabbed Leo's upper thigh, stopping his movements.

"It's fine." He assured.

"Oh." The awkwardness once again descended upon them. Leo eyes flickered through the darkness as he tried to come up with something, anything, to break the tension.

"Are you cold?" He piped up quietly.

"I'm pretty warm." Nico assured, a peak of hesitation echoing in his words, "But…I could be warmer."

"Really?" Leo raised an eyebrow at the younger boy before holding his hand above the blanket. Nico watched him through the darkness with strained eyes, hoping to catch a tiny glimmer of what was to coming. All he wanted to do was watch, get lost in the magical impossibility that he knew was soon to follow. Suddenly there was a spark between Leo's finger tips. A few tiny orbs of light etched in the air as flames interlaced the elder boy's fingertips like a miniature campfire. Nico grinned as the flames licked around the other's fingers, whooshing in the air like it was rippling in the wind. Leo's pyro kinesis was pretty impressive. Nico would admit that. Running his hand out to meet Leo's own, down from his shoulder and all the way to his wrist, Leo's fire flickered out as their fingers met. Within that moment all of Leo's smoothness dissipated as their finger slammed together awkwardly in a grotesque mockery of what it should have been. He was so nervous for some unknown reason. So terrified of this. He stared at Nico's soft hand coupling his own, burrowing deeper as though to leech the warmth that still lingered in his skin. He hated the look of his own calloused and oil smudged hand taking Nico's fingers within his own. It was disgusting, the obvious difference between them. It was odd, to see something so smooth and delicate besides his broken and ugly hands.

"Your hands are so soft." Leo inquired quaintly as his other hand interlaced Nico's waist, pulling him as close as possible and giving an affectionate squeeze. The son of Hades squirmed for a moment before melting back into serenity, all his discomfort dissipating as quickly as it had been formed. Leo only pressed further with his complement as he added, "Like a sheep."

Looking up with a small confused smile hanging on his pale lips Nico shook his head at the other. It was such an odd comment coming from him. And Leo realized that a moment later. A blush coasted along Leo cheeks as he turned his face the other way, not meeting his boyfriend's eyes. It was strange- how awkward they had become in the last few moments. It completely opposed the scene on the couch.

"That's…completely gay." Nico whispered out with a deep chuckle as he let go of the other boy's hand. Burrowing his face into the younger boy's hair Leo allowed himself to smile pleasantly, pupils sparkling with a pleased light and the corners of his eyes crinkling with humor.

"Well, I kind of am. For you at least."

"What does that mean? For me at least?" Nico's face etched with a sudden sense of misunderstanding as Leo once again went sheepish.

"It means," Leo shot him a sullen grin, "that I'm only gay for you. I've never, ever thought about a guy being pretty and I've never had an attraction to any other guy. I've always been into woman. Trust me, I liked your sister when we met. I thought Thalia Grace was hot, too. And then I met you. You turned my entire world upside down. When I met you all I saw was a moody little teenage boy who had been through hell. But then I started listening to you. I started getting to know your personality. Even though you barely let anyone in I got to see who you really are and I fell madly and deeply in love with you. I think your perfect, Nico di Angelo."

"That's…that's…!" Nico lost all capability to speak as Leo pressed a firm kiss into his scalp, ruffling the dark locks with love. Once he was done toying with the younger's hair the son of Hephaestus cupped Nico's face. Bring their lips into a climax, locking in a deep embrace, they lay there. Lips together and breathing from their noses. There lay there for what seemed like an eternity- perhaps it was only moments, or seconds, or hours- but they didn't draw apart until Nico's lips softly drug away. The young boy's head dipped to the side as had fallen asleep, lips covered in sheen from their lip lock. Leo looked over at his adoring love with a relaxed smile curved upon his face, realizing that he had never been happier. He feel asleep with the faded taste of Nico hanged between chapped lips and the boy's head looped against his shoulder.

Nico's eyes opened jaggedly as his world trembled, adrenaline immediately pumping through his system and releasing toxins into his blood. Fear bubbled between his lips in a silent plea as the bed shook violently. The sound of splintering wood met his ears like an old friend, automatically assuring him that danger was afoot. The son of Hades was out of bed within seconds, blanket wrapped around his legs and eyes vigilant. Without thinking anything about it he slipped his long discarded t-shirt on and secured his iron sword around his waist, heart beat thumping in time to the footstep he heard running above deck. Nico was half way out the door when his heart stopped, exploding just like the noise that caused the earth to shake once more. Leo was gone. He wasn't in bed, he wasn't standing there with a look of attack on his face. He was gone. And Nico heart gave another jagged lurch as he heard a defining scream upstairs.