Leo's new joy in life? Pointing out to Nico how short he was.

When they had first met, Leo had never realized how short Nico really was. His dangerous and angry cover up making him appear bigger then he actually was. So it was a kind of shook to him when he realized Nico's head just reached his shoulder while barefoot.

And he thought he was short and scrawny.

Leo was thinking of buying the company that made those dictionary's, Webster? And changing the word short to Nico di Angelo. Because really, had the guy even grown an inch since he was ten?

Percy assured him he had, because at one point Nico had been just a few inches above his waist, and Percy hadn't been tall when he was thirteen.

He was even more delighted when he found out Nico probably wouldn't grow anymore when the camp went through the infirmary for their yearly physical.

"Hey bite size." Leo said when his boyfriend walked into Bunker Nine.

Nico glared at him. "Don't call me that."

"You know, di Angelo, when I first met you I would have coward at that glare, but now that I've realized how little you are its just really fucking adorable."

"I am not little!"

"Babe, you're the size I was when I was like eleven. You're so damn cute. I just wanna wrap your cute little butt up and snuggle you forever."

"I AM NOT CUTE!"

"Aw," Leo cooed. He got up from his desk and pinched Nico's cheek. "You're so endearing when you're angry. It melts my damn heart. Kinda like a puppy who barks at shoes they aren't familiar with."

"I'm not a puppy, Valdez."

"Small enough to be one." Leo wrapped his arms around his fuming boyfriends waist, bending the slightest bit to kiss the top of Nico's head.

Nico grumbled. "'M not small."

"I love how small you are." Leo assured him, he pulled Nico in his lap and wrapped his arms around his waist, the top of his head resting perfectly right under his chin without either of them having to bend or stretch.

…..

"Whayda all talking about?" Leo asked. He came up from behind Nico and rested his elbow on top of his boyfriends head.

Jason and Percy's lips twitched in amusement. "Chiron's organizing a quest to retrieve some stupid misplaced godly possession, you wanna go?" Jason asked.

"Sure. When are we leaving?"

"Thursday." Nico grumbled.

Leo looked at Jason and Percy quizzically. "Did you guys hear something?"

Percy turned away, snickering loudly.

"I said Thursday!" Nico repeated.

Leo looked at Jason. "Jason are you messing around with the wind. I swear I heard something!"

"THURDAY!" Nico screamed.

Leo looked down at him, a faux startled expression on his face. "OH hi Neeks! Didn't see you down there!"

Jason burst out laughing.

"YOU'RE ELBOWS ON MY HEAD!"

"Thought you were a walking arm rest, hey shadow boy, answer me a question?" Leo asked eyes wide and innocent. Nico didn't trust them for a minute.

"What?" he grumbled angrily.

Leo smirked. "What's the weather like down there? Does it get colder so close to the ground?"

Nico glared at him and slapped his arm off; Leo lost balance and fell right on his butt.

"I don't know," Nico smirked. "You tell me. Little chilly, Valdez?"

….

"Come on, Leo!" Nico growled.

Leo looked down at him again, smile soft if not a little bit teasing. "What baby?"

"Kiss me!" Nico pleated, tugging at his shirt impatiently, waiting for Leo to bend down and kiss him.

"S' not fair I always have to bend down." Leo teased.

"Leo, come on!" Nico whined, he tugged at Leo's grease covered white shirt harder and tried to drag him down.

"Nah-uh." Leo said. "You come up here."

"LEO!"

Leo tapped his lips and puckered them dramatically before they fell into a gentle laugh.

Nico grumbled.

"C'mon shorties. Up you go!"

Nico stood on his tip toes, grabbing Leo's shoulders for support and kissed his boyfriend gently. Leo ran his hands over Nico's sides, cupping his chin and running his thumb over his grayish white cheek.

"What's it like being on a whole new level, short stuff?" Leo asked breathlessly, holding Nico in place.

Nico tripped him so he was laid flat out on his back in the dirt.

"Whatever, Valdez, I can beat your ass in anything."

"Except a height contest of course."