𝕱𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖑𝖞 𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖊 - a Leo Valdez slowburn

Chapter sixteen

Chapter sixteen. 

[Deathboy + Italy speedrun Pt. 1]

"Give me your last name, 

give me your house keys,

give me your fame,

give me all your disease."

When Aiden saw Nico and Leah side to side, he was convinced they were siblings. If not siblings, very close cousins. They held the same pose, they had the same eyebags, the same coffee, even. Leah gestured to the coffee pot. "You want some, poet boy?" Nico stifled his laugh and Aiden felt his ears turn red. 

"What type of nickname if poet boy?" the son of Hades asked incredulously. Leah decided to tease Aiden too. "Oh, they really like poetry. He writes it, his favorite movie is Dead Poet's society and everything," she replied cheerfully, casting a glance at her dear friend who was pouting as they poured themselves coffee. 

"Well," he huffed, "at least I have taste. What's yours favorite movie again?" Aiden asked teasingly, sipping his coffee after he put milk in it. Nico watched the two converse curiously. They acted like an old married couple in his opinion. Leah squirmed uncomfortably. She murmured something incoherently. Aiden arrived at the two chairs in the bedroom, leaning onto Leah's with his hip and drinking his coffee. They nudged her shoulder. "Come on, I didn't hear you," they teased. Leah let out a sigh. 

"Iron Man, okay?" she grumbled out. Nico raised an eyebrow. "Sounds stupid," he commented, setting down his mug. "A man of iron?" "No, dummy," Leah criticized, "his hero name's Iron man. I would've thought you knew this type of stuff, being everywhere and anywhere and all." Aiden had a proud look on their face. He pointed at the other demigod. 

"You see, Leah, this guy has good taste!" he exclaimed happily. "Iron man is a stupid movie, and you only like it because of Gwyneth Paltrow," he stated confidently. 

Leah made a confused face, furrowing her brows. "Of course Gwyneth Paltrow is a factor, but Favreau's directing and RDJ's acting are both great. Besides, Jarvis is a really cool AI. I can't wait for the sequel." She got silent, blinking. "Will there be a sequel, Aiden?" she asked worriedly. 

They hummed thoughtfully. "I'd think so," Aiden replied, "it was a very highly grossing movie. Besides, the past years have been really shitty for Marvel." Leah nodded, while Nico just watched confused. He'd heard about Marvel, but not about the newer movies from the past year. 

"Didn't they try to make a Fantastic four movie in like, 1994?" he asked cluelessly. "Wait, you know about that but you don't know about Iron man?" Leah squinted in confusion. "That's suspicious..." Aiden waved it away. "Well, you're good with me, kid. Just don't start liking Iron man and you're fine." Nico nodded shakily, standing up. 

"Well, it's been a pleasure talking to your mom, Aiden, lovely to meet you both," he said as cheerfully as he could (which was actually very sarcastically, but we're not talking about that). He then shrugged on his jacket, stepped into the shadows, and dissolved into them.

"What do we do now?" Leah asked once she was sure Nico was gone. "Pack for tomorrow, I guess," Aiden answered tiredly. They turned to look at Leah. "You know, you had lots of people worried there. Oh! I should probably announce the news." He ruffled Leah's hair, after which he stepped into the bathroom. Leah faintly heard the shower turn on and Aiden murmuring his prayer to Iris, then the click of a drachma.