The Group Chat [Leico Valdangelo]

part seventeen

• Leo •

"...and you know, she's just being a bitch and..."

Leo zoned out of Nico's conversation and looked down at the Italian boy's lips. How they moved with each word-

"Leo, are you even listening?" Nico asked.

"Mh-hm."

"You're not even listening," Nico rolled his eyes and turned away.

"I was. You were talking about her being a bitch," Leo replied and Nico sighed.

"Yeah...she called Hazel a problem child," Nico sighed again as Mr. Vulcan left the class for a few minutes. "I just...wanna get away from her."

"I'm sorry. But...I heard Jason's sister is having another party. But you can only get in if you have a date and-"

"Last time I went to a party, I got drunk and tried to get into your pants-"

"Oh, so I was right," Luke sauntered over and smirked, pulling up a chair in front of Nico and Leo's desk.

"Leave us alone," Leo said. Luke ran his fingers through his hair and Nico flinched when Luke raised his hand.

Leo glared at Luke and grabbed Nico's hand, letting Nico know that Leo was there and he wasn't going to let anything happen to him.

"Getting a little mad, are we?" Luke smirked and placed a hand near Nico, causing the smaller boy to freeze up and clench his eyes shut.

Leo squeezed Nico's hand again and rubbed his thumb across Nico's knuckles.

"Luke, just leave us alone," Nico whispered and Luke stood up, towering over Nico. The small boy hid his face in Leo's chest and clutched his shirt like it was his lifeline. Luke laughed.

"I don't get why you're so scared of me," Luke stared down Nico, before grabbing Nico's arm and forcing the quivering boy to look at him.

"Hey!" Leo called and stood up, wrenching Luke's hand off of Nico's arm. "Touch him again and I swear to God-"

"You'll burn my mom too?" Luke asked. The entire class was quiet and staring at them. Leo glared, his eyes feeling hot.

"I am so sick of your bullshit, Luke! You treat others like absolute crap, and you're the shittiest friend to Ethan and Chris-"

"Is Nico afraid to take you to his house because he's scared you'll kill his mom? Oh wait...isn't she already dead?"

"You have no right to even say that-"

"And what about your sister?" Luke looked at Nico. "Poor, precious Bianca."

Nico looked up at Leo, his eyes filled with tears. It was only a matter of time before Nico broke down and Leo wreaked havoc on Luke.

"You little-" Leo started, but Nico grabbed his hand. Leo turned and saw Nico crying, his head hanging down. He barely caught the words, "Please don't."

"Neeks," Leo whispered and Nico looked up at him.

"Don't."

"You two make me sick. Gays shouldn't be allowed in public-"

"Excuse me, Mr. Castellan, were you saying something?" Mr. Vulcan asked as he walked into the room. Luke turned to him.

"No sir."

"Good. Then sit down and see me after class for a detention slip," Mr. Vulcan looked at Leo. "Sit down."

Leo sat next to Nico and the small Italian scooted his chair over to Leo and curled up against him, crying softly into his chest.

"Shh, it's okay, Neeks. I'm here. I got you."

"Do you two want to step outside for a moment?" Mr. Vulcan asked and Leo nodded his head, helping Nico up and walking him outside of the classroom. Once Leo shut the door, Nico collapsed against him again and continued sobbing. Leo kissed the top of Nico's head and continued to hold him close.

"I've got you, it's okay," Leo whispered.

"Please don't leave me," Nico whimpered, clutching Leo's shirt. "Not like anyone else has."

"I won't, Neeks, I promise. You're stuck with me forever," Leo smiled and Nico looked up at him, his dark eyes glittering with tears.

"Promise?" Nico asked.

"Promise," Leo answered and Nico smiled.

"Maybe promise will be our always," Nico muttered and Leo rolled his eyes playfully.

"You're hopeless, di Angelo," Leo murmured and pecked Nico's lips gently.

"If I'm hopeless, you're ugly."

"That's what I'm saying," Leo agreed and Nico rolled his eyes.

"You're not ugly. You're the hopeless one, Valdez. Not me."

"Maybe that's true," Leo whispered, before sighing. "Are you okay?"

"Define okay."

"Are you able to go back into class?" Leo asked and Nico sighed.

"I'll manage. Hopefully."