You'll Learn to Love Me

Chapter 23: They're Siblings, Your Honour

Weeks flew by at Camp Half Blood. Laylana and Leo avoided talking about what happened the night of their "date" and the morning after. They didn't speak to one another much, and after a lot of convincing from their friends, they caved. Leo told Piper everything that happened, and Laylana told Jason. The couple, who had been the top Laylana x Leo shippers since day 1, had been trying to convince the two that they were just nervous. That what had happened was not a mistake. They just had to suck it up and admit their feelings to one another, and let fate take it from there. 

Of course, Laylana was too stubborn for her own good and convinced herself that she fucked up, and ruined her friendship with Leo with one simple kiss on the cheek. On the cheek. Something she did with her friends and family to show affection, both male and female. Apart of her tried to even convince herself that she just did that in a friendly way, that there was nothing romantic about it. But how could that be true considering the night they spent together prior? 

As of today, February rolled around quickly. Laylana had taken the day off from training to head back into the city and meet Nico as he had promised. She shadow-traveled back to her apartment, noting that her family wasn't home for the moment. She hopped on public transit until she arrived at the ice cream shop. She walked inside, not noticing Nico at any of the tables and took the chance to get some food for the two of them. She got chocolate for herself, and strawberry for Nico, knowing it was his favorite. 

It wasn't long before Nico walked in, sporting his usual aviator jacket that was a little too big for him. He looked tired, not like that wasn't like him. The minute his eyes laid on Laylana, they softened and for a moment he looked like a little kid again. Laylana stood from her seat as he rushed over, enveloping him in a tight hug. The boy hugged her back, both of their tension releasing almost immediately. 

"I'm okay," Laylana whispered to him. 

"I'm okay," Nico whispered back. They pulled back, Laylana laying a hand on his cheek. Although the Son of Hades hated physical contact, when it came to his "sister" he never seemed to mind. "You look like crap." 

"Damn, really? You look worse." Laylana chuckled. "Looks like you haven't slept in days." 

"Shadow travel does that." Nico shrugged. "It's not as bad as when we traveled  to another continent." 

"Proud that you have gotten the hang of it though." Laylana let her hand drop. "Gods, it's been too long since I've seen you." 

"It's only been a month." Nico shook his head as the two sat down opposite from each other. 

"Hey, before then we spent like every other day together." Laylana defended. 

"I guess you have a point." The two stayed quiet for a moment, taking small bites of their ice creams. "So, what in Hades happened?" 

"Annabeth didn't tell you?" 

"I didn't stay long to hear the whole story. But... I felt you die, Laylana." The look in Nico's eyes reminded her of the time he found out that his actual older sister, Bianca, had died on her quest. "Then I felt you come back. I had no idea what happened." 

Laylana took a deep breath and explained her story from the beginning. She told him about how she met Leo, Piper and Jason, and the prophecy that was declared after they arrived. She ignored the way Nico stiffened slightly at the mention of the newbies, and continued to tell him about how Leo showed up with the bronze dragon and they flew off the save the world on "Happy the dragon", which got a small laugh out of him. She continued on to the rest of the quest, the connections they made along the way, and how she had died and came back to life after meeting her father.