One Too Many Heartbreaks

XXV. The Façade (Leo's POV)

NOTE: TRANSLATIONS AT END OF CHAPTER
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Leo had faced gods and monsters and nightmares. He had seen fellow demigods charge into battle and be slaughtered. He had seen victory immediately invalidated by yet another threat around the corner. But Leo had never seen pure joy turned into such strong hate so quickly.

Nico's smile disappeared and was replaced by a scowl all in a nanosecond. He suddenly shoved Leo. The moment was over, but Leo was confused as to why. He was about to say something when Nico glared at him. "Shut up," he hissed. Leo felt soreness in his lungs as, for some reason, he struggled to breathe.

The air continued to shimmer and form into a rainbow. Leo gasped as he saw Percy's face through the Iris message. But Percy could apparently only see Nico.

"Uh, hey, Nico."

"Percy," Nico responded.

"Have you found Leo yet?" Percy asked. Leo noticed that he sounded tired.

"Don't you think I would have already contacted you had I found Leo?"

Percy squirmed uncomfortably. "Well, I uh-" he started, but was silenced by Nico's dark glare.

"N-nevermind then. Uh... Bye."

The Iris message dissolved. After a couple of seconds, Nico looked back at Leo, his face soft once again.

Leo crawled backwards, away from Nico. The standing boy stopped in his steps. First happy, then angry, and now his face was sad.

Leo shook his head. (1)"¿Qu-quién eres tú?"

"Leo..." Nico said softly. He sounded like a whimpering puppy. It was hard to stay scared of that.

"N-nico, what was that?" Leo whispered.

"I just-"

(2)"Se veía tan mal."

Nico hesitated. "Leo I-"

"What was that?" Leo asked more forcefully.

"I didn't want them to find you!" Nico yelled, his voice cracking. Leo froze. He had never seen the boy so emotional before. His fists were clenched, he was shaking, and tears were welling up in his eyes, which were also full of fear.

"Don't you get it? I have been alone for years! I have run away because I was afraid of myself! Because others were afraid of me! Because of what I am!

"You heard me laugh a few minutes ago. That was the first time I can remember being really happy in years! The first time I've felt safe! My sister's gone! My mother's gone! My father practically hates me!

"Everyone else back at camp says that it's okay if I stay. But I don't want to be there!"

There was a long silence before Leo asked, "Why not?"

Nico looked right at him and said seriously, "I've been there, and I've been here. And I'd rather be here."

Leo only responded by holding out a hand for Nico to help him up with. Nico took it and pulled Leo to his feet and let go. Leo (blaming his ADHD) impulsively grabbed Nico and hugged him. Nico hugged back.

Leo cried then, and unashamedly. "I'd rather be here too."

The boys pulled back and smiled at each other with tears in their eyes.

Leo rushed around in his tool belt for a second before pulling out a single tool. Nico raised an eyebrow playfully.

Leo shrugged and put the screwdriver in Nico's hand. "If you're not going to leave, you might as well make yourself useful."

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(1) Wh-who are you?
(2) You looked so evil.