It's okay. (Valdangelo/Leico fanfiction)

In love

7

I DO NOT OWN ANY OF THESE CHARACTERS. THEY BELONG TO RICK RIORDAN! 

The air was hot in the machine room but that didn't bother Leo, who was busy working on his ship which was damaged by the earlier rock attacks. He hadn't had time before to fix it but now he was free. Only a few hours had passed since Nico and Jason left and he knew they weren't returning soon. 

When he was done, he ceased the fire on his hands and rubbed his eyes. Although he was quite busy, the thoughts in his mind didn't disappear. His feelings toward Nico di Angelo were very clear to him but all his life he had been pretty sure that he liked girls but he had never been with one. Leo was confused and he wasn't sure if Nico felt the same way but he would talk to Nico later.

The door creaked open and Piper entered. Leo smiled at her and stood up.

"Hey, Beauty Queen."

"Leo," she said smiling, "I'm guessing you are tired, do you want to quit and take a drink with your wonderful friend?"

"I would like some juice, yes," Leo said avoiding the last part on purpose and smirking, making Piper glare at him.

They walked to the kitchen in a very awkward silence but halfway through Leo shouted, "I RACE YOU, MCLEAN!" He rushed through the ship leaving Piper behind; he was trying to defuse the tension between them because it wasn't usual for them. He knew something was bothering Piper.  

"Leo I-don't-know-your-midname Valdez!" Piper shouted from behind, but Leo kept running until he reached the kitchen. A few seconds later he heard footsteps approaching. '"Seriously, was it necessary?" she said panting.

"Totally," Leo answered, "things were getting weird."

"Right," Piper said while she took two juice boxes from the fridge and giving one to Leo. "Your juice, sir."

"Thanks," he mumbled.

After a long silence, Piper talked. "Leo? You know you can tell me anything."

"I know, but I don't know where to start." said Leo looking away.

"Why don't you start from the beginning?" Piper said placing her hand on Leo's shoulder.

Leo signed and hesitated but then he told her everything. Every single detail since Jason's accident; how they spent most of the nights chatting in the deck, their well-built friendship, he also explained to her how he felt when he was with him and how Nico smiled only when they were alone and lastly the kisses. He tried to avoid the details there; he wanted to keep them for him.

"...and his beautiful laugh, Piper it's adorable," Leo said remembering every memory he had from Nico's laugh.

"AWWW LEEEOO! You are so in love!" Piper squealed, "I knew it!"

"In love? No no, I just-" Leo blushed. "Wait! You knew it?" 

"Yes, Leo! The way you describe Nico...OH! I wish someone described me like that!" 

"Jason does, it's annoying." Leo interrupted.

Piper blushed and continued, "Well, the point is... Leo come on! The way you look at him? It is not the way I look at Hazel!"

"Piper I-" Leo thought about Nico and immediately covered his face with his hands so Piper couldn't see his blush. "OKAAY! I might be falling in love with him, but not in love, not yet."

"That's all I wanted to hear." Piper said smiling, "I am satisfied now."

Leo sent her a death glare, but Piper's smile didn't disappear.

"And Leo?" 

"Yeah?"

"Please next time tell me yourself." Leo nodded and hugged his best friend.

"Thanks, Piper."

"No problem." Piper said before looking at the clock on the wall, "Oh look! Our men must be here soon." Leo just laughed and rolled his eyes.

He took the empty boxes and threw them away and at the same time, two silhouettes appeared on a corner of the kitchen.

"Hey boys!" Piper exclaimed.

None of them responded. They looked awful, in a sad way. Nico, who had the scepter in his hand, immediately left the room and Jason dropped himself in the nearest chair. Piper went to check on him and Leo ran out of the room as soon as Nico did.

"NICO!?!" he shouted while he ran behind him. He finally reached him and took him by his shoulders, Nico shoved him away. "Nico, are you-"

"Don't," he said roughly, "don't ask."

"But Nico, are you hurt? Is everything fine?" Leo was concerned, very concerned.

"No, just leave me alone." he mumbled.

"What? No, I-"

"JUST LEAVE ME THE HELL ALONE LEO!" Nico snapped, shoving Leo away and leaving him. Alone.