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You bet I'm gonna pass my sexual orientation into my boys; Nico is a work in progress, but that can be said about the entirety of this AU. I do believe some people exude asexual energy, and if you pay attention you'll find out I'm right.

The Hunters, Thalia's girl-only bike-gang, aren't an unusual sight in the shop, as they make a point to pass by whenever they visit town. And every time, without fail, Leo is reminded that he had once had a crush on her; it's faded by now, because she's a flaming lesbian, and Leo is with Calypso.

Or well, actually things with Calypso are not exactly the best right now, but that has nothing to do with Thalia; so Leo puts on his best flirty smile. The Hunters are a lot more ok with his flirting since he's discovered the depths of his asexuality, even though he's never actually told any of them; maybe it's a lesbian thing, like an asexual radar.

"Couldn't give your bike to someone else in the shop?"

Thalia laughs, which just goes to prove Leo's point, because she would've socked anyone else for the tone he just gave her.

"I don't trust anyone else here after what happened in 2015"

Leo puts a hand to his chest.

"Betsy was a great motorcycle"

Thalia copies the motion with absolute solemnity.

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It's a lot later than his usual visits, Nico is particularly aware of this fact, but his feet had minds of their own; he's just glad he got there before closing time. He finds Leo in his station, working on a motorbike that has to belong to Thalia, it has the Hunters' logo and everything.

Normally, Leo barely if ever looks up when Nico's there, but he does now, blinking at him a few times before giving him a soft smile; Nico's more used to Leo using that look with Hazel, but being the receiver doesn't feel as bad as the pity look he'd been fearing.

"I almost thought you wouldn't come"

He's trying to be comforting, in his own Leo way; it makes him spill faster.

"We didn't really fight this time, I got away before I could blow up on him"

Leo smiles a little wider, eyes crinkling a little.

"That's cool, go sit down, I still have a little before closing time"

Nico goes to his chair, Leo returns to working on the bike, and the words leave easily. He's been taking Leo's advice to heart, but things keep popping up, and Nico kind of feels like he's losing himself in his attempt to make things work.

He tells Leo this, because honesty seems to work best, and Leo has yet to give him any reason not to be.

"He's overwhelming"

Maybe he's being unfair.

"Or maybe it's me" 

Leo chuckles then, a sarcastic little sound.

"What, you're not 'whelming' enough?"

Leo doesn't have to make air quotes for Nico to know he's making them; he's a little surprised though, and voices it.

"You're generally more neutral in this"

Leo shrugs, hands somehow never abandoning their task.

"I'm just honest, and I really believe this one's on him"

Nico must take too long to say something, because Leo huffs; which means Nico has a similar ability to Leo's, where he can make the Latino spill without any effort.

"No, really, relationships take two people, and you've been pulling all the weight on your own; of course you're overwhelmed, that's entirely on Will"

That genuinely makes Nico feel better.

"Right"

Leo slows to a stop, before standing, dusting himself off and turning to Nico with a resolute look.

"You can come home with me if you need more time, but I really do need to close up now"

Nico nods before he can really think about it, and then he asks.

"Won't Calypso mind?"

Leo makes a face.

"We're having a bad moment; she's staying with a friend for tonight"

Nico bites his lip, Leo pats his shoulder with a reassuring grin, like he already knows what he didn't have the courage to ask.

"Come on, I was planning on doing some chilly, and I can't possibly eat it alone"

Warmth coils around Nico, and he feels himself slowly smiling; something small but absolutely grateful.