the gift of life |leico|

leo IV

For the next few days that passed, Leo stayed at Nico's side. Hazel and Jason brought the two food. Piper came occasionally to check on Leo and make sure he was sleeping. He lied well enough for her to stop asking.

Since there wasn't anything to talk about really, Leo reverted to telling about himself.

Nico was in such a weak and confused state that Leo felt like he wouldn't judge. His eyes studied every move Leo made. 

"... And yeah so I can do this." He set his hand ablaze, lighting the eyes of Nico.

"Could I do any of that?" Nico asked, causing Leo to ponder.

"Well you could- or can- shadow travel and raise the dead. Since you and Hazel's dad is Hades... ruler of the underworld."

"And your dad builds things." Nico stated.

"Yeah, how did you know!?" Leo was shocked, he'd only mentioned that he had a godly parent.

Nico pointed to Leo's hand where he was fidgeting with scrap metal. He hadn't realized but he was making a skull.

"Hanging around you too much buddy, you're turning me to the dark side." He joked while Nico looked like a stranded puppy.

"Your ring, black leather jacket." Leo pointed out and Nico inspected the things. Finally, he nodded and smiled as well.

"I really like black huh?" He asked rhetorically and Leo laughed.

"Do you remember anything?" Leo asked in a more serious tone.

"Just a name." Nico shrugged. "Bianca."

Hazel seemed a bit jealous that Nico remembered Bianca and not her. But the two did grow up together. Leo understood that much, but Hazel still seemed hurt after he tried to explain that. She left, asking Leo to keep helping Nico to remember.

"What happened to her?" Nico asked once Hazel left the infirmary.

"Bianca?" Leo asked. Nico nodded and his dark eyes stared expectantly into Leo's.

  "Um she became a hunter... basically promised never to fall in love with a man. But she died saving her friends."

Nico's face dropped significantly. He fumbled with his hand that held Leo's.

"Are we together?" Nico asked quietly.

"Are we- wait no! You kind of hated me before." Leo shook his head.

"Why would I hate you?" Nico asked more to himself than to Leo. Leo shrugged and looked at Nico, who was deep in thought.

  "What did you say to me? Maybe I'll remember if it was a big argument."

"Well, we were all watching a movie and I said 'hey baby sit by me, I promise Leo doesn't bite'. You yelled about how insufferable and arrogant I was and then left all mad. Haze was pissed off at me because you left for weeks." Leo laughed slightly as Nico smiled halfway.

     "I don't think someone would hate you over that. I was expecting something about you accidentally killing my pets."

Leo laughed. "Yeah, don't do too hot with live animals."

Nico laughed quietly, shocking Leo. It was a nice change from the usual face he wore.

They fell into silence. Leo was hoping that Nico would break it but his gaze hardened on their intertwined hands.

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