the gift of life |leico|

leo V

He didn't remember when it happened, but Leo woke up in the bed next to Nico. The dark haired boy was curled up, his back pressed into Leo's chest. Their hands remained intertwined- Leo's opposite, but just as warm left hand, while they slept- Leo's arm over Nico's thin frame, their hands close to Nico's heart. Leo stirred and caused Nico to wake.

"Leo." He said in a deadpan tone that caused Leo to sit up abruptly.

"I know who hurt me. I-I... why would they do this to me?" Leo took a hold of Nico in his arms in an attempt to calm him. He called for Hazel who was there in a hurry. Thankfully, the others followed as well.

"Tell them what you told me. Tell them everything you remember." Leo said and he pulled himself away from him to tell the story.

"I was doing something for my dad. I don't remember what it was but I saw a goddess, she was beautiful. And I remember she had already come to me with these questions and trying to brush my hair I think."

His face scrunched. "But this time she took me to her palace. I was angry because she said that she was going to tell someone one something. But then a man appeared, he said that he was tired of me always being alone and blaming him. I lashed out because it made me so angry for some reason. I got struck by a force and then I started to fade away or something."

All Leo took from that was that Nico thought someone was beautiful. And their name wasn't Leo. He also didn't understand why he was upset.

"Your shadow traveling. It must've kicked in when you were afraid. But the rest. . . Annabeth?" They all looked to Annabeth who was deep in thought.

"Obviously, you met without Aphrodite. But the man. . . are there any enemies you have who roll with Aphrodite?"

Everyone was silent as Nico thought. After a few minutes he looked away shamefully.

"I don't know anything. I couldn't even remember my own father's name."

"Well, a few weeks ago. . . well something happened but you promised me never to tell. I think it would have to do with all this." Jason said warily, as if he was still afraid of Nico.

"Tell me." Nico said and Jason looked at everyone in the room like dude, you really want them to know.

"Let's leave Jason some time alone with Nico." Piper said.

"Well can you at least tell us who it was Jason?" Frank asked.

Jason sighed and shook his head.

"Eros, I guess they had some sort of rivalry going on."

Everyone left leaving Jason, Nico, and Leo. Jason asked Nico if he was positive that he wanted Leo there. He replied with: "duh".

Jason made a face like that was the worst thing ever. Leo was slightly offended but he didn't let it show. Nico's hand found Leo's under the blanket. Leo smiled a bit at the action.

"So uh, we encountered Eros awhile back. You two argued and he made you admit that you were in love with someone. It was Leo." Nico furrowed his brows.

"I thought I didn't like Leo?" Nico quisically stated.

"We all thought that you didn't like us. You barely came around and when you did, you wanted to leave as soon as you arrived. So, even if you liked us it's not like we knew." Jason said and stood up.

"Leo, we're taking later." Jason said awkwardly. Leo nodded.

"You got it, Superman."

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