Leo Valdez- Learning to Live

Chapter 18

I don't own PJO/HOO.

Nico wasn't necessarily nervous when he saw Leo sitting alone on the steps of the Big House, because Nico didn't get nervous. But he was certainly... concerned.

He changed trajectory and walked in Leo's direction, his steps quickening slightly. Leo seemed content simply to sit there for the moment, but if he was alone, it was only a matter of time until...

It wasn't until Nico was nearly upon Leo that he realized he had misjudged the situation. Yes, Leo was alone, but he was also handcuffed to the fence lining the deck of the Big House.

Nico faltered, intending to leave the Latino be, but it was already too late. Leo had spotted him, as evidenced by the small wave he sent in his direction.

Nico sighed, but continued his approach. Dam his good intentions, now he had to actually be sociable.

He stopped a few feet in front of Leo. "Hey," he offered.

"Hey hey," Leo responded, but without his usual cheeriness. "What's up, Neeks?"

"Don't call me that," Nico responded automatically. Leo shrugged agreeably.

"K." 

A few long moments passed in silence. Leo stared at him expectantly. Nico bit back a groan. How did he always manage to get himself into these kind of situations?

"I just... I noticed you. Over here. Seemingly by yourself. And it made me..." Nico stopped. He was not about to say nervous. He wasn't.

Luckily, Leo seemed to catch his meaning. A look of clarity crossed his face, and he chuckled softly. "Oh, right. I can see the problem. No worries, though. I just asked to be alone for a while, and this was the best they could come up with," he said, tugging at the handcuff half-heartedly.

"And besides, I'm still not really alone. They think they're being sooo sneaky, it's almost funny," he said, his voice filled with undeniable mirth. 

Looking around, Nico immediately caught on. Piper and Jason were tossing around a volleyball on the courts nearby, Jason's back to the two of them. Piper's eyes met Nico's, and she startled, looking away and quickly spiking the ball over the net to make it look like she was into the game. Unfortunately, Jason had noticed her surprise and whipped around to look, only to get a ball to the back of the head. Nico couldn't help his snort of laughter as Jason sheepishly rubbed the sore spot on the back of his head and turned back to the game.

The two boys watched their friends for a moment, appreciating their blatant embarrassment while it lasted. As the silence continued, however, Nico could practically feel the awkwardness seeping back into the air.

"Um, I can go--"

"Sorry, you don't have to--"

They both stopped talking, and Leo chuckled awkwardly, running his free hand through his messy curls.

Nico, not trusting himself to speak, gestured for Leo to go ahead.

"Right. I just... you don't have to stay. I'm sure you don't want to, and I'm just letting you know that you don't have to."

Now Nico was just confused. "Do you... want me to?" He couldn't imagine that he would. Nico had definitely been getting better at this "having friends" thing, there was no denying that, but he still had issues socializing with people who weren't in his close-knit group, and Leo hadn't quite made it onto that list yet. If Nico stayed, chances were things would just get increasingly uncomfortable for both of them.

Jason wouldn't like that line of thinking, he knew. He was always trying to get Nico to talk to people, make new friends. "You'll never be comfortable around them if you don't give them a chance," he reasoned. "Just one conversation. Try it. Please?"