Asphodels (Valdangelo)

Like fools, like humans

Ok, so, the two action scenes; I picked these two moments from the books because they're the ones that would've changed the most with how I've managed this AU. The werewolf encounter because I'd introduced the ball dagger saying it was silver; and the mock fight to please Nike because I thought it'd be hilarious, and give me some good content vis-à-vis showing the more childish side of Leo.

Nico feels... he doesn't actually know how he feels; hurt that Leo's been lying straight to his face? Angry that his best friend would rather play with death than get himself cured from his stupid curse if it means saving everyone? Worried about what exactly the oath entails? Happy that he's the one Leo's in love with? Sad that he's the one who's caused him so much pain?

The frustration he gets overall is, in the end, the easiest thing to focus on, because at least then he isn't hopelessly distracted when the next attack happens; the frequency of monsters has been increasing, which can only mean they're on the right track. He pulls out the small dark grey sphere Leo gave him as a gift, playing with the two halves, and even fully turning it into the silver dagger is doubles as; he's thinking about the dreams, about how Leo was most likely not lying about sharing them, and notices for the first time something hidden in the design of the dagger.

The handle of it has a twirling line of uneven dents, seemingly with no pattern; only it's Leo, he wouldn't have wasted time on something aesthetic, not for something like this. Nico trails a nail over the dentures, following in a downward spiral towards the guard.

/-.-. .- - -.-. .../

Lines and dots, it has to be Morse code, only Nico's memory of it is vague at best, and when he tries to remember it, all he sees thinks about is Leo tapping his fingers in a too particular a pattern; and that had to be Morse too, as well as the chirping from Festus, as though Leo breathed the code. Maybe he did, maybe this, like many other things Leo's done since Nico decided to befriend him, is how he tried to tell without actually telling.

He did that a lot, picking at what he showed and told Nico, never lying to him; actually now that he thinks about it, Leo's been almost painfully obvious, but Nico's been drawing conclusions without paying him attention.

And just as the temptation to message him starts rising in Nico's chest, like it does every single time he thinks about the mess they've created, a snarl takes him out of his thoughts. There's no such thing as coincidence when it comes to demigods, so when he gets a good look and realizes the monsters are werewolves, and sees Reyna struggling to fight due to their immunity to her sword, he follows instinct.

"Reyna, catch!"

The dagger slices through the air before he can really think it through, but the next moment the handle is snug against Reyna's palm, and Nico has other things to worry about.

Leo Valdez was one of very few people who could truthfully, and proudly, say that they've been part of the world's most ridiculous battle. Anabeth and Percy were clearly fighting back laughter at his side, Leo was too, but on the two of them it was nothing short of amazing, particularly after what they've been through; Leo's only known Tartarus through someone else's eyes, and even that had only been dreams.

Add that to the pile of things he would have to explain to Nico once this was good and done with, the fact that Leo was capable of seeing his dreams sometimes; though he had no idea as to why. Maybe... maybe they could figure it out together.

There's popping right on his ears, and when he turns he finds Piper holding the cornucopia right above his head with a wide smirk, and then Hazel's yelling something about popcorn, and Leo thinks this might be what mortification feels like.

"Thinking of Romeo Rosaline?"

Leo manages to pull a face at her while quelling his fire.

"Who's Rosaline?"

Piper huffed, still sending popcorn to fly overhead, though with less popping this time around.

"Remind me to sit you down to read Shakespeare"

And then she's off, as a soft breeze blows their way, both her and Jason are clearly having fun with this situation too. Leo has to run off too, when he sees Frank transformed into a cat, with his best attempt at a terrified scream, trying not to holler with laughter. He manages to loose Frank but finds himself stuck behind a wall with none other than Percy Jackson.

There are several reasons why this is a bad thing, like the whole fire and water thing, and the guilt Leo still feels about the fall; but mostly, he's being stupid and jealous. Percy, who can be painfully oblivious despite being otherwise very sharp, ignores Leo's jealousy by design, so he has no reason not to approach and try to get Leo updated on the next ridiculous part of this battle; only Leo must have been looking at him weirdly.

"Do you have a problem with me?"

Leo can't tell him the truth, wouldn't betray Nico's trust like that, not ever; but he needs to give him an answer, so he tells him a different truth, one he can actually share.

"You've hurt my best friend a lot"

Percy makes a face at him that looks a lot like regret.

"Nico's told you then"

Leo huffs loudly, in the distance he hears Hazel and Piper exaggerating what sounds like a game of patty cake.

"You make it really hard to hate you"

Percy's face flashes through a lot of emotions before settling into absolute confusion; Leo may or may not be really fucking pleased about that.

"Thanks?"

Anabeth shouts something about mice being deadly to her, and takes the opportunity to shoot Percy some finger guns and promptly get away. He doesn't see what happens, just hears Percy let out an actual honest to god yelp, and when he turns again, he's holding his nose, and there's blood dripping from his fingers; Leo thinks a long list of insults while the earth beneath him shakes, and he readies himself for actual battle.