The beginning (Mortal AU Valdangelo)

Together again

Leo's POV (2 years later/ 15 years old)

A new year at this school, honestly I'm not that excited. Is all the same, Festus barking like being the good dog he is waking me up, me screaming how late I am, the usual.

By some miracle, I arrived early, thank you Festus. With my school bag on my hand, I walked in the hallway and spotted my friends, except Hazel and Frank. No one changed.

With a smile on my face, I approach them, "Hey guys! Long time no see!" "Leo! You came early!" Piper exclaimed, and hugged me, Percy and Jason gave me a bro hug, and Annabeth just shook my hand, she likes to be 'professional'.

We talked and caught up for 20 minutes, yeah that's how early I came. I'm so proud. Nico would be so surprised... I miss him.

"Leo?" Someone said behind me, I tensed, my smile faded. That voice, it can't be, it changed but I would still recognize it anywhere....I turned around slowly and saw... "Nico?"

Nico's POV

Ugh! Marie said she couldn't teach me anymore so I gotta go to school. At least Hazel will be with me, I went outside and the first thing I see is a park, but not just any park, is the same park where I met Leo.

"What?" I asked, shocked.

"What's wrong Nico?" Hazel asked. "Why is this park here? How is it here?" Hazel looked confused, "What do you mean? Is the Central Park, everyone in New York comes here."

I was shocked. We were in New York? I swear we were still in New Orleans! What?! Does that mean.... I can see Leo!!!

A big smile appeared on my face, I was so happy. Hazel looked happy to see me smile even though she's probably still confused. I made a promise to myself as we walked to school that after classes I'll visit him.

When we arrived, Hazel guided me excited, wanting me to meet all her friends, we were in the hallway and I saw 5 people talking, one being the loudest his back at me. I know that voice is.... "Leo?"

I saw him tensed, as if he recognized my voice and slowly turned around. He changed in the last 5 years but he still looks the same. His curly brown hair with the same crazy style, he's wearing some baggy brown pants, a white long sleeve shirt, with the sleeves rolled up and suspenders. He looks scrawny like before and just a little taller than me. His beautiful chocolate eyes were wide in shock, and with sadness and pain too. His face was leanner, not the same chubby face as before. I wonder what happened to him "Nico?"

Back at Leo's POV

He looked different, his hair was longer and looked like baby bat wings, he had dark circles under his eyes, and pale. He was wearing some black jeans, a blank shirt with a skull and an aviator jacket. His beautiful black eyes held so much pain but there was some happiness still in them.

We stayed there looking at each other shocked. And then, I ran at him, he met me halfway and we hugged and dropped to our knees still hugging. I started crying "Y-you're here. Y-you c-came b-b-back." I don't care if I was causing a scene. I didn't care about anything, just Nico. He started crying too, "I-I missed y-you Lee-lee" Hazel gasped. The nickname made me cry harder, "I m-missed you too N-Neeks"

I heard Piper and Jason gasped, but I didn't care. Nico was alive. He came back.

We hugged for a long time until we calmed down, and then I finally found my voice, still hugging him "But how? The-the plane, t-they said you d-died, and B-Bianca and Aunt M-María"

I felt Nico tensed, "Y-you mean... This 5 years, y-you thought I was d-dead?" I nodded and started crying again he hugged me tighter, "W-we even w-went t-to a f-funeral"

"Oh Lee-Lee...." Nico said, softly and started moving his hand on my back to try to calm me down.

When I calmed down again I said, "What happened there, Neeks? How are you alive?" He broke the hug and sighed, "I was the only one of us that survived Leo, they didn't make it" He got tears in his eyes, but I know he wouldn't let them fall, I hugged him again and he buried his face in my shoulder. "B-but at least I f-found Hazel and Marie" he said. I smiled softly and broke the hug, "Hey, wanna come to my house after school? My mom would be so happy to see you. It wasn't the same when you guys left."

He nodded and a small smile formed in his face, I took his hand and we stood up, my friends left who knows how long ago, everyone was at their classes, "C'mon Neeks, we don't want to be more late than we already are right?" I smirked, and his smile grew and playfully rolled his eyes, "I see you're still late to classes Valdez" I laughed, "You know me, c'mon!"

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Hey! I hope it was a good "we see each other again" moment. Don't worry, the drama hasn't finished yet. Thanks for reading!

-Susy_Valdez21 (910 words)