Chapter Text
When Nico woke up, Leo was still sleeping, thankfully. It gave him some time to gather his thoughts and think about what he should do.
Nico sighed as he got out of bed. He glanced at Leo; seeing him curled up on his bed made him feel some sort of way. Nico looked away and headed to the bathroom.
When Nico came back, freshly changed, Leo was half awake. His eyes closing every few seconds. Nico smiled softly, looking at Leo. It was weird seeing Leo like this. He was usually always working on something covered in oil or something.
Nico didn't know, but he could get used to seeing Leo like this. He wanted to save this image forever and see him every morning like this. He wanted to know Leo intimately. Nico shook his head lightly. He needed to pay attention.
“Good morning, sleepyhead. Sleep well?”
Leo jumped as if he didn’t know he was there. “Oh. Yeah, I did,” he mumbled, his voice filled with sleep.
“You still tired? You can go back to sleep if you want; we still have time before breakfast. I can wake you up before we get closer so you can get ready for the day.”
“Yeah,” he said into the pillow. “I’m still tired.”
“Then go to sleep. I'll wake you up before breakfast so you can get yourself ready and awake,” Nico said, reassuring him again.
Nico looked outside for a second before looking away. It was still early out, surprisingly. He still had about an hour before he had to wake Leo up. He’s surprised he woke up this early; perhaps he was nervous with Leo here. Nico sighed before looking around, starting to do things to pass the time, being mindful of Leo still sleeping. Still, he couldn’t help himself from looking over at Leo often—Leo, who is currently sleeping in his bed, hugging his pillow.
Before he knew it, it was time to wake up Leo. Breakfast will be starting soon, and Leo needs to be up and ready soon. He turned to Leo and sighed. He didn’t want to wake up Leo; he looked beautiful laying there, but he knew he had to, he promised.
‘He looks so nice...’ Nico couldn’t help but think while looking at Leo. He thinks nice is an understatement. Leo looks lovely, he looks beautiful, and everything else that is good.
He shook himself out of his thoughts before gently waking Leo. He wakes him in a way that shows that people can act differently from how they dress if they want to.
“Mm..” Leo groaned softly; he felt exhausted. He knew he needed to get up, but he really didn’t want to.
Nico quickly looked away, not wanting to be caught staring. He didn't know how he would explain that. He couldn't stop himself from looking every few seconds, though (no matter how hard he tried).
“Come on. It's time to get up; we have to be out there pretty soon. Unless you want to miss breakfast?”
“No, no, I'm up, I'm up,” Leo muttered. He sat up and rubbed his eyes before yawning and arching his back like a cat.
“I'm surprised we didn't get caught, considering you know.”
“Yeah, maybe it's the whole ‘being the son of Hades’ thing.” Leo quipped.
“Maybe,” Nico said with a slight smirk while handing Leo some of his clothes he could change into.
“Thanks again,” Leo yawned again and headed towards the bathroom to change.
“No problem,” Nico mumbled, distracted by how Leo looked. Leo looks pretty. The way his hair is all fluffy and messy from sleeping, and adding on top of that, Leo is wearing his clothes, and that makes his stomach flip. He likes seeing people he's into in his clothes, maybe in some sort of possessive way?
“Ah, are you ready to… go” his voice trails off when he looks at Leo. Nico doesn’t get how Leo could look so perfect. Leo looks amazing in his eyes. Leo might look dissolved and under kept but he looks pretty in Nico’s eyes.
“Do I look bad?” Leo says as he notices how Nico’s voice goes quiet when he looks at him. He didn’t think he looked bad, but maybe he does too, Nico? He quite likes wearing Nico’s clothes so he would hope that Nico doesn’t think of him in any bad graces. Well in general too. He couldn't handle the thought of someone he liked hating him and thinking bad of him in any way. Especially if that person was Nico di Angelo. The person he can’t help but like, no, love.
He couldn’t help but love Nico. He doesn’t get why so many people avoid Nico, sure he has the whole gloomy appearance (that Leo personally loved) and being the son of Hades thing (which was super cool) but Nico was genuinely a good person, standoffish but good. Sarcastic and nice. He’s just more antisocial than others. Having a harder time getting used to new people.
“No, you look fine. You look really, really… good” Nico assures Leo, his voice snapping Leo out of his reverie. Nico’s words were slow and deliberate but also rushed out. Almost like he was trying to choose his words carefully and not expose how he actually feels about it. He wanted to tell Leo everything but he didn’t think now was the time. He rushes those words out deliberately. Praising Leo almost came naturally, he wanted to give Leo the care he deserved without overwhelming him and startle him away. He’s seen Leo hide himself away when things get too much. He doesn’t want to be the one to blame for that.
“Oh, thanks…” Leo mumbled flustered. He doesn’t know why he’s blushing over such small words but he blames Nico.
Well, it’s time to go to the dining hall or whatever. It’s time to eat and to be honest Nico nor Leo is looking forward to it. Mostly, Leo, he has a feeling his siblings are going to pester him about all sorts of things. Especially about where he was last night.
They could only hope for the best and hang on until after breakfast, when they meet back up. It’s going to be a long talk.