Fallen
Chapter 1
Leo Valdez wondered how he got himself in this situation. He remembered walking out the school building, talking to some guy who pointed at the edge of the roof. He remembered seeing someone there. He remembered sprinting inside the school, taking three steps at a time on the stairs. He remembered opening the heavy black door, his deep breathing. The place was empty, except for the boy by the rooftop whose feet dangled of the edge.
Leo knew that the boy knew he was there (God, that sounded weird.) He tried to breathe more evenly, taking deep breathes to calm himself down.
Seconds felt like minutes, so Leo asked, "What are you doing?"
"What does it look like I'm doing?" the boy answered, his voice was light and teasing. But he still wouldn't turn around to face Leo.
Leo tried to resist himself to answer back with something like 'Don't answer a question with a question,' but of course, that wouldn't be real mature of him. (As if he was mature.) He took a step forward, being extra cautious of his actions. "I honestly don't know how to deal with this, but don't do it." He said the last few words harshly.
"Get away from me."
Leo raked his fingers through his hair. He was trying to get the kid off the ledge but on the right side, this guy seemed like a smartass. Before Leo could say anything, the kid said, "I'm not going to jump off, if that's what you're thinking."
"Wait-what?"
The kid sighed, "You really thought I was going to jump?" He turned around, bringing his legs back inside carefully and stood up. "What are you doing here anyway? It's past school hours." The boy was nonchalant.
Well, he wasn't really a kid or a boy, he was about Leo's age. "What are you doing here?" Leo asked back, walking to the other. He had black hair that looked uncombed, baggy eyes, and pale skin. Shrugging, Leo held out his hand. "Leo Valdez."
The boy looked down at Leo's hand uncertainly, but he shook Leo's hand anyway. "Nico."
"Well then, Nico, shall we head down?"
Nico scoffed. "Who said you were coming with me?"
"I did, it's the gentleman thing to do." Leo was already walking back to the stairs, waiting for Nico by the door.
"I'm not a girl," Nico said, glaring at Leo. Nico began walking down the stairs anyway, hedidn't bother to wait for Leo.
"That doesn't mean I can't be a gentleman," Leo joked, which Nico completely ignored. Leo jogged down to catch up with Nico. The black-haired boy didn't show any signs of going slower or faster, so Leo went along with him.
Leo tugged at his brown long-sleeved shirt as they walked back outside. It was late September, not that cold. His feet hit the asphalt, having some sort jump to his step. Nico walked straight even if his hands were in his pockets, he looked forward not having any kind of distraction.
Leo always walked liked his skipped, he could never put his hands in his pocket unless he was cold, and if he did he could have never walk with Nico's confident stride. Leo realized that Nico was shorter than him, which was weird because Leo was very short for his age. Leo broke the silence that wasn't uncomfortable and asked, "How old are you, Nico?"
"Fifteen… You?"
Leo broke into a grin, realizing that Nico was going to continue the conversation that they were having.
"Sixteen! I would think you were younger, you're kinda skinny." Leo didn't know if that was being insensitive, he hoped he wasn't. But Nico had a bony looking frame, he was skinnier than Leo, which was also weird because Leo was very skinny for his age and didn't have muscles. (Leo made a mental note to bring the kid some lunch.)
Nico shrugged, brushing off Leo's comment. They didn't speak after that. Leo took this time to really observe Nico. It was the first time he had seen him, he was pale and skinny and small and had messy hair. But he also had dark eyes that weren't black just dark and he had freckles that were too faint to see at first glance. Leo kept on thinking that this kid was too skinny.
Leo promised himself – not just a mental note – to bring this kid lunch.
They were heading toward the apartments, just a twenty minute walk from their school. Maybe Nico walked back and forth all the time?
Nico stopped at brown, boring building. It was just brown and windows. So Leo had nothing to say about it. Nico looked back at Leo just once by the door to the apartment.
"This is my place. Bye." Nico looked at Leo like he was shocked that Leo did walk all the way with him, also looked like he expected Leo to leave him alone now. It was hilarious to Leo.
"I'll bring you lunch tomorrow, I promise!" Leo shouted.
"Why the hell would I need lunch?" Nico raised his voice a bit, making Leo laugh. "Oh, go away."
"Goodbye, Nico!" Leo waved his hands, watching Nico scowl (but Leo swore he saw a tiny smile) and head into the apartment.
Leo felt happy, hoping to catch a taxi back to seven-eleven. He had his uniform in his bag, so it was okay for him to just head down there. He could buy something for his and Nico's lunch tomorrow too. He adjusted the backpack on his back and hopped into the cab that approached him.
It was already lunch, and Leo immediately looked for Nico di Angelo. Usually, Leo would be sitting with Jason and Piper and other people who adored his two friends. Leo looked around the swarm of people, trying to find the scrawny boy out of all the people in the school. And he saw Nico.
Nico was sitting by the windows, swinging his legs that couldn't reach the dirty floor. He wasn't doing anything. Leo wanted to surprise him, so we walked behind Nico's vision. He tapped his shoulder, wondering what kind of expression Nico was going to have.
Nico created some kind of shriek, his voice going higher than his usual tone. He turned around, glaring. "What do you want?"
Leo smiled, sat in front of Nico and took out a brown paper bag. "I told you I was going to bring you lunch."
Nico looked away, "I don't need it."
"I have Subway? I bought it from the one by the seven-eleven yesterday." Leo took out two sandwiches. "But if you're not going to eat, I will."
While Leo began to eat his food, he noticed Nico rolled his eyes and placed his chin on his hand for support. Leo's mouth was full, he took a swing of his diet coke. Then he leaned forward towards Nico.
"So, what's your favorite color?"
"What?" Nico looked puzzled with the sudden question.
"Well, it would be awkward if we both sat here and not talk." Leo said.
"It's blue-green."
"Mine is red," Leo took another bite. "You're a sophomore?"
Nico nodded.
"I'm a junior!" It continued on like that for a while, it was a one-sided conversation. Leo would ask a question, Nico answered, Leo replied back. He found out Nico was Italian, (His last name was di Angelo, it was such a cool last name.) he liked history and math, and he was taking Spanish. Leo told Nico that he could help him out with that, Nico rolled his eye at the idea.
Lunch was almost over, Leo had already threw his lunch out.
"Do you always sit alone?" Leo asked Nico.
"No, I don't."
"Are you being sarcastic or?"
"No, I'm not. I usually eat with Rachel and Calypso."
Leo thought about it for a moment. "Hey! Calypso's in my grade!"
"Yeah, I know. I think you guys were dating too. For like, a month."
Leo turned red, "Yeah, whatever."
Nico didn't say anything after that. Then the bell rang.
"See you tomorrow, Nico!" Leo said, but Nico had already turned his back on him.
Leo jogged out of the cafeteria, he had class with Piper next and he didn't want to be late. He also had a good feeling about Nico di Angelo.
A/N: I am so excited for this fic! I've had this idea in my head for almost a year now. Also! I still am in the Percy Jackson fandom, I would never leave. I've been shipping Vadangelo since the Son of Neptune, there was only like twelve fics then. The Blood Of Olympus is in THREE DAYS EVERYBODY!
Please review, I would love some feedback on this!
