Nico sits up gasping for breath and sweaty. He had the dream again. He hears his door creak open slowly.
"Nico?" Leo asks, poking his head through the door.
"Are you okay? He asks.
"I'm fine." Nico replies, but even he knows it's unconvincing.
"Liar." Leo says, walking into the room. He had taken the night watch but now it was Jason's turn. He stands next to Nico's bed, trying not to stare at his bare chest.
"Leo, why do you care?" Nico asks, turning away.
"Because I...I don't know." Leo admits. His thoughts are jumbled in his head, as they always are around the son of Hades. Nico turns around to see Leo. He almost laughs at the mechanic's confused face.
"I guess I care because I care about you." Leo says, looking up. Nico's cheeks turn pink. 'No Nico, Leo doesn't mean it like that.' He thinks to himself.
"Could you stay here?" Nico asks, the words slipping from his mouth without asking his brain. Leo looks down.
"Okay." He agrees.
"You can, uh, sleep on my bed. If you want." Nico says, his cheeks red and his heart pounding. Leo nods.
"Yeah okay." He climbs into the bed and lays on top of the covers.
"Leo?" Nico asks.
"Yes Nico?"
"Why do you care about me?"
Leo thinks for a moment.
"I really don't know." He decides. "I just do."
Nico nods. Then suddenly Leo's lips are on his, gentle. When he pulls away, his face is bright red.
"I'm sorry, I didn't, I don't, I'm so-" he's cut off by Nico's lips on his. Leo is surprised, but then he kisses him back. When they eventually pull away, they're breathless and blushing red.
"So you like me." Leo says. Nico chuckles.
"And you like me." Leo smiles his goofy grin.
"You should smile more Nico. It makes you cuter." Nico blushes. Leo yawns.
"I'm tired." He says, rubbing his eyes. Nico smiles.
"Then sleep." Leo smiles sleepily and lays his head down. Their arms are around each other, creating a perfect temperature for both of them. Nico's naturally cold body warmed by Leo's superheated one and Leo's superheated body chilled by Nico's. They fall asleep quickly.
"Nico?" Hazel asks, knocking on the door. Nothing.
"Nico?" She repeats. Still nothing. She sighs and opens the door to find Nico and Leo asleep in each other's arms.
"Oh my gods!" She exclaims, waking both of them. Leo smiles.
"Mornin Hazel." He says, his voice slow from grogginess. Nico is blushing.
"Leo! Nico!" She exclaims.
"yes?" Leo asks. Hazel smiles.
"You two...uh...nevermind" She replies and walks out. The two boys shrug and lay down again, going back to sleep.