So the two have begun to warm up to each other :) It's time for some male bonding Leo and Nico style.

Merridew : Thanks Jamie, and I hope you enjoy the adorableness of our favourite characters.

QueenofLothlorien : You're very welcome and thanks for saying that I kept Nico in character, it was my biggest worry for this story. And I always thought that they would get along (they have suffered the most).

ObsessedwReading : Don't worry, this is another on going story :)

TeamLeo'sVeryOwnFlinxShipper : Tee hee, gotta love that film. And I am planning on making this into a bigger story so feel free to continue reading.

AmaebLEO : I'm glad that you like both my stories and I hope that you continue reading them.

Disclaimer : If I owned Percy Jackson than most of the books would just be epic bromance moments.

Nico's P.O.V

After dealing with Valdez's wound, the other boy had somehow gotten him to come to he kitchen for a sneaky midnight snack. Nico knew that the coach would probably catch them, but he couldn't help wanting to spend a little more time with Leo before the other boy made up with his friends and began ignoring him. Nico wouldn't admit this, even under torture, but he was actually enjoying this night. It was one of the best since he'd, well, gotten out of that place.

As the son of Hades had stood deep in thought, Leo had been busy grabbing food and drink for their snack and stuffing it in a handy basket. Nico snapped out of his contemplation as Leo gently closed the lid on the basket, before turning to Nico with his trademark, impish grin.

"Ready for a picnic death breath?" Nico shot a glare at his companion, and Leo looked properly chastised. For about two seconds. And then he was tugging Nico out of the kitchen with one hand, the other clasped around the impromptu picnic basket.

"Where are we going?" Nico tried to think of a way to remove his hand from the other's grip, but in the end he decided that it was probably best to just let Leo drag him where ever they were headed.

"You'll see." Leo was now pulling Nico across the deck. The brisk night air chilled Nico ever so slightly, and he was secretly glad that Leo emitted so much heat. Then he realised that Leo was gesturing to the Crows nest in which Nico had spent most of his time on board. Nico was about to protest, when he noticed the almost childlike excitement in the other boy's eyes. He climbed up with another exaggerated sigh. Then he realised a problem with their plan.

"How are you going to get up here with the basket?" Nico's voice was loud enough to reach the demigod on the deck but cautious enough to refrain from waking the others. Leo smirked. From his ever present tool belt, a coil of rope emerged. Leo expertly lashed the rope around himself so that the basket was now securely settled on his back. He swiftly shinned up to the nest and sat next to the other boy. Leo had built the nest to be big enough to hold more then one demigod at a time, so while the space was a little cramped (especially with the addition of the basket) it was bearably comfortable.

Nico watched as Leo pulled out a packet of marshmallows, toasted one lightly with a small flame produced from the tip of his finger. After a few seconds, Leo handed the cooler marshmallow over to Nico. Nico had to admit, all though the method of toasting it was a bit unorthodox, the marshmallow was delicious. Leo pulled a few more ingredients from the basket and proceeded to make a few dozen smores, the heat from his hands helping to toast the treats and a look of concentration on his face.

"That's an unusual way to use your powers." Leo briefly glanced upwards and flashed Nico a quick grin.

"It actually helps me with my control. The heat has to be strong enough to meld the chocolate and marshmallows together, but it can't be too hot as the marshmallows would be ruined. Plus it's helpful when you have no access to a kitchen and need to cook something."

Nico was shocked that the prankster had developed a pretty decent training method out of making smores. But it was the end of Leo's explanation that really confused Nico.

"When did you need to use that?" Nico regretted his words instantly as a somewhat melancholy look spread over his friends face.

"I was on the run a lot when I was younger." Nico was once again surprised, this time by both the admission and the honesty within the simple statement. Leo was trusting him with important information about himself. Nico felt a little warmer, despite the cool night air, and not just because of Leo's elevated body temperature beside him.

The nest only remained sad for a minute or two before Leo started up some inane chatter about how to make the best smores, a few jokes thrown in here or there. Nico frowned internally. It seemed whenever something turned serious, Leo would make a joke or two to deflect the subject away from whatever was going on. Nico couldn't help wondering just how much of Leo's cheerful persona was actually a ruse, though he decided to drop his mental discussion when Leo gave him a quizzical glance.

Leo's P.O.V

Leo was relieved when Nico dropped the subject and joined in on his milk chocolate versus white chocolate smores debate. He had come so close to revealing something painful, and though Leo was certain that he would be able to tell Nico about his past someday, he wanted that to be at a time were Nico probably wouldn't hate him too much for what had happened that night in the warehouse.

Gradually, the two boys relaxed and finished of the rest of the picnic. It had only been an hour or two, but Leo hadn't had much sleep in a while and from the looks of things, Nico hadn't either. Once the picnic had been completely finished off, the boys reluctantly climbed down from the crows nest.

Leo watched Nico out of the corner of his eye as they stealthily made their way back to the kitchen to deposit the basket. It looked as if Nico wanted to say something but every time Nico even opened his mouth slightly, he would shut it again just as swiftly as he had opened it. Leo was about to question him on it when they reached the kitchen. They slipped inside. And they came face to face with Buford. Just before his table could start it's rant, Leo darted over to his three legged friend.

"Midnight feast protocol!" He whispered urgently, and Buford turned and trundled away calmly. Leo deposited the basket in it's usual place and turned to see Nico staring at him with an amused tilt to his mouth.

"You made a midnight feast protocol for your table." Quiet laughter followed this statement, and even though it was brief, Leo couldn't help quietly cheering about the fact that he had made the stoic, usually solemn boy laugh.

"Of course, midnight picnic are an important ritual." Leo noticed a brief look of .. annoyance pass over Nico's pale features.

Nico's P.O.V

How could he be stupid enough to think that maybe Leo had taken him on a picnic as a special occasion to make friends with him? Obviously Leo had fallen out with the others and had chosen Nico to be their substitute in his picnic ritual. And Nico couldn't help feeling a little left out, he had never been invited on a midnight picnic before.

"So just how many of these things have you held?" Nico tried to keep his voice neutral, but instead turned out slightly strained. Leo looked away, and when he turned back, Nico was shocked to see the beginnings of a blush forming on the other's tanned face.

"At this moment, only you. I've been working on the ship most nights and the others always seem to busy to ask. This is the first time one of my friends has been available at the same time as me." Nico felt his own features beginning to burn as the other called him his friend.

"Well, I'm honoured to have attended the Argo's very own midnight picnic." Leo's face lit up.

"We'll have to do this more often then. But for tonight, we best be getting to bed if we want to get up on time tomorrow. Goodnight Nico." Leo made a move as if to hug him, but then, as if remembering Nico's usual discomfort with people touching him, settled for a hand on the shoulder. As the other boy headed towards his sleeping area, Nico felt the warmth of Leo's hand lingering on his shoulder. Maybe being friends with this firecracker of a boy wouldn't be so bad.

Maybe it would be exactly what Nico needed.

Aww, the boys are just so cute. I'll see you next time and feel free to leave a review. And I'm sorry if anything about the smores are wrong (I'm English and I've never had them before.