Reyna told Kellen to meet the leaders tent for a debrief meeting. The two walked into the tent and Kellen stood surprised for a moment when the praetor flopped into a beanbag chair. The brunette laughed at his risen eyebrows and general shock at the informality of it all.

"Percy brought them when he was praetor and I couldn't get rid of them," she explained as she motioned for him to join her on the floor. Sinking into a tie-dye beanbag, Kellen fidgeted, fully expecting his leader to take charge.

"I just want you to walk me through what happened okay?" Kellen nodded and dove into the story. When he mentioned Nico passing out after killing the harpy Reyna sucked in a breath and mumbled, "That imbecile," under her breath. She noted as Kellen carried on a strong tone of admiration and affection in his voice regarding Nico. As the ginger wrapped up his story, Reyna sat deep in thought.

"Kellen, I'm going to step on your toes a bit, but I think it's for the best," she began and Kellen shifted in his beanbag. "What do you feel about Nico?"

When she asked the question, Reyna expected a blush and all the signs of a crush pulled from the closet, but she didn't get any of those things. Forrest green eyes looked at her with utmost sincerity and Kellen began to absolutely rave about the son of hades.

"He's brilliant. He's tactical and smart. He's so good with his sword and so aware in battle. But not just for himself, but for those around him. And he's selfless, so freaking selfless. A bit forgetful sometimes, and a bit distracted, but in an endearing way. And he has this silly smoke screen he throws up, but I think he secretly wants people to ignore it ya know? But he's protective and thoughtful. Reyna, he cared for me in a way no one ever has. He's the brother I never had Reyna. I love him."

The praetor sat in shock for a moment, hands fiddling with her hair. She then leaned forward and really looked at the ginger engineer. His eyes were honest, but there was sadness lining them, and the hunch in his shoulders revealed that as well. Kellen had found the best friend this word had ever allowed him and yet he looked grieved.

"Then why are you so sad Kellen?" she asked unsure of whether she was overstepping her bounds. But after biting his lip momentarily, he looked up and with an emotion laced tone he replied. "He has everything he needs now. He has his friends. He has his boyfriend. He'll be returning home any day now. He doesn't need me anymore."

It all made sense now. And it also sparked a fury within Reyna. Why are there so many broken people out there convinced they aren't worthy? What exactly are they trying to measure up to? Who is setting this standard? If Nico wants Kellen as a friend then he's going to remain his friend.

"Kellen I need you to listen carefully okay?" she began. "I think you're looking at life as if we're all those little cutout games that toddlers play with. Like we have these holes that need to be filled and once all the shapes are in place everything will be perfect. But I don't think it's like that at all. I think we're more like a glass vase. One rose is stunning, as are two, and there's always room for three or four. You can always keep adding flowers. And some will wilt or fade and need to be removed, but I assure you that Nico has room in his vase for you Kellen."

The ginger really seemed to be thinking on her words so with satisfaction Reyna encouraged him to give it more thought and to be on his way.

FYFYFYFYFYFY

"So… who's this guy you've been hanging out with when you said you'd be with Reyna?" asked Leo as he rolled over and faced his boyfriend. Nico gave him a look of utter disbelief. "You want to have this conversation now?!" gesturing wildly at their state of undress. "Yes," Leo replied stubbornly. "I do actually." Huffing Nico reached over the side of the bed, hand searching for his sweats – well they were Jason's, but semantics. "Well, let me put some pants on at least before I talk about my friend."

"Secret friends make secret lovers," Leo muttered and Nico smacked him in the face with a pillow. "You're an absolute idiot," he grouched but it turned into a giggle as Leo pulled him onto his chest. "You're lucky I didn't make a bigger deal out of this. You should be thankful I'm so mature."

Nico barked out a laugh at that and lowered his face to meet Leo's lips in a kiss. "I think you're grace was strictly a result of blue balls." Leo squawked indignantly, but wrapped his legs around Nico's waist, pulling him in closer. "So are you going to answer my question or ignore me forever?"

Sighing Nico propped himself on his elbows, resting his chin in his hands so he could look down at his perfect little mechanic. "He saved my butt. I jumped to Las Vegas and ended up taking a nap before I could find a safe place to stay," Leo gasped at that and frowned. He hated the idea of all those years where Nico jumped and traveled and basically survived all on his own. Now that he was in the picture, he never wanted Nico in those situations again.

"I know. I know," groaned Nico. "Let me continue. Anyways. At first I wanted to just get on. I was basically one jump from Camp Jupiter but there was something about him. He needed a friend. So I let him talk me into taking the train with him and it all went to shit from there because of monsters. But yeah. He's kind of become like a brother, a real good friend at least. I think you'd like him."

Nico gazed smugly at the curly haired boy below him. "Especially now that you know he's not competition."