Chapter 11: There is no sense in punishing your future for the mistakes of your past. Forgive yourself, grow from it, and then let it go.

Leo watched as Nico tapped land cards for a total of six mana. Finally, the son of Hades reached out a pale hand and turned a card called "Vito, Thorn of the Dusk Rose." Its ability read: "Whenever you gain life, target opponent loses that much life."

Nico cleared his throat. "Alright. Tapping Vito to pay the Kicker cost. And," he laid a card from his hand onto the battlefield. "Blood Tribute. Target player loses half his or her life, rounded up. If Blood Tribute was kicked, you gain life equal to the life lost this way." Nico looked up from the table to the other demigods. "Does it resolve?"

Deacon shrugged while Stan asked, "Who's your target?"

Nico glanced around the group and the dice placed in front of each of them, indicating their life totals. Deacon and his mono-red deck rested at twelve, Leo at ten, while Stan held a whopping twenty-two. "You, Stan. For both."

Stan tilted his head from side to side. "Alrighty then." The young demigod reached out and tapped two Islands for two blue mana. "Redirect. You may choose new targets for target spell." Stan smirked and looked across the table to Leo. "Bye-bye, Commander Toolbelt!"

Leo swiveled his head back and forth from Nico's cards to Stan's and down to his own. All of his mana was tapped. "What? Why?! Don't I only lose half of my life? I should still have five left."

Deacon chuckled. "But Nico has Vito on the field. And since he paid the kicker, he gains the life you lost. Which means that Vito's ability goes into effect: any time he gains life, another player loses that much life. So you lose five twice. Tough break, man." Deacon looked over to Stan. "Thank you for not redirecting it to me."

Stan smiled at his older brother mysteriously. "Oh, your time will come. Don't worry."

Deacon scowled. "Not if I destroy you first."

"I'd like to see you try."

"Sorry, Leo." The son of Hephaestus glanced up from his cards, still flabbergasted that he was the first one out. Nico was trying to keep a smile from his face, but his eyes shone with mirth. "Did you still have fun?"

Leo grinned and set his remaining cards on the table. "Enough that I'd consider playing again. Valdez the Vexing has to regain his pride."

"Well, he can try." The smirk spreading across Nico's face spoke volumes.

"Nico di Angelo. Are you talking smack?" Leo leaned in closer to the son of Hades and gently prodded the demigod in the chest. "Because I don't think you should be so cocky."

Nico's smirk deepened, and he opened his mouth to reply when Deacon interrupted. "Are you two done? It's my turn."

Leo laughed as Nico blushed and bit his lip. "Take it away, man."

The game ended quickly: Stan forced both players to draw cards and then discard their hands. Once they were unable to draw any more cards, both Deacon and Nico were forced to forfeit.

Stan smiled broadly as Deacon sulked. "Good game, guys." He waggled his eyebrows. "Maybe next time we can introduce you to Commander format? It's better than Standard-"

"No, it's not!" Deacon interjected in a singsong voice.

"And," Stan continued despite Deacon's interruption. "Way more challenging!"

"Well, I hate to break this up, but," Jo walked over to the group from where she had descended from the stairs. "I needed to check on our patient." The ex-Hunter looked over to Leo with sharp eyes. "How are you holding up, Leo?"

The son of Hephaestus smiled crookedly. "Brain's a bit foggy, but that's nothing new."

Jo smiled warmly. "That should pass in a day or two with proper rest."

Pulling a face, Leo furrowed his eyebrows. "Why can't I have ambrosia again? Or unicorn draught?"

Jo frowned. "Low stores. We have to save it for life-threatening injuries until we're able to get more from either of the camps. I believe that, when the Hunters come next, they'll have a shipment for us."

Leo's lips twisted down. "Aw, come on, Jo. Please?"

The ex-Hunter rolled her eyes. "No." She turned her attention to Nico. "With that being said...Nico? Would you mind checking Leo throughout the night? Someone has to wake him up. You just need to-"

"Ask him a couple questions. If he's answering them without any issues the first time I wake him up, he should be good. But," his eyes slid over to Leo. "I'm a pretty light sleeper. I can bunk on the top, and if anything happens, I'll get you guys."

Leo frowned. "If anything happens?"

Shrugging, Nico answered. "Seizures, weakness on one side of the body. That kind of stuff. If there's brain damage and symptoms show up in your sleep and you're alone, no one would know."

Jo looked at Nico appraisingly. "Where did you learn that? Chiron didn't mention you had first aid skills."

His shoulders hunched, and Nico seemed to wither under her gaze. "The Apollo cabin, mostly. Spent a lot of time in the infirmary helping out."

The older woman nodded and dropped the subject. "Well, thank you. I think that will be a good situation. Leo? Are you alright with Nico bunking with you tonight?"

"Sure. No problemo." Leo smiled broadly at Nico. "You can finally solve the mystery of if I snore or not."

"You definitely snore, Leo." Cal's voice rang out across the grand hall. She came from under the archway of the stairs- bits of straw clung to her shirt and hair. She looked at Jo after smiling warmly at the group. "Lit wants to know if there are any melons left? He wants to treat Olivia before they leave tomorrow."

"Sure thing. How many?"

Cal shook her head. "Any and all that you can spare. I think he's worried Olivia will forget him once they're in New Rome and she's around Hannibal."

Jo chuckled. "Buying love with snacks. I think Emmie knows but, I swear Georgie only loves me because I share my peanut butter cups with her. Common parenting tactic."

Cal and Jo crossed to the kitchen fridge and removed several quartered watermelons and sliced cantaloupes. Then, arms full, Cal called over her shoulder to Nico, "I'll meet you on the balcony at moonrise, alright? I have a spare set of gloves for you."

Nico gave a wave of acknowledgment as Calypso and Jo left. He turned back to Leo. "Does the top bunk need sheets?"

Already shaking his head, the son of Hephaestus answered, "Nah. I do gotta clear off some of my stuff, though. Just papers and schematics for projects. Plans for class tomorrow."

"Class?"

"Yeah," Leo looked sideways at Nico. "With the kids. Remember? We're planning out our next project." Hesitantly, Leo asked, "You were coming, right?"

Nico smiled tiredly but nodded. "Of course. What time do we have to be there tomorrow?"

"Eleven. You should have plenty of time to sleep in if ya need to." Leo cast a glance over to where Cal had exited the room. "Unless...what are you and Cal up to tonight?"

Bringing his mug to his lips, Nico finished the last of his hot chocolate before answering. "She's showing me how to transplant Moonlace."

"Oh."

"So...do you mind if we go up? I just want to throw a couple of my things on the bunk if you're okay with that?"

"Oh. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Sure thing! Just," Leo hurriedly extricated himself from his seat, toppling the chair in the process. He grabbed his mug with one hand and wedged a toe underneath the back of the chair to push it back up and into place. "Let me just wash this out real quick. And then I just need to-"

Nico took the mug from Leo's hand and picked up his own. "I'll do the dishes. Meet you up there?"

Leo hesitated for a moment and reached to take his mug back. "I can really wash my mug, Ghost Boy."

"I know you can. But you don't need to."

"But-"

"Just go get your stuff off my bed."

"But-"

"Holy Hera!" Stan exploded. Nico and Leo both jumped. They had forgotten the two brothers were still there. "Someone just wash the dishes! What is the matter with you two? No one ever offers to wash my dishes."

"That's because you put too much hot sauce on your plate, and it crusts over." Deacon said breezily to his younger brother.

Stan scowled. "No one asked you, dimwit."

"They didn't have to. I offered."

"Oh my gods. Can you have a higher opinion of yourself?"

"Just because you're not as good as me doesn't mean you have to get all riled up."

"What the-"

Leo thrust his mug back into Nico's hands and smiled sheepishly. "On second thought, thanks. You can definitely do dishes." Whistling, Leo turned and walked briskly away, waving an arm over his shoulder at the other boys. "¡Hasta mañana!"

Nico watched Leo walk away, only slightly regretting his decision as the two brothers continued arguing.

It only took a couple minutes to wash the mugs. Setting the two cups on the drying rack, Nico gave a quick wave and goodnight to other demigods and made his way to the stairs. Entering his room, he grabbed his pillow and a book Austin had given him before Nico had left camp entitled "Notes and Tones: Musician to Musician Interviews." Making his way into the hall, Nico knocked on Leo's door and waited. Several crashes and thumps and Leo's muffled call of, "Just a second!" sounded through the closed door. Half a minute later, Leo yanked the door open with a broad grin.

"Welcome to Casa de McShizzle! Mi casa es tu casa."

Nico stepped in warily. The desk was in neat order to the side of the room. The existing floor was clear of debris. Leo's bed was haphazardly made, red sheets and blanket hastily pulled up and over the pillow. The top bunk looked pristine and unblemished. Nico blinked and frowned. "You cleaned your whole room? In ten minutes?"

Leo smiled sheepishly and put a hand behind his head. His eyes closed as he laughed. "Just don't look in the closet, yeah? Everything might explode worse than when those dwarves attacked the Argo II."

Nico shook his head good-naturedly and crossed to the bunk. He tossed his book and pillow onto the top bed and turned to Leo. "Going to bed soon?"

Shrugging, Leo glanced at a small clock on his desk. "Probably in about an hour. I want to get some work done before tomorrow."

"Sounds good." Nico glanced around the room and back at Leo. "You didn't have to clean, you know."

Leo blushed and laughed again. "Yeah, yeah, yeah." Leo waved a hand at Nico. "Go help Calypso. I'll be fine until you get back."

Nico hesitated at the door. "Are you okay with me sleeping in here? I can always just set my alarm and check on you each hour?"

"Nah, man. It's all good. I don't mind." Leo grinned and continued. "Like I said, I'll finally discover if I snore or not. You gotta be honest with me."

Nico shook his head. "There's no way you snore as bad as Grover. Or Jas- Jason." Nico's voice broke over the name of the deceased demigod. Even Leo's smile became a bit forced. The son of Hades sighed and looked down at the ground. "I'll see you when I get back."

"See ya, Ghost Boy."

When Nico crossed the threshold onto the balcony, a pair of gloves smacked him in the face as welcome. Calypso brightly called out to him, "About time you got here. Since you have to get back early, time is of the essence. So put the gloves on, and let's get to work."

The pair worked in companionable silence, Calypso giving instructions here and there:

"Take out the plants by the base of the stalk- pull up gently, don't yank!"

"See how the roots are starting to compact? Tease them apart so they can take better root in the new pots."

"I was afraid of that. Give it here, and let me see what I can do about the root rot."

Eventually, Nico tired of the clumsy feeling of the gloves and removed them, relishing the feel of damp soil on his bare fingers. The dirt wedged itself under his nails and colored the creases of his hands.

"So, how are you settling in? I know it's been a crazy few days."

Nico shook his head, smiling lightly. "I can't believe it's only been a few days. It feels like so much longer."

"Maybe that's because you fit in so well." Cal beamed as Nico looked up at her, startled. "I guess it's easier to see from an outside perspective. But," Calypso patted down soil around a new transplant before continuing. "You do fit in here nicely. Stan and Deacon already like you- they don't let just anyone play Magic with them. Lit told me to make sure you were eating enough while he's gone, and-"

"He what?" Nico stared at Cal as if she had grown another head.

A laugh broke past Cal's lips. "Yes. That's how Lit shows his concern and affection: food. So the fact that he wants to make sure you're eating...he likes you."

Nico ducked his head and focused on the plants in front of him.

"Emmie thinks you are the most polite demigod to ever stay at the Waystation, and Jo is ecstatic that we have a cook who can do Italian the right way. Even Olujime said you bring a...balance to the Waystation. I think Sssssarah is the only one reserving judgment. She hasn't had a chance to talk to you about eggs yet. And Georgie, I guess. But, she's not very free with her thoughts-especially since the throne incident." Calypso scowled at the memory.

Nico looked up at Cal, a question on the tip of his tongue, before swallowing and looking back down.

"What is it?"

Nico shook his head. "Nothing."

Quirking her mouth to the side, Cal reached out a gloved finger and poked Nico on the shoulder. "You were going to ask something. What?"

Nico shrugged and, without looking up from the nearly transplanted moonlace, asked, "Does...does Leo mind my being here?"

Cal's mouth twitched up, and she spoke softly, immediately. "I think he doesn't mind in the slightest. Out of everyone, I think he's the happiest you're here."

Nico's hands stilled on the plant, and he looked doubtful. "Really?"

Cal reached out and covered his hand with her own. "Really. I don't think he realized how much your being here was going to affect him."

"Oh."

Cal let the conversation drop, and the two worked their way through the remainder of moonlace. Eventually, Nico shifted his weight and cracked his spine, relief coursing through him as his joints popped. Cal sighed- weary but satisfied.

"Thanks for your help, Nico. I'm glad to have found someone who can appreciate what grows in the shadows."

After Nico washed up and changed, he let himself into Leo's room slowly. The lights were still on, but Leo, dressed for bed, was asleep at his desk, head resting on the pillow of his arms. Nico shook his head with a smile.

Nico reached out to shake the son of Hephaestus awake. The demigod groaned lightly and blearily opened his eyes halfway. "Mom?"

A hand tightened around Nico's heart, and he swallowed heavily. "No, Leo. It's me. Nico. I have to check on you throughout the night? Remember?"

Leo seemed dazed and not altogether there. "Nico?"

"Yeah."

A disappointed sigh escaped Leo's lips. "Oh."

Nico chose to move past Leo's blunder- he wasn't entirely sure Leo would want to have a heart-to-heart with him. "Do you know what day it is?"

Leo sat up and rubbed a hand across his eyes.

"Sunday. Maybe really early Monday. Dunno the time."

"Your name?"

"The Dread Pirate Valdez. Or…" Leo's eyes flitted to Nico. "You can call me Your Supreme Awesomeness, Leonidas McShizzle."

Nico rolled his eyes. "You're fine. Get in bed, and I'll turn off the lights."

Leo did as he was told, and Nico, true to his word, flicked the switch and crossed over to the end of the bunk bed, preparing to climb up, but Leo's voice stopped him.

"Hey, Nico? Can I ask you a question?"

Nico paused with his hand on the ladder leading up to the bunk. He looked back at the other demigod, but Leo's face was covered in shadow. "Go ahead."

There was a pregnant pause before, "Why did you hit me?"

Nico flinched at the raw pain in Leo's voice. "When? When did I hit you?"

Exhaustion radiated from Leo as he continued to speak, his voice soft and without the boisterous edge to which Nico had become accustomed. "When I came back to camp. With Cal for the first time." Leo shifted in bed so that a faint sliver of light fell over his eyes. Nico sucked in a breath at the accusing hurt and confusion. "You all lined up. Why?"

Nico removed his hand from the rung and crossed closer to Leo, steps slow and cautious as if approaching a wild animal. He motioned to the foot of the bed. "Can I sit? Please?"

Leo nodded.

Taking a seat, Nico studied Leo, grasping for the words to explain.

Explain what? He's right. You hit him. You weren't fighting. You weren't training. You organized physical pain against a friend. People laughed. You let it happen.

Nico took a deep breath. "Leo, you left. You left all of us thinking you were dead."

"So," confused eyes searched Nico's, "I deserved it?" Leo's voice raised at the end- begging for an answer to his question.

Nico's gaze hardened. "Is that what you think? That you deserved it? No, Leo. No."

"Then why?"

Nico sighed. "We were worried. And relieved. I think...I think it's easier sometimes to feel emotions that are less difficult to handle." Nico fiddled with the cover. "I can't speak for the others, Leo. But, for me? It has always been easier to handle anger over... everything else."

Nico leveled his gaze until his eyes found Leo's. "I felt you die, Leo. I felt all of your future snuff out like you had never been. And it was my fault. Because I'm the one who let Octavian blast himself into the sky. I let you die." Nico heard his voice break but continued anyway. "I wanted so badly to see you again. We all did. Even if just to say goodbye. And then, when I found out you were alive and you hadn't even come back...it hurt. And I was angry. I was so relieved and happy and angry. Because you didn't feel that way about us. About me."

A dry and hollow laugh escaped Nico. "I held on to that message you sent us. Sent camp. Anytime I started to feel hurt that you hadn't come back yet….any time I started to miss you, I'd pull out that piece of paper and listen to it all over again. That anger is the only thing that kept me from wanting you back so much. Emotions are easier to ignore when you have...distractions."

Leo sat up in bed and rubbed a hand over his eyes. "I...I didn't know."

Nico shook his head. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry that we hit you. You did not deserve it, Leo. No matter what we were feeling. Each of us is responsible for our own feelings. We can't control situations that happen around us all the time- but we can try our hardest to have healthy reactions." Nico chuckled bitterly. "I sound like Mr. D. To be honest, I think all demigods would benefit from some therapy. Dionysus could open a practice."

A quiet stillness descended on the room as Leo absorbed the information. Finally, Nico sighed, his own tiredness overcoming him. "I think you need to go back to sleep now. Jo said you needed rest. Any more questions?"

Leo shook his head and laid back against his pillow. "Thanks for being honest, Nico. I'm sorry I didn't say bye. Before or after dying." The demigod's voice grew more slurred as sleep began to overtake him once more. "I do feel that way about you guys." He yawned widely and added in a soft murmur, "About you."

Nico smiled softly as Leo's breathing evened out. He stood, hesitating only briefly before reaching over to pull the blanket more securely around Leo's shoulders. His thoughts drifted back to earlier in the night, speaking with Calypso.

"I think he's the happiest you're here. I don't think he realized how much your being here was going to affect him."

Nico's first reaction was to deny, deny, deny. But, gazing at the sleeping form of the other demigod, Nico realized he was happy being at the Waystation- around Leo- too.

"Sogni d'oro, Leo."

"There is no sense in punishing your future for the mistakes of your past. Forgive yourself, grow from it, and then let it go."~Melanie Koulouris