I want to thank nahchilles for allowing me to borrow their idea of Leo building a phonograph. Spent a long time thinking of a name for the demigod child.

Leo's whole thing with the radio music is actually a little reward he got for the Valdazinator, he's unaware of this, of course.

10. Affected

Leo's staying at an apartment with Simon for the time being, Nico learns, one that's been warded so it won't let Leo's scent out by Magnus; to repay Magnus for this, Leo had been fixing every broken machine Magnus sent his way.

Right now though, he was building a phonograph from scratch, soft music playing from an old radio that had been clearly fixed up previously. They were alone in the apartment, while Simon was dealing with some shadow world business.

Nico had been told to stay put, both by Magnus, who had threatened to use his magic on him, and by Leo, who had only just glared at him and said a soft no; somehow, Leo's method was a lot more effective. At the very least, he's found that he really likes Leo's taste in music, or maybe he just likes that Leo seems to sway to the rhythm of each song, like the music's controlling his movements.

"I'm gonna go ahead and put down that I know for a fact you didn't come here for the new demi"

Nico has a strong sense of dèjavú when his thought process gets interrupted by Leo, all while the Latino keeps his full attention on the phonograph.

"But also, I don't think they would send you to 'capture' me or whatever"

It's not an insult by any account, just a simple fact, one Leo's absolutely correct on; even if he doesn't know the real reason neither camp would've trusted Nico with such a job.

"So, why are you really here?"

Nico's trapped in Brooklyn until he can prove himself well enough to shadow travel again, and then he can't say he would go away when Leo isn't actively pushing him to do so. So even though he's yet to do anything in order to re-gain Leo's trust, he figures being honest with him is a good first step.

Taking the clock out of his pocket is easy enough, a practiced sort of movement, laying it down on the table is a little harder, because it feels weird to treat the clock as a common object.

"This appeared on what was supposed to be your third and final day away from the camps"

Leo pauses his movements then, a hand reaching for the clock tentatively, unable to hide his surprise when he finally holds it. Nico watches him open the lid with wide eyes, and then for those eyes to look at him.

"Is this-"

Leo swallows, voice shaking.

"Is this my soul?"

Nico nods, and readies himself for the next bit.

"It was supposed to go to the person you trusted most with it, but it didn't account for how hot it would be"

Leo's face goes through a myriad of expressions before he lets out a long, humorless laugh; Nico has to bite his lip not to let out a distressed noise. He knew this was going to happen, that seeing Leo like this would hurt him; but he's still ready to take the clock from his hands if he tried anything.

"So, she ended up actually burnt"

It gives Nico a sort of feeling, having Leo validate his suspicions, even if he'd been near certain of them. He doesn't expect Leo to put the clock back down and push it towards him, doesn't know what to think of that action.

"I think it's better if you keep it, I can't say I can be trusted with it"

It's painful, even if he'd known from the moment Leo first saw the clock; and Nico hates that this is the reason he gets to keep it. He's very careful when he takes it back, all but cradling it in his palms and letting the heat seep into his skin; and watches as Leo shivers noticeably and his eyes glisten.

"Oh"

Nico goes to put it back in his pocket when he's stopped by two copper skinned hands; he looks at Leo in surprise and finds him crying silently.

"You're so cold"

Nico's heart stammers, because it sounds less like a statement, more like a plea, like a prayer; he lets it dig its claws around his heart, because if he's going to be carrying Leo's, it's only right the Latino would get his in return. He uses his free hand to coax the hands away from him, softer than he's ever been.

"Go back to your phonograph, I'll be here when you're done"

Leo bites his lip, looking like he very much wants to say something, but doesn't, instead doing as he's told; Nico feels somewhat disappointed, but doesn't let it show. They will have time later if he has anything to say about it.

.- .- …/- …. .- -/-. - - -.. ..-..

Nash has a lot to think about, considering she's just discovered that the people of Greece were actually right about the whole 'the world is run by a group of overpowered immortals'. Also, that means all those weird powerful creatures heroes in mythos fought are also extremely real; and apparently out for demigod blood.

Nash thinks it makes a little sense that no one told her who her father was before now, because she would've absolutely told everyone; and like, no one would have believed it even though it was true. She's a little disappointed though because like, Leo made an entire Warhammer appear out of thin air, and Nico was controlling the shadows; all Nash's powers had done was make it so the pipe she'd grabbed in panic stayed intact as she swung it at the snake-woman.

She's supposed to be careful about that sort of feeling, because she really doesn't want to face the wrath of her godly parent; Ares was probably very scary when angry. Also, Leo had promised she would learn to properly control and use her powers at this demigod safe-heaven camp thing-y, the one he said she'd get to safely, once he figured how to get her there without giving his current position away.

Because, apparently, Leo was a rouge, which was beyond cool, but made Nash worry that Nico would try and arrest Leo; only Leo had assured her Nico couldn't take anyone anywhere unless he re-charged his powers. He said it like a threat of sorts, though not at all directed at Nash; she wondered who it was actually for.

Nash supposed she would just have to ask the next time she was in the same room as Leo, he had answered all her other questions after all.