Disclaimer: I don't own PJO/HOO, Rick Riordan does

A/N: hey guys! So I'm just gonna clear something up here. I often mention that Nico is the older one in this pairing. In my mind, I think Leo is around 16 1/2, and Nico is 17.

A few days passed, and everything was going great between the star-crossed lovers.

They spent every spare moment together, whether they were just cuddling or otherwise. Leo had managed to avoid Reyna for the most part, but he had a feeling she was becoming suspicious.

One day, Leo was late for lunch. He walked into the pavilion, slipping past campers and sitting in an empty spot at the Hephasteus table. His eyes searched the room for Nico, his heartbeat speeding up as the pale boy met his gaze.

Leo smiled softly at him, scanning his body.

"He looks sexy." the Latino thought, taking in his outfit. Nico wore his usual ripped black skinny jeans, today paired with a dark blue v-neck shirt. The low cut neckline showed off the top of his abs and the dark bruises Leo had left on his collarbones.

Nico grinned at him seductively, knowing Leo had been studying his outfit choice.

Leo blushed, looking away from Nico's uncomfortable gaze. The son of Hades was confident and cocky. Leo, however, was not. He could fake it, sure. But he wasn't, and he wished he hadn't put on a regular camp t-shirt and yesterday's dirty work jeans this morning.

Nico sensed his uneasiness and shot him a concerned look. Leo ignored it, pulling a few metal wires from his pocket and fiddling with them.

A person slid into the spot across from Leo and placed a hand over his. He knew instantly it wasn't Nico, however, and looked up from his work.

"You've been really distant lately, Leo." Reyna said, her finger tracing his knuckles.

He nodded. "I'm sorry. I've just been wrapped up with work, you know?" he replied, smiling warmly.

"I understand." she said as she played with his fingers. "I miss you, though."

"I miss you too, mi amo." he lied, crossing his fingers under the table.

He glanced over her shoulder in the direction of the Hades table. Nico was gone.

Leo stood up, reaching over the table and brushing Reyna's cheek with his finger.

"I've gotta get back to work." he said, fiddling with his shirt.

Reyna nodded. "Alright, but where's your lunch?" she asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Not hungry." he stated, walking out of the pavilion and down the line of cabins. Reaching Cabin 13, he twisted the doorknob and slipped in silently.

Nico lay in near-complete darkness and silence. His hands covered his face, exposing his shirtless chest. Leo noticed his shirt and boots thrown on the floor near the entrance. Removing his own work boots and shirt quietly, he watched as his lover's chest rose and fell slowly.

Leo strode over to the older boy, leaning down and kissing his lips softly.

His eyes fluttered open, staring into space for a second before focusing themselves on Leo.

"Hi." he said, practically in a whisper. He slid over on his bed and patted the now empty space next to him.

Leo laid down, taking one of Nico's always cold hands. "What's wrong?" he asked. "You just left."

"Headache." Nico whispered, burying his face in his pillow.

"Is it because of the thing with Reyna?" Leo asked in a hoarse whisper. "Because I have no feelings for her anymore. I have to act like it until I know I can tell her." he said.

Nico shook his head slightly. "It's not because of Reyna." he said, burying his face deeper into his pillow.

Leo stroked his hair, humming softly. "Then what?" he asked.

"You seemed...weird today. Like I was making you feel uncomfortable." Nico admitted, turning his head to face Leo. He looked into the Hispanic boy's deep brown eyes.

Leo kept running his fingers through Nico's shaggy black hair.

"I don't know..." he said, watching Nico's expression. "It's just...I'm not as confident as you. It's because I'm not good enough." he said quietly, withdrawing his hands from Nico's hair.

Leo had obviously shocked him, because his almost-black eyes widened and his mouth opened.

"Not good enough? Are you kidding me, Valdez?" he said, tracing Leo's jawline with his finger. "That's crazy!"

Leo shook his head. "I'm not. I'd never be able to wear a shirt that showed off the marks." he said, fingering a bruise Nico had recently left at the base of his neck.

Nico lightly brushed his hand aside, rubbing the tender bite marks. "They're love bites, so I don't mind showing mine off." he whispered. "But if you do, then you don't have to. I know you love me either way." he reassured Leo. "You are good enough. If anything, I don't deserve you."

Leo laughed slightly and shook his head. "I'm not confident enough with myself. You are." he whispered.

"That's only because I don't give a damn what people think of me. It's good that you do." Nico whispered back.

Leo looked away, crossing his arms over his bare chest.

Nico pushed Leo's side so he was now laying on his back. He rolled over, placing his forearms on either side of his head. Hovering over Leo, he looked into his eyes and leaned closer to his ear.

"Tell me you think you're worth it, or you won't be walking for a week." he growled seductively, the same twisted grin on his face.

Leo grinned, knowing exactly what the older boy was talking about. "What if I want you to fuck me anyways?" he shot back, gaining some confidence with the dark red blush that spread across Nico's cheeks.

"Uhm...Well..." Nico stammered, looking away.

Leo laughed. "Relax, ghost boy. I was kidding."

"Oh shut up and kiss me." Nico said, leaning down and pressing his lips to Leo's.

Leo tangled his fingers in Nico's hair, pulling his head closer to deepen the kiss. Nico slowly lowered himself to rest on Leo's chest. His hot skin sent shivers up Nico's spine, causing him to jump slightly.

Leo raised his hips slightly, pressing his lower body to Nico's. He could feel his lover's growing bulge on his thigh. Nico unknowingly ground his hips against Leo's, causing the Latino to let out a loud moan into Nico's mouth.

Nico slid his hand down to the button of Leo's jeans, undoing it and unzipping them with a single move. He slipped a hand into his jeans and traced Leo's v-line over his boxers, causing him to groan again.

"Nico." Leo said in between kisses. "Nico." he said again, putting a hand on his chest to stop him. "I wanna do this as much as you, but I have to go back to work in a few minutes."

Nico smirked slightly. "Alright." he said, resting himself on Leo's chest, pressing his forehead to the mechanic's.

Leo slid his thumb into Nico's jeans, slowly rubbing circles into the skin around his center. He knew it drove his Italian lover crazy. Smirking, he slipped his other thumb in, rubbing harder.

Nico moaned, squirming a bit. He bit his lower lip so hard that he drew blood.

"Lemme fix that for you." Leo whispered, tilting his head up and running his tongue along Nico's lip. He cleaned up the blood with his tongue while continuing to work his fingers. Leo kissed his lover softly, slowly withdrawing his fingers from inside Nico's boxers.

Nico rolled off Leo's chest, gasping for breath. Leo smirked and planted one last kiss on his lips. Standing up, he re-zipped his jeans and slipped his t-shirt back on.

He laced up his work boots quickly. "Adios, mi amo." he called, laughing at the sight of Nico still trembling slightly from pleasure.

"Arrivederci, amore mio." Nico managed to reply before the door shut firmly behind Leo.

Translations-

Adios, mi amo-goodbye, my love ( Spanish )

Arrivederci, amore mio-goodbye, my love ( Italian )