Disclaimer: I don't own these books, characters, or places ( except for Caitlyn Murphy, who I made up for this chapter. )

Nico, oddly enough, was the first to wake up.

He sat up as he remembered what happened last night. He looked at his arm and was disappointed to see that the cuts were deeper than he thought and barely scabbed. A blush crept to his cheeks as he remembered what had happened AFTER the self-harm incident. How Leo had slammed into him, and the sensation, and...

"Shut up, Nico. Pull yourself together." he growled to himself. Looking over to the other side of his bed, he remembered that Leo had fallen asleep in his cabin as well.

He leaned over and pulled the covers off of his sleeping love. Tracing Leo's hard abs with his cold fingers, Nico kissed his lips softly. Leo soon woke up, returning the kiss and moving his lips in synch with Nico.

"Thanks for the wake-up call." Leo said with a laugh. Nico nodded cockily, smirking as he continued running his fingers over the Latino's chest.

Leo's breathing became heavier, and he shivered slightly at the cold feeling seeping through his skin.

He relaxed after a while, smiling drowsily at Nico. "I've got to work down in the forges again today." he mumbled.

Alright. I think I've gotta go help Percy teach a sparring class." Nico replied, slowly sliding his fingers further down Leo's stomach and to the waistband of his borrowed pajamas.

Leo looked up. "What are you-" he began, gasping as Nico yanked his bottoms down lower.

He drew random patterns into the skin around Leo's center, earning a small moan from him.

"It's gonna be harder to make you squirm now." Nico said, laughing.

Leo obviously didn't understand. "What?" he asked.

Nico grinned. "To pleasure you, metal head."

"Ohhhh." Leo said, drawing out the word. "Wait, still not getting it."

"After last night, nitwit!" he blurted out, his smirk dissolving.

Leo laughed, watching Nico. "I'm not stupid, I just wanted to see your face when you said it." he said, holding his stomach.

Nico hit his arm, but gently. "I hate you!" he exclaimed, blushing a dark red.

Of course, Leo knew about all that, the fact he was so vulnerable. Nico was too, but he was older. It didn't seem like he was. Neither of them had ever had a relationship like this, and it seemed so easy to pleasure the other.

Nico pressed his fingers harder into Leo's skin, and he bit his lip in an attempt to suppress another moan.

He noticed the satisfied smirk on Nico's face and was tempted to hit him.

"Do you enjoy torturing me?" Leo asked him, shooting him a death glare.

Nico just laughed evilly. "I think we know, based on the past two weeks, that this isn't even close to torture for you." he remarked, focusing on his fingers.

A loud vibrating noise came from the back of Leo's throat. "Nico?" he asked softly.

"Yes, amore mio?" he replied, his deep Italian accent coming out.

"D-did I hurt you? Last night?" Leo asked, placing his hands over Nico's, guiding them to a sensitive spot of his skin.

"What do you mean, love?" Nico asked, his voice becoming softer.

Leo sighed. "You know..." he said, blushing pink.

"Oh." he said, continuing drawing lines on Leo's skin. "Not really. I mean, at first I guess it did." he decided. "But you went slow, so I was alright after a couple minutes."

"Alright. 'Cause it was my first, and I wasn't sure if I hurt you..." Leo said, holding out his arms. Nico accepted the hug, closing his eyes as he inhaled Leo's scent of motor oil and smoke.

"It was my first too. You didn't hurt me. You were wonderful." he whispered.

Leo couldn't take it anymore. He pulled his head back and slammed his lips against Nico's.

They moved in synch, searching for more skin, more contact. Just as things were getting really heated, someone knocked on the door.

"Nico? I need you down at the training field in 10, okay?" Percy said.

Nico held a hand over Leo's mouth. "Alright, meet you there!" he said, a slight tone of annoyance in his voice. He turned back to his lover and began assaulting his lips again.

"Do you think 10 minutes is enough time?" he asked in between kisses.

Leo sighed, shaking his head. "No, I wish." he mumbled against his mouth. Sliding his hands around his lower back, he pulled Nico's lower body against his, earning a groan against his lips.

He pulled apart, rolling out of bed and standing up. Nico joined him, walking across the room and pulling a pair of jeans and a t-shirt out of a drawer. He stripped out of his pajamas and was about to change into a clean pair of boxers when he felt Leo's arms wrap around him from behind. He had stripped as well, and the only thing separating their bodies was the thin material of Leo's boxers.

"You sure we can't just do this all day?" Leo whispered seductively.

Nico nodded, turning around and planting a small kiss on his forehead. He got dressed and slipped on his aviators jacket and combat boots.

"Are you coming to the bonfire tonight?" Leo asked. He was already dressed and was lacing up his work boots.

Nico shrugged. "I guess."

"Good."

Walking to the door, he grabbed his Stygian iron sword. He glanced at Leo, who was having trouble lacing up his boots, and walked out.

He jogged down to the practice field, scanning the area for Percy. The older teen was talking to a group of campers, his sword in hand.

He saw Nico coming towards him, and moved to the center of the field. "Alright guys, settle down!" he yelled, watching as the campers took seats in the bleachers.

Nico stood next to him, glaring at the group of Aphrodite girls in the corner. They were busy giggling over some boring topic.

"Alright, listen up!" Nico yelled, and everybody turned to face him. "Today's lesson is on how to evade and counter-attack. Anyone care to explain?"

A few hands shot up. He pointed to a small girl in the front row with strawberry blonde hair and green eyes. She couldn't be more than 8, and seemed to be studying him.

"Avoiding your opponents strikes and using their force against them." she said, eying him.

"Very good. And you are?" Percy asked her.

"Caitlyn Murphy." she stated, glancing at Riptide, Percy's sword, and then Nico's. "Daughter of Hecate."

"So, as Caitlyn said, this lesson will teach you the basics of defense. Any volunteers?" Nico asked.

Caitlyn's hand shot up. Hers was the only one in the air.

"Alright then." Nico said, and she stood up. She was probably 3 feet shorter than him, and looked like she could barely hold a sword.

He pulled his sword from his belt, and she unsheathed a long dagger, which she used like a sword. Nico had to bite his lip so he wouldn't burst out laughing.

"Go!" Percy shouted, running to the side of the sparring field.

He swung at her, and she blocked him, ducking under his legs. Jumping up, she flipped his sword out of his hand and knocked him down. She held her sword against his throat, grinning triumphantly.

Percy stood on the sidelines, laughing at the scene. Caitlyn held out her hand, and he took it and got up. She had a strong grip for a little kid.

"And that is how you evade and counter-attack." Percy said, clutching his stomach from laughter. "Partner up, everybody!"

Nico scowled at him, shoving his sword back into his belt loop as Caitlyn was congratulated by her siblings.

"Hey, that wasn't so bad." Percy said, trying to comfort him.

Nico just rolled his eyes and looked at Percy. His eyes were fixed on Nico's collar. "What are you looking at?" he asked.

Percy smirked. "Who's the girl?" he asked, pointing to the bruise Leo had left on his neck. The collar of his leather jacket had moved out of place when he fell.

"What?! Nobody!" Nico lied, fixing his jacket nervously.

"C'mon, Nico, I saw the teeth marks. What's her name? Who's her godly parent? C'mon! Tell me!" Percy whined, pulling on his cousin's sleeve.

Nico sighed in exasperation. "It's Leo, okay?!" he muttered, watching his expression.

Percy's eyes widened. "Leo?! As in Leo Valdez?! Are you serious?!" he asked.

"Keep your voice down!" Nico hissed, shoving him lightly.

Percy jumped around slightly, acting like the 7 year old he was inside. "I have a gay best friend!" he said, laughing.

"Shut up, Perce." Nico muttered.

"Can I tell Annabeth?" he asked.

Nico sighed. "I'd prefer if you didn't. We're gonna tell everyone when we're ready." he said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Alright." Percy said, hugging Nico.

"Please, get off me." Nico growled, squirming around.

He released him, still laughing.

Nico shook his head. Everything was going to be a lot more complicated than he thought.