NICO
Nico had a talk with Leo.
"I'm sure my dad isn't too happy that you're alive if you're supposed to be dead," Nico said bluntly to the very much alive Leo.
Leo scratched the back of his head, laughing a little nervously. "Yeah…um, can you like, tell your old man not to blast me into cinders? I'd appreciate it."
Nico smirked a little.
"I suppose I could try. Then again, my dad might blast me into cinders too."
Leo laughed nervously again.
"At any rate, I'll try my best. I'm sure my dad will see the sense."
This time, Leo laughed without nervousness and thanked Nico profusely. The two bade each other farewell.
Nico steered himself quickly to the Hades Cabin and headed towards the shrine. Kneeling, he prayed to his father not to kill Leo after all that he had been through.
Nico muttered, "He came back to life, sure, even though he should've died. But think about what he did. He saved all of our butts from getting kicked by Gaea."
A blue flame illuminated the shrine and the room temperature dropped sharply. Hades himself emerged from a black shadow.
The God of the Underworld was staring down at Nico with his arms crossed. Nico suddenly felt very small and swallowed anxiously. It still felt weird and intimidating to be with his father.
Hades did not speak immediately; instead, he surveyed the cabin and huffed.
"I like the style of the cabin…very Underworld-y."
"Dad, I'm not a vampire," Nico said, "In fact, I'm planning on remodeling the cabin."
Hades glared at his son with smoldering eyes.
"Alright, fine," the god drawled, "As for Leo Valdez, the boy who was supposed to join the other spirits in the Underworld…"
Nico's breath hitched.
"I suppose I can overlook it…Though there will be hell when I have a talk with Zeus."
Nico let out his breath.
"Thanks Dad, for, um, letting Leo live."
Hades nodded mutely before disappearing back into the shadows, no doubt returning home to the Underworld.
The room grew warm again.