Nico spent the next few days recuperating. Every time it seemed like he was getting better, his fever spiked again. He was basically a shivering, sweating mess. Gods, he thought to himself, if I feel this bad, what state is Percy in?

Anyway, one day, Nico thought he had the strength to get up, so he went out on deck for some fresh air. Leo was standing by the controllers, looking down at his feet.

"Hello." Nico said cautiously.

Leo's head snapped up and he blinked rapidly, clearly hiding tears.

"You okay?" Nico asked.

"What-yeah! Yeah, I'm great! Fine, just dandy!" Leo babbled.

Nico smiled faintly, reached into his pocket and withdrew a handkerchief.

"Here," he said, holding it out to the other demigod.

Leo looked at his out stretched hand nervously.

"I don't bite." Nico sad impatiently.

"Just take the snot rag already."

Leo grinned at this and, taking the handkerchief, wiped his red eyes.

"Thanks, man."

"No problem." Nico replied.

They lapsed into silence, until Leo said suddenly,

"Do you ever feel like you don't belong anywhere?"

Nico laughed bitterly.

"Every single day. Being a child of the Big Three can do that to you. Why? Do you?"

Leo slumped, his curly head bowed again,

"I feel like- a seventh wheel, to put it bluntly."

"Especially since everyone else on this boat of your's is in a relationship."

Leo looked at him in surprise, obviously wondering how he knew that.

"Dude, I'm not entirely sure what your abilities are, but can children of Hades read minds or something because-

"I've seen the way you look at my sister, Leo." Nico said, chuckling.

Leo's mouth dropped open, and he stammered,

"What- I-No, I don't!"

"Lie." Nico said calmly.

"Complete lie."

"Can you detect liars or something now?" Leo said wearily.

"No, I'm just good at reading people. And you're as easy to read as a book. You like Hazel."

Leo sighed and put his head in his hands.

"Fine! I do, alright! And it's not a subject I'm entirely comfortable speaking about with her older brother. Who also happens to be son of the God of the Dead."

Nico's face fell. Would no one ever see past his godly parent? Leo must have realized he screwed up, because he immediately back tracked, saying,

"I'm sorry, Nico. I didn't mean it like that."

"No, you did." Nico said slowly.

"And I don't blame you."

With that, Nico turned and walked back to his cabin.

In bed, Nico thought about what had transpired between him and Leo. He clearly had feelings for Hazel, but wasn't able to act on them because of Frank. Which kind of sucked, since Nico personally thought Leo was a much better match for Hazel then Frank was.

"But what do I know about about relationships? "Nico thought with a wry smile. He'd never been in one! He distantly remembered having a crush on Annabeth when he was like, ten. But that was four years ago, and besides, Annabeth was Percy's. She always had been and always would be.

After what had transpired with Bianca, Nico basically forgot how to love. He refused to get to close to anyone, since they'd just be taken from him anyway. Percy is a perfect example. He'd allowed himself to trust the son of Poseidon, and then what happened? He went tumbling into Hell.

So, yeah, Nico figured as he drifted off, no wonder he had relationship issues, Besides, who'd ever learn to love a boy who was more dead then alive?

*Oh Nico, you have no idea...Just as a side note, I support Lazel over Frazel any day. They'd make a cute couple, and if this was actually real, I would ship them. Of course, no one will ever beat Percabeth :) As for Nico and the whole "No one will ever love me" thing, he will get some loving soon! More mega points will be awarded if you can guess who! (This one is harder than the last, though)*