A/N: Quick question if you're reading this: next chapter from Leo's point of view, yay or nay? that's all, hope you like this chapter~

-.::.-

"No, Hazel, I'm telling you, he's cool with it–"

"How can he possibly be 'cool with it'?"

"Well I don't know, he's not such a fucking idiot like Mike was–"

"Please don't swear, Nic."

"– then stop interrupting me, will you? Leo's alright."

Hazel was silent on the other end of the line. Then; "How do you know? You've only met him once, haven't you?"

Nico wanted to bang his head against something. He was glad he'd decided to have this conversation on the hallway instead of in their room – he doubted that Leo would've liked a new crack on the wall. Or blood on the floor, because Nico was about this close to ripping the stitches off of his one wound.

He sighed deeply and closed his eyes, leaning his forehead against the wall. It seemed like he'd have to pull one of the emotional wild cards out of his sleeves. "Jesus, Hazel. What do you want me to say? We met, we talked, I smiled, I left to call you. I think that's enough time to figure out he's just fine."

Another silence followed, and Nico wasn't sure whether it was a good one or not. "You... smiled?" She finally asked, doubt visible in her voice. Nico remembered again just why he didn't like talking with Hazel on the phone. In person she could usually tell when he was being sincere and when not. "Yes, Hazel, I smiled a genuine, real smile. Now do you believe he's alright?"

He could almost hear her processing the words in her head. "You actually– you're not kidding? You haven't really smiled since Bia–"

"Yeah, well, now I am. So lay off, please. I'll call you later," Nico interrupted and quickly hung up, resisting the urge to smash the phone into pieces. Instead he curled his hand around it, his nails digging into his palms again. Not deep enough to draw blood. Thatwas good. Nico didn't want to scare Leo into leaving right away. He was the first person in a long time who didn't immediately question Nico, and that was enough of a reason for Nico to try and keep himself together. And he supposed he could try to stay at this school for longer than two months while he was at it.

Nico heard the door behind him open, the already familiar creaking sound echoing loudly in the empty hallway. A few quiet steps followed, trailing closer to Nico. He wouldn't, couldn't turn around just yet. If he did, Leo would be able to see everything from his face and Nico wasn't ready to let his mask slip away just yet. Maybe he'd never be. Perhaps he would die with no one ever knowing the true him. Then again, he thought bitterly. Who exactly are you anyway?

"Di Ang– Nico? You alright, man?" Leo asked, voice nonchalant and cheery. Nico thought he could hear something like worry underneath it, but he doubted it. Mentally bracing himself, he opened his eyes and took a deep breath through his nose. Then Nico turned around, coming face to face with Leo who was standing mere inches away. For a moment Nico was able to tell up-close all the different shades of brown in his eyes, even the few spots of green, and how ridiculously long lashes he seemed to have, and the exact way his brows arched. Then Leo took a step back and Nico let out the breath he didn't realize he'd been holding. Get yourself together.

"Yeah, I'm fine," he lied and hoped his voice wasn't shaking too much as he forced his lips to form a fake smile. "I was just talking to my sister." He cursed Hazel for bringing Bianca up again: those memories were still too fresh to be ripped open so casually. Leo looked at him, raising a skeptical brow. "Seems like that went really well, considering you're here leaning your head against a wall and lying through your teeth," he said with an unhappy smirk. Nico froze. "What do you mean, lying?"

Leo seemed hesitant, the smirk disappearing. "Just, you know. You're obviously not fine, that much's pretty clear. If you don't wanna talk about it, it's cool, but just... I don't know," Leo finished with a shrug. Nico didn't say anything, staring at Leo with a frown. He didn't understand. He obviously wouldn't have fooled Hazel with his fake smile and words, but surely... Leo shouldn't be able to tell. Nico had practiced his expressions for years – if he wanted to seem fine, he did. Either he was slipping after spending the summer practically alone, or something else was going on.

"I... I'm fine," he repeated dully and before Leo could reply, they heard someone yelling from the other end of the hallway. Nico turned around to see an unfamiliar guy walking towards them, eyes on Leo. He looked like what Nico had first imagined Leo to be – the student equivalent of Clark Kent, except this one had blonde hair. He was waving at them (at Leo) and Nico was pretty sure he heard Leo curse under his breath in another language.

"Hey, Jason. 'Sup man?" He asked as the Clark Kent-copy got closer. Nico really wanted to walk past Leo to their room, to the safety of four walls, but figured he didn't want to seem too rude now that he'd decided he was at least trying to stay in this school. The Clark Kent-copy – Jason – smiled. "Not bad. It's good to see you, Valdez. Piper was asking for you, you coming?"

Leo glanced quickly at Nico, who offered a small smile, before looking back at Jason. "Uh, yeah, sure. This is Nico, by the way," he said and waved his arm towards Nico who stood still. Jason turned to look at him, smiling widely. "Nice to meet you. You're Leo's roommate, right?" Nico nodded, and they shook hands. He noticed how Jason's hands didn't feel as warm as Leo's. He also figured it was better not to think about it too much.

Jason said something that Nico missed, and soon Leo began walking away with Jason, giving Nico and apologetic smile over his shoulder. "We'll talk later, alright?" He said and then turned around before Nico could so much as open his mouth.

"We'll talk later," he echoed to the empty hallway once Leo and Jason turned around the corner.

-.::.-