After Will and Nico broke up it felt like the world was ending. Nico stopped eating, he slept too much with dreams plagued of Will's smile, his kiss, his laugh, how he held Nico when he cried. He woke up not feeling rested because of his dreams. They had made the decision mutually but that didn't stop Nico from feeling like his world had stopped turning. He knew it was for the best. They had been feeling tension and having issues for two years at that point. No amount of changing was fixing what they had. Nico was grateful they were able to spend time together when they could, but he knew it was time for things to be over. Will had felt the same. Although neither of them wanted to let go, they sat down and talked for hours about the good times and the bad, and they left on good terms. It still hurt to see each other around camp but it was time to heal. Nico tried to get out of his stupor, but he just kept falling into a pit of darkness and despair without his sunshine.

It had been three months since Will and Nico broke up when Leo came back to camp. Leo was just as heartbroken as Nico. When Calypso had been offered a spot on Olympus with her immortality she had taken it. Leo understood. She was never going to be truly happy being mortal, even if it was with him. He stayed in Bunker 9 most nights. He just had to do something. He couldn't sit down and pretend he was okay and make jokes with everyone. He needed space and freedom from questioning eyes. Festus was with him, so everything was okay, right?
One night when Leo was working on his newest project, he heard a loud thump outside the bunker doors. "Festus did you hear that?" Festus creaked a reply back. "I do NOT want to and investigate. Thats how you die in the movies dude!" Festus groaned and creaked. "Ugh fine I guess I'll take a quick look but if I die that's on you. "
Leo grabbed a mallet from his belt and went to investigate. He was perplexed to see Nico on the ground wearing skull pajamas and a black T-shirt. Nico was rubbing his head and had leaves all over him from the ground.

"Are you good, dude? How did you get here and why?" Leo questioned.

"I must've shadow traveled while sleeping again." Nico sighed. Leo noticed he seemed annoyed.

"Again? How many times do you do that? Is it always here?" Leo was more confused than he started.

"No, it is not always here. This is actually a first you dummy. I'm kind of glad it is here though. Landing in the apollo cabin has just become embarrassing. thankfully I can sneak out before they notice."

Leo gave Nico a little pity look, "I heard about you and Will. Are you okay?"

"As good as I can be I guess. It was mutual but it feels like I've been abandoned you know?" Nico put his hand over his mouth. "I am so sorry Leo I didn't mean to say that."

Leo chuckled, "it's okay, man, I mean it sucks but I know you didn't mean to bring it up. I hope you can get out of that funk you've been in. I guess I've sort of been doing the same thing. I haven't left bunker 9 in almost a week and the last time I left was because Chiron forced me to."

"I am really sorry Leo. you didn't deserve to be treated like that. I mean you literally risked your life to save her from the island and she left you to be immortal again." Leo could Nico was being genuine.

"Would you want to come in and have some tea and to just talk? I feel like we could both use it." Leo smiled at Nico and watched as Nico fought conflicting emotions.

"I mean I guess we can. I have nothing better to do than trying to find a restless sleep." They went into Bunker 9 and Leo started the tea and cleaned off his couch. "You have truly made this place your own. Do you sleep here?" Nico eyed the forgotten clothes and random machine parts.

"Yeah, I don't really feel up to socializing. And this is my home more than anything." Leo also noticed his clothes on the floor and brought them to his washing machine.

Nico sat down on the couch and sighed, "this is the most comfortable couch I have ever sat on in my life. This is more comfortable than my bed."

Leo made a snorting sound, "Yeah I built that. I was tired of hard and lumpy couches. But I also just think you're so tired you think it is better than it really is." Leo grabbed the finished tea and sat down next to Nico. They sipped and talked for a little while. Leo started noticing Nico was getting sleepy and he was too. Before he knew it Nico was asleep leaning against his arm. Leo cautiously moved his arm around Nico, and he snuggled against him. They fell asleep like that.

Nico and Leo slept like that every night after. Nico would go to bunker 9 after dinner and him and Leo would talk for hours. After they talked and drank their tea Nico would curl up against Leo and sleep through the night. It was really awkward the first night but neither of them could deny that they were sleeping better with each other than apart. When Nico showed up later on that night Leo was ecstatic. And ever since then it's been their routine.

About 3 weeks after their first night together Nico showed up as usual outside of Bunker 9. When he knocked instead of Leo letting him in like normal, he just stared at Nico with a giant grin and his hands behind his back.

"Why are you smiling at me like that? And why are your hands behind your back?" Nico stared at Leo waiting for an answer.

"I have a surprise for you. Well actually I have two surprises. But one for now one for later." Leo said excitedly. "Hold out your hand and you can see for yourself what I have."

Nico obliged and watched at Leo placed a single celestial bronze key in his hand. "What is this for?"

"I want you to be able to come as you please. If you wanted..." Leo looked nervous "you could even move some of your stuff here. I set up the bedroom for you. Its not much but that way you don't have to sleep on the couch every night. And if you moved in there wouldn't be a risk of any shadow traveling while your asleep at least not to the woods since you'll already be here." Leo was talking fast, and Nico knew it was because he was anxious. Nico couldn't help it but a giant grin washed over his face.

As Nico said, "Leo I would Love to." he couldn't help but worry that a crush was forming. He wasn't sure if Leo even liked guys, and he didn't want this to be another Percy. "What's the second surprise? You said there were two."

With a wide smile Leo said, "Use YOUR key and I will show you."

As soon as Nico turned the key, and the door opened Leo flew in to guide Nico to a doorway a little way back.

"Okay close your eyes"

"Ugh I hate closing my eyes. It always feels like a trap."

"I promise this is a good surprise." Nico obliged and Leo opened the door. "Okay open your eyes."

When Nico opened his eyes, he was looking at a massive bedroom. There was a king size mattress pushed against the wall in the center, two desks, a doorway to what looked to be a walk-in closet, and then another doorway to potentially a bathroom. "This is HUGE. How could you say the bedroom wasn't much?" Nico was in awe.

"I wanted you to have your own space. And I was hoping..." Leo trailed off and Nico pressed him for answers.

"Hoping for what?" Nico couldn't hide the hope in his own voice that Leo also had feelings.

Leo spoke quietly, almost afraid, "I was hoping that maybe you and I could share this space? You can say no. I'm happy to stay on the couch. You know I shouldn't have asked. Why would you want to share with me? It's okay just pretend I never said anything." Leo was talking fast by the end of it, and it looked like he was going to puke. He took a step towards the door and Nico grabbed his hand.

"I want to share this with you. And if you'll have me, I think I might want more than just a friendship..." Nico was scared, "I know it's only been a few months, but I've sort of had a crush on you for a while now. I always wished I would have talked to you more when we were on the Argo II." Leo looked surprised.

"You actually want me here? You actually want me?" Nico nodded. Leo pulled him in and kissed him right then and there. It heated and passionate and it took them both by surprise. "Nico Di Angelo will you do me the great pleasure of being my boyfriend and spending every night in OUR bed?"

Nico giggled, "Leo Valdez I would be more than honored." They stayed there for a minute just looking at each other.

"Would you like to feel our bed?" Leo laughed at Nico's startled expression. "I didn't mean it like that. I just meant to see if you like it."

"Oh," he chuckled, "yeah let's see." Nico sat on the bed, "Oh my goodness it's the couch. How did you do this?"

"I told you I made the couch. So, I just made a bigger one. I know how much you liked how the couch felt so I figured that would be a good place to start."

Nico took off his shoes, jacket and sword and laid down on the bed. He seemed peaceful. Leo took that opportunity to take off his tool belt and shoes and climbed up next to him. He pulled Nico into his arms and whispered, "let's stay like this, mi amor." and Nico grumbled in response already on his way to sleep.