A/N- Aye read this chapter in a British accent bc the voice inside my head is talking in a British accent and I can't get it to stop.
Oh, and sorry for any typos/OOCs/plot holes, etc.
Nico's POV
I was in an unfamiliar room when I woke up, and I was happier than I had been in a really long time. I was contemplating why that was when I realized what had happened last night, (or early, early morning) and I felt my face immediately redden.
I couldn't imagine what Leo must think of me. He's seen the real me, I thought. He knows I'm just a weak, stupid demigod who wakes up crying from fake nightmares. He probably hates me for leading him to think I'm someone different.
Maybe I should just leave. I promised Hazel I would stay, but I didn't think I could stand it, with Leo hating me and after what happened.
I say up, trying to pat down my hair so it was at least presentable, and immediately saw Leo curled up in an armchair with another blanket.
A small voice in the back of my head wondered if maybe he didn't hate me, after all, he had let me sleep in the only bed while he took the armchair.
I shoved that thought away, with a pang of guilt at the fact Leo had had to sleep in an armchair because of me.
Entirely without warning, Leo's eyes shot open, although his body stayed in the same position. He blinked, then sat up, stood, and walked over to the bed where I was sitting up.
Before I could even move, he was sitting on the edge of the bed, a hand on my ankle (I almost flinched, but stopped myself.)
"How you feeling?" His voice broke the silence, and I blinked, confused, especially at his tone.
I scrunched up my forehead, and asked, "What?"
Leo's eyes somehow prompting me, he cautiously continued. "Last night... You shadow traveled here... Do you remember?"
I nodded quickly to show I remembered that. (my face reddening again) "Yeah..." I trailed off, then started again. "But, you don't... hate me?" I looked down, and I felt like I was being way too dramatic. At the same time, I couldn't help it.
Now Leo was the one who was confused, and his face had a mixture of anger. I hoped it wasn't directed at me, but then again, it probably was.
"Hate you?" He whispered. "Holy mother of Rhea, why would I hate you?"
I tilted my head down further, and looked up with just my eyes. "Because you've seen who I really am." I mumbled.
Leo shook his head slightly, and, slowly, as if he was expecting me to flinch and push him away, he pulled me into a hug.
"I love who you really are." He said, his head over where mine was resting. "You're a giddy, adorable dork who's closed off because you've been broken, and I want to fix you." There was a laugh behind his voice.
I smiled, but only slightly. "Promise?" I whispered, and I felt him nod. "Promise."
"We need to do something fun today." He spoke after a silence. "It's Saturday, and I know for a fact neither of us have any activities planned."
I groaned. Secretly, I didn't want to move, as I actually was enjoying this, but I pushed aside the feeling. I couldn't afford to be let down another time.
I pushed on his chest to sit up. "Is it past breakfast?" (Leo nodded) I groaned again. "So everyone else will be wondering where we are. Or at least, where you are." I often didn't show up for breakfast, and the campers were used to seeing an entirely empty Hades table.
Leo shrugged. "My siblings are used to me missing breakfast. I usually stay in here so late that I end up sleeping here until noon. Once I passed out on the floor in the workshop."
I giggled at that, but managed to stop myself. Nico di Angelo does not giggle.
"What do you want to do?" I asked cautiously, and and Leo's face fell.
He sat up straighter. "We could play a prank on Jason and Percy!"
I shook my head, with my head scrunched up.
"Oh, right. Ruins your 'mysterious' aura." He wiggled his fingers in the air, and I rolled my eyes.
"Ooh! We could go swimming in the lake. It isn't that out of the ordinary... I don't think you've ever done it."
I half shrugged and tilted my head. "I don't know... Besides, me being a child of Hades, and Poseidon and all that..."
Leo rolled his eyes. "I doubt Poseidon would do that. Hazel's swum before, and so has Jason! For crying out loud, we went on a huge quest in a flying warship!"
"Yeah... But..." I trailed off. I didn't think anyone knew I couldn't swim. I never really had the chance to learn.
"But what?" Leo asked, a bit childishly.
"I-dont-know-how-to-swim." I mumbled.
Leo didn't even react. Then he perked up again. "I could teach you! C'mon, we can just go to the docks and I'll help you."
I was still being reluctant. "I'll go with you, but I don't know if I'll get in."
Leo pouted, but it was obvious this was the best deal he would get.
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I was going to make this chapter longer, but then I realized it was almost at 1k, and I might as well post what I have so you I don't keep you guys waiting for too long.