Chapter 16:

Nico sat on his bed flipping through a book he had started a month ago but never really got to it again since, that night. His hand ran across Leo's head, who had been asleep, while he read. Leo hadn't really left Nico's side since his mothers murder.
After they watched Leo's mother get killed Leo's mood went downhill. He went from a usually happy person to a completely depressed person, and since that day he's tried to take his life every time he managed to slip away from Nico.
Nico kept the Latino close by his side as he let out a small breath and flipped the page effortlessly, he only looked up when he heard someone open the cabin door.
Hazel peeked her head inside and glanced at Leo then looked at Nico with sadness pooling in her eyes before whispering. “Is he doing okay?”
The Italian male glanced down and ran his hand across Leo's head once again until he nodded slightly, “He'll be fine..I won't let anything happen to him..”
Hazel pursed her lips and moved inside the cabin quickly. “You hungry?”
Of course Nico was hungry but he wasn't going to leave Leo here, alone, and asleep. He didn't know what he could come back to..
Finally he shook his head no. He wasn't leaving Leo.
Hazel moved and pressed a kiss into her brothers head and whispered: “I know you're hungry, I'll get Percy to bring you something.” Chuckling softly he moved slightly and nodded to her with a small smile.

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Different people brought food to Nico's cabin through out the day, always being careful, making sure not to wake up Leo if he was asleep.
After the next person came in, which was Annabeth, he looked at her and told her to come closer. She obliged, speaking in a low voice whispered. “Can you stay here with him? My body's aching.” Annabeth smiled softly and nodded.
Nico moved and moved away from Leo, making sure he didn't wake the Latino himself. He quickly excited the cabin and stretched some, he glanced around the camp for a moment and went on a walk around. He took on one of the Ares kids, but practically lost because he had been cooped up in his cabin for the past week or so, then he visited Percy and the others, thanking them for everything.
The Italian male moved around the camp effortlessly, and finally made his way back to his own cabin, where Leo and Annabeth was having a stare off. Nico stared at the two with a raised eyebrow, it was like that till Leo's eyes drifted to Nico, a small smile tugged at the Latino's lips.
Nico chuckled softly. “Thanks Annabeth, but you could have came and got me when he woke up.”
The blond female shook her head a bit, “No, Nico you've been in here day and night taking care of Leo, I figured it was good have a bit of time to yourself.”
Nico chuckled softly and then moved to sit beside Leo, leaning against the Latino some. “I wasn't forced to take care of Leo, I just wanted to.” He shifted and pulled Leo closer and ran a hand through the others nappy mass of curly hair, and smirked. “Plus I couldn't trust anyone else to take care of my little Latino, he could have done something crazy!”
Leo snorted softly and glanced up to the other. “No I woul-” Nico covered his mouth and shot him a small glare, because Leo knew he had tried something.
“Sorry Annabeth, you can go see Percy, he was looking for you earlier.” Her eyes lit up a bit as she sent a small smile his way before she dashed out of the Hades cabin. Nico sighed. “Leo, really?”
“What?”
“I love you, but your an idiot.” Leo quirked an eyebrow and stared at Nico in question, the Italian male looked at one of the walls for a minute. “You know if you did succeed in one of those attempts..I don't think I'd be able to go on without you..”
Leo pressed his lips together, and then glanced up for a moment before whispering: “I'm sorry Nicy...My mom though..”
Nico pressed a soft kiss into the Latino's head and talked lowly. “I know, I know...we're gonna get who ever killed her, she was amazingly strong in every way...I'll miss her too.”

Leo let out a small breath and pressed his face into Nico's chest and breathed in almost as if he was saying thank you. The Italian male let a small smile play on his lips, then he began to stroke the Latino's head lightly. “I'll always be here for you...you know that right?” Leo nodded softly and gripped Nico's shirt tightly in his hands.

Notes