Nico's POV

"Heeeeyyyy Nicky!" Piper's upbeat voice caught my attention. I was finishing off training a few of the younger campers the basics of using a sword. I narrowed my eyes at her, signaling with my hand that I noticed her and talk after I finish.

I know that specific tone of voice she uses, she also always uses annoying girly nicknames on people whenever she wants to talk about their... as she calls it "love life".

Oh gods please help me.

"Okay that's great! Now just practice on a few dummies, and I'm pretty sure your cabin leader will take care of the rest later." I told the remaining campers, they yelled their thanks, running away squealing and giggling.

A smile appeared on my face at the cute campers. I remember when I was like that... No, Nico, don't bring up bad memories.

I shook it away, walking towards where Piper sat, a shit-eating grin on her face. Father, if you're listening, please help me.

"Hey Piper..." I approached her cautiously, scared of this innocent not so innocent Aphrodite daughter. Why me of all people, why not bother Percy, or Jason, or anyone but me!

"Hey Nicks!!! Sooooooo, about yesterday..." Her grin turned sly. 

"What about yesterday...?" Not even going to hide it, I was terrified. What did I do yesterday that made me on the love list? What did I do? I thought of Leo, and the kiss on his forehead.

DAMMIT.

My eyes widened, fear prominent in my obsidian eyes.

"Nope nope nope nope bye Piper!" I backed away, before sprinting for my life. I heard her footsteps behind me, catching up. This made me run faster, I knew right away where the rest of the seven would be, so I practically flew across the whole of camp with how fast I was going. I burst into Cabin 1, and there they were.

Jason, Percy, Annabeth, Hazel, Frank, Will, and Leo were all in here talking. 

Wait, Leo?

I didn't bother questioning it to myself, instead I hide behind the large Zues statue and signaled to the rest of the group to keep quiet. Everyone looked at each other in confusion, but shrugged and gave me a nod.

"WHERE IS NICO? I SAW HIM GO IN HERE!!!" Piper practically shrieked and barged in. I saw Leo jump and hide behind Percy in fear. Percy put his hand on Leo's knee, comforting him. I silently growled, that should be me...

What am I thinking?

Piper's sickly sweet voice broke the shock and tension.

"Oh Nicky! I know you're in here!! Where are you?" She sang out. Leo shyly cleared his voice. Oh no, was he gonna rat me out?

"Well... um... yes Nico did come in... but he ran out the window into the woods once he realized you would see..." Leo shook out, lying to her. I beamed at him, grinning thanks. He gave me a slight smile that only I could see.

"Humph, well I guess I'll just have to find him, one way or another..." She stalked out angry.

The door slammed shut, and everyone was quiet for a while, before I peeped out. Leo sighed, coming out behind Percy, curling up in a ball slightly away from the rest.

"You should probably run, she'll realize soon that there's not actually a window... You should go with Jason and Percy, and maybe even Frank, to hide behind them, while those three pretend that they're getting a drink or something." Leo said softly. He looked better than yesterday, but definately still a bit sick.

I gaped at him, running up to him and hugging him. I looked surprised, but I let go before he could react.

"Percy, Jason, Frank, let's go!" I whisper-yelled at them. We all walked out the door, but not before I saw Leo looking at the floor, blushing slightly.

♥

a/n: 1k reads!!! omg thank you guys so much!!!

fiona.