Chapter One: Day One

L

eo wasn't up before noon, having worked on some new inventions all night.

When he sat up, a trail of drool stuck to his cheek and his work-table. He stretched, wiping his mouth with his sleeve.

He looked at his newest invention. He was about to speak a joke out loud to himself, but then he remembered... "The competition."

He smirked at first, admiring how he got Nico to agree. But then, his face fell. "Agh!" he yelled at himself, lightly pulling on his curly hair. How could he have been so stupid? He wouldn't last a day without making a joke or someone thinking something was wrong with him for being so quiet! How is he supposed to explain this whole... ordeal?

He stood up and made sure his little wires and gadgets were in his pockets. Then, he scurried away to his cabin, hoping most of his siblings were out training or working or doing some other demigod thing in Camp.

I wonder if I can still smile, he thought to himself. So what if it's a mischievous smile? It's my smile!

~

Once in his cabin, most of his siblings were, in fact, not doing normal demigod things in Camp.

"Hey, Leo, up all night again?" his sister asked.

He smiled and nodded, walking to his bedroom. He pretended to be tired, exhausted even, quickly stepping to his bed and giving an evidently fake yawn.

Though Leo is confident he might last the first day, he has to be... careful. Can't let anyone in on what's going on, or lead them on to think anything, especially about him and Nico. Besides, he's never been a cheater, just a sneak, and he planned to be the best at his own challenge. He smiled lightly to himself, This will be a piece of pie.

~

Leo sat with his many siblings in the dining pavilion. For the first time, he was happy just being a listener and laughing at everyone else's humor. Some of his siblings are kind of funny, actually. Granted, the ladies love me the most, he thought.

He also looked around at the other tables, wondering if everyone was having as good a time as him. His eyes settled a little too quickly on Nico, who he noticed was anything but laughing and sitting by himself again. He's always on his own, Leo noticed. But he's not glaring at any of the campers or pouting in his own little corner, so he's keeping his end of the deal. Leo was almost shocked that Nico would be committed to their stupid competition. Maybe he has something to prove.

After a moment of staring, Leo's eyes met Nico's. He lifted his eyebrows and smiled, a a playful and teethy grin.

He could tell Nico was annoyed, but that didn't stop him. He smiled even wider, wondering in the back of his mind if Nico would ever reciprocate it but knowing better.

When Nico looked away, so did Leo, but his smile didn't falter or slip away at all.

(A/N) Ugh I had such a cute and genius idea for when Leo smiles and totally forgot it 😭 I hope you guys liked what I have here though!