Nico wrapped his arms around Leo's shoulders, hunched over as Leo worked at his workbench.

Nico put his lips to Leo's ear, "You're still working?"

"It's only midnight," Leo said softly, fiddling with wires and metal. "I need to finish."

"It's that important to you?" Little did Nico know, Leo was making a gift for him.

"Yes," he said boldly, no jokes incorporated.

"How about we cuddle for a few minutes?" Nico requested, kissing Leo's ear.

Leo wanted to keep working, but he could tell Nico wanted attention.

He yawned, "Sure."

After a few minutes, the two of them had piled on top of each other on the spare bed in the back of Leo's work cave. Nico had his hand on Leo's chest, and Leo had an arm around the small of Nico's back. They were facing each other.

"I missed you today," Nico admitted, his face monotone.

"I missed you too," Leo replied, gently rubbing his thumb against Nico's skin.

"You've been working a lot..." Nico mumbled, unsure of how to bring it up.

"I know," Leo said, "But I'm almost done with my recent project."

"What even is it?"

Leo hesitated, it being a gift for Nico. "...Let's talk about something else."

Nico sighed, "You always do this."

Leo lifted an eyebrow, surprised. "Do what?"

"Put your work before me."

Leo sat up. He looked down at Nico, confused. "I came to cuddle with you, didn't I?"

Nico sat up so that they were at an even playing field. "You barely spend time with me anymore."

Leo reached for Nico's hand, "Baby, I love you. You know that."

"And I miss you," he countered, pulling his hand away. "A lot."

Leo clenched his jaw. He sighed, "I'm sorry." He couldn't tell Nico what the project was, he would realize soon enough and hopefully enjoy it.

"I know," Nico said softly, "I forgive you. Just please give me more attention."

Leo smirked, "Begging for my attention, are you?"

Nico rolled his eyes, "I'm your boyfriend, I'm allowed to do that."

Leo leaned forward and kissed Nico's jaw, "Okay. I promise."