Nico -

The first thing that came to mind, Nico said. Ha. Not the best like though.

"What's wrong with my man sparkles that lye upon my manly jacket?"

He asked.

Hazel have a giggle. "It was nothing about your appearance!" She giggled again, glancing (yet again) at Nico's jacket.

Nico then felt another blush creep up his neck and to his cheeks. He swallowed and forced it to disappear as he looked at Hazel's eyes (from across the table).

"Who does that glitter belong to?" Hazel teased, giving Nico 'the look.'

Nico but his cheek to keep away the blush.

"Hazel. Stop." He said, surprised as he didn't stammer.

"Oh come on! It's so cute! Nico's first crush!" Hazel gushed.

Nico chuckled, flashing Hazel a smile.

"You think it's a crush?" He questioned. Hazel nodded as she added another giggle.

"I can't believe you!" Nico then teased, shaking his head as his sister burst out laughing.

Then.

Silence.

The waves crashed against the ship. Sunlight shinning dimly as the late afternoon rays danced over the ocean.

It was calm.

Nico sighed.

Hazel noticed.

"What's wrong?" She asked him, now switching seats.

Before, Hazel sat directly in front of him, but now, she sat next to her brother. Looking at him with her large, golden eyes. They were laced with concern.

She's so trusting. So easy to read. Maybe I should come out to her. . . Maybe? Yeah.

I can trust her.

She's my sister!

Nico told himself.

"I have something to tell you." Nico said.

"What is it?" Hazel questioned, her hand now resting upon his.

His heart sped up.

What the Hades am I doing?!

Nico thought. His mind racing now. Why did he say that?! He couldn't do this! (!!!!)

"U-um. It's nothing Hazel. It's nothing." He tried to sound truthful. But.

He dug.

His own.

Grave.

"It doesn't seem like nothing." Hazel said softly.

Her eyes now held too many emotions for Nico to see clearly. He was so wrong about being able to read her.

Hazel's face grew closer.

"Nico." She said softly, their faces at a reasonable distance apart. "You can tell me." She whispered to him.

Her hand that was loosely placed on his gave his hand a tight squeeze as she let out a breath.

Should I come out to her?

He asked himself. Not sure why he would think about it in the first place.

Maybe it was Leo (kinda) coming out as a transgender man (to female transition) person? Maybe.

He thought to himself.

"Nico." Hazel pressured lightly.

Nico tried to keep the nerves he had at bay. His hands started to tremble.

"Why are you shaking, are you sure you're okay? Because, this doesn't seem like nothing." Hazel said.

Nico gulped.

"Hazel, I-I like Leo." He stated, nearly kicking himself.

This is a bad idea.

He thought again, panicked even more now.

"Okay? That's nice, I suppose." She paused before commenting again.

"I didn't think you'd be the one to befriend Leo that quickly." She stated, smiling at her brother.

"Was that it? It's not that big of a deal. So what? You're friends with Leo Valdez."

Nico sighed.

"Hazel, I, I, um. . . I like Leo. The way you like Frank. And the way Jason likes Piper. And the way P-Percy likes Annabeth." Nico explained.

Hazel was quiet.

"Oh." She whispered in realization.

Nico tried to fight tears as the silence was too much to bare.

"I understand if you hate me n—" before he could finish, Hazel pulled him into a hug.

"I love you Nico. You're my brother, I could never hate you."

Nico slowly hugged back, letting a few tears fall down his face.

"W-what do I do?" He whimpered.

"I don't know." Hazel whispered to him, hugging him tighter.

Then, there were footsteps coming to the deck.

"Hey Nico! Why're you crying?" Leo asked.

Hazel looked at Leo.

"He's just been holding a lot of emotions in." Hazel told Leo, smiling sympathetically at Nico's head of hair. (Which was in her face)

A/n:
NEARLY 200 VEIWS!!! YAYYY!!! And sorry if you thought that 'Nico coming out' was deemed 'too fast' for the pace this fanfic is going. I just decided 'screw it I want some Underworld siblings cuddle time.'

So.

Peace?

Yep.

Bye!!

-Bridget Di Angelo, The Mug Mother.