Leo ~

Leo wasn't proud to be in the closet, crying as Nico Di Angelo sat on the other side.

Leo didn't like how he (that hurt. Leo wanted to say she!) was barefoot, and not in the heels hidden under the bed. (Shhh)

And Leo certainly didn't like how Nico was starting to count now. . . It made the Demigod nervous.

So when he (she. Maybe Leo would call him– herself she. Just in her head. Yeah.) opened the door and saw Nico standing in front of her. All Leo could do was whimper and talk to him in a low, pitiful whisper.

"I just wanna talk." Nico told her.

Leo wiped away a tear that had fallen down her stained face.

"I know I'm not suppose to like pretty things." She managed to whimper weakly, toes curling nervously.

"I know I'm like this because of my dad." Leo continued, hearing her toes pop slightly, and her teeth clenching as soon as she said her next lines.

"Please." Leo whispered, "Don't tell anyone I like pretty things." She finished.

Nico looked over at her

"It's okay." Nico paused, Leo looking at him with a tear stained face of confusion.

"It's okay to like pretty things."

And with that, Leo gaped. "A-are you sure?" She questioned, her fingers now playing with her skirt helm.

"Yeah. It makes you. . . Different. But, I like different." Nico told her, gently touching her shoulders.

Leo let out a shaky breath.

Nico blushed.

"So, um, how about we talk about this. And, um, decide what to do about it." Nico said, looking over at Leo's skirt and blouse.

He then started to touch Leo's hair lightly.

"I know how it feels to be different. And I know it's scary. So, let me help you through this. After all, it's better to be. . . Not alone when you're scared and frankly hiding from the world." Nico spoke, his voice soothing to Leo.

"Are you sure you can help me?" Leo found herself asking, biting her lip.

Nico gave a soft chuckle.

"I don't know. But I'll sure try to." He answered.

Leo had never seen him like this before. Instead of the scary guy that they had rescued from Tartarus, Nico was a gentle, kind person. Under all those black clothes and scary face.

Hm.

Who knew!

Leo let out a breath.

"Okay." Leo paused, looking at Nico's eyes.

"I'll let us figure this out." She decided after a few seconds of silence.

Nico gave her a small smile.

That was a first!

"Okay, how about we go to the bed and sit down. And we talk about what you were doing first." He suggested.

Leo could only nod.

A/n:
PROCRASTINATION FROM MY FRENCH HOMEWORK!!! WHOOOOOO!!! I AM SO GONNA FAIL!!!!!

Anyways, this chapter wasn't that bad. Not as proud of it as I think I should, but I'm still proud.

Peace y'all!!

-Bridget Di Angelo, The Mug Mother ⭐️