A Lifetime Is Too Long

'''Hey, guys. This is my first fanfic. There are Mark of Athena spoilers.'''

Nico's P.O.V.

It was noon on the Argo II when I woke up. I had been going to bed early and sleeping late for nearly the past week and I was still tired.

I stretched and sat up, wondering where we were. Being on a flying ship, we could really be anywhere, I suppose.

There was a soft knock on the door. "Come in," I called.

It was Leo. Normally he doesn't leave the engine room, so I was rather surprised to see him awkwardly step into my room.

"Hey, man. You okay?" Leo asked quietly.

"Yeah. Still tired, though. I guess almost dying can suck the life right out of you."

"Almost dyi—" Leo cut himself off, realization dawning on his face. "Oh, yeah. I forgot."

"You forgot I was even on the ship." I didn't really mind.

"No, not really." Leo was lying, I could tell.

"I felt you forget. Don't ask how that works," I said, sitting up and swinging my legs over the floor.

"You sleep in your clothes?"

"Old habits. Besides, if we're suddenly thrown into battle in the middle of the night, isn't it good to be prepared?" I pointed out.

"That would explain the sword handle sticking out of your pillow." Leo pointed to the black handle.

"You're lucky I was awake when you knocked."

Leo looked around the room as if he still wanted to ask something but didn't know how. I took the opportunity to stand up and make my bed.

"A lifetime is too long," Leo said suddenly.

"What?"

"A lifetime is too long. There's not enough to do in a lifetime."

"What do you mean?"

Leo blushed and backed away to the door. "No, never mind. It was stupid."

"No, it wasn't. I like how that sounded. Just explain yourself."

"Well—there's so much I'm expected to do. It's just overwhelming. And I'm still just a kid! So isn't there going to be even more when I'm older? I can't do all this! I just don't wa—" He broke off and turned toward the wall. "See. It's stupid."

"No, it's not," I said firmly. "You can't take so much in one lifetime. I understand that."

I paused.

"This is about saving Percy and Annabeth, isn't it?"

Leo nodded.

"Look. You're doing great. I mean, yeah, you drive the ship to get us there—heck, you built the ship!—but look at how well we're doing. Look at how well you're doing. Don't worry. If anyone has to worry, it should be me."

Leo nodded again. "Man, thanks. I don't know what you did, but I feel better for some reason."

I smiled. "No problem."

Frank and Hazel walked by, pausing to peer in my room. As they walked down the hall, Frank asked Hazel, "Was Nico smiling?"

'''I hope you guys liked it... and yes, I ship Leco!'''

Kenzee 01:53, April 26, 2013 (UTC)