The giant raised his fist, and a voice cut through the dream. Leo! Jason was shaking his shoulder. Hey, man, why are you hugging Nike? Leo's eyes fluttered open. His arms were wrapped around the human-sized statue in Athena's hand. He must have been thrashing in his sleep. He clung to the victory goddess like he used to cling to his pillow when he had nightmares as a kid. {Man, that had been so embarrassing in the foster homes.} He disentangled himself and sat up, rubbing his face. Nothing, he muttered. we were just cuddling. Um, what's going on?
Leo finds himself in a dream where he's hugging a statue of Nike, the goddess of victory, as he thrashes in his sleep. Awakened by Jason’s voice, he realizes his embarrassing position and reflects on his childhood experiences in foster homes, where he would also seek comfort during nightmares. This situation underscores his vulnerability and need for reassurance.
Upon waking, Leo tries to brush off the awkwardness of the moment by claiming they were simply "cuddling." His playful denial hints at a deeper struggle with his feelings, as well as his reluctance to fully confront the chaos of their current circumstances. The interaction reveals the camaraderie between friends, as well as Leo's character development amidst the challenges they face.
