Hmm. It runs in the family. [She might have picked up on that with the whole grass withering anger at her situation. He's laying on his side facing her and her laugh prompts a grin out of him.]

Me too, in case you didn't realize yet. I'll defend you too.[After a long pause he adds] Parents might suck, but siblings are different. I've got your back.

[It's on the sappier side for him and most of his friends would be shocked to hear him so clearly state his loyalty and affection, but Hazel and Reyna wouldn't. Family is different. There's no shame in making his stance clear on that. There's no reason to hide his feelings from Mal and leave her to wonder. From the sounds of it, they've both dealt with enough doubt and Nico refuses to be a part of it.]