Just a little one-shot about Reyna & OC, I was going to continue it and make like a whole "After BoO story," but I got lazy. I already wrote this though, so I didn't want it to just collect metaphorical dust on my computer. Let me know what you think! Don't own the characters.
Reyna glanced at the baby clothes in the shop window and scowled, breath fogging in the air. It would be easier to shop for Piper's baby shower gift had this not been Piper and Jason's third child. They already had plenty of hand-me down clothing for the baby. There was a thrill of excitement in Reyna, however. Five more days in Italy before she would head back to New York for a group reunion at Piper's baby shower. She couldn't wait to see how much the kids had grown, and catch up with everyone. A flash of sadness pierced through her to think of how it would not be a full reunion. Frank was still in the Middle East, fighting with the Canadian army. Reyna wondered how Hazel could be so brave, taking care of two young children while worrying constantly about her husband's safety.
Reyna sighed and walked down a path towards a little park in the city. She could get the present later; there was still a lot of time. Reyna had come to Italy a week ago to help Will pick out a summer home to surprise Nico with.
"Why are you shopping for a summer home in the winter?" Reyna had asked, gratefully accepting the mug of hot chocolate. Will Solace smiled and sat down across from her, sipping his own thoughtfully.
"Because Nico is visiting Hades and this is the only time I can sneak away with you without him connecting the dots."
Reyna raised an eyebrow and peeled off her mittens, pressing the back of hand to the warm cup. "Won't he notice that his bank account has been depleted somewhat?"
Will laughed brightly, and pressed his hand to his heart. "You wound me! I'll be paying for this on my own; it wouldn't be a gift otherwise."
Reyna's mouth fell open slightly, "How can you even afford it?"
"Surgeon's salary, and tons of saving. I think Nico is under the impression that I have a secret addiction; considering I've been living in the smallest, cheapest apartment for over 5 years."
Reyna shook her head, but smiled. Will has been so good to Nico. She remembered worrying about Will's commitment to her surrogate little brother, when Nico expressed some concerns after Leo and Calypso's wedding about the lack of a ring on his finger, but she could see that Will loved Nico more than the world itself.
Now Will had flown back to New York and Reyna had decided to stay for another few days to explore the city. Being the leader of New Rome, after her retirement from praetor, meant that she was still so busy that she rarely got out to see the rest of the world. However, it was relaxing, being able to play tourist instead of fighting off monsters or saving the world.
There were few people in the park, due to the chilly air. A young couple snuggled on a bench, while their daughter trundled through the snow, bundled in thick layers of scarves and jackets. A young man stomped through the snow, camera bag slung over his shoulder and tripod in hand.
Reyna breathed in the peace and quiet, then stiffened as an eerily pale woman ghosted out from the forest. Her head was bowed, long stringy black hair obscuring her face. Her boots made no imprint on the snowy ground, and suddenly she pounced on the little girl. Reyna realized it was Mormo, a vampire-like demon who preyed on children. She struggled to pull off her mittens, to reach for her concealed dagger, knowing the futility of it. The demon would be deep into the forest before Reyna could do anything. Suddenly a camera bag flew through the air and smacked the demon on the back of her head. She turned, snarling and Reyna glimpsed her terrifying face: bloodless, with blank white eyes and a mouth full of razor sharp teeth. The young man shrank at the sight of a marble statue from a horror film, then furrowed his brow in determination and charged the demon, tripod held high. He swung it at Mormo, but she easily caught it in one hand, still clutching the screaming girl. Then, the man did something Reyna was not sure was brilliant or extremely stupid; he headbutted the demon in the stomach and collapsed on top of her, then rolled over and yanked the child from Mormo. Soon he was up, and racing away, little girl cradled in arm. Mormo leapt after him, her speed astonishing, and he gave a sharp cry as she sank her fangs into his shoulder. However, he mustered up the strength to toss the girl into a snow bank before using his momentum to carry himself and the demon rolling down the hill towards a pond.
With his distraction, Reyna managed to free her dagger and raced toward them. She sank her dagger into the demon before it could deal the final blow on the man and watched in satisfaction as the monster reared up and shattered. Then she turned to the man, ignoring the rapid Italian behind her as the couple bundled up their daughter and called the police. She pulled off her scarf to stem the flow of blood, and hoped the police cars would be accompanied by an ambulance. The man's eyes flickered shut and she sat there in the snow, cradling his head and wondering who he was, because he definitely was not a demigod, but he had obviously seen through the Mist.
It was a blur after that. The weak explanation (Reyna really needed to have Nico teach her Italian after this), the trip to the hospital, and somehow Reyna managed to be sitting at the man's bedside, clutching a cup of hot tea. She studied him as he slept. Dark, wind tousled hair, high cheekbones and full lips. She needed answers, was what she told herself, not that she cared about him or anything. But when his eyes opened and he groaned slightly, the only thing she asked him was, "Are you feeling okay?" Reyna cursed in her mind, he probably didn't even speak English.
"Uh, okay. Considering I just woke up to my savior and she's a lot more beautiful than I remembered." The man said. Then he blinked several times and flushed. "Please forget I just said that. The sedatives are making me crazy."
Reyna froze, heart hammering in her chest. You don't know him, she told herself, he could just be a flirt, a tease. But the mortified look on his face said otherwise. "How did you see her?" She asked, chasing away the compliment from her mind.
The man shrugged, then winced. "I have always been able to see things other people can't. Well, except for people like you." His chocolate eyes rose up to meet Reyna's, "I've met a few children of the gods in my travels, and they told me that I can see through the Mist. It's uncommon, but not unusual for a few mortals to have that power."
Reyna nodded. She should have been satisfied with that answer. She should have thanked him and gone on her way, but his intense gaze held her. "What's your name?" Reyna asked instead.
The man smiled slightly and said, "David," raising the hand not attached to his bad shoulder awkwardly. She leaned over and grasped it, feeling the warmth radiating from his callused palm. When he didn't let go, she let her eyes wander over his face, taking in the details, measuring his worth. David cleared his throat nervously. "I'm about to fall asleep, but before I do, I'm going to take a shot and beg you to be here when I wake up." Reyna blushed. His eyes were half-lidded and his words began to slur slightly, but determination blazed in them. "I've regret each time I let a demigod pass through my life without trying to make any sort of connection. I've always felt like I wasn't good enough to be a part of your world, because you're all so much more extraordinary than me. But I will never forgive myself if I let you get away so easily. Please stay; I'd like to get to know you."
Reyna let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding until his hold loosened. David's eyes closed and he relaxed against the pillows. I'm going to take a shot. Reyna extracted herself from David and stood up. She needed food badly. Standing at the doorway, she spoke aloud, not for his benefit, but for her own. "I'll be here tomorrow."