A/N: Although this title 'Above the Clouds' is not so great, I figured it was much better than the original. (1/31/2016)

As you can see, I changed the rating from K+ to T: For those of you, who do not like this for some reason, don't read this.

Disclaimer: With the exception of my own plots/OC's, etc.; Rick Riordan owns the rest (quotes, characters, etc.).

"You're that lady," Leo said. "The one who was named after Caribbean music."
Her eyes glinted murderously. "Caribbean music."
"Yeah. Reggae?" Leo shook his head. "Merengue? Hold on, I'll get it."
He snapped his fingers. "Calypso!"

- When Leo Meets Calypso, in The House of Hades

.: Above the Clouds :.

1: The Monster with Orthopedic Shoes

(Leo's P.O.V)

The term 'They went flying into the sunset' was a bit cliché, but I'm a very corny guy, so don't mind my jokes here and there. Besides, it was pretty much the truth.

Calypso's arms were wrapped around me, and I felt my heart squeeze. It was seriously amazing to finally get a girl to like me—much less trust me into taking her over ten feet off the ground with a snorting bronze dragon.

Take Jason, my best undead friend for example. He was tall and blond, and I highly contrasted with him—meaning I was short and scrawny. Girls seemed to love him, no matter what stupid things he did, and they overlook the mini-sidekick who is full of hot stuff and can tell WAY better jokes. The sidekick is me, by the way.

Oh, yeah. About that whole 'undead' thing—I died. At least I think so. But somehow, here I was, saying the dumb things I did. Maybe I'm a ghost. That will be cool, right? I could spy on people, and float through walls . . . move things with my mind. . .

Anyway, back to the topic, I was basically going (or flying, for this matter) to no place in particular. Sounds like fun, right?

"So, what trouble did you get into when I wasn't there?" Calypso asked.

I gave her a grin. "How did you know I didn't play it safe?"

"Because I know you," Calypso said. ". . . Leo Valdez."

I could say that when she said my made my heart stopped, but for once that wasn't the reason why. Festus stopped rigidly in the air, as if all of his gears were locked.

"Hey, Festus," I intoned. "What is it, boy?"

Festus creaked slowly, making out several sounds.

"What did he say?" Calypso wondered.

"It means that we're going to die," I translated. "Oh, and that he sees a cupcake bakery below."

Then Festus shot down, accelerating faster and faster.

"Good news!" I shouted. "We might not be dead after all! Bad News: We'll die in less than a minute!"

"So cheerful," Calypso screamed. She put her hands out, patting Festus and singing.

I seriously didn't know how that was going to help. Maybe it was a prayer song. "Amazing Grace," I sang. "The sweet the sound—" I broke off when Calypso glared at me.

"First of all, we're now safe," she said, as I realized Festus was now hovering a few inches off the ground, "second of all; we really need to get you some singing lessons."

"Hey," I protested. "At least it's better than Coach Hedge."

She gave me a pitying look. "And is that any better?" She gestured to the Cupcake Bakery in front of us. "Looks like Festus was right."

My mouth started salivating. "Man, I'm hungry after not dying. Will you join me inside for a cupcake?"

It looked like she was about to say no, but Calypso turned a light shade of pink. "Yes, thank you."

Festus snorted, saying, Go ahead and enjoy. I'll just fly around to scare off some pigeons.

"Pigeons?" I asked.

They're annoying. Festus flew up, and it was a miracle that no humans could see him. Maybe people thought he was a giant bird or something.

Calypso took a deep breath. "As much as I love spending time with you, I can't."

"Oh, okay," I mumbled. "If you want another guy, it's okay. I mean, seriously. I understand."

Calypso's jaw went open, and she looked less composed and more startled. "Hey! I choose you, Leo." She slipped her hand into mine, and all of my emotions were jumbled up.

"Um—ah—wha—?" I said. Usually I could say something funny, (which is one of my best qualities), but I couldn't even think.

She laughed, her voice edged with happiness, and something else I couldn't identify. "The choices I make are horrible. But somehow, I could let the heroes who come on my island go away. I eventually did, but when I met you . . . something was different."

"I wasn't one of those chiseled guys?" I offered.

"No, because when you left, you gave me hope and I somehow believed that my punishment will end because of you. It was in a prophecy."

"Prophecy?"

She rolled her eyes. "The prophecy for me getting off the island. You are so annoying."

"It's my specialty." My palms started to sweat. "So, uh, should we go inside?"

"Yes." Calypso put her arms around my neck, her eyes looking into mine.

And what happened next was she kissed me. Then she had to drag me into the bakery, while I was concentrating on not letting my hands burst into flames.

"Back to the question—about why you can't be with me," I said, once I regained my cool demeanor.

"Leo, don't you see? I'm a Titaness. You're just a demigod."

"Thanks."

"You know I don't mean it like that," Calypso said, but was interrupted by a "ahem".

A woman walked towards us, and she looked odd for a waitress: green spiked hair, a nose piercing, black Goth dress, and big clunky orange shoes. Make-up was caked on her face, and I guessed she might have been in her twenties. She wore no nametag, so maybe she was a customer.

Hey, look, it's the Goth /girly version of Thalia! I almost said, but remembered Calypso didn't know who the Hunter was.

"Welcome," the girl smiled, "to Cora's Cupcake Bakery."

Calypso gave an uneasy look at me. "She looks odd," she whispered. "I have a bad feeling."

"Hey, don't offend the cupcake woman," I told her.

The lady pulled out her notepad and pencil. "What is your order for today? Choices are on the menu, up."

"What?" I dumbly looked up, and weird enough, the flavours and toppings were actually glued to the ceiling. "Uh, I'll have vanilla with chocolate frosting, sprinkles, and M&M's."

"The same as him," Calypso decided quickly, and as the lady went away, she said, "That waitress is highly suspicious."

"What's your reason? Is it because the menu is the ceiling? I won't call that distrustful—maybe weird and creative."

"No, you don't understand. I mean . . . " she faltered, clearly frustrated in lack of proof. "Look around!"

I did, spotting booths and a jukebox. They looked clean and new, so maybe this bakery opened recently. I saw a bookshelf, so I hopped over there, hoping to read something about cars. There were odd book choices—Kill All of 'Em, Tantalising Your Prey, How to Lure You Victim Using a Bakery—I wondered if it was in Ancient Greek or my dyslexia acting up. I found a zip-lock bag with ambrosia squares, behind So You Think You Know Your Murdering Self, and tucked it in my jacket pocket.

"Here are your cupcakes!" the Goth Lady stepped in, her smile disappearing as she saw me. It must have been my imagination, though, because she said cheerfully, "You two are new here, so it's free of charge!"

"Oh, man! That's awesome. I didn't even have money anyway." I headed up to get the treat, but Calypso pulled my hand down.

She narrowed her eyes at the Waitress, revealing her accusations: "This is a strange place for a bakery to be in. It's in the middle of nowhere."

"Yeah," I agreed, figuring you should always support your girlfriend. "And what's with those orthopedic shoes? No offence, but you kind of look like a clown. "

The girl's eyes turned red, and I gulped. Right, girls don't like people insulting their fashion choices. I guess I wouldn't get my cupcake now.

"These are not orthopedic shoes—it is the latest fashion! Prepare to be destroyed!" she growled.

"Whoa, so do you own this place or something? Where's your nametag?" It was probably a stupid thing to say, given the circumstances, but usually in life-or-death situations my mind goes blank and my mouth does the talking.

The Goth pulled it out, and I read, Ima Page. "Wow, that's a pretty unfortunate name," I commented. "Ima Page—do kids tease you a lot?"

"It's Gem A. Pai, you idiot, and that's my fake name!"

"Can you at least tell us your real name? Or is that even worse?"

Calypso face palmed, shaking her head. "Um, Leo, she's a monster."

Oh, right, that might explain a few things. I scratched my head, not feeling in the mood to fight. "Listen, Gem, or Ima Page—maybe we can help with your clothes. There might be a sale at Forever21, you never know."

Apparently monsters disapproved of that clothing line, because Gem/Ima Page snarled, lunging at me.