( bring on the wonder )

Festus swoops through the air, with Leo screaming in delight, in complete awe of the metal dragon he'd managed to create. Festus's golden plating grows hot in the sun, but none of them seem to care, anymore.

Piper and Jason watch Leo, practically bouncing with excitement as his dragon flies. They notice the things that make him happy; screwdrivers, springs, gears. Anything he can build with. They watched, because Leo was there's to take care of.

All three of them feel the wonder, coursing through their veins, bringing them closer to each other than ever before. As they fly, the world doesn't turn. They are free. They are happy. They are wonderful.

( we got it all wrong )

They have it all wrong.

Piper and Jason fence, with Leo on the sidelines, building robots from scrap metal in his pocket. The arena is empty, besides the three of them.

They fence without a care in the world. As long as Leo is with them, he is safe. Their responsibilities are limited when he's near, bouncing and building like the young son of Hephaestus that he is.

Piper and Jason have nothing to worry about while Leo is there. There's no worrying.

If only they knew what went on in their little elfish boy's head.

( we pushed down you down deep in our souls for too long )

At the campfire, a confrontation takes place.

Leo screams what he wants them to understand, a desperate cry of why won't you love me. He has transformed before their very eyes, changing from little, bouncing Leo to needy, neglected Leo.

Piper is the first to kiss him, chaste and understanding, cupping his jaw. Then Jason, soft, around the corners of his mouth.

Leo hides himself in them, just to feel their love, to make sure this is real. Both Jason and Piper press a kiss to his hair, then sit down on the logs in front of the campfire, with their arms around each other.

When the sun comes up, the sun hits each one of them perfectly, and they're all struck by wonder.


Lyrics from Bring on the Wonder by Susan Enan