grave

Reyna knows, as they step past all the tombstones and graveyards, that Leo's bared a lot to bring her here. First of all, he hasn't been in his hometown for years, and by the way he's holding her hand, he's terrified. But still, they walk, and for the first time in her memory, Leo actually looks solemn.

They had to ask where the grave was located; Leo doesn't quite remember where it was and Reyna thinks that isn't something you wanted committed to memory. She stood behind him as Leo hoarsely mentioned his mother's name, and the groundskeeper pointed them in the general direction.

In her other hand, she holds a small bouquet of flowers which they bought from the florist not too far from here. She had to take them from Leo when they began to wilt; he was overheating. His hand is still warm, but cooler than before. She likes to think it's her presence that's keeping him cool, calm and collected.

Leo's breath hitches, and she knows that they're there. She turns slowly, and it's most beautifully made tombstone she's ever seen. It's carved to perfection and it makes everything else fade in comparison. The gods, if not just Vulcan, have made sure this tombstone was memorable, and it stuns the pair for a few moments as they try to take it all in.

Slowly, he falls to his knees, and reaches out to touch the tombstone. He looks so young, younger than she's ever seen him, and all he manages to say is "Mama," in a small, childlike whisper.

She doesn't know what to do. She's never seen him so fragile like this before. She's horrible at comforting. Hylla had always been the one making sure nothing bad had happened to her, never reversed. So she cautiously crouches down alongside him, places the flowers in front of them and reads the tombstone:

Esperanza Valdez
1971 – 2002
Hija de Samuel y Olivia
Hermana de Rosa
La madre del héroe poco convencional
Amado por los dioses

Descanse en paz.

Time has made it harder for Reyna to read Spanish (it's much easier to speak, she thinks). But still, her eyes decipher the words and they begin to make sense in her head. She doesn't really need to know. From the way Leo's looking, he knows what they say and that's all that matters. If it holds a hidden meaning and he wants to tell her about it, he will.

As it so happens, he begins muttering the words on the tombstone under his breath. "The mother of the unconventional hero… loved by the gods. Descanse en paz."

His name isn't on there, but he is labelled a hero. Anyone who will visit Esperanza Valdez here will know that. The thought makes Reyna's chest puff with pride. Leo doesn't think he's a hero, but she knows he is. She has heard of what he did in Greece. She has faith in him.

Her hand makes it onto his shoulder, and she looks at him briefly before turning back to the tombstone. He remembers she's there, and he reaches for her hand and squeezes. They sit there in silence. Reyna spots the Greek Eta letter, and she knows Vulcan (or at least, Hephaestus) had been here. While she is seizing on little details, Leo is remembering the woman who lies under their feet.

Finally, Leo speaks.

"Mama," he says, taking Reyna's hand off his shoulder and holding it by his lap, "This is Reyna. Queenie, this is Mom."

Reyna smiles softly, and introduces herself to his mother, someone she's beginning to wish she had the proper opportunity to get to know. "Hello, Miss Valdez," she says. "I'm Reyna and I really like your son."

"You were the only one who thought a pretty girl would actually like me. And now she's here, Mom. Thanks."


I know I keep changing where I want to put my AN's, but today it felt like a good idea to put it down here, LOL. This is one of the more longer ones, and I'm sorry it's quite sad or /angsty/, but it's what I wanted to write. I did take Spanish for a bit at school, but some of it is from Google Translate which is why it could be wrong. It basically states who her parents are, her sister Rosa, who's mentioned calling Leo a diablo in The Lost Hero and refusing to take him in, and Descanse en Paz just means Rest In Peace.

I did like this angsty one, but I'm not quite sure if it's a nice read, but anyhow. If you did enjoy it or you've got any constructive criticism, don't forget to review!