AN: Leo's seriously OOC bc he was raised in a tower, he's going to be different from his snarky, lovable canon personality. Like what did you expect, that he would retain his clown personality that he created to protect himself? In this AU, he has never needed protection, nor has he ever approached the outside world. He's pretty untainted and pure.

Please enjoy~

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Mother Medusa soon approached the stone tower, her cackling voice filling the clearing. "Leo, my dear," she called, "Let me up!" Leo stuck his head out of the window after he had hastily fixed his appearance as to not alert her of his past activities.

He knew that as soon as she found out about Percy, she would forbid him from seeing him. That would break Leo's heart, so he decided to keep it to himself, besides, what she doesn't know won't hurt her.

Leo answered her, "Of course, Mother Medusa. Please step back!" As soon as she back away from the shadow of the tower, Leo called out to his loyal companion, "Festus, come let Mother Medusa up along your back." Festus flew and situated himself at the base of the tower. Mother Medusa climbed up Festus's back, slightly out of breath by the time she reached the window.

Shouldn't have made the tower so tall, she thought to herself.

"Mother Medusa," Leo sweetly said, "Would you like something to cool yourself down?" She smiled at him, fake with love and gentleness.

"Yes I would, dear. So thoughtful for the age of your poor, old mother! Such a sweet child." She cooed at him, pinching his cheeks. He subtly winced, her long nails dug into his tan cheeks and created temporary marks on them.

After getting her a cold glass of water, Leo sat her down on one of his cushioned chairs for her to be comfortable. Medusa sat down and carefully looked at Leo, "Now, dear," she slowly began, "In two days time, your sixteenth birthday will arrive. Choose carefully what you want and I will do my best to get it for you."

Leo bit his lip and hesitantly said, "Mother Medusa… I have always followed your rules and I have never disobeyed a single one."

That's you know of, he thought.

She nodded encouragingly, a slightly suspicious look in her eyes as he continued. "I am very, very happy here with you… But if I could have a single request… I wish to go outside." As soon as the last word left his mouth, Medusa glared disapprovingly at him.

"Leo," she began sharply, "My dear, there is a reason I keep you here, I hope you know that." She waited for Leo's nod before continuing, "That is exactly why I cannot allow you to go outside. There is too much danger, too many people who would take advantage of your innocence and hurt you."

Leo's shoulders slumped down and Medusa's voice became gentler, "I only want you to be safe. I am sorry, but I cannot grant your request." Leo nodded sadly.

"Then," he said, "May I have celestial bronze for my birthday? I do not need fire, I can produce it. The metal is the only thing I need."

Medusa smiled coldly at him, "Now that is a request I can't grant." She stood up and went to the window. "Now is the time we must part, I will come back in two days time to give you your present. I will have to travel far for this, but," she stroked the side of his face, "If it is for my dear child, my discomfort will matter little."

Leo smiled at her gratefully, "Thank you, Mother Medusa. Have a safe travel!" Leo watched as she slid down Festus's back with a blank gaze. Ever since Percy had come to him, Leo's mind had been full of questions.

Like, why did Mother Medusa keep him here?

Why was she trying to hide his existence from the world?

Why did she call the world dangerous when there were people like Percy in it? Percy, who had only ever been kind and loving to him. Much more so than Mother Medusa.

Leo's eyebrows furrowed as he went to bed, his mind plagued with thoughts and questions.

Unknown to him, Percy was the Prince of Arkenolisand and he was currently galloping through the woods to his castle. He couldn't wait to tell Annie all about the beauty he met in the woods.

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AN: Next chapter will be Percy telling Annabeth about Leo and, consequently, Poseidon and Athena. This story's gonna go by pretty fast, I think, because the whole Rapunzel story line is wayyyy too long.