Listen, I'm all for women's rights— but I might outlaw skirts after today.
Or at least no skirts in the engine room. It was hard enough staying focused on the task at hand with my crippling ADHD, so having to avoid the ultimate distraction of a bouncing skirt was only adding insult to injury. It reminded me of the very first night that I saw Peri in that tattered school girl uniform, slashing and leaping between a trio of Cyclopes with a dancer's grace. That life changing night seemed so far away after everything that had happened... along our quest and between the two of us. My eyes roamed down to her smooth brown thighs peeking from her thigh high socks. I guess she is a dancer— and there's no denying it with legs like that.
Dammit tigre, focus!
I shook my head, knocking my mind clear of idle chatter. There were only a few more wires left to connect for this new installation to be complete. I should've been done hours ago— would've been done hours ago if I wasn't in such a... male mode. Honestly, with everything going on, our lives always at risk, one might think my raging hormones would have a bit of consideration and take a break. But no! Gods, even if the wind hits me the right way I get stiff as a board—
CRACKLE! POP! BADUMMM.
There was a spark and then a hum of energy when I closed the electrical circuit. Finally! I couldn't fight the excited grin that spread on my face. It was always intensely satisfying seeing a project through to its completion.
"Hey, Peri, looks like my new toy is installed."
"Oi, about time!" Her blonde head popped up from the weapon schematics she'd been examining. "Can we test it out now?"
I mulled it over for a while but shook my head. "Nah, better save it for emergencies only."
She pouted cutely. "That's no fun at all."
"Well, I know something we can do that is fun." I smiled as her eyebrows rose in anticipation. "I noticed you've been messing around with the forge lately. We can craft some new weapons if you want."
Her brown eyes twinkled with joy. "Really? That would be badass! Let's do it!"
I chuckled and made my way to the forge with an eager Peri hot on my heels. It was a much smaller setup than what I was used to at Camp Half-Blood, but I made sure that it would be suitable for our needs on our journey. Along with raw materials, fire was an integral part of blacksmithing. Without a second thought, I ignited my hand with a fireball in order to set the forge alight.
To my surprise, Peri yelped in fright and leapt back a few feet, diving over a nearby work table. An eruption of laughter overtook me, only growing stronger and louder at the sight of her furious expression. I couldn't help myself— she was so cute when she was pissed off!
"What the hell was that?" I wheezed. "You're acting like Frank—"
"What's wrong with you?" She snapped indignantly. "Why don't you warn someone before bursting into flames like that?"
My laughter died down, and I frowned. "What's with you? You've never freaked out like this when I used my powers before."
Peri was shaking slightly, and I soon realized there must be something deeper going on. I didn't simply catch her by surprise. Slowly, she came around the work table and stood in front of me, but she kept her distance. I extinguished the fire in my palm, and she inched a bit closer. Peri chewed her lip, brows knit in thought. Finally, she spoke.
"Last night, something happened."
My mind went back to the night before. It was a whirlwind of kissing and touching, new territory for the both of us. Had I misread the situation? Guilt squeezed at my temples at the thought that I may have pressured her into doing something that she didn't want to. It felt like each attempt at getting closer only seemed to drive us farther apart.
"I had a nightmare," she continued softly.
"Oh," I blinked; clearly I had the wrong idea. "What happened?"
Peri swallowed thickly and sat back on the work table. I couldn't help but notice the distance between us had grown once more.
"In my nightmare... you were there." She shook her head. "But you weren't you. You kissed me and held me, but it wasn't like you normally do. You wouldn't let me go... Then you burst into flames and burnt me alive."
My mouth was suddenly very dry, but my palms were sweating profusely. "I-I see." That explains why she reacted the way that she did.
"I know that it wasn't you— I know that." It sounded like she was trying to convince herself which only stung more. "But when I saw that fire—"
"Nah, I get it." I chuckled darkly, clenching my fists and staring at the floor. "I killed my own mom so why wouldn't I kill you, right?"
"No, Leo, that's not what I meant—"
"It is, though," I shot back angrily, brushing past her roughly.
My mom, my poor mom, why did I have to...
My blood was boiling, a mixture of hurt and self loathing and all the shitty feelings that I've been trying so hard to keep forced down were threatening to spill out.
Why did my mom have to be the one to die... It should've been me.
I was spiraling. I was going down that dark rabbit hole in my mind, and soon I'd be completely consumed and tormented by my own self deprecating thoughts. My abilities were responding to my body's stress signals causing sporadic sparks of fire to pop up and down my arms. I had to get out of here and calm down before I lose all control.
Just like before.
My ears were vaguely registering Peri's footsteps behind me as I tried to storm out. My mind was screaming so loud that I couldn't hear her apologies, not that I cared to anyway. She grabbed my arm but recoiled with a gasp as a stray flame licked at her hand.
It's happening again. All you do is hurt the ones you care about most.
I should've known better. Guys like me don't get the girl and the happy ending. I'll always be the seventh wheel, no matter what I do. I never meant to hurt her, but that seems to be all I'm good for. I'll just make it easier for the both of us. I'll make her hate me. I'll make her never want to be near me again.
"You see?" I shouted, allowing the fire on my arms to grow and spread across my shoulders. "I'm dangerous. If you're so scared of me, then why don't you just leave me the fuck alone?"
Peri's brown eyes were wide, and she took a step back from the fire, from me. Her hands were shaking once more, but her feet stayed rooted to that spot.
It's better this way. It's for your own good.
She called after me, but I slammed the engine room shut on my way out. I locked myself in my room, pacing back and forth, trying to calm the agitated flames and my erratic heartbeat.
PERI'S POV
"Please, Leo," I asked against the woodgrain door for the millionth time. "I'm so sorry, please just open the door so I can apologize properly."
I had to have been knocking at his room door for nearly an hour now. There was never a response, but I kept trying. The entire time I was mentally kicking myself, cursing the day I ever learned to speak English.
Oh, Leo... I didn't mean to make you feel like the monster Gaea's been trying to convince you that you are.
I sighed miserably in defeat. "Okay. I get it. I'll leave you alone."
I kicked the ground dejectedly before heading up the stairs for some fresh air and to consult my favorite Celestial Bronze figurehead. Festus might know what to do about this whole Leo situation.
Great, now I'm the one asking a dragon head for relationship advice.
Just as I was reaching the helm, a giant eagle swooped down and landed on the deck. I reached for my dagger, but stopped short when the huge beast safely deposited Nico and Hazel. The giant eagle squinted before changing shape into a familiar Asian face. Frank, Hazel, and Nico had returned from their excursion, but something major must've happened while they were away.
The chubby baby sumo wrestler that I'd come to call Frankie boy was no more. Frank was much taller than before he'd left, his gut had shrunk, and his chest seemed bulkier. It was like he'd had an insane growth spurt in just a few short hours. His new Roman shirt was now far too small, the hem barely covering his belly button, exposing his ripped lower abdomen.
"Damn, boy, you shredded like a Caesar salad!" I blurted out.
Frank's cheeks got all rosy, and he laughed bashfully. "Who me? Nahh."
I grinned. It was reassuring that his kind and humble disposition hadn't wavered despite his insane physical transformation. "Well, what the hell happened? Tell me everything!"
My jaw dropped after hearing Frank recount the details of their meeting with the farming god Triptolemus. The mad god had apparently turned Nico into a corn plant and nearly let Hazel die of poison. Frank managed to save the siblings of the Underworld by defeating the entire horde of cow monsters, katoblepones they were called.
I let out a low whistle. "You killed every last one of them? Damn... Guess I can't call you Frankie boy anymore."
Frank rubbed the back of his head, causing his tight shirt to rise even further. "Well, you can still call me that if you want. The nickname has kinda grown on me now."
My gaze strayed away from his eyes to his newly defined muscles, and I had to fight the urge to bite my lip.
Nah, that's not a boy anymore. That's a man.
Hazel gave Frank a big hug. "I'm so proud of you, Frank. You were amazing."
He stared down at her, blushing, smiling, eyes sparkling. The way that he looked at her... was that love? I wasn't sure, but it made me feel awkward and intrusive to bear witness to it. I also felt guilty for ogling Frank after having caused Leo so much grief. I hastily excused myself only to find that Nico was already walking away from the pair. As her brother, maybe it was just as weird for him to be around their love fest. Or perhaps it was just his antisocial tendencies. I sped up a few paces to catch up with the son of Hades. He was muttering something in Italian under his breath and plucking strands of corn plant from his black clothing.
"Oi, di Angelo, got a minute?"
He raised an eyebrow at me, but slowed his stride. "What is it?"
"I just wanted to say thank you."
Nico stopped so suddenly, I thought he'd hit an invisible wall. Those dark, sullen eyes fell on me, and it was like I was staring into the pits of Tartarus all over again. "What are you talking about?"
"Back in Rome, when Gaea sealed the four of us underground—when we were looking for you? Turns out as the Omega-Blood, being underground isn't very good for my health." I chuckled dryly. "I almost died, I think... But I didn't. And that's all thanks to your sword."
Nico's hand went to the black blade at his hip, and his thick black brows furrowed in thought.
"Something about that Stygian Iron blade helped keep me alive," I continued, "so I wanted to say thank you for saving my life."
Nico stared at the horizon line for so long that I wondered if he'd heard me. Finally, he pulled his gaze away from the setting sun. "I didn't do anything. It was all a part of Gaea's plan."
I frowned. "Maybe so, but she obviously didn't account for your sword saving me from death. Her plan was for me to die in that gods forsaken hole in the ground."
Nico scowled. "So why are you telling me this?"
I folded my arms. This dude was a tough nut to crack. He obviously wasn't trying to accept my thanks, which I would normally find rude. But something about his eyes... the perpetual sadness they displayed. It was almost like he didn't feel worthy of a simple thank you. I got the sense that he was more used to damning souls to death rather than saving them from it.
"No reason, I guess," I muttered. "Sorry to bother you."
He grunted and headed up to the crow's nest where he often lurked. A melancholy sigh escaped my lips, and I approached the helm once more. The sun was setting, painting the sky with brushstrokes of pink, orange, and red all blending together seamlessly. The Argo was pushing strong through the sky, and I simply watched as the clouds flew by. It was about as peaceful as it could get around here.
Which meant something was sure to go wrong.
Festus jerked suddenly and whirred, blowing a pillar of white hot fire. I knew that white flames meant he was attacking, not just sending a warning. Before I could investigate further, a gust of wind hit me so forcefully that I almost went flying over the side of the ship into the ocean. A loud thud hit the deck behind me, and I whirled around in disbelief.
A creature easily the size of a bear stood proudly before me. It had the front part of an eagle and the back part of a horse. Its beady red eyes were trained on me, surely thinking of the fastest way to devour me. The monster's beak snapped at me, and its long talons scraped against the deck as it approached. The hippogriff (the term came to me suddenly) closed in on me, extending its massive wingspan to eliminate any escape options. I was backed against the rail with no other options than to attack head on.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
With a burst of magical energy, the dagger strapped to my thigh flew into my open palm. The Imperial Gold blade grew to a mere two feet in length, but I decided it would have to be enough to take care of this winged beast. I leapt in the air, narrowly avoiding the hippogriff's sharp beak as it lunged for me. I planned on landing on its head and impaling it, finishing the battle quickly and cleanly, but the creature was impressively fast. It jerked its head back and slapped me away with its wing, sending me crashing into the control deck. I barely had enough time to sit up and block its next attack, the razor sharp talons inches from clawing my face off.
"Holy Hera!" Frank's voice rang out on the deck and seconds later the unmistakable sound of an arrow flying through the air was heard.
The hippogriff squawked in fury and turned its attention to the left as another arrow embedded itself in its wing. Ever the opportunist, I used this distraction to kick upwards and landed a blow to the beast's chin with a satisfying crunch. Do hippogriffs have chins? No time to answer that. The creature recoiled in pain, and I rolled to my feet. Frank and Hazel were a few yards away, armed and ready. Nico wasn't far behind, and I wondered how the hell he hadn't seen the huge monster flying over head before it attacked.
"Peri, you alright?" Frank asked, nocking another arrow and taking aim.
I grinned, bouncing on the balls of my feet, adrenaline pumping through my veins. "Oh yea, me and birdbrain here were just getting acquainted!"
The hippogriff didn't seem to like being insulted and cawed angrily at me in response. Hazel and Nico appeared on either side of me, their weapons poised to attack. Frank sent another arrow whizzing through the air and landing amongst the others in the beast's wing. The hippogriff appeared more cautious now that there were four of us and backed up, keeping its glowing red eyes trained on our blades. It began to flap its enormous wings, kicking up a powerful wind that sent chairs, papers, and random junk flying overboard. It wouldn't be long before a demigod or two was swept away with the winds as well.
"Shit!" I stabbed the floorboards deeply to anchor myself. "Hold onto something! That hippogriff is trying to blow us away!"
Nico and Hazel followed my lead, stabbing the floor and holding on for dear life. Frank wasn't so lucky. The hippogriff's windstorm blasted him full force, and in just a few seconds he was tumbling wildly through the air. Thankfully, he transformed into a giant eagle midair and circled overhead. His new position also gave me an idea.
"Frank!" I had to holler to be heard over the roar of the winds. "Scoop me up, I've got a plan!"
"What are you thinking, Peri?" Hazel called.
"Just trust me!" I responded. "When Frank and I go up, distract the hippo— whoa!"
Apparently, I hadn't secured my dagger deep enough into the wooden floorboards. Or perhaps the hippogriff had turned up the intensity of its wind power. Either way, I was sent flying over the side of the ship and falling through the air. I screamed frantically as the churning sea below got closer and closer, Coach Hedge's warning booming in my mind.
Whatever you do kid, stay out of the water.
I landed, but I felt plush feathers instead of icy waters. I opened my eyes to see that a giant eagle had broken my fall. Or rather, Frank had surely swooped down to save me from drowning in a watery grave once again.
"Thanks, Frank," I had to force the shakiness out of my voice. "Now let's take care of that hippogriff. Do a nosedive onto its head with that sharp beak of yours, and I'll chop its wings off."
Frank squawked confidently and soared towards the Argo once more. I realized that even though he couldn't speak in this form, we understood each other perfectly— especially in battle. The son of Ares and the daughter of Anastasios... I never really thought about our compatibility before. Maybe in another life...
Frank was circling above the hippogriff now, so I focused on my plan of attack. I gripped my dagger with purpose and surveyed the scene below. Hazel and Nico had interlocked arms and were taking turns stabbing their blades into the deck to advance against the powerful winds. They looked like horizontal mountain climbers. The siblings had the hippogriff's full attention, so now was as good a time as any.
"Now!" I declared.
No sooner than the word left my lips, Frank the giant eagle initiated a spiral nosedive. We picked up great speed, and my eyes began to water due to the winds nipping at my face. The impact of beak on skull sent vibrations from my toes to my scalp. I jumped from Frank's back to the hippogriff's horse haunches and slashed once, twice, then it was done. The turbulent winds died down, and all that was left was a huge pile of golden dust. Frank had transformed back into his human self, and the four of us were breathing heavily.
"Well, that was a bit of an underwhelming finish," I said with a smile.
Frank grinned despite his panting. "I think we made a great team."
I stared at the golden dust swirling at my feet and remembered suddenly that hippogriffs were symbols of Apollo. Though it tried to kill me, I wondered if it was a mistake to slaughter such a beautiful and noble creature. The sky had transformed into that mysterious shade of blue signifying dusk, and I couldn't help but feel that the sun setting was a bad omen. Or maybe I was just overthinking—
"Ugh, I can't get this stupid spatha— urgh!" Hazel grumbled, struggling to pull her blade from the floor like it was Excalibur stuck in a rock.
"I gotcha," I flicked my wrist upwards and willed the spatha to me. It flew from where it was wedged in the floorboard into my open hand, and I held the hilt out for Hazel to take.
"Impressive," she mused, but didn't question me about it.
My stomach growled just as I heard footsteps approaching from belowdecks. The other demigods must've been coming up for dinner, but my face fell when I didn't see Leo among them. He must still be in his room, probably hating me.
"Peri, you coming?" Frank asked from the entryway into the dining area.
The others had already filed in and were taking their seats while I remained standing in the pool of golden dust.