Sorry updates have been so sporadic. I've been extremely sick for the past few weeks and I haven't been able to do much besides sleep. (I'd like to clarify that I do not have covid, I tested negative)-- Leo pushed open the door of his work room. Tools were strewn everywhere along with blueprints and empty coffee mugs. Inwardly, he cursed Dike. She was supposed to help him and all she had done was expose his most painful memories. If he had wanted the others to know any of that, he'd have told them.

"I hope you're not too angry with me." Said a voice behind him. He whirled around. Dike stood, leaning against the door in her heels and black suit.

"I thought you said you were going to help." Leo practically growled. Dike chuckled.

"You'll thank me later, Leo." She waved her hand and a piano appeared against the wall to her right. Leo recoiled.

"You should know I don't play anymore. I gave that up when.." He trailed off as his voice caught in his throat. Holding back tears, he turned away.

"Suit yourself." She said. Leo turned as she disappeared, leaving him alone in the room.

He tried to ignore the piano, he really did. He had promised himself he was done with music a long time ago. But still, he found himself sitting down and reaching for the keys. Maybe just for a few minutes. He closed his eyes. As he played, he thought of Alli. She was the one who believed in him for so long. And he had let her down. Just like he let down his mom when he started that fire. Just like he let down his friends when they needed him, blowing up New Rome. He was useless, a burden to anyone whose path he crossed. Nothing he ever did would matter. No one would care if he disappeared right now-

His hands grew still and he opened his eyes. Tears ran down his cheeks. He wiped them away and took a deep breath to steady himself.

"Evanescence, huh? I haven't listened to them in forever." He nearly had a heart attack. His head swiveled to the door. There stood Percy, of all people, with a plate of food. Leo's cheeks burned with embarrassment. Percy smiled in amusement and sat down on the bench next to Leo, handing him the plate. He had brought a ham and cheese sandwich.

"Uh.. thanks." Leo said in confusion.

"You're really good." Percy said, gesturing to the piano. He poked a random key.

"My mom wanted me to take lessons when I was like, eight but we couldn't afford it. Not that I was mad about that. I couldn't sit still long enough for it anyway." Leo chewed his sandwich, unsure why Percy was confiding in him.

"When she married this guy, Gabe Ugliano, I thought it was for money, but it was actually because he smelled like a sewer and he covered up my demigod smell. He was an abusive prick. He hit her. And me, even though I never admitted it to anyone."

Leo said nothing. It seemed there was a point to this story.

"For a while I kept it a secret because it was embarrassing, being pushed around by a half bald moron. But keeping secrets, that can eat at a person. So I told Annabeth. We were just friends at the time and I'm pretty sure she thought I was making a bad joke at first. But I just couldn't keep it in anymore. She helped a lot. Made me realize it wasn't my fault." Percy poked at another key before turning to look at Leo.

"The point is, nobody can keep a bunch of secrets and stay sane and healthy. Friends can share the weight. What you went through wasn't your fault. Bad things happen and sometimes there isn't a reason. Your mom? Dude, that wasn't your fault. None of it was. I just thought you should know." Percy smiled and patted Leo on the back, before getting up and walking to the door.

"Percy?" Leo choked back tears and smiled. The older boy paused in the doorway and looked back.

"Thank you." Percy nodded and left.

Leo sat his empty plate down in the bench next to him. For once, instead of internally throwing insults at himself, he quieted his inner abusive dialogue. His hands found the keys and he began playing once again.

I know this is a short chapter but it's probably one of my favorites so far. Thank you so much to the people that have reviewed this story. I know my writing is a little rusty; it's been a while.-R