Defensive protective Leo is a mood, he says what we all wish we could think of, he's always gonna be a lil shit no matter what and we all love him for it. But he can be mature when he needs to- lets face it, poor kids lost a lot, including his big sister. That changes people.
I'm gonna start replying to reviews properly, not sure if I'll be able to keep it up but I will be trying to:
Undeath9087: Yep, Calypso is here and she loves our idiotic Leo- and I hope you enjoy how it all plays out with Jason, after all, we have our favorite child of Zeus at Camp too.
The Official Clarisse: Literally everyone: FUCK OFF HERA! And yes, poor Piper, though at least she still knows she has support from Leo. And I do think Bianca/ Reyna will be a thing.
MKDemiGodzilla-Warrior: Thank you, I'm glad you're enjoying it so far, as for the Piper Drew thing, well I won't lie I sorta love how I've done it in this and that's all I'm gonna say.
Guest: As I said in my other reply to someone else, Bianca/Reyna will probably be a thing, and it will probably be commented on lol.
Guest: Your vote is counted, and yes, poor Leo.
Guest: As much as I love Rhea I can't imagine her wandering to Elysium to pick up Hazel and Percy can you?
AlexusAP: I'm glad you're enjoying it and I hope you keep enjoying it!
Weirdhead: Why thank you, I do sometimes find it hard to decide what to call each fic. And I do like Ethan I must admit, also, votes counted :)
: You're gonna be waiting a lil while for that I'm afraid! Enjoy.
Sorta poll for Sally's parentage/who she's a legacy of. I won't be including the vote for Vesta because she's a maiden.
Terra: 32
Nox: 9
Venus: 6
Saturn: 4
Ceres: 3
Baccus: 1
Jupiter: 1
Pluto: 1
Neptune: 1
Apollo: 1
Mars: 1
Caelus: 1
Tartarus: 1
Daughter of Venus: 22
Daughter of Ceres: 2
Daughter of Terra: 1
When the bus dropped them in front of a big red stucco complex like a museum, just sitting in the middle of nowhere, Leo made sure that Jason and Piper lingered back with him so that they were the last to leave, his eyes darting around nervously as he kept an eye on them both and they lingered towards the back, away from most of their other classmates.
"So. You said you'd explain things." Piper's expression was expectant, "I want answers Valdez, like, now. You're saying someone's messed with my memories."
"Yep." Leo popped the P. "Listen, do you know much about Greek Mythology-" and he noticed Jason's brows furrowing slightly- as if he almost recognised something but it wasn't quite right.
"I know some stuff." Piper's voice was wary, "But why would that matter."
"Because most of it's real." Leo told her quickly, "The gods, monsters, all stuff like that-"
"What?" Piper's eyes widened, "You can't be serio-oh my god!" she yelped the words, because Leo, using his body to shield his hand from view from the other students, had set his hand on fire, the flames burning harmlessly over his skin before he put them out.
"Yeah. That just happened."
"What are you?" Piper demanded, "I don't-"
"I'm a demigod. And so are you." Leo gave Piper a small grin, "Not so sure about Jason here- but I know you are-"
"I think-" Jason's voice was hesitant, "Most of what you're telling me doesn't feel new- but it does feel slightly wrong-"
"Something weird is up I know that much." Leo pulled a face, "I'm guessing you're a demigod but honestly, I'm not sure. I know Piper is."
"How?" Piper shook his head, "I- I mean I can't be-"
"Pipes-" Leo gave her a grin, "You talked a car salesman into letting you just take a car on a ride." he sounded amused, "That's both epic and also- I'm pretty sure you used charmspeak on him-"
"What's that?"
"It's a power- you can control people-"
"I don't-"
"I doubt you do it on purpose." Leo held up his hands quickly when Piper tensed, "And it's a cool gift- kinda terrifying- I know one other person who can do it and she scares the crap into me."
"I-" Piper looked like she wanted to argue but she faltered, her eyes flicking to Leo's hand, "Okay. Then who's my mom if you know so much?"
"You're not gonna like it." Leo knew that much- Piper had a chip on her shoulder about all things pretty and girly- he might not have known her for long but he knew it was because of her dad and growing up in the spotlight, but- well, he knew that there was a lot more to the Aphrodite kids than most people gave them credit for, they'd more than proven that during the war.
"Oh come on who is it then?"
"Aphrodite. Charmspeak is a rare gift and the only other person I've ever met who can do it is a daughter of Aphrodite named Drew."
"I don't even know-" Piper looked hesitant, "I didn't even know I was doing it- was I really controlling the man?"
"Yes." Leo nodded, "If I'm right anyway- but Drew will help you with it. Maybe."
"Is she nice?"
"Uh..." Leo hesitated, "She's... Drew. She's a good person at heart, she's just got a lot of issues and she acts like a bitch sometimes. Especially lately." She'd been hit real hard by Percy's death, Leo sometimes suspected that she blamed herself, "You'd probably get along better with Silena. She's pretty nice, she's dating one of my brothers."
"How many siblings do you have?"
"Uh-" Leo looked almost sheepish, "That's a tough one, I have a bunch of half siblings- they're pretty cool, and then there's my other siblings who are my adoptive family-"
"You never told me about any of your family." Piper looked hurt.
"Sorry I just- my family situation is complicated." Leo gave a wry smile. "You'll like them I promise-" His smile faltered. She'd have loved Percy. Everyone loved Percy.
"Leo?" Piper's voice was worried, "Are you okay-"
"Yeah." Leo shook himself, "Sorry I just- I was thinking. I haven't seen or heard from them in a month- like I said I was pretty much kidnapped and sent here by Hera."
"You think I'm what... Hera-" Jason winced slightly, "Sent you here for? Listen Leo I don't know any-"
"I don't think you did it. I think that psycho bitch did. And she did something to you, which means you're probably important." Leo let out a huff, "I just don't know what to think."
"I think you're probably right." Jason said after a moment, "I wish I could help but I just- I don't remember." his voice was frustrated and Leo felt kind of sorry for him, it had to be pretty crazy suddenly waking up with no memories. Still, he was probably handling it better than Leo would in his position.
"Clearly you were brought here for a reason-" at that point Leo was cut off by Hedge blowing his whistle very loudly, he was at the front of the group getting everyone in line- and when he caught Leo's eye he gave a small nod and a twitch of his head- that had to mean they had to follow the others inside, and so Leo grimaced, "C'mon guys, we'll try and talk more when we get the chance-"
"Does Coach Hedge know everything?" Piper asked quickly, "How-"
"He's a Satyr. They help us demigods-"
"With what?"
"Get to a safe place- some of us attract monsters." Leo pulled a face, "Not fun believe me." as he spoke the trio started to move to join the rest of the group as they headed into the building.
As they started moving a fairly handsome dark haired tanned boy came up to them- Leo didn't recognise him but it was very probable that he'd just not noticed him, and the boy grinned at Piper.
"Yo, Piper." he tried to wedge himself between Piper and Jason- and Jason stumbled slightly, clearly not expecting it. "Don't talk to these bottom-feeders. You're my partner, remember?"
And Leo's eyes narrowed at that.
"Go away, Dylan," Piper grumbled. "I didn't ask to work with you. "
"Ah, that's no way to be. This is your lucky day!" Dylan hooked his arm through hers and he went to try and drag her away, but Leo lashed out, gripping Dylan's arm tightly.
"She told you to go away. Didn't your mommy teach you not to touch girls when they don't want it?" his voice was sharp, angry- and okay, maybe he took it a touch too personally when assholes got pushy- but he'd seen how much damage Alabaster had done to Percy because he'd had that sort of attitude- if way more extreme than Dylan's.
"What's wrong Valdez? Jealous?"
"Bitch please." Leo snorted, "Pipes is my friend-"
"Bet you wish she was something more, bet you wish you got there before him-" he nodded towards Jason, who's eyes were narrowed- and he looked like he wanted to hit Dylan just as much as Leo now did.
"Y'know, a guy doesn't have to want to date a girl to defend her- not that Piper needs defending-" he could see the annoyed look on Pipers face- she hated people fighting her battles for her. But... Leo was itching to punch the asshole.
"You're right, she doesn't, so let go of my arm you dateless loser-"
"First of all I have a girlfriend- which is more than you do, second of all, I'll let go of you as soon as you let go of Pipes." he could feel his hand getting warmer, until Dylan almost flinched slightly and he pulled his arm away from Pipers.
"Fine. You freak. Like I want anything to do with you weirdo's anyway." he stormed away and Leo relaxed slightly- just in time for
Piper to round on him, a furious look on her face.
"What the hell Leo?"
"What did he do wrong?" Jason's tone was almost bewildered.
"I don't need anyone to protect me-"
"I know you don't." Leo shot back quickly, "But guys like him piss me off."
"I can look after myself Leo-"
"I know you can." Leo let out a groan, throwing his hands up, "But Pipes you're my friend and I've met guys like him before-
admittedly Dylan's not on that level of fucked-up-ness but still-"
"Oh?" Piper snorted, "Sure-"
"My sister had a stalker who literally tried to force her to marry him." Leo's voice was uncharacteristically sharp, "She was literally kidnapped by him- so when I say I hate pushy assholes I mean it-"
"Oh gods." Jason looked shocked, "That- yeah that's bad-"
"I-" Piper faltered, her anger fading, "That's actually horrible. You're definitely going to need to tell us more about your life. Is your sister okay?"
"No." Leo's voice was icy and his expression darkened before he forced himself to let out a breath, "Sorry Piper- gods I know you can defend yourself but- I saw how much damage guys like than can do with her and I couldn't do shit to protect her-"
"So if you see guys acting like that-"
"I can't just do nothing." Leo gave Piper a weak smile when she suddenly surged forward and hugged him, almost knocking him off his feet.
"I forgive you- just this once, since it wasn't some dumb macho thing."
"Thank the gods." Leo hugged her back, "I don't wanna lose one of my best friends. You've been keeping me sane" he shifted his gaze to Jason, "We should stick together, we don't want to take any risks."
"Sounds like a plan." Jason gave a small nod, and as they walked through the building they lingered towards the back of the group- though Leo's eyes widened almost comically when he saw Hedge pulling his megaphone out, and he let out a nervous noise, ducking behind Jason, which made Piper and Jason exchange confused looks.
"Leo what are you doing?" Piper's voice was incredulous.
"Are you-" Jason blinked, peering back at Leo over his shoulder, "Are you hiding behind me?"
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Just wait a sec and you'll see."
And sure enough the Satyr raised the megaphone to his mouth. "Alright brats-" except it wasn't his voice that came out, not as such- it was Darth Vaders voice- and the class burst out laughing as Hedge banged the megaphone against his hand and Piper hissed.
"Did you mess with his megaphone?"
"Like, a three days ago. I guess he hasn't needed to use it until now." Leo hissed back- and Jason looked like he was trying not to laugh too.
"Right now-" the megaphone seemed to be back to normal for a second before, "The pig says oink-" and Piper was shaking she was trying so hard to stop herself from laughing.
A moment later Hedge's eyes were scanning the group and Leo could almost feel the glare burning through Jason straight to him as the Satyr bellowed. "Valdez you're going to regret this!"
And Leo couldn't resist the urge to leap up, grabbing Jason's shoulders and using him up jump up into view, pushing him down very slightly. "Too late, I already regret being born-"
"For-" Hedge twitched, clearly itching to pull out his bat and wallop Leo over the head with it. "Valdez..."
"What?" Leo gave an innocent grin, "I didn't do anything- that you can prove-"
"I'm watching you Valdez." Hedge glowered at him. "I'll talk to you in a minute once we're finished in the museum."
And he went back to leading the tour, talking about the exhibits- not that Leo paid too much attention, talking to Piper and Jason in a hushed voice.
As they walked around some girls kept looking over at the trio and snickering. Leo knew the group too well- they made Drew look nice. They wore matching jeans and pink tops and enough makeup for a Halloween party.
One of them said, "Hey, Piper, does your tribe run this place? Do you get in free if you do a rain dance?"
The other girls laughed and Piper tensed up between him and Jason, and Leo grabbed her elbow gently as she sucked in a sharp breath.
"My dad's Cherokee," she said. "Not Hualapai. 'Course, you'd need a few brain cells to know the difference, Isabel. "
Isabel widened her eyes in mock surprise, so that she looked like an owl with a makeup addiction. "Oh, sorry! Was your mom in this tribe? Oh, that's right. You never knew your mom. "
If it wasn't for Leo's grip on Piper's arm she probably would have brutally murdered the bitch, as it was she was stopped short, and Hedge intervened. "Enough back there! Set a good example or I'll break out my baseball bat!"
The group shuffled on to the next exhibit, but the girls kept calling out little comments to Piper.
"Good to be back on the rez?" one asked in a sweet voice.
"Dad's probably too drunk to work," another said with fake sympathy. "That's why she turned klepto. "
"Better a klepto than a botched botox bitch." Leo called back faux cheerfully, "I assume that's why you use so much makeup right? To
cover up for the botch job. Shame your parents couldn't afford a professional." that made Piper snicker.
"Oh like you know anything Valdez, you probably have to beg for spare change-"
"My mom is Sally Jackson." Leo interrupted her with a smug smirk on his lips, "As in the Siren Sting chronicles, you know, the ones that are getting turned into films-" he ignored Pipers startled look, "I don't think we have to beg. And if I wanted botox, at least I could get it done properly."
That made Isabel's mouth drop open and she let out a huff and whirl away, clearly beaten for now, and Piper let out a hissed.
"Are you serious about your mom?"
"Yep." Leo gave a small nod, "And yes I know your dad's in talks to play the dad in the film."
"Piper's dad?" Jason looked lost and Piper winced.
"That doesn't matter right now." she shoved her hands into her pockets, and they they reached the end of the exhibit hall and the big glass doors that led out to the terrace.