Chapter 21

Percy POV

Why is it I always pass out? Honestly, I'm starting to feel like a damsel in distress. Would that make Leo my knight in flaming armour? ...

/shudder\ yea, no.

My head throbs, my face feels like I had dried glue all over it, my throat hurt, and my shoulder aches.

How nice.

I open my other senses, I know opening my eyes right away would only increase the throbbing in my skull. The first thing I noticed was Leo's unique smell of campfire, smoke, and metal invading my nose. His arms spindly even though I knew how much he'd trained, were wrapped around me, the next thing I noticed was the warm presence pressed up against my back, an arm circled my chest, and a leg was thrown over my own.

Before I could panic I realized Leo wouldn't let anyone he didn't trust that close to me. Instead I focused on the smell, like dirt, Italian spices, and was that, pomegranate? My fogged brain supplied, Nico or Bianca. However, considering I couldn't feel any, ahem, distinguishing female characteristics, pressed against my back, I assumed it was Nico. His presence didn't actually scare me as much as I thought it would, especially since he was in fact a male. Instead, I felt almost as safe in his embrace as I did in Leo's, which is REALLY weird. Like what? I've known him for less than a week and I already trust him that much?

Dangerous. My mind whispers.

Why is he so close though? The bed wasn't so small that he would need to be so close, was it? My brows furrowed, shifting a hand I felt another hand on my waist, barely reaching me over Nico. Ah, there must be someone else on the bed. Probably Bianca if Nico's on here.

I imagined we would make quite the sight, the boy scared of males, being cradled in the arms of two males and a girl, all children.

Perfect blackmail is what Hermes would say. I could feel the mud still caked on my shirt, arms, and probably face and hair too. Sighing, I freeze before I open my eyes, there... there are a lot more breaths than just us four. My eyes snap open, silver. That's the first thing my eyes register. Then a lot of pain, the incoming flood of information my eyes brought reminded me of my rather painful headache, which doubled.

How NICE.

"Are you ok?" Leo whispers. I realize I groaned at the discomfort, cracking my eyes open to peer at him through my lids his worried gaze was flicking all over my face.

"'M fine." I slurred. "I should get you some meds." He made to move, I latched onto his arm. Sudden fear spiked my chest.

"Percy?"

"...don't leave."

"Oh Perce..." He pulled me tighter to his chest and ran his hands through my hair, the soothing gesture bringing forth soft memories of nearly forgotten smiles, blue eyes, and brown hair. It seems sad that Leo is the only one who can spark those kinds of memories now. Mom used to be able to, but now it only sparks her own old memories. The phantom thoughts brought smells of candy, cigarettes, and the ocean.

Gosh, Montauk how long had it been since he'd been there? The shabby cabin alone nestled among the dunes, the beach curling along as far as you could see, the ocean slamming against the shore, froth and seaweed, seashells and crabs. We used to look for blue shells. Why? Why were we so obsessed with blue? I can't remember, but I know it was important.

Maybe I could ask uncle Hades? He told me he personally judged my mom's soul, sending it to Elysium. That means he had to see her memories right? He'd know.

I didn't notice I was tapping out I love you in morse code on Leo's chest until he started crying. It'd become a bad habit of mine, when I'd learned of his past and his wordless I love you, I'd made sure to learn it for him. He sobbed for three hours the first time I did it for him. He shook a little and I knew he was holding in his sobs but the gentle kiss on the forehead was enough for me to know that my wordless thanks for his comfort got through.

We laid there for what seemed hours but was most likely only a half hour when, I helped him dry his face and we heard the first person wake up. It was still pretty early, the sun had only rose a little over the horizon. I looked over Leo's shoulder as legs came down from the bed above almost silent, I knew it was mom from the way she glowed just faintly around her edges, like the moons glow had seeped into her skin so much that it gained the same hazy shine.

She looked at me when she got down, water? Her eyes asked. A nod. Not a minute later I had a glass of water in my face and I felt my scratchy throat repair itself. My headache cut back in half and I could feel the way my leg was asleep from Nico's cutting off circulation.

"Shower?" I whisper, not wanting to wake anyone else. She nodded and her and Leo helped me untangle myself from Nico's octopus arms and into the shower. Leo asked if I wanted help, he knew I didn't want mom seeing my scars. I declined, I wanted to think.

"Maybe next time."

Leo's POV

I was worried

.

I mean I know I should be, but not for the reason that I am.

Percy left me with his mom, Artemis, who may like Percy, but she certainly didn't hold any affections for me other than budding respect for being the first male outside of his uncles Percy could talk to.

It was awkward.

It was silent.

It was awkward silence.

The worst type of silence.

Deciding I couldn't stand it anymore when only twenty seconds had passed, I asked something that had been on my mind for a while.

"Who crafts all your weapons?"

"What?" her head snaps in my direction.

"Well uh, you see I noticed you guys, uh I-I mean girls, have like daggers and arrow tips and stuff, and I was w-wondering who made all that, because I kinda doubt you guys want to do business with any guys, and well most blacksmiths are m-males, NOT saying that girls can't b-be blacksmiths it's just, uh... yea..." I trailed off, she was staring at me like I grew another head.

"We have the same blades and arrow tips that I got commissioned from Hephaestus when I started the Hunt. Why?"

"Oh, uh, I-I just noticed they looked a little dull, a-and was thinking I could sharpen them? Plus, have you ever thought of crossbows? Because I could build those, and Oh! I could make like little grenades made of some celestial bronze that explode in fragments in all directions, oh oh! And I could-"

"Could you really make that?" I froze as I realize I'd started waving my hands around in my excitement, pulling them to my sides I nodded meekly. She hmmed and tapped her foot in thought. I stayed still, gods what if she thought I was lying and smites me!? What if she thinks i'm an idiot and I lose the respect i've built?! What if she decides i'm a bad influence and keeps me from Percy?! What if-

"Alright."

Wait what?

"I-I'm sorry what?" She rolled her eyes, actually rolled them.

"No need for such nervousness Leo, you've... gained my, indifference." she was tense. Indifference, not hate though, that means she basically just said she LIKED me! I feel my face break into one of my huge impish grins that Percy tells me are a blend of mischievous, attractive, and terrifying all at once. I kind of love that. Her face twists into a grimace.

"Yes yes, whatever. Look here, I Artemis goddess of the Hunt, Moon, and Virginity, do claim Leo Valdez son of Hephaestus as the Hunts personal blacksmith, and when or if Percy decides he wishes to join permanently, Leo may become immortal as well." A glow of silver came from her skin and then lit up above my head in a small symbol of a bow loaded with an arrow across a moon, a minor claiming, my mind supplied.

"Awesome." I whisper, Artemis looks smug and a bit of thunder rumbles in the distance. I can hear the click of the bathroom door and Percy comes out in a fresh set of his hunters clothes. He looks from my imp grin, to Artemis' smug half grin and narrows his eyes stepping back into the bathroom.

"Okay, I know I was nearly hit by lightning, but even I know something weird is going on." I laughed,

"I just got a minor blessing from your mom! I'm your guys' personal blacksmith now!" He whisper shouted I can feel my face breaking into one of my rare big smiles,

"Really?" I look to my mom, she sighs and nods,

"And I gave him a stipulation, that if you decide to take on my full blessing, he may become immortal as well." That's it, the skin on my face feels way too stretched and I can feel the damn twinkles in my eyes.

"No way." I whisper, then I lunge forward and hug my mom, she doesn't even hesitate to wrap her arms around me anymore.

"Thank you mom." I mumble into her stomach, she's in her twentyish year old form. She squeezed my shoulders, you're welcome.

I let go and turn to Leo, his face still has smudges of dirt along with his pants and arms, a part of his clothes are blackened, though i'm not sure on whether that's from the lightning or himself.

"What do ya say flame breath? Partners in crime, forever?" he smiled even bigger, if that was even possible.

"Hell yes, seaweed brain." I laughed, Leo laughed, Artemis laughed, everyone woke up, Nico groaned.

"Shut. Up."

I laughed harder.

.

..

.

The days passed quickly, too quickly. More spars, rule breaking, satyr tipping (don't ask), capture the flag, strawberry picking, blue food, and singalongs.

The end of the hunters week had come. They were leaving in ten minutes.

We all stood on Half-blood Hill giving out hugs, teary goodbyes, and promises. Ok I was giving out hugs, saying teary goodbyes, and promising my sister's I wouldn't become "corrupt".

By the time I got to mom I was sobbing and so was she, we hugged each other tight, my sisters slowly adding to the hug, making it another group hug, like the one they gave me the day I became a part of their family.

"I love you girls." I whisper, but I know they all heard me. Nearly silent responses were called back, my mom crushing me to her chest.

"I love you Perseus Argentum Jackson. My son." she whispered. I, sobbed.

We stayed like that for the rest of the time, until one by one, my sisters let go. I admit to the whimper I released when mom let go too. Suddenly Leo was there, Ms.O'Leary too. Nico and Bianca coming to stand on the opposite side of Leo, who was crushing my right hand.

I didn't care. My family was leaving me, my mom was leaving me, again.

Nico grabbed my left hand and Bianca grabbed his. Ms.O'leary was so close to my back I could feel every puff of her breath, as I watched my family of six years, disappear from view.

We stayed there long after they were gone, missing lunch and only left when dinner came around. Mostly because Leo dragged me away. My eyes felt scratchy, my tongue heavy, and I couldn't even tap out I love you to Leo when he wiped my tears away before anyone else saw me.

I was numb when I sat at my table, numb when I looked at the empty silver one, numb when I sat at it instead, numb when I heard the whispers of 'disrespect' and 'rule breaker' or 'special treatment', numb when Leo sat next to me, numb when Nico and Bianca did too, numb when I ate a quarter of my blue food.

Numb when I went to the bonfire, numb when the Apollo cabin started the sing along, numb for s'mores, numb to the looks of worry, disgust, and curiosity. I was numb when we all curled into my bed again, I was so numb I didn't dream,

I was simply,

numb.

AN:

HOLY ASHDFHLKSJGGH A CHAPTER!?

I'M ALIVE!?

WHAT?

I know, I know. You are all amazed at my ability to come back from the dead. Repeatedly...

Anyways. Guess who graduated High school on the 9th? This chick! WhOoP! My job hunting has been successful as well. You can be proud now faja. :') lol

SOoooo, How'd you like it? Good bad, AWFUL AND SHOULD BE THROWN IN TARTARUS? Let me know. Also thank you to the awesome reviewer who gave me the Leo being the hunts personal blacksmith idea! I'm sorry this took so long, like wow. More than a month for one shitty short chapter. *sigh* sorry guys. I wish I could be one of those writers that have set post dates and update at least once a week. But ALAS, I am SLOW and LACK INSPIRATION. *sobs* But fear not! (flips emotions like switch because i'm exhausted and sleep deprived) I WILL NEVER ABANDON MY STORY! IT WILL BE FINISHED, eventually...

I'm gonna go to bed before I pass out at my computer, it's currently 2 am where I'm at. Goodnight everyone. Hope you enjoyed the chapter. (Poor Percy)

Love,

WolfMistwood