Author's Note: Just like I promised, here's chapter dos! I got 139 views and 4 alerts from my first chapter and I'm really pleased. Thank you for reading and I hope you guys enjoy this second chapter:)


CHAPTER 2

Leo was glad he received a call from Hazel Levesque.

Sure from their accumulated past Leo assumed Hazel did harbor some feelings for him. Not necessarily good. He looked like his dead supposed-to-be boyfriend from her first life. Leo knew just by his presence brought back bad painful memories. Though by just giving him a call made Leo relieved. Hazel seems to be in an okay terms with him.

"So, you'll do it?" Hazel asked through an Iris message. Leo's still creep out for a Roman using Greek messaging. And the fact that Hazel can see Leo. He probably looked disgusting with the grease covering most of his body.

"I'm up for it, really." Leo scratched the back of his head. "It's just that Romans, a camp full of Romans. Probably still angry at me—specifically at me—for shooting at you guys. And Reyna, sheesh, she still gives me the creeps."

Hazel smiled visibly from the IM. "It'll be fine. After saving the world I think the Romans will cut us some slack. And besides, I got your back. And Frank. He's a preator. He'll appease the crowd. Your helping us anyway."

Frank. He's the person Leo's worried the most.

Your boyfriend will flip having you hang out with me all day!

"Okay," he said, slowly giving in. "As long as I'm in the armory I guess it'll be fine."

Hazel clapped with joy. "Good, see you at ten." Then the Iris message faintly disappeared.

Leo breath out a heavy sigh. He should enjoy this, he thought to himself.

He got the opportunity to work in a Roman armory. How cool is that? He'll probably be the first from their camp. Also, this goes with the bragging to some of his siblings. But all the reasons combined, Leo is excited to tinker unorthodox materials. It'll probably start off weird in his hands but maybe after some time, his hands will settle. Holy Hephaestus, he was excited but anxious as well.

Leo will also be the only Greek demigod there. Hazel specifically asked for him. It was Reyna's order she said but he's having hard time believing that.

Festus squeaked and groan at his side.

"C'mon buddy." he muttered.


With Festus as mode of transportation, his ride only took two hours to reach California. Hills evenly rolled out on the green wide plane. A river settled at one side that shimmered. A mixture of gold and ivory, an overall beauty. From above, Leo spotted a frizzy dark hair girl that seems to be waving at him. A burly guy stood next to her.

"You made it!" Hazel yelled as Leo landed. Frank stood uncomfortably.

"I made it." he said as he hopped off of Festus. Hazel deposited a quick friendly hug. Leo tried not to breathe.

"I missed you." Hazel giggled.

Leo smiled warily. Better not say that out loud, he thought.

"Hey," Frank stammered. Leo offered him a limp wave.

From where he was standing, Camp Jupiter looked the same like the last time he was there. Old Roman houses stood not far from them. Ghosts flew in different directions as Roman demigods and descendants passed by. Leo stifled a nervous sigh.

"So yeah, the armory?"

"Right. Frank, I'll take it from here. Thanks for walking me." Hazel turned to Frank.

"No," Frank choked. "I think it would be best if I see you through, I mean, see you both through. Being praetor and everything."

Leo wanted to laugh. He wanted to assure Frank he has nothing to worry. He's not here to make a move on his girl. Leo's here for one reason only: to help out their armory and maybe fix some broken Roman equipments that was repelled from the attack. Leo wanted to be friends with the guy and maybe, you know, remove the tension he always get whenever he's with Hazel (probably all the girls with their insecure boyfriends). He's not that type of guy.

Instead, he helped Frank out.

"Sure man. That's a great idea." Leo did his best to sound enthusiastic. "I don't want you guys to have any problems with Reyna. She practically assigned you two to cover for me." Leo grinned a goofy one and wink as well. He prayed Frank could get the message.

Frank caught his eyes. "Oh yeah," he stammered. "Right. So after you," Frank, being a gentleman, waved his arms for Hazel to go first.

Hazel smiled warmly then walked ahead.

Frank was going to follow her lead when Leo grabbed his shoulder.

"Dude," Leo started. "I know this is all weird and everything but I want to be cool with you guys, you especially." He kept his eye contact with Frank the whole time though he was a little nervous. Leo balanced his weight on one foot showing off his lax posture. He wanted to remove the awkwardness so maybe being loose and having the pep talk are probably the best way to start.

Frank glanced at him for a moment too long. He then spoke in a low voice, "I get it. I'm sorry. It's my fault." His shoulders shook as he speak. "I'm still new to this dating thing, I uhmm, still getting used to this." He tried to smile but failed.

"But I'm okay now. And I love seeing her hang out with other people. After all we've been through we're all friends, right?"

"Exactly!" Leo exclaimed. "So good. Can I hang out with Hazel now?" he asked, then added, "as friends?"

Frank smiled. "Sure buddy."

Leo ran to catch up with Hazel leaving Frank waving at him as he leaves.


"Holy Hera, this place is legit!"

Leo is at awe when he and Hazel finally reached the armory. As they navigated through Camp Jupiter, he expected what's coming. Angry (from what Leo observed) Romans were giving him looks that were filled with hatred and disgust. Others muttered "graecus" which is probably not a compliment here. He did his best not to cling at Hazel who seems unaware of the tension-filled path they were walking through.

Behind the barracks, the armory stood. It's built with low ceiling with ivory columns formed on the outside. It's size wasn't that fancy but once they were inside, it was a demigod haven (for Hephaestus/Vulcan, that is). Leo didn't bother to hide his fascination.

"This is nothing like our camp. Sure our armory is big in size but your equipment is just fine."

Tools with variety hung the walls. Imperial gold was piled up in a corner.

"We're running low in blacksmiths because our camp prioritize more on warriors and schemers. It always has been."

"I can see that," Leo silently muttered. He started at the working table and familiarized himself with the Roman tools: from biggest to smallest, from easy to hard.

"Oh my gods, I love this." Leo said with a grin in which Hazel seems to enjoy.

"I'm glad your enjoying your stay." she said. Then out of nowhere, something shiny caught Leo's eyes. It was lying a foot next to Hazel. Some sort of precious stone.

"Is that a diamond?!" his eyes were burning.

Hazel seems to question his sudden excitement.

"What diamond? I rarely summoned that type of stone. Diamonds are hard to find these days." she said with non-intended nonchalance.

"Uhh, then what's that?" Leo pointed at the stone. Hazel suddenly went alarmed.

"Oh gods, I'm sorry. I'm just really nervous around you." she said, panicking. Hazel started fanning her face like she usually does whenever she's nervous. She was on her way on picking it up when Leo beat her to it.

Leo practically slammed his body to Hazel's. He didn't know what he was thinking. His mind was focused on the diamond in which he really wants to inspect if it is a diamond, predicting his future life rich as hell. Leo's intention was never to be caught in a very boyfriend-maddening type of position.

He was on top of Hazel.

She was surprised, shocked even to speak. Leo didn't move. Hazel has pretty eyes, he thought. Her eyes were sparkling like the diamond.

"Hey man. Festus is scaring the kids at the city. Can you tame him Leo—"

Three pair of eyes went unblinking.

Never in Leo's life he imagined to see someone's face had the mixture of surprise/anger/embarrassment/I-want-to-break-your-neck at the same time.

He never knew it was possible.