63. Last
Leo's heard people say that when you're dying your life flashes before your eyes.
It's not true, he discovers that day. Leo lays there gasping and as he dies, he thinks of his lasts.
Leo's last high five was earlier today with Piper, before they got their armor and suited up for battle.
Leo's last kiss on the cheek is from Annabeth who has a strange look in her eye and seems too sad- it's as if she knew one of them wasn't going to make it.
His last hug is from Jason right after he's made Jason laugh at a stupid joke. When Jason stops laughing the humor leaves his eyes, he looks at the army he's leading, gives a big speech, and then they charge Gaea and her giants.
Frank gives him his last nod, Hazel slips her hand into his and squeezes quickly before letting go, and Percy is Leo's last laugh. He's sad, because he thinks in another life he could have gotten along with Percy like two peas in a pod- they both have that sense of humor.
His last kiss is from Reyna and gods, what a kiss it was. It was all lips and tongue and he couldn't remember his name after, and almost forgot how to breathe. They charge into battle side by side, and when he loses sight of her, Leo panics, but only for a second.
Reyna's a big girl, she can handle herself. He knows better than anybody.
Leo's last foe is Polybotes and his luck finally seems to run out because when the spear pierces him all Leo can think was, 'Not fast enough this time.'
Percy comes up two seconds later and kills the giant with the help of Demeter (of all goddesses) and Leo understands now how loyalty could be a fatal flaw because the son of Poseidon is almost killed trying to stay with him.
(Percy goes to kill the dracaena and he doesn't come back. Leo doesn't blame him- he doesn't want any of his friends getting injured while trying to stay with his broken body lying on the ground.)
Later he thinks the fighting dies down. He spots Reyna and his last words are "Love….you…" Even though she can't hear him.
The last thing he hears is Reyna screeching, like she's the one who's been stabbed- but dying people don't make sounds, or at least Leo isn't, so that's wrong isn't it-?
He's too confused and his brain is foggy, he doesn't even know what he's thinking anymore.
Then sound fades until it's his heartbeat pounding in his ears. (He wishes it was Reyna's voice. That would be a nicer sound to die to.)
His last feeling is the teardrop that lands on his cheek and slither down his neck.
His last thought is, dammit, we never got married.
Leo's last breath is the one that ghosts across Reyna's face just as she leans down to check if he's still breathing.
(He isn't.)