92. Wrinkle
Reyna has been with him through so much.
Winning the war, his first time, their wedding, their children, his first wrinkle...
Now it's his turn, he knows, to be there for her.
Leo doesn't remember what the doctor did after he told them that Reyna had cancer. He doesn't remember the words he said, the look on his face or the tone he said it in.
All he remembers is Reyna squeezing his hand so hard it hurt. Her face, looking so scared for a second, but then going blank.
But when she'd met his eyes and held his gaze after the words left the doctors mouth Leo had felt something shatter and break inside.
He knows they've had long lives. He knows that. They're going on 60 and compared to most demigods they're absolutely ancient but it isn't enough.
No matter how long he gets with Reyna, it will never be enough.
But Gods, does he want more.
He can hope and he can pray to Apollo and every single other god out there but he knows the way Reyna knows, that time is running out for them.
He's so scared. He knew he was lonely before he met her, before they were dating and together and them, but now that he knows what it's like to be with Reyna and be the one she wakes up with every morning and says 'I love you too', he cant imagine going back from that.
But Leo has to be strong for her. Reyna is the one who is losing everything, the one in pain and who's life is in danger.
Leo does all he can to help.
He tries not to be obvious, because after being married to her for 40 years you learn things about someone and what he's learned about Reyna is that she hates charity and pity. So he does little things. He cooks more so she can come home and just rest, because she's been tired more and more often lately. He's been making sure their kids call and visit as much as they can and he knows every time they do Reyna appreciates it.
Their friends make a point of coming over, but whenever Leo's around it always seems like it's that cloud hanging over them all.
Then there's the nights where neither of them can ignore it anymore.
"Leo," Reyna rolls over on the bed to face him in the darkness of their room. "Tell me you're going to be okay."
He feels her hand touch his and he links their fingers together. "What do you mean?"
She takes a deep breath. "I've just- I've been thinking. About what it would be like for me to lose you. And I can't even picture it, I can't imagine being the one left behind. I just want- I need to know that you're going to be okay and you won't do anything stupid and- and- I've accepted what's happening to me, that there's nothing we can do, but I just can't accept leaving you alone."
He had to be strong for her. Tell her what she needs to hear.
"Losing you is going to hurt me," he tells her. "I- can't even imagine what that will be like and I am going to miss you like crazy." He takes a deep breath. "But I promise you that I will be okay."
He's lying.