Different (Leo Valdez X Male OC)

Chapter 6

The following morning I had woken up to Maria playing with my hair. It wasn't shocking since she was at the age of crawling out of her crib, however I noticed that Leo was standing behind her with Will.

"Rise and shine Brillo Solar time for our impending doom. I mean quest," Leo states placing a backpack on the end of the bed.

I let out a heavy sigh sitting up, the blanket falling down revealing my bare torso. Since I wasn't the center of attention this morning, at least right now, I wasn't embarrassed by my lack of a shirt. That and because we were the only ones awake. I'm surprised Maria didn't wake everyone up with her morning babbles. They might find it annoying but I always found it adorable.

"There's no way out of this, is there?" I asked already knowing the answer, one could only hope that it would change. They shook their heads looking just as glum as I felt.

"Unfortunately the gods don't take rejection lightly. If we refused to take on the quest then we'd most likely die," Will replied smiling at Maria who wanted him to pick her up. I noticed she was changed out of her onesie into a flowery dress with flowers braided into her hair. She looked adorable.

"Despite us saving the world a few times. You'd think they'd be grateful," Leo retorts holding his hands up in surrender hoping not to get blasted by lightning.

"Right so you've both saved the world but want a newbie on your team. Something tells me this isn't gonna end well. Where are we even going?" I asked opening one of the suitcases I packed. After rummaging through it for a few minutes I picked out grey sweats and pink tank top. I slipped past them to get changed behind a screen.

"To see the Roman camp in San Francisco. Our friend Jason is there, and part of the prophecy too," Leo replied from the other side of the thing. It didn't take me long to change, and once back by my stuff I began putting extra clothes and things into the backpack Leo provided for me.

"So he's the greet an old friend part of this," I state already knowing the answer I was mostly trying to make sense of it all. Seeing as it was all so new to me. They nodded and Kayla came into the cabin, looking like she just got done running.

"I can watch her now if you guys are ready to leave," she says nodding towards my sister who now had fists full of Leos hair as she leaned out of Will's arms towards him. The boy looked like he wanted to say something to the toddler but decided playing nice was the best option. Given the circumstances.

"Yeah um there just a few things you should know. She's got attachment issues but usually will calm down if she has her teddy. She's still uses a bottle for milk but eats most things. Here's a list of her allergies and her EpiPen incase of emergencies. She love horses as well as the ocean so if you ever need to calm her down take her to see one of them. Lastly she takes night terrors but can be lulled back to sleep if you sing to her," I informed hoping I didn't miss anything important. Maria was the most important thing to me, so her safety was my highest priority.

"You have my word that she will be well looked after brother," Kayla replied taking the list. She pinned it to the bulletin board.

"Thanks sister," I thanked her, finding it strange having more siblings. Well half siblings but still family.

"Den den leave," Maria cooed looking sad making grabby hands at me. I reluctantly took her from Will and Leo seemed happy to have his hair back.

"Yeah angel Kayden must leave for awhile but you'll be well looked after," I replied wrapping my arms around her. She looked into my eyes placing her little hand on my cheek.

"Back me,back me," she said and I knew what she meant despite it being a incomplete sentence.

"Yes I promise I'll come back to you, always," I promised knowing that I had to at least get back safely for her sake. She was so dependent on me right now, I'd do anything to come back to her.

"Wub u," she smiled kissing my cheek. I tried my hardest not to cry. This would be the first time we'd ever been away from one another, she was my everything.

"Love you too," I smiled giving her one last hug before handing her to Kayla and we walked out of the cabin where Nico was waiting for us with his stuff. Once outside I couldn't hold the tear that fell down my cheek. Since my mother died saying goodbye has been hard for me but I knew Maria would be safe here and that's all I ever wanted for her.

"The prophecy didn't predict any deaths, so we'll come back from this," Will reassured taking his boyfriend's hand. They were the total opposite of one another but I guess that's what made them work. I'll admit they were cute together. Will definitely was the one who worried for Nico's safety while the son of Hades did reckless things.

"Yeah besides the gods need us very much alive, although don't expect them to intervene unless at the most unconventional of times," Leo states as we began walking to the woods. I'm not sure where we were going but the boys lead the way, as if doing this on the daily.

The path lead us into a clearing where a massive boat was stationed. Only it was on dry land, since we were in the middle of the woods. That and the fact there weren't any docks on the beach to  dock one.

The entire thing was made out of a shiny metal, like the tips of Will's arrows or the hammerhead of the hammer Leo carried in his magical tool belt. There were intricate designs within the metal work and the vessel itself was breathtaking.

"Admiring my handiwork are you?" Leo asked wiggling his brows. His smiled brightened when he took in my stunned expression.

"You built this?" I asked pointing to the mammoth of a boat. Looks like it would've taken him years to build it, as it was the size of a top tier war ship.

"Yeah along with some of my siblings. Only took a few months, she's been through alot but she's my pride and joy," he replied gently patting the hull "We couldn't have saved the world without her,"

"Alright so we are going to sail to San Francisco. How are we going to get it into the water. No offence but there's nothing to pull it down to the beach," I pondered and they laughed at me.

"It doesn't just float. But to answer your question, we aren't sailing it. But rather flying it," Nico informed before climbing up the gangplank carrying his stuff along with Will's.

So here we were, four teenage boys about to embark on a life saving mission. On a quest to San Francisco where the fate of the world depended on us, and our means of transportation was a flying metal war ship that would definitely draw attention.

Wish me luck.....