Drowning in the Siren's Song -II

Chapter 11

Leo's hands were trembling. He was still in the middle of processing the events which had unfolded just minutes ago and was too shaken to grasp the situation properly. In the mess of his mind, he failed to realize that Percy getting the cut on his back was a calculated move. 

To him, it seemed like Percy had risked his life to save Leo. And because he had moved around a lot to fight, the blood stains had travelled across his shirt, marking them a deep scarlet. 

Much to Percy's surprise, Leo caught himself pretty quick. He hadn't thought about why and how Percy got hurt. He was more focused on the fact that Percy was hurt. It was strangely touching. 

"Wha- What do we do?" His hands still held their tremor but his eyes had steadied. "Water- yes, we need water at least. And Medicine! Right- I know a shop, and bandages...." He rushed. "Can you walk? Wait-no, you wait here, I'll be right back." 
He turned around, ready to fly. 

"Okay, I'll be right here." Percy sat down in place, feeling good even though the constant thrum of pain never left him. For an injury like this, it would only take him seconds to heal. Even before he had planned on getting the cut, he had already pulled up some underground water for the aftermath. The puddle was nearby and had been ready to be willed anytime. But, he didn't particularly feel inclined to reveal the truth.

So he simply sat in place like he'd promised and waited for the kid. He chuckled lightly when he imagined Leo scrambling between people and picking locks. He wasn't worried. Leo was smart and Percy was sure he had several manipulative bones built in. 

As he waited, the dull throb of pain progressed steadily. The adrenaline was leaving him feeling tired and worn out. He did get hurt often and sore muscles was not an unfamiliar concept to him but after being so used to healing himself quickly, the wait was really taking a toll on him. 

Thankfully, Keria distracted him. She settled near him after announcing her presence with a particularly dramatic flair of her wings. Percy rolled his eyes, letting her know that Leo was away. She in return sent him waves of displeasure. 
Ever since she found out Leo was scared of her and watched her with awe, she'd been prancing around, hence the grand entry. Thought it was fun for him to see Leo's reactions, he did take pity on the boy. 

He hummed a soft tune while he petted her wings. It was the fastest, and the most simplest way of calming the little beast. That was when he noticed that Keria had not come empty handed. While she was nuzzling into his hand, he saw that she had picked up the Minotaur's horn which he'd cut. 

It was rare for monsters to leave such rich spoils and so, seeing the gleaming horn made him feel proud. He decided it was an appropriate gift for Leo. Something to commemorate him and his achievement. He reached to grab the horn and flinched as he was, again, reminded of his injury.

He decided that if Leo wasn't going to be there in the next few minutes, he was at least going to heal himself a little. He winced as he moved for a bit. He was starting to really get stiff. He leaned against the rusted metal, sitting awkwardly as to not aggravate his back again. And just as he was about to will the water closer, the trot of Leo's footsteps called his attention. 

"Had fun?" Percy was grumpy and Leo was glad to see it. He'd been plagued with the fear that he might've been unconscious (or even dead) so he'd ran like a madman all the way. Seeing him slumped over and sweating was so much more better. 

"Yep!" He chirped, somehow manifesting a smile. Unfortunately, the glare he got in return made him shut up nicely. He dropped the bundle he was holding, letting the various bandages and tubes roll forward. He could see Percy's eyes visibly sharpen as he focused. 

He quickly and efficiently took note of what Leo brought, using him as no more of an assistant to fetch and ready his medical aid. Just as he prepared the bandage and told Leo how and where to put it, he removed his shirt and turned around slowly as to not aggravate it more. 

What Leo saw was a completely scarred back. 
There was barely any skin left untouched, and even if there was more, he couldn't see it because it was painted red. The ugly terrain the marks left on his body made him tear up. 
And worst part was that Leo could recognize those marks. 

He could see Percy tensing below him, gauging his reaction. Leo remained mute and simply placed the bandage over the gash, helping Percy wrap the gauze over it. Of course there were consequences to having such tremendous power. 

His glistening eyes started to drop tears as the whole event hit him again in full force. His life had never been easy thus far- jumping from foster home to foster home and escaping again and again, but knowing that a future full of monsters and ruthless fights was awaiting him made him tremble in hopelessness. 

But that wasn't what was making him cry. He'd been living with such hopelessness even since his mother died; he'd learnt to live with it. What truly make him upset was that he could see firsthand that Percy had a much worst childhood. 

Maybe because Leo was so quiet Percy got anxious. "I got hurt a lot before... I got those scars then." He fiddled with the ends of the white gauze. "I don't get hurt now. At least, less often." 

Leo was the type to cry quietly, not letting a sound out. He knew if he opened his mouth now, he would let out who knew what kind of sounds. So instead, as an answer, he shifted so that he was in front of Percy again and moved before Percy could ask him why he was crying. 

He removed his own shirt and turned, letting the matching marks on his back talk.