Are Those Feelings? Get Them Away From Me!

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Before leaving, Percy pulls Leo and Ara aside and tells them Hazel's story. Partly so they understand why she acts weird sometimes, partly so Ara doesn't go around saying mean stuff about Nico.

Ara isn't surprised to hear there is another big-three kid around, she's just angry that Nico never told them, not even Lily, about Camp Jupiter.

She keeps wondering if she pressed Nico and Lily to fit in so much that they gave up and now they're just pretending to be okay to get her off their backs.

These thoughts do nothing to brighten her mood.

***

Last week Lily got into a fight with an Ares kid and busted his lip. I wasn't there to stop her because I was with Beckendorf, where I made a fan catch fire. Whoops, I guess. We're about to drive Michael crazy and cause him early baldness.

"For the thousandth time, Lily Saggio," our friend scolds her while organizing the supplies in the infirmary. "You cannot fight the entire Ares cabin. You should know better than to become their enemy."

"It's not her fault," I defend her, though most of my attention is on the legos I'm playing with.

"And you're no better!" He snaps immediately. "You and Tyson are a dangerous combination. He tries anything you want and you turn into a mad scientist with the free reign he gives you, your inventions always get out of control."

"So we are the ideal couple," I grin. "Because Tyson is immune to fire."

"That doesn't mean you can't die in one," Mike raises a brow. "Look, beasts, I've thought about it, and it's about time you calm down."

"What do you mean by that?" Lily stops the fidgeting with her stygian dagger.

"From now on you have to limit your problems to one every two weeks. I can't be looking after you all the time."

Lily and I share a look. I turn to our friend. "Don't you prefer a massage?"

Mike kicks us out of the cabin and Lily scoffs, putting her daggers away and taking half of my legos. "I don't know why you like him, he's a grumpy little jerk."

"Hush!" I look around frantically. I told her about my crush on Mike in secrecy but sometimes she brings it up in public like it's nothing, it freaks me out. "I don't know either, alright? I just do."

As the day goes on, I'm still thinking about Mike's request. He's right, we abuse the fact that he's always there to fix our problems.

"Hey," I sit next to him during the campfire. "What you asked this afternoon... I'll do it."

He looks at me, raising his eyebrows as if he can't believe what he's listening. "Really?

"It's time I learned manners, I think," I shrug, fixing my eyes on my feet. "The fires are not that fun anyway."

Mike hugs me and laughs, his entire body glows a pretty leaf-green color. Michael isn't a fan of physical affection, but when he does it, it means that he's really happy.

"Thank you, bug."

"No problem," I smile at him.

I don't know what to call Mike nowadays, my best friend, protector, or some sort of platonic crush. All I know is there's nothing in the world that I wouldn't do to keep him happy. I think he feels the same way.

***

Leo cheers up during the horse ride, which is surprising cause he's not a huge fan of living creatures, except Pollo. Maybe he's a fan of dangerous, crazy pets. He keeps touching the horse's side, eyes shiny as he pays close attention to his movements.

The Curse of Oenone (Daughter of Olympus II) - [Leo Valdez xF!Oc]Where stories live. Discover now