Inferno (Leo Valdez x OC) (2)

When losing an argument. Zoo.

I ran a hand through Leo's curls, sighing. "It doesn't say I'll definitely die."

Leo nodded slightly. "It said 'to be answered' right? So, if I stay with you, then I can always be there to answer."

A small smile spread across my lips as I lifted Leo's chin up so he was looking into my eyes. A pink hue spread across his cheeks. "That's sweet of you Leo but I can't ask you to do that."

He shook his head quickly. "You're not asking me. I thought of it. I can make sure if you need help then your 'call' or whatever gets answered."

I smiled sadly. "You can't avoid prophecies Leo. Whatever the Fates have planned, it will happen."

He sighed. "That's stupid." He muttered.

I shrugged. "I didn't make the rules, heck I barely follow them most of the time but I do know one thing. I won't leave you. We stick together remember?"

Leo smiled. "Yeah. I'm not letting you get away from me that easily, mariposa."

I grinned. "Still don't know what you're saying, Wyneb tân but I'll let it slide."

Leo stood, brushing dust off his legs and offered me a hand. "Well, I don't even know how to pronounce yours so you've got no room to complain."

I accepted his hand and he pulled me to my feet before marching over to the control panel. I could still see the dull look in his eye he tried to cover up whenever he was upset but if he wanted to put on a brave face, then I would too. For him.

We made our way over to Festus, the figurehead. Leo perked up a bit at the sight of the bronze dragon's head.

"How are things looking Festus?" Leo asked.

Festus snorted and made a sequence of squeaking, whirring sounds. Over the last few months, Leo had learnt how to fluently speak the language. I could still only understand parts, usually when the dragon was attempting morse code. Leo had laughed about it one time while building the Argo II, pointing out that most demigods knew Roman and Greek, while we were here learning Creak and Squeak.

Leo frowned slightly. "Hm, could be worse. But the hull is compromised in several places. The port aerials have to be fixed before we can go full speed again. We'll need some repair materials: Celestial bronze, tar, lime-".

"Wait." I frowned. "Why do you need limes?"

Leo snorted. "Lime. Calcium carbonate? Used in cement and a bunch of other- never mind. The point is the ship isn't going far unless we fix it."

I nodded slowly. "Why'd they name it lime though?"

Leo sighed. "I don't know."

"Like, I love limes but I'm not gonna go name some chemical compound after it."

"You love limes?"

"Yeah, like in a restaurant and they give you a glass with a slice of lemon or lime in it. Then you just eat the lemon or lime?"

Leo gaped. "I've lived on the streets for the majority of my life so I don't know much about restaurants but I don't think you're meant to eat it."

I furrowed my brows. "Then why give it to you?"

Leo paused. "Cause..." he sighed. "Do they taste nice?"

I nodded.

"I kinda want to try one now."

"See! Dude, they taste nice. It's sour at first but then you get used to it and it's quite refreshing. Who needs the drink at that point? I have lime." I nodded.