In Pursuit of Lost Echoes

010

Leo

Leo didn't stick around after Piper turned beautiful. Sure it was amazing and all- She's got makeup! What a miracle! - but Leo had problems to deal with. 

He left his seat trying to spot Astraea in the crowd of people cornering Piper and Jason, wondering what he had gotten himself into. He'd stood up in front of a bunch of stronger, braver demigods and volunteered- volunteered- for a mission that would probably get him killed. 

"Astraea," Leo called out finding the girl. Astraea stood next to Annabeth, her brown hair rebraided, and a kind smile adorned her face while she watched Piper get congratulated , he gently tapped her shoulder. "Can I ask for some help?" he asked, giving her a smile.

Astraea pursed her lips, "Valdez, what is it?" she asked kindly, raising her eyebrow. 

"In private," he said, adding on a "please." as he walked into the forrest, away from the crowds of demigods. Astraea following him. 

He trudged deeper in the woods, the light of the bonfire slowly disappearing. 

"Leo, what's going on?" Astraea asked after a few moments of walking in silence. 

"I need to find a ride for this quest," Leo started, nervously fidgeting with his fingers. 

"Okay.." Astraea said, trying to figure out where this conversation is heading. 

"Well, I'm going to try to get the dragon, and I kinda need your help." He spurred out, watching Astraea's eyes widen, and then go back to their regular size. She smiles at him like he's a little kid telling her some made up story. 

"And how are we going to do that?" she asks putting her hands on her hips, "he breaths fire you know, he might try to burn both of us. And you saw what happened to Jake Mason who got too close to it." 

"I know but I have something that will help me." Leo said, rolling up his sleeves. "Just please, don't freak out." he said, quietly praying in his head that she doesn't think he's a freak and run away. 

Leo looks at Astraea, who looks back at him, puzzled. 

Then he summoned the fire. Flames danced along his fingertips, casting enough light to see more of Astraea's now terrified face, and the forest around them. There was just a moment of silence until the next thing he sees is Astraea running up to him and smacking his arms as hard as she can. The fire extinguishes from his fingers making the forest go dark again.

"What was that for?" he asked, rubbing his palms together gently to get the stinging sensation of Astraea's smacks away. 

"You were on fire!" she exclaimed loudly, eyes still wide, looking Leo up and down. "Are you hurt? Do I need to get Chiron?" 

"I appreciate the concern love, but no need to beat me up." Leo laughed, forgetting his pained arms upon seeing Astraea's genuine concern. 

"This isn't funny Valdez, are you insane? You were on fire." She said waving her arms around. 

"I'm always on fire." he said, winking at her.

"This isn't funny." Astraea said, turning around and walking away angrily. 

"Okay, sorry, you're right." Leo said, jogging slightly after her, and taking her hand. "Let me explain." 

She turned around looking at Leo's hand holding hers. His stupid face flushing in embarrassment once again, dropping her hand gently, no matter how much he wanted to continue holding it. Leo was very happy it was dark and she couldn't see how red he was from that simple contact. Leo began his story from the beginning, how this was the gift he was born with and also the gift that brought the end to his world, the death of his mother. How he was in foster care, how he ran away, and was rejected by all of his family. How Juno or Hera or whoever she was used to be his babysitter- Tia Callida. And everything that he held a secret for so long he told this girl who he only knew for one day. A part of him was so relived to get it off his chest, another part of him was so doubtful that she will stay after hearing everything.