You'll Learn to Love Me (Leo Valdez x OC)

Chapter 28: Reunited

Laylana stood on the shore of the beach of camp, looking up at the ship that her boyfriend had taken months to build. They were setting sail that hour, in hopes of reaching the West Coast as quickly as possible. They had a relative location, and were sending teams to scout the area and arrive before they did. Hopefully the first team would arrive shortly before the ship.

"Laylana!" Will's voice filled Laylana's ears as the boy came running to the beach, crushing her in a hug. 

"Will, my ribs!" Laylana whimpered as he released her. 

"Sorry, just..." Will sighed. "Last time you went on a quest, you died. I really do not want to hear any of that happening again." 

"It won't Solace, I'll be fine." Laylana smiled at him, bringing him into another but more gentle hug. "I have my friends and Leo to keep me safe. We'll be okay." 

"I know. Just..." Will hesitated. "Be careful. Please." 

"I will." Laylana finally let go. "Take care of people here. Okay?" 

"And you take care of people there. I've taught you as much as I can." Over the last week after Laylana finished decorating, she went to Will for knowledge on how to treat more injuries, just on the off chance. They stocked up on medical supplies in the sick bay, and Laylana was ready to be the person in charge of it.

"Thank you... If you see Nico, tell him I'm sorry I couldn't see him before I left." 

"I will." Will promised. Laylana squeezed his hand one more time and planted a kiss on his cheek before turning to the ship. She had said her goodbyes to the rest of her friends, and Chiron, and was as ready as she could be. She climbed up the plank leading to the ship, her daggers strapped to her hips and her throwing knives attached to her leg. 

Annabeth and Leo were up on deck, talking over the route they were taking and discussing how long it would take to get there. She left them alone, climbing below deck. She passed by each person's bedroom, Piper and Jason having been in Jason's with the door opened. Jason was now adorning a Roman toga, and Piper was giving him what seemed to be a pep talk. Gleeson was in his room, a solemn look on his face as he fiddled with the television set. 

Laylana walked into her own room, spotting her belongings in a bag set to be unpacked whenever she wanted. She sat on her bed and looked over at her set of armor was propped up in her dresser, having been newly polished and fixed up, courtesy of her boyfriend. Her speakers and mP3 player sat on her desk, ready to go anytime she or anyone else wanted. She got lost looking at the photos hung up on the wall, various polaroids from her time at camp. Her eyes stayed on one of her and her brother after their first year at camp. Both of them looked so carefree, and happy. That was right before Luke's betrayal. 

"Laylana?" She heard Annabeth's voice, looking up at her. "Hey, we're gonna be taking off soon. Are you okay down here, or do you wanna come up?" 

"I'll come up." Laylana stood. "Sorry, just... lost in thought." 

"I get it." Annabeth sighed. "Are you nervous too?" 

"Yeah..." Laylana felt the tears welling in her eyes. "What if he doesn't remember, Annabeth? I don't know what I'm gonna do." 

"We need to think positively, Layla." Annabeth felt her own tears in her eyes, but she couldn't cry in front of her. Laylana had gone through too much, she needed something positive in her life. "Come on. Leo's wondering where you wandered off to." 

Laylana wiped the tears away and nodded, following Annabeth up to the main deck where they found the others in the ship. They went to the hull, Leo mumbling to himself about various things that Laylana barely recognized, until his face morphed into a smile when he saw her.