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

Chapter 35: Late Night Cuddles

The others were a little surprised when Piper came back on a pegasus with two unconscious demigods and another demigod covered in dirt. While Frank and Hazel tended to Blackjack, Annabeth and Leo helped get Piper, Laylana and the boys to the sickbay.

"At this rate, we're going to run out of ambrosia," Coach Hedge grumbled as he tended to Jason's wounds. Laylana was tending to her brother. "How come I never get invited on these violent trips?"

Piper sat at Jason's side. She took a swig of nectar and some water, but she was still worried about the boys and Laylana, who had yet to speak a word. She just ignored everyone for the time being, focused on her brother's injuries. 

"Leo," Piper said, looking over at the boy who was standing nearby, close to Laylana. "are we ready to sail?"

"Yeah, but—"

"Set course for Atlanta. I'll explain later."

"But...okay." He looked back at Laylana. He sighed, pressing a kiss to her head. He hurried off above deck. Annabeth didn't argue with Piper. She was too busy examining the horseshoe-shaped dent on the back of Percy's head.

"What hit him?" she demanded.

"Blackjack," Laylana finally said.

"What?"

Piper tried to explain while Coach Hedge applied some healing paste to the boys' heads. Jason and Percy were sitting up in their berths and able to talk in complete sentences. Both had fuzzy memories of what had happened. When Piper described their duel on the highway, Jason winced. 

"Knocked out twice in two days. Some demigod." He glanced sheepishly at Percy. "Sorry, man. I didn't mean to blast you."

Percy's shirt was peppered with burn holes. His hair was even more disheveled than normal. Despite that, he managed a weak laugh. "Not the first time. Your big sister got me good once at camp."

"Yeah, but...I could have killed you."

"Or I could have killed you," Percy said.

Jason shrugged. "If there'd been an ocean in Kansas, maybe."

"I don't need an ocean—"

"Boys," Annabeth interrupted, "I'm sure you both would've been wonderful at killing each other. But right now, you need some rest. You do too, Layla." 

"Lana," Jason pushed himself up with some help from Piper. "Are you okay?"

"She was almost suffocated in the fields." Piper explained softly. 

"I'm fine, just a little shaken up." Laylana nodded "I don't know what happened. I couldn't use my powers. I couldn't get free. Everything spiraled out of control so fast." 

"Gaea must have suppressed them in some way once she... had you." Piper hesitated to say the last part. "I'm so sorry I couldn't get to you sooner." 

"It's okay, you had to focus on them." Laylana decided to change the topic of conversation. "In any case, we really need to talk about what happened before we rest. Bacchus said some things that don't..." 

"Bacchus?" Annabeth raised her hand. "Okay. If you're is up for it we can talk. Mess hall. Ten minutes. I'll tell the others. And please, Percy...change your clothes. You smell like you've been run over by an electric horse."

Percy made sure his sister was okay before going to change, giving her hand one last squeeze. Piper helped Laylana over to her cabin and shut the door behind them to help her change and clean up as well. She had started to go back to her normal self by the time they trudged to the mess hall for their meeting. Piper helped her over to her respective seat next to her and Leo, who held out his hand for her to take when she sat down. She took it gratefully, snuggling her head into his shoulder.