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

Chapter 61: Frozen Hearts

Days had passed since everything that happened in Split. Laylana stood on deck next to her friends, bundled up in a few layers of clothing while also curling into Leo's side for warmth. Grey clouds had swallowed the sky, the waves were super choppy and sometimes splashed over the edge of the the ship. Ice was forming on the rails and the ropes from rain and the ocean water.

Ever since she, Jason and Nico had returned from Diocletian's Palace, they three had been a bit closer, but the boys were more nervous than Laylana herself. She hadn't really cared after she initially told Jason and Nico about herself, and didn't care if anyone else on the crew knew. She would beat them up if they said anything to her. But she didn't want Nico's secret to get out if he wasn't ready to tell people. Leo had asked what had happened, and asked if Nico was okay after he came to check up on them that day, only to find her door "locked". She had assured him everything was fine, and it wasn't her place to say anything. Leo seemed to respect it, and just hoped that Nico was okay. 

"It's the sceptre," Nico murmured, hefting the ancient staff. "It has to be."

It made sense that the sceptre might have caused this weather change. The black orb on top seemed to leach the colour right out of the air. The golden eagles at its base glinted coldly. It gave off bad vibes, ones that Laylana could feel 

"We can't talk up here," Laylana decided, earning a nod from Jason as she shivered. "Let's postpone the meeting until later tonight."

They'd all gathered on the quarterdeck to discuss strategy as they got closer to Epirus. Now it was clearly not a good place to hang out. Wind swept frost across the deck. The sea churned beneath them.

Typically, Laylana didn't mind the waves, until the splashed water on her. She had a knack for being naturally cold, and was more susceptible to it. In the back of her mind, she was worried about developing hypothermia, but hoped that Leo was enough to keep that away. He didn't seem to mind, having an arm or both arms constantly around her with her head buried in his neck. But Hazel wasn't doing well. She looked like she was trying to swallow a billiard ball.

"Need to –"Hazel gagged and pointed below.

"Yeah, go." Nico kissed her cheek, which even Laylana found slightly surprising. Over the last few days, Nico had become SLIGHTLY more affectionate to her and Hazel. He initiated a hug from them at least once a day now, and Laylana could tell he could use it.

"I'll walk you down." Frank put his arm around Hazel's waist and helped her to the stairs.

Laylana hoped Hazel would be okay. The last few nights, since that fight with Sciron, she, Piper and Hazel had some good talks together. Being the girls on board was kind of rough when they were surrounded by more guys. They'd shared stories, complained about the guys' gross habits and shed some tears together about Annabeth and Percy. Hazel had told her what it was like to control the Mist, and Piper explained how that seemed to be a lot like her charmspeak powers. Piper had offered to help her if she could. In return, Hazel had promised to coach her in sword fighting – a skill at which Piper wasn't as familiar with. Laylana promised to help both girls where she could, hoping that her powers over the shadows can correlate with the Mist as well.

Nico brushed some ice from his hair. He frowned at the sceptre of Diocletian. "I should put this thing away. If it's really causing the weather, maybe taking it below deck will help..."

"Sure," Jason said.

"Leave it in our room for now. Hopefully it doesn't freeze over." Laylana muttered.

Nico glanced at Piper and Leo, as if worried what they might say when he was gone. Laylana shot him a reassuring glance, a silent promise not to say anything. Once he'd headed below, Piper studied both her and Jason's faces.