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

Chapter 72: Meeting Nike

Laylana walked into the mess hall, her eyes heavy with exhaustion. She took her usual seat at the head of the table, summoning her usual breakfast of eggs and pancakes. Leo walked in moments after she did and took his usual seat, which was one of the ones nearest to her. The two ignored each other's glances as Laylana began to eat. 

After Gleeson left on his shadow-travel expedition with Nico and Reyna, Leo had apparently decided that his three-legged table could do just as good a job as their 'adult chaperone'. He had laminated Buford's tabletop with a magic scroll that projected a pint-sized holographic simulation of Coach Hedge. Mini-Hedge would stomp around on Buford's top, randomly saying things like 'CUT THAT OUT!' 'I'M GONNA KILL YOU!' and the ever-popular 'PUT SOME CLOTHES ON!'

Today, Buford was manning the helm though, thankfully. If Festus's flames didn't scare away the monsters, Buford's holographic Gleeson definitely would. Laylana glanced over at Percy and Annabeth, who were arguing about how much syrup he was putting on his pancakes.

"You're drowning them!" Annabeth complained.

"Hey, I'm a Poseidon kid," Percy said. "I can't drown. And neither can my pancakes."

To their left, Frank and Hazel used their cereal bowls to flatten out a map of Greece. They looked over it, their heads close together. Every once in a while Frank's hand would cover Hazel's, just sweet and natural like they were an old married couple, and Hazel didn't even look flustered, which was real progress for a girl from the 1940s. Until recently, if somebody said gosh darn, she would nearly faint. She really did not like Laylana's use of language.

On Laylana's other side, Jason sat uncomfortably with his T-shirt rolled up to his ribcage as Piper changed his bandages. Laylana would usually do it, but Piper began to insist that she also help with taking care of Jason. The two could see how much Laylana was pushing herself, and how tired she was. It was nice to know that she cared so much, but the closer they got to their destination, the more they needed Laylana to focus.

"Hold still," Piper said. "I know it hurts."

"It's just cold," Jason said.

Laylana could hear the pain in his voice. That stupid gladius blade had pierced him all the way through, and still hadn't closed up enough for her to stitch it closed. The entrance wound on his back was an ugly shade of purple and it steamed, which was not a good sign. Laylana hadn't been awake for long enough to see her wound after she was stabbed. She got knocked out by the shrimp monster and healed by the Party Ponies within those 10 minutes.

Piper tried to stay positive, but privately she had told Laylana how worried she was. Laylana could relate, and when Piper asked to give it to her straight, she did. She was honest, ambrosia, nectar and mortal medicine could only help so much. She was thankful that she had painkillers and antibiotics to keep Jason somewhat stable. But the real worry was the material that was used. A deep cut from Celestial bronze or Imperial gold, or even Stygian Iron, could literally dissolve a demigod's essence from the inside out. Jason might get better. He claimed he felt better. But Piper and Laylana were still not sure. Laylana kept him drugged up on painkillers anytime she could in the meantime.

As she looked around at everyone, Laylana felt a pang in her heart. She remembered back when she, Leo and Hazel met Nemesis. The phrase "You will always be the outsider, the seventh wheel, despite your little girlfriend here. She herself is also an outcast amongst the crew. Neither of you will find a place among your brethren." It was directed at Leo, but she also painted Laylana as an outcast as well. As she looked around at all the couples, she could really feel it this time. It wasn't her friends' or brother's faults. Just her own insecurities.

 "What's up, guys?" Leo said as he seated himself. "Aw, yes to brownies!"