Inferno (Leo Valdez x OC) (2)

Why can't history exams be about Greeks?

It turned out nobody went to the mess hall, which meant Leo laughed at me and I ended up slapping him again.

We eventually found the others all gathered on the quarterdeck having a celebratory breakfast – except for Coach who passed us as we were arriving on deck, grumbling to himself that the atmosphere had become too cuddly.

Leo immediately wandered over to the helm and began fussing over the controls.

I went over to the table where the others were listening to Frank and Hazel explain what had been happening while they were gone.

Frank was talking about the fish-centaurs but my eyes were trained on Hazel. I crept behind Frank and then launched myself at her, tackling her off her chair in a hug.

Hazel yelped and looked around wildly before spotting me hugging her tightly. "Really?" She sighed.

"You're lucky!" Leo called. "She slapped me!"

I waved a hand dismissively. "Wasn't even that hard, he'll live." I looked up at Hazel, grinning. "You're back! I was getting really upset if something were to happen right after you joined the group-currently-without-a-name. Also what would your cactus friend have done?"

Hazel smiled. "I'm sure you would've taken good care of them. Nice to see you missed me though."

"I thought I was going to die!" I said dramatically, flopping onto the deck. "I can't live without you!"

Hazel snorted and dragged me to my feet. "Thank you, Brock."

"Oh my gods." I gasped. "You know Pokémon?"

Hazel blinked. "Yeah?"

I gaped at her. "No way."

She shrugged. "Yes way."

"How?" I asked incredulously. "You didn't even know what a chicken nugget was!"

Hazel blushed. "I know now. They come from a place called 'McDonald's' apparently. Also Nico told me."

"Nico likes Pokémon?" I practically screamed. "Oh my gods! He never told me. I feel like he would've told me. We played Mythomagic and everything - I'm slightly offended."

"You played Mythomagic with Nico?" Percy asked, who had been watching the conversation with confusion.

"Well, duh. Just cause you guys never talked to him doesn't mean I didn't have to." I shook my head. "Honestly, you should hear some of his dark humour, it's-" I paused. "Okay, I'm not going to make a punny joke right now. I refuse."

Percy snickered. "Do it, I dare you."

I narrowed my eyes and was about to continue when Hazel slapped a hand over my mouth. "For the sake of my sanity, I think we should move on."

"Oh thank the gods." Annabeth muttered.

"Styx." Percy mumbled. "I wanted to know."

I stole the seat between Frank and Hazel. Frank looked at me slightly affronted and I smiled at him. "Hey Frank, glad to see you're alive as well."

Hazel snorted. "She likes me more." She mumbled in a sing-song voice.

"Don't listen to her." I shook my head. "I don't pick favourites."

Piper coughed. "Leo-" She muttered.

I shot her a glare. "Slander. I do not pick favourites."

"Remember when you followed Silena around for a week like a lost puppy?" Percy pondered.

Heat rose in my cheeks and I slammed a hand on the table. "I can't believe Clarisse gets to be hotter than me!"

Annabeth laughed. "You did the same to Clarisse actually."