Love the Impossible

Chapter 25 - Rachel's P.O.V.

When I saw him on the floor, crying, I couldn't help but to cry as well.

I needed him to be better. Last night, he only managed a few words out, now he can't even say 'Hello'!!

I picked him up with the help of Cory (a son of Apollo who was about to leave the Infirmary) and placed him in the bed.

"You're gonna be OK" I reassured him, stroking his hair off his forehead. Cody started to examine him, making him a little uncomfortable "Eyes on me, Ian..." I told him. He turned to me with those blue eyes I love so much and I saw a lot of suffering, of pain, of regret. I was still crying because I was worried about him, but I managed to offer him a smile in reassurance. That made him relax a little.

All he wanted was to see me smile...

"I'm done, Rachel" Cody announced, pulling his clothes down. I nodded and glanced at him, who was making me a gesture to walk outside the cave.

"I won't be long, OK?" I promised him, giving him a smile "You'll be OK... I promise" I leaned in and pecked his lips, lingering them at the end "I love you" I whispered to him. He smiled weakly at me and mouthed 'I love you' back. I got up from the bed and followed Cody outside "Don't spare me the details" I advised him.

"Besides the fact he's skinny and has no muscles and he was suppose to be dead two weeks ago, I'd say he's fine..."

"But, he's not fine, Cody!" I hissed at him "He barely eats and he can't talk anymore! It's like he can't anymore..."

"I don't know what to tell you, Rachel" Cody admits, looking kid of scared at my attitude. Good... "He's healthy, but sounds like his brain is still a baby-"

"A baby..." I cut him, repeating the last words he said. Of course!! That makes total sense!! "Thanks, Cody... I'll let you know if something comes up" Cody nodded and walked away from the cave. I couldn't walk into the cave now. I collapsed to the floor and pulled my knees next to my chest. I couldn't cry, I wasn't gonna cry. I just needed a way to help him. After a few sighs and deep breaths, I got up and walked back inside. Octavian was staring at the ceiling, with a frown in his face. I quietly got closer to my desk and pulled out a pencil and a pad "Ian?" I called him, softly. He turned to me, relaxing when he saw me smiling "I know you don't wanna worry me, so here you have this to communicate with me" Octavian quickly picked the pad and pencil and started to write down furiously. I waited patiently until he was done.

'I was upset because I wanted to see you smile. I've seen a lot of things when I was in the Legion and I've seen a lot of soulless people in the Underworld, but I live for your smile. When you frown... that only was compared with watching a massacre... That bad... I love you and that's why I want you to smile...'

And Apollo thinks his poetry is good...

Some tears started to run down my cheeks, but my smile never faltered. It was there, along with the blush in my cheeks.

"You sure are a Legacy of Apollo" I complemented him, laughing a little and hugging him tight. It took him a while to hug me back, but he did it in the end "Rest, I'll be here all day..." I kissed his cheek and leaned on his chest.

~oOo~

It was late at night when I finally let go of Octavian. He was fast asleep, with his arms still wrapped around me. I didn't mind at all, but I needed to do something. Something highly important.

I got up and headed to my desk, pulling out a new pad and I started to write. I didn't know if it was gonna be a goodbye letter or a warning letter. All I knew is that I had to try any way that I could think about it to save Octavian. My Octavian.

When I finished, I folded the letter and placed it on Augustus' necklace, that I placed next to him. I tiptoed outside the cave and I ran towards the cabins again. I didn't care about the harpies, this was  a 'life-death' situation.

"Nico di Angelo, get up from bed in this instant!!" I ordered to him, opening the cabin's door without knocking or waiting for an invitation. It was kind of worthy, when I saw him jumped and fell from his bed. That made me crack a smile.

"Rachel, what the Hell?!" he shouted at me. I didn't care, nothing else mattered to me "You have a death wish?!"

"Kind of" I admitted, crossing my arms "Get up, I need that Will takes a look at you before leaving!" That only made him look at me with a strange look.

"Leaving? Leaving where?"

"To see tour Father" Nico's eyes widen open in fear.

"To the Underworld?! Rachel, are you insane?!" I was slowly losing my patience.

"Does it matter?!" I snapped at him "I wanna see your Father!!"

"Rachel, those who visit the Underworld don't ever come back fully!!" he warned me.

"I'm aware of it"

"I don't understand it... Why?!"

"Because I'm the only one who is willing to do something for Octavian's life... Even if that leads me to my death..."