Lock and Keys (Reader x Leo)

{Ch. 3} Everything's Better The Second Time

"HEY! What the Hades!!" Leo steered Festus away from the flaming ball of death. "What the- I thought they knew! Didn't Nico tell them?"

You were holding on for dear life. At this point it didn't matter that Leo was taken trying to drive us to safety, you needed someone to hold onto. Though, you thought Calypso probably couldn't care since she was gripping onto you as hard as you were to Leo, you were impressed he could still breathe.

Leo was steering Festus to the land but the people below kept trying to attack at us.

"Stop! Stop!" A voice from under the frantic yelling surfaced and stopped everyone else from attacking.

Leo took this as an opportunity to land and did it aggressively as possible, leaving a crater in the nicely trimmed grass.

We stayed on the dragon for a bit until the all the campers came to us, weapons still in hand.

"I told you already! It's Festus! I've worked on him long enough to remember what he sounds like miles away!" A tan girl with a muscular build came through the crowd, along side her was Nico.

"Nico what the Hades?! You didn't tell anyone?!" Leo was furious. "We could've died just now!"

"Yeah, Nico." A deep voice came from the suddenly hushed crowd. "Why didn't you tell anyone?" A tall blond boy kept his cool but you could feel a powerful and angry aura coming from him.

"Jason please, I'll explain later. For now I need (y/n)."

Before you could react, he took your hand and started running. Your bag slapped on your back multiple times as your running got more sloppy. Keeping up with this boy was a struggle but you didn't want to fall on your face and make a fool out of yourself just yet, he seemed to really need you.

"I'm taking you to Chiron's office, no questions. I'll answer them all later. But for now get going."

He pulled you up the stairs of a big blue house and he pushed you through the door, slamming it right after you entered. You fell face forward and groaned, both wrist and face throbbing.

"Hello (y/n)." You looked up, and there he was. A large centaur stood behind his desk, glaring down at you.

"U-um, hi." You managed. A flying metal dragon, an army of trained adolescences and now an actual mythological creature is standing in front of you.

"Do you know why you're here?" He asked. His voice calm but threatening.

You hesitated before giving him your answer, what were you afraid of? You shook your head no. He signed and made his way to offer you a hand off the floor. You got up and sat in a chair across from his desk. "Why am I here?" You asked meekly.

"A good question indeed. Why are you here? How are you still here?"

"I- I'm sorry but I don't understand."

"You're, from what I've heard of thousands of years ago, dangerous. You were supposed to be disposed of, how I truly wonder..."

"Did you send Medusa after me??" Your eyebrows furrowed and your shy demeanor became threatening. "Were you trying to kill me?"

"Gods no! But this would mean the monsters and other Gods would know that you're alive too. This could be a problem."

"What?! What could be a problem?! What's wrong with my existence?!" Your fists were balled up so tight that you couldn't feel your fingers. This was one of the first people you have met on your first few days of freedom and you've already been insulted beyond anything that you have ever deserved.

"(Y/n), do not get my wrong. I am a good man," You scoffed. "But I cannot allow you to stay here for long. I don't want you to endanger my campers. And.... It's best to not try and sort yourself among the demigods as well. Knowing your origin will be dangerous."

"What does that even mean?! First I'm saved from isolation just to get told I'm not wanted by my rescuers! And my mother?! She's so weak, what could have possibly make her so scary?" You were yelling at a centaur, cross that off your bucket list.

"It's not your mortal side that's dangerous. But know this (y/n), keep to yourself. Don't make a scene and don't cause any attention to yourself. Try to be a normal kid here. I know you may not know of your powers but it would be dangerous for anyone else to know as well."

You still weren't over the insults from before, but you listened to him. Attention wasn't something you wanted anyway. You just wanted to try and be a regular kid here with your potentially new friends. "Yes, sir." You said and left the house.

As you walked out, Nico was outside guarding the house with a pitch black sword in hand. "What are you, my emo knight or something?"

"Ha ha very funny." He turned around and tried to take your hand again. "Hey there buddy, at least treat me to dinner first."

He rolled his eyes. "I thought you'd like a tour of this place. But by the seems of it, you need sleep and a trip to the washroom."

You nodded. It's been probably only 3 days since you were drenched in monster blood and was only able to get it off your face when it was still wet. "Would it be a problem if I went and then you gave me a tour?"

He didn't say anything and started walking. You followed him regardless of his answer, you just didn't want to be alone in this big place.

After walking a short distance you wanted to break the ice. "Nico?"

"What." He didn't even slow down.

You cleared your throat. "What do you know about me?" You thought since he was the one to bring you to the big man in charge, he would have at least known something.

"I know nothing other than your first name. Why?" He turned to you.

"I- The Centaur..."

"Chiron." He corrected.

Your heart felt like it was in your throat, forcing you to choke on your words. Something told you not to disobey him. "I, uh, nevermind." You shook your head. "Lets try everything again. Hi, I'm (y/n)." You stuck out your hand.

The corners of his mouth gave the slightest curve, "Nico Di Angelo," He shook your hand. "Nice to meet you."