A Lifetime Without You | PJO ~ Caleo

supposedly an epilogue.

"We'll miss you," Piper said to Hazel as she squeezed her in a hug. "Iris message us as soon as you get there?"

Hazel smirked at Piper in reply, "Count on it."

The vibe around Camp Half-Blood was nothing short of lively, seeing that all the demigods there were preparing for a game of Capture the Flag in the next couple of hours.

The seven- Excuse us; the seven, excluding Leo, were bidding their farewells to Frank, Hazel, and Reyna. Since the end of the war, they'd only grown fonder of one another, promising to keep in touch.

It sounds odd saying the six, doesn't it?

Percy's hand remained clasped in Annabeth's, his sea green eyes twinkling as he wished Frank the best of luck at being praetor alongside Reyna in New Rome.

Reyna's lips curved upward at that, telling both Annabeth and Percy that Camp Jupiter would willingly and gladly come to their assistance should they need any help.

Jason grinned at Hazel, fist bumping her with an arm around Piper, her warmth bringing about a sense of protection. "Stay safe, you guys," Jason's smile only broadened when Hazel gave Frank a peck on his cheek, prompting him to put an arm around her waist.

"We'll see you later," Frank said, resting his chin on top of Hazel's head.

They waved one another goodbye, the Romans making their way out of Camp Half-Blood.

However, not all things are meant to last forever.

A loud screech filled the skies above Camp Half-Blood,  a cry of pain and anguish.

The Greeks and Romans, now a supposedly happy and bumbling community of demigods, all stopped what they were doing, craning their necks and turning their heads to look towards the sky.

"What in the name of Mars was that?" Frank asked, his face a frighteningly pale shade. Hazel gave his torso a squeeze, unsure of what made the sound was.

The confused demigods looked up at the sky, anticipating the source of the pained cry. Percy stepped forward, taking Anaklusmos out of his pocket and uncapping it. He looked back at his friends, grimacing, "So much for that."

Jason unwrapped his arm around Piper, tossing his coin into the air unleashing the golden spear. "It was fun while it lasted," Jason sighed, clasping Piper's hand tightly.

Annabeth held her dagger, twirling it in hand. "Get ready, demigods."

The demigods stood together, unsheathing their weapons, getting ready for what they thought was going to be their final battle together in unison. What came after was unexpected, considering they saw Festus descending towards the ground, a rider they were unfamiliar with perched on his bronze back.

Percy craned his neck to look up at Festus, mumbling, "Is that Calypso?"

There was an odd sense of relief and conformity from the demigods on the ground, most of them uttering silent prayers to their parents in thanks. They all needed a break, especially after all the bloodshed with Gaea. However, the news that came with said rider was all but pleasant.

As Festus gently settled himself on the ground, a grief-stricken Calypso climbed off of the bronze dragon's back. The dried tear stains on the young goddess' cheeks shined in the afternoon sunlight, her brown almond eyes welled with future tears to come.

"Calypso?" Percy stated, dumbfounded by her arrival and very presence in Camp Half-Blood. "How are you here? I thought the curse forbidded you from leaving the island, unless.."

Annabeth cleared her throat, nudging Percy briefly and whispering, "It's 'forbade,' Seaweed Brain." Annabeth shot Calypso a look, the goddess failing to notice.

Jason snorted, Piper elbowing him. Percy sighed, brushing off Annabeth's comment, "How did you get off the island, Calypso?"

Hazel and Frank glanced at one another, feeling the tensions in the air rising. Just about everyone at Camp Half-Blood knew about Percy's brief little fling with Calypso, so seeing Annabeth look so tense about another girl was simply an unfortunate thing to witness.

The goddess pursed her lips tightly, looking down at her feet instead. Her wavy hair flew in the breeze, almost looking like something out of a picture frame. Calypso's long eyelashes tickled her cheeks as she refused to look at anyone, thinking of what Leo had done to save her from the monster that was Octavian. Calypso had lost her one and only, and now, she stood before his best friends, forced to break the news.

She just didn't know how.

What on gods' green earth does one say to the closest friends, family even, of a person who passed? Do they lay it down gently? Do they say it bluntly? Calypso felt horrible for having to break the news to the demigods like this, but seeing that she had no choice, she had to do it; right here, right now.

Calypso remembered his laugh, that stupid smirk he used to make when he managed to get a laugh out of her. She remembered the way her hands felt in the mess of spring-like curls at the top of his head when they kissed, the way he smelled - a burning fire in the breeze - when he approached her, but most of all, Calypso could remember his kind and selfless heart, always putting others before himself.

Leo Valdez, the beautiful Latino boy the goddess loved so dearly, would not be forgotten.

"Leo broke the curse," Calypso finally announced, trying to keep her emotions at bay.

The demigods glanced at one another, confused. Hazel was the first to speak, "But where is he?" her voice was cautious, guarded. Frank had his hand in hers, squeezing it reassuringly.

Calypso's forlorn face was enough of an answer for the six demigods.

Piper's hands flew to her mouth, shocked. "We already lost him once," she whispered, crumpling to the ground. "We've lost him again." Jason held her steady in his arms, both of them at the point of tears.

Percy and Annabeth had their lips pursed, unsure of what to say to the two. Jason and Piper were the closest to Leo out of the seven, so losing him for the third time was enough of a blow for them. "What happened in Ogygia, Calypso?" Annabeth asked her, her stormy gray eyes filled with remorse.

Hazel let out a choked sob, Frank pulling her in for a bear hug. "I've got you," he whispered with a kiss at the top of her head, her unruly curls brushing against his lips. He wanted to tell her it was okay, but why waste his time on a lie he didn't believe? It wasn't okay, especially after hearing that their best friend had died.

And so, Calypso told them. She told them of Octavian's arrival, the prophecy, what had become of Octavian, the poison, how she got to Camp Half-Blood, everything. Calypso spared no detail, giving each demigod an insight on what Leo had done to save her.

Their goodbyes were short lived, for the fight had never truly ended. Leo had sacrificed himself, not once, but twice, twice in the line of fire to save his friends.

In honor of Leo's passing and his sacrifice, they lit a fire that evening. A bonfire which smelled of woodsmoke, beef stew, lemonade, cinnamon, and every memory that each demigod associated with Leo Valdez.

As they offered the gods their meals in thanks, they prayed.

Sleep was a difficult thing to acquire, for they all knew and acknowledged that Leo's sacrifice would not be in vain. A part of him lived inside Calypso now: his heart.

The next morning, the Romans finally left for Camp Jupiter, each one with a heavy heart when they bid their final goodbyes.

May we meet again, Leo Valdez, for now, we are spending a lifetime without you.

-

A/N: Well, hot damn. There you have it, folks. The end of A Lifetime Without You. Thank you all so so much for sticking with us!

Until next time, demigods! c:

-Atticus & Nya