One Too Many Heartbreaks

I. Adios, Ogygia (Leo's POV)

Festus clicked and whirred in Morse code, which Leo translated to Dude, I really need a break.

"Alright, buddy, let's find somewhere to land," Leo said, patting his friend's metal scales. Unfortunately for Festus, they were flying over an ocean. Leo kept a sharp eye out for land, but it was another forty five minutes at least until they were able to land. At this point, Festus sounded about ready to fall apart.

Leo landed the dragon as gently as he could, trying hard not to wake up the sleeping girl behind him. Despite his efforts, she rolled off his back. Leo scrambled to catch her, but literally tripped over his own feet and fell face first in the sand. What a derp.
Luckily, Festus was still functional enough to catch Calypso with his wing and lower her to the ground. Leo stood and walked over to her. Long cinnamon hair, smooth, pale skin, and eyelashes that tickled her cheekbones. Not even Aphrodite could compare, though gods forbid he ever said that out loud.

Festus clicked and creaked impatiently. Hurry up.

"Alright, alright," Leo said. "Just keep it down." He pulled a few rags out of his tool belt. They weren't exactly Grade-A silk, but they would have to do. He folded them and slid them under Calypso's head to serve as a makeshift pillow, then got to work on the dragon.

_____

Leo had been at work on the inner workings of his machine for over an hour. He was covered in grease and sweat, and smelled worse than a public toilet. Of course, this was when the flawless girl decided to wake up.
"What are you doing, Leo Valdez?" She asked from the ground.
Leo leaned over Festus's back. "Just fixing up some technical difficulties, Sunshine."

Calypso folded her arms. "Nothing you build lasts long, I see," she said smugly.

Leo squinted at her. "Is that a challenge, Sunshine?"

Calypso climbed up Festus's side, using his scales for foot and handhold, in less than thirty seconds. "It is indeed, Leo Valdez."

Leo smiled mischievously and pulled Calypso in for a kiss. She kissed him back briefly, then put a finger to his lips. "That didn't happen." Leo smiled. "Now go wash up, and leave me to shame you in peace." she said.
Sure enough, an hour later they were back in the air, Festus whirring happily and flying more smoothly than he ever had. Leo was fixed up a little too (as fixed up as polluted salt water can make a guy) and was resting with his arms around Calypso's waist and his head on her shoulder.

Leo almost couldn't remember the last time he had been this relaxed and content. Sometime long ago, back in his mom's repair shop, for sure. Sweet memories and morning air threatened to lull him to sleep. He hasn't slept in over twenty four hours. The view below relaxed him further. Shimmering blue waters, pale pink skylines, flourishing strawberry fields...

Strawberry fields!

"Calypso!" Leo yelled, almost startling her off the dragon.

"Valdez! Don't scare me like that!" She scolded, but her eyes were worried. "What's wrong?"

"The camp!"

"Camp Half-Blood?"

"Festus-" Leo started, but the dragon was already gliding down to the camp. The campers started to freak out- who wouldn't when a badass metal dragon, an immortal woman, and a dead guy were invading their home?

Festus landed with a series of clicks and whirrs. Home sweet home.

"You got that right, buddy." Leo said, feeling emotional. He tried to hold back tears, but figured he deserved to cry. He had just come back from the dead, for goodness's sake.

Leo slid off of Festus and faced the crowd that had gathered. "H-hey, guys," he said shakily. What if they didn't believe he was real? Or worse, if he wasn't welcome here anymore?
There was a sudden commotion. A group of people seemed to be forcing their way to the front of the crowd. Leo almost lost it. It was his friends. The seven stopped moving, their eyes glued to Leo's small frame.

"Hey guys. It's me." Leo said hopefully. No one moved. "Jason? Piper?" he looked at his friends. "Thought you were finally rid of me, huh?" he tried. "It won't be that easy." Leo meant to laugh, but couldn't force one out. His eyes started moving and he quickly found the small, dark face. "Hazel?" He pleaded, his voice cracking to the extreme. Leo's eyes burned. He turned around to get back on Fetus and leave for good.

Suddenly, there was a hand on his shoulder, spinning him around. Hazel was right there, golden eyes burning into Leo's dark ones. He could see the tears brimming in them. She put a hand to his face, gingerly.

"Leo!" She gasped, pulling him into a fierce hug. Leo was stunned for a moment. She knew it was him. She was happy it was him. He tried to hug back but stumbled, and they ended up sinking to their knees. Tears streamed from Leo's eyes, and from Hazel's, he knew. He could feel them on his back.

One by one, the rest of the seven started to approach. First Piper, then Jason. Frank. Percy and Annabeth. Leo got pulled, pushed, hugged, slapped, yelled at, and even kissed (not on the mouth, obviously), not to mention wet with all the tears. Though they quickly evaporated on his warm skin.

When everyone had finally calmed down a little, Leo took a deep breath and looked back at Festus. And the girl on his back. Leo suddenly got really nervous. What would the others think of him making them think he was dead just to save some girl who was practically a stranger?
"Uh, guys, that's Calypso." he said. They crowd stared at the beautiful girl. Leo felt a ridiculous pang of jealousy. He's mine, fellas, Leo thought.

"Calypso," a quiet voice said. Leo's head snapped around to find Percy staring up at Calypso in more astonishment than anyone.
Calypso looked at Percy. Leo started to panic, suddenly remembering a crucial piece of information. Percy and Calypso had met before. She spoke. "Hello, Perseus."