Leo's Return

I'm Here For You

I love this picture too much^^^

________________________

(Hazel's POV)

I could have stopped him.

He told Frank and I about his plan. We knew that he was planning on dying. He said that he knew we would understand.

He was "jumping on his own sword," in his words.

He thought that he may have a slight chance of survival/ being invincible to flame and all. But he said that his death would be for the greater good. For the good of all.

I don't feel good.

I feel anything but good.

I feel terrible.

He's really gone...... forever.

I have pretty much temporarily moved into Camp Halfblood, because there is no way that after this tragedy that I would leave my friends.

The war was terrible, and cost the lives of so many. Including Leo.

I can't bear to think about it.

I sit on my bed, alone. I am staying in the Hades cabin with Nico, but he is currently being held captive in the infirmary by Will.

Knock, knock.

"Come in," I mumble. Frank appears from behind the door, slowly entering the cabin.

"Thinking about him again?" He asks, sitting down next to me. I notice the dark circles under his sad eyes.

"Yes.... Have you slept?"

"No."

"Frank... We should have stopped him," I say, voice cracking.

"Hazel, listen. Leo died a hero. He literally saved the entire world and defeated Gaea. He knew what he was doing."

"I just wish Nico could find him....."

"Hey," Frank says to me, lifting my chin up to look him in the eyes. "He will. It's gonna be okay, and everyone here at camp is here for each other. I'm here for you."

I lean into his chest, and he puts an arm around me. "Thanks Frank."

He smiles faintly. "I love you."

"I love you too."

We sit like this for a while, until we hear Nico cursing from outside the door and Will telling him not to shadow travel.

Frank kisses me on the forehead, and gets up to leave, but I grab his shirt and pull his lips into mine.

"I'll see you tomorrow," I say, and he smiles and heads out the door.

"OKAY. I promise I won't shadow travel tomorrow. GEEZ!" Nico says, storming through the-now-open door as Will smirks.

"Hi Will," I say softly, and he waves at me.

"Hi Hazel. Make sure he doesn't do anything stupid for me?" He says, gesturing to an exasperated Nico.

I nod, and he kisses Nico on the cheek and leaves. Nico closes the door behind him, and comes in.

"I guess you didn't find him?"

"No," he sighs. "Hades said that he hasn't seen Leo since the day he died. It seems.... unusual. I don't know," he says, falling back on the bed and covering his face.

"Hey."

"What?"

"It's gonna be okay. We're all together, and we will see Leo again someday," I say, giving him a hug.

He looks at me. "I hope so."