I Can't Forget that You Forgot (A Leo Fanfiction)

And Again!

BEEP! BEE--!

A hammer hit the alarm clock.

...

Leo huffed.

"Leo, what was--?"

"The alarm clock, Pipes. I think it spontaneously combusted," Leo joked, but there was no humour in his voice.

"...D-did you break it?"

The accused demigod sighed quietly.

"Yeah, Beauty Queen. I did."

"Well," the daughter of Aphrodite whispered, a little flustered but mostly concerned, "why?"

"'M frustrated." It sounded rehearsed, as it was.

"..."

For the fifth time (not in a row), Piper slipped away to the dining room, no doubt to tell the others she was concerned about Leo. (He'd know; the third time the fire-summoner had smashed the alarm clock, he silently followed her.)

...

...

...

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

The 121st morning.

***

"Oh--"

Piper's apology was cut off by Leo hastily stumbling through the door.

He was heading to the deck.

Once he had crawled over to Festus, the son of Hephaestus cried out.

"If this is your fault, Dirt Face, then you've got another thing coming--!"

"I hope you don't mean me, Valdez," a voice interrupted, startling Leo.

Hera calmly approached Leo, taking in the Argo II deck with every step.

Leo almost growled at her to get off his baby, but decided against it for his own good.

"What, Hera?" His tone was harsh. "What good did it do?"

A mischievous glint entered the goddess' eyes.

"Why, whatever do you mean, Leo? What good did what do?"

This time Leo did growl (albeit soft enough so Hera couldn't hear).

"You know exactly what I mean."

Hera laughed, quietly, so the others wouldn't hear.

"Yes, I believe I do. Well, Leo Valdez, this was a test."

"A test?"

"A test."

"A test of what, my patience?"

"No, but you had plenty of it anyway.

"No, Leo Valdez. A test to see if you could handle being forgotten, over and over. After hearing what Nemesis said, I was only wondering if you'd really start to believe it. We couldn't have that, now could we?" the goddess explained.

The son of Hephaestus tilted his head, mildly curious.

"So, how'd I do? Passing grade?"

Hera's eyes were soft and her tone was gentle

"Yes, Leo. You did quite well."

Leo's spirits flew up. He almost kissed the goddess (ALMOST).

"Does that mean--"

Hera smiled, a beautiful look (in Leo's opinion).

"Once more, little hero. And this time," Leo could've sworn the goddess smirked, "don't worry about where to sit."

...

BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!

Click!