Heroes of Olympus: After Gaea

Frank

"That's an actual child." Frank said, gobsmacked.

"Surrounded by light. Yep." Will sighed.

Everyone was relaxing on the deck. Nico was feeding the baby milk and Percy was practising using his trident. Jason, however, was nowhere to be seen.

Every since Jason had that nightmare, he only came out to eat, then would go back inside. The only time he came out was when he heard Piper's voice and told me to tell her that he has to tell her something super important when they get back to camp. Jason looked like hell. His hair was shaggy and in a mess, his body turning skinnier, the bright gleam in his eyes dead. This was nothing like Jason. But there was nothing he could do.

He just told his crew that Jason was feeling unwell and couldn't have any visitors. He knew Jason would appreciate that.

"Well, what are you gonna do with it?" Frank asked Will, turning to him.

Will looked so much like his father. He had his father's surfer-body, shaggy blond hair, and blue eyes, and had an athletic build. His appearance reminded Frank of Jason Grace, but his eyes more softer, freckles dotting around his cheeks and nose and having more of a smile. It was a shock how good him and Nico worked, since they were such opposites.

"Well, I like the baby. Nico does. If she passes through the barrier, I'll keep care of her. Otherwise, she'll probably go into an orphanage. But, I don't want to put the baby through that, you know?"

Frank nodded. He instantly thought of Leo, who's life story was much worse than anyone else in the Seven. Where he could still stay bubbly, Frank didn't know.

"Know what you want to call her?" Frank smiled at Will.

"I mean, her eyes... they're a golden colour. And that's crazy. I've never seen anyone with that colour except Hazel. And I'm learning Italian for Nico and Oria means gold. A cute name, right? But, she's not even my daughter. But, there is a connection. I feel it. Like she's chosen me."

"She obviously doesn't have parents. So why can't she be your daughter?"

"Um, Frank. I'm 15." Will reminded.

"And Nico was how old when he saved the world numbers times?"

"Like 12, 13?" Will shrugged. Then he smiled proudly.  

"And you think a kid's a challenge? You didn't make the child, you adopted her. Oria Solace. Has a nice ring to it, doesn't it?" 

Frank walked away, leaving a confused son of Apollo behind. He sat next to Nico and watched him feed the girl. Like Will said, her eyes were a deep cerise colour. It was deeply intimidating. The baby's eyes seemed to be shimmering with an acute intelligence, as if it were a concoction of curiosity, caution and ingenuity. 

"Hey, Nico. You like her?" Frank asked Nico. He looked up and tried to regain himself.

"She's not scared of me. That's a start."

"I really think she likes you."

"Yeah?" Nico asked, as if anyone liking him would be unbelievable. 

"Mmhm. Will was saying how he thought Oria would be a nice name for her. What d'you think?"

"Golden? Like her eyes, huh?" Nico looked down and smiled at her, which caused the baby to giggle. Frank noticed how sweet Nico's smile was, his dimples deep in his ghastly white face. "But, like, she's not my child. I'm just helping Will."

"Yeah. Of course." Frank patted Nico on the back and went to see Percy. He quickly turned around and gave Nico a glare.

"Also, I haven't played a match in Mythomagic with you yet. Later?"

"I'm gonna beat your ass, Frank Zhang." Nico chuckled.

"Actually, I was undefeated for 13 whole games with my grandma." Frank said smugly.

"Cute. I was for 13 weeks." Nico smirked back. 

"Whatever, di Angelo." He huffed and walked off. He heard another chuckle behind him and a baby giggling soon afterwards.

*

"Hello! We've got a new one here! A baby!" Percy called out to the crowd of Greeks who gathered to see the parked Argo II. 

"A... baby?" Lou asked.

"We can explain..." Percy began.

Calypso, Piper, Annabeth and Hazel ran on the boat.

"Frank. Hi." Hazel grinned. She hugged him tightly.

"Frank! Hi!" Piper waited for Hazel to finish and greeted Frank.

"Where's my boyfriend?" Piper asked, looking around.

On cue, Jason emerged from his cabin to the crowd. His tattoo an eagle with and twelve lines bopped up and down as he waved to the crowd. He seemed okay, but undoubtedly, his piercing blue eyes were holding in deep sadness. Leo and Piper didn't seem to realise. Instead, they sprinted up to Jason. Leo first hugged him and Piper kissed Jason on the lips. He kissed her back but was the first one to pull away.

"Sparky? What's up?" Piper asked, placing a loose hair behind his ear.

Jason winced, as if that action brought back painful memories.

"Come with me. I need to talk to you." He held Piper's hand and walked off with her. 

Everyone else finished greeting and Frank went to the crowd. Reyna walked up to him and stood beside him.

"Welcome back, Heroes!" 

Everyone cheered.

I'm never going to be used to praise, Frank thought.

People started to gush over Percy and the others, and people asked what animals Frank could turn to.

"Well, any I need to think about. But I love turning to a dragon. The Chinese ones. Cos I'm used to reading about them back in Canada..."

Frank looked over his shoulder to see Piper walk swiftly through the crowd, fuming.

"Hey, nice talk, but I need to go."

"Frank-"

"Love you too!" 

Before Frank gathered what he actually said, he was already sprinting towards Piper. She was walking so fast it should've really been considered a sprint. She was making her way to New Rome, but stopped on one of the hills that gave a view of New Rome. Frank made it to her and sat next to her. Piper, usually loud and talkative, hugged her legs as she looked over New Rome.

"Piper? What's wrong?" Frank asked her.

"Jason broke up with me." She whispered, tears dropping from her now green eyes.

Frank's eyes opened wide. Jason break up with Piper? But why? Jason was head over heels in love with her. Before that nightmare, Jason was talking about him living with Piper in New Rome after everything died down.

That nightmare.

It only made sense if maybe he was told to break up with Piper there. But, he didn't want to give Piper false hope. What if Jason just stopped liking her? Definitely, he was too loyal to cheat on her. Definitely.

"It doesn't make sense!" She exclaimed, slamming her fist against the ground. Frank backed away a little bit. "I was reading his face. He loves me. I know he does. He was crying when he broke up with me. He didn't want to. I saw that it was so hard for him to do that to me. He said, and I quote: 'Piper, I love you. But we can't be together. I can't say why, but know that I love you. Please. I'm sorry, but we're over.' What the Hades?!"

She got up and aggressively wiped her eyes. "If you want to help or not, Frank, please do. But I'm finding out why."