𝕱𝖗𝖎𝖊𝖓𝖉𝖑𝖞 𝖋𝖎𝖗𝖊 - a Leo Valdez slowburn

Chapter two

Chapter two.

 [Leah makes small talk with a furry]

"Why would you ever want to live your days

like all your friends are gone?

That's how you'll live out your last days,

you know."

"My gods! She told me you were dead!" Tearing her hand away from Leah's, Thalia rushed towards her brother and hugging him tightly. She gripped Jason's face and seemed to be examining everything about it. Thalia's face lit up even more once she set her eyes on the little scar on Jason's upper lip that Leah had also just noticed. "Thank Artemis, it is you. That little scar on your lip – you tried to eat a stapler when you were two!"

The other boy laughed. Leah was personally trying to keep her laugh in, in respect for Jason, but a few giggles escaped. "Seriously?" she managed to stifle her laugh. 

The satyr nodded, as if he was approving of Jason's taste. "Staplers – excellent source of iron." As he said that, Leah's hand found its way to Phoebe's as it had lost Thalia's warmth. It had become quite the habit for the girl, holding hands with loved ones.

"W-wait. Who told you I was dead?" Jason stammered. His eyes shined with curiosity and concern.

Thalia's wolf barked at the Hunter from the cave entrance. Said girl responded with a nod to confirm that she understood whatever had been said but she kept her hand on Jason's face as if she was afraid he might vanish. "My wolf is telling me I don't have much time, and she's right. But we have to talk. Let's sit."

Piper did better than that. She collapsed. She would have cracked her head on the cave floor if the satyr hadn't caught her. Leah rushed over.

"What's wrong with her?" Leah closed her eyes and sighed to herself once she saw it. "Never mind. Hypothermia. And her ankle." She looked back to Thalia to signal that she continued the conversation. Thalia, in turn, frowned at the satyr, gesturing with her hands at Piper. "Don't you know nature healing?" The satyr scoffed. "Why do you think she looks this good? Can't you smell the Gatorade?"

Leah wondered whether she could heal people instead of continue hurting them like the satyr.

Thalia looked at the unnamed boy - poor guy, Leah thought - with an accusatory glare, as if it was his fault that the satyr had been allowed to be the doctor of the group.

"You and the satyr," Thalia ordered, "take this girl – " Leah muttered her name to Thalia – "Piper to my friend at the entrance. Phoebe's an excellent healer." The satyr shivered. it's cold out there! I'll freeze my horns off." Leah felt kind of bad for him and the boy, why couldn't she bring Piper in? She was definitely strong enough.

"Could I take her, T? I feel like she'd be in safer hands." 

No, Leah wasn't judging the duo on the fact that the boy was terribly scrawny and the satyr had a maniacal look in his eye, but because they had been traveling for what Leah assumed was hours without any substantial food. Thalia nodded grimly, though the satyr still insisted on at least helping Leah bring Piper. Jason had a pleading look in his eye when he called the boy back. "Actually, man, could you, um, stick around?"

The boy grinned. "Sticking around is my specialty."

As Thalia and the two demigods sat around the fire, Leah carried Piper to the entrance with the satyr, making small talk about his healing abilities as they walked.