Halcyon [Leo Valdez x Reader]

Red Dawn, The New Quest

“When I first made the deal, I didn't know it would lead to this,” I said, remorse in my voice. The figures around the room watched me as I told the events of the past year. I explained how it was Prometheus who promised to help me, and Dolos who joined with Apate to ‘live’ through me. I was naive, as I explained. I was lost and stupid.

Chiron looked particularly solemn as he listened to me. Rather, the whole room did. I could already see the effects of losing Hope weigh on the shoulders of everyone around camp. Grover didn’t even want to nervously eat ping pong balls like usual. Mr. D's red nose was scrunched in anger, the mischievous twinkle in his eye was gone. He didn't look like the god of parties anymore, instead leaning into the mad side.

Annabeth’s gray eyes told me all I needed about how she felt. They swirled with a dark storm as she bit the skin off her lip. She'd known more than the others on the Argo II, but I could see her mind ripping itself apart for not figuring out things sooner.

“I should have asked,” she muttered. “I could have… done something.”

Percy kept his eyes trained on his lap. I was sure he hated me. I mean, everything was going well, and here I was… ruining things as always.

“No,” he said. “It's not your fault. It's… nobody's…”

Jason's image rippled in the Iris message. We'd called him to relay our talk to everyone in California. Once I'd explained the whole story, his face darkened as his mind sunk into thought. I'd never seen him so focused like that. It made me realize the gravity of the situation. I'd royally fucked us over.

Even Leo seemed bothered. He hadn't looked this upset since he realized Gaea was the root of his problems. I wondered why he felt so uncomfortable as he shifted in his seat. His dark eyes flicked around the floor like he was thinking.

Looking at him now was pretty hard. When he walked into the infirmary, I felt like I'd gotten whiplash. He looked so different from when I last saw him half a year ago. His curly hair was so long, framing his elfish face elegantly. His eyes were shining and bright, but the rest of his features looked more mature. He was less lean, and actually looked like he'd gotten muscles. He looked older, less confused about himself. He radiated confidence, and it was something I really liked.

I’d sprang up from my cot and bolted over to him once my initial shock was gone. Leo held up his arms as he flinched, expecting me to pummel him. I'll admit, I thought about it. But really, I was just so happy to see him.

I wrapped my arms around him as tight as I could, burying my face in his collarbone. He was even a bit taller.

Leo slowly returned the embrace, kissing the top of my head. “You know, you're the only one who didn't beat me up.”

“You're not off the hook just yet,” I said, choking out a laugh. I couldn't believe that it was really Leo, but I wasn't going to complain. I finally had him back.

I snapped out of my thoughts, looking away from him. The room was tense, and the silence made me uneasy. Thankfully, Annabeth spoke up first.

“So, we obviously need a quest, but Rachel isn't here to issue a prophecy.” She clenched her fists and looked down. “I don't think we could get in contact with her on time.”

My mind buzzed as I looked up at Annabeth. “The dream I had before I was led to camp, I heard someone singing in Latin. Why Latin, I'm not sure. It just sounded like opera, I guess… Anyway, I listened to the voice, and I think we already have a prophecy…”

“Let's hear it,” Mr. D gruffed. He cracked open another diet cola; it was his sixth in the time we'd been there.

I nodded and nervously cleared my throat. “Through the labyrinth of death, a path unfurls. Where echoes of choices, past and pearls. In the labrinth's grasp, where twins conspire, Deception's dance, a cunning fire. Twins’ deceit and a titan's reign, Must fall before Hope's domain. With courage strong and hearts alight, the labyrinth yields to a pheasant's might.”