#well that's just coach hedge for me

[wanderingmind867]

Danny DeVito is who I think of when I think Coach Hedge. More specifically, I think of that time Danny DeVito played a satyr for disney's hercules. Anyways, danny devito's character in that movie is pretty much just coach hedge to me.

[lolxdswag123]

The Engine Room Scene

Leo Valdez x reader

Warnings: MoA spoilers, mentions of foster care, loneliness, a steamy makeout session

Author’s note: I’m actually really proud of this one so let me know what you think

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I quietly rocked back and forth on my heels, trying not to make any noise. If I let the floor creak even a decibel too loud, Coach Hedge would be out here in an instant.

I had been standing here for at least three minutes now, working up the energy to knock on my best friend’s door at this ridiculous hour. I knew he’d been feeling really down lately- something had been off since we left Camp Jupiter- even after Piper had coaxed the Eidolon out of him. I had kept myself awake all night so far, trying to figure out how I could help him.

I had originally decided to talk to him tomorrow, but my mind wouldn’t let me rest for even a second- so here I was.

Part of me wanted to just enter the room, as I had so many times before. But the other part of me wanted to turn back to my room, go to bed, and pretend that I hadn’t been standing out here for several minutes now. I decided on a third option of knocking as quietly as I could, to avoid stirring any of my other sleeping friends.

After the first knock, I took a tiny step back- listening for any movement in the room. There was none. I waited half a minute before trying again, slightly louder this time.

Still nothing.

Anyone else would’ve given up there, but I knew my best friend too well. If he’s not in his room, he’s either on the deck, working on the ship- or he’s in the engine room.

I tip toed as quietly as I could, my slippers being a soft cushion to silence the impact of my feet on the boards. I headed toward the back of the ship, and down to the lower deck to the engine room.

Before I even opened the door I could feel the vibration of the engine. It’s hum was quiet and relaxing, which gave me a feeling I was in the right place.

I slowly pushed open the door, trying to avoid any creaking. Of course with Leo’s excellent craftsmanship, the doors weren’t going to squeak anyways.

I took a soft step inside, and immediately spotted my best friend peacefully sleeping on the floor with only a pillow and blanket. It looked extremely uncomfortable.

I quietly closed the door behind me, stopping it before it clicked to limit any more noise that Hedge might hear.

I tip toed over to him, sitting down next to his sleeping figure, and reached down to run my fingers through his hair.

It wasn't unusual for us to be physically affectionate with each other. We had been best friends for almost a year now. We first met when we both ended up at the Wilderness school with Piper. The three of us had become close, but Leo and I shared a special bond. We understood each other in a way that no one had ever been able to before.

Both of us had grown up in foster care- so we never really had a permanent home. Being with Leo every day for the past year has felt more like home than I ever thought I could feel.

Things only started feeling off the past few days. With the Eidolon in Leo's head, he had fired on Camp Jupiter without knowing. He also had quite a few outbursts that left our friendship in an uncomfortable place. I knew it was just the Eidolon, but his words still stung.

Leo had never been anything but gentle and kind to me- aside from his targeted jokes every now and then- but that was how our friendship worked. When the Eidolon was possessing him he said some things about how my parents didn't care about me and that's why I ended up in foster care. He also had said something about how of course we are the only two single members of the quest because nobody cared about us.

I let the words pass over me in the moment, but part of me couldn't get the memory out of my head. And yet, I was more worried about him than I was about my own emotional wellness.

I brushed his hair out of his face, watching a sleepy smile settle onto his face at the feeling. I subconsciously started tapping Morse code on his head- the way to communicate he made me learn at the Wilderness School to talk during classes. It took a while, but I got the basics down. We hadn’t used it much since he’d gotten so busy with building the Argo ii, and we hadn’t used it at all since he’d been possessed by the Eidolon.

He stirred, and I immediately stopped tapping. I didn’t even realize until I’d stopped that I was tapping miss you.

I pulled my hand back, letting him blink his eyes open. I watched as he reached his arms up to stretch, a smirk crossing his face as he looked up at me.

“Well well well,” he said, looking up at me, “if I’d have known I’d be getting a late-night visit, I would’ve put on my good pajamas.”

I snorted at his attempt at a joke, rolling my eyes and smacking his arm gently with my hand.

His smirk widens as he rests his hands behind his head, “what can I do for ya, querida?”

I blushed lightly, breaking eye contact for a moment before saying, “I just wanted to see how you were doing…”

His smirk dropped slightly, looking uncomfortable, but his grin quickly returned as he said, “If you mean after having an evil spirit leave my body… I’d say I’m doing great, even better now that you’re here, estrella.”

I sighed, knowing his typical way of deflecting his feelings into humor. It would be hard to get around.

“Leo, I’m serious.” I prodded, “I know something’s been up lately.” I leaned back, allowing my arms to prop me up.

He scanned my face, his face becoming slightly more serious, but he didn’t let go quite yet.

“I think you’re just making up excuses to hangout with your charming best friend in the middle of the night,” he said, turning on his side to face me, resting his head on his hand and raising his eyebrows suggestively.

“Yeah, that’s it. I just was dying for some alone time with you.” I said with thick sarcasm in my voice, playing along to his game. The words were true, but that isn’t what I was here to talk about. That was a conversation for after I figured out what was going on with him.

“See, I knew it, mi amor,” he grinned, looking up at me, “come here.” He said, laying back and opening his arms.

I rolled my eyes, but obliged, moving forward until I was laying on the floor as well- our arms around each other and my head in his neck. Unfortunately the floor as uncomfortable as I anticipated. Although I hardly noticed that as I breathed in Leo’s scent. He always had a soft smell of camp fire, and I adored it. Nothing ever could make me feel so at home.

There had been many nights at the Wilderness School that Leo and I had spent comfortably laying on each other. There were even a few times we’d accidentally fallen asleep in each others dorms. It had always been purely platonic, although Piper had questioned us about it hundreds of times.

After we got to camp, we obviously weren’t allowed to sleep in the same cabin- or even lay together. And now with Coach Hedge on the look out… let’s just say I missed the times we got to spend together like this.

I took a deep breath, pushing the memories aside and bringing myself back to the present moment. I could feel Leo’s hands fiddling with the hair on the back of my neck.

“Leo?” I asked, exhaling.

“Hm?” He hummed quietly.

“Can you be honest with me?” I whispered, as I begun subconsciously tapping again on his side where my hand rested.

He was silent for a moment, still fiddling with my hair, before saying, “Of course, querida.”

I nodded, feeling the warmth of his neck against my cheek. “What’s been going on with you? I know the whole evil spirit thing was a lot… but something else has just seemed… off? You know?”

He took a deep sigh, hands moving to fiddle with something from the floor now instead of my hair. “The ‘whole evil spirit thing’ was definitely a lot…” he whispered, mocking the way I said it.

“But, I don’t really know.” He said, shifting slightly below me.

I lifted my head, looking up at him, and lightly tapping a word that I had learned very well on his side. Liar.

He shook his head, rolling his eyes at my gesture. “You just know me so well, huh?” He teased.

“Of course I do.” I nodded, now fully propping myself up to look at him. “And I know when something is off with you.”

He breaks eye contact, suddenly finding the wooden wall a lot more interesting than this conversation. “This just isn’t really what I expected… I don’t know.” He trails off.

He’s always had a hard time talking about his feelings. He didn’t open up to me about his mom until nine months into our friendship. I understood completely, but all I wanted was to help him.

The night that he finally opened up to me about her, I had helped him relax and then the words started flowing much more easily. I decided that I should do the same now.

I slowly reached my hands up to his head, bringing them to his hair and massaging gently. He leaned into my touch and closed his eyes.

“You don’t know?” I asked, not stopping my movements.

He hummed, clearly only half-paying attention now.

“It’s not what you expected?” I asked, repeating what he had just told me.

He opened his eyes slightly, gazing up at my face, but closed them again and leaned his head fully into his pillow. He gave a slight shrug, “I just feel…” he paused for a minute before continuing, “kind of like an outsider?”

I was taken aback by his words, but I didn’t show it. An outsider? And he’s saying this to the one person who gets him more than anyone?

I continued massaging his head, nodding at his words even though he couldn’t see me. “An outsider? Why?” I asked gently.

He shrugged again, and softly mumbled, “Everybody here just seems so useful to eachother. Percy and Jason have all their awesome powers. Piper literally saved me with her charm speak, Annabeth has her super smarts, you are just like all around perfect…” he trailed off, opening one eye to look at me.

I blushed, tucking my head into his neck again, but didn’t stop massaging his head.

He continued, “Hazel and Frank… actually I haven’t gotten to know them very well yet, but I bet they can do some awesome stuff too.” He finished.

The tone of his voice could’ve shattered my heart. When he finished talking, I pulled my hands away from his hair, propping myself up to get a better look at him.

“Leo?” I asked gently. He moved both of his hands behind his head again to look up at me.

“Yeah?”

“Who built this ship?” I ask.

“My cabin.” He answered.

“No Leo. Who is responsible for building this ship?” I asked again.

His eyebrows furrowed, before responding, “Me, but-“

“No.” I cut him off, “Stop that. None of us would even be here without you. You’re the most important one here. Seriously.” I said, confidently.

He let the corner of his mouth twitch into a slight smile, “Thanks, querida.”

I looked at him for a few moments, still not feeling like the air had been cleared. He wouldn’t make eye contact with me.

“Leo.” I said softly.

“Yeah?” He asked, still not meeting my eyes.

“That’s not everything, is it?” I asked, laying back down next to him and trying to catch his eyes.

He glanced over at me, before staring at the ceiling and giving his head a small shake.

“What’s going on?” I asked, reaching out a hand to rest on his arm and draw soothing shapes on it.

He pursed his lips, momentarily glancing at me again. He shook his head before speaking, “That’s not the only reason I feel like an outsider.”

I continued tracing shapes on his arm, “Then what is it?” I asked.

He gave a small chuckle, “You’re not going to let me joke my way through this one are you?”

“Never, Valdez,” I smiled through my words, shaking my head and scooting closer to him.

He finally turned his head toward me, looking into my eyes. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but then closed it again.

When he finally spoke, his voice was even softer than before. “Do you ever feel like… everyone’s got somebody and you’re just alone?”

I nod, recognizing this conversation as one we’d had before- particularly about when we were in foster care.

“You know I do.” I said gently.

“Well…” he said, rolling his head back toward the ceiling and throwing his arm over his face. “I just thought I was done feeling like that when we got to camp- and when I met you, Jason, and Piper- of course. But now that we’ve started this quest I’ve been feeling that way more than ever…” he trailed off, still covering his face with his arm.

I paused for a moment, considering his words. Could this be because of the Eidolon? Or maybe because we’re so far from all of his newfound brothers and sisters?

“Why do you think that is, Leo?” I asked, allowing my hand to rest now on his arm.

He removed his arm from his face, eyes directed toward the ceiling in silence for what felt like ages, before speaking, “…I don’t know how to explain it…” he paused again for several moments, “Like… Jason and Piper have eachother, Annabeth and Percy have eachother, Frank and Hazel don’t know it yet but they obviously are going to be together… and I just feel like… I don’t know…”

I processed his words, feeling the truth of them sink in. Almost everyone on our ship was paired off. But then again- so were we. The friendship that we shared did that for us. We had a connection between the two of us that we didn’t have with anyone else. We did all the same things as any of the other couples… we just weren’t a couple.

I start tracing my fingers along his arm again, softly saying, “Well, we have eachother.”

His eyes flickered to mine briefly, and then he fully turned on his side to finally face me, looking me directly in the eye.

I dropped my hand, feeling my heart rate pick up a little bit. I wasn’t sure why I was nervous, but it didn’t feel like a bad type of nervous.

“We have eachother.” He repeated, nodding.

“Of course.” I confirmed, nodding as well.

I watched as his eyes scanned over my face once, then again.

He reached into his pocket, pulling out a q-tip and a plastic bottle cap and began fidgeting with them.

“That’s different though,” he said, now watching his hands work with the items.

“Is it really, though?” I asked, watching him fidget as well. “I mean, you’re my best friend. We tell eachother everything, and we do things like-“ I paused, gesturing between us, “this.” I finished.

He nodded slowly, not meeting my eyes.

“I mean how different is that really from what they have?” I asked, shifting onto my back so I could stare at the ceiling.

He paused his fidgeting, returning the items to his pocket. He took a deep breath in, exhaling slowly. I was familiar with this look on his face. It meant he was deep in thought. It was the same look that he had when he’d be working in bunker 9.

I studied his face, reaching a hand out to gently rest on his cheek. He leaned into my hand, pressing a quick kiss to it before meeting my eyes again.

“You really are something special, you know that?” He whispered, glancing behind me at the cracked door.

I blushed, shaking my head slightly, “You are, Leo.” I said, scooting closer to him.

I could feel his breath on my face, and he glanced again to the cracked door.

I turned my head to see what he was looking at. “Everything okay?” I asked, “Did you hear something?”

When he didn’t answer, I turned my face to look back at him. He was now inches from me, looking intently into my eyes, and I swear I could see his eyes flicker to my lips for just a millisecond. He shook his head, looking back into my eyes.

A swarm of butterflies filled my stomach, and I could feel my face getting hot, but I stared back at him.

“Want me to close it?” I whispered, watching his chest rise and fall with every breath he took.

He nodded.

I sat up, pushing the door closed as quietly as I could with my foot. It shut with a quiet click, and I paused for a moment, listening to ensure that no one else had stirred from the sound.

When I was sure that no one had woken up, I turned back around, laying next to him again. His gaze was heavy on my face, and this time I was sure I caught his eyes flicker to my lips for a second.

Neither of us moved, just scanning eachothers faces- and I knew mine was bright red.

After a moment I whispered, “you okay?”

He opened his mouth again, but the words didn’t find him. He shifted, reaching out his hand to rest on my cheek gently, his hand warm and comforting. Our eye contact grew even heavier, and I felt a stirring deep in my stomach.

He leaned closer, hesitantly, as if he wasn’t sure what I would do. I immediately leaned in as well, closing the gap between us. We found eachothers lips in a hot, passionate kiss.

His mouth desperately moved over mine with a pent-up intensity. His hands tangled into my hair, ruffling gently to angle my face to move in sync with his. I gasped into the kiss, feeling his body against mine. The hand that wasn’t in my hair slid around my waist, his fingers pressing gently into my back as the kiss deepened, and I heard a low groan escape his throat. The sound made me feel like we were both on fire.

Each brush against each other sent shivers through my spine. I allowed my hands to move, finding his shoulders. The lean muscle was a familiar feeling beneath my fingers, but I gripped on him, bringing him even closer. I ran my hands down his back, silently encouraging him to press against me until I could feel every inch of him. His lips left mine, tracing down my jaw and grazing along my neck. I could feel waves of heat pulsing through my body. I gasped, tipping my head back as his mouth found a spot just below my ear, his lips burning against my skin.

He shifted, kicking my legs apart until his body was pressing me gently back against the wooden floor, and he was hovering over me. Both of us were breathing heavily, gazes intent on eachother as I felt his entire body against mine. He leaned down again, with more confidence this time, capturing my lips desperately. I could feel his hand shakily slipping beneath the hem of my shirt, hot fingers brushing the bare skin on my stomach.

My own hands followed his lead and roamed under his shirt, tracing the muscles along his back with my finger tips. I let out a quiet moan as he shifted his weight, pressing into me. His head dropped and his mouth returned to my neck, trailing a line of hot kisses and gentle bites that made me feel light headed. My fingers moved from his back to tangle in his hair, tugging gently, and he groaned against my skin. His hand continued moving up my side, leaving a trail of heat everywhere he touched.

As his hand traveled up, my shirt bunched up with it. His fingertips grazed my skin, and he lifted his head to look at me. “You’re so beautiful, mi amor.” He whispered, breathlessly.

He leaned in again, his lips trailing down my collarbone, pressing heated kisses against my skin as I tangled my hands in his hair again. He pressed his forehead to my collarbone, kissing all over. His hand resting on my side, and I felt the soft tapping of his fingers against my skin. He was using Morse code. He was tapping- love you. The realization sent a flood of warmth through my stomach, and I gripped his shoulders, pulling him even closer, feeling my eyes sting with pure love and happiness.

Then he shifted his weight again, his hips pressing into mine in a slow, intentional motion that left me breathless. I let out a soft gasp as I held onto his shoulders, feeling his heartbeat pounding against my own. His hands traced down my sides, his touch careful, as he pressed into me again, each movement full of longing.

We moved together, every touch and soft gasp saying what words couldn’t. His lips found mine once again, kissing more deeply, more fervent. I could almost feel his lips quirk into a smile against my lips as he took continued shifting his hips against mine. It was just us, our connection, tangled together, as everything else seemed to fade away.

The intensity slowly softened, and he cradled me in his arms, our foreheads pressed together as the room grew still. We were both panting, looking deeply into eachothers eyes and neither of us could fight the smiles overtaking our faces.

His fingers traced soothing patterns along my skin, and I reached my hand to his side. Gently tapping out the same code that he had earlier- love you.

Looking into his eyes, I could see them start to water a little bit too, as mine had before. It was just us. The two who never had a home, never had anyone who truly loved them- and now we were finding it all in each other.

The rest of the night was filled with soft whispered words, and several more gentle kisses. We were so completely wrapped up in our own little world that we didn’t even realize when we started to drift off together.

The next morning, I woke up to the sound of the door opening. I was immediately confused about where I was, until I felt his arms still wrapped around me, and smelled his soft scent of campfire. I looked up and he had a line of drool running down his chin. Adorable.

I heard someone clear their throat from behind me, and I instantly sat up, spinning around to see who it was.

My frantic movement had made Leo sit up as well, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

Annabeth stood at the door, arms crossed, looking down at us with an amused look on her face.

“It’s not what it looks like-“ I began.

Annabeth cut me off, “It’s definitely what it looks like.”

I could feel my face get hot, as I turned to Leo for help- but he was just staring at her wide-eyed like a deer in headlights.

I exhaled, shaking my head, “I just wanted to make sure everything was okay after-“

She cut me off again, “The Eidolon? I won’t tell Hedge, don’t worry. Just get back to your cabin before anyone else finds you two down here.” She said, gesturing up the stairs to my cabin.

I nodded, standing up and straightening out my appearance. I glanced back down at Leo, who looked extremely relieved.

As I went to exit, Annabeth held out a hand to stop me. She glanced down at my neck, then back at my face and let out a loud laugh.

“What?” I asked.

“On second thought, go see Piper before you go back to your cabin. She has some makeup.” Annabeth said, clearly amused.

“Makeup?” I asked, confused.

“You’ll see when you get there.” She said, shaking her head and looking back down at Leo.

As I headed away to the stairs, I could hear Annabeth talking to Leo. She said something like, “I like the idea. How comfortable would you say the stables are?”

[thestarsloth]

Pjo Headcanons (with jason alive and well)

Leo and Piper Iris message Hazel in camp jupiter ALL THE TIME

Piper is a huge sweet tooth but for some reason drinks her coffee black (not bc of all the not like other girls vibes she kinda gave, i just have this feeling)

Leo LoVEs iced tea (??? idk why)

Rachel and Hazel always meet up to draw and paint

Rachel and percy are bffs

Rachel ALWAYS wears the brightest neon colors, and at some point she got percy to do that too

Grover and Percy are always have enchilladas when they eat (grover is percys ultimate bff you can fight me)

Rachel Leo and Piper make earrings all together

Jason at some point wore heart shaped glasses

Plus he always has his nails painted by piper (platonic or romantic, idk and idc)

Frank and Hazel have matching blankets or sleeping bags

Reyna Hazel and Piper sword fight together

Annabeth and Piper read together and study about Ancient Greece

Annabeth lets Piper braid her hair (and sometimes dye it)

Hazel LOVES dressing piper up with vintage clothing

Frank and Grover do volunteer work together (mainly wildlife things)

Piper did teach annabeth and hazel surfing

The Seven's and nico and reyna's walls are decorated with polaroids of all of them

They all bring Coach Hedge cupcakes avery month

[thetarttfuldickhead]

”Hey, Coach! Wait up!”

Roy purposefully did not wait up, but kept striding down the corridor away from the festivities slowly dying down in the dressing room as the players prepared to head on to whatever celebrations they’d got lined up for the afternoon. Part of Roy still thought that half a day off for Christmas was disturbingly generous, but another part of him – one that had spent quite a lot of time in Dr. Sharon’s office these past few months – had to admit that the mini break seemed to bring a welcome energy boost to everyone, including the player who didn’t actually do Christmas.

He’d almost made it to the exit when Jamie caught up with him, throwing his gaffer a reproachful look as he pushed a stray stand of hair out of his eyes. “Jesus, Roy,” he complained. “Who died and made you the Grinch? Wouldn’t have fucking killed you to stand still for two seconds.”

“My sister’s working, and I promised I’d pick Phoebe up by two.” To be fair, it was only gone half twelve and he wasn’t in a rush, but making Jamie run was its own reward.

“Ah, yeah, yeah, okay.” Jamie nodded, falling into step as Roy pushed the door open and headed out into the windy December day.

When he didn’t immediately follow that up with anything else, Roy gave him an annoyed glare that was almost entirely sincere. “Did you fucking want something?” he asked meaningfully.

Jamie’s eyebrows shot up, as if he’d legitimately forgotten about his errand and was content to just enjoy Roy’s company (a notion that, while no longer quite new, still occasionally hit Roy as a football to the face, leaving him feeling all sorts of strange). ”Oh, right,” Jamie said. “Yeah. Mum and Simon’s come down since I can’t go home ‘cause of the game tomorrow, and Simon’s going to be making enough food for, like, half the team, so… ”

“So what?” Roy demanded, not so much because he didn’t get what Jamie was getting at – he wasn’t that thick – but to buy himself a second to process the whole thing. Also, image.

Jamie shrugged, as always undeterred by Roy’s barking. “I dunno. Maybe you bring Phoebe over to my place. Have dinner with us.” He grinned, clearly enjoying whatever faces Roy was making. “Mummy insisted. Said it’d be rude not to invite me best friend.”

“I’m not your best friend.”

“Yeah, I know, mate. You’re not mine either. But as I said, Mum insisted.” He smiled again, just as widely and wickedly, but for a fleeting moment, there was a trace of uncertainty in his grey eyes. “C’mon. You know Mum and Phoebe will get on like a house on fire.”

Roy could imagine it only too well. Between them and Jamie, he had a feeling he’d be outmanoeuvred at every turn.

Oddly enough, the notion wasn’t quite as unappealing as it ought to have been. And it’d probably help take Phoebe’s mind off having to spend yet another Christmas Day without her own mother.

“I’ll ask Phoebe,” he hedged. Partly because it really was the decent thing to do, not dragging her off to somewhere on Christmas Day without her agreeing to it, and partly because it meant he could safely blame her if they ended up going.

“Mint.” Jamie smiled, pleased. “Keeley’s coming, too.”

“What?” Roy’s eyes snapped to his face. “You could have fucking led with that.”

“Nah. Wanted to make sure you said yes for me and not for her, yeah?”

“You’re an idiot,” Roy told him. “And I haven’t said yes yet.”

Jamie made a thoughtful face. “Who’s the more idiotic, the idiot or the one who spends his Christmas with the idiot?” he pondered aloud, and then – completely ignoring Roy’s second point – added, “See you later, Coach. Mum said not to bring anything, but she likes them half-sweet wines from Germany, yeah?”

And before Roy had time to repeat that he hadn’t actually agreed to come, you muppet, Jamie had sauntered over to his own car, looking so happy it made Roy’s heart do weird fucking things.

Oh, well, Roy thought, getting into this own care turning the ignition on. He’d pass by a Sainsbury on the way from to Jamie’s place that ought to be open for another few hours yet. He could pick up a couple of bottles of Rieslings there.

[ladykailitha]

Of Butterflies and Backstrokes Part 5

Hey guys!! Things are finally starting to move in this story, I'm not sure how much longer we have, but I just started Eddie's training, so whooo!!

In this we have Eddie being dumb, fixing it, and then apologizing properly! He can be taught!

Part 1 Part 2 Part 3 Part 4

~

Robin smacked the back of Steve’s head as she walked past. “No staring. It’s creepy!”

Steve ducked his head and blushed. He had been caught staring so many times today that, yeah, it was starting to be a little creepy now. But in all fairness, Eddie was staring right back. A thought that sent Steve spiraling. But like in a ‘oh shit, that’s hot!’ way.

Which he really, really needed to tamp down on, because yes, the guy was eighteen, but like barely.

“You should just go talk to him,” Robin encouraged gently. Because for all her teasing, she knew how important it was for Steve to talk to him about his swimming.

Steve nodded. He had time until his next class. He took a deep breath and squared his shoulders. He walked up to Eddie and flashed him his patented Harrington smile.

“Hey, you’re Eddie, right?” he said warmly. “Robin tells me you like to swim on Saturdays, yeah?”

Eddie blinked at him for a moment. “Um, hi. Yup! That’s me. My mom used to call me her little fish.”

Steve grinned. He liked that. He wished his mom had taken that kind of interest in his swimming. “I saw you swimming when I was helping Joyce set up for the party last weekend and you were really good! Did you compete in high school?”

“Nah,” Eddie said with a shrug. “I wanted to, but I couldn’t get someone to take me that early in the morning so I stopped. Competed in middle school, though. I was decent enough, I guess.”

Steve was shocked. To have to stop just when you hit your stride must have been quite the blow.

“That fucking sucks, man,” Steve said with a grimace. He scratched his cheek thoughtfully. “You ever think about competing on the national level? Because I really think you could.”

Eddie rolled his eyes with a scoff. “Yeah, right. I couldn’t afford the coach let alone all the traveling I’d have to do to make it to meets. I’m going to have to pass on that one.”

“There’s actually a program here for people who can’t afford it,” Steve hedged. “Robin used it when we both first started out.” He was fighting back the urge to start biting his nails.

Eddie’s eyes narrowed and Steve gulped. “Is that so?” He nodded. “Well ain’t that nice. Still not interested.”

Steve wished the floor would swallow him or that pool would suddenly flood or that he’d get a brain aneurysm and die, right there on the spot. He pursed his lips together and nodded with his whole upper body. He turned on his heel and walked away.

When he was about to the other side of the pool, Eddie called out, “Who would even want to coach me?”

Steve turned around with a grin. “I would.” Then he spun on his toes and walked out of the pool area to the cool fresh air of the hallway.

~

Once Steve was out of the pool area and into the hall, he had a full on panic attack. He sank to the floor and held his head in his hands. Why the fuck did he offer to coach Eddie? He didn’t know Eddie, he was afraid of deep water, and he hadn’t even talked to Joyce yet.

It was a real mess now, but the words just forced themselves from him and now he wants to gobble them back up. Well maybe they’ll just avoid each other from now on. They had done a pretty good job up to this point, they could just continue as normal and forget all about how Steve made a fool of his himself.

Then slowly he began to come out of his panic attack to the sounds of soft words and the gentle rubbing of his wrists with their thumbs. His breathing evened, his heart rate dropped, and his eyes fluttered open.

The eyes looking back at him were warm chocolate brown and deeply concerned. The angel in front of him said something but Steve couldn’t hear. Then all at once all the sounds came rushing back into the hall. And suddenly there were more people in the hall with him than he thought. In addition to Eddie who was the one holding his hands, Robin and Joyce were there too.

“I think he’s coming around,” Joyce said gently as Steve’s eyes focused on her. “Hey, there, Steve. Are you okay now?”

Steve gulped, nodding. He was feeling better. In fact he didn’t have a pounding headache like he usually had after an episode. “My head doesn’t hurt.” He looked over at Robin in confusion. “Why doesn’t it hurt?”

“Uh...” Eddie said hesitantly. “I might have something to do with that. I used some calming techniques my friend’s dad showed me.”

Steve turned to him, mouth open in awe. “Oh. Thank you.” He didn’t know what to do with that because technically it was his conversation with Eddie which caused the panic attack in the first place. But maybe that’s why Eddie helped, because he knew he’d caused it. That was a nice thought, Steve supposed.

Eddie smiled and stood back up. “I have to get back to work. You take care of yourself, okay Stevie?”

Steve nodded and Eddie slapped his hands on his knees, standing up. He muttered goodbye to the two women and then wandered off.

As Robin helped him to his feet, she said dryly, “I take it the conversation didn’t go well.”

He barked out a laugh causing Joyce to look back and forth between them in confusion. So Steve put her out of her misery. “I was telling him that he was good enough of a swimmer to compete, but I think he thought I was mocking him or something, because he kinda blew me off.”

He rubbed his temples for a moment before adding. “I even offered to coach him.”

Joyce blinked at him for a moment. “You offered what now?”

When he looked up both Robin and Joyce were looking at him with large, wide eyes and slack jaws. “Yeah, that’s kinda what started the panic attack if I’m honest. I know I am like the worst person for the job with all my...” he waved his hand helplessly. Then he snapped his fingers. “Issues. Anyway. It was nice of him to help me out after all that.”

“Dingus...” Robin said with a heavy sigh. “What were you going to do if he accepted?”

Steve grimaced and ducked his head. “Have you help me?” He looked up at her through his eyelashes and batted them, pouting.

Robin pushed his shoulder. “Disgusting!” Then she gave him a huge hug and kiss on the cheek. “Of course I’d help you.”

“I think it would be perfect,” Joyce blurted out. They both turned and looked at her. “This place could use the publicity if I’m honest. There are other pools in Indy that have been bringing in the bigger names. So if Eddie accepts and starts training under five time gold medal champion Steve Harrington...”

“Then this place could start bringing in the big names again,” Robin said. “Not to say that Steve isn’t a big name of his own,” she added when Steve’s face twisted into something like offense.

Steve shook his head. “Which isn’t going to happen because he said no.”

Joyce and Robin sighed. There was that. But they knew they shouldn’t go trying to pressure Eddie into it. Plus, despite how good he was there was no telling he’d be on par or better than his younger peers.

Steve and Robin left Joyce standing there, pondering her dilemma.

~

Eddie chewed on the inside of his cheek thoughtfully. He was grateful that the technique worked, but he was pretty sure that he had caused the attack in the first place. Which was... not good. He could have handled the offer to have him trained to compete a little better. Steve was paying him a compliment and he threw it back in his face as charity. He didn’t need charity not from no one.

There was no two ways about it. He was going to have to apologize. Which was never his strong suit. But he’d do it. He just wasn’t going to take Steve up on his offer. He would see about staying on here as paid help because then he could still have access to his beloved pool.

It took him a couple of days but finally their schedules matched up and Eddie was on his break and Steve had time between classes again.

“Um, hey,” he said timidly, sauntering up to Steve. “I just wanted to apologize for being a bitch on Monday. I was rude and that wasn’t fair.”

A slow smile spread out over Steve’s face. “Thanks. I did just spring it on you without an preamble, so...”

Eddie laughed. “Yeah, there was that. But it still was mean and I should have been nicer.”

“Well, you made up for it by helping me with the panic attack afterwards,” Steve said. “I’d say that makes us even.”

“A panic attack I’m pretty sure I caused.”

Steve winced, confirming the worst of Eddie’s suspicion on that one. Steve rubbed his chin thoughtful. “I’ll tell you what, if you teach Robin and Joyce that technique you used to pull me out of my panic attack, then we’ll be even.”

Eddie smiled that sweet closed mouth smile that melted Steve’s insides when he saw it. “Sure thing I can do that. On Saturday before the crew swim. I’ll teach them both.”

Steve’s shoulders relaxed. That was going to be so useful, having multiple people know how to get him out of an attack would make it easier for him to go out in public. Something that was very limited after the incident in Beijing.

“That’ll be great, thanks.”

“You should come too,” Eddie suggested. “I know you don’t like being in the pool, but you could come hang out and have a little fun for a change.”

Steve gasped dramatically. “What do you mean? Isn’t teaching beginning classes meant to be fun?”

Eddie’s eyes went wide. It took him two seconds long than it should have to realize that Steve was joking him. He pushed Steve’s shoulder playfully.

“At least with us,” he teased, “we won’t try and drown you, deliberately or otherwise.”

Steve tilted his head to side and looked at him in confusion. Where the urge to bite those cheeks came from, Eddie will deny knowing until his last breath. “I saw that snotty teenaged little shit try to pull you into the pool. That’s fucked up at hell.”

Steve’s smile was blinding. “Fair enough. I like getting to sleep in on Saturdays, but we’ll see.”

Eddie grinned back. “I never used to get up this early for school. But ya know, keeping out of jail is pretty inspiring.”

“I could see that, yeah,” Steve agreed. “It was the one downside being on the swim team in high school.”

“You went to a regular high school?” Eddie asked tilting his head. “I would have thought after getting fifth in your first Olympics you would have gone to a special school for kids that are huge in sports or whatever?”

Steve blinked at him for a moment. “Do they have schools like that?”

“They do for like actors and shit,” Eddie said with a shrug. “So I assumed they would have something similar for the jocks.”

Steve laughed. “Yeah, no. That would have been preferable.” He shook his head. “But no, it’s much more cut throat that than that. Pretty much, schools try and poach students from other schools to make the best sports teams.”

Eddie’s eyebrows shot up. “Wait, really?”

“Yep!” Steve said beaming at him. He looked up at the clock on the wall. “Look, my next class is about to start. So I really should get going. Especially with Joyce’s son in the class, I don’t want to be late.”

“Why is he starting so late?” Eddie asked. “I would have thought with Joyce being in charge of the rec center and his older brother literally being a trainer too, he would have been in the tots class.”

Steve nodded. “She didn’t get the manager position until five years ago and Will was afraid of the water by then. So they just waited until he was ready.”

“So he’s ready now?” Eddie asked curiously.

“Mhmm,” Steve hummed. “All his friends are going to be in the class with him, so he ready to hop in the pool with them.”

Eddie smiled. “That’s cute.”

That surprised a huff of laughter out him. “Sure is. But don’t tell him that. He’s at the age where cute is akin to baby and well...”

“He’s too old for that?” Eddie finished.

“Yeah.”

“I feel that,” Eddie agreed. “Have fun in your class, and remember you can always make it look like an accident.”

Steve laughed out right at that and waved goodbye. Eddie watched him go feeling better about the whole panic attack thing. Now all he had to do was make sure it never happened again. Or at least not by his own big fucking mouth.

~

Part 6 Part 7 Part 8 Part 9 Part 10 Part 11 Part 12 Part 13 Part 14 Part 15

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[notebookqueenofnarnia]

Okay Demigods

now that Season 2 has been confirmed (!!!!!!!!!!) I am here to make my official appeal that you ALL read the books. and yes...i mean ALL the books. Because here is what you are missing if you don't:

(mostly spoiler free. mostly vibes and chaotic no context)

OG PERCY JACKSON

Percy's INCREDIBLE sarcasm

Lots of chaotic Mr. D moments

Percy's unending absolute obliviousness when it comes to: his own abilities/powers, his own feelings towards a certain daughter of Athena, and EVERYONE'S feelings towards him

the full list of Percy's felonies (it's longer than you think!)

how much Percy thinks about Annabeth, especially in the third book

The Hunters of Artemis (everyone's like 'which godly parent would you have?' but im like ??? who cares??? I'm running off with the girls to immortal to hunt men i mean monsters)

soooooooooo much Sally Jackson is the Best Mom (to everyone who walks through her door) content

BLACKJACK. TRANS ICON BLACKJACK THE PEGASUS.

Rachel. Elizabeth. Dare. (this is how the audiobook says her name every single time)

Paul Blofis

Sally Jackson, author

Poseidon: Blowfish?

HEROES OF OLYMPUS

If you don't read these books you are missing out on some of the coolest female characters Rick has created: PIPER (an iconic), HAZEL (unintentionally hilarious), REYNA (beautiful character arc), and ANNABETH's point of view will have you loving her on a whole other level, trust me

Also: COACH HEDGE

Leo

All The Ladies Love Leo

the audiobooks are INSANE. It felt like a full cast read the book, but no. it was just one insanely talented narrator.

FESTUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS (im a dragon girlie)

Personally, I spent a lot of time reading the OG 5 wondering about how Roman mythology plays into Percy's world. Uncle Rick answered my questions and answered them SO WELL

Hazel the horse girl

Frank the horsebirddolphinman

Frank, gentle himbo, my beloved son

MY FAVORITE SCENE WHICH INVOLVES PERCY NOT KNOWING HOW TO DRIVE, A HARPY, FRANK, AND HAZEL AND THEYRE ALL SCREAMING AND IM PRETTY SURE STUFF IS ON FIRE

Forced Proximity for 7 teenagers and one chaotically violent satyr (that's Coach Hedge)

Eros/Cupid being one the most genius things Rick's ever written

Percy's hate of Ares transcending god magic

(also his love of Annabeth, but that's like obvious)

PercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabethPercabe

weird barely gnome things

this one giant whose name is definitely not pronounced like female anatomy

everyone thinking Percy and Annabeth are constantly getting up to the hanky panky

a statue made me cry

Gay Grumpy/Sunshine (or should that be Death/Sunshine) origins!!

TRIALS OF APOLLO

Apollo, vain himbo of godly proportions is forced to live as Lester Papadopoulos

Percy: why

a very chaotic twelve year old daughter of Demeter

she commands Apollo around

plant magic

terrible great haikus at the start of every chapter

Sally Jackson being the best mom to everyone who comes to her door

magic shoes

a sassy magic prophetic arrow that talks in Shakespearean English

so much gay grumpydeath/sunshine content

also yes sunshine's dad is Apollo

Apollo sings

Grover! Piper! Reyna! Hazel! All the friends! Everyone

Jason! (also im sorry)

what if there were some trees who were an elite squad of warriors who also answer to the chaotic twelve year old

gay moms of the midwest

unicorns

in the last book, chiron takes the campers on a 'field trip' to help take down the big baddie and he shows up dressed as a warrior soccer mom with granola bars, water bottles, and extra swords attached to his fanny pack

a different chaotic twelve year old while fighting to the death in a building that's on fire: "CAN WE GO ON FIELD TRIPS EVERY WEEK?"

chiron: "ROSE DEAR RAISE YOUR SWORD A LITTLE HIGHER!"

okay im not going to spoil it but in the last book there is also this extremely horrifyingly violent moment that Uncle Rick somehow turns into one of the most hilarious things i've ever read

Piper in the epilogue

CHALICE OF THE GODS

more insanely funny percy first person narration

Grover, Percy, Annabeth reunite ("the gang is back together!" "The three musketeers!" "Shrek, Fiona, and Donkey!" "Excuse me?")

have you met the god of himbos? (Percy has)

SO

MANY

EASTER

EGGS

for Season one. you can totally see how Uncle Rick worked on the script and chalice together

if you liked Annabeth shoving Percy into the water....this one is for you

Percy, supreme god of snakes

the cutest cutest cutest cutest Percabeth content you will ever read

hippie gods (yes more than one)

Percy is literally obsessed with Annabeth

Annabeth already being the Jackson daughter in law

Sally Jackson and Paul and

For the record: You CAN read Chalice of the Gods without reading the other series, but please please please read all these books. The audiobooks are phenomenal.

[rosesradio]

i accidentally deleted the ask that requested this, and i forgot who asked it, but whoever wanted some valgrace cuddles (who doesn’t lol), this is for you !! 💌 It was 2:37 AM when thunder boomed across the sky. Leo awoke blearily, curls in all directions and eyelids heavy. He yawned, rolling over in an attempt to fall asleep once more.

It should have been easy.

It wasn't.

A new idea rolled around Leo's mind, stirring him from any hope of rest. He couldn't—as much as he wanted to—he couldn't bother Jason.

And yet.

Huffing, emerging from his warm sheets and cushiony comforter, Leo padded over to the door to his room. He could feel the motion of the ship under his feet, minute in the way any large vessel moved. He closed the door behind him, as silent and careful as a horror movie protagonist. With Coach Hedge keeping an eye on them, Leo couldn't be sure when he was safe to embark on this little late-night visit. Still, the promise of seeing Jason was too tempting to ignore.

Leo made his way over to Jason's door, finding it, to his surprise, already opened. He slipped inside, shutting the door behind him, finally letting out a breath.

"Leo?" Jason's voice asked, confused with that half-sleepiness that made Leo unable to help but smile.

"Yeah, Superman, 'm here," Leo replied faintly. He shuffled over as Jason wordlessly pulled the blanket up, inviting Leo into bed.

Leo slipped under the covers—into Jason's arms—as easy as breathing.

They weren't quite…together. Yet. Maybe ever. They were in this perpetual stage of…something, which had started two weeks prior when Jason went to Leo's room after a particularly nasty nightmare. After that, some things shifted in their relationship. They were close in this way, cuddling close and speaking softly with each other, only under the cover of darkness.

It wasn’t one of those crappy movies about a secret gay relationship in which Jason would shove him against the lockers when others were around. Leo just assumed that he wanted to keep what little privacy he had on the ship.

Unless…

“Jason?” Leo asked softly, unsure if he was waking the son of Jupiter. At his low, questioning hum, Leo added: “How would you feel if Coach caught us tomorrow?”

“Mm,” Jason managed pulling Leo even more firmly against him. His voice was warm near Leo’s ear. “I’d tell ‘m to kick rocks, probably. Give us five more minutes…”

Leo snickered, letting out a content sigh as he held on to Jason’s arm. “I’d like that,” he murmured. “But…you wouldn’t be embarrassed to be caught with me…?”

Jason made another hum, this one a bit more disapproving. “You kidding? You should be embarrassed to be caught with me, we both know you’re the brains to my trophy husband…”

Leo was sure it was just senseless sleepy ramblings, though his heart skipped a beat at Jason’s words. Trophy husband…that implied that they were, in fact, together. If they were official or not.

In a moment of bravery, Leo brought Jason’s hand up to his lips, pressing a slow and gentle kiss to the back of it.

If I could kiss your lips, he wanted to say, this would be how I would do it.

“Glad you know what our roles are,” Leo said instead.

Jason hummed once more in recognition and, to Leo’s gut-twisting surprise, placed a gentle kiss to the crook of Leo’s neck.

Letting out a content sigh, Leo settled against him. Their legs tangled under the thick comforter. Jason’s torso rested fully against Leo’s, his frame like a large, soft blanket from the dryer. His arm was wrapped around Leo, comforting and protective all at once.

Leo only knew the tip of the iceberg when it came to New Rome, though he knew a lot of the flashy details were all for show. The reality of what he had, of what his life was like, was a lot more bleak.

Leo supposed he protected Jason as well. With his words—his kindness and jokes and quick mechanical thinking. That must have been why Jason held him so protectively. Because he was his.

Leo was never used to being anyone’s before, what with everyone turning him away in disgust and fear after his mother died.

Holding on to Jason’s arm like a prized possession, Leo finally found himself able to drift off into a dreamless sleep.

[poppitron360]

Just read Leo’s death scene in BOO and I’m hopping on the angst train before I keep reading and he comes back-

I wrote this short fic just now, about Frank and the Hephaestus cabin dealing with the aftermath of Leo’s sacrifice.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Frank took a deep breath, and approached the Hephaestus table, nervously. He recognised a few of his Camp Jupiter friends sitting with Leo’s siblings. Out of all the cabins, theirs seemed most affected by the battle. They ate their food with a sense of solemn melancholy, talking in low voices. Most of them, particularly the older ones, barely touched their food. Even the Romans, who had barely known Leo, seemed to share in their siblings’ grief. Frank could tell that Leo’s death had hit them all hard.

“Jake Mason, right?” He asked, addressing the guy sitting at the head of the table, slowly turning his spaghetti over with his fork, but not eating it.

“Yeah?”

Frank heaved the large wooden box he was carrying onto the table, trying to avoid people’s plates.

“Leo… he- he didn’t exactly leave a last will and testament…” Frank said, trying to keep his voice from choking up, “But he told me to give you guys this.”

He opened the box, and the campers peered inside.

“The lost scrolls of Archimedes,” He explained, “We found them underneath Rome. Leo’s been studying them. He wanted you to have them.”

“Woah…” One of the campers gasped. The others stared in awe at the scrolls in the box.

“There’s more,” Frank told them. With shaking hands, he reached into the box and pulled out from underneath the scrolls a collection of small, leather-bound notebooks, rectangular in shape, a different gold inscription stamped on the front in Ancient Greek.

“The Valdez Texts…” Frank announced, “Leo knew he was probably not gonna make it out of the battle. He wanted to make sure people could carry on his legacy. He copied all of his blueprints and schematics of the Argo II, all his inventions, all his findings and teachings, his notes, his unfinished projects, everything he learned and discovered- all into these notebooks for you guys to study, make improvements, learn from them, carry on his work.” He looked around at the table, “He told me it was very important that it was shared between children of both Hephaestus and Vulcan. No more fighting. No more stealing. He was a brother to you all, and…” He turned to the visitors from Camp Jupiter, “He told me to tell you he’s really sorry for launching a missile attack on your city… he hopes this helps you rebuild it.”

They all stared, speechless, at the texts.

One of the older-looking girls- Frank remembered her name was Nyssa- reached out and took one of the books in trembling fingers. She flipped through the pages, staring in awe. “Valdez made all this?”

“Well, me and Hazel helped him copy it all down,” Frank admitted, “His handwriting is atrocious.”

He suddenly felt a sharp pang of sadness. Was, he thought, his handwriting was atrocious.

Nyssa chuckled, sadly.

“And Hazel helped illustrate the drawings and diagrams. It was the least we could do to help you guys. And Leo wanted to make sure it was just as much a Roman thing as it was Greek.”

Nyssa handed her copy to one of her newfound siblings from Camp Jupiter, and picked up another, “And they’re ours? To share? The scrolls too?”

Frank nodded, “Leo thought it was only right that you all should have them. All his rough work was destroyed when the Argo II broke apart, but he made sure these made it out.”

It had been Buford’s last act of service to his master. As soon as they’d arrived at Camp Half-Blood, that wonderful little table had taken the crate of valuables and flown away to safety before the ship could explode. Once the battle was over, he had flown back to Frank, and with one last forlorn “Put some clothes on” from the Coach Hedge hologram, the table had deactivated. Frank didn’t want to just throw Buford away, so he’d kept it as a writing desk. He’d study, map, plan, and create on it, just like how Leo would’ve wanted. He planned to take him back with him to Camp Jupiter- a little piece of him to stay with Frank forever.

He looked at the pile of books. He thought it was strange- Leo’s life’s work condensed into just a few notebooks. His entire legacy on the table in front of them. But Leo was a smart guy. He knew these books would be passed down for generations, much like Archimedes’ texts. Every Greek and Roman scholar that people talk about still to this day- Hippocrates, Pythagoras, Galen- was remembered because they wrote stuff down. And Leo knew the importance of that. He wasn’t just giving his siblings some dusty notebooks, he was giving them knowledge. He was giving them power. Frank’s mouth twisted into a sad smile. It was exactly the kind of genius thing Leo would do. He just couldn’t believe he was gone.

He picked up another notebook, and turned to a random page and began to read in his head:

Valdez Philosophy No. 730- One question a good mechanic must always ask themselves is: Is it worth it? Is it a problem that’s worth solving? Is it a machine worth inventing? Don’t get me wrong, I love a Hydraulic Chicken Launcher as much as the next mad scientist- but sometimes the cost of time and materials outweigh the necessity for it.

But if the machine can help out a friend, and maybe even save a life?

That’s never not worth your time.

Frank’s eyes welled with tears. Underneath the words was a sketch of something Frank recognised. It was the pouch that Leo had made for him to keep his firewood safe.

That’s never not worth your time.

After everything they’d been through together, after the way Frank had treated Leo when they’d first met, after all the death-glares and the snide remarks and the passive-aggressive comments that weren’t entirely meant in kindness- Leo still cared for Frank. He still took the time to make sure he could keep him safe. He still felt like Frank was worth it. This kid always put other people first, to the point where he had died to do so. He was brave, and heroic. He was the reason Frank no longer feared fire. He’d changed his life. Frank owed him everything. Now, he’d never get to repay that debt.

————————————————————————————————————————————————————————-

Anyway, I’m gonna go cry now. Platonic Valzhang is everything to me.

[heretoreadanddrinktea]

The Smell of Home

Simon Riley x reader Western AU

Dust swirls in the crowded space of the stagecoach, causing the old lady to your left to cough haggardly into a cream handkerchief; body shaking as the cough rattled through her lungs. The younger lady who couldn’t have been older than six and ten who had accompanied the coughing woman onto the carriage two stops ago placed a gentle hand on her back, patting it softly to try and ease the rageful hacking. 

You grimace in empathy and offer the metal water canister from the brown carpet bag on your lap, “It's the dry season and the dust is just horrid, isn’t it? I would be happy to share my water with you if you think it would help.” 

A pale knobby hand with paper thin skin reached out and grappled the tin from your hands, leaving you blinking in mute surprise as the old woman chugged all of the water that you had set aside for the days travel. Her companion gave you an apologetic smile as the older lady shoved the empty canteen back into your hands with barely concealed belch. 

“Good god!” She exclaimed as she smacked her thin lips together, “It gets drier each year; when I was young it wasn't nearly so dry in august!” 

You put the now empty canteen back into your travel bag with a bland polite smile, internally cringing at the long day ahead of you; How far was it to Lamont? Twenty-three miles? You would undoubtedly be parched by then. 

“You did live in Kentucky, not Oklahoma grandma.” The old lady's companion (Apparently her granddaughter) murmured softly, as if she was nervous to correct the fiery older woman. “It is a lot wetter where you grew up than here.” 

“Pshaw!” The grandmother threw her hands up in broad sweeping motions that didn’t fit in such a small space, causing the older gentleman on the bench across to startled awake with a snort, blinking blearily with obvious afront. “Oklahoma ain’t that different from Kentucky! Theres's enough grass, water, cattle, and plenty of smelly horses-” You leaned as far back in your seat to avoid being smacked in the face as she gestured wildly again. “-at both places for them to be one and the same.” 

“I imagine many parts are similar ...” You hedge as you gently push the old lady's arm away from your face.  

  “Well, when you have lived as long as I have you will learn that most places are the same.” She grouched, glowering over at you with rheumy eyes as the carriage jostled, causing its occupants to bump into each other.  

Hot, you flip open your fan and wave it in front of your face to try and stave off of the heat. The traveling dress you had chosen to wear on the journey would probably be ruined by Boston's societies standards after the two weeks of travel, but you thought that with a wash it would probably be more than acceptable by Lamont’s standards. The once creamy yellow of the dress is now dampened by the ever-constant dust kicked up from the horses and wheels of the carriage on the dirt road. While this is only your third day of travel by coach, the trains with their billowing smoke weren’t much better in the way of cleanliness, and there were many places streaked in gray from that leg of the journey. 

“Well, aren’t you a nicely put together little thing,” The old lady sniffed noisily which brought your attention to the fact that the comment had been directed at you. 

Was that meant as compliment? You wondered to yourself as you smiled blandly and murmured something that sounded grateful.  

“Much too nice to be from around here,” She continued with an air of all-knowingness. “Who are you visiting in these savage lands?” 

You hem a bit, feeling uncomfortable with the conversation being directed at your life. “It's not that savage ...” 

The older lady's thin eyebrows arched towards the roof of the coach, “That isn’t up for debate young lady. Now tell me,” You could swear that you heard her stomp her foot, “Who are you visiting!?!” 

Her granddaughter pressed her face into her gloved hands in embarrassment. You take in a steadying breath before answering the poor girls overbearing grandmother, “I grew up at the stagecoaches next stop.” 

Keen eyes assessed her, “You aren’t dressed like a country bumpkin.” 

You shouldn’t be shocked you think as you stare at the old woman; she has been bold and rude already, so this shouldn't be taking you by surprised. “I’ve spent almost a decade in Boston with my aunt, so I suppose that I don’t look or sound like I’m from a small town, no.” You offer a smile that is a little bit more like a grimace. 

“Are you returning to get married?”  

Good golly was she nosy. You put your fan back into your bag as you answered carefully, “While I do not currently have someone waiting on me, I would not be against the idea.” 

She huffed as if she were offended, “Of course you wouldn’t be against the idea!”  

“Grandma ...” Came the quiet plea from the girl on the other side of old woman, “I’m sure miss-” Her eyes cut to you as she waited for you to supply a last name. You did. “-Allen here has other things to do than talk to us.” 

“Nonsense! We are stuck in a box on wheels for the next few hours, what else does she have to do other than talk!”  

You feel the silent groan that wasn’t omitted by the other passengers to your core, and close your eyes briefly to pray for some patience. 

   *    *    *  

When you stepped out into the streets of Lamont that are bathed in light from the sun low in the sky, you couldn’t help but let out a long, relieved sigh. You were done. You were home. Well, kind of. You frown slightly as you look around for your father, who you were expecting to pick you up. You had wired him a message two days prior informing him that you would be coming in on the six-thirty stagecoach so that he knew when to pick you up, and while the coach was admittedly almost an hour behind schedule, you had thought that he would wait for you. 

He wouldn’t leave you here, would he? You rubbed at your forehead with gloved fingers, a headache pounding in rhythm with your heart. You had really hoped that this part of the journey home was going to be easy. With no one you knew in sight, you supposed you may need to see if there is an open room at the inn and either get a hold of your father in the morning, or rent a horse from the livery to make your own way home. 

“Are you Ms. Allen?” 

  A gasp is ripped from your chest at the sound of your name being uttered behind you, heart leaping like a bird trapped in a cage trying to break free. Before you could stop yourself, you had swung your handbag in a purely defensive move at the towering form behind you; the cloth of the bag meeting skin with a solid thunk as his face snapped to the side from the force of the impact. 

“Oh my god!”  One hand clamps over your mouth while the other drops the improvise weapon and reached out shakily to the man who was bent over grabbing his jaw, your eyes wide and owlish. “Are you okay??? I am so sorry. You took me surprise, and I-I- oh your poor face- I didn’t think, I just acted-”  

He cut off your panicked rambling with a giant gloved hand. “Fuckin’ ‘el, what is in that fuckin’ bag; bricks?” 

You press your palms into your skirt, “Um, uh, no ... What you felt was probably my books and water flask.” You leaned forward to try and get a better look at his face behind his hand, “Are you bleeding anywhere? I didn’t break anything, did I?”  

Still rubbing his jaw, the man straightened back to his full height, peering down at her with dark eyes.  His lower face is covered with a black bandana, the only thing visible between the cloth and the brim of his cowboy hat being those dead amber eyes. His voice is thick with an English accent when he responds, “Don’t think so.” 

Guard immediately back up, you hastily bend and snatch your bag off of the dirt, dusting it off with brusque movements. “I apologize if I hurt you, but you really shouldn’t have surprised me.” You scold while taking furtive glances around the seemingly empty street. If this strange man were to snatch you off the street would anyone even notice? “How do you know my name?” Now you meet him dead in the eye, searching for the answer to your question in what parts of his face you can see. Jesus he was massive. You grew up around big rough cowboys, and yet you don’t think you have ever met a man so tall and filled out. 

“Mr. Allen sent me in his stead. You’re late,” he said gruffly. 

“Oh,” You murmur in response to him being sent instead of your father, running a hand along your forehead to push back a strand of hair that had come out of its braid out of your eyes. “Yes, the stagecoaches axel broke, which delayed our travel.” You peer at him through your lashes, “I’d apologize for my delay, accept that it was out of my control.” 

He grunted. “Wasn’t askin’ fer an apology.” He strode on long legs to where the stagecoach had unloaded all of the passenger's luggage, “Which one is yours.” 

Following him like a lost puppy, you point to a medium sized cedar trunk, “That one is mine.” 

Silently he grabbed it and hoisted it up onto his broad shoulder; carrying it to a waiting wagon on the other side of the street. Setting it in the flat back with an audible bang of wood on wood, he gestured to the front bench, “Get in. Wastin’ light.” Instead of offering you a hand like any gentleman would, he clambered in and sat on the left side of the bench, gathering the long leather reigns into his broad gloved hands. 

When you didn’t follow him immediately, he turned his head so that he could look at you, one eyebrow inching skyward. You look pointedly at the high step you would need to make in your long skirt to get up onto the bench, then finally gather your skirts so that they are out of the way of your feet to make your way onto the wagon. “You may not know this,” You cut him another glance as you heave yourself up, “But usually as a man you would offer your assistance in this situation.” You settle onto the right side of the bench, careful to not be pressing your thigh to his. 

“Didn’t think you were a child ‘o needed coddlin’.” Is all he said before he clucked his tongue, telling the horses to ‘walk on’. 

You blink in surprise at his words as the wagon moves forward, the movement jostling you closer to him. When was the last time a man hadn’t assumed that you needed help with something? Back East you couldn’t even open a door without someone assisting you, whether that person was a servant or a man. You had honestly forgotten what it felt like to be treated like you even had a small bit of your own autonomy. And yet, it pissed you off that he didn’t even try to offer. 

You look back over the horses' ears. They were beautiful specimen you marveled absentmindedly. They were tall, and had solid bones and healthy shiny coats that rippled over firm muscles. “This is a nice team,” You compliment. 

The man didn’t answer, just flicked the reigns to cue for a trot.  

A pang of pain shoots behind your eyes, reminding you of your headache. Inhale in through the nose ... count to three ... you rub at your temple in an attempt to ease the pounding as you exhale. “Fine, you don't have to talk. Just answer my two questions and I will stop bothering you.” His silence felt skeptical. “What is your name, and how do you know my father?” In hindsight you probably should have asked these questions a long time ago. Most likely before you got onto a wagon with him and headed away from town and witnesses. 

He doesn’t answer for a few minutes; long enough that you don’t think he is going to respond at all, and that you might need to start planning your escape. And then, when you are mentally preparing to throw yourself off of the moving wagon (Which would suck with the long day you have already been having) he does respond. “Names Simon Riley. ‘M yer fathers current foreman.” 

You blink twice. Then, “I know I promised I would leave you alone-” 

“Didn’t believe you.” 

“-but what happened to the last foreman, Mr. Price.” Your father hadn’t mentioned changing foremen in his letters, and you had thought he liked Jonathon Price. 

The large man (you needed to start thinking of him by his name, Mr. Riley) let out a long audible breath through his nose. “Got married, and is on 'is 'oneymoon right now.” 

“Ah, I see.” 

The ride to the ranch was awkward and silent other than the sound of the horses' harnesses jangling and the wood of the wagon creaking; both you and Mr. Riley keeping to your own thoughts. At least you weren’t back in the stagecoach stuck next to that rude loud woman, you reminded yourself as you looked at the passing scenery.  

When was the last time you were home in these lands that you have missed so much? A decade since you lived here running around barefoot and feral for sure, and at least four years since you last visited with your aunt. She detested the countryside, and didn’t want to make the long grueling trip away from her comforts in Boston to the considerably less posh comforts in Lamont. 

You had missed this though; the dying rays of the sun bathing everything in gold as the birds start to quiet down for the night, and the crickets and frogs began playing their nightly symphony. You took a deep breath of the summer air, letting the scents of the warm grass, dry dirt, and sweat of horses settle into the recesses of your lungs before exhaling. You had forgotten the simple pleasure of these elementary sounds, smells, and sensations, and you vowed to never make the same mistake again as you committed them to memory. 

The wagon crests a small hill, causing you to peel your eyes open, your heart fluttering at the sight before you. Your childhood home was picturesque with its big white farm house, and big sprawling outbuildings that consisted of a barn for animals, barn for hay, and bunk house for the ranch hands. The Salt Fork Arkansas river shimmered in the evening light far beyond the house in the valley; far enough that when the shallow river flooded it didn’t near the buildings, but close enough for the cattle to use it for water. 

A word fell from your lips unbidden, breaking the thick silence that had settled between you and Mr. Riley.  

“Home.” 

[bomber-grl]

fluffy touch-starved Prompt #15 for Leo? His hair surely gets veeery dirty, after all!

Prompt #15: washing the other's hair

Leo told you about his past before, so you were very much painfully aware of his struggles. Particularly, in the romance department.

He told you how it was. He liked girls, they never liked him back. Plus with how he was couch surfing, affection was practically a foreign concept to him.

Sure, his friends showed they cared but your relationship isn’t just platonic, it goes beyond that.

Today you and Leo went your separate ways as usual. The two of you met while aboard the Argo II and became close.

Things are constantly a hassle while aboard, everything that could go wrong goes wrong and there was no thing such as luck while aboard navigating the ancient lands.

Luckily, amongst all the noise you managed to find peace and quiet to rest and have some solitude.

But, you soon heard a knocking on your door and thus your long awaited nap would have to be even more long awaited.

Upon opening the door, you noticed it to be Leo.

“Leo? What’re you doing here, aren’t you supposed to be sleeping by now?” You asked this but anyone who saw him could tell he was busy doing something.

“Well I was actually working on repairs, hence the dirt” he motioned to his entire being.

You hummed “well this might be weird and if you’re too uncomfortable then go ahead and ignore but do you want me to wash your hair?.”

He was clearly taken a back, even if only slightly then quickly answered “sure, I wouldn’t mind.” It was strange to see Leo not teasing you but you just assumed it to be the tiredness and moved on.

You gently led Leo into one of the bathrooms on board by hand, the hope of not running into Coach Hedge was left unsaid.

Immediately you had him propped against the sink on the most comfortable seat you could find aboard.

As you went to get a shampoo you hear Leo’s voice echo from the bathroom “what made you want to wash my hair?”

The question was phrased in a way that’d seem sarcastic but his tone indicated genuine curiosity.

“Well, I guess I just wanted to wash it? There isn’t really a reason, Leo. I just want to do something for you in the little free time we have.” Leo didn’t say anything else.

You carried the shampoo and poured some onto your hand, you turned the water on and began running your fingers through his hair.

Slowly but surely some dirt and soot came out, not as much as you expected that’s for sure.

Leos sudden sigh brought you out of your thoughts. “What’s wrong?” You asked to be sure everything was alright.

“Nothing, I’m just enjoying this, no one’s ever washed my hair before.” You had placed a towel over his face to prevent water from getting on it, thus obscuring your view of him.

You hummed in acknowledgement and he continued “I know it’s just a simple favor but it’s just been a long time since anyone’s done anything for me ,to make me happy.”

You knew it was true. His mom was probably the last one to genuinely show him any love, that alone was sad, it had been eight years. Plus, as mentioned before, he didn’t really date. He was clearly referring to both.

You didn’t say anything and just continued washing through his hair until it the water ran clean of any bubbles.

Then, you left him alone to wash his body, he was still dirty after all.

Eventually he made his way back into your room, you noticed when the door shut with a click.

“Hey” Leo began “I hope the talk about not being able to pull didn’t upset you” he tried making light of the situation.

“It didn’t, but you don’t have to hide behind jokes either” you said this patting the space next to you in bed.

He shut the lights off and laid besides you. You laughed a bit “let’s hope coach hedge doesn’t find us like this.”

Leo also let his own laugh out and eventually you both settled. “I’m just happy you’re here with me right now.”

You smiled despite knowing there was no way for Leo to see it. You moved your hand closer to him and it found its way into Leo’s. Your fingers interlocked and you only hoped that with your fingers intertwined, that he’d get the sentiment.

No words were spoken and you both drifted off to sleep land. Eventually, your bodies found themselves snuggled up against one another.

Was there a possibility of being found out and banned from being alone? Sure but even if you did get found out you didn’t care, you just wanted Leo to feel loved.

[somewhereincairparavel]

What do you think of Piper's character? I started pjo because of Jason but I can't finish it because I got spoiled :(

aww nooo I'm so sorry you got spoiled! i hope you are able to continue the books one day despite the spoiler :< I was unfortunately, spoiled of jason's you-know-what long before I finished pjo and was about to start hoo aswell :(

anyways, I'll be honest, i initially never felt much towards piper while reading hoo? i wasn't a huge fan, but I never found her boring either, just a little shallow but in an understandable way since she was just a growing teen, it was realistic. I did like the fact that we got lots of insight on jason through her though, but overall she didn't deserve the fandom slander at all, that something i heavily agree on.

Also, something i DON'T understand is how much slander she got for calling percy 'unimpressive' compared to jason?? jason was her BOYFRIEND whom she was in love with at the time, and the fandom seemingly hates everyone who doesn't kiss the ground percy walks on. i found it VERY authentic that atleast one character didn't simp over him like the long list of simps he had throughout the series lol. no, she doesn't have bad taste just because percy wasn't romantically her cup of tea. Yet i feel like if annabeth said something along the lines of 'xx character is very unimpressive compared to percy' i don't ANYONE would've slandered her, because it's percy. they would've just called her a 'loyal queen' or something. piper truly is one of the punching bags unfortunately.

her platonic connection with leo and jason is also SUPER underrated, they were a family who cared about eachother till the very end even though they were put together under false pretenses :( i hate it when people compare them with grover, percy and annabeth saying that the lost hero trio wasn't 'true friendship' because of the fake memories, no. they are TRUE friends BECAUSE of how well they blended DESPITE the fake memories. They connected so well with ease and never really had any awkward moments together either.

[TOA spoilers] I'll be honest, i still have some lingering petty resentment towards piper because of how standoffish she was to jason after the break up, especially when she let coach hedge and mellie think that jason broke her heart, which alludes that she never explained to them who broke up with who and just vaguely said that they broke up, but then again, there are too little details about the break up for me to make out what exactly happened, so there's that. and I'll admit, her moving on with so quickly also rubs me off in a VERY wrong way, not just because of jason or anything, but because of how unhealthy it is for her mental health aswell, I just feel like she needed to take a break before jumping into a new relationship right after she faced PTSD witnessing her ex boyfriend/best friend's death, but i won't get into that.

I've seen some people getting upset about rick making piper queer, calling it 'queer baiting' but i HEAVILY disagree. i think piper questioning her sexuality was very realistic and makes so much sense for her character, since she always seemed to have internal misogyny that she needed to work on and also she faced the pressure of being the 'perfect aphrodite child with a perfect boyfriend' as her mom's favourite daughter. piper moving out of chb to go live in oklahoma is also very in character. I personally never felt like she truly enjoyed being in chb tbh, not as much as leo or jason did.

I do love how she gave out so much reassurance and moral support to the other characters like annabeth, leo and jason, because it's very sweet and she's also a very underrated fighter in the battlefield too.

[your-local-depressed-fangirl]

Nurse Solace

(Part 2 Nico’s POV)

Will and I were right outside the infirmary now. I was just about to reach out and open the door when Will grabbed the door knob and held the door for me with a smile on his face.

What was his problem? Nico could open his own doors, I'm not incompetent! Nico thought until he remembered the fact that he could hardly shadow travel 2 days ago without Reyna's help. But that didn't matter, Nico highly doubted Will would let him use his powers anytime soon. Will would probably grab Nico's hands again. That'd be... Acceptable... Nico stepped into the infirmary and Will followed right after the boy. The inside of the infirmary was bland, boring, and basic; The medical facility special. The infirmary was characterised by; glaring lights that could not have been good for the eyes, simple white drywall walls, the overwhelming smell of hand sanitizer and pretty much any chemical that could be used to clean, and of course the depressing feeling of knowing that people who shouldn't have, died here. The only welcoming aspect of the infirmary was the doctor who accompanied Nico; William Andrew Solace, Nico's only solace in this unwelcoming place he had to spend the next 3 days in, Courtesy of Dr. Solace.

"So...? What now?" Nico asked.

"Now you start recovering from all that shadow travel, you're radiating darkness. And trust me that's not a good thing." Will said calmly.

"I'm the only child of Hades you have met, how do you know that's not supposed to happen Solace?" Nico asked as a joke but said it with a dead serious expression, very misleading.

Will answered his question. "I'm a doctor-"

"Actually, you're more like a school nurse but instead of ice packs you hand out ambrosia." Nico declared.

"'A School Nurse'?" Will quoted Nico's words, one of his eyes twitched a little.

Nico felt the corners of his lips tug upward ever so slightly. "Yep,"

Will opened his mouth to respond but then closed it and sighed. "C'mon Nico let's get you settled in." Will began walking farther into the infirmary and Nico followed at his heels.

Will stopped in front of a door and opened this one for Nico as well. Why was Will acting this way? Hadn't he seen the true Nico di Angelo? Will had mentioned before that Coach Hedge had told him how Nico nearly faded away. Coach might have also told Will about how Nico had brutally murdered- well turned Bryce Lawrence into a spirit. Murder, soulification, same thing. It didn't matter Nico was still a monster.

Nico stepped through the door that Will was holding for him and into a small room with only the bare necessities. "Admitting me to a psychiatric Ward are we solace?" Making fun of the room's appearance. 

Will smirked. "No. But maybe I should, death boy! Since you think I'm a nurse. Last I checked, nurses couldn't reattach limbs!"

"Alright, Sunshine." Nico replied.

Will looked as offended as Nico imagined the son of Apollo could. "Just because I'm a child of Apollo doesn't mean you get to call me sunshine."

Nico scoffed. "Hypocrite."

"Di Angelo, how am I a hypocrite?" Will asked.

"Well for one you call me death boy cause my dad is Hades, but, won't let me call you Sunshine." Nico said making eye contact with Will.

Will smirked. "Why do you insist on calling me sunshine? It tends to be a term of endearment, Nico." Will teased Nico.

For a second Nico didn't process what Will had said, too busy looking at Will's undeniably beautiful smile. Will solace had the kinda smile Nico admired, a joyful infectious smile that bore all of Will's teeth in between his parted lips. His lips... 

Nico snapped himself out of his trance and replied to will. "According to who? Back in my day It wasn't."

Will leaned a tad bit closer to Nico. "Like every mom ever thinks that. Also you're telling me, you've never heard it used that way, death boy?" Will says.

Nico shifts a tiny bit. "Glad to know you think like, using your own words, 'every mom ever', nurse Solace." Nico said as he felt the slightest of smiles tug at his lips.

Will opened his mouth to say something then closed it and opened it again. Will crossed his arms and took a deep breath then spoke. "Yep I think like someone who takes care of others because I'm a doctor." Will said, annunciating the word 'doctor' clearly.

"I think you mean nurse, Solace." Nico said unable to stop smiling, which was starting to hurt a bit.

"Doctor." Will insisted leaning in closer to Nico.

"Nurse." Nico said, stepping closer to Will unwilling to back down.

"Doctor," Will inisted stepping closer to Nico.

"Nurse." Nico repeated, moving even closer to Will staring him down.

But Will did not falter under Nico's piercing gaze, instead he met Nico's eyes with his own.Nico was suddenly aware of how close the two of them were, of how Will's scruffy blonde curls framed his face, and how easy it would be to lean in and... and... and...

Nico was shoken out of his thoughts by Will when he said, "Doctor." With a slight smile on his face as if he was enjoying their banter. 

Nico smirked. "Actually it's Dr. Solace," he said playfully, poking Will's nose.

Will let out an almost musical chuckle and Nico smiled at the beautiful sound. "Take a nap di Angelo, it's still early in the morning. I'll wake you up for breakfast." Will said and then turned away and walked out the door leaving Nico there alone.

Nico then laid down on the bed with the sun pouring into the room. It was comforting, like the promise of a happy future. The idea delighted Nico di Angelo. A future in which he could finally belong, finally be happy. For real this time, not just a temporary safe haven with people who would abandon him. Despite his earlier complaints about the room, he liked it, if only for the comforting sunlight and that feeling of safety coming from it. Soon Nico found himself asleep, in a deep dreamless sleep.

[kingsansa]

Sneak peek time! 💃🏼

pp Chapter twelve sneak peek

His hand drifts from the wheel to her lap. She wraps her fingers around his, the warmth of him an anchor.

“I’ve started skating again.”

His hand stills beneath hers. “You have?” Jon glances at her sidelong and her heart stops in her chest.

“That’s good,” His thumb circles her wrist, “That’s great.” A smile is edging its way out of his mouth, “Just this week?”

Her stomach twists.

“A couple weeks ago, actually.”

His brow almost furrows, but he catches it.

“I should’ve told you,” She says immediately.

Sansa holds his hand tighter, but he doesn’t try to pull away. Only strokes her pulse.

“Why didn’t you?”

It’s not judgment that colors his tone, but a tentative sort of curiosity.

“I was nervous,” She can feel the shape of her heart in her throat. She hesitates. “I was nervous because—I wanna skate again. For real.”

A sharp, hiccuping breath follows the words, as if her body is trying to swallow them back down. But they’re out now, so heavy in the air between them that she doesn’t know how she managed keeping them inside of her this entire time.

“And I know that…complicates things,” Her voice starts to fray at the edges, “Not that we need any help making our lives more complicated than they already are.”

In the rear view mirror, Robbie is dozing away in a fading sunspot. His long lashes shadow his round cheeks.

“So what?”

Traffic is in a particularly stubborn lull. Jon peels his gaze away from the road to look at her.

His hand still cradles hers. “This is what you want?”

She answers without thinking—without speaking. Nods before she has the chance to lose the nerve.

“Then we’ll figure it out.”

He says it as if it’s as simple as that.

Again, there’s that same instinct to make the words disappear. To distort them into something nebulous and less frightening. “I’m still a long way off from competing,” She stammers, “I don’t even know if I’d be ready by next season. I just—I wanted to—”

He only says her name, thumbing at her rushing pulse.

“We’ll figure it out. I promise.”

Relief sweeps through her, leaving a sensation of numbness behind. Then, when he kisses the crown of her head, something like hope; a fragile, timid bloom. Sansa buries her face in his shoulder, breathing him in.

In the back of her mind, she knows that it’s still a dubious long shot—figuring it out. But she wants so badly to believe him, even if it is just for a moment, so she allows it.

Traffic starts to move again. His hand leaves her lap.

“Have you thought about a coach?”

The question stuns her silent. “No,” She says after a moment.

Hope was one thing—one semi-durable, hardly ever reliable (in her experience) thing. Making plans, firm enough to be pulled out from underneath her feet, is another.

She tries to mask her unease so that it isn’t read as reluctance. “I mean—the season started months ago. The good ones are probably taken.”

“Maybe not,” His palm skims her knee, “It’s a big city. I’m sure we could find someone.”

She doesn’t doubt he’s right, and for some reason, that unnerves her even more. What would happen when they found a coach? She’d have to quit school if she wanted to compete again. There’s no way she’d be ready for the next season in time if she didn’t. And if by some miracle, she was? What would that even look like?

“What about the rink? Do you know anyone there you can ask?”

She answers without thinking. “Yeah, but—“

“Does she still compete?” He asks.

Sansa falters.

It’s so present that it might as well be right behind her, tapping her shoulder—her hesitation. The distinct, needling feeling that she shouldn’t say anything at all. The instinct to lie.

It throws her completely off kilter.

“It’s a guy, actually,” She hedges, “Ned. He doesn’t, anymore—he’s at Northwestern—but that’s how we know each other, actually. I ran into him at the rink and he’s kind of been helping me out. Getting my feet wet again, that sort of thing.”

“Oh,” says Jon.

Traffic is still again. Both of his hands remain on the steering wheel, his left index finger drumming against the leather.

“You never mentioned you made another friend.”

Sansa wipes her sweating palms against her jeans.

“I should’ve,” She says immediately—almost immediately, “But I was avoiding telling you about skating—which I shouldn’t have been. I should’ve told you about everything. I’m—”

“But you told him.”

“What?”

“You said you’ve been practicing together,” He points out.

“Sometimes—” She begins, uncertain.

“So obviously he knows you wanna skate again,” He interrupts.

“I…” Sansa shakes her head, “Yes, but—”

“So you told him before you told me.”

“No,” Her stomach starts to plummet, “I mean—not explicitly. It wasn’t like that. I didn’t confide in him, or anything—“

“You just didn’t confide in me,” He finishes.

Panic claws its way up her throat. “Because I was scared. It wasn’t like that. It isn’t like that.”

Growing shadow splinters through the last of the dying sunlight. She can’t see his expression clearly—he isn’t looking at her. She tries to hold his hand but he pulls away under the guise of keeping his hands on the wheel.

“I’m sorry,” She pleads, throat thick.

The pop of a muscle in his jaw, “Okay.”

“Jon—“

“You said sorry,” He interjects, “Let’s just drop it.”

A soft murmur sounds from the backseat. Robbie is slowly coming to, rubbing his eyes. He watches the sunset and her protests curdle in her throat.

The remainder of the car ride home is silent, save for Robbie’s observations about the purpling sunset.

[queenjunothegreat]

Okay!!!! After a couple days off, I'm back!! This time with more angst, and I'm not even gonna give you any fluff to counteract it! Writing this made me miserable! Yay! Also, the only relationship in this fic is Piper and Tristan, so I'm gonna need you all to help me because that tag does NOT get a lot of traffic, rip.

Anywho, may I present Ao3 Collection Day Ten: He Can't Remember Why

Tristan doesn’t really like the fact that he can’t remember things, but life goes on. His daughter is at school (or was it a camp? He can’t remember) and Hedge leaves, but Mellie stays. He’s starting to forget more now, things from before that shouldn’t have anything to do with that retreat he took. He knows there was a woman, and he loved her, but he doesn’t remember her name. He tells Mellie, and she won’t meet his eye, but she says that sometimes the human brain forgets hurtful things when it’s ready to heal. She says that him forgetting this woman is a good thing because it means he’s finally letting go. He agrees with her and pretends to not notice when she cancels his appointment to see a neurologist. What he doesn’t tell Mellie is that he’s not healing. He hasn’t let go. He’s always clung to those memories of that woman, and to lose them is like losing a limb. He may not remember her face, but he knows the shape of the hole her memories had filled in his heart. *** Tristan McLean is having memory problems. It's not a problem until it is. He tries to ignore it but he can't Ao3 Anniversary Collection Day Ten: Amnesia

Tristan McLean is having trouble remembering things. He doesn’t think he’s always had memory problems, and he’s not sure when these started. Well, that’s actually not entirely true. There’s a week that he can’t remember, and not the same kind of ‘can’t remember’ where he struggles to grasp at fuzzy details, this one is just an entire week of his life that has been completely blacked out. He’s reminded of those times where he was given confidential scripts to read over that had pages and pages of censored lines. He knows that something is supposed to be there, and he knows that it’s important, but he can’t see what it is. His life coach tells him that he just went on a retreat that didn’t agree with him, and that the memory loss is unfortunate, but not unexpected. He doesn’t remember hiring a life coach or why he needs one, but Hedge is nice and he gets along really well with his assistant Mellie. He doesn’t remember hiring Mellie, either, but he supposes that is ‘unfortunate, but not unexpected,’ too.

What he doesn’t tell Hedge is that he does remember one thing. He remembers his daughter cradling him to her chest while his body was wracked with sobs. He doesn’t remember why he needed her comfort but he knows that he did need it. Desperately.

Tristan doesn’t really like the fact that he can’t remember things, but life goes on. His daughter is at school (or was it a camp? He can’t remember) and Hedge leaves, but Mellie stays. He’s starting to forget more now, things from before that shouldn’t have anything to do with that retreat he took. He knows there was a woman, and he loved her, but he doesn’t remember her name. He tells Mellie, and she won’t meet his eye, but she says that sometimes the human brain forgets hurtful things when it’s ready to heal. She says that him forgetting this woman is a good thing because it means he’s finally letting go. He agrees with her and pretends to not notice when she cancels his appointment to see a neurologist. 

What he doesn’t tell Mellie is that he’s not healing. He hasn’t let go. He’s always clung to those memories of that woman, and to lose them is like losing a limb. He may not remember her face, but he knows the shape of the hole her memories had filled in his heart. 

Then, things go very, very wrong. His daughter comes home, and she brings her boyfriend. They claim to love each other, but there is a tension between them. A sadness. Tristan tries to ask them about it, but he’s only ever met with tight smiles and placating words. To make matters worse, his memory is getting spottier. He used to have an assistant, he knows he did because he walks past her desk, but he can’t remember her name or what she looked like. He books an appointment with a neurologist again and ignores the feeling of déjà vu. The doctor can’t find anything wrong with him; his MRI and CT scans come back clear and he passes the cognitive tests with flying colors. The doctor tells him that sometimes people start to lose their memory as they age. He’s far too young for that, but every case is unique. The doctor suggests he see a therapist. The therapist looks at him with kind, sad eyes and suggests he start journaling. 

He doesn’t tell the therapist about his relationship with his daughter. He doesn’t tell her about their strained conversations or the fact that he brought home chicken fajitas for dinner the night before. He doesn’t tell her about the fact that he hardly knows anything about his own daughter. He doesn’t tell her because he forgets that he can’t remember.

Things only ever get worse. He loses roles left, right, and center, he’s millions of dollars in debt over taxes he didn’t know he owed, and he finds his daughter sobbing hysterically on the beach clutching the dead body of a boy he thinks he’s supposed to know. He leaves LA after that. It’s too expensive and there’s too much noise and pressure. He just can’t take it anymore. He’s glad that he never sold his father’s house. It’s small and run-down and houses its own fair share of ghosts, but it’s just what he needs. 

He doesn’t listen when he tries to tell himself there’s something he’s forgetting. He doesn’t listen to the half-memory of a little girl’s voice asking him if he’s really going to sell her grandpa’s house. He’s tired of not remembering things. He just wants to cling to what’s left of his life that he can still call his own.

It’s in Oklahoma where he meets Shel. She’s bright and cheerful, even if her fashion says otherwise, and she’s quick as a whip and twice as sharp. He’s not sure why, but he loves her. Her big brown eyes and easy smile fill a hole in his heart that he never realized was there before, and he’s glad to have her in his life, even if he’s not really sure why she’s there. She visits his little two-room house frequently, but never for long and she always seems like she’s waiting one something, so he doesn’t think she’s there for him, but he can’t imagine what else she’d be there for. Still, she’s always kind to him and he’s always happy to welcome her in and he’s sad to see her go. 

She’s there again one Saturday afternoon, teeth bared in a playful grin when he opens the door. “Hi, Mr. McLean.”

“Hi, Shel. Call me Tristan,” he reminds her, just like he always does. “Can I get you anything to drink?”

“Naw, I don’t plan on being here too long. Thanks, though!”

“Stay as long as you like,” he says. It’s a shame that she won’t be here long, but he’s glad to have her for as long as he can. “Have you been up to anything interesting?”

“I went hiking yesterday,” she said eagerly. “Do you wanna see some of the pictures I took?”

He says yes, of course, and they sit together on the old couch while Shel flips through the photo album on her phone. She’s a remarkably good photographer, and she has a knack for finding the most picturesque locations Tristan has ever seen when she goes on her hikes, so it’s always a pleasure to look through her albums. There’s one photo at the end that catches his attention, and he feels his heart freeze for some reason. “Wait, can– can you go back one? Please?”

Shel hesitates. She’d deliberately flipped past it as quickly as she could the first time, and she seems unwilling to go back to it, but eventually she pulls it up again. 

The photo is of a girl. At first glance, Tristan had thought it was Shel, but it was obviously someone different now that he was properly looking at her. She’s laughing in the picture, her head tipped back and her hand clutching at her chest as if to keep her heart in its cage. He doesn’t know her, but she’s familiar somehow, until he realizes that he’s seen some of her features in his own bathroom mirror. He feels sad, but he can’t remember why.

“Did you take someone hiking with you?” he asks, trying to keep his voice light and free of sorrow. “She seems nice.”

Shel squeezes her eyes shut and takes a deep breath before she smiles at him. “Yeah, that’s my girlfriend. I-I think you’d really like her.”

Tristan smiles at her. He remembers being young and in love. “You should bring her around sometime. What’s her name?”

Shel presses her lips tight together and she takes another deep breath and blinks hard a few times. “Piper. Her name’s Piper.”

Piper.

Piper.

Piper.

Tristan smiles at her. “A lovely name for a lovely girl.”

He feels sad, but he can’t remember why.

[slytherinswiftie0713]

I will die on the hill that instead of Percabeth, Grover and Will Solace should’ve been in the prophecy with Rachel Dare replacing Coach Hedge.

Ig Grover isn’t a demigod, and is a saytr, but technically he’s the son of Pan and it would be interesting to see the new lord of the wild against Mother Earth. Like, that was such a missed opportunity.

Will as a healer, fates know they need one, would have so many plot ideas. Like, maybe like Magnus, he feels inferior for not being able to fight. Or he can cuts monster nerves while naming them with a Dr smile. And it’s also a plot point for Solangelo, Will saves Nico from the jar for example.

And Malcom Pace is kinda underrated. He ran the Athena Cabin while Annabeth was gone, and damn that boy is a SON OF ATHENA. The ‘Wisdom’s daughter’ line could be changed to son and BAM Malcom is relevant.

PLUS RACHEL?? Girlie was so big in PJO, as an Oracle and for being just a girl with Percy. And kinda in TOA as well, but in HOO?? Wtf was coach hedge doing there like we heard his name ONCE (like we did with Malcom, though Malcom had multiple appearances) in TLO and he suddenly is a big character. *scoff*. WHY NOT TAKE THE FUCKING ORACLE OF DELPHI!!

AND WHY THE HECK WERE THERE SO MANY PERCABETH SCENES??? They were also so OOC it hurt. Annabeth would never treat Percy as dumb, and Percy would let her know he was hurt about it. This series should’ve been about the other 5 of the seven, with Percabeth on the side. Naive 11 year old me read the series just for Percabeth, and I regret it because I didn’t appreciate the other charecters. WHY??

BECAUSE THEY WERE SO BLANDLY WRITTEN!!!!

Thank you for reading this! (+10000 aura)

☺️☺️☺️

[erosjournal]

꣑ৎ ~ "guys... please... not in the engine room..." (valgrace drabble/shortfic)

~ synopsis: frank hears some... interesting sounds from leo and jason's work space in the engine room

~ tw: sexual themes, well, you'll just see. lgbtq :) . non canon ships. (sorry i didn't know if i should format my drabbles differently, but i sorta like this format.)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"hey, frank, can you go get jason and leo? they're down in the engine room. i think they're doing some maintenance work?" percy asked, glancing over at the waves crashing onto the sides of the argos ll. frank nodded, and down the stairs, straight to leo's favorite place, the engine room.

as he approached the room, he noticed the door was closed. it was almost never closed. he decided to listen, to see if anything was wrong.

"ready jason?" leo muttered, obviously out of breath. frank widened his eyes, listening more intently. there was some muttering, but then he heard jason's deeper voice.

"y-yeah." he stuttered.

"you sure?"

"mhm. just hurry." he muttered wearily. oh gods. frank couldn't believe his ears. he didn't want to eavesdrop, but it was too late.

"ok. just take a deep breath." frank heard someone breathe deeply, and a thump.

"ow! leo!" he heard jason whimper. he heard leo hush him.

"jason, be quiet! what if someone hears! then they'll think somethings up!" he yelped. he heard more mutters, and backed up. oh gods, he couldn't listen to this personal conversation. but gods, did they have to do... well, in the engine room?

he stumbled, making a loud crashing sound.

"oh shoot. who's there?" he heard leo yell out. gods, frank just couldn't fathom that this was happening, on the ship, not even in their rooms. he felt his face flush, his ears redden. he turned and ran out of the room, running smack dab into percy.

"frank! where were you! i was looking everywhere! what took so long?" he said. he watched frank bit his lip, his face all red. "what happened?"

"i... i can't say!" he yelped, looking uneasily around him. percy frowned.

"you can tell me anything, man." he assured. frank shook his head.

"no! like.... it's not for me to say!" he muttered.

"what do you mean 'it's not for you to say'?" percy said, wiggling his eyebrows. "c'mon man, just tell me! it's not like you walked in on people doing anything weird, right?" he teased. he watched frank's face fluster, and felt himself blush a little.

"oh gods. who?!" he exclaimed. frank looked around sharply, and shoved a finger over his mouth.

"be quiet, jackson! what it someone hears?" he hissed. he pulled percy back onto the deck, breathing heavily.

"gods, i went to the engine room like you asked." he said. percy looked at him, confused, then he understood.

"oh. OH." he smirked. "gods, in the engine room? they are crazy." he laughed. frank kept blushing, still so uncomfortable.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

that had happened right after lunch. by dinnertime, the news had spread to annabeth and hazel. the only people not knowing were coach hedge (who would kill them) and piper (who might also kill them).

"hey, pipes..." annabeth and hazel walked into her room. she was reading a book, and glanced up.

"oh, hey yall. what's up?" she said, sitting up and closing her book. annabeth had an unreadable expression on, while hazel looked flustered and nervous.

"well, we wanted to talk to you about something, something we think you should know about." annabeth spoke up. hazel nodded. piper didn't like the way this was going, but nodded as well, listening along.

"well...?"

"we think that, um, jason and leo were, um..." annabeth flushed a bit, looking away from pipers gaze. "doing.... things that happen in a deep romantic relationship." she said finally. piper felt her eye twitch. gods, those two get together and after only two weeks decide to get it on?

"WHAT!?" she yelped, throwing her book across the room. the other girls flinched. "ok that's it. move aside, i'm going to talk to them." she muttered angrily, getting up. of course, she wasn't upset about them two being in a relationship. she just wanted to chew them out since 1. leo was like her brother and 2. jason was her best friend. also, she couldn't trust them to be safe all the time.

both annabeth and hazel glanced at each other.

"maybe that isn't such a good idea..." hazel muttered, watching piper push through them. she was already on her way down the hall, knocking harshly on leo's door.

"open up!' she exclaimed. as it was opened, she was met with leo, who was wearing jason's old camp jupiter shirt, and jason was wearing a camp half-blood shirt, sitting on his bed. oh gods.

"what's wrong pipes?" he asked, nervously.

"what's wrong!?" she replied. she entered the room, closing the door behind her. "you two got it on today! did you two even use protection?" she asked. they looked at her surprised, then at each other, then back at her. they were blushing, but had confused looks on.

"piper, what in the hades do you mean?" jason asked, adjusting his gold glasses. piper sighed.

"it's all over the boat! you two were doing it in the engine room!" she said. "gods, you two are only 16. i can't be an aunt at 16!" she cried. they both looked at each other again. then leo burst out laughing, jason frowning.

"oh pipes! me and jason were working on mechanics! i swear! someone probably heard the sounds of me hitting jason's finger with the hammer, and thought we were getting it on. oh gods, that's funny!" he cried, tears springing from laughter. piper relaxed, confused.

"seriously?"

"yeah, leo hit my fingers with a hammer," he glared pointedly at leo, "and it was definitally something painful."

"oh." piper blushed, not from the thought but from the embarrassment of being wrong. "well, uh, you guys should probably tell the others. they, um, still think somethings up." she muttered.

jason flustered while leo kept laughing.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~ an:

lmao i had this idea for a bit, and rlly wanted to write it. i apologize for traumatizing frank, and for it being sorta random and messy. i hope yall liked it, it was so random. and i barely edited it, but i loved writing it. but coming up with excuses for everything was hard, but eh. love yall :33