Chapter Text
Leo has been staring at the most beautiful woman he’s ever met for the past ten minutes, and she hasn’t hit him yet.
Wowza. How could someone be so perfect? Every second he stares, it’s like she gets just a bit more prettier and makes Leo’s heart beat race just a bit faster.
They’re inside a store, one Leo must’ve passed by back at the mall with Medea. Hadn’t the place been blown up? Seemingly unaware of this fact, the woman shuffles through the racks and pulls out clothes, before ultimately curling her lip and placing the items back.
“Am I dead and staring at an angel?” As brilliant of a pickup line that is, he isn’t kidding. After the endless amounts of mishaps he and his friends have been getting into, Leo’s surprised his soul hadn’t just gone “Well, we tried, buddy,” and moved on to the next life.
The woman tilts her head to Leo. She smiles and leans over to pinch Leo’s cheeks. “Aw, you’re adorable, Leo. No wonder my daughter and the other child have taken to you.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, lady.” Leo backs up, rubbing his face. “How do you know my name? You’re not some crazy monster, are you?”
She laughs at him. “I know many things. Your name is just one of them.” Her hair floats around her like a beautiful halo, as she turns back to her rack of clothing. She pulls out a white ball gown and hugs it to her body. Man, she’s good-looking.
Leo snaps his fingers. “You’re Piper’s mom, aren’t you? The pretty lady from the shell. Aphro-something.”
“Aphrodite,” the goddess corrects. She frowns at the lacing of the dress’ neckline. “What do you think?”
“I don’t know,” Leo says. “Where are we? What happened to my friends?”
“They’re fine,” Aphrodite must’ve decided the dress to not fit her standards because she puts it back. “You’re dreaming, child. As well as Piper and Jason, both of which I’m talking to right now. But don’t tell.” She winks.
“Uh,” Leo follows her down the row of clothes. Aphrodite’s wandered herself into the male section, examining a shelf of ties. “How are you talking to- actually, nevermind. Don’t want to know.”
His dad had mentioned something like that earlier when Leo questioned how he had so many kids in close proximity. Hephaestus had spouted something about being a god and being in multiple places at once. It sounds… confusing. Very confusing.
“How are you feeling, Leo?” Aphrodite holds a tie to Leo’s neck. “The transition from a normal life to being a demigod is a tough one.”
“Lady, if you knew anything about me, you’d know I was never normal.” Leo jokes, but the joke falls flat and leaves an awkward silence between the two.
Aphrodite coughs, holding up two ties. “Which do you like more?” The tie in her left hand is a bright yellow the color of sunshine. The right hand tie is a sky blue.
Leo picks the right. The love goddess hums her approval.
Aphrodite continues down the aisle, stopping by the belts. “You know, it’s okay to ask me questions. Not too many- I can’t spoil things too much. Feel free to talk about whatever you please.”
Leo didn’t have anything to ask her, but now that the goddess offered, his head began to swarm with probing questions. He starts off with something simple, however: “What are we doing?”
“Shopping, isn’t it obvious?” Aphrodite says. “There’s a wedding I need to get to and I have to make a good entrance. People will talk for the next century if I don't look perfect.”
“What?”
Aphrodite pushes a shirt and dress pants into Leo’s arms. She points to the back of the store, where a blinking DRESSING ROOM sign hung over a doorway. “Be a dear and try this on.”
Too shocked to fully understand what is happening, Leo listens to the pretty woman’s directions. Aphrodite follows along, picking up jewelry on her way there. When he looks back at her, quizzically, Aphrodite just smiles and waves him forward.
Leo slips into a dressing room and begins to change. “Do you know who this patron chick is that everyone is talking about?”
“I think that’ll be something you demigods will have to figure out among yourself,” Aphrodite says. “It wouldn’t be fair for me to tell you.”
“I mean, if you did tell me, I won’t snitch,” Leo says. He stares at himself in the mirror. Aphrodite had given him pinstriped pants and a white collarless shirt. It looks odd with his ratty sneakers and messy hair.
He steps back out and catches his breath. Aphrodite’s wearing a new gown- one of rainbow colors that glitter at every angle, with a gorgeous diamond necklace marked with a CLEARANCE tag- and it’s truly no wonder why she’s the goddess of beauty. Oddly, Leo can see parts of Piper in her- it’s like Aphrodite reminds him of Piper, not the other way around. He also sees parts of Jason- she has Jason's eyes and lips.
As if she knew what he was thinking, the goddess smiles. “Love comes in many forms.”
“Right,” Leo nods. He sticks his hands in his pocket, feeling rather lackluster next to the goddess. It’s hard to compare plain ol’ him to the most beautiful person ever. “Uh, and since we’re on the topic, am I gonna see Thalia again?”
Leo’s so lucky that they got to meet Jason’s sister. Well yeah, it’s great those two had their little reunion after years but still, Leo couldn’t just ignore the more important fact that Thalia is a total babe. Smoking hot (and Leo would know a lot about being smoking hot). It sucks that she’s sworn off men, but hey. It’ll be a doomed romance.
“Eventually-” Aphrodite stops him before he can let out any victory whoops, “but I wouldn’t say you two will hit it off in the way you’re hoping.”
“Aw. Major bummer.” Leo deflates. “So much for Mrs. Thalia Valdez. Or maybe it’ll be Grace-Valdez. Mr. and Mrs. Grace-Valdez? Does that have a ring?”
Aphrodite laughs. “Oh, Leo, you’re precious. Grace-Valdez is what you want?”
Leo blushes, feeling oddly embarrassed. She couldn’t possibly- no, Leo had buried those thoughts away a long time ago. “Nah. A bad boy like me can’t get tied down with something like marriage.”
Still. He’d like to think he’ll get married one day. He remembers sitting with his mama wondering why she wasn’t married like everyone else’s parents. He remembers her going, ‘Not everyone marries who they love, mijo. It’s complicated- love is muy loco,’ in response to his questions. At the time it satisfied five-year-old Leo, and now he knows enough to understand why. Kind of hard to marry a Greek god.
But it’s still marriage. He always pictured getting some nice girl and settling down back in Texas. Maybe opening a shop and working on cars throughout the hazy and humid days. Coming home to a nice meal and a kiss on a cheek. Just having the security and knowing that there’s someone there for Leo when the day is done.
Maybe he can get that without getting married. Aphrodite seems to find the idea funny, anyway.
“Do you mind?” Aphrodite turns around and lifts her hair. Her zipper in the back of her dress is undone, showcasing an unblemished and soft-looking back. Leo’s fingers tremble as he zips her up. “I would not worry about your love life if I were you. There are much more prevalent things to focus on. We are approaching a dangerous war, and I can picture both sides having severe casualties.”
Leo shivers at that. “Nothing too severe, I hope.”
Aphrodite drops her hair and turns to Leo. Her eyes are dark- filled with pain and terror. It reminds Leo of the story of Romeo & Juliet- how a simple love can turn so dark and deadly so easily. She then grabs Leo’s hand and her face softens. “Let’s not worry about that now. It’ll come when it comes. Do remember that one cannot escape fate.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“Now, let’s see about some accessories for you. Maybe some new shoes as well- those sneakers need to be incinerated.” Aphrodite drags Leo along throughout the store. Her hand is warm and familiar- it feels like Leo’s six again, being pulled around by his mama again. They would run around stores (often Leo doing the running, and his mom doing the chasing) and sing along to any of the music playing from the store stereos.
“What’s going to happen to the rest of my clothes?” Leo gestures towards the dressing room, where his jeans and army jacket lie discarded, on the floor. His toolbelt still fits snugly on his waist.
Aphrodite shrugs. “Donations. That’s normally what I do with all my clothes.”
“Charitable and pretty,” Leo says.
“You’re a charmer, Leo, you truly are.” Aphrodite plops a hat on Leo’s head. She looks him up and down, analyzing every single detail of his body. Leo shifts under her gaze.
“Can’t you just do some pretty mumbo-jumbo like you did with Piper?” Leo asks. “Do a little POOF! and then I’m pretty?”
“Magic should not be taken lightly, child. Everything comes with a price.”
“Would the price be being too handsome for my own good?”
Aphrodite gives Leo a strange look. “The world may give you easy solutions but that does not mean you have to take them. Sometimes you do, and sometimes you do not. Is this making any sense to you?”
“Uh, don’t take the easy way out?” Leo shrugs. He had been staring at Aphrodite and the way her body curves and moves so fluidly.
Aphrodite smiles. “Though I find that there are some situations that a shortcut can be taken. When you wake up, you’ll have a lot of answers.”
“Cool,” Leo says. “Love me some answers. To, uh, questions. Questions that need answers. Got it.”
“I believe we have more time,” Aphrodite looks up, head tilting as if she’s listening to someone who isn’t there. The store is and has been completely empty, sending creeping chills down Leo’s back. “Is there anything more you need to ask me? It is not often you get such a chance.”
“Will I lose this pimple?” Leo points to his forehead. “Since you’re the one in charge of beauty, I might as well ask.”
Aphrodite rubs her thumb over it, like a fussy mother wiping away the results of a messy child. She raises an eyebrow and pulls away. “Pimples are a temporary thing. You’re only a teenager so it’ll go away in time.”
“For some people it doesn’t.”
“I can assure you that yours will disappear.” Leo grins at that.
Aphrodite glances towards the rows of watches. “Time is running out. I do want to leave you some imparting love wisdom to avoid any problems down the road. On account of you being such good friends with my Piper.”
“Oh yeah. I don’t think she likes being your kid that much.”
Aphrodite sighs. “She’ll come to. Being one of my daughters is always harder for girls like Piper. I’ve seen how my children act at camp, and hopefully, Piper will lead the way.”
“Are you confirming Drew’s a pain or…?”
“I would never say that about any child of mine,” Aphrodite presses her lips together. “And I advise you to avoid speaking ill of a demigod to their parents or to their own faces. My children especially can be very dangerous.”
Leo doubts that. What’s the worse they can do- tell him his outfit clashes? But with the way Aphrodite defends her family, Leo suddenly feels very afraid of Cabin 10. Piper wouldn’t hurt him, at least. Leo trusts her.
Aphrodite holds suspenders out to Leo. “Do you think you’re ready for danger, Leo? You’re about to hit a perilous crossroad, and you’ll have to make difficult decisions that can change your fate.”
Hadn’t she said that one cannot escape fate? Now she’s saying Leo can change his fate? Gods are too confusing. They should just stay up in Olympus with their giant HDTVs and dumb pegasus. “As ready as I’ll ever be,” Leo says. “Hey, it’s not every day you get to risk your life saving the world.”
“Your life is not a joke. There are people who’ll love you enough to tell you that one day.”
Leo averts his eyes.
Aphrodite lifts his head with her fingers, eyes probing Leo’s own. It’s like she can read his thoughts. “You know- love can come in many forms.”
His cheeks grow warm. The familiar flames within him begin to ignite. Leo can’t get too excited though. If he were to burn Aphrodite, he’ll definitely regret it. “Okay. I think you said that earlier, but okay.”
Aphrodite smiles, releasing him. “You’ll find what you’re looking for one day. Love can come from the most uncertain places- and when it comes you might not expect it.”
“Are you saying someone’s in love with me?” Leo grins. Maybe it’s that Khione chick coming back for more. What can he say? The ladies might say go away, weirdo, or Ew! It’s that guy! but they always come back for their second dose of the Leo charm.
“I’m saying to be open-minded.” Aphrodite passes Leo the suspenders. “You love Piper, and you love Jason, though in different ways-”
“What?” Leo interrupts with a red face. Aphrodite raises an eyebrow. Right. Love goddess who knows all. Oh man.
Aphrodite laughs. “You’ll know when you’ll know, child. Let’s say there’s a lot of love coming towards you but you’ll have to interpret it all yourself.”
“Does that mean-”
“Nuh uh,” Aphrodite shakes her head. She holds her hand over her necklace, tracing over the diamond sitting on her collarbone. “I think I’ve said too much.”
“You, like, definitely didn’t- being all cryptic and stuff. But you’re a god so you’re supposed to be that way.”
“That… may have some truth to it.”
Leo snorts. “Charitable, pretty and funny- what can’t you do? And you’re the mom of one of the most awesome people in the world? You’re a quadruple threat.”
Aphrodite kisses Leo on the cheek. It burns but in a good way. Leo’s knees get weak and his heartbeat increases. “Focus that positive energy towards yourself and you’ll be fine. I believe our time is up now. I’m sorry for this part. I’ll send you a little gift to help you see the way.”
The goddess then presses down on her necklace like a button, and the floor under Leo caves in. He falls through the black, screaming his lungs out.
His world then slams into focus, and Leo grabs the table in front of him.
“Falling!” He hollers. “No- not falling. Where are we?”
Jason blinks with a yawn. For a second he smiles at Leo, before choking when he sees Piper. Leo is not only surprised that he kept his outfit from his dream with Aphrodite, but also the fact that Piper seems to have gotten the makeover treatment again.
She’s wearing a bluish dress with black leggings and boots, along with a chiming charm bracelet around her wrist and a jacket that Leo’s never seen before but both look worn.
They're sitting outside of a sunny cafe, with palm trees and energetic strangers walking by. Coach Hedge looks disgruntled by the sunlight, and both Piper and Jason look cranky from sleep.
Piper takes out her knife and examines herself. “It’s nothing. It’s my- it’s nothing.”
“Aphrodite strikes again, huh?” Leo says, referring to both of their wardrobe changes. “You’re gonna be the best-dressed warrior in town, beauty queen.”
“Hey, Leo,” Jason grabs his attention with a poorly concealed snicker. “You look at yourself recently?”
“What...oh.” Compared to how he looked in the store next to Aphrodite, he now looks less like a fashion guru and more like a copycat red carpet disaster.
Piper shares the sentiment. “God, Leo. I think my dad wore that to his last premiere, minus the toolbelt.”
“Hey, shut up!” Leo realizes he’s now wearing sunglasses. He nearly laughs but doesn’t for fear of his friend thinking him to be crazy- well, crazier than he already is. I’ll send you a little gift to help you see the way, is what she said. Piper’s mom is hilarious.
At the thought, Leo feels a tug in his pocket. While Piper and Jason talk, Leo peeks under the table, feeling the rough and faded paper in his hands. He didn’t have to open it to know what it was. His old crayon doodle of some boat he imagined in his childhood.
It must be important if both Aeolus and Aphrodite had wanted him to keep it. Leo has a sinking suspicious why.
Across the table, Piper eyes Jason and Coach Hedge. Hedge is a… "dainty pastel flower" is what Leo would use to be respectful. Jason looks very Jason-like.
Leo suddenly grows hyper-aware of the fact that both Jason and Piper are very attractive people. You love Piper and you love Jason, though in very different ways.
Dang it. He should make a list. Charitable, pretty, funny, awesome and very right. Leo can practically picture the goddess’ smile. Prophetic, maybe?
Piper mentions her father and it hits Leo that this is his life now. Going on quests, meeting funky and abstruse gods, waking up in strange places. Not knowing if he’ll make it to the next day is terrifying, but it sets a fire under his belly. (Not a real one- he checked.)
The transition from a normal life to being a demigod is a tough one.
Understatement of the year. Leo cracks a grin at Jason and Piper. Jason gives a soft smile back- his eyes can’t meet Leo’s but it’s good enough- and Piper mirrors his wide grin. Under the table, Jason’s foot curls next to Leo’s and Piper squeezes his hand.
They’ve totally got this.