Chapter Text
FRANK POV:
Frank sat rather bored the sun deck of the Argo. Today was a clear night. A boring day. Nothing much had happened today. He had woken up, got dressed, ate breakfast, hung out with his girlfriend, had lunch, hung out with Percy and Leo, had dinner, took a shower, snuggled with his girlfriend, she had fallen asleep; and he was now here.
The son of Mars yawed, and stretched his long limbs and enjoyed the comfort of his yellow cotton pyjamas with bears and eagles on them.
He had been awfully tired lately. Not just tired. Bone tired. Exhausted. But he knew for a fact that he didn't have it the worst on the ship when it came to exhaustion. That metal would probably belong to Leo.
He thought back to earlier today, about his stroll around the docks with Leo. He had passed out in the middle of conversation. Luckily, Frank had managed to catch him before he hit the floor. Of course he had carried him to the infirmary— Annabeth had helped him in the med bay; where he still lay now.
Leo was so light in Frank’s arms. It worried him. It worried Frank how skinny he was. It worried Frank how Leo spent most of his time in the engine room. It worried Frank how Leo never came out for meals.
Frank hoped that he was okay. And he hoped that Leo would actually talk to him for once instead of deflecting with jokes and snide comments that Frank knew he didn't mean—at least entirely.
I should check on him.
Frank stood slowly and took another moment to himself before walking to the door that lead below deck. He tried to rub the sleepy from his eyes, but it didn't seem to work too much.
Slowly, he made his way to the med-bay, having to squint in the dim yellow light of the hallways. There was the sign, something he could hardly make out. Frank slowly placed his hand onto the doorknob, making sure that it was careful and quiet as to not wake Leo.
He ducked his head and stepped through doorway, closing the door delicately behind him. Leo lay on his back in the same position that he had been left in a few hours before.
Moonlight filtered through the window blinds, causing the son of Hephaestus to appear washed out and more sickly than he already was. His cheeks were sunken, and his spindly arms lay uncovered overtop the thin, cotton blanket. His the bags underneath his eyes were a deep, reddish purple. Someone would have thought the poor boy would have been punched in both eyes if there had been swelling. Of course, there wasn't any.
Frank pulled up the nearest chair, wincing at the sound that it made across the tile floor. Leo’s eyes flickered open.
“Dónde estás?” Leo asked.
“It’s Frank. I just came to check on you.” He explained gently.
“Ah.” He glanced to Frank, a weak smile spreading across his face.
“You should go back to sleep. I’m sorry for waking you.” Frank chewed on his bottom lip, avoiding eye contact.
“Nah, man.” Leo began, starting to sit up. His arms shook and trembled before giving out. He let out an exasperated sigh, squeezing his eyes shut. “Great.”
Frank silently helped him into a seated position after grabbing an extra pillow from the side shelf. “You need food.”
Leo opened his mouth to protest, but gave up once he read Frank’s expression. “Fine.” He huffed.
Frank silently stood and made his way to the cabinet where the food was located. Inside, the food was band. Bread, soda-crackers, dried fruit and juice boxes. He relayed the information to Leo who chose the dried fruit and a Luke-warm water. He silently gave Leo the food, who ate the bland meal eagerly.
“Do you…want to tell me what’s going on?” Frank hesitated after Leo finished.
Leo stared blankly for a moment before his mind finally kicked into gear. “Course I am, big-guy! Why wouldn’t Super-sized McShizzle Man be okay? He’s always okay, Frank. Man, and I thought that would already be in your big brain of yours!”
Frank sighed. Of course he wasn’t okay if he was already back to laying it on this thickly. He would need to be more direct. “Okay. I know something is going on. You don’t need to tell me, I just need you to acknowledge it.”
“Acknowledge what?” He tilted his head innocently.
“Leo.” He softened his tone, placing a large, strong hand on Leo’s spindly shoulder. Leo immediately flinched underneath the touch. “Sorry-”
“No! I mean… it’s whatever. I’m fine! I’m just exhausted. Everybody’s exhausted. Stop worrying about it.”
“I’m not going to stop worrying about it. You’re my friend.”
Leo paused. “Yeah. You’re my friend too. But shouldn’t you be in bed, cuddling with your girlfriend or something?” He licked his lips nervously.
“She says that she wants a break from my snoring,” Frank admitted sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head.
“Oh, man! I bet you’re the loudest snorer in the entire world!”
“No, I’m not,” He smiled.
“You totally a-” Leo’s voice cracked as he fell into a harsh coughing fit. Frank stood, the chair screeching an ugly sound against the tile as he grabbed Leo’s water bottle and swiftly made his way to the sink to refill it. He quickly passed it to Leo, sloshing some water on the sheets in the process. It dribbles down his chin and onto his shirt as he gulped it down— almost choking in the process.
“Take it easy,” He tried to sooth.
“I’m fine!” Leo wheezed, silently asking for more water, which Frank complies with. This time, he sips the water like a normal person.
I wish that he would talk to me. Talk to Jason. Talk to Piper. Anybody! Everyone can see that it’s eating him alive. At least, I hope that everyone has realised.
“Big-man! Hey!” Leo waved his hand in front of Frank’s eyes. “You should go to bed too. You’re making me exhausted just by being here, and Captain Leo needs his beauty rest in order to manage the ship while you plebs fight monsters!”
“Plebs?” He questioned.
“Yes! Now, shoo!”
Frank sighed and followed his friend’s orders. He did need his own sleep after all, he was long over-due and his eyelids were already feeling heavy. “Sleep well, Leo.” He said over his shoulder, taking one last look at the ill demi-god. He lay on his side, his back facing the son of Mars.
“Buenas noches.” Leo called.
With that, Frank leaves the med-bay, and with it, Leo.