Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“You're going to hit your bed again.”

Octavian felt the metal frame hit his shin and he fell onto his own mattress. He cursed under his breath, clutching his right leg where the harsh metal had hit his skin.

“Thanks, Jason,” Octavian grumbled.

“You're welcome,” Jason responded, and Octavian heard him flip a page of his book.

Jason, out of all three of them, had it the easiest. The capitol couldn't get information out of him, or use him as bait in a trap. He, like Octavian, was a bastard son of Jupiter. So, he was deemed a threat, but not as much of a threat as Octavian and Percy.

Jason spent his time reading books about extremely boring things, like wolves, and javelin all-stars, and the slow decline of the Roman empire. He also was the only semblance of care given to Percy and Octavian.

He would fix up their wounds best he could, wash their faces when they were too fragile to move. After the rare shower they were allowed, He would hand-curl Percy's hair and braid Octavian's.

Octavian wore a braid and sat up on his bed, fingers going to fiddle with the end that fell over his shoulder. His hair had grown long over the months. It was the only way he could keep time. From his shoulders down to the edge of his shoulder-blades last he measured.

He knew time had to have passed, because he slept frequently. And his jaw had healed for the most part. After it had been ripped apart, the capitol doctors tried their best to fuck him up, wiring his mouth shut.

He starved for the first few weeks. On the rare occasion that they would feed the three in the cell, it would always be solid and he couldn't open his mouth.

It wasn't until he was nearly dead that they finally gave him food that he could eat.

Percy was in a similar boat. The capitol had decided to train him like a dog. They had him muzzled. Octavian has run his fingers over the cage once before. Metal, with unbreakable straps fitting it to the back of his head. Sharp metal spines were pushed into his guns through his skin, preventing him from opening his mouth any farther than any food he could push through the holes. And the pain was immense.

After it was installed, all Percy did for a long time was cry from the pain. He was prevented from talking, especially since he hadn't been able to speak prior to the muzzle because Octavian had crushed his windpipe.

It had made the first long while difficult. It made everything difficult. Octavian was relying on sound and touch, and Percy couldn't speak to him.

Percy at one point has given up fighting. Whatever they were doing to him had been taking hold. He usually just hid under his bed, curled up, silent. Helpless.

Octavian had his own activity that was right in between the mental work of reading nonfiction and the nothingness that was hiding under the bed. He walked in circles.

His life was very exciting.

To try and stave away any worries about his situation and…Leo, Octavian has been ringing the room maybe a million times, trying to know exactly where he was. 20 paces from one wall was the door, the three beds were evenly spread, with each having its back against the wall.

Closest to the door was Jason's bed, underneath his books, and on one of the legs was the chain that connected to his leg to prevent escape. Then, on the far wall, Percy's bed, which he was curled up under. Then Octavian's, which to his knowledge had nothing special about it other than him.

Jason would occasionally yell out if Octavian was getting too close to a bed, but usually he was too stuck in his book.

Octavian sighed, deciding to give up on walking and go to sleep. The lights never bothered him anymore.

Of course, whenever he stopped, Octavian's thoughts wandered to Leo. He'd been given no news.

He knew a few things, for a fact. Number One: Leo definitely got rid of the baby. There was no possible way that he could've been convinced to keep it. Number Two: Leo escaped, or otherwise Octavian would've been reconnected or dead by now. Number Three: Leo loved him, but how long until it wasn't worth it to find Octavian? How long until he annulled and found someone new? Someone less broken than Octavian.

Octavian didn't like to think too hard about number three.

Chapter Text

Octavian screamed as the cattle prod connected with his raw skin on his back. His flesh burned where his handler, Turnus, kept prodding. The metal plate just underneath his skin magnified the pain of the electric shock.

If Octavian could see, he was sure that he would know hours had passed.

“You know,” Turnus spoke casually, as if he didn't control Octavian's pain, “your friend, Leo, right? he sent a message to the capitol. A bomb package signed in his name. Dropped on the doors of an orphanage. Killed three children.”

“No-” Octavian grit his teeth. “He wouldn't. He's an orphan. He would never attack them.”

The cattle prod connected with Octavian's front this time, pushing into where his sternum had broken so long ago. Octavian cracked a scream, voice wavering with the shocks that pulsed through his system.

“Wait!” Another voice shouted.

Octavian recognized it as a man named Aeneus, a doctor. He was the doctor that did his jaw surgery. His voice was nice, but his hands were rough with a scalpel.

“What is it?” Turnus asked.

“High-King Jupiter wants no harm to come to that area. He has a plan.” Aeneus answered.

A hand went to Octavian’s chest and he flinched in a mix of shock and the coldness of it, compared to the heat on his skin. They then trailed over Octavian's chest, pressing its thumb into the fresh mark.

Octavian let out a groan of pain, trying his hardest to pull away from the pain. The chains that were connected to the ceiling, pulling his arms away from his body prevented too much movement.

Aeneus huffed, and the hand persisted. It pressed deep into his wound. Octavian screwed his eyes shut as tears leaked from them, and let out a pathetic whimper.

A sigh. “You had better be glad that the prod didn't damage him. Jupiter would've had your head for his next dinner.”

Aeneus’ hand moved upwards to Octavian's face. His hand traced Octavian's jaw.

“Your jaw seems to be healing nicely, at least.” Aeneus’ fingers prodded Octavian’s lips. “Open.”

Octavian was hesitant to obey, but opened his mouth anyways. He wasn’t fully aware of Aeneus’ strength and didn’t wish to push it to the point where Minos had snapped. Aeneus pushed his fingers into Octavian’s mouth and he gagged briefly at the intrusion and feel of the latex. Aeneus worked silently, pushing and prodding on his jaw from the inside.

Octavian had a choice. He could be a dog to the capitol’s orders, or he could do something much more reasonable. He chose reasonability. Octavian bit down suddenly and Aeneus screamed. Octavian bit through the latex, and the skin as blood flooded his mouth.

“Get him off!” Aeneus screeched and Octavian felt hands press under his jaw. Pain flourished from his neck and he choked as he opened his mouth. Aeneus’ hand jolted away as he cursed.

“Little bitch!” Aeneus growled and a slap connected with Octavian’s face, making him cry out as blood dripped from his lips.

Aeneus sighed and gathered himself before speaking to Turnus. “He’ll have an operation in a week.”

The door opened and closed.

“Open,” Turnus ordered.

“No.” Octavian sneered. “I will bite again.”

“I don’t care how healed your jaw is. I will break it if you don’t open your mouth.”

Octavian’s jaw dropped open immediately.

Instead of fingers for Octavian to gnash, a thick metal rod was shoved down his throat, so it rested uncomfortably above his Adam's apple. Octavian gagged consistently, unable to vomit with the obstruction. He could still breathe, albeit barely. His head swam.

“This is what you deserve for biting. I don’t know how you convinced that nomad to pretend to be in love with you. You’re disgusting and violent. I can tell you were raised by those freaks who choose to live in Hades.”

Octavian attempted to protest around the intrusion, both for Leo and his family in Hades, but was halted when the metal rob began to whine with the signature sound of the cattle rod starting. The shock ran through his whole body, burning his throat as he thrashed. He ran out of air screaming before the prod was turned off and removed.

Octavian screamed hoarsely, only for the clogged vomit to spew out of his mouth, acidic bile ripping up the burn inside his throat. Octavian heaved, vomit dripping from his mouth and nose. He shook with pain and exhaustion.

He wasn’t dead. He would survive this.

His shirt was pulled over his head and snapped shut under his arms. The itchy fabric rubbed against the wound on his back, making every movement agony. Octavian shuddered, whimpers escaping from his lips, which only aggravated his torn throat more.

The chains rattled as he was unlocked and Octavian fell to the floor, miraculously avoiding his own vomit. He was picked up by two sets of arms, and dragged down the hall. He tried to reach out for the walls, to know exactly where he was going, but the two centurions prevented that. A door opened in front of him and he was tossed in.

Octavian fell on the floor with a cry as pain shot through his body. Tears flooded down his face as the door closed behind him and he weakly shrugged to push himself up with his hands. In a second, Jason was next to him, providing support as close as he could with the chain connected to his leg.

“Octavian? Listen to me, can you breathe? Deep breath, please?” Jason begged, pulling Octavian closer to him.

Octavian sobbed, breaths coming out in pants. He felt like he was going to be sick again.

Jason began carefully brushing Octavian’s hair out of his face, wiping the tears as they came. He tucked each strand behind Octavian’s ears.

“Octavian?” Jason’s voice was soft and calm. It always was. “Can you tell me where it hurts?”

“My back,” Octavian croaked. “I need my shirt off.”

Jason complied immediately, unsnapping the sides of the shirt and removing it. Carefully, he helped Octavian up and over to his bed, lying Octavian down on his stomach. Octavian gripped the pillow underneath him as Jason gasped softly at the sight. Octavian couldn’t even imagine what his body must look like now. The scars from the flogging, the shocks, and the arrow breaking his shoulder blade had completely mutilated him.

Jason’s fingers ghosted Octavian’s spine and shot away just as quickly when Octavian flinched, making more pain arch through his back.

“Percy? Is he ok?” Octavian rasped, his throat still in pain.

“He’s already under the bed. I can’t do anything more for him.” Jason’s voice shook.

“Can you read to me?” Octavian asked softly.

“Yeah, yes.”

Octavian heard Jason shuffle away, the chain dragging against the ground. He came back, sitting on the end of Octavian’s bed and began to read one of his books aloud, something about wolves and their pack behaviors. It was hard to concentrate on, but it dulled the pain a little.

Octavian liked Jason’s voice now. It rasped lightly and had a distinct Hera accent. He still wasn’t totally sure what Jason looked like, as his descriptions of himself were brief. There had been so many of him, Jason had trouble keeping himself separate. He still had his blue eyes, supposedly. And he was now dark skinned, like his sister. Darker even, but he might’ve gotten pale from lack of sun. They had all gotten paler from what Jason said, since being locked in here.

“Upon further research, it was said that the leader of the pack would care for the elderly, injured, and pups. It rounded out the whole pack on runs and stepped into any role as needed.” Jason’s voice flitted briefly with pride.

The door clicked open, and Octavian gripped his pillow tighter, hoping they didn’t want him for more.

“Jason,” a voice said. “Stand by the door.”

“Yes sir.” Jason said timidly.

He set the book down on the floor, and got off of the bed, walking over to the door. The cuff clattered to the ground and the door shut, leaving the room quiet, except for the occasional sniffle from Percy from under the bed.

_⚭_

The door opened again a while later, after Octavian had gathered enough strength to sit up on the bed, cross-legged and fiddling with the end of his braid. The door closed and Octavian heard the uncomfortable and recognizable sound of someone holding in sobs.

He slipped off the bed and quietly padded towards the sound. Jason had been chained again, but he stood still next to the door. Octavian gathered Jason in a hug and gently guided him to Jason’s bed. Jason clung to Octavian, still trying to hold it all in and keep quiet.

They both sat down, Octavian taking his turn in letting Jason lay on him and find comfort. He began gently scratching Jason’s scalp. Unlike his and Percy’s hair, Jason’s was a coarse texture and cut close to his head. Jason shook like a leaf, trying to hold in his noise. His body was hot and feverish, and when Octavian’s hand grew too close to his neck, he winced, indicating bruises. His clothes had been stretched and skewed up, ripped in some places.

“Jason, it’s ok.”

Jason nodded.

Jason sniffled, still, an Octavian waited for it to pass, keeping his touch gentle. He felt an arm brush past him and jumped, making Jason cling to Octavian tighter.

“It’s just Percy. Percy, tap my knee if it’s you.” Octavian whispered.

Percy patted Octavian’s knee, before continuing reaching towards Jason. Percy’s hand made contact with Jason’s cheek and Jason nuzzled into it, his frantic chest slowing for the first time.

“I heard from the outside world,” Jason said a few moments later, voice shaking.

Percy spooked and retreated again, and Octavian heard him slide under the bed again.

“What did you hear?”

“I could only –uh– get a little bit of information. I told her– I told her she could choke me if she told me something.” Jason swallowed down an upcoming sob. “She told me it’s January 7th.”

Octavian’s heart stopped in shock. He had been here for six months. He and Percy had been here for six months. He hadn’t seen Leo in six months.

Chapter Text

The door unlocked and closed as soon as it was open. Octavian turned to the sound from where he had been making his rounds around the room.

“Jason!” he whisper-hissed. “Who’s in the room?”

“I don’t know?” Jason whispered back.

“It’s ok. I’m not here to hurt you,” the new person responded. She sounded like an older woman. Maybe in her forties.

“How can I know that?”

“You’re Octavian, right?”

Octavian bristled. “Why do you want to know?”

“I am Sally Jackson. I’m just here for my son.”

Octavian narrowed his eyes towards the general direction of the woman.

“I’m Jason.” Jason awkwardly introduced himself. “I’m your son’s friend.”

“I’ve never met you before, Jason. Are you from Poseidon?” Sally asked.

“No. I grew up in Hera. I was in Percy’s second game. He -er- killed me?” Jason’s voice rose slightly in the last sentence.

“Oh!” Sally gasped.

Octavian frowned and stayed where he was on the wall. He was 5 paces from Jason’s bed, and Sally was on the other side, which meant that Sally was blocking his way.

“Are you a mirror?” Sally asked Jason.

“Yes. I have been for six iterations.”

“You’re Lester’s mentee, aren’t you?” Sally’s voice had a smile and it made Octavian grow bitter.

He hadn’t forgotten that Lester had betrayed him, had injured Leo, and shot Octavian. Everyone still talked about him like he was the gods’ gift to the glorious nation. Even Jason still spoke highly of Lester, and it usually made Octavian snippy towards his cellmate.

“Yes.”

The conversation went to whispers, and Octavian briefly heard, “He’s blind, so…” from Jason.

“I can hear you, you know.” Octavian snapped at the two.

“Of course.” Sally cleared her throat. “I’m sorry for what the capitol has done to you two.”

“Why are you here?” Octavian asked, patience thinning.

“As I said, I’m not here to hurt you. I just want to see my son.” Sally kept her voice calm.

Octavian pressed his lips together thinly. He decided to be civil. “I have made a mistake. I am Octavian. You are Sally Jackson? What are your pronouns?”

Sally barked out a sudden laugh. “You’ve been spending time with Alex, haven’t you?”

“Is Alex here?” Octavian asked.

“No. She’s not in our group. I was hoping she was in here with Percy, but that’s not the case is it?”

“She must’ve escaped with Leo.”

“Who else is here in the facility?” Jason asked.

“Well, there’s six other people in my cell. Paris, Demophon, Helen, Orion, and Melinae were in the games with Octavian and Percy, and then Hippolyta from Ares, and Orpheus from Apollo were in previous games. I don’t know about anyone else.” Sally answered. “Is Percy in here?”

“Yeah, he’s under that bed.” Octavian could hear Jason point towards Percy’s bed.

Sally walked past Octavian before stopping. “My pronouns are she/her, dear. What are yours?”

Octavian stayed silent, looking towards the wall in shame. Sally rested a gentle hand on Octavian’s shoulder. “It’s alright if you don’t know or don’t want to say. We gain knowledge and courage as we get older.”

The hand on his shoulder left and Octavian breathed easy again. He began his walk again, trailing around Jason’s bed as he heard a page flip. Octavian kept his steps as quiet as possible, to try and listen.

He heard Sally lower herself to the ground beside Percy’s bed. “Percy, Chiquito, it’s your mama.”

A scuffle came from underneath the bed. Percy began to cry loudly, every so often breaking up his sobs with a pained and distressed, “Mama!”

“Oh, my baby boy. What did they do to you?” Sally’s voice sounded weepy. She had to be examining the muzzle that prevented any words aside from the occasional broken call for his mother.

_⚭_

The water hose put welts on his naked body as Octavian was sprayed with the strong stream of water. He tried his best to scrub the harsh and sour-smelling soap off his body, but the pressure made him hurry up more. He cautiously bent his head into the water, cleaning his hair from the suds he had been granted.

Eventually the handlers and centurions got bored of the smell that protruded from the boys that they gave them a wash. At that point it might have been weeks. Octavian had vomit on him. Percy had dried blood down his chin. And Jason didn’t talk about what made him dirty, but he was always in an extra bright mood after the shower.

The water pelted Octavian’s scalp and he combed the soap out of his hair. The hose creaked off and he was thrown a damp towel to dry himself. He made quick work, trying to avoid rubbing too harshly on his still-sore back from his earlier session.

The towel was taken from him and he was thrown new clothes, pulling on the boxers, uncomfortable pants and scratchy sweater. Despite the uncomfortable materials, he was glad for them. A sweater meant he wasn’t going to have a session until they gave him a shirt, and the sweater provided much-needed warmth in the cold cell. His hair hung down his back, still fairly wet, and he was led by two arms out of the cleaning room and down a long hallway with a few turns to his cell, where he was pushed in, Percy and Jason beside him. Jason was chained and the door was shut.

Percy had his shower first, and they didn’t want the muzzle to rust, so they took it off for cleaning, using a key only they had, then put it back on before he was dressed. Then Jason was cleaned, and waited for Octavian to finish last.

“Ok!” Jason’s voice was clear and cheery. “Percy, let’s do your curls first.”

Jason led Percy away from Octavian, who followed like a duckling to Jason’s bed. The process was easy at this point. Streamlined, even.

Octavian wasn’t totally sure how Jason did Percy’s curls. Jason had explained every step of his process to Octavian once. It included pulling Percy’s hair out of the muzzle streps, then twisting his strands between two fingers on each hand.

Octavian wasn’t sure how necessary the whole process was, since almost everyone in his family but him and his “dad” (not that son of a bitch, Jupiter, but the dad who loved him and raised him) had curls. Octavian had been a part of the cleaning process with WIll since birth and not once had his curls needed to be shaped like Percy’s. He even remembers seeing Percy come out of the water and just shake the water loose and be fine, but Jason had once said that Percy, “looked like a sopping wet rat” when his curls weren't done and a, “baby angel” once Jason had finished.

Octavian squeezed next to the two on the bed, leaning his head onto Jason’s shoulder as he worked and talked. He never talked about anything interesting, but his voice was so soothing. Octavian fought with his eyes closing, but he dozed off a few times, the small moment of peace, lulling him into a sense of security. He was safe with Jason by his side.

Eventually Jason pulled him out of his dozing for a second, while Percy squirmed around.

“Ugh, Percy!” Jason huffed. “Just – stay here!”

Percy was struggling against Jason’s grip, but Jason refused to let go.

“Octavian? Could you sit in front of Percy? Please?”

Octavian followed Jason’s request, double-checking with him was where Jason wanted him. They boxed Percy in, who eventually stopped wriggling and calmed down. Jason started Octavian’s braid. His fingers were strong and gripped Octavian’s hair in just the right way to do the simple plait.

Jason’s fingers moved over themselves over and over as he went down the hair. It was calming and started to lull Octavian back to half-sleep again. Jason’s hands were soft, and his fingers were shorter. From what Octavian knew, Jason had been given a softer body. No longer were the sharp angles and defined muscles of Octavian’s first Jason, but rather a handsomely fat body with folds and chub.

Octavian leant back onto Percy, who was also falling asleep. His head was lolling, drool starting to drip down from the muzzle.

“Is he asleep?” Octavian murmured.

“Yeah.” Jason hummed lightly.

“I don’t think he’s slept on a bed since he started hiding. He must've just needed for us to trap him.” Octavian guessed, feeling the rise of Percy’s chest beneath him.

“You’re right. I wish he could tell us what they’ve been doing to him. It has to be something awful to make him like this.” Jason tied off Octavian’s braid.

“Hmm.” Octavian hummed, falling asleep again.

Jason reorganized everyone on his bed before slipping in. They were all squeezed together, Octavian leaning against Percy’s back while Jason gripped Percy in a hug from the front. It wasn’t long until, warm, clean, and cared for, Octavian fell into sleep.

Chapter Text

“It’ll be simple, really,” Aeneas mused.

He wasn’t talking to Octavian, but to an assistant that was tightening the straps holding Octavian down to the table. The assistant, Remus, hadn’t spoken a word yet, which made him hard to track.

“Just one incision. The issue is, Remus, that we must keep him awake. High-King Jupiter decreed it!”

Remus apparently hadn’t been there for Octavian’s jaw surgery. Octavian had been kept awake the whole time as he was remade, in excruciating pain. The tightening of wires and cage he was placed in still haunted his mouth.

“Why does Jupiter want me awake?” Octavian asked.

“You take too much anesthesia. It's too expensive. And we want to keep you awake so you don't die on us.”

Octavian's stomach tightened in fear.

“But, we will give you a sedative. It's very hard to work while you scream. Very…pitchy.”

Octavian frowned.

“Remus, if you will, the altered poppyblood?” Aeneas asked.

“No, I don't want that.” Octavian began to pull on his restraints.

He refused to have poppyblood. He wouldn't fall in the same hole he did with the rubbing alcohol. He was born to be addicted and he wanted to rebel against his blood.

Octavian began to thrash as best he could, causing Aeneas to curse loudly, barking at Remus to hold steady while he attempted to constrain Octavian.

“No!” Octavian screamed, flinging himself away from wherever Aeneas’ hands touched on his body. The table he was restrained to rattled and screeched across the floor.

Aeneas finally got a handle on Octavian, pressing his head onto its side, laying across his chest as Octavian jerked. “Stick it in the back of his neck!”

Remus supposedly obeyed, as a thick pinch hit in the dip where Octavian’s head met his neck. His body went lax as he was injected. Octavian whined high in his throat, still trying to fight the effects of the poppyblood.

“Shouldn’t it, like, put him out?” Remus finally asked as Aeneas manhandled Octavian’s body back into position.

“No. We don’t want him asleep, but his muscles are going through a little bit of atrophy. It’ll fix itself in a few hours. That and -”

Aeneas’ voice buzzed out. Octavian couldn’t feel a thing. He desperately tried to move his body, move his head, move his eyes, anything. But nothing. He couldn't tell if he was moving if he was.

Ok, no panicking. As long as you can still think, you’re fine. Yeah.

Octavian kept a constant stream of thoughts. He felt a deep pressure on his stomach, like when his brother used to lay on top of him when he would read books. It was…nice. It felt nice.

“Tavi?”

The voice was echo-y, but unmistakable.

“Leo!” Octavian called out.

Octavian forced his head to turn to the side. He was glowing, eyes soft as his hand went to tuck strands of hair behind Octavian’s ears. In the darkness, looking at him with the gentlest expression, was Leo.

And Leo was hot pink. Octavian didn’t remember Leo being hot pink…but maybe it was true. Yeah, Leo was hot pink. And Octavian was a pretty yellow, like the sun’s shadows on winter clouds when it rose.

“Oh, Nenito.” Leo cooed, pressing a kiss to Octavian’s forehead.

“Are you dead?” Octavian’s lips felt loose and like he was drooling.

“No, I’m right here with you. I love you.” Leo giggled.

“The baby? Is it gone?” Octavian asked, eyes drifting to Leo’s middle.

“No, it’s here.” Leo whispered, gently tapping their foreheads together as his hand went and rubbed the place where the pressure had been so intense.

It disappeared, the intensity.

“I miss you.” Octavian began to tear up. “They do terrible things to me. I have to watch my friends get tortured. Please, Leo, you have to save us.”

Octavian reached out for Leo. Leo caught his hand and kissed it.

“I’m working on it. I won’t let you die here,” Leo assured.

Octavian’s perspective shifted and his head got dizzy. “Leo, what’s going on? Why do I feel this way?”

“They’re taking you home.” Leo kept his voice calm, and began to walk right next to Octavian.

“They’re taking me to you?”

“I’ll be with you the whole time.”

Leo walked beside Octavian. He was sky blue now. A cloud would travel across his body at random intervals. He was always the sky, right? And Octavian was always the mossy green!

Octavian’s perspective sifted again and he groaned, head spinning. Leo stayed still, a cloud fluttering past his eyes, a bird, gods what bird is that? soaring past Leo’s thigh.

“It’s ok, Nenito, you’re home. And I’m still here.”

“You’re still here.” Octavian’s eyebrows furrowed.

Leo was fading. His voice was more echo-y.

“Leo?”

“I’ll be with you forever, Tavi.” His voice was impossibly quiet.

“Leo! No! Leo! I need you!”

Two hands grabbed Octavian’s arms and he screamed.

“Leo! Leo! I need Leo!” Octavian screamed, “Where is he? He said he’d never leave!”

“Octavian! You’re going to hurt yourself!” Jason responded.

Octavian looked to where Leo was and…was Leo ever there?

“No!” Octavian sobbed. His limbs calmed.

“You were thrashing, Octavian. You were going to throw yourself off the bed or rip your stitches,” Jason explained, still keeping a steady grip on Octavian’s arms. “I’m sorry, Octavian.”

Octavian wept.

Chapter Text

Octavian was weepy. It had been –according to Jason– a week since his poppyblood incident. He hadn’t really been himself since then.

He was fatigued. He didn’t leave his bed, just laying down, alternating between having the blanket on or off. And his eyes were always teary.

Every so often, Jason would attempt to feed Octavian, but for the most part his food went to Percy, who would gobble it up.

Jason tried his hardest, really, but Octavian just refused to do anything. He wanted Leo. He wanted Leo, and if he couldn’t have him, Octavian would rather starve to death and become one with the bed.

Percy on the other hand was finally warming back up to Octavian, probably because now he was actually getting adequate food. Percy flopped on the bed next to Octavian, snuggling up to him, muzzle pressing into Octavian’s back.

“Percy, please.” Octavian croaked, fresh hot tears dripping down his face.

“Yeah, come on, Percy.” Jason pulled gently on Percy’s shoulder.

Percy rumbled deep in his chest, jerking away from Jason. Jason stepped back and huffed. He left, mumbling things under his breath the whole way back to his bed.

Percy kept his breathing soft and slow, his now slightly bloated abdomen pressing against Octavian’s back as they laid there.

Back to Leo. Octavian had started calling the trip version of Leo, “Hot-Pink-Leo”. Hot-Pink-Leo was always on his mind. How soft his face was, how he touched Octavian, how his words put a blanket of warmth over Octavian’s body.

Octavian wanted to drift into sleep and wake up comfortably in Leo’s arms in a world where none of this existed. Leo was soft and gentle, but all around Octavian was hard metal and four stupid walls. And that stupid muzzle pressing into his back.

“Percy, you’re making me uncomfortable.”

Percy humphed. He backed up a little, but the edge of the metal was still scratching at Octavian’s back. Whatever. It was better.

Leo…to wake in his arms. To live in the circle of safety he made. Octavian thinks back to the first games they were in, how Leo, despite Octavian being stupid and pathetic, made a note to protect him. Then he began thinking of their first night together. Not the night with the hot springs, but the first night they…Octavian’s face suddenly began to burn.

What if Leo had gotten pregnant then? What if he hadn’t found Hibiscus? Would the second games not have happened? What if Octavian could’ve been free now?

But then, he remembers that Leo made it very clear that he didn’t want kids, and very much less so wanted to carry kids. And that another wave of calm pulled at his heart was washed over him. Leo wouldn’t change that aspect about him.

The door opened and both boys on the bed stirred. Octavian laid back down, deciding that it wasn’t worth his effort to even look up. Percy sat up beside him, on high alert.

“Turn him on.” Minos barked an order and Octavian flinched, jaw aching.

Suddenly, Octavian vision flashed with white and he pressed his hands to them, letting out a small shout. Slowly, he removed his hands, blinking away the brightness of the lights.

For the first time, Octavin saw the cell that he had been trapped in for so long. It was not much to look at.

Bathed in fluorescents, the whole room was stark white. The beds were made of white metal and had drab gray coverings. Octavian himself was also dressed in white, although his sweater was a darker blue. Jason and Percy were in the white clothing, with snap-up shirts.

Jason was beautiful in his simplicity. He was large, dark, and the most personable man Octavian had ever seen. He gripped his book, with a worn red cover in the face of the guards. Percy, on the other hand, looked like shit. His eyes were red, his black-metal muzzle dug into his skin, and he was thin, even with the extra rations from Octavian.

“Grab Octavian, Jupiter requests him.”

The centurions wore their normal outfits, dressed in purple uniforms with various gold markings. Two centurions approached Octavian, grabbing his wrists. Percy began to rumble deep in his chest again, staring at the two.

“Hey! Let me go!” Octavian yelled, desperately pulling away from the two, pressing his heels into the floor.

The guards struggled against him, trying desperately to pull him away. Then, Percy pounced from the bed, knocking down the guard on Octavian’s left. The guard screamed as Percy ripped and tore at his clothes, drawing blood with his fingernails.

Another guard came up to Percy, cattle prod in hand and shocked him repeatedly, until he was lying unconscious on the floor. Jason got up and went to Percy, tugging on his chain.

“Percy! Percy, please wake up!” Jason begged.

Octavian was collected by another centurion and dragged out as Jason tenderly pressed the pads of his fingers to the edge of Percy’s burnt shoulder.

The door closed with a slam and Octavian was led down hallways, with a million turns. At one point he was convinced they were going in circles until finally he was pulled into a room and sat down in front of a window pointing into a recording studio, a smaller one, like what Ganymede used to film from, only there was no Ganymede. In his esteemed chair, sat a woman, who wore a pin labelled, “Eris”.

Eris had long sleek black hair and a more cunning smile. She took her makeup gleefully, smacking the stylist when they got too close to missing a brush. She was wearing a dark flowing dress of elaborate purples and black.

Jupiter stood next to her, speaking with her plainly. The sight of him made Octavian’s blood boil. Jupiter looked to the window giving a small nod directly to Octavian. Octavian grew hot and angry at the move, and a nugget of shame formed in the pits of his core that the pale eyes exactly mirrored his.

Jupiter left the scene silently, and another man graced the studio sitting across from Eris. Octavian gasped when he saw who it was– him. Or, the perfect mirror version of him. From his position, Octavian could look at his mirror and see his reflection in the window glass.

The mirror was flawless. It was easy to see he had been taken care of in the establishment. His face was ruddy with cold, and compared to Octavian, he looked joyous and healthy. Octavian’s reflection showed how different they truly were. Octavian was pale, his eyes bugged out and he was skinny, his skin even thinner.

He looked terrible, and he was looking a perfect version of himself in the eyes.

A bell rang, shocking Octavian out of his thoughts, and the cameras began rolling.

_⚭_

A TV buzzed to light, shaking him from his sleep. The static hummed as he left his bed, wandering over to the wretched box that before this, had refused to turn on, despite his many attempts. Carefully, he lowered himself to the ground in a kneeling position, hissing when his back straightened.

A robotic voice came from the set, saying, “A message for Leo Valdez, only. All others clear the room. A message for Leo Valdez only.”

Leo pursed his lips and waited for the message to start. The television burst to life, showing grainy footage of an interview from what seemed like the capitol. And the interviewee was Octavian. His heart sped up, and he scooted closer. Octavian was alive! He was alive and he looked fine!

The message seemed to be in the middle of the interview. There was a new newsperson, this time a woman, who was stiltily asking questions from a card. Leo might’ve despised Ganymede, but at least he had style. Leo glued his eyes to the video of Octavian.

“And what of your husband? The escape artist? The one who likes nursery rhymes?”

Octavian’s eyes went downcast. “I miss him.”

Leo lifted his hand to the screen, pushing into the blue light, which made his hand tingle and the static grow louder. “I’m right here, Octavian. I’m coming for you, don’t worry.”

“But he made his choice. We had to separate. My loyalty lies with the capitol and his lies with treason.”

Leo frowned. “What did they do to you, Octavian? Who is torturing you?”

“I see,” the woman replied. “And do you like it here in the capitol?”

“Very much so. This place is the heart of our glorious nation, and I’m glad I get to be a part of it. I’m glad all of us, all of the districts make up this glorious nation and see nothing but clear skies and joyous celebration in our future. This whole silly rebellion will be over by the solstice. I just know it.”

Leo’s core rolled and he placed a firm palm on it. “I know. I know. I miss him too.”

“Very well! That’s all we have time for, and let me say it’s been wonderful to meet the true victor of this glorious nation.” The woman smiled and the screen cut out.

Leo smiled. Octavian was alive! And now, he had to be held in the manor. That’s where all of these interviews were getting filmed.

Leo carefully started to get up, stumbling slightly and slapping his hand too loudly on a rolling metal cart, making a loud clang.

“Shit.” Leo cursed under his breath as soon as he heard footsteps pounding down the small hallway between the two rooms.

The door was thrown open. “Leo, are you ok? Is-”

“I’m fine, just trouble getting up.” Leo groaned.

“Leo, you have to be careful with this stuff. If you over exert yourself or-”

“Will.”

“And what if you’re early? What then?”

“Will.”

“Gods I can’t lose you like I did Octavian, I just can’t.”

“Will!” Leo finally shouted, shutting his brother-in-law up.

“What?”

“Octavian’s alive.” Leo couldn’t contain his smile.

“Leo, what are you talking about?”

“I just got a message from the capitol. They aired an interview with him in it and he’s alive!”

Will broke out into a smile, hugging Leo suddenly.”Yes! I knew it! We knew it!”

“Alright, you’re squishing me.”

“Oh, sorry.” Will let Leo go and Leo breathed a short sigh of relief. “Now, you should really be going back to bed. It’s too risky for you to be doing stuff like this when you’re…”

Leo sucked in a breath.

“Infected with an STD?”

“No!” Will huffed. “Just let me help you to bed.”

Will’s hands went to Leo’s sides, one holding his right hand and the other providing a steady hand on Leo’s bump. The baby rolled again, making Leo nauseous. Seven months, and he still never got over the sickness. It was miserable, although for more reasons than the upset stomach.

“Get some rest, Leo. I’ll see you in the morning for meds and such.” Will laid a thick set of quilts over Leo’s body and he couldn’t help but hum in contentment at the act.

Leo wasn’t sure he could ever sleep now. He needed to plan to get Octavian back in his arms.

Chapter Text

Leo of course had fallen asleep only an hour after the message had broadcasted and he had only pulled together a few bullet points of a plan to rescue Octavian. Most of the bullet points involved blowing up the whole place.

There were very few luxuries that Leo would afford or accept, but the thick quilts he had been given reminded him of curling around Octavian, or sleeping by the boiler in the orphanage. But it was tiresome to push them all off in order to go to the bathroom. Leo swears that the baby likes to kick his bladder when she's bored.

Leo sighed, struggling the blankets off and slipping out of bed. He felt out of place in the room he had been given. It was huge, larger than the room in the capitol’s penthouse, larger than his bedroom in Hades, larger than the shared room in the orphanage, larger than his mom’s trailer when he was a nomad.

The room was lavish. Hestia tried its best to make him feel comfortable in the room that he was pretty much restrained in. It was warm and brown, decorated with wood panelling on the walls. His bed was huge and warm, although it was the starkest part of the whole room, surrounded by testing machines and medical carts. Across from the bed was the TV which had played the message the night before.

On the far side of the room was a sitting area with a bookshelf (useless) and two leather couches (too much). The couches did bring comfort and helped with Leo’s restlessness from pacing around the room and eventually needing to sit. The large windows beside it projected a gentle snow-flurry. They weren’t real windows, but ran footage taken from outside the massive cave that the entirety of Hestia lived in. Leo had popped one of the windows out once, only to find a slab of rock, much to his disappointment.

Leo walked to the door, right hand firmly pressing into his aching back. Will had told him that Octavian was a small baby, but Leo was starting to doubt that claim. Octavian was huge, for gods sake! At this point Leo had resigned to knowing that she would be as giant as Octavian is, no matter how little Octavian was born as.

Leo waddled (how shameful) out of his bedroom and into the hallway. The difference between his bedroom and the hallway was stark. The hallway was packed tightly and made of stone, which was frigid on Leo’s bare feet. Windows and doors were cut into the stone, leading into the different rooms. Leo even had a window connected to his room, but there was nothing of note to see. Same with the other windows, behind locked doors where other long-term patients resided. The only door without a window was Will’s.

Leo had been in Will’s room once or twice, just to get out of his room and talk to his only available kin. Will’s room was not lavish like the patients, but instead small and cramped. He was afforded the heated wooden flooring, but his paint was simple, and all he had was a bed, a nightstand, and a dresser. He also had a door connecting to Nico’s room. Special request.

Will wasn’t like Leo, however. He wasn’t a patient, instead designated as a servant of the state with a golden sun painted on the arm and back of his clothing. He always wore a blue jumpsuit, another signifier of his designation, this time referring to his medic status. He also had an id badge on a lanyard to allow him into any of the rooms on the floor, and downstairs for his daily meals. Leo had tried and failed many times to steal the badge. Will was unfortunately just as crafty as him.

Getting over the chill of the hallway, he made his way into the bathroom all of the patients on this floor and Will shared. It was thankfully empty and Leo relived himself as quickly as possible. He would rather not be seen by any of the others, who had a habit of crowding him and touching him on either his distended stomach or head, seeking a blessing from the "phoenix of Hades”.

He had no intentions of being touched by strangers or being a religious and rebellious figure. He just wanted to have the stupid baby and disappear in the woods. Rescue Octavian first, then enact their plan of traveling through the Canadian Wilds and towards the mythical Europe. Or go south, make it to where his family came from. He’d finally sit down and teach Octavian Spanish there.

He just wanted his life. He wanted his own life, for the first time ever. And the baby was preventing that.

Leo went back to his own room, relieved to be back on warm flooring again. He brushed a hand through tangled curls. At his request, Will had spent time cutting them short again. It wasn’t the best haircut, but Leo had destroyed the mirror given to him on thin patience when the baby started making her presence known physically.

Leo wandered back to the bed, deciding to try and sleep more until Will ultimately came to feed him breakfast and do his medicinal duties. He sat down on the bed, frowning as he looked down at his burdensome flesh resting on his lap. He decided to focus on his clothing instead.

It was comfortable clothing, although he missed his old clothes and being able to fit into them. Fuzzy plaid pants and an orange hooded sweater. Combined with his lack of shoes, he looked like he was bound to sleep most of the day. Which he would unless Will told him his shower block was open. Although, like most things, showers were getting trickier. Which made them frustrating and Leo was usually angry by the end of it.

Instead he settled in his bed and started to doze off, cozy under the many quilts. Then, Will interrupted it by bursting in, which was very Solace of him. Octavian had never been quiet or tactful either, always one to lumber and interrupt things.

“What?” Leo grumbled.

“Oh! I’m sorry, Leo, were you asleep? I saw that you were out in the hallway.”

“Yeah, I’m awake.” Leo rose slowly and pushed the quilts off of him.

“Sorry again, but the council is requesting your presence downstairs about last night's message.”

Leo gawked at Will. His entire time in Hestia, he had not been allowed to see the council. He had tried to get their attention to reverse their decision on impregnating him and keeping him pregnant. Obviously, that hadn’t worked. But this was good! He could actually get started on a real plan to rescue Octavian then get out of here.

Leo followed Will, frowning again at the cold hallway floors. Will beeped his badge against a door and it opened, revealing a set of stairs. Leo bemoaned the idea of going down them, and then climbing them again. His prosthetic was already tricky, but now he had way less balance because of the baby.

He had to have Will help him every step down and his face was burning in shame. They went down past two other flights, before finally reaching the bottom. The bottom was covered in servants of the state. Some worked in the massive kitchen, cooking meals for the council and patients, which made Leo’s heart hurt. He missed cooking meals for the woefully unskilled Octavian, that lanky little cake-boy. Other servants of the state whisked around cleaning, praying in the in-house chapel, or eating their own quick breakfast before serving the patients. Will led Leo through the chaos of it all as Leo watched every movement from the people in wonder. Finally, they got to a quieter part of the ground floor and Will walked straight up to two guards in front of two massive doors.

“I am Will Solace, designation medicinal servant of the state.” Will showed his id. “This is Leo Solace-Valdez, designation in-house patient.”

The guards nodded to each other. “Mr. Solace-Valdez, you may enter.”

Will stepped forward first, giddy at the chance to meet the council.

“Not you.” A guard roughly said.

“But-”

“Not you.”

“It’s about his brother, he should be let in,” Leo argued in favor of his kin.

“He does not have the invitation. Go to your breakfast, Mr. Solace.”

Will frowned and cast his eyes down, shuffling away from them towards the more busy dining hall.

The guards opened the door for Leo.

Inside the area was a huge room with a large hearth, surrounded by people. Leo recognized some of his allies, Alex, Reyna, and Samirah. He also recognized some of his enemies, Eros and Dionysus.

Then he recognized someone that made his whole body grow cold. He stepped away, suddenly shaking in fear. The memory of the sound of her hitting him rang too loud in his head.

“Kasandra, is that you?” the woman asked.

She was a large woman, fattened from childbirth. Her hair was thick and weaved with pieces of dried grass, a traditional nomadic look. Leo had hated the scratchy grass on his scalp, he had hated that name, he had hated Tia Gaea.

Leo was frozen in his spot as Gaea stared him down.

“Kasandra, answer me.”

“Gaea, perhaps you should sit,” An ancient woman piped up, standing as she spoke.

The woman was extremely old, and Leo was concerned she may crumble to dust as she walked toward him. She had wrinkles on wrinkles, and her hands were boney, but he felt more of a sense of calm wash over him in her presence.

“I am Vesta,” she spoke softly. “I am chairhead of the council.”

Leo nodded, still frozen with Gaea not far away from him.

“Your name is Leo, correct?”

“Yes ma’am.” Leo whispered.

“Will you join my friends at the hearth?” Vesta asked.

“She is not your friend.” Leo pointed at his Tia.

“You and Commander Gaea knew each other prior to this?”

Leo’s eyes burned in anger and he began to shake angrily, an old habit. “She abandoned me in Hades.”

Gaea’s face remained apathetic and staring at Leo from her spot on the floor.

“You may sit by me, if that makes you feel more comfortable, Leo.” Vesta gently pulled Leo towards the hearth, sitting on the opposite side of Gaea.

“Let the meeting commence, then.” Gaea announced to the room, which had been in awkward silence since Gaea had called Leo that name.

Chapter Text

The meeting began and Leo took the time to look around the hearth. Across from him was Gaea, who was leading the proceedings. Then, there were his allies, who sat scattered around, interspersed with other council members that thankfully weren’t recognizable to Leo. He searched for Alex, who was taking the capture of Percy just as hard Leo was taking the capture of his husband.

Ales kept her eyes downcast. Her hair had gotten long and greasy and she had dark rings under her eyes. She absentmindedly picked at her skin, avoiding everyone else in the room.

“Now, onto the task at hand,” Gaea said after rambling on about gods know what. “I assume you received the message?”

Leo nodded. “I know what we have to do. Octavian is-”

Gaea held up her palm and Leo quieted immediately, an ugly habit. “The first question is whether or not Octavian is worth finding.”

“What?” Leo asked loudly. “Whether or not he’s worth it? Of course he’s worth it! We know where he is, and there’s a large chance he’s been kept near or with other captured tributes-”

“Of which there are nine,” Eros interjected.

“Of which there are nine people being tortured daily in Jupiter’s mansion, which we care about! If we put rescuing Octavian as a priority, we can also put Percy as a priority.”

“And Sally, Paris, Demophon, Helen, Orion, Orpheus, Hippolyta, and Melinae.” Alex nodded, suddenly interested.

“We need to get these people out of there!” Leo argued.

“Silence,” Gaea barked at him, and he shrunk back. “We must go over the risks before getting our hopes up. If they are in the manor as you say-”

“The studio they used for the interview was Ganymede’s for his online interviews he would have with us after our first games.”

“I said silence, Kasandra!”

Leo frowned, getting shaky. Any more of this and he was leaving and going straight out the front door to get Octavian himself.

Gaea sighed. “If they are in the manor, that makes the operation that much more complicated. Jupiter’s mansion is the most guarded part of the entirety of the nation. It will not be easy to break in. We will lose precious lives that we need for the full invasion. If we were to do this, and that’s a heavy if, it would be better to rescue them during the invasion.”

“And when’s that?” Leo asked.

“Next Solstice.”

Leo’s face furrowed. “That’s months away. We’ve already waited long enough.”

“I suppose you have a plan then?” Gaea asked him.

“I-” Leo grew flustered. “I don’t. I only got the message last night and I couldn't stay awake after it ended.”

“I can see that you are dressed in sleepwear, while the rest of us wear our uniforms or ceremonial clothes.”

Leo snuck a look around, and she was right. Everyone else was dressed for the day. “You’ll have to excuse my condition, Tia. I didn’t choose it, but I do get to choose the option to be comfortable.”

“That is enough fighting. The hearth is disappearing.” Vesta pointed to the large pit, and the fire was starting to peter out.

“A vote then, to settle this. Say aye for pushing this until the full invasion,” Gaea announced.

Six, including Gaea raised their hands and proclaimed their alliance with a shout.

“Say aye to make the rescue a priority.” Gaea lowered her hand.

Leo joined six others in that vote. He smiled happily. He had won, this time.

“Dismissed then.” Gaea stood and the others around Leo stood, although he accepted a hand from Reyna who was nearby him.

“We will reconvene in a week. Please pray to Khaos for guidance and ideas.” Vesta bowed and most of the council returned the motion.

Leo wanted out of there as quickly as possible, but his Tia caught up to him.

“_What was all of that about, Kasandra_?” Gaea spoke in Spanish and pulled Leo to the side.

“_Don’t call me that_,” Leo snarled in his native language, crossing his arms awkwardly over the bump.

“_It’s your name_.”

“_My name, as recognized by even the evil state that I just escaped, isn't that. It’s Leo. It was Leo before you left me_.” Leo kept his features angry.

“_We agreed that was a silly game you played as a child_.”

“_You convinced yourself of that_.”

“_You’ve been lying to yourself. You’re not a citizen of that terrible place. You’re not a boy_.”

“_If I wasn’t a citizen then why would you abandon me there_?”

“_If you were a boy then why did you allow yourself to get knocked up by a man? You’ve been a girl the whole time, just your head has been filled with delusions_.”

“_I didn’t want to get pregnant. And when I was forcibly impregnated by science –I don’t even know if this thing is of Octavian’s blood– I desperately wanted an abortion, and he supported that. And I tried to contact the council for ages to try and reverse your decision of forcing me to keep this baby that I don’t even want_!” Leo shouted.

“_Don't raise your voice at me. Respect your elders_!” Gaea sneered. “_It is against Khaos to waste a life like that_.”

“_I don’t know who Khaos is! I don’t bow to any gods! It’s my body_!”

“_Your children are our future_!”

Leo frowned. “_Don’t tell me what I can or can’t do with my body again. You are stalling the subject. Why did you abandon me_?”

Gaea cursed under her breath, pinching the bridge of her nose. “_You were too much as a child, Kas_.”

“_Leo. My name is Leo_.”

“_You were too much trouble, and you seem to be continuing that streak now. It was hard to keep you around after you killed your mother. You’re the splitting image of her. So we did what we thought best for you. A year later, we left the country and came here_.”

“_You left me_.” Leo kept his voice low. “_You left me in the poorest city in the nation. A place where no one spoke my language. You left me in a country, where I would likely be killed in murder games. And you left_.”

“_It was a necessary sacrifice_.”

“_I thought ‘Khaos’ abhorred wasting life_.”

“_You are a rotten child. You should’ve died in the games instead of giving me such a headache_.”

“Commander? Leo?” Vesta asked in English and the two returned to the basic language.

“Yes, Madam Vesta?” Gaea asked softly.

“Leo, Mr. Solace will return you to your room. You’ll receive your breakfast there,” Vesta spoke to Leo.

Will appeared from down the hallway and gently took Leo’s hand in his, leading him away.

Chapter Text

-Two Months Later-

Leo paced the room, desperate for movement. There had been very little progress made on rescuing Octavian, and because of his fighting with Gaea, Leo had been locked out of council meetings.

“Leo, please, at least sit down. You need to rest before you pop,” Will begged, fixing up Leo’s daily vitamins with his breakfast.

“I’m not going to pop, Will. _What an ugly way to say it_.” Leo scoffed.

“You’re nine months pregnant. It’s going to happen any day soon,” Will spoke factually. “At least sit down to eat.”

Leo groaned in despair and sat himself down on a couch. It did feel nice on his legs to do so. His prosthetic was always bothering him with the extra weight, and he hadn’t had much of a healing period since they reattached it to his bone. Will rolled his eyes and walked from the other side of the bed with Leo’s plate.

“You’re stubborn, you know that?”

“You don’t get kicked out of a council about your own husband by being pleasant.” Leo began to eat his bowl of chicken and rice soup.

Will snorted a laugh. “I do wish you had stayed on, I miss getting updates about Octavian.”

“Me too.” Leo sighed. “Maybe I can induce the baby and get to go on the mission to save him.”

“You’ll need at least two days of bed rest. And then a baby expert will be smothering you with information.”

Leo frowned. “How can I get out of that? I don’t really want this baby even after she’s born.”

“Your other option is giving her to the state. There would be a bid for her because of how high-impact she is, being the only child of the phoenix. Otherwise she’d be in an orphanage.”

Leo crinkled his nose. He couldn’t have Gaea bid for the baby, and he didn’t want her in an orphanage, no matter how much he didn’t want to be a dad. “Can’t I give custody over to you? You’re next of kin.”

“I’m honored, Leo. I would love to,” Will began to chew his lip nervously, “but I am a servant of the state. We’re not allowed to have children. We’re celibate and not allowed to bid on children. Not until I finish my service.”

“Why do this then? That sounds boring.”

“I’m a refugee. Every young adult in Hestia has to do at least two years of servitude before getting a job, a house, and everything else. It’s a good way to build character."

“You have to do four years? Why?”

“To earn my citizenship. If I keep my head down, then I can do things like become a legitimate doctor. And this means I can be with Nico as long as possible. Once I’m no longer in servitude, I won’t be near him.”

Leo felt the same ache in his chest that Will did. Being torn from a lover was not a pleasant experience.

“I’m sure by the time your four years are up, then you’ll probably be able to move him with you.”

“I’m sure by then, he’ll be cured.”

Leo nodded in silent agreement, but he was sure that Will knew in the back of his heart that Nico was never going to get better. He’d be broken forever.

“The baby will be, what, three by then? If you keep her for that long, I’ll bid for her.”

Leo snorted. “With what money?”

“Maybe I’ll make bank! You don’t know!”

“You’re basically an indentured servant. You’re not getting ‘bank’.” Leo smiled.

“Have you thought of any names yet?” Will asked absentmindedly and Leo soured.

“Surely, Uncle Will can name her instead of me?”

Will blushed at his new name. “No, I won’t make it personal enough. It’ll be something stupid like Leo Jr. I suggested Quincy for my…neice…”

Will trailed off, suddenly growing cold and depressed. Leo pursed his lips together, also trying to prevent crying.

As far as they knew, there were only four survivors of the bombing of Hades. Everyone who was there died. Everyone they knew died. Only Will and Nico, who had escaped prior, and Leo and Octavian had made it out alive. Leo felt deep pain for the loss of his family in the orphanage and the loss of the rest of the Solace Family.

He wondered if Octavian knew.

“I -uhm, sorry-” Will cleared his throat, “I was supposed to deliver her. Quinn had told me that he and his girlfriend were fine with me delivering my niece.”

“I’m sorry, Will. None of us deserved to have everything taken from us.” Leo said softly, hoisting himself up and rubbing Will’s shoulder from where he was on the opposing couch.

“You should sit down, Leo.” Will chuckled.

“You should stop telling me what to do. I’m not feeling any so-called ‘labor pains’.” Leo huffed.

“Really?”

“Really really, Will. I literally feel fine. Just heavy is all.” Leo smiled to ease Will’s worry.

“Ok. Do you want to go somewhere else then?” Will got up from his own seat.

“Woah? Really?”

“I can’t take you downstairs because of your situation, but we can go see Nico.”

Leo brightened up. He hadn’t seen Nico the entire time he was there. At one point he thought Nico was dead until Will came back with a piece of Nico’s meal stuck in his hair from a particularly rough session.

“Yes! Please get me out of here, Will!” Leo begged.

“Alright, come on.” Will led Leo out of the bedroom and into his own.

He pulled up his id and it beeped against Nico’s door. Instead of leading into another room, a cold breeze wafted into the room and Will led Leo to an outside balcony.

“You have outside access and you’ve been hiding it from me?” Leo gasped incredulously.

“Techincally, you’re not supposed to be outside at all in liability risks, so be quiet,” Will hissed under his breath.

Will beeped his badge against another door connected to the balcony, but all Leo could do was stare slack-jawed at the bustling city below him. The house was carved into the rock wall on Leo’s side, but the rest was open to the street below. People zipped about, some of them servants of the state, but others just enjoying the warmer March day, although the wind still carried the smell of snow.

“Come on, Leo, inside, quickly.” Will hurried and Leo followed him inside the building.

Inside Nico’s room was much smaller than Leo’s but much more homey and calming. The furniture was mismatched, aside from the single bed and the leather chair against windows that mirrored Leo’s room. Nico had one other chair, a simple dining chair, across from the leather chair. In between the two was a card table where Nico himself was playing a frenzied game of Solitaire.

Nico had gotten thinner since Leo had last seen him, and he was curled in on himself, focused completely on his card game. He was dressed much nicer than Leo, in a white button-down and black slacks.

“Nico, darling.” Will kept his voice even and low. “How’s your card game?”

Nico looked up at the two, before pointing at Leo. “Who is that?”

“That’s Leo. He’s my brother,” Will explained.

Nico studied Leo very quickly, before his face morphed into brief recognition. “The Victor.”

“Oh, yeah. I had forgotten about that.” Will chuckled.

Nico gathered his cards together. “Sit in my chair, Victor.”

“Oh. Thanks.” Leo said, carefully clambering into the seat, bump pressed uncomfortably against the table.

Will dragged the table back a little while Nico wasn’t looking. “Darling, do you remember my name?”

“Your tag says Will.” Nico pointed to the badge.

“Right.” Will frowned. “Do you remember who I am to you?”

Nico furrowed his eyebrows before shaking his head. “I don’t know.”

Will nodded in resignation, before Nico turned back to Leo, who seemed to excite him more.

“Do you play any card games, Victor?”

“Not really.”

“Then I’ll teach you.”

Nico sat down in the dining room chair across from Leo. Will decided to sit on the bed, lounging against the wall. Will kept a watchful eye on both Nico and Leo.

“We’ll play…” Nico trailed off, losing connection.

“Erm, Nico?” Leo prodded his shoulder and he snapped back to it.

“I don’t know the name, but the girl taught it to me.”

“The girl?”

“The girl, yes.”

Nico began to explain the rules, which easily got mixed up in Leo’s head. Nico organized his cards for him and they began to play, Leo trying to keep up. Nico beat him swiftly three times.

“What’s this game called again?” Leo grumbled, hoping to find whatever book Nico was hiding on card strategy and tear these specific pages out.

“Golf. A guy named Bryce taught it to Octavian and I when we were little,” Will answered.

“Who taught you?” Leo asked Nico.

“The girl.”

Leo looked at Will who shrugged. “Still no clue who that is.”

Nico groaned frustratedly. He pointed at Leo. “Your girl!”

“My girl?” Leo asked, offended.

“Yes!”

“I don’t have a girl. I’m a boy.”

“No! Not you! Your girl!”

Leo looked to Will for help and he provided none.

“Do you mean the baby?”

Nico shook his head no, pausing. “The girl…that lives in your house.”

Leo thought for a moment before it dawned on him. “Octavian?”

Nico nodded. “The girl.”

Leo looked at Nico in confusion for a while.

“Can I touch the baby?” Nico asked, reaching for Leo.

“I don’t…”

Nico’s hand rested on the bump briefly, and Leo felt her kick Nico. His hand shot back and he began to look distressed.

“You’re covered in death! You’re covered in death!” Nico began screaming and Will jumped up to calm Nico.

Will gently pulled Nico to his bed, settling him under heavy blankets and kissing his temple gently. Nico continued to wail, his words no longer making any sense. Leo sat in shock. Nico started to calm down and he hid himself under his blankets.

“We should leave for now, Leo.” Will directed Leo to the door. “Darling, I’ll be back soon.”

Leo followed Will back to his room, although he was still fairly shaken. He cleared his head in the hallway before his room as Will fretted about, biting strips of his lips off.

“Hey, Will?” Leo cleared his throat.

“Yeah?”

“I was wondering if you wanted to deliver the baby?”

“Really?”

“I don’t trust anyone else to be that close to me.” Leo chuckled.

“Thank you!” Will wrapped Leo in a strong hug.

“Careful, don’t squeeze too hard.” Leo grunted.

“Right, sorry!” Will pulled away, a huge smile on his face. “Thank you, Leo.”

Chapter Text

Calloused hands gripped hair, too tight pulling away from the scalp. She sang lowly as she weaved dry, scratchy grass into the thick curly hair.

Nomads lived in circles. When they weren't driving their trailers in circles around their territory, coming into new places and leaving until local law cooled down, they parked in a wide circle, all of their members in the middle.

Leo hated getting his hair weaved. His hair was already awkwardly long and heavy, then he had to sit down and wait for the braiding with dry grass to be done by his Tia. He hated Tia.

“It’s itchy, Tia.”

Gaea scoffed. “It would be less itchy if you would stay still. You act like there's a wasp up your skirt.”

Leo frowned, pulling away again. “It's just itchy Tia. I don't want the grass.”

“You need it. It tells everyone around us exactly who you are.” Tia picked up a grass that had been dyed blue. “You are nomadic, coming from Mexico, of the Family Valdez, and you are the youngest in the family, and unmarriageable as a child.”

Leo frowned again, going to pick dirt off of his long pink skirt. “They can tell I'm nomadic. The children in town don't speak my language.”

Tia scoffed. “You leave speaking in their language to the adults.”

Leo was angry, but let his mind wander. He had been playing ball earlier with some of the town children, just kicking it around. Then he spotted some ants and crawled towards the hill, laying down at eye level with the tiny grains of dirt.

He watched carefully, focused in on the army of ants moving to and fro. Big ones and tiny ones dipped in and out of the little divot in the top and Leo watched with rapt attention.

Then pain spread through his body. Leo screamed, kicking away from the ant pile as more and more covered him, biting him. The ants began to move as one, morphing into a bigger, stronger man, who was tearing him apart, just like Harley.

Leo awoke with a scream, panicking in the dark. The door was thrown open and Will came inside the room.

“Leo, what's wrong? Is the baby coming?”

“Get away from me!” Leo yelled. “Don't get closer!”

“Leo, you had a nightmare, didn't you?”

Sobs clawed their way up from Leo's chest. “Get away from me…don't hurt me…please.”

“I have no intention of hurting you. Can I give you a hug?” Will reached out as Leo began to calm down.

“No!” Leo screamed before faltering. “I'm sorry Will, please don't be near me. Can you check that no one's here and no one but you can get in?”

Will nodded silently, before searching the room thoroughly for intruders. He then left, the door closing firmly behind him and Leo could finally breathe.

Fresh hot tears began to flow down his face and he whimpered before starting to cry softly. The nightmares had only gotten worse since he had come to Hestia. He was never safe as long as the nightmares were with him.

And poor Will (and Octavian) were forced to endure his compulsions. He always sent them to check if the space was safe while he cowered in his bed. But if they never checked he would panic until he passed out or threw up.

Will returned a little while later. “As far as I know, everything's safe. No intruders.”

Leo nodded, wiping away his tear tracks. “I'm sorry Will.”

“It's alright, Leo. You had a nightmare. You've been through a lot.”

“So have you.”

“Last time I checked I never went to the games.” Will smiled. “Now, my earlier question was whether or not the baby wants out.”

“I don't think so. I still don't feel anything.”

Will frowned lightly. “I mean you're past due by, like, 2 weeks. You're supposed to feel something.”

Leo shook his head. “She doesn't kick me as often.”

“That's normal, though. She's too cramped in there.”

“I think she has too much room.” Leo poked his own taunt skin. “She's supposed to be little like me or Octavian. She doesn't need all this.”

“Well…Octavian was pre-mature. And I suppose she's post-mature? She should be out by now, so she'll be big.” Will sighed.

Leo felt a twinge in his lower body. “She is on my bladder. You cursed her to move on my bladder.”

“I did not!” Will hugged and helped Leo out of bed.

Will led Leo down the hall and into the bathroom. Will stood outside, waiting. Leo did his business and was washing his hands when a few of the other patients came into the bathroom. Leo was shocked for a moment before remembering they had to get through Will.

Immediately hands were on him as he squirmed. A woman laughed, delighted, while a man began praying loudly to Khaos.

“Oh look! He's making me younger!” Another patient squealed after pulling her hand away from him. “The Phoenix is healing me!”

“I can't heal anyone.” Leo said awkwardly as the touching persisted. He then paused. “...by then touching me. I can only heal you by touching your forehead!”

Eagerly the patients lined up and bent down to him. One by one, he pressed two fingers to their forehead and they all dashed out of the bathroom praising Khaos, having been ‘healed’ by the Phoenix.

Leo left the bathroom after then to a frazzled Will standing guard in the hallway.

“What happened there? I think Drew kissed me.”

“I faked a miracle so they would stop touching me.”

Will shook his head absent-mindedly. “Let's just go back to the room. I want to scan the baby to see if she's ready before I get you breakfast.”

Leo nodded solemnly.

Will helped Leo back onto his bed and gently peeled his layers of sweater, t-shirt, and undershirt back from where they had been permanently stretched over his body.

“Eugh! You need a shower soon. I'll see if I can get your block moved sooner.”

“Rude.” Leo grumbled as Will turned on the scan machine.

Will pulled on some plastic gloves and began pouring gel over his hands, rubbing it together between his palms before applying it to Leo. The first contact made Leo jump from the chill.

Will dutifully spread the gel thin, before grabbing a part of the machine and touching it to Leo’s large abdomen. The sound of her heartbeat filled the air as the machine pumped out the sound.

Leo looked at the picture as Will did, only sparing a glance. He wasn't sure if it was just the weird quality of the scan, but babies were kind of ugly. Once she had started to stop looking like a blob and more like a baby, Leo had initially coiled away in disgust. He wasn't as forward about it now, but it was still ugly. He hoped the ugliness of the baby didn't reflect onto him, because if Octavian wasn't ugly, she had to get it from somewhere.

Curse Octavian and his white boy genes for failing to pull through.

Will worried his lip for a second before sighing. “Well, she's facing downwards, so she should be wanting to come out soon. I wouldn't be alarmed if you started getting contractions early tomorrow. But she should stay out for today.”

“Thank the gods.”

“For what?”

“She's leaving soon.”

Will chuckled, turning off the machine. “I'll go grab your breakfast and your meds before tending to my other patients.”

“Thanks Will. I feel like a fat prince.”

Will rolled his eyes and handed Leo a rag to clean up the goo. He left the room, leaving Leo alone.

Leo cleaned himself and pulled his shorts down, rising on the bed. He sighed loudly. He still didn't have a full plan for the baby.

Leo couldn't leave her in the hands of Gaea or whoever could pay the bid on her. An orphanage was not an option. He watched himself and the other children around him waste away from lack of funds for food and blankets. Just because he didn’t love her, he didn’t like her, she didn’t deserve to go through what he went through. His other option was keeping her. He couldn’t even look at her.

Leo groaned, lounging back on the bed. He should’ve forced an abortion. He should’ve broken away from the group in the games with Octavian and found some way to get rid of the baby as soon as Octavian told him about it. Then maybe they wouldn’t have been separated. Just being apart was killing Leo. It was probably killing Octavian too.

Leo’s mind wandered to Octavian again. He had always been excited about the prospect of children. Leo supposes that comes from being in a large family that loved him. So what if he has this stupid thing, then takes her to Octavian. Octavian would be overjoyed at the idea. He would be absorbed with taking care of her, loving her like Leo never could. And Leo could sit on the sidelines while the baby didn’t suffer.

Leo shifted uncomfortably. There was something to say about her sitting directly on his pelvis, pressing against his spine. It wasn’t fun.

Will appeared a moment later with a breakfast tray and a smile on his face. “I have news for you!”

“What is it?” Leo accepted the food and began to eat, taking his pills with his water.

“After you finish breakfast, the council wants a meeting with you in the hearth.”

“The hearth?” Leo asked around food. “I can’t get down there.”

“They said they would allow you to come down the stairs.”

Leo sighed. Two flights of stairs up and down didn’t sound fun.

Leo finished his breakfast and was practically pulled out of the safety of his room. Getting down the stairs was tricky, on account of he couldn’t see the next step, and that doesn’t work with a prosthetic as clunky as his.

Eventually he made it down, back burning, leg burning, and breath heaving. He looked like a mess at the bottom of the stairs and quite a few servants of the state stared at him in interest before Will could scare them off.

“Come on, hearth’s just down the hall.”

“Urghhh, more walking? I’ll die Will. I’ll die right now.”

Will rolled his eyes, offering his arm for support. Leo took the arm and they slowly made their way down the hall.

They made it to the two guards, now known as Castor and Pollux. “Mr. Valdez-Solace. Welcome.”

“Thanks.” Leo wheezed. “I was called here.”

“Yes. You may enter. Mr. Solace, return to your post.”

“Wait,” Leo interjected. “I need Will with me.”

“He’s not-” Castor tried to argue.

“I am overdue. If I start to go into labor, I want my doctor with me.”

The twins looked at each other.

“You may both enter. But, Mr. Solace, you may not speak or look at the council.” Pollux opened the door and Will nodded excitedly.

Both entered and settled at the hearth, and Leo was instantly glad they let Will inside the room, because the only members of the council were Gaea and Vesta.

“Hello, Leo.” Vesta smiled. “And hello, Will.”

Will kept his eye glued to the floor as instructed as he kneeled, but he buzzed with happiness.

“Why is he here?” Gaea asked.

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed but I am way overdue and I need to be on my doctor's constant watch.” Leo puffed his chest in intimidation.

Gaea scoffed. “We should get on with this meeting, seeing as you’re late.”

“Stairs are difficult when you don’t have a leg and your weight has been thrown off.” Leo smirked.

Gaea scowled. “This meeting is called into action over the case of last night's message. Leo, did you see the message broadcasted on your television?”

Leo frowned. “No…I must’ve slept through it.”

Gaea was about to reply, when Vesta spoke up, “It is good for you to rest. We need your daughter to be delivered safely, after all. Gaea, will you paraphrase?”

Leo breathed a secret sigh of relief.

“Yes, well. Your husband appeared again, in an effort to connect the districts to the capitol’s cause. According to our spies, it is working.”

“Does he look ok? Are they hurting him?” Leo’s face was etched with concern.

“He looked fine.”

Leo nodded. “Then, what do you want me to do?”

“We need our own propo head to convince the districts to side with us,” Gaea said.

“And?”

“We want you to do it, after the baby is born of course.” Vesta smiled. “You are the Phoenix! The people unite under you.”

“You’re the puzzle piece that fits this together,” Gaea added.

“No. I don’t want to do that.” Leo bristled.

Vesta and Gaea looked at each other. “You’ll be permitted to join the field efforts of finding Octavian.”

Leo stopped his arguing. He pressed his lips together. He looked at Will. Will peeked up at him.

“I’ll…think about it. Your bargain isn’t hard enough yet. I’ll give you an ultimatum later,” Leo spoke. “I don’t want to be a machine for you, but I’ll do a few videos for a price.”

Leo pressed his hand to Will’s shoulder. He started to push himself up and Will scrambled to help him up.

“I’ll see you for a meeting in a week, barring that I’m not actively giving birth.” Leo nodded his head.

Will helped Leo, just as Leo could hear Gaea start to throw a fit at Vesta. They walked down the hall, before a sharp pain echoed from Leo’s back crawling up to the front. He leaned against the wall, holding onto Will’s shoulder. Pain rocked through his whole body, stopping him in his tracks.

“Is something wrong, Leo?” Will asked.

Leo moaned briefly in pain. “I think… mmm…I think maybe the baby’s coming? I don’t know.”

Chapter Text

Leo groaned lowly, rocking back and forth from where he was kneeling, draping himself over the couch. He was disheveled, and smelled, and the pain hadn’t given him a break for a couple days. Leo bit his lip, trying to keep his pitiful noises in.

Will had stayed with him day and night for a while, but after a bit, he needed his own rest. Will was sleeping in his room, still on call if the baby decided to make herself known. Leo let him have his rest. The baby wasn’t coming anytime soon, if the fact that she hadn’t even started making her way down meant anything.

The pain wavered for a moment and Leo took the chance to breathe, sucking in deep breaths. He let out a pained moan as the contractions started back up again. The door clicked open, but Leo didn’t have the energy to care. He barely had enough energy to work through each contraction.

Gaea tsked, sitting on the leather couch across from where Leo was kneeling. “I thought the baby was meant to be here. You’re stalling.”

Leo resisted screaming from anger at her appearance. “Can’t force anything – except yes I can, if you would authorize inducing or, gods, some pain meds, maybe a cesarean. That would be nice, a cesarean."

“You know Khaos doesn’t approve of those methods. Your body knows what it needs. If anything you are denying the birth, by pretending you can’t because you’re a boy. That and wearing those pants.”

Leo looked down at his pants, which were blue and white striped sleep pants. “Sue me for not wanting to be naked since there’s no reason to be. Also, didn’t I kick you out of my room?”

“I am the next in charge under Chairhead Vesta. There is no locked door for me.”

Leo groaned, a mix of pain and Gaea. “Can’t you just leave? I thought you considered birth a sacred and private affair.”

“That is the teachings of Khaos, yes. But there is charm to our nomadic way of life. If you had stayed with us, you would’ve eventually given birth to your daughter surrounded by your elders and kin.”

“I remember not leaving you, rather you dropping me off at an orphanage, Tia. Real family-oriented.” Leo scoffed, hands gripping the edge of the leather as yet another contraction passed.

Gaea was silent for a second, offended. Leo smiled to himself for a second. Even at his lowest, he could win.

Then, his hair was ripped back and he was practically dragged to the other couch. He wailed, hands gripping at his Tia’s fingers and she pulled him against the couch. She nudged his knees up and legs apart. Leo heard the terrifyingly familiar rustling of grass.

“Let go!” Leo screamed, throat gargling.

“There, isn’t that better? You were never going to deliver your daughter with that stance.”

“Will! Will!”

“Shut it, Kasandra.” Gaea slapped a hand over Leo’s mouth, cutting him off.

With her free hand, she pulled out the dreaded grass and bit some of it to hold as she weaved it against itself. “You no longer have your perfect hair, so I am forced to give you the men’s crown rather than the women’s plait. That’s no excuse to mutilate yourself further, Kasandra.”

“I didn’t choose to get mutilated by getting pregnant or having this stupid prosthetic attached to my leg,” Leo said into Gaea’s hand.

“Those are not mutilations, those are necessary. You cut your hair and removed your breasts. That is mutilation. You have changed yourself. You have killed your very being.”

“I did the opposite of kill myself, Tia. I found a way to live, despite you wanting me dead.”

Gaea removed her hand from Leo’s mouth and slapped him, throwing his body to the side and forcing a sob out of his throat. She grabbed him by the hair again and pulled him upright, continuing to weave her crown.

“Sit still, Kasandra. I will not tell you again.”

Leo’s whole body clenched and he felt the terrible urge to bear down and push. “Will!”

Gaea placed the crown on Leo’s head and he screamed in pain. “Now, look how pretty you are. You were always destined to be beautiful, just the perfect girl.”

The door opened and Leo forced his eyes open to look at Will rush into the room and stop short in the face of Gaea. “Leo, I heard you yelling for me.”

“Will, I need-”

“This is none of your business, servant. We nomads do not appreciate you bursting in on our sacred times.”

“I’m his kin and his midwife. He’s given me permission.” Will argued back.

“Will,” Leo croaked. “The baby’s coming, now.”

Will immediately helped Leo stand and brought him over to the bed and helped him lay down. Will helped Leo pull off his pants, which Leo had not realised were soaking wet.

“Did I piss myself?” Leo asked, panicked as Will pulled a sheet over Leo’s lower half.

“No,” Will removed Leo’s underwear from under the sheet, “she’s just really ready. Your water broke.”

Leo nodded, still incredibly nervous with someone, anyone other than Octavian viewing him naked (gods, even most times Octavian and Leo fooled around, Leo had underwear on – thank god for the fake toy). Gaea stared at him with unfiltered intensity, which did not make the ordeal easier. Will carefully poked around, before Leo felt a vicious pinch and an uneasy hum from Will. Will removed himself and pulled off his gloves.

“Well, -erm- she wants to be born, the only issue is, the baby is sideways.” Will started to nervously pace and Leo lowered his legs on the bed. Will bit on his lips and started chewing aggressively.

“She’s sideways?” Leo twisted his face in disgust. “How did she even get that way?”

“She was always moving. She must’ve just moved in that way.”

“Oh gods, I’m going to give birth sideways.” Leo started to cry again. Damn his stupid tear ducts.

“No, no Leo. You won't give birth sideways. We either have to wait for her to shift enough for us to grab her with forceps, and I'll need a more experienced doctor for that.”

Leo's whole core fell. A nightmare. How much longer would he be in labor? Days? Another two weeks? Then someone new, a stranger, would be using forceps on him. More sobs escaped Leo and he crushed his eyes into his palms.

“Or we could call for a caesarian. The circumstances call for an emergency one.” Will said.

Leo’s body relaxed. “That one, please. I can't do this anymore.”

Gaea scoffed. “That's ridiculous!”

“It's Leo’s choice.” Will crossed his arms.

“And Leo chooses surgery.” Leo groaned as another contraction pulled through him.

“I'll go and fetch more doctors and we'll take you to the hospital right away.” Will began to leave the room, but Gaea grabbed his arm, digging her nails in.

Will let out a small yelp, glancing at Leo in a beg for help. Gaea’s nails dug deep enough in Will’s befreckled skin to pool tiny bits of blood.

“You will do no such thing. She-”

“Leo's a boy. He needs this operation or he could-”

The sound of Gaea hitting Will echoed in the whole room and made Leo flinch. Will gasped and held a hand up to his face, where a red patch was blooming over his cheek and up to his eye.

Gaea stepped away from Will. Will was frozen with a calmly distressed look on his face. It was a face Leo knew all too well, one he had worn hundreds of times.

Leo had never liked how Py treated his children, especially Will and Olive, doubly especially Octavian, but knowing that response coming from Will confirmed it. When Leo and Octavian spent a week healing in the bakery after the first games, Py had often verbally berated his children, and was visibly disgusted by mentions that his sons liked the company of men, despite the fact Will was attracted to men and women. Leo had woken up a few times to the yelling, he had woken up once to Py yelling at Octavian specifically for something bakery related, but Leo hadn't had any proof. His brothers and sister-in-law didn't talk about it, and Octavian praised his father for being a good father, even though he was scared of him.

Leo's blood boiled, but he couldn't do anything about it now.

“She can deliver the baby on her own.” Every word coming out of Gaea’s mouth bit into Leo's skin. “No matter how long it takes.”

Will didn't wait for the second strike to come as Gaea raised her hand once more. He sprinted out of the room and down the stairs. Leo's heart dropped. He was alone now with Gaea.

“Now, then Kasandra. You shouldn't listen to that silly little boy pretending to play doctor. You were born to give birth. Just let your body take over.”

“I -I can-t. I can't!”

Gaea scowled. “When will you learn? This is all in your head!”

The semi-open door creaked open more. Both Gaea and Leo whipped their heads toward the new intruder. Standing there was Nico, having somehow escaped from his own room. He walked in.

“Hello, Victor. How are you doing today?” Nico asked Leo.

Leo floundered, hesitating about if he should use Nico as his shield or quietly send him back to his room.

“Leave this room stranger,” Gaea ordered.

Nico looked at her confused. “You’re a stranger. Victor, do you want to play more cards?”

Leo shook his head no, dropping his voice to a hiss. “Nico, you have to go, now.”

“Do you know this man, Kasandra?” Gaea asked.

“He’s my brother-in-law-to-be. He’s engaged to Will, but he’s not all there.” Leo explained quietly, trying his best to shoo Nico from the room.

“Leave then! What a disgusting pervert that Will is for trying to marry someone so ill.” Gaea cooed her last sentence.

That seemed to set Nico off. He raised his voice louder. “Victor! Let’s play cards!”

“Get out of here! She wants nothing to do with you!” Gaea snapped at Nico.

“Leo isn’t a girl.” Nico scrunched his face in disgust.

“Am I the only sane one here?” Gaea screeched out.

“I want to play cards.” Nico huffed, stomping his foot in a mini-tantrum.

“Khaos, will you leave us, you simple brat!” Gaea raised her hand to strike Nico.

Rather than flinch however, Nico stood still, staring Gaea down. In rage, Gaea swung, only for Nico to catch her wrist and squeeze it, holding her in place. For a while Leo had forgotten that Nico was powerful, that he was the heir to Hades. He wasn’t afraid of an old woman.

Gaea yelled something, wrenching her wrist free, just as an army of servants of the state came in, cornering her with Nico. Will came up to Leo with two hospital doctors, and gently lifted him, which is not something Leo was aware Will could do, and placed him on a stretcher, making sure Leo was totally covered. Will placed his hand in Leo’s and Leo squeezed as they made their way out of the crowded room and down the stairs.

__

“Something's wrong.” Octavian bolted upright in his bed. Pain spread from his core, like he had never felt before. “Something’s wrong! Jason!”

“I’m right here.” Jason’s soothing voice appeared beside Octavian, hand gently rubbing Octavian’s shoulder as he doubled over, clutching both his arms around his abdomen.

“Gods, it feels so bad. Something’s wrong inside me.” Tears sprung to Octavian’s blind eyes.

“Can I do anything to help?” Jason asked.

“I think you need to call for someone.” Octavian started to sob as the pain only intensified.

Jason ran to the door, chain dragging along the floor, and started to bang on the metal, screaming for help. Octavian kept curling in on himself, hoping pressure would somehow alleviate the deep burning inside of him.

The heavy metal door slammed open and Octavian was very suddenly lifted, limbs flailing in protest, and placed on a rolling bed. He heard Aeneas bark orders and he was pulled down the hall, pain only burning brighter.

“He’ll need sedatives!” Aeneas yelled and Octavian was again lifted and placed on a surgery table, ankle chained to the end of it.

Octavian felt the hiss of air as the mask was placed over his face. He breathed in, his body relaxing finally. He wasn’t asleep, but the pain dulled as Aeneas worked. Octavian shivered when he felt the knife cut into him, tracing through the scar from his previous surgery. The operation room was still other than Aneas and the occasional jitter from Octavian. Octavian felt himself being sewn up fairly quickly, and he heard Aeneas begin discussing something in whispers.

He felt the air shift as Aeneas approached Octavian. His voice was cracking, holding back tears. “Octavian, can you sit up for me?”

Octavian slowly sat up, a little dizzy and achy from the surgery. His mask was removed, but the sedative was still pumped in his system.

“Now cup your hand - like that - good.” Aeneas slowly placed something in Octavian’s hand.

It was slimy and very, very small. Maybe 3 inches. Octavian carefully traced whatever it was, and his mind went blank once he realised what it was. It had tiny little nubs for arms and feet and the tiniest ears along its head. Octavian blinked, tears falling down his face.

“It was inside me?”

“Yes.” Aeneas cleared his throat. “You had a miscarriage. The baby’s dead.”

Aeneas cleared his throat again and excused himself from the room. Octavian could hear whispers from everyone else in the room about Aeneas’ wife. Octavian couldn’t stop himself from tracing the baby’s features over and over again, eventually going down to kiss it gently.

Tears fell uncontrollably from Octavian’s eyes and his lip quivered. Another doctor, maybe Remus, came up to Octavian and gently removed the baby from his hands, cleaning Octavian up with a warm cloth.

Octavian cried himself to sleep on the operation table.

__

Leo woke up groggily from surgery. He was laying in an actual hospital now, not just the inpatient he had been in. The room was stark, and he was hooked up to machines. He looked down at himself and his stomach dropped when he saw his stomach was still distended.

“Relax.” Will’s voice was rough but comforting. “It’ll take time to shrink, but the baby’s out.”

Leo looked over to Will, who was sitting in a chair next to Leo’s bed. Enough time had passed that Gaea’s strike had faded into a yellow and purple bruise, with a black eye right above it. In his hands was a swaddled bundle, which seemed to be sleeping.

“Is your face ok?” Leo asked, voice rough from sleep.

“Yeah. I’ll live. Do you want to hold her?” Will offered.

Leo recoiled in disgust. “...No.”

Will nodded, totally enamored with the baby in his arms. “She’s 19 inches long, and 11 pounds heavy.”

“Is that big?”

“She’s giant. No wonder you couldn’t have her naturally.” Will chuckled.

Leo chuckled lowly, leaning back on his pillows.

“She looks like you.” Will hummed. “With Octavian’s nose. And when her eyes are open, they’re blue, but she’ll grow out of that.”

“She doesn’t look anything like Octavian, does she?”

“No. Just the nose. She’s got darker skin and dark curls, and all the other facial features of you.” Will shook his head. “Do you want to see her? You don’t have to hold her.”

A nauseous feeling settling in the pit of Leo’s stomach. He turned his face away from Will.

Will sighed, and didn’t push the idea further.