Reyna's Flashback

TUESDAY, 21st February

Sitting in the waiting room beside their sister, Reyna was doing her best to ignore Hilda's nervously tapping her foot.

I have to admit it, she found a therapist really fast.

I know; she works so much she barely sleeps. But searched for, and chose a therapist in less than one week?

I think this says how much she wants to work things out.

She could've also assigned this task to someone else.

Like an assistant? Do you really think your sister would want someone else to know she's going to a 'shrink', in her words?

She could've asked Kim; she knows of our problems.

From my impression of Kim during Christmas, she'd be the one to call Hilda out for this and kick her ass until she actually put in the work to fix this relationship.

Fair enough.

Once they were called to the room, the therapist opened the door to them, offering her hand to Hilda.

"Very nice to meet you, you can call me Emily."

"Nice to meet you too. I'm Hilda, and this is my sister Regina."

After shaking Regina's hand as well, she gestured to the room.

"Please, sit wherever you want to."

It was unconscious, but when Reyna noticed they sat in different couches, putting almost all the distance they could in between, she winced.

The therapist will love this.

I don't think people that enter in this room are having the best relationship; I doubt she'll be surprised.

You have a point.

Emily sat on one of the chairs, holding a notebook and pen.

"Ok, before we start, can I ask you a couple of questions?"

Oh, so we start with an interrogation.

"Sure."

"Will it be just the two of you or will someone else from the family join us in a later session?"

Reyna wondered if Emily saw the way Hilda squeezed her fist before answering.

"No, just us."

"Ok, how come you searched for therapy?"

The silence dragged out for some seconds before Reyna decided to answer.

"... Outside advice?"

"I'm sorry?"

"Friends advised us to get a middle man to work out our problems."

Hilda's smile looked more like a grimace when she gave her own answer.

"Last time we got into a screaming match, and we would like to avoid that in the future."

"Well, that will depend only of you. Third question, are you aware that you both will hear things you don't want to?"

Reyna and Hilda exchanged a look of confusion, but it was the latter to ask.

"What do you mean?"

"In my experience, unless everyone is aware the present situation is the result of all of your decisions and behaviors, we won't go far. And to change that, everyone will have to hear about things they'd rather ignore, own up to a lot of behaviors they'd rather deny, and work really hard to reshape their relationship. If that's not the case, the sessions might make your relationship even worse."

Well, she doesn't pull her punches, does she?

That might be a good idea for our situation, since I doubt anyone here will answer well to subtlety.

When neither answered, Emily smiled as if it would make her words hurt less.

"I know that's an uncomfortable question, but a lot of times in family therapy, the biggest hurdle will be someone's ego. Or egos."

Since Hilda was avoiding looking at anyone, Reyna decided to answer for them.

"Well, I don't think we will be an easy session, but I think we both want to make it work."

"Ok, can you also learn?"

"Learn what?"

"Whatever is needed. To be patient, to listen, to let go, to shut up, to really see from the other's perspective."

I like that she's direct, but it also makes me want to leave.

I understand you completely. And I'm stuck in a therapy session that will not improve my relationship with my own sister, so how much do you think I want to be here?

This time, Hilda answered.

"Well, like she said. We won't be easy, but we're willing."

"That's a great way to start. Do you know what you're expecting from this session?"

Reyna waited for Hilda, but she was looking at the younger sister expectantly.

"Well, I'm guessing it will be a little like first day of school. Some introductions, glancing at the subject but not really digging into it."

"That's a good definition. So, what would you like to tell me?"

That's it?

Shouldn't she ask about details in your lives?

No idea, I don't really know how therapy works.

Hilda looked equally puzzled.

"You won't ask anything?"

"I don't want to touch any sore spot when it's barely been ten minutes. You can share anything you feel comfortable about."

Comfortable? In this case, we will spend this whole session in silence.

Hilda looked at her with a hopeful look.

"Well... Regina, you want to go first?"

Like hell.

Not even if I was being paid for it.

"No, be my guest."

Answering Hilda's glare with one of her own, she stayed quiet until the older sister forced out an answer.

"Ok, so... I'm partially moving to this city to stay close to my sister and hopefully, get close again."

Emily nodded, encouragingly.

"Can you explain what do you mean by partially moving?"

"My work is still in my previous city and while I will try to do most of it remotely, there will be days I will have to travel and stay there."

"About you moving here, was that a shared decision?"

For someone who didn't want to touch any sore spot, she knows how to do exactly the opposite, doesn't she?

Hilda wasn't looking at Reyna when she answered, which heightened how uncomfortable she was feeling.

"... Not really."

"Do you want to add anything?"

Having Emily switch her attention to them so soon wasn't expected, so Reyna ended back into old habits and tried to answer politically like she would in a senate meeting.

"Well... while I now know why she decided to come live together after years of being almost estranged, her motives were not clear at first and it did contribute to our... disagreements."

Hilda tried to chuckle, but it sounded strangled.

"You can say fights, Regina."

"I would rather take it slow for now."

Well, looks like this will be a looooong session.

* * *

Emily raised her hand to interrupt Hilda.

"I need to ask for some clarifications, is that ok?"

When they nodded, she checked her notes.

"From what you said so far, your lives haven't been easy from the start, but the start of your rift is around four years? Before that, you felt you were close?"

"Well, yeah. Soldiers in a trench, you know?"

"I do, I'm just wondering if either of you ever tried to understand how much of your closeness at that time was sisterhood, and how much was trauma bonding."

"Why does it matter?"

"Because the moment you left that environment, some distance was expected, since there wasn't the same external pressure keeping you close. And now that you're in therapy, where we'll try to work through the trauma, the bond from it will also weaken."

"I can't see where you're going with this."

"Remember what I said about hearing about things you don't want to? This is the first one. The relationship and the closeness you had in the past was over the moment you left. Trying to force it back right now will only hurt you both. What we should focus is not on recovering what was 'lost', but work on creating a new, healthy dynamic, which will be modelled from who you became so far and also flexible enough to keep following you into your growth. It will be a long road of understanding who you are now and which are the communication challenges that are preventing you from finding a middle ground. Was that clear?"

"Yes... but how are you gonna do that?"

"I'm not doing it, you are."

Reyna could see Hilda's patience evaporating, but she did a good job at keeping calm.

"Yes, I understand that, but how are you planning to have us do that?"

"I'm not planning anything. It will be you two to create this new dynamic, I'm just here to mediate. You have to understand, change will be much easier if you're the ones to choose it."

"Are you saying you won't tell us what to do?"

"I'll avoid doing it as much as I can, yes. I'll intervene if needed, but most of the time, I want you to draw your own conclusions and make your own decisions. My role is to make the right questions to help you find the answers that can you help grow."

* * *

The way home from the therapist office was quiet. Reyna wasn't sure if it was because neither wanted to talk or if because they didn't know what to say. Either way, she was happy that their sister simply dropped her off at home and left. Hilda didn't say where she was going and Reyna didn't feel like asking. Going straight to her room, she opened her phone to see a string of texts from Sierra.

S: How was it?

S: Both alive?

S: No missing limbs?

S: No traumatized therapist that already crossed the border to Canada by now?

S: Or Mexico?

S: In any case, I volunteer to drive with Niel and retrieve the therapist

S: We can even make it a road trip

S: If you want to

S: We can also make her disappear.

R: No traumatized therapist.

S: Limbs?

R: All still attached.

S: Number of deaths?

R: None.

S: Huh

S: That went better than I expected

S: Nothing like a professional, right?

R: I guess.

S: What, you think she was a quack?

R: I don't think so, she was just different than I expected.

S: In what way?

R: I thought she was going to make us a bunch of questions and then say what's wrong with us and what we're supposed to do to solve it.

S: Oh, Reggie

S: That's nineteenth century therapy

S: Now, instead of paying someone to tell you how much you suck

S: You pay for her to listen while you say out loud how much you suck

S: And then you pay her to keep listening while you try to find a way to fix it

S: Which you're terrible at

S: Because if you were any good

S: You wouldn't be in therapy, for starters

S: It's great!

R: I can't tell if you're being ironic.

S: In your case, no.

S: You hate criticism from others

S: Or being told what to do

S: Your sister is the same

S: Which is why you two clashed

S: So yeah, the therapist staying quiet is the best option for everyone

S: Or you don't agree?

S: You know, you can change therapist

S: This is something a lot of people don't seem to grasp

S: It's the therapist that needs to impress you

S: Not the opposite

S: If you don't feel like you can open up

S: Or that her methods are not for you

S: Just search for another one

R: I think it's still too soon to say.

R: I don't feel relaxed, but this is likely because of Hilda and the overall idea of therapy, not the therapist herself.

S: Absolutely

S: I still can't believe you're in therapy

S: You actually listened to me

S: I feel honored

S: Like we reached a new level of friendship

S: Where you value my opinion

S: Follow my advice

S: Trust my instincts

S: And recognize my wisdom

R: Don't push it.

S: It was worth a try

* * *

Thinking it was only fair to update the one who actually helped them talk about therapy with Hilda, Reyna opened the conversation with Piper.

R: We did our first therapy session today.

P: And how much did it hurt?

R: It wasn't comfortable by any means, but it didn't hurt.

P: Yet.

P: This is just the start; the pain will come.

R: Doesn't that just sound encouraging?

P: It's still better than to keep the screaming going until you can barely look at each other.

P: How did Hilda react? Is there a chance of her cancelling everything?

R: Well, neither of us really wanted to be there.

P: You are there because you NEED to, not because you WANT to.

R: I know that.

R: And I also think Hilda knows this, so she won't leave.

R: Of course, it was only the first session, who knows what could trigger Hilda in the next session that would make she drop all of this.

P: What did Regina think of it?

R: It was different from what she expected, so she's holding her judgement until we can get a clearer understanding of how therapy really is.

P: Even in texts you sound so done with all of this.

R: I am. The moment Hilda decided to come back to Regina's life, she spiked my stress level like not even a whole legion managed to do.

* * *

When Hilda had called them for dinner, Reyna went to the kitchen to find Chinese delivery and Hilda quietly eating from one of the containers, not looking at her.

Is that all for her or...?

Didn't she agree with us about avoiding fast food?

Noticing Reyna not sitting down, Hilda finally looked at her.

"You like Chinese food, right?"

"... Sure."

Sitting down, Reyna reached for a container, not really bothering to know what it was. After ten minutes of full silence had passed, Hilda's phone rang and she left to her room to answer it, without a word to her sister.

Well, isn't this even more uncomfortable than before?

I still think the yelling would kill my appetite even more.

Let's hope therapy wasn't a bad decision.

I think it could be a bad choice if you had a status quo to disturb. However, it would be really hard to make living together more unbearable than it already was.

WEDNESDAY, 22nd February

After tossing and turning in bed, unable to fully relax and sleep, because of the tension and anxiety from both girls, Reyna barely gathered enough will to get up from bed. Breakfast was not as quiet as dinner the night before, but hardly the relaxed meal they'd have liked. Reyna wasn't sure which bug had bitten Hilda to make her try and make pancakes, but something must have gone wrong in the recipe, since the texture was all wrong.

I still can't believe she now likes pancakes, she always said it tastes like nothing.

I think she was trying to make it for you.

Even weirder. She doesn't know my current tastes, but pancake was never part of it.

Maybe it's her idea of family breakfast?

You mean she's resorting to American movies? That's bad; do you think yesterday therapy broke her?

* * *

Reyna threw her backpack and then herself at the spot Annabeth had saved her, one of the habits they adopted in their shared class. The blonde looked up from her phone at the noise and her mouth twitched in humor when she looked at Reyna's face.

"Well, good morning to you too, sunshine."

Reyna's only answer was a glare, before opening her backpack to take out her materials.

"Looks like someone didn't get much sleep last night."

"Great observation, Sherlock."

The great thing about Annabeth is that she never got offended by Reyna's short temper, and knew exactly how to deal with it; likely because she was the same.

"Anything you want to share?"

"First session of family therapy with Hilda."

At first, Reyna thought Annabeth would leave it at that, so it surprised her when the blonde answered after a few seconds.

"While I have trouble seeing either of you in therapy, I kinda see the need."

Great, even she thinks we need therapy.

"Your meaning?"

"Let's just say Annie went to therapy a couple of times and I didn't, so trust me when I say I'm aware of the effects it can have on someone who tends to bottle up everything, and then keeps herself busy to help ignore all that got hidden away."

Oh, so she was talking from experience, not criticism? That makes me feel a little bit better.

Why would Annie even go to therapy? I thought her family was not messed in this normal universe.

I have no idea; I didn't talk to Annie until you got here, so I don't know anything about her life.

"Well, does Annie have any advice?"

Annabeth took a couple of seconds to speak up, likely asking Annie directly, but she still answered sooner than Reyna was expecting; they'd likely already discussed it at some point.

"It's healing, pure and simple. And like most healings, it will hurt like hell and bring you down several times, but then it will start to hurt less and you will learn how to get back up. After some rounds of it, you'll be scarred, but mostly healed. Then you'll know how to avoid getting hurt and might even start helping others get up. Just to be clear, we are likely talking about at least a couple of years for this process, not a month or two."

"Great, exactly what we didn't want to hear. I just wish I wasn't stuck in between them."

"Would you rather be in a session with just you and Hylla?"

Hilda had accepted therapy much easier than they'd expected, but Reyna tried to imagine bringing this up with her own sister and grimaced.

"Good point, that would likely be worse."

"But you would also be able to duel and let out some steam."

"Well, that also doesn't sound like a bad idea."

"Are you thinking of choosing a duel method to use with Hilda?"

"I'm having trouble to think of something that wouldn't leave everlasting damage."

"Well, it could be something you talk about in your next session."

They both turned their head to see their teacher entering class, before Reyna looked back at her friend.

"I have to say, I wasn't expecting to get therapy advice from you."

"Well, it's not exactly from me, per say. However, I have been living with my family for months, while you only had what, a week? It took some work, a lot of talks and even some crying to get where I am now, so maybe I'm not totally unqualified to share my experience."

* * *

"You don't look like you want to be here."

Reyna paused putting on her gloves to look up at Adam.

"Well, I don't really want to be anywhere in this planet right now, so might as well be here."

"So that's what Sierra meant when she texted me to take extra care of you today?"

"Sierra did what!?"

If you don't do it, I'm going to kill her as soon as you leave.

"Haven't you been friends for years? How are you still surprised?"

Reyna raised her eyebrows at Adam's calm tone.

"Are you saying you weren't surprised?"

He shrugged like it didn't matter; but to Reyna, his next words betrayed how unsettled he was.

"I don't even know how Sierra got my number, so I just expect anything from her."

That one is easy, she likely cracked the passcode and copied his number from my phone.

But I was the one to set up the last three passcodes.

And she cracked two so far, didn't she? What makes you think the third one will hold?

"That's a good start, but trust me, the only thing that really surprises me about Sierra is how she haven't gotten arrested so far."

His next words were not what she was expecting, but it made her roll her eyes.

"She really cares about you."

"Which is the only reason I put up with her."

"She's lucky to have you."

Me?

"What makes you say that?"

"I doubt many people can put up with her. Ok, get up and let's begin. Everyone, listen up!"

* * *

P: Are you finally home?

P: Reyna, answer me.

P: I have more to do with my life than wait for you.

R: I was showering, but yes, I'm home.

P: Finally!

P: I'm leaving now, see you in a few.

What exactly does she want by coming here?

Your guess is as good as mine.

Now that I think about it, your friends are not fans of asking forgiveness OR permission. They just do or say what they want.

Well, being apologetic is not really a demigod trait. Even less so for Greek ones.

Frank didn't seem like that.

First, Frank is an outlier among demigods. Second, while you might think that because of some of his self-esteem issues, he's not as apologetic as you might think. If he was, he wouldn't be a good fit for praetorship.

Fair enough.

* * *

"Are you going to be here much longer?"

Piper sent her a look, but didn't answer, so Reyna reminded them of the reason she wasn't comfortable with their presence.

"I don't know what time Hilda is coming back home, but I rather not introduce any demigods to her; it'll only raise questions."

"Trust me, we're not looking forward to meet your sister so soon, not anymore than you are about introducing us."

Jason's voice had even less patience than five minutes before.

"If you two are not going to help, is it that hard to stay quiet?"

Aware than neither could understand half of what Jason was doing, both girls didn't answer.

Not that I'm not happy about Trish allowing Piper to lend us her old console and games to put in practice her idea of bonding with Hilda through video games, or grateful for Jason and John to accept driving it here and installing it; but was it that hard to give us a heads-up?

Like you said, no forgiveness and no permission.

I already have someone like this in my life, I didn't need others.

Do you mean Sierra or Hilda?

I was thinking of Sierra, but I suppose it also applies to Hilda.

Even though I know it's John giving him instructions, it's weird to see Jason setting up Trish's game console with our TV and looking like he knows what he's doing.

He's not really technological, is he?

Well, tech inside New Rome is very limited, even more so if you spend the best part of your days in the legion. But time here was a good opportunity to have him learn how the modern world works. He never missed it, but from what I observed of him during our time as praetors, he'd sometimes be a little frustrated for not understanding what some of the other campers were saying.

* * *

Reyna shook off the water from her hands and crossed her arms, glaring at the jacket soaking up in the sink like it was its fault.

This is not going to end well.

I want to kill someone.

Who?

I haven't decided yet. Likely Sierra, because she pesters me every single day, dragged me to that paintball but didn't consider to warn me that it'd stain my clothes!

Well, if it was your jacket, it would be easier.

What were we thinking to ask Hilda to borrow her jacket?

This is what, the third technique we try to remove the stain?

It's been half a week, shouldn't something have worked? We washed it as soon as we got home!

Maybe it's about the fabric? Or the color?

I'm starting to think it's more likely for us to remove the military print than the stain.

Luckily, Hilda haven't asked us to return it yet.

But if she does?

Maybe we can convince her to gift it to us, so she won't find out.

Do you actually believe that?

* * *

Reyna was sitting on the floor, going through the games Piper had lent them.

Is it just me or some of these cases haven't been opened? Did she just buy and never played with it?

Maybe. Trish has money, doesn't she? At least it looked like from her house.

But why so many for multiplayers? She doesn't have that many friends.

Maybe she'd play with Claire? They're really close.

I don't know her well, but I can't see Claire with her eyes glued to a screen for hours. Book? Yes. Games? No.

"What are you doing?"

Reyna jumped in surprise when she heard Hilda's voice behind her.

Jupiter's beard! How didn't I hear her coming home!?

This front door doesn't creak like the one in my apartment.

Still, the keys! By the way, why didn't you ever solve the creaking?

I told you this before, but I lived alone and I wanted to hear if someone else was entering.

Luckily, their scare gave Reyna the excuse to answer with a delay without being suspicious.

"A friend dropped these."

"Sierra?"

From Hilda's tone in that one word, it was clear to Reyna that Regina's remark about her best friend taking Hilda's place as a sister was still a sore subject.

"No, another friend."

Considering how careful they were being with what they said to each other, Hilda's next sentence spoke volumes of her shock.

"... You have other friends?"

Really!?

You can't blame her for being surprised. You DON'T have other friends, they are mine.

Still!

"As surprising as it can be to you, I'm trying to expand my friendship circle. By the way, where were you? I thought you had traveled back home."

"I would've told you if I traveled."

"Would you?"

Hilda held Reyna's eyes for some seconds, but didn't answer, choosing to change subject.

"But how come this friend gave you all these games? I don't remember a console when we packed your apartment, so how do you plan on playing?"

Reyna simply pointed to the console beneath the TV, already set up.

"My friend was nice enough to also let me borrow it."

"I never knew you liked games. I could've bought you a console, you know?"

"Actually, this is also for you."

"For me?"

"I know we don't have any activities to do together, so this friend suggested we try gaming. Since I don't know if we'll like it, I thought it was better to borrow than to buy it."

Hilda looked as shocked as when she discovered Sierra was not their only friend.

"You want to... play with me?"

"Well, I thought we could try to do something together that isn't driving each other crazy."

* * *

Reyna moved her eyes from the TV to glare at their sister.

"You pushed me!"

"I did."

"Why? We're supposed to be a team!"

"You were taking too long."

"I was thinking!"

"You need to think faster."

Ok, maybe gaming isn't a good method to stop us from driving each other crazy.

...

Reyna?

Shut up, I'm trying to think how I can pay her back.

* * *

"Regina, get down from that platform and help me!"

"No."

"Why not!?"

"Because I don't want to."

"There's no I in team."

"True, but there's two in 'I do what I want'."

"You're the most obnoxious-"

Reyna dropped her controller in her lap and crossed her arms.

"El que la hace la paga. Either we're a team or not."

Not even bothering to pause the game, Hilda freed one hand from the controller, reached back to grab a pillow and swung it at Reyna's face, who threw herself back to avoid being hit.

Well, it seems Emily will have a field day next week.

Flashback over, back to present

FRIDAY, 24th February

While I'm thankful you convinced Hilda to drop the poisoning attempts disguised as pancakes, was it that hard to ask her when she's going back to her home?

We can finally stay in the same room and you want me to already disturb that peace?

Reyna finished remaking her braid while moving with her classmates to the center of the court, where their PE teacher was waiting.

"Now, let me make something clear! This is an evaluation, it's NOT a competition!"

Says you.

You know, you sounded like Hilda just now.

... I'm not sure how I feel about that.

While their teacher kept talking, Percy caught her eye on the other side of the circle and winked, wearing a smug smile she couldn't wait to wipe it off.

Oh, it's on.

Ok, THAT was a clear challenge.

So?

So, he's going DOWN.

That's more like it.

* * *

You know, I haven't had any problems with any teacher in years. I can't believe you're making me hated by the PE teacher of all people.

You told me to go all in.

I know.

She knew that ignoring all the commands from the teacher to slow down or pull back wouldn't grant her any points, but it had been mostly Percy's fault. He also proved that their teacher was afraid of actually fulfilling any threats; which meant that, beyond some glares, nagging and the chore to help set up the evaluation circuit for the next class, they were not in trouble for ignoring all the instructions. Taking this opportunity, Reyna approached Percy, not bothering with a greeting.

"By the way, are you doing something Saturday morning?"

"No, why? Need help hiding your sister's body?"

Oh my god, I forgot your friends love to gossip.

I thought Annabeth would've known I didn't want at least this news to spread.

"How do you even know about my sister?"

He gestured for her to help him, which she did.

"I have a class with Piper, she sat in front of me, read her texts over her shoulder. I didn't bother to read the details, but I got that your sister is moving back and you're not happy about it. Since she almost decided between killing or enslaving me, you thought I might be the one who would ask the least number of questions about why her body is in parts."

Oh, so Annabeth didn't gossip about it, her boyfriend is just nosy.

I forget how observant he can be at times.

"I thought you and Hylla were cool after the battle in New Rome."

"Just because I wouldn't kill her, doesn't mean I can't understand anyone who would."

"Well, I'm trying to make things work with her, but it's nice to know I can have a backup plan."

"You have my number. And if it's not hiding her body, why would you ask if I'm free this Saturday?"

"I went horseback riding with Hazel last month and we're going again tomorrow. Jason heard us talking yesterday and decided to join us. He's also the one to suggest you might want to go."

"Yeah, count me in. How do you plan getting there?"

"The first time, Hilda drove us. I was trying to convince Jason he's already good enough to drive us all the way there."

Anything but that awkward silence, please.

"And since he doesn't believe that, you're hoping I can drive his car so you don't have to ask Hylla?"

"Her name here is Hilda, but yes."

Once their teacher gave them the okay, they moved toward the locker rooms to change.

"No problem, I would also like to avoid meeting her as much as I can."

"Hilda doesn't even know you; she has no reason to dislike you."

"If Hilda is anything like Hylla, I don't think it would take her long to start disliking me."

"In my experience, you don't really help. I remember your first interactions with Octavian, you know?"

"He's a terrible example, and you know it. Even you were itching to slice him from groin to neck like he did with those poor teddy bears."

"He had a great influence in how an amnesiac demigod with no recommendation letter could be accepted into the legion and you went out of your way to antagonize him."

"Now you're just underestimating me; I didn't go out of my way, that was just my regular charm."

Yeah, she'll absolutely hate him.

"I agree with you, we should not make you meet Hilda."

He gave her a mock salute and a smile before entering the boys room.

"Great, so we should figure out a way I can pick you up while avoiding her like the plague."

Shaking her head, she entered the girls room, who was already mostly empty.

Reyna?

Yes?

Why does it feel like every time you interact with him, he's just... not fully here?

What do you mean? Like he's distracted?

No, like he's... untethered? Like he's disconnected, in a way?

Disconnected from what?

I don't know, the world? It's like he doesn't feel grounded. I'm not sure I can explain. He doesn't seem to care. Do you really not see it?

It may not be what you're referring to, but I know there's a different side to him when it's just us.

You do?

I mean, it's not like he tries to hide it. Besides, it's totally understandable.

Is it?

With me, Percy simply doesn't bother to try.

Try what?

He doesn't try to be anything. He doesn't really care about my opinion and feels no need to fulfill any expectations I might have of him. Maybe that's why you see him untethered? Because he doesn't feel bound to anything when it comes to me.

No, I still don't understand.

He lives for Annabeth, so of course she grounds him even better than gravity. He worries for Frank and Hazel, since they were his quest mates. He partially mirrors himself into Jason and Nico, so he feels connected with them. He accepts some responsibility for his fellow campers, although I feel he really struggles to extend this feeling towards Leo.

My interactions with Leo were more than limited, which I thank you for, because he's more than annoying. I don't judge Percy for not being a fan of the guy.

You see, I don't fit in neither of those categories. I was his praetor, but I was desperate to borrow his strength from the moment I knew who he was, so not really a power imbalance from the start. We worked together to save New Rome only because it was important for both our objectives. Percy made it very clear from the beginning that I could not force him to do anything. And if I wanted him to collaborate with me, I also had to be willing to compromise. It was very quid pro quo. We only got something if the other wanted something we had.

He didn't ask for anything while offering to help hide Hilda's body.

You heard him; doing it would be a pleasure in itself. The payment was to give him the privilege to participate. Didn't you notice how he didn't care to ask how we are actually doing with Hilda? He has no concern for it.

That's... unsettling. Your other friends are either concerned or straight up nosy.

Exactly. And because we don't have a bond, he doesn't feel the need to hold back or worry how I might perceive his actions or words; or even himself. We're not exactly friends, more like allies. Maybe even comrades.

Why don't you sound... I don't know, disappointed? Or even upset?

I don't really care. Do you have an idea how many people pretend in front of me? I'm praetor, of course most of them will not fully be themselves, but there are also so many fake ones. I find Percy's honesty refreshing. I don't need to bond or connect with him; I'm happy to negotiate.

* * *

Coming home, she was surprised to see Hilda there, leaning against the counter with her phone, looking more than annoyed with the caller.

"I know. I know. Yeah, I know. I know. I'm aware. Yes, I already know that."

Noticing Reyna looking at her, Hilda moved the phone and muted the call.

"You want to say something?"

"Nothing important, just... 'Press B to skip dialogue'."

Hilda rolled her eyes and unmuted the call, but Reyna could see her fighting to hide a tiny smile.

A/N: Someone had asked to have Percy and Reyna interacting more, which is nice to do because this is not a common pairing (to read or to request), but I decided to also make it clear what kind of relationship I see they having. I think the wisest thing to do when you have a group of characters that are FORCED to work together (the Seven, Avengers, Dumbledore's Army, etc.) is understand that not everyone will be friends. There will be different levels of friendship, trust, patience, vulnerability. I think knowing how to work this can be hard but it's always so satisfying. Even in HoO, you see Percy acting a bit more friendly towards Leo, but I didn't feel he considered him a friend (Percy is friendly, so he simply stopped hating Leo all the time). I try to respect most of the characters' preferences (shown until BoO), which is why you will have trouble finding some pairings interacting in my fic.

And yes, certain paintball colors can stain. Once my BRA got stained with pink (just what managed to go through the t-shirt) and it stayed like that for the next four years, no matter how many washes it went through. I feel truly sorry for Reyna/Regina.