Where Roads Mead - Chapter 9: The Fifth Tale (Patreon)

AN: 4th chapter of October for Tier 1! And Secondary Story Poll Winner from August!

Beta'd by Plum.

Chapter 9: The Fifth Tale – The Quiet Ember / The Stubborn Ember / The Dim Flame

Smoke lazily twirled through the air.

The rising sun’s light pierced through iced-over windows, illuminating the dim room of hardwood and plush cushions.

Leo sat behind the bar, feet up on a stool, his chair resting on the back two legs as he watched the smoke dance in the light.

Thick white trails that flowed as they wished.

With a soft exhale, they shifted and moved to the heat of his breath.

His mind was empty of thoughts, simply breathing and being, enjoying the stillness of the morning.

Dust particles sparkled in the light, appearing and vanishing between the dozens of bottles lining his shelves.

Jack rested within his perch, head tucked under a wing as he breathed evenly.

A chalk-powdered blackboard hung to the side, its surface still holding the potion additions from the previous night’s custom drinks. 

The heat of his inner flame filled the space, emotions within making all who crossed his threshold feel a moment of peace as the biting cold of winter was banished.

“Penny for your thoughts?” A soft voice broke the stillness.

Leo’s blank amber eyes rolled to the face across from him on a bar stool. “Hestia.”

"The one and only." Hestia grinned beneath her red hood, which she'd chosen to wear this morning. "You didn't sleep, did you?"

“Had a lot on my mind.” Leo slowly blinked back into awareness.

"I can tell." Hestia eyed the ashtray, full of burnt-out cigarettes. "Smoking kills, you know?"

“Not when you have magic potions and a fire-blessed body.” Leo exhaled another trail of smoke, his hand rising to disturb its shape. “What’s up, Hestia?”

"The sky." The millennia-old goddess flicked a finger, making the smoke shift into fluffy clouds. "You looked like you could use some company.”

“I’m not a child.” Leo frowned and concentrated for a moment as the smoke cloud broke back up into swirling trails.

A smile crossed the goddess’ face as she let him regain control.

“You’re the closest one of this era to being mine.” She said softly, leaning forward on her arms as she stared at the young man she thought so fondly of. “What’s on your mind, dear?”

The warmth of her tone rolled over Leo's mood and made him huff, his chair legs hitting the ground as he sat up. "I'm just… feeling all the changes that have happened since I arrived here."

“Since that Mr. H passed along the bar to you, hm?” Hestia said the name with a twitch of her lips, reminding herself to tease her nephew about that one day. “It’s a lot of responsibility.”

“It’s not that.” Leo shook his head, eyes trained on the smoke rising to the ceiling, watching how it moved unfettered by the world around it. “Before Christmas, I was freezing on the streets with nothing.” He took a moment to recall the bitter chill of desperation that had seeped into his bones during those long, painful weeks before his blood boiled over and banished the memory. “No one would have known my name or batted an eye.”

Hestia hummed audibly yet said nothing.

“A few months later and I barely recognize myself.” Fire coursed through his veins, bones reforged like stone beneath his flesh. Drops of water dripped from empty potion vials in the sink, their effects bringing joy and profit, along with countless benefits to him. And the bar, the space, it felt like his in a way no other place had. “It’s a lot to take in when I take a step back.”

“That is what happens when one chooses to live, dear.” Hestia tittered at the young man, raising her head to look around. “Look at what you’ve accomplished in so little time.”

She waved to the wall of portraits, photo frames lining the far wall, each delicately placed, showing countless faces.

Smiles, laughs, excitement, and merriment.

“It feels odd.” Leo’s gaze washed over each image, recalling each moment like the guests were before him, their joy bleeding into the image and adding to the environment.

“Odd is what it feels like when reality is not as dark as one fears.” Hestia took a deep breath, her eyes closing as she traced something she could sense. “You have become the hearth that heats your home, the flame that brings comfort to the weary.”

She let a trace of her power echo through her words, plunging them into a moment of contemplation.

“I just wanted to give back what I received.” Leo said simply, ash falling off his cigarette as it drifted into the tray. “Rather than be the hero.”

“Oh, Leo, no one truly needs a hero.” Hestia opened her eyes, gazing proudly at him as if he grasped something so few of her family ever did. “The hero always lives within them. What they need is a warm hand. A shelter. A place to recover their weary souls.” She leaned back on the bar, her own woes eased by the aura she felt. “You channel more of my domains than you may realize.”

Despite her small frame, her maternal tone was hard to dismiss, and Leo closed his eyes as he felt the memory of his own mother come through.

He remembered her teaching him the piano, her gentle voice guiding him to the right keys.

"It feels wrong, to think myself worthy of your flame." Leo admitted aloud, exhaling deeply as he let his true thoughts flow. “I’m not pure like that. I’m not so forgiving. I’m selfish.” His eyes flashed open with an igniting flame that had been growing since he made his final path choice hours before. “And I want to protect what's mine."

“Don’t paint me the martyr, Leo.” Hestia huffed and rolled her eyes. “I would do many things for my family, even giving up a silly seat on a stuffy council if it appeased their little games.” Her gaze met his own, and Leo saw, perhaps for the first time, the green flame burning eternally within. “And I would do far more in their defense.”

Her truth washed over him, and Leo suddenly wondered how exactly she came to be the goddess of Greek Fire, one of the deadliest flames in Greek mythology.

“You’re one intense chibi.” Leo eventually said with a curve at the edge of his lips.

"And you're lucky you're cute." Hestia made a focused two-finger point at her eyes and back at him. "Now, what's all this growth you suddenly had?"

“Ah, you can sense it?” Leo scratched his cheek.

“Of course I can, you silly child.” Hestia hummed and looked around, her eyes flashing gold for a moment. “You are emitting an interesting field, almost empathetic in nature but somehow tuned to my domain.”

“In that case, I blame you.” Leo accused blatantly, watching her sputter in confusion as he felt out the new sense that had kept him awake all night. “I’m calling it Hearthsense.”

"Hearthsense?" Hestia tapped her chin as if testing the name. "An EM field of sorts?"

"That's one way to put it." Leo huffed and put out his cigarette. "I felt a few people walking by when I was outside, and it gave me a damn headache."

“You can’t just suddenly start being empathetic!” Hestia slapped the bar like an upset chipmunk. “Mortal brains don’t work like that! Who is blessing you? I demand to see the transcripts!”

“I don’t feel like I’m being blessed.” Leo roughly rubbed his forehead. “This should be the last addition to my physiology.”

He stressed the word addition while tapping his forehead tattoo.

Hestia narrowed her eyes at the mark. "I don't like that something I can't sense is doing things to you."

“Welcome to the mortal way of life.” Leo snorted and smiled at her. “Thank you for caring, though.”

"Of course I care!" Hestia huffed, and between one blink and the next was standing beside Leo's chair. She grabbed his face and turned him toward her. "Now, let me look carefully. Empathy is not something to play around with."

Her fingers pressed into his head as she scanned the way his Mind Path and Perk had rewired his brain.

"I'm not sure if it's empathy." Leo read off the text only he could see. "It's more about Resonance."

[Path of Mind:

Resonance – Focus thy mind upon another, feel as they feel, read intent before it is made known.

Hearthsense – Thy hearth is thine to know. None within range of thy heat shall hide their weight from thee; their burdens shall press faintly upon thy senses, unbidden and unbeckoned.]

“Don’t be pedantic, Leo.” Hestia lightly slapped the back of his head. “Stop moving.”

"Overbearing chibi." Leo's brow twitched at the manhandling, but he just let her do her thing.

“There’s no damage, but it’s clearly new.” Hestia finally let him go a minute later, pinching his cheek in annoyance. “I hate to admit it, but whoever did it was very careful. It’s almost as if you were a naturally born psionic.”

“I told you I was fine.” Leo gently pushed her hands away. “It’s just overwhelming to deal with.”

It was like he had a sixth sense, almost like a touch but with his mind, that encompassed wherever his heat traveled.

In his bar, his heat filled the space, carrying his emotions through the hearth element Hestia bestowed upon him.

"I'm dreading opening hours." Leo grumbled, reaching for a bottle of whiskey, but Hestia snapped her fingers and replaced it with a glass of water. "Woman, goddess or not, I will punt you."

“It’s sunrise, child.” Hestia hopped on the bar, swinging her legs in the air with a chiding tone. “There will be no morning drinking under my watch.”

“I am your boss.” Leo glared. 

“I am your adopted mother.” Hestia wagged a finger in reply.

Leo was taken aback. “Since when?”

Hestia puffed out her chest proudly. “Since I blessed you with the flame of my central domain.”

“I don’t recall agreeing to anything?” Leo thought back and really didn’t remember that part.

“It’s part of the package, dear.” Hestia reached forward and patted his head. “Just let it happen.”

Leo’s eye twitched under the patting. “I’m telling Em you were feeling lonely.”

"Don't you dare!" Hestia shrank back, finger dramatically pointed. "I'll haunt you with bitter cookies!"

“I like bitter cookies.”

“You monster.”

Leo snorted out a laugh, finally rising from his chair for the first time in hours. “Thanks for the talk, Hestia.”

The goddess dropped her playful persona and smiled softly. “It’s what I’m here for, dear.” She shooed him away. “Now go to your bed. Those girls are tossing and turning without you.”

"They just want my body heat." Leo shook his head and stopped beside her, surprising the goddess as he reached out and pulled her into a hug. "Thanks for adopting me, Mom."

She wasn't his original, and Leo would never replace his mother. Still, with all the changes he was already under, what was one more addition to his insane life?

His heat pulsed, and Resonance rode the wave of Hearthsense, feeling the tip of the iceberg that was Hestia’s emotions before the crack was shut from her end.

Yet for that moment, Leo connected with her, and he barely felt how tightly she was hugging him back under the sheer weight of her own inner flames, a heartfelt smile on her face as a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Just continue to be yourself." Hestia whispered, pulling him down to gently kiss his forehead. “And I shall be proud.” She pushed him back, gesturing to the hallway. “Go on now; you will adapt better with those you are bonded to. I’ll clean up your mess.”

“I didn’t make a mess.” Leo argued, only to get shushed.

In his own bar.

It was only the yawn that escaped him that made him let it go. "You win this round, chibi." Leo huffed, his gaze passing over a bottle he casually grabbed and set beside her as he headed for the door. "Help yourself to a drink."

“I said daytime drinking was bad!” Hestia called after him, watching him head into the hallway before she locked onto the bottle of Apple Estate Rum he had moved. ‘How did he know what I wanted to drink?’

A grin crossed her lips as certain bottles of cream and chocolate liquor started floating off the shelves. ‘Morning dessert isn’t drinking, right?’

Hearing bottles clink as he climbed the stairs to the loft, Leo chuckled. 'That was an interesting use of Resonance.'

Interesting thoughts of how to apply it to the bar crossed his mind before he opened the door and stepped into his loft.

Beams of sunlight pierced through the skylight, lighting the tastefully decorated room with clothes tossed here and there.

Leo’s gaze wandered over the various pieces the women in his life outfitted his loft with, leaving it warm, bright, and pleasing to the eye.

‘Come a long way from that empty room with just a mattress on the ground.’ Leo couldn’t help but think before he focused on the large, expanded bed, and more importantly, who was in it. ‘A long way from everything.’

Messy, wrinkled sheets, bundled up over two softly breathing forms with curves sinful enough to make an angel blush.

The sheets stopped at a full, round bosom, the milky white flesh on display. His gaze involuntarily focused on them before rolling higher along a smooth neck to see the delicate features of a legend known to the world as Medusa.

Yet to him, she was simply Em.

Soft steps brought him to the bedside, taking in the mess of purple hair spread over the pillow, strands slithering like lethargic serpents.

A second breathing form drew his eyes back to Em’s chest, where a black-haired vampire with purple highlights was pressed between them like the world's greatest pillow.

‘Can’t blame her.’ Leo silently chuckled at Alice’s position, knowing just how comfortable it was.

The bed barely stirred as he sat on the edge, bent down, and slid off his dress shoes. Work clothes quickly followed as he stripped down.

He pulled the edge of the sheet, slipped beneath the covers, and gently pressed up against Alice's back, her smooth, cool skin meeting the heated muscles of his chest.

Almost immediately, Resonance activated, sliding into Leo’s thoughts like a shroud of comfort, safety, and love.

"Mn… Leo." Alice stirred lightly, her potion-induced rest almost broken as her legs curled into his, round cheeks pressing into his groin as she stole his arm and wrapped him around her like a heated blanket. “Warm…”

The emotions and intent flowing his way made Leo’s lips curl up. ‘Adorable.’ Leo placed a kiss on her head, the vampire smiling as she snuggled deeper.

The flick of lavender locks stole his attention, Em's hair winding up his arms and drawing him closer as enchanting eyes, cursed by the very gods themselves, blurred half-open to glare at him.

Her legendary curse washed over him harmlessly, the risk having vanished after their three-way bonding.

Resonance activated once more, flowing along his heat to bring a cocktail of Em to him, a deep exhale leaving his lungs as the strength of her emotions reached him.

Love. Care. Desire. Possessive. Worried. Upset.

“Sorry.” Leo mouthed, coming closer and running his free hand over her cheek.

Em curled into his touch, a hum of pleasure as she felt his heat penetrate her skin. “Later.” She hissed back near-silently.

The lamia’s long leg threaded around Alice, wrapping around his waist and pulling him in closer, making the vampire moan softly at the pressed contact.

A moment’s warning of intent was all Leo had before Em’s lips closed around his, her elongated tongue entangling his own greedily for a long minute until she released him with a heavy breath, dropping her head into the crook of his neck. “Mine.”

“Yours.” Leo responded just as softly.

"Ours." Alice added, rubbing her face between the two chests.

A chuckle bubbled up in Leo’s chest, soon matched by Em and joined by Alice as the three intertwined and drifted off within another’s arms.

‘Maybe Hestia had a point.’ Leo’s eyes closed as his mind pulsed, Hearthsense bringing him all the proof he needed of his new life. ‘There is little I wouldn’t do to protect my family.’

0000

“Mom, it really wasn’t my fault!” Eleven-year-old Percy Jackson argued for the tenth time as they left the most recent school he was banned from. “There was this huge guy, and he… I swear he threw it, I'm not… everyone said I did it, but I didn't-"

"Percy." Sally Jackson sighed, her arm comfortingly around her son's shoulder as they walked the city streets in the afternoon. "I believe you."

"But it's not fair!" Percy held in the tears as he stared at the ground. "I was doing good at this school and everything; I was trying my best."

"I know you were, honey." Sally ran a hand through Percy's messy hair, the dark bags beneath her eyes unable to hide her concern for the boy. "And I'm so proud of you for that." She pulled him against her, offering the little warmth she could. "But sometimes life throws us a curveball, and we just have to deal with it."

Like how she just lost her job, having had to rush to Percy’s school to apologize to the principal despite being told her son was expelled for firing a cannon on a school field trip that hit the school bus.

“Well, I got thrown a cannonball.” Percy huffed indignantly. “Stupid giant dude. Who throws a cannonball?”

"That can happen too." Sally laughed, an exhausted sound, but still genuine. "Too bad it wasn't blue."

“If it was blue, it would have been cool.” Percy cracked a grin at their favorite joke. “Smelly Gabe would hate it.”

The unpleasant man Sally married dismissed blue as a food color, and since then Sally had done her best to make everything for Percy in blue.

“He would have.” Sally grinned, knocking on Percy’s head softly. “Don’t call him smelly.”

"But it's true!"

“I didn’t say you were wrong.”

Mother and son shared a look and laughed, the late winter breeze unable to steal their joy.

Sadly, the moment didn’t last as the laughter faded, and with it, Sally once more felt the weight of her life.

The weight of trying to raise her son, a child of the god of the seas, and all she sacrificed to keep him safe on her own.

'Life really loves to throw cannonballs.' Sally looked up at the sky, her mind wandering to what she'd do next. 'I'll need to find something soon. There was that ad for the candy store. Percy might like the free candy, and it's already blue.'

Almost unbidden, a comforting wave washed over her, and without even realizing it, Sally guided them to a crosswalk and took a side street on the way home, rather than continuing down the avenue.

“Mom, why are we going this way?” Percy asked curiously.

“Hm?” Sally rubbed his head. “Can I not enjoy a longer walk with my son?”

“Of course you can!” Percy stuck to her side almost protectively.

‘My little hero.’ Sally smiled softly, leaning down to press a kiss to his head before going back to thinking about the near future.

Meanwhile, as she was considering her next steps, Percy was frowning back at the ground. ‘I really wish I could show her that I’m not crazy.’

His mom said she believed him, and Percy loved her for that, but he never had proof of the craziness he saw.

That giant guy who threw the cannonball? Percy would swear he had one eye, but he kept his mouth shut so he wouldn't sound even crazier than usual.

It was just like back in fourth grade, when he tried to tackle that guy off the lever used to drop his whole class into a shark tank, only to be blamed for it when the guy was nowhere to be seen after the event.

Thankfully, the sharks left everyone alone.

‘I’m not crazy. Am I?’ Percy had begun to doubt himself at this point, but he didn’t want to make his mom’s life harder by saying anything.

The sound of sharp heels hitting pavement echoed in his ears, and Percy looked up to see a really beautiful woman with long purple hair halfway down the block.

She held a shopping bag and seemed to struggle to open the door, and Percy's eyes widened in disbelief when her hair came to life!

Lavender locks moved like a dozen snakes, reached the door handle, and opened it for her, letting her step inside.

“Mom! It’s a snake lady!” Percy shouted all of a sudden, startling Sally out of her thoughts.

“Snake?” Sally was still processing what he said when Percy took off running. “Percy!”

“I’ll show you I’m not crazy!” Percy shouted back, making it down the block in a flash before skidding to a stop in front of the place he saw that woman walk into.

It had a nice-looking door with opaque windows on each side, down a few stairs from the street level, and he even saw a cool sign swinging in front of it.

Percy’s eyes blinked as he watched the letters rearrange themselves into something he could actually read, his dyslexia not stopping him for once.

[Where Roads Mead]

‘Whoa.’ Percy shook his head and rushed forward, ready to prove himself as he roughly pushed the door open. “Where is the hair snake lady?!”

His arms were up, ready for a fight like he saw in those boxing movies, yet all he saw was two pairs of unfamiliar eyes looking back at him in confusion.

 “Huh?”

“Hair snake lady?”

Percy froze at the looks, the first voice coming from a shocked teenager with golden eyes in a red hood before he turned to the second voice, matching gazes with a highly amused man with amber eyes.

He suddenly wasn’t so confident. "Um, this is the right place, right?”

000

“I said no, Hestia.” Leo rolled his eyes, carrying a crate of bottles out of the storage room to the bar. “This is a bar, not a bakery.”

“But the guests love my snacks!” The short goddess slammed cotton-like fists into his back as he walked. “We should expand the menu and include more desserts.”

"Do you have any idea what kind of permits I would need for that?" Leo dropped the crate on the bar top and turned, raising an eyebrow.

“Since when did we need permits?” Hestia was taken aback. “This bar has like three divine blessings on it. Wait, did you think you had to pay taxes?”

“Yeah?” Leo scratched his head. “I contacted an accountant the other day.”

“You moron.” Hestia slapped her forehead. “Who gave you that bright idea?”

“I’m back!” The door opened, and Em walked in with a grocery bag. “Geez, when is it going to warm up again? I’m sick of winter.”

“Welcome back, babe.” Leo waved with a hum before he pointed at the woman and looked at Hestia. “Oh right, she’s the one who reminded me about it.”

"About what?" Em stopped beside the bar and leaned forward to steal a kiss.

“Leo seems to have gotten the idea that he needs to pay property taxes.” Hestia explained slowly, her lips quirking as she saw Em’s suddenly far too innocent look. “And you helped him find an accountant?” 

The lamia was suddenly being stared at by her unamused lover. “Ahaha, I love you?”

“I love you too.” Leo narrowed his eyes. “Explain.”

Em couldn’t hold it and burst out laughing. “It was funny!”

Leo’s expression was as dry as the Sahara. “I was on the phone… for three hours.”

Hestia cracked a laugh as well. “When were you going to tell him?”

“Before he actually spent any money.” Em wiped her eyes and blew Leo a kiss. “You know it was funny.”

Leo just sighed and moved over to the sink to wash his hands. “Go put the food away before I spank you.”

"Promises, promises." Em stuck out her tongue, her hair snapping playfully as she gave Hestia a side hug and stepped through the kitchen doors. "I'll go wash up before the night rush starts!"

“Yeah, yeah.” Leo glared at the smug goddess. “You are still not getting a dessert menu.”

“But why?” Hestia slapped the bar. “It would be so much fun!”

“Because this is a bar.” Leo stressed, sparks flying between their gazes.

They would have gone on longer, but just then, the door was smashed open.

“Where is the hair snake lady?!”

A young boy jumped in, arms up like he was ready to punch someone in the face.

“Huh?” Hestia turned to the intruder and froze; her eyes widened in shock.

“Hair snake lady?” Leo’s lips twitched in amusement.

It seemed to take the boy a moment to realize he had just intruded as he looked between them. "Um, this is the right place, right?"

Leo side-eyed the frozen goddess in some confusion, but he knew that if the kid managed to walk through his doors, he wasn’t some ordinary human.

“That depends.” Leo leaned forward on the bar, heat exuding from him toward the door as he projected safety and comfort. “This hair snake lady. Was she tall?”

“Uh, yeah.” The boy nodded, his eyes lighting up at the information.

“And her hair was purple?”

"Yeah." Percy walked up to the bar. "She came through here then?"

“One last question.” Leo leaned down further with a conspiratorial tone. “Did this woman look like something out of a model magazine?”

“Totally, yeah!” Percy was smiling brightly.

“Well then, little man. It seems you’re looking for my girlfriend.” Leo grinned wider at the kid’s wide-eyed look. “She just went up to wash up.”

“Your g-girlfriend?” Percy stuttered. “B-but, she had snake hair!”

“And?” Leo raised a brow. “What’s wrong with that?”

“What’s wrong with it?!” Percy was flabbergasted at the response before he blinked. “Wait, you believe me?!”

The emotions radiating off the boy were so potent that Leo wasn’t even sure he needed Resonance to identify them.

“Of course I do, kid.” Leo tossed a hand towel over his shoulder and winked. “Bartenders see some crazy stuff in this city.”

Percy started to say more, but the door smashed open again, and this time an out-of-breath young mother stepped in. "Percy!"

“Mom!” Percy waved with a bright smile as if he didn’t do anything wrong. “The hair snake lady came in here. The cool bartender confirmed it.”

He stated it proudly, only for his face to twist in betrayal the next moment as his mother hurried over and twisted his ear. “What did I say about running off on your own, young man?!”

"Ow! Mom! I had to find out!" Percy tried to defend himself, but that just made his mother twist harder. "Ow, ow, ow, I'm sorry, alright!"

Sally huffed and let the boy go, quickly pulling him closer to her as she smiled awkwardly at the kind-looking bartender. “I’m so sorry, I don’t know what overcame my son.”

Leo chuckled warmly and waved a hand. "No harm done; he didn't do anything."

“See!” Percy argued, but Sally covered his mouth.

“I’m Sally.” Sally introduced herself to fight the awkwardness, turning to smile at the teenager in the red hood who was staring at her with narrowed eyes. “Again, sorry about any trouble.”

"No trouble at all." Leo cut in, shooting his employee an odd look before stretching out a hand. "The name is Leo. Welcome to my bar, Where Roads Mead."

“I’m Percy!” Percy spoke up to make his presence known.

“Yes, this little troublemaker is Percy." Sally ruffled his hair. "I love the bar name; it's very creative.” Sally shook Leo’s hand, her shoulders unconsciously relaxing at the warmth surrounding her. “Were you still setting up?”

“Thank you, and we actually open in ten minutes.” Leo knocked on the crate. “If you give me a minute, I’m sure I can whip something up for you.”

"Oh no, we couldn't." Sally shook her head in the negative despite her son nodding his head in the positive beneath her masterful silencing technique. "There will be no alcohol in this one's life for a while longer."

Percy squeezed through her fingers. "But Mom! Look how cool the shelves look."

"Yes, I see that, dear." Sally smiled wryly, looking down to see her son staring at Leo, and couldn't help herself. "Do you have anything suitable for a child?"

“Do I?” Leo smirked, easily lifting the heavy crate and lowering it behind the bar. “When I was his age, I was addicted to Shirley Temples.” He looked down at the half-struggling Percy. “Want to try one of my favorite drinks, kid?”

“Yes!” Percy nodded quickly, never having heard of the drink before.

“That would be perfect.” Sally mouthed a silent thank you to the bartender, and Leo just winked back. “You can have one, Percy.”

"Thank you, Mom." Percy turned and hugged her, and she finally released him, letting him run to the bar stools almost as tall as he was and pull one out. "This one's for you."

“My little gentleman.” Sally kissed his head and took the seat. “Thank you, Percy.”

“You’re welcome.” Percy scrambled up into the seat next to her. “So, what’s a Shirley Temple? And is it blue?”

“Blue?” Leo was putting away the bottles from the crate as he considered it. “Typically, no, they are a pinkish red.”

“Aw, that sounds lame.” Percy pouted.

"Why don't you try it first?" Leo commented while working on sorting the bottles.

“Um, are you alright?” Sally asked the teenager who had been staring at them. “Is something wrong?”

Hestia hadn't said anything so far, but she finally cleared her throat. "I'm fine."

“That’s my employee.” Leo raised a brow at her. “I just denied her request to turn my bar into a bakery.”

Hestia shot him a glare that finally broke her trance. “It’s still a good idea.”

Sally didn’t know what to say at the weird looks, so she spoke honestly. “I do like sweets now and then.”

“See?” Hestia pointed, ignoring the first part, only to half-stop when she looked back at the woman before she shook her head. “I’ll get started on the snacks for the night.”

“You guys have snacks?” Percy perked up. “What kind of snacks?”

Hestia met the boy's ocean-green eyes, the familiarity uncanny, and felt her lips curl up. "I'll bring out some fresh pretzels, child.”

“I love pretzels.” Percy smiled brightly, feeling oddly excited and relaxed at the same time. “Can you make them blue?”

"What's with you and blue?" Leo huffed with amusement, but Hestia just nodded.

“You don’t have to make it blue.” Sally spoke up quickly, rustling Percy’s hair. “Sorry, it’s a bit of an inside joke between us.”

“It’s fine, dear.” Hestia smirked at the boy trying to get out of his mother’s attack. “It’s a simple request.”

The goddess stepped behind the bar, shooting Leo a tight smile before heading for the kitchen, muttering under her breath, only loud enough for Leo to catch. “Stupid little brother, why did I expect you to control yourself?”

Leo’s own eyes widened at the comment.

“Dear?” Sally watched Hestia leave with a confused expression. “Is she not as young as she looks?”

“Not at all.” Leo pushed aside Hestia’s comment and laughed as he put away the last bottle. “Far be it from me to give a number, but she’s fully legal to be working in a bar.”

"I'll take your word for it." Sally chuckled, a breath leaving her as she sank into her seat. "You have a lovely bar."

"It's an honor to hear it." Leo wiped his hands and nodded gratefully. "Now, I believe a young man is owed a Shirley Temple." He met Percy's eyes. "Cherries or no cherries?"

Percy hardened his gaze like it was a serious choice. “All the cherries.”

“Some cherries.” Sally cut in with a laugh. “I used to enjoy Shirley Temples as well when I was younger.”

“Cherries it is.” Leo knocked on the bar. “Lucky for you, I make all my own syrups.”

"Do you?" Sally blinked as she watched him scan a shelf of neatly arranged, colorful glass bottles. "That must be a lot of work."

"It's never work if you enjoy it." Leo hummed and grabbed the grenadine. “Did you know where Shirley Temples originated?”

“Uh, no. I can’t say that I do.” Sally watched him work. “I never really considered it.”

“Why’s it called Shirley?” Percy added, tilting his head.

“Because it was named after a woman named Shirley.” Leo answered Percy as he spun a highball glass, filling it with smooth, marble-like ice cubes. "Specifically, it was named after Shirley Temple herself, when she was only a few years younger than yourself."

“But I’m eleven.” Percy pointed out.

“Just goes to show how special she was.” Leo measured in an ounce of homemade grenadine syrup, stirring it into the ice with a bar spoon to coat the glass in its rich rose-red color. “Do you know who she was, Sally?”

"The name rings a bell." Sally tapped her cheek, her brow furrowed as she tried to recall it. "She was an actress, wasn't she?"

"That she was." Leo cracked a bottle of Fever-Tree ginger ale, filling the glass with a fuzzy foam. "In fact, the establishments that claimed to create the Shirley Temple drink all did it years after she rose to stardom." He stirred the mixture. "She was the golden lady of Hollywood in the 1930's and 40's, bringing a spark of hope and joy to the American people during the Great Depression, taking on dozens of optimistic roles to uplift her audience.”

"Oh, I do remember her!" Sally's eyes lit up. "I took a semester of history back in college; it was really inspiring to hear how much she accomplished."

"What did she do?" Percy leaned in curiously. "Was she as awesome as you, Mom?"

"As me?" Sally laughed genuinely as she rubbed his head. "Perhaps a little more than me. After acting, she went on to be a U.S. diplomat serving under quite a few presidents, pushing the boundaries of roles women were able to hold."

“She also fought to recognize breast cancer for women.” Leo threaded a few bright red cherries on a skewer. “She was a powerful woman in history, and three different establishments who likely made her the drink when she was a child advertised it with everything they had.” He spun the glass. “Sadly, they did it without her permission, and despite her attempts to remove her name from a legacy of sugary soda, she didn’t quite succeed.”

“That’s not right.” Percy frowned, staring at the bright red drink as if it was medicine. “Those people just used her.”

Sally thought of interjecting but realized it might be a good life lesson.

“That they did.” Leo gave the serious boy a look, recalling what Hestia said. “Remember, kid, a name is a gift you choose, the keystone that a legacy and legend can be born from.”

Sally twitched at the wording.

“The keystone…” Percy repeated before looking up at Leo. “Is Leo your keystone?”

It was Leo’s turn to twitch, his hand stilling on a box under the bar as he considered the name he had chosen for himself. “Yeah, kid. It is.”

He placed the box on the counter. “Now, usually the drink would finish here, but I believe someone requested a blue color.”

Percy’s face lit up.

“You don’t have to go through that much effort.” Sally started to say before Leo waved it off.

“Ma’am, I’ve dealt with far stranger requests.” Leo reached in and pulled out a few violet flower petals. “If you like making blue food, I’m sure you’re familiar with butterfly pea flowers.”

“Oh, those are hard to find.” Sally leaned in and smiled at the sight. “I used to know a flower shop that kept them in stock before…” She trailed off at Percy’s curious look. “Before I moved to the city.”

Percy stared in amazement as Leo dropped the petals into the drink, the bright red liquid immediately shifting like spilled ink between royal purple, vibrant magenta, and stopping on a rich blue.

“That’s so cool!” Percy was glued to the glass. “That was a flower? Mom, if that flower shop has them, can we go when we head to the cabin this year?”

A gentle smile grew on Sally's cheeks as she watched how happy Percy got. "Sure, it sounds fun, honey."

"Enjoy." Leo slid it over, then looked at Sally. "And you, Sally?"

“Oh no, I’m not drinking.” Sally shook her head. “I’ve got to get this one home and start on some…” She almost said job searching before clearing her throat. “Chores.”

Leo raised a brow at the woman, exhaustion nearly tangible in that moment until she tried to hide it behind a smile.

“How is it, Percy?” She asked.

“I like the blue.” Percy drank half the glass and stuck out his tongue. “Too sweet, though.”

“Percy.” Sally gave him a look for being rude.

“What? I’m just being honest.” Percy defended himself.

Sally rolled her eyes in exasperation, but Leo just chuckled.

“You know, I agree with you, kid.” He scratched his chin. “There’s an older version of the drink that might interest you.”

"I thought the recipe never changed?" Sally took the glass from Percy when he tried to shake it to grab at the cool-looking ice. She took a sip and hummed. "Yeah, it tastes just like what I remember."

"Technically, it never did." Leo admitted, raising the bottle of rose-red syrup. “It’s just that the original recipe used an entirely different grenadine. Far less sweet and much more flavor impact.” 

“There’s a less sweet version?” Percy asked curiously while nibbling on a cherry. “Can I try that one?”

"Percy, I gave you one." Sally admonished the boy, and he looked at her pitifully.

“It’s on the house.” Leo cut in with a smirk, getting a bright smile from the kid. “Bar rules are that you only pay for the drink you enjoyed.”

"That's ridiculous." Sally laughed, then trailed off awkwardly as Leo pointed a thumb at a sign near the blackboard that said just that. "That can't be good for business."

“I’m quite confident in my skills.” Leo puffed out his chest slightly. “And to be fair, I don’t have much of an opportunity to use real grenadine.”

"What makes it real?" Percy asked, and despite herself, Sally was interested.  

“Well, the word grenadine comes from the French language, and it translates to pomegranate.” Leo spun the syrup bottle. "Hence, it's been made with pomegranate juice for most of known history." He caught the bottle and whispered conspiratorially. "Or so they say."

“Was it another lie?” Percy leaned in. “Like the Shirley Temple name?”

"Hard to say in this case." Leo set the bottle on the shelf and reached for one in the back with a lighter pink-red color. "It's far more likely that it was simply a mistake."

"A mistake?" Sally raised a brow. "For something made since Prohibition?"

"In fact, it was Prohibition that caused the mistake." Leo snapped his fingers and pointed at her as he grabbed a new glass. "For our young audience, Prohibition was a time when the country made buying alcohol illegal."

“Wait, they can do that?” Percy looked confused. “All the adults drink, especially Smelly Gabe and his friends.”

Sally huffed but didn't admonish him for the nickname, as he wasn't wrong about the drinking.

“It was a different time, way before I was born.” Leo waved it away as he filled the glass with ice and poured an ounce of the vibrant pink-red liquid. “But because of that time, a lot of drinking and cocktail culture changed, and one of those changes was grenadine.”

He filled the glass with Fever-Tree ginger ale, stirring slowly as light caught the marble-like ice balls.

“Grenadine used to be made with a generous dose of natural spices." He dropped in a few more flower petals and turned the liquid blue. "In fact, pre-Prohibition, it was actually found at the soda counter and through pharmacists."

"Pharmacists?" Sally gave the drink a concerned look.

“It’s only soda water.” Leo laughed and finished it off with a fresh skewer of cherries. “They were the ones who made the soda back then.”

The drink slid over to Percy, the green-eyed kid taking it with a wide grin. “I still like the blue.”

"It's a good color." Leo's hands itched for a cigarette; he knew he'd nailed another drink, but his little bit of common sense made him resist in front of a child. "Enjoy."

Percy took a sip, his face brightening as he took in the flavor. “This is cool! It tastes like spicy vanilla and some other stuff.”

“Well, now you have me curious.” Sally hummed curiously and smiled when Percy offered it to her.

"Try it, Mom; this one isn't that sweet."

“Thank you, honey.”

Sally took a sip herself and made a surprised expression. "Oh wow, that's interesting." She tried to test the flavors. "Is that cloves? No, oranges? I definitely taste the vanilla, but it’s not too sweet.”

She laughed as Percy took it back and knocked back the beverage.

"It's a lovely flavor." Leo rolled the grenadine bottle in his hand. "I've been wanting to try mixing drinks with it, but it never felt right just yet."

Sally wondered how a drink could feel right, but the kitchen doors opened before she said more.

"Someone ordered a fresh hot pretzel." Hestia came out with a plate holding a steaming, golden-toasted pretzel twist, freshly garnished with salt, pepper, and her secret mix, along with a side of condiments.

“Wow!” Percy gulped at the prize. “That smells way better than the pretzels at Port Authority.”

Sally rubbed her face at his choice of comment and turned to mouth a pretzel company name to Leo.

"Thank you, dear." Hestia laughed, unbothered by the comparison, and set the plate before him, hesitating a moment before reaching out to ruffle his hair.

"Why does everyone go for the hair?" Percy struggled in her grasp, not realizing how impossible it was to escape from her, of all people.

"Because you are adorable." Sally teased mercilessly, enjoying her son's embarrassment.

“Mom!”

"Eat your better-than-Port-Authority pretzel, honey." Sally laughed.

“Hmph.” Percy stopped before taking a bite and turned to Hestia. “Thank you, miss!”

Hestia smiled back, eyes crinkled. “Of course. Enjoy.”

Leo's brow twitched as he leaned back against the bar, his drink forgotten in favor of the delectable snack, and watched the boy savage the poor pretzel for all it was worth. "And this is why I said no bakery."

“You shush.” Hestia made a snapping motion at him with her hand.

“I can’t blame him.” Sally was just as amazed as she picked off a piece. “This might be the best pretzel I’ve ever had.”

“Yeah, that’s the problem.” Leo grumbled.

Hestia only looked smug.

Percy finished his portion in record time, eyes ravenous with hunger. “Moooreee.”

"Percy!" Sally flicked his head lightly with a restrained laugh, using a napkin to wipe ketchup from his cheek. "No creepy hissing noises."

“Oh, right.” Percy recalled something he saw in a movie and coughed before lifting his empty plate. “Please, ma’am, may I have some more?” 

His big green eyes were leveled at Hestia, and this time Sally couldn't help snorting out a loud laugh.

Leo was likewise amused, twirling a cigarette but not lighting it as he watched Hestia’s face go through half a dozen emotions. “Hes-.”

She stopped him with a raised hand, her gaze shifting to Sally for a moment before she made up her mind. "Why don't you come help me make the next one?”

Percy quickly nodded, but Sally wasn’t having it. “I don’t think so, mister. You already had your drinks and pretzel.”

“But mom, it was so good!” Percy tried to look hopeful.

“He also didn’t meet the hair snake lady.” Leo struggled to say it with a straight face.

“Yeah!” Percy shot him a thumbs up. “But she’s your girlfriend, not a monster.”

“Percy!” Sally was scandalized.

“It’s fine.” Leo laughed and waved it away. “She would get a kick out of it.”

"What if I make you a pretzel, Mom?" Percy said suddenly, looking at Hestia. "Can I make my mom one?"

“That would be very kind of you.” Hestia met Sally’s gaze and seemed to make the woman relax with just a look alone. “Come, I’ll put you to work.”

She flicked her finger, and Leo blinked at the napkin that appeared in his hand, air leaving his lips as he read the writing on it.

Percy hopped out of his chair with a bright grin. “Onward to the pretzels!”

He was ready to follow Hestia into the gates of hell.

“What a little hero.” Hestia tittered and gestured to follow her to the kitchen. “Do you know the story of how pretzels were made?”

“Wait, I’m not so sure-.” Sally started to say, but Leo only slipped her the napkin, and her eyes widened in shock as she read it.

[“Excuse me, Sally Jackson, but I’d like to meet my nephew.” - Hestia]

“Didn’t they always exist?” Percy asked in confusion.

Hestia laughed. “Of course not, it was made by a very special…”

Their voices were muffled by the swinging door, leaving a pale Sally with a silent Leo.

The bartender’s gaze flicked to the door before he shrugged and put the cigarette between his lips. ‘No kids anymore. I’m safe.’

The stick lit as if on its own as he breathed deep, feeling his customer's spiking emotions and breathing out a wave of comforting warmth. “Out of all the Greeks, you have the least to fear from the goddess of family.”

Sally’s head snapped up at his comment, but Leo’s aura wasn’t just for show as the stressed mother asked in a small voice. “Is that really… that Hestia?”

“The one and only.” Leo chuckled and leaned back against the bar. “Eldest Olympian, goddess of family, home, and hearth.” His eyes glowed with crackling flames at the last word. “And my cook.”

"You're making a goddess work for you?!" Sally whispered-shouted. "And you denied her!"

“Damn straight, she would steal all my business.” Leo huffed and crossed his arms. “I’m running a bar here; she’s limited to bar snacks.”

Sally opened her mouth, wanting to say something but unsure of where to even start. “Is Percy safe with her?”

"Ma'am, I doubt his father could prove to be safer for him than her." Leo ashed and shook his head.

The mention of Percy’s father only made Sally remember how hard she tried to keep Percy from that side of life. “But if he learns about-.”

“Hestia knows what she’s doing.” Leo assured her. “Damn woman keeps trying to mother me. In my own bar.”

He bit out the last words, and Sally could only stare at the familiar way Leo said that to how her son acted before she cracked a mixed laugh and whine. "Where in the world did my son drag me to this time?”

She dropped her head in her hands.

"I assume it happens often?" Leo asked with a laugh, hearing the woman snort back in disbelief. "And you've come to Where Roads Mead, the bar for lost souls." He watched Sally flinch. "A safe harbor for the weary and run-down."

“I’m not…” Sally looked up and felt her words go silent at the sympathetic look on Leo’s face.

Not pity, but honest respect.

"It's not easy being a single parent, is it?" Leo breathed out smoke, guiding it up and away from the woman. "Take a moment, it’s ok.”

A lion's gaze, burning with the flames of a bright hearth, grew in Sally's eyes, and she trembled at the feeling of safety and comfort.

A heavy weight lifted off her shoulders as she was given a chance to breathe.

Tears bubbled up despite herself, and Sally couldn’t help but sniffle, using Hestia's note as a tissue. "I-I'm sorry, it's just…"

Leo slid over a clean napkin, then turned to clean Percy's used glass without a word, giving her space.

His aura spoke for him, and Sally almost drowned in the feeling, long brown hair threaded with quite a few greys shaking over her shoulders.

A minute passed in silence before Sally recovered a bit.

"I'm a mess." Sally dabbed at her eyes. "I'm sorry, I don't know what's come over me."

"You must not have felt safe for a while." Leo said, meeting Sally's eyes.

“Oh, stop it.” Sally blew her nose. “That’s just not a fair way to look at someone. I’m a married woman, young man.”

“And I’m taken.” Leo laughed lightly, wiping the glass as he walked back in front of her. “And you remind me of my own mother.”

“That’s sweet.” Sally sniffed. “Is she a mess too?”

“She was.” Leo’s smile turned fond. “She had a lot on her plate too, but I’ll never forget how hard she worked to stretch the moments we had.”

Sally blinked in realization. “Oh! I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean-.”

“It’s fine.” Leo waved it off with the same soft smile. “You two would have likely been friends.” He wiped his hands with a towel. “You know, she used to love a certain drink, and I bet you would love it too.”

“I really can’t drink.” Sally felt honored, curious even. “I have to get Percy home, and then deal with… my husband and the mess he likely made. And then go see if I can get a new job. And find Percy a new school.” The more she spoke, the more her eyes dimmed. “I can’t afford it.”

Leo could almost feel her soul being crushed.

"On the contrary, I think you need it more than ever." Leo was already grabbing a glass, his cigarette going cold as he tucked it behind his ear. "Have no fear, there will be no intoxication."

He flicked a prototype menu he and Alice had been working on toward the woman, a list of potion additions written along one page.

“Potions?” Sally was taken aback. “Like a witch?”

“I prefer warlock.” Leo twirled his fingers, sparks falling off and making Sally stare. “I don’t think I have the hips to pull off a witch look.” 

He popped a hip, and Sally burst out laughing. "I don't know, you might manage it."

“Don’t let my girlfriend hear that.” Leo warned lightly as he picked a few bottles from the shelves. “She is already sticking her fingers into my wardrobe.”

“Then she has good taste.” Sally wiped her eyes, the mix of emotions feeling tiring and relieving at once. “These potions are real?”

"My recipes are limited, but we found we could make different effects if we combined drops from a few." Leo explained as he squeezed out an ounce of lemon juice and added it to a shaker. "Each option listed can be added; see #6."

Sally’s eyes fell on it with a trace of wonder.

[A Moment’s Breath – A healing warmth for the weary, rejuvenating the spirit, feeding the soul, and removing the negative effects of intoxication.] 

“That can’t be real.” She muttered.

"Oh sure, dismiss the potion but accept the literal goddess." Leo rolled his eyes and poured two ounces of London Dry Gin into the shaker. "Woman, you made a child with the sea."

Sally raised a finger, considered it, and dropped it. “Don’t sass me, young man.”

Leo snorted, measured an ounce of real grenadine, dropped a block of ice, and cracked in a second. "I'm a bartender, Sally. I get to sass everyone."

Sally’s lips twitched in humor. “Is the drink still on the house?”

“Considering my cook is likely spoiling your son with every snack she can think up, I think it’s a given at this point.” Leo reached for a specific diluted potion mixture, added a dash, then popped the lid and began shaking it.

“That boy isn’t going to sleep tonight.” Sally sighed fondly despite how tired she looked. “But he’s had a hard week, so as long as he’s happy.”

“Hey, mothers deserve to be happy as well.” Leo interjected as he spun a cocktail glass and strained the mixture, a bright pink color coming through. “And that’s precisely why you should try an authentic Bee’s Knees.”

“I’ve had a Bee’s Knees before.” Sally looked at the glass oddly. “Isn’t it supposed to be yellow?”

"That's why I said mine's authentic." Leo garnished the drink with a butterfly pea flower, the liquid shifting blue as he placed a piece of candied ginger on a skewer. "It's the face of Prohibition-era drinks, the roaring 20's, signifying to the drinker that they were the best.” He smiled at her. “Extraordinary even.”

The drink slid her way, and Sally swallowed heavily.

“I’m really not-.”

"Shush." Leo made a shushing sound that left the young mother somewhere between blushing and giving him the stink eye. "Try it."

He leaned back, lighting his cigarette once more.

“How your woman survives those eyes of yours.” Sally huffed and brought the glass to her lips, her expression falling away into one of pure wonder as she tasted it.

For a single moment, Sally felt young again.

When she was full of life, going through art school, pursuing her love of sculpting with big dreams for the future.

Before the ocean washed her away in a storm of romance, taking with it her passion and energy, and leaving her with the greatest ball of joy in her life.

And then she was back in her seat, tears once more on her cheeks as she felt her face. “What is happening to me today?”

“You had a lot on your chest.” Leo passed her another napkin. “It’s not easy raising a demigod, is it?”

Sally froze for half a second at the term before she breathed out. "No. No, it's not."

She sipped her drink again, the nostalgia and hope in the liquid washing through her.

In fact, it was flowing through her, the potion's effects traveling through her veins and easing her burden slightly.

"Percy is the center of my world, and I wouldn't trade him for anything." Sally said strongly. "But he's always hunted, sometimes by things I can see, and often by things I can't." A shiver ran through her, and Leo could only imagine how many sleepless nights she'd spent on her own worrying over her young child. "And the best thing I could find to mask his… scent, was with something repulsive."

Leo hummed, recalling what Percy said earlier. “This Smelly Gabe, I assume?”

“Heh, don’t tell him, but I love hearing the nickname.” Sally laughed and cried as one, clutching the glass tightly. “I found the cheapest bar I could and paid the bartender twenty bucks to point me to the most pungent customer he had.” A grimace crossed her face. “And then I married him.”

"All for your son's safety, huh?" Leo rubbed his jaw, memories of his mother's struggles in a loveless marriage, with his siblings shunning her care up until her end, none shedding a tear at her funeral. He took a deep breath. “You’re a brave woman, Sally.”

“No, I’m a mess.” Sally half-laughed, wiping at her eyes. “I’m doing all I can, but it’s a lot, you know?” She sniffed. “It’s really just… a lot sometimes.” The drink in hand reminded her too much of the passion she used to have. “I wish I could teach my boy about sculpting, but I don’t have the time.”

Leo let her take a moment.

Sometimes, it wasn't about connecting with another's pain.

In a way, pain wasn't something you could easily bond over.

Rather, what Leo found people needed was simply someone to be there.

To listen.

To hear them.

“Time keeps slipping through my fingers.” Sally stared at her reflection in the glass, seeing the stress lines. “He’s growing so fast, and the more he does, the more often incidents keep happening. I’m terrified of not being able to protect him.”

"He seems like a smart kid." Leo exhaled smoke, thinking about what little he could recall. "I think he'll be a quick learner."

“He is a smart boy.” Sally smiled sadly. “I wish I could do more for him.”

“If I heard my mother say that, I would likely force her to come live with me.” Even now, with a small loft and two supernatural girlfriends, Leo wouldn’t bat an eye at offering it. “When a mother loves a son as much as you do, I think the son would want nothing more than to see you happy in turn.”

He thought of all his own mother's smiles, and the heat pouring from him pulsed with his emotions.

Sally looked at him and sniffled, shaking her head to stop herself from crying. “She was a lucky woman to have a son like you.”

"And Percy is lucky to have you." Leo put two small bottles on the bar. "A little something to help smooth your road."

"What is it?" Sally wiped her cheeks and couldn't help but ask curiously about the swirling colors in the bottles.

"The first is #3 on the menu." He pointed at the menu, and Sally read it off.

[Beauty Sleep – Rest and rejuvenate the skin and spirit, a drink and you’ll shed the years right off, queen.]

A mix of Wiggenweld, Invigoration, Cure for Boils, and Sleeping potions.

“You can’t be serious.” Sally laughed at how silly it sounded.

“I’m very serious.” Leo grinned around his cigarette. “Have a few drops with water before bed for a few weeks, and you’ll see the years turn back.”

She looked at his confident expression, then back at the bottle, and gulped. "Leo, I couldn't-."

“You can.” He slid the bottles closer. “And one day, your son will do the same for another single mother.” He met her eyes. “Because there is no one who respects their mother more than their son.”

Sally’s eyes watered for the umpteenth time in such a short period, reaching not for the potion bottle but Leo’s hand, gripping it tightly with callused palms. “I would have loved being friends with a woman who could raise a soul like you, Leo.”

His smile was tender as he squeezed the palm back. "Her name was Layla. I hope you enjoy her favorite drink.”

"It's a wonderful drink." Sally laugh-cried, raising the half-empty glass. "Did she also have the potion addition?"

"I'm afraid that one's a little new." Leo stared at the bottles. "If you ever need a refill, feel free to drop by."

"Thank you." Sally whispered, unable to deny she was desperate for something to lift her spirits. "What's the second one?"

“Ah, that.” A smirk crossed Leo’s face. “That’s pure sleeping draught. Spike anything with a few drops and the consumer will be out like a light for hours.”

 Sally looked confused.

“I figured it might help with your… marriage troubles.” He said leadingly.

Sally's confusion quickly shifted to shock, her hand closing around the bottle faster than the first. "What happens if I use more?"

"Then the effect will be extended." Leo nodded knowingly at her reaction. "Although humans still need to eat and use the restroom, just be aware if someone sleeps too long.”

Sally gulped at the bottle in her hand, her emotional cocktail flipping to pure excitement. “Layla raised a saint.”

Just then, a light sound rang in Leo’s mind.

[Path of Mind - Quest Complete: Deeply Resonate with a burdened soul. Reward: 1 Path Point.]

[All Tier 1 Paths complete. Reward: 1 Path Point.]

Leo glanced over them. “I’m so sure about that one.” He had just started to speak when his ears twitched at a muffled shout from the kitchen.

“Ah! It’s the snake hair lady!”

“Huh? HOLY SHI-! Hestia, W.T.F?”

“He is a child, Em.”

“Wow, Leo wasn’t kidding. You’re beautiful!”

“…I think I need a drink.”

Heels clacked on the floor, and Leo turned to see Em pushing out of the kitchen. "Leo, why is there a child of-."

Em trailed off as her glasses-covered eyes met the wide eyes of one Sally Jackson.

Oldest and newest lovers of a certain sea god freezing at the sight of the other.

Leo slowly ashed his cigarette, leaning back silently with a hum. ‘If my bar gets damaged, I’m billing Poseidon.’

000

Contrary to his worst fears, Leo was surprised that the first thing Em did was rush over and hug the poor, exhausted mother.

They shared tears, and soon the two women were laughing and teasing each other, while Leo silently passed them drinks, afraid to step between what could only be a miracle born of a train crash.

“Em, you’re so bad.” Sally was on her third drink, thankfully sober from the potion. “He wasn’t that bad.”

“Are you kidding? He only cared about his own pleasure.” The lamia huffed in disgust. “You know I’m right. A real man gives as much as he takes.”

“I wouldn’t know.” Sally rolled her eyes and sipped her drink with a delighted sound. “I’ve had the worst luck with men.”

“Don’t I know it?” Em tittered. “Before Leo, I was a mess.”

“Oh, he’s such a caring soul.” Sally squeezed Em’s hand. “You take care of him, dear.”

“I wouldn’t let go of him for the world.” Em turned her head and caught Leo’s eye. “I almost forgot what some things felt like before meeting him.”

A soft smile stretched on Leo’s face, his senses feeling the truth he had known for a while, the emotions of his lover resonating deep within.

Sally flushed like a schoolgirl, seeing how adorable the two looked together.

Just then, the kitchen doors flew open as a small form darted through. “Mom! I made blue pretzels!”

Percy ran out with a tray over his head, soon followed by a laughing Hestia. “I told you not to run, dear.”

“Sorry, Auntie H.” Percy called back with the address she asked him to use, not knowing just how accurate the title was.

Leo choked on smoke and shot the goddess a look.

Hestia covered her mouth and maturely stuck her tongue out at him.

“Mom, look!” Percy held up the tray of fresh blue pretzels, some flour still on his face.

"I can see, honey." Sally quickly pulled the boy to her side and helped him set the tray down. "Did you work hard?"

“Nah, Auntie H made it really fun!” Percy praised the goddess openly, only to notice Em staring at him from the next seat. “Ah! Snake hair lady!”

Hestia froze up, and Leo likewise watched to see her reaction.

"You already said that." Em stared for a moment, then reached over and flicked the boy's forehead. "Staring and pointing is rude."

“Ow! Why did that hurt so much?” Percy held his head, but Sally quickly checked and found no mark.

“Because it’s a lesson.” Em waved a finger. “Women can be very strong when issuing punishment.”

“I’m aware.” Leo whispered dryly from behind the bar, getting a snorted laugh from the assorted females.

“I said I was sorry, alright?” Percy pouted.

“And you are forgiven.” Em eyed up the pretzels. “Why are they blue?”

“Because blue is the best!” Percy puffed out his chest.

“I prefer pink or purple.”

“That’s because you have purple hair!”

“And? Your hair is black.”

“Mom, can I have blue hair?”

Leo snorted and watched the legendary Medusa duel a battle of lethal words with the newest age’s Perseus.

'I guess I was worried for nothing.' He turned at the sound of the doors' chime and saw his first usual customers coming through.

Guests started arriving in pairs and trios, and Sally realized it was time to head home.

"Do we have to leave, Mom?" Percy pouted, looking around at all the cool people, so many things no one would ever believe if he tried to tell them.

One guy even had wings!

“Sadly, yes. We have to head home and get started on your new school.” Sally tapped the card Hestia gave her, turning a nervous look on the goddess. “Are you sure this Yancy Academy will take Percy?”

“Of course.” Hestia sent her a reassuring look. “I know one of the teachers there. He’ll make sure to watch out for him.”

She knew Chiron occasionally swapped in as a teacher when a demigod came through. If she dropped an indirect hint his way, she was sure he would jump on it.

“Thank you so much.” Sally was nearly overwhelmed by all the care she had received in the last hour since she walked in. “You are all so kind.”

“That is what a home is, dear.” Hestia gave her a proud smile and patted Percy’s cheek. “Come visit when you’re in the area. I’ll let you try my special snickerdoodle cookies.”

“Can they be-.”

“Yes, they can be blue.”

Sally laughed at the interaction.

"That boy and blue." Em huffed as she walked up and gave Sally another supportive hug. "I wasn't kidding about my offer."

"I don't know." Sally looked down, a bit shyly, at Em's older-sister vibes. "It's been so long since I sculpted; I couldn't possibly offer them at your store.”

"I cheated with my statues." Em waved her hesitation away. "Real sculpting is about making art with your own hands. I'd be happy to offer your creations."

“Well, I guess I could give it a try.” She felt the weight of the potion bottles in her pocket. “If I get some free time.”

“Trust in Leo’s products.” Em pulled back with a confident smirk. “He’s a wizard at what he does.”

“I believe he preferred Warlock.” Sally laughed.

"But he knows magic." Em waved her fingers and drew another laugh from the woman. "Take care of yourself, Sally."

"You as well, Em. I didn't know I could connect with another woman this well." Sally smiled tightly, an understanding passing between them. "Send Leo my love."

She looked over and saw the young man in his element, spinning bottles and shakers as he produced one drink after another.

“Sorry, he only gets mine.” Em stuck out her tongue playfully.

"If only I were younger." Sally shook her head with a chuckle, reaching for her son after Hestia finished her goodbyes. "Come along, honey."

“Ok, mom.” Percy waved to the woman. “Bye Auntie H, Snake hair lady.”

“My name is Em.” Em’s eye twitched.

Percy stuck his tongue out at her and waved to the bar. “BYE MR. LEO! THANKS FOR THE DRINKS!”

A cheer went up from the other customers, repeating the call of thanks.

Leo laughed and gave him a thumbs-up from the bar.

Sally laughed and waved as well, catching Leo's wink.

The two stepped out of the bar, both stopping to adjust to the chill of the late winter air, yet somehow far less biting and heavy than it was on the way in.

Percy took his mother's hand. "Mom, can we come back sometime? That was so much fun."

“I’m sure we could find the time.” Sally bent down and kissed his head. “You dragged me into a wonderful place this time, baby.”

Maybe it was the drinks or the company, but Sally looked up and smiled, suddenly feeling like life was going to be alright.

"I always bring you to fun places!" Percy argued as they got back on the street.

“Oh? And what about the time you jumped into the koala exhibit at the zoo?” Sally asked teasingly, arm once more around his shoulder.

 “Uh, that was an accident?”

“Is that a question or an answer?”

“Yes.”

Mother and son laughed, vanishing into the streets of NYC.

000

“You two are playing with fire.” Leo warned with a look.

“Don’t care.” Em flicked a manicured nail as she moved a tray of clean glasses back behind the bar. “Screw that sea dick.”

“Why I wouldn’t use such vulgar terms.” Hestia collected a stack of used plates, vanishing them back to the kitchen and summoning some other orders. “My little brother made another mess and then insulted me by trying to hide it.”

“Why does it insult you?” Leo raised a brow.

“Because he refused a wonderful woman and my nephew from having a proper home.” She huffed. “I won’t tattle, but I’m feeding him calamari next time I see him.”

“Make it sea urchins.” Em made a vulgar gesture.

“Can you not anger the ocean?” Leo asked calmly as he mixed another drink, smiling at a customer as he slid it over. “At least not in my bar.”

“We’re not using names, Leo.” Em blew him a kiss. “I wouldn’t risk our home like that.”

“Plus, I’m here.” Hestia shrugged and headed for the kitchen. “If he misbehaves on my stuff, he knows what I’ll do.”

“Oh?” Leo looked over curiously.

Hestia grinned and looked back. “I’ll go tell mom.”

This time Leo and Em choked, the lamia bumping up into Leo as Hestia’s laughter echoed from the hallway.

“That is one scary, Chibi.” Leo whispered, hand circling her waist.

“She’s evil.” Em whispered back, naturally slotting into his side like a puzzle piece. “I love it.”

“You would.” Leo tightened his hold, turning the beautiful woman in his arms to face him. “You’re a little evil too.”

“Only a little?” Em smirked, red lips pressing against his cheek as her tongue vibrated. “You know you love it.”

“Maybe I do.” Leo kissed her back, sliding to her lips and taking her fully. “You surprised me with our guests.”

"I'm a vengeful woman, Leo." Em trailed her nails across his cheek, loving the way he growled in his throat. "But I don't blame the victims."

“Unless you’re hungry.” Leo smirked.

"Unless I'm hungry." Em agreed with a small laugh. "I can't tell you how mad my curse can drive me to be.”

"Well then, I'm glad I could satiate your hunger.”

“That was bad, and you should feel bad.”

The two laughed, connecting once more and feeling them hum against each other.

Resonance lit up in full, and Leo felt all of her current emotions, blazing within her like an inferno that wanted to challenge his own fire.

His fire resonated, pulsing outward into her as she felt his own like a roaring lion that wanted to claim her in full.

The two pulled back and met each other's gaze, hazy amber staring into enchanting gray, their hearts beating in tune.

“I love you, Em.” Leo whispered lightly. 

“I love you, Leo.” She whispered back.

The two closed in on another once more, only for a blur to appear behind the bar with a cheer. “Hey guys! Sorry, I just got back.” Alice had her apron half on, hair still wet from a shower she rushed on her way down. “What’d I miss?”

The vampire blinked at the intimate pose Leo and Em were in.

Leo and Em stared back for a moment, looked at each other, and burst out laughing.

“Hey! Seriously, what’d I miss?!” The vampire hopped forward and wrapped her arms around them both. “Telllllll meeee.”

“Maybe if you’re good~.” Em pecked her cheek.

Leo opened his mouth to say something, but the moment Alice connected with his heat, they looked at each other in confusion as Alice's eyes flashed white.

{“The tapestry is tearing, strings shifting, and the sisters have lost control”}

Alice's words weren't loud, but they left Em blinking; her eyes opened in shock, while Leo focused on what she'd just done.

Alice herself blinked back into awareness and stared back at him with the same thought.

“Well, that was interesting, nya.”

The three froze and turned to look at a new guest who had silently appeared on a barstool while they were distracted.

Golden slit eyes stared at the three in open curiosity as a pale-skinned, black-haired beauty leaned against the bar, twin cat tails swinging in the air behind her. “Was that a prophecy?”

“Uh…” Alice blinked owlishly and elbowed Em. “No?”

“Of course not.” Em snapped out and elbowed Leo. “It was…”

“A drink recipe.” Leo finished confidently.

The guest raised a brow beneath twitching feline ears.

Alice and Em turned blank, judging stares on him.

Leo ignored them all and pulled out a cigarette, the end lighting on its own as he met the guest's gaze. “What can I get you?”

Kuroka’s lips curled up.

Chapter End.

AN: Hope you enjoyed the chapter!

You all voted for Sally Jackson, and you get Sally Jackson. Did my best with her character, and yes, Percy is 11 here. Canonically, he started book 1 as a 12 year old in 2006 and turned 13 during the events. Crazy how my brain always pictured him older than that.

Let me know what you think, love it/hate it?

And I couldn't decide on a title choice, any thoughts?