before we both turn into ghosts ┊p. mclean

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

Juno Luciano was bored. Mornings always started the same. Sunlight spilling through the misty trees, the distant clash of swords ringing out from the training fields, and the smell of burnt toast wafting from the mess hall.

Juno moved through it all like a ghost—silent, detached, and untouchable. She wasn't part of the camp's carefully orchestrated chaos. Not really. Ignoring was easier.

Juno had a way of slipping between moments, of existing in the spaces people overlooked.

She walked alone to her training sessions, her boots crunching against the gravel paths, her head bowed, dark hair falling over her face like a curtain.

When she arrived at the training fields that morning, the familiar hum of activity greeted her. Campers sparred with worn weapons, their faces set in determination.

Juno ignored them, stepping past their circles and into her usual corner—a shaded patch of ground beneath the wide arms of an oak tree.

The shadows here were sharper, deeper. They folded around her like an old coat, their presence oddly comforting.

Orion was already waiting, his staff slung across his back. He greeted Juno with a nod, his usual no-nonsense expression softening slightly. "You're early," he said.

Juno shrugged, tugging her sleeves over her wrists. "Nothing else to do."

It wasn't entirely true. There was always something to do at camp—chores, lessons, whatever the day offered. None of it really mattered to Juno. She preferred the quiet, the moments where she could get lost in the rhythm of her own movements, untethered from the world around her.

"Alright," Orion said, stepping into the circle. "Let's see what you've got today."

The session was short—too short. Within minutes, Juno had disarmed her brother twice and dodged every strike with unnerving precision. Her shadow work was seamless, the dark tendrils responding to her like an extension of her own body.

He lowered his staff, his brows furrowing. "You're making this look too easy."

Juno wiped her hands on her pants, her expression unreadable. "Am I supposed to make it hard?"

Orion shook his head, muttering something under her breath. "I mean no but this rate.. we're going to have to rethink your schedule. There's no point in drilling basics if you've already mastered them."

Juno didn't respond, she didn't need to. The training had started to bore her. The movements came too easily, the spells felt too simple. It was all just... noise.

Orion sighed, slinging his staff over his shoulder. "Alright, you're done for today. I'll let Chiron know we're spacing out your sessions."

Juno blinked. "That's it?"

"Unless you want to spend the rest of the day making me look bad," Orion said dryly.

A faint smile tugged at Juno's lips, but it disappeared as quickly as it came.

She didn't linger after that. The shadows trailed after her as she left the field, stretching long and thin in the morning light.

The air smelled of its usual sea salt and pine, the sky stretched impossibly wide over her head, and the distant sound of waves against the shore was strangely calming. She felt herself slowly weaving herself through the place, trying desperately to make a home in this place.

It was hard to let herself relax when every glance in her direction felt like curiosity dipped in suspicion. When whispers about her place in the prophecy still hadn't died down. When she spent her days with a bunch of half-siblings who were far too warm, too patient, too accepting for her to believe it wasn't some elaborate joke.

Juno had always been moving, always running. She didn't know what to do when things slowed down. Every morning, she went through the same motions—training, eating, avoiding conversation. At night, she tried not to stare at the stars for too long, as if they held an answer she didn't want.

She was wandering near the forges when she spotted them—Piper and Leo, walking along the dirt path leading from bunker nine. Leo was rambling about something, hands gesturing wildly, while Piper listened quietly with an unreadable expression.

Juno hesitated.

She could turn back now. Pretend she hadn't seen them.

But then Leo glanced up, and his entire face shifted. Recognition sparked in his eyes, a flicker of something that made Juno's stomach drop.

"No fucking way," he said, stopping in his tracks.

Piper blinked at him, confused, then followed his gaze to Juno.

Juno crossed her arms. "Sorry I didn't know you were back here—"

Leo's grin widened. "I knew I wasn't crazy! I remember you!" he interrupted. "That place in prospect, right? You got shacked the day I left?"

Juno tensed. Her mind scrambled for an excuse, a way out, but it was too late.

Piper's expression flickered—something unreadable, like she'd just stepped into a conversation she definitely wasn't expecting.

Juno fought to keep her face blank. "Your hands were kept sparking."

Something shifted in piper's face. Juno expected amusement, maybe even mild interest. Instead, Piper just stared, her expression tightening, her lips pressing into a thin line.

Leo, oblivious, rocked back on his heels. "Man, this is crazy. Small world, huh?"

Juno shrugged. "Not really. There's only so many places kids like us end up."

Leo frowned slightly at that but didn't argue.

Piper, however, was still watching Juno like she was seeing something no one else could.

Juno raised an eyebrow. "What?"

Piper's mouth opened slightly like she wanted to say something—but then she closed it just as fast, shaking her head.

Juno shifted uncomfortably.

There was an awkward pause and before anyone could break it, a horn sounded in the distance—the call for dinner.

Leo perked up. "Oh, thank the gods, K'm starving." he turned to juno. "You wanna come? You could tell me how you want your room on argo?"

Juno hesitated. She usually ate quickly, guarded by her siblings, and left before anyone could rope her into unnecessary conversation. But the alternative was wandering camp aimlessly for another few hours.

She sighed. "Sure. That sounds kinda nice."

Piper shot her a look—part curiosity, part something else juno couldn't place. It made her uneasy.

Juno ignored it and followed them toward the dining pavilion, pretending she didn't feel the weight of piper's eyes on her the entire way.

✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*

a/n

short chapter cause I've been on vacation and needed to update :7

leo adores juno i love them they are so bff material

juno what happenedddd we were so funky and out of box why are we back to mean grumpy lady :<

piper is so judgmental i am tempted to do a chapter in her pov because all the characters i write somehow have insane internal monologues and actions ext ext

we meet percy next chapter....... junos gonna hate him so bad......

i just want to write scenery descriptions all the time pls spare me:,(

gooooodbye ^_^