(i think i might have posted this as a draft here before, but trying to ease back into posting and getting motivated for writing again so... repost possibly, sorry! but enjoy a little more of my michael yew backstory/a lee fletcher pov story. on ao3 here)
Lee sighs, shifting in the stiff chair for what feels like the twelfth time in ten minutes. He makes a mental note to talk to (harass) Chiron about upgrading the infirmaryβs furnitureβclearly, these chairs werenβt designed with the average growing teen boy in mind.
His scowl deepens as one of his folded legs bumps against an armrest. Swinging his legs over the armrest, he adjusts himself as he ensures he still has the right view for his current job: watching over the two resting demigods in the nearby cots.
Nearest to him, the girl claimed by Aphrodite lies curled on her side under a thin blanket. She looks relatively peaceful, save for the sporadic wheezing breath she takes in. Theyβd done what they couldβcleaned the blood that had stained the lower half of her face and given as much nectar as possible for her vocal cords until Callie declared they couldnβt risk any moreβbut itβs clear she has a long way to go.
Lee still canβt shake the image of the girl collapsing, blood spilling from her slack mouth like something out of a horror movie. Clarisse, of all people, had looked ready to be sick at the sight, to the point that he received no push back to his desperate orders for her to go get help.
Officially, Chiron had kept the situation tightly contained to Lee, Clarisse, Callie, and Darcy. Unofficially, Lee and Clarisse hadnβt even needed to exchange a word after Chiron dismissed them and practically sprinted through camp to find Silena.
And, of course, the second she heard about her new sister, Silena demanded to see her. Unfortunately, this left Lee with the difficult task of convincing Callie to stop hovering long enough for Silena to climb through the infirmary bathroom window and sneak into the main room.
It had been worth it, though. Because the moment Silenaβs gaze landed on the girlβs small frame, he knew she was attached.Β
Sheβd left only a few minutes after, just before Callie returned from her hunt for the medical scissors that so happened to be in Leeβs back pocket. Though, not before making Lee promise that she would be first to know when the girl woke up.Β
That left the kid on the other cot. The boy (nicknamed Tiny by Clarisse, because apparently hazing is now fair game the second you cross the border) sprawls on his back, snoring softly. His dark hair, still slightly damp from Callieβs earlier work, clings stubbornly to his forehead. Thankfully, the only physical sign of injury on him is a faint streak of dried blood down the side of his face, though Callie had warned them about the likelihood of a concussion. It seems like the golden light that radiated from him upon claiming dealt with some of the smaller injuries, in addition to notifying that the boy is one more for the Apollo cabin.
So, his brother, apparently.
Itβs not odd for their cabin to receive new siblings, of course (Apollo gets around) but the boyβs arrival was quite the scene. Adding in the fact that both the kids had no protector guiding them to Camp, wellβhe can only assume the worst of what circumstances led them here.
Sighing, he readjusts again, dropping his feet back on the ground as he peers over once more to the boy. His brow furrows even in sleep, and it takes all his self-control to not step closer and smooth out the slight wrinkle that forms.
"How are they doing?" comes a soft voice from the doorway. He tears his gaze from the kids to Callie, arms full of miscellaneous supplies as she steps inside. Her auburn hair is tied back in a loose low-hanging bun thatβs seconds away from falling apart, strands falling across her face as she approaches and gently places the supplies on a nearby cart.
βStill out of it,β Lee answers, drumming his fingers along his chairβs arm. βTiny especially has been looking tense the whole time.β
Callie shoots him a look at the nickname, but nonetheless hums as she leans over to check the boyβs pulse, her fingers glowing with a flash of white-gold light as they brush his wrist. βWell, weβll know more when he wakes. Head injuries are a little tricky, but he should be fine."Β
She releases his wrist, turning back to Lee. She stares at him, scrutinizing for a moment before crossing over to where he sits and pulling him into a tight hug. Heβs stiff for a moment in confusion, but almost immediately melts into her grip, burying his face into her chest.
βItβs okay if youβre worried,β she says softly as he feels a hand drag through his hair. βBut theyβre in good hands now. Our hands, right?β
Lee sighs, nodding once as he lets her hold him a little longer before pulling back with a small smile. βHow do you always know when Iβm allβ¦β Heβs not really sure how to word it, so he kind of waves his hands around his head a little and waits for his sister to get the vibe.
Callie stifles a laugh, fixing him with a warm smile. βI hate to say it, but your face is really loud, brother dearest.βΒ
He pouts at that, before attempting to school his expression when he realizes heβs proving her point. This time, Callie doesnβt hold back her laugh, pinching his cheek as he tries to bat her away. He opens his mouth to complain whenβ
The boyβs eyes shoot open, wide and unfocused. He sits up so fast the cot squeaks beneath him, gasping for air.Β
Immediately, they both are standing at his side, and Lee speaks first, hands raised, palms outward. βHeyβhey. Youβre safe, okay? Take a deep breath.β
His words seem to fall on deaf ears as the boyβs eyes dart around the room, breathing picking up further. He scoots backward on the cot until his back slams into the wall, hands gripping the edges of his cot. Callie steps forward, hands raised as well, but she doesnβt even get a word in before the boy hisses at her, smacking her hand away.Β
Callie curses under her breath as she starts whispering something about protocol to Lee, but he doesnβt hear her. All he can focus on is the boyβs hand, no longer curled on the edges of the cot but instead with fingers flexing, grasping desperately for something.
Lee turns to Callie, cutting off whatever instructions sheβs giving him. "Iβll be right back."
Her eyes narrow at him, clearly ready to protest. But Lee is already moving, weaving through the rows of empty cots to the weapons rack near the entrance. He finds the golden bow easily, gleaming in the dim light. When he holds it, the warmth is familiarβno surprises there, really; their fatherβs blessing unmistakable.
When he returns, Callieβs eyes land on the bow, expression darkening. βLeander Wyatt Fletcher, donβt you dareββ
But itβs too late. The boyβs eyes quickly find the bow in Leeβs hand, breath hitching as he immediately leans forward in interest. Lee approaches slowly, crouching in front of the cot and laying the bow gently on the blanket.
For a moment, nothing happens.
Then, in a flash, the boyβs hand shoots forward, snatching up the bow. His fingers close tightly around the bowβs limb, holding it close, as though itβs his favorite stuffed animal. His breathing slows, though the suspicious look doesnβt quite leave his eyes as he glances between Lee and Callie.
"Better?" Lee asks softly. When the boy says nothing, he tries again. βCan you tell us your name?β
Silence settles again, and Lee suppresses a sigh as he prepares for his efforts to continue to go nowhere. Then, the boy clears his throat. βMichael," he mutters, barely audible. His gaze flicks between them, still very much guarded, though his grip does loosen around the bow.
Lee nods encouragingly at the reply, forcing himself to not appear overeager. βItβs nice to meet you, Michael. Iβm Lee, and this is Callie. Weβreβ¦β
He falters, unsure if telling him βhey, weβre your siblingsβ would be coming on a little too strong. He glances to Callie for help, but sheβs still glaring daggers at him. Looking back to the kid, he decides to table the sibling talk for another time. βWeβre here to help you.β
Michael stays quiet at Leeβs response, and before he can speak up again, Callie cuts in. βMichael, would you like some water?β
He doesnβt move, still glaring, for a moment, before nodding minutely.
βGreat, weβll get you a bottle. Sit tight for a second, please.β As she begins to turn away, she wraps a hand around his arm, pulling him away. βAnd you, step outside with me. Now."
Lee throws one last glance at Michael, still curled protectively around the bow, before following his sister. The second theyβre out of earshot, Callie rounds on him, previously warm blue eyes now the color of winter frost.
βWhat the fuck was that?β
βHe was panicked and violent,β Callie cuts him off. βAnd whatβyou give him a bow? You donβt give patients weapons. Thatβs why we have the weapons rack. Do you know how much of a hazard that is?β
βI didnβt give him arrows! Just the bow.β
"And that makes it so much safer? He couldβve easily attacked us!"
Lee opens his mouth to argue but stops himself, sighing instead. βOkay, wellββ he starts, rubbing the back of his neck. βI just wanted to make sure he felt safe, and I followed my instinct. Youβre right, thoughβit was dangerous. Iβm sorry.β
Callie glare softens slightly, though she still crosses her arms tightly over her chest. βYou ever undermine my infirmary rules again, and Iβm pulling you from the rotation for a month.β
Lee raises an eyebrow. He knows now is not the time to tease, but he canβt ignore an opportunity to wind up his sister. βI think youβre overestimating how much I like working here, Cal.β
As he expected, her scowl deepens as she reaches out a hand to lightly smack him upside the head. βGo get the water, dummy. Iβm going to talk to him.β
Lee salutes with a proud, βOkie dokie,β earning an eye roll in reply. As she turns back toward Michael, he catches the faintest twitch of a smile on her lips, though heβs sure the muttering under her breath is still unflattering.
Grinning, Lee ducks into the office, heading for the mini fridge. He grabs two water bottles and pauses before snagging a grape juice box and a pudding cup. Closing the fridge with his foot, he rummages in a drawer for a spoon, tucking it into his back pocket before hurrying back to the main room.
Nothing seems to have changedβat least, not at first glance. The bow is gone, but Lee spots a new glint of gold circling Michaelβs finger. Michaelβs arm is outstretched, his gaze flickering warily between Callieβs face and her softly glowing hand, which rests lightly against the underside of his wrist.
The moment he enters, Michaelβs head snaps up, his sharp eyes locking onto him. They flit quickly to the items Lee is holding, and his tense expression is overrun by hunger.
Lee places the bottles of water and grape juice on the counter before stepping closer. He hands over the pudding cup and pulls the spoon from his back pocket, offering it with a small smile. βIf you want another flavor, let me know.β
Almost immediately, Michael jerks his arm away from Callie, much to her clear annoyance, and snatches the pudding cup. Without a word, he tears it open and digs in, practically inhaling the food.
Callie pinches the bridge of her nose. She glances to Lee, as though to ask are you seeing this?Β Hejust shrugs, stepping back to give the boy some space.
She steps back as well, glancing toward the doorway as footsteps start approaching and Darcy appears, pantomiming something frantic. With a sigh, she pats Lee on the shoulder. βOkay, well I need to step out for a bit. Donβt let him out of your sight, okay?β
Lee nods as Callie disappears, her voice drifting faintly back to him as she joins Darcy. Left alone, Lee shifts awkwardly before sitting down again, stealing glances at Michael, who is already scraping the bottom of his pudding cup.
βSo,β Lee starts slowly, βdid Callie get to tell you much before I came back?β
Michael shakes his head, his dark eyes darting up briefly before he sticking his entire face in and licking at his near-empty pudding cup.
Looks like itβs your time to do some big brothering then. βOkay, cool. Well, um, anything you want to know?β
Michael pauses, then nods toward the other cot. βIs Drew going to be okay?β he asks, voice quiet.
Lee makes a mental note of the name for Callie later, nodding. βYeah, sheβs just exhausted herself getting you both here. She was really brave, so now she gets to rest. Do you remember what happened before this?β
Michael squints, chewing on the edge of his plastic spoon. βThe ugly cab driver and his friend were trying to kill us,β he says slowly. βI shot one, but then it grabbed me and threw me, and my head was hurting...β
Oof. Lee canβt help but wince at the events, but does his best to keep it off his face for too long. βWell, good news is your friend seems to have dealt with the other.β Nodding to the ring on his finger, he asks, βYou shot the monster with your bow?β
Michaelβs expression tightens, the finger with the ring twitching momentarily. After a moment, he nods.
βWhere did you get the bow?β
Michaelβs eyes narrow. βI didnβt steal it, jackass.β
Lee blinks, caught off guard by the cursing. The kid looks like he couldnβt be older than nine, and Leeβs pretty sure nine-year-olds arenβt supposed to talk like that. He raises his hands in mock surrender. βWasnβt accusing you, dude. Just curious. It looks neat.β
Michael hesitates, still wary, but he canβt quite hide the way he preens under the compliment. βIt is. God gave it to me.β
Leeβs brows knit together in confusion. He has a pretty good idea which βgodβ Michael might mean, but the singular term throws him. βGod?β
Michael nods firmly. βIn my dreams. Blonde, tan, big talker.β
Leeβs eyebrows shoot up. Sure, Apolloβs more sociable than most gods, but usually, heβs an absentee dad until a kid makes it to camp. βSo you met Apollo already?β
Michaelβs brow furrows. βThe fuck is that?β
Lee purses his lips, briefly glancing skyward to ensure no sudden lightning strikes him. βApollo. Heβs the god youβre talking about. Myβor ourβuh...β He falters, unsure if introducing the whole βsiblingβ concept now is a good idea.
Michael cuts him off. βSince when does God have a name?β
Realization dawns on Lee. βOh. Okay, letβs start this from the beginning. What do you know about Greek mythology?β