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pjomakesyourkidsgay · 4 days ago

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. . . leo valdez

˖°𓇼 bf!leo absolutely ends up being an accidental romantic. bf!leo who doesn't really care that it's valentines day, specifically, but he just really likes to spend time with you and make you happy. bf!leo who cracks annoying jokes and calls you weird terms of endearment like "cute little chicken mcnugget" and "adorable miniscule metal scrap with eyes" and "special sparky mcdonald's sprite". bf!leo who drags you to a burger king at a ghastly eight in the morning to grab a burger because he was working late the night before. bf!leo who makes an effort to clean out bunker nine so that you can spend the day there comfortably. bf!leo who, out of nowhere, takes you out on a ride with festus to get groceries for a spontaneous private camping night. bf!leo who prepares his famous tofu tacos just for you. bf!leo who starts the bonfire but ends up getting his hair on fire. bf!leo who plays just dance with you on a switch he made. he definitely knows all the latest dances. bf!leo who tries to cheat in uno by making a machine but he fails because you can see every little thing he's doing. bf!leo who toasts the marshmallows just perfectly. bf!leo who tells festus to ward off every other camper that tries to get near your date site. bf!leo who makes you little custom gifts made out of the extra parts and pieces of his projects. bf!leo who warms you up at night by cuddling with you. bf!leo who lets you play with his unruly, curly mess of hair. bf!leo who's a total best friend kind of boyfriend. bf!leo who reserves the most emotional part of him for your eyes only because of the immense trust he has for you. bf!leo who can't go a full day without, at some point, holding your hand in his perpetually warm, calloused ones. bf!leo who falls asleep next to you, his face buried in your stomach as he snores, really loudly...

"bro, pay attention to me."

leo's head whips away from whatever he's tinkering with between his fingers, sending you a carefully practiced look, one eyebrow raised to his hairline. "bro?"

"i'm-"

"well, okay, dude," he shoots back. "what is it you want to tell me, buddy? are you alright, mate? perhaps this chap right o'here wanted a l'il ol' chat? well, buckaroo, did you want attention from your special bruzz?"

"leo!" you shove him by the shoulder, cackling at the offended look on his face (that had melted the moment you started laughing at his antics). if you hadn't called his name he might've named every name in the book of bro code, and you really didn't need that. even festus blew a column of smoke into the latino's face.

"i know we're comfy and all but a random bro? seriously? weren't we just kissing by the fire?"

"that's enough," you interrupt him, a hue of red flushing your features, but if anyone asked you'd swear it was the flame reflecting back on your face. "i'm sorry, my hyper little elf boyfriend. is that better?"

"infinitely so, my blushing fairy maiden of a girlfriend, though we should go easy on the 'little'."

"i'm not blushing!"

"of course not, it must be my eyes playing tricks on me."

you shove him, again, with your foot this time. your socks were matching with his, cute miniscule fire-breathing dragons in yellow and red. "hey, you're gonna make me drop this!"

you halt your attack and scoot on over closer to him, peeking over his shoulder, his dark curls poking your eye. "what's that?"

"woah, there, ms. nosy!" he yelps, tucking the item back into a clasped hand and throwing an arm around your waist, bringing you down. "not yet." he mutters incoherent things, muffled because of his face practically pressing up against your stomach.

you complain immediately in his hold. "you're too hot."

"yeah, i know i'm hot."

"you suck!" you try to wriggle out of his grasp but he pulls you closer, holding onto you as if you were a giant teddy bear. "leo, i'm going to start overheating!"

he looks up at you then, grinning. "then we'll overheat together."

you give his hair a slight (and loving) yank, plastering a serious face on. "bruh."

"that's so not sigma of you," he whines, sitting back up and pulling something out of his pocket. "alright, then, i'll give it to you now."

"are you gonna fight me? get ready to catch these hands, you absolue L rizz."

"i'm supposed to be the brainrot one!"

with a joking eyeroll, he finally opens his hands in the way one would do when proposing. in his palm was a little metal box, about two inches on all sides, tightly closed.

you watch it for a couple of seconds, finally realizing that it wasn't about to do anything. you look at the latino boy questioningly.

"put the pad of your thumb here," he points at the spot, "it has a fingerprint sensor. it opens only to you."

so you do as you're told, and the tiny box opens, transformers-style. a round, rotating platform rises from the middle, showing tiny statues of what could only be you and him mid-wrestle, faces contorted with mirth. your favorite song plays as mini-you-and-leo spin around to the music, a scene of pure love between the two of you captured with the perfect backtrack.

"oh my gods," you gasp out, lips parted. you reach out to push his hands safely out of the way before kissing him. lips on lips, full of passion and obvious gratitude.

you pull away, he's still wonderstruck, you're peppering kisses all over his cute face with a 'thank you' between each one.

"ladies, ladies!" he laughs, closing the music box and placing it gently into your hand. "calm down! take a few deep breaths."

you open the box again immediately after you receive it, singing the lyrics to the song softly until leo kisses your cheek and sings them louder, word for word.

eventually the night dissolves into song, into you and leo's song, and screw it if all the other campers can't sleep.

dividers by: @strangergraphics and @ianrkives

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mathitas · 4 months ago

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Watching Httyd with Leo (there’s some Httyd1 spoilers)

Let me know if you’re interested in a part 2!

Leo Valdez x Gn!Reader

It was obvious to anyone who met Leo that he had a thing for dragons. I mean, he literally made one.

His room was full of dragon figures, truly everywhere. Hiccup and the light fury were there as well. Most of them were handmade and he was currently working on his collection, since he was looking forward to making all of the dragon from the movies.

Of course you noticed it almost immediately, and you could only listen to how your boyfriend yapped about anything involving those creatures. He went on for hours, really.

If you already knew a lot of things about dragons, he taught you something new, and it made him really happy to talk about it with you

If you don’t really know a lot about them, he explained everything to you so carefully, trying to make you understand how amazing they really are.

If you like Httyd, you told him when you saw his little figures, and he was so excited and insisted you watched it together just to spend the entire night commenting every single detail.

If you’ve never watched the movies and he found out, Holy Hera, prepare. He’s so gonna force you to watch them with him, and he’s gonna give you a preparing speech before and after each movie. He’s holding himself from commenting every scene, and checking your reaction at his favorite parts. He cares about you, so he really wants you to enjoy this piece of media he’s so fond of.

When you do like it, he’s so happy.

He would make you try to recreate the scene from the first movie on Festus, not that he would ever admit it. He tries to get you to fly with him many times.

And let’s be honest, it would feel just as cool as the movies.

He probably feels so giddy and happy flying on his dragon, I just can imagine him trying to recreate the movies or feeling like Hiccup.

He definitely tells you you’re his Astrid, no matter your gender. You could disagree, but he wouldn’t care. He’s Hiccup and Astrid’s his love interest, of course you’re Astrid.

After watching the first movie, he’s gonna try and make you watch everything else in chronological order. If you decide to, he’ll be the happiest man alive. He’s already got the popcorn ready.

He’d so make you dragon keychains and everything to match his.

He’s such a dragon kind of guy.

He just thinks they’re so cute, cool and scary at the same time.

They turn him into an expert yapper, and you couldn’t be happier any other way.

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poppitron360 · 9 months ago

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I’m trying to branch out from my usual angst by writing a happy(ish) fic.

Summary: Jason goes back to Camp Jupiter after the war and reveals that he and Leo are dating. He struggles so deal with the backlash from that while simultaneously having to cope with being long-distance.

CW: Swearing, Octavian

Word Count: 2,423

VALGRACE FANFICTION- “Fuck ‘em”

When Jason had announced to Camp Jupiter that he was seeing someone, he wasn’t sure what had been more appalling. That the someone in question was a boy, or that he was Greek.

Octavian had, of course, been outraged on both accounts: “We let a man like this become Praetor! He is fraternising with the enemy in a very un-Roman-like fashion!”

That’s what he called it. “Un-Roman”- like for some reason Jason was any less Roman because he was bisexual.

But it wasn’t just Octavian spouting bullshit. There was a shift in the way people acted under his command- they seemed less trusting, like Jason had become some foreign invader. Even though he had stepped down as Praetor and given his powers to Frank, he still held the newly-created title of “honorary Praetor”, alongside Percy, to commemorate all the work he had done defeating Gaia. People should still listen to him, respect him. But it was different now. His boyfriend was a Greek.

He didn’t dare tell them it was the same Greek that had fired on New Rome, albeit under the influence of evil spirits.

Some of them had been supportive, especially those in the fifth cohort. They were used to being outcasts.

“Children of Vul- I mean, Hephaestus, though?” His friend, Dakota, had said, “They’re good to have around. Large, beefy, big muscles. Good fit for a son of Jupiter like you.”

Jason laughed nervously, “Uh-huh. Yeah… large… muscles… right.”

Oh my gods, Praetor Grace had a twink. That was another thing he didn’t dare tell them. He let them imagine their leader with a powerful hunk for a boyfriend- at least that way he could keep some dignity.

He felt bad being embarrassed by Leo. He was awesome. He had a badass flying dragon. He told cool jokes and made Jason laugh. Jason was proud to call him his boyfriend. Or, at least, that’s what he told himself every morning. Then he’d step outside, and be faced with the weird looks and behind-the-hand whispers, and suddenly he didn’t feel so proud. He didn’t hold it against Leo, though. He loved how the kid acted so unapologetically himself- unlike Jason, who needed everyone to like him so much.

Jason didn’t care about the stares when he was with him. The asshole comments from Octavian seemed like distant memories when he looked into those big, dark eyes, complete with the playful little twinkle and mischievous smile. But when he was without Leo, he was a nervous wreck. The only thing that kept him going were Leo’s monthly visits. That was the one thing they couldn’t take away from him. He counted the days in his head to when he was gonna see him again. When Octavian was being shitty, he’d just think “twenty more days”, “ten more days”, “five more days”, “one more day”.

He met Leo and Festus outside the New Rome border. He picked the tiny guy up in his arms and twirled him around, and then kissed him. Leo’s skin was warm to the touch, like it always was when he was nervous.

“I missed you so much,” Jason whispered, although there was no-one around to overhear.

“I missed you too, Sparky. Camp isn’t the same without you.”

“Are they treating you well there? Anyone still giving you shit for your powers?”

“I’m fine Jason, everyone’s super nice,” Leo replied, although Jason could tell it was probably exaggerated. Not a lie- just a projection. What Jason wanted to hear. He decided not to call him out on it- Leo just didn’t want Jason to worry, that’s all.

“You’ve not been spending too much time in the workshop, I hope? Actually go outside once in a while.”

“I’m outside now.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“You worry too much,” Leo said, standing on his tiptoes to kiss him.

But Leo had worries of his own. They talked causally for a while, before Leo interrupted him with a question that Jason had been dreading.

“Why do you always ask me to meet you outside the border?” Leo asked.

Jason had a pre-planned response for this, “I just wanna keep you separate from my work. At Camp, I’m a leader. A soldier. Praetor Grace. With you, I can be myself. I can be Jason. I want it to stay that way.”

Leo’s eyes held so many different emotions, it was hard for Jason to tell what one was most prominent- sadness, resolution, hope- Jason had spent many hours searching those eyes for the secrets that they contained, and he still had not found them all. Leo sighed.

“They… they don’t know about me, do they?”

Jason hesitated- but he couldn’t lie to Leo.

“They know I’m dating a son of Hephaestus… they don’t know it was the same son of Hephaestus that fired on New Rome,” he admitted.

“You’re embarrassed.”

“No, I’m not!” Jason said, which wasn’t entirely true.

“You are! You’re worried about being seen with me! That’s why you meet me out here- you don’t want people to know you have a dangerous freak for a boyfriend. Praetor Grace and the scrappy little street rat he took pity on,” Leo looked down and kicked the dirt.

“I think you’re a pretty cute street rat,” Jason said, ruffling Leo’s messy, greasy hair. Then his smile turned serious, “Leo, I don’t want you to think that I think of you that way. I’m not embarrassed by you, it’s just…” he looked at the sky and sighed, “There’s a lot of expectations that I have to live up to. And when I’m with you I get to say “fuck ‘em”, but when I’m there…”

“Yeah, I get it,” Leo said. He looked up at Jason with those big, busy eyes- drawing ordinance survey maps of Jason’s face in his mind, “I really do, Jason. I understand feeling like you need to be someone else to get people to like you. I get it.”

Jason smiled and hugged him.

“We can stay like this. You don’t have to let me inside the border. We can just say “fuck ‘em” out here,” Leo mumbled, his voice muffled in the fabric of Jason’s hoodie.

“One day,” Jason assured him, “One day I wanna say “fuck ‘em” to their faces. There’s a really nice café in New Rome I wanna take you to.“

“But we don’t have to say “fuck ‘em” today.”

“No.”

His time with Leo came and went. Jason went back to his duties, to the stares and the whispers.

He sat on the lunch table with the rest of the fifth cohort, chatting idly about the local gossip.

“Heard we got some exchange students from Camp Half-Blood,” one of them remarked, “Because we’re doing that now, apparently.”

“They have all these freaky little behaviours- it’s not sitting right with the other cohorts.”

“Yeah, Greeks are weird,” Jason remarked, leaning back in his chair, “And I should know- I’m in love with one.”

The whole table went quiet. Jason seemed to realise what he’d just said.

“Oh,” was all he could manage in response.

Dakota broke the silence, “Man, I thought you were just his sugar daddy, I didn’t know you guys were actually in love!”

“I-I didn’t know either, ‘til I just said it,” Jason stuttered, still in shock, “But… yeah. Yeah, I love him.”

“So when do we get to meet him?” One of the other members of the fifth asked.

“Well,” Jason leaned forward, contemplating, “He comes to visit me every month. He’s coming again in thirteen days. I could…”

He looked around the dining hall. He took in the sneers as people caught his eye. The whispers and snickers and pointing. He realised that that would never change. As long as he was open about who he was, there would always be backlash. The only thing he could do was to not let it get to him. To say “fuck ‘em”. And as terrifying a prospect as that was, Jason was ready. He was ready to rise above the snide remarks and disrespect and yell “I’m in love with Leo Valdez!”

Because he was. He loved that tiny imp of a kid. He loved his loud mouth and weird quirks. He loved how Leo would hold his hand and tap out little morse code messages that Jason didn’t understand, but would speculate for days what they meant. He could look it up, or ask Annabeth, but he loved to fantasise.

Leo was leaning against Festus in their usual spot outside the border. When Jason saw him, he tackled him with such force that Leo’s hair caught fire in surprise. Luckily, Jason pulled away before it could burn him.

“You’re in a good mood,” Leo observed, patting out the flames on his head.

“Yeah, well… I’ve decided,” Jason told him, “I’m ready. I wanna take you inside the border.”

Leo stopped fussing with his hair and looked up at Jason, “Are you sure?”

“Positive,” Jason assured him, holding out his hand, “Come on!”

Leo grinned and took Jason’s hand. A little spark of electricity ran along Jason’s spine. He took off for the city, pulling Leo behind him. Leo was giggling in that cute way he did when he got exited and thought no-one could hear him. They ran like the wind- literally. As Jason yanked him along, he summoned the winds to push them faster, lifting them up into the air slightly. They were inside New Rome now, Jason dragging him through winding streets and bustling crowds. Jason felt truly free, running along with Leo. He was overjoyed. For once, he didn’t care about expectations or who he should be. They were just two kids having fun.

They stopped outside a sidewalk café with Romanesque architecture, like the rest of the city. There was one of those classic red-and-white-striped awnings over the front, and clusters of tables and chairs littered the pavement outside.

“Lunch?” Jason asked, turning to Leo, “They do paninis and toasted sandwiches.”

“I would kill for a panini right now.”

“What about drinks?”

“Diet coke?”

“Gods, no. You’re not having any more caffeine, Mr Hyper. I’ll get you a lime soda,” the conversation was dull and mundane, but Jason found it comforting. They had spent so much of their time together with the weight of the world resting on their shoulders. Now that that was finally over (and Jason rapped on the wooden café table at the thought, praying he wouldn’t jinx it), they could finally settle into a monotonous rhythm, like and old married couple.

Wow. That image took him by surprise- him and Leo growing old together- but it was a good sort of surprise. Jason didn’t push the thought away, instead, he let it wash over him, clinging to the notion that they had hope. A future in the making.

Lunch was going awesome- until Octavian showed up.

“Well, well, well, if it isn’t Praetor Grace- sorry, former Praetor Grace.”

“Honorary Praetor,” Jason corrected, not looking up from the menu he was reading, “Still ranked above you, Octavian, so a position you should treat with respect.”

Jason didn’t bother looking up to see Octavian’s reaction. He continued to ignore the kid, until he saw him turn to face Leo.

“Hey! Isn’t that the Greek Scum who destroyed half the city?!” He yelled, “Guards! Guards!”

“Octavian, no,” Jason commanded, looking him directly in the eyes, “I saw to it that Leo was pardoned. That incident was not through his actions.”

“It very much looked like it was through his actions, from where I was standing!” Octavian replied, angrily.

Jason stood up. He grabbed Leo’s hand, partially for reassurance, partially as a way of telling Octavian to suck on a cavalry sword- a way of saying “Fuck ‘em”.

“Oh… oh my gods! That is your little pet?!” He pointed at Leo like he was a disgusting patch of mould.

“Uh-huh. And what’re you gonna do about it, Octavian? Run and tell? I am fucking fine with everyone knowing. In fact-“ Jason leapt up onto the café table, still holding onto Leo’s hand, “Listen up, motherfuckers!”

“Jason, what’re you-“

Jason squeezed Leo’s hand to reassure him and Leo stopped protesting, but he still looked worried.

“I’m in love with Leo Valdez!” Jason yelled, “He’s tiny and Greek and he’s awesome. You motherfuckers might look down on him. You might think he’s dangerous, or that he’s a freak. But I see how awesome he is. And sweet. And badass. And cute. And funny. And none of you-“ he pointed a finger at the crowd of passers-by, who were giving him annoyed and disgruntled looks, “Get to say a fucking WORD against him!” He turned towards Octavian, looking down at him and jabbing a finger in his face, “Especially a slimy little piece of shit like you, Octavian.” Jason jumped down from the table, reclined in his seat, picked up the menu, and studied it with his glasses at the end of his nose much like how an old man would study a newspaper.

“Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m gonna enjoy lunch with my boyfriend.”

Octavian scoffed, and left.

“Jason…” Leo was staring at him with those eyes of many feelings. Jason counted wonder, shock, horror, pride, lust, reverence and a seventh emotion he couldn’t quite describe.

“I’m sorry if that was too… loud, Leo. I don’t wanna make you feel-“

“Y-You’re in love with me?”

“…Yeah. Yes. I am,” Jason searched for what emotion was the brightest in those eyes, but there were too many and it was too confusing. He could never pick just one, “Is it too soon? Should I have waited? Should I have asked you first before yelling it in the street-“

“No! No, it’s fine. It’s… amazing, actually. And I love you too, Jason, I really do.”

Jason squeezed Leo’s hand again. Now that Leo had said it, Jason saw the love surface above the mess of other feelings in those eyes. He saw it bud and bloom like blossoms in springtime across Leo’s fiery irises. He wanted to get lost in those meadows of brown and gold, and when Leo closed those eyes to lean in to kiss him, Jason was slightly crestfallen at the fact that he couldn’t keep staring at them. Soon, though, Leo’s lips were against his, and his disappointment melted away. He had plenty of time to stare into those eyes later. They had their whole future ahead of them, and nobody was gonna stand in their way.

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ryuusei-niu · 11 months ago

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BoO spoilers ‼️

Excuse me, ladies, gentlemen and monarchs, I'm going to ramble (angst) about Leo

I can't stop thinking about the days before Leo did you know what in BoO. I JUST CAN'T STOP THINKING ABOUT HOW HE COULD FEEL

Like, dude, he was about to go and maybe DIE. TO SAVE THE WHOLE FRICKIN WORLD.

Until then everything is fine (no, it is not). Because "between fire and storm, the world must fall." He was the fire. It was him or Jason and he didn't plan to die, he had a plan. Of course.

Only maybe that plan wouldn't work.

And I can't stop thinking about it. Like, c'mon! We all know Leo, we know that he is not a coward but he is not very attracted to the idea of putting himself in danger. He is a person, he can't help but not want to die. On few occasions he wanted or avoided putting himself in danger, knowing that someone else was going to be in danger.

So why did he sacrifice himself for everyone? Why did he do it when there was a strong possibility of not coming back from the explosion?

I can't help but think that there was a part of him that didn't really care about not coming back.

Did he have future plans? Yes. Did he have people he cared about and wanted to be with? Double yes. He could have avoided the drama, fixed Festus correctly and with the help of the others, go and save Calypso and end of the history, everyone happy.

Then, why?

It's simple math. Cruel and horrible simple math.

He would always be the seventh wheel.

'But Ryuu, he had friends and his friends cared about him and-'

I don't care, Martha, just hear me out and shut up (with love).

He had no place as such among the seven. It was him. And the metallic dragon, let's not forget Festus. But it was him at the end of the day.

They needed someone who would sacrifice themselves for the group, with the risk of not returning.

I feel like Leo didn't even need to think about it.

Because the loneliness he felt in those few days was enough to make him realize it. The loneliness of his entire life was enough to realize it.

Although he was an important member, he ended up being left over. He was a piece that others could do without, find a replacement. Move on.

(And it makes me angry to know that it was part of Hera's plan, because if he hadn't been rejected his whole life he wouldn't have sacrificed himself.)

I feel that in part, it was easier for Leo to sacrifice himself, maybe come back, and be a hero, or maybe not come back, than stay there. Just like the clown he was. The seventh wheel.

Because maybe, if he didn't come back, they were finally going to miss him a little.

Maybe, if he didn't come back, they were going to feel more than just pity, or anger at him.

Maybe, if he died, he would have a little more presence than if he stayed.

He already saw it once. Two, to be specific. In both of them he came back and in both of them his friends forgot about him not long after.

That also helped him decide that he should be the one to sacrifice himself.

He couldn't leave Piper without Jason.

I feel like Leo thought maybe he was easier to forget. And at the same time he hated that.

At the same time he didn't want to die. But he didn't mind.

And I can't help but imagine what the last days, the last hours, must have been like for him, knowing that maybe he was going to die and none of his friends knew. He wasn't going to get to say goodbye properly. And he felt bad for wanting, deep down, to see them cry over the idea of him not coming back. Because he wanted to feel important and worthy of being missed at least once.

#leo valdez #riordanverse #heroes of olympus #pjo hoo toa #jason grace #piper mclean #percy jackon and the olympians #angst

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queenpiranhadon · 8 months ago

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do whichever you want, I dont care lol

zenitsu agatsuma

Leo valdez

tanjirou kamado

grover underwood

they are put in order of how much I simp for them

A/N: I'm going to assume you want x reader because yeah lmaooo but since his birthday is today, I figured I'd do our favorite Uncle Leo hahahah Here's the masterlist!!

Warning(s): Cursing, mentions of being burned, blood, crying, you are Leo are best friends, angst with a happy ending, Leo is in love and doesn't realize it bahaha, reader is unclaimed, people be shit talking, there's no timeline for this, just insert it where you want lmao, reader is gn but is written with f!reader in mind, usage of Y/N, Leo refers to you as an angel

Pairing(s): Leo Valdez x Reader

•────•°•❀•°•───── ʙʀᴏᴋᴇɴ ─────•°•☁︎•°•────•

Aw fuck.

Leo may or may not have royally messed up. Like a ton.

He didn't even know how it happened, because one moment he's walking through Camp Halfblood with you, his best friend in the entire world, and the next, he overhears some bastards talking shit about you and he just...snaps.

"Ugh who'd you get on your team for capture? Can't believe Mr. D thought it would be a good idea to split up the cabins and 'mix and match'"

"Yeah it's honestly super dumb- I'm not complaining though, I've got Annabeth."

"You're just lucky- I got Y/N of all people- literally the most annoying person on camp- and honestly the most useless too."

At at the sound of that, Leo whipped his head to you, just in time to see your eyes wide, on the brink of brimming with tears before looking forwards, attempting to pretend you didn't hear anything.

But you had.

And Leo knew.

You were unclaimed, and you mostly kept to yourself until Leo found you tending to Festus while he was away one day- and surprisingly the metal dragon seemed completely at ease around you.

Leo was awestruck, and ever since then, you two had gotten extremely close, the son of Hephaestus even found himself longing to be in your presence whenever he was on quests.

You were quiet, but around him, you opened up more, you were funny, and kind, and you have a quick tongue too, always engaging in light banter with him that never ceased to be entertaining to either of you.

To him, you were perfect- because you were there. His first best friend technically wasn't his in the first place, given that Jason, Piper and Leo himself were all under Hera's unnerving control. Needless to say, the three of them were still close, but Leo couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't genuine.

Along with the rest of the Argo II members, he felt more like a seventh wheel more than anything (if that was even possible) and deep down, the nagging thought that he was nothing but a burden always lingered.

Around you though, he felt like someone, like he was special - around you, he felt like Leo Valdez.

Maybe that's why he got so mad, he didn't even know he could get so mad- and the next thing he knows, a murderous scowl is painted on his face and he's lunging for the two other campers, fists ablaze.

But you were faster.

You, sweet angel you, saw what was coming the moment his palms tightened into fists, lunging forward to stop him, using your hands to stop him own.

In hindsight, you probably should've remembered his hands were on fire.

But even as pain seared your palms to the point tears where subconsciously running down your face, you swallowed, and stood firm.

"Leo, please." you beg weakly, and in an instant, his flames distinguish, and your blood now paints his first- horror overtaking his face as you stare into his eyes pleadingly. "They're not worth it."

Leo, in his guilt ridden frozen state, can only bring himself to look at you, and yet, he doesn't deserve it, your eyes wide and cheeks stained with tears- he can't believe he had done this to you.

He, of all people, had hurt his angel, his haven, his best friend.

But you didn't waver, when he buried his hands in his eyes, sobbing uncontrollably, you said nothing, engulfing him in your arms and pressing his face into the crook of your neck and he heaved, tears soaking into your shirt.

He was broken, but he knew, even if he didn't deserve it, you would be there to pick up his fragments, piece by piece, with your damaged hands, just so you two could be together again.

#leo valdez #leo valdez x you #leo valdez x y/n #leo valdez x reader #leo valdez x f!reader #pjo x reader #pjo x you #pjo x y/n #percy jackson and the olympians #percy jackson and the heroes of olympus #hoo x reader #hoo x you #hoo x y/n #―✧˖° 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖖𝖚𝖊𝖊𝖓 𝖍𝖆𝖘 𝖗𝖊𝖘𝖕𝖔𝖓𝖉𝖊𝖉 ♛ °˖✧―#⋆｡‧˚ʚ 𝖙𝖍𝖊 𝖈𝖑𝖔𝖚𝖉 𝖆𝖗𝖈𝖍𝖎𝖛𝖊𝖘 ��˚‧｡⋆

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dontspillthefrijoles43 · 8 months ago

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Leo’s birthday 🥳🥳🥳

(A/N: I know it’s a Fanon birthday, probably, but I could not do a post about our favorite Hammer brain without my oc— cause they’re my sillies, and I’ve been dead for awhile. So here’s my head canons for Leo’s birthday. Btw I hc him as 18 cause that’s the same age I am (🥳) and experiences I have had so far from turning 18)

Warning: Drinking mention, weed mentioned, teenagers being teenagers, etc

Leo has never had a real birthday party since he was 7, and when Breisa hears this she throws him the most nostalgia fueling Mexican/latino birthday party

She buys those ugly ass piñtas with balloons in one and candy in the other. Also party favors and hats (which he wears two of—like cat ears)

It’s either SpongeBob or TMNT theme, she even goes to the local pañería to buy him a cake

She will wake his ass up with the Vicente Fernández song, las mañanitas with his had made speaker that he made her and it sounds loud and booming

She also finds Texas barbeque recipes mixed with Mexican Texan authentic food. Has Will and Annabeth help her cook it.

While the seven distract him for his surprise party by buying new clothes. They also buy him a cowboy hat with flames on it.

When the party finally comes down too, Leo is surprise by party with homemade food, decorations,and jumper + a mechanical bull

You bet ur ass he rides the bull at full speed

He is having the time of his life and he even isn’t drinking— not that he’s much of a drinker anyway. He had his first shot and it tasted like battery acid and orange juice

He dances with everyone to all his favorite songs. He might’ve dance to old school Spanish/tejano songs with Breisa— maybe sharing a kiss under his cowboy hat😉😉

When it finally comes down to the birthday cake, he lights his own candles, everyone sings happy birthday. And he bows out his candles, only to get his face smashed into it by Breisa

Which scares the shit out of her because she thinks she goes too far, but then he pops up laughing hard, frosting all over his face. (Thank god she bought two cakes)

Gifts for the seven include: chuck of Ruby rock from Hazel, weed (trust me I had a vision) and cassettes + Polaroids of the trio from Piper, Lions Paw seashell necklace from Percy, a festus Chinese dragon style bracelet from Frank , power tools + car stickers from Annabeth, and Game disk of all the Mario party games + new controller from Jason

Now you may be wondering if Breisa threw him this big ass party and brought all his friends together, it would be it for birthday gifts. But nah, she loves him too much to leave something out— a hand-made love letter with purple lipstick stains cheesy asf, a restored painting of him + Esperanza, and matching necklace with the sun on it (hers has the moon).

You best believe she covers his face with lipstick stains until he is dizzy and lovestick

Leo: Best birthday ever 🥰

Breisa: Best birthday so far, Amorcito

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a-french-coconut · 9 months ago

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Drew Tanaka (Part 5)

Her afternoon is rudely interrupted by a fire breathing mechanical dragon landing right in the middle of the cabins.

While Clarisse orders her siblings in a battle formation, Drew makes sure Lacy and Mitchell are nowhere near the beast.

"DON'T SHOOT, WE COME IN PEACE." Someone yells from the dragon.

"LEO VALDEZ," Nyssa screams furiously, lowering her hammer, " What were you thinking bringing him here, on Camp's grounds ?!"

"I fixed him ! He's not a threat anymore," Leo proudly proclaims, "and I find our way of transportation !"

Hesitantly, all campers lower their weapons, still eyeing warily the dragon.

"What's his name ?" Jason asks.

"Festus ! His name is Festus."

"Sooo, we are going on quest on Happy the dragon ?" He arches an eyebrow, amused.

Leo nods and gestures him and Piper to climb.

"Come on guys, we need to go. We have a deadline to respect."

Jason's demeanour grows serious and Piper and he rush to get their bags before joining Leo on top of Festus.

"Good luck heroes, may you come back to us in one piece and with your quest accomplished !" Chiron wishes to them.

"Woah, that's not creepy at all. " Leo grumbles, " Come on Festus, vamonos !"

Under the campers's applauses and cheers, they soar in the sky.

Good luck McLean

"If they don't die, it's a miracle." Connor says next to her, "they have no training and no critical thinking it would seem. Who the fuck brings the dragon that almost paralysed your brother in the middle of Camp, where it could had kill us all ?"

""Don't jinx them Stoll, they don't need your bad luck."

"Eeeh, you're right. Got a cabin to save from burning down, see you later."

Drew goes back to her daily activities, Piper's absence not really noticeable.

Well, mostly.

It would seem her dear sister managed to convince Mitchell and Lacy not to listen to her anymore, something Drew would be quite proud of if her authority wasn't being contested.

"Why do you mean you want to stop archery ? You can't do that Lacy."

"But I suck at it ! My arrows don't even touch the target !" her sister whines, "Nyssa lets Harley skip archery, why can't I do it ?"

"Because Nyssa has a curse to deal with, I do not. So as long as I'm counsellor, you're not stopping archery."

"But-"

"No, no point in discussing this." She firmly says, daring Lacy to contradict once again.

Instead, her little sister's eyes shine.

"I hate you ! You're the meanest sister ever ! Silena was always kind with me."

"Silena tried to kill you," Drew says with a strained voice, restraining herself from screaming at a twelve years old girl, "That's not what I would call kind."

"Silena wouldn't ever hurt me ! But you did ! Making me wear the shoes of shame and always forcing me to do things I don't want to do."

"I'm protecting you-"

"You're hurting me !"

The pain in Lacy's voice makes her falter and she truly sees her little sister for the first time in long while.

The way her eyes are wet with tears, when was the last time she saw them sparkling ?

Or smiling, showing those horrid braces of hers ?

Who braided her hair ? It's bad work, strands of hair falling out from everywhere. Drew could make a better one with her eyes closed.

So why didn't she ?

"Lacy, I-"

what ?

I'm sorry ?

"I'm going back to Hermes Cabin and you can't stop me."

Without letting her answer, Lacy runs out of the cabin, probably to beg Connor and Travis to let her sleep in theirs.

You're hurting me !

No, no, no, she doesn't understand.

She's shielding her from the future pain.

Right ?

You're hurting me !

Stop, make it stop.

"I'm helping you !" she screams to no one, in the empty cabin.

"I'm..."

protecting

"myself."

The realisation, the truth she had buried deep down, comes out, ugly and sharp.

Pushing Mitchell and Lacy away, Heloise and Thomas too, all of that to prevent another Silena.

She wanted everyone to not like her so that when they leave her, she would not feel the pain.

She knows she's been mean but-

Had she been cruel ?

To her siblings ? The ones she loves deeply ?

Surely not

Making Lacy wear the shoes of shame.

Throwing out Mitchell's clothes.

Even Piper, who didn't really did anything to deserve that greeting.

Had she become what she hears ?

A cruel and heartless bitch ?

"Hum, Drew ?"

Connor is standing awkwardly at the door, looking very nervous.

"Lacy just asked me to, hum, sleep in my cabin tonight ? So, I wanted to ask, is everything okay ?"

"No, I've just come to the realisation that I'm a poison, rotting everything I touch." She says drily.

Immediately Connor rushes to her side, gently seating her on her bed before seating next to her.

"That's not true, look at me, Malcolm and Will ! No poison for us !"

That makes her laugh a little but the weight of Lacy's words did not lift that easily.

"I've been a true nightmare to my siblings, Connor. I treated them badly because I'm selfish, maybe I should give up my position as counsellor." She says bitterly, "Clearly I'm not up to the task."

"Drew," Connor's voice is serious, a rare occasion, "you are allowed to make mistakes and you are allowed to be selfish. We went through a war and we all have a way of coping. And the others, they don't understand our pain. It's not their older brother or sister that stabbed them in the back after promises of never hurting us."

"But Lacy and Mitchell don't hate Silena the way I do." she says miserably, hugging her knees closer," I think there's something wrong with me."

"Nothing is wrong with you, Drew. You haven't been allowed to grief like you should have, that's all. Nobody allowed you to hate Silena when you have the right to. It's not the same for me. Even though Luke is seen as a hero, he is still despised for his acts whereas your sister isn't."

Slowly, the burden on her shoulders becomes lighter.

"You're good at this, Stoll."

"I had time to practice," he gives her a lopsided smile, laughing when she nudges him.

"Come on, I'll lead you to Lacy, you two need to talk."

"She hates me."

"No, she just doesn't understand why you treated her like this. And she's right, you made a complete 360° after the war. And while it's clear for me why, Lacy is young and had arrived just one year before the battle of Manhattan. She doesn't have the full picture."

Drew sighs but allows Connor to bring her to Lacy.

Her little sister is at the beach, half heartedly drawing in the sand.

"Go on, apologise."

"Okay, Isabella, I'm going."

Connor rolls his eyes but dutifully leaves her alone with Lacy who only registers her presence when she seats next to her.

"Go away."

Drew flinches at her sister's firm voice but doesn't let it deter her.

"I want to tell you a story."

She smiles softly when she sees her sister perks up.

"Remember when I told you bedtimes stories ?"

"Yeah, those were nice."

"Do you want to hear another one ?"

"Does it end happily ?" Lacy asks, still hesitating.

"I hope so."

When her sister turns to face her, Drew takes it as a cue to begin.

"It's a story about two sisters named Celine and Maria. Maria was the youngest and she loved with all her heart Celine. But see, she discovered that Celine was working with the enemy-"

"Who is the enemy ?"

"-Lucas, and was feeding him informations about Maria's friends that lead to their death."

"Drew", Lacy frowns, "that story looks a lot like-"

"Let me finish, please. It's important you hear it entirely."

"Okay, I'm listening."

"When Celine died and the truth was exposed, no one put the blame on her except for Maria, who felt betrayed and deeply hurt. And so, she made a promise. To never let anyone get as close as Celine was to her, so that she would never feel that kind of pain again."

"Oh, Drew..." Lacy whispers shakily, "does Maria have other siblings ?"

"Yes, she does and-", her own voice breaks, "she loves them so much. But she was too selfish and in order to keep them away, she hurt them. It's something she regrets and will never forgive herself."

"Is that the end ?"

"Yes, but who knows ? It can change."

"Can I change it ?"

"Go ahead."

"Maria doesn't forgive herself but her sibling does, at least her little sister." Lacy tells her firmly, looking at her in the eyes. "Because she loves Maria a lot and despite the hurt she caused, she just wants her big sister back."

As soon as Lacy finishes, Drew hugs her tightly, allowing for the first time in long period to cry in front of someone else.

"I'm sorry Lacy, I'm so sorry sweetheart," she sobs, cradling Lacy in her arms.

"I forgive you, Drew but please, don't ever be mean like this again." her sister quietly asks.

"I won't, honey. I won't." She says, softly kissing her sister's hair.

"Now, let's go back to the cabin. Mitchell must be searching us and I won't tolerate sand much longer."

On the way back, she sees Connor from afar who raises an eyebrow questioningly.

His beaming smile when she picks up Lacy to give her a piggy ride, her little sister laughing loudly, settles a sense of calm in her heart.

Maybe she isn't a so bad big sister after all.

DREW ARC REDEMPTION >>>>>

I'm still going to make her fight Piper over the counsellor position but don't you worry, it's going to make sense when it happens.

Their relationship is far from friendly and Drew is still sour about Silena despite talking with Lacy.

#percy jackon and the olympians #pjo #percy jackson #heroes of olympus #connor stoll #drew tanaka #silena beauregard #lacy pjo #aphrodite cabin #piper mclean #leo valdez #Jason Grace #the lost hero

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twoidiotwriters1 · 3 months ago

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Almighty (Leo Valdez xFem!Oc)

A/N: Just found out the Waystation's building is real and omg I wish I lived there too it's gorgeous?? -Danny Words: 3,125 Series' Masterlist Previous Chapter // Next Chapter

XXIV: I Have No Idea What I'm Doing, and None of You Can Stop Me

"So Mom could've been a sorceress?" I ask Percy after he tells me about Hecate's house. "That's crazy! It's like she was always meant to be part of our world, huh? Bet it makes you feel less guilty."

Percy raises a brow. "What do you mean?"

"You told me you felt guilty because if it weren't for you, our mother would've had an easier life and everything—but in another life where you don't exist, she's still involved in our world. So no matter what she was fated to this."

My brother leans back on the booth and swirls his Himbo smoothie. "Maybe. Yeah. Well, in any case, she said she's happier in this life, so now I'm not guilty about existing."

I cheer playfully, patting him on the back. "Let's drink to that!"

He laughs, our tall glasses clinking as we make the rims touch. I take a sip of mine, still pondering. Percy didn't ask me for help this time, but honestly? Kinda glad he didn't. He told me Hecate's dog gave him a vision of what Troy looked like during the war, and that he almost couldn't believe I had gone through it.

I had to remind him that, in fact, I had not. I don't have any bits of Helen in me, that's all in the past. I'm 100% Arae Jackson. He was pretty happy to hear that, and I supposed I should be happy too, I don't need to feel guilty about something someone else did a bunch of centuries ago.

"Have you ever asked her how she sees the world?"

"Whatcha mean?" Percy asks while slurping loudly.

"I've always wondered if it's even scarier for them, but I've never asked Rachel or Mom because I'm not even sure they'd know what to say. Like describing colors to a blind person."

"Hm," he nods. "Don't know if I'd like to know. I already feel pretty paranoid whenever I'm outside and spot something strange."

"Yeah," I chuckle. That's one power I'm glad no god ever gave me.

Ara has been stressed for so long that she's forgotten how it feels not to endure pain in her jaw. First, Festus decides to blowtorch a statue, then Calypso and Lester start fighting, and now she feels like a thousand eyes are staring at them.

She's so stiff on her seat that Leo immediately zeroes in her. "What's wrong, doll?"

"There's something going on but I don't know what it is," she looks around with suspicion.

"Well, Festus is clearly not having fun here," Lester huffs. "So maybe let's try a few miles ahead—"

"No, we're in the right spot," Ara interrupts him, scowling at him over her shoulder. "I don't need your visions to know it. Something is hiding here. Something big."

"What? How can you—"

"Morning," waves a guy at them.

"'Sup, dude," Leo waves back.

Ara's rosy cold cheeks lose their color. "Oh."

"Why was he so friendly? Does he not see that we're sitting atop a fifty-ton metal dragon?" Calypso asks, also sensing something's wrong.

"Guys, maybe we should park outside of town..." Ara says, following the stranger with her eyes.

"It's the Mist, girls, don't worry—Makes monsters look like stray dogs. Makes swords look like umbrellas. Makes me look even more handsome than usual—Ow!"

"I know what the Mist is, Leonidas—"

Ara's attention gets swooped out of the current when she hears her boyfriend's full—and secret—name. She looks at Leo pointedly and he winces, knowing what's to come.

"She knows your name?"

"Yeah, I told her."

"Oh, really?" Ara raises a brow. "Interesting."

"It's actually a funny story..."

"I actually don't care."

"You don't look very convincing."

"Much like that guy's body," Ara goes back to the main subject. "Lester, did you see that?"

The boy blinks. "The mortal?"

"That thing was not mortal!"

Festus quivers and creaks. Leo and Ara look at it with the same expression. "Aw, not again," Leo grumbles. "Everybody off!"

Ara jumps unwillingly, reaching under her cloak and holding Almighty in her fist. She turns her back to Festus to keep an eye on their surroundings, only hearing the automaton spit fire and give Leo a hellish shower for the second time in the month. "Dang it! Festus, it's cold out here!"

"There's clothes for you in my bag," she glances back without reacting to his asbestos boxer shorts. It isn't fun to think all the times she's seen her boyfriend in underwear have been purely accidental.

"You're an angel and I love you," Leo crouches and flips a switch behind Festus's front paw, turning him into extremely heavy luggage. "Man... I thought we'd fixed his gyro-capacitor. Guess we're stuck here until we find a machine shop."

"And if we find such a shop, how long will it take to repair Festus?" Calypso asks anxiously.

"If Ara doesn't get sidetracked with killing stuff— From six to ten hours," Leo's voice is muffled as he pulls a sweater over his head. "Also, did you steal these, sunshine?"

"Well, I'm definitely not carrying an American Express."

"Ara," he says reproachfully, then looks down at his sweater. "Holy 'dite, is this Ralph Lauren? When did you even loot that place?"

"While you were being chased by the Kool-aid deity."

"Hello!"

Ara turns Almighty into a sword and points it at the woman, which startles the rest of her group. "Whoa!" Leo hurries to put on his new jeans—exactly the right size—and stumbles over. "What are you doing?"

"Stand back!" She orders. "What do you want, creature?"

Lester clears his throat. "That's just some lady, General..."

She looks at them with frustration. "No, she's not!" Ara points the sword at the woman's neck. "Speak!"

"Oh, my!" The woman's rigid face doesn't flinch as she steps forward. "Aren't you children cute!"

"Alright, you die." Ara is about to jab the sword through her when Lester and Leo yank her back. "Wha—Let go!" Ara pushes them away. "What's wrong with you? Their faces are all wrong!"

"What are you talking about?" Lester scrutinises the woman with confusion. "She might be overdoing it with the makeup but she's mortal, Ara—"

"We need to go." The girl glares at the thing in front of her, specifically at the lumps protruding on her dress and where the voice is actually coming from.

"You can't go yet! We haven't welcomed you to Indiana!" The woman pulls out a smartphone, and Ara pounces again, but she's not fast enough. "It's him, all right—"

The group screams at her to stop but then they fall silent when the sword slices the head right off the body. No blood comes out, but Ara knew that would happen. "Holy Hephaestus!" Leo stares at the head wide-eyed. "The heck is that, an automaton?"

"No, dear," says the woman's torso. "I'm Nanette. And I must say, cutting off my head wasn't very polite."

"Be glad I didn't kill you," Ara growls, then uses charmspeak. "Show yourself." The body stiffens, and after half a second, unbuttons the front of her dress revealing a giant face covering the entirety of the torso.

"A blemmyae," Lester yelps. "How did I miss that?"

"I'm arresting you in the name of the Triumvirate!" At her words, every single pedestrian around them whirls around and encircles them.

"Lester, can these things be killed with a sword?" Ara asks without looking away from the creatures.

"Nu-uh," he says shakily. "Tough skin, like Pollo."

Ara curses in ancient Greek. "Leo?"

He lits up his fist while grabbing Festus's handle with the other. "I doubt my fire would do any better than 'mighty, but I can try..."

"Calypso," Ara glances at her. "Stand close, your daggers won't do any harm." The girl—unhappy about the order—obeys and steps closer to her. "I'm kachowing these guys." Knowing what it means, her three companions duck and she summons lightning through her sword, splitting it into lines that hit each pedestrian in the chest.

They fall like dominos, but Ara's just telling her friends to get moving when Nanette sits up and pushes the singed piece of fabric away from her face. "That was NOT nice. We will have to stomp you."

Ara pulls a bomb from the Octopus bag, tossing it at the creature. She turns and starts running with her friends following close. "Ten seconds of advantage!"

Ara doesn't realize she's following a trace until the ghost shows up. She trips to a stop causing Calypso to crash against her and tumble over. Lester and Leo hurry to pick them up and Ara points ahead. "Headless body—"

"Watch out!"

A large piece of a lamp post slams the girls against the ground once more. Calypso cries out and Ara pushes herself up to her knees. "What the Hades..." She grunts, pulling another bomb and tossing it at the very end of the alley.

"Girls!" Leo gets up and scrambles over to them, unsure of which one to pick up first. Lester goes directly to pull Ara to her feet, so Leo helps Calypso roll over, but she's broken a leg, so he has to hold her up.

Ara looks at the stunned blemmyae with anger. "I'll rip their bronze heads and feed them back to them..."

"You okay to walk?" Lester questions anxiously.

Ara moves out of his grip, picking up Almighty and Festus in luggage form. "Help Leo with Calypso."

They reach a plaza and Ara's eyes immediately fix on an old train station. There is a shiny tint over it, and it draws her in. "That site," she strides ahead. "You see that?"

"You're the only one having the 20/20 demigod vision," Lester grumbles, unhappy about carrying Cal when Ara is far stronger than he is.

The blemmyae are slow walkers, so even though they can still hear them, they're not close enough to harm them. Ara rushes to the building and stops, whistling soundly. "Anyone home?"

A ladder appears and a lady of about sixty comes down from it, she's sturdy yet light on her feet, and when she jumps the last three rungs, she does so with impressive dexterity. "So it's true... You're Apollo."

"H-have we met?"

"You don't remember me," she eyes him. "No, I don't suppose you would. Call me Emmie. And the ghost you saw—that was Agamethus. He led you to our doorstep." She looks at Ara and smiles. "Nice to meet you, General. I've heard great things about you."

Ara opens her mouth to greet her but the blemmyae catch up to them and Nanette's voice rings across the plaza. "You'll never gain access to the blue cave! The emperor has it too well guarded! The naming celebration is in three days, and you and the girl will be the main attractions in his slave procession!"

Calypso gestures at the creature and lets out what seems to be a rather strong insult in Minoan. Emmie steps forward and draws out her bow. "Hang on a second..."

She shoots faster than Ara has ever seen Lily aim a shot, and Nanette is quickly nothing but a golden dust pile. The plaza's floor expands circular openings from which crossbows erupt and aim at the crowd.

"That will keep them away."

Leo whistles in appreciation. "Those crossbow turrets are the bomb-diggity."

"Thank you... I think." Emmie narrows her eyes in confusion.

"Yeah, so maybe you could help us with our friend Cal?" Leo gestures at the girl he's holding. "She's not doing so well."

"Broke her leg," Ara explains.

"You said her name was Cal?"

"Calypso," Leo clarifies.

"Ah." Emmie's face falls a bit. "That explains it. She looks so much like Zoë."

"Zoë Nightshade?" Lester asks weakly.

Ara's stomach churns with guilt. She'd forgotten Calypso and Zoë were related, but now that she thinks about it, they do look alike. Ara only met the late hunter once, before she went on a quest to find Artemis, but she was quite intimidating. Calypso... not so much.

She tries hard to become a better fighter, but truth be told she isn't good at sword fighting or has a strong punch. Most of the time, Ara and Leo have to take turns looking after Lester and Calypso, and even Leo has to be looked after sometimes. He hasn't trained enough to fight with swords and can only come so far with his fire powers and mechanics.

"We need to get off the street," Emmie tells the group. "Come, I'll take you into the Waystation."

Emmie takes them into a large and well-equipped infirmary.

"Oh, my," Lester says in awe. "Your med bay is cutting-edge."

"Yes. And Waystation is telling me I should treat your friend immediately."

Leo glances inside the room. "You mean this room just appeared here?"

"No," Emmie tilts her head. "Well, yes. It's always here, but... it's easier to find when we need it."

Leo hums. "You think the Waystation could organize my sock drawer?"

A brick falls from the ceiling between the boy's feet. "That's a no," Emmie smiles a little. "Now, I'll heal Calypso..."

"Uh..." Leo hesitates. "You got snakes in there. Just saying."

"You two go ahead," Emmie brushes off the reply. "You'll find Jo at the top of the ramp."

"Jo?" Lester inquires.

"You can't miss her. She'll explain the Waystation better than I could."

Emmie closes the infirmary door behind her and leaves them there. "Snakes?" Leo presses, looking at the other boy.

"Oh, yes. There's a reason a snake on a rod symbolizes medicine. Venom was one of the earliest cures."

"Huh." Leo moves on from that quickly. "You think I can keep this brick, at least?"

The corridor vibrates under their feet. "I would leave it there," Lester says, gently pushing Ara forward.

"Yeah, think I'll leave it there," Leo replies, reaching for Ara's hand and tugging her away from Lester.

Ara pretends not to notice these actions all the time, the ways Leo places distance between Lester and her, how he never lets them sit together when they're riding Festus. As if anything would happen! Ara has lost count of the times she's felt repelled by Lester's complete lack of manners.

A kid's room opens to their right: Drawings and pink curtains adorn the place, but the room hasn't been touched in a while, everything is too still, too quiet. Ara remembers the blemmyae mentioning a girl as part of an event happening in three days. "Interesting..." she mumbles but continues walking. When they reach the main living area, Ara feels a flutter in her tummy. It's like bunker nine but... cozier.

There is an ampler variety of machines and tools spread all over and Ara's hands crave to reach and play around, she spots a woman working on a far corner and she senses them too, leaving her welding work and pushing up her visor. "I'll be hexed!" She laughs. "Is that Apollo?"

She's bigger and taller than Emmie, although around the same age. Her hair is buzzcut and gray, but just like Emmie, she has an air of might and health that isn't common in elderly women. She approaches them and thrusts her hand onto Lester's.

"You probably don't remember me, Lord Apollo. I'm Jo. Or Josie. Or Josephine. Whichever."

"Yes," Lester whimpers, pulling his hand away and massaging it. "I mean, no. I'm afraid I don't remember. May I introduce Leo and Ara?"

"Leo! Ara!" She repeats the greeting with the teens. "I'm Jo."

"Hi," Ara smiles at her. "You've got a beautiful home."

"Thanks. Where's your friend Calypso?"

"How'd you know about Calypso?" Leo frowns.

Josephine touches her left temple. "Waystation tells me stuff."

"Oooh." Leo's soul light ignites like a firework. "That's cool."

"Calypso's in the infirmary. Broke her hand. And foot." Lester explains, still looking at Jo reluctantly.

"Ah." She looks at Ara. "Yeah, you met the neighbors."

"Do you often have problems with them?"

"Didn't use to. By themselves, blemmyae are pretty harmless, as long as you're polite to them. They don't have enough imagination to organize an assault. But since last year—"

"Let me guess. Indianapolis has a new emperor?"

"Best we don't talk about the emperor until Emmie and your friend join us," Jo says tensely. "Without Emmie around to keep me calm... I get worked up." Jo's soul light comes into view, a pink-coral glow that suits her perfectly.

"But we're safe here?" Leo's hand stretches out trying to sense the Waystation.

"I don't think this place is visible for most people," Ara answers. "You guys couldn't see it."

Jo smiles. "You're the daughter of Olympus." She eyes Ara's cloak and sword, then her gaze lands on the little twigs rooted in Ara's hair and raises a brow.

The girl feels self-conscious, her side pulsing painfully with embarrassment. "Uh, yeah. Yes."

"So, did you design this place? 'Cause it's pretty awesome," Leo distracts Jo sensing Ara's discomfort.

"I wish," Jo snorts. "A demigod architect with way more talent than me did that. Built the Waystation back in the 1880s, early days of the transcontinental railroad. It was meant as a refuge for demigods, satyrs, Hunters—pretty much anyone who needed one here in the middle of the country. Emmie and I are just lucky enough to be the present caretakers."

"I've never even heard of this place," Lester mumbles.

"We... ah, keep a low profile. Lady Artemis's orders. Need-to-know basis."

"I assume this place isn't a train station anymore. What do mortals think it is?"

"Waystation, transparent floor, please." They all look down. "Our living space occupies the top of the grand hall. That area below us was once the main concourse for the station. Now the mortals rent it out for weddings and parties and whatnot. If they look up—"

"Adaptive camouflage," Leo smiles, his soul light getting brighter. "They see an image of the ceiling, but they don't see you. Nice!"

Josephine nods. "Most of the time, it's quiet around here, though it gets noisy on weekends. If I have to hear 'Thinking Out Loud' from one more wedding cover band, I may have to drop an anvil." The floor goes back to normal. "Now if you guys don't mind, I need to finish a section of a project I'm working on. Don't want the metal plates to cool without proper welding. After that—"

"You're a child of Hephaestus, aren't you?" Leo asks eagerly.

"Hecate, actually."

"No way! But that sweet workshop area you got—"

"Magical construction is my specialty," Josephine grins. "My dad, my mortal dad, was a mechanic."

"Nice!" Leo beams. "My mom was a mechanic! Hey, if I could use your machine tools, I've got this dragon here and—"

"Ahem," Lester clears his throat. Ara glares at him, annoyed that he didn't allow Leo to have his fun. "Josephine, you were about to say after that...?"

"Right. Give me a few minutes. Then I can show you to some guest rooms. These days, we've got plenty of vacancies, unfortunately."

"Thank you," Ara says kindly.

"But I still don't understand," Lester frowns. "You say Artemis knows about this place. You and Emmie are—?"

Ara stomps on his foot interrupting him. Jo pretends not to notice and Ara turns back to her. "Yeah, that's fine."

"But—"

"I probably should let Hemithea tell you more about us," Jo dodges the conversation, making her way back to the welding area.

"Hemithea?" Lester's voice cracks. "Emmie. Short for Hemithea. The Hemithea?"

"I'll handle this," Ara smiles at the woman. "Go ahead."

"Okay... I'm gonna get back to that welding now. There's food and drinks in the kitchen. Make yourselves at home."

Next Chapter –>

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#twoidiots writing #leo valdez x oc #doo #leo valdez fanfic #pjo fanfic #toa fanfic

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