𝐖𝐈𝐍𝐍𝐄𝐑 | ʟᴇᴏ ᴠᴀʟᴅᴇᴢ ¹

𝐎𝐍𝐄

THE SUMMER SUN beat down on the sandy training grounds of Camp Half-Blood, casting a warm glow over the bustling arena. Groups of campers sat inside of the tent that Chiron assembled and awaited the annual spring sparring tournament. Lavinia stood at the edge of the arena, her celestial bronze sword gripped tightly in her hand, anticipation coursing through her veins. If there was one thing she was determined to do, it was prove herself in battle.

As she stepped onto the arena floor, the cheers and applause of the gathered campers filled the air, fueling her excitement. Ever so slightly, Lavinia could feel her mother's gift coursing through her veins, almost as if she was there watching her. However, Lavinia knew she couldn't have been so lucky. Her mother was never there; not when she solved the mystery of the lightning thief, not when she was constantly being chased by monsters, and most importantly not when she had saved Olympus last summer.

Lavinia's opponent, Clarisse LaRue stood across from her, determination etched into every line of her face. She squared her shoulders, ready for whatever challenges lay ahead. It wouldn't be the first time they'd fought each other in the championship match of the tournament—it had been like that for the past five years, and Lavinia had won every single time. Maybe it was because of her mother, but she tried to steer both the camp and herself away from thoughts like that.

Amidst the crowd, Lavinia caught sight of a curious onlooker, a boy with mischief glinting in his eyes. She looked away and tried to focus on her match, but his gaze lingered on her, and she felt a surge of adrenaline at the intensity of his stare. Even if she tried everything to not look at him—like trying to find Annabeth or her younger sisters in the crowd of campers—she couldn't help but be intrigued.

The match began, and Lavinia threw herself into battle, her movements fluid and precise as she parried each of Clarisse's attacks with skill and determination. Clarisse always used the same techniques, year after year, and Lavinia had gotten used to it by now. With every counter, she prayed that her mother would help her maintain her title, but she also knew she had to rely on herself. She could feel the eyes of the spectators on her, their cheers and encouragement being the only thing driving her forward.

As the match drew to a close, Lavinia emerged victorious, Clarisse was defeated and the crowd erupting into cheers. She basked in the glow of her victory, a sense of pride swelling within her.  She had successfully maintained her sparring tournament title for the for the sixth time in a row, but seventh time all around (she managed to defeat Annabeth her first year at camp) and she couldn't have felt better.

Amidst the jubilation, Lavinia's eyes met those of the boy from the crowd, and a smile tugged at the corners of her lips. Sure, she loved the attention and cheers of the familiar campers, but something was different with this boy. Maybe it was because he was a new face, or maybe because he wasn't able to keep his eyes off of her despite the cheering of the crowd. Without a word, she offered him a nod of appreciation, acknowledging his presence with a silent gesture of gratitude.

Impressed by her performance, it seemed to Lavinia that the boy couldn't resist the urge to approach her, a grin spreading across his face.

"Nice moves," he said, his voice laced with admiration. "You really know how to handle yourself out there."

Lavinia chuckled, feeling a warmth spread through her at his words. "Thanks," she replied, unable to hide the pride in her voice. "Not bad yourself for a spectator."

He laughed, the sound infectious to Lavinia's ears. "Maybe next time, I'll give you a run for your money."

Lavinia raised an eyebrow, a playful glint in her eye. "I'd like to see you try."

The boy grinned, his eyes sparkling with mischief. "Challenge accepted. But for now, I'll settle for getting to know the fighter who just kicked butt in the arena."

Lavinia's smile widened, intrigued by his easygoing charm. "Well, lucky for you, I'm not one to turn down a conversation with an admirer. I'm Lavinia, by the way."

"Leo Valdez. It's a pleasure to meet you, Lavinia." The boy extended his hand with a grin. "So, what brings a fierce warrior like yourself to Camp Half-Blood?"

Lavinia regarded him with a hint of skepticism, her expression serious yet tinged with amusement. "I could ask you the same question."

The boy's grin widened, undeterred by her response. "Touché. Let's just say I couldn't resist the chance to meet someone as captivating as you."

Lavinia's lips twitched in a ghost of a smile. "Flattery will get you nowhere, Leo. But I appreciate the sentiment."

Leo chuckled, the sound light and infectious. "Hey, I'm just speaking the truth. Besides, a little charm never hurt anyone."

Lavinia shook her head, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Fair point. But don't think that's going to get you out of training tomorrow."

Leo's grin widened. "Wouldn't dream of it. I wouldn't want to miss the chance to spend more time with you."