This Could be You

Leo- New Year (fem!)

Sorry I had this done for a while but I didn't really like it. But I decided to post it.

Takes place after the hidden oracle.

Here's the fluff chapter that y'all wanted.

You heard a knock on the door of the hades cabin. You groaned and muttered a, "I'm sleeping", before pulling the covers farther over your head. When the knocking continued you sat up.

"Go to Hades!" You screamed at whoever was outside.

"Sure! But if you ever see him remember to compliment him on the new shirt I got him. I'm sure he'll look great in a woman's small."

You almost cracked a smile. Almost. But you wouldn't give him that satisfaction. Even though you knew he couldn't see you.

You walked to the door and opened it. You blinked a couple times before you could see through the harsh light. It was probably around two pm. Too early for any sensible person to be awake. Then again your boyfriend was anything but sensible.

"Leo, you know you just told me what my gift is. You're terrible at this." But when you saw the gift wrapped in black you gave him a small grin.

He shrugged, "Oh, well, open it, mi amor (my love)."

"Call me that one more time and you really will be spending Christmas in Hades," you pealed off the black wrapping paper to reveal... more wrapping paper. You growled and tore the rest away aggressively. "Leo, this is a camp half blood T-shirt. I can get one of these from the camp store for ninety-nine cents."

"Look at the back," he had a smirk on his face. You flipped it over and on the back was Leo with his googles on and his hair gelled back. The words, TEAM LEO, were printed above him.

"Oh, I am so getting you back for this, Valdez." You fake scowled at him. You hadn't really expected a serious gift. This was Leo Valdez after all. But this was a new level of ridiculous. Maybe you could sell it to the Stolls for some profit.

"Aw, I knew you'd love it. You can stop thanking me now," he said, a mocking smile appearing on his face.

"I hate you."

He kissed you on the cheek. "Happy New Years Eve."

"This is a New Years present? Valdez, if I remember correctly, you give presents on Christmas, not six days later." You kept on the constant attitude, but in reality you could still feel your cheek tingling from where his lips had been. It made you actually feel something inside. Huh.

"I could just take it to the camp store again and get my ninety-nine cents back." He made to grab it from your hands and you yanked it away.

"No, it's mine now. Plus Nico would totally freak if he woke up to this in his face."

His eyes glistened with mischief. "This is totally why I'm dating you, Earth Girl."

"Really? I was just playing a long game of keep-your-friends-close-and-your-enemies-closer. And don't call me Earth Girl." But this was totally why you were dating him too. He was sweet and funny, while you were sarcastic and mean. But the one thing you had in common was mischief. Making Chiron consider quitting (even though he can't), was your favorite pastimes.

"Would you rather Death Breath?" He smiled smugly.

"Earth Girl it is."

"I knew you'd come around." Leo winked.

"If you ever call me Death Breath I will murder you. Believe me, I excel in all types of homicide."

He shuddered. "Good to know, mi amor."

"Did someone say homicide?" Nico walked out of the Hades cabin, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. You were happy to see that his eye bags were rapidly decreasing. The guy used to seem like he'd just lost a boxing match against an Ares kid. Believe me, those are no joke. The whole camp turns on each other when they do the yearly boxing matches. You've never seen heartbreak and betrayal like those days. Nico looked between you, Leo and the T-shirt and said, "I'm not seeing much homicide. We can start with that shirt."

"Gladly." You rolled your eyes.

"Aww come on. I wanted you to wear it to the fireworks," Leo pouted.

"Hmm... fine. It better be dark." Ever since you'd gotten together with Leo, you were counting down the days till New Years. The camp always put on their annual New Year's firework show. It wasn't as big as the 4th of July, but definitely something to look forward to. And now it was just around the corner.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

You heard a knock on the door of your cabin. Was it 10:30 already?  It couldn't possibly be. You grabbed a comb from your bedside that you hadn't used for so long that cob webs were spun between the bristles.

Brushing your hair was incredibly difficult, but it didn't take you long. You eventually opened the door to see your boyfriend. His smile reached from ear to ear and he seemed genuinely really happy. He'd gelled his hair like your t-shirt, except he managed to find actual gel and not oil or grease.

"My lady." He extended his arm so you could hook yours under it and you gladly obliged, slipping your hand around his bicep. "Orange suits you."

You snorted. "It's not like I never wear orange, Valdez."

"It wasn't a joke."

You paused. It was rare that you got genuine, from the heart, compliments from Leo that didn't have some hidden humor in it.

You both walked down to the canoe lake, where everyone was gathering to party straight into the new year away. You did not really want to talk to other people. You were super socially awkward and introverted, hanging out with so many people wasn't your idea of a relaxing afternoon.

Leo suddenly took a sharp turn away from the lake.

"Uh what? It's right there how did you miss it?" Your confusing must have been written clear as day on your face because he laughed. But didn't say anything else. He simply led you towards the forrest and into the woods. "You gonna tell me what's going on?"

He didn't answer and led you deeper in until stopping in front of a bush. He proceeded to crawl under it into the unknown.

"I brushed my hair for nothing," you groaned as you slid under the bush, wincing at the twigs that snagged on your back. Suddenly, you were met with an array of fairy lights and fake candles all laid out around a purple and white, checkered picnic blanket. On it was a a basket of croissants and a little cake in the middle.

"Surprise?" Leo said still trying to search your face for a reaction.

"Did you steal these from the kitchen?"

He rubbed the back of his neck. "Maybe? I just thought you might like more of a private time than a big party."

Then you rushed and threw your arms around him. You weren't much of a hugger but this deserved it. "Thank you."

Right when you pulled away you noticed that once side of the bush hideout was open to the canoe lake. The shore ending just a couple meters in front of you. This meant you had a direct view of all the fireworks. It was the perfect place.

"I'm hungry." You sat down on the blanket.

(-)(-)(-)(-)(-)

You rested your head against his shoulder as you watched the fireworks shoot into the sky and explode into an array of colors over the lake. It was the most perfect moment of your life.

I know I know. It's five moths into the new year. But I needed to get something out. Hope you enjoyed.