things you said | leo valdez

01| things you said at one am

01| things you said at one am

The moon hung high in the sky, partially veiled by a cluster of wispy white clouds. Still, a faint stream of light slipped through the windows, casting a soft glow inside the cabin.

The air was thick with warmth and silence, broken only by the occasional chirp of a cricket or the distant hoot of an owl. With summer at its peak, even the breeze carried a gentle, lingering heat.

It was long past his usual bedtime, yet tonight, Leo remained awake. His eyes were fixed on the peaceful figure nestled against his side. Your hair lay scattered across the pillow, hands tucked beneath your cheek, your body rising and falling in a steady rhythm with each breath.

Leo quietly counted the lashes resting against your cheeks, noting every little twitch of your nose and the way your brows furrowed in sleep. You were deep in REM, your eyes flickering beneath closed lids. Your lips, slightly parted, released soft snores into the quiet night—still tinted red and a bit swollen from all the kisses he had stolen earlier.

He couldn't get enough of you. Not after being away for three long months.

Three months that had nearly cost him his life. A shudder ran through him at the memory, one he quickly pushed aside in favor of something better. His mind drifted to earlier that day—his return. The moment he stepped off the Argo II, you were already there, throwing yourself into his arms before he even had a chance to take a full step onto solid ground.

You clung to him, burying your face in his chest, your warm tears seeping into the fabric of his shirt. Without hesitation, he wrapped his arms around you, shielding you from the watchful eyes of the crowd. He knew how much you hated showing your emotions in front of others.

Your muffled voice trembled against his shirt as you whispered how much you had missed him. In response, Leo gently tangled his fingers in your hair, tilting your head back so he could see you. Your lashes were damp with tears, cheeks flushed and puffy, and your bottom lip was caught between your teeth in a failed attempt to stifle a pout.

Leo swallowed hard. You looked absolutely irresistible.

The moment the thought crossed his mind, his body acted on instinct. His lips met yours in a kiss that started soft and unhurried, a gentle reunion. But the second your hands tugged him closer, he knew he had ignited something neither of you were ready to stop.

Maybe it was the way his fingers tightened in your hair, or the firm grip of his arm wrapped around your waist. Whatever it was, one thing was certain—it wouldn't be finished here, not with so many watchful eyes around.

The memory tugged a sly smile onto Leo's lips. Now probably wasn't the best time to be thinking about that—especially not with you nestled so close against him. Especially not with the moonlight tracing the curves of your body, the comforter doing little to conceal them. His gaze drifted back to your kiss-swollen lips, and he swallowed hard.

You were just too damn tempting.

It felt like a spell had taken hold of him because he couldn't quite recall making the decision to kiss you. But somehow, his lips found yours anyway—and it was enough to gently pull you from your slumber.

Your eyes fluttered open, and it took less than a second to register what was happening. But before you could respond, Leo pulled away.

"Sorry," he mumbled, squeezing his eyes shut, his cheeks burning a deep shade of red.

You brushed your fingers over your lips—they felt softer, more swollen than usual, no doubt from all the biting. Both yours and the blushing boy's in front of you.