Leo Valdez X Reader

Chapter 22 (Y/n)

We had stopped for the night in a big, closed-off corner of the maze, which I wasn't sure was a blessing or our downfall.

We were out of sight of any creatures, but if something got in, we would be doomed. 

Which is why we needed a guard. 

 On the first watch, I sat with my back slumped to the wall in front of the fire. Leo had offered to stay up with me and keep me company, but that plan was flawed because he was now fast asleep beside me.

It was going to be a long night. 

I had sent an iris message to Chiron asking how we were doing for time, and so far, it had been a full day since we left.

Great.

I rested my head on the wall and stared up at the ceiling. 

It was our first near-death group experience, and half of us had almost died.

I really sucked at this whole leader-ing thing.

I was so distracted in my thoughts that I hadn't noticed I'd drifted off till the nightmares hit.

(TW: Background Nightmare)

Mother kneeled in front of me. Her head was in her hands as she sobbed. I looked down at myself. I was a six-year-old in my favourite nightgown. Watching as my mother broke down right in front of my eyes. 

"I've failed you." 

She sobbed and pulled me into her arms.

"I'm so sorry, baby. I promise I'll be back. I'll come visit, okay?" 

Her hand was on my cheek as tears spilled from my eyes.

"Lorraine, don't make this harder than it needs to be." 

My uncle's strong hand was on my shoulder, pulling me away. 

I tried to think about the last time I had spoken to my mum. 

About three years ago, I had run away from my aunt and uncles and had been living in a small apartment. The landlord was an old woman with terrible eyesight who was renting me a room under the impression that I was 22. 

I spoke to my mum a few months before I started hearing the voice in my head. After I cut all ties with my aunt and uncle, I tried to spend as much time with her as possible. 

Hopefully, she wasn't worried sick. 

The force of it, my uncle's hand on my shoulder, his fingers curling into my arm, and the sound of my mother crying jolted me awake. 

(END of Nightmare)

I woke up with a jump, and my eyes whipped around the cavern. 

Nothing had come in. 

Everyone was still alive.

We were okay.

I rubbed my eyes, trying to stay awake, and took a deep breath.

"Can't stay awake?" 

The voice came from the other side of the fire, and I hadn't noticed the dark figure sitting there.

"Yeah, keep dozing off." I realized tears were streaming down my face, so I wiped them away.

"Nightmare?" Nico asked, poking at the flames with a stick.

"How'd you know?" I scooched forward, drawing my knees to my chest by the fire.

"I get them, too," the fire crackled loudly,  "Plus, you talk in your sleep." 

He smiled at me, and I felt like I was seeing a unicorn.

People at camp had warned me that the son of Hades didn't like new people and that it was best to avoid him, but he seemed to be the most understanding of everyone. 

"Can I be honest with you?" 

He looked shocked that someone wanted to confide in him, but I trusted him. 

He nodded.

"I...I can't do this, Nico. I can't lead them. What if I get them killed?" 

The fire crackled between us, and I lowered my chin to rest on my knees. He looked up at me and said something I wasn't expecting. 

"You can do this. If you need help, your friends are here for you. And you don't have to worry about one of us dying. We're not complete idiots. Well, maybe not all of us." 

He nodded towards Leo, whose body had now slouched into an odd position. His hands twitched as if he were working on an image invention, and he mumbled about bolts and needing an X-4 hammer, whatever that was. 

A laugh escaped my lips, and I thought I saw Nico smile as he let out a little huff of a laugh.

I liked this kid. 

I had to cover my mouth to prevent everyone else from waking up. As my laugh died down, Nico stared back at the fire, and my eyes found their way to the ceiling again, imagining the stars like they were in the night sky. 

I looked back down, and his dark brown eyes met mine as the flames howled between us.

"You know there's a strong presence about you. That's what I would say the first day you showed up. I'm not sure why or what kind. But it's just there." 

He shrugged, his leather jacket making a rustling sound as his shoulders moved. 

Silence sagged between us; the only sounds were Leo's mumbles, Liam's snoring and the fire crackle.

"You should get some sleep; I'll take the next watch."

Nico stared down at his hands, his elbows resting on his knees.

"Are you sure? I'm fine staying up if you want to sleep-"

"I don't need a lot of sleep; it's alright." 

I squinted my eyes at him; I couldn't let my own team member be exhausted. 

But my body protested, and I fought back a yawn.

"Wake me up in an hour, okay?" 

He smiled again.

"Yes, ma'am. One hour." 

I smiled back at him, curled against the wall, and turned away from the fire. 

"Goodnight, Nico."

I didn't get a chance to hear his response; my eyes were already closed.

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