Leo Valdez X Reader

Chapter 41 Leo

The grunt to my right sounded again, and I suddenly saw someone step into my yellow-tinged line of sight. 

I tried to make some sort of sound.Water was what I was trying to say, but I think it came out more like, "Whagge."

"Yes, yes. I know Spitfire. I'm not stupid." 

Liam mumbled; the giant then wrapped his two arms around me and hoisted me off the ground. He shifted his grip on my solid form and began walking away from our friends. 

I guess since he already was gold, it didn't affect him?

"You need to lose a few pounds," He said, exasperated.

Someone obviously hated gym class.

We reached a small clearing, and Liam lugged me over to a bubbling river.

"This should be it." 

He mumbled studying the water as it rushed past. 

He shrugged before picking me up and dropping me headfirst into the river.

If anything, he looked happy about it, too! 

The water was cold, but it seemed to be working. Gold flaked off my skin, seeping into my clothes. 

There was movement, and I suddenly spotted a group of teenage girls. They giggled and pointed at me, swimming over to see what was happening.

River Naiads.

The girls ogled at the shiny metal coming off of me. One of them grabbed my arm and brushed it off, only to look in amazement as it sparkled in the sun before disappearing further down the river. 

The others grabbed at me, pulling small bits of gold off my clothes and out of my hair. They reminded me of Melog, with their blue skin and hair, though she'd never be caught dead being this flouncy. 

I smiled at one as they helped me get off the last piece. I would have thanked them, but I couldn't hold my breath that long. 

Not to mention, now that I didn't sparkle, they seemed uninterested. 

I broke the surface, pulling myself up onto the shore, gasping for breath. Liam did not look pleased.

"You're alive."

I laid on my back, running a hand over my face, blinking the water out of my eyes. 

Man, this was really out of my element.

Liam's face appeared above me, frowning. 

"What?"

"I was kinda hoping the Naiads would keep you." He huffed. 

 I sat up, letting out a cough of water.

"I love you, too big guy." 

Hauling myself to my feet, I made my way over to him, my shoes squeaking with every step; he handed me a cloth from his bag.

"How did you know this river would work?" I asked, drying my face.

"I didn't. Over the years, the location of the Pactolus River has changed; it has a tendency to follow Midas around in case he needs to reverse something. I assumed it would be nearby." 

He shrugged. I tossed my head upside down, drying my hair.

"So you were just planning on dropping me in every river until you found it?"

When I stood up again, I swear Liam had paled, which seemed kind of impossible since he was a statue. 

His eyes widened, and he grabbed my head in one of his large hands, pulling it towards him.