Forever || Leo Valdez x Reader || Book 1

WHY WON'T MY STUPID BRAIN BEHAVE?!

(A/N: IT'S LEO'S BIRTHDAYYYYYY- and I guess it's also technically Apollo and Artemis' birthday, considering it's the seventh day of the seventh month, sooooooo- HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY GODLY FATHER [just claim me already, dude, or I'm going to Auntie Arty] AND HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO THE COOLEST GODDESS, LIKE, EVER-)

I kicked open the door to Bunker Nine, holding two cardboard boxes in my arms. "HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DUMBASS, we're playing a prank to celebrate your receding hairline- why are you shirtless?"

"When did he get so hot?" A tiny voice in the back of my brain piped up.

He's not hot, he's our best friend.

"Am I wrong though?"

Get outta my head.

My brain didn't get outta my head. Inconsiderate brain. 

Leo grinned up at me, pulling something out of the furnace with his bare hands. "It's hot, Princess- also, I don't have a receding hairline, my hair is thicker than your head of split ends."

"Okay, ouch," I dumped the boxes on the nearest table, my eyes trailing over his bare torso. "I'm trying to be nice here."

"Uh huh, nice.... sure.... so, see something you like, Princess?"

I froze, flushing bright red before quickly turning away. Oh crap, he noticed.

"Tsk, not like there's much to see, anyway. What am I supposed to do, count your exposed ribs?"

Leo gasped dramatically. "My ribs aren't visible, I've been working out! I'm toned now-"

"Trying to get a post-breakup glow-up, are we?" I asked teasingly. "It doesn't seem to be working."

"Mhm, sure...." He walked up behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and resting his chin on my shoulder. "What were you saying again?"

Crap, Y/N, FOCUS-

"You're doing this on purpose," I scoffed, trying to ignore the flush on my cheeks.

"Maybe... anyways, what's up with the boxes?"

I dumped the contents of the first box onto the table. "I stole all of Nico's shirts."

Leo raised a brow. "Why? Also, why are all his shirts black?"

"That's my point here- Nico's got no color in his wardrobe, so, we're gonna replace all his shirts with these."

I opened the second box, pulling out a black t-shirt with a glittery, hot pink skull, the words 'Death Boi' written underneath it in glittery cursive font.

Leo gaped at the shirt for a few seconds before bursting into laughter. "Where did you get these?"

"Doesn't matter. So, you up for it?"

Leo grinned. "Am I? Let's do this-"

"Leo?"

Leo and I both yelped, with him quickly letting go of me and lunging for one of those Death Boi t-shirts as we looked around for the source of the voice, before spotting an Iris Message showing a girl who was looking at us with a slight smirk on her face. She was seriously pretty, with short, choppy brown hair, coppery skin, a straight nose and eyes that seemed to shift color.

She coughed. "Am I... interrupting something?"

I felt my cheeks heat up as I waved my hands around like a frazzled chicken. "N-nothing's happening!!!"

"Uh huh..." She smirked. "Hey, Birthday Boy, care to introduce me to your new friend?"

"Oh, right- Y/N, this is Piper, I think you've heard of her- Piper, this is Y/N, she's a new camper, daughter of Apollo, and my new BFF."

I waved awkwardly at Piper, still feeling a little embarrassed at being caught in a suspicious position. "Hi- nice to meet you, Piper, I've heard a lot about you."

She grinned teasingly at me. "All good things, I hope?"

I gave her a deadpanned look, which made her laugh.

"Already giving me sass, huh? I like you, girl. Anyways... happy birthday, Leo! I'm coming to visit camp maybe around... August? I'll see you then."

Leo grinned. "Really? Dam, it's been a while, Beauty Queen."

"I know right?" Suddenly, she pauses, glancing off to the side. "Oh, I have to go- have fun you two~ but not too much fun~"

I spluttered, going bright red again as Leo burst into flames behind me. "I SWEAR, IT WASN'T WHAT IT LOOKED LIKE- AND YOU BETTER NOT TELL ANYONE-"

Piper just laughed, shooting us a wink before waving her hand through the IM.