The Crystal Caverns echoed with the sound of footsteps and quiet conversation as the Guardians retraced their path. The artifact, now safely secured in Calypso's satchel, radiated a calming energy that seemed to soothe the group's lingering tension.
Leo led the way, his torch-like flames lighting the path ahead. He kept up a steady stream of jokes, his voice bouncing off the walls with exaggerated bravado.
"So, I'm thinking of calling this cavern Leo's Lair. Has a nice ring to it, don't you think?" he quipped, grinning back at the group.
Skye rolled her eyes. "I think it should be called Shut Up and Walk."
Bruce snorted, earning a playful glare from Leo. "Tough crowd."
Calypso, walking just behind him, chuckled softly. Unlike the others, she didn't roll her eyes or brush off his humor. Instead, she watched him closely, her violet eyes catching the flicker of something beneath his cheerful facade.
A Subtle Shift
As they emerged into a quieter part of the cavern, the group decided to take a break. Bruce and Skye set up a makeshift perimeter, while Zane and Jasmine worked on patching up her ankle.
Leo sat apart from the others, staring into the flickering flame he conjured in his palm.
Calypso approached him, her steps light and deliberate. "You okay?"
He looked up, his grin slipping into place like a well-worn mask. "Me? Always. Why wouldn't I be? I'm the great Leo Valdez, after all."
She didn't respond immediately, instead sitting beside him and letting the silence stretch. It was a tactic she'd learned with him—sometimes, silence spoke louder than words.
Finally, he sighed, the grin fading. "You're not buying it, are you?"
"Nope," she said simply, her tone gentle but firm.
Breaking down Walls
Leo ran a hand through his hair, his expression uncharacteristically serious. "It's just... everyone expects me to be the funny one, you know? The guy who keeps things light, even when everything's falling apart."
"You're more than that," Calypso said softly.
He glanced at her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes. "Am I? Because sometimes it feels like that's all I've got. The jokes, the fire, the over-the-top charm—it's what people like about me. Without it, who am I?"
Calypso's gaze didn't waver. "You're Leo. The guy who steps up when it matters, who makes sure everyone's okay, even when you're not. You don't have to hide behind the jokes with me."
Her words hung in the air, and for a moment, he looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.
"You're good at this, you know," he said, his voice quieter. "Getting people to talk."
She smiled faintly. "Only when it's someone worth listening to."
A Spark of Understanding
The silence between them was comfortable now, the kind that didn't need to be filled. Leo stared at the flame in his hand, letting her words sink in.
"Thanks," he said finally, his voice sincere. "For seeing me."
"Always," Calypso replied, her tone as steady as her gaze.
For the first time in a long while, Leo felt like he didn't need to be anything other than himself.
