Welcome To Leo World (Leo Valdez x Reader)

There Will Always Be An Up To Your Downs

{A/N}

Chapter dedicated to @alishap1122 . Hope you like it!

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I shut my laptop, a never ending flow of tears falling down my face. Why couldn't it all end? Why couldn't people just show a little humanity and know that words hurt? I curled up on my bed, hugging my knees to my chest and buried my face into them. Gods damn it I felt so small and weak, the weight of all of the hurt resting on my shoulders like a million pounds of pure agony.

Shit was just too much to handle any more. I couldn't take it, I couldn't go on anything without getting called a bitch or fat or ugly or anything negative. Sitting up I reopened my laptop, powered it on, then took down all my social media accounts. Who cared anymore? I sure as hell didn't, I didn't need it, I didn't need the reopening of mental wounds every second I logged on.

I shoved the computer under my bed, and afterwards hid myself under the covers. Hoping and praying the hurt and scars healed.

•~•~•(A Few Weeks Later)~•~•~•

The cabin was silent. No one dared to enter anymore, for they knew they would have to deal with me, who laid still under the bed sheets. Quiet, and aching. I stared at the ceiling, thinking everything over in my head. Memories of hurtful words spoken danced in my mind, they swirled around like a tornado, destroying every shred of happiness and self esteem I had.

Soon, there was a small knock on the door. My conscience couldn't comprehend the absurdity of another human being wanting to interact with me. My legs didn't move, not a single muscle in me stirred. I seemed dead, and, in a way, I was.

"Alisha? I know you're in there, please open up." A voice begged. A male voice with a twinge of Spanish accent in his words. Leo.

I admit, I had almost forgotten about my best friend. It seemed cruel, but put yourself in my shoes one day, and you would understand how hard it was to see someone care about me. The door opened without my permission and he entered, carrying a backpack with him. His warm brown eyes held sadness and worry as he neared me, where I still laid still and silent. Leo stopped at the edge of the bed, staring down at me.

"Hey," he greeted.

My voice didn't speak, I couldn't speak. No words needed to be said.

"I. . .I brought movies, and candy. You know, to cheer you up. I know that something's going on, can you please tell me?" Leo sat next to my body, his hand taking my own and caressing my fingers with his thumb. The simple touch left my pulse racing.

"No." It was the first word I had spoken in weeks, my voice was hoarse and cracked, shaking a little.

"Why not? I want to help Alisha, you're my best friend I hate seeing you like this. When you hurt, I hurt."

I looked up at him, his face above mine holding what seemed to be pain. Yes I knew he cared about me, yes I wanted to tell him, but I couldn't burden him with my problems. I wrapped my blanket around me and rolled over, turning away from him to show that I didn't want to talk. Hearing him sigh, I assumed he was going to leave, but what happened was the exact opposite.

The bed creaked and indented inwards, indicating Leo had laid down beside me. I didn't want to turn, I didn't want him to know I was succumbing to his assertiveness. Listening carefully, I heard him lean over to grab something, there was the unzipping of a backpack and the familiar squeak of my laptop opening. The disk cartridge was opened, and a DVD was placed inside while Leo tapped away on the keys.

Not taking just listening anymore I turned to see the son of Hephaestus indeed on my computer playing a movie. I sat up and he turned, smiling a little then wrapped an arm around my shoulders, pulling me to his warm body. A blush spread across my cheeks, my ear was pressed against his chest and I could hear his heartbeat. Thump, thump, thump, thump.

"Wh-Why are you doing this?" I whispered, his grip only tightened around me.

"Because I care Alisha," was all Leo said. He pressed play on the movie and I watched the opening previews playing. We didn't speak for a while, even after the movie had started, but soon I spilled.

"I'm being bullied online," after that everything came tumbling out. Leo listened carefully, his face contorting into surprise, anger, and worry. Once finished he only held me closer, tighter, I could feel protectiveness radiating off of him with his warmth.

"I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry I wasn't there to stop it. I should have known." He whispered into my hair and I blushed deeper.

"I-It's not your fault Leo, these things just happen, and it's happened for a while now."

Leo pulled away, tucking my hair behind my ear, staring into my eyes. "They shouldn't happen to you though, you're an amazing person Alisha and. . . I love you. I'm always going to be there for you, don't ever listen to a thing those people say. Remember, there's always going to be an up to your downs, and I promise I will be that up."

My eyes were welled up with tears, my heart hammering against my chest. Leo Valdez had just confessed his love to me, I felt as though I was on cloud nine. Leaning up I wrapped my arms around his neck, and he encircled my waist, Leo's face ducked down and his lips pressed against mine. It was soft, showing me how much he really did love me. My heart melted at the realization, my mind going haywire.

Once pulling away I stared up at him, his warm eyes boring into my own. I could only say one thing, one thing that I new for absolutely sure.

"I love you."