Welcome To Leo World (Leo Valdez x Reader)

My Promise Bracelet

{A/N}

Chapter dedicated to @Alister. Hope you like it!

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Lunch was awful as usual, I sat alone at the Hades table since Nico was off visiting Hazel for the month. When he wasn't around, I was always the target for peoples torment. Picking at my food I pushed my peas aside with my spoon, unable to take a bite since I felt so vulnerable without my brother here. Every eye seemed to watch every subtle movement I made, my eyes darted from beneath my jacket hood to make sure I wasn't being stared at. Crowds made me nervous enough.

"Hey, freak!" Someone yelled and I looked up to have a slice of pizza tossed at my face.

I squeaked and fell backwards out of my chair as the greasy food smacked against my exposed face, sauce covering my nose and cheeks while cheese stuck to the front of my hoodie. Landing on my butt with a thump the whole dining pavilion exploded into laughter and started pointing at me. I felt as though I was the weakest person on earth. Tears welled up in my eyes as I tried to scramble away from the harassment but soon a hailstorm of food and drinks rained down on me from above. Getting to my feet I covered my head with my arms and ran out as fast as I could, warm salty tears racing down my face.

Running to the seclusion of the woods I submerged myself into the lush green trees overjoyed with the privacy. I sat on a fallen log, unable to stop the sobs that escaped my lips. Why did everyone hate me? I knew I was a child of Hades but. . .was I really that different? Did people honestly see me as an outsider, unwanted, dare I say it, a freak? Pulling my knees up to my chest I hugged them and wiped my face clean with my sleeves, making sure the pizza residue was gone and any evidence of crying. I stayed in the woods for a while, collecting and putting myself back together for my very few friends who I was sure were looking for me. Or not. Either way I couldn't walk out looking weak.

A twig snapping made me whip around to see a figure walking amongst the trees. Panic rose in my throat as I felt around for my dagger but of course it wasn't there, it was under my pillow. What if it was a monster? I was going to die, alone and helpless covered in pizza. Whimpering I merely hugged myself tightly and cowered in fear, more tears slipping from my eyes.

"Summer, Summer hey it's okay it's just me." A warm voice said. A hand settled themselves on my shoulder and I instantly relaxed looking up to see caring brown eyes staring down into my blue ones.

"L-Leo," I hiccuped breaking down into heart wrenching sobs and he immediately wrapped me in his arms, my face burying into his chest.

No matter how hard I tried I just couldn't stop crying, yet Leo didn't seem to mind as my tears stained his shirt. He rubbed my back soothingly and whispered kind words in my ear to calm me, even singing a little. Finally getting myself under control I pulled away and wiped my wet eyes.

"S-Sorry," I said looking down and he lifted my chin.

"Don't be, I came to check on you. Did they hurt you anymore?" He asked staring into my eyes with concern and I shook my head blushing at how close his face was to my own.

"No, it was just the food thing,"

"Still. Don't worry, they got what they deserved. I burned every last one of their asses till they were left in nothing but a singeing pair of underwear." Leo gave me that crooked grin and I couldn't help but laugh a little.

"You didn't have to do that,"

"Of course I did, you're my friend Summer, and no one bullies anyone I care about."

A deeper blush spread across my face and he chuckled pulling me so his chest. I cuddled into him, thankful for his warmth and kindness. I could always count on Leo to make me feel better, no matter how sad or depressed I was. We both sat there for a while, eyes closed and snuggled on the fallen log beneath us, sometimes Leo would rub my upper arm soothingly or stroke my short red hair. After a while he sat up so I had to look up at him and he pulled something from his pocket, slipping it onto my wrist.

"What's this?" I asked looking down to see it was a beautiful bracelet with silver skulls wrapped around it. The clasp was a bone hooked through a ring. Two skulls had gems in the eyes, one ruby red and the other obsidian black. They sat staring at each other, seeming to smile back and forth.

"This is my promise bracelet to you," Leo said, "symbolizing that I will always be there to protect and make you happy. If I ever break it, just chuck this at my head to knock some sense into me."

He grinned and I laughed, looking up at him and throwing my arms around his neck, lips pressing to his. Leo's eyes widened as I pulled away, the both of us shocked at my sudden action. My heart hammered against my chest and I quickly removed myself from his grip, blushing madly.

"I-I'm so sorry Leo I-I didn't mean-," he cut me off with another kiss, holding my face in his warm hands and I absolutely melted into his embrace. A happy sigh escaped into the kiss and I felt his smile against my lips, sparks dancing with each movement of his lips against mine. After pulling away Leo walked me back to my cabin, hand gripping mine tightly as he proudly grinned down at me. I smiled shyly back up at him, laying my head on his shoulder.

And I'll tell you this, Leo Valdez never did break his promise.