Leo Valdez X Reader

More Than He Bargained For

LEO POV
As I was sprinting to the forest to see Festus, my mind drifted to Calypso. I can't believe how it ended. I thought we'd be together forever.

She was beautiful with her golden brown hair and almond eyes. Those little freckles on her face only complemented her eyes and lips. She was graceful and sassy and funny and so much more. She was just downright..... Perfect.

Who knew she could be the way she was the last time I saw her.

----------------FLASHBACK----------------

I was riding Festus, excited to finally be on my way back to Ogygia. I could see my one and only Sunshine. I mean, she'd be a sight for sore eyes especially since I just came back from the dead.

"How close are we right now, buddy?" I ask Festus, anxiously.

*Creeeakkk, click, click*

"Really? *That* close? Woohoo! We're almost there!!" I scream excitedly.

We fly for another 5 minutes or so before the island comes into view.

"Festus!! We're almost there! Just a little longer, okay bud?" I pat his side reassuringly. He's getting tired. I can sense it. At least we're close. When we land, we can rest for a while and then we can-----

Wait! Who's that?!?! There's someone on the island and I can tell it's not Calypso.

We near the island and I see that it's...... A GUY!!!! SERIOUSLY?!?!?! I THOUGHT THAT IF I'D BEEN GONE, THEY WOULDN'T SEND ANYONE ELSE.

Okay. Okay. Calm down Leo. Maybe she isn't even into him.

But, I was wrong. Oh so very wrong. When we got to be almost directly above them, I saw she was there. In his arms. Kissing him like her life depended on it.

We land as she looks up, surprised. The guy looks like he was caught with murder.

I storm up to them, literally fuming. I'm pretty sure my hair was on fire.

"WHAT THE HADES CALYPSO?!?!" I scream.

I know I shouldn't be mad. I mean, this is part of her curse. The Fates are just trying to be assholes. Again. But, that doesn't mean she can go around kissing them. It took her almost a week to kiss me. I fell in love with her. Now, she does........ This?

"Leo, I can explain. This is a son of Nemesis. He landed on my island about, I don't know, 3 days ago? Time is hard here. He needed serious medical attention. He just looked so........ Helpless and endearing. After seeing you, I knew I could open my heart a bit again. I do love you. I really do. But, I love him, too. I can't just leave him here and go with you. The boat hasn't come yet. I don't think he was sent here. I think my curse has been lifted and he was just wandering the waves and happened upon here. I think that's why the raft hasn't come. I'm so sorry. I never meant to hurt you." Claypso explains, tears in her eyes and her voice cracking as she speaks.

You know, I could've forgiven Calypso. We could've been friends even. But, the thing that really ruined it all was that the guy had his arms still wrapped around her waist and her back was against his chest as she leaned into him. That hurt deeply to see them *that* in love after only 3 days.

I sighed as I responded with, "Well, whatever. It doesn't matter. If you guys wanna get off the island, you can come with me on Festus."

I said with the straightest face and blandest voice.

"Ummmm, actually, we'd prefer staying here. Alone. I haven't been in the outside world in millenia. He's an outcast in the real world. We like isolation," she responds carefully.

Whatever. One less thing to worry about running into in the real world I guess.

I don't actually say that. What I really say is more neutral.

"Okay. Hope you guys have a nice time together. I'm gonna leave."

I don't even hear a response. I just turn around and march towards Festus, wiping my eyes furiously to keep the tears at bay.

"Festus, I'm so sorry buddy. We can't rest here. Things didn't go as planned." I say.

*Creak, squeeaaak, clack, click*

"You're the best. I promise, the first island we see, habited or not, we'll stop and rest and when we get home, Tabasco sauce and motor oil for you, okay? Okay. Let's go," I say, trying to keep my voice from shaking in the process.

As we fly away from the place that once held all of my love and now holds none, I lay my head down on Festus' warm, metallic neck, and silently cry, as I sleep the trip away until we reach a rest station.

----------------PRESENT TIME-------------------

As I return to the real world, I realize that I had slowed to a walk and had tears pooling in my eyes. I wipe them away, take a few deep breaths and put a smile on my face even though it now is the most difficult thing I could do.

I have reached the edge of the forest and see Festus.

"Hey Festus. How have you been?" I ask.

*Click, clack, squeeeeeeaaaaaakkkkkk*

"Yeah, I know I just saw you only 5 hours ago. Stop making my life sound sadder than it already is," I respond with a chuckle.

It was genuine. Festus is the only person (thing? I don't know) I can talk to without being afraid I'd say the wrong thing. And even if I did, I can just rewire him to forget that I ever said it.

"Do you want soooome...... Tabasco sauce and motor oil?" I ask, knowing the answer.

He blows steam out of his nose and his teeth whir, which means, in Creak and Squeak, HADES YEAH.

"Alright. But let's hurry up. Lunch is in about 2 hours and I have some creations I need to work on first."

As we walk, he asks why I'm so excited to go to lunch, since I never really want to interact with anyone outside of the Hephaestus cabin and my little friend group.

I chuckle lightly because I hadn't noticed my eagerness but knew exactly why I was like that.

"You see, Festus, it's all because of a new girl named (y/n).........."