Of Demigods and Monsters (Leo Valdez x Reader)

XXV

Leo

Leo was glad that Y/n had decided to follow him out. If there was anyone he felt comfortable talking to at this moment, it was her.

Yet, out of all the places to land, why did Festus have to land on the toilets? A dozen blue plastic Porta-Potties had been set up in the middle of the yard, and Festus had flattened them all.

"That is really disgusting," Y/n said.

"Nothing like getting your dragon out of Porta-Pottie sludge," he replied.

The only good thing was that they hadn't been used in a long time, and the fireball from the crash had incinerated most of the contents. That didn't change how bad it smelled. He had to pick his way through the sludge, and desperately plug his nose to avoid passing out from the stink. He paused at the dragon. It was still burning hot, which wouldn't be a problem for him, but Y/n was standing right behind him.

"He's still really hot," Leo said, picking his way back through the sludge to where Y/n was. "I think we better wait for it to cool off a little before we go inspect it."

Y/n looked at that dragon then back at Leo. "Listen, I kinda know already. You should just go check out the dragon while we are here."

"What?..." Leo could have sworn his heart skipped a beat. She couldn't know, could she...

Even though it was fairly warm from the dragon's crash, Leo could see Y/n visibly shiver. She then gasped before clutching her arm and practically falling. He grabbed her shoulder.

"Woah, you ok?" Leo lifted her up. Her lips were turning blue and ice was creeping up her neck. "Never mind. You're not okay."

Y/n looked up at him. "I guess the ambrosia didn't work."

Leo looked around, a little panicked. It was supposed to work, he thought. It had worked back at camp, why wasn't it working now? Instead, it only seemed to make the ice spread faster.

"You should sit, I'll go find Jason and Piper." Leo guided Y/n over to the side of the warehouse, letting her sit against the wall.

"Don't," Y/n said.

"I can't just leave you here. It was supposed to work." Leo wished this was like fixing mechanics or machines. Those were easy things, but this was real. He just didn't want to lose his best friend.

"Listen, I know the boreads somehow did this to me, which is why I need your help. I think I know how to fix this," Y/n said.

Leo furrowed his eyebrows. "Well, you better tell me because I have no idea."

Y/n frowned. "Well, I'm more hoping this will work, because I don't have any better ideas..." She seemed a little disappointed. "I just— I haven't been completely honest with you. I know that you are the first Demigod with power over fire in over a century, and I feel like your abilities are the only way to save me."

Shocked was an understatement. Leo didn't think he had ever told anyone about his fire. It wasn't even until he came back to camp half-blood that he risked using them, but he was sure that Y/n hadn't been in the woods the other night. Or was she... He looked at her sincere eyes. He thought that everyone would think he was a freak if they knew, but it was only warmth in Y/n's eyes.

"How did you— when did you— how long have you known?" Leo asked, clearly clueless.

"Once we get through this, I'll tell you. It's only fair you know my secret if I know yours, right. Just know that I won't tell Jason or Piper. You can tell them when you feel the time is right."

That just made Leo feel so much better. It was like a huge weight lifted off of his shoulders at Y/n's acceptance, but he still wasn't quite sure what she wanted from him.