Leo Valdez x reader (oneshots and the Fire Elementalist series)

Imagine: Leo comforting you during a breakdown

TYPE: fluff
T/W: breakdown
FE SPIN-OFF: no
CONTEXT:
- just an imagine so it's gonna be a short one
- I'm having a breakdown rn for no reason and I need to write it out
- any godly parent but you live in an apartment in New York
- POC!reader
- I guess it's gender neutral but let me know if I've accidentally slipped some gender specific pronouns or smth

Enjoy, darlings 💜

• • •

"Shh, it's okay," Leo says while hugging you tightly. The two of you were curled up on your couch. "I'm right here. You'll be okay."

Leo strokes your hair with his free hand as one arm is firmly wrapped around your waist. You sobbed into his shirt. You were having an emotional breakdown. For what reason, you can't pinpoint exactly what it was. But it was probably from all the stress about what was happening in the world. Your being a person of color didn't really help, especially with all the racist violence happening nowadays.

Everything just built up and before you knew it, you were crumpled on the ground, barely able to feel anything. You didn't know what you were feeling exactly. Sadness? Anger? Frustration? All of the above? You weren't sure. You just knew that you couldn't hold it in any longer.

"Is there anything I can do?" Leo asked.

"I-I really d-don't know," you said honestly.

"How about I put on a movie and I'll tell you how much I love you?"

"You promise not to exaggerate?" You looked up at him through your wet lashes. He put on (f/m) and moved back to cuddle with you on the couch.

"Princesa, words can't even capture how much I love you. How can I exaggerate something so amazing that words can't even describe?"

"See," you sniffled, eyes fixed on the TV. "You're exaggerating."

"No I'm not." He shifted so you were spooning on the couch. He took your hands in his and rubbed circles on your knuckles with his thumb.

"I admire how strong you are," he started. "I mean it, (y/n). You are strong and independent. That time we went walking in Central Park and that white guy made a racist slur, you didn't take any of his shit and you destroyed that guy. If you would have seen the other people looking at you, they were smiling at how brave you were for standing up to him. You're an amazing fighter. You're extremely talented. You're, smart, kind, funny... You're beautiful. I wish you could see all that. And you're the only person who beats my ass at Call of Duty."

"To be fair, you have a weak ass," you laughed softly.

"That's besides the point," Leo laughed with me. "I know things are crazy in the world right now. You don't have to be ashamed for expressing your feelings now and then. There's nothing wrong with crying. But at the end of the day, I want to remind you of the strong person that you are. And I'll be by your side when you fall and pick yourself back up again. You are a strong person and you will get through this. And I will be here every step of the way. I promise."

Your heart melted at his words. You didn't expect Leo to be this sappy. You turned your body toward him and gave him a long and loving kiss on the lips.

"Thank you, Leo," you said. "And I'll be here, by your side, every step of the way. I love you."

He wiped a few stray tears with his thumb and pulled you in for another gentle kiss. You felt his tongue lick your bottom lip for entrance, which you allowed. You made out for a while until you needed some air.

You went back to watching the movie until you felt your eyes get heavy. You felt Leo kiss the top of your head and pull you closer.

"Good night, (y/n)," he said. "I love you."