Oh, He Didn't Know (Leo Valdez x Female Reader)

Chapter 15

Italics is telepathy in this chapter! Also romance!

TW: None, I think?

You were stressed and it was snowing.

You had spoken to Annabeth about the dinner and from what she had said she had never gone on one of these. She did mention that Percy had been threatened multiple times by Athena so you hoped your mom wouldn't do that to Leo. At least Hephaestus would be there so with any luck Athena wouldn't be too harsh.

You grabbed a pair of nice looking long black pants and a loose sunset colored shirt that Hazel gave you and brushed your hair a little to get out a few of the knots. Satisfied, you want to look for Leo.

You discovered him in the bunker behind a faint curtain, deciding on clothes. "You look as pretty as a peach! Actually you kind of look like a peach." You gave him a quizzical look. " In a good way of course." He said nervously. You took a seat on top of one of the work tables, brushing the parts of what seemed to be a robotic apple. "Thanks! What are you going to wear?" You asked because it was almost time to leave. "That's the question isn't it?" He replied. "I know I'll look hot in anything so I'll match you and wear my orange shirt." You laughed. He emerged wearing a shirt that was almost the exact color of orange juice. "Ok mister you look lovely but we have two -no one minute - until we have to leave." You announced.

He walked up and took your hand in his. It was comforting. He was pulling you in for a hug when you felt a cold wind and realized you were in Olympus and two gods were staring at you. Awkwardness overwhelmed you and you quickly unwrapped his arms from around your middle.

"Hello Mother. Hephaestus." You said nodding at each in turn. Your voice was surprisingly cool and collected, the opposite of how you felt. Athena was studying Leo with intensity but he seemed to be having a staring contest with his dad so he didn't notice. The silence was getting overbearing so you walked up to Hephaestus. "Hello." And stuck out your hand to shake it. He shook your hand and you made sure to have a firm grip. His hand was impossibly heavy and when you looked over you saw Leo doing the same thing. You sat down across from Leo and beside Hephaestus. You saw Athena glaring hard at Hephaestus and they seemed to be having a telepathic argument. Eventually he sighed and attempted to start a conversation. "So Leo. . . build anything new lately?" Even if Hephaestus didn't know this, this was a good conversation to start because Leo could talk for hours and hours about his inventions and save them a lot of awkward silence. You smiled as you saw his face light up as he started talking about his latest invention.

"So there is this thing I'm building for my cabin, this floating light using magnetic levitation and the "8-figured" levitation coils are installed on the sidewalls of the guide way. When the onboard superconducting magnets pass at a high speed about several centimeters below the center of these coils, an electric current is induced within the coils, which then act as electromagnets temporarily. As a result, there are forces which push the superconducting magnet upwards and ones which pull them upwards simultaneously, thereby levitating the lightbulb. And-"

You tried to keep listening and he kept talking but you zoned out. You glanced over at Hephaestus who was paying rapt attention to his son and was making suggestions on how he could improve things. You looked back at Athena. As soon as you met her eyes you couldn't look away and a voice started talking in your head, you assumed it was hers. He's alright I guess. Better than the Percy boy and he seems to know something. He's not very formal and is a little scrawny though didn't you think DEAR?" You felt your fists clench and you resisted the urge to kick her under the table. He's wonderful and smart and I don't care if you like him or not! "Shall we eat soon?" You said out loud harshly and Leo gave you a weird look. "Of course DEAR I'm hungry too." Athena said out loud her voice perfectly level. Calm down sweetie I'm only stating facts, no need to get all worked up. You felt your leg "involuntarily" kick up but you missed Athena's leg and she tut tutted at you. You didn't know what you were eating, you were too angry. It could have been bacon dipped in peanut butter and you wouldn't know.

It took another two hours before Hephaestus said it was probably time for you to head home. Y/N? Meet me outside the door. Now. You huffed slightly and excused yourself. Athena was waiting with her arms crossed. "You may date him for now." She said. You were annoyed. "I don't need your permission." You snapped back. "Do you want to bet on that? You're lucky I approve. He's a little. . . weak though isn't he?" You took deep breaths trying to calm yourself. "I don't need your opinion or permission to be with him." Athena just waved her hand and walked off.

You waited for Leo to come out.

He did, a few minutes later, with his hands in his pockets. His face was scrunched up in a little frown that wrinkled his forehead and made you want to smooth the lines out. He looked up and saw you and smiled. "So. That was fun wasn't it?" You said sarcastically. He laughed a little but he looked sad. "Hey, what's wrong?" You asked. "Nothing, why?" He replied, too quickly. "Because you're frowning, you look sad and you're too quiet." He sighed. "I talked with your mom. Well she talked to me really-" You rolled your eyes. "- she said I could date you but that I wasn't good enough for a long term relationship." He said, looking at the floor. You felt your face heat up again and you were ready to beat someone up but you saw Leo needed comfort. You just hoped he wouldn't take what Athena said to heart.

"Oh." You wrapped your arms around his neck and laid your head on his chest. "You aren't perfect Leo. That's why I love you. You are the one I love and that's all that matters. Athena is a maiden goddess, what would she know? She is just jealous." You said, looking up at him. He had the biggest smile on his face you had ever seen. "What?" You asked. "Did you just say you loved me?" He said. You shuffled your feet, looking at the floor again. "Yeah, I guess I did." You said after a minute. He grabbed the side of your face gently, his rough fingers making circles on your cheek. "I love you too." He said. Thousands of butterflies erupted in your stomach and you glanced down at his lips and leaned in slowly, wanting to kiss him so bad. You felt his breath on your neck and he started to lean in too.

Someone cleared their throat, about ten feet away from you. Hephaestus appeared. "Um do you think I could have a minute with Y/N, Leo?" Everyone's face was a beet red and Leo pulled away saying sure and walked off between the pillars. When he was out of ear shot Hephaestus started talking. He was fiddling with something in his hands like Leo did. "He's a good boy Y/N. But he's broken. Are you going to break his heart like that Calypso girl?" He said awkwardly. "NO!" You said a little too loudly. "I would never hurt him." He nodded thoughtfully. "Just give him some time, ok? He's lost so many people he loved, so he has trouble warming up to anyone ok? So just be gentle." You nodded. On an impulse you hugged him quickly. "Thank you." You said. He had turned pretty red and then shook you hand and left as well.

You found Leo a few minutes later looking up at the stars. "Ready to go back?" He smiled and got up. He took your hand rubbing soft circles with his thumb. A cold wind whisked you away and back to camp but you were warm, holding his hand.

Hope you liked it! There will be a special Christmas chapter, at Christmas and maybe one before that, we'll see.

If any of you have requests, let me know!

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Word count: 1466

Until next time, my Greek geeks!