@A_Demigod_Community And heres PT 2:
3) Lack of chemistry. Let's look at a comparison between the relationship between, lets say, Leo and Jason along with Leo and Calypso. Leo and Calypso's chemistry felt forced and it had this sort of forced proximity power dynamic thing that left a bad taste in my mouth. Also all of the action being in like a week? Weird.
Then you look at Jason and Leo, and their chemistry was gradual and slowly growing with each book. They noticed small things about each other, hung out constantly Leo literally said “As much as Jason loved his life, he couldn’t let his friend die for his sake. He could never live with the guilt.” he freaking said he'd rather die than have Jason die. He blew himself up and tried to rewrite fate when he resurrected himself so Jason wouldn't die, and he died anyways, and he never got to say goodbye.
4) There were better options. There were people he had more chemistry with (and I'll add tropes).
Valgrace AKA Leo x Jason had this longing, right place wrong time star crossed lovers thing going on (also, as of June 2025, this was the most popular ship on Ao3 with Leo in it and has the most works).
Valzhang AKA Leo x Frank could have had an enemies to lovers thing where they could have bonded a ton over their respective dead parental figures.
Hazeleo AKA Leo x Hazel sorta had a one-way flirty thing with Leo, and sure, she almost was his grandma, but it's cute to see their sweet interactions.
