Title: A Heart of Gold
Disclaimer: Sorry for all the hearts I broke in my other Leo x Reader fanfic, I hope this makes it up!
It was a typical sunny afternoon at Camp Half-Blood, the warm breeze swaying the trees and the smell of fresh strawberries hanging in the air. The camp was bustling with life, as usual, but amidst the laughter and chatter, you couldn’t help but feel a little distracted. It had been a long week of training, monster fighting, and endless activities, but all you could think about was Leo Valdez.
Leo was always like a whirlwind—charming, quick-witted, and impossibly lovable. He had this way of lighting up a room with just a smirk, and honestly, you were kind of in awe of him. But what really stole your heart was the way he treated you. He was kind, gentle, and always knew exactly how to make you smile, even on your worst days.
You were sitting on the porch of the Big House, absentmindedly flipping through a book you weren’t really reading, when you heard it. A loud clang followed by the unmistakable sound of Leo's voice.
“Oops! Sorry! My bad! I swear the hammer’s got a mind of its own!”
You couldn’t help but grin as you looked up. There he was, the very person who occupied your thoughts, covered in grease and sweat, holding a wrench that looked way too big for him.
“What did you break this time?” you teased, crossing your arms over your chest with an amused smile.
Leo’s face lit up when he saw you, and he waved his hands dramatically. “Nothing! Nothing! Just a minor malfunction with the Argo II. You know, nothing a little Leo magic can’t fix!” He winked at you, clearly pleased with himself.
“Uh-huh, sure,” you said, raising an eyebrow. “Just make sure you don’t blow anything up this time.”
Leo gave a mock gasp. “Are you doubting my skills?” he said, placing a hand dramatically over his heart. “I’m hurt.”
You laughed, unable to resist his antics. Leo was always so… extra.
“Come on,” you said, pushing yourself off the porch and walking toward him. “Let me help before you accidentally burn down the entire camp.”
Leo’s face softened as you walked closer, his eyes lighting up in that way they did when he was truly happy. “I don’t know, [Y/N], you might just make things worse. I’m a danger to everyone around me.” He said it like a joke, but you could see the vulnerability in his eyes. Leo wasn’t always as confident as he let on, and you knew that.
“Oh, I’m sure,” you teased, but there was a warmth in your voice that made Leo’s heart skip a beat. “But I’m not worried. Besides, you know you can’t get rid of me that easily.”
Leo’s grin returned, this time softer, a little more genuine. He stepped closer, brushing his hand against yours as he passed you a tool. It was small, but it felt like a promise.
“Thanks for always being here,” Leo murmured, his voice low. “I—well, I don’t know what I’d do without you.”
Your heart fluttered at the unexpected sincerity in his words. You took the tool from him, your fingers brushing his just a little longer than necessary. For a moment, there was nothing but the quiet sound of the camp in the background, and the two of you standing together, sharing a small, beautiful moment that felt a thousand times bigger than it really was.
“I’m not going anywhere,” you replied, your voice soft but sure. “I like being here. With you.”
Leo looked down at you, his face flushing a little, the usual cocky grin replaced with something warmer, sweeter. His eyes were full of that unspoken affection you always caught glimpses of, but never quite acknowledged—until now.
“Good,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I kind of like you being here too.”
You both stood there for a moment, the weight of the silence between you more comforting than awkward. Leo scratched the back of his neck, looking a little sheepish, before his grin returned in full force.
“Alright, alright, enough of the sappy stuff. We’ve got a broken engine to fix!” He clapped his hands together, clearly trying to change the subject, but his eyes still held that tenderness you couldn’t ignore.
You laughed softly, taking the tool in your hands, feeling like you were the luckiest person in camp to be standing next to Leo Valdez. Not just because he was funny, smart, and charming—but because he made you feel seen. In a world full of chaos and danger, he was your calm, your light.
And in that moment, as you both worked together on the engine, you realized that Leo was, in fact, exactly where he belonged—in your heart.