Pfft, this chapter xD OH LAWDY this chapter makes me smile! I can't wait to see how you peeps react!

I've had this idea for a while. I wanted to put it in the Aphrodite Discovery, but I think here is just as great. This chapter doesn't really do much for the plot, but fillers are always fun to write!

You guys are either gonna hate me or love me for this.

I own nothing you recognize as canon.


XXVII

LEO

Leo stood outside his old room—Espie's room. He could hear his daughter silently sobbing inside, which broke his heart.

He was currently contemplating telling her one of his own secrets—one that might distract her from the boys for a few minutes. This secret was one that only Calypso knew of, and one he was hoping he would take to his grave.

A louder sob came from inside, and Leo sighed. It can't be helped, he thought. This might be the only thing to make her stop crying…

He knocked on the door.

"Go away," came Espie's sad voice.

Leo rolled his eyes and opened the door slowly. He poked his head in with great caution, fearing Espie might throw something at him.

As luck would have it, she didn't. Espie was sitting on her bed, hugging her knees to her chest. Her face was buried in her legs and her form shook as she tried to quiet her sobbing even more.

Leo closed the door and locked it. He didn't want anyone coming in and hearing this.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and looked around the room. Instead of having gadgets and blueprints strung up and thrown around the place, the walls were decorated with doodles, pictures, and paintings—most of which were drawn by Esperanza's own hand. Leo noticed that a few of the drawings were of Sammy Leo and Mark, drawn from memory, most likely.

"I like what you've done with the place," he noted. "Very artistic."

Espie didn't say anything.

Leo sighed. "Boys are…complicated creatures, Espie," he said. "We don't know how to deal with our feelings very well…at least not until we've gotten into a relationship."

"Hmph," she huffed between her knees.

Here goes nothing... Leo ran a hand through his curls. "Espie…Papi's about to tell you something that is really personal. I don't know if it'll help with your current situation, but I hope it makes you stop crying."

She looked up, tears still running down her cheek. She was interested.

"Okay," he began. "So, you know how some people say me and Frank had a bit of a problem concerning who Hazel liked?"

"Yeah," she muttered. "Hazel said you two were rivals for her until Mom came in."

Leo sighed loudly. "Well…that's not exactly true. You gotta understand that no one except your mother knows of what I'm about to tell you. So, if I tell you, will you stop crying and try and figure this Sammy/Mark love thing?"

Espie nodded.

"Alright. You know how I had a tendency to fall for unattainable creatures as a teen…Khione, Thalia, your mother…"

Espie smiled.

"Well, there was one other thing I've never told anyone. Before your mom, I had had a crush…on…well…"

"Hazel?" Espie asked.

"Yes and no," he said. "More like…Hazel and…" his voice was barely a whisper when he finally said, "…Frank…"

Espie's jaw dropped. "You had a crush on both of them!?"

"SHH," Leo shushed. "Not so loud!"

His daughter was completely flabbergasted. "You mean to tell me…you're bi? As in, you…"

"I go either way," Leo finished. "Yup. That's me; Leo Valdez, husband of the former Titan Calypso, bisexual son of Hephaestus."

"I…" Espie looked like a fish, her mouth opening and closing. "I can't even…"

Leo smiled. "When I was your age, my feelings became clear as soon as me, Hazel, and Frank met. It was hard for me to accept, and I definitely didn't want anyone finding out at the time. The awkwardness between me, Hazel, and Frank would just spiral out of control. Gaea was reawakening, so no one needed this extra baggage but me."

"But Mom—"

"She knows." Leo grinned. "Before we married, she caught me starin' at a guy with a nice…uh…a nice butt. She's known ever since, and she can deal with it. I think her exact words were 'It's nice to have someone to gossip with when a cute guy walks into a room'."

Espie giggled. "So, you still like guys?"

"Yup." Leo grinned. "I like girls more, obviously, but every once in a while I tend to let my thoughts wander towards the gay side. Nothing wrong with that at all."

"No, no," Espie said. "I just…never thought you would…so, wait! You mean, when you were my age, you dreamed about being in a threesome!?"

"And I don't deny it," Leo said, tugging on his overalls suspenders. "Of course, back then, I just wanted to not be alone. I kind of wanted Frank and Hazel to accept me as I was and cuddle with them. Nothing dirty, just together."

Espie smiled sweetly. "You're a cuddle bug? I'd never have guessed, Papi."

Leo scratched his neck. "Your mother uses the same term."

He side-hugged the demititan. "So, yeah. Your old man goes both ways. No matter what kind of difficulty you've got going on now, just know that I had it pretty rough, too. We Valdezes are kinda known for our love problems…but we figure out our true path in the end."

Espie hugged him back. "Thanks, Papi. Actually, I think that really helped. I don't feel quite so pressured now…And I won't tell anyone about you being bi."

Leo shrugged. "I've kept it hidden so long, it's best no one gets bothered by it. But, it did help?"

"Absolutely," she said. "And I think you gave me an idea. You didn't talk about your feelings for Mr. and Mrs. Zhang; if Mom hadn't come into the picture that might have turned out bad. So, I think I'm gonna go talk to Mark and Sammy before something bad happens."

"Together?"

"Separately. I wanna know why they like me, what they're like, if I like them…I want to find out which one is better for me in the end."

Leo nodded. "Good idea. I'll talk to everyone else and make sure you guys get some alone time."

Espie hugged him again. "Thanks, Papi. For sharing your teenage love problems, and for helping me with mine."

Leo kissed her on the forehead. "You're welcome, mi hija."

Espie blushed. "So…um…since Mom's not here and I now know you like guys, too…which one do you think is hotter?"

Leo grinned and ruffled her hair. "That's cheating. But, I will say this: Sammy's got his mother's sweetness—and his father's charm and muscles. I may be a little biased towards him, since he's the son of the couple I used to crush hard on."

"And Mark?"

"He's a nice fellow with some amazing good looks. That Aphrodite gene definitely works for him, not to mention he's got Jason's attitude," Leo remarked. "Both of them are equally hot, sweetie. But don't let me ruin your choice. Go talk to them and get to know them even more. Remember: It's your decision in the end. Don't base it off their looks alone."

"I won't," she promised.

Espie rose and walked towards the door. Before she opened it, she stole a glance back at Leo.

"Thanks again," she said softly.

When she left, Leo sighed. He smiled to himself and whispered, "Anytime."


A/N: Before HoH came out, I was 99% convinced that Leo was gonna end up being bisexual. I was kind of hoping that was where Rick was sending him, but then Caleo happened. So, I still think he's bi, but bends more towards girls anyway.

If some of you don't like that, well, pretend this never happened. Just know the talks with Sammy and Mark were inspired by Leo's talk with Espie.

I feel like writing a soft and fuzzy Frazeleo (my OT3) fic now... :3 Nothing kinky, just fluffy and cuddly.