Forever and Always
A/N: Ok so I'm sorry I haven't updated in ages, I was busy writing some chapters for my other story 'Daughter Of Hera'! I got requests for different pairings (thank you) and so this time, I'll be doing the LEYNA fic suggested by Peaceluver!
Disclaimer: No, I don't own Percy Jackson and the Olympians. *runs away crying* I hate you Rick Riordan; you made an innocent thirteen-year-old cry!
Leo's POV:
I was pissed. There was no other word for it. How were you supposed to feel when the petals of a celestial bronze rose you were carving didn't turn up just so? Exactly my point. Who was it for, you say? Well, the thing was… you know Reyna? That scary praetor who can make you pee in your pants with just her so-help-me-or-I-will-kill-you face? Yeah, I kind of have the hots for her… I know what you're thinking; how can someone like her, she's just so unfeeling, besides, she likes Jason, right?
The thing is; she just balances me out. She's always cool and collected; and you know me… the awesome man-on-fire Leo Valdez! It's my nature to make jokes and try to lighten the atmosphere during those meetings where everybody suddenly tenses up on a touchy topic. It's her nature to stare daggers at anyone who does that.
Back to why I was making this for her. I was in the workshop in the forges at Camp Jupiter (we were there for some meeting) as usual and she sent Octavian to get me and he had this smirk on his face I wish I could've burnt off but I was pretty sure Reyna wouldn't appreciate that. He was all 'You're gonna get burned, Valdez' and just seeing his face made me start smoking. There was a rumor around camp that he likes Reyna too and ever since he found out that I liked her too, he's been going out of his way to make life miserable for me.
So I followed him into the city and to where she was waiting for me.
"Valdez, where are those plans for the new watch tower? They're a week overdue; we should've started construction by now! I'm being lenient enough but this can't go on."
"Good day to you too."
"I'm serious Leo!" It was the first time she had used my first name. "People will think I'm partial! I can't let that happen! You should know that."
"I know, I know Reyna. I promise you'll have them by the end of the day."
"You better make sure your worthless, lazy ass gets them to me by 7 o'clock sharp this evening; or else…" She let the end trail off in a threatening manner.
"Yes ma'am!" I saluted and turned around to leave after being dismissed. I walked out quickly and relaxed once I was out. I always enjoyed walking down the main road during daytime and even at night-time when the street was all lit up. I bought a cappuccino from the coffee shop and walked back to the forges. I'd had the plans ready for a while but was working on the rose, trying to incorporate a special feature into it. I was working on it transforming into a spear so she could carry it around in her pocket, being small enough. I'd had it enchanted by someone from Hecate cabin back at Camp so it would come back to her like Riptide.
I walked into the forges again and reheated my smelting iron. It was nearly done save for a few last touches. It was already 5; I'd have to work double quick to finish it.
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Reyna's POV:
Leo was late with the plans for the watch tower again. He was already way over the deadline. I had sent Octavian to get him and was pacing in the meeting area when he arrived. I greeted him with my usual outburst. It's become a routine of ours. I call him to shout at him and he keeps cracking lame jokes. If only he knew how I long to be carefree and laugh along with him, to take him in my arms and run my hands through his thick, soft, messy hair… yeah, I had it bad.
But I couldn't show weakness in front of the Camp. I had to be strong to make decisions for all of us. With the new plans for joining the camps together, we'd have to work even more. But sometimes I wish I didn't have all that responsibility on my shoulders; that I could just live as a normal demigod, that is, as normal as we can be. Just so that I could relax with my friends and have a relationship… with Leo.
I didn't even know if he really likes me. I mean, he flirts all right, but he does that with any girl he meets. Except the ones he knows are taken, like Hazel or Piper because he knows that Frank and Jason would kill him.
Oooooh, I have to get these thoughts out of my head. They're impairing my efficiency. Curse that son of Vulc- I mean Hephaestus! I just hope he gets those plans to me by the end of the day. Else, I'll be forced to murder him against my wishes. I'd hate to hurt that handsome, cheeky face of his.
Ah well, back to work. I still have to devise a training plan for our elite group.
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I let out a breath I didn't know I'd held when I got out of Reyna's living area. Who knew the scary praetor of Camp Jupiter had a paintball-fight area in her pad? I'd managed to leave the rose in a beautiful red box next to her bed, wrapped in ribbon. Now, to get her the watchtower plans.
I checked the dining hall. She wasn't there. She wasn't in the training are. Neither was she in the meeting hall, the amphitheatre or anywhere else in the city. I checked with everybody I could find but I couldn't dig up her location. I didn't know any of her favorite haunts so I couldn't even check those. Well, if I couldn't find her to give her the plans, it's her fault not mine.
I was walking up to the hall for dinner when I decided to take a detour. I collected the rose, wanting to give it to her if I found her, and made my way to a field on a cliff I had found while wandering once. I went there when I couldn't sleep to gaze at the night sky. I hiked up the slope and made my way to the edge. Just when it came into my view, I saw someone huddled under a blanket near the edge. I walked over to them, hoping to cheer up whoever it was by cracking a few Flaming-Valdez jokes. I tapped their shoulder, causing the person to look up at me. It was… Reyna?
"What are you doing here?" We both asked at the same time. I kept quiet to let her answer first. When she didn't say a word, I asked her if she was okay. "I'm fine." Yeah, you're obviously just peachy. "No you're not Reyna; I can see the tear tracks on your face."
"It's none of your business."
"Any friend's business is my business, especially when they're sad."
She took a deep breath. "I was digging through some old stuff, when I found this." She showed me a photo. There was a man with two girls, each a younger looking version of him, with some variations. She pointed to the smallest girl who was smiling broadly. "That's me, my sister and… my dad."
"You look happy."
"We were happy; at least until he died."
"Well… what happened?"
"Cyclopes attacked us on vacation. He was a mortal but he died defending us, fighting bravely to the end. Me and Hylla, we made it to an island, where we were given a place to live and jobs by a sorceress. When it got destroyed, I came here and Hylla made it to the Amazons. She is now their queen."
"Wow, you've been through a lot…"
"Yes, yes I have."
There was a silence when both of us wanted to say something but neither knew what. Finally, I broke the silence.
"Well, I have something to make you feel better." I pulled out the box and handed it to her.
"What's this?" She asked while opening the box.
"Open it."
When she did, she was star struck by its beauty. "Wow, did you make this for me?" She said getting excited when she saw me nod. "Stand up straight and press that button." I said pointing to a little button hidden discreetly behind a petal. She did so. Suddenly, the petals expanded and Imperial Gold armor sprang out and enveloped her body and the stem elongated to make a Celestial Bronze spear.
"I thought you might like personalized armor." I said grinning lopsidedly.
The only response she gave was throwing her arms around me and hugging me hard. "Thanks Leo, you don't know how much this means to me. It's been ages since anyone did something like this for me." I grinned behind her face, glad that she liked it so much. I have to admit I was a little disappointed when she pulled away. But all that melted away when she looked up into my eyes, her eyes pools of liquid silver in the moonlight. Slowly, imperceptibly, we leaned forward and then we were kissing like there was no tomorrow. Her hands made their way up and got tangled in my hair. My arms encircled her waist and yanked her forward, pressing her tightly against me. When we finally pulled away, it was only for a breath. Then we were back, this time rougher and more passionate.
She broke and trailed kisses down my jaw. To get back at her I kissed her neck at sucked at certain soft spots eliciting a moan from her. Her hands made their way up my shirt and she pressed her hands against my chest.
I broke off. "Reyna, no. I know you're upset and seeking comfort from someone. But it's not right that we do this now. Let's take it slow okay?"
She pouted and then nodded. I fetched a blanket and some pillows and set them up there. "We can spend the night gazing at the stars. I like doing that."
She smiled and nodded.
We spent the night cuddled together, looking at the stars.