Ahh! I wrote this, like, last week? On my phone in the car, the middle of the night, and whenever possible, but it took up 3 note pages on my Huawei (I really should get a new Notes app) and I felt lazy to copy and paste online! I is very sorry that my laziness got in the way ;-;

But I did it!

Also, you may notice that instead of writing this in a one person POV like I usually state in the chapter title, I just wrote "Liper" where I usually write the character. Its in both Leo and Piper's POV, Third Person Limited but switching like Third Person ;)

Before I move on...

Thanks to Punzieciphers, Gummienummie, Lorien Ackerman and Snowst5367 for the favorite/followes/that one review from Punzieciphers! (That review really made my day! Thank you!)

Disclaimer: All rights to the Percy Jackson and the Olympians/Heroes of Olympus series go to the annoying yet amazing Rick Riordan and I own nothing but the plot. I also do not own the song "Superheroes" by The Script, though you really should listen to their songs because they are AMAZHANG.

When it came to his friends, no matter what the cause, Leo would always try his best-even if his best was never really enough. That was just a reason to try harder.

So, naturally, when he heard that Jason was leaving, he immediately started thinking of ways to say goodbye to one of his best friends. He'd already had an idea, an idea that kinda scared him, but he knew he had to do even better to make it up for his best bud when Piper's ex-boyfriend himself told Leo to go for her.

So that's why he's here, trembling fingers, counting down the seconds until launch.

The black tubes full of a mix of this stuff Annabeth called "potassium nitrate" (boomy boomy fireworky stuff) charcoal, and sulfur had already failed him and covered the Latino Santa Elf (as sleepy Jason has called him the night before) in black dust twice.

But he definitely got it this time.

He better had, anyways, because the suspense was killing him. Especially because fireworks stirred up bad memories, memories only he dared to tell his two friends-of course, Jason Grace and Piper McLean.

Oh, yeah, Piper. You know, his best friend. And the girl he was in love with.

What he didn't know, though, was that he was Leo Valdez, her best friend, and the boy she was in love with.

As she walked over to the benches, she was thinking about how he felt of fireworks-fire in general, really, but fireworks were worse, with the loud pops and bangs-ever since his mother died, and with him thinking it was all his fault.

Leo has been through a lot, and, Piper realized, it only made him stronger in the end.

As she saw the boy-young man, practically-fiddle with his watch, counting down under his breath, and his Red String swaying softly, she knew for sure it was him. That it was always him. And not just because Aphrodite's gift literally told her so. Leo was kind, generous, unselfish, clever, witty, adorably corny, and he was always the light when she was in the dark. As the first fireworks illuminated everyone's faces around her, Piper noticed, he was starting to look seriously handsome, too.

BANG, BANG, BANG

Leo flinched at first, but sighed and smiled weakly. Yeah, it stirred up some bad memories. But he knew his mother would be proud of all he's done, of all his friends, too. And that her death wasn't his fault. Part of him did still think he had something to do with it and should've helped, but he knew his mom wouldn't want him to think that.

Besides, he has these amazing people by his side, and this show was for one of his best friends.

Everyday every hour, turn the pain into power

The song he chose for the show echoed throughout the lakeside where everyone was watching. It matched Jason, him, and all of his friends perfectly, really.

Also, the fact that it's called Superheroes and repeats the line "thats how superheroes learn to fly" over and over again in the chorus was a hilarious play on Jason's "Blonde Superman Powers." He thought so, anyway.

As he continued to watch his work, part proud and part amazed that it actually worked, he felt a new presence scoot closer to him.

"Well done Repair Boy," Piper whispered, as the last chords of the song were faded out by the rapidness of the last fireworks.

"You didn't have to watch it if you still, um, you know.." Piper trailed off

"I'm fine, Beauty Queen, really. Besides, I had to see my amazing work dazzle you, right?" Leo joked, though he really did mean it in a way.

Piper rolled her eyes, skipping over the hidden meaning, since Leo always made jokes about "impressing the ladies" either way.

Besides, just because some Love Goddess's gift tells you you're soulmates with someone doesn't mean the other person realizes it.

"While I always find your stupidity amusing, I actually did love it. I think Jason did, too," Piper smiled.

Leo's eyebrows furrowed for a split second, before she managed a small smile again.

"I hope so—and you're sure you're totally cool with him leaving? 'Cause, you know, I'll always be a shoulder go lean on," Leo tried a goofy grin. "I'm serious, though, do you want to talk?"

Piper smiled. This is what she meant about him being so unselfish. She was lucky to know a friend like him, let alone be... Connected, too.

"Actually... Yeah,"

Leo's face contorted to a look of concern.

"Hm?" He scooted in closer, hugging her now, causing his heart-and, unknowingly, hers as well-to pound uncontrollably.

He really did mean it when he said he would a be a shoulder to lean on. He meant it with all his heart, and if Piper was hurting, it didn't matter if all they were or would ever be was just friends. He felt so lucky to be friends with her, let alone best friends, that he could stay in that position for the rest of his life, with her in his arms.

Yes, his fatal flaw was Inferiority-he never felt like he could be part of anything special. But it was different when it came to Piper, and, with her, Personal Loyalty could come a close second.

"He may be leaving, but that doesn't mean he doesn't care about us," Piper smiled, trying to erase the worry off of Leo's face. Yeah, he kinda did look cute worried. But he looked cute in pretty much any emotion—happy, angry (not real angry of course, just play angry), begging, and practically any emotion except sadness. She hated it when he was sad. Especially if he was sad because of or for her.

Piper broke the small break in conversation.

"I'm fine with him leaving, really," Moving away from Leo's shoulder to face him, Piper continued, "I kinda was the one who broke up with him anyway," she paused and gave the tiniest of smiles. "And, while, yeah, like we said before, we felt like it was 'too good to be true...' While that statement was true, I broke up with him for a different reason, too."

Leo blinked, and Piper kept on going.

"I didn't know who it was at the time, but I felt like there was someone else, you know?"

Leo's heart dropped, and he felt a lump in his throat.

Clearing his throat, he asked, "Well, if that's the case, who? I could help out my.. Little Sis, if she has guy problems."

As much as it pained him that they weren't anything more than Bro and Sis, but he'll take what he can get.

"First of all, I'm older than you,"

Leo cut her off, "Yes, but I'm taller than you,"

They laughed, and Piper countered, "Only because of that stupid untamed hair of yours, Little Bro."

She put an emphasis on Little, teasing him about his "stupid" hair-the hair that she actually really loved.

"Still counts!"

"Whatever, Repair Boy. Anyhow," she snuggled back into her more comfortable position with her head resting on his chest from earlier, "I don't need your help with the guy I like."

"C'mon, Pipes, I just wanna help," he murmured into her hair.

Piper laughed softly, but remained still for a bit, finding her next words, leaving Leo to keep wondering what she wanted and why she was talking to him about this.

"I don't think I want to just be your Little Sis anymore, Leo."

"What? We're still on that topic? Fine, be the Big Sis. It doesn't sound as cool, though. Just saying."

"No, I mean.."

Leo stood up, clenched his chest, and fake gasped, acting as if he were extremely offended.

"Are you saying you don't want to be my sister anymore? I can't be that bad!"

This stirred up a fit of giggles, until Piper calmed down and put her hand on Leo's shoulder, trying to get him to stop, too.

Suddenly she was serious again.

"Actually, quite the contrary, Repair Boy. I don't want to be your Little Sis anymore because... Leo, you're more to me than that. I want to be more than just your sister to you, too. I guess what I'm saying is... I, like, like you, Leo Valdez. I really do. And I didn't know it when I first met you that you were the one, but now I know. It was always you, Leo. I just never knew, until now. And no matter what you say or think of me after this, I hope we'll be okay after me saying this, because your friendship means so much to me and I don't want to make things awkward. I just... I know it's you, Leo. It was always you. And I hope you feel the same."

Piper lowered her now-red face, ready for the answer.

Suddenly, she was having doubts. Maybe Aphrodite was playing a trick on her and those Red Strings don't even mean anything?

Something in her knew it was the real deal, but really she was just trying to think of different reasons for Leo to reject her. Because knowing someone is supposedly your soul mate and having them reject you is pretty depressing.

So is going so far and making a gigantic speech just because she fell in love thinking Aphrodite's red strings meant anything only to get rejected, but that was more like a cruel joke, not as depressing.

"I.. I don't know what to say..." Leo started.

Piper's heart sank, but she was already preparing for the rejection anyway.

"It's okay, I'm sorry. I hope we can still be the same and-"

"No!" Leo yelled, just a bit too loudly, "I mean, no. Don't say that. Its just, I never expected that the love of my life would ever return my feelings." Leo grinned.

Piper smiled wider than she ever thought she had before, and hugged Leo tightly.

"Although, I also didn't think that you, Piper 'Beauty Queen Favorite Child Of Aphrodite' McLean, would confess her feelings for someone with the phrase 'I, like, like you' so I guess I'm just out of luck for today-OW."

Leo earned a punch from Piper.

"A lot like Jason the other day.." He murmured.

"Huh?"

"Nah, he just helped me go after you. Make the first move. Though, clearly, you made the first move today. But, yeah, he helped. Since, well, I, like, liked you."

Leo started laughing again, still trapped in her hug, as Piper rolled her eyes.

"I also didn't think you, Leo 'Repair Boy The Dude Piper's Been Crushing On' Valdez, would react that way after Piper confessed her undying love for him even if she used the phrase 'I, like, like you.'"

"Oh, we're calling it 'Undying Love' now?" Leo grinned, "and I didn't think my name was-"

Piper rolled her eyes as he talked, and instead of being cut off my a punch like he'd expected, Leo was cut off by a soft kiss.

It was meant to be a short peck to shut him up, but Piper didn't exactly complain when Leo instinctively pulled her deeper into the kiss by the waist.

A few seconds later, the couple broke off.

"Wow." Leo breathed.

Piper smiled, "Yeah, wow."

"You were right, though, Piper. It was always you."

"And it was always you."

"I love you Beauty Queen."

"I love you too."

A quick exchange of words, and the two were kissing again.

It was always you.

I am soooo happy! Partially because I just got my OTP (what am I kidding, I call all my ships OTPs) together, but also because I managed to write this chapter in over 1,000 words (2,000+!) so yay! Also happy about balancing humor and seriousness with there conversations because thats just what these dorks do, but yeah!

Thanks again for reading! I'll be writing more Liper soon, after writing a couple other ships (but you know I can't resist Liper!), so watch that Liper filter! Or my account but a bunch of people read as guests (including me) so whatever. Make sure to suggest what you want me to write, if you're looking for something specific! :)