Disclaimer:

Piper McClean: The following is a non-profit fanbase series. PJO, HoO and ToA are owned by Rick Riordan and Disney Hyperion. Please support the Official release.

Inspired by another Fanfiction I read called Safety Patrol (In FanFiction)/ Something More (In Archive of Our Own) made by EthnicToken (FanFiction)/ StarriNights (Archive of Our Own).

Summary:

Leo and Calypso have been neighbors and friends since kindergarten. The two were inseparable all the way to high school. However, in their Junior years, Calypso was about to confess to her crush, Percy Jackson. However, he turned her down and made her realize that who she truly loves is her best friend, Leo. Will she finally let her true feelings out? Or will she bury them deep in her heart, never to see light?

Story:

School has ended for the day and we find Calypso contemplating in her old treehouse that's behind her house. From Kindergarten to Middle School, Leo and Calypso would hang out in that treehouse and would mostly just play games, talk about stuff they like or just simply to get away from parents or school. But ever since High School arrived, they rarely came up anymore. Calypso wasn't bothered by the sudden change at first; but ever since she realized her true emotions for Leo today, she has gotten more conscious about the changes.

Now… she misses it.

She looks around her treehouse and nostalgia hits her like an ambulance. There were old drawings pinned to the wall; she and Leo made them back in the days, mostly just doodles of either plants or cars. Calypso chuckles as she looks at each one, memories coming back to her. Then she looked at one drawing that Leo made a long time ago.

It was around when the two were in elementary school and Leo was in the middle of drawing.

"What are you drawing?" Calypso asked.

"My future," Leo replied. "Ms. Gomez told us to draw what we want to be when we grow up."

Calypso looked at his drawing. It was a doodle of a garage with a car inside and himself with a wrench.

"You want to be a mechanic like your mom?" Calypso asked.

"Yep, when I grow up, I'm gonna take over the family business," Leo replied with a grin.

"Who's that?" Calypso pointed toward another character in his drawing. It was a girl with orange hair and carrying flowers.

"That's you."

"Why am I in it?"

"Because," Leo answered sincerely with a bigger grin. "I want you by my side when I grow up. That way, the future will be more fun."

Calypso was shocked at his answer and frowned.

"There's no way I'm working in a garage! It's dirty and messy and a lot of work."

Leo laughs, "I know, Sunshine. That's why I drew flowers with you. When we grow up, I'll work in my family's shop and you can make a small garden in the back, sell all sorts of plants and vegetables to our clients."

Calypso giggled, "I can probably make some nice food too. I've been learning to make some nice stew from your mom."

"Really?!" Leo said. "I can't wait until we grow up!"

The two laugh as they continue having fun in their little treehouse.

And now, they're in high school, with college just around the corner. And Calypso would like nothing more but to make that dream a reality.

It's been years since they made that promise; both of them completely forgot about it, until now. Calypso can't comprehend the thought of a future WITHOUT Leo. He was always there for her when she needed him. Sure he's an idiot; chaotic and just a plain trouble-maker. But he always finds a way to warm your heart. And now that she realized the truth, she doesn't want to let that go. College is just around the corner and she has no idea if he's even going to the same one as her. Four years without Leo is a nightmare for her.

"Sunshine?!" Yelled out in the distance.

Calypso looked outside and saw Leo with his backpack, coming home from his club meeting.

"I'm up here!" Calypso yelled.

Leo climbed up to the treehouse and sat next to her. "So this is where you've been hiding. I thought you were gonna wait for me after the club meeting?"

"I-I was bored so I went home. I figured you can find your way back on your own," Calypso lied. Because she realized her true feelings, she's more conscious about the atmosphere when she's alone with Leo.

She wants to be him, but she doesn't want to lose him forever.

"It has been awhile since we've been here," Leo said. "I can see that our old drawings are there too."

"Y-yeah…"

"Oh hey! I remember this," Leo says as he looks at the drawing Calypso was earlier.

"Man, we were so young. I told you how I was gonna take the family business and that we'd live together," Leo laughed as Calypso also joined as well, hoping to hide her blush.

"You're still going to do that, right? Become a mechanic like your mom?"

Leo nodded, "Yeah, but I doubt you'll be living with me."

"W-what? Why?!" Calypso asked.

Leo scoffed, "Because you hate the noise and the smell."

"O-oh! Yeah! I mean… like, who wants to live with you when you're all dirty, smell like oil and never bother to wear a shirt most of the time…" Calypso said, unaware that she spilled the fact that she tends to see him without a shirt sometimes at the family shop.

And the fact that she sometimes stares.

"Wait, what?" Leo asked. He wasn't fully paying attention after the comment about the smell. He kind of zone out whenever Calypso complains about him.

"I mean, you're always a mess once you finish up at work. No girl would want to date you."

Leo chuckled, "You're right about that."

Calypso cursed in silence, "B-but maybe you'll find the right girl, you know? Like, someone who knows you better than yourself and always keeps you on your toes?"

Leo shrugged, "I doubt it, every girl I try to go after is either not interested in me or just hates me. But enough about me; how about you? How'd it go with Percy?"

Calypso flinched, she hoped to avoid that conversation for several reasons. The main reason is that it'll prove Leo right and she hates how much he'll gloat about it.

And to think, this is the boy she fell in love with in the end.

"I-it went well, just that…"

"He turned you down, huh?"

Calypso tries to hide it, but her expression says it all. As she waits for Leo to laugh and call her out that he was right, he sighed.

"I'm sorry."

"Huh?" Calypso said.

"I'm sorry you had to go through this mess again. Percy is a nice guy, but he's obviously in love with Annabeth. If he wasn't, he'd totally would've dated you."

Calypso frowned, usually Leo would tease her and tell her 'I told you so'. Why is he being… well, nice? Of course, he always watches over her and helps her out. But he usually teases her about her love life, telling her that she's better off without them and too good for them.

"Why would you think that Percy would date me?"

"Because you're Calypso, silly," Leo laughed and answered. "You may not be the smartest, coolest or most popular girl in school; but, you're kind, quirky and always help out those in need. You have a bright smile and loving singing voice that ANY guy would kill to hear."

The way Leo talked about her made her feel giddy and heartwarming. And yet, she still believes he doesn't see her as a lover. Most likely as a sister or a friend. So badly, Calypso wants to be more than just friends with Leo. But she's too afraid to lose what she has now.

"T-thanks, Leo."

Leo shrugged, "I'm just speaking the truth. But…"

Leo smirked at Calypso, "I told you so."

Calypso rolled her eyes as Leo laughed. Even when she realizes she's in love with him, he's still the same crazy pyro-mechanic who annoys her to death.

It has been a week since Calypso realized the truth and it's getting harder to hide it from Leo. Jason continues to persuade her to confess, but she won't do it. Considering that she was turned down three times in a row, she doesn't want Leo to be number four. Instead, she decide to talk to one person who understands her situation more than anyone.

"Percy!" Calypso yelled as she called him out in the school hallways.

"Yeah, Calypso?"

"I need to ask you something?"

"Ask him about what?" said another voice. Behind Percy was Annabeth, his childhood best friend and first (and only) love. Calypso was jealous of her back then because she has Percy's attention. Now, she's the one person that can help her.

"Oh, Annabeth! Perfect! I was looking for you!" Calypso said.

Percy and Annabeth were confused but Calypso asked Percy for some privacy for the two. He agreed and went to class.

"So, what do you need, Calypso?" Annabeth asked.

Calypso took a deep breath and asked, "How do you manage to keep your feelings buried when you're around Percy?"

Annabeth blushed, "W-what?! I don't know what you're-"

"Annabeth, everyone knows you're in love with Percy. Only Percy doesn't know. He's, as you say, a Seaweed Brain."

Annabeth blushes harder at the comment. "What's your point, Calypso?"

And so she told Annabeth everything. How she confessed to Percy but was turned down, only for him to make Calypso realize she's in love with Leo. Because of this, it's getting harder for her to be around him without wanting more than what they have.

She wants to hold his hands.

She wants to hug him.

She wants to kiss him.

She… she wants him in her life, even after graduation.

"So… I just want to know how you managed to do it. How do you manage to be with Percy without showing your feelings?" Calypso asked.

Annabeth was silent for a moment and then answered.

"Calypso… I wish I could answer that to you but… I don't know. Everytime I'm with Percy, I get all nervous and I overthink about what I would say to him. A day doesn't go by where I wish I could just kiss his idiotic face."

Calypso nodded. Everytime she sees Leo's iconic grin, she resists with all her willpower not to just grab him and kiss him on the spot.

"But… I'm just scared."

"Scared to lose him over a crush?" Calypso asked.

She nodded.

"So even you are no match to the boy's stupid charm," Calypso said.

Annabeth laughed, "Well, regardless, I think you have a chance with Leo. I saw how he looks at you sometimes."

"Then why doesn't he ever try his charms on me?"

Annabeth shrugged, "Maybe he believes you deserve better than some cheap flirt. You two have been friends since kindergarten. Just… talk to him. I'm sure you'll find some sort of hint of his affection towards you."

"You really think so?" Calypso asked.

"I know so. Anyways, I gotta head to the Library. I promised Piper that I'd help her out with her homework."

"Thank you, Annabeth. And for your information, Percy really likes you. You shouldn't hide your feelings."

Annabeth blushed at the sudden information.

"Y-you really think so?" she asked.

Calypso nodded.

"W-well, we'll see… see you around, Calypso."

Meanwhile, Leo and Jason were chilling once again at the Library.

This time, it was Leo in distress.

"Come on, Leo. I don't see why you need to hide it anymore, just try at least," Jason said.

"It's not that simple, Jason! If I ask her out and she says no, it'll be awkward and she'll distance herself from me. I can't bear that."

Leo was talking about how he found Calypso in their old treehouse. Reminiscing on old memories and promises. And how he wishes their promise becomes true.

"Look, Leo, trust me when I say this. You have a guaranteed chance with her. Better than I ever can with Piper."

Jason argues with Leo, hoping to convince to ask Calypso out. Ever since she confessed to him about her feelings towards Leo, Jason was doing everything he can to get them together. Everything except telling them the truth.

Jason sighs, "Leo…"

"Just forget it, okay? Focus on your issues with Piper."

"What about me?" Said a feminine voice.

The boys looked behind them and saw Piper, coming out of dance practice and taking a break in the library.

"Nothing," Jason replied quickly, hoping to change the subject. "Leo here is just being stubborn and refusing to ask Calypso out."

"Really?" Piper said. "Leo, I've seen the way you look at her. You have it badly, worse than with Khione and Echo. You two are meant to be."

Leo groaned, "Guys, just give up. No way in ANY universe would Calypso fall in love with me."

"And why's that?" Jason asked.

"Because she's amazing! Okay? She's smart, funny, kind, sassy and beautiful. She's a goddess! And me? I'm just a crazy mechanic-to-be teenager with ADHD and creates things that end up crash and burn. Why on earth would she love someone like me?!"

Leo got fed up and left.

Jason sighs, "Leo… why can't you see that she loves you too?"

"Wait, what?!" Piper asked.

Jason explained how Calypso confessed to Percy but was turned down and was given the realization that she was in love with Leo the whole time. And now, both of them are trying to hide their feelings so that they won't lose the friendship that they have right now.

"Oh my god," Piper said. "It's like your classic cliche romance movie. They'll probably won't say anything until graduation. And by then it'll be too late."

"Exactly," Jason agreed. "They just need a little push."

He sighs, frustrated at the situation, ignoring how his heart is beating just by being next to Piper. Even though he's doing what he can to help his friends, he can't ignore the chance he has just been given.

It's better to at least try and fail then to not try at all.

Jason chuckled at the advice Calypso gave, despite not following it herself.

"Well, I gotta go. I promise Annabeth I'd meet her here at the library so she can help me with some homework that's due tomorrow. I'll see you around, Jason."

As Piper was getting up, Jason took a deep breath.

It was now or never.

"Wait, Pipes?"

"Yeah?" She replied as she got up.

"… Are you… busy this Saturday?"

"Not really."

Jason took another deep breath as his palms were getting sweaty.

"I… I was wondering if… maybe if you… I don't know, want to hang out with me at the Pier?"

Jason feels really sick, heartbeat getting louder and palms getting sweatier. But he needs to follow Calypso's advice. If he can do it, so can she.

"Like a date?" Piper asked.

"…Yeah. Like a date," Jason replied.

Piper was quiet for a moment, giving more anxiety to Jason. Then she replied.

"Sure, I would love to. Think you can pick me up around 7pm?" She asked.

"Y-yeah…" Jason replied, still shocked at her answer.

As Piper left to find Annabeth, Jason quickly got up and ran to find Calypso.

He just asked Piper McClean, one of the most beautiful and popular girls in school, out on a date and she said yes. He needed to tell her what happened. And hopefully, give her the courage to go out with Leo as well.

Unaware that Jason was looking for her, Calypso was by herself by the football field, contemplating on what to do with her feelings with Leo.

One side to risk everything and confess, hoping that everything works out and that they will be together, even after high school. But on the other hand, if she did and he rejects her, he will most likely distance himself. It'll be awkward between them and their friendship will fall apart.

She couldn't bear that to happen.

As she debates her choices in her head, she reminisces on a memory that happened a long time ago, in that same Treehouse.

It was around middle school and somehow, boys were being attracted toward her. She hated it because it made the other girls jealous of her and it made her time in school more difficult.

The only reason she was able to bear through it was because of Leo. He was always by her side, even when the other girls were spreading rumors about her. She remembered how one time in the treehouse she complained how she'd never get her first kiss if these events continued. Calypso is a hopeless romantic kind of girl; she hopes her Prince Charming would come for her. Leo would listen to her complaints for a while and come up with a surprising suggestion.

Calypso still blushed at the idea.

Leo suggested that they try a kiss together.

Calypso was going to deny the request, but she feared that she wouldn't get a chance to experience it. But the crazy thing, at the time, she was hoping for it.

She still remembers the experience. Short but sweet. Quick but felt like a lifetime. Calypso remembers how she wished it was longer. But, being as stubborn as she is, she hid the fact that she enjoyed it. Maybe if she told him the truth, would he see her as more than a friend?

"Calypso!" Yelled Jason as he ran toward her.

"What's up?"

"I did it!"

"What?"

"I finally asked Piper out!"

"Oh," Calypso replied. "What did she say?"

"She said yes!" Jason replied with excitement.

Calypso smiled. Jason was crushing really hard on Piper ever since last year. Which is understandable, Jason is a good guy. But he's always been a "yes" man; helping everyone in need. He never once thought about what he wanted, just listened to what his parents wanted; what everyone expected from him; what he needed to be. But whenever he looked at Piper, he saw someone who wasn't afraid to be herself; wasn't afraid of failure or disappointment. She is something that he wishes to be.

Free.

"That's great, I hope it works out," Calypso said.

"Thanks, but I was able to do it thanks to your advice. I took my chance and asked her out."

Calypso shrugged, "I was just helping a friend."

"I know that, that's why I'm telling you to follow your advice and go after Leo."

"Don't," Calypso replied. "Leo had all this time to be interested in me. But he isn't."

"That's not true. I see the way he looks at you. He truly cares about you more than anything. More than his love for engineering; more than his dream. I know for a fact that if he had to choose between you and his dream, he'd pick you."

She scoffed.

"Look, Calypso, just try at least. Even if, and that's a big if, he doesn't like you, he'd still be by your side. No matter what."

She wants to believe that.

She wants to believe in a future with Leo.

But the fear of losing him is too great.

Think of it like this, imagine that you found your soulmate and you never knew. You've been together for most of your life, but you never became more than friends. When you finally realize your feelings for them, you fear that you'll lose a part of yourself to take that first step forward. Fear eats you more than curiosity.

"I want to believe that, Jason."

"I know, Calypso," Jason said. "Look, I know it's scary to take that first step. But that's how I felt too when I asked Piper out. I had a better chance of being rejected, but I wasn't."

"… You really think I have a chance with Leo?" Calypso asked.

Jason scoffed, "I'm willing to bet my life on it. You two have always been inseparable. Heck, you might as well have been in a relationship without the benefits.

Calypso rolled her eyes.

"Thanks, Jason. I'll… consider trying."

After listening to Jason, Calypso had made a decision. If Jason was willing to ask out Piper, she might as well try as well. Damn the fear. Even if Leo doesn't see her as girlfriend material, he loves her. Their friendship is stronger than any fear. She needs to remember that this is Leo Valdez. The boy who was always by her side when she suffered from her heartbreaks; the one who always invited her to most of his trips to see car shows; the one who always made her laugh with terrible jokes. Leo Valdez is many things, but he would never abandon his friends; especially Calypso.

She shook her head and stood up with fierce determination.

"You're right, Jason! Screw my fears! That little idiotic mechanic-loving trouble-maker will be mine!"

Jason laughs at her sudden change of mood. But he was glad.

Maybe there's hope with these dorks after all.

Author's Note:

Hello there! I'm sorry for the late post. December was a busy month, work-related and family-related. Then, what's worse, my dog got hurt suddenly and is unable to walk. He's still active and himself, but will need help getting back on his feet. Leave a comment if you can. Thank you for reading my stories, hope to see you on my next update.