Hi there!! I would love a Leo Valdez x reader fic but reader is a mortal and they don't know that Leo is a demigod, so imagine one day they confess their feelings and just when they go in for the kiss, Leo hair's burst into flames and Leo gets a bit insecure so it goes angsty for a bit BUTT reader accepts Leo and they date
Sorry if this is too much, just a request/thought though! No pressure 🫧🫶🏻
Leo Valdez x mortal!reader
⋆⭒˚.⋆Summary: You confess, Leo’s fire flares up, but instead of running, you hold him closer, choosing his sparks and chaos every time.
⋆⭒˚.⋆Mentions: Reader is a mortal !!
⋆⭒˚.⋆Author's note: Omg!! I love this idea sm, I've always thought about Leo’s hair sparking when he's nervous!!
You’d always known Leo Valdez was a little… different.
The boy with the quick grin and quicker hands who could fix anything, who always smelled faintly like motor oil and burnt marshmallows.
But you’d never guessed just how different.
It all started on a late summer afternoon at the old mechanic’s garage where Leo was working part-time. It was late, the sun already dipping behind the line of old buildings.
You found him in his little makeshift workshop, sitting cross-legged on the concrete floor, fiddling with what looked like a toaster and a engine smashed together.
“Hey, genius,” you called, leaning against the doorframe.
Leo startled, nearly dropping a screwdriver. “Whoa! You can’t sneak up on a man when he’s elbow-deep in toaster guts!”
You laughed. “Only you would try to give a toaster a jet engine.”
“Not a jet engine, an upgrade,” he said, giving you his signature crooked grin. “You want toast in two seconds or not?”
You stepped inside, suddenly nervous. Your fingers fumbled with the hem of your sleeve.
“Actually, I came to tell you something.”
Leo squinted, suspicious. “You’re not here to tell me my toaster idea sucks, right? Because that’d be rude.”
“It does suck, but that’s not what I’m here for.” You took a deep breath.
The grin fell off his face so fast it almost made you laugh. His eyes went wide.
“You… like me? Like, like-like?”
“I like you. A lot. Like, more than friends like. And I know you’re… complicated and weird and sometimes you disappear for days and come back covered in grease and burn marks but, I don’t care. I just...I really like you.”
Leo blinked. Then blinked again. You saw his ears turn red.
“I know you probably don’t feel the same way, but I just needed to—”
Before you could overthink it, you leaned forward and pressed your lips to his. And for a split second, it was perfect. soft, warm, Leo. But then-
Heat seared your forehead. You pulled back with a startled gasp, your eyes darting up to see flames dancing wildly in Leo’s hair. Sparks popped at his fingertips.
"Crap! I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!” he blurted, trying to pat his own head out.
It didn’t work, the flames just flickered and re-lit, like birthday candles.
“I didn’t mean to- this happens when I- I can’t control it sometimes-”
“Leo, breathe,” you said, trying to hide your shock.
“I should’ve told you! You don’t even know what I am. You shouldn’t- I’m not normal. I’m a demigod. A freak. My hair catches fire, my hands melt metal, I could burn you-”
You closed the distance, ignoring the tiny flames still dancing in his hair. You cupped his face in your hands, the warmth tickling your palms like a summer bonfire.
He stared at you, lips parted, eyes glassy with a hundred hidden fears.
“I’m not just some mechanic. I’m a demigod. My dad is Hephaestus, the Greek god of fire and forges. I’m dangerous. I knew this would happen. Why would you like me?” His voice cracked.
He looked so small, sparks dancing in his hair, like he was trying to fold himself into nothing.
"You think a little fire is going to scare me away? I don't care who your dad is, I want you. Fire hazard and all."
Leo closed his eyes, leaning into your touch. Slowly, the flames in his hair died down, leaving only warm embers that fizzled out with a little hiss.
He opened his eyes again, searching yours like he was trying to believe this was real.
“So… you still wanna date the human flamethrower?” he teased weakly.
“Try and get rid of me now, Hothead.” You smiled, brushing your nose against his. “But you owe me a second kiss. That first one got a bit… fiery.”
He let out a laugh, shaky but real. “You sure? I might set your eyebrows on fire.”
This time, he kissed you first, carefully, like he was learning how to hold the whole world in his hands.
And when the flames flickered in his hair, you just smiled and pressed closer, knowing you were fireproof when you were with him.
tangentwithtanner
prguitarman
