Bearing the cold (with the help of friends)

by halfseaweeds

Summary:

5 times his friends helped Leo survive the cold weather

Plus one time he gave them something back

(Choose your own +1 there's a fluffy one and an angsty one)

Notes:

Hi! Welcome to my first fic, I apollocheese if there are some ooc moments I haven't written in this fandom at all. Also English isnt my first language !!

Feel free to go follow me on tumblr where i share snippets or ask for ideas on fics ♡

https://www.tumblr.com/halfseaweed?source=share

(choose chapter 2 for fluffy +1, choose chapter 3 for angsty +1)

Chapter 1: Winter gifts

Leo has never liked the cold nor did he like the winter. Even as a small child he hated going out and playing in the snow, even now you would think as someone who can control fire and has fire powers he wouldn’t be bothered by the cold anymore. It’s quite the opposite, the freezing air, the cold temperature it all affects him even more now. Hence in the winter times he’s spending even more time in bunker 9, the machines there at least produce enough heat where it would be somewhat cozy for him. His friends noticed this and figured together that they would come up with a solution to their fireboy’s dilemma.

 

1.

Piper had noticed that whenever Leo came out he would either be rubbing his hands together or have them in his pockets. So she knitted some gloves for him with cute little fire emblems on them, figuring he would wear them in the summer too since they looked quite cool and they were fingerless gloves so he could use them when working in one of his million projects she was sure he had going on. So Piper made sure to ask the Hephaestus cabin if there was a way to make them fireproof, knowing that when Leo would get excited he could erupt into flames, now less since it was winter, but you could never be too careful with him.

“Leo !” She called out as she saw him heading to the dinner pavilion for once, said boy looked up from where he was watching his boots crunching the layer of snow that was over camp. “Piper!” he exclaimed excitedly and jogged over to where she was, suspiciously eyeing the fact that she was hiding her hands behind her back. Piper noticed him looking and revealed her hands, which held the newly made gloves. “I made these for you, with some little help of Harley on the fireproof aspect, but since you’re having cold hands all the time I figured you’d love these” she handed them over and Leo took them with his eyes wide, he immediately pulled them on and inspected them with a bright grin crossing over his face. “Oh my gods, I love these Pipes! Now my hands are both warm and stylish.” he looked up at her and his gaze softened a little “you didn’t have to do this for me” Piper waved him off and slung an arm over his shoulder as they walked towards dinner, “that’s what friends are for firecracker, now lets go eat i’m absolutely starving !”

 

2.

Hazel was a little bit more used to the cold since her time in the underworld, Frank on the other hand didn’t mind it all that much either since he was used to harsher winters in Canada. But the pair did now and then enjoy some bear cuddles. ( Yes, Frank would turn into a bear and cuddle with Hazel. It was warm and soft, sue them.) But they knew of one person that didn’t quite like or could stand the colder weather, the pair had discussed with each other about what they could possibly even offer Leo as remedy against the cold that had washed over camp half-blood. They had often seen said boy in one of Jason’s hoodies with the hood up almost camouflaging his entire face, it was then they decided to make him a hat or a beanie to keep his adorable little elf ears (as Leo called them) warm. They made sure to embroider ‘Bad Boy Supreme’ into it so everyone at cabin 9 would know it belonged to him.

Leo was slightly shivering, swimming in Jason’s winter jacket as he was watching him during sword practice. If he had a choice he would be in the bunker and be working on whatever he was working on, but his boyfriend had dragged him out saying he needed the sunlight. But hey, at least his hands were warm. Looking up from his hands he saw Frank and Hazel approach him, acting exactly the same Piper had before she had given him the gloves. He raised an eyebrow at them and tilted his head to the side a little. “Sup guys, nice summer weather we’re having right now right?” he joked, but it fell slightly flat due to the shiver and slight clattering of his teeth. Hazel shook her head and put the hat on Leo’s head nicely covering his ears, a few spare curls popping out from underneath. “You were right Hazel, he looks amazing with it” he cracked a smile. “We figured you’d be cold, we know you don’t like the colder weather so we figured we’d make you something” Hazel said sitting down next to Leo as she averted her eyes towards Jason before looking back at Leo. “Thanks guys, I appreciate it”

He was feeling a lot warmer already, and not only because of the hat, but it was also spreading inside his heart. He really couldn’t wish for better friends than these.

 

3.

The only downfall during the winter was that most of the demigods at camp returned to their mortal homes to go celebrate for the holidays. Nico didn’t really have family to celebrate with anymore and neither did any of their friend group. Well besides Percy and Annabeth but they were spending it with Paul, Sally and Estelle. And Jason was visiting camp Jupiter for the week. So Nico had been paying a bit more attention to their flame of a friend (since Jason had asked, because Hazel and Frank were also visiting camp Jupiter.) Who hadn’t really left the cabin all that much but when he did, he wasn’t exactly dressed for the icy weather.

So Nico took it upon himself to fix it. Leo had been wandering the camp a little since he was kicked out of the bunker by his siblings, claiming he had spent enough days cooped inside already and that he should actually get some air. Why did everyone always want him outside in this godforsaken weather? Mumbling to himself, well more like cursing in Spanish he hugged his arms to himself and kicked the snow as he walked. Not yet noticing Nico in the shadows. “Maybe if you brought a jacket with you, you wouldn't be shivering like your life depends on it Valdez” Leo whipped around, nearly slipping on a patch of ice “Gods! Don’t sneak up on me like a creepy bat!” he said after having caught his footing, bc yes falling in front of the son of Hades would’ve been embarrassing. “You’re freezing to death aren’t you” he smirked, and the boy in front of him scoffed and placed his hands on his hips trying to hide away the shivers wracking his body “Nah, not at all! Just embracing the suffering, you know? Builds the character” Leo grinned widely albeit a bit wonky.

“You look like a malfunctioning scarecrow” Nico held out the jacket and Leo furrowed his brows. The son of Hades was barely one to give gifts, besides to Will of course. “You’re giving me a jacket? What is it with everybody these past few days” he muttered the last part to himself and inspected the brown jacket, with flames designs on the sleeves. He immediately tried it on and felt himself relax in the warmth it offered instantly. “Dude…This is so nice, did you make this??’ he exclaimed looking back at the boy in front of him. “Ah no, I bought it. But Will and I enforced the inside a bit so it would keep the heat inside more. He also knows more about body heat and what not” Nico shrugged his shoulders like it wasn’t that much of a big deal. Leo wasn’t going to complain, he knew how the other could be about things like this, so instead he joked. “I feel like a badass fire marshmallow, thank you seriously” he grinned widely “Don’t mention it”

They spent the rest of the day together, eventually parting when it was time for dinner.

 

4.

Snow had started to pile up a little more around the edges of camp, it glittered under the weak winter sun. Percy tugged his blue scarf he had gotten from his mother tighter against himself and stomped his boots against the ground, Annabeth on the other hand didn’t really seem bothered by the cold at all. Busy holding up a piece of fabric, examining it carefully. “Too plain, Leo deserves something better.” she muttered and took a look at another piece of fabric. Percy wrapped his arms around his body and raised an eyebrow “It’s a blanket. You wrap it around yourself, you don’t frame it.” He immediately regretted speaking as Annabeth shot him a look. “You know how he gets in the cold.. He acts like he’s melting in reverse. The least we can do is give him something special, especially after everything he’s done for us.”

They had been searching through the camp storehouse, pulling out fabrics and sewing supplies. After some discussion between the couple, mostly Annabeth refusing to accept Percy’s idea of just buying a blanket online, they finally settled on a thick, fire-resistant fabric that would shimmer ever so slightly when the sun hit it right. By the end of the afternoon, Percy’s fingers were numb from the stitching and somehow loose treads had found their way into the daughter of Athena's hair. When they spread the finished blanket across the table, both of them couldn't help the grin that spread over their face. It was a light orange blanket and embroidered in gold thread was Festus, Leo’s beloved bronze dragon, wings spread wide and fire curling from his jaw.

Later that night, they found the son of Hepheastus huddled near the campfire, wrapped in three mismatched scarves and still somehow shivering. His teeth shattered as he muttered to himself. “Man, even my flames are freezing today…I swear to tartarus it gets colder everyday.” He looked up from the fire as he heard two sets of footsteps approach him. “Hey, Valdez,” Percy said, tossing the blanket onto his lap. “We made you, well Annabeth did most of the work, something.” Leo blinked while unfolding the blanket, the dragon’s face looked back at him. For a moment he was stunned into silence, he then looked up tears almost brimming in his eyes. His grin so wide his dimples almost froze in place because of the weather. “Festus!! This- You guys, this is absolutely awesome !” he exclaimed and immediately wrapped the blanket around himself, sighing in relief as the fabric seemed to hold warmth better than anything else.

Annabeth smiled to herself as she watched Leo, she herself leaning against Percy for some of his warmth. “We made sure to enchant it so it would resist the cold, we also thought festus might keep you company like this even when you’re away from him.” Leo pulled the blanket tighter around himself and chuckled. “Best winter gift ever.” Percy smirked and elbowed him before wrapping an arm around his girlfriend. “Don’t get used to it, fireboy. Next winter you’re on your own.”

But when Leo later dozed off by the fire, snuggled comfortably under the Festus blanket and no longer shivering. The couple shared a look, neither would admit it out loud. But seeing Leo so happy and comfortable was worth every stitch.

 

5.

The winter days were slowly coming to an end, so the camp was blanketed in snow. Muffling the usual clatter of training swords and the laughter from the cabins. Most of the campers had retreated indoors, wanting to escape the colder weather, but Jason still spotted a stubborn figure crouched by the Hephaestus forge. Said figure was wrapped in the blanket like a burrito, it was the one he had gotten from Percy and Annabeth. He was hunched over an unfinished project, he was working outside since it was getting a little too crowded inside, the invention kept sparkling weakly in the cold.

Jason watched the boy closely, smiling at the way his curls were freezing in every direction, and his nose so red it almost glowed. Jason walked up quietly, brushing off some of the snow that had fallen onto the boy. “You look like a half frozen tamale.” Leo squinted up at him, project now forgotten on the work bench “Wow, romantically insulting me? That’s new.” He grinned, sneezed and then groaned. “Tell your dad to cut it out with this weather, man. I’m about five minutes away from spontaneously combusting just to warm up.” he complained and turned his body towards his boyfriend. Jason sat down next to him and wrapped his arms around Leo’s shoulders, tugging him closer to his side. “You wouldn’t combust. You’d just set your blanket on fire.” The shorter boy shook his head and smirked. “It’s actually fire proof, so I can combust all I want Superman”

They sat together for a while, Leo just enjoying Jason’s warmth watching the little snow pellets falling to the ground and the forge crackling halfheartedly behind them. Eventually Jason kissed the top of Leo’s curls “I’ve got you something” He groaned and looked up at his boyfriend “You too? What is up with everybody this winter?” Jason chuckled and shook his head, he pulled out a small bag from his jacket and handed it towards the son of Hephaestus. “Be grateful and open it” he teased and watched as Leo dove into the bag and froze. Inside the bag was a soft brown Build-A-Bear dressed in a little Camp Jupiter shirt and little glasses, even the snout of the bear had a tiny little scar. He was about to joke that he had the real deal until Jason nudged him. “Go on, squeeze the paw.” He did and nearly dropped it when Jason’s voice filtered out of the bear: ‘Hey, firefly. You’re safe. You’re loved, and I’m always with you.’ It was then he also noticed the faint thump-thump-thump coming out of the bear. It sounded a lot like one he was familiar with, like the one sitting right next to him.

Leo stared with wide eyes, for once he couldn’t figure out the words he wanted to say. He swallowed and hugged the bear close to his chest trying to keep the tears inside. “You…put your voice and heartbeat in a bear!?” he choked out looking up at Jason. The son of Zeus rubbed the back of his neck, his cheeks pink. “Well yeah, that way when i’m at camp jupiter i’m still here with you in a way. And it will also might help keep you warm during those nights.” he shrugged his shoulders, not exactly sure what Leo thought of the gift. For a moment Leo could only stare, face blank. He then lunged, nearly knocking Jason backwards into the snow as he hugged him as tight as he could. “You giant sap. I love it. I love you.” Jason laughed relief filling his chest as he hugged him back. “I love you too, Firefly.”

Later, back in cabin one, Leo was curled against Jason under a pile of blankets. The world was frosted in silver outside. The only warmth, a boy with fire in his veins, a boy with lighting in his heart, and the steady heartbeat of a bear between them.

For the first winter in a long time, Leo Valdez didn’t mind the cold.

Chapter 2: Summer gifts

Summary:

Leo gives them each a gift to survive the summer

Notes:

Amazing idea by manygeese on tumblr ♡

Summers at camp half-blood could be too hot at times. Cicadas were buzzing in the trees, the air was shimmering with heat, and even the lake looked like it had given up on trying to be refreshing. Most of the campers were suffering, sweaty and dragging themselves from shade to shade.

All except Leo Valdez.

The son of Hephaestus was thriving in this weather, working on something in the forge in a tnk top grinning like a cat. Where others were suffering and melting, he was glowing. Heat was his element. But as he took notice of his friends all sweaty shirts sticking to their backs, he remembered something important.

Winter.

All of his friends had made sure he wouldn’t freeze to death during the winter by giving him gifts; Jason’s heartbeat bear, Percy and Annabeth's Festus blanket, Hazel and Frank’s hat, Piper’s gloves and Nico’s jacket. They all had looked out for him when he couldn’t handle the cold.

So now it was his turn to make sure they would survive the blistering heat that this summer was.

Later that evening Leo had called his friends towards the pavilion. They all shuffled in, some fanning themselves with their hands while others were pulling their shirts away from their sweaty body. Jason sat closest to him giving him a look that said ‘What are you up to now Valdez?’ Leo jumped up onto the nearest table nearly falling off it hoping no one had noticed and held up a box filled with what on first look, looked like several trinkets. “Ladies, gentlemen children of the gods! Prepare yourself. For I, Leo Valdez, bad boy supreme bring you salvation from these fiery pits of summer!” He tossed an object into the air and it whirred to life. The group blinked in confusion, not really sure what was going on. But Leo kept grinning as he catched the object again. “Behold! Portable neck fans that you can turn into pocket fans, Valdez-style. One for each of you, designed specifically to your taste.” he jumped back off the table and handed them out to each one of his friends.

Piper had a rose-gold fan that released a faintly perfumed breeze. “Now you’ll always have that goddess glow” he said with a playful wink, and Piper smacked him on the arm.

Hazel had a polished brass one with little carvings of horses along the edges. “Strong enough to keep you cool even on an iris message call to the underworld” he grinned and went over to the next person.

Frank had a sturdy, camouflage patterned fan with an extendable handle. “So it doubles as a propeller when you turn into a bird, because birds can also overheat.” Frank shook his head, but he actually found it thoughtful of Leo to think of the fact he could also cool himself off when he was shapeshifted.

Nico had a black fan that had two skulls on the side, on a further away look it looked like a pair of headphones. “Extra quiet, so you can brood dramatically without sweating.” Nico rolled his eyes but slipped it on immediately. Having an all black wardrobe wasn't handy in the summer at all, so he was glad for the coolness the fan was giving him.

Percy had gotten one with fishes engraved on it along the sides. “Bonus feature for you is that it mists! I’ve heard it helps I dont know tho” he shrugged and went over to the girl next to Percy.

Annabeth had a silver fan etched with an owl design. “Efficient. Long lasting. Smarter than every other fan on the market of course.” she rolled her eyes and looked up at Leo “Are you describing yourself or the fan” she joked before he went over to his boyfriend.

Leo finally made his way over to Jason and handed him a sleek blue and gold fan that unfolded like a mini turbine. “Yours comes with extra power. Because you know storm boyfriend privileges.” he winked and settled down next to Jason.

The group laughed and thanked Leo for his gifts. Soon the pavilion was full of whirring and sounds of relief as everyone enjoyed the cold breezes from the fans. Percy stuck his misting fan right into Annabeth’s face until she threatened to hit him with it. Hazel and Frank were leaning against each other smiling as their fans whirred side by side. Nico sat in silence actually enjoying the silence and cold breezes, his hair even ruffled a little in the slight breeze. Jason slipped his own fan around his neck and wrapped an arm around Leo’s waist pulling him closer to his side. “You didn’t make one for yourself?” he questioned his boyfriend. Leo smirked and shrugged his shoulders leaning his head on Jason’s shoulder “the heat doesn't really bother me all that much, I am the embodiment of fire remember” he joked and Jason kissed the top of his curls “You’re ridiculous”

The fans buzzed softly even when it became darker, carrying relief across the friendgroup. For once, nobody was complaining about the weather because Leo Valdez had made sure his family could enjoy it, just like they had once made sure he survived the cold.

Chapter 3: A gift called grief

Summary:

A not so happy gift

Notes:

Amazing idea by lemonnan on tumblr ♡
(Idea in endnotes to avoid spoilers)

Bunker 9 had always been alive with sounds; the sparks crackling, hammers ringing and gears spinning. That night however, the noise was different.

Jason had been the first to hear it. A deep stuttering rumble from within the forge, the kind that set his instincts screaming. He quickly ran towards the bunker, shouting Leo’s name just as the ground shook beneath his feet. Then the explosion came. Flames burst from the roof, the blast had sent heat rippling across camp, rattling the windows from nearby cabins. For one horrible moment, Jason could swear he saw a figure outlined in the flames. Curly hair wild, arms outstretched as if it were trying to hold everything together but was failing miserably. The figure looked over at Jason from within the flames, and Jason could swear on his life it mouthed the words ‘I love you, I’m sorry.’ and then the figure was gone, swallowed in the inferno.

By the time the others had arrived, Jason was already running towards the wreckage. “LEO!” his voice cracked with emotions as he tried to push his way through the smoke, the fallen steel beams. He didn’t care if he would get injured at this moment or that his lungs were filled with ash. He had to get inside, he had to get Leo out. The boy has survived worse. He had to have survived a simple explosion, he was made of fire. But Percy had grabbed him by the arm, yanking him back before he could make it any further and potentially also fall victim. Frank and Hazel rushed to help, both of them also restraining Jason from going further into the burned down building, but he tried his best to fight back. “Let me go!’ He almost growled, his voice was raw, frantic. “He’s not- he’s not gone. He can’t be-”

Annabeth’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp as ever but ever so slightly breaking at the edges. She had to stay composed. “Jason, stop! If you go in there, you’ll die too.” But Jason didn’t care about that, if Leo was gone he couldn’t move on either way, he might as well… So he kept fighting their hold until Nico stepped forward, the way he looked at him. He didn’t need to say anything he could see by the look in his eyes that there was nothing left inside to save. Jason’s knees buckled, the weight of the truth crushing him. He collapsed into the dirt, choking on his sobs , his whole body trembling. “No,” he whispered, reaching out into the empty air as though Leo might still appear out of the smoke. “No, please…not him..not Leo.”

The silence was too heavy for anyone to even say another word.

Later, when the bunker had gone dark and silent, they gathered outside. No one dared to speak, there weren’t any words for this kind of loss.

Hazel cradled the wool hat she and Frank had given Leo, the one he always pulled low over his curls. Smoke had stained the brim making the words almost unreadable, and her tears left darker spots in the fabric. Frank, too overcome with too many emotions to even speak, shifted into a small hamster and curled into the hat like he had when Leo teased him as if that might bring him back. Piper placed her gloves gently into her lap, the ones she had reinforced together with harly to keep him warm through the winter. They were untouched by the fire but they still felt unbearably heavy.

Nico set down the jacket he had given Leo during the holidays. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes were red and brimming with tears, he didn’t dare look at anyone. For him, the jacket hadn’t been just for protection against the harsh winter weather but also as a way to say he cared without ever saying those exact words out loud. Meanwhile Annabeth unfolded the Festus blanket smoothing out the stitched wings as though they could still wrap around its owner. Percy rested his hands onto hers, his jaw tight.

And Jason? Jason sat away from the group. The bear he had given Leo trembling in his hands, he kept squeezing its paw, what once were comforting words. Where now lies. He was no longer safe, he was dead and Jason had done nothing to protect him. He pressed to bear closer to his chest as if the faintly beating heart would somewhat remind him of Leo’s no longer beating one. His breathing came in sharp and uneven sobs. “I should’ve been there…I should’ve stopped him. He told me…he told-” he choked on another sob not being able to get out the words he wanted to say.

Percy crouched in front of him, voice heavy. “You can’t blame yourself, it’s not your fault. Leo wouldn’t want you blaming yourself now would he?” Jason shook his head violently, moving away from Percy, he knew his friends were trying to comfort him. But the tears kept coming. “He was my..” his voice broke and tried to take a deep breath, hugging the bear even tighter. “He was my everything” he managed the whisper. The heartbroken sobs immediately drowning out the words.

They couldn’t drag him away this time. So they stayed with him, six demigods huddled together in the dark. A family remembering the boy who had kept them cool in the summer, who had given them all pieces of himself until there was nothing left. The ruins of bunker 9 still smoldered in the distance, and in the silence it felt like the world itself was mourning.

Leo Valdez was gone.

And none of them would ever be whole again.

Notes:

The idea was, Leo gives them trauma by dying in an explosion in bunker 9 :D