InsaneJournal

At his last text, Gabby hurried to the door, opening it quickly and with a little smile. She honestly was thrilled to see him. She was tired, and lonely, and a bit sad, and she hadn't seen him in a few days. Not since she'd stayed the night at his apartment. Wow, that sounded bad. But nothing had happened, really. They'd just fallen asleep and snuggled on the couch, both fully and entirely clothed. And it had felt so nice not to be alone. To know that there would be someone there if she woke up with one of her nightmares. She'd slept better than she'd slept in...well, in years.

That's why she'd texted him tonight. In the past few days, several people from her home had showed up here in New York, and it had made her think of things that she..well..really didn't want to remember. The war. Being trapped at Beauxbatons without knowing what was happening to her family...the fears and insecurities and loneliness that she'd known. And she'd started to shut herself away in her room again, feeling safer in the darkness and solitude. Safer, yes. But the loneliness seemed...deeper. Deeper even than it had at home, and she wasn't exactly sure why. Maybe it was because she'd had that night with Leo, that night that had seemed so simple and pointless but had given her a template on which to judge all other nights. He was so...comforting. She felt better when he was around. She had no idea what that meant in the broader scheme of things, and right now she didn't want to think about it. At all. Thinking too much about things only got you in trouble.

She looked at him, cocking her head a little. She was dressed in pink jammies, the top rather low cut, although the pants covered everything completely. She didn't think much of it, it was just comfortable, and she liked the color.

"Thanks for coming," she said softly. "I hope I didn't interrupt anything."


Leo was just getting to the point that he was getting antsy. Sure, Werewolf was an awesome game, and he did love his demigod friends, but they were thinking of settling in for Monopoly, and Gabby's messages were as good a reason as any to slip out. He'd made his way back to his apartment, whistling to himself as he found popcorn and pajamas and a pillow. He'd gone ahead and changed-- plaid flannel sleep pants and a plain grey t-shirt-- and carried his things in a bag at his side as he made his way up to Gabby's apartment.

He liked her. He knew that much. Was it something more? He didn't know. He'd made a fool of himself with her, but not the same way he had with Khione or Thalia or any of the other girls who were ridiculously out of his league. Really, Gabby was even out of his league, but he was really trying to not think of her as anything more. He knew it was fast, but he had fire inside him, he supposed, and always had been a bit of a passionate sort. Not that he was pushing for any of that sort of passion. But he didn't want to scare her off. Really. He wasn't thinking about it. Not even letting himself. They were just friends.

When she opened the door, his jaw dropped. Gosh, she was pretty. But he didn't let his gaze drop (although to be perfectly honest, it was tempting), and he smiled. "Hey. No need to thank me. Frank and them were about to start a game of Monopoly and I really don't have the attention span to sit through it. Besides, I'm glad to see you. And you know you're welcome to text me any time. Or call. Or just come over. I mean it."


"I...just don't want to bug you, you know?" she said softly, but she did smile slightly as she reached out for his hand, pulling him inside and closing the door behind them. "I know you have other friends and you like doing things with them, and I don't want to bug you, you know? But I couldn't sleep. I was...so lonely and I just wanted someone close. And you're...well, you're warm. Annoying, but warm. And I slept so well the other night."

She pulled him to the couch and sat down, leaving plenty of room for him. Then she grabbed the remote and turned on the tv, letting Beauty and the Beast start. The disney version. She'd always loved it, not because the horrible Beast found love, but because Beauty found someone wonderful who could love her for who she was, and not what she looked like.


"You're never bugging," Leo insisted, smiling as she took his hand. "Not at all." The smile faded a little as she called him annoying, but he was starting to wonder if it was maybe some term of endearment or something. She didn't seem upset by it, at least. "I slept pretty well, too. It was nice. I'm glad you asked me over."

He followed her to the couch, dropping his pillow on the other side and taking a seat next to her. He wasn't so close as to assume anything, but close enough they could touch if either of them wanted. "I don't think I've watched this movie in years... Oh! Did you want some popcorn?"


Gabby smiled as he sat, sitting close to him, but not close enough that they were actually touching. "We'll get some in a bit," she smiled, turning on the movie. She watched it in silence for a few minutes before scooting a little bit closer to him, laying her head on his shoulder sleepily.

"My mama always said it was my job to do this for a boy. Because all boys are beasts. But I always felt...well...I wanted to find my beast. Someone who would love me for who I am."


Leo nodded, settling back on the couch and trying to watch the movie, but his brain was, as always, going all over the place. And then she scooted closer and he looked over, trying to play it cool. Her hair smelled nice, though. And she was all soft and pretty and next to him. But then she spoke and he pulled himself back from his thoughts.

"Maybe you just hadn't found the right boy yet," he said quietly, shifting a little to slip his arm around her shoulders. "I mean. I know we haven't known each other long, but I like what I know about you. I like you so far. For who you are, not just your looks."


"That's sweet," she said softly, but a bit dismissively, as if she didn't quite believe it. She did believe it - for the most part, but there was still a little bit of her that wasn't sure. After all, she hadn't known him very long, and some people were really good at lying.

Still, she snuggled with him a bit more, enjoying his warmth and his closeness.

"I like you too, Leo. I know sometimes I'm mean, and I say mean things. But I really do like you."


Leo bit his lower lip. Of course she wouldn't believe him. He looked down to her, then back at the movie, mentally shrugging. Oh well. That was Leo Valdez. Forever friend-zoned.

"I don't think you're that mean. At least, you haven't been so mean as to scare me off yet." He smiled playfully, then leaned his head against hers with a soft sigh. "If you get uncomfortable or anything, just let me know, alright?"


Gabby nodded, but she was anything but uncomfortable. She snuggled against him, wrapping her arm around his waist, quickly losing interest in the movie as she closed her eyes. Again, that wonderful feeling of not being alone. That wonderful feeling of being safe, of being warm, of being cared for...that she hadn't felt since the last time she'd snuggled with Leo. She felt her defenses relax, and she yawned cutely as she nestled in closer.

This was what she'd wanted when she'd asked him over. This was perfect.


Leo was quick to stop paying any attention to the movie as Gabby curled up at his side, and he gently traced a light pattern at her back with his fingers. He fell quiet, just..relaxing, enjoying this, probably more than he should. But it was nice. Comfortable. And she smelled nice. And felt nice. And she trusted him enough for this, and he was determined not to take advantage of that trust.


"You smell nice," she said sleepily, breathing in deeply. "I'm not sure exactly what it is. Soap. But also...I don't know...woodsmoke? Like a campfire? I like it. It's comforting. Happy." She let out a soft sigh, finding his hand and interlacing their fingers.

"I'm so tired of...everything," she said softly.


"Er. Thanks, " Leo said with a sheepish smile. "I'm glad you like it. You smell good, too. Something sweet. Pretty. I like it a lot."

He watched as aye laced their fingers together. "What are you tired of? " he asked quietly. "Is something wrong?"


"It's probably just my shampoo," she grinned. "It's supposed to smell like mangos."

Gabby sighed, snuggling as close to him as she could. "I'm tired of always feeling scared. Of feeling like I don't fit in anywhere. Of not being able to sleep. Of feeling helpless. Of nobody caring what I think. Being pretty? That's only part of it. I was also too young. I was stuck in school in the south of France while my parents and my sister were fighting in a war that we all thought we were going to lose. I had to listen to the radio every day and just hope that I wouldn't hear the names of someone I loved. And they didn't bother to contact me very often. I was safe, and that's all that mattered. So I worried all the time. Never slept. Had nightmares when I finally couldn't stay up anymore. It got to where I couldn't concentrate on anything. I pulled away from everyone, and just sat in my room listening to the radio. I just felt so helpless, so alone...and I'm just so tired, Leo."


"It smells great, " he replied. "I love mangoes." Really? That was the best he could think of?

Leo was quiet as she spoke and he nodded slowly. "I cant say I know completely how you feel, but I do know what its like to be alone. I don't know that I can help the nightmares or anything else, but I'm here. And I'll be here, any time you'd like me to be. You don't have to be alone anymore, Gabby. I'd like to be here for you. And you can relax now, if you want. Nothing is going to happen to you while I'm here. I promise."


She did relax as he spoke, snuggling up against him with a soft smile.

"I hope I don't hurt you. I really don't want to. But I'm not a very nice person sometimes, Leo. And I've...heard that you fall for people fast. Don't fall for me, okay? I don't want to hurt you. You're too sweet."


Too late, Leo thought, but he didn't admit that much out loud. "I think we'll be alright, Gabby, honest. We'll just keep on like we have been and we'll be fine."

He bit his lower lip and sighed softly, giving her hand a light squeeze. "And don't- never say never, alright? You never know what's going to happen from day to day."


She squeezed his hand back, pulling the blanket off the couch and wrapping it around them. "I know that things are always going to be hard for me," she said softly. "I know that people really don't like me. I know that this is too good to last. I know that I don't want to go anywhere else than right here, snuggled up with you. I wish this moment could last forever, that I could just feel this safe for the rest of my life, like nobody's going to hurt me. You have no idea how much that would mean to me, to feel like I've got someone there beside me. I think that's why I like this. Because while you're here? I can pretend that I'm not alone."


"They don't have to be," Leo said quietly. "I'm not people, Gabby. I'm me. I'm different, alright? I like you. And it doesn't have to be too good to last. I want to be here. I want to help you feel safe again. I want to see you happy, to see you smile. You don't have to be alone."

He wrapped his arm around her and bit his lower lip at his words, cheeks flushing. "I don't know what this is, exactly. I don't know if I want it to be something more, but I like being your friend. I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow or next week or next month, but I just..I wish you could trust me. Trust that I'm not like anybody else you've met before."


"Everybody says that, Leo. Everybody says they're different. You know that, right? And maybe you are. You're nicer than any of the others so far. And you make me feel safe."

Still feeling as if she wanted to be closer, Gabby crawled onto his lap, wrapping the blanket around them and resting her head on his shoulder. She was taller than him, yes, just slightly, but she was very light and very skinny. She snuggled in to his lap, resting her head on his shoulder.

"Hold me?"


"I know. But I'm not everybody, Gabby." Leo was surprised as she crawled into his lap, but he wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to her shoulder, then her temple. "Yeah. Yeah, of course. Anything you want, Gabby, I mean it."


People had tried to kiss her before, and she'd hated it. But Leo's soft little kisses weren't pushy or demanding, they were just...sweet. Gentle. Little caresses that felt...nice. So she didn't pull away or try to escape, she just made a soft little mew and snuggled closer, looking up at him as she ran her fingers through his curls.

"I know. I don't think you are. But...I'm a little scared is all."


Leo closed his eyes as she ran her fingers through his hair- he couldn't help it; he liked it. He smiled faintly, blushing a little as he looked back to her. "You're not the only one," he admitted quietly. "I don't know, Gabby, I just- I like you. And this- whatever this is with us, it's different than I've had with other girls. And I don't want to scare you off or make you uncomfortable or anything, alright? But I think..I don't know. I think this friendship could be a really good thing. For both of us. And maybe it is a strange friendship, you and me, but if it works for us, then what does it matter what anybody else thinks? Why question it or worry about the what-ifs if whatever's going on right now is working?"


"I guess you're right," she said, biting her lip. "It is nice. I've never had anything like this either, I'm not afraid of you. I can talk to you. I'm not afraid to tell you things. I think in the past week I've told you more than I've ever told anyone about my life...about the things that upset me, about how sad and lonely I am sometimes. And...you know...maybe you're not the Prince Charming I always dreamed of, but...you know..maybe that's okay."

She kissed his cheek softly, snuggling back down against him.

"Just...please don't hurt me," she said, looking very vulnerable as she lay against him.


"I doubt I'm the guy anybody's ever dreamed of," Leo replied quietly. "And I'm not- I'm not saying I have to be your Prince Charming. This- it doesn't have to be anything you don't want it to be. But I'm glad you can trust me and talk to me like you have."

He blushed faintly as she kissed his cheek and he shifted a little on the couch as she snuggled against him. "I don't want to hurt you. I'm going to do everything I can not to, Gabby, I promise."


Biting her bottom lip, she looked at him for a long moment.

"I'm going to ask you something, and I really need you to be honest with me, okay? Please tell me the truth. You...you think I'm pretty, don't you? it's okay if you do, because I am. But...I mean...you've noticed. And you...you want this to be more than just friends, don't you?"


"I'd be a fool not to notice how pretty you are," Leo replied. "Yes, I think you're beautiful. Yeah, I'd like for there to be a chance that this could become something more. Someday. I'm in no rush. But it isn't your beauty that made me want to be your friend. I just..I saw you on that bench looking so lonely and angry at the world and I wanted to see you smile. I wanted to know why you were so sad. I wanted to help. I wanted to know you."



Gabby looked at him for a long moment, not sure what to believe. He seemed so sincere, and everything he'd ever said or done had led her to believe that he wasn't the type to lie about something like that. And hearing him admit things, so honestly...well, it made her feel good. He'd told her the truth, and it wasn't so bad. She smiled a little.

"I don't know what I want exactly, Leo. But...are you okay being my friend for a while without you know...being together? Because...I like this. I like being with you. I like being friends."


"Yeah, definitely. I told you. I'm not in any rush and I'm not- it doesn't have to be anything more. I like this. Right now. And I really like being your friend." Leo could tell that she didn't quite believe him. "I- I'm sorry. I'm not trying to- I just want to be honest. I don't know what I'm feeling. This- it's different. I've fallen for other girls but it's not been like this. I always- well, you saw how I was with Khione. It's not like that with you. I don't know what it is with you and me, but I like it. And I just..let's take it day by day."


"Yeah. I like that," she said softly. "We'll just take it day by day. Not call it anything. Just...be together. Make each other happy. Talk. Cuddle. The nice things." She wrapped one of his curls around her finger, then reached up to kiss it. "I like you, Leo. I don't know how exactly yet, but I like you."


"Yes. Please." Leo looked a little cross-eyed as she kissed his curls, but he smiled a moment later. "I like you, too, Gabby. And this. The cuddling and talking and getting to know each other. It's really nice."


She laughed at his little cross-eyed expression; she couldn't help it, and kissed the tip of his nose.

"Have you ever kissed a girl before?"


"No." Leo fell quiet, cheeks flushing. "I've never- no. I'm annoying, remember? There was- well, you'll read about Nemesis later on. She told me once that I was always going to be alone."


Gabby looked at him, almost angry for a moment, as she listened to those words. Then, without warning, she took face in her hands and kissed him. She wasn't very good at it - she'd never done it before either, and it was wet and awkward and strange.

But also...nice.


Leo made a soft sound as she took his face, and it took a half a second before he responded to her kiss. His face was warm as they parted. "I- whoa." He brought a hand up to gently smooth her hair back, tucking a small bit behind her ear. "I- gods, Gabby, please don't- I didn't say that- I'm not here just trying to get you to kiss me. I promise. But that- I liked that. A lot."


"It was kind of weird, wasn't it? Kind of wet and funny feeling. I've never kissed anyone before either. But...I did okay, then? You liked it okay?" She smiled a little. "I know you didn't. I believe you. That's why I did it. Now you don't have to die without ever kissing a girl. Or whatever."


"Weird? Maybe a little. I liked it. You did better than okay." He smiled in return, cheeks still pink. "I- well. Thank you. I hope it's- I mean. I hope it wasn't just for that. Did you- was it okay for you-?"


"It was...a little...wet." She made a face, but it was a rather cute one. "Wanna try again?"


"I'd love to. If you want to." Leo smiled at her face and he brought his hand up to gently cup her cheek as he leaned over to press another gentle kiss to her lips, keeping it fairly chaste.


Now this one was a little better, she had to admit. It wasn't quite so wet, and his lips were soft and warm and he tasted a little like popcorn. Which made her giggle. And then she couldn't stop giggling. She finally pulled back, putting her hand over her mouth as her eyes started to water from her laughing.


Leo's hand fell to his lap as she started to giggle and he blinked, suddenly terrified. "I- oh gods- did I- I'm sorry, I didn't- what's-"


She shook her head. "It's not you. It's not." She gasped, trying to force herself to stop, "It's not...it's not..." Swallowing, she finally got control of herself. "It's just...I don't know. It just...felt good inside and I just need to...let the happy out."


Leo couldn't help but smile at her words. "I- well, good. That's- that's a good thing, I think." He wrapped his arms around her again to give her a brief hug. "At least, that sort of happiness is a good thing!"


Gabby lay her head on his shoulder and let him hug her, smiling a little as she snuggled.

"That was my first kiss too."


"Really? I wouldn't have known that," Leo admitted, smiling as she snuggled against him. "I.. I liked it. A lot. So, um. Any time you want to, you're- you can. I'd like to."


She grinned at him a little, leaning in to kiss his nose.

"Wanna just practice a little?"


"Sure!" Leo sounded a little too enthusiastic at that, and he offered a sheepish smile. He nuzzled, brushing his nose against hers before nipping lightly at her lower lip. "Please?"


Ooooh, she liked that little nip.

"Do that again. That nip thing. That felt...that felt good."


"Yeah?" Leo smiled, and leaned down to do it again before kissing her once more. There was no pressure to these kisses- he just wanted them both to enjoy themselves.


"Mmmmmm." Trying it herself, she bit as his bottom lip before wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him a bit more deeply. This was nice. This was really nice. She couldn't believe she was doing it, that this was happening, but she loved it.


"Mmm-" Leo did like that,and he smiled against her lips. His arms went around her snugly and he hugged her just closer. His lips parted just slightly against hers as she kissed him more deeply and- gods, he couldn't believe this was happening. Er. It was really happening, wasn't it? He hoped it was. It felt real. Was she really letting him do this?


After a bit, Gabby pulled back, and ran her fingers over her lips, a bit confused looking herself.

"So...um...yeah. We should just let this...be what it will, okay? We'e just...you know, friends. And...we'll see what happens?"


"I- yeah-" Leo was a bit breathless, and he nodded just slightly. "Yeah, we'll- we'll see." He smiled faintly. "That was- I liked it. A lot."