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Annabeth never thought that she would feel guilty for knowing Morse code. But after meeting Leo Valdez, she started to feel like she was listening to a private conversation as soon as she was within five meter range of him.
They were eating dinner on the Argo II when she heard it this time. She saw Leo absently tap on the table. (I love you). Annabeth tried to ignore the taps, but it was impossible.
(I love you, your striking eyes and your beautiful blonde hair). Annabeth froze up. Striking eyes and blonde hair…? That sounded awfully similar to her. Then he just tapped random letters, but Annabeth was confused, and just a little bit curious
(I’m sorry for loving you) was the next and last thing he tapped during dinner and Annabeth felt her heart clench. Leo was a decent guy, he’d been through a whole lot, but Annabeth didn’t like him like that (Leo was like her little brother), plus, she had a boyfriend.
After dinner Annabeth decided to talk to Leo, because even if his love was one-sided, he shouldn’t be sorry for loving anyone, ever. She approached the engine room and knocked, since Leo was almost always there.
”Yeah? Come inside!” Leo called. Annabeth entered and saw him at his desk fiddling with something, goggles at the top of his head.
”Well…did you want anything? I’m in the middle of making something super cool.” Leo said after a beat. ”Yeah! Right, sorry. So…I kind of know morse code and have heard you using it at random times…?” Annabeth started.
Leo’s face got very, very red. ”O-oh!! I’m just—uhm, fooling around I guess and I usually just tap stuff without meaning it and-” Leo started rambling, before Annabeth promptly cut him off.
”Leo, it’s alright, you don’t need to come up with a bunch of excuses, I get it.” Annabeth gently said. Leo looked completely ruined, his face red, he’d even stopped tinkering with his project. Annabeth felt bad for him, he looked embarrassed and kind of sad.
”Don’t tell him…okay? Or anyone else…please? I-I really don’t want anyone to know…” he said quietly. Him? Annabeth thought. Then it clicked.
Him.
Striking eyes.
Blonde.
It was Jason.
Leo had a crush on Jason, not her.
Annabeth must’ve looked shocked, because Leo eyed her carefully. ”uh…cause it was that you knew…right?” Leo nervously asked. Annabeth took a deep breath, best to be honest.
”Uhm so, I’m going to be honest, I thought you liked me but now I feel kinda stupid about thinking that.” Annabeth said awkwardly. Leo looked up at her, still red in the face. ”No! Uh-I…I don’t like you if that’s what you thought” Leo quickly said.
Annabeth turned to leave. ”Hey Leo, you should tell him.” She said before she closed the door.