#esperanza valdez

[annrgy]

sammy valdez definitely called hazel "mi media naranja." before she disappeared, a cute thing he heard from his parents. he was hers, even if he didn't have to confidence to say that outright, yet. in the end, he didn't have a chance to tell her before she disappears so he teaches it to esperanza, like he taught her morse code.

esperanza valdez definitely called leo that when he was still very young. she did that mother thing where she rubs her nose against her baby's and calls him "mi media naranja." she did the same when she peeled his oranges when he was feeling down. he always thought she was just funny, calling him an orange half.

leo valdez definitely understands now that she wasn't just trying to be funny, especially now that he has you. being the seventh wheel was worth it now that he's found someone to call "mi media naranja." and he lets you know that in morse code, tapping it on your shoulder as you fall asleep in his arms. he wonders if you'll have the same silly dreams about being an orange like he did, if he calls you it enough.

mi media naranja: meaning "other half of my soul," essentially expressing how no two oranges are identical and wouldn't fit if you put just any two halves together. and thus the person you tell it to is your other half as you wouldn't fit with anyone else, the perfect match.

#◇ ── heroes of olympus. #heroes of olympus #hoo x reader #heroes of olympus x reader #hoo #percy jackson x reader #pjo x reader #percy jackon and the olympians #pjo #sammy valdez #esperanza valdez #sammy valdez x hazel levesque #leo valdez #leo valdez x reader #leo valdez fluff #leo valdez x you #leo valdez headcanons

[all-was-not-well]

There's something about the fragments of backstory we get in The Lost Hero.....

When she finds a goddess putting her son at the center of a divine fire, Esperanza Valdez burns her hands pulling him out of it, and screams for the goddess to leave them alone.

When the same goddess tells Beryl Grace to sacrifice her son to save her own life, she does so without question.

#I have an essay's worth of thoughts on these women and also on Tristan McLean but I'll save it for later #Leo valdez #beryl grace #Jason grace #Thalia grace #zeus #hepheastus #Percy Jackson and the olympians #pjo #pjato #heroes of olympus #hoo #the lost hero #tlh #esperanza valdez

[kastalani123]

I know that PJO Hera is an absolute bitch and even in mythology she isn't among the best, but. But.

Tell me that Hera, Goddess of Motherhood, wasn't completely enthralled when Leo Valdez, a few months old and so tiny and fragile, grabbed her finger for the first time and giggled like it was the best thing to happen in his life.

Tell me that Hera, Mother, doesn't replay the first time Leo Valdez, a year old and always covered in bumps and bruises because he climbs everything, said "Tía" years after it happened.

Tell me that Hera, Patron of Women, didn't have cuckoos following Esperanza, young and alone and discarded by her family, when she had to lock up late to make sure no harm came to her.

Tell me that Hera, Goddess of Motherhood, didn't feel worshiped to the highest degree when Esperanza, tired and dirty and bleeding, worked nights so that she could afford to spoil her son for his birthday.

Tell me that Hera, Tía Callida, didn't care when she put Leo, all of two years old and burning with a flame so bright the Earth Mother herself felt the need to intervene, in the fireplace as though to burn away his mortality.

#pjo #hera pjo #leo valdez #esperanza valdez #the lost hero #rick riordan #headcanon #Hera doesn't care about mortals #she cares about two (2) (or three if you count Jason) mortals specifically #pjo spoilers

[incorrect-riordanverse]

Leo: kicked a woman once

Frank: what the hell is wrong with you?

Leo: when i was in the womb chill mf

#let him cook 🔥 #frank gets a migraine every time leo opens his mouth #riordanverse #incorrect riordanverse #rick riordan #hoo #heroes of olympus #frank zhang #leo valdez #esperanza valdez

[via-rant]

Leo whose used to people blamming him for things. His Mom dying, the things they did in Foster Homes because of the broken plate or cup or bowl was his fault, he's not being fed because he tried to steal their food, so it's no surprise people blame him for attacking Camp Jupiter. It didn't matter if he was possessed.

"You could've fought harder!"

It's no surprise how Frank is scared of him. Or how Hazel avoids him.

It's no surprise when they blame him for Jason dying.

"Why couldn't you stay dead?" He doesn't have an answer. Because he's been wondering that all his life.

Why did he have these abilities? Why couldn't he have died with his mother? Why did he run? He should've stayed and taken it like the others. Why did he come back?

#leo valdez #hoo #heros of olympus #jason grace #valgrace #hazel levesque #frank zhang #esperanza valdez

[m-for-now]

Does anyone ever think about how Leo Valdez was probably the worst to get posessed by those wind spirits to attack New Rome? Like he said himself he could only watch himself do it and he was very aware that it was "him" who fired the canons but it was entirely out of his control. He probably felt like he was back at 8 years old, seeing his home burn, not being able to do anything about it. This was the second time he felt like it was his fault but at the same time entirely out of his control that a home was burned down/fired at. First the home of him and his mom, then the home to his friend.

And what I also think about is how, with his aunt calling him a demon or a devil or smth, he must've had enough religious trauma and questions about his back then unexplained fire-abilities that at some point, that little traumatized boy went "what if I am posessed by a demon?"

And then he does get posessed by malevolent spirits. And attacks his friend's home.

And all he can do is watch.

#i have too many emotions about this #no wonder he was so stressed #why'd it have to be him of all people #the poor boy istg #can't catch a break #leo valdez #heroes of olympus #is this a thing? #jason grace #esperanza valdez #new rome #camp jupiter #argo 2

[stillcarmine]

Lost trio road trip to Houston where Piper gets herself invited into Rosa’s house with a beguiling smile and leaves with all of Esperanza’s belongings that should have gone to Leo.

#piper mclean #leo valdez #rosa valdez #jason grace #esperanza valdez #the lost trio #heroes of olympus #hoo

[im-always-lost-in-a-book]

This is EXACTLY The color I always imagine Leo’s eyes as

#leo valdez #heroes of olympus #hoo #percy jackson #jason grace #percy jackson and the olympians #valgrace #piper mclean #esperanza valdez #heros of olympus #pjo #percy jackon and the olympians #rick riordan #riordanverse #the lost hero

[umbran6]

A Different Champion

Ok, hear me out on this - Leo should've been the champion of Hera rather than Jason. At the very least, they should've had a relatively more positive relationship in comparison to the one time they interacted in The Lost Hero.

For those who've seen my prior posts, you know I've analyzed Leo's importance in the plot. I would also further cement this in that Leo has more importance to Hera than Jason. Even from an initial viewpoint, Hera would have more motivation to help Leo considering his background. Esperanza Valdez was willing to raise her son and still love him despite her family blacklisting her for having a child as a single mother and willing to work 9-5 just so they could live. Jason was the second child of Jupiter and Beryl Grace, who this time was fully aware of her lover's divine nature, willingly having a child despite the fact that not only did it defile Hera's marriage, but it was the second child that was testament to Zeus' disregard for his Pact made among his brothers. Overall, Hera seems more likely to sympathize with Leo and Esperanza.

This sympathy and favor is visible when you examine how Hera interacts with them, even when they were young. I always found it pretty hard to believe that Hera would pressure Beryl Grace to sacrifice Jason to sate her wrath, because Jason and Thalia were already destined for persecution - Zeus had broken the Pact of the Big Three twice. Thalia was never specifically targeted by Hera ( and the statue incident is... questionable, considering Olympus was freaking collapsing and Hera was also busy fighting Typhon), and as far as we're informed by Riordan, Hera was never particularly active in Jason's life while he was in the 5th cohort of the legion.

On a side note, Beryl Grace was an utter idiot for naming her son after the OG Jason. The OG Jason may have initially been favored by Hera for being one of the few mortal heroes without any divine parentage. However, he also severely screwed the pooch because he willingly broke his wedding vows towards Medea by attempting to marry Glauce despite all that Medea did and risked for him, to the point that its noted in most analyses of Euripides' Medea that the titular protagonist got approval from the gods for all of her actions. So yeah, Beryl painted a very big target on her son with that name. And the less said about Thalia's name, the better.

Hera spends nearly most of Leo's youth acting as his nanny while Esperanza Valdez works in the warehouse so they can stay afloat. Though most of the time Leo discussed this in the Lost Hero, he focused on the bizarre and unusual — having him use knives to cut jalapeños, prodding him to poke a snake, the whole 'burning your fingerprints into the park bench' incident, there is more to it than that. Hera doesn't just encourage the traits of a stereotypical hero, but also Leo's creativity such as him drawing the Argo II in crayons and though he wasn't aware of it, gives Leo hints as to how his future may look like. We also kind of forget that Hera still willingly helped raise Leo for Esperanza, which must've been an immense boon because she was a single mother.

Hera even performs what is quite likely the same ritual Demeter applied to Demophon so long ago — roasting him in a fireplace so Hera can burn away his mortality. Of course, it could be argued that she was doing this to strengthen Leo so she could have a stronger demigod to fight against Gaea, but either way such a possibility would benefit him more than it would for Hera. Needless to say, she must've favored Leo to the extreme if she was willing to make him, a demigod son of Hephaestus, immortal.

Furthermore - and please hear me out - let's expand on this connection. Esperanza seemed to be aware of Hephaestus's true nature as an Olympian because she knew that Leo's powers came from him, so it wouldn't be too far to say she was aware of Hera's true nature. She didn't know, however, that Hera was planning to train Leo to become a being that would defeat Gaea when she rose. She made the Queen of the Gods to promise not to intervene in their lives until Leo became aware of his true nature when Esperanza saw the fireplace scene, because Leo noted that ever that day, Tia Callida never showed up in Leo's life afterwards. So when Leo knows he is a demigod, all bets are off and Hera can finally start playing a more active role in his life.

So, now hopefully I've established that Leo should've been Hera's champion considering how she seems a lot more sympathetic to Leo. Now let's imagine how this plays out in the story. For now I'm going to specifically focus on the Lost Hero, because that's the series Hera is more prominent. Jason's memories are still wiped, Piper still thinks Jason is her boyfriend, but Leo is remarkably spared from the memory-warping effect of the Mist and is aware that Jason just straight up appeared out of nowhere.

Leo doesn't have that same edge of trust towards Jason, but that gives him a better perspective on what exactly Jason was sent out for. So he notices that Jason has a coin engraved with Latin, he uses latin terminology to describe the monsters that hunted Leo since he was young, and sees that Jason has combat skills far more advanced than an amnesiac should really have, he starts putting the pieces a lot earlier than we expect and when he is introduced to Camp Half-Blood, Leo cooks up the theory that Jason may have come from a Roman camp, and reasonably cooks up the corresponding idea that Percy is now in said Roman Camp.

When Leo figures out Jason's true origins, two things happen: he immediately tells it to Annabeth (he's not that much of a dick to hide what actually happened to her bf), and Hera conjures a specter to confirm this theory and explain why she's doing what she's doing. The whole scheme against the Earth Witch that killed Leo's mom, and that oh yeah, there's a wrench in the scheme. This concentrated method turns the gist of the quest from how the original Lost Hero presented it:

'Oh, this nebulous evil villain is going to use me as a freaking battery for her son/dragon and that sucks, so you must rescue me.' Oh yeah, and Percy is gone too, and we don't know where the freaking Tartarus he is, so there's that.

To this:

The Witch that was involved in your mother's death has captured me so that she can use me to fuel the resurrection of her strongest fighter. So if you want to get some sweet, sweet revenge/atonement for your mom's death you have to rescue me. Also, I'm holding your friend's memories with me so if you want to help him recover who he his he will also want to join. Percy Jackson? The guy who's gone missing? I have him with me as well, so Annabeth Chase better actually help out, or he's going to die too. You're in? Okay, here's how to do it, and you better get your butt here before the Winter Solstice because that is the day the absorption process is going to finish and things will really go to hell in a hand basket.

With that single message, we actually have people that aren't just following a prophecy. Annabeth joins the party because, oh yeah, now she finally knows where her boyfriend is and is willing to stomach saving the goddess she hates the most in order to help him. Jason's in it because Hera wants his memories and wants to know why she got him involved in her gambit in the first place. Leo? We have the direct motive of him wanting to atone for his mother's death while also getting revenge against the other party that was also involved. Piper's the unexpected fourth party member/possible traitor because her dad's still being held hostage.

Now, I'm not going to delve into the full plot detail changes, but a good chunk of it remains the same with some other changes. Annabeth gets a stronger friendship with Leo on an intellectual level, because you know, the guy was able to offer her a bit of hope in finding her boyfriend. He's more cautious of Jason, but also more genuinely comforting. And finally... he's suspicious as heck of Piper, because he can feel there's something more behind her joining the quest.

But I want to focus on this scene: when Leo gets claimed by Hera as her champion. I, preferably, would imagine it takes place after she is rescued from becoming a power source for Porphyrion. Mainly because then she would have enough power to do a proper claiming and thus she can be as extra with it as possible.

I mean, imagine it. Everyone's gotten back from rescuing Hera, they're all patting themselves on the back and everyone's praising Jason, Piper, and Annabeth unwittingly ignoring Leo. Everyone's hearing about Jason fighting Porphyrion, Piper getting to free her dad from Enceladus, the surprise reveal of the search for Percy, when...

A light starts to glow above Leo's head. It's faint at first, but then it grows more vibrant and swells to cover the entire dining pavilion, swallowing him whole. Then it fades away to reveal Hera, putting a crown of laurel leaves on Leo's head, his clothing replaced with a chiton that was dyed ruby red that glimmered against the firelight from the braziers. A peacock is glowing above his head, the hundreds of eyes shining like the aurora of the north.

Leo's stunned as his mind does his best to process his new reality. Hera gives him a single, warm smile, and everyone else is staring in shock as she announces his status as her champion and gives him her divine blessing. Camp Half-Blood practically erupts in shock because this is the first time the camp has witnessed a male demigod being claimed as Hera's champion with the last guy being... the OG Jason.

I mean, the look of horror in Annabeth's eyes as she realizes one of her friends is now the champion of the goddess that she hates with a burning passion. Jason suddenly realizing that Leo was a lot more in the know of Hera's whole plot than he suspected, because why otherwise would Hera make him her champion? The members of Cabin Nine, suddenly looking at Leo with a sense of betrayal because yeah, Hera's the goddess that threw their dad off of Olympus. Leo isn't really sympathetic with them, Hephaestus had practically abandoned him for sixteen years of his life and forsaken him for eight. Piper can't exactly see him in the same light - how could she, when suddenly her friend had changed so suddenly?

All of this happens as Chiron steps forward, bowing in front of Leo and his patron before uttering these words: "Hera. Goddess of the Heavens, Protector of Men, Patron of Rulers. Hail, Leo Valdez, Champion of the Queen of Olympus."

#leo valdez #heroes of olympus #hoo #pjo hoo toa #percy jackson #pjo #annabeth chase #rick riordan #jason grace #piper mclean #hera #riordanverse #alternate universe #headcanon #adaptational intelligence #Leo gets to be more badass #beryl grace #esperanza valdez #Jason (Greek Myth)

[artemx746]

I love how absolutely obsessed I am with the Pjo mortal parents even though like half of them aren’t even characters

#pjo #percy jackon and the olympians #sally jackson #esperanza valdez #But like… if you pull a god how can I not be obsessed #may castellan #Special mention to Ethan’s mortal parent even though they don’t even have a confirmed gender much less a name #Also Damien white has 2 moms I don’t make the rules and shall provide no explanation

[caleohateclub]

y'know... valgrace could easily mean Esperanza Valdez x Beryl Grace...

#valgrace #leo valdez #jason grace #esperanza valdez #beryl grace #heroes of olympus

[nepobabyeurydice]

Esperanza must’ve been so afraid for Leo if she let Hera in. Like imagine letting in the person your boyfriend warned you not to trust because you’re more afraid about your son dying that what she’s done.

#heroes of olympus #leo valdez #esperanza valdez #hera #im back on my parents of demigods bullshit #if anyone’s curious i have beryl sally and tristan #i’m aiming for marie maria and fredrick after esperanza #and then emily since i want to do more research into chinese canadian

[sentient-stove]

“When I gave you permission to watch my baby while I was at work, I did not give you permission to make him a god.”

“Ah, you see Esperanza my dear. It is not godhood until he picks a domain and proves ownership over it. Right now he’s just immortal.”

“My point still fucking stands Callida!”

#leo valdez #fanfic #heroes of olympus #hoo #pjo #percy jackson #Hera pulls a Demeter and immortalizes Leo the au #oh no that’s too much child support au #hera hoo #hera pjo #esperanza valdez

[diaruchann]

Thinking about how Gaea said "They cannot stop me from breaking your spirit" to Leo and caused the death of Esperanza Valdez, whose name literally means "hope"

#rick really cooked with that name choice for her #and I guess literally cooked her too #pjo #percy jackson #the lost hero #heroes of olympus #pjo leo #leo valdez #gaea #esperanza valdez

[via-rant]

Pt. 1

"Hey Leo?" Jason started and Leo looked away from his food he was stabbing multiple times. "Yeah?"

"Whens your birthday?" It's a normal question. A question anyone who didn't grow up running around cared about.

"Yeah. I think you're the only persons birthday we haven't celebrated." Piper added and Leo answered honestly, going back to eating his eggs.

"Oh. I don't know." Saying they were speechless was an understatement.

"You don't... know?" Percy asked as if it's the most unbelievable thing in the world and Leo stopped eating to look at them with a raised a brow.

"Yeah? I don't know, as in, I don't remember."

"Who doesn't remember their birthday?" Annabeth asked and Leo shrugged.

"Lots of people."

"You know lots of people who don't remember their birthday?" She pushed.

"Not personally but yeah. Met lots of them. Orphanages don't really care for that kind of stuff. So many kids we'd have a party every other week."

"What about foster homes? They had to have done something right?" Frank wondered out of pure curiosity.

"What is this? An intervention? Look, it doesn't matter. I forgot, I forgot, not a big deal."

"Dude, of course it is. That's the day you were born!" Percy exclaimed but Leo just shrugged.

"So?" Everything froze. It was such a simple word but held so much meaning. Oh...

When he realized what he said he just got up and left, not wanting to be questioned anymore.

"I'll be back." Nico said Shadow Traveling away.

------

"Oh, hello. What can I help you with?"

"Hi so I'm one of your sons friends and I was wondering when his birthday is?"

"You know my son?"

"Yes?"

"Is-is he okay? Is he safe?"

"Yes, yes, he's safe. He's at Camp."

"Camp?! But what about outside of it?! Does he have somewhere to stay when he gets out?! I..." He admired how much she loved him. Her voice was like applesauce, a little scratchy but mostly smooth and calming.

"Woah hey. It's okay. He's safe. Camp is a year-round place. He has a plan."

"He does?"

"Yes." He assured and she nodded wiping her tears.

"Lo siento, I've just been so worried."

"I completely understand ma'am. But we do only have ten minutes."

"Alright. Now what was the question?"

"When his birthday is."

"It's July, 7th. But why couldn't you ask him?" He told her what happened and she fell to her knees.

"Oh cariño, lo siento mucho. Debería haber estado allí."

"Ms. Valdez, you have nothing to be sorry for. You couldn't help it, people die."

"Oh, lo sé, lo sé. I just... was he at least safe? After I died?"

"Wish I could say yes." He said sadly and she sobbed. He held her.

"But he's safe now. We're taking care of him. I promise." He couldn't imagine being in her shoes. Being dead, hearing that your son is alive after all these years and finding out he hasn't been safe since, in any means.

"And he is such a wonderful guy. He's so funny, and kind, and selfless, and smart." She pulled away to wipe her tears.

"He was always the charmer." She said with a knowing smirk and he blushed.

"You know?"

"The whole underworld knows about you liking boys. I never thought it'd be with my son but if he's your type..." She said wiggling her eyebrows.

"Oh! No, we're not a thing. I just... really like him. Ugh..." He said covering his face and she laughed. Loud and unpredictable. Just like Leo.

"Well. I think you should tell him." She suggested and he shrugged. "Maybe one day."

"Gracias. I haven't felt this relaxed in forever. I should really take Emily up for that spa one day." She said and Nico smiled.

"Aye, I apologize. You should probably get back."

"Um... yeah..."

"Before you do, could you tell him something?"

"Yes, of course."

"Tell him it's not his fault. And I love him. More than he could ever know." Nico nodded with a small smile.

"Of course." Then she did something unexpected. She kissed his forehead.

"You're an angel." She disappeared and he stood there in stunned silence before smiling again. Now to talk to Leo.

-------

@moa-broke-me @thatgaydemigodnerd @im-always-lost-in-a-book @starlightshadowsworld @cabin12kid @stillcarmine

(Please lmk if you want me to take your tag off.)

#leo valdez #jason grace #nico di angelo #percy jackson #annabeth chase #piper mclean #frank zhang #hazel levesque #hoo #heros of olympus #reyna avila ramirez arellano #valdangelo #percabeth #esperanza valdez #rosa valdez

[theinternetvoidsworld]

leo valdez is / listens to mother mother

#lgbtq #leo valdez #percy jackon and the olympians #percy jackson #mother mother #music #piper mclean #jason grace #frank zhang #hazel levesque #annabeth pjo #annabeth chase #leo #esperanza valdez #valgrace