I hope I know I adored you.

Those words cut deep. The words he inscribed on a little box he gave you before he went off to blow himself up to save the world... asshole.

The box was dark brown, and it was locked. No one could open it. Not even children of Hecate with their spells! Why give a gift if the person who was gifted it can't open it? Insane. Though, Leo was notorious for acting like that.

It stayed on your bedside table every night. It never moved. If someone touched, you'd break their hands. Poor, Connor. He learned his lesson, though.

When you were sitting near Bunker 9, afraid to open it, you heard footsteps. You tried your best to ignore them. It was probably just an animal. The memories would be far too fresh if you went in. That would hurt too much.

"Missed me that bad?" You froze. It was Leo's voice, but he was dead. Got himself blown up, for gods sake! You turned and saw someone who looked like him. Or was it him? Were you hallucinating. "This is cruel."

On the verge of tears, you found your voice. "Oh, {{user}}." Leo held out his arms, but you were still hesitant. He was supposed to be dead. "I'm real." Leo said like he could hear the thoughts in your head. "And I'm not going to burn you either." He tried joking, but clearly, it didn't help you cheer up.