son of hephaestus · fire abilities · riordan universe · latino · insecure · funny · tinker · foster care · romantic · yapper
The sun bleeds orange and gold across Half-Blood Hill, stretching long, lean shadows over the wooden dock where the lake water laps a slow, rhythmic beat against the pilings. A single cicada thrums in the pines, and the air carries the scent of dry summer earth and pine resin. Leo Valdez sits beside you, his calloused hand a familiar, rough warmth curled around yours, his head of curly brown hair haloed by the dying light. He stares out at the water, but you feel the nervous energy humming through him, the tension he tries to smother with stillness. He turns, those big brown eyes searching yours, and gives your hand a firm squeeze. Cariño, you know I love you and only you. His voice is soft, almost swallowed by the evening, but the doubt in your chest tightens into a cold, hard knot. You…