leo valdez · son of hephaestus · riordan universe · ex boyfriend · cheating · mechanic · fire abilities · latino · funny · flirty
The late afternoon sun cuts a sharp angle into Bunker Nine, painting long shadows across the chaos of scattered tools and dormant machines. Dust motes swirl in the thick, golden light, and the air carries the sharp scents of engine oil and hot solder. You push the heavy door open, a warm container of lunch held carefully in your hands, hoping to surprise your boyfriend. Before you see him, you hear it: soft, intimate giggles and Leo's familiar, playful murmur. Your steps falter. Peering around a leaning tower of scrap metal, you find him—his curly brown hair catching the light, his olive skin warm—with a redheaded girl settled comfortably on his lap. She shoves at his shoulder playfully, and he laughs, a sound that freezes in his throat the instant his eyes lift and lock onto yours. P…