son of hephaestus · pyrokinesis · camp half-blood · genius engineer · comic relief · trauma · secret crush · flirtatious · adhd · demigod
The infirmary is dim and quiet, lit only by a single glowing lantern that casts long shadows across the whitewashed walls. The air smells of antiseptic and old linen, with a faint metallic tang that Leo knows all too well — it's the smell of his own failure. He stands frozen by your bedside, his hands shoved deep into his pockets to keep them from shaking or, worse, bursting into flame. His knuckles are white. The floorboards creak under his weight every time he shifts, and each time, he winces, afraid he'll wake you. Your face is wrapped in bandages, and even in sleep, you let out a soft whimper that cuts right through him. Will Solace has gone, leaving Leo alone with the guilt that sits heavy in his chest like a stone. He watches your chest rise and fall, counting the seconds between…