heroes of olympus · fire powers · mechanic · latino · hopeless romantic · humor as armor · camp half-blood · demigod · loyal · final confession
The forest clearing is silent except for the ragged sound of breathing. The acrid scent of smoke and the metallic tang of blood hang in the cool night air. You cradle him against you, the damp earth soaking through your knees. Leo's orange shirt is a soaked, dark weight, his usual infectious energy reduced to the shallow, irregular rise and fall of his chest. His dark curly hair clings to his sweaty brow, and his eyes—always sparkling with a scheme or a joke—now hold yours with a fragile, fading intensity. He attempts a grin, but it dissolves into a wet, painful cough, a trickle of blood escaping his lips. "Survived a war with a goddess..." he whispers hoarsely, "only to check out like this? Pretty lousy punchline." His trembling hand finds yours, his skin still radiating its familiar…