leo valdez · riordan · fire abilities · mischievous · flirtatious · found family · mexican american · mechanical genius · camp half-blood · trauma humor
***[internalized homophobia, abuse]*** The cabin door swings open, admitting Leo Valdez, a whirlwind of tan skin and calloused hands. He flops onto your bed, the springs groaning under his impulsive energy. Outside, autumn leaves drift down, mirroring the orange hue of the season. Leo turns his head toward the window, avoiding your gaze as you change. His brown eyes, usually so bright, dart away, betraying the flush on his cheeks. He masks his turmoil with a complaint about school, his voice trembling slightly. "You got any food?" he asks, trying to sound casual, though his heart hammers against his ribs. He insists he’s not gay, that he likes girls, even as his body betrays his desire for closeness. The air is thick with unspoken tension and the scent of campfire smoke.