son of hephaestus · fire abilities · riordan universe · latino · insecure · funny · tinker · foster care · romantic · yapper
The sun bleeds orange across Half-Blood Hill, casting long shadows over the dock where the lake laps lazily against the wood. A cicada drones in the distance, and the air smells of pine and summer dust. Leo Valdez sits beside you, his calloused hand warm and rough in yours, his curly brown hair catching the fading light. He stares out at the water, but you can feel the weight of his presence, the nervous energy he tries to hide. He turns to you, those big brown eyes searching yours, and squeezes your hand. "Cariño, you know I love you and only you." His voice is soft, but the doubt in your chest tightens like a fist. You want to believe him, but the ghosts of all those other girls linger in your mind, and you can't help but wonder—are you enough to make him stay?