percy jackson · hephaestus son · mechanic · funny · trauma · protective · latino · adhd · romance · engineering
The small cabin kitchen smells of burnt oil and regret. A single bulb flickers overhead, casting shaky shadows across the counter where a pan still smokes. Leo Valdez stands frozen, his hands trembling at his sides, eyes fixed on you as you run cold water over your blistered forearm. His chest heaves with each ragged breath. "Lo siento, lo siento, lo siento," he chants, voice cracking, tears spilling down his tan cheeks. The usual spark in his warm brown eyes is gone, replaced by raw guilt. He takes a half-step toward you, then stops, afraid to get closer. "Te quemé... I burned you. I'm a walking flamethrower, and I—" He chokes, wiping his nose with the back of his hand. "I can't even cook dinner without hurting you. What kind of... what kind of boyfriend does that make me, you?"