madness and ecstasy // leo valdez

-free falling 1x-

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"So, this is where you chill," Leo said, hands in his pockets. "Hehe, chill. Get it?"

"We get it," Teqi muttered. She was dragging the metal suitcase behind her now. Leo's arms had given out and she was as he'd referred to her, 'his knight in shining armour'.

Cal showed them into what must be his room proudly. It reminded her of the Ares cabin, or perhaps a frat guys basement. There was an air hockey table and beanbags between the stacks of old pizza boxes. She slumped down on a red beanbag covered in stains instead of leaning against the ice wall.

She was already cold enough. They'd used the hotels shower services on their way through the massive building, and her wet hair hadn't dried yet.

Teqi shivered, and her stomach growled.

The top few pizza boxes were empty, but she found one with a few leftover pepperoni slices in it, and dug in.

"That has got to be months old," Leo said, and took a slice.

He ran a hand through his wet curls. They weren't fluffy anymore. "Can't believe there wasn't even a hot option in the shower...I mean, I can't complain... I'm hot enough for all of us."

Teqi swallowed her mouth full of stale crust, and eyed him. "That's certainly what these guys all seem to think."

"Well you said it yourself, querida, I rebuilt a whole fire-breathing dragon." And he stuffed his face like that was going to get him out of this conversation. A slice of pepperoni stuck itself on his cheek. He didn't seem to notice.

"I might've nearly got my throat slit for you," Teqi said, taking the last slice, "but that doesn't mean I believe you."

He laughed. "I don't know what-"

Teqi took a bite, "I can read minds, you know."

Leo froze.

Not literally, he wasn't covered in ice, and he was still breathing but he didn't move a muscle. She ate more of her cold pizza. It didn't even taste very good. She was just really hungry.

"Uhm..." he started, and blinked quickly, looking away. "I'm sorry, I- I didn't wanna hide it from you all.."

"Sorry, I just cannot take you seriously right now," Teqi said, leaning forward to pick the pepperoni on his face off and put it on his last little bit of pizza. She patted his clean cheek. "There you go. Try again."

He glared at her. She tried not to laugh; it really wasn't the time.

Then Leo cracked a grin, shaking his head at her. He rubbed his face. "Nyssa told me bout what happens to kids of Hephaestus like me, and I kinda freaked out. I prefer not being hunted down by my friends, y know?"

She nodded slowly, waiting.

"I'd never hurt any of you, you know? I can control the fire pretty-"

"You've got fire powers?" Teqi burst, sitting up properly. "That's so awesome!"

"...Huh?"

She waved her pizza crust dismissively at him. "Oh, I've never read your mind. I just figured you'd tell me if you thought I already-"

"You bitch!" Leo hissed, lunging at her. The big golden suitcase was knocked over in the kerfuffle. She started to laugh, batting his whacky hands away from her. She fell back and his elbow landed on her bruised side. It felt like one of those icicle swords had turned her into a kebab.