Leo Valdez, the ladies man.

Except, the ladies hate the man.

Sure, he was pretty dorky, and constantly worked on mechanics stuff he couldn’t explain to anyone, no matter how hard he tried. Sure, he would accidentally combust into flames because of a loud nose that startled him. Sure, he always rambled about literally anything, even if it was a fly.

So why was he so adorable?

Sticking out a hand towards you, a proud grin on his face. His face, hair, and body covered with smoke from a failed mechanic that blew up on him. Goggles rested on the top of his curly hair, two circles of his clear, tanned skin around his hazel eyes.

Piper McLean, the daughter of Aphrodite herself, stood to the side. She was the one showing you—the new camper—around Camp Half-Blood, as you both had stopped by the forges to meet Leo. It was going pretty well so far, well, until a guy with steam coming out of his hand offered you a handshake.

As soon as your hand gripped his, a silent agreement was made.

Let’s not blow each other up.