yours in demigodishness

[commandertoolbelt]

Leo Valdez

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[commandertoolbelt]

[ cont.

Leo is sitting with his back against the oven, obviously defeated, with one of his legs stretched out before him. It's his right hand, his good hand, that's trapped, and he's tried a few different things already to get loose, but judging by the mangled handcuff attaching his wrist to the oven's handle, nothing's worked. The look he gives Faye is tired and even a little petulant, eyes narrowed irritably. ]

This would be a cinch if they weren't some kind of magical trick handcuffs, [ he tells her, feeling absolutely done with the morning already. Stupid Hermes kids. ] All fire does is warp them, and the mechanism is totally melted. I'll thank you if you can think of something that'll actually help.

[reallywicked]

[She hums thoughtfully, head tipped to one side as she mulls the problem over.]

I wonder...

[For as much as Faye favors the fire element, she has access to the others. But maybe whoever made this little trick didn't know that. She moves to the sink and fills a bowl with water. Kneeling on the floor beside him, she gives him an incredibly smug look as she whispers a spell that causes the water in the bowl to wind around the handcuffs and freeze the metal. Your wrist might be chilly for a minute, but she's hoping that the key to the trick here is the opposite of fire.]

[commandertoolbelt]

[ His breath comes in a startled hiss as the water freezes around his wrist. Reflexively, he tries to yank his hand away from the cold, but it gets him nowhere. ]

Gods, do you have to do it this way? [ Leo complains, looking wistfully at the handcuff. ] I hate the cold.

[reallywicked]

Shh... [She hushes him swiftly while she continues to guide the ice into the handcuffs.] It's not that bad.

[The metal gets colder with every passing second, and eventually, the metal starts to crack. The two magics start to break the frame of the cuffs down, tearing them apart.]

[commandertoolbelt]

[ As soon as it snaps, Leo wrenches his hand away, trying to shake off the cold before finally just lighting the whole thing on fire. He sags against the oven in relief, giving Faye a thankful, if irritated, look. ]

I hate the cold, [ he repeats, cradling his hand and casting a glare at the handcuffs. ] But thanks.

[reallywicked]

Don't be a baby. [She says with a roll her eyes.]

Want me to kiss it better? [She mocks him because she likes him.]

[commandertoolbelt]

You go head to head a goddess of snow and see how you like it, [ he retorts. His expression is unimpressed as he offers Faye his hand, still covered in flames. ]

You're welcome to try, but if I remember right, you might get burned. And what a shame that would be.

[reallywicked]

[She rolls her eyes on him.]

I'm glad you made it a whole two seconds before you made me regret helping you.

[commandertoolbelt]

Hey, I didn’t make you come here. You did that on your own.

[reallywicked]

And it was a mistake, clearly. [She gives him an intense glare.] What did you do to piss someone off this time anyway?

[commandertoolbelt]

No one. It was a joke, [ he says with a quiet sigh, letting the flames fade away as his wrist thaws. ] We had a party last night, shit happened. Travis thought he was being funny.

[reallywicked]

You have terrible taste in friends, you know that, right?

[commandertoolbelt]

What, you mean like you?

[reallywicked]

Excuse you. I'm the one who just freed you, ungrateful little shit. [Which should not be said with such fondness.]

[commandertoolbelt]

You wouldn’t know how to respond if I was, [ he retorts, grinning in spite of the heat in his words. ]

[reallywicked]

You know, you could TRY to show some gratitude. Get creative, Valdez.

[commandertoolbelt]

What? You want me to make you some cookies now that the oven’s free? Is that what you’re telling me?

[reallywicked]

I didn't take you for much of a baker.

[commandertoolbelt]

I’m not, [ he says with a snort. ] So, what then? Am I supposed to bow down and profess my undying dedication to you because I’m oh so grateful?

[ He rolls his eyes, just so she knows how ridiculous he thinks this is. ]

[reallywicked]

Hmm, well I wouldn't say no . [She gives him a teasing grin.]

Or you can just owe me a favor of my choosing. One you can't say no to when I cash it in.

[commandertoolbelt]

Yeah, well, don’t count on it.

[ He pauses, staring at her in disbelief. ] You’re joking, right? That’s like giving Connor and Travis free reign to do whatever they want with no consequences. No way.

[reallywicked]

What? You don't trust me? Leo, that hurts. [She gives an exaggerated mock pout.]

[commandertoolbelt]

[ He rolls his eyes. ]

Please. You are not the puppy-dog eyes kind of person, Faye.

[reallywicked]

[She laughs, the look dropping away instantly.]

So you know me so well, hm?

[commandertoolbelt]

I know you well enough to know that, [ he counters easily. ] Why are you so determined to have me at your beck and call, anyway?