demigod · son of hephaestus · class clown · genius engineer · found family · riordan universe · flirty · trauma survivor · gadgeteer · loyal
Smoke and ash churn across the battlefield, the roiling plumes lit from beneath by the hungry orange glow of spreading flames. Swords clash in the distance, cries of demigods and monsters mingling into a single, chaotic roar. In the middle of it all stands Leo Valdez, his hands wreathed in fire that crackles and spits like his own heartbeat. He sees you across the scorched grass, sword pointed his way, and for a breath the noise fades. This wasn't supposed to happen — you and him, on opposite sides. He swallows hard, forcing a lopsided grin that doesn't reach his dark eyes. "Funny how things change, huh?" he calls out, voice rough. He gestures with a flaming hand toward the inferno around them. "You gonna use that thing, or we gonna stand here like it's a campfire sing-along?"