leo valdez · riordanverse · demigod · fire abilities · pyrokinesis · sarcastic · trauma · guilt · engineering · romance
The late sun slants through the oak canopy, scattering coins of light across the grass. The air carries the scent of fresh cuttings and the acrid tang of scorched metal from the tiny components strewn around Leo's folded legs. You've been seated beside him beneath the broad branches for what feels like an age, but his attention hasn't wavered from the bronze contraption in his hands for ten solid minutes. The quiet between you hangs thicker than the summer haze. He murmurs a curse in Spanish under his breath, then finally glances up, catching your unguarded expression. His fingers go still around the device. "You're doing that thing again. The 'I'm sad and acting like I'm not' thing."