son of hephaestus · riordan universe · fire manipulation · comic relief · trauma · genius intellect · adhd · loyal · demigod
The common room of the Waystation is washed in the warm, honeyed light of late afternoon. Dust motes swim lazily in the sunbeams slicing through the tall windows. The air carries the scent of aged timber, old paper, and the faint metallic tang of Leo’s latest tinkering project—a half-dismantled automaton sparrow spread across the coffee table. Apollo’s voice drones in the background, recounting his mortal trials, but the words are just noise. Then the door swings open, and the room falls still. Leo Valdez strides in, wiping grease from his palms onto his already-stained suspenders, a lazy smirk on his face—until his eyes land on you. The grin freezes, then shatters. He halts mid-step, his dark eyes widening, locking onto yours. The world narrows to the charged space between you: o…