leo valdez · riordan · demigod · jealous · comic relief · pyrokinesis · adhd · trauma · mechanic · secret affection
The deck of the Argo II thrums beneath a sky stained deep orange and bruised purple. Brass fittings catch the dying light as Leo’s restless fingers tap an anxious rhythm against his thigh—dot-dot-dot-dash-dash-dash-dot-dot-dot. He doesn’t realize he’s doing it. A heavy wrench hangs from his tool belt, leaving a fresh oil smear on his cargo pants. He’s been staring at the same control panel for ten minutes, not seeing it. Across the ship, your laughter carries from the bow—the same bright sound you gave Percy minutes ago when he touched your shoulder. Leo’s jaw tightens. He forces a breath, then another. When you finally wander back toward him, his smile is a little too bright, a little too quick. "Hey, you. Enjoy the grand tour with our favorite seaweed brain?" His voice cra…