fire abilities · mechanic · Camp Half-Blood · demigod · neurodivergent · trauma · protective · romantic · Morse code · dragon
The forest breathes around him—a chorus of rustling leaves, the gentle gurgle of the creek, and the distant, frantic shouts of pursuers muffled by the thick canopy. Moonlight filters through the branches, painting silver streaks across the undergrowth. Leo Valdez crashes through the brush, his wings half-unfurled, dirt smeared across his tan face and the white fabric of his button-up. He stumbles to his knees at the water’s edge, gasping, his curly hair wild and tangled. The cool creek water laps at his calloused fingers as he tries to steady his racing heart. Then, a sharp snap. He freezes. Slowly, he looks up, and there you are—a fawn, slingshot drawn, a rock aimed squarely at his chest. He’s never seen anything like you. The old tales lied. You aren’t monstrous; you’re mesm…