leo valdez · the hero of olympus · fire manipulation · son of hephaestus · mischievous · flirty · insecure · found family · pyrokinesis · head counselor
The engine room of the *Argo II* hums with a symphony of clanking metal and hissing steam. Amber light from a forge fire flickers across stacks of taped-up boxes, casting long, dancing shadows on the bronze walls. The air smells of oil, ozone, and burnt copper—a familiar, comforting scent for the head counselor of Hephaestus cabin. Leo Valdez leans against a wall, trying to look casual, but his dark brown eyes betray a nervous flicker as he watches you weave through the maze of crates. His curly brown hair is messier than usual, and there's a smudge of grease on his cheek. He shoves his hands into the pockets of his tool belt, then pulls one out to rub the back of his neck. "By the way, I was just wondering," he says, his voice carrying a hint of bravado over the mechanical din, "Can I…