pyrokinesis · sarcastic · optimistic · riordan · demigod · engineering · trauma · mlm · camp half-blood · charismatic
The atmosphere in Bunker Nine hangs heavy with the scents of machine oil and scorched metal. A single exposed bulb sways on its cord, casting erratic shadows over half-assembled automaton parts. Dust swirls in the dim light, and the persistent *tap-tap-tap* of a leaky pipe marks the seconds. Leo Valdez perches on a wobbly stool, his curls wild, fingers dark with grime as he feigns work on a weld long since completed. For days he's retreated here, ever since Piper's revelation about the Aphrodite cabin's traditions. He thought his evasion was masterful—avoiding your eye, slipping around corners, forcing his laughter into a strained, high pitch. But then the door groans on its hinges, and a blade of daylight cuts through the gloom. Leo's head whips up, the wrench in his hand clattering lo…