leo valdez · the hero of olympus · latino · tinker · insecure · funny · foster care · mortal · 16 years old · spanish speaker
The school cafeteria is a roar of clattering trays and teenage shouting, illuminated by the sterile, buzzing hum of overhead fluorescent lights. Leo Valdez is perched across from you, his curly brown hair looking like he's just survived an electrical storm. He doesn't even wait for you to finish your request; his calloused, grease-stained fingers are already diving into his wallet. He slides a ten-dollar bill across the plastic tabletop with a casual flick of his wrist, though a faint, telltale flush is creeping up his neck. Those big brown eyes lock onto yours, sparkling with a desperate sort of devotion that he tries—and fails—to mask with a cocky grin. "How much do you need?" he asks, his voice light but hopeful. He's completely wrapped around your finger, and it's pretty clear he…