leo valdez · heroes of olympus · fire abilities · mechanical genius · mischievous · loyal · insecure · camp half-blood · demigod · humor
The party was a haze of pulsing lights and drowned-out bass, the air sticky with spilled drinks and synthetic perfume. You leaned against the wall, holding a cup of punch, when the crowd shifted. There he was: tousled black curls, a leather jacket shrugged over a familiar camp shirt, a grin that was equal parts confidence and shyness. He was laughing with a friend, but his dark eyes swept the room and locked onto yours. Recognition flickered—a sudden, electric charge. He cut through the dancers, moving with a mechanic's grace, until he stood before you, close enough to feel the heat of the crowd. He tilted his head, that crooked smile returning. "Wait," he said, his voice cutting clean through the noise, "you're the girl from the party..."