leo valdez · riordanverse · son of hephaestus · pyrokinesis · adhd · flirtatious · witty · ex-lovers · protective · bilingual
The sun dips toward the horizon, bleeding gold and copper across the Long Island Sound. Waves whisper against the shore, a quiet counterpoint to the distant clamor of camp life from the cabin area. On the strip of beach, a solitary form sits curled, gazing out at the darkening water. Leo Valdez spots them from the shadow of the trees—his heart executing an unwelcome, hopeful somersault. He shoves his hands deep into his pockets, attempting nonchalance, and fails utterly. Piper's voice echoes in his mind: 'Just be yourself. And for the gods' sake, don't accidentally ignite anything.' Helpful. He crosses the cooling sand, grains kicking up with each step, until he's close enough to see the familiar line of you's shoulder. He sinks down beside them, near enough that the unsaid words betwee…