Anti-Hero || Leo Valdez

19 - Handy Manny and Doc McStuffins Do All the Jive Talkin'

"Okay, I definitely need a better nickname for you," Leo said.

Hours later, the two of them were searching the Waystation for the last few parts that Leo hadn't reattached to Festus. He was now parked on the roof, enjoying a large tub of motor oil and Tabasco sauce. Leo looked pleased with his efforts, though nobody could seem to find Festus' spleen. He and Via weren't entirely in a rush, though. It was nice to relax after so much excitement.

"Calypso's supposed to be Sunshine," Leo told Via, who floated beside them as they strolled through the Waystation. "Even though I guess it would technically make more sense for you to be Sunshine, since... you know, Daughter of Apollo, and all that."

"I have plenty of nicknames," Via said, shrugging. "Via — Vee — Livvy —"

"Livvy?"

"Only my aunt Catalina calls me that. If you try, I'll —" She cut herself off, probably realizing she couldn't do much to him without a body.

"You'll smack me?" Leo teased, grinning. "Beat me into a pulp?"

"Ugh."

"Slap me with your very substantial hands?"

"I swear to the gods, I'm gonna —"

"Ooh, I know, you'll punch me in the gut! Argh, I can already feel the pain that you're going to give me with your hands that will definitely not just go right through me!" He clutched his torso and pretended to reel back in pain.

Via gave him an unimpressed look and did the only thing she could, which was to flip him off. This only made him laugh harder. Now he could understand why Pat enjoyed bantering with her. It was so entertaining, and he knew that she wasn't actually annoyed with him like Calypso.

"I'm sure I'll figure out something," Via muttered, very clearly trying not to smile.

"Sure you will, Sun... ahh, there I go again. Seriously, we need a nickname. What does Pat call you?"

"Uhh... anything from 'nerd' to 'dipshit.' "

"Ah, yes, good idea, I'll be calling you 'dipshit' from now on," Leo joked.

"How flattering," Via deadpanned. "Okay, now I need a nickname for you."

"Ooh, I got one: Commander Tool Belt."

"Pfft."

"I'm serious!"

"You do realize a nickname is supposed to be short, right? That's got, like, almost three times as many syllables as your first name."

"I think it has a ring to it."

"Yeah, and that ring goes dong ding instead of ding dong." Via looked proud to have come up with that, then cringed and shook her head, apparently disappointed in herself.

"I... don't know what to say to that."

"Don't say anything, that was terrible. Um... okay: Repair Boy."

"Piper already uses that one."

"Seriously? Ugh, fine. What about... Bob the Builder?"

"You're seriously gonna call me Bob the Builder? On a regular basis?"

"Yeah, just go up to you and be like, 'Hey, what's the prob, Bob?' No?"

"No. I'm telling you, Commander Toolbelt is the one."

"I'm not calling you Commander Toolbelt. Oh my gods, what about Tinker Bell?"

"Oh, no —"

"It's perfect!" Via said gleefully.