~ ☼ ~

"You promise me," Riley said, "That you'll trust me?"

Alec and I nodded.

"Then I give you my blessing." Riley held out her hand for each of us to shake, like she was the Justice of the Peace. "I will simultaneously be the Best Man and the Maid of Honor, of course."

Alec and I laughed, and I knew something had changed in the air because the embarrassment I felt at the joke was only a little bit.

"For now," I said, "Let's just be high school sweethearts."

"I agree," Alec said. Then, quieter: "Mostly."

My cheeks burned as Riley gave me an excited look.

~ ☼ ~

With Theia gone, there was little left for us to do. Day had broken, giving the front lines more time to wait for the battle against Kronos. Many of the foot soldiers had been killed the night before. I got all this information later; that morning, standing there in Central Park, all I knew about the night before was that I'd spent it awake. And now, I was exhausted.

We looked at each other, the three of us.

"I guess we should go back to the Plaza," I said. "Get some rest."

Alec scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah."

But he looked as uncomfortable about the idea as I did. I felt so woozy at the thought that I sat down on the very bench we'd just been standing in front of, focusing on the Camp I knew. Lucky, Will, even nina and Ashley - I don't think they would judge us. I wanted to believe they wouldn't. I couldn't say for sure. Even Hemmings had betrayed me.

But I'd also assumed the worst of Riley, and I'd gotten the opposite...

"Let's stay here," said Alec. "We should be fine."

I grimaced, but Riley agreed.

"I think most of the monsters are gone," she said. "Besides. The dryads will protect us!"

Though I did think the soul of the park had been returned, American Elm had yet to creep out of the shadows and acknowledge us, so I kind of doubted she still wanted anything to do with me. Still, I believed my psychic sister, and laid down with her and Alec on the mossy grass. Given that she was still shirtless, her shirt in a half-crushed pee-stained car somewhere downtown, and we'd all been sweating for hours, this was the least gross we could be. In fact, the dew actually felt cleansing. It reminded me of why my dad loved parks so much.

~ ☼ ~

We slept for hours; at one point, I woke up to Riley getting up.

"I'm gonna go get food," she whispered. "And, um, see what the vibe is."

She left before I could argue. She must've not been too worried about it - or she was trying to put on a good face for me. My stomach hurt as she walked away.

"Where's she going?" Alec asked sleepily, yawning.

"To go get food," I said. "And 'see what the vibe is.'"

now fully open, his eyes tracked her as she walked away. There were squirrels scampering around the other sleeping bodies everywhere. I didn't know how much longer the curse would last, or how my parents had been caught up in it. But I was clear-headed now, and I could see that there was little chance anything would happen to them, anymore than anything would happen to any of the sleeping mortals. Especially with the one primordial force out to get me in particular gone.

I turned towards Alec, my heart racing.

I found he'd been looking at me without me realizing. The sun filtered through his eyelashes as he smiled gently.

"Hi," he said.

"Hi." Fuck.

"You thinking about... my step-mother?"

How did he know???!

"Yeah," I admitted. "I feel bad for her. Her and... your dad, too."

Alec was quiet. He pulled out a piece of clover, twisting it between his finger and thumb as he thought. Then he said, "Me too. But I also wonder why she reached out and he didn't."

"Maybe he thought it was pointless," I said. "Maybe... no offense, but maybe, after all those years in Tartarus, a kid was low on his priority list."

Alec snorted. "You know, now that I think of it, how good of a couple can he and Theia really be? I mean, he cheated on her with my mom."

"You don't know that. They might have had an open relationship."

He chuckled, but I was serious.

"Honestly, Alec. That sounds stupid as heck, but - they're primordial deities. I really don't think they're focused on nuclear families and monogamy and whatnot. Though... I do have to wonder how he got out of Tartarus to... progenate you."

Alec made a face. "You could've used any word, and you used progenate?"

"Beget? Impregnate your mother?" I raised my eyebrows. "There are a lot of words I could use to describe that-"

Alec's grin was as bashful as mine usually was. It was nice to see that I could catch him off guard, too.

We giggled, but with the emotion came a moment of clarity again. I looked away, into the blue sky over the park, and wondered if that didn't mean something. If there wasn't a way to get them out. In a... non-destructive way. To live their lives together.

"Well, either way," Alec said. "I am not my father's son. Either of them. There's only one person I want to be with."

He said it carefully, like he was trying out a pickup line. He bit his lip, then looked up at me from the clover with the dorkiest little smile. It sent a jolt of emotion through me. no - I keep saying 'emotion', all vague and shit, but it was love. It was all love.

I leaned forward and kissed him.

Was he the cleanest man in the world at that moment? Well, no, because he wasn't even a man, he was 16, but also no because he smelled like dirt and ichor. His lips were chapped, but they were his. He twisted his arm around me, his hand gentle on my back before pressing me harder against him; when my lips opened-

"Oh my gods!"

Alec and I immediately broke apart, him almost losing his purchase on the very gentle hill we were on. As he kicked at the ground, I spun to see... the worst possible person that ever could've found us. Short of, I don't know, the ghost of Lucas (though I think he'd be very happy for me.)

There was Hemmings, landing on the path, a vision of gold in the late morning light. And disembarking him, Lacey. Despite his slipping, Alec immediately glared at her.

But she didn't look disgusted. Just... shocked. Almost... intrigued?

I gently put my hand on Alec's, like I was holding back a loyal yellow lab.

"Are you guys..." she said, with the hint of a laugh in her voice, "A couple?"

Okay, frick you. "no-" I started to say, sarcastically.

At the same time, Alec said, "no, we're just hooking up in central park for shits and giggles."

Lacey choked on her laugh, while I hit Alec's hand. "Alec!"

But Lacey was laughing now, really laughing. not mocking laughing, but incredulous laughing. After a moment, Alec and I both lowered our defenses, if only because we were really confused.

"That's insane," she said. "I mean, if you were just hooking up, I wouldn't judge you. You wouldn't be the only ones. But if you're a real couple..."

I felt the blood drain from my face as I returned to waiting for an attack.

"We are," said Alec, before I could run away. "If you have a problem with that, that's on you. We're not actually related."

Lacey's eyes went from him to me, waiting for my own explanation. After a moment, I nodded. I had to rip the band-aid off.

She smiled again.

"Wow," she said, softer this time. "That's... actually kind of bad-ass of you."

Um, what?

But she meant it. I could tell because she sounded vaguely pained to say it.

"Does anybody know?" she asked, taking a step closer.

"Only Riley," I said. "And Malcolm."

Alec added, "Has he not been talking about it?"

"I don't know. Hemmings and I have been flying around, looking for you, for the past few hours." She took a deep breath. "He really wanted to find you."

I frowned.

Alec sat up completely, still suspicious. I couldn't blame him.

"Hemmings left us," he said. "When he knew damn well you're a bully to AJ."

I wanted to be embarrassed, but I wasn't. I savored the look on both the horse and the girl's face. Lacey's cheeks went red.

"Well," she said. "Last I checked, you were a loser without a backbone."

I sucked in a breath. I didn't know that was her thought process; I guess that was why she admired Alec and I being a couple.

"Well, I guess you were wrong," I snapped.

"Do you think she let him die?" Alec asked. "Is that your problem?"

When he said that, I saw the reaction on Lacey's face. It was clear that was exactly what she thought, and while that was no excuse, my opinion of her instantly improved. She had a reason. She had a path she was following under her shroud of grief. It had nothing to do with me.

"I didn't let Lucas die," I said, after a moment. "There was nothing I could've done. He died saving our friend. It was instant."

Lacey's reaction this time was not what I was expected. I'd already told her this, the first time we'd talked on the beach, and she'd hardly responded then. I expected, now, a terse nod - a desire not to be reminded. Instead, she looked at me like she'd just been slapped.

"Who did he save?" she asked. "You - you didn't tell me that."

Now I sat up all the way. "What? Yes I did. I told you he sacrificed himself."

"Yes, and when I asked you why, you told me you didn't know, and that you weren't there until it was too late."

What the frick is she talking about? I racked my mind, trying to remember the conversation. I could've sworn she'd never asked me for more details. I'd thought she'd asked me about why he joined the Titan Army...

Oh, gods.

"I thought you were asking me why he joined the Titan Army," I said, quietly. "I know why he died. I don't know why he joined the army."

Lacey's pretty mouth widened. She let out a long, irritated breath.

"You've got to be kidding me."

Alec looked between us, jaw agape. "So you're telling me this whole thing was predicated on a misunderstanding?"

"I - she could've still been nice about it!" I spluttered. "You don't just-"

"You were the one I thought left my brother to die alone!" she exclaimed. "And you were supposed to - to be in a relationship with him! You don't let your boyfriend die alone!"

"I didn't," I snapped. My heart was racing. "I was right there with him. His last words were to me. He died saving our friend, Aria Nalau'i, daughter of Britomartis, from an empousae. Alec was there. We sent his body off on a raft into Lake Michigan." If I was a guy with no qualms, I would've literally spat on the ground in anger. "And he wasn't the only one that died, either. Kiera Bane, daughter of Hecate, died first. He died trying to make it up to Aria. To me."

As Lacey stared at me, silent but still gaping, I stared back. Fury was pulsing through me, but the more I stared at her, the more I didn't want to be mad at her. She was just grieving, like me. Like Kiera had been, pre-emptively. If I could forgive Kiera, I could at least not make this whole thing with Lacey worse.

Maybe she could even learn to get along with me. If she tried, I'd accept it.

Finally, after a long moment, she said, "He joined the Titan Army because he wanted things to be better. He always had a rebellious heart, more than anybody else in the cabin. His dad was a politician, and he'd grown up resenting him. While the rest of us were preparing to one day be politicans and lawyers ourselves, he was trying to remind us to keep our egos in check and remember who we were doing it for."

Oh my gods.

Tears came to my eyes just as they came to hers. Even Alec sniffled.

"It didn't make him very popular in the cabin, of course," she said. "Hence why I'm the only one who's really sad he's gone."

"Maybe in the cabin you are," I said. "But not in the world."

Then, as if she'd heard us talking about him - as if my sister, walking next to her, had known she might want to be here - Aria appeared. She and Riley were coming down the path, unfortunately with no food in sight. When she spotted me, her face lit up. I immediately got up and ran down to hug her.

Her hug was a reminder that last summer would never end, as long as we were friends.

"You're okay!" she exclaimed. "I was so worried after you guys left last night, and then nobody found you-"

"You didn't hear anything from Malcolm?"

Aria made a face. "Malcolm Pace? You think I talk to him?"

I had to hold back my laugh.

On queue, Aria looked over my shoulder at the other child of Athena standing by Hemmings. Waiting to be introduced.

I turned slowly, thankful Alec was leaving the hill now, too. As he came to stand beside me protectively, grabbing my hand, I said, "Lacey, this is Aria. Aria, this is Lacey Gonzaga. Lucas' sister and friend."

Aria's face went pale. "Oh."

Lacey noticed. She softened even more, looking away uncomfortably. Tears were rolling down her face.

I didn't know if I was supposed to hug her, or -

She turned away to wipe her tears, holding out a hand to use Hemmings as a balance.

"Wait, I can read Hemmings' mind out here!" Aria exclaimed, suddenly. Then, remembering it was a sad moment, she added, "Sorry."

"What's he saying?" Riley asked, immediately.

"He's saying that he didn't..." she paused. "Um... that he didn't mean to betray you, AJ."

I gasped. Oh gods. This is a gateway drug.

"That he just wanted you to get along with Lacey," she continued. "Um..."

She held up a hand, like she didn't want to say it out loud. After a moment, just as Lacey was turning back around, she leaned towards me and whispered, "He thought if you got along with Lacey you could get over yourself and accept your issues. Plus, that would lead you to helping the dryads. Does that mean anything to you?"

Before I could respond, Hemmings let out a huff, and Aria added, "He didn't know how you were going to help the dryads, he just thought you'd find a way, because you went out of your way to find the sickle."

"I went out of my way to find the sickle because Alec wanted to find it," I whispered, "And because a god's direction is a lot more compelling than a dryad's."

Still close to me, Aria gave me a look. "Well maybe that's the problem."

Yeah. Maybe it was.

I didn't know what to say. I wanted to still be mad, but as I slowly looked at Hemmings, I swear he was looking at me like a puppy would. Aria had said plus, like helping the dryads was a bonus. Like his main priority was helping me accept my issues. He had no reason to give me such loyalty, and yet he did. I believed him.

"Thank you, Hemmings," I said. "I'll... um, give you a hug when we have a moment to ourselves."

Hemmings let out a low whinny like he approved of this.

Riley looked between Hemmings, Aria, Lacey, and I like we were speaking in tongues. "Um, what the Hades are we missing?"

"I'm sure she's not saying because I'm here," Lacey said, dropping her hand from Hemmings' side. "I'll, um - I'll let you be."

As she started to walk away, I watched her. Then I said, "Wait. We'll all go back together. We have to go back, anyway."

"Are you sure?" Alec asked.

"We have to do it eventually," I said, even though I wasn't feeling it. This was all so much, and seeing my fellow camper's reactions... I didn't know if any of us could bear it. Even if Aria didn't talk to Malcolm, lots of kids did. And the ones who didn't would find out in time.

I swallowed, wishing Kiera was here, if only because she wouldn't take anybody's shit.

Then, Lacey took a step forward.

"If you're worried about the couple thing," Lacey said, "I... I got your back. I'm on your side. Liz will be, too.

That was what I needed.

Tears pricked my eyes again as I looked at her.

"Thank you," I said. "Sincerely."

Maybe we could be friends, after all.

Then, Aria said, "Couple thing?"

I sighed, trying not to laugh at the absurdity of it all.

"Aria," I started, "I have something I need to tell you..."

~ ☼ ~

Aria, of course, accepted it; in fact, she was abuzz at the thought. Immediately, she began asking me questions, like whether or not we'd attend each other's proms once the school year started again. I'd never been to a school dance before, but I guess I wasn't opposed to it now. Even though neither Alec nor I had close friends at our schools, it'd be fun to show each other off - and to lose our minds dancing because we knew that none of their opinions mattered.

But I'd rather dance at Camp.

By the time we got back to the Plaza, even Lacey had joined in the conversation, doing her best to keep the peace between us by making witty little comments. The whole time, Alec's hand was in mine. Once this whole thing was over, I really, really wanted to sleep for a full night with him.

(Not like that.)

(Mostly.)

As we entered the Plaza, we found few campers were still there. I winced at the carnage we had left behind - shreds of bandages, the chandelier on the ground, the scattered sheaths and pieces of armor. Alec, Riley, and I never had brought up all that excess weaponry. Maybe that woman could sell them off to pay for her car.

Remembering all the damage of the war was the one thing that made me glum.

"Hello?" Alec asked, as we all drifted towards the infirmary. He knocked on the door frame. There was only one person working it, and only a few campers left in the beds. I'm sure anybody with anything above a coma had gone back out to fight. There was Imani, laying on a cot, breathing heavily - but still breathing. Brynn was sitting beside her, looking like she'd never left her side. Alec let out a sigh.

Brynn looked up. "Oh my gods!"

She gasped, then, a bit delayed in her reaction - no doubt exhausted - she hopped to her feet and came over to greet us. Riley, who'd must've put on a new shirt when she found Aria, gave her a hug.

"I'm so glad you guys are okay!" Brynn said. "You just missed the Hunters of Artemis."

"Well, I caught one," Riley said, grabbing Aria's arm, who laughed.

"Where have you been?" Brynn asked, her words falling over themselves. "Is everyone okay?"

"We haven't seen anybody since last night," Alec said. "How's Imani?"

Brynn let out a sigh. "The same as she was. In and out of sleep, but okay."

She sat down with a thud on the nearest chair, then her eyes trailed towards...

Alec and I's hands clasped together.

I tried to pull away, but Alec kept holding on.

"We're a couple," he said immediately. "Tell everyone, please. Make it easier on us."

Brynn's jaw dropped, then she said, "O-okay. Why would it be hard?"

"Because we... were siblings?"

"Well, I mean, not really," Brynn said. "Percy and Annabeth are more related than you are."

Riley scoffed. "That's what I said!"

I guess she'd been right. Maybe it was an Apollo cabin vs Athena cabin thing. Maybe it was just Malcolm. I couldn't really be upset about it, because the Athena cabin was the same cabin who didn't listen to Lucas. And besides, I judged a lot of campers for a lot of things - I was working on it, I promise - and that didn't mean I considered them any less of campers.

I would even go as far to say that, even if we never got along permanently with the Ares Cabin, Clarisse would be front row at Michael's shroud once she found out he had died.

~ ☼ ~

We all got our own rooms. I didn't know where Malcolm had gone, but other than Brynn and her patients, the hotel was empty. Lacey went off to IM Liz; Aria looked pensive when she separated from us. Riley, still starving, went down to raid the kitchen.

"I can't believe you don't want anything," she said to me. "You're always hungry."

That was true, but I was so tired I felt like I was going to collapse. I told her as much, and she grinned.

"When you wake up, we'll feast together," she said. "I'll probably be hungry again by then."

And so, Alec and I were left to our own room. I didn't speak as I crawled into the fancy bed. I looked forward to that feast and to a scalding hot shower and very strong shampoo, but for now, I was going to dream land. Please let it be the end, I thought. Please give me no weird dreams.

I should've known better.

~ ☼ ~

A/N: I can't believe this is almost over!!! It's making me so nostalgic :(