"Here." Juniper held out a soft, plump strawberry to Grover. "Try one. They're delicious!"

Grover popped the strawberry into his mouth. "They are good."

"Home grown," Juniper said.

They smiled at each other, and Grover wondered how he'd managed to find such a wonderful girlfriend. Even now, the fact that Percy would soon be sixteen, the recent battle of the labyrinth, Kronos's rising...all of it seemed insignificant compared to the shy nymph sitting beside him.

Juniper gazed out into the strawberry fields from the top of Half-Blood Hill where they sat, as young satyrs played pipes to help the strawberries grow. In the distance, Grover could still see the wreckage of the battle at the edge of the forest, and he remembered how a dracanae had almost killed Juniper before he had stabbed it. The thought made him shudder, and he put an arm around her shoulder protectively.

"What are you thinking about, Grover?" Juniper asked softly, resting her head on his shoulder. She looked up at him sweetly.

Grover had the sudden urge to kiss her. The thought caught him off guard, and he felt his cheeks turn pink. "N-nothing," he stuttered.

He considered the idea as Juniper nestled against him. He'd never kissed a girl before, and he didn't know what Juniper would think. They'd only been dating a few months.

"Look at the Apollo kids." Juniper motioned with one slender hand. "I've never really understood how they can possibly shoot with so much accuracy. I guess they get it from their father."

Grover glanced towards the archery range, where six or seven Apollo kids were shooting discs out of the air. "I've always wondered who's the better archer, Apollo or Artemis."

Juniper whacked his arm playfully. "Don't! Or were you wanting another Trojan War?"

Grover grinned. "Next thing to do is ask Ares and Athena who is better in war."

Juniper laughed, a high, clear sound, and Grover's stomach did a weird little flip. He hesitated, then pulled Juniper closer. He leaned in, took a nervous breath, and then kissed her gently.

He let go, and Juniper stared at him, her green eyes wide. Grover began to fear he'd offended her until she reached up and planted another kiss on his lips. Then he grinned like a mad goat.

A cheer went up a few hundred yards away, and Grover spotted four Aphrodite girls exchanging money. He and Juniper blushed at the same time, but nothing could quell the happiness in him. He hugged Juniper tighter.

Juniper giggled. "Wow. I just....wow."

"I know." Grover gripped her hand tightly. "Maybe it's too early to tell you this, but Gods of Olympus, Juniper, I love you."

Juniper smiled broadly. "I love you too."

She rested her head on his shoulder once more, and together they watched the camp around them in peace.

By pluviophile_bookworm