DOOMSDAY

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THE FLAMES WITHIN the pit of the campfire continue to ignite as Hestia tends to the wooden logs. The smell of ash and smoke fills the atmosphere. The rest of the campers indulge in their own conversations and laughter, while the children of Apollo's voices echo through the air as they serenade everyone.

The sun has already set, disappearing behind the horizon of the mountains. The moon and stars have risen to illuminate the night sky, shining across the camp and over the demigods.

Valeria stands near the fire with Camryn Harlow, daughter of Apollo (who has decided not to join her siblings tonight), holding a chalice filled with strawberry soda. Her arms and most of her legs are uncovered, while her torso and upper thighs are clothed in the orange Camp Half-Blood shirt and jean shorts. She takes slow sips of the beverage as she and her friend discuss their activities for tomorrow.

"So, it's either archery practice," Camryn starts, feigning contemplation. "Or hang out at the beach. Which one?"

"Hm," Valeria hums, clicking her tongue against the roof of her mouth. "The beach sounds tempting, but honestly I think we should go with archery. You haven't come to practice for almost two weeks."

Camryn waves a dismissive hand, puffing out her cheeks and a breath of air. "Doesn't matter. If anything, I'll be embarrassing everybody else by showing up."

An arm is suddenly draped over Valeria's shoulders, wrapping around her collarbone and pulling her into their chest as she cranes her neck slightly to look up at them. Luke grins down at her before averting his gaze to Camryn, who rolls her eyes at his presence.

"Don't get too confident, Cam. You never know when you'll slip up," he says in a playful voice. Luke nods his chin at the drink in Valeria's grasp. "What's that?"

The brunette raises the chalice to his lips, allowing him to take the cup from her. "Strawberry soda," Valeria replies.

"I'm a perfect shot," Camryn retorts.

Valeria laughs at her offended expression, while Luke briefly lifts his hand from Valeria's shoulder to hold it up in surrender. "I'm just teasing you."

"Yeah, right." Camryn shakes her head with a lighthearted scoff, glancing between the pair in front of her. Then she purses her lips, using her index finger to gesture at them. "So, when is this gonna become an actual thing?"

Valeria makes a face at the inquiry, while Luke chuckles and takes another sip from the golden chalice. "What do you mean?"

"Gods, please." Camryn stifles a groan, throwing her head back and toward the sky above. "I can't do this tonight," she sighs heavily and points to an indefinite direction. "I'll be over there. You two... have fun? I don't know."

She walks towards a group on the other side of the large campfire, leaving Valeria and Luke to themselves. The brunette hesitates, staring after Camryn with a puzzled expression. Then she turns to face Luke, and he removes his arm from her shoulders without taking his eyes off her face. "Hey."

"Hey," Valeria greets. "Where were you? I was looking for you earlier."

"I was just talking to Chris," Luke tells her, glancing in the direction of the boy. She follows his gaze to find Chris chuckling with some of the other Cabin Eleven members. "He's a little out of it right now."

"Why?" She watches as Luke makes a chugging motion with her chalice, and her mouth makes an O shape. "Where'd he get it?"

"Mortal world. He found somebody who was willing to go to a gas station a few miles out and get stuff for him and everyone else."

Valeria asks, "Did you drink any?"

"Not tonight," Luke replies with a sigh. "It's their turn to get wasted. I'm the one who has to take care of them later when they start puking."

"Let me know when they do and I'll come over and help you," she offers.

"Thanks," he inhales quietly. "Trust me, I'll need it."

Then Luke leans his head back to down the rest of the contents in the chalice, carefully discarding it to the ground afterwards. He extends his hand to Valeria, and she creases her brows at him in confusion. "Come on."

"What?"

"Dance with me."

Valeria scoffs at his request, though she should've expected it. Luke has done this many times over the past few years— forced her to dance with him despite her finding it awkward. Valeria thinks he enjoys embarrassing her more than he should.

He'd even gone as far as dancing with her in front of the gods during the Winter Solstice a few months ago. A handful of half-bloods were chosen to go on a field trip and visit Olympus, where Valeria practically died of a heart attack when her mother refused to take her eyes off of them for the rest of that dreadful night.

When she doesn't give a verbal response, Luke's smile widens and he clasps his palm over Valeria's wrist, pulling her with him. They avoid bumping into the crowds of demigods around them, who glance at the pair curiously. Coming to a stop, he laces their fingers together as their feet begin to shuffle in slow, synchronized movements. Valeria lets out a laugh.

"You know I don't like this."

"I know," Luke repeats her words. He releases one of her hands and raises the other above her head, spinning her around before bringing her close again. He places a hand on her waist, and she wraps an arm around his neck. "But you're smiling."

"Because you're stupid," Valeria says, her slightly blurred vision starting to focus on him as he rolls his eyes. She swipes a piece of her hair out of her face. "We look ridiculous."

Luke peers down at her, the corners of his lips curled upward. "Just shut up, Val."

She reluctantly obliges, pressing her lips together in a tight line. Valeria sees some of her siblings watching from afar, each of them giggling to one another. Silena Beauregard, one of the youngest in the Aphrodite Cabin, waves at her older sister with a teasing smile. Valeria shoots her a glare.

The warmth of the campfire fans against the left side of her body, as Luke has guided them closer to the crackling flames. They continue swaying for another moment, until Valeria abruptly trips over her own feet and firmly grabs his shoulder in an attempt to steady herself.

Luke's hand grasps at her waist as they stumble, digging the heel of his shoe into the ground to prevent them from falling into the pit of golden flames. Valeria laughs, and Luke shakes his head with a chuckle. "You're terrible at this."

"Excuse you," she gapes, pushing away from him. "You're the one that wanted me to dance with you, remember?"

He grips her shirt tightly, burying his fingers in the fabric and wrinkling his nose. "Doesn't mean you're good."

"Maybe I need a better partner."

"Or maybe you need better coordination."

"Oh, please—" Valeria begins to writhe within his hold, and Luke swiftly folds his arms over her. He rests his chin on the top of her head, keeping her close to his chest. Eventually, Valeria stops her fidgeting and looks up with a frown. "You're annoying," she says, a loud huff escaping her lips.

"That's the point."

Before either of them can respond, the sounds of vomit erupting from somebody's mouth echoes across the yard. Luke shifts his body slightly as Valeria peers past his shoulder, and they see Chris being ushered inside the Hermes Cabin by three of Luke's siblings to avoid questioning from Chiron or Mr. D.

"And that's my cue," Luke breathes out, dropping his hands from her midsection and to his sides. He briefly glances back at her. "I'll see you soon?"

She nods, still staring after Chris. "Yeah, it seems like you'll be needing my help."

He shrugs a shoulder, "Probably."

Luke gives her another smile before turning in the direction of his cabin and rushing up the short staircase leading to the entrance. Valeria shakes her head with a soft laugh.