𝙄𝙉𝙁𝙇𝘼𝙈𝙀𝘿; heroes of olympus

the fates are cruel, but not everything is

ERITH JAY
ERITH HAD FOUND a new drug, and that was adrenaline.

She somehow managed to stay on her feet as Leo, Piper, Jason and herself told their story. Of course, Erith kept key pieces to herself―like her feelings for Leo, or all of her visions. That was something to tell Annabeth later.

Speaking of Annabeth, Erith was so thrilled to see the girl she tackled her into the grass in a hug. Annabeth hugged her back just as tightly, shuddering in relief.

They hugged for so long, Leo walked over with Jason and Piper. The crowds had finally dispersed to go to bed, and only a handful of people were left. "Yo, Chase, are you stealing my girl?" Leo asked, his tone light.

Erith rolled off of Annabeth as Annabeth sat up, peering at Leo. "Your girl?"

"Oh, have you not told her yet?" Leo glanced back and forth between Annabeth and Erith as Erith got to her feet.

"I am not your girl, Valdez," Erith snapped.

He just smiled at her. "Whatever you say."

Annabeth laughed. "I knew you were hiding something!"

"Yeah, I―" Erith's tone broke with exhaustion.

Annabeth's eyes softened. "Go sleep. We'll talk tomorrow."

"Are you sure? I―"

"Erith Jay." Annabeth wrapped her in a hug. "I was so worried about you. I feel better than I've felt in weeks. Go. Sleep. I've waited this long, I can wait a little more."

Erith smiled against her shoulder. "I love you."

"I love you," she said. She gently pushed Erith toward Will, who was standing there maybe a bit awkwardly. "Please make sure she gets some rest."

"You got it," Will said easily, getting a grip on Erith's arm.

Erith sighed. "I'm not a child."

Annabeth crossed her arms. "Uh-huh." Then she walked off.

Erith shook her head. "Well, I see she hasn't changed." But her heart felt warm.

"Come on," Will said, taking a few steps toward the cabins.

"Wait," Erith said, refusing to move.

Will looked back, and his expression softened. "Are you sure?"

"I'm certain," she said. "I'll be there in a few minutes. Promise."

He hesitated, then nodded. "Also, go take a shower. So you have... thirty minutes till your curfew."

"Okay, Dad," she said with a roll of her eyes, but Will just smiled, and then he was running to catch up with Annabeth.

Erith turned to Jason, Piper, and Leo, who were watching her. "So... long day, huh?"

―

SAYING GOODBYE TO the three of them was hard, which was stupid, because Erith knew she'd see them tomorrow. But she'd been with them so long, trusting them, that even one night without them, even if that night was at camp, with an actual bed, and actual blankets, and actual pajamas, was shockingly difficult.