𝙄𝙉𝙁𝙇𝘼𝙈𝙀𝘿; heroes of olympus

dead boys

ERITH JAY
ETHAN WAS WAITING FOR HER.

He was not kind. Erith wasn't sure he knew how to be kind. His lips were always bloody, and when he kissed her, she tasted metal. She knew he had died by falling, and she wondered if he still felt that way all the time. Like no one would ever catch him.

She found herself wishing that she could've been there. That she could've caught him. Because for all his faults, when Ethan extended his hand to hers, she knew he must not have been all bad.

Not like Luke.

Nico stood apart from them, watching. His dark hair fell into his eyes and his shoulders were squared, as if ready to interfere.

Erith knew he would not need to interfere. Not with Ethan.

"Erith," he said softly. His voice was slightly accented in round letters, but his words were sharp. "I wasn't sure you'd come."

Her voice seemed to lunge out of her throat. "How could I not?"

Ethan's thumb ran its way over her palm. "I need to show you something." Nico stepped forward, but Ethan turned his head. "Without him."

Nico opened his mouth to protest, but Erith held up her free hand. "Nico, it's okay."

Nico's eyes roved hers. "Do you trust him?" He sounded suddenly vulnerable, like he was a child again, scared and alone.

Erith took a breath, feeling her lungs in her chest. She looked at Ethan, and his dark hair, and his eyepatch.

"Always," she told Nico. 

She could have sworn Ethan smiled. And then he was pulling her away from Nico, into the dark.

She was no longer afraid.

―

Silena Beauregard was sitting on a kitchen counter in a quaint little house. She had a big smile on her face as she watched a boy with dark brown skin and well-built shoulders bustle around with two mugs. 

"Charles Beckendorf," Ethan said quietly. He didn't bother introducing her to Silena.

As Erith watched, Beckendorf filled the mugs with a dark brown liquid, then offered Silena one. "My dear?" he said, his charming lips pulling up into a foolish grin that reminded Erith strikingly of Leo. She remembered: this was his brother.

"How kind," Silena replied, pressing a kiss to his mouth as she took her mug. They were both smiling, and Erith's stomach twisted a little. 

She looked at Ethan. "Is this real?"

"As real as it can be," he replied. "They don't know we're here, but I thought you should know that you finally gave her the peace she deserved."

Erith swallowed, surprised by the lump in her throat. "I'm glad she's here. I'm glad they both are. But―but why didn't I ever get to meet Beckendorf?"

"He never needed penance." Ethan's features were set harshly in the unstable lighting. "He was always good. He died to save Percy. Silena died to save camp. But it wasn't the same, because she was the reason camp was in danger in the first place."

Erith knew what he meant. Of course she knew; everyone at camp knew. Still, it was strange to hear Ethan speak of it so calmly. It was rather hushed-up back home.