Theyna one shots, headcanons, etc.

Campfires and Cuddles

Reyna examined herself in the small mirror, noting a fresh bruise under her left eye. It was accompanied by a much older (and now scabbed) lip cut. While sparring at camp Jupiter was intense, sparring with the Hunt was on another level. Semi-immortality meant the Hunters didn't hold back as much as demigods did, and Reyna was starting both see and feel the effects.

Her decision to join the Hunt hadn't been an easy one. She had truly enjoyed her position as praetor, but the stress of it all was starting to weigh on her. After Hazel offering to take up the position, however, Reyna concluded that this was the right decision. That notion was further proven as she spent more time with the Hunt.

They were an amazing group of women, and even though she had only joined mere months ago, Reyna had learned so much that she never would have otherwise.

That didn't mean that being a Huntress didn't come with its challenges. Including the more frequent injury, Reyna had a problem. It didn't have anything to do with the other girls, per say, because it was more of a personal thing.

Personal connections had never really been Reyna's strong suit. So when she arrived as a newcomer while some of the Hunters had been there for centuries already, it was hard to navigate her way through the social aspect of the group. After all, when you share a tent with people who are literally thousands of years older than you, it can be hard to relate to them about certain things.

Thalia had helped, though. A true gentlewoman at the strangest of times, Thalia had taken Reyna under her wing as soon as Reyna had sworn her loyalty to Diana (it still felt weird to call her Artemis). She was the one to show Reyna the ins and outs of being a Hunter, and also stayed close to her for the first month she was there.

Did that help subdue the super-massive-ginormous crush Reyna had on Thalia?

No. No it did not.

In fact, it probably just made it stronger.

But all was well, because Thalia actually seemed to enjoy Reyna's presence in her life. Who would have thought? Reyna smiled to herself as she brushed a hand through her tangled hair.

She was interrupted by a swish of a tent flap behind her. Reyna eyes met a pair of electric blue ones through the mirror, and her heart seemed to skip a beat.

"Hey stranger." Thalia greeted as she leaned on Reyna's bed frame. "You coming to the campfire or what? We've been missing you." She paused for a beat. "I've been missing you."

And even though Thalia's last sentence made her stomach do that annoying fluttery thing, Reyna shook her head slightly.

"I think I might just go to bed." She shrugged, wringing her hands together.

Thalia tilted her head and smirked. "Oh come on, Rey. You haven't gone all week! Just this once, okay?"

"I have to take care of the bruise." She tried to make an excuse, but Thalia shook her head.

"Don't worry about the bruise, some nectar will clean it right up." She ducked her head. "Besides, you look badass."

Reyna blushed, but also realized she was out of excuses. She sighed lightly. "I don't really think they want me there, Thalia." She looked down at her hands, still nervously twirling them.

"Of course they do! You're cool, Reyna. They like you!" Thalia grabbed Reyna's left hand and pulled Reyna towards the tent flap. "Besides, even if there was some universe where they don't want you there... I want you there."

Thalia looked away as she said this last part, and it was a bit muffled by the wind, but Reyna heard it clear as day. Biting her lip so she wouldn't say something stupid like 'I'm in love with you', she let herself be dragged toward the gaggle of girls sitting around the central campfire.

Henrietta was the first to look up. "Well well well, look what the cat dragged in!" She gave a sideways smile and returned to her conversation, but by then the rest of the girls were looking up at Reyna and Thalia, who quickly let go of each other's hands.

Reyna began to panic. She was right all along, they don't like her. She should never have done this, she should have stayed in her tent. In fact, she should have stayed as praetor. She was never going to make any friends here and- and...

And Thalia Grace was holding her wrist, bringing her back down to reality with her slightly crooked smile. She gestured toward the campfire.

As Reyna looked out at the circle again, all the women were smiling at her, or offering a marshmallow, or giving a quick wave. Henrietta gestured toward the only spot left; right beside her.

"Reyna, feel free to sit here!"

Thalia gasped dramatically to Reyna's left. "Henny, how dare you! That was my spot!"

Henrietta laughed loudly. "Yeah, but you were whining the whole time about how Reyna wasn't here and how much you wanted to-." She was cut off by Thalia's hand covering her mouth. Even so, Henrietta's eyes seemed to sparkle in the light of the campfire.

"Here Rey, we can just share the spot." Thalia said quickly, sitting down on the log.

"And how are we going to do that?" Reyna questioned.

Thalia gestured toward her lap and stared expectantly at her.

Oh gods. Oh my gods oh my gods oh my gods oh my gods oh my gods. Thalia Grace wants me to sit on her lap. Oh. My. Gods.

Reyna repeated this mantra in her head as she slowly walked toward Thalia. Turning around just before she hit Thalia's knees, Reyna sat gently on Thalia's thighs.

This is okay. You can handle this. You. Can. Handle. This.

Again, Reyna repeated this to herself, and it worked! It really did!

Until Thalia wrapped her arms around Reyna's torso and pulled her closer toward her own body.

I. Can. Not. Handle. This.

Reyna was hyper aware of every movement Thalia made.

Thalia's hands over hers, occasionally tapping their fingers together or brushing over her stomach with a feather like touch.

Reyna's arms resting on the biceps of Thalia's lazily crossed ones, a warmth enveloping the area.

Thalia's head resting on Reyna's shoulder, her nose snuggling into the crook of her neck when her face got too cold, her hair tickling Reyna's back.

They were essentially cuddling, and Reyna was positive that she had never gay panicked as much as she was gay panicking in that moment.

But the other hunters were nothing if not good conversationalists. With centuries worth of battle stories to tell, Reyna found herself completely invested in the group.

She began to relax a little bit, and leaned further into Thalia behind her, who had taken to playing with her long hair. An intricate bunch of braids adorned her head, and Thalia had been so gentle that Reyna had practically noticed she was doing anything at all.

After an hour of storytelling, laughing, and competitions to see who could name the most constellations, Reyna felt the late night begin to wear on her. She yawned loudly and sank lower to the ground, now being supported solely by Thalia's arms.

Reyna felt more than heard Thalia chuckle, her head moving slightly as it rested on Thalia's chest. "You tired, Rey?"

"Mmhmm." Reyna hummed, her eyes drooping. She turned herself around fully and laid her head on Thalia's thigh, closing her eyes completely.

"Alright sleepy head, let's go." Thalia said, scooping Reyna up bridal style and standing from the log with a slight groan. She announced their good nights to the others and carried Reyna back to her tent.

Thalia laid Reyna down on her bed so gently that Reyna thought she might cry. Reyna watched as Thalia took off Reyna's shoes and covered her body up with the covers. Thalia came to Reyna's bedside and knelt beside her.

"Thanks for letting me drag you out there, Rey." She smiled softly.

"Thanks for doing it. Goodnight, Thals."

Reyna closed her eyes once more, and felt herself drifting off almost immediately, her last memory being a pair of lips touching her forehead and a whispered "Goodnight, Reyna."