Six Crimson Seeds (A VegasPete Persephone AU)

Chapter 23: It's a Cruel, Cruel Summer

Pete's entire body somehow felt worse when he woke the next morning. He could only imagine the pain he would be in if not for the ice bath and the ointment. Before getting out of bed, Pete shimmied out of his sweatpants to rub ointment all over his legs again. That done, he got up to wash his face and get ready for the day.

    He left his room on high alert as if Vegas were going to leap out of the shadows at any point. It was quiet, so he padded downstairs to shovel as much food into his mouth as possible. He was starving.

    He found Arm and Pol at their regular table looking worse for wear. Tay looked worried as he ran his fingers gently across Arm's temple and into his hair.

    "We're so sorry, Pete," Pol blurted.

    He looked so remorseful Pete was tempted to tease him. Taking pity, Pete said, "It's fine. You tried your best and we all survived. You guys can just owe me one." Turning to Tay, he said, "It's not often we see you in here."

    "I was worried about you, too, you know. But it looks like Vegas took good care of you."

    Tay stuck his tongue out and if Pete's legs weren't feeling like they could fall off, he would have kicked Tay under the table.

    Just then, warm arms wrapped around Pete's shoulders.

    "You made it!" Macau shouted, pressing his cheek next to Pete's. He sat down and Pete turned to see Chay and Porsche behind him. It looked like Chay was carrying Macau's plate.

    Together, the friends ate and laughed like they hadn't just survived a kidnapping days before. They were all eager to return to whatever normal was for them. Pete filled them in on the news that they would all be traveling again for the summer, and all of them looked excited. For a few minutes, Pete could almost stop thinking about Vegas. He had decided he would give Vegas another chance, but he didn't know exactly what that would look like. It made his stomach twist, but he couldn't tell if it was from nerves or excitement. He hoped that getting away from Olympus would make things a little clearer between the two of them.

_____

    Khun was miserable. He hadn't been properly kidnapped in years. While that wasn't even the slightest bit pleasant it wasn't what had him so despondent. It was the fact that his guards–his friends–had been punished because he wanted to go out and have some reckless fun. He had worried that Pete was going to die as he and Pol tried to run away, but he didn't know what to do other than try and get help. He had two marks and both of them were completely useless in a dangerous situation.

    "What are you doing out of your room alone?" Kinn asked, seeing Khun in the hallway.

    "If you must know, I am going to eat breakfast with my friends."

    "The friends you almost got killed and then got punished for it?" Kim slipped out of the shadows to smirk at his eldest brother.

    "I hate when you sneak around," Khun hissed. "Don't you have a concert or something?"

    "Pa is sending us all away again," Kinn interrupted before they could get on his nerves. "Tomorrow. We may be gone for a few months."

    Kim's eyes narrowed as they all entered the elevator. "That doesn't work for me."

    "Well, have your personal assistant call our father and explain to him that ensuring our safety 'won't work' for the diva of the family."

    Kim and Kinn continued bickering, oblivious to the brother between them, whose eyes had rolled back in his head. The elevator lights flickered as it came to a jerking halt, finally getting their attention.