The Ancient Prophecy

55 : The clearing - Petros

"You seem quite excited . Where are you going ?" Charis , who had just bumped into Petros while he was getting out of the base , asked him with curiosity .
"I see you have returned from your visit .." Petros spoke , trying to change the subject .
Charis raised an eyebrow "Do not try to change the subject ! Tell me , where are you going ?"
"..On a stroll . Outside the base ." Not entirely a lie , Petros thought .
Charis snorted "You ? On a stroll ? Outside the base ? Hard to believe .." she smirked at Petros .
"Bye , Charis ." Petros turned his back and proceeded to quickly walk away , trying to escape any more questions coming from the girl .
Charis told him something else as Petros walked away but he was already too far ahead to hear what the girl said . Better like this .

***

Petros took the back exit of the base , stepping into the small green spot . Even if it was just a walk outside the base Petros wanted to be prepared for anything that could happen . He packed some potions inside a belt that he hid under his shirt . What if we get attacked ?
He strolled through the green spot , looking around for the son of Hermes . Petros then spotted him some metres away , pacing back and forth just in front of the small bench that was placed there , looking quite nervous . What is the matter with him ?
Petros walked closer to the boy , getting slightly nervous too .
The sun was just about to set , the sky already having a pink-ish tone to it . A soft wind was rustling the branches of the trees with their green leaves . Then it was not as hot as in the afternoon , which made for a great time to go outside for a walk and relax . He knew that , did he not ?
As Petros approached Sot , the son of Hermes suddenly stopped , finally observing Petros . Sot's face seemed to lit up when he saw him . His face lits up when he is around anybody though ..
"Hey , Petros !" Sot waved at him , a smile on his face .
Petros made a small smile and waved back at Sot slowly .
"Let's go to the spot I talked about ." Sot spoke quickly as he gestured for Petros to follow him "We have to get going before it gets dark ."
"Yes.." Petros agreed and followed Sot . Now that I really look at him.. he seems even more hectic than usual.. What is with him ?

***

Sot led Petros into the forest that stood outside the Resistence's base . He was pacing quickly , making Petros walk faster than ususal to keep up with him .
The son of Hermes did not speak at all throughout the walk through the forest . Which not only striked Petros as unusual but made the boy wonder what was going on .
"Why are you in such a hurry ?" Petros suddenly asked , not resisting the urge of demanding to get explanations .
Sot slowed his pace , turning his head to look at Petros . The son of Hecate recognized a nervous smile on Sot's face "Sorry.."
Petros raised an eyebrow "Did something happen ?" he asked .
Sot scratched the back of his neck "..No , do not worry . I am alright ."
Something totally happened.
The two strolled side by side on a forest path , getting deeper and deeper into the forest .
At last , the two demigods entered a clearing . A sliver of light penetrated the crowns of the trees , creating a small ray of sunshine hitting the soft grass . But the ray was not too bright , given that the sun was setting . A large tree stub was right in the middle of the clearing , solitary between the tall trees .
Sot turned , facing Petros . He was once again smiling "This is the spot I talked to you about ." he gestured to the clearing .
Petros glanced through the clearing , admiring how perfectly circular shaped it seemed to be "I never saw this part of the forest before ."
"Not many people took their time to explore all this forest." Sot walked to the stub and sat down on it .
Petros followed the boy to the stub . He sat down too besides Sot "So I take it that you are one of the only people that ever paced around here or knew about this place ." he spoke without looking at Sot , already feeling nervous from his proximity .
"You are the first person I ever came here with ." Sot said from beside Petros .
The son of Hecate turned his head away , trying to hide his slightly flushed face "S-so you have been coming here by yourself since now ?" he spoke while slightly stammering .
"Before we have awakened Athena I sometimes went here to spend some time alone . Now I do not have the time , as there are all these meetings and all this training that I have to do ." Sot lay down on the stub .
"And what were you ususally doing when you were coming here ?" Petros asked , leaning his head into his hands .
Sot took some seconds of silence before speaking "Relaxing , looking at the trees . Nothing special ."
Petros looked again between the trees "It is so peaceful and quiet here ..I like that ." he stated in a low tone .
The son Hermes chuckled "I thought you will ."
Then the two stood in silence . The only sound that could be heard was the chirping of the birds on the trees' branches .
And they stood like that for some minutes . In silence . Enjoying the peace of the environment . Enjoying the warm evening .
But the truth is that Petros could not dare to utter any word and destroy the silence . He could not dare to even turn his head to take a glance at the son of Hermes . Am I the only one feeling the tension ?
"I always wondered..." Sot suddenly spoke , breaking the curtain of silence "Why do you enjoy being alone , all by yourself ?"
Petros expected this question coming from somebody like Sot . But he did not mind answering it "I can focus better on my training . People are loud and nosy and do not know when to shut their mouths . All they talk about is nonsense and I can not stand that ." he explained , his voice flat "I was never interested in socialising ."
"Then why do you spend your time with me ?" Sot asked only a second after Petros' response "I am the epitome of loud and nosy ."
Because I have been in love with you for years already ? Because as loud and nosy as you are I can never find a reason to dislike you ? "Because you know when to shut your mouth...sometimes ." Petros replied , almost chuckling "Because when you talk it is worth listening ."
Sot did not speak after Petros' response . Which only made Petros wonder , making him even more nervous than he already was .
The son of Hecate swallowed his nerves and turned his head to look at Sot , seeking his reaction .
To his surprise , the boy had his head turned , looking away . Sot had a hand on his stomach , fidgetting with his shirt . Then Petros noticed that his face was flushed a deep red .
Petros' eyes widened slightly from surprise , his face getting flushed too . Oh...