𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐘 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐌, luke castellan

𝐗𝐈𝐈𝐈.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐗𝐈𝐈𝐈.
love is never logical

ᯓᡣ𐭩

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐋𝐋 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐄𝐀 filled Maisie's nostrils, causing her to inhale it whilst her eyes remained closed. Sea scent with a hint of worn off men's fragrance.

Maisie slowly opened her eyes, blinking a few times to help them adjust, her eyebrows pulled together. She tried to move, in vain. Something was restricting her from turning her body the other way, as well as moving her arm.

That's when it hit her.

Her eyes widened involuntarily and she pursed her lips, trying to prevent herself from making a sound. She recalled falling asleep with Luke laying behind her, his warmth engulfing her. He must have subconsciously gotten closer, his arm snaking around her body, keeping her from leaving.

She cursed in her head, wondering how she was going to get out of this situation without him noticing. She considered staying there with her eyes shut, pretending she had died in her sleep.

Alas, she let a few seconds pass, just to make sure Luke was actually asleep. His breathing was deep, his face not revealing any hint that he was about to wake up. She remembered how deeply he used to sleep, back when they were dating, so she hoped that had stayed the same, contrary to everything else.

Carefully, she slid herself closer to the wall, releasing her arms in the process. Once she was far enough away from him, she wrapped her hand around his wrist, repositioning his arm on the bed, this time without her underneath it. She let another few seconds pass, ensuring he stayed sound asleep.

Soft exhales came out of his nose, informing Maisie that he was still probably dreaming. Soundlessly, she moved her body towards the edge of the bed. She finally stood up, now able to walk out of the room. Only when she was outside and the door was shut did she let herself let out a big breath.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

Maisie went to find a bathroom in the ship in an attempt to shake off whatever that was.

She didn't even want to remember what had happened the night before. How she had broken so easily, letting him in, even though she should be pushing him away. Her heart had failed her and she needed to destroy it, put it in a cage, distance it from the boy she should be trying to kill, not sleep next to.

Maisie wished he had sent her to be fed to the Aethiopian drakon, too.

She knew she couldn't avoid him forever. It was his ship, after all, and he would probably roam around and eventually find her. She sighed, turning to leave the bathroom.

She ended up back where she was the night before, at the sidelines of the deck, staring out into the waves. This time, she spent her time pleading with her mother.

Hey mom. I don't have anything to offer right now, so I hope you'll just hear me.

Maisie sighed. I don't know what I'm doing. Really. Did you do something? Are you punishing me by making me stupid or something? Because I have no idea what I'm doing or what to do.

I just... Help would be appreciated. If you could point me somewhere, that'd be great.

She looked up at the sky for a beat. That's all, mom. I hope you don't hate me.

Maisie's eyes had started to water and she forced herself to look down and prevent the tears from falling. She quickly wiped at her eyes and went back to the crowd of entranced passengers "having a blast".

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

She finally faced Luke in the stateroom, where she went shortly after. She didn't expect to see him up so soon, but he was already dressed and talking to Agrius when she entered the room.

They both looked up at the sound of the doors opening, and Luke immediately sent Agrius off.

"But-"

"I said leave." Luke's voice was deep, that edge that he reserved for anyone but her, evident.

Agrius exited the room with his head down, only glancing at Maisie as he left.

Maisie looked at him leave, simply to avert her gaze anywhere but on Luke. Her hands found each other behind her back, entangled together in a nervous habit. Finally, when she couldn't pretend to watch Agrius anymore, she looked up at him.

There was some distance between them, but Maisie could see everything about him. She would be able to, even if she was moons away.

His hair was tousled, sleep showing in his face. He wore a black button-down this time with another pair of khaki pants.

She suddenly felt self-conscious about the clothes she'd been wearing for the past two days. The night they left for the quest, she had put on a pair of baggy jeans and a white T-Shirt that fit tightly, but comfortably on her body. She hadn't had time to change the night before, or this morning, considering she'd been contemplating all her life choices.

Her hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail, the feeling of grease slowly making its way to her scalp.

"How did you sleep?" Luke asked simply. Maisie could tell he wanted to ask her much more than that, but he played it safe.

"Good," she said, staying in place. She wondered when they would close the distance. "Nightmareless," she admitted, more quietly.

"Good."

After a short staring contest, he beckoned her over to the sofa. He sat down and she hesitantly walked over too, sitting down next to him.

He turned to her, his look softer than she'd ever seen it the whole time she'd been there. He took a breath.

"Remember the first time we met?" he asked. Maisie's eyebrows shot up slightly, the question catching her off guard.

"Of course I remember. You were the first friend I made. Well, second. Annabeth was first," she rumbled on. "Sorry," she said, looking back at him. "Your point?"

He smiled. "That was probably the best day of my life."

"Oh, really? Not the day we started dating?"

"Come on, everybody knew we'd end up together at some point."

"Fair point," she grumbled.

"You were the first person to really see me," he continued. "I really, really wanted you to come with me, even if I knew, deep down, that it was impossible. I just-" he stopped, taking a deep breath. "I'm sorry it all went down like it did."

He was staring into her eyes now, his gaze lost in the brown swirl of them. She was looking back at him, a small frown on her face.

Maisie didn't think she'd ever hear those words. I'm sorry. It felt like an alternate universe, but no. This was reality. Luke was apologizing. Her Luke.

She knew he meant it. He was sorry that it had to be this way, but that didn't mean he'd change anything. He needed closure, and so did she.

She took his hand in her own, causing him to look down at them, now intertwined. When he returned his gaze on her, his eyes were intent, his lips slightly parted, matching Maisie's own. He raised his free hand and cupped the side of her face.

She couldn't restrain herself anymore. She'd been holding on for too long, been keeping herself rational and right for too long. Her heart had escaped from the cage she had put it in, in vain. It had jumped out and killed any remaining logical thought, sending it away. It took charge.

Maisie leaned in, connecting their lips.

───────

dear reader!

only one more chapter for act two!