𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐘 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐌, luke castellan

𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐗𝐕𝐈𝐈𝐈.
when the weight of the world feels so close

ᯓᡣ𐭩

"𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐖𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐆?" Maisie asked, when her and Luke exited the room they were in and started making their way out of the museum.

Luke turned to her, gifting her one of those smiles that she swore was brighter than any star that adorned the night sky. She couldn't help but pull her face into a smile too, feeling his hand entangled in her own.

"Did you miss the Princess Andromeda?"

Maisie made a face. "Not really, to be honest."

"Well, we have to move, so you're going to see it again."

"Will you take me to Annabeth?" she asked, her eyes now hopeful. She hadn't forgotten about the real reason she left camp.

"That's our destination, yes," Luke confirmed.

Maisie could only nod. She had no idea what she was going to do once they got there. Save Annabeth, of course. Then what? Go back to camp and pretend nothing ever happened? Stay with Luke and be considered a traitor? Disappear forever?

A new, deeper and, frankly, uglier, voice pulled her away from her thoughts.

"What do you think you're doing?"

The question was directed to Luke, coming from the big man Maisie had seen in the meeting room. His arms were crossed and he was looking down at Luke, seeing as he was taller.

"Is there a problem?" Luke shot back, crossing his own arms.

"You cannot bring random people here, unless you want to kill them." His voice echoed in the hallway they were standing at, making the whole situation somewhat creepy.

"She's not a random person," Luke said, an edge to his voice. "And, last time I checked, I was the boss here."

"Do not test me, boy."

"No. Do not test me, because I can put you under the sky again if I want to."

The guy's eyes widened slightly, despite his attempts to hide his terror. He didn't say anything else, just narrowed his eyes at Luke and retreated.

Maisie caught on quickly.

"Was that... Atlas?" she questioned.

"Yeah," Luke sighed. "Kinda regret taking the sky from him."

"Yeah, he seems like an ass."

Luke placed his palm on her back, guiding her away. "Don't worry, he might like playing boss, but he's unimportant."

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

The Princess Andromeda was as Maisie remembered it; big and scary, although this time it didn't include the entranced passengers.

As they made their way in the ship, some people waved at Luke, others offered a small bow, others simply nodded. He really was the boss.

They finally reached the stateroom that Maisie had grown so accustomed to in the summer. It stayed the same too, apart from the untidyness. It was cleaner now, lacking the mess of empty bags everywhere.

"We're leaving soon. I have something to deal with. Will you be okay here for a bit?" Luke explained, his eyes granting her a soft look, which was absent whenever he spoke to anyone else.

"Yeah. I'll wait," Maisie replied with a small smile on her face. She stood on her tip toes, leaning in to place a quick kiss to Luke's lips, who grinned in return, before walking away.

Maisie was left alone in the stateroom, yet again, getting a feeling of deja vu. She looked around, noticing the same paintings adorning the plain walls, not a single change in the decoration.

She made her way to the sofa, getting comfortable, unable to wipe the guilty smile off her face. Her thoughts wandered again to the one she called her boyfriend. All these months, she'd been trying to convince herself she truly liked him. He had been too good for her from the beginning, and he didn't deserve what she offered him.

Because, truthfully, she didn't offer him anything. He had really tried to help her, to bring the old her back, in vain. He didn't deserve what she was doing to him at that moment.

Deep in thought, Maisie almost didn't notice the presence looming over her. She started, but quickly regained her composure at the sight of the woman watching her.

The woman stood tall, a long white dress sat on her figure, while she fixed Maisie with a stern gaze. Maisie's brows shot up slightly.

"Mom?"

Athena furrowed her brows at her daughter, her lips pulling into an almost pitiful smile.

"My child. What are you doing here?" she asked.

"I could ask you the same thing."

Athena raised an eyebrow. "I'm answering your prayer."

"A bit late for that, but, sure."

"Gods are busy, Maisie. You cannot blame me."

"I'm not. It's... fine. Why are you here now?"

Athena's eyes roamed around the stateroom, more making a point than taking it in.

"Why are you in this ship? You know you should be with your friends right now."

"I'm on my way to Annabeth, anyway. Just... in a different means of transport," Maisie explained, looking at her feet, in shame.

"Listen, Maisie. I am no Aphrodite. I don't know about... whatever it is you and Hermes' son have. All I know is it must stop. You are losing sight of what's right here. Do you really wish to be on this side of the war?"

"But I'm not on this side!" Maisie stood abruptly, raising her eyes to meet her mother's. "I'm on your side, always."

"Then why aren't you fighting for us? You have the power from inside now, but you are wasting it." Athena's tone had grown more serious, emphasizing her point.

"Stop it, mother. What do you expect me to do? Kill him?"

"If it comes to that, yes," Athena confirmed, as if the answer was obvious.

Maisie shook her head. "You can't ask me to do that."

"I can and I am. My child, you need to act. Luke must be stopped."

"Don't you think I've tried? To stop him? He's too persistent."

"You cannot convince him to act against his purpose. More drastic measures need to be taken."

"Stop, mom! I won't kill him. And I sure as hell won't fight for him. There can be a more peaceful ending to this story."

Athena shook her head, her face showing her determination. "There is nothing peaceful about war."

"It doesn't have to be a war," Maisie whispered.

"It already is," Athena said firmly, making it clear that was the end of their conversation. "Think, Maisie. You can do the right thing."

"But, mom..." Maisie persisted, her voice barely above her previous whisper.

Athena turned one last time, awaiting her daughter's next words.

"I... love him."

The goddess pursed her lips, but said nothing.

She disappeared into thin air, leaving Maisie to collapse back on the sofa, her eyes stained with tears that weren't going to fall.

───────

dear reader!

we are backkk, i'm SORRY this took me so long, i'll try to keep it up again.

also, THANK YOU FOR 10K THIS IS CRAZYYY