𝐁𝐔𝐓 𝐃𝐀𝐃𝐃𝐘 𝐈 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐇𝐈𝐌, luke castellan

𝐗𝐗.

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐗𝐗.
left my past life on the ground

ᯓᡣ𐭩

𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐍𝐄𝐗𝐓 𝐅𝐄𝐖 𝐃𝐀𝐘𝐒 went by in a blur. There were celebrations for the quest mates who put Atlas back where he deserved and saved the goddess Artemis, and Annabeth in the process.

Maisie's body was present in the celebrations, but her soul felt like it had travelled to a whole other world. She engaged in conversation, thanked whoever told her they were glad she was back safe, and ate the celebratory meals.

However, her mind kept going back to the mountain.

She kept pondering whether there was something she could have done to prevent Luke from falling, to prevent Thalia kicking him, to prevent him dying.

But, no matter what scenario she played in her head, it ended in the fall. There was no saving him from his own burden.

Having no control over her body, Maisie let it lead her to the forest, the place where she and Luke used to walk, during sleepless nights or when they wanted to get away from the loudness of the camp.

That was what she was doing now, as she passed through the snow-covered grass, tiny snowflakes falling in her let-down hair. She greeted the cold, letting it burn through her, tugging her back to reality.

A single tear escaped from her eyes, sliding down her cheek, a miracle that it didn't freeze right on her face.

Maisie swore that she could feel his presence with her still, as if he never left, as if nothing bad ever happened and he didn't end up falling.

Right as she was letting another tear fall shamelessly, since there was no one around to see, she heard footsteps on the soft snow, making her turn abruptly.

She couldn't hold in her gasp once she laid her eyes on him, a face she could recognize anywhere, a voice she had memorized, which resided in a special place in her heart.

"Oh my gods," was all she could utter as she ran to Luke, wrapping her arms around his body. She was trembling, her lips letting out uneven sobs as she took him in. His scent was strong and for a terrifying second, she thought she'd forgotten it.

"It's okay," Luke whispered, alternating between rubbing her back and caressing her hair soothingly, as she cried in his embrace.

"I thought..." she mumbled, her voice breaking. "I thought-"

"I know. I'm sorry."

Maisie buried her head in the crook of his neck. "Don't leave me again. Please." Her voice was barely above a whisper, struggling to maintain the slim-to-none composure she had left.

"I won't," he promised.

No matter how many times she'd hear that promise, her gut couldn't fully believe it.

ˏˋ°•*⁀➷

After Luke left camp, since both of them knew he couldn't risk being seen there, Maisie knew she had one more responsibility left.

She made her way back to the cabins, where everyone was finishing up dinner. Her feet took her to the Apollo table, and her eyes immediately fell on the person she was looking for. Ronan.

He noticed her too, seeing as he was standing up to leave once she arrived. She attempted a smile, though she wasn't sure how it came out. His eyes were concerned as he got up from his table and made his way to her.

"Can we talk?" she asked as soon as they were eye to eye.

"Of course," Ronan agreed, a cautious smile pulling at his lips.