Falling ⇔ Thalia Grace

[4] Stop Light

Thalia and Adeline walked back silently. The city street around them was very alive though. The lights blurred around them.

Luke was left to tend to Annabeth back at their camp, leaving Thalia to walk her back.

Adeline felt like the silence between them was supposed to be stifling but she didn't find herself to care. Instead, she watched the neon lights fizz in the darkness, mind blank. She has been to many many cities working for her father but they all seem to blur together once she looks at the bigger picture.

A car suddenly whizzed past them, blowing a gust of air in their faces.

Adeline blinked, not really fazed, but Thalia jerked back and brushed her arm against Adeline's. The cold air stinging her already cold face.

Feeling Adelines arm sent a wave of goosebumps up her arm. She felt like she just got buzzed slightly with electricity.

"You feel different, I didn't expect that." Thalia said, not really thinking about what she was saying.

Adeline blinked. She always wondered what people felt when they touched her. They always said it was gross and scary.

"Sorry." Adeline murmured.

"No, it's not anything bad." Thalia offered her a slight smile. She sensed she made a mistake. "It's just different... a good different I guess."

Adeline didn't know what to say. She's never heard that before. She just offered a chuckle.

They walked in silence for a little longer. It wasn't until they reached a stoplight at a intersection, that Thalia decided to break the ice once more.

"Thank you again." Thalias eyes dart between the UPS block and Adeline's figure.

Adeline could tell Thalia is more of an actions kind of person so hearing her say thank you again made her feel sympathy for the demigod.

She offered a smile to Thalia, "No need, just making use of my healing skills."

"Do you often heal strangers?" Thalia asked.

Adeline considered for a moment. While she does heal strangers, it's more like a job for her when working part time for her father. "Yes, but not enthusiastically. It's more like my job." Adeline grinned "so I guess this makes you guys my first."

Thalia laughed. "I can consider myself lucky then."

"You can consider yourself always lucky if you're around me." Adeline suddenly thought about how many injuries Annabelle had. "Do you guys always catch yourself in these situations?"

Thalia thought about it for a moment. A pause filled the space between them.

"More or less." She said, brushing it off. "You know how it is as a Demigod." She said, bitterly.

Adeline bit her lip. She was a child of a god as well. As long as a drop of godhood touches your bloodstream, bad luck often follows.

She reached into her pocket.

Her mother ingrained in her, that if you can help someone, and make their life better with little to no cost from you, why don't you?

Pulling out a small, almost pathetic looking UPS pin. She sighed. This will just have to do.

Putting the pin between her palms, it started to glow.

"Well... you're in luck again." Adeline smiled. "I happen to have a buy one get one free sale today. If you ever need my services again, just break this. I will come."

Thalia stared at the pin before hesitating to take it.

"This isn't a scam right?" She asked, inspecting the brown pin with the huge tacky logo.

Adeline huffed. "Hey. You got no other medic. Beggars can't be choosers."

Thalia nodded, a small smile crept on her face. She appreciated Adeline for not making it a big deal.

"You're right." She slipped the pin into her pocket of her leather jacket. ".... Thanks."

The light across the street flickered green, signaling them to move on to their daily lives; without each other in them. The relationship between them is a little weird, Adeline thought, strangers to friends after this quick but intense incident. Their lives weren't meant to intertwine often but when they do, Adeline feels a rush of adrenaline, excitement and nervousness.

Thalia's eyes seem especially bright that night. The electric blue staring into hers.

"See you next time" she said waving her away.

Adeline took a step off the side walk to cross to the other side of the street.

"See you"