By Chance

Twenty Two

Ari's palms were sweating as she looked at the two manila envelopes in front of her. She was waiting at the table that was center-most in the club, knowing that she had to be on her own turf to keep her strength and resolve. She kept rehearsing what she was going to say in her head, going over every detail and trying to plan for every argument. Her staff wouldn't arrive for two more hours, giving her plenty of time to hash everything out with the guys. She looked up as she heard the door open, and looked up to see Cal enter, with Bin right behind him. They were both dressed casual, and both still devastatingly handsome, making Ari's heart squeeze until she noticed their sullen looks. She tried to control her shaking hands as they sat on either side of her, and took a deep breath before addressing both faces looking at her with questions in their eyes.

"Okay, guys, we have some stuff to talk about," she said more steadily than she thought she would. Looking to Cal, she said, "I have gotten to know both of you, and my feelings for you are strong." Looking to Bin, she went on, "But we aren't all the same, just like the two of you aren't the same. Bin, I have to start here. Cal and I, we are-"

"Don't," Cal interjected. "Don't do that, Ariyana. It's a secret for a reason."

"Don't what?" Bin asked, looking between Cal and Ari. "What's the big secret?"

Ari looked at Cal with pity, "I have to, Cal. He deserves to know, if for no other reason than to understand where I'm coming from."

Cal tensed, but then sighed as he conceded. He slumped a little, waving a hand for her to continue.

Looking back to Bin, Ari cleared her throat, "Bin, the thing that makes you different from us...is that Cal and I are half-gods. It doesn't make us bet-"

Her words were cut off by Bin breaking into a fit of roaring laughter. He put his hands on the table and let his head fall back, tears streaming from his eyes from the force of his humor. Ari and Cal looked at each other in surprise, sure that he had either snapped or simply didn't believe her. Ari bit her lip as she started to worry about how to navigate this.

After a minute or so, Bin calmed down to an amused giggle. He brought his head back, little eruptions of laughter still escaping his lips as he wiped at his eyes. He looked at them both, trying to get himself under control.

"No shit, guys," he said, "Yeah, demigods, got it."

"No really!" Ar started, bringing another bubble of laughter from Bin.

"I know!" he yelled in his laughter. "I can see your marks! Can't you see mine?"

Ari and Cal looked at each other in confusion. "Marks?" Ari asked, then realizing what he had said, "Wait, Bin, are you a demigod??!"

"Yes!" Bin laughed again, "I thought we all just knew that about one another. I saw your mark the second you turned your head when we were out smoking the night we met. Grapes and a vine, behind your right ear. Cal's is clear as day, too. Owl, right there, on the back of his left wrist."

Ari looked at Cal's blank wrist, bending down, while Cal stood up slightly to look behind both of her ears. They both sat down to look at Bin with confusion written plainly on their faces.

"What is your mark, then?" Cal asked, looking at the tattoos on Bin's arm with scrutiny.

"Trident, right hip."

Ari cleared her throat, "Bin, your trident is on your left hip," she said, earning a scowl from Cal.

"Nope, that's the regular tattoo," Bin said, smiling at her. "I felt unbalanced, so I got that one to match my godmark."

"Wait," Cal finally spoke up, "Trident? You're a Little Swimmer?"

Bin chuckled, "Yeah, but we don't prefer that term. Too....spermy."