One More Chance // Thaluke

5. Camp Half-Blood

Thalia's POV

"Luke Castellan, son of Hermes, come up and we shall decide your fate."

Thalia heard Luke inhale sharply. A feeling of dread and anticipation settled in her heart. She could tell by the look on his face that Luke was going through similar emotions, just intensified by a bit.

Luke walked up to Zeus and knelt before him.

"Luke, you have betrayed Olympus. You fought against the Olympians and sided with the Titan Kronos. Yet the fates have decided to bring you back to life." Said Zeus, slowly.

It seemed that he might not have made the same decision had it been up to him. Thalia assumed that the only reason her father hadn't vaporised Luke was because he was much too... weirded out by the fates to defy their judgement.

"Though, from what I have heard, you seem to have sacrificed your life at the last moment, thus preventing Kronos from rising. I think it would be best to put it to a vote. All those in favor of letting him live..."

Some of the Gods seemed hesitant but, other than Zeus, Hephaestus, Dionysus, Demeter and Artemis, everyone voted for Luke.

Zeus rolled his eyes and said, "Seems the majority is on your side. You may live.

"I once again congratulate everyone on this victory. I repeat that anyone who wishes to retire to the mortal world must be above 18 years of age. There are a certain locations that are protected from monsters a little more than others. A couple places are written on a list by the reception. Not more than two people may choose one location. Everyone can now leave."

Luke's POV

Luke was glad to see that he could live.

As he was about to leave, his father called him.

"Luke, my boy." Hermes said. He came down from his throne and reduced his size so that he looked just like a slightly tall man. "You've... grown much."

Luke clenched his jaw, he wasn't entirely sure what to do with the sudden... affection.

"I know that you're mad at me, you have all rights to be." He continued. "I know that I can never make it up to you but I want you to know the truth."

Luke furrowed his brows. What in Hades is he talking about?, he wondered. It became clear in the next few seconds as his father started explaining about everything that happened to his mom.

His hands were shaking a bit when he heard it. Hearing it all from his father was something he'd never thought would happen.

It was surprising. Not the story itself but the fact that he was finally getting to hear it.

"I... um... thank you." Luke said, in a subdued voice.

"What for?" Asked the god of thieves.

"For finally telling me the truth, for bringing me back to life-"

"It was the fates who did that actually-"

"And for believing in me."

"We're family, no one can break that bond." He looked almost sincere, if that was even possible for gods. "You should go. Your girlfriend is waiting for you."

Luke turned to where he was pointing to see Thalia looking expectantly at them.

"She... she isn't-" Luke sputtered, flushed to the tips of his ears.

"Just go." Hermes said, chuckling.

He walked back to Thalia, hoping that he didn't look as flustered as he felt.

"What was that about?" Thalia asked.

"You know, just the usual, my dad telling me why my mom went mad." Said Luke, shrugging.

"Luke..." Thalia said, concern evident in her eyes.

"Seriously Thals, I'm fine." He said, giving her a look. They started walking. Luke stared at the city of Olympus, ruined and destroyed. He cringed remembering that he was the one who did that. Thalia seemed to read his mind when she said,

"It's not your fault." She gestured towards the crumbling buildings and statues. "And don't worry... I'll always be there for you."

He saw her flushed cheeks and wondered how an amazing, warrior, who looked like she was born to fight monsters on the battlefield, could look so cute when she wasn't worried about saving her own life along with others.

He pecked her on the cheek. And her cheeks burned even brighter than before.

They hadn't realize that they reached the reception because they were much too busy staring into the depths of each other's eyes. The guy behind the desk took one look at them and offered them a piece of paper.

"You aren't returning to Camp Half-Blood, are you?" Luke asked. Thalia shook her head immediately. "Good, I was... um... I was wondering if you- you know, maybe, wanted to stay together at the same place."

"Y-Yeah, I'd like that." Thalia said, smiling at her feet.

Luke, his eyes now alight with happiness, looked at the paper. He scanned it for a suitable place to stay.

"Divine Hotel", He read off of it. "That isn't far from here, is it?"

The desk guy, who had been looking back and forth between them for the whole of the conversation, said, "No, not really."

Thalia nodded and Luke added their names to the list. They stared at each other for a while and turned to the guy behind the desk again with confused expressions.

"You're supposed to return to the camp first." Said the man, rolling his eyes.

The sound of traffic greeted them outside. It was surprising how the people had all returned to their normal lives so quickly, like they hadn't almost fallen into an endless sleep and like there hadn't been a war going on above their heads.

They got into the back of a Delphi strawberry service van along with some others and made their way back to camp. They were all packed in tight. His leg was pressed against Thalia's, their bodies so close that he could feel the warmth radiating off her body.

The others in the van were staring at Luke suspiciously but they didn't let that bother them as they stared into each other's eyes, smiling and blushing like the love-struck idiots that they were.

The familiar scent of strawberries awaited them as they stepped out of the van. The Big House loomed over their heads.

"I should probably tell Chiron." He said to Thalia.

"Should I come with you?" She asked.

"No, I think it would be best to do this alone." She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze and walked away.

Luke walked up to the porch and, after a moment's hesitation, he knocked on the door. A voice he hadn't heard in a long time called out, "Come in."