One More Chance // Thaluke

6. The Canoe Lake

Luke's POV

"Come in."

Luke's heart was beating faster than it had when he stepped in front of Zeus' throne to get his fate decided. Maybe even faster than it had when he stepped into the river Styx.

The door creaked open and Luke saw Chiron with his back facing the door, conversing with a girl who had flaming red curls. The redhead sitting opposite to Chiron was frowning at him with her eyes narrowed. Chiron spun his wheelchair round and stood up in full centaur form. "Luke." He stated

"Chiron." Luke said with his head bowed. He couldn't bring himself to look into the eyes of his old mentor. He couldn't bare to see the shame and disappointment on the old centaur's face.

"Rachel, this is-"

"Luke Castellan, the hero." Said the girl. Luke's eyebrows drew together.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He asked her in a low voice.

"You're the hero, from the... prophecy."

Luke grew even more confused.

"'A hero's soul cursed blade shall reap'" Started Chiron. Luke slowly looked up at him. "Everyone thought that it was Percy but you were the one who gave up your life. You were the hero."

He saw neither shame nor disappointment in those ancient, brown eyes. Instead he saw... pride.

"I always knew you would make the right choice in the end."

Luke's vision blurred. Too late, he realized that his eyes were wet and tear rolled down his face before he could stop it.

He didn't know why, but from day one he had had this irrational urge to impress Chiron. He never became close to anyone. His stubbornness to impress the centaur had been the only emotion other than hatred and sadness that he had felt at the time. He believed that his relentless efforts, after losing his first match against an older camper in front of Chiron, was what had made him this good with a sword.

Chiron trotted forward and put a firm hand on his shoulder. He didn't say anything. Words were not needed.

"We were thinking of leaving camp. Getting a place for ourselves." He informed Chiron, trying to change the topic.

"You and...?" Chiron asked.

"Er... me and Thalia."

"Oh, yes. I heard about the... um... incident. Of course, you have undoubtedly been through a lot. Luke, if you're okay with it, I think it would be best for you to go back to the Hermes cabin." Luke nodded hesitantly and Chiron turned toward Rachel. "We should get going. It's almost time for dinner. Rachel, you wouldn't mind joining me, would you?"

"Sure." She said.

"Oh, Luke, I forgot to mention. Rachel Dare is our new camp Oracle." Chiron looked at him apprehensively. Luke tried not to show any emotions.

"I thought the job was cursed." He said, in what he hoped was a casual tone.

"I believe the curse was lifted, just recently."

Luke nodded, vaguely. "I should go now. See you around, Chiron. And you, Rachel."

He left the Big House and wandered to Cabin 1. He walked in, seeing as the door was wide open.

The place seemed different from the last time he had seen it. The big, hippie Zeus statue no longer seemed to be taunting him, neither did it seem intimidating. It was like that one accessory that nobody really wants but holds some kid of sentimental value or was given to you by some relative. The only difference was that, here, they kept it so that the camp wouldn't be blown to pieces by the god of the sky.

"Hey, Thals."

He plopped down on her bed. Thalia, who had been laying down and staring at the ceiling, sat up. He pulled her into a kiss.

"How'd the talk with Chiron go?" Thalia asked as they pulled away.

"Not bad." He replied and Thalia nodded skeptically.

"I don't think you're allowed to be in here." She said. Luke was confused for a moment.

"Wait wh- Oh! The rule, right." He said, grinning.

"Why're you so happy?" Said Thalia, his smile spreading to her face as well.

"Just... memories."

They sat in silence for a moment and the conch horns sounded in the distance. As they walked towards the dining pavilion, Luke said, "I'll be joining the Hermes cabin." 

Thalia's POV

Thalia looked him in the eye, trying to understand him. She didn't know how he could be so calm, keep his voice so level, when he was actually so tensed about meeting his old cabin mates.

If she hadn't known him well, she would have assumed that he was completely indifferent towards seeing his siblings again, who probably thought he'd betrayed them. But she did know him well. His eyes, his hands fiddling with the hilt of his sword and his teeth chewing on his bottom lip, all told her that he was unsure, even scared to meet them. Afraid of what they might think of him. Would they still see him as an elder brother or as a traitor?

They entered the dining pavilion and went their separate ways. Thalia sat on a table completely on her own and Luke sat on a table that was overcrowded.

She watched as the other campers gave Luke sidelong glances while eating their food. The Hermes table was quieter than usual which earned suspicious looks from other tables as well.

Then, they let their food go up in smoke.

When she got back, she saw Travis lean in and whisper something in Luke's ear. He smiled and so did Travis.

 There was whispering from the other side of the pavilion. She turned to see Annabeth at the Poseidon table giving Percy a somewhat squished cupcake with blue icing. They exchanged a few words and-

"Well, it's about time!" Clarisse said.

Thalia followed as the campers carried the previously kissing couple outside, on their shoulders.

"To the canoe lake." She heard someone shout.

She had to sprint to catch up with the others. She caught up with them, a grinning Luke right beside her, just as they threw Percy and Annabeth into the lake. They waited, in vain, for the two to come out soaking wet.

"Where'd they go?" Asked Katie Gardener.

"Stupid son of Poseidon." Clarisse grumbled, rolling her eyes and walking back to camp.

"Looks like they had the last laugh." Luke said, chuckling.

Thalia smiled. "Yes. Yes, they did."

A/N : I think I'm gonna end it there... Wait before you kill for such a terrible ending, I will write an epilogue. Also I'm gonna start a collection of oneshots. Please check it out if your interested 

Yours Truly 

ReynaLovegood2 :)