The Pink Sky

Eight.

The group had been in Olympus for almost a week by the next time they all met.

It was only brief as Ryan wanted Harry to come home to meet Poseidon and Euryale, and there was only a small window in which it could happen.

"Meeting the parents already?" Lo joked and ruffled Harry's hair.

He smiled in front of the group, but deep down Harry was really, really, nervous.

He and Ryan had so much in common, they had been together non stop since he invited him to dinner and he was getting very confused.

Ryan on the other hand was flying high, he'd come out when he was pretty young, so he wasn't confused about who he felt for as much how strongly he felt in such a short time.

"Seph," he said quietly, pull her to one side, "you're an expert on our stories right?"

"I wouldn't say I was an expert," Seph smiled softly, "but I know the stories broadly, I suppose."

"Do you know anything about, Harry... and I?" He asked with his eyes on the ground.

Seph's smile widened and she poked his arm fondly.

"You do like him then?" Her voice was giddy and Ryan couldn't help but smile along with her. "Don't you?"

"Yes, okay," he whispered bashfully, "do you know anything or not?"

"Let me think," Seph chuckled, "Orion is a great huntsman and Hermes is a messenger to the gods, Hermes- although having many many flings- never married."

"Many." Ryan frowned in confusion.

"Denial perhaps?" She raised her eyebrows, earning a small grin from Ryan. "Also, this may sound strange- don't blame me please, Orion had a brief relationship with Artemis."

"Artemis!" He yelped, drawing the attention of the group, quickly lowering his voice, "Artemis?"

"It didn't work out, for obvious reasons," Seph giggled knowingly, "there was nothing much in the way of romance for either of you after that, well not in the book anyway."

"Oh." Ryan swallowed thickly.

"There was nothing about the necklace or any of this in the book either," Seph scrambled, trying desperately not to discourage him, "so I don't know for sure."

He nodded with a serious look, suddenly appearing determined.

"We make our own destiny right?" He said as if he were looking for someone to answer him. "And we're missing a lot of memories, so you never know."

"That's the spirit," Seph gleamed, "go get your man."

Ryan snickered quietly, "shut up."

She watched him walk away with a small spring in his step and smiled to herself.

Harry had never let on that he may be interested in guys, perhaps it was that Ryan awoke the desire in him, but whatever it was, it wouldn't have happened if they hadn't ended up in Olympus.

Harry and Ryan walked off together, Harry's arm around the smaller boy's shoulders just as it had been the last time they'd been seen together.

Seph smiled fondly as she watched, only looking away when interrupted by Ar walking in front of her.

"She's the woman in the picture." Ar stated.