CheckMate (A Luke Castellan fan fic. OC CHARACTER)

Running Near On Empty

Raphael's POV

    I woke up. Yay. So excited that I did. The song that was stuck in my head this morning would be... Fade by Lewis Capaldi. My new obsession. A hand started rubbing my hair. I freaked out for a minute. "Love it's just me. Remember yesterday, it's just me." I snuggled back into him. "S-Sorry." He nodded. "Are you hungry?" He asked. I shrugged. "Dunno. Maybe?" In reality. My stomach was pounding, begging for food.
"Go get Lunch Love. I'll be here." I pecked his nose and climbed off him. I walked over to the bathroom and did my business and brushed my hair upwards adding a bit of gel. As I ran the gel threw it pieces stuck to my fingers. Not like four or five either. Like an entire handful. I leaned over the sink and controlled my breathing, I washed off my hand and walked back into the room. Luke was on his phone doing something. I walked over to my bag and searched through it trying to find one of the beanies I brought. I put it on my head and went over and kissed Luke. He kissed back and smiled.

I walked out of the room and made my voyage to lunch. I pulled my hat down farther and sat next to Nico. "Haven't seen you wear hats in awhile... wait? Is it starting to-." I cut him off and nodded. He held my hand under the table as he started eating. I picked at the sandwich that was in front of me. Nico noticed and put some of his chicken in my plate. "Eat. I know it's hard. Just. Please." I nodded and ate a piece of chicken. My phone dinged.

From Luke; Since you didn't go to chemo last week we have to go tomorrow. Is that okay Love?

To Luke; little short notice but yeah it's fine. I'll be back soon. Luv ya😚😚😚

I picked up a piece of chicken with my fingers. I bit it. Nico glared at me. I ate it all the way while trying not to gag or throw up. He took my sandwich and just put his chicken on my plate.
"Raphael I wasn't aware you were here." Annabeth said stopping over. "Surprise!" I said sarcastically. Nico kicked me in the foot. "Do you wanna train later?" She asked. I internally rolled my eyes. "Can't Sorry Annabeth." She tilted her head in question. "Sorry it's just.. my asthma is really bad this time around. So I'm just taking it easy." She nodded. "That's fine. I was just wondering. Anyways have a good day." She waved bye to us and left. "How do you make lies up so well?" He asked mouth full of food. "Practice."
      I stood up and walked back to the cabin. I found Luke searching through the mini fridge. "Oh hey Love.... what's that face for?" I just climbed onto him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist. "Babygirl what's wrong?" I just closed my eyes and dig into his shoulder a bit. "I love you." I whispered. He said it back. "Babygirl what's wrong. Don't tell me you're fine too. I can see passed you facade." I just clung to him.

Annabeth asking if I wanted to train brought me to reality. I couldn't, I have CANCER. Fucking cancer. I can't run around and train. Or take walks with Luke. Or get sick. Or even drink alcohol for Christ's sake. I just want to live a normal fucking life. With a normal boyfriend with normal friends. I can't even fly for more than fifty feet without taking a break.
The door opened. I didn't need to turn around to know that it was Nico. Luke sat down on one of the black armchairs and wrapped his arms around me. "Babygirl what's wrong. Tell me. I can help." I let out a small sob. "Unless you can take cancer away I don't think you can." I mumbled. "Oh Love. I wish I could. But I'm always going to be here." I nodded. He pulled his shoulder away and lifted my face gently. "It's all gonna work out okay." I nodded.

"Raph what did you mean about you having practice lying?" Nico said sitting on the couch. I ducked my head back in the his shoulder. "Yes now I'm curious. So feel free to explain." I gulped loudly and took a deep breathe. "Oh uhm... I'm not being completely honest." Luke raised an eyebrow and egged me to continue. "Well for starters. The reason I didn't even react to you-Nico telling me I was a Demi-god was because I already knew." I looked down. "How?" Luke asked from behind me. He had stopped rubbing my back and had his arms on the sides of the chair.
     "Oh uhm. When I was just getting to the house I was living at. Someone, who I later found out was dad. Came and explained everything to me. Including why I have wings." I took another deep breathe. "So according to dad, my mum was angel. Like halo and shit angel." I looked down. Scared of what they were going to say. "Are angels real?" I shrugged. "Love." He shook my leg. "I'm not going to yell okay. I'm just mad you didn't say anything sooner." I nodded.