They've been through Hades and back. They've fought and hurt. Even died. But this is the first time within the Inevitability universe that they've just gotten to BE. You've seen their suffering; now it's time to see what they were like before the deep-seeded betrayal and parental abandonment split the original trio apart. A series of one shots, featuring Luke, Thalia, and (sometimes) Annabeth...happy. Expect Thuke abound with possible hints of Annabeth/Luke.
Some of these one shots have existed for some time and are all set within the Inevitability Universe; although they can stand alone, much of the backstory can be found within the various pieces.
This particular story takes place after an event that has yet to occur in Inevitability. I won't be defining this event in this story, but basically, Luke and Thalia come to an understanding at long last. Both of them decide that they are in this thing together; they are finally, truly, the dynamic duo that they were always destined to be. This scene fits nowhere in what I actually have planned for Inevitability though. It would be redundant in the storyline.
But it feels so damn good.
Shamelessly, this song is inspired by what I consider to be the Thuke Anthem. Thriving Ivory's Where We Belong. I highly recommend listening to it; honestly, a lot of what I imagine for their story is inspired by that song. Seriously; I have like a amv of all the events, from their meeting to the Letter to Hades oneshot, play out in my head every time I hear it.
They're running. Flitting through the trees and deftly dodging branches in their paths at top speed. A slip of the foot and they'll kiss bark and likely scrape off a good portion of skin. But there's no sense of urgency; not fear but fun that drives their step. She was itching to move after being cooped up in their den, sharing warmth and wondering when the storm will let up enough for them to leave. The air tastes so crisp after a week storming, as if the atmosphere has been washed clean. The grand old trees and thick bushes form a complex gauntlet that makes her feel like she's an ancient Greek athlete competing in the Olympics, leaping and dashing and ducking across an obstacle coarse. The birds give startled chirps from their perches, like spectators cheering in the stands and the chattering squirrels trapeze through the air trying to keep time with them, like little children mimicking their favorite athletes.
There's something amazing about this kind of freedom that she feels welling up within her. Something so refreshing. In that moment, she is, along with the world, whole. Nothing else matters but her body, her opponent's own pace, and the world before her. Stretched out, open and inviting. Welcoming her to do with it as she pleased. To be on the wind; to belong no where and everywhere at once. She could go anywhere, do anything. And she'd never be alone, she thinks with a glance at her partner in crime. They made a promise after all, and she never makes promises she doesn't keep. And surprisingly, she trusts him to do the same.
Her pacing is effortless, slow for her even. Laid back. Her heart beats in time with the pounding of her legs. A beat on impact and a beat as she extends for another stride. Her lungs burning ever so slightly as she draws in a deep breath full of the musty scent of the leaves. A great leap brings them in dead center into a bursting creek, sending up a shower of water and bubbling laughter from her lips as the cool liquid reinvigorates her senses. He laughs with her as they bound back up the bank.
The forest breaks into a meadow, and they're racing with the wind. He attempts to pull in front of her, and she smirks. He lost the moment he made this a contest of speed. At her will, the air pressure around her lessens, air resistance dropping to nil, and she feels weightless; half the effort for twice the speed. That was the true marvel of being a child of Zeus; you could bend the very air around you to help you do incredible things.
"No fair!" He shouts from behind—far behind she thinks with a smirk. "You can't use your god powers!"
Well, don't try to beat her next time. He'll never win. She has wings. She can fly, fast as a great eagle. As if to prove her point, she notices the shadow of a great raptor just off to her side. He calls to her in greeting. The great bird's trills are a spirited challenge; one she can make out as easily as if it were Luke egging her on. The great bird belongs to her patron after all. A majestic symbol of his might. He quickly joins in their competition, crying out with the same jubilation she feels within her.
Behind her she hears him calling to her. She skids to a stop and can't keep the patronizing look from her face as she notes he has stopped dead in his tracks. Face flushed, hands on his knees, tongue lolling out of his mouth like a mutt.
"You...cheat." He says between pants as she prances toward him.
"How is using my powers cheating? They're part of who I am." She retorts.
Luke glares at her. "And what's that thing behind you?" He says grumpily.
"An eagle." She answers, looking at the bird gliding above her head. "Zesus' symbol. You should be more respectful." She says this but there's something in her tone that's almost challenging her own words. Like she isn't sure the god of the heavens deserves that respect.
Only when she turns back to Luke, he'd disappeared. "Luke?" She feel a bit of panic rising in her like bile; they'd barely been apart for so long that it made her feel exposed to be without him. "Luke! Where'd you go!"
And all of the sudden her world becomes a jumble as something hard knocks her to the ground. She panics, going for her knife in her boot but two icy hands catch both of her wrists, pinning them to the ground. She tosses her weight and her head around for a moment, hoping to throw her attacker. But then she catches sight of familiar blue eyes, and she scoffs at his amusement.
"How in the—don't scare me like that!" She growls.
His grin grows. "Like it? New power I just learned yesterday. Guess I can teleport...like the old man."
She kept her features impassive, but in her mind she has to acknowledge that's somewhat impressive. "Yeah, yeah cool magic trick. Get off of me fatty!"
He releases her wrists, and that's when she strikes. Her legs shooting up into his gut and sending him somersaulting over his overinflated head. He lands on butt, and she chuckles as she stands over him.
"Now we're even."
Another will be out in about a week.