*groans* I was doing so well... and then I wrote this. :( Tbh, I haven't finished Mark of Athena so if I've got their relationship 'personality' down wrong then oops. May come back and edit.

Written for shipping week at Ceasar's Palace. No Prompt

Calypso/Leo

Disgusting.

Calypso frowned in her steaming cup of coffee. It was murky and reminded her of mud. The taste was hauntingly familiar to burnt chocolate. She stirred it with a small silver spoon and eyed the array of goods she had brought down from the cupboards.

She and Leo had only lived in their apartment for about six months and Calypso was still faintly confused on the particulars of home-cooking. She held up the carton of milk and bit her lip. Milk was tasty, but would it really convert this murky drink into something edible?

Honestly, how did Leo love this stuff?

Calypso reached for the sugar instead. When in doubt, add sugar. She added three spoonfuls and stirred. Then gave in and poured some milk in until the colour became more light and more edible... looking.

She took a sip and tried not to stick out her tongue. There was still something missing.

A colourful package of red pepper perched on the stove caught her eye.

Maybe...

She reached forward and tapped a finger against the powder and tasted it.

Maybe...

Calypso added a spoonful. Experimenting is good, she thought to herself, nodding. How would she discover anything she might like if she didn't experiment more? She tried a tentative sip.

Hmm, not bad.

"...'orning." Calypso turned around to watch her boyfriend stumble in the room and yawn.

"It's afternoon, Leo." She replied.

Leo placed his head on the table with a groan, "Who cares."

She placed her creation in front of him. "Drink some coffee. You'll feel better."

"Such a lovely lady you are, m'dear," Leo mimicked tipping his hat to her like a gentleman, "Don't mind if I do."

He took a sip.

And immediately spat it out.

"Okay..." Leo coughed, "That was different."

She tried to hide her disappointment. It was unique taste but it wasn't disgusting. It certainly looked a lot better than it previously did.

Leo must have sensed that what he just did was a 'no, no' because he looked at her apologetically and gestured at the cup, "So... experiment?"

She nodded.

"Right. Do you like it?"

"Yeah, it's pretty good. I like the... " Calypso paused to find the right words, "...the kick it has."

Leo nodded, "Yes, yes, it did have a nice kick to it." His gaze fell on the opened red-pepper bag behind her. He clapped his hands together, "That makes more sense." He walked his way over to her and carefully place his hands on her waist, tilting his head as he said, "You can experiment, you know and if I don't like it, it doesn't mean you can't like it."

She knew that. She liked a lot of things he didn't like. How silly.

Calypso scowled, "You better hope I can. You get to experiment all the time with the machines of yours." She stuck her chin up, "I can experiment with food if I want. Even with the appliances!"

"As long as it isn't like the time with the toaster." Leo advised.

Calypso wrinkled her nose in distaste. She hated the toaster. "Deal."

Leo leaned his face closer to hers, his familiar smirk playing on his lips, "Though, your experiments seem to tell me something."

She held her breath and stared distractly into his warm brown eyes as he moved closer, "Hmm?"

"You seem to be attracted to things that burn."

Oh...

Yes, yes she was.