"I just…was thinking, I don't want you and Annabeth living like this, Thalia. It's dangerous to risk you both…" he says, obviously struggling to find words. I stay silent, hating where this is going. It feels like my stomach has just dropped 90 miles per hours in a matter of seconds. Luke's hand rests on mine, calming me. "You're both safer somewhere else."

"What?!" I demand. He ignores me.

"And maybe I can tell you when I find something stable, somewhere where we can be happy together, with Annabeth. I can come and find you."

I'm not hearing anything anymore. Wasn't he the one who promised her, promised me he wouldn't send us back to our families? And now he was being a freaking hypocrite. I exhale sharply, pretending to be preoccupied with my combat boots. "Luke Castellan, you have lost your mind." I mutter. He exhales too, his face regarding me coldly. "Is it so insane to want you safe?" he says, and suddenly his voice softens his face gentle. He touches my face, looking at me intently, so close I can hear his heart. I force myself to stay calm. "It's insane for you to want us to separate. We stay together. Nothing else." I tell him evenly. "It's going to be hard, I'm not saying it isn't." I compromise, holding his hand even tighter. He looks down at our intertwined hands but says nothing, staring into the woods. "I don't want to hurt you. Or Annabeth."

"You'd be hurting her worse by breaking your promise."

He nods, a hint of a smile on his lips. "Oh, what now?" I ask him, trying to sound annoyed, but only managing a smile. He grins, looking back at the tent. "Annabeth…"

"Special kid isn't she?" I ask, using the tone I used to whenever asked about Jason. "Very." He responds. We stay silent, listening to her breathe in her sleep. "She loves you, y'know." I tell him.

"She loves you too." He reassures me. I nod dismissively, my black hair falling into my eyes. "I…love you too." He says slowly. I look up at him, my eyes shining with fear. I love Luke, of course I do…but, the thing is, in what way? In what way does he love me? It all happens so quickly, I don't see it coming. My heart beats faster, adrenaline rushing to my veins. I know that feeling. It's the one that quickens my blood during a fight with a monster. I have a hard time keeping still and suddenly my ADHD picks up on the most random of facts, like how the fabric of my torn sweater feels on my cold skin, how his bright blue eyes look tired, with light circles underneath them. "It's fine." He says, his hand on my shoulder. "You don't have to say anything."

I touch his cheek, not trusting myself to say anything. He closes his eyes and leans into my touch for a moment. "I'm going to bed. Wanna come?" I say, immediately blushing at how stupid and wrong that sounded. He laughs, amused. "No, it's okay."

"What are you going to be doing out here?" I ask stupidly, trying to quickly change the subject. He seems deep in thought, all traces of laughter gone.

"I'll be planning our next move."

Hey guys! it's me, and I just wanted to know what you think. Please leave me a review, they mean the world to me. Even a few words will leave me choking with satisfaction (Gods, I'm a dork.) and if you want more Thuke while you wait, read my story You Can Trust Me. Love you all! :)