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The music I listened to for this chapter was Start a Riot by Banners, Hold Us Together by Wild, and Open Your Eyes by Bea Miller.
"I can't do this."
Simple words, and yet she knew what he meant. It made her heart clench.
"Yes, you can. You're stronger than this. We're stronger than this. Just because it's going to be rough doesn't mean it won't get better," Thalia said firmly.
"No, Thalia. Everyone hates me ... I hate me. I can't go around being loathed by everyone, and knowing I deserve it."
"Actually, you're wrong. I don't hate you, neither do Annabeth or Percy or Grover. As for the campers, most of the Aphrodite kids are soaking up the sob story idea. All the others are impressed at your sacrifice and all that. Even Clarisse just shrugged it off and said it was about time."
"I find that pretty hard to believe. They're either crazy or gullible."
"Oh just shut up and kiss me," she grinned.
She slid onto the bed and proceeded to kiss him deeply. He responded and they enjoyed each other's taste until they ran out of breath.
As they broke apart, staring into each other's eyes, his full of worry and regret, hers full of determination and hope, Annabeth walked in on them. She saw what was happening and hurriedly walked right back out.
"I will fight for you, Luke Castellan. Whether you want me to or not," Thalia promised.
"I think I can live with that."
Meanwhile, Annabeth came back out to the living room where Grover and Percy were. She was trying not to laugh.
"I think they'll be fine. She obviously forgives him if they're kissing and ... oh!"
Hermes had appeared on the couch. "How is he?"
Annabeth gathered her wits. "Um, he'll live. But he might be in trouble with Artemis for kissing Thalia."
Hermes nodded.
"Artemis has agreed to give Thalia an honorary discharge from being a Hunter. Here's the document. She'll sign here. As for Luke," he sighed, "they have decided on a surprisingly light punishment, thank goodness. He is to be bound as a servant to you, Percy. For as many months as there are slain demigods. You can tell him whenever."
Percy was stunned. "How long will that be?"
"Ten years. I must leave now, but before I do, you two and Thalia are to come before the Olympian council this evening at 8 pm. Good luck."
"And don't forget to bring some rats for us." said George.
"Be quiet, George." said Martha.
"Do you want to talk to Luke?" Annabeth asked, ignoring the snakes.
"I'm afraid I'd only make things worse. I'll try to talk to him later, perhaps." he said sadly.
With a gust of wind, Hermes disappeared. As soon as he left, Sally came into the room.
"Why do I feel like I missed something just now?" she questioned.
"Hermes was here," Percy answered her. "We have to go before the council and he wanted to check if Luke was ok."
There was a knock on the door.
"Everyone and their mother seem to be coming here," Annabeth said exasperatedly.
"Who is it?" Percy called, opening the door to Connor and Travis Stoll.
"Can we see Luke?" they asked in unison.
"Fine, after Thalia finishes kissing him."
"OOOOOH!" Connor snickered. "Then we have to surprise them!"
"No, no pranking in my house."
"You're no fun," complained Travis.
Thalia came out. "Oh boy. Please behave and take things seriously for once if you're going to visit him. Now's not the time for jokes."
"We promise."
"Alright, then you go in for a little while. He'll be recovering for a while."
"Yeah, so would I if you kissed the daylights out of me. I'd probably need a whole week to recover." Travis joked.
"You're impossible. And you," she pointed at a giggling Annabeth, "Are incorrigible."
"I can't help it. That was hilarious!"
"Ok, we're gonna go in now," Travis said, getting serious. "I hope he doesn't think we hate him. He's our brother! We would never hate him, no matter what. And we'll definitely forgive him."