Chapter 6: Ogygia

My recovery was long, burning up can do that it seems, but Calypso was very helpful. She was gentle and knew what I needed to get better. She let me sleep for days at a time, but kept me fed and healthy. She spoke to me, entertained me with her words while I was 'bedridden' on the floor. The island was beautiful, all the plants she nurtured were strong and looked like a wonderful array of colours. Whenever I wanted anything, like a drink or something, the spirit of the island seemed to bring it to me. Living here I could want for nothing, I could forget about Kronos and everybody else, but the one person plaguing my mind.

Luke's kiss featured in all my dreams, the touch of his hands felt printed into my cheeks so I would never forget them holding me even when I was awake. In my dreams, I kissed him back. I put my hands on his shoulders, or around his waist, instead of keeping them at my sides like a stunned idiot like when he really had kissed me. Something about that kiss stuck with me, despite the weeks I spent away from him and in the company of a beautiful girl like Calypso. Was it because his lips had felt so soft and warm against mine? Or the tingles it sent down my spine, and the weight it added in my belly? It was driving me crazy not knowing what kept him in my head.

When Hephestus visited I knew it was time for me to leave. I had expected him to tell me I was going straight away, but he sat down and had an invisible servant bring him a Pepsi. He played me a news report of the eruption I'd caused. 'While no deaths have been reported, minor injuries and illnesses include -' I'd hurt people. And apparently, give Typhon a shake during his nap. I didn't think I could ever do anything that powerful, but I guess I didn't know my own strength at all. There was a reason they called my dad 'Earthshaker'. I asked if Luke was alright, and thankfully he made his way back and told Hephestus what happened. Clarisse had brought her group back out of the Labyrinth with a few well-earned battle scars and a Hundred-Handed One scared out of his mind of her. Annabeth had made it back, apparently, my mother had taken them to follow the wind of the wild at Grover's request, to thank him for being my protector. The only person who hadn't returned to camp was me. They all thought I was dead. My mum thought I was dead.

"I had to be sure you were coming back before I started telling everyone where you were," Hephestus said.

I found myself looking out at the lake and Calypso gathering water, and the thought of leaving weighed heavy on me. Hephestus told me to decide at daybreak. 'Daybreak is a good time for decisions.' He left me on the beach to return to Calypso and give her the news. She fought with herself over giving me the offer to stay with her forever on this island, cursing the Fates for being cruel. Sending her a hero with a mission that called him away but someone she couldn't stop herself falling in love with. I was stunned. Actually, I thought she was joking. She leaned up to kiss me, hands holding my face like I was something precious. Just like Luke, but also completely different. No tingles. I apologised, I had to go back.

"It's Luke isn't it?" She smiled sadly. "When I heard his name in your sleep, I had hoped he was your brother or close friend, but he's more to you than that. Isn't he?"

I didn't know what to say. I didn't how I felt about him myself, I was still so confused about everything. She asked if she could help, but I didn't know. I told her how he'd betrayed me, tried to kill me more than once, and I didn't even fully trust him. But I couldn't stop thinking about him. I dreamed about him, his handsome face and sense of humour, the graceful movements of his strikes with a sword. I'd started thinking of how his body moves, and how it might move against mine if we ever...did that. I felt bad for unloading this on a girl who confessed she loved me a moment ago, but she looked over at me with an understanding smile.

"Have you heard the saying, 'There's a fine line between love and hate'? Or even, 'You always hurt the ones you love'?" She frowned. "Perhaps he was only confused, but know he's come to term with his feelings for you and is working for you to forgive him. I can't see why else he'd agree to go back to that camp if he wanted to avoid the Crooked One completely. And I think what you're describing to me could be love. It's different for everyone, but you speak about his with such passion I don't know what else it could be."

I felt reassured by her perspective. It made the possibility of being in love with Luke easier to swallow. He'd helped, he'd succeeded in his quest, anyone could see he'd spend the week trying to redeem himself. I just worried about how accepted we'd be, both being guys. Calypso reminded me that homosexuality wasn't bad in Ancient Greece, it was sort of common and painted on pottery. She made me promise that if I was leaving her behind on this island then I had to confess my feelings to him. It was a hard thing to do, she knew that, but she'd done it. So could I.

She walked me to the shore, to a raft that didn't look particularly seaworthy, when a gust of wind almost blew me over. It was the strength of a god, but I couldn't understand why any of the gods would come to see me off. I'd already made the decision to go. But it was Hermes, ready for a run again, and looking panicked. He ordered me off the island and back to camp. I was too stunned for words, so gestured to the raft a few meters away from me as though the answer was clear enough that I was already going. He sighed a breath of relief, damning Hephestus for rushing him to beat daybreak.

"I'm sorry, Percy, trying to order you around is rather beneath me, and could, in fact, get me in trouble. But I was worried for Luke if you didn't return, it seems only consoling your mother is keeping him at camp currently." Hermes frowned, "I wish my son was stronger, but it appears he finds strength in you. I'm glad his affection is returned."

A blushed forced past my attempt to control my face. The messenger god only laughed, providing his blessing for me to provide a reason for Luke to stay on the right path. It was embarrassing to have that kind of conversation with Luke's dad before I'd even had that conversation with Luke, but seemed genuinely pleased about the thought of a relationship between me and his son. He explained that involving himself in Luke's life was against the rules, but he'd always pushed me towards him in hope of saving Luke from his fate. It reminded me of Luke telling me about his nightmare, so I asked Hermes.

"Poor May, she tried to take the place of the Oracle but it backfired. Sent her mad with the terrible fate our son would face. So many times I wanted to tell him, to warn him, but I wasn't allowed to interfere. If I could then all this nonsense wouldn't have happened. I can barely visit May as often as I do now, but perhaps with Luke staying at camp with you, I can ask to care for her properly. She is very dear to me, they both are."

I felt warmth hearing the love he had for them in his voice. It also made me sad, that Luke had no idea how loved he truly was, but either me or his dad. I promised Hermes I keep Luke safe and he smiled at me as a dad would, I felt accepted to join their family. I kissed Calypso's cheek as I left, again apologising for not returning her feelings. She smiled that if I'd felt anything other than friendship for her then we'd both be haunted by what if questions, and it was easier to let me go for my own happiness and easier to get over me. I was glad she was so forgiving, and a little quilty. As the raft sailed away, Hermes approached her and they sat down for some tea, and when the island disappeared behind mist I willed the raft to sail me home. Sail me back to Camp Half-Blood, and back to Luke.