Sorry for the late update, it's been a busy day. And here we have some important discussion and some Reyanca!
Replies:
Undeath9087: Bit of both lol, Percy would be losing her shit.
Guest: She wasn't talking about Romans as such with the 'your kind' comment, she was talking about guys like him- entitled assholes. And Percy would be losing her shit, we're talking cheering and whooping and then screaming in frustration when Bianca faded.
Guest: Bianca definitely has that protectiveness.
Guest: Bryce definitely knew he fucked up lol.
Guest: It is rather apt.
Jubby1905: Bryce got what he deserved, but hey he did motivate Reyanca
Guest: Lol, though I will say- I don't think Reyna should rely on someone else healing her heart if you get what I mean.
Bianca's sleep was dreamless- if it could be called sleep. But when she did come round her eyes fluttered open slowly- and the first thing she saw was Calypso leaning over her.
Not a bad sight, but it was slightly disappointing since there was someone Bianca would rather have seen. After all, she could remember what had happened right before she'd blacked out. She was pretty sure she'd never forget it. The feeling of those slightly chapped lips against her, the desperation, the sheer relief in the kiss, the feeling of those hands, firm and real pressed against her cheeks.
Yeah, yeah Bianca didn't want to ever forget that moment. She'd savor it for the rest of her life.
"Thank the gods." Calypso's voice was gentle- and Bianca realised that they were inside of the tent. And she felt the other girl adjusting some kind of damp cloth that had been smoothed over her forehead. "We've been worried about you."
"I-" Bianca tried to sit up but Calypso gently pushed her shoulder so that she had to lay back down. "Stay as you are-"
"Reyna-"
"Is with Gleeson." Calypso's voice was gentle. "We forced her to go with him on a supply run. She hasn't left your side since you collapsed- we were worried about her."
"She's okay?" Bianca's voice was hoarse, slightly shaky.
"Yes, she's physically fine. Exhausted but that's because she's not been resting enough." Calypso pressed a little vial to her lips, and she let out a slightly relieved noise as the sweet liquid slipped past her lips and down her throat, it was warm, made her lips tingle slightly.
And that warmth soaked through her- the chill that she'd barely noticed until now dissipated.
"Come-" Calypso carefully helped her sit up.
She handed her a bottle of water- Bianca drank half of it within three seconds, and she managed to eat an apple which Calypso handed her.
By the time Reyna and Hedge returned she felt a lot more alive- she'd managed to move so that she was sat outside of the tent when the others returned- and she felt a smile spreading across her lips when her gaze focused on Reyna.
And she froze when she saw that Bianca was outside of the tent, dropping the shopping bags she was crying- which made Coach Hedge yelp- but Bianca didn't really care because Reyna was rushing towards her and Bianca managed to get to her feet again in time for Reyna to reach her. A moment later the daughter of Bellona's palms pressed against Bianca's cheeks again- and the daughter of Hades felt her cheeks flushing as she remembered the last time Reyna had done that- and she could see the desperation in Reyna's eyes. "You're awake." the other girls voice cracked very slightly. "I- my hands went right through you. If Calypso hadn't arrived when she did-"
"I'm alive." Bianca whispered the words, "I'm alive Reyna." she raised her own hands, gently gripping Reyna's wrists.
"You were- you nearly died Bianca. Three days. You were- we couldn't wake you-"
"Three-" Bianca gasped, "Oh gods. Oh gods but that means-"
"It's mid afternoon." Reyna nodded, "The 30th of July yes."
"The Romans will attack camp the day after tomorrow." Bianca felt sick, "I- we need to leave I-"
"No." Reyna's voice was sharp, "Don't even think about it." her voice was soft, "Bia, don't even think about it. It would kill you. And I am not losing you Bianca Di Angelo-"
"Do we need to give you kids privacy? 'Cause last time we did that it didn't go so well- if I'd been here I could have smacked that guys head but no, no we just had to give you privacy!" Hedge sounded faintly annoyed- and when Bianca turned her face slightly she could see that Calypso was trying to hide her smile.
"Shut up." Bianca groaned, and Reyna laughed softly, resting her forehead against Bianca's, and that- that was nice. Bianca really, really did love that laugh. Oh gods she was so gone on the other girl.
They'd need to talk of course but- Reyna had kissed her. Reyna had done that. She'd made that choice. "What now then? Why did you guys not leave me behind we need to get that statue-"
"Shut up Di Angelo." Hedge snorted, "We weren't going to leave you behind."
"Besides." Calypso piped up, "Even if Hedge and I had been willing to, Reyna certainly wouldn't have,"
"She's got that right." Reyna's voice was quiet, "I wasn't ever going to leave you behind Bianca. I know you feel like you don't deserve it but- I will be with you. No matter what."
And Bianca felt her eyes filling with tears which stung but- but she'd never felt quite so accepted, so loved before. Not ever.
"You're not even a little scared of me?"
"Reyna told us what happened." Calypso spoke up, "It sounds like this Bryce got what he deserved- she said he made certain comments-"
"And hey-" Hedge grinned, "Bet you feel better after letting out all that anger right?"
"I-" Bianca let out a shaky laugh, "Yeah actually." it hadn't just been anger. But she did feel better. She felt lighter, freer than she had done in a very, very long time.
"None of us are judging you." Reyna whispered the words, "Bianca you saved my life. Just- try not to do it again. I don't- you fell through me. I don't want to have to ever see you so weak again."
"I'll try not to." Bianca promised gently. "I didn't exactly plan on it this time I just- he hurt you."
"And we'll talk about that later." Reyna added. "When we're alone. Which may not be for a while given what happened last time we were alone."
"Damn right. But hey, it's not all bad news Di Angelo."
Reyna nodded. "We've seen no sign of other Romans, so it appears Bryce didn't notify anyone else where he was. Also, no sign of Orion. Hopefully that means he was taken down by the Hunters."
"Zoe-" and Bianca winced slightly at the flash of irritation that crossed Reyna's face- jealousy. That was what it was. Gods Bianca wondered how she hadn't spotted it before.
She didn't think anyone had ever gotten jealous for her before.
Still, she forced herself to keep going despite the sour look on Reyna's face. "Zoe and Hylla. Have you heard anything from them?"
And Reyna's expression tightened even more. "No word. But I have to believe they're alive."
"You didn't tell her the other news." the coach prompted, looking pleased with himself.
Reyna frowned. "Maybe because it's so hard to believe. Coach Hedge thinks he's found another way to transport the statue. It's all he's talked about for the past three days. But so far we've seen no sign of –"
"Hey, it'll happen!" Coach grinned at Bianca. "When Calypso and I were giving you lo-" he stopped at the look Reyna gave him, "Giving you two space, I got a message from one of Mellie's contacts in the palace of Aeolus. This harpy, Nuggets – she and Mellie go way back. Anyway … she knows a guy who knows a guy who knows a horse who knows a goat who knows another horse –"
"Coach." Reyna's lips twitched, the annoyed look starting to fade, "Bianca's only just woken up from a coma do you want to put her back in one?"
"Fine." the satyr huffed. "Long story short, I pulled in a lot of favours. I got word to the right wind-type spirits that we needed help. The letter I ate? Confirmation that the cavalry is coming. They said it would take a while to organize, but he should be here soon-"
"I'll believe it when I see it." Reyna remarked wryly. "Perhaps we shouldn't get our hopes up just yet- our luck hasn't been the best so far-"
"Ugh, fine." Hedge rolled his eyes. "You just want me to shut up so you two can get all-"
"Gleeson-" Calypso laughed, "Stop it. Bianca, Reyna. If you want some privacy we can stay out here while you're in the tent-"
"That." Reyna said firmly, would be perfect thank you."
And with that Bianca was letting herself be towed inside of the tent, and she sat down after a moment- and Reyna sat by her side- and Bianca looked down when she felt the back of Reyna's hand brushing against her own.
"You-" Bianca swallowed hard as she turned her head to look at Reyna, and gods this felt awkward. "You kissed me."
"I did." Reyna agreed, as if it was the simplest thing in the world. "I think I've wanted to for a while now." she paused, "Even if I didn't realise it- didn't accept what I wanted." a faint smile crossed her lips as she said that. "I feel like a fool for not realising how I felt sooner- even Percy figured it out-"
"Don't feel bad about that." Bianca gave a slight smile, "I've been told that Percy is a very good matchmaker. For someone so oblivious to the way people look at her she's weirdly perceptive about other peoples feelings for each other." she paused, "You- it wasn't just because I saved you and a heat of the moment-"
"It was a heat of the moment thing but it wasn't just because you saved me." Reyna said firmly. "Bianca I- I'm not used to this sort of thing. Before now- the only person I've ever really really liked like this was Jason. And- and as much as I liked him it wasn't the same as this." her expression was soft, "I liked him because- I thought it was what I was supposed to do. You- it's not like that with you. I just... you're beautiful and you're kind and you're smart- and you're so brave it's unreal. You're so much braver than I realised. You were this confusing mystery and I liked that- and the more I get to know the more I like you."
"I knew I liked you." Bianca admitted, "I have done for a while. I just- I knew you had feelings for Jason and I- I never even imagined that you could ever like me-"
"Don't-" Reyna shook her head, "Don't put yourself down Bianca." Reyna brushed Bianca's hair out of her face. "Just because Zoe didn't love you doesn't mean that someone else won't." she swallowed- "That I don't."
And Bianca was leaning in quickly, closing the gap as she gently grabbed at Reyna's shoulders, her heart pounding in her chest as they kissed.
Somehow it lasted both a brief instant and a lifetime to Bianca. And when she pulled back she felt giddy, like a little kid with a sugar rush- and she knew she was smiling like a little kid on Christmas morning. "Reyna. This is probably a stupid question but if we pull this off- if we stop Gaea. Do you want to- I- I don't even really know what normal date activities are but would you like to do some?"
"We can get cocoa in New Rome." Reyna suggested gently, "Perhaps brownies or something. If you'd like to that is."
"Yes. Yes that sounds perfect." Bianca's hand slid down, and she gripped Reyna's tightly, twining their fingers together. "Maybe we could go on a walk or something after. That's a normal date thing right."
"I'm not sure anything about all this is normal." Reyna's lips twitched, "But all of that sounds amazing as long as I get to do it with you."
"Can I kiss you again?"
"Of course." and Bianca pressed her lips against Reyna's again. Reyna deepened the kiss, her free hand moving to rest of the nape of Bianca's neck. So gentle and just there that it made Bianca's head spin.
"I love you." Reyna whispered the words against Bianca's lips, "I know we've only just- but I want it said. I want you to know that. Maybe it's fast- but I've been falling for you ever since I met you and if the worst happens- I need you to know that."
"I love you too." Bianca didn't hesitate. "I love you so much. But the worst isn't going to happen. I won't let it I won't lose you Reyna-"
"You two!" and Bianca could have strangled Calypso- but they both moved so that they could poke their heads out of the tent.
"What is i-" she stopped, her eyes looking up at the sky in teh north, her face going slack with awe, "It can't be."
And Bianca followed her gaze.
It took her a moment to realise what it was- at first they looked like a flock of birds from a distance but it didn't take her long to realise that they were pegasi. At least half a dozen of them in a V formation without riders.
"Pegasi." she breathed out, "Enough to carry the Parthenos. Coach I could kiss you-"
"No you could not." Reyna grumbled the words, "You can kiss me instead-" that made Calypso almost choke with laughter, and even Hedge grinned.
"Good for you kids. And they're not just any pegasi kid. You're in for a real treat."
"The stallion in front." Reyna looked like she was about to pass out, "That's the Pegasus. The immortal lord of horses."
