Reyna forgot how comfortable her bed was. Between all the nights in the hospital and the rest of the nights spent at her base planning, she didn't spend much time at home. She stopped by long enough to feed her dogs, take them for a walk, and cuddle for an hour or two. Then, she was back to work.
Reyna stretched out on her bed. Aurum was curled up on her right side and Argentum to her left. Reyna turned and buried her face in Argentum's coat. She heard a small whimper from Aurum and blindly reached out to pet him so he wouldn't feel left out. A knock on the front door caused her to groan.
It wasn't often that she received visitors. Only Nico knew where she lived, and he helped take care of her dogs when she was busy. He also had a key, which damn well better be the reason why she heard the front door opening. Reyna reached under the pillow and wrapped her hand around her pistol.
"You awake!" Nico called. Reyna released her grip on her gun. "I saw your car outside!"
"Bedroom," Reyna called back as she lifted her head. Aurum and Argentum threw themselves off the bed and bolted towards the living room. Reyna smirked and slowly stood.
"I'm here too," Bianca called. Reyna grabbed her crutches and slowly walked towards the living room. Nico was laying on the ground petting the two dogs. Reyna wasn't sure if he had been knocked down there or had been sitting on the ground waiting.
"Morning," Reyna greeted as she looked at them.
"It's five at night," Nico commented. Reyna lost her smirk and slowly looked at her watch. Shit.
"We're here to help you get ready for your date," Bianca said. "Go shower."
Reyna opened her mouth to argue, but Bianca crossed her arms. The look on her face made it clear there was no room for argument. Reyna sighed and slowly made her way back to her bedroom. The two siblings followed behind.
"Can you shower on your own?" Bianca asked. She kept acting oddly. Like she was worried? Sad? Was she mad about the blood all over her restaurant floor because that was not Reyna's fault.
"I don't need help," Reyna said as her face heated up. Why has that been happening so much lately? "I already have my outfit picked out."
"Cargo pants and a black shirt?" Nico asked. Reyna gave him a look. "My bad. A purple shirt."
"We're just going out to dinner. Not a big deal," Reyna muttered.
"Reyna, this is a date! If this works out, you're going to have a girlfriend," Bianca said. "Have you ever been on a date?"
"I go out to eat with associates all the time," Reyna stated.
"Associates that she is either going to work with or threaten. All they do is talk business," Nico informed Bianca. "That's not a date."
"But it's having dinner," Reyna argued. She looked in between the two siblings and realized that they were teaming up on her. Nico was a traitor.
"The difference is that you're not going to talk business with Thalia." Bianca stated.
"Then why did she ask me to dinner?" Reyna questioned. Bianca rubbed her forehead. Nico smirked.
"I told you she was hopeless," Nico said to Bianca. Reyna glared at the siblings. "Thalia asked you to dinner because it's a date. She wants to get to know you better, and if the date goes well, you two can finish what you started in Will's clinic."
"What?! No… we...no," Reyna stuttered as her face felt like she had stuck it into a warm oven. "Does he tell you everything?!"
"Will said it was getting real hot and heavy," Bianca added. Reyna stared at them with wide eyes. "Stop stalling. Your date is in less than an hour. Get showering. We'll set an outfit out for you."
Reyna turned away and grumbled to herself about the meddling siblings. Then, she headed into her bathroom. It was easy to get her knee brace off. Not so easy to actually get into the shower.
It didn't help matters when Nico knocked on the door two seconds later. He spoke, "Are you done?"
"How could I be?" Reyna demanded. She slowly pulled her hair out of its braid and started the water. Reyna groaned as hot water hit her back. Her head rested against the wall as hot water ran over her.
"Are you?" Nico asked. Reyna rolled her eyes as he spoke.
"No, Nico. Now fuck off," Reyna said. It wasn't even two seconds later that she heard another knock.
"What about now?" Nico questioned.
"Nico!" Reyna yelled. Nico started laughing, and Reyna buried her head underneath the water. Nico made a noise of pain a moment later, and another knock on the bathroom door caused Reyna's temper to flare.
"Is it okay if I step inside and set some clothes down for you?" Bianca asked through the door.
"Go ahead," Reyna answered. She grabbed shampoo and heard Bianca open the door. It closed only a few seconds later. As she was left alone by the bothersome siblings, Reyna did her best to race through her shower. The last thing she wanted to do was be late for her date. That would just be poor manners.
When Reyna finished her shower, she carefully grabbed a towel and wiped herself down. After gingerly stepping out of the shower, she put on her knee brace first before pulling her pants on over it. Reyna grabbed the dress shirt and put it on. She started to braid her hair as she limped out of the bathroom.
Reyna examined the black dress pants that she wore. It matched perfectly with her red dress shirt. Reyna limped into her bedroom and was tossed a tie. She spoke, "I can dress myself."
"No, you can't," Nico argued. Reyna glared at him.
"He's telling the truth," Bianca agreed. Reyna rolled her eyes and examined the black tie. Bianca walked behind her and helped her put it on. "I still think we should have gotten her a dress."
"We don't want her to be teasing Thalia too much," Nico joked. Reyna gave him a look. "And, Reyna threatened me with death if I ever brought a dress into her house."
"I don't see why I can't just wear my normal outfit," Reyna said.
"Are you trying to destroy a building or ruin anyone's life?" Nico asked. Reyna glared at him. "Then, you don't need to wear your normal outfit. Today is not a normal day."
"Reyna, I know that you have these feelings for Thalia. I know you told us that you didn't want the feelings to disappear. Have you thought about what that means if the feelings don't disappear?" Bianca asked. Reyna looked at her and slowly shook her head.
Would that mean she loved Thalia? Something else? As if reading her mind, Nico spoke, "It means that you really care for Thalia, and you should ask her to be your girlfriend."
"So, not love?" Reyna asked.
"It could lead to love," Bianca corrected. She fixed Reyna's tie. "Remember, you are not talking business. You are there to enjoy your time at dinner. Thalia is going to ask you questions about yourself. Please be honest with her."
"What would I even do with a girlfriend?" Reyna questioned. She hadn't exactly dated anyone before. Or even gone on a date. And having a relationship with someone? That was all new territory. She saw how Nico and Will acted around each other, so was that how she should act around Thalia?
There was no guarantee that this would go well anyway. Reyna would probably screw up the entire thing. She had to try, though. Reyna really enjoyed the time that she spent with Thalia, so she was going to do her best to enjoy this dinner.
"We'll help you with it," Bianca promised. "You just have to try."
"I will," Reyna said. Nico handed her black tennis shoes, and she slowly put them on. The siblings helped her stand. "I just hope that I don't fuck this up."
"The green tie or the blue one?" Thalia asked as she examined herself in the mirror. Percy was laying back on the bed near her and studying her. After she turned towards him and held up both ties, he shrugged. "I know that you don't know shit about fashion, but which looks better?"
"Blue. It goes with your eyes," Percy answered. Thalia put on the blue tie and studied herself. She was wearing a white dress shirt and dress pants. Thalia thought she looked pretty damn good. "Excited?"
"Beyond excited," Thalia answered. She pulled on her shoes and then carefully tucked a gun onto the holster around her ankle. Just in case. Thalia glanced at her phone. "Today's the sixth. Good."
"It's the ninth," Percy corrected. "Why does it matter?"
"It's the sixth, Seaweed Brain. And, I want to know when my anniversary with Reyna is going to be," Thalia explained.
"It's most definitely the ninth," Percy reassured. Thalia rolled her eyes. "I want this date to go well just as much as you do, but already planning an anniversary? That's a little crazy. Actually, you planning is crazy."
"First, shut up. Second, it's the sixth, and you're dyslexic. Third, this date is going to go great, and I am going to get laid. Fourth, shut the fuck up," Thalia said. She smiled to herself. It was insane to already be thinking of an anniversary, but Thalia had a really good feeling about all of this.
"You're dyslexic too," Percy complained.
"Your head is full of kelp," Thalia countered. She heard the door behind her open and saw Jason walk in with Annabeth. Jason had one hand over his eyes. "I've seen you in diapers, Jason. You can live to see me naked."
"Nope. That's too weird," Jason said, shaking his head. He peeked through his fingers and then lowered his hand. "You look good."
"Make sure to bring up how we will work together," Annabeth added. Percy gave his girlfriend a warning look. "What? We only have one shot at this, and we're working at a disadvantage."
"This date is about the two of them getting to know each. Not working out a business deal. We'll cross that bridge after this date," Percy said. Thalia looked at her friends, and a small smile came to her face. She knew they still had their reservations about whether they could trust Reyna or not, but they weren't fighting her about this date.
They were being supportive, and it made Thalia feel a lot better. She wasn't sure if she had just worn Percy and Annabeth down to the point where they realized Thalia wouldn't give up on this goal or if they really just wanted her to be happy.
"Don't talk about working together unless she brings it up," Percy coached. Annabeth looked like she was going to protest, but Percy silenced her with a kiss.
"I'll be with Percy tonight, so you can have the apartment to yourself," Jason said with a grin. Thalia rolled her eyes, but a smile came to her face. She was excited for this date. Thalia couldn't wait to get to know Reyna on a personal level.
"Fuck, this is going to be so much fun," Thalia exhaled. She was practically jumping up and down as she grabbed her car keys. "Any advice?"
"Just be yourself. Use lube if you decide to use toys. Do you plan on using toys?" Annabeth asked.
"I don't know," Thalia replied with a shrug. Of course, there was a toy in her purse, just in case. Thalia did her best mocking impression of Reyna's voice. "I have to be in charge. Always on top."
"Good luck to her with that knee," Percy commented. He looked at Annabeth. "Remember when we tried to 'you know what' when I fractured my pelvis?"
"Why were you two trying to have sex after Percy fractured his pelvis?" Jason questioned. There was a frown on his face. Thalia grinned.
"Cause they're like rabbits," Thalia teased. She walked towards the front door. "I'll text you guys when I can to let you know that she didn't murder me."
Thalia turned and left the apartment. As the door closed behind her, Jason looked at Annabeth and Percy.
"So, we're spying on her, right?"
"I already made the reservations."
