A/N: I really wanted to write a fic with this pairing because I really don't see it much and I always loved the (limited) interactions we got with Travis and Katie in the books. With that being said, I'm neither Rick nor T Swift, meaning I own neither the characters or the title. Hope you enjoy!
No, Travis was not hiding behind the tree near the camp store waiting for the cashier to take a break. Of course not. That would be silly; the only reason he would be hiding behind a tree at this particular moment would be to catch a break from the "hot, scorching, absolutely, excruciatingly bright sun" from "blistering his sensitive and pale skin, the SPF isn't really strong enough in the sunscreen you provide–"
At least that was what he tried to tell Chiron. Somehow, he didn't seem to buy it.
"Young Stoll," Chiron said with a knowing smile. "Do you really believe you're the first child of Hermes to try to steal from this camp?"
Travis looked at the ground ashamedly.
"With the amount of time you'll be spending here, I'm quite sure you will become quite the proficient thief." Chiron winked.
Travis looked up at Chiron, mouth agape, taking note of the amusement of the centaur's eyes.
"You're really okay with campers stealing?" Travis asked. It would really take him some time to get used to this place if this is how things were run.
"Ah, well. It would be preferable, of course, if every person here did exactly as they were supposed to do, but as a teacher with thousands of years of experience, I have come to accept what reality is. The best I can do is guide all of you. And of course, you see how many siblings you have. Do you really think I could keep them all in line?"
"I'm sorry, sir." (He wasn't)
Chiron started again, "At any rate, that is not why I am here to talk to you. We have received a new camper today, a child of Demeter, and I would like for you to show her around camp."
"Me?" Travis asked, furrowing his eyebrows. "I just got here a few months ago. Shouldn't you ask someone who's actually, I don't know, more experienced? And I doubt if I can answer her questions past, 'I don't really know, ask someone else.'"
"My boy, you are familiar with this place now, are you not?" Chiron replied.
"Well, I guess, but–"
"And more importantly, I try to get my campers to foster friendships with those closer to their age, and given your… sneaky habits," Chiron smiled again, "I feel that you know much more about camp than is necessary to give a tour, wouldn't you say?"
Travis sighed. "Fine." There goes his plans to get his hands on some money.
At least there's always tomorrow.
~OoO~
Travis smiled to himself; what he thought was a wasted day was already looking good for him.
What was the saying, again? Oh right. "When opportunity knocks, open the door."
Right now, opportunity was knocking on his cabin door – well, technically, her name was Katie, but that was beside the point.
The point was, however, that she was naïve and wearing a gold bracelet that he could definitely pawn for a good haul.
He opened the door. "Katie! Great for you to stop by! I'm guessing Chiron's all finished up with you?"
Katie did not return his smile. "Apparently, you're going to give me my tour. Chiron told me I could find you here."
"Hey, Kitty, why so cranky?" Travis smirked. He was nothing if not determined to get through that exterior. After all, he'd have to get close to her to pocket all her valuables.
That was definitely the reason he wanted to get close to her. Had nothing to do with that pretty face and stern look that told him she would kick his butt if he ever tried anything with her.
'Course not.
"Don't. You. Dare," Katie said through gritted teeth. "I know exactly who you are, Travis Stoll, everyone from Chiron to half the campers I've met today warned me about the new kid who pulls pranks."
Travis gulped. "Hey, I-"
Katie's eyes narrowed. "Let me finish. If you pull any of that crap on me, I will gut you. We are not friends. You're going to show me the important places around here, and that's it. If I need any more help, I'll ask someone else."
Ouch. That one hurt, but Travis had a job to do, and he was going to use Katie's attitude to his advantage.
"Oh," was all he said, putting on a hurt face.
Katie loosened up. "No, Travis, I- I didn't mean to hurt you, it's just that everyone warned me about you, and then you called me Kitty, and I absolutely hate that name, and…"
Travis let a fake tear slide down his cheek before replying, "No, it's okay. I get it. No one wants to be around me anyways." He let out a shaky breath before continuing. "Anyway, I'll leave you alone."
Then he grabbed Katie's hand and put a rolled-up piece of paper – a map of camp that he had made for her – into it before quickly turning around and running away. As he ran, he heard Katie calling out for him to wait.
When he reached the dining pavilion, he smiled to himself. Acting had always been one of his strong suits and had helped him out in plenty of situations, from getting out of detention to pretending he knew nothing about his mom's broken vase… although he's pretty sure his mom doesn't fall for his tricks anymore.
He opened his hand and looked at the gold bracelet he had swiped of Katie's arm just moments ago.
Maybe the day was worth it after all.
~OoO~
Katie felt like crap.
She had gone to meet with a boy whom she had misjudged from the beginning. Sure, she had heard of the warnings: "Make sure you look out for his pranks", and, "Watch your pockets, or your money will be gone before you know it."
But maybe they didn't know him that well. All she knew was that she had scared off the pale blue-eyed boy, who was kind enough to prepare a handwritten tour of camp, with a FAQ section on the other side of the paper. And she had judged him from the start and sent him off crying.
What a terrible human being she was.
Katie was back at her cabin now, having completed Travis's paper tour, and was getting ready for bedtime. As she was changing into comfier clothes, however, she noticed a familiar weight missing on her arm.
Well, that was strange; she hadn't taken her bracelet off for any reason she recalled. Maybe she took it off while getting ready for bed?
"Hey guys, have any of you seen my gold bracelet?" Katie asked out loud.
Most of her cabin mates just shook their heads and went back to their business. A couple of the campers offered her a smile and started helping Katie look for it.
"Hey Katie… didn't you spend some time with Travis today?" one of her cabin mates asked, a gleam in his eye.
"Yeah," Katie sighed. "But I kind of scared him off even though he was being so nice to me. I mean, he even drew me a map of camp and gave it to me, and I just…"
Katie frowned to herself as she realized what she was saying.
"Oh, boy," grinned the other camper. "I have a feeling I know exactly where that bracelet of yours went."
Katie's mouth opened and closed several times as she tried to find the right words.
"That absolute wretch! And to think I actually felt bad for him, he was just setting me up the whole time! Oh, when I get my hands on him, I'm going to-"
"What, give him your watch too?" laughed her cabin mate. "Come on you gotta admit, he's pretty good at this. He even had you doubtin' yourself!"
Katie groaned, "Ugh, this is the worst, and I'm not even one day in."
"Oh no, Katie, believe me, when you're dealing with Travis?" He paused, giving her a lopsided grin.
"The worst is yet to come."
Things certainly got worse.
Katie furiously stomped out of the camp showers wrapped in her towel. Her wet hair stuck to her forehead as she furiously set out to look for the person who was the bane of her existence. It was pretty easy to guess who she was looking for.
She slammed on the Hermes cabin door.
"Travis Stoll, get your sorry butt out here right this minute!" she screamed.
Two seconds later, the door opened with a smirking Travis behind it. She couldn't help but notice how well his longer hair suited him after growing it out for the past year, but she was far too lost in her anger to dwell on that.
"Hey Kitty! Looking good, you trying something new?" He laughed out when he noticed her expression.
"You!" Katie shrieked. "You, complete, absolute… You put dye in my shampoo!" She refrained from slapping him upside the head.
"Well, really Katie-Kat, I thought the blue would suit you. You look so pretty!" His eyes danced mirthfully as he reassured her, and her cheeks flared in annoyance.
"It's Katie," she spat out. "Not Kitty, not Katie-Kat, just Katie! And fix this!"
"Sorry Kates," Travis said, still with a grin stretched across his face. "Can't do anything about removing that dye. But you'll be able to wash it out in no time."
"How long?"
"Oh, at least a week," Travis said sweetly. He may as well have been laughing for how hard he was beaming at her.
"I can't be stuck like this for an entire week!" Katie squealed.
A couple bystanders gave her an odd look, and she instantly quieted down. She was drawing a crowd and decided it was time to leave.
"You are the absolute worst, Stoll," she hissed as she stalked back to her cabin, tying her towel tightly around her.
"Oh, I can do worse!" he called after her.
She said nothing as she kept moving.
"Not bad, little guy!" a voice behind him laughed as Travis watched Katie bow her head and walk off.
"Thanks, Luke," Travis said, not really paying attention.
Travis watched as Katie threw open her door and slammed it shut. Then he went back into his cabin.
~OoO~
Later at the dining pavilion, Katie's hair was wrapped up inside a hat, and she was glaring at Travis every time he caught her eye.
"Boy, if looks could kill," Luke snickered next to him.
"Yeah, I think I noticed. I'd be way past dead right now." They laughed, and their cabin mates glanced at them wearily.
"You know," Luke said, smiling thoughtfully, "that's not really how you're gonna get the girl you like to like you back."
Travis snapped his head back to look at Luke. "What? What are you even talking about?"
Luke smiled again. "I'm just saying, you target her with most of your pranks. You're always paying attention to her, you know where she is at all times..."
"To plan my pranks!" Travis interjected hotly.
"Right, right." Luke nodded his head and gave a dismissive wave of his hand. "All I'm saying is that she's pretty upset. Maybe you should set things right."
Travis didn't respond to that. He looked back over at her. She clenched her fists when she caught his gaze.
"Hey, what's wrong, Katie?" her sister Miranda asked her, leaning in toward her ear.
Katie takes a few moments to reply, but when she does, she bursts.
"That stupid Travis is laughing it up with his friends while I'm over here stuck with blue hair, and it's just not fair! It's wrong! He messes with me again and again, and I have to endure it while he laughs!"
Miranda smiled.
"Oh, not you too!" Katie snapped.
She jumped up, leaving her plate behind and stormed out of the dining pavilion.
Travis watched her get up and decided to follow, saying goodbye to Luke. Luke smiled knowingly when he saw where he was going.
Travis continued, following Katie at a distance as she strode into the woods, further and further from the pavilion. The wildlife was getting thicker and thicker as he forged through the forest. Travis realized at some point that this was a stupid idea, following a girl who would probably skin him if she saw him during the dark of night in the woods.
He saw her slip between a couple of hidden trees before she disappeared from his sight. Taking a breath Travis followed her between the crack into a grove.
He looked around, amazed. There was an opening in the center of the canopy that allowed the full moon to shine through and illuminate all his surroundings, bathing the trees in a silvery glow. There was a small stream flowing quietly into a pond at the end of the clearing, with flowers of all kinds lining it.
Katie had taken off her shoes and hat and sat at the edge of the pond, dipping her feet in it.
Travis silently moved until he was standing right beside her, staring out over the silver pond.
"Hey, Kate," he said softly.
She flipped around and, acting on pure instinct, punched him in the back of the knee. "Gods!" she cried as he crumpled to the ground, writhing a bit in pain. "What are you doing here?
"Just happened to be in the area, thought I'd drop by," Travis groaned from the ground.
"You were following me," Katie gasped, hand splayed over her chest.
"What, of course not!"
"I can't believe you, Travis Stoll!" She stood up and put her hat back on.
"Ugh, what are you talking about?"
"What, already planning your next prank, Travis? Go right ahead, use me for whatever laughs you need." Katie glared at him.
"Of course not. I mean, the hair thing is pretty cool, don't you think?" Travis replied cheekily.
Katie deepened her glare at him.
"Tough crowd."
She rolled her eyes, allowing a ghost of a smile to cross her face.
"So. You prank me, upset me, call me names, now you won't leave me alone? Great."
She bent down to shove her shoes back on, then pushed past Travis to angrily stomp back to camp. Scrambling off the ground, he rushed up to her and grabbed her shoulder.
"Well, it can be dangerous here!"
She turned. "Now you're my bodyguard? I can protect myself just fine, thank you very much," she replied, gesturing at Travis' knee.
"You know what Chiron said about the buddy system. You have to go into the woods with at least one buddy," Travis continued.
"Uh huh, and you care so much about the rules. Why are you really here, Travis?"
"I-I'm not sure."
Katie folded her arms and frowned.
"What do you mean, 'you don't know.'"
Travis grimaced. "Well, I just – I just noticed you get up from the dining hall. You looked really upset so I decided to come after you and now… Here I am."
"So you followed me because I looked upset." Katie narrowed her eyes at him.
"I mean, I-" Travis stuttered.
"You followed because I was upset, knowing full well that you," she jabbed a finger in his chest, making him stumble, "are the reason I am miserable right now. Yes, I'm upset. I'm upset because my hair is blue right now!"
"Katie, I'm sorry, okay! I didn't realize you would hate this so much!" He said, raising his voice in distress.
"It's not just this, Travis! You're always targeting me! I feel like I constantly have a "Kick Me" sign on my back, and it's tiring to have to deal with your pranks so much!"
Katie was on a roll, and he didn't know how to stop it. He stepped away from her and threw his hands in the air. "You know what? Fine, Katie! I apologize. Is that what you want?"
"I want to know why you hurt me so much, Travis," Katie said, her voice suddenly softer, her eyes slightly glassy.
For once, Travis didn't want to speak his mind. He didn't want to tell Katie that yes, it turns out Luke might have been on to something. That yes, Travis did in fact have a slight crush on her.
So he didn't.
"I-I actually thought the blue hair looked nice on you. I thought you looked so pretty when you came storming into my cabin. And the other pranks? I thought they were mostly harmless. I don't think I would mind if someone pulled those pranks on me, Katie, so I figured it was okay to pull on others," Travis replied sincerely.
"Oh," Katie stated simply, pursing her lips. "Okay, Travis."
"Okay? Okay, what?" he asked, slightly confused.
"I think I can handle you next time you come at me. She smirked at him, gaining her usual confidence back.
"Oh, it's on," Travis smiled widely. "But let me tell you something, Katie, believe me when I say…"
"Go on," Katie prompts, the corners of her mouth twitching up.
"The worst is yet to come."
"I welcome the prospect," grinned Katie
"Oh, and one more thing," Travis looked at Katie with a smile dancing across his face.
"Yes?" Katie raised an eyebrow.
"There's a kick me sign on your back."
"Travis!"
In the years that passed by, not a single thing had changed. Travis and Katie's usual interactions developed into routine, and at this point all the campers were well accustomed to their antics. They would never take Katie seriously when she stormed furiously through camp because they all knew it would wear off within a few hours. And they certainly didn't take Travis seriously when he ran through camp claiming that Katie was going to kill him.
Today, however, was different.
Travis had been eyeing Katie all day, and something was off about her. Through years of fighting and arguing, he knew how to tell when something was wrong. Earlier in the day, she had a worried look on her face and didn't talk to anyone during breakfast, which was strange because she was usually bright and bubbly in the morning. He had glanced at her eyes, and instead of being their usual bright green, they had a dull quality to them.
During her activities, she stood at the side, her mind somewhere else. He tried to challenge her to a little sparring session, but she had declined, barely looking at him. Her words were blank and almost robotic, carrying no emotion in them. Travis' heart had tugged a little when he heard her speak. No matter how much they fought, Katie had become a staple in his life, and it hurt him to see her like this. He tried to ask her if she was alright, but she merely shook her head and slowly walked away, leaving Travis standing alone.
He continued to keep an eye on her later, as she tended the garden. Usually when Katie approached the garden, the plants would spring to life and the flowers would turn towards her. This time, however, they started to droop as she approached. Almost as if they could sense her emotions. She closed her eyes as she reached the garden, and Travis noticed a tear slip out of the corner of her eye and traced its way down her cheek. Travis wanted to comfort her badly, but realized that she needed some time alone, so he let her be.
Later, though, Katie still hadn't improved. She was dazed at dinner, and she was still not talking to anybody, though many had tried. Even one of the Ares guys got up to gently talk to her but his attempt was as fruitless as Travis'. Soon, everyone else started leaving her alone as well.
Once everyone was finished with their meal, Travis realized that while everyone else was running to the campfire, Katie had turned into the forest. He quickly made a decision in his head and followed her, having a pretty clear idea on where she was going.
As he approached the grove, Travis brought some food out to use as a peace offering. He walked in and sat next to Katie by the pond. Unlike last time, she was not startled, and continued to stare across the water.
"S'more?" Travis offered, holding it out to her.
She turned to him and shook her head before dropping her head down once more.
Travis sighed. "Katie, you have to talk about what's going on. If not to me, at least to somebody. You've never been like this before and you're starting to worry me. And I will stay right here until you answer me."
He was worried that maybe he had gone too far, or that maybe he was the reason she was so hurt. He was about to apologize when all of a sudden, he didn't have to.
Travis was startled when Katie wrapped her arms around his neck and drew him close to her. She put her head on his shoulder and started to sob. Powerful, heartbreaking tears flowed from her as she and Travis stayed in their positions. Travis frowned, not knowing what to do since he had never been in this situation before. But this was Katie, he could hold it together for her sake. He wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her tightly, glad that there was nobody close by to watch.
"It's my step-brother," she continued to sob as she let out the only sincere words she'd spoken that day. It made her cry even harder, and grip Travis even more tightly. Travis would be lying if he said his heartbeat wasn't rapidly speeding up.
Travis pulled back and grasped her hand. He looked back up to her eyes and noticed that there was some color returning through the tears. He frowned and pushed her hair back out of her face.
"What happened?"
"He's dying, Travis," she said tightly, closing her eyes. "He's had a brain tumor since he was 5. He's been getting treated for it his whole life, but now they say that there's nothing left to do. He's going to die, Travis."
The sobs had returned, and Travis tried to draw her in again, but she insisted on continuing.
"He was always there for me. Even when my dad and stepmom used to yell at me, and even when I heard them arguing about why they had to take care of me. He was the only one who cared about me, and now he's going," Katie cried out.
Travis was almost in tears himself, hearing about this. "Hey Katie, listen to me. You listen, and you listen well, okay?"
Katie nodded.
"Everybody in this camp cares about you. Every last person here would take a hellhound claw to the gut for you, so don't you ever say that nobody cares about you. And because we all care so much, I think you owe it to everybody to help you with whatever you're going through. Gods know, you've provided a shoulder for plenty of other people to cry on."
The sobs came back in full force, and Travis pulled Katie back into him. This time, her arms were squished up against him, and she was grasping at his t-shirt, crying into it. He felt hot tears soaking into his chest and could smell the strawberry scent of her hair and then he realized: he wasn't the least bit uncomfortable. Comforting Katie felt like the right thing to do, and dammit if he wasn't going to do his best.
"Everything's going to be fine, Katie," he whispered. "It'll all work out."
She sighed out, not quite believing him, but grateful for the reassurance. She breathed out and began to relax. She pulled back this time, a sad smile gracing her lips.
"I really needed this, Travis. Thank you," she said sincerely.
"Anytime, Kit Kat," Travis smirked.
He could have sworn that her smile grew just a little bigger.
"I suppose it could be worse."
Travis laughed.
"Dammit Travis, just ask her!"
Travis looked up startled at his younger brother, clearly in distress. "Great advice, Conner. I don't even know why I'm talking to you! You don't know shit about girls."
"Uh huh," Conner replied. "And you're getting so worked over a girl? Over Katie Gardner?"
"Dude, she's gonna hear you!" hissed Travis, grabbing his brother's arm.
"She's literally at the opposite corner of the dining hall," Conner gestured to the Demeter table. "And it's loud in here. Apparently everyone's all excited about Beck and Silena going to the fireworks. And of course, Percy and Annabeth. No one's going to care about what we say."
Travis glanced at Katie, who was deeply involved in a conversation with Miranda, her half-sister. Then he looked over at Beckendorf, who was talking across the table with Silena.
"Bastard," Travis murmured. "I bet Silena was begging to be asked. She put out all the hints she possibly could. I wish Katie were as easy to ask out."
Conner rolled his eyes. "Bro, she probably is. You haven't even tried." He ignored Travis' obvious distress. "The only reason you're stressing is because you're in lo-"
"Absolutely not," Travis replied a little too quickly.
Conner laughed. "Yeah, and that's why you only prank the Demeter cabin nowadays. You basically stalk her, claiming that you need to plan your pranks-"
"I do need to plan them!"
"You constantly talk about her, and you guys are always at each other's throats," Conner continued.
"What's that supposed to mean! Yeah, we fight a lot, which means we definitely do NOT like each other," Travis cried out.
"No, fighting means you guys are hopelessly in love with each other. Just look at Percy and Annabeth. Half their fights aren't even as stupid as yours and Katie's. That's called unresolved sexual tension." Conner's eyebrows waggled suggestively as Travis shoved his arm, flushing red.
"Conner!"
"Yeah?" Conner smiled innocently at his older brother.
"We- we don't have sexual tension. That's ridiculous," Travis stuttered out, glancing around to make sure nobody heard. "We fight because we don't like each other."
"Ah, and that's why you want to ask her to the fireworks. Of course," Conner snickered.
Travis opened his mouth and closed it before answering. "Shut up."
Conner laughed out loud as Travis once again glanced towards the Demeter table..
Except this time, Katie must have noticed because she glanced back and met his eyes. Travis held her gaze for a few seconds, noting her pretty, green eyes before Conner started to nudge him, causing Travis to turn back to Conner, annoyed.
"Oh, I totally see it now," Conner nodded, with his eyebrows raised. He was holding back a laugh as he continued, "You guys do hate each other!"
Travis turned back to his breakfast, mumbling.
~OoO~
Travis was so lost in his thoughts as he wandered towards the forest, he didn't even realize Katie was there until he ran into her.
"Travis?"
His head snapped up and met Katie's eyes, getting lost in them once again. There was a patch of dirt on her face and a scratch by her ear.
Travis took in her whole appearance. Her arms and knees were covered with streaks of dirt from when she must have been working in the garden, and he became distracted by the high-waisted shorts she was wearing.
He swallowed quickly and raised his eyes back to hers as she went to brush some of her hair behind her head. Travis thought about how much he'd want to be the one doing the brushing.
"Uh, Travis. What are you doing here?" she continued, snapping her fingers under his chin.
"Oh… I-Uhm, came here for a jog?" Travis stuttered out. "Yeah, a jog through the woods."
"Really?" her eyes widened in surprise. "You like to run?"
"Uh, yes. I love to run. You know, son of Hermes and all."
"Oh," Katie replied. "Interesting."
"Yeah?" Travis smirked.
Katie thought for a second before responding. "Why don't we race? One lap through the dirt path?"
Well, now Travis was in trouble. He had clearly stated that he was a runner, and a good one at that just moments before, although it couldn't be further from the truth. But if he backed down, Katie might think he was lying. Not only that, but he had already said that he was planning to go on a run. Declining would be too suspicious to consider.
"Bring it, Gardner," was all he managed.
Katie smiled. "Alright then, no time like the present. Start at the blue marker?"
"Sure," was all Travis' dry mouth was able to get out.
"Go!"
And they were off.
Travis tried. He really did. But it had been so long since he had actually run long distance. Sprinting away from defenders during the capture the flag was easy enough, but that was over short distances. If Travis remembered correctly, the track length was about 3 miles, just enough for the 5k they were running.
Katie was like a gazelle. She took corners without faltering and her long legs allowed her stride to push her faster. Travis fell behind quickly, as it was obvious that he was never going to win.
Finally, he reached the end of the path, groaning and sweaty, while Katie was waiting there expectantly, hand on her watch.
"21:44," was all she said as Travis sat down heavily next to her. She reached down and tugged on his arm. "And get back up, Travis, we still have to cool off. Don't want your muscles to tense up, do we?"
Reluctantly, Travis got to his feet and started walking beside her. He glanced at her and noticed that she was flushed, with hair sticking to her face. Before he knew it, Katie was looking at him strangely ,and he realized he was probably staring at her for way too long. It wasn't his fault Katie looked so beautiful after her run, though, right?
Woah Travis, he thought to himself. Push those thoughts away. Since when is Katie Gardner beautiful?
He glanced at her again, now that she was looking away. What was he even doing? She had to know by now that he was no runner. He wondered what she was going to say about the whole situation, whether she was angry or amused he didn't know. She'd probably think this was some elaborate prank setup.
But he was here with Katie. He was spending time with her, alone, and he was enjoying it. He liked being in her company. He wondered when that particular development happened. Recently, he just couldn't seem to get enough of her.
Oh Hades, was Conner right? Was he actually in love with Katie? Now that he thought about it, he figured he might be getting close to the correct answer.
"You don't run, do you?" Katie mused, still looking ahead as she walked.
"-Uh, what?" he asked stupidly. This would be his strategy. Play dumb. It shouldn't be difficult at the very least.
"Running, you don't seem very good at it." This time she turned her head to speak to him.
"Oh, uh… no," Travis floundered. "I just, uhm, started practicing."
"Practicing," Katie sounded amused. "Practicing running. You don't practice, you just run."
"Oh, yeah of course," Travis replied, smacking his forehead. "That's probably why I'm so bad at it."
"Uh huh," smirked Katie. "And all that son of Hermes crap? What's going on there, huh?"
Travis was once again at a loss. "I don't know, I thought that maybe I had some kind of natural advantage in that arena, but clearly not." He snorted as he recalled just how soundly he had been beaten in the race.
"All right, then." Katie at least had some decency not to burst out and laugh right then.
"Yeah. Yeah, that's it," Travis continued despite the clear lack of conversation.
"Travis, are you alright?" Katie looked over at him in concern. "Getting a little delirious from the sun?"
"What? Me? Great." He slowly tried to back away, knowing he had to get out of the situation before he made a fool of himself. "Uh, I guess I'll be on my way… then."
"Oh. Okay"
Travis turned back to her in surprise. Was that disappointment he heard? Was he imagining it? He must have been, since her usual smile was on her face. It was probably just a dry throat after running anyways, since they hadn't had a chance to drink something.
Travis turned abruptly, meaning to get out of there as soon as possible, and promptly tripped and fell flat on his face.
"Travis!" she exclaimed, running over to pull him up and off the ground. "Are you okay?""
"I-I tripped?" It ended up coming out as a question, which made Travis blush because not only had he proved just how slow he was to his crush, but now he demonstrated his utter lack of grace.
Katie laughed as she pulled him up. Her skin was dirty, as he noticed earlier, but soft too. He could easily imagine himself holding her hand for a long time. He let go quickly as he found himself getting lost in his thoughts again. The lack of contact left his hand cold, despite the summer heat.
"Katie," he whispered. This was it. Now or never. This was going to be the moment he overcame his fear and settled this for good.
"Yes, Travis?" she replied sweetly, remaining in position.
"Do-would you-" he stopped, unable to continue. He couldn't do it, couldn't risk the little time he got to spend with her to ask her. Just like he had said this morning, they fought and argued. This wasn't a thing; it was all in Travis' head.
"Never mind," he stuttered, dropping his gaze. "Thanks for helping me up."
"It's alright," Katie replied, her voice sounding off.
As Travis started to walk away, she spoke again.
"Hey, if you ever want to practice running," she started with a smirk. "You can find me here. I happen to be a decent runner."
Travis froze and turned around. He decided it would be better to smile before answering.
"See you, Katie."
Travis was lost. He never got nervous around girls. Girls fled to him; he never had to work for it before. His five year old self was a player on the playground, but here he was, freezing up around Katie Gardner, whom he'd known for years.
This was something new, and Travis wasn't sure if he liked it.
~OoO~
Travis rolled over in his bunk, groaning. "Please go away."
"No can do," came Percy's voice, sounding amused. "We heard all about your little morning adventure in the forest."
"Dammit Conner, you promised!" exclaimed Travis.
"Sorry bro, you know I can't keep anything from the boys," came Conner's voice. "You shoulda known. Oh, and Beck, Solace, and Chris are here too."
"Forget it," muttered Travis. "You guys don't understand, anyways, you all have your dates to the fireworks, and I don't."
"Uh, last I checked I definitely don't have a girlfriend," Will said.
Travis raised his eyebrows at him. "Whatever, you've literally been asked out by at least 5 girls in the past week. You can have anyone you want. Not me, though."
"Man, I'm dating Clarisse," piped Chris before Will could respond. "You think that's easy?"
"I literally had to put my life on the line to ask out Silena. I almost died," added Beckendorf solemnly.
Conner shrugged, "Yeah I'm taking Miranda. She'd be pretty upset if I didn't, you know, being her boyfriend and all."
"Wait Perce, did you finally ask out Annabeth? Will asked.
Beckendorf barked out a laugh as Percy glared at him. "I-"
"Really guys, after all these years you think Percy was the one to ask her out? Not a chance. She asked him. I was there." Beckendorf chimed in.
"Seriously?" Conner laughed with the rest of the boys. "Please tell me he's wrong. Percy. Tell me he's joking."
Percy blushed.
"Guys, we need to focus on the problem at hand," Travis stated dramatically. "We all know Percy was always going to be too scared to ask her out. It's common knowledge. I still don't have a date though."
"Ask someone," Chris said, cutting off Percy before he could complain.
"He can't", replied Conner. "He won't look at anyone except for Katie, and he can't even talk to her for two seconds without stuttering like he's illiterate." He turned to look at his brother. "I mean, running? When's the last time you've run?"
"I get it," Travis groaned.
Percy shook his head. "Oh my gods, Conner was right. That's the whole truth. Travis, I thought you were actually good with girls."
"I am!" Travis exclaimed hotly. "But Katie's… well, she's Katie."
"Yeah, he's totally in love with her guys."
"Conner," whined Travis.
"I feel like you should know this by now," Conner rebutted as he rolled his eyes. "Denial won't change a thing."
"I don't like you right now." Travis said.
"Nah, you just don't like your feelings right now," Conner said
"You guys suck," Travis said to the group.
Will silenced Travis with a look. "Hey, look. There's no way around this Travis. You can man up and ask her now, or let her go. She's gonna get asked once everyone realizes you aren't going to ask her."
"Why does anyone think I'm going to ask her?"
Percy smirked. "The whole camp knows you guys are into each other. It's the most obvious thing in the world. It's weird that you two haven't realized it, honestly."
Travis stared incredulously at Percy, mouth open. The absolute nerve of Percy to be making such a statement. He was about to tell Percy exactly what he was thinking when he caught Beckendorf shaking his head at him. 'Don't bother,' were the words he was mouthing behind Percy's back.
Travis hid his scowl before answering. "This is the worst. I might actually have to take up Katie's offer to run with her."
"Wait, what?" Chris asked, startled. "She offered what?"
Travis frowned, realizing he hadn't told his brother this part. "Well, after she destroyed me in our little race, she said that I could join her for her runs, you know. She was being friendly."
The rest of the guys were looking at each other in shock.
"Dude," Beckendorf managed. "I-I, never mind, Travis. You are seriously an idiot."
"Really, you're acting worse than Beck did with Silena," agreed Conner.
"Hey!"
"It's true!"
"Whatever."
"Hey, Travis. Real talk," Percy said seriously. "You don't make a move, she's gonna stop waiting for you. Just ask her."
All Travis could do was nod.
~OoO~
"Hey, Katie?" Travis blurted out before he could stop himself.
"What's up, Travis?" replied Katie, perched on the pier, legs dangling.
"There's this thing coming up-"
"Oh?" she smiled prettily at him.
"Yeah, and I was wondering if you'd like to go with me?" Travis finished.
"Travis?"
"Yeah?"
"What kind of thing?" Katie had a big smile on her face. Somehow Travis got the feeling that Katie knew where he was going with this."
"Uh, like an event on the beach," Travis replied like an idiot.
"Hmm," Katie hummed thoughtfully. "Does this have anything to do with a certain firework show that will be happening in a couple weeks?"
"I-I, Uh," Travis replied, feeling a little dumber than usual.
"Anything you'd like to ask me, Travis? I haven't got all day, you know," Katie prompted.
"You want to go to the fireworks with me?" Travis finally managed before clamming up again, horrified at what he'd just said. He covered his face with his hands and looked down, not willing to look at Katie's face, which no doubt had some expression akin to revulsion or disgust on it.
"Travie, I need you to come out from there," she said kindly.
Travis peeked out.
"You want to go to the fireworks with me?" Katie asked him, looking uncertain for the first time.
"Well, yeah," Travis didn't look away this time. "I'd really like that."
Katie frowned. "I thought you didn't like me. We always fight, it's like our thing. I mean, everyone knows it."
"If you want, we can hate each other and go to the fireworks regardless."
"I don't know," Katie objected. "I feel like you shouldn't go with someone you hate if you could go with someone you really like."
"Well I don't," Travis started, feeling worse by the second. "Hate you, I mean. I don't hate you."
Now Travis was the one looking uncertainly at her, wondering if he'd really made the right decision in asking her to the fireworks.
"You're asking me to the biggest dating event of the year for demigods, Travis," Katie pointed out. "What are you trying to ask me?"
"Yo-you don't have to go with me-"
"It's not that, Travis," Katie cut him off. "I think it would be really nice to go with you, actually. I guess… I guess I'm asking if you're asking me out." She turned back to Travis fixing her eyes on his.
Travis was suddenly feeling very small. "Would you go with me if I asked you on a date?"
Katie hesitated, eyes flickering, unsure. "I don't know, Travis. I really don't know right now."
By now Travis had lost all the confidence he had going into the conversation, which wasn't really saying much. "Okay, then we go as friends. Does that sound good?"
Katie smiled happily at him. "Sounds good, dummy."
It was all worth it to see the smile stretched across Katie's face. Even if he hadn't asked her out, even if he couldn't have her all to himself, it was all worth it to see the beautiful grin stretched from ear to ear.
He started to walk back to his cabin, feeling slightly relieved when she called out to him.
"Hey, Travis!"
"Yeah!" he called back.
Katie paused before speaking. "I don't either… Hate you, I mean. I don't hate you."
"Yeah, I think I got that much," Travis grinned in spite of himself.
"Gods, you're the worst!" Katie yelled, still smiling.
~OoO~
It was all worth it, really. Katie was beautiful that night with her blue sundress, accessorized with a nice blue hat and pink bowtie. Travis had stared at her for a full minute before coming to his senses and walking her to the beach. As they sat under the rockets exploding in air casting beautiful images in the sky, they curled up into each other and held on, perfectly content. Maybe Travis wanted more, but for now he was happy.
Of course, things only got worse from there, and it all started with chocolate bunnies.
Since the fireworks, Travis and Katie grew closer. They started hanging out with each other more often, whether for 'running practice' or otherwise and they were almost always paired up for activities. Of course, Travis kept up the pranks, but they were a lot more harmless these days.
Until the bunnies.
Really, it seemed like such an innocent prank at the time, and the bunnies honestly looked cute on top of the cabin. Travis didn't even realize that anything was wrong until later that day.
~OoO~
"Hey, Katie, I was thinking that maybe I could work on getting my mile time under 6:30 today?" Travis started. "And I was thinking that maybe you could come with me and set the pace so I know how fast I need to be going. So you want to get started?"
"Not really," Katie responded blandly.
That surprised Travis. For the past few weeks, they had done almost everything together, especially running. Katie had been so excited to get Travis moving quickly, but now it seemed like she was about to give it up. Not only that, he was used to being with her now. He liked having her around and wasn't sure what he'd do if she wasn't there with him.
"Oh, okay. What about later? I get it if you have something going on, but I was making some really good progress, and I don't want to start giving it up. Maybe after dinner? It might be nicer if we go running in the evening anyways, since it'll be cooler."
"I think I'm good," Katie replied coldly.
"Maybe go for a canoe ride sometime? I know it's been a while, so that could be fun." Travis tried.
"No thanks, Travis," Katie said.
"What's going on, Katie. Are you sick? Are you coming down with something?" asked Travis.
"No, I think I'm going to take a break," Katie stated simply.
"From what?"
"You."
Travis paused for a moment, utterly confused as to what was happening.
Katie continued, "I'm taking a break from putting up with you, covering for you with my cabin mates whenever you pull a prank on the cabin, and all the other things I'm getting tired of. I get it, you're a prankster, but now you're just taking advantage of me, and I feel like I'm always being taken advantage of. I don't get it, and I hate it."
"What? How am I taking advantage of you? I would never," Travis said worriedly, "You're my friend, Katie."
"Friends don't put each other through crap when they've got enough to deal with as it is," Katie replied.
Something clicked in Travis' head as he replied, "Wait, is this about the chocolate bunnies?"
He thought it had been a funny prank, and it had done some good for the camp. The Ares and Apollo kids even stopped their feud for a little while to laugh at the bunnies and eggs decorating the cabin's grass roof. Laughter was a good thing, especially with the war approaching and Typhon rising.
"Could it possibly be about anything else, Travis?" Katie was raising her voice. It sounded like she was going to punch him soon.
"No?" came Travis' shocked reply.
"Glad you understand," Katie spat out. "You know what, Travis? We're not friends. Do you know how hard it is to keep everyone going through this time, Travis? The little ones are sad now because the grass and flowers they've been working so hard to maintain are dying thanks to the melted chocolate. Everyone's upset with the war on the horizon, and they know we only have a few days before the fighting begins. We're trying to tell the smaller kids that it'll be cool when all the older kids have to go off to Manhattan for a few days because then they'll be able to run the camp how they want with no supervision, but they're not dumb. They know why we have to leave. They've had the same nightmares they rest of us get and they think we're all doomed. We're just recovering from last year's battle, and we already have something much, much worse to look forward to. I am trying so hard, Travis. So hard. Trying to manage all the nightmares and fears and battle anxieties. Trying to do something about the broken hearts and the lost innocence of kids who should never have to even think of any of this. So Travis, I think it's best if you just stay away from cabin 4 and myself right now. We are not friends, we are not anything."
Katie heaved upon finishing her tirade.
"Katie, I-I'm so sorry. I didn't realize," Travis stammered out.
"You know, Travis," Katie said. "I was always a decent person to you. Why don't you do the same by leaving me alone."
~OoO~
Tensions were running high at the counselor meeting once Percy returned from his mission. Everybody was already subdued from the loss of Beckendorf, and things only got worse when Percy mentioned that there was a spy within camp.
Conner started to speak, "Well, we've suspected there might be a spy for years, right? Somebody kept passing information to Luke- like the location of the Golden Fleece a couple of years ago. It must be someone who knew him well."
With that, Conner half-glanced at Annabeth, maybe subconsciously. Regardless, it was an idiotic thing to do.
Conner seemed to realize that and quickly added, "I mean, it could be anybody."
"Yes," Katie frowned, "Like one of Luke's siblings."
She had been replying to Conner, but had been glaring at Travis as she said it.
Travis and Conner started to argue with her, but Travis wasn't really even focusing on the argument anymore. Was this really what she thought of Travis? Did she think he was the one to kill Beckendorf, one of his closest friends?
Travis started to feel sick, his own feelings for Katie getting tossed with what he realized was her hatred for him. He was heartbroken. And if Katie didn't believe in him, then who possibly could?
As soon as the meeting was over, Travis sprinted towards the forest, heading for a place he knew he could find comfort.
~OoO~
Katie found him shortly after he had settled down. Travis wasn't sure if she'd try to talk to him at all, but he knew that she could find him if she wanted to. She sat by the pond next to him, taking off her shoes and letting her feet dip into the water.
"You know," she started, "This is usually where I come when I need some comfort."
Travis knew this. In fact, he had discovered this place looking for Katie after he had upset her many years ago. He decided not to answer.
"I noticed you didn't stick around after the meeting finished. I had a feeling where you might've gone, though," she continued.
"What, off to tell my buddy Luke everything we discussed? Well done, Gardner, you've caught me," Travis seethed.
"Oh, now you're mad at me? After everything you've put me through you think you have a right to be mad at me? And since when do you call me Gardner," Katie's eyes narrowed at Travis' words.
"I have every right, dammit! And since when do you call me Spy, Gardner?" Travis shot back.
"Fine, I'm sorry. Is that what you want? Is my little baby satisfied, now?" spat Katie.
"Out."
"What was that, Travis?" Katie's eyes sparkled maliciously, making no move to get up. Travis didn't know she had it in herself to behave this way.
"You heard me," was all Travis could say. He was so close to breaking, to crying his eyes out because the woman he thought he loved had finally turned on him. He had finally reached the end of the line.
"I'm not moving, Travis. I came here to talk, so I'm going to talk," said Katie.
"Why?" Travis asked, his voice starting to shake. "What could you possibly have left to tell me? What-" he paused. "I've already heard everything."
"Travis, I didn't-"
"I heard you at the track, I heard you at the meeting, loud and clear. You've said everything there is to say, Gardner." Travis glared at Katie.
"At least give me a chance, Travis!" shouted Katie.
"Why should I!?" Travis screamed back, unable to handle it anymore. "Gods know you never gave me one!""
Katie stopped; her mouth hung open.
Travis laughed, unable to contain the swirl of emotions going through his head. "Damn, I stumped Katie Gardner. I better mark this down somewhere."
"Travis, stop," answered Katie. "Stop it, I know we're better than this. We can work it out, okay?"
"No, I don't think so," Travis said nastily. "After all we aren't friends, isn't that right? I don't think there's anything to work through."
Now, Katie was the one who looked close to tears. "Travis, I really didn't mean that. I swear. I-"
"Then why'd you say it?" Travis asked her, stopping Katie in her tracks. "Sorry, Gardner," he continued in a softer tone. "You were right, we aren't friends, we aren't anything. I don't think you would've said it unless you meant it."
"Travis-" Katie tried again.
"I don't want to hear it," was Travis' reply. And it was true. Whatever Katie had to say, he knew it would break him. He knew he was burning any chance with her, but that didn't matter since he'd lost hope anyways.
Katie finally got angry. "Travis, when did you ever care about what I said!?" she said, her voice raising to a pitch that nearly squeaked. "Since when did you give a shit about anything at all!?"
Travis was shocked. It was the first time he had ever heard her swear. He paused for a moment before answering. "I've always cared about you, Katie."
He got up, fishing something out of his pocket. A tear traced down his cheek as he did so.
"Always," he whispered, voice spent, as he threw the object at Katie. The gold bracelet spun once before landing in the grass by her hand.
"Travis, what-" her breath hitched. "I always thought you sold this. You kept it?"
"I couldn't sell it," Travis replied truthfully with a hoarse voice. "It always reminded me of you. I couldn't get rid of something like that."
"Travis, I'm so sorry. I'm so, so sorry-" Katie cried, but it was too late. Travis had already sprinted from the clearing, leaving Katie alone.
~OoO~
"You're the greatest heroes of this millennium," Percy's voice rang through the crowd. It was incredible how well he'd stepped into his role as a leader over the years. "It doesn't matter how many monsters come at you. Fight bravely, and we will win." He raised his sword shouting, "FOR OLYMPUS!"
Travis' voice rang in tune with the rest of the crowd, shouting in response to Percy's speech. Percy was right. Their time had come, and everyone here knew it was time to rise to the occasion.
Unfortunately for Travis, he had just realized how big of a mission he was faced with. Not only did he have to step into battle within the hour, he was tasked with his own contingency. He was put in charge of the lives of others, to defend the heartland of civilization. Travis had never felt so small in his life before.
He so desperately wanted someone to reassure him, to talk with him and put him at ease. It would have been Conner, but right now he was in heavy discussion with Silena from the Aphrodite cabin, discussing rendezvous points with her in case they needed to fall back. Travis realized that he should probably be doing the same with whoever was stationed closest to him. Travis' position was meant to be guarding the Brooklyn Bridge, meaning that the next closest entrance into Manhattan would be via Brooklyn-Battery. Which just so happened to be defended by the Demeter cabin, which meant… Katie.
Travis sighed. It seemed like Percy was trying to play matchmaker in the middle of a war. He'd have to question him later. Travis looked across the crowd and met Katie's eyes, but she immediately turned away looking guilty. He decided it was time to set things right, before setting off into the unknown.
He walked up to her.
"Hey, Katie," Travis stated simply.
"Hi, Travis," Katie replied shyly.
Travis furrowed his eyebrows, "Listen Katie, I-"
Katie cut him off, holding her hand up. "No, Travis, I need to speak first."
Travis gestured, telling her to continue.
"I'm so sorry, Travis. I never thought about what you were going through with all this happening. I never stopped to consider that maybe you were only trying to help lighten the mood around camp a little. And you were right," she pursed her lips. "I never did give you a chance."
"Oh," Travis replied, surprised at her words. "Well for what it's worth, I'm sorry too. It's not great to have fun at other people's expense, I get it. And for that I'm sorry."
Katie smiled, jokingly punching his arm. "Look at us. A couple friends making up with each other before heading to our imminent doom."
"Was that a joke, Katie?" Travis gasped. "I don't believe it."
"Hey!"
Travis started to speak again, "Also we need to set a rendezvous in case we get pushed back. We're closest to each other, so if we do fall back it would make sense to combine our forces at some point."
Katie nodded, "Yes, that would make sense. Have anything in mind?"
"Yes, actually," Travis responded. "I was thinking City Hall might be a good place to combine arms. It's at the base of the bridge and only a few blocks up from the entrance to the tunnel, so it would be close to each of our positions."
Katie thought for a second before responding, "I guess that makes sense. So we all set?"
Travis realized this was it. After this, nothing was guaranteed. There was no telling when the next game of capture the flag would be, no telling if there would ever be a camp to return to, no telling if or when he would see Katie ever again. This was the moment he had to decide if he was going to man up or end up thinking about what could have been.
He decided on the former.
"Do you want to sit down for a bit before we go?" Travis asked Katie, patting the space on the bench next to him.
Katie took a seat. "Sure Travis," she smiled at him with an ever-so-slightly confused look on her face.
Travis decided to just start talking and see where it led. "I've been thinking a lot lately."
"In all this spare time we've had?" Katie asked jokingly.
"Yeah," Travis nodded. "I- Actually, I was thinking about dying."
"And so you thought about me. Makes sense," Katie smirked at him.
"No," Travis started to blush. This was a strange side to Katie he had never seen before, joking and sarcastic. He realized it was probably some kind of coping mechanism to take her mind off the upcoming battle.
"I was thinking about what would happen to the people I know if I'd died, you know? Like I know my mom would be devastated, but if I'm being completely honest, I'm not sure if she'd even be surprised. Conner, well Conner would be pretty upset, I'd like to think, but he'd be okay. I know he can move on because he's seen how bad these things can be and he wouldn't want to dwell on it. And then… and then I thought about you."
"About me?"
Travis glanced over at her. "Yeah, about you. Like what you might think if- if I didn't make it back."
"I would have been very sad and upset," Katie frowned. "It would be one of the worst things to happen to me, and I wouldn't like that to happen, ever. Is that what you thought? I really hope it was."
"Well kind of," Travis continued. "You've been there for me all the time, even when I was pranking you and calling you names and stealing from you. You always pushed me to be better and do better. I mean, I even got my mile time under 6:30 this summer and there's no chance that would've happened without you. I know- I know I'm not perfect, and that's why I try to improve, but you believed in me a lot more than other people did."
Katie took Travis' hand. "I believe in you because you are good, Travis. At your core, you are a good person. You help the people who have fallen, you're always there if someone needs a laugh, and I can't stress how important those qualities are."
"Yeah?" Travis asked Katie, beaming.
"Of course, Travis," she let go of his hand. "Are you alright now?"
Now or never, Travis thought.
"There's one more thing."
"Yes?" Katie looked at him expectantly.
"Katie, there's something I need to tell you, just in case- in case-"
"Don't think like that, Travis. It's dangerous." Katie cut him off.
"No, it's a reality I need to face, and I need to say this." Travis said.
Katie frowned in worry. "Alright then."
"I'm in love with you, Katie," he blurted out.
There. He had done it. He had thrown the dice but was not ready to see how it had landed. He had put everything on the line on this moment. It was insanity. It was exhilarating. It was necessary. Travis could not go into battle wondering whether he would ever get his chance. It would eat at him and distract him. He had made the right choice.
Katie had a strange look on her face. "Travis, I'm so sorry, I don't know what to say. I-"
"Don't say anything," Travis chimed in. "I don't want to know yet. Whether good or bad, I don't want to know. But think on it for me, okay?"
Katie regained her composure. "I'll see you on the other side, Travis."
Travis raised two fingers in salute. "Until next time, Katie."
~OoO~
So it turned out that the Battle for Manhattan sucked almost as much as Katie being angry at Travis.
Why was that? Well, the reason probably had to do with all the dying.
Even during the Battle of the Labyrinth, things were never this bad, and all the other demigods were usually within sight. This time, it was just Travis and six of his cabin mates defending the bridge as they inevitably got pushed back. Everywhere he looked, there was carnage.
He sliced through a dracaena before sprinting over to a downed camper, pulling him up to his fight and supporting him. At this point, Travis realized his detachment was too wounded to hold their position.
They needed to retreat.
"Retreat!" Travis shouted. "Back to City Hall, we'll combine with Demeter there!"
And so it began. The standing demigods picked up the fallen and started an all-out retreat for City Hall. As they neared, Travis noticed that Katie's cabin was already there and fighting. There must have been a much larger invasion force at the tunnel, because Katie still had at least ten troops in fighting shape, and they were still barely managing to hold their lines.
Travis looked over and locked eyes with Katie as the Hermes cabin filled the gaps in the lines of the Demeter cabin. Her face was streaked with blood and there was a cut on her arm. Her eyes were set with exhaustion, but there was also relief written all over her face as she noticed Travis.
"You held out much longer than we did! I was worried you wouldn't join the party!" Katie joked as they went back-to-back.
"Yeah, well you guys clearly had a lot more on your plate," Travis retorted.
As this continued, the lines started to break once more so they had to split apart and reinforce where the fighting was strong.
As they fought, Travis noticed one of Katie's cabin mates was quickly losing ground against a giant. Travis knew she wouldn't last long if this kept up. He brought his sword up, making sure there were no monsters in his immediate vicinity and threw it. As the girl stumbled backwards the sword passed over her and buried itself in the giant, turning it into a burst of gold. Satisfied, Travis ran forwards to retrieve it, but something in the corner of his eye made his blood run cold.
Katie was battling a dracaena one on one, but a hellhound was stalking up behind her, getting ready to pounce on her exposed back. Travis made a split-second decision and instantly changed direction. As it got ready to pounce, Travis tackled it from the side, sending both him and the beast rolling. He wasn't sure if it would work, but his momentum was enough and bought Katie enough time to destroy her opponent before turning to face the commotion.
Travis was on his back and couldn't get up. The hellhound recovered quickly and had pounced on him, and Travis, unarmed, wasn't able to defend himself. He heard Katie scream behind him, but barely registered it as the hellhound sank its paw into Travis' gut and tore. As it did, there was a burst of gold and the hellhound disappeared, but the damage had been done. Travis' entire torso was ripped to shreds and he was losing blood fast.
"Travis Stoll, what in the Hades were you thinking!?" cried Katie as she dropped her sword to retrieve her nectar.
"I wasn't," Travis breathed out. "I couldn't let you die though."
"You idiot. You absolute idiot," sobbed Katie.
"Katie-"
"I swear, Travis Kyle Stoll, if this is a prank, I will gut you way worse than-"
"No prank, Katie. I'm sorry," grimaced Travis. The pain was getting worse by the second, the only relief being Katie's nectar. Even the battle noises were starting to fade away.
"Travis, why? Why would you do such a thing?" gasped Katie, still in shock.
"Because I love you, and I will never regret that. Even if I'll be going." And there it was. He had acknowledged the elephant in the room.
"No, Travis," replied Katie, tearfully. "You can't go now. You promised me. You told me the worst was yet to come. You didn't keep your word."
Travis chuckled, blood dribbling from his mouth. "Kitty… I think this is the worst. I don't know how much worse I can possibly manage."
"Kitty?" Katie whispered
"I'm dying. I think I can call you whatever I want." Travis smirked slightly.
"Travis, please don't play."
Travis sighed, "Katie, you and I both know that-"
"That we're going to make it out, and we have our whole future ahead of us," she cut him off.
"What's all the reassurance for, Kit-Kat? Just because I have a little belly ache?" Travis joked weakly.
"Because I love you, Travis."
Travis' world stopped. Everything, the battle noises, screams and shouts, even his own pain faded as he realized what she had said. Katie had started crying again, tears tracing down her cheeks.
"Katie, please look at me," Travis felt his consciousness slipping fast, and he wanted his last image to be those bright, green eyes. She complied.
"Green," Travis said.
"What?" a confused expression made its way onto Katie's grief-stricken face.
"Weave me a green shroud."
"Travis-"
"And when you burn it, wear that sundress you wore to the fireworks that I love so much. But throw it away after that."
"Please, Travis," Katie cried.
"Throw it away so you can move on."
"Stop it."
"And remember I'll always love you, even if I leave today. I'll always love you to Tartarus and back-"
"Travis," she sobbed. "I'm so so so sorry."
"Ah Katie, it's okay," Travis tried to reach out to touch her face. He couldn't raise his arm however, so Katie held it and cradled it in her lap.
"No, it's not," she cried. "I can't lose you. I love you."
"I know," Travis stated.
Travis then had a coughing fit and felt like he was about to pass out from the pain it wrought on him.
"I… love you Katie," he said as his vision started to blur. He felt like he couldn't say those words enough in the time he had left.
Katie's grip tightened on his hand to the point where it was painful.
"Tell… tell Conner I'm sorry. He's going to have to plan out all the pranks on his own now. And… and please tell him I love him," Travis' voice was shaky.
Katie was sobbing again, "No, Travie! Please don't go. Don't leave me. Travis!"
Travis' awareness was rapidly fading now, and the blackness started to surround him.
"I love you Travis," Katie's voice was quiet and close to his ear. "I love you and I'm sorry."
Travis felt his breath slowing and his heart no longer felt like it was beating.
A pair of lips pressed against his, a pair of hands cupping his face, and Travis found it in himself to kiss back, just for a moment, before he faded to black.
Thanks for reading! I honestly had so much fun writing this because I love Travis and Katie's will they, won't they dynamic. This fic was beta'd by the amazing cursedhazel and I would definitely recommend checking out her own fics if you haven't already. I'm so sorry about the ending lol, and was thinking about maybe writing an epilogue for this, but wasn't too sure about it. So if a bunch of people do want a conclusion, I'll probably write one (not sure if it would be sad or happy).