Surprised you all with that last chapter, didn't I? x3 I regret nothing.
For those of you who didn't really agree, just know that I slipped that in there so people could know how I felt about his sexuality. It won't have anything to do with the rest of this story beyond perhaps an inside joke between father and daughter or just a mentions.
Anyway.
This is a Mark-Espie bonding chapter. I'm a little tired, so pardon if the ending's a little iffy. This chapter's for all you Espark shippers!
I own nothing you recognize as canon.
XXVIII
ESPERANZA
Espie tried Mark first.
After her talk with her father, the demititan figured talking with each of her suitors individually would be the best course of action.
She would keep the secret Leo told her. He didn't seem to want to share it after so long of keeping it a secret.
She would, however, bring it up to her mother later. It was great dirt, and at least now she could talk 'boy troubles' with her Papi.
Weird thought, but she learned to roll with it.
She tried going to Mark's room, but he wasn't in there.
Next place to check was the engine room. Tulio was asleep in there, curled up next to the whirring engine with tools still in his hand. He had probably worked himself to exhaustion.
He's as bad as Papi.
Espie placed a blanket over her twin, took the tools out of his hands, and kissed him on the forehead. "Dummy," she muttered.
She left and headed for the mess hall. When she came within earshot, she heard muttering.
She peeked into the doorway and quietly giggled.
Mark was slumped against the table, drowning in vanilla ice cream. It was all over his face—his depressed and horribly dramatic face. His wallowing expression was coupled with sad words:
"I'm such an idiot," he mumbled, taking another bite of ice cream. The tub from which it came was enormous, almost as big as Frank's head—which was saying something. "A complete idiot!"
He flailed about dramatically, in a way that greatly resembled Leo when he was being over-dramatic. "I completely ruined my chance at a girl! I'm so stupid! Why did I have to be so forceful about it!? Stupid Jupiter genes! Stupid Aphrodite genes!"
He stuffed his face into the ice cream tub. He cried out. It echoed, so Espie had to assume he'd already drained it.
Where did he even put it all? Espie stepped into the room and coughed.
Mark shot up, his eyes bulging.
Espie giggled. "And I thought girls only did the depressed-eating thing. You take it to a whole new level!"
Mark straightened up and tried to act cool. It wasn't really working, since most of his face and hair was still covered in vanilla ice cream. "Espie," he squeaked. He coughed and retried. "Espie. I, uh…I didn't…how long were you standing there?"
"Not very long," Espie said. She grabbed a towel from one of the cabinets, walked over to the legacy of Jupiter, and started cleaning his face. "Just long enough to see you embrace your inner Aphrodite."
Mark blushed. "Um…right…Listen, Espie. I'm really sorry for what I said earlier."
Espie smiled. "Water under the bridge. I understand you two need an answer. But, truthfully, I don't know which one of you I like more. So, I'm here to talk."
"Talk?"
"Yes." Espie sat a little bit away now that Mark's face was clean. "I want to know why you and Sammy like me so much. I want to hear it from you. So tell me; why do you want to be closer and date me?"
Mark lowered his gaze. A deep blush had taken over his tan cheeks. "Wow…um…"
"Too personal?" Espie asked.
"No, just…a straightforward question. It surprised me." Mark scratched his head. "I was kinda picturing this whole 'I romantically convince you after you shun both me and Sammy thing' in my head."
"Was that before or after you drained the ship of vanilla ice cream?"
"Um."
Espie giggled. "Never mind. Go on, then. Romantically convince me."
Mark smirked a little. Then, he straightened up and puffed out his chest. "Esperanza Valdez," he began, trying to sound manly, even though his fourteen-year-old voice hadn't quite matured to that level yet. "I really, really, really like you."
"Noted," she said with a smile. "Please continue. What do you like about me?"
Mark blushed hard. "Um, well…" he placed a finger to his chin. "You're pretty. And smart. And…you rock at what you do."
"And what do I do?" she asked.
"The whole fire thing," he said. "You know, you're all like 'pew pew' with the fire." He made gun gestures, like he was shooting an enemy. "You're really freakin' powerful, y'know?"
Espie scrunched up her eyebrows. "So you like me because of my power?"
Mark's eyes widened. "No, not just that! Do you remember when you came to comfort me before we rescued Dad?"
She nodded.
"Well," Mark said, not making eye contact. "That was the thing that made me really like you. You're sensitive and sweet. You know how to comfort people, and, though I suppose that comes from comforting your brother all the time, I really think that's one of your greatest qualities."
Espie blushed. "Wow," she breathed. "You mean that?"
"Every word."
Espie took a deep breath. She met Mark's ever-shifting blue eyes. Blue was her favorite color. She didn't love it as much as Percy, but it was still her favorite.
Mark's eyes sparkled. His youthful gaze was hopeful. Espie smiled sweetly at him, but inside she still felt unsure. It was like something was holding her back. Maybe once she talked with Sammy, she'd understand what it was, or if that feeling was holding her back from both of them.
"Okay then," she said. "I'm going to go talk to Sammy Leo. When I'm done with him, I'll see about giving you guys an answer. Okay?"
Mark looked a little crestfallen. "Did I say something wrong?"
"No!" Espie held her hands up in surrender. "It's just I at least owe Sammy a personal talk, too."
She hugged the legacy of Jupiter. "I like you, too, Mark. But I need to you to promise me: if I choose Sammy Leo—not saying I will, just hypothetically—I want you to still be friends with both of us."
Mark grinned. "Of course. Fighting over you isn't something I've been enjoying. Sam's one of my best friends. And so are you. I just want to be more than friends with you without ruining anyone's original friendship."
Espie nodded. "I like that about you. Your grandmother's genes at least help you know what's up, huh?"
He shrugged. "Eh. I can see the love other people have for each other and how others should be fitting together. But when it comes to my own feelings, I guess I'm as blind as the rest of you." He wiggled his eyebrows. "But I'm trying. Please remember I'm trying!"
Espie hugged him again. "I know. Thanks for telling me how you feel."
She dipped her finger in the melted ice cream. "Mmm," she hummed. "And thanks for the snack."
Mark rolled his eyes and looked at the tub guiltily.
Espie took another finger of ice cream out of the tub and wiped it on the legacy's nose. "This will go straight to your hips," she warned.
Mark smiled. "Gotta keep up Aphrodite's girlish figure somehow, right?"
They both laughed.
Espie rose. She walked over to the mess hall entrance and stole one last look at Mark. He was sitting still in his chair, staring at her with a sweet and loving smile, his eyes sparkling and hungry for her love.
She nodded to him and left.
Mark's a sweet guy, she noted. Maybe he's the one for me, after all…
A/N: This story's almost as long as Papi, ladies and gents! I'm hoping to reach 40! Cross your fingers! :D
Next up is the Saspie chapter guys! And then the big reveal on which ship officially sails on chapter 30! Woot woot!
