Disclaimer: You and I both know none of this belongs to me!
oooOOOooo
When Katie heard the announcement at dinner she dropped her fork onto her plate and let her mouth hang open in surprise.
Never, in all of her years at Camp, had there ever been a dance or party. That was 6 years.
And now they were having a Christmas dance on Christmas Eve?
What was this madness?
After the surprise wore off, dread replaced it. Or at least for Katie it did. Everyone else... well the reactions to the announcement were mixed. Aphrodite girls were squealing, boys were staring at Chiron like he had just told them they had to have a life-threatening surgery and many other girls were either whispering and giggling to their friends or experiencing something similar to Katie. Clarisse especially looked like she was going to throw up.
Katie's cabin had broken into whispers, most happy and excited. Lindsey was waving to her almost boyfriend Carl from Iris cabin and Peter was asking Chloe for advice on how to ask his girlfriend to go with him.
Katie couldn't understand why they were so happy. It was a formal dance. That meant makeup, dresses, fancy hair, fancy shoes, no dirt under her perfect manicure... That was not who Katie was.
And Travis-
Oh dear Zeus! Travis would be expecting her to be the beauty of the night. He would expect nothing less of his girlfriend right, and wouldn't want to be embarrassed by showing up with her? What if Katie wasn't good enough? She was nothing compared to the Aphrodite girls without the makeup but even when she tried Katie was sure she would end up looking like a pig in a cow barn.
Aka, totally out of place and wrong.
Katie didn't want to embarrass Travis like that, didn't want him to have to be embarrassed because of her.
So Katie closed her eyes and sighed in resignation. Desperate times called for desperate measures, and Katie would do anything she could to make this night perfect for Travis and herself.
Even if it meant doing the one thing Katie had sworn to never, ever do.
oooOOOooo
Katie sat up from the comfortable lean back chair she had been on and opened her eyes, looking into the mirror.
It took several seconds for her to process what she was seeing and when she did her jaw dropped. Surprise didn't begin to cover what she felt at seeing... whatever the Hades that was staring back at her out of the mirror.
Her skin looked glowing and flawless. Her eyebrows had been plucked to perfection. Her eyes were lined on the top with dark brown eyeliner and then pink sparkly eye shadow covered the lids. Her eyelashes looked long and full. Her lips looked plump and actually kissable. With a layer of chap stick, pink lip stain (light, otherwise Katie would probably get it all over her teeth or face) and a light coat of clear sparkling lip gloss to set them off Katie's lips looked good.
Really good.
She had on the lightest hint of blush to set off her face makeup.
Her armpits and legs were waxed and thank gods her skin was turning back from pink to her tan. Katie had yelped, hit and even screamed once but Piper, Drew, Lacy and Arianne had persisted. No hair was left on her body except for the top of her head.
Her nails were a nice shiny pink. Not too bright or flashy, just enough to be noticeable, but even that was making Katie slightly uncomfortable. This was all so girly and fancy. It wasn't her.
She sighed. Maybe it would be nice to just be a girl tonight. Just a normal girl who worried over her appearance and her boyfriend. Not Katie. Just a girl.
Travis would like that, Katie hoped. Maybe she could prove that she could be just like any other girl he had ever liked. Not Katie the farm girl or Katie the tomboy. A girl like Darcy from Aphrodite, all high end clothes and perfect makeup. Or Helena from the Hecate cabin with her perfect lips and chest. The one who was always laughing and had a group of girls around her 24/7.
But Katie's attention was drawn away from her thoughts when she looked at the mirror again. Her face was perfect, her nails better than she ever could have got them.
Then there was her brown/dirty blonde hair.
There was two perfectly curled strands left to hang loose, on framing either side of her face, and a sleek black headband pushing the rest back. The back had been raised ever so slightly and curled to hang in loose curls down her neck and to reach the top of her back. She had in teardrop green earrings (to bring out the flecks of green in her hazel eyes) and to accentuate her naturally tan skin.
"Gods, Piper," Katie whispered in awe. "Aphrodite herself couldn't have done better."
The daughter of Aphrodite smiled and shrugged. "It was easy considering how much natural beauty I had to work with."
Katie shot her a thankful smile. "You're a miracle worker. People have been saying for years..."
"That you were a beauty?" Piper interrupted her. "I completely agree, and tonight you'll be able to show them that your amazingness is just as much your looks as your personality."
Katie frowned slightly at her before sighing. She didn't want to ruin her makeup. "So what can I do to make this up to you?" Katie asked, gesturing at her hair and face.
Piper waved away her words, turning to look in the mirror at her own reflection. "It was a friend giving a friend a makeover Kates, nothing more. Besides," Piper continued after a second. "I never actually had another girl friend I could do this with. It was nice."
Another frown. "I can't just let you-"
Piper turned, hands on her hips, multi-colored eyes flashing. "You can and you will. Don't make me come over there and ruin that hairdo."
Katie laughed, short and sweet. "Well thanks. I guess."
Piper winked before turning around to search in the wardrobe behind her- yes the Aphrodite cabin had yet another wardrobe in their bathroom- and moved a few hangers. "It was nothing. Now your dress is hanging up on my bunk railing, and tell me if any of my siblings laid a hand on it. I forbade them from even staring too long in case they somehow ruined it. Hopefully you won't have to fight them for it."
Katie smiled before standing up and making her way out of the bathroom. With 4 sinks, too many drawers to count, a shower, a toilet, a wardrobe and more counter space for makeup products than Katie had ever seen before, the Aphrodite bathroom was almost half the entire cabin.
Katie shook her head before opening the door.
The sight that met her left her mouth hanging open once again.
Was the entire girl population of Camp in here? It seemed like it to Katie, what with more heads than she could count and the volume of a diesel truck coming from the crowd. Aphrodite girls were busy giving makeovers to any and every girl who was bare of even a hint of cosmetics. Dresses, shoes, tank tops and slim fit jeans were laying on the floor. Necklaces, bracelets and earrings were being looked for and music was blaring from about 3 different Ipod's- each playing a different song.
After much pushing and shoving Katie made her way to Piper's bunk. That was where she found her dress.
Thankfully it looked untouched. It was strapless, the upper half being pure white. The skirt was soft, light green and made of layers of soft feeling fabric. The skirt only reached to her below her knees but Katie was used to colder weather. Besides there was no snow, no cold winds and it could pass for the middle of a Canadian summer. For a farmers girl, it was warm enough.
Katie changed, uncaring of who would see her. They were all girls and Katie was pretty sure none of the others would be looking. Besides it only took 3 seconds and Katie didn't want to intrude on Piper's hard fought over bathroom space.
Her shoes were heels, but barely. With less than an inch of heel they were strappy silver and comfortable. The nail polish on her toes was the same as the polish on her fingers.
"Gods, Katie," Arianne, the blue eyed, pale-skinned, burgundy haired daughter of Aphrodite, said. "You're gorgeous."
Katie blushed. "You can hardly talk," she returned. "You're a knock out without any of this stuff," she said gesturing to her face makeup.
Arianne had been one of Katie's biggest surprised when she had come back to camp for Winter Break. A daughter of Aphrodite, Katie had fully expected her to be a miniature Drew what with her natural beauty and parentage.
That had not been the case.
Arianne was 17 years old and one of the most kind, considerate and yes, gorgeous, people Katie had ever known. She was funny, friendly and Katie wasn't sure she could find a single flaw in the girl. While she didn't share much about her past (all Katie knew was there had been a very messy divorce and ... unspeakable acts done by the step-mother she had loved with all her heart) Arianne was easy to know. She focused on others rather than herself and was always there to talk to about anything. She was fabulous at not judging or selling secrets. Katie knew that when the girl graduated she wanted to be a marriage counselor and family therapist.
There had been no one Katie could think of that fit the job more.
Arianne shrugged. "You seem to think so. But nobody else does."
Katie scoffed at the lie but Arianne spoke again before Katie could contradict her. She spoke with a mischievous look in her eye and expectation in her voice. "So you and Travis will be hanging out all night, huh?"
Katie blushed again. "Yeah, I think so."
Arianne nodded, satisfied. "Good. You two are great together."
Katie laughed, ignoring the warm feeling that coursed through her at the girl's words. "Yeah right. We hated each other before we started dating."
The girl's blue eyes twinkled. "Well you know what they say," she said shrugging. "Love and hate are just two sides of the same coin."
Katie feigned stupidity. "Do they say that?" She asked, placing a questioning finger on her lips and looking off into space as if thinking. "I can't say I remember ever hearing that."
Arianne laughed and lightly hit her shoulder. "Well I have to go get ready, but you have a good time tonight and tomorrow I expect to hear about everything!"
Katie nodded, amused. "See ya, Arriane."
The girl smiled again before weaving away through the crowd. With only half an hour until the dance began, she took the shortest time to get ready out of all the Aphrodite kids except for Piper, then again tonight Piper was going all out.
And Katie was including the boys in that.
The next half hour went by faster than Katie could process. First she was sitting on Piper's bed talking to any free person who had a moment to spare and the next about 40 girl campers were being herded out of the cabin and towards the dining pavilion.
At 7:00 pm in winter on December 24th it was growing dark. Stars were starting to appear and the moon shone bright and full against the rapidly darken sky. Since the pavilion had no walls, just pillars that held the roof up, it was roughly the same temperature as outside. Thankfully the gods controlled the temperature in camp and apparently they had decided to be thoughtful and send a warmth throughout the place.
It was nice, Katie thought as she pulled the white shawl around herself. It felt as if the gods actually approved of this activity. Like maybe they were watching.
When Katie and the rest of the girls reached the pavilion they all froze in their tracks.
Christmas lights adorned the edge of the roof, wrapping all the way around. There was a chandelier that had appeared in the middle of the roof, hanging directly over a large space cleared for a dance floor. There was one entrance way and the tables had been pushed against the side of the wall and were filled with snacks- there was some actual unhealthy candy!- and drinks. Was that hot chocolate? Katie thought so. The lights were dim, somehow giving off a dance club sort of feeling and Katie saw tinsel and decorations in every possible place. She also spotted some mistletoe, craftily put up in a corner. Strategic. It would be hard to see the couples there but it was obvious that was where the mistletoe was.
Katie wondered if maybe she and Travis would head there at one point or another tonight. To be perfectly honest she really wouldn't mind if they did.
But the thing that caught most of her attention was the absolutely gigantic Christmas Tree that was placed in between two pillars on the opposite side of the pavilion. The pine tree must have been about 10 feet tall and there were lights, tinsel, bobbles, stars, decorations, angels and even a glowing golden star that sat on the top.
It was absolutely gorgeous.
Katie probably would have stayed there all night staring at it if Piper hadn't touched her shoulder. "Ready Katie?"
She searched the faces of the many demigods already in the pavilion, taking a deep breath when she spotted Travis drinking hot chocolate with Connor. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Piper nodded and linked her arm with Katie's. "Well then let's go."
They made an imposing sight, Katie guessed from the way people melted past to let them walk by. Stares were directed at them and Katie found herself blushing.
"So I forgot to ask earlier, but where's Annabeth?" Katie asked Piper, raising her voice to be heard over the music. "I thought you and her would get ready together."
Piper shrugged. "She said she and Percy were going to hang out before this thing. I guess they're getting ready together too."
Katie raised an eyebrow and kept her gaze studiously forward. "Alone?"
Piper stopped for a second before grinning and moving forwards again. Katie giggled, she really couldn't help herself. "Dear Zeus Katie, what happened to the sweet innocent farming girl I used to know?"
Katie grinned wickedly as they hung up their sweaters and shawls. "She started dating Travis Stoll."
Piper winked and nodded. "Too true. Look I think I see Jason, will you be okay finding Travis by yourself?"
Nervousness appeared in Katie's stomach but she nodded and smiled, pulling her arm away from Piper's. "I'll see you later then."
Piper grinned and Katie was surprised to see nervousness flicker in the girls eyes as well. "See you later."
With a backward glance and a wave Piper disappeared into the crowd, leaving Katie alone.
She glanced around, spotting Travis almost immediately. He was staring at her, his brown eyes capturing her so completely that for a moment Katie forgot to breathe. She smiled at him and put one shaking foot forward, then another. Travis left his brother standing there with his mouth still open from whatever he had been in the middle of saying and started walking towards Katie.
They met in the middle of the pavilion and Katie just couldn't seem to look away from her boyfriend's eyes. When had they become so big and endearing? That look he was giving her made her want to melt and Katie couldn't help it. The intimacy of their stare made her shiver.
"Hey Katie Kat." Travis almost whispered to her when they were standing in front of one another. She wasn't sure how she heard him over the music that was blasting but she did and it made Katie's heart soften just a little more.
It took a moment for her to look away from his face but when she did she noticed he was actually wearing formal clothes for once. Jeans, a dark blue shirt, even a black clip on tie. He was wearing sneakers and his hair was the same curly mess as always but Katie thought he had never, ever looked more handsome.
"Hi," she practically breathed back. Her mind was blank and suddenly Katie was the nervous, embarrassed, stuttering girl she had been at the start of their relationship after the Giant War.
Travis's gaze had also flicked down to take in what she was wearing and Katie saw him gulp which she found extremely adorable. "Gods Katie, you look..."
She waited, hopeful for whatever he was about to say, nervousness rising in her unbidden once again.
"...absolutely amazing." He finished, looking at her shyly.
She smiled, warmth filling her and all traces of anxiety gone. "Well you don't look so bad yourself."
Travis smiled and bowed suddenly, holding out a hand to her. "Shall we, my lady?"
Katie giggled and curtsied. "We shall, my good sir."
Travis laughed and led her to the hot chocolate where Connor was still standing, although now he was talking to Grover and Juniper. His eyes never left hers, even when he accidentally ran into his brother Chris Rodriguez and almost knocked the guy to the floor. After a muttered 'sorry bro' he was on his way again, leading Katie to the refreshments.
"Hey Katie," Connor said when they reached him and the happy couple of Grover and Juniper. "You look nice."
Katie opened her mouth to thank him but Travis cut her off with a growl. "Back off Connor, she's mine."
Connor raised an eyebrow at Katie and jerked his head towards Travis as if to say 'get a load of this guy'. "Easy bro, I was just complimenting her."
Travis frowned. "Go find your own girlfriend to compliment."
"Dude!" Connor exclaimed. "Calm down, it was harmless. Besides, Claire isn't here yet. I think she was gonna show up with Nyssa."
Travis nodded. "Well maybe you should go look for her."
"Travis!" Katie said. "Stop being so rude," she scolded.
Travis looked at her and blushed and Connor started laughing. "I see how it is. It's obvious who wears the pants in this relationship."
Travis's eyes narrowed dangerously and his words came out an almost growl. "Connor..."
His brother held up his hands in surrender. "Alright, alright," he said. "I'm going. Have fun you two," he said, winking at Katie. "But not too much fun."
This time it was both Katie and Travis who blushed as Connor turned and made his way through the now even more heavily packed pavilion.
Grover and Juniper had drifted off so it was just Travis and Katie at the hot chocolate. She glanced around and noticed couples starting to head to the dance floor. Travis apparently noticed it too because after a seconds pause he looked at her. After taking a deep breath he asked in a rush, "doyouwanttodancewithme?"
Katie smiled. "I'm sorry Travis, what was that?"
He frowned at her. "Do you wanna dance with me, Katie Gardiner?"
She smiled and slipped her hand in his. "I would love to."
So they made their way to the dance floor and for a while Katie forgot everything except the feel of Travis and the music surrounding them. She rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes, hearing his heartbeat.
They danced in a slow circle, ignoring the other couples currently on the dance floor. In fact, what broke them both out of their reverie was the arrival of Thalia Grace.
For the first half hour of the dance voices had mixed with the music playing. But now, suddenly, everything went silent.
And it was all because of the arrival of Thalia Grace.
Her hair was in it's usual spiky updo with her silver tiara resting on her head. She had no weapons and her usual eyeliner on, topped off with silvery eye shadow.
But what surprised everybody, apart from the fact that she had actually come, was what she was wearing.
For a Hunter of Artemis it seemed like Thalia didn't exactly get the no attention from boys thing. Actually, because of her... choice of clothing, it seemed like she was working extra hard to get guys to notice her.
She had on her usual black jacket, which helped. But it was unbuttoned and unzipped and revealed her skin tight black tank top that was extremely low cut. Much cleavage was apparent. Not to mention it was cut off just above her belly button in a jagged cut that looked like it had been done with safety scissors and no effort. Then she had on a black skirt that ended mid-thigh and black boots that gripped her calves tightly.
Thalia had always been pretty, Katie knew that. But right now it seemed like she was trying to upstage Drew with the sluttiest outfit of the night.
Katie stared at her, surprised. Thalia was ignoring all the stares she was attracting and then, after her eyes pinpointed on something- or someone- Thalia made a beeline to the shadows behind the Christmas Tree.
Everyone watched as she pulled Nico Di'Angelo from them. Dressed in a formal black shirt, dark jeans and dark sneakers, Nico was the definition of unapproachable. He looked lost and out of place, slightly shy and definitely brooding. To be honest Katie hadn't even noticed he was there.
Then, in front of everyone to see, Thalia dragged the boy straight to the middle of the dance floor and they started to dance.
Katie noticed that Thalia never left Nico's side once the entire night and he was the only boy- apart from Jason one time, and Percy much later once as well- that she danced with. Katie had known the cousins were close but she wasn't sure why Thalia would stick with Nico the entire night. Hunters were supposed to stay away from boys that could find them attractive. Actually they were supposed to stay away from boys period. So why was Artemis letting Thalia come here and dance with some? Jason, Katie could understand. He was her brother. Percy she could also understand because he was her cousin and in a completely faithful relationship with Annabeth. But Nico? How could Thalia know that Nico didn't like her as... more than a cousin?
She felt Travis's arms tighten around her ever so slightly and was snapped out of her thoughts at the movement.
"Thalia looks nice," Katie commented lightly, keeping her face strictly casual.
Travis glanced at the Hunter of Artemis for less than a second before gazing back down at her. "I guess. She could put something else on though, it is winter."
Katie's eyes widened as she stifled a laugh, but a snort escaped her. When she got back under control she scolded him. "Travis you barely even looked at her."
He shrugged and looked at her, blushing lightly when he spoke. "Katie, I'm dancing with the most gorgeous girl here. Why would I ever need to look at anybody else?"
The compliment warmed Katie right to her toes and she felt the blush come on her face. How could Travis say the most simple, corny things and still make Katie feel like the most loved person in the world. "You're such a charmer," she teased him but even she could hear the happiness in her voice.
His eyes twinkled and he shrugged as he twirled her. "Travis Stoll only speaks the truth."
This time Katie really did laugh. "Now that's a lie if I ever heard one."
Travis shrugged but looked at her so seriously Katie didn't doubt his following words for a second. "Not this time. You really do look amazing Katie Kat."
"Really?" Katie asked. "Because I'm so uncomfortable and these shoes are already killing my feet and I feel like I have 50 pounds of makeup caked onto my face."
And Travis, being the amazing boyfriend that he is, starting immediately laughing at her.
So Katie punched him. Thankfully that immediately shut him up and he grabbed his hurt shoulder. "Gods, Katie, what was that for?"
"For laughing at me you idiot! You're not making me feel any better, Stoll."
Travis was quiet a moment before he spoke. "Okay, I'll admit when I first saw you it looked a bit weird. While you look absolutely amazing it just didn't seem right, didn't seem like you."
Katie looked up at him, not quite able to mask her hurt at his words. "I am a girl, Travis, and girls wear this sort of stuff-"
Travis placed a hand over her mouth gently. His eyes were so soft and warm that Katie stopped trying to speak. "I know you're a girl Katie," he said tenderly. "But you're not like other girls. You'd rather get your hands dirty from gardening than paint them with nail polish, you like jeans and sweats instead of dresses and skirts. You almost never let your hair down because it would get in your face when you're planting. And Katie," here Travis gazed so deeply into her eyes Katie felt like he was looking at her very soul. "I love those things about you. I wouldn't have fallen in love with you if I didn't. So yes, it's nice to see you look like this once every blue moon and yeah, you're an absolute knock-out. But Katie, I'm in love with you for you. I don't need to fancy clothes and hair, or the makeup." Here Travis took a deep breath and Katie felt tears well in her eyes. "Katie, I just want you."
One tear escaped and Travis's eyes went wide and his mouth opened in surprise. "Katie- gods no, why are you crying? If I said something wrong- I only meant it as a compliment, I promise!"
A laugh escaped her, then another. Then Katie threw her arms around Travis and buried her head in the crook of his neck. "Travis Stoll you are the only man on this planet that I could ever be this in love with."
His arms went around her and pulled her tight against him. It was an intimate moment but perfectly appropriate. Katie clutched at Travis as if the thought of being any farther apart was unthinkable and he kept her against him like it would physically hurt him to let go.
Katie Gardiner and Travis Stoll were soul mates, no matter how much they might have denied it in the past. Polar opposites, the two were perfect for one another.
They rotated like that, slowly and steadily. After a while Travis turned his head to whisper in her ear. "Remember the day we met?"
Katie laughed and pulled away, wiping her eye. "Why would you bring that up? That was a terrible day."
Travis continued as if he hadn't heard her. "We were what, 11 years old? You came walking into camp with a huge smile on your face and I ran right up to you."
Katie smiled. "You were the first person to talk to me here, you know. And do you remember what you said?"
Travis grinned sheepishly. "I may have called you a gross girl, screamed to everyone in hearing range that you had cooties and threw a water balloon in your face before running away."
Katie sighed. "The beginning of a beautiful rivalry. But I was so hurt by that. That day was hard enough without adding you to the mix, but you tormented me endlessly."
Travis stared down at her before Katie smiled at him reassuringly. "Don't worry Travis, it's fine. I'm stronger than I look you know."
He rubbed the shoulder she had punched earlier. "Don't I know it," he muttered.
She smiled at him before another memory entered her head. "Remember our first kiss?"
Travis grinned. "After 6 years you still didn't know me at all."
"Well how was I supposed to know your favorite flavor of ice cream was Reese's?" Katie exclaimed. "Every other time we had eaten ice cream together you always got Cookie Dough!"
"I remember Connor and I snuck in ice cream to camp to celebrate the end of the war. We were all in Percy's cabin. And you came up to me, holding a bowl of cookie dough ice cream in one hand and mint chocolate chip in the other. You handed me the cookie dough and I was so surprised. I asked why you got me cookie dough and you said, as if I was the dumbest person in the world, that you got it for me because it was my favorite."
Katie laughed. A soft smile made it's way onto her face and it reached her eyes. "And you said so bluntly that no, it wasn't. You're favorite was Reese's. I asked why you always got cookie dough if Reese's was your favorite. And then," Katie continued, "I'll never forget what you said next. You looked at me so tenderly and you told me that you always got cookie dough ice cream because you knew it was my favorite."
Travis smiled. "You looked so surprised and for a second I thought you were going to slap me. But what you did next was much, much better."
Katie blushed. "How was it? I dropped both bowls of ice cream on the floor of Percy's cabin and kissed you in front of all the counselors and older campers."
Travis smiled at her and moved the left stray curl of hair out of her eyes. "Like I said, much better."
Katie smiled at him. "So," she said, suddenly coy. "I saw some mistletoe in the corner over there..."
Travis winked and grabbed her hand. "Well what are we waiting for Kate kat?"
It may have been ten r fifteen minutes later when they emerged from the shadows again. Katie's lips were swollen and Travis's shirt was crumpled from where Katie had grabbed it. However long it was, they still got catcalls and shouts aimed at them when they went and sat down to drink some punch and eat some candy canes.
It must have been nearing 9:00 when Percy and Annabeth finally made an appearance. Katie wasn't sure what it was about those two but they drew everyone's attention when they stepped into the pavilion together and although they mingled and talked with others, Katie noticed Percy's hand never left Annabeth and Annabeth's eyes never left Percy.
They looked absolutely striking. Apart they were imposing but together... absolutely eye drawing. And the love that practically radiated off of them definitely helped draw the eye.
Annabeth wore a shimmering neck halter dress that ended in wisps below her knees. On her feet were elegant silver heels that resembled Katie's but also had diamond studs stuck on in places to make them sparkle. She wore a silver bracelet that Katie had never seen before. It was a charm bracelet that had, from what Katie could see, an owl, a trident and an anchor dangling from it. Annabeth's hair was curled and loose and Katie noticed emerald drop earrings on her ears.
Percy, with his arm around Annabeth's waist, was dashing. Lighter green shirt, black tie that brought out his hair, jeans and new looking sneakers, he drew the eyes of every girl in the pavilion. Even Nico, Katie noticed, was staring at him.
They waited for no one, doing their own thing. They made their way onto the dance floor, socialized with almost everybody and drank hot chocolate, ate candy and Christmas cookies, whispered to one another and laughed together.
They were so in love it made Katie feel happy just to see them together again. Since the war they hadn't been as happy (something Katie suspected had something to do with Tartarus) and Katie was glad to see that they could get past whatever had happened down there.
Katie and Travis joked and talked and kissed the entire night, never was there a dull or awkward moment. They were talking with Percy and Annabeth when the clock struck twelve.
Multiple voices sounded at once. "MERRY CHRISTMAS!"
Travis turned to Katie. "Merry Christmas, Katie Kat."
She smiled and threw her arms around him. "Merry Christmas, Stoll," she whispered before smashing her lips against his.
Travis was an amazing kisser. His lips were soft and sent electric through Katie's body. It felt like lava was traveling through her veins at him touch. She would never get tired of the feel of his lips against hers.
It was a sweet kiss, soft and gentle. Lasting not longer than a minute the two pulled away from one another to look into each others eyes and smile.
Katie turned to Annabeth to see her and Percy pull apart grinning. She squealed and threw her arms around the girl, hearing Percy and Travis do whatever it was guys did instead of hugging.
Then she hugged Percy and stepped back to stand beside Travis, glancing up to meet his eyes. They linked hands and for a moment everything was quiet.
Then the gifts appeared.
Hundreds and hundreds of gifts all wrapped differently. Different shapes and sizes, they all appeared either under the Christmas tree in the pavilion or in the hands of a demigod. After several moments of confusion Katie finally realized what had happened.
The gods had sent gifts, one to each of their children. Katie pulled Travis towards the tree and the made their way to the middle, where everyone was rummaging around looking for a gift with their name on it.
Travis finally pulled one out, yelling "Ah ha!" as he did so. He handed it to Katie and started looking again a moment later.
She held it, studying the wrapping and shape. It was a rectangular box, of that she was sure. The bottom was about as big as the palm of her hand and it was about as tall as two hands on top of one another. The actual wrapping paper was a soft yellow, one that made Katie think of wheat and corn. It made her feel comfortable.
Just as Katie looked up Travis grabbed another present and took her hand. She smiled at him in surprise and he smiled back.
"The gods did this," she said in wonder.
He nodded. "I know. It's kind of surprising, right?"
She laughed and jerked her head to the side, signaling they should get out of here. Away from the rest of the crowd.
He nodded and led the way. Surprising her he took her completely out of the pavilion, despite her protests. "Travis," she whined, "we'll miss the rest of the party."
He grinned at her. "Why would you want to go back there when you can have all this?" He asked her, then suddenly started waving his arms around and shaking his butt, obviously trying to dance.
She laughed. "Oh, this is so much better."
Travis grinned and kissed her cheek, his breath misting before her very eyes. "Told you Katie."
She grinned at him and he sat her down on a log. They were at the campfire, shaded by trees. That helped keep the wind away and Katie felt something wet hit her nose.
She looked up and smiled in surprise. "Snow," she said reverently.
Travis grinned. "The trees will protect us."
Katie grinned and stuck out her tongue, the present in her hand momentarily forgotten. She caught a snowflake and grinned at Travis, excited as a little kid on Christmas.
"Katie," Travis whined. "I wanna open my present now."
He pouted at her and Katie laughed, returning her attention to the parcel he held in his hands. It wasn't a box and it was small. When Katie felt it she felt something like a chain and pendant.
She stifled a giggle. Had Hermes gotten his son a necklace?
"Go on," she encouraged. "Open it."
He looked at her hesitantly for a moment before grinning and ripping into the blue paper.
When he took out the gift Katie smiled.
It was a necklace, but better than she had imagined. It was a metal chain, just like lot's of boys would wear, and it was long enough to hide down his shirt if he wanted. Dangling from the middle of it was a shoe with wings sprouting from the sides, all metal.
It was nice, actually. Katie really liked it. And as Travis put it on she saw something change in his eyes.
"My turn," she said and suddenly excitement filled her. Her mother had never gotten her a gift before. What would it be?
She carefully unwrapped the box and opened it up. What she saw made her heart fill with wonder and joy.
"Katie," Travis asked when she did nothing more than stare. "What is it?"
She carefully pulled the plotted plant out of the box and showed her boyfriend. "Moonlace." She replied.
He frowned. "Is that your favourite flower or something?"
Katie shook her head, hair falling in front of her face. She couldn't look away from the plant that was glowing softly in the night. "It's a plant known only to Calypso," she explained.
"That titan that comes to visit Leo a lot?" Travis asked.
She nodded. "Calypso was alone on an island called Ogygia. That was the only place this plant grew. She was the only person who ever had any. Until right now."
She touched a leaf in wonder before meeting Travis's eyes. "I love it."
He smiled but his eyes still looked confused. "Then I'm glad."
She smiled and stood up. "C'mon, my feet are killing me, this makeup will probably take an hour to get off and it's probably almost one. We should get back."
Travis nodded and grabbed the wrapping paper he had discarded ever so thoughtlessly on the ground. They walked hand in hand back to the cabins to see people leaving the pavilion. Time flies for ADHD demigods.
Travis walked her to the Demeter cabin before stopping just outside the door.
"If we were anywhere else I would invite you in..." Katie trailed off grinning sheepishly.
Travis smiled. "It's okay Katie kat. This'll do."
Without waiting for her to say anything he stepped forward and kissed her soundly on the mouth. It started innocent but then Travis's tongue somehow touched Katie's bottom lip and it became not so innocent. They kissed for a few minutes, or hours or days. When they finally pulled apart they were breathing heavily and Katie felt her legs go weak.
She fumbled behind her for the doorknob with her free hand and finally found it.
"Night Travis," she said breathily.
"Night Katie." He replied.
She lunged forward, pressing her lips to his again in a sudden hunger. It lasted only a second before she stepped back and opened the door.
"See you in the morning," she said, blushing, before quickly stepping into her cabin and closing the door behind her.
She turned and leaned back against it, hearing him mutter something before walking away. She sighed, closing her eyes and cradling the moonlace in her arms, before slowly moving down to sit on the floor.
It was minutes later when there was a knock on the cabin door and Katie jumped up. She opened the door, smiling at her cabin mates, before moving aside to let them come in.
Judging by the looks on their faces they had had a good night as well.
oooOOOooo
Hope you liked it! Reviews are much appreciated! Maybe I could get to 10 for this chapter?
Love you all!
Percyjacksonfan3