Katie's POV

I concentrated. The once sour mangos quickly ripened, turning from green to a glowing orangish-red. I reached up and plucked one from the tree. My mouth watered and I bit into it. It was sweet and tangy- perfect.

"They're ready!"

I began picking the fruit closest to the ground. Travis climbed the tree and tossed the higher ones down to me. I knelt down to add a few to our pile when something hard hit me on the head. A bruised mango fell to the ground next to me. "Ouch!"

I glared up at Travis, his blue eyes sparkling, a mischievous grin spread across his face.

"Travis!"

"Sorry Katie!"

It was hard to stay mad at that adorable face. I laughed and continued collecting mangos.

...

It was about noon by the time we finished stripping the tree of its fruit. We sat on the beach laughing and eating mango after mango.

"You did a good job with these." Travis told me as he bit into his fifth fruit.

I smiled. "Thanks. I am a daughter of Demeter. Travis! You've got mango juice all over your face!"

He stopped eating a wiped the back of his hand carelessly across his mouth.

"You missed." I told him. I reached over and wiped the mango off his chin. "There."

He smirked. Gods, he was so cute when he did that. He leaned in and kissed me lightly.

"Thanks."

"You're welcome."

He stood up and pulled his shirt over his head. Gosh, he had nice abs. He was pretty tan too.

"What are you-" I started, but he cut me off by scooping me up and running into the ocean. I giggled and splashed him in the face. He wiped the water from his eyes and grinned.

"It's on." He tackled me into the water and I shrieked happily.

We wrestled and splashed eachother for what seemed like hours. I was starting to get tired. "I win." he said when I stopped fighting him. He offered his hand to help me up. I took it and jerked him down into the water.

"Hey!" he complained as he surfaced.

I screamed as he lunged for me. I struggled to the beach and ran when I saw that he was chasing me. Unfortunatetly, Travis was faster. He caught me by the waist, leaned over my shoulder and kissed my cheek. I giggled as he pulled me down with him into the warm sand. He shook his blond curls and I squinted as droplets of seawater flew everywhere. He pulled me close to him and I laid my head against his bare chest.

We stayed that way for a while. The sun was going down, and the air began to cool. My soaked clothes didn't help. A shiver ran through my body.

"You should probably take off those wet clothes. You could get sick." Travis looked down at me worriedly.

I smiled at his concern. "I don't have anything else to put on." He nodded towards his dry t-shirt lying in the sand.

"You can wear my shirt."

"What if you get cold?"

"I'll be fine." he assured me.

I frowned. "Ok. But don't look."

He laughed. "Promise."

I snatched up his t-shirt and went behind him to put it on. I stopped. "Can you just close your eyes?"

Travis groaned. "What's the matter? You don't trust me?"

I laughed. "Not really."

"Fine." He reluctantly closed his eyes.

I took off my damp shirt and shorts and immediately felt better. I thanked the gods that his t-shirt wasn't white, considering that I was wearing a neon pink bra and matching underwear. I pulled it over my head, took a deep breath and smiled. It smelled like Travis. The bottom hem reached about mid-thigh. I would have preferred it to be a little longer, but at least it covered my underwear.

"Are you done yet?"

I ran back over to him and plopped back into his lap. "Yes."

He opened his eyes. "Fits okay?"

I nodded. "It works. Thanks." I gave him a peck on the cheek and snuggled close to him. He wrapped his arms around me protectively. Our water fight had thoroughly worn me out. I could barely keep my eyes open. His body warmed mine, and it just felt so perfect. I would rather be here in his arms than anywhere else. Within a few minutes, I was asleep.

Travis's POV

Katie is so cute when she's asleep. I've always loved her freckles; how they're scattered across her nose and cheeks. I had never noticed how long her lashes were. Her long, brown hair fell gracefully down her back. Gods, she was so beautiful.

I don't think I've ever cared this much for anyone in my entire life. Connor comes close, but he can look out for himself. Katie is just so small and fragile; I don't trust her to take care of herself. It's my responsibility to protect her.

Every time we fight a monster or go into battle, I'm scared for her life. I've come too close to losing her too many times. I don't know what I'd do without her.

We met at Camp Halfblood when we were six years old. I was brought there with my brother Connor, but Katie was alone. The three of us got along so well; we were instant friends and have been ever since. But Chiron said that even when we were little, Katie and I had a special kind of bond. He knew we were destined to be together.

Memories flashed through my mind.

"Travis watch!" Katie squeaked. I stared at the strawberry intently, trying to make out what she wanted me to see.

"Katie, nothing's happening."

"Are you sure?" She squeezed shut her eyes in concentration.

"It's not working Katie."

Katie frowned and opened her eyes. "Maybe Demeter isn't my mommy."

"Yeah she is. You just need practice." I assured her. "Maybe you need a break."

Her face lit up and she grinned. "Let's get Connor and steal the towels from the shower room again!"

"Yeah! C'mon!" I grabbed her hand and we went off to find my brother.

Connor passed me the ball, and I dribbled over to the goal. Katie stood between the posts, determined to block my attempt at scoring. I kicked it as hard as I could, and it shot towards the goal. Katie put out her tiny hands to stop it, but her 8-year-old reflexes weren't accurate enough. The soccer ball smacked her square in the face. She crumpled to the ground, and Connor and I rushed to her side. She sobbed gently. I took her arms and Connor grabbed her legs and together we carried her to the nurses cabin. As the nurse looked her over, a tear slid down my cheek. I hadn't meant to hurt her. The nurse got her to stop crying, gave her a lollipop, and told us she was going to be fine. We walked out of the cabin, Connor and I on either side of her.

I stared at the ground. "I'm sorry Katie."

She giggled and hugged me. "It's okay Travis!"

I grinned. I thought she was going to hate me forever.

"Wanna lick?" she asked us gleefully, holding out her lollipop. Connor and I stuck out our tongues and leaned towards it, but in a flash she snatched it away.

"You have to catch me first!" She squealed and ran in the opposite direction. Connor and I sprinted after her laughing.

I gazed down at the present Katie, sleeping peacefully in my arms. "I love you." I whispered in her ear. I knew she couldn't hear me, but it felt good to say it anyway. One day, I would tell her when she was listening.