There's Nothing Sweeter
Disclaimer: I don't own 'Harry Potter' or 'Percy Jackson'. All recognisable characters, content or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Chapter Fifteen:
In all honesty, Gwen didn't care for the 4th of July. She wasn't particularly patriotic in general, let alone for a country she'd never stepped foot in until a month earlier, so she proceeded with her usual morning routine while the campers, excepting the Apollo and Demeter cabins, took advantage of the holiday to sleep in. Afterwards though, she took care to look her best for the day, her first date with Lee, even though it wasn't technically until the fireworks that evening.
The witch dressed in an emerald green sundress, straightened her hair and applied a light layer of mascara and eyeliner. She donned a pair of brown suede ballet flats and coated her lips with clear, cherry flavoured lipgloss, and by the time the daughter of Zeus was done, she came to the conclusion that she'd not looked so feminine since she'd had to dress up for the Yule Ball over the winter holidays passed.
Most of the time, she just couldn't be bothered with that kind of effort, but as she scrutinised herself in the mirror, Gwen conceded to the truth that special occasions called only for a special kind of dedication.
"You look great," said Silena, "Not too casual, but not overdone either."
"Thanks," Gwen acknowledged, "Can we go though? I'm hungry.
Silena laughed, but relented, and Gwen was grateful."
At the dining pavilion, Gwen was intercepted on her way to the dining pavilion by Lee, who'd dressed simply in jeans and a pale blue button down, but his eyes seemed entranced on her form, and he held a pink long stemmed rose between his thin, dexterous fingers.
She didn't know what to appreciate more.
"Gwen, you look lovely," Lee greeted, and offered her the flower. "I had to bribe Katie for it, but I hope you like it."
She accepted it with a gracious smile and thanked him quietly. "And you look rather handsome yourself."
let it not be said that Gwen didn't know how to be coy. She'd been taught to be a Lady, after all, and as unladylike as she acted sometimes, she could also play the consummate heiress with the best of them.
Which was exactly why she knew what Lee was saying with the single pink rose.
The gesture was a welcome one.
"I'll leave you to your breakfast," Lee excused, "I'm looking forward to tonight."
"As am I," Gwen agreed, "And thank you, again."
"Anytime."
Gwen walked towards her table, with Lee's eyes on her back, and it took all of Gwen's will power not to meet Silena's gaze where she was already seated with her siblings. They'd be talking about she and Lee's exchange later, Gwen knew, but for now, she'd savour in the moment on her own.
Evening arrived and with it, another singalong by the campfire. Lee was performing again, but this time, Mick was accompanying him on the cello, and Lee's gaze was on Gwen. She didn't know the artist, nor did she know the song, but the lyrics made her heart race, and not for the first time, the daughter of Zeus thought she could stare at Lee Fletcher's eyes forever. They were like the night sky, expressing so much, and they took her breath away.
"I can't find the words to explain
Just how much you've got me going insane
When you speak to me, sometimes we fight
Oh, I stutter my words, and say never mind…"
The song continued, and Silena swooned at the chorus. She wasn't the only one, but Gwen's face was flushed, and the witch wondered how one boy - a man, really - could ruin her so completely.
Then she remembered Sirius' words, and Gwen was comforted. 'One day, Gwen, you'll meet someone, and you'll let them into your heart. That person will hurt you, because people will always hurt you in the end, but you have to decide if they're worth suffering for.' Grey eyes had shone with the wisdom Sirius' mother was renowned for. 'And just remember, love, that it's okay to be weak.'
"Coz I get weak in the knees
Fall head over heels, baby
And every other cheesy cliche
Oh, I'm swept off my feet
Oh, my heart skips a beat
But there's really only one thing to say
Goddamn you're beautiful to me…"
After the song, as the campers applauded, as some girls swooned or sighed wistfully, as the boys jeered and taunted, as Lee ignored them all, Katie shoved Gwen forward, the witch stumbled, and quite spectacularly, Lee caught her.
A bit like a cheesy cliche, if you would.
The thought made her smile.
He smiled down at her, ruffled his hair nervously, and without adieu, Gwen reached up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed a kiss to the son of Apollo's lips, slightly chapped, but welcome all the same. His hands tightened possessively at her hips, he pulled her impossibly closer against him, and as they kissed, neither cared for the thoroughly entertained audience around them.
At least until they were mercilessly showered in a spray of water, courtesy of Mr D, who gave them a scathing comment about controlling themselves, grumbled under his breath about pains in his ass, and stalked away, presumably to get away from the campers. Gwen didn't care really, a drying spell from both of them remedied the issue, and Gwen had worn waterproof makeup for years, but as Lee led the way to the lake, his fingers linked between hers, and their friends chattering enthusiastically all around, she wondered how far she'd have been willing to take that.
Her attention was diverted by the fireworks, and as they rocketed into the sky, comparable only to the Weasley twins' magical equivalents, Gwen could understand the awe that washed over the demigods.
It made her smile, this moment of peace, and with Lee's arm slung over her shoulder, the warmth of his embrace a soothing comfort against the night time chill, there was no where else she would rather be. She was a very different girl from the one who'd arrived at Camp Halfblood a month earlier, having grown and experienced and observed in that time, but as her new friends chattered between themselves, with the occasional jest sent in Gwen and Lee's direction, the daughter of Zeus wouldn't change herself. Not again, and most certainly not for anything in the world.
Author's Note: An anti-climactic ending, but as I wrote the chapter before this one, I knew I was only dragging it out. An epilogue to go, but that will probably take a week or so. Thanks for reading, leave a review. -t.