of half-bloods and happenings
a conversation
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Percy knew exactly who was standing behind him long before he decided to turn around.
It was a certain feeling in the left side of his chest, like his heart was being pressed hard against his ribcage until tears leaked from the corners of his eyes. The sort of feeling that made him want to smooth back his hair, tuck his shirt in. The sort of feeling that reminded him of kisses in the lake, of scented pillows, of bare skin against bare skin; of Annabeth.
Percy turned. Sure enough, a woman stood a mere three feet or so away, scrutinising him with eyes that changed from brown to blue to grey faster than he could think. She was dressed far nicer than he was (granted, it was midnight and he was knee-deep in Long Island Sound, his pyjama bottoms curiously dry, whereas she was a goddess direct - he assumed - from luxury at Olympus) and her hair whipped like liquid about her in the wind, melting with a fluid ease into the soft blonde curls he knew so well. Her lips, sheathed in coral lipstick, curved into a smile.
"Aphrodite," Percy murmured, feeling that familiar constriction of his throat that appeared whenever he was around the love goddess. "Stopped for a chat, then?"
To Percy's surprise, instead of answering, she kicked off her candy-bright heels and waded into the surf beside him. Her toenails were painted the colour of the sea. When she finally spoke, her voice was soft, as melodious and addictive as he remembered. "Perseus Jackson. It's been a long time."
"I can't say I've missed you."
Her laugh tinkled in the air, bouncing out across the waves. The wind changed direction subtly, and her hair moved with it, shifting to the left and brushing delicately up against the nape of Percy's neck, a feeling so familiar he shuddered. "But I have missed you, Percy, and I would say that's enough for the both of us."
"What do you want?"
Aphrodite turned to him, her stormy eyes mocking and jealous and delighted all at once. "Nothing of substance, of course. I merely wanted to chat, as you so eloquently put it. Besides, I rather think you've done enough for me already, haven't you?"
"I would say I've done more than enough."
"Well, my dear, that's what everyone who deals with me, says."
"I didn't deal with you. You decided to take an interest in my life, that's all."
"Oh, Percy." Aphrodite smiled a wet, pink smile and Percy was inexplicably reminded of Nemesis, the goddess of revenge, who he'd only met once in his life and was a serious force to be reckoned with. And he supposed, in a way, Aphrodite was too. What was it her husband had once told him? Be careful of love. It'll twist your brain around and leave you thinking up is down and right is wrong. "The moment you met Annabeth," Aphrodite continued, "We were doomed to deal."
Percy closed his eyes, suppressing his anger that had risen like a great tide within him. The feat took all his strength. "I don't like to associate Annabeth with any kind of doom, thanks."
"I know, my dear, believe me. I know."
Percy's eyes flickered open, taking in the bleeding and burnt sky that was slowly appearing on the horizon. He turned his head ever so slightly to the right, to look Aphrodite in the eye and ask her what she really wanted from him- but she was gone. All that remained of their encounter was a pair of candy-bright heels toppled over on the sand and the faint wafting of jasmine perfume in the air.
And just like that, the push against Percy's heart disappeared, and he was left alone with his thoughts once more.
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Author's Note: Sorry again for the wait. Writer's block is a serious pain, isn't it? Anyway, here's something a little different for you all, I hope. Please review, it means the world to me! Oh, and if any of you wanted to read a little freeverse poetry, I suggest you check out my story infinite. Thanks!