The next month flew by like a dream. The sounds of construction echoed through camp as work on the new cabins began. Of course, it was an absolute logistical nightmare to include so many new structures in an area intended to house only a dozen, but Annabeth had been pulling double duty both managing the progress and working on designs for the Olympians. Otherwise, life at Camp Half-Blood quickly returned to normalcy as wounds healed and repairs made. Counseling sessions with the new Hypnos kid, Clovis, began as he opened a makeshift clinic out of his cabin to help those struggling with the traumas of the battle.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. That was definitely how Thalia felt recently. Despite a few slip ups during training routines as she adjusted to life without the blessing of the Hunt, the first week back to camp had been magical. Once they had free time between training sessions and meals, Perla and Thalia would walk down to the lake or climb high into one of the trees where no one could see them and simply enjoy each other's company.
She smiled as the memory of the night of celebration passed through her mind. She might have relinquished the Hunt's blessing but she still knew a trap when she saw one. Perla had suggested they spend time together at the water's edge and excitedly led her down to the shore. The moment they arrived, Thalia could practically feel the waiting eyes of the Stolls. Not keen on whatever they had cooked up, she turned a complete 180 and dragged a very confused Perla back into the woods. There, they'd climbed into the bushes as the Stoll's group passed them by.
Thalia waited patiently for them to pass, surprised by the ease at which they'd escaped. That was when she noticed the fog sinking into the forest air around them like a curtain and looked down to see Perla winking slyly at her. Apparently she'd gotten the notice and had come up with an impromptu cover plan. Thalia smiled back before her face flushed as she realized she was lying right on top of her new…girlfriend. The thought was still surreal to her.
Still, face to face, lying low all alone. It hadn't been long but seeing Perla's features so close was making her heart race at a thousand beats per minute. Without even thinking, she'd wrapped her hands around Perla's cheeks and planted her lips on the daughter of Poseidon. Perla's sly look evaporated immediately as she leaned in to the sudden affection. A kiss that had lasted a few seconds at most felt like it was stretched into hours as they broke away.
Groaning, Thalia collapsed back in her bed in Cabin One. She stared up blankly at the pale stone ceiling. Sure, they'd kissed. Sure, it was a bit fast. Sure it had felt great. But that was it, nothing else in the past few weeks. No talking about it, even when they were out alone and for god's sakes they hadn't even been able to go on a proper date being stuck here at camp. Plus, it seemed like Perla was hiding something from her recently. Whispered conversations in her cabin after they said good night to each other.
"Did I do something wrong?" Thalia wondered out loud. Maybe I'll pay her a visit, surprise her. Yeah, and then we can talk. I guess I should get a present first.
Half an hour later, Thalia stood outside the door to Cabin Three, a box of freshly picked strawberries in hand. As she moved her hand to knock on the wood, Perla's muffled voice froze her in place.
"No…leave her…okay, as long as…you're okay with it…"
A million thoughts raced through Thalia's head. Surely she hadn't heard right. Was Perla trying to break up with her? Already? Had she really done something wrong or had she misread the situation horribly? Or maybe…No. She shook her head. Perla wasn't someone to lead a person on. She wanted to slap herself for even considering the idea. Without her even noticing, the air had begun to buzz and ozone filled the air around her.
Suddenly, the door swung open. Perla yelped in surprise, not expecting Thalia to be standing so close. She took a few deep breaths to compose herself before clearing her throat. "Hey Thals, wasn't expecting you," Perla said, leaning against the door frame in a poor attempt at seeming cool and in control. "Everything okay?"
"Uhm," Thalia mumbled, quickly sealing her lips that she hadn't realized were still open. "I brought strawberries."
Awkwardly, she held out the box. "Aww, that's so sweet of you!" Perla exclaimed, taking the box from her and biting into one of the bright red specimens. She smiled as she chewed, thoroughly savoring the sweet and delicate flavor. "Oh, sorry, did you need something? Want to come in?"
Silently, Thalia nodded as Perla ushered her inside, eyes keen for anyone who might be watching before shutting the door. Turning around, Perla bounced around the cabin, quickly taking a seat on the bed and patting it, motioning for Thalia to sit beside her. Thalia sat slowly as Perla grabbed her hands.
"Hey," Perla started. "I've got something I want to talk to you-"
"Are you breaking up with me?" Thalia blurted out, her hands pulling away like lightning to cover her mouth.
"Am I-WHAT?" Perla asked incredulously, reaching back out to her. "Thals, no, why would I do that?"
"I…I don't know. I mean, we haven't talked about the kiss since it happened and we only get so much time together and there's the weird age gap from my time in the Hunters and that I dumped the prophecy on you and…" Thalia sighed, finally taking a breath. "And I heard you talking just now about leaving me."
"Oh gods, I…I'm sorry I didn't know you were feeling that way," Perla soothed. "I'm sorry we haven't talked about… the kiss. It's just that, this is my first relationship and I'm not really sure what I'm doing so I've just kinda been following your lead. You never brought it up until now so I thought it was maybe just a once in a while thing."
"So, you didn't hate it?"
"I… liked it," Perla admitted, blushing. "But Thals, the rest of that stuff doesn't matter, we'll work it out and I'm sorry I've been putting so much pressure on you. You just seemed so much more mature about this stuff than me."
Perla reached forwards again and put her hand on Thalia's face. "But that conversation you heard earlier. Well, that's what I wanted to tell you about. I wanted it to be a surprise, but I was working things out with my mom. I'm only here for the summer and I know you were just going to stay here, but I was asking her if you could come and stay with us."
Thalia's eyes widened as tears began to well up at the corners. "Are you saying I should move in with you? Now who's moving too fast?" She laughed.
"So… is that a yes?"
"Yes, yes, absolutely I will," Thalia relented, pulling Perla into a deep hug that she returned happily. "And I'm sorry I leaped to conclusions but can we just… talk more?"
"Of course," Perla smiled. "Anything else?"
"Well, since we'll be away from camp, how about going out on a real date?"
"YES!" Perla jumped back in excitement.
"Good, then it's settled. Uh I guess I should get going though. Curfew is coming and I don't want to get caught in another cabin," Thalia said, getting up and walking towards the door. "Thanks Perla, I love you."
"Yeah, I'll tell you when we'll leave later," Perla nodded happily. "Oh, wait before you go, have a strawberry."
"Okay, I guess I have time for one…" Thalia's voice trailed off as she turned back to see Perla leaning forward, half a strawberry caught between her lips.
Getting the message, the daughter of Zeus grabbed the girl's chin and tiled her face upwards before locking their lips together, deftly snatching the strawberry from the younger girl's mouth. She pulled away and licked her lips. "See you tomorrow," Thalia waved, closing the door behind her.
"See you tomorrow," Perla waved back, steam coming off her ears before she fell back into her bead, covering her crayon red face in her pillow.
