Ω When going on a trip Ω

-Katie-

"You still have the chance Chiron give us for out, right?" Travis asked her in a summer night at August. Tonight, they somehow end up sitting on the roof of Cabin 4 watching the stars; after Travis practically plead her to lift them up here. Let's just say she is a sucker for puppy eyes. She is in his comfy hoodie he brought to her earlier, she noticed he likes to give her his clothes to wear recently. Not that she is bothered, she likes the way his clothes on her, big and soft, with his scent. She sits between his legs since he literally dragged her in it, while he plays with her hair like always. Travis was telling her how to find those sparking little dots above before he asked her about the outing thing. And she is surprised at the amount of knowledge he knows about astronomy.

"Um hm, what's wrong?" Chiron give every camper a chance to go out camp but for proper reason and you need to have company.

"There is a situation, more like a problem..."

"Shoot."

"Okay, head first, it's all Connor's fault." He let out a long sigh before continue. "You remember I told you our mother will call us back for her birthday?" She hummed for response. "She IMed us today and Connor slipped about me meeting a girl at camp, and she forced me to bring her back too." She blinked at him.

"And you're telling me because...?"

"Do you want to come?"

"Let me get this straight, your mom is inviting a girl to your house, for her birthday?"

"You can put it like that."

"So, I'm this girl you're seeing, huh?" She starts teasing him, nudging him with her elbow.

"You coming or not?" He said, softly pushed her elbows away, letting them stay put and she shrugged, not giving him a direct answer. A sudden breeze blow to their face causing their hair flying back, hers spread right on Travis' face, he sighed in defeat and said, "I'll take you to the mall."

"Really!?" She squeaked in excitement. It's been ages since she last went to the mall, being a year-round camper meaning you don't have much freedom, not to mention the chance to go see the city.

"Consider this as a second date." He looked down at her and give her a genie smile. Her heart swayed at the beautiful sight, how the corner of his lips is going upwards, the way his eyes spark at the thought of them having a second date while he kept her in his arms like she the most important thing to him at this moment.

"When are we going and how long?"

"Eager much now, huh?" He smirked; she smacked his upper arm which barely had the impact on him with all the muscle and stuff. "Next Wednesday for five days, my mom lives in Atlanta so we maybe need to stay in a hotel of something, it depends. And I'll be driving!"

"Then it will be a miracle that we got there alive." She murmured.

"Hey, I am a good driver, my dad is the god of road and travelers."

"I heard rumors from Connor."

"Don't listen to him, all he wanna do is embarrass me." He protested.

"Come on, don't be a crybaby, it's late, let's get down." She chuckled and cooed him. Katie called out a branch next to the roof and let it placed them at her window for them to climb in.

"Can I keep your clothes?" She asked in a sleepy voice.

"Of course, Katie-kat. It's meant to give you anyways." That's the last thing she heard before fade into sleep.

*Demeter pic

"Clothes?"

"Check."

"Toothbrush and stuff?"

"Check."

"Mortal money?"

"Check."

"Weapons?"

"Check."

"I guess that's it." It's the night before they set off for visiting Travis' mother, now they're in her room, packing for the trip. It's her first time going to a 'friend's' home, saying that she is nervous would be an underestimate. "Anything else you might to bring?"

"I thing I need to bring something for your mother, it's her birthday after all." She starts twiddling with her fingers.

"Oh, she loves gardening so just give her a little potted plant will do to job." Travis answered her and hold her hands, stopping her little habit. "Hey," He whispered; she looked up at him. His blue eyes full with concern and comfort to ease her roller-coaster emotions. "you'll be fine."

"What if your mom doesn't like me? It's the first time I go to a friend's house." She rambling to him with her worries.

"I like you."

What? Did he just? Confess? Katie felt the whole world starts spinning and her brain can't think straight. Does he mean like like or just a friend kind of like? How should she react if— then her racing thought is stopped by Travis' voice.

"Everyone in the camp likes you, you are lovely and kind and all that kind of shit; besides, I'm my mother son, so if I like you, she will like you." He said in a tone that she can't argue with him and he doesn't take any protest. She took in a deep breath and let out.

"You like me?" She said in a desperate sound, perhaps too much. In what way? That's the unsaid question. He stared at her for a long time, the two people standing beside the bed which is laying out with things she is going to bring for the trip. Then he raised his arms and ruffs her hair, making it messy than ever; she can't decide whether she should be mad or relief.

"Go put these in your bag and rest." He nodded to her bed, then he walked to the window, preparing to flip out. She stays at her spot, watch at him blankly.

"Where are you going?" She called him before he disappears in front of her, she panicked. It's the first time since March he left her room before sleep. (The prank doesn't count; he didn't even come.) Too many first time lately, the Fates suddenly decides to drain her mentally within a week.

"I'm sleeping my room tonight; I'll come and wake you next morning when we need to go. Don't miss me, Katie-kat." He smirked at her with a little force but the emotion didn't reach to his eyes, she noted; then he is gone.

She gathered the things on her bed and stuff them in her bag, tidy up herself before laying in her bed, staring at the ceiling. She misses the warm arms which usually held around her when she's about to sleep, the smell she used to inhale secretly when she suddenly woke up in the middle of the night. She is craving for the small pep talk they share every night and the way he plays with her hair without knowing or when he thinks she didn't notice. Katie sits up and reach for her bag, digging out one of Travis' clothes he gave her these days. Put on the shirt which is obviously too big for her, taking in a deep breathe with the scent of mint mixed with breeze, hoping she didn't just scare off the boy she like.

-Travis-

What is he thinking? Saying he like her then dodge her question. He sensed her fluster when he told her he wasn't staying, even he really wanted to stay. But with all the words he said to her and the meanings behind them; he is positive that he isn't in the right mind to share a bed with Katie. He strolls in Cabin 11, not caring the surprised stare coming from his siblings. (It's almost 10 by the way.) He quickly walked pass them and shuts himself in his room, his back hits the door. Keeping his head low, Travis steadies his breathe.

"You're staying here?" Connor asks him in surprise as he saw his big brother barged through the door.

"Yeah, we're leaving at 9 and stay at Charlotte for mid stop." He looked up and meet Connor's eyes, just like his, ice-blue; he swore he could saw the reflection of himself. He needs to keep his mind off Katie for a minute, so he tries to lead the conversation to tomorrow's trip. And he failed.

"You alright? Your face is like, pale, seriously pale." Connor said in concern.

"All great, just, had a little accident." He brushed off the matter.

"She blew you off?"

"No. I left."

"Why?"

"I freaked out." He murmured.

"About?"

He sighed. "I know you want the story so I'll just tell you." Connor gestured him to go on. "We were packing, she is worried about Mom, if she will like her something like that."

"She will."

"Yeah, I know. So, I said I like her," He heard Connor suck in a breath. "Then say everyone in camp likes her and some shit like that."

"Whoa."

"That's not the worst part. She said, I quote 'You like me?' and I know perfectly she was asking in what way. So I kinda ignore her and rush back here."

"You know we are going to Mom's together for the next five days? Starting tomorrow?"

"Right, and I fucked up." He has no excuse, too shame to have one.

"You know what, go to sleep and think of what to do to sort this out. You are still driving tomorrow."

He flopped himself on his 'long time no used' bed, soaking in the fact he just shut Katie down. And now facing the consequence, no cuddles; they all said 'you never know what you have until you lose it', a perfect phrase for his situation. He doesn't know whether he is too scared to admit that he like her or he's just afraid to hear the response she might give, the denial one that is. Travis drifted off, missing the strawberry scent that swirls around him whenever Katie is in his arms.

*Hermes pic

He felt someone slapping his face, then water splashed on him, making him groan in annoyance while soaking wet and processing what just happened.

"What in Hades?"

"It's 9.30." He heard Connor said in deadpanned.

"Styx." He swore, jumping off the bed and finished his morning routine in his fastest record then rush to Katie's room. Miranda is standing in front of her door.

"Door locked." She told him and he nods as in getting the message. He put his hand on the handle before the lock clicks as the door opens. He walked in and spot the bag Katie packed last night on her chair; he swings it on his shoulder then shake her awake.

"Trav?"

"Hey, it's 9.30, we're about to leave." She robbed her eyes and yawned; he noticed the dark circles under her green eyes.

"Take your time, I grabbed your bag and we have food in the car. Meet us on the hill." She hummed while sitting up, pulling his shirt to steady herself, then he saw the shirt she wears. His shirt. He suddenly felt a tug in his stomach. She murmured something under her breath, not letting go her hold, so he bends down in order to tell what she said.

"Are you mad at me?" Katie whispered, her words blow into his ears and made his heart sink.

"No."

"Okay." She let go and disappear to the bathroom. He let out a long sigh and walk out the room with Katie's bag in his hands.

"She didn't sleep last night." Miranda said as he's out the cabin, he stopped as she speaks.

That explains the dark circle. "Nightmare?"

"No, just staying up. You didn't stay yesterday." She stated, narrowing her eyes then sighed. He simply stood there, not daring to move. "Go fix what ever happen between you two, gods, you need to know that you're no longer just a friend to her. Your actions are meant to mean something. You can't brush off when you're in mood, think of what she experienced during childhood and tell me what you just did." Miranda march off after dropping the bomb. Her father, get angry and locked up his daughter in the dark. Double fucked up now.

Travis reached to the car, Connor already leaning against the passenger door in the back. He noticed his brother approaching and throw him the car keys. Travis put Katie's bag in the trunk alone with his and Connor's, he ran over his thoughts then decided to open his bag, pulling out his black T-shirt he planned to use as pajamas. He climbed in the driver's seat and throw the shirt in the back. Connor sit there in confuse.

"What's this?" Connor stared at the shirt he just tossed.

"You come sit in the front." He doesn't want to explain the reason of him pulling out a shirt. So he did the second best thing he can do these days: ignore aka brush off. (The best is stealing, just a reminder.)

"Why?"

"Katie's sitting in the back." His brother just looked at him. "Miranda told me she didn't sleep last night, so she is going to sleep back there while we're driving." He paused for a second and said, "You and I take turns, driving that is."

"Twenty." His dear brother didn't say the currency, so dollar it is.

"Deal." Then Connor make himself to the front when Katie popped out just in time. She wears a plain white T-shirt and a pair of slightly ripped jeans, her hair isn't styled, just brushed. Her face showed the fact she barely slept last night, tired and eyes almost closed. He noticed the clothe in her hands is his shirt she wore earlier.

"Hello," and she yawned, "I heard there is food. Also, can you open the trunk please, I have things need to put in." She looked at them, Connor hands her a plastic bag with bread in it after she put the shirt in her bag in the trunk, then he gesture her to sit in the back. She hummed a thanks and the two climb in the car.

"Eat then get some sleep." Travis said after starting up the car and bring the three of them on road. Katie silently eats the bread, the car fill with the sound of plastic bag muffling.

"Trav," Katie speaks after finishing her breakfast. Connor snapped his head to him as Katie said the nickname while Travis blinked in surprise. She never uses it with others' presentation, only when they are alone. "this is yours." She is talking about the black shirt.

"Put it on then sleep." He stared at her in the eyes through the rearview mirror. "Miranda said you didn't rest; everyone can see your black circles."

"Thanks." She threw the shirt over her head and lay down at the back seat, passing out under a minute.

"The tension between you guys..." Connor sighed. "And I'm just here suffocating." He murmured.

"Shut up."

-Katie-

She woke up with a bag of McDonald's at the middle between the front set which doesn't exist when she lay down and sleep. She scratched out her limbs and sits up before taking Travis' shirt off her. The shirt owner turned around, noticing her awake.

"Did you get some rest?" Travis asked quietly.

Yes, I did. With you in the same room and wearing your shirt. But I still thinks I scared you because you ran off yesterday. You are the reason I can't sleep as much as the reason I can sleep.

But she didn't say the words she thought in her mind, she simply nodded, knowing he is looking through the mirror. There are music coming out from Travis' phone, some pure guitar music, Connor is nodding off beside him. Then she wants to ask him what time is it but the strange atmosphere in the car is daring her to ask. She tried to read the pointer on his watch but failed.

"It's 2." He suddenly speaks.

"What?"

"The time? I thought you're about to ask."

"Oh. Yeah, right." Super awkward silence, the last thing she assumed it will happen between them.

"I'm sorry, for ditching you like that. I just... freaked out." He said, breaking the silence.

"I thought I scared you off." She said weakly before he let out a questioning hum. "Like forever." He nodded in realization.

"I'll make it up to you." He promised.

"Just... don't left that again."

"Okay." Back to silence, but the awkward long gone. "By the way, we're going to stay at Charlottle tonight, and will arrive at my mother's tomorrow noon. There are burgers in the paper bag, have some if you are hungry." He told her.

"I'll pass, do you have some?"

"... No." She sighed, of course he hasn't eaten, he is driving.

"What do you want, I'll give you."

"Big Mac." She looked in the bag and takes out the burger, handing over the food after open the wrapper.

"If you are tired, just wake Connor up or I can be driver too." She told him.

"It's fine, he's gonna drive tomorrow." He nodded at Connor, assuring her before take his first bite.

*Demeter pic

They went to eat tacos for dinner then settled in a motel next to the highway. Thank Gods there is no 'only one room and one bed left' scene happened like those cheesy romance book. They get a room for three with a double bed and a single. At first, she is considering sleeping in the single bed even though she wants to cuddle with Travis. Thanks to Connor, he suggested that he can own the single bed so his brother and her can sleep in the big one. And for that, all the killing Connor project is cancelled, for now. Travis went in the shower first before any of them protested.

"I'll go wash next." Katie told the brothers, then grabbed her clothes, rush in the bathroom. As she stepped in the shower, the smell of mint hit her and she almost let out a giddy smile. She held back her giggles; afraid the sound will be heard by the two people outside. Finishing the shower as quick as she could, she looked down at the pile of clothes she brought in the shower as she's about to change, then Katie cursed herself. She didn't notice that she grabbed the wrong clothes she's planning to wear; instead of her normal sleeping shirt, she took Travis' T-shirt that she wore in the car. Without other chooses, she put on the shirt which length all the way down to her thigh. Katie knew Travis won't mind her wearing his clothes, it's just embarrassed to do it in front of his brother, he is Travis' family before he is her friend. She gathered all her courage and steps out the bathroom. The boys turned as she walk out, Travis chocked on the water he was drinking as he saw the shirt on her body, while Connor opened his mouth and about to make an opinion about it.

"Before you two say anything, I grabbed the wrong shirt." She needs to stop it before something happen. The something includes Connor making a big fuss and Travis questioning about the reason of her appearance.

"Whatever you say, Katie." Connor smirked. She threw the nearest pillow in front of her at his stupid face.

"Ouch, I'm go shower." Connor stands up and disappear behind the door.

"It's looks good on you." Travis said after his throat calm down and Connor start showering. "You can keep it if you want?"

"Do you have any shirt left after you giving me so much?" She chuckled. There are at least six Travis' shirt in her closet right now.

"I can buy some when we go to the mall." She hummed at his answer.

"Let's go to sleep before Connor come out. We don't want him gushing around us when we tried to get some sleep." She spoke as she noticed the water in the shower stopped running.

"Ohh, wish to cuddle, are we?" He smirked.

"Shut up." She smiley hushed him. "Or are you speaking for yourself?" She gave him a Cheshire grin.

"Maybe." He said after they laid down in the double bed, his arms circle around her waist. Then Connor decided to come out at the same time.

"Whoa, you guys are so... touchy?" He makes a comment. Katie closed her eyes, pretends falling asleep; leaving the chaos to Travis.

"You didn't see anything!" She heard Travis hissed.

"Go to sleep buddy, don't wake her up." There's no need to open her eyes that Katie can see the way Connor wiggling his eyebrows.

What she didn't know is that Connor snapped a photo of her and Travis cuddling as she turned around and buried her face in his chest.

-Travis-

"Is she coming out?" Connor asked him.

"Two more minutes."

"You know what, I go in first. You guys can catch up later when you are really."

"Thanks, bro." He nodded at his brother and turns back to Katie, who is sitting next to him, literally vibrating.

They hit the road this morning and Connor is the one driving. Then Katie started to panic when they were minutes till their mother's house, Connor parked the car in the garage while Travis' tried to calm Katie down. They have been sitting in the car for a solid 10 minutes before Connor decided to greet Mom first and get off the car.

"Kates, just say hello, put your things in my room, eat lunch then we can go to the mall. Sounds good."

"Yeah, yeah. Seems like a good plan, but the say hello part just freak me out!" She is now looking down at her tangled hands.

"My mom isn't some series killer, okay? Besides she is the one who invite you over. No one will call someone they don't want to meet to their house, right?" He said softly, starting to talk some sense into her.

"Tell me again, why does she want to meet me at the first place?"

"Because, Connor slipped that I'm seeing someone."

"And how should I state myself?"

"Just tell her you are a friend." And that doesn't hurt, at all.

"If anything goes wrong, it's Connor's fault." Now here's her conclusion, which he second that.

"You can say that, but, " He lifted her chin, forced her looking up at him. "Nothing will go wrong. I promise."

She stared at him, take in a breath, then reach for the car handle. "Okay, I'm ready." Katie pushed herself out of the car and steps aside, giving him space to come out. They opened the front door after Travis fishing the key out his bag.

"Mom?" Travis looked around the living room, figured that his mom and Connor might be somewhere else in the house.

"In the kitchen, hon!" His mom replied.

"Come on." He took Katie's hand and lead her to the kitchen.

His mother is bringing the foods on the table, Connor is helping beside her. She looked up at the two people who just come in and give them the motherly smile.

"Give me a hug." Travis chuckled at his mother and give her a bear hug. She ruffed his hair and look over his shoulder. "Want to introduce to me?" She whispered to his son.

"This is Katie Garnder, her godly parent is Demeter, though you want to know, and she's my —"

"Friend. I'm Travis and Connor's friend, Mrs. Stoll." Katie cut into the sentence. She shifted the weight of her body from her right leg to her left, showing her awkwardness.

"Good to see you, dear. The boys, especially this one, spoke of you a lot." Travis can feel the blush creeping up his cheeks. "Call me Jenny well be fine. Mrs. Stoll sounds old." She gave Katie a little smile, he can tell Katie is more comfortable after she and mom exchange a few words, her shoulders untensed and fingers no longer fudging.

"Do want to put your things? Also have a tour at Travis' room?" He heard his mom asked Katie, seeing the bags around their feet.

"Yeah, no problem. Thank you, Jenny." Katie gave her a smile nod, then tugged the hem of his shirt. He picked up their bag silently and walk upstairs, Katie tagging alone. They went to his room and shut the door.

"Your mom doesn't know I'm sleeping in your room"

"If she knows, she will be planning the wedding now." He sighed, knowing how enthusiastic his mother is on her children's romance.

Katie looks around the room before saying, "It's cleaner than I expected."

"My mother can be scary if she wants to." She hummed and lay down in his bed. The atmosphere room suddenly feels too sleepy. Still, he let her stay there for a few minutes.

"Let's go down and eat. We'll fall asleep if you stay like this."

"You caught me." Katie sits up, pouting her lips.

"The mall date after lunch, remember?" He opened the door, gesture her out the door.

"You are an expert on how to cheer me up." She jumped up, the drowsy look on her face seconds before all gone. Katie surprised him by grabbing his hand as she walked pass him, he froze and look down when Katie tried to pull him forwards.

"What's wrong?" He didn't look up.

"Hand." She dropped it the moment the word come out of his mouth.

"Sorry." His head shot up and saw her bitter face.

"No! I like it, just, surprised."

"Okay." She picked his hand up again, he can feel she tighten her grip. They showed up at the table hand in hand, though mom didn't say anything besides a knowing smirk, he knew he's gonna be teased for the whole time they are staying here.

This is my longest chapter so far! And the last chapter of this story is coming soon!

A little heads up: this work is going to end with them being official, so no in a relationship stuff. (If that's what you're wandering ;)

I know this is a little short for most of you, so my next work is gonna be big! Leave comment and tell me what you guy want to know about it. I might answer some of your question in the next update~

-Elva