Hi, Guys. Yes, today is April Fools' Day. No, this isn't a prank.
It's a one-shot, I guess. Of Percy and Luke and Victoria in their early days.
Yes, I was going to make this super angsty and tell you it's a prank. I don't know what happened.
Percy literally went like, "nope. You're not doing this today. Step aside, it's my story."
So, you are getting a treat.
P.s. I'm also doing a new chapter of my new sequel to A Change in the Sea and Fire, the Travels of the Τελευταία. It is a bit more saddening than this one, so feel free to read that one.
The skies are clear. Clearer than I expected for a day like this.
Living on Chaon has been confusing. For me. For Luke.
It's like Earth sometimes. Nature is alive here. There are communities of people living together. A ruler that keeps this place together. On Earth it would be the governor or king or whatever. Here, it would be Chaos and his Army.
I see them sometimes. His Army. Going on patrols, helping someone out. I watch from my living room's window as their spaceship flies off to another planet, ready to fight. Ready to win. I've seen plenty in three hundred years. The only thing I haven't seen? The spaceship flying in the direction of Earth. I would know. There's a telltale sound when they take off.
The skies are usually reflecting the galaxy. The millions of stars. On rare occasions, the sun. A bleak mimicry because Apollo does not shine his light on Chaon. Sometimes, it's better that way.
I sat on the top of the roof, my knees bent and held close to my chest. I was alone today. Luke took Victoria to play with people her age. I finished doing my part of the chores. There's nothing for me to do other than admire Chaon from where I sit.
Our house wasn't so bad, all things considered. It shouldn't be bad, seeing as we fell in love with it the moment we stepped foot in Chaon.
It's secluded, at the foot of a forest. It was one of the few forests that didn't inhabit any dangerous monsters, so we rarely cared when the Army came by. They didn't most of the time, maybe once in a blue moon.
Three-story high, with a rooftop garden. It came with all the necessities, with a few others that I need for my job.
Compared to others, it's actually quite small. But it's cosy and filled with love. It reminds me of my mother, when life was just the two of us, and I adored it.
The sound of the roof door creaking open woke me from my reverie. Luke stood behind those doors, holding hands with a sixteen-year-old Victoria Nkosi. She regarded me with frosty eyes. She always did like Luke more than me.
Her father was a monster, but he was still her father.
"You're back early." I straightened my legs, leaning back against the tiled roof. Watching, as Luke murmured to Victoria and she ran back in, most likely to bathe. Then, he crossed the distance in five long strides, climbing up the wall and sitting down next to me.
He wrapped his arm around my shoulder, pulling me closer. I sighed in content, closing my eyes. "Why are you back so soon?"
Luke kissed my forehead. "Vic wanted to be back in time for lunch." The, she's afraid she will be scolded, was unsaid.
"I'm not cooking today." I told him. He's so warm. "Just go back. If she's hungry, get her something to eat. I don't want to move today."
He reached his hand out, and I tangled our left hands together. His rough skin against mine. He kissed the back of my palm before getting to his feet. He didn't leave though, instead he held his hand out for me. "What's wrong, Angel?"
Today is my mother's birthday. I wanted to tell him. It used to be my favourite day of the year.
I didn't say it out loud. We barely started dating a few months ago. Then, I brought Victoria back with me. Not to mention everything that happened before that. I don't want to give him more trouble. He will never protest, never complain, but I know him. These years weren't any easier for him.
My gaze fell to the ground. The far, far ground, more than 30 feet away.
I want to jump. It won't kill me, but it will hurt. I deserve it, don't I? Piper said I should. I just want to do things right for once.
Then, I squeezed my eyes shut, wincing. Luke stared back at me, emotionlessly, his hand crushing mine. Maybe a bit more, and something will break.
"I don't want you to lie to me, Angel." He let go of my hand again, not before forcing me to my feet. "You don't have to tell me, but today is important to you, isn't it? You can't just stay here for the whole day. Go out with me. Take a walk through the forest. Let's go east today."
"But-" I shot him a lost look. "Victoria needs someone to take care of her."
He dismissed my worry with a wave of his hand. "She's a grown girl. She's 16, for Chaos' sake. We're leaving her to stay in the house by herself. Not throwing her into a pack of rabid wolves. She can look out for herself. For a few hours at least."
From an outsider's perspective, that is true. But I brought Victoria here. She's my responsibility, I didn't want to just leave her be.
Luke went quiet, letting me decide. Finally, I sighed in defeat, nodding gingerly. He instantly brightened, a smile brought forth.
I want to know what I did in my past life to get a man like this.
Getting up on my tiptoes, I cupped his face, bringing our bodies closer as I kissed him.
Surprised, Luke acted instinctively, holding my waist close, another arm snaking up my back and resting on my neck.
I love you.
The thought on both of our minds, but neither of us said it.
Hesitantly, I ran a hand down the glass, recalling that memory.
In the photo, Luke and I were so happy, traipsing in the forest. He took the photo once I climbed a tree, his face nearly covering me in the image. We found a rare flower, glowing in the moonlight. It reminded me of Calypso's moonlace, and I had to see it up close.
I missed when times were as easy as this.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Victoria's voice rang clear. I hastily covered the photo again, putting it back with the rest and locking it up before vanishing the key.
Just in time as well, she opened the door. "You ready?" Her bow in her hand. "We need to leave soon, Percy. It's time for departure."
Yes. We're leaving for Earth. Going to defeat Order.
Maybe I can see Luke again.
Maybe I can kiss him all over again. Tell him I love him. Tell him I miss him.
There was a time for that later.
Right now, I slung my bag over my shoulder and tugged Victoria close, grinning as she squirmed. "Alright, let's go."
Percy is just depressed right now. Wait two more days for an official chapter. Technically, you can consider this an official chapter.
Funny enough, I wasn't going to post this, but you all deserve it.
Thank you for reading my story.