"Hey Alex," Reyna began as she leaned on the counter. Alex turned towards her, beer in hand. "I hope you don't mind me asking, but today is..."
"Female," Alex confirmed. Reyna nodded and grabbed a beer. "You know, you're pretty cool about this. Percy was too, but most of the people I meet give me crap or harsh looks."
"I'm not going to judge anyone for their choices," Reyna said with a shrug. She downed her beer and winced. Truthfully, Reyna hated this family reunion. Annabeth hadn't been joking about her family being old-fashioned. And assholes on top of that.
Reyna didn't mind any slights thrown her way. She just ignored them, but when they brought up Annabeth or Alex, that angered Reyna. She hated to hear shit like that, and it took most of her willpower to not comment. Reyna had slipped once, but she was trying harder to keep her temper now.
"I appreciate that," Alex said. "You're pretty damn cool. Almost as cool as Percy."
"Almost?" Reyna asked in mock shock. A small smirk came to her face. "You and Magnus are the coolest of Annabeth's family. Well, her stepbrothers too."
"Because they idolize you," Magnus commented as he walked up towards them. He wrapped an arm around Alex and pulled her close. "Is anyone bothering you?"
"No," Alex promised. She looked at Reyna. "That reminds me: thanks. Annabeth said that you corrected some of the old farts and got a little snappy at them. I appreciate it."
"It's like they go out of their way to misgender you. I don't know how you haven't strangled them yet," Reyna commented. She felt a vibration in her pocket. Reyna grabbed her phone. "Sorry. I have to take this."
Reyna threw her beer bottle away and walked towards the front door. Every day of this vacation involved spending half of the day at Annabeth's father's house. Reyna was more than ready to leave by dinnertime, and Annabeth took her to the best restaurants in town like she was trying to make up for her family.
"Hey," Reyna said as she answered her phone. "I didn't forget to text you, did I?"
"No," Hylla replied. "I just wanted to hear your voice. Merry Christmas."
"Merry Christmas," Reyna said as a smile came to her face. She leaned on the rental car and stared at the snow on the ground. "If it makes you feel better, I hate it here. Annabeth's family is horrible. Kind of makes me glad we don't know our family."
"As long as we have each other," Hylla said. Reyna tried to figure out if her sister was upset or happy. More guilt shot through her.
"I really am sorry, Hylla. I wasn't even thinking when I brought up the offer," Reyna explained. Hylla sighed.
"I'm not mad, Reyna. I was disappointed, but I understand. You're not going to get out of spending time with me," Hylla warned. Reyna laughed. She felt her phone vibrate again.
"One second. I'm getting another call," Reyna said. She looked at her phone and saw that Thalia was calling her. Then, she put her phone back to her ear. "I'll take you and Kinzie out to eat when I get back. Or, I can try to make something. I'm just not good at cooking."
"I'm amazing at cooking," Hylla bragged. Reyna rolled her eyes. "Do you need to answer that call?"
"It's just Thalia," Reyna answered. Her sister didn't respond for a few moments. "You're more important, and I texted her already. So, are you and Kinzie not going to her parents' place?"
"No," Hylla answered in a low tone. "Kinzie only talks to her mom. Her father doesn't want her around."
"I'm sorry," Reyna said. She lowered her head. "That makes me feel even worse."
"You don't have to, Reyna. I forgive you. I do want you to enjoy your trip. Just don't do anything too crazy," Hylla warned. Reyna felt herself blushing for no reason. "I know Annabeth is pretty hot."
"I'm hanging up," Reyna deadpanned. Her sister laughed. "Why does everyone like to mess with me?"
"Because it's so easy," Hylla explained. Reyna rolled her eyes. "I have a question for you? Are you happy with Thalia? It just seems like you aren't."
"I am," Reyna replied instantly. She frowned and looked down. "It's just a learning process. I'm trying to let her in like I'm letting you in, but it's hard. She's not patient with me, and it only pisses me off. Other than that, we're doing fine."
"You don't really talk about her," Hylla noted. Reyna remained silent. "I talk about Kinzie all the time. You've called me out on that. When I talk about Kinzie or even think about her, my eyes light up. I can't stop smiling. You don't really act like that."
"It's just not how I thought it would be," Reyna mumbled after a few moments. She sighed and rubbed her forehead. "This is going to sound stupid."
"It's not," Hylla reassured. "You can tell me."
Reyna stared at the ground and played with the words in her head. She finally sighed, "I just... I thought it would be different. I don't know how to explain it. When we first dated, it was great. And, I know I screwed it up. It's my fault. That's why I'm trying this time, but it's not like how it was."
"I wish I could describe it," Reyna continued. She sat on the hood of the rental car. "It's different this time, and I don't like it. I'm not enjoying it like I did before. Things feel different. I don't know if it's because Thalia isn't trying. Is she hesitant to treat this relationship like she did before? I can't blame her for that."
"I just wish it was like before," Reyna whispered. She sighed again and hung her head.
"Are you going to break up with her?" Hylla asked gently.
"I'm not there yet. I probably just need to talk to her," Reyna answered. Hylla hummed in confirmation. "And, I don't think I could break up with her anyway. It would make me look bad. Especially after how I acted wanting to get with her."
"What do I do?" Reyna questioned herself.
"You have to do what you think is best, Reyna. Even if it hurts," Hylla answered. "If you are not happy with your relationship, you need to talk to Thalia about it. Just wait until after Christmas."
"I will," Reyna promised. She looked up. "I should get back. I love you, Hylla."
"I love you too," Hylla answered. Reyna smiled brightly. "Merry Christmas again."
"Merry Christmas," Reyna said, and her sister hung up. Reyna pocketed her phone and stood from the rental. She walked back inside and saw that most of Annabeth's family were gathered near the table. Christmas dinner would be starting soon. Hopefully, it would be the last time they have to be here.
Reyna's eyes moved around. She hadn't seen Annabeth for about thirty minutes. When Reyna had left her, Annabeth had been taking shots like they were going out of style. She really hoped that Annabeth wasn't drunk. That would make for an awkward dinner.
"Reyna," a voice said. Reyna turned and looked at Annabeth's father. Frederick studied her quietly. Reyna was vaguely aware that the entire family was looking in her direction. A small pit formed in her gut. Why did it feel like she had missed something? "We need to talk."
"No, we needs zoo talk," Annabeth interrupted as she appeared from the kitchen. She was holding onto an empty bottle of beer. Reyna turned her head and stared at Annabeth. Her fake date was drunk. Very drunk.
Annabeth stumbled as she crossed the distance towards her father. Reyna slowly reached out to steady her. Annabeth's breath stank of alcohol, and her eyes were bloodshot. She seemed to be swaying on her feet, not to mention how she spoke.
"Annabeth," Frederick began. His eyes moved to look at his family behind them. "Why don't we talk somewhere private?"
"So you can hide the disappointment?" Annabeth slurred. Her voice was loud, and she glared. "Whasss the wurst part? Being bi? Or my job?"
Reyna stared at Annabeth. Her mind was yelling at her to interrupt and lead Annabeth out of there. Instead, she just stood there and watched. The rest of the family stared too.
"I don't want to be a fucking housewife," Annabeth almost shouted. "I am not going to be a s..scholar. Or a teacher. Fuck that. I am a fighter."
"I don't care what any of you think," Annabeth slurred as she looked at the rest of her family. "I'm tired of seeking approval from bitter, old bastards. I am bisexual, and I can date anyone that I want."
Annabeth turned towards the elders of the family and continued her rant, "All of the gran-chillren are not disappintments. Magnus and Alex do great work with troubled and homeless kids. They touch more people's lives in a good way in one week than the rest of you have in your life!"
"Percy is good too. He is one of the sweetest and kindest people that I know. Reyna is amazing. And, being a fighter doesn't mean I'm a brute. You can't get past your misconceptions to see that studying and preparing for an opponent isn't easy. Fighting is like a chess match."
"Just because I'm bisexual does not mean I can't carry on the legacy of this family," Annabeth snarled. Her anger masked her slur, and the longer she spoke, the louder and somehow clearer she got. It seemed like all of her pent up emotions were finally releasing. "I can have a kid by traditional means or even adopting one! It would be the same damn thing! And, who the hell would want to carry on this legacy of racism and homophobia?"
"And," Annabeth hissed. She turned towards her father. "I wish I could tell you that I don't care what you think about me. That I don't care that you think I am a disappointment. The truth is that it hurts! I feel like you don't even want me. Like you only took me in because my mother abandoned us. I'm supposed to be your daughter, but I feel like a stranger to you."
"Just admit that you don't care about me. I don't ever have to come back. I'll stay away and never bother you again," Annabeth finished. She stumbled slightly and seemed to be fighting a hiccup.
Reyna stared slack jawed as Annabeth concluded her rant. Frederick stood there and looked like he had been hit between the eyes. The rest of Annabeth's family was standing there and just gawking. Alex and Magnus stood in the back corner. Magnus looked shocked, but Alex was giving them a thumbs up.
"Annabeth, we should go," Reyna began as she gently grabbed Annabeth's shoulder and pulled her towards the living room. She would get Annabeth back to the hotel and get her plenty of food to help sober her up. Thankfully, Annabeth didn't fight her as they made it to the living room.
It was still dead silent, and Reyna risked a glance back at the family. She almost tripped on the couch as she tried to walk backward. Annabeth suddenly stopped walking and took a deep breath. Reyna spoke quickly, "Annabeth, let's just go. You're pretty drunk."
"And?" Annabeth slurred. She turned towards Reyna and stumbled into her. Reyna caught the older woman and barely stopped them from falling onto the couch. Annabeth stared into her eyes. Reyna went to speak, but before she could, Annabeth kissed her.
The world froze for Reyna. Her eyes widened, and she saw that most of Annabeth's family, especially the elder ones, were watching in pure disgust. Annabeth's stepmother and step brothers were just watching with a neutral look. Frederick looked like he was still shell-shocked from Annabeth's rant. Reyna focused back on the beautiful but drunk woman still kissing her.
Technically, they agreed that kissing was fine, but Reyna didn't think drunk kissing was fine. She also didn't get a warning. Annabeth's breath smelled terrible as well. If Reyna didn't kiss back, would that wash away the illusion of them dating? Then again, Annabeth was drunk. It wouldn't be right to kiss her back and take advantage of her drunken state.
Reyna pulled away slightly and spoke, "Annabeth. Come on."
Annabeth stepped forward and stumbled directly into Reyna. As Reyna did her best to catch Annabeth, her own foot hit the couch's leg, and she lost her balance this time. Reyna fell back on the couch, and Annabeth fell on top of her.
Annabeth hiccuped and groaned. Reyna stared up at Annabeth and felt her heart beating out of her chest. Then, her mind froze up on her as Annabeth kissed her again. A lot more forcibly this time. Reyna felt a tongue trying to slip into her mouth, and she pulled her head away as much as she could.
Thankfully, Annabeth didn't try to force the kiss anymore. She pulled away slightly and lowered her head with a groan. Reyna spoke, "Annabeth, we should-"
And Annabeth vomited directly onto her.