Demigods, Dates and Dragons

The wind is whipping Silena’s hair, sending them into my face. Usually, I’d mind, but it’s freshly washed and smells like all sorts of berries, so I wrap my hands around Silena’s waist tighter and nuzzle at the back of her head and neck.
‘Where are we going?’ she asks me, with her voice being carried away.
‘Astoria, Queens. We’re eating Greek tonight,’ I reply with a wink, hoping that the wind will carry my words away.
From the scalding scowl she gives me, I feel that I’ll regret my choice pretty soon. Getting from Long Island to Astoria might take an hour, maybe an hour and a half tops, depending on the traffic.
But when you fly? In less than thirty minutes we were there. Felicity landed smoothly in the empty parking lot and Silena and I get off. I shift my weight.
Not carrying a weapon or anything, while out in the city with Silena sounds foolish, but we both need some serious time-off.
I’ve seen her packing tension for weeks. And right then, under the really poor lighting of the park, she seemed to cool down, her muscles finally unknotting. Her pout remained on her face, however.
‘So, where is he?’ she asks, kind of bitterly looking around. ‘We could go anywhere in the city and you had to bring us here, didn’t you?’
I shrug. ‘I thought it’d be romantic. A little change. For a camp full of demigods of the Greek gods we could really use some more Greek food.
She smirks and hugs me. Day after day, I work in a forge. I give shape to molten metals and minerals and their charring temperature doesn’t matter a bit. But that moment, like in every occasion she touches me, I want to ignite. And at the same time, she cools me down.
She strokes my chest over my shirt and then my hand and slowly purrs, ‘Guess all this metalworking and training really pays off, doesn’t it, my little cornball?’
I nibble on my tongue, getting ready to answer when I hear the clapping. Immediately, I put my hand over Silena but she doesn’t sit idly. She shifts her whole body, getting ready for a fight.
‘If it isn’t the cutest couple I’ve seen.’ Diomedes’s voice drowns in sarcasm and amusement. I relax and shoot a quick glance at Silena. Her face is so sour you’d think she drank milk that has gone bad or something. Figures. Diomedes tends to have that effect.
He’s coming out of the shadows with that smile of superiority and arrogance. The upper half of his face is hidden in his curly, brown hair, which is strange, for a son of Athena. He wears aviator glasses, even though it’s night. Like always, he hates it when people stare into his stormy grey eyes, because “they find them unsettling”. His loose tee is black and around his jeans, there's an apron.
‘So, the beauty and the beast. Ready for your little romantic date. Beckendorf had me prepare something extra special for tonight Silena. I’m only worrying that once your grimace comes across my food, it will freeze it solid,’ Diomedes says. Silena growls softly but trying my best for this night to go as well as I had it planned, I curl her palm into mine and give her a quick peck.
Then I give Diomedes my death-glare. He sighs and cracks his fingers.
‘I’m sorry,’ he murmurs in his best apologetic manner. ‘Cheap shots are my thing. I thought you’d remember this. I mean I haven’t been away for that long.’
Silena whispers at me, ‘Of all the places we could have been, you bring us to the rogue.’ Her voice is shaking with anger.
Diomedes turns without another word, beckoning us to follow him. I exasperate and lowering my head, I kiss her on her hair tenderly.
‘I know Dio is a poor choice, but he’s doing this for free. You have to admit, besides Dio being, well… Dio, he’s one hell of a cook,’ I talk to her as we follow Diomedes out of the parking lot and into an alley.
‘Sure, let’s just look past the fact that he was caught meddling around with dark magic and eat his divine salad and grilled greens,’ Silena ripostes, squeezing my hand.
‘I told him to make his stuffed peppers and tomatoes,’ I tell her with a kiss, trying to lift her spirits.
But I’m hearing what she’s saying.
Diomedes is the same age as me and Silena. He used to be a camper. A strange one. His mortal parent is a Greek expatriate from Alexandria, Egypt, thus making Diomedes completely Greek. Like all his siblings, his greatest interest lied in attaining knowledge. But he never wanted to build something or design the blueprints of the world’s next wonder, like Annabeth.
No, Diomedes’s interests were far more dangerous and dark. He was a fast learner of dark magic, wielding elements to destroy and annihilate. He was expelled, three years back, the moment Chiron found out.
Still, Dio is a friend, so I did keep up with him. He went to his father’s relatives and lives in Astoria.
He leads us up the stairs of the apartment building his family owns. On the ground floor is where their tavern is located. Diomedes’s apartment is on the last floor. He opens the door and Silena and I take a quick glance inside. Comic books and novels are scattered all over the place.
Diomedes curses as he stumbles over things, trying to find the light switch. When he finally does, and the lights turn on, Silena does gasp. I don’t mind a mess. Some of it, I like. I can take it. My roommates/siblings never have scored much to the cabin inspection but Dio’s place…
Believe me, it’s a dump.
The guy has so many comic books, books and magazines that you literally can’t see the floor. Diomedes turns at us with a grin.
‘So, what’s my score for the cabin inspection, Silena?’ he asks. All I do is watch Silena walk up to him. She walks up to him and before I can blink, she grabs his collar and throws him to his side.
‘I get it, Dio. You’re pugnacious. Messy. And you haven’t changed one bit,’ she adds with a smile. I approach them as Silena helps Diomedes back on his feet.
‘And I know that with this big, thick head of yours, you learn pretty easy,’ Silena growls. ‘So, let Charlie and me have this night for us.’
Diomedes moans and turns at me. ‘You really know how to pick them, huh Charlie?’
Alright, now he’s crossed my lines. I step up to him and tower over him. Mega death-glare time.
‘Alright, alright. Let me get your jacket. Take the left door at the end of the corridor. The stairs there will take you to the roof,’ Dio murmurs and I hand him my jacket.
He goes to take a hanger. All I can do is smile as Silena turns at me.
‘What?’ she says with a small laugh.
‘Nothing. It’s just Dio is right. I sure did pick you,’ I say, smiling till my cheeks hurt.
‘C’mon. This is our night,’ she tells me. Silena grabs my hand and rushes to the door, with me following her. The only thing faster than her, is my heart, fluttering from the excitement and joy.
When I see what’s waiting for us, I make a mental note to congratulate Dio. Silena gasps and turns to me in an instant giving a passionate kiss. Suddenly, my head gets the urge to blow up.
‘Charlie, it’s so beautiful,’ Silena exclaims hugging me tightly. I kiss her forehead and take her to the table.
The wind is slightly brisk. The candlelight flickers but other than that there is no sound.
Usually, on a Saturday night, this district should be packed. But nothing than the wind and Silena can be heard up here.
I look at the sky. It might be the only thing more breathtaking than Silena. But don’t tell my siblings that. Or my dad. Because it’s something natural and not constructed in a workshop or a forge or anything.
Diomedes approaches, carrying mouthwatering platters of his food and once he puts it on the neat table with the candlelight, he moves to the door.
‘The wine is in the ice bucket by Silena’s feet. I’ve cast a small spell so no sound from the city will disturb you. I’m going to the tavern. If you need anything just let out a shout.’
Silena thanks him and stares into my eyes. I feel my face burning from the inside when she says, without breaking eye-contact. ‘Don’t worry Diomedes. All we need are right here!’

Notes