“All right, who is ready to get owned?” Leander piped up, which made me turn and laugh at what he’d done. He had set up the Xbox with Dance Central. We were going to play like we did back on my birthday. Memories of those first dances, watching Tristan bust a move, and trying to figure out if I should give him a chance. I scoffed at my own thoughts. I never had a chance. My heart and soul knew I was meant to be his, from the moment I saw him. I was fighting the inevitable.
Walking over excitedly, I was ready to dance with my friends.
“Okay, me first, and not something too hard. I have a feeling I’ll be worn out after two songs or so. But I wanna watch. Will you play?” I turned to Tristan, ready to beg.
“Anything for you love. But you know I’m unbeatable, right?” he winked and strolled over. This was exactly what we needed. Some fun. Even though we all knew there was danger waiting around the corner, we needed this to keep morale up, to give us hope that things were going to be all right. Being surrounded by the people I love, in this light atmosphere, was making me believe that even more than before.
Leander and I went first. Just like old times, when we used to play this together in our apartment for hours. I missed the old lug. He was my brother; not by blood, but in all the ways that mattered. I missed him talking with his mouth full of cereal. I missed reading a book on the couch while he sat on the other end.
“Let’s show them how we roll, Budda belly and all.” He winked and then swiped the song so it would begin. He chose “Firework” by Katy Perry. This one wasn’t too hard. I noticed he didn’t put it on the most difficult setting, either. We danced, laughed, and had fun. When the song was over, I was slightly out of breath and felt like I had gotten a workout.
“Ok, Someone tag me out.” I held out a hand and Tristan tapped it while helping me down to the couch. Dancing was no joke with two babies on board.
Lacey and I were laughing up a storm watching our guys dance to “Moves Like Jagger” by Maroon 5. I had just watched Tristan go bad ass on people outside not even 24 hours ago, and now he was busting a move to a video game. I loved him so much. He even went to get us pizza really quick. Leander was happy about that, and so was I. Pizza sounded amazing right now. We were laughing and having so much fun when Orion appeared in the foyer, looking at us strangely.
“We have pizza?” I offered with smile. He was sort of one of us now. He just shook his head and went to his quarters. I felt bad, but tried to shrug it off. He had helped us so much since the arena. I could feel uncertainty coming from him, and then a smidge of guilt. Maybe it was the pizza soothing my soul, or just that I’ve never truly been one to hold a grudge, but I decided I would try to show him that we could be friends now, if he wanted. I wondered, when this whole battle was over, what he would do in life? Continue being his mother’s little warrior? Try to settle down somewhere? Besides his little minions at his compound in Greece, I didn’t really know if he could call anyone a friend. I got up, catching Tristan’s eye as he took an enormous bite of pizza. He knew what I was up to, and he was ok with me doing it. But I felt caution in him. Orion wouldn’t hurt me. I walked down the hall to the wing he was staying in, assuming he would be behind the only door that was closed. I knocked.
“Come in.” Slowly, I opened the door and saw Orion sitting on a chair, working on his bow. It was quite beautiful, for a bow. Traditional, wooden, with intricate carvings along its side.
“Beautiful bow,” I commented, trying to break the ice. The room was much like the rest of the house in design: a single bed with cotton sheets. White. A table and a long chaise that he was sitting on, then a bathroom set off to the side.
“Thanks. Everything okay?” he asked, probably knowing what I was on my mind.
“Yeah, I just figured I’d come offer you an olive branch of pizza and fun. You’re welcome to join us.” I gestured out to where you could hear Lacey laughing. He set his bow down, and looked at me.
“I’m good. You should probably get back to them.” He was brushing me off. Nicely, but still a rejection.
“Okay. Well, you don’t have to hide in here the whole time. We do appreciate all your help.” I started to back away and retreat, but he stood and started to speak.
“Thank you, I don’t deserve you being nice to me.” His golden eyes held pain. I took a step closer and grabbed his hand, sending some happiness into his body.
“You’ve saved me, and my family. The past is the past. It’s time to be happy and find peace.” It was a beautiful moment to watch his eyes close and enjoy that slither of happiness I was pushing into him. Then my stomach growled. His eyes opened but held mirth in their golden hue.
“Happiness and peace for me is another couple of slices of pizza, apparently.” I let go of his hand and started walking towards the door. But before I walked out, he stopped me.
“Thank you, Thalia.” He nodded and went back to the chaise. Our little chat was over, but I felt confident that something moved inside him. Maybe not now, but he would find peace in his long life.
