Breakfast and a show (at least for everyone else)

You run through the rest of your morning rituals and get dressed in your jeans and t-shirt. You decide that if Tantalus wants to ruin your life, your going to enjoy everyday to the best of your ability just to spite the bastard. You take a deep breath and let a sense of determination fill you as you confidently stride into the Dining Pavilion. You see Stephanie look up at your arrival and smile warmly, you fire of a cheerful grin and a two-fingered salute. First, get some fuel for the tank and then begin working out, then experiment with your powers to see how much energy it takes. You want to stand in the sea and do it, but it’s best to see how it works on dry land as you really can’t rely on water being near all the time. You rub your stomach as you are reminded of the phantom feeling of directing powers and the residual ache. You go grab some cereal and milk alongside a bagel before going to your dad’s brazier with the simplest prayer you can think of.

‘Give me strength dad.’ You pray.

You sit at your table and scoop some cereal in your mouth and begin chewing, only to jump slightly as a person plops down next to you and you turn to look.

Melanie flashes you a coy smile, “Hey.”

You can’t help but grin back after you swallow, “Hey yourself.”

Your eyes scan the breakfast hall to see everyone eyeing Melanie in either confusion, surprise, or — in the Aphrodite Cabin’s case — eager interest. You even catch Stephanie mouth drop ever so slightly open at the audacious girl. You pop a mouthful of cereal in your mouth as you wait for someone to stop staring but that doesn’t come quickly enough for it to be normal.

“Um...” You begin, “Is something wrong with you sitting here? You’re getting some weird looks...”

She waves a hand dismissively, “Meh, Tantalus actually doesn’t care and Mr. D doesn’t either.”

“But Tantalus hates me.” You say softly, “If you’re going to be reprimanded, I don’t want you to be in trouble for my sake.”

She gives you a soft smile and her eyes fill with warmth, rather than her seductive charm, this is more caring and warm.

And far more preferable.

“Hey,” She whispers back, “regardless of all the other things we did, you seem like a really cool guy. And maybe I was just seeing where you stood in regards to well... “

She gives a gesture with her hands that is entirely incomprehensible, but unmistakable to you.

“... but I won’t lie you were pretty sweet and it wasn’t ****. I can’t begin to tell you how awesome that makes you, so maybe I thought I could try to be friends with the sweet guy with very impressive instincts in the bed.”

You can’t help but blush and smile shyly because you never were really told something like that, you had acquaintances in schools before sure, but never people genuinely telling you they want to be your friend. Then again, you did having an amazing first time with this girl and she literally just said you skills in bed were nothing to scoff at, so maybe it’s that.

Eh, whatever. You’ll give her the benefit of the doubt for now.

“So...” You begin as you see her chuckle at your blush. “So you haven’t been talking about anything much have you?”

She laughs at your concern, “No, not at all. I told you, I don’t want anyone getting ideas. For now, I think I’ll keep it quiet.”

“Are we dating?” You reply a bit bemused, “Because you sound a bit possessive of some guy you literally met three days ago...”

She giggles, “No we’re not, but can you blame me? It was amazing.”

You chuckle, “Agreed.”

You both take a moment to eat as conversation once again starts in the Pavilion and campers seem to decide it’s not a too out-of-character experience. You manage to polish off your food before Melanie and sigh in contentment.

She nibbles at her bread before she looks at you, “So... what are you up to today?”

“Well...” You shrug noncommittally, “I guess I want to get as much strength as I can. It’s gonna be climbing wall, sword sessions, and then my water ballet routine.”

She almost chokes on her food at that last one before seeing your amused expression and huffing. You can’t help your triumphant look and she breaks into snickers.

And of course that’s when you see Tantalus walking in. You try to think of anything that’ll keep him from seeing you but your mind blanks as his hostile gaze slants on you and he scowls in displeasure at you frozen smile. He begins to walk over when out of nowhere he trips and falls face-first into the nearby table. The food jumps away from him as though it is alive and he lets out a loud cry as he bounces off of it to land sprawled on the ground dazed and groaning. You see green plants squirming back into the earth and you eyes land on Stephanie who winks at you. Everybody bursts into raucous laughter while you miserably fail to stifle your own mirth as you murmur a quick ‘bye’ in Melanie’s ear before jogging out of the Pavilion.

You’ll treasure the look on Tantalus’ face for life.