Work Text:
Uh oh, I'm falling in love
Oh no, I'm falling in love again.
Oh, I'm falling in love
I thought the plane was going down,
how'd you turn it right around?
(Labyrinth by Taylor Swift)
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Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano was cursed when it came to love. At least, that's what she always suspected. Venus's words echoed in her mind, that no demigod would ever heal her heart and that she wouldn't find love where she wished or hoped. Perhaps those words were a curse in itself. After years of fond friendship with Jason, she grew to love him in a way she had never loved previously, only to be discarded by him by false memories planted in his head. Contrary to what many may have thought, Reyna wasn't hurt by the rejection of romantic inclination, but by the way she had been ignored by one she had called best friend since she moved to Camp Jupiter. Thankfully, after the war against Gaea Jason and Reyna were able to repair their friendship.
But while Reyna had only felt feelings of friendship for Jason for years now, her heart had found another to call home. Unfortunately, she doubted the other felt the same way.
"Thalia's coming to visit today!" Jason exclaimed, bursting into Reyna's room. While Jason was no longer Praetor, he had decided to move back to New Rome after tiring of normal schools in California. Reyna suspected Nico di Angelo's residence in New Rome had a great deal to do with Jason's decision, having witnessed many stolen glances between the two. Since he was the Ambassador of Pluto, Nico had decided to step further into his role in dealing in New Rome, finding his place there especially since Hazel lived there.
At eighteen, Reyna had stepped down as Praetor only two months ago, Frank and Hazel ready to take her and Gwendolyn's places as praetors after training for a couple years. She was still trying to adjust to civilian life in the city of New Rome, Jason and Nico her new flatmates in the three bedroom apartment they found.
"Are the Hunters of Artemis close by?" Reyna asked, trying not to appear as excited as the felt at the prospect of Thalia coming.
"She didn't say, just that she's able to visit for a while," Jason answered, a familiar dorky grin on his face with his gold-rimmed glasses sitting askew on his nose.
Reyna was glad Jason finally had a chance to just be a teenager again. Reyna had been upset when Jason initially left New Rome, quit being the praetor and fled to Camp Half-Blood but now she understood. Jason wasn't trying to flee being Roman, to run from her or their friends, but he had needed space to come to terms of who he wanted to be. Jason, the son of Jupiter and the Golden Boy of New Rome, needed time to grow into being just Jason Grace. She was proud of her best friend, and thankful he had returned home. He was embracing what it meant to be a teenager now, well, as much as one could be a teenager after fighting in wars.
As Jason moved around the kitchen trying to cook dinner for Thalia's return, Reyna sat down on the couch with a book. But the words merely blurred together as her mind wandered to the daughter of Jupiter - well, the daughter of Zeus technically.
Since the first time meeting Thalia, Reyna had been intrigued by her. Few demigods radiated as much power as Thalia, who Reyna had seen bring lightning and thunder to her command, a fierce warrior and fighter as well. Reyna had been a Roman praetor over Camp Jupiter while Thalia was a lieutenant for Artemis, both of them strong and skilled leaders. What began as interest and mutual respect quickly evolved into more.
The years of letters and stolen moments throughout the chaos of demigod life had turned Thalia from a comrade and friend to a trusted confidant she was falling in love with. But while Thalia had asked Reyna to join the Hunters of Artemis, that decision had never sat right with Reyna. While she was no longer praetor, she still advised Frank and Hazel in matters when necessary and worked in matters of diplomacy with Camp Half-Blood with Jason. Reyna had devoted her life to her people, to make New Rome safe for the families and to better the legion of demigods.
"Anyone home?" a familiar voice rang out, Thalia walking through the door. Jason ran over and pulled her into a tight hug, his golden retriever energy revealing itself once more. Jason and Thalia have been able to get to know one another better, to grow closer as siblings that had been separated far too soon.
Reyna simply stared at Thalia, trying to memorize the picture of what she looks like to remember her by for whenever she leaves again. Because Thalia always leaves again. Thalia had let her black hair grow out to almost her shoulder now, the bright blue highlights a new addition to the choppily cut hairstyle. Out of her normal Hunter of Artemis outfit, Thalia now wore black ripped up jeans, a AC/DC t shirt, with a black jean jacket covered in color patches of logos and words. As usual, silver rings covered her slender fingers, several piercings in each ear that glinted in the sunlight.
"Any chance you missed me too, Rey?" Thalia asked teasingly, releasing Jason from his hug and turning her gaze to Reyna.
Reyna couldn't help but smile in response, welcoming the tight hug Thalia gave. "It's good to see you again, Thals."
"I'll pass on the hug," Nico drawled out, walking into the room. A corner of his mouth lifted in almost a smile. "Glad you could come." Nico had a bit of a difficult time when it came to the Hunters of Artemis due to his sister, Bianca, and Reyna wasn't sure if he would ever be supportive of the group. Regardless, he put aside enough of his reservations toward them to be friends with Thalia.
Thalia scrunched up her nose in a way Reyna found far too adorable. "I suppose I'll let you escape from the hug, di Angelo. Anyway, what have you guys been up to in recent months?"
Jason quickly launched into a summary of everything he had done since arriving back in New Rome, including working with the praetors and Nico to continue to build the monuments for the other minor gods and goddesses, finding the apartment they lived in now, and discovering a new favorite bakery down the street with the best brownies in the world.
Jason spoke while constantly moving his hands, gesturing for the stories. Thalia listened to her younger brother with fond amusement, not interrupting once. At least until the smoke detector went off.
Jason's blue eyes widened in panic. "That would be dinner!" He raced off to the kitchen, Nico following along behind him at a slower pace.
"I keep telling you, Jase, leave the cooking of the pasta to the only Italian in the joint," Nico said, the sound of the pair talking now more muffled since they were in the kitchen, leaving Thalia and Reyna alone.
"Is it just me, or is there something there with my brother and Skeleton boy?" Thalia asked, raising an eyebrow as she looked down the hallway the boys had disappeared down.
"Imagine living with them," Reyna replied, causing Thalia to chuckle. "I think by now it's only a matter of time till one of them gets the guts up to ask the other on a date. They've been dancing around it for weeks now."
"I'm just glad he isn't with that Aphrodite chick anymore," Thalia said. One thing Reyna had picked up about Thalia over the years is the fact she rarely calls people by their actual names.
"Piper's a sweet girl," Reyna replied, finally getting over her initial resentment toward Piper for stealing Jason and now recognizing Piper simply needed to grow as well. "But I agree, they didn't do well together."
Thalia hummed, not quite in agreement or disagreement. She threw herself onto the armchair next to Reyna, her legs thrown over the side as she stared at the daughter of Bellona with an intense gaze. "So, Rey, what about you? What have you been doing?"
"Nothing too interesting," Reyna insisted, most of her free time now spent reading or training. "I'm adapting to New Rome life and am enjoying my new job as an ambassador to Camp Half-Blood working with Annabeth Chase. What about you, what's the latest with the Hunters of Artemis?"
"I left the Hunters of Artemis," Thalia stated, her words as determined as the expression on her face. "You know, the main reason I joined to begin with was to delay the prophecy. I didn't want to be the sixteen-year-old kid that the prophecy was about, the Hunters of Artemis seemed the easiest way to avoid it."
Those words didn't seem right. I left the Hunters of Artemis. Reyna wasn't even aware you could leave that group. But Thalia was no longer a Hunter of Artemis? What would that mean? Would Thalia move here? Would she return to Camp Half-Blood where the other Greek demigods were expanding it along with Annabeth Chase?
"What will you do now?" Reyna asked calmly, resisting the urge to jump up and down in excitement.
A broad grin stretched out on her face. "I was hoping to crash with my brother for a bit, experience what it's like to actually live with him. And of course, spend time with you here." Her grin softened into a smile. "I've missed you."
Before Reyna could say anything in response, Nico and Jason's talking got louder as they came back into the living room, this time Jason wearing an apron covered in sauce and Nico holding a spatula.
"Time to eat," Nico declared. "I managed to salvage Jason's recipe."
Nico and Thalia began chatting casually, Nico reporting the latest news from Camp Half-Blood while everyone gathered their dishes of food to bring to the table. Reyna didn't speak up much during the meal, content to listen and observe while she continued to process Thalia's announcement.
"Alright Jason, how would you feel about a roommate?" Thalia finally asked, turning toward her brother. It was funny how different the siblings looked, even their blue eyes different shades with Jason's eyes a reminder of a calm sky and Thalia's an electric blue like a flash of lightning.
Jason paused eating, glancing over at Nico then to Reyna before returning his gaze to Thalia. "What? I mean, I figured you were spending the night."
"I left the Hunters of Artemis, I'm here to stay," Thalia said, the last four words echoing in Reyna's head. She grinned and ruffled Jason's hair. "I want time to get to know my little brother better and I want to make my own choices about how my life is going to go."
"I'm half a foot taller than you," Jason retorted before the other words caught up with him and he grinned. "This is going to be great! Now I'll finally get the time to show you all around Camp Jupiter and New Rome. I can work on flying with you, too!"
Thalia looked a bit squeamish as the mention of flying, but she kept the smile on her face. Jason and Thalia talked back and forth for a while about plans, Nico and Reyna offering to do the dishes as the siblings planned.
"How are you?" Nico asked quietly, beginning to wash the dishes as Reyna dried them. It was still strange to Reyna how grownup Nico sounded and acted for his age, the look in his dark eyes looking like he'd seen far too much too soon.
"I'm doing well," Reyna said truthfully.
"I'm not blind, you know. I know you love her," Nico said, keeping his tone quiet enough so no one else would hear. "Are you going to be alright with her staying here? It won't make you uncomfortable?"
"I'll be fine," Reyna replied, smiling fondly at her friend. "I'm just glad to have her at all."
Nico looked up at her, his dark hair falling back from his eyes. He gave a small smile, an understanding expression on his face. No other words were needed, the pair resuming doing the dishes in record speed.
The next few months flew by quickly with Thalia's return, the former Hunter of Artemis crashing Jason's room on his spare bed. Reyna and Thalia spent practically every free moment together, Thalia getting a job as a tattoo artist in New Rome and worked part-time as a trainer at a judo studio for kids. It was strange to have almost unlimited access to Thalia, after only getting stolen moments with her throughout the years of being friends.
There were traces of Thalia's presence everywhere in the apartment now. Her leather jackets hung on the hooks by the front door, her motorcycle helmet on a chair by the door, a few photos added to the collection on the walls, her makeup brushes in the bathroom, her nail polish bottles placed at random in the apartment, and several new mugs finding their way into the cabinet.
Initially, Reyna thought perhaps living with Thalia would cause her to look at her more as a friend since they would surely clash in many areas. The opposite occurred, the days and nights spent together only causing Reyna to fall more in love. Sure, Thalia had her flaws and there were things she did that annoyed Reyna. Thalia rarely put away her things, she played loud music all hours of the day, she almost always forgot to do her dishes, and she was usually late if they were meeting up.
But she also brought Reyna her favorite pastries and drinks whenever she went out, she would always turn down her music when she knew Reyna was trying to sleep or work, she would always ask Reyna how her day was and genuinely cared about the answer, she never interrupted Reyna when she was talking, she showered Reyna's pets with affection, she would put on Reyna's comfort tv shows when she knew Reyna had a tough day, and she was a grounding presence for Reyna.
How could Reyna not fall more in love?
At least Reyna was experienced at concealing her feelings, unable to risk their close friendship for the small chance that Thalia would want to date her. Even if Thalia was open to dating her, how would she react to Reyna being asexual? The only one who Reyna had talked to about her sexuality - asexual and biromantic, was Jason after he had his own sexual identity crisis before realizing he was demisexual, meaning he only felt romantic love and sexual desire after forming a strong emotional bond. Another reason why it didn't work out with Piper - things didn't progress naturally since Hera intervened.
It was yet another sleepless night for Reyna and she found herself on the balcony in their apartment. They were on the top floor of the apartment building, the balcony overlooking New Rome and she could even make out Camp Jupiter in the background. It was peaceful at three o'clock in the morning, the streets vacant except for a few lares wandering around and only a few streetlights lit.
The balcony was one of Reyna's favorite spots, several of her plants along the railing and a comfy outdoor couch she was sitting on, and there was even room for a small table with a couple chairs. Neither Nico or Jason came out here often, so Reyna usually had it to herself. At least until Thalia moved in, the Greek demigod often accompanying Reyna if she spotted her out here.
"Can't sleep?" Thalia asked, appearing in the doorway holding two mugs. She handed one of the mugs to Reyna, Reyna's favorite tea steeping in it. Thalia didn't wait for a response, sitting next to Reyna on the couch and tucked her feet underneath her legs.
The soft moonlight washed over Thalia's features, her electric blue eyes glinting in the light with her pale skin causing her freckles to stand out. She was wearing one of her oversized rock band t shirts and a baggy pair of pajama pants. She wore no makeup, the only jewelry on was her normal silver earrings, her hair half pulled into a bun but it was too short to be completely pulled back.
Reyna didn't immediately answer, first taking a slow sip of hot tea. "Bad dreams."
Thalia nodded in an understanding way. Bad dreams haunted most demigods, and Thalia and Reyna certainly had more than their fair share of trauma throughout the years. No child should ever be forced into war as they had been.
The two girls sat in a comfortable silence for a while, before Reyna spoke up in a quiet voice. "You've been here three months now. Any regrets on leaving the Hunters of Artemis?"
Thalia leaned back, taking another sip of her tea. "I've been enjoying my time in New Rome. The Greeks need a town like this too, though I know Annabeth is working hard to try to make that happen. Besides, how can I have regrets when I can finally ask you out on a date?"
"Wait, what?" Reyna asked, jerking her head toward Thalia again, unsure if she heard her correctly.
"For one of the smartest people I know, you can be a little dense at times," Thalia bluntly stated in a teasing manner, a wry grin on her face. "I like you, Rey. I have for a long time now. I would've thought you'd have picked it up at least since I moved in, but I suppose not. So, Reyna, will you go on a date with me?"
Reyna couldn't respond at first, unsure of how exactly to respond. "I would love to, Thals." Her voice trailed off.
Thalia kept smiling but not as broadly, looking at her questioningly. "Why am I sensing a but at the end of that response? Don't feel any pressure you know, I've waited a long time to get to this point where I felt I could ask you. I can wait longer."
"I'm biromantic, I've liked guys and girls before," Reyna began slowly, Thalia not looking the least bit surprised. "But I'm also asexual. I don't want to have sex and I don't know how much I'm comfortable with."
Thalia considered this. "I want to be with you, Rey, I've known that for a long time now. I want you in any way I can have you, whether that means being just your friend or hopefully your girlfriend. Sex doesn't need to be apart of that, and I definitely wouldn't ever want you to feel uncomfortable. Communication is important in any kind of relationship, and I'll respect any boundaries you put in place physical or otherwise, and I know you'll respect my boundaries as well." She paused, studying Reyna's face. "So, what do you say, date me?"
"Yes, I'll be happy to go on a date with you," Reyna answered softly, smiling once more.
Thalia shifted closer to Reyna, their shoulders pressed against each other and leaned her head back against the back of the couch. They talked for another hour, about everything and nothing at the same time before the conversation faded into peaceful silence once more.
"Venus was right," Reyna whispered to herself after thinking, not meaning to speak the words out loud but Thalia heard her.
"About what?"
"When she said no demigod would heal my heart, that I wouldn't find love where I wished or hoped," Reyna replied softly, gazing up at the starry skies before returning her eyes to Thalia's electric blue ones. "I didn't need a demigod to heal my heart, I needed to do that myself with the help of the friendships I've made in recent years. I didn't find love where I wished nor hoped, but I found it somewhere so much better. I never expected to fall for you, Thalia Grace."
Thalia smiled, leaning closer to place a light kiss on Reyna's forehead. "I fell even harder, Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano."