First Day (01)

I can't help but be suspicious, but Mel is right...I was definitely victim-hunting. "I just don't want him to be miserable any longer than he needs to be." I pause and then concede, "But you're probably the right person for him. For now. Given the circumstances."

"Remember the pact we signed, Melpomene? She has every right to look out for mortals." Kastor cuts her off.

I feel myself straighten a bit when Kastor comes to my defense, my chin lifting a little more. Mel goes silent, and that feels like victory enough for me.

"Glad we could clear that up," I say, then turn, taking Kastor's arm and heading off toward the food tables. "So I was right," I lean close to tell him quietly. "You are here to play sentry. Mine." I draw back to smirk at him, teasing him and thanking him at the same time. It's only after I've said it, though, that I realize I've called him mine again, this time out loud instead of in my head, but it's too late to take it back now.

He huffs a laugh, keeping it light. But he doesn't object. And he doesn't pull away from your touch, either. You do break contact when you reach the buffet table. Kastor gathers a plate and starts picking cocktail shrimp and crackers. "I... heard you and Knox have an understanding. Is that right?"

I grab a plate when we reach the table as well, picking up some lemon basil crostini, hummus with naan and sliced veggies, and a few shrimp of my own. At Kastor's question, my hand hesitates reaching for some grapes to add to my plate before I swallow, compose myself, and continue.

"Yeah," I answer, trying to play it cool. Inside, though, I'm running through a hundred questions. Why is he asking? What has he heard? Is he mad? Is he jealous? Does he want to get involved? Can he handle that? Should I let him? I step back from the table, my plate full enough for a first round. "We...did the exclusive thing for a while. As you...as you know. But then..." I shrug. "We're gods. Or, well, he is. I'm half." I don't know why I keep telling Kastor things he already knows. Maybe I'm just trying to make sure he understands, so I can make sure he knows what he's getting into again. If he's getting into anything again.

"It's been better when we can...share." I press my lips together, then add, "We both know where we want to end up at the end of the night."

"Mmn," he replies in a mild tone as he scoops some.cocktail sauce onto his plate and grabs a few steak bites. "Are you targeting anyone tonight?" he asks like he might inquire about the weather. But maybe. Maybe he's curious if you still want him?

My heart drops to my feet at his casual question. I don't want to assume. But it feels like...it feels like...he's asking? For him?

I brush some invisible crumbs off the skirt of my dress, mostly buying time for my heart to stop racing so I can think.

"Well...I don't usually come in with a plan, necessarily. Sometimes things just...develop." I look up from my crumb-free skirt to him and his striking jawline. "Are you...hoping things develop for you tonight?"

He lowers his chin, just so, and meets your eyes. "I am," he answers directly. He breaks eye contact a heartbeat later, just as you feel your body flush from the intense moment you shared.

I stop breathing when he looks at me and it's only when he looks away that I get enough air back in my lungs to ask, "And are you...targeting anyone tonight?" My feet don't move, but my body leans subtly closer to his, the electricity building between us almost palpable.

A ghost of a smile plays over his perfect lips. He doesn't look back at you with those piercing blue eyes, "I'm not targeting anyone, just playing sentry. If something happens... it's your call."

It's my call, he says. If something happens. My call. If something happens. It's my call. Does that mean he's open to it? Tonight? Should I...find a private spot right now? Or, no. No, that's too soon. Too brash. We should hang out a little. Maybe he's just still stinging from Annika. Maybe it's just a rebound thing. But it's my call.

I realize I've been silent for too long and swallow, my mouth suddenly dry. "Let's go get a drink."

Kastor follows you to the bar, staffed by a handsome dark-haired man you don't recognize. Kastor orders a Screwdriver. What do you order?

I order a Malibu Pineapple and only after I've got it in hand, realize it's basically the cousin of the Screwdriver. Rum instead of vodka, pineapple juice instead of orange.

I lift my drink to clink my glass against his. "Let's get this party started."

Kastor clinks his glass with yours and downs his in a long, smooth pull. He sets his empty glass on the bar and tugs your elbow to draw you onto the dance floor where the rest of the Weirdo Club is dancing and chatting. Iao has pulled Eudora close and they're grinding on each other as the music thrums around you. You still haven't seen Knox. Or your mother.

When Kastor puts his hands on your hips, what do you do?

As I tip my own drink back and see Kastor isn't slowing down, I try to match him. In the end, there's just a little left in the bottom of my glass after he empties his, but I set it on the bar anyway and let him lead me onto the dance floor. The music and people surround us like water and when he puts his hands on my hips, my eyes snap up to his, almost like I can't believe it's happening. Like I'm checking to make sure he knows it's me he's dancing with, then, a moment later, I move in closer, until my body touches his as we move to the music. My hands slip up around his neck, my fingers touching the skin at the nape of his neck, and my eyes close, just letting the moment move me.

"I've missed you," I confess, not sure if my words will be swallowed by the music. "Not just...being together, but just getting to talk to you. Feeling like I had someone who...understands."

His hands fit on your hips, sending familiar tingles along your sides. He leans in to reply, "Missed you, too." His voice tickles your ear. "You were my anchor. You knew me before the world turned upside down. It's good to be here with you, no matter where you go at the end of the night."

I'm not sure what to say to that, and the way my skin is tingling at his touch makes it hard to think of words anyway. Instead, I just draw closer to him and nod, content to dance and let the music take over.

At some point, I turn around and press my zok back against him, shimmying with the beat and embracing whatever this is.