Written a long time ago, but finally I decided to share.

"Do you ever wonder what else is out there?" Thalia asks softly one night. They're in the middle of a field, cool thick grass poking at his exposed arms and legs. Just laying there, watching the stars and enjoying the summer night's brisk, refreshing air. No mosquitoes, crickets chirping somewhere nearby, and not a cloud in the extremely starry skies. The moon's nearly full tonight and there's a slightly chilly breeze churning the lush grass into waves of black in the night. He can honestly say it's more than welcome after the hot sticky day. He hates humidity and the way his clothes plastered to his skin all day.
The fire burnt out a couple hours ago but with her radiating heat right beside him he's plenty warm right now, but not too much. It's pleasant. Not to mention the slight tingle he feels by her closeness and he fights the desire to move in closer. He hasn't voiced what he feels for her yet and he's a little afraid to honestly.
"What's that supposed to mean?" He asks with a half-chuckle.
She raises a hand out and gestures to the sky. "You know. Other worlds and such. You think there's a planet somewhere like this one?"
"Like what? A parallel universe? Or aliens?" Luke can't keep the amusement from his tone. So this is one of those nights where she gets all naïve and philosophical on him. Like a child questioning the world. She watched too many cartoons the other day at that grimy motel they stayed at.
"No, I mean just in general. Doesn't even have to be life. Just what do other worlds look like? Do they see the same sky? What do we look like from there?" There's still that meek vulnerability to her voice. She's really looking for his opinion.
"Nah, never really thought about it. There's too much here for me to see to be wondering what it's like on Mars." It's also a pointless thought. Neither of them will live to see what it's like on another world, he bitterly realizes. Not only is technology not there yet, but being demigods they probably won't live to see 30. So even if someone somehow manages to invent a space shuttle that can take them personally to a new world, it probably wouldn't be for several years. Long after both are dead and buried. But he doesn't give the thought voice. Too depressing. He doesn't want to ruin the comfort—the closeness—he feels with her now.
Instead he just listens to the slightly irritated huff Thalia gives and their conversation cuts off. He keeps expecting some rebuke from her about how close-minded he is coupled with a sarcastic "doofus," but it never comes. Instead he notices her breathing's slower and turns his head to find she's fast asleep, her mouth hanging open a little.
There's something different about Thalia when she's asleep. Something softer and younger. He can honestly say she looks more her age when she sleeps. The rest of the time between her make-up, her fierce attitude, and her mature confident mannerisms he forgets just how young she really is. It's the only time he really feels older than her, he realizes. He didn't know when it happened but she's become his equal (or maybe even his superior, who knows?). Possibly because since now whenever they spar he can never beat her. (which secretly both frustrates and impresses him)
And yet right now she's just that brash twelve-year-old who he met in a swamp of all places. He's seen her time after time while she sleeps when he's on watch, but it feels different tonight. She's so close to him, her right arm's even brushing against his side. It feels like he's somehow invading her privacy; he's definitely broken the established bubble she's always put between them. And yet…he doesn't want to get up. Besides, he rationalizes, she'll get cold if he leaves her. Yes it's an excuse but you know? He doesn't really care. He wants to move closer, to span the scant couple inches separating them…maybe wrap an arm around her but he can't bring himself to. She wakes up and it's all over for him. She'll kick his ass for sure for breaking their little barrier and he'll be lucky if she ever fully trusts him again.
But she looks so damn enticing tonight somehow, her skin glimmering in the moonlight …
He looks away, trying to reign himself in before he does something he'll sure as Hades regret. He looks up at the sky and tries to think up something, anything, to distract his mind. Which is how he finds himself wondering, for the first time, exactly what she'd just asked him.
What was it like on other worlds? Were things as fucked up there as they were here? He takes a moment and pictures it. A place where they could both be normal kids with normal kinds of problems. Gossip and leafing through college pamphlets to replace drooling creatures and broken bones. A world where he could just be.
…he could see why such thoughts appealed so to Thalia.
But in such a world, they would have never met. Would have never had use for one another. It's circumstance that holds them together now. Even now, years after they first met. Had Luke met Thalia under different circumstances…had they met under the context of classmates or peers, they would have never talked, Luke realizes. Even now, after having known Thalia for as long as he had, Luke still averted his eyes whenever a pack of gothic or even punk people passed by. And the few times Thalia's been hemmed in and forced to speak with guys that were more Luke's speed…well she never seemed like she could get away from them fast enough. She has railed endlessly about how shallow mainstream kids were, chiding him if he dared poke his head in to an American Eagle. She gets this little crease on her forehead, showing her disapproval.
Luke glances at her again. Yes, if she was just an ordinary girl, he would never have given her more than a second glance. It's not that she isn't pretty—she's gorgeous. But stereotypes and clichés are engrained into every kid and he couldn't see himself taking an interest in her. Looks might be superficial, but appearance is what makes a first impression.
If they weren't demigods, Luke would have never spoken to her. They wouldn't be allies, friends or anything else. But she would be safe.
It's a bittersweet thought.
So would he wish that? Would he surrender her? Trade her safety for their relationship? Luke frowns as he realizes he wouldn't. Maybe he's selfish. Maybe he is an asshole and he doesn't deserve her to think that way. But he just…he can't picture doing this without her. He didn't know when it happened, but at some point, he started needing her. He needs her smile, her laugh and just her. That strength that is his weakness and his power.
If he was forced to give her up, he would go insane. He knew it intrinsically. Without Thalia, Luke wouldn't be the same person. What would be left behind?

I may just write a world as Luke sees it in this tale some day...since I love this pairing so much. Of course, without beating a dead horse, I'm sure most of you can piece together why this one belongs under "Bittersweet" instead of any of the other Inevitability titles.

TTFN

~Crisi