𝙰𝙽𝙳𝚁𝙾𝙼𝙴𝙳𝙰 𝚂𝚃𝙰𝚁𝚃𝙻𝙴𝙳 𝙰𝚆𝙰𝙺𝙴, breathing heavily, her eyes watering. Luke can't be the bad guy. It's not possible... is it?

"De?" Luke asked softly. He glanced at her and his eyes widened. "De, what's wrong?"

He tried to grab her hand, but she jerked it away and rolled onto her other side, facing away from him.

"De, please, tell me what's wrong?" Luke asked gently. Andromeda rolled over, tears running down her cheeks. She didn't say anything, just rested her head on Luke's chest and silently cried into his shirt.

Luke sat there, confused as he held Andromeda while she cried.

"Hey," Luke spoke up after a moment.

"Hmm?"

"Do you want to go for a walk?" Luke asked, wanting to distract Andromeda from whatever she was crying over. Andromeda looked up at him. "Why?"

"Because we can," Luke said. Andromeda frowned. "I don't wanna."

Luke sighed.

"Fine," Andromeda gave in. Luke smiled and kissed the Legacy of Olympus. "Thank you." His voice was almost sad.

Andromeda gave Luke a devilish grin before pushing him off her bed. Luke hit the floor with a thud.

"Ow! What was that for?" Luke wines. Andromeda smiled. "What was what for?"

Luke rolled his eyes and stood up. "Fine, have it your way. Now come on."

Andromeda sighed and dramatically stood up.

When Luke turned around to walk out of the cabin, Andromeda jumped onto his back, causing him to grunt.

"De," Luke complained. "You're heavy."

Andromeda laughed. "Suck it up, bitch."

Luke rolled his eyes and carried her out the door, her arms around his neck, her legs wrapped around his torso.

"Where do you want to go, Your Highness?" Luke teased. Andromeda laughed. "The beach."

Luke laughed. "Yes, ma'am."

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

        𝙰𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙲𝙾𝚄𝙿𝙻𝙴 𝚆𝙰𝙻𝙺𝙴𝙳 𝚃𝙷𝚁𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙲𝙰𝙼𝙿, all the other campers stared and laughed at the sight of Andromeda being carried around by Luke.

When they finally got to the beach, Andromeda jumped off of Luke's back and lay down on the sand.

"I'll be right back," Luke said. "I have to go get something."

"Okay." Andromeda sat up and watched Luke run off the beach.

"Pity isn't it?" Someone asked. Andromeda whipped her head around to see Hades wearing a suit made of souls — just like every other time Andromeda had seen him.

"Hades." Andromeda nodded in acknowledgment. "What's a pity?"

"You don't know what?" Andromeda asked, sitting up and dusting the sand out of her hair.

"About his past. And who stole the bolt. And what your dream means," Hades said. "You're pretty ignorant aren't you?"

"I try my best." Andromeda smirked. "I've been meaning to ask you, has Thalia's soul reached the Underworld yet?"

Hades shook his head. "Not yet. I have Midas looking for her soul, when it comes, so he can send her straight to me."

Andromeda nodded. "Thanks." She paused. "Do you have any idea who Dad is?"

Hades sighed and sat beside the girl. "I'm sorry but I don't and frankly, there is no way for me to find out, besides asking around, and that would practically be a waste of time."

Andromeda nodded solemnly.

Hades hesitantly put his hand on her shoulder. "I truly am sorry."

Andromeda nodded. "Thanks anyway."

Hades smiled softly. "Your... friend is coming back. I'd better go."

"Bye," Andromeda said softly. Hades nodded and disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

A few moments later, Luke walked to the beach.

"Hey, I'm back," Luke smiled as he walked onto the beach. He looked over at Andromeda and his smile fell. She was sitting, her knees hugged tightly to her chest, her eyes watering as she looked out at the ocean.

"De, what's wrong?" Luke asked as she sat next to Andromeda, wrapping an arm around her waist to pull her closer.

"Nothing." Andromeda wiped at her eyes. "I'm just... thinking."

"About what?" Luke asked.

"Stuff."

"What stuff?"

"None of your business." Andromeda laughed, as an aversion, before pushing him away softly. "What'd you go get?"

Luke gingerly picked up the box that he'd set down and handed it to Andromeda. "It's just a little something I convinced Grover to sneak in for me before he left."

"A box," Andromeda stared at it. "Wow." She dramatically clapped.

"De, open the box," Luke said softly, one arm still around her waits.

Andromeda laughed and silently opened the box. She gasped softly. "Luke... thank you." She gently took out the contents, then set the box on the ground. She smiled as she examined the white Polaroid camera.

"Smile!" She exclaimed suddenly. Luke barely had time to smile before she clicked the Botton, kissing Luke's cheek. She took the picture and waved it back and forth to try and get the picture to develop faster.

"This is my new favorite picture," Andromeda announced. Luke laughed. "You haven't even seen it yet."

She shrugged. "Still my favorite."

Luke shook his head. "What do you want to do now?"

Andromeda smiled cheekily and snapped a picture of Luke.

"Hey," Luke wined. Andromeda just smiled innocently.

"I'm going to regret this, aren't I?" Luke sighed.

"Yes. Yes, you are." Andromeda smiled. Luke rolled his eyes. "It's getting late. We should probably go to dinner." As soon as he finished, the conch horn sounded.

Luke stood and helped Andromeda up. Andromeda shook the sand out of her chiton. "Let's go."

The two walked to the Dining Pavilion, hand in hand, and sat down next to each other.

The entire meal was filled with Luke and Andromeda flirting, and the rest of the cabin teasing them.

After dinner, Chiron got the campers attention.

"Heroes. Tonight is volleyball league. The teams will need to leave now to get prepared," he announced.

"That'll be me." Andromeda kissed Luke's cheek and walked to the volleyball court.

"Annabeth's not here," Lily Newe — a daughter of Apollo — said. "What are we gonna do?"

"It's too late to get another player. So, we'll just have to make due with what we have. When we're out of players on the bench, I'll cover her spot." Andromeda shrugged.

Clarisse walked over.

"You ready, to lose, Dover?" She teased. Andromeda laughed. "In your dreams."

Clarisse smirked before the rest of the campers flooded in and sat or stood around the volleyball court.

"Are both teams ready?" Chiron asked.

Andromeda and Clarisse — both team captains — nodded.

"Then let the match begin," Chiron announced and blew his whistle.

The first half of the game went smoothly. The Blue Team was in the lead, and everything was fine, but in the second half, Andromeda — trying to cover two people's spots ad once — fell, twisting her ankle. Lily and Clarisse ran over, while Chiron called a time-out.

Luke pushed his way through the crowd, to Andromeda's side.

"Are you okay?" He asked worriedly. Andromeda sighed and looked at him. "I'm fine, okay."

"Actually," Lily said as she gently held Andromeda's right ankle. "You broke your ankle."

"De, are you—"

"I'm fine, okay," Andromeda cut Luke off. Luke shook his head. "But—"

Andromeda put her hand over his mouth. "Just shut up."

Luke reluctantly nodded and Andromeda removed her hand.

"Luke, would you mind carrying her to the infirmary?" Lily asked. Luke nodded before picking Andromeda up bridal style, and carrying her to the infirmary.

"Her ankle is mostly healed now," Will told Luke hours later. "She refused to take anymore ambrosia or nectar, so she'll need to take it easy for a few days. But, other than that, she'll be fine."

Will smiled softly at the Son of Hermes and walked into the infirmary to check on someone else.

Luke sighed before walking over to where Andromeda was sitting.

"Hey." Andromeda smiled softly. Luke nodded. "Hey... why didn't you take more ambrosia?"

Luke, relax," Andromeda said softly.

"Relax?" Luke laughed humorlessly, while shaking his head and pacing in front of the Legacy of Olympus. "You're hurt."

"Luke, it's just a broken ankle. It'll heal," Andromeda said quietly. Luke sighed and sat down next to her. "You're right. I'm sorry."

Andromeda nodded softly before laying down, her head in Luke's lap.

Luke smiled softly.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

        "𝙻𝚄𝙺𝙴," Andromeda whispered, tapping his shoulder gently.

"What?" He asked groggily.

"Get up," Andromeda whispered.

"Why?" Luke complained.

"Because I want you to get up." Andromeda smiled s she kissed Luke's cheek. "Come on." She pulled him out of the bed. He groaned as his body hit the floor of the cabin. "I'm up. I'm up." He stood. "Where do you wanna go?"

"Do you trust me?"

"Of course."

"Then follow me." Andromeda smiled and ran out of the cabin, Luke following not far behind.

"What time is it?" Luke asked as the two walked though the sleeping camp.

"Umm, 3:30. I think."

Luke sighed. "Seriously, De?" Andromeda smirked. "Yes."

Luke continued walking next to Andromeda.

When she started walking into the woods, Luke grabbed Andromeda's wrist to stop her. "Where are you going?"

"Just right there." She pointed to a tree with an old tire hanging from its branches.

She smiled and quickly began wobbling to the tree, dragging Luke behind her.

When she let Luke's hand go and went toward the tired swing, he laughed and followed her. "You're acting like a child."

Andromeda smiled giddily at him. "Can you push me?" She gave him puppy dog eyes.

Luke sighed. "Fine." He walked behind her and pulled the swing back before letting it go.

Andromeda's smile widened. "Thank you."

Luke laughed out a 'you're welcome'.

They sat there for hours talking.

Eventually, Will walked over to them.

"I've been looking for you for two hours. Chiron wanted me to get you two," Will said.

Andromeda hopped off the moving swing, stumbling for a moment before smiling.. "Thanks." She grabbed Luke's wrist and tried to pull him off the ground.

"Luke," she wined. "Get up."

Luke sighed and stood up. Andromeda smiled. "Thank you!" Luke smiled and nodded.

Will cleared his throat. "Well, I guess I'll get going." He waved at the two before he ran off. Luke frowned.

"What is it?" Andromeda asked, turning toward the blonde.

He shook his head. "Nothing."

Andromeda slapped his hand. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Luke promised.

Andromeda sighed. "Come on. Let's go the the Big House before Chiron sends out search parties." Luke laughed but nodded anyway.

When they arrived, Chiron was standing on the porch with a grim expression.

"Hey, Chiron," Andromeda said softly, kissing his cheek. Chiron nodded.

"What's up?" Andromeda asked, sitting on the railing while Luke stood in front of her. She pulled him in between her legs and rested her chin on the top of his head.

Luke sighed and leaned into her more, making Chiron smile — he loved Andromeda like his own child and it made him happy to see her happy.

"Anyway," Andromeda spoke up. "What's up?"

"Well, a few days ago you asked if you and one other camper could leave camp for a day." Chiron sighed, a sad smile on his lips. He reached back for a small gift box. It was plain brown with a simple white bow around it.

He handed the box to Andromeda.

"Your mother made me promise to give this to you before you ever leave camp. You are permitted to leave camp—" Andromeda started bouncing in her spot excitedly. "—as long as you take this with you," Chiron said.

Andromeda nodded excitedly.

Chiron smiled and walked into the house to give Andromeda some privacy. Luke turned around resting his hands on her thighs. He watched as Andromeda opened the small box and pulled out both a bracelet and a piece of paper.

She opened the letter.

My Dearest Andromeda,
If you are reading this, it means I am no longer with you. And for that, I am terribly sorry.
This bracelet will mask your scent to monsters outside camp. You must be wearing the bracelet for it to work.
I love you, andromeda. I'm so sorry. I wish I could've been there for you.
I love you,
Mom

Andromeda didn't realize she was crying until Luke wiped her tears with his thumb.

She looked at him with a sad smile. "Uhm." She cleared her throat. "We can, um, go now."

Luke nodded, backed up, and helped Andromeda down.

PUBLISHED: june 7, 2025
EDITED: -