#theyna fanfic

[thebigqueer]

"The Beauty within the Beast" - Theyna - One-Shot

Summary: theyna snippet from my arcane au series. thalia, resident of the undercity, and reyna, resident of piltover, discuss their differences and begin to at least confront their attraction to each other. TW: Underage drinking & alcoholism. Notes: to learn more about my arcane au snippets check out the series description here. Word Count: 6014 Read on AO3

Thalia has to admit, for a Topsider, Reyna knows how to party. 

Of course, it did take a bit for her to get comfortable. Thalia had to forcibly swallow a drink down just to show her that they were not, in fact, poisonous. But once Reyna got over her initial doubts, she was completely transformed. Thalia didn’t know she had an ounce of fun in her until she was the one inviting Thalia to dance with her.

It’s been kind of nice, seeing this other side of her. Usually she’s all business, with her “We need to find a way to investigate the source of the shimmer shipments” this and “It just doesn’t make sense for something like this to go unnoticed” that. Thalia’s gotten to enjoy seeing the furrow in her eyebrows every time she tried to get a rise out of Reyna. But after tonight, seeing her true smile as she soaked in all the music, or hearing her deep, rolling laugh any time Thalia said something that probably wasn’t even that funny… Thalia’s starting to like these other parts, too. The parts of her that she’s letting Thalia see. 

Thalia knows she’s purposefully being vulnerable. She’s refraining from shaking Reyna’s shoulders and screaming in her face that Thalia is not the person she should be doing this with. But it makes things better for Thalia, because now she’ll have an easier time completing her part of the mission. 

It’s kind of a shame, though. Because Thalia knows that if Reyna found out the truth, she might never get to hear that laugh again. 

Now they’re back home, getting ready for bed in Thalia’s room. Reyna is gently undoing her braids in the mirror, hissing every now and then. As each lock comes undone, it flashes in the light and swings gently for a few seconds, then settles down against Reyna’s back. It takes all of Thalia’s willpower to not just go and touch it, just to see if it’s really as soft as it looks.

“You know,” Reyna says, catching Thalia’s eyes in the mirror, “I still don’t understand the point of going out tonight. I thought you had some plan to further the investigation, but I don’t think we actually did much investigating.” 

Thalia scoffs and throws on a new T-shirt, if only to try to distract herself from Reyna’s penetrating gaze. “You know, Princess, sometimes people just like to have fun. You looked like you could use some.” Thalia raises a brow. “But I'm not hearing a ‘thank you’ anywhere.” 

Reyna rolls her eyes, but a smirk she tries - and fails - to hold back appears against her lips. “Okay. Thank you.” 

Thalia’s eyebrows jump in surprise. She wasn’t actually expecting Reyna to say anything; she was mostly joking, anyway. But there’s a softness in Reyna’s dark eyes, a sort of flush to her skin, and for some reason Thalia feels touched by her gratefulness. 

Wow, she thinks to herself. A Topsider shows even an ounce of respect, and suddenly I’m on my knees for her? Could I get any lower? 

“Why are you looking at me like that?” asks Reyna. 

Thalia blinks. “Like what?”

“Like… you’re trying to drill a hole into my brain.”

Thalia shrugs and climbs onto her bed, throwing on the barest smirk. “Just thinking about how pretty your hair looks down,” she lies. 

Reyna’s eyes widen in surprise. But when she looks at Thalia’s face and finds the amusement in her features, she rolls her eyes. “Shut up.” 

Thalia laughs and lets herself sprawl out on the bed. “Now that you’ve had a taste of the Undercity, tell me - are we better at partying or what?”

Reyna shrugs. “I’m not really sure. I didn’t go out much on Topside.” 

“Really? Why’s that?”

Reyna hesitates. She meets Thalia’s eyes, and after a beat of silence, she turns around and leans against the wall. “Let’s just say I’ve been a bit… preoccupied.” 

Thalia sits up, her interest piqued. A part of her is surprised; she didn’t really expect anything from Reyna. Maybe just a nonchalant wave of her hand and joking admittance of the fact that maybe the Undercity did have good parties. Or maybe scoffing that her life was none of Thalia’s business. But the fact she even mentioned that slightest tidbit about herself… it heats Thalia’s chest. 

“How come?” Thalia asks. She knows it’s a long shot to question her further, but it’s better than nothing. 

“It’s kind of a long story,” Reyna responds, but the way her dark eyes glaze over, turn almost abysmal, Thalia has a feeling it’s more than just a story. 

So Thalia pats the space next to her. “I’ve got time.” 

Whatever it takes to get leverage.

A beat of silence passes as Reyna glances over at the empty space next to Thalia. Thalia half expects her to pass her up, tell her that it’s none of her business and slam the door behind her. Not that Thalia would blame her - she’s asking a lot right now. If it were Reyna asking her, she would say the same thing and probably even worse.

But instead, Reyna only shrugs and sits down precariously in the empty space on the bed. She watches Thalia warily for a few seconds, and when Thalia doesn’t bite her, she seems to ease in a bit more. And then, to Thalia’s surprise - and maybe delight - she lies down. They’re so close, the subtle scent of the party tickles Thalia’s nose - not the bad scents, but the good ones, like the tangy scent of her sweat, or the sweetness of her perfume. Reyna’s gaze travels up to the ceiling, and Thalia follows and sees the cracks on the ceiling, just barely holding the roof above their heads.

“Let me ask you something,” Reyna murmurs, now turning her eyes on Thalia. “Did it hurt when Jason left you?”

Thalia snorts. “I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I don’t think many of us are particularly intent on making things easy for Jason at the moment. Especially not Leo.” 

“Yeah. I wouldn’t either.” Reyna sighs. “I haven’t.” 

Thalia eyebrows rise in confusion. “You… haven’t forgiven Jason? Uh, I don’t think you guys even knew each other until he left for Topside.” 

Reyna rolls her eyes. “No, I meant… I’ve been in a similar position as you.” She hugs her arms against her chest and looks at her feet, which dange off the edge of Thalia’s bed. “I haven’t always lived on Topside, you know.” 

“So… what? You’re from the Undercity, too?” 

“Not really.” Reyna turns to meet Thalia’s eyes, and Thalia’s shocked to find them sizzling with guilt. “My family was part of a house in Noxus, so I guess I’ve always lived in comfort, sort of.” 

Thalia offers a nod as she takes in this information. She lets her gaze trail over Reyna’s face, over those arched eyebrows, hardened over the years with constant frowning, and those gorgeous cheekbones, high and mighty over her face. “Huh,” she murmurs. “I never really expected you to be from there. You seem Piltover through and through.” 

“Really?”

“Yeah. I guess I can see it, now that you mention it, considering how bossy you are. But you don’t strike me as a bully. You seem… composed, I guess. I feel like you can really hold yourself back.”

“Are you saying you don’t think Noxians can?”

“Well, I’ve never met one until you, so I wouldn’t really know. But from what I’ve heard of them, they’re pretty brutal.” 

Reyna raises an eyebrow. “Not everything you hear is always correct.” 

Thalia gestures for Reyna to continue. “How’d you get to Piltover then?”

Reyna’s expression crumbles from scrutinizing to desolate within seconds. Her chin quivers as she takes in a deep breath, and Thalia can’t help but to get the feeling she should be guarding herself for whatever bullets Reyna plans to shoot her way.

“Let’s just say I did something I shouldn’t have.” Reyna’s gaze burns a hole through Thalia’s bedsheet, and she’s convinced it might just start smoking any second. “My sister and I ran away to Piltover. To make a new life here.” 

Thalia frowns. “How’d you manage to survive here? I mean, did you guys even come with anything”

Reyna shakes her head. “One of our uncles moved here a little while back. My sister thought we’d have the best shot here, so that’s why we came.” Then Reyna looks down the bed, her gaze hardening. “That’s what she told me, at least. Until she left me.” 

A cold, tingling sensation erupts in Thalia’s chest, and her eyes widen. “She left you?”

Reyna nods, swallowing nervously. “We stayed with our uncle for a bit, but I could tell my sister didn’t like it. She kept telling me it reminded her too much of home, of feeling like she wasn’t doing enough, wasn’t living enough.” Reyna shrugs. “We got the opportunity to work with Enforcers because of him, since he was an Enforcer. But we only got small positions - desk jobs, really - because we were so new to Piltover and he wanted to keep an eye on us. My sister hated it, though. Said she felt like she was right back home, with people watching her every move, expecting her to be on her utmost behavior.” Reyna’s brows furrow into a frown. “But I think the last straw was when she visited the Undercity for the first time.” 

“What do you mean?”

“When she returned, she… told me she found a chance to get a better life.” Reyna shrugs. “She said she met a man that might be able to help her get out of Piltover. I asked if I could come, but she said no - said it was too risky. I asked her why she was considering it at all, and she said because she was tired of living under everyone’s rule. She was captivated by the Undercity, by everything you all stood for.” Reyna’s jaw trembles, and then she latches onto Thalia’s gaze, and suddenly all Thalia can feel is guilt piercing her through the chest. 

“She said she’d come back to me,” Reyna mutters, her eyes shining. “She promised.” 

Reyna’s desperation takes Thalia by surprise. Not because she wouldn’t react the same, but rather because she’s surprised Reyna is even allowing herself to display these emotions in front of Thalia. Reyna sounds almost like a child whining, and maybe that’s what makes Thalia concerned. The fact she’s even bending so low in front of her. 

“How old were you two when you ran away?” Thalia asks softly.

Reyna shrugs. “I don’t know. I must’ve been, like, twelve. She was almost eighteen, maybe.” 

Thalia nods, considering. “Young.” 

“I guess.” Reyna tilts her head at Thalia. “So, I get it, you know. Feeling betrayed by Jason. I understand the pain you must have felt. My sister did the same.”

Thalia stares at her for a moment. Even though Reyna’s watching her, she gets the sense that Reyna isn’t really here - her eyes flicker around, and Thalia can only assume she’s reliving every one of those moments she brought up. 

Thalia wants to say that was a bitchy move on her sister’s part. Because it was, really. Leaving your younger sister behind in a foreign place? Knowing how young she was? But if Thalia were to say that, she would just be a hypocrite. How much hasn’t she told Jason, or even Leo and Piper? How much is she hiding from them? And isn’t it for the same reason - just to try to get them all a more comfortable life?

Reyna frowns at her, then taps the space between Thalia’s eyebrows gently. “I can see the gears turning in your head. What do you have to say?”

Thalia swats Reyna’s finger away and scowls at her, but it’s all a show. She wants to feel more of the warmth underneath her skin, wants to see just how much closer her and Reyna can get.

She doesn’t, though. She shouldn’t.

“I can’t say what your sister did was good by any means,” Thalia says. “You deserved some sort of clarification, or conclusion, or something. You didn’t deserve to be left in the dark.” 

“But…?”

“But… I don’t completely blame her.” Thalia winces at Reyna’s astonished face. “I know that sounds bad. But the thing is… Respectfully, you don’t really know what it’s like having so many people look up to you.” Her mind stings with the memory of bright blue eyes, cracked by horror and fear. She sighs. “They all stare at you with their eager faces because you’ve always been the one to lead them, and you know without a doubt that they’ll do whatever it is that you tell them to. And do that enough times, you start to want to protect them. Even when you don’t think you want to, you do.” Thalia turns to look at Reyna. “She was wrong for not telling you about her plans, and for leaving you alone. But I don’t think she was doing it out of the evilness in her heart, Reyna. I think she just thought she was doing the right thing. She made a bad decision, but at seventeen? That’s a lot of responsibility for a girl that age. You’re not really a kid, not really an adult, but still stuck somewhere in between. Everyone expects you to know what you’re doing, and you don’t. Maybe that’s what happened with her. Maybe she thought she figured it out.” 

Reyna’s eyebrows knit at the center, furrowing so cutely Thalia’s almost tempted to reach out and kiss the space between them. But when she doesn’t say anything, Thalia narrows her eyes at her. “You look like you want to say something.” 

Reyna’s bottom lip trembles as she figures out what to say. “I don’t know,” she mutters. “Just… When she first left, I guess I thought it might have had something to do with me. Maybe I’d stressed her out enough, or maybe she was done. Maybe I’d fucked up my chances with the one person who had my back the entire time.” Reyna shakes her head. “And now, hearing everything you just said, I get this weird feeling that I was right. That I was always too much for her.” 

Shame burns through Thalia’s chest, and she shakes her head vigorously at Reyna. “Wait… that’s not what I meant.” 

Reyna’s dark eyes harden into blades. “Then what did you mean?”

“I didn’t mean that you were her issue. I’m saying that I think… I just think maybe she thought she could do it on her own. Maybe she thought she could fix everything.” Thalia shrugs and winces. “But I’m not her. I’ve never met her. I don’t know for sure.”

Thalia expected that to help, maybe to clear her name. Instead, Reyna’s eyes only narrow further and she pulls herself up on one arm, her head blocking the light from above her and turning her into a silhouette. Thalia would love to admire the way her brown hair glints under the light if she didn’t look so deadly. 

“I don’t know why I bothered talking about it,” Reyna mutters, closing her eyes. “I guess it’s not even your business.” 

Shame burns Thalia’s chest. She doesn’t know why she cares so much; it’s not like they’re even that close, and Reyna had every choice not to tell her anything. Thalia knows maybe she’s expecting more sympathy, but all she can pull out is, “Sorry for not knowing the real reason behind everything some girl I don’t even know did, I guess?”

This must be the final straw for Reyna, because her eyes spring open, flames throwing left and right off them, and a tinge of pink blooms across her cheeks. Thalia immediately regrets saying that as Reyna throws herself into a sitting position and stares down at Thalia.

“Fuck you,” she spits. Her words make the bed underneath them shake, an earthquake rumbling from her very mouth, and Thalia has to fight not to fall off her own bed. 

Reyna starts to storm off, but - for some reason she’ll never understand - Thalia lunges out and grips her wrist fast, before she can slip away. She pushes all the sympathy she can into her eyes as she stares up at her. 

“Wait,” Thalia sighs. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair. I shouldn’t have said it like that.” 

“Yeah, maybe.” 

“I’m sorry,” Thalia says again, and the words sound like cotton on her tongue - big, fluffy, leaving a strange, sticky aftertaste behind. “I- I know it’s hard, when someone you thought you could trust leaves. I get that.” 

Reyna raises a brow. 

Thalia rolls onto her back again, her eyes trained on the ceiling above her. They travel over the cracks - some there since she first moved in, some she’s sure appeared over the years. Each one probably with its own story. 

She knows she’s risking a lot by even telling Reyna anything about her. Who knows - maybe Reyna’s even investigating on her. But something in her convinces her to share something - Reyna wouldn’t have told her this much if she didn’t trust her to some extent, and that’s what this is about, right? Making sure Reyna trusts Thalia? 

“When me and Jason were younger,” Thalia murmurs, trailing her gaze over one of the cracks, “our dad left us. He said he didn’t want to deal with our mom.” 

Reyna is quiet for a moment, and Thalia can almost hear Reyna’s hesitation - should she stay or go? But then the bed creaks as she leans her weight back down against the mattress, and Thalia’s heart begins beating again. “What happened to your mom?”

“She was a drinker.” When Thalia sees the concern drawing on Reyna’s eyebrows, she shrugs. “Yeah. Don’t know why he thought he couldn’t take us with him, but you know… parents, I guess. I always had a feeling he wasn’t only talking about our mom.” Thalia’s throat aches at the memory of her father, his tall, broad, suited figure storming out the doorway, his rage trailing after him, crawling along the floors of their home. “Anyway, Jason and I just had to survive on our own, I guess. But he was so young when my father left. Seven, maybe. I was nine.”

Thalia tries not to let any sort of emotion slip into her voice, tries not to let Reyna worry, but it clearly doesn’t work because her voice cripples against her lips and Reyna’s brows contort into sympathy. So she clears her throat. “Our mother wasn’t all bad,” she continues. “She would play with us when she had the time, coming home from work. She’d read to us, or if she couldn’t find our favorite books she’d tell us stories about the time she was our age. But that wasn’t often, and usually it was just me and Jason against the world.”

Reyna’s eyes glint with an invitation to continue.

“So, yeah, that’s basically what it was like. All me and Jason had was each other, and I felt bad, knowing he had no one proper to look up to. I tried to be there for him in the ways I could. I mean, he was basically my responsibility at that point.” Thalia’s eyes burn, and she’s fighting hard to keep her voice under control. “But it became a little too real when he really didn’t have anyone else to look up to.”

“What happened?” Reyna asks. 

“Well…” Thalia sighs. “He found our mother dead in a bathtub.” 

Reyna sucks in a breath.

“Yeah,” Thalia murmurs. Her thoughts barrel into that moment, the sight of her mother’s gaping mouth and her motionless body, sinking into the now-gray water of the bathtub. Jason’s face rapidly crumbling into the same ashy color as the water, his eyes unable to leave their mother’s naked body. All Thalia remembers is thinking, How humiliating does it have to feel to have your kids find you naked and alone in your bathtub? 

“What about you?” Reyna asks. “What were you doing?”

“Well, I stared for a few moments.” Thalia sucks on her lip. “And then I ran away.” 

It wasn’t her proudest moment, but she didn’t really know what else to do. She’d just found her mother dead. It was one thing to be taking care of Jason - it was another to be his one and only guardian from now on. But really, it wasn’t even the fact that she’d seen her mother dead that drove her away. No, instead, it was the way Jason’s eyes dilated, his pupils sucking every particle of light in that dingy, shadowed bathroom, as he stared at Thalia in disbelief. And it was at that moment, with him looking up at her, his lips trembling in unleashed emotions, that it dawned on her: they were truly, utterly alone. 

Maybe she should have rushed to him and hugged him. Maybe she should have consoled him, knowing he was the one who found her. Maybe she should have just grabbed his wrist and walked out and decided never to look back again. 

But in that second, with Jason looking at her with his eyes cracked into millions of shards, all Thalia could think about was how they glimmered just like the broken wine bottles on the ground next to the bathtub. Next to their mother’s useless corpse.

And then she ran. 

She could hear Jason’s cries for her, his shrill voice cracking against the walls as she rushed down the hall, slammed the door shut, stumbled down the stairs. But she didn’t go back. She ignored him.

Thalia didn’t come back for three days. She spent the first two nights wandering through the Night Market, stealing food to keep her stomach from eating itself, finishing off left over bottles of wine on the road, throwing them onto the ground when she was done just to see them crack and shatter and explode into millions of pieces, trying not to think about how they looked embedded into her mother’s hand. 

The irony didn’t pass her. Drinking to forget about her problems, just like her mother. And the thought disgusted her, but even then, she couldn’t help thinking maybe her mother had a point. Forgetting was a much better use of her time than remembering everything behind her. 

Of course all she thought about was Jason. His wide blue eyes, staring at her in astonishment and grief as he held his mother’s limp wrist in his palm. The ashen tone of his skin, glowing like moonlight even in the darkness of the bedroom. The trembling of his mouth as he tried to form words. All she could think about as she chugged the next bottle of booze was Jason, sitting alone in that bathroom, crying for her, realizing that he truly had no one left to take care of  him. 

But Thalia couldn’t find the courage in herself to get up, to go back to that house and face the future ahead of her. Maybe Thalia should have been thinking more about how Jason was feeling. But her mother didn’t deserve that, didn’t deserve to have Thalia clean up all her shit for her. If she never gave Thalia anything, why should Thalia? 

Then things changed on the morning of the third day. She woke up in a house she’d never been in, with her head pounding and her tongue dry and the scent of burnt toast wafting all around her. And, in front of her, two older women, eyes brimming with pity.

That was how she’d met Emmie and Jo, as humiliating as it was. Hungover out of her mind at twelve years old, stumbling away from a responsibility she didn’t want, haunted by the eyes of a brother who didn’t deserve it either. It took a while, but eventually she warmed up to Emmie and Jo, and despite how much she despised their pity, she took in their offer for her and Jason to live with them, because what better choice did she have? It was one thing for her to live on the streets - Jason wasn’t even ten. He couldn’t survive on his own if he tried. 

“Wow,” Reyna mutters, and Thalia’s gaze flicks to hers, her heart tripping in surprise. She forgot she was even here. “That’s… really terrible. I’m sorry, Thalia.” 

Thalia shrugs, mostly because she’s not really sure how else to respond. “Yeah, I guess. But that’s what I’m talking about… sometimes, when you know someone really depends on you for something, it just… makes you want to go away more.” Her chest floods with dread at the memory of Jason’s eyes, brimming with terror at the sight before him, turning to her expectantly. “Especially when that much responsibility falls on you.” 

Reyna lets out a deep breath. “But you were twelve. That’s a lot for a kid. My sister was seventeen.” 

Thalia raises a brow at Reyna. “You don’t think seventeen is young?”

“Not that young.” 

“I don’t think a feeling like that has an age limit.” Thalia shrugs. “I’m not saying you can’t be mad at her. I’m just saying, I don’t think it was anything you did. Just… maybe the circumstances.” 

Reyna continues watching her for a moment, then tips her chin high and points her eyes down, as if even now, lying down next to each other, she’s trying to look down at Thalia. “I guess I’m just surprised.” 

“About what?” Thalia props her head against her right hand, holding herself higher over Reyna, and smirks. “Surprised I have a heart?”

“Surprised you’ve told me this much about you.” 

Thalia raises a brow. “You’re the one going soft on me, Princess.”

Reyna frowns again, and this time her nose crinkles, too. Thalia pretends not to notice the skip in her heartbeat at the sight of it. “Why do you call me Princess?” she asks.

“Good question.” Thalia reaches out to twirl a lock of hair that’s fallen over Reyna’s face. She pulls it towards her and wraps it around her finger, admiring how it shines even in the limited light around them. “The first thing I noticed about you was your long hair,” she murmurs. “I’ve never seen something so shiny before. It made me think of a princess.” 

Reyna rolls her eyes, but even in the flickering lights, Thalia can see a subtle pink inking through her cheeks. “Stupid nickname.”

“You don’t look like you find it all that stupid.” 

Reyna rolls her eyes, but Thalia decides that by her lack of response she’s won.

“Okay,” Thalia says. “Now it’s my turn to ask you a question. Why did you tell me all that stuff about you and your sister?”

Reyna’s eyebrows scrunch in consideration. After a long pause, she takes Thalia’s right hand and holds it between her palms, and Thalia hopes beyond hope that Reyna doesn’t see the blush on her face. 

“I know that maybe we both come from… really different places,” she says, her eyes oozing with sincerity. “You have every right not to trust me. But being down here… I’ve started to see just how much Topside has screwed you over. How they’ve treated you. And I guess now I understand why you all hate us so much.” Reyna tilts her head, and Thalia’s eyes follow the strand of long hair that falls over her face. It’s the same strand, too. “But you and I aren’t so different. We come from really different backgrounds, but I want you to know you can trust me.” 

Thalia’s chest rings with guilt at Reyna’s words. She hates the way her palm stings under her genuine touch, hates the way her voice burns Thalia’s skin. She feels trapped under lava, being scorched alive with no one to help her out. 

She hates Reyna’s sincerity, because she knows she can’t offer the same. 

There’s a spark of optimism in Reyna’s eyes - not too much, but it’s definitely there, and it makes Thalia’s chest ache. She knows that part of Reyna’s vulnerability must come from the drinks, and maybe that’s even the reason Thalia decided to spill her own guts, but she knows there’s something deeper there, too. If there’s anything Thalia’s learned about Reyna these past few days, it’s that she doesn’t just trust people easily - she takes her time investigating. If Reyna is saying all this now, Thalia knows she’s in for shit when, eventually, she’ll have to break Reyna’s trust. 

Thalia opens her mouth to retort something stupid, like “We’re nothing alike” or “Don’t pretend you know me.” But watching Reyna, with her brown eyes swimming with sincerity and nervousness, Thalia refrains. Isn’t the point to make her trust you? she tries to tell herself. Why risk that trust by trying to tell her something she doesn’t want to hear?

Is that really why you want her to trust you? some other voice asks her, and she has to close her eyes to ignore the thought.

After a few beats of silence, Thalia just exhales and trails a finger through Reyna’s hair. It feels like a gentle river through her fingers - soft, delicate, like cool air swimming past her knuckles. Thalia locks eyes with Reyna and says, “Don’t sell yourself short, Princess. You don’t want to be like me.” 

Reyna’s brows scrunch in confused frustration, but she chooses wisely not to say anything. Instead, she pulls herself closer and brushes a hand against Thalia’s face. Thalia’s breath hitches at her touch. “It’s sad that so many people see themselves as monsters,” she says, “and that the true monsters only see themselves as the hero.” 

Thalia traces her thumb against Reyna’s jaw, down her chin, against her lips. “You’ve never seen yourself as a monster?”

Reyna tilts her head closer, and her eyes drift towards Thalia’s lips. “What do you think got me to Piltover to begin with?”

Thalia lets a beat of silence pass. Just to make sure Reyna knows what she’s doing, to make sure she knows she can run away now if she wants.

But she doesn’t. 

So Thalia leans in and kisses her. 

It’s nothing like any kiss she’s had before. Most of them have been quick, pointless - little displays of urgent passion, but nothing more than that. They never mattered. 

But this… this matters. Like it needs to go as perfect as possible, otherwise Thalia risks everything - her life, her future, her family. She’s teetering on the edge, and this is the only thing that can save her from falling over. 

Maybe it’s because every move with Reyna has to be calculated, if Thalia wants to get her share of the fortune. She can’t risk something looking too cheap, too fake, too lackluster - she needs Reyna to think she’s the real deal, or else…

Or else what? she thinks. I risk losing some money? Why does it matter?

But Thalia knows why it matters. Because if she fucks up this job, she risks everything. She’s never even met the man behind all her missions, but she already knows he has the power to uproot her life straight from the source.

She’s built too much for the people she loves. She can’t let it all burn down, especially now that Jason’s back. 

Reyna tugs Thalia’s waist, trying to pull her closer - so Thalia edges away. That’s the smart thing to do, she tries to tell herself. Let Reyna know she’s wanted, but not too much. Let her in only enough.

If Reyna feels anything about this, she’s good at hiding it. In fact, maybe Thalia might be the most hurt by this - she’s the one trying to pull away, and yet Reyna doesn’t even care. Is it possible that she’s playing the same game that I am? 

Thalia supposes she can’t put it past her. That doesn’t seem like the kind of thing she’d do, but Thalia also doesn’t know her well enough to make a judgment. Maybe Reyna’s a phenomenal actress. 

And maybe it’s a sign there’s nowhere for them to go from here. Just something they can throw away at the end of this investigation. Something with no strings, because that way it would be harder for them to get tangled. Thalia knows neither of them could afford that.

Reyna tries to say something, but it seems to get caught in her throat. Thalia just watches her, waiting for the moment she can pull it out. 

“I had fun tonight,” she finally says. But her eyes are vacant, and her mouth is in a straight line, and Thalia has no idea whether to truly believe her. 

Thalia tries on a smile. “Me too.”

A million thoughts seem to be soaring across Reyna’s eyes, but her mouth remains firm, and Thalia decides it’s not worth trying to catch any of those thoughts. She and Reyna just watch each other, peering through the layers of secrets between them. 

“You can stay in my room tonight,” Thalia whispers, brushing a finger through Reyna’s hair. She’s not sure why she’s doing this - why offer her another night, another inch of her? She could easily let the moment pass and let Reyna go back to her place in the basement. But Thalia’s beginning to enjoy the heat of another body with her; it’s been too long since the last time she’s been this physically close to someone. She’s been starved. 

Still, Reyna’s expression remains blank. She’s staring at Thalia with her large, round eyes, sucking up her entire essence, and Thalia has no choice but to let her. “Okay” is all she says. 

“You can leave if you—” 

“No.” Reyna takes a deep breath. “If you mind, I can leave. But I don’t mind.” 

“I don’t.” 

“Then I don’t, either.” 

“Great.” 

“Great.” 

Thalia hesitates, then decides to brush another strand of Reyna’s hair. She doesn’t know if that’s too much, but Reyna ends up leaning into the touch, tilting her head to make it easier, and Thalia has to fight the urge to smile. Her hair feels like silk under her fingertips, cool and soft, with the faint scent of apples lingering over it. Thalia almost wants to bury her face into it and smell it forever. 

“I wasn’t kidding,” Thalia says. “You really are as gorgeous as a princess.” 

“No need to flatter me.” But now Reyna’s smiling. 

Thalia rolls her eyes. “Aren’t you going to say it back?”

“What? That you’re as beautiful as a princess?” Reyna raises an eyebrow at her. “You seem like the kind of person who’d start beating me up if I said that.” 

“Sure, if it were anyone else,” Thalia says. She wants to add Not you, though, but she knows it would make her sound too cheesy. 

“Okay, but that’s too cliché for my taste.” 

“Fine. What would you say instead?”

Reyna runs her eyes over Thalia’s face, and it feels like her skin is being turned inside out. She simply stares at Thalia, eyes burning with thoughts, and Thalia just wishes she could reach inside her brain and read whatever it is she’s thinking. But she can’t, so she just watches Reyna watch her, wishing they weren’t stuck here in this strange, unspoken void. 

Reyna reaches out and brushes her fingertips over Thalia’s face, and Thalia feels like she’s just discovered what touch feels like for the first time. Then Reyna smiles a slow smile, one that melts over her warm skin and turns the space between them into soft, watery sunlight, and Thalia can do nothing but bask in her warmth, wishing she could be underneath it for eternity.

Then, just as Thalia’s thinking about kissing her again, Reyna turns around. And suddenly all the sunlight shuts off. 

Typical Topsider, thinks Thalia, trying hard to keep her hands to herself. Taunting me when they know they have me.

As if she can hear Thalia’s thoughts, Reyna lets out a small laugh. “I’ll let you know when I think of something that fits you.”

[katiefromcabin7]

I have officially 1400 words (out of what i assume will be around 3000) written for a pjo pirate au 😭 😭 (i dont have time for this)

My offical plan is to have the main story be multi chapter but have a bunch of one shots for characters full indepth backstories and for how some of them became pirates)

Also i forgot to mention this in my other post about it but if all goes to plan there will be some theyna as well lol

The post

[thatmaddogley]

The broken Oath

Thalia Pov

Thalia was not in the mood for anything at the moment.

Thalia had been hiding in her cabin for about 4 weeks and hadn't even come out to eat. She never allowed anyone in her Cabin since she had gotten that phone call. That horrifying phone call. That phone call that changed everyones lives mentally. Especially Thalia’s. Unfortunately for Thalia, the Hunters were planning a big hunt in San Francisco and on the way there, they were going to visit Camp Jupiter. Right now, The Hunters were at Camp Half-blood, singing and having a nice time, while Thalia hid in her Cabin.

Thalia was not looking forward to visiting her friends either. Sure she had some really good friends in their little friend group but she didn’t feel like she fit in. The only person she liked from the group was her best friend Annabeth. Thalia had known her for years. Much more longer than anyone else in the group. People respected her for that.

Thalia wasn’t really excited to visit Camp Jupiter again either. No, let's correct that. Thalia wasn’t excited about going anywhere. Thalia was just so depressed that she almost forgot a very special person's birthday. Almost.

Reyna Avila Ramirez Arellano had been Thalia’s girlfriend for about 3 months and those had been the best 3 months Thalia has ever had in her whole entire life. Not counting the time when Thalia had discovered eyeliner.

The story of how The lieutenant of The Hunters Of Artemis and the ex Praetor of the 12th legion got together was still unknown to Thalia. It started out with talking like normal people do, then a conversation, then a deep conversation, then a very personal conversation, then Thalia admitted it, even though Reyna already knew. Next thing Thalia knew, she was dating the hottest person besides herself, that Thalia knew.

Just when Thalia was about to smile for the first time in weeks, a knock on the cabin door interrupted her thoughts.

Thalia grunted and said, “Who is it?”

The voice responded and to Thalia’s relief, it was just Reyna. “Hey uhm, may I come in?”

Thalia got off from her bed and opened the door for Reyna, quickly closing the door after.

‘’What's up?” Thalia asked.

Reyna looked better than usual, her hair was brushed and put into a beautiful braid like how she used to do it but more natural than professional. She wore a purple camoflash hunting jacket with black jeans and plain tennis shoes.

Thalia had to admit, Reyna did look pretty hot in her new found outfit instead of her praetor uniform. Though, Thalia loved when Reyna put her Praetor armor on. It showed her biceps.

‘’I just wanted to check up on you, you haven’t been out of your cabin in weeks and everyone is getting worried about you. Especially me.” Reyna said, poking Thalia’s side playfully.

Thalia grinned. Reyna could make her smile on any day, even when she's about to reach insanity. Which was everyday since that call.

‘’Rey, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me, go have fun.” Thalia said, knowing exactly that Reyna was not going anywhere for the rest of the night until Thalia did what Reyna wanted.

‘’I know Jason's death really took a toll on you but you need to at least get out and have some fresh air. Please at least come with me to the campfire song and spend some time together. I promise I will leave you alone when we are done.” Reyna said, lifting Thalia’s chin up to face her. “Plus, I have a surprise for you.”

‘’Okay fine. But I don't want you to leave me alone’’ Thalia said, sighing.

Reyna chuckled,“Good. Now hurry up, get dressed. I’ll be outside waiting”

Thalia’s Pov

Reyna was beautiful, while Thalia looked like a monster had just shredded her clothes up. Thalia just wore a shirt that said, “Death To Barbie” and ripped jeans. Thalia’s hair was all messed up, blue mixing with black. Thalia just liked wearing casual stuff and did not like dresses and all. Reyna really didn't like fancy stuff either so that's how they bonded sort of.

When Thalia left her cabin, she was faced with a very fierce and beautiful Hunter/ex praetor. Her hair was in a nice braid and she wore the same thing she did when she went in Thalia's cabin, but now Reyna had mascara and some blush, and..wait, heels?

Thalia thought she was hallucinating for a second but she was right, Reyna was wearing heels, but Reyna didn't look that happy to have the heels on.

‘’Stupid, Venus!” Reyna cursed, looking up to the sky, not noticing Thalia standing there.

Thalia coughed, and as soon as she did so, Reyna brought her dagger out and was about to swipe at Thalia until she realized it was her girlfriend.

‘’Woah, calm down, it's only me.” Thalia said, raising her hands in surrender.

‘’Sorry! I’m so sorry, I thought it was Venus- I mean Aphrodite. She gave me this ‘’Blessing” and said I would need it. I hate this.” Reyna said, looking very uncomfortable.

Thalia looked Reyna up and down and chuckled. “Never thought I would see you in heels, Arellano.”

Reyna scoffed. ‘’Be quiet Grace, you’re lucky I didn't stab you in the heart or stab you at all.”

Thalia kept laughing, despite the death glare Reyna was giving her. ‘’On a serious note, why can’t you just take them off and put your old shoes on?”

‘’Wow Athena, I never thought of that, so wise.” Reyna said in a sarcastic tone. “Of course I thought of that but they- they wouldn’t come off.”

Thalia was now cracking up, on the floor, looking like she was going through a seizure. While Reyna stood above her, glaring daggers at Thalia. Note taken, scary Reyna will not hesitate to hit anyone, even her girlfriend when angry. Because that's exactly what she did.

‘’Ah! Sorry, sorry, it's just funny because- you can’t take your shoes off.” Thalia said, cracking up again, getting another smack from Reyna.

‘’Di Immortales,” Reyna said, walking away, annoyed.

Thalia got up quickly and made her way to Reyna and stopped her in her tracks.

“I’m sorry, really. Can you forgive me?” Thalia gave her puppy dog eyes.

Reyna rolled her eyes and nodded, grabbing Thalia’s arms and tried to run to the campfire but failed miserably so she just walked.

When they arrived at the campfire, all heads turned to them, the Aphrodite girls snickering, and the seven were giving money to each other, placing bets, and the Hunters of Artemis girls were scooting over, making seats for Reyna and Thalia while teasing them.

Henrietta was the first to speak, “Wow Reyna, didn’t think you would be able to get her out of her cabin. I’m actually impressed.”

Thalia faked a look of betrayal. ‘’What's that supposed to mean?”

‘’Thalia dear, it means you’re wrapped around my finger.” Reyna said casually. "In more ways than one."

Thalia immediately blushed and rolled her eyes then got a certain gleam in her eyes that made Reyna regret ever saying anything. Thalia got up, looked at Reyna with a smirk, then sat on Reyna’s lap.

After that, Reyna became a blushing mess. All the campers were laughing and the hunters started cracking up. Thalia looked at Reyna from behind and grinned that stupid little grin that Reyna had stupidly fallen in love for.

"I-I- uhm-" Reyna stuttered, feeling the blush from before, crawl back on her face.

Thalia grinned, obviously proud of herself for making Reyna feel embarrassed. Just another thing to put on the list of 'Times Thalia made Reyna Flustered.'

"What's wrong Rey?" Thalia purred "Cat got your tongue?"

"No," Reyna grumbled. She couldn't find it in her to say anything else. If she tried to speak, it would just be jumbled words that don't make sense. Reyna still couldn't understand how Thalia could do that. Even before they were dating, Thalia used to tease her in a flirtatious way and make Reyna lose her words. She didn't get it.

Thalia turned around to face Reyna, with lust in her eyes. Reyna knew what was coming and was not wanting Thalia to do it in public.

"Thalia, somewhere else, other than here.." Reyna warned. Gesturing to the campers and hunter's staring at them.

Thalia huffed and pecked Reyna on the cheek then grabbed 2 sticks and 2 marshmallows and set them up for her and Reyna.

When they got finished with their marshmallows, Thalia laid back into Reyna, resting her head on Reyna's shoulder. Reyna puts her arms around Thalia, pulling her closer to her and to keep her in place. Reyna randomly placed kisses on Thalia's head and Thalia would cuddle closer to Reyna, and since she was half asleep, she mumbled Reyna's name in a very un- Thalia way that just made Reyna's heart melt.

As soon as Reyna noticed Thalia was asleep, she picked her up carefully, carrying her bridal-style and told everyone they were leaving the campfire early.

As soon as Reyna went into the Zeus cabin, she placed Thalia onto the bed and tucked her in, placing a light kiss on her forehead. Thalia shifted slightly, mumbling a sweet "I love you Rey-Rey," that just made Reyna smile ear to ear.

Reyna climbed next to Thalia in the bed and fell asleep but not before Reyna could manage a "I love you Mi Cielo."

--------------------------

Notes-

I made this a while ago and forgot to post it. Please tell me what you think of it, and tell me what I could improve ❤️ I love y'all

[theyna-will-happen]

Any good theyna fanfics? I can never find ones ://

well depends where ur looking if ur on ao3 then I suggest the following:

But if ur on wattpad then I suggest :

Theyna one shots, headcanons, etc. - by friendly_elf

Meeting their younger selves- by Outis02

PJO instagram & PJO instagram: The sequel- both by bobmadem

and finally…..

stress baking | theyna - by peachieprince

ok those are my recommendations byeeeee💖💖💖💖

[how-do-i-do-words]

i'm once again going back to my roots and writing percy jackson fanfiction again and that's great and all except i've spent too much time in the house of the dragon fandom and now i keep accidentally adding letters to reyna's name because my hands want to type rhaenyra

[ssavinggrace]

Chapters: 1/1 Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians & Related Fandoms - All Media Types, Percy Jackson and the Olympians - Rick Riordan Rating: Mature Warnings: Creator Chose Not To Use Archive Warnings Relationships: Thalia Grace/Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, Jason Grace & Thalia Grace Characters: Thalia Grace (Percy Jackson), Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano Summary:

Reyna and Thalia were coddled up next to each other on Reyna's bed, the room was quiet with the occasional wind blow from the open window and the ticking from Reyna's alarm clock. It was perfect though, as Thalia's arms fit perfectly around Reyna's body. Despite the cool air, they kept each other warm and safe, relishing in the comfort of one another. Reyna was tracing the outline of Thalia's hand tattoo, carefully caressing over her thumb and finger just to reach and play with her rings. Reyna loved Thalia's hands, they were big, accompanied by long slender fingers which were always decorated with rings and black nail polish. It made Reyna swoon every time, hence why she was interlocking their hands together and releasing again to trace back over the tattoo.

[cryptid-wizard]

you know its getting desperate when you start reading fabfics part by part with google translate.

it is very shitty translation and ım lost half the time but goddammit im running out of fics

[heysamsposts]

Unpopular opinion:

I hate the fanon riordanverse characters

They’re essentially just au’s with watered down resemblances to their canon personalities.

These are actual teens guys, making teenage mistakes, and trying their best to avoid losing their lives. I assure you they do not sit in a circle talking about how gay, sassy, and angsty they are.

Ya’ll do them no justice and honestly their fanon concepts are all inches away from being exact copies of each other and it’s just cringe.

Side note: there’s nothing wrong with headcanons or au’s. But seriously some of you are obnoxious.

[alphajaye071]

By All Means (Take it All)

Fourth one shot in my Sapphic Hanukkah series is up! Ship: Thalia Grace/Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano Fandom: Percy Jackson and the Olympians Rating: Mature Prompt: Gambling Games Summary: Thalia teaches Reyna to play dreidel, but they decide to raise the stakes a little. Notes: This was the first sapphic pairing I ever wrote for 5+ years ago on Wattpad, it's nice to be returning back to them. This is NOT set in canon

[yonemurishiroku]

There’s a Theyna (Thalia x Reyna) (side Percabeth, mention Solangelo) fanfic that takes place in a Retail shop. And yeah they are all workers/managers in that shop (well minus some side character). It’s quite good ngl.

Actually no, it’s one of the most well-written PJO long-fic I’ve ever read. And I wasn’t even invested in Theyna, the author just has this way to make every character intriguing somehow. It almost feels like a all-out novel more than a couple’s fanfic.

i’m gonna be honest i can’t read modern highschool pjo fics bc y’all keep tryina put the seven in certain cliques and it just doesn’t work for me

instead i raise you minimum wage job au like they all work at walmart or chipotle together; or my personal fav their all life guards bc i feel like that shit would just be funny asf

and the camps are the high schools they go to except they aren’t really talked abt much other then a “oh yeah i know hazel bc we go to the same highschool” yada yada

however i feel like theyd be split into who works with who the most based off the camps too like maybe reyna and jason work the most together as manager pairs bc in the books their praetors together if that makes sense but bottom line they all work together

i just feel like that’s the next best thing that would make the most sense in the funniest way

the workplace drama the coworker relations the shenanigans it would be so good

i could see annabeth jason percy and reyna being the managers bc they’ve been there the longest and everyone else are just the workers always scheduled with them

it’s not like the world rests on their shoulders but their the ones holding that shit show together yk

i think it’s better then in a school au bc it doesn’t really add social hierarchy of “this is nico he’s the loser freak w no friends” and just that their all teens who work at this one shitty job and make 10-15$ an hour

the only ppl who take it seriously are annabeth reyna and frank hazel does too sometimes but only when one of those three are watching

everyone else is a little too self aware to give af

jason used to care bc this was his first job but now he’s super chill he knows how to do everything so he doesn’t have to take it too seriously bc he knows in the end if he puts on his customer service voice it’ll all be ok (also he can lock in when he has to)

[thestarstoasun]

Some of my PJO ships & why

Percabeth (Percy/Annabeth - They invented love)

Ruegard (Clarisse/Silena - THE LAST OLYMPIAN, THE PARALLELS, PLS)

Clarisse/Chris (*I do not know their ship name, my bad - The Labyrinth, need I say more?)

Silena/Beckendorf (*Idk if they ever had an official ship name - They were so tragic)

Clarisse/Beckendorf/Silena/Chris (Polycule, bc multishipper really)

Jake Mason/Michael Yew (I have a thousand reasons and I don't think any are canon)

Conchell (Connor/Mitchell - THE FANFICS PLS, but some of them need to remember these are minors pls)

Connor x Malcolm Pace (I saw really cute ship art 1 time and I was sold)

Connor/Mitchell/Malcolm (I think they'd be really cute together and I don't care if it's impractical)

Luke/Lee Fletcher (Lukelee - Honestly, its more of a crack ship for me, but some people on Tumblr have me considering how much)

Luke/Ethan Nakamura (Lukethan - I can't be alone in this, pls)

Theyna (Thalia/Reyna - They would make an awesome QPR, and I thought this even before Reyna was revealed to be aroace. They flirt endlessly if only to enjoy the confused looks on their friends faces)

Tratie (Travis/Katie Gardner - Is there anyone who read the books in the 2010s when the fandom was like super big that doesn't ship them? It's big now, but like, still.)

Tyson/Ella (They deserve the world)

Solangelo (Nico/Will - Tbf, I shipped them since The Last Olympian AS A CRACK SHIP, but A WIN IS A WIN)

Grover/Juniper (Just yes)

Sally/Paul (The King that our Queen Sally Jackson deserves)

Shelper (Shel/Piper - The plot twist I didn't know I needed)

Valgrace (Leo/Jason - When I read The Lost Hero, I just thought "these two idiots could definitely work well together.")

Jasper (Jason/Piper - It isn't my favorite, but I think they're cute together. I hate that their relationship was built on the Gods interference, because neither of them deserved that. I would probably like it more if it didn't start because of Hera.)

Ethabaster (Ethan Nakamura/Alabaster Torrington - The fandom is the reason I ship them mainly tbh. I ship Ethan with Luke more, but Ethan honestly deserves better)

Jercy (Jason/Percy - I have read a single Jercy fanfiction and its kind of growing on me)

Cecil/Lou Ellen (They are literally the idiots in love that annoy Will until he gets with Nico {personal hc}, Love them)

Sherman/Miranda (I didn't think I would like this as much as I do, but its in so many fics I've read I'm low-key a little attached. Like, yeah Sherman show off, get your girl)

Damien/Chiara (I couldn't see them with anyone else tbh, but honestly could possibly change that one day, they will always hold my heart as #1 together though)

Frazel (Frank/Hazel - They are one of the sweetest pairings in the series)

Jason/Percy/Annabeth/Piper (Yes, another poly ship. I've seen this in a few fics and honestly, I think the way its written has grown on me.)

Castor/Will (Literally, because of a single fanfic. They were probably each other's first crushes and didn't even know it)

[jkschanel]

rating pjo/hoo ships! (idea from @slipknotsynchronizedheadbang)

percabeth 8/10

soulmates for sure

cute but nothing special imo

9 year old me was obsessed tho

perachel 2/10

besties for life

cant see them romantically

solangelo 11/10

what got me into shipping, fanfics, and fandoms in general

nico is just like me fr so seeing him happy and in love saved me

i just love them

frazel 7.5/10

cute ship

until i remember the age difference

jasper 0/10

lesbian and a gay man

caleo 0/10

no

pipabeth 10/10

yes absolutely 100% support

two smart and beautiful women? count me in

piper totally had a crush on her when they first met

jercy 9/10

bros

i just think they’re really funny

valgrace 10/10

adorable

totally had something going on

simp jason agenda

valdangelo 5/10

not for me but i get it

can totally see them being besties + will

pernico/jasico 0/10

no thanks

they’re bros to me

pernico especially… big no

lukercy 0/10

why is this a thing

theyna 10/10

i remember when they were a rarepair and i was obsessed but had zero content

anyways

love them

[katiefromcabin7]

I just broke 3000 word for the pjo Pirate au I’m writing. I thought the first chapter was gonna be around 3000 but it’s now looking like 4000 closer to 5000. It wont be done for a little bit as my life is about to get absolutely crazy (im moving out and across the country next month) but I would say I’m just over half way done the chapter and I’ve started doing some editing and revising. Anyways I’m just super excited to share this with everyone when it’s done.

the post that started it all lol

EDIT: It’s up!!

Ao3

[writingandwritten]

This looks cool, thanks for the tag. 1. Mental Madness #2

2. Half dead

3. Theyna fanfic - Moon Signs

4. Half a Step

5. Salem Witches Murder Mystery

uhh… the 1, 2, and 5 are sort of in the planning stage so I can’t really give a snippet… and i have not worded on 3 and 4 in ages so let’s go 3-

The footsteps were getting closer. Light footfall, someone moving faster, not silent but trying to be. It was someone who had not quite mastered the art of walking quietly. They were closer and closer and Reyna could only imagine the figure turning around the curve of the boulders beside her and finding her. She was panicking, I have nowhere to go - it was a stupid idea. Reyna silently reprimanded herself for the carelessness and as felt the thrumming in her chest move faster and faster. She was going to get caught. Her mind was racing, gliding through her surroundings trying to figure out what to do. The only way out was the way she walked in and that was not an option. Up. Reyna realised she can climb upwards. Reyna reached into the grooves of the rock, small but enough. Reyna had become used to this when she was on the pirate ship, having to climb up that masts without the ladder when it was not down. 

open tags bc I am tired

tagged by @netflixnormalthings thanks!

RULES

Post up to five (5) filenames of your WIPs; not titles, file names.

Post a snippet from one of them. Snippet must be words you wrote in the last 7 days. We’re posting progress here. If you haven’t made any, go make some and come back to post.

After you’ve posted, people can send you an ask with one of your file names. You must then write 3 sentences in that file.

That’s it! You can invite others to join in or just post.

(warning my titles are so super vague)

WIPS

Huntlow au~

Ronance fic au

little mermaid au

Wenclair 7

lumity spider man au

paris au

(that’s technically six shh)

after some interesting naming choices, let's get to a snippet!

from Wenclair 7:

Colors sometimes come as a shock when everything you’ve ever seen is washed under a shade of blue. The brightest shades of red appear more purple, bright yellow fish a soft lime green shade. Ava learned this the first time she peeked her head above the water, the bright blue sky blinding her. Bright, everything bright. The sun was the most shocking part. Ava had made the mistake of looking at it directly, consequently causing spots to dance across her vision like spilt ink.

Tagging @el-fandom-birb @sophitz-writing @chaoticnerdsstuff @fairytales-and-folklore @secretly-of-course @fluorescent-star-stickers @ anyone who wants to!!

[theyna-will-happen]

Can you please recommend PJO fanfics to me, I don’t care what platform it’s on whether ao3, wattpad or whatnot I just need some to read!!!!

[bikamalas]

Her Saving Grace

Chapter 2:

Thalia’s POV:

“Just do it.”

“You sound like Coach Nike,” Thalia mumbled into her pillow.

Phoebe seemed deeply offended by this statement. “I do not!” she protested. 

“Yeah, you do,” Annabeth said from across the room.

Thalia smirked. It was almost as if Annabeth could hear the smirk and wanted nothing more than to rip it off, because next she said, “But you’re also right.”

Thalia scowled and sat up to face them. “Look, it’ll be fine alright? I don’t even need to do it, cause Reyna ALWAYS calls first.”

“You say that as if it’s a good thing, rather than being a sign that you have problems with confrontation and possibly even the reason why she’s not calling,” Annabeth said calmly.

Thalia glared. “You’re supposed to be helping. Besides, it’s not like you’re the expert on relationships-”

Thalia stopped as soon as she saw the look on Annabeth’s face. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I crossed the line.” 

“Yeah, you fricking did.” Annabeth paused. “But it’s cool.”

Thalia exhaled. Good. She was not in the mood to argue with her best friend. 

“But you’ll have to call Reyna.”

Thalia groaned. “Fine!” she cried.

Thalia trudged over to the phone lying on her dresser. Photos of her and Annabeth when they were younger, her with hockey team and her band, and of her and Reyna lay scattered around. Thalia smiled at a photo of her and Reyna at a game. Thalia was nuzzling Reyna’s neck- Reyna was laughing and her arms were around Thalia. The picture stirred a warm fuzzy feeling in the pit of her stomach and pushed her to pick up the phone and dial Reyna’s number.

For a few minutes Reyna didn’t pick up and Thalia was afraid she’d missed her chance. Then she heard Reyna’s voice. “Hello,” she said cautiously. Cautiously. How long had it been since Thalia had called?

“Hey,” Thalia mumbled. “I, uh... oh screw it. I haven’t called in weeks and I’m sorry.”

“Straight to the point, I see,” Reyna said dryly.

Thalia sighed. “Look, I really am sorry-”

Suddenly Reyna laughed. “I’m kidding, Thalia,” she said. “And there’s no need to apologize. You’re having a rough time.”

“No, no it’s not. My brother is back. I should be happy.”

“If someone came back into my life just like that I wouldn’t call you for a week either. It’s fine, really.”

Thalia exhaled. “So we’re good?”

“We’re good.”

“Good.”

“Great,” Reyna said. There was a challenge in her tone. Thalia narrowed her eyes.

“Better.”

“Best.” Thalia could hear the smirk in her voice.

“Bestest,”Thalia declared. 

“That’s not a word,” Reyna laughed.

“According to whom? Don’t oppress my vocabulary, Reyna.”

Reyna laughed again. Then she paused. “So I was thinking...”

“When are you not?”

“Ha ha. Anyway, you know my sister Hylla?”

“I’d have to be deaf not to. You talk about her all the time.”

“Yeah, well she’s back!”

“Really? Wow, sibling comebacks sure are trending...”

“I know, right?” Reyna chattered excitedly. “So Hylla and I were thinking she could meet you.”

“Seriously? That would be awesome! But where?” 

“We’ll at New Rome- you know, the mall next to my school?”

“That’d be great! Let’s do it!”

“Great,”Reyna said, and Thalia’s heart melted. She could already picture Reyna’s beautiful smile. Even from here she could feel it’s warmth.

“I love you,”Thalia smiled.

“I love you too,” Reyna said, and then hung up.

Thalia flopped onto the bed with a sappy smile on her face. Phoebe, seeing this, said in a mocking tone, “Oh no! What a bad idea to call!” 

“Shut up,” Thalia murmured, smiling to herself as she thought of seeing her queen again.

AN:

Aaand that’s a wrap for the second chapter! Sorry for taking so long- exams and shit. Anyways, I hoped you liked this chapter and I DEFINITELY hope I did the research for the meaning behind Reyna’s name right because otherwise this ending sucks. Anyway, thanks for reading and remember to check out @piperlypso if you want to see more great content like the inspiration behind this story!