Day Two, post-trial;

[chiseler]

[Mistakes were made. Mistakes were made and when it's all said and done, when they all decide what to do with Diva's body, he rises from his place and gently touches Adam's wrist to indicate that he follow him. He watches the room out of the corner of his eye, checking to see if they're being watched before he pulls him out of the courtroom and heads up to the second floor.

He can't believe they're heading back to the bathroom but that's where they head and he looks at his shirt with disinterest. His nose is still swollen and in pain and there's blood on his shirt and his hand. So, he pulls off his shirt and throws it at Adam to hold as he opens one of the shower stalls, turning on the water to get to an icy spray. He doesn't step into it yet. He's waiting.]

...you abstained, didn't you? [Just to be sure.]

Comments

[antietam]

[ Following a goat. He frowns deeply but listens, not sure what to think about a goat and a house. He doesn't push because the next bit of information surprises him. ] You ran away... [ It's said quietly, like he's just repeating the information to himself. He's curious but he doesn't want to ask because, well, it might not be a good answer. In fact, it's definitely not a good answer if a nine year old had to run away. He seems troubled. ] But you started going to camp when you were fourteen. What happened in the mean time? You stayed at the house?

[ This line of conversation about boyfriends has become awkward to him so he seems to hold back some commentary. At some point, he has to ask: ] You think it's easier to act it out than just say it? [ He looks over at Luke and thinks for a long moment before he settles back in his seat and closes his eyes. Looks like he's going to stay. ] Okay.

[chiseler]

No. I didn't know about Hal's house until the goat led me there. What do you mean what happened in the meantime? I lived on the streets and made shelters as I went because I didn't know where else to go. When I was fourteen a satyr found me and Annabeth and led us to Camp. That's it.

[It's a weird conversation, especially when he's finding it hard to recall why, precisely, he followed the goat in the first place. The conversation about faux-dating almost seems easier.] I think it's a lot easier to act out, yeah. Saying it doesn't do much since you can say anything. I could look at you right now and say I'm really into you and not even mean it, but it'd still be out there. Consider that. [But when Adam settles Luke does the same and mirrors his stance.] ...we should come up with a plan for tomorrow.

[antietam]

[ That answer is what he was worried about. He had tried running away when he was younger and he wonders if that could have been his life, but without a camp to belong to. He knows, ultimately, he made the right choice in staying but sometimes he still wishes he could run away. He stares at the ground, seemingly thinking very hard and probably not even at the idea of a satyr. ] Annabeth...? [ He can connect, at least, the story of a little girl feeling unwanted to the scenario with Luke. Maybe he also felt unwanted. ] The girl who threw a hammer at you?

[ He's not entirely sure which conversation is more difficult at the moment. He really shouldn't have let it get this far. ] Do you think there's gonna be another corpse tomorrow? [ He rubs at his eyes. He's so tired. ] Or do you mean starting to act out our plan? ... As long as we both approve of everything beforehand, it shouldn't be too strange.

[chiseler]

[A sigh.] Yeah. She threw a hammer at me because she thought I was another monster coming after her and that was her only defense. She was seven at the time. That's what happens to demigods. They get hunted down if they're not at Camp or something because our parents don't bother helping us out.

[It's bullshit. The whole thing's bullshit, so he decides it's easier to talk about dead bodies.] I really hope not. It's been two days and we already have two dead people. I don't want to think about if this is going to continue. I was kinda talking about our plan. [He cracks open an eye slowly.] ...so maybe we should...I dunno. Have breakfast together in the mornings and then talk strategy to make sure we're on the same page before the day really gets started. We can't really get approval from each other in the middle of conversations with other people.

[antietam]

[ Only seven. And she was alone? It's disturbing. Surely as gods they all know where their kids are, what they're doing... And they let them stay on their own. ] They'd rather just let you die. So gods are about just as good as humans at parenting. I guess that's comforting to know. [ He probably sounds bitter. Why is it so hard for people to take care of their kids? To love them?

At the same time, that's all he's ever seen around him. Loving parents. No one who seemed to understand what it was like to be without that. Luke is the first person he's met like that. ] Breakfast. Alright. We can plan out what our public acts will be for that day. And... we can always have signals. I'd like some warning before you, I don't know, go in for a kiss or something.

[chiseler]

Something like that. Some demigods maybe lucked out by having a good mortal parent, I don't know. But the gods rarely talk to us, if at all. Supposedly they still care about us, but I don't buy it.

[At least they can agree on that. Parents suck. His hand comes up to rub at the areas under his eyes.] Planning out public acts, yes. Signals...no. Still too obvious. What kind of warning are you hoping for, exactly? I don't think real couples warn each other when they're about to kiss each other.

[antietam]

They wouldn't let that happen if they cared. [ 'That' is a lot of things. Running away, getting attacked by monsters, whatever else. It's strange, though. Adam thinks it's his fault that his parents can't love him, but then... ] Sometimes parents don't want their kids. It's not impossible.

[ He frowns, though. He guesses he should be prepared for whatever they have to do to convince people. ] I don't mean anything obvious. Something like... [ He reaches over and smooths his hand down Luke's back. ] And then you go in for a kiss. That's not weird.

[chiseler]

[A pause.] You're damn right they wouldn't. [It's mumbled, but it's there. He agrees that if they cared he wouldn't be left scrambling trying to figure out a future he doesn't understand. But it doesn't matter. As soon as he leaves this place...well. They'll see.

He tenses up a little under Adam's hand but he doesn't pull away, opening both eyes now as he looks at him. That's definitely a sign he can remember and it's not so obvious. Instead of responding though, he moves to wrap his hand around Adam's forearm, fingers touching the inside of his wrist as he leans in...

...and stops just in front of his face.] That's not weird at all. [It's pretty weird and he knows it.] But sure, we'll work on it. Who knows? Maybe we won't even need to say anything or do anything at all and people will be too distracted with other stuff. But I feel a little better having a plan anyway.

[antietam]

[ Adam's thoughts all melt away when Luke grabs his arm and begins to lean in. Alright. If Luke wants to practice with a hurt nose, they might as well so it's not awkward if they ever have to do it in public. Because he feels intensely awkward... probably because Luke stops and then Adam is left paused, looking at his lips.

He rolls his eyes and pulls his arm away from him, standing up. ] I prefer having a plan too. I don't want people thinking we're staff members just because we're around each other. [ He sighs and turns to look at the bar. ] I'm gonna see what kind of drinks they have here.

You can just relax until curfew. I'll take you back upstairs.

[chiseler]

[There's the tiniest hint of a smirk when Adam pauses and then moves away. He's proven his point. That's all he had to do. He doesn't bother getting up but he closes his eyes again.]

We can both agree on that. [And he tilts his head back to try and alleviate the pressure in his face.] That sounds like a good plan to me...let me know if you see anything good, yeah? [And he falls quiet after that. Thanks Adam. You're a good fake boyfriend.]