Chapter Text
Epilogue: Rewrite the Stars,
“No one can say what we get to be”
“No you’re going to be great over here.” Artemis pulled another box out of the back of the uhual. “Zoe is looking forward to get you as an assistant for the non-profit. She’s hoping you’ll be a good replacement for her on the east coast so she can come back to the west with me.”
Thalia stopped and turned to look at her older sister. “You and Zoe?”
“No its nothing like that.” Artemis rolled her eyes. “We’ve talked about my ace-ness before, come on now.” She pulled a box into her arms as well. “Zoe just wants an opportunity to climb the ladder a bit more. Where is your hulking girlfriend anyway? Shouldn’t she be helping pack boxes?”
Thalia shrugged. “She had something to do with the ROTC program today. They wanted her for something before she can come home.” She looked at the quaint little house with its well manicured lawn and sighed. “You know we will figure out a way to pay you for this.”
“Just don’t let anyone else know your ‘internship’ included housing.” Artemis laughed and followed Reyna into the tiny little one bedroom house. “Beside you’ll have a raise waiting for you once you officially start you new position.”
“Yeah, Reyna’s stipend isn’t going to be really big, but we’ll take care of it.” Thalia glanced around at the little living room and the purple colored couch sitting in the middle of it. “She would probably benefit more living on campus.”
“But you two wanted to live together.” Artemis shrugged and leaned against the couch where she set her own box. “And the ROTC will benefit her in the long run.”
“It was one of the only ways her and Hylla could thing to get her away from their dad and left alone.” Thalia’s face tightened as she flicked her lip ring.”
Artemis snorted. “Our father never makes it this far east so you should be fine. Have you heard from him?”
Thalia shook her head. “Once you guys broke me out last summer, he demanded I finish the ‘program’ once, but he doesn’t really talk to me much anymore.”
Artemis’ auburn fought to escape its braid as she laughed sardonically. “Of course. Good riddance. He can annoy Jason for a while. My mom always said he weas flighty and waiting for his next conquest. Never happy with anything. He still refuses to acknowledge Apollo.”
“Your poor twin.” Thalia pulled out her phone and started to flip through a message on it.
“He lives to make dad mad. I don’t have a clue how your mom still stays married to him.”
“They’re never in the same room for more than fifteen minutes.” Thalia looked up from her phone. “Reyna says to come outside.”
Artemis ticked her head to the side and followed Thalia out the door.
“I could get used to this, declared Thalia as she watched a dozen ROTC uniform clad people climbing in and out of the u haul while passing boxes out.
Reyna wore the loose digital camouflage pants tucked into the tops of her boots, and the tight-fitting beige t shirt. Thalia didn’t hide the look she gave her girlfriend as she sauntered up. “I brought help,” she said as she pointed over her shoulder.
“I can see that.” Thalia switched to looking at a few of the women packing boxes into the house. “I am not disappointed. I always knew I had a thing for uniforms but hot damn.”
Reyna’s brown eyes rolled but she pulled Thalia into kiss her once. “Lets get this unpacked.”
Artemis started taking off for the rental car parked in front of the uhaul. “Well seeing as you don’t need me, I’m going to go catch up with Zoe.” She turned and started walking backwards. “I’ll see you at the office on Monday and you at dinner on Wednesday. Have fun moving in.” she flipped a hand in a wave for her departure.
It didn’t take long for the ROTC group to have Thalia and Reyna unpacked. They made a few jokes about Reyna and the uhaul took the pizza dinner that they were offered and left just as unceremoniously as they arrived. The last to leave was the dark haired Kinzie.
“Thanks again for your help,” said Reyna as she opened the door for the older student.
She shrugged and leaned against the door frame. “No problem. Tell Hylla I said hello and she needs to get her ass back here to visit.”
A smile broke over Reyna’s face. “In a few weeks she’ll be on shore leave and plans to head here. She’s still complaining to me that I’m headed towards the air force instead of the navy.”
Kinzie threw her head back laughing. “Your poor sister. She’ll get over it. Have a good one.”
Reyna made her way to the little couch and sat in the middle next to Thalia, those bright blue eyes watched her intently. “Are you happy?”
Thalia pressed her lips together and glanced around at their little home. “Well, I have great job working for my sister’s non-profit. My girlfriend is going to college and gets to wear sexy uniforms for the ROTC. Your parents still talk to you and just want to forget I exist. My mom is visiting in December and my dad is hoping he can just ignore me here. I think I’m almost happy.” Her blue eyes settled in the corner of the room before coming back to Reyna. “Almost.”
“What could make you happy?” Reyna gave her a half hearted grin expecting something outrageous.
“Guido.”
“What?”
Thalia gestured to the stuffed llama sitting on top of a box. “Let’s name him Guido.”
Reyna tried her best and failed not to laugh. “Fine. Guido it is. While we’re at it lets get dogs too.”
“We should.” Thalia had a new light burst behind her eyes. “So long as it doesn’t take a year to name them.”
“Them?” Reyna grinned mischievously while putting a hand on Thalia’s leg. “So I’m taking that as I can get as many dogs as I want.”
Thalia’s scowl melted just as fast it showed up. “No wait just a minute here.”
“No we’re going to have a whole dog rescue here.” Reyna crossed her leg under as she looked at her girlfriend.
Thalia pushed her hand away. “Now don’t make me be the responsible one here.”
“Well you are the one working while I’m in school.” Reyna laughed. “You’re practically more of an adult than.”
“Oh don’t start that.”
“I’m just saying you’re being the mature one here.” Reyna’s lips pursed together as the corners of her mouth tried to not pull up. “For once.”
“I am officially offended.” Thalia laughed. “You’re going to end up with a chore list at this rate.”
Reyna gave up on trying to hide the grin. “Might as well add bed time if you want to be strict.”