life underwater

“Of course, it’s all about the confidence. It’s a very important skill. Do you want me to teach you as well?” 

“Oh, please, Nate learnt it all from me. It’s very much a learnt skill.” 

“Absolutely not, how else would we keep our titles as favourite daughters?” 

“Hmm, you’re right, that is a little more casual. I’ll put that down as first place.”

“Thank you, thank you, I try.” Charlotte spoke with a laugh, putting her hand up as if she was waving to a crowd. Her eyes glanced over the toppings that Dawn had bought, widening as she looked. This was her heaven. “I think I love you. Yeah, I do.”

“How am I meant to know? They can’t talk to tell me their feelings.” 

“I leave you alone for two seconds and you’ve proven that plants have feelings.“

“I’m amazing, I know, you don’t need to say it. I wouldn’t hate it if you did, though.” 

Anyone who knew Charlotte knew that she was not a morning person in any capacity, which wasn’t great when it was combined with being a light sleeper. That was the only reason she was ever able to stay up late when they had a sleepover, any other day she would be out usually before ten. Hearing Christian move around was more than enough to wake Charlotte out of her sleep. Her eyes opened slowly, not wanting to be awake at all, “It’s okay,” She spoke in a soft, quiet voice as she stifled a yawn. It took Charlotte a moment to realise what was happening but once it processed Charlotte knew he wasn’t okay. They had been friends for so long that she could just know, she sat up, her eyes still misty from sleep and put her hand on his shoulder, “What’s happened?” 

“It would be even worse if you got sunburnt! I would hate trying to take a swimsuit like that off with spotty burns. I’m sure it looks amazing on you, but I don’t think you should risk it” She reasoned with a laugh, “Absolutely, we have to keep up appearances.” 

A smile swiftly moved across Charlotte’s features, turning into a laugh. “I completely agree with you, I do, but I don’t think we can judge him based on a trench coat, no matter how ugly it is.” 

“Of course it is, we’re demigods. What could be more casual than spending the weekend at my Dad’s palace?” 

“I’d even put a higher percentage on it. Do you think if we asked nicely Zeus would pass the reigns?” 

"Ah,” Charlotte nodded, the image of the bathing suit coming back to her mind, “That one was a cute one but my only concern is if it would be comfortable enough to swim in?” 

Charlotte lifted her hands up in defence, “I would never!” She promised, “If I did that then I’d also have to tell everyone all the times I stole, that doesn’t work great for me. Now, did you grab any toppings?”

“Okay, okay. Only for you.” Charlotte said, conceding very easily to him. She didn’t know how, but he was always able to do that to her, convince her of anything, do anything. Maybe it was the eyes, Charlotte couldn’t tell. “What did you do in Florida when it was like this?”

“See, I don’t really feel like dying today and I’m sure Zeus would find a way to get me.” She said, her tone light as she spoke in jest although Charlotte knew Zeus could find a way if she said the wrong thing. “I’m sure Apollo could take one for the team and take over for an afternoon. That way, we could actually go do something.” Charlotte spoke with a sigh, as if she had major things planned for the day that were hindered from the weather. “Can we mark today as a write off?”