* hearth heart

“She’s got it! Yeah, baby, she’s got it!” Daith said in a sing-song tone and laughed as he sipped more of his beverage and hummed in delight. He really looked comfy in that onesie of his and he had to admit that he loved wearing it. He looked at Keaton and noticed two things: First, his mug seemed to be on the verge of melting, so now he knew the other male liked his hot stuff. And two, that at the mention of the son of Apollo’s name, his eyes widened and he got nervous. “So you are boyfriends now? Keaton, that’s wonderful news!” he said with a huge smile as he got closer to the other, eager to listen more. “That’s adorable…” he said, hearing how the son of Hestia expressed about Corey. “I… I’m not wearing any undies so a wedgie would be… awkward” he said shaking his head. “And well, if you must know… I… I fell for two of our fellow demigods” he said, sighing, closing his eyes and sighing. “And I don’t know… are we really talking boys right now?” he asked, chuckling, nervous about telling the other the full stories.

The same weight and comfort Corey longed to feel back in Alexandria remained physically apart of him right here in Keaton’s unfaltering embrace. Banishing away the cold, harmful doubt. After these weeks had past, it was almost as if the months that led Corinth here were one terrible nightmare long past. Never to return. That couldn’t be true of course, but what truly counted was his willingness to risk once more and to find worthiness in every sweet moment he could enjoy. Before the next blow could ever expect to knock him out of the game. It couldn’t now… Cor knew of the future he had to live for. Who.

His right hand cradled Keaton’s jawline as those lips fit effortlessly against the crook of his neck. The other caressed his boyfriends strong hands, memorizing the joints and callouses of both. Though it had to be the hundredth time he’d tried. He flinched and chuckled when Keaton’s stubble tickled his skin, “’glad to hear that… ‘cause once we’re back to business as usual, those ‘special occasions’ will be few and far between.” He turned his jaw to kiss the corner of the other’s lips affectionately. “But… not for us. You kept me treading at my lowest after all.” Though Corey had no intention of reaching such a dreadful point again. “’n I’ll always make time for you.”

------- keaton tried his best not to think of what ‘back to business’ could entail for the two of them. the ever present thought of xollan and the like was always bothering him and the looming threat of the dark aether was only ever just an acre away. it would be foolish to pretend that their lives couldn’t end at any point but keaton would rather live this way than be back home drowning in his thoughts and insecurities. 

coming to olympus had brought him more joy than he’d ever known and keaton highly doubted that he would have found a love like the one he had with corey back home in seattle. he’d probably be far too busy trying to please his father and raising his own expectations for himself until he worked himself into an early grave. keaton quickly banished that thought. he didn’t want to remember his last remaining father in a negative light. especially when the man wouldn’t remember his own son at all. 

“the rain part sounds nice,” ragnor chimed, his tone merry but audibly weighed down by tiredness. he wormed deeper into the bedsheets, as if he was a woodland creature in winter and keaton’s bed was the burrow he’d chosen. he felt warm already. a few moments trickled past as ragnor’s eyelids drooped, slowly falling asleep. but it took mere moments – he jolted awake a second later, eyes darting around wildly. “ugh,” he laid back, burying his face in his palms before shooting keaton a look. “oh, where’s corey? i thought you two new lovebirds would be spending the nights together.”

---- “that’s a weird ass question.” keaton responds quickly. “i don’t think we’re hornier than anybody else. nah, i take that back. daith maybe.” 

the house of nightmares & the fireplace of cremation

“Daith is on Venus right now. Please leave a message” he said, sticking out his tongue for a moment before laughing. He liked hanging around with Keaton. Not only because it meant that his tummy would be full of delicious food, but also because he really felt at ease with the other. He watched as the other sipped on his mug and shrugged. “Well, you know… I’m the son of Aphrodite. I’m basically a hopeless romantic with the sex drive of a married conservative politician” he said with a chuckle. “Besides… I’m not the only one with boys in mind lately… I talked to Corey on Valentine’s Day” he said, waggling his eyebrows. “Care to share something with the class, Keaton?” he asked with a huge grin. Because, why talk about his own heart when other hearts could be a matter of discussion?