high hopes;

“How old are you? Ten? Sure, you’ll still have a lot of time to grow.” Nath continued to joke, even going so far as to pat the top of Kole’s head. It probably seemed mean to some people but Kole and Nath get along really well that it wasn’t a big deal anymore. “Okay, Raena and that tall guy. Not Teren because that dumb gay is soft and we know it.” The son of Zeus knew the blond son of Hecate very well to know that he’s only trying to look intimidating.

“Maybe you should just wish upon some star somewhere and then maybe you’ll grow tall.” Nath continued to joke. He never had problems with his height and he still liked to poke fun at other people’s height sometimes but he will stop if asked. “You know, if people hear you telling me that I’m the best, people might hunt me down. Like that kid from Hecate. The one that looks scary.”

“I’m getting you the ones that light up like a rainbow. Definitely those ones. I’ll get you platform ones just so you’ll look taller.” Nath joked as he pat the top of Kole’s head, chuckling. It was always refreshing to have Kole around because he was so carefree about everything. It was rather infecting. “Not the best but I’ll still take the compliment.”

“I’m sure I can find some that light up. Or I can have someone make it for me, I’m certain I’d be able to find someone or at least have my teammate with kids lead me to some direction.” Gods know if Nath can actually do that on his own. He probably could but it would definitely take him longer than usual. The shoes were very easy and were actually on their way to his apartment in the city already. “I’ve been told but I don’t believe it.” The son of Zeus answered honestly and chuckled when Kole moved and hugged him, wrapping an arm around him to hug him back.

Nath laughed and then made sure the two would meet when hockey season starts again. If it was safe, or at least, he’ll try to make the meeting as safe as possible given the circumstances. “Okay, so a Nokk doll that lights up and stuff too. I think I can do that. I’ll also add those sparkly shoes that I finally found!” The hockey player exclaimed with a proud grin.

"Oh, I’ve tried. I asked her out for dinner one time and she just glared at me until I went away. Also, I think my teammate likes her so...” Nath trailed off and then shrugged after. He didn’t want to think about that particular night either. Though he remembers the fun night he had at the bar. “I’ll send you sweets and some food... Maybe an Elsa doll or two?” The son of Zeus teased. Though if Kole asked, he would probably give one if he wanted. Or really, whatever Kole wanted anyway.

“She’s a tiny woman that gets what she wants. I’m not surprised that the whole team is scared of her.” Nath usually steered clear and followed his plan but it was definitely harder once the lockdown had started. Especially when he was alone and he was lonely. “How about some godly food? I might need more of that now that the season might come back soon.”

“They’re shorter than you and I’m scared of her.” Nath pointed out and laughed softly because he wouldn’t get killed but he would get a stern talking down to and that was just as worse. No thank you. “Then I’ll visit more often. Though I have to go in a bit now though because I still have a meeting with my agent. I’ll try to send some stuff in a box like candy and chips, if you’d like?”

“It’s the best thing. That I probably shouldn’t have cause my nutritionist might murder me if I do but I’ll die a happy man anyways.” Nath was being dramatic but he would never cross that woman because it was scary to piss her off. And he was over six feet tall. “I’ll come back about next week if that’s okay with you.”

Nath was already pushing the thought away just because he didn’t think it would actually happen. Though he would do whatever Kole would ask him if he wanted to do something with the ice. “Of course, I’m the best.” The son of Zeus said with a grin. “Shake Shack has the best fries and the shakes ever. You’re not gonna want any other fast food burger from now on. I’ll even happily brave the line for it.”

Nath would probably just drop Kole on the snowbed in a low enough height that he really wouldn’t get seriously hurt if it went wrong. Or he would just never do it in the first place. Nath was never really great at math so he could never gauge what the right height and angle was to drop Kole. “Yes, and I know how ridiculous that sounds but I’m just saying that I would still do it! And I’m not bringing you fucking Burger King, I’m bringing you Shake Shack. I don’t care if I have to line up long just for that.”

“Well, you might not know the reason why yet but you will figure it out soon enough. And if it’s either of that, it was not your fault, what happened to Noah.” Elio couldn’t have known what happened to Noah because he wasn’t aware that the other existed then. Nath could understand why he was feeling like that but he would have to convince his boyfriend that the guilt or whatever he was feeling.

Kole would probably do anything that involved having to do with snow but he doubted that he would actually push through with dropping the younger camper into the snow no matter how much he says it’s safe. Something could go wrong and he didn’t want that to happen. “Or if you need anything from the city too, okay? You could probably tell me that you want snow from the city and I’ll still send it to you.”

Nath couldn’t imagine having someone actually having their butt insured, and only that. Although he couldn’t deny that what he was doing for his job was actually close to that anyways. “You don’t need to go anywhere either when you practically have everything here in camp. Although if you need to get out, you only have to send me and IM and I’ll come pick you up.”

Nath would practically give Elio the whole world and if this brings him a little bit of peace or reassurance, or whatever he would get with the answers, he would definitely do it. “Of course, I’ll help you. Whatever you want and whatever you need, I will definitely help you look for him.” The son of Zeus answered. “We’ll have to start with the city, I guess.”

“Maybe I’ll just drop you down first just to be sure that the snow is actually fluffy enough. My butt is ensured for about a million dollars, you know.” Nath joked, even though that technically wasn’t wrong, especially in the sport that he was in. Though he trusted Kole that the snow would actually be safe, he still joked about it. “You don’t really need to drive, you can just have other people to drive you or take the public transportation.”

Nath pulled Elio as close as he possibly could and pressed a lingering kiss on his forehead. He knew that it was definitely hard to come to terms with the fact that Elio found out he had a brother. But that brother was already gone. The mention of a boyfriend just made him want to wince but he managed to stop himself at the last minute. Losing someone you love was never easy and with what he could remember, Noah and his boyfriend were really good together based on what he would hear. “Are you going to look for him, still?”