revenge is sweeter than you ever were

“I love Valentine’s Day, don’t you just love Valentine’s day?” Sophia said to the another. “It’s so romantic and cheery. I don’t even care that I’m single.”

“I do love Valentine’s Day,” Gideon agreed. “Despair and loneliness is so fun to watch.”

“So, is this a thing that happens every year?” Alaric commented, looking around the campfire with a somewhat bemused expression on his face, “I know this is probably going to sound stupid, given what we are- but isn’t it a little extra?”

“Feel free to shout it out loud. Near cabin ten especially. They are going to love it.”

“Call me Betty again and I’ll shoot an arrow between your eyes,” she said with an indignant huff.

"So hot,” Gideon commented. “Feel free to show me your claws whenever you want, Betty.”

“As if you trust anyone around here,” she rolled her eyes at him.

"True. I am suspicious of all of you,” he agreed.

“Is that concern I hear in your voice, Carstairs? Who would’ve thought.”

“Sometimes even I surprise myself, Havilliard.”

“I’m sure he said more than ‘see ya on Sunday, peace out’. What are you not telling me?” Bethany looked up at the other from polishing her bow.

"Don’t be so tense Betty, I’ve got it all under control.”

“Oh, that’s- oh!” Redness bloomed across Mia’s cheeks as the meaning of the words reached her. “Oh, well that’s… definitely not the standard injury that I’m used to dealing with. But there’s a first for everything, I suppose. I hesitate to ask, but is it just the scratches on your arms?”

Gideon grinned, clearly pleased with the reaction he received. “I’m sure you’re going to take good care of me,” he purred. “And no. The nymph gave me... How the kids call it now? Ah, a very special hug. Multiple times.”

The scent of rubbing alcohol mixed strangely with a heady aroma of ambrosia and nectar, but Mia had long since gotten used to it over the years of working at the camp’s infirmary. She walked methodically between the few people in the room before stopping in front of the newest arrival. Looking over their injury, Mia winced sympathetically. “Oof, that looks like it hurt. What happened?”

“Let’s just say that a nymph got a little frisky,” he slowly smiled knowingly at the girl.

“Sorry cupcake, but I am not going to spell your acne off. Unless you’re one of Aphrodite kids, you’re going to suffer like the rest of us.”

“I don’t even trust you enough to let you mess with my gorgeous face,” he shrugged.

“No one told me we’re training today. What happened to Saturday?” Cyrus shook his head, then tried to quickly finish his snack.

“You’ve got outdated info, handsome. Better run and help your siblings or you’ll lose again,” Gideon replied with a smirk.