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@lightningstrvck | @blowmcakiss | @jaredxhentridge

Wolfram Winters | Hm. Winters, huh? Who would’ve figured? Maybe my mother was trying to one-up Zeus by naming me Strom Summers. Get it? The whole seasonal and letter –ahem. I think Wolfram is a lovely guy. I don’t really, really know him, probably like you feel I should but Wolfram is pretty fucking badass. I feel bad about the whole Ancient Site situation, but I’m a bad perspective being emotionally exhausted. I think that we’d be able to get each other through tough storms. I couldn’t hunt for my food so I have to commend the man for his efforts. He seems really sweet, though.

Ignacio Cardoso | Ever since Valentine’s Day, I’ve had this overwhelming rush when I’m around him. Now, I was promised that the phenomenon behind the whole scent-thing was gone but it’s quite infectious. But that makes me question if the man really looks at me and sees me or is it the muscle memory talking. I think I’d like to know more behind the man rather than this exhilarating sense of wanting and without it feeling so unnaturally persuaded. He seems like he’s quite the charmer so is he tricking me?

Jared Hentridge | Thoughts on Jared, eh? What can I say? He seems like a guy who’s had it all and could get anything he wants. A lifestyle I would’ve been jealous of. You know, I picture flipping through a magazine of fine china and crystal eatery and he’s the person seemingly smiling in the editorial while I’m struggling to keep my white T-shirt from getting splashed with bacon grease making someone a breakfast platter. I did get annoyed with him, but I think I should’ve been more understanding. I was frustrated, admittedly so. I ain't’ ashamed to admit I was wrong. I think we’re all still learning how to get along, to be along… And the two of us are no different. 

“While someone might be itching to bring along someone familiar, I wouldn’t bring a single soul. This place has a way of taking people you really care about and ripping them to pieces. Not to mention, they wouldn’t even remember me so they’d just get tortured in an unfamiliar place and I’d be stuck with guilt and shame for being the source of their torment. I don’t want to wish that upon them and I wouldn’t wish that pain upon myself. It’s been hard enough seeing people I’ve gotten close to walk away or worse.” 

        𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐀𝐂𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓 𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐃,  even  for  a  couple  of  seconds,  that  made  nikolai  feel  good.   he  got  out  of  the  water  and  he  looked  over  at  strom.    he  grinned.    “  i  actually  did  it,  ”   he  laughed.    “   i  thought  i  was  going  to  last  a  little  longer,  but  hey,  it’s  a  start,  ”   he  chuckled.    he  got  out  of  the  water  and  he  nodded.   “  i  think  i’m  good  for  now.   i’ve  been  in  there  for  hours,  i’m  surprised  that  i  haven’t  turned  into  a  raisin.  ”   nikolai  twirled  his  fingers  and  the  water  from  his  body  was  slowly  moving  out  in  front  of  him,  forming  into  a  ball.   “  think  i’m  getting  the  hang  of  this.  ”

“Control comes with time. You’ve got the basics. You just have to master those while you add on new levels to this thing. I imagine water control isn’t the same as flying but any concept of learning new skills begin with learning to walk before you sprint.” Strom was optimistic that Nikolai would grasp his element due to his obvious signs of his determination and his lack of defeat in this moment. “I would agree. Get your rest. You did good but you don’t want to drain yourself.” Strom smiles. He would’ve offered him a refreshment or even water but he had neither on his persons. “You did fucking great.” Strom chants, ramping the man up. He breaks the line of celebration with soft laughter. “Can you  like do all kinds of fancy shit with that orb?”

Julian perks his head up as the door opens to a refreshed, if but slightly wet, Strom. It looks like the jog’s a success but he doesn’t get much out before Strom insists on changing. He chuckles, bowing his head, “I wasn’t sure if you were busy or not, but I wanted to say thanks. I brought a cup of tea for you, too. I hope you like green tea,” he says and crosses the threshold. He sets Strom’s down on the end table and his other remains at hand.

He looks over the athlete, clearly impressed by both physique but also the muscle’s response to the jog. Even in the high altitude, Strom makes it through. It seems he doesn’t need to be told twice about keeping breaths short and shallow—Strom knows what his body needs to be the best outcome he can.

“How have you been? Outside of your jog,” he gestures in a kind smile. They haven’t talked much, if at all, since both the ancient site in Greece and Jasper’s valentine extravaganza. He also adds in, “I didn’t get a good look at you at Jasper’s party, but I hope you had fun there like I did.”

“I haven’t really been busy since...,” Strom finishes tying up his joggers before he returns to the open entertainment room that was directly connected to the kitchen. The man’s gesture was kind. Sweet, even. He joins him for a nice conversation that he tried to fumble through to float over. Hopefully Julian wouldn’t get too much out of him. “Since. Well...y’know.” Strom shrugs. He tried to keep himself and his emotions down. He’d just gotten over a hump and here he was standing at the climb of another lump. He clenches his jaw as he quickly hushes himself and fills his mouth with tea to preoccupy his tongue and provide distraction. “Mmm,” he even adds. He did enjoy green tea most of all. Especially with a hint of honey and maybe a few drips of lemon juice. He did drink it freshly brew with no additives, though. 

“Oh, you mentioned the party?” He leans into the topic. “Yes. I had a blast. It was a nice get-a-way from all the craziness we’ve endured. I think I needed that. Alot!” Strom spoke volumes without saying much. “How about you? I think I got a peek but you were occupied.” 

“…S-Something like that…” he whispered as he stepped into Nike’s cabin. His dark eyes glance down to his feet, unsure if he should look at his friend when he was rather undressed. Maximus couldn’t help but feel guilty, especially having woken him up at this hour. “…I… I think… I shouldn’t have gone to the party,” Maximus murmured, wrapping the blanket around himself tighter. He wasn’t sure if waking up from his coma was a good idea. He wasn’t sure if it helped. “…If I wasn’t here tomorrow…” But he couldn’t finish his question. What did he want to know? “…I shouldn’t have gone to that party.” At least Maximus would have been more… oblivious to things around him. “I’m sorry for waking you.”

Strom didn’t like the feeling that seemed to roll off of Max as hedidn’t want to make eye contact and he didn’t exactly speak in complete phrases or thoughts. Some were just leading the son of Nike down a path of guessing and interpreting empty information. He shook his head. No matter how late it was or how deep of a sleep the man dwelled, he had time to set aside his own needs for those of the people he truly cared for. “Come on.” Strom lets him keep the blanket like it was his armor but he leads them into the bedroom. “No funny ideas.” Strom teases gently but if Max needed to go back to sleep, he could share the bed with him. It was far bigger than anything he’s ever slept in and it swallowed you like it was a cloud. “If you weren’t here tomorrow, what?” Strom leads. “I’d be devastated. I’d be sad.” Strom tilts his head. “We’ve got business to tend to, as per usual Max. But that doesn’t stop me from hoping you’d still endure this journey with me.” Strom sits on the edge, patting the space next to him. “Don’t apologize. I’m happy to wake up for the Apprentice of Sleep.” He sways, plopping back with feet still planted on the ground. “But what happened at the party? Did someone hurt you?” 

Strom huffs as he hears the clacks and claps of soles tapping against the planks and stone that led to his cabin’s front door. He tended to be more productive at dawn rather than dusk. He peeked out of the window to see a statuesque figure pass the pane of glass. WIthout drawing attention, he studies the line of his body. Maybe it was a he. Maybe it was one of the newer allies. Either way, he’d greet them with promise and his radiant vibes. When he meets them at the door, he was positively happy to see the Doc on a house call. 

“Hey Doc,” Strom wasn’t exactly oblivious to the visit but he didn’t really expect him to arrive so soon. He was obviously exhausted from pushing himself a little harder and faster on his run that the nice long soak did very little to relax him but it was that nice burn trainees and athletes looked for- and it gave him a bit of a natural flex to his muscles. “You talkin to your self now? Come on in.” Strom holds the door for him. 

Approaching the familiar cabin door with his pillow in one hand and blanket wrapped around the shoulders, Maximus knocked briefly on it. It was short and curt, but loud enough that he was sure if the other man was inside, he could hear it. And sure enough, the door had opened once more. Watery eyes met the other demigod’s. “…C-Can I… stay here for a bit? J-Just for some company…”

“Max?” Strom squints through low, sleep-ridden eyelids. They were heavy from the interrupted cycle but not enough to keep the demigod from welcoming his friend inside. There wasn’t much of a distraction between the open face of the firepit, the crackling of burning wood, and the cozy atmosphere. And though it was familiar to the man, it was different through the gaze of nightfall. Apologetically, he tries to keep himself as modest as possible but the man was next to naked. The son of Hypnos was welcome inside. “Yea, sure~! Absolutely.” Once the man stepped inside, the door was closed behind him. Strom lazily rubs across his lightly fuzzed chest before looking around. “Make yourself at home.” Strom rubs his face. “Can I ask you openly what’s the matter?” Strom tilts his head to meet those teary eyes. “Did you have a bad dream?” 

      Leon stared deadpan back at the other as he took in the information that was given, as if to the son of Kratos this wasn’t a joke but he still found himself smiling warmly at Strom, “I don’t mean to embarrass you, but between what I say at the party and the cum to condom ratio was abysmal.” Maybe it was his Canadian health care or growing up with condoms being thrown at him but Leon has always be a sexually liberated and forward man; finding safe sex to be the hottest sex. “I just wanted to make sure we are fine…I don’t even know what being a demigod means in the sense of health or diseases but it doesn’t hurt to ask, right?” Even if the events of that party was ridiculous and what the son of Kratos was asking was two clumped in that category—it not to weird compared the the constant weirdness their lives have been been shaped into now…is it? “I’ll take a cookie and rest for a second, I guess.” gladly taking a bit of one before continuing, “So….how’s your day going?” The situation felt awkward, only since Strom and him haven’t really hung out alone before.  

Strom couldn’t really place how he felt with such invasive questioning, especially from Leon but he assumed he meant well. But the embarrassment already had turned him from a nice warm tone to a vibrant tinge of peach. It faded the moment he turned to collect a few more jars that were lined with parchment and clipped tight to keep his baked gifts nice and fresh. He shakes his head. “I mean..it’s quite clear who are all the ones rumbling and tumbling but I ain’t one of em.” Strom clarifies. He starts to load a plate up with the goodies. He looks up at Leon after counting each and decides he’s a healthy man, he could probably put away quite a bit. So he was quite generous. He slides the plate over before heading back to check his fire. “My day’s.....alright. Better than it’s been for a minute.” The demigod admits. Even the heaviness that lingered behind the tone, he chose not to give it much light. Not that Leon deserved that much. “It wasn’t said that this path was going to be easy. But today is nice. How about your days at camp?” He smiles. “Thank goodness you didn’t say you wanted to do a physical exam, I would’ve had to show you the door.” He snickers. “What else is on that clipboard?” Strom tries to peek. “

iggy was never one to get uncomfortable around sexual awkwardness, and so, with the utmost ease, he turns on his butt and falls into the other’s lap, without even spilling one drop of his or strom’s water. he looks up at the other, grinning.

“psyche is fine, he’s sleeping,” he explains, pointing off to the other room, where the door was closed, and iggy had sun-proofed every inch. “we’ve been getting along okay, i guess.” he thinks out loud. his voice was casual, despite his head being in the other’s lap. his fingers bounced against the glass in his hands.

“thank you, again,” he suddenly spat out, “for letting us stay in your cabin that day.” he looks up at strom, connecting their eyes together for more than a brief moment. 

“he’s rather chatty, honestly,” iggy dismisses, “i guess sleeping for gods know how long does that to a vampire.”

Strom lets a steady breathe escape him as he finds himself staring into his eyes. A second passed him by and even as he nods, he approaches a minute of easy gandering. The glass of water was ignored as he studies the shape of his jowls and down to his chin. The way he pressed his tongue forward to speak and the lull of his tongue, bobbing in his mouth and soon sheathed behind his teeth. This was odd, even for him. He looks down at him. Maybe this was customary for him. Kissing was one thing but the whole head-in-lap was turning gears, very slowly.

“I’m glad he’s adjusted well, though. I’d hate to know that he’s uncomfortable in his own skin.” Strom offers a gentle smile. “You know. I am glad to see that you made him feel more at home.” Strom begins to think. “If you ever want a little blanket while he’s in his alternate self, let me know.” Strom starts to whisper. A hand rests at his shoulder now and he absently kneads the soft rounding of muscle and bone. 

     𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐎𝐌'𝐒 𝐕𝐎𝐈𝐂𝐄  was  a  surprise.   the  whirlpool  stopped  the  moment  the  other  spoke.   he  turned  to  look  over   at  the  demigod,  smiling  at  him.   “   i’ll  try,  ”   he  chuckled.    he  looked  back  down  at  the  water.   the  water  streaming  was  just  echoes  of  where  he  was  manipulating  it.    he  let  his  hand  hover  over  the  water  again,  watching  as  it  started  to  encircle  him.    it  was  like  an  underwater  tornado.    and  he  tried  his  best  to  manipulate  the  water  to  levitate.    but  the  whirlpool  was  being  created  around  him  and  slowly  it  was  rising  from  the  lake.    and  he  did  as  well.   it  was  a  few  inches,  but  then  he  ended  up  losing  concentration  and  fell  into  the  water.

Strom watched the demigod tug at the strings of his mastery. To prevent himself from being a distract, he tucks knees into his chest and eyes seemed to twinkle as fingers wrapped at his thighs and he hugs himself. His eyes widened as the water created a wall around him and within an instant, he was hovering. He gasped softly. He had it! He really did it! The man was ascending. The moment he splashed back into the lake, Strom didn’t let defeat stop him from cheering on the son of Poseidon. “That was fuckin awesome!” Strom stands and approaches the line of the shore. The cold water kept him stranded. “You did great, man. You gonna try again?” 

the uncomfortable jitters radiating off the son of nike were palpable; so much so that iggy couldn’t help but smile softly at him. they had shared rather intimate situations together. two so far; when iggy rescued psyche and stayd in strom’s cabin all day, and then at the valentines day party, when strom’s scent was what called to the son of desire. he could faintly smell it even now, and he lets his eyes flutter shut at the thought of strom’s lips against his. he wasn’t thrilled with the thought, no. he was too guilty for that to happen, but the thought wasn’t unpleasant by any means. 

“it’s pretty cozy, don’t you think?” he asks easily, folding a hand under his cheek and leaning sideways against the couch, with his legs tucked up underneath him. he watches at strom nervously wring his hands together before ignacio’s eyes trail up to strom’s face.

“i’ll get some water,” he stood up and went through to the small kitchen his cabin boasted and fixed two glasses of ice water, and then walks back into the living area. he sits back down on the couch, still giving the other the space they so clearly needed, but handed the water over.

“drink, thirsty.” he teased, as he sipped his own water.

Good. A moment to collect his thoughts. Though, he followed Iggy when he left and he watched him return. He hadn’t attempted to watch the man’s movement but there were quite a few details he hadn’t missed. He just pushes them out of his mind when he speaks. “Who says I’m-- oh.” He snaps back quiet. He has to think of his return. 

Strom happily takes the glass and takes more than a gulp. He lets the heaviness give distraction as the weight of the lump pressed on the base of his throat. The coolness gives him a moment of escape before he knew silence was going to make it awkward and he didn’t even want that series of consequences. He looks at his feet before he looks over at Iggy a moment, still concentrating on his lips. The way the moved and the small little ticks about his subconscious habits. He rounds his,  biting his bottom lip. 

      𝐖𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑,   nikolai  felt  more  at  ease.    his  whole  life,  the  ocean  was  a  place  he  called  him.    he  had  missed  that.   the  waters  of  acapulco.    and  coming  here,  it  was  just  a  little  reminder  that  someday  he’d  be  back  there,  with  his  friends  and  family.    but  he  was  here,  a  demigod,  with  powers  he  still  was  trying  to  understand.    he  let  his  hands  plant  on  top  of  the  water,  and  he  watched  as  a  small  whirlpool  encircled  him.   “   ok,  now,  can  you  just  rise,  ”   he  stated,  concentrating  on  the  water,  not  realizing  someone  else  was  there.   //  

When Strom got to witness the prowess of other demigods and their powers, it fascinated him. Some of them could spin fire and throw blazes, some could rewrite the laws of possibilities. Hell, some of them could even bend time but to watch someone pull such a formless element and bend it this way was intriguing. His wings beat gently, casting a downward gust that creates a graceful descent. He sits just at the bank, taking in the winter’s bite and the cold stone against the jean-covered ass. He wanted to help the man. He rests back on his gloved hands and ticks his head to one side. “Concentrate but don’t frustrate yourself.” Strom smiles. “You’ve got this. I believe it. Even if your limit is creating a spin, you’re doing perfect. Give yourself credit.”