𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 𝐂𝐑𝐀𝐖𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐆, luke castellan

𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐰𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐲 𝐭𝐰𝐨

The train ride to Los Angeles felt interminable. 

Luke and Keira settled into empty seats in one of the last carriages, their lack of tickets going unnoticed by fellow passengers. To pass the time, they discussed their plans for when they arrived and carefully examined the newspaper clipping that had spurred their journey.

They took turns attempting to decipher the small print in the news article, struggling with the challenges their dyslexia presented. The newspaper's fine print proved especially difficult, with only the headline in large letters. Despite this hurdle, they managed to discern a street name and corresponding number—Beryl Grace's address in Los Angeles—within the body of the article. Their plan upon arrival was clear: seek discreet assistance in deciphering the address without drawing unwanted attention.

Beyond the slow passage of time during their journey, the most unbearable part for both Luke and Keira was the tension-filled stolen glances they exchanged. The unresolved longing from their encounter in the food storage car had left them both unsatisfied, including Luke, who had initiated their separation.

As Keira delved into her theories about Jason, the boy couldn't help but notice the subtle movements of her upper lip as she whispered, igniting a flicker of desire within him—an insistent craving to feel the softness of her lips against his once more. 

He observed how her gray eyes widened with intensity as she emphasized key points, infusing her arguments with a depth that drew him in, making him yearn to unravel every layer of her mind. Whenever uncertainty crept into her voice, she would run her hand through her blonde hair, a gesture that betrayed her unease but only added to her irresistible allure in Luke's eyes.

Keira, equally attuned to Luke's physical presence, found herself captivated by his every movement. As he struggled to read the letters in the newspaper, his hands tightened their grip on the paper, the muscles of his arms flexing beneath his shirt. The sight aroused a primal desire within her, who couldn't help but feel a surge of heat at the display of strength and determination.

While brainstorming alternatives or recalling details Thalia had mentioned about her mother's whereabouts, Luke would absentmindedly scratch the back of his neck or run a hand through his sandy hair. Each casual gesture caused Keira's breath to catch in her throat, her gaze lingering on the veins in his neck.

And as he recounted anecdotes about Thalia, Annabeth and himself, he subtly slid his hand onto Keira's thigh, his touch sending electric sparks racing through her skin. Though done discreetly, she sensed his playful intention to tease her, his fingers tracing tantalizing patterns along her leg. 

As Luke teased Keira with his touch, she responded in kind. Occasionally, when he said something significant, she would place a hand on his biceps, maintaining the contact for longer than necessary, as if it were a casual and involuntary action.

It was evident to both of them that they were engaged in a teasing game of mutual attraction, each trying to provoke the other without openly acknowledging how deeply their touches affected them.

The girl, unaccustomed to rejection, felt wounded by Luke's abrupt departure from the food storage compartment when they were alone. She believed he should be the one to seek her out and demonstrate how much he desired her.

Meanwhile, the son of Hermes was convinced that Keira, after her flirtation with Apollo in front of him, owed him the initiative to seek reconciliation. He believed the least she could do was acknowledge him by name first.

Silently, they entered a subtle battle of wills, each waiting for the other to make the first move out of pride, escalating the stakes and intensifying the challenge with every passing moment.