When Hunter and Marina returned with the pizza, they found Philippa and Kyle in the exact same spots. Kyle was a little closer to the TV and Philippa had noticeably fidgeted and adjust and squirmed in an attempt to get comfortable. “Who’s winning?” Marina asked as they walked in. She was met with silence. Hunter sat down next to Philippa and looked at her. She was chewing on her top lip, trying to focus on the game that they were playing. He glanced at Marina who sat next to Kyle and looked at him, tilting her head slightly. She looked over at Hunter and winked at him before looking at Kyle again.
“Kyle, food is here. Pizza. I got your favorite.” Marina said, running her hand up and down his arm.
“Hmm?” Kyle said, not really hearing what it was she was saying. “Yep. Thanks, babe.” He said with a nod. Marina sighed and looked at Hunter. Hunter cleared his throat and looked at Philippa.
“Uhh…Philippa?” He started. “There’s pizza down there. It’s cheese. I know that’s your favorite.” He said with a smile, hoping she would leave this trance. She didn’t give him a second thought. She stayed silent and started chewing on her tongue, sticking it out a little. Hunter sighed and prompted for Marina to take a turn. She giggled and cleared her throat, putting a serious face on.
“Kyle, get downstairs for food this instant.” She said in a fairly impressive Demeter impersonation. “Make sure you have some cereal with that pizza.” She said, but broke into giggles. Hunter looked at Kyle who hid a smirk and glanced briefly over at Marina. Marina didn’t notice and seemed to huff and then look at Hunter. Hunter took a deep breath and looked at Philippa.
“Philippa, I need you to put down the controller.” Hunter said, feigning seriousness. “Philippa, your hair is a mess.” He said with a chuckle. She gasped and stood up, dropping the controller and running to a mirror where she teased and adjusted her hair until it was perfect again. She huffed and walked over to Hunter, slugging him in the arm.
“You are SO MEAN.” She said with faked anger. Hunter smiled and brushed a loose lock of hair out of her face.
“You are so pretty.” He said with a smile before wrapping her up in a hug. She resisted a moment before burying her face in his chest and hugging him back. Hunter smiled and broke the hug, keeping an arm around her, and looked at Kyle who was still feigning his trance. Marina giggled and looked up at Hunter before tackling him and pressing her lips to his.
“Oh. I didn’t see you there.” Kyle said with a laugh as he kissed her back. Marina smacked his chest and stood up. “What was this about pizza?” He said, putting a hand on his stomach. Marina kicked him softly in the ribs.
“So, you were listening!” She said with a scoff. She looked at Hunter who tried his best to hide his laughter, but wasn’t doing well. Marina scoffed and smacked Hunter on the arm too.
“Everyone keeps smacking my arm….” He said quietly as he rubbed the place of a future bruise. He sighed and put his chin on Philippa’s head briefly. “Come on, you guys. The pizza is probably cold, by now.” He said with a chuckle as he took Philippa’s hand and lead her down the stairs to the kitchen. They got their pizza and sat down at the table. “Who wants what to drink?” Hunter said as he stood up and started to look in the kitchen for cups.
“Left of the sink.” Marina said from the table. “And water. Just get water for everyone. And you can grab the soda and the lemonade from the fridge. And make sure to get ice.” Hunter stood in the kitchen a moment before sticking his head into the dining room.
“Anything else, your highness?” He asked with a smile. Marina rolled her eyes and waved dismissively at him, a stoic look on her face. Hunter laughed and walked back into the kitchen. He grabbed 4 cups, filled them with ice, and then filled them with water. He carefully picked them up and set them down on the table before walking back into the kitchen and grabbing the soda and the lemonade.
“Alright. Does anyone need anything while I’m up?” He asked as he set the soda and the lemonade on the table.
“Actually I could-“ Kyle said, but Hunter sat down. “Ah. I see how it is.” He said with a sigh. Hunter laughed as he ate his pizza. Marina gave him a brief high five and poured herself a cup of lemonade. “You guys are mean to me.” He said, shaking his head.
“It’s revenge for earlier.” Marina said with a chuckle. “So we have the rest of the night. What shall we do?”
“Halo.” Kyle said, taking a bite of pizza. Marina gave him a look and Kyle chewed and swallowed. “Sorry. There’s Halo if we want to play it.” He said, clearing his throat. Marina smiled and kissed his cheek.
“Alright. We could also watch a movie.” She said with a shrug.
“Swimming.” Everyone looked at Philippa when she spoke. She had been oddly silent the whole time. “We’re by the coast. It’s that whole ‘when in Rome’ idea.” She said with a giggle.
“I’m kind of done swimming for a long time.” Hunter turned to see Penny walking into the kitchen. She was in a vintage bikini and had a summer dress on over it. Her hair was wet, but she had tied it into a messy bun on her head. “Ugh…I am so hungry.” She said as she grabbed a plate. Marina stood up and made a spot for her at the table.
“Penny?” Hunter said with a raised eyebrow. “Where’s Will?” He asked, looking past her to see if Will was walking up. Penny sat down with her pizza and poured herself a glass of lemonade. She did a little dance as she took a sip of lemonade. She finally looked up at Hunter and cleared her throat.
“Oh, uh…He should be here soon. Poseidon wanted to talk to him for a second.” She said with a shrug. Hunter looked at the other people at the table. I think they were expecting how talking to Will’s father went. She looked up and blushed slightly. “What? Do I have something on my face or something?” She said quietly. “Is my hair okay?” She said, blowing a lock of hair out of her face.
“No, no.” Marina said, shaking her head. “We were just wondering how talking to Will’s dad went.” She said, taking a bite out of her pizza. Penny shrugged.
“It was fine. Atlantis is beautiful. Even after the war.” She said with a nod. She took another sip of lemonade when they heard the door open and close. Will walked in and sighed.
“Phew…I am T-I-R-E-D.” He said as he grabbed a plate. Hunter made a spot for the newcomer and poured Will a glass of lemonade. He sat down with his pizza and immediately took a big bite. “This is lovely.” Hunter rolled his eyes and finished his pizza. He drank his water and glanced over at Philippa who was happily eating her pizza.
“Let’s watch a movie tonight. There is plenty of time to swim tomorrow.” Hunter said with a nod. He leaned back in his chair and thought for a moment. “It’ll also be my first movie, so make it something good.” He said with a chuckle as he grabbed the plates off the table and put them in the sink. He turned on the water and prepared to wash the dishes.
“Oh, Hunter, I can do that.” Marina said, standing up and walking over. Hunter shook his head.
“No, no. You welcomed me here. The least I can do is help out.” He said with a nod. “And besides, you have no idea how many times I got in trouble and had to help the harpies out with dishes. I’m just relieved it’s not lava.” He smiled and rolled his eyes a little. Marina tilted her head a little and shrugged.
“Alright. Well, the ladies and I will pick out a movie. Will you can go get changed. Kyle…” Marina said, looking at Kyle. “Go help Hunter with the dishes.” She said with a nod. Kyle opened his mouth to complain, but instead sighed and stood up.
“Good idea, Hunter.” Kyle said, his voice pouring out sarcasm. He smiled and kissed Marina lightly on the lips before walking over to the sink. “Alright. You wash. I’ll dry.” Hunter laughed.
“Of course. I’ll do the hard part.” Hunter said with a chuckle as he shut off the water and added soap. “What else is new?” Hunter slowly washed a plate or two. He was glad that he got to wash dishes now that Kyle was helping. He wanted to talk to Kyle. He looked back to see the girls gone from the table and in the living room watching TV. Hunter turned to Kyle. “How’s it going?” He asked quietly. Kyle turned to him, waiting impatiently for the next plate.
“I’m good. How are you, Hunter?” He asked, looking very suspicious. “And why are you talking in such a hushed tone?” He whispered. Hunter rolled his eyes and handed him a plate forcefully.
“I’m fine, but look. I need to talk to you.” Hunter said with a sigh. Kyle turned to him and raised an eyebrow. “Okay, just to preface this, I’m only telling you all of this, because I care about you and Marina a lot. I’m only going to do this once, so listen up.” He handed him another plate and leaned closer. “Do you ever feel like you could settle down with Marina? I’m talking picket fence, house, kids, dog. All of that.” Kyle looked shocked at the question, but his expression soon changed to a confused one.
“Marina is—This doesn’t leave you and I, understand?” Hunter nodded and Kyle took a deep breath. “Marina isn’t ready. I mean, I love her. I told her that I do, but she didn’t…respond. She just kind of…kissed me and then we made out and we forgot about it.” He shrugged. Hunter looked at him strangely before shaking his head.
“Sorry. That’s…sorry. Continue.” Hunter said, handing him a cup out of the sink. Hunter was shocked and a little surprised at his friends. He couldn’t even imagine how he would feel about telling Philippa he loved her.
“I love her. She’s…So many things I can’t even begin to describe.” He shrugged and stared off into the distance. “I know everything about her. She knows everything about me. We do everything together.” He sighed and looked at Hunter. “I would love to grow old with her.” He said with a nod. Hunter dried off his hand and reached into his pocket, retrieving the ring.
“Use this.” Hunter said, handing it to Kyle. “It’s not done, but I can help you finish it back at camp.” He held it gingerly in his hand. He looked up at Hunter and furrowed his brow. “I found it in Marina’s room. It looks like she started it, but never got around to finishing it.” He said quietly, looking behind him a moment. He drained the sink and looked at Kyle who had stopped drying altogether.
“You can finish it? Fine. You finish it. What if I-“ Hunter shook his head and took the dish from him.
“No. You have to finish it. This ring is perfect.” He said as he dried the dish. “It’s a memory of her childhood. If you finish it, it’ll be something that you guys did together. Every time she looks at it, she’ll be reminded of you and, along with you, her feelings for you, okay? I cannot finish this ring.” He said, shaking his head vehemently. Kyle slipped the ring in his pocket and eyed Hunter carefully.
“Thanks, I guess.” He said as he took the plate from him and put it away. “I’m not even-“
“What is taking so long?” Hunter and Kyle both turned to see Marina walking in. Kyle clammed up and dried off his hands. “Why do you guys look guilty?” Kyle froze up and looked from Marina to Hunter then back to Marina before walking into the living room. Hunter went to do the same, but Marina put a hand on his chest.
“Did you just come in here to make sure we hadn’t died?” Hunter asked, trying to change the subject.
“What were you guys talking about? You didn’t tell him what I told you, did you?” She said, looking on the brink of anger. Hunter furrowed his brow and grabbed her by the shoulders.
“Would I do something like that? You told me that in confidence.” He said, blatantly avoiding a straight answer. “Why would I do that?” He asked, rolling his eyes. Marina’s expression softened and it became pensive. He patted her arm and smiled. “Don’t worry so much. You’re not as pretty when you worry.”
“Yeah, yeah.” She said, waving dismissively, her expression finally back to normal. She turned and pulled out a bag of microwave popcorn. She put it in and set the timer before leaning on the counter and looking at him. “Well, knowing you, you told him something.” She said with a nod. Hunter sighed and opened his mouth to speak, but she stopped him. “But knowing you I should probably thank you.” She stepped toward him and put a hand on his arm. “Thanks.” She said before kissing his cheek, a smile on her face and her cheeks slightly pink. Hunter blushed a little himself as a wave of relief swept across him. Hunter nodded and walked into the living room.
“Popcorn! Movies means popcorn!” Will said, his back bent over the back of the couch and looking at the door to the kitchen. “You’re neither popcorn nor someone making popcorn.” He said, shaking a fist at Hunter. Hunter walked over and pulled him over the back of the couch. He landed oddly on his stomach and groaned. “Jerk!” He said with a chuckle as Hunter sat down next to Philippa.
“You miss me?” He asked, looking at Philippa with a smile on his face. Philippa looked over at him and smiled.
“I did actually.” She said as she hugged his arm and leaned into him. Hunter smiled and put his head briefly on hers before looking up at the movie.
“What are we watching?” He asked before feeling Philippa run her fingers up and down his wrist, starting with his hand which was now in her lap.
“Your hands are so smooth now.” She said quietly. “They’re usually rough, but now they’re smooth.” She said before lifting it up to her face. Hunter intentionally curled his hand to match the contour of her face. She smiled and closed her eyes a moment before putting her head against Hunter’s shoulder and looking at the TV.
“We’re starting with Disney’s Hercules.” Penny said as she pulled her feet onto the couch next to where Will was now sitting again. “It’s really funny. You’ll love it.”
“It’s kind of inaccurate though.” Marina said, walking in again and setting the popcorn on the table. Hunter furrowed his brow and looked at the TV. Marina played it and Hunter watched, his hand in Philippa’s lap as she played with his fingers. Five minutes had passed when Hunter started shaking his head.
“No. No. This is already wrong.” He said, gesturing toward the TV with his free hand. “Zeus and Hera did not give birth to Hercules. Not to mention the fact that one can’t take someone’s godhood away. None of the gods look like that.” He stared at the screen, slightly disappointed in this movie so far. “And why are they going by his Roman name, but all of the gods by their Greek-“
“Shush!” Marina said with a chuckle. “Just…Hunter. Shut up.”