Demetri Rowan Howell & Ezekiel Kel
Location: Train
Ezekiel rolled his eyes and shrugged off his backpack. He set it down on the seat across from him before sitting down and took Demi’s hand. He knew Demi was trying to avoid talking, but Ezekiel wasn’t going to let him avoid this one.
”Demi, I wasn’t trying to be mean earlier. It’s just, with this Aphrodite thing… You can help the group in other ways you know.” Demetri was still looking out the window, trying to avoid Zeke's gaze once again. He jumped slightly when he felt Zeke's hand against his, holding back the sigh he wanted to so desperately let out. He never was good at talking about his feelings. It felt easier to simply bottle them up until the container broke than to actually acknowledge them in any way.
"I never said you were mean. Nor did I say you were trying to be mean. I know…sigh I know that Aphrodite's curse has made it more difficult for me to shift appropriately. But…that's all I can do. I don't shoot blasts of thunder like Andy can, I can't fly or have the strength of Hercules. I'm no medic, or sharpshooter, I'm just…" Demi let the words trail off.
"I can't help. I'm a burden." ”You’re not a burden, Demi. Most demi-gods have similar natural abilities, like sword-fighting. I can give you my sword and you can use that. Besides, you made a pretty good distraction back there,” he said, trying to make Demetri feel a little bit better.
”What else have you practised back at camp other than shape-shifting?” Demetri rolled his eyes, not that Zeke could see, as his boyfriend told him that he wasn't a burden. He knew that he was a good distraction, because monsters always picked off the weak ones first. He didn't know how to explain what it was that was eating him inside, what it was that he was feeling. So he just let out a huge sigh as he rambled on what he'd done at camp in a monotonous tone.
"Friendship Bracelets, I learned how to forge, I can make a pretty nifty collapsible guitar now, ummm painting, very good at running away, let's see…oh I cleaned dishes with the harpies, yeah that sounds about right." He gave Zeke a leveled look, finally turning to see him.
"I never thought I'd actually be on a quest, let alone without my powers. I have swords and daggers enchanted by magic and gods but…I'm used to fighting with them in tandem with my powers. Not just as well…me." Zeke squeezed Demetri’s hand while he continued to look away from him. Demi was still in his female form and even though it still unnerved him, it was Demi’s words Zeke was hearing. Zeke wanted to see Demetri’s eyes because at least then he could envision the male version of Demi. The version of the boy he kissed all those months ago.
Demi’s tone wasn’t encouraging, and when he finally looked at Zeke, his eyes were flat. Ezekiel frowned and looked down at his lap. He unconsciously squeezed Demetri’s hand tighter.
”Well, the only magical thing I can do is heal people. Yes, people get hurt a lot on quests, but I can’t do anything magical when it comes to fighting or battle strategy. I have experience, but every quest is different. Demi, we all have incredible reflexes and agility. You just have to believe that you can do it. Your powers I think allow you to hide a part of yourself from the world, but you are the talent, not your powers.” Ezekiel hadn’t intended to get so philosophical this early in the conversation, but like Demi, he just rambled on.
There it was again. What was the point of meeting Zeke's eyes if every time he did he looked down or away. Ever since this quest had started it was like they couldn't see each other, another 'gift' from Aphrodite no doubt. He turned his head to look straight, away from Zeke but keeping him in his periphery as he talked. When Zeke mentioned believing in himself, Demi couldn't help but let out a huge laugh, catching himself short and covering his mouth with his free hand.
"Sorry. I didn't mean to laugh but…believing? That's corny as hell Kel." Demetri took his free hand and placed it under Zeke's chin, lifting his head up so that he would look at him.
"It's not the powers that I'm upset about. Ok well no I am upset about that too but…" he squirmed in his seat uncomfortably as he tried to find the words and courage to speak.
"I'm upset that when I felt like I needed you most…you weren't there to back me up. That you have barely been able to look at me since we've started. That, that I…it's clear that this isn't going how you wished it. Janelle, Nancy, Me…and I can't help but feel responsible for it all. It's not just the mission I'm fucking up…it's your life." Ezekiel frowned when he heard Demetri laugh. It wasn’t at him, but it felt like it was. He loosened his grip on Demi’s hand, feeling like he wasn’t going to get through to his boyfriend when Demi turned Zeke’s head. His chin tingled from the contact. The warmth slipped through his body like a comforting hug, and Zeke kept his eyes on Demi’s.
”I have a hard time looking at you because it’s not you. It’s someone else or something else. Another woman, a cat, a snake…another woman. I just miss, you. I miss your stupid hair,” he declared.
Zeke leaned into Demi’s hand before he moved it from his chin and held it in his other hand. Zeke sighed, looking at their joined hands before he looked away, and scanned the train. They were on first watch, and even though Zeke picked Demi so they could have a moment together - alone - he still wanted to do a good job with the watch. After he cleared the car, Zeke looked back at Demetri.
”I do have your back, Demi, but also the groups’. Nancy is right that we need to start working as a team. You are my boyfriend, but this quest is so much bigger than just you and I. Of course, I would rather be stuck at camp with you, defending the border and whatever horrors befall the camp, but we are here. And don’t blame yourself, please. Blame Aphrodite. The gods put us here, make us do their bidding, fight for survival, and pin us against each other for their entertainment. Don’t let them pull you down.” Demi tried hard not to laugh again as Zeke spoke. Something about the list of things he had been made him want to chuckle, especially at 'another woman'. But he saw how upset it made him the first time he'd laughed and so he kept it in. While Zeke spoke, he listened, only interrupting when he'd heard him call his hair stupid. Demi reached up and felt his hair, looking at his boyfriend confused as he said in a mixture of hurt and confusion
"You think my hair is stupid?" But that didn't matter, as the more his boyfriend spoke the cornier he got and the more in love Demetri fell. There was a slight flicker of a shift, and without realizing it, Demi had shifted back into his old self just before going in and giving Zeke a kiss. He held it there for a moment before pulling back and smiling at him with a dopey smile.
"Boy do I wish we were back at camp. Sure would be better than all this that's for sure." He laced his fingers into Zeke's while wrapping one leg around his boyfriends.
There was a flicker of amusement on Demi’s face, but he kept it in. Zeke was thankful for that. He watched his movement to his hair, nodding in confirmation. Zeke looked back at Demi, and found he was looking at Demi. His eyes, his face, his stupid hair, and his lips as they neared his. It was a brief kiss, but it made Zeke smile all the same.
After Demi pulled away, Zeke’s eyes wandered Demi’s face, taking it all in just in case it was all an illusion that would quickly fade on them.
”Mmm, much better. I’m sure Coach Hedge would love to get a few more wacks in,” Zeke said and messed up Demi’s hair. His hand traced down the side of Demi’s face before he pulled Demi in for another kiss.
”Are you okay? I know this hasn’t been easy and it won’t get easier while we are on this quest, but I just wanted to know where your head was at.” "Which one?" Demi quipped with a cheeky grin as he eyed downwards before laughing it off.
"Am I ok? No. Not at all. Not one single bit. But…I am with you, and that's all I need for now. Aphrodite isn't making this easy for me, or…us. But please just…try and remember, whether I'm a woman, cat, another woman, or a snake, it's all still me." He wanted to go for a third kiss, but if Demi was being honest, he wanted to pull Zeke away from view. He could tell his true self wouldn't hold for much longer, a lovely gift by Aphrodite. But till it faded, he ran a hand down Zeke's face, and just to tease him a little, ran a finger up from his navel lifting his shirt ever so slightly before letting it fall down.
"I can't hold this form right now. I can feel her fighting me…" Zeke laughed, a good, unrestrained laugh. He rested his head against the side of Demi’s while he spoke about not being okay. Zeke supposed he was okay with that, he had to be. So much was out of their control, but at least they were together. He shifted when Demi’s tone got a bit more serious about his shape-shifting. Zeke’s eyes flickered away for a moment before he looked back and did his best to memorize Demi’s face.
The mood shifted quickly. With Demi’s touch, his stomach tightened from the effort to seem relaxed. His eyes drifted to Demi’s lips while he spoke words Zeke didn’t want to hear. He swallowed, eyes flickering back to Demi’s before speaking.
”It’s okay.” A devilish grin spread across Demis face as he saw Zeke's eyes drift downwards a little. A part of him wanted to joke around and tell him his eyes were down there, but they were still surrounded in a car full of friends and family. Demi inched closer to Zeke, moving his inclined leg up a little higher as he scooted closer.
"Shame we couldn't spring for private cabins. Then we wouldn't need to worry about watches huh?" He spoke knowing full well that his body language was saying one thing while his words another. While he'd of enjoyed the privacy right now, they were supposed to be keeping an eye out…but what're the chances of an immediate monster attack after the one they just had?
Zeke found himself shifting as well to allow Demetri to move closer. He was sure they would never be allowed to be on watch together again at this rate. Zeke’s hand instinctively rested on the leg Demitri inched up his own, his eyes locked on Demi’s for the time being. That was, until Demi spoke.
Zeke flushed and instantly looked away from Demi, scanning the train car several times over as he struggled to really see anything.
”You are the absolute worst,” Zeke whispered. He didn’t trust his voice at full volume.
Demi gave a mock scoff at Zekes comment.
"The worst? I think I'm rather charming. Thank. You. vVry. Much." Every word after charming was punctuated by a finger moving up Zeke's chest. His hands finally back underneath his chin as he went to turn Zeke's face for one last kiss. It was, unfortunately, at that moment that Demetri shifted back into the girl he was before, the 'other woman'.
"Oh for fucks sake." he huffed under his breath as he dropped his hand back down to his lap. For a Goddess of Love she had the
worst timing.
Zeke turned his head slightly, half his focus on Demi’s fingers running up his chest and the other half on the train. Until Demi made Zeke look at him again. He shut his eyes, knowing what was coming, but then it didn’t, and Demi cursed; however, it was in a rather feminine voice. Tightness gripped Zeke’s stomach again, but not in a warm way. He opened his eyes and saw the girl from before. Zeke couldn’t help the fall of his face, but he told Demi he would try. Zeke kissed Demi’s cheek and planted a smile on his face. It quickly shifted into a smirk though as he thought of something.
”So, with all this shape-shifting into other people, does this mean we are in a poly relationship?” Leave it to the son of Apollo to turn a bad situation around. Demi couldn't help but smile at the act, seeing that even though they were both crestfallen, Zeke was still trying. He rolled his eyes at Zeke as he poked him in the side.
"You wish , Casanova. Just because I can be anything you dream of doesn't mean you can go off with another. Besides, that'd be my job. I am the child of Zeus after all." He joked before giving him a grin. It wasn't perfect, far from it at the moment, but Demi was happy with how things were at this point in time.
