Feo stepped up beside Lucius, shoving his hands into his coat pockets, watching as the rain misted against the pavement. The streets were slick with it, the glow of streetlights and neon signs reflecting in pools on the asphalt, shimmering like something out of a dream. There weren’t as many cars passing now, just the occasional set of headlights cutting through the steady drizzle. It was quiet, in a way cities rarely were—just the sound of distant traffic, the whisper of rain, and the rhythmic tapping of their footsteps against the wet sidewalk.

-

He flicked his gaze toward Lucius, who was standing there with the umbrella, looking more at ease than Feo had seen him all day. He still had that almost permanent energy to him, that glint in his eye like he was always just about to say something clever or reckless, but there was something else underneath it now. Something softer. The edges weren’t quite as sharp. Maybe it was the rain. Maybe it was everything they’d just been through.

-

Feo exhaled slowly, shifting his weight as he considered the question. “Steak sounds good,” he said after a moment, rolling his shoulders as he fell into step beside Lucius. “Something warm. Feels like the kind of night for it.” He could already picture it—something hearty, something solid. Something grounding, after everything that had happened today.

-

They walked at an easy pace, the city stretching out ahead of them. The rain wasn’t too heavy, just a light, steady drizzle that clung to the air. It was cool but not unbearable, the kind of night where the world felt a little more still, a little more hushed. The occasional glow of a passing car’s headlights illuminated the streets, casting long, shifting shadows.

-

Feo tilted his head slightly, glancing at Lucius out of the corner of his eye. Even now, he had that brightness to him. It wasn’t the same wild, chaotic kind of energy that he usually carried—this was something quieter. More settled. Maybe it was the night. Maybe it was something else entirely.

-

“I guess you were right,” Feo admitted after a beat, the words slipping out like an afterthought. A small smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “It’s not a bad night for a walk.”

-

He lifted his gaze to the umbrella, watching the way the raindrops collected and slid down its surface, the soft pattering sound mixing with the ambient noise of the city. The streets around them were lined with restaurants, their signs glowing warmly against the rain-slicked sidewalks, beckoning with the promise of shelter and food.

-

“But you’re the one holding that thing,” Feo added after a moment, a teasing edge creeping into his voice as he nudged Lucius lightly with his elbow. “So if I get wet, I’m blaming you.”

-

It was easier to joke now, to let go of some of the weight he’d been carrying. The tension from earlier was still there, lingering in the back of his mind, but it wasn’t crushing him anymore. It was something he could breathe around, something he could put to the side—at least for now.

-

A flickering neon sign caught his attention up ahead, its red glow casting a soft reflection on the wet pavement. The scent of grilled meat and warm spices drifted faintly through the air, mixing with the damp, fresh smell of rain. Feo nodded toward the sign, nudging Lucius’s side again.

-

“That place look good to you?” he asked, glancing over at him with an easy tilt of his head. His hands were still stuffed in his pockets, shoulders slightly hunched against the cool night air. “Or you got somewhere else in mind?”

The winged demigod lifted his sapphire eyes up to study Feo. The way he put his hands into the coat pockets and just settled beside him. There was something calmer about the Norse demigod, something that had been lifted from his shoulders. That was good. The type of thing that Lucius wanted to see happen. He looked more at ease, even with the soft hum of cars passing by on the occasion.

His eyes scanned the city lights, watching the neon reflect on the wet sidewalk, the ripple of puddles that had formed with the rain. Something about that picture left him almost breathless. It was the kind of scene he knew he wouldn't ever forget.

Steak.

That did sound good. "Definitely feels like a warm dinner sort of night. Not quite a soup but something warm and hearty," he confirmed with a brief nod, doing his best to keep the umbrella over Feo's head. It was something at least. Not much but he was doing his best and that was enough sometimes.

His lips pulled into a warmer smile. "I'm always right," Lucius preened with a small teasing huff. As Feo elbowed him, he pulled the umbrella away just for a moment before returning it. "I'm always right, that's why I get to hold the umbrella. If you get wet, you're not close enough to me," he added on.

As tempting as it was to jump in a few puddles, Lucius managed to refrain, determining that he would do so on the walk back to the motel. That way, he wouldn't be sitting in wet shoes for too long.

The red glow of a neon sign caught his attention, mostly in the reflection below. It wasn't until he was nudged that Lucius turned his attention upward toward Feo with a small hum. "Yeah, it looks fantastic. Might as well go for it," he shuffled forward under the awning and closed the umbrella to walk through the doors.

The wash of grilled meat mixing with other kitchen scents filled his senses with a warm inviting pull. The type of thing that he gladly walked toward. The young waitress smiled and tipped her head. "Table?"

"For two, please," Lucius confirmed, shaking the umbrella off and setting it by the door with a few others. There weren't too many patrons in the diner but there were still a few.

The young woman led them to a table in the corner, handed a pair of menus and tipped her head. "I'll be around soon to get your orders, alright?"

"Wonderful, thank you," Lucius dipped his head in return, settling into the seat. "It smells divine... and I don't know if that's just because I haven't eaten anything real good lately or if it really is that good... but it smells great. Anyways, I'm thinking we should head to Florida first. I... I dunno, I just got this feeling that's where we need to go. What are your thoughts?"

Feo settled into his seat, shaking some of the lingering rain off his sleeves before rolling them up to his elbows. The warmth of the diner was a stark contrast to the cool drizzle outside, and he let himself sink into it, relishing the scent of grilled meat and spices that drifted through the air. It was homey in a way—something familiar and grounding after everything that had happened today.

-

He picked up the menu, scanning over the options with an absent flick of his eyes, but Lucius’s words had him glancing up again. Florida, huh? Feo leaned back in his chair, considering it for a moment, tapping his fingers idly against the table’s worn surface.

-

“Florida…” he repeated, rolling the thought around in his head. His dual-colored eyes flickered over Lucius’s face, searching for whatever gut feeling had settled into the other demigod. He didn’t doubt it—Lucius had sharp instincts, and if something was pulling him in that direction, then there was probably a damn good reason for it. Or maybe he just felt that Feo hated Kansas and wanted somewhere warm and rainy. Maybe they had a strange brain connection.

-

“Yeah,” Feo finally said, nodding slightly. “I think you might be onto something. It makes sense.” He exhaled, setting the menu down, fingers drumming a slow rhythm. “Aera’s not going to stop sniffing us out, and I don’t want to be caught with our backs against the wall. If Florida’s the move, then we make it. Get ahead of her.”

-

His lips pressed into a thin line, his mind already running through the logistics—how to get there, what their next steps would be. It wasn’t just about keeping themselves moving; it was about keeping Lucius safe. About making sure this whole damn mess didn’t swallow them both whole before they got the chance to burn it all down first.

-

A waitress came by to take their drink orders, and Feo barely glanced at the menu before ordering coffee. He needed something warm, something steadying. Once Lucius had given his order, Feo sat back again, rolling his shoulders.

-

“So what’s pulling you there?” he asked, watching Lucius carefully. “Just a gut feeling, or did something stick out to you?”

The questions that Feo asked were genuine. They were solid and sturdy questions that had Lucius in his head, turning over gears. His eyes flicked up toward the ceiling as he thought.

Briefly, his thoughts were interrupted when the waitress came by to take orders. Lucius didn't order much or anything fancy and as the woman shuffled off, he turned back to his thoughts. The thoughts bouncing in his head. The thought that Aera was not going to stop, yet. She would after Lucius figured out some way to harm an illusion. He'd figure it out.

But realistically, Lucius was a little tired of the cold fall air. Only a little bit... and he really couldn't find a better answer.

"Florida, it sounds nice and warm," he confirmed with a firm nod. "It's warm. That's... about it," Lucius admitted with a loose laugh and a partial shrug. "It sounds warm, it's nice, it's... warm. But it's also far away from Kansas and campus. I kept telling Aera that we should've been on the train to campus. Which means if we head into Hutchinson on the train again, but we just head straight to Florida instead, we lose her. Just for a little bit."

He leaned back in his chair again, glancing up as the waitress brought drinks. Two cups of coffee and a single glass of water. Lucius enjoyed water, it helped him think. Or something.

But he sipped lightly at the coffee instead. "I do wonder if there isn't something in Florida that is pulling us that direction. Pulling me, pardon," he waved one hand lightly before it pushed through his blond hair.

"Whether or not that's actually the case or I'm just losing my mind, I guess we'll find out later," he gave Feo a brighter smile, almost a daring grin. "Won't know until we get there but that's for another time. We can focus on plans later, right now? Food. I haven't really looked over the menu," he admitted.

The paper menu had several options, most of which were steak, chicken or pork. The sides were various forms of corn, potatoes, a salad, or bread.

Lucius figured the corn probably tasted way different since it was fresh and grown right there. He'd give it a try at least. That wouldn't hurt.

His sapphire eyes lifted, spotting the waitress as she came around again to the table, a notepad in hand.

"Ready to order?" The young woman asked, giving the pair a loose smile.

Lucius returned the smile and gladly rattled off his order, looking toward Feo after he was done.

Feo barely spared the menu a glance. He already knew what he wanted—something heavy, solid, something that would sit warm in his stomach and remind him that this moment was real. That he was still here, sitting across from Lucius in a half-decent diner, actually breathing for the first time in what felt like days. Weeks, maybe.

-

He gave the waitress a polite nod before rattling off his order. Steak, medium rare, mashed potatoes, corn. No need to complicate things. It was simple, hearty, the kind of meal that could bring a person back down to earth. He needed that.

-

As she finished writing and walked off, Feo let out a slow breath, leaning back in his chair. The wood creaked slightly under his weight, and as he stretched his legs out beneath the table, his knee brushed against Lucius’s. Just for a second. He didn’t pull away.

-

“I don’t think you’re losing your mind,” he murmured, voice quieter now, more thoughtful. “I mean… sure, you’re always a little off the rails, but this? This isn’t crazy.” His lips twitched, something teasing in the way he said it, but there was weight behind his words.

-

He turned his coffee cup between his hands, letting the warmth sink into his fingers. The rain outside had left a faint chill clinging to his skin, but the mug was solid and warm, grounding in a way he hadn’t realized he needed.

-

“Florida makes sense,” Feo admitted after a beat. His gaze flickered toward the window, watching the neon lights blur against the wet pavement. “And even if it didn’t… even if it was just a gut feeling, I’d still go with you.”

-

He didn’t look at Lucius when he said it. Not at first. But he could feel the weight of his own words, heavier than he’d expected, pressing into his chest. So he glanced up, catching Lucius’s gaze, something unreadable in his own. There was certainty in it, though.

-

Lucius had been right about a lot of things. Right about trusting him. Right about sticking together. And if his gut was pulling him toward Florida, then that was enough.

-

Feo exhaled through his nose, shaking his head slightly as he lifted his cup to take a slow sip. The warmth settled deep, chasing away the last remnants of cold.

-

“Besides,” he added, a little more lightly now, “you’re right about one thing. I’m definitely not gonna complain about getting out of the cold.”

-

His lips quirked as he set the mug down. “And I gotta admit, I’m kinda curious to see what kind of trouble you’re gonna drag me into next.”

Something simple and usual. There wasn't anything unusual or unique about the pair of orders. Lucius didn't mind at all, it meant that they could settle in and take in a breath. No one was paying attention to them, no one cared. They were just another pair of mortals and nothing more.

It almost felt relieving. Like nothing was wrong and they were really learning how to slow down and think about things that mortals thought about.

More or less.

Lucius was almost certain that they didn't often think about moving across the entire country. But that was part of the fun, in a sense. They weren't stuck here, they could go anywhere they really wanted.

His sapphire eyes looked out the window, watching the rain slowly fizzle out. The puddles on the street reflecting neon signs and the occasional glow of car headlights.

"I know, it's not as crazy as everything else," Lucius agreed with a loose chuckle, waving one hand. "But it feels a little crazier since... there's no real reason to go other than... because I want to."

His knee rested against Feo's, just to remind himself that he was there. There was something comforting about it, the way he could feel Feo's presence against his own. He blew a small breath, taking another sip of coffee and finally turned his eyes toward Feo.

The smile Lucius wore grew slightly more confident. "Well, you haven't left yet. Besides, even if you tried, I'd be following. You can't get rid of me," he hummed warmly, lifting the mug to his lips again.

"I'll be more than happy to get out of the chill," Lucius agreed with a loose sigh. "As pretty as the fall is, I'm not built for the cold. Not like this at least."

It seeped into his bones and that took forever to warm up again. Thaw out or defrost, as he thought of it mentally. That was for sure. There was no worry about that down in Florida, just the warmth and wide open beaches. An elegant beauty nestled in the sand.

Trouble? Oh that was inevitable. Lucius let out a warmer laugh, his head shaking back and forth. "Trouble? That follows me. I don't even have to do anything."

It was never that bad but he always faced it with confidence. Confidence that somehow, someway, he'd get out of it. There was always a solution.

He looked to the waitress as she set two plates down on the table, smiled and left the pair to their meal.

Lucius took in a deep breath through his nose. Oh... that smelled divine and he was more than happy to tuck in.

Feo didn’t waste time. The moment the plate hit the table, he grabbed his fork and knife, cutting into the steak with a kind of efficiency that suggested he’d gone a little too long without a proper meal. The smell of it alone was enough to remind him how empty his stomach was, how much he needed this.

-

He took the first bite, let the warmth settle into him, and gave a small, approving nod. “Not bad,” he muttered, chewing thoughtfully. “Better than I expected for some random diner in the middle of nowhere.”

-

He wasn’t picky about food, not really, but something about having a hot, well-cooked meal in front of him made his shoulders relax. Made everything feel a little more manageable.

-

Feo glanced up at Lucius, watching the way he dug in with he only assumed was the same eagerness. There was something almost amusing about it—about everything Lucius did—how someone so full of sharp wit and bravado could be just as easily undone by a decent plate of food. As easily undone by a hug and a cuddle and some running of the fingers through the hair. Feo found the same thing in himself, and, really, as long as Lucius didn't tease him for it, he really didn't find himself minding. He wondered what everyone else in this diner would say, though. He couldn't care. If Lucius broke down into tears right now, he wouldn't hide a single bit of his affection for him.

-

Fuck. Them.

-

The conversation from before still lingered in the back of his mind. The idea of Florida, of warmth, of chasing some gut feeling without any real logic behind it. But Feo didn’t need logic. He just needed to know that Lucius wanted to go, and that was enough.

-

“Not built for the cold, huh?” Feo smirked, taking another bite. “I guess that makes two of us.” He rolled his shoulders, feeling the way the heat from the food spread through his limbs, chasing off the last of the chill. “Florida better be worth it, though. If I find out you dragged me all the way down there just to get sunburned, I’m kicking your ass.”

-

His tone was light, teasing, but there was an undercurrent of something steadier beneath it. He was already committed. Already in this, no matter what.

-

He tapped his fork against the plate idly. “And as for trouble… yeah, I figured as much. You could stand in an empty field and somehow still find a way to start a fight with the wind.”

-

He snorted, shaking his head before taking another bite. “Just promise me that when the next disaster inevitably happens, I at least get to finish my meal first?”

The warmth of the meal itself sank in his stomach, filling his chest with a deep warmth. It tasted wonderful. It was a little on the slightly bland side but that was alright. It was solid, warm and tasted home-made.

"It is really good," Lucius confirmed between eager bites. His shoulders relaxed with a warm and giddy hum. This was exactly what he needed tonight. And they could walk back to the motel, just spend the night and relax...? It was almost perfect.

His sapphire eyes flicked up toward Feo, a small touch of warmth in his gaze. He let out a small chuckle and shook his head lightly. "No, I'm not really built for the cold. I'd take a sunburn over frostbite," he pointed out, waving his fork. "But if you do get sunburned and nothing else happens, by all means. Drag me wherever you want."

He gave him a teasing grin in return, looking back down at his plate to finish with the potatoes and corn. A small chuckle escaped as he registered the words. "Listen, if I have to pick a fight with my dad or whatnot, I will absolutely throw hands. I'm gonna win too."

He definitely would not. Not at that moment but it was nice to imagine.

"Nothing can take away from this meal. I am going to finish it," Lucius confirmed. "And I eat slow... usually..." the warmth of the meal had been better than he had expected and, yeah, he had eaten a bit fast. But that was fine right? He ate a bit fast once, it wasn't going to be that bad. It was fine.

His eyes flicked upward to the window again, enjoying the look of the neon reflections. His sapphire eyes reflected just a touch of the soft light.

"I hear that the sun sets way later down in Florida," he added with a small shrug, more than happy to talk about small tidbits and odd facts here and there. It forced him to slow down and actually finish his meal without absolutely inhaling it.

He leaned back, sipping at the coffee now. A part of him didn't quite want to leave just yet. The diner was warm, smelled nice, the food was good and it felt... kind of safe.

In a strange way.

Feo was right there, enjoying his meal too.

Nothing was wrong.

"This is wonderful," Lucius whispered, brushing his knee against Feo's once again. "But it is getting late and I don't really want to keep the umbrella hostage for too long."

He chuckled loosely. "And we have some planning to do."

Feo watched Lucius with that same vague amusement, the kind that never quite reached a full smile but softened the sharp edges of his expression. The way Lucius practically melted into his meal, soaking up the warmth, the comfort—it was a good look on him. Like for once, he wasn’t constantly bracing for the next problem.

-

Feo took another bite, chewing slowly as he listened. The corners of his lips twitched at the mention of throwing hands with his father. “I’d pay good money to see you try,” he muttered. “Hell, I’d even bet on you. Just for the entertainment value.”

-

He knew better, of course. Knew what kind of power gods held, and what a fight like that would actually look like. But that wasn’t the point. The point was that Lucius would try, and Feo would be right there, probably sighing and shaking his head but sticking it out anyway.

-

At the mention of Florida’s late sunsets, Feo gave a small grunt, leaning back in his chair. “Yeah. More daylight means more time for trouble,” he mused, swirling what was left of his coffee in his cup. “More time to see whatever it is that’s pulling you there, I guess. I'm gonna find some swamp puppies. Wrestle me an alligator."

-

Lucius was right—the diner felt safe. It was warm, quiet, tucked away from the rest of the world. Just the two of them, a decent meal, and the steady hum of rain starting to let up outside. It made Feo want to linger a little longer, to stretch out this rare moment of calm before they had to get moving again.

-

He felt the brush of Lucius’s knee against his own and huffed lightly, shaking his head. “You getting sentimental on me?” he teased, but his tone was softer than usual.

-

His gaze flicked to the window, watching the neon reflections ripple in the puddles. It really was a nice sight. One of those moments that, if he let himself, he’d probably remember years down the line.

-

“Yeah,” he finally muttered, pushing his now-empty plate forward and downing the last of his coffee. “We should get going. Don’t want to piss off the umbrella lady.”

-

He stood, stretching slightly before tossing some coins on the table. It was more than enough to cover the bill—always was—, but Feo didn’t feel like waiting around for change. He didn't want to wait for anything anymore.

-

“C’mon,” he murmured, grabbing the umbrella and flicking it open as they stepped outside. “Still got a walk ahead of us.”

-

The air was cool but not biting, the streets still slick from the rain. It smelled fresh, clean, like the world had been rinsed off. Feo took a slow breath, letting it sink in.

-

For a moment, there was nothing but the quiet sound of their footsteps against wet pavement.

-

Yeah. This was nice.

Lucius gave him a sharp smile. "Wrestle an alligator? And we thought I was the problem with trouble," he let out a smaller chuckle. He stretched out with a small sigh, finally standing up.

As Feo stood up, Lucius followed suit. "The front desk lady is nice," Lucius agreed with a small wave of his hand, looking toward the window. "Been a lot of help, honestly. I appreciate her help."

Lucius trailed after Feo, looking around the city for a silent moment. The cool crisp air was fresh, the smell of a fading rain storm filled his senses. Oh it was beautiful.

His sapphire eyes soaked up the way the neon lights reflected in the silver rain puddles, the moonlight breaking through the clouds. The sounds of their shoes against the concrete, the occasional rumble of a car as it drove by in the distance. Every so often, a cyclist passed by as well.

Lucius gave Feo a brighter grin, skipping forward to walk facing him.

"This was a great idea," he preened. "See? I am always right. Well, most of the time at least. But I'm thinking we try and hop on the train tomorrow. It should give us a bit more time to plan a bit."

His eyes flicked back a few times, passing by the buildings. "But I mean, I think we can aim for the western side of Florida. I'm not too keen on the panhandle yet, just because I don't know much about it. I know more about the ... peninsula, yeah, that's the word. Stuff like Miami or Orlando--but those are more on the eastern side," he gladly rambled for a bit, still facing Feo.

"But it can't be that hard. We fly into Miami, get a little motel or whatnot just to figure out where we want to go from there. It's going to be a bit of a bigger city but it should be fine for a few days," Lucius mused aloud, stepping down from the curb with a slight confidence to his step.

"Hey--HEY--" the shout came far too late, a dark figure came around the parked car.

Lucius glanced over, startled and caught the poor man with his side. The cyclist tipped over, stumbling to the side as Lucius all but bounced off of him. The greek demigod flew a small bit, landing on the cobblestone asphalt with a small thump and a dull crack.

"Kid--geez, are you okay?" The cyclist righted his bike and stepped toward him. "You came out of nowhere--oh--"

Lucius took in a deep breath and let it out. He knew several things. Firstly, it hurt. Secondly, elbows did *not* bend that way. Thirdly, he felt stupid.

"... that's not good..."