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[img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/7a99d16cc86a88439bae85bf0a002421/bb22c7ad4a7bf49f-0a/s250x400/487050edefe1541cbe97e57c6933f8f7586b5c67.gifv[/img]	[img]https://i.pinimg.com/originals/76/08/7d/76087d3403ede1a88ef91a300074e918.gif[/img]
[sub][color=gray]A [@Venus] & [@Vicier] Collab
Featuring [color=BF225D]Ariana Mossos[/color] & [color=#C9C114]Samuel Mercer[/color]

[b]Location: [/b]Helios Cabin
[b]Interacting With:[/b] Each Other[/color][/sub][hr][hr][/center]
[color=darkgray][indent][indent][color=BF225D][i]'I can't wait to see Sammy's face when he finds out I'm here!'[/i][/color]

After nine hours spent between car rides, airplanes and airport waiting areas, a black car with tinted windows was making its way down the familiar roads leading to Camp Half-Blood. On the passenger seat, chatting animatedly with one of her many half-sisters, was none other than Ariana Mossos. Telling her boyfriend Samuel Mercer she wouldn't be able to attend camp this year had all been part of her plan to catch him off guard and surprise him with her untimely arrival. After so many months together (going as far as sharing a cabin and everything), Ari and Sam's time apart visiting their respective family had been hell, and they couldn't wait to reunite. Watching the way his face fell when she'd told him she wouldn't make it had broken her heart, but the daughter of Aphrodite hoped that her presence (along with the basket full of home-baked chocolate chip cookies) would make up for it.

Finally, the car came to a stop in front of the cabins, and Ariana's hazel eyes immediately scanned the area for any signs of the son of Helios that had so effortlessly stolen her heart last year. It didn't take long for her inquisitive look to turn into a full-fledged smile as she came upon the familiar features of her beloved. Grinning, the young woman exited the car and leaned against it with her arms crossed in front of her chest, waiting until the man was within ear shot before she spoke up.

[color=BF225D]"Hello there, stranger. Would you mind being a darling and telling me where Aphrodite's cabin is at?"[/color] she asked Samuel, flirtatiously biting her lower lip while shooting him one of her signature irresistible smiles.

[i][b]That voice.[/b][/i]

Eyes closing as the mere sound of it hit his ears, allowing a moment for it to simply wash over him; Samuel's lips broke out in a smirk. That cheeky little minx. A soft chuckle falling into the air, eyes opening so that he was able to lay his gaze on the gorgeous creature posing before him like the very Goddess she was; it was more than clear that the daughter of Aphrodite had each and every bit of his attention. Everything else around him melted away; and despite the ADHD tugging at the back of his mind, it was as natural as breathing for him to tune it out and to focus completely on his woman.

[color=#C9C114]"I could... or I could do ya one better an' show that sexy ass of yours back to the Helios cabin where ya really belong."[/color]

Slowing his pace, having broken away from walking with Neisha at some point, though he wouldn't have been able to tell you when; Samuel let his hands fall from where they were resting in his pockets. The gap between them was shrinking, and once he was close enough; his hands made it to her body. One resting gently against her side, pulling her closer as the other drew up. His touch gentle... delicate as he brushed some of her dark locks back. Head stooping down after another moment in order to seal their lips together in what was, clearly, a long overdue kiss in his mind, [color=#C9C114]"... Welcome home, Angel."[/color]

It never failed to amuse Ariana just how easily Samuel was able to disarm her. It only took one look from his jewel-colored eyes, one kiss from his honey-sweet lips, one phrase of his masculine voice with that awfully sexy Australian accent… And she was done. Just like that. Melting into a big old puddle of warm feelings at his feet. 

Today wasn’t the exception. The second Sam’s lips were on hers, the dark-haired girl's racing heart finally settled back to its regular pace, and her body slowly drifted into that blissful sensation of peace her Prince Charming always brought to her. She allowed herself to get lost in the kiss for as long as he allowed it to, and felt her heartbeat speed up again when he drew away and allowed his eyes to bore into hers. But when he greeted her, Ariana didn’t bother with a verbal response right away. Instead, she gave him another big smile, cupped her boyfriend’s face with both of her delicate hands and pulled him back into another deep, passionate kiss. 

She would’ve thought that they’d learned to deal with the time zones and love at a distance by now. But it was just like the saying: absence makes the heart grow fonder. And the time they were separated had only served to solidify Ariana's love for Samuel, while fueling the craving to be between his arms once again.

Her lips were like ecstasy- a drug that he could never seem to get enough of. And it was a few seconds of her lips pressing back against his that he hooked his arm around her back, and hoisted her into the air. The hand that he'd been using to hold back her hair falling to instead to caress her thigh; thumb brushing gently back and forth over her bare skin as he urged her to wrap her legs tightly around his waist. Keeping it there for only a few moments before his hand once more rose up. Fingers disappearing back into her hair; supporting the back of her head as did what he could to pour into each kiss just how much he'd missed her.

With the rather [i]enthusiastic[/i] kiss they were sharing, the daughter of Aphrodite knew she and Samuel were making a scene. But since when did Ariana Mossos care about what anybody else thought? If anyone had something to say, they'd get what was coming to them. Unfortunately, though, her lips were starting to get sore. So with all the resignation in the world, the begrudging young woman finally pulled away from Sam, but kept her arms and legs still wrapped around him. 

[color=BF225D]"You have no idea how much I missed you, pumpkin,"[/color] the brunette cooed with a glossy-lipped pout, giving her boyfriend another quick peck on the lips. [color=BF225D]"Let's never be away from each other that long again."[/color]

Forced to adjust his hold around her shapely figure as one of her siblings held out a bag for him to take, Samuel did just that. Draping the strap of the bag over her shoulder. It always amazed him just how much luggage she could accumulate in such a small amount of time. Without the help of her siblings, at least the ones that had gone to pick her up, he'd be making trips back and forth for the better part of an hour if she'd really gone and let herself loose on her little visit back home.

[color=#C9C114]"Agreed. Never again."[/color]

Shaking his head lightly, his hand reaching out to push open the door to the Helios cabin once he'd carried her close enough to it. Sam stepped over the threshold and into the living room. Motioning for the others to just put Ariana's bags down wherever before he did the same. Letting the bag he was carrying drop to the ground beside the couch as he fell down onto it. Holding her gently on his lap, [color=#C9C114]"So... do I even wanna know if ya told ya dad 'bout me or not..? I know he was askin' questions before ya left..."[/color]

[color=BF225D]"[i]Well[/i]..."[/color] Ariana began, shifting around in Sam's lap to get more comfortable before absentmindedly starting to play with his shirt. [color=BF225D]"I did tell him, actually,"[/color] she confessed, looking up at him with nerves painted all over her perfect face. [color=BF225D]"Was he happy? [i]No.[/i] Quite the opposite, actually. He was pretty pissed off that I, and I quote, 'went off to camp to hook up with some random guy' I 'know nothing about'. But when I told him how much you love and respect me, and how happy you make me, he was a little less grumpy about it. He still isn't [i]thrilled[/i] about me dating and not being under his supervision, of course. But at least now he's not wanting to chomp your head off anymore!"[/color] Ariana told Samuel with a laugh.

Yeah... because [i]that[/i] was really going to make him feel better about the situation.

Hand lifting, rising from its resting place over her thigh, Samuel rubbed a little worriedly at the back of his neck. Dating one of the hottest women in camp..? Hell, the fact that she'd even set her sights on him in the first place was a miracle. It was a complete blessing. But he couldn't deny that the situation was a pretty fucking precarious one if he was being completely honest with himself. Did he love her..? Yes. A thousand times he'd told her, and hell, he'd tell her that for the rest of his life if they ever decided to take that particular path, but... [i]mobster's daughter[/i] was [i]not[/i] something that he'd been expecting when he'd first asked her out. And, it wasn't as though he knew from experience or anything, but he was pretty damn sure that meant he was a dead man walking just for even [i]looking[/i] at her.

[color=#C9C114]"... Ya know, second thoughts... Maybe I should take a rain check on the next trip ta see your parents... And maybe the one after that too..."[/color]

Ariana merely laughed again and shook her head. [color=BF225D]"Don't be silly, pumpkin!"[/color] she cooed, giving him a fleeting kiss on the lips and rubbing their noses together. [color=BF225D]"You have nothing to worry about-- pinky promise. He's not going to hurt you. He knows better than to risk me never speaking to him again-- [i]especially[/i] since he's already on thin ice because of the whole 'you lied about who my real mother is for my entire life' situation."[/color]

[color=#C9C114]"... Babe... You know ya can't hold that against him forever..."[/color] A light frown crossing over his otherwise gentle features, Samuel reached across, and with a gentle hand, he once more brushed those few strands of hair back and off her delicate features. Tucking them behind her ear, though he knew from experience that in less than a few minutes time, he'd be doing the same thing all over again. Not that he minded, [color=#C9C114]"... Pretty much all of us are in the same boat. I didn't know who my dad was... Ky and Hay didn't know who theirs was- hell, they barely even know who their ma is. All of us grew up without [i]at least[/i] one of our parents..."[/color]

A frown came upon Ariana's features. She pulled away from her boyfriend's soft gestures enough to raise her eyebrows at Samuel in a questioning look. [color=BF225D]"Is that supposed to change how I feel about it or something?"[/color] she interjected, her voice as icy as her newly changed demeanor. [color=BF225D]"You're not trying to guilt-trip me into forgiving my father, are you? Because you know better than anyone that nobody tells [i]me[/i] what to do about things."[/color]

And he should have expected that one.

Holding himself back, refraining from letting out the exasperated sigh that wanted so desperately to escape, Samuel shook his head lightly. His gaze drew up to keep her own locked. His expression soft, though behind his eyes was a slight firmness, [color=#C9C114]"... Relax, honey-badger. Put those claws away. Merely stating facts, and you know it."[/color]

His words, though well-intended, had only served to further upset Ariana. Without warning, the brunette rose from Samuel's lap and stormed away from her beloved. She chose to stand in the middle of the cabin with her arms crossed in front of her chest, staring daggers down at the man. [color=BF225D]"This is fucking ridiculous. You mean to tell me I haven't seen you in [i]months[/i], and the first thing you do when we're together is try and manipulate me to do something I don't want to do?!"[/color] Her voice rang across the room, hazel eyes blazing with pure anger. [color=BF225D]"What a fucking joke!"[/color]

[i][b][color=#C9C114]"Enough, Ari...!"[/color][/b][/i]

She [i]always[/i] had to do this- always had to read further into things than was necessary. Was this really what she wanted..? Geez, there were times that where thoughts crossed his mind about maybe, just maybe, she enjoyed arguing with him. Sure, the make-up sex was amazing; but that wasn't the point. Sometimes it just got tiring. It did neither of them any good, [color=#C9C114]"The camp has enough shit to deal with right now thanks to ya fuckin' mum; so [i]don't[/i] go makin' this bigger than it is..! Ya know for a fact that I ain't tryin' ta manipulate shit..!"[/color]

Moving past her once he'd gotten himself moving, it wasn't long after that he came to a stop in front of the fridge. Slamming the door of it shut once he'd retrieved them a beer each. Placing one on the bench for her, before his back was turned and his body was leaning against the counter. The muscles in his arms tensing up as he twisted the cap off, casting it aside, [color=#C9C114]"Fuck sake, Ari- ya [i]really[/i] think that little 'bout me...?"[/color]

[i]No, she did not.[/i]

The second Samuel raised her voice, Ariana knew to not press any further and stop with the bratty attitude. The young woman knew fully well that the son of Helios wasn't trying to manipulate her. From the moment they had met, Sam had proven to not only be genuinely concerned about her well being, but have her best interests at heart-- even when she was acting like too much of a stubborn baby to see it. His kind heart, his sweet disposition, his selfless actions, his infinite patience, and all of Samuel's endless redeeming qualities normally inspired Ariana to want to be a better person. But, at times like these, they fueled the mean little voice in the back of her mind. [i]He's much too good for you, girl. You know the boy deserves so much better.[/i] The reason why they fought so much was probably her testing how long it would be before he left her like the others did.

And yet, the large sense of pride and huge ego inherited from both her parents prevented Ariana from admitting fault or any of this to herself. So instead of answering his question of whether she thought so little of him or even apologizing for her behavior, the brunette chose to continue glaring at her boyfriend while using part of his statement in an attempt to change the subject. 

[color=BF225D]"What did the bitch do now?"[/color] Ari asked sourly about the birth mother she so disliked, unceremoniously snatching the beer from the table and struggling to unscrew the top of her bottle open. She silently fought with the cap for a few seconds, and after a handful of failed attempts, the girl angrily slammed the bottle back on the table and let out a frustrated sigh.

[color=#C9C114]"... She accused Erin of stealing her Godly symbol."[/color] Pausing long enough to throw back a swig from his beer, it was a few moments of silence later that his head was turning, and his gaze was lingering on the woman that he was able to call his. The frown he wore etching deeper onto his features; Samuel let out a heavy sigh. And pushing away from the bench, put his own beer down only long enough that he was able to open the one that he'd grabbed out for her. Putting it right back down where she'd slammed it in her frustration, [color=#C9C114]"... The horror Queen has seven days to bring back the damn dove and prove she didn't do the crime."[/color]

Ariana let out a disbelieving snort. [color=BF225D]"So you mean to tell me that Miss Thang is throwing this big of a fit over some stupid [i]bird[/i]?"[/color] she said, shaking her head in disbelief. [color=BF225D]"It's as if she cares more about the thing than she ever did any of her kids. That's fucked up, coming second to some bird..."[/color] she trailed off, snatching the now open beer from the table and angrily chugging half of it.

Samuel scoffed. His arms lifted to cross over his chest as he once more gave her his back; leaning back against the counter as he had been before he'd gone and the beer for her. Really, did they expect anything less..? When it came to parenting, the Gods were just like mortals. There were shitty parents, parents who were never there for their kids, parents who made the effort; and then there were the rare gems... ones who actively sought to try and be there for their kids, and who could, in all reality, be considered [i]'good parents'[/i]. Aphrodite, very clearly, was not one of the few.

[color=#C9C114]"... Yeah, well... if Erin fails, she gets given to Ares..."[/color]

The young woman grimaced. [color=BF225D]"[i]Yikes[/i]... Well, I hope she finds it: for her sake. I don't understand why anyone would steal a stupid bird anyway, or why they can't go look for it themselves, but then I never understand what goes through the minds of those gods anyway..."[/color] she trailed off, taking yet another swig of her beer.

How to explain it in a way she was going to understand..? Frowning heavier than before, Samuel's arms broke apart and eventually turned back around. Body hunched over the bench, elbows resting on the counter as he took his beer back into his hands. His gorgeous blues flicking over to meet her own gaze, [color=#C9C114]"... Think of it like politics- or better yet. Think of it like the mafia, babe."[/color]

Yeah. That was easier. Make it relatable to her own situation in a way.

[color=#C9C114]"... The Gods are the mafia - so in this instance, Zeus is the equivalent of your father. They are the head of their family. Everyone answers to them. Well, jus' like in all families, there are people who don't agree with the way things are."[/color] Standing back up straight after a moment, taking another swig of his beer only to then set it back down on the bench, Samuel rounded it. His hands coming to rest on her hips as he made to stand in front of her, [color=#C9C114]"Those that don't agree, try to manipulate their way into power by undermining your father in some way. But they don't do it in person- they never get their own hands dirty, do they...? They make their little lackeys do it for them. And that's what's happening here. It's a power-play. We as demigods just happen to be their lackeys..."[/color]

Ariana could only roll her eyes and shake her head. [color=BF225D]"Then it's a good thing I don't play by anyone's rules both here [i]and[/i] at home,"[/color] she said bitterly, taking the last swig of beer from her bottle before placing it back on top of the counter. Why the gods treated their offspring like an army of disposable soldiers to do their dirty work instead of their actual [i]children[/i] was beyond her. But she would waste no more energy on that particular subject. There were more important things to take care of-- namely, the sweet gentleman currently holding her by the hips.

The way Samuel had so patiently explained the situation to her even after her little outburst filled Ariana with guilt. Why was she so hellbent on pushing away and hurting a man who would do anything for her happiness? It was childish, immature, and outright cruel. She needed to do something about it. [b]Fast.[/b]

Before Sam could say anything else, Ari wrapped her arms around her boyfriend's torso and looked up at him with tearful eyes. [color=BF225D]"I'm sorry about being a brat and picking a fight with you,"[/color] the brunette shakily apologized, pulling him close. [color=BF225D]"I don't think little of you at all, Samuel. I actually think the world of you. I think [i]so[/i], so highly of you, that sometimes I think [i]I'm[/i] the one who's too little for you."[/color]

[color=#C9C114]"... I know..."[/color]

Hand lifting from her hip, Samuel's attention was drawn by the gentle sparkle of her tears under the natural light in the kitchen. His touch was gentle as he used the pad of his thumb to lightly brush them away before they really had a chance to so much as fall. He knew that she loved him- it was one thing he never had to question was her love for him. And it really didn't take a genius to know that he felt exactly the same way about her, [color=#C9C114]"... But don't you ever think that, okay...? You are the most beautiful Goddess I have ever met; one with such a big heart... An' I'm always gunna love you, Ariana."[/color]

Before she could stop herself, Ariana had jumped into Samuel's arms, pulled him into a tight hug and began to sob on his shoulder. [color=BF225D]"I'm always going to love you too, Sammy!"[/color] she wailed in between sobs, holding her boyfriend even tighter. [color=BF225D]"[b]Always[/b]! There's nobody in the world I'd rather be with than you."[/color]

Chuckling softly, unable to stop himself; Samuel's arms wrapped tighter around her shapely figure, [color=#C9C114]"... Well ain't it lucky that ya stuck with me, then."[/color]

Smiling through the tears, Ariana nodded and let out a shaky laugh. [color=BF225D]"The luckiest girl in the world..."[/color] she said sweetly, rubbing the tip of his nose with hers for a second before pulling him into a kiss.[/indent][/indent][/color]