WHO: Greed and Zoe w/Theseus WHEN: Saturday [Backdated] WHERE: The boat WHAT: Theseus decides to try to take back what's his WARNING: Pushing and shoving
Zoe was excited as she bounded up the steps to Greed's place. She'd often talked about her love for the water and how the beach relaxed her and Greed had said he wanted to go with her. She instantly loved the idea of sharing that with him. The ocean always soothed her, ever since she was a child, there was a sense of calm that she got to it and would often escape to the beach whenever she needed to clear her head. It wasn't entirely surprising considering a bit of Poseidon's blood ran through her veins but she tried not to think of it that way. She had nothing but good memories associated with the water and she was looking forward to adding to them with her boyfriend. She wore sandals, shorts and a loose low cut tank top that showed peeks of the swimsuit she was wearing underneath. She waited patiently for Greed to answer the door, her hands fiddling nervously behind her back. It was the second time she'd come over to his place on her own. And the first that she'd been invited and not carted, brought, or kidnapped. ___________________ Greed was in a casual Batman t-shirt and jeans with a buckle that spelled out his name. It was a gorgeous day, perfect time to take his new boat for a spin. He hadn't told Zoe that part.
She nearly pounced him at the door. "I'm not sure I should take you anywhere." He said once he oogled everything. Legs, bathing suit, near see through top. He already wanted to paw at it. ________________ Zoe did pounce him when he opened the door. Big smile, arms around his neck and a kiss on the cheek in greeting. She frowned a little and stepped back looking down at her outfit, “What?” she looked back at him. It was shorts and a top with her swimsuit underneath nothing scandalous, she put her hands on her hips, “You always complain I don’t show my legs enough.” _________________ "It's everyone else I don't want looking!" He wagged his hand up and down. Not that she would leech herself off on anyone else. He poked his finger down her shirt, pulling the fabric towards him so he could take a peek down. _________________ She sighed a little but there was a light in her eyes, she could never win with this boy. “The only person interested in looking..” she swatted his hand away from her shirt and looked at him pointedly, “..is you.” Zoe didn’t think she was ugly but she didn’t think she was a head turner either. There were far more beautiful and showy girls by the water that would claim guys attention, she was sure of it. She was pretty sure Greed would get distracted too. __________________ He nearly had a good peep when she swatted him away. "I wanna see!" He stamped a foot. __________________ Zoe stuck a finger inside the waistband of his jeans and tugged him closer, “You willlll... once we get to the water.” she kissed him briefly, “So you can stand and pout or we can go and you can see.” _________________ Greed scooped her up into his arms, carrying her like a sack of potatoes. He slapped her on the butt. "Let's go then! Why are you wasting time?!" He was giddy. He wanted to show her this big boat who he had appropriately named The Devil's Nest after his favorite anime rendition. It was a fantastic name. So he stole it. _________________ She yelled in surprise and then started laughing, “Hey!” she exclaimed when he slapped her butt. “I’m not a mermaid!” she bent one leg as he carted her off. _____________________ The hand wrapped around her pinched her high thigh just under her shorts to hear her squeal. "You aren't? Aren't you related to a sea pirate?" He teased her, waltzing them to the car where he dropped her in the passenger seat. _____________________ She did indeed squeal at the pinch and smacked him on the butt, “Not by choice!” she didn’t pick who her grandmother fell in love with though it could be argued had Theseus not had her mother, Zoe wouldn’t be here right now with Greed. She oof!’d when he dumped her in the passenger seat and lightly smacked him a couple of times, “Do you keep doing that because you want my butt in your face or because you like your butt in mine?” she fiddled with the seat belt. ___________________ "A little of both." The moment she slipped her seatbelt in he sped off out of park---but he didn't head in the direction towards the beach. He headed towards the docks. ___________________ She looked out the window, her neck twisting as far as it could as they blew past a sign. Her hand reached over and touched his thigh, “Hey... hey, where are you going?” she turned to look at him questioningly. ___________________ "I'm going to the beach." He gave her a fake smile past his dark shades. He pointed towards the open road. "What are you worried about?" He kicked up his speed. ___________________ “Ummmm... not much. Just you know.” she squeezed his thigh and jerked her thumb in the direction behind them, “The beach is that way?” _____________________ "Oooo, keep doing that," he patted the hand on his thigh. He eyed the direction she pointed, lifting his glasses over the bridge of his nose to look back. "Is it really?" He kept driving without turning around. _____________________ She grinned a little but her hand stayed on his thigh, “Yes, it is really.” she looked at him carefully, “And you know it is....” she was suspicious, “Where are you taking me? Will there be cake and are we at least going to the beach afterwards?” these were very important questions that needed answering. _____________________ "Mmmmm, there won't be cake. And the beach seems likely." He hadn't lied, he'd just held back the transportation to get there. He pulled up at the docks looking suspicious. "Let's take a walk." He flashed her a quick grin and motioned for her to get out of the car. Then he started his sift through boats as they walked down the wooden trailway with big boat after big boat floating on the water. _____________________ She got out of the car and went over to his side, slipping her hand into his as she looked at the boats. “You are being very mysterious.” but she was happy, they were near the water and they would get to go to the beach later. If this had been earlier in their relationship Zoe might have thought Greed was taking her out here to kill her but she trusted him now. __________________ He counted as they walked until he parked his feet right in front of a large sailing yacht that he had acquired from her Grandfather. It had already been relabeled in the name Greed had given it instead of the name Theseus had had painted on..which told Greed this had been the Greek's boat.
He released Zoe's hand to throw his arms out. "Well?" __________________ Zoe stopped walking when he did and didn’t really know what he was going on about. She looked from him slowly to the yacht and then back to him, “It’s a boat....” she didn’t know what reaction he was going for. She wasn’t even quite sure what was going on. ___________________ He waved around frantically at the name. "Not just any boat! My boat!" He felt a little insulted. It even had a bright yellow stripe across the side with the name in black. Once he was done cleaning it up, it would be something else to store his shit on. ___________________ She looked surprised and then read the name, “Wow, that is definitely your boat.” she was at a loss, “I didn’t even know you had a boat.” though it wouldn’t surprise her if he owned a helicopter at this point. ___________________ "Well this is what I get for your locket." He put his hands on his hips, looking all smug. "I think this was your grandfather's because he gave it a shit name before." ___________________ She raised her brows, “Oh.” one hand went to the locket around her neck, fiddling with it. It was a little unexpected to realize this was her family’s boat. Well. Her grandfather’s boat. Doubtful he’d have taken her or her mom or her grandmother out for water picnics on it. “What was it called before?” she was just curious. __________________ "The Aegeus or something boring." He rolled his eyes bouncing towards the deck where he took her hand to help her aboard. There was an odd and faint smell (foul cologne that Greed would never wear). He suspected it was whatever Theseus had left behind. If that sea rat had been on this boat again he would have some threatening words. __________________ Zoe’s drifting thoughts were shaken loose when Greed helped her on board. She didn’t want to think about her lack of family right now.. she gave him a big smile, “So... do I get a tour?” something to just get her mind away from where it was. __________________ "Yes!" He looked so excited as if his feet could shoot rockets. He weaved through the rope and set of paint buckets still hanging around on board to take her inside. There were at least three cabins, one of which was off limits to her. __________________ Zoe looked impressed at the sheer..... largeness of the place. Plus it was always adorable when Greed got excited. “What are these rooms or well.. what’re you gonna do with them?” ____________________ He swung open the door, leading her into the second cabin (the first being where Lust violated the space and him---happily) which still had furnishings from the previous owner. There was a lot of blue on this boat which was more Lust's color. By the time he was done it would reflect his own tastes. It was still a spacious room with bed and bath. ____________________ She wandered in and looked around, her fingers lightly going over one of the knick knacks in the room, “It’s so very..... not you.” she turned around to look at him, “Do you even like living on the water?” she sometimes never knew if he actually liked something or wanted to have it just to have it. _______________________ "I know...." It almost made him gag. It was foul....and it smelled of fish. "Not really. Get a little motion sick." It was all those months in the past where it was their only transportation. Greed was much more fond of cars, planes and open road. This however added to his list of things he did not own. Now he could say he had a boat. _______________________ “I like it.. it feels like someone rocking you to sleep.” Zoe had a dreamy smile on her face as she looked at all the things, part of her was curious about her grandfather and his tastes but that wasn’t what she was thinking of. “Show me the next one?” ____________________ Greed jerked her hand and headed into the third room which had all kinds of nautical designs and again with the blue. The bed in this room was a little smaller, more compact. He laced his other with hers and swung both her arms out like rope. ____________________ “I wonder what this room was used for...” she murmured out loud as she looked at the designs which she actually kind of liked. She chuckled when Greed played with her and asked, “Next?” she noticed they’d skipped the first room and started in the middle. ___________________ “There’s a kitchen.” He moved his brows upward eyeing all the tiny spaces she looked at. “Like this room do you?” Good. He tugged her hands and sat on the bed with a squeak. ___________________ She nodded, “It’s nice.. cute and cozy.” she stood in front of him when he sat down and nodded, “Kitchen, I think that’s called the galley on a boat.” and because he had failed to mention it,. “And the third room?” ____________________ “It’s not just a kitchen?” Greed had no idea about boats, he only knew to stick the key into the ignition and drive like he would a car. Or did he need a key? He wrapped his arms around her legs, fingers sliding up the backside where her shorts poofed out just a little. If she wouldn’t let him see the bathing suit he would feel for it. He rocked her side to side when she asked about the other room. “That one’s a mess.” Maybe she wouldn’t push it. ____________________ “That’s just the special name for it.” She smiled at him as he got handsy but then looked at him curiously, “So? I just wanna see.” ____________________ “Mmmmm. Not that one. You wouldn’t like it. So it’s off limits.” He wanted the rest of this boat to be his. He wanted to make her a part of it or she would never step aboard it again. With his arms still around her legs he fell onto his back against the mattress pulling her with him. “Let’s just stay here for a little bit.” He only had so many hideaways with her. He wanted to make this one one of them. ____________________ “How will I know unless I see it....?” she laughed as she tumbled onto him and the bed, “We can do that... but you know we can also do this at your place. You brought me all the way out here to cuddle in a bed?” she was just teasing as she happily snuggled into him and kissed his neck. ____________________ "Because," he insisted, "you don't want to see." He didn't want her to keep asking. If he brought up Lust this whole trip was going to be spent with either tears or an argument. "I wanna see what you got on under these clothes." ____________________ She frowned because it was a bit strange how adamant he was about her not seeing the last room. She wasn’t going to let it go, a horrible trait she was picking up from him, but for now she smiled, “You’ll get to see when we’re at the beach. Or at least outside on the deck.” she wasn’t going to wear her bathing suit in a bed. __________________ His arms fell down her waist, over her bubble butt while his mouth distracted hers. It would drop the subject for now. __________________ There was a muffled noise against his mouth when her butt got some action and she put her arms around his neck to kiss him, her tongue exploring his mouth slowly. She really shouldn’t since tongue made him heat up faster but this was a good moment. __________________ That did the trick! He grinned inwardly with triumph, fisting the air with his arm. It was easy to get locked away in these kind of moments, he always found reasons to keep going. Mostly reasons that prevented him from ever getting too close. His hand slipped up under her delicate shirt. He wanted to see. She wasn’t going to keep him from seeing. He tugged at the shirt to try and pull it off over her head while still keeping her mentally and physically distracted. He opened his eyes trying to peek over her shoulder, only bumping his head against the wall when he tried to move. It was either the boat actually moving or he had jostled them both. __________________ As always, Greed’s kisses sent a fog rolling in Zoe’s brain so she was aware he was trying to get her shirt off but at the same time was finding it hard to care. “Oh!” she started laughing and covered her hand with her mouth when he bumped his head. The moment instantly broken for a second as she reached out and touched his head, “Are you okay?” he was a big guy and boat quarters were tinier than normal rooms, plus you had to remember where you were so you knew how to navigate it properly. She kept her arm around his neck and kissed his cheek, “Should we go outside?” because if he was going to get bruised up just for a few kisses, she’d feel bad. __________________ “This room is so fucking small! It must have been made for a midget!” He rubbed the sore spot on the top of his head. It would definitely leave a bruise. As he stood up, he hit the picture hanging off the wall of some old map. “YES!” he growled pushing her up and off of him so he could stand hopefully without anymore foreign objects gunning at his body. That, and Greed was not used to boats. __________________ Zoe didn’t laugh but she wanted to. She stood up as well and she didn’t tell him to calm down or try to soothe him or anything. While he grumbled and growled, he’d get hit in the face with her shirt. Which meant it was off. And there was just a brief peek of her body walking through the door and already up to the deck. She had a feeling a distraction would serve better than anything else. ________________ It was a vicious trap each and every corner of that room. The entire boat for that matter until he was out on the deck. In the sunlight he could see the peeks of skin that wasn't modestly covered up by her one piece bathing suit. What he could see he liked. Excitedly he hopped on one foot than the other as he stripped himself of his shoes and jeans. ________________ Zoe’s suit was one piece, tasteful but still sexy. It showed off her whole naked back and the front had the sides cut out strategically to show the curves he liked. The cut outs went all the way into her shorts to show there was still a lot of skin left to see. And it was a nice black and white pattern. She walked to the rail of the boat and leaned on it with her arms as she looked over her shoulder at him. __________________ He nearly tripped over his own feet as he tossed the jeans off his leg. His swimming trunks underneath matched his Batman tee with plenty of yellow to outline the black. It wasn't cartoonish, but still very Greed and very little boy mixed with adult.
"When did you get that?" He pointed out, puffing his bangs out of his face. __________________ She leaned her back against the rail and rested her elbows on it behind her, “Last year.. hadn’t gotten a chance to wear it till now. You don’t like it?” she tilted her head to the side as she checked out his trunks and then looked at him expectantly widening her eyes and dipping her head so her gaze dropped to his shirt, a clear gesture that said take it off. ______________________ He stripped off his shirt without a word, mimicking her action from before tossed his shirt at her. He could have glistened in the sun just like all the bright, shiny things he owned. He stepped up to her, trailing a finger over her shoulder and down her arm while he kissed the same shoulder. "I like it." ______________________ She made a face as the shirt whupped! her in the face and she pulled it off and dropped it to the deck with a grin as he came closer. A faint blush hit her cheeks when he kissed her shoulder, “I uh.. bought it thinking of you.” she ran a hand through her hair a little embarrassed by the admission. ______________________ He playfully bit her shoulder. "Did you?" His lips turned up into a sneaky grin, hooking his finger on the open side, pulling and then let it slap back. "Didn't want to go for a two piece?" It suited her just the same and he was turned on more by what he didn't see than had she been all flesh and dental floss. ______________________ She squirmed with his nips and prods and made a face, shoving him lightly, “Like I said, I was thinking of you when I bought it.” she chuckled, since that’s exactly why she didn’t buy a two piece. This was more her and it was modest but sexy, the cutouts on the side were what sold it. Greed seemed to love grabbing her curves so hey, something for everyone. “I always hoped we’d come here.” she frowned all of a sudden, “I feel so stupid, I should have asked... do you even like the water?” she was so excited that she hadn’t even thought to ask. _______________________ "We haven't gone anywhere yet. The day's just getting started!" She hadn't even said anything about his suit. He stepped aside waving his arm up and down with a expectant compliment. "Superhero in a swimsuit, come on now!" He looked out over the open water, sun already tinting his cheeks and nose pink. "Not really. Drownings, long months to get to the other side of the world in old days. Not so much my thing." _______________________ She grinned because he was ridiculous and nodded, “Yes, you look very hot. But you know you look hot almost all the time.” she tilted her head as if the trunks were cute but he could wear a paper bag and still look good. She sighed, a little disappointed with his answer but she could understand it. She turned back to look out at the water, “I don’t think I’m ever going to have a boyfriend who likes the water. Mike hated it too. Two years we were together, he loved the mountains. He hated the sand and the ocean and the heat.” ________________________ "But I have a boat now." His smile perked from ear to ear. "So fuck water. I have a giant ass boat. I'll kick its ass." There was a giggly laugh that followed the smile as he pretended to be turning the steering wheel. He felt her mood shift, so he turned picking her up off her feet, her middle at his face as he spun in circles until he couldn't anymore. ________________________ “Do you even know how to sail a--” she let out a yell of surprise as he picked her up, bursting out into a fit of laughter as he spun them around. She kicked her feet and put her arms around his neck, “If you puke, I am not going to kiss you!” __________________ He started to slow down in his spin, setting her feet down. Did motion sickness count when the boat hadn't set sail yet? He held onto his stomach, walking it off until he wasn't seeing double. "No, I don't. Think you can channel some of your sea legs?" Not that he would let her actually touch the boat to sail it without his hands on it first. __________________ She went over to him and rubbed his back as he tried to settle down. “Wow, what’re you gonna do when the boat moves?” she kissed his cheek, “Next time we should get you some motion sickness pills just in case.” she rested her hand on his back and looked up and down the boat, “I mean.. I’ve never sailed a boat this big but it wouldn’t hurt to take a look around to see how it functions?” _________________ He flapped his hand. "I'm fine." She worried over him. Lust mothered him. He found when he was with Zoe he prefered the worrisome attention. He narrowed his eyes. Was she insinuating that she drive this thing? _________________ She looked back at him and asked, “What?” she turned her head to the side, “Just to explore, I promise I won’t try to drive it and crash it.” she grinned and teased, “That’s your job.” __________________ He wagged a finger. "I've got my eye on you missy. My boat." It was then that that foul fishy smell permeated the air. There was a familiar tuft of hair and angry eyes stepping up on the platform.
"It's actually my boat," Theseus said as he approached, seeing with his own eyes that his granddaughter was hanging around this schmuck. That's where it clicked in his head that Greed was the boyfriend. It was where he'd seen him before. Theseus tapped his fingers against the railing. He had finally handed off the prize to Poseidon. After about a day or so it seemed that Greed's deal had gone without a hitch. That was until Poseidon started to get suspicious.
"The deal was you bring me the locket and you get all this." He motioned his arms out and stepped on board. "But you---" he pointed to Greed, that necklace on Zoe sparkling in the sunlight----which explained it all---"you played me." _________________ Zoe’s smile quickly died as that voice interrupted their afternoon like nails down a chalkboard. She moved even closer to Greed’s side as her grandfather talked and while there was more than just unease on her part, she stood her ground, “I’m sure we don’t know what you’re talking about. If you’d like to leave...” her polite way of telling him to fuck off. True he hadn’t been talking to her but she was his blood and she wasn’t going to watch Theseus try to tangle with Greed. __________________ "I can't leave what is rightfully mine!" Theseus cocked his head back in a laugh. "I'd say the deal is null and void, because you my dear have that." Oh the beatings he had taken for getting it. His eyes shot over to Greed, there was a swell of jealousy that reared just looking at him.
"No. You handed it over, its mine now. There's no getting it back. Even your horrible decor is mine. You asked for a necklace. You got it. No part of the contract was broken."
Theseus stepped a little further onto the deck, a few steps forward towards Zoe with the click of his tongue. "See, I don't really follow. Not that I won't have to scrub this place clean after you violated my boat with your sister." __________________ When Theseus moved forward, Zoe wavered a bit and took a step or two back, still next to Greed but maybe a tiny bit behind him. She looked at him when her grandfather revealed that he’d had sex with Lust on the boat already. She looked away from Greed quickly, unmistakable hurt in her eyes but she said nothing. Why he didn’t want her to go into the third room made more sense. She didn’t know why he brought her here at all... but they had an arrangement, his boat, his life, he could show it to Zoe after he defiled it with his sister. She tried to rationalize it away because now wasn’t the time to deal with it. ______________________ Greed laughed rubbing his hands together. "I hope you realize that I don't back out of a deal. Shooo." He waved his hand. "There are no voids in my contracts. You handed over the boat, you're not getting it back. Is papa the pirate not happy? That's on you now, not me. I did my part." Zoe was uncomfortable, it made Greed defensive.
Theseus narrowed his eyes, cutting them over to Zoe. "He sleeps with his sister, did you get that." There was something dangerous about both Greed and Lust. Him tangling with them was one thing, but a quarter immortal girl? She wouldn't survive a fallout. On either side. "Poseidon won't be merciful. He's suspicious." Greed's brow quirked. "So? Reassure him," he hissed. ______________________ “Yes. I got that.” she spat out harshly. Her cheeks were burning because it was mortifying. She might not care for Theseus but she had hoped that if her family had been alive to meet Greed, she could be proud to show them. Not have to be ashamed because of their relationship. She knew it wasn’t as black and white as Theseus made it seem but it made Zoe look stupid and weak that she knew about Greed and Lust and was okay with it. Not okay with it.. she had agreed to it. He didn’t understand. She didn’t care if he understood. But her eyes wouldn’t meet his as her arms wrapped around her middle protectively. ______________________ It was the only piece of venom he could toss at her to maybe get her away from this tangled mess. He didn’t even know this girl other than her grandmother and the daughter he’d left behind (like so many others in the past and present). He might know nothing other than her blood ties, but it didn’t mean he wanted to see her go down in the middle of the crossfire. He didn’t really need to stick around either way, but he was trying to give her a push to get out of this now. What little he’d already dealt with between Greed and his sister was nothing pretty for a mortal girl. “Do you?” He gave her a cocky grin, making himself at home on the boat he had to give up. He looked to Greed. “If he finds out it’s not real I’m not the only one who’s going to pay.” Theseus shot an eyebrow up at Greed, leaning his hip on the side of the railing with his arms against the cool metal. That was one step too far for Greed. The dirty Greek was actually touching his things now. Greed launched forward like a bullet knocking Theseus to the ground before he had a chance to catch his breath for air. ______________________ Zoe quickly went after Greed and grabbed onto his arm, “Chance! No!” she pulled on it to get him off Theseus. Her heartbeat quickening because the last time she’d tried this, Greed had gotten violent with her for the first time. But this wasn’t going to solve anything. ______________________ Greed was angry but he wasn’t violent yet. He would get to that point if Theseus pushed his luck. Greed had given him the benefit of the doubt the first time. He was Zoe’s family, but right now he was just stepping over the line.
His hands curled around Theseus’ coat. A rather nice suit for a guy that looked like he was washed up on the shore the first time he’d met him. “You’re not getting this boat back.” It wasn’t just the boat. It was the way he was trying to put a wedge between him and Zoe. Greed didn’t want to have to kill to keep her there, but he would if it came to it. ______________________ Zoe put an arm around Greed’s collarbone from behind, wanting him to feel her and calm down. She made sure she had a hold on him so he wouldn’t hit Theseus and looked at her grandfather, “You have no proof of such an allegation. Yes, he had a copy made because the necklace means more to me than to either you or Poseidon. But there’s nothing to say that I don’t have the fake.” she was trying to stay strong but Theseus had hit her where it hurt, she was vulnerable when it came to Greed and it had shaken her. Right now though, she just wanted her last surviving family member gone. ______________________ Theseus held his arms out in defense. He wasn’t going to throw a punch. If he could slink out of this without being attacked in some way he’d be grateful. Too many bruises and busted lips thanks to Poseidon had grazed his face in the last few weeks or so. This wouldn’t be anything new, but he was tired of being a punching bag.
“I’m just warning you.” Theseus said. “You and your sister seem to like to play people for fun.” He threw a heavy glance over Greed’s shoulder towards Zoe. His own hope that she knew those words were meant for her as much as they were for himself. Lust had really dug her claws in deep. It still angered him to look at Greed’s eyes and see them all over each other as if he hadn’t been anything more than a fly on the wall.
Greed flashed him a sinister grin. That was his own silent warning. “Get out.” His voice was low, dark, and unnatural but he didn’t throw a punch. He took a slow and deep breath. Zoe had some hold on him, but he was very near a point of losing it. ______________________ His heavy glance her way wasn’t lost on her and she shook her head, “You don’t know.” was all she said very quietly. She kept her arm around Greed, resting her brow against the side of his head, her eyes closed as she whispered, “Please...” in a strained voice in his ear. She was begging him to let this go right now because she needed him with her. Theseus was threatening to take so much more than the boat and Zoe was going to fall to pieces in a minute if Greed wasn’t with her. ______________________ Zoe had spent a lot of time with Greed in the last week, it was enough for her human emotions to have some effect. He’d tangled with her for too long to not feel some jerk reaction when she pleaded in such a pained way. It didn’t work when he was too far gone in his dark place, but he wasn’t there yet, it was the only way she could pull him out.
He let his grip go but studied Theseus as he scrambled to his feet. The Greek wasn’t scared just startled. At least he’d come out of this unscathed. That was the least he could say for Poseidon’s attacks.
“You aren’t taking anything off this boat except yourself.” Greed shoved him towards the edge. He kept shoving like a bully on the playground who wanted the swing but someone was in it. ______________________ Zoe moved quickly in front of Greed so she was between him and Theseus. It was hard to say if she was protecting Greed or protecting Theseus. She was like Greed’s shield but all three were near the edge now. She looked at Theseus with those big brown eyes that been the undoing of a Sin, “The only way Poseidon would have any reason to question what he has is if someone puts the idea in his head...” her words were rife with meaning as she was indirectly imploring him to keep his damn suspicions to himself. Theseus seemed to attract trouble like shit to flypaper and all he had to do was not rattle his dad’s cage and she and Greed would be fine. _______________________ "Zoe move!" Greed shouted. "He likes playing pirate, I think he needs to go overboard." He was disgruntled by his very appearance. He also had tangled with his sister and Greed didn't like that either. Though, rationally this could keep Lust off his back so he could play with Zoe. "Why don't you crawl to my sister see if she gives a shit." Lust would ruin him. She had already dabbled enough to drag out the jealousy.
Theseus was in a win-lose situation. He could blow the top off of the could-be-might-be fake story and get Poseidon off his ass or he could skin this cat himself and still get pounded by Poseidon until he knew for sure. He was dangling on a thin line without knowing which side he wanted to fall. He did want to save his own ass. If this was a fake he could blow the whistle to Lust but that could backfire. It made him mad just thinking about her. _______________________ Zoe knew that Greed always thought he was invincible but the fact of the matter was pissing Theseus off right now was probably not a good idea. He was already suspicious that the locket around Zoe’s neck was the real one and if he ran off to his daddy now, it was going to cause problems. She didn’t think Poseidon was as suspicious as Theseus was. Theseus could probably convince Poseidon the one he had was real... but there was the slim chance of Poseidon finding out on his own it wasn’t. Theseus would be severely hurt by the Sea God for that. For a long time. But if he was the one who triumphantly could point out (nevermind, it’d be his own fault for screwing up his own quest) that what Poseidon had was a fake, he saved his own ass and threw Zoe and Greed to the kracken. Zoe knew Theseus liked nothing better than himself. She didn’t get out of Greed’s way, stayed firmly planted in front of him, “Shoving him overboard isn’t going to help right now..” she wasn’t saying no, she was just pointing out the situation. ______________________ Theseus wasn't his father no matter how angry he was. He didn't lash out for spite. Generally he up and moved when he felt trapped in a box. Unfortunately, Greed had his escape route. The look on Zoe's face was pleading.
He stepped down. "Alright." He might be a snake, but at this rate he was going to be gutted at all angles. "If Poseidon finds out this is a sham it won't be because of me." He would bitch to Lust though....or he was subconsciously making an excuse to see her. ______________________ Zoe let out a breath, “Thank you..” she said softly, a grateful smile on her lips, probably maybe even the first genuine one he got from her. She wasn’t admitting to any sham or that either locket was fake or real. She wasn’t going to talk about any of that, she just was glad for the small gesture her grandfather made right now. It spoke volumes. ____________________ Zoe may have been relieved but Greed was still unconvinced. He launched at Theseus again. Greed didn't like being threatened. Theseus also put him on the spot, he made him look bad. That was another bad move. He wanted the sea rat off the boat. ____________________ The problem was that Zoe was right in front of Greed when he launched at Theseus, instead of knocking him off the boat, he jostled Zoe. She stumbled with a short yell of surprise which got drawn out as she hit the edge and literally stepped on air, falling into the water. The velocity and force of the crash dragging her deep under the ocean as if by invisible hands. ___________________ Greed shoved Theseus right over. He landed into the water a second after Zoe. Being that they were both of Olympian blood (even just a little), there was a strange feeling in the water when that necklace went under. It was almost like a heartbeat pulsating beneath the water. It was still just a piece of Poseidon's trident, but it was enough to warrant some effect the moment it touched the ocean. The water went still and there was an eerie silence.
Greed threw himself against the railing seeing Zoe now after being blindsided by his anger. "What the fuck are you doing down there?!" ___________________ Zoe stayed under the water for a good thirty seconds. Everything was quiet except the heartbeat of the ocean.. or was it her own.. or something elses entirely? But there was peace in the water that she hadn’t had in a long time. As much as she disliked her family, she was technically a child of the sea. The necklace called to Poseidon’s blood of which she shared. She finally resurfaced and took a deep breath, wiping the wet hair out of her eyes as Greed bellowed at her. And she felt done for the day. “Going home!” she yelled back not that she made a move to the shore yet, just treading water and getting her head together. If Theseus was in the water she didn’t notice or didn’t want to. ___________________ He grumbled, slapping his hand on the railing. He didn't like the thoughts of Theseus helping her out of the water as if he were some hero. Greed didn't see him as a hero. He was a coward. In another grumbled fit Greed jumped in. He didn't get the feeling she or Theseus had, he just felt the water kick up through his nose. It felt slimy.
Theseus had just been trying to take her arm to lead her up to shore, but now there was a big roadblock who wanted to try on playing the white knight. Greed was still rotten to the core. ___________________ Zoe jumped and looked behind her when she heard another splash. Her mouth dropped open, was he serious? Of course he was. She looked at Theseus, feeling uncomfortable and awkward around him still but not as afraid. “I should help him..” she moved away from her grandfather and over towards Greed, “Are you rescuing me or am I rescuing you?” she asked him. ______________________ It wasn't that Greed couldn't swim, but not being a water baby he ended up just splashing around instead of keeping himself afloat. Meanwhile Theseus dragged himself out of the water, he was still ringing out his clothes when Zoe had gotten ahold of Greed. He wasn't sure what to do other than just make a run for it. There was nothing else to say right now. Greed had won again. "This water is fucking cold." Greed coughed out a chunk of water, it was trailing up his nose with a burn. ______________________ Zoe looked at Greed and his water flailing and sighed as she got a hold of him, “You’re lucky you’re moronically adorable..” she tried to get him to stop splashing randomly and actually stay afloat so she could help him back to shore. She didn’t look at Theseus, she didn’t know what to say, she had a bad feeling in the pit of her stomach but she was pretty sure he didn’t care. Next time she wanted some peace at the beach, she had a feeling she’d have to make the trip alone. __________________ Once on shore Greed could catch his breath, still with the burning throat from all the water he'd swallowed. He looked around to see if Theseus had hung around. He was relieved when they were alone again.
"I think I want to go to Fiji." Every time they went outside the world came in between them. __________________ Zoe looked for her grandfather but shocker he had cut and run. She smoothed her wet hair back and looked at Greed with surprised eyes. She joked about Fiji often, she had plans on going ‘some day’ but after today it was obvious Greed was not a water or boat person. “I think you swallowed too much sea water.” because this was crazy talk. _____________________ "No!" He pulled away, wringing his hands through his wet hair. "Every time we go somewhere shit interrupts." He stamped a foot. "You were happy." He'd made note of the way she glowed when she'd came downstairs to see him. Her eyes practically sparkled. That glow was gone, and the boat hadn't moved off the dock.. _____________________ She couldn’t argue with that, they’d yet to have a real date that didn’t end in disaster by them getting interrupted. She was a little surprised by him saying she was happy because sometimes she didn’t think he cared about her mood just because he was focused on himself. But when he showed that he did, it was incredibly touching. She was silent for a few moments as she looked at him, “Yeah.. because I thought I was going to get to spend the day by the water with my boyfriend.” she took his hand, “Which we can still do.” she touched his cheek with her other hand and looked into his eyes, “I don’t need a boat or Fiji to be happy. I just need you.” ____________________ He took her hand like a child as she led him away from the water. His big feet stumbled under him only a few times. His tummy was also doing flip flops not having been prepared for all that water. He wasn't a fish. Now he was just a wet Greed. He took a seat off on a nearby bench as they headed off the main dock. ____________________ She gripped his hand tighter every time they stumbled until they could sit on the bench. Her shorts were soggy as hell but there weren’t too many people around so she slipped them off and put them next to her on the bench so they could dry a little, she too barefoot and now only in her swimsuit. She took in a deep breath and let it out, letting go of his hand so she could run both of hers through her hair and keep them there, bent forward with elbows on her knees and eyes looking at the ground. ____________________ Greed didn't like looking like the big bad wolf in front of her. He had been tempted to do more than throw him in the water. There had been a rope nearby, but he wasn't so over the edge to have killed him. He nudged Zoe with his side once he scooted down the bench until she was just on the edge. She hadn't said a word since she had pulled him out of the water. Now, through the turn of events he held the distaste for her grandfather.
"I don't like him." ____________________ She didn’t say anything for a few long moments and then dropped her hands so she could look at him. Actually, she looked next to him at all the room on the bench and how he managed to still end up glued to her hip with her on the edge. “I don’t like him either but he’s not the one who shoved me off a boat.” she looked at him with a look that was a mix of dull and piercing. There were so many problems they had to deal with right now and she didn’t know why she picked that one to start with. Maybe because it was a little worrisome how Greed went blind to her when he got mad and she got caught in the crosshairs. Plus it was really irritating getting shoved off a boat. _____________________ "I was going for him," Greed said in a sarcastic voice and roll of his eyes. Seriously, wasn't that obvious? The sun started to dry his skin so there were practically no beads of water running down his chest. His shorts were still soaked.
He looked down at his feet, wiggling his toes against the warm ground. "He was threatening me," he said in a little voice as if that made it okay. _____________________ Zoe rolled her own eyes in frustration, “That doesn’t make it okay. When you were wailing on that cop last time, you shoved me too. You didn’t go as dark side this time but it’s like I don’t exist to you when it happens.” she rubbed her arm uncomfortably, she hadn’t realized that it was a scary thought. Not him harming her, but like when he forgot her.. she didn’t look at him, “Besides, he’s half your size...” Theseus didn’t pose a very big threat to Greed. ____________________ True. The Greek was a stick compared to Greed. He probably sucked at defending himself. It was obvious in the light bruises he still had on his face. Greed was defending his stuff, it was his natural instinct.
He shook his hair like a dog. "I was putting a stamp on my territory. He made a deal, he was trying to break it." It didn't matter that that may have been Theseus' only safe haven from Poseidon or anyone. He'd given it up after tangling with Lust. ____________________ “He thought he made a deal for this.” she looked down at her locket, “He was mad when he found out he didn’t.” she didn’t expect Greed to understand. “Congratulations on your boat.” she didn’t sound like she meant it as she checked to see if her shorts were dry. Still damp but good enough. She stood up to put them back on. _____________________ "So now you're on his side?" Greed squeaked standing up as quickly as she had. This was why he didn't like Theseus or anyone else on the outside. They drove a wedge right through them. It was a skewer right down the middle. _____________________ She gave him a look as she zipped and then buttoned her shorts, “No. He’s still a jerk.. but less of one. I’m just...” she looked at the water, wanting to dive back in and never come out. “My mind is just a mess of different things that are making me feel stupid right now. “ it was the most honest and straightforward answer she had. _______________________ "Why?" He asked. It was as simple as that. These roundabout answers were not going to cut it. He grabbed both her arms and spun her around. _______________________ She made a face when he turned her around to face him. She said dully with a slight pout, sad brown puppy dog eyes staring at him, “For starters.. my boyfriend shoved me off a boat.” she didn’t take her eyes off him, she wasn’t letting this go. He wasn’t owning up to it and kept acting like it was no big deal. _____________________ "It was an accident! I was aiming for the asshole." Only he ended up looking like the asshole. He ran his hands up and down her arms. _____________________ She leaned into him, resting her chin on his chest, “Which asshole, him or you?” they were both giant jerks. She was surrounded by them. ____________________ His arms circled her, pressing her tight to his chest. "The one related to you." He rubbed her back. "He ruined my boat." It made Zoe ashamed of him. He'd seen it in her face. ____________________ “I don’t think he damaged anything on it..” she said quietly. Theseus had just demanded it back, she didn’t think he physically changed anything on it. She burrowed into his arms, her body was still a little tense but she wanted to be right there with him with his arms around her in that way that made her feel like no one could touch her. ______________________ "Yes he did." His voice was a little crushed. "The moment he mentioned Lust I saw it in your eyes." Like she didn't want him. Greed didn't like not being desired. He and Lust ran hand in hand with that sentiment. ______________________ Zoe’s lashes lowered since he’d caught her. She had been ashamed of being with him when her grandfather wouldn’t let up about Lust. He had wanted Zoe to be outraged and she wasn’t. And she saw the look on Thesesus’ face when it was clear she knew and accepted what Greed did with his sister. More than that.. she’d been hurt that Greed brought her there. She stayed in his arms and didn’t look at him as she said quietly, “You know when I got on that boat.. I had so many ridiculous girly thoughts. I love the ocean and this was right on it, it was amazing. It felt like.. maybe it could be a place for just the two of us. Kinda like a home. And we could just leave everything behind if we wanted. Go to Fiji. Make love under a waterfall. And not be disturbed.” her finger traced a light invisible pattern on his chest, “When he told me that you’d been there with Lust already..” she made a slight face, but it wasn’t disgust, it was hurt, “It was like someone took a sledgehammer to my dream. But in a way it’s good. Because in reality, it’s not a haven, it’s not a solution. It’s just a boat on some water.” ____________________ "That's why I wouldn't show you the room." If Lust had had one he wanted the rest of the boat to be his. "I wanted somewhere else to keep you." Somewhere that wasn't his apartment or hers that he could make disappear when he wanted. In a way they had had similar fantasies. "She was here when I met Theseus for the trade. It was where he wanted to meet. I couldn't say no." He'd ignored Lust which meant she put on the charm something heavy. ____________________ Zoe nodded, she understood. There were reasons, rationalizations, excuses, circumstances. Nothing that soothed either of them. “I just...” she didn’t know quite how to explain it. “I like your bed. I love your bed. I love that you wanted to make it something special that was just the two of us.” And she did, she adored him for it because she had to share Greed with Lust but that bed was just theirs and his apartment was still for just them though she knew it was only a matter of time before Lust invaded it. She lifted her head to look at him to see if he understood, “It’s your boat and you can bring whoever and... do whoever you want on it if you want to. As per our agreement.” she made sure to mention that so he wouldn’t think the boat was some magic free zone. “But.. it’s.. it’s not just the two of us there.” she would have loved if this was their place away from the world. Not his. Not hers. A secret spot just for them. “Your sister is there and my grandfather is there.. and.. it’s a very.. crowded boat.” no Lust and Theseus weren’t there in person but their ghosts were going to haunt that ship any time Greed and Zoe tried to visit. _____________________ "SO! I'll get another boat. I'll buy the whole dock!" Even though he'd have to lie, cheat and steal to do it. He was running on fumes now with his bank account. Greed was excellent at spending more money than he ever had available. It was a wonder he wasn't hitting negative numbers yet. _____________________ Zoe scoffed a small smile and put her hands on his cheeks to get him to look at her. She sounded a little exasperated looking right in his eyes, “You hate boats and you don’t like the water.” ___________________ "I'll adapt. I got floaties." He waved his arms up and down more like a bird in the air than swimming. It annoyed him on so many levels that no matter what he tried he failed at making this girl happy. The human wanted to be human all the time. The Sin wouldn't let that ever happen. He was still playing a fucked up tune since they had dipped in and out of deadzones. ______________________ She turned her lips in but it couldn’t stop a smile from blooming or that sparkle from coming back to her eyes. Greed and her had so many problems and it was difficult when she had people question their relationship especially because of him and Lust but moments like this reminded her why there was no one else for her. No one else would ever be like Greed and be this amazing. “You would look awfully cute in floaties..” she still had his face in her hands so brought him to her for a kiss. Not hard and hungry but it was deep and very loving. ____________________ "Do pool noodles work in sea water?" He twisted his mouth from side to side in deep contemplation over his question. His thoughts were brought to a close the moment her lips landed. His eyes closed at their warmth. She always made that fuzzy feeling shoot down from his head, a pitstop at his stomach and then straight down to his feet. ____________________ Zoe kissed him till a moment before he’d start to get hot. She stayed close to him, her arms around his neck, “I told you though, I don’t need a boat.” the fact he was willing to do it meant more to her than anything, “I have you, don’t I?” she looked at him almost actually asking the question. She had him, right? They could figure out the rest as long as they stuck to the deal. ____________________ He kept clinging to her lips in kisses even after she pulled back, his thought process right back where it had been before she tangled with his mouth. Pointing a finger to the air Greed mumbled against her mouth. What was better than the other, the thought or the taste? “Mmmmhumm,” he said with a nod of his head in an up and down motion. “You still never answered my question.” ____________________ Her brow creased mid kiss and she tried to disengage his mouth but only succeeded in getting a bit of air saying, “I don’t--” she kissed him a couple of times before leaning her head back to finish saying, “--remember the question. What was it..?” she cringed a little because she honestly had no idea what he’d asked her. ____________________ “Do pool noodles work in sea water?” it was a legit question. He had a warehouse full of all kinds of pool toys. It was a shame his apartment was lacking in the pool department. He prefered it to the ocean. There was a distinct difference, though drowning was still highly possible in all forms of water. He kept twisting his lips and tangling his tongue with hers because honestly, no one was going to ruin that today. ____________________ She laughed and then looked thoughtful but still amused. She kissed him first and said, “I’m not sure, we can find out.” she kissed him a few more times, needing to be there with him and know he was with her. “How about a deal? I teach you to swim and get more used to the water and if you like it then we can revisit the idea of buying a boat?” she closed one eye and twisted her lips to the side as she eyed him to see what he thought of that. -------- "I can swim," he gave her a deadpanned look. "I just don't particularly like it." The past kind of gave him an aversion to it. They'd seen that when they went to the lake in Lithuania. There were all kinds of demons lurking in those depths of Greed's---well---his everything. "I'll name the next one----" he stopped to think. "Ava." It was a nod to their little pretend family. Greed had liked playing house when it was right under Lust's nose. He'd known then lying to her was going to stone his ass against a brick wall. This time she might just slice his neck wide open with a sharp knife---a dull one if she wanted him to suffer.
Greed tugged an arm around her shoulders, smacking her on his chest as he kissed the top of her head. He hoped Theseus didn't go whining to Lust. In the back of his mind he was worried. "Let's go home." He meant his apartment, but it was where he could keep her safe for now. --------- She clenched her teeth together in an eek! way and winced, "That wasn't exactly swimming.." referring to his flailing in the water earlier. She knew what he meant by his not liking the water. She put an arm around his waist, "I won't force you to go in the water but... maybe it might be time to form better memories with water, hmm?" she gave him a hopeful look. He saw darkness and death whenever he got near the water, she wanted him to see the peace and light that the water also contained. "Water also signifies rebirth." as in he wasn't the same person who did those things back then and maybe it was time to acknowledge it.
"Ava.. I like that." she smiled because she missed their little pretend family and the little chubby hellion that was like their own surrogate kid for the child they would never have. She nodded, she wanted to go home. Land, sea, apartment, he was her home.