Who: Melanie and Triton What: Hanging out after dinner and cuddles. Triton needs to talk about what he won't talk about. Where: Outside Avra restaurant. When: July 5th, Wednesday night Warnings: cuteness!
It had been almost two weeks since Triton made mention of Poseidon's death. It seemed like it would be a hammer crashing down on him, but he'd been quiet. Melanie was torn between being glad the creep had met his match and comforting her boyfriend. He was still Triton's father, and if Melanie learned anything in her small life was that parents were not easily replaceable, no matter how horrible.
She felt a relief now, however, nothing more to be afraid of. No more guilt or fussing over herself for what had happened before. Was it wrong to think that way? To be glad of such an event? With Triton spending time that he could with Veronica, Bernie and his mother, she decided tonight she'd take him out. It was a lovely Greek dinner and the atmosphere was fantastic. Looping her arm around his as they made their exit she walked slowly just enjoying the pretty night air. The stars were out.
Her head rested against his shoulder looking up with big brown eyes. "Hey," she said sweetly. She felt like now was her turn to take care of him, after all he'd done for her. She jostled his arm playfully, letting her fingers slide into his hand. "What you thinking about?" she asked quietly.
She knew what he was thinking about.
Triton wasn't too sure what to think. He saw the grief in his mother, but even she could say his father had long seen this coming, and quite honestly didn't know how he was supposed to feel. It was a mixture of regret, grief, and something akin to joy. Now, maybe, his father would leave Mel alone.
He hadn't argued when she wanted to take him out, letting her fuss over him as she liked. He set his arm around her at her question and smiled at her. "Just how beautiful you look." He knew she wanted to hear something else, but he didn't quite know how to talk about it. His father had certainly never encouraged such behavior, and he was strangely used to loss.
She blushed at his compliment with a happy smile. There was even a bounce in her step as she pulled him along.
"Alright Mr. Charming, " she grinned giving him a kiss on the cheek and squeezing his hand. He could put up a front all he liked, but she was going to get him to talk!
"But really, Triton," she paused, stalling in front of him and putting her arms around his waist. "How are you?"
Sighing he brushed her hair from her eyes, setting his fingers to her cheek, "I'll tell you as soon as I figure it out." He gave her a small smile. "I don't know Mel, I really don't. I don't feel the grief my mother does, but I'm not throwing a party either. My father isn't my dad, do you get that?" He frowned, trying to put it into words.
"I'm his heir and messenger. I calm his waves and fight his battles when he tells me too. He's never treated me as a son, just another thing he can use. I've always wanted to be independent and now that I am I don't know what to do with myself."
She gave him a half smile, slightly disappointed and slightly annoyed with herself for being so pushy. She nodded as he continued hugging him softly for a moment and then breaking to look at him again.
"I'm sorry," she whispered as if her words could soothe. "Your mother is very upset?" she asked.
She knew from what she experienced with Poseidon that he was ruthless, he'd broken not only her body that time but her spirit---which she was determined to move forward, especially when Amphitrite had been so stern with her. She couldn't let it haunt her any longer, and Triton---he was a gem.
He'd still said more than he had in weeks, which for her was a start.
Smiling he kept his arms around her even when she broke free of the hug. "No don't apologize. It's fine. I've never been encouraged to speak about this, and I've never thought my father would die. There's a lot going on."
He released her then and set his hands in his pockets, "yes. Which proves she loves him still. My little brother's all put out as well. He doesn't get it, but I try and make him understand and spend time with him. I just hope Poseidon doesn't try and break that boy's spirit." He glanced to the restaurant. "Come on, let's go have some dinner."
"You should talk about it," she continued to speak soothingly, running a hand against his arm. "Whether you liked him or not it's a big deal." She couldn't expect him to always be so strong. He was always there for her, open-minded and concerned. Wasn't it time someone was concerned for him?
She smoothed a hand across his cheek leaning up on her tip-toes to kiss it shortly after. "Any idea how or when he will return?" she wasn't as nervous as she'd expected herself to be in asking that question or at the thought of Poseidon coming back. She had no doubt in her mind Triton would be the blockade she needed if it came to that.
After a moment she followed him into the restaurant with a smile linking her hand in his again and grinning at the hostess. "We have a reservation for De Luca," she said with the little wiggle of her nose.
He was quiet as they were led to the table, pulling out her chair as usual, before sitting down. When the waitress left he sighed, "I know. I just can't find any words. This has never happened to me before." He set his hand over hers, "I'm grateful you're here though. You help me, so much."
"As for returning," he shrugged, "not longer then a month I guess. Poseidon's still a name many recognize, and the Olympians are getting some worship back."
She listened carefully just in case, he'd been so quiet for weeks. It worried her. She took his hand and laid her other atop his. She still knew so little about the Greeks even if she'd tried to stay up late a few nights reading as many books as he could about her boyfriend. It only made her head spin. "Has he never?" she motioned her hand in the air, "died before?" With the way he talked of his mother grieving she didn't really guess it had happened before. "I do what I can," she said cheerily. "After running off on you three years ago," she pouted slightly, "it's the least I can do," her words playful.
Melanie nodded as he explained. "That makes sense," she spoke softly. "But as to how he returns no one knows? Whether he'll be worse or different, I mean." She hoped not worse.
He took her hand in his, brushing his fingers with hers. She was wonderful at helping him, and she hadn't bolted yet. Like last time, he'd hardly blame her for it. There was going too fast, and realizing your in laws were psychotic.
"No, never. I think he finally pushed it with Zeus." He smiled to her, "hey, water under the bridge alright?" he sighed then, "I pray for better, or he'll lose it all."
She'd grown up from the last time, and the events that had occurred since she'd moved to New York had had a drastic effect on her. Whether or not she wanted to grow up, she had to in order to make it from day to day. It was a challenge, but Melanie was always up for those. It had never crossed her mind to think her boyfriend was nuts, while his family could, she was very accepting of what she was stepping into this time and there was a lot more on her plate than before.
"I hope so too," she whispered squeezing his hand lifting it to kiss it softly.
She made him smile, and it was nice to know he had someone that supported him. He knew he loved her and would remain with her until she died or wanted to move on. "Let's not talk about my father anymore though? He's got a way to put me off my appetite."
She nodded vigorously scooting her chair over so she could sit practically on him. Leaning over she nuzzled her nose against his with a giant grin while the older couples in the room looked around at the disgustingly adorable display.
"Okay," she promised sweetly. She had at least gotten that much out of him which was more than nothing. She was happy with that. As long as he understood when he was with her he would have to learn to discuss things more. She didn't want him keeping all that inside.
Smiling he set his arm around her. He was so much older then her, but she made him feel young and loved. He'd never stop being grateful for that.
"You do enough with just being here," he promised and kissed the top of her head.
Her hands held his face kissing his lips softly. She should be weirded out that he was a near carbon copy of his father in appearances, but it didn't deter her. "I love you," she whispered, one of the first times she'd really said it since being back together with him. It felt natural, it felt right.