[ it's redemption. the bigger question: why's he here, in manhattan? it's to remember the power of anger, the vulnerability of it, too. his rage had blinded him to the power of kronos, and it had made him susceptible to his every whim. his desire to belong and to mean something had kept him pliable, content beneath the thumb that was too calloused and hardened by vengeance against sons he should've loved, rather than despised. ]
[ on the smaller scale, he's here, in front of clarisse, for just a slip of feeling like he's human again. she punishes him for things he has and hasn't done, punishes him for things she can't bear to see wide open on her own face when she looks in the mirror. on his own, he's able to hide and not see the anger in her every movement and every word. he's able to forget, to shed that skin, and start anew. but luke doesn't want that. in a way, he sticks around and bumps into clarisse, engaging in a battle of very stupid wits, because she needs it in order to wake up to herself. ]
[ annabeth had helped him wake up. maybe it's his turn to do one small thing for someone else. ]
And unlike you, I know the answer.
[ luke ducks his head. with a deep breath in, he pulls his mouth into a thin line, and almost says see you around before he decides to step around her and begin his leisurely walk back to his own apartment. she doesn't want him around, fine. wish come true. ]
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[ it's redemption. the bigger question: why's he here, in manhattan? it's to remember the power of anger, the vulnerability of it, too. his rage had blinded him to the power of kronos, and it had made him susceptible to his every whim. his desire to belong and to mean something had kept him pliable, content beneath the thumb that was too calloused and hardened by vengeance against sons he should've loved, rather than despised. ]
[ on the smaller scale, he's here, in front of clarisse, for just a slip of feeling like he's human again. she punishes him for things he has and hasn't done, punishes him for things she can't bear to see wide open on her own face when she looks in the mirror. on his own, he's able to hide and not see the anger in her every movement and every word. he's able to forget, to shed that skin, and start anew. but luke doesn't want that. in a way, he sticks around and bumps into clarisse, engaging in a battle of very stupid wits, because she needs it in order to wake up to herself. ]
[ annabeth had helped him wake up. maybe it's his turn to do one small thing for someone else. ]
And unlike you, I know the answer.
[ luke ducks his head. with a deep breath in, he pulls his mouth into a thin line, and almost says see you around before he decides to step around her and begin his leisurely walk back to his own apartment. she doesn't want him around, fine. wish come true. ]