How to Lose Luke Castellan in 10 Days
part one— i. How to: Make a Bet
luke castellan x daughter of aphrodite reader
3.9k Ten days. One bet. Me and Luke Castellan. What could possibly go wrong?
tags. rom-comish, teasing, bets, light hearted, fluff (angst later??), etc etc..
a/n. i havent like ever written anything before (first and last fic lmao) no canon or accurate characterization vibes only... dont make fun of my writing promise i will work more on reader's personality
Summer at camp was always the best. Besides the humid air turning my usually nicely styled hair into a frizzy mess, it meant all the kids who weren’t year-rounders were back and Camp Half-Blood felt alive again.
I’d spaced out from my friends’ conversation a long time ago, stretched out on my towel with my book open and my back to the sun. I didn’t start listening again until I rolled over, realizing my shoulders were about five minutes away from becoming bacon.
“Ugh, look at her,” someone scoffed. “Of course she’s not listening. Of all people.”
“Okay, okay — I’m listening,” I said, propping myself up on my elbows and flipping my sunglasses up to get a better look at Kate’s face.
Her eyes were glassy, mascara threatening to smudge, and there was a dramatic pout on her lips.
Third ghosting of the season.
“Let me guess,” I said carefully. “He stopped replying?”
Kate let out a humorless laugh. “Stopped replying. Stopped existing. Probably got turned into a pine tree or something.”
“That sucks,” I said honestly. “What happened this time?”
She sat up, hugging her knees to her chest. “Everything was fine. We went to the campfire. He held my hand. He said he’d see me tomorrow.”
She looked at me pointedly.
“And then tomorrow came,” she said flatly, “and now he has to spend all day training, or he suddenly has plans with his friends, or he fell into the lava wall — I don’t know. All I know is he hasn’t spoken to me in four days.”
I frowned. “Kate, that’s not on you.”
She snorted. “Easy for you to say.”
I stiffened just a little.
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
She gestured vaguely at me. “You’re an Aphrodite kid. Guys trip over themselves just to talk to you. You could sneeze and someone would ask you out.”
“You don’t get it,” she said quickly, then sighed. “I know you’re trying to help. I just… you don’t have the same problems I do.”
There was a beat of silence. Then I smiled, slow and dangerous.
“You really think I couldn’t get a guy to walk away?”
“I mean it,” I said, sitting up fully now. “You think I’m not capable of being dumped?”
She studied me, skeptical. “I think you’ve never been dumped. Ever.”
Someone else chimed in, laughing. “I’d give it, like, three days before a guy was begging her to stay.”
Kate raised an eyebrow. “Ten what?”
“Ten days,” I said. “I bet I could make a guy break up with me in ten days.”
The stereotypes about Aphrodite kids were exhausting, that everything came easy, that we never got hurt, that love just worked for us. Part of me wanted to prove Kate wrong, to show her that being wanted was not the same as being understood.
Kate stared at you for a long moment, then let out a short laugh.
“You’re kidding.”
“I’m not,” you said. “Ten days. I could make someone break up with me.”
One of the girls snorted. “You? Dumped? I’d pay to see that.”
Kate tilted her head, studying you. “Okay. Hypothetically. Who?”
“I’ll do all the mistakes girls make when they’re talking to a guy,” I said. “I’ll be clingy. Obsessive. If he doesn’t compliment me every five minutes, I’ll pout. It doesn’t matter what cabin you come from, any guy would pack his bags.”
Kate frowned. “Wait,” she said. “What’s wrong with doing that?”
She laughes quickly. “I’m joking. Obviously.”
“I’ll write down all of the annoying things I do in my diary and then we can debrief at the end. Perfect excuse for sleepover”.
I rubbed one of Kate’s shoulders and leaned the side of my head against hers. I really did feel bad. If nothing else, this could get her mind off that guy, even for one night, and maybe remind her she wasn’t as unlovable as she felt.
“Hey,” I said gently. “There’s a bonfire tonight.”
“Come with me,” I added. “We’ll sit by the fire, drink cheap beer, and judge everyone’s flirting from a safe distance.”
She hesitated, then sighed. “And what about your little experiment?”
I smiled, already knowing the answer. “That’s where you come in. You help me pick.”
She leaned closer, eyes scanning the lake as if the decision had already been made. “Fine,” she said. “But if this goes horribly wrong, I’m blaming you.”
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
Luke’s orange camp T-shirt had been thrown aside long ago. The heat clung to his skin, sweat turning the fabric he’d worn earlier into a damp second layer he hadn’t bothered saving. Training had dissolved into laziness, his friends sprawled across the auditorium steps with half-empty water bottles, talking about absolutely nothing.
That was when he caught his name.
“Luke isn’t the type of guy to keep a girl around,” someone said. “You know that, man.”
Luke’s ears perked instantly.
He straightened, lips tugging into a lazy smirk as he shoved his training sword back into its sheath. “Is that shit-talking I hear?” he asked, strolling over and snatching the water bottle one of them offered him.
One of the Hermes kids laughed. “It’s not shit-talking if it’s true.”
Luke took a long drink, eyes narrowing slightly. “Oh yeah?”
“C’mon,” another added. “Girls like you because you’re Luke Castellan. They flirt, they crush, they move on. You don’t exactly do… commitment.”
Luke scoffed. “That’s not my fault.”
“No,” his friend said, grinning. “But it is predictable.”
Luke lowered the bottle. “Predictable how?”
“None of them actually fall for you,” someone said. “They want you. Big difference.”
That hit harder than he expected.
“Ten days,” Luke said casually. “I could.”
“Ten days?” someone echoed. “Fall in love? Not just flirt?”
Luke shrugged, confidence settling easily into his bones. “Yeah.”
A few of them exchanged looks.
“If you pull it off, i’ll do your chores for the week”.
Luke’s interest sharpened immediately.
“And if I don’t?” Luke tilted his head. “Then what?”
“You admit,” his friend said, “that you’re all charm and no follow-through Mr.Golden Boy ”
A chorus of amused murmurs followed.
Luke smirked, pride flaring hot in his chest. “You’re on.”
Someone laughed. “So who’s the unlucky girl?”
Luke took another drink, gaze drifting toward the dummy made out of straw he left mangled in the dirt.
“Doesn’t matter,” he said. “Just needs to be someone who thinks she’s untouchable.”
Luke told himself it was all about pride. About proving his friends wrong. That was the story he would tell anyone who asked. But beneath that there was something else, one he did not like to admit even to himself. He had spent years being the camp’s golden boy, the one everyone admired, the one everyone assumed could do no wrong. Girls liked him for his charm, for the thrill of being near someone dangerous, someone exciting, but none of them ever stayed. He could only keep his mask on for so long, and it was easier to let everyone chalk it up to him being a playboy or too busy being the best swordsman than to risk showing who he really was.
He was scared that if anyone actually got close, they would see the part of him he hid, the part that was vulnerable, and they might not love it. That truth had hollowed something out of him without him realizing it.
Even as he said the words and grinned at his friends, a small, uneasy part of him couldn’t help wondering how this would actually play out. Something told him this one might not be as easy as the others.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
The usual nightly campfire had long since died out, which meant the older campers quietly dispersed and then reappeared by the lake with a smaller fire, cheap beer, and shooters that were clearly going to make at least one girl run and puke over the dock later. The glow of the flames reflected off the water and laughter drifted across the sand. It was loud, messy, and exactly the kind of distraction Kate needed.
I nudge her with my shoulder on the log that we are both sharing as a seat. “Alright,” I said, smirking. “So… who’s on the menu tonight?”
Kate squinted at the crowd, scanning the campers like she had a spreadsheet in her head. “Let’s see… maybe Noah from Ares?”
I wrinkled my nose. “No. Too blah. Can’t really imagine him doing anything impressive besides lifting his sword and yelling.”
She shook her head, lips curling. “True. What about Carter from Apollo? He’s cute, but… way too cocky.”
I laughed. “Yeah, that’s not helpful. This is supposed to be a challenge, remember?”
Kate’s eyes drifted toward the other side of the fire. Then she froze and grinned. “Luke Castellan.”
I froze too, my stomach doing that ridiculous little flip it always did when I tried not to notice him. “Wait,” I said quickly. “No. Absolutely not. He’s… he’s way out of my league.”
Kate gave me a sideways look. “You’re an Aphrodite girl. That should be enough to make him notice you.”
I waved her off, trying to sound casual. “Sure, but everyone knows Luke. He’s… well, he’s the golden boy of camp. Tough to reel in, too many girls already after him, and honestly? I don’t want him.”
Kate laughed. “Oh, come on. A challenge is a challenge. And a bet’s a bet.”
I bit my lip, looking across the fire where Luke was talking to a group of friends, laughing, and somehow making it look effortless. My heart ticked in my chest, and I had to shake my head. Don’t like him. Don’t like him. He’s too… I exhaled. Big of a fish. Too many other girls. You’re making it harder on yourself for no reason.
But part of me couldn’t deny the pull. Even as an Aphrodite kid, everyone knew Luke was a large fish to fry. And here I was, about to cast the line.
I glanced at the crowd again, scanning all the possibilities, all the ‘safer’ choices, and then my eyes landed on him. I tried to control the blush on my cheeks as his scar contorted around his full smile.
“Fine,” I said, pretending to sigh. “Luke it is. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Kate clapped her hands together. “Perfect. This is going to be fun. And remember, a bet’s a bet.”
I gave her a half-grin, half-eye-roll, my mind already racing. I throw my head back and throw back the bitter mixed drink that Kate had concocted that was more vodka than cranberry. When im finished shaking off the burning feeling the drink leaves sliding down my throat. Luke is already looking at me.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
Luke sat on a log leaning over his half finished beer, half-listening to his friends argue over which cabin had the worst chance of winning the next sparring match. It was supposed to be a slow night, but the combination of the strong liquor and fire only inches away warmed his blood. He already felt the familiar buzz in his head.
“Alright, so let’s pick your target,” one of his Hermes brothers said, nudging him with a smirk. “Who’s the lucky girl for our little ten-day bet?”
Luke raised an eyebrow, leaning back casually. “I haven’t picked anyone yet. Calm down.”
“Easy,” another said. “If you pick a girl from Aphrodite cabin, you’re set. She’ll probably swoon over you just by looking at her.”
Luke scowled slightly, flicking the neck of his beer. “They arent all like that”.
His friend laughed. “Sure, sure. But c’mon, man, they’re kind of… predictable.”
He hadn’t realized he’d been glancing toward the other side of the fire until his friends nudged him. That’s when he saw her — sat causally with her friends, laughing, round eyes scanning the small group. And then their eyes met. His chest tightened a little.
“Whoa,” one friend whispered. “Dude… look at her.”
Luke turned, frowning slightly, quickly averting his eyes.
“You were definitely checking her out,” another said, grinning. “That’s your bet girl?”
Luke laughed softly, a little defensive. “Hey, stop. Don’t assume that. I barely know her. And I wasn’t-”
…Confident, sweet, sharp she wasn’t like anyone else he’d noticed. He remembered hearing somewhere that people tend to forget Aphrodite isn’t just the goddess of love, but also war. That explained the way she moved, the way she carried herself. She wasn’t half bad at sword fighting either; he'd caught a glimpse of that first hand last week, and it had stuck with him. And then their eyes met. His chest tightened a little.
His friends exchanged glances, Luke wasnt the type to hesitate.
“Ohhh, I see,” one said slyly, leaning closer. “You’re already defending her. That’s our girl then. She’s the bet.”
Luke scowled, trying to hide it. “I’m not defending her. I’m just saying she’s… not what you’re making her out to be.”
“Uh-huh,” another teased, smirking. “Sure. Totally not defending her. Let’s go with her and see how this plays out.”
Luke sighed, running a hand through his curly hair, a little flustered. “Fine,” he said reluctantly. “She’s it. But don’t start thinking you know anything about her.”
His friends high-fived each other, laughing and slapping him on the shoulder. Luke’s eyes drifted back to her across the fire, the flickering light catching in her hair, the tiniest mischievous curve of her smile, and for the first time in a long time, he realized maybe this bet wasn’t going to be as easy as he thought.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
Kate had been trying to convince me to get up and talk to him for ten minutes, but it felt like the sand under my feet had turned into tar. Sure, I was all bark and no bite or whatever you wanted to call it. I was at level two drunk and needed to be at least a solid level five just to think about stepping over there and making some ridiculous attempt at flirting with Luke Castellan in front of a group of teenage boys. Ugh. Yeah. No thanks.
I forced my eyes up toward where he’d been sitting. My chest sank when I realized the spot was empty. My heart eased slightly. Maybe I wouldn’t have to go through with this stupid bet after all. I could just grab Kate by the arm, distract her, and forget the whole thing ever existed.
“Mind if I steal her off you for a second?”
Kate snickered beside me, nudging my shoulder. “By all means, be my guest.”
My eyes felt like lead as I dragged them up to meet his — Luke Castellan, leaning casually with his hand half tucked into the pocket of his denim jeans. If he raised his arm just the right way you could make out the band of his calvin klein underwear.
“You look thirsty. Mind if I help you out?” he said, extending a hand, he tilts his head when I donr immediately respond.
I freeze for a second, my brain refuses to respond. That’s when Kate jumps in, blurting, “Oh, she’s beyonddd thirsty.” Her tone snapped me out of my daze and reminds me: if I was going to go through with this bet, it had to be now. Which also meant I was going to have to kick in the charm.
I rolled my eyes at Kate, then took his hand, trying to look casual while i screamed at myself to not screw this up. “Thanks. I guess I could use a drink… or, you know, moral support,” I said with a shrug, giving him the tiniest smirk I could manage.
He raised an eyebrow, clearly amused. “Moral support, huh? I think I can manage that.”
As we walked away from the fire, I tried to ignore the way the butterflies in my stomach woke up from their 1000 year slumber. Focus. But already, the sound of his laugh behind me pulled me out of my thoughts.
I looked over my shoulder. “What?”
He shook his head, grinning. “Nothing. Nothing.”
We made our way to the fold-out table that hosted only the most exotic selection of alcohol a teen with a fake ID could afford: vodka, cranberry juice, beer, and Red Bull.
Luke grabbed two plastic shot glasses, pouring them to the top with vodka. He tossed one back with ease before handing the second to me. “Here. You look nervous.”
I took the shot from his hand. The smell alone made me regret it, but I took a deep breath and threw it back anyway. He laughed, smooth as honey, before cracking open the Red Bull and handing it to me as my chaser.
“Look at you, girl. Look at you like a champ.”
I squint my eyes at his obvious flirting and clear my thoat.
I squinted at his obvious flirting and cleared my throat. “Yeah… unfortunately I’m the type that needs liquid courage.” I offered an easy smile. The alcohol was kicking in, and I was starting to feel a little bolder.
He took a swig of his own can before lazily guiding me toward the lake shore. I grimaced at the sound of the aforementioned girl on the dock yacking her guts out.
“You didn’t seem like the type, if I’m honest,” he said, taking a seat on the sand and leaving the space next to him open. I plopped down right beside him, making sure our knees touched.
You know what? Luke wasn’t a bad pick. If I had to spend ten days making a guy miserable, at least make it one with cute hair and a good smile, am I right?
“So,” he said, leaning back on his hands, “what’s your name, really? I don’t think we’ve actually… talked.”
I say my name shrugging. “And you are… the infamous Luke Castellan, I presume?”
He laughed. “Infamous is one word for it. Golden boy of camp is what people usually call me.” He gave me a playful glance. “So, tell me something about yourself. Something interesting.”
I smirked. “Hmm… I’m not half bad at sword fighting.” I gestured vaguely with my hands. “And people tend to forget Aphrodite’s not just all about looks, apparently.”
He raised an eyebrow, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Yeah? I think I saw you sparring the other day. Not bad at all. Where’d you learn to fight like that?”
“My friend Clarisse taught me a few things,” I said casually, shrugging. “But honestly, I just pick up on it fast.”
Luke grinned, nudging me lightly with his shoulder. “You’re good. But… not half as good as me.” He winked. “Come on, let me give you some pointers tomorrow. Might be fun.”
I laughed, shaking my head. “Oh, I’m sure I could keep up… maybe.”
“Maybe?” he said, smirking. “We’ll see. Don’t make me go easy on you.”
And just like that, what started as a plan to annoy him and win a bet was turning into… something more complicated. But I couldn’t tell if that scared me or thrilled me more.
· · ─────── ·𖥸· ─────── · ·
The night had gone on way longer than I’d intended. Kate had long since left with the rest of our friends, leaving just Luke and me by the lake, a few stragglers huddled around what was left of the fire, now just a small pile of embers.
We traded our seats in the sand for lying down side by side, staring at the stars. It was a shame, really, seeing yourself here with a guy like Luke, if maybe the circumstances were different.
My tipsy brain was starting to convince me that a nap right here on the sand sounded like a brilliant idea. The thought of getting up and walking all the way back to my cabin felt like too much effort.
I didn’t even notice my eyes fluttering shut until Luke shifted beside me. He brushed a piece of hair out of my face, sitting quietly, probably thinking. If I weren’t already tipsy and half-floating in my own cozy haze, I’d probably be bright red. But instead, I just let my eyes stay closed, enjoying the quiet.
“Hey, don’t fall asleep on me now. You’re going to leave me out here all alone?” His voice was soft, with a playful whine.
I huffed mockingly, halfway opening one eye to glare at him. “Oh, I’m sure you can handle yourself just fine.”
“And I know you’re strong enough to take care of yourself,” he said, his tone serious for a moment, “but it wouldn’t be very gentlemanly if I left you on the ground to sleep with the fishes when the tide comes in, would it?”
I whined, flopping dramatically in sand and throwing my arms up in mock outrage. “I’ve worked hard on my hole in the sand thank you very much!”.
He sat up, brushing sand off his denim, and chuckled at my tantrum before holding out a hand. “Come on, Miss Sloppy Drunk. Let’s get you to bed.”
I groaned but let him loop his arm over my shoulders, steadying me as we started walking through the forest path toward the cabins.
The quiet between us wasn’t awkward it was comfortable. My tipsy confidence made me reckless in the best way. I nudged him lightly. “You know that scar on your cheek… It suits you. Makes you look… cuter.”
Luke froze for a split second, then blinked at me, clearly thrown off. “Cuter?” he echoed. “Everyone else just said it made me look… scary after that quest. dangerous, not cute.”
I shrugged, grinning. “Well, I guess I’m an exception. Don’t fight me on it.”
For the first time, I caught a flicker of something softer in his eyes, and I could tell he was actually processing what I’d said.
I step onto the porch of Cabin Ten and turn to face Luke before opening the pink door.
“So,” I say lightly, rocking back on my heels, “still on for giving me some sparring tips tomorrow?” I try to hide the mischievous smile tugging at my mouth.
“You know it,” he replies without hesitation.
I let my alcohol‑fueled confidence take the wheel for one last move. I put on my most innocent smile, glance to the side, then turn my head and tap my cheek three times.
Luke huffs, clearly flustered. “You’re going to give me a run for my money,” he mutters, shaking his head, though he’s smiling now.
I expect a quick, awkward peck. Something rushed and prideful, the kind that lets a guy like him retreat with his dignity intact. Instead, he leans in and presses a soft, unhurried kiss to my cheek. Gentle enough that it leaves me blinking for a second after he pulls away.
My cheeks are still warm when he turns to head toward his own cabin.
I open the door, then pause and glance back. He’s already looking at me from a distance. He lifts a hand in a small wave, saying something under his breath that I can’t quite hear.
I wave back, then blow him a kiss, murmuring my own quiet promise under my breath.
“Oh, Luke Castellan,” I whisper, smiling to myself, “I’m going to make you wish you were dead.”
Satisfied, I finally step inside and shut the door behind me, collapsing into my silky sheets with a grin I can’t quite shake.
