feat @praeitor : five times kissed ( selectively accepting ) !
One, when everything started.
She was twelve years old when she saw him for the first time and despite being focused on training, she couldn't get those sky-blue eyes out of her head. The strength and confidence he exudes are inspiring — she soon learns that she has a crush on the son of Jupiter and between conversations about Diocletian and a promise, it is only years later that she dares to show how she feels about him. On a quest outside New Rome, a false tip led them into a dangerous ambush. He tells her to leave him, buying time but she refuses for she is Bellona's daughter and doesn't run away from a fight ( much less, leave someone behind ). But he insists and her chest tightens. Even knowing that he is the powerful son of Jupiter, the fear of losing him during the real danger that the two were facing together dominated her. And without thinking twice, she kissed him. A kiss with a silent plea that he must return to her at any cost.
They are back at camp and nursing their injuries. He has more serious ones and she blames herself for letting him fight alone but something else also worries her ( did she ruin their friendship because of the kiss ? ). She visits him in the infirmary and sits on the edge of the bed. For a moment, silence spreads between them. He tells her he's fine but that doesn't make her guilt lessen. He holds her hand and she also feels his other hand cup her face. This time, he is the one who kisses her and she is relieved that he feels the same way. A sweet, tender kiss with a new promise — he would always come back to her, no matter what.
Three, late night conversations.
It was late at night but the two extended their work to his place. Two unfinished cups of tea and a box of pizza that was half eaten. The two of them sat on the couch and his arm was around her, while she leaned her head on his shoulder. The two were still reading the paperwork but talking about the legion, New Rome, and plans for the future. She says she doesn't see herself retiring as a Praetor anytime soon ( despite it being a very exhausting job ) but she also wants to go to New Rome University. He kisses her head, smelling the scent of cinnamon in her hair — which on other occasions also smelled of vanilla and coconut. They kiss on the couch, the papers finally forgotten. Afterwards, she retreats to her own quarters but little did she know that that night would be the last they would see each other for some time.
Four, after eight months apart.
Eight months was the time her heart stopped beating and was replaced by an emptiness in her chest. Eight months was the time she spent in agony because she didn't know where he was — whether he was alive or dead, whether he needed help, who had taken him away. She forced herself to work ( forced herself to think about something else ) but the position of Praetor is too much for one person and she embraced it anyway. Because it was better than feeling his absence. When the argos ii appeared in the sky over New Rome, she knew it was him — it had to be, he had promised he would always come back. The reunion was delayed because they had a duty to fulfill first, the beginning of the union of the two camps ( which ended in disaster ) but between conversations, the two finally found an opportunity to talk alone. He is the one who goes to her first. He explains himself and she just listens but she also approaches and kisses him. A kiss that shows how much she missed him and how happy she was, while he hugs her as if she were the most precious thing in the world.
The war arrives, the great prophecy is fulfilled, and once again, their paths temporarily part. But at least now she knows what to do. She knows he has a part in it too ( one of the seven in the prophecy ), and she also has an important role — delaying an unjust invasion and returning what was stolen as a reconciliation. False accusations of treason and a maniacal hunter wouldn't stop her from carrying out her mission. Because she is the daughter of Bellona and thanks to her blessings of and the Greek goddess of war, she killed Orion. With one more enemy defeated, only the primordial titan remained and she united the two camps until the seven arrived. She always knew he would be fine ( he promised to always come back after all ) but seeing him was still a huge relief. Gaea was finally defeated and the war was won. They meet again. The two of them ran towards each other and she jumped up to kiss him, arms around his neck as he hugged her tightly. The relief of seeing each other alive and in love is immense. When they finally pull away, she notices his eyes roaming over her, analyzing her injuries ( and she does the same to him ). This was one of the few occasions where she had to assure him that she was okay. They won the war and they're together now, that's what matters.
