Chapter Text
POV Connor
It's been a few weeks, quite boring I must say. But my mind won't leave me alone.
I still wonder if one day he'll look at me and say "I like you" with that smile that makes me blush so much, those blue eyes that are more noticeable with his glasses. It was fun yesterday, being able to talk to him naturally. He even kept his promise to come and take care of Vika.
"Earth calling Connor" Travis snaps his fingers, pulling me out of my thoughts.
I blink a few times before sighing.
"I'm still alive" I tell him as I let Vika climb up my chest until she stops at my neck and snuggles in.
"I'm going to lunch with Katie, so you're coming" he grabs the hood of my coat and pulls me out the door.
I don't want to. I complain until we get to the porch and see Katie smile when she sees me. Vika hisses, approaching her, who of course takes her gently and lets her get comfortable on her neck.
"Good afternoon, Connor" I smile back at her.
I get up and the three of us head to the dining hall.
"I want to go train" I need more physical fitness.
"You haven't gone because you've been glued to Malcolm, even though Annabeth said she doesn't want you near her brother" Travis scolds me, I roll my eyes and he pokes my cheek. "Don't even dare give me that look."
"We're not babies, he can decide for himself" I push his hand away and he pokes my cheek again.
"Malcolm is smart, if he wants to talk to Connor, it's his problem. Besides, Connor has already matured" Katie supports me and pulls my brother's arm to get romantic.
It makes me nauseous and it seems I'm not the only one, Vika stretches out to my arm and I hide her in my coat pocket, reaching the dining hall; I sit a little away from them so I don't interrupt their date, or so it seems, while I wait for there to be fewer people in line. When my eyes land on a blond with glasses, I can't take my eyes off him.
He has a cute smile and he's laughing with Piper, I'll never be able to make him laugh like that. Our eyes meet and he turns as red as a tomato. He must have a fever.
"Oh, hi Malcolm" Katie stops kissing my brother.
If she figured out it's him, I'm in for a long night.
"Hi Katie, Connor" he glances at the traitor. She seems very pleased to talk to him.
Piper pulls Malcolm so we all sit together, he had to sit right next to me; I'm out of breath, I hate not being able to act normal around him sometimes.
Vika comes out of her hiding place and approaches a certain blond, I thought he'd be scared, but he's actually quite nice to her now, he holds her gently in his palm.
"Looks like the little one got bored of being cooped up" he seems so happy to see her.
"Your daughter looks very healthy" Piper jokes, making us both blush, how embarrassing.
"I'll go get my lunch" I get up as quickly as possible and go grab a tray.
I can finally breathe easy, although it doesn't last long when I bump into Annabeth, just what I needed. I take a deep breath.
"Watch where you're going."
"I know, sorry."
She softens her gaze and sighs.
"I don't like you, but my brother does and I trust him... Don't hurt him, are you okay?" she gives her tray to Percy so she can talk to me a little more.
"Just, nothing, don't worry. Enjoy your lunch" I walk away from them, returning to the shared table.
Malcolm is eating while Piper and Katie chat away.
"Connor, we were just talking about you" Katie pulls my sleeve to sit me between the two of them, Malcolm raises an eyebrow as he continues with his pasta. "Isn't it true you need help with a crush?"
Travis starts laughing and the one they're talking about chokes, coughing a lot.
"I'm fine" Malcolm doesn't say anything else and continues eating.
"Okay, what's she or he like?" he never specified their gender, so it was harder to guess the right one.
"I don't care if you like a harpy, but why don't you ever tell me anything?"
"Because I haven't told anyone, about anything."
I start eating a piece of plain cheese pizza, not caring that they're talking loudly and giving me heartburn. Under the table, something touches my leg, I turn to see Malcolm. He points his eyes to the main door so we can leave together.
I excuse myself as best I can and when we're both outside, we laugh.
"That was awkward, sorry for ruining your lunch" I say between laughs and trying not to run out of air.
"Don't worry, Annabeth talks like that too" he puts his arms on his stomach and almost falls.
I laugh more at that and he gives me a push.
"Annoyed."
"You loved it, I know."
The air is fresh from the recent drizzle, there's a lot of mud and Malcolm is wearing white sneakers.
"Fucking shit" he doesn't seem to want to take another step.
I get an idea.
I lift him up in my arms without any complaint. He just clings to me tightly.
"Put me down!" I'll never listen to him, especially not now.
"Should I leave you at your cabin or the library?"
"Library..."
I stop laughing when I notice he's blushing, how cute. I carry him in my arms without any problem, he hides his face as best he can so no one recognizes him.
"Connor! Aren't you coming for dessert?" Travis stares at the living tomato I'm carrying.
"No, but thanks, I'll go train later, don't wait for me" Malcolm hides his face completely.
"Okay, by the way, you owe me to show me who the lucky girl is."
Travis leaves, but not before staring intently at what I'm carrying.
"Put me down!" this time I listen to him and put him back on the ground.
Malcolm seems to have tears in his eyes.
"Hey, are you okay?" I put my hands on his cheeks, trying to comfort him.
"It's so easy for you, but not for me, you act so natural and that..." he lets out a whimper that breaks my heart.
"I didn't mean to hurt your feelings, never" I wipe his tears gently.
"You confuse me, what are we, friends? We stopped talking a long time ago and out of nowhere..." I forgot he's a bit sensitive.
"No, no, just... I like you so much it hurts" I don't even know what came out of my mouth, but from one moment to the next he stops crying and looks at me with a sparkle in his eyes. "It's... a joke, yeah."
"Am I a joke?" he has tears in his eyes again.
"Of course not, look, I've liked you for a long time and I know you're straight and I don't want to ruin our friendship" I scratch the back of my neck, worried he'll get angry.
But instead, he comes closer and hugs me.
"Can I kiss you?" I take a few seconds to nod.
He kisses me on the lips so gently that I can't believe it, I pull away and open my eyes wide.
"Sorry, I..." he understands and doesn't come closer.
He looks even more depressed.
We both stay quiet and when he gets distracted, I run away, my weak heart can't take this, I have my heart in my throat right now. I'm going to have a heart attack.