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When the sun rises; the flowers bloom, the sea hums and the moon bids.
Children running around, having fun in the park, while parents are talking with other people or doing their business is something you would see everyday. Outside was a bright sunny day, perfect for having ice cream in the summer or going to the beach with your loved ones.
Percy walked amongst the chattering people at the scenic, lambent park as the sun beams behind the clouds, eyes scanning the people he knew, looking for a certain place to sit and talk to. He had been lonely since his departure, and Nico was with his boyfriend while the others minded their business. Like Annabeth was with Connor, Hazel obviously with Frank, Piper talking with Reyna and Thalia, and so on.
He sighed and walked past the other individuals that were constantly talking about not remembering who they are or how they got here and some other conversations he didn’t care about. He settled under the tree where he would always sit, waiting for a certain someone to talk to, if that said someone is here—
“Hey again, how are you?” Percy did not jump and squeaked, and not startled the other as well. Percy looked at the source where the voice came from, mock glared towards him. The prince raised both of his hands in defense but grinned, “What’s wrong? It looked like you'd seen a ghost.”
He snorted, “Very funny, flower boy,” Percy rolled his eyes but nevertheless smiled at his friend’s inside joke. The prince glared at him for giving him such a nickname, but his expression softened and fondly smiled. He sat down beside him and leaned his head onto the demigod’s shoulder, humming a lost time’s song. Percy closed his eyes, smiling, reminiscing the day where and how they both met.
They had met by accident— well no, but by fate would he dare say— when he was sparring, playfully, with one of his old friends, and then the sword flung towards poor Will, who was doing archery for fun with his siblings, startling him and his arrow flew to the side where he was sitting under the tree.
The boy let out a startled yelp when the arrow landed right above his head. His arms covering his head for protection, face full of fear before his expression changed into a realization. He looked up to those who were sparring and glared. Will frantically shouting apologetic words before looking at Percy and his old friend with a glare and muttering about how they still haven’t changed throughout the years.
“Sorry! We didn’t mean to startle you!”
His friend yelled and picked up the sword from the ground, snickering. He looked at Percy, saying they should get going before the guy decides to change his mind and mumbling about telling a certain god and giving them a lecture. Percy winced at the reminder of how they got an earful of “lecture” to not mess around years ago.
Still, he looked back at the boy and saw him not looking at them anymore, he was looking at the sun longingly instead, seemingly humming a melodious harmony he hadn't heard before.
Like, an ancient song he couldn’t describe.
By the time the night came and went, he decided he wanted to see the brown-haired boy again. When he walked to where he found him, he was there, sitting under the fig free and humming the same ancient song from yesterday. The boy looked marvelous under the sun, his warm umber skin shining, eyes closed while humming dulcet tones unknown to his ears. The boy felt his presence and looked at him, eyes wide, captivated by the sea-green eyes of Percy, as he was to his.
And at that moment, they both knew. They both knew what drew them closer. The same godly aura lingering to both of them; the ambrosial, sweet floral green with vegetal aquatic accents, and sweet and spicy notes, with the salty smell of the sea all together.
They both knew who was responsible.
Percy had told the stories about himself, since the prince asked. He is the prince of remarkable beauty, is what he learned about him. He had already told his side of the story— which Percy willingly listened to— so it was his turn. He had told him about his mom, his sister Estelle and his step-dad Paul, told him his first battle when he was 12; the minotaur and his math teacher, one of the Furies: Alecto. The prince chuckled when he learned about this information.
But what enthralled the prince was about his lover .
They both laughed at some stories, and became emotional to others. Then nightfalls, it’s time to say goodbye for now.
“See you tomorrow?” Percy asked before they parted.
“Promise,” the prince grinned, “You have to tell me more about your stories, especially your history of love,” Percy smiled back, then they both went their own ways.
The pattern continued, however. And they both became close friends after.
“What brings you here? Tell another tale of yours?” Percy snapped from his reminiscing to look at the prince beside him, who practically draped beside him.
After a little while of sitting comfortably, the prince shifted his position to look at the demigod beside him with flashing eyes and curiosity. He always loved whenever Percy tells him stories about himself. It took long before he gradually accepted himself, Percy had once said. But one thing is for sure:
If his lover didn’t help him throughout his life, then he wouldn’t know where he would be now.
He couldn’t imagine meeting an entirely different Percy from another timeline— he was curious what would he turn out if no one was there to help him before brushing off that thought away— but thankfully he didn’t. He loved the loud and easygoing demigod as much as Percy does towards him; a kind and genuine prince, Percy admitted. He blushed at the comment and nodded thanks to him, gracing him a smile. They’re aware that both have their differences, yet they have one thing in common. And that is for, exclusively, them to know.
“Yeah, but I think I have already told you much of my life. I don’t have anything up my sleeve,” the son of Poseidon only half-shrugged.
The brown-haired boy only pouted and put his head back onto the demigod’s shoulder once more. He laced his arm under Percy’s, comfortable in his position, humming. As he was singing the lost time’s song once more, a sudden idea popped into his head, abruptly stopping his melodic humming and jerked his head upwards to blink at Percy, who got startled from where he was sitting.
“Tell me again.”
“What?”
“Tell me again your love story,” the prince said, eyes sparkling with excitement and a dimpled smile plastered on his face. Percy only looked at him quizzically and the prince was practically glowing with anticipation, “C’mon, please? I love those stories and you know it!”
Percy sighed, “Alright, but I’m only going to tell you some parts. After that, we’re gonna do something else. This is like- the fifth time I’m telling you my love tale already,” he shook his head in disbelief but obliged nonetheless. His friend beamed at him as he listened to his story—
He began his love story— how exactly the sun and the sea became together, and what happened during those times they were together— once again.