Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Connor woke up very tired. 

He hated Mondays. He had archery first thing with the Apollo cabin. Which meant he got to see his pookie bff Kayla!!

With that Connor rose out of bed and looked around his cabin. 

He and his older brother Travis were head of the Hermes cabin.

”Come on Connie!” Travis’ voice yelled from outside his cabin. 

“Coming!” Conner shouted back, “ and don’t call me Connie!”

Later at the archery range…

”Hi Connor!” said a voice behind him. A voice he loved deeply. He turned round and saw Malcolm Pace. 

A boy he had been secretly crushing on for years now but Malcolm couldn’t know that.

They were  just best friends … right?

”Hello? Earth to Connor!?” laughed Malcolm, waving a hand in his face. 

“What are you doing here?” Connor said more snappy than he meant it to be.

Malcolm’s smile faded. The smile that he loved so much. 

“I mean,” Connor said quickly “I didn’t know you had archery now.”

Malcolm looked relieved. Connor felt relieved at the fact that Malcolm was relieved.

”Oh i thought maybe you were angry at me or something.” Malcolm says sheepishly. “And neither did i to be honest, Annie only told me this morning.”

”Cool.” Connor says not knowing how to reply.

”Oi! Connor stop flirting with your boyfriend and get over here!” Shouts Kayla from behind them.

Connor feels his face go bright red and Malcolm’s ears go pink.

”He’s not my boyfriend.” Malcolm stammers, still red in the face.

”Not yet anyway,” Connor mutters under his breath.                                                               

“Pardon?” Asks Malcolm. 

“Nothing!” Says Connor.

Chapter Text

Malcolm was used to being teased by his siblings. He was not used to being teased by his siblings for having a crush on Connor Stoll.

Today was the anniversary at the day they defeated Gaea and there would be a firework display. He was going to ask Connor to go with him so he wrote a letter…

Dear Connor,

I am writing to you to ask if you will come with me to watch the firework display tonight? Meet you by the Athena cabin at 7:30? It’s ok if not! 

Love  From Malcolm.

There we go now he just had to post it.

After he had slotted the letter into the letter box he walked back to his cabin where Annabeth was waiting for him.

Annie ruffled his hair as she spoke. “Who was that to? Are you writing to your dad again?”

”No, I was writing to Connor,” Malcolm replied. Annabeth’s face lit up at hearing this.

”Ah yes Connor,” she said knowingly ,”Your very platonic friend.”

Chapter Text

Travis loved annoying Connor. Connor loved annoying Travis.

It was their way of being nice to each other.Even if it looked like they hate one another.

They don’t. Connor hopes.

Travis came storming in brandishing a letter. “Oh Connie! A letter for you has arrived!” He shouted.

Connor jumped out of bed and snatched the letter.He ripped it open.It was from Malcolm.

He read the letter carefully. Or as carefully as you can when you have dyslexia.

His eyes stared at the last sentence.

Love  From Malcolm

He was going to say love. love. 

The word span in his head.

”What’s that?” Travis said leaning over his shoulder.”Oh my GODS!” Travis screamed.

”He loves you!” he screamed in his ear. Travis threw his hands in the air in delight.

”I-um have to go see him,” Connor decided aloud, as he walked towards the door of his cabin.

*knock knock*

”Come in!” he heard Malcolm say from inside the Athena cabin.

Connor walked in.”I got your letter” he mumbled.

Malcolm walked over to him but stumbled at the last step.

He fell onto Connor, pinning him onto the floor of the cabin with a crash.

Malcolm’s face was an inch way from his. Connor felt Malcolm’s warm breath on his face.

Malcolms hands were on either side of Connors face. Connor looked up into Malcolm’s piercing blue eyes.

And kissed him. 

If the rush of adrenaline and the way his stomach swooped was enough to tell Connor this was perfect, then the feel of Malcolm’s smooth lips against his as he kissed him back was.

Malcolms tongue brushed against Connors lips and Connor parted them in acceptance.

Malcolm plunged his tongue into Connors mouth. 

Connor always thought it would be weird having someone else’s tongue in his mouth but strangely when it was Malcolm’s it was ok.

Malcolm pulled away panting, his eyes unfocused. Malcolm pushed himself up onto his knees and dusted his hands. 

Connor stood up and offered Malcolm his hand. He took it and stood next to him.

”See you tonight on top of the camp stores?” Connor suggested.

”Yeah…” Malcolm said still out of breath.

Connor left the Athena cabin thinking it was a miracle no one saw them.

Chapter Text

Malcolm left the Athena cabin at 7:35pm at waited for Connor by the camp stores.

His heart was racing. What would he tell him when he came back? That he had always loved him? Him and his stupid smirk and fluffy hair and dazzling eyes… 

No Malcolm focus on the task at hand.

He stated at the Hermes cabin, as Connor walked out with what looked like Travis laughing behind him.

Connor waved to Malcolm and smiled and his brother smirked behind him. Connors smile showed all his teeth.

Malcolm’s heart fluttered.

”Hey…”Connor said awkwardly his hands fidgeting. 

“The fireworks are starting soon,” Malcolm stated looking anywhere but Connors face.

Connor took Malcolm’s hand and lead him to the back of the camp stores. Connors hands were soft. Very soft.

“About earlier,” Connor said slowly raising his eyes to meet Malcolm’s. 

“Stop. I really really like you Connor,” Malcolm interrupted squeezing his hands, “And not as just a friend.”

”And i know you don’t feel the same…” Malcolm continued staring deep into Connor's deep brown eyes. 

"You don't know that," He argued back cupping Malcolm's cheek in his hand. 

And just as the fireworks started, Connor kissed him. Softer than the first time and this time Malcolm kissed back straight away.

Chapter Text

Connor and Malcolm fell asleep on the roof of the store room. Malcolm’s head resting on Connors chest and his hand ruffling Connors hair. Their legs were a tangle of roots. Connors right hand rested on the waistband of Malcolm’s jeans and his left hand was intertwined with Malcolm’s hand to the side of them.

And that was how Travis and Annabeth found them. 

When they hadn’t appeared they set off to look for them and found them fast asleep on the roof of the camp stores.

Annabeth had just woke Malcolm up, while Travis held Connor in a bridal carry and took him over to the Hermes cabin and placed him in his bed.

Just as Travis turned away he heard Connors breathe and knew at once something was wrong.

Connors breath was short and raggedy and just like Travis had expected, when he pulled back the hem of Connors shirt was her his binder.

Travis shook Connor awake. 

“-nnor?! Can you hear me?” he said softly in his sisters brothers ear.

Connor sat up gasping for air that wouldn’t come and began to cry and crumble into pieces. 

Travis brain switched into protective brother mode.

He gently put his hand around the edge of Connors t-shirt. 

“Hey,” he said softly “I’m going to take this off ok?”

Connor stared at Travis and nodded sadly.

Travis pulled the top over Connors head and kissed him on the cheek.

”Hey it’s ok,” he said cupping Connors face in his hand. 

“Do you want to take off your binder or should I?” Travis asked gently.

In response, Connor put his hands around the hem of his binder and braced himself before he pulled it off.

Connor gasped as the air flooded into his lungs and sank into Travis’ open arms. He tried to stop the tears but they came anyway and soon he was sobbing into his brother’s arms. 

Travis grabbed a jumper from his bunk and offered it to him. He took it gladly and pulled it over his head.

Connor wiped his eyes on the sleeve. 

The jumper was brown and he could tell it was Travis’ and not his. Travis he given it to him in hope that with it’s oversized-ness it would help lessen the dysphoria.  

“Thanks Bubba,” Connor hiccuped.

”Any time Gremlin child.” 

Chapter Text

Connor woke up in Travis’ arms.

Malcolm was sat next to them with Will Solace on his right.

Travis ran his hand through Connors hair.

”Good morning you little Gremlin,” Travis said as he kissed him on the nose.

Connor kinda wished it was Malcolm who kissed him but  he brushed that thought away quickly, we can’t all hope for the finer things in life.

”Connor do they know?” asked Travis nodding towards Will and Malcolm.

Connor pondered what he meant until he replied “Will knows probably. As he’s the doctor and everything but Malcolm might not.”

”Know what?” Malcolm asked.

Will looked curious too even though he knew Connor was transgender. 

Connor brought his arm around his chest, the action was subtle enough to pass as nothing to Malcolm but it was enough for Will to get the gist. 

And sure enough, Will nodded slightly.

”Well…” Connor began slowly.

This was a lot harder than he thought it would be…

”I-I’mTransgenderAndIfYouDontWantToBeFriendsAnymoreICompletlyUnderstand!”He screamed very very fast.

Connor screwed his eyes tight waiting for his response.

He felt arms wrap around him.

He opened his eyes expecting to see Travis but instead was met with fluffy blond hair and gorgeous gay eyes.

”It’s ok,” Malcolm said softly.

They all sat in silence before Travis broke it with a incredibly cheesy joke.

No one laughed.

They sat there chatting for a little bit before Kayla burst in.

”WILL WE NEED YOU IN THE INFIRMARY NOW!!” she screamed, “ZANE FELL AROUND 30 FOOT FROM A PEGASUS COME ON!!”

Will’s face turned to worry and jumped off Travis’ bed.

He waved bye and was shortly followed by Travis who wanted to talk to Katie.

This left Connor and Malcolm alone.

Everything felt different now that he knew but also felt the exact same. 

Chapter Text

Miss Stoll hated her kids.

A lot.

Travis and Chloe were 9 and 6 when they had left with a saytr.

Her daughter’s birthday was in a few weeks and she had already bought her a gift.

Sure it was a bad gift but still!

Who doesn’t want one half eaten crumbs cookie for their birthday?

Chloe it seemed.

She hadn’t been in contact with her kids in a while.

Or their father.

Hermes the greek god.

You would off thought that considering her kids father was the god of travelling they’d visit more often but nooo.

She almost missed them. Almost.

Her daughter was always a weird one.

She got it from her father.

Miss Stoll wasn’t a good parent.

She would call it ‘tough love’ or ‘her way of parenting’.

But the court didn’t agree.

The real reason Travis and Chloe were taken so young is because of their mother.

You could call her ‘strict’ or ‘different’.

But abusive and horrible was better.

Travis was around 4 when his mother hit him for the first time.

She had grabbed his wrist and thrown him in the storage cabinet under the stairs.

He cried a lot.

He was in there a lot.

His baby sister was 2 when her mother did it to her.

Travis tried so hard to protect his sister but it was never enough she always ended up hurt.

Travis would have nightmares about his mother a lot. 

Even when he was grown up she still scared him.

His night mares sort of went like…

Travis woke up under the stairs.

His mother swung open the door her brown hair swaying in the slight draft.

Next to his mother was his father ‘what?’ thought Travis ‘this never happened…’

The in between them walked Luke stretching out his hand.

’Right this is a dream,’ he realised.

He took Luke’s hand anyway.

He fell through him.

He had a sword in his hand and Luke stood on top of a podium.

His eyes gold.

”Travis…” Luke said exaggerating every syllable.

”Travis help!” His brother began to cry he had been stabbed.

”Your such a disappointment”

”Travis come on”

a voice cut through that wasn’t Luke’s.

”-vis? Breath with me,”

The voice was soft and understanding.

It was his brothers but not Luke’s voice Connors…

Travis woke up and the lights blinded his eyes.

He was in the Arena at camp half-blood.

Clarice and Connor stood over him.

Both of their faces knitted with worry.

Clarice was always misunderstood.

She acted tough but she was actually the most caring person ever.

Her and Travis had practically raised Will Solace.

”What happened?” Travis finally stammered rubbing his eyes.

”You sort of umm passed out?” Clarice told him straightening up.

Travis closed his eyes again and when he reopened them he was in the Infirmary.

Connor sat next to his bed on a stool.

 Travis began ”How did I ge-“

”Clarice carried you,” Connor interrupted running his hands through Travis’ hair.”

Katie burst through the doors.

”Oh my gods is he ok?” Katie said half to Connor half to Travis.

”I’m fine,” he said waving a hand in the air.

”Was it um…” Connor began before he looked at Katie wearily.

He leaned forward and whispered in his ears “Was it about mom?”

Travis’ face darkened which gave Connor the answer

yes

Connor’s fists clenched.

Katie stood impatiently,                                    “Well? What was it about?”

Connor looked at Travis who wasn’t meeting his eyes.

”Do you want me to tell her? I mean i’m going to tell her anyway,” Connor began.

Travis looked down and nodded.

The nod was small and slow but was still an answer.

And then Connor told her everything.

It ended with them all in tears and Katie holding Connor in her arms.

In a sorta sisterly way.

Travis wiped his eyes with the back of his hand.

”Always tell me stuff like this ok?” Katie sniffled looking between the two boys.

They nodded in response.

Chapter Text

Malcolm and Connor sat alone in the strawberry fields.

Alone.

Together.

It was silent.

It was nice.

Malcolm broke the silence, “what are we?”

Connor pondered what to respond with.

”Depends,” Connor said, turning towards Malcolm and brushing his hair out of his eyes with his hand, “Do you want to be my boyfriend?”

Malcolm went red.

”Hmm,” he joked, tapping his chin as if in thought,”Nahhh.”

Connor rolled his eyes and feigned being shocked.

”Just kidding!” Malcolm said kissing him on the nose.

”Um i’m not ready to like tell people though,” Malcolm admitted.

”No it’s ok! We’ll work up to that!”

”Thanks Connor,”

”Loooove yooouuuu,”

”Your so corny,”

”You gotta say it back!!”

”Fine,” Malcolm said cupping his cheek, “I love you.”

Connors ears went pink, “Good.”

They then proceeded to make out for about an hour.

Before Leo Valdez caught them.

”hey is anyone he - oh!” Leo stopped when he saw them.

”Leo,” Connor began standing up to face him, “If you tell anyone i will kill you in your sleep.”

Leo put his hands up defensively, “No don’t worry i won’t out you guys! I’m not a dick.”

Malcolm voiced how he knew that he wouldn’t care as Leo and Jason are dating.

Leo went bright red. Think about the brightest colour of red.

It’s not bright enough.

”Me and Jason aren’t - we um.. Were not like-“

”Oh!” Malcolm was clearly embarrassed.

Leo turned on his heel and ran waving bye hurriedly .

”The more you know i guess,” Connor said, putting his hands on his hips.

Malcolm laughed. 

“Back to what we were doing?”

”Hmmm… No”

”Hey!”

”I’m kidding! Now kiss me you idiot.”

Chapter Text

Malcolm and Connor had decided to tell 2 people only.

They told Katie Gardner and Drew Tananka (is that how you spell it?)

They were hanging out more together.

Kissing more (in private of course ).

But then summer rolled around.

People came back from school.

Which meant activities and sitting at your own tables.

Which meant they would hardly see each other.

Which meant they would have to compromise.

So they did.

Connor wrote him a letter.

Dear Malcolm,

Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy how r u?

I hope ur duing ok! You bettr bee,        seee yuo sooon! I luve you sooooo fuckin much ohh my godddddsss

Loveeee ur super sigma boyfriend,

                                                  Connor xxx

He smiled, put it in an envelope and posted it.

”Who’s that to?” said Travis appearing out of no where.

”Where did you come from!?” shouted Connor, practically leaping out of his skin. 

“Older brother magic,” he replied folding his arms, “So who’s it to?”

”No one,”

”Sooo why did you post it then?”

”None of your business!”

”Woah chill out! Let’s go back to the cabin,” Travis said putting his hand on Connors shoulder.

Travis kissed Connor on the head and Connor recoiled slightly.

Back in the Athena cabin, Malcolm was having a slight sexuality crisis.

He liked Connor as in LIKED Connor.

But he thought liked girls and Connor was trans.

Not that Connor was a girl, he was a boy.

A very hot boy as well.

Ugh he was so gay.

Was he gay?

Was he Bi? Pan? Omni?

Did he like girls?

He thought he had but did he?

He didn’t think he did anymore.

He was just into boys.

He was gay?

Yeah.

He was gay.

He hurried his face in his pillow and screamed.

Annabeth popped her head round the smooth pillar.

”You ok?” she said softly.

”Hmmm. No,” he groaned.

Annabeth laughed and pulled herself up onto Malcolm’s bed.

”Wanna talk?” She asked.

Malcolm pondered. He wanted to talk but he didn’t want to tell her about Connor. But he did want to at the same time.

”Maybe? I don’t know?” he said, un-burying his face from his pillow.

”Is it about Connor?” she guessed. Annie was good at guessing.

Malcolm went red.

”Guessing thats a yes,” she said, running her hands through Malcolm’s hair.

A white envelope slipped through the door.

”Hang on, let me get that,” she said, sliding of the bunk, “It’s for you!”

Malcolm snatched the letter and peeled it open.

As he read it, he felt himself getting redder and redder.

Connor was such a softie.

Ugh he loved him so much.

Chapter Text

Travis POV:

Ugh. Travis hated mornings. 

Every single morning he had to take the letters to the other cabins and to the ones to parents and carers he had to take downtown.

Travis hoisted himself out of bed and smacked his head on Connors bed.

Cursing silently in ancient Greek, he grabbed the silver letter box key from his bedside table.

Travis leaned over the railing on Connors top bunk and watched him for a little while.

Connors hair was lighter than his and more curly.

His brother’s eyes were also more blue than brown, making them a nice deep colour.

“Oi! Connie!” he whispered.

Connor stirred and  his eyes twitched has he opened them.

”What?” he asked groggily, not fully awake.

”Letter time!” Travis screamed clasping his hands together enthusiastically.

Connor, on the other hand, groaned and turned round to face the wall. 

It took a lot of convincing to get Connor out of bed. 

But eventually he caved in.

Travis put on a navy blue jumper and green cargo jeans. 

He finished the outfit of with a green and yellow bracket, that had a caduceus and a flower on, he had it matching with Katie and grey crocs with many charms.

Connor put on his favourite red hoodie (which was 100% not Malcolm’s) and grey joggers.

He was wearing neon green sliders that had now faded to a limey chartreuse.

Travis seemed satisfied with their outfits and pulled him by the wrist.

”Come on!” he said dragging Connor behind him.

When he opened the door, he was slapped in the face with cold air.

He felt Connor shivering beside him.

”Hey who gave you that jumper?” he asked, his words dripping in suspiciousness.

Connor blushed but it could pass off as wind burn.

Connor mumbled something Travis couldn’t quite make out.

When they had made it to the middle of all the cabins, Travis pulled out the silver key and gently placed it into the Key-hole.

Inside were 5 letters:

A pink one addressed to Austin-Apollo,

A purple one addressed to Jason-Zeus,

A white one addressed to someone’s parent,

A blue one addressed to Lou-Ellen-Hecate,

And a grey one addressed to Connor-Hermes.

Travis looked at his (blushing) brother with a curios look on his face but, he decided to respect his privacy.

“Well we better get to work then!” Travis said, pulling Connor towards the Zeus cabin.

He rapped on the stormy marble doors and when there was no reply kept knocking to no avail.

Connor, giving up, opened the door a little bit and peeked inside.

He threw the letter inside and drew his head back blushing furiously.

”Wha-“ Travis began.

”Jason was in there with Leo!” He whispered in Travis’ ear as he pulled him away.

Travis looked mildly shocked.

”The more you know i guess,” Travis said filling through the four letters left, “Who’s next anyway?”

Connor pondered this for a moment before saying, “Austin, Apollo cab-“

Before he could finish Travis was pulling him  along by the arm towards the shiny yellow cabin.

Travis knocked on the door this time and Kayla answered quickly.

She was wearing a very questionable outfit.

A baggy jaws graphic-tee and hello kitty pants. Her green and ginger her was tied up in a very messy bun and there were slight bags under her green eyes.

”What can I do for you?” she asked, leaning  against the person next to her ,who he hadn’t noticed at first.

It was Lou Ellen, who was marginally dressed better in matching purple pjs.

”Letters,” he said brandishing them in Kayla’s face, “To Austin and Lou Ellen.”

Kayla took the letters, handing the blue one to Lou Ellen.

”Guess we’ll be off then!” Travis said turning round and begging to walk off.

He heard Connors rushed footsteps trying to keep up with him.

”Here is your letter,” he said passing it to his brother.

”Arn’t you gonna open it?” he asked when, his brother put the letter in his hoodie pocket. 

“No it’s ok,” he mumbled, “Hey do you mind if you go to the post office by yourself today and i just go back to the cabin?”

Travis saw no problem but gave his brother a questioning look as he walked away. 

“Huh” he thought to himself 

“strange…”

Chapter Text

Connor POV:

He pulled the tab of the envelope off and out slid the letter out into his open palms.

My dearest Connor,

Hi! How are you? I miss you so much and i was wondering if you wanted to meet up by the climbing wall? At 10:00? I know thats past curfew but if we sneak down to the river they won’t go there? they don’t like the water so we’ll be fine! Love you so much!

All my love, Malcolm.

He couldn’t help but blush furiously.

Malcolms words kept spinning around in his head.

”my dearest connor”

“Love you so much”

”i miss you”

”all my love”

He couldn’t wait till 10 when he could sneak down there.

The rest of the day passed slowly, and as he had canoeing last thing on Thursday'shis hair was still soaking wet by the time it was 9:58.

He snuck out once he was sure everyone else was asleep.

Connor ran through the cabin clearing towards the climbing frame, the harpies screeching behind him.

Once he caught sight of Malcolm, he sped up wanting to get to his boyfriend.

He slowed down once he had reached him and pulled Malcolm into a hug.

Malcolm was wearing a blue spider-man graphic tee and grey jeans. 

Malcolm grabbed him by his wrist and pulled him down towards the lake.

Connor followed obediently.

Malcolm stopped on the sandy shores of the beach and sat down, pulling Connor down with him.

They sat together. Admiring the way the shiny dark waves lapped up against the sand.

”I’ve missed you,” Connor said breaking the silence.

”I missed you too,” Malcolm replied planting a kiss to Connors forehead.

Connor kissed Malcolm on the lips and he felt Malcolm smiling.

Soon, Malcolm was on top of him with his legs around his waist and hands in Connors hair.

Connor had his knees bent slightly and his left hand in Malcolm’s hair while his left was on the waistband of Malcolm’s jeans.

Malcolm pulled on Connors hair making Connor do a rather embarrassing noise.

Malcolm began to giggle and Connor pushed him off blushing.

”Dats not fair!” he mumbled turning away.

”I’m sorry! i’m sorry i shouldn’t laugh!” Malcolm said, still laughing.

Folding his arms, Connor looked away, bright red.

Malcolm gave him a look and Connor couldn't say no. 

And then their lips connected. And it was strange, how after a three days of dating, a simple kiss from Malcolm still made him breathless. 

It was Connors time for revenge. 

He rolled over Malcolm pinning him to the ground. Connor put his left arm under his back and his right hand in his hair. 

He sank downwards making it Malcolms time to be embarrassed as he made a small 'hmf' noise. 

Connor tilted his hair downwards, running little kisses down Malcolms jaw and neck. 

Malcolm giggled and shivered. 

Connor pulled up and kissed Malcolm on his nose before rolling off. 

"I'm cold," complained Malcolm, shivering in his tee shirt. 

Connor stood up and offered him his hand. 

As Malcolm stood up, he asked "Where are we going?" . 

"To your cabin," Connor replied "no one's in there right? Annie's at college, Zane and Mary are in the infirmary, Dylann and Koki are both at home and you with me! ". 

Malcolm squeezed his hand in agreance. 

Malcolms POV:

Once they had reached the cabin, the harpies had given up now it was 2:00, Malcolm pushed open the bluey gray marble doors. 

They closed the door once they were inside and kicked of there shoes.

Malcolm threw Connor onto his bed. 

"It's so hot in here," Malcolm said pulling of his top.

Noticing Connors blushing face, he went red too. 

"You don't have to take yours off!" he added hastily. 

"It's fine," Connor said pullon off his (Malcolms) hoodie revealing his blue shirt underneath. 

Connor wriggled down into the covers and held out his arms for Malcolm. 

Malcolm crawled in, put his head on Connor's torso and wrapped his arms around his waist.

Soon, there legs were intertwined and they were drifting off to sleep. 

Connor had his hands in Malcolm's hair and Malcolm's hands were on Connors back creeping up underneath his top. 

That's how they woke up. Sunlight shining onto their faces. 

Chapter Text

Guys I don't have the energy to write this fic... 

I WILL be back I swear on the river Styx ok? 

I just.. I don't know? I'm sorry? 

Maybe I'll be back in a month? maybe three? A year? 

I have OCD and an ED and I just got diagnosed with ADHD and depression sooooooo? 

I have A LOT going on rn and I have limited time on my phone cu my mum thinks that's the root of my depression 🙄.

Anyway. See you guys soon! xxx🩷💅🎀✨