Chapter Text
"I still remember, the third of December, me in your sweater, you said it looked better on me than it did you, only if you knew how much I liked you..."
Malcolm
Gods above it was cold.
December 3rd. The snowing day at Camp because Percy passed of Mr. D for the millionth time. Mr. D thought that he should punish the whole camp by letting a bunch of snow come all at once. Malcolm was not dressed for this.
“I am f- freezing…” Malcolm murmurs, rubbing his arms rapidly to try and warm himself up.
“You are really not dressed for this,” Connor laughs.
“Hey! I did not expect Mr. D to actually go through with his threat!” Malcolm protests, “usually he just bluffs so we listen.”
“Yeah, but he seemed pretty serious this time.” Connor adds.
“Right, yeah…” Malcolm shivers again and Connor looks a little concerned.
“Want my sweater? I can just run back to my cabin and get another one.” Connor offers.
“N- No, no, keep it. I don't need-” Malcolm starts but Connor shoves the hoodie into Malcolm's arms.
Malcolm sighs, knowing he won't win this battle. He slides the hoodie over his head. It's really warm and comfy and smells like Connor, obviously.
“I'll be right back!” Connor says before jogging off to his cabin.
Malcolm waits for Connor to come back, kicking at the snow under his feet like the snow issue is it's fault and not Percy's. Or Mr. D's if you're brave enough to be on Percy's side.
While Malcolm is waiting for Connor Lou Ellen Blackstone walks over with a flower, Malcolm notices the flower is one that Lou Ellen doesn't necessarily like and raises an eyebrow. “Who's that for?” He asks skeptically.
“Connor,” she says nervously. Malcolm's stomach drops to his feet.
Connor? What? When did that start? Why didn't he tell me? Why her? Why not me? Malcolm's head floods with questions and jealousy. He feels let down and sad and angry and betrayed. Why didn't Connor trust me enough to tell me about this?
Connor comes back and spots Lou Ellen.
She asks him out.
He says yes.
Malcolm can feel his eyes stinging with tears as he opens his mouth to speak, trying to force a smile.
“You two have fun, I'm gonna go back to my cabin.” He walks away.
Once Malcolm makes it to his cabin he collapses onto his bed and tries not to cry.
A little context, Malcolm and Connor were best friends. But eventually Malcolm started developing feelings for Connor and turns out… Well, Connor had feelings for someone else. And that someone else just happened to ask Connor out in front of Malcolm.
I'm so stupid, crying over boys. Stupid Hermes kids. Stupid Stoll brothers. Stupid Connor. UGH!
Malcolm gets himself together just when Annabeth walks in.
“Hey, what's up, Malcolm?” She asks, her voice full of concern as he lets her curly blonde hair out of a ponytail. She really needs to brush that.
“He likes someone else. And he is now going on a date with that someone else.” Malcolm mutters.
“Who is this mysterious ‘someone else’ you keep talking about?” Annabeth asks, sitting down next to Malcolm on his bed.
“Lou Ellen.”
“Oh yikes…”
Connor
That date was amazing!
Lou Ellen was so sweet, and pretty!
Gods above, Connor was head over heels for that woman, he had to tell Malcolm about the date! Malcolm was being weird about it before but that was probably just because he was talking to Connor first. Whatever.
“Malcolm!” Connor bursts into the Athena cabin where Malcolm is reading. He immediately sets down his book.
“What's up?” Malcolm asks.
Connor walks over, practically skipping like a little girl picking blueberries with her mom. He plops down next to Malcolm and starts explaining the date. He includes everything and I mean everything. Everything down to what exactly she said to a specific joke, word for word.
Connor notices Malcolm's gaze and how it's kind of sad. Once he stops he asks Malcolm one thing, “you okay?”
“Yeah of course! I'm really happy that you finally started dating someone. Especially because you've been crushing on her for a while.”
“I- uh, not that long!” Connor laughs nervously while rubbing that back of his neck and looking away, a slight blush creeps onto his cheeks.
“Yes, that long. You talk about her all the time.” Malcolm says, Connor notices a bit of a different tone, maybe jealous? Meh, why would Malcolm be jealous? Maybe he likes Lou Ellen?
“Anyyways! Wanna go hang out?” Malcolm asks.
“Sorry, I was just checking on you and then me and Lou Ellen were gonna go to the lake or something. Maybe get some food. You could come with if you want.” Connor suggests.
“No, no, have fun with your new girlfriend.” Malcolm smiles softly. That smile makes Connor's stomach feel weird for a second. He leaves to meet up with Lou Ellen again, leaving Malcolm alone in cabin 6 for the second time today.
Malcolm
Well this day could get any worse.
Already, his best friend, and crush, Connor didn't tell him about his crush, Connor didn't even try to convince Malcolm to come with him and just… left, and Mr. D made it snow a bunch! Great day, great day.
Malcolm picks at the skin on his arm, trying to get the weird little bumps off. He searched it up before and so he knows it's just a common skin thing that doesn't affect anything else but it's just fun to pick at.
Malcolm is actually so pissed though. Why didn't Connor even make a hint to liking Lou Ellen? Why did he not say yes somewhere else? He is such a dumbass. He is so stupid. UGH!
“Malcolm! Lou Ellen is doing something so you and I are going into town to get some snacks!” Connor says, bursting into Malcolm's cabin for the second time today. He grabs Malcolm's hand and drags him out of the cabin and up Half-Blood Hill.
“Okay, okay, got it.” Malcolm says.
He almost falls over from the pulling but Connor catches him. They're faces are a few inches apart and they both quickly stand back up awkwardly before starting to walk again.
Maybe the day could get better.