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A sigh escaped the demigod. He got up from his bed and crouched down, pulling two canned cokes out. Of course, outside food wasn't allowed in Camp Half-Blood, but if you talked to the right kid in the Hermes cabin, he could smuggle in anything from the nearest convenience store for a couple of golden drachmas. Having big pockets was a blessing for Percy because he shoved both of the cans into his front pockets before walking out the cabin three doors. The air was cool on his face and the smell of the ocean and wood filled the breeze. Jackson took a few steps down the path. On normal nights, if he did this, he'd been alone. Tonight though, he almost felt longing for just someone to talk to. Talking about his problems wasn't really something he did much after coming to camp, and before that he'd just talk about it with Grover. So that is exactly what he was going to do!
Perseus jogged to a spot in camp that Grover had told him had the most beautiful nature scenery in the whole camp. And sleeping in a hallowed out tree, was Grover. Underwood's legs were hanging out but his body was curled up cozily in the tree. His face was casted in shadows but from what Percy could see, he looked peaceful; he almost didn't wanna wake him up. But the silence didn't last forever as Percy's footsteps woke the satyr. Grover opened his eyes and blinked sleepily a few times.
"Huh..?" The goat mumbled. Once adjusted, underwood noticed his friend standing in front of him. "Percy? Why are you... w-what's wrong?!" Grover mumbled, certainly not used to the demigod waking him up at midnight for no reason. "You wanna go stargaze?" Jackson muttered. The satyr thought he was joking at first but once seeing the expression on Percy's face, he reluctantly nodded. After getting up, the two walked to the beach. They sat in the sand and Percy took out the cokes in his pockets: handing one to grover. "What's going on, Percy? You don't usually do this... it's also against camp rules-" "Grover, have you ever liked someone but like, you aren't sure if you're supposed to like them?" Jackson asked, his gaze on the stars.
"What? Well... I don't know? Not really? Who's this about?" Underwood replied, getting suspicious and also nervous about who this "person" was. Ignoring the question, the demigod sighed. "Are there any rules? Like at camp and... i don't know... life itself? Like, hypothetically, you like someone that most people wouldn't. And you guys are good friends and you don't want to ruin what you guys have. What do you do?" "Percy is this about... Annabeth? Or another demigod?" Grover asked, ready to give advice if needed. "This isn't about a d- anyone! This isn't about anyone." "You're feeling conflicted... and...nervous? You don't have to be like that around me. You can tell me anything!" Underwood reassured "you're my best friend!" He added
Somehow, that made things even worse. The only person he felt comfortable enough to talk to about this, was the person Percy was talking about! Jackson groaned and buried his face in his hands. "It's just... what would you do? No... what would you want to happen?" "Percy I don't understand what you-" "if someone was planning to... confess to you, how would you want it to go?" Perseus explained. Thankfully, Underwood didn't take it as 'I like you and want to know exactly how to confess to you', and instead more like 'I need an idea of how to confess'. "Well... I think I'd personally like it to be out in nature and away from everyone. Not rushed either! But, the person you like probably would enjoy something different."
Percy nodded and thought. "Hey... just go from the heart! Do what feels right!" The satyr said, putting his hand on Jackson's shoulder: but he thought it was weird how right after he did that, warmth spread through his chest...
"Yeah... thanks Grover..." the demigod sighed, a smile on his face. "Do you want to tell me who this is about? I could help you." Grover suggested, his tone light and reassuring. Percy lifted his head to meet his friend's gaze: those big brown eyes almost made Percy crack and say everything on his mind. "Are you... feeling okay?" Underwood asked, his expression slightly confused. The demigod knew Grover was feeling all his emotions right now and Percy knew he was probably starting to blush. "Yeah just... Grover? What's your opinion of me?" Percy asked. Underwood blinked in surprise.
"Well... you're my best friend!" "Do you like me?" "What?" "I mean what do you like about me?" Grover raised his eyebrows in suspicion before listing. "I like how you put your friends first! I like, how determined you are and how protective you can be of your mom." The satyrs cheeks were starting to match Percy's. "What's this coming from Percy?" Grover asked.
'This was it. I'm going to finally say it. Grover won't judge me!' Perseus thought before grabbing underwood's hand softly. Their hands against the cool sand. "Grover I... I have to tell you something important." Jackson admitted. His gaze shifted towards the ocean, like asking his father for permission.
"You've... always been more than just a friend to me... and recently, I guess more than a best friend. This is going to sound really dumb but... the person I've been talking about, is you! Not Annabeth, not another demigod, you!" "Percy you-!" "Yeah, it's dumb I know! Probably against some rule! But I just wanted to tell-" Percy rambled before Grover interrupted him. "I feel the same way..."
"What? You do?" Jackson's expression lifted from being regretful and embarrassed, to hopeful and... still embarrassed...
"This is all... new to me but, yeah... I do" the satyrs cheeks turned beet red and he looked away. Percy's grip on the other boys hand tightened and he smiled warmly, the kind that shows in your eyes. Without thinking, Perseus pulled underwood into a big hug, his arms wrapped around the satyrs neck. Grover froze, making a shocked whimper before he melted into it and hugged back. They rocked side to side, just enjoying each other's embrace and for the first time in a while, Percy was at peace. Grover smelled like fresh cut wood and sunshine to the guy hugging him. Jackson buried his face in the satyrs collarbone, relaxing against him and listening to Grover's breathing and the waves hitting the shore. Their heartbeats were rapid against each other's chest but they were comfortable.
After a few minutes, Grover's ears perked up: the sound of someone in camp moving around. "We might get caught..." he whispered to the Demigod. Perseus sighed and pulled away from the hug. "Oh my gods, of course... well... see you tomorrow I guess." Percy smiled and got up, dusting the sand off his pants. Grover did the same and picked up their unopened cokes, passing them to Jackson. Percy took them and as he slipped the cans into his pockets, he leaned in and gave underwood a quick peck on the cheek.
"Bye Grover!" The demigod said as he walked back to cabin three. The satyrs jaw dropped and his face became flustered. He held his cheek that Percy kissed with shock. "B-bye!" Grover yelled after Jackson. Did that really just happen?
A wobbly smile spread on underwood's face as he walked back to his tree: maybe him and Percy could really be something special.