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“I don’t know, I mean Goodfellas is iconic and all, obviously but I think he peaked with The Departed.”
Connor thought he hadn’t heard him properly. This was Percy Jackson, the most- New Yorker-New yorker he had ever met. Isn’t saying that heresy or some shit?
“Woah dude. I didn’t expect that.”
Percy raised an eyebrow. “Oh?”
Connor shrugged. “Just that you’re like the most…” He puts on the best new yorker accent he could manage. “I’m walkin’ here… I’m walkin here! dude I ever met you know?”
“That scene is not even from Goodfellas.”
“I know but you get the point right?”
“Yeah, I get it.” Percy smirked, “I do love Goodfellas as well, don’t get me wrong but I don’t know- I am of the belief that Scorsese’s later works are even greater. It’s not a popular opinion, I know that but Silence is my favorite movie of his.”
“Silence?”
Percy sighed. “Its not very well known… You should watch it though, Its got Garfield, Driver and Neeson together and gods… the fucking cinematography dude?”
Conor nodded. “Will put that on the list.”
“You won’t regret it.”
Percy took a sip from his Blue Coke? Connor never did understand what the deal was. He once asked Annabeth about it, but she just shrugged and said it is not her story to tell. That meant the blue food and drinks must carry something personal for Percy and while Connor did like him, and considered him a good friend… He didn’t want to potentially cross a line.
Rachel’s beach house is a beauty. Connor couldn’t believe he had been lucky enough to be invited to this party, but he had grown rather close to Rachel in the past two years of knowing her. He reckoned it was an odd friendship but he really admired her work, both the prophetic and artistic side of it.
They also might or might not have bonded over similar experiences to say the least, being a demigod or an oracle did not erase the pain of unrequited love. Rachel did a better job getting over it, with the not dating rule he reckons, but he could sense a longing very similar to his own.
One day, presumably out of nowhere a couple of months after the second Titan War, he had decided to pay her a visit in her cave. They had talked before and were on friendly terms but he had not expected the day to end with them in tears and just being honest with their feelings, because there was probably no one in the world they could say this out loud to.
He chuckled when Rachel said Percy mentioned Annabeth almost every hour whenever they were together. Connor knew Percy didn’t do it intentionally, he is as oblivious as a well- Percy and while Annabeth tried not to talk about him that cruel year, he could feel the fierce pining whenever her eyes gazed at the sea as if trying to pierce it.
Talking to Rachel about these things helped him quite a lot and well, he can finally say he is over it. He has always been happy for Percy and Annabeth, even when he wanted her beyond any reasonably measure…he could probably never even come close to the how much they wanted each other.
As the months went by, the initial awkwardness had resided and he was talking to Annabeth again like before and when Percy went missing, he did his best reassure her. He was genuinely so happy when Annabeth got on that ship to go see Percy again, the girl had really gone through it and she deserved to be reunited with her beloved.
Even if it meant a trip to hell…
“Can I ask you something?” Connor glanced at his passed-out brother and a pouting Grover who was glaring at Travis for puking in the beer can.
“Yeah?” Percy smirked at Grover, earning him another glare.
“Why don’t you drink?” Connor hadn’t realized the intensity of the question as he was on his 3rd beer.
Grover’s eyes widened in horror as if he knew something he didn’t, which was probably true and that meant Connor had to damage-control.
“I-I mean I only ask because well, its just you’ve been through so much an-and well, me and a lot of our friends drink to ease the pain away and well, I was both curious and kind of seeking advice-“
“Connor, calm down man. Its okay.” Percy spoke softly and gave him a small smile.
Connor sighed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to intrude or something.”
“You’re good.” Percy promised. “As to answer your question… Abusive step-dad.”
He didn’t have to elaborate and from the way his eyes darkened a bit, Connor got the gist.
“It doesn’t bother you, being with us drunkards?” Connor tried for a smile.
“Us?” Grover scoffed.
“Nah. You guys are fine.” Percy grinned. “Plus, its funny to see Grover stare at the beer cans knowing he can’t eat them.”
“And here I thought of comforting you, Jackson.” Grover stuck his tongue out.
“Annabeth drinks too you know…” Percy told him. “but she knows her limits and I trust her with it, and she is kind of cute when she’s drunk… like an adorable cuddly owl.”
As if on cue- There she was. She was late to the party and well, Travis and Connor had said they would only drink one can of beer each but… The week had been rough to say the least and they could not wait any longer to get wasted.
“Hey baby.” Percy looked at her like she’s the only thing in the universe.
“Hey baby.” Annabeth rolled her eyes, mimicking his voice before kissing him.
“Gross.” Grover walked up to greet her. Annabeth grinned at him mischievously.
Grover raised an eyebrow. “Oh no you don’t-
It was already too late. Annabeth threw her arms around his face and pressed a barrage of kisses to his forehead. He could do all but groan.
“I brought you empty cans, goat boy.” Annabeth said after letting him go.
“You know I always loved you Chase.” Grover’s grinned.
“He’s lying… he called you something not-nice in his mind like a second ago.” Percy smirked.
“Oh?” Annabeth looked at Grover curiously.
“H-he’s lying!” Grover flushed.
Percy and Annabeth laughed at their satyr friend, who eventually relented and joined them.
“I missed you guys.” Grover murmured.
“Group hug?” Percy asked.
“What are we? Twelve?” Annabeth said before embracing both of her boys.
This display warmed Connor’s half-drunk heart. He suddenly wished Travis wasn’t in dream world. This display of affection between his three friends wasn’t anything new, they had been inseparable ever since their first quest but it just felt so raw and intimate like they would die for each other as if that would be the greatest honor they could ever achieve.
Connor was only really close to Annabeth because of well, Luke. She was at the Hermes Cabin all the time back in the day, and they got along well grinning at each other with missing teeth.
Finally, Annabeth noticed him and smiled. “Hey idiot.”
“Hey yourself, Chase.”
Annabeth stuck her tongue out, teasing but moved to give him a hug. Connor complied, albeit a little stiff. Maybe he should watch the alcohol tonight because why was he feeling butterflies? He hoped she didn’t notice.
Annabeth pulled away, still smiling. “I’m guessing Trav is missing Katie?”
“She’s literally outside with Rachel, Lace and Piper playing checkers.”
“Oh, that’s where they are?” Annabeth spoke. “Well, I better say hi. Can’t wait for the bonfire. Did you bring the speaker?”
“Of course.” Connor pointed at the girls outside smirking. “I had never gonna give you up bass boosted 10x on shuffle when I gave it to them and let’s just say, they weren’t happy about it.”
Annabeth rolled her eyes. “I should have warned them about you.”
“Well, they know now.” Connor let out.
“Idiot.”
“Sunsh-Annabeth.”
Fuck. Connor had almost called her ‘sunshine’, something he used to do long ago… in front of her boyfriend.
Annabeth raised an eyebrow. “What? My hair ain’t sunshine enough for you anymore?”
“Sorry…”
“Don’t be.” Annabeth hugged him again.
“Alright, I’m gonna say hi to the ladies.” She said pulling away. “Stay out of trouble boys.”
“Yes maa’m.” Percy, Grover and Connor let out together.
She smiled, satisfied. Then made her way back to Percy and kissed him.
“I think I’m gonna get a few shots in tonight…” She asked pulling away. “That okay with you?”
“Don’t need to ask.” Percy murmured.
“I love you.”
“Love you too.”
“Love you three.” Grover chimed in.
“Love you two as in, the number two.” Annabeth smiled at him. “Well, I’ll call you guys once the bonfire’s ready.”
And with that, she was out. He watched as she made her way to her friends who greeted her happily. Squealing like girls do when they see each other, not boys though… They fall into an awkward silence as if there is an elephant in the room.
“You can hug her you know…” Percy sighed breaking the silence. “I won’t throw you in the ocean for hugging your childhood friend.”
Grover stopped chewing on the cans, and suddenly looked like he wanted to be anywhere but here. Connor felt like the air had left the room. Something about the tone and the almost amused expression on Percy’s face told him that not only did he know. He knew.
“W-what?” Connor tried.
“You tell me.” Percy raised an eyebrow.
Connor forgot how to breathe for a second. How long had he known? It looked like Grover had an idea of what’s going on as well and gods…Had they talked about this before? Was Connor like gossip for them? The loser obsessed with our girl? Or something.
Connor exhaled. “You know.”
Percy gave him an unimpressed look. “I know? Con, I wrote the fucking script.”
Grover snorted, earning him a glare. “What? I had to suffer through that script for four fucking years.”
Connor felt like he had to apologize. Even though he hadn’t really done anything wrong, right? He respected their relationship and had no plans of harming it but knowing that he knew made him feel so stupid.
“I’m sorry man, I’d never do anything to disrespect your relationship. I hope you know that.”
“I know.” Percy smiled at him. “Seriously, its fine. I trust you and I trust that she’s your friend before anything.”
“Of course. I- I’m over it.” Percy raised an eyebrow at that. “Its true! It just… It gets awkward sometimes but I swear I’m over it.”
“I think both you and I know that Annabeth Chase isn’t someone you just get over.” Percy told him. “I tried my darndest that summer man.”
“It was hard. I’m not gonna lie about that but…” Connor said. “I don’t know… Maybe some part of me will never quite… you know? But I swear to you that both of you are my good friends and I’m very happy for you guys.”
Percy nodded. “Well, that’s that then. I’m glad we had this conversation because… there was just this air of discomfort sometimes, right?”
“Yeah… I get what you mean.” Connor tried for a small smile.
Percy patted him gently on the shoulder. “Hey, I didn’t do this to make you feel bad, okay?”
“I know…”
“I just… I couldn’t bare to be the reason for her losing another one of her friends.” Percy looked down.
“Percy…” Grover made his way to him. “Hey, what did we say about-”
“-Not blaming myself for things out of my control… yeah I know, I just…” Percy’s voice was tinier than Connor had ever heard from him. “The last thing I want is for her to not have people she can depend upon, gods know enough have given her a reason not to.”
Connor’s heart broke seeing him like this. The most accomplished demigod in over a millennia and potentially all time, but all he really cared about was seeing his girl happy. He couldn’t be happier for Annabeth, he could have never given her what Percy can and does every single second of his life and maybe, that was the last bit of closure he would ever need.
Grover gently put his arm around his shoulder. “We will always be here for her. And so will all of our friends, right Connor?”
“Right.” Connor agreed. “We look out for each other man, nothing is ever changing that.”
Percy smiled at him. “I always thought you were cool Con, I hope you didn’t want to strangle me too much back in 09’”
“I never wanted to strangle you…” Connor laughed.
“Well, that makes one of us.” Percy let out.
“Really? I knew you were jealous.” Connor smirked at him. “Annabeth knew what she was doing.”
Percy raised an eyebrow, amused. “She told you to spend time with her so that I get jealous?”
“Don’t flatter yourself too much Jackson.” Connor said. “She never said that, or spent time with me just to get you jealous but subconsciously? I think a part of her knew that would get your attention.”
“Well, It definitely did.” Percy murmured.
“It is genuinely fascinating how easier it would have been if you guys just… communicated like normal people.”
“That was never their style.” Grover snorted. “They instead came to me separately just to bitch about the other and then I had to pretend like I don’t know how badly they wanted to shove their tongues down each other’s throa-”
“Okay!” Percy’s cheeks reddened. “Gods, G-man.”
“All I’m gonna say Perce is that you guys are gross, and I get making up for lost time and all, but did you have to make out in front of Junie’s family?”
“I didn’t know that was her mothers’ tree!”
“She was traumatized!”
“It was just kissing-“
“Annabeth had her hand inside your pa-”
“And I’m stopping you right there.” Connor cut him off just in time.
“Thank you!” Percy yelled in relief.
“You guys sure know how to let someone sleep.” Travis groaned in annoyance as he got up. “I feel like shit.”
“I told you to wait.”
“Fuck that.” Travis ignored him. “Marshmallow time?”
The speaker played Till Then by the mills, a 50s oldie. Courtesy of growing up in a camp that only ever had Chiron’s record collection on replay. You get used to the oldies and by the time you’re 20, you stop pretending like you don’t love it.
A mildly drunk and half-asleep Annabeth sat on Percy’s lap, with her head laid on his chest and his arms around her. Grover sat right next to them with Annabeth’s legs on his lap. They knew who’s boss alright.
Travis and Katie were slow-dancing, as he repeated the lyrics with questionable accuracy.
“Annabeth!” Piper exclaimed. “You can’t go to sleep girl! We have like two bottles to finish.”
“We? Piper, you aren’t drinking another drop.” Rachel spoke firmly.
“But-”
“She’s right Pipes, you really need to cut the alcohol down.” Annabeth told her.
“You guys are no fun…” Piper murmured. “…Can I have some more marshmallows at least?”
“As many as you’d like.”
“Thanks…” Piper let out.
Connor chuckled at the scene, Piper being an alcoholic was not something he had imagined. It is nice that her friends kept her in check though.
“’m gonna sleep.” Connor heard Annabeth whisper as she pressed a kiss to Percy’s neck.
“Rough day at work?” Percy asked.
“Tell you tomorrow?”
“Whatever you want baby.”
Annabeth smiled at him as Percy kissed her goodnight. However, it seemed like someone next to them had beaten her to it. Grover was out.
“He looks so cute like this.” Annabeth murmured.
“I do wish we could see him more you know…”
“Me too.”
“Wanna annoy him?” Percy smirked mischievously.
“He gets cranky…”
“Like that stopped us before.”
“We are a menace.” Annabeth sighed. “Connor?”
“Yeah?” Connor looked at her.
“Play Never gonna Give you up bass boosted audio 10x.”