Mortals Meet Demigods and One-Shots (No Mist)

Operation Tratie

Hey Guys! Sorry for the wait. This one-shot was actually written to be a part of a Riordanverse one-shot war hosted by Pansexual_Dragon Enjoy!

Connor Stoll was tired of it. Watching his brother trail behind Katie Gardner like a lovesick puppy then returning back the Cabin 11 moping about her obliviousness was exhausting and he had had enough. They were the Stoll brothers for gods sakes! Charm was practically their middle name. It was a good thing Conner was the son of the god of tricksters because he had a plan.

Miranda Gardiner was tired of the sleepless nights filled with Katie's ranting, blushing and screaming. A lot of screaming. So when Connor approached her, she was more than happy to help.

Operation Tratie was a go.

Now, Conner's carefully thought out plan relied on three things going right. The first part was already set as Katie- as much as she would deny it- knew Travis's schedule by heart. This meant she knew that every morning he woke up early to prank her, meaning he was out of the cabin. Then, Conner had to convince Travis not to go out and set up said prank. These were easy. The harder task went to Miranda as she had to convince Katie to go to the Hermes cabin and ask Conner for advice. If Travis has half a brain and takes the bait like Conner knew he would, everything would fall into place.

Conner woke up the next day to an abundance of noise as Travis rushed around the councillors room, grabbing supplies for his latest prank on the Demeter cabin. He sat up in his bunk, relived that the ruckus gave him an excuse to be awake much earlier than usual.

He grumbled a good morning and was greeted with Travis's smirk as he held up a knotted piece of rope triumphantly and explained his latest idea to prank Katie.

" Hey man, mind if I set up the prank today? "

Travis peered at him suspiciously.

" We both know I'm the stealthier brother which you'll need to pull this off " He explained with a smirk " And we couldn't have you getting distracted by a certain daughter of Demeter now, could we? "

I guess he deserved the book that was thrown at his head.

Nevertheless, Travis handed him the rope and ushered him out the door, giving some impressive details about Katie and her sleep schedule, all of which did nothing for the teasing nor Travis's blushing face. In the end, Conner walked out of Cabin 11 feeling victorious and hoping Miranda was going as well as he was.

Step 2 was complete.

Miranda had started to put her plan into action as soon as she saw Conner walk out of his Cabin. The task proved easier than expected as Katie was already thinking of approaching Conner for advice. The script Miranda had rehearsed was quickly dropped as her reasons on why Katie should go was no longer needed. The argument she had envisioned turned more into a heart-to-heart conversation for the sisters, steeling Katie's nerves. After a quick hug and words of encouragement, Katie walked out of cabin four.

Step 3 was complete. Now the fun began.

Katie walked up the worn steps up the Hermes Cabin, then back down them, then back up once again. She had just walked down the steps for the fourth time and was about to walk away, the rush of determination she had felt earlier quickly deserting her.

" Katie? "

She turned, just to be met with a pair of azure eyes staring curiously at her.

" What are you doing here? "

She drew in a sharp breath, twisting the end of her brown braid around her finger. It was now or never.

" Listen Conner we need to talk. It's about Travis "

He stared at her for a second as if deciding what to say. For a terrifying second she thought he would laugh at the tremor in her voice, or slam the door in her face.

As she turned to walk away, contemplating why in the right mind she thought a stoll would help her, Conner's voice rang through her ears.

" Hey Katie I'm- " He paused and reconsidered his words before shaking his head and running his hands through his auburn curls in a freakishly Travis like gesture " Come inside "

The Hermes cabin was messy as usual, younger demigods running to and fro around the crowded space. Older children of the messenger god sat on bunks, preparing for their next activity which seemed to be archery.

One dusty spot in the corner caught her eye as she remembered spending her first nights as a demigod there. She remembered Luke promising a young, scared version of herself that it would all be okay and after all the promises he had broken in the past, Katie had a feeling this would be one he could keep.

Conner sat on the bottom of the farthest bunk, motioning for her to take the seat beside him. She obliged, ignoring the nagging feeling that something was wrong with the action.

" So, what's up? " He asked, twisting the silver ring on his finger.

Katie took a deep breath, resisting the urge to tug at her braids. " I think I like Travis "

Conner's head whipped around. To be honest, she had thought he had known about her crush- if the constant teasing and jokes were anything to go by. But judging from his shocked expression and bewildered stare, he was just as oblivious as his brother.

Her gaze refocused on her running shoes.

" I know it's stupid because we're like enemies and stuff but- "

She looked over and saw his teasing smirk.

" You're laughing at me " She complained

" I am not! "

They both chuckled and Katie shook her head. " Okay, we are not recreating that Percabeth scene."

Their eyes met

" But seriously. How do you think I should tell him? "

Conner reached for her hand, eyes conflicted. " Katie I- "

That's when she saw it. There was a small bruise on the top of his hand and just like that, everything clicked into place. The bruise. His silver ring. The bottom bunk.

Travis slept on the top bunk.

Katie stumbled back. " You're not Travis "

Travis's smirk grew " Took you long enough Katie-Kat "

She turned to run, both from embarrassment and fear; not wanting to see his face when he inevitably rejected her.

" I like you too Kates " He whispered, stopping her in her tracks.

Blue pierced green as she turned and it was pretty much the best cabin kiss of all time.

Gods, I love Tratie so much. Seriously adorable.

To everyone living through 2021, lets hope this year is better than last year! Cheers to staying safe 💜

- Daughter Of Athena 8527 <3