Can Be Both (A Percabeth AU)

Chapter 3

Percy's stayed blissfully unaware of any more AnnabethandLuke-related drama, but it doesn't last long. To be exact, it lasts three days.

Surprisingly, Luke approaches him in the hallway on a day Annabeth's stayed home with a migraine. Percy's a little worried, but she's been texting him on and off out of boredom, so he's getting his updates. He's using his full body weight to close his locker enough to slip the lock on when Luke taps his shoulder.

Percy secures the lock, breathing out a sigh of relief. So it seems his locker is a little full. He and Annabeth will clean it out during lunch sometime next week, hopefully. She's good at organizing. "How can I help you, Luke?" Percy questions, clapping him on the back. He and Luke have always been cordial, but Luke's displayed hostility, being distinctly cold at times. The black-haired boy has yet to figure out the root of that.

"Annabeth's not here and she won't text me back," Luke admits, a little sheepishly. "Have you heard anything?"

Percy feels guilty, even if he's not the one avoiding his boyfriend of six years. "She told me pretty early this morning that she has a migraine," he says, omitting a little bit of truth. "Probably napping or staying away from bright screens."

Luke nods immediately, like he understands, but his expression clouds over. "Um, has she mentioned anything to you? About me?"

Percy starts down the hallway, heading for his English class, rubbing his arm uncomfortably. "There's kind of a best friends agreement in there somewhere. I wouldn't feel right if I told."

This makes Luke scowl, but Percy knows he's made the right decision. He shouldn't be the one telling Luke how Annabeth feels. "Right." He clears his throat, though it sounds more like a grunt of annoyance. It probably is. "She told me she went over to yours a few days ago?"

Percy's eyebrows knit together, but he nods. "Yeah," he drawls, shrugging. "She comes over all the time."

Luke laughs without humour. "I guess I'm not asking the right question, then. I'm actually more wondering if you guys have been… you know."

His eyebrows raise now, a laugh falling out of his mouth without his permission. "Oh God, no."

"No?"

Percy shakes his head, chuckling again. "Dude, no way. What made you think that?"

Luke looks a little embarrassed now, but he breathes out a sigh of relief. "I don't know. I know she's not like that, she would never. And I trust her," he says lightly, "but lately she's been kind of clinging to you and not so much me."

Sympathetically, Percy pats his back. "I'd talk to her. But I can promise we haven't been going behind your back and doing anything. We aren't really like that. Besides, even if Annabeth wanted to—and I can assure you she doesn't—I would make sure that we didn't. Cheating's not right."

The blonde-haired boy looks no less confused than when the conversation started. "Yeah, thanks. It means a lot. That you look out for her." Luke glances away. "Even if I wish she would let me do that more often."

Percy grimaces. "You know how she can be. Independent and all that."

"Yeah, but the same rules never apply to you," Luke almost spits, frustrated. "Like, she 'doesn't want to talk', but she can still call you. Or she 'wants to be alone', but doesn't mind going over to your house for a few hours."

Reaching out for the door handle, Percy gives a fleeting look over his shoulder. "Best friends are different than boyfriends. And you should talk to her, really. I can't tell you any more than she can."

Luke still looks peeved, huffing a little. "Yeah, alright."

"I'm sorry, man," Percy offers. "Best of luck."

When he's sat at his desk, he pulls his phone out and reads the messages that had buzzed through during his conversation with Luke.

Annabeth: i'mmdmm sooosso boredndc

Annabeth: luke keeps texting me and I don't know what to say

Annabeth: I'm just going to reply

Annabeth: can you get my homework for me?

Percy sighs. He hates being in the crossfire, but she's his best friend. He'd stand in the crossfires for an eternity if he had to.

Percy: i would definitely answer him because he's upset

Percy: as in upset enough to approach me and ask about you

Percy: he also thought we were 'doing things' ?/

Annabeth: oh god

Annabeth: WAIT WHAT

Percy huffs out a laugh, conjuring up Annabeth's half-amused and half-appalled expression, but the ringing bell drowns out the sound. He sends Annabeth a final text to let her know he's in class and that he'll see her soon.