★・My Praetor・★ (fem!oc X character)

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒐𝒖𝒓

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(Previously on Chapter Three, where Reyna promises to not hide anything from Cinder. But she asks for Cinder to do the same, also, the pet name! Of course, platonic for now. There will be angst, kinda? Idk, but there will be phrases that may or may not trigger.)

*(3rd person POV)*

As Reyna and Cinder separate from their embracing moment, they swiftly go back to the Mess Hall. Everything seemed fine, and the two didn't seem much different. Scratch that, Cinder actually seemed much more happier. Piper and Annabeth instantly scooted next to Cinder and bombarded her with questions, keeping their voices hushed.

"So? What was that? Did you two fight? Probably not, you seem.. happy." Piper whispers with a concerned look, but it faded at Cinder's expression. Annabeth nodded.

"Yea, Cin. What happened? Did something happen? Did you guys-" Before Annabeth could finish, Cinder put her hand over Annabeth's mouth. Cinder whispered to both of them with a small smile.

"Can I speak now? Okay, we just cleared up a few things. That's all, nothing bad happened. And before you ask, no. We did not kiss. We're just friends." Cinder retorted at Piper who had a knowing look, Annabeth seemed relieved.

"Thank the gods, we thought you'd be at each other's throats after the tension. So, no more 'Mi amor'? I mean, she didn't call you that on purpose." Annabeth sighed while asking the question, seeming curious. Piper was looked as if she was hoping Cinder would say no, Cinder hesitated for a moment. But eventually, she shook her head. Piper and Annabeth gasped softly, Piper squealing.

"Chill out! I mean, you can call friends that.. right? I mean, I call you two 'Công chúa' all the time so.." (The term I used it a Vietnamese term, meaning "princess" if I remember correctly.) Cinder didn't seem to think it was anything more than a friendly gesture, Piper and Annabeth shared a 'She's hopeless' look before then looking at Cinder with a raised eyebrow.

"Cinder, nobody calls their friends 'my love'. She even said it in Spanish! We all know you fall for people who can speak a different language." Annabeth whispered with a matter-of-fact voice, Piper giggled at the last sentence as Cinder flushed.

"Okay okay, so maybe it's not that. But it's not gonna happen. Reyna's a praetor, I'm just.. me." Cinder whispered with nonchalant voice, shrugging slightly. Piper and Annabeth seemed worried but decided to drop it for now. The boys seemed clueless, they'll tell them later.

 Cinder kept trying to hide her eyes, but one of her best friends, Nico, grumbled and pulled the hair out of her eyes. He spoke with a low and tired voice, "Cin. My sister gave you that haircut for a reason, just show your eyes." Nico was giving her tough love, Cinder knew this, but still; Cinder flinched at the force, Reyna saw this, giving a cold glare at Nico. Nico sighed and softened his voice, "It's okay, Cin.. nobody is going to say anything but compliments. Trust me, okay..?" Cinder hummed and nodded, letting them show. Reyna's glare almost instantly faded and softened, making Piper and Leo start to get ideas. Grover was making bets with Percy, and hell- even Nico knew it was obvious.

"Why do you even hide them so much? Nobody's gonna bully you." Percy said with an eye roll, Annabeth kicked his shin and he yelped. Jason spoke up too. "No no, he's got a point. Why do you hide them? My eyes are blue, so what?" Hazel groans and rolls her eyes, mouthing the words 'boys suck' to the girls, they all gave a smirk and chuckle, all except Cinder.

"Y'know, it's nice and all to get a haircut, but I have my reasons to hide them other than the fact I got bullied." Cinder says with a huff, crossing her arms. Everyone now faced her, Percy waved his hand as if to say 'Continue' and Cinder looked ant everyone offended. "Wha- I'm not going to actually say it! It's- personal. Can't you accept that?" Cinder spoke with a curt voice.