Stealing Your Heart

The Hesit || I

I hope you'll enjoy

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Malcolm was looking for the Stoll brothers, his irritation barely contained. They had stolen the blueprints he and Katie had been working on for three decades. As he scanned the camp, the brothers were perched on a high tree branch, sitting opposite from each other, watching Malcolm's frantic search below. Travis tried not to laugh. It had been his idea to steal the blueprints in the first place, a classic Hermes cabin prank. Connor had been hesitant, but in the end, he agreed because, well, Travis was his older brother.

**10 Minutes Ago:**

Travis and Connor sneaked out of the Hermes cabin, moving with the stealth they had mastered over the years. They tiptoed to the Athena cabin, where the prized blueprints were kept. Travis peeked inside to ensure Malcolm wasn't around. Finding the coast clear, they slipped inside and grabbed the rolled-up blueprints from Malcolm's desk. Just as they were about to make their escape, the door to the bathroom opened and Malcolm stepped out. The brothers exchanged a glance and bolted, racing away with Malcolm shouting after them.

**Now:**

Malcolm took his glasses off and ran his hands through his curly blonde hair, a frustrated sigh escaping his lips. He put his glasses back on and resumed his search, muttering under his breath about the Stolls' mischievousness. They had to be somewhere nearby, enjoying their victory.

As Malcolm continued to search, Connor shifted uncomfortably on the tree branch. He could see the frustration etched on Malcolm's face and felt a pang of guilt. It was supposed to be a harmless prank, but seeing Malcolm so upset was making him second-guess their actions. Travis, on the other hand, was enjoying the show.

"Relax, little bro," Travis whispered. "He'll find them eventually. It's all in good fun."

Connor nodded, but his eyes remained on Malcolm. There was something about the way Malcolm looked, with his determined expression and tousled hair, that made Connor's heart beat a little faster. He tried to shake off the feeling, attributing it to the adrenaline of the prank.

Malcolm, meanwhile, was methodically checking every possible hiding spot. He knew the Stolls were clever, but he was determined to outsmart them. As he circled back toward the cabins, he spotted a familiar tuft of brown hair among the leaves of an oak tree.

"There you are!" Malcolm called out, pointing up at the tree.

Travis and Connor exchanged a look of mock surprise, but before they could react, Malcolm began climbing the tree with surprising agility.

"Uh, Trav, I think he's serious," Connor muttered, a note of panic in his voice.

"Relax," Travis said, though he started inching along the branch to get away from Malcolm's advancing form.

Connor watched as Malcolm climbed closer, a mix of dread and admiration swirling within him. Malcolm's determination was impressive, and there was something undeniably attractive about his focus and strength. Connor shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. Now was not the time to be distracted.

Malcolm reached their branch and balanced himself precariously, his hand outstretched. "Give them back, Travis. This has gone on long enough."

Travis grinned and tossed the blueprints to Connor, who caught them clumsily. "Catch me if you can!" he shouted, leaping to the next branch with the agility of a true Hermes kid.

Malcolm lunged forward, but Connor, in a moment of panic, lost his balance and tumbled off the branch. Time seemed to slow as he fell, his eyes locking with Malcolm's. Without thinking, Malcolm reached out and caught Connor's arm, stopping his fall.