Y/n and Percy Jackson

Flirting under fire

Flirting Under Fire

The sun was setting over Camp Half-Blood, painting the sky in hues of orange and pink. Percy and Y/N were sitting on the edge of the canoe lake, their feet dangling over the dock. The water reflected the fading light, rippling gently whenever Percy unconsciously tapped his foot against the surface.

Y/N smirked at him, leaning back on their hands. "So, tell me, Seaweed Brain—are you always this clumsy, or is it just when you're trying to show off?"

Percy's cheeks flushed slightly, but he rolled his eyes in mock annoyance. "Oh, I'm sorry, did I trip over a heroic sacrifice last week, or was that just my imagination?"

Y/N laughed, leaning in closer. "Heroic sacrifice? Please, you almost fell off the climbing wall because you were too busy staring at that harpy."

"I was not staring!" Percy shot back, his voice defensive but his grin giving him away. "Besides, you're one to talk. I distinctly remember you falling flat on your face during sword training last week."

Y/N raised an eyebrow, their voice dripping with faux seriousness. "I didn't fall. I was demonstrating a very advanced tactic. You wouldn't understand."

"Oh, right. The 'trip-on-air-and-pray-your-opponent-laughs-so-you-can-win' technique? That one?"

The two burst into laughter, their banter dissolving into a comfortable rhythm. Percy leaned closer, brushing his shoulder against Y/N's. "You know, for someone who claims to be so great at strategy, you're kind of terrible at hiding how much you like me."

Y/N blinked in mock offense, though their smile betrayed them. "Me? Like you? That's funny, because I was just about to say the same thing about you."

They were so caught up in their playful back-and-forth that neither noticed Annabeth approaching, her arms crossed and her trademark raised eyebrow already in place.

"Okay, stop flirting," she interrupted, her tone exasperated but not unkind.

Percy and Y/N whipped around to look at her, both of their faces heating up instantly.

"We're not—" Percy started, but Annabeth cut him off with a pointed glare.

"Save it, Jackson. You two are about as subtle as Dionysus at a wine convention. It's unbearable." She rolled her eyes, though a small smile tugged at her lips.

Before either Percy or Y/N could stammer out a defense, Luke sauntered over, hands in his pockets and an amused smirk plastered on his face.

"Annabeth," he said, drawing out her name, "how about you let the lovebirds be? You're ruining the vibe."

Annabeth shot him a look of disbelief. "I'm ruining the vibe? Have you been watching this trainwreck? It's painful."

Luke shrugged, clearly enjoying himself. "Painful? Nah. It's kind of cute. Like watching a baby Pegasus try to fly for the first time." He turned to Percy and Y/N, who were both now red as camp strawberries. "Don't mind Annabeth. Keep doing... whatever this is."

Y/N groaned, covering their face with their hands. "Oh my gods, this is so embarrassing."

Percy muttered something incoherent, staring resolutely at the lake as if it could swallow him whole.

Annabeth smirked, finally taking pity on them. "Fine. I'll leave you two alone—for now. Just try to keep it together, okay?"

As she and Luke walked off, Luke called over his shoulder, "But if you two end up dating, remember who saw it coming first!"

Percy and Y/N exchanged mortified glances before bursting into nervous laughter.

"Well," Percy said, rubbing the back of his neck, "that wasn't awkward at all."

"Not at all," Y/N agreed, their voice dripping with sarcasm.

But as the last of the sunlight faded, they found themselves leaning closer again, their smiles just a little softer this time. Maybe Annabeth and Luke weren't entirely wrong.