"the very first night" - [p.jackson one-shots]

'sparks fly'

pairing: percy jackson x reader

wordcount: 1.0K

warnings: percy is hot

"Wait," I hold up both hands and stare in delight at my half-sister. "Beckendorf actually asked you?"

"Yes!" Silena is a flushing mess, sitting cross legged on her bunk as our whole cabin is getting ready for breakfast.

There's a short round of squeals, and I skip over and sit beside her, throwing a playful arm over her shoulder.

"I'm so glad for you," I say, a pleased little smile on my face. Charles Beckendorf, or just Beckendorf, as we all called him, had been the object of Silena's crush for ages. Like, long enough to be frustratingly annoying. But it seems the boy had finally caught on, as he'd just asked her last night to attend the Fourth of July fireworks show on the beach with him. Oh, and by the way, that's like the biggest dating event of the year at Camp.

"Thanks, girl." Silena smiles, and then nudges me knowingly. "Has he asked you yet?"

"Huh?" I play innocent. "Who?"

"Percy Jackson," everyone choruses. Okay, maybe I'm not the subtlest when it comes to liking someone. Everyone knows about it. Except, apparently, Percy.

"No," I say, shrugging. "He probably won't."

"Girl, then you ask him." Lacy throws a pillow at me, which I catch and throw back. She laughs when it hits her and falls to the ground.

"I am not doing that," I say indignantly.

"Why not?" Delia chirps up. "Girls can do the asking, that's not even weird these days."

"I know that," I argue. "I just like the traditional ways. Boys ask."

Delia shrugs. "Okay, whatever. Just don't be surprised if you end up going to the fireworks alone."

I don't answer, just shrug on my pink jacket and head to the dining hall for breakfast.

I wasn't surprised when Percy ended up finding me later that morning, sitting on the canoe lake pier and gazing out into the sparkling water.

"Hey, you," he says easily, swinging himself down to sit beside me, our legs dangling. I notice that we're both wearing our converse today. No surprise there in my case; I'm always wearing mine. They're old and battered and doodled on to death, but they're my comfort shoes. Percy's are blue, naturally, and slightly less worn out.

"Hey," I say back, nudging my best friend's shoulder good-naturedly. "Where were you at breakfast? Didn't see you."

Percy shrugs, his sea green eyes fixed solidly on the water. His eyes are just as sparkly as it is.

"Yeah, sorry, I, um. Slept in." Percy runs his hand through his dark hair, messing it up even more than it already was.

I raise an eyebrow. "Slept in? Dude. Come on, what's really up?"

Percy kind of half laughs. "Okay, yeah. I wasn't asleep. I didn't sleep much at all last night, actually. I was... thinking about something."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

I wait, but Percy doesn't seem to wait to elaborate. "Cool. Well, anyway, the fireworks are tonight."

"You excited?"

"Of course I am excited," I say, giving him a smile. "I love the fireworks show. And, Nyssa told me it's their best display yet this year. I can't wait."

Percy is quiet, his gaze still lingering on the water. "Hey, y/n?"

"Mm?" I reply, my gaze still lingering on him, as it always seems to.

"Are you going with anyone tonight?"

I hesitate, my heart pounding. "You mean like on a date?"

"Yeah," Percy says, his voice hushed. He finally meets my eyes.

"No," I whisper, shaking my head. "Not yet."

Percy stares at me for a second, seemingly trying to form the words. Gods, he's such an awkward idiot.

Finally, he pushes out a stumbling, "Will you go with me?"

"Yes," I say immediately. "Absolutely, yes."

"Yeah?" Percy looks surprised, which makes me laugh.

"Yes," I repeat, reaching over and lacing our fingers together. "I wouldn't want to go with anyone else."

Percy half smiles, and half laughs, and says, "And here I was, all scared and nervous about asking you."

I nudge him playfully, squeezing his hand. "Don't be silly."

There are campers everywhere, on picnic blankets and deck chairs and towels, or just simply sitting on the sand. Most people are paired off in couples, and for the first year of my life, so am I.

Percy runs over to me, a stupid grin on his face. His dark hair is messy and windswept, like he's been running on the beach for hours.

"Hey, you," he says, arriving at my side, a little breathless. He laces his fingers easily through mine, and I'd be lying if I said my heart didn't speed up, the heat spreading to my cheeks.

"Hi," I say back, suddenly shy in his presence. Which is ridiculous. We've been the bestest of friends for years, why am I suddenly nervous now?

I know why.

It's because I'm hyper aware of the fact that before this moment, I've never had to worry about the fact that any second, Percy might kiss me.

"Come on." He tugs on my arm gently, leading me through the crowd, until we reach a blue and white checked picnic blanket. Percy has brought strawberries, chocolate, and a six pack of Coke cans. I turn, and his glittering sea green eyes are staring into mine, a little nervous.

"Is it okay?" he asks softly. "I've never taken anyone on a date before."

My heart swells with love and gratitude and pure, pure joy. "Percy, gods, it's perfect. You're perfect."

His face breaks into the biggest smile, and I swear, he's never looked more attractive than right now.

"Gods, I could kiss you right now," he says, then flushes awkwardly. "I—I mean—"

"Do it," I whisper, cutting him off.

"Huh?" Percy looks at me, mostly confused.

"Kiss me," I reply, my heart beating fast. Where is all this bravery coming from? Inside, I'm a nervous mess of emotions.

"Okay." Percy grins, and doesn't hesitate to pull me towards him, his mouth on mine without a second to lose.

Would it be incredibly cliché to say that sparks flew as we kissed? Yes, it would be. But it's true. Literally. Because at that exact second, the fireworks display began, explosions of gorgeous colours lighting up the sky around him, so my first kiss was kind of insanely unforgettable.