Stars Crossed, Hearts Entwined Pt.2

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Requested by WillTreaty225
Written by me.
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Where we left:
As they stepped off the stage, hand in hand, Percy couldn’t help but think that maybe, just maybe, there was a little more truth to this act than either of them were willing to admit.
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As they descended from the stage, the laughter and chatter of their friends surrounded them, but for Percy and Annabeth, everything felt muted. The magic of their shared moment lingered in the air, wrapping around them like a warm blanket.

“Hey, you two lovebirds!” Leo called out, his voice teasing and loud. “You’re not supposed to steal the show before opening night. Save some magic for the audience!”

Annabeth rolled her eyes again, but Percy could see the corners of her mouth twitching in amusement. “Don’t let it get to your head, Leo. It was just good acting,” she shot back, a hint of challenge in her tone.

“Sure, let’s call it that,” Jason chimed in, leaning against the wall with a smirk. “Or maybe you two are just too good at this whole star-crossed lovers thing.”

Percy’s heart raced at Jason’s words, his mind still caught in that moment on stage. He had been ready to kiss Annabeth, and the thought alone sent shivers of excitement through him. Was it just the play, or was there something more blooming between them?

As they gathered their things, Thalia nudged him. “You’re not gonna let this go, are you?”

Percy shrugged, trying to play it cool. “What do you mean?”

“You know exactly what I mean,” Thalia said, crossing her arms. “You were practically about to propose out there.”

“Shut up!” Percy shot back, laughter bubbling in his chest, but there was a nervousness lurking beneath his bravado. “It was just a scene!”

“Sure, buddy, just a scene,” Frank added with a grin. “But you both seemed pretty into it.”

“I was just acting!” Annabeth interjected, her cheeks still flushed. But Percy caught a glimpse of her smile, and he knew she wasn’t entirely convinced by her own words.

“Right,” Leo teased, waving his hands dramatically. “Nothing says just acting like almost kissing in front of a whole audience!”

Percy shot Leo a warning glance, but he was too late. The director had overheard and was now giving them the infamous director’s glare, which usually meant some kind of punishment for their silliness.

“Alright, everyone, focus!” she commanded. “We have a show to prepare for. Annabeth, Percy, let’s work on that scene again but try to keep it PG this time.”

As they resumed their positions on stage, Percy’s heart raced. He caught Annabeth’s eye, and a silent understanding passed between them. There was a fine line between performance and reality, and they were teetering on it.

“Places!” the director called again, and the lights dimmed once more.

This time, as the scene unfolded, Percy felt the tension shift. The playful banter from earlier was replaced with a deeper connection, a yearning that couldn’t be scripted. Each line flowed with unspoken feelings, and Percy found himself completely lost in the moment.

“Thou art as glorious as the sun,” he said, stepping closer, his voice low. “What light through yonder window breaks?”

Annabeth’s eyes sparkled, and for a heartbeat, he saw her as Juliet, but also as Annabeth—the girl he cared for deeply. “O Romeo, if thou wilt not leave me, stay, for I shall be thy faithful wife,” she replied, her voice soft yet strong.

The moment hung in the air, heavy and electric, and Percy leaned in closer, their lips mere inches apart. He hesitated, but something in Annabeth’s gaze urged him on.

“Maybe this time…” he whispered, barely audible above the thudding of his heart.

But just as he was about to bridge the gap, a loud crash echoed from the wings, followed by Leo’s shout of, “Oops!”

The moment shattered again, and the cast burst into laughter, breaking the tension that had built. Annabeth stepped back, her cheeks flushed, but there was a light in her eyes that hadn’t been there before.

Once the chaos settled and they resumed rehearsing, Percy felt a mix of frustration and exhilaration. As they moved through the final scenes, he couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was different now. He couldn’t ignore the chemistry; it was palpable.

When rehearsals finally ended, Percy caught Annabeth in the hallway, pulling her aside. “Hey, can we talk?”

She looked at him, curiosity dancing in her eyes. “Sure, what’s up?”

He hesitated, searching for the right words. “About what happened on stage… I mean, it felt different, right?”

Annabeth bit her lip, glancing away. “Yeah, it did. But it was just acting, Percy. We’re friends. We shouldn’t—”

“But what if we’re more than friends?” he interrupted, unable to keep his feelings in any longer. “What if this is our chance to explore something real?”

“You think we should?”

“I do,” he replied, heart racing. “We’ve always had this connection, and I don’t want to pretend anymore. If we could be something more… I’d want that.”

For a moment, silence enveloped them, the world around them fading.

“You know what? I think I’d want that too.”

Percy grinned, feeling like he’d just conquered the greatest monster. “Really?”

“Yeah, but let’s take it slow, okay?” she replied, her voice steady. “We’ve got this whole play to get through, and I don’t want to mess that up.”

“Agreed,” Percy said, relief flooding through him. “But after the play? I think we should definitely figure this out.”

“Definitely,” Annabeth said, her eyes twinkling with mischief. “But just so you know, I’m still going to roast you for that ‘snowflakes’ line.”

Percy laughed, the tension dissipating. “Fair enough. But be prepared for more blizzards, Wise Girl.”

As they walked back towards the rehearsal space, hand in hand, Percy felt a sense of excitement bubbling inside him. They were stepping into uncharted territory, and while it was scary, it also felt right. Their performance was no longer just an act—it was a prelude to something much more significant.

And as they prepared for opening night, Percy knew this was just the beginning of their story.

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