🃏The Prankster & the 'Innocent' 🧠

Chapter 14: Who did it?

(Annabeth)

After weeks to months, I finally finished working on the blueprints for the Hecate cabin. Completely fireproof, waterproof, and Hex-resistant. The last one with the help of Lou Ellen. I let her pick the interior design including the exterior while keeping the same kind of structure as the rest of the cabins.

I pushed my chair away from the desk and whipped a drop of sweat from my forehead. Now that I finished my assignment as the Architect of Camp Half-Blood, What do I do now? If there's nothing to hyper-focus on till completion, What was I to do?

Malcolm had opened the door, he wore an olive green cross-body shoulder bag that was given by Connor.

"Where were you?" I asked curiously as he never told me where was going.

"oh I was with Connor the majority of the day," He said with a smile.

"You kissed him again?" I knew that smile. That smile that develops after every kiss he gives Connor

"Uh-huh" Mal nodded. "on the cheek"

"When will you kiss his lips?" I asked, this felt like a slow-burn that wasn't going anywhere. It was so painfully slow witnessing it.

"But we're just friends?" He said with the most oblivious look known to man. How does a child of the Goddess of Wisdom not realize how oblivious he is to the signs? They were so clueless to each others feelings that when talking with Leo Valdez—A genius with machines but so clueless to human interaction—he asked if the two were dating.

"You know what, never mind," I'm explaining to this airhead.

——— 🃏The next day in the Athena cabin📚———

(Connor)

I sat on Malcolm's bunk while he was in the shower, and Annabeth and I were talking. The conversation died down. I don't know how to...resurrect a conversation that already died down...That's when Annabeth's expression hardened.

"Hey, Connor?" She said. Tension so thick it could cut a slice of loaf of bread. Yeah...that sounded cooler in my head now that I think about it... it was the bread, wasn't it? Not that impressive.

"Yea?" I responded. The anticipation and nerves were noticeable in my voice as the tension hung in the air.

"Do you.." she paused as if carefully picking her words. "Do you know who might have...exposed Malcolm's initial secret?" She referred to when the sudden rumor about his sexuality spread. Her voice was low as if trying to make sure her brother didn't hear.

"No...I've been thinking of that too...But I'm sorry I don't know." I said. The disappointment poured out of her expression.

"Alright...Thanks, Connor," She said with a small disappointed smile. That hurt. The look she gave me. I feel like I saw that smile somewhere... as it reminds me of something..i just can't put my finger on it.

Malcolm got out of the shower, he had a plain shirt and shorts. What caught my attention was his wet hair. So this is what Nico sees in blondes. My cheeks couldn't help but develop a bit of color.

Something about his wet hair and the water dripping down to his glasses was cute. Hot? Maybe both? I thought that 'crush' was just because I didn't have physical touch from those who weren't my siblings. Nope, I'm wrong and it's staying there for a while.

"What?" He raised a brow. curious as to why I was staring at him.

I panicked. "You look like a wet dog," I blurted out before thinking. Bad idea. He laughed. HE FUCKING LAUGHED. I love his laugh. It feels soothing. Like genuine happiness.

Malcolm continued to laugh and intentionally shook his head throwing small droplets of water at me "Hey! Malcolm!" I said shocked by the sudden water attack. I cover my face with a pillow on Malcolm's bunk.

That didn't stop him. He got on top of me pinning me down. I heard the faint voice of Annabeth's laughter in the back. He straddled my hips and removed the pillow. More water dripped down his hair and onto my face "Mal! I'm getting wet!" I managed to squeak out.

"That's the point, Silly!" Malcolm giggled. That sweet giggle made me smile, making me forget all about the water attack. Malcolm noticed my smile and peppered my face in kisses. He kissed my cheek, nose and forehead. I giggled. I wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt so flustered but also loved, Though he probably doesn't feel the same way for me.

The kissing attack continued. Gods, I've never felt better. Nor have I ever felt this way for someone. If only he knew how much this affected me. If only he knew just how much it meant to me. If only he felt the same way. I thought to myself

I couldn't believe someone would hurt this sweet boy, to expose such a vulnerable part of him...For what? Laughs? He wasn't ready to come out. He didn't deserve that. This precious boy didn't deserve any of that.

From what I've heard, no one's been homophobic but everyone's treating this like some drama and not like it's not someone's life. It should've been his choice to come out, Not whoever fucked up person decided to reveal such vulnerability of him. They took his opportunity away. The opportunity to feel welcome and accepted by society. Instead they told everyone without him wanting.I wanna take away the pain he endured over the last few months because some people don't know how to keep their mouths shut or stay out of others' lives. This isn't some fucking storyline you can manipulate to your desire, this is his life. He never deserved this. Nothing he is capable of doing would make it any right for this to happen to him. Not in a million years. I know this boy didn't do anything for him to deserve this.

I hugged him tighter. He never deserved any of this. If I find out who did this, I'll make sure they will NEVER say anything about my sweet boy ever again. A sweet boy they failed to protect from the countless cruel people who never cared to understand him. To use his secrets as content. His softness is a weakness. Just for laughs. Content. Entertainment.

I smile as he puts his head into my chest "Mal, ur still wetting me!" I complain with no meaning to the words.

"Deal with it," he says muttering into my chest.

"This is torture," I said, again with no meaning to the words.

He kissed my cheek again. My cheeks tint and lean into the soft meaningless kiss he gave me. I kissed his head back causing his cheeks to turn into a new shade of pink. He laid down on me like a weighted blanket. "Comfy?" I ask while running my hands through his wet hair. I plant small kisses in his hair

"Mhm," he mumbled. I couldn't help but smile at the slightly tired tone he gave.

"You want me to stay over?" I hoped he would say yes.

"Mhm!" he nodded

"Lemme text, Travis," My smile grew knowing he wanted me to sleep over for the night.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket. I had given Malcolm so much attention I forgot Annabeth was here. Her voice was the reason I acknowledged her again. "You have a phone?" Annabeth said "Aren't they a violation of camp policy due to risk of endangerment?"

"Monsters are attracted to more modern technology and we have the magical force field that will distract them long enough to send a text. I also got the 'okay' from Chiron to have it." I lied about the last part. She won't ask Chiron...Hopefully. I'll worry about that later. Right now I got this precious boy on my chest.

———

AHHHH HIIII!!! I'm soooo sorry about the long...long wait, i will be updating more often. (totally didn't forget my password like 5 times. If those who have been here from the beginning that stayed for the next chapter im soooo freaking sorry 🥀 

i will say the story is supposed to be towards a slowburn. one you can CLEARLY see they have feelings but have their own problems they need to sort out before dating. So we will be going through those problems then the relationship. is u got any questions then ask away 🩷

Happy pride 🏳️‍🌈

- Gaby/Gabi 🩷

P.S this isn't another see you in like another 8 months i promise ill update more often