Reading is Fundamental

VIII - Percy - Nice and Scenic

I know I said I'd only be late if I died, but tbf I did get the second shot and that, death, same thing really

Warning: Crass language, Discussion of underage drug use, Drug use, Child abuse

A thought popped into Percy's head, and he smirked. "Hey," he whispered, poking the other's knee with his foot, "did you and Angel ever get together?" Elton had a huge crush on her growing up. The alleyway had been all over it, one of the few things they could truly enjoy. Angel knew, of course, but it didn't bother her. There was a five year age gap. He hadn't stood a chance.

"Shut up," he said, blushing lightly.

Percy laughed. There was a moment of comfortable silence.

"So Annabeth doesn't know about all of this?" Elton asked.

He sighed and shook his head. "No, I haven't told her."

Will looked at him. "I really think she'd like to know."

"I know she would," Percy said, "just- I don't know if I'm ready to tell her. Like, would you tell your girlfriend?"

As the question turned on him, Elton looked uncomfortable. He glared weakly at him. "Why do you assume it's a girlfriend?" he asked. "What if I want a boyfriend? That's queer erasure."

Percy rolled his eyes. They both knew he wasn't prejudiced. "Fine, your girlfriend or boyfriend," he amended. "Would you tell them?"

Will hesitated. He squirmed under the attention. "I don't know, man."

"Like-" Percy said, he picked through the crowd, "like if you were to get with Drew."

Elton made a face.

"What?" he asked. "Are you not into girls?"

"No, I am- I'm bi, actually. Just," he winced, "not Drew. She's not my type."

"Too preppy?" Percy suggested. Elton shrugged. "Alright then," he said, "if you were with Jason-"

"Jason?" he repeated.

"Yeah," Percy said. He looked at his friend knowingly. "What, you trying to tell me you wouldn't hit that?"

Elton stared at the teen. Jason was laughing at something Leo said, smiling like there was nothing wrong in the world. "Yeah," he admitted, "I would."

"See?" Percy said.

Will looked over at him. "Would you?" he asked.

Percy guffawed. "No!" he whisper-yelled, "dude, he's my cousin."

"Aww, come on," Elton poked, "Greek stuff don't count."

He looked at the son of Zeus. As if he felt his gaze, Jason looked back at them. Will ducked his head in embarrassment. Percy waved. "Yeah," he said, dismissing his cousin's silent questions with a few gestures, "I'd tap that."

Elton chortled. "So what are you then, bi?"

"I don't know," he said. He'd never really thought about it too much. "I just like people. So, pan, I guess?"

Before either of them could say anything more, footsteps approached. Percy glanced up, and immediately shrunk back. Annabeth.

Thankfully, instead of immediately confronting him, the daughter of Athena just sat down beside him.

There was a moment of quiet before Elton leaned in to ask a question. "Do you want to go to another room or something before we do this?" he whispered.

Percy shook his head. "No, I-" he sighed. "I need to be here."

Elton watched him, and nodded. "If you're sure."