˚ ༘ “You're the closet to heaven, that i’ll ever be. And i don’t wanna go home right now.” ₊˚ˑ༄

You and Percy have always been close in that quiet way. It began your first summer at canoe duty when he splashed you so hard you nearly tipped. He apologized a hundred times, and ever since, you’ve found each other in training, at meals, and in the pauses between.

Now it’s dawn. The lake lies silver in mist as Percy sits on the dock, his bare feet brushing the water, sleeves rolled up, hair damp from an early swim. He flicks smooth stones across the surface, each one dancing before sinking.

You settle beside him. After a moment, he tilts his head and offers you another stone, turning it over in his hand. Your fingers brush his as you take it, and he watches you with a quiet smile.

˚ ༘ “And all i can taste is this moment, and all i can breathe is your life.” ₊˚ˑ༄

You try to flick it like he did, but it plunks straight in. Percy chuckles, nudges your shoulder. “Not as easy as it looks,” he says. “Here—let me show you.” His hands move over yours, he guides your wrist, and together you send the stone skipping three times.

“Not bad, right?” you said. Percy laughs. “You’re getting it. I knew you would.” His gaze meets yours. Soft, wordless, as if you’re the only thing he sees. For a moment, the world falls away, and just this remains.