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multiple times. Multiple. Times. Multiple times the Stolls have pranked the athena cabin. Malcolm could understand why people hated them. More specifically why the athena cabin hated them. Butttt… Malcolm couldn't really hate Connor. Not really.More so the fact he had impending, and dooming feelings he had for him then them being… friends? I mean, yeah he kinda hated having feelings for him, hated the fact that he was literally a mess but perfect in every way, hated loving him, but at the same time, he felt guilty for not wanting to have feelings for him! Not like that would change him liking the boy.Annabeth almost knew immediately, as in like after the manhattan war.Until Percy went missing! but he is fine now and gaeas defeated but…Honestly. Even after the wars Malcolm was still kinda having trouble accepting he literally liked a Stoll. A Stoll. Out of all the people. A STOLL.Ever since Annabeth left for college and he was literally made the cabin counselor, literally everything went wrong.everything. I mean really how do you deal with a very dooming crush on a hermes kid who your cabin is probably known for hating hermes kids in general, apollo de-becoming a literal god. And also being a cabin counselor. (Although it's definitely not worse than most demigod problems, it kinda sucks)Malcolm sighed leaning back in his chair. Connor really was gonna be the death of him. He clicked his pen as he stared at the blue prints laid out in front of him on his desk, he couldn't even finish a blueprint with everything that's happened over like a year. Honestly he couldn't know how Annabeth survived this. It's not even like he had much to do.Katie usually helped him with some of his blueprints, but now she's gone and so is Annabeth off to actually have lives. His thoughts drifted back to a pretty Hermes kid that has definitely lock picked into his mind somehow and stupidly set up his stupid hermes kid annoyingness and made Malcolm actually have a godsdamn crisis.I mean really how can he be so perfect and such a dumbass at the same time. Like really? Is this how Annabeth felt during her years of pining over Percy? Malcolm was surprised Annabeth didn’t get driven insane.Malcolm pushed up his glasses before scooting his chair out from his desk and getting up. Maybe, just maybe, a walk would help clear his mind instead of sitting here all day not getting any work done because of stupid feelings!He pushed his chair in before walking outside the athena cabin and closing the door. Thankfully the coast was clear of a certain brunette.Malcolm stuffed his hands in his pockets before walking off. The dying grass crunched under his feet as he walked on, the coldness was surprisingly harsh. Maybe he should have brought a jacket with him. Stupid thoughts getting distracted. The blonde had ended up humming trying to get rid of those pesky little thoughts away from a certain someone. Although obviously it wasn't working. He grumbled under his breath as his thoughts drifted back to the boy. An image was sitting in his mind of him, his fluffy hair, messy and covering his face with that smirk of his. I mean like, what the fuck? This boy can't stop being so perfect can't he? Gods how he hated him! Looking up at his surroundings it seemed he was near the combat arena. How the hell did his thoughts keep him so caught up that he made it here? Whatever. Malcolm kept walking towards the strawberry fields. But just as he continued walking he heard a certain voice. Godsdammit. He turned to see Connor Stoll waving at him and running over. Fucking hell.
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“Hiya!” Connor grinned at the blonde who blinked and continued walking. “wha- hey! Dont ignore me!” Malcolm scoffed but stopped and looked at him. Connor smiled. “What?” Malcolm sighed, avoiding eye contact. noticeably so. The brunette blinked confused, “Damn why are you acting so depressed i just wanted to say hi!” “Well you've said ‘hi’” Malcolm snapped and turned around again to walk away, that is if Connor didn't grab his wrist. “Seriously you ok?” Malcolm noticed his usual smile was diminishing and his eyes shone with concern. “I mean really, I know you can be mean sometimes but jeez..” He said, trying to lighten the mood.“Just fine Stoll.” Malcolm responded, his tone was not as harsh as before. Connor nodded, before his usual, sly smirk was back on his face. Malcolm couldn't help but smile slightly at the boy. He started walking this time Connor bounced beside him, rambling about something.Malcolm looked at the boy beside him, honestly just being beside him he could feel his cheeks slightly flushing, maybe he could have been staring. Maybe not! Connor smiled at him as they walked. Gods this boy really was gonna be the death of him…Connor blinked as he looked over at Malcolm. Grey eyes shine up at him, honestly he couldn't tell if he was listening or not but he was smiling. Was that a good sign? Surely! Connor smirked at the blonde. “You're staring.” He teased. Malcolm blinked, that smile still on his face. Malcolm looked away, his face flushing red. “Am not.” “Are too!”Malcolm rolled his eyes looking back to where they were going. Connor kept teasing him and soon they reached the strawberry fields. It was empty as expected, Malcolm sat down on the grass, as did Connor. Connor picked up that conversation from earlier. “Are you sure you're okay? your acting weird.”“Im fine” Malcolm rolled his eyes at the question.“Whatever you say, pretty boy.” Connor sighed. Malcolms heart skipped a beat and he could feel his face get slightly hot at the comment. Connor had made multiple ridiculous comments like that before yet every time Malcolm had almost choked on air.Back to his point. Connor would definitely be the death of him if he kept that up. His feelings felt heavy in the cold winter air. He felt like he could hear nothing but his heartbeat and the sound of the brunettes breathing from beside him.Connor turned to him, still smiling yet it was softer as he looked at him. Malcolm turned his head slightly to look back. A small smile was playing on his features. Connor noticed him slightly shivering and he sighed. “And why didn't you bring a jacket?” Malcolm opened his mouth before closing and took a second before speaking. “I got distracted, didn’t think about it. I needed fresh air to get my mind off things.” He shrugged, turning his head back to the strawberry fields. Connor huffed and then Malcolm noticed Connor holding out his own jacket to him. It took a second to process.“What?” He blinked. Connor sighed, “Put it on.” He rolled his playfully eyes at the confusion. “But it's yours?” Malcolm looked up from the blueish grey jacket to him. “Was that an insult? And besides, I don't get cold easily, you are literally shivering. Put it on.” The brunette set the jacket in Malcolms lap and turned back to the fields in front of them.Malcolm hesitated but slipped it on anyway. His face felt warm, and was most definitely red. Surprisingly the jacket was warm and comfortable from the slightly fuzzy inside. It made his insides feel fuzzy. His head was clouded with the scent of candy, most definitely from the jacket The blonde felt his face warm up more slightly as he turned his head away, yet he felt the Brunettes gaze on him. He hummed in response before turning his head back to Connor. He was smirking yet his eyebrows were knit together. He leaned in slightly “You're red, do you have a fever Malc?” Connor teased. Malcolm rolled his eyes and leaned back. Connor let out a small laugh and leaned back to his original position. Malcolms smile widened slightly at the laugh. He couldn't even feel the cold anymore. Not really. They settled back into comfortable silence. Trees were swaying back and forth in the slight distance under the cool winter breeze, The strawberry bushes also swayed slightly. The sun was on the crest of dusk. They sat there for a bit, silently enjoying each other's presence. Then Malcolms felt a weight on his shoulder and turned his head slightly to see a brunette tuft of hair on his shoulder.His breath hitched slightly. Connor giggled when Malcolm froze. Malcolm rolled his eyes and continued sitting there before leaning his head on Connors, before closing his eyes. He heard Connors' breaths even out as the boy had fallen asleep. Malcolm smiled. They'll wake up in time for dinner. Probably.
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They did not wake up in time. Atleast, Malcolm didn’t. Connors' eyes fluttered open, processing waking up. He was looking up at the sky from the ground. The brunette groggily sat up and looked around. He was outside near the strawberry fields. It seemed he had fallen asleep. Connor blinked and looked beside him on the ground to see a certain blonde still asleep.Connor couldn't help but smile at the sight of the boy. He was laying on his back, glasses crooked and eyes closed. His hair was slightly messy, and he was still in Connors jacket. He looked cute. Connors smile widened. He looked up at the sky, Dinner probably had just started, giving the sky and no campers were in sight. Connor turned back to Malcolm, he was slightly surprised to see him still asleep since the horn had been called. One more thing that surprised him about the blonde. Connor shook his head letting out a slight laugh. He should probably bring the boy back to his cabin. I mean he didn't want Malcolm to freeze. Connor stood up, stretching before kneeling and scooping the other boy up. The blonde made a noise and Connor froze slightly. Malcolm didn't wake up. The brunette blinked and stood up, before walking off to the cabins.The blonde looked so peaceful in his sleep compared to his more tense, awake, self. His cheeks were tinged red from the cold. Connor had always liked Malcolm. He might've been snappy and probably hated him before he started tolerating him. But Connor didn't really care.Ever since Travis left for college he had to become more independent and not so attached to him since… well he left, but Malcolm had somewhat helped those less independent traits come out. Somehow.And honestly Connor just felt more himself, less codependent, more like his own person. And having a closer friend seemed to help that as well. But then he started developing feelings. yeah…..He continued walking, not seeing anyone along the camp really. Eventually he made it to the Athena cabin and pushed open the door. It was empty. Connor blinked a bit before walking in and walking over to Malcolms bunk. leaning down and setting the boy on the bed. Connor smiled at the peacefully sleeping boy before walking out, heading to the pavilion.
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They were laughing. They.were.all.laughing. At him nonetheless. Not with him. At him.
His sight had blurred with tears threatening to spill over. His eyes burned with the threat of crying. Eyes wide with confusion. fear. The boys were laughing. All he could do was stand there. Stand there as they laughed in his face. “Why would I ever like someone like you?” the memory burned in his mind.
He had run off their voices still ringing in his ears. Echoing and tormenting him.
The dream shifted.
He was looking at the brunette he saw last. Disgust on his features. The same words coming from his mouth. Disgust. It made him mad. Yet he couldn't help but freeze in place. The same laughing echoing. Memories, nightmares. Those boys laughed in his face for who he fell in love with and he could not do anything but fear that Connor would do the same.
He could not help but think of being humiliated for his crush. the boy he loved. Laughing in his face. He would do that, wouldn't he? Just a stupid, dumb Hermes kid laughing in face for who he liked. But they were friends right?
“Are you? or had you been so dense to think someone like him could ever befriend you.”
The thoughts swallowed him whole as the thought, the voice rang in his ears.
The last thing he saw was that stupid beautiful grin, the boy laughing at him.
And then Malcolm woke. He jolted awake, sitting up. It took him a second to process that it had been a nightmare. He groaned, falling back on his bed and raked a hand over his face. He heard a drawer close and confusedly sat back up on his elbows. Annabeth was looking back. Actually a few athena kids were. The fuck? Weren't they at School? Wasn't Annabeth at college?? He thought “If you're confused why we're here, it's winter break dumbass.” Said Annabeth as if he read his mind. He blinked before it processed. “That started today?” Malcolm spoke still confused. “Yeah.” One of his siblings responded. He ran a hand through his hair and sat up. “What time is it?” He asked. “Uhhh like… 10?” Annabeth said, checking her watch. Malcolm grumbled and got up. The nightmare still plagued his mind. He had come out though. He did not know why he was so scared, and still getting those dumb nightmares. He pushed that to the back of his mind as memories from yesterday came back to him. His brows knit together as he looked down at his hoodie. well. Connors hoodie….. anyway. He took off the hoodie before slipping into different clothes. “Why were you wearing those clothes in your sleep anyway?” Annabeth questioned him looking at the hoodie suspiciously. Before Malcolm could answer she walked over and picked up the hoodie and looked at the back’s embroidery. Oh fuck. “Why do you have a Stolls hoodie?” She asked although he could see her lips twitch up. He had totally forgotten the hoodie had the name embroidery of Connor Stoll on it. Malcolm snatched it from her hands. “Not! what you think! I got cold and had not brought a jacket so he- Why am i explaining this to you, you don't need an answer.” He grumbled and turned away. “Okay lover boy-‘ ‘Shut up!” He interrupted, face flushing red . Annabeth grinned and walked out of the cabin as their siblings did. He finished getting ready and almost started walking out of the door but looked back to the jacket on his bed and walked over and slipped it on before walking out.- He made it to the dining pavilion, slipping into the athena cabins table. He saw Annabeth raise an eyebrow at him and look at the jacket before back up at him over from the poseidon table. He glared at her and she turned back to whatever Percy and her friends were ranting about. From the corner of his eye he saw someone slipping into the seat beside him. He looked over The brunette was gleaming at him, grinning at him, tilting his head. “Don't even start, Stoll.” Connor raised his hands jokingly in defense. “I didn't even say anything!” He responded “I can hear those gears going crazy in your head, be quiet.” Malcolm said. Connor shook his head. Malcolm jumped slightly as Travis and Katie sat at the table, Travis yelling out loud slightly. “Fucking hell, stop being so loud i like just woke up basically.” Malcolm grumbled. Travis just smiled and kept talking to his brother. -After lunch (Malcolm totally missed breakfast, Connor kind of teased him for sleeping in as if he doesn't do that.) They were being dragged along by Travis to Hermes cabin, him ranting about something. Malcolm spaced out, zipping up the jacket as cold winter air blew past them. The warm jacket still had the smell of candy from before yet less.. er strong. The nightmare came back to him. Honestly it annoyed him, they were greek, like, greek gods, greek. He hummed as his thoughts drifted to the boy beside him. Connor had always been somewhat different to him. Like from his brother. He had more freckles and his eyes were bluer. He was also shorter. It was somewhat easy to tell them apart if you've had a crush on one of them and knew them for a while. Honestly Connor amazed him. He didn't know how to explain it. It was like he had a giddy feeling everytime he was around the boy. Like a sugar high. And everytime he went away that giddy feeling of leaving made him disappointed. He mentally slapped himself, he really needed to stop thinking about that boy. It wasn't until his named was called he snapped from his zoning out. He hummed, looking up from the ground. “What?” he replied. “I said we should totalllyyy have a sleepover.” Travis replied. ”Like with all four of us,” He added. “Aren't you in college?” “Was that an insult?”“Who knows, pick your card.” Connor interrupted them. “Anyway! We could, but like what cabin..?” “I never agreed to this.” Malcolm grumbled, Connor elbowed him. “Uh… I didn't think that far” Replied Travis. Malcolm rolled his eyes, Katie huffed out a slight laugh at them. “Of course you didn't.” “Hey!” “So scratch that idea, like please.” Malcolm interjected. “You're no fun.” Connor said, rolling his eyes at the blonde playfully. “Oh please.” Malcolm scoffed but a smile was tugging at his lips. They continued to taunt each other, opting to just hang out near the lake for the time being. As They began to go back to their cabins Malcolm realized something. “Hey, here's your jacket.“ He said going to take it off but Connor interrupted him. “Keep it, you look good in it.” He said before walking away. Malcolms stood there for a second and called after him. “What does that mean!” “Wouldn't you like to know!” He yelled at Malcolm over his shoulder.
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It's been months since that interaction, the tension still high in the air between the boys, June was approaching and people were coming back to Camp-Half Blood for summer. Connor had been insistent on refusing the jacket Malcolm borrowed and yet it seemed it was literally just his now by this point. Malcolm pretended to be annoyed. He was slightly, not a lot. He kinda found it cutely ridiculous at his stubbornness Ah yes, Connor Stoll. Whom he had still… not confessed to. Yeah not the greatest thing considering.. A lot.Malcolm was sitting at his desk in Cabin 6 reading. Some of the other Athena children were talking quietly. Malcolm had heard Annabeth will visit Camp today, soon for a bit. That was nice, he'd get to see his sister again.. half sister? Same thing.His thoughts were drifting from topic to topic till it settled back on the brunette. His best friend. Never thought he would say that about someone let alone him. It made him smile subconsciously. His book had closed from him not holding it. He got lost in thought.He felt a hand on his shoulder and yelped slightly, jolting and turning to look backwards. “Gods, Malcolm. Lost in thought, huh?” Malcolm blinked, processing Annabeth in front of him. He cleared his throat. “Yes, Annabeth.” He said, his smile slightly returning. The stares from before had disappeared and people went back to their conversations“Who were you smiling about, hm?” Spoke Annabeth once they had sat on his bed and started talking. His face heated up. “No one.” His overly defensive demeanor did not help convince her though. “Right..” She said smiling but getting off the topic. About an hour later Annabeth was getting ready to walk out of the cabin when there was a knock. Malcolm looked up from his desk and looked back down when Annabeth went to open it. “Yes?” She asked the person, leaning on the door frame. A familiar voice was speaking outside. Connor. Malcolm smiled slightly, putting away his mathematics and slipping his shoes on. “Mal-‘ “I hear him, Annie.” Malcolm responded before she could finish.Annabeth squinted at him before walking out past Connor. Malcolm got up and opened the door again before stepping outside. “Hello!!” Connor grinned. “I don't like that face” Malcolm responded but the corners of his lips quirked up. “Not even a hi? A hello? wow.,” He said as they walked down the Cabin steps. “Wait, what did you even want me for?” Malcolm questioned.“Just to hang out.” He smiled. Malcolm huffed but a faint smile appeared on his face. “Whatttt? I can't hang out with my best friend?” “You can, but seriously what? You have that scheming look on your face and I don't like it” Malcolm replied, staring at Connor. Connor sighed dramatically before grabbing Malcolms wrist and dragging him along. Malcolm just shook his head and sighed while following.Leaves crunched under their feet as they scattered through camp. Connor was still holding onto his best friend's wrist as he pulled Malcolm along with a grin plastered on his face. Malcolm couldn't help but smile, the brunette's excitement radiated off him and infected the blond like a disease. Connor dragged him through the forest for what seemed like at least 20 minutes. Connor at one point stumbled over a rock. Malcolm had laughed at him in a light heart mannor. Yet now a bit later they walked side by side and Malcolm looked down to where Connor had slid his hand down to hold Malcolms. Malcolms smiled for at least the gazillionth time that morning. Finally, Connor pulled him along into an open clearing where sunlight glazed over the grass and gave it a calm atmosphere. Malcolm resisted the urge to laugh, bringing his hand up to his mouth to stop from the laugh from escaping his lips. Connor noticed and raised an eyebrow. “What?” He asked defensively.Malcolm snickered before gazing at Connor, a smile plastered on his lips. “Nothing it's just…- You.” The blond replied, his eyes softening as he looked at the other. He was smiling so hard his face started to hurt. Connor tilted his head and laughed as well. “Me? What did I do?” Malcolm didn't reply to that. He looked away to the clearing and pulled Connor along to sit down somewhere near the middle where they had a view of the sky above,For once he let voices that ranted about Connors annoyingly perfect-ness, keep on ranting inside his mind. Because for once, maybe he accepted that he was annoyingly in love with the boy. They laid on their back staring at the sky, Malcolm pointing out random facts about the sky which turned to stars as they laid there for what seemed like minutes, were hours. Both the boys let their reigned thoughts for another be free in their heads for once instead of shutting them out and discarding them.They were sitting up. Connor had brought them snacks to eat. After that Malcolm had kept telling star facts.Until he looked at Connor, who was staring at him all too fondly. Malcolms grin softened to a small sincere and soft smile, the same one Connor returned. Was it just him? or were they both leaning in slightly? Malcolm didn't know until they were inches away from each other's faces. Their hands still interlaced. Malcolm felt like dots had weaved together and everything connected. Connors acts of what he thought were platonic. Were they?Connor seemed to notice the realization in Malcolms eyes and unlaced their hands and moved backwards, a pink dusting his face as he cleared his throat and looked at his hands. Malcolm already missed the touch and closeness. Yet he was still staring at him and his behavior.“You like me don't you?” Malcolms voice rose, with all his bravery. Connors head snapped to hin, yet he then avoided eye contact. “Well I.. Uhm.” He swallowed. Malcolms smile widened. Connor sighed. “Maybe.. Yeah I do.” He paused. “It's alright if you don’t, er..” Malcolm cut him off before he could start again and pressed their lips together. Connor, suprised, still kissed back before they pulled away. “I mean, I don't kiss my best friend just because so..” Malcolm teased. Connor smacked him playfully on the head and they were both laughing as they fell back to the darkened grassy floor. Malcolm looked away. “I really can't believe I just did that.”“I'm very surprised too.“What's that supposed to mean?” Malcolm said defensively.“Nothing!”