title: understudy
summary: She might be his second place, but she doesn't plan to stay there. — DrewJason; drabble.
a/n: takes place after the war. i haven't read hoh. t for implied sex. don't own.
i.
An understudy is a replacement when the actor — or actress — can't act because they're busy, claims the theater textbook in her hands. Words swim before her eyes, but it doesn't matter. She always receives an A in this class, and she won't be an understudy.
When she goes "home" to Camp Half-blood in the summer, she discovers Piper is off on a mission like the special snowflake she is. When he corners her after dinnertime and she's led into his cabin, she pretends this isn't the very definition of understudy.
ii.
He loves Piper; of course he does. His excuse is that Drew's been eyeing him for ages, that she's charmspeaking him into this. The kisses he rains on her neck, the little moans that come from her delicious lips — those aren't him, not really. The tangle of bedsheets doesn't mean anything at all.
He misses her. He misses her so much. When the other girl's black hair spills across the pillows, it's too dark to tell if it's really just brown, that it isn't separated into tiny little braids. This is Piper, he convinces himself as she breathes slowly, deeply, next to him. The rhythm is just like the kaleidoscope-eyed girl's.
iii.
The next day, when sunlight pours through the crack under the door and flares on her eyelids, she's the first to wake up. She mutters a sleepy protest and rolls over, then spots herself in the reflection of the nearest window. She looks exactly like you'd expect her to look — mascara smeared around her eyes, bruises on her throat and hips, and her hair an absolute mess.
It gives her some smug satisfaction to know she doesn't need to be absolutely beautiful for him to like her. You can't call it just lust; this is real love (isn't it?).
She's not meant to be the understudy after all, and she won't remain one.
iv.
He convinces himself nothing happened. This means nothing; maybe every guy in camp has had her in their beds before. It's meant to comfort him, but somehow, the idea just makes him jealous. She's Piper, I want Piper, it's all Piper.
It's hard to convince himself of anything when it becomes not just a one-night stand, but a two-night, and a three-night, and a four-night. She's beautiful every night to him, and her lips taste of Christmas. The feeling of her skin pressed against his is amazing, so much better than the chaste kisses the other girl gives him.
When did Piper become the other girl?
v.
Drew Tanaka is not meant to be the understudy. She wants the lead role.
When precious Piper stumbles into his cabin, calling that she's back with a smile on her lips, it's not entirely staged. There's no charmspeak in it, no persuading, just the girl's wide and horrified eyes. The hiccuped sobs that slide down her throat satisfy Drew all too much.
The stumbled explanations from him are overshadowed by her cruel "And you really thought he was yours."
She pulls the blankets around her to cover her naked body, watching as he calls after her and her tears but doesn't even try to run. He never moves from the spot as Piper walks out of the cabin.