"Look at them, trying to disguise their flirting by practicing sword fight. You believe that?" Nico talked while he stuffed food in his mouth and sat directly in front of Thalia.
"No, of course not. But they're both... not shy... arrogant maybe to just admit it to each other." Thalia took a slice of apple pie from Nico's plate and started eating, too.
"What the hell are they sword fighting for? Under that sun! Who does that, T? Who. does. that?" Nico shook his head.
"People in love do that. Well, people in love who AREN'T admitting that they are, to be clear." Thalia stared at the two; both are sweating under the summer sun.
Annabeth blocked Percy's swing and grabbed his other hand to kick him but Percy maneuvered and both ended with their swords on the ground. Annabeth tried to tackle Percy sliding her foot under his leg from behind but Percy locked his arm on Annabeth's and they both fell on the floor. From where Thalia and Nico were sitting, it would look like they were hugging on the field. But if you happen to just pass by and look their way, you would see two adolescents cuddling.
"See, really? Do you have to cuddle on the field? For the love Cupid and Aphrodite, that's not training. T, do you know what that's called. That's called skinship!"
"Just leave them be, Nico! If that's what makes them, I don't know, more in love with each other, leave them!" she was chuckling as she was speaking.
"That dirty Perce! Using a tackle to just hug Annabeth and take her down. Whoa look a tackle, bam, crash, hug. Dirty! They look like they're cuddling!" Nico was half amused with Percy's moves. He spoke after a while surprising Thalia. "I have a plan."
"No, Nico. I told you to let them be!" Thalia eyed him, warning him.
"It's nothing like going on a quest or swimming in the Styx. This requires a little bit of this and that. You know." he was smirking and pleased with his budding idea.
"I don't know." Thalia tried not to smile but she was starting liking Nico's idea. "Nothing harmful, threating or dangerous. Are we clear?"
"I'm not even gonna go to a god for this." Nico smiled and nodded with satisfaction.
"What's your plan?" Thalia leaned closer, excited by the prospect.
"Competition. When you have a brash demigod and a girl who won't stop until she's the winner, competition is key. You know these fatal flaws they were saying, we use them, T." Nico whispered in Thalia's ear.
"I think I know what you're saying. And I'm liking this. Go on, godling of the dead."
"We just use a few people available at camp, no harm. Nothing physical, just a few manipulations, giving people ideas, maybe a drachma here and there and then BAM! chase will be jacked." Nico concluded at the end of his long explanation with a hand motioning an explosion.
"I'm on. It will hit them like we have no hand in this. Shake hands on it, I don't want to swear on the Styx." Thalia extended her hand towards Nico to close their deal.
"This conversation never happened, daughter of Zeus." Nico replied with a triumphant smile on his face. He can already see Percy and Annabeth together.
They both stood up from the picnic table and walked towards their destination.
I hope people get interested in this ramble. :)