Author's Note:
Hey everyone! Sorry for the hella long hiatus that I had - I lost inspiration for a bit and went on a week of vacation so I couldn't really write :(
But I'm back now!
Hopefully I can maintain something like a schedule but no promises because I can't stick to them w
Cue the fluff!
Special thanks to Thetruehero for helping me out so much during this chapter! He helped me get over my writer's wall lmao
-Aleavon
Soft, delicate footsteps weaved in and out of the partygoers as one gorgeously messy, brown haired, spectrum-eyed girl strode through the hallways. As she wandered through her house, she stopped momentarily in front of each room, glancing in for a moment and searching the scene, picking out each individual detail in the room.
However, when she didn't find the expected scene, she moved on hastily, trying to execute her goal swiftly. Where were they?
Finally, Piper reached the living room at the end of the corridor and peeked into the room, catching the attention of the four people she wanted to see and breaking the ambience of the four friends' reunion.
The heartwarming scene in front of her almost made her melt. Nico and Will looked as if they had just gone through hell together and survived, and Peter and Reyna were standing side by side, like usual, but there was less tension between the two.
There was an air of happiness in the general area and she smiled knowingly as she realized what had just happened. Piper smiled, stepped into the room, and gestured to the couples as if to apologize.
"Sorry for interrupting, but a couple of us have started a game of Kiss, Kill, Marry if you guys want to join us? I had a hunch you four would be interested." Piper explained her motif, twiddling her thumbs as the four turned to look at her questioningly. After a moment of silence, a general agreement settled over the group, and one by one, they voiced their agreements.
"Sounds fun to me!" Peter said, possessively but gently grabbing hold of Reyna's hand, intertwining her fingers with his. Reyna started for a second, not completely used to making physical contact with other people, but then relaxed, and squeezed back in Peter's grip. Nico noticed the small interaction and couldn't help but feel a rush of happiness for the two.
"I think that'll be fun, Nico." Will grinned as he leaned down to whisper in Nico's ear. "But only if you don't act on anything that you say during the game."
Nico smiled and retorted, "Well, you'd better hope that you don't get picked for me because I wouldn't want to kill you."
Will laughed at Nico's simultaneously sweet and threatening statement as they followed Piper out of the living room, shuffling behind her in their socked feet.
Piper led the four up the stairs and through a maze of hallways before arriving in a very large, plain bedroom. At first, Nico thought it was just a spare bedroom, but as he looked around and recognized a bronze, triangular mirror propped up on a dresser, a turquoise dress laid out on a bed, and a heavy army jacket draped on a jacket stand, he realized that it was actually Piper's surprisingly unfurnished, but large bedroom.
In the center of the beige carpeted floor sat the same circle of friends there had been at the Christmas party, although with quite a few additions. Some of the students at Jupiter High had joined them, like Gwen and Dakota, and this time, Thalia and her friends Luke and Zoe had joined them. Grover and Tyson, two of Percy's oldest friends, were also sitting by him.
"Neeks, wanna join us? This game sounds like it's actually going to be fun!" Percy smiled, with those hopeful puppy-dog eyes that Nico could never say no to.
"Hey, hey, hey... Neeks! You ready for a game of KKM?" Leo mimicked Percy's usage of Nico's nickname as he grinned, waving the pair over. Calypso, gripping Leo's hand tightly, smiled and waved at them.
Nico turned to Will, who, not to be outdone by Percy's charms, picked up Nico and carried him bridal style to the circle of teens and gently set him down. A general "aww..." echoed through the room as everyone saw the adorable couple enter the ring.
As they walked, Nico could feel his cheeks burning, but he looped his arms around Will's neck anyways, silently hoping that Will wouldn't drop him but trusting that he would be safe anyways.
After everyone got settled, there was a general feeling of uncertainty in the room, hanging over them like a sheet of mist.
"Okay guys, we can start out with a few ground rules to clear things up," Piper started, taking over as the host of the game. "This way we can make sure the game will go forwards smoothly."
"First," She started, holding up a finger and looking everyone square in the eye, "You cannot skip out if it's your turn. You can take sixty seconds for consideration, but stalling for time isn't fair for everyone else. Plus, it's just a game, and we won't judge you..." She grinned devilishly. "... that harshly."
"Second, if you're picking the Kiss, Kill , Marry for a person, do take into consideration people's preferences. Let's assume everyone is bi for now just to make the game go faster."
"Third," Piper said, with a thoughtful look on her face as she tried to come up with a third rule. "Uh... why don't we... go for seven rounds at first and then see where we go from there?"
"Sounds good to me!" Leo said, rubbing his hands together. "Who's first?"
"I'll start," Percy suggested, as he studied everyone at the circle. The gears in his head turned as he looked over all of his friends sitting around him, and then finally came to a decision. He grinned devilishly at the short-haired "Punk Queen" sitting slightly to his left as he settled on the three people he was going to present to...
"Thalia," Percy stated, looking her square in the eye. "Kiss, Kill or Marry... Luke, Annabeth, or Grover?"
"Ooh... That's a tough one, Seaweed Brain." Thalia replied, snapping her gum. "Are you sure you'll be ready for this?"
"Bring it on, Pinecone Face!" Percy retorted, using the nonsensical nickname that they had established when they were younger.
Thalia's demeanor completely changed as Percy's choices were decided. She blew out a puff of air and rubbed her face exasperatedly.
"Uuugh..." Thalia groaned, putting her face in her hands. "Why did you pick three of my best friends? I can't deal with this."
She chewed thoughtfully on her gum for a moment, and then said, "Marry Luke. I mean, Grover, you're a great friend... but I've known Annabeth like a little sister... so... I'll have to kill you and kiss Annabeth."
Grover opened his mouth as if to speak, but then forgot what he was going to say. Then, he laughed, readjusted his rasta cap and jokingly taunted, "Even after all I did for you?"
Thalia grinned and elbowed him in the ribs. "You'll probably just reincarnate or something. Don't worry your curly little head about it!"
Percy laughed as Thalia tried to think of who she was going to KKM. Her eyes gleamed as the perfect person and idea popped into her head.
"Annabeth," Thalia smiled as she presented the three people. "Kiss, Kill or Marry... Tyson, Luke or Percy?"
"Shit..." Annabeth muttered, and then turned a bright shade of red. It was very rare for anyone to hear Annabeth curse -in English, that is- and Percy amusedly smiled at her reaction. Her answer was obvious to him; but little did he know what she was going to say.
"It's me you're marrying, right?" Percy cheekily grinned as he draped an arm around Annabeth. She blushed a slightly deeper shade of red before thinking of a retort.
In response, Annabeth replied in a serious tone, "What if I told you... I'd marry Luke, kill Tyson, and kiss you?" as she poked a very flustered Percy in the chest.
Percy stammered, "Wh-What? But..."
Annabeth laughed and threw her arms back around Percy's neck, pulling him in for an unexpected kiss. Everyone in the room awkwardly stared and/or chuckled at the making out couple before Travis wolf-whistled, causing them to break apart.
"Don't you ever doubt how I feel about you. Of course I'd marry you." Annabeth said again, and released Percy so that she could take his hand.
A choked sob was heard from Percy's right as Tyson buried his face in his hands. Everyone knew about Tyson's adoration of Annabeth. But he only looked up to her as an older sister of sorts, not really romantically. Or at least that's what they assumed. The buff, brown-haired wrestler suddenly stormed out of the room, slamming the door as he went.
"Oh no, Tyson..." Percy muttered, racing out of the room, Annabeth quickly rushing out next to him.
Annabeth poked her head back into the room for a quick moment, saying a quick "We'll be right back!" and dashing after Tyson into the maze of hallways.
"Okay... I guess that works..." Piper mused. "I guess I'll do the next one then?"
"I guess so, if you wa-aaa-nt." Grover said, looking worriedly towards the closed door that a very angry Tyson was outside of. The nervous bleating sound that always came out when he was anxious was present in his fearful voice.
"Let's see..." Piper said in a thoughtful voice. "Who's gonna go next?"
