There was something different about Percy, Damon knew, and it wasn't just the fact that the human was strangely morally ambiguous for someone his age. Whenever someone talked about the dead hiker in the woods, Percy took on this calculating look, like he was analyzing people's reactions and responding accordingly. He always seemed alert, ready for anything, but only around other people. Whenever it was only Percy and him, the human would just sigh like he was exhaling all of the tension he felt in other people's presence.

"I don't like people," Percy mumbled from his spot next to Damon, the teen snuggled at the vampire's side, listening as he read a book. The teen had gotten his best friend to start the Harry Potter series, saying that it was actually pretty interesting and well thought out and that he would really like it. The vampire didn't want to admit that the human was right and that he was enjoying himself quite a bit.

Damon paused, looking at the page number before closing his book, "Why not?"

"Because," The teen licked his lip, thinking about how to answer. "Because, not only are they stupid as shit, they always expect you to be a certain way. They build this image of you, their own perfect picture, and expect you to mold yourself to that. It's like… They show you a puzzle of the sky and tell you to complete it but you're the piece that belongs to a picture of the sea. It doesn't fit but they figure it might if they force it enough."

The vampire was silent for a moment after hearing the hate and helplessness in the human's voice, "Well… I like this version of you."

"I-" Percy's face slowly turned red and he turned his head away, "Me, too. I- Yeah, me too."

Damon gave the human a small smile and went to go back to his book when he saw Percy staring off into space. "Alright, move over," The vampire nudged him to the side before standing up, disappearing down one of the halls of the boarding house. He quickly went into his room and grabbed his pillows and blankets. After a split second moment of hesitation, he grabbed Stefan's too.

"What-" Percy's question was cut off when the vampire threw the blankets on top of him.

"We're going to make a pillow fort or whatever," Damon smirked when he saw the teen's ruffled hair. "And make chocolate milk."

The human beamed at him, untangling himself from the blankets so they could start. The fort ended up looking a little wonky, pillows placed precariously, and it looked like it would fall at any moment but they were still proud of it.

"Powder or syrup?" Damon asked as he held up the chocolate while Percy got the cups and milk.

The teen narrowed his eyes at the syrup, "I don't trust Nesquik chocolate syrup. You either put too much or put too little. There's no in between."

The vampire blinked at the objects in his hands before nodding, "Alright, powder it is."

Percy slid over a red mug to Damon, keeping the blue one for himself. While Damon only added two scoops, the human felt the need to add five to his own. "What? I like chocolate," He said when he saw the vampire's look.

Damon held up his hands in mock surrender, "Fair enough. Any snack ideas?"

"Mm," Percy grabbed the Nesquik to put away and opened the pantry. "You got Cheetos? Since when do you like Cheetos?"

The vampire shrugged, "They're my favorite. You didn't know this?"

"No but I do now," The human grinned, handing him the giant bag. He grabbed his drink and crawled into the fort, holding out his hands for Damon's drink so he didn't spill it. "I got Netflix on my phone if you want to watch some movies."

"Sure," The blue-eyed man nodded. "Anything you want."

Percy looked at him for a second before fiddling with his phone, "Be careful what you promise. You'll get my hopes up. Hurry up, I wanna get some cuddling time before Stefan sees me here and kick up a fuss. He already hates me enough."

"He doesn't hate you," Damon said after he got settled in the fort, taking back his drink. "You just… Scare him."

The human smiled at him with amusement, some different type of glee dancing in his eyes, "He should be. I'm dangerous."

The vampire nodded slowly, "Say that when we're not cuddling in a blanket fort drinking chocolate milk and I just might believe you."

"Psh, whatever. Wanna watch Twilight?"

"No."

"Aw, why not?"

"Absolutely not." Damon narrowed his eyes at the human when he saw his finger hovering over the movie title, "Percy-"

"Too late! Come on, it'll be funny. I've always found these movies funny, please watch it?"

"Why?" Damon was very aware that he was whining but he didn't care. He read the description about vampires and an idiotic woman and decided he would nope out of this. He wondered if this was Percy telling him that he knew about him being a vampire or if he was just trying to slowly torture him. Maybe both, one could never know when it came to Percy.

"Because I want to. Why don't you want to watch it?"

"Vampires aren't real."

Percy squinted at him before clicking the title, "Your reason is stupid and, therefore, your argument invalid. Now, shut up and hand over the Cheetos."

"I thought my reasoning was very sound," Damon said, handing over the snack. "You have no proof that vampires exist."

"Don't I?" The human laughed, shaking his head, "You don't know everything about me, Salvatore."

"And yet…" Damon whispered, watching as the teen opened the Cheetos bag, scrambling to catch them as they flew out suddenly. "You seem to know everything about me…"

"You say something?" Percy asked after throwing a cheeto up in the air and catching it in his mouth.

"Do I really have to watch the movie?"

"Oh, my gods, for the last time, yes. You can't live your whole life without seeing these shitty masterpieces."

"That was horrible," Damon shuddered when the end credits started.

Percy pointed at him with a Cheeto, "Yet you want to watch the next one." He threw the food at the Salvatore and watched it bounce harmlessly off his chest. "Are you done with your chocolate milk?"

"Yeah," Damon handed him his cup and held the blanket aside so the teen could get out.

"Damon," Stefan stood at the hallway, eyes wide, occasionally glancing towards the kitchen. His voice was dropped to a low whisper, "Why is he here?"

" He's staying over before he leaves to his dad's tomorrow. Why are you hiding?" Damon whispered back, eyebrows raised.

"Jackson Effect," The youngest Salvatore said, hiding his body more in the hallway entrance like just saying the name scared him.

"Talking about me?" Percy was practically standing next to Stefan as he leaned against the doorway of the kitchen two feet away.

Stefan stiffened and gave the human a strained smile, "Just asking when you were leaving to your dad's. Tomorrow's so soon."

"Is it?" Percy raised an eyebrow at him, something almost dark in his eyes.

Damon could see Percy's fists clenched tight where they were hidden under his arms and decided to intervene, "Percy, come on. We have to watch the second movie."

The human didn't move for a moment, looking at Stefan for a moment with an unreadable expression, before making his way towards Damon, "I knew you wanted to watch the second one. Can't hide anything from me, Salvatore."

"I'm beginning to see that," Damon nodded, ducking back in the pillow fort before his little brother thought to ask about it. He didn't think he would, at least not when Percy was in the same house as him.

Percy smirked at the vampire, something dark and wicked hidden behind his lips, "It's about time."