Disclaimer: We do not own the characters or concepts from Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, or MARVEL. Those rights go to JK Rowling, Rick Riordan, and MARVEL Studios respectively.

AN: This story is co-written by shadowphoenix55. Read and review!

Chapter Ten

By shadowphoenix55

We need to keep our eyes open. Constantly. Annabeth had had a look of intensity on her face that had frightened Percy. Trust no one with anything, Percy.

Well, seven hours later, Percy was debating on what degree of trust was allowed between people. Could he trust this barista in knowing his addiction to venti vanilla bean frappuccinos? That was some pretty secretive information. Even Annabeth didn't know it.

He decided to go for it, and ordered that frappucino. Sitting at the small table in the Starbucks down the street from his mom's home and looking out the window, Percy's mind wandered to the fight with their stalker. He was reliving his Moana moment when he spotted a rather buff guy wandering around outside.

He was very tall, for starters. It looked like he had giant muscles everywhere. He was wearing a T-shirt, jeans, a baseball cap, and sunglasses. Something about the guy drew Percy's attention. He looked pretty lost, frowning as people passed him on the street.

Percy got up from his seat and was out of the door before another thought could pass through his head. He was standing outside, by the door when he remembered Annabeth's words. Could he trust a stranger who looked completely lost? Annabeth would have shouted him down with a no, he's faking, but Percy's instincts were shouting at him to go to the guy. Also, it wasn't like he was going to give away any information - he was just going to help him get to wherever he was going.

"Hey, dude, what's up?" Percy asked. The man turned, looking confused, "Yeah, you. In the sunglasses." Percy walked towards him, taking a sip from his venti vanilla bean frappuccino, "You look a little lost."

The guy looked a bit embarrassed.

"I am." He replied, "The city is very big."

"Where were you going?" Percy asked.

"I was told to explore." The man replied, "See the sights of New York. I went to the, um, Empire State Building. The view from the top is incredible."

It hit Percy like a three-ton truck. This guy could be a demigod - that would make the whole super-strong thing make sense.

"To the six hundredth floor?" Percy asked nonchalantly.

"Er- I think there's only one hundred and two floors." The guy replied, "I went to the one where you could go outside and… see the whole city."

He looked mystified at that.

Nope. Not a demigod. Just a super, super fit mortal.

"So, have you gone to any good restaurants yet?" Percy asked, "It's almost lunch."

"No, I have not." The man replied.

"Well, the Traveller's Inn is the best we've got-" Percy started, before remembering Annabeth had forbidden it.

The man perked up at the name.

"Really?" He asked, "Will you show me the way?"

Well… Percy really missed that food and that blue coke… and he could wear a disguise… and… what Annabeth didn't know couldn't hurt her.

"Sure." Percy replied, "But first, let's make a stop somewhere else. Oh, and I'm -" Percy paused, "I'm Jason, by the way."

"You don't look like a Jason." The man replied, before widening his eyes, "Um- it's a nice name, though-"

Percy laughed.

"Not really." He replied. The man relaxed in relief.

"I'm Steve." Steve replied.

"Well, Steve, you look like you're avoiding being recognized." Percy commented.

Steve's stiffened.

"How did you-" He started.

"I was only about 50% sure." Percy interrupted, "But thanks for raising that to 100."

Steve sighed, looking defeated.

"Don't worry." Percy said, "I know because I've been there before. And, once I'm done with you, not even the people who know you closest will be able to tell who you are."

Steve has the sensibility to look frightened.

—-

"First is your outfit." Percy said, leading Steve into a shop, "With your tight shirt and skinny jeans, anybody who knows you will be able to tell. Percy tossed Steve a baggy outfit, "Here. Try this on."

Steve came out looking less muscular, so that was a plus. He still had his glasses on.

"You know, you do kind of look familiar…" Percy started, "Are you a celeb or something? Movie star, maybe?"

Steve looked uncomfortable from underneath his shades and cap.

"Er- I'd rather that you don't know." Steve replied, "People… treat me different, when they know."

Percy nodded solemnly. He knew exactly what Steve was talking about.

"Yeah, I get you, man." Percy replied, "Thanks for being honest with me."

That sentence was a painful reminder that Percy hadn't even trusted the guy with his name. But Annabeth's voice held him back - barely.

"So, onto the next thing." Percy said after a moment of awkward silence, leading Steve to a nearby shop, "Eye contacts."

Steve looked confused.

Percy lead him into the shop. He picked up the nearest contacts.

"Red." He said, "Definitely not. We want you to look real."

Next up was brown.

"Hazel or dark brown?" Percy asked.

"Um…" Steve said, still looking confused, "Hazel?"

Percy nodded.

"I'll go with that too." He said, tossing the dark brown back, "Now - hair. Red or black?"

"Red?" Steve squeaked out, looking very nervous for the strong guy he looked.

"It'll only last a week or so, don't worry." Percy commented, grabbing a can of red hair spray. They were making their way up to the counter when Percy spotted the fake earrings. He looked back and forth between Steve and the earrings twice, visualizing.

"Oh yeah, baby."

—-

Thirty minutes later, two redheads with hazel eyes and metallic earrings walked out of the shop. Percy glances over at Steve, who was alternating between tugging at his earring and running his hand through his hair.

"Hey, don't worry." Percy said softly, attempting to be understanding, "It can all come off right now, if you want. And it's a pretty sweet disguise - the lady at the counter didn't even recognize you, and she saw us buy the products."

Steve dropped his hand and looked a bit better.

"Yeah." He replied, and for some reason, the word sounded odd, as if he'd never used it before, "I am just not used to these… disguise products."

Percy rolled his eyes at the man's barely slanged speech. At least he was trying.

"Well, what I'm about to show you will make all of this hassle worth your while." Percy announced as they rounded the corner, "Steve - welcome to the Traveller's Inn."

—-

Percy was sure of his disguise. He'd even styled both of their hair differently, making two mini-mohawks. There was no way a guy Percy had met only a dozen or so times would recognize him. So, when Harry walked over to as for their order, Percy felt no regrets.

Harry stood in front of the two of them. His eyes flicked past Steve and landed on Percy.

"Hey, Jackson." Harry said, "Long time no see."

Percy's jaw hit the floor.

"New style?" Harry continued, but it was clear he knew it was no style, "Ah, where are my manners-" He continued, turning to Steve, "I'm Harry Peverell, the owner of this restaurant and bar."

"You have a bar?" Percy asked, shocked.

"Only for people of age." Harry replied dryly, not even looking at Percy. His attention was still focused on Steve.

"I'm Steve." Steve said, "I would just like to say that your restaurant here is very cozy."

Percy found himself nodding. For some reason, the Traveller's Inn gave off a homely, comforting, and safe vibe.

"Thank you." Harry replied, "Now, what would you like to drink?"

"Blue coke." Percy said immediately, ready for his favorite thing in the entire world - er, except for Annabeth, of course.

"I know that." Harry replied, "I was asking Steve."

Steve grinned at Percy.

"What do you recommend?" Steve asked. Harry gave Steve a once-over.

"Something with a kick, I think." Harry said, "And a little old-school… hm… I'll be right back."

Harry walked away. Percy frowned. Harry seemed as his normal self… but throughout the entire conversation, he had snuck glances over his shoulder, as if he thought someone was following him.

Percy knew that feeling. He'd been feeling it ever since the fight with the kidnapper-guy.

"He's…" Steve started, trailing off.

"Different?" Percy finished. Steve nodded, "Yeah, Harry does it his way, but you end up having the best drink of your life, so…"

Steve looked a bit skeptical.

"Hey, I didn't think blue coke existed before Harry came up with one." Percy said, "He's mysterious, but kind."

"It sounds like you two are friends." Steve replied knowingly.

"No!" Percy exclaimed, and Steve raised an eyebrow, "I mean, I don't really know him that well… I only have been going here for a little bit… we don't meet outside of the restaurant… and I haven't been here in awhile…"

"Well, you should think about it." Steve said wisely, "He seems like a good person - and you two seem to go together well."

Percy stared off into space. They would… but what Steve didn't know was that Harry might be a monster. And he would want to know why Percy and Annabeth knew the woman was a assassin-type thing.

Percy wondered why Harry hadn't asked him about that yet.

"Hello!" Came Harry's voice, breaking Percy out of his thoughts, "Here's your drinks!"

Percy looked at Steve's it was some type of beer…? Whiskey…? Percy didn't know, but apparently, Steve did. His eyes widened as he took his first sip.

"They said the brewing company was out of business!" Steve said. Harry gave one of his trademark smirks.

"I have my ways." Harry replied, as he did the first time Percy had tried his blue coke.

"Anything to eat?" Harry continued. Steve shook his head, seemingly lost in thought.

"Maybe later." Steve replied, staring down at his drink. Harry nodded understandingly and left.

Percy stared at Steve for a long moment. The man's gaze hadn't left his drink.

"You okay?" Percy asked.

Steve looked up.

"My friend." Steve said as if on an impulse, "This was the first drink I had with my friend."

"Oh." Percy replied, "So his name-"

"Bucky." Steve cut in, "His name was Bucky."

Percy caught the was.

"I'm sorry." Percy said. Steve nodded. The two sat in silence for a few seconds. Steve took another sip of his drink. And then another.

"How old are you, exactly-"

Steve gave him a look.

"I'd prefer it if no questions were asked." Steve said, his voice a bit commanding.

Percy paused.

"My name is Percy." An impulse, but it felt right. Steve looked at him with an inquisitive glance.

"No questions asked."