A/N: School is almost over! I just finished all or most of my homework. So another possibly fluffy piece turned angst. Oops, my bad! I'm trying to practice more Liper for an upcoming multichapter fic! If there are fans of my Café Jupiter Jeyna fic, be super excited! Ending was kind of bleh. Thank you as always for reading, reviewing, favoriting and following. Just one and half week until summer!

Prompt: Liper and summer beach campfire!

By the fire

"Why aren't you drinking?" Leo looked away from the dancing flames to see Piper standing there with a beer bottle held limply between her fingers. Even in the dim light, Leo could see how flush her tan cheeks were from the alcohol she consumed. Her eyes gleamed in the firelight as she stared down at him. He could never figure out the exact color of her eyes. They always seemed to dance between everything. Right now, they appeared amber in the low lights. She strolled over as graceful as someone could in a pair of high heels and dry sand before plopping beside Leo. She had gathered her long evening gown up to her thighs before sitting down and placing her legs on his lap. "Drink," Piper repeated, pointing the bottle towards him. "The prom queen commands you."

"Where's your king?" Leo asked, pushing the bottle away from his mouth. His white dress shirt was ruffled and bowtie hung limp around his neck. His suspenders were hanging from his pants undone hours ago. Instead of answering, Piper took another swig of her beer before wrapping her right arm around his shoulders. Her touch sent an involuntary shiver down Leo's spine, especially as she toyed with the soft curls at the nape of his neck. This is your best friend, Leo reminded himself as he turned to meet her half-glazed gaze. You're very drunk very attractive best friend. Her face was inches away from Leo's, fanning his face with her breath. "Where's Jason?" He asked, placing his hand on her smooth bare calf in case she fell.

Piper pursed her lips, setting her bottle on the sand before meeting his gaze. "Off to save the elusive not-so-damsel-in-distress." Leo furrowed his brow in confusion as Piper buried her face into the nape of his neck. He could smell the alcohol on her breath mixed with her subtle perfume and seawater that clung to her tan skin. Leo closed his brown eyes, allowing himself to relax into the embrace. His arm wrapped securely around her waist. "Percy and Annabeth were looking for Reyna. Apparently she disappeared."

"Should I help?" Leo asked, cranking his head up to look across the beach. In the dark, the only things he could see were scattered bonfire pits, laughing post-school drunk teens, and couples leisurely walking around with their hands clasped together. Piper's arms tightened around Leo's neck.

"No," she said abruptly, looking up and straight into his dark brown eyes. Her eyes were sharp for a moment, like she was somber as she looked at Leo, silently pleading him to stay. It disappeared a moment later but Leo still caught it. "I'm sure the boys can find her. How much trouble can a girl like her cause? Just stay…" with me, Leo mentally added when he felt Piper's arms tightened around his neck. Leo leaned his cheek against her soft locks, unable to deny the attraction to his best friend.

Leo wasn't sure when these feelings for Piper appeared. One day, Piper was just Piper, tomboyish, brash genderless Piper who he could poke in the middle of class and make lame jokes about everyone. She was that girl who would kick him when he fell asleep in Hades chemistry class and play tic-tac-toe during Athena's math class. Then all of a sudden in Ares gym class, she wasn't just his best friend. She was a girl, a real girl with soft curves, alluring eyes and a killer smile. Leo groaned, simply hating himself because she was still Piper and not at the same time.

"What are you thinking about?" Leo jumped when he felt Piper's fingers caressed his face, pulling him out of his thoughts. Her eyes were clear and focused as she gazed at him patiently. Leo sucked in a breath when her fingers fiddled with the pearly white buttons of his shirt harmlessly.

"Just a girl," Leo answered truthfully without thinking, adjusting his hold on her and resting his cheek on her hair. Around the bonfire, their friends were in various positions of drunkenness. Frank and Hazel were curled up in the back of his truck. Their whispers were drowned out by the crashing of the waves and crackling of the fire. If Leo squinted, he could see Dakota's legs dangling out of the window form the passenger's seat. In the distance, Rachel's beach house was illuminated where a few more of their friends were hanging out, the after party of their disappointing prom. Her fingers stilled at Leo's words.

"Lucky girl." She muttered, words brushing the side of his neck. He looked down instinctively and shut his eyes. Leo didn't notice his fingers were twirling her small braid between his fingers. It felt so natural, so easy to do. This, the close proximity, the alcohol, the feelings, was dangerous. Leo knew Piper was dangerous from the first time he saw her. He reluctantly pulled his fumbling fingers away. "Anyone I know?"

"Possibly," Leo answered, gently placing her legs back on the sandy ground. He stood up before noticing the look on her face and stretched, turning to the dark. In the distance, he noticed Percy and Annabeth walking close with their hands entwined. Reyna and Jason trailed behind a few paces. Leo squinted as he noticed tension in Jason's shoulders and the way Reyna was holding herself. Later, he thought as he ran his fingers through his curly hair. "Now, if only she'll notice me."Leo whispered mostly to himself before grabbing the bucket to get some sea water for the dying flames.

"I notice you." Piper whispered so gently Leo wasn't sure if he heard her correctly.