So the stupid computer shut down, and I lost all of the eighth chapter...again! I'm getting sick of this. Really sick of it. Let me try this for I don't even know how many agains.

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Octavian's POV

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I got ready for my possible date with butterflies in my stomach. Since Percy and I weren't going to school today, we decided to leave for the date at three rather than four. I was currently rinsing the shampoo out of my hair. I then lathered soap onto my body and stood under the hot spray of water, lost in thought. What would a date with Percy Jackson be like? Only a few people actually knew of the splendor, as Percy only dated a few times over the years (and Jason being the first one). I supposed Jason would know the best, but I didn't really want to contact Percy's best friend and former boyfriend.

"Tavy?" Percy called, knocking softly on the door. "How are you doing in there? Also, mom found some smaller, nice looking clothes for you to wear. They're out in the hall after your done." I smiled and shut off the water, stepping out of the shower and drying my hair with a towel. I stepped into my boxers and peeked out the door, snatching up the clothes that were laying in a neat pile beside the door. I spread out the clothes and studied them. I didn't think I had anything this nice in my own collection. Black slacks, polished black dress shoes, and a short-sleeved purple button down with clear buttons. I ran my fingers over the stiff yet soft material. I put on my new outfit and studied myself in the mirror. I wish there was a way to fix my gaunt apperance.

"Percy?" I called, never taking my eyes off the computer. He came in and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting his head on my shoulder. "Do you have something that could fix my appearance?" I asked, them immediately wished I hadn't. "You probably don't. You never have to worry about fixing your appearance ever." Percy chuckled.

"Believe it or not, I actually do need some help from time to time," he said, unwrapping his arms and moving to get something from the cabinet across from the shower. He removed a black box with a silver handle. He set it on the edge of the sink and flipped the latches. I peered inside, and what I saw surprised me.

"It's makeup," I said. "Percy, you wear makeup?" He flushed bright red as he pulled some bottles and brushes.

"Only a little," he replied, opening some of the bottles. "And never on swim days, It would run otherwise. But yes, I wear makeup, sometimes. Not enough for people to notice, but enough to make it so I look flawless."

"I'll say," I mumbled as Percy took my chin in one hand and turned my face this way and that.

"First things first," he said. "Those bags under your eyes have got to go." He took up a cotton ball, squirted something on it, and began to dab under my eyes. "This is concealer," he told me. "This'll help get rid of them for a short time. Don't move to much," he scolded me as I shifted positions. He picked up a brush and brushed some faint powder under my eyes. "That'll keep it in place. And now..." He applied some more concealer over the zit on the tip of my nose and wiped more powder on me. "It's medicated, so it shouldn't harm you or cause more ache," he said, putting the concealer and powder away. "And finally we have this." He held up a little tube of pale pink paste. "Blush," he told me. "Makes the face wider." He smeared some onto my cheeks and rubbed it in so it blended. "Ta da," he said at last, turning me so I could see myself. I gasped.

"Is that really me?" I asked him, gently touching the mirror with my fingertips. My features certainly looked better. Percy laughed and nodded. "Do you do this often?" I asked, and at his look, I ammended it. "I mean, you seem to know what you're doing," I tried weakly.

"I could do this thing when I was five," he replied. "That's what happens when you grow up with just a mom. You learn some odd habits when you're little. She always thought it was cute, so she'd put makeup on me and tell me I looked pretty." He laughed. "I ate up every word of it." He ducked outside quickly and came back with a little booklet. He sat down on the edge of the tub and began showing me photos. One was a little five year old him, sitting in front of a vanity with a makeup brush in his hand. "That was at my mom's old workplace," he said with a smile. "I'd help her sometimes. The clients loved me."

"So, you're kind of a professional," I concluded, looking at the mirror again. I still couldn't believe that was actually me. "Percy the makeup artist," I said with glee. Percy chuckled.

"I suppose," he said. "Don't let that get out though. God forbid what everyone would do if they found out I wore makeup. God, can you image what everyone would say?"

"Can't have your precious reputation ruined," I replied sourly. Percy gave me a pained look. Then he came up behind me and kissed my cheek. "Alright, alright," I said with a laugh, shoving him off. "But I won't tell anyone. I promise." Percy beamed at me and looped his arm through my arm.

"Good," he replied. "And now for that date I promised."

...

Percy must've had this planned in advance, because he led me to Central park, where he had a table with a table with a silk tablecloth and two lit candles on top set up. Somebody, who I believed to be Connor Stoll, was standing behind the table, a violin tucked under his chin. Percy positively glowed as he led me over to the table. Just as we got there, he stopped our forward progress. I was painfully aware of Connor watchng us, but Percy didn't seem to care. He softly kissed me, wrapping his arms around my waist and holding me tight. I wound my fingers through his hair as we kissed, and when he pulled away, we were both out of breath.

"That was lovely," he said breathlessly. I'd destroyed his carefully combed hair, but he didn't seem to care one way or another. He pulled one of the chairs out. "You're seat my little damsel in distress," he said with a sweeping bow. I giggled as I sat down.

"Why thank you my handsome knight," I replied. Percy gave me another "Percy beam" and gently pushed the chair in. He sat opposite of me and motioned to someone I couldn't see. Annabeth came out of nowhere and set down two plates of food. She smiled and gave my shoulder a squeeze, then she poured us each a crystal glass of dark liquid. She bowed to each of us, then moved off. Connor began to play, and I studied my glass.

"Don't worry," Percy said, taking a sip from his. "It's just sparkling grape juice. Nothing alcoholic, ever." i grew quiet as I pushed my food around with my fork. It was the eggplant casserole i'd come to love, but I didn't feel very hungry. "Oh, sorry," Percy said, his sea-green eyes widening. "I guess I should've thought..."

"It's okay," I said quickly, stuffing a bite of food in my mouth. We ate in silence for a little while. Connor continued to play a haunting yet beautiful melody on his violin, and when I looked up at him. he winked at me. It appeared all the jocks had some hidden depths to them. I took the time to study Percy. He was busy sipping at his grape juice and looking everywhere but at me. "Hey Percy," I said, swallowing the last of my food. He looked up at me, and his hair flopped into his eyes. "Thank you," I said simply.

"For what?" he asked, wiping the hair away. He looked especially handsome tonight, as the setting sun glinted off his dark hair and bathed in in pink and orange.

"For everything," I said. "The dinner. The clothes. Letting me stay with you when I need it..." I trailed off, looking at him. His already rosy cheeks turned even pinker at my recollection of what he's done. "And the date," I finished, smiling shyly. Connor seemed mildy embarrassed, like he was witnessing something he shouldn't be. I got up from my seat and moved around the table. Percy watched me with wide eyes. I leaned down and kissed him. I'd never initiated a kiss before, and I must admit, it was nice to be the one in control for a change. Percy pulled me down so I was sitting on his lap. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Connor slink away. This date just turned very private. I wound my fingers through his hair again, tugging gently. Between kisses, he moaned. "Oh, you like that, huh?" I asked, kissing the corner of his mouth.

"Uh huh," he managed to get out, digging his fingernails into my hips. I gasped, but it was a good kind of pain. "Again?" he asked me, giving me a sort of puppy dog look. I tugged his hair again, and he moaned, slightly more audible this time. "God Tavy, that feels awesome," he said. I laughed and pulled away.

"Glad you think so," I said, pleased with myself. I'd actually found something Percy Jackson liked. He hugged me to himself, smiling hugely.

"You know Tavy," he said to me. "I planned the date, but I never imagined it would turn out so perfectly."

"Oh?" I inquired. Granted, I thought it was a perfect night too. But I was curious to see why he thought so.

"Yeah," he said. "Perfect night. Percy dinner. Perfect guy." I scowled at that.

"I'm not perfect," I replied. "Far from it." Percy shook his head and captured my chin in his hands. He kissed me again, then ran his fingers through my hair.

"Never think that," he scolded me. "You are perfect Tavy. Just the way you are." I blushed and ducked my head.

"I'm not pefect," I repeated. "You're perfect." He snorted, and I grinned a little. "I like it when you smile," I decided. "It makes your whole face liight up." He smiled again. "Just like that," I said, leaning my head on his chest. His shirt crinkled underneath me, and I giggled. He sighed happily.

"Yep, perfect date," he told me. "Let's say we continue this perfect night back at my house."

...

Percy's POV

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I took Octavian back to my apartment, where we changed into comfortable clothing to settle down and watch The Vampire Diaries, another show we both wanted to watch. Even without the makeup, the dress clothes, and the sunset of Central Park, Octavian looked great. Because it was the real him, the him I'd come to love. I'd washed off my thin layer of foundation myself, so everything about us was natural. I was sitting the right way on the couch, and Tavy was stretched across the rest of the couch, his feet resting on my lap. I'd made popcorn, and he had the bowl in his lap. He was chowing down on popcorn, and I smiled. It was good to see him eating again. He was beginning to look healthier.

"You're quiet," Octavian said, abandoning the popcorn bowl and crawling over to curl himself up on my lap. "Whatcha thinking about?" I laughed and kissed the top of his head, wrapping my arms around him. Tonight, he'd really come out of his shell, and he didn't go rigid when I tried to hold him. And he'd let me kiss him! And then he kissed me of his own free will! "You all here Jackson?" he asked me, grinning.

"You bet, Holden," I replied with a grin of my own. "And I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

...

Now that is how you do fluff. Lots of fluff. They deserve something like that, after last chapter's little scrape. But Jason is a distant memory right now. Aren't they adorable? I certainly think so.