- "What was that?" "Affection, loser."
- Percy/Octavian
- Romantic

////

"Stop staring at me." Octavian demanded, looking more than straight-faced at the younger teen. He was borderline frowning, really.

"But you're so pretty."

Octavian bristled immediately at Percy's words, looking thoroughly offended now.

Percy's eyebrows furrowed, his nose scrunched in clueless thought.

Octavian recognised Percy's confusion, though he didn't do anything to rectify it. Instead, he turned swiftly, and left the room without so much as a peep.

--

Octavian held up a hand; he didn't even turn to look at the other boy.

"Don't talk to me, Jackson."

"But you don't even know what I was going to say!" 'Jackson' complained.

"And I don't want to know."

Percy pouted. "That's harsh."

"Well, I do try."

Octavian turned, now, to walk away. Only to come to a stop five steps away from where he had stood before.

"Actually, I don't even have to try. I'm just a natural at it, I guess."

As he walked off, Percy scowled after him.

"Stupid boy. Stupid-" As he continued on with his previous task, Percy drifted off into a rambled rant, only one word comprehensible to the ears of passer-bys: Stupid. Repeated many, many times.

--

"Oh my gods, Tavi, just loosen up a bit, will ya?"

Octavian blinked twice, dramatically, his face blank.

"What did you just call me?"

"Tavi." Percy explained, as if Octavian was, well... stupid.

"Yes, well, don't."

Percy grinned, looking at the older boy with bright eyes and a teasing expression.

"What, you don't like it? I think it's cute."

"I don't. So don't call me that. Ever."

"Okay; whatever you say." Percy paused (for effect), "Tavi."

Octavian's nose scrunched, and if it could, Percy was sure steam would come out of it - or out of his ears, even.

Octavian huffed. He rolled his eyes as he stood, then stormed out of the classroom with a hurried stride and heavy footsteps.

Percy laughed to himself once the other was gone, rolling his eyes and smirking after.

--

"So, the Christmas dance is next Friday. You fancy going with me?"

Octavian looked up at the smiling boy with clear distaste, his lips curled in an unspoken threat.

"No. No, I do not. Why would I?" The blonde answered, practically in one single breath.

Percy's smile didn't drop completely, though it did pale, and the light in his eyes dimmed noticeably.

"That sounded far too practiced to be an honest answer, Tavi."

'Tavi' rolled his eyes. "Because it wasn't, that's why."

Percy lowered his eyebrows in a hopeful expression, his lips tilted upwards on one side, causing the apple of his cheek to stick out more.

"Fine, I'll go with you to the Christmas dance."

Percy's face changed immediately. He stared down at his future date with a sanguine smile, dazzling eyes, and rosy cheeks.

"You won't regret this, Tavi."

"I definitely will if you don't stop calling me Tavi." Was mutted into the air almost silently as Percy bounced - a spring in his step and all - away.

--

It was nearing 11 o'clock, now. It was the end of a buoyant night, a merry dance and multiple fantastic dates.

Percy and his date stood seperated from the other leaving groups, all of which were also sharing their own farewells for the night.

Instead of simply waving goodbye and bidding the older Goodnight, Percy leaned in for a soft peck to the blonde's cheek.

"What was that?" Octavian asked, suddenly affronted.

Percy giggled.

"Affection, loser."