My blankets pooled around me and I scrubbed at my eyes. Sleep was eluding me, and I couldn't decide if that was a good thing or not. Even after weighing the pros and cons, I couldn't. A low, soft groan broke the air, then my feet touched the floor. I debated leaving a note before I left, but ultimately decided against it. If I decided to come back, I should be back in my room before they get back. 

My feet were silent on the stairs, and I slipped out the front door. Cool sand slipped between my toes with every step. I walked and walked, doing the exact same thing I did before: choosing to lose myself to the monotony of the waves hitting the shore. The only difference was this time I let my powers run loose. Not the best choice in hindsight. Waves which were only rolling onto the beach started crashing down on the sand; the gentle breeze whipped into a frenzy. Yeah, definitely not a good idea.

I kicked the sand, wondering what in the world I did to deserve what the Fates threw at me. The answer? Nothing. I didn't do anything except be born, but that seemed more than enough reason to make my life, and everyone around me, miserable. Huh, I guess it would be better for me to disappear. No one else would be in danger.

Dick would be safe. Bruce and Alfred would be safe. Wally would be safe.

And Kaldur- My face heated at the thought of him. -he'd be safe too.

I kicked myself, ramming my foot into my calf. No, I can't get close, and I can't let anyone get close. They'll only get hurt. They'll get hurt and it'll be all my fault.

Slowly, as if being lowered from wires, I collapsed on the sand. "I- I can't." I was crying, but I tried to ignore it. Crying would mean I'm feeling remorse for what I'm going to do. This isn't something I should regret. I'm keeping my family and their friends safe.

As much as I wanted to vapor travel to the other side of the country, I didn't have enough energy to. If I tried, I could end up scattered as mist forever and I really didn't want to find out how that would feel. So I got my feet below me, picked myself up, and I started walking. The more distance I can put between me and the cabin, the harder it'll be for them to find me, and once I'm far enough away it should be safe enough to call Mrs O'Leary.

"May I ask what you are doing out here so late?"

Every muscle in my body tensed. Damn it. "It's none of your business." Here I am trying to keep him safe by leaving, and he has to show up and ruin it. "But since I have a feeling you're going to keep bugging me, I couldn't sleep." I started walking again.

"Do you mind if I accompany you?"

"Yeah, I kinda do." 

"If I may," he said. His longer strides easily matched my hurried ones. "why have you been avoiding me?"

"I have my reasons."

"Such as?"

I growled, stopped dead in my tracks, and looked at him. The moonlight framed him well, highlighting his cheekbones and- Holy fuck, why is it this cold? Shivering, any and all traitorous thoughts flew out of my mind. Only for them to come flooding back when Kaldur unzipped his jacket and draped it over my shoulders. "Uh, thanks. I guess." I looked at him, and even though I've seen them before, my eyes locked onto his gills.

"What is-" Kaldur broke off, hand flying to cover the side of his neck.

"Can I see them?" I asked.

His eyes met mine, his pupils reflecting the light of the moon. "Are you certain? I am aware that many surface dwellers find them disturbing."

I shook my head. "They're really cool. I mean, it's not like you have the back half of spider or anything. Uh, you don't do you?"He laughed and shook his head. His hand fell back to his side. I stepped closer and leaned up to get a better view. "Do you care if-"

"As long as you avoid the edges, you are welcome to touch them."

I nodded and gently drew my fingers across them. I was careful both to avoid the edges and to keep from doing anything that might hurt him. Kaldur's eyes were focused on me, something I could tell even as my gaze was locked on his gills. I withdrew my hand.

"Sorry, they're just really cool," I said. Warmth rushed to my face. My blush only deepened as he continued to stare at me. His lips twitched before forming into a smile. 

"It is fine, I simply did not expect you to react in this manner."

At this, I found myself staring at Kaldur once again. He ducked his head and rubbed the back of his neck. Was he uncomfortable with the attention? Possibly, but I couldn't tear my eyes away. A half-smile rested on his lips, and his eyes met mine for a split second before breaking away. 

He's so cute.

Almost immediately I screamed at my mind to take it back. I can't care about people. I can't, I can't , I can't, I can't. Not when they end up hurt. Not when they end up dead.

I slipped my arms into the sleeves of Kaldur's jacket, enjoying its warmth and the protection it offered from the wind still swirling around us. Kaldur coughed. His gaze fixated on the ocean, on the violent waves. He stared at the water for a moment, before turning to me. His fingers grabbed the bottom of the jacket, and he leaned forward. Our faces were much too close as he focused on trying to fit the ends of the zipper together. If I thought my face welt warm before, now it felt like a forest fire.

"Are you warm enough?" he asked. "I doubt you wish to fall ill due to a late night walk." He straightened, offering me a small smile. I looked down, trying to quell the feeling rising in my chest. If I ignore it, it'll go away. I just have to ignore it until it goes away. It hasn't worked with anything else, but all that means I'm due for it to work, right? A gentle hand under my chin and I was forced to look at Kaldur. "Is something wrong?"

"No, everything's fine."

Kaldur smiled softly. His hand moved to my cheek, and his other brushed a stray strand of hair away from my face. He leaned down and brushed his lips against mine. It could hardly be called a kiss, but that's what it was. And gods damn me for the stupid giddy expression that overcame my face. I'm a veteran of two wars, one stupid kiss shouldn't have me acting like the teenage girl I very much am. I pressed my hand against his chest, at first it was to get him to break away but it quickly turned to me shoving away. I unzipped his jacket and roughly discarded it. Apologies fell from my lips along withe excuses. I couldn't.

Even just this will put him in danger. Even if whatever feeling I have are genuine, and I'd bet my mom's recipe cookies on Aphrodite having something to do with this-- though she doesn't get involved in setting up relationships unless there's something on both side. I think she mentioned something about people needing a push sometimes -- it doesn't change the fact the people I get close to get hurt.

"This can't happen again. Got it? This can absolutely never happen again." At this point I was talking more to myself than Kaldur, I turned and tried to run off, but Kaldur's hand wrapped around my wrist. He held tight, even as I attempted to free myself.

"Percy, what are you doing?"

"I need to go, if I don't you'll get hurt. Bruce will get hurt and so will everyone else around me. I'm not letting that happen again. I won't let that happen again!"

Kaldur pulled me towards him and wrapped his arms around me in a tight hug. The waves behind me grew larger, to the point where they wrapped around my ankles. I knew I could disappear into them and be gone before Kaldur had a chance to react, but that would raise even more questions than I already had.

"Why would we get hurt?"

"Because everyone around me always does, and I don't want anyone else dead because of me. Even Wally, as annoying as he is." I forced a laugh, stopping my struggle against Kaldur. If he thinks I gave up, maybe he'll let his guard down.

"And if you get hurt on your own?"

"Better me than the people I care about," I said. "I've watched too many of my friends get hurt. My mom and step-dad are dead. If anything happens to Bruce or Dick or you or Wally, well, there's some things I'd rather not know." His grip on me slackened and I slipped away. I turned around, heading back to the cabin. Since Kaldur saw me, it will look a lot weirder if I'm found in upstate New York.

"In case you have not noticed, we are quite capable of handling ourselves."

I paused. "So am I. Do me a favor though, don't do anything stupid. I'd rather not have another person I care about dead."

So uh, I had this written out for a while so if something doesn't make sense, its cause I posted this knowing I had finals next week.

Hope you enjoyed.

See yah