Grover Underwood

As Percy and I made our way towards the strawberry fields, he was definitely a little annoyed with Chiron.

"Hey," I said, squeezing his hand. "Don't let him get to you- it's stupid that he doesn't get how you feel about your dad considering the fact that he also has a shitty dad."

"Who..." Percy began before remembering that Father Time was the old man's dad. "Oh, yeah, duh. Yeah, that is stupid. Sorry, I just..."

Exhaling, his shoulders slumped.

"I wish that people would understand that it's not like I don't like my bio dad for no reason," he went on, looking down at our hands for a moment. "I've met him and I've spoken with him- and I spent a lot of time after it happened wishing that it never happened. I don't know if you ever went through that, but... We don't have to talk about it. Sorry."

"Hey, it's okay," I insisted as we found a spot in the field and sat down. I pulled him into a hug. "you don't have to apologize. I don't talk about my parents much because there's... Not a lot to say. My mom died when I was a little and I don't blame her for that. It was out of her control, we couldn't heal her. But my dad... I get it. I was angry with him once I realized that he left me knowing that he'd probably never come back."

"You... You were? You've never told me that before."

Nodding my head, I thought back to the days where I'd started to learn about the different careers a satyr could go into and I was told that the job of a searched was a noble cause- one you'd almost certainly die for.

"I mean, yeah, I try not to go back to it too often." I explained as Percy leaned into my touch, settling in as he rested his head in my lap. It was cute. "You know me, I really don't... I don't like being angry. But when he left, I was just told that it was an important job because he'd gotten his license. I assumed it was another recruiting job, but when I was a little older and they told me about the different jobs satyrs go into most often..."

I exhaled.

"Sometimes I wonder what I would say to him if came back," I told who was arguably the most important person in my life. "If I would just keep it to myself and try to be grateful that he lived, or if I'd get angry enough to like, explode on him and demand what he thought he was doing leaving his toddler with his brother who he knew was going into the same field of work without even saying goodbye. Without even leaving anything behind to explain to that toddler why he wasn't home a week or s month or a year later. It..."

Taking a breath, I reminded myself that getting mad now would just be wasted energy.

"It angered me, but it's why I was so insistent that I would come back," I explained to Percy, smiling down at him. "Because I didn't want you to feel that kind of anger and frustration. I am sorry that you had to come rescue me, though- I promise that wasn't in the plan. I'm not going on a search any time soon again."

But rather than seem completely relieved, my news that I was taking a break seemed to worry Percy.

"You're not? Why not? Obviously, you wouldn't search in the same area, but... You're not planning on going? It's your dream, Grover."

I shrugged, heart warmed by the idea that Percy was so worried that I was just going to give up my dream.

I'm so glad our feelings were reciprocal.

"I probably will, just not right now." I reworded the news, which seemed to relieve him. "First of all, I'm not approved to go on another massive search yet. Secondly, I have no leads to start with anyways. Third, and most importantly: I want to spend some time here, at home, with you. And some other people. But mostly you."

Percy blushed, burying his head as if I couldn't sense it through the link. And also just with my general senses as a satyr.

I care about him so much and in some capacity, I'm sure that I love him. For most people, I'm sure that that realization would be something that would terrify them.

But as a satyr, and as his best friend, it's so easy for me.

I know he feels the same way.

Not only because I can sense it or hear it or feel it in the link or thanks to my additional sixth sense of sending emotions.

But because he's my best friend and I know him. I can see it in the way his eyes light up when he sees me coming, or in the way he relaxes when I approach him.

Sure, I couldn't figure out whether or not his feelings had been romantic for the longest of times, but that's because, even platonic, his feelings were strong and they were deeply rooted. I was terrified of ruining that strong platform of trust and ease when I realized that my feelings had turned into something more than platonic.

But here we are: being sappy and open and maybe a little cheesy while we laid in the strawberry fields at Camp Half Blood together.

"Stoooop," Percy said jokingly as he recovered from what I said. "That's like, stupid. There's no way hanging out with me is your biggest priority."

"Percy," I reminded the demigod, resting my right hand on his face, rubbing his cheek with my thumb. "You are, without a doubt, the most important person in my life. There's a definitely a way that hanging out with you is my biggest priority."

But, looking down, I could see the hesitance in his eyes.

"Are you sure I'm the most important person in your life? I don't doubt that I'm like, Top 10, but... The most important?"

"I'm certain of it," I insisted, leaning down to give him a kiss for physical reassurance. "You're my best friend. And you've saved my life a million times. And you're the reason I was able to get my searchers license at all."

I paused, mostly for comedic affect.

"Oh, and I also have had a crush on you for at least a year now and am currently on a date with you. And our souls are intertwined now thanks to the mental link."

The son of Poseidon smiled.

"That last part is a little important, I guess," he conceded. "Has it seriously been a year?"

"Silena insists that it's been longer, but about that, yeah. Why?"

He shrugged.

"Just curious- I'm pretty sure Annabeth was onto something last summer when she asked me if we were a thing, but I didn't want to admit it so... It took me a while. Sorry."

I returned his smile from earlier.

"It's okay, it's not a race." I promised him. "But can I ask you something that I've been thinking about ever since we spent the afternoon on the ship looking up at the sky?"

"Of course, what's up?"

I let out a breath, steadying myself for what felt like a really big question.

He travelled through the Sea of Monsters for you, I tried to remind myself. He's not going to just say no.

"So now that you're like, coming out to people," I prefaced it. "Which is super cool and I'm really proud of you for that. But now that that's like, becoming public knowledge, would it be okay if I..."

Just spit it out, Underwood.

"I know it hasn't been long," I concluded. "But would it be okay if I started to introduce you as my boyfriend to others?"

Sitting up, I could feel the jolt of energy fly through Percy in a wave of shock when he processed the question.

"Would it be okay?" The son of Poseidon repeated back to me, and I nodded my head, confirming the question. "Grover, it would be the best thing you could introduce me as to others. As long as I can tell people the same thing about you, that is."

And with that, Percys excitement washed away any worry I had about where our relationship stood.

Not that I had many, but I think it's natural to have worries before things have been made official in a relationship. Especially a romantic one.

I couldn't help but smile.

"Well, of course, we're competing with Silena and Clarisse to be the most insufferable couple at this gods forsaken camp," I responded, which got him to laugh. "They don't know it's a competition, though, so we're already winning."

Keeping a smile on his face, Percy gave me a kiss.

"As long as no U-Hauls show up at camp, I think we'll remain in the lead." Percy said, and I didn't get the joke, but that's okay. "what do you want to do for the rest of the day?"

I raised an eyebrow.

"I don't know," I responded. "What do boyfriends do on a warm June day?"

"Well," he reasoned. "There's a lot of things they could do. It's almost dinner time- they could sneak out and go to a nice restaurant with outdoor seating and then uh, do something in the city. Skateboard maybe?"

I opened my mouth, more than content with the first option, but debating the second.

"Dinner sounds lovely- if we can get money for it," I told my boyfriend. "As for skateboarding... What if I break my knee?"

Percy rolled his eyes.

"We can stop by my parents place to get my protective gear for you to wear," he reassured me, which made the idea a lot less intimidating. "It wouldn't be the only protective gear an adult would want us to wear this week."

I couldn't help but laugh as I playfully pushed Percy away for that comment.

"Percy!"

"What?" He asked, chuckling himself as he stood up. "I'm not wrong. Mr. D literally gave us a box of condoms. It was mortifying for both of us?"

"Oh, it was the most terrifying moment of my life," I agreed, taking a hand he offered to stand. "I wasn't able to look him in the eye the entire time we talked about the search. But if we're getting even more protective gear, then I guess I'll learn how to skate. But you have to teach me how to do a jump on it."

Percy smiled.

"As long as you can stay on the board, my little leaf."

Dear reader: I folded.

I was the same color as the strawberries that surrounded us, I'm sure of it.

Not even phased by what he just called me, Percy had started to walk towards the street where mortals can come and park to pick strawberries, but he didn't get far because I couldn't move.

Concerned, he looked back at me.

"Everything okay?" The son of Poseidon questioned, sounding worried. "I didn't say something I shouldn't have, did I?"

But before I could gather myself to tell him that everything was done, he jumped to one of the sweetest and silliest ideas I've ever heard.

"It's not racist to call you a leaf, is it? I was trying to be cute, I'm sorry if-"

I just laughed, running to catch up and give him a kiss.

"It's not racist, Sweets," I promised him, which is something I never imagined I'd say about a leaf. The nickname elicited a similar reaction out of him, though, which might've been a little victory for me. "I love it, it is very cute. How um..."

I looked to the expanse of Long Island.

"How are we supposed to get into the city?"

Promising me he had a plan, Percy told me to follow him.

•••

The plan was to lie to Argus about the fact that he forgot his meds at home.

I couldn't fault Percy on this plan, though, because here's the thing: Argue didn't doubt or question him at all. He just nodded and grabbed the keys, walking to the camp van with us. And, being a form of magical transportation, it only took about ten minutes for him to drop us off a block or so away from the Jackson apartment.

"I can't believe that worked." I said once the van drove off.

"Compliments of the Hermes Cabin- they do it all the time apparently." Percy explained, shrugging. "and since I'm technically a counselor, I guess he's supposed to assume that I might have to get stuff in the city for my cabin? I don't know. It's technically not against the rules, Annabeth explained it to me one time. But that's besides the point."

Stopping, Percy motioned to a little restaurant that we'd been standing in front of.

"So I know that enchiladas are like, your favorite thing in the world," my boyfriend started. "And we're only like, a couple blocks from Central Park. So if you want to get some food here, we can get it to go and eat in the park so that way we can still be around nature and enjoy the weather. The flowers are really pretty this time of year. Oh! They also sell carbonated water here."

And with how many little details he seemed to think of, I wonder how long he's been planning this date in his head.

Enchiladas, the park on a nice sunny day. My weird fascination with sparkling water.

"You had me at enchiladas," I promised Percy, who was so kind as to open the door for me.

The park was beautiful, as always, and it was good weather to eat outside.

We spent some time people watching as we ate our dinners and talked. And only one monster tried to bother us, and a small one at that. Percy took out a knife that I didn't recognize and killed the thing pretty fast.

"Is that new?" I asked the son of Poseidon, who was wiping the knife off with a napkin. "When did you start carrying a dagger?"

Did he... Lose Riptide somehow?

I thought that was impossible.

"Hm? Oh, yeah, it is kind of new," he told me, putting it back in it's sheath which I was only now noticing because it was the same color as his pants. "It's just for little cases like that when I just need to quick draw it if something's too close. This is only the like, second or third time I've used it."

"Oh, like a backup!" I responded. "That's smart. Where did you find it, though? It looks like... Is it all Celestial Bronze?"

"Um... I don't think so?" Percy said, shrugging. "Annabeth said it looked like there might be some Stygian Iron in it as well? I found it on the ship we were originally on. It ended up being helpful, though. Do you want to see it?"

Nodding my head, Percy took the knife back out and placed the blade in my hand.

Like I'd said earlier, it was a cool blade. Not too long, just being a dagger. Maybe a inch or so shorter than Annabeth's dagger. The metal is what kept my interest, though. Rather then just be plant divided by Celestial Bronze and Stygian Iron, all of the metals were swirled together in an almost marble like affect- which was both gorgeous and terrifying.

"Oh, that's definitely Stygian Iron." I confirmed for my boyfriend. "There's also some steel in this. Did you... Know that?"

He frowned, looking at the blade.

"I was hoping it was another type of special metal," the son of Poseidon sighed. "Celestial Bronze exists, I've heard about special gold- it seemed reasonable silver would also exist. But I guess steel would make more sense. Is it... Bad that there's steel in this?"

I shrugged.

"Depends on who you ask, it... Isn't something that's normally crafted." I said. "Chiron, and I think most other trainers, discourage from steel in general because it can hurt mortals but.... If it's mixed with other metals, I don't know what it'll do. I wouldn't bring it to classes with Chiron, though, if you want to avoid a lecture."

"Because I've ever wanted to be lectured by the old man," my boyfriend retorted. "Do you think it's weird that he like, kept the existence of an entire other camp from us?"

He also thinks that Chiron's secretiveness is weird?

Finally!

Excited, I slapped my hands on my thighs, which made him jump.

"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," I apologized. "I just didn't realize anyone was irritated or confused by Chiron's decision making, especially when it comes to what things he thinks we can and can't know. I was starting to think I was just getting annoyed with him because I've been around him for so long. Thank the gods I'm not alone."

We spent the rest of dinner talking about the disagreements we've both had with Chiron over the course of our times at camp.

It was a wonderful meal.