Wish I Could

Olympia college had officially clinched victory and become the reigning football champions. As I made my way through the chaotic celebrations in the dorms, I couldn't decide what made me happier—winning the championship, seeing Percy cheering on the stands in my away game jersey or maybe having Will nearly combust when he saw Nico next to Percy, wearing his jersey. Percy had said that he wouldn't make any promises, but would try to get the Italian to the game. No one expected him actually to succeed. He should be the one studying law, though, because how he convinced the emo looking boy to not only go to the game but to wear Will's jersey was a truly godlike ability.

Since all the students were back on campus, the victory party was blown to colossal proportions. All the male floors in the legacy dorms were playing hosts to the biggest party of the year. Most of the campus security was convinced, read bribed, to turn a blind eye for the evening. The only guard who refused was poor Terminus. Leo had assured us it wouldn't be life-threatening, but wouldn't divulge what he snuck into the man's lunch to get him off campus with food poisoning either. Percy had grumbled about losing the man's trust and, therefore, certain negotiated skateboard privileges within the, usually forbidden, dorm sector.

Of course, I knew the main reason Percy negotiated the terms were for the two mornings a week he had classes earlier than I did. Being able to flit across campus on his skateboard had shaved a few precious minutes off his morning commute. A few minutes that seemed all the more precious when spent snuggling me before he left for class. I was just as upset at the possibility of losing those blessed minutes. They made the cold winter mornings more bearable. More than just tolerable, really. Those early morning snuggles were steadily turning winter into my favourite season.

Come summer, though, having Percy shirtless and oiled up on the beach will most likely sway me again.

I stepped over a half-naked body slumped by Leo and Percy's doorway, already out for the count. Each apartment had its theme, creating a cornucopia of preferences for all the party-goers. Like Frank and I, for instance, went with a pizza theme. Hazel was helping him keep up a steady supply of the greasiest pizza imaginable, trying to combat the overall drunkenness of the celebrations.

Percy and Leo, on the other hand, had settled on a loco theme. They were the primary contributor to the drunkenness with a steady stream of tequila and margaritas. To their credit, they had planned for the worst. All gaming consoles, breakables, and personal artefacts were safely locked away in Percy's room, Leo's being left open for access to a bathroom.

Percy had argued that of the two of them, people were more likely to try and snoop through his things than Leo's. Therefore his room should be the one locked. Leo reluctantly agreed. In exchange, Leo was given free rein and requested Percy get bisexual drunk because apparently, that's a thing. All that meant was that I was on babysitting duty to ensure my boyfriend and his roommate didn't get in too much trouble.

I knew all this walking into their apartment. Still, it didn't prepare me in any shape, way, or form for what lied beyond the doorway guarded by the drunken sack of potatoes. Who would ever expect to walk in on Percy teaching Leo how to give a lap dance?

The stunning, caramel-haired girl they were dancing on seemed outright thrilled during Percy's demonstration. Her dark almond-shaped eyes turned cold the moment Leo stepped up, though, showing nothing but contempt for the guy. I made my way through the crowd; Percy's eyes instantly locking on mine as if he sensed my presence.

"Eye contact, dude," he ordered Leo as I reached him.

He pulled me in for a chaste, smooth peck on the lips. The girl with her hair elegantly braided over her shoulder, glared at me, her eyes holding a thousand curses. She abruptly got up, pushing Leo off her and stomped out the room, somehow still breathtakingly beautiful. Both Percy and Leo frowned after her.

"I guess we need a new volunteer." Both turned toward me, waggling their eyebrows. It was creepier than when the Stolls talked in unison.

"Absolutely not," I deadpanned.

"Well, you're a ray of fucking sunshine," Percy pouted, almost making me reconsider. I wouldn't mind Percy dancing on me, but there was no way I would ever allow Leo's gyrating ass anywhere near me.

"I'm here for your room key," I said as I held my hand out to Percy. He had asked me to hold on to it since he might lose it in his intoxicated state, or worse, lose track of the Stolls and have them steal it while he was distracted. Considering what they'll find under Percy's bed, I wholeheartedly agreed to be the best guard dog since Cerberus.

"How bout I give you a private show later?" Percy smirked as he handed me his key.

"I'd be okay with that."

"I am truly offended, sir," Leo scoffed. "How am I supposed to learn if you don't let me watch?" My eyebrows shot into my hairline, and Percy snickered at my shock.

"Guess what?" he asked. "Leo gets bi-drunk too."

I blinked at him. "I'll repeat this, no more drunk margarita nights when you two are alone."

"Oh, please," Percy scoffed. "I've seen you naked. I'm never getting hard for anything else."

Leo gaped at him, outraged. "How dare you, sir?"

"Why the fuck are you offended?" Percy asked, raising an eyebrow. "You're being compared to Jason fucking Grace. You should be grateful that you still register in my brain."

"You've changed," Leo said, lip wobbling. "You're a mean drunk, now. Not a bi-drunk."

"True, I'm no longer gay, bi, pan, whatever. I am Jason sexual." Percy waved his arms as if he was presenting me. "Do you fucking blame me?"

"Honestly," Leo gave me a once over, "not in the slightest, really. You're a handsome man, Grace."

"Don't be jealous, firebug," a voice called, and Piper stumbled in from the kitchen with a pitcher of margaritas.

"I'm not being jealous, beauty queen," Leo grumbled. "I'm being gay."

"Thank gods, I thought I was the only one," she giggled before she frowned. "Wait, where's Calypso?"

"Remember how she tried to curse Annabeth when Percy started dating her?" Piper looked over to me.

"She cursed Jason?"

"I doubt she really cursed him," Percy rolled his eyes.

"Even if she did, she's still hot," Leo sighed, staring at the door.

"She's also your Physics TA," Percy challenged. "Don't be stupid, dude."

"No, she was his TA," Piper smirked. "He completed the course last semester, remember."

"It's cutting it close, though," Percy rolled his eyes. "He was number one in the class. What're the other students gonna think when there's suddenly a romantic connection between him and the TA of the course he just completed? There's gonna be some accusations of favouritism."

"False accusations," she countered.

"False accusations can still damage reputations, Piper," Percy sighed. "It's fucking hard to pry a label off once it's been slapped across your name. Trust me."

"Oh, please. Once Leo's sober, he'll call her a toad again, and no one will suspect an actual relationship." Piper fell onto the couch. "Seriously, just fucking bone, already. We've had to watch this hate love dance between you two since high school, and I'm growing sick of it."

"Quick question," I cut them off, trying not to panic. "You mentioned a curse?"

"Relax, it's not a real curse," Percy waved me off. "Just to be safe, though, don't let her get any of your hair."

"What?" I screamed.

"I'll check my dear roommate's room for voodoo dolls and let you know," Piper shrugged as if her words weren't utterly terrifying.

"Voodoo dolls?" I croaked.

"That's taking it a little far, Pipes," Percy rolled his eyes. "It's not like she's a real witch or something. To be fair, she just told Annabeth that she hoped she'd know sorrow one day."

"And she was admitted to the hospital the next day," Piper exclaimed.

"Her appendix burst," he deadpanned. "It was a coincidence."

"Jason, do you still have your appendix?" Piper asked sweetly.

"Um, yeah," I answered, rubbing the back of my neck. Both Leo and Piper made a show of crossing themselves.

"Fortunately for the team, the championship and the season's over," Leo grumbled as he grabbed the pitcher from Piper and poured himself another drink.

"I'm gonna go get something to eat." Percy took my wrist and pulled me out of the apartment over to my own without another word. Walking into the kitchen, he hopped onto the counter, plucking a slice of pizza off the table as I found my place next to him, leaning against the edge with a sigh.

"What's wrong?" Percy asked around a blob of melted cheese.

"I could ask you the same thing," I raised an eyebrow in challenge. "You seem kind of irritated and bitchy tonight."

"I don't know," Percy groaned. "I think I'm getting old because this ain't that fun anymore."

"What isn't fun?"

"The whole party to get drunk and be an idiot, thing." I smiled at Percy's utterly cute pout. "All I'm thinking is how I'd much rather have a nice dinner with you and people I actually like, rather than have my apartment crowded with people I don't even necessarily know."

"Oh, how domestic," I smirked, and he rolled his eyes.

"Like you wouldn't have preferred it either," he huffed.

"I would have preferred spending the night cashing in on my reward, to be honest." That got Percy's attention. "I mean, winning the championship should entitle me to a more special reward, right?"

"Oh?" Percy pulled me closer by my collar and whispered in my ear. "What did you have in mind, babe?" I felt heat rise to my ears and cheeks, but I had to tell Percy what I wanted. He had given me books on BDSM stuff to read. I was told to take note of things I would like to try. Percy had been adamant, though, not to do anything unless I verbally requested it. So I grit my teeth and powered through.

"Maybe those silk ties under your bed?"

The corner of his mouth twitched up. "Is that all?"

I almost groaned. Why couldn't Percy just help me through this? I had read the damn books, but I couldn't fathom what most of the stuff would even feel like, much less whether or not I would enjoy it. I needed help. I wanted to explore things, but I was clutching at air, in desperate need of some guidance. But I couldn't tell Percy that, could I?

"I-I..." Percy stared at me so expectantly, running a gentle hand through my hair.

"You need to tell me what's going on in that head of yours if you want me to help, Jay."

I took a deep breath before I dove right in. "I honestly don't know what I want, Percy. I need you to show me." I looked up to find him staring at me intently. "Please."

"Fuck," he breathed. "How am I supposed to say no to that? One big problem, though."

"What?"

He leaned in conspiratorily. "Both our apartments are still packed with drunken college kids. So no sex tonight."

"Oh, fuck me," I groaned, and Percy laughed.

"I wish I could, babe. I really wish I could."