Will always knew dating Travis would entail complications. He knew what he signed up for, and was down with it. Getting dragged into messy, quarter-baked plans because everything is better with the element of surprise ? Been there, done that. Becoming an unwilling accomplice to his countless pranks ? As long as he can claim plausible deniability, it's cool with him. Lending a hand to build fireworks when he doesn't the first thing about pyrotechnics just because Travis asked with a charming smile ? Yep, that too. His eyebrows got burned but he got a thank you kiss, so it was worth it.
What makes Travis, well, Travis, Will was ready for. He likes it, even. It's part of his charm, his flippancy and carefree attitude, always facing the world and its problems with a lazy grin and the unshakable belief that it'll work out for the better.
"Of course you can do it." He's the first to say when Will starts voicing his doubts about whatever. Trying to get better at archery. Cooking lasagnas. Learning how to windsurf.
"I believe in you." He says earnestly each time, tugging playfully at his curls and stealing a kiss at every occasion. Always sincere. Always being his biggest supporter.
And if he fails afterwards - missing the target, burning the pasta, crashing into the waves - then Travis distracts him with one of his latest ideas, pulls him into a crazy project that leaves him no time for self-deprecation or basking in misery. It's nice. It's a welcomed change - much better than spending too much time alone with his thoughts.
It's attractive. It's very attractive. To him, and others.
"You look like you're planning a murder." Kayla states, sipping on her apple juice. She's sitting next to him at their table in the messing hall, looking at the same direction as him. "Who at Hermes pissed you off ?"
"Am not. And no one." He lies, about the second part. He's not yet planning to murder the guy blatantly flirting with Travis over at their table, leaning in way too close and laughing too loudly.
A new camper, claimed by Hebe a couple of days ago, that should have long moved out of Cabin 11 to join his own, but alas, Paolo managed to break his arm cleaning the rooms, and now Annoying Guy - as Will decided to nickname him- refused to go live in "such a dangerous place".
As if the Hermes Cabin that has stolen landmines hidden somewhere inside is safer.
Annoying Guy cackles particularly loudly, and Will clutches his fork harder, gritting his teeth. His relation with Travis is not as public as Percy and Annabeth, but everyone that's been at Camp longer than two weeks can connect the dots and see that they are dating. Travis has no qualms barging in the infirmary to pepper him with kisses mid-shift, and he retaliates by hugging him each time they cross paths during their schedules. It's a no-brainer they're boyfriends.
So unless Annoying Guy who's been at camp for a month now is blind, he simply does not care that Travis is taken, and not interested. Absolute prick.
Not-so subtly, Austin plops down on the bench next to their sister, whispering loudly. He's not good at being sneaky. "Why does he look like this ?"
"Matt ? Mattis ? Marton ? That dude," Kayla points towards Annoying Guy. "is flirting with Travis."
Austin nods, understand dawning on him. "Ah. Explains why he's looking like he wants to kill him."
"Mmmh." Kayla agrees, chugging what's left of her drink in one go.
"Am not."
Miranda Gardner walks past their table with her tray in hands. "You kind of do."
"You should do it." Ellis Wakefield says, appearing out of nowhere. His eyes gleam red. "I can help you beat him up."
Sherman Yang joins his brother, cracking his knuckles and grinning viciously. "He won't stand a chance."
"No." Will hisses, standing up to scatter his friends before more join the assault and battery plan being prepared. Malcolm Pace is looking towards them, interested by the commotion. "We're not beating anyone up. I don't want that."
So what if he has been glaring at the Hermes table like a scorned lover planning his revenge for the past fifteen minutes ? It doesn't mean he wants to do bodily harm to Matt, Mattis, Marton or who the fuck cares. A couple of rhythmic curses are in consideration, however, he'll admit. His boyfriend is over there. He has the right to look at his boyfriend. It just so happens that the nuisance that is Annoying Guy is seating next to Julia Feingold that is herself seating next to Travis. And because Julia is of small stature, it's almost as if the two boys were seating side by side, the young girl presenting a rather easy obstacle to overcome.
Even Travis being obviously not at ease doesn't deter the boy. How can he not see that his smile is fake, that it doesn't reach his eyes ? How does he not notice Connor being held down by Chris and Cecil to prevent him to doing something that'll sentence him to kitchen duty, such as stabbing M-something with his butter knife ? How self-absorbed must he be not to realise Travis is just trying to spare him the embarrassment of rejecting him in public, letting him know he's not interested and that he should stop ?
What is wrong with the guy ?
Finally, Travis looks his way. Upon seeing him, surrounded by most of their friends, standing and glaring, he frowns, curious. Then, his lazy smile, his charming smile comes into full force, turning Will's knees into jelly. He's never growing immune to that smile.
Will watches him whisper something to Connor, patting his shoulder then getting up, heading towards the Apollo table. Towards him.
Grinning like the Cheshire Cat, Travis wastes no time pulling him close when he reaches him, resting his hands on his shoulder blades, brushing his nose against his. "Hey."
Not an ounce of shame. Not a shred of modesty or decency in doing so in front of his siblings, in front of their friends, in front of the entirety of Camp. In front of Annoying Guy.
Will grabs him by the waist, making sure it was impossible to miss from the Hermes table. "Hey."
"You've been looking towards me pretty intensely." Travis whispers, rising one hand higher until it's playing with his curls, on his nape. He grins, smug and cheeky. "Am I really that handsome ?"
"Oh gods above." Kayla groans. "Go do that somewhere else."
"You're okay to look at, sure." Will shots back, ignoring his sister. He would oblige her, normally, but right now he wants to make certain that Matt, Mattis, Marton sees them. "But it's not you I was watching. It was the new son of Hebe."
His boyfriend's eyes gleam like blue clearwater under sunlight. "Mattis ? Why ?"
He knows why. They both know why. It's why Travis is here, holding him closer than he usually does in public, one breath away from kissing him. It's why Will is indulging him, leaning in closer, the ugly feeling within him fading.
"Jealousy." Will admits, speaking lowly, only for Travis to hear. The others have stepped away, but they're still close. Not that he can blame them, the messing hall is always crowded. "He's flirting with you."
"He certainly tries, yes." The son of Hermes snorts, matching his quiet tone. "He doesn't seem to understand I'm not interested. I'm happily taken, after all."
Travis brings a hand to his face, brushing his thumb over Will's lower lip, eyes twinkling mischievously. "Maybe I need to show him once and for all for him to get the message. What do you say ?"
His other hand, the one on his neck, squeezes gently, pulling him lightly closer. An invitation.
One Will gladly accepts. "Excellent idea."
Maybe he should get jealous more often. If it makes Travis kiss him this way, nipping at lips like he's hungry for more, grabbing him tight as if he doesn't want to let go of him, well... Will is more than happy to do it.










