Seven years from now, they will start something they've spent just as long ignoring. It will go:

"So I guess that's it-"

and

"I'll miss you-"

and

"Listen-"

and

"I've been meaning to tell you-"

and

"I think I-"

And it will be awkward, because they have always occupied the same space but sat at opposite ends, and have always pretended that was how it was supposed to be. And Percy will duck his head and Oliver will smile, and there will go the time wasted.

For now, Percy extends a hand and introduces himself.

 

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