#like percy slept on the floor for her

[mydairpercabeth]

show percabeth is eating book 1 percabeth up

[targaryenluvs]

— INTO HIS ARMS

pairing: yandere!percy jackson x fem!gf!reader

summary: percy decides to scare you back into his arms, of course you need him, you couldn’t survive without!

warnings: combat, injuries, blood, kinda creepy oc, kinda backwards views/manly views, obsessed?? guilt, makeups, hugs

a/n: part one —this is kinda inspired by @supercutszns fighting chance!

you hadn’t slept all night.

thinking about your fight with percy and the fact that he was for once alone, because of you. alone in a huge cabin all to himself just because he was worried about you and another boy.

but on the other hand, he was over reacting. it was getting hard for you to be with percy in all honestly, as much as you loved him it seemed like he would never let you be. you were conflicted, did you want to be with him and put up with his jealousy? or break up with your bestfriend and be miserable?

the entire morning, all you could think about was your dilemma. even as you sat through tactic and strategy with annabeth and your group, percy was on your mind as well as behind you. “percy, y/n, you’ll be with me.” annabeth spoke as everyone split apart. you sighed, even with annabeth you knew she’d plop on her cap and disappear, you were stuck with percy.

“i’d rather scout for the other flag.” murmurs and whispers rung out around you as everyone wondered why on earth percy would want to seperate from you. “fine, let’s get moving.” you turned to look back at him, but he was already gone.

great, he was pissed. but why? he was the one acting irrational, and you just wanted a break. percy was acting as if you were in the wrong.

as you expected, annabeth disappeared soon enough, leaving you to yourself. you sat on a log, over looking your surroundings. engrossed in your pathetic attempts to entertain yourself, you hadn’t noticed the approaching enemy footsteps.

you tried to stand but the sword at your throat stopped you. “don’t move, where’s the flag?” you turned your head slightly to view the boy, but he was unrecognisable. he could tell you didn’t know, “you don’t even know my name do you?” you closed your eyes as your hand curled around the hilt of your sword, you lifted it promptly, clashing with his sword.

the two of you began to fight, loud clashes rumbling through the thick forest as you gained ground, merciless in your pursuit. you were close to winning, he was losing energy and the slashes you’d landed had him wincing. eventually you managed to slam the sword out of his hand, causing him to trip and land on his butt. “do you give up?” his chest was heaving, you expected him to be mad, but a smile came across his face, “no.”

the yells came from behind you, three of his teammates charging towards you as you picked up his sword and ran. chucking it away, you continued running as you heard their taunts, “where do you think you’re going sweetheart?” laughs echoed around, “give up!” you ended up at the shoreline as you turned around and viewed all three of them.

“what’re you gonna do now huh?” the blonde headed boy looked vicious and ready to fight, you weren’t one to stand down, “beat your ass into the floor probably, three on one? real mature.” his smirk was wiped off as he snarled, “shut up!” he ran at you, dumb idea, you dashed to the side as he ran past you, being pushed into the floor whilst you grabbed his sword and threw it into the water.

the other two charged at you, you were good of course, but two fully trained older teens? you weren’t so sure. you’d slipped on the watery shore, causing a gash along your arm. the blood ran down your arm as your hand clutched the sword, “where’s your back talk?” the other boy smirked as you laughed, “up your ass.” you shouted as you brung the sword up, slashing his shoulder before you pushed him onto the floor.

what you hadn’t noticed was the blonde boy staggering to his feet, his friends sword in his hand. he came at you from behind, slamming the handle into your back as you screamed out in pain. your head slammed against the floor, your arm ached and your eyes were hazy. the boy chuckled as the tip of the sword rested on your chest, the sword trailed around your chest, “my names toby, by the way.”

“that’s a pretty stupid name toby.” percy spoke as the boy turned, “what do you want jackson?” percy’s smile was oddly wide, but soon enough it dropped, “for you to never mess with my girlfriend, ever.” the boy pointed his sword at percy, “is that right? how old are you anyways? five? you couldn’t beat me on my worst day.” percy took a step forwards as toby took a step back, “first of all, i could easily beat you, and second, the minute you laid your hands on her, it became your worst day.”

the water slammed into toby from behind, a large wave and toby shouted out, his entire body was in excruciating pain. “help! please!” toby clawed at the floor as the water seemed to drag him in, but the shouts and cheers of your team and luke waving the opposite teams flags drowned him out.

percy rushed to your side, ��are you okay? can you hear me?” you nodded lazily, “my arm, percy my arm.” he peeled off your armour hurriedly before rolling up your sleeve. the blood was flowing still, but all percy could think of was how badly he wanted to put a million more cuts in toby and his friends. the campers saw the scene, the two boys on the floor, toby’s hands flapping around in the water, trying to keep himself afloat.

the water, the water will heal her.

the same voice from before was in his head, and he decided to listen. he picked you up, dragging you near the water. the campers watched intently as percy’s hand hovered above the water, a line of water formed as he directed it to your arm. and soon enough the gash was gone and you were okay. he clutched onto your face, “y/n, i’m so sorry, i should’ve been there with you.”

you shot up, hugging percy tightly. “it’s not your fault, thank you for saving me. but percy, you used the water.” percy hadn’t even realised in all honestly, he’d only been concerned with you. he glanced at toby, an idea in his head. he reached his hand out, and suddenly toby was dragged back to shore.

shouts and cheers came from the campers, and as you looked up, you noticed the trident above his head, “perce.” he looked at you intently, “what’s wrong?” your hand pointed upwards as he viewed it. chirons voice boomed, declaring him as the son of poseidon.

but all he could find himself caring for was you, clutching onto him and smiling, “i’m so happy for you percy.” your arms held onto him as his slithered around your waist, “i’m sorry, for everything. i’d very much like to move some of my things back to your cabin. if you’ll take me back percy?” he smiled, “of course.”

percy had been claimed, and he now had you again, back in his arms once more, he wasn’t sure if he’d ever let go.

[leaawrites]

Take away the pain

Percy Jackson x daughter of Apollo!reader

Warnings: Blood, open body, might be disturbing, mentions of organs, broken limbs, nightmare, mentions of death, mentions of wounds, scratch marks, tight throat, female reader,

Category: angst, a bit of fluff, comfort

summary: after reader has a nightmare Percy comforts her.

Masterlist

Blood. It was everywhere. Soaking her clothes, staining the fabric in a crimson color. Her body felt weightless, but she felt alive. Her limbs were broken, they were shattered, thorn by the ends. Her chest was open. She couldn’t feel it, but she saw it. It wasn’t neatly opened by a knife. She wasn’t slashed or stabbed by a human creature. It was a hole. She was opened by something more forceful. Part of her organs were laying beside her. Her skin was opened.

The stone beneath her feet was flat, sanded smooth by millions of feet walking over it. But hers couldn’t feel it. She couldn’t make her mark on it. She couldn’t polish it with her own. She destroyed it.

Her body was weightless and she wasn’t alive.

Her eyes opened, sweat was soaking the shirt she slept in. Her hair was a mess. Nothing felt real anymore. But it was real. This was real.

Her hands clutched her chest, fearing to feel it soaked. But all she felt was skin to skin. A body moved on the other side of the bed. Percy pulled the blanket up to his face, probably fighting with his own nightmare.

The air in camp Half-blood felt clearer at night. No one was awake at this hour, the sky was dark, nature was silent. A tree moved from the wind, somewhere something else moved through the night, making sounds through the leaves that covered the ground.

Y/n gently removed the blanket from over her body, hoping she wouldn’t wake Percy in doing so. Her feet were soundless on the wooden floor. Tears were pricking on the edge of her eye. Her eye lids felt heavy from the water forming beneath them.

Being a kid of Apollo was great in her eyes. She couldn’t complain too much. However, one thing that made her want to change her godly parent, were the wounds she’d seen. The blood that has been on her hands while trying to safe someone else. She saw people in pain that she wanted to pull them out of, often that was Percy. If there was a way of taking their pain and put them onto her she would gladly do it. But she couldn’t.

Slow rivers were trailing down her face as she sat down on the stairs, watching the outside in hope of forgetting what she saw. It may wasn’t real, but it felt realistic enough to scare her. Images came flashing back into her mind. And every time they did, she shut her eyes, imagining his face. The way he would smile at her whenever he saw her. Until it was forgotten.

“What did you dream about?” Of course he knew that was the reason she was up. Of course he felt whenever she wasn’t by his side, even when his eyes were closed and his body was on stand-by.

Y/n moved her fingers over her neck, scratching her fingernails against the soft flesh. It hurt, she noticed. The simple motion made her throat feel tight, it felt like strings were laced around it, pulling themselves together by the second. A deep breath in the pain began to gave up on paining her even more.

“I was dead,” she said, her voice shaking while she spoke. Percy sat down beside her, looking confused at the raw explanation. “My chest was ripped open, there was blood everywhere and my body wasn’t my body anymore. Percy, I- I was nothing more but a dead, rotting body. Nothing more than flesh split open, with broken bones.”

Percy knew about the dreams she had before. They were mostly about other people dying, never her. He put an arm around her shoulders, pulling her body into his chest, the other covered his face.

"It was just a dream," he assured the girl. It pained him to see her so broken over what others called her gift. He didn't know what he would do if he saw what she saw.

"But can I be sure of that? What if it was all just a vision of what will be in the future?" There were a hundred thoughts on her mind. Most of them bad ones. If this was all a vision, when would it happen? When would whatever ripped her open rip her open?

Kissing her head, he softly spoke, “Nothing will hurt you. I won’t let it.”

“How can you be so sure about that?” She asked, thinking back on the girl who was in the infirmary a few days ago. She was on a quest, abandoned by her other two acquaintances. He told me he would never leave me, she recalled the girl tell her. Percy wasn’t like this, but what if something acquired him to go away? What if someone was the reason why he wasn’t there?

Percy thought back to his mother. He believed she would always be there, until she wasn’t. But he got her back. He believed, that if you truly loved someone, that nothing could make you turn away from them. “Because I love you.”

It was his only reasonable answer to that question. He would protect her as long as he loved her. There was nothing that could make him turn away when she was hurt.

The pain on her neck left completely when Percy planted a kiss on the back of it. He made the pain disappear. The string detached from another, leaving her to breath freely and purely. The pain from her stomach unraveled when she felt his skin against it. He was what she needed when the pain was too much. With Percy everything felt lighter. Every one of her problems solved around him. He was the light she needed on dark day for her sun to shine.

[demigodsanswer]

Have you seen those videos of kids that think their mom’s names are ‘my love’ or ‘sweetheart’ and other terms of endearment their dad calls her? I was thinking that in your future fics the kids might just start parroting what Percy and Annabeth call eachother without knowing what it means

tl'dr: good luck telling a tiny baby who's 1/4 Athena and 1/2 Annabeth that she's wrong about something

~

Ms. Sasha was helping the kids fill out their mother's day worksheets. The holiday was over the weekend, and so the pre-school class was making crafts for Mom, and filling out little worksheets to take home.

"Sophia, what's your mommy's name?" Ms. Sasha asked. Sasha did have favorites, and Sophia was up there. She was precocious and reliably potty trained already at two years and ten months and actually very good at sharing, although not so good at nap time.

"Beautiful," Sophia told her confidently.

"Aw, that's cute. But that's not your mommy's name." Sasha knew her name was Annabeth, she dropped her girls off at the daycare every morning.

"That's what Daddy says," Sophia said. She was a good talker too, with a big vocabulary and solid pronunciation for her age. "Hi, Beautiful."

Sasha knew Percy too. He picked the kids up around four every day. He was the hottest daddy at the daycare. Everyone knew him.

"That's a very nice thing for your daddy to say, and your mommy is very pretty, but that's not her first name," Sasha tried to explain. For a moment, she thought about just writing Annabeth on the paper and telling Sophia it said beautiful. But with Sasha's luck that would be the moment that Sophia informed them she knew how to read.

"It is!" Sophia yelled, her little temper rising.

Sasha tried to calm the brewing storm, offering to just write "Beautiful" anyway, but the battle was already lost. Sophia hadn't slept well at nap time, or eaten the snack of pears afterwards, meaning she was sleepy and hungry. Ms. Sasha's usually bright and loving Sophia was, to put it simply, turning into a cranky little nightmare.

Ms. Sasha hated to send her off to her dad while she was still crying, but Percy showed up early, like he usually did on Fridays, coming in at three instead of four.

"Daddy!" Sophia said, running up to him, her melt down starting up all over again. Percy placed the car seat that held her baby sister down on the floor to scoop Sophia up.

"What's wrong, love bug?" He asked her. Ms. Sasha stepped up, Sophia's mother's day crafts in hands.

"There was some confusion over her mom's name," Sasha tried to explain. Sophia was also trying to explain, but between her tears and baby voice, it was pretty incomprehensible.

Sasha explained what happened, and Percy just looked at her apologetically. "Sorry for the confusion," he offered, taking the crafts. "Did you make these, lovey?" Percy tried to asked Sophia.

Sophia, in protest, shook her head no.

"Well, I'm sure Mommy is going to love them," Percy said. "Can you say goodbye to your teacher?" Sophia kept her face buried in his shoulder. "Come on now, be polite."

Sophia lifted her head and turned a bit. Her big green eyes were wet and wide, and her lower lip was stuck out in a pout. "Bye," she said.

"Good girl. Come on, let's go home," Percy said, holding Sophia on one hip and lifting the baby's car seat with the other.

~

Percy wasn't sure when exactly it happened, but somewhere between college and now (now being thirty-one years old) he and Annabeth stopped calling each other by their names. Well, stopped, with the exception of more intimate moments. But in casual conversation? It was all baby, babe, sweetheart, my love, gorgeous, beautiful, and handsome.

In fact, that was how they greeted each other at the end of the day. Annabeth would get home while Percy was making dinner. It would be: "Hello beautiful!" "Hi handsome!" And then a kiss hello.

It didn't really occur to either of them that their kids wouldn't know that Percy and Annabeth had real first names.

Percy tried to hand Sophia a snack pack he'd brought for her. Annabeth texted him today that snack was going to be pears, a fruit Sophia hated, so when he'd stopped home after work to grab the car, he also grabbed some olives, a cheese stick, and apple puffs.

"Do you want a snack?" Percy asked, trying to hand the snack pack back to her. Sophia shook her head, still half-crying. "Are you hungry?" She shook her head again. Ms. Sasha had told him that Sophia hadn't eaten any snack at all, so Percy knew that must not have been true.

"Okay," Percy said, "can you hold it for me?" That sometimes worked. If he could get her to hold it, she'd usually end up eating from the tupperwear.

"No!" Sophia yelled.

"Okay," Percy said, trying to keep her quiet so she didn't rile up Nella, who was blessedly pretty quite and just waiting for Percy to start driving. "I'm going to put it right here," he rested it on the seat between their car seats. "If you want to hold it, just let me know, okay?"

He felt like he was negotiating a hostage crisis.

"I don't want it!" Sophia said. All those big Annabeth feelings, Percy thought, starting the car, and such a tiny little body. It didn't frustrate him though. He just wished he could make it go away, make her feel better, less overwhelmed.

"How about when we get home, we have quiet time and watch Moana?" Percy offered.

Sophia stopped crying a little. "Moana?" She asked.

"Yeah," Percy promised, starting to drive, "we can have movie night and make popcorn. Would that make you feel better?"

In the rear-view mirror, Percy could see her shake her head.

"What would make you feel better?" Percy asked.

In a small voice, Sophia suggested: "a cuddle."

Percy smiled. "Yeah, we can cuddle too," he promised.

"Okay," Sophia said.

On the drive home, rain started coming down, and he hoped Annabeth remembered her umbrella. Their apartment was close to the subway, but in this downpour, she'd get soaked either way. Usually, he left the car in the garage and just brought the the girls home on the subway - that was how Annabeth did it, since she hated driving. Their preschool was only one stop away. On really nice days, they'd walk home and stop for a treat along the way. But today, he was grateful to pull into the garage under the building and park the car in their family's spot.

Inside, the apartment was warm. Percy flipped on the AC, not too cold since the rain would cool things down. He put the girls things down, and then set Nella down too. Sophia came in last, dragging her backpack.

"Where should we put your beautiful mother's day gift?" Percy asked her. "Should we save it for Sunday or give it to her tonight."

Sophia left her bag in the middle of the floor. "It's a surprise." She still looked so grumpy, apparently utterly devastated by the discovery of her mom's name.

"Lets put it in your room, then?" Percy offered. "You can't leave your backpack there, someone could trip on it. Come on, pick it up, and bring it to your room with me?"

Sophia just threw herself to the floor and started sobbing again.

Percy left her construction paper tulips on the kitchen table, scooped up Nella (who was indifferent to her sister's antics), and took her into the girls' bedroom so he could change her diaper. When he came back out, Sophia was still on the floor.

"Baby girl," Percy tried, "do you want to cuddle?" Percy offered.

Breathing hard and sucking on a few of her fingers, Sophia lifted her head and nodded.

"Okay," Percy said, just let me get changed, okay? Do you want juice?"

Sophia nodded, which was a relief. Percy got her some watered down apple juice in a sippy cup, opened her snack pack and left it on the table, and then snuck into his and Annabeth's room to change out of his stuffy work clothes.

~

It didn't matter how big the tantrum was, cuddles were never off the table. When Percy stepped back out of the room, he saw that Sophia had moved her backpack to the wall near the door where it belonged.

"Good job, love bug!" Percy said, picking her up to plop her on the couch. Nella was occupied pulling toys out of the toy bin and then not doing much with them. Percy let her be.

On the couch, Sophia snuggled into Percy's side. Percy clicked on the movie, and he expected his over-tired, hungry little girl to fall right to sleep.

She did not.

By "How Far I'll Go," she was thankfully eating the snacks while she sang along, and then by "You're Welcome," she was scream-singing and dancing along. Nella got on her feet too, and started trying to bounce along.

Percy took a quick video of the two of them to send to Annabeth.

She texted back a few minutes later: they're so cute! I miss you guys

Percy heart reacted and then asked: will you be home soon?

Annabeth: not until six. ugh.

Both girls did end up falling asleep, though, around the time of "I am Moana." Sophia was curled up in Percy's side under a blanket. Nella was face down on the carpet surrounded by toys.

Percy sat through the end of the movie, hoping that Sophia stayed asleep so that she got some rest in. When it was over and Sophia didn't move at the sudden silence, Percy figured it was safe to move. He left both girls where they were, and went to start dinner.

~

Nella woke up first with a cry. Percy put down the meat cleaver and moved back into the living room.

"Hey baby girl," he said, picking her up off the floor and bouncing her. She was fourteen months now, but smaller than Sophia had been, and quieter.

"Mama," she whined.

"I know, mama will be home soon," Percy promised, carrying her into the kitchen. He put her in the little seat they'd attached to the island for her, and placed a few Cheerios in front of her to eat while Percy kept pounding out the chicken breast.

A minute later, he heard the toilet flush, which meant Sophia was up.

"Good job, love bug, Percy said, congratulating her on going by herself. "Did you wash your hands." Sophia smiled and held up her still-wet hands. Percy grabbed a clean dish towel and dried them off for her, praising her more as he did.

"Was' for dinner?" Sophia asked.

"Big chicken nuggets with melty cheese and Italian ketchup," Percy said. Chicken parm. It was chicken parm. But getting his kids to eat was 10% taste, 90% branding.

Percy managed to get the chicken fully prepped by the time Annabeth came home.

Sophia rushed off the island stool she was on to meet her mom, and Nella wiggled, helplessly stuck in her high chair but desperate to see Mommy.

Percy was still dealing with a "wet hand, dry hand" situation, so all he could manage was to yell, "Hello beautiful!" From his spot in the kitchen, as kind of apartment game of Marco Polo. Nella contributed by crying "Mama!"

"Mommy's here," Annabeth said, carrying in Sophia, and then setting the older one back in the island stood before lifting Nella for a hug and kiss.

Percy could tell from Sophia's uninterrupted ramblings that she was recounting the story of her emotional meltdown, and was using Percy's most recent "hello Beautiful" as evidence in her case.

"Did we have a lot of big feelings about it?" Annabeth asked. Sophia nodded. "How big?"

Sophia spread her arms wide. "This big!" She said

"And how are our feelings now?" Annabeth asked.

Sophia brought her hands back close together.

"Well, I'm glad you're feeling better," Annabeth said, before finally turning to Percy for their hello kiss. "Ooooh, big chicken nuggets tonight?" Annabeth guessed.

"Only the finest," Percy said.

In Annabeth's arms, Nella said a string of vowel sounds that Percy and Annabeth recognized as Ariel.

"You want to watch Ariel?" Annabeth asked Nella.

Nella repeated the same sounds. The Little Mermaid and Moana. The only two films they seemed to watch any more. Before having daughters, Percy wasn't even sure he'd even seen all of The Little Mermaid. Now he could sing "Part of Your World" in his sleep.

"Can we leave you alone in here, handsome?" Annabeth asked him.

"Sure can, I've got it under control," Percy promised. Annabeth leaned in for another kiss, which Percy happily provided.

~

Annabeth put Nella on the ground and let her toddle over to the couch, standing close behind her in case she fell over. She was still pretty new to the whole walking thing, but she was doing a pretty solid job.

With both girls on the couch and The Little Mermaid started, Annabeth snuck into the bedroom to get changed out of her work clothes.

"Mommy?" She heard Sophia behind her, opening the door.

"Yes baby?" Annabeth slipped on a white tee shirt with the logo of her bouldering gym on it; it already had a few miscellaneous stains on it, so it'd be perfect for a messy sauce night. She undid her bra in the back and pulled it off as she turned around.

Sophia looked a little nervous. Annabeth sat on the bed, still in her work skirt, and patted the spot next to her. "Come on, tell me what's wrong."

Sophia stood in front of her with her arms up, waiting for uppies. Annabeth pulled her onto the bed, and she crawled up to where all the pillows were.

"You just want quiet time?" Annabeth guessed. Sophia nodded into the pillows. "Where's Teddy?"

"My room," Sophia said.

"Want me to get him for you?" Annabeth asked. She stood and undid the holster that held her knife under her work skirt. Then she slipped sweats on under it, before finally getting rid of the damn thing.

Sophia nodded. Annabeth retrieved the bear fast, peaking in to check on Nella, who was locked into her movie. Annabeth breathed a sigh of relief that only one girl was having a rough night.

"Here baby," Annabeth said, handing her the bear. Sophia cuddled it tight as Annabeth got in the bed. Sophia cuddled up to her.

"What to tell me what's wrong?" Annabeth asked, rubbing her back the way she did at bed time.

"What's your name?" Sophia asked.

Annabeth smiled a little. "Annabeth, and your daddy's name is Percy. We call each other nicknames, just like we call you 'love bug.'"

"Oh," Sophia said.

"Why does that make you sad?" Annabeth asked.

Sophia shrugged her little shoulders.

"You didn't like being told you were wrong, did you?" Annabeth guessed. Sophia nodded, and then Annabeth heard her crying again. "Oh, sweetie," Annabeth said, pulling Sophia onto her lap. "Everyone is wrong sometimes. It's part of learning, just like asking questions and reading books."

Sophia just stared at her, with her big wet eyes and her lower lip pouted, not saying anything, which was unusual for her.

"Are we still having big feelings?" Annabeth asked. Sophia nodded. "Yeah? Do you want to sit with mommy for a little while?" She nodded again. "Okay, lets do that. If you want to talk about your feelings, you always can okay."

"Can you tell me about the columns again?" She asked.

Annabeth kissed the side of her head with a smile. A few nights ago, she'd tried to bore Sophia to sleep by telling her about the different styles of classical columns. It hadn't worked. The next morning, Annabeth spent a good amount of time showing her pictures and models, while Sophia clumsily tried to draw them out on construction paper.

"Of course I can," Annabeth said.

After a few minutes, Sophia was calm again, asking questions about the differences, and about what structures had which kind, and how many had Mommy seen in real life, and did she use those columns when she was building things now?

Percy poked his head in. "Hey girlies. Sophia, do you want melty cheese on your chicken nugget?"

"Extra cheese please!" She said.

Percy smiled and got into the bed with them. "There's my happy girl," he said, tickling her a little until she started to giggle. "What about the ketchup. Do you want that on it, or on the side."

"On the side!"

"You got it!" Percy said.

"Can I help?" Sophia asked.

"Well, of course you can," Percy said, lifting her off of Annabeth.

"Hey, wait a second," Annabeth said, pulling Sophia back down. "How are we feeling?" Annabeth asked her.

"Good," Sophia said.

"Do you want kisses?" Annabeth asked. Sophia pursed her lips. Annabeth kissed her cheek with a loud mwah.

"Daddy?" Sophia said, turning her head, and waiting for him to kiss her, which Percy did with even more drama, all but tackling their toddler, toppling her over Annabeth's lap and back onto the mattress with a giggle.

"I learned your name," Sophia said, standing up and holding her arms out for uppies. Percy stood up before picking her up off the bed this time.

"Oh yeah?" Percy said. "What is it?"

"Percy!" Sophia said proudly.

"Very smart," Percy said as all three walked out of the bedroom. "You wanna know what your mommy used to call me?"

"What?"

"Seaweed brain," Percy said. Something about that made Sophia laugh for real, and she fell into a fit of laughter, repeating "seaweed brain" through her giggles as Percy carried her into the kitchen.

Annabeth sat on the couch with Nella, who was glued to the TV, their cat Boo on her lap, getting pets from Nella.

"Good gentle hands," Annabeth said. Nella had always had a natural soft touch with their animals. Sophia, on the other hand, kept trying to ride the dog.

"Fishies!" She said, pointing to the TV where "Under the Sea" was going.

"Yeah! Do you have a favorite?" Annabeth asked.

"Flounder," Nella said. And then Annabeth got shushed by her one-year-old for talking during her movie. She tried not to laugh.

She heard the pitter patter of little feet running behind the couch. "Don't look, don't look, it's a surprise!" Sophia said running into her room.

Annabeth looked at Percy, confused. "A mother's day present," Percy explained.

"Ah," Annabeth said. She'd have to wait until Sunday to find out if it had her actual name on it. But it definitely wasn't a catastrophe if her daughter thought her name was beautiful.

~

look they are the cuddliest most affectionate family you've ever seen in your goddamn life

[miharuki]

Love Dream

Luke Castellan x Reader

★ Synopsis: You've always felt out of place, everyone's faces blurred, your dreams seemed like an escape, but when someone comes into your life and ends up not only interfering in reality but also in your dreams? Will you have the courage to declare yourself or will you keep everything in your little notebook?

★ Tags: yandere, you can't trust anything, romance, this happens before percy arrives (vol 1), good luke (before cronos), paranoid reader, unclaimed reader

★ Ep: 01. 02. 03. 04...

You stayed with your aunt, Sally, for almost your entire childhood. You had a mother and a father, but you don’t quite remember their faces. You saw Percy being born and were there for most of the boy’s childhood. Unlike your cousin, you weren’t transferred between schools, even though you had the same issues as him—ADHD and dyslexia. But you had something your cousin didn’t: narcolepsy. At least, that’s what the school doctors said. You’d suddenly fall asleep anywhere, and because of that, you started being transferred along with your cousin. At least you kept him company.

Then, one day, while accompanying your aunt on the subway to the grocery store, a man stood up. No one else seemed to notice, but he was becoming less human. You started tugging at your aunt’s shirt, trying to get her attention, but she just tried to calm you down. You had reached that age, and unfortunately, like all demigods, you were being hunted. Whether by luck or some kind of curse, your "condition" kicked in, and you ended up falling asleep against your aunt. She looked shocked, trying to wake you up, watching as the monster approached—until she collapsed onto the subway floor, asleep.

Sally looked around and realized that not only the creature but everyone in the nearby subway car had fallen asleep—except for one man. He approached Sally, and before she could say anything, she noticed something: his legs were anything but human. That was the night she discovered the truth, and unfortunately, you were no longer safe—not for your own health, nor for the people around you.

Sally came home that day. Percy was still at school—a new one—and unfortunately, he wouldn’t learn the truth anytime soon. She left with the satyr in his car, with you in the backseat among the luggage. The satyr talked about everything, and Sally, of course, mentioned you.

She handed you over to the satyr, who was still asleep, and said goodbye—wondering if her own son, Percy, might be just like you.

From the moment you woke up in that camp, everything was thrown at you. Things felt lonely without Percy or Sally around. You had no one, not even in the Hermes cabin. Unclaimed, it seemed like everyone avoided you. If someone tried to approach and talk, they’d feel an overwhelming urge to sleep—sometimes even passing out. Because of that, most didn’t want to be near you.

Though in Capture the Flag, you seemed surprisingly useful. Even if you weren’t strong, those who fought you would grow tired, sluggish. But when the game ended, you were alone again, as always.

You often slept in the forest or isolated places. Dreams felt like an escape. You started writing in a notebook—one that had come with you to camp. It became your safe place, where you could express yourself or write about your dreams. It was just you and that notebook.

That is, until they showed up.

Since most people avoided you, you rarely felt like doing anything at camp. So, to avoid feeling useless, you sometimes helped clean the kitchen, carried supplies, or did small tasks around camp. Even if only for a short time, you were alone—as always.

Then he arrived.

He seemed taller than you. He introduced himself as Luke—Luke Castellan. Was he new? No, he wasn’t. But you didn’t care. Faces were always blurry to you—you never paid attention to anyone. You avoided him, knowing he’d probably figure things out and leave. But he refused.

And over time, his face stopped being blurry.

He introduced you to Annabeth, someone younger, and soon her face wasn’t blurry either. Even though you grew closer, you always kept a little distance—for their safety. They reminded you of Percy and Sally, whom you missed dearly. You wrote letters to her, updating her and Percy. Percy… you missed him. How you used to watch TV together, pretending to be monsters you saw, acting out scenes and playing.

But the letters were never sent. They stayed in a box, waiting for the day you might finally mail them.

It was Capture the Flag. You walked alone, scouting as always, making some Ares kids feel drowsy and less alert—until you heard a snap behind you.

“Well, well, the little lone wolf, as always.”

It was someone from the Ares cabin—an enemy in the game. But, as usual, you couldn’t see their face clearly. You barely remembered any campers’ names except the two who stuck by you. You raised your sword in readiness. You’d never had proper sword training like the others—you didn’t want to risk making someone pass out. And since everyone avoided you, you never bothered with activities. Most of the time, you were lost in the world of dreams, the world of the moon.

Often, Luke would wake you up, looking worried, when you fell asleep in the forest—again. He’d lead you back to the Hermes cabin, where you’d lie on a bunk bed, everyone else sleeping far away. The only one who slept on the same bunk was Luke. He didn’t seem to mind.

You blinked back to reality as the Ares girl’s sword clashed with yours, making you stumble back, nearly hitting a tree. Even though her face was still blurry, you heard the anger in her voice.

“I’ve lost so many games because of you!”

She was furious. Just as she was about to strike, you closed your eyes, bracing for impact—but nothing came. When you opened them, Luke was there in armor, his sword blocking hers.

“Clarisse, so good to see you,” Luke said with a confident smile.

She growled, irritated by his tone. He pushed her sword back, making her stumble.

“Game over.”

A cheer erupted as the blue team carried the red flag in victory. Clarisse grunted before storming off, dragging an unconscious teammate with her.

Once they were gone, you noticed Luke holding out a hand to help you up. You stood on your own, not wanting to risk knocking him out. You still didn’t know how to control whatever it was you did to campers.

Brushing off the dust, you muttered, “I-I’m fine. Don’t worry. Sorry about that.” You stumbled over your words as you picked up your sword, feeling his gaze on you.

“Thanks for… saving me,” you murmured, stepping back.

“Don’t worry about it. We’re a team.”

Luke watched as you shakily sheathed your sword. He studied you for a moment.

“W-we should go.”

You walked quickly away, not even joining the celebrating team. You took a different path, your hand stinging—it was bleeding. Normally, campers would go to an Apollo kid or Chiron for healing, but you didn’t want to be a burden.

So, as always, you went to the empty Hermes cabin, dug out your first aid kit, and treated yourself. Ever since the last time you went to the infirmary—when you accidentally made a camper helping you pass out, causing them both to fall off a bed and get hurt—you’d learned to take care of yourself.

Once done, you took a nap—curled up against the wall or sometimes in the forest. You tried to sleep in isolated spots now. The last time it happened in a crowded place, you’d made campers collapse.

You woke up to Luke shaking you. Behind him stood Annabeth, analyzing the situation. You rubbed your eyes, still drowsy.

“You said you weren’t hurt,” Luke sighed, eyeing your hand. He reached for it, but you pulled away, yawning.

Annabeth placed a hand on his shoulder, silencing him. “Let’s go eat. It’s time.”

Luke hummed in understanding, walking beside you to the pavilion. You sat at an empty table, watching as Luke and Annabeth joined you. You poked at your food, nervous.

“I was thinking,” Luke started, clearing his throat, “maybe I could help train you.”

You looked up.

“Only if you want, of course.”

You glanced down. The answer was obvious—no. You didn’t want to risk knocking him out.

“We could also work on your… ability,” Annabeth added, searching for the least offensive word. “So you could control it. Wouldn’t that be good?”

You felt embarrassed. Your friends wanted to help you. Friends.

“I’ll… think about it.”

You didn’t see Luke and Annabeth fist-bumping under the table in celebration. They’d clearly planned this.

Now, it was up to you whether you’d follow through.

[lady-ashfade]

Following The Tune

Percy Jackson x UnknownGod! Half-blood reader. (The reader is the child of the “Unknown” god, other wise known as Caias)

—£ Again, I have not finish the books so I’m making up my own gods/plot and stuff. I just find it fun. Also, reader has a sword like Percy, the pen.

—£ This is just a plot i made up, I just have a oc story in like so I did it! Please don’t hate because it has nothing to do with anything really (Or maybe it does)

—£ Warnings: Slight!Oc!Reader, slight angst, new lore to follow, all over the place, comfort.

The moment you laid your eyes on Percy Jackson- you knew he was different. Everything about him sang a different song the rest here. It was a familiar tone. When you learnt of what he had to face to get here made you guilty, knowing while you were dry and safe he had to face that same doom you faced.

“Maybe, just maybe…” you whispered while he slept. He look almost peaceful but the crinkle in his brows said another thing. Taking a step forward you close your eyes and tried to listen for something. Your senses elevate as you tried to sniff him out. Every was calling out but you couldn’t hold it for too long.

A creek in the floor boards threw you off and took you out of your powers, turning around there stood annabeth with a raised brow and her arms crossed. “I told you not to be in here.” You sighed and picked up your bag. Walking passed her and out of the door but she caught your wrist in her hands. “What did you feel?”

Snatching your arm away from her, a annoyed huff left your lips. “Nothing, not like you ever listen anyway.” You made it out the door before she could say anything to stop you. Now, you didn’t hate annabeth. It was just, no one ever liked to listen to you. She always thought she knew everything and when someone needed something from you- They tried to suck up to you.

But in the years you could call her somewhat of a friend, like everyone else. But there was no trust.

Which is way you made it out of the camp in the same way you always have, with no one noticing. You were the only half-blood in your cabin, no one to stick with at times. So being alone made it easy to slip away from time to time but it was always dangerous to go out. But you always had luck on your side.

Taking a step through the barrier you smiled feeling the human feeling of the air. Making your way to the road you followed, stopped a few times to figure your way to things. Took a few buses with the money you hoarded. 

Smirking when you stepped out on the pavement at your destination. It stunk. The streets sang with chatting of all the mortals, and the smell of greasy food. “Home.” Is what it reminded you of but there was a stench you didn’t like but continued to go about your way into the apartment building.

The empty cabin was looked over by Chiron and Grover, Luke standing by with his arm crossed. “How can they keep getting out like that? I don’t understand.” Grover pondered his thoughts out loud. “Get it from their farther.” Luke commented and shrugged, he smirked again at the thought of you.

“They’ll be safe, hopefully. Does anyone know why they lift this time?” Chiron looked at the boys as the taller one just shrugged again almost uninterested. Grocer shifted nervously and he looked down trying to not say anything but he gave up when the attention was on him.

“They visited Percy before they left. I don’t know why, maybe that has something to do with it?” The older man sighed and closed his eyes, the stress lines already showing. He nodded and walked out without a word while the boys looked at each other. It was a worried look but all they could do was await your return.

It was stupid. He was stupid. He smelled. The apartment smelled of beer that burned your noses and gave you a headache. All he did was sit on the couch and scream at the computer in his lap as you stared at him behind the wall. He was to busy to hear the door open. But you were thankful as his attention was so focused on the screen that he didn’t notice you. All you had to do was focus.

Closing your eyes you calm yourself and let your senses take over and watch for you. Slowly you got ahold of his mind which was dirty to look at, that it made you feel filthy. Making him tired you heard him yawn and feel his body start to give up. Opening your eyes you watch him drift off while he was confused as to why he felt so tired.

Once he was out cold you walked around the apartment with one idea in mind. To find a photo. Sally Jackson and her younger son, Percy Jackson. They weren’t hard to find and you found a wall of them on in the hallway. So many pictures of the family. He was so little and smiling with no clue of the hard world he knew now, his mother still by his side. But all of them had Gabe in them while little Percy glares daggers at him.

Moving on you looked on the tables for just a single photo to take back to him, one small memory to have with him. Then one image become clear.

“Don’t go to far,” her voice sounded lovely. The sun beaming down on the two of them, the sound of waves soothed the soul. “I wouldn’t mom.” It was Percy, you could seem them clearly. The day was beautiful. She smiled at her son as she watches him run off towards the waves, she knew. Watching him play in the water gave a high pitched sound in your ears.

This memory was different. You didn’t search for it. It was a forbidden memory.

The scene became dark and windy. No one seemed to notice and continued to play and smiled like they were. The waves clashed harder on the shore as the wind whistled through the ears. In the both places you covered your ears and tried to pull yourself out of it but nothing was working. Thunder clashed down from the clouds near the sand you walked one, making you jump each time.

“You wish to know? Weak, so very weak. I only show the truth little one,” the darken voice made you tense and watch black smoke come closer as it swallowed everything up. “Just like your father, always looking for trouble. But unlike him, you aren’t as well hidden.” Sometime touched your face, making you scream out in pain as it stung your cheek.

“Let this be known.”

You were pulled out, crushing over for your breath. Placing a hand up on your cheek you felt the pain and wet feeling, pulling it back you saw the red stain. “Blood.” Panicked you looked at the picture that gave you the vision and grabbed ahold of it. It was a core memory, one not to be messed with. Grabbing ahold of it you threw it in your bag quickly.

You frozen when you smelled that dreadful smell again, the sound of something heavy making the flooring creek. Turning around slightly your eyes went wide and took a step back trying to keep yourself from screaming. The large black figure with claws bigger then your face as it’s body took up all the hallway it squeezed itself into. It was your blood. It smelled you.

The green scales on it’s legs you could see made you feel sick, the empty face made you go white. Sprinting to the open window where the fire escaped was it knew what you were going to do and followed you, reaching out for you. Jumping over the railing and down the steps you cried out in fear as it crawled down the building. The screeching alone made you go crazy.

It was one of the faceless. Something your father had made, something that should have been on your side. But your father lost his war to hades and everything had been taken from him. He went into hiding, ignoring the prayers to him and turned his back on mortals. Until he had you. One last chance to be forgiven and have something to his name.

But he was coward, he lost his war and mind. There was nothing in him that you wanted to call your father, for his creations killed your mother. Maybe that’s why you wanted Percy to have the one thing you did not. Something to look at and never forget her face, her smile, the warmth.

“No, No. Nope.” You jumped down and the other way into the alleyway to get out of sight from people. From your pocket a pen, the cape flipped off and the shining blade lit up the shade. The figure come into the alley and looked at you, moving so slowly towards you. It wasn’t a smart choice but your parent wasn’t known for his smarts. But fleeing was.

Just one step…

Blackness started to take over your vision and you limped over the camp line, holding your stomach as something warm and sticky leaked all over your shirt. You used all your might to get to the camp alive, once you did your body gave out. Muffed voices called out to you but you couldn’t see clearly as blurry outlines leaned over you. When you were picked up the last thing you could remember was someone calling’s your name but you didn’t know who.

Percy watch in confusion as someone was rushed away, no one was saying anything. They were blood red, huge cuts across their shirt and skin. As he stared at them he could remember something he saw in a dream. That face…was watching him for a moment while he slept.

Something blinding hit his eyes and made him turn away. He blinked a few times and stepped back to see what it was. A brown frame facedown in the grass, it looked broken and bloody. He bends down and picked up the backpack, then the picture frame.

“Don’t go too far Percy.”

He saw his mom standing in a sunhat while her hair blew over her face, her arm wrapped around his smaller body. The cartoon shark trunks made him cringe, he used to never go swimming without them. This was a picture of him and his mom….What was it doing here? And why was it with someone he didn’t know.

The frame was broken, the glass shattered but he managed to pull the picture out and stand up when Grover called for him. He threw the bag over his shoulders and followed to the room were they had brought the camper he didn’t know. Percy refused to leave, he needed to talk to them. Everything was so confusing and maybe he could get some answers.

He stood at the corner of your room while watching over you, almost protectively. Percy clings onto the photo of his mom, while staying with you. Even started to eat lunch in your room and desperately waited for you to wake. You mumbled in your sleep while panicked and sweating up a storm. The meds they have you took longer to work and the cut on your cheek seemed to stay black while healing, a permanent scar.

“Percy…” the soft voice caught him off guard. Looking at you he noticed you still out like a light. You repeated the words his mother said just as sweet and caring.

Twitching in the bed, you started to groan louder and try to speak but nothing back out of your mouth. Seeing such destress made him scared, it was unlike anything he has seen before. “Y/n.” He walked close to the bed. He learned your name from the others.

“Wake up,” he shook you slightly in hopes to make you somehow wake up. Your body felt hot, too hot. “You’re freaking me out.” Maybe if I hit them with a pillow it will work, he thought to himself. A few seconds of pushing your shoulders and calling your name, he finally saw your eyes open for the first time.

Shifting your eyes in the light and away from the blurry vision you were spooked when something grabbed ahold of you. Jumping back you shoved his hands away, going as far back as possible. The last thing you remember was the faceless creature.

But you didn’t see the creature, but a boy with his hands held out in front of himself. The look on his face matching the slight fear and confusion you felt. “Percy?” You whispered and tilted your head to the side. He nodded and slowly lowered his arms while looking over you for any sign not to trust you. “You shouldn’t be here.”

“I get that a lot.” He half joked full of sarcasms.

“No, no. You need to leave.” Your hands grip the side of the bed. It clicked in his brain that you didn’t move from your curled up place on the bed, your body still tense and shaking. You were scared of him.

“I’m not going to hurt you- Really, I just want answers.” He inched back to make you more comfortable. You watch him point to the corner, “You had a picture of me and my mom, why?” You look at the photo on the table and then back to him. You kept quiet and looked at the door trying to get him to leave but he didn’t budge.

His nose let out of huff, “Look, I’m not mad- Kinda weirded out but, I just want need some type of answer. No one around me tells me anything. Just give me something.” That’s when you saw him, truly saw him.

You looked at your younger self, standing before you with teary eyes while holding themselves close. No one wanted anything to do with you. It was easy to be forgotten and bullied. A nobody begging for a chance to prove themselves. Percy Jackson was just searching for a place in this world like you.

“I saw you the night before you came. I saw your mother, I saw everything happening but I had no clue.” Pulling your legs up and crossing them while covering yourself with your arms. “You deserve a photo of her, something I never had. Sometimes i follow the tone that’s showed to me,” Percy sat down on the bed listening to your story with all his attention and you could see his guilt, sadness and confusion.

“I heard the tone when I lost my mom, when I was claimed,” you look at the bed next to you, “And when i saw you enter the camp.”

“What does that mean?” Your shoulders go up and down as you hum without a true answer. “That you’re important.” His own shoulders drop down as he looked down at the floor in defeat. He got answers with the price of more questions

It was silent in the room. It was slightly uncomfortable but you could handle it. Then he spoke up, “Thank you by the way, it’s nice to see her.” You meet his eyes once’s again.

“You’re welcome, Percy.” Both your lips curled into a small smile. Maybe new friends were to be made this year.

[ameagrice]

Capsize

chapter thirty | fine line

percy jackson x fem reader

There are silver streaks shared by Annabeth and Percy, scattered through their hair.

It’s something that will connect them forever, you know for certain. It’s a symbol of a shared strength.

It’s just one more thing to make your heart melt.

Realistically, you should feel nothing but proud of them both, and in your own way, you do. But there has been too much loss to feel any sort of good from the ending, and you can’t get Zoe Nightshade’s death from your mind.

“I can see the stars, my lady,” she whispered, so gently you’d barely heard her at all. The wound on her side gaped, and bled, the golden ichor of an immortal on her way out. An inch of a smile appeared on her face, struggling, before it dropped, and the light faded from Zoe Nightshade’s eyes. A wisp of silvery light lifted from her lips, drifting up into the air, before it, too, faded.

In the sky, the stars showed an image of a girl, running across the sky. Zoe Nightshade had, finally, found her peace.

Atlas was in his rightful place. His daughter had been stolen from the world. Luke Castellan was kicked to his death by Thalia’s action.

Except, they couldn’t find a body.

Body, upon body, upon body. They just kept piling up.

Bianca; Zoe; Luke. Lost lives; people who could have had so much more than they were given.

But Gods who couldn’t care any less.

And if you had to, you’d bet they didn’t even know their names.

You could see now, just why Luke was so angry. Because you felt it too. And it was terrifying.

“You don’t believe me about Luke,” Annabeth said, sounding faded amongst your thoughts. “We’ll see him again. He’s just under Kronos’s spell.”

Thalia jolted away, somehow seemingly unbothered by the height at which you travelled in the sky, Artemis in the lead. “There it is,” she pointed, sitting up. “It’s started.”

“What’s started?” Percy leaned forward, catching your hair between his hand on the seat he held onto. You didn’t say anything.

High above the Empire State Building, Olympus was its own island of light. A mountain ablaze with torches and braziers.

“The Winter Solstice,” she breathed. “The Council of the Gods.”

In the early-morning darkness, torches and fires made the mountainside palaces glow twenty different colors, from bloodred to indigo. Apparently no one ever slept on Olympus. The twisting streets were full of demigods and nature spirits and minor godlings bustling about, riding chariots or sedan chairs carried by Cyclopes. Winter didn’t seem to exist here. The scent of the gardens in full bloom, jasmine and roses and even sweeter filled your senses. Music drifted up from many windows, the soft sounds of lyres and reed pipes.

Towering at the peak of the mountain was the greatest palace of all, the glowing white hall of the gods.

You touched ground outside towering, silver gates, just inside the courtyard. Pegasi travel was rather terrifying, and you were much more than glad to be alive and on the ground. Olympus glowed with warm, the kind that settled in your bones. The warm wind, blowing from nowhere, shifted your hair when you clambered down to the ground.

“Yeah,” Percy muttered.

“Huh?”

Percy froze. “Uh—the horse. Sorry! Pegasi.”

A laugh escaped you, startling in the night. Thalia turned, eyebrow raised. “Why are you talking to a horse? It didn’t say anything.”

“Didn’t I tell you? Haven’t I told you?” He averted his gaze.

“What,” you landed your hand on your hip, waving the other to the pegasi. “You talk to animals now, too, like Grover?”

“Just sea creatures. And horses. Pegasi, sorry!”

“Yeah, you’ll really have to explain that later,” you trailed off. “We’ve got more important matters at hand.”

The Pegasi flew off, leaving yourself, Percy, Thalia and your sister together. You liked to think, years later, laying on the glass floor of a ship, that you were all trying to gather the courage after everything to step inside the giant building, and face gods you had once only ever heard about in stories.

Side-by-side, you walked into the throne room.

Twelve enormous thrones made a U around a central hearth, just like the placement of the cabins at camp. The ceiling above glittered with constellations—even the newest one, Zoë the Huntress, making her way across the heavens with her bow drawn.

All of the seats were occupied. Each god and goddess was about fifteen feet tall. Under their judging eyes, despite your own mother being one of them, you were uncomfortable.

“Welcome, heroes,” Artemis said.

“Mooo!”

That was when you noticed Bessie and Grover, the latter standing at the side of a pool of water which Bessie swam in.

“Grover! You made it.”

He started to run towards your friends, then stopped, and looked back at Zeus, who up close, felt a lot scarier than he looked. You only realized then, that there was a major difference in terror of humans, and the intimidation of gods. You could deal with this kind.

“Go on,” Zeus nodded once. But he wasn’t looking at Grover—he was looking at Thalia.

None of the gods spoke. Grover’s hooves echoed on the marble floor, Bessie the Ophiotaurus mooing warmly at your arrival.

You took the time to observe the gods up close, because you might never get the chance to again. Artemis, looking as if she hadn’t ever even been hold hostage, watched the exchange between Percy and Grover. Percy’s father, Poseidon, dressed so casually you might have laughed in other circumstances, had this sort of barely-there smile on his face, bright eyes shining just the way Percy’s own did, too. Apollo, sunglasses covering his eyes, had his earbuds in, golden head of hair tilted back to the ceiling. And…

Ares. It was impossible to not feel him looking at you. Why the special interest, you wanted to ask. Do you see yourself in me? You wondered. Do I see myself in you?

Your eyes met his dark ones, a stark difference, between the extreme fatigue, and the colors. Your eyes burned with exhaustion and the tears you had shed since yesterday. He wore his signature black leather jacket, dark, dark hair being tousled by Aphrodite’s touch. When it was obvious her husband wasn’t looking at her, perched at his side, her love-ridden smile slowly fell away, and those sparkling eyes fell on you as well.

Or maybe it’s you, I see myself in. Too romantic. Too caught up in feelings. After all, you only had so much love to spare between friends, and the dead ones.

What do you see in me? You were desperate to ask, curiosity clawing at your chest. Why am I the way I am?

Gods sometimes took a special interest in heroes. All the tales told you so. You just had to wonder, what would come of this.

Ragged and bruised, you felt as though you were being picked apart under the watchful eyes of so many olympians.

You hadn’t realized Grover was doing the rounds until he yanked you into a hug. You found it in yourself to hug him back—at least he was still alive.

“Glad you made it,” you whispered.

“You too.” He nodded. Neither of you smelled amazing after this quest, but it went uncared for. A trouble shared is a trouble deeply understood.

“You have to convince them,” he said to the remaining four of you. “They can’t do it!”

“Do what?” You blinked.

“Heroes,” Artemis called. The goddess slid down from her throne and turned to human size, a young auburn-haired girl, perfectly at ease in the midst of the giant Olympians. She walked toward your little group, her silver robes shimmering. There was no emotion in her face. She seemed to walk in a column of moonlight.

“The Council has been informed of your deeds,” Artemis spoke loudly, addressing everyone in a steady, clear tone. “They know that Mount Othrys is rising in the West. They know of Atlas’s attempt for freedom, and the gathering armies of Kronos. We have voted to act.”

There was some mumbling and shuffling among the olympians, as if they weren’t all happy with this plan, but nobody protested.

“At my Lord Zeus’s command,” Artemis said, “my brother Apollo and I shall hunt the most powerful monsters, seeking to strike them down before they can join the Titans’ cause. Lady Athena shall personally check on the other Titans to make sure they do not escape their various prisons. Lord Poseidon has been given permission to unleash his full fury on the cruise ship Princess Andromeda and send it to the bottom of the sea. And as for you, my heroes…”

She turned to face the other immortals.

And that, was the moment you saw your mother for the first time.

Dressed in a beautiful white dress, draped over one shoulder, her eyes, as gray as your own, as gray as Annabeth’s appeared lost in thought. You took the chance to just look at the woman you never thought you would meet.

“I gotta say—” Apollo cleared his throat. “These heroes did okay.” He began to recite. “Heroes win laurels—”

“Um, yes, first class,” Hermes interrupted with a side-eye in his brother’s direction. You were unable to help the smirk. “All in favor of not disintegrating them?”

A few tentative hands went up: Aphrodite, Demeter, Apollo—waving his iPod.

“Hang on a minute,” Ares growled, sitting up on his throne. He pointed at Thalia and Percy, on the other side of Annabeth. “These two are dangerous. It’d be much safer, while we’ve got them here—”

Don’t say anything, you begged yourself. Even Annabeth elbowed you.

“Ares,” Poseidon interrupted. “They are worthy heroes. We will not blast my son to bits.”

“Nor my daughter,” grumbled Zeus. “She has done well.”

You leaned forward around your sister, who visibly shook, pale, in need of a lie down from the looks of things. Thalia blushed—you grinned wickedly. All the things you could do with this moment in the future.

Athena cleared her throat. Annabeth sighed. The goddess leaned forward. “I am proud of my daughters, as well. But I agree—there is a security issue with the other two.”

Annabeth elbowed you a little too late, this time.

“Mother!” You exclaimed.

Your heart dropped and splattered on the ground. Never had you addressed her as such. And never had she looked you in the face the way she did now.

Too late to back out, now.

“How can you just—”

Athena cut you off with a girl, but calm look. “It is unfortunate that my father, Zeus, and my uncle, Poseidon, chose to break their oath not to have more children. Only Hades kept his word, a fact that I find ironic. As we know from the Great Prophecy, children of the three elder gods…such as Thalia and Percy…are dangerous. As thickheaded as he is, Ares has a point.”

“Right!” Ares said. “Hey, wait a minute. Who you callin’—”

He started to get up, but a grape vine grew around his waist like a seat belt and pulled him back down.

“Oh, please, Ares,” Dionysus sighed. “Save the fighting for later.”

Ares cursed and ripped away the vine. “You’re one to talk, you old drunk. You seriously want to protect these brats?”

Dionysus gazed wearily. “I have no love for them. Athena, do you really think it wise to destroy them?”

“I do not pass judgement,” she said. “I only point out the risk. What we do, the Council must decide.”

“I will not have them punished,” Artemis cut in hotly. “I will have them rewarded. If we punish heroes who do us such a great favour, then we are no better than the titans, are we not? If this is Olympian justice, I will have none of it.”

“Calm down, sis,” Apollo scoffed. “Chill. Jeez, you need to lighten up.”

“Don’t call me sis! I will reward them!”

“Well, perhaps. But the monster must be destroyed. We have agreement on that?”

“Bessie?” Percy burst out. “You want to destroy Bessie?”

Your heart swelled. Gosh, he cared. It was lovely.

And then you wanted to slap yourself.

What was up with the emotions lately?

Poseidon frowned. “You have named the Ophiotaurus Bessie?”

“Dad,” Percy said. “He’s just a sea creature. A really nice sea creature. You can’t destroy him.”

Poseidon shifted uncomfortably, a trait Percy shared with him, you noted. “Percy, it’s power is considerable. If the titans were to steal it, or—”

“You can’t,” Percy insisted.

Zeus opened his mouth, looking as though he was getting antsier by the second. But you had experience with this sort of thing that needed a good negotiation, so you cut in.

“Controlling the prophecies never works. Isn’t that true?” You tried, stepping forward. All eyes landed on you, and you swallowed. “Have we not just experienced it? Are we not experiencing it now? The Ophiotaurus is innocent. Killing something like that is wrong. It’s as wrong as Kronos eating his children just because of something they might do.”

Zeus looked to be considering it. You breathed heavily, in a mild panic after consulting the king of the gods head on. If he wanted to, you could be zapped out of existence in less than a second.

“And what of the risk? Kronos knows full well, if one of you were to sacrifice the beast’s entrails you would have the power to destroy all of us. Do you think we can let this possibility remain? You, my daughter, will turn sixteen on the morrow, just as the prophecy says.”

“You have to trust them,” you tried, pleading with your eyes. “Please, you have to trust them.”

Zeus scowled. “Trust a hero?”

“She is right,” Artemis nodded slowly. “Which is why I must first make a reward. My faithful companion, Zoe Nightshade, has passed into the stars. I must have a new lieutenant. And I intend to choose one, but first, father Zeus, I must speak with you privately.”

Zeus beckoned Artemis forward, leaning to listen as she whispered to him.

“Annabeth,” Percy whispered from behind you. “Don’t.”

“What?”

“Look, I need to tell you something. I couldn’t stand it if—I don’t want you to—”

Artemis turned. “I will have a new lieutenant, if she will accept it. Thalia, daughter of Zeus, will you join the Hunt?”

Your jaw almost dropped. Stunned silence filled the room.

“I will,” Thalia said firmly. She moved to your side, and then a little bit further ahead. Confident.

Zeus rose, his eyes full of concern. “My daughter, consider well—”

Don’t let him change your mind, you prayed. Hold your ground.

“Father, I will not turn sixteen tomorrow,” she shook her head. “I will never turn sixteen. I won’t let this prophecy be mine. I stand with my sister Artemis. Kronos will not tempt me again.”

She knelt down before Artemis, and repeated the same words Bianca had uttered what felt like years ago at the cliff side in the snow and weary sunlight.

When she had finished, she hugged each of you and said a few words. You felt awkward, putting your hands into your coat pockets, when Thalia stood in front of you. For once, there was no spiteful comments from either one of you. She smiled small, looking rejuvenated the same way Bianca had, as if the quest had never happened.

“You’re a good friend,” she nodded. “You’re brave. You’ve got what it takes to help them with this prophecy.” And then she leaned in, and hugged you just as she had with Annabeth and Grover and Percy. “Trust yourself.”

Thalia went and stood with Artemis, and the atmosphere changed instantly.

“Now, for the Ophiotaurus.”

“The boy is still dangerous,” Mr. D. opposed. The beast is a temptation to great power. Even if we spare the boy—”

“No.” Percy said firmly. “Please. Keep the Ophiotaurus safe. My dad can hide him under the sea somewhere, or keep him in an aquarium here. But you have to protect him.”

“And why should we trust you?”

“I’m only fourteen. If this prophecy is about me, that’s only two more years.”

“Two years for Kronos to deceive you,” Athena uttered. “Much can change in two years, young hero. It is only the truth. It is bad strategy to keep the boy alive. And the animal.”

Poseidon stood. “I will not have the creature destroyed if I can help it. And I can, help it.”

He held out his hand, and a spear shimmering with blue light appeared. “I will vouch for the boy and the safety of the Ophiotaurus.”

“You won’t take it under the sea!” Zeus stood suddenly. “I won’t have that kind of bargaining chip in your possession.”

“Brother, please,” Poseidon sighed.

Zeus’s lightening bolt appeared in his hand, and the whole room filled with the smell of ozone.

“Fine,” Poseidon nodded. “I will build an aquarium for the sea creature here, with the help of Hephaestus. The creature will be safe. The boy will not betray us. I vouch for this on my honor.”

Zeus thought about it. “All in favor?”

A dozen hands went up, besides Mr. D, your mother’s, and Ares just sat looking bored.

“We have a majority. And so, since we are not destroying these heroes, I imagine we should reward them.”

—

There are parties, and then there are Olympian parties. And Olympian parties are filled with gold and beautiful colours, exotic flowers and the Muses music, braziers of fire, and delicious food and drinks. It became busy very quickly, and before you knew it, you found yourself stumbling into a corner to get yourself together. All you wished to do was go to your cabin and cry. To let it all out.

“This doesn’t look like you’re partying.”

“What the hell are you? A spy? Just leave me alone.” You shoved yourself further into the corner just away from all the partying, a quiet corridor devoid of anything but cold marble and tall, golden ceilings.

Ares hummed lowly. You didn’t have to see him, shoved into the corner like a child, but you knew he was just on the other side of it.

“I’ll let you off just this once, demigod.”

You rolled your eyes. The marble edges dug into your back uncomfortably from how hard you were trying to disappear for a few minutes. “What do you want? Spit it out.”

“If you weren’t her’s, I would say you’re one of mine. You’ve got the fire, I’ll give you that. And my wife has taken a special interest in you and that boy. Her business is my business, you’ll understand. Since you’re her business, now, you’re my business, too.”

You wanted to scream at him to leave, to go away so you could breathe for five minutes. But…you really wanted to know what he had to say. Curiosity always got the better of you.

“I don’t want to be anybody’s business,” you settled on, weakly. “I’m my own person.”

“Whatever, kid. I’m just here to pass along a message.”

“Which is?”

“She says, you’re doing exactly what you should be doing.”

“Oh, really?”

You shoved away from the corner, and paused.

He’d already gone.

—

Making your way back into the crowd was the last thing you wanted to do, but it would be best to show your face for a little while. Eventually you made your way back to Percy. He smiled as you popped up next to him, and then slowly frowned. His green eyes glistened under all the lights.

“You’ve been crying,” he reached up, and then lowered his hand, unsure of what to do.

You laughed pitifully. “Yeah.”

Because, really, what more could you say? It was rather obvious. And you sounded as if you’d just developed the world’s worst cold and stuffy nose.

Percy still stared at you, concerned. It was touching, really.

“I’m just tired.” You nodded. “I promise. When we get back to camp you might not see me for a couple weeks. I’m about to fall off the face of the earth in sleep mode.”

He smiled, tight-lipped, those eyes dancing across your face. For the first time ever under Percy’s eyes, you felt self-conscious.

“I’ll clean up later. My dad always says I look like I’ve just done thirty rounds of coke after crying. It’s funny because it’s true,” you tried lightly.

Percy’s dark curls shook. “No,” he denied. “I think you look…I think you look pretty—uh—I mean—”

Your heart jumped into your throat, and suddenly it was difficult to breathe. Because AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

“Uhm—” you frantically tried for something to do; hair behind your ears, leaning back and forth on your heels. “Thank you. Thanks.” Heat flooded your cheeks. Percy was already scarlet in the face, nodding frantically, avoiding your eyes.

When you looked up, Athena watched from a distance, and then looked away, as if she hadn’t been interested at all. But you weren’t about to let her ruin what just happened—Percy called you pretty.

“I was thinking,” he shoved out. You turned your head, blinking expectantly. “I owe you a dance, don’t I? We got interrupted at Westover Hall, right?”

This time, you allowed yourself to smile, your heart and lungs expanding.

“Right.” You took his hand, shaking.

The music played on, a gentle tune of the future, the past, and the present.

—

Chiron greeted you all at the Big House with hot chocolate and toasted cheese sandwiches. Grover went off to his satyr friends, telling them all about his brief experience with Pan.

Annabeth, Percy and yourself sat with Chiron by the fire. A couple of others joined you, too—Clarisse, back from a quest of her own it seemed. Her hair was cut short, like somebody had hacked it with scissors without a care, and there was a jagged scar on her chin. For once, she kept quiet.

“I got news,” she said glumly. “Bad news.”

“I’ll fill you in later,” Chiron said with forced cheerfulness. “The important thing is you’ve prevailed. And you’ve saved Annabeth!”

The Stoll brothers were there, too. You hadn’t even looked Travis in the eye. The high of the short dance with Percy had worn off, that tiny spark of normality had gone, and left you with the sadness you’d been feeling before it. You struggled with getting Bianca and Zoe’s deaths from the front of your mind, and Thalia’s moving on. Everybody was leaving, it felt like. And everybody was too happy for what had happened along the way.

Percy, sitting next to you in front of the fire, felt the same. You could tell by the sheer look of something bordering on a deep sadness he had.

You didn’t speak.

Annabeth talked about Atlas, and where she had been kept. She yawned the whole way through, still shaking with weakness even after some ambrosia.

Chiron’s positivity spread a little bit to you tired campers, but in the end, the unwavering need to go somewhere and cry won. You set down your mug of hot chocolate, and walked away. Another chair scratched the floor behind you, as you walked away toward the fields.

“Let her be,” you heard Chiron utter. “She needs time.”

You heard happy babbling just as you wandered away, boyish, childish talking. You looked to the left, and there was Nico di Angelo, two figurines in hands, talking to himself the way children tend to do. Every organ in your body twisted painfully, and you got away before he could see you. You couldn’t be the one to tell him Bianca was long gone. You still didn’t want to believe it yourself.

The air was bitter cold, your fingertips numb already. Snow fell lightly as you wandered into where you probably shouldn’t have been. You didn’t get far until his voice caught you up.

“Scout?”

You stopped, the snow crunching quietly. Behind you, Travis grew closer until he was right in front of you. You hadn’t even realized how tall he’d gotten until you saw him again, like seeing him in a different light.

Bundled in a red sweater and jeans, a coat and scarf atop of that, he still shivered.

“I just need to go for a walk. I’ll be alright later.” You shrugged.

Silence captured the air. Until he said, “Chiron…mentioned what happened to Nico’s sister. And the Hunter girl. Zoe. I’m—I’m so sorry.”

The first tear fell without any effort. And then you grew too cold too quickly. And crumbled.

He enveloped you instantly, as if without thought—like the action would be unknown, to hesitate in your arms. Against his warm, soft chest, Travis’s heart beat gently against your ear, his hands coming up carefully to your back, to your shoulder.

Safety.

And at the end of it—Travis.

You allowed yourself the tears. Your hands scrunched at his shirt. He smelled of the outside weather, of wind

of life.

—

PAIN. So, we’ve reached the end of Titans Curse! How are we feeling so far about relationships and eve thing? Feedback is always appreciated!

taglist: @bl6o6dy @embersparklz @lilyevanswhore @rottenstyx @rory-cakes @i-am-scared-and-useless-bisexual @marshmallow12435 @lantsovheiress @distinguishedmakerpandapatrol @twsssmlmaa @gayandfairycore @padsfirewhisky @emu281 @charlesswife @jessiegerl @crackerphobic20 @mata0-0mata @jccc1000 @xx-all-purpose-nerd-xx @nothankyou138 @i-love-books-and-the-bible @obxstiles

if they’re not highlighted, it wouldn’t let me tag you!

this chapter’s quite short. I didn’t want to drag it out too much.

aaaaand I’ve added a few more songs to the playlist (on my profile if you don’t have it saved!) if you want to give them a listen. thanks for reading!

[justabooknerdposts]

Percabeth Drabble: Fall in Love Questions

*Okay, so the idea for this came to me a few years ago—I was watching The Big Bang Theory and it was the episode where they discuss this list of questions that will allegedly make two people fall in love.  Sheldon and Penny decide to go through them—spoiler alert, they don’t fall in love, but they say they do feel closer at the end.  So anyway, I went online to find the questions, out of curiosity, and then, after reading them, I thought it might be a fun writing exercise to play with this as if Percy and Annabeth were answering the questions.  So here it is! 

The Scene: The Jackson-Blofis apartment, early fall.  Percy and Annabeth are sitting cross-legged on the floor beside the coffee table, leaning back against the sofa—a half empty pizza box sits in the middle of the coffee table, as well as a couple of partially full glasses of Coke.  Golden sunset light is coming through the window.  The baby monitor is also on the coffee table, showing Estell sleeping in her crib.  This is Percy and Annabeth’s first visit back to New York since heading off to New Rome University.  Tonight, they’re baby-sitting, giving Paul and Sally a chance to go out to dinner and a movie.

Re-runs of a sit-com are playing in the background as Percy reached for his third slice of pizza.  The characters on the TV show were talking about a list of questions that will allegedly make two people fall in love after answering them together.  So, Annabeth nabbed Paul’s laptop and, while Percy was debating a fourth slice of pizza, she looked them up.  After scanning the list, she told Percy, “Let’s try it.”

He looked over at her, right in the middle of taking his first bite of his fourth slice.  “What?”

“Let’s try it,” she said again, showing him the list on the computer.  “It might be fun.”

Percy looked skeptical, like their definitions of “fun” didn’t exactly line up.  “But we’re already in love.”

That drew a smile from Annabeth.  “I know.  But we might learn something new.”

“You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Nope.”

“Alright.”  Percy finished his fourth slice of pizza, then took a drink of his Coke.  “Hit me with the first one.”

Annabeth kissed him on the cheek, then turned back to the questions on the laptop.  The TV droned low in the background.  On the monitor, Estelle’s chest rose and fell as she slept on her back, one arm curled up around her head.  The air conditioner chugged in the window, fending off the last heat of late summer as it gave way to early fall.  Percy’s arm lay along the couch cushions, lightly touching Annabeth’s shoulders.  He had his legs stretched out beneath the coffee table and she was sitting criss-cross, her left knee resting on his right.  It was a peaceful, relaxing evening.  Scrolling to the first question, Annabeth began to read.    

Set 1

1. Given the choice of anyone in the world, whom would you want as a dinner guest?

[CAVEAT for them, can’t be each other or anyone you could just call up for dinner right now].

P:  My mom’s parents.  I never got to meet them, and I think it’d be kind of cool to get to know them.  Learn more about that part of my family and all.

A:  My mom.  I know that’s almost like cheating, but I would honestly just love to sit down and have dinner with her and just, you know, talk.

2. Would you like to be famous? In what way?

P:  Absolutely not.  I mean, when I was younger, I kind of wanted to be a famous skateboarder, but after everything, nah, I don’t want to be famous.  I just want to live my life.

A:  I’d like to be a famous architect.  But you already know that.

3. Before making a telephone call, do you ever rehearse what you are going to say? Why?

P: Sometimes.  I did before we were dating, when I would call you, sometimes, just to make sure I didn’t sound like an idiot.  And sometimes now, if it’s an important call and I don’t just want to blurt out whatever.

A:  Not usually.  If it’s a really important call, like a phone interview, then yeah, I might have some notes, but usually not.

P:  Huh, that’s kind of funny.  Almost seems like it would be the other way around.

A:  Yeah.  Interesting.

4. What would constitute a "perfect" day for you?

P:  Has to start with sleeping in, for sure.  Maybe my mom making pancakes.  Hanging out with my family.  Hanging out with you.  Just chill.  Maybe at the beach.  Pizza for dinner, obviously.  Hanging out with some friends and playing video games.  Then you and I curling up and watching a movie…and sometimes not watching the movie.  I guess just chilling with the people I love.  What about you? A:  Okay, for me, this might be a little bit in the future.  But waking up in my own home, um preferably next to you, and it’s still early, and I just make some coffee, go to my own office, which has lots of light, and I just sketch for a few hours.  Then, when you wake up, we go out to breakfast, or brunch, whatever, and then just hang out.  Maybe go walk around a park or something, go to a matinee movie or show, maybe meet some friends for a late lunch or early dinner, then yeah, I like the idea of coming home, curling up on the couch together, and watching a movie.  Just normal, relaxed, you know?

P:  Yeah.

5. When did you last sing to yourself? To someone else?

P:  Not gonna lie, I was singing in the shower this morning.  And, uh, I sang to Estelle yesterday.  She likes when I do “Under the Sea.”

A:  I don’t sing.  I mean, I guess I kind of hummed to Estelle the last time I watched her.  And, oh, shoot, you know what, I did sing to Peleus before, because lullabies calm him down so he doesn’t eat people.

6. If you were able to live to the age of 90 and retain either the mind or body of a 30-year-old for the last 60 years of your life, which would you want?

P:  I have no idea.  I mean…mind, I guess?  That’s a weird question.

A:  Mind, definitely.  But yeah, that’s kind of a strange question.

7. Do you have a secret hunch about how you will die?

P:  Do I even have to answer this one?

A:  No, we’re skipping this.

8. Name three things you and your partner appear to have in common.

P:  Oh, wow, this is an interesting one.  Um, I think we both really care about our friends.  We’re both good at putting important stuff first, especially when we really have to.  And, uh, good-looking?

A:  Dork.  But I really like those first two, and I agree.  I think we’re both tough, like resilient.  I think we both always want to do the right thing.  And I think we both have a good sense of humor.

P:  I like those, too.

9. For what in your life do you feel most grateful?

P:  Being here right now with you.  And, in general, for the people in my life.

A:  Same.  About the people in my life, too.  But I’m definitely most grateful we can just sit here together like this right now.

10. If you could change anything about the way you were raised, what would it be?

A [humorless laugh]: Pretty much everything.  I guess, if I had to say something specific, better communication.

P [takes her hand and laces their fingers together.  She smiles and gestures for him to go]: I don’t think I’d really change anything my mom did, like as a parent.  If I was going to change anything, it would have been that Smelly Gabe wouldn’t have been around and I wouldn’t have had to go to all those boarding schools.  They usually sucked.

11. Take four minutes and tell your partner your life story in as much detail as possible.

P:  Don’t we already know all this?  Are you getting out a stopwatch?

A:  Yes.  It’s one of the questions.  So get ready, Seaweed Brain, you’re going first.

[8 MINUTES LATER]

P:  Okay, that was actually kind of cool.  What’s the next one?

12. If you could wake up tomorrow having gained any one quality or ability, what would it be?

P:  I’m still pretty jealous that Frank can change into animals and I can’t.

A:  Is that seriously your answer? P [considers a moment]: Yes.  I mean, otherwise, I like my abilities.

A:  Yeah, they are pretty cool.  And you have a lot of good qualities. P: I do? A: Yeah, Seaweed Brain.  You definitely do.

P:  Aww, thanks, babe. [He kisses her cheek].  Okay, what’s your answer?

A [after considering]:  Honestly, I wouldn’t mind being able to breathe underwater or will my clothes dry.  That would be useful.  Especially hanging around you. [Nudges him with her shoulder].  For qualities, though, I could probably do better not getting so focused on my own stuff sometimes, so maybe paying attention to what other people need more.

P [shrugs]:  Maybe, but I like your intensity about stuff.  That’s one of your best qualities.

A [looks surprised]:  Really?

P:  Yeah, definitely.

A [leans over to kiss him]:  I like this question thing.  Alright, we’re moving on to the second level.  Or set.  Whatever.

Set 2

13. If a crystal ball could tell you the truth about yourself, your life, the future or anything else, what would you want to know?

A: I think I’d want to know that we’re okay in a few years.  Like, I wouldn’t want the details spoiled, necessarily, because as much as I love planning, it’s also fun if some things are a surprise, but I’d like to know, just in general, that we, you know, kind of get our happy ending. [blinks quickly and swipes hand across eyes]  Oh wow, I don’t know why that made me kind of tear up.  Okay, you answer.

P [considers for a few moments]:  Honestly, after all the shit we’ve gone through dealing with prophecies, I’m not sure I’d even want to look.  I like your answer, but I think I’d like to just be…what’s that phrase?  Blissfully oblivious about the future.  And yeah, sometimes surprises are nice.  Good surprises, I mean, are nice.

14. Is there something that you've dreamed of doing for a long time? Why haven't you done it? P: I have to think about this.  You go.

A:  I’d really like to go to Falling Water, Frank Lloyd Wright’s place he designed.  But I haven’t had a chance to go yet.  I used to say the Parthenon, but we’ve been there.  I wouldn’t mind going back, someday, though, when we could actually spend some time there and enjoy it.

P:  Good to know.

A:  There was one highlight of the Parthenon trip though.  [smiles at him, and he returns it].  So what’s your answer?

P [looks down]:  So, I don’t know if this is really a dream, but I’ve wanted to talk to my mom about just…Gabe…and our life before I found out I was a demigod.  For a long time.  I just never want to bring it up though, don’t want to bring up the bad memories, you know?  And I usually try not to look back too much, or dwell on stuff, but I just feel like it’s something we should talk about at some point.  Dang, I actually didn’t really realize that until I had to think about it just now.

A [quietly]: I think that’s a good idea.  Maybe one evening when it’s just you two?  It might be good for both of you.

P:  Yeah, maybe.  [deep breath].  Okay, next question.

15. What is the greatest accomplishment of your life?

P:  Great, easy one.  Saving Olympus.

A:  Yeah, being designated official architect of Olympus was pretty good.  I feel like we could be more thoughtful with this one, though.  What would you say is your greatest accomplishment outside of hero stuff?

P [groans]: You never settle for an easy answer, do you? A: Nope.

P:  That’s okay.  It’s another one of the things I like best about you. [kisses her cheek again when she smiles at him].  Okay, outside of hero stuff?  I’m pretty proud of graduating from high school.  And getting accepted to college.  Because I wasn’t sure that was something I would ever be able to do.  So it feels pretty good.  Surviving almost two years as your boyfriend feels pretty good too. A: Graduating definitely feels like an accomplishment, especially after the past couple years.  But I am actually going to say our relationship, truthfully, because I never thought I’d have something like this.  It wasn’t in my plans, at all.  But coming up on our second anniversary, and going to college together, definitely feels like an accomplishment.

[question answering is briefly interrupted]

A: Percy, we really need to finish this.  I don’t think you’re supposed to take breaks.

P:  Fine.  What’s up next?

16. What do you value most in a friendship?

A:  Loyalty.  And honesty.  Those kind of go together.

P:  Yeah.  And somebody who does the right thing, even when it’s not easy. 

17. What is your most treasured memory?

P:  Underwater kiss.  For sure.

A: Under the Parthenon.  Easy.

18. What is your most terrible memory?

P:  Damn.  I mean, leaving Beckendorf, thinking my mom was dead, thinking Tyson was dead, thinking you might be dead when you were kidnapped, everything that happened in the Titan War, leaving Bob and Damasen at the Doors, a bunch of other stuff.  Should we do that four minute thing again?

A: Right?  What would you say the worst moment was, though?

P: Truthfully…well, no.

A: What? P:  I was going to say when we were dangling over that pit and I realized I couldn’t pull you up.  That was terrible.  But actually, what happened with Akhlys was worse.  When I realized you were afraid of me and what I was doing.  That’s my most terrible memory, because I was out of control and I was enjoying hurting her, and I don’t ever want to be that person again. [clears throat]  Um, your turn.

A: That’s pretty high on my terrible list, too, because that’s not you, Percy.  And yeah, leaving Bob and Damasen at the Doors was awful.  And so much that happened in the Titan War…everything with Luke…Silena…and, gods, those months when you were missing.  That was miserable.  But if I had to pick an absolute most terrible memory, it would probably be after the arai attacked, when you were dying of the gorgon’s blood poison curse, and I didn’t know how to save you.  Because all I could think, other than I can’t lose him, was that you were only there because of me.  Because I didn’t think to cut the spider silk off.  And if you died, that was my fault.  And I would have to live with that.

[brief silence, holding hands]  Okay, next question, right?

P: Uh, yeah, definitely.

19. If you knew that in one year you would die suddenly, would you change anything about the way you are now living? Why?

P:  Why did these suddenly get so depressing?  And honestly, that’s how I’ve been living for years.  So, no, probably not.  Other than maybe I’d spend less time on homework and more time hanging out with the people I love.  And I would eat only junk food.

A: I believe that.  I don’t know if I’d really do anything different.  Maybe, yeah, spend more time with the people I love.  Maybe try to complete some additional sketches and leave plans for how they could be implemented.  But otherwise, like you said, we’ve been living that way for years.  Now, for the first time, we kind of don’t have to as much.  So, moving on.

20. What does friendship mean to you?

P:  Didn’t we already answer this one?

A:  No, that was about what do you value in a friendship.

P [stares blankly]: Are those different?

A:  Yes.  What do you value is like traits, what friendship means to you is more…I don’t know…broad.  Or something.  I mean, friendship is incredibly important to me.  Especially when I wasn’t getting along with my family, my friends became my family.  So yeah, it’s important.

P:  Yeah, me too.  It’s important.  I mean, especially with what we’ve been through, you need people you can rely on, who you know have your back and care about you.  So yeah, friendship is important to me.  Is that the right answer?

A [rolls eyes]: There’s not one right answer, Seaweed Brain.  But yes, that works.  Moving on.

21. What roles do love and affection play in your life?

P:  They’re good things?  I don’t know how to answer this one either.

A: Try.

P: Okay, I mean, if you want the deep answer, isn’t it all about love?  Not just romantic stuff, although that’s obviously important, but like love for family and friends, too.  I’ve only been able to do some of the stuff I’ve had to do because I love you, my family, and my friends.  Love gives you strength.

A: Wow, Percy.  That’s…that’s a really great answer.

P [shrugs]: It’s true.  What’s yours? A: I think, for me, because of how I felt when I was little, love and affection are almost painfully important to me.  If I want to go really deep, I think I associate them with acceptance.  When Thalia and Luke first took me in, they gave me hugs and tousled my hair and stuff like that, and acted like they wanted me around.  That blew my mind.  When I got to camp, Chiron would pat my shoulder or head when I did well.  Grover and Tyson give hugs to show they care.  So does your mom.  Piper, too, actually.  And then you came along, obviously.  And even when we were younger, just sitting by you, or holding your hand, always made me feel better.  So I guess, to me, love and affection go together.  Like physical affection is such a clear way people show that they care about you.  I know it’s not the only way, but it’s definitely important. [blushes]  Anyway, next question.

22. Alternate sharing something you consider a positive characteristic of your partner. Share a total of five items.

P:  Sweet, another easy one.  Okay, your eyes.

A: That’s very sweet, but it says “characteristic”, not “attribute.”  I think it means more internal stuff.

P: What happened to no wrong answers?  But I’m sticking with my answer, because, I mean, yeah, I think your eyes are beautiful, but they can also be fierce and intense and scary, so I still think it fits.

A:  Okay.  Your heart.  You have a really good heart, and I’ve always loved that about you.

P: Thanks.  I’ve always been amazed by your strength.  Like, just with everything.  You have more guts than anybody I’ve ever met.

A: Thanks, Percy.  I love your sense of humor.  You can always find something to lighten the mood, even when things are really bad.

P: I do my best.  I was going to say your intelligence, but that feels like a given, so I’m going with your passion for architecture and stuff.  Like, I love watching your face light up when you talk about stuff you’re excited about.

A: Really? P: Yeah.

A:  So, you can be goofy, and that’s great, but when something’s really important, you get this intense focus that I really appreciate.  And your confidence.  I admire that too.

P: I have confidence? A: Yeah, babe, you do.  Like when you were leading everyone during the Battle of Manhattan?  [smiles slyly] It was pretty hot.

P: Good to know.  Okay, my turn.  I like how you genuinely care about people and you want to help them.  I don’t know if everybody always sees that, but I do.  And I really admire that.

A [biting lip, trying not to smile]:  Thanks.  That means a lot.  You also just took my next one about you, because it was basically that.

P [grinning]: My bad.  You can still use it, too, if you want.

A: No, I’ve got a few others still.  Like the fact that you’re an amazing big brother.  Like how you stood by Tyson that first summer he came to camp, which I know wasn’t easy.  And seeing you playing with your baby sister is the cutest thing ever.

P: Well, it helps that Estelle is adorable.

A: That doesn’t hurt.  Okay, last one each.

P: Already? 

A: Yep.

P: Dang, I liked this question.  Okay, I like how you always manage to surprise me.  Ever since we met and you told me I drooled in my sleep.

A [leans forward and kisses him quickly]: I like your arms.

P: Huh? A [shrugs]: Your first one was my eyes, my last one is your arms.  You have nice muscles.  And, you know, you’re a very impressive swordsman, so it still falls under that characteristic thing.

P: Huh.  Again, good to know.  How many questions do we have left?

A: A few.  Ready to move on?

P: Yeah.  Let’s go.     

23. How close and warm is your family? Do you feel your childhood was happier than most other people's?

A: Oh gods.  Is this for real?

P: Do we want to just skip this one?

A [sighs]: No, we have to answer them all.  So, my family is getting better, but I don’t think I’ll ever describe them as close and warm.  Although things with my dad are much better.  And everything with Magnus is good.  But my childhood was definitely not happier than other people’s.  Your turn, Seaweed Brain.

P: I’m definitely close with my mom.  And Paul and Estelle.  And they’re all warm.  So’s Tyson, obviously.  Things with my dad have been good, can’t complain.  I doubt my childhood was happier than most other people’s, but there were some good moments, too.  But…never mind.

A: What?

P: But one day, in the future, like way out, when I have kids, I want to make sure they have a genuinely good childhood.  I mean, I’m going to do my best to make that happen.

A [holds his eyes for a long moment]: I love that idea.

P: Cool. [swallows hard] Um, next question? 24. How do you feel about your relationship with your mother?

A [facepalms]: You have got to be kidding me.

P: My mom’s awesome.  Next question.

Set 3

25. Make three true "we" statements each. For instance, "We are both in this room feeling _____."

P: Okay, this is another kind of weird one. 

A: A bit.  Three true “we” statements each.  Okay, so we are both in this room feeling vulnerable?

P: Yeah, that’s true.  We are both demigods.

A: Percy!

P: What?  It’s true.

A: That’s practically cheating.

P: Okay, fine, that one doesn’t count.  How about we are both learning some new stuff about each other?

A: Yeah.  Nice to know we can still do that.  And we both believe we can build a future together.

P: Definitely true. [pauses, thinking] We believe in each other.

A: We do.  And we put each other first, or at least we try our best.

P: I agree with that.  And, most importantly, we love each other.

A: Absolutely.

P: That was a good one.  What’s next?

26. Complete this sentence: "I wish I had someone with whom I could share _____."

A: Umm…I have no idea how to answer this.

P: Yeah, I’m coming up blank. 

A: I mean, my first thought was maybe my love of architecture, but Malcolm and I have great discussions.  Leo, too, is great for talking about engineering and design type stuff.  And everything else I talk with you about.  Or Piper.  Or your mom.  Sometimes friends at school.

P: Yeah, maybe I’m not thinking deep enough, but I think you and I have a lot of those types of conversations.  Or I talk to my friends.  Or my mom.  I thought about my love of video games.  But guys from camp and school are around for that. 

A: Does it count if we at least had a discussion about how we don’t have an answer?

P: I’m good with that.  Next.

27. If you were going to become a close friend with your partner, please share what would be important for him or her to know.

P:  Gee, Annabeth, if we were friends, what would I need to know?

A [laughs]: Okay, I’m guessing this question is for people who don’t really know each other.  But if I was going to give an honest answer, even if you already know it, it would probably be helpful to know about my history, and why I hate people letting me down.

P: That’s actually true.  I mean, I felt like I understood you better once I learned some of that stuff.  Kind of similar, I think it would be important for someone to know how important my mom and family are to me.

A: Definitely.

P: And you, obviously.  That was a given.

A: Ditto, Seaweed Brain.

28. Tell your partner what you like about them; be very honest this time, saying things that you might not say to someone you've just met.

A: This is interesting.  I mean, I feel like we were pretty honest last time.  That was definitely not stuff I would say to someone I just met.

P: Same.  But I might be able to come up with something else.

A: Yeah, me too.  So, even more honestly, what I like about you is that you’re reliable.  I know you always have my back and I can count on you.  For me, that means everything.  And I also love that you’re kind and sweet and respectful and funny and cute and smart and strong and…well, a lot of things.

P [kisses her]: Sorry, couldn’t help it.  I love that you’re just yourself.  You don’t try to change to impress anybody.  I mean, I know you put a lot of pressure on yourself to do well and achieve your goals, and that’s impressive, too, but you’re always still Annabeth.  You stay true to yourself.  And I love that.

[brief kissing interlude]

A: Okay, let’s finish these last few questions.

29. Share with your partner an embarrassing moment in your life.

A: Oh gods.  Um, okay, this one time, I started my period in the middle of class and had to wear a sweatshirt tied around my waist the rest of the day to cover up the small spot on my jeans.  Your turn.

P: I dangled from a billboard in Times Square in my underwear.

A: You what? P: Yeah, it was a whole thing with Grover and Apollo and it was pretty humiliating, so I never told you about it.  Next question.

30. When did you last cry in front of another person? By yourself?

P: In front of another person?  When we found out about what happened to Jason and everybody at Camp Jupiter.  I cried in front of you when we went back to your dad’s house.

A: Yeah.  I think that was my most recent time, too.  What about by yourself?

P: I mean, I’m not a big crier, usually.  I might have been upset about all that again, but the time that comes to mind, honestly, was after Estelle was born.  I don’t know why, but I remember standing at my bedroom window, looking out at the city, and I got all choked up.  But that was like, good crying.  Like, my mom was happy, she has Paul, now they have Estelle, I have this great family, this amazing girlfriend, I was getting ready to graduate high school and go to college.  I think I was just kind of amazed that was all real.  What about you? A: Honestly, I think it was something similar.  On the drive out to California, we stayed in that one hotel that had a balcony, looking out over that lake?  I couldn’t sleep, so I went out on the balcony, and I was just looking out, and thinking about everything.  Like that this was really happening.  And it was kind of overwhelming, but in a good way.  And I might have cried a little bit, but happy tears.

P: I didn’t know that.  You could have woken me up.

A: I know.  It was okay though.  I think I just needed that moment to process everything, you know?  Anyway, next one.

31. Tell your partner something that you like about them already.

A: Okay, this has to be for people who don’t know each other.

P: Yeah, but we can make it work.  Unless you’re out of nice stuff to say about me? A: Not even close, Seaweed Brain.  I like how honest you’re being with all this.  It’s really nice.

P: You too.  And I like that smile you keep giving me occasionally, when you like one of my answers. A: I am? P: Yeah.  It’s cute.  Next question.

32. What, if anything, is too serious to be joked about?

A: Sexual assault.

P: Yeah, pretty much anything related to abuse.  Not funny.

A: Moving on.

33. If you were to die this evening with no opportunity to communicate with anyone, what would you most regret not having told someone? Why haven't you told them yet?

P: Wow, that’s an interesting question.  So, I think I do okay about telling people stuff.  But if I’m being honest, I might regret not telling Paul he’s a great guy and I really appreciate everything he’s done for my mom.  And for me.  I mean, I think he knows, but I don’t think I’ve ever actually told him.  Not for any reason, just haven’t.  But maybe I should.

A: I’m sure he’d love that.  And yeah, I don’t think there’s anything I’d regret not telling you. [nudges him with her shoulder].  But I think I’d wish I told my dad that I’m glad we’re getting along again.  And I appreciate the support he’s given me about my college choices.  I just don’t do well being emotional around him.  He’s not great at that either.

P: But I bet he’d love to hear it. 

A: Yeah.  Okay, we’re holding each other accountable.  Sometime before the end of the year, so no major rush, just when it feels natural, we’re going to tell them both, Paul and my dad, what we just said.

P:  Deal.  How many questions are left? A: Just three.  Almost there.

34. Your house, containing everything you own, catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash to save any one item. What would it be? Why?

P:  Huh.  Assuming I have my camp necklace on and Riptide is in my pocket, I guess I’d want to grab maybe some pictures?  Or the Minotaur horn.  There’s not much stuff I’m that attached to otherwise, though.

A: Same.  My camp necklace, definitely, but if I have that on already…probably pictures.  Oh, my sketchbook.  I’d definitely grab my journal and my sketchbook.  Is it okay that that’s two things?

P: They’re in the same category, so sure.  Also, we’re making up our own rules as we go anyway, and I’m fine with that answer.

A: Great.  Moving on.

35. Of all the people in your family, whose death would you find most disturbing? Why?

P: These are some strange questions.  But I guess if the point is to really get to know somebody….Anyway, I’d be devastated, obviously, if something happened to you or my mom, same with Paul or Tyson…or my dad, but I forget about him sometimes for something like this because…well, you know.  But if we’re talking about disturbing, it’s Estelle, hands down.  Just because she’s still so little.  It doesn’t feel like anything should happen to her, like she should just be in this protective bubble because she’s a baby.  I don’t even want to think about anything happening to her.  So, your turn.

A: Ugh, I can’t even stand the thought of something happening to Estelle.  Talking specifically about my blood-related family, yeah, if something happened to my dad, or Bobby or Matthew, or even my stepmom, I’d be devastated.  And probably feel really guilty, somehow, too, for not spending enough time with them.  Most disturbing, though, would have to be if something happened to Magnus.  Just because, you know…he’s already dead.  So it would be awful not knowing what else happened to him or where he went, like if he’s trapped somewhere worse or something. [pauses]  And obviously, if something happened to you, I’d be completely heartbroken.  Then I’d stomp down to the Underworld and drag your butt back.

P [grins]: Obviously. A: Alright, last one.

36. Share a personal problem and ask your partner's advice on how he or she might handle it. Also, ask your partner to reflect back to you how you seem to be feeling about the problem you have chosen.

A: Wow, this is kind of tough.  I mean, I already usually talk problems through with you.  And honestly, at this particular moment, I don’t have one. [pauses, looking pleasantly surprised] Wow.  I don’t have any serious problems right now.  That’s possibly the first time that’s ever happened.

P: Nice.  So nothing right now? A: Not really.  I mean, I’m a little nervous about starting college, especially with balancing UC Berkeley and New Rome, but I think it’ll be okay.  Any advice on how you’d handle that? P [small laugh]: Honestly?  Not well.  I don’t think I’d be great at running back and forth and balancing everything.  But you will be.  You’re good with organization and time management and everything, so you’re going to be fine, Wise Girl.  If I had to guess, I think you’re just nervous because you want to do well.  But you will.  Because you’re awesome.

A [smiling]: Aww, thanks, babe.  What about you?  Any problems right now? P [shakes head]: Nothing major right now.  Well, actually, now that I’ve said that…I’m kind of worried about my major.  Like for college.

A: Really?  Why?

P [shrugs]: I mean, marine biology kind of makes sense, because of my dad and all.  But I’m not like a major science guy or anything.  So I’m a little worried about it.  Any thoughts? A [considers for a few moments]:  That makes sense.  So it sounds like you’re a little worried you’ve chosen something that you can do, not necessarily something you want to do?

P: Yeah, pretty much.  I mean, I never really thought much about what I’d want to do for a major or a career.  I never thought I’d get this far.

A: That makes sense.  Do you want my advice?

P: Isn’t that the point of this question?  Also, yes, I’d want to hear it anyway.

A: I think you should just stick with it for this first semester, maybe this first year.  Most of the classes are gen eds anyway, so they’ll apply to any major.  Maybe keep an open mind during your classes and see if anything jumps out at you.  There might be something you’ve never even thought about that you end up loving.  And if you decide to change majors, I think that’s totally fine.  And I support you one hundred percent.

P: Thanks, Annabeth.  And I like that idea.  It makes sense.

A: Cool.  [leans forward and kisses him lightly on the lips].  So that’s the end of the questions.

P: Sweet.  Although that was kind of cool.  Is there anything else?

A: Yeah.  The last part is four minutes of eye contact.

P: Holy shit.  Four minutes?

A: That’s what it says.

P: Isn’t that awkward? A [rolls eyes]: Only if you make it that way, Seaweed Brain.  Just relax.  It’ll be fine.  [gets out phone for stopwatch again] Alright, time starts now.

[4 minutes elapse, which include some laughing, some comments, but also following the rules]

A: And that’s four minutes.  Done.

P: Cool.  So, what does that mean? A: Apparently we’re supposed to feel closer.  Do you think it worked?

P [considers]: Actually, yeah, I think so.  I mean, it was nice to talk about some different stuff that we might not have otherwise.  So yeah, I think it worked.

A: Agreed.  That was actually kind of fun.

P: Yeah.  But now can we just relax?  And maybe make out?  Just throwing that out there.

A: Gods, yes.

And that was the end of the question and answer portion of the evening.

[minibeth]

soon you’ll get better (but it’s chronic) part 1

fandom: percy jackson

characters: Nico, Percy, Annabeth

about: Nico has a sudden onset of a chronic illness and struggles to get a diagnosis

summary: Nico faints in the dining pavilion

word count: 632

notes: post TLO, eventual solangelo

ao3 link: <a href="https://archiveofourown.org/works/

Nico di Angelo knows that something is wrong with him.

Why won’t anyone listen?

Nico was used to feeling fatigued. Shadow traveling would leave him exhausted, and usually, he would sleep for a day or two, and wake up feeling right as rain. Until one day, when he got out of bed and felt his heart start racing. Okay. He was okay. He was probably just drained from using shadow travel to run an errand for Chiron the other day. Nico started to get ready to walk over to the dining pavilion and meet Annabeth, who had left a note for when he got back asking to talk to him. He walked across his cabin to the ornate dresser that held his clothes. However, after a few steps he stumbled, feeling his vision blur for a moment. That’s strange. Nico never continued to feel woozy after he’d slept and replenished his strength.

Nico sorted through his drawers before reaching down to pick up the hoodie he’d worn the previous day off the floor. When he stood up again, his head swam. He could hear his heart thumping loudly in his ear. Geez, I get it, you can slow down now. Nico slumped to the floor and felt his wrist at his pulse point. He wasn’t exactly a child of Apollo, but Nico was pretty sure that his heart wasn’t supposed to beat that fast. Nico grabbed a half-empty water bottle from his nightstand, drinking the remaining water in two large gulps. He wiped his mouth on the sleeve of his hoodie and stood up slowly, steadying himself before walking out of the cabin. I’ll take a nap after breakfast. I just have to make it through breakfast.

When he got to the dining pavilion, Nico noticed Percy waving at him from a table, where Annabeth sat next to him. Nico slid onto the bench across from them, noticing that the couple had already filled their plates.

“So, Nico, I was thinking that you could help me with some renovation ideas I have for Cabin 13. Could you come by after we eat and give some blueprints the go-ahead?” Annabeth glanced at him as she methodically buttered her toast.

Nico blinked in surprise, then quickly worked to keep his face from showing any disappointment. “Uh, yeah, I can do that.” There goes my nap. Nico loved her, but Annabeth had a talent for making 5 minutes turn into 5 hours when she was talking about her designs.

Percy groaned in faux irritation. “She’s been working on those blueprints for forever.” He took a bite of his blueberry muffin and shook his head. “I’m losing my girlfriend to your open floor plan.”

Annabeth punched his arm. “That’s not true, Seaweed Brain! Are we or are we not having a movie night tonight? And don’t talk with your mouth full in front of my client! It’s very rude.” She winked at Nico, who gave a weak smile. “You’d better hurry if you want some food. I saw Travis and Connor heading over there, and they looked like they had something up their sleeves. Literally.”

Nico never had a large appetite, especially after shadow traveling, so he just willed his goblet to fill with chocolate milk and held it up to show Annabeth. “I think I’m okay with this. I’m probably too late to avoid bugs in my eggs, anyway.” Annabeth’s brow furrowed slightly, but she didn’t say anything.

Nico drank his milk and waited for Annabeth to finish, so they could walk together to Cabin 6. When she and Percy got up, he swung his legs over the bench and stood up quickly. That was a mistake. Nico lost his footing and stumbled, gripping tightly onto the picnic table for support. His heart was pounding again, faster now. Is this what a heart attack feels like? His airway wasn’t obstructed, but he could hear himself gasping for breath. Nico felt like he was having an out-of-body experience, watching himself struggle to stay upright. As if on cue, his legs buckled, and he fell back, falling into someone. Nico struggled to keep his eyes open as he heard voices talking over each other, but was unable to distinguish what was being said. He could feel his eyelids fluttering as his head lolled back. Someone started shaking him and saying something, but Nico ignored it as his consciousness quickly faded. One little nap wouldn’t hurt. And he was so…so…tired.

[thisbrilliantsky]

"For I Will Consider My Dog Percy"

by Mary Oliver

For I will consider my dog Percy.

For he was made small but brave of heart.

For if he met another dog he would kiss her in kindness.

For when he slept he snored only a little.

For he could be silly and noble in the same moment.

For when he spoke he remembered the trumpet and when he scratched he struck the floor like a drum.

For he ate only the finest food and drank only the purest of water, yet would nibble of dead fish also.

For he came to me impaired and therefore certain of short life, yet thoroughly rejoiced in each day.

For he took his medicines without argument.

For he played easily with the neighborhood's bull mastiff.

For when he came upon mud he splashed through it.

For he was an instrument for the children to learn benevolence upon.

For he listened to poems as well as love-talk.

For when he sniffed it was as if he were being pleased by every part of the world.

For when he sickened he rallied as many times as he could.

For he was a mixture of gravity and waggery.

For we humans can seek self-destruction in ways he never dreamed of.

For he took actions both cunning and reckless, yet refused always to offer himself to be admonished.

For his sadness though without words was understandable.

For there was nothing sweeter than his peace when at rest.

For there was nothing brisker than his life when in motion.

For he was of the tribe of Wolf.

For when I went away he would watch for me at the window.

For he loved me.

For he suffered before I found him, and never forgot it.

For he loved Anne.

For when he lay down to enter sleep he did not argue about whether or not God made him.

For he could fling himself upside down and laugh a true laugh.

For he loved his friend Ricky.

For he would dig holes in the sand and then let Ricky lie in them.

For often I see his shape in the clouds and this is a continual blessing.

[auroraescritora]

SITTER’S LOVE (AMOR DE BABÁ) [Bi-lingual]- Nico!Babysitter, Percy!Teacher-father - Arc 2, Prologue (Arco 2, prólogo)

Post in English and Portuguese! / Post em português e Inglês!

Hello, how are you? We're back! And a little early, but as I wanted to offer a gift in the form of an apology for taking so long, here we are. Next week we have a new chapter. Here's the text, the first in English and below, in Portuguese.

Olá, como vai? Estamos de volta! E um pouco adiantados, mas como eu queria oferecer um presente em forma de desculpas por demorar tanto, aqui estamos nós. Semana que vem temos um novo capítulo. Segue o texto, o primeiro em Inglês e abaixo, em português.

Prologue

Annabeth walked into the living room and looked around. It was the second time she had to go after Percy in less than a month. There were bottles and cans everywhere, books thrown on the floor, clothes scattered around the room, and other things she preferred not to analyze. She couldn't believe that after ten years she still had to babysit Percy. She kicked some cans out of the way and marched over to the couch where Percy slept. She grabbed her purse, prepared to wake him up in the most painful way when she looked at the couch; Percy Jackson was sleeping with his hands under his head and his legs spread, hanging off the seat. Naked. Showing everything without any shame. Now she remembered why she had married him. Well, Percy never disappointed, even so... messy.

This was ridiculous, she was too old for this. Annabeth would get this over with and do what she had come to do.

“Percy, honey. Do you want another bottle?” She heard a female voice coming from the kitchen.

No, this was too much. Percy had brought a woman into the house where her children lived?

“Who are you?” Annabeth marched towards the kitchen and finally saw the girl. Because that was what she was; tall, slender, wavy hair, dark skin and deep dark eyes. It reminded her of a certain someone.

“Rox. Percy's girlfriend.” The girl smiled and held out her hand, she couldn't be more than twenty-three, going on twenty-five, the age a certain someone was now.

“No, you are not. Because I am his wife. If you could gather your things and leave, we would be grateful.” Annabeth just continued to look at her, not at all impressed, and watched with morbid pleasure as the smile disappeared from the girl's face, the smiling features being replaced by a sad expression that fooled no one.

“Percy told me that… that he was getting a divorce and that…”

“He’s going to stay with you?”

“He told me that we could meet and… have fun together. I didn't expect him to call his ex to kick me out.”

“You know how men are. You can't trust them, sweety. Now, if you'll excuse me.” Annabeth turned her back on the girl and entered the sitting room once more. She picked up a red dress and a pair of thin high heels from the floor, took them to the girl who was waiting at the exit door and handed them to her. Well, she kind of threw the belongings in her face.

“It's nothing personal, but that won't work.”

“And why not?” The girl finally seemed to recover her voice. She straightened her spine and raised her head, looking Annabeth in the eyes, approaching like a panther circling its prey.

“You're just the replacement. Something... temporary, so fleeting that he won't even remember you when he wakes up.”

“You… you have no right!” The girl stomped her foot and looked at Annabeth with tears in her eyes.

“Like I said, it's nothing personal. If you like him so much, why don't you call Percy? Oh, you don't have his number, do you?”

Annabeth saw the woman's tearful face transform into a furious mask, disfigured with rage, and took a step back, bracing herself.

“Oliver!” Annabeth shouted. In a moment where there had been no one before, a tall, muscular man wearing a black suit appeared from under the stairs and stood next to Annabeth, blocking the path between the two women. “Could you please take this… young lady to the exit and make sure she leaves the premises of the property?”

“Yes, ma'am.” Oliver, Annabeth's bodyguard, took Rox's arm and led her out of the house without questioning the order, and less than gently. He put her inside the car parked in front of the entrance, and it was possible to hear the woman's screams of fury and irritation, with her still wearing only a long shirt and holding the clothes in her hands.

“Much better now.” Annabeth then turned and marched into the room, grabbed a pillow and hit it on Percy’s face until he moved and snatched the pillow from her hands.

“Oh, still pretending? I know very well that you heard everything. You idiot! Since when do you bring these people into the house, huh?” She picked up another pillow and hit Percy again and he just… let her, until Annabeth got tired and sat next to him on the couch.

She sat on the edge, lifted Percy's head and placed it on her lap, sighing exhausted. "When are you going to grow up and stop sulking?"

“I didn't do anything.”

That was the problem.

Annabeth groaned in anxiety and rolled her eyes, it seemed like they had gone back to the past when Percy was heartbroken and she, as one of the few friends he had, would have to comfort him. Annabeth looked at Percy's face and even the sad look and melancholic expression was there; she had forgotten that there had been a time when they hadn't gotten married yet and where money and influence didn't dictate their lives.

“Percy, what are you doing?”

No, she couldn't look at him. Ahg! Percy turned those soulful green eyes on her and Annabeth felt herself melt. It was such a sad look that she saw no other alternative but to be defeated by nostalgia. Her fingers landed on Percy's hair and began to slide through it, stroking it like she used to do in the past.

“Per, you need to leave the house. Even your parents are worried.”

“That’s news,” he muttered, his gaze fixed on the ceiling of the room, distant and empty.

“They love you.”

“Did they ask you to come here?”

“No, they asked me to see if you were still alive.”

Percy let out a dry laugh and turned to her, hitting Annabeth square in the chest. Now she remembered why she had married Percy; he might be charming, enchanting, and a little mysterious even after all this time, but he was also stubborn and selfish, like any other man who had been raised to lead. She was glad to know that Percy still fought against the system.

“I know you're hurting, but you need to get up. Don't you think about the children?”

“Don't be so dramatic.” He told Annabeth, giving her a beautiful, charming smile. “They're staying with my parents for the weekend. But since you scared away my easy sex, you should take responsibility.”

In slow motion, Annabeth watched as Percy's large hand came towards her and grabbed her hair, digging into the back of her neck and pulling her head down, reminding her of... no! She had done it once before and she wouldn't do it again. It had been a mistake then and it was a mistake now. And before anything serious could happen, she grabbed Percy's arm, but not before she smelled the alcohol.

“You’re drunk,” she muttered, unhappy. 

Annabeth thought maybe he was having a relapse, but it was just the desperation of the anguish knocking on the door. So needy. Percy and drugs were never a good combination. Oh, if only perfect Nico were here to see her dear Percy act like this. Should she tell him since they were going to have dinner with the kids and Reyna the next night?

“Is this a surprise to you?” He said, seeming to smile even more at Annabeth's reaction, as if her indignation amused him.

“Are we back to this? What would Nico say if he saw you like this?”

“He'll never see it. Nico is too busy being happy.”

“What are you saying?“ From what she could tell, Nico was just as unhappy as Percy, Nico just knew how to pretend better.

“He has a boyfriend now. A good job. An apartment. Good friends. Why would he need me?” Annabeth felt Percy's chest heave and he covered his face, a nasal sound coming out with a sob that shook his entire body.

Just what she needed! Annabeth thought, tempted to abandon everything and let this naked, almost two-meter-tall man cry alone just so she wouldn't have to deal with all this drama.

“Percy! You can't go on like this!”

“You're afraid I'll do something stupid, aren't you! Like I used to do before? What if I do? What do you care?”

“God! You're so melodramatic! Nico always asks about you! If you're okay, if you're eating right. It's so sweet that it makes me want to vomit. So, can you get up that naked ass and talk to him?”

“He asks about me?” Percy's voice sounded so amazed that Annabeth ended up smiling.

Percy tore his hand away from his face and looked at her with such hope that Annabeth couldn't contain it in; Annabeth smiled at Percy and went back to massaging his hair.

“Of course he asks. If he didn't ask, he wouldn't be the Nico I know.”

“But I… no. I can't.”

“Why not?”

“He was so young, so innocent. I played with him like a doll. Why didn't anyone tell me? Why didn't anyone stop me!” Now, Percy was all distressed again.

Percy sat up in a rush on the couch and shoved both hands into his hair, pulling it angrily. “Why didn’t you stop me?”

“I tried. Did you hear me?”

“You… you were so cruel that I thought…”

“That I was jealous? That's beneath me.”

“How could I? How could I do this to him?”

“You wanted to get revenge on me, remember?”

Percy nodded, defeated and distressed, now standing up and starting to walk around the room, kicking cans and bottles, in all his naked splendor and still very well defined despite all the drinking and abuse of the last few years. Annabeth was distracted for a second and missed the moment when Percy picked up a vase and threw it against the wall.

“I'm a monster!” He roared and threw another vase, this one full of water, making the liquid fly in an acrobatic way to the back of the room.

“Percy, you're just drunk.” Annabeth sighed, too exhausted to stop him.

“So what? Why can't I get drunk? I'm not perfect!”

“I never said you were.”

“Why did you bother coming here? Haven't you done enough?”

“You brat!” Annabeth yelled with all her strength and stood up, looking Percy in the eye. “Be a man! Go after what you want and stop worrying people. Even the kids have noticed, and if they noticed, Nico noticed too.”

“Do you think he cares?”

“Yes.” It was another sigh that came from her. “Why don’t you just… teach again? You like doing it, don’t you? And if you two happened to meet at college, it would be a great coincidence…”

“Would it be?” He asked, seeming to imagine the scene.

“Yes, a great and unbelievable coincidence.”

“I'm not sure.”

“Percy.” This time, Annabeth touched Percy's shoulder and looked him in the eyes. “Nico is no longer a child, he can make his own decisions. Why don't you let him choose instead of making that decision for him?”

“I… never thought about it. I thought… that I might be…”

“Forcing him?”

“Well…”

“I think you underestimate him. He was never forced into anything.”

“No?” Percy murmured, looking confused. “Sometimes it felt like, you know? Like he… he never took the initiative, so…”

“You really are an idiot.” Annabeth sighed for the third time and picked up her bag from the floor. “Why don't you go back to the world of the living and do what you do best?”

“And what would that be?”

“Be annoying until others do what you want. It's worked so far, hasn't it?”

Annabeth smiled mockingly and turned her back on Percy, but before leaving, she said:

“Just don't forget to put on some pants.”

“What’s wrong?” Percy shouted as Annabeth walked away. “It’s not like you haven’t seen it before!”

“I saw it, but I don't know if poor Nico is ready any time soon!”

With that, Annabeth slammed the door and left Percy open-mouthed, but smiling from ear to ear. At least now Annabeth could feel less guilty. And less worried. She knew that in the end Nico would take care of everything.

Prologo

Annabeth entrou na sala e olhou ao redor, era a segunda vez que ela tinha que vir atrás de Percy em menos de um mês. Haviam garrafas e latas por todos os cantos, livros jogados ao chão, roupas espalhadas pelo cômodo e outras coisas que ela preferia não analisar. Ela não acreditava que depois de dez anos ainda tinha que bancar a babá de Percy. Ela chutou algumas latas para fora do caminho e marchou até o sofá onde Percy dormia. Pegou a bolsa dela, preparada para acordá-lo da forma mais dolorosa quando olhou para o sofá; Percy Jackson dormia com as mãos debaixo da cabeça e de pernas abertas, penduradas para fora do assento. Pelado. Mostrando tudo sem pudor algum. Agora ela lembrava porque tinha casado com ele. Bem, Percy nunca decepcionava, mesmo tão… desleixado.

Isso era ridículo, ela estava velha demais para isso. Annabeth iria acabar com isso de uma vez e fazer o que tinha vindo fazer.

— Percy, querido. Você quer mais uma garrafa? — Ela escutou uma voz feminina vindo da cozinha.

Não, isso já era demais. Percy tinha trazido uma mulher para a casa onde os filhos dela moravam?

— Quem é você? — Annabeth marchou em direção a cozinha e enfim pode ver a garota. Porque era isso o que ela era; alta, esbelta, cabelos ondulados, pele morena e profundos olhos escuros. Isso a fazia lembrar de um certo alguém.

— Rox. Namorada do Percy. — A garota sorriu e estendeu a mão, ela não podia ter mais do que vinte e três, estourando vinte e cinco anos, idade que um certo alguém tinha agora.

— Não, você não é. Porque eu sou a esposa dele. Se você puder recolher suas coisas e se retirar, ficaríamos gratos. — Annabeth apenas continuou olhando para ela, nenhum pouco impressionada e observou com um prazer mórbido o sorriso sumir do rosto da garota, as feições sorridentes sendo substituídas por uma expressão triste que não enganava ninguém.

— Percy me disse que… que ele estava se divorciando e que… 

— Ele ia ficar com você?

— Ele me disse que a gente podia se conhecer e… curtir junto. Eu não esperava que ele fosse chamar a ex dele para me expulsar.

— Você sabe como os homens são. Não dá pra confiar neles, querida. Agora, se você me permite. — Annabeth deu as costas à garota e entrou na sala mais uma vez. Ela recolheu do chão um vestido vermelho e saltos altos finos, os levou até a garota que estava esperando no pé da porta de saída e entregou a ela. Bem, ela meio que jogou os pertences na cara dela

— Não é nada pessoal, mas isso não daria certo.

— E por que não? — A garota enfim pareceu recuperar a voz, ela endireitou a coluna e empinou a cabeça, olhando Annabeth nos olhos, se aproximando feito uma pantera circulando a presa.

— Você é apenas a substituta. Algo… passageiro, tão fugaz que ele nem vai se lembrar de você quando acordar.

— Você… você não tem o direito! — A garota bateu o pé e olhou para Annabeth com os olhos cheios de lágrimas.

— Como eu disse, não é nada pessoal. Se você gosta tanto dele, por que você não liga para Percy? Ah, você não tem o número dele, tem?

Annabeth viu o rosto choroso da mulher se transformar em uma máscara furiosa, desfigurada de ira, e deu um passo para trás, se preparando.

— Oliver! — Annabeth gritou. Em um momento onde antes não havia ninguém, um homem alto e musculoso, vestindo um terno preto apareceu por debaixo das escadas e parou ao lado de Annabeth, bloqueando o caminho entre as duas mulheres. — Você poderia levar essa… senhorita até a saída e se certificar de que ela deixou as premissas da propriedade?

— Sim, senhora. — Oliver, o guarda-costas de Annabeth, pegou no braço de Rox e a levou para fora da casa sem questionar a ordem, e menos do que delicadamente. Ele a colocou dentro do carro parado em frente a entrada, sendo possível escutar os gritos de fúria e irritação da mulher, com ela ainda vestindo apenas uma camisa longa e segurando as roupas na mão.

— Bem melhor agora. — Annabeth, então, se virou e marchou para dentro da sala, pegou uma almofada e bateu com ela até Percy se mover e arrancar a almofada de suas mãos.

— Ah, ainda fingindo? Sei muito bem que você escutou tudo. Seu idiota! Desde quando você traz essas pessoas para dentro de casa, hein? — Ela pegou mais uma almofada e bateu de novo em Percy e ele apenas… deixou, até que Annabeth se cansasse e se sentasse ao lado dele no sofá. 

Ela se sentou na pontinha, levantou a cabeça de Percy e a colocou no colo dela, suspirando exausta. — Quando você vai crescer e parar de birra?

— Eu não fiz nada.

Esse era o problema. 

Annabeth gemeu de ansiedade e revirou os olhos, parece que eles tinham voltado para o passado quando Percy estava de coração partido e ela como um dos poucos amigos que ele tinha, teria que consolá-lo. Annabeth olhou para o rosto de Percy e até o olhar triste e a expressão melancólica estava lá; ela tinha esquecido que havia existido um tempo onde eles não tinham se casado ainda e onde o dinheiro e influência não ditava suas vidas.

— Percy, o que você está fazendo?

Não, ela não podia olhar para ele. Ahg! Percy dirigiu aqueles olhos verdes cheios de emoção a ela e Annabeth se sentiu derreter. Era um olhar tão triste que ela não viu outra alternativa senão ser derrotada pela nostalgia. Seus dedos pousaram sobre os cabelos de Percy e começaram a deslizar por eles, o afagando como ela costumava fazer no passado.

— Per, você precisa sair de casa. Até seus pais estão preocupados.

— Isso é novidade. — Ele murmurou, seu olhar perdido, fixo no teto da sala, distante e vazio.

— Eles te amam.

— Eles te pediram para vir aqui? 

— Não, eles me pediram para ver se você estava vivo.

Percy soltou uma risada seca e se virou para ela, Annabeth sendo acertada em cheio bem no meio do peito. Agora ela se lembrava porque tinha se casado com Percy; ele podia ser charmoso, encantador e até um pouco misterioso mesmo depois de todo esse tempo, mas ele também era teimoso e egoísta, como qualquer outro homem que tinha sido educado para liderar. Ela ficava contente de saber que Percy ainda lutava contra o sistema.

— Sei que você está sofrendo, mas você precisa se levantar. Você não pensa nas crianças?

— Não seja dramática. — Ele disse a Annabeth, abrindo um belo sorriso charmoso. — Elas vão ficar com meus pais durante o fim de semana. Mas já que você espantou minha transa fácil, você deve assumir a responsabilidade.

Em câmera lenta, Annabeth observou a mão grande de Percy vir em sua direção e segurar em seus cabelos, se fincando contra sua nuca e puxar sua cabeça para baixo, a fazendo lembrar de… não! Ela já tinha feito isso uma vez e não faria novamente. Tinha sido um erro antes e era um erro agora. E antes que algo sério pudesse acontecer, ela segurou no braço de Percy, mas não antes de sentir o cheiro de álcool.

— Você está bêbado. — Ela murmurou, descontente. 

Annabeth pensou que talvez ele estivesse tendo uma recaída, mas era apenas o desespero da angústia batendo na porta. Tão carente. Percy e drogas nunca era uma boa combinação. Ah, se o perfeito Nico estivesse aqui para ver seu querido Percy agir assim. Ela devia contar para ele já que eles iriam jantar com as crianças e Reyna na próxima noite?

— Isso é uma surpresa pra você? — Ele disse, parecendo sorrir ainda mais com a reação de Annabeth, como se a indignação dela o divertisse.

— Nós estamos de volta a isso? O que Nico diria se te visse assim?

— Ele nunca vai ver. Nico está ocupado demais sendo feliz.

— O que você está dizendo? — Pelo o que ela sabia, Nico estava tão infeliz quanto Percy, Nico apenas sabia fingir melhor.

— Ele tem um namorado agora. Um bom emprego. Um apartamento. Bons amigos. Por que ele precisaria de mim? — Annabeth sentiu o peito de Percy balançar e ele cobriu o próprio rosto, um som anasalado saindo com um soluço que balançou seu corpo por completo.

Era só o que faltava! Annabeth pensou, tentada a abandonar tudo e deixar esse homem pelado e de quase dois metros de altura chorar sozinho só para não ter que lidar com todo esse drama.

— Percy! Você não pode continuar assim!

— Você tem medo que eu faça alguma besteira, não é! Como eu fazia antes? E se eu fizer? O que te importa?

— Deus! Você é tão melodramático! Nico sempre pergunta de você! Se você está bem, se você está comendo direito. É tão doce que me faz querer vomitar. Então, será que dá pra você levantar essa bunda pelada e falar com ele?

— Ele pergunta de mim? — A voz de Percy soava tão maravilhada que Annabeth acabou sorrindo.

Percy arrancou a mão do rosto e olhou para ela com tanta esperança que Annabeth não conseguiu segurar; Annabeth sorriu para Percy e voltou a massagear os cabelos dele.

— É claro que ele pergunta. Se ele não perguntasse, não seria o Nico que eu conheço.

— Mas eu… não. Eu não posso.

— Por que não?

— Ele era tão jovem, tão inocente. Eu brinquei com ele feito um boneco. Por que ninguém me disse nada? Por que ninguém me impediu! — agora ele estava todo angustiado de novo.

Percy se sentou no sofá em um pulo e enfiou as duas mãos nos próprios cabelos, os puxando com raiva. — Por que você não me impediu?

— Eu até tentei. Você me ouviu?

— Você… você foi tão cruel que eu pensei que… 

— Que eu estava com ciúme? Isso está abaixo de mim.

— Como eu pude? Como pude fazer isso com ele?

— Você queria se vingar de mim, se lembra?

Percy acenou, derrotado e angustiado, agora se levantando e começando a andar pela sala, chutando latas e garrafas, em todo seu esplendor pelado e ainda muito bem definido apesar de toda a bebida e abusos dos últimos anos. Annabeth se distraiu por um segundo e perdeu o momento em que Percy pegou um vaso e o jogou contra a parede.

— Eu sou um monstro! — Ele urrou e jogou outro vaso, esse cheio de água fazendo o líquido voar em uma acrobacia até o fundo do cômodo.

— Percy, você apenas está bêbado. — Annabeth suspirou, exausta demais para pará-lo.

— E daí? Por que eu não posso ficar bêbado? Eu não sou perfeito!

— Eu nunca disse que você era.

— Por que você se deu o trabalho de vir aqui? Você já não fez o suficiente?

— Seu crianção! — Annabeth berrou com todas as forças que tinha e se levantou, encarando Percy bem de perto. — Seja homem! Vá atrás do que você quer e pare de preocupar as pessoas. Até as crianças já notaram, e se elas notaram, Nico também notou.

— Você acha que ele se importa?

— Sim. — Era mais um suspiro que vinha dela. — Por que você apenas… não leciona de novo? Você gosta de fazer isso, não? E se por acaso vocês se encontrassem pela faculdade, seria uma grande coincidência…

— Seria? — Ele perguntou, parecendo imaginar a cena.

— Sim, uma grande e inacreditável coincidência.

— Eu não tenho certeza.

— Percy. — Dessa vez, Annabeth tocou no ombro de Percy e o olhou nos olhos. — Nico não é mais uma criança, ele pode tomar as próprias decisões. Por que você não deixa que ele escolha ao invés  de tomar a decisão por ele?

— Eu… nunca pensei nisso. Pensei que… que eu pudesse estar… 

— Forçando ele?

— Bem…

— Acho que você o subestima. Ele nunca foi forçado a nada.

— Não? — Percy murmurou, parecendo confuso. — Às vezes, parecia, sabe? Como se ele…  ele nunca tomava a iniciativa, então… 

— Você é mesmo um idiota. — Annabeth suspirou pela terceira vez e pegou sua bolsa do chão. — Por que você não volta ao mundo dos vivos e faz o que você mais sabe fazer?

— E o que seria isso?

— Ser irritante até que os outros façam o que você quer. Deu certo até agora, não deu?

Annabeth sorriu zombadora e deu as costas a Percy, mas antes de ir embora, disse:

— Só não esqueça de colocar umas calças.

— Qual o problema? — Percy gritou enquanto Annabeth se afastava. — Não é como se você não tivesse visto antes!

— Eu vi, mas não sei se o coitado do Nico está pronto tão cedo!

Com isso, Annabeth bateu a porta da saída e deixou Percy boquiaberto, porém sorrindo de orelha a orelha. Pelo menos agora Annabeth poderia se sentir menos culpada. E menos preocupada. Ela sabia que no fim Nico cuidaria de tudo.

[dragonmasterhiccup]

Turns out, Melodía was asleep. From everything that had happened over the last couple days, along with her magic, she was exhausted.

When he picks her up, she buries her face into his neck, her arms draped around his shoulders.

Percy trills a little, tilting his head in slight concern before blinking in agreement to follow them.

*******

She tried. Again and again, Melodía blew on her shell until she couldn’t breathe. But it didn’t work. He didn’t change back. Hiccup told her that it was alright, but it wasn’t. Back at the village, Stoick was livid. 

“What have you done to my son?!” The man cries.

Suddenly, she’s in Hiccup’s room, holding his hand. He’s an old man. It got worse. 

With horror, she watches as his hand goes limp in hers. Before she can scream, hands come up out of the floor, grabbing at her. The hands of Arturri’s fallen sailors, lost to her father.

The village gathers around, spears and torches in hand. “Monster.” They seethe, each voice louder than the last. They’re headed up by Arturri, his wounds from her still fresh, Valor on his shoulders.

The mob closes in, but there’s one face in the crowd she recognizes. Little Hiccup.

The mermaid cries out to him for help, but his expression only hardens. “I thought you were different. But you’re just like the rest of them. You only ever hurt me.”

Angry Vikings charge, Little Hiccup simply watching.

******

Melodía startles awake with a gasp, clutching her chest as tears pour down her face.

Frantically wiping at her cheeks, she stumbles out of the tent, looking all around for her betrothed.

“Hiccup!? Hiccup!!”

Hiccup slept, but it was a restless sleep. Toothless stayed close by, as always, and it did bring him some comfort.

Any time he woke up, he'd add more logs to the fire, stoking it so it would continue to warm them.

-----

The future chief woke with a start, getting his prosthetic on before he was fully awake, "Hm--what? What, what's wrong? Melodía?"

Blinking away the grogginess, he made his way to her. Seeing her tear-streaked face, he reached to cup her cheeks. "Hey," he said, brows knitted together in worry, "was it another nightmare?"

"Hey," he was whispering now, "it's alright, it's over now. Here, tell me what happened, maybe I can help." In his experience, talking through the nightmares often helped alleviate the horrible feeling they left when you woke from them.

[nerdthatsiriuslylovesteaxx]

Helpless part 55, how lucky we are to be alive right now

"PERCY JACKSON YOU BETTER FUCKING TELL ME WHY MY BROTHER ALMOST DIED!" An iris message appeared in his cabin, making Percy fall back onto his bed. It was around eleven in the morning; the words didn't process in his mind for a few seconds. Hazel had tears streaming down her face, eyes red with bags under her eyes as if she hadn't slept.

"Hazel, what are you talking about? He's been in the infirmary... Will is- he was fine I-"

"WHAT THE FUCK GOING ON? THIRD FUCKING TIME, WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING."

"I'll go check on him okay?" Hazel took a deep breath,

"Thank you Percy, I'd like to have some words with Solace when I get to camp, Reyna would to, I'm sure." The anger in her eyes would have made anyone else run in fear, he understood the pain, the anger, the fear, the sadness.

"H-hey I'm sure he'll be fine." He forced the words out of his mouth, he was also pretty fucking mad at Will, he'd told them he'd be safe in the infirmary, what the fuck happened? He waved his had through the message, breaking the connection before running to the infirmary. He tried to stay calm, he needed to, he knew it couldn't be Will's fault, Nico would be fine, he had to be fine. He opened the door, unlocked as always.

"Solace! Where are you?"

"He's in the second room, to the left, he's been a wreck all morning so be careful and be gentle."

"Thanks Kayla."

"No problem." He walked towards the room, the door had just been left open, he pushed it open and was scared of what he saw. Nico was laying on a bed, the only movement being the rise and fall of his chest which was likely induced by one of the machines hooked to him, next to him, sitting on the floor was Will Solace, head down in the knees crying silent tears. He sat down next to him,

"Everything okay?"

"Shit I'm so sorry, did anything happen?" Fuck he was meant to be working,

"Hey, man it's okay. Take a breath, what happened?"

"I- I was off for a little while and Nico- he- we think he shadow travelled out. He started drinking, the amount would have been okay for most people but it was in such a short span of time and he's already really weak because he still hasn't recovered from using his powers and he used them again and he lost a lot of blood not that long ago. He's in a coma, he probably will be for a while, I don't know if he's even going to wake up, ever. I know I was meant to tell Hazel and Reyna but I'm too fucking scared to and, shit there's something I need to show you." He spoke through sobs, his heart breaking with each word, hands shaking as he took off the blanket that was covering Nico. Dark shadow-like streaks covered his arms and neck probably covering his entire body, when Will touched them his hand went through. His skin was even paler than normal, he was cold to the touch, the only thing that made him alive was the fall and rise of his chest. Percy was too stunned to say a single word, he look at the small boy, so close to death and he felt guilty. He hadn't been able to help, it was too late, he hadn't been able to protect him, to stop all the horrible things from happening.

"I don't know what else to do, if we increase the dose of nectar it might start to burn him, I'm going to try so mortal meds soon. I don't think any of them are made for underworld power exhaustion butthey might help, I mean legally I can't give anything to him, he has a history of drugs and legally I'm not allowed to give him over a certain amount because it's bad for addiction. Right now none of that matters, I just need to keep him alive."

"Mate, I know it's your job to take care of others but please remember to take care of yourself. You look like shit, maybe get someone to cover for you for a day or two. There's a lot going on, a war ended pretty recently, there's a bunch of new campers coming in, your brothers missing and you've got a lot of people in the infirmary so just remember to let yourself breathe for a second yeah? You're not in this alone; also Hazel and Reyna already know."

"Did Jason call?"

"No, Hazel can feel when people are close to death or have died. Wait Jason found him again? Shit, I hope he's holding up, last time he was worried sick, we both were."

"He had Leo with him, I hope that helped him."

"It probably did, I'm gonna go, I- it just scares me to see him like this. If you ever need help in any way I'm free okay?"

"Thanks Percy, tell me if you hear anything about Austin."

***

[thoughtfulangeltidalwave]

You and Me (Part 13)

The morning came quickly and the quiet hum of the prison could be heard through the huge windows of the mile. But inside 

Y/N’s footsteps were soft as she strolled the length of the corridor, her arms loosely folded in front of her. Brutus walked alongside her, his usual steady presence reassuring.

“I swear, that mouse is smarter than most people I know,” Brutus said with a chuckle, nodding towards Del’s cell.

Inside, Delacroix was crouched low, Mr. Jingles perched neatly on a threadbare piece of fabric that served as a makeshift stage. “Voilà!” Del exclaimed as the tiny mouse rolled a spool across the surface, his tail swishing behind him.

Y/N couldn’t help but smile, the sight momentarily lifting the heaviness that had settled in her chest since the day before. “He’s a natural,” she remarked, leaning slightly closer to the bars. “You’d think he was born to be in a circus.”

Del beamed at the praise, his chest puffing out with pride. “He’s amazin’, no? Ain’t no other mouse like ‘im,” he said, his accent thick with delight.

Mr. Jingles finished his trick and scurried up onto Del’s shoulder, his tiny nose twitching as if seeking approval. Y/N laughed softly, her gaze softening. “You’ve trained him well, Del.”

“Merci, ma chère. He’s my little miracle,” Del said, his voice quieter now.

Brutus cleared his throat, breaking the moment. “Alright, enough showing off, Del. Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Don’t you listen to him Del, one day he’s gonna be world famous,” Y/N smiled.

“Well if he do, I’d better be gettin’ a cut!”

Brutus exclaimed.

Y/N grinned at the banter, stepping back as they continued their walk. As the morning wore on, she found herself drawn to John’s cell. He was sitting cross-legged on the floor, his large hands resting on his knees. His serene expression was a stark contrast to the chaos of the previous day.

“Good morning, John,” she greeted softly.

He opened his eyes slowly, a gentle smile spreading across his face. “Mornin’, miss. You feelin’ better?”

“I am,” she replied, though the faint ache in her ribs told her otherwise. “Thank you for asking.”

John nodded, his eyes full of that quiet understanding she was beginning to recognize. “You brave,” he said after a pause. “But don’t forget to look after yourself, too.”

Before Y/N could respond, a loud, drawling voice interrupted them.

“Well, ain’t this a sweet little picture,” Billy sneered from his cell, his grin lecherous as he leaned against the bars. His eyes raked over Y/N, his intentions clear. “Bet you got a lotta fight in ya, sweetheart. Bet I could—”

“Watch your mouth.” Percy’s sharp tone cut through the air like a whip.

Y/N startled, turning to see Percy standing just a few feet away, his posture rigid and his eyes narrowing at Billy.

Billy’s grin didn’t falter, but he raised his hands in mock surrender. “Alright, alright. No need to get all jealous, boss man.”

Percy’s jaw tightened, and his hand twitched at his side as though itching for his baton. “You’ll show her respect, or you’ll regret it.”

The tension hung thick in the air. Y/N, though unsettled, offered Percy a small nod of thanks. She didn’t notice the way his eyes lingered on her, before he turned on his heel and stalked away. Brutus had stood during the ordeal and as Percy walked by him going into the office, he looked as surprised as Y/N was, clearly left speechless of Percy’s actions.

—————————

Dean arrived not long after, looking as though he hadn’t slept a wink. His uniform was slightly rumpled, and the shadow of stubble dusted his jaw. Still, he managed a tired smile when his eyes met Y/N’s.

“Morning,” he said, his voice still rough from the events of the day before.

“Morning,” she replied, her concern evident as she stepped closer. “You alright?”

“I’ve been better,” he admitted, though his tone remained light. “How about you?”

She hesitated, her ribs reminding her of the impact against the bars. “Still standing,” she said with a small smile.

“Good,” Dean said softly, his eyes lingering on hers for a moment longer than necessary.

The familiar clatter of the front door opening broke the quiet. Paul entered with a basket in hand, the smell of fresh cornbread wafting through the Mile.

“Morning, everyone,” he called, his usual calm demeanor returning.

John’s face lit up as Paul approached his cell, holding out a piece of the warm bread. “Thought you’d like this,” Paul said, his tone kind.

“Thank you, Boss,” John said, his large hands accepting the bread with care. The two had a conversation in a low tone, indecipherable from where Y/N and Dean were at the top of the Mile.

Paul glanced toward Del’s cell, then Y/N. He walked towards Del and handed him a generous piece, “Courtesy of the gentleman across the hall.”

“Oh merci, merci beaucoup John! Thank you very much! Mr Jingles here says thank you too! So would my mama but she dead” he exclaimed shovelling the bread into his mouth. Paul gave a small smile and walked towards Y/N holding a piece to her too.

“John here thinks you might like some, too.”

“Are you sure?” She called down to him.

John nodded. “Ain’t right to keep somethin’ good all to myself,” he said simply.

Y/N smiled, her heart swelling at the gesture. “Thank you, John.”

“Hey hey hey! Don’t I get some too”

Billy scrambled to his bars as Paul handed the rest of the cornbread to John.

“I think I’ll just keep the rest,” John said, returning to his cot.

It had been a long time since Y/N had eaten anything homemade and the cornbread tasted delicious. She offered a piece to Dean, “trust me you want to try this” she smiled at him.

“Don’t you worry about me darlin’, you keep that” Dean said smiling and shaking his head slightly.

“Ok suit yourself, but it’s really good” she said popping another small piece into her mouth. 

Dean had endured another rough night at home. Abigail, his wife, who was about three months pregnant, had left their children unattended again, heading out to meet her friends for dinner. By the time he arrived, his five-year-old son, Danny, had done his best to keep Lily, the baby, calm, though the strain of the evening was clear on the boy’s face.

Dean was already exhausted and aching from his ordeal with Billy, the memory of Y/N getting hurt trying to help him gnawing at his mind. When Abigail finally returned, reeking of alcohol, he didn’t have the energy to confront her. The next morning, she’d dismissed his concerns, telling him he was overreacting. He left the house feeling defeated and disheartened, the weight of it all settling on his shoulders.

But now, standing on the Mile in this quiet moment of peace, he felt a small measure of ease again, as though the chaos outside these walls couldn’t touch him here.

[agereoneshots]

The next morning, as the group stumbled into the kitchen, Keyleth happily called to the others.

"I have gifts for everyone! Wait here!" The others looked around wondering what she could have for them.

"She definitely made them herself." Vax concluded, the others nodded.

"My guess, flower bouquets." Scanlan suggested.

"No, she'd make something that would last a while." Percy commented. Keyleth came back setting each gift down in front of the recipient.

"I made stuffed animals for everyone! A bear for Vex, a black cat for Vax, a crow for Percy, a dog for Scanlan, a hummingbird for Pike, and a lion for Grog!" As the others thank Keyleth for their gifts, Percy fought the urge to grab his and squish it against his chest.

"Do you not like yours?" Percy looked up at Keyleth.

"No! I love it!" Percy stumbled over his words as his still foggy brain told him he was too young to know how to speak.

"You haven't even touched it. Is something wrong?" Pike, ever the mom friend, asked gently. Percy couldn't help the tears pricking his eyes. Sighing, he took the bird and hugged it close.

"I'm fine....just...." Percy took a deep breath and, despite his brain practically screaming at him at this being a horrible idea, he decided to be truthful about what was bothering him knowing there was no other way out. "Sometimes....my...my brain makes me feel....younger....than I actually am....I know it's weird and I'm probably the only one who does this." Percy was aware he was rambling.

"No you aren't." Grog stopped him. "I do too." Percy looked over and blinked at him.

"Sometimes the big guy is a little guy." Pike shrugged. Percy hugged his crow closer, brain fogging over even more.

"I...I do something pretty similar. Sometimes my brain makes me feel more...more like a dog than a child? If that makes sense?" Scanlan looked around the table, waiting for someone to tell him no.

"of course it does!" Keyleth glared daggers across the table, getting her message across.

"Since....since everyone else is sharing...." Vax started.

"We do something similar to both actually." Vex finished.

"While we don't....really have it where we feel younger or like an animal, pretending is stress relieving." Vax explained.

"Pretending is just the best word we got. We do get into a mindset that tells us we're younger or that we're a dog or a cat, we can just....turn it off or on? At will?" Vex clarified. Suddenly, Keyleth got an idea.

Percy slept curled up in one of the sitting room lounge chairs with a blanket over him, crow stuffie in his arms, as he slept. Keyleth sat in a nearby chair. Scanlan laid his head in her lap, chewing gently on his new dog stuffie's leg as Keyleth scratched his head, calling him a good boy. Grog and Vex sat on the floor, playing with each other quietly so they wouldn't wake the baby. Pike and Vax sat near them, watching their respective little.

[ameagrice]

Capsize

chapter twenty-eight | wide awake

percy jackson x fem! reader

Finney’s screaming echoes up the stairs and through the walls.

Rachel’s yelling doesn’t cease.

Your father’s crass words do not stop, weighing in on your heart at an astonishing amount of kilos.

The Caesars’ Jerk It Out plays so loud you know for sure that either your dad or Rachel will come up the stairs and throw open your door and demand you turn it off, that it’s making Finney upset. You won’t tell them, either of them, that your music is the least of baby Finney’s worries; his screaming parents are the ones hurting his ears.

Usually, you would rush to Finney’s side and pick him up where he’d be crying in his bassinet, desperate to make him stop in his distress. But lately, there is much less a longing to comfort him and more a longing for all of them to shut the hell up. It isn’t fair on Finney, leaving him in tears. But you’re tired of playing parent. You’re tired of playing mom.

The end of the song comes around too quickly, and you pause, waiting for the sound of footsteps. Drawers slamming echo from the kitchen below your bedroom, telling you they aren’t finished with their argument. Neither one will win—they will go to bed in silence, and wake up the next morning as new people; no apologies; no talking. They will just go. Go on.

It all started over a piece of pizza.

“Anyone else want the last piece?” You’d asked, reaching across the glass table for the last slice.

“No thanks, babe,” Rachel dismissed. The food aeroplane flew to Finney, and he giggled, chubby legs kicking in his high chair. One slipper lay abandoned on the cold tile floor, the other barely hanging in there on his chubby foot.

The night before the Big Move. Pennsylvania to New York City. Everything was packed up in boxes and cushioned with styrofoam and bubble wrap, ready to be transported across the country. New York, your father said, would be a good move for business and the family. The Upper East Side would be like your dream come true, he’d convinced you. You’d love it.

New York, he promised,

would

change

your

life.

In the later years to come, he had been right, not that you’d ever admit that out loud. In many ways, you were very, very grateful for your father’s selfish move. The idea of New York, at the time, was loud and scary, but it brought you to the next chapter of your life, filled in gaps you didn’t know existed yet, and bridged the way to new friends and family. You would forever be grateful to New York for all that it gave you and all that it stood for.

You fell asleep to the sound of a vase smashing, peaceful with violence.

—

Two years later, a summer in Australia once would have seemed like a dream. After a good few weeks at Camp Half-Blood, having made new friends and uncovered the side to you that always felt missing, a summer relaxing in Sydney felt right. Of course, the occasional monster popped up here and there as Travis had warned you they would; when you became aware of who you really were, the monsters became more aware of you, as well.

It was nothing you couldn’t handle, though: small creatures with gills and sharp teeth swimming in your toilet water, and a strange creature digging it’s way up from a beach’s sand to bite you. When they had been eradicated and sent back down to Tartarus, you could enjoy the rest of your days in confidence and peace.

“You should come up some time,” you lay on the floor of your room, on the phone to Travis. “It’s really nice here. My dad’s in a better mood, too these days. Rachel’s kinda moody but—Rachel? My stepmom. And Finney’s just—Finney? He’s my brother…”

At first, it was calm. Your dad seemed in better spirits, and Rachel liked her job. Finney’s first birthday had passed by without you, an occasion you thought would have affected you more than it did.

Your first night home, you slept soundly. Rachel woke you with your favourite pancakes and toppings. You flicked through the tv in your new bedroom and basked in the bright sunshine streaming through your open window. Australian heat was a different kind of heat, but one that was very much welcome, and your days became heaven on earth. Bright blue waters and sunny skies, and white sand so hot it almost burned your skin.

Only one thing spoiled your summer vacation—the moods you had forgotten all about, and ones you’d grown less accustomed to. Your father’s sudden snapping, and razor-sharp tone; his demands and never-ending list of chores.

“Why don’t you ever do the dishes?” You sighed one evening, as the sun began to set. “Or, like, look after Finney?”

“That’s a woman’s job, really,” he’d answered briefly, texting on his phone at the dinner table—something only he was allowed to do. “And the women take care of children. It isn’t much of a man’s job. Haven’t you noticed, yet, hon?”

The more the weeks rolled over, and September was drawing to a close. And things only grew more tense. After a whole day of watching Finney from dusk until dawn, your father also in the house, your striking point came at the sight of dirty dishes piled up in the sink, only straight after you had washed and put away the last ones.

“Oh, come on!” You exclaimed. “Dad, seriously?” You worded your next sentence carefully. “Could you wash up your stuff, please? I’ve got things to do. You’d be helping me out a deal, really.”

Only silence met you in response. From the kitchen table, in the open-plan area, Rachel raised her eyes from the baby to you, a warning.

“Rachel can finish the rest, then.”

Something struck your heart hard, and strangely, anger accompanied the feeling. “Why? They’re your dishes. We’ve finished.”

And, long story short, as per usual, an argument occurred. But this time, it involved smashed porcelain, and cuts across your bare feet.

The next morning, her car was missing.

“What’s going on with Rachel’s car?” You asked, standing at the dining table, plucking blueberries from the plastic bowl. Oddly quite was the house, much too early for Finney to be awake, and Rachel who slept beside him every night.

Dad flicked the page of his newspaper. “Head gasket’s gone. The garage said to just scrap the car.”

You nodded along, and walked away, as quietly as possible on the tiles. You couldn’t miss the uneasy feeling in your stomach, though, that something was horribly wrong.

The next weekend, you proposed an idea.

“There’s this thing in town I saw earlier,” you said, hanging around the end of the kitchen counter.

“Oh yeah?” Your dad looked your way, smiling briefly. He flipped over the bacon in the pan, sizzling away.

“Yeah, some pizza place. I thought we could all go out tonight, maybe? It’d be nice to get out for a while.” You watched his face for any changes. There weren’t any. Because he hadn’t been listening.

“Hm?”

You blanched. “What do you mean, huh?” You laughed it off, trying to make light of it. “I just told you!”

“Yeah…go grab the plates for this, will you?”

It didn’t come as a surprise to you when only weeks later, heading into late October, things went too far, and you called Travis Stoll for a bit of advice involving credit cards, plane tickets, and the act of stealing.

Days later, his birthday arrived. Around other family members, he was a changed man. You tried explaining to the one person you felt might believe you.

“He loves you,” your grandma squeezed you. “He’s your dad. All parents love their children.”

Into her shoulder, you mumbled, “‘Has a funny way of showing it.”

“That’s just your dad. He’s such a kind man. Of course he loves you. Don’t doubt it.”

You thought of the smashed window in your bedroom, and the dirty dishes in the sink; your plate of cooked food taken from your hands just because he wanted it—he’d take from his children first. Your thoughts turned to Rachel and her roses trampled into a mashed up mess in her bedroom, and Finney in tears.

“He doesn’t love me,” you shook your head. “That’s not love.”

—

The man in the leopard-print shirt sipping a can of coke looked up, unbothered.

Eyes wide with annoyance, you waved your hands about. “Where’s Chiron?!”

“Hello to you, too,” Mr. D. drawled. He flipped over a couple of cards on the table. Behind you, chaos roared. “How rude. Is that how you say hello to somebody?”

“Hello! We’re going to die! Where’s Chiron?”

Mr. D. considered it, tilting his head side to side. You wanted to scream at him, but that for sure wouldn’t get you anywhere. Dr. Thorn’s monsters were onto you, and you were outnumbered.

“About to die,” he mused. “How exciting. I’m afraid Chiron isn’t here. Would you like me to take a message?”

You looked away, unable to believe it. “We’re done for.”

Thalia, gripping her spear, shook her head. She looked more determined now than she had done the whole journey. “Then we’ll die fighting!”

“How noble,” said Mr. D, stifling a yawn. “So what is the problem, exactly?”

“The problem is that you’re an a—!”

“There’s this thing, the Ophiotaurus,” Percy cut in, literally barging into you to get into the god’s sight. “We think it’s…”

He went on to explain Bessie and his powers, and how you thought he was the creature which needed hunting down and killing, all this time.

You observed Mr. D. observing the cards in his hands. “Hmm. Is that it?”

“You don’t even care!” You screamed. Zoe hushed you. “You’d rather watch us be shot to death!”

“Let’s see; I think I’m in the mood for pizza tonight.”

You’d become so angry you practically buzzed on the spot. Percy pulled you to the side so quickly you almost got whiplash.

You considered channeling your inner-Ares and letting your anger go on the pudgy, old god, but before you could, Percy gasped, pulling you tight to him, back-to-back. You were surrounded by Thorn’s monsters, decreasing the space between them and your friends much too quickly for your liking. The manticore threw off his coat and transformed into his real self, chuckling in such an animal way that it sent chills down your spine.

“Excellent,” he said, eyeing the Iris Message. “Alone. Without any real help.”

“You could ask for help,” Mr. D. mumbled down your ear. Glaring at him from the side, you tried harder than you ever had to contain your anger. “You could say please.”

“The day I say please to you will be the day I’m on my deathbed!” You hissed. You felt Percy turn his head, ruffling the back of your hair. “There is absolutely no way in hell I will ever say please to you! Ares would have a better chance of being on the receiving end of my begging!”

Zoe readied her arrows; Thalia raised her spear, and Grover prepared his reed pipes. Percy’s elbow dug uncomfortably into your rib, and you knew then that Percy would not let any of you go down without a fight, without trying to protect you.

Though where the thought and the confidence in your best friend had come from, you could not tell.

Fury burned in your bones, and you were about to wave your hand through the misty air beside you, when you caught sight of Thalia, crying. And it suddenly occurred to you that this had happened before, to her. She had been cornered in life, and driven to her death by ignorance.

And if you were to let it happen again, if you were to let your anger and stubbornness get in the way, you too would die. There would be no saving Annabeth, no making it right with Rachel, and no last look at the best friend who you stood with back-to-back, trusting wholly in one another.

So you inhaled and exhaled quickly, and looked to Mr. D.

“Please,” you ground out, sure that every emotion showed in your eyes. “Please, help us.”

Of course nothing happened.

Your organs plummeted to your feet, and Thorn grinned.

“Seize Zeus’s girl. She will join us soon enough. Kill the rest.”

The men raised their guns, and something strange twisted the air. It was as if the pressure plummeted. Everything tinged purple—the sunlight, the ground, your skin, and everything smelled of expensive wine.

SNAP!

It was the sound of minds breaking at the same time. One of the skeleton men placed his gun between his teeth and ran away on all-fours. Another suddenly dropped to his feet as his bony body fell apart. The others followed suit.

“No!” The manticore roared. “I’ll handle you all myself.”

His tail bristled, but before he could make a move, the wooden planks beneath his paws erupted into grass and grapevines, wrapping around the monster’s body, growing and growing and wrapping until he was completely covered in vines and bright green leaves. The manticore was covered, and suddenly, all noise and movement stopped. And you knew for certain that somewhere in the vines and leaves and mess, the manticore was no more.

In silence, you all turned to Mr. D, rifling through his refrigerator.

“Well, that was fun.”

An eerie feeling had settled pretty quickly in your body. “How—why—how—”

“Such gratitude,” he rolled his eyes. “The mortals will come out of it. Too much explaining to do if I made their condition permanent. I hate writing reports to Father.” His attention turned on Thalia, hardening. “I hope you learned your lesson, girl. It isn’t easy to resist power, is it?”

Thalia blushed as if she were ashamed.

“Mr. D!” Grover was in awe. “You saved us!”

“Mmm. Don’t make me regret it, Satyr! Now get going, Percy Jackson. I’ve bought you a few hours, at least.”

“The Ophiotaurus,” Percy asked desperately. “Can you get it back to camp?”

Everyone waited for Mr. D’s reply, watching for an answer. He rolled his eyes.

“I do not transport livestock. That’s your problem.”

“But…where do we go?” You asked.

He looked at Zoe. “Oh, I think the huntress knows. You must enter at sunset today, you know, or all will be lost. Now goodbye! My pizza is waiting.”

Just as your small gang began to get itself together and get going, Percy spoke one last time.

“Mr. D?”

He raised his eyebrows.

“You called me by my actual name. You called me Percy Jackson.”

“I most certainly did not, Peter Johnson! Now, off with you!”

He waved his hand, and his image disappeared.

All around you, the manticore’s men were still acting insane, and you figured you only had a while before they were after you again.

“What did he mean, ‘you know where to go’?”

Zoe’s face was the colour of fog. She pointed across the bay, past the Golden Gate. In the distance, a single mountain rose up above the cloud layer.

“The garden of my sisters,” she said. “I must go home.”

——

Sorry this one took so long, guys! What do you think of y/n and her dad’s relationship so far? I rewrote that part so many times. I’m interested in how you guys are going to perceive it. There is of course more to come for y/n and her family, and more to show for before her days at camp. There’s also more Percy scenes, more Travis scenes to come, and a whole lot of the sense of feeling like she belongs.

Thanks for reading ! :)

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