bethsfolklore

[bethsfolklore]

Will and Annabeth friendship except it's just Will going insane because why the fuck is Annabeth trying to boil an egg by putting it into an airfryer

[bethsfolklore]

Reference below:

[bethsfolklore]

In a SOM mood I guess bc I’m still thinking about the siren scene and how percy couldn’t stand to look at annabeth as she sobbed and pleaded and begged him to cut her loose so he turned away from her so he wouldn’t have to see it even tho he couldn’t even hear it. Dude can’t stand the SIGHT if his bestie crying. Bro wanted to fight the air that was making her cry. Then down in the bubble under the sea, he described her cries as “horrible, heartbroken sobs” OH MY GODS MY SHAYLAAAAAS

[bethsfolklore]

People putting anti ship fics in the tags for that fic actually makes me lose it because wdym every five percabeth fics there's one about annabeth being the worst person ever no one is looking through a percabeth tag looking for a fic that is percabeth critical

[bethsfolklore]

So I I’ve been thinking about Percy’s relationship with masculinity, him being a male demigod and his relationship with male gods and the men in his life, how that can affect him, how he feels about it, Ect.

I wanted to ask what your thoughts are on with Percy and women, and the women in his life. Cause honestly while Percy’s relationship with older male figures in his life is complicated, some being abusive, neglectful, murderous, Ect.

The exception being Paul, but he’s limited in what he can help and guide Percy with.

Most of the guys he’s friends with have their own lives and complicated consistency in his life.

His relationship with the women is his life can take a different tone. Percy loves his mother but was always kind of afraid of not being worthy of her love or thinking she doesn’t want him around before he finds out the truth.

Then there’s Annabeth, Clarrise, Thalia, Rachel, Reyna, and Calypso. All very different relationships, but there’s always this subtle undercurrent of Percy wanting in some way or form their approval or acceptance.

With Thalia and Clarrise it’s more combative and aggressive but you see him despite their strained relationship try and make peace.

Then there’s his relationship with the Goddesses Athena, Hestia, and Artemis. Lots of times Percy is on guard or inherently suspicious of gods, and with Artemis and Athena that’s true too, but he seems to take special not of when they approve or disapprove of him.

All this is to say while has a more strained relationship with masculinity and men, Perhaps he has the opposite problem with women. A need to seek their validation or approval.

Obviously it’s not overt, if a goddess or older demigod woman hates or wanted him dead he’s gonna meet fire with fire, but I do think he has a unconscious habit or need for that.

What do you think?

I apologise for answering this ask after such a huge delay. The thing is that life goes on and I really wanted to think before answering this.

Okay, seriously, this whole take on Percy's relationships is chef's kiss. You've dug into something really core about his character arc, especially that whole dynamic between the guys and girls in his life and how he navigates seeking... well, something from them. Let's unpack that vibe a bit more, going deeper.

First up, let's talk about the male figures in Percy's orbit, because honestly? It's kind of a mess a lot of the time. When you look at the powerful dudes, especially the gods, the pattern is pretty stark. You've got Poseidon, his dad, who clearly loves him but is also super distant, bound by ancient laws, and often feels more like a powerful, occasionally helpful, enigma than a present father figure. Then there's Zeus, who basically radiates suspicion and hostility towards Percy from day one. Hades starts off firmly in the antagonist camp, representing death and grudges. Ares is just a straight-up bully, embodying the worst kind of aggressive power. Even figures like Hephaestus are more gruff and preoccupied than supportive. And Apollo? He’s a whole chaotic vibe unto himself. The overwhelming energy Percy gets from these divine masculine figures is that power is dangerous, conditional, neglectful, or outright hostile. Trust isn't freely given; it's barely earned and easily broken. This is reinforced by the sheer number of male monsters and antagonists he has to face, from Luke's betrayal to Kronos's manipulation to Gabe's abusive behaviour back home.

Sure, there are exceptions, but they often highlight the rule or exist outside the main power structures of his demigod life. Chiron is an incredible mentor, wise and caring, but he's not human, occupying a different space. Paul Blofis is a gift – a stable, loving, supportive human stepfather, and a genuinely positive male role model. But his influence is largely anchored in the mortal world, separate from the godly drama and life-or-death quests. Then you have his peers like Grover, his absolute best friend, but their relationship is built on mutual support and shared chaos, not mentorship or authority. Jason Grace offers a parallel, another leader and son of the Big Three, but again, it’s a relationship between equals navigating immense pressure. So the overall message flashing in neon lights for Percy? Powerful dudes are often dangerous, unreliable, or just plain absent when you need them.

But then you look at the women in his life, and it's like stepping into a whole different universe, even with all its own complexities. It starts, obviously, with Sally Jackson, the absolute queen. She is Percy's bedrock, his moral compass, the reason he keeps fighting. His initial fear in this new world isn't just about monsters; it's about protecting her and understanding the massive secret she carried for his sake. That drive not to disappoint her isn't just seeking approval; it's rooted in profound love and respect for her sacrifices and unwavering belief in him. She's his rock, his 'why,' and letting her down feels unthinkable, like failing everything that truly matters.

Then there's Annabeth Chase, and let's be real, Percabeth is foundational. Initially, yeah, maybe Percy is looking for her approval. She's smart, experienced, knows this world inside and out, and maybe seems a little intimidatingly capable to a newbie like him. But that dynamic evolves so quickly into this deep, powerful partnership built on mutual respect and absolute reliance. He doesn't just want her approval anymore; he needs her insight because he genuinely believes in her strategic mind and trusts her judgment implicitly, often more than his own. They become this incredible team, equals who cover each other's weaknesses and amplify each other's strengths. He values her opinion not just for validation, but because he knows it's valuable.

It plays out differently with other powerful young women like Clarisse and Thalia. With them, the dynamic is initially pure rivalry. What Percy seeks isn't warm affection, but their respect as a capable warrior, someone who belongs on the battlefield alongside them. He wants them to acknowledge his strength and competence, especially Thalia, who shares that unique, heavy burden of being a child of the Big Three. Making peace often starts pragmatically – they need to work together to survive – but it grows into a genuine if sometimes grudging, respect for each other's power. He respects their strength and wants that respect mirrored back. Later, encountering Reyna Avila Ramírez-Arellano, the Praetor of Camp Jupiter, brings another dimension. Here, Percy needs her trust and acceptance primarily as an ambassador and potential ally. Gaining her approval is crucial for bridging the gap between the Greek and Roman camps; it’s about proving his worthiness and reliability to a strong leader representing a whole different culture. It's strategic respect he's fighting for.

Even his interactions with goddesses carry this undercurrent, though warped by their immense power. Athena's disapproval is a huge deal, partly because she's Annabeth's mom (talk about scary MIL vibes!), but also because she represents wisdom itself judging him. He desperately wants, if not her blessing, at least her tolerance. With Artemis, a figure of immense power and independence whom he respects deeply, gaining her respect feels like a validation of his honour, especially after his interactions with Zoë and Thalia. Her disapproval would signify a major moral failing in his eyes. And then there's Hestia, the quietest goddess, representing home and hope. Percy treats her with innate kindness, and her gentle, often silent, approval feels like a profound confirmation of his core decency, something fundamental he strives to maintain amidst all the fighting and godly politics. It just hits differently.

So yeah, is Percy seeking approval or acceptance from these female figures? Definitely. But it's not some generic neediness; it's nuanced. With Sally and Annabeth, it's woven into love, loyalty, and deep personal connection. With Clarisse, Thalia, and Reyna, it’s about earning respect as an equal, a capable fighter, or a trustworthy leader. With the goddesses, it’s often about proving his honour, his worthiness, or his strategic value against the backdrop of immense power and ancient biases.

And honestly, this whole pattern makes SO much sense when you remember the male side of the equation. With positive, powerful male role models being so scarce, unreliable, or downright dangerous in his world, it feels natural that Percy gravitates towards seeking stability, wisdom, reliable strength, and moral guidance from the women around him. He learns through experience where he can find trustworthy anchors, sharp minds, and dependable allies in his chaotic life, and surprise! It's often with the formidable women he knows.

The amazing thing is, that this doesn't make him weak or lesser. It actually shapes Percy into a kind of hero and a kind of man that's... genuinely good. He learns to value partnership, to respect female strength and intelligence intrinsically, not as an exception but as a norm. He isn't afraid to rely on others, to show vulnerability, or to admit when someone else (often Annabeth) has the better plan. It’s a stark contrast to the often toxic, distant, or power-obsessed masculinity displayed by many of the gods and monsters he encounters. He's not threatened by strong women; he partners with them. That's a strength, not a weakness.

So to wrap it all up, your observation is spot on. Percy's constant navigation of approval, respect, and acceptance from the major female figures in his life feels absolutely connected to the often negative, unreliable, or dangerous landscape of the male figures he encounters. He finds his strength, his counsel, and his most reliable partnerships there, shaping him into the loyal, respectful, and ultimately heroic figure he becomes. And honestly? It’s one of the best parts of his story and his character.

Also I truly am sorry for how late I am to post this @darkmist111

Edit: This comment by @intellectual-punk has to be shown up here too because every single word of it is 💯💯💯

[bethsfolklore]

I hope in S4 of Percy Jackson that they don't take out Annabeth hating on Rachel. It's immature of her and wrong to bully her so much. People in secure relationships don't do that.

But Annabeth was not in a secure relationship!! Her father, mother, and stepmother were all physically and emotionally distant! She lost her big brother, her big sister, she knows about Percy's prophecy and believes he will die at 16 - she has ever reason to be terrified to losing him just like she lost everyone else she ever loved!!

Let Annabeth be hurt and a little broken from that! Let her keep her flaws that she got from her bad role models! Let her grow and learn from her negative and positive experiences and let her change and eventually come to see other people in her life, not as competition, but at friends!

[bethsfolklore]

they're 3 apples tall 😭😭

[bethsfolklore]

Blondes

[bethsfolklore]

“So I took her hand, and I don't know what everybody else heard, but to me it sounded like a slow dance: a little sad, but maybe a little hopeful, too.”

[bethsfolklore]

The way percabeth is the couple we spend the most time with and yet even with all the chances to be toxic they're still the healthiest (at least with the kids because lets be real its probably sally and paul but they're grown so thats not really a fair comparison) relationship in the riordanverse because all their conflict is misunderstanding before they get together but after they do it's them against the world.

Solangelo (as much as we all love them) have a lot to work through that percabeth already had worked through before dating, frazel had that whole leo thing, i don't even have to elaborate on jiper or caleo, gruiniper has some weird stuff going on with that iris girl, charlena despite being my babies is self explanatory, tyson and Ella is just a strange paring, halfborn and mallory hate each other half the time, amir and samirah are fairly healthy but she was keeping secrets from him for a long time, fierrochase is a close second but we see more percabeth after they've actually become a couple, Sadie and her men have a lot going on like you know the love triangle and then the merge, zia and carter are also fairly up there but again I'm inclined to side with percabeth because we experience more of them as an actual couple

I'm not calling these relationships toxic (with the exception of caleo and jiper because they are) and im not saying percabeth have never had any issues but after they became an actual couple I don't remember there being any conflict between them all the conflicts they faced where fighting together rather than fighting each other

[bethsfolklore]

The way they're just the same person

[bethsfolklore]

"Oh, she was walkin 'round my block, and now she's coming through my door!"

Relationship. It was so complicated yet so commonly used in Percy's life. He quickly learned the meaning of the word, but never the different ways it could be used. Intill he met Annabeth Chase. Child of Athenna, and this cocky twelve year old.

After their first quust together, it obvious they handled eachother alot better. And for some reason, unknown to Percy, that attracted half the camp.

"So you and Annabeth?" A random Aphrodite daughter asked

"What about us?" he replied, wondering why some random girl was suddenly talking to him. Even if he was the one who returned the lightning bolt, it was still wierd for othera to talk to him. Especially after Luke.

"Um, what is your guy's relationship?" The girl asked, feeling like she had missed 2 steps on the stairs.

"We're friends" It wasnt the first time he had called her that, but it still felt wierd to him.

"oh" And the conversation ended thee.

At thirteen, Percy learned the difference if platonic and romantic relationships. Although he still had a genuine platonic relationship with Annabeth chase, the girl who was annoyingly still taller then him, it was stilll obvious that this year he craved her attention more, after the whoel Tyson incident, he wanted to learsn more about the daughter of Athenna.

"Annabeth?" He asked, balancing a pen on his nose in he rcabin as she studied for 8 grade next year.

"Yes, Percy?" She asked scribblid down answers, not bothering to look at the Son of Posiden.

"If I study can we play 20 quistens along the way?" He asked, the truth was, the only reason he was in the Athenna cabin, was to study for 8th grade as well, she was helpfull, alot more helpful then he would have thought. This was her idea anyway

She chucked the pencil she had been using in the garbage, she had broken it. She took the Pen from his face, finally looking at him. "Fine Seaweed Brain, but you have to actually study" and wwith that small interaction it sparked the attention of her sibling,

"Annieee, relationship check!" Her younger sister said jokingly. Percy watched as the blond went red, feeling his own ears go crimson.

"Shut up Nora! We're just friends." Annabeth said harshly. It hurt Percy, and st that age, he couldn't figure out why.

Fourteen. And one of the worst days of his life, He had been in his home town with Annabeth, they where planning to jhst go visit his mom because for some reason , he could some what understamd why, she loved Annabeth. But it went down hill when they saw a wild Hell hound. After vaporizing it, they had tried to get to his mothers quicker than before, more or so cause Percy had a 'scratch' on his arm.

When they had gotten there, that was the first thing that was taken care of. After that, Annabeth helped clean up the apartment with Sally's help.

For the first time ever, Percy had been thinking about how 'he wanted Annabeth to walk through his door as more then this.' And he had to ask HIMSELF what kind of relationship he wanted with her.

"Annabeth Chase, I would like to be in a romantic relationship with you!" He annouced, it took him four years to fess up. She had already kissed him, and he had returned the favor, now came making it official.

"Why did you ask so formally Perce?" She giggled, looking at him, setting her paperwork on his bunk.

"I never know when your mom is listening" he tried to play it off, but it was really because he wanted her to know he meant it.

"Right, Seaweed Brain" she leaned in to kiss his cheek. "I'd like it if we where in a romantic relationship to, Seaweed Brain."

"I'm glad Wise girl."

She was walking 'round my cabin, now she's walking through my door.

[bethsfolklore]

heh…long time no see… 😓

[bethsfolklore]

It's how they cope

Annabeth: Tartarus was actually a pretty romantic experience, right Percy? Percy: Yeah baby, its TartarUS, not TartarTHEY

[bethsfolklore]

i think that percy and annabeth's relationship is so healing for both of them. like, our girl has severe abandonment issues but managed to pull the guy whose fatal flaw is unwavering loyalty. and our boy has severe self-esteem issues but managed to pull the girl who consistently chooses him. i love these two so much.

[bethsfolklore]

Leo valdez actually tormenting frank because he thought his girl was pretty vs annabeth chase calling a girl stupid once because she didn't want to lose her best friend and the love of her life and was scared I wonder which one gets more hate?

[bethsfolklore]

og trio

sometimes when im feeling sad i draw them (ignoring the seventeen sbg actor au requests sitting in my inbox bc im a procrastinator)

WOAH I just hit 1k on my post for the first time i'm very honoured thanks guys