#the only reason percy is able to stand up to him (leave without his mom) is because he can see that hades isn’t bad

[youregonnabeokay-kid]

i think a lot of people (especially those who haven’t read the books) are underestimating Hades

yes, he presents as the sassy queer uncle who’s done with his family’s drama, but he’s not “just some guy”

when his Helm is stolen, no one knows about it. he uses his own resources and orchestrates a plan to bring Percy to the underworld alive, all while managing an entire freaking kingdom

he doesn’t threaten war because he doesn’t have to and he knows it. unlike Zeus, he keeps a level head and thinks about the situation logically

think about Percy’s priorities throughout the show, look at what the flashbacks are teaching us about him and his relationship with others. think logically. this is a 12 year old kid who grew up with a single mom and no friends

his priority is his mom, it’s always been his mom and Hades knows that. Percy’s worst fear is losing his mother and Hades uses that against him

he takes Sally before Poseidon claims Percy because he has eyes everywhere. he already knew who Percy was and he already had a plan formed before Percy even set foot in camp

when he greets Percy and Grover he isn’t surprised, relieved, or agitated because he planned this. he knew that Percy would come to him whether by force or by his own choice (for my book readers, think about this in comparison to how Zeus reacts to the situation. Zeus comes off as desperate and angry, whereas Hades is at ease. annoyed, sure, but never panicked)

when he offers them pomegranate juice it’s in the guise of politeness and humour but it has an underlying meaning. Percy knows the stories about Hades and Hades knows that he knows. the pomegranate juice is a reminder, it’s Hades demonstrating his power without outright threatening Percy. it’s him going “I can make something as small as a pomegranate seed into a weapon” it’s him asserting his dominance and control over the situation

he leads them to a seating area clearly made for their arrival. another reminder that he knew they were coming and Sally stands, frozen in the middle of it as a reminder of what they have to lose

when he learns that it’s Kronos behind the robberies he immediately offers sanctuary to Percy, Grover, and his mom. Kronos, the king of titans, the father of all Gods, and a being who could once tear the world in two with the snap of his fingers, wants Percy, and Hades offers to protect him because he’s that powerful

so yes, Hades makes dad jokes and he talks in a way you wouldn’t expect an all-powerful being to talk, but he isn’t “just some guy”

he’s powerful, he knows it, and he shows just enough of that power to absolutely terrify Percy

[percabethfeelsfandom]

Writing Prompt AU: Childhood Best Friends to Lovers

PART 2: Age 9

Annabeth’s laugh cuts through the air as she runs away from Percy’s outstretched arms. 

“You can’t catch me Seaweed Brain! I’m too fast for you,” she screeches as she winds between other students in the playground and the play equipment. 

“I’m never going to stop chasing you,” he calls back, but he’s laughing as well which is detrimental to his speed. 

He can hear Grover cheering him on, mixed with Thalia’s cries at Annabeth to run faster, faster. Percy’s legs burn with exertion but he keeps going, keeping his eyes firmly trained on Annabeth’s bright hair as she runs further and further away from him. 

Another voice joins the two and Percy feels his feet stutter. 

“Come on Annabeth, you can beat him!” Luke shouts. Annabeth turns back for a moment, giving a wide smile to their new friend who moved to their school at the beginning of this year. Percy uses this to try and gain some ground on her, but she’s still just out of his reach. 

She ducks below a low hanging branch laughs as leaves catch Percy in the face. 

He pauses, catching his breath and tries to not get annoyed when Luke’s laughter joins Annabeth’s in teasing him. 

“Come on Seaweed Brain. You should be able to catch her, she’s just a girl,” Luke says and clamps a firm hand on Percy’s shoulder. He shrugs it off and looks around the playground for Annabeth’s familiar golden head. 

“Thalia and Annabeth are both faster than you,” Grover points out and Percy holds back a laugh while trying to catch his breath when Luke’s face goes pink. 

“Shut up Grover,” he answers and gives Grover a light push. Percy rolls his eyes and finally catches sight of Annabeth at the edge of his vision. 

He takes off again without saying anything to either of his friends and manages to get within a couple of feet of Annabeth before she sees him coming and disappears again into the crowd. 

She has a knack for becoming practically invisible during hide-and-seek tips, and Percy secretly hates when he’s it and has to go against her. 

Regardless, he pushes forward until his lungs are heaving. He leans against a brick wall and looks around, he knows she’s close, but he can’t see her, it’s like she’s disappeared into thin air. Fighting back an annoyed sigh he sits himself down and closes his eyes to rest. 

“Okay Annabeth you win, I’m tired. I give up.” He says, raising his voice so he can be heard amongst the other students playing around them. No one pays him any attention but he sees movement in the corner of his eyes and watches as Annabeth jumps from a low branch of a tree. He rolls his eyes at her hiding spot and watches as she slowly claps while she walks to him.  

He closes his eyes as he rests, not wanting to see her smug smile, but he hears when Annabeth joins him in sitting down. 

“One of these days you’ll catch me, don’t worry,” she reassures him, with a soft nudge against his shoulder.  

“One day,” he replies with a smile. He can’t stay annoyed with her for too long. She’s his best friend after all (after Grover of course). 

“Just not today.” 

Percy laughs and leans his head on her shoulder as they watch other students play in the playground. He expects her to push him off but she doesn’t and he stays there for a moment, finding comfort in her existence. He’s still catching his breath, but Annabeth seems hardly puffed out. “I can let you catch me tomorrow so that Luke stops laughing at you,” Annabeth says softly. 

Percy scoffs and turns to her, suddenly feeling a bit more serious. 

“No, that’s not fair on you. Luke is dumb. He doesn’t think girls can run fast, but you’re one of the fastest in the grade. It’s okay. I’ll be faster one day.”

Annabeth smiles and turns away, but Percy sees the blush before she does and the sight makes him blush as well. He sits up straighter so that he isn’t leaning against her anymore, suddenly embarrassed. 

“Unless of course, you don’t think I can catch you.” He tells her with a teasing tone. 

This time she’s the one that’s scoffing. 

“Whatever Seaweed Brain, come on, they’re probably looking for us.” She says and stands up, holding out a hand to him. He grabs it and lets her haul him to his feet. His legs are like jelly and he wobbles a bit when he stands, but she catches his arm before he falls. He gives her a smile in thanks and shakes himself a bit to reawaken his limbs. 

“Please stop calling me that,” he asks and she shakes her head, a wide smile on her face. 

“Hmm, I think not. It’s very fitting for you.”

“It happened one time, and it was an accident,” he complains and she laughs, walking backward as they talk. Seaweed Brain is a nickname she gave to him the first time they went to the beach together. He had ducked under a wave and come up with a head full of seaweed. It had been funny that day and they hadn’t been able to stop laughing, but three years later, the nickname had stuck. 

“It’s funny, Percy.”

“Not when everyone else does it. They don’t know why it’s funny,” he argues. He doesn’t mind when Annabeth does it, weirdly enough, but he gets a bit of an upset stomach when he hears other people like Luke calling him it. Even Nancy has caught wind of the name and calls him that when Annabeth and his other friends aren’t around. Percy isn’t scared of her anymore though because Nancy doesn’t have any friends to hide behind and Percy’s mom has taught him that people who hurt other people only do it because they’re sad. Which means Nancy is very sad. So Percy leaves her alone. 

Annabeth shrugs. 

“Then I’ll tell them off if it happens again, okay? Only I can call you that. It’s my special name for you. Agreed?”

Percy thinks about it for a moment. He can live with that. 

“Agreed.” 

They find their way back to their friends who are setting up a new game of hide-and-seek tag. 

“Not it!” He shouts as soon as they’re within earshot and Annabeth startles a bit next to him before echoing his words. Grover does the same, then Thalia. 

Leaving Luke frowning. 

“But I don’t want to be it.” 

“That’s the rules Luke, you’re it. Go count,” Thalia says with a shrug. She begins to jog backward, leaving the others, her spikey black hair disappearing moments later. 

“Sorry Luke,” Annabeth says softly and gives Luke an apologetic smile before following Thalia’s lead. 

Grover and Percy are right behind them, Luke’s voice counting down from 100 lost in the wind of other voices. 

Percy is out of breath again as he hides behind a bush. Luke has for some reason chosen him to be his target for this round, which isn’t really fair since Percy just spent the entire last round chasing Annabeth around the entire school, but Luke isn’t listening to him and it’s getting on Percy’s nerves just a little bit. 

He can hear Luke’s voice calling out to him, taunting him as Percy hears his footsteps pass, but he holds his breath as if that will help hide him better.

“Psst Percy!” 

He looks around wildly and catches sight of Annabeth at the top of the stairs. She beckons him closer and he looks cautiously out from the bush. She notices and shakes her head, urging him to be quicker. 

“It’s clear I promise. He’s looking for Grover. Come on hurry.” 

Percy takes her for her word and darts off in her direction. As he’s getting closer to her he hears footsteps follow him and watches as her eyes widen in a panic. 

“Percy run!” 

He turns back briefly and adrenaline fills his body as he sees Luke catching up to him.  

Annabeth has started running as well, and Percy trails after her, but he’s not as nimble and quick, accidentally bumping into students as he runs. He jumps over an upturned trashcan and whoops as it slows Luke down. Annabeth leads the way back to the play equipment and makes a leap onto it. 

“Is he still following me?” He calls to Annabeth as she climbs the monkey bars for a higher vantage point. He starts slowing down as she looks around. 

“I don’t know, I can’t see him.” 

There’s a loud cackle and Percy feels his body get tackled to the ground. Sharp pain shoots up and down his arm as it’s pinned to the ground and he cries out as he feels a crack. 

For a moment everything is simultaneously too bright and too dark. 

“Percy!” Annabeth’s voice cuts through the pain and he blinks, trying to regain his vision but black and white spots are still floating behind his eyelids. 

“Luke, why did you push him so hard!” 

Luke’s voice is panicked and high-pitched as he stands over Percy, casting a dark shadow over him, “I didn’t, he just wasn’t looking. It’s not my fault...He was just, he just stopped out of nowhere, he was going too slow.”

Percy groans and tries to sit up, but his arm is screaming at him, and he doesn’t want to look down because it feels wrong. He turns his face the other way, away from the sore arm and he meets Annabeth’s eyes briefly, but she gets back up and gestures wildly at Percy then at Luke.

“Oh my gods, Percy, your arm. Luke, get a teacher!” Annabeth’s voice is rising in panic and though he still can’t see clearly he can feel her join him on the ground and she cradles his head in her lap. 

“Come on it’s not that- oh ew,” Luke says, with a tone of disgust. Percy squeezes his eyes tightly so that the tears don’t fall and he hears Luke’s footsteps quickly retreat and leave them. 

Other voices start coming closer but all he can hear is Annabeth. 

“It’s gonna be okay, Percy. You’re okay, Percy. I promise. I’m here.”

He feels a small hand grip his good arm, and he peeks open one eye. 

“I’m okay,” he tries to say, but he shifts and accidentally moves his arm, sending another wave of pain down his body. 

“Don’t you dare move.” Annabeth sees the wince and hushes him, commanding him to stay still. 

“But-”

“If you move, you’re not my best friend anymore.” 

Percy freezes every single bone in his body and holds his breath as Annabeth inspects him, carefully arranging his limbs so he can be comfortable. It doesn’t work, but he manages to feel some sort of gratitude towards her for trying. He can tell she’s scared. He knows because they’re best friends and he knows Annabeth as good as he knows himself. Her hands are shaking and she keeps blinking because she’s trying not to cry. Percy wants to reach out to her, but he holds himself to his promise not to move. 

Moments later Luke arrives with a teacher in tow. 

“He tripped and fell…” He can hear Luke saying. 

“That’s not what happened,” Annabeth says with a frown, and gets up, leaving Percy. 

Their voices start to quiet as Percy feels himself get lightheaded. Footsteps come closer to him again and hands grip his shoulders, nudging him lightly. 

“Percy! Breathe! You can move, you can move,” Annabeth cries, her eyes wide and bright with fear. “You idiot, why did you hold your breath.” Percy tries to laugh, but it kind of hurts so he gives a half shrug, and takes in a deep breath, filling his lungs with much-needed air. 

“I didn’t want to move. I still want to be your best friend,” he admits truthfully. Annabeth laughs, but it comes out sort of like a cry and she wipes at her eyes and pats his head softly like she doesn’t know what to do with her hands. 

“You’re so dumb. You’re always going to be my best friend, Seaweed Brain. Come on, stay awake, the ambulance is coming.” 

She doesn’t move from her spot by her side the entire time. Not when Thalia and Grover come to see why Luke hasn’t found them. Not when the teachers tell them that the ambulance is on their way. Not when Percy’s Mom, Sally, is called and is told to meet them at the hospital. Not even when the ambulance arrives, but when a teacher comes and softly tugs her away from him, her hand finally leaves his. 

Percy has never been to the hospital alone before and the fear sets in as they’re pulling him onto the stretcher and telling them where he’s headed.  He starts crying for his friends. Screaming at them not to leave them. Grover is crying into Thalia’s arms, scared and overwhelmed at the loud sounds of the sirens but Annabeth is screaming back, begging the teachers to let her go as they hold her back. 

Mr Brunner, Percy’s favourite teacher joins him in the ambulance and reassures him that Annabeth will be able to visit once he’s at the hospital, but that doesn’t ease his anxieties until he sees his mother waiting for him when he reopens his eyes at the hospital. 

The sight of her brings an immediate calm to his body, and he feels his bones relax. They take x-rays of his arm and put him in a cast, telling him that he’ll be in it for a couple of months. He’s still shaking with pain and shock but his Mom brushes his hair out of his face and softly hums him to sleep until his eyes close again and he falls into a dreamless sleep. 

When he reawakens there are multiple people in his room. The first he sees is his mother still at his side, biting her thumb as she watches him wake. The next is the face of his disgruntled step-father Gabe, who leaves the room once he sees his eyes open. 

And then his friends. 

Grover. Thalia. Luke. 

And- 

“Percy!” Annabeth throws her arms around Percy before he’s even fully awake and he gasps in surprise before returning the hug and pushing his face into her shoulder. 

“You scared me,” she whispers, so quiet he can barely hear her. 

“I didn’t mean to,” he says back, equally as quiet. 

She finally pulls back and sits back on the bed. 

“I’m glad you’re okay now.” 

He manages a smile and nods. 

“Me too.” 

His other friends join him on the bed, and poke at his cast, asking him questions about it and the ride in the ambulance. They talk well into the night, and even though it’s late and the sky is dark, their parents let them all stay, keeping Percy company until visiting hours end. 

Before his friends leave, the doctor comes in and hands Percy a pen. 

“Do you want your friends to sign your cast before they go?” 

Percy nods enthusiastically and they all take turns writing something on his cast before waving him goodbye. 

Grover draws an assortment of plants and flowers. Thalia draws a wide smiley face and Luke writes luke was here. He rolls his eyes at the silly drawings and their names on the cast before handing it to Annabeth who is the last one left. 

She carefully takes the pen from Percy and holds his arm carefully, before writing. 

I hope you get better soon, love annabeth (your best friend)

(PART 1)

[annabethy]

under the mistletoe, watching the fire glow day 13: princess

Character A’s little sibling/child wants to meet their favorite celebrity/writer/person for Christmas. Character B is said “Christmas Present” ,, percabeth. for that one anon

Percy can honestly say that he didn’t think this would end up happening.

When he had sent her a message, it had been done absentmindedly, fully expecting it to be ignored. He’s well aware that celebrities don’t respond to people like him, but it was Christmas, Estelle was on his last nerve, and he figured that he could at least try.

Somehow, all of that ends with him meeting up with a super hot Hollywood actress.

As Percy holds Estelle’s hand, who can’t stop bouncing excitedly, he thinks back to that moment. Estelle’s dramatic cry of meeting the princess in the live action remake of Barbie and the Twelve Dancing Princesses had gotten to the point that he decided he was done and took things into his own hands.

It went something like him sending her, hey so my little sister is being annoying about the barbie movie and won’t shut up so can you come meet her so I can get a moment of peace?

When she responded, yeah sure when and where, he thinks he may have had a heart attack. It was surreal, setting up a mini meet and greet through instagram dms of all things, but it worked well enough because here he was, looking out for Annabeth.

“Where’s the princess!” Estelle demands, and Percy wants to bang his head into a wall. She’s practically screaming, and she’s pulling on his arm so arm that it may fall off.

“I don’t know,” he tells her.

“Find her.”

“Estelle. I don’t know where she is. Relax.”

“I want to see her now!” Estelle is only five years old so it’s understandable that she’s so annoying. Percy loves his baby sister dearly, but sometimes he questions why is mother had a baby so many years after him.

“The movie isn’t even that good. She wasn’t even a convincing princess.”

Estelle stomps. “Yes she is!”

Percy snorts. “Yeah, okay.”

It’s then that he feels hot breath on his ear, and he freezes, well aware that he’s just made a very dire mistake.

“Not a convincing princess?” someone whispers into his ear, a hint of humor in their voice. “You offend me.”

Percy whips around, and of course, there she is in all her glory.

He finds Annabeth Chase staring at him with eyes that look much more vibrant in person. She looks small and shy, and Percy thinks she would be the perfect person to hug in the cold.

He thinks she sure looks like a princess with the way her hair falls in old ringlets down her back, and her eyes shimmer in the sunlight. She’s not even dressed as a princess right now, but he could have been fooled.

“I didn’t mean—”

“Sure you didn’t.” Annabeth tightens her coat around herself, clearly cold, and she leans down to say hello to his sister. “You must be Estelle!”

Estelle gives her a wide grin, and Percy doesn’t think he’s ever seen her so happy before. “I am!”

“You look like a princess,” Annabeth tells her, bopping her on the nose gently. “You could be one of my sisters!”

Estelle’s eyes go wide. “You think so?”

“Of course I do, silly,” and wow, even her voice is elegant. Percy’s starting to think that maybe she really is a princess. He considers bowing to her.

“My brother says he’s your friend and that’s how he got you here,” she says, crossing her arms. Percy shoots his sister a look as she continues saying, “Is that true? My brother is a loser so I think he’s lying.”

“You don’t think your brother is cool?”

“Not to be friends with you,” Estelle says proudly.

“But I think he’s super cool! You’re super lucky to have him as a brother.”

Percy can see the change in Estelle’s demeanor having just got told that her brother is cool. Percy knows full and well that she’s about to suck up to him because her idol told her to, and that’s what children do. It makes him want to stick his tongue out at her as though saying told you so, and he would have if Annabeth wasn’t standing right there to see it.

“I’m kidding,” Estelle swears. “I play with him all the time,” which is a blatant lie.

When Estelle is no longer looking, Annabeth gives him a wink and mouths you’re welcome. Percy feels his face turn red because despite not loving the Barbie movie, he’s still all over everything else she’s been in, which is a lot. She’s practically royalty, and she’s talking to him. He’s breathing the same air as her.

At some point, they migrate over to a set of chairs outside the park they’re in. It’s pretty cold with the snow falling around them, but Estelle is vibrating with excitement to the point that he wouldn’t be surprised if she generated her own heat. Percy sits to the side, letting his sister have her moment. As entranced as he feels by the celebrity sitting in front of him, he knows that he probably shouldn’t show it, risking further teasing from both parties.

Annabeth’s super kind, he learns quickly. She laughs with her whole being and brightens up the room with her smile. She tells amazing stories about the fantasy, and Estelle listens intently. She’s so young that she doesn’t entirely realize that she’s not a real princess, and it warms Percy’s heart.

(And from the look Annabeth gives him, it warms hers too.)

It feels like hours that they’re sitting there before Percy decides they’ve had enough. As pleasant as Annabeth’s been for his sanity, he knows she’s probably getting tired herself.

“I think it’s time to say goodbye, Stella.”

And, of course, this cues the meltdown.

“No.”

Percy sighs. “We need to go home soon.”

“I don’t want to.”

Percy’s temper is beginning to shorten again, and he can tense the temper tantrum that’s about to occur. It’s just a question of which sibling is going to start it at this point.

“We can’t leave Princess Genevieve here without a way to get home!”

Percy almost laughs in his little sister’s face because Annabeth is not a Genevieve by any means. Genevieve is a ridiculous name for a princess anyways. Annabeth is much nicer for a princess. “I’m sure Princess Genevieve has her own ride home.”

“This is why you don’t have a girlfriend!” Estelle loudly blurts. “You never offer girls rides home!”

Annabeth chokes on air, and Percy considers jumping into the Hudson river and swimming away.

“I don’t want a girlfriend anyways, so good,” he says, tugging her hand into his.

“If you were a nice person, then maybe Princess Genevieve would’ve been your girlfriend.”

“They don’t date peasants like us. Come on.”

“Can we please take her home?” Estelle asks.

Percy sighs, dropping her hand. “Ask her yourself.”

He genuinely expects Annabeth to say no, so when his sister walks right on up to Annabeth and stares up at her, he is blatantly shocked as she says, “I would love to.”

It becomes very obvious that Percy ends up losing the fight against a five-year-old as he’s driving the car with Annabeth in the passenger seat and Estelle in her car seat in the back. Estelle’s continuously asking questions, and Percy is somewhat mortified because as time went on, Estelle gets more and more daring with what she asks.

Everything is mainly along the lines of having a boyfriend and pointed coughs in Percy’s direction. Each time, Annabeth would give him a knowing smile and he’d do everything to look anywhere but at her.

Percy can’t be thankful enough when they make it to his mom’s apartment, and he gets to kick Estelle out of the car. She gives a heartfelt goodbye to Annabeth and a glare at Percy before she’s out the door. It leaves him and Annabeth alone in the car, a silence settling between them.

They’ve been together for at least a couple of hours, but they haven’t truly interacted until now, so he’s at a loss as to what to do. It’s as though he’s blacked out during the last few hours, and maybe even the last few weeks, because last he remembers, he was just sitting on the couch doing nothing, and now Annabeth Chase is sitting in his car, looking at him expectantly.

Finally, she says, “Are you going to look at me, or…”

Percy turns his head like a deer in headlights. “I’m sorry.”

“You look like you’re about to pass out.”

“I might. This is kind of weird.”

“What is?”

“Having you in my car.”

“Why?”

“You’re a celebrity.”

She smirks at him. “Do I intimidate you?”

“Uh, yes.”

“Well, don’t be intimidated.”

“I’m sorry, but you’re very famous. I will be intimidated, and you will let me be.”

“I mean, I get that, but there’s really no reason to be intimidated. The other day, I walked past a mirror and actually got excited to meet a celebrity.”

“What? You just forgot your own identity?”

She smiles. “Something like that.”

Percy laughs, slightly more at ease. He’s at least able to look her in the eyes now. She looks back at him and leans against the seat with her shoulder.

“Percy,” she teases. “You can talk to me.”

“Believe me, I’m trying.”

Annabeth rolls her eyes fondly. “Do you know why I’m here?”

“For my sister.”

“It wasn’t really for her.”

Percy frowns, confused. “But you said…”

“I know what I said. The reason I even opened the message wasn’t because of her, though.”

Percy bites his lower lip nervously because the mood in the car has suddenly changed, and he’s certain he doesn’t have tinted windows.

“I opened it because I thought you were hot.”

Percy blinks, a beat passes, and then he bursts out laughing. “You thought I was hot!?”

“You are! I thought maybe it would be fun!”

“You live in LA with a ton of super rich and famous people, and you come after me? The guy that can barely afford his own apartment?” “I mean… it doesn’t really matter if you can’t afford it because I can. But that’s only if, like, this actually goes anywhere.”

“Are you always this forward?”

“Absolutely not, but you couldn’t even look me in the eyes, and I have to leave soon.”

“So you’re saying you want to, what? Marry me?”

“Exactly,” she deadpans.

“Woah, baby, I hardly know you! How could I marry you!”

“Hilarious.”

“It was, wasn’t it?”

“My point is,” she says pointedly, “I like you and would want to see you again. Without a child there.”

Percy’s brain is going bonkers right now because Annabeth Chase just asked him out. It’s even crazier because he’s thinking of saying yes. He tries to withstand, because he knows that he’ll never fit in with everything she’s surrounded by, but something tells him that she won’t mind, so he gives in.

“Fine,” he says playfully. “I guess I’ll take you on a date.”

“Oh shut up. I’ve been around Estelle all day telling me about how much her brother wants me to date him.”

“I didn’t say that, but to be fair, she’s not wrong.”

Annabeth shoots him a surprised look. “You’re not as shy as I thought.”

“Neither are you,” he counters, and it’s true. Annabeth has been making the first moves, and it’s different than what he usually sees. The thing is, he can tell this is exactly the way Annabeth is, and he’s determined to switch things up for her.

“Hey princess,” he says. “I feel like there should be a true love’s kiss before people go on a date, don’t you think?”

“Is that what this is? True love?”

“Isn’t it? You live in a fairytale.”

“I guess we’ll just have to find out, then.”

Percy pouts and whispers, “Bummer,” and then he’s pulling her in for a sweet kiss. It’s not at all him, and he’s sure this is no longer at all her either, but it feels right to both of them. Then, Annabeth bites his bottom lip, lets out a breathtaking whimper, and Percy deepens the kiss.

“These windows aren’t tinted,” Percy jokingly breathes out against her when she unbuckles her seatbelt.

“That’s okay,” she replies, smiling into the kiss. “I’m not one to be shy.”

[the-ghost-king]

you have any nico headcanons where he’s ftm trans but then realizes he’s also nonbinary (he/they/she)? just struggling with gender identity lately ig.

Alright, anon, I hope these help you some, my gender has been rather ~~~ lately, if that makes any sense... I would also like to remind everyone to bind safely and if you need resources on how to safely bind without a binder feel free to reach out to me:

Nico always just knew he was a boy, dresses were a no-go, couldn't stand to wear anything that wasn't undeniably boys clothes

In the beginning Maria thought maybe it was just a texture problem, but when Nico was three she came home to see him cutting all of his hair off she knew it was deeper

This is why they ended up moving to America eventually, Maria decided that if they started over then Nico would be able to be himself

Bianca named him on the way over, she liked the name because they were "winning" by leaving Italy

Nothing really signifigant happens in regards to Nico and his gender through this point, he is able to play freely with other boys, and he goes to school with them and such

The same in the Lotus Hotel, nothing signifigant

When he and Bianca go to Westover Nico is kind of scared the whole time, because he is worried about being "caught", changing for afterschool soccer games and having communal shower spaces at the school is difficult for him to feel comfortable

He usually tries to shower late at night or early in the morning when nobody is around, and that works out okay for him

His chest starts developing around this point and he freaks out, he has no clue how to hide it or how to deal with the new stress

He ends up trying to find Bianca one day, and they do all sorts of crazy stuff to see if they can help, eventually they figure out how to use a piece of cloth they sew together

When Nico ends up at camp alone without Bianca, there's the problem once again of communal showers and they're rarely ever empty

This is how he befriends the Stolls

At some point the pair of them notice Nico is weirdly panicky about the bathrooms so they go stand outside and keep people out when Nico's in there... It's honestly how they perfect their pranking techniques

When Nico runs away from camp upset, just the day before his binder had quit fitting and he had been upset by that because he had to make a binder again

Although his sister dying pushed all other thoughts out of his head, the emotions from previous events were still leftover

This is why he buys his jacket TM, because the layers help hide his chest more and the weight is comfortable

At some point during the Labrynth he ends up binding with ace bandages (AN: Don't do this)

He also starts his period at some time around this point and kind of freaks out "oh no" and it's not entirely that his period bothers him, but more so that he just doesn't know how he's supposed to hide it

He also realizes at some point around here that he likes Percy, which makes him feel odd and more freaked out

He's struggling because "boys are supposed to like girls" and also he's struggling because if most boys oon't have periods and he does... why doesn't his bother him?

Despite Nico himself being trans, he doesn't have the vocabulary to describe anything he's going through, and he doesn't know there's other trans people, or even queer people of any sort

So he sort of begins to question "am I really a boy?" but there's so much going on in the world and he's got so much to do, so he can't really devote much time to thinking about it

Everything continues about canonically until he's in the jar after Tartarus

During a fight with a monster or something he was knocked over, and combine this with the fact that Nico was binding with ace bandages, he definitly breaks a rib

Which makes breathing with little air a lot harder

Eventually he's saved and through ambrosia and nectar Nico manages to heal his ribs a little

He isn't able to bind that whole time though, so he does his best to keep away from The Seven

After Cupid outs him to Jason, Jason asks a few days later if he wants to talk about it, at first Nico is like "no go away I don't like you don't talk to me"

But eventually he opens up to Jason, because Jason was like "I'm sorry you had to do that I promise I won’t tell anyone and if you want to talk we can talk"

Anyhow eventually Nico kind of just breaks down and he's like "I don't know if I'm a boy or a girl? I think I used to be a girl, but now I am a boy and I don't really remember how it happened” or something similar

It takes Jason a moment but eventually he’s like “Oh you’re trans?”

And Nico;s like “heh? What’s that?

And so him and Jason talk, but Jason is only kind of well versed in this topic, so he only covers “basic” MtF and FtM transition because he doesn’t really know enough about other genders to feel comfortable explaining it

And Nico’s like “there’s people? Out there?? Like me??” and he’s just Happy Nico ™

Nico is like “and there are people like me who like boys?”

And Jason is like “Yeah totally!” but internally he’s like (I think so??)

Anyhow Nico feels a little better, but he doesn’t feel perfect, he’s still struggling a little bit internally to recognize that there’s other people like him and he’s not wrong for being him

Anyhow, Jason doesn’t know enough about this stuff to know binders exist, Jason just has a little bit of secondhand information from tv shows and from being from California… He promises he’ll look into various things more when he’s back at camp or has decent access to internet

On Nico’s quest with Reyna and Hedge he obvious evaporates Bryce, and Reyna and Hedge find out

They find out he’s gay as in canon, but they realize he’s trans when caking him in mud

Hedge just goes into dad mode about the situation and is like “son”, “sport”, “kiddo”, “my male child” etc

Reyna knows a little more about trans stuff than Jason, but she’s kind of in the same “ehhh I’m not really sure of a few things” boat, but she’s supportive and she’s like “I will beat anyone who gives you a dirty look up so fast”

Eventually they get to camp, and all that happens

Three days in the infirmary happens, and basically Nico has to tell Will for medical reasons that he’s trans because Nico needs stitches or something

Anyhow Will is like “Oh yeah cool me too, can you take your binder off now?”

And Nico is like “heh???”

Anyhow Will finds out Nico is binding with ace bandages and he’s like “no, don’t do that” and then he goes and finds a proper binder in Nico’s size which he gives to him after his stay is up

When they befriend one another they have a short conversation about gender and Will is discussing like gender theory 101 type stuff, and he’s like “wait why dont you know this- oh yeah you’re from the thirties- wait do you even know what nonbinary means??”

And Nico is just staring at Will like he has three heads for the whole conversation

So Will teaches Nico about gender and pronouns, and gender presentation vs gender identity, etc

And so Nico goes “wait so there are people like me who are also gay?”

And Will is like “I like boys and girls and everything in between so yeah”

And the whole enby thing doesn’t really stick with Nico at that point he’s just like “hmm interesting, so testosterone?”

It’s just not his biggest concern, he’s just happy to know there are in fact others like him, and no he’s not crazy for not being dysphoric over his period, and that’s normal too

And he’s just like “oh so that’s top dysphoria?”

And Will is like “yeah :/”

“Oh :/”

“Mhmm :/”

Anyhow they become like good friends and they start dating sort of on accident, like they’re too close to just argue they’re friends anymore, and at some point Will just shows Nico how to give him a T shot and it’s like chill, they’re chill

Anyhow one day someone is kind of confused by Nico’s gender so they use the word “they” and it makes Nico really happy for some reason, so he goes back to Will and he’s like “tell me about this whole nobinary thing again?”

And Will is like “yes absolutely”

And Nico goes “I think I might be nonbinary can we try new pronouns?”

And so they go through all sorts of new pronouns, and Nico decides he still likes he/him but he also likes they/them and xer/xem… They likes she/her too but Nico finds it too uncomfortable sometimes because it reminds him of dysphoria

Nico decides xyr uncomfortable with using she/her but they like using female gendered terms so he does that

(Listen, I know Will saying “this is my boyfriend” was a big moment but Will calling Nico his “wife” is 10/10)

Nico’s friends are all super supportive and they do their best to learn more about gender and such things in order to better support and care for Nico

They all use different pronouns for xem and some people alternate pronouns too, but Nico knows that takes more practice

But it’s just like good and positive in Nico’s life

And he begins to play with fashion a lot and xe finds out xyr love of skirts with tights and combat boots because it’s 10/10 the best fashion

Nico also loves their big jackets and they just looks so comfy all the time everyone is like “I want to be him” and Nico grows their hair out long again, and gets his ears pierced and xe’s just a nonbinary fashion icon

They are just so cool once they figure out gender more and Nico’s just happy to play around with xyr gender and he just enjoys it

Will doesn’t play around with gender so much, he’s 100% a binary trans guy but T helped make him comfortable enough in his femininity to wear skirts a little bit on the occasion (Will in a cat maid dress 10/10), but heels and skinny jeans for some reason are still big dysphoria triggers for him so he does have some limits on what he’ll wear

Will gets top surgery when he’s like 17 because Naomi is an extremely supportive parent

So that’s how Nico meets Will’s mom and she’s like “it’s so nice to finally meet you!” and Naomi just immediately falls in love with xem and Will is like “I know they’re amazing”

And Nico is just really supportive and they sort of role reverse and Nico plays nurse while Will recovers from top surgery and they has to like brush his teeth and stuff

The experience (despite the fact that Will had an easier recovery) assures Nico in how much he wants top surgery, and he’s sad he’ll have to wait another year until he’s 18 to get it done

Anyhow Hades finds out and agrees to sign the wavers, so once Will is healed up enough to wear he can put his own clothes on and stuff, Nico decides to go through with xyrs own top surgery then too

Reyna comes to help Will take care of Nico, and Jason does too

Originally Will was supposed to help more with Nico’s care but he wasn’t able to do as much as he thought so they had to phone their friends

Eventually they both heal up really well and they’re happy to be done with that

Nico spends time debating testosterone, while Will spends time debating lower surgery

During this time Nico starts art school and Will starts medical school

Meeting more nonbinary people makes Nico feel at home and he determines that xe doesn’t want to go on testosterone but it’s still a maybe in the future

Will however decides he does want lower surgery, so Will and Lou Ellen decide to get lower surgery together as friends so they can share in the pain (Lou Ellen is a trans woman as far as I’m concerned this is canon)

Nico takes some time off to do school from home so he can help the two of them, and Naomi comes to live with them as well for a bit

Will and Nico both finish school eventually and they decide to adopt trans kids to help them out more

Anyhow, I hope you enjoy all of that anon! I'm all ideaed (idea-ed??) out and so I hope this is at least similar to what you were looking for, and this is helpful with your dysphoria somewhat <3

[spunky-89]

Broken Ship

A/N: Hi everyone! This is the first part of the Titans!Jason Todd fic. If everyone likes it I will add the second part and maybe turn it into a series... So let me know what you guys think!!

P.S. special shout out to @whatamidoing-com​ and @grandeftmarvel​ for being the ones to actually make me motivated enough to post this  ❤️ ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

Part Two

🌊 🐦 --------------------------------------------------------------- 🐦🌊

(Y/N) was laying down on the lounge chair she had dragged to the roof a few days ago. She groaned and then added, “I don't know what to do Neeks,”

The boy standing over her rolled his eyes but indulged her. It was kind of his job as her best friend.

“What is your heart telling you?” He asked.

“That you give shitty advice,” She grumbled, hoping he was going to be more helpful. 

Nico sighed and gave her a look. “(Y/N),” he said, using that tone a mom would use to tell you not to be stupid. But since she was a sasshole, she just kept being sarcastic. So she responded by copying his tone while saying his name. And then he shoved her off the chair. She groaned again but stayed there, too deep in her own head to care.

“Seriously, what is stopping you from trying?” He asked, shaking his head at the dumb girl in front of him. He very well knew that if she really didn’t care, they wouldn’t be having this conversation. She would have broken out and headed for the ocean, disappearing before they knew she was gone. But something was stopping her. And he knew that something was the love of her life. Even if she was too stubborn to see it.

When she responded, her words were dripping in scathing sarcasm. “Oh I don't know, maybe the fact that last time we were ‘friends’, he suddenly decided we weren’t, without giving enough of a damn to let me know or to give me a reason.”

He could see the underlying hurt in her eyes. He knew how badly this had fucked her up. After all, he knew all about them before she had even told Percy. He stuck to her side while Percy and Bianca went on the rescue mission. So he saw how happy she was, and how excited she was to get back to him for Christmas. And the next time he saw her, she was a completely different person. Her eyes were colder, her cheery attitude was replaced by a facade of her former self, and most of all, she pushed everyone she was close to away, keeping them at an arm's length. All except him, who refused to accept she was this way now, wanting to keep some semblance of their friendship alive. She healed some overtime, but she was never quite the girl he had first met. The one who promised to be there for him and his sister no matter what. The one who said that he was the little brother she never wanted but loved more than her own.

Looking at her now, he could see a new look. There was that slight spark in her eyes, but it was blocked by the wall she had built so strong over the last four years. And Nico knew, the only one who could ever knock them down, was the boy trying to hide in the shadows, scared to lose his girl once more.

“It's been years, you've changed a lot since then. Maybe he has too.” He tried to gently explain. 

“Why are you pushing me about this? Just take me home and let me forget this place and the people in it.” She exclaimed, sitting up and glaring at him.

“Because I care.” He started. He knew he had to be careful with his approach or she would clam up and he would lose the opportunity to talk some sense into her. “You're my best friend and you pushed me when I was scared to give Will a shot. And look how good that turned out. I'm just returning the favor.” He said gently, squatting next to her.

She covered her face and let out a frustrated “Uuuuhhhhgggggg”

Nico laughed at how dramatic she was being. She always said Percy was the dramatic one but in this moment she easily matched him. But he did his best to calm himself fast, knowing the consequences of laughing for too long (last time he ended up in the lake, it sucked).

“Look, take the evening to decide. I'll be here at noon to get you tomorrow.” He said finally. 

“That seems unnecessary. Give me five minutes to grab my shit.” She said, her words begging him to take her away, but her eyes conflicted with a need to stay. 

Nico sighed and added, “I'm serious. He seems like he really cares.”

“Just because he's listening in doesn't mean he cares. It actually is kinda stalkerish.” (Y/N) pointed out.

Nico rolled his eyes and got up. “Well, you do you. But in my opinion, it’s stupid to sink a repairable ship.”

She gave him a glare and flipped him off as he walked into a shadow on the wall. Once Nico vanished, she got up from the floor and turned towards the door to see Jason step out of the shadows he thought he was hidden in.

“What the fuck was that?” 

She ignored him and pushed him aside to head back through the door.

“Hey! Don’t ignore me!” he said grabbing her arm in an attempt to stop her.

She yanked her arm free and growled, “Fuck off”

He chased her down the stairs back into the main floor. 

“I’m not just gonna let you leave!” He yelled as he grabbed her arm “I care about you too much to just let you walk away without trying to fix us”. 

She growled and went to punch him, but he blocked her. She started talking as she attempted to land a hit on him. 

“You don’t get to stand there and tell me you care! I know you saw me when I came looking for you and you know I saw you. I tried everything to get you to talk to me.” She landed a hit to his side and shoved him into the wall behind him. “So don’t you fucking dare tell me that you fucking care because if you did we wouldn't be having this conversation!”

He righted himself and went on the defense, not wanting to hurt the girl in front of him. He was damn glad the team was out or this would have made this confrontation worse. He steeled himself and started to argue with (Y/N). “Of course I care! Don’t ever fucking tell me I don’t. I stayed away to pro-”

“Don’t you dare feed me that bullshit!” She yelled as she threw another punch to his face, “You know I can take care of myself. So you need a better goddamn excuse if you want me to believe your FUCKING LIES!!!!!”

He caught both her hands and pushed her back to try and put distance between them, even though every cell in his body was screaming at him to hold her close. 

“I LOVE YOU DAMNIT! I KNOW YOU CAN HANDLE YOURSELF. I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU.” He screamed.

“YOU KNOW NOTHING! ITS BEEN 4 YEARS TODD, 4 FUCKING YEARS!” She screeched. She went at him again, her attacks were weak and half-hearted, but she needed to let out the tsunami of emotions somehow, she just chose her fists. Tears were welling in her eyes but neither knew if it was from the rage or the pain and sadness.

“I STILL KNOW YOU!” He grabbed her and shoved her against the wall, locking her in place. He knew he shouldn’t yell and scream at her, it would only make things worse. But he was never good at expressing emotion. So he continued to scream back, unwittingly telling her the thing he swore to never tell her.

“I KNOW YOU'RE STILL TERRIFIED OF HIGHTS. I KNOW YOU MOVED IN WITH YOUR MOM AND BROTHER. I KNOW YOU LEAVE TO HIT THE STREETS ALL THE TIME BECAUSE YOU STILL AREN'T ADJUSTED TO HAVING FOUR WALLS AROUND YOU. I KNOW THAT KID ON THE ROOF IS YOUR BEST FRIEND. I KNOW YOU DON'T LET PEOPLE GET CLOSE TO YOU ANYMORE! BECAUSE I NEVER STOPPED CARING, NEVER STOPPED WATCHING YOUR BACK! NO MATTER HOW FAR YOU WERE FROM ME! BECAUSE I NEVER STOPPED LOVING YOU!!” 

A moment of silence rang through the hall. Both Jason and (Y/N) were breathing heavily, faces barely an inch apart. The tears were now streaming down her face, and his eyes had a glossy sheen that showed he wasn’t far from crying himself.

“Why?” She breathed, barely willing to break the silence with anything louder. Not moving her face an inch. Her eyes locked on his.

“I don’t know,” he breathed, loosening his grip on her so that he was barely holding onto her as he let his forehead rest against hers.

“Tell me why Jason?” She whispered, her voice cracking from the emotions. “Why did you leave me?”

Her eyes were now pouring out tears, though she didn't make a sound as she looked down and away from the boy who shattered her heart.

He moved his hands from her arms as he cupped her cheeks, wiping the tears away and pulling her face to look back at his, the pain behind her eyes breaking him. 

“I think I was scared of losing you.”

“What does that even mean?” she whimpered,

“I cared about you too much, and I felt like I was holding you back from your family.” His cheeks becoming wet as the emotions he had long buried came rushing back. “In my head either you would leave me for them, or you would stay and grow to resent me for keeping you away from them.”

“Oh Jason,” She whispered, lips quivering as her tears never stopped flowing. He looked so broken and she had no idea what to say. It crushed her to find out that he left for her sake. She wasn’t good with words, neither was he. It was something they had bonded over, being able to convey emotions with actions and body language, no words needed. So she decided to go back to that.

She put her hands around his neck, one hand went into his hair, and the other pulled his neck closer to her as she kissed him. The tears were still streaming down their faces, but no words needed to be said. Everything was laid bare in that kiss. The love, the loss, the regrets, the apologies. Jason’s hands shifted as one landed on her waist to pull her closer and the other slid to the back of her head. As he did so she let out a small gasp which he used to slowly slip his tongue in her mouth. They had kissed once before when they were younger. It was the night before she left, neither knowing it was going to be the last they saw of one another for years. That first kiss felt right, but this kiss, it felt like they had found their home, that all was finally right in their worlds.

It could have been seconds or hours they stood there, but neither wanted to leave the other’s embrace. They had to breathe eventually, but when they pulled back it wasn’t far. Her eyes stayed closed as their foreheads rested against each other.

“Stay,” Jason breathed. The warm breath spread over her and she wanted to crumble in his arms.

With her eyes still closed she sighed and stayed quiet for a moment. “I can’t,” She whispered, fresh tears flowing. His grip on her tightened slightly as she spoke those words. 

“Why not?” He asked, his voice showing his hurt, “After-after everything we’ve been through, the memories we’ve tried and failed to forget, this moment...Why?”

A small sob left her lips as she pulled and turned away from him. But he didn’t let her get far. She had made it no more than two steps when he grabbed her arm again, and this time his grip was iron-like. She could have broken free, but she didn’t have the strength or the will to fight him. She did, however, continue to avoid his gaze as she cried, never answering his question.

“Tell me why?” he asked again, his voice had a bit more strength and bite behind it. He placed his hand on her cheek and turned her face towards him, where he could see the pain and anguish behind her eyes.

“Because I can’t, I-I have responsibilities and a new family...I-I can’t just leave them.” She said, her voice soft and her eyes looked down while she spoke, only looking up for a second when she had finished. Jason knew why she wouldn’t look at him, she knew he’d know she was lying. But he still noticed anyway. 

“Look me in the eye and say you don’t want this-us and I’ll let you walk away and I won’t bother you again. But if not, I will fight every day to get you back.” He spoke, his words rang with pain and confidence. Her lips wobbled as she looked into his eyes. “Tell me you don’t want me and I’ll let you leave right now.” His voice came out shaky as he took in the depth of her eyes, the emotions swirling as her face showed her inner conflict. She opened and closed her mouth at least half a dozen times before she whimpered and looked down again.

“I can’t,” 

“Then stay, please. I need you.” Jason begged.

She shook her head but made no move to leave his arms again. There were a few tense moments of stillness and silence before she moved. She lunged at him and buried her head in his shirt, her head resting right where his heart was.

“I can’t get my heart shattered again Jason, I can’t. I barely made it through last time. I’m not strong enough to withstand it again.” She spoke through her tears.

“I won’t hurt you, I promise,” He spoke softly as he pulled her closer and gripped her in a bear hug. “I fucked up majorly but please, just-just give me another chance.” 

She pulled her head from his chest and opened her mouth to argue but he didn’t let her. He placed one hand on her cheek and said, “I’ll do better, I won’t pull any more shit like that because having you here the last few days reminded me of how much it hurts every day to not see your face, even when it’s filled with rage and contempt.”

He could see the emotions flashing across her face as she tried to make heads or tails of her thoughts. She looked him in the eye, trying to read him. It didn’t matter that they hadn’t seen each other in four years, she could still read him like an open book. She looked into his eyes and saw the same look she saw every day in the mirror, the pain of losing your best friend and the sincere hardness of a promise. Her heart was ready to beat out of her chest and she knew right then, she would never leave him or let him leave her ever again. She reached up and pulled his lips back to hers. No hesitancy as she did so. Their lips stayed locked as he slowly backed her into the wall again but this time it wasn’t aggressive, no, this was driven by something else entirely. 

There was desperation in the kiss this time. They both were grabbing at each other, trying to be close as possible. Jason grabbed her and lifted her into his arms. She was so shocked that he had the strength to do that. But then she remembered they weren’t kids anymore. They were both older and (slightly) more mature.

She barely realized she had wrapped her legs around him. The movement was so unconscious, but like with everything with Jason, her body and his worked in tandem. Her unknowing may have also been due to the fact that she was far too distracted by his tongue wrapping around hers as he explored her mouth. They broke for air and she stared at him, the muscles in his arms bulging as he held her against the wall. She now felt his one hand clutching her thigh and she took a shuttered breath as she felt him pressed completely into her, not a single gap between their bodies. She wasn’t sure what to do but when she looked into Jason’s eyes, she knew. He had his stupidly sexy smirk plastered on his face as she was taking him in, his eyes a few shades darker than usual. She wasn’t alone in this examination as he was taking her in and undressing her with his eyes. It was a look she usually hated, but coming from him, her breath hitched just a bit. 

Right then and there, gazing into his eyes, she fell in love with him all over again. She saw her world in those eyes, her future. She wasn’t the romantic type, but at this moment, she would happily go through all the trauma and nightmares she’d dealt with again just to stay in that moment forever.

[demigodsanswer]

Once Upon a Pointe - Chapter 6

Story Summery:

“Annabeth, you’re with Percy,’ Chiron said. Annabeth. She looked like the figurine in a little girl’s music box had come to life to dance in City Ballet. Percy felt like every opportunity to dance with her was a privilege. Just don’t forget the choreography, Percy thought as he got into the right starting spot for the wedding pas de deux. Don’t forget the choreography, and don’t drop her.”

Percy is soloist with the ballet company, and he is offered one chance to dance with Annabeth, one of their star principals. If he nails the choreography, he might just earn a chance to dance with her. And, if he’s really lucky, he might get a date out of it as well.

Chapter Title: Vision

Read on AO3

Start from the beginning

Notes: I am in no way finished bringing attention to issues of race, religion, and cultural appropriation in Rick Riordan’s books & in the fandom. Do not misinterpret me posting an update as a desire to move forward. 

Katheryn Morgan (soloist with the Miami City Ballet) has recently uploaded an interview with the dancer and author of "A Final Bow for Yellowface" Phil Chan, where they discuss race in ballet. Please consider checking it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYw2pLn9CAg

Percy woke up to the soft February sun beaming in his face through Annabeth’s large bedroom window. When he opened his eyes, squinting in the sunlight, he saw that she had already gotten up. He rolled over to check his phone – 8:30 a.m.

They both had today and the next day off before the show as other casts ran their dress rehearsals. Usually he spent his days off wandering the city, catching up on TV, or hanging out with Grover once his boring and normal nine-to-five job at a nonprofit ended. But those days off didn’t usually start in Annabeth Chase’s bed – in face, none of them ever had. He hoped that maybe they’d end up spending the day together.

Or maybe she’d ask him to leave as soon as he left the bed.

He stayed there for another moment, trying to think of the perfect “spend the day with me” line, but he came up blank. He’d just have to wing it.

He opened the door and stepped into the living room. Annabeth was standing in the kitchen over a frying pan, still in her pajamas (now rumpled from a night of sleep), and her blonde hair was up in a high ponytail, the ends tangled together.

She looked up and smiled at him. Percy’s heart raced, fuck, he thought, she’s gorgeous. Before he could say anything to her, though, she told him: “You drool when you sleep.”

Percy flushed, a hand going up to his mouth to wipe away any trace of drool that might still be there. She laughed at him, and he smiled.

She turned back to the frying pan. “I’m making eggs. I hope that’s okay.”

“Eggs are great,” he said. “I thought you didn’t cook.”

She shrugged. “I told you, I’m not completely incompetent. I can scramble an egg reasonably well.” She said, dishing out the servings onto two plates.

Percy took a seat at the table. “Have you been up long?” He asked.

“No, ‘bout half an hour.” She said. “Coffee?” She offered.

He nodded, and she put a mug down in front of him, and then his plate of eggs and avocado toast.

She sat down at the other end of the table.

“Thanks,” Percy said, about to dig in.

He piled some eggs on top of his toast and took a bite. They were good, although he would struggle to find an adult who couldn’t make a decent scrambled egg. “How are you feeling?” He asked.

“Better,” she said. “A lot better. Thanks for listening to me and for staying the night.”

Percy smiled. “Of course, any time.” He realized what he said and felt his ears get hot. “Anyway …” he tried to think of literally anything else to say, but nothing came to mind. Annabeth saved him, though.

“Do you have any plans for today?” Annabeth asked.

It took a moment for Percy to register what she had said. He was preoccupied by the casual way she sat at the other edge of the table, sunlight bouncing off her curls, as if they sat together like this every day.

Finally, though, he remembered she’d asked him a question. “No, not really.” He told her.

“Do you want to hang out downtown for a little while?” She asked.

Percy smiled. “Sure, that’d be great.”

Percy stood in front of Annabeth bathroom mirror, which had fogged up with steam from his shower. She had showered before him and was getting ready in her bedroom.

He leaned forward and drew a smiley face on her mirror for her to discover the next time she showered.

He dressed quickly, only having the same sweatpants and tee shirt from the night before, but it would have to do.

Annabeth was waiting on her couch for him to get ready. She was dressed in a light pink sweater and light jeans with her hair braided over her shoulder.

“Ready to go?” She asked.

Percy nodded. They grabbed their jackets and headed out the door.

~*~*~

They walked down the avenue to Washington Square Park, stopping on the way to indulge in some hot chocolates. It was just starting to get a little warmer – they daily temperature tended to hang out in the forties during the day, rather than what Percy called ‘face hurting temperatures.’

Still, he wished it was a little warmer so they could sit on a bench or the grass for a while and just relax in the Spring sun. But the cold sun of the end of February would have to do.

It did come with its perks, Percy realized, when a cold wind blew, prompting Annabeth to instinctively move closer to him. He wrapped an arm around her, pulling her into his chest for a moment as the breeze blew by. When it was over, they parted, neither blushing or uncomfortable.

Sure, he was usually physically close to her, but stage intimacy was far less erotic than many people assumed. On stage or during rehearsal, both were sweaty, trying not to breath too hard, and mostly worrying about their own steps and safety and the safety of their partner.

A gentle closeness so far removed from the studio, though, felt deeply intimate. He almost reached down to hold her hand, but she had it in her jacket pocket. He left his hand by his side in case she had the same thought, but she never reached for it.

When they reached the arch, Annabeth paused in front of it. “You know, if I hadn’t joined the company, I would have gone to school for architecture.”

“Really?” Percy asked, looking at her.

She nodded. “I guess I kind of am or was at least.” She said. “I was part time at NYU for a few years, but between being a principal, and planning a wedding, then calling off the wedding, and everything that came after that, I haven’t taken a class in almost …” she paused, “almost two years, I guess.”

“Why architecture?” Percy asked.

She shrugged. “Aesthetics, partly. I really enjoy aesthetic, design, and flow. Obviously, I do, or I wouldn’t be a dancer. But buildings can have all of those things too, just not in the same way.” She sipped her hot chocolate. “It’s also the opposite of dance. Buildings are static, and they’re so permanent.”

Percy nodded. The fleeting nature of ballet loomed over all of them. Most men could go until thirty-five at least, and a lot of women made it to forty, if not longer. But one bad injury could end a career in an instant.

“Do you want to be an architect when you retire?” He asked.

She shrugged. “Maybe, but that’s a hard career to start at forty. Knowing myself I’ll end up teaching or choreographing. I don’t think I could ever really leave it behind, you know?”

“You could design theaters.” He suggested.

She smiled at him like she had had the thought before. “Yeah, I could.” Her hand dropped out of her pocket and rested near his, but he didn’t feel courageous enough to take it. “What about you?” She asked.

“Oh, I have no idea.” Percy said. “I barely graduate high school.” He admitted. “College is not my speed, so I’ll probably linger in the ballet world as long as they’ll have me.”

She bumped him with her shoulder. “Come on, you have no ideas?” He shook his head. “Wildest dream? If a genie showed up right now and told you he’d give you your dream career, what would it be?”

“Well,” Percy said, “if I’m wishing for stuff, I’d just wish to be able to dance forever.”

“Alright that’s on me,” Annabeth said, laughing, “I set the bar too low.” She took his hand, and his breath caught. “Seriously, I won’t judge you.”

It was a hard question to answer. Percy had spent a lot of time in his training thinking about what he’d do if he didn’t get a company contract when his training ended. Teaching was one option, but he didn’t know if he’d like doing that if his own dreams had fallen through. With his poor grades, he always figured he’d just get a retail or restaurant job and try and work his way through management and dance on the weekends.

But if today were the day that he had to stop dancing …

“I guess I’d teach,” he admitted, “but I don’t know if I’d want to teach at the academy.”

“Why not?” She asked. They started walking out of the park and towards the street, wandering aimlessly through the West Village.

He had never really wanted to teach at the academy, he realized. Sure, the prospect of training a new group of kids who would go on to join City Ballet, Miami, Royal Ballet, Ballet West, and all the other big companies was exciting, but he was lucky to have had that education at all. So many things had to go right in his life to even make it into their ranks – a good ballet teacher off the bat, scholarship money, his mom marrying a man who had a savings account and cared about her son. Without any of those things, Percy wouldn’t have a career.

“I was on my own at the academy,” he said, “one of the only kids who started late and didn’t have great training before that. Most other kids were,” like you, he though, but he didn’t say it, “born lucky. They had exposure to ballet young, good training, and they never had to worry about how they were going to pay for things. I had to worry about that all the time. And I was still luckier than most.” He said. “Just think about how many talented kids there are just on my block alone that will never get my chance.” He looked ahead towards the street. The West Village had once a bohemian shithole, but (thanks in no small part to NYU), it had been gentrified into one of the most expensive areas in the city. “I guess if I could do anything I’d just try and help those kids. Don’t know how I’d do it, but that’s what I’d really like to do.” He told her. “I know it’s crazy.”

She stopped walking and pulled him to the side of the path, getting out of every one’s way.

“It’s not crazy.” She said.

For a moment on the edge of the sidewalk, hugging the wall of some coffee shop, neither of them moved. She looked at him, tilting her head up just slightly to look him in the eye. When she licked her lips slightly, Percy’s heart almost exploded, sure that she was going to lean in. But instead she broke the tension, turning back to the middle of the sidewalk to keep forward, dropping his hand.

“At least,” she said, not looking at him, “not as crazy as wanting to pivot to architecture.”

He jogged to catch up with her. “That’s not crazy either. Besides, if I know you at all, I know nothing will stop you from getting what you want.”

She smiled, looking down at the sidewalk as she walked forward. “Nothing stops you either as far as I can tell.”

“I am notoriously scrappy.” He said, pulling a laugh out her, which dissolved any remain uncomfortable tension while taking away any remaining hope of a kiss.

~*~*~

When they finally got too cold to stand walking around any longer, they ducked into a dimly lit pub.

“Do you ever just wish you had a job where you didn’t have to worry so much about what you ate and drank?” Annabeth asked him. They did eat a lot, of course. They both probably ate more than the average person, they just also had to eat way healthier than the average person.

“Pretty much every day.” Percy said. “Every time a season ends, I just crush a cheeseburger, first thing.”

Annabeth had been to the pub before, and guided Percy through some good options on the menu.

Their conversation stayed light – childhood stories, embarrassing moments, favorite TV shows. When Annabeth started to ramble about architecture being a universal language for people, and how The Hunchback of Notre Dame is actually all about the building, and how the novel saved the church, Percy couldn’t stop smiling. Her gaze was distant, but her eyes were bright. Percy was delighted to see her so happy.

When the check came, Annabeth grabbed it off the table before Percy could even reach for it.

“Absolutely not,” Annabeth said when Percy reached across the table. “You’ve done so much for me the last few days, buying you lunch is the least I can do.”

Percy didn’t protest anymore, instead just choosing to thank her for the meal. He hoped it wasn’t the last one they got to share together.

~*~*~

As the afternoon went on and the sun started to set, Percy realized he needed to go home. He didn’t want to leave Annabeth, but he also didn’t want to be wearing the same clothes for twenty-four hours.

“I can come back if you need anything, or if Luke comes around,” he said as they headed towards the subway.

Annabeth shook her head. “I should be fine. I think I’m going to call Piper or Silena and talk some things out with them.” You can talk to me, Percy wanted to insist. But he knew she was closer with them than with him, no matter what he wanted to be true.

“Call me if you need anything,” he told her. She nodded and promised she would.

They stood at the top of the subway stairs, doing their best to stay out of everyone else’s way, but that was almost impossible to do when you were standing still on New York City sidewalk.

“Percy,” she said looking up at him, “thank you. Seriously, thank you for everything.” She pulled him into a tight hug, burying her face in his shoulder. He wrapped his arms around her, trying to hold her even closer. Her hair smelled like lemons.

“Anytime,” he told her. He pressed a gentle kiss into the top of her head; if she noticed or minded, she didn’t show any sign of it.

Annabeth pulled away after a little too long (not that Percy minded) and smiled at him. “Get home safe,” she said, before turning to head towards her apartment.

~*~*~

Percy rested his head back against the subway window, grateful for a seat on his way back up town, trying to remember the way Annabeth’s hair smelled, and the ways her eyes lit up when she was excited.

He hoped that they stayed close when they weren’t dancing together anymore. The have to, he figured. They were friends now, not just coworkers or dance partners.

He knew from experience that performances come and go too quickly – a month of rehearsal just for four shows? It was almost unfair. Lee’s husband, a Broadway actor, had once complained about his eight shows a week schedule at a company party. Eight Sleeping Beauty’s a week was probably physically impossible, but Percy did sometimes miss doing six or eight ballets a week as an apprentice or corps member. He certainly wouldn’t pass up one or two extra performances of Sleeping Beauty if he had the chance. He wanted to hold onto it for just a little bit longer.  

~*~*~

The next morning, Percy woke up feeling like he was an astronaut on the moon, hearing the air leave his spacesuit, but he could not find the leak. He didn’t remember his dream, but his heart was beating hard and fast. He performed tomorrow, he remembered. He took a deep breath, but it didn’t do anything to calm his anxiety. Throughout his morning routine, of breakfast, palates, and stretching, he felt like he was the vice president of anxiety, and the president was nowhere to be found.

He had fleeting moments of confidence as a dancer – moments where he was sure he was good, that he was going to succeed, moments where, if he closed his eyes, he could swear that he was flying not just jumping. But mostly he would bag on himself for things he couldn’t do or didn’t do well. Those fleeing moments of confidence could be diminished by any small error.

He had to succeed. Part of it was vindictive – people had always underestimated him. But most of it felt like debt. His mother had sacrificed so much just to get him to dance practice and to keep him enrolled at the school. If he never made principal …

When he was eleven and his YMCA teacher told Sally that he should be in more advanced classes, Sally asked him if he wanted to continue ballet. Just say no, he had told himself, knowing that there was no way his mom could pay for all the lessons he’d need. It would hurt less to stop dancing at eleven than to make it all the way to fourteen or fifteen only to give it up then.

He had spent as much time in dance classes dancing as he spent worrying that at some point the rug would be pulled out from under him, and he’d lose it all. That there would be a point where he just couldn’t continue. He already spent most of his training playing catch-up with people who had been dancing since they could stand, and he always feared his career being stunted on the other side.

But when he was eleven, and he told his mom he wanted to stop dancing, he had called him on his lie. “If you want to do it, we will do what we have to do,” she told him. That meant he had to switch to public school and work jobs to pay for summer intensives and after-school classes. Even with all that, and his scholarships, it was Paul that made any of it possible. He’d gotten lucky; finally, some of that luck that seemed to grace some of the worst people finally trickled down to him and his mom. She had married a man with a savings account and love of the arts. He had no problem helping them pay for his summer intensives or his academy tuition.

He thought his meeting with Chiron at the end of his last year in the school. The year before, he had been encouraged to try out for other companies but told that an apprenticeship wasn’t out of the picture. When he got back to his apartment, he tried not to tell his mom, to keep it a secret and to work as hard as he could the next year to earn his spot.

He’d cried as soon as he saw her though; guilt and disappointment cut through his stomach and chest like a knife. Sally had tried to assure him that he wasn’t a failure, but that didn’t change any of his thinking on the issue.

When Nutcracker season came, and Percy wasn’t offered an apprenticeship, he figured that it truly was over. He had almost gotten to a point where he thought his entire dance career was over, until Lupa Lopez had called him back about his audition, and offered him a spot at Miami. His mom had let him have a glass of Champaign to celebrate.  

Chiron was less enthusiastic than his mother had been. When Percy told him the good news, he kept a straight face and asked, “Have you signed anything yet?”

“No.”

“Good, don’t.”

He was called into the office two days later. “Lupa and I have the same eye for dancers,” he said. “She’s taken some of my best away from me. So, it wasn’t surprising to hear that she was interested in you joining her company. She must see the same things in you that I see.”

Percy’s eyes went wide.

“You’re talented, Percy,” Chiron continued, “and disciplined,” that was the first time a teacher had said that about him, he realized. Chiron handed Percy a stack of a few papers. “And you should stay with City Ballet.”

It took Percy a moment to realize what he was looking at. His dyslexia only acted up when he got stressed. Finally, he deciphered it. “Wait … is this for real?” He was holding an apprentice contract with his name on it.

“Sorry for making you go on all of those auditions,” Chiron said.

Percy hadn’t even waited to get home to tell his mom. Instead, he found a quiet stairwell where he could tell her and cry with her. He thought she was going to break his ribs with how tightly she hugged him when he got home. “I’m just so happy,” she said, “that you don’t have to move to Miami.”

He was tired of barely succeeding – barely making it into the academy, barely getting an apprenticeship, barely getting leading roles. He wondered for a moment if she had these fleeing moments of confidence met quickly by self-doubt, before he remembered their last Diamonds rehearsal. Percy was terrified when she had stopped dancing, and he became more worried when he saw the frantic look in her eyes. She had broken, he realized; she had hit a level of doubt and pain that you can’t easily pull yourself out of.

He didn’t, Percy realized, have the luxury of breaking, though. If he left, there was no guarantee that his spot would be there when he came back. He could only bend.

Annabeth couldn’t break either. Percy could end up stagnant if the shows didn’t go well. If Annabeth broke again, though, her career could be over.

They both had to bend and bend far. Four shows, Percy realized, four shows to get it right. Just don’t forget the choreography, and don’t drop her. He told himself. And if you forget the choreography, just make it up.    

Luke had left a principal male spot open that Chiron still hadn’t filled. In a fleeting moment of confidence, Percy told himself You’re the perfect fit.

He felt like he was standing on the edge of a cliff, but he couldn’t see what was at the bottom. He was safe as long as he stayed on land. If he jumped, he could die, or he could land safely in the water. There wasn’t another way forward.

[blurry-fics]

Milkshakes: Part Three

Pairing: high school!Tyler Joseph x Reader

Warnings: Angst, family drama and arguments

Word Count: 2613

Request: Heyy could you maybe write part 3 of Milkshakes on the Tyler imagines one? That would be so cool :)

Author’s Note: As the title says, this is the third part of the milkshakes series! I recommend you read part one and part two first, but keep in mind I wrote them awhile ago so they’re formatted a little differently than the stuff I write now. Anyway, I hope you enjoy this one! :) (picture credit)

“The guests are going to be here in ten minutes! Are you going to be ready?” your mom called from outside the door.

“Hold on,” you groaned in the direction of your phone. “Yeah, I’ll be ready!”

“You’re wearing something nice, right?”

You rolled your eyes, “Yes, Mom.”

“Perfect. Thank you, sweetheart.”

You waited until you heard her footsteps in the hall downstairs before saying anything.

“Sorry about that.”

“No worries. Who’s coming over?” Tyler’s voice crackled as it came through your phone’s speakers. Ever since you had gotten your phone back a few days ago, you had been calling him every chance you got. You liked listening to his voice.

“She didn’t tell me, but I’m guessing it’s my aunt and uncle and their kids. They’re over here all the time.”

“Does that mean the plan is off?”

While stuck at home without your phone, you had spent a lot of time debating if you wanted to tell your mom about your new relationship with Tyler. It hadn’t been easy to come to a decision, but you ultimately decided you wanted to tell her sooner rather than later. You already knew that you wouldn’t let anything come between the two of you, so you might as well get it out in the open before you slipped up or told her out of anger. That would also mean you could tell Tyler’s family, who you knew would support the two of you no matter what. Maybe Kelly and Chris could even change your mom’s opinion about Tyler.

“No, they shouldn’t be over here too long. What if you come over at five? My family should be gone by then and if all goes well, you can stay for dinner.”

“Ok, I think I can make that work.”

“You sound nervous,” you said as you fixed a couple loose strands of hair.

“Listen, Y/N, it’s not really a secret that your mom doesn’t like me and I don’t want to be the reason you get in trouble again.”

“It’s going to be ok, Ty. I’m making the decision to do this and I’ll face whatever consequence she gives me. I would never blame you for whatever she does.”

“I trust you.”

The doorbell rang and Percy immediately ran up to your bedroom door, barking up a storm. You quickly walked over and scooped him up, scratching at his ears to get him to calm down again. Your heart sunk when you realized you would have to say goodbye to Tyler and go down to see the guests.

“They’re early,” you sighed, turning the phone off speaker and bringing it to your ear. “I need to go.”

“That’s alright. I’ll see you at five.”

“Ok. You can text me when you’re getting close, but I probably won’t be able to answer. You know how my mom is with phones.”

“Yes, I’m quite familiar,” Tyler laughed.

“Ok, see you later.”

“Good luck.”

You said one final goodbye before hanging up and slipping your phone into the pocket of your jeans. Percy was wriggling ferociously in your arms, eager to get downstairs and sniff the guests. After taking a few seconds to do a last minute check of your appearance, you set him down and opened your bedroom door. He took off down the stairs before you even had a chance to shut the door again.

“There she is!” your mom said as you started to walk down the stairs. “I was wondering when you were going to join us.”

You looked up with a smile, expecting to see your family members sitting with your parents in the sitting room. Your smile immediately faded away when you saw who it actually was. Sitting on the couch was Dave and his son, Matthew, the boy your mom had tried to set you up with at the charity dinner. They smiled at you as you walked into the sitting room.

“Sorry, had to finish up a phone call,” you said as you took a seat on the couch next to your dad, which was also conveniently close to Matthew. Your mom shot you a look for the phone call comment, but you only smiled.

“Y/N, I’m sure you remember my coworker Dave and his son, Matthew.”

“Of course I do. It’s nice to see you again,” you said. Your mom seemed pleased.

“It’s nice to see you too,” Dave smiled.

“You look nice,” Matthew added.

“Thank you.”

“We thought it would be nice for you and Matthew to have a chance to get to know one another better,” your mom chimed in. “It seemed like you two got along well at the charity dinner.”

He wasn’t the only one you had been getting along well with.

“Why don’t you tell them about yourself, Y/N?” you dad said, giving you a little nudge with his elbow. Your stomach flipped; he was usually on your side in these situations.

“Oh, um, well, I don’t really know what there is to say,” you laughed nervously.

“Of course you do,” your mom smiled.

“I mean, I’m a high school student, obviously. I like space a lot, you know, like stargazing and stuff? Also music. I have a lot of friends who are in the school band and one of my close friends actually writes music sometimes.” You could feel your mom’s eyes burning into the side of your head. “I don’t play anything myself, but I just enjoy the process and listening, obviously.”

“What do you listen to?” Matthew asked. He had mentioned playing piano, like Tyler.

“All sorts of stuff. It’s kind of hard to define,” you laughed.

“Yeah, I get that. I’m the same way,” he smiled. Maybe he wouldn’t be so bad… as a friend.

“Maybe you could play some music for Y/N sometime,” Dave said.

“That would be nice,” you said, putting on a polite smile. You would rather do anything else..

“What about your writing, Y/N?” your dad added.

“Oh, yeah, I do a lot of writing.”

“Original?” Matthew asked.

“Um, yeah. Mostly just short stories though, I haven’t worked up the courage to write a novel or anything.”

“Maybe I could read it sometime,” he said. You barely held back a laugh, not even Tyler was allowed to read most of the stuff you wrote and he was your best friend… boyfriend.

But nobody knew that yet.

“Maybe,” you smiled.

You were relieved when your dad started a conversation with Dave about something other than you and Matthew. Now that the attention was off you for a little while, you called Percy over and invited him into your lap. It was taking a lot of self control to not just reach into your pocket and grab your phone to text Tyler, but sending him a couple of texts wasn’t worth an hour long lecture from your mom.

Instead, you would count down the minutes until they finally left.

This was not going to end well.

It was nearly five and you were still sitting in the living room with Dave and Matthew with absolutely zero indication that they would be leaving anytime soon. Your dad and Dave had been going on about cars for at least twenty minutes now, and your mom had already invited the two of them to stay for dinner. They had accepted, of course.

Your feet were tapping against the carpet at lightning speeds, only releasing a fraction of the tension that you were feeling. There had been numerous times where you had tried to excuse yourself for a second so that you could text Tyler to call the whole plan off, but each time your mom had some counter for why you needed to stay exactly where you were. You hadn’t gotten off the couch for almost two hours now.

“Is there something outside?” your mom asked, drawing your attention away from the window.

“Just looking,” you said, forcing a smile. Tyler would be showing up any minute, and you still had no idea what you were going to do when he got here.

“So, Matthew, what do you plan to do after high school?” your mom asked.

Matthew started to talk about his plans to be an engineer, but your attention was quickly pulled away by the sound of Tyler’s truck pulling up against the curb. Your body immediately tensed as you listened for the sound of his car door.

“What about you, Y/N?” Dave asked.

“What?”

“What do you plan to do after high school?”

“Oh, well, I-”

Ding dong.

“Who is that?” your mom said, looking towards the door.

“I’ll get it,” you said, quickly setting Percy to the side and standing up.

“No, no, I’ll get it,” your dad said, putting a hand on your arm.

“It’s fine, Dad. I can-”

“Y/N.”

“Ok,” you sighed, sitting back down on the couch. Percy was happy to curl up on your legs again.

You held your breath as you waited for your dad to open the door. It was better him than your mom, but you were sure that he would still be less than pleased with Tyler crashing your little get together.

“Tyler!” he said, sending a chill down your spine. “I wasn’t expecting you. Why don’t you come in?”

Your mom shot you a look that conveyed every single emotion she was feeling. You turned away from her, feeling your face getting hot under her gaze.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize I was interrupting something.”

Tyler walked into the entryway, carrying a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He looked to you with wide eyes, silently asking you what was going on. You opened your mouth, but quickly closed it again.

“No worries! What brings you over here?” your dad asked, resting a hand on his back.

“I invited him,” you said, stepping in so that Tyler didn’t have to scramble for an answer. “I’m sorry, I didn’t realize our guests were staying for dinner.”

“And the flowers?” your mom asked, one eyebrow raised.

“Just a gift,” Tyler nodded.

“Well, it seems like we should be going,” Dave said, standing up. “It seems we’ve overstayed our welcome and we don’t want to interrupt… whatever is happening here.”

Your parents immediately started to try and mend the situation, but you slid past Matthew and grabbed Tyler’s hand, bringing him upstairs and away from everyone. There was some apologizing of your own that you needed to do.

“What was that all about?” Tyler asked once you were in the safety of your room. He gently set the flowers down on your dresser. “I thought you said they would be gone!”

“I thought they would,” you answered, pacing the length of your room. “I’m so sorry, Tyler. I wanted to warn you not to come, but my mom wouldn’t let me leave the room and then my dad insisted on answering the door. I never would have intentionally put you in a situation like that.”

Tyler was quiet for a moment, running his hands through his hair. “It’s ok. I’m just… embarrassed.”

“I’m really sorry.”

Tyler held his arms out and you wasted no time in embracing him. It felt nice to be close to him, especially when it meant that he wasn’t upset with you. You gave him a gentle kiss, just as an added apology.

“Are we still going to go through with the plan?”

“I have no idea.”

Downstairs, you heard the front door close. Not even a few seconds later, a pair of footsteps came stomping up the stairs and stopped right in front of your room. You quickly stepped away from Tyler and silently waved at him to get him to move away from you, just in time for your mom to swing the door open.

“Tyler, do you mind giving us a moment?” your mom smiled. You were sure you could see tiny little flames in her pupils.

“Yeah, I’ll be downstairs.”

Tyler carefully stepped past your mom and out into the hall. You listened for his footsteps to make it down the stairs, but your mom closed your bedroom door before he even made it to the landing. She had never looked so angry before.

“What was that all about?” she asked, nearly yelling but not loud enough for anyone else to hear.

“What was what about?”

“Tyler! What on earth is he doing here?”

“I invited him over here to hang out.”

“When you knew we had guests over?”

“I had no idea they were going to stay that long!” you said, throwing a hand into the air. “And besides, what good was going to come out of it anyway?”

“In case you hadn’t noticed, your father and I are trying to set you up with Matthew!”

“And who says I want to be with Matthew?”

“It doesn’t matter what you want!”

“See? This is exactly my problem!” you said, putting your fingers at your temples. “You’re so wrapped up in what you want for me that you don’t even see how unhappy you’re making me!”

“I’m your mother and I know what’s best!”

“No you don’t! Otherwise you would have seen a long time ago that Tyler is what’s best for me!”

Your mom looked taken aback by your statement. It took you a moment to realize what you had said. Just as you had feared, you had revealed your relationship in a moment of anger.

“What is that supposed to mean?”

“It means that Tyler and I are together, whether you like it or not.”

Your mom pressed her lips together until they turned white. You stood frozen in place, waiting for her to say something. Anything.

“Well?” you asked.

“Well what?” she snapped.

“Do you have anything to say?”

“No.”

“Alright.”

You brushed past her and walked downstairs. Tyler was sitting on the couch in the sitting room, your dad nowhere to be seen. He could be informed about your relationship later, as long as your mom didn’t get to him first. Right now, you needed to step away from the situation.

“Do you want to take Percy on a walk with me?” you asked.

“Is everything ok?”

“No.”

“Ok.”

Tyler stood up and got Percy on his leash while you laced up your shoes. By the time you left the house, your mom still hadn’t come downstairs.

“I told her,” you said, taking hold of Tyler’s hand. He squeezed it gently. “I didn’t mean to, but she was making me so angry that it just kind of slipped out.”

“You told her about us?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry… again. I know we were going to do it together.”

“It’s ok. If it needed to be said, then it needed to be said.”

Percy stopped and started to sniff around at some flowers. You took the advantage of not walking to step closer to Tyler and lean on his shoulder.

“I guess.”

“Did she say anything?”

“No, I think she was just trying to process what I had told her. I’m sure we’ll have some long winded discussion about it tonight once she’s sorted through all her feelings.”

“Hey, at least the hard part is over now.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” you said as Percy started to walk again. “And at the end of the day, you’re still my boyfriend.”

“That’s the important part, right?”

“Exactly.”

You turned and gave Tyler a kiss, already feeling better about the entire situation with his reassurance. Although you would still be stuck with your mom for another few years, if all went to plan then you would be with Tyler for a lifetime, and that was what really mattered.

[faunahudson]

Who: Fauna & Sawyer Hudson @sawyer-hudson

When: 8th December 2020

Where: The Hudson Apartment

What: Fauna and Sawyer fight over what happened between Finn and Alexis

Warnings: They yell at eachother? Negative Thoughts

Sawyer had felt anger bubbling inside him since speaking to Finn. He didn't care who it was -- even if it was Fauna's best friend -- he wouldn't let anyone speak to his brother this way. "You need to tell Alexis she's way too fucking out of line this time." Sawyer suddnely snapped at Fauna, surrounded by various fabrics and notepads for their upcoming ball, too angry to think about his tone in the moment. "She needs to learn people aren't her own personal play-things she can do what she wants with before she throws them away."

Fauna had been worrying her lip since they'd heard about Alexis and Finn's falling out, she felt bad that she'd continued to let Alexis not address her feelings. She should have sat the other girl down and helped her sooner, got her to talk things through or at least suggested that she talk about them with her therapist. She was about to express this, when Sawyer suddenly snapped at her. The submissive blinked, shocked that he had spoken to her in that tone. It made her feel odd inside, something stirring and her face went from surprise to anger very quickly. "Excuse me? I don't need to do fucking anything. It sounds like she's really hurting if she snapped at him like that. She's made it clear that the two of them are D/s and it's not her fault he's more involved. She's actually a very sensitive person."

A part of Sawyer wanted to apologise for the way he snapped, knowing his anger sometimes got the better of him, and he'd work on it better -- joining her in therapy, meditation, whatever seemed the best fit -- but he couldn't really think straight either, not when his brother was hurting so much all because of Alexis St. James, who people worshipped the ground she walked on because of the family she was born into. Who pretended she was better than her relatives, but turned out to be even worse. They were clueless, sure, but she was careless. "She made it clear?" He repeated, incredously, "She made it fucking clear? Fauna, she came to our house for Thanksgiving, she met our Mom, she let him take him on dates -- does that sound like just D/s shit to you? Or are you also thinking Finn's stupid for reading into it as something more?"

If he hadn't snapped at her maybe Fauna would have been able to think more clearly to admit Alexis' fault slightly, to have had the mature dicussion that they'd usual have. But he was being aggressive and she only knew two ways to deal with that, either she could go to Belfast zoo until he was done or she could fight fire with fire. And she couldn't go to Belfast Zoo without him anymore, Sawyer was not her father she did not cower before him. "You have no idea what they said to one another, you are just making assumptions. You just have it in your head for some reason that she was out to get him, when she's dated one person in the entire time you've known her. How dare you put words in my mouth, or hers. She came to your house because he invited her. You invited Rory, didn't mean he thought you were dating." She argued, standing hands on her hips.

"Yes but I am also not fucking Rory, am I?" Sawyer snapped, probably more harsher than he had meant to, but genuinely frustrated that she was either incidentally or purposefully not getting the point he was trying to make. "I know enough. About Finn, about Alexis, and about how she was bad news from day one! And, speaking of Rory," He said, letting out a mirthless bark of a laugh, "If it were him involved, would you even think of defending Alexis right now? Are you so fucking blinded by her, you're willing to ignore your own morals because she's a 'sensitive person'?"

"I really don't know who you think you're talking to if I'm fucking honest." Fauna snapped back. "You know shit all because I know shit all. How dare you say she was bad news from day one, you don't know her at all. I don't know where this weird vendetta against her has come from, people are allowed to have non romantic D/s relationships that if they want to and sometimes things get twisted. Because sometimes non romantic D/s can be committed, people get claimed into none romantic claims. Maybe Finn saw dates and Alexis saw getting to know one another. But you won't hear it for whatever fucked up reason." Fauna defended fiercely trying not to let tears bloom in her eyes at this fight she was having with her Dominant. "But Rory isn't involved is he? It's Finn, and you're the one who's fucking blind."

"I think I'm talking to my submissive who's being fucking stubborn about it all!" Sawyer yelled, throwing his hands up in defeat, annoyed at this aggravating argument, annoyed at the way Fauna was speaking to him, annoyed at how he was speaking to her most of all. "I don't have a weird vendetta against her, Fauna. I am just the only fucking person in this place who sees her for what she is. And yes, this is about Finn, my brother, who I will do anything to protect, and look after. And if he saw dates, it's on her for not correcting him sooner!" He stormed away, grabbing a random assortment of items; his keys, phone, momentarily considering his gym bag but too wound up to faff about with it. "I can't fucking do this, Fauna.  I can't." He said, his voice gruff, clenching his fists so he didn't do something idiotically stereotypical and irreparable, like punching the wall.

"You're not talking to anyone actually, you're yelling at me and nobody gets to yell at me." Fauna snapped back, tears starting to glisten in the corner of her eyes though she wiped them away angrily with the sleeve of her sweatshirt. "I can't fucking believe you just said that. You don't see anything and you assume everything. She's my best friend, my person and it's on him just as much as her because they're fucking adults Sawyer. He's not a damn child." She managed to get out, her heart clenching nastily as he picked up his things. The insecure girl inside her wanted to beg him not to leave, not to walk away from her when he was angry. Because she was scared, that if she let him go out of the door that he wouldn't come back. "Then don't do this." Was all she said, turning away from him.

Sawyer had a lot more to say, to scream, to yell. About how she let everyone yell at her and treat her like shit before he came along, Alexis included, about how he couldn't look out for his brother, but she could baby hers to give her peace at mind? About how she always had to be right and he never could. All of these horrible thoughts whirring weren't Sawyer, he reminded himself, his therapist's words in his head. They were manifestations of the feelings and emotions he had difficulty accepting, his own self-worth disappearing, a dark contortion of himself in his mind, taunting him in Tommy De Luca's voice about all he did was get angry and lose people. Fucking up and hurting others. You might as well say it, Sawyer, you've already lost her. Let her show the real you. Another voice, that sounded like Carole, tried to soothe him, to tell him he was valid in his feelings, but these thoughts were best to discuss in a calm manner than hurling at each other like bullets across the room. It felt like he and Fauna stared at each other in tense silence for years, and she eventually turned away from him. "I won't," He said simply, unlocking the door before turning back briefly. "This isn't a fucking movie, Fauna. This isn't some fantasy where the phrase hurt people hurt people means she's going to see the error of her ways and all is forgiven. Just because you consider yourself a fuck up doesn't give you the excuse to fuck things up. But I'm done. I'm fucking done." And with that, he slammed the door, probably intentionally he thought to himself, and stormed off to see Finn.

She waited. She waited for him just for a moment to grab her or tell her to get on her fucking knees. Because of course he could yell at her, of course he could tell her what to do. He was her dominant, and she was disobedient, and rude and all the things that Percy had accused her of being. But he didn’t, he didn’t demand her submission, he didn’t try to intimidate her he just told her that he wouldn’t do it. The nastier voice in her head, the one that sounded like Percy, like Harold, even like herself sometimes told her that it’s because he couldn’t be bothered with her. And the sad part of herself that had always bowed to those voices wanted to get on her knees to say she was sorry. But the other stronger voice told her that no, he couldn’t yell at her because Alexis had allegedly done wrong and he wasn’t allowed to talk about her friend like that. So she stood her ground, her heart aching because he’d never looked at her like that. She didn’t have a good response to what he’d said, but she also refused to let out the sob in the back of her throat until he was gone. When the door slammed behind him, she broke down. Sobbing in the middle of their stupid ball fabric. Tearing a stupid heart that they had cut out of her dress material off the board and throwing it at the wall. She had known this would happen somehow she told herself, she’d known that something was going to go wrong and she was right.

[everykindofnerd13]

“Okay so next, there’s,” Bianca was cut off by the newcomer.

“Wait!” He exclaimed grabbing her arm before they could leave the Hades cabin.

“What?” She asked.

“There are two floors right?” Bianca nodded.

“Uh, so can you show me the upstairs?” He asked her.

“No.” She answered simply and turned around.

“Ah! Why not?” He asked and she glared at him.

“You showed me the upstairs and all the other ones!” He complained. She sighed and shook her head.

“Artemis give me strength...” she muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose, “Nico’s room is upstairs.” She explained, hoping the curious kid would drop it.

“So this kid gets a room all to himself!?” He asked, as if it affected him.

“Yes he does, he lives alone in the cabin practically year round, the only other children of Hades being myself and Hazel. I am a Lady of the Hunt and therefore spend most of my time with them. Hazel is a daughter of Pluto technically and stays either in New Rome or at Camp Jupiter most the time. Plus Nico designed the cabin himself, and if there aren’t going to be people there year-round with him, why should he have to share a space with no one?” The kid’s eyes widened and he nodded quickly. Bianca nodded back and they started off toward the arena.

“Well, she handled that better than expected...” Percy muttered from his place in Nico’s lap where they were looking through the tinted windows down to where Bianca was talking to the kid. In reality, Percy and Nico weren’t yet out to the camp. Well, Nico was out as gay, and it was rather obvious that Percy was at least queer to everyone so there wasn’t anything really bad that could happen, but no one knew the two were dating but Nico’s sisters, their significant others, and the duo’s closest friends. That list consisted of Bianca, Hazel, Tyson, Thalia, Frank, Leo, Ella, Lou Ellen, Will, Cecil, Ethan, Alabaster, Jason, Reyna, Annabeth, Piper, Grover, Rachel, and lastly, and surprisingly Clarisse. But over the more recent years, Percy had grown incredibly close to the daughter of Ares, and both were very protective of eachother nowadays. Though their frankly aggressive and borderline toxic bickering never faltered.

“Yeah, she knows the feeling of having a terrible secret though...” Nico explained and Percy glared playfully.

“A terrible secret? Gods, Di Angelo, if I’d known you hated me I wouldn’t have entered a relationship with you.” He joked and Nico pouted and pushed Percy back onto his bed so that he could lay on top of the older demigod.

“Shut up Gattino, we both know I cherish our relationship immensely.” Percy smiled and began carding his fingers through Nico’s hair to soothe him. He knew it was true. Nico had been crushing on Percy for almost 5 years by the time they figured stuff out and got together. Nico treated Percy practically as if he were a god himself, which to be fair, he was. But so was Nico.

“Of course little vampire. I’m completely aware, it’s a wonder you haven’t instructed Annabeth to construct a temple for my worship.” He joked and Nico hummed on his chest.

“Maybe that would be a good idea, si?” Nico asked and Percy made a confused noise in the back of his throat.

“A temple, on my family’s property in Italia. Just for you. And just for me.” Nico said, causing Percy to laugh.

“Neeks, I love you, but you are a broke child and Annabeth does absolutely nothing for free.” Percy pointed out and Nico raised an eyebrow.

“Principe Marino, you are dating a fellow god, of not only Heroic deaths, but also,” Nico kissed Percy’s jaw, “Fortuna di Famiglia.” Nico pointed out and Percy had to laugh at himself. Right, of course, being a son of Hades, Nico was now the god of Heroic deaths and family fortune. Meaning, because of god magic, the money left to him by his grandmama would never run out.

“Well, Neeks, if you’re so rich and prosperous, maybe we should also construct a temple for my worshipment of you.” Percy suggested as he pulled Nico up to kiss his nose.

“Mmm, no, you’re the only one worthy of worship. You’re all tall and muscular and... hot!” Nico explained then sat up, straddling his boyfriend’s waist and lookin down at him.

“Oh?” Percy asked and Nico nodded pointedly.

“First off, you’re skin. It’s gorgeous, golden, sun kissed, beautiful. It’s clear and you’re pretty. Then your hair, which I love, is all fluffy and black and soft and messy, and you always look like you’ve just rolled out of bed.” Nico explained and Percy was blushing now. Nico ignored him and continued, “And you’re eyes, god! Percy your eyes!” Nico let out a downright dirty groan, “Perseus Jackson, you have the most beautiful eyes I have ever seen. They’re literally the color of sea foam, and they just remind me of the beach near my home in Venice.” Nico explained. Percy’s eyes softened and his heart swelled at the happy but mournful smile that spread across Nico’s features.

“Plus, not to mention, you’re built like a Greek god.” Nico joked and reached under Percy’s shirt to grope his boyfriend’s abs. Percy flushed and shoved Nico away to fall back on the bed.

“Well, Ghost King, you’re not much different, you’ve filled out since I first met you,” Nico laughed.

“I hit puberty Blu Bello,” he pointed out, which caused Percy to laugh.

“Well, you’re a hottie now Nico. You completely skipped the awkward phase and went from cute little kid to hot teenager in 6 months. You’ve got beautiful cheekbones that are quite honestly my weakness and you’re skin is so soft, and pretty and pale, and your hair is long enough for me to play with the ends when we kiss and you’re lips are super soft because they’ve never been used by anyone but me which is a great feeling. And you’re short. Which makes me feel good about myself considering we’re surrounded by Giants at this stupid camp.” Nico laughed and shoved Percy again.

“ Rude!” He shouted then pulled Percy down to his level and kissed him, the kiss slowly becoming more heated as time passed. After a while the boys were heavily making out, only to be rudely interrupted by Will Solace.

“Ew!” He shouted and shielded his eyes while Nico reluctantly and resentfully pulled away from his boyfriend to glare over at his bestfriend.

“Can I help you Solace? I’m kinda busy,” he complained. Will huffed and glared back at him while Percy flushed dark red.

“I’m here to swipe your water-bound boyfriend because there are some younger Hephaestus kids who want to go swimming but Beckendorf, Leo, and Jake are all busy and we know that none of the others are gonna leave the forges.” Nico groaned annoyed and fell forward onto Percy’s chest, wrapping his arms and legs around his boyfriend possessively. Percy laughed at his boyfriends antics and sat up, only for Nico to whine helplessly then flip Solace off.

“F**k you Solace, watch the fire brats yourself this is my boyfriend time.” Nico whined, still koala attaching himself to Percy who was sitting up with Nico in his lap, not even attempting to push the gremlin off.

“Whatever Di Angelo, I don’t like getting wet and you know it,” Will countered, earning himself a glare from Nico.

“Fine, if you manage, watch what I do next time I know you and Jake are enjoying your rare time alone together. I’ll march right up and start talking about how incredible Percy is, and you will only be able to focus on Percy while trying to make out with your boyfriend? How’s that gonna feel asshole?” Will sighed in defeat and sent Nico his patented mom look, expecting it to work like normal, but Nico stood his ground defiantly, which Will supposed was fair. Percy really enjoyed watching the kids so he had classes basically all day, this was his two hours without classes, aka when he spent time with Nico. Will shook his head defeated and left Nico’s cabin.

“Neeks,” Percy started to argue only for Nico to turn his glare on him.

“No, absolutely not, this is the only time of day that I get to have you all to myself because all of your friends are also busy and I’m not and you aren’t, I don’t wanna go down to beach and sit a respectable amount of room apart so that you can make sure no over eager kids who can’t wait until one of your life guard hours drown.” Percy sighed in defeat and pulled Nico back down on top of him to continue to kiss him heatedly, instantly brightening the ghost king’s mood. Nico hummed into the kiss and held onto his boyfriend like he was Nico’s lifeline.

After a few minutes, the boys were forced to break, again, when there was a knock at the door. Nico groaned in annoyance but Percy nudged him away to go answer the door. Nico huffed as he pulled away and looked in the mirror to fix his hair and clothes back. The knock came again but louder and Nico groaned again, but quietly and went to answer the door. Outside there was standing a decidedly uninvited demigod that Nico didn’t recognize.

“Can I help you?” He asked annoyed and the kid looked slightly intimidated. Typically Nico was reasonably nice to the kids at camp, but when they came knocking at his cabin door while he was obviously trying to be alone it was rather annoying.

“Uh, I was looking for Percy...” the kid muttered and Nico looked at him suspiciously.

“What do you want from him?” He asked quite rudely.

“Um, we wanted to go swimming and we kinda need him in order to do so.” Nico only glared at the probably 12 year old kid and huffed.

“Percy’s on his break right now, we’re in the middle of a board game, wait for another hour and we’ll be done and he’ll be back on his life guard duty.” Nico stated and the kid only swallowed and nodded. Nico returned to a grinning Percy who was waiting for Nico to return. The smaller demigod crawled into his boyfriends lap and began kissing his neck.

“Y’know, you should really be nicer to the younger campers,” Percy reasoned and Nico grunted in annoyance.

“They should really respect that you have to take breaks.” He countered and held onto Percy’s waist possessively as he kissed down to Percy’s collar bone.

“Hate to break it to you Ghost King, but I’m kinda a big deal around here.” Nico huffed in annoyance and leaned back to glare at his boyfriend.

“I am three seconds away from shadow traveling us to my room in the underworld,” Nico declared, causing Percy to snort and lean in to steal a chaste kiss. Which Nico quickly returned, and once again, the making out began.

And, once again, it was interrupted. It had gone on a little longer and to be fair it was more lazy, sleepy kisses, not full on handsy making out, but still, Nico was comfortable and enjoying Percy time.

“Nico Di Angelo I swear I’m gonna set you on fire if you treat my campers like that ever again!” Leo marched up Nico’s stairs loudly and angrily. He was met by a sight he probably could have lived without. Nico Di Angelo curled up on Percy’s chest, peppering kisses over his face.

“Leo Valdez if you enter my cabin and interrupt my Percy time like that ever again I will raise the cesarean army on you, what do you want?” Nico was becoming genuinely angry and at this point, raising the cesarean army didn’t sound like too bad an idea.

“I heard you grilled one of my campers,” Leo said, crossing his arms.

“You’re all fire-proof, it doesn’t matter if I grill any of you, but you’re right, he came here, only minutes after Will requesting to steal my Percy during my Percy time, and during Percy’s well deserved break so give your campers something to do other than swim for another 30 minutes while I enjoy cuddling with my boyfriend,” Nico was glaring daggers into Leo’s eyes who huffed in annoyance but left the cabin hastily.

“You’re so cute when you’re angry,” Percy purred as he pet Nico’s hair.

“You’re so cute when you’re not overworked,” Nico countered turning back to Percy.

“Mm, that’s fair,” he agreed and placed a soft kiss on Nico’s lips.

“I know it is Gattino,” Nico stated fondly and leaned into Percy’s chest to get comfortable. He continue pressing kisses all over Percy’s neck, only for a knock to sound at the door, which Percy nearly laughed at. Nico growled and tightened his hold on Percy, then proceeded to shadow travel them to his room in the underworld. Percy laughed as they hit the silky sheets.

“Nico, we can’t just stay here,” Percy reasoned and Nico shook his head.

“We can, and we will until further notice, you’re resting, I’m kissing, and we’re both trying to enjoy ourselves but people keep interrupting, so this is me, preventing that.” He then summoned Ms. O’ Leary and stationed her at his door to chase any of his family members who may try to invade his room away.

“I love you...” Percy muttered softly and kissed Nico, which Nico smiled at.

“I love you too.” With that he collapsed onto Percy’s chest and continued pressing kisses to Percy’s neck, while letting himself and Percy slowly fall into a slumber.

This time they were awoken by Melinoe, one of Nico’s half sisters.

“Nicolai!” She shouted, causing him to jump out of his sleep.

“It is 11 pm you stupid boys, you two have missed dinner and the bonfire and the Harpies are out.” Nico sighed in defeat and looked down at his sleepy boyfriend, he realised he didn’t really feel guilty, Percy needed sleep, and if taking him to the underworld had brought it, so be it.

“Fine fine, we’ll go, sorry Meli!” Nico exclaimed and grabbed Percy. He quickly shadow travelled them to Nico’s cabin and they both burst out laughing before Percy gasped.

“Did she say 11!?” He asked terrified.

“Oh shit, I’m sorry Perce...” Nico mumbled, feeling awful for accidentally pulling Percy from all his responsibilities.

“Well, Neeks, it’s not your fault we fell asleep or that we kept getting interrupted, I don’t blame you, I just wish we would have remembered.” Percy muttered as he pulled Nico up to cuddle him.

“Mm, still sorry, I’ll leave you alone tomorrow,” Nico explained and curled up to Percy.

“You most certainly will not, we’re eating lunch together and you’ll be waiting in your cabin as always tomorrow when I have my break, and we’re gonna cuddle and kiss and enjoy our time, and I’m not gonna drop you to go watch kids swim at the lake. Then I’m gonna go back to my job and then we’re gonna sit down and eat dinner together then watch Disney movies together and then you’ll shadow travel me back to my cabin we’ll go to sleep and repeat the cycle,” Percy was very demanding with his list of the routine the two boys had been retaining for the past few months.

“Okay, sounds good to me,” Nico agreed, snuggling into his boyfriend’s chest.

“Everyone’s gonna be stressed out tomorrow since we weren’t here before lights out,” Percy pointed out and Nico hummed in agreement.

“You wanna go tell Chiron or Annabeth?” Nico asked and Percy hummed.

“We should probably tell Annie, Chiron’s probably with the herd.” He suggested and wrapped his arms around Nico’s shoulders so they could shadow travel. After a few seconds the demigods were in the Athena cabin next to Annabeth’s bunk.

“Annie?” Percy asked as he knelt down next to her. She stirred slightly, and her brows furrowed before her eyes slowly fluttered open. She immediately sat up and wrapped her arms around Percy’s neck in a desperate hug.

“You’re not allowed to just disappear!” She whisper-shouted as she shoved him away and pointed at Nico.

“And you aren’t either! Will was so stressed!” She was still whisper-shouting and Nico’s ears heated up in embarrassment.

“I- we didn’t mean to, I got angry because we kept on getting interrupted so the fourth time someone came knocking on my cabin door, I just got fed up and brought us to the Underworld, then we fell asleep and Melinoe woke us up at 11 and I’m sorry!” Nico was apologizing a lot. He cared about Annabeth and Grover’s opinions the most, those were Percy’s oldest and best friends, and he didn’t want them to hate him.

“It’s fine Nico, really, I understand wanting alone time, you just had all of us a bit spooked, and when Hazel found out from Leo that you were missing too she got really stressed out so Leo’s at Camp Jupiter with her and Frank and you should go let her know.

“Yeah, okay, Perce you coming with me? I feel like we’ll need to calm Leo’s nerves too.”Percy nodded hastily and took Nico’s hand, quickly leaving a peck on Annabeth’s forehead before Nico shadow travelled them to Camp Jupiter.

They landed in the living room of Jason And Reyna, and Hazel and Frank’s shared home. Percy placed a chaste kiss on Nico’s lips then started pulling him back towards Hazel and Frank’s room.

They let themselves in to find Hazel and Frank snuggling with Leo nestled between them. Nico approached the bed and lightly awoke Hazel.

“Haze?” He asked softly as she began to stir. She slowly rolled over, her eyes half lidded, before they brightened at the sight of Nico.

“Nico!” She jumped up to embrace him, also stirring Leo and Frank. Leo immediately also jumped up to hug Percy tightly. Frank just rose slowly to look at his lovers adoringly. Nico enjoyed pretending to be protective of Hazel, but her boyfriends were both so good there was really no reason to try and be protective. He trusted them.

“Don’t go disappearing like that!” Hazel exclaimed and swatted Nico’s chest.

“I’m sorry! We fell asleep at the palace!” Hazel narrowed her eyes.

“What were you doing in the underworld in the first place?” She asked annoyed. Nico huffed and rolled his eyes.

“Well, if we hadn’t been rudely interrupted by Will, then some random Hephaestus kid, then Leo, then someone else, I wouldn’t have been annoyed enough to even leave camp, but if I’m trying to enjoy my time with Percy, I want to do it without interruption so whatever!” Percy laughed because Nico was already very defensive of the subject.

“So that’s why Beckendorf couldn’t get to you guys!” Leo exclaimed and Nico rolled his eyes.

“Yes Leo, THATS why Beckendorf couldn’t get to me, because I was trying to enjoy my cherished time with Percy the same way you guys try to enjoy your time with eachother,” Leo looked down guiltily. Hazel was able to summon a Hell Hound whenever she wanted, so she could come see Leo whenever she wanted, on top of that, they were all out to the camp as Poly and in a relationship. But Percy and Nico were only out to their closest friends so it wasn’t like Nico could just go up to Percy and kiss him between their shifts or duties, they had to plan time to be together.

“Sorry...” Leo muttered and Nico huffed.

“Don’t apologize, guilt doesn’t look good on you, and I don’t really particularly mind because that was the least stressful I’ve woken up before, so hush,” Nico was being very persistent about no one feeling bad and then he was reminded that Will was one of his bestfriends, a total mother hen, and was probably worried sick. Nico groaned and fell back onto the couch in the trio’s room.

“Neeks?” Percy asked as he watched his boyfriend collapse.

“Will’s probably at Camp Halfblood having a fucking panic attack because I disappeared!” He sighed, then looked lovingly at Percy, then glanced at the others and slowly stood.

“What’s up Nico?” Hazel asked as he came and sat down again.

“You guys are all so good! Gods! Why can’t you just hate me for being annoying! For avoiding you! For grilling you! Why can’t you just resent me! If everyone hated me, peopling would be some much less stressful!” Percy laughed and scooped Nico up off the bed and placed a chaste kiss on his lips.

“Neeks, that’s what friends are all about, being worried when you aren’t where you’re supposed to be, because we love you,” Percy nuzzled Nico’s hair and the shorter demigod only huffed.

“You two are disgustingly cute,” Leo pointed out from where he was laying against Frank with the larger man’s arms around his waist. Nico rolled his eyes and glared at the son of Hephaestus.

“Oh yeah, any chance I get,” Percy confirmed easily, which made Hazel laugh then look at her brother.

“You can go,” she said, then grabbed Nico’s hand, “check in with Will, make sure the poor boy isn’t having a panic attack, then I cannot let you do anything further, you must go to sleep, no matter how good you’ve gotten at shadow traveling, doing so at great distances is not good for your health, and you will immediately shadow travel back to your own cabin, with Percy, and sleep.” Hazel was very serious about Nico’s health, maybe not as much as Will, but still serious.

“Okay, I’ve got it, love you Haze,” He hugged his sister, let Percy hug Leo, then waved them all goodbye and they were off. After a bit, they landed in Will’s cabin and once they were both stable, Nico gave up and just leaned into Percy, Hazel was right, shadow traveling between realms and across countries was really draining. Percy rubbed his back comfortingly and turned to Will’s bed, only to find it empty. He sighed and looked at Nico, who staring seriously at the bed. He sighed as well, and hugged Percy around the middle to travel the couple of meters to the Hephaestus Cabin, where no doubt Will would be.

Which of course, they were right, Will was sleeping with Jake in the Hephaestus kid’s bed, curled up to his boyfriend happily. Nico laughed at his friend but still leaned into Percy, feeling absolutely drained to the max.

“Will?” Nico whispered softly, slowly stirring Will from his sleep.

“Nico!” Will whisper shouted as he pulled the son of Hades away from his boyfriend and into a hug.

“Why do you look so tired? Have you two been fighting monsters?” Will sat up fully and pushed Nico down next to him.

“No Will!” Nico shoved Will’s worrying hands away and leaned toward Percy.

“Nico’s been shadow traveling a lot...” Percy explained and Will’s eyes narrowed.

“Really Coco?” He asked and Nico glared angrily at the stupid nickname.

“Will, really, I’m fine, I’m just tired,” he sighed loudly and made grabby hands at Percy. As much as being small sucked, having a tall boyfriend meant that he could be easily lifted up.

“Nico got a bit annoyed after four interruptions and shadow travelled us to his room in the underworld,” Percy was rubbing Nico’s back lovingly, “then we came back and I panicked and he brought us to Annie, only for her to recommend we went to see Hazel, and we did and Nico realised you’d be worried sick so we came back then you weren’t in your cabin and now we’re here.�� Percy kissed the top of Nico’s head and the son of Hades sighed dreamily, leaning into his boyfriends touch like it was a life line. Will let his gaze soften at his bestfriends happiness. Nico deserves what he wanted, and Percy had been what he wanted for years.

“Well, I, as the head doctor, prescribe a good nights rest, and a full day of Percy cuddles. I’ll make up an excuse for you two, and I’ll let the others know, just stay in tomorrow, cuddle up, watch some movies, love you Neeks,” Will kisses Nico’s forehead and pushed him all the way into Percy who laughed.

“How about we get Mrs. O’Leary?” He asked and Nico nodded wildly quickly summoning the Hell Hound then giving Will a kiss on the cheek good bye and rushing out of there as fast as he could. Mrs. O’Leary brought them to Nico’s cabin Percy easily carried Nico to the half-Hades’ bed. They collapsed into it and Percy curled around Nico while Mrs. O’Leary climbed up and curled around the both of them.

——————————————————————————

Nico awoke feeling completely recharged at around noon the next day, Percy was gone, but Mrs. O’Leary was still curled around Nico, and he sighed in bliss.

“Percy?” He called, and was answered by his cabin door opening. He sat up against Mrs. O’Leary subconciously leaning into her and also covering her.

“Coco?” He heard Will call and Nico let out a breath he didn’t know he was holding. In walked Will with a tray of what looked like blue cookies and a glass of pomegranate juice. Of course, his favorite juice and something personally made by Percy.

“Hey Will-I-Am,” Nico greeted, then yawned, “where’s my Sea Prince?” He asked after a few seconds and Will laughed while he set down the tray on Nico’s bedside table.

“He’s at his mom’s house, says he’s got a surprise for you there, but he should be back soon, don’t worry,” Will explained as he handed Nico the plate of cookies and the glass. Then he picked up the rag and dunked it in what looked like cold water then set it to the side. Nico looked at him wearily as he ate his cookies. Will tended to be a little overbearing luv caring at times, like acting as if exhaustion was a fever.

“Will!” Nico whined as Will pulled a thermometer out of his pocket.

“Nicolai!” Will swatted at Nico’s hands and stuffed the thermometer in his mouth.

“You will sit here and accept my mother henning because you hopped twice between realms and twice across the country and you will now accept my making sure you’re okay because exhaustion can result in fevers and sickness.” Nico sighed and laid back, letting Will dab his forehead with the wet cloth then when the thermometer beeped he pulled it out of Nico’s mouth and set it to the side.

“You’re temperature is normal,” he stated then under his breath, “for a child of Hades,” then back to normal volume, “and you may continue as I planned with a day of cuddles and relaxation. I said that you two got into a mess with Melinoe and Makaria, so you had to go to the underworld and now you’re both allowed to rest for the day,” Nico smiled at his friend as Will leaned in to press a kiss to Nico’s forehead.

“Thanks Will,” Nico said regrettably.

“Aw, any time Neeks, I love you, you’re my best friend, it’s what you deserve,” then Will stood and left while Nico fell back into his Hell Hound and turned to bury his face in her fur. He let her warmth consume him and brighten his mood even further as he slowly finished his cookies and pomegranate juice.

“Nico?” Percy called and Mrs. O’Leary lifted her head in excitement, jostling Nico.

“I’m here Percy!” Nico called back and as Percy emerged from the stairs Nico saw a broad smile on his lips.

“Okay, sorry I wasn’t here when you woke up, I have you something,” Percy held up a bag that Nico recognized from that time Annabeth and Katie had forced them to take one of the Arts and Crafts classes and they made bags with eachother. They actually enjoyed seeing and had made a few more bags together since, but this one was the first they’d made together. It was a view of the ocean against an extremely starry sky.

Nico was pulled from his thought by the smell of distinctive Italian food. His mother’s. Tears sprang to his eyes as he looked lovingly at Percy.

“Nico!?” Percy called concerned as he rushed to the bed faster, dropping the bag on the night stand and landed on the bed pulling Nico into a tight hug.

“You are the most amazing incredible awful human being I’ve ever met,” He muttered while laugh-crying into Percy’s chest. That caused Percy to let out a relieved huff of a laugh.

“Why?” He asked.

“Because you perfect boyfriend went all the way to your mom’s apartment so you could make my mom’s lasagna recipe with her.” Percy’s eyes widened and he nodded quickly.

“Of course Neeks, you were so tired last night I thought you deserved a treat, and you talk about your mom and grandma’s cooking so often I thought...” Nico knocked the air out of Percy as he tackled him into the bed and hugged him tightly while pressing a kiss to his lips. He felt Percy smile into the kiss as he wrapped his arms around Nico’s waist

“You, Perseus Jackson, are the best thing that has ever walked into my life.” He muttered against Percy’s lips causing a bright blush to rush to Percy’s cheeks.

“You, Nico Di Angelo, deserve the best,” he answered. And Nico smiled as he sat up, straddling Percy’s waist. He grabbed the bag of food and pulled it into his lap as Percy sat up as well, keeping Nico on his lap. Nico pulled out four tupperwares and a bottle of sparkling white grape juice. He smiled at the bottle then looked at Percy with an amusing smirk.

“We better be careful, if Mr. D find outs we have a bottle of “non-alcoholic wine” he’ll throw a hissy fit.” He joked and Percy smiled, pulling out two wine glasses.

“Well, it’s a good thing people have decided to leave us alone then.” He agreed and settled to pour them both a glass of juice.

[bobasheebaby]

Unforgiven- Crimson Rain chapter 15

Pairing: Bastien x Liza; Liam x Raven

Word count: 3,434

Warnings: fluff, angst, manipulation, character death

Summary: Someone causes trouble.  

A/N: A smidge of fluff and then shit hits the fan. I’d apologize, but no one would believe me. If you want to listen to the songs that fueled this chapter Smile by Uncle Kracker, Final Warning by Skylar Grey, Monster by Beth Crowley (god is this song so Madeline this chapter, oops) and Monster by Imagine Dragons

Series warnings: Mobster AU, there will be violence, and death. Possible NSFW to come. Possibly dark and deals with pregnancy loss. If you ask to be tagged you acknowledge you are at least 18 years of age.

Let me know if you want to be added or removed from the taglist.

Disclaimer: I own my OC’s, the rest I’m simply borrowing from PB for a bit.

Present day; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:

Liza felt like she was floating on a cloud, still overcome with joy over what transpired in the last forty-eight hours. She pulled her phone from her purse as she settled back into the plush seats of the SUV, Buttons laying with his head in her lap. She opened her messaging app, her finger hovering over a name she desperately wanted to push, she clicked another name, smiling as she typed out the words.

Liza: Guess who just got married!

She smiled as she watched the dancing dots.

Percy: Without me?! I’m wounded!

Liza giggled as she envisioned him clutching his chest, his face etched with mock hurt.

Liza: Oh calm down! We eloped. Only Liv was there… well and our new puppy Buttons.

Her smile grew as she scrolled through the pictures, selecting one where Liv pretended to be annoyed, but her smile proved she was just as overjoyed as everyone else. Elvis stood between Liza and Olivia, striking his signature pose, Buttons cradled in Bastien’s arms by her side.

Percy: You were a beautiful bride.

She blushed at the compliment.

Liza: Thank you.

Percy: For telling you you’re beautiful or calling Bastien to tell you where you were hiding?

Liza: Everything.

Percy: I hate to ask, but does your dad know?

She frowned as she bit her lip. She wanted to tell him with every fiber of her being, but she refused to allow his disappointment to pop her happy bubble.

Liza: No, you know how he feels, he won’t ever accept that I’m happy.

Percy: I’m sorry kitten.

Liza: Don’t be, at least I have you I can count on.

Percy: Anytime kitten, & congratulations.

She smiled as she closed out of the app, tucking her phone back in her purse. She turned her head, smile growing wider as Bastien took her hand in his squeezing it gently.

“Telling your dad the good news?”

“No, you know he wouldn’t be happy for us, I don’t want his negative energy to ruin things for us.” She shook her head, refusing to allow her smile to drop from her face again. “I was telling Percy, he says congratulations, and pretended to be hurt he wasn’t invited.”

“He could have had my invite.” Olivia quipped from her spot up front. “I mean cheesy Vegas Elvis wedding, no thank you.”

“Oh Liv, stop pretending you hated it, I saw you smile, and cry. Besides you would have been pissed if you weren’t there.”

“Whatever you have to tell yourself.” Olivia said as she rolled her emerald eyes towards the heavens, still unable to conceal the smile on her lips. At least I’m up here so they can’t see my face.

Bastien stifled a chuckle as Liza mouthed ‘she’s in denial’. An unfamiliar ringtone broke through the mostly silent car. “Hope.” Bastien said sliding his phone from his pocket.

Hope. Oh shit! Regret engulfed Liza, coiling around her body squeezing her tightly. How could we forget Hope? What a great start to being her stepmother. First I run out in tears and then we exclude her. She was pulled from her thoughts by Bastien’s gentle squeeze of her hand, her hazel eyes meeting worry filled grey. “Hmm?” Did I miss something he said?

“I need to go to Trenton after I drop Liv, Buttons and you home.”

“Why?” Concern etching her features.

“Hope called, something happened, I’m not sure what she was too panicked to understand fully but I need to make sure she’s okay.”

“I’ll come with you.” The words jumped out of her mouth without thought, though she felt sure of her decision.

“Are you sure? Last time—”

“Last time I was in a bad place. I’m not saying I’m perfect, but I’m doing much better now that I’m not hiding our losses from you.”

“I’m glad you finally trusted me.”

She grimaced, it’s not that she didn’t trust him, she just didn’t want to burden him with the pain. “Me too.”

Present day; Trenton, New Jersey: 

Two weeks ago:

Madeline paced her room, hastily grabbing clothes, tossing them haphazardly into an open suitcase on her bed. “How could he keep this from me? He wanted me to lead Liam to take down Bastien I needed to know Emmaline survived!” She glared at the man standing the door waiting to escort her out of her home. Who the hell does he think he is throwing me out like this?! I will show him! She wasn’t taking this lying down, she refused to be made to look the fool. She was promised she would be by Liam’s side and she would do anything it took to take it from that ungrateful bitch who stole it from her.

She slammed her suitcase shut, angrily zipping the lid. She grabbed the bag roughly, her heels clicking loudly as she stomped to the door. “I can see myself out, thank you!” She said as the low level soldier tried to lead her out, taking offense that Liam thought so little of her. I will be back and I will win Liam, I will be your wife!

Now:

It had been weeks since her mother accidentally revealed that she was the one who had actually pulled the trigger that took Emmaline from Liam. She had never felt more confused in all her life, she wanted her to pay, but at the same time it was her mom and what would be gained in both of them losing their mothers. She couldn’t help but wonder if her mother would have kept the secret till she died had she not overheard their conversation about Emmaline.

She knew as hard as it was on her it had to be even harder in Liam, he needed to prove he was the right man to head the Rhys family, and that meant dealing with Mara. She was aware that the decision was also weighing heavily on him and she knew it wouldn’t be if it were anyone else, and if he hadn’t wrongly gone with Bastien. He couldn’t afford another misstep, but he also needed to show he could take action. She hated that she was part of the reason that was making it tougher on him to decide what to be done.

Raven nervously chewed her lip as realized what she needed to do. She always knew deep down, on some level what she had to do. She needed to remove herself from the equation, if she didn’t Liam would never be able to do what he needed to without a guilty conscience.

Mind made up, she headed towards Liam’s study to tell him he needed to act as if she wasn’t involved. It was the only way he’d be able to handle the situation, he couldn’t be worried about her and her feelings if they were to ensure that Mara paid for what she had done to Emmaline.

“Liam, can we speak for a minute?” Her voice soft as she entered the study. If she didn’t say it right away she knew she might not ever.

“Hello love.” He smiled, but it didn’t meet his eyes. He motioned for her to sit down, the weight of his decision showing in his tired face.

Raven gave her own forced smile as she sat. “I think you should do whatever you need to with my mother. Don’t worry about me, I won’t fault you for whatever you choose. What she did was wrong, she never thought of anyone but herself in any of her actions. She’s the reason I was ever threatened, and she made her choice out of self protection. She knew Emmaline would be stopped but she only worried about her own position. So I want you to do what is needed and I promise we will be fine.”

Liam looked at her in awe, trying to decipher how she could be so calm and strong. “Thank yo—” The phone rang cutting off his words. “Hello?” His brow furrowed and his face contorted in pain as he listened to the voice on the other end. He silently hung up, his head hanging in disbelief. “My mother, she’s gone.”

The morning before:

Madeline moved swiftly down the halls, her heels clicking against the cool polished linoleum. She managed to talk her way into the details she needed, her name still held some weight, even if Liam didn’t see it. I’ll teach him to underestimate me and push me aside.  She stopped outside the door, smoothing down her dress and painting her face with remorse and worry, while inside she could feel the anger churning in her veins waiting to erupt in a fiery rage. She pulled a large diamond ring from her bag, slipping it in on her finger as a small smile played on her lips. She twisted the knob, pushing the door open. “Oh, Emmaline, I just heard.”

Hope jumped up from her seat by her sleeping mother’s side, her textbook falling to the ground. “Who are you?” Her fingers inched towards the call button.

“I’m Madeline, you’re soon to be sister in law.” She raised her hand, diamond sparkling as it caught the light.

Hope’s face twisted in confusion. “What are you talking about? What happened to Raven?”

“Oh dear? Is she at it again? She’s convinced she’s Liam’s girlfriend and that he loves her. It’s sad really. She’s loved him since we were children, but I’ve been his betrothed for years. Except every time we try to get married she somehow finds out and stops the wedding. We’ve tried having her committed but her mother always has her released. And now she’s gotten you fooled too?” She painted her face with mock concern, she could sell this, just a little more. “Oh my poor dear. I would have been here sooner but I’ve been abroad, my own dear mother is gravely ill, I’ve barely been able to leave her side. But I’m sure you understand.”

Hope nodded in agreement, her head spinning, Raven had seemed so sincere, but how else would Madeline know?

“Did she try anything? Please tell me she didn’t! I’d be beside myself if anything happened to Emmaline. She was like a second mother to me, when I finally heard she was alive and Liam had a sister I had to come! I still can’t believe he did this to her.”

“Who?” The words flew out of her mouth before she could stop them. She’d been wanting answers all her life, maybe she’d finally learn the truth she’d been searching for.

Madeline turned, carefully concealing her smirk. “Constantine.” Her hand flew to her chest. “Oh dear, don’t tell me they kept you in the dark. It was well known that Constantine had Mara, Raven’s dear mother kill Emmaline, although he allowed it to be spread that it was her jealous lover. Had I known she was alive all this time!”

Hope sank to her seat, tears pooling in her eyes. “H—he knew? Liam really knew?”

Madeline closed the distance resting a comforting hand on Hope’s shoulder. “I’m afraid so. The only person who didn’t know who really did it was your father. Constantine tried to disgrace him and most everyone fell in line. Liam learned the truth at a young age, we both did, in training to take over for Constantine. I guess he didn’t want you to hate him because of his father. I truly thought he’d tell you.”

Hope looked up through tear filled grey eyes, missing the smile threatening to break across Madeline’s face. “Th—thank you for telling me the truth. Can you come back, maybe later after I’ve had the chance to process?”

“Of course, anything for my dear sister in law to be.” Madeline’s smirk grew as she shut the door, Hope’s sobs filtering through the door. She slipped off the large diamond, depositing it back into her purse. Oh, I will be back, but when no one is here to stop me. She smiled as she passed the young orderly in green scrubs, his hungry gaze boring into her. Ugh. He’s a means to an end, the position I deserve, the place I’m owed. Just a few more hours and she’d have Liam exactly where she needed him.

Two years ago; Trenton, New Jersey- Constantine/ Madeline:

Madeline was fuming, her heels clicking as she paced the study. “I can’t believe you just sat there and let him call it off!”

Constantine sat back in his chair, an unnerving sense of calm coiling around him. “Patience Madeline, he will fall in line.”

Madeline spun, her eyes flashing with fury. “No! I’ve had enough with being patient! I. Want. What. I. Was. Promised. I have waited for him to fall in line for four years listening to you placate me, no more!”

Constantine’s blue eyes narrowed, his fist coming down on his desk causing Madeline to jump. “Enough! I would kindly remind you who you are talking to and disrespecting, yes you were promised Liam’s hand, and you shall have it. He will fall in line or he will learn of his girlfriends mothers involvement in his mother’s death, with a few omissions on my part.” Madeline opened her mouth to speak, stopping as he raised his hand, palm facing her. “But, if you ever have another outburst like that towards me, you will get nothing. Understood?”

Madeline’s hands clenched in fists at her side, before she released them. “Fine!” I can’t wait until he’s dead and the real plan can start.

Present day; Trenton, New Jersey: 

Early Morning:

Madeline smirked as she carefully slipped from the supply closet undetected. She straightened her scratchy polyester green scrubs with a look of distaste. It’s a means to an end. The phrase becoming her mantra with every task she had to endure that she found beneath her. In the end, it will all be worth it when I’m at my rightful place.

She carefully navigated the quiet halls. Shift change, I should have just enough time to do this and slip out without being spotted. She patted her scrub pocket, ensuring the syringe was there. Just a few more minutes and everything will be on its way to being the way it’s supposed to be.

She slipped into the darkened room, moving through the room towards the bed without making a sound. She smiled down at Emmaline’s sleeping form. “Oh Emmaline, if only things could be different but this is the only way to make your son fall in line.” She pulled the syringe from her pocket, a devilish gleam in her clover green eyes as she uncapped the thin needle. She carefully pulled up the sleeve of Emmaline’s top, exposing her upper arm. “This won’t hurt.” Her smile grew. “Well me, it will hurt you a lot.” She drew back her arm a few inches, pinching the skin with her other hand, her arm came down, needle piercing the skin. Emmaline’s eyes shot wide open as Madeline pushed down on the plunger.

Emmaline’s mouth dropped open in question, fear quickly filling her eyes as she felt her fingers go numb, she drew her arm up only for it to fall back to her side like dead weight. What’s going on? Panic set in around her heart as she struggled to move, to breathe. Why can’t I breathe? Every breath was a hard and painful gasp. Who would do this? She tried to glance around the room for help, but she was still, motionless, trapped in her bed with no way to call for help. I’m going to die and I can’t scream.

Madeline’s sadistic smile grew as she watched the panic set in on Emmaline’s face. She remained quiet, watching until Emmaline’s body went limp, dead chestnut eyes staring up at her unseeing. She carefully closed her eyes, making her appear to still be in a peaceful sleep. She slipped from the room, retracing her path back out of the nursing home, smug smile on her lips. Let’s see you say no to me now. It was only a matter of time before she finally received all she was promised, all she was owed.

Now:

Liza worked to force the nervous feeling bubbling up from the pit of her stomach back down as she walked through the familiar doors. Things are different this time. She nervously twisted her rings as she took a deep breath. You know where you stand, just breathe. The only similarity between this time and the last was the nervous energy hanging in the air. The air was heavy, wrapping around them as they wondered what to expect.

They barely made it three feet, before a streak of dark hair ran towards them, tears falling heavily down her cheeks. “Bas!” Hope choked out between sobs. “Thank god.” She swiped at her cheeks with the backs of her hands trying to stem the flow of tears. “My mom.” Her lower lip trembled as she struggled with the words. “She’s gone!” She sank to the floor, her body collapsing in a heap as her legs gave way, no longer able to hold up her weight.

Liza crouched down, her hand instinctively going to comfort the younger woman. “Let’s move to the sitting area and you can tell us what happened, okay?”

Hope nodded, accepting Liza’s helping hand up. They moved to the same corner they spoke just weeks prior. Liza sat next to Hope, gently wrapping her arm around her shoulders, her need to comfort coming on pure instinct. Bastien sat on Hope’s other side, his hand resting on her shoulder. “Can you tell us what happened?”

Hope sniffled as she nodded her head. “My mom, she’s just gone, someone killed her.”

“What makes you say that?”

“She was fine. She was perfectly stable, then this morning they found her just after shift change. Nothing else makes sense. They tried to kill her before, so why wouldn’t they try again now?” She roughly wiped at her cheeks. “Plus I got a visit from Liam’s fiancé yesterday.” She shook her head in disbelief. Maybe I could have stopped this. “I didn’t think anything of it at the time, but it can’t be a coincidence, she comes and then my mom is dead.” She choked back a sob. “She didn’t remember anything, I just don’t understand why she had to be killed.”

Liza gave Bastien a questioning look, he shook his head in response. They could understand her line of reasoning, but they couldn’t think who would want her dead with Constantine gone.

Hope suddenly jumped up, her face contorting from sadness to fury. “You have some fucking nerve showing up here!” She shouted as she spotted Liam and Raven approaching.

Liam scowled. “Yea you must be surprised since you tried to tell them not to call me!”

“Why do you even care?! You knew! You knew where she was, who put her here, you always knew and yet you tried to blame the only one of you who even showed me an ounce of care or told me any truth!” Hope’s hands clenched into fists as the anger took over, tears of anger and grief rolling down her wet cheeks. “All you ever did since you got here was lie to me! Both of you!” She laughed at their shocked faces. “You think I wouldn’t find out about your fiancé?! She was here, she told me everything!”

Liam felt the anger coursing through his body. He knew of only one person who would feed her such lies. What was the point, it’s not like we were close.

Liza reached out to put her hand on Hope’s shoulder, Hope shrugging her off. They need to know what he did! “How could you? How could you protect her mother when she hurt ours?!” She turned to Raven. “I can’t believe I ever trusted you! You just wanted to know how much I knew, see if your mother was safe!”

“Will you stop?!” Liam shouted, his jaw clenching in anger.

“Why?! So you can spout more lies?!”

“ENOUGH!” Liza shouted stepping between them. “This isn’t the place.” She turned to Hope, watching her body deflate. “Let’s move somewhere more private and try to discuss this.”

Hope nodded in agreement, Liam’s phone beeping in his pocket before he could acknowledge. He slipped the phone from this pocket, he gritted his teeth, his hand curling into a fist as he read the text. Think before you say no to me next time. Be in touch, my dearest fiancé. His eyes flashed with rage. “Madeline!”

Feedback fuels me, please like, comment reblog or send an ask. Feel free to scream, I promise I can take it.

Masterlist can be found in my bio.

Taglist will be reblogged.

[percabethfeelsfandom]

Writing Prompt AU: Childhood Best Friends to Lovers

PART 5: Age 16 

Luke and Thalia break up on homecoming night. 

It’s only an hour into the night when Percy watches Luke drag Thalia out of the hall and into the parking lot. Even though it’s been months since Percy has hung out with either of them, he keeps an eye on the two, watching as their silhouettes point accusatory fingers at each other. 

Annabeth and Grover, who he came to the dance with, are swaying playfully on the dance floor, but he waves them over and nods to the open door that Thalia left, exposing her and Luke as they shout at each other. 

“Should we check on them?” Grover asks, biting his thumb anxiously. Percy shrugs and watches Annabeth. Well, at this point, he’s always watching Annabeth, especially tonight because she’s in a dress he’s never seen before, and it’s the colour of the sea, his favourite. 

“Annabeth?”

“It’s not our business,” she says softly, but her eyes never leave the couple. Percy nods, and keeps his eyes trained on them, worry growing in his throat as Thalia steps closer to Luke, getting in his personal space. 

Even from here, Percy can feel Luke’s anger, it’s potent and vile and he almost doesn’t recognise it on his old friend’s face. He’s about to tell Annabeth that they should intervene when someone lightly taps him on the shoulder. He whirls around, surprised, and forces a smile onto his face when he sees that it’s Rachel Elizabeth Dare. 

“Hey Percy.” 

Her voice catches Grover and Annabeth’s attention and they both turn to look at her as well. She doesn’t buckle under their gaze, keeping her bright eyes on Percy like she’s on a mission. 

“Hey Rachel, what’s up?”

“I was wondering if maybe you wanted to dance?” She says it confidently, but as soon as she’s done, she bites her lip and starts swaying back and forth on her feet like she can’t stand still. 

Dread fills Percy’s body and he struggles to come up with a nice way to say no because he really does not want to dance, not right now. 

Rachel must see it on his face because she gives him a sad smile and nods slowly. More dread fills his body and he glances anxiously to his friends at his side who are also waiting for an answer. Annabeth is frowning deeply and Grover has this sort of amused look on his face. 

“Right, that’s okay, uh, have a nice-” She starts and begins to walk away. Percy sighs and quickly reaches out, grabbing her wrist, when she pulls back he lets go quickly and holds his hands up in surrender. 

“Wait- Rachel. Sorry,” he stutters unsure of why he stopped her. He can feel his friends gaze on him as he speaks to Rachel but he doesn’t turn, “Yes.”

“Yes, what?” Rachel asks, narrowing her eyes suspiciously. 

“Yes, I’ll dance.” Her face instantly brightens and he holds out a hand, which she takes. 

Before he properly leaves, he quickly turns to Grover and Annabeth, whose mouth is wide open. 

“Come get me if something happens with Thals and Luke.” Grover nods but Annabeth just stares after him like he’s speaking another language. He ignores the tight knot in his stomach and lets Rachel lead him to the dance floor, placing his hands lightly on her waist. 

“What made you change your mind?” 

“Hmm?”

“You weren’t going to dance with me, what made you change your mind?” Percy blushes at the bluntness of her words and tries to come up with another excuse. As they’re swaying to the music, he steps back and spins her a bit as the song reaches the chorus.

When he can’t think of an excuse he tells the truth. 

“I wanted to see if I would feel a difference.” Rachel frowns and tilts her head at him confused. “I- uh, like someone else, and I’ve been trying to stop. I thought maybe if I danced with someone else I would feel different about them.” 

“Why do you want to stop liking them?” Rachel doesn’t even seem fazed that he’s just confessed he likes someone else. 

“Because she, I don’t know, I think she likes someone else, but she doesn’t realise it. So it’s just easier if I don’t like her.” Rachel loops her arms around his neck, pulling him closer, so close he can smell her floral perfume. It matches the brightly coloured flowers on her dress. 

“Well if I’m not mistaken, Annabeth hasn’t taken her eyes off of us the entire dance so I think you’re all good Percy.” 

“What?” Instantly he pulls his gaze away from Rachel and turns around wildly to look at where he last saw Annabeth. She’s not looking when he sees her, but he does catch sight of her flicking quick glances at him in between her conversation with Grover as the song ends and as Rachel walks him back to them. 

“How’d you know?” He asks Rachel, trying to figure out what gave him away. 

“Just a feeling. You should tell her.” When Percy doesn’t answer Rachel smiles and wiggles her fingers as a goodbye. “Thanks for the dance Percy, I’ll see you around.” 

He lifts a hand up as well, still too surprised at how easily she was able to read him. 

“Have fun?” Annabeth asks with pursed lips. 

Percy shrugs, “Yeah I guess. She’s pretty cool.” 

“Hmph.” 

Annabeth turns back to facing the door so that she can watch Thalia and Luke (who are still fighting) while Percy turns to Grover behind her back and tries to ask Grover what her problem is via extreme facial expressions. Grover scrunches his shoulders up and shrugs, saying he doesn’t know and Percy sighs, running a hand through his hair. 

Out of nowhere, Annabeth’s hand slaps his wrist. 

“Hey!”

“Stop messing up your hair.” She says, without turning to him. 

“Who are you, my Mom?” He asks and keeps messing it up because it feels weird all gelled down and sticky. 

“No but you never have your hair like that and I want nice photos of us later.” 

“I look like an idiot.”

“That’s because you are, Seaweed Brain.” 

“Whatever.”

“Oh shut-”

A loud crack catches both of their attention and they both turn to the direction of the sound and see Thalia standing at the doorway, her fury tangible in her stance as she walks towards them. Behind her Percy barely glimpses a look at Luke who is cradling his face, blood seeping from his nose, where Percy assumes Thalia has just punched him. 

He doesn’t even fully register that she’s come up to them until she’s talking. 

“I know you probably hate me right now, but I can’t be here anymore. I’ll explain everything, but can one of you take me home please.” 

Annabeth is already opening her purse and handing the keys to Percy. He’s the better driver out of the two, and she’s already wrapping her arms around Thalia, who is fighting back tears. 

In less than 5 minutes the four of them are packed in Annabeth’s Dad’s old car and Percy is carefully pulling out of the parking lot and taking them to Annabeth’s house. 

Thalia doesn’t speak until they’re all situated in Annabeth’s room. Percy has taken off his second-hand suit jacket, loosened his tie and unbuttoned his shirt, and Grover is pulling clothes from Annabeth’s drawer, throwing pieces at Percy so they can both change into comfier clothes. 

As he’s about to change Annabeth pokes him sharply. 

“Photos Percy!” She reminds, and he rolls his eyes, rebuttoning his shirt. 

Thalia waits for them to settle, Percy and Annabeth on her bed, and Grover on the window sill before she speaks. 

“Okay, so I want to start by saying sorry. It’s been months since I’ve spoken to any of you and I totally get if you hate me for that, but I do have a reason, but also it’s okay if you don’t forgive me because I wouldn’t forgive me either.” 

“Thals,” Annabeth whispers. She looks like she’s about to cry and Percy can see her hands fidgeting like they want to move and grab something. He reaches over to her bedside table and gives her a fidget toy, and then carefully takes her other hand, rubbing soothing circles around the top of her palm. 

She doesn’t say anything, but she squeezes his palm in thanks. 

“Let me talk first Annabeth before you say anything. I want to make sure I say this all right.” 

So she talks. Thalia starts from the beginning, how she’s always loved Luke, and how when he moved, she called him each day, and they never lost contact, and how him turning up wasn’t a surprise to her because they’d been talking about it for months already. She talks about how it was her first relationship with someone ever, and she’d never liked someone this much in her life, so she didn’t realise that spending every breathing moment with him wasn’t normal. At one point Thalia takes off her suit jacket and loosens her own tie. Annabeth offers a change of clothes but Thalia shakes her head, determined to continue with the story. She continues to say that Luke started acting differently when they officially started dating, started telling Thalia not to hang out with them because he only wanted to spend time with her, and that they were saying things about her behind her back. 

“I knew it wasn’t true, but I didn’t want to fight with him, everything felt so perfect when we were together. I just wanted us to not fight. So I let him pull me away from you guys.” 

This time when Annabeth squeezes Percy’s hand, it’s in warning, because he realises that he’s using her hand as a stress ball. He apologises silently by letting go, and loosely threading their fingers together so that he doesn’t accidentally hurt her. 

“It didn’t get bad until last summer when I told him that I missed you guys and that I wanted to be friends with you again. It got even worse when I told him that I might like girls as well as guys.” 

Percy sees her hold her breath as she says the last part and feels his face split open into a grin. 

“Me too,” he says simply and the smile that Thalia gives him back is enough for Percy to forgive her of everything. I’m proud of you, he mouths so that he doesn’t interrupt her story. 

“I don’t know why it was such a big issue, but he kept bringing it up. He never went a day without saying something about it, and it was never nice. I hated it. He made me feel like I wasn’t allowed to like both, and I realised that I just wasn’t happy with him. I was so sad all the time, and all I wanted was to talk to you guys but he was always there. At the gym tonight, I knew that the only way he’d actually let me break up with him was if it was public. So that’s what I did.” 

Annabeth pushes off the bed and throws herself onto Thalia. Percy and Grover are quick to follow until they’re a tangle of limbs, suits and dress (in Annabeth’s case) on the ground. Grover and Thalia are crying and holding each other tightly, and Annabeth has wrapped her arms around Thalia’s torso. It kind of reminds Percy of a koala and he pulls out his phone to take a photo of the three of them, immortalising this moment. 

“So what did he think when you showed up wearing that?” Percy asks, nodding at the fitted suit Thalia wears, “Looks awesome by the way,” he adds.

Thalia scoffs. 

“I thought his head was going to explode.” They all laugh and Percy rejoins them on the floor, ending up laying in Annabeth’s lap as they all hold onto each other, making up for time wasted. 

“I can’t believe Luke is such a jackass,” Percy says with a shake of his head. 

“Do you think he had a particular reason why he was like that towards you Thals? Is there something happening at his home?” Annabeth asks and Percy turns to her with an incredulous look. 

“Wise Girl, come on, no matter how crappy a person's home life is, that doesn’t mean you can project that onto someone you care about. Like look at me, you don’t see me being an ass to you just because Gabe was the worst step-father in the world.” 

“What happened with Gabe?” Thalia asks, sitting up abruptly when she hears his name but Percy waves her off. 

“Nothing important. He just wasn’t a good person, but we don’t live with him anymore. Mom’s dating Paul and she’s happy and that’s all that matters to me.” 

Thaila looks like she wants to say more but Annabeth cuts in. 

“I’m not trying to make excuses for him, I just wanted to ask because that really doesn’t sound like the Luke I know,” she pauses when she sees Thalia’s face fall, “That doesn’t mean I don’t believe you...I really do. I just- I want to hear his side of it too you know? But I’ll stand by you no matter what.” 

Thalia nods slowly and takes Annabeth’s outstretched hand. 

“The Luke you know is very different to the Luke that I dated Annabeth. He’s changed a lot. He pretends he hasn’t, but he has and none of it is good. Even if you get his side of the story, I don’t think he’d tell the truth. I swear, on my brother and on my Mom, everything I’ve said is true. But if you want to ask him to double-check, I won’t stop you.” 

Annabeth does end up asking Luke for his side of the story, and her decision still baffles Percy to this day, but Thalia reassures him that it’s for her own sanity. 

“Luke and Annabeth were a lot closer than you remember I think. It really hurt Annabeth when he stopped talking to her. I think it hurt him too, I never knew why, but I think he had a thing for her at one point, but he chose me.” 

That old familiar sting of jealousy holes up in Percy’s stomach as he waits for Annabeth to come back and meet them at her car. 

“Do you think he still does? Like her, that is?” The words are like cotton in his mouth, suffocating and hard to speak around. 

“Maybe. Wouldn’t be surprised if she does too. She never told me, but I always had a feeling.” 

Oh.  

Percy nods, unable to bring himself to say anything and waits in silence. Annabeth comes walking down the steps, wiping her eyes and Percy’s instincts kick in, and he’s running to her, pulling her close to his chest and holding her there. 

“What did he do? Are you okay?” He asks when she finally pushes him away slightly. Her eyes are still watering but she smiles and pokes him in the cheek. 

“I’m okay. Let’s go home.”

She lets him lead her into the car, he drops Thalia off first before pulling up at Annabeth’s. 

“Come in?” 

He nods and follows her soundlessly to her room. He unwraps his scarf and hangs his jacket on a hook, like he has many times before and sets himself on her bed, playing with her old stuffed toys as she slowly undoes her coat, clearly distracted.

“Thals was right. Luke is- I don’t know who that Luke was.” Annabeth admits. 

A selfish part of Percy sighs in relief, and he holds out his arms as a peace offering to Annabeth. She smiles and sits down with him, not quite in his arms, but close enough that Percy isn’t complaining. 

“I’m sorry.”

“Why are you sorry? It’s not your fault.”

“Because you’re sad and I don’t like seeing you sad, especially when I can’t do anything about it.” 

“Seaweed Brain you can’t make everyone happy.” She says with a teasing smile.

“I don’t want to make everyone happy, just you.” The words come out before he fully processes thinking it and he swallows thickly when Annabeth stares at him, slightly dumbfounded. 

Finally, she moves, and leans down, ever so softly pressing a kiss to his forehead. 

“You do make me happy. You always have, don’t doubt that.” Percy can’t help but close his eyes and relish in the warmth she gives him. When he opens his eyes again she’s staring right back at him, like she can see into his soul. He secretly wishes her eyes weren’t so beautiful, because then he wouldn’t have such a problem with looking away, but they’re not, they’re the most beautiful eyes he’s ever seen and he never wants to stop. 

“You make me happy too.” More than you’ll ever know.

PART 1

PART 2

PART 3

PART 4

[annabethy]

under the mistletoe, watching the fire glow day 19: tragedy

Character A’s first Christmas since a tragedy,, repost because it wasn’t showing up on people’s dashes, rip to the three reblogs I did get

One year.

It feels a lot longer than one year.

It feels like it’s been a lifetime since Percy lost his wife. He really doesn’t know how he’s made it this far. He supposes the only reason he did was because of his daughter.

He has to admit that it hurt a lot more than he expected. She was only a few months old when his wife got sick, so he couldn’t explain to her what happened, or why her mom wasn’t coming back. She would cry for her mom, and Percy would cry alongside her because she just didn’t understand, and somehow that hurt worse than knowing what happened.

He hasn’t really made it this far, really. He’s survived because for the past year, that’s all he had the strength to do. He raised his daughter alone, one day at a time. Just breathing, and just living.

Now though, it’s Christmas. It’s also been one year. He knows he can’t live like this forever. Time does not stop just because he does, and so he knows he has to pull himself out of this hole. It’s now or never.

He chooses now.

That’s how Percy finds himself in a small diner on Christmas Eve. His daughter is in a highchair, and he’s feeding her bits and pieces of his pasta. His mom just left after spending a couple of hours with him, so he feels a bit alone, but he pushes it aside.

“Yum,” Percy says, handing her a chopped-up meatball. He smiles as she shoves it into her mouth, just a little bit too much. Her cheeks pop out like a chipmunk storing food for the winter, and he’s able to laugh for just one second. “Don’t choke, baby.”

He doesn’t actually get a sophisticated response, and he doesn’t expect to.

There are not many people around the diner, only a few of the tables occupied, so it’s incredibly loud when his daughter shrieks and flips a plate onto the ground. Percy ducks his head, embarrassed, as he immediately moves to clean it up. His eyes brim with tears, and he thinks this is the first time he’s began to cry today, because if his wife was here, none of it would’ve happened, and the entire restaurant wouldn’t be looking at him.

As he’s scooping the food back onto a napkin, someone squats down next to him. He can’t do anything except mutter a quiet, “Thank you,” as they start to help him clean, terrified that they’ll see his eyes and know something was wrong. Out of the corner of his eye, he can see an infant being balanced on their hip with one arm.

Still, he has to stand up once they’re done, and he also knows he can’t let them leave without giving a proper thanks. He looks at them for the first time and is met with someone that appears to be around his age. She looks kind enough, and incredibly soft with the way her curls fall into smooth ringlets and the long felt coat that falls to around her knees. There’s a baby in her arms that can’t be any older than seven months, and she’s curled into what Percy can only assume to be his mother’s chest.

“Thank you again,” he says, setting the food-soiled napkin down on the table. “I appreciate it.”

She tilts her head. “It’s no problem. I know how kids can be.”

Percy tries to smile, but it’s something in the words that hits a sore spot. She sounds just like his wife had. It’s not her voice, but the way she spoke that reminds him of her, and suddenly, he can’t stop the tears from forming.

He tries to turn away, but she spots them before he gets the chance.

“Are you okay?”

Percy laughs wetly, wiping his face desperately. “I’m fine. It’s just a long day. Long year, really.”

She looks at him sympathetically. “Do you need to talk about it?”

It’s so kind, and it’s strange at the same time. He’s never seen her in his entire life, and she has no obligations to him, yet here she is, offering to listen to him. It’s the nicest thing a stranger has ever done for him, and it just makes him cry harder.

“I’m okay,” he reassures, because he doesn’t want to ruin her Christmas with his own. “I wouldn’t want to bother you.”

“You wouldn’t be bothering me. I’ve had my fair share of meltdowns recently, and it always helped to have someone to listen to.”

Usually, Percy would say no. A week ago, he would’ve said no too. But it’s been a year since his wife’s death, and something has to change. So he says, “Actually, I could really use someone to talk to if you really don’t mind.”

“I have nowhere else to be,” is what she says, and then she’s sliding into the empty side of the booth. Percy sits across from her, and he can feel himself suffocating in awkwardness. She stays looking at him kindly, adjusting the baby in her arms to be cradling her, and when he doesn’t say anything, she prompts, “Let’s start with your name.”

Percy smiles through his watering eyes. “I’m Percy.”

“I’m Annabeth,” she says. “And this is my daughter, Sophia.”

Percy nods as his hand goes to caress his own daughter’s head as she happily begins munching on a meatball that hadn’t gone tumbling to the ground. “This is my daughter. Her name’s Riley.”

“It’s nice to meet you both.”

“You too.”

She tilts her head. “What’s going on, Percy? You look like you’re about ready to drop to the ground and just cry yourself to sleep.”

“That’s about how I feel, too.”

“You said it’s been a difficult year?”

“Something like that. I just – one year ago today, my wife passed away. I’ll be the first to admit I have no idea what I’m doing, and one year… it’s a long time, and I can’t keep using the excuse that my wife died for being a lousy person, but I don’t know what else to do.”

She doesn’t say anything, continuing to let him talk. He almost thinks he’s dreaming because it feels too calming and too out of the ordinary for someone like her to just appear, but he’s started talking and can’t stop.

“First Christmas since a tragedy, you could say,” he chokes out wetly. “It doesn’t help that it’s the one-year anniversary too.”

“I get it,” she says. “Not quite in the same sense. I was never married, but I was with someone. They died before I could even tell them I was pregnant. The first Christmas was hard, so I get it.”

Percy can’t quite look her in the eyes. He’s sitting here complaining when she has it so much worse. At least his wife got to meet their child and love their child, even if it wasn’t for as long as they’d both wished.

Her head ducks down a bit beneath his so he has no choice but to meet her eyes. “You don’t have to hide crying, Percy.”

“You have your own problems. It’s wrong of me to lay mine on you.”

“You’re not laying them on me,” she promises. “I said you could talk to me, and I mean it.”

He stays silent, unsure of what to say, so she continues.

“When I first lost my boyfriend, I was wrecked. I had a baby on the way and no one to help me through it. I wasn’t in a good place. I didn’t have any family to help because they’d all practically disowned me the second I turned eighteen. I just moved to a new city with my boyfriend too, so I had no friends. I had no one. The only reason I think I made it through was because someone did for me what I’m trying to do for you.” She smiles at him, and he feels comfort. “I met my best friend at a diner just like this, believe it or not. I was actually still six months pregnant, and she sat down with me, a complete stranger, and just let me cry on her shoulder. She ended up being the one there with me to hold my hand when I went into labor, and she helped me get back on my feet. I love her, and I needed her more than anything. When I saw you on the floor, I — I couldn’t see your face, but I just knew. My friend said the same thing about me too.”

Percy breathes deeply in an attempt to dislodge the lump that’s formed in his throat. “It just felt right?”

“If that’s how you want to see it, then sure.” Annabeth leans back, bouncing the baby that’s began to fuss in her arms. “Why don’t you tell me about her?” He smiles. “She was everything to me. I loved her so much, and I still do. Her name was Rachel. We met in college because we were both on the swim team. I remember she had vibrant red hair and green eyes, and I thought that it had to be dyed, so I asked her. She looked insulted but also amused, and I think that was when I fell in love with her. We got married two years later, and a year after that, we had Riley, and then… she got really sick when Riley was only six months old.”

“You really loved her,” Annabeth says. “I think it’s awful what happened, but it helps to think of the times that you had. She’s gone now, but she wasn’t. You got married, and you had a baby, and you felt what true love was. It wasn’t nearly enough time, and it never is, but when you feel like you’re at your lowest, remember that moment when you first met.”

“You should be a psychologist,” Percy says as he wipes at his eyes, mildly playful. “You’d be good at it.”

“I can promise you that no one would want me to be their psychologist,” she says. “I’m still trying to figure a lot of things out too.”

“Anything I can help with? At least try to return the favor?”

“There’s not much that can be done. I just have to keep breathing and keep walking and see where life takes me.” The baby in her arms begins to fuss again, sharp whines working from behind the pacifier, and she lifts the baby back against her chest. “I should probably get this one to sleep.”

Percy lets her stand up, but his mind is still on her words.

Keep breathing and keep walking and see where life takes me.

“You said it helps to have something by your side,” Percy says. “I – I could use someone by my side, and I can stay by yours too,” he offers. “I’d like that,” she says. She pulls a phone out of her coat pocket, unlocking it and sliding it across the table. Percy quickly puts his number in her phone, contact saved as Percy, before handing it back to her. When he does, she asks, “Are you doing anything for Christmas?”

“I was planning on being home all day. I got Riley a few toys that I was just going to help her open.”

“I’m going to be alone all day too. Friend went home for Christmas this year, so it’s just Sophia and I. You’re welcome to come over and we can continue this conversation then.”

“I’d love to,” he says, hopeful. Rachel’s face is still imprinted in the back of his eyes, and she will be for the rest of his life, but this also feels alarmingly like a new beginning. One where he can smile without feeling guilty or look back at when they first met and feel a love for his past.

“I don’t usually do this,” he says. “Have philosophical conversations with strangers, I mean.”

“I don’t either, but there’s just something about you.”

He knows what she means.

“I’ll call you in the morning then,” she says. “Have a safe drive home, Percy.”

“You too, Annabeth.”

She waves once more, and a little wiggle of her fingers to his daughter, before she steps out of the diner. It feels surreal right now, to be sitting in a diner in the middle of an empty area of New York. Snow falls outside, the only light coming from the neon lights on the building or lampposts lining the streets.

He thinks that he rather likes Annabeth’s advice. If he keeps breathing and walking and seeing where life takes him, then just maybe everything will turn out alright.

For the first time in forever, he feels happy.

[friendlylocalwhumper]

Percy, part 5

part 1 | part 2 | part 3 | part 4 | worry | choking

content warning: character death, description of the sound of broken bones.

Once Percy gets past the initial shock at the concept of being a prisoner and enduring torture, he adjusts to it in his own style. Lux even finds himself smiling, sometimes, now.

It’s the way that Percy talks. And man, does he talk. He doesn’t seem to be a fan of sitting in silence, and the monotony of the cellar tries his patience, so he thinks out loud. His favorite topic, mythology, comes up pretty often. Lux listens, at first. Focuses on trying to remember the names of the gods and beasts that Percy describes, and the heroes who crossed the paths of such mighty things.

After a while, Lux contributes more to the conversations. He gets used to having someone to talk to just as Percy has to get used to knowing he’s going to be hearing screaming and wobbling pleas every day.

The two of them have very different life experiences, they find. Percy’s always been a good student, getting top grades and spending study halls reading books from the school library. He made it to college without a hitch along the way. He gets along with his parents, has lots of happy succeeding friends, and he’s never once broken the law.

Lux never really considered himself a troubled youth or rough around the edges, but Percy’s utterly taken aback at every mention of living on the run, or getting scars, or avoiding cops. Percy can’t conceive why someone would drink outside of a party setting, and he stifles a laugh when Lux says he didn’t even make it to high school, until he realizes there are probably darker reasons behind that than just things like flunking out of middle school or being excused from formal education by easy-going, rich parents.

One thing they find common ground in is constellations. Lux knows their usual placements at different times of the year and what they’re called, while Percy knows the stories behind them, and when they were named, and who named them, and how different groups have interpreted the stories over the years.

“I like Andromeda,” Lux says thoughtfully, looking up at the ceiling of the cellar for a moment like he imagines the stars up there. “I don’t really know the story to it. I just remember that she was sad.”

“Yeah, she was.” Percy’s sitting cross-legged facing Lux, nodding in agreement. “Her father tried to sacrifice her by chaining her up to be eaten by a giant sea monster, because Poseidon’s daughters were jealous of her beauty. She got saved though, by Perseus. So Andromeda didn’t stay sad, and she didn’t die there.”

“Oh, that’s good. Reminds me of, um, isn’t there a Bible story like that? A father who’s told to sacrifice his son, and he does?”

“Yeah, I think - yup, Abraham and Isaac. God told Abraham to kill his son, and then sent an angel to stop him just in time.”

“That’s a really awful theme to show up in so many stories,” Lux muses. “Why are so many parents sacrificing their kids like that?”

“Always fathers,” Percy adds, slouching down and resting his chin on his fist. “It’s always the dads in the stories doing it.”

“Mmm.” Tipping his head back against the concrete wall, Lux shifts his raw wrists in the manacles to try and make them hurt a little less. “They can be like that.”

Percy’s green eyes watch Lux’s shifting for a moment. “Have you ever thought about being a dad one day? Having a family? Not everyone plans to, but sometimes you end up in that situation whether you like it or not.”

Lux snorts with a bit of laughter, after looking serious at the first part of the question. “I don’t think it’ll happen to me. Not by accident at least.”

“I mean, you can be careful, but there’s always a chance even if you’re not ready -”

“Percy,” Lux interrupts, smiling, “I may not have gone to high school, but I’m pretty sure I understand how anatomy works.”

“If you did, then you’d at least know it just happens sometimes!”

Lux is grinning by now. “Okay. If I ever sleep with someone and he ends up pregnant, you’re the first person I’ll call.”

Percy straightens up, eyebrows shooting up, and then a bright red blush spreads across his cheeks and all the way over to the tops of his ears. “Oh. Oh, gotcha. Hey, that’s fine, I’m fine with that, you know? I know a gay guy, he sits next to me in Economics.”

Lux doesn’t answer, he just watches Percy get awkward and waits for him to move on to the next topic. Percy fumbles for a good twenty seconds before he presses on.

“Right. Well, still, about dad stuff. My mom always told me I better give her cute little grandkids with bright red hair or she’ll disown me, so I never planned not to have them. I’d love to have little guys to tell stories to. My parents would expect me to raise them Catholic, but I’d be chill, you know? Church on Sundays but no obligations beyond that, I want to be a cool dad. I mean, I want somebody to tell me I did a good job when I’m old and wrinkly, you know? Someone to come tell me their stories.”

Lux watches Percy describe his planned happy life, and it makes him want to dream up his own. He really hasn’t planned past short-term survival. “You still think you can have all that?”

“Still? What, you mean ‘cause I’m stuck here? You know, the world’s only as big as it looks to you. Everyone thinks the world revolves around them because we all only ever see the world from our own perspective. Even down here, the world looks pretty big to me. And I don’t see it getting any smaller before I’ve got a couple little guys with red curls and a bunch of stories on their bookshelves! I’m going to build the bookshelves, by the way. I’m going to learn how to do that at some point. That’s the kind of dad I want to be.”

“I’m glad the world looks like that to you. I’ve never seen it that way. Making big bright plans. I mean, I wouldn’t even know where to start, being a good dad.” The warlock shrugs uncomfortably, wincing at the pain as his stiff shoulder protests the movement.

“Oh, sure you would! I think it’s an instinct. Like when you hold a baby and you would kill anyone to keep it safe, just ‘cause it’s so cute and little - I think it takes effort to be a bad parent. Gotta have no heart.”

Lux’s expression has fallen serious, but he’s still listening, watching Percy talk and talk.

“But you’ve got a heart! You’re super nice. I think you’d make a great dad. Me too, I’ll be great. I mean, I don’t think I’m as nice as you. But I’m gonna be so -”

There’s a loud cracking sound, sickening and grating, and Percy’s head snaps to the side at an odd angle. His expression is now blank, his body tipping forward, falling, into Lux’s lap. Lux stares down, wondering what the sound was, why Percy’s fallen, as if he’s passed out… but the twisting of his gut, the eyes blown wide and the far too slowly-forming thoughts registering what’s just happened, they all prove that Lux is only seconds away from recognizing that Percy didn’t just faint.

The Hunter seems to materialize, standing, just behind where Percy was sitting moments ago.

“He talks too much,” The man says, brushing his hands together like he’s just finished a menial task. “I grew bored with him ages ago. Thought I’d wait and listen a bit before I killed him. It was sweet hearing you talk about your future, little one, I’m glad I let him get around to that point.”

Lux hasn’t even looked up. He doesn’t care to think about how the Hunter waited, invisible, for a - fun? convenient? - time to kill Percy.

And Percy is dead. He must be, to lie so still, not breathing. His neck was snapped. His head is still to the side, in Lux’s lap, neat ginger curls pressed to Lux’s pants, green eyes open and glassy, arms loose at his sides.

The Hunter says some other things even after his voice has faded out of Lux’s focus. The man leaves the cellar at some point, probably amused by his prisoner’s shock and horror.

Lux looks up, belatedly, to find that he’s going to be left here. Left with Percy. Percy, who isn’t alive, anymore.

He’s scared that if he moves, he’ll feel the bones in Percy’s neck shift and hear them crack. He’s scared, irrationally, that Percy will suddenly gasp and writhe in pain, begging for mercy that a restrained and conditioned warlock simply wouldn’t be able to give. And he’s scared of how long he’ll be left down here with the body of someone who, a minute ago, was more full of life than anyone who’s been brought down here to suffer.

The world had looked so big to him.

[astressedwriter]

Dark Percy (pt 2.)

Annabeth sat in the dining hall, drinking a cup of tea. Hazel, Piper, and her closest siblings had all left earlier. She lost track of time, and before she knew it, her tea was disgusting and cold, Apollo was riding over the horizon with the sun, and the campers were waking up for a new day.

She suddenly felt a gentle hand on her shoulder, and she spun around quickly. She relaxed only slightly when she was greeted by the sad face and blonde hair of Jason.

“He’s gone.” Was the only thing he said. Every fiber in Annabeth’s being froze.

“Where?” The shakiness in her voice easily detectable.

Jason, who was elected by the crew to break the news to Annabeth, shrugged helplessly. “No one knows. Nico went to his cabin this morning to check in on Percy, but he was gone. No traces of him ever being there.” Annabeth squeezes her eyes shut, willing herself not to cry.

“He’ll be fine, don’t make a big deal out of it. I’ll go check his mom’s place later. You guys can come if you want.” Annabeth mentally praised herself for not letting her voice crack or shake.

It was surprisingly easy for Percy to get out of camp unnoticed. It was a four hour walk from camp to his mom’s apartment, he did it in three. He stopped in front of his mom’s door, knowing that this would be the first place Annabeth would check for him. I’ll stay for an hour, no longer. Then I’ll leave for the rest of the day. He decided mentally. He raised his hand up, took a deep breath, and knocked on the door. Sally opened it, not noticing it was Percy yet,

“Yes, look i’m a little bu--” Sally looked up and froze, seeing her son, standing there. Alive. He was alive, obviously not well, but alive. She pulled him in for a hug, he accepted without hesitation.

“Come in, now,” She said sternly, pulling away to look at him, “And you are explaining this. I’ll make breakfast. Why in the world are you so skinny? Where have you been? Why didn’t you contact me?” She threw question after question at her only son.

He didn’t answer her, just smiled softly. In fact the entire time he was there, he didn’t speak a word.

Just like he decided, he stayed for an hour, then wrote his mom a note and disappeared again.

“Sally,” Annabeth said, out of breathe. She, unlike any reasonable human being, had run the ten miles to Sally’s apartment complex, and to top it off: sprinted up the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator.

“What in the actual world are you doing here so early for, Annabeth?” Sally asked in confusion, looking outside the apartment door for anyone else then pulling Annabeth inside. “You’re looking for Percy, aren’t you?”

“Good-Gods-Ann-abeth-” Leo panted as he, Jason, Piper and Hazel appeared behind the blonde girl. Nico smiled slightly from the shadows of the hall; he shadow travelled, because he’s the only sensible one out of the demigods. There was no way in Hell he was running that 10 miles there. It was a long way for his legs, but not long at all to his ever growing powers.

“Where is he, Sally? Please, he had to have told you.”

She nodded, sitting on the couch and motioning for Annabeth to join her. “He came by for about an hour. Explained to me what happened-though he never actually spoke, only wrote- Why is that? Did he go mute on one of your insane missions?” Annabeth winced; he still wasn’t talking, even to his mom.

“I don’t know why he’s not talking, Sally; though I really understand the urge.” She said quietly. The others, now standing around the room catching their breath and feeling awkward, weren’t able to hear her.

“What happened to him, Annabeth?” Sally asked, equally as quiet.

“I can’t tell you that, I’m sorry. Only he can. Where did he go?”

Sally sighed deeply, knowing that she might not find out any time soon.

“He wrote that he was going to the ocean.”

“To visit his dad?” Leo asked.

Sally smiled, “No, not for that. Just to see the ocean. There’s a little spot he and I used to go, when he was younger. You’ll probably find him there.”

“Where?”

“Montauk,” Sally says. “A place called Montauk.”

Annabeth suddenly jumped up and hugged her around the neck tightly, “Thank you Sally.”

Sally rubbed her back comfortingly, “Of course dear. Go on, you can find him before he leaves again.”

Annabeth is the first out the door.

Leo waves at Sally, a blue pancake half finished in his hand, “Thank you, Miss Percy’s mom!”

Sally waved goodbye and shut the door behind them, taking a deep breathe. What kind of trouble has my son gotten himself into while he was gone?

Percy stood, still as a statue, staring out into the waves that were relentlessly pounding into the shore. The moment they arrive, Percy could sense them. He could sense the water and blood moving throughout their bodies.

“Percy, please come back to camp. It’s the best place for you right now,” Nico begged, but Percy continued to stare out into the blue-grey sea, not moving, not saying a word.

Annabeth closed her eyes, took a deep breath then spoke up, “Percy, you can always come back to camp whenever you’re ready.”

Then she turned around and walked back in the direction of camp, letting the tears roll freely down her face silently. The rest of the seven stared at Percy a bit longer before turning and following Annabeth back to camp without a word. After they’d left, he found himself walking closer to the waves. Sand sunk under his feet, until he was standing ankle deep in the riptide, letting the water soak through his socks and shoes, numbing him to his core. He focused with everything he had, on nothing, on everything, on making sure every memory and thought stayed far away and then again letting them overwhelm him. Then, he felt something strange, like he was turned into water. The sensation spread from his feet to his head, and everything turned into a slush; this wasn’t like swimming or even like controlling water. More like it was controlling him. As suddenly as it had come, it vanished, and he was able to open his eyes.

He looked around, and found himself neck deep in a channel, boats passing on either side of him, none having noticed him yet. He recognized it immediately from Annabeth and his first date; Paris, France. He furrowed his eyebrows, what the actual fuck?

[couldnt-think-of-a-funny-name]

okay I’m STILL not done the book yet because #life(tm) but some follow up reactions

The entire scene where Calypso and Apollo were trying to escape on the slow kiddy train at the Zoo had me in stitches holy shit

Apollo frantically hitting the gas and Calypso is just leisurely walking next to it while glaring at him??? And the guards? omfg I was dying

Meg’s entrance was dramatic and awesome good for her

Why the fuck is this 12 year old so good at sword fighting she can keep up with one of the deadliest swordfighters of the ancient world(tm)

When Lit threatened Leo and Calypso essentially morphed into the knife emoji on spot. A plus.

I mean I’m just saying: I feel like a pregnant griffin isn’t more important than helping a tortured seven year old girl. But I still love Britomartis so I guess it’s whatever

I love how Lit was going on like he has a score to settle with Leo because ‘he and his friends’ fucked him up in Oklahoma but like....Leo didn’t contribute to that at all like Jason literally did everything during that fight??? That was kinda like important to Jason’s development and shit??? Leo and Piper were golden statues and Hedge was outside eating grass??? Shouldn’t Lit’s anger be focused on Jason??? lol

Idk I just found it funny (I want to see Jason Grace again)

Calypso managing to shove out some magic yeah girl!!!!

MEG AND APOLLO HUGGING EACH OTHER FOR DEAR LIFE WHILE SOBBING: MY ENTIRE AESTHETIC

Leo meeting Meg was way too fucking funny omfg “so I understand you can like...control him?” and when Apollo tried denying it she makes him slap himself??? 😂

How did we fucking segue from lighthearted banter directly into Apollo having a vivid flashback of the time he had to murder the love of his life with his bare hands

Like I??? Was sobbing??? So hard???? Because a batshit insane Roman empire was getting killed by someone who loved him bc it was necessary for the world and the lover couldn’t stand to see anyone else hurt him??? Fuck me???? Rick Riordan ain’t real

“I couldn’t bare to look into the water without seeing my beloved’s betrayed face starring back” or whatever the fuck the line was but FUCK

Jo was a teenage girl crossdressing to fuck around with gangsters in the 1920′s before Artemis found her and honestly??? Goals

Also the scene where she was helping Apollo after his flashback was very sweet

Can’t believe the nerd spent like six hours playing soothing music just to get a griffin to lay an egg

Leo and Calypso better be whispering amongst themselves what I think they’re whispering

Leo seems a lot more...subdued than usual in this book? I don’t know if that’s just because we aren’t reading from his POV, or if it’s like a “I literally died and came back and then spent six months getting attacked every single day while trying to find home and now I’m stuck on another dangerous quest I’m fucking stressed” type thing, or if it could be from the relationship problems he’s having with Calypso, but either way he seems a little off and I’m worried about him

The Dread Pirate Valdez...leave.

How was that joke never made once on the Argo tho??? lol

The speed at which Leo seems to have emotionally adopted Meg is astounding and also #relatable

Meg’s far from my favorite character tbh but like??? I will probably punch everyone who’s ever frowned in her general direction in the face. Holy shit give this kid a break

She thinks Nero is scared of the mystery third emperor on the West Coast??? So....Caligula, probably? Laying my bets down on him now

“I triggered the First Law of Percy Jackson” I had to put the book down bc I was laughing so hard I think that lines gonna end up on my gravestone or as the afterword in my autobiography omfg

“I’ve always had a phobia of snakes, especially if you included my step-mother Hera. BOOM!” I choked.

I like that half the time Apollo is able to figure out what to do to win because he has a general understanding of science

Like he knew his burst of godly voice power would only help so much, but he also knew if he stood in the right spot and yelled in the right frequency it would reverberate and knock over the bricks and shit??? NICE

How long were these kids wadding through a sewer how do none of them have hypothermia

Leo: *sets himself on fire* “Gather round, children.”

Like first off someone saying ‘gather round children’ is always going to make me laugh for some reason that’s just a fact but human torching it up really added to the effect lmao

Like okay I understand the set up of the room so that no one would look in the canal and see them but like...how the fuck did no one realize they were there that just felt too easy I’m sorry

Chia Girl

When they found the prisoners was horrifying omfg???

The two fucked up boys on a hunger strike???

“...Hunter the Hunter?” “Yeah, I’ve never heard that before.”

Tall, Dark and Jamie.

Apollo babe you’re on a rescue mission with a time crunch please you can check out Jamie later holy shit

Georgie made me wanna cry get her back to her Combat Moms immediately

The entire sequence of Apollo getting the door open: S C I E N C E  B I T C H

“Lemme just fill up some syringes with ammonia just in case”

Alright I’ll admit when Meg started insisting she had a feeling they needed to go through the door: I was really worried she was about to double cross him.

Glad I was wrong but tbh that whole arena dress rehearsal bullshit was STRESSFULL

S T R E S S F U L L

First of all: Apollo’s out here constantly complaining about his puny mortal body but manages to fight and climb and run with a heavy ass chair strapped to his back: okay,

Second of all: why did no one warn me about Livia the elephant I was on the verge of tears every time he mentioned her

Third of all: Monsters, ostriches, race cars, basketballs, football, human mercenaries, animals, like...what even the fuck else SO MUCH WAS GOING ON I would’ve died in ten seconds flat???

Fourth of all: let’s just SET THE FUCKING GRAIN SPIRIT ON FIRE WHY THE FUCK NOT. HOW DID MEG EVEN MANAGE TO GET HIM DOWN. HOW DID APOLLO AND LIVIA MANAGE TO CRASH COMMODUS’ CAR TO THAT DEGREE AND HE NOT ONLY SURVIVED BUT THREW THE WRECKAGE AWAY FROM HIM

Fifth of all: THE FUCKING HUNTERS SHOW UP AND CAUSE EVEN M O R E CHAOS. Truly I don’t know how any of the main heroes survived that there was just too much.

The entire time I was reading it I was like “This feels like a giant fight at the climax of the book how the fuck are there more pages left what else is going to happen???” AND IM STILL WONDERING THAT LIKE

Thalia Grace has been returned to me.

Apollo’s strong urge to save Lit??? Okay I guess. It’s nice to see him being compassionate and shit but. I was kinda with Leo on that one lol

“Thalia Grace slid behind me on the elephant, which fulfilled one of the fantasies I’d had about the Hunter, although I never quite imagined it playing out like this” M E

What was his elephant-involved fantasy with Thalia I need a complete play by play lmao

Also the scene where Commodus dropped his composure for a sec and had a full-blown Angry Ex moment (which...he’s definitely entitled to). That was good and also I was highkey worried he might just try to kill my nerd then and there

Also that he’s not just mad that Apollo killed him but like. All their fucking history together. Shit’s intense.

Apollo loves this elephant so much after only like 15 minutes the first thing he’s gonna do when he’s immortal again is bless her or some shit

Also I’m glad they got that awful chainmail off her

The Hunters apparently just have a magical energy drink with mercury in it okay

Honestly??? I’m a little mad Artemis has been ordered not to contact him THE BOY JUST WANTS TO SEE HIS SISTER HOLY SHIT

Aaaaaand that’s about where I left off. Hoping to finish it all together the next time I get a chance. Hoping all the losers are alright. LOVING this book so far. Waiting to see an official reunion between Georgie and her Combat Moms. The Headless Ghost’s cryptic warning has me worried. Until next time...