Chapter Text
Percy POV
Taking a breath, I sit down on the beach. It’s been a few months since the Giant War, and things are finally calming down.
“Hey, Kelp Head.”
I hate that nickname.
Thalia sits next to me, and I glance over at her.
“I thought you were with Artemis?”
She shakes her head, and the feathers behind her ears ruffle in agitation.
“Not a chance. She’s meeting with dear old dad right now and, well…”
She leaves the rest of the sentence unfinished, but I nod in understanding. Jason almost died not even a week ago during a quest with Rachel, and Zeus didn’t do shit about it. The only reason he survived was cause Apollo was watching them.
The water churns slightly in response to my annoyance, and she smiles softly. I let out a soft chirp, and she whistles in agreement.
The scents of McDonalds, pomegranates and asphodel fills my nose, and I grin.
“Hey Neeks.”
He sits down next to us, and I ruffle his hair, Grumbling playfully, he swats at me.
After the Battle of Manhattan, we talked about his crush on me and it was weird for a bit but me not having my memories somehow helped us get closer and once I got my memories back the only thing that changed was that I helped Thalia and Nico get closer.
“How do you always know I’m coming? Even our senses of smell aren’t as good as yours.”
Thalia raises her eyebrows.
“Death Breath, did you forget that he has a shark's sense of smell?”
Realization flashes across his face, and he ducks his head.
“Shut up I’m tired.”
I shiver slightly, and Thalia frowns at me.
“Where’s the jacket Artemis gave you?”
Wincing slightly, I sigh.
“When Annabeth and I were in… That Place, she got scared really easily and the jacket comforted her a lot. It reminded her of you. It helped her feel safe. Unfortunately, she lost it, and… it was too dangerous to return for it. And it’s just been too busy to try and ask.”
They grumble at me, knowing they would have done the same but hating that I did it.
“Perce, you can’t regulate your body temperature. That’s really dangerous!!! Hold on.”
Thalia tugs on the moon charm on her bracelet, and Artemis shows up.
“Thalia?”
She motions to me. “My stupid self-sacrificing brother lost his jacket in…”
Artemis nods in understanding, and Apollo flashes in. See, Artemis was the one who gave me one of her hunter’s hoodies that she modified with input from my father as a thank-you for saving her, but Apollo also blessed the jacket. When she gave it to me, Artemis said the present was two-fold. One, as a thank you for saving her, and two, as a sign that I had permission to walk among the Hunters which has been extremely helpful as I would often visit Thalia. Artemis allowed it because Thalia is, for all intents and purposes, my sister, and she understands the close bond siblings have.
I’m brought out of my musings by Apollo handing me the hoodie. I put it on, and instantly my body temperature regulates.
They flash out, and I sag against my siblings.
“Thanks guys.”
They hug me, and we all lay back on the sand.
Suddenly, all our surroundings disappear in a flash of light.