A/N: heckie yeah here you go fellas. Im going to crank these chapters out over the next several weeks or so. I'll be writing on my phone, please do inform me of errors if they turn up. sorry for weird tense in this one ghhghgh I wasn't sure what to use for the flashback/not really so I used everything. if it bothers me enough ill probably edit it later but for now heres a chapter

Long story short, everything got worse. A shit ton worse.

Looking back, it's probably my fault...

No. No, it was that Abigail. Of course it wasn't me. She started the whole thing, everyone saw.

The whole arguing-with-himself habit wasn't helping the demigod this time. If anything, it was making the boy feel even worse.

Percy had taken a long shower upon walking back to his cabin from the game. More like trudging, dragging his feet through the mud, than walking. Alone. He definitely needed a shower after all that. It was colder than it should have been in the charmed camp, only adding to Percy's irritable mood. Returning straight to his cabin was the only route he thought was available to him, skipping going to the hall without hesitation. It was an understatement to say he was pissed.

Effectively taking up the hour of time he now had to himself, Percy planned to stay under the running water of the cleanest looking shower until it became cold. This was what he needed right now; not Annabeth, not Grover, not anyone; he just needed time to himself. The warm sensation distracted him. Calmed him down. His fingers traced patterns on the tile, leaving trails of water where he touched the surface, convincing the droplets to comply with his absent minded will. The shapes and forms he created were soothing, warm water washing over his bare skin to aid the relief. It was as if all the tension was flowing out of him, leaving as if it never existed.

Percy was a nice kid, really he was. He would never hurt or harm someone unless it was entirely necessary. Why this had happened he was still trying to work out. The demigod wasn't one to give into spiteful thoughts, at least he didn't think he was that weak minded. Percy wasn't usually rash with fighting; he was levelheaded for the most part.

But one way or another, Abigail had ended up soaking wet and covered in mud.

Of course, it hadn't been with malicious intent. He just wasn't that kind of person. If anything, Percy was being generous; you could take it that he was trying to excuse Abigail from the game. Abigail could get cut or bruised in Capture the Flag. She could have gotten sick, being drenched like that; it probably would have been best if she just skipped the game. And all games to come.

She should just leave camp entirely.

Who am I kidding. I hate the girl, Percy thought as the water ran over his face. And she hates me, that much is obvious to anyone.

.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

It was awful for Percy to think about.

Abigail had been adjusting Luke's armor, not without the constant flirtations. Percy hadn't even heard what they were saying, but it angered him to even watch. This was getting to be a huge problem. Constantly fawning over Luke, all the while spilling over with irritation when anyone else did the same. So it took effort on his part to keep calm as the new counselor tucked Luke's blonde hair behind his ear, a couple strands falling out of place as she put on his helmet. Percy watched as the son of Hermes messed at his own tresses, mouth forming words he couldn't hear. He only hoped that Luke was annoyed with Abigail's constant contact.

In that time, Percy had been arming up as well. The teams had been set, the demigod automatically grabbed by Annabeth to join her team. The cabins of Athena, Aphrodite, Hephaestus and Hermes were united this time. Oh, and Poseidon. He wasn't sure he counted. Being the only demigod of his cabin, Chiron did not mind that Percy made decisions such as which team to join. It had been Annabeth's decision from the start, though.

"You'll be defensive, all right? You stay here, if all goes well you won't even have to fight anyone," she had said.

"I don't want to stick around here though. Gods that's just boring."

"Don't argue, just do it," Annabeth sighed. She had been about to leave, position herself in some strategic location, before turning back to Percy with purpose. "Percy..."

"What?" He took a swig of water from the bottle he carried.

"Does that Aphrodite counselor hate you or something, now?"

He nearly spat out his drink.

"You don't say," Percy scoffed, sparing a quick glance in the subject's direction. "The feeling's mutual, in fact."

"What in hells name happened?! She's been shooting daggers into the back of your head every time you look away. I thought you had a thing going for her."

Oh. That's right. Annabeth thinks I'm into her.

"See how that's turned out. I have no idea why I even..."

"As far as I'm concerned, this worked out well," Annabeth had interrupted. "She's too hot for you obviously. Then again, she doesn't deserve someone like you."

Percy had been a bit taken aback.

"Uh, what?"

"Well, I doubt she'd appreciate you at all, if you two ever happened. Which is impossible in the first place. Face it, you two are different ends of the spectrum, you just don't fit."

"...Okay?" He'd taken a moment to marvel at Annabeth's out of character sentiment.

"Anyways, I have to-"

"Jackson?"

Well, speak of the devil, and she shall appear, the demigod had thought.

"Yeah?"

It was Abigail. Decked out in armor and a sword in its sheath, holding her helmet with a blie plume.

"I'm defense post with you."

"Oh. Okay, that's...well..."

"Yeah." She breathed deeply through her nose, staring Percy down. "Don't get in my way, got it pretty boy? I can do this without you, so just leave the fighting to me."

"Wow. You really are a bitch," Percy barely heard Annabeth hiss under her breath. He smirked in her direction, glad he wasn't alone with this girl just yet.

"What did you say? Actually, no, just shut up." Abigail tersed, most likely aware of the negative connotation in Annabeth's words, although she didn't catch them.

"Don't talk to her like that," the son of Poseidon snapped back at the girl. "Look, I definitely do not want to pick this fight with you. Back off so I won't have to."

"Like you could take me, anyways...you just got here. You haven't learned anything yet."

"If I remember right, I was teaching you how to redirect blade attacks."

Abigail huffed, looking just about ready to pull her sword from her scabbard. Instead, she tapped against the helmet she held against get side, glaring at them both. Percy was on edge, as was Annabeth. It hadn't looked good.

"You're pathetic, you know that?" she had said, taking an intimidating step closer. "Just be quiet and do your job."

"Its your job to, miss counselor," Annabeth said.

"Shouldn't you get to your post? And show me some respect."

"You haven't earned any," was the blonde's response under her breath.

"Just stay out of my way, okay, Bambi?"

"Stop calling me that," he tried to say, gripping his water tightly as if Abigail might listen if he strangled it. She still ignored him.

"I don't need you ruining this match for us. We've won the last couple games, I bet anything if we lose this one it'll be because of you."

"I said, shut up!"

That had been the point Percy had snapped. He grabbed the lid of his bottle, ripping it off and emptying the contents on the girl's head. Abigail was so surprised, she stumbled back, and was unable to catch herself, toppling backwards into the mud.

"Oh no, oh gods I didnt mean-" Percy dropped the water bottle.

The counselor took a couple seconds to realize what had happened, unable to react right away at the suddenness of what had happened.

A couple campers, still in the vicinity and working out final defenses, saw Abigail on the ground and shouted over "what happened?" and "are you okay?". Percy felt himself shrivel as kids came over to see the commotion.

"You..." Abigail's expression changed instantly from shocked to rabid. Percy took an automatic step back.

"Whoa you fucked up, Seaweed Brain..." Annabeth whispered to her friend, mimicking his action of stepping back from the counselor on the ground.

Percy had known he was in for it as soon as he opened the bottle. Now that Abigail was on the ground, armor ridiculously askew, covered in mud and steaming from the ears, he wished one of his demigod powers was turning back time. Unfortunately that was a bit out of his league.

"I can not...believe...you just did that..." the counselor snarled, getting up slowly. Mud stuck to her clothes, no doubt in her armor and her dark hair. She surveyed herself once on her feet, open mouthed in such disgust that Percy took another step back.

"Im so sorry, I didn't mean...a-are you okay?"

"No. I AM NOT."

Percy was thrown to the ground, surprised enough to let it happen, just as Abigail had done. His head clacked back into the ground, the gross sensation of mud where his helmet hadn't protected him, sloshing against his neck.

Some campers gasped. Others laughed. Some ran over, shouting again "what happened?".

"Percy! Are you-"

"You little..." Abigail had begun to draw her sword. Percy panicked as he saw, sitting up while attempting to pull out his sword at the same time. "I don't care if you're on my team, you little shit, I swear I'll-"

"I'd like to see you try," Annabeth said, standing by Percy with her own sword as he struggled to get on his feet, dripping mud just as Abigail was.

Luckily, the counselor realized that their scuffle had gotten the attention of the kids around them, stopping herself before actually attacking.

"What is going on here, children?" Chiron stepped in on four hooves, dispersing the bunch of campers who had rushed over. His brows were knitted in confusion, honestly perplexed. "The game has not started, what are you doing?"

All three sheathed their swords quickly.

"We just...uh..."

"Well, Percy and I-"

The young demigod's heart dropped as he saw Luke rushing over as well, noticing the commotion a bit too late.

"Perce? Abby? You..." He stopped, looking us both over. Took off his helmet, and made a face.

He started to laugh.

"Why are you covered in mud?"

The gravity of the situation seemed to lessen as he continued to laugh. It was silly. The whole thing.

Percy and Annabeth burst out laughing, forgetting how on edge they had just been.

"Aha...oh, gods it really isn't..." Percy started, giggling. But he cut himself off, seeing the glare Abigail was throwing him from behind her helmet. "...Ah, well..." he cleared his throat. "Uh..."

"We both fell," Abigail made up the excuse in an instant, turning towards Chiron. "The mud was slippery and we lost out balance. Do I have permission to go change, sir?"

"Of course, but the game is about to start," the centaur replied.

"Stay, Abby! You wouldn't wan't to miss out on another victory," Luke beamed at his girlfriend. "A little mud won't do you any harm."

She seemed peeved at his words, but shrugged. "Fine."

Luke snickered again, his scar pulling as he smiled.

"Well, good luck here. I have to get going..." the counselor flashed Abigail a wink, and waved to the two youngers. "Don't let them get our flag!"

Chiron exchanged a quick word with Abigail, before leaving to set the game.

"Well. I'd better go." Annabeth gave Percy a wave, running off to her post. Not, however, before mouthing "good luck" and pointing to Abigail while her back was turned. The daughter of Athena wrinkled her nose, setting off with her spear in hand.

As soon as she was out of sight, Percy felt a hand grab the coloured plume of his helmet and tug him around.

"Ah-" he let out a sharp gasp, coming face to face with an extremely pissed off brunette.

"If you ever pull a stunt like that again, I will end you... got it, Bambi?"

Percy glared at her, shoving her hand away from his helmet.

"Don't do me any favors," he growled back. "Just leave me alone and I'll do the same."

"Fine."

"Fine."

They didn't talk for the remainder of the game. Which, from Percy's estimation, was a good half hour of listening to the distant clang of weapons. They stood on opposite ends of the flag, not looking at each other, until they heard the sound of cheering erupt from out of nowhere. Seeing as their flag was untouched, their team had won.

That didn't stop Percy from feeling shitty. He'd embarrassed them both, leaving Capture the Flag caked in mud when they hadn't even fought anyone. Luke probably got a kick out of that. Their fight had been ridicullous, and now...

You idiot.

.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.

An hour of just standing in the shower had calmed Percy's emotions.

It wasn't for nothing. It took at least half an hour for him to lather the caked mud from his hair. He'd finished off his soap by the time he'd turned off the water, reminding himself to ask for more at some point.

He stepped out of the shower carefully, grabbing a towel before realizing he didn't need it. Running his hands twice through his hair, Percy was left with a dry head and a handfull of water cupped in his hands. He reveled at his accomplishment, before dropping it into the sink and repeating the process. Soon, he was as dry as his towel was, without even using the thing.

Poseidon as a father had its perks.

The warm, lingering feeling of calm wore off quicker than he would have liked, catching his own reflection in one of the three mirrors.

"Bambi. What a stupid nickname," Percy mumbled to himself.

It was strangely fitting, though, he noticed as he looked in the bathroom mirror. His dark hair, sunned skin, and eyes. His eyes. Percy resigned to himself that the nickname did hold some validity.

I wouldn't mind if Luke called me that.

Just the thought itself set Percy tingling.

That would be nice.

Wow.

Really nice.

"She just says it to annoy me. I can't stand her."

He exhaled sharply, the air he'd been holding suddenly too much for his lungs to handle. Shaking his head in the mirror, Percy left the bathroom to grab his boxers. Slipped them on, glancing out the window that had a view of the ocean, the sun already set behind the horizon. He had forgotten how great his view was.

Percy missed the Hermes cabin, for stupid reasons. He should have been happy that he had an entire cabin to himself, no set duties, no waiting for the bathroom and no one barking at him to wake up or go to sleep. He should have been overjoyed.

Instead, when it was quiet like this, Percy kept thinking back to the old cabin he housed in. Hermes cabin took in everyone, of course, but somehow it had still felt like home. Luke had made sure of that. And in the weeks Percy had been at camp now, like he felt most welcome when Luke was around. Talking to him. Just being in sight was fine. Percy couldn't really describe the feeling other than warm. He wanted to feel more of that. And so he missed staying in Hermes cabin, missed Luke, missed that overtly welcome sensation.

Abigail was dampening that feeling. Luke had no time to talk to anyone anymore, specifically to a certain demigod who had latched onto him rather fast.

Percy flopped himself onto his mess of a bed, not bothering to pick anything up.

What a day.

He'd made a fool of himself in front of Luke, again, and had given Abigail a reason to hate him even more. Percy hadn't thought that was even possible, but boy did he prove himself wrong. He was half worried she would sneak into his otherwise empty cabin, and strangle him in his sleep. Percy wouldn't put it past her to do just that.

The demigod was past hoping the hours to come would be better. It was obvious the gods had something against him, all this bad luck had to stem from somewhere. It probably had something to do with this whole 'Big Three' thing. Percy kicked the blanket off the bed, the room too hot to be covered.

He had no hope with Luke, at this point.

Maybe it was time to change things up a bit, rather than just keep to himself and hope for the best.

Maybe I should tell Annabeth.

.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.