I do not own Percy Jackson, Heroes of Olympus, or the Avengers.
Author: The Sea's Avenger
Title: "The Sea's Avenger"
Chapter 7: Lovely Realizations
MIT – Cambridge, Massachusetts
Percy sat up in his bed, it was early, the morning after his fight with the Drakon and more importantly, the kiss he shared with Annabeth. After the kiss, the two talked, but it was a little awkward between them; neither wanted to bring up the kiss just yet, they needed more time to process things. Their relationship was moving too fast; they needed time to catch up.
Percy stretched out his muscles. Leo was still asleep, his snores still echoing around their dorm room. Percy smiled. His friend was silly, but Leo had more of a fit about meeting Iron Man, than the fact that Percy beat a Drakon, or that he kissed the daughter of Athena. The son of Hephaestus was definitely a strange one, but Percy was happy that he had such a good friend.
Percy stood and walked to the bathroom to get ready for the day, it was the first day of classes and he had a science class at eight in the morning. It was six-thirty, he had time to do a little run before he had to go eat and then go to class. He quickly changed into his running shorts and t-shirt. He left his dorm, frowning in disgust at the snort that came from his sleeping roommate. Percy shook his head as he left his room.
Percy made his way out of his residence hall before beginning his jog around the campus. There were a few people milling around campus and even a few that gave him a nod as they too jogged around the campus grounds.
Percy jogged to the river, stopping to admire the sun as it reflected off the water.
"A pretty sight, even though the humans make a mess of the water," a familiar voice said from behind him.
Percy turned, smiling at the sight of his father, who was dressed, as usual, like a Hawaiian angler. Certainly, a sight that was out of place in Cambridge, Massachusetts. "Dad, what are you doing here?" Percy asked, his voice betraying his underlying concern for his father's appearance.
Poseidon frowned. "First off, can't a father look out for his son?" he asked, making Percy blush at the sentiment and by his father's tone of voice. "Second of all, I heard through the Nereid grapevine, that you were attacked."
Percy sighed. "Yeah, a Drakon appeared. I think Oceanus was involved."
Poseidon's frown deepened at the sound of his most ruthless enemy's name. "I also hear that you were helped by a certain mortal hero."
"Iron Man, yes he helped, but I took care of it."
Poseidon gave his son a thoughtful expression, his left eyebrow raised higher than the other. "I also hear that there was a girl involved."
Percy's blush gave him away. "Dad, it's not really any of your concern."
Poseidon crossed his arms in front of his chest, a frown settling across his face. "It certainly is my concern when I find out that you are hanging around a demigod and a daughter of Athena no less."
It was Percy's turn to frown. "Her parentage should not cause you concern."
Poseidon shook his head; it was times like this that Poseidon understood what part of his son came from Sally. "Athena is my biggest rival; of course it's my concern."
Percy stepped closer to his father; the young man showed no fear, he wouldn't back down, not even for the god of the seas. "Your rival, not mine, what would Mom say about this?"
Poseidon's sea green eyes widened. "Your Mother has no part in this."
Percy smiled mischievously. "She doesn't know you're here, does she?"
Poseidon cleared his throat, taken aback by his son's change in attitude and the accusatory tone of voice. Poseidon sighed in defeat; he knew that his son had him; no way was he going to win this conversation. Sometimes he wondered if his son and wife were related to Old Owl Head, they were too smart for their own good.
"Okay, but I want you to be careful. Athena spawn is not like us; they think too highly of themselves."
Percy sighed; his father could be so infuriating sometimes. "Dad, you don't know what she's like. She's so smart and pretty. I've never met anyone like her."
"You really like her, don't you?"
"Yes Dad, I think it might be more than that."
"You love her?" Poseidon declared, a little louder than he meant to, but no one was around to hear him. "You're falling for her."
Percy smiled, his green eyes shining in the morning sunshine. "I think so, I kissed her."
"You did?" Poseidon asked, not even trying to hide his shock. Percy nodded. "What are you going to do now?"
Percy sighed in defeat. "I have no idea."
Poseidon laughed. "Oh my son, I think you know what you need to do."
"It's not funny Dad. What if I mess this up?" Percy was scared; Poseidon now understood how serious the situation truly was for his son. Poseidon stepped closer to his son, placing his hand on his shoulder. "You need to learn to take chances sometimes. Trust your instincts, and gods forbid, don't do what I'd do, think about your Mother; she is the most level-headed person I know."
Percy smiled at his Father's confession; he knew it was difficult for a god to admit his failings, even for one as laid back as his father was. "I'll be more careful Dad. I wouldn't want to upset Athena."
Poseidon paled slightly at the thought of upsetting Athena; he would never admit it, but that goddess was scary sometimes. "Yeah, be careful around her son." The gold color returned to his father's cheeks before his sea green eyes flashed dangerously. "If she does anything to hurt you; I will make sure she rues that day."
Percy placed his hand on his Father's shoulder, trying to calm him down. "Relax Dad; I can take care of myself."
Poseidon sighed. "I know, but I… we worry about you."
Percy smiled. "I worry about you and mom too. I know Oceanus is out there and he would give anything to take Atlantis."
"Over my faded body," Poseidon snarled his determination and animosity toward the Titan evident in the tone of his voice.
Percy shook his head. "I hope it will never come to that. Now, go back to Mom; she's going to worry about you."
Poseidon sighed, thinking about his wife worrying over him. He nodded furiously. "So smart, like your mother. Take care son, and your mother and I will want to meet this daughter of Athena, soon."
Percy paled slightly before he cleared his throat. "Sure Dad, safe trip home."
Poseidon nodded before his body turned into a sea mist that sailed away, carried by the wind toward the sea. Percy smiled at the sight. Percy turned around and jogged back to his dorm; he had to get ready for class.
Later that day
Annabeth stepped out of her architectural design class, ideas flashing through her mind on the best way to design a triumphal arch. How would she improve on the designs of the ancient architects? That was the question. She had agreed to take that as her semester project. To design a triumphal arch that would exceed any that had been designed before.
"Annie," a familiar voice yelled from down the hall. Piper ran toward her friend, earning a few glares from a few teachers that she nearly collided with as she ran down the hallway. Piper stopped in front of her, her hands on her knees as she tried to catch her breath. "So glad I found you."
"You found me and nearly ran over a few of my teachers in the process."
Piper blushed, but it faded quickly as she remembered why she was looking for her. "Sorry, but I needed to find you." Annabeth's glare didn't cease; she could tell that Piper wasn't really sorry. "What do you want," Annabeth replied, her arms crossed in front of her chest.
Piper only smiled. "I saw Percy outside the Quad. He asked me where you were"
"When did you meet Percy?" Annabeth's gray eyes sparkled at the thought of the son of Poseidon.
Piper's eyes flashed multiple colors, an almost evil smirk played across her lips. "Leo introduced me."
"Of course he did," Annabeth quipped sarcastically. "What did you do?"
Piper placed her hands on her hips. "Nothing," she replied. Annabeth's gray eyes narrowed. "Well, I may have asked him when he was going to ask you out."
"What?" Annabeth's voice was a little higher than normal.
"Yeah, you said he kissed you. He's going too slowly."
Annabeth stepped toward her friend, a little more threateningly than she meant to. "Piper, I can handle my own life."
Piper gulped visibly before she steeled her resolve. "Really, this coming from the girl that has gone on… what… three dates?"
Annabeth's cheeks reddened. "I've gone on more than three dates."
"Not counting high school."
Annabeth sighed, rolling her eyes at her friend. "So, I've only been out of high school a few months?"
"So, you're a pretty young woman and now you have a guy that clearly likes you and I must say you like him. What's holding you back?" Piper's hands were on her hips, urging her friend to answer the question, to accept her feelings.
Annabeth pulled on one of her princess curls, biting her bottom lip at the same time. "I'm scared," she admitted. "I've never felt this way about anyone before."
"What way?" Piper encouraged.
"When I'm near him, my stomach feels funny. When he laughs, my head begins to spin, as if I just came down from an adrenaline rush. My hands sweat sometimes when I talk to him. My face burns when he stares into my eyes. It's all so overwhelming."
Piper smiled. "Sounds like you're in love."
Annabeth's eyes widened. "I can't be in love. We haven't known each other that long."
Piper laughed. "Love works in mysterious ways. You can't put it in a package. It is different for each person. Maybe he's your soulmate."
Annabeth laughed. "Soulmates, really, now you sound like your siblings."
Piper scowled. "Not all my siblings are bad; besides, what does a daughter of Athena know about love?"
Annabeth frowned. She never liked anyone to belittle her or her siblings. "I know a lot more than you."
Piper's eyes flashed four colors in a split second. Annabeth stepped back. An aura of power flashed around her friend. "My mother may be a laughingstock to you children of wisdom, but don't forget, she is older than the eldest Olympians. Her power comes from Ouranos himself, and from the primordial, Eros. I do not belittle your mother on wisdom; do not ever belittle mine when it comes to love."
Annabeth's body shook. The feeling of power coming from her friend was ancient and menacing. "I-I'm s-sorry."
In an instant, the aura left the daughter of love. A warm feeling replacing it, causing Annabeth to sigh in relief. "I accept your apology." Piper smiled menacingly. "Now, back to your boyfriend."
Annabeth sighed. This was going to be a long afternoon.
Just around the corner…
A pair of dull green eyes narrowed as the owner of the eyes listened to the two demigoddesses talk. He listened carefully, relishing in the fact that the daughter of Athena had feelings for that cursed son of Poseidon. After several minutes of observing the two talk, he realized something, this daughter of Athena was the perfect way to get to the son of Poseidon. He had to communicate this news to his master. A plan was forming in his mind, as an evils smile played across his lips. "I have you now Perseus."
AN: Sorry for the long delay on this chapter was sick for a while and had no inspiration to write.
