Hey. So one reviewer asked why Percy didn't use her powers on Alabaster and it is a fair question, the main reason is that she hates that she can do something like that. It genuinely scares her, the only times she's ever done it she's been beyond terrified or freaking out for some reason and she's done it multiple times losing control, the idea of actually using that power consciously scares her at this point. And while she's not exactly the same as cannon Percy she is still loyal and good, and that aspect of her powers is pretty dark if you think about it. Anyways, this chapter is a lighter one, Leo is great at breaking the tension and I love him very much.
As always please read and review.
Once Ethan was gone it was quickly decided that they'd camp out in the room- it seemed fairly safe- they'd shut the doors again after Ethan had left and as long as at least one of them was awake at a time they'd be secure enough.
And Leo had managed to gather up some scraps of wood and start a fire for them to keep them warm, and they all huddled around it, Percy curled up in Annabeth's side.
They all sat quietly for some time before the silence was broken, and Rachel's voice was very small when she did speak.
"I didn't mean to lead you there." her voice almost shook, "I swear- I don't- I was just following the path- the brightness on the floor-"
"You led us into a trap." Annabeth shifted, pressing her lips to the top of Percy's head as Percy curled in closer.
"Annabeth she didn't mean to-"
"I know that but she did-" Annabeth huffed, "How can we know it won't happen again?"
"I don't know." Rachel let out a soft groan, grabbing a stick from the floor and using the tip to draw ash figures on the floor. "I don't know why the path took us there but- I know I'm taking you the right way. Maybe you have to go through Antaeus' arena to get through the Labyrinth or something... but I can see it. Like I said it's a glow. It's really weird." she pointed towards the other end of the room into the darkness.
"It like how I know the workshop is that way. The heart of the maze. We're very close now I can feel it. I don't- I am so sorry that I put us in danger I really am- I was terrified." she focused on Percy, "I- I was convinced that you were going to die. I mean I knew your life was crazy but I don't think I ever really understood it before now."
"Rache it's not your fault." Percy muttered the words, "You had no idea it would lead us to Alabaster I know you wouldn't do that on purpose."
"Gods." Leo scowled, "I can't believe that creep thought he'd get away with touching you like that." he raised a hand and it lit on fire,
"Still, it was real fun punching him even if my hand hurts-"
"Are you okay?" Percy's expression shifted to concern.
"Yeah. It just hurt." the fire went out and Leo opened and closed his fist a couple of times, stretching his fingers. "Still, it was so worth it." he gave a small grin, "I get to tell people I decked Alabaster Torrington in the face- that's gotta get me some respect at camp-"
"Very true." Annabeth laughed softly, "It was an impressive punch too- given the fact that you're not usually a fighter-"
"No one touches my big sister like that." Leo hissed the words, "I could have burned him alive for it."
"Woah there." Percy straightened up slightly, giving Leo a worried little frown, "I'm okay Leo-"
"You were with him. I'm not stupid. I knew there was something you weren't talking about and it was him. He hurt you." Leo shook his head. "I- you gave me a second chance, you gave me family. I never thought I'd have that again after I lost my mama. I'm not going to lose anyone else. I'm smarter now I know how to control my powers."
"Leo-"
"You, mom, Tyson, Nico and Luke are my family now. I won't let anything take you away." and Percy could hear the slight tremor in his voice, "I won't let anyone hurt you guys."
And Percy pulled away from Annabeth, sliding across so that she was next to Leo and she could wrap an arm around the younger boy.
"Leo no one is ever gonna take us away. Everything is all official, mom adopted you. You're stuck with us for now on."
"Yeah." Annabeth gave a small smile "And once you're a part of the Jackson family you can never escape- and I say that as an honorary member-"
"The only reason you haven't been adopted yet is the fact that it'd be too weird." Percy snickered.
"Your whole family is crazy." Rachel's voice was amused, "Completely crazy-"
"You can be an honorary member too. You basically already are." Percy declared, "Honestly at this point I'm pretty sure every kid mom meets becomes part of the family."
Annabeth snickered, "Gods help anyone who threatens Sally Jackson- she has a small army of demigods who can and will kill for her."
"She's awesome." Rachel piped up, "Honestly being a part of the Jackson family just sounds fun."
"Sure." Percy grinned, "Right up until the near death experiences-" Percy ruffled Leo's hair affectionately, making him duck his head to get away from her, his face flushing, "And the constant worrying about missing family members."
"She's not wrong." Annabeth remarked wryly, "Luke and Sally were worried sick during our first quest, during our second we were worrying over Grover and Sally, Nico and Tyson had to worry about us, our third we were worried about Sally and Leo-"
"And I wasn't even technically family then." Leo grinned.
"And then the whole Nico thing happened- and this time- well we've pretty much just worried about everyone." Annabeth huffed, "I'd like to go one year without one of us being whisked away and leaving everyone else stressing out over it please and thank you."
"Like that'll ever happen." Percy snorted, "That would be far too normal."
"Good to know what I've signed up for." Rachel snorted, shaking her head, "Gods I'm not sure I'll ever get used to all this."
"You're doing okay." Annabeth admitted reluctantly, "Ignoring the fact that you led us right into Antaeus' lair."
"Annabeth." Percy gave her a look that made Annabeth sigh.
"Alright alright, I'll let it go." she shot Rachel a look, almost apologetic, "Sorry."
"It's okay." Rachel's smile was tight. "After what just happened I don't blame you for being angry- How could I? I nearly got us all captured and Percy-"
"I'm fine." Percy let out a huff. "Really. It was scary but I am fine now. Really, so you can stop fussing over me."
"Percy-" Rachel gave her a pained look, "We all saw how scared you were. How you reacted when Ethan called you-"
"When he called me princess." Percy finished when Rachel hesitated. "I scared you didn't I?"
"Last time you lost control like that it was because of Nico." Annabeth's voice was incredibly soft as she spoke. "It was hard to watch but I'm not scared of you. I don't think I could ever be scared of you-"
"I mean, what you did was scary but the guy kinda had it coming." Leo piped up, "and you're my big sister and I've seen how protective you are so why would I ever be scared of you? You wouldn't hurt me."
"Percy you're one of my best friends." Rachel's voice was quiet, "Probably my best friend- you know more about me than like- anyone else and if you don't judge me then why would I ever judge you-"
"Yeah but your issues aren't the same as me nearly killing someone by filling their lungs with water-"
"Percy-" Rachel's voice was soft, "After what happened- what you've been through.. there's bound to be stuff that makes you freak out. That doesn't make you a bad person. It makes you human- I'd be more worried if you acted like you were totally fine."
"I-" Percy stared before letting out a slow breath, "You're a good friend you know that Rache?"
"I pride myself on it." Rachel gave a wry little grin, "I do my best-" she stifled a yawn and Annabeth let out a breath.
"You must be tired- you're not used to stuff like this-"
"I'm kinda used to it and I'm tired." Leo huffed.
"I'm really used to it and I feel like I've been through the wringer-"
"Yes but you are the only one who's had to do any real fighting today." Annabeth remarked dryly, an amused smirk, "So you have a genuine reason to be so drained."
"I did kick butt didn't I?" Percy stifled a yawn herself, leaning against Leo.
"Well," Annabeth's lips twitched, "You're definitely not going to be the one on watch tonight." she decided, "And neither is Rachel- Leo are you okay with taking second watch if I take first?"
"You want me to take a watch?" Leo's eyes widened, "Really?"
"Of course." Annabeth nodded, "You might be ridiculous sometimes Leo but you're not stupid- I trust you enough to wake us up if you hear anything that might be an attack."
And Leo beamed at Annabeth in response. "I won't let you down-"
"Of course you won't." Percy grinned at him, "Or when you rescue your little girlfriend I'll tell her about the pink f-"
"No!" Leo almost shrieked the word, his face flushing a bright shade of red as he practically threw himself on top of Percy, clamping a hand over her mouth. "SHUSH! Shhhhhhh. No more speaking for you-"
"Oh gods." Rachel burst out laughing as Annabeth groaned and rubbed her hand over her face.
"Suddenly I am regretting my choice to let you have a watch-"
"No you can't take it back!" Leo almost wailed the words, "I'll be the best-"
"Can you let Percy up then?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow as Rachel tried to stifle her laughter at the two siblings antics.
"Hmmmm..." Leo hummed, a thoughtful look on his face, "Only if she swears to never ever speak of it ever again."
"What even was she talking about?" Rachel managed to get out, raising an eyebrow.
"We will not speak of it." Leo declared, "Do you agree?" and Percy managed to nod herself, shaking with her own muffled laughter as
Leo pulled his hand away from her lips and leaned back. "Say it outloud."
"I swear to never talk about the incident ever again." Percy was grinning as she pushed herself up so that she was sat up. "Gods Leo
you're so ridiculous."
"I'm your little brother, I'm 'sposed to be ridiculous."
"Yeah yeah." Percy slapped his arm gently. "Made everyone laugh though-"
"I didn't laugh-"
"You were laughing on the inside Wise girl I know you too well, don't even try and deny it-"
"I was not laughing on the inside!" Annabeth's lips were twitching despite her words, "Stop being so stupid."
"You love me for it." Percy poked her tongue out at her girlfriend, who mock glared back at her.
"You think you're so cute don't you?"
"I know I'm cute." Percy declared, "If I wasn't cute you wouldn't be dating me."
"She has you there." Rachel looked amused- and slightly sad though Percy honestly didn't know why."
"Ugh. You guys are all dumbasses." Annabeth was smiling despite her words. "Now, I think it's time for us to settle down for the
night- Leo I'll wake you up in a few hours when it's time for us to switch out."
"Aye aye Captain-"
"You're not a pirate-"
"I would make a great one though, right?" Percy winked at her girlfriend, "Like, can you picture me? I already have a sword- maybe I should have stolen Ethan's eyepatch-"
"Suddenly I feel much more empathy for you Annabeth." Rachel was clearly trying not to laugh again, "Your girlfriend is a bit of a dumbass-"
"A bit?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow, "My girlfriend is a mega dumbass-"
"But a cute one." Percy added insistently, "You gotta acknowledge the fact that I am, in fact, very cute-"
"You're adorable." Rachel deadpanned, "But I'm not sure if that makes up for the mega dumbassery." as they joked around they pulled their bedrolls out of their bags, laying them down, Annabeth helping Rachel set hers up when it became clear that Rachel had never done anything like this before- Percy was pretty sure that her friend hadn't even gone camping before- she knew Rachel's dad would never agree to go on anything other than a luxury holiday and Rachel didn't have that many friends- she tried to avoid the other rich kids who wanted her for daddy's money. That meant she hadn't had much chance to go camping with family or friends- Percy frowned at that thought- she'd have to take her camping when this was over- actual camping, not on a quest but a genuine camping trip- she'd ask her mom to make it a family thing.
And, Percy had to admit, the lightened atmosphere made it so much easier for her to fall asleep, safe in the knowledge that no matter how serious the situation was, they were safe for now.