AN: again, not a looottt of action here, but next chapter it'll get juicer. always appreciate ur reviews, makes my day :))

To the guest review: sorry, i've kinda decided it will not be percabeth, however i dont have a set pairing yet

Disclaimer: I own nothing, all rights go to Rick Riordan

Despite the very sharp weapon pointed at his face, his stance was relaxed; at ease.

"You're a demigod?" Percy stepped out from behind Thalia, staring up at the older boy in awe.

"Wait, wait. Are you the help I'm supposed to find?" She lowered her spear, keeping it by her side, ready to strike, just in case.

"Help? What help?" This time it was Luke's turn to cock his head to the side as he eyed them in confusion.

"Look, I'm just here to get some new weapons, I have no idea what you're talking about," he slowly lowered his hands, keeping the torch facing them. Percy stepped forward when he heard Thalia draw in a breath, no doubt to retort and add to the chaos.

"Can we go back outside to talk? It smells weird," he added, hiding behind Thalia as Luke turned his attention towards him.

"I agree with the kid, we're not alone in here," he frowned as his easy demeanor changed, looking back over his shoulder as if a monster would come charging out. Huffing out a breath Thalia nodded, before thrusting her spear in his face.

"Fine. but no funny business," turning around, she started heading back the way they had come from, torch lighting the way. Percy looked at Luke before hurrying after Thalia, reluctant to be left alone with this stranger, no matter how cool he looked.

-Line Break-

When they were finally out in the open again, Percy just stood, facing the sun with his eyes closed, soaking in the warmth of the rays. The dankness of the cave had left a chill in his bones, one he didn't completely appreciate. He opened them, watching as Thalia and Luke started explaining why they were in the cave, Luke because he had had a dream telling him there was a dragon guarding Celestial bronze weapons, and Thalia because of her dream and the goat.

At the mention of the goat, Luke revealed that he had also encountered it before. He claimed that each of the teats were labelled with a different beverage, ranging from nectar - the drink of the gods, milk, Pepsia and Diet Mountain Dew. Thalia's only response was to cock an eyebrow skeptically despite him insisting it was the truth, before gesturing for him to continue.

He went on to explain that he had run away from home when he was nine, about five years ago. He wouldn't say why, just that it wasn't safe. Thalia could relate, her own mother was no stable parent and it had been little over a year and a half when she had run away, following the goat and going wherever it led her. She gestured towards Percy, who had fallen asleep to the side, using his bag as a pillow, telling Luke she was in New York when she found him, and had taken him in a little over month ago.

They shared their own experiences of being out on the streets with no one to rely on but themselves, avoiding authorities and monsters alike. Luke gazed out over the reserve as he told her the few times he had made mortal friends, before they would inevitably leave him, looking back at memories only he could see.

As the noon sun moved across the sky, throwing longer shadows, Percy stirred from his nap, feeling hungry. He looked over to where they were somehow still talking, deep in discussion. Feeling like they might want some privacy, he mumbled something about needing to go to the bathroom, before wandering back down the trail he and Thalia had taken earlier. Recalling where he had seen a small river before, he headed in that general direction, hand resting on the hilt of his knife.

As the sounds of running water grew louder, he let his guard down, reassured by the soothing sounds of the stream. Finding a decent tree that wasn't too in the open, he relieved himself, before going down to the water to wash his hands. His mom had drilled the importance of being sanitary into him, and he wasn't going to stop just because there was no soap. As he knelt down, he quickly rinsed his hands in the running water.

Sensing something behind him, he started to turn but a foot kicked him into the water. It wasn't particularly deep or fast moving, but it was enough to shock him. His depleted energy reserves from the combined nonstop trekking and insufficient food for a growing boy were instantly replaced, like liquid sugar had been injected into his system. He shot out of the water, not even out of breath, the familiar sensation of adrenaline and energy thrumming through his body. He turned around before he froze.

He was dry.

He'd swum many times during the month of travelling with Thalia, and this had never happened. His hands were clearly wet when he washed them, why was he completely dry now? He shook his head to remove any possible water droplets, but there was nothing. It was as if he had never gone into the water.

Speaking of which, he narrowed his, turning in a circle. No one. Who the Hades had shoved him? Two thuds sounded behind him and he whirled around, knife already out of his sheath pointed in their direction. Eyes widening, his grip slackened when he realised who it was. Indignance and anger soon replaced his shock as he glared at the two older demigods.

"What the Hades was that for?!" He demanded with all the fury of a wronged child.

"Sorry Percy, it was my idea. I wanted to confirm something," Luke apologised, walking towards him. Percy ignored him, glaring at Thalia as she came closer. She shrugged, reaching an arm out to ruffle his hair. Still scowling, he ducked away, trying to convey how annoyed he was.

"I was telling Luke how I thought I knew who your father was, but I wasn't sure. He told me there was one way to check. We would've been right here in case we were wrong to help Perce, you weren't in any danger at all." As she explained, Luke motioned for them to start heading back up the mountain towards the cave. Percy still shot her a dirty look as they walked through the heavily wooded area, muttering under his breath about "traitorous demigods" and "sneaky teenagers".

-Line Break-

When they finally returned to the cave opening, the sun had already started it's final descent, the sky awash in different hues of gold, blue, pink and purple. Percy had mostly gotten over them pushing him into the water, although he did want to know what they were confirming. After promising to tell him once they had eaten and settled down for the night, he was more than willing to help set up camp.

Turns out Luke also had supplies stashed under some tree, and he brought them out, adding to their meagre menu of assorted week-old breakfast bars, an extremely squashed looking banana and packaged, sliced bread. Luke told them to find some rocks approximately the size of a tennis ball so that they could make a fire whilst he went to look for kindling and firewood.

An hour later, the sun had disappeared and the stars had come out, the almost full moon shining down and providing light. They had all returned with varying degrees of success; Thalia and Percy were laden down with their armfuls of rocks and freshly refilled water bottles, whilst Luke came back with a bundle of sticks tied together with some kind of twine or vine slung over his shoulder, hands full of wild strawberries and common persimmons.

Percy watched as Luke showed him how to stack the sticks in a pyramid formation with the kindling in the middle, Thalia watching them both from the side with a tender smile. Luke pulled a lighter from his bag, showing Percy how to light it. He patted his head as Percy grinned up at him proudly, the kindling successfully smoldering before catching onto the other sticks.

Soon enough they had a strong fire going, occasionally throwing in more wood, the crackling sounds mixing in with their conversation.

-Line Break-

Percy eyed the both of them as he finished up his third granola bar, crumpling the wrapper and stuffing it into the front pocket of his bag. Never litter, and always pick up your rubbish. That's what his mom had always said.

"Can you guys tell me yet? We've eaten already!" His eyes narrowed slightly as they exchanged glances with each other before focusing on him. Thalia sighed, it was bound to happen.

"Percy, remember how I told you my father is Zeus?"

"Yeah?"

"Well Luke's dad is Hermes."

"Who's that?" Luke chuckled softly at his question, explaining that Hermes was the messenger of the gods, as well as the god of a lot of different things. Roads, travels and travellers, thieves and invention were only a few of the things Hermes was the patron of.

"So? What does that have to do with pushing me into the water?" Percy made a face, it was great Luke knew who his dad was. But it had nothing to do with him.

"Perce, remember when we got attacked by the hellhound back in New York?"

"Yeah?" Eyebrows furrowed, he looked at Thalia. Why was she bringing that up?

"Perce, we think your dad is Poseidon," she locked eyes with him, electric blue on sea green. There was no lie.

"It explains why you were able to control the saliva and staying dry when you got pushed in. Besides, it definitely explains the times when you've taken a swim or something in a river and come back out super hyper." She pushed forward, the topic was now out in the air. Percy's mind raced, trying to recall what Thalia had told him about Poseidon in her crash course of greek mythology.

Seeing he was struggling somewhat, Luke spoke up. Poseidon was the brother of Zeus, one of the original six gods. He controlled the seas, storms, earthquakes and was known as the father of horses. He, along with his two brothers, Zeus and Hades were known as the Big Three, more powerful than the other gods on the Olympian Council.

Percy's expression grew darker and darker during Luke's explanation; scowling into the flames. So not only was his father a god, he was a powerful god. And he still never bothered to visit him or his mom. Never bothered to check up on the woman he had left, forced to raise a child on her own. And now his mom was dead. Because of him.

A soft hand on his shoulder pulled him out of his thoughts, and he looked up into Luke's blue eyes. He could see his pain, his anger reflected. The older demigod knew exactly what he was thinking. He felt it then, a connection; this was a kindred spirit. They had both gone through trials and hardships, forced to survive on their own in a world that didn't care about them.

Luke's face softened before he opened his arms, an open invitation. Percy hugged him, burrowing his face into the teenager's chest. He relaxed as he felt another pair of arms around him, and in that moment, it was just the three of them. They would form their own family, and have their own backs.

Screw the gods.