In which Percy gets a visitor, and also, we have The Talk.
Replies:
Undeath9087: Leo's thinking about the fact that Percy got hit on her way back to the Argo II.
Weirdhead: Everyone has a dark side somewhere.
Drizzle: Yeah, no ones going there again, there's no point.
Guest: Because Percy doesn't want to be a killer, not really. She's afraid that if she does she'll lose herself, even if she doesn't admit that.

Percy had impatiently allowed Will to check her over properly before she'd rushed up to the deck, the others close behind- and she'd not even stopped to talk to the others, sprinting to the edge of the deck and diving into the water- and the warmth rushed through her as she did, she let out a bubble of laughter as she twisted in the water, she could feel the wound healing, feel that rush of strength that made her feel like she was alive- if she could only hang onto that feeling, the feeling she got in the first moments of entering the ocean, then she could imagine herself being happy again, truly happy- but sadly it couldn't last forever, and she forced herself to focus, pushing herself deeper, reaching out with her senses to try and find her brother and her friends.

She swam down until she was on the seabed, desperately extending her senses- she could feel fish moving through the water, feel the Argo II high above her, but there was no sign of the three demigods that she was looking for.

She wasn't sure how long she'd been looking when she sensed a movement behind her and whirled around- her eyes going wide when they landed on a familiar figure- green skin, long dark hair tied back in a ponytail- familiar green eyes- though they seemed tired- and those twin tails. He didn't even say a word, just opened up his arms- and Percy surged towards him, colliding with him, and Triton's arms wrapped tightly around her.

"Percy." his voice was soft, "I heard you were back- I didn't expect to get to see you so soon."

"I missed you." Percy blurted out, tucking her face into the crook of her brother's neck, "Everything's been so-"

"I know- I haven't been able to help much but I have been trying to keep up to date on your travels. You're doing well sister. Truly you are. Father would be proud but-"

"Is he okay?"

"He is- struggling." Triton winced, "And mother is too. They are split- their Roman and Greek sides are not working together well- Father was struggling even before the war between Greece and Rome began-"

"He sent my boat."

"Yes- that was the last thing he managed to do before it became worse- and mother is much the same. I'm lucky myself, the difference between my Roman side and my Greek side aren't nearly as pronounced so I've been taking on as much of father and mothers responsibilities as I can."

"Oh." Percy winced, "Are you okay?"

"I can handle it for now." he gave Percy a strained smile, "I know it's a lot to ask but I would appreciate it if you could find a way to fix it though- I don't enjoy seeing our parents like this."

"Of course." Percy swallowed hard and nodded, "I want them back to normal too- I want to see dad again-"

"He wants to see you too." Triton reassured her, "He mourned you terribly and he was overjoyed when you first prayed to him again." he pressed a hand to
her cheek. "If he could help you he would, you know that yes?"

"I-" Percy blinked before giving a small nod, "Of course."

"Good." Triton let out a slow breath, leaning forward and resting his forehead against Percy's, "Now I assume you came down here to find out about your friends?"

"Oh shit!" Percy went red at that, shame flooding through her, "Oh gods how could I forget that- I'm the worst friend and sister in the-"

"No, no sister don't talk ill of yourself." Triton's voice was gently chiding, "You are not a bad friend or sister- you were surprised to see me and it distracted you. Let me comfort you- they are safe enough, they will come home to you soon enough. They are safe."

"Really?" Percy felt herself slumping slightly as Triton gripped her elbows gently to steady her. "Where are they-"

"That-" Triton paused, "You know what I'll let your friends and your brother tell you all about it when they surface." his lips twitched in amusement as he ruffled her hair, "You should go back up to your ship though. Let your friends all know that Leo, Frank and Hazel are safe. I'll see if I can go and speed them up okay?"

"Okay." Percy gave a small nod before ducking in again, hugging him tightly once more. "It's really really good to see you again. You know that right?" her voice was soft and she felt Triton exhale slowly as he shifted, pressing his forehead against her again.

"I know Percy. And I'm glad to have seen you too- it made a very pleasant if brief break from running the oceans while father's... unwell." he pulled a face, "But I probably won't see you again until it's over. If you need help- feel free to pray to me. I'm more likely to answer you than father is at the moment. But- I may not be able to get to you. I will do my best but I can promise nothing."

"Of course." Percy nodded as she pulled away from him, "Once this is all over- if I survive it I'll come and visit Atlantis."

"Of course." Triton grinned, "Maybe you can bring your girlfriends-" he clearly saw Percy wince and his expression turned slightly panicked, "Did I say something wrong?"

"We broke up. Long story, don't want to go into it-no, no no no-" Percy pointed at him, "Don't give me the worried look I've had enough of that look lately."

"Okay okay." Triton raised his hands, "I won't- I just- am surprised is all." he smiled faintly, "You're as feisty as ever I see. Never lose that Persephone." he paused "Do you remember what I said, the first time we spoke?"

"Of course." Percy's lips twitched slightly, "Am I a true daughter of the sea?"

"The truest child of the sea that there's ever been." Tritons smile was proud, "Now off with you Persephone, before I decide to say screw it and whisk you away to Atlantis where I can keep you out of trouble."

"Hah!" Percy laughed, "You know I'd just break free."

"Oh I have no doubt about that." he smiled warmly, and then Percy turned and pushed herself upwards- up and up through the water- when she breached the surface she saw a pair of legs dangling over the edge of the boat- she couldn't see who it was from where she was- but a moment later she heard a familiar voice. "Annabeth she'll be fine it's the water-"

"I know but she's been down there for ages." ah, so it was Annabeth- Percy grinned slightly to herself and a tendril of water shot up, curling around her ankle and yanking her into the water- and Annabeth had clearly latched onto Rachel- they both came splashing into the water- Percy cackled as they surfaced, Annabeth quickly spotting her, her eyes narrowing."Oh you are dead."

"Sorry, but really how was I supposed to-" Percy yelped, because Rachel was leaping onto her back, shoving her under- and she laughed as she pushed the girl away and surfaced again, all three of them treading water.

"Serves you right." Rachel swum back to Annabeth, but she was smiling slightly as they both looked at Percy. "It's nice."
"What is?"

"Seeing you smiling." Annabeth answered for Rachel, "Seeing you act so- so you like. If that makes sense. We missed it."

"We really did. And based on how happy you look- is it good news?"

"Yeah- well, kinda." Percy brushed her hair out of her eyes, "I saw Triton. He says that the others are okay. He's gonna see if he can speed things up and get them back to us sooner rather than later."

"That's great." Annabeth smiled before it slipped slightly. "Since we're down here alone-"

"You want to talk." Percy swallowed hard, her own smile disappearing. "Right. The talk." she swallowed hard, "I don't-"

"No- no!" Annabeth held up a hand, kicking her legs gently to help her keep afloat, "You talked when we broke up, now I want you to let Rachel and I talk."

"Yeah." Rachel nodded, "We want to actually have the chance to talk this time- don't look freaked, it's gonna be okay."

"Right." Percy let out a slow breath, "I think I can do that."

"Good." Annabeth let out a breath, "Rache and I have talked about this by the way-"

"Yeah." Rachel nodded, "We made sure we agreed with everything before we'd talk to you about it."

"Okay." Percy nodded slowly, "Okay then."

"We don't understand it." Annabeth stated bluntly, "We don't understand how you've been feeling or why you- why you won't talk to us about it- but we've decided that we don't have to."

"We love you." Rachel added, "Nothing is ever going to stop or change that- even you breaking up with us. And we're sorry- for how we reacted."

"I-" Percy swallowed hard, "I probably could have handled it better-"

"You did your best." Annabeth's voice was soft, "It wasn't any easier for you than it was for us. It was never going to go well. That being said-" Annabeth took a deep breath, "We know that you need space from us."

"We're not giving up on you." Rachel added, "We're gonna give you time but we're never giving up on being with you-"

"No." Percy shook her head, "I know you said no interruptions but- you can't hold out on a dream of being with me you two you just can't."

"Why not?" Annabeth raised an eyebrow, "Why is it so unthink-"

"Because I doubt I'll make it to seventeen with the way things are going!" Percy threw her hands up, a frustrated look on her face, "It's nothing about you two and it's everything about me Annabeth. And even if I do- I am fucked in the head and you-"

"Percy mental health issues aren't-" Rachel tried to speak but she was quickly cut off.

"Call it what you want but I am. I hit Rachel-"

"By accident-"

"I have flashbacks- I freeze up when I get the bad memories and I'm dangerous." Percy ploughed on. She needed to say it, needed to get the idea of there being a future for them out of their heads, "When I panic I use my powers and I am dangerous. I- I enjoyed it. I hurt Octavian with them and I enjoyed it.
There's a part of me that- that I don't- gods I don't even like myself anymore because of it." she exhaled, deflating somewhat. "And you- you two deserve
better than that." she gave a sad smile. "You want to get married don't you?"

And Annabeth and Rachel both reached up, fingers curling around the rings hanging from their necks.

"I saw the rings- promise rings right?"

"I-" Rachel swallowed hard before nodding, "I got them- when we found out Annabeth was one of the Seven. Before we knew- but Percy we'd- I know we'd never officially be able to but we've never cared about offic-"

"I am married. I hate it but I am- Kronos cannot die and Alabaster's clearly running around- I can't even say I'm a widow. And-" she pressed her lips together, "The thought- even if- if I wasn't, the thought of- of getting married again-" she swallowed hard- blinking back tears, trying to force back the oh so painful memories, "I cannot physically do it. I can't it makes me feel sick- I doubt I'll even be able to attend your wedding when you do get married."

"Oh Percy-" Annabeth breathed the words, "We wouldn't have to-"

"But that shouldn't stop you! That's why you can't spend the next ten years desperately waiting for me." Percy added quickly. "You two can be happy together without me. I don't- I don't want to hold you back."

"We have very different opinions on what is holding Annabeth and I back." Rachel muttered before Annabeth reached out and gently squeezed her shoulder.

"We can agree not to spend the rest of our lives waiting for you-" Percy started to relax, "But that doesn't mean that will won't always have a place for you."

And Percy hesitated, opening her mouth to argue but- she could see those familiar glints in the other girls eyes, nothing she could say was going to change their minds. At least it was a small victory for her. "Okay." she declared after a moment, "I can live with that."

"And-" Annabeth took a deep breath, "We need ground rules- to make it easier for all of us. Because- because it'll be hard, being so close to you and not being with you."

"We-" Rachel shook her head, "No nicknames- no Daredevil or Wise Girl."

"I won't call you Seaweed brain anymore. Not- not yet." Annabeth added, "It- it makes it harder, to remember that we're not- you understand."

"I do." Percy nodded, it was painful but she did.

"And it doesn't have to be permanent. Once- once it's gotten less painful- you said you wanted us to be friends again someday."

"I understand." Percy nodded, "Someday-"

"Oi!" the call came from above them and Percy wince as she tilted her head upwards, "Stop gossiping and get your butts up here you guys." Thalia and Luke were leaning over the edge of the Argo II.

"I'm going to Iris message Chiron if I can get through, I figured it'd be nice for him to see you Sephie." and Percy glanced at Annabeth and Rachel, who both gave encouraging nodded, and then she let out a breath and called up.

"Sounds great!"