Hey Guys! I've been writing this as fast as possible, while also trying to keep the story form imploding. I've been taking people's advice, focusing on school and such... But I really, really wanna finish this before Civil War.
I still want you guys to help me with writing ideas, and I really want you to tell me what you like and don't like, you know? You guys are good at leaving reviews, but they don't really... help me creative wise. I'm not saying every idea will be implemented, but some will be, and I promise to give those who get in a shout out.
So, I want you guys to know that Percy's interview is based almost entirely on the debate from Iron Man II, so know that it's going to be like that.
This is a longer chapter, of course, along with a bonus at the end... Hehehe...
Disclaimer: I am not Marvel or Rick.
Percy:
It was a really good day for the politicians to bash him.
He felt really weird, being in DC with his helmet on. He preferred blending in with the crowds, after nearly six years from running from them. It was… Strange. He liked the solitude. He liked the solo angles he'd played during his Avenger career. It was why he never tied himself to them. It was why he didn't let anyone know he was an Avenger, among other reasons partaking to monsters and the like.
But someone had made him. Someone in New York had seen him and blabbed to the press, and it wasn't Fury (he was sure of it). Someone knew that the Avengers were his friends, or perhaps this was just Hydra, messing with him again.
The weather was nice in the Capital. The sun was bright, the clouds nonexistent, which really was saying something. Sam and Steve had given him a list of places he should visit, and where all the best food vendors were (they knew him so well). He took a deep breath of semi-polluted air.
Of course, he'd been to the Smithsonian before. He'd been fourteen, on a quest for Annabeth. Sadly, they hadn't had any time for sightseeing, but now Percy had the time.
He'd been insistent that he go in the way he would come out of DC, so that meant with his helmet on. Natasha and Clint had worried about it, but when Percy had said he was flying Upstate in the Quinjet they consented. People would've noticed eventually that Percy Jackson went in but came out as the 'Mysterious hero'. Avengers tower would be going through major surveillance issues till the people knew.
He was still visiting all the Capital buildings, even walking outside the president's house at one point (albeit the guards had tightened their holds on their weapons). He avoid the Smithsonian, however. He'd seen enough of that.
The buildings did send a chill down his spine, but not a totally uncomfortable one. The style and architecture were magnificent, though the designs were so old. He had to disconnect the fact that they were Ancient Greek designs, though. Just to keep from punching a wall too hard.
He had to make contact with the senators who had called for him to be a part of the press meeting. You'd think they'd drop everything to pick up the phone for the guy they were trying to contact, but nooooo… They made him wait a full hour, not even giving him music to listen to like the elevator in the Empire State Building would. He had debated hanging up, or letting Tony hack into the communications services they had there, but he'd decided against it. Finally, he'd been patched through to Senator Douglas, the big guy in charge.
Now, he was sitting on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, trying to overcome eating a falafel with his helmet on.
It turns out that the person who had made the helmet had lied about the bottom half coming off (thanks Tony). He was stuck looking like an idiot, staring down his meal. People walked past and gawked, of course. They were looking at the guy who had saved New York, and thanks to a group of Senators, about a hundred eye witnesses, and a YouTube video somehow caught from an adjacent building, his picture was all over social media, and he was trending on Twitter.
So here he was, on the famous steps of his favorite president's Memorial, and people were openly gawking him. Yippee.
He had a good view of the Washington Monument, though. The weather was cooperating, the city was sparkling, and the traffic reminded him of the better days, before the Avengers, before the gods… even before Gabe. Him and his mom, listening to the traffic from their little apartment.
Where had those years gone? He kept looking at the falafel for answers, but the unattainable nourishment gave no advice. (That was probably for the best.)
He looked down at his wrist, checking the time and ignoring the fact his glove was missing a finger. His watch told him that he had an hour to get to the Supreme Court building, otherwise he'd be denied entry.
If only, he thought longingly.
He stood and picked his skateboard up as well, moving towards where he needed to be. On his left side, he saw a few tourists, phones out, muttering excitedly about this 'publicity stunt' and how they 'couldn't wait to see who was pulling this prank'. His right though, up on the monument, a guy that looked to be close the twenty was on his laptop. Percy stopped in front of him.
"Hey, do you like falafel?" He asked, still getting that tickle in his throat when the voice synthesizer made him sound like Bane. The guy in question barely looked up, the sun in his eyes. His squinted eyes went from Percy's face, to the food in his hand.
"Uh, yeah." He said, blinking rapidly behind his glasses.
Percy shrugged, handing the guy the food. "All yours, man."
He began to walk away, ready to put his skateboard down when the guy spoke up from behind him. "That's really you in there, huh?" He asked.
Percy didn't answer, getting a running start before jumping on his skateboard.
…
Percy felt like he was being assaulted.
Flashing lights, a red carpet in front of him, a billion questions being thrown in his direction from the people with press badges. He would either describe this as being assaulted, or on a red carpet movie debut, and those old dudes at the end of the carpet were not gracious hosts. Hosts maybe, but not gracious.
He ignored the lights, walking confidently into the room. A thousand eyes followed him, and somewhere cameras were broadcasting him to millions…
For just a moment he was tempted with turning off his hearing aids. Tony had built in a lip reading function into the helmet (but what hadn't Tony put in?) and he could easily clear his head with some peace and quiet. But his words tended to slur and he knew these old dudes were gonna throw in some smart remarks against him.
He was lucky the suit had a cooling system, otherwise the summer heat would've done him in.
"Excuse me, sir? Can we get a name?!"
"What's you're opinion on the attack of New York? Who is to blame?"
"Why have we never formally heard of you? Are you afraid?"
"Sir, are you a mutant? Was the wave in New York caused by you?"
Percy took a seat at the longest table he'd seen, polished mahogany and beautifully carved. He tried to focus on the little details like that, drawing himself into them and out of reach of the press.
But he still had to be here. He had to show them that he was their friend, or not their enemy, at least.
"Settle down. Settle down." Directly across from him, and a bit above sat a semi-old guy. Mid forties, lower fifties maybe? Percy pretended he hadn't done his homework on Senator Douglas, even though he knew next to everything about the guy. He always thought first impressions were best done clueless. You get to know a person better that way.
Percy wasn't liking what he was seeing.
Jet black, slicked back hair. A suit that seemed tailored to perfection, as grey as a cadaver. His beady eyes shifted around the room, locking eyes with the press members that hadn't gone quiet at his command. Percy was reminded of many of his past teachers, and if that wasn't a red flag, he wasn't sure what was. When Douglas's gaze landed on Percy, he felt like those eyes could see past the glass dome over his head.
"Now, we will begin." He said. A few of the fellow Senators nodded. Stenographers poised over their keyboards, ready to catch stray words like hawks. "If you would stand please, and give us your name." He said, his voice a bit on the snooty side.
Percy sat there like an idiot for a moment before remembering, oh, that's me.
He managed to stand without falling over, though he seemed a bit excited at the speed he was going. His chair flew back, and the sound of it scratching against the floor felt deafening. He heard someone chuckle lightly behind him.
"Good afternoon, Senators. I'm afraid I do not have a name to give you." He said, then proceeded to sit back down. He was suddenly glad that no one could see his face. He took a deep, slow breath to calm himself down.
The Senators looked anything but impressed. Percy saw several eye rolls and Douglas himself flourished his hand while looking towards his fellow Senators, as if saying: what did I tell you?
"And how can we trust anyone without a title?" He asked. And really, wow, Percy was actually taken back. He figured they'd go through boring introductions, then spend an hour discussing why they were there. The political stuff.
Percy shifted in his chair uncomfortably. This… This wasn't what he'd expected. "I suppose you have faith that it's in everyone's best interest that I remain-"
"And why would that be? Our best interests today is to find the truth about who you are, and if you are a threat to the American people. Faith will get you nowhere today." He said matter-of-factly. Percy felt his fist clench at his side. The press began to murmur, and a camera went off somewhere to his left.
"Maybe I don't trust easily, Senator. Maybe I don't feel okay with sharing that information at this time." He said. It was a safe answer, he felt. Something he could feel okay with giving.
"Will there ever be a time? Or should we wait until you feel safe being around the American people? Are you an American citizen? Are you even here to give us information or make excuses?"
Percy could feel his blood beginning to boil. His vision clouded a little, and he shook his head to clear it. He was back in middle school, the counselor telling him to count backwards from ten…
… When the bullies started to pick on him.
And that was all this guy was, right? A bully. How do we deal with bullies? He thought to himself. A grin started to appear on his face.
Sarcasm. Sarcasm was always an answer.
"No sir, I believe that's your job." He said, the humor leaking into his voice. The room was utterly quiet. "And, if it's all the same with you, you can go onto most Social Media sites, where I'm told there is a poll as to what my 'Superhero' name is." Percy said, putting air quotes around the word 'superhero'. "As for your questions, I will be as honest as I can be. Bluntly, if you like, seeing as that must be a rarity in your line of work. Yes, I am an American citizen." He answered smoothly.
Senator Douglas looked thoroughly unimpressed with his answer. "Very well then. Please, explain to us why you are not a threat to the American people." He said. He flourished his hand again, as if telling Percy to bring it on.
Percy remained seated, measuring every word and not bothering in thinking every answer all the way through. "Well, that seems fair. I'd like to start off with the fact that, with the help of the other Avengers and company, I successfully ended a terrorist attack on the great city of Manhattan." He deadpanned. This time he heard a few laughs over the snapping of camera shutters.
The Senators rolled their eyes, but he continued. "I am currently here because I'd like to earn the trust of the American people, and had it been any lesser reason I would've gladly shrugged off the invitation I was given to be here." Percy made a show of glancing at the people around him. "For which I did not receive the memo that we'd be going from a guerilla warfare event to business formal." He joked. More laughter. His confidence boosted a little.
"In all seriousness though, I'm a family guy. I'd much rather be at home with my closest friends and family than be standing here before you. But when I saw New York needed a hero, for lack of a better term, I decided that I would step up. Unless you'd also like to bring in the 2.3 million New Yorkers that fought in the street that day, I respect you do not question if I had any motives besides what I've mentioned." Percy nodded to himself, satisfied with his own answer.
The Senators and press began to stir. More camera flashes. Douglas shushed them. "And what about the mysterious wave that all 2.3 million New Yorkers claimed to have picked them up off the streets? Are you, in any way possible, able to give me an explanation for that?" Percy felt like he was in a tennis match. He hated tennis.
"I would be happy to show you, if you'd like a demonstration?"
Everyone was quiet. He looked around, finally spotting a water bottle in the hands of a young news reporter. Percy let his gut tug towards the water.
The young reporter yelped, dropping the now empty plastic bottle. Percy kept his trick simple, just letting a ball of water come to rest in his hand. People watched in awe as he placed on the table. It stayed in ball form, perfectly spinning like a globe. "I've had this power, scientifically known as hydrokinesis, all my life. I personally summoned the wave that picked up the rioters in New York, to which only three basements were reported flooded, which I will settle personally with the homeowners, and no, I do not entertain at parties." He said. A few nervous chuckles went from around him, and Percy knew why.
The question was expected, as was the smug grin on Senator Douglas's face. "Are you a mutant?"
Percy wanted to shake his head in disappointment, because really? Mutants got a bad rep because of a few bad apples. And public opinion was almost never for them. The guards in Percy's peripherals were subconsciously reaching for their tasers. "I proudly say that I am, Senator. I also ask that we get back on track. The ongoing debate on mutants being menaces to society is not the focus of this meeting. Please, do not make this a grudge match."
Percy picked up the ball and shoved it into his pocket. Too many people were staring at it. Senator Douglas himself seemed indecisive. Percy knew they could literally waste all day discussing his powers and only stir resentment, and he wouldn't want that, either. "Very well. Moving on, what is your connection to the group known as the Avengers?" The Senator asked.
Percy smiled. "I consider them family, Senator. Just as you consider your wife and child family. On a side note, Tony Stark personally coached me before I came to DC for this." This time there was a hum of laughter that went all the way across the room, the mutant topic forgotten for the time being. Everyone remembered Tony's appearances at press conferences.
"Let's not make this personal. Please, adjust your statement." The Senator asked, cold toned. Percy shook his head.
"I'm sorry, sir. But I'm being bluntly honest while trying to make you understand: I am not a threat to the American people. Or any other, for that matter. Only those who think of me as an enemy." Percy said.
"And should the American people consider you a threat if that were the case?" Douglas challenged.
"The American people won't be going after me, Senator. I'll have aggressors, yes. I'll make enemies- one of the reasons I stay out of politics -but that is to be expected. But so long as there is a single person who thinks that I'm doing the right thing, then I will continue to move forward, America's interests before my own."
This time, Percy was surprised by something that wasn't laughter. Clapping. The people were clapping for him. He felt a chill go down his spine. He'd never had public opinion in his favor before.
The Senator shushed them all again. He turned his withering gaze back to Percy. "And when the public shuns you? When America's best interest for you is to retire?"
Percy shrugged. "The key word there is 'retire'. It's either service to the people, or I drift back into the shadows and forever remain anonymous. That was the plan before I was called here. If you want me to disappear, I will leave and never be heard from again. But that has dependence that goes beyond any of us." Percy said.
"Enlighten me." Douglas said.
"Natasha Romanoff said it best when her past was put all over the Internet. When there isn't anyone else to protect the world from destruction, the Avengers will give it their best shot. That now includes me as well." He said. "And if that day should come, if I need to step up, then I guess I'll have to."
…
There were at least a dozen other questions, and the press around him wasn't helping.
They were like a wall of flashing lights and noise, constantly trying to dominate the other. If he hadn't already been to Tartarus, this would be Hell.
But Douglas had run out of questions, and Percy could tell that he was about to go free. Really, for once Tony hadn't been exaggerating. This was reason to lock himself in his room and not come back out until dinner tonight.
Douglas, who had been whispering frantically with his fellow Senators, finally began to quiet down the crowd behind Percy. Percy had to find out the trick for that, because he couldn't get a five year old to stop yelling most days.
And this was it. The final question. The make or break moment, and Percy couldn't see the low blow coming. Douglas had the ghost of a smirk on his face before it disappeared. "What you call a family, the Avengers, have always been labelled a threat to security. Who said that they could put you on the team? How were you given access, and why did you choose the life of a vigilante? Was it because you wanted the attention? Or was it because you might be ashamed of your family? Please, tell us the blunt truth." He said, throwing Percy's own words back into his face.
Because you wanted the attention… Percy felt his vision tunnel red. The ball of water in his pocket quivered and spasmed. He had the sudden urge to throw it into the Senator's smug face.
Who was this guy, to tell Percy that the Avengers were a menace? Who was he to judge Percy? This was the senate meeting in New Rome all over again. No respect or trust or even so much as a 'thank you' for saving Manhattan or the gods from certain destruction. Senator Douglas had no right to question Percy about being a threat to the American people when a dozen senators were exposed as being members of Hydra all those years ago.
This wasn't fair. This wasn't okay. This wasn't what he deserved.
"Percy, the hardest part of being a Hero is being the bigger man." The words of advice sent a shock down his spine. He hadn't thought of the centaur's last words to him in years… "It's hard to let go of the past grudges you may have, but necessary. You have to show them you aren't afraid."
Percy took a deep breath, but that nagging Senator's voice was in the back of his head, taunting him. Finally, he spoke. "The group you call vigilante's have saved your life on two known occasions, and a level of respect should be given to them. As for how I met them, they recruited me because I wanted to help make sure that the world would continue to spin." He said, disgust still lacing his voice. "And attention? I avoided the so called 'attention' because that wasn't what I wanted. I avoided the press for all these years, didn't I?" He pointed his finger accusingly at the politician. "And never, never say anything bad about my friends, you hear me? Unless you can honestly say that the Senate is perfect, which it isn't. I am not ashamed of who I am, or what I've done in my brief career. I am proud to be working next to the Avengers, and I'm going to forever regret talking to a man who only seemed interested in leading a campaign to slander my name, or rather lack thereof."
Silence. Percy had to take another long breath before speaking. "I have done my part by showing up and playing the question game. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to go and repair a few flooded basements."
Percy wished that he'd left them all awestruck, without any way of speaking to him. That his exit could be silent and he could sneak away and back to Homestead (after repairing the basements, of course). Instead, the reporters quickly swarmed him, shoving microphones into his face and asking questions in hopes of getting answers. He gave none, even going as far as to make his helmet soundproof. He could hear the dull echoes and see flashes of cameras, but it was if they were underwater. He felt calmer.
…
As the Quinjet made it's final approach to Stark Tower, Percy took a deep breath in preparation for whatever might be there. He suspected he'd be debriefed by Fury, skip dinner and then maybe go through a restless night before hearing the news report tomorrow.
Ugh.
Still, when the jet landed, and he'd thanked the pilot for taking him, Percy dragged himself to the elevator, ready to at least try and sleep his problems away. As he began his ascent towards the main areas of Stark Tower, his shoulders slumped.
"Perhaps you're ashamed of your family…"
Ouch.
He wouldn't let it get to him. He couldn't. Besides, they had disowned him. Technically, he wasn't family anymore. Danny, Terry, and Andrew had confirmed it: he was nearly twenty four, and it'd been close to six years of him being away from them, and no one knew his name.
He didn't have anything to be ashamed of. His family was here, in this building. Clint and Nat and Steve and Tony and and and- all of them. He'd fall back into Tartarus for them, if he had to. And they wouldn't rest until he was better. They would help him through it.
Annabeth had called him weak. She'd said that if she could get over Tartarus, but he couldn't, then he wasn't fit to be in a relationship. He wasn't fit to be with her.
He'd had to lie to his mother the night of her death. He'd had to tell her that Annabeth might not be around for a while. Here was Percy, finally starting to feel better since he'd rescued Bob and Damasen, and the gods call him a traitor. A traitor that let two innocent monsters out of Hell.
… It was better than it sounded.
But you know what? Who needed her! She'd made her choice and left, and in doing so Percy became stronger. He stood up for him and his sister, rescued his friends. He was an Avenger, for goodness sake. He was a hero.
He was his sister's hero. That counted more than any praise they could give him.
As the doors to the elevators began to open, Percy hoisted his skateboard onto his back and removed the helmet. He looked up…
… Just in time to see the explosives hurtling towards his face.
Percy reacted faster than he would've thought he could six years ago, pulling the pen part of his sword out of the cap that was still in his neck sheath. The blade expanded and Percy sidestepped, slicing at the brightly colored lights heading past him. His sword cleaved the miniature firework in two and the halves bounced off the wall landed at his feet with a Pffff…
He heard a sigh come from inside the penthouse, and a feminine voice spoke up. "I told you we shouldn't have shot something at him first."
Percy took a cautious step into the penthouse, seeing all of the Avengers spread out, including a few other familiar faces, like the woman who had just scolded Tony, who had a firecracker gun in his hand. "Pepper?" He asked tentatively.
She was in a nice dress, diamond earrings and heels. Dressed just like a CEO should be. She and Tony sat side by side, a glass in each hand. Judging by Tony's posture and his untucked dress shirt, this was not his first drink.
She wasn't the only second half there. Jane Foster, in a somewhat fancy dress and sneakers. Darcy and Ian were taking selfies by the bar, and Percy noticed her snatching some sort of cracker from one of the perfectly laid out plates. Thor was talking with Dr. Selvick, but he raised his glass as Percy entered. "Hail! The Hero of Olympus has returned successful!"
Percy ignored the comment because he wasn't sure if he wanted that title, instead stepping forward and into Ms. Potts hug.
When she stepped back, her smile was beaming. "I watched the whole thing, and I'm glad you stuck them with the truth." She said.
Percy nodded, feeling just a bit better. Pepper was always such a level headed, serious person. The first time Percy had to work on her security detail, he'd wondered what could've gotten Tony Stark and Pepper Potts to become a couple. He realized later on, however, that they had such conflicting personalities, like him and Annabeth.
He liked them as a couple. No envy or jealousy, just happiness.
His grin got bigger as he asked the question that was on his mind. "What about Tony?"
Hearing his name, he stood in his semi-sober state, sauntering over to Percy until he had clasped his hand over the boy's shoulder. Percy could smell whatever he'd put into his body, and it smelled awful. His words weren't slurred, however. Tony always seemed like he was half-drunk. He was like a friendlier Mr. D.
Wow, today was just a day for memories, wasn't it?
"Proud." Tony said, smirking. "All those hours of sarcasm lessons has taught you well. I'm ranking you up from sloppy to adequate." He said. Pepper put a hand on her boyfriend's shoulder.
"Sorry Percy, but I think Tony needs to sleep off his wine. But you'll still be here tomorrow?" She asked. Percy nodded, shifting from one foot to the next.
"That's the plan. I'll be heading back to Homestead in a few days, though. I feel like I've been gone too long already." He said. Suddenly another hand was on his shoulder, and judging by the firm and fatherly grip, he didn't have to guess.
Percy wrapped Clint into a tight embrace, feeling just a bit overwhelmed already, after his first public appearance. When they separated, Clint was grinning. "Knew you could do it, son." He said. Percy's grin was wider than he thought possible.
And really, Poseidon didn't even compare to Clint.
"Thanks. What do you think is going to happen now?" Percy asked. "Do you think he's going to back off?" He asked, hopeful of a positive answer.
Clint gave Percy a sad smile. "I told you, this job has huge disadvantages. Count yourself lucky that you're only getting involved in the political side of things now." He said. Percy's shoulders fell. Steve spoke up from where he was on the couch.
"At least you didn't let them turn you into a political monkey. I let that happen to me when I first joined the Super Soldier program." He reassured. "You did great out there, Perce. I can't see public opinion going against you anytime soon." He said.
Percy nodded, then noticed that not everyone was there,excluding Pepper and Tony, who had begun the journey up the stairs. "Where's James?" He asked.
Among the small group of people that were there, Wanda stepped forward. She was in a nice dress, and her hair was done up in a messy bun. She held a glass in her hand, and it still trembled slightly. Percy worried that maybe he had somehow accidentally given her ADHD.
He knew what she was going to say before she actually did. "He wasn't feeling too well, so we sent him to bed early." She explained. Percy nodded. He knew better than anyone what the two had seen when they'd entered his mind.
But James had seen a bit more than Wanda. James had accidentally seen something else entirely. Percy understood that he'd need a few weeks to get over it. Percy would be there to help.
A silence had fallen over the group as he'd pondered if he should visit James or not, and he quickly extinguished it. He clapped his hands together, loud enough to cause everyone to blink. "Okay! Well, I have no idea what we're supposed to be doing, so who wants to fill me in?"
Steve stepped forward, handing Percy a blue Coke. Steve himself was drinking a vanilla cola, his childhood love. As Percy took his drink, Thor spoke up. "The people of the Online word have spoken! I believe your name is somewhere on there." He said, motioning towards the holo screen that floated in the middle of the room. Percy could see the lines of code and chatter running along the screens, all forming towards Tony's social media. Seeing as he had the most followers, it had made sense.
"I still can't believe I let you guys talk me into letting random people vote on my name. I'm twenty four, you know."
Steve smiled, putting his hand Percy's shoulder. "That's next month, Percy. You still have a few weeks."
Percy crossed his arms, grumbling like a toddler. "Is'not fair."
Thor, who still had Jane standing beside him, motioned to the holo screen. "It is only fair that if you serve the people, and wish for them to trust you, you must trust them not to give you a horrid name." He said, nodding curtly. 'Easy for him to say', Percy though. 'Thor is an awesome name.'
"He's right. I mean, Tony got his name from the newspapers. I had a bunch of politicians decide what I should be called. We were all given our names by the people." Steve said. "Just trust that they'll give you a name that gets taken seriously."
"I don't trust easy." Percy replied, rubbing up and down his arms, bunching up the sleeves. The gap his missing finger had left left a cold trail down his arm.
"Shhh! Voting just ended! Quiet people!" Darcy said.
Sam frowned. "You're the only one talking."
"Shh!" She emphasized, putting a finger to her lips.
The holoscreens flickered, then each social media site displayed the winner.
Percy read through all the names Tony had put into the poll, and he hadn't really approved of any of them. They were tacky, party names. His jobs for the Avengers, when he did get out of the house, usually led to mortals catching glimpses of him. He'd actually once held the title 'Blue Trident' for a full year, even a newspaper had printed it in Iraq. But it had lost its flame and followers (thank goodness). The name was thoroughly and utterly stupid.
Still, he would've accepted that over the #1 most popular name on the list.
"You've got to be kidding me." Percy said aloud, his eyes glued to the screen. He re-read all the possible candidates, and then noticed that this one had been a write in. Someone had suggested it and it had gotten popular.
Thor have out a long and hearty laugh, slapping his knee and doubling over. He pointed at Percy as if he were the funniest person alive. 'Maybe it's because my life is a joke.' He thought.
"You would have that bad of luck!" He said, tears in his eyes. Jane was shaking with laughter, hiding a smile as she tried to be polite. No one else had her tact, it seemed. Sam, Wanda, Steve, Natasha, Clint… They were all laughing lightly. The only two who weren't laughing were Ian and Darcy. They both squinted at the name, unknowing.
"I don't get it." She admitted.
Percy shook his head, wishing he didn't get it. The problem was, it made sense. The name fit his powers, and that's what people would know him by. He should've seen it coming. "Please, please tell me that that isn't really the winner." He said.
Clint squeezed Percy's shoulder, nodding to himself. "I think it sings. Don't you?" He said.
"I hate people calling me that. How-"
Clint shook his head, stopping Percy. "It's a fine name. One the people gave you. Now, the people just want you to use it."
Natasha sauntered over in a black cocktail dress, then ran a hand through Percy's untamable hair. He frowned harder, trying to bat her hand away. She simply shrugged, continuing to mess up and fix his hair over and over again. "Look on the bright side. If We call you Perseus or Theseus, it'll always mean you're in trouble."
Percy shook his head, seeing that people were already liking the winning name in the comments. Over forty million had seen the results. There was no turning back. His past was linked with his superhero name.
Theseus was the unfaithful son of Poseidon, who cheated on his girlfriend. Why would anyone name a hero that?
"The Fates suck."
Annabeth:
It had been a while since she'd last visited Camp Halfblood.
Maybe that was why it was so easy for her to convince them all that she just needed a break. After all, her regular college counselor had suggested she avoid the stress of her education and actually live for a change. Frank and Hazel had heard this, and when she told them she'd be back before summer was over they were ecstatic. They had wished her luck, even taking time out of their packed schedules to wish her goodbye at the airport.
But as she sat in her coach seat that wouldn't lie back, and the toddler two rows ahead wouldn't stop crying, she thought of her real reasoning behind it. It certainly wasn't for Mark. It was never going to be for Mark. Never again.
She was on her own quest.
As she looked out at the clouds below her, she couldn't help but imagine the blues that used to swirl in his eyes, constantly shifting…
Her head snapped away from the window, and she closed her eyes tight. Too late, a migraine was beginning to form at the base of her skull, moving like a snake to coil around her brain. She had to stop thinking about him.
A stewardess walked by and asked Annabeth if she was feeling alright, and she assured the kindly old woman she was. Still, when she was offered the Tylenol she didn't refuse it.
She looked down at the glass of water in her hand, swirling it around as if it were an exotic drink. Really, she didn't understand why even the water was reminding her of him. He just… He just had a way with sticking into her. With her always wanting him there beside her. It was a drug, and she was an addict.
And when she'd tried to rehabilitate herself, she'd only fallen further.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts. We will be landing in JFK international airport within the next few minutes, so please be ready to leave when the stewardess escorts you out. Thank you for flying with us, and have a nice day in the beautiful state of New York."
She waited patiently as the plane descended, her fingers tapping against her armrest relentlessly. When she noticed this she tried to stop it, but succeeded in only agitating herself more. Her leg began to bounce against her will and she gave up trying to control her impulses altogether. It wasn't like she was trying to impress anyone.
When the plane touched down and the toddler behind her began to sob once again, Annabeth grit her teeth. She could feel her heart leaping, trying to leave her chest.
Five years. Five years since she'd left New York. Five years since he'd left her life.
Five years, deprived of him. If she could've just remembered the good instead of the guilt, she would have been able to control herself.
The same kindly stewardess helped Annabeth remove her bag from the overhead compartment, though she was perfectly fine in doing that herself. Still, Annabeth gave the woman a big smile, taking her bag with a quiet "Thank you".
As she began the walk back onto New York soil, and her foot connected with the sidewalk thirty minutes later, she examined the grey, cloudy sky above her and the endless black of road around her. She forced a knot down her throat, shouldering her bag and hailing a taxi.
She had one goal for her week long escapade: find Perseus Jackson. She'd figure out the rest from there.
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(Just to be clear: his name is Theseus)
LHG :)
