Siblings siblings we love siblings!
Big reply to my reviews! I love you all btw:
Yeah, there's definitely some irony there- and it's gonna cause a lot of damage to both Annabeth and Luke. He genuinely didn't mean for her to get hurt he thought she'd stop, but he still nearly killed her and as far as he knows she's dead. And yes it will cause permanent damage to Annabeth's hand. And I do mean permanent. So yeah, when she wakes up she's gonna be going through the wringer. And Percy's gonna feel a lil guilty for it even though she did everything she could and literally is the only reason Annabeth didn't die. Also- next chapter is the first proper meeting between Percy and Annabeth. And there is an element of adorable because the way it happens is literally the reason Annabeth, even if she doesn't realise it, is gonna be like 'This girl is the most perfect being on Earth holy fuck I am in love'. Like- I want to hear theories about what you guys think it's gonna be like.
When Percy woke up she was in the infirmary- she wasn't sure how long she'd been asleep but the sun was high in the sky- she could tell because the light was shining in through the large windows.
She sat up slowly, looking around carefully.
Her gaze quickly landed on the bed maybe ten feet away from hers, Annabeth was led on it. Healing hieroglyphs were floating around her bed, there was an enchanted wash cloth resting on her forehead.
Percy bit her lip hard, rolling her shoulders slowly.
And at least that pain was gone- she felt a lot better actually. Jaz had clearly worked her magic and Percy's headache was totally gone. That was a relief to say the least.
She twisted, swinging her legs off the edge of the bed before- "Well well well-" and that was a familiar voice, Percy twisted, a smile spreading across her lips, "If it isn't our fearless adventurer and hero awake and well."
"Sadie." Percy beamed at her sister. Sadie was grinning widely at Percy, and Percy couldn't help but notice that her hair had once again changed colors- there were streaks of red, blue, green and purple through it- and she was spreading her arms.
Percy flew at Sadie, almost smashing into her big sister, who's arms wrapped around her tightly. "What trouble have you been getting yourself into now Percy?" Sadie's voice was teasing as she rested her chin on top of Percy's head, "I was so worried when Walt showed up to tell me that you were off with Piper on some mission to the Greek gods. I went straight to Carter. Walt and Zia had to spend like, two hours convincing us not to chase after you."
"What? Didn't think we could handle it?" Percy shot back playfully.
"Carter kept yelling about how you'd probably cause some horrible diplomatic nightmare by trying to kidnap Cerberus or something-" she paused- and it must have been something about the look on Percy's face because Sadie started to cackle. "Oh you did- you tried to kidnap Cerberus!"
"I- I didn't actually try and kidnap him." Percy's face was bright red, "But I'm pretty sure Hades gave me permission to come and go and visit him as I please-"
"Of course he did." Sadie's whole body shook with her laughter, "Percy Kane you are ridiculous you know that. So you managed to return the stuff you got then?"
"Yeah." Percy nodded, "I gave the Bolt and Helm to Hades and he promised me he'd get the Bolt back to Thunderpants-"
"I will pay you to call him that to his face when you meet the guy-"
"Why bother paying?" Percy snickered, "You know that's the type of shit I'd do anyway. It's fun." she gave a goofy little grin as she pulled back slightly, "Sorry you had to leave London early."
"Eh, not a problem." Sadie waved a hand dismissively, "I mean, my trip can be rescheduled. You're my baby sister. You come first always." And as always Percy felt a flood of warmth, surging forward again and pressing her face into Sadie's shoulder.
They'd both grown up so much since everything had started, since they'd first met that day when Percy had been six years old.
She still found it strange when she looked back on those early days. Back then she'd have never imagined that Sadie would even tolerate her. Let alone love her enough that she'd drop everything to come running at the mere suggestion that Percy might be in trouble. Carter yes, Sadie? No. But these days? These days Percy knew that if she was ever in trouble, if she was ever in so deep that she couldn't claw her way out she could always go to Carter and Sadie. Even if she couldn't go to anyone else. She knew that they would always be with her.
"I love you Sadie." Percy mumbled the words, "Where's Carter. You said you went to him and you both came here."
"He's out talking to Piper. Getting all the details on what went down with you two on your little solo adventure. He'll be in here in a minute ready to lecture you about you going off without us." Sadie snickered. "You know how protective our dear big brother can be after all."
Percy forced back a giggle, "I know. But I'm fine and this was something I needed to do."
"Of course you did. I get the whole needing to step out and do something without Carter and I but bloody hell only you could get dragged into something so ridiculous-"
"Honestly all things considered it wasn't that bad. I spent a lot of the time bored out of my mind on trains and buses-"
"Uh huh. Your shoulder says different."
"Oh that wasn't a monster." Percy snorted, "That was a gang of street thugs who decided because I'm a famous actress I must be a great target for a mugging. Piper and I dealt with them but one of them got a lucky blow. Most of the not so normal threats were pretty easy to shake off. A bit of magic and we were well away."
"I can't wait to read about it in mom's next best seller-"
"Oh my gods." Percy laughed, she couldn't help it. "It would ensure I have more work coming up huh."
"Well duh." Sadie ruffled Percy's hair. "Mom would love it too."
"Might tip off the Greeks though. Pipes and I met a girl we think was a Greek Demigod back before the whole dream stuff and the backpack. She was a big fan of mom's books and the movies. If mom writes about this it's gonna be real obvious to them that something's fishy and for now I want to keep the whole two pantheons thing on a need to know basis. Hades isn't gonna say anything so for now we're pretty safe I think."
"Unless the girl on that bed says anything." Sadie raised an eyebrow, "What happened Percy? Who is she?"
"Annabeth." Percy's gaze flicked towards the unconscious girl, "It was my fault- Piper and I got back here, we got some breakfast. And- turns out the guy who stole the Bolt and the Helm was looking for us. My hair sort of stands out and I had the backpack... long story short, he chased us, we climbed onto a roof to get away and his friend caught up with him. Found out what he'd done. She freaked out, tried to run, he set some scorpion on her-"
"Carter's worst nightmare-"
"And by the time I got down she'd been stung and she was already down. Piper managed to force him to leave and she called Jaz for me."
"Jaz said something about you keeping the venom from spreading. Said you saved the girls life."
"I- I did." Percy bit her lip, "But I may have caused a lot of damage to her hand-"
"Who gives a shit. She can live without a hand. I highly doubt sleeping beauty there will blame you for any damage. And Jaz can do a lot, if her hand can be healed then Jaz will do it."
Percy let out a slow breath. "I know. Jaz is a miracle worker." her voice was soft and she brushed her hair out of her face. "It just- I could have stepped in sooner. I never thought it'd go badly so fast."
"If you'd have known what was going to happen you'd have stopped it. Now stop being-"
"PERCY KANE I AM GOING TO STRANGLE YOU!" and Percy winced as Carter stormed into the infirmary- Jaz rushing in after him.
"And I'll beat you over the head with my wand if you don't keep it quiet Carter Kane! Pharaoh or not!" Percy snickered at that- Jaz might be one of the most skilled healers and one of the nicest people Percy had ever known but she could get very feisty when it came to protecting her space- and the infirmary was definitely her space. The only one who had precedence over her was Sally and that was because she had years of experience.
And Carter instantly looked sheepish. "Sorry Jaz I just- Percy what were you thinking? You know the rules-"
"Carter, we've had a bajillion rules over the years and Sadie and I have a rule of our own-" and Sadie was very clearly trying not to laugh. "Which is we only listen to the rules when we want to."
"I'm talking about the 'you tell us if you have weird or creepy dreams rule!" Carter threw his hands up, "By all the gods Percy you are infuriating sometimes."
And okay, okay he had a point. That had been a very firm rule that they'd made official after the whole waking up from a five month long Coma thing. They'd agreed that if any of them had weird dreams they'd tell the others.
"In my defence, it all happened very quickly. You and Sadie were in bed and I didn't think I had much time to spare. And then uh- I forgot about it- and again in my defence that was the ADHD."
Carter twitched, "Out of sight out of mind- Percy- you-" then he let out a huff, darting forward and wrapping his arms around her tightly. "You scared me."
"I didn't mean to." Percy mumbled, "It all happened so fast and then I forgot- then Walt found the bag and- we didn't have much time to waste and- it felt right that it was Pipes and I. I was terrified and I didn't- a part of me really didn't like doing it without you guys but I'm glad I did. Because there's some things I need to do myself."
"Ugh." Carter let out an annoyed huff, pulling Percy into a protective hug. "I know you're growing up but by the gods I hate having to admit it." He paused, "You know that it's not- it's not that I don't trust you to handle yourself right? I know you're capable I just- you're my baby sister. I hate the idea of you going off on your own without me even knowing about it."
"For the record, I feel the same." Sadie piped up, "Except I'm much cooler about it all. Obviously. Only an idiot wouldn't think that you could deal with pretty much anything- back when dad first freed Set it was you who protected us not the other way around- at the start anyway."
"Ugh." Percy let out a weak huff. "Don't remind me." she shook her head. "I was so freaking terrified the entire time. Dad told me to look after you guys."
"And you did a great job." Carter declared, "Still do sometimes." he shifted from a full hug to just having his arm draped around his shoulder. "And from what Piper told me you did amazing, especially with Hades. Did he really give you an open ended invitation to visit Cerberus whenever?"
Percy held up her hand so that they could see the bracelet on her wrist, "Yep. He gave Pipes and I each a bracelet which can get us to the Underworld basically instantly."
"Oooh." Sadie grabbed Percy's hand, pulling it close so that she could peer at the bracelet. "That actually looks really cool. What metal is that."
"Stygian Iron." Percy beamed proudly, "Hades said only a true child of the Underworld could wield Stygian Iron weapons so giving me a bracelet made of it-"
"That's actually kind of sweet." Carter laughed. "But it is appropriate our dad is an Underworld god-"
"And I am dating Anubis." Sadie added, "And Percy was the eye of Nephthys." she ruffled Percy's hair, which made the younger girl swat at her hand.
"Hey! Don't do that!"
"I will always do that." Sadie laughed.
"C'mon." Carter smiled fondly, "Piper should be waiting for us outside on the terrace. I know you guys have already had breakfast but I for one arm starving."
"And I never say no to good food. And you can tell us all about everything." Sadie declared, "I want all of the details."
"As do I." Carter declared, "Piper told me everything but she didn't give me all the details. And I think she left stuff out. Probably figured it was your place to tell us."
"Hm... I'll come out onto the balcony if I can go in the pool-"
"Deal."