Chapter 5
"Dude what the hell?" Jason moaned as he fell to his knees.
"I told you to brace yourselves" Percy cheekily said as he helped him to his feet.
Reyna looked better than Jason, but she looked a little green probably not trying to throw up.
"Seriously man what the hell was that?" Jason asked once he inhaled some fresh air steadying himself.
"Vapour travel "Percy said.
"A kind of travel where I use vapour molecules around me to travel to any place I want "Percy explained on seeing Jason's confused face.
"Never knew you could do that" Reyna said curiously.
"Recently figured that out "Percy shrugged.
"So where are we?" Jason asked looking around.
"We are at one of the inhabitant islands in Andaman" Percy said leading the way.
After a few minutes of walking through the dense forest they reached an entrance of a cave.
He studied the wall near the entrance of the cave as if searching for something.
He stopped at a place and tapped it. Soon that tapped part of rock wall was replaced by a modern high tech face scanner. A ray scanned his face giving a green signal.
Once they were granted authorisation to the cave Percy turned to look at the two who were watching him with curious expression.
"How can you afford this type of technology?" Jason asked curiously following Percy into the cave.
"Magic "He simply replied.
Before Jason could ask what, he meant he found himself inside a huge room. It was nothing like a cave, but its interior was like that of a huge manor.
"How?" Jason asked looking around in astonishment.
"I see you have brought some friends "A voice said from upwards.
They looked up to see an old man probably in his sixties walking down the staircase towards them. He had wise brown eyes with kind smile on his face.
"Chiron this is Jason "Percy said introducing Jason to the old man.
Chiron extended his hand "It's good to see Percy finally developed guts to speak to you".
Jason shook his hand and said "Nah. He didn't have it. I am the one who initiated the talk".
"Why am I not surprised?" Chiron said dramatically gaining eye roll from Percy. He is considerably dramatic for his age.
Then Chiron looked at Reyna's Amazonian attire and said, "I believe you are the Princess of Themyscira".
"How?" Reyna asked curiously wondering how the old man knew about her.
"Perseus told me a lot about you my dear "Chiron said causing Percy to blush madly. He gave the old man a stink eye which he ignored it and continued "And I have met your kind before ".
Chiron turned to Percy and gave him a stern look "How many times have I told you not to leave your comm-device before leaving boy?"
At the sight of Percy getting scolded like a petulant child Reyna and Jason tried not to laugh though Jason failed miserably at it.
Percy blushed a bright red with embarrassment.
Chiron turned towards the other two and gave them an amused look "Make yourself at home children".
"I will be in the monitor room. I am sure Perseus will show where you can stay Reyna dear "Chiron said looking at the demigod challenging as if to disobey him.
"Yes sir "Percy said giving him a salute.
"Wait a minute. What do you mean?" Reyna asked seemingly shocked by what she heard.
Chiron looked softly at the Amazonian "Dear this is your first day in this world. Do you have any place to stay?"
Reyna shook her head embarrassedly; she forget about her stay in the men's world. Once she left the island all she thought was to pummel the Jackson to pulp, but she was distracted by the Python and the director of some organisation.
"See you should stay here Reyna" Percy said trying to convince her.
"But I don't want to disturb -" Reyna's protest was interrupted by Chiron "Nonsense you are not a disturbance dear. I know your mother: Queen Hippolyta. I owe her my life. Please allow me to repay the favour Princess Reyna".
Reyna thought about what he said. It's not like she has anyplace to stay. If she refused this offer, it would at least take a month to settle in the men's world even with Percy's help. But if she accepted this offer, she could stay here in this beautiful island where the air is fresh unlike the air in San Francisco and New York, she can figure out about the old man who said he owed her mother his life and most importantly she can stay with Percy.
"Thank you "Reyna said gratefully.
"No problem my dear "Chiron said gently chuckling at Percy who was doing some happy dance.
Chiron bid them goodbye and walked toward the monitor room.
Once Chiron left Jason laughed cannot holding back laughter anymore.
"Hahaha "Percy dryly said expecting that.
"Princess you are supposed to be on my side "Percy cried dramatically looking at Reyna who was covering her mouth trying hard not to laugh.
Percy pouted dramatically on seeing his best friends laughing at him.
Once they regained their breathe Jason said, "It's not everyday someone make the mighty Riptide squirm like a little child".
"Have you done making fun of me?" Percy asked dryly.
"But seriously man who is that? "Jason asked referring Chiron.
"He said something about meeting Amazons before but I think I never heard the name Chiron before. Except the centaur who trained the ancient heroes, and he is not the centaur, is he?" Reyna asked trying to know more about the kind old man.
"He is not the centaur "Percy confirmed "But I can't say anything about him. It's his story to tell ".
Reyna and Jason nodded respecting Chiron's privacy.
-BREAK-
Jason lost count of the number of rooms in the manor or should he call cave. It's confusing, he is just gonna stick with manor.
"How big is this place, Percy?" Reyna asked in awe never seen a place like this. She had seen magic during her time in Themyscira. Some of her sisters can do some magic heck the whole island was protected by magic, but this was something else. This place is a combination of modern technology and magic. She could feel the magic in its air.
"As big as you want" Percy said cryptically.
"This place will satisfy your needs. You can ask for anything and it will give you "Percy explained on seeing their deadpanned looks.
"Like the Room of Requirement "Jason exclaimed.
"Exactly "Percy nodded in affirmation.
"I will never understand what they are speaking about "Reyna whispered inaudibly to herself.
Both Percy and Jason heard that due to their enhanced hearing. They can understand what she is speaking about. Living in a place isolated from any kind of technology since her birth and suddenly arriving at the men's world not understanding it well, she feels isolated. Percy understanding what she meant placed a hand on shoulder and said, "I will show you around princess, I swear".
Reyna touched by his sincerity and compassion nodded her head gratefully.
"We can even keep a movie night. I am sure Jason will come" Percy said looking at Jason.
"I will but it should be a Harry Potter marathon "Jason said remembering the times how they used to watch the movie forgetting everything.
"Deal. There is no movie night without Harry Potter" Percy said fervently agreeing with his best friend.
Reyna rolled her eyes and muttered "Boys".
Once they reached a door Percy opened it and revealed a master bedroom with purple colour wall. It had master bed with purple sheets spread over it.
At the corner there is a cupboard probably for keeping dresses. At the wall facing the bed there is an 80 inches television. There is a bathroom attached to the room.
Reyna looked around the room with awe. The room was amazing. It was everything she could ask for. It is filled with her favourite colour: purple.
"I hope you like this "Percy said hesitantly rubbing his neck "If you don't there is no problem. You can customize— ".
Reyna cut him off by throwing her arms around him hugging him gratefully.
"I love it "Reyna said looking at him smiling brightly.
"Thanks for being here for me" Reyna said gratefully kissing his cheek stepping out of the embrace, closing her room door not noticing his blushing face.
"Did I saw something I shouldn't have?" A cheek voice snapped out of his daze.
Percy whipped his head towards Jason and glared at him, but it was not at all intimidating as his face is tomato red.
-BREAK-
Martha Kent was in the middle of making dinner when a knock on her door sounded, Jonathan was doing some plumbing work at their bathroom, so she wiped her hands on her apron and opened her door.
"Jason "She exclaimed once she opened the door.
"Are you okay? I heard about the monster you are your friends fought" Martha said concernedly searching her son for any injuries. She knows her son is invincible, but she is still his mother only a mother can understand their concern for children even if the said son is practically considered a god by many.
"Ma I am fine "Jason said grinning unable to keep a big grin forming on his face.
When Martha noticed her son's happiness she suspiciously asked, "Have you finally asked Piper on a date?"
"Ma "Jason cried embarrassedly knowing very well Percy heard that, he would not let him down especially after he teased Percy about Reyna.
"Then what?" Martha asked still suspicious of her son's behaviour.
"Open the door, Ma "Jason said grinning wildly.
She curiously opened the door wide enough and came face to face with none other than Percy Jackson. He had a grown a lot over the years. But the kind smile on his face is still the same.
"Perseus "she said unable to keep the tears of her face.
"Hello Mrs. Kent "Percy said with a few tears in his eyes. He went forward and hugged the woman whom he considered as his second mom.
Martha hugged her second son tightly happy to see him after all these years.
Once the duo broke their embrace Martha wiped her tears and said, "It's good to have you home Percy".
"It's good to back Ma "Percy said with a genuine smile forming in his face.
She looked past his shoulder and noticed a girl around the boys age standing there awkwardly looking at the ruins of the Jackson home.
"A friend of yours?" Martha asked Percy motioning towards the girl.
"Yes Ma. That is Reyna "Percy said. On hearing her name Reyna snapped her towards the three and walked towards them
She smiled politely at Jason's mother "Hello Mrs. Kent "extending her hand towards Jason's mother.
But Martha had none of it. She pulled her extended hand and enveloped Reyna in a sudden hug. Reyna froze uncomfortably for a moment not expecting that. She thought Jason was kidding when he said his mother will be excited to meet her, she doubted how someone will be excited to meet a stranger, but it looks like she is wrong. She is genuinely excited to meet her. With a smile on her face, she hugged the considerably smaller woman so far enjoying her stay in men's world.
-BREAK-
"One day you will bring justice to our people son along with the millions and billions of lives he destroyed. You will become an Avenger to avenge the deaths caused by the Dark Lord and you will become a Destroyer to destroy the Dark Lord, but you will always be my son Perseus. Your mom and brother loved you son. Remember "
"Uggh" Percy woke up from his dream panting with sweat running down his body. Percy took deep breathe steadying himself, it is the third day in a row he is dreaming about the same thing.
He got up from his bed pushing past the sheet and started to walk towards the kitchen.
He went to the kitchen and started to make coffee; coffee always helped him during his nightmares.
When he was a child, he used to have dreams about him in the hands of a beautiful woman who looked at him as he is the most important thing in the world. Sometimes he used to dream about the same woman get killed by a horrendous creature.
He used to wake up from the dream screaming, his mother would gently soothe him and sing him lullaby until he was asleep. Over the years the dreams started to vanish, he had long forgotten about the dreams. But over the past few weeks the dreams have become a constant routine. The few times he slept peacefully was the times he slept in some underwater cave, in his father's element.
That's what he was doing during the Python attack before a swordfish woke him up informing about the attack.
He was snapped out of his thoughts by a soft voice calling him "Percy".
He turned and saw Reyna standing near the entrance of the kitchen in a purple nightgown. Percy's heart skipped a beat on seeing her like this. He had known for nearly eight years, and they had become friends and they are partners in crime.
It took a while for him to trust her and open up to her but once he did, he never regretted it. It was nice to have someone who didn't hate you especially in an island full of man hating amazon warriors.
She is a valuable friend to him just like Jason, she is one of the few peoples in the world he trusts with his life. She got into fight with some of her sisters for a prank which put him in a bed rest for a week. He had never seen her angry before that. Man, he was sorry for those Amazons though they deserved. The one thing he loved about her is her compassion to help people. Unlike him he came to the men's world to help people leaving the only world she knew
He thought they were nothing more than friends at least that was what he thought before he left the island.
During the year without her he realized how much he missed her. He missed her smile which even seemed to light blackest night, he missed spending time with her, he missed everything about her.
That's why he insisted her to stay with them.
"Percy "A voice snapped him out of his thoughts. He saw Reyna waving her hands in front of him looking at him with concern.
The dim kitchen light made her brown skin shine like a gold and her brown hair framing her face beautifully. He was always awestruck by her beauty and now was no different.
"Fuck" He cursed when she punched him a bit forcefully on his shoulder.
"Are you ok?" Reyna asked him "You looked like Medusa's stone statue".
"I am fine Princess" Percy chuckled at the comparison "Just zoned off".
He poured the prepared coffee over a mug and gave it to her.
"What is this?" Reyna asked hesitantly at the foreign drink.
"It's just a coffee Princess. It won't bite you "Percy said smiling at her.
Reyna slowly took the coffee from his hand and took a sip.
Percy noticed her reaction while drinking his own, her shoulder relaxed, and she had an involuntary smile on her face. She seemed to be enjoying the drink.
Once she opened her eyes she exclaimed happily "This drink is definitely a god worthy drink Percy".
"I know "Percy said smilingly looking at her joyous face.
Both drank their coffee silently enjoying each other's presence. Once they finished Reyna asked, "What are you doing this late?"
Percy's bodies stiffened this gave Reyna the answer she wanted.
"Nightmares?" She asked softly.
Percy didn't say anything, he just hung his head down tracing the rim of the mug with his thumb.
Reyna walked near him and placed a hand on his shoulder while using other hand under his chin to make him look at her.
Percy looked at the warm chocolate brown eyes looking at his with slight concern. She said "Percy I don't know what your nightmares are about, and I am not gonna ask you about it. I know if you want you will tell me yourself. But remember I will always be here for you".
Percy smiled at her gratefully before a frown appeared on his face.
"What are you doing this late?" Percy asked curiously.
Reyna blushed embarrassedly shifting from one foot to another.
"Missing Themyscira?" Percy guessed.
Reyna nodded sadly not even surprised how he guessed correctly; Percy always knows her better than anyone.
Percy softly said "I can understand, when I first reached Themyscira I missed Jason, Ma and Pa. When I left Themyscira I missed the place, I missed everything about it".
I missed you He wanted to say but at the last second, he stopped himself. It is not the time for this.
"How about we watch some movie?" Percy suggested how sad the princess looked.
This caused her to perk up. She asked curiously "Really at this time?"
Percy shrugged "There is no perfect time to watch a movie".
Reyna nodded not having anything to do.
Percy slung a hand around her shoulder and steered her to the movie room saying, "Now I gonna show you some of the greatest masterpieces of all time".
They watched Finding Nemo, Finding Dory and halfway to Little Mermaid they fell asleep against each other.
Reyna stirred pushing against her pillow trying to stand up, but she cannot. She groaned and opened her eyes and saw herself on the top of Percy resting her head on his chest, she at once tried to get up embarrassed by the position, but she cannot as Percy wrapped a hand around her waist securing her. She sighed and propped her elbow on his hard chest and looked at him.
He looked so peaceful and content without any burden and nightmare haunting his sleep. She looked at his parted lips and slightly traced it feeling his softness before withdrawing her hand and blushed a tomato red embarrassed by her actions. She will not deny, she is beautiful, she knows it. It is not arrogance; she knows she have everything any man desires. But she doesn't want any man all she want is Percy. She doesn't like him just because of his godly body and his handsome face. She likes him because of his sense of loyalty, the never give up attitude and mostly because he understands her to a level not even her mother understands.
She shook her head from those thoughts knowing that's not possible because of her heritage as an Amazon.
She slowly entangled herself from Percy carefully not wanting to disturb him before walking towards the kitchen, hoping to get some food in the refrigerator device.
She was surprised to see Chiron already there pouring a cup of coffee slightly humming a tune.
"Good morning, dear "Chiron greeted giving a smile to which she greeted in return.
"Coffee "Chiron said offering her a mug which she gratefully accepted.
She took a deep breathe inhaling the fresh aroma, taking a sip she sighed blissfully. Truly this is a god worthy drink.
On the counter she saw a newspaper and the image of her on the cover.
She curiously opened it with a hand while the other hand was still holding the cup of coffee. She saw an image of her holding out a hovering above the ground with a caption on the top of the picture "LETS WELCOME THE NEW HEROINE 'ATHENA' ".
Reyna read the caption a few times before looking at Chiron flabbergasted.
"Did they just call me 'Athena'?" Reyna asked curiously.
"Yes dear. Humans tends to name all superheroes and supervillains though mainly the Praetor news "Chiron said with amusement in his eyes.
"Praetor news? Isn't there Jason works?" Reyna asked remembering what Jason told how he works for a news company when he is not saving people as Tempest.
"Indeed Mr. Grace works there, and he is one of the best editors there" Chiron informed.
"So, who named Percy as 'Riptide'?" Reyna asked curiously taking a sip of her coffee.
"The same Praetor News my dear. I believe they would have named him as 'Poseidon' if he had used that trident any time sooner" Chiron chuckled.
Reyna snorted knowing Percy would have thrown a temper tantrum if he was named 'Poseidon'.
"I hope you enjoyed your stay here Princess Reyna. "Chiron asked with a mischievous glint in his eyes.
Reyna could feel heat raise up to her cheeks as Chiron chuckled "I have never seen Perseus happy and alive my dear".
"What do you mean?" Reyna asked curiously, she had seen him smile and being happy, but Chiron is saying the exact opposite.
"At nights the nightmares haunts him, the few times he takes rest is the times I forced him to sleep in sea" Chiron explained with concern "Even during his time in sea he never slept more than two-three hours. The god only knows how much rest the poor boy deserves after every time he goes on some mission. But now thanks to you he is sleeping well ".
"I didn't do anything "Reyna denied with blush rising her cheeks.
Chiron raised an eyebrow at her "You don't know how much your presence alone influences him my dear. That's another one of the reasons I asked you to stay here. The boy likes you my dear".
Reyna looked startled at Chiron's confession "I don't know Chiron. I never thought about it".
"Then think about it my dear. I know you like him" Chiron smiled softly when she started to protest "I am as old as your mother Princess Reyna, I saw the mighty fall just because of love, believe when I say I know what lovesick looks like ".
Reyna sighed not knowing how to deny "I like him. I mean I really like him, but I cannot because …."
"You are an Amazon "Chiron concluded.
Reyna nodded sadly.
Chiron shook his sadly "Being an Amazon has nothing to do with your love for Percy. It's your decision. The longer you do, the harder it will be for him to understand. Percy is scared, he is scared he will lose you like how he lost his mother. You don't know how much he loves you Princess Reyna".
With that Chiron left saying he will be in the control room leaving Reyna alone in her thoughts.
Hey everyone, I hope you guys liked this chapter. This is a filler chapter exploring through Percy's and Reyna's feeling for each other.
Please review what you think about this.