The Trouble That Came with the Tide
Perseus -
It was my fault. I couldn't help myself. Well I suppose it really was her fault. She did kiss me first. But I should've stopped it. I'm not sure if I could've, but I should've. Apollo said she needed to walk alone, but if she walked alone then so would I. And I didn't know if I could handle that.
"Annabeth," I whispered. She was laying there beside me. Grains of sand had found their way into her hair. She was wrapped up in a blanket I had conjured, snuggled into my chest. Waking up to her pressed to my chest was a pleasant feeling, but the dread that followed was not. I untangled myself from her, squinting at the rising light.
"Di immortales," I cursed. Then I realized it applied to me too now. With a huff I said her name again. She stirred but did not wake. I gently shook her shoulder.
"Hm?" she mumbled.
"Annabeth wake up," I said urgently this time. Her eyes fluttered open, looking at me in confusion.
"Percy?" she said. "Why are we outside?" I watched as everything clicked in her head. Every memory from last night came back.
Now in all honesty nothing happened. Nothing like what you are thinking. We were kissing and talking and laughing. We sat on the beach, content in surviving the end of the world. Content with holding each other as the stars twinkled overhead.
"We fell asleep," I told her, but she already knew. I saw the panic register in her eyes. She grabbed my hand and stood up.
"We have to go!" And we did. She would be caught for sure by her siblings if it weren't for her invisibility cap. And me? Well I was a God. And alone. So no matter what I did no one would cross me. It should've been comforting, but instead it was saddening.
"Hey Chiron."
"Lord Perseus," Chiron said. His voice was even and comfortable. As if he was looking at an equal rather than a student. I suppose I was no longer his student, but still.
"Call me Percy," I insisted. Chiron said nothing, but briefly closed his eyes.
"If it suits you, I would like to make an announcement at breakfast about your godhood," Chiron said. I nodded. It felt weird now. Even before the battle Chiron had essentially handed the reins to me. But now he seemed to be treating me like an Olympian. Yesterday he hadn't known I was a god when Rachel became Oracle. I wonder who told him.
"Sounds good. See you in a few," I replied. I threw a friendly smile towards him, but he only bowed his head. Chiron sauntered off and I headed to the pavilion. Nico was already sitting there at a table with Mr D.
"Hey Nico," I said.
"Hey Percy." I sighed in relief and went to take my place at the Poseidon table. I heard Mr D clucking his tongue at me. I turned to look at him, to let him say whatever it was he wanted.
"Don't go embarrassing yourself already, Perseus," Dionysus smirked. It was a small victory, but I'd take Perseus over Pierre or Peter any day. And if he were to call me by my full name then I'd call him his.
"How so?"
"Don't tell me you've forgotten you were made a god? After our oh so generous gift?" I must've still looked confused, because he went on. "You cannot sit there anymore. If you insist on intruding on this camp, at least sit with Chiron and I. Not that I will particularly enjoy it."
"Fine," I grumbled. But I only did it because he was right. I had to stop pretending I was something I wasn't. I was a God now and Gods don't go sitting amongst demigods. Gods sit beside Gods... and Nico.
Campers filed into the pavilion. There were fewer here than usual. Sixteen had died and the rest were either injured or had went home. Camp had been extended by two weeks, according to Annabeth. Speaking of which, Annabeth was currently trying to catch my eye. I pretended I didn't see her and yes, I know it was an asshole move. It's not that I was ignoring her, I just needed a minute before Chiron told everyone.
"Heros you attention please!" Chiron announced. Any chattering had been silenced, although many glances were directed towards me. I knew I looked different, but I hadn't changed on the inside. Right?
"I have an announcement to make. The hero you have known for the last four years has done it once more. He had saved Olympus before. He recovered Zeus' Lightning Bolt and Hades' Helm of Darkness. He recovered the Golden Fleece. He held the weight of the sky and rescued Artemis. He braved into the Labyrinth, found the elusive Daedalus, and protected this very camp. And now, he has risen once more. He defeated the Titan Army with your help! The Gods, the Olympians saw fit to give him the honor of immortality," Chiron said with glory. The chattering began again and everyone stared at him. No one questioned it. No one thought Chiron was joking. They watched me in awe. That was not something I was used to.
"Lord Perseus," he introduced. I stood up, rising to my increased height.
"Hello," I said. "I am the God of Riptides, Prince and Heir of the Seas. Thank you Chiron for the kind words, but I couldn't have done all that without a lot of help. And I mean A LOT of help." I caught Annabeth's eyes then and she gave me a reassuring smile. I winked back at her, but heard others swoon. Annabeth was laughing then.
"Your modesty astounds me, Lord Perseus."
"Call me Percy. Please," I said. "Now go on and eat. I don't need the attention." The campers still had wide eyes, but they did as I said. I watched Connor and Travis smiling at me kindly, not their usual smirk. I watched people swarming Annabeth and Chiron with questions. I watched people talking and joking with Nico like they were all old friends. I watched Clarisse staring at me and looking away when I caught her gaze. I decided I needed to take a walk.