Iris
Chapter 8
Ogygia
Percy stalked the picturesque beaches of Ogygia watching as waves lapped gently against the sandy shores, sparkling underneath the light of the moon. It was beautiful in a way few places could hope to be, like something out of a postcard, a single perfect moment captured for eternity. And perhaps, had her heart had been lighter and her mind less troubled, she would have been able to enjoy it more.
She had a choice to make, an impossible one, without a painless solution.
Because Percy wasn't as stupid as people thought of her. She knew the story of Calypso and her curse. At first she'd ignored it, pushed it to the back of her mind because in the stories it was always male heroes whom Calypso fell in love with. But as time passed she noticed more and more of the the titaness' soft smiles turn in her direction, more of the gentle gleaming looks that made something inside her feel warm and fuzzy. A part of her, which surprised even herself, longed to remain here forever, with the maiden who spoke of plants as if they were living creatures and drew the island birds into conversation.
It would be a blissful existence, Percy knew, filled with days spent roaming around the island and nights… Well, nights could be just as pleasant or even more so.
Suddenly there was movement in her peripheral vision and she turned, spying another figure jogging along the beach in her direction. The moonlight illuminated his face enough for her to recognize his features.
"Hermes!" She bolted in his direction, kicking up wet sand as she went, almost bowling him over with her enthusiastic embrace. He seemed just as happy to see her as she were, hugging her tightly to himself and burying his face against the mess of dark curls on her head.
"Percy" He laughed against her hair, squeezing her for a moment before pulling back to look down at her, eyes following the contours of her body, as if looking for injury. "For a moment we thought-" He seemed unable to finish the thought but Percy already knew what he was going to say. Hephaestus had told her that aside from select few everyone believed she was dead.
The memory of that conversation brought her back to the choice she had to make and her expression darkened, smile falling from her lips. Hermes must have seen the change in her mood because he grew serious as well, blue eyes becoming dark and solemn. "Percy, are you well?"
She was silent for a moment, fingers twisting in the tunic-like dress Calypso had loaned her. "Walk with me?" She offered finally, smiling slightly when he waved her ahead. They walked quietly along the shore as the demigoddess struggled to put her thoughts in order or at least make enough sense of them so she would be able to share them with her friend.
"Hephaestus was here," Percy started hesitantly, even though talking to Hermes had never been a struggle. "He showed me what happened to Mount St. Helens, what I did." She almost spat the last part out. "He said that Typhon was stirring and I-" Her eyes burned and she forced her gaze away from him and towards the sea. "I've made a complete mess of it. Again."
"Percy," Hermes muttered softly, stopping so he could pull her to look at him. She resisted at first, turning her head away to hide her heartbroken expression, but the gentle –yet firm- fingers gripped her chin forcing her to meet his eyes. "That wasn't your fault, sweetheart. No, no listen to me-" He interrupted when she opened her mouth to argue. "You did everything you could to save your life. You couldn't have known what would happen. No one could hold it against you. And to be honest, I much prefer taking the risk of facing Typhon again, if it means you are alive. Understand?" His eyes bore into hers as if to somehow convince her of her words through willpower alone. Finally Percy nodded, not completely convinced but touched by his words. Hermes seemed aware of the doubts lingering in her mind but he obviously let it go with a sigh. "That's not the only thing which bothers you though."
"I-" Percy hesitated. "Calypso offered me to stay here. With her."
Hermes looked unsurprised at the confession. "And there is a part of you that wants to, isn't there?"
"I could be happy here." She admitted, eyes taking in the scenery around. Hermes' arms tightened around her as if he was afraid she would disappear if he let her go.
"But?"
"But it would be a fleeting happiness, I think. Sooner or later the guilt of leaving everyone behind – my mom, my friends- will make me miserable."
"Then your choice is made?" He asked gently and she nodded, not missing the strange mixture of relief and sadness which passed through his face, only to be hidden behind the sudden appearance of one of his usual, mischievous smiles. "Come now then," He chucked her gently underneath the chin. "Such a pretty face should look so sad." It was enough to draw an answering smile from her, even if sorrow still lingered in its corners. It was a relief to fall back into one of their playful banters.
"Flatterer." She batted his hand away.
"Ah, but I've made you smile, haven't I?"
"So that's your dastardly plot then? To get me out of my bad mood?"
"Dastardly?" Hermes gasped theatrically, one hand clutching at his heart. "Oh, my Lady how you wound me!"
"If you don't stop, I'll really wound you." Percy threatened but the grin tugging at her mouth ruined some of the effect. "So what is the next step of your scheme?"
Hermes grinned back, straightening from his mock wounded pose. "Do you see that big rock over there?" He pointed further down the beach where an enormous boulder rose, half on land and half submerged into the water. "I'll race you to it!"
"Wait, what-" But he was already gone, his laughter ringing through the night, as he sprinted on fleet feet. Never one to back down from a challenge – but not foolish enough to try to outrun Hermes – Percy threw herself to the side and into the sea, willing the currents to carry her forward. She couldn't see where the god was, half submerged as she were, but when she was close enough she willed the water to carry her up and out, vaulting out of the sea like whale to land on top of the boulder just as Hermes was pulling to a stop next to it. "I believe I won!" She proclaimed loudly, grinning at the god's mock sour face.
"You cheated!" He demanded, mask breaking momentarily to let out a smile.
"No, I didn't!" She argued as he helped her climb down. "You said I had to race you here, you didn't specify it had to be running."
"True, true, I will admit my defeat, you wicked creature!" He exclaimed and they both broke down laughing, the world outside momentarily forgotten. Neither noticed the figure watching them sadly and knowingly from beneath the canopy of the trees.
AN: Here is the next chapter! A bit short but I hope you like it! Reviews are as always very welcome!