19. Hypoxia

It was almost disturbing how used Percy was to nearly dying. Take today for example. His feet were dangling off the ground, kicking uselessly against the giant that was trying to throttle the life out of him. Percy twisted vainly against the giant's grip, vision starting to go fuzzy from the lack of oxygen.

He doubted he had enough energy to call upon the power of Poseidon. Riptide had yet to reappear in his pocket and Percy wasn't sure if he had enough time to wait for its return. He pulled at the garbage lid sized hand around his throat with one hand, the other trying to find purchase on the giant's face, tear at his eyes or something come on—

The monster's disgusting face grew darker and Percy groped desperately for Riptide, praying it had reappeared, come on, come on—his fingers closed around something smooth and small but his limbs were slow as he fumbled to uncap it. Come on, Percy, come on, Annabeth will be so ticked if you pass out and die—

Percy gasped desperately, his body suddenly collapsing onto the hard ground. He gagged, one hand coming up to his throat, his whole body heaving as he took in oxygen with great, greedy gulps. He forced himself to his side, Riptide still in his grasp as he blinked through tears to find the monster. Only . . . where the monster used to be instead was . . . something blue and softer, a feminine like face peering anxiously down at him. Scratch that two feminine like faces peering anxiously down at him.

"My lord," one fretted, falling to her knees. "Peace my lord, peace, just breathe. It's alright, the monster has been vanquished. Breathe."

Percy wasn't sure he wanted to be at peace but he did want to breathe so he warily kept his eyes on the blue figures as he gasped. His throat made terrible rasping sounds, chest heaving. He had to valiantly fight against the urge to puke.

"Here, drink." The blue creature that knelt before him held out an ornate chalice. Percy could see water inside.

Percy didn't survive so long accepting gifts from strangers so he pushed himself to a sitting position, massaging his throat as he eyed his companions, and did not take the offered water. The post-strangulation tears had dried up and with properly oxygenated eyes he could finally survey his possible saviors. They were naiads, Percy realized. They looked more or less like the naiads around camp except a little more greenish blue than strictly blue. The kneeling one smiled, holding the chalice a little higher.

Naiads were safe, right? After all, Poseidon was their lord and Percy was Poseidon's son, so it was very improbable that they would harm him, right? Maybe?

"Our lord sent us to help. You were so brave and valiant in your vanquishment of the first two monsters but weakened in your struggle against the final. We wished to help, although your success was not in question merely your health afterwards."

"Um . . . thanks?"

The naiad beamed, thrusting the chalice beneath his nose.

"Thanks," he said again.

He glanced at the water, swirling the glass to make sure nothing was at the bottom (old habits die hard after all). It seemed like ordinary water. He took a sip. When he didn't choke or gag, he took a long drip and felt satisfied at the soothing sensation of the water healing his throat.

"Thanks," Percy said with feeling this time.

The naiad beamed, her entire face lighting up as she twisted to glance at her companion before turning bright eyes back to Percy.

"Thank you both," Percy said to be polite.

The elder naiad smiled wispily, then nudged the younger one forward. The younger naiad blushed and giggled, turning back to look at Percy. Percy blinked at her, taking another drink of water. He didn't understand all the giggling.

"What're your names?" Percy asked when they said nothing.

"I am Tritonas," the elder introduced with a curtesy.

"Deina," the younger said, respectively nodding her head. She peaked up at him through her bangs, blushing and smiling.

"Nice to meet you," Percy said, not sure if he should introduce himself or not. They clearly knew who he was but it felt weird to not say 'I'm Percy' back. "Well, thanks but I better get going—"

"Oh so soon?" Deina asked, scrambling to her feet as he stood.

"Ah, yeah, I was kind of just passing through," Percy said awkwardly, passing the chalice back to her.

She took it, her face falling. She looked back at Tritonas, who nudged her forward.

"Are, are you sure you don't want to come to the river?"

"Ah, I'm sure it's a very nice river," Percy said, his voice a little hoarse from his near strangulation. He cleared it. "But, ah, I've got to meet my girlfriend and she'll kill me if I'm late."

She'll probably kill me if I still sound like this, Percy thought but there wasn't much he could do about that.

"Oh," Diena said, face falling.

"But ah, it was nice to meet you!" Percy assured her with a smile.

It wasn't until later, nestled up next to Annabeth as he told her the story and his girlfriend huffed unhappily that he realized the source of the naiads' great disappointment.

"She was flirting with you."

"No, she was just being polite," Percy denied even though he wasn't entirely sure. She did giggle a lot. "She said Dad sent them."

"Poseidon would love nothing more than for you to fall in love with someone immortal," Annabeth snorted, gently carding her fingers through his hair. "Or someone he could control. Seaweed Brain."

"I think you're exaggerating."

"I'm not," Annabeth said fondly, kissing him. "Poseidon just vastly underestimates how oblivious and loyal you are."

A/n It's a personal headcanon of mine that Poseidon is always trying to find ways to get Percy to change his mind about immortality including sending naiads to try and seduce his son. He has no shame like that. Happy New Year's Eve!

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