A/N LAST CHAPTER!


Once again, a few days after the new arrivals had shown up, camp settled back down again.

Mostly.

Luke fit in right away, he was nice, friendly.

Percy had heard some of the older girls talking about him, even some of the older boys. He thought it was gross. If they really liked Luke, then why didn't they just ask him out?

Not that Percy enjoyed watching people kiss. He had watched Gabe kiss his mom on their wedding day, and it was gross.

Or maybe that had just been Gabe.

Luke, was of course always nice towards Percy, although there was some distancing, considering that Annabeth had probably told Luke all about their fight.

She had been asking for it!

Deep in his heart, though, Percy knew he would have to apologise. It really wasn't nice what he said, and his mom would tell him to be understanding of what she had gone through.

He sniffled as he lay in bed, curled up, facing the wall.

Sometimes when he woke up too early, or went to bed too late, he missed her.

Other times, he was too angry to care.

She had left him here.

Frustrated, he slipped out of bed, padding as silently as he could out of the cabin and onto the front porch.

He could hear the harpies, their wails as they circled above, but they didn't bother him. As long as you were on the porch of the cabin, they couldn't see you.

"Hey."

Percy almost jumped out of his skin, not relaxing when he saw Luke standing there.

"Hey?" he whispered back, flicking his gaze back to his knees, trying to keep his breathing even.

He had no weapon out here, except for his pen sword, which Percy very much doubted he could lift. If Luke decided to attack him for what he had said to Annabeth, he wouldn't be able to defend himself.

Luke was bigger, stronger, and most definitely the better swordsman.

For a few seconds, Percy wondered whether he should try and make a break for it, should try and run for Chiron, or whether it would be better to face the harpies instead of Luke.

Would he even listen if Percy said he wanted to apologise? That he felt bad for what he had said?

No one, no matter if they were even more annoying and bratty than Annabeth deserved to hear those words.

"Mind if I sit here?"

Percy tensed, forcing himself to shrug, not trusting himself to speak.

There was a minor thud as Luke slid down to sit next to him, sighing as he did so.

"Couldn't sleep?" Luke whispered, smiling softly, nudging his shoulder against Percy's.

Percy forced himself to grin back awkwardly, even as he internally tried to plan his escape route.

Would the others in the cabin care, or even come if he screamed if Luke attacked him? Or would they just be glad that there was one more space not being taken up by an undetermined kid?

He shrugged in response, fiddling with his toes, "Yeah, sorta."

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw Luke nod in agreement, "Yeah, me too."

The silence washed over them in awkwardness.

Percy fiddled with the hem of his shirt.

He should go back inside, he shouldn't have come out here in the first place.

Then he wouldn't be in this position, sitting out here with someone who probably hated him. He wouldn't be surprised if Luke was about to start blaming him for Thalia's death as well.

"Hey," Luke whispered, bumping his shoulder against Percy's.

Percy's heart leapt into his throat as he tried hard not to shake. Why was his body betraying him like this?

"I'm sorry about Annabeth," Luke finished, and Percy could feel his gaze on him, unwavering.

Percy hummed in response, gripping his knees tighter.

"Look," Luke said, sighing in tiredness as Percy watched him rub his eyes. "I know she's not exactly the easiest to get along with. And I know she hasn't exactly been the best at… yeah."

Percy shrugged, forcing himself not to look at Luke.

"I'm just sorry on her behalf, cause well…" Luke paused for a second. "None of us, Annabeth or me, or Thalia…" his voice hitched with anger, "None of us have had the best lives so far… and Annabeth, she's young. She doesn't have the best understanding of relationships and such you know? So I'm sorry if she's said something which may have hurt you, or done something to you, 'kay?"

Percy glared out at the railing.

"Why would you think she's done anything?"

Percy knew he sounded whiny, his face probably contorting into the angry pout that he hated.

Luke shrugged, "You've been avoiding me. I figured she must have done something or said something… and while I understand the suffering she's gone through, you might not, so I just wanted to apologise. She's a good kid, Percy. I don't want people judging her because she's just a little angry. And you seem like a good kid, too. I just wanted to make sure you wouldn't judge her too harshly."

"That sounds like what my mom would say," Percy said, hoping to hide the bitterness in his voice, but to no avail.

Luckily for him, Luke seemed to choose to ignore the tone of his voice, instead looking over out, beyond the railing, something unseen perhaps to Percy.

His gaze almost seemed wistful, with just a hint of something… something that made Percy shiver inside.

Luke's eyes, usually as warm as the summer sky, were now frosted over, the cool sharpness of a winter frost taking over. It made Percy want to run and hide, to go back to his warm bed.

"Right," Luke said, his voice hard. "Because our mothers are the greatest people on the planet."

Percy almost agreed with him. Almost.

The tone of voice was off, like Luke didn't believe in what he was saying.

The worst thing though?

He understood.

If Smelly Gabe could do something like what he done to Percy, then someone's mom could also do it to them.

He was about to say something, try and show Luke that he understood what he was saying, but a yawn escaped him.

Just like that, the tension bled out of Luke, the older demigod snorting, looking at Percy with a gaze bordering on fond.

"Come on," he said. "You should go to bed. Lots more to do tomorrow."


Now that most of the cabins were filled, the camp filling up with new and old arrivals, the cabin games began.

There were the races, both on foot and canoe, archery competitions and of course, the one which everyone had been excitedly talking about, Capture the Flag.

Percy huffed, growling at the chest plate as he tried to get it to fit properly. The shield Theo had handed him wasn't helping matters either, who knew something so small could be so heavy and… and awkward.

If he put it down on the ground to properly pull at the straps (there were so many straps on the armour, why were there this many? And where did they all go?) then it would fall over, making it almost impossible to pick up again.

The shield was already in danger of falling over from its position balanced against Percy's legs.

"Here, let me help," Theo said, suddenly next to Percy, an amused smile on his face.

Percy huffed, trying not to pout as he let the older demigod tug at the straps.

"All set," Theo said, patting Percy on the shoulder, grinning at him. "We're working with the Athena and Demeter cabins today. You and Annabeth are gonna be on border patrol together."

Percy pulled a face.

Theo gave him a look, "I know the two of you… don't exactly get along, but please? Please just try and be at least civil with each other?"

"Civil?" Percy asked, cocking his head in confusion.

Theo sighed, "Yes. Civil. Try and at least pretend to be nice to her? We really need this win."

"Fine," Percy grumbled. "I will try and be… civil."

Only because Theo asked. And because Luke, no matter how much Percy wasn't sure about him, had asked him to try and understand the girl.

He huffed.

This was going to be great.

"You'll do fine!" Theo grinned, clapping him once more on the shoulder lightly. "Look, I've got to go, need to talk to the other cabin councillors. Just remember what we've been working on in training, should anyone come for you. The two of you should be good, hardly anyone goes past your position. Keep your shield up if they do, and try to step into the arc of their sword. If you get close enough, they should have limited movements with their sword. Good luck."

And with that, he was gone.

Percy shuffled in spot, swinging his arms as he waited for the signal.

How long would he have to try and be… nice to Annabeth?

He wrinkled his nose. It was just his luck being paired with one of the people he didn't get along with.

"Campers!" Chiron's voice rose above everyone else's, and slowly, the noise died down. "Welcome to the first Capture the Flag of the Summer. As usual, the following rules apply. No maiming, no killing."

At this Chiron focussed a glance at the Ares cabin, and Percy shivered.

Had that happened before?

"If you require medical assistance," he continued, after a little bit of grumbling from the Ares kids. "Myself and the satyrs will be moving throughout the forest with supplies. The first team to get the flag across the creek wins. May the best team win!"

A conch horn sounded, and cheers ran through the crowd, people hitting their assorted weapons across the front of their shields as the teams began to move out.

A body slammed into Percy's accidentally from behind, and the camper sneered at him, "Watch where you're going."

His legs shook, partially from the weight, partially from adrenaline as he tried to navigate his way through the pack of bodies.

Percy had no clue where he was going, but he figured following the other people with the ridiculous blue thingies on their heads was the best thing he could do.

He had no clue what border patrol included, but he hoped it wasn't too close to the fig-

A hand gripped his arm, and he cried out from shock and slight pain, the grip merciless and tight.

"This way," the voice hissed, a voice Percy recognised, a spike of anger working its way through his gut. Hot, pulsing.

Annabeth too didn't look at all happy to be there with him, Percy barely managing to keep up in the awkward armour and slightly too large shield.

The only thing which calmed him in the situation was that Annabeth too looked just as ridiculous as Percy felt, her armour also just slightly too large on her small frame.

As Percy was dragged along, they left the other campers behind as the teams slipped into the forest.

He stumbled a few times on roots, Annabeth grumbling each time.

Percy bit back a retort asking her to let go of him.

Be nice, he thought. Be nice.

Not that she was making it easy.

She was just so… frustrating.

Percy's blood boiled. It didn't help that he was going to be spending an unknown amount of time alone with her. With nothing to do.

Finally, after what felt like far too long, Percy's vision having narrowed into a dark tunnel, she released his wrist.

They had arrived at their post.

Percy immediately flopped, letting his shoulders fall, his shield left precariously sitting against a rock.

He felt rather than saw the roll of Annabeth's eyes, a snort of disgust leaving her nose.

"What?" Percy huffed back, already irritated from her unwillingly dragging him all the way here. "It's not like the starting horn has gone off yet. When it goes off I'll get up."

For a few seconds, Percy waited for the scathing reply, the bitter retort, but when it came it was one short, sharp word.

"Fine."

Percy lifted his gaze from where it was on the rock over to her.

Annabeth had taken her helmet off, the absolutely ridiculous thing resting on the ground by her feet.

Her arms were crossed over her chest, and she was giving her best attempt at a death glare to the tree opposite, although it looked far more like a pout. Her blonde hair had been pulled into a braid, the hair much like its owner stubborn as it tried to escape its confines, a delicate fuzz surrounding her head like a halo.

Percy turned away from her, letting his eyes slip close.

The forest was peaceful enough that for a few moments he could forget everything, and just… float.

Could forget about Gabe. Forget about his mom leaving him here, forget about how much he missed her. Forget about Annabeth, rude, angry Annabeth who probably hated his guts, forget that she was standing there for just a few moments.

And it was truly just a few moments.

The conch horn blew again.

Percy huffed, the armour dragging him down slightly as he hauled himself to his feet.

He paused for a moment, glaring at the shield where it rested against the rock.

Huffing again, he picked it up, stumbling suddenly under the weight, a soft 'oof' coming from him as the air was suddenly knocked from his body as he collapsed.

A soft snort came from somewhere over his shoulder, and a shadow appeared above him, curls falling out of her helmet, hand reached out.

"Pass it here," she said, the glare that had been on her face before now replaced by a carefully neutral expression, her lips twitching.

Percy grumbling, shoved the shield at her. A little too hard.

Annabeth went down with a thump, a sound of surprise slipping out of her mouth as she did so.

Percy struggled back to his feet, trying to contain the laughter that was threatening to bubble out.

"I'm sorry," he whispered, holding his hand out to help her up, like she had done with him. "I didn't mean to push it so hard."

She glared at him, and the moment was gone as she shoved Percy's shield off of her, hauling herself to her feet, ignoring his hand.

Not looking at him, she stomped off to what was clearly becoming her side of their patrol spot.

Trying not to let the anger get to him, Percy turned his glare to the shield, now on the ground, and that much harder to pick up.

He hooked his fingers underneath, finally managing to get it to stand on its edge, slipping his arm into the straps with great difficulty.

Finally, finally, he managed it, standing up straight as he awkwardly adjusted the helmet on his head, knife hilt knocking against the side, a soft clanging noise echoing throughout the forest.

Annabeth snorted derisively, "Great, now everyone knows where we are."

Percy opened his mouth, glaring at her, the blue feathers on his helmet obscuring his sight somewhat. She wasn't even looking at him, gaze resting out toward the rest of the forest, face set angrily. Percy snapped his mouth shut.

Be nice. Be nice.

A tense silence followed, something angry bubbling between the two of them.

Why did Annabeth have to be so frustrating? Why did-

"If you've got something to say, Jackson, then say it."

Her words cut through the stifling silence, settling over Percy in a way which made him more frustrated.

Be nice.

"Ugh," he finally let out, letting his knife drop from his hand, hitting his back against the rock behind him. "I don't get you! You… you're…"

"I'm what?" Annabeth hissed back, arms folded, entire body tense as she bristled with defensiveness.

Percy opened his mouth once more to respond.

Then stopped.

He took her in. The way she was standing, the anger seeming to course through every line of her small body.

Suddenly, his own frustration and anger drifted away, leaving him feeling… well, Percy wasn't quite sure what this new emotion was.

It was weird.

"Forget about it," he whispered, bending down to pick up his knife, settling back on the rock again.

Annabeth bristled at this, but remained silent.

There was still anger in the air, but it wasn't Percy.

He flicked his gaze over to her.

She wasn't angry at him. She… he couldn't put it into words and it frustrated him.

For not the first time Percy wished his mom was here to help him put it into words. This thought just made him more… annoyed? Frustrated?

Percy wasn't quite sure anymore.

Distantly, Percy thought he could hear people shouting, the clanging of swords. But it was nowhere close to them.

Annabeth huffed again.

"I should be out there," she growled under her breath. "I know how to fight."

"Don't feel too sorry about it," Percy said, without thinking. "Beckendorf was also put on border patrol, he told me before all of this. And he's nine."

"Wow," Annabeth drawled, her high voice making it lose some of its affect. "He's nine. A whole two years older than both of us."

Percy opened his mouth, to defend himself, to say something, but she continued before he could even begin.

"You don't get it do you?" she hissed. "You don't… you don't understand! Out there… you've never been chased by a monster, never had to live it rough, never had to run for your life… never had to fear for your life. What do you understand about any of this?"

Percy blinked, shocked. But once again, there was no anger in his surprise, no boiling need to scream back at her, no desire to want to pick a fight.

They stood like that, Annabeth's body heaving, tiny hands clenched into tiny fists, shoulders tense.

In truth, she sort of… reminded Percy of himself.

Angry at the world… ready to attack at any opportunity.

"I'm sorry."

Those two words seemed to surprise Annabeth as much as they did Percy.

"What?"

It was Annabeth's turn to take a step back in shock, blinking at him, mouth open.

"I…" Percy paused, forcing himself to take a few deep breaths, like his mom had taught him. Breathe, Percy, she would say. Take a few breaths, that's it. Now tell me again. Percy squared his shoulders, taking in another breath. "I'm sorry. For what I said before… about Thalia… and you."

She huffed, turning away from him, shock dissipating as she scuffed her foot on the ground, pouting.

Annabeth didn't seem as scary or as angry like this.

"I don't care."

It took everything in Percy not to let out a groan or to roll his eyes at her. Luke was right; Annabeth was difficult.

"Look," he said, taking a step forward, wincing as a twig cracked under his foot. "You're right, I don't understand what happened to you. To any of you. But you also don't know anything about me. How I ended up here, why I'm here."

Annabeth swivelled her head to face him, giving him a look.

"I don't really care," she drawled, turning back to look out at the forest.

Percy flickered his gaze out into the deepness as well, the trees stretching on for miles. They were all alone out here. Just Percy and Annabeth.

He shivered.

Part of Percy was glad he at least had Annabeth for company. Even if she didn't much like him.

He didn't much like her either. But it was more… it had lessened. His dislike of her.

Percy sighed, turning to face her once more.

One more time. Then he would stop forever.

"I just-"

"Why do you keep talking?"

Annabeth all but snapped the question, frustration bleeding into her tone, but there was something else there. Something Percy couldn't put a name to.

Once more he wished that his mother was here to help him. She would know what to say, would know how to help Annabeth.

"I'm tired," Percy whispered, although it sounded loud to him now that he was aware just how alone they were. "I'm tired of not feeling safe. I just… I'm tired of being angry at… at everything. And I know you don't really like me… and that's okay. You don't have to like me. I just… can we at least call, I don't…"

Percy growled, frustration and tears welling up in his chest, clawing at his throat to escape.

"A truce?" Annabeth said, her voice still sharp, yet rounded, a little bit warmer.

"Uhhhh, yeah sure," Percy said, trying not to let his confusion show.

Annabeth gave him another look.

"You don't even know what that means, do you?" she asked.

"Course I know what it means," Percy protested, glaring at her, crossing his arms, trying not to pout at her.

"Okay," Annabeth said slowly, voice challenging. "What does it mean?"

Percy opened and closed his mouth, glowering at her.

"It means…" he paused, carefully staring at her as he tried to word it properly in his head. He really hoped it meant what he thought it meant. "It means that we won't fight with each other."

She hummed, before sighing, "Close enough."

"Soooo…" Percy knew he was needling, knew that she would probably get angrier at him.

Instead she huffed, regarding him for a few seconds.

"I suppose," she grumbled, turning to look back out at the forest. "Now concentrate. We have borders to protect."

Percy tried not to grin, but it was hard. Maybe Camp wasn't all that bad.


In the end, their team ended up losing, but Percy didn't really care. The fire in the middle was warm against the slight chill of the night air, burning bright and furious, seeming to reach the very stars themselves.

Friends were sitting with each other, laughing as they told stories about the game not a few hours before.

Beckendorf was yawning from where he was sitting next to Percy, setting off a chain reaction of yawning which sent them into snorts of laughter.

Across the fire, Percy caught Annabeth's eye. She nodded tersely at him, before going back to whatever conversation she was having with one of her siblings.

He got the feeling that they would never be friends, but that didn't matter. For once, Percy was safe.

Camp was home.

A second family.


A/N Don't worry, this isn't the end! I always intended for this to be the start of a long series! I have already started planning/writing the next fic for this series, but it will probably be another year before it comes out. I will (if I remember) add another chapter onto this one, to let everyone know when it's about to come out!

In the meantime, thank you so much for reading!