The first sensation that greeted Percy upon regaining consciousness was a searing pain coursing through every part of his body. It felt like a relentless blaze was spreading through his limbs and torso, each movement emitting a burning sensation. Percy's eyes hadn't even managed to flutter open before he began screaming, his body writhing in agony. His movements were chaotic, causing tubes and wires surrounding him to snap free during his spasms.

"Percy, it's okay!" shouted a voice which Percy vaguely recognised. Haley?

His suspicions were proven right once he opened his eyes to see Haley rushing to his side, her eyes wide with panic and her lip trembling. "Percy, it's me, Haley," she reassured him, her voice trembling with distress, her hands gently restraining his flailing arms as she tried to calm him down.

But the pain was overwhelming, worse than that of the River Styx, and Percy could barely hear her words over his own cries.

"Sam! He's awake! Help!" Haley shouted, turning around to face the empty doorway.

"Haley?" Percy barely managed to gasp out, his throat dry and scratchy. "H-Help me."

She knelt beside him, her shaking fingers hovering over him unsurely, as if she wanted to comfort him but didn't know how. "Hold on, Percy, Sam is coming."

Sam? Last he heard, Harvey was the doctor in this town, not a guy named Sam.

Footsteps echoed hurriedly down the hall, and a young man with blonde hair adorned in a white coat burst into the room. "I'm here," he said breathlessly, his eyes wide with concern as he assessed Percy's condition.

Percy struggled to focus, his mind still foggy from whatever had landed him in this sterile room. Haley hovered close by, her hand gripping his tightly as Sam checked the monitors and adjusted the IV drip.

"Stay calm, Percy," Sam instructed, his voice calm and reassuring despite the urgency in the room. He conjured up a needle before quickly injecting Percy with anaesthesia, and he passed out.

The next time Percy awoke he didn't feel any pain. In fact he felt nothing, which was probably just as bad as feeling pain everywhere as that just meant his nerves had been sedated. He blinked slowly, his eyes adjusting to the dimmer light. This time, he didn't panic, although he was surprised to see Haley still there, sitting on a chair beside him, asleep. Her features were relaxed and peaceful, the faintest hint of a smile played on her lips. The worry lines that had marred her face earlier during his previous thrashing were smoothed out, and she looked beautiful.

Percy would have continued staring at her but the sudden beeping of his monitor shattered the moment of tranquillity. Haley stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she quickly sat up, alert and making sense of the situation. She stood up and made her way to Percy's awake form.

"Percy, are you okay?" she asked softly, leaning closer as she noticed his eyes opening.

"Where am I?" he mumbled, his voice hoarse.

"Shhh," Haley said, placing a finger gently on his lips. "I should be the one asking the questions, Mister. What happened?"

Percy hesitated, his mind racing. He couldn't tell her everything, not yet. He took a deep breath and started to improvise. "My father, Willy, and I... we were in the mines. There was a freak accident. The mine started collapsing. I tried to get him out, but he didn't… he didn't make it."

As he spoke the last words, his voice cracked, and tears welled up in his eyes. The weight of his trauma crashed down on him, making it hard to breathe. He started to break down, sobs shaking his body.

Seeing his distress, she squeezed his hand reassuringly and leaned in closer, her own eyes misting with empathy. "Percy, I'm so sorry," she whispered, her voice filled with genuine concern. "I can't even imagine how hard that must be."

She reached out, gently cupping his face in her hands, brushing away his tears with her thumbs. "But you're safe now, Percy. And you'll get through this. Just breathe, okay?"

Her comforting words and gentle touch seemed to reach through his pain, providing comfort to him. Percy nodded weakly, trying to steady his breathing.

"Thank you for saving me, and... Sam."

"Sam's a trainee," Haley said, a faint smile touching her lips, though her eyes still showed the worry she felt. "He's learning from Dr. Harvey, but he's good. He'll take care of you."

Percy tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his body, reminding him of his injuries. Haley quickly placed a hand on his shoulder to keep him still. "Don't try to move too much. Sam said walking probably isn't an option for at least another week. You need to rest."

"Well, this is going to be a very boring week then" Percy grumbled, to which Haley just smiled sympathetically.

It turned out not to be such a boring week after all. He received numerous visits from the people of the valley, all paying their respects to his father and wishing Percy himself a quick recovery. More notable visitors included Leah and Robin, who visited numerous times and the latter expressing her gratitude for the supply of iridium, along with a surprise visit from Alex although Percy had a feeling that Haley had a role to play in that (he learnt from Leah that they still had not broken up much to his dismay).

Speaking of Haley, no one visited him as much as she did; she truly was the source of brightness within his dark days. She visited him every day, where they talked for hours about their life and dreams. He learnt about her hobbies in fashion design and photography, and he shared to her about his relationship with the sea (although not to the extent of knowing his magical capabilities), promising Haley to hang out with her on the beach once he got better much to her delight. Their conversations got a lot deeper by the fifth day, where they opened up to each other about their mental issues. Haley never knew her parents, which led to her gaining abandonment issues and being submissive to people (which explained why she was with Alex in order to feel loved). In turn, Haley learnt about his struggles in finding purpose to keep on living, as he admitted that along with his dad, he'd had friends die in front of him. Haley's life wasn't as perfect as he expected it to be, and in a way he was glad it was that way because it made creating a connection with her a lot easier.

However, it wasn't all sunshines and rainbows. When he wasn't visited by others or checked on by Sam, Percy spent most of his time sleeping. During these moments his dreams, which previously were plagued by the events of Camp Half-Blood, now drifted back to the events in the mines. He replayed scenarios over and over, imagining different outcomes where he tried to save his father but every single time he failed, watching him die over and over again before waking up in a cold sweat, gasping for air.

Usually, the worst nightmares only took place during the night. However, near the end of the week he took a nap in the middle of the day which proved to be a huge mistake. Haley, who had once again come to visit, was welcomed with a scream as she entered the building. She rushed into Percy's room to find him in a cold sweat, thrashing about as if fighting an unseen enemy.

She immediately went to his side, gently calling his name to try and bring him back to awareness. 'Percy, it's me,' she said softly 'You're safe, it was just a nightmare.'

Percy's movements gradually began to slow, but his breathing remained rapid and shallow. Haley sat beside him, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. 'Take deep breaths with me,' she suggested calmly, demonstrating slow, deep breaths herself. 'In and out, just like this.'

Slowly, Percy's breathing steadied, and the tension in his body began to ease. He blinked rapidly as he gradually came to recognize Haley's presence beside him.

"Why are you here?" Percy asked, his gaze fixed on the wall before him as tears streamed down his face. Haley frowned in confusion.

"What do you mean? I'm always here," Haley replied softly, squeezing his hand tighter to reassure him of her presence.

"Exactly. Why do you always come back? I'm... I'm just someone who's broken," Percy sobbed. To his surprise, Haley also began to cry.

"Percy, out of everyone I've ever known, none of them has ever really cared, asked me how I'm feeling like you do," Haley said between sobs, her voice choked with emotion. "And I've barely known you for a week."

Haley's words hung in the air, heavy with vulnerability and honesty. She took a shaky breath, trying to compose herself as tears continued to flow down her cheeks.

"I... I feel safe with you, Percy. You make me feel... like I'm not alone," Haley confessed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Please don't think you're broken. You've been through so much, yet you're still here, caring about others."

Percy turned to look at her, his own tears still falling. He saw the pain and loneliness in Haley's eyes, mirrored by his own. In that moment, he realised they were both struggling with their own battles, finding solace in each other's company.

"I'm sorry," Percy whispered, reaching out to gently wipe away Haley's tears. "I didn't mean to upset you."

"It's okay," Haley murmured, her hand moving to cover Percy's where it rested against her cheek. "We're in this together, okay? You're not alone, Percy."

They both end up falling asleep, arms wrapped around each other, Haley's head resting gently on Percy's chest. For the first time in months, without the influence of alcohol, Percy doesn't have any nightmares.

-Line Break-

"Well, Percy," Sam said, stepping into the room with a reassuring smile, "I've got some good news for you. You're cleared to get out of here."

Percy blinked, still processing the news. "Really?" he asked, his voice weak but hopeful.

Sam nodded. "Yes, you've made remarkable progress. Just take it easy for the next few weeks, alright? No strenuous activities."

Haley, who had been sitting quietly by Percy's side, let out a sigh of relief. "That's wonderful news, Percy. You hear that? You're finally going home."

Percy managed a small smile. "Yeah, home," he repeated, trying to feel solace in those words. Yet, all he felt was dread. The past two weeks have caused him and Haley to become really close, yet he was scared that this was going to stop as soon as he exited the hospital.

Haley quickly moved to support him. "Easy there, let's take it slow. I'll help walk you home." she said, her voice gentle yet firm.

As Percy was walking out of the building, he took a moment to glance around, his eyes adjusting to the sunlight. It was then that he noticed something strange. The structure they were leaving didn't look like a typical hospital at all, let alone Dr. Harvey's. The architecture was more reminiscent of a medieval wizard's tower with its tall, cylindrical shape and stone walls adorned with ancient-looking carvings.

"Wait a minute," Percy said, his brow furrowing in confusion. "This isn't a hospital. It looks more like... some sort of wizard tower?"

Sam, who had been walking beside them, chuckled lightly. "Oh, that. It's just a quirky design choice. This facility is actually for long-term patients. It helps keep the main hospital free for emergencies."

Percy raised an eyebrow, still feeling skeptical. "A quirky design choice, huh?"

Sam nodded, a reassuring smile on his face. "Yep. Don't worry about it. You know, wizards have magic, so it's symbolic of uh, how magic heals you here."

Haley, sensing Percy's lingering doubts, squeezed his hand gently. "It's okay, Percy. Don't worry about it. Lots of people in the town have been here. Just a design choice like Sam said."

Percy still wasn't sure whether they were telling the truth, but between focusing his energy on trying to walk without falling down and stressing about his future with Haley, he decided to give them the benefit of the doubt. Without another word, Haley and Percy bid their thanks and goodbyes to Sam, before making their way to Percy's house.

Their journey passed mostly in silence, with the occasional comment from Haley telling him to take it easy whenever Percy let out an involuntary grimace. However, Percy's mind was busy wondering what all this meant for his relationship with Haley. They'd started out trying to avoid each other's paths, somewhat connected in the bar, and became especially close during his time at the hospital. Did this bond continue with what happened at the hospital, or did it revert to their last encounter in the outside world, avoiding each other's paths?

As they finally approached Percy's house, he slowed down and took a quick glance at Haley. He found her eyebrows slightly furrowed and her eyes distant, as if lost in thought, meaning that she was probably also thinking about something too. They reached the doorstep, and Percy turned to face her, taking a deep breath.

"Haley," he started, his voice soft, "I just wanted to say thank you for everything. You've been... You've been everything to me."

Haley smiled, a hint of sadness in her eyes. "I'm just glad you're okay, Percy. It's been a rough two weeks for you."

He nodded, feeling a lump form in his throat. "I- I don't want things to go back to how they were before, avoiding each other. I... I'd like to stay friends. If you want, that is."

Haley's smile widened, and she reached out to gently touch his arm. "Of course, Percy! You've meant so much to me too these past weeks. I don't know what I'd do if I lost you."

Percy felt a wave of relief wash over him, before offering his hand. "Friends?"

Much to his shock, which has been happening far too often, Haley leaned in for a hug instead.

The embrace took him by surprise, but he quickly reciprocated, wrapping his arms around her. He felt the warmth of her body against his, a comforting presence that seemed to soothe his lingering anxieties. Her hair brushed against his cheek, soft and fragrant, carrying the faint scent of lavender and something sweet he couldn't quite place.

After a couple more seconds, Haley reluctantly pulled away. She gave him one last smile, before turning to leave. Percy watched the gentle sway of her hips and her sun kissed curls bob up and down as she made her way home, reaping a sigh out of him.

He was falling for her. Hard.

The past month passed like a breeze for Percy. It was one of the most relaxing months Percy has had in several years, not having needed to fight any monsters which included Alex (who seemed to leave him alone since his dad died). He spent his days working on the farm, interacting with locals and going through rehabilitation exercises with Sam to build his mobility and strength back, who he quickly built a strong relationship with due to his carefree and friendly persona. However, it was the moments spent with Haley that Percy treasured the most. Whether they were exploring the nearby woods taking photographs, enjoying picnics on the beach or even simply sitting together on Percy's porch watching the sunset, Haley brought a sense of joy and companionship into his life that he hadn't had since he left camp. Their friendship had blossomed into something deeper, built on trust, shared experiences, and enjoying each other's company in general.

It wasn't all perfect though, as despite Haley's initial words at the bar and Percy's warnings, she still was with that dick Alex. He couldn't understand why, since it wasn't like their relationship had improved, Haley catching him contacting the mysterious 'Chee' once again. Her still being with him was pretty much the only thing standing in Percy's way from professing his love to her. However, one day while laying on his bed trying to fall asleep, Percy realised what needed to happen; he needed to ask Haley out. That way, Haley would realise she didn't need to rely on Alex anymore and know she was worth so much more.

And so that was why Percy was standing in front of Haley's doorstep, a bouquet of sunflowers in one hand. Taking a deep breath, Percy knocked on her door only to hear the sound of glass crashing against the floor, followed by a scream. Percy kicked the door open, hearing the shouts of Haley and Alex from her room. Wanting to remain undetected, he tiptoed to the corner of her door and took a peek at the scene playing out in front of him. A flower vase lay shattered in the corner of the room, its contents strewn across the floor. Haley stood near the window, her face flushed with anger, hands trembling as she pointed accusingly at Alex. Alex, standing across from her, clenched his fists, his jaw tight with frustration. Reeling his head back, Percy leaned his head against the wall and listened into their argument.

"Why do you keep spending so much time with that punk?! I thought we were on the same page about him being unworthy of our time!" Alex said scornfully, his voice tinged with betrayal and frustration. Haley, her face flushed with anger, shot back with equal intensity.

"Don't you dare talk about him like that! At least he cares for me and my feelings." she retorted, her voice trembling with indignation.

Alex laughed bitterly. "And since when did you of all people have feelings? I'm a bad person, but you're even worse! You've ruined more lives than I have because of your petty "feelings."

Haley's fists clenched at her sides, her voice rising. "Maybe that's because I can't stand to be around someone who constantly belittles and controls me, keeping me as as a trophy wife while you fuck your sidechick 'Chee' and so I'm forced to take my anger out on others!"

"Well, maybe if you didn't spend all your time with Percy, I wouldn't have to resort to being with another bitch; you haven't even let me fuck-"

"Shut the FUCK UP. Percy was right, I'm breaking up with you once and for all. I wish I was with Percy instead of you!"

"And what makes you think you're not going to come back begging for my love again just like how you've been doing your whole life, you whore?"

"Because, this time, I swear-" Haley proceeded to whisper something Percy couldn't understand to Alex's ear, and whatever she said must've hurt because what happened next was so fucked up that Percy literally saw red. Alex proceeded to backhand Haley's face, causing her to fly backwards like a ragdoll and start crying.

Realising that this argument had gone WAY too far, Percy ran into the room, his instincts on override.

"You have no right to come barging in here!" Alex roared, his face contorted with rage.

Ignoring Alex's threat, Percy continued advancing, before slidetackling Alex to the ground. They both recovered quickly, and with lightning speed, Alex lunged forward, his movements quick despite his big stature. Percy barely managed to evade the first blow, but the impact of Alex's strike which landed on the wall sent shockwaves throughout the room, causing furniture to topple and walls shake. Percy gritted his teeth, before attempting to throw a punch only for Alex to beat him to it. Percy relied on all the dexterity and agility he possessed as he darted in and out, dodging Alex's relentless assaults while searching for an opening. However, he was eventually dealt with a blow from Alex that felt like he was struck by a battering ram, and Percy was knocked backwards leading to a cry from Haley, before quickly getting up on his feet.

Percy was confused; sure, he was weakened by his injuries from the mines yet even then, Alex possessed inhumane ability and strength. Despite this, Percy refused to back down after what he did to Haley. With a surge of determination, he countered Alex's next move before throwing a powerful right hook to his jaw and locking him in a powerful chokehold from behind.

Percy held on with all his might, his muscles straining from keeping Alex in his control. But it was the element of surprise that caught Percy off guard, as Alex started coughing out what Percy expected to be blood on the ground only to be met with the sparkle of a golden liquid, ichor of the immortals. Alex was an immortal.

"You cannot defeat me," Alex growled defiantly, his voice reverberating with godly power, before he rammed his head backwards into Percy's nose, breaking it and becoming free from his chokehold. Alex then started glowing, and Percy immediately shielded his eyes, knowing he was about to shed his godly form.

Alex's transformation now completed, he stood before Percy now exuding an aura of sheer power. Percy barely had time to react before Alex was upon him, his fists moving with blinding speed. Each blow landed with devastating force, sending Percy reeling. Percy had barely managed to hold his own before, but now that he was fighting a being in their godly form, he was no match.

Alex grabbed Percy by the collar and lifted him off the ground, slamming him into the wall. Percy's vision blurred as pain shot through his body. He tried to fight back, but Alex was relentless. Another punch to the stomach forced the air from Percy's lungs, causing him to gasp for breath.

Blood dripped from Percy's mouth as he struggled to stay conscious. Alex's eyes burned with a fierce, unyielding flame. He delivered a powerful kick to Percy's side, sending him crashing to the floor. Percy coughed violently, spitting out more blood as he tried to push himself up.

"You are nothing but an insect to me," Alex sneered, his voice cold and merciless. He grabbed Percy by the neck and hoisted him up, slamming him back against the wall. Percy clawed at Alex's hand, desperately trying to break free, but his strength was fading fast.

With a brutal twist, Alex tightened his grip around Percy's throat, cutting off his air supply. Percy's vision darkened, his struggles growing weaker. Haley's screams echoed in his ears, but they seemed distant, fading into the void.

"You think you can challenge a god?" Alex hissed, his face inches from Percy's. "You will learn the price of your defiance."

Percy felt his consciousness slipping away, his body betraying him as he fought to breathe. Just when Percy was on the brink of mortality, he heard a shout.

"STOP IT, ARES!"

AN: Lots to talk about. Firstly I ruined my daily update streak and in my defense, I was moving a lot and this chapter is twice as long as the first. It's not like I wasn't trying, I spent two nights until 1am working and i managed to finish it last night actually but I was kinda half awake so I waited until the next day to publish since I wanted to review for grammar mistakes and then the Eminem album dropped (first listen 8/10) so I had to listen to that but yeah at least its out.

Also wanted to thank both reviewers for their feedback, really appreciate it and in terms of Percy seeming to have been nerfed, firstly he was in hades' element so he was weakened and couldn't use his water powers but also I'm glad you think that way because he's about to become OP as fuck so that'll be fun.

Lastly, basically from all the trauma Percy has faced (more will be revealed next chapter) he is suffering from PTSD, survivors guilt and I don't have any of them so I cannot write it accurately and so I'm just basing it all off research. Thank you for reading!