Percy's Guide to Getting Yelled at by Thalia (And Then Kissed)
It had been two weeks since Thalia came back to life, and Percy was starting to think that maybe having her be a tree wasn't so bad after all.
Not that he didn't appreciate her company—really, he did—but she had gone from tree to full-blown warrior mode faster than he could say "Golden Fleece." And now, they were stuck in their third sparring session of the week, because apparently, Thalia had decided that the best way to reintroduce herself to the mortal world was to try and beat Percy into the dirt every chance she got.
The sun was high overhead, and the training arena at Camp Half-Blood was empty. Most of the campers were off doing something sensible, like avoiding getting fried by a lightning-wielding demigod. But here Percy was, stuck in the arena with Thalia, who had been glaring at him like he personally requested her revival just so he could drive her crazy.
Things had been...tense between them. Not in a bad way—just, well, intense. Thalia didn't do anything halfway, and apparently, that included sparring. For the past two weeks, she had been throwing herself into training with the kind of energy that made Percy wonder if she was trying to make up for lost time. And every time Percy tried to take it easy, thinking she might still be adjusting, she shot him a look that could melt steel.
Which was how they ended up here, again, for what felt like the fiftieth round of "Let's see how much Percy can dodge before Thalia gets annoyed."
Percy watched as she paced in front of him, her combat boots kicking up small clouds of dust. He could practically feel the storm brewing. And yeah, it was broad daylight, but that didn't make it any less intimidating when the daughter of Zeus looked like she was about two seconds away from summoning a thunderstorm just to spite him.
"Alright, Percy," he muttered to himself. "Don't screw this up. It's just a little sparring match. Totally normal. Totally safe."
Except, of course, this was Thalia, and nothing about sparring with her had ever felt safe. Fun? Sure, in a "I might die" kind of way. Safe? Not so much.
He was snapped out of his thoughts by Thalia stopping mid-pace and turning to face him. Here we go.
Percy shifted his stance, gripping Riptide a little tighter. Her expression was set, her blue eyes sharp, and he could already tell this was going to be one of those matches. The kind where she wasn't just going to test his reflexes—she was going to push him until his legs gave out or he admitted defeat.
"You ready?" she asked, voice cool but with that edge of challenge she always had when she was itching for a fight. She twirled her spear like it was an extension of her arm, the tip catching the sunlight as it sliced through the air.
"Sure," Percy said, trying to sound more confident than he felt. "But, you know, I thought we were taking it easy today?"
Thalia smirked. "Taking it easy is for people who aren't playing catch-up. I've got five years of missed training to make up for. You, Seaweed Brain, are going to help me with that."
Percy groaned inwardly. "Right. Lucky me."
Without another word, Thalia lunged. Percy barely had time to get his guard up before the tip of her spear came dangerously close to his shoulder. He sidestepped, but Thalia was already spinning, bringing the spear around in a wide arc aimed at his legs. Percy jumped back, just in time to avoid getting swept off his feet.
"Come on, Percy! That's all you've got?" She grinned, clearly enjoying the thrill of the fight.
Percy didn't answer. He was too busy trying to figure out if she'd gotten faster since their last session. The answer, unfortunately, seemed to be yes.
She struck again, this time aiming for his ribs. Percy deflected the blow with Riptide, the sound of metal ringing through the arena. Thalia's smirk grew wider, and she pressed the attack, her strikes quick and calculated, each one forcing Percy to back up a step.
"Alright, alright!" Percy said, trying to catch his breath between blocks. "I thought you said we were sparring, not trying to kill each other."
"This is sparring," Thalia replied, a glint in her eye as she faked left, then swung her spear low, nearly catching Percy off-guard. "You want me to hold back, Jackson?"
Percy grunted as he narrowly avoided another swing. "No, but maybe tone it down a little? I like my limbs where they are, thanks."
Thalia smirked, but her strikes didn't slow down. "Where's the fun in that?"
Percy dodged another hit and took a few quick steps back. Thalia stopped, eyeing him with amusement. It didn't help that every time she looked at him like that—with that smirk and those sharp eyes—he couldn't tell if she was just trying to win or if she genuinely enjoyed making him squirm.
"Seriously, Thalia," Percy said, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I thought you were still adjusting. Maybe we could... I don't know, take it easy just this once?"
Thalia's smirk faded slightly, and she tilted her head, studying him. For a moment, Percy thought she might actually listen. But then she sighed and shook her head, stepping closer. "You're holding back, Percy," she said, her voice lower, more serious now. "You think I haven't noticed?"
Percy blinked, caught off guard by the shift in her tone. "I'm not holding back," he said, trying to keep his voice steady. He wasn't, not really... right?
Thalia stabbed her spear into the ground and crossed her arms, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Yes, you are. You've been holding back since the start of this week, and it's getting old. I'm not some fragile camper you have to babysit, Percy."
Percy scratched the back of his neck, searching for the right words. "It's not that I'm—look, I just don't want to accidentally, you know, to hurt you or something and…
Thalia's eyes widened for a second, and Percy immediately regretted saying that.
Her expression then shifted to something like disbelief. "Hurt me?" she repeated, her voice incredulous. "You think you're going to hurt me?" She laughed, a sarcastic sound that echoed around the arena. "That's cute, Percy, considering I've been trying to land a decent hit on you, and you've been dodging around like I'm not even a real threat."
Percy winced. She was really not letting this go. "That's not what I—"
"Then stop holding back!" Thalia growled, "Prove it, Percy. Stop treating me like I'm made of glass, and show me what you've really got."
Percy felt the heat rising in his face as Thalia stared him down. Her eyes were blazing, daring him to push back, to give her what she wanted.
"Okay, you know what?" Percy said, a grin tugging at his lips. He was done being careful. If she wanted him to stop holding back, fine. She'd get her wish. "You want me to stop holding back?"
Thalia's smirk returned. "Please do."
They went at it hard. Percy, fought with everything he had. The familiar rush of adrenaline surged through him as he swung Riptide, deflecting Thalia's spear with a clang that echoed through the training arena. He moved faster, each strike more aggressive, more precise, the way he fought monsters—not campers.
But Thalia was relentless, meeting each blow with equal force, her spear twirling and spinning in ways that Percy still couldn't quite keep up with. She was a force of nature, and even though Percy was going all out now, it still didn't seem to slow her down.
"You're doing better," Thalia panted, a glint of approval in her eyes. "But you're still holding back, Percy!"
Percy nearly stumbled at the accusation. "Holding back?" he said, deflecting a jab at his side. "I'm giving you everything I've got!"
Thalia narrowed her eyes as she spun around, bringing her spear down toward his shoulder. Percy barely managed to dodge it, feeling the whoosh of the spearhead pass his ear. She smirked. "Please. If this is you going all out, I'm not impressed."
Percy blocked her next attack, frustration bubbling up in his chest. How is she not feeling this? He was fighting at full strength now, but Thalia acted like he was barely putting in the effort. Sweat was dripping down his face, and his muscles burned from blocking her relentless strikes.
"You're unbelievable," Percy growled, stepping back to catch his breath. "I'm not holding back!"
"You are!" Thalia snapped back, her blue eyes blazing with challenge. "I can feel it, Percy. You're still going easy on me. Don't you think I can handle it?"
"No!" Percy shot back, panting. "I'm going all out! You're just... impossible!"
Thalia stepped closer, her gaze locking onto his. "Then prove it."
Percy blinked, momentarily frozen by the intensity in her stare. His pulse raced, and before he could stop himself, the words spilled out. "Fine. If you want me to stop holding back—"
With a flick of his hand, Percy summoned the water from a nearby bucket, sending a wave crashing over Thalia. Water drenched her from head to toe, her dark hair sticking to her face, her clothes soaked.
For a moment, everything went still.
Thalia stood there, blinking as water dripped down her face. Percy waited for the explosion, his heart pounding in his chest.
She wiped the water from her eyes, her jaw tightening. "You... did not just do that."
"Uh... I did," Percy swallowed, suddenly regretting his decision.
Before Percy could react, Thalia threw her spear to the side and stormed toward him. Water still dripped from her as she marched up to him, her fists clenched. She stopped inches away from him, her blue eyes burning with anger as she glared up at him.
"You think that's funny?" she demanded, her voice low and filled with anger. "You think this is funny?"
"Thalia, I—" Percy started, backing up a step, but Thalia cut him off, getting right in his face.
"Don't you Thalia me," she hissed, her nose nearly touching his. "You just cheap-shotted me in the middle of a sparring match because you're too much of a coward to give me a real fight."
Percy's heart was hammering in his chest, but not because he was scared—not really. Sure, Thalia looked like she was two seconds away from electrocuting him into oblivion, but there was something about the way she was standing there, inches from his face, drenched and fuming, that made his pulse race for an entirely different reason.
She was soaked, her hair sticking to her face, water dripping from her chin. Her eyes were practically glowing with rage, and yet... Percy couldn't stop staring.
Oh gods. Why is this kind of... hot?
He tried to push the thought away, but the more Thalia glared at him, the more it refused to leave his mind. Her intensity, her fire, the way she was looking at him like she was about to tear him apart—it was doing something to him that he couldn't explain.
He blinked, trying to pull himself back to reality. Focus, Percy. She's mad. Very, very mad. But as she stood there, barely keeping her rage in check, all Percy could think about was how ridiculously attractive she looked like this. His face heated up, and he swallowed hard, his mind scrambling for something to say, anything to break the tension.
"You're not listening," Thalia snapped, eyes narrowing as she jabbed her finger into his chest.
"I'm listening," Percy said quickly, as her face hovered inches from his. "I just... uh..."
Thalia blinked, her anger flaring again. "You just what?"
Percy swallowed again, his heart racing. She was so close. Way too close. "I just think... maybe you should get out of my face."
Her eyes widened for a split second before she narrowed them again, stepping even closer. "Oh yeah? What if I don't?"
Percy blinked. "Then I might say something really stupid."
"Like what?"
"I... think you're hot when you're mad," Percy blurted out, the words escaping before he could stop them.
For a split second, the arena went silent. Thalia blinked, her furious expression faltering just slightly as if she couldn't quite believe what she'd just heard.
"What?" she asked, her voice low and dangerous.
Percy winced. Oh gods, this was a mistake. A big mistake. But it was too late now, so he might as well commit to it. "I mean, you're... really intense right now," he stammered, his face flushing as the words tumbled out. "And, uh... I think it's kind of... hot?"
Thalia blinked again, the anger in her eyes giving way to confusion. "You think me being furious with you is... hot?" she said, her tone sharp and cutting, her eyes narrowing. There was no softening in her stance. If anything, she seemed even more intense now, like she was considering how to play with this new information.
Percy opened his mouth to respond, but Thalia stepped even closer, not giving him the chance. "You think you've got me figured out?" she asked, her voice lowering, almost teasing, but with an edge that made his pulse quicken. Her eyes never left his, searching his face, like she was testing him, daring him to hold her gaze.
"I—no, I just—" Percy stammered, suddenly feeling a lot smaller as Thalia took another deliberate step toward him. Her presence was overwhelming, and Percy found himself backing up instinctively until he was practically pinned between her and the arena wall.
Thalia smirked, just the barest hint of amusement flickering in her eyes. She could see the effect she was having on him, and she was leaning into it. Not in a flirty, playful way, but more like she was sizing him up, figuring out exactly how far she could push.
"You think I look good when I'm mad, huh?" she repeated, her voice quiet but firm, dragging out the moment, making sure Percy felt every word. "Is that what you're saying?"
Percy swallowed hard, trying to keep his composure, but his brain was already short-circuiting. "Uh... yeah, kind of."
Thalia's smirk widened slightly, but there was still something unreadable in her eyes. "Interesting."
Percy blinked. "Interesting?"
Thalia didn't respond immediately. She just stood there, her eyes locked on his, her expression unreadable, like she was weighing her options. Then, slowly, deliberately, she reached up and grabbed the front of his shirt, pulling him just a little closer.
"You know, Percy," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper now, "you might want to be careful what you wish for." Her grip tightened on his shirt, and she leaned in, her breath warm against his skin, so close he could feel the tension radiating off her.
"I might just get mad at you more often," she added, her lips curving into a slow, dangerous smile.
Percy's heart pounded in his chest. Her words were teasing, but there was an intensity behind them that made it impossible to tell if she was being serious or just playing with him. And honestly? He wasn't sure which one he wanted more.
Before he could say anything, Thalia closed the distance between them, kissing him with the same fierce energy she carried into everything else. Percy's eyes widened in shock for half a second, but his brain caught up quickly enough. He kissed her back, his hands instinctively finding their way to her waist. The world seemed to tilt for a moment, everything fading except for the electric charge between them—literally, since he could feel the faint static in the air around them.
When she pulled away, her smirk was still there, but her eyes were gleaming with challenge. "There," she said, her voice a little quieter now, though still holding that edge. "Still think it's fun when I'm mad?"
Percy blinked, struggling to catch his breath, his heart still racing. "Yeah," he said, grinning despite himself. "Yeah, I do."
Thalia raised an eyebrow, her amusement clear now. "Good to know." She let go of his shirt and took a step back, her gaze lingering on him for a moment longer before she turned, heading toward the exit of the arena.
Percy watched as Thalia walked away, his heart still racing from the kiss, his mind trying to process everything that had just happened. The arena felt a little too quiet now, the absence of their sparring, the rush of adrenaline, and Thalia's intensity leaving a strange void in its wake. He rubbed the back of his neck, staring after her, a dazed grin still tugging at his lips.
Had that really just happened? Thalia kissed him. Thalia Grace.
He shook his head, chuckling to himself. If anyone had told him a few hours ago that getting on Thalia's bad side would end with him being kissed senseless, he would have laughed in their face. But now? Now, he was seriously rethinking all his life choices.
As she reached the exit of the arena, Thalia paused, glancing over her shoulder, her eyes meeting his again. She raised an eyebrow, her smirk reappearing. "Oh, and Percy," she called, her voice carrying that intense edge, "if you ever soak me with water again? You won't get off so easy next time."
He let out a breath, chuckling under his breath as he rubbed the back of his neck again. "Yeah... noted."
Thalia Grace had kissed him. Of all the ways he thought today would go, getting kissed by a soaked, furious daughter of Zeus wasn't even in the top hundred. His mind was still spinning, and yet, the grin on his face was impossible to fight off. He stood there, in the middle of the empty arena, dazed, thinking that maybe getting on her bad side wasn't so bad after all. He glanced at where she had left, muttering to himself, "Yeah... totally worth it."
In one of my other stories, Percy and Thalia are currently stuck in the Labyrinth trying to survive so I thought I'd do a light-hearted, fun approach to Perlia. I'm happy with how it turned out :) If it brought a smile to your face I'd love to hear your thoughts! Thanks for reading, and remember—when in doubt, don't douse a daughter of Zeus with water!