Chapter V:

Someone once said that time flies when you're having fun, but Powder was beginning to think that time had altogether ceased to exist. Or perhaps it had simply taken a liking to her, deciding to stretch and bend around her, allowing moments to linger a little longer, like the sweet, lingering aftertaste of a fizzing blue candy.

It was time, however, for the inevitable. The 'meet the family' moment.

Nothing like introducing your boyfriend to your protective, overbearing and definitely scary adoptive father. Every bit about it felt strange and unfamiliar, like a new piece of machinery she hadn't quite figured out how to use.

"So, are you nervous?" Powder asked, nudging Percy with her elbow as they stopped in front of The Last Drop. The familiar scent of beer wafted out to greet them.

Percy, bless his heart, looked like he was about to face a firing squad. He'd ditched the Enforcer uniform, opting for a simple shirt and pants, but he still looked like a fish out of water. He'd even attempted to subdue his hair. Powder wasn't going to bother telling him that it was a futile effort.

"Nervous? Me? Nah," Percy said, his voice cracking slightly. "Why would I be nervous?"

"Woah there," Powder stepped on his foot. "Is that… fear I sense? From an Enforcer? My goodness."

Percy cleared his throat. "Nope. Definitely not."

Powder giggled, the sound echoing in the dimly lit street. "Relax, Waterboy. They're just people."

"Waterboy?" Percy blinked. "Is that... a nickname?"

"Yep," Powder confirmed, proud of herself. "Fits, doesn't it? You are from Bilgewater, are you not? And you've got those ocean eyes."

Percy stared at her for a second before nodding quickly, opening his mouth to say something, but Powder cut him off,

"Okay, real talk. They can be, well, a lot. Vander's the big, gruff one, but he's a teddy bear underneath. I promise you. Silco is more quiet. He observes. He judges. Got this scary eye, too. Don't let him scare you."

"Scare me?" Percy scoffed, puffing out his chest in a display of bravado that was almost convincing. "I'm not scared by anyone."

Powder raised an eyebrow. "Right. And I don't have a single scorch mark in my workshop."

Percy deflated slightly. "Okay, maybe a little. But I can handle it." He reached into a bag he was carrying. "I even brought gifts."

Powder peered into the bag, her eyes widening. "Oh jeez. You did not."

"What?" Percy asked, looking genuinely confused. "Are they not appropriate?"

Powder burst out laughing. "Appropriate? Percy, you brought Vander a whiskey set, complete with fancy glasses. And for Silco…" She reached inside,"…a book called 'The Art of War' by Counselor Tzu?"

Percy nodded proudly. "Yeah! Figured your dad would appreciate a good drink, and Silco… well, from what you've told me, he seems like the philosophical type."

Powder shook her head, still chuckling.

"What?" Percy made a face. "Are they not good gifts?"

Powder gave him reassuring pat on the arm. "This will be entertaining."

She pushed open the door, her own heartbeat raising a tick. The bar was relatively quiet, it being early evening. Vander was behind the counter, polishing glasses with his usual meticulous care. Silco was seated at a corner table, a chessboard set up in front of him, though he seemed more interested in studying the swirling patterns in his drink than making any moves.

"So, Dad, Silco, this is Percy. Percy, this is Vander, and that's Silco."

Vander set down the glass he was polishing, wiping his hands on his apron, his eyes moving. He approached Percy, his large frame casting a shadow over the slightly shorter man.

"So, you're the Enforcer who's been stealing my daughter's time," Vander said, his voice a low rumble. Powder bit her lip, he really had to come with that tone always, didn't he.

"I guess I am, sir." Percy smiled, extending his hand. "Percy Jackson."

Percy Jackson? Huh. Powder had never considered Percy having a last name, like most topsiders. She guessed that would make sense.

"Vander." She watched her dad clasp Percy's hand in a grip that looked like it could crush steel. "Welcome to The Last Drop, Percy. Can I take that bag off you?"

Percy, seemingly relieved that he hadn't been immediately thrown out, shook his head. "Actually, these are for both of you."

Percy handed Vander his gifts, before greeting Silco with the rest of the bag. Vander's eyebrows raised as he examined the whiskey and glasses, turning them over in his hands, a slow smile spreading across his face. Thank god.

"Well, now," Vander said, his voice losing some of its gruffness. "This is… surprisingly thoughtful. I appreciate a good whiskey." He shot a look at Powder, a silent question in his eyes. "Did you put him up to this?"

Powder just shrugged, trying to suppress a grin. She'd gladly take the credit for it.

Silco stared at the book he'd been given, his long, slender fingers carefully unfolding the cover. "Counselor Tzu," he murmured. "An interesting choice." He looked up at Percy, gesturing. "Why this particular book?"

Powder found it cute the way Percy scratched the back of his head. "Well, we learned about Counselor Tzu while I was at the Academy," Percy explained. "And from what Powder has told me, I figured you might be interested in it too? It's all about strategy and, uh, other things about war."

Silco considered Percy's words, tracing the embossed title. "I do enjoy a good dive into the human psyche." Her adoptive uncle smiled. "Thank you."

Percy was able to impress both of them? Yeah, he was the one. She never though she'd see the day.

Vander, sensing the awkwardness still in the room, clapped Percy on the back, nearly sending him stumbling. "Alright, enough with the formalities. Let's have a drink. What'll it be, Percy? We've got everything from the finest spirits to… well, let's just say we have some brews that'll put hair on your chest."

Percy glanced at Powder. She gave him a subtle nod, silently encouraging him.

"I'll… I'll try one of those brews, sir," Percy said.

"Good choice, kid." Vander grinned, a flash of something genuine in his eyes. "And no need to call me sir."

Vander poured four drinks, a dark, amber liquid that smelled faintly of smoke and something absolutely putrid. He handed one to each of them, and kept one for himself.

"Powder?" Vander looked at her, "Want to say a toast?"

Powder, who had been busy fiddling with the rotting edge of her seat, raised her glass. "Sure. To not killing my boyfriend."

"Really, Powder?" Vander sighed over the sound of Silco's laughter. "That wasn't necessary."

"Totally necessary." She crinkled her eyes while finding Percy's hand underneath the table, relishing the way the drink burned her throat as she knocked it back.

Author's Note:

Shameless fluff :)

Also, the artwork has been finished! You can find it on neyite_art on instagram/twitter, or in my discord channel (link in bio, my channel has my username)! I'm sure the artist would love to hear your feedback on it! Can either leave it as a review here or in my Discord, and I'll be sure to get it to her!