Author's Note (3/17/2025):

Hey, sorry for the update. I'm going ahead and reuploading the most recent chapters for my ongoing stories. I've received multiple PM's saying that people can't see my last updates. Even for stories I updated over a month ago. I'm hoping this might reset it. Super frustrating. I've ported all the stories over to Ao3, where they are available to read as well. Thankfully more reliable over there. Shame that this site is dying.

But thank you for reading, as always. New chapters coming soon :)

Chapter III:

The salt in the air stuck to Natasha's skin as she stood at the water's edge, arms crossed over her chest, wind tugging at the loose strands of her red hair. Percy stood beside her, his bare feet sinking into the cool sand. He reached out and felt her hand, his thumb grazing her knuckles.

"Why so quiet?" He asked.

Natasha remained fix on the horizon. "Mmm? Just thinking."

The wind picked up, ruffling the dark waves.

"You know you can tell me," Percy nudged her. "Whatever it is."

Natasha's eyes narrowed. "You already know what it is."

"Yeah," Percy said. "But I'd still rather hear it from you."

She exhaled through her nose, the corner of her mouth twitching upward despite herself. Her thumb brushed absently over his wrist, tracing the lines of blue veins beneath his skin. She didn't need to say it.

Percy knew it. He always knew it.

"Come with me," he said as he tugged her toward the water.

Natasha followed, curling her toes as they stepped into the surf. Percy's fingers laced with hers, his palms just as calloused as hers. The water climbed to her calves, then her knees. It should've been cold, but with him, the water was always warm.

They plunged beneath the waves.

Her breath always caught as the water swallowed them whole. She reached for Percy, but his arms were already around her waist as they drifted downward.

"Show-off."

"Yeah," Percy said. "You're welcome."

Shapes swam around their bubble. Schools of fish weaving in and out of the shifting light. Tendrils of jellyfish floated lazily above, their long, glowing ribbons trailing behind them.

They drifted deeper, toward the ocean floor. Coral towers rose up like jagged skyscrapers, their spines glittering with a soft, iridescent sheen. Somebody once said that life imitated art. Natasha wondered what art inspired such beauty.

Darkness moved beyond the coral. A silhouette with long fins that swept lazily through the current.

A whale.

It turned toward them, its enormous eye blinking.

Percy lifted a hand toward it. The whale came to him, as if being pulled by an invisible string. Natasha felt herself tense at the enormity.

"It's okay," Percy said softly.

The whale's eye rolled toward Natasha. Its massive, barnacle-crusted head slid past them, the edge of its tail just a few feet away.

Natasha reached out, her fingers brushing the rough hide.

Cold, slick, alive.

"Not bad," Percy said.

Natasha glanced his way. "You've been holding out on me."

Percy tugged her closer. Natasha's own hands lifted, brushing his shoulders, their legs floated weightlessly beneath them.

"So this is your idea of a relaxing night?" Natasha studied his features.

Percy shrugged. "You're always looking after everyone else. Thought maybe you deserved a break."

Natasha's lips twitched. "And you thought taking me into the literal depths of the ocean was the way to do that?"

"Yeah." Percy's hand skimmed up her side. "Problem?"

Natasha's fingers brushed the back of his neck. "I've had worse."

Percy kissed her.

It wasn't desperate or rushed. It was soft, steady. She could feel her eyes flutter shut as his hands settled against the curve of her spine, his mouth warm and careful against hers.

She enjoyed the way his gaze lingered on hers when they parted. Natasha's thumb brushed the line of his jaw.

"Feeling better?" Percy asked.

Natasha smiled. "A little."

Percy had that silly little mischievous grin of his. "Good. Because I've got more."

Before she could ask what that meant, Percy lifted his hand and the water around them shifted. Light flickered. A tunnel opened up in the distance, glowing faintly.

Natasha raised an eyebrow.

Percy took her hand again. "Come on."

"You realize you're setting the bar dangerously high, right?" Natasha said.

"Yup."

"You're going to have to keep topping this."

Percy kissed her again. "Challenge accepted."

Natasha laughed, letting him pull her deeper into the ocean. Not even the moon and stars could see them now.

Author's Note:

Back again :)

The artwork I commissioned is also now available to view! You can find it pinned in the discord channel in my bio :)