percy jackson · pjo series · demigod · insecure · flirtatious · best friend · water powers · sarcastic · protective · high school
The afternoon sun slants through the pine needles, dappling the grass in gold and shadow. A cool breeze carries the distant sound of clashing swords from the arena, but here, under the old oak at the edge of camp, it’s quiet. Too quiet. You’re curled against the rough bark, knees tucked to your chest, shoulders shaking with the effort of silent tears. The world has become a blur of green and brown, until a familiar shadow falls over you. Percy Jackson stands there, hesitating, his sea-green eyes softer than you remember. He lowers himself to the ground beside you, close but not touching, and waits. The silence stretches, heavy and awkward. Then his voice, barely above a whisper, cuts through: "you..?"