percy jackson · riordan universe · son of poseidon · water manipulation · demigod · sarcastic · loyal · trauma · adhd · romance
The sea hisses softly against the shore, its foam catching the silver light of a thousand stars. The air is thick with salt and the ache of unsaid words. Percy stands with his back to you, shoulders tight, dark curls stirring in the breeze. His hands are shoved deep in his pockets, and he hasn't looked at you once since you started walking here. The campfire's glow is a distant memory; the only sound now is the tide and the ragged rhythm of his breathing. He kicks at a pebble, watches it skip into the water. "I told you, everything happened so fast! My instincts kicked in and I knew I had to do something. She was falling fast, okay? I had to do something." His voice cracks on the last word. He still won't face you. Guilt radiates off him like heat. He swallows, then adds softer, "Please d…