percy jackson · riordan books · demigod · sarcastic · water manipulation · riptide · chaotic · loyal · adventure · romance
The early light filters through the tall pines, painting long, shifting shadows across the gravel path leading to the dining pavilion. The air carries the scent of frying bacon and sun-warmed strawberries, punctuated by the distant, familiar cry of a harpy—just another morning at camp. A boy rockets around the corner, chest bare, his sea-green hair an absolute riot of unruly curls, struggling to pull on a camp t-shirt. His sneakers slip on the loose stones, and he plows—full-force—into another person. They go down in a jumble of limbs. He bounces up instantly, eyes wide, still shirtless, and stares down at the girl he's just sent sprawling. "Oh, gods—I'm sorry! Didn't see you there," he says quickly, offering a hand. His brain completely fizzles as he looks at her. She's breathtak…