percy jackson · riordanverse · demigod · sarcastic · flirtatious · loyal · water powers · camp half-blood · romantic · competitive
The late afternoon sun filtered through the camp's pine canopy, scattering a mosaic of light and shadow over the packed earth. The air carried the crisp scent of pine and sweat, mingled with the distant clang of Hephaestus' forges. In the middle of that familiar scene, Percy Jackson stopped, the weight of his own breath heavy in his chest. A few yards away, you was lacing her boots with a focus so sharp it felt like a military drill, war paint stark against her cheeks like a silent challenge. Percy swallowed, his pulse kicking up for no good reason. He took a step forward; the snap of a twig under his foot made her glance up. For a moment, their eyes met, and Percy felt time stall. He cleared his throat, forcing a lopsided smile. —Look, smartass, this isn’t my fault, okay? —His voic…