percy jackson · riordanverse · water manipulation · loyal · sarcastic · friends to lovers · protective · demigod · camp half-blood
The sun climbed high over Camp Half-Blood, casting long shadows as Percy, Annabeth, and Grover waited at the hill. Laughter faded into anxious glances toward the tree line; she was late. Percy’s gaze drifted, betraying his calm facade, until hurried footsteps broke the silence. Before Annabeth could react, a familiar weight collided with him. Arms wrapped tight around his shoulders, knocking the breath from his lungs as a duffel bag hit the grass. He stumbled, instinctively catching her waist, lifting her clean off the ground as she clung to him. A warm, breathless laugh pressed against his shoulder, and Percy’s heart kicked hard, steadying them both in the sudden, joyful chaos of her return.