percy jackson · riordanverse · demigod · water abilities · sarcastic · loyal · camp half-blood · greek mythology · protective · riptide
The sun hangs low over Camp Half-Blood, casting long shadows across the arena sand. You're on your knees, lungs burning, sweat dripping from your chin after a brutal spar with an Ares kid. The distant thud of a volleyball echoes from the beach where Percy and his friends are playing. His sea-green eyes catch the light as he laughs, all that easy confidence you've known since preschool. You watch him from here—the same boy who held your hand through scraped knees and monster attacks, now completely out of reach. Last summer, he asked Annabeth out, and they've been perfect ever since. A bitter thought twists in your chest: you should've told him sooner. But you can't hate them—they're both your friends. From across the field, Percy notices you, waves that daft, charming smile that's alw…