Sometimes, when Percy Jackson felt overwhelmed by life's day-to-day problems and crushed by the weight of his existence in this unfair mortal world, he would visit his favorite art museum and reflect on his favorite sculpture, the Poker Player (a Sally Jackson original).
It really just made his day better to look up at such an ugly piece of clay and think: yeah. My mom did that. My mom got paid money for that. I love my mom.
Today was one of those days. Percy had been through an ordeal of monster fighting at the airport and almost starting a fire at the Macy's near 34th Street, so he decided to do some good ole' art appreciation before stopping by his mom's apartment. In theory, he was supposed to spend his spring break with her, but he also knew Camp Halfblood had a small army of grubby children who were demanding an in-person sword lesson - and quite frankly, he would rather face a thousand monsters than tell Meg McCaffrey no.
So here he was. Admiring art. Trying to focus only on the outcomes of this glorious sculpture rather than the memories tied to the contorted face and grimy hands.
He had once brought Thalia here shortly after the Titan War. Gabe was one of those things in his life that people close to him knew but also didn't quite know. Annabeth and Grover understood to an extent. They never brought up Gabe. Never asked. Sometimes, Annabeth would look at the blue food his mother would bring out, and something crossed her face, but she didn't push.
Percy wondered if she expected him to talk about it one day. To deconstruct what his life had been all those years that Gabe had resided beside him. To unpack the details of broken glass on the floor, the smell of cigarette smoke and anger whirled in the pit of his stomach.
He never could bring himself to voice any of it but with Thalia? It was a tad easier.
Thalia never spoke of her mother in the same way Percy never spoke about Gabe. There was an understanding there. A comfort. Percy felt a little safer to allow her some insight into his previous world.
"But she never mentioned Jason," Percy murmured to himself.
A few people around the sculpture glanced at him but said nothing. Percy knew it was a tad unfair of him to expect Thalia to unload all of her secrets onto him. Still, it felt… well, he supposed it didn't matter how it felt. It wasn't like Thalia spoke to him much these days, anyway.
Sighing, he turned, readying himself to hop on a train to Penn Station to begin his descent to Camp Half-Blood, when a gasp stuttered over the crowd. Something cracked. A horrible grinding sound echoed over the marble floors. Percy pulled out his pen, fully anticipating a monster, only to see a chunk of stone burst against the floor.
Someone screamed. Percy had no idea what mortals could be seeing. All he knew was where his mother's sculpture stood five seconds ago, a cloud of dust rose.
Alarms blared. People ran. Percy stepped back, trying to decide where the danger was coming from, but as the dust settled, no monster revealed itself. Instead, a coughing figure swore loudly as it fell onto its knees. Percy inched closer, peering down.
"...mother…of… God," the figure said, and Percy gagged when the smell of alcohol slammed itself into his face. He raised Riptide, but before he could swing, he recognized the face through the white cloud of vaporized stone.
Gabe Ugliano spat out some cement before passing out onto the white pedestal.
At this point… why not?
Everything else had happened to Percy at this point. Why not this?
The options on how to deal with Gabe were short. Percy refused to allow him to roam the streets of Manhattan, let alone leave him to potentially track down his mother, so naturally, Percy kidnapped him.
As to where he could store a mortal who had been legally missing for years felt… unclear. He had decided to do the most straightforward thing: chuck him into the nearest river and hop on in after him.
It was simple enough to keep a bubble around the man as Percy allowed them to float downstream, cursing to himself the entire way.
Despite the level-headedness he had so far, there was a part of him that felt…small. Almost as if he had been kicked back in time and was a child once more. He glanced over at Gabe's sleeping form and shivered. How was it that even after facing Kronos and Gaea, this man still bothered him more?
Percy never once admitted to himself that he had been afraid of Gabe. All he felt when he looked at the man was pure, unfiltered anger. Hatred. Percy had always talked back. Always pushed back. He never cowered away.
At least, that's what he liked to remember about the interactions.
As they floated down the East River, Percy was forced to reflect that maybe his memory warped some details. Gabe had been around since Percy was five. And Percy hadn't always been brave - even if he preferred to think of it that way. Sometimes, Percy wondered if he had ever been brave.
But even if - maybe, just maybe - the younger, untrained, untested Percy Jackson had been marginally frightened of his drunk, gambling stepfather… why didn't that feeling leave him now? Why did he feel so on edge? He could easily disarm this man. He had faced gods and titans and giants. Endless monsters. He had fought greater enemies unscathed.
Why did he feel so small right now?
The river eventually brought him to the harbor, where Percy washed them up to the beaches of Camp Halfblood. Mortals may not be allowed inside, but the edge would allow him a moment of reprieve as he could think through what to do next.
Surprisingly, Chiron was waiting for him.
"Lord Poseidon said you were on your way," he greeted, giving a tight smile. Percy frowned, noticing a ripple around the camp. "The mortal may enter," Chiron added.
Interesting. Swishing his hand, he brought Gabe from the waves onto the beach beside him. A few nymphs rushed over, pausing in pure horror when they saw Gabe, only to kneel down and check for injuries. Percy watched in bafflement as they all lifted him up.
"Oh," he began. "You don't need to-"
"Come." Chiron placed a hand on Percy's shoulder. "The gods are waiting."
Ugh. Not them.
At first, Percy thought Chiron meant that they would be heading straight back up to Manhattan to visit Olympus, which was obnoxiously inconvenient. It took him several moments to realize he meant the gods were in Camp Half-Blood.
Even during wars, the gods had adamantly stayed on either Olympus or within their own domains. If mortals were allowed inside camp (and deities along with them), whatever was happening was probably world-ending. Hooray.
"The mortal you found is not the only statue returned to life," Chiron said as they walked. The camp was buzzing. Even without seeing an Olympian, Percy could tell they were here. Power seemed to rattle every leaf and piece of stone. It left him a little nauseous as they walked. "And their creator has disappeared."
"Medusa's gone?" Percy asked, jamming his hands in his pockets. He wasn't sure what to make of that. Monsters only seemed to disappear when entering Tartarus - and the damage they left behind was permanent.
"There is no sign of her," Chiron confirmed. "The gods are… distressed. Mr. D has allowed all resurrected statues a place of temporary safety here until it is decided what to do next."
Well, that was something. Percy wasn't thrilled that Gabe would be allowed to wander Camp Half-Blood, but he would figure out what to do about that later.
"Why here?" he asked, eying the Big House warily. Dark clouds circled overhead. Zeus, probably. "Why not Olympus?"
Chiron considered this as he ran a hand over his face.
"Complications have arisen. Apollo insisted."
Apollo? Percy was somehow even more confused, but they were outside the front door before he could ask anything more. Inside, he could see that the long table they used for counselor meetings was occupied by twelve familiar Olympians. Behind them were their respective camp counselors.
Among the group, Poseidon sat beside Zeus, looking the far most uncomfortable. His eyes didn't rise as Percy entered, instead focused on some scrolls in front of them. Athena paced, brows furrowed as she muttered to herself.
"Could you at least try to speak inside your own mind?" his father asked when Athena continued muttering. "Or must all your wisdom be shared for the world to hear?"
Athena's eyes flashed as she jerked toward Poseidon, her form glittering with rage. "Do you think your mind is apt enough to come up with a solution, uncle?"
Percy snorted. All eyes flew to him. Surely, they had realized he was there, but perhaps his silence hadn't warranted any attention until now.
"Sorry," he greeted, holding up both hands. "Didn't mean to interrupt."
Hades scowled, folding his arms over his chest as he leaned back into his chair. From behind him, Nico rolled his eyes. Hades hit his arm. Nico only rolled his eyes again. "And what do you find so amusing, Jackson?" the god asked.
Percy definitely couldn't say that Athena's comment was funny because the gods never seemed to solve any problem they created, but alas. He wasn't interested in dying quite yet. He needed until at least noon before that became an appealing option.
"I'm merely reveling in parent-child similarities, my lord," he said, throwing Annabeth a sly smile.
"I don't mutter when I think," she replied dryly. Percy raised an eyebrow. "You must not be listening to me when I talk to you."
"If that was true, I would be blissfully ignorant of Baroque architecture," Percy said wistfully, moving to stand behind his father.
Annabeth snorted. "Tell me one thing about Baroque architecture."
"It's ugly."
Annabeth paused. "Do not disrespect the integrity of the artists who-"
"You think it's ugly too," Percy cut in. Annabeth made a face, but he could tell she was amused by the bluntness. "I've seen your designs. As if you would make anything that overtly ostentatious."
Piper let out a low whistle, nudging Annabeth as she pressed the back of her hand against her forehead. "Overtly ostentatious," she whispered. "How are you not swooning?"
Annabeth pushed her away. "Shut up, Piper."
"Not that I don't adore you two flirting as if you were in a cute little café," Aphrodite interjected, leaning forward with a slight purr. "But we do have a problem at hand. Besides, your poor parents look appalled."
Percy glanced down at his father, who did look suitably annoyed. Percy didn't know why. Usually, his father put on his best temperaments for him. Besides, if they were comparing girlfriends… well, Annabeth didn't turn people into stone. So, how much could Poseidon talk?
"I believe Athena should speak first," Artemis said. Percy was a little surprised to find her here. He was even more surprised to see Thalia was situated behind her instead of Zeus. He supposed, in retrospect, that Thalia's choice was to be expected, but Percy was impressed that Zeus allowed it. "Medusa's curse was at her hand, after all."
"You think to blame me for this?" Athena asked, turning to scowl at her sister. "I can't say what's happened. All I know is that my power felt… a disturbance," she said, voice hardening. "I can't speak as to what it was."
"You can't speak to it," Poseidon said, leaning back in his chair. "A lovely way to say you don't know."
The room bristled, and Athena turned her eyes to Poseidon, her expression somehow growing colder. "I know how upsetting this must be to you, uncle. Another one of your little… pets gone."
"Mother," Annabeth murmured.
Poseidon's hands clenched on the table, though his smile never wavered. Percy, on the other hand, looked away.
Annabeth's version of Medusa when they were twelve was the nice one. A terrible thing to learn about an already terrible story. The other version of the tale Percy had learned as he got older was… more difficult to swallow.
Warily, he looked down at his father. Their relationship had been decent at one point, but since the Giant War it had faltered, and both of them knew it.
"Let us focus on the most pressing issue," Chiron said gently. "Medusa's sculptures have been resurrected. As happy as this occasion is, it brings complications to be addressed."
Mr. D shrugged as he took a sip of his Coke. "Why not let them return home?" he asked. Percy's heart sank. "It seems simple enough-"
"And what of those who were petrified in times of ancient Greece?" Hera interjected. "It seems unfair to ask these victims to be simply thrown out into the world unaided."
A surprising moment of kindness from Hera. Percy almost found himself impressed. Almost.
"Have Hades reap their souls," Zeus dismissed. "They were dead before. Let them be dead now."
"Not quite," Hades said dryly. "Firstly, brother, I do not reap souls. You gave me this job. You might do well to remember what it is."
Nico smiled a little as he looked away, trying to hide the hint of fondness Percy had only seen grow for his father over the years. A bit of jealousy wormed in his chest, but he ignored it. Given everything, Nico deserved whatever happiness was offered to him.
"As for the souls, none of them were technically dead for Thanatos to retrieve. We'd have to outright kill them-"
"What?" Percy interrupted. The room turned to him. A few immortals gave him cold looks, but when Poseidon cleared his throat, they looked away. "What do you mean they weren't actually dead? They were turned to stone."
"And their souls remained in that stone," Hades said simply. "They didn't come to me or any other realm of death, meaning they technically never died."
Percy wasn't sure what his expression was, but the horror must have shone through because Thalia spoke up next.
"Perhaps the demigods can step away for a moment to discuss while you all debate the finer points of the issue," she said, glancing at Artemis.
It was a rope of kindness - something to pull Percy away from the spiral he was stumbling toward - but all he felt was annoyance when he looked at her. He could only think of standing beside her at Gabe's statue, and the betrayal he had been trying to ignore crept up again.
Ares coughed, looking amused by the interjection. Percy's annoyance grew.
"Very well," Zeus said, despite the fact nobody had asked him. "We will reconvene momentarily."
He had barely finished the words when Percy turned to flee from the room. He heard Thalia rush after him but slammed the door behind him before she could follow. The door shook with a bang. It was probably an offense to every immortal being inside, but he didn't care.
Everything felt like it was vibrating.
Trying to keep himself in check, he pulled out his phone and stared. It had only been a year since he received his very own cell phone (complete with a bronze casing to prevent monsters from easily tracking it) but he found he rarely used it. He preferred to Iris Message at this point, and it always felt risky despite the safety measures.
Now, he tried to dial his mother's number but stopped halfway through. He could press her contact and just call, but the idea of her picking up made him a little dizzy.
What was he supposed to say? How was he going to explain this? Could he say that Gabe was back? That Percy wasn't sure what they were going to do with him yet? What did that mean for her? For Paul? For Estelle?
He would rather die than let Smelly Gabe near them.
His finger hovered over the next button before he turned the phone off. He couldn't do it. Not yet. Not until he had an answer of what would happen next.
"Chiron and Annabeth are handling that," Thalia's voice said behind him. Damnit.
"Handling what?"
"Your temper tantrum," she answered, walking up beside him. "I volunteered to tell the gods they shouldn't kick your ass so Annabeth could come after you, but I'm still not seen as very diplomatic."
Percy snorted. Neither was Annabeth, truthfully, but he loved that she could fool them.
He looked out across the volleyball pit. Nobody was playing, but a few campers lounged about - pretending they held no interest in the gods that loomed nearby.
"Temper tantrum is not the right word," Thalia said suddenly, grabbing his arm. "I'm sorry." He shrugged her off. "Tell me how to help."
"I'm fine."
"Totally, but we both know that's a lie, so save me the drama." Thalia stood in front of him, forcing him to look at her.
Despite the fact Thalia was supposedly forever frozen as a fifteen-year-old, she could look older when she wanted to, which was just annoying. She only seemed to use this power when speaking down to Percy. As if she needed him to remember who was actually older. Dumb.
"You used to tell me about this stuff, Percy."
The audacity of that statement was almost too much.
"You used to care about this stuff," Percy muttered before he could catch himself.
It was a cruel thing to say. He wasn't entirely sure what made it slip away from him, but there was such a bitterness in his chest these days that he couldn't seem to push past. It ate at him until things like this snapped out without any warning.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Thalia asked. Her voice was irritated, but he could still catch a hint of hurt underneath. "I've been mourning my dead brother, Percy."
Ouch.
"I know," he said. A long pause followed, but for whatever reason, her words hadn't shaken the anger from him. "I know," he repeated, hoping that would do the trick.
Thalia pushed his shoulder so that a shock of electricity jolted through him. That didn't help with the anger. "Then what the hell?"
Percy bit his tongue. He wouldn't have this conversation with her when he felt like this. Couldn't. It wasn't fair. Jason's death still felt fresh, and he couldn't start a shouting match with her in the middle of the volleyball pit.
Gods, why was he still so angry, though?
Thalia seemed just as irritated as she shoved Percy harder. "Say something!"
"What do you want me to say?" he asked stiffly. In the back of his head, he registered a pair of eyes watching them, but his annoyance was too strong to connect the dots on what that could mean.
"Gods, Percy," Thalia said, frustration rising. "Is there ever a time when you're not upset with me over something? It's not my fault-"
"What isn't your fault?" Percy said, and the water from the lake shuddered. "Tell me, Thalia. I would love to hear more about how things are not your fault. Tell me how you're perfect and can do no wrong-"
"What are you even blaming me for this time?"
"What have I ever blamed you for?"
"You know what I'm talking about!" Thalia hissed, lightning crackling. The air sharpened with the smell of ozone and despite the fact Percy knew something was off, his powers reacted instantly. "You've never said it, but I'm not an idiot."
"Of course," Percy said despondently. "Nothing is your fault, and you're not an idiot."
And then Thalia punched him.
Again. Why not? Percy felt like he had been subconsciously pushing for it. As soon as she landed the first hit, he launched himself at her. A loud crack of thunder burst through the sky, sending everyone near them scattering.
It felt like the summer they spent here all over again - constantly arguing. Constantly fighting. Constantly trying to one-up each other. Only this time, something felt deeper, and the anger he had tried so hard to ignore was clawing at his throat.
"If you're so innocent, why don't you say it?" he spat, gathering the nearby water to shove her backward. Thalia zapped the water with lightning, but all it did was evaporate, throwing them into a foggy battleground. "What could I possibly be upset about after all this time?"
Thalia launched another strike of lightning at him. Percy clenched his fist so the vapor formed a shield.
"I didn't want to leave you with the stupid prophecy, okay?" Thalia barely got the words out when Percy brought out Riptide.
They traded slashes and parries as Thalia yanked out her spear, ducking and weaving. They used to spar like this all the time. Whenever Thalia had enough of the Hunts' antics, and decided to check in on him. Percy knew what it was, though. He had always known what it was. Guilt. For leaving him to deal with the politics and prophecy while she lived her new immortal life.
Would she have bothered caring about Percy otherwise?
"Seriously?" Percy asked, slashing at her arm. Thalia hissed as the blade skimmed her, the electricity spiking through the metal. "You think I'm mad about the prophecy after you ditched me in Tartarus?"
Thalia stumbled. Percy didn't blame her. It was the first time the words had left his mouth, but now that they were there, he couldn't stop. He hit again - harder - and this time, Thalia fell.
"I sent you messages for weeks after the Giant War ended. You visited Annabeth. I saw how often you called her. What the hell did I do to piss you off so badly?" he asked, hitting again. And again. And again.
Thalia was trying to parry, but she looked shaken as she tried to get back up.
"Let's face the facts," Percy said and kicked some sand so she had to shield her eyes. He used the distraction to knock her back to the ground. "You felt bad you left me after the last prophecy. You used me as a Jason shoo-in. Then you got your real brother back and decided I could fuck off. Now Jason's gone, and you suddenly want me to talk about my feelings again?"
He threw down his sword. At this point, he wanted to fight with his bare hands. He wanted to-
"Percy!"
Thalia's voice was sharp enough to rattle him momentarily. He blinked, realizing with a dawning sense of horror they were both covered in blood and Thalia was pointing off to the side. He turned to find a figure looming on the porch of the Big House.
"Now, now," Ares called down. "Don't try to talk it out now! We were having fun!"
…that wasn't good.
Percy glanced down, realizing suddenly his anger had been blown up by an outside force. Ares grinned down at him.
"Shit," he muttered and glanced at where Thalia was wincing. She must have realized before he did. That was why she stopped fighting back. "Are you okay?" he asked her, hoping that most of that blood wasn't hers.
"I burned you," she muttered and grabbed Percy's hair to get a better look at the blistering red on the side of his neck. "Chiron is going to be pissed."
"I'm surprised he isn't here screaming at us."
Thalia's lips quirked upwards. "I bet he's just glad it isn't our dads for once," she said, but her voice was strained.
Percy snorted, pushing her hand away. A second later, he sighed. "Thalia-"
"Ares' fault," she cut in sharply. "Not ours. We can figure out the rest later."
"But-"
"Percy, I know you don't want to deal with Gabe, but as far as I know, I'm the only one you've talked to about him," Thalia said, sounding tired.
Percy didn't answer. His mind wandered again to standing in front of Gabe's statue. Thalia had stopped by to visit and found him at the museum, just... staring. It was shortly after they had gone on that quest with Nico - the one where Percy had seen the ghost of Thalia's mother.
Annabeth knew about Gabe. Grover felt Gabe's impact on him. Still, he had never really mentioned much about growing up with him. Couldn't. Thalia was really the only person who felt…similar.
Then again, they were similar in most ways, weren't they?
"Are you ready to go back?" Thalia asked. Percy looked at his singed shirt and Thalia's drenched hair. "...after we change?" she offered.
"Sure," he said, running a hand through his hair. "But you're not borrowing a shirt from me."
"Why would I want one of your ugly ass shirts?"
"So you don't have to wear your ugly ass shirts?"
"I'm just going to take one of Annabeth's shirts," Thalia muttered, and Percy hoped to whatever god still liked him that Annabeth gave her the pink bedazzled one that she pretended she didn't own.
chapter two
Thalia was not graced with a bedazzled pink shirt. She wasgiven a camp shirt, which Percy was fine with since the orange messed up her aesthetic. Neither of them looked at one another as they made their way back to the Big House.
"HEY! OVER HERE!"
Juniper gave them a bright wave from where the camp counselors gathered in a circle to the side.
Thalia shielded her eyes from the sun. "What are they doing?" she asked. Percy narrowed his eyes. Annabeth was missing from the group, alongside Katie, Pollux, and Clarisse, but the others were all looking at something.
"If we're lucky, it's Ares with a broken nose," Percy said, moving towards the group. Thalia snorted, falling in step with him. They were about three feet away when Percy recognized the lump they were all gathered around. "Fuck," Percy muttered and picked up the pace before Thalia could react.
"Juniper said he woke up and got handsy with the nymphs," Piper greeted as Percy looked down to find Gabe twisting on the ground with his hands and feet tied. "We don't really know what to do with him."
"Isn't this the guy you found?" Will asked from Nico's side. From the ground, Gabe's beady eyes latched onto Percy with a look of bubbling fury. It made Percy's skin crawl, but he forced himself to stay calm, ignoring Thalia, who was moving an inch closer to him.
"Yeah. In an art museum in SoHo," he said, watching as Gabe tried to say something from behind the gag Percy had put him in earlier.
"I didn't know you liked art," Travis mused. "Or did that come with your newfound love of Baroque architecture?"
Percy flipped him off as Gabe tried to shout something. Everyone, thankfully, ignored him. His friends had good instincts… though… Percy did feel some creeping anxiety at how close everyone was. He tried to remember everyone here was trained to fight monsters and titans and gods. Having them near Gabe was no real threat, but he couldn't help the feeling that he needed to get them all as far away as possible.
"How the hell did you get him out of SoHo?" Nico asked, and Gabe tried to do some sort of break-dancing move to try and get up. Leo gave an appreciative clap for his efforts.
"I stole a pedicab, dumped him in, and brought him to the East River."
"The fuck is a pedicab?"
"What do you mean? It's those bike things you see around New York. With the carriage in the back?"
"There are bike carriages?"
"Can you picture Zeus taking a bike carriage?" Travis snorted and nudged Percy. "Did the mortals not notice you?"
"It's New York," Percy said. "They've seen weirder things, trust me."
Gabe tried to shout again, this time belligerently trying to shout something at Percy. Thalia absently grabbed at Percy's arm, pulling him back. He turned to her, irritation blooming in his chest as she seemed to realize what she was doing and let him go.
Annabeth hopped off of the porch of the Big House to join them.
"Ay, what's the verdict?" Leo called as she walked over to see Gabe. She glanced over to where Juniper was talking to the nymphs who had been with Gabe before and then to Percy, who subtly shook his head.
"They want us to head back in," she said. "They're talking about sending someone to find Medusa."
Now, wait a moment.
"Find Medusa?" Percy spluttered, trying and failing not to sound indignant. "Nobody wants to find Medusa. You run into Medusa while trying to retrieve your uncle's stolen lightning bolt and then mail her head to the gods after she keeps talking about how your eyes are like your father's."
From behind him, Piper raised a single finger. "When you mail what to whom?"
Percy glanced over his shoulder to give her a shrug. "Don't worry about it. I was twelve," he said before turning back to where Gabe was still fighting against the ropes binding his hands together. "Do you have any idea what to do with him?"
Nico leaned over, craning his neck to better peer at the hot sauce that still stained Gabe's face despite the years of statue-ification. "Um, we could see if your dad wants to turn him into a fish or something?"
Percy grimaced. If Gabe Ugliano was a fish, then he'd be forced to hear the man's voice in his head for years to come. But also, he could maybe mount him on a wall, so perhaps it wasn't an entirely terrible idea.
He was about to respond when a sudden wave of apprehension hit him. Why did Nico call out Poseidon specifically? Did he know that Gabe knew Percy? What did he know exactly? Why did he say that? Why did he act like Poseidon would care? What did he think Gabe did?
And a sudden new fear found itself rearing its head.
Percy had never… well, he hadn't been in this position before. Since returning with that lightning bolt at the age of twelve, he had been viewed in a certain way. People expected certain things. And… this whole thing suddenly felt weird in a way he didn't expect. He didn't want people to know about Gabe. He didn't want people to see him in that light. It felt uncomfortable. Dangerous even.
Which was stupid because he knew if someone tried to think of his mother differently after learning about herexperience with Gabe, he would be furious. He would argue passionately how narrow-minded and cruel those kinds of comments were. If anything, the world should have the utmost respect for her for surviving something so horrendous.
But Percy wasn't his mother, and the idea of people potentially knowing he had been vulnerable at one point in his life was bothersome in a way he couldn't quite articulate.
He turned to Thalia, desperately wanting to ask if this was a normal feeling. To ask if she had felt that way. People saw her in a certain way, too. The daughter of Zeus. Lieutenant of Artemis. Older sister to the famed Jason Grace. She had always hated people learning about her mother… was it the same thing?
Thalia met his gaze, and Percy thought of the last dozen times he had tried to reach out to her before Jason died. The silence he had received. Jason and Percy had never really been friends. Not exactly. They hadn't been on bad terms necessarily, but Percy often wondered if his lack of closeness to Jason had been relayed to Thalia. If she had taken it personally.
Juniper interrupted the thought by bouncing back to them. "We'll take it from here," she said, smiling prettily. "He's tied up now. I'm sure he'll be good," she mused. Gabe blinked at her a few times, looking dazed. "Go ahead inside."
Great. More godly interactions. He supposed it was better than sitting here next to Gabe. Giving Juniper a warm smile, he stepped away, leading the group up the steps to the Big House before stopping in front of the door.
"Are you okay?" Thalia finally asked, bumping his arm.
Percy shrugged. He could feel immortal ears on the other side and had no interest in giving them anything to listen to. Thalia looked like she might say something else, so he forced himself forward, opening the door with a precursory glance around the room.
To his delight, he found another one of his favorite people.
"Grover!" he said, ignoring the gods (who were probably expecting a very nice bow and an apology) to instead greet his friend. "What are you doing here? I thought you were off doing Lord of the Wild things?" he asked, pulling Grover into a hug.
Grover laughed against his shoulder, and Percy felt his previous trepidation from recent events melt away.
"Well, I was, but suddenly my Uncle Ferdinand was in front of me calling me Pan and such, so I was a smidge confused." Oh. Right. Percy looked over Grover's shoulder to indeed see another satyr who looked absolutely bewildered behind him. It was strange to see him as a living, breathing being when the only other time Percy had been introduced to Grover's uncle was when he was a statue in New Jersey.
"Hi," Percy said politely, holding out his hand. "It's so nice to meet you. I'm Grover's friend-"
"Perseus Jackson," Ferdinand bleated. Percy frowned. Now, how was it that a goat who had been a statue for years knew who he was? That certainly didn't seem fair. Still, Percy smiled, taking in the bearded face and eyes strikingly similar to Grover's. Now that he saw them side-by-side, they did look remarkably alike. "Savior of Olympus."
Percy turned to look at Grover.
"...I might have mentioned you on the way here," Grover admitted bashfully.
Oh, whatever.
"You know your nephew has saved me multiple times," Percy said. Ferdinand glanced at Grover. "So many times. He's probably more the savior of Olympus than I ever will be. Plus, he's the Lord of the Wild, so…" He shrugged, clapping Grover on the shoulder.
"I am proud to call him family," Ferdinand said, bowing his head. Grover looked away, flushing. "When I awoke, I was so confused, but I felt Pan stronger than ever. Naturally, I followed the trail with newfound hope, but I could never have imagined…" He looked at Grover again with doting eyes. "It is such an honor. I knew you would grow up great."
Grover looked like he might combust with all the praise. Percy grinned at him, deciding to force him to relish in the attention for a few minutes before turning back to the table.
Naturally, almost everyone with an infinity sign next to their age was glaring at him.
"Welcome," Zeus said snidely. "We were discussing more of the Medusa business. It may be prudent for us to send a hero after her to learn more about the intricacies of these events." He gestured for Percy to sit. The table lengthened, and a chair appeared next to his father.
Percy sat. All eyes were on him. Waiting. Percy looked back with equal expectancy. "I think that is very wise, my lord," he said. The staring continued. "I hope you find someone."
"Perseus," his father murmured.
Oh, come on. Percy looked at Poseidon, a little betrayed he was egging him into volunteering for this. No! He wasn't going. He had shit to do. A mother to visit. A stepfather and sister to love. An ex-stepfather to murder. You know, a full schedule.
"No matter," Zeus said loftily. "There are other heroes. My daughter and Hades' boy-"
"Now, wait, brother," Hades interjected. "My son has no stake in this. I had nothing to do with Medusa. I don't see why Nico's name must be involved." He paused, suddenly looking at Nico warily. "I assume you do not wish to go?" he asked. Nico shook his head. "Then leave him be, brother."
Honestly. Percy nudged his father. "Why can't you do that?" he muttered. Poseidon gave him a look. "Just saying. Would be nice…"
"I can resolve this issue," Dionysus interjected lazily. "Annabelle," he said, snapping his fingers. At Athena's raised eyebrow, he rolled his eyes. "Annabeth," he corrected, and Athena nodded. "Your mother made an enemy of Medusa long ago. Would you be the hero to stand rightfully by her side to resolve this issue?" he asked.
Annabeth looked suitably unimpressed. She glanced at Percy, and then to where Athena was sitting silently. Annabeth's lips pursed before she sighed.
"I can go-"
"If Annabeth is going, then I am," Percy cut in.
Dionysus slapped the table. "You're welcome," he told the group. "It really is that simple to manipulate them."
Gods, they were so annoying.
"I would also like to go," Thalia said, looking between Annabeth and Percy. Uh-huh. Nah. Percy would rather she didn't. Thalia must have caught the look on his face because she crossed her arms over her chest. "Quests are usually given in groups of three, right?"
"Don't worry about it," Percy said. "We got it under control."
"Oh, but I want to."
"No need."
"It's my pleasure. Really."
"I'm sure you can find pleasure doing literally anything else."
"But my father asked me."
"Did he, though?" Percy asked, and Thalia pressed her tongue to the inside of her cheek before turning to Zeus.
"Father," she said, voice dangerously sweet in a way that did not suit her. "Lady Artemis. May I honor you both by leading this quest to find Medusa and learn why her creations are no longer stone?"
Percy held out a hand. "You're leading the quest now?" he asked indignantly. Thalia looked at her father.
"Granted," Zeus said, and Percy fell back into his chair. Un-fucking-believable. Why was everyone around him a goddamn menace?
He looked over at Annabeth, who gave him an apologetic look. Wordlessly, he held out his hands. She gestured to her mother. Percy gestured to her. Annabeth gave him a stern look. Percy pointed to Thalia. Annabeth pointedly looked at Zeus. Percy made a subtle movement toward his dad. Annabeth gave him another look. Percy pointed again to Thalia.
"You know, Percy and I could take care of this ourselves," Annabeth finally said. "It might be more fitting given our parents have a more direct connection to-"
"Wow," Thalia interrupted. Annabeth sighed. "Really? Your boyfriend over me?" Annabeth raised her eyebrows. "...sorry," Thalia amended quickly.
Annabeth flicked a curl over her shoulder. "I love you, Thalia, but you don't talk to me about Baroque architecture."
Ha. Percy smirked, giving Thalia a triumphant look as she spluttered in offense. Get fucked, Pincone Face.
Zeus pointedly cleared his throat. "It is decided. My daughter will lead this quest. Because this is of the utmost importance, I must ask this be done quickly and without…" He looked between Percy and Thalia, possibly noting their change of clothing. "Dispute." Percy ran a hand over his mouth to hide his need to scream. "You depart tomorrow. For now, we will continue questioning the victims. You are free to go," he added to Ferdinand, who Percy had kind of forgotten about.
Why couldn't Grover come? Percy would never volunteer him, but he wished he had interjected instead of Thalia. Then again, Grover loved Thalia almost as much as Annabeth did. Another annoyance. Why did Percy have to share his favorite people with her?
"Bring in the next one," Zeus called. Chiron got up from where he had been silently tending the fire with a metal rod to open the door.
Two distressed nymphs stood outside, looking only all too eager to dump their next guest in the room. Thalia gave a sharp intake, and Percy immediately braced himself for who it must be. Sure enough, the smell of Gabe filled the room. Percy pursed his lips. Right. He tried to keep his reaction blank.
Fortunately, while the bindings on his hands and legs were now undone, the gag remained on. That was something. Percy stood up, legs unable to keep still in his presence. Gabe scrambled up, looking baffled as he blinked blearily. One of the nymphs pointed him towards another empty chair by Demeter before darting away.
Percy raised an eyebrow. The gods were all murmuring to one another, seemingly nonplussed at having been joined by this smelly mortal. Really? They got offended over every little thing, but not the worst person in the world sitting at their table? Demeter was a goddess. How was she chill with a cockroach next to her?
"What is he doing here?" Thalia asked before Percy could decide how he wanted to approach this. Her eyes flicked between Gabe and Percy. He wanted to snap at her to stay out of it, but her words had unfortunately gotten the gods' attention.
"Ah," Demeter said, tossing her hair over her shoulder. She gave Gabe a polite nod. "As your father said, we spoke to the satyr about his release from Medusa's curse. We thought it would be prudent to speak to another victim."
"And you chose him?" Thalia asked dryly. Gabe sneered at her from behind the gag.
"Is there a reason we should not speak to him?" Demeter frowned. She glanced over at where Gabe had caught a look at Percy and started yelling something muffled. A few of the other camp counselors were looking around, clearly bewildered. Leo tilted his head from where he had been surprisingly quiet behind Hephaestus… though that might be because he was creating an impressive-looking rubber band shooter from some stray wires.
"There are better options," Thalia continued, eyes not leaving Gabe.
"Thalia…" Percy warned through gritted teeth. He did not want her involved. Why wouldn't she just shut up?
Gabe shouted something, and Demeter glanced at him. "Breathe, mortal. We mean no harm," she said gently. Gabe gestured to Percy again. Great. Demeter glanced between them, ignoring Annabeth tensing at the movements. "Here. Let us hear you speak."
"You're going to regret that," Percy muttered and grimaced as Demeter plucked the gag off.
"You!" Gabe hissed, slapping the table. Delightful. "You kidnapped me! I heard you say it out there!" He looked around wildly. "Where is my wife?" His eyes flicked around the room before narrowing at Percy again. "I'll have you arrested for this, kid. Do you know who I am?"
…now, wait a moment.
Percy blinked twice. It hadn't occurred to him that Gabe had last seen Percy when he was twelve. Did he not… recognize him? Was that possible? From over Gabe's head, Annabeth's eyes widened. She looked at him, but Percy was still trying to process that revelation.
"Where is my wife?" Gabe repeated. Spit flew from his mouth, leaving Demeter to put a hand over her chest in subtle disgust. "She'll be looking for me." At the other end of the table, Poseidon twitched. Good. Percy wanted him to feel uncomfortable with all of this. "You took me," he added to Percy. "Tell me where she is. Are you holding me for ransom? I'm not fucking standing for it. I can-"
"I'm sorry," Leo interrupted, pointing at Gabe. "Um, who is this guy again?"
Percy didn't answer. He wasn't willing to get into that. Unfortunately, Demeter's kindness was a detriment to them all because Gabe without a gag was a force to be reckoned with.
"I'm a fucking hostage is what I am," he shouted loudly. "This punk just plucks me up, and now he won't tell me a damn thing about my wife-"
"Be calm," Hera interjected. Percy swallowed the need to snap at her. "We will reunite you with your wife soon enough-"
"No, you won't," Percy interjected darkly. Hera stiffened. "Your wife has remarried," he added to Gabe. "She's moved from the apartment you two had together, and I wouldn't recommend trying to find her."
A couple of the camp counselors gave one another baffled looks. Piper glanced at Annabeth, a silent question in her eyes for how Percy knew this information. Annabeth didn't meet her gaze.
"Remarried?" Gabe squawked, standing up to pace the room. The others leaned away when he passed, though most tried to mask their disgust with empathy. "Why that little-"
"What?" Percy's voice was calm, but he knew the threat it held underneath. Gabe faltered. "That little what?" Gabe's mouth popped open, studying Percy intently.
"Do I know you?" he finally asked. Percy didn't answer, though he sensed Thalia take a step closer to him. "I swear, you remind me of-"
"Let's focus on the task at hand," Thalia interjected. Percy turned to brush by her.
"Do you need to be here?" Percy muttered as he passed. Thalia subtly flipped him off. He sighed and pushed her hand down. "Tone it down," he whispered, voice somewhere between annoyed and painfully polite. "I don't need you playing guard dog."
At that, Thalia did back down, but she seemed wary to do so. Her gaze was locked on Gabe, something resentful bubbling under the surface.
"Speak, child," Artemis said, looking Gabe up and down with distaste. "Tell us your last memory."
Gabe froze in his ranting to stare at her. Percy figured being called a child by someone who looked twelve was jarring. Percy wondered what he saw - if the mist still curled his vision or perhaps, somehow in the clutches of camp, he had some clarity.
"My last…? I was about to eat some bean dip," Gabe said, sounding somewhat taken aback. He paused. "What is going on here?"
Percy shifted, realizing a bit belatedly this could be a problem. Poseidon returned Medusa's head to him, but did the other gods know his mother had used it on Gabe? Would that be a problem? Would anyone care?
He tried to meet his father's eyes, but Poseidon was too busy looking at Gabe with an unreadable expression.
Athena leaned forward. "All will be explained in time, child. Tell us about waking up. What stirred you?"
Gabe wrinkled his nose. He gave Athena an appraising look. Percy dearly wished he would insult them. He could maybe find it in his heart to forgive the gods if they blasted Gabe for the most measly insults.
Unfortunately, Gabe seemed to sense the power around him. He shifted as he relished in the attention he was getting.
"Well," he began. "My lovely wife was offering me some bean dip - she really does make the best bean dip - and my snotnose stepson was finally fucking off for once." Gabe licked his lips, and Percy felt hatred curling in his gut. "And suddenly… I felt these eyes on me. And I was in this marbled place with him looking at me like a little bitch," he added with a nod toward Percy. Percy smiled nastily in return. "And then I passed out again. I woke up with those lovely nature girls looking after me," he added, peering around with hope in his eyes. "Realized I was kidnapped by that punk over there, and now I'm here." Gabe turned around in his seat. "Where did those girls go?"
"I thought you said you were married?" Poseidon asked lightly.
Gabe chuckled. "Well, according to your boy there, my wife has remarried." He clicked his tongue. "Naughty thing. I might as well have some fun being single before getting her back."
Be calm, be calm, be calm…
"Mm," Percy said calmly, and Thalia bit her lip. "She remarried, remember? So no."
Gabe looked at him, eyes flickering with that familiar brand of anger that had Percy tensing. Except he was fine. This wasn't the Minotaur. This wasn't Polyphemus. This wasn't Atlas. This wasn't Kronos. This was a normal human with no magical powers other than smelling bad.
"You," Gabe said, pointing a finger at him. "Have a mouth on you, don't you?" Percy stared him down, ignoring something curling in his stomach. "And why do you know so much about my wife? Are you the one fucking her?"
And that was it.
Percy felt something inside him snap. He didn't grab his sword. Instead, he picked up the metal stick Chiron had been using to tend to the fire. A few people jumped, but Percy ignored them as he swiped at Gabe's ankles. As expected, he jerked away, tripping clumsily over a chair so Percy could point the glowing end of the stick at his chest.
"Let me be clear," he said, voice low despite the ground rumbling in warning. "You will not touch her. You will not raise your hand to a single person here. You will not make a single comment about how anyone looks, talks, or acts. As far as I'm concerned, the only thing you are allowed to say is, 'thank you for not killing me on the spot'. And if you so much as mention your ex-wife again, I will personally put this through your throat. Am I clear?"
Gabe spluttered, eyes wide and pulsating before something else clicked in his expression.
"Percy," he finally said, aghast. The name sounded foreign on his tongue. Had Gabe ever said his name before? Anything other than punk or numerous cuss words? "Holy shit, you're- how old are you? You were just a little brat the last time I saw you."
Percy held the poker closer to his throat.
"Easy," Gabe said. "Fine. Fine. I won't talk about your mom. Promise."
Mutters came from behind him.
"Mom?" Piper said. "Why does that guy know Percy's mom?"
"She's my-" Gabe began and when Percy raised a brow, flinched. "…ex-wife," he gritted out.
Percy lowered the stick. The heat of the metal hissed as it hit the floor, leaving a blackened mark in the wood.
"Great," he said and tossed the poker into the fire. "I'm glad that's sorted."
Too many eyes were staring at him, but Grover was there, and that was enough to calm him down. Percy felt a swell of relief rush through him as the empathy link nudged him.
Swallowing, he stepped away. Gabe let out a slow breath, eyes darting around the room. The anger was shifting to confusion now.
You know what? It was time for self-care.
"I'm going to prepare for tomorrow," Percy said with a forced smile. "These interviews have been very helpful. Thank you." Thalia took a step toward him. "Don't," he warned her flatly and turned to once again leave the room.
What a mess.
Percy moved to the lake, assured that nobody could bother him beneath the surface so he could at least spend some time clearing his head. He felt like throwing up. Why was he so off-kilter? It was fine. Everything was fine. He had been on quests before. He had been on quests with Thaliabefore. He had slayed Medusa before. He had dealt with Gabe before.
So what was the deal?
"Perseus."
Okay, so there may be one person who could reach him under the lake.
"If Zeus wants to blast me, I say let him," Percy greeted his father, pacing the lake floor. Wisps of slimy plants brushed his ankles, but he barely felt it. "Or are you going to do it?"
"You think I would harm you?"
Percy stopped pacing. He turned, eying Poseidon carefully. This wasn't a conversation he wanted to have, but he also couldn't ignore it. There were so many layers to being a son of a god. To being a child of this god. A god who wasn't always painted in the nicest light. It left Percy reeling occasionally, unable to reconcile his dad with his father. Two words that felt the same, but really weren't at the end of the day.
"That depends. What am I going to find out when I go after Medusa?" he asked. Poseidon closed his eyes. "Because I would really, really appreciate you telling me that one of the myths I heard was an outright lie."
"Ovid was no fan of mine," Poseidon said. "He did not speak kindly of me-"
"Because he didn't like you or because they were true?" Percy waited. Poseidon pursed his lips. "The silence isn't reassuring-"
"I do not speak of the true myth because it is not my place," his father interrupted. His father ran a hand over his face. "Percy, I know you owe me no favors. So let me be clear: what I am about to ask of you is not for me." He took a step toward him, hand gently resting on Percy's shoulder. "When you find Medusa, ask her for the truth. She will tell you. And whatever consequences she would like to dole out… let her."
….okay. Percy narrowed his eyes, trying to process that.
"You want her to take revenge?" he asked slowly.
His father tilted his head, eyes deep in thought. "I would like her to find peace. In whatever way that manifests, so be it."
Percy scoffed. "What a hero you are," he muttered.
"I am a god," Poseidon said shortly - either in response to Percy's attitude or the words. The hand on Percy's shoulder tightened. "I understand you are… unbalanced with the mortal-"
Percy shoved Poseidon's hand off of him. "Don't talk to me about him," he said. Poseidon sighed. "Especially because from where I'm standing, you and him look the same in certain lights."
That was definitely where he had overstepped. In truth, Percy had overstepped before this point. The fact the gods hadn't blasted him for any of his earlier outbursts was a miracle. The worst part was that he knew he had gotten away with it due to his father's protection. Perhaps it was a conversation telepathically between them, or it happened when he was out of the room, but Percy knew deep down his father had protected him from his lack of reverence displayed earlier.
And right now? It felt like being defended by Kronos. It was even more frustrating that Poseidon still did not snap at him. He didn't threaten him. Didn't bring out his godly authority. He just let Percy say the most blasphemous words he could think of and accepted it.
They both just stood there, the fish oddly silent for being surrounded by two powerful beings of the sea.
"I will heed your advice, my lord," Percy finally said. "And I hope that Ovid was wrong about you."
He left the lake before Poseidon could respond.
Notes:Ngl. I admittedly published chapter 1 after a banger therapy session and a whim, which love for me, but I'm also recognizing this is probs gonna be the hardest thing I've ever written. If you've read DOO, don't laugh at me lol.
BUT here are some things I'd like to call out early:
1. Yes, I plan on Ovid's story to being combined with other versions of Medusa's story. No, I will not be erasing the sexual assault element of it.Medusa is a victim here. The circumstances of which you'll soon learn.
2. I want there to be discomfort in Percy/Poseidon's relationship. I don't want to make Poseidon a flat out dislikeable character because I want this all to be confusing and ambiguous. I think a lot of people have to live with question mark of having someone you don't align with morally love you or deal with the guilt of loving someone who has once done monstrous things (a la Uther and Arthur Pendragon, perhaps? Except they never touched too much on that in Merlin. Still). There's a complexity there that I'm going to try my best to capture respectfully. I only have an outline for this so far, so there may be a tiny bit of a wait as I work on DOO and make sure I do a good job one this fic regarding all the sensitive subject matter. Especially bc there is humor and I want to make sure everything is balanced correctly.
3. Thalia and Percy are my faves in that they have so much trauma and similarities to work through. We saw a bit of it chapter 1, we'll continue to dive into that. Zeus is also very fucked up, so Thalia will be someone Percy can kind of lean on during this as they get into the ick of it all.
That's really it. Really just want y'all to know I am taking this one seriously. Hopefully I'm up to the challenge and hit the mark, but we'll see.