Chapter Text
Percy looked at Annabeth. He was thinking about what Grover had told him.
Annabeth was thinking of joining Artemis' Hunt.
And she hadn't felt free to discuss it with Percy or Grover, who were supposed to be her closest friends.
“Annabeth, can we talk?” Percy asked her.
Annabeth nodded, following Percy to a corner, the more possible private, away from the ongoing celebrations.
"What happens?" Annabeth asked.
“Do you want to join Artemis?” Faced with Annabeth's dumbfounded gaze, Percy continued on. “Grover said he found some flyers, that you were thinking about joining her, but do you want to?”
"It does not matter." Annabeth shook her head. “We must prepare for you and for the Prophecy.”
"Forget the Prophecy," Percy told her. “Forget everything except what you want.”
“I…” Annabeth sighed. “I like the idea of having a family that will never abandon me.”
"Well." Percy nodded, swallowing his sadness and pain. “Then you know what to do.” The boy gestured with his head where Artemis was. “Don't let anyone stop you, Annabeth.” Percy said when he saw her hesitate. “You are my friend and I wish you all the best in this world.” Percy smiled, his sea green eyes shining with unshed tears. “And if you want to be a Hunter…”
"I should do it." Annabeth nodded. "I will do it. Thank you."
Percy stood there watching Annabeth march towards Artemis, the goddess looking at him approvingly, before allowing Annabeth to swear her oath.
“It was a selfless gesture.”
Percy sighed at Mr D's voice. After the god had voted for his death, the demigod didn't particularly feel like humoring him. And the words he had spoken to him before the quest itself...
“I am neither Herakles nor Theseus. Is it so surprising to think that I want the best for someone I love?”
“It is if you think about the depth of feelings you have. Aphrodite does not interfere in all love affairs.” Mr D said. “You let her go.”
“And that means loving someone.” Percy replied. “You want to see that person happy, no matter if with you or without you.”
Mr D was silent for a moment. Then he said, something strange in his voice, confused and interested at the same time. “It's an interesting concept. And so far from the divine conception as to be almost absurd.”
“Almost like letting an innocent live?” Percy asked, giving the god a hard look, who sighed.
“The survival of the Ophiotaurus is a risk to our very survival.” Mr D said. “It has the power to give others the ability to destroy us.”
“And Bessie is innocent .” Percy retorted, the name he gave to the immortal creature making the wine god sigh. “Just like I am. We both have the potential to do something, but neither of us must do it."
"No," Mr D nodded, his violet eyes falling on Percy, curious and inquiring. “You don't have to.”
Percy turned away from the god, hating that he had to endure this for another two weeks before he could finally go home to his mother.
“Percy.”
Surprised, Percy turned, blinking when he saw his father standing in front of him.
"Dad."
“You did well,” Poseidon said. “You made me proud.”
Percy felt himself blush.
Talking to his father was a rare event (their meetings had been three in fourteen years of life, and one of these times he had been defined as a unforgivable mistake and an wrongdoing , while another was a two-word dream where he was warned of Thalia's return), but receiving compliments was even rarer (once, he was told it was a true son of the sea god and that he belonged to Poseidon. Of course, it was the same time it had been called a wrongdoing and an unforgivable mistake, so Percy hadn't particularly believed it.)
Poseidon surprised him even more.
He walked over to Percy and raised a hand. Percy's innate reflexes and Gabe's memories made him flinch first and then move away, but his father didn't want to hurt him.
Poseidon's fingers touched gently, lightly, as if the god was afraid of hurting him, the lock of hair that Percy knew had gone gray from the effort of lifting the sky.
“Being aware of your limitations is a gift and an ability that very few have.” Poseidon said. “Yet you recognized that you were incapable of attacking Atlas and offered Artemis to fight and indirectly gain revenge for her own kidnapping.”
Percy gulped, watching the expression on his father's face. He seemed… affectionate, proud.
He looked human.
"I didn't know you were looking at me," Percy said, muttered , his voice weak in front of the attention and kindness of his father.
“Percy,” Poseidon said, smiling softly, “I always watch you. And I always listen to you. You’re mine .” Poseidon pointed out. “I thought I already told you.”
“After you called me an unforgivable mistake and a wrongdoing.” Percy murmured, blushing as he saw the pain creep across the god's face.
He had thought it was difficult to read his father's emotions when he first met him, and yet now…now Percy found it so easy .
" You are not my unforgivable mistake, Percy," Poseidon said, his voice cracking. “The unforgivable mistake is to have subjected yourself to this life, forced to pay for my lack of judgment for breaking my oath . Forced to pay for my sins . Seeing you hurt. This is an unforgivable mistake on my part.”
Poseidon stepped closer, gulping before saying. “Percy, you are the son of the best part of me. I am so proud to be able to tell everyone that you are mine .”
Percy smiled. “Thank you, father.”
Poseidon smiled kindly.
“I know I wasn't the father you deserved,” Poseidon admitted. “I don't know if they are even able to be . Gods and demigods… have different needs.”
Percy nodded, without interrupting the god's reflection.
“But, although at times it will be impossible for me to act, I will be there for you." Poseidon promised. “And that's not an oath I'm going to break.”
Percy smiled, before leaning forward and hugging his father who, after an initial stiffening due to his surprise, relaxed and held Percy closer.
“Whatever you do, know that you are mine .” Poseidon whispered in his ear, his breath ruffling Percy's hair. “You are a true son of the sea god.”
***
It was time to return to the Camp, the celebrations over.
“Hey, where is Annabeth?” Grover asked. “Mr D will take us to the Camp.”
Percy smiled slightly. “She won't come with us.” The demigod gestured with his head to where Annabeth and Thalia were standing, waiting for their Lady. “She followed her heart.”
"Are you sure?" Grover asked, a worried look on his face as he looked at his best friend. “And what about your heart ?”
Percy smiled sadly. He had an empathic bond with Grover and therefore he knew that lying would be completely useless.
“It will heal.” Percy promised. “And she will be happy with her new family and I will be happy with mine.” This time, Percy's smile was more sincere, "It's the right choice. Annabeth didn't have to deny her happiness for my sake."
"You are a good guy." Grover smiled. “Annabeth is lucky to have a friend like you.”
Percy grimaced. Annabeth would suffer a choice she just didn't want to make because of Percy. That didn't really look like being lucky .
"And I definitely am lucky to have you.” Grover continued, his gaze never leaving Percy's eyes, his brown eyes open and sincere.
“Thanks, G-man.” Percy said, feeling a warmth creep into his chest. “You are the best friend I could have ever asked for.”
Mr D arrived just then, ruining the moment between Percy and Grover. “Great, you're both here. Let's go."
“One moment, Dionysus.” A cold voice came from behind Percy. “I wish to speak with Perseus for a moment.”
Percy turned, seeing Athena standing in front of him.
“You had a whole evening to discuss with him.” Was the response from Mr D, who, although looking bored, had tensed as soon as the goddess spoke.
“And yet, I didn't find the opportunity.” Athena replied. “Perseus.” She then called out to the demigod, an unspoken question in her gaze.
Knowing he didn't really have much choice, Percy nodded. “Okay, sure.”
Mr D and Grover walked away, the satyr giving Percy a worried look, fearful of what Athena might do to him or ask him to do.
“I didn't expect you to let my daughter go free.” Athena said, looking at Percy thoughtfully.
“Contrary to what you may believe, Athena, she was not my prisoner. ” Percy retorted, feeling irritated. “Annabeth is free to make her own choices.”
“I can't say I completely disagree with this development.” Athena commented, tilting her head, as if she were looking at the future that would happen if Annabeth had not joined the Hunt. “My daughter deserves to be known on her own merits. And the Hunt will not give her the recognition you have always given her, even in the face of my father's gratitude."
Percy frowned. For someone who wanted him dead, Athena was treating him with barely disguised respect.
“And, of course, she is now no longer subject to Luke Castellan's manipulations.” Athena added. “Which is a great thing. It was an unpredictable risk. Loyalty and childhood affection…” Athena grimaced. “It could have led to disastrous consequences for all of us.”
“Annabeth would have made the right choice.” Percy defended his friend.
Athena murmured. “Luke thinks he's doing the right thing. And, according to some , he is . Different factions in the same war have different perspectives on right and wrong, Perseus. We cannot know what is absolutely right .”
“I think choosing the side that sees their children as weapons rather than the side that wouldn't see them any other way other than as entertainment or victims is slightly better.” Percy replied, deciding for a moment to overlook the fact that Athena had just admitted that she couldn't say that the gods were absolutely better than the Titans.
Athena nodded. “And, however, the question of who should guide you remains. You told her not to let her choose you or the Prophecy over her own desires.”
“Do you think I won't be able to live without Annabeth?” Percy asked, starting to feel offended.
“I'm afraid, yes.” Athena nodded. “And with you the chance to ensure the survival of Olympus.”
"I survived twelve years without Annabeth.” Percy said. “And I don't know many myths, it's true, but I can always learn them . I don't need Annabeth for my quests. She was a friend I wanted with me, and that's it. Not for her brain, but for her .” The demigod smiled, knowing he would miss his friend.
Then, he gave the goddess a hard look. “You seem to forget that, before you, it was my father the Olympian strategist. And there are other situations where diplomacy is needed, not just in war.”
Athena smiled, which could have been ironic or impressed. “I thought you didn't know the old stories.”
“I'm not an expert, I don't remember all the details of every single myth, no.” Percy said. “I don't think I ever will. But I know people , Athena. Their intentions. I'm not stupid."
“No, you're not.” Athena admitted. “A fool would have continued to fight Atlas. You didn't."
“I don't have the pride that drives me to prove I'm the best .” Percy said. “I'm not interested in being the best . You know what I want?"
Athena narrowed her eyes, before shaking her head.
“I want to win this war and make Kronos regret the day he thought of using my family for his petty plans. Make him regret poisoning Thalia, kidnapping my mother, using Grover's kidnapping to control me, and then Annabeth's.” Percy wet his lips. “And I have no intention of failing.”
“There will be losses.” Athena sensed it. “You won't be able to save everyone.”
"Maybe not." Percy conceded, well aware that, together with his friends, he could save most of them . “But I can make him lose all the support he has earned. He takes his strength from traitors, Athena. You know what they say about traitors, don't you? Don't trust one of them, because if they betray once, they can do it again."
"Yes." Athena nodded. “You might be able to handle yourself.”
Percy left the Olympus with the thought of have earned Athena’s respect.