Chapter Text
Percy Jackson felt secure in his life for the first time in many years, so of course that is when things had to go wrong. He’s been through many challenges, the most predominant being Kronos and Gaea but it seemed as if things were looking up. The demigod had just finished getting his second recommendation letter from the gods and he only needed one more. Then it was off to New Rome with his girlfriend Annabeth Chase to settle down and go to college. It hasn't been easy that's for sure but the past two quests felt like a breeze compared to the last five years of his life. And loath to admit it he was restless.
Not in the sense that he’d rather go and fight another being trying to rule the world he’d had enough of that. But he missed the little things that made his life more exciting. He loves his life now don’t mistake him, but whenever he thinks of the past he’s reminded of what everybody lost. All the beds in the cabins that should house campers that will never sleep in them again, taken too early fighting wars for beings that didn’t even appreciate it half the time. So many were lost during the second Titanomachy alone and the campers' numbers were devastated again during the whole Gaea mess.
Sometimes Percy will sit on his fire escape, much like he is doing now, and just remember. Remember everyone that was lost so they could get to where they are now. He stares at the sky and thinks of Bianca Di Angelo and Zoe nightshade, the first casualties of the second titan war. With them comes names like Lee and Castor from the Battle of the Labyrinth and then comes Beckendorf and Silena, a couple that were perfect together but both were lost. He thinks of the numerous demigods that never even made it to camp, either killed or swept into Kronos’ army.
Percy’s thought turn to Ethan who, despite starting on the other side, sacrificed his life during the final fight, and then Luke. Percy has always had mixed feelings about Luke but he will say that Luke was a hero. When it came down to it, Luke did what was right in the end and his sacrifice should not be discounted. He’s not disregarding what he did because he did some awful things, but Luke was not completely to blame. Percy understands luke’s reasons but the price of his actions was too high to be a complete victory. The demigods get more recognition now but the ones that died will never get to experience it which makes it quite bittersweet.
Percy shook his head and wiped a few tears that had fallen and looked to the sky. He stared at his favourite constellation, the huntress, and tried to clear his head. He had no idea where it came from but as he watched the stars he began thinking about everything that he’s been through.
Going through it all would be worth it, if only to save one of them from their ending, he thought whilst watching the stars. He didn’t even realise when he drifted off to sleep.
***
Oh no, not again, Percy thought as he woke up, absently noting the lack of traffic. He falls asleep often enough on the fire escape that his Mom and Paul don’t panic anymore. The first time it happened was shortly after he got home from the Giant war. He felt so guilty after finding out they searched the whole apartment in a tizzy before finding him. Now that they’ve gotten used to it all they do is laugh at the sore neck he wakes up with.
Which he currently doesn’t have, which makes him more alert. As does the fact that he is now covered by a blanket he didn’t have last night. Percy automatically reaches for riptide and when he doesn’t immediately grab the pen that is almost permanently in his pocket does he finally open his eyes.
The first thing he saw was green hills which told him he was at camp. But that can’t be right as he was just in Manhattan. The second thing he noticed was that he seemed smaller underneath the blanket than he was used to. This was confirmed when he removed the blanket and noted how scrawny he was. He also had a distinct lack of scars that he was accustomed to seeing in the mirror.
His brain started picking up every little detail of his surroundings which is how he noticed the drink on the table next to him. The green straw and paper parasol stuck through a maraschino cherry gave him a huge sense of deja vu. The only time Percy recalls drinking nectar like this was when he first got to camp after killing the minotaur. But that was 5 years ago. He was so disorientated by this he failed to notice a figure walking up to him.
“Careful,” a familiar voice said. Grover was standing there looking exactly how he had when Percy was twelve. He was also smaller but he looked younger with smaller horns. Young Grover didn’t hold himself like older Grover did, like he wasn’t as sure of himself. Percy guessed that being made Lord of the Wild really did help his friends confidence. When Grover locked eyes with Percy he looked so sad that Percy wanted to scoop him up into a hug.
“You saved my life,” he began, “I… well, the least I could do… I went back to the hill. I thought you would want this.” Before Percy could even process what he was saying, Grover delicately placed a shoe box in my lap. The minotaur horn. Percy blinked, shock running through him at the sight of his first spoil of war.
Grover must have smelt his shock as he continued on, “You’ve been out for two days. How much do you remember?”
Almost on autopilot, Percy replied, “My mom. Is she really…” Percy wasn’t quite sure what was happening, but he had an idea that he wanted to dismiss because it was ludicrous. But when Grover said things about being a failure and the worst satryr in the world that he knew he had heard before, Percy knew his idea had merit.
I’m in the past. Percy felt like he had been punched in the gut. Of course waking up someplace different to where you fell asleep was suspicious as well as the fact he is infinitely smaller than yesterday. Yet it was being faced with a young Grover that he began to acknowledge his situation. His breathing sped up as panic started to set in. Percy is usually quite good at adapting to situations but even this is too much for him.
Grover was still speaking to him but it felt like there was water in his ears, everything was muffled making him feel like he was underwater. Percy felt a glass being pushed into his hands and drank it without thinking. The taste of his mom’s chocolate chip cookies calmed him down significantly. His body warmed up and his muscles relaxed from their tensed position.
Now that he wasn’t drowning in his panic, a spark of hope filled his chest making him feel lighter than he had see he woke up. This is my chance. I can do better, i can save them. Percy had trouble not outright smiling at that but thinking about everything he will have to go through again made his heart feel heavy. It certainly wasn’t going to be easy but it is a small price to pay so that the Apollo cabin will never be so empty again, or seeing Pollux without Castor permanently.
Yes. I can do this.
Percy turned back to Grover, “Sorry,” He said. “I just needed a minute.” Grover vehemently shook his head. “If anything I should be apologising to you,” He sighed, “how do you feel?”
Percy bit back a grin as he replied, “Like I could throw Nancy Bobofit a hundred yards.” He thought of Nancy’s dip in the water fountain with amusement. “That’s good, I don’t think you should have any
more of that stuff.” Grover carefully plucked the empty nectar glass from my hands and set it on the table. “Come on. Chiron and Mr D are waiting.”
Percy stretched his stiff limbs and followed after his satyr best friend. Let’s get this show on the road.