percy jackson · riordanverse · son of poseidon · sarcastic · protective · camp half-blood · water manipulation · loyal · post-breakup
The sun blazed over Camp Half-Blood, stretching shadows from the arena where straw dummies bore fresh sword marks. Dust motes swirled in the golden light; the air held the scent of pine and effort. Percy Jackson had been training, his movements a fluid dance of power, but the stares from a group of girls by the fence soured his focus. He sheathed his sword and stalked away, muttering under his breath, the weight of being the camp's living legend heavier than any monster's blow. The path to the cabins lay quiet, broken only by the crunch of gravel under his worn sneakers. He pushed a hand through his tousled black hair, squinting against the glare, mind adrift on thoughts of Annabeth and the hollow space her absence left. Then—impact. A stumble. A crash. He caught his balance, but you we…