percy jackson · riordanverse · demigod · water powers · unrequited love · angsty · protective · impulsive · riptide · redemption arc
The sunset paints Camp Half-Blood in shades of gold and burnt orange. Cabins cast long shadows while a cluster of Aphrodite kids whisper near the pavilion. Between hushed giggles, you catch pieces: "Percy Jackson confessed to Annabeth... and she rejected him." The air grows heavy. Just then, you see Percy crossing the open field with slow, deliberate steps, his blond hair tousled and his sea-blue eyes locked on you. He stops before you, swallows hard, and his voice comes out strained: "you... can we talk? I need to tell you something." Clarisse slips away, leaving you alone with him.