Chapter Text
Finally.
They could rest.
Couldn't they?
Luke’s blond hair is just as golden as always, under the sunlight. Percy and him are sitting together again, but this time they’re closer to Thalia’s tree.
Peleus the dragon is not curled around the pine now, but prowling around the woods. The end of his tail swishes, in the corner of Percy’s eyes. A low growling could be heard from the dragon.
Life was becoming normal.
Normal for a demigod, at least.
First it was sword practice. Then sleeping because Percy felt exhausted easily from the Achilles curse. Then breakfast, or lunch or whatever the time and meal was. It felt like a mess sometimes. But Percy preferred this to the even bigger mess that the previous month had been.
Then other camp activities. Most of the campers didn't feel like leaving until the end of summer. Now it was September, and there were still a few campers left, apart from the usual year-rounders.
Sometimes, Percy notices Chiron’s glances at the pair of them, and especially at Percy. The centaur had seen many decades and centuries of heroes succumbing to their gruesome fates, and only some living through with irreversible experiences, haunted eyes and emptiness in their gaze. Those heroes were long dead.
Now it was just them.
And Percy knew it didn't make it any easier for their mentor to be forced to the sidelines by the Fates and watch those he basically considered his adoptive kids.
Chiron had always been watching over the camp, along with a more reluctant Mr D. The gods cared, even if they were repulsed to show it.
Luke was, maybe, starting to accept that as well.
And now, Luke pushes himself up with his arms, and nudges Percy gently.
“We should go.”
The sky is starting to really brighten. Percy hadn't come to realise how early it was until now, but there the sun was, illuminating Luke’s ridiculously shiny hair and forming a halo around the guy's head.
More of the day went by. It was uneventful, aside from the occasional scream from the lava wall and the growls and creaks of monsters from the woods.
Percy sees some of his friends who are still at camp, strolling along the beachside, smacking the volleyball like they had a grudge against it (that was just how they played), teaching the younger newcomers or just going about their camp activities.
Luke and him had been planning to take a break from the godly part of their lives for a few weeks. Percy had jokingly suggested they’d have to fight through the others before they could be allowed to leave, but now that they’d made their plans, it all felt more real. And he knew he’d miss the place, no matter how many pain-warped memories he had from here.
Now all that was left was convincing the two parents of camp.
Dionysus’ response was bored, at first. Chiron had been standing outside the Big House, and looked exasperated at Mr D.
Then, finally.
They got to leave with “express” permission beyond the borders (which they’d already done many times before, but this time it was for real), which meant Mr D. had interrogated them about exactly where they planned to spend their time since Percy was pretty much graduating high school soon and there weren't many fancy business for demigods to sign up at to earn a living.
Percy had been simply overwhelmed by the endless rounds of questioning, taking a step back when Dionysus turned to look at him with bored eyes.
Luke had tried his best to answer, at least.
Chiron had been standing at the side of the porch, and Percy could see his silhouette through the curtains, horse legs shifting and tail swishing restlessly. He knew Chiron, like for every other camper, was pained to see them leave. But he’d promised Dionysus they’d be back.
Maybe in the near future, or just someday… When Luke was welcome. They needed new memories before they could bury the old ones. And the camp needed a new beginning.
The burial shrouds, some of which were just white, blank sheets because they hadn't known who the demigod’s godly parent had been, flashed through Percy's mind, turning to dust in the fire.
They’d all lost some dear friends in their years at camp, even in the camp, once in a certain battle right in the safety of their home. It had been quite sadly meaningless, because the camp was supposed to be a secure place. Demigods weren't supposed to fight for their lives here.
They were supposed to prepare themselves for battle. Battle in the outside world, where there was no protection. Being attacked right where they thought no danger could reach had certainly lowered their morale. Percy didn't know how they’d survived past the second war, of this year’s summer.
And after that event, which had apparently happened in the third summer Percy would have spent at camp, Percy had finally collapsed right inside the border, having just escaped from the Titan Lord’s grasp.
He found out that they’d held his funeral weeks ago, when Annabeth had returned from the volcano with a snap of Hephaestus’ fingers.
Annabeth had beat him up.
Then hugged him with a death grip.
Percy shook his head. Annabeth, now, had already left for her dad’s place in San Francisco. ‘Bonding time’ was what her dad had told her he wished for, quoting his words from his letter that Annabeth had received.
Maybe now they could all have a new beginning.
Luke trudged along the sort-of-safe path to the roads, pulling his meagre suitcase of belongings consisting of his sword and some clothes. Percy had stuffed his sword-pen in a pocket, and was now pulling a camp bag through the dirt.
They travelled in a taxi, choosing to take a break in a small cafe before showing up, unannounced, to Percy’s mum’s apartment. That was partly because the last time Percy had seen her was when he was still half-dead looking and just wanted to tell her he was alive. And also because Percy wanted Luke to come along and meet his mother, this time.
All Sally knew about the man was that he’d been a friend in Percy’s old school, and that Percy smiled whenever she mentioned him - which, by the way, he did not. Smile. Like a lovesick schoolgirl.
So, Luke said he needed some time to compose his ass into a manageable and respectable man, so Percy flipped through what he remembered of New York and directed the driver to the small suburban street where the cafe was.
It was getting late in the morning. Almost noon. It wasn't as crowded as Percy expected it to be. That was good.
They sat down at a corner near the glass walls, on large couches in a deep shade of brown felt. The leaves of the trees outside were taking on a light brown colour, a sign of the peeking autumn season. Cold wind blew some of the fallen leaves in.
Percy got the coffee. It had been a long time before he’d last had a good cup of it that wasn't half severed by a gryphon’s talons or some other mythological beast that happened to cross paths with Percy.
“Hmm,” Luke sighed. He breathed in the smell of the caffeinated drinks. Then smiled at Percy, who sat down at the table.
Percy sipped his cup before talking.
“You’ll love my mom,” he said, smiling back at Luke. “In fact, she’ll love you first. By the time we leave, she’ll be clinging on to you like she does with everyone else. She cares a lot in that way.” Percy’s smile wavers. “I miss her.”
Luke squeezed Percy’s hand. “You’ll see her in a minute.”
“But that’s not what I want to say.” Percy breathed a laugh, squeezing back the other’s hand. He loves how Luke is so affectionate, his gaze burning into Percy’s. “You’re not exactly just one of my friends, Luke.”
Luke smiles knowingly. “Your mom already knows?”
“Luke…” Percy suddenly realises what he just implied accidentally. But he guessed it was sort of true. “Well, maybe. And I told her… A little.”
“Okay.” Luke shifts on the cushion, breathing in. “I just gotta…”
“Don’t think about all the stuff we’ve gone through,” Percy whispered, trying to stay out of earshot of the other customers. “You’re just meeting my mum as a… boyfriend. You're my boyfriend.”
“I am,” Luke breathed. “I…” He shakily picked up his cup and swallowed a mouthful of coffee. “Okay. I think I know what to do… And will she… recognise my name?”
“Will she…” Percy repeats, confused, then realises.
Luke still had the reputation of being Olympus’ big bad enemy, which Percy had conveniently forgotten to worry about. His mom must have heard of the man, one way or another. Annabeth had made it clear she had visited Sally when Percy had been assumed dead. And she’d most likely mentioned Luke, since he’d played a really big, unwilling part in their quests.
The biggest part his mum would think of would be hurting her son. Even if it hadn't been directly.
But Percy resolved that he would just have to explain it out. His mum always listened to him. Sometimes, she had a kinder soul than the one she’d raised. She was great like that.
“It’ll be fine,” Percy says, and he knows it is true. He doesn't just mean meeting his mom, however, and Luke seems to know, smiling slightly again.
The wind continues to blow delicately, the breeze reaching deep into the cafe. It feels good on Percy’s face. It reminds him of light rain.
It isn't the sea, but he always feels safe in the rain. Like his father was somehow still looking out for him, even from Zeus’ domain. But water was everywhere, he supposed. Poseidon basically had control everywhere, in the seas, in the skies, even over the earth.
He wondered what that made him. A son of the sky-earth-sea god? That sounded way too much. He’d just stick to the ocean, thank you very much.
Luke tapped on the table. “I guess I’m not that worried about meeting your mom now. But we do have another big problem after we leave your apartment. Where am I gonna stay?” His smile turned humourless. “I… My mom is still out there, but I don't…”
Percy’s mind flashed to the woman who looked too old for her age, her kind, blind eyes flashing bright green and voicing prophecies in a deranged manner. Luke didn't know Percy had already met his mother, but…
He told him right there.
Luke frowned.
“She was acting up again, wasn't she?” Luke said when Percy faltered on describing May Castellan’s possessed state. Her half-insanity still haunted Percy. Luke cursed. “I still don't know how that happened. The last time I went… Asked for her blessing. Then she collapsed on me.” Luke gave Percy a guilty look. “I really fucked things up, Percy, I wish-”
“Look, calm down,” Percy said. He breathed out. “We’ll find a solution. We can help her, Luke. There isn't a war on the brink of our lives anymore. It’s just… an age old curse on someone who didn't ask for it. You’ve faced worse.”
“I know who you’re gonna ask, Percy,” Luke said. But he didn't seem mad anymore, just sad. “I can't face both him and my mother this soon.” He bites his lip. “He might want to help her. But will it be for us, or just for her? I can't…”
“For both of you, Luke,” Percy says, and closes both his hands around Luke’s. “Don’t doubt your dad. He may be a god, but he’s never wished ill for you both, ever. Give him a chance.”
Luke sighed, running his other hand down his face. “This is a big thing. I guess- We’ll think about it after we see your mom, Percy. This wasn't supposed to be about my family problems. I remember leaving camp because I wanted to follow you, Percy, not the other way round.”
“It’s about you, too, Luke,” Percy said, but let go of the topic. It seemed that Luke couldn't accept love from others more because of his guilt than his grudges, but Percy didn't want either things to hold a grasp around his boyfriend.
“Finnish your cup,” Luke said, giving a small, yet tired, smile. “Let’s go see your mom.”
Percy returned their cups after.
Luke kisses him on the way out of the cafe, causing Percy’s face to get redder from another cause apart from the cold wind.
Way to flirt with the blushing boy, Castellan, Percy thought.
Luke kept squeezing his hand on the ride to Percy’s apartment. It suddenly occurred to him that Paul Blofis would be there, too. But if his mom could trust the guy, then Percy could too. And by extension, Luke.
The building looks the same. Tall, old, weathered walls and a boring brown door as the main entrance to the apartments. It’s been quite a while since Percy has seen his mum, and he wonders how she’s doing with Paul.
He hadn't heard from them for the entirety of the week-long battle.
He hoped they were home now.
Percy tentatively knocked on the door, suddenly self-aware. Would she mind his messy, uncut hair? She never seemed to. And the new scars all over him. She would definitely notice those. And he didn't have an explanation for all of them.
Huge, ugly scars and haircuts were on completely different sides of the coin. There was just too big of a difference, and he couldn't hope for this mum to respond the same to both. And there was still the blond man next to him.
Before Percy could really compose himself, the wooden door opened, and his mom revealed herself.
Paul was behind, sitting at the couch.
Sally stopped her movements upon recognising her son in the hallway, smiling while he fidgeted. Then her gaze switched to Luke, who had his hand wrapped tightly around Percy's.
“Percy.”
“Mum?”
Sally stepped forward slowly, like she was in a dream. “My son.”
She sounded rather lost. Percy’s heart felt like breaking for the tenth time in a row.
“It’s me, mum,” Percy said, and Sally rushed to him, wrapping him in such a tight squeeze Percy stumbled. Luke stepped to the side.
“You're here.”
She was sobbing now, clinging onto Percy desperately. Percy hugs back just as fiercely.
“I’m here.”
Percy thinks this is much better than a dream.