Chapter Text
The sabotage left an emptiness in his gut, a hole- no, a void in his chest. Where all the love he’d felt previously for the people before him was supposed to be. He flexed his hand, curling it into a fist only to relax it a moment later, everything in him told him to book it, leave, make it out of there by any means necessary, but he held in the need to flee and simply looked. He wouldn't let these people get a single reaction out of him, he wouldn't let her get a single reaction from him.
They locked eyes for a moment, steely gray met stormy green for just a second before his eyes were drawn to the catalyst of the event at hand: a small, tarnished silver scythe charm hanging from her fingers, almost an exact replica of the one Silena wore save for the rust engraved in the lines of the metal. The rust silena’s would never be able to collect as she had not lived enough to wear it that long. Though he's unsure how this one had begun to rust, it would've had no contact with moisture had it been his as they claimed. He doesn't let anything he wears get wet much less jewelry that would tarnish that much, on another note, he wears gold, silver washes him out.
His thoughts are interrupted when she shakes the charm, a small sound coming from it, a jingle of the jump ring making contact with the loop of the trinket. The noise bothered him, he’s heard it before, he's absolutely sure but where exactly seems to have slipped his mind. He would never wear something that made that much noise by a simple movement, he wouldn't be able to focus. She, Annabeth, has a single hand on her hip, focusing her weight to her right foot, she's comfortable, confident. She has every right to be considering she’s convinced the entire camp that this charm is his. He can't necessarily blame them for believing her, she was- is one of the smartest people he knows, she can also be a conniving manipulator, that much is on clear display.
Her eyes narrow at his lack of a reaction, the same calculating look he previously found endearing now made him sick to his stomach. “What do you have to say for yourself, huh Perseus ? For someone who’s fatal flaw is supposed to be loyalty you sure did have no problem keeping this little treasure hidden away in your cabin.” Her voice was sharp with accusation, his name said with pure venom, a tone he never thought would be directed at him. Though, he ponders to himself, she did look at him quite differently after their trip to Tartarus. He supposes it was only a matter of time before she realized she didn’t control him anymore and decided to do something about it. He didn't say a word, instead allowing his eyes to gaze over the crowd of campers behind Annabeth. He catches onto Clarisse, she looks uncertain and, for the first time since Silena’s death, sad. His eyes move again, now locking onto Jason. He’s being held back by a frustrated Leo who is aggressively whispering things into his ear. Behind Leo is Calypso, the titaness keeps an even look on her face, though still she refuses to make eye contact with him.
Annabeth draws his attention again, the charm sounds once more with a shake of her hand, she's snapping at him, “Say something seaweed brain . This charm proves you're a traitor and you really can't be bothered to speak?!” She’s snarky, speaking the nickname like an insult, though it always was a jab at his intelligence, thinly veiled as a cute pet name. The charm though, the noise, it's starting to irk him. His brows furrowed as he shook his head gently, clearing his thoughts, “I have nothing to say if you truly believe that's mine.” Percy murmurs softly, defeat lacing his every word. If they could call themselves his friends and still believe that belonged to him, he had no place in their lives anyways. She seems frustrated with his answer and after a resounding complaint from the mass of campers behind her she puts both hands on her hips, the charm jingles one more time before it's tucked away in her palm. “We’ll need to get the Gods involved. That is….unless you choose to leave now. Don't come back, not ever. You’d be banished from Camp Halfblood, in return for us not telling the Gods of your betrayal.”She says it easily, too easily.
He feels his heart clench but his resolve is strong still. All Percy can really find in himself to do is nod, so he does, just a simple shake of his head and he's turning on his heels to pack up the little belongings he has in his cabin. It's not so much packing as it is grabbing the shield Tyson made off the wall, he chooses to leave the minotaur horn, he has no use for such an item any longer. He makes his way to the door of his- the cabin, mourning the loss of the home he knew before. As he opens the door he's shoved back into the place as two people file in. “What the hell are you doing?” He huffs out frustratedly, he was trying to leave in peace, why can't they just let him do that. He’s pushed again, this time a bit more aggressively, “Are you kidding me jackson?! You’re really just gonna leave?” It's Clarisse, and by the Gods does he want to punch her in her nasty face right now, but he doesn't instead he shoves her back. “What the hell else am I supposed to do!? Just let me leave Clarisse, it's no use.” She lets out a growl, crossing her arms over her chest like a petulant child.
She goes to speak again but is interrupted by a distinctly male voice, “That's enough Clarisse, we talked about this already, we’re not here to fight him about leaving we’re here to go with.” The voice, which he soon realizes belongs to Jason, holds a strong command. Clarisse relents a little, to his surprise, and nods to Jason’s words. He tilts his head in a distinctly dog-like manner, raising an eyebrow at the two, “You’re coming with me? For what?” He's skeptical. Jason rolls his eyes at him, taking steps across the floor to grasp his hand. He half expects himself to flinch away but the touch is so soft he melts as Jason pulls him into a hug. Jason squeezes him, not uncomfortably, murmuring, “Just because they were convinced doesn't mean we were. We don't want to stay in a place who would do that to someone like you.” He feels tears well into his eyes at the heartfelt words , they’re inches away from falling when Clarisse coughs. “Enough of the sappy shit, we stand with you Prissy. You boy kissers can let each other go now. we have to leave.” She’s gruff but he can sense the sincerity in her words.
Percy grins, separating from Jason ( there's a high blush on his cheek bones that no one mentions). He leads the two of them out of cabin 3, quickly ducking around towards Thalia’s tree. The trio make the stretch of land and leave the barrier of safety, leaving camp half blood, their home for so many years. Percy feels bittersweet, though there's a weight lifted off of his shoulders he would've loved to have parted on less dire circumstances. The wound of betrayal cut deep, but Jason and Clarisse helped. Said two are watching Percy with concern, they’d all deal with their traumas and scars when they were safe somewhere. Now was not that time. For now, they would stay on the move, making their way away from camp, using the forests as cover and a means for shelter, away from monsters entirely.
That was the plan at least, Gods forbid they keep to it. There really wasn't a second thought however when they heard a high pitched shriek from a darker part of the woods. They really couldn't help themselves could they? There's a deep inhale and then Percy is bolting off towards the noise as Clarisse and Jason scramble to follow.