Archive of Our Own ^beta

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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. 

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They closed in on a clearing, a little girl who looked oddly familiar is pushing her way through the brush on the opposite side. She's small, too small, Percy thinks. Thick blonde hair is whipping behind her as she moves, the little girl spots them and for a moment relief makes its way into her eyes, she's moving towards them and all Percy can do is encourage her. He's making steps towards her, arms reaching out before he's distracted by a rustling noise. Percy is knocked off balance as the girl barrels into him sobbing and grasping at his shirt like a lifeline, Jason and Clarisse make their way in front of him, covering him and the little girl.

She's shaking violently, all Percy can do is rub her back and whisper sweetly in her ear while Jason and Clarisse shelter them. He can't help but deadpan at what comes through the clearing though, nothing but a burly mortal man. He huffs a breath out quickly, the smell of alcohol invading his nose, he knows Jason smells it too just from the way his nose wrinkles. Percy stands wobbly, holding the girl tight, he had a bad feeling about this, and even worse, he and drunks don't mix. Jason pulls a familiar coin from his pocket, rubbing it between his middle finger and his thumb, Clarisse keeps her left hand reaching towards Maimer , her spear that resides on her back. 

The man stumbles, looking them over when his eyes narrow onto the little girl in percy’s arms. “Hey, you give the little girl here now.” The man is loud, a small almost untraceable slur to his words, and by the Gods does it make him tense. The little girl whimpers at the man's voice muttering into Percy's shirt, “Please let me stay”. At her voice, Percy shifts on his feet, taking one hand off of the girl to grasp at the ballpoint pen in his pocket, letting the weight ground him. Jason speaks, clear and just like that of a Roman general, “I don't believe we can do that sir. It’d be best if you just left the girl here with us, we’ll take her off your hands.” 

The drunk sneers, clenching his fists and taking a few more steps to them. Without a second thought Jason is flipping the coin in his hand, it lands on head, morphing into a double edged imperial gold blade. He brandishes the sword, glaring into the man, “You need to take a few steps back, now sir. We don't want to hurt you, but we will.” Jason’s voice carries well and Clarisse is nodding along to his words. The man laughs, boisterous and unkind, “As if you three could do much, you’re a bunch of kids. Just give the girl back and we won't have any issues.” Percy is really getting sick of this guy's attitude, he coaxes the girl in his arms to unlatch, shift to nudge Jason and hand her off, murmuring lowly, “Sword won't do much good against a mortal, let me handle it.” 

At the realization he's clearly hesitant but willing, Jason returns his sword to a coin and slips it back into his pocket to take her gently. Percy moves, coming nose to nose with the man, he knows if anything happens Clarisse has his back and Jason has the girl, they’d all be fine. He shoves the man back, a scowl making its way across his face, “You’re real bold chasing after this little girl and assuming we’ll just hand her off…” His voice is low, menacing. The man falters, he can feel his companions eyes on him. Percy takes his finger and pokes the man in the chest, pushing him back further, “You’re fucking drunk, chasing a screaming child through the woods, and you think we’re just gonna give her to you? Youre bat shit fucking crazy then.” His tone is malicious now, his own personal traumas ringing out as he grilled into the man. Clarisse snaps him out of his fury with a call, “Cool it Prissy, we dont hurt their kind, it's not worth it.” She's condescending and the nickname makes him bristle but it's also familiar in a comforting sort of way.

He pulls himself away from the man who is standing in stunned silence. He turns his back, looking over his shoulder. Sea green eyes peer into the man through thick black lashes , “We’re taking her. If you have any mind at all you won't resist or follow us. Try to take her back and I can guarantee my eyes will be the last you ever see” The man shuddered. Percy knew he was intimidating, all battle scars and war hardened. He’d always had a resting scowl but after what he’d been through? Majority of people avoided him. One more hard look at the man and he was turning tail and leaving the clearing. 

He heard Jason exhale a breath he seemed to be holding in, Percy turned to the two, gently motioning for the girl back. Clarisse eyed him but nodded approvingly after a second. After getting the girl back, he leaned slightly to look at her. She lifted her head from where it was tucked into his shoulder, clear blue eyes boring tearfully into him. He lifted a hand slowly, feather light touches to her cheek to wipe away her tears, “Hey there sweetheart, I’m Percy, this is Jason and the mean looking one over there is Clarisse. We’re here to help you, but you gotta tell us a little bit about yourself first.” he voices kindly, smiling a bit when she grasps small hands onto his bigger ones. Clarisse scoffed, pushing her and Jason closer to cover the girl. Her voice is small, just about as small as she is herself, “My name is Zecora…I'm eight. You won't let that man take me right? He won't come back to get me?!” The girl- Zecora, is panicked by the end of her sentence only calming when Percy shushed her delicately, assuring her she was staying with them. His main concern though, was how small she was for an eight year old and how truly familiar she looked. A thought dawns on him and his heart drops to his stomach, “Say, Zecora, do you happen to know your dad?” He asks her, she shakes her head in response.

Percy eyed Jason, “Pretty sure she's one of Apollos, don't you see the resemblance? She looks just like Will.” Jason’s eyes widen and Clarisse groans from beside him, huffing out “Are we serious?! Now we have to go back to camp and drop her off.” She's clearly annoyed. Percy tightens his grip on Zecora, growling, “Who says we’re taking her anywhere? She's staying with us, we can't trust that camp.” Clarisse sneers, “We don't have a stable place to stay, we cant take her with us.” This makes Percy tense, stepping back and away from the two. Jason interrupts their feud, both hands out, “Listen, you both make good points, we can keep her with us for the time being. If we can find a safe place for her we’ll drop her there.” The compromise leaves Clarisse in her feelings and Percy smiling appreciatively at Jason. 

They establish that they have to go, moving further through the forest until night falls. With Zecora still clutched in his arms, Percy lays across a tree branch, settling for the night while Clarisse and Jason make a fire below . His heart melts a little when Zecora tugs on his shirt, “Are you gonna be my new Papa? “ The question is so innocent in nature he doesn't really know how to answer, with a thoughtful hum he relents, “No…more like a big brother, big brother Percy”. She giggles, the first happy noise he’d heard since they found her, “Big brother Percy!”.

Below Jason and Clarisse look at each other. Clarisse glares, “You’re whipped.” She's aggressive but not necessarily rude. Jason huffs, “You see how he is with her, I couldn't just take that away” Clarisse rolls her eyes, he's right but she won't tell him that. “You’re responsible when it all goes wrong” She mutters angrily, and all Jason can do is nod because all the thoughts and problems seem to go away watching Percy cuddle this little girl to his chest. “By the Gods I really am fucking whipped” Jason mutters and all Clarisse can do is cackle.

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Percy is startled awake when the tree he was so peacefully sleeping in (Or as peacefully as his sleep gets) begins to rumble and quake. His arms wrap over his chest only to find empty space where Zecora should’ve been. Panic spreads through his body, threatening to cut off his airways and restrict his movement. He shifts into war mode immediately, regarding his surroundings, he surveys the area, Jason and Clarisse are nowhere to be found and neither is Zecora. He can faintly pick up on some noise somewhere through the trees to his left, he bolts making for the voices he hears. 

He doesn't like what he finds, Jason pinned to the ground with a silver bow trained right at his head. He doesn't know where Clarisse is but he can faintly see Zecora shaking from behind a thin tree. She's terrified and Jason Grace, his Jason Grace has a goddam arrow to his face, he won't stand for it. He doesn't, almost as quickly as he awoke, he's got Anaklusmos out and is slamming into the girl holding the bow. He's got her up against a tree, forearm to her throat before he registers just who she is, or more so who’s she is. Percy growls, animalistic in every meaning of the word, faintly he can hear Jason yelling at him but he's tuning him out in favor of the girl in front of him. She was young, younger than him no doubt but he also knew she was much older than she looked, that was how Artemis’s blessing worked after all.

“Get off me you pest” Her voice is strained but she puts as much venom into it as possible. The tone only makes him put more pressure onto her windpipe, only when he feels Jason’s hand at his rib, pulling him away does he relent and let her go. He watches almost cruelly as the girl kneels, cuffing a hand to her throat as she coughs and sputters. “Percy she’s a hunter and we don't need Artemis on our asses already.” Jason is lecturing him, always the rule follower that one, except when it comes to Percy. He glares at the girl who's still reeling from the sudden attack and sneers, “She had an arrow to you and Zecora is terrified, she's lucky I didn't do much worse. You guys are all I have left, Jason, you, Clarisse and Zecora. I can't let you be taken as well.” His voice gets desperate towards the end, and having heard her name Zecora rushes the two of them, hiding behind their legs and clinging to them. Jason visibly softens, not removing his hands from Percy but letting his grip loosen a bit.

Percy hears the familiar noise of over a dozen notched arrows and tenses. “Well shit..” He grumbles under his breath as he hooks one arm around Jason’s ribs and another around Zecora, whisking them easily behind a thick tree trunk as silver arrows come raining on the spot they were standing previously. A squeal noise of surprise leaves Jason as he stares stunned at the arrows. Percy doesn't dare move, a tight grip still on both of them. He exhales a breath of relief when Artemis herself drops from a tree, barking for him to show himself. He’s not stupid he knows every single one of those hunters has a bow trained exactly where they expect him to step out, he lets his eyes droop a little as he tiredly sighs, “Tell your hunters to stand down, no one else i love will have an arrow at them today, I won't allow it.” His tone is commanding, he's a war general afterall. 

“Stand down girls. He is no threat to us as of now.” Artemis relents but she doesn't seem too happy about it, her hunters most definitely aren't and they are vocal about but they listen to their patron. Percy unwillingly pulls his arms from around his companions, pushing himself from behind the tree. If he shoved Jason back behind the tree when he tried to follow that was no one else's business. His posture was stiff, his mind wandered, not all there despite the goddess in front of him. He reached into his pocket, thumbing at the worn pen in his pocket, Anaklusmos , the sword had saved his life more times than he could count. He dreaded havin to use her (Yes her) to defend himself from another divine being but he would if the goddess and her troop made it necessary.

“What is drawing your attention , godling, if not the actual Goddess in front of you?” Artemis’s voice catches his attention, he is acutely aware of how he's being analyzed. Percy hummed lightly, a shadow over his face as he remarked, “A companion of mine is missing, I hope you wouldn't have anything to do with that, Lady Artemis”, He acknowledges that the way he worded his statement was almost threatening but truly he cant find it in himself to care about these Gods, his patience and loyalty was long since exhausted. 

Artemis’s eyes narrowed, celestial silver boring into him. It made him uneasy, eye contact always did, but with her specifically? He could do without it. She whistles, a high, splitting sound. One hunter came to stand beside her, a body haphazardly thrown over her shoulder. Percy recognized those boots, the boyish build that the hunter so carelessly held. They had Clarisse, they had her and she was knocked out and hung on someone's shoulder like a sack of potatoes. In an instant his pen is a weapon, celestial bronze gleaming with murderous intent. Artemis doesn't flinch, but he does have to knock a few arrows away from him. “I guess I would have something to do with it, Perseus.” She's calm, too calm for his liking. He liked Artemis, his eyes dimmed with a thought, he’d hate to have to dispatch her and her hunters, but he would if that meant getting his family back.

More arrows are notched, he can hear it just like he can hear the string being drawn taut. He just thinks they’re being prepared until one goes flying, not at him, but at Zecora who's removing herself from the cover of the tree. It misses her, only a warning shot, but it makes percy uneasy. They really shot at a little girl? It's questionable. He could feel the blood running through the hunters, he could count how many there were, he could control it, the blood, control them. His hand flexed with a strange need until it's filled with a smaller one, soft fingers uncalloused and unburdened gripped his. He can hear Jason coming to stand next to him now, he’d wanted them to stay hidden but alas when do things ever go his way. He relaxes a little but pulls her so she’s behind him, if they shoot at her it’d have to go through him first. 

He feels almost feral knowing that his ragtag group is almost completely together save for Clarisse, the knowledge rips a snarl from him, coming from deep within his chest, a guttural sound, “What use do you have for her, return her to where she belongs.” He knows he’s being demanding but his family is on the line and he wont have it. Artemis tilts her head, condescending as possible in her words, “Oh I plan to, I plan to return you all to where you belong. “ She almost smirks at him. It's Jason who speaks this time, “What do you mean..?” his question only invokes a quirk of her lips, “Well, young Roman, you’ve all been summoned to Olympus, I'm simply here to bring you in, willing or not.”

 All Percy can do is curse before three arrows ring out, one embedding itself in his neck, the other in Jason's shoulder, the third making its home in Percy’s side. Dread overwhelms him as the world around him starts to spin, he drops to his knees, acutely aware of Jason dropping like dead weight beside him. With what little strength and consciousness he has left, he pulls his little girl into his arms, tightly winding them around her. With his body wrapped around her, he falls fully, left shoulder meeting the ground painfully. A muscle relaxant and a sedative, he thinks, they were prepared for him. Clarisse and Jason could fend for themselves, this he is confident of, Zecora however, is defenseless.The last thing he does before the world goes dark is curl up around Zecora, tucking her away in his chest, grip strong but not painful. They wouldn't take her away.

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The sedatives were weaker than the muscle relaxants, Percy realizes as he wakes. He's able to open his eyes, though they are half lidded and clearly cloudy, he's disoriented, he has no idea where his friends are save for the child in his arms. Now, Percy is no stranger to the Olympian throne room, though usually he's able to move freely. His limbs feel heavy as if they’re being weighed down it's then that he realizes he is in fact being weighed down, his arms are crossed over the girl on his chest and chained to the ground, he wonders if this is how a straight jacket feels. 

The chains themselves are thick and gold, he makes note that they look good against his skin, unlike the silver they’d accused him of possessing. The realization dawns on him that he has no idea where Clarisse and Jason are, that is until he's able to weakly lift his head and he sees them chained similarly to him to his left. He can't help but tiredly roll his eyes as a distinctly thunderous voice booms from above him, “Perseus Jackson, you’ve been accused of aiding in the mutiny with the lord of time. How do you plead” The voice is arrogant, what else is to be expected from Zeus. If his uncle was one thing it was dramatic, and a whore but that's besides the point. His mind wandered as he thought of the King's infidelity, this seemed to bother the Godly asshole as a bolt of lightning hit in the narrow gap between his feet.

This in itself made him realize he does in fact have free will to move his legs, when he tries he's reminded of the muscle relaxants in his bloodstream, he can, in fact, not move his legs. Gods be damned he can't catch a fucking break can he, he thinks to himself as he slumps further in the chains. Rolling his eyes tiredly, Percy simply leans against the cold marble floor beneath him, suddenly wishing for the warmth of his mother, or the hearth burning lightly only meters away. He can hear Zeus gearing up to strike him for his silence, his interrupted though, when a strong voice rings out, “It is not his father.” 

Suddenly, the muscle relaxants don't feel as strong or maybe they're just filtering through his system now, either way he lifts his head in surprise, eyes wide as he sets his sights on Phoebus fucking Apollon leaning forward in his throne, bright eyes glowing harshly with the power of the sun. The sun god’s eyes move towards him, connecting with his own as a steady warmth spreads over his body, a stark contrast to the cold marble floor of the Olympian throne room. He feels like he's just gotten a hug from the sun, and maybe, in some ways, he has. 

The comfortability of the moment is disrupted by another booming noise, “You dare defend the demigod?! Do tell, Apollo, how could you possibly know the thing is not his?” The king sneers, ever the arrogant prick, Percy thinks. Apollo, surprising the entire throne room, sneers back- a nasty expression. There's a surprised giggle leaving his mouth before he can catch it, the noise makes the sun god smile, just slightly. Apollo speaks, disdain in his voice, almost as if he was speaking to a child, “Well, father, if you must know- This demigod has saved us countless times, no? With the fatal flaw he possesses, why would he have aided in our battle against the titan, the battle that killed his people?” He says it like its obvious, receiving another giggle from the man on the ground. 

Poseidon himself speaks up now, a thankful glance thrown at Apollo as he does, “He is right, little brother, my son would do no such things. Oh, and little brother-” He cuts himself off, a sudden stormy look casting over his face, he stares into Zeus’s eyes with an intensity that causes tension all over the throne room, “you’d do best not to threaten my son in any capacity, you may be “King”, but that is my blood and one of the most innocent being i've ever produced. I would hate to taint his good name by spilling your very own ichor over it but if you think you can hurt my son and get away with it, its an Atlantean war you're inviting to olympus, and I highly doubt many of your own children would side with your foolishness. “ His voice is level but you can hear the warning bleeding into it. The god’s form starts to flicker, a little bit of Neptune bleeding into the threat. So he was protected in both aspects, Roman and Greek, the thought made Percy smile. His dad wasn't always the most reliable but he was trying and this proved it.

Zeus showed very little on his face, though the way his eyes flicked between the two Gods was an easy tell that he was beginning to be uneasy, not enough people were on his side for his taste, the thought made percy grin almost maniacally, good, let him feel how he felt for so many years. Zeus cleared his throat, “There is no concrete evidence that this belongs to the traitor– demigod.” The king pauses, a sigh of relief is caught in Percy’s throat never to be released as the god continues, “but, there is no evidence other than word of mouth that it isn't . I've deemed that he must be under watch, he needs to be controlled and monitored. He's too important of an asset, a vital weapon Olympus needs under its belt.” He declares. 

Immediately chaos breaks out and there's screaming across the room, it makes his head hurt. It's only stopped when Hestia, an incredibly warm presence, appears in the middle of the room, right next to him. There's an uncomfortable silence as he watches her stalk towards him with a purpose, she's kneeling and before he can even ask what's wrong with her she's somehow tearing away the chains out of the marble. “What the fuck” Percy blurts, as his arms are suddenly free and there's two gaping holes in the olympian marble. Apollo snickers at him but is silenced once more when the goddess proceeds to the bodies of his companions, Clarisse and Jason, and does the same. She smiles kindly at him, stepping towards him again. He flinches when she settles in front of him and an anxious breath is pulled into his lungs when she leans forward. He has not a clue what she's planning to do, beat him maybe, curse him, he's not sure. What he sure as hell doesn't expect though is that she kisses him on his forehead, and leans down to do the same to the little girl still clutched into his chest. 

A warm glow surrounds him, the aches and pains from being tied down and the relaxants and sedatives leave him, he suddenly feels comfortable and warm. Percy sits up from his previous position, giving himself a second to situate the girl in his arms before he's standing. He doesn't stay standing for long as he bows, deep and low to the goddess in front of him, his hand offered to her. She looks unsure but takes it, grinning softly when he plants a kiss on her knuckles. He lifts his head, taking in her looks, gods does she remind him of his mother. He allows his head to hang again, one hand still clutching Zecora, he mumbles, “Thank you m’lady, for your kindness, I hope one day to be able to repay this act to you.” The goddess before him brushes his hair out of his face, dragging her delicate fingers down his cheek bones, eventually cupping his face gently. Her voice is melodious and soft, like the cozy crackle of a bonfire or pleasant heat that comes from one’s favorite blanket as she says, “Oh dear Perseus, there is no debt to be repaid in a blessing from me, you have the hearth in your soul, everloving and self sacrificial you are, I only wish that you do not lose that to the circumstances of your survival.” The words weigh heavy on him as he nods, kissing her knuckles once more. The “awww” that resounds from several thrones(Aphrodite, Demeter, Apollo, and Hades? ) is incredibly endearing and he thinks this would be a much better moment if his friends weren't still in some kind of danger for being in relation to him. 

At the end of the interaction he stands fully, finally addressing the court room, most importantly, Zeus. He takes on a look similar to his father, dark hair shadowing his face as he lets his anger take over his body, “ You won't be holding us here any longer. That is not me asking for permission to leave or begging you to let me free, that is me telling you that if you know what is good for you and every divine being in this place who's on your side you will watch me walk out of this place with no qualms or fight.” His voice is strained but his words are purposeful. The king stands from his throne, slamming his hands petulantly on the arms of it, “ You will not be leaving Godling. You need to be controlled and watched” Percy scoffs, ignoring the man and shifting the girl in his arms, tucking her head away in his shoulder as he leaned down and pulled Jason up into his hip. Gods was he uncomfortable but he’d clearly processed everything much quicker than his companions so he had to do this. He leans one more time, scooping clarisse up and tossing her over his shoulder, Jason’s head falling gently and landing against his side. 

When he guaranteed he had all of them securely, he took steps towards the doors of the throne room, slow as he was carrying three extra bodies, but he was making it there nonetheless. He can hear the gods cursing at each other and arguing behind him, he only stops when his father calls to him, “Percy, my son, where do you plan to go” his voice is gentle and Percy almost melts at the tone, he turns around, looking between his dad and Apollo. He sighs tiredly, a bashful smile gracing his lips, “Uh, well, anywhere but here? There's nowhere to go but I won't stand here having my fate decided by this asshole here so…” He trails off and Apollo snickers while Poseidon hides a chuckle behind a cough. Apollo speaks, “I’d like to keep my eye on you Percy, would you mind, I don't know, staying local?” He's kind about it but he can tell he's telling Percy he can't leave, or more so he shouldn't. His father is nodding almost desperately next to him and he huffs,”What do you want me to do, clearly you won't let me leave without harassment, so what do you expect me to do?” Apollo grins, clapping his hands twice as he spins around percy, tapping his nose, “Well, gorgeous, you’re gonna be staying with Arty and her she-woman man haters!!” He sounds excited, but the groan from Artemis tells him absolutely none of this is willing.  

Choosing to ignore the compliment from the flirty god, he turns his attention to Artemis herself who looks back at him, “You're not alright with this are you?” He asks genuinely, an eyebrow raised. She looks surprised at the questions and begrudgingly shakes her head, “I respect you to an extent Perseus but you are as your name implies, a destroyer . I don't want you near my hunters, especially after that stunt you pulled in the forest.” Her words feel like a stab to his chest. He can't blame her and simply nods, “you don't have a choice though, do you?” She shakes her head again, stepping down from her throne and shrinking to his size. He takes multiple steps back for every step she takes towards him, this causes her to pause but she eventually accepts that she won't get close to him and stops, “You’ll have to take an oath to me, destroyer, an oath all of your companions will also take should they be brought into my ranks.” He resists the urge to flinch at the name but nods in understanding, “Of course, M’lady whatever you need from me. I'm invading your space feel free to call upon me for any needs that may arise, I simply ask that you let my companions rest ” Artemis doesn't reply, though a new found twinkle finds itself in her eye at his words.

Percy gently lays his companions down and kneels in front of the goddess as she places a hand on his forehead, reciting the oath to him, ”I, Perseus Jackson, devote myself to the goddess Artemis. I turn my back on the company of women, foregoing any attraction to the members of the hunt or otherwise. I vow to protect my patron goddess and her hunt with my life, ensuring their safety by any means necessary.” He easily repeats the oath, sincerity lacing his tone. He feels himself glow with a silver light, before it dims down and he feels….completely fucking normal. He deadpans, isn't he supposed to get some new crazy power after that? 

He shakes the thought away and is about to stand up when Apollo shoves Artemis away from him and pushes percy back onto one knee. The look on the gods face makes him nervous and he stares up at him with a raised eyebrow, “Hey there pretty, this isn't the way i’d have wanted you on your knees for me but i’ll take what i can get – for now..” The god trails off, eyes getting foggy with thought as a blush crawls its way all the up to Percy’s ears, he snaps out of it and continues, “Accept this blessing from me, will you? Oh and don't worry love, your friends will all get one too, well, maybe not the little girl..” He has no time to even answer or question the sun god before a hand hits his forehead and pain explodes within, going up his spine and spreading throughout his body.

He feels himself changing, his bones stretching, skin ripping and reforming itself, his whole body is taking a new form and b the gods is it fucking excruciating . He almost passes out, almost, distantly he can hear arguing but he can't focus on it because he's watching the bones and joints in his hands shift and pull in ways it really shouldn't. It's disgusting, the sight of fur growing onto his still changing body is what does it, the world is fading to black once again except this time he didn't have any way to protect his family because he couldn't even protect himself.  he thinks, just before the agonizing pain and the sights of grotesque body modifications has him going unconscious, this is supposed to be a fucking blessing?! 

Chapter Text

When he wakes up, he feels like he's seeing sounds and hearing colors. He's in a thickly wooded forest; he can smell a rabbit digging a burrow a little bit south of them. Every single one of his senses is heightened and he can't help but wonder if this is the “blessing” that was bestowed upon him. He doesn’t think much about it because he's more distracted by the fact that he has actual paws. Not hands, not even feet, paws. Moreso, he realizes, his family is here with him in the same predicament, save for Zecora who is nowhere to be found. The more he wakes up the more questions he has, like why is he now in the woods, where is his kid, why is he no longer human? So many questions, so little answers.
Percy can acknowledge that he's never been good at being patient, this is shown when he attempted to wait for his partner to wake up and quit after five minutes in favor of learning his new body in order to figure out how to force them awake. It doesn't take long for him to learn his new limbs, he uses his newfound motor skills to nudge and shove Jason and Clarisse. Only when they are awake does he bother to stop and take in their actual situation.
He, Clarisse, and Jason are now wolves. Well, if wolves took steroids and were the size of a grizzly bear. Jason was the biggest of them, blonde fur and the same electric blue eyes. He even kept the stapler scar on his lip and from the squinting he was doing, the guy couldn't see very well either. He wonders if they’d make glasses for him.
Clarisse wasn't far behind Jason in size though she was a bit more stocky and had dirty blonde fur and even dirtier brown eyes. Percy does in fact snicker to himself when he thinks of that one much to the confusion of his companions. He huffs a frustrated breath when he realizes he doesn't know what he looks like, he knows his fur is the same color as his hair was, black as night. He's the same size as Clarisse though more lithe and built for fluid movement. He appreciates how warm the thick fur makes him, especially when he's able to slip in between Clarisse and Jason to syphon heat from them, they’re like massive space heaters.
His enjoyment of their new bodies is interrupted when Artemis makes her appearance. She raises an elegant brow at the position they're in, but doesn't comment. “So, I see you are all awake now.. And no one died” She adds the last part is a little quieter but even before the wolf ears Percy would've heard it. He makes an incredulous noise but it only comes out as a sort of a yip. Artemis can't hide her amusement, a snort made its way out of her mouth. “It will take a while to get used to these forms but this is what my brother has done to you. As far as your agreement goes, you are simply here to be watched over. My hunters do not owe you anything, do not expect anything from us. Be on your best behavior and we will have no problems.” Her tone is strict and it pulls a growl from Percy's maw.
It's bothering him that he can't say anything back. Almost like she read his mind, she waved her hand and hummed, “I can understand you now, though to anyone else it will still sound like nothing but a dog.” As soon as the words left her lips Percy was snarking back at her.
“It would do you well to remember and remind your hunters that we do not owe them anything. We are here because we have to be.” He finishes his thought before another is blurted out without his permission, “And where is my kid?”
Artemis stares at him blankly, he's also nudged (shoved) by Clarisse who cackles and gives a knowing look. Jason sighs tiredly, as tiredly as a wolf could at least. The moon goddess looks him up and down once, before beckoning them along with her. He's quick to follow, his family trailing along behind him. They get stares the whole time they walk, as Artemis leads them through the camp site to a tent. Ordering them to stay outside she enters the tent, grumbling but complying, Percy stays.
He truly cannot imagine what it actually looks like for three bear sized wolves to be posted outside of a tent but he thinks it must be pretty crazy considering the whispers and odd looks. His patience is wearing thin, as is obvious to Clarisse because he keeps shifting his weight from paw to paw. It's bothering her that he won't sit still and she makes it known when she shoves him over and he goes rolling.
Percy straightens out entirely when Artemis makes her way out of the tent, his kid in tow. The sight of her is both a relief and makes his heart clench. The sight of Zecora, blonde hair tied into a bunch of intricate braids. The little girl is adorned in elegant silvers, they shift and shine in the sunlight of the forest. For once, the girl looks relaxed. Percy lets out a shaky breath he didn’t know he was holding, she looked like a Hunter of Artemis.
Artemis points to him and whispers into the young girl's ear, it’s not long before she's barreling towards him, wrapping her arms around his neck (as best as her little arms can) and digging her fingers into his thick fur. He buries his snout as far into the girls clothes as possible and a crooning sound makes it way from his throat.
The sound quickly stops as the girl pulls away and grins wide, “Percy, Percy, look! I’m a hunter now! Lady Artemis said I could have a home with them now. They even braided my hair and gave me these cool clothes! “ Percy’s eyes narrow as he gives her clothes a onceover, she looks just like every other girl in the camp clad in a white shirt, silver camo cargos, and a silver vest. He nods and truly tries to look happy though there's a lump in his throat. He is only slightly comforted when a golden tail gently glides across his side, a brown one flashing through his vision as Jason and Clarisse shift closer to him, seemingly sensing his discomfort.
Artemis interrupts them, clearing her throat, “Ah, yes, I neglected to mention that your companion has chosen the life of a maiden. She will no longer be allowed to travel with you nor will she be able to accompany you to where you will be camping.” As the goddess lists off the restrictions a rumble makes its way from Percy’s jaw, the growl is only stopped when Clarisse kicks him, not unkindly.
The goddess before them rolls her eyes, “You may not like the rules but the decision was made by the girl. You have no right to take that from her” Her voice is sharp and Percy, having held his tongue for the most part barks back, “I never claimed to want to take the choice from her. Do not put words in my mouth Lady Artemis, I will not have you making me seem a villain because of your own anger towards men.” Artemis, while looking a bit taken aback, scoffs and puts her hand on the lower back of Zecora who was watching the standoff confused. Right, she had no idea what he was saying, just what Artemis said to him. Zecora is gently pushed towards an older hunter who is walking over and grasping her hand.
As she is being led off she turns her head over her shoulder and waves excitedly, “Bye Percy, Clarisse, Jason! See you later!” Percy lifts a paw to her, before his attention is pulled by Artemis whistling at them. By time he looks, the goddess and his two companions are a few feet from him, going off into the woods left of the campsite. A sense of longing engulfs his heart as he catches up to them, every once in a while turning to watch the retreating back of his girl.
Percy is lost in thought when they stop, he can turn and visibly see the campsite so they haven’t gone too far. Artemis explains strictly, “This is where you three will stay. I will not do anything more than watch and make sure you are within your rules. That being said, you have 3 rules to follow during your stay here with my hunt. They are as follows, You will hunt and protect yourselves, me and my hunt will not be responsible for you. You are to follow the hunt closely, do not stray, where we go, you go. Finally, any wrong doing against my hunters is to be punished. I will not tolerate it , you are an unwelcome guest in their space.” Clarisse can be seen rolling her eyes and Percy can't help but feel the same annoyance.
Completely ignoring Artemis’s previous words Percy asks, “ So, you know, to address the rather gargantuan elephant in the forest, uh, when exactly can we go back to being, like I don't know, human?” Another scoff from the divine, she crosses her arms over her chest, “You need only to think of yourself as human to shift back, though be aware the switch will be tiring. You will need to stay as wolves should we be made to travel to either Camp HalfBlood or Camp Jupiter. They cannot know you are here and especially not that you are travelling in my ranks, quite frankly you two boys are embarrassing” An offended noise comes from Jason and Percy just snorts.
He listens to the goddess’s previous advice and shuts his eyes, a will to be human, to be himself, overtakes him and he can feel his body shift and reconstruct. Nothing will ever prepare Percy for the unwavering fatigue he feels when he opens his eyes. A heaving breath falls from his lips but he's also relieved to be himself again. Artemis eyes him with a look of contempt. As quickly as she came she walked away, nothing more than a call of “Remember your rules and we will have no problems.” over her shoulder is given before she is gone.
Percy has no energy to do anything other than settle on the damp ground flat on his back. He takes time to close his eyes and tune out everything around him, to think and breathe without feeling overwhelmed or angry. He acknowledges that he feels angry a lot, more than he feels anything else.
He misses his mom, he misses his cabin at camp, and he really just wants to go home. Though, he is unsure of where home is anymore.
He barely reacts when a wet nose lands on his cheek, nudging him. He opens one of his eyes and is face to face with a sunny furred creature, he hums and lifts his hand to land heavily on Jason's head. Another large body settled against his side, he knows its Clarisse and, albeit cautiously, brings his hand to settle in her fur. She would never admit it but it felt nice so she allowed him to keep his hand. Jason shifts and lays down, pushing his large head to plop on Percy’s chest. The weight and warmth is nice, his eyes grow heavy and before he knows it all of his thoughts are clearing and a sense of serenity is overtaking him.
He is roused by a familiar figure, Jason is shaking him. It's dark and he notices quickly that he can see pretty well despite the night. He feels calm for the first time in a long while. As he stands, he sees propped up on a nearby tree there are 3 packs of varying colors, blue, yellow, and a deep red. He stands , walking to check them out. Jason hums as he watches him, “These were dropped off while we were sleeping. They had one of those nifty little boxes the hunters use for tents, just one though so we’ll all have to share, they are quite spacious though. Also a change of clothes, so go ahead and check through them, the blue one is yours.” Percy is digging through the blue backpack before he even finishes listening to him.
A breath he didn’t know he was holding falls from his lips when he pulls out folded clothes. A pair of black cargo pants, a fitted black shirt, socks, and a pair of combat boots. He’d be able to move in these however he pleased, good. He digs through the bag some more and finds a mess of black fabric. He straightens it out to find that it's a hoodie and a mask. He guessed this would be useful but he’d disregard wearing it at his campsite.
He didn’t realize until that second, but the tent is already set up, he is beckoned inside by Jason. When he is inside he looks around, it was huge, that was for sure. Percy made his way to a corner with a revolving curtain, he pulled himself inside and shut the curtain before changing his clothes. He's incredibly happy to see the mirror inside , he checks himself out. He is lean, but toned and his hair is the same mess of curls it always is. The white lock of hair catches his eye, but he doesn’t linger especially when the sight of it brings bile up his throat. The mask is pooling around his neck, not pulled up to cover him but still on. He had shoved the hoodie back into his pack.
Percy opens the curtain to find his family all changed and looking much more at peace. He smiles at the two, and makes his way to them, “So, we should talk right?” the words feel strange coming from his mouth. Clarisse deadpans and is about to speak when a knock is heard. Percy sighs and glares at the tent flap, “I suppose that will have to wait, huh” A dry laugh comes from behind him as Percy turns around.
The voice calls out again, “I demand you come out here now!” It's distinctly feminine, but not that of Artemis’s. Percy can almost feel the headache he's about to have coming on but he signals for Jason and Clarisse to pull on their hoodies and lift their masks. Ignoring the tiredness in his bones, he pokes his head out of the tent flap.
A silver clad girl is standing there, nose up, and with her hands on her hips. She seems surprised at the lack of a full person that pops out from the tent. She is backing away looking disturbed when 2 more heads make themselves known, stacking their heads onto Percy’s. She regains her composure and huffs, “Lady Artemis requests your presence at the fire pit.” She wastes no time in fleeing.
The three stare at each other before collectively heading out towards the campsite. This was gonna be a long night.