Chapter Text
Percy
3,029 miles. That's how far I was moving away. My mom and I had talked at length about it, her and Paul agreeing it would be best for me. After the second war, I wasn't the same. No matter how much I tried to convince myself that I was, even I could tell. After much worrying and sleepless nights, the Apollo cabin had me diagnosed with depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, which I just piled onto the long list of 'things wrong with Percy'. Mom thought that moving to a smaller town would help me, to get away from the stress of the demigod life and to try and heal.
I didn't make it out of the wars unscathed, none of the surviving demigods did. The older campers were quick to go on guard and late to falling asleep. We were still able to find happiness in capture the flag and activities, because damnit we won, but it wasn't the same as before. There was a heavy sobriety in the air at Camp Half-Blood, and Mom thought that escaping from it for a while would help me get better. No matter how scared I felt, I knew she was right and I agreed to try.
So there I was, packing a backpack with my belongings and hoping that moving in with my mom's half brother wouldn't be the worst thing in the world. My mom hadn't seen him in twelve years, back when I was five. After I came home from the war she reconnected with him, asking if I could go live with him and his daughter in Forks, Washington. Charlie agreed, and I was set to move in a few weeks later. After finding out I had talked to Annabeth, because I knew it would be as hard on her as it was on me. She was the only one who could comprehend what had happened in hell, having witnessed it first hand. She was the only one who understood what it was like to wake up screaming in the dead of night, or to go on alert every time someone touched your shoulder - and now I had to leave her. She was my best friend, my oldest ally. We had broken up after the war, finding we were unable to continue a romantic relationship the same as before. We were both changed by the war, and were able to better support each other as friends. She understood why my mom wanted me to go, and she agreed with Sally, but that didn't make it hurt any less. We had said our goodbyes last night, leaving today for me to pack up and leave.
Mom drove me down to the bus terminal, and her and Paul had tears in their eyes as I got on the greyhound. Admittedly, I did too. I settled into the seat, preparing for a three day bus ride.
- - -
Three days and six stiff hours later, I got off the bus at the Forks bus terminal. I had taken the bus to avoid getting shot out of the sky, but that didn't make the the ride any less painful on my ADHD brain. Grabbing my backpack, I searched for Charlie, my memory of him frustratingly dim. I spotted a man in an officer's uniform a little ways away, and hoped it was him.
I approached, nervously asking, "Charlie Swan?" The man turned to me, a small smile breaking across his Sally-like features and grabbing for my hand.
"Percy? Holy kid, you've grown." He chuckled, shaking hands with me. I gave a small smile, and we left the terminal for his police cruiser which he had driven straight from work in. The ride lasted about fifteen minutes, occasional conversation drifting between us. We pulled into the drive, headlights cutting through the now heavy rain. I was able to make out a white house with grey shingles, and a woman sitting at a table in the kitchen.
Charlie and I left the car quickly, and I relished in the energy that the fat droplets granted me. I let the water seep into me, revitalizing my tired mind and creating puddles in my shoes. Charlie hurried up to the house, and I followed.
Inside was warm and inviting, just like home. It wasn't fancy or lavish, but simple and quaint which made me feel comfortable. I slid my river-filled shoes off, lining them up to the wall the way mom taught me to at home. I shrugged off my rain soaked hoodie, and a young woman entered as I hung it. She had long brown hair, similar to Charlie's, and ivory skin that boasted rosy cheeks. Her face was thin and long, and unlike her skin, her eyes were a rich umber. She gave me a small, awkward smile - just like Charlie had. She then spoke quietly, in a tone of reminiscence.
"Hey Percy... It's been a while." I nodded, and returned my own small smile.
"Hey Bells."
- - -
Bella
Percy helped me make dinner, him making the spaghetti sauce and I the pasta. He was very different from the cousin I remembered, but I guess twelve years of time will do that to a person. I had expected him to be just as hyperactive and inviting as always, as well as half a foot shorter and a lot more scrawny. My expectations were proved wrong when a 6'3, muscular man came through the door, his reservation in full swing. I was even more alarmed when he offered to make dinner, as I thought he didn't know how to make even pancakes. He was completely different from all my memories, and apparently Charlie felt the same.
We ate quietly, and Percy ducked his head when I complimented the sauce. He only ate half, which was unexpected. It seemed as though Percy was as quiet as both Charlie and I, and we all enjoyed the silence that followed through dinner.
When we finished Percy insisted he clean up, and I let him, because it seemed to make him more comfortable. Percy was sleeping on the couch tonight, until we renovated the guest room, so he grabbed some blankets and we all headed for bed. I felt a sense of peace wash over me and hoped that Percy felt the same. Later that night I found out just how false those hopes were.